Beauty
5 Date night #HairInspo from our favourite celebs
Lovely locks

07.02.2016
By Su Fen Tan

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Can you believe it is already February? While romance may be in the air for some, it might not be the case for all. But whether you have a hot date lined up, or a night out with the girls, we think Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse doll up for a night about town. Let these celebs show you how to pull off foolproof date night hair and set hearts aflutter:

Hollywood muse of the moment Alicia Vikander was the epitome of easy elegance at last month’s Golden Globes. Her low, twisted back chignon gives off a whim of romance while allowing her glowing complexion and statement earrings to shine.

Leave it to Gigi Hadid to showcase the power of a well-styled high ponytail. To make this look your own, tease your bunched tresses for added texture and volume—the key is to not keep it looking too neat.
Try: Sachajuan Dark Volume Powder, RM124

Rocking the lob à la Taylor Swift? Keep it fresh and feminine with side-swept bangs and a beautifully embellished headband.
We recommend: Jennifer Behr Silver-tone Swarovski crystal headband

Just as romantic as Alicia’s low chignon is Natalie Portman’s lovely, soft updo. Allow a few face-framing wisps to break free for a lightly tousled look.

Take a leaf out of the two supermodels’ books and go au naturel: leave your hair down, and style it with a centre parting for a softer look. Whether you’ve got Lily Aldridge’s straight locks or long waves like Jasmine Tookes, glossy, luscious tresses will go a long way on its own.
Try: Sachajuan Intensive Repair Conditioner, RM121

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Food + Drink
Traditional Christmas recipes—but make them Malaysian. Here are 3 easy recipes to cook them at home

18.12.2020
By Melissa Foong

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It might seem intimidating to cook up a feast for the festive season. To add to the list, thinking of ways to revamp your boring old Christmas recipes is easier said than done. But what if we told you it doesn’t have to be difficult? We’ve got you covered with a few dishes you can easily whip up at home, and they’ll surely wow your guests. A gift from us to you!
1. Switch up your typical Christmas turkey to a roasted kicap chicken

Image: Asian Food Network (AFN)
Ayam Masak Kicap (chicken cooked in sweet soy sauce) may sound like a basic dish but not when chef extraordinaire and Asian Food Network (AFN) ambassador Ili Sulaiman adds her personal touch to the recipe. The classic stuffing for a roast consists of bread, onion, celery, and fresh herbs but since this is not your typical roast, the recipe here has been altered. Asians supposedly just can’t live without their rice. Hence, Chef Ili has incorporated jasmine rice and other local ingredients you would usually find in your nasi goreng (fried rice) into the dish. Imagine a juicy chicken glazed with sticky sweet sauce and a savoury stuffing—it is the perfect centrepiece for your holiday spread.
Roasted Kicap Chicken with Asian Stuffing by Ili Sulaiman
Serves: 4 pax
INGREDIENTS

1 whole chicken (about 1.2 kg)
1 large white onion, sliced thick
2 medium size potatoes, sliced
1 large carrot, sliced

MARINADE

6 tbsp kicap manis (sweet soy sauce)
2 garlic cloves grated/pounded
½ inch ginger grated/pounded
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp salt
2 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp vegetable oil

STUFFING

200g cooked day-old jasmine rice
6 shiitake mushrooms (chopped)
100g lotus root (roughly chopped)
150g minced chicken
100g raisins
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, grated/pounded
1 inch ginger, grated/pounded
1 tbsp salt
½ tsp cracked black pepper
2 tbsp sesame oil

DIRECTIONS
1. In a bowl, add in kicap manis (sweet soy sauce), grated garlic and ginger, black pepper and salt, vinegar with some vegetable oil and mix until combined
2. Pat your chicken dry with a paper towel before pouring the marinade all over the skin and cavities of the chicken
3. While you let it sit and marinate for about 10 to 15 minutes, pre-heat oven to 180°c

4. Place the rice in a bowl and add in chopped mushrooms, chopped lotus root, chopped onion, grated garlic, grated ginger, minced chicken, sesame oil and season with salt, pepper. Give them a good mix
5. Next, stuff the cavities of the chicken with the stuffing before tying the legs together with some butcher string

6. In a roasting pan, place sliced onions, potatoes and carrots on the bottom of the pan and sprinkle some salt and pepper. Next, place the chicken on top of the onions. Cover with a foil
7. Roast the chicken for about 1 hour 30 minutes and baste every 20 minutes with any extra marinade
8. Take off the foil for the last 20 minutes of the cooking process to get the skin nice and brown

TIP: To ensure that your chicken is cooked, poke it with the sharp end of a knife near the thigh area and check if the juices that flow runs clear. If it runs bloody, it means your chicken is not cooked just yet and put it back in the oven for a few more minutes.

9. Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for about 5 minutes before you start carving the chicken. Serve it with some sambal and steaming white rice or noodles.
This recipe was taken from Asian Food Network’s website.
2. Celebrate the Yuletide with a sambal asam grilled lamb paired with a cup of refreshing Chardonnay

If we had a list of all the match-made-in-heaven combos, a plate of sambal asam grilled lamb paired with a glass of Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay would definitely make it to the top of the list (after Mariah Carey and her touch for Christmas carols of course). What greater way to revamp the average grilled lamb dish than with every Malaysian’s favourite—sambal. The spicy and slightly sour chilli paste combined with the tender lamb that melts in your mouth will elevate your festive feasting experience.
Sambal Asam Grilled Lamb by Paul Foster
Serves: 4 pax
INGREDIENTS

4 lamb chops

200g green bok choy

½ cup quinoa

6 cloves garlic

2 spring onions

2 tomatoes

½ onion, sliced

200g tamarind pulp

Salt/sugar to taste

8 dried chillies

2 chili padi

6 fresh chillies

6 cloves Garlic

8 shallots

DIRECTIONS
1. To prepare the quinoa, combine the quinoa and garlic into a rice cooker or pot

Image: The Spruce Eats | for illustration purposes only
2. Blend dried chillies, chili padi, fresh chillies, garlic, and shallots
3. Soak the tamarind pulp in 1 to 2 cups of water
4. Slice tomatoes into wedges and onions thinly
5. In a medium-sized wok, heat the oil on medium heat and add the paste
6. Fry until aromatic and add tamarind water, tomato, onion, salt and sugar

Image: The Spruce Eats | for illustration purposes only
7. Before proceeding to the lamb, boil and blanch bok choy for 30 seconds in a small pot. Remove and quickly place in cold water to preserve the crunch
8. Place the lamb (fat side down) to sear the meat, and continue to cook all sides evenly until nice and charred
9. Remove from the heat and let it rest before serving

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10. Plate the cooked quinoa, bok choy and lamb chops on a plate. Drizzle sambal sauce liberally
11. Garnish the dish with spring onions and serve with a glass of Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay.
This recipe was taken from Wolf Blass’s website.
3. Munch on this specially-curated local Christmas pie

Image: Fooderati | Melissa Leong
Christmas pie but make it Malaysian. How? By filling it with scrumptious beef rendang. You’d be surprised at how well it goes with a crusty pastry dough casing. Imagine this—as you cut through the crumbly texture on the outside, the intense tropical aromatics from the coconut, chillies and spices greet your nose. Sinking your teeth into the buttery sweetness, the world seems to huddle to a stop as you take a second to process what you’ve just put into your mouth. This is it, the perfect dish to impress your guests this festive season.
Beef Rendang Meat Pies by Melissa Leong
Makes: 8 party pies
INGREDIENTS

500g beef oyster blade, chopped into bite-sized chunks (beef chuck, lamb neck or shanks also work well)
270ml coconut cream
1 tbs kicap manis
Salt
White pepper
4 sheets short crust pastry
¼ milk for glazing

RENDANG PASTE

1 tbs coriander seeds

2 thumb-sized pieces of fresh turmeric

1 generous knob of galangal, peeled and coarsely chopped

2 red shallots, peeled and halved

3 chili padi (de-seeded if you prefer a milder heat)

1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, coarsely chopped

½ stalk of lemongrass, coarsely chopped

2 scallions, topped and tailed

1 tsp white mustard seeds

½ cinnamon stick

1 candlenut

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C. Blitz the paste ingredients in the blender or food processor until you achieve a rough paste (add a small amount of water to the paste if it has issues combining)
2. In a heavy-based pot on a medium heat, add a slug of olive oil and stir fry the paste for 2-3 minutes, until aromatic. Stir the mixture continuously to prevent it catching on the bottom. Remove the paste from the pot and set aside while you brown the meat

Image: Jason Donnelly | for illustrat on purposes only

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Lifestyle
It’s real: The ArcaBoard makes the hoverboard dream a reality
The future is here

05.01.2016
By Su Fen Tan

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It all started with the Back to the Future films: Marty McFly made the hoverboard seem like the coolest personal transportation around. It’s easy to see why the idea was such a hit with the public—who wouldn’t want to zip through traffic in a breeze, and ride across water as you wish? Since then, there has been more than a few attempts to make the hoverboard dream a reality.

Lexus made a splash on the Internet last year when it released video footage of the Lexus Slide hoverboard in action. It certainly got people talking as it looked like something out of the Back to the Future films—a legit futuristic skateboard. The catch is: it runs on a combination of superconductors, magnets and liquid nitrogen, requiring a special magnetic technology to be implanted in the ground for it to function.

Then, the ArcaBoard came to light recently: a mobile platform that actually hovers above the ground. Lifted by 36 high power electric ducted fans with a maximum thrust of 200kgf (430lbs), it can take a rider across any terrain or water as a built-in stabilisation unit allows it to remain stable in any condition. But admittedly, it still has some way to go. The size is on the bulky end of the spectrum, and it only runs for a maximum of six minutes. But hey, we are that much closer to our Marty McFly hoverboard dreams. Check out the making of the Arcaboard in the video below:

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Features
The best scarf game spotted on the streets of Milan Men’s Fashion Week AW17
Cosy up

16.01.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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A scarf is likely the most unassuming accessory that also serves as an excellent standout addition to your all-season ensemble. This cushy accent wonders in thwarting the chill—the thicker and bigger, the better. Lucky for us, scarves of all sorts seem to be the most popular type spotted in Milan this week, be it ankle-grazing knits, good ol’fashioned tartan scarves, or even an eye-catching fur mini-wrap that could double as a sleek coat collar. If puffy jackets and duster coats aren’t your thing, let the fashion folk in Milan Men’s Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2017 teach you a lesson or two about dressing for the weather without eschewing on comfort. The key to pulling it off effortlessly is not to be afraid of making a bold statement:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Milan Men’s Fashion Week AW17 Street Style Scarves” rid=”4731″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Fashion
In the works: Gucci capsule collection for Net-A-Porter
Amazing Alessandro

03.05.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Just when you thought Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele couldn’t shake things up enough at the renowned fashion house (after deciding to go coed next season), he has partnered up with Net-A-Porter to create a one-time, 20-piece collection of ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories.

Dropping this May 12 on Net-A-Porter and Gucci, this capsule collection is the first that Michele has done as the creative director of Gucci, and is in line with Net-A-Porter’s strategy to break out emerging talents and superbrands on the site. The online luxury retailer previously collaborated with Chloé, Levi’s, J.W. Anderson, Proenza Schouler, Topshop Unique and Dolce&Gabbana on exclusive capsule collections.

Gucci fans can look forward to Michele’s signature boho-luxe floral aesthetic in the form of a 19th-century tapestry inspired rose print emblazoned on blouses, cashmere and merino wool pieces, and accessories. Gucci’s iconic heron print has also been reinvented by Michele onto a Neoprene sweatshirt. As far as prices go, the collection starts at $270 for a printed iPhone 6 case to $5,300 for an appliquéd silk-blend organza gown. Worth it? We think so, especially when it’s anything by Michele.

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Indie Korean Artists

Music
Indie Korean Artists

19.08.2019
By Ronn Tan

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

1. Neon Bunny

2. Jaurim

3. Puer Kim

4. Hyukoh

5. The Rose

6. Day6

7. oohyo

8. Standing Egg

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Fashion
Just in: Watch how Dior’s revived stiletto, the Dioressence, is created
A sublime arch

13.01.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

The beauty of a pair of Dior stilettos lies in the subtlety of all its details: The flattering décolleté, the pointed extremity to elongate the leg, and especially the delicate heel. Dior’s reinvented stiletto, the Dioressence, retains all these qualities, cementing its status as the newest quintessential pair of heels every woman needs in her closet.

With a heel done entirely in leather to elevate the silhouette and highlight the curve of the leg, the Dioressence is crafted a few kilometers outside of Venice, Italy, where shoemaking know-how is a story of passion and regroups more than 100 manufacturing steps. This pair comes in a variety of materials, from satin-finished lamb to patent or iridescent calf leather, along with a wide array of colours, including black, pink, ochre, military green, cognac, Trafalgar red, bronze, anthracite gray and a myriad of blue from ink and azure to navy and midnight.

Find out how the Dioressence is created here:

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Fashion
Sagittarius season 2019: Aim your bow and shoot your shot with these striking picks

20.12.2019
By Stephanie Boey

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

‘Tis the season of joy and laughter with the holidays right around the corner. So it’s apt that the optimistic, fun loving and highly sociable sign of the zodiac falls within the jubilant festive season. If you believe in astrology, the general consensus behind the fire sign is that they are adventurous, progressive characters and constantly crave new experiences.
They’re often natural leaders as they’re bold and daring, marching to the beat of their own drum. When it comes to fashion, that energy is translated to wild statement pieces that stand out in a sea of normcore. However, you don’t have to be born a Sagittarius to channel the same level of experimental bravery. In the height of Swag-ittarius season, break out of the box with striking prints, wacky colour combinations and quirky accessories. Life’s too short to be a square. Time for a closet shake up!
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Watches
The Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Blue Golden Heritage is a vision in blue, gold and steel

18.12.2018
By Su Fen Tan

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The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

The first Bell & Ross Heritage timepiece may have been unveiled in 2009, but its source of inspiration dates way back—specifically the Golden Age of Flight (the period between World War I and World War II) and the 1940s. Sporting a vintage soul in terms of appearance coupled with modern watchmaking techniques, the Instrument BR Heritage pays homage to the military aircraft instruments of the bygone era in the brand’s iconic square-shaped case and design.

The original Bell & Ross Heritage timepiece

The BR 03 Golden Heritage followed in 2013, living up to its name with retro elements borrowed from the 2009 timepiece, and golden appliqué numerals and indexes on a brown dial bearing subtle marks of wear.
‘
The BR03 Golden Heritage

This year, a bolder, more contemporary take on the Heritage collection emerges with the new BR 03-92 Blue Golden Heritage. The sunray dial is coloured in a beautiful navy blue hue. It succeeds the clean, minimal aesthetic from the original’s dial, and the golden appliqué numerals and indexes of the 2013 version, coming together to form a refined, modern look. Just like the previous models, this limited-edition timepiece is paired with a leather strap that will form a patina over time, rendering it uniquely yours.

The new BR03-93 Blue Golden Heritage

The Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Blue Golden Heritage is available exclusively in Malaysia with a limited production of 120 pieces. Find it at Bell & Ross boutiques and selected Watchshoppe and Swiss Watch Gallery stores.

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Style
Watch: Catherine Zeta-Jones and daughter Carys Douglas dance through Rome in Fendi

30.10.2019
By Joan Kong

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The Fendi Peekaboo bag may have launched a decade ago, but one thing’s for sure: It’s still one of the most loved arm candies around. In the latest instalment of the #MeAndMyPeekaboo campaign, the brand continues to celebrate “the renovation of life” with a short film that ties the tradition and innovation of its DNA. The stars this round? Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones and her daughter, Carys Douglas, who made their first on-screen debut together. Shot at the Fendi HQ in Rome, the pair showed their close bond as they danced around Palazzo Altemps with their Peekaboo bags in tow-on Catherine, the regular size in Pequin print, and on Carys, the mini versions.
Watch the latest #MeAndMyPeekaboo campaign below:

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Makeup
Special effects makeup in horror movies: What it takes to create the goriest (and grossest) scenes

01.10.2020
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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With Halloween upon us again, horror movie marathons are well underway. Arguably, one of the best and often overlooked aspects of horror as a genre is how a little special effects makeup can bring the genres most iconic characters and scenes to life.
While video special effects in the film industry have come a long way with the introduction of CGI, practical special effects are still in use to this day. Naturally, we had to review some of the most impressive moments in horror SFX makeup to date.
Read on to glean all the gory goodness!
A bloodbath
Blood is, predictably, a necessity in the horror movie industry. Consider the iconic shower scene from Psycho featuring Janet Leigh being brutally stabbed to death, for example. The chilling scene is forever ingrained as a staple of cinematic history.
What may surprise you is that, in lieu of fake blood, Hitchcock favoured watered-down Hershey’s chocolate syrup which was impressively effective in the black and white film. Since then, as expected, the industry’s standard recipe has been developed further.

‘Kensington Gore’ is the commonplace stage name for fake blood in the film industry, first pioneered by John Tinegate in the ’70s. The recipe varies, but a common one is surprisingly achievable (and edible); a mixture of corn or golden syrup, cornflour and food dye gives it the right colour and viscosity. In fact, you will likely recognise this sticky concoction in horror staples like Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, the original Carrie and, of course, the original Evil Dead.
Paint me pretty

Further, special effects makeup is the backbone of films such as The Grudge (2002), which transforms actress Takako Fuji into the vengeful spirit of Kayako Saeki that wreaks havoc on anyone who encounters the site of her brutal murder. The transformation is achieved by little more than white face and body paint, heavy black pigment around the eyes and the occasional spot of fake blood, yet somehow leaves Fuji unrecognisable.
This particular look is pretty much the standard for the ‘vengeful spirit of a woman who was wronged during her life’ character, a prevalent but effective horror trope seen in other films like the 2004 Thai supernatural horror film Shutter and the 2002 Japanese horror Dark Water.
Fake it till you make it
Films like The Ring (2002) and its many reiterations take the same trope to the next level, turning the scare factor up using elaborate prosthetics in addition to body paint as detailed in the video here. Creating the franchise’s central antagonist Samara Morgan takes a jaw-dropping seven hours, not including the pre-production process involving taking casts of the actress and making the prosthetics in the first place.

Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal of Pennywise from the IT franchise revival is yet another terrifying horror villain, sending viewers reeling from the cinema. The practical effects artists behind the character’s distinctive look, Alec Giles and Tom Woodruff Jr, detailed their process in the video above. The process of creating the look is similar to that of The Ring; an elaborate set of prosthetics tailored to Skarsgård’s face along with a custom hand-made wig and dentures transforms the actor into his nightmarish counterpart.
These prosthetic pieces are typically made of foam latex which allows for greater flexibility when compared to full masks, allowing actors a larger range of facial expression. Its inception by legendary makeup artist Dick Smith (The Exorcist, Friday the 13th and Dawn of the Dead) has paved the way for special effects makeup industry, with his techniques still incorporated by makeup artists today.
Yes, it is a cripplingly labour-intensive process but, somehow, it doesn’t stop there.
Guts, gore and more
The wonders of prosthetics have been reinvented time and time again, with more elaborate and sophisticated technological developments. An incredible example of how far prosthetics have come is Ari Aster’s 2019 folk horror nightmare Midsommar, a film in which an idyllic retreat to Sweden quickly finds a group of friends at the mercy of a pagan cult. The film is, at times, horrifically graphic with its gore, meaning it also has some of the most convincing and advanced special effects.

Take the Ättestupa scene, which depicts a pair of elder cult members performing a ritual suicide by jumping off a cliff (spoiler alert: they die). The incredibly convincing and grotesque special effects were largely achieved through using prosthetics and hyper-realistic dummies as devised by the film’s makeup designer, Iván Pohárnok, who is a protegee of the aforementioned Dick Smith. For the sake of realism, Pohárnok cast moulds of the actors’ faces and bodies to make the rubber dummies which he then mangled accordingly.
However, the way the scene was filmed involved close-ups which meant that the dummies had to be exact to their corresponding actors. In order to achieve this, a meticulous paint job and painstaking addition of finer details like eyebrows, hair and eyelashes were required.

Iván Pohárnok behind the scenes at ‘Midsommar
Finally, one of the elders is shown to initially survive the fall, calling for the cult to—for lack of better description—brutally crush his head under a mallet to kill him. For Pohárnok and his team, the last obstacle was creating a dummy that would be able to be reused for multiple takes, so they added an ingenious piece of machinery that allowed the head to go from smashed to ‘un-smashed’ for multiple takes.
The rather nifty device would squirt fake blood during takes, and then (with the push of a button) air controlled cylinders within the prosthetic would implode the prosthetic head from the inside to inflate it, returning the head to its normal shape. This allowed the head to be crushed during takes as well as uncrushed for retakes. Equal parts horrific and cool!
So, that just about scratches the surface of the wonders of SFX makeup in old and new horror flicks—now what is your favourite SFX makeup moment?
For more on Halloween, click here.

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Buro Loves
What to bring for a 14-day quarantine: 7 Things to tide you through isolation

23.12.2020
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Late last month, I was required to undergo a 14-day quarantine notice at a hotel in Singapore—long story short, I needed to quarantine myself before registering for my marriage (my fiancé is based in Singapore). While it wasn’t the most ideal situation I had imagined (who wants to get cooped up in a room for 14 days right before getting hitched, right?), it was the only viable option we had if we wanted to 1) meet each other after a long nine months, and 2) get married, obviously.
Now that 14 days is over—and I am no longer a single woman—I realised that being isolated in a hotel room in a foreign country is honestly quite doable if you’ve got all the right things in your luggage bag. Ahead, a nifty list of what to pack with you if you need to undergo a 14-day quarantine yourself (without losing your wits at the end of two weeks):
The usual cleaning agents

What to bring for quarantine

We all know how clean hotels really are—it’s no secret that hotel bathrooms are often the grimiest, and what you see isn’t really what you get. That seemingly sparkling clean toilet seat may indicate a stellar sanitising job, but try lifting up the toilet seat (or even the back of the toilet seat cover) and you’d be grossed out with what you discover.
Call me weird, paranoid, or obsessive, but I’m that person who’d rather clean ’em down my way instead of calling housekeeping—that way I know it’s been thoroughly cleaned and not have to worry if I’m going to pick up something unsavoury after using the loo.
My trick: Bring a kettle of water to a boil, and then douse the boiling water over the toilet seat/bowl before wiping it down with wet wipes and/or sanitiser spray.
The latter two were perhaps my two most-used items during my stay as the hotel room I was allocated wasn’t exactly dust-free. By day two, my eyes, nose and throat were feeling the dreaded itch (not from corona, don’t worry—I Googled) and I had a feeling that the room’s dust situation could be a major factor.
So I decided to page for a vacuum cleaner and a new set of sheets (if you were wondering, housekeeping isn’t going to waltz in to clean the room for you, unfortunately), and after changing my linens and regular vacuuming on the daily, my allergies subsided.
Tip: Pack on a travel-sized bottle of laundry detergent too, if you’re iffy with dirty laundry piling up for 14 days. While my hotel did offer laundry services, I didn’t want a couple of my items to be tossed in the dryer—especially my workout gear.
Medication (in case of allergies and food poisoning)

What to bring for quarantine

The last thing you’ll want to contract during your 14-day stay is a cold, tummy upset, or any kind of ailment for the matter. Easily susceptible to colds especially when the AC is constantly running? Pack your soluble vitamin Cs and a couple of flu meds, just in case!
Thanks to anti-histamines, my above-mentioned dust allergies didn’t plague me for too long throughout my stay.
Skincare—your existing routine, but better

What to bring for quarantine

Staying in 24/7 for two weeks doesn’t mean you’re allowed to slack on your skincare routine. I was tempted to skip on SPF, but my circumstances didn’t allow for it—my hotel room’s desk faced the balcony door, so my face will likely be exposed to UV rays while I’m working on my laptop (and I most definitely did not want to end my quarantine with a face full of pigmentation.)
READ: You could be layering your skincare wrong—here’s what you should be doing instead
I’d made sure to include richer face and eye creams as well, as my skin tends to get dryer in less humid conditions—what more being confined to an air-conditioned room for two weeks. Masking every three days helped gave me a semblance of my former self-care routine, and to keep occasional breakouts at bay.
New faves: Farmacy Very Cherry Bright 15% Clean Vitamin C Serum for a shot of skin-brightening (without irritating the skin), and comfy sheet masks from K-beauty brand Abib for extra hydration.
A little something to uplift your senses…

What to bring for quarantine

I’m a sucker for scents, and while I was most tempted to bring my entire fragrance stash along with me, my 40kg baggage allowance didn’t grant me that luxury. And I know what you’re thinking: “Why wear perfume if no one else can get a whiff of it, and if you aren’t wearing it out?”
But fragrance is more than just that! Our sense of smell is linked to the deepest parts of our brain, which triggers emotional and even physical responses when we experience aromatherapy. Need a mood-booster when you’re feeling down in the dumps? Spritz your favourite perfume. Can’t seem to relax/fall asleep at night? Light a candle or turn a diffuser on to engulf your home with your favourite scent and to improve your overall wellbeing.
SHOP: 12 Gifts for every fragrance lover on your list
As you can tell from the picture, my go-to scents are floral, citrusy, and green. From rollerballs to fragrance crayons, these are the perfect sizes to add to my luggage without taking up too much weight or space. On days when I felt more sluggish than usual, a quick dab behind the ears or in the inside of my elbows worked wonders in turning around my mid-day brain fogginess.
Hairdryer

What to bring for quarantine

My hair’s history with hotel hairdryers is a pretty eventful one—let’s just say that it’s a tie between frizzy AF tresses and half-dried roots (a high-powered motor in a hairdryer is hard to come by these days).
READ: The ultimate guide to maintaining your crowning glory
You will want to arm yourself with a hairdryer that can actually do its job efficiently, and to prevent 1) tired arms, 2) questionable hair that may not even be 100 per cent dry after what feels like hours, and 3) that dreaded ‘burnt’ smell in the air right after you’re done with a blowdrying session. I’ve been using GHD Helios since my review earlier this year and my locks absolutely approve.
Yoga mat

What to bring for quarantine

Fourteen days of bumming and non-activity in one space? There’s only so much idling I can do before the inevitable sense of restlessness hits. Lucky for my couch potato behind, I managed to squeeze my Lululemon mat into my luggage bag—and it was one of the most utilised things I’d packed, after wet wipes and sanitiser that is.
READ: Keep fit in isolation with this home-based workout guide
While it’s only a lightweight topper (the 5mm mat would’ve been too bulky and heavy to be crammed in my luggage), the carpeted flooring of the hotel room was plush enough to cushion the balls of my wrist and knees during my workouts. I made it a point to clock in daily HIIT and stretching exercises, just to get my heart rate up. At one point, I barely walked 100 steps a day—a worrying notion, seeing how the healthy baseline is 7,500 steps a day(!).
TIP: If you’re not sure where or how to begin, try easy cardio exercises that require only 10 minutes a day i.e. jumping jacks, jogging in place, and squat jumps.
Extra:

What to bring for quarantine

Tea and coffee lovers, pack on your necessities before your 14-day stay—whatever it is you need to make a good cuppa tea/coffee. I was fortunate enough to have a Nespresso machine in my hotel room, so all I did was buzzed family members for two sleeves of Nespresso capsules—just enough coffee to tide me through quarantine. That, and a couple of cup noodles and bags of fruit for good measure.
READ: Casa Nespresso has opened its doors to surprise and inspire your gifting this holiday season
Surprisingly, two weeks went by in a flash. A 14-day solo quarantine in a hotel in a foreign country may sound trying, but if you’re stocked with the right essentials, food (and alcohol for some of you), and adequate entertainment, you may just pull through breezily. That said, establishing (and sticking to) a daily routine truly helped my wellbeing—even my sleeping hours were regulated to ensure I don’t get lethargic by mid-day.
P/S: When I mean food, I mean ordering meals of your choice via food delivery services, or any food-based care packages your friends and family members can send your way. The daily meals provided by the hotel I bunked at were a dismal lot, so you might want to keep your expectations real low.

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Features
Copenhagen Fashion Week SS21: All the vibrant street style looks that liven up the sidewalks

18.08.2020
By Joan Kong

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Think of Nordic street style and minimal hues and clean silhouettes will most likely come to mind, but at Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2021 last week—the first physical-only fashion event to take place this year since February—the fashion pack (who were all recharged and ready to go) graced the streets in ensembles that were vivid and vibrant, pulled together in their quintessential way.
Some of the most spotted pairings were effortlessly chic T-shirt-and-midi-skirt get-ups that were amped up with double take-worthy accessories or striking details (metallic fringes! Padded shoulders!), maxi dresses in the trickiest of prints, and summer-appropriate shirt-and-shorts co-ords in—surprise!—playful cartoon motifs. It may be a scary world out there at the moment, but the exuberance of these street style ensembles definitely helps uplift our spirits.
Below, the best bold and bright looks at Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2021:

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Fashion
New month, new bags: The 7 arm candy launches in September 2020—for ladies and gents

07.09.2020
By Joan Kong

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

New month, new bags! Autumn/Winter 2020 season is officially here, and you know what it means—it’s time to breathe new life into your closet, be it in the form of trending jewellery, new kicks, or our not-so-guilty pleasure, bags.
Two months after some of the most exciting launches of the year—including the LV Pont 9, Gucci Jackie, Dior Bobby, and more—a list of major fashion houses have also unveiled new and updated designs that are slowly making their way onto the It-list.
Check out all the recently launched bags for both men and women:

Ambush x Bvlgari’s Serpenti bag

Less than four months after the brand released its Serpenti bag collaboration with Alexander Wang, a second chapter has now been unveiled. The designer? Yoon of Tokyo-based label Ambush (who’s also the Director of Jewellery at Dior Men).
Dubbed the “Serpenti Through The Eyes of Ambush”, the Serpenti Forever bag is given a fresh update this time around. Taking inspo from the Tree Python, the designer replaced the structured silhouette with curvier shapes, and the combination of supple quilted leather and the metal top-handle give it that extra allure.
The designs are available in a vibrant colour palette of bright blue, purple, and bright green on top of monochrome black and white.

Valentino Garavani’s The Atelier bag

Did the bags on the Valentino runway back in March capture your attention? If you’ve already saved it on your Instagram feed, get this: they’re landing in stores this month!
A project that’s an ode to the Maison’s archives, this particular collection shines the spotlight on its signature rose element. Each bag is completely covered in leather petals in five different sizes that give the arm candy an eye-catching three-dimensional finish—plus, it takes around 10 and a half hours to complete one bag.
The Atelier bag will be available in three sizes and in five colours.

Alexander McQueen’s The Duffle bag

Shopping for a carryall for your upcoming staycation or island getaway? Alexander McQueen’s Duffle bag from its Men’s Pre-Fall 2020 collection is the perfect carrier for both. Inspired by its popular De Manta bag, the folded side corners give this duffle its distinctive feature, and it can be worn crossbody as well. Take your pick between smooth calf or crocodile-embossed leather.

Loewe’s Balloon bag

The Loewe Balloon bag is one of the breakout stars of the year, and this season, it continues to climb up the It-list with new colourways. Crafted from two different leathers (that reflect the brand’s expertise in leatherwork), the supple bucket bag is available in an array of colour combinations, including one that’s juxtaposed with snakeskin-print.

Salvatore Ferragamo’s  Tornabuoni 1927 collection

Salvatore Ferragamo has released a men’s accessories collection called the Tornabuoni 1927, and it embodies the brand’s craftsmanship and artisanal heritage like no other. The leather goods—backpacks, clutches, belt bags, and tote bags—come in three designs. The first is in soft deerskin leather, the second in nylon with a rubber logo, and the third in nylon with a leather label.

Kate Spade New York’s Spade Flower Jacquard collection

Think of Kate Spade New York and its spade emblem will definitely come to mind—and the Spade Flower Jacquard collection was launched to honour just that. Introduced by creative director Nicola Glass for AW20, you can find the new spade flower motif emblazoned throughout the collection, printed on a special coated canvas that is durable and easy to care for. Our favourite design? The round mini bag that’s peppered with cute fruit prints.

Fendi’s Peekaboo bag

The Peekaboo is undoubtedly one of Fendi’s iconic bags, but for Autumn/Winter 2020—11 years after it was first introduced—its design is getting a trendy update. For one, the carrier now features an accordion-framed shape that opens wider; and secondly, its inside pockets are now interchangeable and personalised. From the iconic to ISeeU to the X-Lite range, shop the design that best screams “you” in stores.

Christian Louboutin’s Cabaraparis bag

If you’re already a fan of Christian Louboutin’s Cabas bags, its latest offering is definitely not one to be missed. Unlike previous designs that reference the works of artisans from all over the world, the designer pays homage to his hometown, Paris, this year. For the first time ever, Christian Louboutin has partnered up with illustrator Hélène Tran to translate the fantastical elements of the City of Light into the prints.
Available in two embellished designs, each bag depicts the city during the day and night.

Check out the July 2020 bag launches here.

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Best dressed at the Emmy Awards 2017

Fashion
Best dressed at the Emmy Awards 2017
Red carpet winners

18.09.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Awards season kicks in with the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards in full swing last night at the Microsoft Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. As television’s best put their best foot forward to receive glowing accolades, they didn’t forget to turn it up a notch with glitzy looks that brought much-needed glamour to the red carpet. Frothy tulle and chiffon were favourites of the night, with Millie Bobby Brown in Calvin Klein By Appointment, Kiernan Shipka in Miu Miu, and Yara Shahidi in Prada. A dose of drama was delivered by way of layered feathers—Priyanka Chopra in Balmain and Zoë Kravitz in Dior Couture; metallic embellishments—Sarah Paulson in Carolina Herrera and Jessica Lange in Gucci; and jewel tones—Reese Witherspoon in Stella McCartney and Shailene Woodley in Ralph Lauren Collection.

Who is your red carpet favourite from the Emmys 2017?
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Trends
Add to cart: 8 Elephant-themed finds if you’re a huge Dumbo fan

01.04.2019
By Stephanie Boey

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Tim Burton’s spin on Dumbo marks the first Disney classic to be released from a long string of upcoming remakes. The world’s favourite flying elephant takes the silver screen once again after the original’s release in 1941. If Dumbo was one of your favourite movies growing up, you may already have your tickets at the ready. Take it one step further with an elephant-themed ensemble to complement your Dumbo craze.
Coach takes the lead with a special collaboration with Disney to produce an extensive collection of your favourite animated characters on their best-selling silhouettes. Seeing the original animated version of Dumbo on the knitted intarsia sweater in baby blue (Slide 1) definitely pulls at the heartstrings. Gucci has something similar but with a longer hemline (Slide 2), the long wool sweater can be worn over trousers or on its own as a mini dress. Known for their quirky animal-shaped bags, Loewe‘s elephant mini bag receives a hand-sprayed treatment in a spectrum of sunset colours (Slide 3) that lightens up the mood. Want to wear your love for Disney’s baby elephant a little more subtlely? You’ll love Marc Alary’s playful and whimsical fine jewellery. The handmade pendant (Slide 4) is made from 18-karat gold, ebony and sapphire for a truly precious charm.
View all our picks below:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] Dumbo shopping list” rid=”7111″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Skincare
My one-month attempt to get a V-shaped face – here’s what I discovered

26.06.2019
By Gwen Ong

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Do kids say the darnest things? Yes, I’m inclined to think kids can be brutally honest. I was called ‘muka penyet’ or ‘flat face’ by my peers when I was young. You see, my face was round with neither high cheekbones nor tall nose. I was at best a deflated basketball. For years, I was teased for my lack of facial definition. Lucky for me, my facial structure started changing when puberty set in. I finally got a somewhat 3D face at last!
My face is more proportional now but I’ve never quite lost the baby fat around my cheeks. The first sign of weight gain and PMS bloat is really apparent on my face. Sigh. About a month ago, I embarked on a ‘V-shaped’ challenge with the new Clarins V Shaping Facial Lift. I wanted to see if I could “manipulate” my features. This is what I discovered…
The quest for ‘V’
Since its introduction in 1998, the Clarins V Shaping Facial Lift has been a consistent bestseller, favoured by many women (and men) to help achieve a more defined look. So you can bet I want a slice of the cake too!
The latest fifth generation serum by Clarins is still all about facial contouring but now, it comes with an updated formulation that not only work against facial roundness and excess water retention but also the pull of gravity. Admit it, many of us have less than desirable lifestyle habits that can affect our skin’s health. E.g. walking in the sun without protection, using our phones in a questionable condition, etc. Clarins researchers found that UV rays and pollutions can cause as much as 70 percent decrease in collagen and hence, contribute to the loss of skin elasticity and face contours, and the onset of sagging skin, double chin, etc. Yikes!

The new serum treatment contains a selection of unique plant extracts including the star ingredient – agropyron. This plant basically has superpowers—one that translates to big holding power to fight against gravity. Of course, I hope I could give my face some super lifting too! The contouring serum also has other key plant-based ingredients such as zerumber ginger extract, horse chestnut escin, arabica coffee shrub, guarana, oat and sunflower, which you can read more about here.
The first week
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First impression – the Clarins V Shaping Facial Lift has a lightweight texture that absorbs easily into the skin. I love the smooth lotion and fresh scent that makes it pleasant to apply. It’s mild enough to not trigger any reaction. My skin is fairly sensitive so this was a plus point in my book. I studied the Clarins’ Auto-Lifting massage technique to ensure that I was giving my skin the best treatment. The idea is to activate fluid release and pat away the puffiness, water retention, etc with the gentle pressure.

While I like the idea of a less bloated appearance, this technique meant that I would need to spend an extra 5-10 minutes on my skincare routine every morning and evening. It’s already taking me about 20 minutes to layer on my toner, eye cream, serum, moisturiser and etc. Now I need to take into account the extra precious minutes ticking by. But I was game to see better results – I convinced myself that being “extra” is essential to my gain. Seven days is a short amount of time to tell of any difference but my colleagues did notice that my skin looks smoother and more radiant. I’m off to a winning start!
The first month
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Four weeks in and the Clarins V Shaping Facial Lift has become a promising part of my morning and evening routine now. Admittedly, there were a few times that I skipped the manual massage as I was pressed for time. But I do make up for it with a mini facial some nights – when I’m feeling a little motivated, I used a jade gua-sha tool to further help in detoxifying and firming up the skin. Again, I think the extra effort will show.
I don’t think I’ve scrutinised myself as much as I do since I started this ‘V-shaped’ challenge. There is a subtle difference in terms of how my skin feels smoother and tauter now. This is the most positive “lifting” effect I could see. I went into this challenge without expectation, so I’m pleased that my skin condition is looking better these days. Also, the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos above do tell the difference. I’m shook! But here’s the thing, Clarins V Shaping Facial Lift is an aid to refine your features and not a miracle worker. It’s best to remember that your bone structure has a lot do with how much it can do for your desired V contour. I’d say use this if you’re battling with puffiness and your skin is lacking radiance – the serum’s super ingredients combined with the manual massage will help to keep the bloat at bay and enhance your glow. See being extra will really benefit you.
Clarins V Shaping Facial Lift is priced at RM335. Find out more about the new contouring serum at the Clarins V Shape Studio happening at Mid Valley Megamall this 1 – 7 July 2019. There are various activities taking place, which you can pre-register for here.

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Travel
Checking in: The revamped Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur

29.04.2019
By Rachel Au

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2018 saw a throng of new hotels pop up in Kuala Lumpur and as exciting as that was, let’s not forget about the ones that have made a name for itself over the years. One of them is the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur—once known as ‘the Grand Dame’ of hotels in the city—that has become a legacy on its own. Apart from the nostalgia, comfort, service and satisfaction are three guaranteed experiences that have become the reason for many returning guests.
However, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur isn’t quite what it used to be. It’s better, modern and more chic. The hotel had its relaunch this year after an extensive (read: multimillion-dollar) transformation, giving most people another great reason to stop by, dine or stay. If you are indeed looking for a new hotel in KL to have a staycation, consider Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur; because like most older successful hotels in KL, its other winning factor is the location.

sheraton imperial kl 2019
Situated along Jalan Sultan Ismail, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur faces a mall in the front (in the event emergency supplies are needed) and houses a string of unique dining options in its backyard (from the famous Yut Kee to Nyonya restaurant Limapulo to fun Caribbean-style bar and grill Joloko). Then again, within the hotel itself is a wide variety of restaurants worth staying in for. Not to mention, it’s a mere three-minute walk to the nearest monorail station and a Grab away to the hot shopping spots such as Pavilion KL and KLCC.
As if those aren’t reasons enough for being a worthy weekend staycation spot, there are still the following points I have to make.

THE ROOMS
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After its extensive renovations, the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur has even more rooms now—a whopping total of 398 rooms, ranging from a collection of Deluxe Rooms to Club Rooms to Suites. The space looks evidently brighter and more modern, while retaining some of its classic features such as the orange-y marble in the bathroom. If you follow us on Instagram, you would have seen a quick tour of the Club Room I stayed in but otherwise, the fun fact is that the rooms have a new mini walk-in cupboard. They’re also generally (and generously) spacious and if you’re lucky (or if you request for it), you’ll have an unparalleled view of the KL Tower (a refreshing sight since more recent hotels take pride in their various views of the Twin Towers).

THE FACILITIES
For starters, any guests who stay at the Club Room automatically gets access to the Club Lounge on the 38th floor, which also has a view of the KL Tower and the city’s skyline (the less congested side of it). Guests are treated to light bites in the late afternoon and it’s also an alternative (albeit more private) breakfast spot (though with less options).

sheraton imperial kl 2019 – club lounge
There’s also a spa, a gym and swimming pool (where you, again, get a clear view of the KL Tower). As for event spaces, you might already know that Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur houses a Junior and Grand Ballroom, a Boardroom and 13 meeting rooms.

THE FOOD

essence buffet sheraton kl 2019 review
As mentioned earlier, you’ll be spoilt for choices at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur. Essence is where you go to mainly for the international buffet and while the selection is almost endless, we hear they’ll soon be rolling out special pass-arounds of the day. During my stay, it was these huge prawns grilled to fragrant, juicy perfection. There’s also a whole section that redefines the phrase ‘noodle bar’. You can place all the toppings (fishballs, squidballs, a variety of vegetables, mussels, beef balls, you name it) you want in a bowl, along with the choice of noodles, before passing it on to the staff to cook it with one of the three soup bases.

celestial court sheraton kl 2019 review
Then, there’s the Cantonese restaurant Celestial Court, which also underwent a facelift. There’s dim sum on the menu as well but the highlight is The Fabulous Big Feast (priced at RM148 nett per adult and RM74 nett per child of 7-12 years old). An a la carte buffet dinner featuring over 60 Chinese signatures, you can literally order and eat to your heart’s content in a group. I especially recommend the Signature Roasted Duck with Condiments and Fried Soft Shell Crab with Salted Egg.

villa danieli sheraton kl 2019 review
For authentic Italian cuisine, look no further than Villa Danieli. Just like its name suggests, the restaurant alone has managed to recreate that vibes similar to that of a Tuscany villa, inside and out. A popular spot for weddings, the food doesn’t disappoint and every Sunday, it hosts a Mama Mia Italian Brunch (price starts from RM148 nett per adult)—a semi-buffet where mains are ordered from the menu (I recommend the Beetroot Gnocchi with Creamy Gorgonzola Cheese – divine!) while antipasto and salad can be taken from the bar, along with an assorted selection of freshly shucked oysters, clam prawns and mussels.

the paviliions lounge and bar sheraton kl
Lighter and sweeter bites are served at The Pavilions Lounge & Bar in the form of the hotel’s renowned afternoon tea. The space has withstood the test of time and remains ever breathtaking (Instagram-worthy alert!).

THE VERDICT

While there were many food establishments outside of the hotel tempting my palate, a lot of my cravings were satisfied within Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur. And honestly, not leaving the hotel and truly disconnecting from the busy outside world is my idea of a staycation, through and through. And thus, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur succeeded. However, what truly amazed me was the interior and architecture of the space where Essence and The Pavilions Lounge & Bar meet: High ceilings, generous amounts of natural light from the window panels on the ceiling and windows, intricate detailing on the staircase railing, window grills and more. All these you’d only find in an older building and thankfully, well-kept. Everything was indeed satisfactory and I can see why people go back to Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur, generation after generation.

For more infomation, visit Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur on their website, Facebook or Instagram. Alternatively, call them at 03 2717 9900.

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Lifestyle
TWG Tea is celebrating World Macaron Day with a special deal
Happy Jour du Macaron

15.03.2016
By Rachel Au

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When did macarons come to be… macarons and who created it? The origins of the little French pastry is unclear but the earliest known history of it dates back to 1533 when Catherine de’ Medici and her Italian pastry chefs brought it with them to France upon marrying Henry II.

But apparently, macarons only started becoming famous when two Carmelite nuns seeking asylum during the French Revolution began baking and selling them to pay for their housing. They soon became known as the “Macaron Sisters”. However, in those days, macarons were plain cookies with no special flavours or fillings.

Today, macarons are two almond meringue discs filled with a layer or buttercream, jam or ganache-an evolved version since early 20th century that is often credited to Laduree’s Pierre Desfontaines. Then in 2005, La Maison Pierre Hermé created Jour du Macaron (Macaron Day) where participating bakeries and macaron shops around the world offer a free sample macaron to customers. A percentage of all additional macaron sales will then be donated to a local charity.

In Malaysia, TWG Tea too is participating in this sweet occasion but with a slightly different treat. Known also for the signature macarons that are handcrafted with the most exceptional ingredients, TWG tea is offering a complimentary box of six macarons when you purchase a box of six macarons on 20 March 2016. That’s 12 macarons to share around and indulge, so be sure not to miss out!

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Food + Drink
7 “Aesthetic” cafés in KL to visit this weekend to boost your IG feed and get your coffee fix

30.12.2020
By Sanjeeva Suresh

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Usher in the weekend by getting yourself a coffee and sugar fix at one of these seven cafés. Each selected based on their “aesthetic appeal” (yes, it’s OK to be superficial) and the variations of sweet offerings within. Take a picture, post it up and then have a sip and enjoy life’s little pleasures. Sweet!
1. Planter Chin

Photo: Planter Chin
This café is the best place to spend a lazy Sunday if you’re a nature lover with a sweet tooth. At Planter Chin, you’ll smell the smoky scent of craft coffee intermingled with fresh potted plants. This lush botanic haven’s Lemon Loaf (priced at RM11) is, particularly, not to be missed. A favourite among customers is also the classic Milk Coffee (priced at RM13).

Photo: Planter Chin
Address: 6a, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 019 616 5193
Facebook | Instagram
2. Yew Yew KL

Photo: Yew Yew KL
Yew Yew KL has become popular among coffee enthusiasts for its cosy atmosphere, minimalist aesthetic and of course, the fresh brew of Speciality Coffee, hearty cakes and flavourful pastries. This hidden gem is located on the ground floor of the unassuming Bangunan Ka Yin Fui Kon. If you do pay them a visit, be sure to try their Snow Chiffon Rose Lychee Cake. As its name hints, it’s soft and fluffy, and a treat to both taste and look at. Wash it down with some Pome-berry Earl Grey Tea.
Address: 63-D, Ground Floor, Bangunan Ka Yin, Jalan Sultan, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 011 6563 1233
Facebook | Instagram
3. Kaffe 16

Photo: Kaffe 16
If you’ve had a scroll through Kaffe 16’s official Instagram, you’ll notice a common theme of soft shadows cast on the thick concrete walls, making it the perfect place to get that golden hour shot. The pebbled floors and marble countertops are also ideal for a classic panoramic food snap. If you’re feeling hungry, try their Beef Burger, which consists of a minced beef patty, Kenkori egg and onion jam. Keen on something sweet? Their Beryl’s Bittersweet Mr Bean cake is worth a taste.
Address: Lot 16, Jalan Panggong, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03 2022 2552
Facebook | Instagram
4. Aperture

Photo: Aperture
Aperture is the place to swing by if you enjoy thick, chewy, indulgent cookies. Their soft cookies are made with quality Valrhona chocolate and come in a range of flavours. Bestsellers include the Fancy Nancy, the Caramel Matcha and the School Memory (all priced at RM21). On the other hand, their cakes are sugary sweet confections that range from the Sticky Date Pudding to the Victoria Sandwich. Bonus aesthetics points go the beautifully painted porcelain bowls and plates which are used to serve the delightful desserts.
Address: 12A, Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03 7733 1556
Facebook | Instagram
5. Spacegrey at Floralreef

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A post shared by spacegrey at floralreef (@spacegrey.my)

Likes its name suggests, Spacegrey embodies the aesthetic of rustic charm meets modern, futuristic appeal. It’s almost a minimalist’s dream. The instant takeaway: The concrete tables that serve as the contracting background for your #coffee photo. Looks aside, Spacegrey takes pride in their craftsmanship while still offering high-quality, sensibly-priced beverages. Their range of house-made bottled drinks is said to “maintain a sense of novelty with every sip”. Need a chilled drink on a hot day? Give their Matcha Milk and Cocoa Milk a try (both priced at RM11).
Address: 149a, Jalan SS 2/24, SS 2, 47300 Petaling Jaya
Contact: 018 220 5168
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6. Half & Hāfu Coffeebar

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If you have an insatiable appetite for cakes with a bonus affinity for adventurous flavours, pay Half & Hāfu Coffeebar a visit. For one, they serve a mouth-watering Organic Black Sesame Tofu Cheesecake (it’s actually not as bad as it may sound). If you prefer to start off with something tamer, try the Burnt Butter Carrot Cake. Or completely play it safe and go for the Red Velvet Cake where you’ll tuck into a mouthful of buttermilk cocoa sponge (coloured with beetroot) and topped off with a creamy white frosting finish.
Address: Lot B-1-05, First Floor, The Hub SS2 Retail Office, 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya
Contact: 03 7931 1990
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7. Curio Coffee Roaster & Cafe

Photo: Curio Coffee Roaster
An ice-shaken, hand-poured Black Soda, a beautifully baked Avocado Cheesecake and a Salted Egg Yolk Lava Croissant—the list of treats that Curio Coffee Roaster & Cafe does is seemingly endless, and unlike any other. You’ll find delicious layered matcha brownies and oat milk iced lattes (for you non-dairy folk). Combine that with the stunning black and white mosaic flooring against rustic wooden furniture, and you’ll be ready for an IG Story that will be the envy of many.
Address: Rivercity, Lot 468, G26-A Block G Rivercity Roof Top, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 51200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 012 290 2302
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For more recommendations, head over here.

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Film, TV + Theatre
Watch now: The Zoolander 2 official trailer is out
Inside Derek's brain

05.08.2015
By Cai Mei Khoo

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

Derek Zoolander is back – well, almost. After the surprise appearance of Derek and Hansel on the runway at the Valentino A/W ’15 show earlier this March, Paramount Pictures has just released a teaser for Zoolander 2. The sequel sees Will Ferrell reprising his role as Mugatu, with appearances by Kimye and Justin Bieber.

Watch the trailer below:

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Art + Design
See some of Ren Hang’s last works in Paris showcase this Sunday
NSFW

03.03.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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8 Best art galleries to visit in the Klang Valley

On 24 February, the world lost an art and photography visionary in Ren Hang. Only 30 when he passed, Ren was known for his provocative photos and poetry—where his depictions of nudity were not so much sexual, but striking and beautiful.

One of Ren Hang’s last works was Bao, a lookbook shot at the very end of 2016 with Totem Collective. It was for a new bag called TOTE01, and Ren photographed a series of images over a course of a day in Beijing for the project. As a tribute to his legacy, and to share his vision and unique sense of beauty with more of the world, Totem Collective will be holding an exhibition at Boon Paris, showcasing unreleased photos from the collaborative Bao photobook.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Ren Hang x Totem” rid=”4878″ order=”a_tstamp”}
The Totem Collective x Ren Hang showcase will be held at Boon, 9 Rue de Lesdiguières, 75004, Paris from 3-8pm this Sunday, 5 March 2017. RSVP at this link for entry.

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Food + Drink
Buro Orders: 7 Dishes to try at Atas Modern Malaysian Eatery @ The RuMa Hotel KL

14.06.2019
By Rachel Au

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Review: Sky35 KL presents an omakase experience plated on Hermès finery

The RuMa Hotel and Residences, Kuala Lumpur charmed us from the minute we first stepped foot onto the property—all that effort down to the minuscule detail in building a hotel that pays exceedingly fair homage to the Malaysian culture and history. We checked in, reviewed the hotel and was proud to say it passed with flying colours. The same can be said about its one-and-only signature restaurant, Atas Modern Malaysian Eatery.
There are a fair few restaurants that describes their menus as authentic, modern and Malaysian—and in some ways, some of them do achieve it. Atas Modern Malaysian Eatery, on the other hand, does it ever so subtly, without being too “in your face”. There’s no fancy nasi lemak or an experimental laksa. The menu is original, the presentation is modern, but the flavours are what make the dishes Malaysian. It’s in the ingredients, spices and herbs—they’re the elements that invokes a sense of familiarity. Or rather, the right combinations. The culinary alchemist responsible for this is Executive Chef Tyson Gee, born Canadian, of half Chinese and half German descent.
“My goal isn’t to deconstruct classical or traditional Malaysian dishes but to reinterpret local ingredients and flavour profiles into something uniquely Malaysian,” said Gee, who, prior to the Atas gig, had never been to Malaysia before. His previous stint was being Chef de Cuisine at Park Hyatt Melbourne and for Atas, he had only two weeks to come up with a menu to impress the bosses. Suffice to say, his creations won them over, as they did to us during our review. We tried quite a number of items from the menu but these were our ultimate favourites (it was hard to pick them too!), if you’re looking for recommendations on what to order when you visit the restaurant.
SNACKS
1. Blue tiger prawn, betel leaf, charred coconut, RM45

atas modern malaysian eatery review-prawn betel leaf
Think of it like a Malaysian version of Thai’s miang kam. We really wanted seconds of this. If there was one word to describe the combination of the betel leaf, a plump fresh prawn and charred coconut bits wrapped together and consumed in one mouthful; it’d be balanced. The slight bitterness from the leaf, the sweetness from the prawn and flavourful charred coconut bits are gelled so well together to create its own flavour profile.
STARTERS
2. Cured ocean trout, puffed tapioca, sambal dressing, RM55

atas modern malaysian eatery review-trout
Cured ocean trout with sambal? That’s interesting and together with the puffed tapioca (akin to a keropok), gives the dish a few layers or texture. However, chilli queens might be a tad disappointed with the sambal as it’s not very spicy, which, conversely, meant it doesn’t overpower the trout.
FROM THE CHARCOAL OVEN
3. 7+ Wagyu Sirloin, sambal assam, kai lan, sour leaves, RM300

atas modern malaysian eatery review-wagyu
Looks like Chef Tyson has found different ways to sneak in sambal in his dishes because sambal on top of wagyu? Unorthodox but it works, giving the flavourful marinade a slight sweetness and a very small kick. A highly recommended main, this one.
ACCOMPANIMENTS
4. Jasmine rice salad, chicken skin, spring onion, sesame, RM25
So good you can even eat it on its own. Legit. It’s almost reminiscent of nasi kerabu but Atas version (pun unintended). With the addition of fried shallots (another seemingly favourite garnish of Chef Tyson’s), every spoonful has a nice crisp and flavour to it.
5. Charred baby corn, reduced coconut, pecorino, RM25
Looking at it on the menu, it may seem like an innocent dish—one that’s passable in the sea of mouthwatering options offered on the menu. But don’t. Don’t turn a blind eye on it. Sweet with cheese sauce poured over it and light coconut shavings on top, it’s a great accompaniment to whatever else you might be ordering.
SWEET
6. Pandan creme caramel, coconut sorbet, peanut brittle, RM40

atas modern malaysian eatery review-pandan
The saying that “looks can be deceiving” does not run true with this adorable platter of tiny desserts. If your stuffed stomach is saying no but your heart desires a sweet ending, go with this. The caramel, while strong, isn’t too sweet and it finishes off gently with a tinge of pandan. Unfortunately, don’t expect the coconut sorbet to be one of the best you’ve had as the flavour is quite faint but match it up with the peanut brittle for a nice crunch.
7. Durian ice cream sundae, pistachio, gula Melaka, coconut, RM45

atas modern malaysian eatery review-durian
A MUST-TRY. Yes, the caps lock was necessary. Best durian ice cream in Kuala Lumpur. Its texture is almost like you’re eating real durian flesh. Consider the accompaniments of this dessert as the alternative toppings to a sundae. A Malaysian sundae.
ATAS MODERN MALAYSIAN EATERY
Address: The RuMa Hotel and Residences, 7 Jalan Kia Peng 50450 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Phone number: +603 2788 0888
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Watches
Meet Chanel’s new time masterpiece, Code Coco
Modern vintage allure

02.11.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

Inspired by the clasp of Chanel’s signature 2.55 bag, the Code Coco is a masterpiece of beauty. From afar, it looks like a sleek statement bracelet on the wrist; go up-close, and you’ll see the discrete watch face, which can be concealed by a simple twist of the clasp. Très chic.

Crafted in stainless steel, Code Coco wears a grid design on the bracelet, a horological nod to Chanel’s iconic quilted motif. Meanwhile, the minimal dial flaunts a single diamond—Gabrielle Chanel’s favourite gemstone. To quote the style icon: “If I have chosen the diamond, it is because it represents, in its density, the greatest value in the smallest volume.”
The timepiece’s modern vintage allure is showcased in the house campaign, which features the likes of Lucia Pica, Virginie Viard and Alma Jodorowsky.
The Chanel Code Coco is available in two styles, one with a plain stainless steel bezel ($5,000), and the other version features a bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds ($9,100).

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Fashion
Bowling fans, the Prada capsule for Mr Porter is made for you
A clean game

12.04.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

If you thought that bowling merch will always read as tacky more than chic, Prada and Mr Porter will prove you wrong with a brand new bowling-themed capsule collection. This 32-piece range takes major inspiration from the bygone eras when the sport was all the rage — specifically the 1950s and 1980s. Marking Prada’s first menswear exclusive in collaboration with an online retailer, you can expect a range of apparel and shoes from this capsule.

“The retro themes of Fifties and Eighties men’s wear were an effortless inspiration for the campaign and content, and allowed us to easily meld the worlds of Mr Porter and Prada,” said Toby Bateman, managing director at Mr Porter on WWD. Think Hawaiian camp-collar shirts, gingham checks and madras prints alongside pop-cartoon motifs that were rife in Prada’s recent collection. A handful of smart pieces take on a retro aesthetic, including mohair wool blazers, old-school stripe cardigans, and suede/satin blouson jackets. Spot a special Prada bowling logo on a few of the printed tees — a must-have for any bowling fan. Take your pick from an assortment of footwear, such as cap-toe sneakers and Derbies, loafers and creepers that would fare excellently with pleated and flat front trousers from the collection.

Prada x Mr Porter is available this April 25 online.

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Beauty
I tried the CircleDNA Premium DNA Test and here’s what happened
Gene-uine results

21.03.2022
By Rachel Au

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Remember that time when DNA testing meant finding out how far—literally—your ancestry roots go? Whether it was mixed with Korean and a bit of European or you’re 100 per cent Chinese, these tests would break down the geographical (gene-ographical?) history of my DNA. But of course, the price—while reasonably so—stopped me from hitting the ‘Add to Cart’ button. Instead, I stuck with Buzzfeed quizzes to see which Disney princess I am (it’s Belle, in case you were wondering).
Since then, however, home DNA test kits have been more revealing of what your 20,000-something genes have to say. So, when CircleDNA offered us the Premium kit to review, I let my curiosity take charge. After approximately three weeks since I sent my DNA swab, an 84-page PDF of the results was delivered to my inbox. Here is my review.

HOW IT WORKS

It’s hard to believe that one small black box is all it takes to unlock over 500 reports across over 20 categories, with 99.9 per cent analytical accuracy. CircleDNA isn’t kidding when it deems itself the world’s most comprehensive DNA test. Prenetics Limited, the genetic testing company behind CircleDNA, sets its kits apart from the rest in the market by using the most advanced Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) technology versus the genotyping process.
I’ll spare you the science, but basically, WES analyses one per cent of your genome—specifically, the exome, the 1 per cent of your genome—which is higher than most home DNA test kits do. For context, two unrelated people share 99.9 per cent of their genes with one another, but a variation in the DNA sequence—a mutation—is what sets apart Person A from Person B, or rather, a multitude of these mutations. They’re what determines your physical and personality traits, as well as potential health issues. WES is the process that targets those changes, some of which could be harmful and some that could be beneficial instead. According to CircleDNA, “scientists believe that the exome is the most important part of our genome, and where most disease-causing mutations occur.”
So, as much as I was interested to discover my ancestry makeup, it was also nerve-wracking to see if the results were going to reveal any potential health issues I have so been blissfully unaware of, as well as whether I’ve been following a diet that’s suitable for my body.

THE EXPERIENCE

The CircleDNA Premium kit is super simple to use. All you have to do is download the CircleDNA app then register the kit. Inside the box is a bracelet with the word ‘change’, which I reckon is more of an aesthetic than anything else. More importantly, the box contains a sealed swab, a tube to keep it, a sample bag and a prepaid plastic envelope. Rather than spitting into the tube or choking yourself with the swab a la PCR tests, I just needed to rub the swab on the insides of my cheeks ten times per side. Then, I place the stick into the tube, shake it and place it in the sample bag. Next, I arranged for the pickup via FedEx to have it sent back to the lab—for free, might I add. Three weeks later, my results were delivered to me via email and made available on the app too.

THE RESULTS
There was so much info to digest with some categories that I wasn’t even expecting an answer for, such as how my blood has a higher tendency to attract mosquitoes or that I have a “likely average” breast size. I didn’t need to know the latter, but I suppose it’s a fun little fact. The more essential results outweigh the fun little facts, thankfully. From learning about my diet and nutrition needs to exercise responses to health risks that range from cancer, brain health and diseases, there was a lot to unpack. I’ll pick a few to illustrate.
Under the Diet and Lifestyle category, the results covered diet, nutrition, well-being, stress and sleep, pollution and skin. While it was good to know that my optimal diet type is a healthy balanced one, seeing “higher sensitivity” in red under alcohol and salt was interesting. Upon reading further, it doesn’t mean that I get drunk easily, but rather it’s an indication that it’s difficult for my body to break the chemicals down, thus resulting in harmful toxins instead.

As you’ll see from the screenshots above, the PDF only provides an overview of your results. In contrast, the app goes into more detail, including recommendations as well as further elaborations for the science geeks. In addition, the Premium kit offers free lifetime updates on your DNA insights within the app. I received my results back in mid-February, and almost a month since then, the app has been updated with more explanation. It continues to be a fascinating read.
The fun doesn’t stop there as this package includes a complimentary one-on-one consultation with CircleDNA’s health consultants. I had a 30-minute session with Health Coach Ping, who first inquired about my lifestyle (my eating habits, health conditions, supplements that I take, etc.) before pointing out the critical areas of concern (or need for change) from the results. After the call—though I did take a lot of notes—Ping sent me an email recapping all the details from our call as well as useful links for me to take the next step.
Under Nutrition, for example, it turns out my diet has higher needs for iodine, vitamins B6 and B12, but, on the other hand, Well-being revealed that I have a “likely lower” bone mineral density. The latter means I have a higher risk of having a bone fracture or developing osteoporosis. As such, Ping gave a pervasive list of foods that I should include in my diet to supplement these needs and risks. Jumping ahead, my Disease Risk report confirmed that my frequent migraines since I was a child were built into my genes from the beginning—”elevated risk”—and Ping’s was to try adding magnesium into my diet. These are just a sprinkle of suggestions she’s given me and which I’ve taken to heart.

Another helpful insight was the Sports and Fitness category because I can finally blame it on my DNA for my “low” endurance capacity; why my Apple Watch prompts me if I’m working out because my heart is beating a drum track when I’m just walking to the train station (aka “higher” Heart Rate Response to Exercise); why I easily hurt my tendons after attempting to use the jump rope or jog. Of course, I’m not saying all these to excuse myself from exercising, but knowing what would be an efficient workout for my body without the DNA disadvantages is beneficial. The report cites my optimal sports type as one with medium power, low endurance and high strength. Ping helpfully deciphered that as “likely to respond better to strength and power-based activities such as weight-training, yoga, Pilates, boxing, HIIT, etc.”
In my opinion, the more crucial part of the report would, of course, be the ones pertaining to cancer risks, dementia and brain health, common health risks, disease risk and drug response. Thankfully, I was relieved to see that there was no cancer-causing mutation detected in the large variety of cancer types. But as the disclaimer flashed on the app before seeing the result, a mutation can happen due to non-genetic factors at times. The Health and Disease portion of the report is extensive as it tests for health risks from Type 2 Diabetes to High Cholesterol to Tooth Decay to ADHD to Vitiligo tp Rheumatoid Arthritis. While thankfully, my results were overall not too worrisome, what piqued my attention was the one under Family Planning. It’s useful for detecting potential genetic conditions that one could pass on to an unborn child. In my case, it detected that I was an Alpha Thalassemia carrier—something I’ve never known to be even possible. With that information, I can take action and consult with a doctor to determine if it’s a risk or what I can do.

Finally, Drug Response is another extensive part of the report—it’s pages and pages of drugs you can use, need to avoid or take with caution, and they’re all arranged according to diseases.

VERDICT
CircleDNA does put out a disclaimer throughout the report that these results do not replace professional medical diagnosis or “determine medical action”. Is it worth the RM2,590 price tag? For the number of results it provided, I would go with a resounding ‘yes’, if you can afford it—although there is an option to pay in instalments via atome. It’s no ancestry test, but it’s even more helpful to know and can make such a difference for anyone’s lifestyle today and for all the days to come. However, I don’t believe I’m “gifted” in music or “excellent” with entrepreneurship tendencies. I probably don’t need the test to tell me that I am “less likely” to develop a food, smoking and cleaning addiction. Or that I have a “likely normal” smell sensitivity. But these little fun facts do at least break up the more serious sides of the report, and there are pages of those.
Well, at least, I finally found out what my ancestry makeup is:

The CircleDNA Premium DNA Test kit is available at RM2,590 on their website but you can get 33% off all kits with the code ‘BURO33’. Follow @circledna_my for more updates.

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’Tis the season to be savvy

Lifestyle
’Tis the season to be savvy
Gift ideas

26.11.2015
By Buro247

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

If you, like me, don’t number amongst the religious who celebrate it for its true purpose, Christmas can be a truly perplexing time of the year. Normally sensible people risk apoplexy to obtain the perfect tree, the perfect decorations, the perfect turkey, and the perfect presents for their sadly not-so-perfect offspring. For a season when forgiveness is supposed to prevail, it’s ironically judgement—and the fear thereof—that’s the reigning sentiment instead. In this vein, I hereby pledge to forestall any possibility of your being ostracised as the social persona non grata because of—god forbid—unacceptably gauche gifts. This year, I gift you with a bounty of possibility, so that even as you stuff the stockings of your family and friends with recherché foodie gifts, you will not only earn the cachet of being über cool but also be simultaneously absolved of all the transgressions you have committed the past year and will no doubt repeat at the parties of the coming festive season.

Your gift spend-off will be categorised according to how much brownie lucre needs to be earned. Let’s start with “reasonable” this week, shall we (read: you won’t need to take out a bank loan, and the gift will suit anyone whom you haven’t yet offended or from whom you don’t yet require favours)?

Rousselon Fréres Sabatier bamboo bread knife (USD$12, purenature24.com). Sustainable, biodegradable and replete with eco cred, this bamboo knife has a razor sharp blade thanks to the special cutting technique and the use of the hard outer layer of the bamboo. Like the plant, this knife is mould-resistant. Best of all, it’s easily sharpened with sandpaper, and tells the recipient that you took the time to research something that would appeal to their environmentally sensitive considerations even if you did scoff at their compost bin the last time you were in their garden.

For the reading foodie friend, the gift of a subscription to the achingly cool David Chang-founded gastro-centric magazine Lucky Peach speaks volumes and tells them you think they are avant garde in terms of their reading taste. Indeed, with a circulation of 100,000, and having been described as “a reminder of print’s true wingspan” by The New York Times, Lucky Peach is requisite reading material for the progressive foodie.

While I cannot yet personally attest to its efficacy, the Minipresso GR (USD$59, wacaco.com) comes highly recommended for caffeine addicts on the go. No electricity is required to power this portable espresso maker. Simply put your ground coffee into the filter basket, add hot water, and let your fingers do the pumping. Result: one steaming cup of java and bye-bye shaky Monday mornings.

Any foodie friend will welcome the gift of a cookbook, especially if said cookbook has been authored by a Michelin-starred chef. Cue Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana (don’t know who he is? Watch Chef’s Table; he’s in the first episode). His delightfully titled Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef (USD$43, amazon.com) promises to be an orgiastic feast for inveterate carboholics. And in case you were wondering, Bottura is far from corpulent.

And, finally, because no self-respecting foodie will deign to be seen cooking without an apron, this fashion-forward beauty (£28, anthropologie.com), replete with colour blocking and knife-sharp pleats, holds the promise that changing for dinner before your guests arrive will be a thing of the past.

If this week was the foundation for creating a solid network of acquaintances and colleagues through the presentation of thoughtful Christmas presents, next week will solidify your standing as Christmas present aficionado. Yes, it will be a ha-ha-hap-py Christmas for all in your circle this year.

Follow Fay on Twitter and Instagram at @misskhoo.

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Source:

Source:https://www.buro247.my/lifestyle/buro-loves/the-latest-in-gastronomic-literature.html

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Because details matter

Food + Drink
Because details matter
Just like the finer things in life

10.01.2016
By Buro247

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Review: Sky35 KL presents an omakase experience plated on Hermès finery

Gone is the time when diners were grateful just to receive a couple of lukewarm, suspiciously sweet bread rolls and a pat or two of sweaty margarine with their restaurant meal. These days, they’re a different, substantially more demanding-and sophisticated-kettle of fish who expect bang for their buck when they dine out, and it’s the restaurateur who’s aware of the importance of attention to even the most miniscule of details who wins.

While we’re on the topic of rolls and butter, nowadays restaurants are falling over themselves to offer homemade bread of superlative quality and gourmet branded butter, both salted and unsalted, most likely to sweeten diners’ perceptions for the meal to follow. To wit: The Kitchen Table‘s (23, Jalan SS20/21, Damansara Kim, Petaling Jaya, +603-7733 4000) excellent sourdough bread that’s made with 200 year-old leaven mother dough that chef-owners Marcus and Mei Wan inherited from Finnish bakers during their sojourn abroad.

The Kitchen Table
But it’s the relatively new Stoked (Jalan Kasah, Bukit Damansara, +603-2096 1645) which is setting the benchmark for others to follow where attention to detail is concerned. Every aspect of the dining experience has been meticulously attended to, from the cutlery (Laguiole, natch) and salt (Hawaiian Black Lava) to the sauces (the wasabi yuzu is compelling and punchy) and amuses-bouches (expect such intriguing creations as foie gras terrine with mango and balsamic sauce and cherry tomatoes stuffed with mozzarella), and it’s the canny restaurateur who borrows a leaf from Stoke’s book who will be rewarded in spades by satisfied customers.

Stoked
Also no slouch in the service department, Fuego (Level 23A, Tower B, The Troika, 19 Persiaran KLCC, +603-2162 0886) ranks highly amongst the restaurants that comprehensively pays homage to finessing their details. Ergo, unlike many restaurants which have developed a nasty habit of charging for water, Fuego doesn’t merely offer diners complimentary water, they’ve even gone so far as to add fruit and herbs to their water to give it a lovely flavour. For that factor alone (even though the food is also serendipitously superb), I would happily return to the restaurant because it’s a surefire indicator that the proprietors understand that service, truly good service, is paramount to an irreproachable dining experience.

Fuego
That being said, ultimately it’s still the food that counts, regardless how wonderful the attendant accoutrements are. So it’s the restaurateur who has successfully juggled the demands of creating a complete dining experience with delicious food as the centrepiece of the gastronomic spectacle who will ultimately lead the pack, and thanks to restaurants like Stoked, which has thrown down the gauntlet with much aplomb, aspiring restaurateurs had better bring their A-game to the table, or they will risk being left a long distance behind.

Follow Fay on Twitter and Instagram at @misskhoo.

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Fashion
BURO Travel Trunk: The ultimate vacation packing guide

20.11.2021
By Kelly Lim

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RECOMMENDED

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

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MFW SS16 Day 6: Bring on the bangs

Beauty
MFW SS16 Day 6: Bring on the bangs
Standout style

29.09.2015
By Su Fen Tan

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RECOMMENDED

BURO Beauty Empties Giveaway Week 2: Win up to RM4,500 worth of beauty prizes

It was all fresh and summery at Milan Fashion Week—models came down the runways in the season’s barely-there makeup, as seen at Vivetta, Arthur Arbesser, and Mila Schön. Vivetta complemented some of its looks with gingham bow headbands, giving off a sweet, childlike charm, while Mila Schön went for a luminous shine.
Breaking away from the pack, Fatima Val veered towards a dark, goth look, showcasing heavily lined eyes with voluminous, frizzy ponytails. Rather than going for the obvious red lip, Georgia Armani opted for a touch of red mascara instead, and paired it with pearl grey eyeshadow for a soft but edgy look. Armani also gave us one of our favourite looks of the day: sultry tufted, sideswept bangs created with hair extensions.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Milan beauty 6″ rid=”3495″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Lifestyle
7 Things you can do this weekend: 17 – 18 June 2017
Get busy

29.05.2017
By Rachel Au

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RECOMMENDED

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

1. Madam Noor’s Nyonya Laksa Cooking Class at Brickfields, 4.30pm – 8pm, 17 June

Who is Madam Noor? Only an experienced cook and former assistant of Chef Wan, and she will be teaching participants how to cook Nyonya Laksa based on one of Chef Wan’s family recipe – all from scratch.
RM132 per person. For more info, visit the website.

2. Crafty Lab: Father’s Day Special at Commune @ Sunway Velocity, 12pm – 10pm, 17 June
From weaving a macrame plant hanger with Pow Pow Jellyfish to making a terrarium with Wabiko, Crafty Lab is organising several workshops for a fun father-child bonding session.
For more info, visit the event page.

3. The Magic of No-Dig Gardening workshop at Eats, Shoots & Roots @ Bukit Gasing, 9am – 12.30pm, 17 June
Eats, Shoots & Roots has called in compost coach, Harbir Gill to give a practical and hands-on introduction to home gardening and soil nutrition for anyone who has grown an interest in it.
RM185 per person, inclusive of materials, potting mix, seeds and refreshments. For more info, visit the event page.

4. Magnum presents Chef Wan’s 4-Course Festive Special at Magnum Mid Valley and Magnum Putrajaya, till 24 June
One of Malaysia’s most popular chefs have teamed up with one of everyone’s favourite ice cream brand to whip up a delightful 4-course meal for the season of Ramadhan.
RM59 per person. For more info, visit their Facebook or call 03 4065 0830 / 03 4065 0829.

5. Happy Ocean Movie Night at Sunway GEO Avenue (opposite Sunway Medical Centre) , 6pm – 10.30pm, 17 June
In conjunction with their Sustainable Seafood Festival and World Ocean Month, WWF Malaysia has organised this family-friendly event with activities that include screenings of a movie and a documentary, foodtrucks to try, free sustainable seafood tasting and more. Be sure to bring your own picnic mats as well as check out the booths to learn what exactly is sustainable seafood.
Admission is free. For more info, visit their Facebook.

6. Urban Gardening workshop at The Hive Bulk Foods @ Bangsar, 10am – 12pm, 22 June
Learn how to easily plant, grow and care for your own edible garden of herbs and vegetables in both containers and garden beds.
RM90 per person. For more info, visit the website.

7. Try out one of these 6 Ramadan feasts
Get all the info here.
Source: https://www.buro247.my/lifestyle/news/7-things-you-can-do-this-weekend-3-4-june-2017.html

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4 Delicious chia seed recipes that are perfect for Ramadan
How to make a Healthy Organic Nasi Lemak Salad by The Good Co.
6 Places to check out for a truly festive Ramadan feast this year

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