Fashion Forward

Deborah Yap | dycube@gmail.com
theridge
A NUSSU Publication

For this month’s article, the ridge chances upon two undergraduates both of multi-cultural descent! Let’s see how they carry off studying in style in Singapore!

Name: Natasha Mano Year 3 FASS

Natasha’s bright and cheerful style stood out in the sea of students in a lecture theatre, complimenting her sweet demeanour. Lucky for us, she wasn’t in a rush out of the lecture, which gave us ample time to photograph her for this issue’s fashion regular.

Natasha is of Indian-Chinese descent, and majors in History in her faculty. We love the way she dresses because it truly reflects her personality! Although some might argue that floral prints are a trend of the previous year, the best part about personal style is recreating old trends and looking current.

Natasha clearly understands the rules of fashion as she pairs a floral top with a comfortable jersey skirt. Her boldly coloured top certainly adds that extra punch and pizzazz to her outfit!

Also, if you look carefully, there are extra details that Natasha has added into her image for the day – braids in her hair! Braids are a great way to jazz up your entire look without over-accessorizing with glaring headpieces or gaudy hairclips – which unfortunately can really scream “I’m trying too hard”.

The item of contention has to be the transparent nature of the Nine West tote bag that Natasha is carrying. One look and we’re able to see the intimate items that she carries – dangerous or fashion forward? You decide! Lucky for a fashionista like Natasha, she knows how to make herself look organized and colourful when baring a slice of her life – I spy a bright green water bottle, a notebook with vintage print, a colour blocked wallet and moisturizer!

Natasha’s usual shopping haunts include Topshop and Forever 21, but generally she shops wherever her feet take her. She chirps, “Dressing up always makes me happy! So if you have a bad day, have fun putting on clothes and don’t care about what the world thinks!”

Name: Toshiyuki Mori Year 3 FASS

Toshi is of Japanese-Chinese descent, which certainly is evident not only in his looks, his ability to speak the Japanese language, but also in his preppy style. He assures us that he is not quite the fashionable type, and we happen to be lucky to catch him on the way to a formal event. No worries, the ridge appreciates everyone’s personal style, on good days or bad!

Now let’s look at his preppy style for the day: some might argue that a cardigan over a fitted shirt is too impractical in a climate like ours, especially when one is rushing from class to class. That might be true, but at the same time, the freezing temperature of some lecture theatres might just render a cardigan useful – and who said cardigans were only for girls anyway? Also, his choice of plaid instead of a simple colour definitely was a wise one.

One might question Toshi’s choice of plaids on plaids in the case of his Muji cardigan sweater and the backpack he is sporting – too much? Firstly, the ridge supports the choice of a backpack – it takes the load off carrying that laptop around plus it retains that element of conventional school style. In the debate of plaids on plaids, we say, we like it! In this case the red and blue seem to work together seamlessly to compliment each other in the outfit. Toshi-san, ichiban!

Toshi proclaims his love for Threadless t-shirts (an online store) that are at its best value when the online sales come around. Be careful though, he warns, there have been times where he’s come to school and seen another person wearing the same shirt! Yikes, that must’ve been awkward!

This month’s fashion faux pax

I’m keeping it simple for this month, and simple truths usually speak the loudest. Ladies, go easy on all that eyeliner and mascara.

Eat your heart out

Samyuktha Santhanam | samyuktha.trisha@gmail.com
theridge lifestyle
A NUSSU Publication

In this new lifestyle regular, we prowl about town to review potental pig-out locatons for you. Keep your eyes peeled, and you might just fnd your venue for the next girls’ night out, or for that date you have been trying to plan to perfecton. This month, we review Ace of Clubs.

Ace of Clubs sits in the heart of Chijmes in City Hall, which is among Singapore’s renowned lifestyle destinations. The establishment itself is based on a concept that combines all the features of a good night out: food, chilling, drinks and partying.

Ace’s promotion tagline goes wine  •  dine  •  dance. In keeping in line with their theme, we decided to give you a rundown of all the three aspects of the club.

Wine

The house pours were strongly mixed while the cocktails revealed a hint of alcohol, otherwise well veiled by their sweet flavours. We tried Breakfast in Bed (cofee, kahlua, amarulla, and chocolate syrup), Ace Taztique (pineapple juice, midori, milk and vodka) and Poisentia (vodka, lychee liquer, blue curacua and grenedine syrup), all of which were well-mixed drinks. As a lover of cold cofee drinks, I naturally enjoyed Breakfast in Bed the most.

However, what I have to say next is most likely to interest you a great deal more than the drinks themselves. Once you have chosen your drink from the drinks menu, you get to pick a card from a stack of playing cards. The number that you see on the card is the price you pay for your drink. If you pick a King, Queen or a Jack, you pay the price listed on the menu card, and if you pick an Ace, your drink is on the house.Between 9pm and 10pm, all jugs are priced at $21, while bottles go at $121. If all of these aren’t incentive enough, your interest might be piqued by the fact that this is the only club in Singapore that sells absinthe. So go on down and give it a shot.

Dine

The exterior of Ace of Clubs is demarcated for al fresco dining, while the interior is the club space. A screen sat at the end of the candlelit tables, on which a soccer match was playing.

The food itself, which they describe as authentic Indian Curry, was rich and well-cooked with a distinctly pleasant aroma. A chicken platter, with five types of chicken (Kim Chicken, Hyderabadi Chicken, Black Pepper Chicken, Coconut Chicken, Butter Masala Chicken) costs $38 and could feed between three and four people. The prices were generally afordable, and typically what you would expect to spend on a night out.

The mutton curry (Ace Mutton Special) left little to be desired. It was cooked to perfection, and the meat was tender and soft. Although all the food was on the slightly spicy side, it was still well-cooked and enjoyable to the palate.

The pudding we were served for dessert was just the right amount of sweet, which was a welcome relief from the saccharine sweetness of most Indian sweets.

On top of that, the portions were fairly sizeable for dessert. All in all, it was a pleasant dining experience – certainly worth a second visit.

Dance

The interior of the club is lined with comfortable sofas and tables all along the sides. The lighting is as trippy as you would expect any club’s lighting to be, and there are LCD screens on the wall that feature their ACE video remixes of music videos. During our visit, which was still early in the night, the DJ was playing a fairly standard mix of house music.

The club is available as an events venue, and there is no booking fee.

In addition to that, NUS students get free entry to the club before 11pm. While there is no dress code for al fresco dining, those intending to club are advised not to dress sloppily, as you will be refused entry into the club.

Those born on the 21st of any month are in for a special treat. You get an ACE Clubber card free of charge, and it entitles you to 21% discount of all your purchases at Ace of Clubs.

So the next time you’re with a group of friends in which some want to party while the others just want to lounge, you might want to try out Ace. Just make sure you get there before 11pm and all the better if someone in the group is born on a 21st.

Fashion Forward

Deborah Yap | dycube@gmail.com
theridge lifestyle
A NUSSU Publication

In this new regular, theridge lifestyle spots the fashion rights and
wrongs on campus, and shine the spotlight on the chic, the stylish, and
the well-dressed on campus.

Shamil Zainuddin, Year 4, FASS

Shamil was spotted wandering in town, sporting a recent hair cut that he claims shed a few years of him. A Year 4 FASS student, his dressing reflects the maturity that comes with an almost-graduate.

I like how he contrasts his formal collared shirt with a pair of casual, fitted shorts secured with a belt. The flexibility of this outfit works for all occasions; it could be attending a party, simply having an afternoon tea with friends, attending lectures, or it could even pass of as formal wear to a concert or performance.

His shoes? You could love it or hate it – some people hate how it gives a overly-feminine look, but others appreciate its softer, more comfortable style of footwear. His roomy sling bag looks like there is enough space for a whole bunch of library books, lecture notes and all sorts of necessities, perfect for a busy student. In general, I think Shamil knows what he’s doing when he puts his outfit together in the morning!

Shamil claims that he has no favourite brands, but likes buying bottoms from United Colours of Bennetton and collecting T-shirts of his favourite bands (he has a growing collection!). His fashion advice to NUS students is “Don’t try to be someone else, be yourself!”.

Matilda Tan, Year 3, Business Faculty

If you haven’t realized by now, our sunny island has turned up the heat over the past few months, and going out in long pants or jeans has to be the most painful exercise ever.

Matilda was spotted strolling around Holland Village, looking all ready to face that sweltering heat of the summer. She pulls of comfortable and chic in her denim shorts and simple navy tank, paired with strappy sandals, which add a shiny finishing touch to her casual outfit. Also, the best accessory for the summer has to be that natural, glowing tan she possesses that every girl hits the beach for!

Her outfit is pretty simple and easy to put together, but it has to be the confidence that she exudes in her smile and the glow of her perfect tan that makes her look altogether stunning. Matilda frequents Zara and Topshop, and after coming back from her exchange program in the UK, is all the rave for Primark, a brand that sadly, can only be found there. Her fashion advice to NUS students? “You can never go wrong with simple and comfortable!” True story.

This month’s fashion faux pas (in light of the heat!)

We understand the unbearable heat, but walking around in public in those multi-coloured see-through FBTs are simply not the way around it, unless you are heading for the exercise area. A better option would be a pair of denim shorts – they go great with anything!

The teenage textbook to healthy living

Deborah Yap | dycube@gmail.com
the ridge
A NUSSU Publication

photo credit: tpaulanny.deviantart.com

Welcome back to school! It’s August, and the new school year has crept upon us. That’s right, you know what that means – time to get serious and start hitting those books! Before we all dive into the new semester, the ridge has come up with a few lifestyle tips for healthy living that can help keep your mind well and active, in preparation for those tough months ahead!

Take care of your BODY:

You’ve heard it before – the magic trio to healthy living: 1. Drink lots of water, 2. Eat those fruits and vegetables and 3. Do at least 30-45 minutes of exercise daily. It might have been a mantra quoted far too often, but it is no old wives’ tale. This combination of diet and lifestyle rejuvenates your entire being to become in sync with living healthy.

On your diet:
Try a 3 day detoxifying regime. It could be an all-fruit detox or simply staying away from oily, fried and junk foods. Accompanied with plenty of water, detoxifying flushes out unhealthy wastes in your body which impair functioning, hindering our ability to work and play at optimum. You’ll be surprised at how much more alert you can feel!

On your exercise:
We all know the usual exercises of jogging and ball or racket sports. But some of us are plain lazy to hit the gym and compete for treadmills with all these frequent gym buffs. For those of you who fall into that category (me included!), here are some fun activities that can help get your heart rate up and pumping in the convenience of your own home:

1. Skipping. Skipping ropes are affordable and make easy storage. Plus, you can always buy weighted skipping ropes for a tougher workout!

2. Hula hoops. Work that hula hoop for half an hour a day! The hula hoop is an aerobic exercise that increases the flexibility and strength of your body, simultaneously burning calories.

3. Climbing staircases. No extra equipment required but those pair of legs. This is one of the most effective cardio workouts of all time. Get yourself going; you’ll be panting in no time! Also, you can self-monitor how intense or relaxed a workout you prefer.

photo credit: daniellefershure.deviantart.com

Take care of your SOUL:

Laughter is the best medicine. Studies show that laughter reduces the amount of hormones that are associated with stress and strengthens the immune system. Keeping yourself optimistic and positive makes an individual the happier soul.

With friends:

Spend time with friends or loved ones. Hanging out with friends will be a fad that never fades away.

Chilling out after a long day of school or work or simply meeting for an afternoon tea could make all the difference to that one day. It could be an old friend that you have not contacted in awhile, a new friend that you just met in class, or a best friend that always has your back – pick up that phone and make some dates!

Take up new hobby. New hobbies are great ways to meet new people and involve yourself in a community of like-minded individuals pursuing something they love. Simultaneously, you learn a new lifeskill!

Community centers offer a variety of lessons at low fees, ranging from salsa dancing to scrapbook making – there has to be something there that suits your fancy.
If you are shy about it, drag a friend along!

By yourself:

Take some time to pamper yourself. It could be a spa treatment, a massage, a new hair colour, or simply a quick manicure/pedicure. Remember: indulgences are only criminal in excess. Being good to yourself once in awhile is merely an act of rejuvenating the senses and lifting your mood. After all, don’t you deserve it?

Spend some time to yourself. We all need some “me” time, away from the pressures and demands of family, friends, school and work. Spend some time listening to your favourite band, take long walks along the beach or park, or just curl up in bed with a good hot beverage and book in hand. It could be just what you need to refresh and recharge for another day.

Rebels with a Cause

Arzish Baaquie | arzish@gmail.com
the ridge lifestyle
A NUSSU Publication

It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees – Emiliano Zapata

Loki refused to bow down to the god Balder (the Norse god of Lightning) and in a subsequent scuffle, ended up killing him.  As a result, the god Odin punishes Loki by binding him in his (Loki’s) son’s entrails (yes, the Norse were an imaginative bunch) for all of eternity.  This month, the ridge looks at some figures over the course of history who have questioned authority and refused to take things as they were.

Joan of Arc

Photo: http://library.shu.edu

The year is 1424.  A 12-year old French girl is lazing about in the fields owned by her family.  Out of the blue, she begins having what she refers to as ‘divine visions’, persuading the girl to assist in France’s effort to drive out the English.  For four years, these visions occur ever-so-often, resulting in this girl volunteering to join the French army.  This girl, as you’ve probably guessed, was Joan of Arc.  At the age of 16, she attempted, unsuccessfully, to become part of the French resistance forces.  Due to ther lack of training and the fact that she was a young girl, she was denied any role in the forces.  After making several remarkably accurate predictions about the military maneouvers of the English, French army commanders began taking notice of her.  She dressed like a male soldier so as to not attract unwanted attention and not be singled out by her comrades.  Joan of Arc turned out to be a remarkable military leader and tactician, engineering several key victories.  She was captured at the tender age of 19 and subsequently burnt at the stake as a ‘witch’ by the English.  Her acts of heroism and the strength of her character have been etched into the annals of history.

Giordano Bruno

Photo: http://palermo.blogolandia.it

Bruno was an Italian scientist and philosopher who refused to recant any of his beliefs or theories, which eventually led to his death.  In the 16th century, Italy was not exactly a hotbed of new ideas in science and religion, with any ideas that sounded remotely different or unfamiliar being deemed ‘heretical’, a crime punishable by death.  Giordano Bruno insisted that the universe was an infinite realm and that the Sun is at the center of the Solar System (heliocentrism).  Bruno was Galileo’s predecessor and set the tone for the rebellious scientists of Italy.  Captured by the Romans in 1592, Bruno was tortured for a good seven (yes, you read that right, seven) years before he was sentenced to be burned at the stake as a heretic.  When the judge announced the death sentence for Bruno, he was met with the following statement: “”Maiori forsan cum timore sententiam in me fertis quam ego accipiam (Perhaps you pronounce this sentence against me with greater fear than I receive it).” A martyr for science, Giordano Bruno willingly accepted death so that his theories and teachings could live on.

Spartacus

Photo: http://www.militaryartgallery.com

A slave who went on to lead his own army of rebels against the mighty Roman Empire, Spartacus embodies the never-say-die attitude that makes a true leader.  Trained as a gladiator before his enslavement, Spartacus was known to be an astute tactician and a great motivator.  In 73 B.C., whilst in captivity, he led a rag-tag bunch of seventy other slaves to rebel against their Roman captors and escape.  As legend has it, Spartacus turned back from the border of Italy, i.e. from safety and freedom, and instead, accompanied by his ‘army’, turned around and marched back into the heart of Italy.  He amassed an amazing support, with his army of followers and fellow slave-soldiers numbering 140,000 at one point of time.  Sadly, the most powerful empire in the world was not about to be brought down by a runaway slave and Spartacus was eventually slain.  According to the Roman historian Plutarch, “finally, after his companions had taken to flight, he (Spartacus) stood alone, surrounded by a multitude of foes, and was still defending himself when he was cut down by a shower of arrows and a blur of swords”.

Che Guevara

Photo: http://photosthatchangedtheworld.com

Ernesto Che Guevara, or simply ‘Che’ to his near and dear, was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, politician, author, physician, military theorist, and guerrilla leader.  Born in 1928 into a middle-class family, Che was surrounded by a plethora of books from an early age, which led to his great pool of knowledge.  Che admired the revolutionaries who had graced the history books and idolized Spartacus.  He was known for his refusal to turn a blind eye towards injustice and his attempts to alleviate this injustice took him all the way from Argentina to Congo, with countless other countries thrown in between.  One of his greatest achievements was the successful overthrowing of the dictator Batista in Cuba, done alongside his comrade-in-arms, a certain Fidel Castro.  Castro described Guevara as intelligent, daring, and an exemplary leader.  In 1967, whilst deep in hiding in the Bolivian forests, Che was captured by the CIA-backed Bolivian army, who went on to brutally execute him.  As he was about to be shot, he was asked if he was thinking of his own immortality.  His response was “No, I am thinking about the immortality of the revolution.”

Omar Mukhtar

Photo: http://en.wikipedia.org

Often referred to as the ‘Lion of the Desert’, Omar Mukhtar led the Libyan resistance against the Italian colonial forces for a good twenty years.  A religious teacher who was well-versed in guerrilla warfare, Mukhtar became the arch-nemesis of the Italians in Libya.  Mukhtar and his small, compact army of rebels were very familiar with the harsh terrain and were able to make life for the Italians miserable.  General Teruzzi, the main military authority overseeing Italian colonialist operations in Libya, described Mukhtar as possessing “exceptional perseverance and strong will power.”  From 1911 till his capture in 1931, the Lion of the Desert steadily led his men to protect their homeland from the powerful colonialists.  Soon after his capture, he was hanged in front of a concentration camp of Libyans, but not before deeply affecting the Italian prison wardens, who were moved by his stoic demeanour and refusal to cower in fear.

Food review: Da Paolo’s

Arzish Baaquie | arzish@gmail.com
the ridge lifestyle
A NUSSU Publication

Looking for a swanky restaurant to impress your significant other with?  The ridge saves you the hassle of searching the island for a suitable place to go and visits Da Paolo’s.

Tucked away on a street adjacent to Holland Village, Da Paolo’s prides itself on its friendly staff and top-notch homemade pasta dishes.  I went down to the restaurant on a quiet Thursday evening, after having made reservations to be on the safe-side.  The maître d’ informed me that getting a table at the restaurant without reservations on a weekend was akin to striking the lottery.  As my guest and I proceeded to take a seat, we observed that the dimmed lighting and simple décor added to the cosy ambience exuded by the restaurant.

We ordered a caprese (mozzarella cheese with tomatoes) as an appetizer.  A simple and traditional Italian dish, it sufficiently whetted our appetites for the main course.  Going by the recommendation from the maître d‘, we asked for a tagliatelle granchio (pasta with crabmeat) and a taglioni aragosta (pasta with crayfish).  Both dishes turned out to be delicious.  The thick and creamy sauce of the tagliatelle complimented the generous portions of crabmeat, making it some thoroughly satisfying fare.  The succulent pieces of crayfish were the highlight of the taglioni, which had a lighter feel to it due to its tomato-based sauce.

The final piece in our Italian jigsaw was the tiramisu.  Da Paolo’s pride and joy, the tiramisu melts in your mouth and is of a perfect consistency.  Without an exceedingly bitter after-taste, the tiramisu is the perfect way to round off a meal, one that will definitely win you brownie points with whoever you go with.

Overall, Da Paolo’s impressed us with their knowledgeable and attentive waiters as well as their tasty authentic Italian fare.  The prices were a bit on the higher end but were justified by the overall dining experience.  If you’re looking for a classy restaurant away from the usual hustle and bustle, for any special occasion (Valentine’s Day is sometime this month apparently), this is where you want to head to.

For reservations, call: Da Paolo’s 64761332 [http://www.dapaolo.com.sg/]