Monday, February 28, 2011
A tip or two on make-up
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
The short make-up session I had at The Body Shop’s Christmas merchandise launch was very informative. I learned how to make my eyes look bigger than they really are, thanks to The Body Shop’s beauty artist Vinz. I hope I got his name right because we didn’t get to exchange cards as there were so many eager women waiting to have their sessions as well.
Everyone was keen to try something from The Body Shop Christmas range.
Vinz taught me how to make my eyes “pop” just by using the most minimal amount of eye make-up products. I do not use eye shadows and even if I do it would be something so very basic unless I am attending a high-end reception where I have to “doll-up”.
All Vinz did was apply a thin layer of eyeliner on my eyes, close to my top eyelashes. He used basic black wet eyeliner and then powdered the area to hold the eyeliner in place.
Vinz taught me how to make my eyes "pop".
A friend of mine who was watching Vinz did his magic gasped when she noticed how wide-opened my right eye was compared to the left eye, which Vinz had left bare just to show the difference.
As a final touch he applied mascara on my lashes for a bit of glam. He advised not to brush out the mascara but instead leave it as it is to avoid any sticky mess.
I then confided in him I have trouble looking for the right colors for my lips and cheeks. I hate most of what I have and browns have always been my favourites.
“That is why it is important to try your beauty items before purchasing them,” he laughed.
Vinz picked out two lipsticks and two lip-glosses that I can use for day and night.
Cute live "props"...
I’m dark-skinned and so Vinz suggested I use bronze and orangey tones, which will bring out my colours brilliantly. So thank you Vinz for the beautiful applications and choice of colors. My friends kept commenting on how apt your choice and how they gave me a totally different look altogether. And that’s a positive, my friends.
Lastly, Vinz picked out a blusher in shades of browns for me and showed me how to apply them on my cheeks.
Well, that was one fruitful lesson. I walked home with these new items in my bag and will be visiting the store again to get some more new stuff now that I know what looks good on me.
Glittery gifts at Body Shop
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
The Body Shop launched its Christmas merchandise recently from its outlet at Fahrenheit88, Kuala Lumpur. There is an abundance of choices that make great Christmas Gifts and they come in varying price range to enable the gifts to be affordable to a bigger group of buyers.
Joy to the World aims to spread love and the festive cheer across the globe. Every purchase you make will benefit some deserving people from around the world as The Body Shop supports the unique Community Fair Trade Programme, which supports small-scale farmers from as far as Namibia and Guatemala.
Most of the items from the outlet contain at least one Community Fair Trade ingredient such as soya oil and honey sourced from all four corners of the world, farmed and produced by skilled farmers from some remote places.
You can pick and choose items from the outlet and have them packed into a Christmas box such that they are ready to be delivered or handed to loved ones as Christmas gifts.
New items for this season include the Winter Trend Make-Up Collection for skin, eyes, lips and nails. This catwalk-inspired Winter Trend Collection features the limited edition Sparkler (RM99), a boudoir-chic atomizer for face and body, the Eye Palettes (RM89), which comes in two limited edition palettes, Stardust-Glitter Pots (RM39.90), Lip Gloss (RM39), which also comes in two shades.
To top this collection is the make-up accessories that include cosmetic purses and bags. The pearlised Cream Organiser is at RM85 and the Black Brush-Roll (RM175) for holding The Body Shop’s make-up brushes for lips, eyes, cheeks and face. Another item is the Black Cosmetic Bag with Filer (RM49.90) for your nails.
Last item in the new collection is the stripy Nail Buffer at RM17.50, which makes great stocking fillers.
If you are interested in ready-packed gifts try the Cranberry Joy (RM129), Born Lippy Fruity Lip Balms (RM90) and Soaps (RM33).
Support for AIDS campaign
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
How many of us know that 13,000 people have died of AIDS-related diseases since the late 80s, after it spread to Malaysia?This however isn’t the exact figure as there must have been many more unrecorded deaths from AIDS. Again, this figure does not include HIV patients.
Many of us must have heard and read about HIV/AIDS while others may even have had direct and personal experience through people they know who are infected by HIV or died of AIDS. How much though have we done to fight AIDS on a personal level?
The AIDSAware Campaign aims to spread the message to the masses that the only way to control the spread of HIV/AIDS is by educating ourselves on preventive measures. We also need to understand the predicament of those faced with HIV/AIDS and how we can be their friends instead of discriminating inflicted victims.
The AIDSAware Campaign is collaboration between PT Foundation (PTF) and ruumzcauses. Its first phase of campaign involving the public is the online initiative where the public can post their photos holding placards carrying messages related to HIV/AIDS.
By Dec 31 the organisers hope to compile a total of 13,000 photo messages to commemorate the 13,000 people who have died of AIDS. And this is how the idea went one step further, by roping in celebrities to jump onboard and use their position as public figures to bring in the support. This then led to the AIDSAware Calendar, which is being sold at all The Body Shop outlets for RM29.90 each.
It is a very well-put together project and a well designed calendar by Creative Juice-Sil with photography by Studio Pashe. Some of the celebrities who took part in the project were present at the launch, which I mentioned in yesterday’s post.
I’m not sure if there are plans for these celebrities to make a public appearance to encourage people to buy the calendars and have them autographed but it would be a good way to perk up sales with proceeds channelled to the PT Foundation.
A lot of support is being given to the campaign. All the photo shoot, behind-the-scene videos and video messages shot to raise awareness and encourage public participation are being screened and displayed at The Body Shop outlets, RapidKL and LRT. On top of that the online blogging community has also been roped in to lend support and TV spots rolled-out on hitz.tv.
We will be reading a lot about the campaign and where it all leads to when magazines and online portals start featuring the interviews carried out with some of the personalities involved alongside AIDSAware public service announcements.
If you want to do your part, get online on www.aidsaware.ruumz.com and get copies of the calendar at the outlets mentioned. We can’t do enough but starting somewhere would be the smartest thing to do.
AIDS awareness campaign
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
World Aids Day is on Dec 1, just three days before my birthday and I’m thinking what prominent things for the good of society have I done so far?How many things in life count for me, I wondered.
I know I am deeply affected by sadness, misery and pain experienced by the less fortunate but how much have I helped in the past, and maybe, in the future?
As I sat in a corner of BodyShop’s outlet at Fahrenheit 88 talking to people who work hard to change society’s mindset about AIDS I realised that it is not an easy task.
I was at the venue as part of the media invite for a double event – the launch of The Body Shop’s Christmas merchandise and the launch of the AIDSAware Calendar.
It sounds a bit odd to combine the two – one has such a Christmassy feel to it while the other carries such an urgent message, a wake up call to society. The only relevant link to the day’s events is the fact that The Body Shop has always been the strong mover and supporter of awareness campaigns for HIV and AIDS. And in Malaysia alone, The Body Shop has committed itself to various involvements for the cause. However, separating these two events by having them in different venues would make a lot of difference and impact to the cause for a start.
The AIDSAware Calendar is an honourable effort. It is a joint project between PT Foundation (PTF) and ruumzcauses. Be the Message aims to use the public as the vehicle to push the message across – do not ignore HIV and AIDS. Educate ourselves on this very issue and learn preventive measures that would help the situation. Most urgent of all is that society has to stop the indiscrimination on victims.
But was this noble idea or hope successfully transmitted to the public on the event day? There was the giant signboard bearing photographs of celebrities holding strong worded messages written on placards suggesting the cause. Everyone invited to the event was excited over the launch but did a majority of the public who were at the mall understand what was going on?
Choosing the main entrance of the mall as the event spot is already one mistake. While the organisers are busy drumming the message home with the help of the microphone, shoppers jostled their way into the mall knocking into guests, media, organisers and everyone else who stood in their way.
The AIDSAware Calendar features local celebrities who are fighting for the cause holding placards with HIV-AIDS related messages. This is only part of the campaign, the main being the online initiative, which encourages the public to do exactly what these featured celebrities did – take a photo of yourself holding any printed messages that highlights your thoughts on HIV/AIDS awareness and upload them to www.aidsaware.ruumz.com for compilation.
The organisers are targeting on collecting 13,000 of these photo messages by Dec31 this year. This would have been an easier feat if, on the day of the event, a mini photo booth is set up so the public can be encouraged to post for a photo with a message that can be uploaded after. I bet there will be many “man on the street” who would have willingly posed for the camera and at the same time agree to join forces with the organisers for such an inspiring reason.
I can go on and on and causing my posting to trail to no end. So I’d suggest anyone who comes across this post to visit the website mentioned and read about this campaign, fight and cause. How you decide your next step in relation to HIV/AIDS will leave a big impact not only on a personal level but to millions out there suffering directly or indirectly from HIV/AIDS.
I have taken a photo of myself with the message. Now all I need to do is find the time to upload it.
Bonding through arts and crafts
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
Erra Fazira launched her online art club recently surrounded by more than 50 children with their parents in tow.
Erra and "Mr Friedrich Staedtler" at the launch of Erra Art Club.
The launch was held at art school My Favourite Art House (my F.A.H.) in Tropicana City Mall.
Erra’s Erra Fazira Art Club (www.erra-artclub.com.my) had gone through in-depth research by the owner herself because she wants to make sure the club serves the very reason it was started in the first place.
One thing Erra said she noticed while she was doing the research was that parents are still not giving 100% encouragement to their children who have the interest in art.
“This is the most interactive activities that encourage both child and parent to foster a stronger relationship and yet it is the least encouraged,” she said.
Eager children gather around Mr Friedrich to get one of Staedtler's handmade pencils.
Developing a child’ creative skills through art plays an essential part of a child’s development, a fact Erra observed while spending time with her almost 2-year-old daughter Engku Aleesya Engku Emran, doing arts and crafts.
“This set me thinking how and art club can help in our child’s emotional and mental growth,” she said.
The young mother speaks of the many hours spent with her daughter with much affection, loving every moment watching Aleesya “absorb information” like a sponge.
“It is a joy to watch (her, absorbing information) but also scary,” se said.
Erra wants to spread the joy she feels watching Aleesya grow to even more children and parents and the club serves as her channel to her vision.
Perhaps, one of Erra’s biggest achievements where the club is concerned is her collaboration with Staedtler as the main sponsor for art material used in the club’s activities.
“I grew up on Staedtler,” said Erra, recalling her school days using the brand’s Noris pencils and that “famous Staedtler color pencils with the colorful sail ship on the front of the box.”
Erra Art Club is for young and old.
The Erra-Staedtler collaboration also makes Erra the first partnership ever created by Staedtler worldwide. Staedtler’s Chairman, Board of Directors, Staedtler Malaysia Gerhard Wuestendoerfer was all praise to Erra’s new venture, saying he is touched with the star’s vision in reaching out to children, especially the less fortunate.
Erra and her team have already kicked off several of the club’s activities taking place in various locations in the Klang Valley. More are in store for the already 100 over members especially in the New Year.
“There will be a lot more contests, shows and excursions,” said Erra, who will be actively participating in the trips at least once a month so as to connect with the members.
Membership is free and it is opened to anyone from three to four years old.
“Mothers and other adults are welcomed too,” said Erra. “We have no age limit. If you love art, you can join us,” she added.
To know more of the club and its activities, visit them online.
New club to launch
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
Tomorrow will be such an exciting day for me as a new art club will be launched.As an artist myself, albeit an amateur, I applaud and support any move that promotes activities through art.
Malaysian celebrity Erra Fazira has started an art club of her own, which she called the Erra Art Club. There will be an official launch tomorrow at MyF.A.H. (My Favourite Art House) in Tropicana City Mall in Petaling Jaya first thing tomorrow morning.
I see this as a great move and it being mooted by an artiste makes it even more special and meaningful. And I am not talking about the glamour that comes with an artist but the very idea and concept linked to artistic endeavours.
As an artist Erra lives and breathes the artistic world. The people that surrounds her are mostly from the creative sections of life - models and musicians, artists, beauticians, designers - and the list trails behind her like that of an elaborate evening gown.
So her choice of starting an art school is apt for the business that she is already in.
Part of the reason Erra started on this venture is her "dream" for her daughter.
"I want nothing more but to cultivate the seed of exploration (in her)," Era said in her message board placed in the invitation card to the launch.
The journey of discovering creative boundaries where no rules apply," she added. "For the next generation of creative people, I thought an Art Club would be the perfect way to start the process."
Erra's latest adventure will involve the commitment of Staedtler, the makers of fine writing instruments in Germany since 1835.
Word has it this is the first time ever that Staedtler is tying up with a Malaysian celebrity for their products worldwide. This is an interesting development, especially for Malaysians and Erra herself.
I will bring in more news after I have attended the event tomorrow. Erra Art Club already has a website, which will be announced tomorrow. More news to come ;)
Autistic children rise to occasion
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
“Autism isn’t a disease”, neither is it a “mental illness as perceived by society”. These strong words came from the Chairman of The National Autism Society of Malaysia, Teh Beng Choon and the Deputy Minister of Health, YB Datuk Rosnah Haji Abdul Rashid Shirlin who spoke at the launch of Suria KLCC’s Purple Day 2010 event last Thursday.
Umar Hazrizal charming his audience.
The truth of these words hit me hard as I watched the group of autistic children who formed the choir group NASOM Maestro performing for Purple Day 2010. These children come from normal families and are lucky enough to be detected as autistics at an early age. But not every autistic is as lucky as these children.
Teh said autism is a life-long disability that affects about one in every 110 children. This disability leaves them with varying degrees of impairment in communication, difficulties in interpersonal interaction and other behavioural issues.
But the children I met backstage before the kick-off of Purple Day 2010 seem like any other kid. They talked non-stop, joked with each other and smiled and waved at Ning Baizura who was the guest artiste for the day.
“Hi Ning,” said 10-year-old Hafiz Izudin Zainudin as he waived at Ning from far. Ning waived back and asked if he knew her, to which Hafiz replied: “Kenal. Penyanyi (I know you. You’re a singer).”
Later these children went onstage to deliver a two-song performance, which drove half of the people present to silent tears. Twelve-year-old Umar Hazrizal’s rendition of We Are the World and You Raised Me Up spellbound everyone.
Umar’s good vocals and superb interaction with the crowd just won the crowd over. He stunned us with his natural ease with his audience, getting them to participate in the singing by simply reaching out his hands to them and winning their hearts with his charming smile.
Backing him was Hafiz who delivered the songs with so much feeling that every now and then we watched him closed his eyes tight and gave it his best.
How can anyone not love these children, I thought?
Offstage, Umar is shy and constantly looks at the floor when he is asked a question. He would only answer when he is spoken to unlike Hafiz who volunteers information before he is even asked.
“I’m the third in the family but my mother called me Along,” he said. “My mother’s name is Hidiyati Basri,” he added.
Hafiz Izudin Zainudin (right) - very expressive singing.
Umar studies at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Setapak while Hafiz goes to the Sekolah Kebangsaan Lelaki Jalan Batu in Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur.
As I spoke to Umar and Hafiz several others surrounded me and asked to join in the conversation. Each of these children has their own stories and they, just like any other child, loves the attention given to them.
And NASOM (The National Autism Society of Malaysia), which was formed in 1986 by parents and professionals, has done a tremendous job in giving all forms f support to autistics. Meanwhile, Purple Day 2010 is an effort by Suria KLCC in collaboration with NASOM. It is to raise awareness among society on the “needs” of autistics and to raise funds and provide support to these children.
NASOM spends about RM4 million every year to provide services to the 600 children under its care. The children are given therapy and are prepared for formal schooling, a process which will help them to adopt and adjust themselves into mainstream society.
Andrew Brian and YB Datuk Rosnah (back row) with the NASOM Maestro group.
Andrew Brian, CEO of Suria KLCC said Purple Day 2010, which will become an annual event, “is in line with Suria KLCC’s recognition of the increase in the cases of learning disabilities in Malaysia”.
He said the event will hopefully get the Malaysian society to be more aware and supportive of this vital cause.
One in 600 children in Malaysia is autistic and the figure is rising, so much so NASOM is struggling to accommodate these children in its centres, which are already filled to the brim.
It’s time we stop being afraid of autism. Educate ourselves on autism. We should as suggested by YB Datuk Rosnah “focus on what they (autistics) do rather than what they cannot do”.
Nimble feet night
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
Last weekend was a special moment for me. Before the weekend arrived I spent time with one of my best friends at Valisere’s 150th Anniversary Party at JW Marriott on Thursday night. The next morning I travelled to Sepang to witness the Golden Palm Tree International Dance Championship that took place the whole of Friday.
Participants from more than 18 countries converged at the Golden Palm Tree Resort & Spa in Sepang Goldcoast over the weekend to compete for the various awards. Thailand sent what looked like a bus-load of extremely talented young contestants. And Malaysia was well-represented as well and took home a few awards.
The battle started at 9am on Saturday morning and continued till 4pm with the winners of the different categories announced at the end of the day. The finale was the grand closing ceremony where winners did several special performances for guests and media.
Watching the dancers twirl and conquer the dance floor was simply breathtaking! There were more Latin American dances rather than modern and contemporary. Although Latin dance is my favourite, I did enjoy the beautiful Foxtrot, QuickStep and Tango performed by the dancers.
My favorite - Alexandra and Nancy (bottom, right).
My favourite couple/dancers were No. 58, Alexandra and Nancy who excelled in the Paso Doble, speaking to the audience through their strong facial expressions. Alexandra and Nancy are not only dance partners but they are also dance instructors for the dance school they run in Italy. They have been dance partners for four years now. After the competition, Alexandra and Nancy headed for Singapore to partake in another dance contest organised on the island city.
The event ended on a high note when guests and contestants were treated to a Chinese set dinner while the winners took to the floor.
This is the first dance competition sponsored by the resort and organised by dance enthusiasts Aleena Tan and Rosalind Lim.
I’m wondering if this will be an annual event.
Just a little French seduction
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
So how did my night go at Valisere’s 150th Anniversary party? Well, I was seriously tired when I got home because my GF took me on a so-called shortcut to JW Marriott KL due to the roadwork on the main stretch. I ended up doing a full circle and more just to get to the hotel’s Grand Ballroom that by the time we reached the venue I was suffering from sore feet, thanks to my heels. After all the “torture” we found out on the way home that all we needed to do was cross the road from Pavilion via the pedestrian traffic light, which we missed. Talk about being blind as a bat!But all’s good at the end of the day and the event, well, I enjoyed some and hate some.
The night kicked off with the cocktail reception outside the Grand Ballroom and guests were “entertained” by “window display” like models dressed in lingerie. There were four themes – The Victorian Era, The Roaring 20s, The Swinging 60s and The Dernier Cri.
Everyone had so much fun playing with their cameras as they snapped away at the models who, revealed, or not revealed, all. The one at The Swinging 60s booth got the most fans as the model was exceptionally good in playing her role. She almost looked like a Barbie doll, smiling from ear to ear as she posed for the cameras, did a few wriggles as she twist and turn as she watered the “plants”. The women were going: “Ooohhhh she’s so sweet”, although her bra looked a little too big for her chest size that every time she bends a little bit too low her nipples showed. Strangely, it was my GF and not some guys who noticed it all the time.
Okay back to the showcase itself. The kick-start was excellent. Malaysia’s Syafinaz Selamat did an impressive delivery of Nessun Dorma and Habanera. The crowd enjoyed her performance just as much as she appeared to be. I’ve not seen any Malaysian singer performed anything similar at any other past events and so that was pretty grand and awesome for me. Honestly, I looked forward to see more of this from this talented singer.
The lingerie showcase was grand in terms of the visual concept, befitting the reputation that French lingerie is famous for. The whole “wardrobe” was put together very nicely – elaborate corsages, ribbons and bows, trailing organza and lace draped the models’ bodies. Colour choice complementing the lingerie pieces were stunningly well thought off, highlighting the different ensembles with striking coloured feathers and furs, red roses, beads and sequins. At least 95% of the event’s wardrobe designing were beautiful, making this particular lingerie show very, very classy and attractive.
It goes beyond saying too that the collections in themselves were stunning, luxurious and full of romance and love and sensuality. For 150 years Valisere has been known as THE maker of French lingerie using rich and precious materials like French Calais Lace and Swiss Embroidery. It is the best or nothing for Valisere.
Valisere scores with every piece showcased, delivering that “expressions of love, vivid moments of seduction, indulgence and sensuality” But if the claim that Valisere has been synonymous with seduction since it was first founded by Madam Auguste Perin in 1860 then the models selected to deliver this very essence failed miserably. While the collections were sexy and exquisite, the delivery on the runway fell flat. There was no mystery, no seduction whatsoever, what more a French seduction.
For such a glam lingerie collection, we seriously need models with a bit more meat on their body and ones who know when to pause at certain points, not just for the cameramen but for the “hungry” audiences to the left and right of the stage who are eager to take home with them that great French seduction from the images they captured on their instamatics and handphones.
If all else had failed to win the crowd’s attention then probably there is one saving grace – the person who put the collection together through her brilliant wardrobe designing and that person is Brenda Goh, Valisere’s Art Direction Assistant Manager. At least she understood what French seduction was about.
NOTE: These images were some of the models that made the show worthwile.
Chic French cocktail
Posted by: Phat Mama Post(s) by this blogger
My apology for the dead silence in PhatMama's blog this month. My life wire has gone haywire for the past months and sorting it out seems to be taking ages. I know the only solution is to get a brand new one but alas, money is, to a greater extend a big issue in most of our lives, isn't it?So for the time being, my life wire - Acer Aspire 5680 - will just have to continually be fixed every time it falls sick. And when I finally get a new laptop and PC I promise I will say my endless gratitude to her and let her rest in peace.
On to other things - this evening will be spent with one of my BGFFs attending Valisere's 150th Anniversary party to be held at the Grand Ballroom of JW Marriott KL.
This year marks the lingerie label's 150th year in the industry and we ladies are expecting a thrilling and sexy fashion showcase of French seduction.
Due to KL's mad traffic my girlfriends and I will leave home early and have a nice chit chat at a cafe at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Mall first, dressed in our cocktail dresses... :)
Will update you on how the evening went. Till then...put on a happy face even if the world is against you.
