News
#HappyHeadlines: Countries reopen, masking initiatives and other hopeful news stories to help you embrace the new normal

20.05.2020
By Kelly Lim

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Face masks at the ready and hands slathered in gel, people stand at a safe distance from one another as they line up for a temperature check to enter the supermarket—it seems as if this is what life in the new normal will look like for the foreseeable future.
As the spread of the virus slows around the world, cities are slowly ending stringent stay-at-home measures by reopening their doors and humming back to life, bringing the millions that were confined to their homes back outside. But when people reunite with friends, return to the office space and even have their first meals out, distancing will remain encouraged, protective coverings recommended and mass gatherings prohibited to safeguard against the fear of a new wave of infections.
Things have already changed whether we like it or not and instead of wishing for what used to be, let’s embrace this new, strange reality by finding alternative ways to bring about change and live our lives for the better.
Ahead, this week’s roundup of constructive news stories that point towards a taste of things to come to inspire you with hope.
Countries reopen around the world

Reuters
After two months of lockdown, Italy opened its doors for the first time on Monday following a reduce in the number of cases in what was once the epicentre of Europe. Restaurants, churches and even hair salons reopen under government safety measures across the country in a bid to avoid further economic damage, with sports centres, gyms and cinemas to be allowed to reopen by mid-June if the virus spread remains minimal.
Other European countries followed suit at the beginning of the week:

Spain moved into phase one of its four-phase reopening system, allowing up to 10 people to meet together along with the opening of cinemas, museums and theatres at reduced capacity.
Over in Greece, churchgoers attended Sunday service for the first time in two months after the ban on mass gatherings was eased.
Belgium has begun to reopen primary and secondary schools with strict conditions, as well as zoos and museums—albeit only to those who book online to limit numbers.

In other parts of the world, Singapore announced on Tuesday that it would gradually reopen its borders with safeguards in place to allow its citizens and foreigners to enter and exit for essential activities. This will be done separately from their planned phases of re-opening when they exit the “circuit breaker” on June 1.
Students in South Korea are returning to school in stages after government health officials declared that the country may have avoided a “second wave” of infections, while Islam’s third holiest site, the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, will reopen next week to worshippers after the conclusion of a major holiday marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan—the first time since March.

Cranes reunite families in Belgium

AP Photo
Residents of high-rise nursing homes in Belgium have been isolated from their families for weeks. Tristan Van den Bosch, manager of Group-f maintenance company decided to help out by using cranes to reunite families by raising them up to the upper floors to see their relatives. “We’re happy that we have been able to help people,” Van den Bosch told ABC News.

It’s never been safer for pedestrians in New York

Getty Images
As of last Tuesday, New York City went 58 days without recorded pedestrian deaths as a result of road accidents—the longest period since the city started recording fatalities in 1983. This was attributed to 51 days of life under stay-at-home order, according to the Transportation Commissioner.

African Masks initiative distribute free masks to halt coronavirus spread

African Masks, a non-profit organisation supported by crowdfunding, employs tailors to sew face masks which are then distributed for free to people living in impoverished communities across Africa in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus. Established last month by founder Emilie Serralta, the venture also helps local tailors support themselves by providing jobs during a worrying economic time. To date, almost 7,000 masks have been made and distributed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Senegal, Benin and Nigeria through teams of volunteers.

100-year old record-breaking UK fund-raiser to be knighted

Reuters
Colonel Tom Moore has been making headlines ever since the World War Two veteran pledged to raise money for the National Health Service in the UK. After painstakingly completing 100 laps in his garden with the aid of a walking frame, Moore raised a record-breaking sum of 33 million pounds last month—making him the Guinness World Record holder for the most money raised by an individual through a walk. To mark his 100th birthday at the end of April, the centenarian was made honorary colonel by the Queen for inspiring the nation through his fundraising achievements and now, he is to receive a knighthood. “Colonel Tom’s fantastic fundraising broke records, inspired the whole country and provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. “On behalf of everyone who has been moved by his incredible story, I want to say a huge ‘thank you.’ He’s a true national treasure.”

Qatar Airways gives away 100,000 flights to healthcare workers

Qatar Airways is showing its gratitude to frontline health care workers by giving away 100,000 free airline tickets. Just as International Nurses Day passed on May 12, health care professionals are now eligible for up to two complimentary roundtrip Economy Class tickets to a destination within the airline’s network for themselves and a companion. “Your tremendous efforts and incredible resilience have given us hope in these times of uncertainty,” the airline said in a post about the giveaway. This comes with the news that all onboard staff will also wear full-body PPE suits from May 25 as part of new safety precautions designed to reduce interactions between passengers and crew.

Twitter and Square make WFH permanent

Getty Images
The pandemic has undeniably upended the way we view our professional lives as companies across the world adjust to the new routine of working from home. Square and Twitter were the first two organisations, under CEO Jack Dorsey, to announce that it would be embracing this change indefinitely and not just for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak. “We want employees to be able to work where they feel most creative and productive,” a company spokesperson told The Verge. “Over the past several weeks, we’ve learned a lot about what it takes for people to effectively perform roles outside of an office, and we will continue to learn as we go.”

UpWrap and Art Partner are mobilising a volunteer effort to make sustainable face masks

As we move back outside, face masks are an essential way to help stop the spread of COVID-19. As disposable masks are in short supply and should be prioritised for healthcare workers, an initiative created by agency Art Partner and sustainable gift wrap company UpWrap has found a sustainable alternative that is safe for the general population and the environment. Using deadstock and cut-offs obtained from brands, the organisations have teamed up with students from schools such as the London College of Fashion, Parsons and Istituto Marangoni in Milan, and designers like Isabel Marant and Simone Rocha. The goal is to create reusable protective coverings that will be donated directly to charities and organisations around the world in need of PPE.

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Food + Drink
Available now: Pink Afternoon Tea @ Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

27.09.2018
By Rachel Au

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The afternoon teas at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur have been known to be both delightful and Instagrammable and their latest offering is no different, if not prettier. In honour of the the upcoming Breast Cancer Awareness Month, its Executive Pastry Chef Antony Hoyle have collaborated with Celest Thoi to create a Pink Afternoon Tea that’s brimming with pink delicacies.
Available till 18 November 2018, Hoyle has incorporated motifs and patterns from the designer’s creations into edible pleasures decorated and coated in a soft pink colour — the colour that represents breast cancer awareness.

To take it a step further, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur will contribute 10 percent of each sale to the Pink Ribbon Wellness (L) Foundation’s mission to educate and empower women in their fight against breast cancer. The foundation also advocates preventive measures, encourage regular breast screenings and provide various treatment options and available supportive care for survivors.

The Pink Afternoon Tea by Celest Thoi & Chef Antony Hoyle is available daily from 2.30pm to 6pm and is priced at RM158 per person with a choice of free flow of hot beverages for up to two hours, and RM208 per person with a glass of Champagne. You can find the menu below:

PINK AFTERNOON TEA BY CELEST THOI & CHEF ANTONY HOYLE
PASTRIES White Chocolate Chiffon Sponge Roll Lychee & Vanilla Macaron Cherry & Cassis Flower Lollipop Raspberry & White Chocolate Éclair Light Pink Frosted Doughnut Rose Jelly
FINGER SANDWICHESTuna Tataki with Chipotle Mayonnaise & Red Shiso Russian Beetroot Salad with Sour Cream & Quail Egg Cajun Chicken & Spicy Tomato Relish Bresaola Tortellini with Red Capsicum Pesto
WARM SCONESCranberryRoseClotted Cream / Strawberry Jam / Orange / White Chocolate Spread

For reservations, please call 03 2380 8888 or email [email protected].

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Fashion
How Balenciaga’s Arena tote kickstarted a whole new Insta-worthy trend
Real world inspiration

09.05.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

When news broke out that Balenciaga’s new Arena extra-large shopper tote bag bears an uncanny (or well, blatant) resemblance to Swedish furniture retailer Ikea’s Frakta bags. The Arena tote sports a striking blue hue and similar straps to that of Ikea’s Frakta multipurpose shopping bag, but that’s where the similarities end. Balenciaga’s $2,145 tote is made of wrinkled, glazed leather, while Ikea’s version is constructed of sturdy synthetic material polypropylene—with a price tag of $0.99.

Shortly after Ikea’s hilarious response in an ad to Balenciaga’s new accessory, plenty of other Frakta-related items have mushroomed on Instagram. From badas* looking face-mask-cum-hair-tie to sweatpants and bikini tops, it seems like the new It material to sport is based of off Ikea’s Frakta bag. Check out some of the funniest DIY takes we spotted on Instagram that could likely be the next Balenciaga Arena:

A post shared by CHINATOWN MARKET (@chinatownmarket) on May 2, 2017 at 9:19am PDT

A post shared by CHINATOWN MARKET (@chinatownmarket) on May 5, 2017 at 8:09am PDT

A post shared by CHINATOWN MARKET (@chinatownmarket) on May 5, 2017 at 12:10pm PDT

A post shared by Sara Iglesias (@hollydots) on May 4, 2017 at 2:11pm PDT

A post shared by Zhijun Wang (@zhijunwang) on May 7, 2017 at 5:29am PDT

A post shared by NORWOOD (@norwood_chapters) on May 7, 2017 at 11:42pm PDT

A post shared by NORWOOD (@norwood_chapters) on May 4, 2017 at 11:49am PDT

A post shared by CHINATOWN MARKET (@chinatownmarket) on May 8, 2017 at 10:16pm PDT

A post shared by Tee – Caps – Sublimation (@customsegar) on May 8, 2017 at 4:00am PDT

A post shared by Chris Kelly (@chrxsk) on May 8, 2017 at 9:22am PDT

A post shared by IKEA Norge (@ikeanorge) on May 5, 2017 at 7:08am PDT

A post shared by Mr. Gugu & Miss Go (@mrgugumissgo) on May 6, 2017 at 5:31am PDT

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Beauty
13 Unusual nail trends from Spring 2017 you can try this month
In lieu of the usual sparkle fest

16.12.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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We all know the standard routine before heading to a manipedi session prior to the festive season: All phones out in a haste as the search for the best nail art/colour combo on Instagram commences. It’s no surprise that glittery, shimmering details are foolproof elements for any Christmas-ready beauty look, but why not go against the grain and don new nail trends for this month?

For those planning to make a statement with your nails without going with the typical Christmas colours and motifs (and we mean red/green or Santa Claus nail art), this list of nails spotted backstage at Spring/Summer 2017 might tickle your fancy. Intriguing trends not to miss out on include: a twist on the regular French manicure at Cushnie et Ochs with graphic white stripes on a nude base; Rodarte’s unique way of highlighting the cuticles instead with gold glitter applied around the nails, and matte metallic nails with a dash of colour close to the tips at Desigual.

In case the need to screenshot some major #nailinspo arises (so your manicurist knows what to do), we’ve compiled 13 nail trends that are a refreshing change from the usual glittery spectacle. Which is your favourite?
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Nail trends spring 2017″ rid=”4656″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Lifestyle
May the force be with you: Royal Selangor and Star Wars collaborate
A galactic dream come true

13.07.2015
By Buro247

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

George Lucas might not have seen this coming, but fans of Star Wars would be chewing on nails in anticipation of this collaboration that has just been announced: Royal Selangor and The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia are to develop a collection to commemorate the popular movie series.
Even better still, the pewter merchandise and accessories will be released over three years, so die-hard fans will have plenty to plan their collection. Expect the first line-up of limited edition figurines, cufflinks, flash drives, tumblers and tankards as early as August this year. They will also be available in Australia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China and the United Kingdom.
Find out more at https://www.royalselangor.com

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News
7 Things you can do in KL this weekend: 13 & 14 April 2019

11.04.2019
By Rachel Au

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

1. Gin Fest KL at Pahit @ Jalan Sin Chew Kee, 13 & 14 April 2019
Everything gin-related: masterclasses, workshops, tastings, guest shifts, groovy music and some food too.
For more info, visit the event page.

2. Ili Sulaiman and Friends’ Spark Joy Bazaar at BetterMe Atelier @ D7, Sentul East, 10am – 6pm, 14 April 2019
Celebrity chef Ili Sulaiman and her friends Anis Nabilah, Lisa Surihani, and Ruzana Ibrahim (and many others) are coming together to sell their exclusive pre-loved items for a good cause—20 per cent of all proceeds will go to UNICEF.
For more info, visit the event page.

3. Bridal and Beauty exhibition at the Ground Floor @ The Gardens Mall, 12 – 21 April 2019
In the midst of planning a wedding? You and your fiance/fiancee might find what you need at this exclusive exhibition featuring six well-known wedding vendors such as wedding photography studio MunKeat Photography and bridal gown designer Celest Thoi—both of which are located on the hidden rooftop of The Gardens Mall—as well as decadent dessert maker Delectable by Su. In addition, there will also be a two-day Spring Soirée Bridal Workshop for couples looking for tips to planning their own wedding, be it on the topic of wedding gowns, photography, wine pairing, or décor budgeting.
For more info, visit their Facebook.
READ MORE: 34 Questions you should (and shouldn’t) ask your wedding photographer before hiring him/her

4. Songkran Champagne Festival at Mamacina @ DC Mall, 10pm – 3am, 12 April 2019
Looking to start your weekend a little earlier? The party begins at Mamacina with a celebration of Songkran, champagne and amazing music with The Choobs as the DJs of the night. Don’t forget to bring a change of dry clothes.
For more info, visit the event page.

5. Songkran Festival 2019 at Tamarind Springs Restaurant @ Ampang, 11am – 5pm, 14 April 2019
Alternatively, Tamarind Springs Restaurant too will be celebrating the popular Thai festival. With a family-friendly set-up, expect a hefty Sunday brunch with unlimited street food prepared by their Thai chefs; water guns for sale (or bring your own) to take part in the big water fight by the pool; a massage station and more.
Ticket prices start from RM65 but children aged 6 years and below will enjoy free entry. For more info, visit the website.

6. Experience a marriage of Japanese and Cantonese cuisines by a Japanese Master Chef at Lai Po Heen @ Mandarin Oriental KL, till 14 April 2019
Guest Chef Tokukatsu Toh (who was previously the Chief Chef of Michelin-starred Sense Restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo before leaving to establish his own restaurant) is capable of recreating familiar dishes with a different twist. Full review here.

7. Check out the latest cafes and restaurants in KL
ICYMI: The new roundup of #BuroEats is here.

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Fashion
#RedCarpet: TIME 100 Gala’s best dressed
Power dressing

28.04.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

It’s not surprising to see stars flock out on a weekday night to attend a red carpet event, but TIME 100 Gala didn’t only see the usual entertainment industry heavyweights in attendance—a slew of power attendees include Wendi Deng Murdoch, Arianna Huffington, Donald Trump, and David Koch amongst others. Take a look at our best dressed picks from the glitziest media party this week:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Time 100 Gala” rid=”3950″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Beauty
Ditch the desk: Ways for the working class to be active
Game-changing tips

10.02.2016
By Buro247

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Plopping down onto their designated cubicles and staring mindlessly at a lit screen for hours on end is an accurate description of how many white-collar workers are getting their jobs done on a daily basis. We sit for most of our waking hours—while we’re eating, working, and just generally chilling about. But sitting down for extended lengths of time is alarmingly hazardous to our health, contributing to a myriad of health issues such as back pains, repetitive stress injuries, obesity, and even an increased risk of diabetes, heart and kidney disease.

The human body was never designed to be idle, and regardless of an individual’s healthy lifestyle habits or vigorous fitness workouts, increased sitting time is linked with poorer health outcomes despite the higher levels of activity engagement. This is because the lack of movement slows down metabolism, while promoting the body’s accumulation of fat. Even if our daily duties and overbearing deadlines are keeping our fingers glued to our laptops and our work ethics prompt, sustaining an active lifestyle and having enough exercise is essential to balancing out the physical, mental and emotional strain procured through manoeuvring the tough responsibilities experienced through our working lives.

Regular exercise helps negate the risks of contacting chronic diseases and reduce stress, and it is able to boost self-esteem, mood, and energy levels while improving our quality of sleep. Being active is already the miracle cure to many of the ailments we may potentially face in our lives, and structured exercises (such as gym, aerobics class, yoga, and the like) are a good way to introduce and facilitate a more active approach to your daily routines. No excuses, because there’s always something out there to tickle your fancy. Don’t be a victim of ‘sitting disease’—your body and mind deserves so much more than to bear the brunt of your sedentary lifestyle. Plus, sitting makes your bum bigger—so unless you want your jeans to not fit as well as they use to, it’s time to get up and shape up for a better you.

Here are some easy tips to get you up and moving, even at the office. You’ll be surprised at how your body is reacting positively to these changes after a mere few weeks!

Get up and shake it off
♦ Unlatch yourself from the comfortable—or the not so comfy—seat of your workspace every 20 minutes or so to give your muscles and body a stretch. Walk around the office; get some water from the cooler, or personally hand over documents to a colleague who sits on the other side of the office. If you find that taking these movement breaks prove to be quite a challenge to do, set a timer on your phone to remind you of your walking intervals.

♦ Go for a walk during lunch. Even if it means walking around a shopping centre. And definitely avoid eating at your desk. It’ll do you a world of wonders while allowing your fatigued eyes to rest too.

8th Floor? No problem, I’ll take the stairs
♦ Ah, stairs. This age-old, frequently acknowledged and deceptively simple method to get people to slide in more physical activity in their sedentary lives does have some merit to it. A Swedish study suggested taking the stairs as a fuss-free way to cut down risk of cardiovascular disease. Not only do you not have to squeeze in with a bunch of other people in the lifts by taking the stairs, you’ll also experience some positive health changes, such as increased lung capacity and stronger leg muscles too.

Friendly competition
♦ Everyone enjoys a little challenge here and there to help spice up the humdrums of their everyday routine. Incorporate some fun and bonding time in work hours by implementing fitness challenges, and getting people in the office involved. Go crazy and be creative—from 2 minute plank challenges, 100 meter sprints, to battling out with the boss on a fitness trial of choice, the possibilities are endless. If you’re not one for competition, why not gather everyone around for a relaxing yoga or pilates session right in the middle of the office to build up a sense of calm collectiveness for better work efficacy?

Avoid the boardroom and opt for walking meetings
♦ Who says that all corporate meetings have to be confined to a stuffy boardroom that only tackles dreary, tedious agendas? Try something different by going on walking meetings outdoors—the fresh burst of sunshine and lush, natural surroundings will certainly put everyone in a more refreshed, upbeat mood. Walking is able to boost creativity too—a study conducted by Stanford researchers discovered that the act of walking had a hand in boosting creativity while a person is walking, and shortly thereafter. Get the creative juices flowing by moving your feet. If that wasn’t motivation enough, innovative heads like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg avidly integrated walking meetings into their work schedules as well.

Working out while you work: Treadmill / Walking / Standing desks
♦ Instead of sitting down all day, why not burn some calories while you’re busy finishing up that huge proposal that’s due by the week’s end? The recently trending treadmill desks are starting to have a permanent spot in many office spaces worldwide. Employees are technically still at their workstations—only, they are completing their tasks while constantly walking at a steady pace. If the notion seems a bit too troublesome for you, a simpler option would be an ergonomic, height-adjustable standing desk, that helps prevent repetitive strain injuries in common problematic areas like the spine and wrists.

Even if you’re out of town on business trips without any proper equipment or gym access, you’re only limited by the physical space you have available to you. Be creative—from simple squats, lunges, crunches and push-ups to taking advantage of your hotel amenities, with the right knowledge and motivation to, anyone can lead a healthier, active lifestyle even if they hold 9-to-5 desk jobs. It’s time to put your best foot forward and start moving!

Edited by Clarissa Loi

Follow Marissa on Facebook and Instagram at @MarissaFit4Life. You can also read more of Marissa’s tips and advice on PurelyB, a healthy lifestyle website.

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Features
7 Minutes with Philippe Cassegrain, President of Longchamp

05.11.2018
By Joan Kong

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1. Tell us more about the brand’s beginnings.
70 years may sound like a long time ago, yet it feels like yesterday. In 1948, my father, Jean Cassegrain, founded Longchamp. I was 11 at the time, and when I didn’t have school on Thursdays, I remember that I would help him by gilding leather cases. A few years later, I started doing some of the deliveries around Paris, before having the chance to travel across the world to meet our customers.
2. Did your father know that Longchamp will get to where it is today?
Indeed, he did, he had a vision from the start! He even commissioned Turenne Chevallereau to design the brand’s symbol—the Longchamp horse, with its fiery movement. He also created the ‘Smoke the Longchamp Pipe’ advert used during those years, which we had displayed on our Citroën 2CV delivery car. All of Paris could see the symbol of our fiery stallion stretching out like a liana. It was so new!
3. How did you join the company?
Our showroom was located in the heart of Paris, where it received a great amount of exposure. It was situated at Boulevard Poissonnière, in the second arrondissement, and at the foot of the building was the civette. It was the place to be back then! It was a busy shopping area. My father welcomed customers from all over the world, curious to discover the latest novelties and up-and-coming fashion styles. At age 16, my father sent me on a trip around the world with travels across Africa before exploring Asia and the United States. Upon my return, I officially joined Longchamp and assisted my father in running the business, from creation, manufacturing, and marketing to sales development.
4. Longchamp is still a family-run business ’til this day. Tell us more about it.
Since the very early years all the members of the family contributed: my mother helped my father by hosting customers at the Paris Fair, she ran the boutique and looked after everything with him. And we (the children) would help make cigarette cases or passport cases. I had a small gilding machine that I would use to mark Longchamp in gold leaf.
When I turned 15, I got a Vespa so I could deliver on the Boulevard Haussmann, home to many luxury hotels: The Commodore, the Ambassador, the Cabarets, the Crillon… I delivered the orders of smokers’ goods and orders to be displayed in storefronts. Tourists loved our collections! Jean-François and Dominique, my two brothers, joined in too: they did supplementary deliveries that I could not take charge of. We were four children and all of us grow up working for the family company. We were trained from an early age to run Longchamp. I was the eldest of my siblings, and since my brothers and sister had other professional plans, it was for me obvious to continue to run the business. I didn’t even consider any other career, Longchamp chose me and I chose Longchamp!
5. How did the design of the iconic Le Pliage come about?
During a trip to the US, I took with me a prototype for a collapsible travel bag. The result of my experimentation was the “Xtra bag,” which was made of a single piece of fabric. The fabric I selected was nylon, a strong yet light material that nobody had previously used for bags; it was light and resistant. In 1993, we reworked the idea to create Le Pliage. More playful and modern, Le Pliage shook up convention with its unique design and color palette introduced from the very first collection.
Upon its arrival in stores, it was an instant success! Its trapezoidal structure, zip closure, two ears, two handles and flap teamed up with original new colors each season, and as always trimmed with “Russian Leather,” was a recipe for success. I think a brand needs to constantly reinvent itself and its products, that is why we change colors each season. All while keeping the same values!

6. How different is the company now compared to the one that your father founded in 1948?
We have grown tremendously since 1948. Today, my father’s vision of a global enterprise with high-quality offerings and wide product ranges continues to guide and inspire us on this adventure. This has been accomplished with the continuous engagement and tenacity of all our teams, across the world. It has been a remarkable journey and I am proud that Longchamp is nowadays a luxury French family brand with the same core values. I’m happy to have raised my children within the firm and to have given them the desire to continue on this journey.

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Technology
BURO Gadget Guide: 5 New tech launches on our radar this March 2022
Tech-ing over March

16.03.2022
By Natalie Khoo

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This month’s edition of the BURO Gadget Guide spotlights five new tech gadgets curated for performance-heavy users—whether it comes to fitness (read: new smartwatch alert), WFH or digital nomad needs (take your pick from a tablet, laptop, or desktop), or mobile photography. Read on for the full scoop.

Garmin Fenix 7 Series

Garmin Malaysia has unveiled the latest generation of the fēnix series, comprising the fēnix 7S, fēnix 7 and fēnix 7X. Featuring 1.2-inch, 1.3-inch and 1.4-inch Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) displays respectively, this outdoor smartwatch series boasts wear-resistant, scratch-resistant, and anti-reflective high standard Power Sapphire, on top of a highly permeable patented solar panel. Forget bringing extra chargers or running out of battery for your outdoor excursions—all three smartwatches feature upgraded solar power efficiency by 200 per cent, significantly boosting battery life. Accompanied by an enhanced Power Manager function, the battery life on the top-of-the-range Fenix 7X has increased nearly 300 per cent to last up to 24 days on UltraTrac Mode.

Garmin fēnix 7

Garming fēnix 7S

Garmin fēnix 7S

There’s a new Multi-Band frequency setting, which increases positioning speed and accuracy in challenging conditions from downtown to the mountaintop. Other new functions include the Up Ahead tool and Real-Time Stamina, enabling outdoor enthusiasts to set the best route beforehand via the Garmin Connect app and keep track of their performance in real time. All models in the series come with more than 40 advanced built-in sports modes, including mountaineering, triathlon, bouldering, cross-country running, and other common activities. Each watch arrives in a variety of case and band colours, with pricing varying according to your preferred option.
Price: From RM3,270 for the fēnix 7 and fēnix 7S | From RM4,690 for the fēnix 7X
Availability: From 23 February onwards at Garmin brand stores, Lazada, Shopee, AECO e-store and authorised retailers
For more information, visit the website.

Apple Mac Studio and Studio Display

Among a slew of products announced during the recent first Apple Event of the year, Apple introduced the Mac Studio™ and Studio Display™—an all-new Mac desktop and display built for “Peak Performance”. Highlighting the Mac Studio™ is a new M1 Ultra processor, which Apple claims to be the most powerful chip for a personal computer, allowing users to perform unprecedented actions such as rendering massive 3D environments and playing back 18 streams of ProRes video. The M1 Max will also be offered as an alternative. In terms of memory, it offers up to 64GB of unified memory on systems with M1 Max and up to 128GB of unified memory on systems with M1 Ultra. Meanwhile, the SSD delivers 7.4GB/s of performance and a capacity of up to 8TB.

On the other hand, the Studio Display™ is designed to complement the Mac Studio or any Mac. It features a 27-inch 5K Retina display, a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Centre Stage, and a high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with spatial audio. With over 14.7 million pixels, 600 nits of brightness, and support for over one billion colours, images come to life in stunning detail on this immersive display. In addition, nano-texture glass is an optional configuration to minimise glare for those working under bright light sources. The display also comes with a built-in stand allow users to tilt the display up to 30 degrees.
Price: RM8,799 for the Mac Studio™ | From RM6,999 for the Studio Display™
Availability: From March 14 via the Apple online store
For more information, visit the website.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Series

Launched together with the Samsung Galaxy S22 flagship smartphones, the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series features the 11-inch Galaxy Tab S8, 12.4-inch S8+ and 14.6-inch S8 Ultra—the brand’s most powerful tablets to date. Powering the flagship tablets is a new, super-fast 4nm processor, which improves productivity, especially with the enhanced Multi-Windows and Quick Share functions, as well as Samsung DeX enhancements for a desktop-like experience. With an improved S Pen that uses a prediction algorithm for ultra-low latency, the tablet transforms into a canvas for writing, designing, editing, and creativity on-the-go.

Other highlights include an upgraded Armor Aluminium body that’s now 30 per cent more scratch-resistant and 40 per cent less prone to bending than its predecessor; Quad Speakers with Dolby Atmos® for clear, precise sound; and 45W super-fast charging that can achieve a full charge in 80 minutes. Plus, it even doubles as a portable charger for your other devices with a USB-C cable.
The Galaxy Tab S8 and S8+ pack 8GB of RAM with 128GB or 256GB of storage respectively, whereas the S8 Ultra comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. All three models also offer up to 1TB of expandable microSD storage.
Price: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 – RM3,299 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ – RM4,599 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra: RM5,899
Availability: From February 10 onwards via the Samsung Online store, as well as authorised carriers and retailers
For more information, visit the website.

Oppo Find X5 Series

Oppo recently debuted its latest flagship smartphones in the form of the Oppo Find X5 and Oppo Find X5 Pro, the successors to the Find X3 series. The new smartphones boast advanced night time recording capabilities, thanks to a dedicated imaging Neural Processing Unit called MariSilicon X and two Sony 50MP IMX766 flagship sensors. This enhanced camera system achieves four times improvement in perceived night video resolution, less grain and superior colour reproduction, , real-time RAW processing, and 4K Ultra Night Video—a first for an Android smartphone.

Powered by the latest-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, the Find X5 series offers 30 per cent higher performance and 25 per cent more power efficiency than the previous generation. As for display, the Find X5 features a 6.5-inch screen while the Find X5 Pro features a 6.7-inch screen, both boasting a 120Hz refresh rate. The flagships also arrive with 5G performance and industry-leading 80W Supervooc Flash Charging to recharge the phone from zero to 50 per cent in 12 minutes, and to full capacity in 47 minutes wirelessly with 50W Airvooc.
Price: Malaysian pricing to be confirmed
Availability: Pre-orders start from 24 February 2022 via the website
For more information, visit the website.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

Following the launch of the 2-in-1 Surface Pro 8, Microsoft has announced the new Surface Laptop Studio, its most powerful Surface laptop. Made for developers, creatives, designers, and gamers, this device offers the power of a desktop plus a creative studio, all in the form factor of a laptop. Backed by 11th Gen Intel® Core™ H35 processors and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ GPUs, it’s capable of delivering exceptional image quality and smooth performance simultaneously.

Further, an ultra-durable Dynamic Woven Hinge allows the device to transition from Laptop Mode to Stage Mode and Studio Mode seamlessly. Each mode allows users to take full advantage of the 14.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen display for different purposes, whether it requires the full keyboard and Precision Haptic touchpad or a more flexible angle to use with the Surface Slim Pen 2. The versatile laptop also comes with a vibrant 120Hz display, Quad Omnisonic™ speakers, and Dolby Atmos® to fuel your creativity and imagination.
Price: From RM7,399
Availability: Pre-orders start from 15 February via commercial authorised resellers and retailers
For more information, visit the website. For other enquiries, visit the new Microsoft Concierge service in Gloo Low Yat (SNS Network), Low Yat Plaza or Harvey Norman, Pavilion Bukit Jalil 2.

Find more tech gadgets in our previous BURO Gadget Guide(s) here.

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Fashion
Girls just wanna have fun—in Spring/Summer 2019’s best looks

28.03.2019
By Joan Kong

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HL: Girls just wanna have fun—in Spring/Summer 2019 collection
Lights, camera, music!

SF: Here are the best SS19 looks to turn up the heat

Although it’s only the end of the first quarter of the year, we’re determined to have some fun to celebrate the good (and the bad) we’ve gone through so far. After all, with all the party-ready ensembles from the Spring/Summer 2019 runways, how could we resist?

Dare to bare? Our selections from Gucci, Emporio Armani and Prada are right up your alley. If you’re all for looking sharp and sleek, Bottega Veneta and Salvatore Ferragamo have the right co-ords for you. Wanna turn heads (for all the right reasons)? Chanel and Dior are the ones to turn to this season. Four words: Keep calm and dance on!

“Life is a party, dress like it.” – Audrey Hepburn

Caption:
1.jpg (Left) Gown and necklace, both Chanel (Right) Fringed jacket, trousers and earrings, all Chanel

Buro 55255 (Left) Top and skirt, both Salvatore Ferragamo (Right) Dress, Hermès. Bangles, Chanel

Buro 55661
Dress and bangle, both Gucci

Buro 55517
Gown, Gucci

Buro 55414(Left) Pantsuit, Bottega Veneta. Top-handle bag, Salvatore Ferragamo. Sandals, Hermès
(Right) Pantsuit, Emporio Armani. Top-handle bag, Gucci. Sandals, Hermès

Buro 55709
Pantsuit, Salvatore Ferragamo

Buro 55766
Dress, Emporio Armani

Buro 55879
(Left) Mesh jacket and skirt, both Fendi. Earrings, Gucci
(Right) Dress, bralet, brief, earrings and necklace, all Dior

Buro 55942
Bodysuit and skirt, both Prada

Credits
Photography: Eric Chow/Blink Studio
Art direction and styling: Joan Kong
Assisted by: Stephanie Boey
Hair: Bibian Leong
Makeup: Shiyo Joo
Models: Natalia S/Icon Model Management and Anna V/Attitude Models and Production

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Fashion
Jil Sander appoints Luke and Lucie Meier as creative directors
Power couple

09.04.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Jil Sander has recently named duo Luke and Lucie Meier as the new creative directors of the brand, shortly after Rodolfo Paglialunga’s exit just three weeks ago. The husband-and-wife duo’s new appointment is effectively immediately, and it has been reported that they have already started working on both men’s and women’s collections for Resort 2018. Both collections will be presented at the same time on the runway, as the pair will be taking on the coed format that a handful of other brands have adopted.

“We feel proud and honoured to join this beautiful brand. We hope to show the affection we have for this brand through our work, as Jil Sander has had such a profound influence on our paths,” the couple said in a statement.

The Meiers aren’t new in the industry—Luke co-founded his own menswear label OAMC after his eight-year role as head designer at Supreme; while Lucie has had experience working at Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, and most recently Dior as the ready-to-wear and haute couture design director when Raf Simons was creative director. She and Serge Ruffieux both designed interim collections during the period after Simons’ departure and before Maria Grazia Chiuri’s appointment.

Lucie and Luke Meier have been appointed Creative Directors of Jil Sander. #NEU #JILSANDER
A post shared by JIL SANDER (@jilsanderpr) on Apr 7, 2017 at 1:02am PDT

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Balenciaga to go co-ed for Fall 2018

Fashion
Balenciaga to go co-ed for Fall 2018
New direction

11.12.2017
By Joan Kong

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Joining the likes of brands such as Burberry, Gucci and Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga is now the latest fashion house to hop on the co-ed bandwagon. Starting from the Fall 2018 season, the brand will be combining both womenswear and menswear into one collection while expanding the offerings for the latter. Balenciaga will be offering four men’s collection per year, with two pre-collections being showcased by-appointment-only during Men’s Fashion Week. While there isn’t any official statement from artistic director Demna Gvasalia on his decision to go co-ed, the move will no doubt help to present a more unified brand identity, especially in this “increasingly gender-blurry world”.

More FW18 Fashion Month updates to follow.

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Fashion
Our fashion editor’s guide to organising your closet

23.01.2020
By Joan Kong

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We all have a love-hate relationship with our closet, no? We love our clothes, our bags, and our accessories, but when these items start to spill out of our wardrobe, things can get a little overwhelming. Ahead of Chinese New Year (and to kick-start the year on a neater note), there’s no better time to get your spring-clean on. Organising expert Marie Kondo has been making waves for her KonMari method the past few years, but rewatching the Tidying Up with Marie Kondo series earlier this month made me feel slightly…lost. What do you do if you’re neither a hoarder, nor exactly willing to get rid of your precious clothes? Fashion trends, after all, come and go, and keeping the pieces and rewearing them in a few years’ time is definitely a more sustainable option compared to purchasing a new one every time the trend’s in style again.
I’m by no means a tidying expert (I don’t colour coordinate my hangers, and my bag closet isn’t exactly the most organised), but I have my own way of keeping my wardrobe uncluttered, and it has proven to work. So, if you need any alternatives (and if the KonMari method doesn’t quite inspire you this year), below are some of my tried-and-tested tips on how to store all your knick-knacks in an orderly manner.
My clothes

Unlike Marie Kondo, I do not believe in keeping clothes that “spark joy” simply because they all bring me happiness—you feel me? As mentioned, fashion trends can make a comeback anytime, and if you find it hard to toss out clothes like I do, here’s my way of keep things super neat while maximising your limited closet space.

I have my mum to thank for this trick. Instead of buying different boxes to compartmentalise the clothes, she made her own using the unused paper bags at home. Simply pick one depending on the width you prefer, fold it downwards in half, staple it to keep everything in place, remove the strings and you’ll have a new organiser—it’s as easy as that. I like that I’m able to customise it according to my colour preferences too. Want colourful hues? Opt for paper bags in rainbow shades or striking prints. Prefer black and white to keep things chic? Go for it. The combinations are endless, and the best part is the organisers can be stacked, so you can truly maximise the smallest of space.
When it comes to folding clothes, while I find Marie Kondo’s method pretty useful, I didn’t like how you could only identify the pieces based on its colours when they’re stored vertically. What happens if you have a lot of black T-shirts? It’ll be difficult to look for a particular piece. Fret not, here’s how I do it:

First, place your T-shirt face down, bring the left half of the shirt to the center or more depending on the width of your organiser and repeat on the other side. Bring the bottom hem to meet the collar before folding it backwards to reveal the label. Remember to flatten the shirt using your hands as you go. Arrange the pieces vertically and you’ll be able to identify your garments based on the brands, necklines, and colours.
The outcome

My jewellery

I’ve tried using organisers to store my jewellery previously, but zip-lock bags—although not exactly the eco-friendliest—is truly the most fuss-free way to do it. I like how 1) it takes up minimal space, 2) I can browse my collection at one go, and 3) packing for trips is so much easier. The box above is a recycled shoebox in the perfect width and length to store my earrings collection—feel free to use it for your necklaces, bracelets, and rings too.
My miscellaneous items
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] Organise closet misc” rid=”7821″ order=”a_tstamp”}
Introducing my personal inventory. From precious childhood memorabilia, makeup and skincare, to angpow packets I’ve collected over the years, I store and label them in individual boxes so I could easily keep tabs on what I have, and I try to make it a habit to go through and clear them every half a year.

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#FitnessFriday: Team tries Muay Thai/Kickboxing at Klinch MMA
An upper cut workout

21.03.2016
By Rachel Au

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When the team was discussing to bring back #FitnessFridays, various types of workouts were laid on the meeting table and since we couldn’t decide between Muay Thai and kickboxing, we went with a combination of both. And that meant, twice the challenge and twice the intensity but a good mix of utilising both our hands and legs. For that, we prepped up in our Uniqlo Activewear and headed to Klinch MMA where we met Coach David, who with a plethora of experience in mixed martial arts (a grand total of 31 professional fights which is unheard of in this side of the region), gave us a workout that kicked our asses. Check out what the team thinks and watch the video below!

Cai Mei Khoo, Editor-in-Chief
I find kickboxing, or any combat sport for that matter, to be a great stress reliever and mood enhancer. Long, hard day at work? Someone annoy you just before class? There’s nothing like throwing punches (jab, cross, hook, upper cut!) and kicking bags to sweat the small stuff, plus you get a great cardio workout, burn calories and pick up some self-defence tips along the way. Even the warm-up got me breaking a sweat—Coach David will definitely see that you won’t be looking cute after class.
Rating: 4/5

Wei Yeen Loh, Fashion and Beauty Writer
I went into Klinch MMA with an open mind as it was my first attempt in Muay Thai/kickboxing and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Despite failing terribly at rope-skipping (blame my very poor coordination skills) during the warm up, I was psyched when we were really getting our gloves and shin pads on to try out some moves. Coach David gave thorough instructions and gave us helpful pointers as well—my favourite part was the final round of sparring that involved the whole team. I might just sign up for round two (in the distant future!)
Rating: 4/5

Yi Suen Chong, Digital Designer
I have never tried MMA or kickboxing before so I was actually quite excited to join this. Truth be told, I was expecting it to be similar to Body Combat classes, which I’ve previously participated before—but boy, was I wrong. Coach David had literally kicked our asses right from the beginning of the class when we were required to do 15 minutes of jump-rope nonstop  (with only one rest in between, mind you!). I also liked how the Uniqlo Activewear tights was… well, tight yet comfortable to wear throughout. Overall, it was a fun one-hour workout that is jam-packed with excessive punching, kicking, cardio and strengthening moves (push-ups and squats). Will I be back for more? Definitely! But first, let me get my own boxing gloves. 😛
Rating: 4/5

Jasmine Yeap, Marketing Executive
When I was growing up, my dad sent me to various martial art classes ranging from Taekwondo to Jujitsu to Muay Thai to kickboxing; and I have always enjoyed them. To me, it’s important for women especially to learn some form of self defence. Compared to the other gyms I’ve attended before, I personally felt that Klinch MMA’s class was pretty good. I felt really motivated and challenged during the session, especially since they were playing my favourite EDM. Overall, it was a good workout—different from the usual gym sessions—and I had a great time burning off some steam.

Source:https://www.buro247.my/lifestyle/buro-loves/buro-tries-making-a-terrarium-with-ohsum-mossum-te.html
Rating: 4/5

Rachel Au, Lifestyle Writer
I’ve always wanted to try  a combat sport but my parents weren’t too keen on it and as I got older, I just generally wasn’t much of a sports person so this was a great opportunity to try it. I didn’t doubt that it would be intense but surprisingly, I didn’t feel that it was until I realised how much sweat I was working up. For most workouts, I’d feel bored enough by the repetition to feel tired; but this time, the one hour passed faster than I expected. And while doing the workout, I loved how the sports bra from the Uniqlo Activewear collection provided a good support.
Rating: 4/5

Su Fen Tan, Editorial Assistant
I’ve always wanted to try Muay Thai but never got around to it, so I was pretty excited to see what was on the class agenda that day. While I sat out of almost half the class (lesson learnt: no more skipping breakfasts, especially before a workout), I still rather enjoyed what little time I had on the mat. Seeing we were mostly beginners, there was no real sparring involved, but we were introduced to a handful of basic combos, which we got to practice with both a partner and the punching bags. I liked how the pace picked up towards the end – we got to do a series of exercises (push ups, sit ups etc) coupled with slightly more complicated combos, which was fun. In a nutshell, it was a fairly well-paced class and a good way to work up a sweat.
Rating: 4/5

Richelle Lim, Account Manager
I always thought women who do Muay Thai are amazing so I was really looking forward to the session at Klinch MMA. But it turns out that it’s not as simple as I thought as Muay Thai/Kickboxing requires a lot of strength—something which I now realise I don’t have. The class was intense right from the beginning, with Coach David asking us to ‘warm up’ by skipping rope for 15 minutes. The different types of punches and the order of them also threw me off guard a few times. Even so, I would still recommend the class and I think that ladies should try it at least once for the experience. On top of that, can I just say how comfortable the Uniqlo Activewear was during such an intense session? The answer: Very.

Rating: 3/5

Klinch MMA is located in Publika. Find out more about them here.

Looking for some new workout gear? Check out the gallery below for some of the latest picks from Uniqlo:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Uniqlo Activewear Collection” rid=”3897″ order=”a_tstamp”}
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Source:https://www.buro247.my/lifestyle/health-fitness/fitnessfridays-team-tries-vinyasa-vibes-yoga-at-or.html

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Style
Newsflash: You can now shop with your friends virtually

05.06.2020
By Joan Kong

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The ultimate wedding shoe guide for the bridal party

We’ve all witnessed the negative impact of COVID-19, but on the bright side, the lockdown has also seen an emergence of creative challenges and apps that make life under isolation that bit more enjoyable. TikTok, for one, became the social media sensation during this time, and Zoom is arguably the reigning video conference platform at the moment. If you miss simple movie nights with your friends and family, there’s the Netflix Party app that allows you to have movie nights with your friends and family remotely.
Seeing how there are apps for almost any and everything now, the one that’s currently on our radar? Squadded Shopping Party—a platform that lets you shop with your friends online—perfect for those who are still hesitant to head to the mall. Its creator Elysa Khan (who’s a former L’Oreal brand manager) says, “the idea of being able to talk to my friends and get an authentic review when I go shopping is very important for me. That element is missing online.”

To get started, all you need to do is download the Chrome extension, enter one of the fashion sites that are currently available (including ASOS, Sephora, Topshop, Boohoo, and more), invite your friends to join the “squad”, and shop away! You and your friends will be able to interact when you add an item onto your wishlist—so no more relying on sending links or photos to get your BFF’s approval anymore. The best part? You can sip on a glass of wine while you’re at it.

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Lifestyle
Marissa Parry on her PurelyB duties, health advice and a coyo recipe
Inspiring wellbeing goals

18.04.2016
By Rachel Au

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Tell us what your job as Health & Wellness Director at PurelyB entails.
As part of the co-founding team, my expertise is in fitness and nutrition. Although I have several roles, I namely oversee our health programmes, of which I co-designed 21-Day Kickstart to A Healthy Lifestyle. I also conduct talks and workshops—be it an intimate group or a big corporate setting—create content for the site and social media, vet through vendors for our online marketplace (launching in May) and assist with marketing and business development.

What’s your advice to people who wish (or need) to juggle a busy yet healthy lifestyle?
Life is busy for everyone. Whether we’re a parent, working or not, or both, our plates are full. But there is always time if you make time. All it takes is 30 minutes a day and that is less than three per cent of your time on a daily basis. People spend an average of two hours on social networks (up to six hours online even!) so it just takes prioritising what is important to you—and health should be at the top of that list. I personally exercise in the morning so I know I have done it and nothing can get in the way to disrupt it; versus scheduling a weekend evening. Morning is also the time I feel most motivated.

What are some of your own health/ wellness goals?
It’s so important to have goals in all aspects of our life. Without them, you tend to just go through life a little aimlessly. Goals make me a lot more efficient. Otherwise, I’ll just plateau—especially when it comes to fitness. This year, I’m working on some body weight movements, a strict pull-up (I can now do three, aiming for five), handstand push-ups, rope climbing and free-standing handstand (i.e no wall support).

When it comes to health and wellness, who or what motivates you?
Choosing to be in this industry motivates me. If I want to inspire people, I need them to believe in me, which means I need to practise what I ‘preach’. I need to be a role model and show people that there is balance in our busy lives. Of course, my family also motivates me. My husband is extremely fit and well, I have to keep up! In fact, we motivate each other and we want our children to see what we do and aspire to do even more.

A photo posted by Marissa (@marissafit4life) on Feb 27, 2016 at 7:36pm PST

Which fitness enthusiasts do you follow on Instagram?
I find mothers who look amazing to be inspirational. But I take everything on social media with a pinch of salt. If there’s one thing I have learnt not to do, it’s to compare myself to others; which is what I encourage others as well. We are all individuals and our bodies react differently. The only person you should compare yourself to is yourself—be better than the person you were yesterday.

What is your workout routine like and how often do you exercise?
I aim for four days a week and I do a mix of circuit training, gym (lifting weights) and yoga. Circuit training is an awesome full body workout and I enjoy the variety as it keeps me from getting bored. As for lifting weights, I cannot stress how important it is and how beneficial it is for everyone. Yoga, on the other hand, is great for lengthening the muscles from the intense workouts and it helps you to focus on breathing and gives your mind a bit of a time out.

Say, a working adult hasn’t had enough sleep and has a tired body and mind, which would you recommend: Sleep or stick to the workout routine?
Sometimes we are just exhausted and our body needs to rest. There is no point pushing it as it can do more harm than good. However, if this becomes something regular, then we need to relook at our lifestyle and make a change to get enough sleep so that the body and mind can be well rested and be ready for the next day.

People just don’t realize how important sleep is and how the lack of it can affect us in so many ways: Weight gain, less productive, moody and an increase chance of falling sick. We must aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep a day.

What is a common misconception that Malaysians usually have about healthy living?
That they have to give up everything—no more nasi lemak, teh tarik, rendang, etc. Also, a lot of people think that giving up rice is the answer to weight loss. These are all far from the truth. When it comes to eating, the first thing they need to understand is that it’s all about balance. We can’t give up on all of those foods because it’s part of our culture—and we shouldn’t have to.

What we do need to do is limit the portions, frequency and learn to make some modifications. For example, less condensed milk in drinks, eat a smaller portion of sambal with your nasi lemak—or better yet, make a healthier version at home. Live by the 80/20 rule: Be good 80% of the time and not so good for the rest of the 20%.
There is always time if you make time. All it takes is 30 minutes a day and that is less than three per cent of your time on a daily basis.
What are your guilty food pleasures?
As mentioned, I’m all about the 80/20 rule; so I spread my guilty pleasures… There’s always good quality dark chocolate in the fridge. But I do often make raw desserts or buy them (I’m so happy that we have more choices these days!). They basically satisfy that sweet craving but without the guilt as they provide a lot of nutrients because they’re made with ingredients such as dates, nuts, coconut oil and fruits.

Smoothie bowls seem to be a recent food trend in KL. What’s your take on them?
They’re one of my favourites! Just be sure to get the right ratios if you don’t want your blood sugar levels to skyrocket. If your smoothie bowl is made up of just fruit and topped with more fruit, you’ll be getting way too much sugar. When making the base, look at adding things like avocado, coconut milk, or spinach—you need some good fats or vegetable carbs to balance out the simple sugars from the fruits. For the toppings, try adding nuts, seeds, buckwheat, grated coconut or toasted oats.

A photo posted by Marissa (@marissafit4life) on Mar 18, 2016 at 2:38am PDT

You recently Instagrammed a photo of coyo. Tell us more about coyo and maybe throw in an easy recipe for us to try?
Coyo is delicious! Unfortunately, it’s next to impossible to find in Malaysia because of the price. It’s expensive even in Australia but Bali has some yummy coyo. Here’s a recipe you can follow:
Ingredients
500ml coconut milk
1 tbsp tapioca flour
4 probiotic capsules

Method
1. Add ½ cup of coconut milk and the tapioca flour to the pot. Whish until the flour is dissolved.
2. Add the remaining coconut milk and warm on the stove to medium heat until the milk begins to simmer. Stir the milk occasionally and allow the milk to simmer for a couple of minutes. The milk will begin to thicken.
3. Let the milk cool down until it reaches 115F (46C). You will need a thermometer if you intend to make yoghurt regularly. You can also do a heat test with your finger—if you can stick your finger in the milk for 10 seconds then it is about the right temperature.
4. Pour in the probiotics and give it a good whisk.
5. Transfer the milk to a thermos and let it culture for 6-8 hours. You can leave it for longer if you prefer a more sour taste.
6. Pour the set yoghurt into a container and refrigerate. It can keep up to a week.

Follow Marissa on Facebook and Instagram at @MarissaFit4Life. You can also read more of Marissa’s tips and advice on PurelyB, a healthy lifestyle website.

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Makeup
The best coloured mascaras you can get here (and how to pull it off)

28.09.2020
By Buro247

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How to nail the Barbiecore look (and everything you’ll need to do it)

Buckle up, everyone—coloured mascara is back in a way that has never been done before. With avant-garde beauty on the rise, everyone from makeup gurus to beauty enthusiasts are experimenting with the trend in an array of different ways, yielding a plethora of exciting beauty looks for us to ogle.
That said, though the lewks that we see on the runway (and while scrolling through Instagram) are typically very beautiful, there’s always that feeling of: “That looks great on them, but that would never suit me.”
Well, do away with the doubt, because today we’re running you through all the different ways you can pull off the most fun trend of the year (and not feel ridiculous).
Pair it with a bare face

Image: Getty Images
Try: Benefit BADgal BANG Blue Mascara
This look on Cara Delevingne from the 2012 Stella McCartney Fall show at Paris Fashion week is a great lesson in how poignant coloured mascara can be against a minimalist slate. Really, all you need is a light base and some defined brows to get your own lashes looking this striking.

Image: Getty Images
This look from the Fenty PFW Fall 2017 Runway goes a step further to show that coloured mascara is a great way to make you look instantly put-together on its own.
Keep it wearable

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A post shared by Denice ⚡ (@dryaedis) on Dec 3, 2019 at 9:50am PST

Try:Diorshow Pump n Volume HD Mascara in Blue Pump
We love how this look plays with colour contrasts yet remains so wearable; the orange-toned neutral eyeshadow on the lid are understated enough that the final look is not overwhelming, yet it still beautifully complements the electric-blue hue of the mascara.
Pro tip: Stick with darker colours of mascara for your everyday, low-key makeup looks. It’s a great way to add a pop of colour to an otherwise monotonous routine, and also makes it easier for you to get used to the drama of the coloured mascara trend.
Play with contrasts

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Try:Ciaté London Smiley Keep and Eye on Coloured Mascara Be Happy
Experimental beauty guru Wendy Asumadu is known for her artistry on the makeup scene, and this look is no exception. The red-and-green combo is a classic colour wheel contrast. Actually, for any Blondie fans out there, this look is almost an homage to ‘Rip Her To Shreds’—one of the lyrics goes: “Red eye shadow! Green mascara! Yuck! She’s too much.”
Except, she isn’t too much at all—in fact, we think this look is just right. Plus, adding the little smiley stickers as an extra adornment to the look only further elevates it. A nifty tip for anyone out there looking to recreate the look with their own personal twist? Stickers are a big yes!

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A post shared by shannen (@shannenartistry) on Aug 27, 2020 at 6:57am PDT

Working along the colour wheel, this look pairs purple and yellow together instead. That’s the rule of thumb to keep in mind—to keep the intrigue going, consult the colour wheel.

Go monochrome

Try: Sephora Full Loading Mascara in Full Plum
If you’re looking to make a statement, match your lashes to your liner and your eyeshadow. This look by @lapatitevengeance goes a step further to extend the monochrome trend all the way down to the model’s lips too!
Paired with some slicked-back hair, this is a real statement look for you confident beauty babes out there.

You don’t even have to stay within the same tone of colour to get the monochrome trend down—try diffusing different shades of green down to accentuate the eyes.
Tip: To easily make it more wearable for day to day, tone down the drama and soften the look by blending the pigments a little more.
Take on the two-toned trend

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Try: Huda Beauty Legit Lashes Double-Ended Mascara Mini
If the matchy-matchy eyeshadow is a little too intense for you, dial it back with a just-the-lashes look, with a little twist to keep things interesting. We’re talking two-toned coloured mascara—different shades to adorn your top and bottom lashes.
Try: Shiseido ControlledChaos MascaraInk in Purple
But why stick to monochrome when you could add a bit of extra intrigue to your look? This particular look from our moodboard combines a vivid purple with a burgundy shade. Along with the green contacts and the thick, full brows, we could see this being a subtle everyday glam go-to.
Try a rainbow on for size

Try: Lime Crime Astronomical Volumising Vegan Mascara
So, this definitely isn’t an everyday thing and will almost certainly require a lot more technical skill to pull off—but, if we’re already gunning for colour contrasts, we might as well shoot for the rainbow.
This is a great party look; a surefire icebreaker. Can you hear it? The other guests crowding you in bewilderment, enamoured by your sheer brilliance. Also, it’s just a fun look, so why not?
Go full-on Euphoria

Try: Colourpop BFF Mascara in Lavender
If there’s anything Euphoria taught us, it’s that anything is a wearable look if you’re brave enough. Take a leaf out of Alexa Demie and Hunter Schafer’s books and get freaky with your beauty routine. We love this particular look, which employs the use of little pearls to accentuate the drama of the makeup.
For more makeup tips and tricks, give this a click.

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Fashion
Dior Haute Couture Spring 2017 is a fairytale come true
Garden state

26.01.2017
By Buro247

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

Mention haute couture, and ethereal gowns in a fantasy setting instantly come to mind. For Spring 2017, Dior explored haute couture season in the truest sense of the word, zeroing in on a whimsical sophistication. The first couture collection for the French luxury house, Maria Grazia Chiuri offered pure escapism with a breathtaking set and equally, if not more, beautiful clothes.

Drawing on the founder’s love of gardens, Chiuri had one installed on the grounds of the Musée Rodin. Showgoers arrived through an outdoor maze constructed from hedges into a mirrored cube. Inside, the catwalk is carpeted with thick, fragrant moss with its edge lined by green velvet cushions for guests (that included Kirsten Dunst and Diane Krueger) to sit on. Centering the garden is a wishing tree hung with crystals, beads, ribbons, fairy lights and tarot regalia.

A photo posted by Dior Official (@dior) on Jan 23, 2017 at 5:29am PST

The show opened with monochrome evening suits, which Chiuri referenced tuxedo-wearing men. Deriving from a Dior icon silhouette, the ‘Bar’ jacket, sometimes with caped shoulders, were worn with voluminous culottes that closely resembled skirts-a play on the masculine-feminine tailoring. The house’s other prominent silhouette, the ‘New Look’ full-skirted dress was honoured too; Chiuri softened the corseted structure with supple fan pleating to create peplums, swirls in skirts and volumes in sleeves.

After the tailored looks, came the magnificent, almost-surreal eveningwear. Models were sent down the runway in gowns sprinkled with sparkling tarot symbols, skirts with silk flowers artfully pressed flat in between the layers of the tulle as well as gloriously embellished tiered frocks. The whimsicality did not stop there—thanks to Stephen Jones’ fanciful headdresses, creating a dark and mysterious mood within the exquisite collection. The black net dragonfly masks, tall feathered and flower headpieces add plenty of drama, perfecting the otherworldliness element in Chiuri’s extravagant visual tale.

See the magic for yourself in the full collection below:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Dior Haute Couture Spring 2017 is a fairytale come true” rid=”4765″ order=”a_tstamp”}

Related stories:
Floral crowns get a reboot at Dior Spring 2017 Couture
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Lifestyle
Chef Victor Liong on his culinary background and Hennessy X.O
Reinventing the traditional

26.09.2015
By Buro247

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Originating from Sydney and having a Malaysian Chinese heritage, Chef Victor Liong has spent his formative years as a chef honing his skills at prestigious restaurants like the Galileo Restaurant at the Observatory Hotel, Marque Restaurant, and Mr. Wong. His cuisine takes on a new approach to traditional Chinese food, using a combination of Japanese, French and modern cooking skills and techniques to create the most outstanding and creative dishes.

Where did your interest in cooking come from?
My mother is a great home cook and has always fed us with great and memorable meals, so with that as a background, I have always had a keen interest with food, after university I decided to take on a chef’s apprenticeship and have worked with some of the best chefs in Sydney as a result of my passion.

You have a very diverse culinary background. What made you decide to focus on Chinese cuisine?
My cultural heritage is Chinese, a lot of my early food memories were those of Chinese foods, and I love the rich history and diversity that Chinese food and culture has to offer, I’m actually classically trained but whilst working at Marque, we were fortunate enough to be rated the best restaurant in Australia and garnered numerous other accolades, when I had a day off I would eat Chinese food, but I didn’t really know how to cook the dishes I loved, so I decided to embark on a culinary reinvention of my repertoire and train with some of Sydney’s most talented Chinese and Asian chefs, gathering a new passion for Chinese food but with a solid foundation in classical and modern cuisine.

Does your Malaysian heritage influence your cooking?
I think my Malaysian background allows me to season the food in a balanced and delicious and exciting spectrum, the diversity and excitement of food and tastes in Malaysia offer a foundation of knowing how delicious and how far to season something without it being too over seasoned.

Who is a chef you look up to and why?
I have many chef heroes, many of them I have been fortunate enough to meet and call my friends, Internationally Massimo Bottura from Osteria Francescana in one of my heroes, and getting to cook for him at my restaurant and have discussions about food, passion and restaurants was a highlight. He’s innovative perception and Avant garde outlook has been an inspiration for years, I love that guy.

Where do you draw inspiration from when you conceptualise a dish?
I draw inspiration from many plains and areas of aesthetics, I usually draw from traditional flavour profiles and modernise with a balance of flavour and texture, refining the unnecessary elements, or I draw from the season and the produce available and create dishes that reflect the time and place we are in, or I draw from art, and go for a colour scheme and work around the concept of a monochromatic effect.

Your most memorable cooking experience is..
I have had many, hopefully my best moments are ahead, I’ve cooked with Iron Chef Chen Kenichi during my apprenticeship, I have done collaborative dinners with Andre Chiang, Ben Shewry, Magnus Nilson, Alexandre Gaulthier while at Marque, I have cooked for Rene Redzepi, Yoshihiro Narisawa, Massimo Bottura, Shannon Bennett and Issac McHale at Lee Ho Fook, and now I’m in KL cooking for Hennessy X.O.

Do you have any advice for diners when it comes to pairing their food with cognac?
With Hennessy XO is to try it in it’s 3 states and see which they would prefer, neat, or with a splash of water and on the rocks, they’d be surprise how versatile the XO is in those formats.

What is a must-try cognac pairing?
I love XO and black pepper mud crab….also Hennessy XO with dark chocolate is a winner!

What excites you most as a chef about the flavour of the Hennessy X.O.?
I enjoy the complexity and depth of flavour, the caramel, creamy custard and cocoa notes. The richness without being heavy is also flavour profile I enjoy about Hennessy X.O.

What can we expect from you at the Hennessy X.O. Appreciation Grows event?
We can expect a night of friends and great company, with food that is a great example of the food I showcase best drawing from my generational influences as well as what I’ve learnt from previous mentors, and of course the world’s original XO, Hennessy.

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Film, TV + Theatre
BURO TV Guide December 2020: ‘Sweet Home’, ‘The Grudge’, ‘Knives Out’, and more

04.12.2020
By Melissa Foong

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14 Thrilling new TV shows and films to stream in July 2023

Wondering what you should binge-watch next? These are some of the most exciting TV shows and films that you can start tuning to this month:
Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas
When: 4 December
Where: Apple TV+
Starring: Tiffany Haddish, Billy Eichner, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Misty Copeland, Mykal-Michelle Harris

You know Christmas is right round the corner when Mariah Carey makes her annual, much-coveted appearance. Combining musical performances with America’s top artists, dynamic dancing and groundbreaking animation, the Queen of Christmas has created just the perfect holiday extravaganza to make everyone around the globe merry.
Knives Out
When: 5 December
Where: Fox Movies — Astro Ch 433 (SD) + 413 (HD), unifi TV Ch 401
Starring: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell

Get ready for a roller coaster ride because this film will take you on a suspenseful whodunnit mystery. The dramatic thriller revolves around the death of crime novelist Harlan Thrombey and the secrets Detective Benoit Blanc uncovers as he investigates everyone in the wildly dysfunctional Thrombey family.
The Rhythm Section
When: 5 December
Where: HBO GO and HBO — Astro Ch 411 (HD)
Starring: Blake Lively, Jude Law, Richard Brake, Razza Jaffrey, Sterling K. Brown

Follow the story of an ordinary woman who turned to a drug addict after losing her family in a plane crash. But when she discovers that the crash was no accident, she embarks on a path of self-destruction in hopes to avenge her family’s death.
Survive the Night
When: 7 December
Where: Fox Movies — Astro Ch 433 (SD) + 413 (HD), unifi TV Ch 401
Starring: Bruce Willis, Chad Michael Murray, Lydia Hull, Shea Buckner, Tyler Jon Olson

If Bruce Willis’s character in the Die Hard series is your absolute favourite, you may enjoy this flick. The film centres around a doctor and his family who are held hostage by criminals on the run when a robbery goes awry. But what happens when Frank Clark (played by Willis) finds out his wife had been killed?
Euphoria: Trouble Don’t Last Always
When: 7 December
Where: HBO GO and HBO — Astro Ch 411 (HD)
Starring: Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jennifer Kathreen Larson, Lynette Gatlin

We all know the Emmy award-winning series, Euphoria, is anything but clichéd. Doing without all things stereotypical in a teen series, the intense and controversial drama returns with two special episodes with Rue facing a difficult Christmas as she deals with the aftermath of being left by Jules, which caused her to turn to drugs for help.
How To Ruin Christmas: The Wedding
When: 16 December
Where: Netflix
Starring: Thando Thabethe, Nambitha Ben-Mazwi, Desmond Dube, Busi Lurayi

We all know when the black sheep of the family returns home, nothing may go according to plan. In this holiday series, prodigal daughter Tumi returns home for the holidays to celebrate her sister’s wedding with the son from a rather affluent family. Being the troublemaker that she is, she somehow manages to ruin the wedding unintentionally.
Sweet Home
When: 18 December
Where: Netflix
Starring: Song Kang, Lee Si-young, Lee Do-hyun, Lee Jin-uk, Ko Min-si, Park Kyu-young, Go Youn-jung

Love all things spine-chilling? Add this new Korean drama-thriller to your watch list this month. Comic and webtoon fans will get a kick out of this webtoon-adaptation that’s filled with amazing visual and sound effects based on the unique world in which people turn into monsters that reflect their internal desires. Think supernatural beings, the undead and horrifying creatures!
The Grudge
When: 28 December
Where: Fox Movies — Astro Ch 433 (SD) + 413 (HD), unifi TV Ch 401
Starring: Tara Westwood, Junko Bailey, David Lawrence Brown, Zoe Fish

Curiosity might actually kill the cat this time, as a young detective discovers a house cursed by a vengeful ghost while trying to solve a murder case. Now being hunted down by the grudge-bearing spirit, she runs and attempts to save herself and her son. Get your popcorn ready because you are in for a hair-raising adventure.
For November’s movie and TV recommendations, click here.

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Travel
Your final 2017 travel guide: Where to go for the year-end holidays
Wanderlast for the year

12.12.2017
By Rachel Au

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

You’ve worked hard for 2017. Now, it’s time to truly let it go and reward yourself with an escapade. There is still time. If you’re worried about planning itineraries, fret not because we have a handful of destinations that will settle everything for you. Breathtaking scenery—tick. Adventure and activities—tick. Gourmet food—tick. Relaxation and rejuvenation—tick. A place to call home away from home—tick. Just make sure you’ll have the heart to leave.

FOR A WINTER WONDERLAND HOLIDAY: Scott Dunn at Six Senses Residences, Courchevel
After getting a taste of a ski resort holiday earlier this year, we’d definitely recommend everyone to try it and one of the best places to do so is the Courchevel valley which is a part of the world’s largest lift-linked ski area, the Trois Vallées. Courchevel has a collection of resort villages and out of the best known-four, the highest one is Courchevel (1850) where the new Scott Dunn at Six Senses Residences Courchevel is located. It is here where your dream ski holiday can be realised.

Designed to offer the ultimate combination of five-star ski-hotel facilities with the independence of a serviced residence, you’ll find all your needs satisfied with their full suite of services. For a seamless ski experience, guests will have access to the Scott Dunn Guest Relations Manager, on-site 24-hour concierge on-site, a ski rental shop and a boutique that stocks a selection of ski equipment and clothing. What’s even better is that you won’t have to lug your skis to and from the residences thanks to the ski concierge which means you can enjoy the cafes and bars in town before catching the shuttle bus back.

After a thrilling day out on the slopes, opt for some R&R at the renowned Six Senses Spa. As for the kids, they’ll be well taken care of and entertained at the new on-site Scott Dunn Explorers kids club—they’ll learn how to ski with the help of qualified ski instructors—and the first ever Stargazers club—relieving parents to go enjoy Courchevel’s après ski. Alternatively, just staying in the chalets aren’t too bad either. Designed in traditional alpine style with the comforts of modern technology, every apartment comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, Organic Pharmacy products, Apple TV, unlimited Wi-Fi and integrated iPads.
For more info, visit the website.

TO DISCONNECT: Alila Yangshuo
Alila is known to be ‘Surprisingly Different’. The locations they choose for each property is unique and newly opened Alila Yangshuo continues to shine in the brand’s philosophy. Newly reopened and restored in late October 2017 (they closed shortly after opening in July 2017 due to torrential rains), Alila Yangshuo’s key character lies in its past as a retro 1960’s sugar mill redesigned into a gorgeous hotel while maintaining most of its original architectural elements. For example, the sugarcane dock has been transformed into a swimming pool.

Breathtaking interiors aside, its landscape is even more impressive with picturesque karst mountains, rolling green hills and meandering rivers—enough to really put away your digital distractions and focus on the surrounding natural and cultural wonders. The concierge will handle your itinerary with a wide variety of the Alila Yangshuo Experiences to choose from. Explore the Fuli Town Market, an ancient bazaar where local merchants steer their way through the streets with their bamboo raft of goods; and where you’ll find Yangshuo specialities such as honeysuckle or myrtle and traditional foods such as baba, fried rice noodles and oil-tea camellia. For the thrill-seekers, try rock-climbing at the resort’s very own karst hill in its backyard. For the curious, try your hand at traditional sugar-making and bring home your end products. For nature lovers, go on a scenic bicycle ride along the Yulong River with a guide.

Last, but not least, the most tempting one of all: Spa Alila. Housed in a unique underground location where the walls and floors are made from underground volcanic rocks unearthed during construction, guests can enjoy their spa experience in the intimate indoor spaces or outdoors in the Villa garden. Depending on what kind of traveller you are, Alila Yangshuo does offer a variety of packages to suit your interests.
For more info, visit the website.

GO ON A CRUISE: Belmond Road to Mandalay
If you’ve yet to witness the untouched beauty of Myanmar, the Belmond Road to Mandalay luxury cruise is a good way to start. Available only till March, there are several journeys for you to choose from, ranging from three-day journeys to eight-day ones. We’d suggest the latter since it’s close to the end of the year—the exclusive New Year Celebration Cruise which will take you through the heart of Myanmar along the Ayeyarwady River.

Throughout the eight days and seven nights trip, you’ll enjoy both the facilities onboard as well as the unique excursions and experiences on land; including the spectacular ancient city of Bagan, the royal capital of Mandalay and the sacred Sagaing hills. On the river cruiser, however, there are five types of cabins, an array of beauty and massage treatments available, a swimming pool and an alfresco Bar & Grill Restaurant situated on the Observation Deck for stunning views of the river.

Alternatively, you can opt for their 3D2N Christmas Celebration on the Ayeyarwady journey which includes a sensational Christmas Feast accompanied by a live band; onboard activities such as sunrise yoga sessions, longyi-tying demonstrations and cookery demonstrations; guided tours of Ava and Bagan; a visit to Ananda temple; and a torchlight tour of a rarely-seen pagoda.
For more info, visit their website.

PRIVATE ISLAND GETAWAY: Amanpulo
The Maldives are great but so is this private Palawan island resort in the Philippines. Boasting white, sandy beaches, beautiful coral reefs and the clear, turquoise Sulu Sea, Amanpulo is a tropical island paradise. Come this year-end holidays, it’s an even better time to visit as the resort has created a unique festive programme to tie in with their 25th anniversary. Not to mention, Pasko sa Pilipinas—or Christmas in the Philippines—is the nation’s favourite holiday after all.

Expect gourmet events such as Chef Michele’s ‘Bacaro on the Beach’ on 22 December and 1 January, a magnificent Italian antipasti spread and seafood BBQ; a Mediterranean-inspired dinner at the Picnic Grove on 28 December; and regular classes including Sunset Cocktail Making at the Beach Club, Cheese & Wine Pairing; Organic Herb & Cocktail Making; and a Rum, Chocolate & Cigar tasting. On Christmas Eve itself, there will be a ‘Noche Buena’ Dinner, a Christmas-centric affair with classic Filipino fiesta dishes such as roast suckling pig and pancit noodles. If you’re there for New Year’s Eve, the Clubhouse will be serving a five-course wine-pairing degustation menu featuring caviar, lobster and Wagyu beef.

The programme is extensive but outside of these special festive events, the list of activities is just as exciting. Amanpulo has a number of professional watersport and fitness experts such as kiteboarding lessons with Mike Hirooka, sailing classes with Ridgely Balladares, tennis coaching with Richard Louie, personal training with Elmer Munar and Pilates with Victoria Mendoza. If you love diving or snorkelling, the clear, blue waters are perfect, if not, too good to be true.
For more info, visit their website.

SOMETHING CLOSER TO HOME BUT COOLER: Cameron Highlands Resort
Missed the annual Christmas Tree Lighting weekend at Cameron Highlands Resort? Don’t worry. There’s always next year but otherwise, the resort is always great for a quick getaway from the warmer temperatures in the city and its accompanying hustle and bustle. Besides, the place is still decked in Christmas lights and decorations.

There’s much to do even within the resort itself—from getting some much-deserved pampering via their spa treatments (Fresh Strawberry Escapade, anyone?) to indulging in the English Afternoon Tea to going on the Jim Thompson Mystery Trail with their Resident Naturalist. One of their packages even includes a steamboat dinner for two!

For more info, visit their website.

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LFW SS20: Best street style looks

Features
LFW SS20: Best street style looks

18.09.2019
By Stephanie Boey

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Fashion Insider: Content creator Eros Erfe on the inspiration behind the ‘Bags of KL’ series

London Fashion Week has officially come to a close. Are you up to speed? Take a look at Burberry‘s show where Kendall Jenner debuted new blonde locks, joining Bella Hadid in the model blonde ambition. How about Chayalan‘s meme-worthy cocoon dress? Or Molly Goddard‘s playful tulle dresses?
It may be the shortest fashion week out of the big four but the street style did not disappoint. The key trend we noticed were long, and billowy summer dresses. High in volume on the sleeve and skirts for the ultimate statement. We saw a range of styling ideas when it came to the shoes to be paired with them, starting with cowboy boots, the trending square toed shoe, platform block heels, kitten heel pumps and minimalist strappy sandals. How would you style the season’s favourite summer dress?
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] LFW Street style” rid=”7580″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Culture
My grandmother tested positive for COVID-19. Here’s my story

05.05.2020
By Brent Taalur Ramsey

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All the exciting live concerts in KL to look forward to in 2023

On the morning of Wednesday, 25 March 2020, my grandmother Joyce (‘Mimi’) Harrington was admitted to a New Orleans hospital for COVID-like symptoms, only to be tested positive a few, painfully long days later.

At 93 years old, she, like many of the elderly, found herself vulnerable to this Invisible Enemy. Her prognosis was slim, and our family was told to prepare for the worst.
If you knew my grandmother, you would regard her as a force to be reckoned with. A lifelong God-fearing woman, she is both pious in her faith and her daily fitness routine. Remarkably active and healthy for her age, she easily registers around 5,000 steps on her fitness band, even one day before experiencing the first signs of COVID-19.

My grandmother Joyce (‘Mimi’) Harrington, back in November 2019
However, it wasn’t only the diagnosis that was difficult to bear. Days before, on 11 March, the retirement community where she lives in New Orleans, called Lambeth House, announced that they would be placing the entire residence on lockdown and implementing emergency measures to curb the virus’ spread.
We didn’t know it at the time, but Lambeth House would soon become a hot spot for COVID-19 in the state of Louisiana. Like many long-term care facilities in America and the world over, the residents of Lambeth House were especially susceptible to this virus, and within days more than 50 of my grandmother’s neighbours had tested positive and over a dozen deaths were recorded.

Joyce Harrington, taken back in December 2019
Throughout it all, however, my family and I continued to believe that my grandmother could beat the odds. After all, this was a woman who, in 1941, at 15 years old, was dubbed one of the healthiest girls in America in a national fitness and health competition.
But that first weekend was horrific—for her and my family. Even as I’m writing this, I’m having difficulty coming up with ways to adequately describe that experience. Because, as we know, COVID-19 is not an overnight battle.
It’s gruelling, it’s long, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s painstakingly lonely, for all of those involved.
My grandmother had other plans, of course. Within the next few days, she stunned frontliners at Ochsner Medical Centre in New Orleans, by steadily improving and going from critical care to a full recovery—a statistical oddity for anyone in their nineties.

Joyce Harrington Leaving Ochsner Medical Centre in New Orleans on 25 April 2020
Now on her path to dominating COVID-19, Mimi was unstoppable. As soon as she was able to get on her iPhone, she blasted out her first text (a series of heart emojis) in reply to the countless messages of love and support she has been receiving from her friends and family across the globe; later on, and in true Harrington style, she even hosted a virtual Bible study group from her hospital bed.
But even then, she still had a long way to go, and my family and I felt helpless in the face of her most trying days. While our matriarch was tasked with concentrating on her recovery, my family and I found solace in each other, in our grandmother’s perseverance and in the small but effective ways we could continue to stay connected with her and each other.
As an expat living in Kuala Lumpur, I’m the farthest member of my family. While that makes talking with my family difficult—due to the time difference—for my grandmother and me, it offered a unique opportunity to connect digitally in ways we haven’t before.

First FaceTime with Mimi after returning home
During the first week of my grandmother’s illness, I stayed up until at least 5:00 a.m. every day, just so I wouldn’t miss any updates. Sleep-deprived and anxious, every time my phone pinged with a notification, my heart would stop, and I feared for the worst. Instead of allowing that fear to get the best of me, I followed my grandmother’s example and used technology to bridge the global gap between myself and the rest of my family.
While my aunt and mother assumed their unyielding roles as digital caregivers, I decided to show my support with what I know best—my words. For every day she was unable to resume her normal activities, like reading the Bible, I recorded myself reading my grandmother’s favourite scriptures and her daily devotional—each word spoken slowly and clearly in order to make sure she could hear them above the oxygen support and noise of the hospital.

Joyce Harrington doing a virtual check-up on Monday, 27 April 2020
On 12 April, 19 days after Mimi was admitted to the hospital, my family gathered on Zoom to celebrate Easter, her favourite holiday. And there she was: all smiles and a pair of bunny ears. It was 5:30 a.m., the first time most of us had spoken with her in real-time, and her strength radiated from that smile. Ten days later, after four weeks of hospitalisation and rehab, she returned home to Lambeth House to continue resting and self-isolating.
There are currently still millions who continue to fight this pandemic—at home, in the sickbed and on the frontline—and this story of recovery is just one of many. In the darkness of this global pandemic, it’s more important than ever to find hope where we can, and to stay connected in whatever ways are available to us. No matter where you are in the world.
In these times, and always, it can make all the difference.

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