The most touching book I have read and seen...

I found this book on amazon.com, read the description as follows, and thought 'This sounds interesting. I'll get it..'

Where Children Sleep presents English-born photographer James Mollison's large-format photographs of children's bedrooms around the world--from the U.S.A., Mexico, Brazil, England, Italy, Israel and the West Bank, Kenya, Senegal, Lesotho, Nepal, China and India--alongside portraits of the children themselves. Each pair of photographs is accompanied by an extended caption that tells the story of each child: Kaya in Tokyo, whose proud mother spends $1,000 a month on her dresses; Bilal the Bedouin shepherd boy, who sleeps outdoors with his father's herd of goats; the Nepali girl Indira, who has worked in a granite quarry since she was three; and Ankhohxet, the Kraho boy who sleeps on the floor of a hut deep in the Amazon jungle. Photographed over two years with the support of Save the Children (Italy), Where Children Sleep is both a serious photo-essay for an adult audience, and also an educational book that engages children themselves in the lives of other children around the world. Its cover features a child's mobile printed in glow-in-the-dark ink.

When I received it last week, I didn't expect that it would bring me to tears many times over as I read about the stories of children from around the world.

I will show my children this book one day as I think it is one of the best portrayals of the differents lives people live around the world, how different they are, in both a good and bad way.

Some children were born into privileged families and the places where they sleep reflect this. Then you turn the page and see a totally different photo in a totally different scenario, living in poverty and will probably continue to live in such conditions until the day they pass.



My only disappointment with the book is that there are no children featured from Malaysia.





What are the solutions to the social and economic situations these children face? I have no idea, though I wish I knew. I know there are many others who wish they knew what to do to make this world a better place too.




Til then, my prayers are with them..... always....

Thank you James Mollison for sharing these photos with us. We need to see them.

Stopped by Zara after work.
I always find items I love in Zara, but when I saw these shoes,
I knew I could not leave the store without them.

Only one problem.

My usual shoe size of 37, now feels a bit small.
I always buy size 37 shoes at Zara.
But then again, when pregnant, feet swell right?

As I'm standing in Zara, wearing these shoes that feel small,
I call one of my most trusted friends who is
now pregnant with baby number 3.

"Hi, random but important question.
Feet swell during pregnancy right?
So theoretically I should buy my usual shoe size so after baby
I can wear them cause my feet will go back to previous size? "

"I have heard of people who's feet don't go back down,
but I think yours will. If you can't get your feet into them at all
then maybe get next size, but since you're wearing them
and they just feel a bit small, should be fine" my friend assured me.

So now these shoes are waiting at home in a box.

I'm noticing this style of shoe is coming back. A nice alternative to the platform style
popularised by Louboutin designs that has been worn by fashionistas the world over.

Eventually, everything changes. One day all those expensive Louboutins will be stored in storerooms somewhere where they can't be seen as they have gone out of style.

Few years later, it will come back then...

That's fashion...

few more weeks to go!

slowly but surely, time is passing and i'm getting closer and closer...

but it still feels so far away!

aaaaarrrrggghhhh!

patience.... sabar.....

oh how i miss you!

now, i have about 6 long black maxi dresses and they are the
only things i am comfortable wearing now.

I look at all the clothes that have not been used in months and i think,

'oh how i miss you!'

i can't wait to wear all of you again!

tomorrow..

another baby scan tomorrow. can't wait!

every step i take.....

Every step I take is now killing my back!

Aaaargh!!!

Few more weeks to go...

Can't wait!

another chocolate recipe!

Ingredients

100 gram icing sugar
100 grams cooking chocolate
70 grams cream cheese
chocolate flavoured rice / coloured rice / shredded coconut

melt chocolate then stir in icing sugar and cream cheese. put in freezer for 10 mins so mixture hardens. Then remove from freezer and roll mixture into small balls and cover in whatever topping you like.

then put in fridge to harden.

super easy to make and very sweet!

picture is of actual ones i made...

Winners of Michael Kors Vouchers!

Congratulations to the 2 winners of the Michael Kors vouchers.

They are Noor Aishah Kamarzaman and Nik Syafiqah binti Nik Ibrahim

They will be sent out to you by this week.

To everyone else who didn't win this time, don't worry cause there will be more coming!

Michael Kors RM200 voucher giveaway!!!

Haven't done a giveaway in a while, but here is one again!

This time it's for Michael Kors RM200 voucher to be used at the Pavillion store!

I have two to give away.

To win, please email to sasha_a_b@yahoo.com

1) your full name
2) postal address
3) contact number
4) title of email - Michael Kors voucher

winners picked at random. Good luck!

actual baby scan

picture of actual baby scan taken today. you can see the face a little bit...

Flourless Chocolate Cake with raspberries

I made this! woohoo! Recipe as follows..

Ingredients
7 eggs
1 cup caster sugar
1 cup double cream
500g dark chocolate melted
raspberries
icing sugar to decorate

1 - preheat oven to 170 celcius
2 - mix eggs and sugar. beat until well mixed
then mix in remaining ingredients
3 - grease and line 20cm tin with baking paper.
pour mixture into tin and bake at 170 celcius for 50 mins
4 - allow cake to cool down fully before removing from tin
5 - sprinkle icing sugar on top and then add raspberries

it taste's great! if i can do this, so can you!

Boy Chanel... I wish!

One of Chanel's latest bags is called the Boy Chanel.

LOVE IT!

I want!

Sob!

But can't get it now....

Michael Kors at Pavillion K.L !!

Today I had the privilege of attending the launch of the Michael Kors boutique at Pavillion and Michael Kors himself was there!

As expected, there was a huge crowd in the store. Look to the right of the picture below and you will see Michael Kors taking pictures with fashion fans.

And I managed to get his autograph!! YAY!!! Third fashion designer autograph now in my mini collection consisting of Giuseppe Zanotti, Anya Hindmarch and now Michael Kors.

I saw some nice rose gold watches and leopard print clothes in the boutique.
Hmmmmm.... I must go back and have a closer look. :)

January. Boy.

I seem to be saying these two words a lot lately.

January. Boy.

:)

W.E - I can't wait to watch this movie!

I cannot wait to watch this movie which is directed by Madonna. I will be so busy looking at the clothes styling, I will probably have to watch it twice. Once to look at clothes, and once to understand the story. I will definitely be envious of the clothes. Being pregnant really limits your wardrobe choices I tell you!!!

Info about the movie :

W.E., directed by Madonna and co-written with her friend Alek Keshishian (who directed Truth or Dare), focuses on two love stories: that of Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough) and Britain’s King Edward VIII (James D’Arcy), who gave up the throne to marry the twice-divorced American, and that of a contemporary New Yorker named Wally (Abbie Cornish), who falls for a security guard at Sotheby’s and who identifies with that other, most sensational love affair of the 20th century. After Edward abdicated, in 1936, he became the Duke of Windsor. As his wife, Wallis automatically became a duchess, but she was denied the title Her Royal Highness. It’s not surprising that Madonna chose this topic for her first feature film as a director; for 50 years the Windsors were known for their rebelliousness, their extravagance, and their impeccable taste.

The fashions, modeled here by Riseborough and D’Arcy, were the special domain of Madonna's longtime collaborator Arianne Phillips. The Oscar-nominated costume designer worked with such labels as Cartier, Dior, and Dunhill for the 60 or so wardrobe changes in the film. “Wallis and the Duke both made a lifestyle out of presentation. . . . It was a beautiful façade,” says Phillips. “He said that because she never got a title he gave her jewelry to make her feel royal.”

Media Prima's yearly screenings

Media Prima's yearly screenings was just held on Friday, and as always, it drew in a great crowd with some unexpected things, such as playing 'angry birds' on a huge screen, and prizes such as tv screens and ipads. (aargh! wish i could win an ipad!)

Games at the Ntv7 booth, decorating cupcakes.

Going to be another big year for media prima.

Happy Deepavali !

Wishing Happy Deepavali to all celebrating this festival of lights!

I had one of the best Deepavali's this year.

Three fantastic open houses in one day, everyone in the spirit to celebrate.

One Malaysia, One World.

And these beautiful floor decorations were at one of the open houses.

7th month....

7th month ! still got another 2 months to go. another scan in two weeks.

I can't wait to actually see baby!

Baby moves a lot already. I assume that means baby is going to be very active.

Chocolate Souffle - I actually made these!

I am really not a good cook. Most of the time what I do in the kitchen turns into some kind of disaster. However, I surprised myself today when I actually made chocolate souffle.

The only little mistake I made is that the bowls / mugs were too big for the amount of mixture i had. But they still taste good. So here's the recipe so you can try it too.

Ingredients
115 grams cooking chocolate. semi sweet is better
55 grams sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
butter

preheat oven to 200 degrees celcius. generously butter four 125 ml bowls. put a little sugar in bowls and shake around to evenly coat inside of bowls.

melt cooking chocolate above hot water on stove. separate egg white and egg yolks. mix egg yolks, sugar and vanilla extract together and once chocolate is melted add to mixture. then beat egg whites until soft peaks form. add beaten egg whites to mixture.

pour into bowls, put in oven for 15 mins.

chocolatey rich and yummy!

I met Anya Hindmarch again!

In a very exclusive and small private event, I had the opportunity to meet one of my favourite designers, Anya Hindmarch for the third time.

She is here to launch her new store in KLCC and the exclusive Belvedere tote in limited edition gold which is exclusive to Malaysia. Each Belvedere special arrives in its own exclusive box with a tag embossed with your initials.

This time I came well prepared. I brought 4 of my Anya evening clutches and am sooooo happy that Anya was so kind to autograph all of them! Yay!

An example of her signature in one of my bags.

And a little note especially for me. When she saw my bags she said 'oh wow! you have all these!'


'Please do bags like this again!' I replied...

'There are plans too...' she said sweetly.


YAY!!!

And I am keeping an eye on her glittering Valorie clutches. So sparkly and pretty!

Two year wedding anniversary

How time flies. Been two years since Yani and I married.

Happy Anniversary to us... and Insyaallah, we will have many more years together.

And by this time next anniversary, Insyaallah we will have our baby with us.

Down with Love - fun fashion movie!

Ladies, if you have never watched this movie, you should! If only to look at the gorgeous sets and costumes! It's fun, cute and even clever the way it has been done.

This is a short video of some of the best parts of the movie.

Michael Kors is coming to K.L, Malaysia!

In November, Michael Kors will be opening a beautiful new store at Pavillion. I am so looking forward to it, and I have heard rumours, Michael Kors himself will be there !

His latest Spring 2012 collection had a very distinct African look. Personally I can't wear these kinds of colours, but I do like the zebra print shirt dress with black belt, long flowing leopard print kaftan and long flowing zebra print dress with tribal necklace.

Can't wait to see what they have in the Pavillion store!

Why Irish Dancing Started

I absolutely love Irish dancing and I would love to feature it as part of the Dansa series. For those of you familiar with the show and book, one thing I am always interested in is how, why or what is the inspiration behind the dances.

A friend sent me this video and though I know this is not true, as in the dance was not inspired by people who are desperate to go to the toilet, it is a really funny thought and does look like a possibility!

HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAA!

Valentino 2012

elie saab 2012

my favourite dress is the last blue sequinned one. looks like a mermaid dress.
so beautiful.

Louis Vuitton 2012

What an absolutely gorgeous set for Louis Vuitton.
\And I think i like the dress Kate Moss wears at the end the most.

Just Dance Magzine on www.i1mag.com

The Aug - Sept issue of Just Dance magazine is now available for digital download on www.i1mag.com.

Take a picture with your digital download visible on your laptop / ipad screen and email to sasha_a_b@yahoo.com along with you full name, postal address, ic no and contact number for a chance to win Maybelline eyeshadow.

Looking forward to your pictures!

Chanel 2012

The clothes are a little bit predictable, but I absolutely love the set of this show! Underwater themed, all white and huge..... Beautiful..

There are a few other shows with amazing sets too like Louis Vuitton. Will update as soon as I can with the videos of that show too.

Alexander Mcqueen

Someday, somehow, I am going to make sure I have something from Alexander Mcqueen in my wardrobe! I hope to find something vintage which was designed by Alexander when he was still alive and something from Sarah Burton. I really love how Sarah Burton is able to stick to the Alexander McQueen DNA which makes the creations so recognisable yet still carrying the brand forward. The detailing on these clothes if AMAZING!

I'm waiting!!!

I am waiting to see the earrings, necklaces and belts from this collection in the stores! And then trying to find a way to be able to buy them! My favourite look is the one of the coat with the orange flowers on it with matching earrings, necklace and belt...

something a bit spanish happening on the runways...

I notice that these shows all had a spanih influence to the designs with the flowing fabrics and ruffles. Looks great but not sure how practical...

more from SS 2012 fashion shows

FENDI - Really beautiful practical clothes
that will make you look effortlessly stylish all the the time.

GUCCI - Usual Gucci glamour, love the jackets.

ERDEM - I absolutely love how he does and uses floral prints!

MARY KATRANTZOU - How Mary creates her prints is really quite genius.

BURBERRY PRORSUM - Classically beautiful, yet thoroughly modern, as always.

D&G SS 2012

To me, this looks like a collection the wonderful late Gianni Versace

would do if he were still alive today. Very vibrant, loud, clashing prints...

a collection not for the faint hearted!

Love it!

Vitoria Beckham 2012

She's one of my favourite designers, but this collection...hmmmmm... i'm kind of disappointed. The tailoring of her clothes is absolutely beautiful, and classic designs. But would I be willing to break my bank account to buy something from this collection....
hmmmmmmm..... no, don't think so......
Some of her previous collections, yes, most definitely!

Ralph Lauren - another beautiful fashion show from New York fashion week

one of my favourite fashion shows from new york fashion week - spring 2012

Just Dance magazine is in stores now!

I just bought my copy of Just Dance yesterday,
so it's definitely in the stores now,
so get your copy and enter competition.
Details are in previous post...

Looking forward to your pictures!

Just Dance magazine - Aug / Sept issue and a GIVEAWAY!!!

Hi everyone!

A new cover and a new giveaway!

This cover is a special to me cause I am not the only one in the picture.... :) Can't be seen but definitely there!

And thanks to Just Dance magazine we are having a giveaway of Maybelline eyeshadow!

To stand a chance to win one of these eyeshadow palettes, you need to do the following

1) buy a copy of this issue of Just Dance, take a photo with the magazine and be as creative as you want. Do a dance pose with it!

2) email photo to sasha_a_b@yahoo.com

3) also email in your full name, postal address and phone number

All the best and good luck!

Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

This video is soooo cool!

I wonder how many times they had to practice this!

Baby!

Just want to share with all of you,

my dear readers who have been faithful readers for a long time.

Baby Sasha on the way!

Well, not sure if a boy or girl yet...

During last baby scan doctor did say it is 90% percent of one of the sexes

(not going to say which sex, cause not 100% sure)

I'm 5 months pregnant now.

Hasn't been easy with not only morning sickness,

but all day sickness, and a bit of a complication where

i had to take medical leave for one week

during a very busy time at work.

Insyaallah, everything will be fine from now onwards.

(pic of baby scan above is from google images. not actually of my baby. :)

don't have one this clear yet)

Selamat berpuasa..

Selamat berpuasa to all my fellow Muslim readers.

I just got back from a week in London, shooting a special Ramadhan episode
for Magseven on NTV7, so this week will be a busy week of editing.

Looking forward to the weekend already.

Furry Friends Farm featured on Magseven

Magseven is a documentary program that airs every Sunday, 3.30pm

and it is a new show I have been assigned too as one of the producers.

For this Sunday's episode (24th July 2011), we did an episode on

Furry Friends Farm and the heroic founder Sabrina Yeap.

This woman works tirelessly to rescue stray animals and

give them a home at the Furry Friends Farm.

To see some really cute cats and be touched by Sabrina's courage,

please watch Magseven this Sunday at 3.30pm.

Short videos of Kylie Minogie Aphrodite concert in Singapore!

I just came back from Singapore. I went there to watch Kylie's latest concert - Aphrodite.

It was AWESOME! I loved every minute of it. I was in row 12 and i could see her so clearly. enjoy all these short videos I took during the show.

Amazing 80's fashion

Dynasty was a very popular tv show in the 80's, and make many fashion statements.

Joan Collins became an 80's fashion icon cause of this show, and this great video shows why.

AMAZING CLOTHES!

And the way the two main characters fight each other, is legendary!

I would be so shocked if I saw two women behaving like this!

Sometimes, giving up is a good idea!

I love watching these old cartoons and road runner and coyote is one of my favourites because it can make me laugh so much, eventhough i know it can be really stupid.

But I have also learnt something from watching this cartoon.

We are always taught that we should never give up, keep striving for what we want, no matter what!

But road runner and coyote cartoons prove that sometimes, giving up is a good idea.

Even in this one episode where coyote does actually 'catch' the road runner, he still can't eat it...








Poor Coyote.... Just give up darling... Try chasing something else...

what a wonderful inspiration!

this woman is an amazing inspiration and can put thousands of people to shame!
she is 74!
and she is fantastic!

RAPI magazine - June issue cover

Big thank you to RAPI magazine for featuring me on their cover of the June issue.

Available in shops now.

Working on changes

hi! i'm slowly playing around with the look and feel here.... i really appreciate your feedback...

Let me know what you would like to see here as well as any other ideas you may have...

New look coming.... feedback requested!

Hi everyone!

yes, i know i haven't been very good about updating things here lately...

I want to do a new look and would love some feedback from you..

what would you like to see and read about on this blog?

what would be helpful for you?

would you rather see photos, or videos?

would you like fashion tips, make up advice, recipes...?

share with me your views and ideas.

no idea is too crazy!

I know everyone loves the giveaways and competitions (right? :) )

Looking forward to hearing from you!

email to sasha_a_b@yahoo.com

Sasha

Dansa II episodes on tonton.com.my

Hi everyone!

I know with everyone's busy lives,

it's hard to be in front of the tv at a certain time.

Which is why online tv is so great!

To watch Dansa II episodes online, go to tonton.com.my,

register as a user then search for Dansa 2 and you should find it.

And for those who haven't, look for

'Dansa by Sasha Bashir'

on facebook and 'like it' for regular updates. :)

Absolutely gorgeous!

You must watch this video. It is of an amazing technology where they project images onto a building and create amazing visuals. This was done for a Ralph Lauren event. I absolutely love it.

KL Lifestyle - April 2011 issue

A very big thank you to KL Lifestyle! April 2011 issue is my third cover with them. They have always been so supportive of me.... Thank you so much.

Hot Magazine - Issue 168 - page 64 - 65

easy style....

I really loved the Jil Sander Spring Summer 2011 collection that showed easy glamour....
simple white t-shirt with a long coloured skirt...


i have had a long emerald green skirt sitting in my wardrobe for the past few years, not too sure how to wear it... now i know!



and on my last visit to Zara, bright colours are everywhere and this jil sander collection and the prada collection from the same season (which i love too!) has inspired a lot of the looks...



so easy glamour is within reach! a simple t-shirt and a long skirt... and stripes with anything.. :)

what flynnder did to my teddy bear...

flynnder loves this teddy, but she obviously has been playing a bit rough...
the arm has come off, one eye is missing and the nose is coming unstitched....