1. Get Bilingual

Signing up for those language classes that you’ve been putting off could deter early bouts of dementia and Alzheimers’s Disease, says a study from the Neurology Journal. Another study from Penn State also found that bilinguals are better at prioritising, multi-tasking, and focusing on important things.

2. Get Literary

Packing a paperback in your bag is a better time killer than Angry Birds if your commute involves the BTS or MRT. Reading regularly increases your cognitive ability and vocabulary. If keeping up a conversation is one of your problems, try hitting the books.

3. Get Physical

Martial arts practiced in Shaolin Temples was developed by a Buddhist priest, Tamo, when he observed that his students lacked the mental stamina needed to perform basic Buddhist meditations because they weren’t exercising their bodies. Getting fit will increase your memory function and help prevent depression.

4. Get Musical

Who would have thought that strumming your guitar is actually medically proven to boost your IQ? Making melodies forces the left and right hemispheres of your brain to coordinate. It’s one of the only activities that makes you use many parts of your brain at the same time.

5. Get Nerdy

Video games are actually good for your brain health (depending on the video game). Role playing games and strategy games will give you the mental challenge that your mind needs to keep on being healthy. Though gaming is proven to increase your problem solving skills and eye-hand coordination, too much of it can actually damage your frontal lobe. Old school games are better for you, like Sudoku, Rubik’s cube, chess, and Scrabble.

6. Get Nutritious

Get your brain food by eating apples, carrots, grapes, most vegetables and nuts. USDA says that this will improve coordination, attention and memory. Also, fatten up your brain by eating fish which has essential Omega 3 fatty acids that offer your body a myriad of benefits and your brain increased focus and a decreased chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease.

7. Get Hydrated

All of these tricks are useless if you don’t drink enough H2O. Seventy-five percent of your brain is made up of water and if you don’t get enough of it, your brain cells will lose efficiency and impair your short-term memory function.

HOW TO TAKE GREAT TRAVEL PHOTOS

Athit Perawongmetha is a professional photographer whose work has appeared in AFP, National Geographic, Hello, Osotho, Lifestyle+Travel and Honeymoon & Travel magazines. We ask him for his top tips on what makes for good photos, both of landscapes and people, on your travels.

Look at locals
I love to take photos of people from the places I travel to. Photos of people living their traditional lives give more variety to your photo set.

See the light
Avoid taking photos between 11am-3pm. Get up early for a morning session around 7-8am then go eat and rest before heading out for an afternoon session between 4-5pm. Very bright mid-day sunlight creates too much contrast on skin and objects. My favorite moment is the time before the rain, when there’s a combination of yellow light and dark clouds.

Pick the season
Different places look most beautiful at different times of the year. You need to do some study before going on a trip. For example, if you need a nice photo of lush mountains in the North, September, at the end of rainy season and the beginning of winter, is the best time: you’ll see both lush green trees and foggy mist in the air.

Be a copycat
The easiest way to get the right angle is to learn from postcards sold nearby. Those postcards were taken by photographers who tried several angles and picked the best one. You can simply copy that angle.

BE PREPARED
If you want a sunrise shot, go to the spot at least 30-45 minutes before the first light appears as you need time to set things up and fight with others for the best spots. I have waited for four hours just to take a photo of the sunset. Go inspect the spot one day before the shooting if possible.

Use your compact
Normal compact cameras with 24-28mm lens are normally fine if you’ve got the right light, weather and time. Large DSLR cameras just make pictures look a bit more exciting—but you don’t always need pictures to publish in magazines, right?

Expect the unexpected
You cannot control the weather and animals so, my recommendation is to just pray a lot for that perfect moment.

HOW TO TAKE GREAT PORTRAIT SHOTS

Kachain Wonglaemthong, Chief Photography Editor of Daypoets, has shot legions of local artists and celebrities for Hamburger Magazine and hosts of CD covers. Here, he shares a few tips for shooting stunning portraits.

Start with a talk
If both parties (photographer and model) don’t know each other, a talk will break the ice and allow for more casual poses.

Look at the face
Not everybody has a perfect face shape. So you need to try several times to find the best angle for that person. Somebody might have their own favorite pose, which is probably not the best angle for a portrait shot. You also need to persuade him/her to try other angles too.

Keep it warm
If a studio with a perfect lighting set is not an option, I prefer warm sunlight, around mid-afternoon, when it’s not too bright and doesn’t create harsh, high-contrast shadows.

Focus on emotions
Emotion is the most essential element of a portrait. Good portraits must be able to communicate something. You are taking photos of humans so don’t make them look like mannequins. Try shooting people expressing different emotions and movements. Leave some wrinkles while retouching, too. I don’t follow the old-school rule that you need to see the eyes. I only focus on the emotions of the person I shoot.

Black and white always helps
If you cannot really control the light, poses and emotions of your subject, go for black and white—monochrome often helps portrait photos look more interesting.

Forget fancy gadgets
No need to use high-end cameras or lighting. If you get the perfect angle and natural light, even a phone camera can take a great portrait.

HOW TO TAKE GREAT FOOD SHOTS

1.) Do lunch. Artificial light sucks. There’s just no way to compensate for how ugly it is. Besides, you can eat in the best restaurants at a fraction of the cost during lunch. Ask for a table next to a big window and snap away.

2) Lean back. Food doesn’t like wide angles and should be shot at least at arm’s length. The problem with using the longer end of your zoom in dimly lit restaurants is blurry pictures from hand shake. Try using the back of your chair as a tripod.

3.) Tuck in. A messy plate of half-eaten food is gross, but that cake will look a lot more exciting with a fork cutting into it. The other variations are chopsticks holding up some noodles, knife cutting into steak—it can get cheesy done systematically though.

4.) Get a fixed focal lens. If you have a DSLR, a 50mm f/1.8 is quite simply the cheapest lens out there. On most consumer DSLRs, this lens acts like an 80mm, which is a really nice focal length for food photography. Stop it down just a tad, f/2 or f/2.5, and you’ll get really shallow depth of field, an easy trick to make anything look great. Also, you need very little light to use this lens.

5.) Move around. Some food looks great from above, like a colorful bento box. Some food is much more vertical (the French seem to love to create little piles of stuff in the middle of oversized plates) and is best viewed with your chin practically on the table.

6.) Cheat. Point #4 was all about creating shallow depth of field (blurry fore and backgrounds). With a mobile phone, you’ll just have to fake that effect. On Adobe’s Photoshop Express App, use the “vignette blur” effect. On Instagr.am, use the “tilt-shift” mode, which allows even more control. Both apps are free (see right).

7.) Style, baby. Point #3 is actually an example of styling, where you groom your food and arrange it to look more exciting. But there’s a lot more you can try out. Starched napkins tucked behind a plate offer a clean, but subtly textured background, for example. Don’t get cheesy and arrange a ton of silverware and long stem glasses, though. Less is more.

8.) Shoot in 3D. The greatest problem you’re facing as a food photographer is that you’re showing a 3D object in 2D, hence the need to add texture. That’s done by sculpting the food with light. Most often your light should come from almost behind the food, at 2 o’clock if you’re facing the plate and looking at it from above.

9.) Overexpose. When your camera sees a big white plate, it freaks out and dials the exposure down. It’s trying to make your plate an average gray. Dial up the exposure compensation by +1 or +2 EVs (stops, or exposure values) so that your plate’s highlights are overexposed and your food is just right.

10.) Don’t love food too much. You need to make a choice: do you want to eat great food or take great pictures? We’ve eaten many sad cold dishes that were brought to us in all their steaming glory before they withered before our lens. If you love food, just eat it.

CAMERA SHOPS

GET IT FOR LESS

Just a few meters away from Saphan Lek, across from Merry King, is Pirom Plaza (Mahachai Rd., Wangburapa, www.piromplaza.com). This is a convenient spot to pick up secondhand cameras, particularly at Takeshi Camera (2/F, 02-222-8700 ext. 241). There, you can find an old twin-lens Yashica film camera for roughly B4,000. The place is full of shops, so just go for a browse. Pirom Plaza sometimes also has gray market cameras. These are new, original models from big brands like Canon, Sony and Nikon. They’re sold cheaper than in other shops because they’re not imported through official channels. Try Viewfinder (2/F, 081-849-4595. www.viewfindercamera.com), though last time we checked, they only had models from Canon Thailand. You can also head to Pantip for gray market cameras. Be forewarned that Canon Thailand will not cover the one-year guarantee on such cameras, though. Ask the shop about this and you will be told the camera comes with a “shop” guarantee, which is (not very) inspiring, when it comes from a gray market store.

GO PRO

If you’re a serious shooter, you’re going to want real service when your camera goes crazy, so don’t buy at Powerbuy (or the aforementioned dodgy places). Instead, head to Fotofile (www.fotofile.net). They’re spread out through MBK, with shops on the first, second, third and and fifth floors but we like the 3/F shop best. They’re always busy, and not very talkative, but they’ll really help you out if you have problems with stuff bought at their store—particularly Canon gear. There’s also one in The Mall Bangkapi (1/F, 02-363-3250), one in Central Rama 3 (3/F, 02-673-6050), and another in Central Bangna (3/F, 02-745-7282). They can be a tad more expensive but we think it’s worth it. (They also do secondhand on the ground floor of MBK.) For yet more superlative service, get your Nikon gear from the Niks Thailand store (166 Silom Soi 12, 02-235-29-29/35). We’ve dealt with them, too, and they really go that extra mile.

TOY CAMERA

Toy cameras encompass instant film cameras and old cameras with such poor optical qualities that your snaps come out looking all arty—basically what Instagram does on your iPhone, only with film. Fotoguffy (www.fotoguffy.com, 081-647-7371) is situated in Soi Chula 50, behind the old Sam Yan market. Khun Boy, the owner, buys his rare toys from eBay, like a B2,500 navy Polaroid 600 or a D.I.Y. GakkenFlex 35mm TLR for B2,100. Fotoguffy opens on Mon, Wed and Fri, 6.30-9.30pm and Sat 4-8pm. If you prefer not to fight the prime-time Bangkok traffic, online shopping is available through the website with an extra B100 for delivery. The more convenient alternative is Digital Gateway (BTS Siam) where you can browse through the many shops selling toy cameras on the 2/F and 3/F. iTrendy (2/F, 085-514-8397), for example, has both mass-produced and limited-edition cameras. You can get a yellow or black Superheadz Blackbird Fly lomo camera for B5,500 and other limited edition cameras from this Japanese brand and from Lomography. We think it’s more fun to just get an old camera from Fotoguffy or Pirom Plaza, but it’s your call.

TOP Free Photography Apps

iPhone

Leme Cam
Eight lomo and high dynamic range (HDR) styles, fifteen photo effects and eleven frames are packed together in this super cute interface app. Unlike others on iTunes, Leme lets you choose the camera and lens before you shoot then, either save it onto your camera roll, email or share it online through Facebook or their Leme photo network.

Instagram
Instagram works almost like Flickr where you can browse thousands of creative photos that other users uploaded. But this application also allows you to apply retro Polaroid-like effects to your images. Choose a preferred effect, name the photo and then share with your Instagram buddies (and Facebook). In turn, you can also follow anyone you admire and to see their regular updates. Sharing and commenting makes this app a lot more fun.

Camera+
The application has an easy-to-use interface which lets you develop multiple effects onto your images. There are scenery, cropping, special effects and framing options. There is also HDR and auto contrast adjustments to fix sub-par pictures with one touch of the screen. Photos are then added to your private camera roll immediately without pestering you to share them online.

Action Cam
Fun multiple photo shooting is what this app is all about. You can choose from a 2x2, 4x1, 4x2, 3x3 or a tricolor photo booth framing style. Different timing is also made available including a manual mode. There are two color effects to choose from: Romo (Lomo) and ocean tide.

Adobe Photoshop Express
This app from Adobe isn’t particularly fun, but it’s the only one to offer actual Photoshop-like controls: saturation, contrast, sharpening, etc. The effects and frame options are really lame, though.

Android

Roidizer
This app helps you create a Polaroid picture with a caption in just one click. Take a new photo or choose photos from your gallery and turn them into Polaroids. Then type the caption in and share it to social networks including Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.

Pudding Camera
All the menus are in Korean, but with simple icons you’ll get used to it after some trial and error. The app allows you to take photos with seven choices of toy camera features including fisheye, fantasy color, motion 2x2 lens and motion 4x lens with eight choices of film from vignette to noir. You can swap to the front camera to take photos of yourself too.

BlackBerry

PixTrix
PixTrix is one of the best BB photo apps with 13 styles of photos, from Instant Autumn and Half Sepia to RG Contrast and Lomo (our favorite). Its newest version also allows you to adjust brightness, contrast, hue and saturation as well as rotate and share photos to Facebook.

HIP BAGS FOR HOTSHOTS

1.) Billingham 335. B20,800 from Fotofile

2.) Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite. B73,200 from Louis Vuitton

3.) Herringbone leather and canvas. B7,500 from Mayisell

4.) Vida Classic Wide Chocolate. B2,500 from Loft

5.)  Korean artificial leather. B450 from Mink

6.)  Tenba Messenger Photo. B3,100 for small, B3,300 for large from Mee Camera

7.) Vlashor Scottish-print canvas. B2,500 from Loft

8.) Herringbone 2011 Discovery Canvas Small. B2,590 from Mayisell

9.) Billingham f/Stop 2.8. B8,900 from Gadget Villa

10.) Herringbone V2 genuine leather. B11,500 from Mayisell

11.) Herringbone Canvas. B6,500 from Mayisell

12.) Vida Classic Wide Brown. B2,500 from Loft

Essentials

Fotofile. 1/F, MBK Center, 02-620-9200. BTS National Stadium. www.fotofile.net
Gadget Villa. 085-255-5589, www.gadget-villa.com
Loft. 4-5/F, Siam Discovery, 02-658-0328/-30. BTS Siam. www.loftbangkok.com
Louis Vuitton. G/F, Gaysorn, 02-656-1010. BTS Chit Lom.
May I Sell. www.mayisell.com
Mee Camera. http://tiny.cc/bv9rz
Mink. http://tiny.cc/e7d1e

PETITE BUT PRO The Latest Crop of Mirror-Less Cameras

Sony NEX-C3

Price: B21,990 (18-55mm lens) or B24,990 (18-55mm + 24mm F2.8 lens)
Specs: 16MP / 720p HD video / 225 grams / ISO100-12,800
The second generation of the popular NEX series sees a number of improvements: lighter, more user-friendly interface, swivel LCD screen, and a host of fun effects like pop art looks, retro tones and 3D panoramas. There are three colors to choose from: black, silver and bold pink.

Olympus E-PL3

Price: B27,990 (14-42mm)
Spec: 13.1MP /1,080p full HD video / 265g / ISO100-12,800
The E-PL3 is perfect fit for style-centric photographers as it looks more fashionable than the E-P3 white and comes with better features than the younger sister E-PM1. Olympus also claims that with its latest technology all three cameras feature the world’s fastest auto focus.

FujiFilm X100

Price: B32,990 (23mm fixed)
Spec: 12MP / 720p HD video / 445g / ISO100-12,800 / built-in flash
One of the most sought-after at the moment, due to a production problem in Japan, Fujifilm’s first vintage-designed, Leica-like magnesium alloy camera comes packed with top-notch specs. Highlights, apart from its classy feel, include the hybrid view finder system and the lens. Though it is not interchangeable, the 23mm single-focus Fujinon len is actually equivalent to 35mm full frame so you can still get a pretty wide angle.

Panasonic Lumix GF3

Price: TBA
Spec: 12MP / 1,080 full HD video / 264g / ISO160-6,400 / built-in flash
Only six months after the launch of the GF2, Panasonic decides to put the GF3 on the market to fight with NEX and PEN. Built on the GF2 platform, GF3 is simply a smaller offspring with few improvements (like better continuous shooting speed and new Intelligence Auto mode) for a more amateur photographer. Launched in Japan this month and should be here very soon.

REVIEW Canon 600D

1. Do lunch.

Artificial light sucks. There’s just no way to compensate for how ugly it is. Besides, you can eat in the best restaurants at a fraction of the cost during mid-day. Ask for a table next to a big window and snap away. For a roundup of the best lunch deals in town, head to bit.ly/luxelunches.

2. Lean back.

Food doesn’t like wide angles and should be shot at least at arm’s length. The problem with using the longer end of your zoom in dimly-lit restaurants is blurry pictures from your hand shaking. Try getting up and using the back of your chair as a tripod.

3. Tuck in.

A messy plate of half-eaten food is gross, but that cake will look a lot more exciting with a fork cutting into it (see picture). The other variations are chopsticks holding up some noodles or a knife cutting into steak—it can get cheesy when done systematically though.

4. Get a fixed focal lens.

If you have a DSLR, a 50mm f/1.8 is quite simply the cheapest lens out there. On most consumer DSLRs, this lens acts like an 80mm, which is a really nice focal length for food photography. Stop it down just a tad, f/2 or f/2.5 and you’ll get really shallow depth of field, an easy trick to make anything look great. Also, you need very little light to use this lens.

5. Move around.

Some food looks great seen from above, like a colorful bento box, while other food is much more vertical (the French seem to love to create little piles of stuff in the middle of oversized plates) and is best viewed with your chin practically on the table.

6. Cheat.

Point #4 was all about creating shallow depth of field (blurry fore and backgrounds). With a mobile phone, you’ll just have to fake that effect. On Adobe’s Photoshop Express App, use the “vignette blur” effect. On Instagram, use the “tilt-shift” mode, which allows even more control. Both apps are free.

7. Style, baby.

Point #3 is actually an example of styling, where you groom your food and arrange it to look more exciting. But there’s a lot more you can try out. Starched napkins tucked behind a plate offer a clean, but subtly textured background, for example. Just remember, less is more (don’t crowd the shot by arranging a ton of silverware and long stem glasses).

8. Shoot in 3D.

The greatest problem you’re facing as a food photographer is that you’re showing a 3D object in 2D, hence the need to add texture. That’s done by sculpting the food with light. Most often your light should come almost from behind the food, at 2 o’clock if you’re facing the plate and looking at it from above.

9. Overexpose.

When your camera sees a big white plate, it freaks out and dials the exposure down. It’s trying to make your plate an average gray—ugh! Dial up the exposure compensation by +1 or +2 EVs (stops, or exposure values) so that your plate’s highlights are overexposed and your food looks just right.

10. Don’t love food too much.

You need to make a choice: do you want to eat great food or take great pictures? I’ve eaten many sad cold dishes that were brought to me in all their steaming glory before they withered before my lens. If you love food, just eat it.

Need more help? Sign up for photography classes at these places.

If you need to buy a new toy to play with, check out these three hot new semi-pro cameras.

1.) Know the difference between direct heating and indirect heating. Direct heating is when your food is directly above the burning charcoals; it’s best for grilling burgers and sausages. Indirect heating is when your food is cooking thanks to the ambient heat, like in an oven. Indirect grilling is best for thick cuts of meat.

2.) For indirect grilling, place your coals on the left and right side of your grill, leaving the middle strip empty. When you’re ready to cook, place a foil tray in the empty space to catch juices from the meat. Close the lid.

3.) Everyone has their own methods of lighting a fire, but remember the basics: don’t put too much coal at first (you can always add more), don’t smother the fire (no air means no fire), and if you use lighter fluid (even though that’s cheating), make sure it’s fully evaporated before lighting the coals.

4.) Judge the heat by placing your hand just over top of the grill and count the number of seconds you can hold it there. Five seconds means it’s low heat, Four seconds means it’s medium, and three means it’s high. Any less than three, let it cool off; any more than five, add more coal and let it heat up.

5.) Trim off the excess fat from your meat, because the drips will cause the fire to flare up and burn your steak. When you’re cooking chicken or turkey, don’t pierce the skin or else your cut will lose flavor and moisture.

1. Location, location, location
Depending on the type of pop-up concept you’re looking at, different venues will work for different activities. If it’s a retail space, it makes more commercial sense to hold it a more central locale, say at Orchard Road, City Hall or even Chinatown. Even better if the set-up is already in place, like the recent Very Wooonderland pop-up store outside ION Orchard in the makeshift Glass House space. “We managed to save quite a bit by holding it there,” says Paul Khor, owner of indie boutique Very Wooonderland. We spent about $20,000 on getting in the goods, manpower and setup, and will probably make about $40,000 in the end.”

If it’s a bar concept however, it’ll be more interesting to hold it at a more unexpected venue, like the Marina Barrage, or in an open air carpark or unused shophouse you’ll have to—but make sure that they’re relatively central and accessible. Venues like these require you to apply for a license or permit—that can easily be done by registering with the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises via www.enterpriseone.com.sg. F&B businesses also have to go through the National Environment Agency to acquire a license for food and alcohol. Log onto www.nea.gov.sg to register at least two months in advance.

2. Setting Up
We’re talking total DIY here (it’s more cost effective too). Helps if you have a bunch of friends who can help with the manual and carpentry work. Keep the concept simple if you’re building from scratch. Get your supply of glass from Jestac (#02-06 CSI Distribution Centre, 2 Kim Chuan Drive, 6288-8290, www.jestac.com.sg), wood from Nature Wood (31 Sungei Kadut St. 4, 6363-0030, www.naturewood.com.sg), electrical supply and light fixings from Convert & Invert (#B1-34 Sim Lim Tower, 10 Jln. Besar, 6396-0948, www.convert.com.sg), paints from Civic Paints & Hardware (#01-5168 Blk. 2 Jln. Bukit Merah, 6273-3383, www.nipponpaint.com) and tools from Home Fix DIY (#B1-16 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Rd., 6738-6086, www.home-fix.com). If none of your friends are carpenters, call up the guys from The Carpenter’s Workshop (352 East Coast Rd., 6346-7555, www.thecarpenter.com.sg).

3. Looking Cool
If you don’t have a database of cool guests, we suggest that you buy them. The guys at events company Division Communications (#05-02, 80 South Bridge Rd., 6438-8258, http://divisioncom.net) have a database of some of the coolest cats in town (us included) and have held some pretty amazing parties for hip clients including Adidas and Dr. Martens. Expect to pay a couple of thousand dollars for the list.
If your target audience is more sophisticated, contact the guys at Mercury Marketing & Communications (#09-02 Keypoint, 371 Beach Rd., 6323-7060, www.mercurymc.com), who recently helmed the Asia Fashion Exchange festival. Not only will they provide the names, they will handle the word-of-mouth necessary to ensure that your party is a huge success, including sending out physical invites and making sure that the media writes about it.

Alternatively, if you can’t afford any of the above, the best way to get the word out is by setting up an events page on Facebook and inviting all your friends. Hey, at least it’s free.

These days, trawling through flea markets for cool buys is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. With at least three flea markets taking place every weekend (see the full list here), shopping at flea markets is no longer a surefire way to find that rare 70s Prada or Christian Lacroix dress or collectible Miles Davis vinyl record. For these, you’ve got to head to specialist second hand shops for everything vintage, and legit ones at that.

A few years ago, flea markets were still a novelty here, like the quarterly Zouk Flea and Easy sessions where you could score a branded jacket at less than half its original price or a rare $2 CD or DVD. Today however, they—especially ones like Flea. Fly. Flo. Fun at Home Club, Flea-tique! at Old Kallang Airport and *SCAPE Bazaar at *SCAPE—have become a breeding ground for youngsters selling off unwanted goods—cheap, secondhand clothes that were purchased impulsively and paraphernalia that they’ve simply outgrown. Or worse, self-produced T-shirt and accessories lines that look like they belong in a neighborhood pasar malam (night market).

“Yes, there’re certainly way too many flea markets organized by individual groups lately,” says Yap Chang Ten, who runs the decade-old vintage shop The Attic at Far East Plaza. “And they’re mainly run by teenagers and wannabes who buy their goods from blog shops, which are of inferior quality. And imagine it when they sell it used!”

Chua Hwee Yee, who runs the specialist vintage shop Stevie General Store at Club Street, explains that the trend is simply a sign of the times.”Flea markets reflect the history and culture of a country or city; for example, you’ll find old kimono fabrics in Tokyo flea markets,” she says. “In the local flea markets, you’ll see a lot of Topshop, Zara and Mango clothes … that’s our hyper-consumerist culture for you! I think we must stop comparing current Singaporean flea markets with European, American or Japanese ones. We are a small, young country that developed rapidly over the past few decades; a lot of big, old houses were torn down to make way for HDB flats. Big, old houses tend to have a lot of old stuff. When you tear them down, old stuff gets lost. And HDB flats are really small; most of us don’t have attics or basements to store stuff that we want to ignore for the next 50 years, so we just throw things away. To expect the same sort of “era-esque” stuff we always find at flea markets overseas is like expecting your neighborhood $3 fish ball noodle stall to make fish balls from caviar.”

While flea markets are not necessarily the place to go to for good ol’ vintage rarities, there are a few exceptions. Look hard enough, and with a little bit of luck, you can still score a couple of gems: Collectible vinyls and tin toys at China Square’s Sunday flea market; old Levi’s jeans and vintage blazers at the weekend edition of Thieves’ Market; or collectible clothes at Zouk’s Flea and Easy, especially during its Fashion Elite-themed ones held during the city’s fashion seasons. The Attic’s Yap also recommends scouring through ad-hoc junk sales for unexpectedly rare and affordable buys. “Those organized by big charity organizations or expats are usually where you can find better stuff,” he says. “These are normally run by more influential and professional people who own and purchase quality merchandize. They are normally willing to part with their prized items at a fair price as these are sold for a good cause or because the expats are leaving the country for good.”

Firstly, let's learn from these professional vintage hunters on how to do it right.

Kenny Leck
Owner of Books Actually, which specializes in rare books and paraphernalia
I usually look at the durability of the item. Bakelite for example, a predecessor of plastic, was used in most light switches that were common in our HDB flats when they were first built. A very hardy material, it’s much harder to crack than plastic—though sadly not environmentally-friendly—and is still in demand by new flat owners who want the old original light switches that our parents are so used to. Always try to collect items that serve a function. Imagine Bakelite light switches used to cost our parents $0.50 cents from the hardware store. Now, you easily have to fork out $15-20 just for one in pristine condition.

Newbie collectors, read up on what you are collecting. Ironically, all information is online these days; it’s like modern technology feeding us with old “technology” information. Research is the key starting point for any collector.

A note for seasoned collectors and buyers: You can never complete any one single collection in its entirety. Even if you can complete one, you will have to move on to the next one. So leave it for another day, another collection.

Yap Chang Ten
Owner of The Attic
Vintage originals can be identified from their labels/markings, materials and hardware used. Most of the materials used back then are different from what you can get in today’s market. Firstly it has to be of good make, meaning the materials and hardware used to manufacture it have to be of good quality, making them still usable till today. Secondly, it has to be of good product design, meaning the item is well thought of and has great details in its design that appeal to the majority.

Thirdly it has to be iconic, meaning it represents a certain era’s culture by just looking at it.

Pricing really depends on the rarity, condition and year the product was manufactured. For example in jeans, you will look for how well it was worn in and maintained. The darker the color of a pair of vintage denim, the better it’s been taken care of. It would be a plus if the overall denim is still dark but sporting a nice wash with beautiful contrasting whisker lines around the crotch and back knee areas. You should also look to see if there is any selvage in the jeans. The first generation of Levi’s jeans, for example, does not have red or blue lines; just white lines in their selvage. This is just very basic, surface identification. There are many more details to look out for in a pair of vintage jeans. The buttons, rivets and numbers or markings are also some of the items to look out for when identifying a pair of vintage jeans.

To me, vintage must be at least 20 years of age, of good make and have an interesting story behind it. Buy only these.

Chua Hwee Yee
Owner of Stevie General Store
For clothing, the first thing you look at is the label. If there’s no label, it’s not likely to be vintage, unless it is tailored or homemade, and those can be recognized easily. You’ll also frequently (but not always) see a “Union-made” label on American clothing; you can date the garment precisely using the Union-made label (there are lists of Union-made labels on the Internet). Reproductions usually don’t pay attention to the zippers and buttons, even if they do use old fabric.

As for pricing, casual dresses will obviously cost less than formal wear and gowns. Mint condition dresses—some of them complete with hang tags—will definitely cost more.

Newbie collectors: Information is your friend. Read as much as you can about whatever you’re collecting. Seasoned collectors: Be original.

How to Shop Smart

Veteran vintage shopping queen Samantha See tells you how to prep for a day spent digging in the crates.

1. Be early and have a plan. For weekend fleas, most shoppers probably partied too much the night before, and are having a nasty hangover; it’s never wise to shop when you are in such a state. Make sure you rest well before your big shopping day, use your huge contact network base and get the insiders’ scoop on what’s worth your moolah. Always know what you are looking for so that you don’t end up wandering around like a lost, crying kid in an amusement park.

2. Study the psyche of the seller. It always helps to connect with your seller. A similar aesthetic sensibility and a genuine appreciation of the stock on display will usually garner you a discount.

3. The art of negotiation. If you love to shop for antiques then you don’t need my advice, but remember that everything is negotiable. Never ever settle for the opening price; only a novice would. Don’t forget to spot little blemishes and hog them for a bigger discount when you find them. And if you are buying multiple items, make sure the stall vendor gives you a better deal. Don’t forget to snag some last minute bargains when vendors get desperate to clear their wares.

4. Have a shopping mate. There’s nothing more fun than snooping for bargains with a like-minded individual, but make sure it’s two or three mates max because it gets way too messy with too many of them.

Now, it's time to shop! Here is the full list of flea markets and vintage stores in Singapore.

When the Ekspres Senandung Sutera cuts through the Singapore night at 10pm on June 30, an era will draw to a close. Since 1932, Tanjung Pagar (as it’s spelled on Malaysian signage) has been the southern terminus of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) system. The station and the strip of land leading to Johor belonged to Malaysia, a fact which has helped create a verdant, heritage-rich sliver in contrast to the world of concrete and steel that rose up around it. That may change now that the land is being handed over to Singapore. It is satisfying to know that the station will be conserved but this is your last chance to see it bustling as it did for eight decades—besides, the Green Corridor along the track may disappear altogether. If you care about Singapore’s history, enjoy good food or just love nature, here’s what you should be doing this week.

Take One Final Ride

While the railway used to be Singapore’s most important artery, it was forgotten for many years; recalled only with a laugh and a comment about outdated transport. That isn’t the case now and there is a mad rush among Singaporeans to get their hands on remaining train tickets. It isn’t too late for that last ride though; tickets to JB Sentral and other nearby stations like Kulai and Kluang can only be purchased at the Tanjong Pagar ticket counter 24 hours in advance. Your best chance is the daily 7:15am shuttle service, with sales opening at 6am. It’s possible to complete a return trip in around three hours. As you might imagine, longer rides to Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth are almost completely sold out, but you can try your luck in person at the station, on the KTM website (www.ktmb.com.my) or by calling KTM’s ticket booking hotline (+60 (3) 2267-1200).

Enjoy a Last Supper

Some of our fondest recollections about Tanjong Pagar Railway Station involve food and the loss of the stalls there will be keenly felt by late-night diners. If tickets are hard to come by, or you simply don’t have time to travel across the Causeway, a table is waiting for you at M. Hasan Railway Station Canteen and M. Hasan 2 Railway Food Station, local favorites since 1976. M. Hasan 2 is inside the main building and its stalls include Island Power Food, Haqqani King Prata, Noor Muslim Food, Oasis Rojak and Hikmah Ramly Burgers. M. Hasan is right by the arrival track and it’s home to Bambai Seafood, Belkis Chicken Rice and the simply-named Nasi Lemak Panas (Hot).

Walk the Green Corridor

More than 3,000 people have already thrown their weight behind “We support The Green Corridor in Singapore” (www.facebook.com/thegreencorridor). Set up by Eugene Tay, founder of environmental consultancy firm Green Future Solutions, the page is aligned with the Nature Society (Singapore) proposal to preserve the tract of Railway Land. He believes that the Corridor, with its historic landmarks and flourishing ecosystem, has immeasurable value to Singaporeans. “The Green Corridor will strengthen our shared memories by preserving our past while creating opportunities for education and discovery,” says Tay. “When we talk about our shared memories, it brings smiles, and brings us closer together, knowing we have experienced the same history.” Tay is organizing morning walks along the Corridor this weekend (Bukit Timah Railway Station to Holland Road on Jun 25 and Rail Mall to Choa Chu Kang on Jun 26; both start at 8am).

For more information, visit www.thegreencorridor.org and “like” the Green Corridor page on Facebook.

What if, by some cosmic miracle, your six numbers are picked for a $5 million dollar jackpot win? What if you find out that a dead relative has left you all his cash monies to be spent however you please? It can happen, and when it does, here are some tips on how to spend that money in style before Monday rolls around.

Friday: Party Like a Rockstar

6pm: First things first. Call Lotus Limousine (47 Club St., 6325-9585, www.lotuslimos.com) to have a Chrysler 300 Super Stretch limo ($2,500 for 10 hours) pick you up and take you around the city for all the high-roller action you’ve got planned today. Each ride is eight meters long and equipped with a state-of-the-art audio system and leather couch seats. You can BYOB at a corkage fee of $80 or the company can arrange to purchase your poison for you.

6:30pm: With your moolah, you can afford to host a small party in one of the famed Japanese fine dining hotspot Waku Ghin's private dining rooms, complete with a showcase of prowess by your very own assigned chef—a great way to start the celebrations. Indulge in the 10-course degustation menu ($400++), pick something nice out of their 3,000-bottle wine collection and take in the sensational city views through the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows.

7.30pm: Everyone should be in pretty high spirits by now, making this the perfect time to head to the circus! The newly-opened Cirque Eloize iD is adapted from the world famous Cirque du Soleil and features acrobats, break dancers, contortionists and even a stunt biker. The VIP boxes ($500 for four seats each) should do nicely.

9pm: After the show, blow close to 10 grand on your buddies at Axis by buying them a Caviar Motini each. Made from super premium black vodka, dry vermouth and fresh lime juice, it comes with 30g of the finest Iranian beluga caviar, beluga-stuffed olives and all the traditional condiments you’d expect. At $1,888 a pop, it’s only natural that you’re required to order this baby two days in advance.

11pm: This is when the party really starts. Take the whole crew out for a celebration designed to make even Snoop Dogg weep with envy. Rent the Asha, a 48-ft. catamaran with gorgeous double cabin interiors from Lloyd Marine (#32-08 UIC Building, 5 Shenton Way, 6438-7889) for $1,900-3,600 and have your guests wake up to an amazing view of the sunrise, breakfast on the sun deck and access to snorkeling equipment, as well as a sea kayak. Want to make it a real occasion? Bring on board crates of delicious Krug Grande Cuvée, $3,076 a bottle from Vinopolis (#44-01 Suntec Tower 3, 8 Temasek Blvd., 6866-3390). Even millionaires get seasick, so if that happens, round up the troops for a late-night soiree overlooking the city skyline at Helipad. Cocktails and canapés for the night will set you back about $15,000. Send everyone home with a bottle of The Macallan 1946 whisky (register on www.themacallan.com to order), each customized by prestigious photographer Albert Watson ($20,700 each inclusive of a signed one-off collectible platinum print).

3am: OK, so maybe you’re not a celebrity flying in for your Asian World Tour concert, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be treated like one. Hell, go all the way and do a turnaround flight (to Jakarta and back, say) just so the crew at Marina Bay Sands can pick you up upon arrival at the tarmac and escort you to the arrival gate by limousine transfer as part of their exquisite VIP experience package. Get to the hotel in a BMW 5 or 7 Series luxury sedan and check into their highly exclusive Chairman Suite (spanning over 700 sq. m.—nearly the size of four tennis courts) and enjoy 24-hour personalized butler service plus access to their invitation-only club Paiza. All for just $17,000 a night. Get waited on hand and foot while you sip on their 2003 Domaine Romanée-Conti Grand Cru, priced at $22,708 a bottle.

Saturday: Shop Like There's No Tomorrow

10am: After all that partying the night before, load up with Super Brunch ($158++) at Ritz Carlton and ponder your fine luck over fresh greens, Japanese sashimi, succulent seafood, slow-roasted wagyu beef and of course, free flowing Moët and Chandon Grand Vintage 2002 and Moët and Chandon Grand Vintage Rose 2003—one of the most indulgent buffets in town and worth every penny spent (not that you have to worry about things like that).

12pm: Not even the Queen can get an appointment with the Hong Kong-based Aussie celebrity hairstylist Kim Robinson but, as a newly-made millionaire, you should treat yourself to his famous dry cut, a signature technique he’s trained all his creative stylists to master. Get that perfect coif at kimrobinson hair salon (#02-12 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6738-8006, www.kimrobinson.com), where prices start from $158 for a consultation, wash and cut. And it’s not just your hair that’ll get the royal treatment here. Book their four VIP suites for yourself and your posse (an extra $280 each), and get to sit on leather-bound ergonomic chairs from Japan worth over $7,000 each. Every client gets a free review one week after their initial cut too. If you’re lucky enough to have your tresses trimmed by the man himself (and you might, considering you just scored yourself more money than the Youth Olympics budget), be prepared to fork out $1,580—his standard fee.

3pm: Round up eight or more of your les amis and reserve one of the private dining rooms at Savoy, Michelin-starred chef Guy Savoy’s Singapore offering. Indulge in their signature Menu Prestige, a 10-course degustation menu that includes their refreshing oyster in ice gelée and pigeon “poché-rôti” with pumpkin gratin and watercress. That’s $688 (inclusive of wine pairing) well spent.

5pm: Now that you’re done indulging your hair and body, it’s time to suit up and get slick. Make an appointment at the Club 21 Style Services Suite (#02- 20/21 Hilton Singapore, 581 Orchard Rd., 6304-1388), a salon spanning over 1,250 sq. ft., complete with three fitting rooms, consultation rooms and a powder room with a full M.A.C. makeup bar. With its dark oak floors and elegant velvet accents, the salon is where you can sit back and preview the fashion empire’s latest collections over organic tea or fine wine. A session here costs $300 (and that's without all the real shopping involved).

6pm: Sometimes, the most satisfying way to spend your money is to buy something for someone. With or without the proposal, the Destinee Aria ring (picture above) is one of the most extravagant pieces of jewelry a woman can buy. It features a magnificent 4-carat diamond centerpiece in a petal-shaped setting and can cost over $800,000 from Lee Hwa Diamond Promenade. For the guys, pay a visit to the biggest Montblanc Mandarin Gallery boutique in Southeast Asia, with its own four-meter high Swarovski crystal chandelier. Keep an eye out for the John Lennon Special Edition pen ($1,330), styled after an old vinyl record with a peace sign engraved into the handcrafted rhodium-plated 18k gold nib. Unfolding paper money from your breast pocket is gauche in any situation so invest in a money clip ($530 from their Men’s Classic collection) while you’re there. And you can’t not head over to The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, which is something of a playground for those with money to burn. Spoil your best girlfriends with a luscious Lady Dior handbag ($4,400-5,000 at #B1-28, 6688-7188) or an edgy Bryanne bangle ($1,548) from Tianpo’s (#B2-16, 6688- 7044) latest Spring/Summer collection. While we’re on the subject of shopping— why not spruce up your pad as well so that you’ll have a design haven to come home to when the whirlwind weekend is over? Invest in a statement piece like a Giorgetti Royal sofa (over $200,000 depending on configuration), exclusively created by hot new Italian designer Antonella Mosca at Space. Check out other designers’ works over gourmet coffee and wine at their brand new showroom, which houses a villa-like showcase unit. Hang a masterpiece like a Botero or Chagall on your wall for $10,000-75,000 from Opera Gallery and everyone will be dying for a sleepover. And hell, why not treat yourself to a kickass home theater system at Coherence Audio. Go for the MBL Reference line (about $246,455) and a $15,000 JVC RS60 projector—sweet.

10pm: All good things must come to an end; well a classy end anyway as you lounge at Tanjong Beach Club with the friends (or friend, now that you’re nearing the end of your million-dollar weekend). Tuck into a good supper and down a couple of potent cocktails for the sweet sum of $2,280-3080 if you book the whole space for yourself for a couple of hours.

Note to Self: In case all this indulgence kills you, snag a prime spot at Asia’s largest six-star columbarium Nirvana Memorial Garden (950 Old Choa Chu Kang Rd., 9047-0330, www.nirvanasg. com), which is equipped with a fancy lounge area, VIP discussion and prayer rooms, as well as various color scheme choices. Penthouses are also available.

Sunday: Live Like A King

10am: Time to unwind a little, and what better way to get things started than with a lovely day at the spa? Auriga Spa’s (Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, 6591-5023) Honey Moon couple’s wellness journey ($1,176) involves the award-winning spa’s signature Moon Spa treatment, a ritualistic floral bath, an intimate tea session in their private garden, mocktails and tapas—perfect for you and a loved one. Or you could take over the entire place for three hours for $9,888.

1pm: Sundays are great for lazy picnics on the beach but we’re not talking about Sentosa. Rent the entire Pulau Pangkil for $6,900-7,900 for three days (daily rates are also available). Have it all to yourself and a maximum of nine other people and go kayaking, sailing and snorkeling without having to wait around for equipment to be available. Their attap huts or “driftwood palaces” are also perfect for lounging about. There are only about 25 members of staff stationed on the island so you feel almost completely isolated from the rest of the world.

If your little getaway is making you crave a real, honest-to-goodness holiday, book one! In fact, go the whole way with the Singapore Airlines Suite, exclusively available onboard their Airbus 380 (up to $15,435 for a round trip). There are only 12 available, and each is equipped with sliding doors for privacy, a lavish Italiancrafted armchair and a queen-sized bed. You’ll be choosing from menus created by SIA’s International Culinary Panel, dining on Givenchy tableware, sleeping in Givenchy bedlinen and pajamas, and treated to their award-winning “cinema in the sky” concept. How’s that for luxe?

5pm: Getting used to the island life? Snag a spot at the ridiculously upscale Sentosa Cove after your little sojourn back into town. For $2,800,000 (assuming you still have spare cash), cop yourself a nice three-bedroom apartment with a sea view at the Oceanfront Sentosa —perfect if you need extra space for your diamond-encrusted kicks and hot new friends.

6pm: Ah, golf… the rich man’s game. Fit in with the upper crust by practicing your swing at the Singapore Island Country Club. Book the entire golf course for $2,850-2,980 for yourself and 14 of your other rich and sporty pals.

9pm: Round off your weekend with a magnificent aerial tour (Helicopter Flight Services, ST Aerospace Engineering, 600 West Camp Rd., 6480-6877) of Singapore. This commercial division of the aviation giant conducts all commercial flights on an EC120B Colibri and also provides VIP transport, as well as aerial filming and photography services. Look for chief pilot Captain Tan Sah Boon to make arrangements. It costs $500-2,000 for just 20-45 minutes of flight but the 360-degree view of our tropical island at sunset is absolutely worth it. That's the lights going out on your luxe lifestyle, by the way.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

Just a few of the extravagant tasks luxury concierge service provider Quintessentially (#06-31 High Street Ctr., 1 North Bridge Rd., 6511-1199, www.quintessentially.com) have done at their members' request:

• Find five tiger cubs for a junglethemed party.
• Arrange for three reindeer, a sleigh, Mrs. Claus and some elves to attend a Christmas party in London.
• Deliver a metal detector up to the French Alps for a member who’d lost his house keys in the snow.
• Arrange a romantic and private dinner for a member and his wife—on an iceberg.
• Send 50 roast ducks and 40 pork bellies from London to Thailand.
• Source a pet jellyfish for a member’s home.
• Create a Batman-style bat cave in a member’s house, complete with a secret passage.

What is whisky?

Whiskies come in grain or malt form. A grain whisky is generally made from any type of grain apart from barley, whereas a malt whisky is made from malted barley specifically. A single malt whisky, generally prized above other types, is made from a single distillery, but not necessarily from a single cask.

A blended whisky is a combination of different grain and malt whiskies. Whiskies are also defined by region or country, the prominent ones being Scotland, Ireland, America and Japan. According to Hong Kong bar Angel’s Share’s Charlene Dawes, American bourbon whiskies (think Maker’s Mark), made mostly from corn, are generally fuller bodied and Japanese whiskies (think Suntory) are more easygoing. Scottish and Irish whiskies are more varied. Within Scotland, there are the Highlands (which includes the Islands sub-regions; they produce lighter-bodied whiskies), Lowlands (drier whiskies), Islay (peaty and smoky whiskies), Speyside (sweeter whiskies) and Campbeltown (full-bodied whiskies).

Whisky Etiquette

Use the right vessel, like a Glencairn glass. The shape of the glass helps to concentrate the aroma of the whisky.

Admire the whisky’s color and nose it before you swallow.

When you sip, move it all around your mouth to detect different flavors; as it oxidizes, new flavors are brought out.

Drink your whiskies neat, a dash of water (spring water works best) opens up more flavors and aromas.

Try not to use ice as it “closes” the whisky, masking its complexity. Don’t warm it like brandy either.

Food Pairing

While whisky glasses on the dinner table are not exactly the etiquette du jour, our whisky experts all agree that some foods go very well with the beverage. “Food pairing works, but this depends on the whisky itself,” says Mirey. “For example, with a smoky, peaty whisky like Ardbeg, you would look at a very smoky or salty dish. Smoked salmon, oysters, blue cheese all work.”

“Hearty dishes like lambshank, or duck confit, complements a glass of slightly sweet, flavorsome whisky like The Macallan. A very fruity and nutty whisky like the Glenmorangie can go with scallops or satay chicken,” he adds. “Personally, I have whisky with peanuts at the bar, after dinner.”

Bowmore ambassador Kay Wu also recommends a lighter, smoother whisky like the Auchentoshan from the Lowlands to go with a dessert, possibly something fruity or dark chocolate-based.

Did You Know...

The age of the whisky is defined by the number of years the liquid has been aged in a barrel, and once bottled, it effectively stops aging, Arthur Motley explains. For example, a 1948 10 year old bottle is the same age as a 2010 10 year old bottle. A Scotch whisky must be aged at least three years to be deemed a true Scotch.

1. Assemble the right people—and the right number. Choose friends who share your level of interest and commitment, and of course, who are fun. Have a number large enough to comfortably cover costs (and help drink the wine) but not so many that it gets hard to keep track. Six is good.
2.  Decide on a budget. Presumably, you’ll want all members to chip in for the cost of the six or twelve bottles being delivered. Work within the budget to make sure everyone can continue participating. There are plenty of great wines that don’t cost the earth. (If you do want to enjoy some fancier wines, you can reduce the total number of wines ordered.)
3.  Pick a theme. For each meeting—and hence each order—choose a general region or a couple of varietals you want to taste in detail. This can be as general as “cabernet sauvignons from Chile” and “chardonnays from California” or as specific as “shiraz from Barossa Valley.” Do a mix of whites and reds to make things fun.
4.  Research your wines. The host can be in charge of contacting the importer for any wine notes if available. If not, a google search can yield enough information to go on.
5.  Order the wine. You have a theme, a budget, and tasting notes: pick what sounds yummy and send in your order.
6.  Get together and drink. At the meeting, taste the wines and discuss them before reading the notes. Before going home (get a cab!), decide on the next meeting’s theme. (Trust us, doing this after the fact takes forever.)
7.  Host on a rotating basis. The host can be in charge of collecting everyone’s suggestions, compiling a list of wines and making the order. They can also provide snacks and glasses and make sure that tasting notes are ready when needed. To encourage hosting, you might decide that each host gets to keep all the leftover wine.