Review : Boufe Boutique Cafe

Tucked somewhere in Phoenix Park is a beautiful cafe painted in white and black. I've always wanted to come visit and the IG photos of this cafe lured me to set our next Lifegroup break at Boufe Boutique cafe. The staunch minimalist in me couldn't contain my excitement. I may sound biased because I've always loved the idea of black and white walls mixed with white interiors. Okay I'm sounding like a broken record here but feast your eyes at the photos below and you'll understand why I can't refrain from raving.



Accessibility - We took a cab from Orchard MRT which cost us around S$10 since "gothere" took us to Ridley Park instead. There are buses which can take you but would entail a 10 minute walk to the property.


Food - I'll give this a 4.5 since I enjoyed the french toast and its presentation. We all tried Chef's recommendation - Eggs Benedict and Salted Egg Crayfish. My friend didn't like the salted egg because of the smell and the taste came in too strong for her taste buds. The eggs Benedict were quite an average. Matcha green tea was a sure win, I just wish it's served in a bigger cup for my indulgence though.


Price - It's within the same price range as most cafes in Singapore. We each had to pay around S$27 for per plate and beverage. This includes GST and service charge

Ambiance - I'd give this a 4.8 because I'd wish they have added more chairs or tables in the outdoor area. I love the swing adorned with grass vines, the simplicity of the walls where they hung the menu. The inspiration wall for photo op and the overall minimalist interiors. Everything is picture worthy and when you post processed your photos i.e overexposed it a bit; you'll end up with a stunning photo like the one below. #bragging.



Overall it was a good dining experience. The staff was kind, welcoming and willing to take a few snaps per our request. Boufe Boutique cafe should be on the top of your list if you want good food, beautiful ambiance and a worthy gastonomical experience. Unfortunately,they don't accept reservations during brunch. I would strongly recommend making a reservation if you intend to have dinner plans as they easily get packed on weekends.

xoxo,

Jhesy 

DIY Bookworm Set Up : Birthday For a Cause

Event Styling is always a good idea. And when a good friend asked if I'm willing to volunteer for a cause and style a specific theme for an event, I giddily said yes.

I am staunch supporter of rustic motif and minimalist with a hint of muted hues, Now,I know that's a lot to take in and you might think it's all over the place. But trust me, with the right location and elements, you can absolutely pull this off.

So when I was assigned the bookworm setup, I immediately created a Pinterest board and pinned every picnic style/reading corner pegs I could find. It was such a joy to plan every detail and scout for props. An ocular is obligatory to visualize the setup and ensure that everything will suit as planned.

It's my first ever outdoor themed set up and I had mixed feelings on how it will turn up. My head was rambling with a lot of ideas. I didn't want it too look too "overly adorned" and I didn't want it to be too bare either. A tepee and picnic mat were the core items of the set up. With the help of friends, we're able to make the pillars for the tepee. We bought the cloth at very reasonable price and even got scraps for free which we eventually used for buntings.

I wanted a relaxed look hence I figured a swing would be a good element to boost the reading corner look. The white/blue light bulbs added romance which complemented the swing. To inject rustic vibe and a hint of vintage feel, we added old wine boxes, weaved basket and pillows in hues of brown and beige. There were long stemmed flowers and piles of books in one corner along with the Polaroids scattered on the picnic blanket.
The mini bicycle added a bit of playful wit to the entire ensemble.

As soon as we're almost done with the setup and I was almost way too eager to see the final look, a roving team approached us and requested for a permit. We didn't have any as we thought we're allowed to hang things anywhere given it's a public park. We were so complacent at the thought that it's for public use and become oblivious that this is Singapore and they have strict laws and high respect for nature. We were asked to take down the Tepee, remove the buntings, light bulbs and yes, the swing. It broke my heart to see everything taken down. And as much I wanted to bawl and rant, we did the opposite. We were doing the set up for a Photo Marathon and for a good cause. We can't let a little mishap ruin everything we planned for. So instead of whining, we re-arranged everything as a picnic set up while maintaining the elements we initially thought of.


The buntings were used as a background for couples who would like to take their couple shots. The light bulbs were placed around the reading corner. We were done as soon as the guests start to come in. I smiled sheepishly as I gazed at the finished setup. It was a work of love rooted for a good cause.



There were 3 setups done for this marathon and everyone poured their heart and thoughts to ensure that the backdrop will be picture worthy. The event was indeed a success. A birthday celebration for our 2 year old Anika and surprisingly managed to raise an amount which exceeded our preset goal .

There is something poignant about the image of people coming together for a cause and this experience was an eye opener for me. I've come to an understanding that more than the monetary assistance, there are different ways by which we can bless others. We can be generous with our  skills, time, talent and resources. With the proper mindset, objective and heart; we are empowered to unselfishly give, with no serving motives. Giving is always better than receiving and though it's human nature to believe that when have more, we can give more; if you come from this mentality you never have enough of anything to give.You gain more when you give and it's something which cannot be quantified nor measured. It fills your heart and entire being. So be generous of whatever you have and be cheerful in doing it; because it is when we lose ourselves for others that we can truly find joy beyond any possessions.

Xo,
Jhesy 

Before Sunrise @ Kiltepan

The much talked about Viewpoint has been getting a handful of attention. Thanks to Angelica's emotional scene, screaming at the top of her lungs hoping in doing so, it will take the pain away ( That Thing Called Tadhana ). But let's not get overly dramatic. Kiltepan Viewpoint is actually a perfect spot to watch the sun rise on the east. It's a place to gather your thoughts, commune with nature, find serenity and just be content at the stillness of surrounding. Now, there's a disclaimer to this - Should you attempt to go there at 5:00 am during peak season, then tough luck. Chances are, you'll only being seeing heads, tripods and iphones up in the air, blocking the majestic sight of sunrise.


It was our last stop in Sagada before we head off to Baguio. Our Van pulled in at around 05:00 am and much to our surprise, the place was already jammed with tourists with their hi tech gadgets in tow,  trying to secure this spot to capture the perfect photograph of the Sunrise. I felt discouraged as I tried to squeeze myself in the crowd. It was hopeless to even raise my camera up to get a good glance of what about to transpire. We saw people going in a different direction and so we decided to follow them as they climbed to what seemed like a hill. There were already a group of people in the forefront but fortunately, we found a spot enough to see the sun as it breaks the dawn. We stood there, waiting patiently as more and more people gathered at the point. After a few more minutes, the fog cleared up and soon it was bright, golden and warm. Sunrise will always be one of the most beautiful showcase of God's magnificent creation. It was beautiful and no filter can ever do justice to the magical experience you'll have as you watch the sun comes out and breaks the darkness.



After 15 minutes or so, we decided to wander around and saw these giant pine trees - light bulb comes on. Backdrop! It felt like Autumn in NYC with all the browns, rust and vermillion colors around us. The sun streaks were peeping its way in through the branches of the trees, touching the amples of our cheeks. It was certainly a good, reassuring morning. We event witnessed a proposal which I found to be slightly cliche considering Kiltepan Viewpoint was considered the Brokenhearted's Solace. I lost count at the number of photos we took with us leaning on the trunk of the tree. A cameraman passed by and asked if he can take the photo of our friend. He asked him to move away from the trees a bit and angle himself partly facing the sun and the camera. The photo came out excellent and one thing we learned that day was, subjects should move away from the background as they will appear as false attachments resulting to a confusing photograph. Thank you Mr Cameraman! Photography 101.





As we make our descent to Baguio which was a sign that it's indeed the end of our Sagada stint, I felt a sense of unexplained happiness and peace. Yes, it was a series of sleep-deprived and exhausting itinerary but the adventures, memories and bond we created during this strip will be the stories we would tell to our children and grandchildren. It was one of those precious things you will save to your core memory and one that you'll unlock whenever the itch of wanderlust kicks in. Sagada was one of the first few places I had a chance of visiting when it was still unknown to many and it has been kind enough to still offer the same sense of serenity and beauty as it did back then.

Xo,

Jhesy 

Review : Luxe Singapore

Finding "a hole in the wall restaurant" and chancing upon instragrammable cafes have been my fancy as of late.

My friends say that I value aesthetics more than quality and quite frankly, that is somewhat true at times but not most often. I adore quaint set ups, minimalist interiors injected with rustic vibe that any cafes or restaurants with this theme would surely lure me in.

I've been in a couple of boutique cafes in Singapore and one thing they have in common - pricey. That shouldn't be surprising considering SG is one of the most expensive countries as per Yahoo. Yes, they would all cause a dent in your wallet hence dining frequently is highly discouraged. But food is a basic necessity and not really considered a luxury isn't it? So let me take you to this cozy cafe which I found just a few blocks from my workplace.

When I was sourcing for a place to catch up, chill and just pass time, I'd pen down these 3 things to consider.

1. Location

2. Reviews on Food and Price

3. Ambiance

I decided to meet up with a friend to go over my laptop dilemma ( my entire photo library has decided to quit on me ) and I panicked at the very least realizing years of memories now down the drain. ( be sure to BACK UP your photos  - note to self ). Was going over a list of several cafes in Tanjong ( I was bit biased as I didn't want to wander off from the city ) and found Luxe Cafe which is located at Keong Saik Rd at the Working Capitol Bldg. It's a 10-min leisurely walk from Cantonment Center.

As I turned left at Keong Saik Rd, I immediately saw "Luxe" written on the white pillars of the Capitol Bldg. This Sydney based cafe is nothing short of spectacular. The door opens to a lounge with vibrant colored sofas adorned with a center table and candles. It looks so inviting that it could easily pass of a hotel lobby. I was greeted by the waiter and ushered me to my reserved seat. The photos from their website did justice to the minimalist interiors of the restaurant. It was  mix of sophistication, class and relaxed ambiance. Uncluttered and luxurious.

The menu is limited however they are very much willing to prepare the avocado toast even though it's  30 minutes past 7pm.  They're all friendly, warm and generous. I was looking for something light yet filling and within my price range. The Seared Salmon in Chilli Caramel Dressing (S$28) was my first bet. It was prepared with utmost gusto. A mix of flavors and textures which rolled perfectly on my tastebuds. I just wish the serving was a bit more considering the price.

My friend on the other hand ordered the Luxe Burger with Grass Fed Beef (S$28). He said it was good but forgettable. There's really nothing amazing or special with the taste.

To cap things off, we ordered the much hyped about dessert - Pandan Madeleines ( S$8 ). It was moist, soft and not too fluffy. But forget about the bread, the main show stealer was the "kaya". It was by far the best Kaya I ever had in my 4 years in Singapore. It tastes like vanilla with a hint of zest and a bit of pandan. It was oh so good!

Luxe exhibits an Aussie cafe vibe. The spaces are wide, clean and woody. We thought we're ready to head off when the waiter asked if we are keen to have a slice of cake. We're a bit reluctant but then he said it's from Sunday and they won't be selling it. It was Tuesday and who am I to say no to a FREE slice of delicious chocolate cake. Needless to say, I devoured it in a jiffy.

Luxe Sydney tops the list of the cafes I've been to in Singapore. The service is well executed and you can see the heart put into every dish. It's minimalistic interiors makes it the perfect place for a relaxed weekend brunch and after work drinks. It is well situated, smacked in the middle of Outram MRT and Tanjong Pagar making it a popular spot for yuppies so booking a reservation is highly advertised.

There are still a bit of things to improve on but overall, I'd give this cafe a 4-star rating for its overall ambiance, food and service. It's your ticket to experience that little piece of luxury right in CBD.

Xo,

Jhesy