Gladiator sandals...

Question : Hi Sasha. Are those Top Shop gladiator jellies heavy? How do you wear gladiator sandals, can it be pulled off with jeans...?

Answer : Gladiator sandals can pretty much be worn with anything. Jeans, skirts, dresses... Though I don't think they would match any of our Malaysian traditional costumes, such as baju kurung, kebaya, saree and cheongsams. :) Because gladiator sandals are quite attention grabbing whether they are flat or high heeled, I recommend that they be worn with quite simple clothing such as like the olsen twins are doing in these pics. I have yet to try and wear ones that go up to the knee, mainly because I can't help but look at these pics of the Olsen twins and think to myself, "Tak rimas ke pakai kasut balut kaki macam tu?" But I should and will try to. Belum cuba belum tahu. Fashion is all about having a bit of fun and trying new things anyway.

And the TopShop ones are not heavy.

I envy all you readers in the UK. You have got huge TopShop and H&M stores there. Dah lah KL tak de H&M! I sedih lah... I totally missed out on all those fabulous designer collaborations with H&M such as Cavalli and Lagerfeld. Thankfully TopShop does bring in some of the Kate Moss collection here and we don't have to wake up at 4am in the morning to line up at the shop by 5am so that we can buy something like what happens in the UK. There are a few items in her current collection collaboration that I hope come down here, such as this black Victorian style tailcoat jacket. I like how it is slightly long in the back.

Hopefully... waiting, waiting... I asked them at the TopShop here if they are bringing it in and they said they don't know..sigh...

I tried on this dress but I think it's a little bit expensive. I'm hoping they still might have on in my size left during sale time.

From the same collection I already have this jacket which looks great with everything.

I also have this leather jacket and the black version of the one shoulder dress from her previous collection. I managed to get the jacket at 50% during sale time. I was so happy!

And how I wish I could get the red dress like what she's wearing here during the launch of her first collection.

Just have to wait and see.

Belle

Dear Sasha,

I have received your autographed photo on Saturday. Thank you very much. My brother, went all crazy for the photo he..he.. I told him, if he wants it, just e-mail you. He is also a big fan of yours since Beauty Secret of the East.

Oh ya, your photo caught the attention of Belle, my cat. I only have one actually, her name is Puteh,she is a mix of Siamese and Burmese, the other 3 are accidental ones. Belle is a cat who came out of no where with injured leg. after we nursed her, she stay at our place. Later she got pregnant and give birth to 3 cute kittens. I gave away one, and now we have 2 more left which makes all four of them.

I have attached the photo for you. The table is a bit messy with my stuff he..he..Behind Belle is her daughter, Hitler ( what a name he..he.. she has this black mark under her nose, so my bro called her Hitler). Thanks again for the Photo.

Yours sincerely,

-Husna-


Hi Husna,

I'm glad you got received it and love that you sent me a photo of your darling Belle with it! She has eyes like my Joberg.

Thank you so much.

Love Sasha


This week I will be sending out the third and final batch of autographed photos. Please email sasha_a_b@yahoo.com if you would like one too. Please refer to details in earlier posting titled "autographed photo for you".

Malaysian Women's Weekly

"Sha!!! Oh my God!! WOW! I think this is your best one!"

"Sue, what on earth are you talking about?!" I reply to one of my oldest school friends over the phone when she called me.

"Your cover with Malaysian Women's Weekly lah!"

As soon as I could, I went out and bought it to have a look. No matter how many times this may happen (and hopefully it's more!) I don't think I will ever get used to seeing a picture of my self looking back at me from a magazine stand in a shop.


For my international readers (since I now realise there are many of you :) ), below is the main picture inside the magazine as part of the article and the article.

Sasha doesn't believe in blending in with the crowd and neither should you. She shares her top fashion ideas to up your wow factor...

1 - STEP UP WITH ACCESSORIES
"I'm a huge accessories fan. With my style being simple, I layer ethnic necklaces I find in Indian shops in Brickfields with vintage earrings or rings. That's how you can make a statement." For Anugerah Juara Lagu in January, Sasha opted for Jovian Mandagie's dress that was reminiscent of a modern day princess. "The thing that struck me was the colour of the gown and the detailing was really unique. I also matched a stack of gold bangles I'd gotten earlier to complete the look."

2 - PLAY WITH YOUR CLOTHES
Sasha is always playing dress up. "One should never wear the same clothes the same way. I love to play dress up so most of my weekends are spent mixing and matching my clothes," laughs Sasha. "When I try out my clothes, I ask, 'what can I add' It could be a beret or a long chain, but that extra touch makes it different."

3 - WEAR VINTAGE
"I'm into vintage clothing. I mix contemporary pieces with vintage for a unique look. It's all about how you put everything together" says the star, who enjoy's trawling through her mother's or best friend's wardrobes. When I was in Australia last year, I help my mum's best friend srping clean her house and we came across her wedding dress from the 1950's. It was white and in good condition and I loved it". In true Sasha style, she wore the gown to the recent Anugerah Skrin recently but avoided looking like a lost bride on the red carpet by painting her nails blood red and having her hair down.

4 - COMFORT IS KEY
When it comes to fashion trends, you need to wear outfits that work for you, not follow trends blindly. "A few years ago, I wore a blak and white polka dot tights, hat and t-shirt to a friends gathering. When I looked back at the photos taken that night, I was horrified. My mum and sis had tried to stop me from steppingout in that ensemble but I was adamant! I've since sworn off polka dots." She says it's fine line being staying true to yourself and being adventurous.

5 - BUY TO LAST
A well made item can take you far, says Sasha. "Buy things hat last. They needn't be very expensive, but of good quality. Proper storage and care for your fashion items can also make a difference".

realising the budget....

Zairin invited me to attend a Selberan jewellery launch with her in the morning, and since I had not made any plans after work, I decided to go. Looking at jewellery is always fun anyway.

We stayed for a while but surprisingly, I didn't really like any of the jewellery on display.


"Zairin, why not kita jalan-jalan shopping kat kedai kat KLCC. Bajet I tak mampu lah nak beli macam ni. Sedar lah diri sikit!" (Zairin, why don't we walk around shopping at the shops in KLCC. My budget cannot afford stuff like this. )

I seemed to forget my own words as I walked into Tiffany's to try on, yet again, a ring I would love to get from there. It's small diamonds set in a mesh silver design. Hopefully at the end of the year I can maybe buy it as a present for my self.



Later I went into Chanel and saw these very simple but gorgeous Chanel slippers. It was love at first sight!



I tried them on and sighed. "Zairin, jom kita pergi Zara dan Topshop. Much more affordable shop than here!"

We went into Zara first and I saw the latest version of the 'happy canary yellow' dress I bought from Zara about a year ago. While mine is three tiered. This one is 7 tiered.


Then we went to Topshop. There I found a pair of clear plastic gladiator style slippers. I still prefer the Chanel ones but what to do, this is the affordable pair!



On the way home, because we got stuck in such a bad traffic jam (you know lah KL traffic!) we were so hungry we went to Bangsar Village for my favourite salad again and that's when I saw this huge cupcake!




I didn't eat it though. I was very good.... salad only... :)

I'm still thinking about those Chanel slippers though....

more pics from Four Seasons in Langkawi...

a charity dinner..

Tonight I attended a charity event held by Kiwanis at the Sheraton Subang. The dress code theme was a touch of red and black. Though I many black dresses to choose from, I decided to wear my dark red vintage evening dress which I wore to Ning's berinai, but to dress it up a bit, I added a black woven belt with big jewelled coloured stones dangling from it from YSL. The clutch is patent leather Ferragamo and the shoes which you can't see are red too.

As part of the evening, a children's orchestra performed many easily recognisable melodies including soundtracks from 'Beauty and the Beast', 'Forrest Gump', 'Mission Impossible' and several others.

Some of them were so young and so small that their musical instrument was bigger than them!




One of the melodies they played which one of my favourites is the Overture from the fabulous Andrew Lloyd Webber musical 'Phantom of the Opera'. I love the lyrics to that song too. It is sung between the two main characters, the phantom and Christine. I sang the lyrics softly to myself as the music played.

Christine: In sleep he sang to me , In dreams he came
That voice which calls to me , And speaks my name
And do I dream again? , For now I find ,
The phantom of the opera is there,
Inside my mind

Phantom: Sing once again with me , Our strange duet
My power over you , Grows stronger yet
And though you turn from me to glance behind
The phantom of the opera is there
Inside your mind

Christine: Those who have seen your face , Draw back in fear
I am the mask you wear

Phantom: It's me they hear

Both: My/Your spirit and my/your voice , In one combined
The phantom of the opera is there inside my/your mind

Chorus: Is that the phantom of the opera? Beware the phantom of the opera

Phantom: In all your fantasies you always knew , That man and mystery

Christine: Were both in you Both: And in this labyrinth , Where night is blind

The Phantom of the opera is here/there

Christine: Inside my mind

Phantom: Sing, my Angel of Music!

I have seen the musical in London twice but I never understood the power of emotion in the song 'wishing you were somehow here again' until I saw the movie. I cried through that whole scene, because I finally understood.

You were once my one companion . . . you were all that mattered . . .
You were once a friend and father - then my world was shattered . . .
Wishing you were somehow here again . . .wishing you were somehow near . . .
Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed, somehow you would be here . . .
Wishing I could hear your voice again . . . knowing that I never would . . .
Dreaming of you won't help me to do all that you dreamed I could . . .
Passing bells and sculpted angels, cold and monumental,
seem, for you, the wrong companions - you were warm and gentle . . .
Too many years fighting back tears . . . Why can't the past just die . . .?
Wishing you were somehow here again . . . knowing we must say goodbye . . .
Try to forgive . . .teach me to live . . .
give me the strength to try . . .
No more memories, no more silent tears . . .
No more gazing across the wasted years . . .
Help me say goodbye

We are never ready to lose our loved ones.

If you can't see the live musical, I think you should at least watch the movie. I love all of the costumes in it.

When I was a very young girl and constantly trying to convince her to buy me lots of necklaces and costume like clothes, she thought it would just be 'a phase' that I will grow out of. WRONG! This costume loving showgirl will never grow up!

It's been a long time..

It has been a very long time since I was 17 years old. 10 years actually. I don't even remember dressing like how I'm dressed in this photo. I only wear sneakers to work out!

But I'm going to be revisiting my old school girl look soon and you will be able to see it in August.

First batch starting to arrive..

I have received several emails from you, my dear readers, saying you have received the autographed photo for you. I am so glad.

It has appeared on 2 of the readers blogs. Click here and here to have a look.

Several more were sent out today and more will be sent out by the end of the week.

Thank you so much for your emails. I have enjoyed reading all of them.

Sasha

Four Seasons in Langkawi

This weekend I was invited to the Four Seasons in Langkawi for a private wedding anniversary party. I have heard many things about the Four Seasons...saying it's one of the most beautiful hotels in Malaysia.

I have not been to absolutely every hotel in Malaysia, but I do agree that it is one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever been to.

These are some photos I took around the hotel.

This a photo of the moroccan style lamps at the entrance.



Another huge light feature at the entrance area.


One of the private swimming pools.


All I was told of the weekend's plans were that the exchanging of vows would be held on the beach at sunset and the colour theme for all to wear is white.

I barely had time to pack for the trip let alone think what to wear. So I just threw into my suitcase the 3 white dresses that I have (I'll decide which one is suitable when I get there I told myself), some tops, a pair of jeans, a black cocktail dress and another evening dress but I had a good little selection of accesories packed, because I totally agree with celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe who was responsible for the amazing transformation of Nicole Ritchie from fashion disaster to fashionista that the accessories are more important than the clothes. You can be wearing the plainest t shirt and jean, add some accessories and it will glam it all up.

So these are the accessories that came along.

Shoes - white from Sungai Wang. no idea what brand. gold from Enzo Angiolini. Blue from Marc Jacobs. Black from Far East plaza in Singapore. again no idea what brand. slippers from stalls in Bali.

Hand bags - gold from Versace. Black from Asprey. Gold bag was used before at Anugerah Juara Lagu.


Jewellery - Long charm like chain from Coach. Bangles from Brickfields. Circle earrings from Oscar de la Renta. I wore both the earrings and bangles to Anugerah Juara Lagu as well with the Versace handbag with Jovian Mandagie's green flowing dress. Big gold earrings from YSL. Diamante earrings and flower necklace from the vintage market that is held at Covent Garden in London. It's every Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm not sure. Readers in London, I really think it's worth going to the vintage market. If I were a student studying in London, I would go almost every week. Small citrine and silver earrings from Bali and gold choker necklace from Sungai Wang. Reason I brought mostly gold jewellery is cause I just prefer white with gold than silver.


Ceremony on the beach was so beautiful! The 'aisle' was fully created with white petals.


I chose to wear this white dress with the flower necklace, gold bag and white shoes. I found the dress in a really crowded clothes rack which had lots of clothes tangled up in H&M when I was in London last year.
It cost me only 5 pounds! It was a bit dirty when I found it. But that didn't stop me from buying it cause i thought to myself "Tak pe, boleh basuh kan!" And at such a cheap price I thought it was worth it. Someone else we all know has the exact same dress too.


Madonna designed this dress as part of her M by Madonna range for H&M and wore this dress to the launch.

As I was wathing the last episode of CSI, the one where the cowboy dies, reminded me of Madonna's cow girl image phase for her Music album a few years ago.


More from Four Seasons in Langkawi coming in next posting.

New posting on 'Style with Sasha"

For an article related to feet and shoes, just click here



:)

First batch on the way...

First batch of autographed photos are on the way. Big thank you to Jay for doing a great job. Check out his blog. Just click here. He even added a canvas like effect to the image to give it that slight vintage feel that I love so much. Readers in Malaysia and Singapore, you should receive yours sometime next week. Readers in the UK, US, Ireland and Australia, maybe the week after.

Second batch will be sent out next week. Please email sasha_a_b@yahoo.com if you have not emailed yet and would like one too with details as written in my earlier posting.

Do let me know once you have received it!

I'm famous!!!

I'm famous! Look......THAT'S ME on Mr Manager's blog!

Thank you Mr Manager! Nanti I belanja you tandoori chicken ok!

To have a look at the posting I am featured in, please click here

Sheila Majid...

When I saw Sheila Majid after the Celine Dion concert a few weeks ago, she saw me and said to me,

"Hi Sasha! Have you received your autographed book and cd yet?"

"Ummm, no I haven't yet. But I'm looking forward to it!"

I am a really big fan of Sheila Majid. In school, when I took part in singing competitions I always chose to sing her songs. I won one singing competition singing her song "Sinaran" and another one singing "Legenda". I still know every word to those two songs... and most of her other songs including "Pengemis Muda", "Gemilang", "Warna" and "Wanita". Receiving one of my favourite cd's of hers and her autobiographical coffee table book has made me so happy. I used to have every single one of her albums and an autographed Legenda poster from the first release of that album. Again, it all perished in Highland Towers. It's ok, this book and cd has replaced all of that.

I hope one day I can sing with her and do a photo shoot with her. I will probably faint with joy if that ever happens....