Maxim Swimwear Model of the Year Grand Finals & Pastry Brunching at Pandoro Patisserie

First of all, I'd like to take a second, exhale, and say I'm really glad that this month is going to be over. March was a pretty tough month. Not just for myself, but especially for the family members of the people in flight MH370. While conspiracy theories seem to be growing like mushrooms on the net, I just pray that the family members will find peace and strength, as it could have happened to anyone.

I hope things will be better in April, and hopefully I'm less accident prone. Seriously, my first month back and pop goes my kneecap. What are the chances? Anyway, it's healing up slowly together with my rotator cuff injury on my right shoulder with the help of an amazing acupuncturist. I love acupuncture. It does wonders!

Having a hectic schedule these few weeks have been driving me bonkers. Also, I've just survived my first uni orchestra performance with a healing arm. Thank God I didn't have any recurring pain after the 2 hour long program, plus a 2.5 hour rehearsal before that! :) 

My current favourite coat! It's so comfy and warm. Though not quite helpful when it's raining. Lol

Went out last weekend to town for brunch with Doug & Shu Run to check out Pandoro Patisserie on Allen St. I absolutely loved the place! It was like... heaven. It was a perfect day to be there because I had cravings for sweet stuff and baked goods. Besides, I've been good the whole week and cycling my carbs. ;)

Chocolate Danish. 

Very yummy, but too sweet for my liking. (wth is wrong with me)

Now this, I liked. 

Blue Cheese and Bacon Scroll.

Not an avid fan of cheese, but this level of cheesiness in this one is just right. The mushrooms inside are an added bonus!

Shu Run's mega impressive Chicken Sandwich.

It was Crumbed Chicken Schnitzel on Turkish bread. The bread from Pandoro itself. The helping was so huge she needed help to finish this. Haha

Another winner - Doug's Mediterranean Lamb Burger.

The meat is heavily spiced and it's beautifully accompanied by coulis, cheese and beetroot. Also a very big portion. 

Needless to say that we were full for the entire day.

One highlight of the week for me this week is the Maxim Swimwear Model of the Year Grand Finals. 

(Kinda funny how I'm blogging about food and about to write about bikini models.. lol)

It was still kinda blurry to me that I made it to the finals in a bikini contest in another country. 

Was it scary? Yes, but it was exciting. It was quite an experience to be the only tiny Asian girl competing with the tall Angmoh beauties in their bikinis. Haha! It definitely drove me to be more disciplined with my diet and workouts though.

The pictures are quite crappy because they were taken by my phone in a really dark venue with irregular lighting. Bah.

It was quite nice to meet the other girls! They were really friendly.

Thanks Doug for this picture! <3

 It was really hard to take a good usable picture.

 So, I was introduced as a model featured in FHM Malaysia. (2012 Jan issue, hehe) 

While I was going backstage to change, some dude hollered at me "Eh Malaysia, kick ass ah!" in a very Malaysian sounding accent I was pretty stunned. Lol. That's a first.

All the finalists for the New Zealand round in bikinis. 

The winner gets to go to Gold Coast and represent NZ in the Australasia round. Can you guess who won? Hehe.

Tadaah!

Congratulations ladies. You all deserved it :)

Make us proud in Aussie, Sarah babe!

Group photos.

 Looks shitty but thats about as much as my phone and editing skills can do. T_T At times like these, a good camera is handy. Unlike my stupid Samsung PL120 -____-

Although I didn't get a sash, I'm really glad to be a part of this competition despite it being just my 1st month back in Wellington. Also, it's another tiny title to put under my belt. :) It was a nice experience! My 2nd swimsuit competition, aside from the Roxy one in 2012. 

One of the best parts of this competition was to be escorted to the entrance of the stage by bouncers and bodyguards!! This is so that we don't get harrassed by drunks or just hamsup people in general. :P 

I felt so special and safe. 

We should have this in KL!

Oh yeah, I've managed to do this to my hair that night.

 Updo with short hair. Nailed it. Also gave a crap to pin flowers into my hair.

April, I'm ready for you!

xxx,

Ashley Mah.

Want to be a ROXY Girl?

 ATTENTION, GIRLS!

Roxy is launching yet another global social media challenge encouraging young ladies to challenge themselves to push their limits and live life to the fullest. 

Just like the previous campaign, "Let the Sea Set You Free", Roxy seeks girls who fulfill the Roxy criteria, naturally beautiful, fun and alive, daring and confident! It's gonna be awesome! If you remembered, I was a finalist in the previous campaign in April 2011.

Here's a mini flashback.

I've learnt to surf.

 I looked like a thing in a bikini being thrown around in the water (as in I felt like I was in a washing machine), but I sure as heck enjoyed myself! Haha

I also LOVE Roxy swimwear.
The colours are so pretty and they fit so securely and nicely.

Got to strut my stuff on the runway, all in my Roxy gear!

Now, which babe doesn't enjoy that? ;)

Most importantly, I have made many new friends! 

Personally, I was going through a rough patch during that time. Roxy really helped me get my mind off things and out of my rut! Even better, I had friends who showed their love and supported me throughout the whole campaign! <3

You can read about my Roxy experience here http://thepinktimes.blogspot.com/2012/04/roxy-mid-valley-fashion-week-2012-day-3.html!

So that was me as a Roxy girl as part of the Let the Sea Set You Free campaign!

This time around, five contestants from all around the world will win a trip of a lifetime with the Roxy professional athletes, monetary prizes and Roxy apparel. In addition to that, Roxy Malaysia will be choosing top 10 finalists for an opportunity to have the ultimate Roxy girl experience.

The top 10 Roxy girl finalists will also receive prizes from Roxy merchandises, Skullcandy headphones, Boardriders Café vouchers and Inglot beauty products. 

The contest opens from 24th January till 28th March 2013,

 where participants from the age of 18 – 28 years old are eligible to send their entries via online or by dropping by at the Roxy road shows at these dates and locations:- 

• 26 January (Sat) Quiksilver Mid Valley Megamall, KL 

• 2 February (Sat) Quiksilver Pavilion, KL 

• 23 February (Sat) Quiksilver Suria Sabah, KK 

• 6 & 7 March (Wed & Thursday) Taylor’s Lakeside University, PJ 

• 20 March (Sat) Quiksilver Sunway Pyramid 

• 23 March (Wed) Quiksilver Gurney, Penang 

• 28 March (Wed) Plaza Merdeka, Kuching

 For further information on the contest, visit www.facebook.com/RoxyMalaysia.

Ps. hurry! the first road show starts in 3 more days! 

Go DARE YOURSELF! :)

xxx

 Ashley Mah

Roxy @ Mid Valley Fashion Week 2012 (Day 3)

Previously, in Ashley's Universe..

Okay, so about a week ago, last Sunday to be precise, it was Mid Valley's Fashion Week 2012, and ROXY was one of the shows, featuring their awesome finalists..... us!

 It was a really exciting day for all of the girls and myself, getting to walk on the runway, Roxy-fied, and in front of hundreds of people at Mid Valley Center Court!

Oh we had a full day ahead of us.

:: The Pre-show ::

In the morning, I had rushed my butt to church, and after that went to Sungei Wang to my trusted hairdresser to get the ends of my hair nicely touched up before the show. 

Tadaaaah ~

I literally ran to Snips Academy, at BB Plaza to get my makeup done, meeting the rest of the girls there. So excited to see them again! 

Think I was talking about tattoos. All of us waiting to get our makeup done.

Finalist Isabelle & I after our makeup done~

One last picture before leaving to Mid Valley! 

When we arrived, we were all astonished to see the beautiful stage and runway we were about to walk on! Not to mention quite freaked out to how grand and huge it was!

Headed to the Roxy outlet to get our outfits for the show.

We were all supposed to be sun children that day. But when I saw this top given to me, I was like, "Whoa, yellow. Me like!"  Can't help but be energetic and happy wearing a colour like this!

Everyone, nice and ready, backstage.

:: Showtime ::

So the show was opened by emcee Liang, who brought the energy to the crowd!

Finally, it was my turn to face the faces of the Mid Valley crowd after my name was called. My heart was beating fast in my chest, but man, was I so SO happy when I was walking on the runway! I just couldn't stop smiling when I heard my friends and fans scream my name and cheered me on once I stepped out. :')

Yeah, that's how tremendously happy I was when I was out there.

End product of my walk. *pose* *camera click*

After which, we all had a Q&A session with Liang!

The question I was asked was, "Where is the ONE place that you always dream of living at and why?"

So, readers, can you guess? *wink*

After which, all the finalists did a final walk and returned backstage.

Despite being nervous, the girls looked awesome and rocked the runway! At least that's what we like to think. Haha! All of us sure had a fun time on the runway.

:: The Surprise ::

Something happened when I was backstage after doing my walk. A mysterious bouquet of flowers came for me, from an unknown sender. I was so pleasantly surprised and it only boosted my mood that evening. Six beautiful pink roses. Thank you, Mr Sender, you know who you are, your flowers gave me strength and made my smile bigger that evening! :)

:: The After-Show ::

Well, what can I say about this?

 Other than... PICTURE TIME!!

All the finalists!

Of course, I would never miss taking a picture with all my lovely friends and fans who came that day, shouting my name. You guys were so lovely!~ :')

Kristal & Scott

with Kristal

Don, Wai Loon, Eliza & Chan Daniel

Former highschool mates Jason Lai & Ainul brought their friends to support. :)

Michael Yip, who came to show some love and take some of these lovely photos.

The 2 gals I can never do without! The super twin and the amazing sister. <3

Scott, Kristal, May, Kim, Sabrina, Jason & Ainul

Lance Chee, who brought his beautiful family to support me!

Kristal and I playing with cutesy baby Megan, Lance's little girl.

Baby Megan & mommy Janet looking adorable. :)

Fellow finalist, Johanna, also an MHB babe!

Catherine, the director of Roxy.

Me fooling around the runway after the show was over with my bouquet. heh.

Thank you so much to everyone who came and show support to me and the whole ROXY show! You guys made it a fun and energetic show. Special thanks to my friends, fans, sister and the mysterious sender of those flowers.

:: Epilogue ::

In case you're wondering, the competition isn't over yet!

 Actually, now it is the voting session for the finalists!

So, I would need you guys to help vote for me at http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/189651/voteable_entries/47203161

Yes, you can vote once everyday for the next two weeks!

 Voting session ends on the 8th of May.

"Nothing makes me feel more at home than having fun in the sun. And every fun moment is even sweeter with my Roxy gear. " 

Like my pictures and smile? All you have to do is click on the link and then the VOTE button and you know you've made my day! :)

xxx

Ashley Mah

Ps. Picture credits go to Dustyhawk, Michael Yip, Lance Chee & Roxy Malaysia.