We Love Asia 2014 - Rave with the Next Generation

April 29, 2014, 6:12 am

≫ Next: Review: Japan Girls VC+nanoC Facial Masks - Dry Skin Begone!

≪ Previous: Achieve Royal Status with the New Samsung NX Mini

$

0

0

I'm going back to Kota Kinabalu next week, after a month or so in KL, and was wondering whether I'd get to squeeze in one last party before I did. Imagine my glee when Manoah informed us bloggers that We Love Asia Next Generation is going on this weekend! =D

Not missing a beat (pun intended), I signed up before even asking which of my friends were gonna be there. Also, I know one or two of the pretty bloggers I know here in KL off the top of my head who wouldn't be caught dead passing up the chance to rave at a music festival. *smirks*

So who's performing?

Let's start with the cute DJ from Belgium! Real name Koen Bauweraerts (don't ask me to pronounce it haha), DJ Coone produces hardstyle and jumpstyle tracks. From what I know, that means we're in for a lot of jumping to the beat of a kick drum! Sounds good to me! I also read that he started out with a remix of Blur's Song 2, and remixed a Linkin Park x Steve Aoki track. Right up my alley!

Hailing from good ol' England, DJ D.O.D proved a little hard to find on Google, with Department of Defense amongst other things coming up first, so here's his facebook page. With nothing but good reviews since day 1 of his career, I'm looking forward to raving away to his tunes already!

Headliner of the night DJ Bl3nd is the masked bandit of your ears. With a global following before ever leaving California, DJ Bl3nd is the DJ success story of YouTube. Spinning Electro House mixes that won't give your feet a rest, his sets are eagerly awaited wherever he performs. I hope we get to see him without his mask at some point during the show though! =D

We Love Asia Next Generation Early Bird tickets are already sold out, but don't worry, you can still purchase your tickets from Rock Corner outlets across KL or online at www.myticket.com.my.

For more info, log on to the official website www.weloveasianextgeneration.com, or the We Love Asia Next Generation facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wlanextgen, and I'll see you there! #EatSleepRaveRepeat 

But first, let me take a #Selfie,
Calista xx

---

Review: Japan Girls VC+nanoC Facial Masks - Dry Skin Begone!

April 29, 2014, 11:54 pm

≫ Next: But First, Let Me Take A Selfie

≪ Previous: We Love Asia 2014 - Rave with the Next Generation

$

0

0

Hey girls! (And guys - I know you like to look good too!)

As you probably know, I've been in KL for a little over a month now, and as always, my skin tends to get a little more congested and drier than usual while I'm here, probably because I'm crossing busy roads under the hot sun most days! Ah, the days of public transport..

This time around, I was lucky enough to receive some new daily facial masks to review, from the one and only Manoah! Facials can be pricey, especially when you're not sure of the best places to go, so this was the perfect solution to help keep my skin clear and hydrated at my home away from home!

Usually facial masks are suggested once, or maximum twice a week, but with the Japan Girls co.,ltd VC + nanoC Masks, you can apply it every day without the fear of it drying up your skin. It's actually meant to be applied every day, as it's packaged with 30pcs in a zip lock bag, and they're to be used within 60 days of opening! (I would do this on some occasions, for instance being in a big city such as this month, or if I have abnormally dry skin that particular month, but probably not every month in the year.)

All 30pcs are packed together, making it eco friendly!

The VC+nanoC Masks are 100% organic cotton sheets from Japan (as you probably already figured out by the company name). Containing vitamin C derivative (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate for those of you who like to check your science!) and hydrolysed collagen to keep the skin moisturised, no fragrance, colorant or mineral oils are added.

*VC = Vitamin C   NanoC = Nano Collagen, which helps you achieve firmer, clearer and more supple skin

As with all facial masks, apply onto skin after cleansing. There are two ways to use this one:

 a) Close your eyes and relax; make sure your eyelids get some TLC too by covering them with the flaps!

or

b) If you dont know how to relax (like me), fold the eye flaps down and give your under-eye area that TLC instead! (You can play with your phone, read or whatever at the same time then! =P)

Before: Taken in a hotel bathroom while in Penang, when I was slightly sick. No judging! =P

Leave the mask on for 5 - 10 minutes, the follow with your usual skin care routine. What I usually do, because the mask is always still moist, is I fold it in half and drape it over my neck for another 5 - 10 mins. No waste, reap more rewards!

After: Zero editing, taken with natural sunlight.

As you can see, after about a month of using the Japan Girls VC+nanoC masks (what a mouthful ey?), my skin is definitely clearer and more supple. I'd recommend this if you're prepping for an upcoming big event - just add a quick sheet mask to your nightly skin regime! It's light enough and doesnt come out of the packet dripping wet like some other sheet masks, so not being messy is definitely a plus point! And even though I just kept it in my suitcase every day, the mask felt cool when applied, while the serum absorbed quite quickly once I removed the sheet from my face.

Japan Girls co.,ltd VC+nanoC Masks are only available at selected Guardian stores around Malaysia. They're only selling at RM65.00 per box of 30pcs, so it's definitely affordable!

Have you tried any Japan Girls products before? How did you find it? Or do you have any favourite facial masks you'd recommend? Let me know in the comments! =)

Til next time,
Calista xx

But First, Let Me Take A Selfie

May 5, 2014, 2:50 am

≫ Next: Mary Quant Lipstick Giveaway!

≪ Previous: Review: Japan Girls VC+nanoC Facial Masks - Dry Skin Begone!

$

0

0

Let's be honest.

Garrard ring

Every single person who will come across this blog post has taken a selfie. Whether that selfie was published onto their social media platforms, is another matter, but we've all had that "let's try this" moment, and turned the camera lens towards us in the 45 degree angle we've seen the experts do.

Does a #selfie need any introduction? Well, just to clarify, a selfie is not your run-of-the-mill photo of yourself, oh no. A selfie is a photo of yourself, taken by yourself. The most common selfie focuses on your face, or head & shoulders, but a full body selfie is achievable by pointing that mobile phone/camera at a mirror and snapping that shot of you holding your camera up to the mirror. (Most often taken to show an #ootd, aka outfit of the day)

Left: Common selfie Right: OOTD selfie Taken in the fitting room of Pull & Bear - I really love this dress!

The selfie is arguably the most common hashtag on Instagram, and at any given time, you have a 95% chance of seeing at least one selfie as you scroll down your facebook newsfeed. (Statistics 100% made up by yours truly, but also 100% true on my newsfeed, hah!)

The omg-twins-but-not-really selfie.

The world is obsessed with selfies. Many post a selfie every single day on social media, and have perfected the art of taking that perfect shot of their face for the 1000th time this month. Hey, it even has it's own song!

Screencap from The Chainsmokers' hit #Selfie "That's so ratchet."

There are more & more features/accessories available to cater to this selfie craze, like the monopod, the new Samsung S5's enhanced front camera, and the camera I just got last month: Samsung NX Mini.

My camera is white, and I'm using the lens on the far right.

With a flip-up display, they werent kidding when they said that taking a selfie has never been easier! I mean, even a total noob like me can churn out a pretty ok-looking selfie, and that's saying something! Don't believe me? Have a look through my Instagram - you can count the amount of selfies taken on one hand haha!

Dearest Yukiko & I

Luckily for you though, that's about to change! (Ok ok.. Maybe 'lucky' is too strong of a word..)

The I-can-kiss-you-while-taking-a-wefie

Ta-da! Selfie, wefie (when you take a group selfie shot) galore! I'm loving the sharp colours of the NX Mini, and with its 180 degree flip-up touchscreen, it's literally impossible to take my usual half-head-cut-off selfie shots like I usually end up taking with normal cameras.

Ignore the weird look on my face - I had just realised I was being stalked! =/

As a blogger, taking photos is an essential part of my life, and now instead of just taking photos of whatever I'm wanting to blog about, I can get myself into the frame too!

Tried the famous Boat Noodles with Joanna - 4 bowls each!

The lens I'm currently using is quite wide, so you have no fear of getting a close-up of my nose either nyehehe. The other feature I'm enjoying is the wink shot. A lot of times I find that I have a hard time clicking the shutter button, for instance when I have to hold the camera with my left hand? Now all I have to do is wink, hold for 2 seconds while the camera detects the batting of my lashes, and snap! we're done. It also detects really consistently, which I honestly wasn't expecting. The first day we got the camera, Sandy and I thought you had to actually wink for the shot, resulting in this picture:

No! Haha.. Just wink, and when the timer comes up, you have 2 seconds to give the lens your best doe-eyes before it snaps your shot. Just remember, if you really have the need to post a selfie daily, do mix it up a little:  
The world doesn't need to see the same angle, same make-up, same hairstyle every single day.

Now, to practice getting that perfect shot...

Til next time,
Calista xx

Instagram: @CalistaLeahLiew
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CalistaLeahLiew
Twitter: @CalistaLeahLiew

PS: ONE LAST SELFIE! Why? Because I can! =P 

And cz my brother deserves blog-time. After looking at this, I'm definitely going back to practicing my selfie skills, lol.

Mary Quant Lipstick Giveaway!

May 7, 2014, 1:53 pm

≫ Next: The Prodigy of KL Clubs

≪ Previous: But First, Let Me Take A Selfie

$

0

0

The prettified bloggers with their goodie bags!

Just before I flew back to KK, I got to brush up on my sad makeup skills with Mary Quant via an invitation to their makeup workshop by Manoah. What I like most about makeup workshops, other than the lesson of course, is that I get to try out some colours I'd never try on my own! (Ie: All colours which are not black lol.)

The makeup spread!

If you've been following my blog, you'd probably remember that Mary Quant is a cosmetics brand born in the UK but now calls Japan home. I attended the launch cum beauty workshop last September at MUSE by Watson's in Sunway Pyramid, and I dont want to bore you with the same info, so please do check out my past post HERE for more details on the brand and all the products! =)

Before: Makeup-less Julie & I!

We all arrived bare-faced and ready to put our faces on. I went with Juliewho said I forced her to join me humph! as it was our last chance to meet up before I left KL, and who better to spend a Sunday afternoon with?

Takaki-san clipping Felicia's hair back - a must before attempting a masterpiece!

As soon as all the girls had arrived, Ms. Takaki (the makeup artist from Japan, also featured in my past post) began her magic on the model of the day, Felicia.

Use via clockwise: Mary Quant Special Recipe Toning Lotion, then Moisture Milk - herbal fragrance; Mary Quant Oil Zap on T-zone for matte finish, then Moisture Zap for moisture, smoothness, and longer lasting makeup.

Starting off with a clean slate, Takaki-san first used toner and moisturiser to prep Felicia's skin. As I already had sunblock on, I skipped these steps, as did I think most of the girls. I did use the makeup base though: Oil Zap is used on the T-zone, while Moisture Zap is to moisturise the dry areas like your cheeks. I only used Moisture Zap as my skin is quite dry.

Tip: Use Moisture Zap around your eye area, but not Oil Zap. Your eyelids only get oily because of the oil on your T-zone!

Next step is the Eye Gloss, which I absolutely love! It's a treatment eye foundation which covers dark circles and fine lines. The difference was obvious, as you can see in this selfie I took:

Don't think it's necessary to say, but I applied Eye Gloss to the left side only.

Next up, foundation. We tried out Mary Quant's Smoo Make Powder Foundation, and Takaki-san gave us 2 options: a lighter finish, or a natural finish. I chose natural, and Takaki-san picked out O-40 (Natural) for me.

Apply powder foundation with a face compact puff, smoothing evenly.

For a softer finish, apply Loose Face Powder with a puff; but after dabbing the puff into the powder, squeeze it with a tissue before patting onto your face so that you wont be stuck with too much excess.

Loose powder with a fluffy puff! Choose from a shimmery finish or a light finish.

Colouring time! I know, sounds like kids in kindergarten, but hey, you get the jist. We drew in our brows, then went straight into lining our peepers and playing with eye shadow.

Clockwise from top left: Eyeliner (I used 18 on top, 10 for bottom lashes) Eyeshadow also clockwise from white (N01 - for base), P06 from outer corner to middle, V01 for shading, R02 for bottom and corner. Eyebrow pencil (I used charcoal grey) Mascara aka Action Lashings (I used 2nd on left - Bohemian Purple). Apply with coil side first, then brush side.

What's unique about Mary Quant, is that they definitely have an array of colours, not only in eye shadow, but in eyeliner and mascara too! As our session was more to spring, we were playing with a pink palette, and this was my never-seen-before outcome:

As pink and "sweet" as it's ever gonna get for me! =P

Which brings me almost to the end of my makeover, and what you've all been waiting for: Lips!

Yep, I'm giving away one brand new Mary Quant Moisture Rich Lipstick in V-03, which is quite a rosy pink, to one lucky reader! All you have to do to win is:

1. Make sure you're following my blog (followers list on my sidebar), & my Instagram (@CalistaLeahLiew).
2. Leave me a comment below telling me what makeup item you can't leave the house without applying.
3. Don't forget to leave me your email address in the comment too!
4. Winner will be chosen by random.org on 18th May 2014, and I will contact you via email.

That's it! Mary Quant's Moisture Rich Lipstick costs RM108 each in stores, but if you're the lucky winner, I'll be shipping this to you for free! =D

After: Julie & I forgot to show you our finished look properly, because we were given these words-cannot-describe-how-good-it-is cake!

Good luck, get your entry in asap so you can start smooching away with gorgeous lips!

Til next time,
Calista xx

The Prodigy of KL Clubs

May 12, 2014, 8:19 am

≫ Next: Local Sabah Food is Delicious Bah!

≪ Previous: Mary Quant Lipstick Giveaway!

$

0

0

Seems like I do most of my partying while I'm in KL nowadays - not a good sign for my KK life! - what with new clubs popping up here and there, and my bunch of party animal blogger friends! =P

During the launch, photo courtesy of Prodigy's official photographer!

Being back in KK is all good, but this public holiday eve, I'm reminiscing about the fun times I had dancing the night away just a couple of weeks back! After the launch of new club Prodigy KL, we ended up partying there at least 3 times; and hey, I was only there for about 7 weeks!

With my babe Yukiko.. Photo courtesy of Zana! xx

Situated in the heart of KL, clubbing at Prodigy was easy for me as all I had to do was walk over from Pavilion - it's located just opposite on Jalan Kia Peng, and you can see the building while walking along the KLCC link bridge.

Prodigy exterior, with ample parking spaces just opposite!

The launch, called Redefine, was literally jam-packed, even though it was by exclusive invite only! Manoah (my party hook-up) got us in with the it-crowd, and it was havoc! A great start to a newly opened club I'd say, cz after all, the more people there to party the better the party will be! It was so much fun meeting even more new friends too!

The Manoah group photo!

The very next Friday, a bunch of us headed over to check out the first of their weekly events: Filth Fortune with Mr Fluff. Grabbing a sofa seat upstairs, we started the night off with selfies and some drinks. Joanna sat next to me and started sipping on a drink, and it wasnt til I noticed that my 'special' glass had gone missing that either of us realised, she was happily throwing back neat.. cranberry juice! Ahahaha! And she wondered why she wasnt feeling anything.. ;p

Our drinks and the waiter helping us pour our first round.. And yes, apparently my butt always gets in the way!

One thing about the service staff in Prodigy though, they really make you feel VIP! When the ice bucket goes to mush, you barely have time to realise before they've already brought you a new one; your drinks are always topped up; there's always a friendly waiter nearby if you need anything.. It was great! We were dancing and laughing without having to worry about anything at all!

This is so awesome.. Just had to steal it from Michelle's post! =D

And to give you a look at the interior:

First 3 pix are as soon as you walk in - and yes that's a swing - Last photo is the VDJ console!

We also got meet Mr Fluff in the flesh! While he was in the midst of spinning, no less.

So guess who's excited?

I can't wait to go back to KL to party with the girls again; I foresee a lot more Prodigy in the cards? =P See you guys in a few months' time!

For more info on upcoming events, check out Prodigy KL's facebook HERE.

Til next time, 
Calista xx

Local Sabah Food is Delicious Bah!

May 21, 2014, 8:12 am

≫ Next: Attainable Flawlessness, No Knives Necessary!

≪ Previous: The Prodigy of KL Clubs

$

0

0

Every Sabahan can probably rattle off a list of local food for any foreigner who happened to ask them: nasi lemak, satay, beef rendang, laksa, rojak... The list goes on.  But what about actual local local food? Can you name any Sabahan dishes?

"Err.. Hinava!"

"And?"

"Err............ Tapai..?"

Didnt think so hahaha! But why? When we go house-visiting in the kampungs during Kaamatan, there's always loads of yummy dishes that I wouldnt be able to name; and wouldnt be able to find anywhere else if I wanted other friends to try it.

Le Meridien is hoping to change all that. Launching the latest edition of it's ala carte menu, A Taste Of Discovery at Circle Restaurant, Tampatan Flavours is curated by local culinary talents and inspired by its destination - Sabah, Borneo.

Traditional Kadazandusun cooking takes a variety of wild jungle ingredients, such as bamboo shoots and palm sago, and spins out unique creations that stimulate your taste buds, accentuating each individual taste, whether it be fresh, pickled, fermented or otherwise.

Hinava  RM26

The most famous Sabahan cuisine is commonly served as an appetizer. Hinava is essentially fresh mackerel marinated with lime, ginger and chili, and garnished with salad. Possessing a distinct vinegary taste, you can eat hinava with rice or bread, and it is deeeeeelicious! I dont know why even I only knew about this amazing plate of yumminess just last year! =O

Pinasakan Sada in Wild Borneo Herbs  RM38

Another fish dish (hey, Sabah is part of the world's 3rd largest island right?), Pinasakan Sada in Wild Borneo Herbs is my favourite dish on the Circle Restaurant menu. Slow braised mackerel cooked in taco baco sour gravy, the sauce was to die for, and the fish was so flavourful! Pinasakan Sada also comes with bambangan (aka wild mango), lime chili, and hill rice (which is so much better than your normal white rice!)

Grilled Tiger Prawn in Banana Leaf  RM46

A more normal-sounding dish, the Tiger Prawn in Banana Leaf is made special by being locally spiced and grilled while being wrapped in banana leaves. The prawns were a very satisfying size, and were so fresh! They comes with steamed hill rice, wild onion salad, and prawn paste.

Ayam Bambangan  RM38

Ayam Bambangan looks a bit like Ayam Penyet. Served with steamed hill rice and stir fried wild fern shoots, this spring chicken is marinated in bambangan lemongrass gravy before being baked to perfection.

Selfie using the Samsung NX Mini. Lighting wasnt too good where I was seated though =( Look at the size of that prawn! =D

If you're the adventurous kind and usually feel helpless when asked to choose which new dishes to try, you could order the Tampatan Trio (RM70). An exciting combination of the Traditional Hinava, Tiger Prawn in Banana Leaf AND Ayam Bambangan, you're already on your way to being a seasoned Sabahan food explorer! Served with steamed hill rice and discovery condiments, it's also the perfect way to share with a friend who's ordered the Pinasakan......

Sago Discovery  RM26

No meal is complete without dessert, and Sabahans like their sugar as much as the next Malaysian! The Sago Discovery was good enough for me to be able to finish it, even though I was so full from stuffing my face at lunch (dont take my stomach capacity as a guide though)! The chilled sago with palm sugar, coconut milk and Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream to top it all off was the perfect ending to my Sabahan food journey. By the end of it I was wondering where the hell I'd been all these years - how could I have never tried all this before?!  

Next time I have friends come to visit, at least I know where I can take them for a taste of Sabah. It's kinda sad that no one has thought of serving easily accessible local food like this before. As we were saying over lunch, unless it's Kaamatan season, it's virtually impossible to get Kadazan food, and even when it is, asking your friends if you can take tourists to their open houses is not exactly the most comfortable of options haha. 

Interior of Circle Restaurant, Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu. Photo credit as per watermark.

Circle Restaurant is open from 6.30am - 11.00pm at Le Meridien Hotel, which is situated in the heart of KK city. The Tampatan Flavours menu is already available, in conjunction with this month's Kaamatan festivities.

Kotobian Tadau Tagazo do Kaamatan to my fellow Sabahans, and to my west Malaysian friends, the end of this month is the perfect time to come to Sabah if you want to witness the Harvest Festival! =D

Til next time,

Calista xx

Attainable Flawlessness, No Knives Necessary!

May 25, 2014, 2:55 am

≫ Next: Kaamatan - When Sabahans Harvest The Love!

≪ Previous: Local Sabah Food is Delicious Bah!

$

0

0

*Sponsored Post

Flawless. Perf(as in perfect). Victoria's Secret Angel.

Ok, so maybe not the last one. But how many of us crave these urban words being associated with us, whether in photos or in real life?

I woke up like this, we flawless. - Beyonce.

As the desire for perfection grows with the advancement of the beauty industry, men and women alike are always on the lookout for easy, inexpensive ways to improve their physical appearance. While some may say looks aren't everything, no one can deny that vanity is an inborn human trait, and as much as we say we don't care, who doesn't like feeling pretty? Besides, looks alone may not carry you through life, but they sure do open many doors!

While plastic surgery is a growing industry, many people, myself included, are way too much of a scaredy-cat to actually go under the knife in the name of beauty. I havent even been able to bring myself to go for Lasik, which would actually be practical and painless! Haha..

A patient getting a beauty jab at iD Esthetic Beauty House

Even though I haven't had anything done, I think we're forever curious about what could be done, or how these things are done, and through friends and the internet, I recently learnt that there is this procedure where they use 'fillers', which can correct minor imperfections (or, quirks which you're not too fond of).

One of the treatment rooms in iD Esthetic Beauty House

iD Esthetic Beauty House was previously located in Puchong, but with the increase of clientele (and you guys probably went "Puchong? So far??" hehe), they have relaunched the company at Berjaya Times Square TODAY! =D The beauty clinic offers all kinds of micro surgery, aka non-invasive beauty treatments, mainly focusing on fillers.

Lip Filler Before & After from iD Esthetic Instagram

So what exactly are fillers? I know, I asked the same question. I thought that maybe they were lip plumpers, or a less permanent type of cheek implants, but that's all I could think of. In reality? You can get chin fillers, apple cheek fillers, 'v-shape' face fillers, nose fillers, placenta injections, breast injections and more! All this with a needle, no knives/lasers required!

'V-shape' face filler Before & After taken from iD Esthetic Instagram

Fillers are actually temporary to long-lasting solutions to wrinkles, scars, or soft-tissue volume loss. The injections are usually collagen, hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyl, and provide less permanent changes to parts of yourself you'd like to change, but are maybe unsure of the outcome. Thinking of getting a nose job but worried you'd regret it after a few months? Why not try a nose filler first so you can see what you'd look like with a change? Like it? Go back for touch up nose fillers. Don't like it? Just leave it and the effects will slowly wear off and go back to normal.

Ray Eng of iD Esthetic Beauty House is his own best advert, as he himself has gone through cosmetic surgery to look better than before. He also trained in Thailand, China and Korea, arguably the most famous destinations for cosmetic surgery these days!

Ray's name card

Interested to know more? I'm no expert, but I do know how you can contact one! Haha.. Just WeChat your questions to idAesthetic or email them at idestheticbeauty@gmail.com Better yet, walk in for a personal consultation at their new and easily accessible outlet at 06-12, 6th Floor, Berjaya Times Square, No.1, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur. Call 03-21410608 to make an appointment! =)
Have you tried micro surgery before? Or even had any type of plastic surgery? Leave me a comment with your experience, I'm really curious!

Til next time,
Calista xx

Kaamatan - When Sabahans Harvest The Love!

May 30, 2014, 11:55 pm

≫ Next: Thursday Tunes: Britney Spears - Work Bitch

≪ Previous: Attainable Flawlessness, No Knives Necessary!

$

0

0

KOPIVOSIAN!

That means “Hi!” in the native Kadazan language. A lot of non-Sabahans may not even know that the main races in Sabah, who are the natives of this land, are actually the Kadazandusuns.

Photo credits: www.flyingdusun.com

As such, one of our main, and arguably most vibrant festivals is celebrated every 30 & 31^st May: Kaamatan, or the Harvest Festival. Being a public holiday here in Sabah, everyone celebrates somehow or other, whether by visiting friends’ open houses, joining the crowds on the street, or most popularly, spending the day at KDCA(Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association) in Penampang.

KDCA, photo credits www.borneoreflections.blogspot.com

Kaamatan is actually a month-long celebration, with events such as beauty pageants, singing competitions, bazaars, and more happening all over the state. The KDCA grounds, which house all the different types of ethnic homes and longhouses, become the biggest celebration venue, and it’s honestly the best, and most diverse, place to be in Kota Kinabalu during that time!

Sumazau dance Photo credit www.killjols.blogspot.com

You get to participate in traditional dances (like the sumazau or mangunatip), Sabahan songs are sung via karaoke (Tinggi-Tinggi Gunung Kinabalu anybody?), traditional music is played with all different musical instruments (sompoton and kulintangan), and the atmosphere is like no other! Of course, local handicrafts are up for sale, and tapai(rice wine) is never too hard to find *wink*

Sumandak playing the sompoton in a paddy field Photo credits www.bennyliew.com

An age-old tradition - and one of the most coveted titles in Sabah - the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant is held in every district, until the winners of each district come together at KDCA to compete for the finals, where the fairest of them all will be crowned Unduk Ngadau of the year. Another word you should know when coming to Sabah: Sumandak! This is what we call all the pretty Sabahan girls (kinda like the local version of leng lui).

Some of the finalists in this year's Unduk Ngadau Photo credits: Jeffie Jeff (the go-to MUA & costume designer for UNK!)

Sugandoi, a singing competition in which participants must sing a Kadazan, Dusun, or Murut song, is a platform not only to celebrate unity, but to also keep the native languages alive, and discover local talents.

A contestant singing his heart out at Sugandoi Kaamatan 2014 Photo credits: Augustine Jumat

Kaamatan is definitely one of my favourite festivals, as every Sabahan, regardless of race, religion, age or gender all come together as one to just celebrate being.. well.. Sabahan! In fact, the only time I realized this was when I was looking back at old photographs and found this: 

A lady at one of the culture booths during Kaamatan, wearing the traditional Kadazan outfit, and a tudung/hijab! I guess we are all just so used to being in sync with each other that we never really notice these small differences between us; it becomes second nature to respect each other first and foremost as human beings.

Some of the various traditional costumes found in Sabah, found on these cute dolls from www.1nita.my!

Another reason I love Kaamatan is because every single district has their own twist on the traditional costume – and they’re all so beautiful! Ranging from simple to intricate designs, the costumes are mostly made out of black velvet with gold trimming, and accessorized with heavy coin belts. You get to see each one on display, and worn, in the different houses in KDCA.

2 nights before Kaamatan this year

The Kadazan people are some of the most friendly people you will ever meet, and though still very much in touch with their traditions, they know how to par-tay! The festivities start early in the morning on the 30th, and often don’t really end until late into the 31^st. Traditional food such as hinava, tuhau, sinalau bakas and more are prepared the old school way, and enjoyed by all as you can’t find these many of these dishes commercially!

Tapai, served in large jars and shared with long bamboo straws. Photo credit www.MalaysiaAsia.my

Tapai plays a big role in the Kaamatan celebrations, and is also brewed at home, to be passed around in a large jar with long straws to be shared by guests. More commercial brews are also aplenty, with the ‘war cry’ of Aramaitii! being heard throughout the night, and day! Aramaitii is the local version of ‘cheers’, or ‘yam seng’, and is shouted with gusto amidst happy groups of friends (and strangers!).  Basically, Kaamatan is the biggest get-together you can have, as whole kampungsgather in one dewan/area to eat, drink and be merry!

Part of the crowd at KDCA during Kaamatan Photo credits nabilanajwa.blogspot.com

Petronas, long known for their heart-warming TV commercials, have actually produced a special webfilm that will give West Malaysians and anyone else who has never experienced Kaamatan, or Sarawak’s Hari Gawai, a deeper insight into the world of the modern yet still traditional East Malaysia. The episodes were filmed in the interior kampungs, to capture the purity of the festivals; but don’t be fooled! Kota Kinabalu and Kuching are the bustling cities of Sabah and Sarawak, creating the uniqueness of harmony between the old and the new within the two states.

Screenshot from one of the Petronas episodes

So if you ever plan to visit Sabah (and trust me, you should!), the end of May is definitely the best time to really experience the culture and the warmth of its people. Tickets can be a bit pricier than usual, and sold out flights are common, so do plan ahead!

For now though, I’d like to wish all my Sabahan friends,

Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan!

Til next time,

Calista xx

---

Thursday Tunes: Britney Spears - Work Bitch

October 30, 2013, 8:40 pm

≫ Next: 15 Years A Natural Beauty!

≪ Previous: Kaamatan - When Sabahans Harvest The Love!

$

0

0

Britney Spears may have come up with one of the most motivational songs I've ever heard.

You wanna hot body
You wanna Bugatti
You wanna Maserati
You better work bitch

You wanna Lamborghini
Sip Martinis
Look hot in a bikini
You better work bitch

You wanna live fancy
Live in a big mansion
Party in France
You better work bitch

So it's not a mind-blowing piece of literature, nor is it a brand new dimension in the pop industry.
So it's about all things shallow - money, looks and fame.
But just simply listening to the lyrics, when you are feeling depressed with your career, when you're wondering how to live the high life you crave, or even when you seriously need to hit the gym and work out, this song gives it to you straight: You want the finer things in life, work for it, bitch!

I chose this to be this week's Thursday Tune because I desperately need the inspiration. Trying to figure out where to go from here, and needing to train for the year-end's Moount Kinabalu climb, I need all the pushing I can get to get my ass to the gym and actually work for that bikini bod!

Ok, so who are we kidding. I'm not gonna get a bikini bod any time soon. But I will get a body that's fit enough to climb for 2 days! Even if it does collapse for 3 days as the aftermath.

Don't deny it, everyone's a secret Britney fan - yes, even you!

Til next time, 
Calista xx

15 Years A Natural Beauty!

June 5, 2014, 2:55 am

≫ Next: A.D.I.D.A.Shopping Sprees!

≪ Previous: Thursday Tunes: Britney Spears - Work Bitch

$

0

0

I think most girls would agree that makeup is a way of life for many of us, whether putting on a little lipstick for a day at work, winging out that liner for a night out, or just experimenting with different looks.

Like fashion, makeup trends come and go; which colours are in this season? Which particular shade? Matte, or shimmer? The list goes on. One thing is for certain though: 2014 is all about wearable makeup that gives you a healthy glow.

For Lunasol’s 15^th Anniversary, Kanebo introduced the Lunasol Sand Spring 2014 Collection; a selection of nude, gold and natural shades, intent on creating a fresh look that’s simple to create, and easy to take from day to night.

With Vicky after my makeover

In conjunction with the anniversary celebration, I was invited to the Kanebo counter in Metrojaya, Suria Sabah for a makeover with the new makeup line. Vicky, KK’s very own Kanebo beauty consultant, told me that all Kanebo makeup artists are trained to finish a look within 45mins, compared to some makeup counters I’ve been to which take over an hour! =D

Arriving with a bare face, Vicky wiped my face over briefly before applying makeup base. The Lunasol Modeling Beige Skin contains SPF 30 PA++, so no extra sunblock is required – extra points! Makeup base smoothes out uneven skin tones and fine lines, and leaves the skin hydrated and glowing. I actually think its pretty ok to even use on its own for a light & casual day out!

Clockwise: Lunasol Skin Modeling Liquid Foundation; Apply foundation to the inner parts of face and slowly blend outwards; Pat on loose powder then brush over with a flat brush; Lunasol Skin Contrast Face Powder

The Skin Modeling Liquid Foundation was the next step to make sure I had the perfect skin before the rest of the colours were added on, followed by a light dusting of loose powder– the painting can only be as good as the canvas right? =P

Clockwise: Eye makeup complete! Application of eyeshadow; Liquid Eyeliner; Line those water lines! Lenghty lashes.

As always, we start with the windows of the soul, and pretty up those peepers! The latest colour palettes accentuate the eyes’ natural contours, and enhance them subtly, rather than making it obvious you have coloured powder on them. Here’s a chart on how to apply eyeshadow properly (cz I know blending is so complicated hahaha)

After eyeshadow (I chose 03 Warm Sand), a quick swipe with liquid liner, a flick of mascara, and a smidge of pencil liner on the bottom lid, one of the most important things an eye-catching face needs, is a frame – I’m talking about those eyebrows of course!

Vicky successfully found my hiding cheekbones and highlighted them with Lunasol Sand Natural Cheeks in EX 02 (Natural Orange). This blusher looks so pretty!

All the products that were used to complete my look!

To finish off the look, concealer was first applied to the edges of my lips so as to make sure they were even, and followed by lip liner, and Full Glamour Lips in no. 24. To add a glisten to my smile, Vicky finished off with Pure Pink Treatment Gloss.

And voila! My finished look! Polished yet light enough to continue lunch and shopping with my mom! =D

Want a makeover? Drop by any Kanebo counter for a complimentary consultation by one of the Kanebo professional beauty consultants!

Til next time,

Calista xx

A.D.I.D.A.Shopping Sprees!

June 7, 2014, 11:06 pm

≫ Next: A Red Hot Pyjama Party In KL!

≪ Previous: 15 Years A Natural Beauty!

$

0

0

As we enter mid-year, I have to say May was a good month for me; it may very well be my favourite month for the first half of 2014! This was boosted by the fact that (if my Korn-referenced blog title hasnt given it away yet) I got to collaborate with Adidas Neo Malaysia for a blog shopping spree!

Armed with a RM1000 gift voucher, I marched into the 1 Borneo outlet, determined to walk out triumphantly with items that were not your everyday Calista -  I mean, what better opportunity to change up my style right? Having gone in for a sneak peek a couple of weeks before the actual trip, I knew Adidas Neo was the lifestyle division of Adidas, so I wasn't expecting your normal sports bras/running shoes.

Adidas Neo, 1 Borneo Hypermall Photo credits Hayden Chan

The vibrant outlook of the store pretty much encompasses what the brand is about: bright, bold, and comfortable. The almost neon green of the logo catches your eye immediately; while the spacious and well-lit interior makes shopping a breeze. Another interesting fact? Selena Gomez is their guest designer! Is it any wonder the Spring/Summer 2014 collection is dominated by sweet colours with a rebellious streak?

I had a great time going through racks of bold prints and bright colours, trying on so many different pairs of shoes, and having a laugh with the staff! Everyone is so friendly and helpful, and what could make a shopping spree more fun? Shopping with a friend of course! Ana must have been bored stiff while I umm'd and ahh'd over which pieces would make the cut, but she heroically stood by me while taking some awesome photos of my indecisiveness! =P

The sleeveless pink jackets, or the sheer-sleeved floral?

Ready for anything!

With RM1000 in hand, I have to say I was quite surprised that it took me a while to actually use it all up! Prices are definitely reasonable, with tops starting from RM89.90 (there could be cheaper ones I didnt notice), and shoes on average RM189.90/pair. I'm quite happy with the amount of stuff I got, and even managed to grab a pair of sneakers for the bf - hey, gotta make the man happy every once in a while right? *wink*

Bright red sneakers, or black with a dash of hot pink? HMMM...

I'll show you my haul in the next post, but let's see if you can guess what I chose in the end?
*Hint: My initial determination faltered a little; I guess one can't change one's style overnight! Lol

Til next time,
Calista xx

A Red Hot Pyjama Party In KL!

June 11, 2014, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Thursday Tunes: The Pretty Reckless - You

≪ Previous: A.D.I.D.A.Shopping Sprees!

$

0

0

Guess who just got back from KL!

... and yes I realise it hasnt been a month since I last left haha, but how could I resist coming down for a week when Air Asia was gracious enough to fly me down for the RED HOT party, and the new Tune Hotel's pyjama party? =D

A quick snap with Ashman before leaving the Sultan Lounge

Gotta thank the fabulous Ashman for literally creating a miracle and scouring every available option to get me a seat on 4 days of sold-out flights from KK - KL! (The website showed sold out flights from 28th - 31st May, probably because it was Kaamatan weekend) I was on the last physical seat too: 31F lol!

Heaps of kisses for Yukiko!!

I got to spend a few hours with my brother before meeting Yukiko for the Air Asia Red Hot Taylor Swift Live in Malaysia Party at Sultan Lounge, Mandarin Oriental on the 30th. Was feeling a bit sad that I was missing out on the Kaamatan madness, but also excited for the week ahead, as I'm having an extended slumber party with Yuki - she invited me to crash at her place for my whole trip, and even bought a new bed for the guest room just for me!

Rocking out with Taylor!

We arrived late due to horrific traffic in KL, as did quite a few others I believe, including Bruneian food blogger Thanis Lim, whom you might remember from KK, his second home! =P Was great catching up in a different city for once, and he even brought me a homemade matcha waffle! *yum~*

Taylor Swift inside and out on a special Air Asia Airbus A320! Why is she so pretty~

Look at all these lucky b*tches! Argh! (Yes, that is jealousy in my voice lol)

Air Asia is the official sponsor for Taylor Swift's South East Asia leg of her RED tour, hence the Red Hot party in anticipation of Taylor's first Malaysian concert. Backstage passes were the main lucky draw prize, but as you can probably guess, I didnt win the coveted tickets (gutted I dont have tickets to her show - I can't believe it's happening NOW and I'm here typing! T.T)

Even so, I did have fun chatting with new and familiar faces throughout the night, and even got to suck at charades with Yuki, Don and Zana over drinks and Luk-Luk before going home! No prizes for guessing we woke up late the next morning...

Yuki's husband Nate had bought us yummy nasi lemak and soy milk for breakfast, and Yuki stared at me in disbelief for about 10 seconds when I told her I'd never tried soy milk before. I havent! I dont like milk, so I just generally don't pick soy milk up. Hahaha.. It was pretty good though!

A snap in Yuki's car before checking in - that's Thanis' matcha waffle in between us!

I drove Yuki's Hyundai Tucson (Yuki, please remember your car model hahaha) up to KLIA 2, where the new Tune Hotel is situated.

Exterior and part of Tune Hotel KLIA 2's parking lot

We were impressed by the ample parking space right outside the hotel, while the fact that it's within walking distance from KLIA 2, and equipped with ramps and luggage trolleys, is definitely convenient for travellers.

Love the facilities inside the hotel itself! Check in, keep updated with arrival/departure times, or just lounge in the.. spacious lounge! Bottom right pic is the courtyard area where the pyjama party was held.

KLIA 2 is the new home of Malaysia's low-cost carriers, 

Air Asia having moved there in early June. 

The rumours are true: KLIA 2 is pretty huge. 

From landing to parking, it took about 10 minutes of taxiing down the runway, 

and walking through the arrival hall took about 20 mins before I reached baggage reclaim. 

I planned to reach the airport early when I flew back to KK, 

just in case I got lost/underestimated walking time from check-in to the departure gate etc.

Good news is that the KLIA Express now runs to KLIA 2 as well, 

with no extra charge - still a flat rate of RM35 one way.

Thanis did a pretty good job of KLIA2 For Dummies, you can check out his post HERE! 

Interior of the rooms

It was both mine and Yuki's first time staying in one of the Tune Hotels, and we were pleasantly surprised with the comfort of the room! We spent a bit of time trying to decide what to wear for the pyjama party; hey, I dont wear pyjamas to bed! (Not ones I'd wanna be seen in public in anyway haha)

I loved that everyone followed the theme! Except for.. Ana! I know you dont wear that for bed! Hahaha..

Also finally got to meet Sarawakian comic blogger Jian Goh aka Akiraceo, and Sabahan comic blogger Kendy in person (check out his blog on the 6th of June for a special feature on yours truly!) I could've sworn I took a photo with you Kendy.. Is it in your camera..? =P

Giant Jenga! Hahaha.. I wasnt the one who made it fall, cz obviously I couldnt play after level 1 =/

... And I thought this was gonna be a short update. Oh well!

Goodnight everyone!

Til next time,
Calista xx

Thursday Tunes: The Pretty Reckless - You

November 21, 2013, 2:39 am

≫ Next: Sabah's Hospitality Ambassadors 2014

≪ Previous: A Red Hot Pyjama Party In KL!

$

0

0

I had a talk with someone who really means a lot to me last night, and, to save being way too personal in such a public domain, I came away from the the situation feeling pretty.. Lost.

"Our attraction, or addiction, or whatever, was strong."

I dont know why, maybe I'm just weak sometimes, but the thought of things being different, makes me sick to my stomach. Not that things are perfect as they are, far from it, but it's something. I dont know what I've gotten myself into, I just know that things are not the same as they used to be, and I dont like it.

"Serendipity"

What would I wanna take away from this in the long term? Can't say for sure, but then again, I feel maybe I do know, it's just locked up behind my walls, to protect me from the obviously stated fact that it's not anywhere near to how far you want it go.

"You dont get to break somebody's heart and still say you care about them."

I actually had a short list of songs - this was gonna just be text of a playlist, with songs like Wrecking Ball, Give You What You Like, What Now, Back To Black, Give Me Love, The Last Time & Torn. But as I was writing the lyrics, I realised, only one song actually says what is going through my head, taking into consideration that no single song can encompass the unconventional situation we're in.
So here it is. You.

  

You don't want me, no
You don't need me
Like I want you, oh
Like I need you

And I want you in my life
And I need you in my life

You can't see me, no
Like I see you
I can't have you, no
Like you have me

And I want you in my life
And I need you in my life

You can't feel me, no
Like I feel you
I can't steal you, no
Like you stole me

And I want you in my life
And I need you in my life

Til next time,
Calista xx

"I'm just sad because I really like you more than I've liked anyone in a long time.
Tonight I got slapped in the face with the reality that I'll never be able to call you mine
and that it isnt a very big deal to you. "

Sabah's Hospitality Ambassadors 2014

June 17, 2014, 3:33 am

≫ Next: "Wait! Let Me Put On My Face!" and Other Makeup Stories

≪ Previous: Thursday Tunes: The Pretty Reckless - You

$

0

0

Given that tourism plays a big part in a nation's economy, it's no surprise that hotels all over Malaysia are constantly working to up their game and give travellers the best experience possible during their stay here, with great service and knowledge of their state.

The Awards Ceremony

A few weeks ago I got to meet with this year's Sabah Hospitality Ambassadors, chosen by the Sabah/Labuan chapter of Malaysia's Association of Hotels (MAH) during the 40th anniversary celebration at Le Meridien Hotel. They told me the objective of this competition is to select an industry employee who would present a positive image of tourism in Sabah - a warm and friendly personality who is not only passionate, but also committed to their career as a hotelier!

The winner, in this case Ms. Zetty Raudhah Crehan of Sutera Harbour Resorts, will represent Sabah for the MAH National Employee of the Year award, co-represent MAH Sabah at official Ministry of Tourism functions, and be a spokesperson at career inspiration and guidance talks held by MAH Sabah Chapter member hotels. It wasn't an easy task, winning the award; a total of 11 participants were judged on their personal appearance, presentation, personality, intelligence, and communication skills.

L-R: Fauzy, Zetty and Haeruddin

Zetty definitely has the experience and the charisma to represent Sabah. Starting out as a flight attendant with Malaysia Airlines, Zetty regaled stories of her adventures in the sky, and subsequently on sea when she was Cruise Director for luxury cruise ship SY Lili Marleen! Deciding it was time to return to solid ground, Zetty now heads Pacific Club at The Pacific Sutera, and I can personally confirm that hospitality is definitely her forte! Her favourite part of Sabah? Tuaran, because it's not too far from the city, yet offers beautiful beaches, gorgeous wetlands, and amazing food!

1st and 2nd runners-up Haeruddin bin Nordin and Mohd Fauzi bin Latip, from Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan and Gayana Eco Resort respectively, also make their passion known, especially when talking about their workplace: Haeruddin names two of his managers at Starwood Hotels and Resorts as his mentors and inspiration, while Fauzi has definitely made his rounds to gain experience in various hotels around Malaysia, since 2001! When asked where their favourtie place in Sabah was, Haeruddin says the cultural experience of the Sabahan cowboys in Kota Belud has his heart; Fauzi, spending most of his time on the sunny Pulau Gaya, where Gayana Eco Resort is situated, loves taking trips up to Kundasang to cool off!

Me with the top 3 Sabahan Hospitality Ambassadors!

I hope this yearly award will inspire those in the hospitality line to give their ultimate best, not only to be in the running to win next year's honour of being Sabah Hospitality Ambassador, but also to carry the name of our state's tourism above and beyond what we have achieved so far. Sabah is such a beautiful state, and those in the Tourism and Hospitality industry are front-liners to showcase our Sabahan pride!
Congratulations guys! =)

Til next time, 
Calista xx

"Wait! Let Me Put On My Face!" and Other Makeup Stories

July 7, 2014, 12:18 am

≫ Next: Trying It On With Adidas Neo

≪ Previous: Sabah's Hospitality Ambassadors 2014

$

0

0

It's a well-known face that most girls (and some boys!) love makeup, whether on a daily basis, for the camera or stage, or to create masterpieces. Hey, your face is a great canvas, and who doesn't like getting dolled up?

Makeup can definitely boost your confidence; and your ability to feel sexy!

Coming back to basics, Make up allows us to create different looks based on our mood each day, and can complement an outfit. Best part? "Flaws" are easily covered up, while your best features can be accentuated beautifully. We live in an appearance-orientated world, and we all have those days where we stress over a blemish, scar or pimple, and wish we could just erase it. Of course, the proper way would be to apply the appropriate skin care, but while we're waiting for that whitening cream or pimple gel to work, concealer is our best friend before that important meeting or hot date! Personally, eye brightening concealer is a life-saver, because no matter what Korean/Japanese eye bag trend is going on, I'd very much love to live without my dark circles, thank-you-very-much!

Korean actresses with emphasised eye bags with the help of makeup

Another personal daily-must product for me is mascara, probably passed down from my mom, who never leaves the house without a flick of the mascara brush! (I use a lot more makeup than her though - mascara is her only cosmetic!) I love mascaras which can give me volume, as I'm blessed with long-ish lashes, but would love for them to be thicker. I'm not a big fan of falsies, thus am always on the hunt for new mascaras to try. Sephora is a haven for this: not only do they stock a large variety of brands, but as each brand usually has way more than one mascara... I just wish I had more eyes to try each time! =P

Mascara widens and brightens up your peepers!

Blusher and shader are other products I'd love to learn more about. With my hamster cheeks, blush and shading is a must, but unfortunately I'm still not as well-versed on them as I'd hope to be. I really envy the girls with amazing makeup skills; and good makeup skills often translate to a large and colourful makeup collection! In Sabah, we're not blessed with any makeup one-stop-shops (yet! Fingers crossed they decide to come in, to the 2 upcoming malls perhaps?), but all is not lost as there are still online stores such as Zalora where we can browse through a wide selection of makeup products and have them sent right to our doorstep! 

How about trying a horoscope-themed look? (Yes, I'm a Capricorn!) Source

While I'm not a fan of caked-on makeup every single day, I think we could all agree that makeup is a fun must-have for different occasions. My daily ritual is usually concealer, mascara, and most recently, eyebrow pencil, with jet black eyeliner if I'm feeling a little dark or fancy. What about YOU? How do you leave the house each day? Tell me in the comments!

Til next time,
Calista xx

---

Trying It On With Adidas Neo

July 11, 2014, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Let Cut's Gallery Pamper That Gorgeous Mane!

≪ Previous: "Wait! Let Me Put On My Face!" and Other Makeup Stories

$

0

0

You probably remember that I went on a shopping spree at Adidas Neo a few weeks ago, where I got to spend a RM1000 gift voucher because I'm awesome for an exclusive blog experience. You can check out my previous post HERE, where I pranced around the store like a kid in a candy shop, while in this post, I wanna share my experience in the girl's version of Disneyland...

"Skip, skip, skip to my -- Oooh! Pretty!"

As fun as it is to pick out new clothes, rummage through racks and racks of pretty dresses, and try on different pairs of shoes, I'd have to say the changing room is where the real fun is! Every little girl loves to dress up their dolls in different outfits, and every mother likes to dress up their own real life doll (aka their daughters) in cute little dresses for every occasion imaginable. This hobby doesnt stop for most girls, and only flourishes more once we reach that amazing age of having our own money!

Black Crop Top was fun but even the 2XS was a lil too big =/

The changing rooms in Adidas Neo, 1 Borneo are pretty spacious, and I had room to twist and turn while trying on different tops, even with Ana in there with me snapping pix! (Although, I guess you gotta bear in mind we're 2 of the tiniest girls in KK lol) I say tops because I'm not a fan of leggings, and the one pair of pants I took a fancy to made my butt look like twice the size of the rest of me. Which it probably is - hips dont lie for sure, but sometimes I wish they would!

Loving this casual sleeveless shirt - can wear this with almost anything!

Studded and black? Ring it up, cashier!

One thing I like about the Adidas Neo Selena Gomez Collection, is that although they do have a mostly feminine look, what with the pastel pinks and floral prints, but they also possess an edge which makes them wearable by even the least girly girls. 

I actually really love this whole look!

They're also casual, but in a dressy type of way, so you won't be overdressed, but you'll still look fashionable enough to hit the streets, not to mention that since this is the Spring/Summer 2014 Collection, the designs are airy and comfortable enough for Malaysia's tropical weather (an average 35 degrees anyone..?)

Selena hips up a super casual yet comfy outfit with snazzy hi-tops!

Alright, I did promise to show you my haul in this post, I remember! So here we go:

No happiness like full shopping bags!

Pretty good for a couple of hours shopping huh? =P

I'm working on a special surprise for my next post - I hope you'll like it! Sneak peeks will be up on my facebook and instagram accounts, so don't forget to follow me!

We were tired and hungry after our shopping spree, so we decided to reward ourselves with yummy cake!

Love Always,

Calista xx

Let Cut's Gallery Pamper That Gorgeous Mane!

July 24, 2014, 8:54 pm

≫ Next: Samsung NX Mini: A Social Media Lover's Best Friend

≪ Previous: Trying It On With Adidas Neo

$

0

0

If you follow me on facebook or instagram, you may have noticed that I love going to get my hair washed at the salon. The feeling of walking into a good salon and sitting in a comfy chair while being massaged and cleaned, then walking out with a soft and silky head of hair is unbeatable!

To get a complete pampering session, I went for a hair spa treatment at Cut's Gallery Hair Salon in Palm Square, Centrepoint. Known for their skilled and professional staff members, I definitely felt at ease from the moment I walked in! Everyone is so friendly, and you'll even find the director herself, Stella, either styling or just catching up with some of Cut's Gallery's regular customers!

Stella & Florence. Stella was trained by the legend Vidal Sassoon himself when she was in London!

My stylist of the day was Florence, who excels in short 'dos, and is actually my brother Oliver's go-to stylist! After telling her my concerns, I was sent off for some rubbin' n scrubbin'. Percy (who is a joy to talk to; my mom really likes him - yes, I guess my whole family does frequent Cut's a lot, lol!) told me that they always wash the hair twice: first to remove surface dust and oil, second to really wash the hair and scalp. If you have oily hair, he suggests washing with colder water to control the scalp.

The hair washing section in Cut's Gallery & the famed L'Oreal Mythic Oil Shampoo

I got to try out L'Oreal's Mythic Oil shampoo, which I'd been dying to try since the ads came out. It didnt disappoint! The Mythic Oil series smells really good, and kinda reminds me of walking into The Body Shop, if you know what I mean. It's for all hair types, and after this experience I actually went out and bought a bottle for home!

L-R: Apply masque; Blow-drying after rinsing; Ta-da!; L'Oreal Lissceutic 2-step Hair Masque

After giving my hair a well-needed trim (I think it's been almost half a year since my last cut!), Florence proceeded to slather L'Oreal Liss Unlimited masque all over, from root to ends. The Lissceutic range is designed specially for women who have thick, unmanageable hair (if there has ever been a description for my hair, this is it lol) and want to counter dryness. It comes in two parts: the normal mask cream and an oil-based serum, which after application, has to be wrapped in clingfilm for maximum absorption into the hair follicles for about 20 minutes before rinsing. The result? Smooth, frizz-free hair with less volume, more control! And yes, I do realise that "less volume" doesnt sound like a good thing, but trust me, when you have enough hair for 2 & a half people on one tiny head, a little less volume really doesn't hurt! =P

My mom being circled by a UFO

While I waited for my mom to finish getting her hair coloured, Florence styled my hair a little so I could take a pretty picture with my favourite wall in the newly-renovated salon:

"Flip that weave!"

Before & After:

From frizzy ends to sexy curls!

So while Cut's Gallery is far from being unknown in KK, I gotta say they really do live up to their reputation. Having already conquered the higher end Sabahan market, as well as being one of the top hair and makeup academies in the state, Cut's Gallery has now opened 2 Cut's Gallery Express outlets (one in Megalong Donggongon and one in 88 Marketplace, Kepayan), to cater for the "express" crowd, aka people who may not want to spend the extra time and money on the luxurious experience you are guaranteed in the main outlet, but still desire the same professional end result.

Interior of Cut's Gallery Hair Salon in Palm Square, Centrepoint

I can't wait for my next trip there! Think it's about time for another trim anyhow.. =)

Love Always,
Calista xx

Samsung NX Mini: A Social Media Lover's Best Friend

August 4, 2014, 2:44 am

≫ Next: For Feet As Smooth As Velvet - Scholl Velvet Smooth Express Pedi

≪ Previous: Let Cut's Gallery Pamper That Gorgeous Mane!

$

0

0

My life pretty much revolves around social media, and I'm not ashamed to say I'm plugged in almost every single day (yes, I get internet withdrawal symptoms)! Whether for work or leisure, Facebook or Instagram, it's no surprise that most of what I share and like, are photos.

Mantanani Island, Sabah

So when I got the opportunity to review the all-new Samsung NX Mini, I jumped at the chance. You've probably seen#myNXMinion a lot of my photos recently, and if you missed them, my previous blog posts from when I first received the camera back in April are HERE and HERE. 

Three months in, and I'm in love. 

The NXMini has been the perfect travel partner, event buddy, and all-round daily lifesaver since it has been introduced into my life. Small & light enough at 22.5mm & 158g to carry around in my handbag every day, I've been able to capture things I was never prepared for before, and with 20.5 megapixels? Those moments are clearer than ever. 

Never being the selfie-a-day kinda girl, this camera has definitely helped peak my interest in taking snaps here and there, now that I can confidently know I'm not cropping off half my face with the 3.0 inch flip screen (although, mastering that perfect angle and smile is still a learning process for me =P). With the ultra slim 9mm wide angle lens, I've also been able to snap a selfie of not just my face (which is common when snapping with a phone camera), but with a good view of the background as well! Not to mention group "wefie" shots have been much easier to compose. =)

But my favourite feature? It's gotta be the easy-as-pie (and almost as good) NFC. 

All I have to do is:

1.

SNAP A PHOTO

2.

You can press the DIRECT LINK button on top of the camera, or I prefer to:

CLICK THE SHARE ICON

3.

SELECT MOBILELINK

and it's on it's way to my smartphone. Since my main phone at the moment isn't a Samsung phone, I just have to make sure 

4. the Wi-Fi on my phone is turned on
5. 

Click my (prior downloaded) Samsung Smart Center App

6.

wait for the photo to pop up!

Then I do my cropping or editing or whatever, and upload it directly to Instagram/Facebook just as I would a normal photo. My record so far is transferring about 70 photos at once so I could Whatsapp them to my friends after a trip to Brunei!

I didn't think much of the camera at first, was just expecting another camera to use *yay*. But after using it almost everyday for the past few months, my honest opinion is, it has made my life much easier and my photo skills, if I do say so myself, are getting better just by playing around with it. If I had to have one complaint, I'd say it's the NX Mini's inability to zoom, but hey, I'm already planning to get the zoom lens, which is also compact enough to carry around and interchange as needed! =)

The Samsung NX Mini comes in 5 colours; I'm using white, but the black and mint ones look pretty cool too. There's also pink and brown, and with the leatherette design I can't really say any of them look anything less than stylish. They're selling for RM1399 with kit lens in all Samsung outlets.

For more info you can check out the Samsung website or their facebook page (maybe they have a good offer? You neeeevveeerrr know~!!)

Love always,
Calista xx

For Feet As Smooth As Velvet - Scholl Velvet Smooth Express Pedi

August 10, 2014, 1:10 pm

≫ Next: Adidas Neo x Calista Leah Liew

≪ Previous: Samsung NX Mini: A Social Media Lover's Best Friend

$

0

0

If I were to ask you, which part of your body could use a little pampering, what would you say? (I really would like to know which part popped into your mind first - drop me a comment to let me know!)

Truth is, most people neglect one of the hardest working parts of our body when it comes to their beauty routine. Think about it: you probably do hair treatments/masks every once in a while, go for monthly facials, slather hand cream on daily, but how often do you think "Hmm, maybe my feet need a little TLC"?

Before using Scholl Velvet Smooth

We're on our feet most of the day, standing, walking or driving - your feet hardly catch a break. It's no wonder we have dry, rough skin and calluses! But what can we do? Foot spas are expensive, and DIY scrubbing with a normal foot pumice takes so much effort. Well, you can probably imagine how excited I was to receive an electronic foot file, with promises of silky smooth feet in just a few minutes!

The Scholl Velvet Smooth Express Pedi is an easy-grip, easy-to-use electronic foot file which requires minimum effort to achieve maximum smoothness. Powered by 4 AA batteries (included when purchasing), #MyVelvetSmooth buffs away hard skin in just minutes. The phrase "no pain, no gain" has never been further from the truth.

I did a vlog review of my experience using #MyVelvetSmooth for the first time, so I wont repeat all the info I've already mentioned in the video. This is my first time reviewing a beauty product on video, and my first time actually owning a foot file, let alone reviewing anything foot-related on my blog, so bear with me if I made any mistakes k? =)

The roller can be used approximately 12 times on each foot before it needs replacing, but of course this depends on the individual. I think I could use it for more, cz I have tiny feet, but my bf is using it as I type (looking like a kid with a new toy), so I'm probably gonna have to replace it much sooner seeing as he has, well, guy feet haha. Omg, he's already trying to steal my unit (with my refill) to give to his mom! =.="

Before (left) & After (right)

The Scholl Velvet Smooth Express Pedi Electronic Foot File retails at RM129.90 and refills are RM49.90 per pack. Available nationwide at Guardian, Watsons, Caring Pharmacy, Aeon Wellness, and Lazada. If you'd like to know more, or would like to get a RM10 discount, you can click HERE for a complimentary voucher!

Verdict: Definitely the best DIY pedicure tool I've used. Easy and safe, it smoothed out my rough skin in a matter of seconds, and while it's not a miracle worker, you can definitely see and feel the difference after just one use. It's also quick to clean, as you only need to run the roller under water for a few seconds and allow to dry before the next usage! Will definitely save you money on those pedicure spas!

Love (your feet) always,
Calista xx

Adidas Neo x Calista Leah Liew

August 20, 2014, 2:34 am

≫ Next: The Roller Coaster Months

≪ Previous: For Feet As Smooth As Velvet - Scholl Velvet Smooth Express Pedi

$

0

0

Collaborating with Adidas Neo for their Selena Gomez Collection, local photographer Sham KY helped produce three different lifestyle looks.

I'm wearing Adidas Neo Selena Gomez Collection Black Studded Bralet RM89 and Adidas Neo Selena Gomez Collection Black & Pink Sneakers RM220

I'm wearing Adidas Neo Selena Gomez Collection Black & White Striped Sleeveless Shirt RM120 and Adidas Neo Selena Gomez Collection Black & Silver Studded Flats RM220

I'm wearing Adidas Neo Selena Gomez Collection Floral Jacket with Sheer Sleeves RM199 and Adidas Neo Selena Gomez Collection Black & Pink Sneakers RM220

More photos can be found on my facebook page, so do drop by!

My previous Adidas posts HERE and HERE.

Love always,
Calista xx