One of the Boys

By MelindaW

How do these women pull off such masculine elegant fashion style while still maintaining their feminine charms intact?

Angelina Jolie looks sexy in her white suit, while Victoria Beckham braced her style with leather black jacket and a side-styled short haircut (or so I think that was it?) In my opinion, Agyness Deyn tops everyone in this boyish style and her cute pixie cut, which frankly gave her an innocent girlish charm.

You don’t have to go head-to-toe screaming masculinity and manly. You just need a few main fashion pieces that would keep you on track. Look at how these celebrities dressed. Take note of what they wear and how they wear it. Do realise that they don’t overdo their accessories, and all you need to do is keep things simple!

Here are some pieces that I just couldn’t resist sharing with you all!

I really do like this piece with blooming sides of the sleeves. Gives an edgy yet sophisticated look. Suitable paired with either pants or skirts!

Rihanna Full Bloon Blazer / The Shoplifters / MYR 75
(http://the-shoplifters.blogspot.com/2009/11/neue-fashion-39.html)

I love how the fabric flows out from the corner part of the top! It gives a quirky trashy look, to those daring to be different on the street! Pair up with a pair of fitting jeans and boots, and you are ready to go!

Fabricfabric / The Hey Hey Hey / MYR 40
(http://theheyheyhey.blogspot.com/2010/04/fabricfabric.html)

Weather has been a bitch to us in the afternoons, and sometimes late morning! So go out and have fun in casual shorts like this one! Pair it up with flats and a simple top.

Casual High Shorts / Miss OCD / MYR 50
(http://missocdinshopping.blogspot.com/2010/05/casual-high-shorts.html)

A combined corset-like tube top and shorts! Perfect for a night out, paired with heels and chunky accessories for the edgy nightglam look!

Denimie / Fascinate / MYR 48
(http://fascinate88.blogspot.com/2010/03/denimie.html)

MYR 200 / MYR 126 / MYR 195 / MYR 195
(http://mythriftshop.blogspot.com/search/label/shoes)

Can you get enough of shoes? I know I can’t! Look at all these pretty babies! Deliciously devour able!

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After Juliet

What happened after Romeo & Juliet died?

“This feud began not in our father's time

But in our father's father's.”

- Petruchio

Kuala Lumpur, 15 - 18 July 2010 – The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) will be bringing to you Sharman Macdonald‘s hugely popular After Juliet from 14 to 18 July 2010.

If you have ever wondered what happened after Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, all your questions will be answered in After Juliet. A tense truce holds between the Montagues and Capulets after the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Benvolio, Romeo's best friend, is in love with Juliet's cousin, Rosaline, but she is bent on revenge. Set in a post-apocalyptic world in the near future, After Juliet probes into the aftermath of Shakespeare's masterpiece – will history repeat itself?

After Juliet is based on an original idea by Keira Knightley and is written by her mother, the award-winning playwright Sharman Macdonald. In fact, Keira performed in one of the products of After Juliet. It continues to be performed by all over the world and is particularly popular amongst young people.

klpac’s Resident Director, Kelvin Wong, is leading the cast of 11 including names like Nicole Fuchs, Kimmy Kiew (also a klpac Resident Director) and Ashvina Marie Naidu. Kelvin made his directorial debut as klpac’s director with the hit Mukabuku (2009) and since has directed and performed in various performances with klpac expanding his repertoire on many levels. He has recently participated in two workshops by international artistes – the first being the Brian Friel workshop by Cathal Courtney and Geoff Gould and the second being a Shakespearean workshop by Australian Jeff Kevin. Both culminated in a performance which he performed in.

After Juliet brings together a stellar cast and takes a classic tale for a twist. This upcoming performance is sure to please all audiences and klpac is proud to present it this coming July. With sharp, witty, engaging dialogue and a stellar plot line, After Juliet is certainly a play worth watching.

klpac presents After Juliet from 14 July (preview night) to 18 of July 2010 at Pentas 2, klpac. Tickets are priced at RM35 for adults and RM23 for students and the disabled. Preview night is going at RM23 flat. For groups, buy 8 tickets and get 2 free (not applicable on preview night). Call 03-4047 9000 or walk in to klpac, The Actors Studio @ Lot 10, Axcess headquarters, Axcess 1-Utama outlet or Axcess Alamanda Putarajaya outlet to purchase tickets. For more information, visit www.klpac.org.

Issued by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac)

Media Enquiries Contact Valerie @ 012 620 0109 / Valerie@klpac.org

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Book Review: Her Fearful Symmetry

Her Fearful Symmetry

by Audrey Niffenegger

Audrey Nifenegger brought us a tale of time-displaced lovers. Now, she brings to us a tale of love from the other realm. The novel is set in London’s Highgate Cemetery. Ironically, it does not have a chilling, ghastly feeling, but rather gothic and elegant, with a little romanticism and sadness.

Death is not the ending, but it is just the beginning.

The novel starts with two lovers; Elspeth Noblin and Robert Fanshaw. She is breathing her last, and soon leaves Robert, grieving for her. However, before dying, she promises to haunt him.

Cut to identical twins, Julia and Valentina Poole. Both are like a single person, an entity itself, only with different characteristics and qualities. They receive a letter from their aunt, Elspeth, who leaves her apartment (and the things in it) to them and they may do whatever they wish with it, under one condition: their parents (Edwina – Elspeth’s identical twin – and Jack Poole) are not to set foot in the apartment or to check, read, see the belongings in the house.

The story buildup is slow, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. Quite the contrary. Now, the word symmetry and cemetery sounds quite the same, especially in British accent. Go on, say it.

The novel is set in London’s famous Highgate Cemetery, where famous people have their eternal rest. The novel has symmetrical twins, as how it was intended by the wordplay. Elspeth and Edwina, and Julia and Valentina Poole. The Pooles are identical, mirror twins, so much so that even Valentina’s heart is on the right side.

Back to the story. The twins decide to live in that place, seeing as they have no ambitions to study or to work. They meet Robert, who lives on the ground floor and Martin who lives upstairs, an agoraphobic with OCD who writes crossword puzzles and was ditched by his wife, Marijke.

In the mean time, as things falls into place, as life carries on, Elspeth lurks in her apartment, and lives in her desk drawer. She is a spirit, a ghost. Time passes, and her strength grows, possessing strength to move things, scribble words, and generally, makes her presence known. She notices Robert, and the twins (and how they treat her possessions) and how Robert is drawn to Valentina.

The plot gets much more delicious from this point onwards. Elspeth and Edwina’s past are revealed. Valentina is tired and upset of being not being able to pursue her ambitions because of Julia’s disapproval, and does not want to be ‘half a person’ of Julia’s, but instead of a whole person.

She hatches a plan, getting a little bit of help from Elspeth and Robert: Elspeth would take her soul out, Robert would freeze her and when Elspeth return her soul to her body, she would have her own life.

Everything went well, except that Valentina’s soul never entered her body again.

The ending is left to your imagination, though it may seem that a meaning is implied. What happened? Well, that’s for you to read and find out. If you are looking for a happy-bittersweet ending like the first novel Ms. Niffenegger penned (The Time Traveler' Wife), you will be disappointed. Just be prepared: the novel has quite a grim and dark twist to it.

Kudos to her writing skills, every character was believable, that I even sympathized with Elspeth, even after she succeeded in her plans. And oh, who can describe Martin’s OCD of hand-scrubbing and number-counting rituals in such a detailed manner? As far as I know, Audrey Niffenegger is a storyteller that never disappoints.

This is one book you should have on your bookshelf.

P/S: Do keep a space for her upcoming book: The Chinchilla Girl in Exile.

Reviewed by Xavatos @ VanessaV

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Fashionably Kitsch in Kitchenware

By Rosanna Lee

Pots and pans are just about as fascinating as sliced bread to many people but pair that with dancing poles and finely tailored clothes, now that's fashion at an entirely different level. Expect a lethal combo that's bound to turn heads and rack up a lot of attention!

Don’t believe what you’re reading? Just ask the designers of Gut’s Dynamite Cabarets as they unveil the latest Harajuku fashion on the runway of Tokyo. A word of caution though : combining kitchenware with your favourite dress might not be be as easy as it seems....

Photo credits : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/02/guts-dynamite-cabarets-cr_n_597954.html

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Shisha just as dangerous as smoking

By Rosanna Lee

Here’s something that I am sure most of are familiar, the ever quintessential night out at your favourite local mamak. What goes after is almost predictable, an order for the delicious roti banjir you can’t get enough of, a glass of icy cold teh o ais limau that comes with a tangy taste at every sip, and of course, the pièce de résistance, a stick of cigarette which many smokers admitted that a meal would not be complete without. Not a fan of smoking but want to socialize with the rest of your tobacco-dependent friends? That’s where shisha comes in and worry no more about feeling like a social outcast missing out on all the fun.

Shisha is a single or multi-stemmed (often glass-bottomed) water pipe for smoking. Originally from India, the hookah has gained immense popularity, especially in the Middle East. A hookah operates by water filtration and indirect heat. It can be used for smoking herbal fruits, or tobacco leading us to think that it is completely harmless when it is not.

According to Associate Professor Dr Nabilla Abdul Mohsein Al-Sadat of Universiti Malaya, 1.5 per cent of women in Malaysia currently smoke but this number could rise to 18 per cent by 2014 if there are no barriers placed on shisha smoking.

Last week, the United Arab Emirates tightened the noose on smoking in public with new regulations that ban smoking in hotels, cafes and restaurants. It has also imposed stricter limitations on the widely used nargileh (shisha), the traditional water pipe.

Dr Nabilla says her studies and those conducted overseas show evidence that people inhaled more tobacco through the shisha than by smoking cigarettes. "Some people tend to think that anything adopted from the Arab world is good. People think smoking shisha is harmless but, in fact, it is worse than cigarettes.

"Smoking shisha for hours is like smoking 400 cigarettes." Sharing of the water pipe also spreads contagious diseases. "When I went to the UAE, I observed that shisha smoking has become a cultural habit. It has become the norm and if you don't smoke, you are not part of their culture."

And of course, it's not only the women who are addicted to shisha. Teenagers and sometimes children as young as primary school students are also seen smoking shisha without a care in the world and their parents would not do anything about it, assuming that it is not as harmful as cigarettes as so far there are no reported deaths that are caused by constant exposure to shisha. After all, who would believe that these brightly packaged tobacco-molasses are potential death agents ?

So then, do you think shisha should be banned, as suggested by the health officials or perhaps there could be more effective measures that could be used in order to deal with this matter? Share your thoughts with us ;)

References : http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/12ciga/Article

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Not-so-basic Basics

Basics are essential to every girl out there. They serve as key links to a great outfit, tying one and one together and forming a well structured yet stylish look. Though some basics can be mixed with a little spice and you can pull off that look entirely with the help of some snazzy accessories! Here, take a look at these gorgeous not-so-basic Basics.

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A Model Studio

http://amodelstudio.blogspot.com/

Basic Trip Bow ams1475

In the front, it looks like a normal long fitting t-shirt dress. Turn around and you have cute little bows that show just a smidgen of that sexy back. One great thing about this piece is -that it has this effortless beauty to it and we simple adore it! Get this uncanny basic now for only RM 34!

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Le Mode Maison

http://le-modemaison.blogspot.com/

Tracy

Similar to the Basic Trip Bow, this dress is the basic body hugging long t-shirt dress. Matched with a clincher (like in the photo) and you are ready to go! What caught our eye was the different and vibrant colors available to choose from! Look:

In a shade of sweet raspberry pink.

In a shade of chic purple.

In a shade of fresh green.

And one piece is only for RM36, if you buy two, its RM70! Hurry and grab your piece now! :)

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Peep

http://www.peepboutique.com/

Sex and the City- Carrie Bradshaw

Fans of the show will absolutely love this line. The sexy and flirty television series is known for more than its jaw dropping scandals and entertaining dramas, it is also known for its fabulous fashion! It has become the it fashion icon television series across the globe!

So now we have the ever girly and sassy Carrie Bradshaw, love how she dresses? Take a look at this Carrie Bradshaw-esque smocked dress.

Polka dotted to take away that boring edge and smoked at the right places to give you that flattering shape; I can really imagine Carrie walking down the streets of Manhattan with this on!

You can wear it however you want to as well! Tube dress? Or halter neck? Your choice.


The Carrie Bradshaw look for only RM39!

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Breaking the Silence; Its time for them to be heard

In the mood for a little charity? Are you a film fetish? Then this is the event for you.

Interact Club of SMK (P) Sri Aman's International Understanding Day

Rest assured, this isn't just any ordinary International Understanding Day. They have a brand new and spanking fresh concept -a film festival. A powerful way to spread awareness, no? The event details are as follows:

Date: 16th June 2010, Wednesday

Time: 2.30 pm until 6.00pm

Place: PJ Live Arts

Entrance Fee: RM20

Dress Code: Semi Formal

Their cause is human trafficking -an international pandemic that has struck the world like a storm. And the girls of ICSA wants to make a difference -and they need your help. With only RM20, you get to donate to charity and have a blast at the film festival! And the profits earned will go to Tenagatina and United Nations.

What are you waiting for, are you game? :)

http://bts-iufilmfest2010.blogspot.com/

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Skin Care Basics Bootcamp: It’s Just That Simple.

By Xavatos

Imagine coming home from a long, tiring, hectic day, and you have been out and about, under the hot sun, with dirt and dust flying around. The first thing you would want to do is to hit the hay (I know I would), but you need to take a step back from that one.

Developing a good skin care regime is important. Routine it may be, but soothing it is. A good shower and a skin care routine is a perfect, soothing and relaxing way to end and the day and to unwind yourself after a hard day’s work.

And the regime of cleansing-toning-moisturizing doesn’t take more than 10 minutes. Really.

1. 1. Cleanse

Cleansing is an all important step. It removes dirt, grime, oil, dead skin cells that sticks to your skin and clogs your pores, which leads to formation of oil seeds (milia seeds) or acne.

· Wash your face with warm water to unclogs pores.

· Apply a dollop of your cleanser on your palm and dab it over your face, starting with your t-zone, rubbing gently and in circular motions.

· Rinse with cool water.

· You’re done! Time for step 2!

2. 2. Exfoliate

Think of it as a facial scrub. It removes dead cells at the surface; allowing new cells to grow. And yes, this gives you the healthy, fresh and vibrant glow.

Make this a weekly or a twice-a-week activity. Overdoing it causes your skin dry out, which gives a papery-thin feeling and causes fine wrinkles and sometimes, your skin will have spots or may even change to a dull colour.

3. 3. Tone

Some people do swear by it and some don’t. Toner closes the pores, removes traces of dirt and oil, and it makes you feel fresh.

· Damp your cotton ball with toner.

· Wipe across your t-zone.

· Enjoy the cooling effect and wait for a few minutes to let it soak in.

· …And you’re ready for the last step!

4. 4.Moisturize

The last step! Some people apply it after showering, or after applying toner or washing your face. Moisturizers acts as a sealant which traps water in the surface, forming a barrier to prevent water loss, which also gives you a smooth and soft skin.

· Pat your face dry.

· Apply moisturizer – from neck upwards to forehead in a gentle motion.

· Don’t hit the hay just yet! Let the moisturizer sink it, or you’ll be getting it all over your pillows.

Yes, it does seem pretty daunting, I know. Putting in your effort to stick true to a skin care regime is difficult, but it’s a small price to pay when you get excellent results. Although once you get the hang of it, you will come to love and enjoy the whole process.

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Next Attraction: Toy Story 3

By Jeffery Soon

Everyone's favourite cowboy and spaceman from Toy Story is back! The movie is scheduled to be hitting the cinemas this June 17th in Malaysia .

The creators of the beloved "Toy Story" films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of our favorite gang of toy characters in "Toy Story 3". As Andy prepares to depart for college, Buzz, Woody and the rest of his loyal toys are troubled about their uncertain future.

Directed by Lee Unkrich (co-director of "Toy Story 2" and "Finding Nemo"), "Toy Story 3" is a comical new adventure that lands the toys in a room full untamed tots who can't wait to get their sticky little fingers on these "new" toys. It's pandemonium as they try to stay together, ensuring "no toy gets left behind." Meanwhile, Barbie comes face to plastic face with Ken (yes, that Ken).

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Blast from the Past

While some trends have us hoping they never existed and the pictures burned, some trends leave us hoping to relive that era. Thankfully, vintage and retro is one of the trends that have graced us with their presence now. Check out these retro or vintage wears that are provided by our blog shop owners! ;)

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Playground Boutique

http://www.playgroundbouti.blogspot.com/

Polka Dot Cami Dress

Have you ever watched Hairspray the original version? What amazed me more than their singing pipes and their swift dance steps were their outfit. Big hairs and vibrant colored clothing -stunning to say the least.

And Playground Boutique have brought us a piece that emulates that style -that feel. Take a look at this polka dotted dress, put on a pearl necklace and puff up that hair -and you are ready to hit it like the 60's! For only RM39!

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Dr. Pizzicato

http://dr-pizzicato.blogspot.com/

Sky High in White

Another trend from the past we have spotted in the streets and runways of today -high waisted skirts. There is some sophisticated air that it has when one puts it on -we like. :)

And the girls at Dr. Pizzicato has brought us one that has a nice cutting and in mod white too! Better hurry up and get your own as it is super limited! :) For only RM39!

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A Model's Studio

http://amodelstudio.blogspot.com/

Party Ripped Bodycon am1132

Ever heard of the 90's where they have the grunge fashion? Though the grunge look may be too harsh for us now, a little hint never hurts! Look at this party ripped bodycon, it has a schmexy twist to a usual tube dress. Perfect for any night out in the club! ;) For only RM50!

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Heart, Soul and Passion

Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions.

-Unknown-

We know to be appreciative of our teachers and our parents -for they are the ones who are not without fortitude and strength to provide us with the love and support one needs to grow up. They encourage and reprimand; continuously molding us into respectable people and lead an extraordinary life. Like the saying goes, they are the candles that burn themselves to show the light to others. Though I feel, appreciation is without meaning if one doesn't have true sincerity of a teacher and a parent's hard work.

One of my teachers -though only having taught me for a short period of time- has caught my attention. Its interesting to see many students go to her like they would their own mother; how she would so willingly sacrifice her time and effort for students; how her classes never just end when the last bell rings at the end of the day. I rather admire her dedication and love despite being a teacher for long -meaning that spark wasn't just a momentarily excitement of a new job.

And she is willing to share her side of her story -of what a teacher really means. Humble as she is, she requests to only be credited by her initials.

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Being a teacher

by CCMF

Let me start by saying that being a woman is a tough role to play. As life goes, somehow, becoming a wife and later, a mother, seems to be the way to go. My role as a mother is something I cherish but at the same time, it is something I find challenging. It is the same when I look at my role as a teacher. I cherish it, but it is challenging and sometimes extremely difficult.

Being a teacher, and sometimes, mother, to several classes of students every year, is akin to baby-sitting the said students sometimes. Some of these students and I seem to have a love-hate relationship at times. They hate the amount of work I give them, and the expectations I pile on them. And I love them almost as much as I love my own children. Sometimes that love is reciprocated. Sometimes, it is not. Do I mind that it is not? Yes,I do, and it occasionally hurts, but I understand. And I let it pass because I am tasked to teach many students, usually different ones every year or so. To dwell on the disappointment would not help me move on with the new batches of students.

I have been asked what drives me in the pursuit of educating the youths of today. I guess I have never thought of it so much as a job but as a passion-filled mission. When I am standing in front of my students in class, or on the field, or anywhere else, I do not think of myself as just a school teacher who has to teach what is in the syllabus and make sure all my students score a string of As for their exams. Instead, I strive to be more than that – I want to be their friend, their sister, their mother, their confidante. It has been said that a great teacher INSPIRES! Most of the time, that is what I want to do, inspire my students, the youths of today, to excel in the things they do – be they academic or non-academic fields.

I realize I am not the best of teachers. I do not think that I am a “one in a million” kind of teacher. I do not always have information at the tip of my fingers. There are times when I might have failed in some tasks. I might have disappointed some of my students. At those times, I am wrecked by feelings of guilt and disappointment. But I remember that I am only human and I can only do so much at times. This is not an easy thing to do, but I too have had to learn to forgive myself.

In spite of it all, I do have my wonderful moments – many wonderful and unforgettable moments. My students are my trophies and when they come back and say hello to me, when they send me wedding invitation cards, when they call me up or text me or communicate with me online, those are the moments I truly cherish. Those are the times when I know that I have made a difference in some lives and those are my reward. The system and people higher up can dangle all sorts of monetary rewards and whatever deals in front of us. But the best reward, to me, is when I see my little boys and girls grow up and become men and women of substance. Then I will know that I have fulfilled my mission and whatever sweat and tears I have shed have not been in vain.

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