Dec 25, 2010

merry christmas and the culmination of X Media Lab & Kre8tif!



MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL!
How has everyone's day turned out? Some maybe rushing from relative to relative... some stuck at work? ....some opening a bazillion presents?

I am here in Kuala Lumpur, spending this day with a whole day watching CSI marathons! :D
This whole day on AXN, the channel is showing reruns of CSI, CSI Miami and CSI New York. Hell Yeah! I honestly should have bought myself a present to play with today.. but I guess my dad's mobile internet thing he got me for while I am here in KL, is my present.. ;)

Also I got treated to a pretty tasteful dinner last night (christmas eve) at an old hangout spot! So that was pretty coooooool.

I also can not wait for the new year.
Last year of uni,
21st's,
Bali,
More exciting projects,
Which reminds me I need to figure out some resolutions. I stuck to almost all of mine from this year, so thats a great sign!

*the photo a day challenge will have to comprised into all one day today :)
I have not had the internet so I have been unable to stick to my challenge. But I thought I have done pretty well. Hahaha..
Just some of the stuff I have been upto. Mostly with my XML and Kre8tif gang.

Interviewing the head of division at MDEC
Backdrop to Putrajaya, a beautiful city. Kinda reminds me of Paris, no?
 
 
Watching these 2 dance was one of the best highlights.

The closing ceremony for kre8tif! 
Where POP SHUVIT PLAYED!
Pop Shuvit! are one of my favourite Malaysian bands. Check them out!
 Recognie the necklace Dominique is wearing? No? 
What I wore to the event. It had to be professional and glamourous at the same time. So we all chose black. Hahaha.. I love this combination of black, silver, coral and turquoise.
 We were also treated to a drumline (Malaysia style) and some B-Boys.

X Media Lab started its workshops. Go and read my twitter feed for more on that.

Then all the mentors and us got treated to a tour around Putrajaya and The Arts and Craft Market in KL City.
 All us girls had to deck on these Jedi' esque robes to be more modest for the mosques.
 
Then the fishes. Everyone got treated to those pirana fishes that bite off your dead skin. Yum, a natural exfoliant. =|

The whole X Media Lab Crew, Mentors and us.
Such amazing, talented and friendly people.

I had a great week, albeit a tough one.
It was a lot of work, but seriously other QUT kids, if you get a chance to complete the QUT Team for X Media Lab next year. I seriously urge that you do it. It just opens up so many doors and completely re-arranges the plans you thought you had figured out for your life plan.
It definitely did that for me.
kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Dec 18, 2010

Kre8tif!, Din Altit, Ralph Simon x 17.12.2010

«DAY 17                                      DAY 18                                    DAY 19»
Today:
  • And finally, it was the last day of the krebtif! festival here in Putrajaya for 2010.
  • We finished the festival by attending masterclasses with the head of Mirage Holdings and Scorpio Studios Din Altit. He discussed the important of branding and packaging for IP producers within the digital media sector and how this only will improve your chances to be picked by a studio. This was great news for me, because this is exactly the are of interest I will be getting into once my degrees are completed! Public Relations. 
  • Going on from what Jason Manley (see here) had talked about the last couple of days, it seemed like this industry needs a more solid public relations and consultancy expertise. Which is great for someone like me studying Business and Creative Industries ;)
  • I think a really valid point that Din had mentioned in his talk was the idea of coming to producers and production houses with at least 20% of your capital ready to go, cause its a lot better than 0%. And he goes on to say that in order to do this you should make partners and come together to achieve the same goal. And this seems to be a theme throughout the festival that you dont have to have the best of the best or the biggest budget to produce something of quality and excitement! social media and transmedia are major parts of this business that will be able to launch ideas to the top! Thanks Din Altit, it was an eye opener to the fact that business is still an important aspect in getting IP and content to fruition. 
"Transmedia is real and responsive...branding, builds and esposes your brand through cross platform promotions"
                                                              Din Altit

  • We also had an amazing, talk by Ralph Simon. Seriously so so so gooood!!!!!
  • A little background, Ralph Simon is the inventor of the ringtone, he also acts as U2's and Lady Gaga's mobile strategist!!! I pretty much have talked to Lady Gaga through Ralph Simon in some weird degree of separation way. :)
  • Now, everyone could take a leaf out of this man. His speech was not only so well structured, it was so focused and localised for the Malaysian audience - so instead of constantly using American/English references - Ralph Simon spoke in Malay in some parts of his speech, he used Malaysian references and made the content of his talk accessible to a Malaysian audience. Just go and check out my past tweets I made during his talk here. 
  • I got so much out of his talk, it was really up my alley way with the social media and mobile strategy points.
  • I also took my chance to sit down and interview Jason Manley and got some really good tips from the brains behind Massive Black and TAD. Except embarrassingly I could not say conceptart.org, to save my life!!!!!! Thankfully he was so patient with us, hahaha... The interview is now gone to post production and will post it up soooooon ;)
  • Also got invited to the closing ceremony come industry awards night. So await the photos and post about that later tonight! WOOOOOOOOO. 

Us with Ringtone king himself, Ralph Simon



kazz, ☮c+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Dec 17, 2010

Networking, Hitting the wall, Tiara Jacquelina x 16.12.2010

«DAY 15                                           DAY 16                                    DAY 17»
Today:
  • A busy busy busy day. It takes a lot to be successful, I can tell you that. All today I was busy networking and passing out my business cards. 
  • It was also the official launching ceremony today, where there was a spectacular light show (so I will break the rules and actually post two pictures here) The light boxes lit up as the VIPs placed their hands on them :D
  • I met some amazing new talent and new practitioners that I have come to really admire. And all creative practitioners from the second day of Kre8tif festival had one common theme. Passion. We need to instil passion and drive in order to achieve what it is that we want. And not to be afraid of risks that may come.
  • I helped to set up some interviews for my fellow team members and record these interviews. These interviews look amazing! And like I have mentioned plenty of time before, they will all be posted on the Nebulocities page. Come on... you know you want to click the link ;)
  • But I must put it out there that I thoroughly enjoyed the masterclass I attended that was hosted by Malaysia's favourite fictional princess Tiara Jacquelina. Jacquelina is the producer and force behind the famous Puteri Gunung Ledang empire that was nominated for an Academy Award. 
“The Puteri Gunung Ledang empire started to "keep the legends young and in the consciousness of Malaysian youth”
                                                                           Tiara Jacquelina
  • She has a widely acclaimed production company here in Malaysia called Enfiniti Prodcutions. The first ever Malaysian movie ever to be nominated for an Academy Award actually :) It just gave me goose bumps to write that, cause I think that is just an amazing achievement. She drove in to her audience today that you dont need to always hire acclaimed professionals when wanting to make an amazing movie. Jacquelina mentioned that she hired a predominantly a young and unexperienced cast. Purely because they had said they could get the job done and at a standard and price set out by Enfiniti Productions. She employed starting up digital media professionals and really exploited social media in order to target a large market for Puteri Gunung Ledang
  • She wanted to open the door for other Malaysians to be able to produce movies that will be loved by a huge crowd and not be condemned as just "another local movie". And she did it.
CAN YOU TELL THAT I LOVED IT?? Hahah.. :D

We work hard, and play even harder. Me and Dominique nerding it out Kre8tif style... 


kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Dec 16, 2010

Jason Manley, Kr8tif Festival x 15.12.2010

«DAY14                                            DAY 15                                   DAY 16»
Today:
  • OH MY GOSH, WHAT AN INCREDIBLE DAY!
  • We officially started the first day of the Kr8tif Festival here at the PICC in Putrajaya, and let me tell you cyberspace - it is an amazing venue. More importantly the turnout was so impressive. 
  • So many creative people are networking trying to get their foot in the industry door. I couldnt help but get swept up. I started networking like a pro, and got my card out to as many mentors and speakers present on the day.
  • I brought along my notepad and scribbled as many notes and tips as I could to share with anyone that will hear it.
  • I met an incredible professional named Jason Manley - who is seriously the rock god of the art and animation world. People were literally going up to him and getting autographs for their sketch books. Very very cool. I walked in on his keynote speech, and hip hop was playing. I was thinking, yes this is exactly where I need to be. Learnt some great tips which you will soon be able to read on Nebulocities. A site that I have been asked to contribute on as part of this whole conference trip.
“Be mindful, think and always be purposeful ”
                                                                                  Jason Manley
  • He gave some incredible insight on how as an artist, designer or basically as any type of creative you still need to have that business hat, at the ready, to put on. More on some of this amazing tips coming soon, I promise people :) Also I amazingly scored an interview with him. So I might also post that as well.



Until then, talk to you soon!

kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Long Flight x 14.12.2010

«DAY 13                                            DAY 14                                 DAY 15»
Today:
  • A very long flight to Singapore then transit to Kuala Lumpur, which is where I have landed nice and safely (thank you for your passionate concern friends and family)
  • Staying at the most beautiful hotel, as I mentioned previously I am here on conference duties for X Media Lab, where I have been selected to interview and blog and social media the hell out of the event. 
  • More on that on my next project which I am contributing to Nebulocities. It is this ridiculously cool website that my co X Media partner has created for those amazing creative and design information and links you have always been searching for.

kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Dec 13, 2010

Packing for Malaysia and Bali! 13.12.2010

«DAY 12                                          DAY 13                                      DAY 14»
Today:
  • More errand shopping
  • Saw some amazing buskers
  • Came home and packed like a mofo - IT IS NOT EASY TO FIT 3 HOLIDAY TRIPS WORTH OF CLOTHES WITH A 20KG WEIGHT LIMIT =|

The wardrobe pretty much consists of jungle colours, and lilac and black.

kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Dec 12, 2010

Cousin's Birthday, Noop Upsy Daisy Birthday Cake x 12.12.2010

«DAY 11                                          DAY 12                                 DAY 13»
Today:
  • Went to my cousin's 3rd birthday party, it was raining, so we had to have it indoors :( instead of near the beach. Man......
  • My uncle the amazing patisserie that he is, made this In The Night Garden cake featuring Makka Pakka and Upsy Daisy???? Who the hell knows.. :S It was delicious and oh so cute. Check out his restaurant Noop on Facebook. They make some amazing creations. 
  • I started packing, I am getting sooooo excited.


kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Dinner Party x DIY Urban Outfitters Leopard Cross Tee x 11.12.2010

«DAY 10                                           DAY 11                                 DAY 12»
Today:
  • A massive DIY Project was undertaken by moi. I wanted to make a version of this Urban Outfitter's Truly Madly Deeply Animal Cross Tee. I first saw it on Beuty Crush's Youtube Channel (which is awesome ps.) 
  • I am not one for the cross motif, so I did mine in a peace sign :) 
  • It was very very very easy to make. Just cut out a bunch on circles and either hot glue gun the circles on the shirt, or sew them on if you some mad sewing skills. I dont. 
  • I also had all my dearest friends over for a dinner and just casual gathering, I was so happy for everyone that came, it really meant a lot. And plus seeing as they wont be seeing me for a while, I wanted to say goodbye :) Also a bit sad that fellow blogger and friend Jayde from Lets Leave It Up To Fate couldn't make it. 
  • Great fun was had by all... haha we tectonic'ed, ate, laughed, and played "Lets throw things into Dave and Aidan's mouth"

The Actual Urban Outfitter's Truly Madly Deeply Animal Cross Tee.
HOLY CRAP THATS A MOUTH FULL.

Beauty Crush's
WHERE I ORIGINALLY SAW IT.

My DIY take on the Leapord Print Cross Tee.
EXCEPT THE PEACE SIGN VERSION.


kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

shopping x 10.12.2010

«DAY 9                                             DAY 10                                       DAY 11»
Today:
  • shopping galore.
  • 6 hours and $250 later... I bought so much stuff for my 2 month hiatus.
  • it makes me so happy. Considering that I have been saving my pennies for the past six months. Seriously...
  • Me and my friend Gabrielle from Free Kitten swear by this for when shopping, and I have mentioned a plenty of times (here) - the men section in department stores are amazing. And its where you can find some real golden pieces.
  • For example, some American Print shorts :D and amazingly fitting denim shorts.


kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Dec 10, 2010

haircut x alexa chung vs nicole richie?? x 9.12.2010

«DAY 8                                             DAY 9                                     DAY 10»
Today:
  • I got  a hair cut, an overdue haircut =|
  • I always go back to the hairdresser, he is amazing.. and no, I will not say where and who - cause you are not stealing him away from us (a group of us all go to the same dude, like I said, he is amazing)
  • I feel like its in between Alexa Chung (style, and colour) and Nicole Richie. LOL
I still have some of my blonde tips left, you just cant see it here. YAY for crappy photography, I am also wearing MAC's Jubilee here as well, which you can read about here.




kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Dec 9, 2010

MAC, Bavarian Bier Cafe, Good Times x 8.12.2010

«DAY 7                                             DAY 8                                           DAY 9»
Today:
  • Internship - it was a long and busy day
  • Got to attend the official launch for  The Bavarian Bier Cafe, here in Brisbane. The place is open for business and is a great venue. The view especially was mesmerising. Its on Eagle St Pier. It was officially my first PR event that I got to attend, it was all things exciting. Their staff was also so so nice, and very well informed. I recommend it for a night cap and a drink after work.
  • I invited my best bud Aidan along as my plus one, and we had a great time!
  • Earlier today I actually went into the MAC store to get my supply of Studio Fix Fluid, and since I had 6 empty MAC containers, I got to exchange them for a free MAC lip product. Wooooo, I got the artist's recommendation and she suggested that I get Jubilee. Its sooooo pretty.
Oh yeah , I also wore my new Jeffreys :)

thanks for reading, and watch this space!

kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Lush Haul, DIY Materials, XML x 7.12.2010

«DAY 6                                             DAY 7                                           DAY 8»
Today:
  • Went out to the city to run errands and have another meeting for XMediaLab (XML)
  • Bought some materials for DIY jewellery making and this Urban Outfitters shirt I have in mind, with a slight twist...I cant wait to make these so I can wear it on my holiday. Very summer and on trend!
  • And I am serious when I say this: I DID NOT PLAN ON BUYING ANYTHING FROM LUSH! But I happen to wander in to say hi to my favourite Lushite, and I walked out with stuff. 
  • The power of Lush I guess.


See you tomorrow :)

kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Dec 7, 2010

Solestruck delivery, Jeffrey Campbells, Happiness x 6.12.2010

«DAY 5                                             DAY 6                                         DAY 7»
Today:

  • My Solestruck order worth over $600AUD arrived, so happy.
  • These included shoes for my brother and mother and I consisting of: Jeffrey Campbells, Hush Puppies, Vans and etc.
  • Watched all of Season 2 Dexter. I am really liking this show. I asked my mum if there is something wrong with me liking tv shows that make you empathise with people who do very very bad things (Weeds, Breaking Bad)

I actually have a heap of photos from this day :)
The package, and following are my shoes.

1x BC Footwear Dont Sweat The Technique
2x Jeffrey Campbell's Oh Yes in Cheetah
3x Jeffrey Campbell's Winger in Khaki
 

They are all soooooo comfy. This is my biggest shopping splurge in 6 months, as I have been diligently saving for my trip overseas. But these are oh so very worth it.
And gang, Solestruck are one of the best companies I have had the pleasure in dealing with. They were very kind when my card screwed up and the speedy delivery is a god send.
Even my mum and brother were excited.

_______________________________________________________________

On a side note, I was reading my blogroll, when I came across this question from Canadian blogger Lily from Bleeding for Fashion where she asked the question: What is your definition of happiness.
I thought it was a great question, below is my response, and I was so interested and intrigued in other people's responses.

Happiness to me is constantly discovering new things. Be it music, fashion, friends, something that makes me go, wow that is so cool. When I find something that is new and fresh and has its own twist to it, it makes me very happy.

Ask any of my friends, and they will say that I am very much a happy person. Always smiling and laughing. As weird as it sounds, I have trained myself to be so. Not in a creepy depressed way... but I have always believed that you should always project happiness and not let other people feed off any bad energy you might be feeling inside. And soon enough you will find, that the bad energy just goes away, happiness is simply infectious. There is just no point in being negative (or I guess I mean sharing negative energy) it doesn't do anyone any good :)


THANKS FOR THE QUESTION LILY, Loved it and I loved reading everyone's definition.
SO TELL ME AUDIENCE, WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF HAPPINESS.

kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Dec 6, 2010

DIY Knit Jewellery x 5.12.2010

«DAY 4                                            DAY 5                                         DAY 6»
Today:

  • Spent with the grandparentals.
  • Had my fill of tropical rain storms - reminds me of my childhood.
  • Scored some amazing knitted flowers from my Oma (Dutch Grandma) which she handmade and is selling on her Etsy page and which I am going to turn into some killer rings, and a version of this bracelet I made a while ago. Kinda like the bracelet and ring combo a lot of bloggers are wearing lately...
Of course a DIY tutorial is on its way :)
Actually there are 2.


kazz, ☮+ xo.
amped+dangerous.

Dec 4, 2010

Rihanna inspired nails x 4.12.2010

«DAY 3                                            DAY 4                                         DAY 5»
Today:

  • Did a heap of work stuff - more work on biography and such.
  • Organised going away event.
  • The day was also so gloomy, you would think we were having an England summer. So, to bring a little sunshine I painted my nails. ...As you do.
  • I painted ainted my nails, after watching Rihanna's new song "Whats My Name" - which is surprisingly good. I wrote Rihanna off after that terrible album last year - Rated R. But this one is pretty good, and I hear the reviews for this album is pretty rocking.
I look like a crazy person.
A crazy person with sweet nails which scream SUMMER!!!



kazz, ☮ + xo.
amped+dangerous.

tim fite x 3.12.2010

There is seriously nothing better than the feeling of uncovering a favourite new artist, or new music.
I come bearing some new music my friends.
I feel that this artist is pretty universal, his lyrics are genius - they are exactly what are running around my head at the moment. But seriously, almost everyone can relate to his words. The music alone is pretty amazing.


Tim Fite is a Brooklyn hip hop/soul/sample/reggae artist. He is knows for is mixing and sampling work. And the man can sing! I first heard his song "Why You No Pay Me" on Triple J, and I knew I had to hear it again. And twitter came to the rescue. I just tweeted the radio host for the program on Triple J  (Vijay Khurana) and asked him who the artist was and where could I please find it. I could not have been happier with his answer. The man is Tim Fite and his newest EP "Under The Table Tennis" is oh so good.


I love when artists do that, now I know some people might be saying "so what? Kanye has been doing that all year.. and so did Radiohead" Well, according to my research Tim Fite actually has been cited as the first ever hip hop musician to release an album FOR FREE ON AN ONLINE PLATFORM.

Websites are dedicated to him, musicians have collaborated with him and I am listening to his album on repeat. If you like The Roots, K'Naan, The Kooks, John Legend, Lupe Fiasco, Mark Ronson, you should realllllly listen to his songs and download the album. Its free, what have you got to loose? :)

GO AND DOWNLOAD IT NOW.
Unfortunately I cant find any of the samples or songs on the net.
But what I can do is tell you my favourites:

#9 - Money Back - for all those times customer service just dont believe in "the customer is always right"
#4 - Not Covred - all about free health care..and it is spelled covred.
#12 - WYNPM (Why You No Pay Me) - I love this songs, its exactly what I am feeling and thinking right now. Ever get angry for when people just use your services/talents and dont bother to pay you, and you so thought you were going to be. And its wayyyy to awkward to ask why it is youre being taken advantage of.

_______________________________________________________________

«DAY 2                                              DAY 3                                        DAY 4»


Today:
  • Did a lot of reading and youtube'ing.
  • Then off to meet my beuatiful friend at Bravos.
  • Great Night. Sangrias all around. 
  • I decided to break out my awesome Sportsgirl cargo jacket that I got for $40 reduced from $129.99. YAY. I also had bought some extra iron on patches for the jacket, which I cant wait to iron on.

kazz, ☮ + xo.
amped+dangerous.