City Square Mall

10 THINGS TO DO IN JOHOR BAHRU

July 10, 2018 by Little Miss Honey 1,827 Comments

One of the great things in living in Singapore is its proximity to neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. So if you are living in Singapore, you are just several minutes away from Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Surprisingly, this proximity hasn’t been taken to full advantage by people residing in Singapore. I have been to Johor Bahru approximately 5x. In my recent trip to Johor with my family, I got better acquainted with the place after a local gave us some recommendations of things to do and places to go.

Here are a few things you can do in Johor Bahru, Malaysia:

1. Stay in Hotel Jen

Staycations are a trend right now. People like to book a hotel and just enjoy the amenities & comfort of a hotel. We loved staying at Hotel Jen at Puteri Harbour. It is very kid-friendly with its spacious space for kids to play in the lobby with big pillows, a large TV, several iMac to use while I check in the hotel. I am happy that we get to do an early check-in when we upgraded our room to the harbour view. We loved our room and the aesthetics of the hotel. Our kids were particularly happy and comfortable at Hotel Jen.

We love that our room is overlooking the harbour and kids enjoying seeing the yachts below. We like the location of the hotel. There are lots of nearby restaurants and there are pharmacies, convenience store and boutiques as well. The hotel provides free shuttle bus to Legoland and it is just walking distance to Hello Kitty Town and Thomas & Friends. The hotel staff were all so friendly and accommodating. When we plan to stay for a night or two in Johor Bahru, we know that we will be staying at Hotel Jen.

2. Enjoy a day of fun & rides with your kids at LegoLand

Of course, when you speak of Johor Bahru, it is often synonymous to Legoland Malaysia. So you must visit Legoland when you have young kids when you are in Johor Bahru. Our eldest celebrated his birthday there twice when he turned 2 years and recently when he turned 4. Kids would surely love it there. For younger kids below 4, they will enjoy the playgrounds while 4 years and older will love the rides.

If you opt to stay in Legoland Hotel, it would be an awesome experience too. Their themed hotel rooms are so cool and spacious with a treasure box for you to figure out how to unlock. We had a fun time when we stayed in Legoland Hotel too.

3. Ride the Thomas & Friends train or Have a Nice Afternoon Tea with Hello Kitty

Thomas & Friends Train is currently our kids’ favourite cartoon especially our second-born. Naj and Fynn were so excited that they get to ride the Thomas & Friends’ Train. Thomas Town is found 3rd and 4th floor of building while Hello Kitty Town is at the 2nd floor. We are happy that it is just a few steps from Hotel Jen. Since we got boys, we didn’t visit Hello Kitty and opted to just visit the Thomas Town. There were several kiddies rides. Afterwards, our kids get to enjoy the large playground while my hubby and I stayed at the Parents’ Lounge to enjoy some armchair massage.

Hello Kitty Town

Thomas Town

4. Go shopping at Johor Premium Outlets

If you like shopping branded stuff, try visiting Johor Bahru Premium Outlets. You will find great deals there. You will enjoying spending a half day walking around the area searching for items that would attract your fancy.

Credit: sgtojb

5. Enjoy some cakes & hang out at TreeSea by 3C Cafe

Someone from JB suggested this cafe to me for its yummy cakes. It is found inside Horizon Hills. The place looks very instagrammable. People would love to hang out there for a chill afternoon away from the sun. My family and I had lunch there before we headed back to Singapore.

6. Have a tall glass of Old Town White Coffee

If I don’t reach out for my favourite Singaporean kopi peng, my next best thing is the 3-in-1 Old Town White Coffee in Hazelnut. In Johor, they have cafe that serve the Old Town White Coffee bought as 3-in -1 here in Singapore. They also serve meals for their customers.

7. Buy some yummy breads at Lavender

If you want to buy some breads to munch on going back to Singapore, I suggest you drop by Lavender bakery. You can find one in City Square. Must try their Pandan Sponge Cake, Macaroons, Corn Peppers and Chicken Ham & Cheese Bun.

8. Pamper your nails at Cynbolic Nail Bar

You can also have a pampering treat at the lovely posh Cynbolic Nail Bar. It is definitely worth the trip. My nails looks so pretty and nice after they did their 5-step Cynbolic Treatment on my poor nails.

I love how pretty the place looks and that they are very particular with their hygienic practices to provide clean and high quality service to their customers. They also serve refreshments for their customers. They have a mini-retail store area upfront, selling cute stuff that you would be tempted to buy.

9. Stroll around to shop or eat at JBCC Komtar or City Square Mall

If you are in Johor to just shop and eat, visit City Square Mall or JBCC Komtar Mall. You can just stroll around and enjoy your favourite boutiques and restaurants that are usually half the price cheaper than in Singapore. Once my galpal and I chance upon a sale in Padini and shop ’til we drop. It was perfect time because it was near Christmas season and we bought our Christmas gifts to our families there. My gall also love the KFC in Johor and would always buy a bucket of chicken there. She says it takes way better in Johor than in Singapore for some reason. While my family and I would often have dinner at Tony Roma at JBCC.

10. Enjoy a beach stroll or the evening lights at Danga Bay

Danga Bay is a a new recreational park in Johor which was opened in 2017. We noticed it on a taxi-trip back to our hotel when we say bright lights from what looks like a carousel. Danga Bay got a theme park for families to enjoy. Nearby also is the Dang Bay Beach which you can have a quiet stroll or you can take a cruise ride which can accommodate up to 12 people. There are nearby cafes and restaurants too.

Credit: blog.tunehotels

So for the next long weekend, you might consider trying out exploring Johor Bahru, Malaysia if you are living in Singapore. Let me know if you have other discoveries in JB too.

THINGS THAT INSPIRED ME THIS WEEK

June 12, 2016 by Little Miss Honey 208 Comments

This week, we got an invite to Barney Live On Stage in City Square Mall and we got a Meet & Greet Pass to have a photo op with Barney & Friends after the show. Isn’t that cool? Though Naj got a bit scared of Barney when he was up closed so he was wailing by the time we had our picture taken.

This week, we also celebrated that Fynn turned 3 months. It has been a tradition in our family that we celebrate with a cake our kids turn one month older until they turn 1 year and it became a yearly thing. It’s also a good excuse to eat cake, hehe. We got our cake at The Royals Cafe. We got a rainbow cake this month.

We decided to dress up the kids in their Batman clothes. They look so cute! Haha! I just look at their photos in my phone the days after. They look so adorable. Yes, I am such a mommy… Hahaha!

I made a Tuna Malunggay Pesto Spread which I took from Eat Clean Love Cookbook last night which became my breast fast this morning. I toasted some wholemeal bread and spread on this health goodness. It is yum! Plus healthy, of course. I had it with my favourite Oldtown Hazel coffee.

Here is the recipe with a bit of revisions in my part:

Puree Malunggay leaves in blender until fine
Mix pureed Malunggay, 2 tsp of chopped garlic and 1/3 cup of olive oil. Set aside.
Combine 2 cans of drained tuna flakes (I got the hot & spicy for added kick), 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper, the malunggay pesto mixture, salt, black pepper. I added 2 tbsp of sugar. You can add 1/2 cu[ kernel corn also. Here I added a bit of chia seeds.
Spread on pandesal bread or a toasted bread of your choice.

Bon Appetit!

Here are a round-up of links I found online that inspired me this week:

Why Having a Positive Home Contributes to your Child’s Self-Esteem

NBA Superstar Stephen Curry’s wife is an admirable Christian lady.

8 Most Underrated Getaways In Malaysia For A Weekend Escape

This is a great reference to our trip soon to Legoland

Insightful thoughts post-wedding

Men who married smart women live longer. My husband is so lucky! hahaha!

How to raise siblings who are best of friends

The true set-apart woman

Have a great Sunday!

BARNEY’S BEACH PARTY AT CITY SQUARE MALL

June 10, 2016 by Little Miss Honey 648 Comments

I know Singapore has experienced rainy showers lately but it is still summer in City Square Mall. Yey, summer is still here! From 27 May to 26 June 2016, City Square Mall offers a beach escape for everyone. We learned there is a Barney’s beach party which we love to join and fun seaside activities at City Green (Outdoor Park).

So my hubby, Naj and I headed to City Square Mall to catch Barney and his friends’ live show. The Level 1 Atrium was filled with a lot of excited kids and parents waiting for Barney. After a few minutes when we arrived, a jolly lady in a pretty blue romper came out and announced that Barney is coming. Then Barney, BJ & Baby Bop one by one came out of the stage. They sang their all-favorite songs that kids love. We can help but sing and dance a lot with them. The sea of happy kids vibe were very infectious.

Check out snippets of videos I have taken:

Barney’s Beach Party ‘Live’ On Stage started last 4 June and will be available until 19 June at 2pm & 7pm from Tuesday to Friday and 1pm, 4pm & 7pm on Saturday & Sunday at Level 1 Atrium. Shoppers can also redeem a Meet & Greet pass 1 hour before each show to take family photo with Barney & Friends with a minimum of $50 spent. Hurry though, because there are only 50 passes per show (available between 4-19 June , daily except Mondays).

Here we are queueing up for a photo op with Barney & friends:

We were happy to get a Meet & Greet pass. Naj was still in a good mood while we were queuing but when we went up the stage, he was a little scared of big Barney, he cried, hahaha….

We decided to check out the beach activities at the Outdoor Park. There is a Spectacular Sandcastle Display in front of the mall at Level 1 City Green. You can take photos there until 26 June 2016. It was on display since 27 May 2016. It is an awesome structure made by talented sand sculptors. My hubby wanted a picture of him and Naj in front of the sand castle but Naj was still a bit cranky, Baby Bear Wolverine took his place for a while.

Near the Spectacular Sand Castle is the Summer Splash Carnival, available since 27 May up to 26 June 2016 from 1pm to 10 pm daily. There is Sand Bowling,Mechanical Surfboard, Bumper Boats, Inflatable Rock Climb. There is playground nearby also that Naj had an awesome time climbing and sliding up and down the fort.

Another cool promotion of City Square Mall is the Sea of Gifts which is from 26 May to 26 June 2016. With $200 (or $300 with NTUC FairPrice receipts), shoppers can receive a Beach Survival Set consisting of a 12-can cooler bag, beach mat and inflatable pillow. There are only $4,000 set available so grab yours today.

City Square Mall is owned and managed by City Development Limited and is a great family mall being the first Eco-mall in Singapore. I love going to City Square Mall especially during Christmas because they have abeautiful Christmas tree display and even had snow! It is so accessible since it is directly connected to Farrer Park MRT (Purple Line). It has spacious corridors, nursing rooms and free rental for kiddy carts and wheelcHairs. It is the first and only shopping mall in Singapore awarded the prestigious Excellence Ward (Shopping Mall Category) in the Business for Families Councils’ ‘We Welcome Family ‘consecutively in 2011 and 2013. It is also the Top 3 Best Family- Friendly Mall.

Thank you City Square Mall and SPRG for this wonderful opportunity for me and my family.

*Maximum of 3 same-day combined receipts from any store except from the purchase of City Square Mall/outlet’s gift vouchers, Golden Village Quick Tix TM, SISTIC tickets, Singapore Post, banks, pushcarts, non-City Square Mall outlet’s atrium events and purchase/topping up of stored value cards. Redemptions must be made on the same day of purchase at the L2 Customer Service Counter. Redemptions are on first-cone-first-served basis and while stocks last. Receipts used to redeem for the $5 City Square voucher cannot br reused for the Meet & Greet pass redemption, regardless of total amount spent. Other terms and conditions apply.

For more details on activities and promotions, visit www.citysquaremall.com.sg or check out City Square Mall’s Facebook Page www.facebook.com/citysquaremall

Disclaimer: This is a media invited by SPRG in behalf of City Square Mall We received the media pass for free. No monetary compensation is involved. All opinions are my own. Regardless, I only recommend products which I personally believe will be good for my readers.