Monday, December 25, 2017

Mr Lens Online Contact Lenses Store

Online shopping has been the trend these days. We shop online for clothes, cosmetics, books, furniture etc. But did you know that you could purchase contact lenses online too?


MrLens.com.my is the largest online contact lenses store in Malaysia that offers a wide selection of contacts lenses, prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, branded and designer frames. Renowned trusted lenses brands such as Acuvue, Air Optix Aqua, Freshkon, Blincon, Biomedics, Magic, Igel, Fpcus Dailies, Freshlook, SofLens and Proclear could be found on the shopping site. Daily, weekly and monthly lenses including colour contact lenses are available.


MrLens was setup in 2002 in Switzerland and subsequently expanded to major parts of Europe. Recently, they have gone global and is now available in Asia! With their large central warehouse, consumers like us get to enjoy prices up to 50% below the standard optometrist prices.



I have tried purchasing through the website using my phone. Super easy and user friendly!



Login is required for purchases. You could either sign up a new account or simply register through Facebook.



Browse through their wide variety of lenses or simply use the "Search" function to look for your desired lenses.



Besides lower prices, MrLens offers discount for bulk purchases too! Such a bargain.



Select the power and colour for both eyes.



Various payment options are available.



My lenses arrived safely just 2 days after my order was placed. Speedy delivery which adds up to customer satisfaction. What's more, they are delivered in a nice MrLens box.



Current favourite lenses: Freshkon Alluring Eyes in Winsome Brown. The colour is natural and the lenses don't irritate my eyes.

More info: https://www.mrlens.com.my/

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

MHB’s 6th Anniversary High-Tea at Element Kuala Lumpur Hotel


MHB (http://hottestbloggers.com) is a digital and influencer content marketing agency which believes that digital publicity should be engaging while being affordable and cost-effective. We believe in conveying our clients’ message through ethical, high-quality, and trustworthy content in a lifestyle and non-hard sell manner that will stand out from all the junk, tabloid clutter and fake news, capturing the attention of consumers as well as providing positive brand awareness.
MHB is trusted by many brands including Montblanc, Ball Watch, Panasonic, Sony, Leica, Fujifilm, Calvin Klein Watches & Jewelry (Swatch Group Malaysia), Nivea, Chevrolet, Olympus, Lenovo, Casio, Carlsberg, Johnnie Walker, GUESS, Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss and Gucci fragrances, Givenchy, Ricoh, and many more to provide quality and ethical digital media publicity.
We also have strategic media partnerships with many top brands such as Calvin Klein fragrances (Luxasia), Kerastase, Nissan, Ice Watch, Storm London, and more! On a local level, we work with prominent brands like Celcom, Poh Kong, 1 Utama, Atria Shopping Centre, EcoWorld, Encorp, De Jouer, Beaute Library, Nomi Tomo, Shawn Cutler and numerous other brands in need of affordable yet cost-effective digital publicity.
We provide cost-effective advertising packages to suit various brands and budgets, from independent stores to SMEs, all the way to MNCs and global brands.
To celebrate our 6th anniversary, we partnered with Xiaomi, Poh Kong and Element Kuala Lumpur Hotel for a delectable ARTEASTRY high-tea at Trace, the hotel’s all day dining restaurant. The name ARTEASTRY stands for Art, Tea and Pastry, and high-tea is set against the modern, artistic features of Element Kuala Lumpur, providing an ideal combination for a weekend social gathering with family and friends. TRACE restaurant & bar is situated at level 40 of KL’s tallest eco-friendly hotel, and offers a first of its kind artistic high tea while you enjoy breathtaking views of the city skyline.
Our ARTEASTRY experience began with the arrival of a contemporary bento box, beautifully decorated with synthetic grass and black, shiny modern slates Рvery Instagrammable indeed! The bento box is filled with delicious morsels such as dainty savoury bites containing Waffle with Salmon and Cr̬me Fraiche, Apple Duck in Savoury Cone, Chicken Sliders in Mini Croissant with Tomato Relish, Tomato and Basil Macaroon, Confit Portobello Mushroom and Swiss Cheese Bruschetta. A must-have during high-tea are scones, and the light and fluffy Earl Grey Tea infused Scones at TRACE are served with clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam.


The dessert is the highlight of the ARTEASTRY experience, and sets this high tea apart from the typical presentation of buffet spreads or three-tiered cake stands. “The Red Splash” dessert is literally splashed on your table. The chef places a white chocolate sphere and paints an edible artwork on the table with drops and strokes of Framboise a la Mascarpone, Raspberry Confit, Raspberries, Meringue Sticks, Vanilla Soil, Sponge Fingers and Mango Chutney on a piece of “newspaper-like” food grade paper.  To end the performance, we got to pick the white chocolate sphere and drop it in the middle of the art piece, creating a delectable mess on the table.
The ARTEASTRY is priced at RM128nett for 2 persons, and is available on weekends (Saturday & Sunday), from 1.00pm to 5.00pm at the TRACE Restaurant and Bar, in Element Kuala Lumpur.

The event was supported by Poh Kong who provided us with beautiful pearl necklaces


Mi A1


The event was also supported by Xiaomi who provided us with their latest model – the Mi A1. The Mi A1 runs on stock Android to offer a high-quality software experience designed by Google, underscoring Xiaomi’s commitment to providing more choices for users. Priced at RM999 in Malaysia, the Mi A1 is a beautifully-designed device that combines hardware innovations, including an optical zoom dual camera setup, with great Google-designed software.
Mi A1 incorporates a dual camera configuration similar to that in Mi 6, Xiaomi’s latest flagship device, with wide-angle and telephoto lenses used to incredible effect. The two lenses allow Mi A1 to calculate what is in the foreground and what is in the background, creating a depth-of-field effect that typically requires a DSLR lens to achieve, allowing the user to create photos of unparalleled clarity and colour. In addition, an improved Beautify mode that makes selfies look more natural, now works with the both the front 5MP camera as well as the 12MP dual rear camera. Mi A1 supports 2x optical zoom, which makes photos of distant subjects remain clear, while 10x digital zoom is also supported.
While all that sounds pretty good on paper, how does it perform in real life? So we decided to snap some pics using the phone’s front and back cameras during the high-tea to see the results.
  
Here are the photos we shot with the Mi A1. Click on the individual photos to open a larger version.
















Although it was a rather cloudy day, we were surprised to find that the indoor photos taken in the restaurant were sufficiently exposed, rendering bright and realistic colours as well as the option to be more artsy with the bokeh feature. The contrast and level of details were also pretty impressive for a mid-range smartphone, as seen in the photos of the pool.
The rear camera produced some very natural looking skin tones when shooting people, and even bokeh for portrait shoots. The girls were also impressed that the front camera allowed for decent selfies with an auto-beautify function – something every influencer loves.
Mi A1 is Xiaomi’s first Android One phone, with a software experience designed by Google, offering users a simple, pure Android phone that stays fresh over time with OS upgrades. As an Android One smartphone, Mi A1 comes with the most popular Google services built-in as default, such as free unlimited high quality storage from Google Photos.
Available in Black, Gold and Rose Gold, Mi A1 has an attractive full-metal body design that measures just 7.3mm in thickness, with discreet separation lines for a seamless look and rounded edges for great hand feel. It also comes with a rear fingerprint sensor.
Featuring a 5.5-inch 2.5D curved glass screen featuring Corning® Gorilla® Glass protection, Mi A1 also boasts a 10v power amplifier for deeper lows and higher volumes, ensuring it provides an immersive media experience. A dedicated amplifier also provides support for high-impedance headphones (up to 600 ohms).
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor based on the 14nm manufacturing process, as well as a 3080mAh battery, 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage making it a real value for money mid-range smartphone indeed!

Tech Specs & Features:
  • Premium full-metal body
  • Dual camera, optical zoom:
  • 12MP wide angle + 12MP telephoto
  • Exceptional portrait photography with background blur
  • Beautify, for natural selfie enhancements
  • 5MP front camera
  • Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 625 with 14nm FinFET technology (Octa-core 2.0GHz)
  • 4GB RAM + 64GB internal storage
  • Up to 128GB microSD expandable storage
  • 5.5-inch full-HD Corning® Gorilla® Glass display
  • 3080mAh battery, USB Type-C port
  • Rear fingerprint sensor
  • IR blaster, with Mi Remote App
  • Dual SIM (3-choose-2 hybrid SIM tray)
  • Dimensions: 155.4 x 75.8 x 7.3mm
  • Weight: 165g
  • Available in Black, Gold and Rose Gold
  • Stock Android
  
For more info, head over to:
Element Kuala Lumpur – http://www.elementkualalumpur.com/ or telephone 603 2771 3351 or email element.kualalumpur@elementhotels.com
Xiaomi – http://www.mi.com/my/


Photo credits: Andy Kho Photography, and author’s own

Saturday, September 16, 2017

[ADV] Joseristine - Anti-Pollution Whitening Mask


Joseristine is a Hong Kong-based skincare brand established since 1995 by Choi Fung Hong. Recently, Joseristine has expanded to Malaysia and is available via online purchase at the moment.



Their star product, Joseristine Anti-Pollution Whitening Mask is rich n chitosan, a type of sugar extracted from the outer skeleton of shellfish including crab, lobster and shrimp.

Besides the hydrating function, chitosan also helps in the absorption of heavy metal, UV protection, antibacterial and is biodegradable.




The products consists of 2 parts - the mask sheet in the cup and a bottle of the essence. Prior to applying, we are supposed to drip the essence into the cup (with the mask inside) and shake it well.





Main ingredients of the Whitening Anti-Pollution Essence:

  • Yeast Fement Extract - hydrating, soothing, anti-wrinkles, removes dark spot, firming.
  • Brown Rice Vinegar - whitening.
  • Natural Herbal Extract - soothing and resists sensitive.
  • Marine Matrix - hydrating and stimulates collagen growth.
  • Hyaluronic Acid - lasting moistures for the skin.



5-in-1 Potent Results:
  • Detox - helps clear pollutants from skin by removing make up residues and dirts.
  • Whitening - helps reduce skin melanin production and dullness for rejuvenated, bright skin.
  • Hydrating - natural potent moisturizers increase skin's moisture level.
  • Minimizing pores - helps minimize pores and enhances the elasticity for soft, smooth and hydrated skin.
  • Anti-oxidant - potent reparing and anti-oxidants enhances firmness and delays skin aging.



My skin is feeling cleansed and hydrated after trying Joseristine's mask ^^

To purchase this multi-functional mask, head over to https://joseristinecfh.com/

Friday, September 1, 2017

Maui Jim @ Malaya Optical

Malaya Optical is getting you prepared for a Hawaiian themed holiday!


Introducing Maui Jim, an American-based sunglasses manufacturer that markets their lines based on the inspiration from the blue Hawaiian ocean.


Maui Jim sunglasses features patented PolarisedPlus2® lens technology which eliminates 99.9% of glare and blocks 100% of harmful UV rays. The sunglasses are recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin. It is the only premium sunglasses brand carrying the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of approval!

The patented multi-layered lens design allows more usable light to be transmitted to the eyes. Unrivaled visual acuity, contrast and color are the exquisite results. You will experience deeper, more saturated colors and higher levels of contrast in any environment.


Available in 4 lens colours, Maui Jim® offers an option for every level of light:


Neutral Grey lenses
Offer contrast and the highest available glare reduction. Suitable for all light conditions, especially bright, direct sunlight.

Maui Rose® lenses
Offer the sharpest contrast and image resolution. Excellent for fast action activities, overcast or foggy days.

HCL® (High Contrast Lens) Bronze lenses
Offer enhanced contrast. Ideal for hazy and low light conditions.

The new HT™ (High Transmission) lenses
Perfect for variable and low light conditions, haze, fog, or overcast days. Feature a flattering palm tint without a distracting yellow cast.

Visit Maui Jim’s website and explore the image under 4 different lenses: https://mauijim.com/


I had a hard time deciding which pair I like the best after trying on all the cool sunglasses! I want a new pair for my next beach vacay ^^


Malaya Optical hires qualified optometrist who will not only examine, but also advise on the condition of patients’ eyes, and are trained to recognise diseases of the eye, such as glaucoma and cataract, as well as general health conditions such as diabetes. 

Optometrists in Malaya Optical especially in the HQ located at Damansara Uptown are aided by many state of the art instruments such as Slit Lamp with Optical Digital Zoom Camera by Nikon (to examine contact lenses fitting and cataract),  Non Contact Relax Tonometer by Reichert (to examine Inter Ocular Pressure, IOP or Glaucoma),  High Definition Digital Retina Imaging by Canon (to examine Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration  or Retina Atrophy), Zeiss iProfiler Occular Wavefront Aberrometer, Autorefractometer, Atlas Corneal Topographer, and Keratometer (to examine Refractive Errors to 0.125 Diopter and also Corneal Curvature for better fit of soft or RGP contact lenses), Zeiss Relax Vision Terminal (to examine pupillary distance and multi-focal precision fitting height) and more.

Besides Maui Jim, the boutique also carries a huge range of eyewear collections from designer frames to branded sunglasses.


Malaya Optical outlets are located at:
Damansara Uptown
71, SS21/37 Damansara Uptown, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS North 03 8.122 East 101 37.403
Tel: 03-7728 0228/03-7710 8550
Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10.30am – 9pm, Sunday: 10.30am – 7pm

Subang Jaya
C5, SS15/4d, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Tel: 03-5631 3328
GPS North 304.473 East 101 35.430
Tel: 03-5631 3328
Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10.30am – 9pm, Sunday: 10.30am – 7pm

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Time to Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

These days when I pack my dinner, I am always being charged 50 sen extra for the plastic container! It has dawned upon me that for the number of times I have paid those 50 sen, I could have had a few extra meals already. 
Essentially, polystyrene containers were banned while a 20 sen charge per plastic bag was levied on consumers at supermarkets and retail stores throughout the state. While 20 sen per plastic bag may not seem a lot and many consumers won’t really mind paying, the actual intention behind the charge was to educate consumers on the importance of reducing the usage of plastic bags.
Now, five (5) months in to the ban, I normally bring some reusable bags or paper bags along with me (if I remember), or just carry my groceries with my bare hands. LOL.
The BBC ran a report recently stating that scientists say about eight million tonnes of plastic waste find their way into the world’s oceans each year. This amount of debris is, they say, like covering an area 34 times the size of New York’s Manhattan Island to ankle depth.
The feature also highlighted the possible threat to the food chain, by the plastics broken down into tiny fragments in our oceans. Tests by the Plymouth Marine Laboratory have shown that when minuscule particles of plastic are in the water, the creatures at the bottom of the food chain do ingest them.
So you throw a plastic bag indiscriminately, the fish eat the plastic bag, you eat the fish and you probably end up getting stomach or gastro intestinal cancer. Karma is unavoidable…

OK but what about the total ban on polystyrene containers?
The use of polystyrene takeaway products was widely touted as detrimental to the environment when disposed due to its non-biodegradable nature. In fact, the authorities attributed the indiscriminate disposal of polystyrene lunch boxes into the waterways as the cause of flash floods in the Klang Valley during torrential downpours due to the presence of polystyrene lunch boxes floating around impeding the flow of the flood waters into the drains.
Polystyrene boxes though are light material and floats on water hence it’s also highly likely there are plenty of other forms of heavier garbage that were also the cause of drains being blocked.
Polystyrene lunchboxes represent the most versatile, economical, user-friendly and effective product in the takeaway of food. It can insulate heat, wherein when the food is hot, the user holding the lunchbox will not feel any heat at all. 
So, what is the alternative when polystyrene lunchboxes are banned? Hawkers now use solid plastic lunchboxes that contribute up to 3 times more to the waste problem as plastic lunchboxes are 15-16 grams in weight as compared to polystyrene lunchboxes which are 4-5 grams in weight.
A country’s “solid waste” and “waste management” is measured in metric tons and thanks to the use of solid plastic lunchboxes, we are now contributing 3 times more in terms of waste which is actually more detrimental to the environment.
Plastic lunchboxes also use 3 times more plastic resin than polystyrene lunchboxes, meaning more raw materials are used to produce them starting with the petrochemical plants that contribute heavily to pollution. For manufacturers to produce the plastic lunchboxes, the machines consume 4 times more electricity than manufacturing the polystyrene lunchboxes!

So wait a minute – the alternative product to polystyrene is actually worse for the environment!
And to compound matters, polystyrene lunchboxes are not biodegradable if not disposed off properly!
Biodegradability and/or compostability ensures that the end-product can be broken down and degraded back to its molecular state. Plastics actually have the ability to be biodegradable and compostable as well with modern manufacturing techniques and additives. 
However, for the plastics to biodegrade back to its original base, the item must be properly disposed of and end up in a compost or landfill. Biodegradable, compostable or environmentally-friendly plastics of any kind that is indiscriminately disposed will NOT biodegrade and will continue to remain as their original state.
That goes to say that if you keep a solid plastic container in your kitchen cabinet, it will stay as a solid plastic container in your kitchen cabinet for years and not biodegrade.
So, what then is the solution for this problem?
As much as it would pain our authorities to admit, but our neighbours down South have the solution.
“The Government will not impose a ban on them in consideration of other factors, such as the cost of alternatives and inconvenience to hawkers and consumers, Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor said on Monday (9 May 2016).”
“Dr Khor said that while polystyrene foam packaging may be of concern in some countries where waste is landfilled, it is incinerated safely in Singapore at waste-to-energy incineration plants, which are fitted with pollution control equipment.”
In fact, there have been studies done to show that in many instances, the alternative is actually not more environmentally friendly.
Of course, the best alternative is to bring your own tiffin carrier, mug or tumbler. However sometimes you just don’t have one with you.

How do we solve this problem?
The people living in this country need a paradigm shift. We need to learn how to be more conscious about the environment and not litter indiscriminately. This is a culture that needs to be inculcated at an early stage and indeed at all levels – government, corporate and civil society.
More enforcement needs to be taken against the main causes of polystyrene pollution, be it more enforcement officers at construction sites, commercial and F&B outlets, and even residential areas. The change won’t happen overnight however like the 20 sen charge for plastic bags, consumers will slowly realise the importance of looking after the environment and the effect might trickle into other aspects of life – making Malaysian a country of people with a conscience.
Our local authorities should look at installing electricity-generating incinerators like Norway which transforms its trash and waste into energy – doing away with the need for fossil fuels to power the power plants thus solving the issue of insufficient landfills and rising energy costs.
China lifted its ban on polystyrene back in 2013 after a 14-year long ban. Perhaps it’s time our authorities reassess whether or not this ban is actually helping the environment or not, and if it’s not, stop the ineffective ban and consider other solutions instead.
At the end of the day, it’s up to us to reduce, reuse and recycle. We only have one planet to live on so it’s time to change our mindset.