Xandria & Sean OOI
ANYBODY WHO IS AN OLDER SISTER OR BROTHER CAN relate to how Xandria felt when Sean came into the family portrait after seven years of glorious “me, me, me!” debauchery on her part; the feeling of being robbed of your parents’ attention and affection, when a younger imp comes along.
The media personality turned motivational speaker and happiness coach at 30 Days to be Happy Always recalls being the only one among her friends who watched plenty of Barney and Power Rangers when she was already well into high school, only because that was her little brother’s choice of TV programs growing up. She remembers the times when she would scream at Sean to get out of her room, particularly during a sleepover with friends when he was caught sneaking into the room to steal sweets.
“I had gotten so used to having my parents’ undivided attention for seven years that I didn’t really understand why I had to give way to the younger brother,” Xandria explains. “In retrospect, if I were more emotionally mature back then, I would have treated him a lot nicer, I think.”
For Sean, however, how Xandria used to exert seniority over him when they were younger did not bother him at all: “All the while, I had assumed that it was the norm for the younger brother to do as instructed by the older sibling. Never once had I thought you were bullying me.”
You could say that Sean’s compliant nature stems from his empathetic, logical, calm and giving nature, humanitarian trades that both the siblings agree were inherited from their mother. “With a personality like mine, people are sometimes taken aback or offended with the things I say or the way I behave. It’s something that I’m more aware of as I get older: what we mean to express does not always come off as intended,” Xandria says about her extroverted personality, which the public has come to recognise over the years.
“My brother, on the other hand, is the kind of person who thinks before he speaks, and I don’t think he’s someone you can ever get into an argument with. Logic and calmness comes naturally to him, whereas for me, I have to make an effort.”
That being said, the Ooi siblings also attribute their rather pacifist approach to the values they share and believe in, despite their different personalities.
“Both of us believe in non-violence, and that getting angry doesn’t solve anything,” Xandria explains. “Often in life, people are prone to getting riled up. We believe that whatever other people may have done to you, if you keep holding a grudge, you will only get more upset. We value the act of letting go, and we practise it regularly in our daily lives.”
These days, one may find the Ooi siblings hanging out at the Asian fusion and crepes café in Section 17, Strangers at 47, where Sean is the co-owner alongside partners Lee Chun Hau and Lim Sing Yi. The trio has expanded the café to include next door, Friends at 45, and recently acquired the neighbouring shoplot on the other side as a communal event space.
Xandria would often set up her workspace there, as she has found an intangible comfort many would find in the presence of closed family members: “It’s the comfort of having and being around each other, even though we don’t necessarily have to be hanging out and doing the same thing, per se.” “Not to mention, the food that he keeps sending out from the kitchen to my table!” The elder sibling adds with a hearty laugh.
“Growing up, there weren’t any competition or rivalry between us, mainly because our parents never gave us that kind of pressure,” Sean says. “Back then, we were more detached from each other, but nowadays, we have definitely grown much closer.”
“That’s when the deeper conversations started to come in more often,” Xandria chimes in. “Even though I've been the one doing most of the talking, since he doesn't talk much!”
EVERYONE HAS THEIR own morning routines. Whether you’re going on a quick jog before the day begins or waking up early to luxuriate in reading the magazines while eating your favourite breakfast, having a productive and relaxing morning is essential in setting you up for the rest of the day ahead.
According to a new research conducted by Nespresso, 91% of people drink coffee in and out of home, with 56% of them prefer to have it in the morning. With that in mind, it’s safe to assume that a well brewed coffee without much of the fuss that comes with it is certainly at the top of most people’s wish list. Fortunately, thanks to Nespresso, your dream has come true.
Introducing the Nespresso Lattissima One, a capsule coffee machine that comes with just three buttons. Insert your capsule and press a button for an espresso, another for a lungo and third for either a latte or a cappuccino depending on how much milk you put in the milk jug. More affordable and compact than its predecessors, this convenient one touch milk machine fits perfectly in any kitchen.
Unboxing the Lattissima One was a bliss, it was well packaged and presented, supported by an impressive range of 16 different Nespresso capsules in a clear case. It also comes with a booklet that details the setting up process, including a step-by-step breakdown of the set up process for the eight different coffee programs. To get this level of fine-tuning is what differentiates the Lattissima One apart from other coffee machines in the market.
The licensed capsule system makes certain that you get the best-brewed coffee possible at the touch of a button. In addition, the milk system included with this machine is without a doubt one of its most remarkable highlights. The milk jug has two markers to let you know how much milk to put in for a latte and how much milk to put in for a cappuccino. The machine capsule tank can sustain up to ten used capsules at a time before ejecting them automatically. Straightforward and innovative, the Lattissima One’s milk system takes simplicity to a whole new level.
The modern and premium design of the Lattissima One also represents the brand’s goal to deliver moments of indulgence to its users. Convenient and compact, the Lattissima One is a worthwhile investment that is bound to delight your mornings. It’s also an ideal solution for after dinner sessions as your guests craves for different types of coffee.
All in all, the Nespresso Lattissima One is a gorgeous and slim capsule coffee machine for those who yearns for premium quality coffee with minimal effort. For convenience’s sake alone, there is no better coffee machine than this. Alongside its luxurious design, user-friendly interface, as well as innovative milk system, the Lattissima One allows you to create your very own milk designs and latte art, enabling you to indulge yourself in the company of top-quality Cappuccino and Latte Macchiato in the comfort of your home. AM
or roaming the streets, it was extremely nice to come back to my room at Avani Riverside Bangkok Hotel, Anantara’s sister property offering a different experience to its typical resort feel.
I like the neutral décor, from the lobby to the dining halls, right to the room, which is a blend of creature comforts and modernity, outfitted with natural materials and high-tech touches such as dedicated work station with free WiFi and media hub docking station. I also liked the uninterrupted city and river views from my window. Apparently, all of Avani’s rooms and suites face the river, so all guests can enjoy the spectacular view.
Something must be said of Avani’s pool and Attitude restaurant on the 26th floor. If you like the view from the room, the view from the rooftop is unbeatable, both by day and night. Since its opening, Attitude restaurant and bar has become Bangkok’s hottest spot to see and be seen. Different areas of the restaurant and bar, intimate or collective, seem to be designed for socialising. There is an indoor lounge with a DJ booth, an open show kitchen, a wine wall and outdoor lounge-style restaurant and bar. The signature cocktails here are potent, created by its world class mixologist.
Associated Advantage
Being associated to the Anantara property means Avani guests can take advantage of some of its facilities and activities. I signed up for Muay Thai lessons conducted at Anantara’s gym. The instructors were serious about imparting their skills. Over the two-hour session, I thought I learnt enough Muay Thai moves and principles to get well and properly hooked to the sport. Perhaps I might even be able to defend myself in the event of an assault, but I hope that’s not ever going to happen. It’s good enough that I felt fighting fit after the lesson.
Besides Muay Thai lessons, Avani guests have a whole lot more dining options at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Hotel. These include Brio Italian restaurant, which serves some really great pizzas and pastas, the world famous
Trader Vic’s and Benihana, which serves Japanese teppanyaki with a modern twist.
For a really unique and memorable experience, I went on Anantara’s Manohra Dining Cruise. I boarded the beautifully restored rice barge and enjoyed a multi course royal Thai dinner as the craft plied down the Chao Phraya River and back up again, giving diners a chance to see a number of important historic sights from the river vantage. Avani guests can also take advantage of Anantara’s river shuttle services to get to the heart of Bangkok, and explore on their own from there. I took the shuttle that got me to the closest train station, from where I found my way to Chatuchak Weekend Market. No one ever gets tired of this place as there is always something new to discover, whether you’re looking for gifts, homeware or experimental fashion. That perhaps is exactly how Bangkok is for me, there is always something new to discover. AM
IN THE YEARS that Carlos Rosillo and Bruno Belamich have run their own watch brand
Bell & Ross (a portmanteau of the men’s surnames), the two have made it clear that aviation is both the company’s design inspiration and its target audience. The two have mentioned time and time again that their love for all things related to airplanes, modern and vintage, was a huge factor in the creation of their brand.
In recent years, however, Bell & Ross has opened up to other fields, and broadened their product range instead of being limited to watches. A few years back, the brand unveiled its partnership with Shaw Harley-Davidson on the BR 01-94 B-Rocket, a motorcycle inspired by aviation. Next up was a concept car, christened the AeroGT. The brand even designed a bellytanker vintage racing vehicle last year.
A Return to Form
This year, Bell & Ross launched another concept design, but one closer to its heart. Dubbed the BR Bird, the slim propellerdriven racing plane conceived in the Bell & Ross studio was designed to compete in competitions such as the Reno Air Races, where planes fly at crazy speeds through elevated obstacles. The design is very much still a concept, as a representative of the brand informed us, and will only be built as a real plane should a buyer choose the design.
If, like us, you don’t quite have the dollars to plonk down for your own plane, Bell & Ross has you covered. As with every release of a new concept or even project, the brand has unveiled two new watches̶the BR V1-92 Racing Bird and the chronograph BR V2-94, both sporting the same colours as on the plane. Over the last three years, the design language of Bell & Ross has evolved. The brand no longer sticks to square-shaped cases. It has slowly incorporated more round watches in its arsenal, which has seen the brand become more relevant with younger audiences.
The two new pieces are no different. The BR V1-92 Racing Bird is a vintage-inspired good looker. At 38.5mm wide, the watch is already on the right track for the fit and the look. The white lacquer dial with the blue numerals is a positive throwback to the past. If there’s one thing Bell & Ross has been great at, it’s always been design and it shows with the watch. The orange accents, at the date indicator and the sides of the straps, lend a touch of colour.
Blood Relations
The other half in the Racing Bird range is the BR V2-94 Racing Bird, an iconic chronograph for the brand. The same colours are used on the watch but to greater effect. The orange is seen not only on the date indicator as with the V1-92, but also on the central chronograph hand and the chronograph counter at nine o’clock. The alternating grey and blue minute track also subtly draws your eyes in.
The BR V2-94 Racing Bird has the same screw-lock crowns for the chronograph pushers that gives it a distinctive and antiquated feel. At 41mm, it’s a great size and wears well on the wrist. The watch also comes in a blue calf leather strap variant. The collection is limited to just 999 pieces each, so if you’re drawn to the Racing Bird watches, we advise you to call up your watch retailer as soon as possible before they’re all snapped up. AM
and is presented on a brown leather strap, which elevates the watch’s vintage appeal. The Central Second model on the other hand is fitted with blue-grey leather strap.
The caseback of each watch features Omega’s patented Naiad Lock technology, and is engraved with “SEAMASTER”, “LIMITED EDITION”, and the limited edition number.
As a further tribute to the many aviators and mariners who have placed their trust in Omega’s timepieces, the sapphire crystal itself is laser engraved and lacquered by hand with a “70th Anniversary” logo, a Chris-Craft boat and Gloster Meteor aircraft, the first jet plane used by the Royal Air Force. The new models are water-resistant to 200ft.
Both watches, limited to 1,948 pieces each, are beautifully presented in their own special collector’s box, made of soft brown leather, complete with a spare NATO strap, leather strap and strap-changing tool.
Seamaster Diver 300m
Since 1993, the Seamaster Professional Diver 300m has enjoyed a legendary following. Loved for its design and ocean technology, the original timepiece signalled Omega’s return to the world of diving and ignited the brand’s long-standing partnership with James Bond. Now, 25 years later, Omega unveils a complete facelift of the watch, with 14 unique models, six in stainless steel and eight in a combination of steel and gold.
Sized at a larger 42mm, the new Diver 300m has been upgraded with a Master Chronometer movement, Calibre 8800. This instantly puts the watch on a higher realm of precision, performance and magnetic resistance. Every detail of the exterior has also been rethought, including the iconic diving bezel, now made of ceramic, featuring a diving scale in Ceragold or white enamel (for longer-lasting whiteness and durability). The dials, made of polished ceramic as well, are available in black, blue or PVD chrome colour. Most notably, Omega has reintroduced the wavy pattern (now laser-engraved), a popular feature of the original design. For improved legibility, all the indexes have been raised and filled with Super-LumiNova.
One of the Diver 300m’s most important details has always been its helium escape valve. For the new models, the valve has been given a conical shape and improved with an Omega-patented technology that allows it to be operated underwater. Each model comes with a metal bracelet in a new ergonomic design, or an integrated black or blue rubber strap, along with Omega’s patented extendable foldover rack-and-pusher with a helpful diver extension.
25th Anniversary Highlight in Titanium Tantalum
When the Seamaster Diver 300m was released 25 years ago, Omega introduced a very unique metal known as tantalum. The colour worked perfectly within the revolutionary new watch design. Highlighting the silver jubilee of the Diver 300m is a special tribute to that 1993 release in a limited edition of 2,500 pieces. Once again, the incorporation of tantalum gives the watch a unique touch and offers a collectable addition to the new Diver 300M selection.
Sized at 42 mm, this Limited Edition model follows the same facelift principles as the new Seamaster Diver 300m collection, including the conical helium escape valve and wave motif, with the addition of tantalum in the base of the bezel, as well as the middle links of the bracelet. The metal’s blue-grey tones offer a subtle contrast to the case’s grade 2 titanium, resulting in more defined textures. It is then accented with touches of 18k Sedna gold, as seen on the crown, bezel ring, helium escape valve, bracelet links and hands, for added exclusivity. On the reverse side, a picture of the Seamaster’s seahorse emblem completes the design of the certified Master Chronometer. AM
Hublot MECA-10 Titanium in microblasted titanium with black structured line rubber strap