A week ago Dawn asked me whether i’d go to a movie premiere in which she’s acting in, so i said SURE. On the day of the premiere (last Thurs night), someone asked me what the name of the movie that i was going to watch was, and i didn’t even know! So i went back into my messages to check and Dawn didn’t even tell me -_- Well, i didn’t ask either cos it didn’t matter to me then :p Thought just shartup and go support XD
Now that i’ve watched it, i implore you to go with your friends/family to watch this Malaysian independent film! It’s just starting showing to the public in all TGV cinemas today, and only for the next 2 weeks!
Called CUAK (meaning gelabah/kancheong/panicked, or English title for the movie = ‘second chance’), the movie was created by 5 directors working together to tell 1 story about a young man named Adam (Ghafir Akbar) having second thoughts on his wedding day with Brenda (Dawn Cheong).
It stars many familiar faces you’d recognise from the theatre and entertainment scene like Gavin Yap, Ash Nair, Patrick Teoh, Kuah Jenhan, Bernie Chan, Diong Chae Lian, Ani Juliana Ibrahim, Tony Eusoff, Craig Fong, Iedil Putra, Qahar Aqilah, and Corinne Adrienne.
I didn’t know so many people were involved in it, (how could i, seeing i didn’t even know the title of the movie -_-) and bumped into so many old friends and familiar faces at the premiere. It was almost like a reunion. I sat in between Dhanya and BracesAaron (haha); and chatted to Llew, Joanne, Bahir and Keith from my school, found out Michael whom i used to work with at Freeform freaking produced it, hugged old kakis like Eddie and Henry, Julian & Carol too. Ok i don’t know what i’m doing, it’s not like i can possibly name everyone cos there were so many people there, and LOTS i didn’t know too!
I went to the after party and made so many new friends that night 🙂 Like this illustrator guy with long hair called Augustus, an American guy called Bryan who’s married to a Malaysian Chinese, Sandee who looks like a party girl forever, Paul whom i had forgot meeting before :p, and James who showed me startling videos of Death Valley and facebooked me some advice on where to travel to with Clem. So awesome! Ok i probably forgot some other people i met and am very sorry in advance. I wish i had a personal fairy PA who could sit on my shoulder to remind me of everyone’s names and what i spoke about with whom.
Also had a very long catch-up with my old church friend Manesh, whom i haven’t really spoken to for years. Now he’s got a supercute daughter, and i discovered he’s also one of the 5 directors for Cuak. I am so fail sometimes.
Thanks for a great night Dawn!
You were so awesome in the movie that i would forget that i knew you cos you totally made me believe your character!
Please go watch the movie guys! It’s so hard for the local talent here to get enough funds for an independent film and they were joking that the directors barely got paid for it :p So go support our local industry and be surprised.
Cuak is directed by Khairil M Bahar, Manesh Nesaratnam, Lim Benji, Tony Pietra Arjuna & Shamaine Othman; produced by Michael Chen, and brought to you by Garang Pictures.
I went to Bangkok last week for a 3-night stay with Yishyene. Here’s a quick list of where we went and what we ate, in case dire memory loss in, oh, i don’t know, in 30 years’ time takes place. (I’m being optimistic with that one)
We stayed at TENFACE by booking it on Agoda. It’s got a big living room, balcony, dining area (where we threw all our shopping), large bedroom and bathroom… all for RM200/night for 2 ppl.
This is just the dining area downstairs by the pool.
We went to Platinum Mall to shop and hit the food court there as many times as our tummies let us…
Oh god Thai food is just the best. I would never tire of Thai food!!!
Top left is kueh chap Thai style, next to it is my fave mince pork + basil + chilli,
bottom left is massive bowl of tom yum, and a simple dish of veggies and fried fish when i was feeling guilty.
We walked by the market next to Siam Square one night and spotted lots of peaceful protesters, as well as loud flamboyant ones.
Yishyene and i both got a snack…
Which turned out to be an incredibly spicy (but delicious) raw salad!
We dropped by Sneaka Villa, a street store selling its own merchandise, to see Patch.
This is Patch. He be a party animal. He’s coming to KL for FMFA wahey!
Some time in December, i took the production team from Australia Network’s Fashion Asia around town for a day and showed them some of my favourite places in KL. That episode went on air on the Australia Network last Wednesday night, and there are probably still some repeats playing on Astro Channel 521.
Below is a preview vid — see how many KL designers, stylistas or places you can spot, there are lots 😉
You can watch the full episode online *HERE* for another two weeks only!
Upfront Arena is brought to you by The Bee, with the series bringing in some of the hottest international live acts to the stage in KL. The first act for the year are Foals, whom i’m so excited to watch cos i’d listen to them lots while driving at one point.
I first met Kang in Singapore when i bought some wicked cuffs he molded out of vintage records at a flea market, and he accepted my invitation to come down to KL for the first Chic POP market at Zouk.
Kang is the sweetest guy who’s really original with his crafting skills, and is taking part in his first tradeshow at BLUEPRINT this year! Because he’s an independent label, he’s posting up his entire inventory of products as tokens of appreciation in exchange for donations.
“These are pieces that I’ve made, or will be making. Take it as my ‘portfolio’, if you will. Every little bit of funding will help me tremendously, so if you can see my passion and the potential in my label, do send me some love! Or share this album with your family and friends!” – theKANG Craftster
I already bought the one on the upper right but he might make you more if you ask nicely 😉
Funding amounts are from SGD20 to SGD150, and funding period is till 11th Apr 2014.
To view his album on Facebook, click *here*
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The Jewel of the Arctic by Bonnie Yap
I always recognised Bonnie as this fierce female photographer whose toes i tried not to tread on in my early days as a magazine photographer ten years ago. Most people drop in and out of life at events… and years on, she realised i wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was she. The good thing is i’m not a professional photographer anymore so i needn’t fight her for picture-taking space, and i stopped being so scared of her XD
I’d definitely say Bonnie’s top of her game in the photography industry in Malaysia, and is constantly hired by scores of corporate, FMCG and luxury brands for her tenacity and dedication.
This March, Bonnie Yap holds her first charity exhibition featuring the awesome landscapes of the Arctic.
It’s held in conjunction with Earth Hour 2014 and is open to the public from 1st-31st March 2014 at Traders Hotel KL (Ground Floor Lobby).
All merchandise and photographs sold during the exhibition period will be channeled to Assunta Hospital Social Welfare Outpatient Programme to aid children from social social organisations in need of medical aid.
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Win a Scholarship to Singularity University!
Project Renaissanceand Mindvalley have partnered withSingularity University to run its acclaimed Global Impact Competition in Malaysia… in search of a national visionary with an idea that could impact the lives of 1 million Malaysians, to represent the country for its Graduate Studies Program this year.
Open to Malaysian citizens aged 21 or older, the competition invites Malaysians of all backgrounds – regardless of gender, ethnicity, faith, privilege, association or academic background. Hosted in 13 different countries in 2013 such as Australia, Argentina and Russia, and 8 other countries this year including Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands, the Global Impact aims to award an idea for a product or service that could improve the lives of 1 million Malaysian citizens within the next 5 years. “The idea can be used to solve a challenge in any area that impacts humanity – pollution, education, healthcare, transportation… even corruption,” expressed Vishen Lakhiani, the founder of Mindvalley.
The winner will receive a full scholarship worth over RM95,000 to the Singularity University’s Graduate Studies Program from June-August 2014 at their NASA Research Park campus in Silicon Valley, California. One of the most groundbreaking educational programs to date, the winner will be collaborating with the world’s leading scientists and technologists to solve humanity’s grand challenges, together with an international group of likeminded classmates from over 35 countries. The scholarship prize covers tuition, all housing and scheduled meals, academic materials and site visits during the program.
Founded by the chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation – Peter Diamandis, and Google’s Engineering Director – Ray Kurzweil, Singularity University is an unconventional, innovative and acclaimed institution with the mission to “educate, inspire and empower leaders to apply exponential technologies to address humanity’s grand challenges.” The university gathers the world’s brightest minds and personalities to be guided by a stellar faculty of scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs and futurists to focus on technologies that can solve humanity’s hardest problems.
Through the 3-month Graduate Studies Program, the winner will also be able to visit some of the most innovative companies in the world such as NASA, Google, Facebook, Tesla Motors, Nokia and Autodesk. “Upon his or her return to Malaysia, the winner will recognized as a leader in technology and innovation in Malaysia, and be invited to share his or her experience with Singularity University on stage at a Project Renaissance event in Mindvalley,” said Lakhiani, who is also on the Innovation Board of the XPRIZE Foundation.
Today i’m posting up a review on the new Dove Intense Repair Shampoo and Conditioner i received when i attended their bloggers event which *i wrote about here* (< words will link to 1st Dove ADV)
First things first though, i’m gonna describe to you my hair type 😀
My natural hair is very thick, wavy, dry and quite VERY difficult to manage. I hated my hair in school! Before i had money to straighten or relax it, it was so long and crazy that my classmates called me Lion King. -_- I still cringe when i look at pictures of my mane circa 2000. Shampoos and conditioners back then were just not what they are today!
My hair is ever-so-slightly less thick now cos i dye it, but my stylist is always astonished by how fast it grows — which is a good thing cos it hints at healthiness.
Some of the main reasons why i have it short is cos:
1) it’s more manageable for me cos it’s so thick,
2) it makes me look taller and older (somewhat).
Styling-wise i’m very simple. I don’t like taking a long time to get ready.
Most days i take 30 seconds to apply serum and wash my hands of the serum.
When i have to attend events or parties i apply a bit of dry wax that is effortless to wash out after.
Easy! Which is why a great haircut is imperative.
OK so down to the shampoo and conditioner i use.
I like products that rinse off easily and don’t make my dry hair seem even MORE DRY after i’m done – it just makes me feel like i could have been a carpet in my past life.
SO, back to the review.
This new Dove Intense Repair range promises to:
– make hair 10x stronger against damage by strengthening hair fibre from the core
– prevent split ends
The Keratin Repair Actives is mentioned a lot, as it’s a patented breakthrough formula that repairs hair at a deeper level by stabilising the protein deep inside the hair fibre.
By performing at cellular level, the core of the hair is repaired and strengthened up to 10 times.
As for Dove Intense Repair Conditioner, it contains new Microsheets Technology that evenly coats hair so you can comb it easily when wet to prevent breakage.
Dove Intense Repair shampoo:
My comments:
The amount above is actually too much to use, as the shampoo lathers up a lot so i only have to do with very little. Do you notice how the shampoo has a bit of shine to it? It’s thanks to their new formulation with pearlized finish. As i rinse my hair, it feels like i could get away with not applying conditioner cos it feels 50% soft already. I like the smell, and so does Clem cos he’s a fastidious user of Dove soap, and the shampoo has the same signature scent.
Dove Intense Repair conditioner –
Comments on using the conditioner:
As with the shampoo, i don’t have to use a lot and it’s easy to apply through my hair. When i rinse it off, my hair feels a lot slicker than most conditioners i use, so i like that feeling of slippery clean hair.
I just had to take a pic of my hair before i towel-dried it cos it had that slippery-slick look.
End result after one day, with zero product on it. This is pretty great in my definition, cos my hair was super soft and manageable and i keep on… touching it cos i’m not used to having hair that soft :p
I don’t feel the necessity to put serum or wax on it as often as i usually do, cos it looks a lot more acceptable and less dry. Which is great, cos i like giving my hair off days from applying too much product on it! I can only imagine what sort of effect these products would have on someone who’s got normal long hair (cos mine is short thick wavy dry hair remember :p)
MakeUpAlley.com had very good results for the Dove Intense Repair Conditioner. There were 100 reviews, of which an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 was derived; with 85% saying they would repurchase. Read it yourself *here*
As for the Dove Intense Repair Shampoo, 75% saying they’d repurchase. Read it yourself *here*
L-R:
Dove Intense Repair Conditioner, RM14.90;
Dove Intense Repair Shampoo, RM14.90;
Dove Intense Repair All Day Repair Cream (with UV protection), RM10.90/120ml and RM4.90/40ml.
I was invited for a fitting with Triumph Malaysia to try their Shape Sensation while i was still in France. Intrigued, and open to the idea since i had just binged all of Christmas, i popped by their KLCC counter in Parkson to have a chat with Elaine from Triumph.
Shape Sensation are Triumph’s separate collection of girdles, corsages, shaping bras and bodydresses designed to give a woman sexy and strong curves.
There are SO MANY different lengths and types and styles, there are lots of options to choose what goes with the outfit you have in mind.
All the lingerie is designed to smooth and shape those awful bits that peek out the sides of your bra sometimes, boost cleavage, flatten tummy, make your thighs taut and your bum firm.
I never used to think i’d want to wear things like this. But i’m learning that i truly can live to the statement “Never say never”. Gravity is not on my side these days, and even with working out and going on detoxes, firming up my kangaroo pouch for a tight dress or two ain’t a sin.
Elaine explained to me what Shape Sensation was and all its benefits:
– Build curves and fix all concerned areas for a better shape
– Enhances your silhouette
– Combined shaping functions and soft sensual design
– Makes your skin firmer in 28 days
It even has cosmetic ingredients to benefit your skin, so it’s considered shape and skincare all in one.
Triumph measured 2800 women in Malaysia to discover the percentage spilt in their bodyshapes: namely Y, S, I, O, and A shape.
The most common body shape is I (46%) followed by A (34%), whereas S, the ideal body shape, has only 10%.
After getting measured, i discovered i’m an I.
Check out my cleavage after wearing the Shape Sensation bra woohoo >
Tried on their latest bodydress
If you go by their counters, you get a free personal body perfection fitting session to discover your body shape and the most suitable shapewear for you.
My measurements before and after wearing Shape Sensation!
I lost 1 cm on my waist and 1 cm on my hips.
Before & After
You can see a slight difference in my tummy, and my boobies have got better lift!
Check out more on the Shape Sensation FB app *here*
