Lifestyle
Is this the world’s blackest black paint yet?
Dark matter

26.04.2017
By Gwen Ong

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Black 2.0 is hailed as the most pigmented black acrylic paint in the world. It was developed by British artist, Stuart Semple as a move to challenge another artist, Anish Kapoor. In 2014, the latter had asked for exclusive rights to use Vantablack—a non-reflective substance that absorbs 99.6% of the light that hits it, in exchange for his help in developing new uses for the product. Of course, this didn’t sit well with the art world and a colour war ensued.

Stuart has since created a collection of colours – the world’s pinkest pink, greenest green, and Black 2.0 – that is available to everyone except Anish, who is banned from purchasing. Case in point, when ordering through Stuart’s site, you’re asked to certify that “you are not Anish Kapoor, you are in no way affliated to Anish Kapoor, you are not purchasing this item on behalf of Anish Kapoor or an associate of Anish Kapoor. To the best of your knowledge, information, and belief this material will not make its way into the hands of Anish Kapoor.”

While Black 2.0  isn’t the blackest black in the world, the cherry scented acrylic paint is good enough to create the black hole effect. Here are some #ShareTheBlack artistic inspo for you if you’re game to testing it out:

A post shared by Gonzalo Benard (@gwbenard) on Apr 14, 2017 at 11:40pm PDT

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Beauty
Watch out! Blue lashes are making a comeback
Azure look

02.11.2017
By Gwen Ong

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Forget classic black, what’s hot right now is coloured mascara. But not just any colour will do. You’re looking at deep azure, bold aquamarine, smoky cobalt and the likes. The blue eye makeup trend was first popularised in the 80s with Princess Diana reportedly being a big fan of the look.

The blue toned mascara trend then re-emerged over a few fashion seasons and earlier this year at the New York Fashion Week, again we saw models got dolled up in the cool hue. Soon after, we saw celebrities like Ashley Graham, Cara Delevingne and Priyanka Chopra taking on the blue mascara as well to stunning effect.

Fast-forward to today, Pinterest is registering over 200 per cent increase in its searches for blue mascara. If there’s ever a time to give it a go, it’s now.

We get it, blue mascara can be intimidating in theory but in practice, you will achieve statement lashes that command attention. Don’t fret you can’t pull it off! Pro tip – smokey blues work on everyone. Apply your shade of blue nearer to the root of the lash, so you get just a subtle hint of colour.
Here are some of our picks to make those peepers pop:
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Travel
Where to hike in Klang Valley: Get back on the trail during Phase Two

09.09.2021
By Adelina Tan

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EDIT: This article previously included Bukit Tabur (East and West), which we have since removed as it has come to our attention that Bukit Tabur has actually been closed for climbing and recreational activities since 2016. According to a recent article by The Star, “Anyone entering the area will be in violation of Section 47 of the National Forestry Act 1984 and liable to a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or jailed not more than three years or both.”
With the Klang Valley entering Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (PPN), many of the strict procedures implemented during Phase One have been relaxed for those who are fully vaccinated. One activity you itchy-footed folks may be thrilled to get back to is hiking! And with some of us back to the office (talk about overwhelming), a retreat to the wilderness doesn’t sound like a bad idea after all.
So, whether you’re a beginner, amateur or pro, hiking is undoubtedly one of the best activities for any outdoor enthusiast. Without further ado, trail along our list and see where it takes you.
Here are a few important things to take note before you go on any of these fun hikes:

Wear the appropriate attire for your hike (e.g. running/hiking shoes, not sandals)
Always remember to bring the necessary hiking equipment (climbing gloves, water, jacket, hiking stick, etc.) for the trip

Remember that you’re hiking at your own risk

Avoid climbing during/after a rainy day

Hike in a group, preferably, don’t go alone if you can help it
Let someone know where you’re going and when you’re going to be back

The approximate hike duration suggested in this list varies depending on every individual’s fitness level

Leave no trace, take your trash back with you

Don’t force yourself to continue the trail if you don’t feel comfortable or confident—remember, safety first!

Most importantly, your life matters. Don’t do anything risky just for the ‘gram

Now that we got the nitty-gritty stuff out of the way, peep our list of hiking spots you can go to in Klang Valley:
Kiara Hill Walk

A recreational park situated between Taman Tun Dr Ismail and TPC Kuala Lumpur (formerly known as KL Golf & Country Club), this is a decent spot to hike in KL if you’re still relatively new to hiking, or just don’t feel like travelling far on that particular day. Other fun activities you can do here include slow walks, jogs, mountain biking, and picnics. Hikers and bikers share the same trail, so make sure to be mindful of one another.
Tip: Don’t feed the monkeys if you encounter any during your hike.
Difficulty level: Easy
Approximate hike time: 1 – 2 hours
Fee: Nil
Google Maps
Bukit Gasing Forest Park

Touted as the one of the last living green lungs in Petaling Jaya, the urban forest offers multiple hiking routes with varying difficulty levels—perfect for beginners and experts to delve into. While there, you should also trek through the suspension bridge and the Telekom Towers. For those in search of an adrenaline-filled experience, you can take a longer hike and set out to vanquish the steep terrains named ‘Killer Stretch’.
Tip: Limited parking spaces (try not to get a ticket!)
Difficulty level: Easy
Approximate height: 160 metres
Approximate hike time: 2 – 3 hours
Fee: Nil
Google Maps
Bukit Besi

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To all hiking newbies, Bukit Besi is your next go-to hiking spot since its trails aren’t too challenging. This place offers a great panoramic view of the city at one of its checkpoints, Checkpoint 1, instead of the peak. There are also people who hike in the late evening to witness the dazzling city lights come to life at night.
Tip: Bring a flashlight if you’re planning for a late hike.
Difficulty level: Easy
Approximate height: 291 metres
Approximate hike time: 1 – 2 hours
Fee: Nil
Google Maps
Broga Hill

Located at the border of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, Broga Hill is easily known as one of the most popular (and beginner-friendly) hiking spots in Klang Valley. Many early birds frequent the hill just to catch breathtaking sights of the sunrise at the peak as well as a stunning view overlooking the town and village.
Tip: Be careful when making your way down, the tracks can be very slippery.
Difficulty level: Easy
Approximate height: 400 metres
Approximate hike time: 1 – 2 hours
Fees: RM1 for entrance fee; RM1 for parking
Google Maps
Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve

Otherwise known as Puchong Hill, this hidden gem is owned by the Forestry Department and UPM. Many local residents in the area visit the reserve for a quick morning exercise since the trail to reach the summit only spans 2.8 kilometres. Meanwhile, those with stronger stamina can continue a much more strenuous hike from the peak to see the reserve’s waterfall.
Aside from that, it has a small pond, also known as the Blue Lagoon, which is reportedly a prohibited area as the management intends to conserve its habitat (they have advised hikers to refrain from visiting the spot).
Tip: The extra route to the waterfall can be a little difficult and will take up to another hour.
Difficulty level: Easy
Approximate height: 233 metres
Approximate hike time: 1 – 2 hours
Fee: Nil
Google Maps
Saga Hill

Situated in the Ampang and Cheras districts, Saga Hill (also known as Apek Hill Trail), has three entry points—Cheras Awana, Cheras Hartamas, and Taman Saga (Ampang). You can choose to take either of these well-marked trails, Trail A or Trail C, since Trail B is closed for construction. Once you reach the peak, you can continue the hike to the area’s famous waterfall.
Tip: Come prepared for an extremely muddy climb and steep terrains.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Approximate height: 410 metres
Approximate hike time: 2 – 3 hours
Fee: Nil
Google Maps
Bukit Kutu

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Fun facts: (1) The correct name for Bukit Kutu should be Gunung Kutu since its terrains suit the characteristics of a mountain rather than a hill, especially since it’s taller than some mountains in Malaysia.
(2) Its English name is Treacher’s Hill; it was once a colonial hill station, so keep your eyes peeled for the remnants of old ruins!
Visitors can expect to go through a few strenuous obstacles including river crossing, root climbing, trekking through bamboo forest trails, and ladder-climbing to reach the summit. A tiring yet rewarding hike, you can enjoy its lookout point with a stunning view of the Selangor River Dam and the Titiwangsa Range.
Tip: Only a maximum of two people can either sit or stand on the boulder.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Approximate height: 1,090 metres
Approximate hike time: 2 – 3 hours
Fee: RM5 per permit
Google Maps
Gunung Nuang

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Known as one of Selangor’s tallest mountains, Gunung Nuang has a towering height of 1,493 metres—yep, it’s that high up. If you’re keen on hiking this trail, you’d need to ensure that your fitness level and stamina can endure the series of gruelling trails on this journey. This mountain has two access points you can start from: Janda Baik or Hulu Langat. The former is said to be the shorter, more scenic trail with less human traffic. As you hike, you’ll be able to bask in the sounds of Malaysia’s national bird (hornbills) as well as the calls of the gibbons.
On the other hand, taking the route via Hulu Langat is more laborious. It could easily take up at least four hours to reach the peak. This trail is nicknamed the “never-ending road” as it involves a trek through the forest, several river crossings and a camping site. Only then does the actual hike begin; from there, you can expect steep terrains and root climbing. This is definitely a hike that requires a lot of grit.
Tip: Hikers are advised to wear spiked sports shoes to aid them in getting through the muddy, steep trails. Another thing to bear in mind is that many have doubled back halfway through the journey, and that’s okay. Worst case scenario, you can always come back again after more training, or rest up at the some of the base camps. Either way, it’s not worth risking your life.
Difficulty level: Difficult
Approximate height: 1,493 metres
Approximate hike time: 7 – 8 hours (via Janda Baik) | 11 – 12 hours (via Hulu Langat)
Fee: RM1 per permit
Google Maps
Gunung Semangkok

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Gunung Semangkok is the highest peak in Selangor and it sits at the border of Selangor and Pahang. The hike at this mountain is a strenuous experience as the total distance to and from the peak comes up to around 30km. Hikers will also have to go through two challenging trails: Pine Tree Hill and Twin Peak. As you go along the tracks, you will encounter changes in altitude since you will be hiking uphill and downhill throughout the trip. This will be an arduous journey and is better suited for the highly-experienced hikers. Hikers can also catch a break and regain their energy at the camp site, Sungai Merah.
Tip: Make sure you have enough fluids to avoid dehydration, and take a rest if you experience altitude sickness.
Difficulty level: Difficult
Approximate height: 1,824m
Approximate hike time: 16 – 20 hours
Fee: No info on this
Google Maps

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Lifestyle
“Water and music are the two things you can’t live without,” Quincy Jones tells Yuna
Imparting wisdom

05.07.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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JBL introduced the E55BT Quincy Edition at the start of this year, a wireless headphone that delivers Quincy’s personalised sound as well as customised EQ tuning and voice prompts from the music icon himself. It was officially launched at the Village Recorder studios a.k.a. The Village in Los Angeles, which has produced music from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and John Mayer. Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna was there to grace the occasion, and caught up with Quincy for a chat while she’s at it.

Watch as Quincy Jones talk to Yuna about the musicians who inspire him today and what music means to him:

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Travel
5 Interesting places to have a unique afternoon tea in Asia

11.10.2019
By Zoe Yang

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1. When in Bangkok, Thailand…
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Where: Hyatt Regency Bangkok, Thailand
What’s special: How does having tea within the walls of an art gallery sound? You can do just that at the newly opened Sukhumvit Gallery in Hyatt Regency Bangkok. Enjoy marvellous treats while learning more about Bangkok’s beautiful history and culture. The afternoon tea set comes with sweet and savoury bite-sized treats inspired by the photos that adorn the gallery. Also, coffee and tea lovers will be able to try one of Thailand’s finest coffee sourced from plantations in the Tak province, and the best naturally grown tea from the village of Mae Sai in Chiang Mai.
Time: Served daily at 2pm – 4pm
Price: 950++ Thai Baht (approximately RM130) / set for two persons.
For more information, visit this website.
READ MORE: 5 Romantic getaways in Southeast Asia you’ll love

2. When in Taipei, Taiwan…
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] lifestyle – travel – taiwan” rid=”7642″ order=”a_tstamp”}
Where: Grand Hyatt Taipei, Taiwan
What’s special: Afternoon tea has never looked grander than at the Grand Hyatt Taipei. The hotel’s Café served up hearty, buffet style meals with an interesting concept where its food stations are designed to look like a high-end marketplace. From a sushi and seafood bar to a fresh juice bar, dessert station and ice cream bar, foodies should go with an empty stomach to enjoy the various cuisines on offer.
Time: 3pm – 5pm (Weekdays)
Price: NT$880 (approximately RM119) per adult and NT$440 (approximately RM59) per child, aged 5–12
For more information, visit this website.

3. When in Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam…
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Where: Banyan Tree Lang Co, Vietnam
What’s special: This is the place to be if you want to chill out and experience Vietnam at its most authentic form. Catch the resort’s staff all decked out in the country’s traditional clothing, ao dai and Vietnamese conical hat as they bring the afternoon tea to your villa. They use ganh (a time-honoured tradition of transporting and selling food and goods with a pole balanced horizontally on one’s shoulder) to carry two bamboo baskets containing an impeccable selection of Vietnamese local snacks such as nem lui (pork on lemongrass skewers) and banh ngot (sweet cakes).
Time: Served daily at 3pm
Price: Complementary for residents staying at the resort
For more information, visit this website.
READ MORE: Buro Orders: Afternoon Tea at Altitude, Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur

4. When in Tokyo, Japan…
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Where: Palace Hotel Tokyo, Japan
What’s special: To welcome the autumn season in Japan, the hotel is collaborating with 160-year-old tea purveyor Maruyama Nori to organise a special gastronomical experience at the Palace Lounge. You’ll get to taste luxurious tidbits created with one of the best organic Japanese teas such as matcha tiramisu, whole-leaf green tea crème brulée and roasted green tea lamington cake. The savoury dishes include matcha steamed bread sandwich with a shrimp and cream cheese filling, yuzu-marinated salmon and miso-flavoured scones. These fine delicacies are artfully presented in a three-tier Jyubako lacquer box. Not to be missed is of course, the premium matcha tea itself.
Time: 1pm – 4.30pm (Weekdays) / 2pm – 4.30pm (Weekends) / Available until 30 November 2019
Price: JPY 4,800 (approximately RM188) per person / JPY 6500 (approximately RM254) with a glass of champagne
For more information, visit this website.

5. When in Phnom Penh, Cambodia…
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Where: Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Cambodia
What’s special: This place has long-existed since the 1920s, at a time when French colonists played a role in influencing Indochina with French culinary culture. Be it in the conservatory, the poolside terrace or the famous Elephant Bar, relive the bygone era and enjoy the afternoon tea lounging in a classic setting. The menu features a selection of mango tartlets, chocolate mousses, vanilla mille-feuilles with savoury salmon sandwiches and fresh scones. It is said that a Cambodia trip is not complete if one does not pay a visit to the Elephant Bar!
Time: Served daily at 2pm – 5pm
Price: USD15 (approximately RM62) per set
For more information, visit this website.
READ MORE: 5 Exceptional places to go for afternoon tea in KL right now

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Culture
Leonard Cohen’s last poems to be published in a book this 2018
The Flame

19.10.2017
By Gwen Ong

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Leonard Cohen was best known for his poetic song lyrics and lyrical poems that were apparent even in his book titles such as Beautiful Losers and Death of a Lady’s Man. A book of his final work called The Flame will be published posthumously next year.

The volume will feature his last poems that were completed in the months before his passing at the age of 82. The Flame tells of “an enormously powerful final chapter in Cohen’s storied literary career,” said publisher Canongate. The singer himself selected all the poems and the book will also feature selected work from his notebooks, the full lyrics from his final three albums of music, prose and illustrations.

Many might not be aware but Leonard started his creative career as a writer before jumping into the music scene to give us many memorable hits. You can thank him for one of the most covered songs, Hallelujah that has been featured in more than a dozen studio albums from 1967 to 2016.

“During the final months of his life, Leonard had a singular focus – completing this book, taken largely from his unpublished poems and selections from his notebooks. The flame and how our culture threatened its extinction was a central concern,” said Robert Kory, who is the manager and trustee of Leonard’s estate.

The Flame is due to be out in October 2018.

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Beauty
Halle Bailey’s best beauty moments from ‘The Little Mermaid’ press tour
The people's princess

03.06.2023
By Phyll Wu

Image courtesy of @hallebailey on Instagram

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Disney’s The Little Mermaid may be out now, but we’re still thinking about Halle Bailey’s breathtaking press tour glam—here are some of her best beauty moments that we can’t get enough of.
In the recent months leading up to Disney’s highly-anticipated The Little Mermaid hitting the big screens, Halle Bailey has proved time and time again that she’s the quintessential embodiment of the beloved undersea princess. Throughout the film’s press tour, the star delivered a sensational line-up of magnificent mermaid-inspired looks, channelling Ariel in the most dazzling fashion.
Courtesy of the Bailey sisters’ long-time beauty duo—makeup artist Christiana Cassell and hairstylist Tinisha ‘Sparkle’ Meeks—the stunner’s flawless glam and gorgeous red locks were undoubtedly the cherries on top of each show-stopping look. With that in mind, read on to get the full rundown of Bailey’s best beauty moments from the press tour.

Mermaid royalty

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Arguably her best look from the blue carpet, Bailey donned a lustrous custom gown by Valdrin Sahiti at the film’s Hollywood premiere, with its sleek silhouette and shell bodice reminiscent of a mermaid’s tail. Her look was completed with a shimmery soft glam, and her long locs cascading down her waist.
In conversation with Ebony for her cover story, the star expressed why it was so important for her to show her natural hair in the film, stating, “I’ve had my locs since I was five, so they’re a huge part of who I am. We need to be able to see ourselves, we need to be able to see our hair on big screens like this so that we know that it’s beautiful and more than acceptable.”

Pearly angel

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At the London premiere, Bailey graced the blue carpet wearing a custom seashell-inspired white gown by Miss Sohee. The songstress opted for a natural glam with wispy lashes to pair with her ensemble, topped off with an exquisite headpiece that featured pearl beads, rhinestones, and scalloped edges as the final touch to the angelic Mermaidcore look.

Undersea Cinderella

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Following the London premiere, Bailey pulled off yet another sublime mermaid tail-esque ensemble on the blue carpet in Australia, custom-made by none other than Off-White. Her silky jewel-embellished blue gown was finished with matching eyeshadow, and her locs tied up into an intricate high ponytail that draped down her shoulders.

Part of her world

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During American Idol’s Disney Night at the Disneyland Resort, Bailey delivered a spectacular performance of Part of Your World, wearing a majestic satin blue gown by Michael Fausto. Radiating pure mermaidcore elegance, she completed her look with her natural curls and minimal glam.

Real-life princess

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Looking as breathtaking as ever, Bailey attended the Mexico premiere in a stunning mesh gown by Georges Chakra with her locs styled into a long ponytail. Her subtle glittery glam beautifully complemented her dress, evoking undersea glamour at its finest.

Out of the sea

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During her guest appearance on Good Morning America, Bailey nailed Mermaidcore chic with her stylish two-piece ensemble, which was complemented by a casual messy bun and flawless natural glam with extra fluttery lashes.

For more beauty reads, click here.

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Fashion
From Nike to Puma, these 10 iconic sneakers helped shape sneaker culture

08.07.2021
By Eugene Chen

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The craze around sneakers can be traced back to the 1970s and 1980s when sneakers were popularised by athletes and hip hop stars, and ever since then, sneaker culture hasn’t slowed down. Now the sneaker industry is a multi-billion dollar market, not just for the big brands, but also for sneaker collectors that resell limited edition sneakers. There’s even an app called StockX, where many resellers go to sell their sneakers and find out how much certain sneakers are worth. It’s like a stock market, but for sneakers.
Although athletes were the ones that ultimately sparked the beginning of sneaker collaborations and endorsements—with the release of the Puma Clyde and the Nike Air Jordan 1—hip hop artists were a major player too. In fact, hip hop plays a huge role in popularising sneakers—like Nelly with the Nike Air Force 1—and their collaborations with sneaker brands are more sought out than ever. Artists like Kanye West, Travis Scott, and Pharrell have many sneaker collaborations with their respective brands, that often resell for thousands of dollars. Even luxury brands have jumped on the bandwagon. Dior and Nike released their rendition of the classic Air Jordan 1. The infamous Off-White and Nike collaboration that saw many classic silhouettes reconstructed.
The Sneaker market is still growing, and it’ll only be a matter of time until sneaker brands find another to evolve the culture. However, we should also be aware of the iconic sneakers that made sneaker culture what it is today.
Nike Air Jordan 1

Photo: Farfetch
Arguably the sneaker that started it all, the Air Jordan 1 is highly coveted by many sneakerheads. The shoe was designed by Nike’s creative director at the time, Peter C. Moore. Initially, he was tasked to design a shoe that would convince Michael Jordan to sign with Nike instead of Converse, which was the other brand Jordan was considering at the time. The first Air Jordan 1 sported a red and black colorway or “Bred”, also known as the “Banned” colorway. Legend says that Jordan was fined USD$5,000 every time he wore them in-game because they broke league uniform rules.

Puma Suede & Puma Clyde

Photo: Farfetch
The Puma Suede and Clyde played a pivotal role in sneaker history. We’ve grouped them together because they’re essentially the same shoe, except for the fact that the Clyde is slightly more narrow and has a pointier toe box. The Puma suede gained popularity during the 1968 Mexico Olympics when American Athlete Tommie Smith broke the 200-meter world record. He later carried a single Puma Suede shoe to the podium, where the iconic picture of him raising his fist for equality was taken.
The Puma Clyde was named after the New York Knicks legend Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier. Clyde is also known for his style off the court and was often seen wearing Puma Suedes. Puma eventually signed a deal with Clyde, making him the first basketball player to ever be signed with a sports brand. This paved the way for other athletes in the future as brands started to follow in Puma’s footsteps.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star

Photo: Farfetch
The Converse All-Star was first released in 1917 but didn’t add “Chuck Taylor” onto the ankle patch until 1922 when semi-pro basketball player Charles “Chuck” Taylor joined Converse. Believe it or not, the Chuck Taylor was originally a basketball shoe that was revolutionary for its time, because of Taylor’s proposed improvements on the original design—improved flexibility and ankle support. This became the first-ever celebrity-endorsed athletic sneaker.
Adidas Superstar

Photo: Adidas
While Converse All-Stars were still the footwear of choice for basketballers, Chris Severn, an Adidas consultant, saw an opportunity to penetrate the market, designing a sneaker that would prevent players from getting injured. Adidas went on to dominate the market, kicking Converse out of the discussion. As popular as the Superstars were on the court, they were also popular among the hip hop community, making it one of the top ten sneaker models of all time. One of hip hop’s biggest groups, Run-DMC, is responsible for taking the sneaker’s success. They even made a song called “My Adidas”

Adidas Stan Smith

Photo: Adidas
Basketball was not the only sport that Adidas had an interest in. In the early 1960s, Horst Dassler, son of Adidas’ founder Adolph Dassler, would produce the first leather tennis shoe. Originally called the Adidas Robert Halliet, named after the French tennis player. However, in 1971, Robert Halliet had retired from the sport, forcing Horst to find a new active player to endorse. Horst was then introduced to Stan Smith, an American tennis champion rising the ranks, and the rest was history.
Vans Half Cab

Photo: Farfetch
Don’t worry, we didn’t forget to include skate shoes, as they’ve made a significant impact on the culture too. Usually, when skate shoes are mentioned, the first brand that pops into mind would most likely be Vans. Released in 1992, the Half Cab was named after professional skater Steve Caballero. After its release, Caballero realised were cutting down the sneakers, to allow more flexibility at the ankles. This urged him to ask the brand to modify the design, transforming the sneaker into a mid-top.
New Balance 574

Photo: Footlocker
The New Balance 574 is probably the most popular New Balance silhouette among all the models. The 574 was New Balance’s attempt to enter the lifestyle sneaker market, despite its continuous focus on high-performance running technology. With a much lower price tag, the sneaker attracted a much wider audience. The introduction of bright colours, however, was what set the 574 apart from its other models and made it one of the most popular lifestyle sneakers of all time.
Nike Air Max 1

Photo: Farfetch
If you’re a true sneakerhead, you’ve probably heard of Nike’s own Tinker Hatfield, a legendary sneaker designer. Hatfield was previously hired as a corporate architect, designing buildings for the Nike campus. His background in architecture would prove to be useful, especially when it came to the design of the Air Max 1. Hatfield took inspiration from the Centre Pompidou in Paris, a controversial building that reveals its structural skeleton, which led him to create the signature air bubble we see on the sneaker.
Nike Air Force 1

Photo: Nike
The Nike Air Force 1 has stood against the test of time, with its truly iconic design beloved by all sneakerheads. Since its release in 1982, it is still one of Nike’s bestselling sneakers. Designed by Bruce Kilgore, the Air Force 1 got its inspiration from hiking boots and was designed to be a basketball shoe. The sneaker gained even more popularity the day the white-on-white lows were released; The date still remains a mystery to this day. Air Force 1s made a significant impact in hip-hop culture, appearing on the feet of the biggest artists. Nelly even made a song about his love for the sneaker.

Nike Air Yeezy 2 Red October

Photo: Farfetch
This sneaker is one of the most influential sneakers of the decade, revolutionising sneaker culture. Before creating his own brand with Adidas, Kanye West released two sneakers with Nike, but the one that garnered the most hype was his second sneaker, specifically in a full red colourway. The Nike Air Yeezy 2 was the most successful artist collaboration anyone has ever witnessed at the time. However, West was not happy with the royalties he was receiving, according to him “Nike told me we can’t give you royalties because you’re not a professional athlete.” This led to his move to Adidas, which revived the brand’s popularity.
For more sneaker news, click here.

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Travel
Travel diaries: Hanie Hidayah shares her recommendations for New Orleans
"The people, the music, and the food!"

15.06.2016
By Rachel Au

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Guide to ETIAS: The new travel pass for Malaysians visiting Europe

She covers a range of topics on her blog but her travel stories are definitely one of our favourites to read. Together with her husband, point8cam, who is a talented filmmaker, Hanie Hidayah started Whatever There Was, a travel platform where they combine their talents to create content varying from places to stay, experiences, tips and more in either written form or videos—both of which are crafted in an engaging manner; and most of which are based on their personal trips. Hence, we asked her for a couple of travel tips as well as a mini travel guide for her favourite holiday destination.

A photo posted by Hanie Hidayah (@haniehyd) on Apr 7, 2016 at 9:35am PDT

What are the three holiday destinations that everyone should put on their travel bucket list?I’m a sucker for road trips so the Pacific Coast Highway route in California is a must. There are just so many points to stop at and they’re all magical. Second would be Egypt—for the rich historical landmarks and culture—and third will be New Orleans—for the hospitality, music and food that would satisfy any party animal.

What makes the perfect holiday?
One where I get to chill and live like a local.

A photo posted by Hanie Hidayah (@haniehyd) on Mar 1, 2016 at 6:34am PST

Tell us your best memory from travelling.
It would have to be the early mornings and late nights where the magic happens—I got to party until the wee hours at Krewe Du Vieux in New Orleans, stayed up for the Aurora Borealis in Iceland and drove through the sunrise in various places. Sometimes, the best things happen when everyone else is asleep.

What are the best and worst parts about travelling?
I love it for the experiences that I encounter, the people I meet and the sights and sounds, which I will keep for life. The worst part, though, is knowing that the trip is ending soon (although I do get homesick at times).

A photo posted by Hanie Hidayah (@haniehyd) on Feb 26, 2016 at 5:39am PST

Five essential travel tips.
• Always make sure you’re prepared before the trip such as knowing the locations and public transportations as well as finding or hooking up your phone with Internet connection.

• I try not to carry a lot of cash as I use my debit card in most places. It’s safer, and more convenient unless the destinations are less developed.

• Pack only what you need or are too expensive to buy. I skip some toiletries like shampoo, soap and toothpaste because I know I can get it almost anywhere. Also, try not to hoard. Discard things you don’t need upon leaving. If you get those sample sachets from magazines or beauty counters, keep them for your travels.

• Print out a few copies of all the necessary documents (passport copies, itineraries and reservations) and keep them in separate folders. Then, place one in your backpack and another in your luggage. Some places don’t accept e-receipts (we learned this the hard way and had to spend money printing them at some café).

• Download useful apps on your phone to help you navigate around, especially an offline version of Google Maps (it’ll come in handy when there’s no line).

What are some unique travel must-haves that only you would pack?
• Berroca or Redoxon. It helps keep my energy levels up when I’m not getting enough sleep and it helps to keep the flu at bay.
• An all-natural ginger and herbs powder that I bought in Chiang Mai. It’s great for bloating and hangovers.
• Sodium bicarbonate for indigestion and heartburn.
• A spare bralette in my backpack—for instances where I feel like ‘breaking free’ from the underwired ones (haha!).
• An anti-bed bug and dust mites spray. I don’t carry it often but after having a few bad experiences that almost ruined my holidays, I do when I can.

Ultimate favourite holiday destination so far?
I have plenty but if I have to choose, it’d be New Orleans. I was there early last year and I’m still hungover from its magic. I’m dying to go back because of the people, the music and the food!

So New Orleans—where would you recommend for food?
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”New Orleans food guide” rid=”4078″ order=”a_tstamp”}
Must-see sights and attractions?
The French Quarter is a great place for shopping, drinks and dancing. There is also plenty of bookstores for the bookworms (like me) within the Quarter. Check out the Mardi Gras museum to learn more about the business and what exactly it is beyond the partying and bead-throwing.

Did any shopping while you were there?
For New Orleans, not much…as I spent most of our budget on meals, desserts and drinks. However, I did get myself a few interesting books as souvenirs from these shops:
New Orleans School of Cooking’s Louisiana General Store
The cookbooks here are useful because I get to re-create the local meals I had whenever I’m craving for them now. They also have signature New Orleans kitchen supplies and utensils to buy as souvenirs.
Hex Witchery Store
I bought a book about the New Orleans ‘voudou priestess’ Mary Leavue, a ghost hunter’s guide and a tarot card set + book with special illustrations by a local artist—only because I felt that the supernatural element is a strong part of New Orleans.
The airport’s souvenir store

Here, I found a couple of cocktail mixes that Pat O’Brien’s bar is famous for, a box of pralines from a local brand, and a few more mini cookbooks which I still use today.

Airbnb or hotel?
We stayed with an Airbnb host. He was the best! He helped us settle our things and brought us around town whenever he’s free so that we get to experience New Orleans from a local’s point of view. He even encouraged and helped us to dress up for the parade while bringing us around to party with his friends and other locals. Let’s just say he is our Airbnb-host-turned-friend whom we still keep in touch till today.

What souvenirs would you recommend people to buy?
I try to get useful ones instead of fridge magnets (I print my own photos for magnets instead) and keychains. So my first choice would be their cookbooks or any book written by their local authors. Another great option would be food! I love bringing back snacks, sweets or cooked food (if possible) so that my friends and family can get a taste of them.

A photo posted by Hanie Hidayah (@haniehyd) on Jul 15, 2015 at 2:10am PDT

Finally, as Asians, we tend to have a lot of pantang to follow when staying in a hotel—are there any that you follow or have heard of?
I’ve heard that if you stay in hotels, do not leave your food in the room after you’ve finished it because it can attract “unholy beings” so flush it out or leave it in the hallway for the housekeeper to clean it up. I’ve had my fair share of eerie encounters while travelling and the best thing to do is to get out of any place if you feel uneasy or the hair on the back of your neck starts standing for no reason.

Related stories:
Stephanie Chai on her top 5 beautiful resorts around the world
David Beckham reveals his favourite travel destinations
Luxe Getaways: 3 Stunning places that celebrities love to visit

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Trends
Paris Fashion Week SS22: The top trends to note

07.10.2021
By Kelly Lim

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Reviewing the metallic silver fashion trend in 2023

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Beauty
COVID-19 virus in Malaysia: Here’s everything you need to know—updated daily

05.06.2020
By Rachel Au

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STATS IN MALAYSIA
CASES: 8,336DEATHS: 117RECOVERED: 6,975
Last updated on 9 June 2020 at 6:29pm
For the full list, head over here.

As of 10 June 2020, we have stopped updating this page.
However, you may head over here for our live tracker of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia.
READ MORE:

10 Unbelievable myths about the COVID-19 virus you should know about

COVID-19: Everything you need to stay ahead while staying home (includes a live tracker)

What do do in Malaysia if you think you’ve caught the coronavirus

Places in Malaysia to test if you have COVID-19

*Due to the recent increase in cases, we are back to updating this daily.
UPDATE: 9 June 2020

281 new recoveries

7 new cases—6 of them are exported cases

1,244 active cases

6 patients are in ICU, which include 1 patient needing respiratory assistance

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 8 June 2020

20 new recoveries

7 new cases—5 of them are from local transmissions

1,518 active cases

6 patients are in ICU, which include 1 patient needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 7 June 2020

39 new recoveries

19 new cases—13 of them are from local transmissions

1,531 active cases

5 patients are in ICU

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 6 June 2020

25 new recoveries

37 new cases—29 of them are from local transmissions

1,551 active cases

5 patients are in ICU

1 new death

UPDATE: 5 June 2020

51 new recoveries

19 new cases—12 of them are from local transmissions

1,540 active cases

6 patients are in ICU, which include 1 patient needing ventilators

1 new death

UPDATE: 4 June 2020

28 new recoveries

277 new cases—only 2 of these cases were imported. Out of the remaining 275 locally transmitted cases, 271 involved foreigners

“The 270 cases involving foreigners are from the Bukit Jalil Immigration Detention Depot cluster, while the balance one case was detected via the screening held at the Pudu construction site,” said director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah

1,573 active cases

6 patients are in ICU, which includes 2 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 3 June 2020

61 new recoveries

93 new cases—all are from local transmissions, 91 of them involve non-Malaysians

1,324 active cases

6 patients are in ICU, which includes 2 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 2 June 2020

66 new recoveries

20 new cases—15 are imported cases while 5 are from local transmissions (of which 3 are non-Malaysians)

1,292 active cases

6 patients are in ICU, which includes 2 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has found that the first case from the new cluster at an apartment in Cheras is related to the tahfiz centre (but not the Sri Petaling gathering) and involves his/her family and friends. While the cause of the infection is still being investigated, the ministry believes it is highly likely due to a visit before or during Hari Raya. They have done tests on those who had close contact with the six patients—76 have tested negative while 38 are still awaiting results

UPDATE: 1 June 2020

51 new recoveries

38 new cases—26 are imported cases while 12 are from local transmissions (of which six are non-Malaysians)

A new cluster has been discovered at an apartment in Cheras where six residents tested positive. The source of the infection is still being investigated

1,338 active cases

8 patients are in ICU, which includes 2 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 31 May 2020, 5:38pm

23 new recoveries

57 new cases—10 of these new cases are imported while the remaining 47 cases are local transmissions (43 of them are foreigners)

1,351 active cases

9 patients are in ICU, which includes 2 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 30 May 2020

95 new recoveries

30 new cases—27 of them involve local transmissions

1,317 active cases

9 patients are in ICU, which includes 2 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

Beginning June 1, interstate travel will be allowed for special circumstances such as a death in the family, medical or work purposes. In addition, married couples who are doing long distance with significant reasons will also be allowed.

UPDATE: 29 May 2020, 5:08pm

66 new recoveries

103 new cases—12 of them are Malaysians

1,382 active cases

8 patients are in ICU, which includes 2 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 28 May 2020, 5:03pm

86 new recoveries

10 new cases—it’s the lowest number reported since the start of MCO. All 10 cases are from local transmissions

1,345 active cases

8 patients are in ICU, which includes 4 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 27 May 2020, 5:16pm

42 new recoveries

15 new cases—it’s the lowest number reported since the start of MCO. Out of the 15 new cases, 6 of them are imported and from the remaining 9 local cases, 4 of them are foreigners

1,421 active cases

8 patients are in ICU, which includes 4 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 26 May 2020, 6:16pm

62 new recoveries

187 new cases

1,448 active cases

8 patients are in ICU, which includes 5 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

From the 187 new cases, 173 of them are foreigners and out of this number, 155 cases were detected at the Depot Tahanan Imigresen (DTI) Bukit Jalil

UPDATE: 15 May 2020, 7:16pm

88 new recoveries

36 new cases

1,304 active cases

14 patients are in ICU, which includes 5 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

As of today, the Health Ministry has tested a total of 424,306 individuals. 6,855 of them were found positive while 417,451 of them tested negative. The rate of infection is thus 1.62% or 13 cases for every 1,000 people. Malaysia is also one of the ASEAN countries that did the most tests though the ministry continues to use a target approach – targeting only cluster cases from the virus

UPDATE: 14 May 2020, 5:22pm

70 new recoveries

40 new cases

1,356 active cases

16 patients are in ICU, which includes 4 patients needing ventilators

1 new death

UPDATE: 13 May 2020, 5:35pm

58 new recoveries

37 new cases

1,387 active cases

16 patients are in ICU, which includes 4 patients needing ventilators

2 new deaths

UPDATE: 12 May 2020, 5:53pm

110 new recoveries

16 new cases—the lowest number reported in the span of 24 hours so far. 3 of the new cases were imported, involving Malaysians who recently travelled to the UK, Singapore and Japan

1,410 active cases

16 patients are in ICU, which includes 3 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 11 May 2020, 5:01pm

88 new recoveries

70 new cases

1,504 active cases

20 patients are in ICU, which includes 7 patients needing ventilators

1 new death

UPDATE: 10 May 2020, 5:22pm

96 new recoveries

67 new cases

1,523 active cases

18 patients are in ICU, which includes 6 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 9 May 2020, 4:57pm

65 new recoveries

54 new cases

Out of the total new cases, one of them is an imported case

1,552 active cases

18 patients are in ICU, which includes 6 patients needing ventilators

1 new death

UPDATE: 8 May 2020, 5:09pm

88 new recoveries

68 new cases

Out of the total new cases, four of them were imported cases

1,564 active cases

18 patients are in ICU, which includes 7 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 7 May 2020, 5:09pm

74 new recoveries

39 new cases

Out of the total new cases, only one was an imported case

1,584 active cases

19 patients are in ICU, which includes 8 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

In addition, the Health Ministry has detected a new cluster involving security and safety personnel at a shopping complex in Cheras. To date, there have been 10 cases from this cluster, which involves 9 Nepalese and 1 Malaysian. The source of the infection is still being investigated. All 9 Nepalese workers in this cluster live together.

UPDATE: 6 May 2020, 6:19pm

135 new recoveries

45 new cases

44 of the 45 new cases were locally transmitted. Only one was an imported case

1,619 active cases

22 patients are in ICU, which includes 9 patients needing ventilators

1 new death

UPDATE: 5 May 2020, 5:14pm

83 new recoveries

30 new cases

All 30 new cases were locally transmitted and were reported in Selangor, Sarawak and WP Kuala Lumpur

1,710 active cases

24 patients are in ICU, which includes 8 patients needing ventilators

1 new death

UPDATE: 4 May 2020, 5:06pm

71 new recoveries

55 new cases

Out of the 55 new cases, only 7 are imported cases and 48 are locally transmitted

1,764 active cases

28 patients are in ICU, which includes 13 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 3 May 2020, 5:06pm

87 new recoveries

122 new cases

Out of the 122 new cases, only 52 are imported cases and 70 are locally transmitted

1,780 active cases

27 patients are in ICU, which includes 13 patients needing ventilators

2 new deaths

In other news: “In Selangor, food outlets, stalls and business premises are allowed to operate from 7am in the morning to 10pm at night, but their operations are limited to takeaways and deliveries starting on Monday, May 4, 2020”

Also, half the states in Malaysia have decided against implementing CMCO

A message to Malaysia from Health D-G Dr Noor Hisham

UPDATE: 2 May 2020, 4:38pm

116 new recoveries

105 new cases

Out of the 105 new cases, only 11 are imported cases

1,747 active cases

31 patients are in ICU, which includes 12 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

In other news: “10 Things to know about the Conditional Movement Control Order in Malaysia”

UPDATE: 1 May 2020, 5:03pm

39 new recoveries

69 new cases

Out of the 69 new cases, 12 are imported cases

1,758 active cases

37 patients are in ICU, which includes 14 patients needing ventilators

1 new death

In other news, beginning May 4, “almost all economic sectors and businesses would be allowed to reopen subject to strict conditions in what is termed a conditional movement control order (CMCO)”

In the PM’s address, he also advised employers to take employees’ temperatures every day, ensure the office environment is clean and ensure there is no physical contact between the workers. “In fact, even when all sectors of the economy are open, employers can encourage workers to work from home. This is the new normal that we must adopt. Talk to employees. Any task which can be done at home, do it at home. It’s better. Perhaps a schedule of alternate working days can be arranged. Today, work at the office; tomorrow, work from home,” said PM Muhyiddin

During the CMCO, travel between states will still not be allowed, especially for those who wish to balik kampung for Hari Raya

UPDATE: 30 April 2020, 5:34pm

84 new recoveries

57 new cases

Out of the 57 new cases, 25 are imported cases involving 12 Malaysians from the UAE, 6 from Egypt, 3 from Singapore, 2 from Norway, 1 from the UK and 1 from Indonesia

1,729 active cases

36 patients are in ICU, which includes 14 patients needing ventilators

2 new deaths

UPDATE: 29 April 2020, 5:50pm

55 new recoveries

94 new cases

Out of the 94 new cases, 72 are imported cases involving the Malaysian students that recently returned from Indonesia. The remaining 22 cases are local transmissions

1,758 active cases

40 patients are in ICU, which includes 18 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

The Health Ministry expects to receive the shipment of 50,000 antigent rapid test kits from South Korea on Friday. The priority of these kits will be given to Sabah and Sarawak

UPDATE: 28 April 2020, 5:18pm

75 new recoveries

31 new cases

1,719 active cases

36 patients are in ICU, which includes 17 patients needing ventilators

1 new deaths

The Health Director-General (DG) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah today answered that those who have tested weak-positive (viral shedding) do not have the ability to infect others, as far as they know. They do, however, monitor these patients closely

He added that there has not been any cases of re-infection or re-admission in Malaysia

When asked about the rapid test kits for COVID-19, the Health D-G said they have yet to receive it but expects its arrival within these two weeks

On the benefits of the rapid test kits—the Health D-G responded that it will increase the test rates and shorten the time to get test results. For example, they’ll be able to do 15 tests at one go, and there will not be a need to send the samples to the lab. He elaborates that there are plans to have these rapid test kits at points of entry such as KLIA as well as hospitals

There has been one case in Malaysia where a woman gave birth to a child and after 18 days, the baby tested positive for COVID-19 but there were no further complications

In other news, “The National Security Council (NSC) is finalising new standard operating procedure (SOP) for COVID-19 green zones, said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.” For example, “Maybe it will be done block by block, with a time frame, maybe three hours. But they cannot leave the gated area yet.” The decision will be made next week.

UPDATE: 27 April 2020, 5:00pm

95 new recoveries

40 new cases

1,764 active cases

37 patients are in ICU, which includes 17 patients needing ventilators

1 new deaths

The Health Director-General (DG) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah today responded that there will be thermal scanning at public spaces such as the Parliament or even restaurants as he explains, “This is part of the new norm now.”

As for those who are going to the hospital or joining the blood donation drive, the Health D-G says the public are not discouraged from visiting should they have a good reason. “You just need to tell the police at the road blocks,” he says.

UPDATE: 26 April 2020, 4:23pm

100 new recoveries

38 new cases

1,820 active cases

36 patients are in ICU, which includes 15 patients needing ventilators

0 new deaths

UPDATE: 25 April 2020, 4:09pm

51 new cases

1,882 active cases

36 patients are in ICU, which includes 16 patients needing ventilators

2 new deaths

99 recoveries

UPDATE: 24 April 2020, 5:02pm

88 new cases

Total active cases now stand at 1,932

41 patients are currently in ICU, which includes 18 of them using ventilators

1 new death

121 recoveries

In other news, “The National Security Council (NSC) is in the midst of preparing standard operating procedures (SOP) on the extent of “relaxation” in states which have been declared as green zones”. There will be three zones—green, yellow and red—with SOPs respective to each of these zones. In addition, “At the same time, the borders will also need to be monitored. We don’t want someone from the red zone to enter into a green zone,” said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

UPDATE: 23 April 2020, 5:48pm

90 recoveries today

71 new cases—19 of them are imported cases. 52 are local transmissions but almost half of them involve foreign workers

1,966 active cases. 42 of them are in ICU, which includes 21 patients needing ventilators

2 new deaths

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will be making an announcement tonight at 8pm. The Health Director-General (DG) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has shared the Health Ministry had met with the PM this morning regarding the pinciples or criterias for the possibility of lifting the MCO but the ministry is still observing the trend in numbers. The number of local transmissions still needs to be looked at. According to the Health D-G, they will next discuss with the PM based on science and observation of the numbers

Datuk Dr Noor Hisham also stressed on tightening border control

The Health Ministry is still in discussion with interested companies from other countries about doing clinical trials in Malaysia

Since the MCO started, there have been 116 imported cases

UPDATE: 22 April 2020, 5:32pm

50 new cases

Total active cases now stand at 1,987. 43 of them are in ICU, which includes 25 patients needing ventilators

103 recoveries

1 new death which involves a citizen of Myanmar

In other news, those who returned to their hometowns before the MCO but now wish to head back to their homes in urban areas may do so if they first register online. “Those who want to return can register via the Gerak Malaysia app with the police and Communications and Multimedia Ministry (MCMC) from Saturday (April 25),” Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said during his daily press conference. He added, “However, the final decision will only be made after May 1, once approval from the National Security Council has been granted or based on the advice of the Health Ministry.”

During the press conference today, Health Director-General (DG) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has shared:

With less than a week before April 28—when asked about the status of the MCO—the Health D-G reiterated that it depends on the six criteria, which are set by WHO, but there might be a need to customise these criterias for the nation

The first criteria is border control. “If we open up our borders, we risk getting imported cases.”

The second criteria is movement control, which could affect local transmission. “Our guideline now is to stay at home, which helps break the chain.” The active cases are decreasing as well as the new cases reported in a day. “Currently it’s at a two-digit but we’re hoping that in one or two weeks, it’ll go down to a single digit. We have seen this happen in other countries.”

It is the Prime Minister’s decision whether to extend the MCO or not

The third criteria is to enhance our healthcare facilities. “The acceptable time for turnaround is 24 to 48 hours but we try to have it less than 24 hours. Also, this applies to the capacity of our COVID-19 hospitals such as the wards, ICUs and the staff”

The fourth criteria is considering and protecting the vulnerable group such as the elderly, OKU and those with vulnerable diseases such as cancer patients who are receiving treatment

The fifth is considering the “new norm” such as protecting our health, hand-washing, social distancing and putting a stop to large public gatherings—should the MCO be lifted

The sixth criteria is community empowerment—empowering the community to protect the green zones and practise the “new norm”

The Health Ministry will advise the Prime Minister about two to four days before April 28, when Phase 3 of the MCO is supposed to lift

UPDATE: 21 April 2020, 6:08pm

54 patients have recovered and have been discharged. Hence, the recovery rate is now at 61.09%

57 new cases were reported, increasing the nation’s total to 5,482 cases

2,041 cases are still active with 43 of them currently in ICU, which includes 27 patients who require the assistance of ventilators

There have also been 3 new deaths

During the press conference today, Health Director-General (DG) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has shared:

18 of the 57 new cases reported today are imported cases

No decision has been made as to whether MCO will end on April 28 or be extended. There are, however, six criterias to discuss in this regard. One of them is border control as it has been proven from the 95 Malaysians who returned from overseas that carried the virus—68 of them travelled back from Indonesia

The other criteria is the capacity of the healthcare system—if the wards or ICU have sufficient space to accept a large influx of patients

In addition, it is dependant on the public to practise the guidelines advised by the Health Ministry such as social distancing and frequent hand washing

After reporting a 1,111 new cases today, Singapore has extended their circuit breaker period to two months. The circuit breaker period will now end on June 1. Singapore’s total COVID-19 cases are now at 9,125

UPDATE: 20 April 2020, 5:55pm

36 new cases have been r

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Beauty
Top 4 cream face masks on our beauty shelf right now
Pampering session, stat!

20.01.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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With the various types of face masks available from beauty brands nowadays, we won’t be surprised if you’re unsure of which suits you best and how each type of face mask can help your skin. But let’s start with the basics of perhaps the most widely available type: cream-based face masks.
Often marketed as hydrating masks, cream-based face masks contain oils and extracts aim to soften your skin. They also are available with properties targeted to help a certain skin concern, such as whitening masks to lighten your complexion, and exfoliating masks that include ground nut hulls to scrub out dead skin cells from the surface of your skin.
A note of precaution with exfoliating masks: Try to avoid face masks or even cleansers that contain microbeads as these plastic particles do not dissolve and can pose as a threat and pollutant to aquatic life in the ocean.
Here are our beauty shelf picks for cream-based face masks, depending on your skin type and concern:
For those who have oily/combination skin

Just because you’re susceptible to an oily T-zone and occasionally have breakouts in that area, that doesn’t mean you should shy away from cream-based face masks when you’re shopping. Sisley Creamy Mask with Tropical Resins has a concoction of clay and tropical resins (myrrh, incense, benzoin) for deep-purifying. Enlarged pores and impurities begone, thanks to the astringent properties of this mask.

For those with dull and clogged skin

It’s hard to keep your skin squeaky clean and bright whether on the surface on within your pores, not when your skin is objected to the congested city air day in and out. Simple cleansing isn’t always as effective in strengthening your skin, so try out Kiehl’s Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque. As per its name, the natural active ingredients protects your skin against environmental aggressors, resulting in renewed and radiant skin.

For a quick replenishing boost

No time to spare for a pampering DIY-mask session at home? Whip on Bobbi Brown Skin Nourish to release a boost of moisturisation with a chockful of hydrating emollients, natural oils and water: Coral Grass to distribute moisture, Chlorella Extract, a natural super green algae to increase collagen production, and Muru Muru Butter to repair your skin’s natural barrier.
Tip: Apply on skin and allow to absorb for 2-5 minutes. Tissue off excess product and gently massage the remaining mask into skin. Use as needed for intense moisturization and three times weekly.

For a mask and scrub in one

It doesn’t get any more convenient than this—a two-in-one mask with exfoliating properties in the form of Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque. The turmeric extract in this formula helps to brighten lackluster skin with its strong antioxidant and sebum balancing properties, while the crushed cranberry seeds serve as a gentle exfoliator to smoothen our dull complexion. Talk about getting an instant facial!

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Timeless Trend: The Woman Suit

Fashion
Timeless Trend: The Woman Suit
Suit up

10.08.2015
By Buro247

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It is universally acknowledged that the suit is associated with two things—masculinity and work.  However, since Marlene Dietrich’s iconic role as the cabaret singer Mademoiselle Amy Jolly in Josef von Sternberg’s Morocco in the 30s, the phase of conforming to gender stereotypes was surpassed and this officewear staple was brought to life. Following the debut of Yves Saint Laurent’s ‘Le Smoking’ suit in 1966, power dressing has since turned heads on both catwalks and the red carpet. Many leading ladies of the silver screen and the fashion industry have attempted to don this boundary-breaking look, but only a handful managed to blow us away for their effortless take on a menswear staple. From Katharine Hepburn to Tilda Swinton, here are our favourite women in suits.
Then

French actress Brigitte Bardot goes shopping in the Via Margutta in Rome wearing a sleek trouser suit. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
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American film actress Katharine Hepburn (1907 - 2003) on her arrival in London to play the lead in GB Shaw's 'The Millionairess'. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
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1930: Marlene Dietrich (1901 - 1992) making her Hollywood film debut as the tuxedo clad Amy Jolly in the film 'Morocco', directed by Josef von Sternberg. (Photo by Eugene Robert Richee/John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images)
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Nicaraguan-born model Bianca Jagger wears a double-brested white suit as she and her daughter Jade walk across the street in front of a group of policemen in London, May 4, 1979. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
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Now

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Actress Angelina Jolie attends the EE British Academy Film Awards 2014 at The Royal Opera House on February 16, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 29: Heidi Klum launches the debut of her new fragrance "Shine" at the Toronto Eaton Centre on November 29, 2011 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage)
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PARIS, FRANCE- MARCH 03: Stylist Tina Leung wears a Costume Nationale suit and a Roger Vivier bag on day 4 of Paris Womens Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2013 on March 03, 2013 in Paris, France.(Photo by Kirstin Sinclair/Film Magic)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: (UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS OUT) Alexa Chung attends The ELLE Style Awards 2012 at The Savoy Hotel on February 13, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Davies/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 06: Actress Leelee Sobieski attends the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 6, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - JULY 14: Actress Tilda Swinton attends the 'Trainwreck' premiere at Alice Tully Hall on July 14, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/FilmMagic)
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Fashion
Youtube star Jenn Im launches her own clothing line, Eggie
Fashion designer

24.08.2017
By Joan Kong

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With 1.5 million followers on Instagram and 1.9 million subscribers on Youtube, Jenn Im is no doubt one of the most popular social media stars around. Having collaborated with beauty brands such as ColourPop and Clinique in the past, it’s only a matter of time before she launches her own fashion line, and it definitely emulates the 26-year-old’s style. Inspired by her Korean heritage, the label, ‘Eggie’, which translates to “baby” in Korean—a nickname that her family calls her—is being described as “an extension of her closet”.

The label’s debut collection features classic separates such as gingham-print blazer and wide-legged trousers for fuss-free mix and match, with a mix of pieces including XXL-sleeved sweaters and sheer ruffled top that give a trendy update. While the pieces from her label are generally catered towards a younger crowd—with heavy ’90s influence present, new pieces are expected to be introduced monthly.

Check out some of the pieces from it Autumn/Winter 2017 collection:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Jenn Im x Eggie” rid=”5402″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Makeup
Runway Beat: How ribbon bows are dominating the runways
Can't get enough

03.03.2023
By Phyll Wu

Images courtesy of Vogue Runway, ShuShu/Tong and @sandyliang on Instagram

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Move over, gems and pearls, ribbon bows are taking over. Here are the prettiest bow-embellished runway beauty looks from recent years.
The lavish world of fashion has always been interconnected with the beauty sphere—they’re inseparable soul mates. As designers set the latest sartorial trends with their exquisite fineries each season, elsewhere, makeup artists are doing the same in their own realm while simultaneously completing the designer’s vision with intricate looks that tie everything together.
That said, with ribbon bows dominating the runways as of late—as seen on Moschino’s SS23 runway and Terrence Zhou’s many campy designs (one of which was worn by the Jennifer Coolidge for W Mag!)—the beauty department has followed suit.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sandy Liang (@sandyliang)

In particular, Sandy Liang and Simone Rocha are taking lead of the adorably whimsical trend, imbuing their signature design codes into stunning beauty embellishments. From models adorned with bow tears to hair decked in mini ribbons, we can’t help but obsess over the many interpretations of the delightful beauty wave. With that, scroll down below to see some of our favourites!

Simone Rocha, AW22

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Sandy Liang, AW22

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Susan Fang, AW23

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Max Mara, AW23

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ShuShu/Tong, AW22

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Rodarte, AW22

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Alessandra Rich, AW20

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For more beauty reads, click here.

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Lifestyle
Mohd Faiz Subri is the first Malaysian to win the FIFA Puskas Award for best goal
Malaysia is proud

10.01.2017
By Rachel Au

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History has been made as Malaysian footballer Mohd Faiz Subri from Penang FA has won the FIFA Puskas Award 2016 for his phenomenal physics-defying goal against Pahang back in February 2016 – a first for our country.

#FIFA #PuskasAward 2016 Goes to Mohd Faiz #Subri. #Goal of the Year! pic.twitter.com/mI4A4dv217
— FootyRoom (@footyroom) January 9, 2017

The winner of the award is determined by the most number of online votes and Mohd Faiz Subri scored nearly 60 per cent to beat Brazil’s Marlone and Venezuela’s Daniuska Rodriguez, although the initial list included other world-famous footballers such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Past winners include Cristiano Ronaldo (2009), Hamit Altintop (2010), Neymar (2011), Miroslav Stoch (2012), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2013), James Rodriguez (2014) and Wendell Lira (2015) – and now there’s a Malaysian name to add to that list.

The 29-year-old was handed the FIFA award by Brazillian legend Ronaldo at Monday’s FIFA Best Football ceremony. In his acceptance speech, he said, “This is the best moment of my life. I never imagined that I would ever win this award. My first thought was to ring my family because without them I would not be a professional footballer.”
“This is an award not just for me and my club but for the whole of Malaysia. When I went up on the stage to collect it, I honestly didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t believe that I was in the same company as some of the true greats of football.”
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Lifestyle
Miu Miu launches the all-new Miu Miusic app
Getting in the mood

23.02.2016
By Buro247

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7 Things to do in the Klang Valley this weekend: 15 & 16 July 2023

Delve into the shape-shifting world of Miu Miu with the fashionable, new app that allows you to personalise your own music videos: the Miu Miusic app. Other than the fact that the app has a pretty adorable name, Miu Miusic aims to let users create their own versions of the Miu Miu universe through visual and musical identities.

The app allows users to create customised videos by combining tracks composed exclusively for Miu Miu by DJ Frederic Sanchez. Paired with original graphics inspired by the fashion house’s latest collections, the app thus creates videos that are unique and different each time. All you have to do is select a tune, then select a mood to follow. These personalised videos can then be saved onto your mobile devices and shared on social media platforms.

Intrigued? Try it out for yourself! The Miu Miusic app is available free-of-charge at the Apple Store, Google Play and Windows Store.

For more information visit www.miu-music.com

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Culture
The story of light over darkness behind Deepavali
Happy Deepavali!

18.10.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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While there are several stories on the origin of Deepavali—depending on the regions in India—they all share one common theme: the triumph of good over evil, hope over despair, and light over darkness. The festival gets its name from the words row (avali) or clay lamps (deepa) that people light outside their home during the festival, symbolising the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness.

Here, we’ll be telling one of the most common tales behind the festival – the story of Lord Rama from the epic Ramayana.

Once upon a time, King Dasharatha ruled the ancient city of Ayodhya. He had three wives: Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. After a long rule on the throne, an elderly Darsharatha expressed his desire to crown Rama, his son with Kaushalya, as the new King. But before the ceremony, Kaikeyi – whose jealousy is aroused by the wicked maidservant Manthara – stepped up to claim two boons that Dasharatha had long ago granted her. She demanded two things, that 1) Rama is to be exiled into the wilderness for 14 years, and 2) her son Bharata is to be made king. Dasharatha gives in to her demands with a broken heart, while Rama calmly accepts his father’s orders and went away to the forest with his wife Sita.

One day, in Rama’s last year of exile, Sita was captured by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Ravana took her away and kept her as prisoner until she would agree to marry him. With the help of Hanuman, the biggest devotee of Lord Rama and the greatest of ape heroes, Rama succeeds in finding Sita in Ashoka Vatika. A great battle ensues between Rama and Hanuman’s army of apes and Ravan. In the end, Rama emerged victorious, freeing Sita from the grasp of the demon king.

After the fourteen years of exile, Lord Rama and Sita returned home. The people of Ayodhya celebrated their beloved prince’s homecoming with grandeur; rows of oil lamps were lit to welcome him home, while fireworks were set off to commemorate the defeat of Ravana, marking the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.

— THE END —

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Beauty
Sulwhasoo’s second standalone store in Malaysia is now open
Ginseng goodness

21.05.2018
By Gwen Ong

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An experience of the five senses. Sulwhasoo’s second standalone store in Malaysia offers visitors an exploration of the sight, touch, scent, sound and taste. Located at Mid Valley Megamall, the 600-square feet boutique is designed with both traditional and modern elements – a take on the brand’s holistic values and heritage if you may.
Based on the fifth generation of design concept, the store features the beauty of plum blossoms, a familiar ingredient in Sulwhasoo’s products. The first thing that will draw your attention is the delicate chandelier shaped as plum blossoms in the Asian Wisdom Zone that also showcases other heritage ingredients found in traditional Korean herbal medicine. While all around the store, it is accented with panels that are reminiscent of traditional Korean paper or ‘hanji’.

Sulwhasoo’s new boutique also features the First Care Zone and Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Zone, where you will be able to experience the brand’s signature products such as First Care Activating Serum EX and Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream EX.
Here you will also find boutique-exclusive products such as the limited edition Sulwhasoo Lantern Series, First Peace and Plum Blossom candles and potpourri, full range of herbal soaps, body care and starter sets.

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Beauty
Ace the Laura Mercier way to flawless face
Perfectly natural

20.10.2016
By Gwen Ong

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“Always remember—what makes you unique makes you beautiful. Embrace your personality. Celebrate your individuality.” – Laura Mercier
This year, Laura Mercier is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Being in the beauty industry for twenty years is a big thing. To commemorate the milestone, Laura has come up with a limited edition collection of her 12 iconic, must-have favourites, as pictured above.
In the last two decades, the beauty maestro has perfected her Laura Mercier’s ‘flawless face’ signature makeup style. The kind of flair that allows you to still be you after putting makeup on. It’s also the kind of philosophy that most resonates with me because I believe au naturel is the way to go.
During a recent visit to Laura Mercier’s petite store located at Le Bon Marché, Paris, I was put in the hands of Alexandre Ciancio, the National Makeup Artist of France. He demonstrated how to achieve the Laura Mercier flawless face in just four steps with a few useful tips thrown in as well.

A photo posted by Buro 24/7 Malaysia (@buro247malaysia) on Sep 15, 2016 at 7:59am PDT

1. Skin
First ensure that your skin is adequately moisturised. Then start with the Foundation Primer, you just need a little drop for a full coverage. It’s perfect to set your makeup. Pro tip – put the primer in the fridge and apply it for a fresh start in the morning.

2. Foundation
Go for the Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation for clarity and a luminous effect. Use just enough for your face and apply using the sponge – this tool is the secret to having a natural glowing look.

3. Concealer
For the face, mix the Secret Camouflage on your hands to get your ideal shade then dab to hide dark shadows and blemish spots. Next, apply the Secret Concealer only on the eyes. It has a creamy texture, so use this sparingly. For both products, apply with a brush and blend with fingers. Pro tip – blending with the fingers allows you to achieve a natural and minimalist look.

4. Setting Powder
Grab the Translucent Loose Setting Powder and gently press over the face; this is an important step to set the foundation, camouflage and etc. This also helps you to create a natural matte finish. Following this, use the Secret Brightening Powder to set the concealer.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Laura Mercier Flawless Face” rid=”4505″ order=”a_tstamp”}

Bonus if you want to go all the way…
5. Eyes
For the lids, use the Eye Basics as primer to help prevent creasing. It is perfect for removing the oily effect and cover up discolouration. This can be worn alone for flawless nude eyes.
Next, to give a bit of colour, use the Caviar Stick followed by the Tightline Cake Eye Liner. The latter is super easy to use; just dab the flat eye brush with a bit of water then work the colour into a paste and apply underneath the root of the upper lash line.
Finish off with the Long Lash Mascara to define your peepers and the Brow Dimension Fibre Infusion Gel for full yet natural eyebrows.

6. Cheeks
Always highlight the apple of your cheeks for that natural flush. Blend and brush with the Illuminating Powder to add radiance to your skin.

7. Lips
Apply the Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalm; like its name it’s creamy like a balm yet silky like a lip-gloss and you get the perfect stay of a lipstick. Voila! You’re done!

The Laura Mercier Limited Edition ‘The Iconics’ makeup box retails at RM699.

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News
7 Things you can do this weekend: 11 & 12 August 2018

08.08.2018
By Rachel Au

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7 Things to do in the Klang Valley this weekend: 15 & 16 July 2023

1. Check out the Mini Fashion Field Notes Capsule Collection at KLFW 2018, Level 3, Couture Pavilion KL, 8 Aug – 12 Aug
Mini Malaysia is presenting the collection for the first time in Asia. The 16-piece limited-run collection — a unique collaboration between Mini and The Woolmark Company — was recently featured at Pitti Uomo 94 in Italy, one of the most iconic fairs worldwide for men’s fashion and lifestyle. Four up-and-coming designers from four different countries were given one theme: “Transcending Borders”. Get up close with the collection and see how they translated their travel experiences into fashion pieces using the finest Merino wool.
For more info, visit their Facebook.

2. Catch The Moscow Circus at Dataran Petaling Jaya, 10 Aug – 2 Sept
Still not over The Greatest Showman? The Moscow Circus is set to dazzle the crowd as they’re here for an 8-month-long nationwide tour. First stop: Good ol’ Petaling Jaya. The two-hour show will take place under a fully air-conditioned 2,700-seater circus tent with nearly 40 professional performers. And the best part is that it’s proudly animal-free. Hugh Jackman not included.
For more info, visit the website.

3. Chasing Stars — 2D1N Milky Way Photography Workshop at Kuala Kubu Bharu, 11 – 12 Aug
Learn how to take mesmerising photos of the Milky Way while getting to know more about the solar system too. They’ll even teach you the theory of astrophotography as well as impart some editing tips.
RM350 per person, inclusive of accommodation. For more info, visit the website.

4. Sign up for Clay Pottery Workshop or Batik Workshop at Kita Kita, Bukit Damansara, 10am – 12.30pm, 13 – 15 Aug
If you’ve got time to spare, why not pick up a new skill? It’s kid-friendly too as the classes are open to age groups five and above.
RM180 per person, inclusive of materials. For more info, visit the event page.

5. Try the special Asam-themed menu at Botanica + Co, till 30 Sept
To pay homage to Malaysia this August and September, Botanica + Co has conjured a special menu filled with the best of asam dishes. From Asam Fish Nasi Kerabu to Asam Boi Mojito, it’ll really get your taste buds tingling.
For more info, visit their Facebook.

6. Go cafe-hopping at these new places
Have you read this month’s #BuroEats listicle?

7. Win Golden VIP tickets to Ballet West’s Swan Lake premiere
Find out how here.

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Fashion
H&M Conscious Exclusive 2017 explores floral ethereality for the evening
Plastic fantastic

02.04.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

You might have first caught wind of H&M’s sustainable fashion line here when we previewed it in Paris last year. If that has fueled your interest in adding eco-friendly threads to your closet, brace yourselves for what the Swedish fashion retailer has to offer from Conscious Exclusive collection 2017 dropping this April.
“we thought not only about the look of the pieces, but also how they feel and sound. It’s a collection to please all our senses, and also our desire to be sustainable in everything we do.” — Pernilla Wohlfahrt, H&M’s Head of Design and Creative Director.
A key point from H&M’s Conscious Exclusive range is that every piece is made from sustainable materials, such as polyester made from recycled plastics and even recycled glass for accessories. This spring, expect evening-worthy pieces by way of floral, dreamy-like prints, shimmery and sequined cocktail dresses, and utterly chic lounge jackets in organic silk and Tencel twill. Accessories to go hand in hand with your outfit include a fishnet bag made from recycled shoreline waste and dangling earrings made from glass. This sustainable collection will also feature a kids range for the first time, with adorable tulle dresses, soft blazers and trousers for the perfect mommy-and-me #OOTD.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”HM Conscious Exclusive SS17″ rid=”4971″ order=”a_tstamp”}
H&M Conscious Exclusive 2017 will be available at H&M Lot 10 from 20 April onwards.

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Fashion
Swarovski nudges you to say ‘Yes to Love’ this Valentine’s Day
#BrillianceForAll

05.02.2018
By Su Fen Tan

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RECOMMENDED

Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

Valentine’s Day is almost here—time to shower your loved ones with extra special gestures of romance. Why not make it count with a meaningful gift? Swarovski can help you there. This year, the jewellery brand celebrates love for all with a collection imbued with meaningful charms and messages of love.

“Love conquers all, and love has so many facets,” says Nathalie Colin, Swarovski’s Creative Director. “Swarovski is proud to speak up for diversity and all expressions of love. In this collection, we have other love symbols in addition to the traditional heart. Every piece is infused with messages of diversity and freedom to love that are very important to me—and to everyone.”

A new line of jewellery introduced within the Valentine’s Day collection is the Lifelong design, which stars a knot design—a contemporary twist on the ribbon knot that symbolises the bond and commitment between two lovers. The classic heart symbol is represented in the Lovely and Love lines, the perfect gifts for bold, brilliant proclamations of love.

In addition to the Lifelong bangle and ring pictured above, here are our top picks from Swarovski’s 2018 Valentine’s Day collection:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] swarovski valentines 2018″ rid=”5889″ order=”a_tstamp”}

Swarovski Valentine’s Day collection is now available at all Swarovski boutiques nationwide.

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Art + Design
What is an NFT? Your FAQs on the blockchain-based technology answered

16.06.2021
By Natalie Khoo

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Who would have ever thought you could sell a tweet or a meme to earn millions of dollars? Well, you can and in case you’ve been living under a rock, it has already been done.
Case in point: Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter, sold his first tweet for a whopping US$2.9 million earlier in March. Then there’s the famous Nyan cat meme which fetched 300 ETH (approximately US$534,960) back in February. Just last Friday, the doge meme broke the record for the most expensive meme ever sold at US$4 million. Don’t even get us started on digital art, which is really a world of its own that we’ll save for another day.
Introducing non-fungible tokens—aka NFTs—the latest craze in the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency. Just when you thought you have finally grasped the tip of the iceberg on the whole cryptocurrency mania, there’s more cryptic jargon to wrap your head around.
If we haven’t lost you yet, hang tight and scroll on as we attempt to address all your FAQs about the acronym.

Almost anything digital can be made into an NFT, including this photo of Dragon the kitty. Credit: CryptoKitties

What is an NFT?
A non-fungible token is a digital certificate that represents an asset such as art, music, videos, in-game items, files, and the like. The term ‘non-fungible’ means that it is unique and irreplaceable with something else.
For comparison, a Bitcoin is fungible—it can be traded for another Bitcoin, but you’ll have the exact same thing. On the other hand, an original meme like the Nyan Cat is one-of-a-kind and is not equal to Jack Dorsey’s tweet or even another popular meme like Doge, although all of them are NFTs.
There may be many digital copies of these NFTs that you can find online, in books, cards and so on, but there’s only one original copy and creator. Think of it like how anyone can search and download a picture of the Mona Lisa online, but there’s only one original on display at the Louvre. By creating an NFT, creators/owners will generate a digital certificate for an asset that allows buyers to purchase ownership of the asset and all the bits of information tied to it on blockchain.

The famed Nyan Cat meme NFT. Credit: Chris Torres

How do you make/get an NFT?
Like cryptocurrency, an NFT is minted and recorded on a blockchain. For the uninitiated, a blockchain is a digital ledger that is kept on different servers and devices around the world. Once a creator enters information into the blockchain, it is timestamped, verified and encoded so that it cannot be removed or altered. This allows the NFT to be bought or sold via an exchange, with every purchase recorded on the blockchain to verify its originality and traceability.
Ethereum is currently the most popular blockchain for minting NFTs, but there are many other blockchains and exchanges available today (more on this later). An NFT has only one owner at any time and can have a different value at different points in time. The value of an NFT largely depends on perceived scarcity and demand. For example, one of digital artist Beeple’s artworks titled Crossroads sold for US$6.6 million, but his Everydays: The First 5000 Days composite piece fetched a staggering US$69.3 million at a Christie’s auction.

Beeple’s ‘Everydays: The First 5000 Days’ NFT. Credit: Christie’s

Why are NFTs suddenly so popular?
This may come as a surprise, but NFTs aren’t exactly new. According to The New York Times, they have been around since the mid-2010s. So what’s behind their recent surge in popularity?
One reason is the growth of cryptocurrency, which skyrocketed over the past year as more large corporations and banks begin to adopt it as a form of payment—or for investments. Its adoption is key to the expansion of blockchain application, which NFTs fall under. Others attribute the NFT boom to the coronavirus, which forced collectors and investors to look for alternative asset classes.
Regardless, early adopters believe that NFTs present a huge opportunity for artists, creators, hobbyists, investors, and consumers alike to create value and/or store data. Hear it from Malaysian-based tycoon Sina Estavi, who is the lucky buyer of the Jack Dorsey tweet: “I believe it’s an emerging market and it’s just the beginning.”

just setting up my twttr
— jack (@jack) March 21, 2006

(Jack Dorsey’s first ever tweet)

What can you do with an NFT?
Alright, so you’re a little interested, but don’t see the point yet. After all, why pay money for anything you can simply download off the internet? Here’s how NFTs can actually benefit you. If you’re a digital artist or creator, an NFT allows you to sell your work and earn the recognition it’d otherwise not have a market for.
For buyers and hobbyists, you can financially support artists and creators that you like by purchasing their NFTs, which gives you the right to share the asset as you please. Not to mention, you get bragging rights for the asset, which are exclusive to you alone—at least until you decide to sell the NFT.
As for investors, digital art is where you might be interested in but there are big risks in the game. Who knows how much a Gucci Ghost GIF or Kevin McCoy’s Quantum—the first NFT ever made—will be worth five years from now, right? Even if the value of your NFT purchase doesn’t go up, your name will probably go down in the history books as a patron of the (digital) arts.

Kevin McCoy’s Quantum GIF, the first NFT ever made in 2014. Credit: Sotheby’s

Where can you buy/sell NFTs?
There are plenty of marketplaces to buy and sell NFTs today. But first, you’ll need to create a digital wallet to store your NFTs and cryptocurrency. Each marketplace may have different processes of buying and selling NFTs, but they will usually provide instructions to guide you along.

Metamask, a marketplace for NFTs.
Aside from the aforementioned Ethereum platform, a few popular marketplaces to get started include Nifty Gateway, MakersPlace, SuperRare, OpenSea, Decentraland, Metamask and Rarible. Some are more genre-specific than others, like YellowHeart for music-related NFTs or NBA Top Shot for all things NBA.
It’s worth noting that in most cases, creators retain the copyright to their NFTs, even after they are purchased. Buyers simply own a smart contract that allows them to use the NFT however they like or sell legal rights to another buyer. Think of it like buying the rights to a song, which allows you to play it whenever or wherever you want, but you can’t duplicate the song as that infringes on copyright.

Rarible, another marketplace for NFTs

For more investment tips, click here.

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#CheatDayEats: Pancakes

Food + Drink
#CheatDayEats: Pancakes
Stack ‘em up

25.10.2015
By Buro247

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Nothing beats a stack of fluffy pancakes. The versatility of a pancake makes experimenting with different flavour profiles and toppings really easy and fun. From the classically sweet to the uniquely savoury, these 3 pancake stacks are a must-try for all pancake lovers.

1. Yellow Brick Road

Thanks to their counterpart, Wicked Pancake Parlour, this cafe serves the the most comprehensive variety of pancakes. From sweet to savoury, all their pancakes are spot on in flavour and fluffiness. However, if you have a hankering for something savoury, we would recommend the Lucky Takoyaki that is generously topped with takoyaki sauce, bonito flakes, japanese mayo, seaweed, fresh prawns and salmon roe.

2. Metal Box Cafe

We love the tall stack of Guiness Pancakes from Metal Box Cafe. Just one look and you can tell that your pancakes are going to be perfectly soft and fluffy. The Guiness glaze over the pancakes add a slight bitterness to the pancakes, but mixed with the shot of Gula Melaka, the berry coulis and peach cubes, the pancakes transform into a wonderfully sweet treat.

3. Mr. & Ms. Cafe

The Butterscotch Pancakes at Mr. & Ms. Cafe remains a bestseller on their menu and for good reason — it does not get any more traditional than this. The pancakes are made with a rich butterscotch batter that becomes light and fluffy on the girdle. The pancakes are then stacked high and topped with strawberries, blueberries, and banana with a generous drizzle of maple syrup.

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