It was Nat’s 16th Birthday last Saturday, and his mum made the happy choc cake above. I asked him what he got for his birthday and he gleefully said, “Money!”

Jan on Facetime so everyone in the family is involved for Nat’s birthday, super cute.

Nat and James.

I’m still at a tug of war within myself whether to call Claudia’s dad ‘uncle’ or not. He’s told me before not to, so… i’m trying not to! But it feels weird, not to mention Sarah calls him uncle anyway. Hmmm i think if my friends’ children grow old enough to talk, i *don’t* want them to call me aunty (i’m trying to put myself in James’ shoes here).

Khun A and aunty Cecilia being all snap happy

Nat is really soft spoken and sweet compared to Claudia’s cookie monster crayness.

Family pic with Jan on the iPad! I photoshopped Clouds in so she won’t get upset. She wasn’t online with us cos her phone batt was low and she was at Audi Fashion Fest. How’s mah photoshop skillz Cloudsy!? XD
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On Sunday night, James cooked us his carbonara for dinner. I was quite excited cos he’s in the hotel industry and knows all these tips and tricks on how to play bartender and chef.

Some beautiful flowers they bought that day

I was fooling around with the mirror filter on my Olympus Tough

Hearts it!!!

Sarch said my face is quite symmetrical cos i look almost the same in the mirrored pic.
I think i look like a skinny alien tho…

I learnt the Italian way to make carbonara from James – without using cream and by beating egg whites. Think Clem is gonna love it when i try it myself.

I didn’t take any pictures of the wine we had, but i discovered one i enjoyed very much – Chateau Villotte Bordeaux. I know i’ll remember this. I may forget other things (like my glasses -_- i left them in bangkok -_-) but i won’t forget the name of a wine i like!!!

I had two helpings >.<

For dessert i tried something i never had before – this sugar floss from Ayutthaya called sai mai, which is eaten with roti (pancakes). I had mine with peanut butter spread in it, i wish Yishyene could have tried it too cos she’s such a PEANUT BUTTER FREAKZOID.

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Some IGs from our Bangkok trip!

Cecilia and James took us to Anne’s in Chatuchak for lunch. She serves very traditional home-cooked dishes, like crabmeat in chili, clear pork soup, and ginger that tasted like mango (that tilted my brain a lil bit).

Went to check out Siam Centre

Such HAPPY BUNNIES! in a vintage shop

The scary thing about this shoe is that the spikes are ACTUALLY SHARP. I’ll probably end up hurting myself if i wore them. Oh wait, i already have… i’ve kicked my ankles with my spiked kurt geiger shoes when tipsy before, hence i don’t buy spike shoes anymore. They ARE dangerous!

Ladybug shoes at Jaspal.

Sarch spacing out after 7 hours of shopping.

This cracked us up till we were laughing on the floor. #salahwrong

Found myself a vintage rainbow glomesh clutch in almost perfect condition.

My happy #OOTD for a night out! Rainbows, unicorns and mint green!

On our last night there, Sarch and i were invited to join a group of her friends at this new restaurant called Opposite Mess Hall on Sukhumvit 51. We were reserved for a table of ten so i made lots of new friends that night – Sakina, Lainie, Dave and his wife Phoebe, Osama, Nico!

It’s got a concept of, well, a mess hall/canteen, with big tables so everyone chats and eats. We paid 1000 Baht per person to have about 6 courses each. My faves were the pumpkin and gorgonzola balls. The dessert was pretty great too but i was so full i didn’t finish it all…

After some wine and beers, Sarch and i went to Osama’s place to have a nightcap.

The ONLY picture of us the whole trip -_-

My god my arms are so skinny here.
I need to build some muscle on them.
I look like an insect, as Y says.

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On our last day, we went for lunch at Secret Garden

We each had a giant prawn in hot and sour coconut cream soup. So. Good.

Nat was extremely pensive. Not because he was about to sit for a GCSE paper, but because he had to think real hard on WHICH CAKE TO CHOOSE >

I think we should all switch to birthday cakes like this now.

Sarch and i had such a good trip… we felt really lucky to be taken into the family for a week and well fed

Let’s face it, when you put on your favourite white top, you’d want people to focus on the incredible top that you’re wearing instead of the mismatched lingerie inside. Hence, having the perfect nude bra is important as it allows you to radiate in your particular favourite fashion pieces.

Triumph’s Body Make-Up Collection helps you achieve the “barely there” experience that puts you in tune with your body. Inspired by the latest make-up trends this Spring/Summer, this new collection is all about having fun with your feminine and cool flirty side.

The event i attended last Wednesday was at DPAC, Empire Damansara, and graced by personalities like Daphne Iking, Nadine Ann Thomas, Amber Chia, Atilia Haron and Chelsia Ng.

Triumph‘s new Body Make-Up Collection is made with fabric containing LYCRA XTRA FINE fiber, which gives a unique blend of style, comfort and extreme weightlessness. This high stretch and recovery material does not restrict movement so it can be worn anytime, anywhere. Also, with Triumph’s patented Memory Cushion cups, it moulds to any individual body type, ultimately providing shape and comfort.

Their range of colours - Vanilla, Light Rose, Soft Blush, Cappucino, New Nude - ensure you a colour that fits you best.

Daphne Iking emceed the event

And our very own Amber Chia!

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The retail price for a Body Make-Up bra is RM179.90, and briefs are from RM44.90 each. They are now available at all Triumph boutiques and major department stores.

Also, check out their FB page for more updates!

BlackBerry has been having a tough fight what with the uprising of Android phones and the omnipresent iPhone. It’s a never ending battle to see who reigns as the best, but in no way is that a loss for us consumers cos we have all the choice in the world…

BlackBerry® now introduces the new Q10, which combines the power of the BlackBerry 10 platform with a large, re-engineered physical keyboard and the largest ever stunning touchscreen display on a BlackBerry QWERTY smartphone.

Watch the vid below for a quick summary of the phone’s features >

I got to play with the new Q10 at its recent launch at Laundry Bar. Along with an ergonomic QWERTY keyboard, the Q10 features a wider layout and larger sculpted keys. The smartphone’s advanced hardware and long battery life promises its ability to be in action all day long.

Advancements in the Q10 that I personally think are cool and convenient:

BlackBerry® Hub, where conversations within email, BBM™, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms, are all grouped together in one place with just a swipe away. This ultimately saves a lot of time from opening each and every app just to get access to the messages.

BlackBerry® Balance, where your work-related contents are securely separated from your personal use. It is like having your phone helping you to sort out what has to be taken seriously and what can be handled with ease.

Moreover, BBM™ has also advanced to video chat and screen share, allowing more on time sharing at its highest efficiency. And with BlackBerry® Remember, you can easily access all your information from different places across the phone by simply tagging and organizing it into folders.

The Q10 comes in black and white, though i didn’t get to view the latter on the launch day.

However i did get to view two fine live acoustic performances by Narmi and Reza Salleh, who charmed guests with their vocals and soothing tunes.

Narmi

Reza Salleh

The BlackBerry® Q10 is now available from authorised partners in Malaysia – Celcom and Maxis.

If you’re familiar with traveling then you should be familiar with the brand, as Qatar Airways was named Airline of the Year 2011 and 2012 at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards. It’s quite amazing that over 18 million travelers worldwide cast their votes with the same airline winning the chief title two years running.

For an airline that was launched 15 years ago, Qatar Airways has also established itself as an industry innovator and set new onboard standards as the “World’s 5-star airline”. It currently flies to 127 destinations across six continents, and promises to increase that number to over 170 destinations by 2015, with orders for more than 250 aircraft worth over US$50 billion. I can’t even fathom that kind of money.

Besides orchestrating a network of flights that other airlines can only look up to, Qatar Airways looks like it’s trying to outdo itself by simultaneously marking its reputation in the arena of airport lounges.

A prime example would be its new Premium Lounge at London Heathrow’s Terminal 4 – the airline’s first dedicated facility for First and Business Class passengers outside Qatar (where the airline operates its award-winning Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport).

The lounge was just opened in January last year and is a massive 750 sq metres, or 8070 sq feet, if you will. Pardon my pardon but i was expecting to relax in a, well, lounge; not a sprawling establishment that resembles a private members club like the RAC, with luxury bathrooms and showers, different dining rooms, martini bar, and secretarial service!

The new Premium Lounge took eight months in the making, and involved Qatar Airways staff visiting airline lounges throughout the world. In the end, the final inspiration for its design and concept was garnered from some of London’s best 5-star boutique hotels and the renowned architecture of The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.

Straying away from the convention of typical airport lounges, Qatar Airways gave designers a brief to create a space “with understated luxury, with an Arabic feel, all based on the boutique hotel concept, with Five-Star service” thus setting a new global benchmark.

The moment i entered there was a Qatar Airways host greeting me with an iPad in hand to discreetly record down all my requests.

Touches of the airline’s Middle Eastern heritage lie in the Arabic calligraphy on walls and carpets, the mosaics and water features. All the furniture in the lounge are carefully sourced luxury goods that include Italian designer furniture and a stunning black and white mosaic from an Iranian artist.

At the end of the large room, to my right was a corridor holding more lounge seats, and leading to the dining areas.

I did think about whether i should buy a book thirty minutes prior, guessing that they would have reading material, but buying the book anyway. Of course.

The book was a truly comical and entertaining read tho. No regrets.
I was served a mocktail of my choice while settling down in the lounge.

Me with no make up on. I’m honestly not that vain as to wear make up to sleep on the plane… i just can’t do that to my skin. Plus with my self-satisfying habit of rubbing my eyes, i’m most likely to scare a passenger or flight host with my panda eyes if i wore eyeliner.

Much further behind me (where the yellow light is on the left) is the Business Centre – which holds PCs, printers, fax machines and secretarial services. I didn’t have to go there to surf on my laptop of course, as there’s Wi-Fi throughout the lounge and discreet power sockets at every seat.

When i felt a bit famished, i ventured down the corridor to explore (what i later read up) the innovative Delicatessen, a theatre-style Global Brasserie kitchen, and the elegant Signature Martini bar.

The Delicatessen is a casual dining area with two dozen seats, an open Deli Counter, and three real olive trees specially juxtopositioned through holes in the middle of the tables. The Deli Counter was really pretty to look at, with its inviting warm glow and varying dishes to tempt me…

The staff in the lounge were supremely gracious. They spoke in the friendliest tones to everyone, but not in the way where you’d think it was fake. I had a decent conversation with one of them called Moira, and even observed her patiently administering to a 10-year-old’s desire for what i am guessing was a video game.

You’d be a minority to discover that you’re not understood, for the 12 dedicated staff recruited for the lounge speak 10 languages. They have all been handpicked from boutique hotels, with half from within the airline; as one of Qatar Airway’s unique propositions is their absolute 5-star service.

Pictures of the spread at the Deli Counter, which includes an extensive range of international and organic food, like artisan breads and cheeses, which is all prepared on the spot for you.

Beyond the Delicatessen is the stylish semi-formal Global Brasserie restaurant where diners can enjoy at-table service and witness chefs at work in an open theatre-style kitchen. The restaurant has 22 seats and a private dining room facility catering for 8 people.

The chefs cater for special dietary requirements of even the most discerning travelers of any age, which i’m guessing also means children who are fussy with their food will be tended to as well. The seasonally changing menu is inspired by Asian, Arabic and Middle Eastern cuisine, and you get to pair it with top wines and champagnes from around the world.

Those with a sweet tooth will keel over at the luscious display of candies in giant jars.

Going back outside to the Delicatessen, i spot what is the lounge’s elegant Signature Martini Bar which has 20 seats, a dedicated mixologist to prepare 10 signature cocktails, and a striking sculptural wine cellar which offers a wide choice of red and white wines from around the world. Notice the stunning “martini glass” chandelier that hangs above the bar.

I felt a bit peckish so i had some lobster, prawns, artichokes and aubergine from the Deli Counter.

Then saw that i could also order anything from their menu… but i settled for a hot potato and leek soup instead of being greedy.

It was exactly what i felt for at that moment.

When i went to the bathroom, there was someone to open the door for me and i saw a whole row of luxury bathrooms. The one pictured above is the smallest one by the way -_- There was another massive one i didn’t get to go into cos someone was using it. All the bathrooms feature spacious private shower rooms with chrome rain shower and massage jets, heated floor and mirrors, and Five-Star hotel quality linen with an assortment of natural beauty products.

Now that you’ve seen what the Qatar Airways’ Premium Lounge in London looks like, i have to add that it’s also the little touches that fabricate its fabulosity. Understated mood lighting, candles and fragrances engage the senses; and elegant white orchids decorate the spacious interconnected areas.

I was utterly relaxed when i got onto my flight from Heathrow… and snapped this picture before the Business Class section filled up, it was almost full actually!

No other pictures for my London-Doha flight besides the one above cos i went to sleep for the whole journey. I changed into a set of comfy pajamas provided and snuggled into my seat which i set to sleeping position. It felt SO AWESOME to be able to sleep lying down in a flight..! I have to admit that i stared at the many buttons for awhile to figure out what they were all for – sleeping position, relaxed position, sitting position, and many other buttons to adjust different parts of the seat in the slightest way i desire.

When i woke up, we’d arrived in Doha (where all Qatar Airways flights have to transit).

I had a surprise waiting for me as i adjourned down the steps of the plane to where Business Class passengers take a special bus dedicated to them. Someone was holding a sign with my name on it, and ushered me to a white BMW right in front of us. I was like, “Awesome!” but i didn’t get to take a picture because they were SO quick to carry my bags and put them in the boot for me (and my cam was in my backpack). It’s okay, that feeling of being such a rockstar will live within me forever (and make me want MORE).

[Click to READ MORE!]

I was chauffeured to Doha International Airport’s Premium Terminal - the world’s first dedicated facility for First and Business Class passengers. The US$90 million Premium Terminal, built in just nine months, opened in November 2006. It features facilities such as sit-down check-in for First and Business Class passengers, a spa, Jacuzzi, duty free shopping, business centre, fine dining restaurants, delicatessen and a cocktail bar.

All the facilities are available 24/7 and designed to provide Qatar Airways’ passengers with the best levels of comfort and hospitality prior to catching their flight!

The place was huge! This was just a tiny area of where people could relax on some sofas. Apparently the Premium Terminal was  expanded in 2009 to accommodate over 80% additional seating space..!

Above is also just one of the many dining areas…

I walked around a bit but didn’t have much time after having a carrot juice cos my transit was only for an hour.

A room dedicated for GAMING.

Rainbow kiddies room next to the gaming one. I can see how Clem and i could easily be satiated in these rooms

There was also a clinic on the same row of rooms.

Special gate area just for Business Class passengers.

Business Class section from Doha-KL was quite empty save for me, and a few other passengers sitting further behind. It was real nice, i had a LOT of privacy and constant flight attendant attention

Fairies need lots of space.

How strange does Qatar look from the air… the edges are all SO straight.

Had me some Salvatore Ferragamo body products and fragrance to freshen up with.

Qatar Airways takes their food very seriously and strive to provide a culinary journey for all passengers with dishes from the world’s leading chefs and restaurateurs.

The culinary creators who collaborate with Qatar Airways are:
- London-based and Michelin-starred Tom Aikens, who is renowned for his imaginative and intricate take on modern French cuisine, and focuses on organic natural ingredients.
- Legendary chef and TV personality Ramzi Choueiri, who’s recognized for his lively interpretation of Middle-Eastern cuisine in the Arab and Mediterranean world.
- Japanese Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, whose trademark is ‘traditional Japanese meet South American’ flavours.
- Vineet Bhatia, the first Indian chef to acquire a Michelin star (with a second star added since)

The Culinary World Menu covers dishes that will transport your taste buds around the globe, with vibrant flavour combinations, regional cuisine, traditional favorites and new discoveries designed to tempt the palate, in any order and at any time during the flight.

My breakfast was a very yummy raspberry white chocolate muffin,
croissant, white and brown toast,
a selection of fruits with the sweetest pineapple i’ve ever had,
and baked fillet of cod with sambal sauce (cos i’m so Asian like that).

It was so hard to choose tho… for breakfast alone, there were also options for
blueberry pancakes with raspberry coulis,
paneer bhurji (yoghurt potato curry and spiced cashew nuts),
smoked tuna and apricot salmon with sundried tomato cream cheese and salmon caviar,
Arabic breakfast plate of tabouleh, hummus, baba ghanoush and moussabah,
delicious fruit juices, smoothies, coffees and teas of every kind (i had two strawberry ones!),
and sides of teriyaki salmon or mutton kebab.

Too bad i just have one tummy to fill.

I had a Bloody Mary while watching Un Plan Parfait, a French comedy with Diane Kruger. Also managed to watch Warm Bodies, i have such a crush on Nicholas Hoult.

Later on during the flight i had a second meal of matsuhisa shrimp, and a coriander prawn salad (below).

One of the flight attendants spotted me taking pictures of my food and offered to get one of me XD

Flying is something like a chore for me, i see it as a procedure i have to get through so i can arrive at my destination. For once, I actually had FUN flying! I had the most pleasurable flight of my life… thank you Qatar Airways! I don’t know how i’m going to return to Economy Class now -_-

Hmm but why return… why not just look forward to some day sleeping on the 180-degree horizontal flat beds in First Class. Teehee.

To discover more about the Best Airline of the Year for the past two years, check out:
Qatar Airways Facebook Page: facebook.com/qatarairways
Qatar Airways official website: www.qatarairways.com

I’ve also been bouncing around with emotions on an extreme plane.
I’m either
very happy
very upset
very frustrated
very angry
very loved up

All the above emotions rotate throughout the whole day, every day for the past week.

I could probably roll it into ONE definition called = ‘very crazy’.

I just suddenly felt like i wasn’t doing things right,
or maybe i’m making the wrong choices,
or shit, why am i feeling like this, maybe my period is coming?
I really had NO idea and just…. felt CRAP.

Needing some spiritual guidance, i felt compelled to whatsapp DB who enlightened me on why i was feeling blah. The reason i’m writing down her advice here is cos surely there must be other people out there who sometimes feel a bit lost like i do too? I mean, i’d like to portray myself as strong all the time and a super fairy, but i’ve come to terms that i’m HUMAN and not perfect. I never thought of myself as a perfectionist (cos i never was!!) till i got pissed at myself when i cooked something one day and didn’t get it 100% right. Clem said: “Baby, you can’t expect a dish to come out perfect the first time you try it.” And i found myself thinking RIGHT after he said it: “I DO, YES I DO. Cos it usually happens and i want it to happen ALL the time.”

Sound like a psycho right. Anyway back to advice that made me direct my energy to being more… positive.

DB said that i have all this energy and if i don’t direct it to do something creative and physical like dancing or painting, then the energy becomes destructive. (place long pause in between writing here) Ok i just reread her messages and think i can’t even relay the message properly without misconstruing it, so i’m just gonna share some snatches of what she wrote to me here, word for word:

“You can even call me in your dream state i’m only half kidding, you’ll be surprised how much work gets done when you’re sleeping. So priority is getting you some good sleep love.”
“Don’t define the energy as good or bad or this specific illness, or that habit, or a terrible painting… that same energy is used to do everything so channel or move it from the mental into the physical. Dance more, paint more, move your body, it will give you the information you need and work out the kinks and toxins, as well as help with unlocking memories. It’s not tragic, it’s what author Joseph Campbell calls The Hero’s Journey. It’s what Star Wars was based on and many other movies. It’s the story of our lives, our purpose. We are the heroes we’ve been waiting for.”
“… old memories or anything that we perceive as dark/negative energy that is blocking us will come up now so that we have the opportunity to see it in a new light and give it forth (forgive)”

It’s kinda funny that she brought up the thing about old memories, cos i’ve recently being remembering really OLD memories that i’ve buried deep inside my mind cos they are things that i’m ashamed of and never wanted to remember again. They usually pop up at night before i fall asleep… but i don’t get overtly bothered by it. I do tell myself to let go and forgive myself. So it’s quite strange she confirmed it to me.

Anyway i don’t even know how to end this post now cos i have nothing else to say without revealing too much. Think i revealed enough today. So – The End.

To all aspiring designers out there, this is your chance to shine! Kronenbourg 1664 has created a fashion platform – Kronenbourg 1664 L’Aperitif Fashion – for young designers out there to showcase their best designs yet, and broaden their horizons in the fashion industry.

The most exciting part of the competition is *drum roll please*… the GRAND PRIZE! The Kronenbourg 1664 L’Aperitif Fashion Show winner will get an amazing opportunity to intern at one of the top fashion houses in London with all expenses paid for three months! This is definitely a dream come true for many aspiring designers out there, and it’ll allow the winner to learn from the best in the fashion industry at an international level, which will also open many doors in the future!

The theme for this year’s competition is French Masterpieces - cultivate and celebrate the rich cultures of France. Designers will be graded according to their creativity, workmanship and inspiration. The top 20 designers out of all applicants will participate in a qualifier challenge before they get shortlisted as top 5 finalists! Each finalist will then have the opportunity to showcase their collection on the 2013 Kronenbourg 1664 L’Aperitif Fashion Show runway.

A public voting system is implemented for the top 5 finalists this year, and it will create a more interactive process leading up to the finale. Gillian Hung, President of Malaysian Official Designers’ Association (MODA), will act as professional mentor so designers are assured diverse ideas and feedback.

Here are some pictures from last year’s competition:

Last year’s winner was Ardana Haran.

This competition welcomes all non-Muslim fashion designers (including current fashion students), aged 18-30 years of age to participate. To be a part of this exciting experience, you can register and download the brief for the competition *here* by 31st May 2013 at 5pm.

For further information, you can also check out their FB page.

I love Asha Gill’s show in the late mornings. She’s usually on when i make my way to a meeting or my workout. If you’re a woman around your 30s, you’ll love listening to her show. She’s so INFORMATIVE about food, health, children and LIFE; yet makes it so FUN to listen to. Sometimes i listen to Asha and think, “Goddemm why can’t i talk like that.”

They play chill out lounge music in the afternoons, and oh, my favourite weekend slots are when April goes on and plays all types of music from all over the world on her Global Passport show. You discover so many new sounds and artists there! I love her selection so much i’ve asked her to let me copy some tunes off her :p

So yeah, i’m well acquainted with Capital FM and all their shows.

I got even more acquainted when i dropped by their studio last Thursday to sit in the Talk of the Town morning show with announcers Xandria Ooi and Joanne Kam. I’d been in the studio before, having sat in one of The Jam Break shows when Liang interviewed me some time last year (or was it the year before?). But it was really nice to see how energetic they actually are in the room so early in the morning!

Xan and Joanne

Since it was a Thursday, Working Your Mojo was on with them. It’s a segment where their personal life coach Zarina Zainal shares tips and guides on self-improvement.

From left: Zarina, Xandria, Joanne, and producer June.

Zarina was talking about how one goes thru CHANGES in their life, and how we can turn negative ones into positive ones. It’s all within ourselves, and something i already know… but i was firmly reminded of the power of our own energy that morning.

An interesting fact that Zarina touched on, was how we are are just like atoms (which i agree with, we’re all made out of dots at the end of the day). When atoms change to a different level, they vibrate a lot more cos of the additional energy they’re releasing (think water evaporating into air, remember science class?). It’s the same with us human beings. Whenever we are in a shift to change, we release a lot more energy, whether it’s in the form of anger, frustration, excitement, etc. So having all these emotions can be a GOOD thing cos that means you’re changing and evolving.

I was in total admiration when she talked about her personal story (this was all on air btw, if you missed it) on how she was divorced with two children. Her divorce was amicable and she and her children stayed with her parents for awhile till she was kicked out for many different reasons. Then she stayed in her car for a month before finding enough money to rent an apartment and living with her children again.

Just when she thought things were going well, a few months down the road the bank wanted to take back the apartment she was renting cos the owner wasn’t paying up! She said she actually laughed when she saw the letter cos she couldn’t believe how much worse things could get. But she kept on telling herself: “There’s a silver lining behind every cloud, and that i just have to FIND it.”

So she wrote to the bank and they replied that they’ve actually heard about her situation and how she’s really nice, and offered to let her stay in it till they found a buyer. Rent free! She ended up staying in that apartment for a year without having to pay rent, isn’t that amazing!?

Of course in a time like that, you just hope the bank doesn’t find a buyer. Zarina wasn’t obliged to show off her apartment to potential buyers, but she was so nice, that she did just that. By doing so, she became friends with this couple who ended up loving her so much they gave her her first big job in personal training.

Amazing! I loved listening to her story and was in such awe of how strong and positive she is. When we left the studio she gave me a big hug and we both voiced what a pleasure it was to see each other again (we’d met before thru her sister Azura). What an inspiring morning you gave all of us Zarina!

Joanne, Xan and i

Besides their arresting conversations and music, the radio station is currently hosting a contest called Capital FM Reconnect, a memory game on radio runs till 24^th May 2013.

To play it, listeners will have to guess the correct memory combination in order to win.

(A template of 40 grid boxes will be made available for listeners to download *here*)

These boxes will only contain numbers but they actually represent different amounts of cash and prizes. You can win up to RM20,000 cash and different prizes like an all-expense paid weekend getaway, a bag from Kayu, spa packages and many more.

Five lucky callers a day will get to turn over two boxes and try to find a match. If you successfully match two tiles, you win the prize in the box! I’d be waiting for that RM20,000 box…

Capital FM Reconnect runs 5 times a day:

For this week (13-17May) >
Twice a day on “Talk of the Town with Joanne and Xandria”,
once a day on “Capital Wave”,
and twice a day on “The Jam Break with Debs and Non”.

For next week (20-24May) >
Twice a day on “Talk of the Town with Joanne and Xandria”,
twice a day on “The Jam Break with Debs and Non”,
once a day on “Groove Down with Priscilia”.

For more info, you can check out
the Capital FM website: www.capitalfm.com.my
Capital FM Facebook Page: facebook.com/CapitalFM88.9

And follow them on Twitter @iAMCapitalFM

Capital FM 88.9 is the radio station for Malaysian women.  It is designed to inspire and empower women. Keeping listeners company throughout the day are our well-accomplished celebrity hosts and announcers.

Capital FM broadcasts to the Klang Valley and covers areas in Bidor, Sungkai, Tanjung Malim, Nilai and parts of Seremban. Alternatively, you may stream online or download the Capital FM app.

As it is with fickle twensters, we moved on to other drinking holes and i’d dropped by Laundry every now and then for a Moonshine gig or some brand’s launch. Haven’t been back there for ages, but am glad to know that they’ve finally revamped. It’s about time! I couldn’t go for it to see for myself, but i did want to see some pictures. Thanks to Jessie who went in my place

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* Written by Jessie Lem *

Laundry is one of the longest-standing bars in the PJ area, and it has recently gone through a facelift!

I like the new entrance façade which resembles a vintage theatre front, displaying titles of events the old-school way.

Wall of (creepy?) animal masks and quirky light bulbs hanging above them.

Laundry Bar now has a DJ console & performance stage at the far end of the bar, for all the performance and gigs they’re bringing in. I can be easily amused by shiny things, the numbers of disco balls they have certainly got my attention.

The re-launch was packed, and a crowd filled up the whole place by 8pm. Despite that, the staff were so friendly and attentive throughout the night I was quite overwhelmed by their hospitality.

Recognized for supporting the local music scene, Laundry presented indie band Tabloid. They were energetic and pretty good! I enjoyed them the most when they did a cover of Passion Pit’s Take A Walk as well as Of Monsters & Men’s Little Talks.

Additionally, Laundry will also be bringing in international indie bands from time to time. American band Yacht is next on the upcoming performance list. To keep up with what’s happening at Laundry, check out www.facebook.com/LAUNDRYBAR.

Dr Brandt has recently introduced the new Glow series promoting healthier, younger and radiant skin using the latest Ruby Laser Technology. Wonder what that is? Read on! I went to the launch event which was held in Selberan Boutique, Pavillion.

The caption for the Glow series is ‘Unveil Luminous, Glowing Skin’. Mimicking the infamous Ruby Laser Technology, this range of products allows you to achieve the result of Ruby Laser Technology without having to visit any dermatologist or skin care centre.

Ruby Lasers are one of the most powerful lasers for eradicating skin imperfections, and is usually performed on patients with dull, uneven skin tone and texture. It emits red light rays which will be absorbed by skin cells, causing them to regenerate faster, revealing a fresh healthy layer of skin with a luminous healthy glow.

However, the procedure also has its negative side. Certain patients may experience damage on their skin due to its strong exfoliation, experience irritation, and take several costly visits to correct the visible damage.

Hence the move by Dr Brandt to introduce its latest ’Glow by Dr Brandt Ruby Laser Technology Kit’.

The moment I walked in I was taken aback by all the pink neon lights and ruby crystals surrounding the products. The whole booth was pink too.

The Glow series is inspired by Dr Brandt’s in-house Ruby Laser Procedure itself. Using their latest breakthrough formulas of  micronized ruby crystals together with gentle Retinol (a form of Retinoid which helps renew skin), this range of products aim to renew the glow in your skin and make it look younger, brighter and healthier.

Exfoliation is an important part of process for skin renewal, especially for those who are looking for more radiant skin. (I’m sure you’ve heard of chemical peels – they’re the strongest of exfoliation methods out there.) Many brands have used Retinoid as a form of skin renewal regime, but it can be too irritating for many people especially those with more sensitive and thinner skin.

Because the Glow series uses Retinol, which is a gentler form, one needn’t worry about skin irritations. Additionally, the product specifies that it protects against dryness, redness and irritation.

The Ruby Laser Technology Kit comes with two bottles - the Ruby Crystal Retinol Hydracreme which is in pink, and the Overnight Resurfacing Serum which is in light shining gray. They should be used for day and night separately for maximum result.

We got to test the cream and my first impression is that it’s smooth and not greasy at all! It absorbed into my skin fast, leaving no oily residue behind (which is uncomfortable for Malaysia’s humid weather), and its scent is very subtle.

The Ruby Crystal Retinol Hydracreme is for daytime:
This instant complexion enhancing moisturizer lights up your skin immediately, and is inspired by Dr Brandt’s in-office ruby laser procedure. It is formulated with skin illuminators, optical diffusers and micronized ruby crystals which transform light into energy; providing a smoother, more even look and a healthy glowing complexion. It’s perfect for those with dull or aging skin, since it boosts the skin’s ability to reflect light (hence the GLOW title), minimizes the look of lines and wrinkles, improves skin texture and tone, promotes radiance and glow and restores optimal hydration.

Since its a day cream, it’s should be applied after you daily skin care regime and before your makeup routine. However, it is strongly advised to use UV protection after applying the cream to avoid excessive sun exposure as retinol may be quite sensitive to sun lights.

The Overnight Resurfacing Serum is for nighttime:
As the name suggests, it is a potent retinol-based nighttime skin renewal serum, which should be  applied after cleansing and toning (and before moisturizer for those who need additional hydration). Containing 2% short and long term release retinol complex, it increases cell turnover while you’re sleeping, revealing newer, fresher, and a more youthful skin with a healthy glow by morning. Its retinol complex helps to stimulate collagen production, provide gentle exfoliation and stimulate cell turnover, revealing new skin and improve skin texture and tone by morning. Besides, it also helps to soften the appearance of lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores, yet it also protects your skin against dryness, redness and irritation. The micronized ruby crystals which is the star ingredient of this product also helps you to reduce dullness and loss of vitality for skin, giving you a healthier and more youthful glow after usage.

As this product contains retinol, which already helps us to exfoliate our skin daily, therefore there is no need of other exfoliating products to avoid extra irritation for the skin. Over exfoliating may damage our skin as the new skin layer may be removed as well, causing our skin to be thinner and more sensitive.

Ruby Crystal Retinol Hydracreme, RM229 (50g)
Overnight Resurfacing Serum, RM299 (50g)
They may be used individually, though results are best with both.

Glow by Dr Brandt range of products can be found at all Sephora stores and other skin care outlets listed below:
Dr Brandt The Garden, Lot F-K05 +603 2282 7300
Dr Brandt Bangsar Shopping Centre, Lot G103 +603 2092 1829
Dr Brandt One Utama Shopping Centre, Lot FK05 +603 7722 5434
Kens Apothecary Empire Shopping Gallery, UG08 +603 5632 0703
Kens Bangsar Village II, LOT UGF-8, Level Upper Ground Floor +603 2282 0661

You can also visit their website,
or Kens Apothecary, distributor of Dr Brandt Malaysia,
or their FB page in Malaysia.

The Dr Brandt skincare line has been world-renowned for its promised effectiveness with groundbreaking skin care technology. Founded by Dr Fredric Brandt himself, a world famous dermatologist, he has been actively involved in many FDA trials that led to the approval of today’s famous Botox, hyaluronic acid injections, and collagen injectables.

Elegantology Gallery & Restaurant is a store, a bar and a restaurant. Essentially, it’s a creative space in celebration of fashion, gastronomy and mixology.

Elegantology Gallery & Restaurant is a three-way collaboration between
notable Malaysian fashion designer Beatrice Looi,
Celebrity Chefs Sherson Lian & Johnny Fua,
and the oldest cognac house Martell.

Their mutual desire to support the local creative fashion and gastronomy industry resulted in the creation of this remarkable space dedicated to emerging talent.

Do you remember the Rising Personalities Award that was organised by Martell?
Well, i guess this is the long-term version of recognising new and up-and-coming talent while having a space to promote them!

Celebrity Chefs Sherson Lian (above) & Johnny Fua (below)

The two celebrity chefs refresh their Ever-Changing Menu every 3 to 4 weeks as to ensure new dining experiences for loyal customers. They also regularly evolve the menu by collaborating with rising guest chefs, and constantly encourage these aspiring chefs to create unique and innovative gastronomy experiences.

Dining areas are carefully placed inside Elegantology, so you have different atmospheres and more privacy.

Besides serving gastronomic fanfares daily, Elegantology’s large space displays exclusive men’s fashion and lifestyle products through co-creations with reputable local designers. Pieces are tailored in limited numbers for the most sophisticated of tastes, allowing the Elegantology man to rise above with style.

There is even a team of personal stylists (aka Elegantologists) at the gallery, who are always on hand to style you up or find you exactly what you need – whether it’s for a special occasion or a complete wardrobe overhaul.

There is a wide selection of men’s apparel and accessories in there, and they’re all designed by established as well as up-and-coming designers in Malaysia. The gallery is really a platform for which they can create a series of limited edition fashion and lifestyle collections for.

Despite being proclaimed as being menswear, i don’t see why women can’t wear the fashion items in there too! I rather fancy the pretty bows, and i am sure many women like me nowadays are embracing menswear-inspired fashion with the ubiquitous shirt. It’s so effortlessly classic to cinch in a men’s shirt with a belt and carry on with your day.

Back to Elegantology, I surfed through their Facebook page the other day, and found quite interesting things that they post!

Check out these illustrations of a recipe, done like a fashion illustration!

If Elegantology has piqued your interest, you’d be glad to know that they’re celebrating their launch event very soon, with invites for you if you’re quick.

Come and experience Elegantology Gallery & Restaurant for yourself,
taste the creations by celebrity chefs Sherson Lian & Johnny Fua,
feel and try the limited edition men’s fashion pieces,
mingle with some of KL’s most fashionable people,
enjoy the showcase of the designers’ collections with a fashion show and celebrity models,
all while being entertained by DJ Nadine Ann Thomas on the decks.

I will be going, and i heard some other personalities like Patricia K and Hansen Lee will be too!

Event Details:

• Venue:  35, Level G2, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, 1 Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 KL
• Date: 17th May 2013
• Time: 8pm
• Dress Code: Smart Elegance

RSVP for the Grand Launch Party on www.elegantology.com.my/RSVP
(limited to first 300 pax)

LIKE Elegantology’s Facebook page  www.facebook.com/elegantology