Vblog entry one!

Done just before I crawled into bed. A little pale - no make up.. ;)

xoxo and Happy New Year!

Love Long Distance

So... Now that you're MARRIED....

"So when are you moving to Australia?"

Uh, I don't know.

"*blur look*"

Well, you see, Paul just got awarded Directorship at his firm, and I'm running the Miss Universe Malaysia Pageant, and neither of us want to sacrifice our careers just yet so...

"*Attempting to hide surprised look* Wow.. Okay.. that must be.. hard...?!"

Yeah, it is, I miss him. We still see each other once a month on average though.. *awkward smile*

"Heh..heh.. yeah. Wow. Yeah. .. WOW."

....Yeah. Oooh look I'm just going to.. uh... yeah go to my friend..over..there....

------------------------------------------------

Okay so maybe that's not how it always goes, but the conversation above is a true story! I know its not conventional, since a "Good Wife" will be with "Her Husband" at all times...

But lets think about it this way.

I'm lucky enough to have found the man of my dreams, who supports me in everything I do, and my happiness is his. I am happy as National Director of Miss Universe Malaysia. I am happy to be able to see my now 72 year old father every morning and night. I am happy with my friends, my social life and my career.

If I have the rest of my life with Paul to look forward to, I don't see why enjoying what makes me happy for a while longer yet is such a bad thing!

The same goes for Paul, who has finally found an area of the Law that he enjoys. His friends and family are in Perth as well. I can't drag him away from that to stay in Malaysia to be my man-bag! (though it was tempting even to him at times LOL!). He would not be able to practice Law here, and would miss out on valuable years at the firm.. it just makes sense for him to be in Perth for now.

Yes, we trust each other. We speak every day, in fact, a few times a day! I travel with our framed photo in my suitcase, I text him on average 10 times a day, and we try to plan two big holidays a year together. When I am not working, I take time to go to Perth, and when he has the time, he flies to KL.

It's expensive, but its worth it.

And if I had a choice between having my soulmate far away, than not at all, I'd much rather pick the former! Wouldn't you?

Rempit-ing in Phuket

Peas in a Pod!

..Distance; a tiny obstacle with a bond this strong!

Love at first sight

Love at first sight

Thanks Kee for the really cute write-up!

Just to note tho - Paul and I didn't met last September, we met May 2008. :)

xox
A.

Nadine's journey begins: its a long distance relationship for now!

Nadine's in Mandalay Bay, Vegas, I'm in downtown Manhattan, New York.

But I'm still in control *muahaha!*

Here's a pic Nadine has sent to me for me to keep up to date with her progress. Due to her allergies and the INSANELY salty foods in Vegas, she's started to retain a little bit of water - have spoken to her about that and we're going to try to change her diet a little.

Keep up to date with Nadine's progress @ Miss Universe here and here.

On to other things -- as mentioned I'm currently in NYC for a week for a little work and alot of play. I really like where I'm at, it was love at first sight really. Am staying with one of my husband's best friends, Mark Pieri, who has been in Manhattan for four years now. Taking pics on my journeys, catch them here.

Tonight I'm making my speciality Spag-Bolognaise for Mark and his sweet flatmate Maureen. :) Fun times, FINALLY a day of relaxation...!

How to get that Winning Smile..!

As you would know, if you've been following my FB page, you'd know Nadine and I have both gone for extensive teeth whineting at MyDentist. Results have been amazing, especially in Nadine's case, as you can see from the pictures in my posts with her!

I really have to seriously recommend it (and you know I don't anyhow-recommend-things on my blog). Dr. Foo has not paid me for this at all:: I've been to alot of dentists and there's a reason why he's known to be the best in his field. :D

Thanks Doc! :D

Training Nadine Entry 04: Almost there

Latest picture from Nadine's Official Photoshoot: Thanks to Anneff@Parkson, Melinda Looi, Elegance Club, Xpression Master with L'Oreal Paris and A Cut Above. Photos by StudioROM. For more pics, hop over to the Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation Official Facebook Page.

Nadine's been going very well, keeping up with her Bikram Yoga @ True Yoga and gymming at True Fitness. She's been quite disciplined thus far and is taking on instructions well.

The shoot was conducted in one day, with a total of Four looks, (Plus National Costume, but I can't upload that:: Officially Unveiled on Monday at Parkson, Pavilion KL!).

Basically our angle was to experiement with looks, to get as many different 'types' of shots as we could. We infused the good Old Hollywood Glamour charm to see how she'd look as a Malaysian Marilyn Monroe. It worked pretty well as you can see form the link yourself!

Right now Nadine is under house arrest as we went to Dr. Calvin Chan for an incredible facial called the .. er... I can't really remember. But its similar to a chemical peel, whereby Nadine's skin will flake for about an entire week, to reveal a fresh, spot-free face. Other things that we have for her preperation:
- Vitamin C Serum: To brighten and nourish
- Rejuvenating Serum: To .. er, rejuvenate her skin
- Pigment Bar: To even out her skintone (especially elbows, knees)
(All from the Calvin Chan Aesthetics Line which he has inhouse).

We also got a LOVELY line of products from L'Oreal Paris. I highly recommend the Hydrafresh line, its moisturiser in a lovely gel texture. Also do try the White Perfect Double Essence. It plumps up your skin, and promotes a "Rosy Glow". I've personally been using it for a while now, and I would recommend going in this direction if you can't stay in your house for a week just for your skin to peel off!! ;)

Nadine's also been working on her QnAs.. and we'll be going over her catwalk next week with some luck! I've been SO busy with my wedding, I'm feeling a little guilty on not training her enough. But that's just me being a perfectionist;; If I had my way, Nadine and I would be living together!!

I went over to Nadine's place on Tuesday to drop by and say hi to her Mom, it was the first time I was going to meet her. I can only understand a mother's concern over the safety of her daughter.. I'm sure Aunty Christine was like, "Who is this woman! Why is my daughter looking so thin now!! WHY is she attending events at this hour? (er, 10pm only what? heh!), IS SHE SAFE???"

Needless to say it was a smooth meeting, I assured Aunty Christine that I was here solely for Nadine's best interest.. to give her as best a chance as she has at the Miss Universe Pageant.

After that, we looked through Nadine's wardrobe to see what could be used to supplement her full casual wardrobe supplied by Parkson to take to Vegas. Bottom line was: PARKSON WE NEED MORE CLOTHES LAH NADINE WEARS WAAAAY TOO MUCH SOLID COLOURS!! ;) Parkson heard me, and I'm looking forward to accessing all the AMAAAYZING brands they have in house: Desigual, Sisley, FCUK, Miss Sixty, Bread n Butter... *rubs hands in glee!*

My angle for Nadine is not to be too OTT at the Pageant. Nadine is exactly what the pageant is this year: Hip, Urban, Relevant and Real. She will not be in cocktail dresses 24/7 -- she's a jeans and top kinda girl. But there are ways to wear such clothings, and then there are ways to wear such clothings in order for it to look stylish, chic and effortless. I really do believe that Nadine has what it takes to pull the MTV Awards-esque sort of look where you look stylish, but not overdone.

Two weeks or so before she's off to Vegas. Wow. Before we know it, it'll all be over!!

Till next time,
xox
A.

Training Nadine Entry 03: A Star is Born

Having alot to smile about

Am really happy with the finished result of Nadine's shoot -- we went to The Thistle Port Dickson Resort for her first ever full swimwear shoot.

In short, she blew me away.

She took every little piece of advice, was a trooper on hard tree branches, sand, stones, I cannot say how dedicated and hardworking this young lady is. All her physical lack of training/grooming have now been addressed:

Bad habit of hiding her neck when she takes pictures: Gone!

PS: Notice how you can't run away from rubbing off on people... LOL!

..anyway back to Nadine... ;)

Learning her best angles

Major Toning UP - check out the oblique muscle just catching the light there -- the hours of Bikram Hot Yoga has done wonders!

I always knew she had it in her, I think she knew she had it in her as well... she just needed that extra 'push' to go further. Am so happy she joined the pageant, and I daresay she is one of the most beautiful Miss Universe Malaysia winners in history. (Coming a close second to my mother perhaps? ;) Love you Mom!)

In fact, for those who are unaware -- the judging panel consisted of 6 former Miss Unviverse Malaysia Queens , and two other male industry experts. They all unanimously agreed that Nadine was the best choice to represent Malaysia, and looking at these pictures, they really got that right!

Just in case you were wondering, I wasn't involved in the judging on the Final Night at all! ;)

Anyway back to Nadine: We actually went to Dr. Calvin Chan in Singapore to get her full body hair removal, even out her skin tone, and he also prescribed her topical medication for the scars left behind from her younger days of raging acne. (Nadine had Chronic Cystic Acne up until two years ago)

We did several treatments, amongst them are:

Medilite C6 Laser Toning

Medilite is perfect for facial acne scars, open pores, and it also reduces hair thickness and rate of growth.

ZAP! Ingrown Hair, Open pores, Scars, BEGONE!

and Cutera XL Coolglide, the best option for darker skinned ladies who cannot undergo IPL treatments and need to get permanent hair removal. Nadine did it on her underarms. Its a *little* more painful than the Medilite, but much more powerful in permanent hair removal.

I chose to drive all the way down to Singapore with Nadine and Kelly (our make-up artist) simply because Dr. Chan is a doctor that I've been going to for the exact same treatments since 2007. I would never put Nadine through anything I have not experienced before... I guess that's one of the benefits having me as a mentor; I'm so vain that I've tried every possible facial / hair removal treatments possible..? ;)

Whilst I am a firm believer in technology and science helping us to look our best, I do however draw the line at invasive procedures: I do not think Nadine needs to go or should go for any form of plastic surgery. She has a wide jaw, full cheeks, quite a wide-framed body (not narrow like some models) -- but I think that all ads to her Hip Urban Relevant and REAL feel about her.

I am sure you can get the above treatments in Malaysia but as I've never tried anyone in Malaysia and I know Calvin very well (he used to play cards with Paul in Uni! Small world!), and on top of him absolutely trustworthy (he wont perform procedures he doesn't think you need - a rarity in this industry!), the 4 hour drive was well worth it.

Nadine's skin is glowing now, and we will be going back for more follow-up visits.

Physicality aside, I am constantly getting to know her better, which helps me build a sense of *self* about her for her to believe in as well. I am brutally honest in telling her off (say thank you for lunch! You forgot to say thank you to our sponsor!), in the manner of which she talks, and stands. She is actually a very vibrant girl with a wicked sense of humour and a contagious laugh -- she just doesn't open up when you simply press "PLAY". We're trying a few techniques soon to combat that, which I will be recording... so that's what our next post update will be. :)

Till then, Momma Fonzie is Signing Off -- need to update my Wedding Blog soon!

Pageant Week Webisodes: Pretty interesting stuff!

A little delayed, but what can you do. ;)

Training Nadine Entry 02

~~As mentioned below, part of Nadine's Training is to make herself up first thing in the morning, time how long she takes, and then emails the shots to me. I then advise her on how to improve the shots, and how to make her features stand out more.

In this case, as it is a fully frontal shot, she needed to shade her face a little more (her jac) and also highlight her cheeks and the bridge of her nose more. Her eyes are very nice, (that's her trademark), but I will definitely caution her against always having the same 'safe' make-up. It may become boring. She'll need to be more adventurous, and with T-50 days to Vegas.

That's right!!! its FIFTY days to VEGAS for her. Time to pull up our socks and get into it!!

Tomorrow, Nadine and I are attending a Sex And The City Moet Preview and Party, and we're going to the Thistle Port Dickson Resort for a sssizzling bikini shoot. She's looking very good right now (don't let the chubby cheeks fool you -- she's just been to the dentist hence some swelling), so am very excited on things.

Wil definitely update once all is done.

Till then, You can call me Momma Hen Fonseka. Or Momma Fonzie for short. ;)

xx

Ps: in the middle of all of this, I'm also planning my WEDDING! I'm rushing for time, and .. am a little anxious to be honest. 0_O

Nadine Ann Thomas: Candids