Not another bloody pop up

By Changmoh • Saturday, 7 May 2016 • Buy Book, Fash, Local Issues, My Edits, Shop Local

Do you know what I mean? There seem to be just so many expat pop ups in Singapore that *rolls eyes* the thought of another one selling pretty much all the same stuff as the last, doesn’t really do it for me.

This one, however, is different. For starters, it’s called Not Your Average Pop Up (glad it’s not just me then and someone else has also recognised the problem). Secondly, it’s not in Dempsey or Tanglin (it’s on Haji Lane) and finally and – arguably most importantly – they sell some pretty awesome stuff that is not ridiculously priced.

My handpicks of their handpicks:

Beach wraps & kikoys from Africa are, I know, are nothing new and we all owned tons of them when we were on our gap years (so long ago I can hardly remember mine). Now that I actually find myself on a beach at least once a week again, these are so much lighter than towels to carry and I am – once more – a fan. I particularly love their 3m x 4m sizes that make great picnic rugs or even work as a throw for a bed. They also have silver striped creations and most of their stuff can be personalised (I have to say, I prefer plain). Prices start from: S$30. Brand: Bo Ya (even sounds slightly like ‘Gap Yah!’)

I have also fallen in love with Frankitas who make bags (I love their clutches – the jury is still out on the bigger pieces) from traditional and modern fabrics like ikat, rangrang, songket and batik dyed in kick-ass colours – see 4th picture down with the delicious lone red wedge. Their colourful clutches are particularly useful when you have overdosed on recipe testing for your recent cookbook (ahem!) and feel the need to wear block colours slightly more than you usually would.

I have also been on the hunt for a decent lampshade for quite a while and loved that these guys had a few silk ones for sale alongside the clutches…as you do:

In terms of plus sizes (I’m not *quite* there yet) Attaby has great day dresses for all sizes from XS to UK size 16. I am thrilled to say I’m an XS, even if I don’t feel it. I have bought two in celebration, including this twisted-backless number which despite it’s lack of back you can still wear with a bra ($150)

Castañer espadrilles are insanely expensive for being, well, just espadrilles. After talking myself into buying a pair from their flagship in Madrid in a moment of madness, I am now utterly indiscriminate and snap them up anywhere I can; French supermarkets are currently my favourite place for stocking up. I have recently come to terms with the fact that I do not actually live in France. What’s more, French supermarkets don’t sell them in butter-soft leather:

These are super cute and I am now the proud owner of a pair in navy lambskin (‘Zen’ $100 by Cote + Badt).

I love their wedges too which, incidentally, look great with a pair of culottes.

My last favourite is the kitchenware from Maissone – they also do bedlinen, lighting and mirrors – usually nestled in their beautiful shop down in Tiong Baru. Their stuff really isn’t overpriced (and I do love that in Singapore, that is news in itself) and it’s also beautiful. I fell in love with their heavy, heavy black stone chopping boards for $42 and marble trivets ($39). Click this link here to browse the rest of their kitchen collection which sold at prices you really can’t argue with.