Flawless Nails at Kim Keat Road

One morning as my cab drove past the shophouses along Kim Keat Road, I saw a flash - of a new Nail Shop! I must have been very blind not to notice this new & huge retail shop because they have been opened since November!

Pedicure at Kim Keat Road
Babes of Jalan Bahagia / Ma'mor / Balestier Road - we now have somewhere to go to do up our nails! This is a picture of the shopfront :) with a big banner you would never miss.

I have been looking for somewhere convenient in the neighbourhood to do my nails. I've been trawling the Whampoa neighbourhood for a place - I mean a proper place - to do my nails.

There is one shabby-looking saloon at Blk 86 which offers manicure and pedicure services at really low rates but I didn't give in to the cajoling of the auntie who went on and on about her pedicure promotion that comes with a paraffin. Her shop didn't look comfortable as there wasn't a single soul when I peeped in on a Saturday morning. In the end I walked off in the pretext that I need to attend to my groceries first.

Ok anyway, back to Flawless. The interior of the shop is really spacious. They have a large reception counter in that huge space, and it looks empty for the moment. Fully carpeted and shoes are to be taken off.

As you walk in further, you'll see the nails area. And a long corridor that leads into the spa rooms (I suppose).

Pedicure at Kim Keat Road

The pedicure area has 4 stations and are kept very neat and clean.
Pedicure at Kim Keat Road

I did mine and the retail price for it is $35. Shopping malls pricing eh? Was contemplating about getting the package at 10 sessions at 10% off but I would rather share the package with someone or pay an extra $3.50 every month for the next 10 months. Anyone interested to share the package with me?

The friendly ladies at Flawless also introduced a facial promotion they have - 5 sessions (with ear candling, with some eye thing, with some neck thing) for $165. This, I'm definitely more interested! And it's going to end this month - so I'm going back again for facial soon!

The only complaint issue I have - is with the seats at the pedicure area. I thought the sofas are a little bit stiff and I can't slump back into dreamland while someone is painting my toenails. They only have a little pillow for me to hug and their magazines are either nail catalogues or boring lifestyle magazines in Mandarin.

The rest are fine and I'm happy with my newly painted toenails :)

Pedicure at Kim Keat Road Pedicure at Kim Keat Road

Oh yes, the shop assistant told me the best time to go without a crowd is - weekday nights. They are open till 10pm.



Updates on 1 May 09

This is my 4th facial for their $165 5-in-1 package and I enjoy all my visits! Particularly because I love fingers nibbling at my face and the feel-good factor that I will walk out of the shop looking fairer!

Most of the time, they come up with very good promotions like these. 5 facial sessions + 5 manicures + 5 pedicures at $300. Budgetnistas, this is value for money! This is a good time to stretch your dollar!

Flawless Nails 60 Kim Keat Road
The promotion end date is stated 30 March. When I was there end April, they told me they have extended it!

While waiting for my masseuse to get ready, I sat at the couch area with nicely served ginger tea.
Facial at Kim Keat

Just for your information, please take off your shoes and leave your umbrella at the door area (see yellow arrow)
Facial at Kim Keat

Facial anyone?

There is a shortcut from Jalan Ma'mor to Toa Payoh

You can get to Toa Payoh by foot, despite having no ways to drive straight across. It is in fact cumbersome if you want to drive to the temple across the expressway. See below blue line.
shortcut-toa-payoh

There is staircase (or a overhead bridge) at Jalan Ma'mor which leads to the neighbourhood of Toa Payoh.
shortcut-toa-payohshortcut-toa-payoh
You'll have to get across the huge Pan Island Expressway.

Shanghai-like Spa in Balestier

There is a Qian Zu Ge Spa located on the 4th storey of Rocca Balestier and we decided to check it out. Very nice and cosy indeed, as if we're in China, just that the price you will pay here is more than double of that in China.





I'm very impressed with their full range of services (from Thai Massage to Nail Spa) and facilities (from Sauna to Internet services). However, there weren't a lot of customers on a Sunday afternoon going by the look of it. Only 2 uncles were around *raise one brow*


I did a foot reflexology at $58 for 1 hour. This is including a herbal foot bath, back/shoulder/head massage.

Full Pedicure cost $30. Might give it a try the next time.

Fish Head Steamboat at Whampoa Market

We had fishhead steamboat at Whampoa Market with Mom and S. This is also the only fishhead steamboat we have tried - the one at the corner. So there are no comments as to which one is the "real" or "famous" one, but my mom says there's another stall that uses charcoal instead. *shrugs*

Nevertheless, it is still nice but I guess there's also a lot of MSG in the soup.




Ordered some other side dishes.


Some vege. And Hoover rojak.

Hoover rojak is so conveniently available here that we only have it when our guests are around. We will not, queue up for 20 minutes just to get it for ourselves.

Where to find the best Fish and Chips in Balestier?

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New Astons stall spotted in a coffeeshop along Kim Keat and Balestier Road junction. This coffeeshop is also quite newly renovated with traditional old benches or stools and wooden tables.

Best value-for-money fish and chips found here! Crispy fish and chips coated in very fragrant batter.
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$6.50 for a very big portion of fish with 2 sides.

Be prepared to wait for your food!
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They have a variety of western food selection. Place is popular with students from nearby Curtin University.
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On other occasions, Chuck and I had these.

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Sirloin steak at $10.90.

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Teriyaki chicken ($5.90).

Tucked neatly at the coffee shop at:
312 Balestier Road #01-01
Tuckshoppe LLP Stall No. 4
Opening Hours : 11am-10pm (closed on alternate Monday)

Chakey's Salt Baked Chicken

We never knew the name of this Upper Serangoon Road coffeeshop but we know we love the salt baked chicken there. Hence, 1 packet of Chakey's Baked chicken $16.50 + white fluffy home-cooked rice got us a meal.

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opal-cres-salt-baked-3
They look like packets of burgers! Actual size is much bigger.

Salt Baked Chicken drenched in dark sauces after it's unwrapped from its parchment paper. Tip: Always dip your chicken pieces into the flavourful oil/sauce!
opal-cres-salt-baked-1

1383 Serangoon Road Coffeeshop

Cafe de Hong Kong along Balestier Road

There's this chinese restaurant we've always passed by and of course, ever. so. ready. to try it!




Left: The menu has a wide variety of chef' recommendations, they look great. Right: Chuck loves the 3-egg dish. Century egg. Salted egg. And egg egg.


Left: Coffee Spare Ribs. My sweet tooth is showing! Right: Salted chicken, of which we couldn't finish and tabao home :)

Portions were a bit small, total bill is about $48. May eat again.

Cafe de Hong Kong
新天地茶餐厅
586 Balestier Road
#01-01 Eastpac Building

Jaime Teo & Daniel Ong - Their HDB house

jaime-teo-daniel-ong-house1Celebrities living in the neighbourhood - check them out in 8 Days, Home and Decor and even on Lian He Zao Bao!

Just married Daniel Ong and Jaime Teo are so in love. Jealous?

Wait till you see their newly renovated three-room HDB house. There are only 285 HDB houses. So if you find one, like DJ Daniel Ong did, you've as good as found your pot of gold.

Famous Rangoon Road Bak Kut Teh

I've blogged about Ah Sio's Bak Kut Teh before. Between then and now, we've been there a number of times. Once by ourselves but they were closed and another time with Mr and Mrs Poh. I think this one of Chuck's favourite BKT store though we have not tried the one along Balestier Road (that one with a long queue most of the time).

This was for Sunday's breakfast and also, to satisfy Chuck's craving.

The meat, should be still as good. While I'm not used to the taste of the lettuce soaked in the BKT soup, I shall stick to my cai4 wei3 next time.


Conveniently a 3 minutes drive away from home.


9.30am while the Sunday crowd is building.

Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Soup Eating House
208 Rangoon Road

X-Living in Bahagia - Of a New Coffee Table and a White Living Room

Our long-awaited coffee table finally arrived! Red Apple takes 6 long weeks to get this manufactured in China and get it shipped here, but then it's only $488 :)


All white. With my white sofa, white console, and a white Vaio. We're now lack of a carpet/rug to complete the living room, would have to be of some contrasting colour, like brown or grey.

Mad Pizza

I asked the chinese waitress if there's any recommendations for good pizzas. She seemed flustered, quickly shoved a Pizza category of the opened menu into our faces and pointed at one of the best sellers under Specialty Premium Pizza.


HORNY Me pizza. Which is stated by the menu to consist of Horny Prawns, Spiced Squids, Anchovies, Tuna, Mushrooms and Onions. Regular size for $19.80.

This is a rather flavourful pizza, we like it as they are quite generous with the toppings. However, the bottom half of the crust is rather firm and it makes me feel that I'm crunching through a biscuit. Chuck also mentioned that the prawns are way too overcooked (aka not fresh) while I grumbled at bits of the shell that are attached to them.


Beef Lasagne. Cooked in Beef Stock. Chef Recommendation. $8.80

Dish is the size of my palm. I thought if that was meant as a main dish, the portion is .. not a lot. But it's nice! I shall try and figure how to bake lasagne in my kitchen soon.

It's also nice to find out that, other than a nearby Canadian Pizza outlet, Mad Pizza also does delivery for $2. The promotion on their website says, 1-for-1 for family pizzas. Only for take-away. See below right.



1 Family Pizza cost $29.80 and that makes about $15 for each large pizza, pretty worth it if I have a small gathering at home. I've yet to compare apple for apple between this 2, in terms of quality and size of pizza - and of course their services.

On the other hand, Mad Pizza will be ideal because they have a nice outdoor location with blink blink lights and a projector screen, and Beer! So sometimes when we need to get out of the house to the nearest beer location for a soccer match *not sure if they broadcast* just so that our neighbour won't complain of Chuck's roaring cheers, we might do that.



221 Balestier Road ROCCA Balestier #01-01

Excitement Brews at Balestier

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) recently launched a hotel site at Balestier Road for sale by public tender. Skyline highlights the uniqueness of the site and gives you a preview of its outstanding potential to house a brand new kind of hotel for the area.

By Lynn Ng



Artist impression Balestier

A 1.77 ha land parcel at Balestier Road, which is slated for hotel development with a maximum permissible gross floor area (GFA) of about 40,000 sqm, was released for sale by the URA on 31 March 2008. At least 60% of the total GFA will be for hotel and hotel-related uses, while the remaining GFA can be for complementary commercial and residential uses.

Vintage and modern inspirations


With excellent frontage along Balestier Road, the land parcel is also located in a spot with rich historical significance. It is a stone’s throw away from the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, a national monument and heritage centre that pays tribute to Dr Sun Yat Sen who led the Chinese Revolution in 1911.

This sets the stage for a distinctive hotel development that is envisaged to be contemporary, but draws inspiration from the Chinese culture and architecture of symmetry and geometric forms. Interspersing landscaped gardens and courtyards will further enhance the development’s overall attractiveness.

Nestled in a garden setting


Another unique aspect of the future hotel development is a 0.46 ha park which will be creatively weaved into its overall design. The park will be named “Zhongshan Park” and the developer will be able to capitalise on this feature to create a unique garden setting for the hotel and enhance the experience for hotel guests and visitors to the Memorial Hall.

The developer will also be required to provide a public event space within the park to serve as a venue for the staging of community events and activities. This event space – together with possible outdoor refreshment areas and tea pavilions which can be built – will help to inject greater vibrancy into the park and its surroundings.

Priorities in design


This hotel site is one of the two that will be launched for sale under confirmed list in the Government Land Sales Programme for the first half of 2008. The selection of the successful tenderers will be based on the bid prices when the tender closes on 16 July 2008.

Given that the site will be home to a key development in the area, the development proposal will be reviewed by a Design Advisory Panel to ensure a compelling project of appropriate design quality and standard.

Preserving the charm of a well-loved place


Balestier Road boasts a unique blend of old and new. The juxtaposition of heritage shophouses from the 1800s and new buildings tells of its significant past and vibrant present. In recognition of its strong heritage value and distinctive old world charm, Balestier was designated as one of Singapore’s Identity Nodes in URA’s Identity Plan in 2002. The area is also a food paradise, with stalls tucked away in shophouses serving familiar favourites such as Tau Sar Pia and Bak Kut Teh. To enable visitors to enjoy their walking experience in the area, URA has plans to improve the neighbourhood’s walkways and landscaping.

Article taken from URA Skyline, a bi-monthly newsletter (mar-apr 08) - http://greenhousedc.net/skylinemar08/text/06.htm





I hope the government will make this portion of Balestier a Hangzhou #2 - Singapore style. How about having a tau sar pia in one of the tea pavilions?

Map of the proposed hotel site in Balestier

Past Transacted Prices for HDB Terrace in Jln Bahagia & Jln Ma'mor

To check out the recent transactions of Jalan Bahagia / Jalan Ma'mor / Jalan Tenteram at the HDB website first! Search by Flat Type: 3 Room AND Street Name: Jln Bahagia, Jln Ma'Mor or Jalan Tenteram (For Block 61)
http://services2.hdb.gov.sg/webapp/BB33RTIS/BB33PReslTrans.jsp

To make things easy, the table below reflects the past transactions for the HDB terrace housing in the area. This will be updated from time to time.

2 Storey HDB Terrace for sale

To notify keen buyers of available HDB terrace units for sale / rent here, I try to keep this space updated by trawling the Saturday Classifieds in the Straits Times and do random Google searches. I appreciate all valuable feedback that have been made to help buyers make informed decisions.

In view of my busy schedule (and sometimes difficulties in getting more information about available units), you may also like to check out our Bahagia Mamor Residents Facebook thread for Buy and Sell Postings. See you there!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=70932533575

Disclaimer: I am not a property agent and am not doing marketing for any agents. Opinions expressed in comments (other than my own) do not represent my views. :)



Blk 39 Jalan Bahagia HDB Inter Terrace unit [Sold but another neighbouring unit available]


Updated 28 June 09
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Valuation: 545K