Eyes and contact lenses: A look at Hirocon (sp)

I've been wearing contact lenses since I was 13. I started wearing lenses because of Netball and it kinda stuck on after that. All was well till about 2 years back when I had a corneal ulcer which scared me so badly. The doctor actually told me that it would be recommended for me to never put on lenses again unless needed - to which I refused to agree to. Hence, he relented and suggested that I change to daily contact lenses instead and not wear them every day. 

Since then, I've taken care of my eyes much more seriously because serious corneal ulcers can actually lead to blindness?! :O

Hence, when I was invited down to Hirocon for an eye check-up and analysis, I was quite interested as I wanted to have an evaluation done on the condition of my eyes. 

What does Hirocon do?

Hirocon is the first shop in Singapore that specializes in the sale of contact lenses only. They have qualified optometrists to provide customers with a holistic and informed analysis of his/her eyes and the type of lenses they should be wearing. They have 4 qualified optometrists - 2 of them graduated from Singapore polytechnic with a diploma in Optometry and the other 2 graduated from Cardiff University (UK) with a BSc in Optometry. 

Here are some photos of the store. There is a receptionist who would guide you to fill up your particulars and she would inform the optometrist that you've arrived (:

Tzu in the background: he took my photos! (:

Firstly, I had my eyes scanned to check on the current degree of them. 

After, she did a check on the health (like if your eyes need a break from lenses, or a check on previous history of eye infections) of my eyes using the below equipment. 

We did a degree test as well where I had to read out numbers/letters on the screen accordingly while the optometrist tried out different degree lenses. 

I was really surprised when she told me that different people would fit brands/types of lenses differently. This is because contact lenses are actually made differently for the various brands on the market. Hence, what may fit your eye nicely may not fit as well for another individual. 

I tried on the brand of contact lenses I was currently using next and the optometrist checked the fit of them on my eyes. 

She asked me to look up and describe if there is any discomfort when I did that while using the machine look at my eye. After, I tried on the recommended brand by her for my eyes. 

The optometrist recommended Coopervision's Proclear 1 day for my eyes instead of my previous brand - 1-day Acuvue. They did feel more comfortable on my eyes instead of the previous ones I was wearing! (:

Here's a view of some of the brands of lenses which Hirocon carries:

It was great being able to learn more about my eyes and to be given professional diagnosis and specific advice on eye care. The optometrist was able to answer my questions well too! (:

Hirocon is conveniently located at Orchard Gateway (nearest MRT: Somerset) and these are their contact details.

Hirocon

Address: 277 Orchard Road, #B2-28, OrchardGateway

Opening hours: 11am to 9pm daily

Phone number: 67023777

Email address: orchardgateway@hirocon-net.com

Website: www.hirocon-net.com

If you're looking to get your eyes checked out and to look for the best fit of contact lenses for your eyes, do make an appointment and check them out! (:

Love, Jo ♡

Labour Day - Froth SG

Haven't had a nice long brunch date with Tzu since practicum started so I was really glad that we made time to head out last Friday for a brunch date at Froth - located at the basement of Big Hotel along Middle Road. 

We loved the space and dining area. It's open, big and not at all cramped like some of the other cafes we've been to. Tzu is a huge fan of big dining spaces because he feels pretty uncomfortable being in confined spaces hahaha, I think he cannot survive siting in Australian Dairy Co. in HK (maybe I should bring him there if we ever head to HK lol).

It was surprisingly empty for a public holiday (but perhaps it was due to us being there only at about 3pm or so).

Hahaha Tzu caught yawning 

And here are some selfies while waiting for our food!

We spent hours at the cafe, just talking about everything and anything under the sun and stuffing ourselves full - because as usual, we were way too greedy for our own good.

What we ordered: Cheesy Lobster Sandwich, Chilli Crab Spaghetti, Spam fries, a Flat White and Iced Mocha (plus Taro waffles with Earl Grey ice cream for dessert!)

Cheesy Lobster Sandwich - TADA, we actually came down for this (and the taro waffles) because it looked too good to be true. But yes this is the bomb, we loved it hahaha.

CHEESE.

The Chilli Crab Spaghetti was a little spicy and definitely had some kick to it. It was pretty good I feel but the sauce felt a little watery though.

The plating - super cute cause they arranged 2 fried mantous to make the plate look like a crab!

Spam Fries next - need I say more? Fried to perfection hehe.

And yes, dessert next! Taro waffles topped off with Earl Grey Ice cream :9 - I LOVEEEE THIS -a definite must-try item for taro fans!

The inside of my waffles - yummehhhhh

Froth Cafe

200 Middle Road

B1-02

Singapore 188980

Opening hours:

Daily from 1130am to 10pm (:

It was a wonderful afternoon spent with Tzu and it felt so good that we were out on a proper date as my practicum schedule had started to wind down a little during that labour day weekend (: He has been a great pillar of support during the past 11 weeks and most of our weekends during that duration were actually spent with him watching me plan lessons, do up resources for classes and mark worksheets and assignments. 

Now that practicum's over, I'm looking forward to being a student back at NIE again (although it's only for a couple of weeks) before my beginning teacher journey begins. I'm even more appreciative of what my teachers have done for me as a student, after I've become a teacher myself -  it really isn't as easy as it seems to others who aren't in the profession. 

And I'm extremely thankful for great CTs, awesome practicum batch mates and for some of the most delightful and sweet students I've come into contact with during this practicum season. 

Here's to more love, grace and patience in everyone's lives! (: 

Love, Jo ♡

Orchard Central: In Full Bloom ✾ (sp)

Last Monday, I had the chance to head down to Orchard Central together with Tzu for a visit around some of the fashion stores available at the OC! (: Being right next to Somerset MRT, it's been one of the malls I frequent around when I'm around town.

There's a wide range of fashion choices available at Orchard Central and you may not know this but they actually carry quite a few homegrown fashion labels such as the Reckless Shop, Sans and Sans and SABRINAGOH.

Sans and Sans (#02-04/05)
My first stop was Sans and Sans, a lovely rustic looking shop with a wooden interior and tons of clothes, accessories and jewellery. Their items carry a modern take on orient designs; perfect for the working crowd.

Random shot captured by Tzu while I was browsing hehe

I fell in love with this blue blouse and decided to try it on with my pastel pink pants. 

I went for another look next: a pair of slim fit khaki pants and a loose fit grey and white collared blouse. So much love for the tailored pieces here!

Pleatation (#02-K6)

As the name of the store suggests, this store is all about pleats and more pleats, and yes I would love some pleats please!  Pleatation takes pleats to another level by using pleats in not just their breathtakingly beautiful dresses but also to daily items such as laptop covers, notebooks, bags and even cushion covers!

I love this laptop cover!

Wide range of prints for their crazy beautiful dresses - a perfect match for that beach getaway you've been dreaming about 

I tried on one of their dresses and oh it was so tempting really. Their dresses can be tied in various ways to achieve different looks and I tried on a grey ombre piece. 

And yes, the dress is so twirl-y! 

Up-close details of the pleats 

The Reckless Shop (#02-08/09)

We also stopped off at The Reckless Shop which makes use of edgy silhouettes and colours to achieve quirky and unique looks. I loved the shop space - it was open, fun and the racks were filled with vibrant cuts and designs. 

My pick from their new collection: a black stripes mesh piece paired with a white tank dress under. I imagine this piece with some white sneakers, a casual backpack and some shades to hit the streets on a weekend. 

Dr. Martens (#03-05)
My last stop was over at Dr. Martens. Boots - of all shades, designs, patterns - definitely a shoe lover's heaven. Aside from the boots, I found myself drawn to their leather bags as well!

The newest designs are placed right at the front of the store

Those satchels! 

And, yes I have a weakness for high cut boots. If only Singapore had 4 seasons... I once wanted to buy the printed ones but boyfriend said I siao hahaha ):

Ended off my night at The Design Supermarket by Naiise - which is held at level one of Orchard Central (till 19th May). You wouldn't want to miss it because it's filled with so much adorable, quirky, fun and funny items all together!

A guide to ordering YTF

Book of Hokkien words hahaha 

Beautiful porcelain plates  

Boyfriend posing for me with a hamburger oven mitten 

"Eat me!" says the cupcake 

And erm, this cookie butter by Speculoos is THE BOMB. Crazy delicious, no kidding.

My flatlay photo of OC purchases (:

Well, and the best news is that, OC is holding an Instagram competition where you can stand to win $200 worth of Far East Organization Mall vouchers!
All you have to do is to post a creative photo of your fashion purchases at OC or an OOTD at OC and hashtag #OCfashion (: There'll be a total of 5 winners picked and it could be you - so start snapping away! (Contest ends on 23 May 2015, 2359)

Stay in touch with Orchard Central and their events at @Orchardcentral on Instagram and hop on over to their website to have a closer look at all of the stores they have over at OC. 

Have a lovely week ahead everybody!

Love, Jo ♡