Farewell Ami Schaheera

Assalamualaikum and good day.

Dear families and friends.

The past twelve days have been the toughest time in my life.

Ami fell ill and was admitted to Hospital Ampang for five days with breathing difficulties.
On the fifth day, with her white blood cell count spiking up and her lungs slowly failing due to an infection, she laid a little uneasy in her bed,  surrounded by close family members.
On Wednesday, 24 Jamadil Awwal in the 1435th year of the Hijrah,   March 26th, 2014 at 01:30 in the morning, she was pronounced dead. She was 29 years old.

Her cause of death was Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Beloved Families, Friends, Boys and Girls.

For those who prayed and cared for her,
those who showed love and kindness,
those who called and came to visit,
those who supported and donated money,

I appreciate your sympathy, concern, wishes and prayers.
I can't thank you all enough. May God bless you and your families.
Let us pray for her and expect the best from God…

From the (earth) did We create you, and into it shall We return you, and from it shall We bring you out once again.
(Al-Quran 20:55)

The Prophet Muhammad  taught that three things continue to benefit a [believing] person even after death -
charity which he/she had given (which continues to benefit others),
beneficial knowledge which he/she had left behind (authored or taught),
and supplication on his/her behalf by a righteous child.
(Sahih Muslim)

May her soul rest in peace, and she find love in the arms of God.

Best Regards,
Naz

BLACKMORES RETREAT at Bukit Tinggi

Embrace Nature's Healing Through Naturopathy

We all need a bit of quiet time now and again. Whether it is time for rejuvenation or for self-reflection, Blackmores has an ideal escape for you. Blackmores has designed a simplet yet relaxing two-days retreat that takes you back to nature. We open your eyes and heart to the healing powers of nature as you find peace and revitalize in the tranquil setting of D'Hillpines hill resort, Bukit Tinggi Pahang. You will discover the limitless benefits of naturopathy, the driving philosophy behind Blackmores. Their trained naturopaths will teach you ways to focus on building health and encouraging the body's self-healing process through holistic health education and living as close to nature as possible.  This is your chance to escape from the stress and rest your mind, body and soul. We will go back to basics, teaching you the benefits of superfood and how they boost your health. You also get to connect with health-concious like-minded people and be inspired by new knowledge. Not bound by any one strict doctrine, Blackmores naturopaths will let you in on the secrets of: ♥ superfoods ♥ healing power of foods ♥ organic gourmet meals ♥ natural health
WHAT TO EXPECT? Expect to eat well, get out and be active, try new things, make new friends, laugh a lot and and come home revitalized and glad you came. Things to bring with you: 1) Personal toiletries 2) Loose, comfortable and warm clothing and a pair of sandals. 3) A set of sports attire and shoes. 4) Hat 5) Towels 6) Water bottle  7) Umbrella 8) Torchlight 9) Mosquito repellent or citronella oil 10) Personal medication 11) Personal yoga mat
Things to leave at home: Worries and stress. Together we experience a renewed sense of well being.

REVIEW: ADANIA, Be Glamorously Natural!

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to be part of Amaryllis Spa & Wellness launch of their brand new all natural products range named ADANIA. As you might know, anything all natural or organic holds a soft spot in my heart as I believe that our body's wellness does not only depends on the purity of the food we eat but also extends to the beauty products that we use on our skin every single day. 

What toxic chemicals is your body absorbing? We absorb up to 60% of what we put on our skin. Children’s bodies absorb 40% - 50% more than adults. They are at higher risks for diseases later in life when exposed to toxins. 

Although I have still not fully change to all natural products but I am trying slowly - reading ingredients is sometimes my favorite thing to do when I'm doing grocery shopping and if there's too much of the stuffs that you don't understand - that probably only means there's too much chemical. Be aware of the toxins listed above. Download SKIN DEEP app on your smartphone to check for beauty products toxicity, most major brands are listed in there.

As for Malaysia, I personally feel regretful and sorry that our country does not require for manufacturers to fully list every single items in their ingredients on products. To make things worse, the supply for all natural and organic products in our shore is rather scarce and most imported brands are sold at such high price that isn't really accessible for average and low income individuals. 

I am so happy to learn that ADANIA is a local brand that is totally dedicated to launching a full range of beauty products that contains no toxin and completely all natural. When they say ALL NATURAL, they mean ALL NATURAL:

I have personally chatted with the founder of ADANIA and I'm so glad that we share the same sentiment towards a healthier lifestyle, not only through foods and exercise but also through they way we think and treat our body. ADANIA products are researched in Australia and are hand-packed locally by disabled people. ADANIA not only has started a good thing with this brand but they are also giving back by creating a sustainable opportunities for the disabled people to earn a source of income. Such a wholesome brand ♥

 Let's check-out their product range!

REVIEW: BELANGKAS ART for All Your Graphic, Printing & Photography Needs

Have you been looking for a printing company to design your business card, silkscreen print, banners and even wedding photo packages? Look no more as I have here Belangkas Art to introduce to you!

Let's check out their GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRINTING work ;)

I'm loving the modern design and sweet color palette! Check out more here ♥

In need for button badges for that special occasion? Say no more!

More cute button badges to be viewed here ♥

Label Stickers!

How about that huh? Great for personalization of products or doorgifts on your special day - be it corporate or even happy merry ones like weddings & birthdays! More over here ♥

Ya Allah, they even do ribbon printing!

Somehow I feel I want my own customized ribbons lol, check out more here! ♥

AirAsia x Rags2Riches: Empowering Artisans

Back in October 2013, I was given the privilege by AirAsia to be flown to Manila and watch behind the scenes work of one of AirAsia Foundation's funded project, a very unique & eco-centric community based project aptly named Rags2Riches.

Rags2Riches Inc. is a for-profit social enterprise based in Manila, Philippines, creating eco-ethical fashion and home accessories out of up cycled scrap cloth, organic materials and indigenous fabrics by working with artisans (mostly women) living in the poor communities across Philippines. Rags2Riches’ philosophy stands upon its four bottom lines: People, Profit, Planet and Positive Influence.

The eco-ethical business model originated in 2007 in Payatas, one of the Philippines’ largest dumpsites and home to half a million people. An informal cottage industry of rug-weavers grew from the many women who developed a means to earn a living by scavenging the waste to find and recycle scrap pieces of fabric so that they could participate in handicraft production like rug and rag weaving, while taking care of their children at home. Over time, the industry became exploited by a series of middlemen who controlled both the supply of scrap fabric and the women’s access to the market, which created an unfair value chain for the women who at the end of the day earned only pennies per finished product or less than .20 cents USD per day.

Rags2Riches Inc. was created to provide these artisans with fair access to the market and the formal economy, as well as with additional skills-based, financial and health training so that they can maximize their career potential and take steps towards long-term financial and personal well-being. 

In 2013, AirAsia Foundation provided a social grant of USD13,275 to Rags2Riches Inc. to grow its business. The grant has covered:

♥ An orientation session facilitated by Rags2Riches Inc. artisans to new artisans communities.

♥ A workshop to develop current skills and materials of artisan communities so that the new artisans are able to produce high-quality products that can be sold through Rags2Riches and AirAsia's distribution networks.

♥ Integrated training which includes programmes on nutrition and healthcare, and life skills such as financial management.

♥ Opportunity to link up Rags2Riches artisans network and earn regular income as a Rags2Riches weaver.

♥ A field visit to another artisan group for joint product collaboration.

With that, in return artisans will have the opportunity to upgrade their skills and gain access to marker which will raise their income earning potential and create opportunities for improvement in their standard of living.

AirAsia Foundation was registered on 15th March 2012 and it's missions are:

♥ To share AirAsia ethos of entrepreneurship, equal opportunity & innovation.

♥ To empower communities through social entrepreneurship.

[LIFESTYLE] TESCO: My One Eyed Figurine

Having an eye infection really is no fun at all, especially when it infects the other eye T_T

Thanks to Tesco Heroes & Friends whom Naz had started collecting since they promoted, he surprised me with Mike Wazowski the one eyed monster from Monster Inc. It made me laugh none the less. Funny coz I was warded with one infected eye which I constantly cover with tissue and one good eye to see, and my patient uniform at Hospital Ampang is also in green color! We have so much in common! Although I haven't watch Monster Inc or Monster University yet but I hear Mikey is quite the character.

Aside from Mike, Tesco Heroes & Friends also has more array of figurines to be collected. Naz's next target is Thor which is the most recent release of figurine. 

Mike looking over my Chanel Le Boy iPhone case gifted by Adriani, so over the top for me to be using in the ward but whatever lol. I sling it back & forth, sling it back & forth, back & forth! All the girls have one too ♥ And next to Mike is the two eyedrops & eye ointment I was given to treat my eye infection.

Which one have you collected or targeting to collect?

[HEALTH] The Eye Story

WARNING: GRUESOME RED EYE PICS BELOW, PROCEED WITH CAUTION! 
As some of you might know, I'm currently warded at Hospital Ampang for an eye infection. I was feeling feverish last week on Wednesday but brave through it and didn't take any paracetamol and sat the whole day writing blog assignments. Slept early that night coz I was finally feeling super tired and my left eye felt like there was something in it. When I woke up later in the midnight my left eye was watery, I try to clean it up by really softly wiping the wet area with clean cotton buds. When I woke up around 3-4am later, the watery discharge from my eye has blood stains on it. TENG TENG TENG! 
That was when I really panicked and we decide to go to the emergency of Hospital Ampang immediately. 

I've honestly been through a lot in my life (if I may say so) but seriously this crying out blood stuff is the most twilight zone horrifying event ever. Particularly also because me & Naz just finish marathon watching two seasons of American Horror Story lol. Suddenly I got my own version of Horror Story.

Sadly even though I had high fever (39c), flu & cough and the red eye; they didn't wanna ward me because they didn't have enough bed in Haematology Ward. So I went back home after seeing the general doctor at emergency, a haematologist and also an ophthalmologist for my eye. I was severely fatigued and hungry by then but had no appetite because of my sickness. Even though we arrived at the hospital around 8++ am but we only left around 3++pm. Pity Naz because he was the one who had to do the running around here and there to get meds & consent etc everything, I fell asleep at the sofa at the waiting area while waiting for him to get the meds.

[LIFESTYLE] Girl's Generation for Baby G!

Girls’ Generation as a highly versatile girl pop group whose members not only sing, but also appear as models and actresses on TV, in commercials, and in films, is the ideal match for the Baby-G brand. 

Also known as SNSD among their fans (who are called ‘Sone’) the group is adaptable yet tough, active, sporty, healthy, beautiful and complemented by the individuality of each of the nine members’ fashionable lifestyles.

With a huge following in Asia and beyond, it’s no wonder that Girls’ Generation have been the face of Casio Baby G in South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia since 2012.

Members of Girls’ Generation:

Taeyeon aka Kim Tae-yeon born 9 March 1989.

Jessica aka Jung Soo-yeon born 18 April 1989

Sunny aka Lee Soon-kyu born 15 May 1989

Tiffany aka Hwang Mi-young born 1 August 1989

Hyoyeon aka Kim Hyo-yeon born 22 September 1989

Yuri aka Kwon Yu-ri born 5 December 1989

Sooyoung aka Choi Soo-young born 10 February 1990

Yoona aka Im Yoon-ah born 30 May 1990

Seohyun aka Seo Joo-hyun born 28 June 1991

Casio Baby G timepieces are renowned for their toughness and cool designs and feature a compact version of G-SHOCK’s shock-resistant structure and the same high-level water resistance, Baby-G is perfectly comfortable in hard-use environment.

[LIFESTYLE] Visit to G-FACTORY

Sometime ago, me & my blogger friends paid a visit to G-Factory - I'm sure you know what I'm talking about if you're an avid shopper at Midvalley MegaMall where the dark figures and illuminated G watches are displayed in glass cabinets and walls. It's very eye catching as well, as you can see below:

This one is situated at the 3rd Floor, same floor as the cinema.

Globally, the number of stores in the G-factory network is growing rapidly, reaching 355 stores in July 2012. The distributors of Casio, Marco Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd aims to have 12 G-factory stores by the end of 2013, with this latest store in Midvally, along with existing 8 other G-factory stores in Malaysia.

Aside from Baby-G, G-Factory also carries 4 other major brands such as G-SHOCK, EDIFICE, SHEEN and PROTREK. Pretty sure you've heard of these, I think Casio G watches are very popular throughout my highschool year to uni and even till now almost every guy I see randomly would own a pair of G-SHOCK one in their collection. My husband has a collection of Casio watches which he keeps in display in our home office T_T, he's an even bigger fan of Casio than I am!

Me holding up one of the Baby-G watches, I love 'em in white (probably coz it matches my outfit that day hehe)

I simply love that Baby-G watches are cute, cool and tough; exactly as their tagline personifies and that's how these watches embodies. There will always be one (or more) for everyone because of the many shapes, styles, colors and textures in the collection. Despite my feminine-ish look (eh, really ha?), I love a tough boyish sporty round large shaped watch with contrasting pastel colors. 

[LIFESTYLE] CASIO EXILIM TR15 21mm Wide Angle Lens + Fun Filters

Don't you just hate it when you wanna take a selfie group picture, everyone has to squeeze in super tight before snapping. Well not with Casio Exilim TR15 you don't have to, with it's 21mm wide angle lens you are able to take wider pictures with little hassle.

Check out the comparison between TR & a smartphone self-portrait aka selfie pic:

♥ Small face effect by special lens on TR and 21mm wide-angle lens.

♥ Skin brightening and smooth skin effect using make-up mode on TR, I bet your smartphone don't have this. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful that we don't have to flood our smartphone with before after edited photos of your selfie and have it all in one click using TR? Come on, I know you edit your pics toooo am I right??? Hehe..

With 21mm wide-angle lens, it allows you to take wide image and perspective picture and 21mm wide-angle lens on compact is only available on CASIO starting May 2013 which includes Exilim TR15. Another huge huge reason why you should get this bad ass baby!

As you can see in the sample pic above, 28mm is a standard lens for most smartphone and check-out the length and width comparison compared with a pic taken using 21mm wide lens. Major right?! Why waste time trying to include details you wanna take in your picture with a normal angled lens when  you can get everything and so much more with TR's 21mm wide-angle lens ;)

Apart from that, there are also some other fun filters available on Casio Exilim TR15 including:

HDR ART... woahhhhhhhhhhh!

Another HDR ART.. woaaaah!

SPARKLING SHOT! It adds those bling bling to your photos, I think only works if there's a light source :)

My fwens got FISH-EYED lol.. Sorry Shirley, Lin, Aric XD

MINIATURE filter, this would look best if you are overlooking a scenery of a town or high hills. Cheating the tilt-shift effect kinda like the results here.

So nice huh?! Check out my other reviews of Casio Exilim TR15 awesomeness: 1 2 3

Find out more at:

CASIO FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CasioExilimMalaysia

CASIO INTERNATIONAL SITE: http://www.casio-intl.com/dc/

MARCO GROUPS: http://www.marco-groups.com/

[LIFESTYLE] CASIO EXILIM TR15 Remote Capture

I haven't shared these pics I took using Casio Exilim TR15 when Maya from Oman came to visit. This is my first time meeting Maya and it was so much fun! But ofcourse us girls would love to have a full frame pics of ourselves but we didn't want to bother any strangers with our shameless happy-go-lucky poses.

Luckily I have my Casio Exilim TR15 with me. As you may remember the design of this awesome camera is that it's LCD screen can be twisted around and it can stand on it's own when put on a flat surface. As pictured below:

With that, notice the bench behind us? I hung the Exilim camera  on the rail with both lens and LCD facing us.