I often get so wrapped up in my little life that I forget about the bigger picture out there. Two weeks ago, thanks to Nuffnang, I had the privilege of attending a “dinner organised by Picha Project”.
I was really swamped, and all I knew was that it would be a buffet-style dinner and that the dress code was evening casual!
When I arrived, KL was having a massive traffic jam (what’s new, right?), and the organisers announced that dinner would start at 8pm instead of 7pm, to allow time for the other guests to arrive. (Thank God for appetisers. Chinese weddings should really learn from them.)
There was a big standee at the entrance describing what the Picha Project does, and I wondered for a moment if it were a not-for-profit organisation. Later on, after I chatted with the founders - 3 lovely girls - I learnt that they are a for profit organisation. Rather than giving away fish, they were focused on teaching people how to fish.
The key word here is “empowerment”.
The Picha Project is a catering and food delivery service. Their food is cooked by the refugees from war-torn countries like Syria, who are then able to earn a decent living.
Did you know that refugees are not allowed to work in Malaysia nor attend schools?
It was really an eye-opener for me.
That night, one of the refugees shared her story. To protect her privacy, we will just call her Mrs. P.
Mrs. P arrived in Malaysia about a year ago, with her husband and 4-year-old son. She spoke of Syria as a beautiful place, until the bombings started. It was heartbreaking seeing the photos of rubble and unrecognisable buildings. They knew they had to leave when she lost her family members due to the bombings.
Her husband was promised housing, education and jobs if they came to Malaysia, but upon arrival, they soon discovered that these were unverified promises, and they had nowhere to live. They literally lived on the streets.
When the 3 founders of The Picha Project, who were volunteering at a refugee-aid organisation then, heard about the plight of these refugees, they felt very strongly the urge to do something. They founded The Picha Project and that is how it all began.
One year later, Mrs. P and her husband had come a long way. They had a small but decent earning, and a roof over their heads.
Then Mrs. P’s husband suddenly fell ill and was hospitalised. It was cancer. He unexpectedly passed away after 2 months.
Mrs. P was calm as she related her story to us. It was only a few months ago that she had lost her husband, and it was evident that she was a strong woman, brave and resolute.
Hearing this story put so much perspective into my life. It’s easy to get caught up with the little irritations, and feel miserable and grumpy about things that don’t go our way, but really:
Life is really beautiful if we acknowledge the abundant blessings we have.
It’s important to stay connected with others, because there’s so much to be learnt. Every interaction is a lesson and an opportunity to gain so much perspective in life.
I’m just glad that I found mine that night.
As an ex-expatriate and management consultant in an international firm, Grace was a career-minded woman on a fast-track path in the corporate world. The birth of her first child changed her perspectives in entirety, and she made the life-changing decision of becoming a stay-at-home mum. In addition to being one of Malaysia’s top digital influencers on Nuffnang’s Bloggerati list, she is a Dr. Sears Certified Health Coach and the founder of Little Baby Grains and Petite Troopers.
@Nuffnang Bloggerati is officially launched today!!🌠🎉🎊 I am glad to be part of it =D Thank you for all your continuous support and let's capture precious moments together!! 📷🎬📹 For more information, visit bloggeratibynuffnang.com.my! #Bloggerati #blogger #Malaysia #TCSelfie
The buzz at the front lines of the Versace x H&M opening is just as expected and it's Bedlam all over Manhattan. Because the opportunity for label-conscious New Yorkers to snag something that carries the blessing of the Queen Mother of Eurotrash at H&M prices is too good to pass up. The Racked team has been liveblogging the inaugural in-store day of the highly anticipated collaboration since the early morning hours and the scene involved lines snaking around city blocks, wristbands for entry, and mounds of leopard print. Because I believe that the only thing worth waking up for that early on a Saturday morning is free food, I decided to follow the chaos from my couch. Perusing the H&M website, I refreshed my initial impression of the collab after viewing the sneak peak a few weeks ago. Ultra-body con dresses with hooker-mesh illusion panels up the side, studded leather jackets, and Kool-aid colored leopard print skirts scream the definitive message. THIS IS VERSACE!!
Dressing like an Albanian club owner's trophy wife is not quite my thing, but different strokes for different folks. As long as the price is right, and it's understandable that wallet-watching Versace fans will flip for this collection. Also, if I had the disposable income to spend on a Showgirls-style alter-ego wardrobe, I could see myself in one or two of the dresses:
The one hitch about this high/low retail fusion is that the designer mandate allows the company to hike the prices up way beyond the H&M range. The cheapest thing on the menu is a pair of lame' leggings for 29.99, while most of the dresses sell for $150-$300. No fooling. Donatella is playing a sick joke on every person braving the sudden drop in temperatures to wait for the release of her "accessible collaboration" with H&M. Nonetheless, people don't seem to be discouraged from purchasing. The most money spent today on the merchandise was reportedly $9,000 according to Racked. And so continues the ironic cycle that Versace epitomizes, in which people drop more and more cash to make it themselves look cheap. Only now, it's marginally cheaper to do so!
But Nomi Malone likes conspicuous consumption, and would resoundingly approve.
Otherwise known as The Coveteur. Featuring the closets and houses of members of fashion stylists, editorial power players, and celebrities, the site is an aesthetic fantasy journey into how the other half lives. Despite the success of the site to appeal to your most rabid material sentiments by making everything they photograph look so, well, covetable, it's pretty absurd. Although the "day in the life" thing works to an extent, there's an odd, fussy style of placing the enviable objects in completely outlandish places. These totally silly placements invite a bit of explanation. I want to know... How did your Miu Miu glitter heels end up balancing on the rim of your vintage Kitchenaid mixer? Was it a peyote trip, or just a stroke or curatorial genius? So let's investigate some photographic subtext...
"Totally forgot... I left my Rag and Bone distressed work boots on the roof when I was up there pretending to reshingle."
"The Arena bag is so 2007. Therefore, I figured I'd execute it by drowning it in my sink, and then burning it to destroy any evidence that I participated in the trend. I think that I left my Prada pouch perched on the Aloe plant outside because I totally got burnt at the tanning booth and needed to cool. It looked nice out there, so I just figured I'd leave it be."
"The first picture is like male Cinderella. The only caveat is that his charming princess never picked up his Ferragamo oxford and they never achieved their happily ever after. It makes a real statement about the dichotomy between fantasy and reality. Also, I always try to keep one dress in front of my fireplace just in case I run out of twigs or newspaper, so I can use it for kindling."
"I can't reach my outfit, so therefore, I don't need to get dressed and leave the house today. Just another excuse for a Netflix marathon!"
