Get set...

Hi babes!

I am still in the nerd mode.

Have been studying and polishing up my presentation these past few days...

However, my family just came back from their Ireland/UK trip last night. So I got a bit distracted by this blushing beauty which is mine...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
to borrow!!! Ngeeeeeeeeeee.....

Beige Claire Jumbo Caviar in gold hardware. I heart Chanel...

My Blackberry pic really does not do this bag any justice.

The gold hardware really brings out the blush hue of the beige leather.

Nanti bila-bila free kita buat proper photoshoot nak?

I pun tak sabar nak belek2 dia!

My mum managed to snag this baby last week. Just in time before the price hike ey?

Boleh pinjam untuk melaram pun jadik leeeee hehehe *chicken dance* Love you mumsy!

Mode verangan jap...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Now, back to all things nano...

Chiao lovely people!






Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device via Vodafone-Celcom Mobile.

C is for Crazy

It's official.

Chanel's annual price increment for their classic line has occured today in Paris on Saturday, 26th June 2010.
According to TPF, Jumbo Caviar Timeless Classic has increased from Euro2100 to Euro2550; ~20% annual price increase as the norm.

Grrrrrr!!!! Totally gutted! Was really hoping the price increase would happen AFTER we got there next Sunday, 4th July 2010!

It has been reported that the price increase for the rest of the world including Malaysia will happen on 1st July. It has been confirmed that the price of Jumbo Caviar Timeless Classic in KLCC will increase from RM11750 to RM12780, which is just totally crazy and insane considering that the exact same bag could have cost you around RM8500+ if bought in London yesterday! *chicken dance for someone*

Haih...begitulah perihal Chanel classics, especially the flaps. Rest assured that annual price increases will continue to happen in the future for the exact same handbag!!! If that is not crazy, I don't know what else is.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Tak apalah....kalau ada rezeki ada lah lagi chance nak beli.
Kalau tak ada rezeki there is always Louis Vuitton hehehe...

Jom tengok sat a few pics from Paris-Shanghai 2010 collection?...

I'm  a girly girl, so I am really loving the jacket, not to purchase as if, but to ogle only.

The pants are hot!

Really pretty.

Really elegant.

Paris-Shanghai jewellery is on average from $4000 onwards; triple the normal jewellery price range.

The green flap is on the Chanel website. Tengoklah harganya...errrkk.....

Photographed by Karl Lagerfeld.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Tapi tak ada beg Louis Vuitton yang boleh menandingi Chanel classic flap! *nangis*

C is also for...

Congresses and Conferences.

The World Engineering, Science and Technology Congress 2010 (ESTCON 2010) organized by Universiti Teknologi Petronas is currently being held in KLCC from 15-17 July 2010. I am attending one of the 7 parallel international conference; the International Conference on Process Engineering and Advanced Materials (ICPEAM), in conjunction with the 24th Symposium of Malaysia Chemical Engineers (SOMCHE).

Although there was a slight hiccup during registration, (payment status was not updated so they said I hadn't paid and hence my registration was delayed hrmph!) usually anything Petronas related memang kelessss. The registration kit comprising of the conference materials was very professionally done using high quality materials. Even the feedback form was glossy paper!

So what, you say? Weelll...it isn't easy organizing a conference. I have been involved in organizing conferences for many years now, so I appreciate the small attention to detail ;D As a matter of fact, I am currently involved in organizing the 4th World Engineering Congress 2010 (WEC2010) which will be held 2-5 August 2010 in Kuching Sarawak. I am holding the post of Congress Treasurer as well as Chairperson for the Conference on Advanced Processes and Materials (CAPM).

Congratulations for UTP for organising a successful event. Mari kita promote UTP sikit, cewah!

 Congress Program Book.

 Conference Program Book.

  

 Notebook and pen.

 Lanyard and proceedings CD.

 Glossy certificate.

The purpose of a congress/conference is not only for knowledge dissemination and networking, it is also a business venture. What's more, it is very desirable to be able to brand the congress/conferences so that you get to attract participants each time and hence get to make more profit! Take SOMCHE for example, it is a conference synonymous to Chemical Engineering and hence each year would surely attract participation from chemical engineers nationwide. Local universities in Malaysia would take turns organizing this annual conference. One surefire way to attract participants is to offer publication of selected papers in renowned journals. Sometimes SOMCHE organizers have been successful at ensuring the publication of at least one volume of the special issue in time for the conference, which requires careful planning, organization and execution. This time I was delighted to see that our paper was already published in the first Special Issue of the Journal of Applied Sciences!

 

  

  

 List of reviewers for the Special Issue.

Jika anda (academicians) berpeluang melibatkan diri dalam aktiviti pengembangan seperti contoh yang tersenarai berikut (in no particular order), do take the opportunity to do so.

• 
  
  Organizing committee of national and international conferences e.g. secretary, treasurer
• 
  
  Chairperson of Congress/Conference
• 
  
  Conference Session Chairperson
• 
  
  Journal reviewer
• 
  
  Journal editorial committee

This is because each of these contributions count towards your annual KPI and promotion. Remember, kalau nak naik pangkat it is all about scores people! In academia, EVERYTHING you do or are involved with COUNTS towards your promotion. So when you are filling up that score sheet, all of these contributions will certainly add up! 

Last but not least, saya sangat suka kalau conference buat kat KLCC; the venue is perfect for both business and pleasure. Because at the end of the day I get to hang out at my favourite place...I think by now you know where hehehe ;D 

Classic Vs Seasonal

I received this in the mail, a couple of Saturday's ago; a letter from Cindy.

I'm personally not keen on seasonal items. I can hardly afford Chanel or any other designer handbags for that matter on a regular basis, so for any serious purchase I only opt for the classics. The same also applies for the more accessible Louis Vuitton items. By classic I mean in terms of shape/design followed by material/print.

Take the Louis Vuitton Speedy for example...

*pic googled

The iconic shape will always make it a timeless piece no matter what material/print is used.

Although speedies are abound you can also personalize your speedy with your charm of choice if that is your cup of tea.

  

On the other hand, take the Louis Vuitton Trevi for example. Although design wise it is not one of the LV classics (although I believe it will be in the future), the damier ebony canvas which has been around since the early 1900s makes this a timeless piece in my personal opinion.

Truth be told, after having my fair share of sale acquired guccis, fendis, and ferragamos in my student days, a few years back I personally found myself being drawn to classic or iconic pieces only. The thing was, the seasonal items usually on sale would look dated in a couple of years. Tears on fabrics and scratches on leather made it easier to convert to undestructible treated canvas. And since I could no longer indulge in the annual Harrods Sale here in Malaysia, purchasing a classic that could last more than just a couple of years was personally the way to go.

Furthermore, I was completely fascinated with how the fashion powerhouses never have sales (LV that is) and would continue to have price increases each year. As for Chanel I simply fell completely head over heels in love with the iconic flap after seeing and holding one in real life when a close friend bought her first one.

 A friends' medium black caviar timeless classic with gold hardware.

The one that started the madness.

  

Seeing and holding the real McCoy was a real eye-opener. Head over heels I tell you. Ya saya memang jakun masa tu hehe. Elegant, classy and could be worn dressed up or down, the versatility of the flap makes it the perfect handbag in my opinion. Kalau ikutkan hati, I want the black AND beige caviar timeless classic in mini, medium, jumbo and maxi sizes AND in both hardware! That would make it 16 peices of the same handbag to suit any occasion!  Hahaha!

However, for my first Chanel I opted for the medium (226) black 2.55 reissue with gold hardware. Simply because it is the ultimate iconic handbag which has remained virtually unchanged in terms of design and material for more than 50 years. 

.

.

.

.

.

Simply because the distressed leather is an ingenious texture that can disguise wear and tear.

.

.

.

.

.

Simply because the brushed gold chain with intricate floral details is the perfect shade of gold without being too blingy.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Simply because of its unique inner flap.

 .

.

.

.

.

.

 

Simply because of its lush burgandy interior.

.

.

.

.

.

  Simply because I vowed it would be my one and only chanel, my last handbag purchase...hehehe

Haih kalau nak explain satu2 each purchase sampai esok pun tak sudah nih hehe. Suffice to say that unlike before, I now go for quality rather than quantity. My humble handbag collection of only 6 pieces is small but they serve me well. There is one particular LV Suhali item on my wishlist but for now another Caviar flap in silver hardware would serve me better. Unfortunately there is not much choice in terms of colour and hardware for the Timeless Classic in caviar. I would love a beige clair, but that particular colour only looks good with gold hardware in my opinion. Silver makes it look too cold. Luscious lamb skin would be too dressy to dress down and a bit fragile for how I intend to use it. But I digress...

*Of course there are more important things in life than handbags* Disclaimer kena ada ;D

French Fetish

J'ai un fétiche pour tout français très récemment...apologies for any broken french :)

It started with the Coco Avant Chanel movie...Dah lama tak dengar orang cakap French, seriously I was surprised it sounded like music to my ears! Thoroughly enjoyed it! Serious! Mode poyo.

And maybe because Ms. Jabberholic sejak dua menjak ni suka bagi recipe french cuisine, Oh la la!

And also because I will be going to Paris in July, for the 6th International Conference on Diffusion in Solids and Liquids – DSL-2010. The last time I was in paris was more than 10 years ago? I heart Paris. There is an ambiance to this place like no where else. It is truly a dreamy city...

Anyway, the title of my paper is Optimization of CNT Growth on Carbon Fibre Using Floating Catalyst Chemical Vapour Deposition, by S.M.Z. Sharifah Mazrah, S.N. Ismail, A.R. Suraya, R. Yunus, N. Abdullah. Erkkkk...Papernya tak siap lagi!!! Uwaaaa...This is what I am talking about people! Mana lagi best, tulis paper ke tulis blog? DUH! Ticket dah dapat, alhamdulillah, just in the nick of time before a return trip to Paris in July would cost close to 10k. Gila ke hapa. Memang la pakai duit grant, but still!

I will be staying at Hotel Concorde La Fayette.

Concorde La Fayette is located between the Champs-Elysées and La Défense business district making it one of the city's most famous landmarks. This 4-star luxury hotel offers elegant accommodation, restaurant and bar and free Wi-Fi internet access. And the registration will be in the hotel room, kelasss la organizers, I loike!

Kalau dapat Eiffel Tower facing room, that would be so romantic...sigh. (No, Mr. Hubs will not be coming along! I wish!)


Tapi kalau dapat city facing room pun tak apa, the organized grid-like building arrangment in any (organized) city never ceases to amaze me.

I think I can just make out Sacre-Coeur Basilica in the horizon. Yo yo oo je, entah2 bukan! Rasanya kali ni tak payah pergi lah, just because I have already been, and because it is a church, so...But if you haven't been, I would recommend going just to see the architecture and the sweeping view of Paris from the highest point in the city; Montmarte.

To be honest, this trip is more about the shopping than the sightseeing. Oh and of course la the conference *cough* Ini lah masanya to promote your research and network with other researchers around the world. That is how I met Prof S (tak leh letak nama tersohor, malu aku kalau terkeluar kat google) from  Imperial College London and how I secured my Brain Gain R&D grant. But that story is for another day...

Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to 31 Rue Cambon. Masa zaman2 muda remaja tak pernah terfikir pun nak sebok2 gi sini. Ye lah, student, apekehal nak masuk Chanel?! So sedikit excited di situ, just because of the history behind the place. Oh alangkah bahagianya if a flap were to come home with moi...Tapi tak tentu juga, sebab sometimes they don't have stock and what not. Bukan sekali dua I have been disappointed in the past when a Chanel boutique did not have what I was looking for. The wrong leather, the wrong hardware, the insufficient budget hehehe...And I would never purchase something which is not a classic and which I hadn't already researched about! So...we shall wait and see hehehe.

Je n'ai pas été aussi excité depuis un moment. J'espère que ce sera une bonne conférence et un bon voyage. Insyaallah...

*Sorry if I made you use Google-translate hehehe.

*Pics googled

C is for...

Chanel and Cocktails sans alcohol.

Wah dah lama x update blog. Nak catch up ngan all of your juicy stories pun took me a couple of hours just now, how? I really enjoyed the updates peeps. Siap dapat award lagi from AA and Ica, you guys are the sweetest *hugs*

Petang kelmarin after work I found myself in KLCC for some overdue retail therapy...

In the black shopping bag is an advanced birthday pressie from hubs. Buruk gila kot perangai, birthday not till next month, tak senonoh dah dpt present sekarang. Tapi bukan apa, these things tak tentu ada, so kalau dah jumpa yang dicari harus dirembat dahulu sebelum org lain pasti merembatnya! Alasan yang sungguh kukuh di situ! Anyway, thanks yang...saya pakai dulu ye hehehe.

No, it's not a handbag. (Shopping bag je besar sebab the invitation card was big hehehe). An arm candy MIGHT happen when I go to Rue Cambon in July! *chicken dance* Pssst, ada sesiapa nak kirim ;D? 

Petang semalam pulak me and a couple of girlfriends were invited by Chanel to the opening of the French Film and Arts Festival. It was held at GSC Pavillion to showcase the Coco Avant Chanel movie. Tak ramai Chanel customers pun because it was hosted by the French Embassy, although Chanel did sponsor the door gifts! We got the new Rouge Coco lipstick, which was fab.

So seperti biasa harus mengambil kesempatan untuk melantak the finger foods. Sungguh tidak feminin but who cares teehee...

And sempat mingle with Cindy, boss kat Chanel KLCC. I love Chanel, so friendly, tak macam Louis Vuitton, never get invited to their events, the snobs! ;P

The movie is the second version of Coco's life before Chanel. Apparently according to my gf the first movie which I haven't seen was a lot better. So because telah dipsycho that it wasn't as good, I was pleasently surprised to find myself thoroughly enjoying the movie. And my gf also admitted that Audrey Tautou was the highlight of the show. If you like Chanel, you will appreciate this movie and you will get an insight into the inspiration behind the house. Loved seeing the white camelia on the gentleman's lapel!

Since we are on the topic, just wanted to share some pics of Chanel Spring/Summer Fashion Show which was held on 7th April last month at Hilton Hotel. Sorry for the crappy phone pics. Again, just the perfect excuse to chill out and have a laugh with the gals...

Gosh, lamanya aku nak mengupdate!!! Now its back to slave away on the bunga pahar...Hope to see you guys reall soon. TGIF tomorrow, have a good friday everyone!!