Wedding Guide Asia

From upper L to R: Evanna, Alia, Steph, Rachel, Ezreena, Sylvia

It’s finally Friday and in two days… it’ll be Christmas!! And what a year 2011 has been. From natural disasters to the Arab Spring to the Royal wedding of the century, be it the good or the bad, this has certainly been a year to remember.

As we usher in the new year and welcome 2012, I thought it apt that the WGA team send out an Xmas cheer to each and everyone of you.

In the meantime:

To our readers: many thanks for your continuous clicks (more hits yay!) and loyalty to WGA!

To our vendors: thank you for your support and belief in our team and mantra. We hope we have upped the ante in the wedding industry and will continue to change the way things are done here in Asia.

To our partners: The Star newspaper and HELLO! Magazine, we’re loving our exclusive columns with you guys and the great feedback we’ve had thus far.

From the team:

Steph (me!): Having started WGA just two years ago, it’s so exciting to see our readership and team grow. I have a good feeling about 2012 and wish everyone the best! Love, laugh, live :)

Rachel: You readers might not know me, but for the last couple of months I’ve been the new MD of WGA. Firstly, I’d like to wish everyone an awesome and safe holiday this year! To sum up what 2011 at WGA has been for me so far – fun and challenging :) We will see you in the new year and look forward to bringing you more exciting features and content!

Sylvia: This year, I ask Santa for 3 things: to bless my family with love, spread joy amongst my friends and bring hope to all our lives. For I never forget: money may buy you all the jewels, but the things that really matter are somehow priceless! (more…)

"Sometimes you just feel sh*te"

As you can see in my childhood pic above, we’re all privy to not feeling our best at times. Since we’ve had a WGA week of somewhat *ahem* serious wedding posts, I thought it’d be apt to throw in something light and mainstream… After all, who doesn’t want to look good? Having spent a near decade in the modeling line (cue: retirement), I’ve managed to pick up a few tips here and there from make-up artists, celebs and people in the know. So here it goes girls, if you’re suffering from a breakout or suddenly your dress isn’t quite fitting, fear not… because these WGA tips may or may not save the day ;)

"Don't forget the sunscreen!"

Attack of the bad skin

Moral of the story? No last minute tanning or trying out fake tans before the wedding! Trust me, I once bought some fake tan before my school ball and let’s just say that ‘orange’ was my colour of the night.  Speaking of last minute hiccups though, it’s no surprise that nearing the big day any bride who’s become bridezilla felt stressed, might be susceptable to an outbreak or two. As someone who had a mother with great expectations, I’ve learned from an early age how to best zap those zits before they even begin to evolve into themselves. How does one handle this situation?

• Find yourself a great pimple cream that contains either Benzoyl Peroxide or salicylic acid, lovely chemicals that will fry dry your zit out. I recommend Kiehls Blue Herbal Spot treatment or one of the Oxy creams if you are on a budget
• Secondly, to heal the pimple (as most likely it will be red or inflamed), get a piece of Aloe Vera (yes, buy the actual plant!) and rest the fleshy part on your pimple. I know it sounds weird but I did this as a teenager and it would amazingly heal things within a day. Just remember to avoid answering the front door as I once did…
• Skin has to look good from the inside out, so try taking Evening Primrose or Royal Jelly (I take GNC’s “Supreme Royal Jelly” first thing in the morning) a month before the wedding
• Smile! :)

"Unfortunately real life doesn't allow for Photoshop!"

Attack of the not-so-toned body

So you’ve missed a few gym sessions and though you might not be fat, things are looking a lil wobbly. Now I’ve done everything from dance to yoga to tennis to running and the best way to tone up fast is via powerplate.  For those of you who haven’t heard, powerplate is the latest fad to hit the fitness scene. I discovered it about a year ago at the Bodytone Wellness Studio in Bangsar, where I have been going ever since. Basically, it’s a machine that vibrates while you carry out your exercises such as push-ups, lunges and so on. Though currently available at select gyms, it’s highly recommended that you work out with a personal trainer. And because of the personal trainer aspect, it can be expensive, but in my opinion it’s still worth it for many reasons:

• The vibration causes you to work your muscles from the inside out and thus speeds up the toning process
• It also increases your metabolism (bye bye carbs)
• Celebs such as Madonna and Victoria Beckham use it (if it’s good enough for Mad…:) (more…)

Good skin? Bad skin?

Okie, so my skin isn’t quite flawless and to be fair if you ever see me in an ad or magazine spread – it’s usually with the aide of trusty ol’ photoshop! BUT, after nearly a decade in the fashion industry, I have learned a thing or two about getting that ‘perfect skin’.

My ‘education’ on the world of skincare really started when at the age of 14, my mother sent me on a ‘grooming’ course during one of my school holidays. One of the clear memories I have, are of the beautician saying to us young, innocent girls, “Ladies, remember in life – you get what you pay for! Buy cheap products and you’ll get cheap ingredients that harm your skin.” She was of course slightly biased as an Elizabeth Arden beautician, but nevertheless, that comment has stayed with me for life!  If you ask me – pass on the next expensive dinner or pair of shoes to invest in your skincare. After all, your face is your fortune :)

So, without further adieu, here’s my humble opinion on how to get that glow for your big day:

My picks

Foam cleanser: Clé De Peau cleansing foam. Quite pricey for a cleanser but well worth it. Especially after a day of make-up, I find all I need is one wash and everything’s removed leaving skin clean but not too taut.

Day Serum: Estee Lauder’s Idealist. I’ve been using this on and off since my late teens. Somehow, I always come back to Idealist and have recommended it to many friends who also approve. It leaves your pores smaller and skin feeling smooth and soft. Girls, I am BIG on serums. It is all about prevention nowadays!!

Day moisturizer: Kiehl’s Abyssine lotion + SPF 15. I discovered this during a holiday in New York years ago, where my skin kept peeling from dryness. I tried applying various creams but nothing worked and I looked like ‘flakey chai’. So as fate would have it – I strolled into Kiehl’s, gave it a go and use it till today!

Eye cream: Revive Eye Renewal cream. The BEST eye cream I’ve ever used. A friend introduced it to me and showed me how their eye circles had ‘disappeared’. Somewhat skeptical, I gave it a go and it’s helped a lot! And fyi, I’ve tried quite a few expensive eye creams in my time. Great investment!

Scrub: Laura Mercier Face Polish. Gentle on the skin and has a lovely scent to it.

Evening serum: Lancome Genefique. This was actually given to me at an event and after a week trial I found it cleared up my skin. Again, prevention is key! I’ve seen some girls who haven’t taken care of their skin… and you definitely age quicker.

Evening moisturiser: Clé De Peau gentle nourishing emulsion. I love this product. I clearly remember friends remarking that my skin was ‘glowing’ after using it for a few weeks! Remember, if no one says your skin is looking good – err, change products! Haha. (more…)

My wedding.

Just kidding! A couple of years ago I shot a travel show called ‘Luxury China’ for Channel News Asia. My co-host Pierre Goh & I spent a month living it up (and working harder than the Chinese), flying the literal length and breadth of the country. Although we were lucky enough to stay at the Banyan Tree in Ringha, which is situated in the Yunnan province (formerly part of Tibet). Now when we think of China, one might usually think of the big cities like Beijing and Shanghai and all their bustle and hustle – Ringha, however, is very much a hidden gem. High up in the mountains and still deeply immersed in Tibetan culture, you’ll feel completely away from China it all.

Being the iconic brand it is, Banyan Tree Ringha actually offers a one of a kind wedding package where couples can tie the knot Tibetan style! Since Pierre and I had signed our souls away in our TV contracts (hehe…), we were asked to conduct a mock wedding as part of our Yunnan episode. I’m not sure if our ‘arranged’ marriage was one made in heaven, but it was definitely an affair to remember :)

How to get married Tibetan style:

First up, Pierre and I both get dressed up in traditional outfits. I am of course, the lady in red and he the knight in blue robe.

Next, I dutifully wait in a Tibetan lodge, while Pierre…

Finally, Pierre enters the room. But it’s not over yet!

Pierre must now bargain with my ‘mum’ (not my real mum, this lady above kindly volunteered). Traditionally, the groom must ‘buy’ his way to sit with the bride at the banquet table.

Pierre sadly used his pocket change to bargain for me. Not a good sign.

After bargaining, Pierre takes his seat next to me while I remain hidden under my ‘veil’. (more…)

I remember as a child in Kuching, my teacher Mrs. Wei remarked to me that ‘as an eurasian, you will either get the best of both worlds or the worst of both’. Though there have been times in my life where I felt neither here or there (Chinese or European?!), for the most part I’ve been blessed to enjoy living in both Asian & Western society. To be honest though, I’ve actually never really dated out of my comfort zones. My type of guy has always been either Chinese, Eurasian or Caucasian. Which led me to wonder – how did my parents unite and overcome differences between their cultures? Well, perhaps its true that ‘love conquers all’.

My mother is a full-blooded Italian (if you met her you would know) who grew up in New Zealand. My father, who hails from Kuching in Sarawak, is as Chinese as they come. As fate would have it, he went to university in NZ and met her there upon graduation. After a two year courtship, dad managed to convince mum to marry him and move back to Sarawak with him. Now, as a Kuching girl myself, I know all too well that even when I was a kid in the 80s – it was a pretty quiet place. So if you can imagine in the 70s… it was definitely not as ‘happening’ as my mother envisioned!

So who better to interview about cross cultural marriage than my own parents?

How did you guys end up meeting?

M: We met in New Zealand through one of my neighbours, after Francis had finished his studies. (more…)