Grand Park Orchard: A Chillax Staycation for Families right in the heart of Orchard Road

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The thing about staycations with kids is, it is so easy to just pack and go. No hitting the road, or skies. No passports. No fuss. Just a weekend away from the usual routines... especially if it involves a hotel that is located smack in the middle of the city.

Yes, relaxation has never been so accessible.

Located right smack in the middle of Orchard Road and directly above Abercrombie & Fitch, the Grand Park Orchard hotel is the most iconic Grand Park hotel in Singapore. Throw in the close proximity it has with shopping malls like Paragon, Ngee Ann City and H&M's flagship store, and I think you have a staycation winner!

Room-wise, we were put up in two connecting Premier rooms that each came with a king-sized bed.

The size of the rooms are pretty large; big enough to accommodate an extra single bed should you require it - like my family.

I like how the design of the rooms are comtemporary yet simple in its own unique way. A nice touch is the inclusion of the see-through window between the bathroom and hotel room, which I think will delight the younger kids.

For my monkies though, the availability of free Wi-Fi in the room always brings smlies to their faces! 🤣

The entire Grand Park Orchard hotel screams chic and the lobby area is probably where this is most evident.

Of course, there are lots of spaces for families to chill within the hotel too - with the most stunning (read: Instagrammable) area being pool side.

I love how the hotel has added that touch of green foliage and nature to the area, which makes me feel that I am chilling in an oasis in the midst of the city.

Or posing. LOL.

Well, all that posing certainly made the monkies extremely hungry... which was a good thing, since we had a dim sum buffet lunch at Mitzo on the agenda!

Mitzo is a Chinese restaurant that serves Cantonese cuisine with a modern twist although I have to admit, I have never heard of or dined at Mitzo before. But judging from the display of the numerous food accolades it has amassed at its entrance, I think it was safe to say we would be totally blown away by the dining experience.

And yes, I was absolutely right.

Let me just say this - for a splendid weekend out on Orchard Road in Singapore, you probably cannot find a much better all-you-can-eat dim sum brunch buffet than at Mitzo.

Priced at $68++ per adult (6 to 12 year-olds enjoy 50% off while kids under 6 dine free), the food menu is EXTENSIVE, with close to 60 dishes to choose from. Believe me, we have tried our very best to try to order everything... but even with 2 growing teens in the family, we still failed spectacularly.

And the main reason? Because we ordered the same dishes for some of the dim sum choices. 😁

And that's because they were just TOO GOOD! Like this Mitzo Special Barbecued Pork (or char siew).

OMG, this is truly the BEST char siew we have ever tasted! The meat had just the right amount of fat, and it was so tender with a crunchy caramelized glaze on the outside. Just don't ask how many servings of the char siew we had because I honestly cannot remember. LOL.

You can view the entire buffet menu HERE but the standout items that we tried include the Stir Fried Black Pepper Beef Cubes, Wuxi-Style Sweet & Sour Pork, Crispy Beancurd Roll, Wild Mushroom Crystal Dumpling, Escargot Cheese Puff, Royal Shrimp Dumpling and Stir Fried Scallops with egg white and fresh milk.

On top of that, each  diner is also entitled to a complimentary one serving of a bamboo clam, live lobster, and abalone dish.

But whatever you do - or eat - please please please save some space for the ultra-luscious Hokkaido milk cheese tart.

They are bite-sized and oh-so-good. You probably don't need me to describe how they taste because all you need to know is the restaurant only bakes them a few times during the duration of the brunch so my suggestion is to place an order for them once you take your seat. They really get snapped up very fast!!!

But all the fantastic food spread might count for nothing if one cannot sit down peacefully through the meal. Parents, you know what I am talking about. 😆 Fret not though, because there is a playroom for kids where they can entertain themselves by watching cartoons, playing toys, colouring and drawing!

With the kiddos being kept busy, perhaps parents can indulge in some cocktails too!

Suffice to say, all of us were bursting at the seams by the time we were done with the brunch buffet.

Great to head back to our comfy room for a nap, I say.

We thoroughly enjoyed our short staycation break at Grand Park Orchard. It is pleasant, comfortable and its superb Orchard location means the wifey get to do her shopping while the rest of us recharge in the room. Now that's a win-win!

Grand Park Orchard is currently having a number of staycation promotions so head HERE if you are thinking of a staycation with the family soon!


Grand Park Orchard
270 Orchard Road, Singapore 238857
WEBSITE

The best study desk you can get for your kids now - ErgoBloom

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With the rate that a child is growing, it somehow feels like there is a need to replace the kids' furniture at home every month! From beds to chairs to study tables for kids, it is as if kids outgrow their furniture at an alarming rate... which probably explains why some parents opt to buy adult-sized furniture so that their kids can grow into it.

Erm, bad idea. Primarily because kids will then have to strain their bodies to accommodate the furniture and this could lead to potential ailments like musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that can affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and joints.

So instead of having to constantly change the furniture as the kids grow older (and bigger), why not invest in a set of furniture that grows with your child? A set of convertible furniture that take care of your offspring from child to tween to teen.

And this is where ErgoBloom comes to the rescue.

ErgoEdge is an ergonomic furniture company based in Singapore and they have recently launched the ErgoBloom series - a line of ergonomic furniture made for kids. Specifically, the BloomDesk and BloomChair which adjust to the kids as they are growing up, to ensure they always have perfect posture when sitting at their desks.

But the thing about kids when it comes to sitting in front of a desk is that... it is COMPLICATED. That is because kids being kids, they sit in thousands of different positions: upright, slouched, twisted, tilted, straddling their seats. They stretch out their legs, sit on them, cross them, bounce on them. And of course, they love to balance on the front of their chair or precariously teeter on the back, tempting gravity – and common sense. Sigh.

And even as they "sit still", their bodies are still constantly moving. They shift their weight around on the chair, they rest their arms (and body weight) on the table, they fidget and sometimes, they fall asleep. 😂

So how does the ErgoBloom series (sold by ErgoEdge) fix these problems?

ErgoBloom is designed to grow up with your kids

A good set of ergonomic furniture should ensure that the chair enables your child to sit with their feet flat on the ground and their knees forming an angle of at least 90 degrees. The same goes for the desk - the child should be able to rest their elbows comfortably on the desk with an angle of at least 90 degrees. Which is why having a set of furniture that grows with your child is so important.

The BloomDesk and BloomChair are precisely that - from adjusting the desk's height and angle to adjusting the chairs' depth and height according to the height of your child - this always ensures that the furniture is a perfect fit with your child.

One incredibly nifty feature that I love about the BloomChair is the adjustable height on it is shown in correspondence to the height of the child. You can't make it simpler than that!

ErgoBloom prevents slouching, while promoting the correct posture 

Bad posture in kids, who are developing quickly, can have long-lasting effect. Misaligned spine, chronic pain, and musculoskeletal problems are but some of the common problems. And these are no small laughing matter.

ErgoBloom’s adjustability and various ergonomic features ensure kids develop proper postural habit. Besides being able to adjust the height of the BloomDesk easily, you are able to tilt the desk top at an angle between 0° to 25° which helps to eliminate slouching and neck strain, allowing kids to study at a straight posture.

To encourage blood circulation, get a chair that allows your child to switch between postures for different tasks. This means a more flexible backrest and no armrests. Your child should be able to move back, forth, and sideways as well. The BlomChair comes with a Flexible Split Backrest – which reduces pressure to the back by 75%. It does so by reacting to any shifts in posture to quickly fill the gap, ensuring the back stays always supported.

And how's this for a cool safety feature - the BloomChair has self-braking castors that automatically locks when seated to prevent accidental rolling over the kid's toes!

ErgoBloom is made to last

The thing about growing kids is the furniture that they are going to be using has to be sturdy and strong enough to withstand the inevitable ‘abuse’ your child is going to put it through. 😅 The BloomDesk and BloomChair are made of quality materials, and are designed to withstand long-term usage.

In addition, the surface of the BloomDesk is non-reflective which prevents light and sun rays from reflecting onto your child’s eyes. This may be seemingly minor but most kids usually do their homework or revision at night under the room's light or a desk light so the prolonged reflection of the light rays into the eyes can increase the risk of astigmatism, myopia and other eye conditions.

More importantly though, what did the monkies think of the BloomDesk and BloomChair?

Well, the TL;DR version: They LOVE them!

At the end of the day, a desk and a chair can be extremely ergonomic but if a child doesn't feel comfortable using them (especially since they have to use the furniture for study!), then it defeats the purpose.

So not only did Ash and Ayd love using the BloomDesk and BloomChair, they also love them for the little features that came along with the furniture.

Like having a compartmentalised drawer for their stationery.

Oh, and this has to be Ash's fave. Having a pull-out book stand for his textbooks so that he can easily refer to them while doing his homework!

In truth, the standard study desk is simply not designed to accommodate a growing child. And having a set of study furniture that grows with your child from ErgoBloom not only ensures the healthy development of your kid’s bone structure, it also lowers the risk of future health problems.

Interested to find out more, or to view the furniture for yourself?

Visit ErgoEdge’s website, or check out their showroom at 110 Lorong 23 Geylang, #07-09, Victory Centre, Singapore 388410 (opposite Alijunied MRT).

*USE this promo code: CHEEKIE58 to enjoy $58 off all ErgoBloom products! Code is valid until 18 October 2019.

[GIVEAWAY]

To celebrate the launch of “ErgoBloom”, ErgoEdge is giving out a ErgoBloom bundle (worth $830) each to THREE lucky winners!

To participate, all you have to do is the following:

1. LIKE ErgoEdge's Facebook page.

2. SHARE this blog post on your FB 

3. Head over to the ErgoEdge’s Main Giveaway post HERE and COMMENT ONE sentence on why you like ErgoBloom and tag a fellow mummy/daddy you know!

*Giveaway ends 29 September 2019, 2359 hrs.
Winners will be announced by ErgoEdge on its main FB post. GOOD LUCK!

8 Ways to spend Mid-Autumn Festival 2019 with the Family (Singapore)

This year's Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) falls on 13 September 2019, which is a Friday. What this means that the Mid-Autumn festivities will be in full swing this 7 & 8 September weekend! Good thing is, the light-ups will continue to next weekend (14 & 15 Sep) as well, including plenty of lantern walks to choose from.

Since the Mid-Autumn Festival is all about spending time with the family, parading lanterns and of course, gorging on mooncakes, what better way to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival than take your pick from the list of activities below and bring the kiddos out to soak in the festivities! And yes, all of them of FREE!

Depending on your preference, there are EIGHT to choose from:


#1 If you wish to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with humongous colourful lantern displays, including a spectacular light and sound show:

Mid-Autumn Festival 2019 @ Gardens by the Bay

Now until 15 Sep 2019; 7pm - 11pm

Gardens by the Bay

FREE

Main Lantern Displays
Date: 30 Aug - 15 Sep
Time: 7.00pm - 11.00pm
Venue: Various locations

Enjoy spectacular lantern sets depicting stories of rich tradition and heritage. Don’t miss the tallest and widest ever display of floating lanterns stretching over 120m, and take a stroll within the very first giant revolving lantern!

AIRMESH
Date: 30 Aug - 1 Nov
Venue: Opposite Bayfront Plaza

The lantern-inspired pavilion, AIRMESH, functions as a belvedere which invites visitors into an immersive experience for framed views of the Gardens with its strategic location along the scenic Dragonfly Lake. The 30 sqm cantilevered state-of-the-art 3D-printed steel structure offers unprecedented perspectives through the day with its play on colours, shades and reflections.

Colonnade of Lights
Daye: 30 Aug - 15 Sep
Time: 7.00pm - 11.00pm
Venue: Colonnade

Stroll by the Colonnade of Lights and enjoy these displays of lanterns painted by people from various walks of life. Catch a glimpse of whimsical imagination decorated by many creative hands.

Illuminations of Joy
Date: 30 Aug - 15 Sep
Time: 7.00pm - 11.00pm
Venue: Supertree Grove

Illuminations of Joy invites you to journey through a series of creative expressions mapped on lanterns hand painted by Seniors.

Mass Lantern Walk
Date: 14 Sep
Lantern Collection: 7.15pm
Start of Mass Lantern Walk: 7.30pm
Meeting point: SG50 Lattice

Join in for a stroll through the Gardens amidst beautiful lantern sets, led by a magnificent LED Dragon! Free LED fabric lanterns will be provided for participants who take part in the walk.

GARDEN RHAPSODY: A JOURNEY THROUGH ASIA
Date: 30 Aug - 15 Sep
Time: 7.45pm & 8.45pm
Venue: Supertree Grove

Journey through Asia and immerse yourself in the rich and diverse soundscape, as the Supertrees light up your imagination of this magnificent part of the world! Look out for local artists Alemay Fernandez, Dawn Ho, Leandra Lane and Lou Peixin’s rendition of 《夜来香》，《甜蜜蜜》，’Bengawan Solo’, ‘Dayung Sampan’, ‘Sukiyaki’, and ‘Singapura, Oh Singapura’!

For a detailed listing of all activities and performances, visit HERE.


#2 If you are looking to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival at a new venue this year:

Mid-Autumn Festival @ Jurong Lake Gardens

6 - 15 Sep 2019; 6pm - 11pm

Jurong Lake Gardens

FREE

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival at Jurong Lake Gardens and go on a journey to the West with characters from popular Chinese folklore and watch the garden transform into a mythical world surrounded by a myriad of plants and animals at night. Partake in the festivities as a family and plan your very own lantern walk in the gardens. Enjoy performances which will happen daily and refuel yourself at the night market with a variety of food and drinks at the Wave Plaza. Admission is free! For a detailed listing of all activities and shows, visit HERE.


#3 If you wish to soak in the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere:

Mid-Autumn @ Chinatown 2019

Now until 28 Sep 2019

Street Light-up: 7pm – 12mn (Sun – Thur) | 7pm – 2am (Fri & Sat)

Chinatown

FREE

The celebrations will showcase an exciting, colourful and vibrant month-long programmes from 31 August to 28 September 2019. During this period, Chinatown will be soaked in festivities and beautifully adorned with colourful lanterns and dazzling decorations. Come and join us to appreciate and experience the allure and significance of this Chinese traditional festival.

Mass Lantern Walk
8 Sep 2019 | 7pm - 10pm | Starting point – Kreta Ayer Square; Ending point – Along New Bridge Road | FREE
Enjoy a fun night out with your family and friends with your creative lanterns as you join in the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2019 Mass Lantern Walk that is open to the general public. Immerse yourself in the festive spirit as you soak in the leisurely-paced lantern parade procession under the full moon and the dazzling displays around Chinatown. Don’t miss the impressive acts of the dragon dance troupes, energetic cheerleaders and the percussion band along the way! The lantern walk will conclude with stage performances, pyrotechnics and fireworks display in the heart of Chinatown.

#4 If you want to celebrate Mid-Autumn in the cutest and most instagrammable way possible:

Sweet Reunion with Sanrio Characters

Now until 15 Sep 2019

Jurong Point

Jurong Point celebrates the sweet reunion of the festival by bringing Sanrio characters to the mall! Look forward to a myriad of photo-worthy displays of all things Sanrio, including Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, gudetama, Kerokerokeroppi and Pompompurin! From life-sized inflatables to lantern installations, cultural appreciation activities and meet & greet with Hello Kitty, there is much to experience!

Photo credit: Jurong Point

Vivocity's Curious Adventures in Wonderland

Now until 22 Sep 2019; 7pm - 10pm

Vivocity, Sky Park, Level 3

FREE

Embark on a Curious Adventure in Wonderland this Mid-Autumn at VivoCity and step into a world of wonder, created by a mesmerising display of lanterns at the Sky Park! Journey down the rabbit hole for a glimpse into an illuminated world of curious adventures this Mid-Autumn! Immerse yourself in 5 larger-than-life whimsical zones made of lanterns.

Lantern Walk with Tayo the Little Bus

13 Sep 2019; 7.30pm

Downtown East

#5 If you want the kids to learn more about the history and cultural significance of Mid-Autumn Festival all under one roof:

Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2019

7 & 8 Sep 2019

10am - 9pm

Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

FREE Admission

Photo Credit: William Ong

An array of engaging activities will be organised during the weekend festival on 7 and 8 September, such as heritage trails, storytelling of Chinese fables & tales, live music performances, and art & craft activities. The festival highlight on 7 September will include the penning of Mid-Autumn well-wishes on larger-than-life Sky Lantern helium balloons and a subsequent release of the lanterns into the night sky. For more details on activities, visit HERE.

#6 If you are looking to expose the little ones to Chinese traditional art forms:

Mid-Autumn Yeah!

13 & 14 Sep 2019

Fri: 7pm - 10pm | Sat: 1pm - 10pm

Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

FREE Admission (Certain activities ticketed)

Beyond the popular folklore of Chang’e and Hou Yi, Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the bountiful harvest to come. Join in the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s Mid-Autumn Yeah! celebration and reap your own harvest of knowledge by discovering traditions anew and immersing in a feast for the senses with friends and family! Plan a heist to break into the Moon Vault in search of the secret recipe for the Divine Mooncake in an escape-room activity, learn about the secrets of the night sky through a series of planetarium shows; revel in songs that wax lyrical about the moon; or concoct your very own cup of bubble tea while learning about tea traditions. Whether you are a culture buff, someone who wants to learn more about our heritage, or a visitor who simply wants to have an enjoyable time with loved ones, Mid-Autumn Yeah! promises something exciting in store for everyone. For a detailed listing of all activities, visit HERE.

Moonfest 2019

13 - 15 Sep 2019; Various Timings

Esplanade

FREE & Ticketed

Moonfest – A Mid-Autumn Celebration is an annual traditional Chinese arts festival held in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Now in its 15th edition, Moonfest presents the opportunity for families and friends, young and old to be exposed to and rediscover the intrinsic beauty of traditional Chinese arts through an exciting line-up of free programmes and ticketed workshops.

This year’s highlights include:

- Classic Xiqu excerpts performed by “Little Plum Blossom” artists, which is the highest accolade given to young Xiqu performers below the age of 14 in China.
- Taishan Shadow Puppetry performances where the skillful puppeteer from China demonstrates the controlling of shadow puppets, singing and playing percussion instruments all at the same time.
- Nostalgic street opera performances of classic excerpts by Sin Yong Hua Heng Teochew Opera Troupe under a moonlit night.
- A unique performance that blends Chinese crosstalk— a witty, humorous and light-hearted performing art—and a cappella music by Soo Wee Seng, Ho Jia Wen & The Apex Project.
- A fun-filled performance by Singapore’s top radio group Yu Jian Huang Chong—comprising Chen Biyu, Marcus Chin, Mark Lee and Dennis Chew—featuring folk, dialect and xinyao music, and memorable movie theme songs.
- Ever-popular Lantern Walkabout on 14 Sep where limited free lanterns will be given out.

There will also be a series of ticketed Parent-Child Workshops where families can bond and learn more about Xiqu, shadow puppetry and Shaolin martial arts, or make their own lanterns. Those who are musically inclined can also try their hand at playing a hulusi (a folk wind instrument from China that is shaped like a gourd) at the Let’s Learn to Play the Hulusi! ticketed workshop conducted by Jonathan Tan from Dicapella Dizi Ensemble.

For a detailed listing of all activities, visit HERE.

#7  If you wish to join in a mass Mid-Autumn Festival get-together:

Moonstruck At Singapore Sports Hub

Now until 19 Sep 2019

Various Timings

Singapore Sports Hub

FREE

Join in the fun to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with hands-on activities, folklore, lantern-making contest and more! Registration for most activities are FREE. For a detailed listing of all activities, visit HERE.

Mid Autumn Festival @ Robertson Quay

14 Sep 2019: 3pm - 10pm

15 Sep 2019: 2pm - 6pm

Robertson Walk

FREE (except for Lantern Walkabout & Boat ride)

Let’s reminisce about the good old days with “Mid-Autumn Festival @ Robertson Quay”. Expect old-school lantern walkabout along the river juxtaposed with new-school creation of a human claw machine! Not forgetting our favourite LED Kite performance to end off the night. Complete with a boat ride experience along Singapore River, this mid-autumn festival will be a truly unique experience for all.

Purchase a ticket ($25 or $80 for 4) to join in for the Lantern walkabout and Boat ride happening only on 14th Sep (6pm-8pm) HERE.

#8  If you wish to just spend some family time together in the heartlands:

Ci Yuan Night 2019

7 Sep 2019; 6pm - 9.30pm

Ci Yuan Community Club

$2 per ticket

Gambas Mid-Autumn Celebration

7 Sep 2019; 6.30pm

Blk 414 Yishun Ring Road courtyard

FREE

Geylang Serai Family Carnival

6 - 15 Sep 2019; 12pm - 10pm

1 Engku Aman turn (Open Field) next to Wisma Geylang Serai

FREE Admission

Have a super September school holiday at the Geylang Serai Family Carnival! Head down to WGS from 6-15 Sep, 12 noon till 10pm for a whale of time with your whole family and enjoy games, rides, educational activities and performances galore!