SO what is up with Singapore this month?

Besides the fact that YOG is 58 DAYS AWAY!

And the World Cup 2010 created such buzz & hype before it actually happened (all because of $$ or the lack of – what’s new!).

And that Town is once again filled with roaming scenesters & not-so-cool hipster kids because of the School Holidays.

And maybe that Singapore Arts Festival was so lovely, when it ended, there was not much artsy stuff that filled our nights. 

Oh & the yummy Botak Jones have introduced new halal stalls called Botak’s Favourites  (we thought it would never happen).

The Great Singapore Sale is also here this month and that’s another reason to go walking, I feel! Except that nothing made for more exciting news then the one that happened on 16 June - Orcard Road was filled with  Teh-Tarik like concoction of all things yucky and turned into Orchard River for a day. Yes, it looks as horrible as it sounds.

That, while very exciting for us swakoo generation who have never experienced any kind of flood before (besides the longkang), is not exactly the highlight of my June.

Right now, at the top of my list  – one of the coolest highlight of this month is… Springing a Birthday Celebration Surprise on Mudd! (okay so it’s a half surprise but a surprise none-the-less). 

But still, to trick / surprise another planner is such an achievement. To trick Mudd (who believe me can sometimes do a Jedi Mind trick and read your mind) is even better!!   The thrill of planning & having a reunion of old friends and then seeing the happy contented faces of the birthday people is just priceless!  (and of course food & lots of chicken is such a blessing!).

And of course, what’s new with June is we have more Events Sidekicks Youths this month, yey!  June has gotten me all hyped up for the remaining days of the month!

& what about your month? Tell me how awesome this June has been, yes?

Friday for Fun!

Your Sidekick,
Nadd (is voting for June.)

 p.s. So many ways for you to tell me! Email me (nadd@muddnadd.com), tag our FB Wall, or comment to this post!

So there we were, wondering what adventures Saturday will bring us and decided, let’s go back to one of the attractions that Singapore has to offer: Little India!

(Mudd was unfortunately, not able to join in that day, so I had another Sidekick with me: Dilly!)

Granted, the place has been covered so many times! We know that it’s famous for Mustafa Centre, Indian sweets & treats and Sarees! But there’s some stuffs that you can do & find at and along Little India – all under $18!

What you’ll Find #1: Good Food – Masala Thosai, Naan & curries!

Have your pick – there’s plenty of stalls to choose from. Do it the Singaporean way:  go to the stall with the most number of people!

I had a sudden thosai craving & so was scouring the area for some good ol’ chow.  Indian food is always great for the cold rainy weather.

$$$:
Masala Thosai: $3.50
Home-made Ice Lemon Tea: $1.00

What You’ll Find #2: Cheap (but good) Stuff!

Sunglasses, fans, bags, jeans, jackets, dresses, skirts, vintage tops – & I’m not even talking about Mustafa Centre! Plenty of great finds & retro stuff available along the street shops & alleys.

Among those things that caught my eyes were this really old-school huge framed shades in all sorts of patterns & colours. Vintage is in, yes?

Plus, it’s only here do you truly get to immerse in all things modernly traditional.

Oh, the pictures could go on & on!

$$$:
Sunglasses: $1.90 (adults), $1.00 (children)
Bangles: 1 for $3, 4 for $10
Flowers: Varies – $2-$10

While exploring, we had a minor crisis – our explorer bag tore! Pretty lucky to tear while we’re there too, because now we have a reason to try out one of the most unique things about Little India..!

What You’ll Find #3: …Roadside Tailor!

Yes, you read right. Tailors situated right by the roadside, armed with their trusty scissors & measuring tapes. They sit there, while people queue up to alter their clothes, suits, pants…anything!

Mr. Tailor could not speak English & was quite shy. (Check out his huge scissors!). But he did an amazing job in fixing the bag, in just 5 minutes! Fast, efficient & cheap. In fact, we saw so many people bringing in multiple things to alter that Mr. Tailor just finished off in less than 15 minutes!

$$$:
Sewing Bag + Zipper: $3.oo

What You’ll Find #4: Sungei Road (walking distance from Little India)

This is my most favourite part!

Before there was such a thing as Flea Markets, there was Sungei Road’s Scavenger’s Market. Over time, they still remain strong & is the place to find some lost treasures.

Trinkets, one-off items. Some new, some pre-loved. Digital watches. Vintage rings, bracelets, bangles, necklaces. Obscure & quirky items (like picnic basket, paintings from 1900s, childhood toys).

Couldn’t take many pictures of this obscure place (didn’t want to offend the stallholders). Got myself a shoe (first-hand) for $3.00!

$$$:
Shoe: $3.00

—-

And the setting sun marked out little trip. We got everything all in one on that day too – Food, culture, roadside ingenuity, colourful items and an old slice of Singapore.

Total amount spent on our Little India Adventures (including transport): $14.40!

Who says you have to spend much to explore!

Stay tuned for many more of our random exploring adventures! If you wanna join us, even better! You know where to reach us!

Hooked to Exploring,
Nadd

p.s: Check out more pictures HERE!

We’ve been out of the house before the sun even rises! Yes you read right!

For the past 2 weeks, I watched the sun slowly rising from the comfort of an MRT window. Wonderful, I tell you! & if not for the cranky unfriendly commuters, I would have snapped many pictures of it!

What’s great is the fact that we get to enjoy the peacefulness of Singapore  – because everyone else is still asleep.

(bridge at Robertson Quay)

You might be wondering why we’re up so early when we could have been in our snug beds snoring away.

Well, nothing can get us out of bed that early – except for work of course! & we so don’t mind!   We’re running a couple of workshop for youths.  Let’s just say seeing the smiles on our youth sidekicks’ faces are worth it.

Plus a little morning sun won’t hurt!

The best thing is, we have another session in the afternoon, how fun is that!

Most people laments how Mondays bring the blues. We’re glad our Mondays chase any blues away! Have a smashing week!

Go Monday!

Nadd

I know we’ve shown you videos, songs & even snippets of our favourite comedies as muses to inspire us or just simply make us laugh.

Here’s another one: Have you heard of Lemonade the Movie?

[ Lemonade Movie Trailer ]

What do people who were once paid to be creative for a living do when they’re laid off? They get creative with their own lives. Lemonade is an inspirational film about 16 advertising professionals who lost their jobs and found their calling, encouraging people to listen to that little voice inside their head that asks, “What if?”

This is really true cases of why one should think positively when struck with an obstacle in life! Inspiring, really!

You’ll feel ignited to start something too, I’m sure!

Here’s to doing something that you love doing! Have a smashing lemon-y week!

Tuesday, yey!
Nadd

Every time a new batch comes, I get so excited!

Look at how shiny they are!

This time around I’m much more excited – We got new buttons!

Introducing… Events Planning Sidekicks buttons!

I am so in love with this one right now!

If you see us on the streets do say Hi! Who knows, you might just get one!
How to spot us? Easy – One’s tall, the other’s short & we’re usually seen carrying back packs & sporting Mudd & Nadd buttons (somewhere on our bags / shirts!).

Happy Friday!

- Nadd

p.s. If you’re in town tomorrow, we’re somewhere around. Should be easy to spot us – we have our hands full with bags & a very funky picnic basket!  Watch this space for updates!

The weather hasn’t been kind to us has it?
I mean, don’t get me wrong, I for one love the rain.

But if many of your outdoor plans have been ruined by the many downpours & much-too-windy weather, then here are some simple indoor ideas that you can plan & do in a jiffy!

1.  Family Comedy Night

It’s raining & everyone’s at home – the best time to bond! Rent favourite comedies (or with Starhub’s Demand TV, you can just select one!) & have a laughing marathon. All you need is some light snacks (or a full fledged dinner is fine too!), a couple of pillows & some family members.

2.  Mini Cook-Out Competition !

You need a theme (say: Mexican) & foodie-friends for this! Through the wonders of Internet, get some Mexican recipes (new ones that your friends have not tried), ask them to Bring their own Ingredients & have a mini Cook-Out!

Bring a Video-Cam & pretend to host your own cooking shows & compete for the most entertaining “show”!

3. Pot Luck Anti-Rain Reunion

Simpler & straightforward, when you’re stuck at home is one of the Best Times to call all your ‘Wow-I-haven’t-met-them-in-a-long-time’  Friends for a long awaited Reunion.

While you make some hot dessert (like Hot Chocolate), ask them to Potluck & packet their own dinners!

4.  Customise Umbrellas

This is something really fun to do especially if you have kids who are bored with staying indoors. Grab some fabric or paint for nylon & start customizing those umbrellas! Won’t that be cool? Now you’ll have a one-of-a-kind umbrella!

5. Have a rainy picnic – Indoor-ish Outdoors

No I’m not asking you to have a picnic in the rain.  Head to a sheltered outdoor area (under the void-deck is great too!), lay out your picnic mat, sit around with a bunch of crazy friends & voila! An outdoor-’indoor’ picnic!

You can even bring along some card /board games & start playing!

6. Corridor Photoshoot

What do women love to do (even though we don’t like to admit it sometimes)? Play Dress Up!

Call your girlfriends over, tell them to bring 6 favourite cloths/dresses/accessories & grab your faithful camera. Make use of that corridor, lift lobby, your cool funky room, anywhere indoors & stage your own mini-photo-shoot! Try on each other clothes, give each other manicures – you know, the girly works! This is cam-whoring at its best!

Spoilt plans can sometimes bring out the best fun!

Try them all!

Have a happy day!
Nadd

p.s. If you’re still stuck on what to do even on a sunny day – you know where to go: SG Things To Do Today!

Rives: Performance Poet

I just love his hand gestures and his flow of the stories and poems. Genius!

Enjoy!

Rives controls the Internet

Rives remixes TED2006

Rives on 4 a.m.

Rives tells a story of mixed emoticons

Hello 2010!

It’s great to see every one still feeling hyped up & still reveling in the bliss of another New year. Funny thing is, while there are so so many parties & events happening on New Year’s Eve, there are not many events happening today or the first days of 2010. Weird huh?

It’s like an unofficial day for everyone to just relax, shop & walk around town & soak in the ambiance of a new year.

If you’re wondering what we did today – well, we went on a hunt for the one essential item that I think everyone should have – an organiser! You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find one that suits our tastes!

We went from one shopping centre to another, explored Singapore’s First Green Mall, went to Little India, walked down all the way to Bugis Junction & then headed to town again!

The bad news: My legs hurt now from all that walking & We still have not gotten any organiser of choice!

The good news: 1. We found out new places to shop at. 2. We got to pretend that we’re tourists. 3. We know exactly what kind we want so finding it should be easy (right?).

Oh, if you’re wondering why we didn’t get one sooner – we wanted to find for the right one! After all, the organiser is going to be with us for the entire year.

So the hunt continues tomorrow! This is by far, the funnest way to stay healthy – exploring on foot!

I hope your new year & these days to come are filled with weird walks, fun searches & wonderful surprises!

Okay Go!
Nadd

The 3rd last day of 2009.

Someone told me before:  “how you spent the last day of the year reflects on how the coming year is going to be for you”.  I’m not so sure the truth in that phrase but oh well, to each his own.

These final 2 days of the year will definitely make you look back on the past 360 days, yes? What you enjoyed most of the year, what you hated, what you gained & lost, what you’ve accomplished…

Like how Dick Solomon from 3RD Rock From The Sun look back in retrospect on his past year in this hilarious episode!

(3RD Rock From The Sun: Happy New Dick! – Part 1)

I’m sure we’ve been in his shoes before! I love what the Episode ( if you watch all 3 parts) underlines – Make the best out of any day, think back on how you can be better & look forward to the new year positively!

Oh, & of course, celebrate the coming of the new year with your loved ones & you cannot go wrong!

If you’re still not sure what to do this New Year’s Eve, fret not! We found plenty of things (both free & not-so-free) for you! Where? SG Things To Do Today, of course! Make the most out of your New Year’s Eve, yes?

I think 2009’s been a really fruitful & fun year for us!

We hope it has been for you too!

Keep on Rockin’!

All Laughs,
Nadd

p.s. Let us know what’s your funniest moment of 2009 is! We love mail! (Email: hello@muddnadd.com)

We always look forward to early meetings. There’s a new spirited energy that the morning brings (although the getting out of bed thing might be a bit of a struggle but that’s another story).

Whilst we’re energy (& sugar) most of the time, sometimes we do get our own waves of normalcy – feeling unproductive! One particular early morning left us quite lethargic that it led us to do what we love best – walking!

From City Hall to Bugis to Dhoby Ghaut. It might not seem so far for all you sports buffs, but hey, under the hot sun it was really an energy drainer.

(view from a curb)

But well, while on a short smoke/water/butt break at an unglamorous curb & looking around the neighbourhood, we spotted some shops that gave us a dose of inspiration!

Pretty soon we were up & about, scouring some decor shops, jotting down ideas, taking down prices, looking through aisles, brainstorming more ideas, comparing prices, doing sketches & talking about what we could do.

It’s funny- We stumbled upon productiveness when we decided not to be productive.

So lesson learnt : When feeling unproductive or downright lazy, fight it, put yourself in a relaxed position & get inspired! You’ll be able to achieve more that way! & we did just that!

I hope you stumble onto something good today!

Stumble-r Sidekick,
Nadd

p.s. Long weekend Alert! Check out SG Things to do Today to see what cool stuffs you can do this week! Have a blast!