It is almost a genetic code written into humankind. That mother-in-law and daughter-in-law never shall coexist harmoniously, for as long as they both shall live. To be a superwife, supermom AND a super daughter-in-law – now that is just pushing it. Yet surely, there must be a way to ensure that the man caught in the drama of it all – your husband, her son – is spared the trauma of being sandwiched between the two women he loves? Nanz Inc takes a stab at navigating this age-old minefield. By: Audra Lim The stories are plentiful. One mother-in-law...

Today was a really good day for Nanz and I. We had been hurtling through Jan and Feb like two rockets when suddenly two weeks ago, Nanz said “Hey. What are we doing for International Women’s Day?” A mad scramble and a half later, my good friend, the beautiful and most lovely Ms Daryl Teo (“Dee” for short), marketing manager of the Lo & Behold Group (they own Loof, White Rabbit, The Shack in Sentosa and OverEasy), offered to host a luncheon for us and 10 of our MVPs (much-valued pals) at the wonderful OverEasy,...

Happy Women’s Day! In honour of this wonderful celebration of every female in the world, Nanz Inc launches our Superwoman series, starting with how to give yourself the best present ever: Space! Busy, busy, busy – that’s what the life of a modern Asian woman seems to be about. “Give me my space!” you feel like yelling out to the world as countless to-dos stream in, clamouring for your time. Here’s the news: it’s really up to you to create some room in your life to just Be. By: Melanie Lee Your to-do list is never-ending...

Stand out from the rest of the sombre-looking notebooks with the 15.5” VAIO E Series notebook that comes in a vivid spectrum of colours, patterns and finishes to fit any personality or lifestyle. For all the fun, entertainment and socialising you can have on the notebook, it’s almost a travesty that most of these devices tend to look so stiff upper lip and dowdy. Thank goodness for Sony that constantly refreshes the features and colours of their VAIO Series models so that us trendsetters won’t feel it too drab to be caught outside using our...

Writing is not just for the “arty”, it is also a great way to develop self-awareness and appreciation for the life you have and the world around you. Singaporean novelist Suchen Christine Lim, winner of the first Singapore Literature Prize in 1992 with her book, Fistful of Colours, shares her insights into the healing power of writing with Nanz Inc readers. She is also a tutor with the Arvon Foundation , an organization in the United Kingdom that runs residential creative writing courses. By: Melanie Lee How has writing changed your life?...

Many Singaporean families rely on domestic helpers to care for the elderly and young, as well as handling the housekeeping chores. As an employer of a foreign domestic worker, are you doing your part to ensure a pleasant working relationship with her and helping her adjust to her work life and environment? NanzInc explores how to be a better boss. By Lianne Ong In Singapore, there are about 170,000 foreign domestic workers, or domestic helpers, and these numbers have steadily risen year on year. That amounts to one domestic worker in every six...

Taking a roadtrip with friends while on a holiday is an adventurous and exciting concept – windows down, wind in your hair, discovering new, unexpected terrain in your own terms. However, roadtrips can also severely test a friendship – arguments about directions and what music to play are just the beginning. How do you ensure that your relationships make it though to the end of the journey? By: Sharlene Tan It’s been said that you don’t really know someone until you travel with them. So before you hop into the cramped confines of a car...

What better way to escape the mid-week ennui than to dream about a getaway? While Napa Valley is what most people associate with California wine country, its lesser known neighbour, Sonoma, offers a less jam-packed, more laidback atmosphere with its many boutique wineries and great restaurants. By Sharlene Tan Napa Valley is famous for its big name wineries and highly rated restaurants, but a vacation there can also mean traffic jams, crowds and expensive accommodation. My husband and I, always budget conscious travelers, took instead to neighbouring...

Nanzinc.Com selects five male style icons who exude a personal style through a keen sense of fashion, good grooming, and that certain je ne sais quoi. Choosing who to include was a tough call! By Lianne Ong 1. BRAD PITT Whether on the red carpet or off, Brad Pitt’s style is always easy going and never too ‘done’. He has the ability to pull off several looks and styles, making classic looks appear current. We attribute this to his ability to mix things up – a henley tee with a jacket, or the unbuttoned shirt, tousled hair with a classic...

Everyone loves the accommodating person who is always willing to lend a helping hand and full of the “can-do” spirit. However, if your plate is piled way up high with deadlines, favours and obligations that are just sapping your energy and time away, then it probably means you’re not saying no often enough. By: Melanie Lee The problem with most of us women is that we feel like such baddies every time we refuse something. However, it’s probably worse if you grudgingly agree to do something, but do with such a negative, reluctant spirit,...