Rental Blues in the City

A close friend was just gripping about the escalating rental situation in Singapore. Apparently the demand for apartments is stripping the limited supply available and to think the IRs are not even being built yet!

Hong Kong apartments most expensive to rent
The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 23, 2007

SINGAPORE: Hong Kong's high-end apartments are the world's most expensive to rent, followed by those in Tokyo and New York, reflecting the high living costs in those cities, according to a survey on expatriate accommodations.

An "executive" three-bedroom apartment in Hong Kong costs more than $8,500 a month to rent, said the report, released Tuesday by ECA International, a human resources consultancy in Britain. Rents for typical expatriate apartments in Hong Kong rose by an average of 10 percent last year and 15 percent in 2005, thanks to the Chinese territory's robust economic growth, said Lee Quane, general manager of ECA International's office in Hong Kong. In addition, the gap between Hong Kong and other cities was widening, he said.

The survey compared rental prices in 92 locations worldwide, the firm said. Tokyo rents for expatriates averaged $7,358 a month. In New York, rents averaged $7,249. Moscow was ranked the fourth-most expensive rental city, at $6,526 a month, followed by Seoul, London, Mumbai and Shanghai, the survey found. Caracas was ranked ninth because, Quane said, expatriates there need to live in high-security compounds for safety reasons. Paris ranked 10th in the survey.The cheapest location of the 92 cities examined was Nairobi, where a three-bedroom apartment cost about $1,000 a month, the survey said. -- IHT

Ferragamo "Tiberia" Pumps(Spring/Summer 2007)
Gorgeous 3" peeptoes in gold
Another temptation coming my way.
Yet again, the mind is strong but the heart is weak!

Bvlgari Resort, Bali

A friend, knowing fully well my mortal weakness and that I will not be able to resist, sent me this link via email.

Bvlgari Resort, Bali
Uluwatu, Jimbaran
2nd in the world
59 stylish private Villas
Epitome in luxury and chic
Sophisticated & Contemporary
Plunge pools overlooking the sea
www.bulgarihotels.com

SONY VS. IBM ( THINKPAD)

Been meaning to get a new laptop and we spent some time over the weekend browsing. I must admit that I have never been good at understanding the technical jargon and so as expected, the computer hardware, configurations, and such just makes absolutely no sense what-so-ever to me. BUT, one thing is for sure, I do know that I want a light and ultra portable laptop. =)

Currently, my heart says Sony Vaios TX Series(metallic cooper) OR Fujitsu Lifebook Q Series(pure white) but my mind screams IBM Thinkpad X60 or anything else equally practical as for the same amount I get twice the RAM and more run! Should I follow my heart or listen to my head??

Bagel with Omelette

This has been on my mind over the weekend... Fluffy folded egg omelette with slivered onions, juicy tomato slice, turkey ham and cheese sandwiched between a toasted bagel.

How's that for breakfast? I say, absolutely yummy yam yam!

REGENT HOTEL (Millennium Kuala Lumpur)

The Regent to become Millennium Kuala Lumpur

COME June 1, The Regent Kuala Lumpur will officially become the Millennium Kuala Lumpur – the first Millennium hotel in Malaysia. “The Millennium Kuala Lumpur is a truly valuable addition to the Millennium & Copthorne Group as this confirms our commitment to bringing the highest levels of hospitality standards and quality for which the Millennium brand is renowned in the Asia-Pacific region. “The hotel’s longstanding reputation as one of Malaysia’s premier hotels also brings further recognition to the brand in the global market,” said Kwek Leng Beng, chairman of the London-listed Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc.

The Millennium Kuala Lumpur is currently undergoing a multimillion-ringgit makeover to reflect the new brand’s style. Upon completion of the refurbishment, the hotel will feature 468 elegantly transformed guestrooms and suites, grand lobby and reception areas, and exciting dining and entertainment outlets poised to set new trends in Kuala Lumpur’s hospitality scene.
Strategically located in the heart of the Golden Triangle, the capital city’s prestigious shopping and entertainment district, the hotel has received numerous international awards, including the Hospitality Asia Platinum Award for Service Excellence and the Hospitality Asia Platinum Award for Best Executive Club Lounge.

The hotel joins M&C’s list of more than 114 hotels in 18 countries, including the Millennium Hotel London Mayfair in the UK, the Millennium Hotel Paris Opera in France; the Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi in the UAE; and the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York.

-- STAR

HOTEL ISTANA, KL

HOTEL ISTANA
To those who know
The good life just got better

Experience the changes yourself when you step into Hotel Istana where all guest rooms and suites have been refurbished. There are also new lounges and new spaces like Urban Bistro with sylish, contemporary touches while the cheerful coffeehouse brims with signature dishes.
Top all this with superb service and you'll never want to leave. Rates from RM$240++

Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur
73 Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: 603-2141 9988 / Fax: 603-2141 0111
www.hotelistana.com.

PS Cafe
Originally an old colonial house remnants of those colonial days, this place has been stripped bare and rebuilt. The end result is an elegant chic modernist structure with 1 wall made of glass enclosing the dinning area allowing abundant natural light to filter in. There is also an outdoor deck area-- perfect for pre-dinner (or post) drinks. Just off Holland Road and outside the Orchard Road area, the Dempsey enclave is no longer only known for its antique, teak furniture shops and carpet dealers, in fact, there is a number of wine shops, restaurants and cafes that have set up shop here. PS Cafe is uniquely situated amidst the greens at Dempsey Road-- Harding Road to be exact and accessible by either Dempsey or Minden Roads, both of which connect to Holland Road. The dining area looks out to a green field, the view --all green grass and tall trees--is, for a Singaporean restaurant in the urbanised city-- unusual. I suppose this is what they call an urban retreat in the city.
I like this place for the ambience and its' setting. Do make reservations in advance as they are notoriously well-known to reject walk-ins at the door.

PS Cafe
28 Harding Road
www.pscafe.sg

I need a Jewellery Stand like this to help me sort out my accessories.
This fairy princess stand is so pretty and girly-girl!

My only gripe is that there might not be even space for all my stuff!

A Winter Wonderland
I chanced upon this picture by accident.
A scene so still,picturesque and lyrical.
Unlike many of my friends who detest the cold, I embrace Fall and Winter.
At times like this, I crave a change of environment if only to bring out all my coats, scarves and boots again! Hopefully, I wouldn't have to wait that long afterall... =) I am keeping my fingers crossed!