Happiest Birthday

My birthday this year revolved around some really awesome bars with some really awesome friends.

Blu Jaz Cafe

 

 

I invited some of my closest friends and then some whom I hadn't seen for a while for dinner, drinks and a puff at Blu Jaz Cafe, located at 11 Bali Lane, in the cultural heart of the city centre. This intimate little bar boasts ample al fresco seating, a cosy interior and even a private party room on the upper floors. You'd be very pleased to find that the food is very yummy, served in generous portions and yet extremely reasonably priced. I think Blu Jaz is a great hangout, for their beer towers and their flavoured hookahs. 

Fabrika

 

 

 

On Wednesday, the day of my actual birthday, some colleagues and I decided to have some drinks in the newly opened Fabrika bar that sits on the open space of the 17th floor of our office building, Tower Fifteen on Hoe Chiang Road. The snazzy bar is decked in modern zen furnishings, softly illuminated by romantic lanterns and lamps. On a good day, the cool dawn breeze just welcomes you as you sink into one of Fabrika's plush armchairs or inviting daybeds. Smokers are allocated high tables near the edge with views of Keppel, a rare comfort from tiny stuffy smoking corners in most bars in Singapore. But ambience aside, Fabrika offers 1-for-1 from 5pm to 9pm daily on all loose alcohol drinks. This includes champagne, which my colleagues and I guzzled gleefully after a full day at work, while enjoying the setting sun in the blushing distance.

Gem Bar & Lounge

 

 

 

After the loveliest dinner at Senso on Saturday evening, the better half led me to a cheeky surprise party at our favourite bar on Ann Siang Hill. I was so bowled over to see almost all our good friends there and smiling. It completely made my year, much less my week! As if having my lovely friends there with me wasn't enough, he ordered a big bouquet of foil balloons, remembered that I love strawberry swirl cheesecake and even got the cutest Disney princess paper plates for the cake. I really couldn't have asked for anything more; I went to bed totally contented that night... only to find it just keeps getting better the next morning when I woke up to my iPad! I personally thought that Gem was the perfect location to host the surprise get together. There was enough room to fit all my friends, with the serious drinkers spilling over onto the bar and the others sprawled across the luscious sofas. The staff were very attentive, did their best to make everyone feel comfortable and we really did. 

Hence concluded one of the best and happiest birthdays I've ever had. 

twenty-four!

It's been a pretty trying week but the day has finally arrived - I turn twenty-four.

My cat Billy took a turn for the worst last Saturday and had to be rushed to the hospital. He was discharged yesterday and is home but not fully recovered yet.

Nevertheless, I had a fantastic dinner and some drinks with my closest friends at Blu Jaz Cafe on Bali Lane on Monday evening. Today, I'm visiting the rooftop bar on our office building with my colleagues (who have all just learned that I am officially the youngest associate in the company) for more birthday drinks, and I still have a birthday surprise this Saturday (planned by the better half) to look forward to. I guess no matter how challenging the year has been, I can still count myself incredibly blessed.

Through the wonders of social networking technology, my phone has been beeping nonstop with facebook notifications of friends taking the time to leave some love on my wall. I think it's amazing that people I haven't seen in years and acquaintances I've only just met spared a moment today to think of me.

Presents, cake and celebrations aside, this is what birthdays should be about - knowing you exist.

Thank you one and all for the kind thoughts and warmest wishes. Have a lovely Wednesday!

Birthday Wishlist 2010 (Revised)

Scrap the previous post.

All I want for my birthday is you, blue eyes. xx

My Birthday Wishlist 2010

It's September!

That means that it's exactly TWO WEEKS until I turn 24 21 (again)!

I've been giving this list a lot of thought for about a month now. In fact, some of these items have been on here for years so I am more determined than ever to cross off every item before my next (21st) birthday. 

To be honest, I feel as though I don't have much to celebrate this year. It's been a rough year and I just really want to get it over and done with. There will be no big get together, or not one that I have planned anyway. 2010 is just depressing so I'll save it for an even bigger one in 2011. 

But just because I'm not throwing a big fancy party doesn't mean that I don't get big fancy presents, right? (Even if I do buy them myself... hehe)

So here goes...

 

Mary Poppins & The King and I DVDs

I've loved these classic movies ever since I was a kid! How could one forget Supercalifragilisticexpialigocious and Getting To Know You?

 

Big Beautiful Eyes by Benefit & Urban Decay Brow Box

After my girlfriend started selling Benefit, Too Faced and Urban Decay makeup, I've since become obsessed with these two items in particular. 

 

Marc Jacobs Daisy EDP & Versace Bright Crystal EDT

My two essential scents.

 

Apple iPad 64GB Wifi + 3G & Apple iPhone 4 32GB

Once you go Mac, you never go back... It's so true!

 

Baking / Thai Cookbooks

I love to cook (when I can find the time, or when I can be bothered to clean up the mess) so these would be lovely! Since getting a new oven, I've grown some cahones to try baking but I've only gotten as far as brownies out of a box. 

Gourmet Picnic Basket Set

I've always wanted one of these! Who doesn't like picnics?!

SGD200 credit on www.asos.com

SGD1000 credit on Comfort Driving Centre

You'd be amused to know that I took my Basic Theory test when I turned 18... failed, and then never bothered again. Yes, I - top student at O levels - failed my Basic Theory driving test. 

Korg SP170 88-key Digital Piano in White & Piano Lessons

This is something I've been wanting to do since forever but just never got around to it. With the YouTube covers boom, I'm inspired again. 

Long lasting AA batteries

This is actually an inside joke, but seriously would come in handy.

Kate Spade Cornelia Street Noel Stevie

  

Return to Tiffany Charm Bracelet & Solitaire Diamond Necklace

I actually got a solitaire diamond pendant from a friend a couple years back but am very ashamed to say (like most of the other jewelry that people have bought for me) that I lost it. ):

Fitness First Passport

There's a Fitness First right by my office that offers great classes and I would ideally like to pop in at least twice a week. (Emphasis on IDEALLY)

Scrapbooking Kit

I've been wanting to do this for ages! I collected so many photographs and momentos from everywhere but always got overwhelmed while I attempted to shop for scrapbooking supplies. From wanting to buy everything, I decided to buy none at all. Hence, it still remains a far off idea.