Dr Elaine Ng of SMILEFOCUS explains what obstructive sleep apnoea is and how it can prevent you – and your loved one – from getting a good night’s rest.

It’s common to snore when you’re extremely tired or had one too many glasses of red wine. However, chronic snoring can be a sign of a more serious health problem such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). In Greek apnoea means “without breath”, this condition causes you to stop breathing for short intervals – 10 seconds or longer – throughout the night. This can happen between 20 to 30 times or more every hour, all night long. When you stop breathing, the oxygen levels in your blood drop and the carbon dioxide levels rise.

Dr. Elaine Ng

 X-mas furniture Wish List 1….. Santa …is it possible to get "my new best friend" down the chimney this Christmas?

The Finder had the pleasure of attending the launch of WTP’s on-site retail revamp on Wednesday evening. Loyal clients, past and present, media editors, writers, photographers and a swag of personalities, including the Aussie Ambassador were entertained by cool-jazz grooves on the top floor of this spaciously, yet warmly refurbished Kung Chong Road location. The event was relaxed and welcoming providing plenty of opportunity for the crowd to mix and mingle while enjoying a glass of wine and delicious appetisers all to a backdrop of beautifully displayed furnishings spread across four huge floor areas.

Getting around the store is easy with practical internal lifts and wide wooden staircases allowing you to browse between floors and navigate the displays with ease and in comfort. The combination of natural and enhanced lighting moods throughout the space help articulate the furnishings on display and provide a good indication of how the pieces will look in your home.

 This green dining space is on show this month at WTP, also check out the kitchen displays on the top floor. WTP really do do all the work for you!

The current WTP collection is varied, vibrate and vast. You will be delighted with the range and selection on show allowing plenty of choice for your next acquisition. You are encouraged to speak to one of the consultants on hand or to Founder of WTP, Mimi Somjee herself. Mimi, known to her many clients as a "great perfectionist" is available to discuss your individual requirements and offer expert opinion on fashionable furniture trends and hot looks for your home.

Thanks Mimi and the team at WTP for offering Singapore a world class furnishing experience right here in the Lion City. I look forward to my next purchase….will it be the hand-crafted wooden dining table on level three…..Maybe!

WTP is a destination to visit for home furnishing inspiration especially if you find yourself navigating through home improvement options with a number of different suppliers. You could say WTP is your one-stop-shop and a definate must-visit when ticking off your X-mas Wish List…Enjoy!

Family violence can be a precursor to divorce proceedings says Lawyer-mediator RAJAN CHETTIAR, who advises how to seek protection before the situation gets out of hand.  

The breakdown of a marriage can manifest itself in physical and verbal abuse by one estranged spouse against the other. If you fear for your safety you can consider filing for a Personal Protection Order (PPO) in a Family Court which protects the affected party and their children from a violent spouse. Once filed, the Order is served on the perpetrator – in this case the estranged spouse – and both of you are expected to attend the first court hearing or Mention. During the Mention, Family Court counsellors help you both reach a resolution on the matter.

Australian property tax and expatriate tax expert STEVE DOUGLAS advises on
the tax implications of moving back into a property you previously rented to a
third party.

Q I’ve been renting out my house in Australia but plan to move back in shortly. Can I claim any maintenance expenses before that?

A When you rent out a property in Australia, all expenses incurred in keeping it in a tenantable condition are considered an expense which can be claimed either in full as general maintenance or as a progressive depreciation claim for more substantial items such as stoves and carpets.
     If you intend to move back into the property, you can claim all expenses incurred in bringing the property back to a satisfactory condition at the end of the rental period. This includes painting, garden maintenance and general repairs. If possible, initiate all repairs before moving back into the property or within a reasonable period to claim the expenses in full.
     The length of your ownership may have a bearing on the amount you can claim. For example, if you recently acquired the property and have rented it for only six months, the total tax deduction may be reduced if it appears the property is being improved substantially from the time it was acquired rather than being maintained over the course of the short rental period. The longer the rental period, the more likely full maintenance expenses will be allowed when the rental period comes to an end.
     Expenses to improve the nature of the property – new carpets, kitchen equipment or any structural improvements – aren’t usually considered an expense but allowed as a partial annual write off if there’s rental income. So if the rental ceases so does the tax deduction entitlement, as these items will provide benefit to the owner-occupier in the future. This may allow you to claim any residual amount on old items you replaced, such as a stove. Any unclaimed depreciation will be allowed as a full write off in the year the item was replaced and could amount to a reasonable tax offset in the final year of rental depending on how old the item was. If the items were recently replaced, then only the depreciation allowance for the rental period will be allowed. But this will cease to be a deduction once the property is no longer rented. You’ll also not be able to write off any remaining value unless the item is replaced and scrapped.
     I’m often asked if it’s worth doing major repairs prior to moving in. Generally speaking the depreciation write off is not sufficient to warrant the fact that you may prefer to be the first user of the item rather than the tenant. If you have substantial expenses to be incurred during the changeover it’s wise to seek professional advice on the various expenses to determine the tax deduction available to you, prior to the expense being incurred.

The Finder has had the pleasure of being associated with the 2011 Voilah French Festival Singapore. Refer to the two-page schedule appearing in the November issue of The Finder Magazine out now!

A whole list of activities and events including fashion, literature, arts & music, dance, cinema and my favourite, gastronomy are  now being presented in Singapore until mid December. 

Visit Plaza Singapora for the best in French produce and meet the suppliers. Enjoy French cruisine! You’ll be delighted with the offering Chef Julien Bompard has provided at the event. Also consider a dining experience as his well known restaurant Le Saint Julien Restaurant

Join Chef Julien on hisTour de France by Food at the following times:

Tour de France by Food: Tuesday November 22 5pm, Wednesday November 23 5pm, Friday November 25 5pm

Chef Julien is a charming host, so don’t miss this chance to experience a culinary demonstration and tasting of French regional specialities such as foie gras, escargot, cheese and breads.

You will be introduced to a selection of ready made home-cooked French dishes from la fromagerie available at the French Marche Fair, shop online or opt for a visit to their Holland Village outlet. Delicia is another option for online delivery for the best in Gourmet. Visit their booth and sample some of the French fair. Or for the sweet tooth. Laurent Bernard chocolatier is on hand to answer questions and to temp you with a fine selection of cakes, Chocolate hampers and chocolate gift boxes for all budgets. You can visit Laurent’s Cafe and Chocolate Bar at the Pier at Robertson Quay, Portsdown Road or their Takashimaya outlet on B2.

Throughout the week there will be lectures and workshops each day at 1pm and most days between 5pm-8pm. Do you want to learn about the macaron? Discover how they are made and enjoy a FREE tasting. Wednesday Nov 23, 1pm or Friday Nov 25, 1pm. Bon appetit!

The Finder attended a gala ceremony presented by The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) and Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation announcing Rodel Tapaya from the Philippines as the winner of the Grand Prize (SGD 45,000) of the APB Foundation Signature Art Prize 2011, for his winning artwork Baston ni Kabunian, Bilang Pero di Mabilang (Cane of Kabunian, numbered but cannot be counted).

His winning artwork (pictured) employs imagery from Filipino folklore juxtaposed with elements of modern day Philippines, commenting on pre-colonial myths, stories and cultural heritage while also commenting on current issues such as environmental destruction.

Pictured: Suzie Mathers performing in Wicked from December 7 2011

You know the saying, so much to do and so little time…well, The Finder has nominated November as the month devoted to empowering the inner you. We invite you to take control and find the time to get the job done with perhaps a little help from the experts at hand. For the year is passing at a rate of knots and it seems there’s little or no time to finalise all those plans made with every good intention seemingly only a few short months ago. But you can do it. It may be a sprint to the end of what has been a marathon year, but now is your chance to reach for your goals and be open to learn what others have to share when dealing with the challenges life may present.

                So, with 2011 rapidly drawing to a close (who can believe it?) the aim is to be realistic in your planning so you can achieve your objectives. To help you along, the November issue of The Finder includes advice and ideas from specialists in a variety of disciplines ranging from personal wellbeing, health, wealth and finance to self-improvement, beauty, fashion and style. Plus there are travel, dining and entertainment options to keep you informed, inspired and ready for action on and off the social circuit.