Mad Mad News

Live Above The Madness

SUCCESS


Malaysia’s Latest Gastronomic Surprise: The Skillet Kuala Lumpur

Filed Under: Luxury Lifestyle

The KARLS Group is thriving — first a Michelin star at Beta KL, and now a new home for Skillet KL in the swish Menara Hap Seng 3. It’s about time the group’s first child got an upgrade, and at our recent visit to the restaurant, we think it’s heading in the right direction.

Located on the first floor of Menara Hap Seng 3, the newly-opened restaurant — dubbed Skillet 2.0 — is vastly different from its predecessor at Colmar Suites. The restaurant has been thoughtfully sectioned out, so going from room to room feels like an experiential process. Upon entering, you’re greeted by the wine cellar to your right, with an impressive display of wines personally curated by Chef Raymond Tham himself. We recommend opting for the wine pairing with your tasting menu — each bottle is paired to perfection with the course.

Sous chef Eric Kit

After admiring the selection of wines in the cellar, we’re whisked away to the Social Room, a cosy sitting area facing the cocktail bar. As its name suggests, it’s where you come to socialise while waiting for your party to arrive, or your table to be prepped. Sip on a welcome drink while you’re here, or get the night started with signature cocktails by the restaurant’s resident mixologist to whet the appetite. We were also told that patrons who do not wish to dine can also visit the Social Room for drinks and small bites. Tham has also told us of plans to create a separate snack menu to complement the cocktails.

It’s now time to head over to the main dining area. Along the way, don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers — quite literally — on the Symphony of the Four Seasons floral installation. These botanical creations are reflective of Skillet KL’s dedication to seasonal produce and its tasting menus, which typically rotate several times each year: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

The Social Room

For the new opening, we got to try the Spring menu. While Tham continues to curate where the menu direction heads for Beta KL and Skillet KL, Sous Chef Eric Kit was able to flex his culinary prowess to a greater deal at the latter restaurant. The menu features European flavours and execution, but the ingredients are locally sourced.

Like the season, the overall Spring menu is fresh, laden with sweet vegetables, seafood in full bloom, and red meats tender to the bite. The amuse bouche sets the stage for the night, featuring a trio of bites: Spot Prawn with an aspic jelly topping made of prawn head broth; Spring Peas that were fresh and snappy, melded in with chicken blanquette; Quail Eggs prepared in a manner inspired by Scotch eggs but given a local flavour thanks to a filling of fermented soybean chilli.

For the next dish, Skillet KL dove deep and emerged with Oyster—a classic Skillet favourite—topped with Amur caviar typically found near the borders of China, renowned for its light and butter flavour. Paired with kombu cream for richness and cucumber granita for freshness, the dish is topped with homemade chilli oil for a little bit of heat. Then, we return to ground level with Cameron Highland Asparagus, a classic spring produce, paired with another popular springtime produce: firefly squid. For the third course, Skillet KL veers slightly Asian with Morel, a mushroom-forward dish with radish and a Silkie chicken broth flavoured with chicken garum.

Oyster
Morel
Cherry Valley Aged Duck

We are given two choices for the main course: Threadfin Fish from Pulau Ketam with a Shaoxing wine emulsion or Aged Cherry Valley Duck from Penang that’s been dry aged for five days and slow seared for crispiness, served alongside foie gras mousse and a sauce made of mandarin peel jus. Both are great choices depending on how you’re feeling—choose the fish if you want a lighter main course, while the duck is rich in flavour that sates your desire for something meaty.

And then, there was dessert. Skillet KL regulars will be familiar with this one, as it is a Chef Raymond Tham signature that has taken on many forms throughout the years: Textures of Chocolate. This time, it’s dressed in strawberry pink, flavoured with strawberry compote and a hint of spice thanks to pink peppercorn, while the sphere is made from ruby chocolate whose pink hue is naturally occurring. The execution is still the same: smash into the sphere and eat it up. It’s fun, it’s delicious, and it’s a reminder that Skillet KL doesn’t forget its roots despite going onwards and upwards.

Click here to make a reservation.

Address: Lot 1-01, Level 1, Menara Hap Seng, 3, Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This article was first seen on Grazia.My

For more on the latest in luxury lifestyle and gastronomy reads, click here.

The post Malaysia’s Latest Gastronomic Surprise: The Skillet Kuala Lumpur appeared first on LUXUO.

The Secret to Resolving Employee Disputes Without Losing Productivity

Filed Under: Addicted2Success, SUCCESS

Personnel conflicts can severely disrupt team productivity and are a common challenge for managers. Effectively resolving these conflicts requires a proactive approach that focuses on:

Simply trying to convince people to agree is often ineffective. Instead, a more strategic approach such as using behavioral tenets is needed.

Employee Behavioral Tenets

One of the most effective ways to resolve personnel conflicts is to establish a set of employee behavioral tenets. These tenets outline how employees should handle disagreements independently.

Rather than modifying individual behaviors every time a conflict arises, these tenets proactively set expectations for acceptable conduct and outcomes. Ideally, they should be introduced before new employees are hired and embedded into the company’s core principles.

How Successful Companies Use Tenets

Some companies have successfully implemented values that guide conflict resolution:

  • Amazon: Uses principles like “Disagree and Commit” and “Earn Trust” to navigate conflicts.
  • Netflix: Encourages employees to:
    • Use data to inform choices
    • Make decisions based on long-term impact
    • Debate ideas openly
    • Make tough decisions without delay

On the other hand, many companies struggle without clear conflict resolution guidelines:

  • Google: Faces challenges in decision-making due to the absence of explicit conflict management values.
  • Microsoft: Has been known for political infighting among employees.

A Practical Set of Conflict Resolution Tenets

If your company lacks formal conflict management principles, consider implementing these tenets as a starting point:

  1. Never shy away from conflicts – Leaders should lean into conflict and find a path forward.
  2. Display a high level of emotional intelligence – Avoid passive-aggressive or aggressive behavior.
  3. Have a cause and conviction – Arguments should be based on sound business judgment, not personal opinions.
  4. Validate assumptions – Seek input from peers, managers, other teams, and industry standards.
  5. Be ready to compromise – Recognize that there are no absolutes in business.

By implementing these tenets, managers can create a blueprint for conflict resolution. Instead of constantly intervening in disputes, managers can establish a shared understanding of how to handle disagreements. This approach:

Reduces managerial involvement in every conflict

Promotes team self-sufficiency

Encourages a consistent and predictable resolution process

Tailoring the Talk: Effective Conflict Communication

Beyond setting clear tenets, managers must also communicate effectively when conflicts arise.

How to Approach Conflict Discussions

  1. Start with a low-temperature approach – Present alternative ideas calmly and avoid absolutist statements.
  2. Encourage healthy debate – Create an environment where discussions are productive, not emotional.
  3. Use high-temperature messages cautiously – When necessary (such as in high-stakes situations), take a firmer stance, but always avoid rudeness.

Proactive Conflict Prevention

Conflicts can arise from various sources, such as:

  • Performance issues
  • Differing viewpoints
  • Incorrect narratives about the team or projects

Managers should proactively monitor team communications and stay in touch with stakeholders to prevent misunderstandings from escalating.

Final Thoughts

Resolving personnel conflicts requires both preventative and reactive strategies:

Preventative: Establish clear behavioral tenets to empower teams to resolve disputes independently.
Reactive: Facilitate conflict resolution when needed, communicate effectively, and stay informed about potential issues.

By proactively addressing conflict, managers can foster a collaborative, productive, and positive work environment.

The post The Secret to Resolving Employee Disputes Without Losing Productivity appeared first on Addicted 2 Success.

How to Work Mindfully with Pain and Illness

Filed Under: SUCCESS, Tiny Buddha

“Can I sit with suffering, both yours and mine, without trying to make it go away? Can I stay present to the ache of loss or disgrace—disappointment in all its many forms—and let it open me? This is the trick.” ~Pema Chödrön

At forty-seven years of age, I have experienced chronic illness in some form since my mid-to-late twenties. This past year, I’ve also encountered chronic pain on a level I have never experienced before. Part of that is illness-related, and part of it is simply my body getting older, coupled with the effects of repetitive motions from sitting and working with my hands for several years.

It is worth mentioning that I had a massive spiritual awakening about three years ago. For the first time in my life, I realized that what I believed was no longer true. It was a time that shook me to my core, a period of great emotional healing and discovering who I am.

The real me, not the curated me constructed by trauma, upbringing, and societal norms. I’m a weirdo to my core, and I now fully embrace that (haha). During that time of navigating my tumultuous awakening, I noticed a subconscious dynamic at play and one that certainly was without ill intent.

There can be a fine line between ignoring or suppressing pain or chronic illness and focusing on positive thinking and manifesting health.

While there is merit to both positive thinking and manifesting health, it can feel like society views pain or chronic illness as a sign of doing something wrong, or of being deficient in some way. When there’s a disconnect from what’s happening in the present moment, shame can arise—not just from not meeting ourselves where we are, but for not “manifesting” health or happiness, either.

I found myself in that stream of thought subconsciously. It wasn’t until I heard a teaching by Tara Brach, in which she spoke about the importance of honoring the reality of what is, that I became aware of it. It was such a light bulb moment! I realized that I was completely ignoring my pain and chronic illness, somehow believing that if I didn’t speak it out loud, it would simply go away.

When that awareness came, I found that I could accept my reality in each moment, as well as see that my practice was working. I met myself not with shame or judgment but with vast compassion and a willingness to turn toward the suffering.

What mindfulness teachings and practices encourage is a gentle acceptance of each moment—whatever it may hold, without judgment, and if is judgment there, to include it. When we draw our attention to respond skillfully to pain and illness, rather than reacting out of fear or denial, it fosters inner peace, resilience, and a deeper connection to ourselves.

It’s powerful to simply name the felt sense of what’s happening when pain and illness come to visit—even if it’s just to yourself. Naming is witnessing, and witnessing brings what is hidden to light. When I practice this, a tender softening and an embodiment of compassion arise.

Another helpful practice for mindfully meeting pain and illness is a meditation practice known as “titrate and pendulate.” To practice this, the invitation is choosing a neutral spot on the body, such as the top of the head, the forehead, or even the sensation of your hair. After you choose that neutral spot, if it feels supportive, turn your kind attention to the pain or discomfort for a moment or two.

Acknowledge it, breathing with it, without getting caught up in the story of why it’s there. Then, shift your attention back to the chosen neutral spot. This practice can help to create spaciousness, and you may even notice some ease.

There are times when great pain and illness make this inaccessible, and that’s completely okay. It’s okay to put your practice to rest for a time, or to practice in ways that create a sense of ease, peace, or happiness within the mind and body.

This might look like talking to a friend, going for a walk if you’re able to, drinking a comforting tea, watching a beloved show, resting, or sleeping. Mindfulness has no judgment about missed days—or even months.

For the past three to four months, due to physical pain and work-related busyness, I’ve been unable to maintain my daily seated meditation. My practice lately looks less formal and shorter than it did at the beginning of the year. It might look like a few moments of gratitude, noticing my breath, or doing a mini RAIN practice (Recognize, Accept, Investigate with curioisity, Nurture). The beauty of having a mindfulness practice is that it’s always here for you, in whatever ways feel supportive.

I deeply appreciate Jack Kornfield’s description of pain and illness as “energies that come to visit.” Pain and illness, especially if chronic, do not define who we are, and they do not remain static, even when it feels that way.

Before mindfulness became my way of life, I made my chronic illness and its circumstances my identity. In my mind, I was a victim—angry and stuck in that mindset. There was deep-seated hatred toward my body and often a feeling that the universe was against me.

These past few years of regular practice have completely changed my perspective! I now see myself as more than my body and its abilities. I understand the foundation of impermanence: everything changes, and nothing stays the same—not even pain or illness.

Though I still have some forms of chronic illness, I’m not where I was. There’s an ebb and flow to everything in life, including this. I’ve cultivated compassion for myself and now see my body as wise and communicative. I listen and meet myself where I’m at.

At our core, we are conscious, present awareness. We aren’t our names, jobs, or roles. We are so much more. We are light. We are love. We are goodness. No matter our abilities or disabilities, we are inherently worthy. Our worth is 100% NOT determined by our productivity.

Mindfulness bridges the divide between ignoring pain, shame, and self-hatred. It offers great wisdom: pain and illness are energies that come to visit. There is an ebb and flow. They do not define us.

They can coexist with peace, joy, gratitude, contentment, and compassion, teaching us to embrace the full spectrum of the human experience with its 10,000 joys and 10,000 sorrows. These experiences, met with mindful compassion, empower us to find meaning and growth in our experiences.

See more posts

About Sarah Jester

Sarah is a jeweler and a mindfulness meditation teacher in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is deeply passionate about the transformative power of mindfulness meditation. Through her practice, she has reclaimed her voice, inner strength, and authentic self. She creates a nurturing and safe space for others to explore mindfulness meditation, offering kind and non-judgmental attention to whatever arises. Each session is infused with kindness and love, guiding participants toward their own healing and self-discovery. Visit her at sarahrenajester.com and on Insight Timer.

Web | More Posts

Get in the conversation! Click here to leave a comment on the site.

Inside Venice’s Magical Palaces

Filed Under: Sothebys Realty, SUCCESS

Inside Venice’s Magical Palaces

Venice’s historic palazzi, with their grand facades and opulent interiors, are being reimagined for modern living, writes Mandi Keighran.

Venice, Italy | Venice Sotheby’s International Realty

Each year, as masked revelers fill the “calli” (streets) of Venice for the famed Carnevale, the city’s “palazzi’ (palaces) take center stage, their gilded halls and towering windows glowing with centuries-old splendor. These historic residences, once home to Venetian aristocrats, continue to enchant a new generation of discerning buyers who seek not only grandeur but also an evocative blend of past and present.

Continue reading Inside Venice’s Magical Palaces at Sotheby´s International Realty | Blog.

Why the Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Petite Seconde Is the Connoisseur’s Choice

Filed Under: Luxury Lifestyle

If there is one watch that we have praised in every issue this year, often with no good reason other than the fact that we like it, it must be the Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Petite Seconde. This is the sort of watch that we imagine ourselves wearing one day, when our tastes finally mature. Actually, we shall be so bold as to say it is exactly the kind of watch that all enthusiasts and collectors should want to own. Unlike far too many statement watches trying to give you whiplash, the Toric Petite Seconde invites quiet contemplation. Oh yes, and that is for owners only; onlookers will simply walk on by, none the wiser.

Now, in doing this story we run the risk of writing ourselves into a corner in the coming Festive issue. Longtime readers can guess that there will be a major story on Parmigiani Fleurier soon, and the specific subject has not been decided. By running this piece now, we risk having to go a different route. Think of it as taking a weekend trip to your dream destination, when you have an extended trip to the same spot coming up. But we love this watch too much to pass on any chance to celebrate it. To be fair, Parmigiani Fleurier just released some new materials to support the arrival of the new Toric watches in Singapore so the timing is right. The watch has also just been nominated for the GPHG, alongside notable Parmigiani Fleurier models in six categories. That has to be some kind of record but that is not the subject of this tale.

You may also have noticed that we covered the Toric collection once before, in the Summer issue, so what could we or Parmigiani Fleurier bring to the table. Certainly not a new watch. Instead, the brand doubled down on its sartorial ambitions and horological prowess with a special news pack on the Toric collection. This includes cleverly crafted takes on the Chronographe Rattrapante and Petite Seconde from the editors of The Rake (including Revolution founder and original gentleman influencer Wei Koh), and France’s Monsieur. These commentaries bring additional perspective into the conversation about a collection that needs more contemplation.

In recognition, Parmigiani Fleurier has made much more than just the basic information available from the original release during Watches and Wonders Geneva. CEO Guido Terreni told us then that he thinks most people only tune in to watch the news at special moments, like WWG for example, and perhaps Geneva Watch Days too; the GPHG probably only makes the news feeds of watch afficionados. Well, perhaps he has found a fresh way to get people to take notice but it probably only works when the collection is as well put together as the Toric is. For example, the Toric brings back the lost dial decorative art called “grenage,” which was revived by none other than Michel Parmigiani. Bridge-side, a lot of emphasis has been given over to the importance of handwork and traditional (antique) machining. When a watch collection is as low-key as the Toric, it needs a lot of careful explaining.

Simply saying that “grenage” has been used for the dial is meaningless because no one, or hardly anyone, will know what that means. Briefly, this technique sees tartar cream and sea salt ground together with a glass pestle, with the results joining forces with grains of silver and demineralised water to form a paste. This paste is applied to the base dial with a horn spoon. It is then brushed in all directions (presumably as evenly as possible) with a brush (with fine bristles) to eventually get the grains of silver to stick. This must all be done in semi-darkness because silver is famously photosensitive (meaning it reacts to light). If nothing else, this description evokes more questions so the value of space for explanations is clear.

The dial, along with the gold movement and the artisanal nubuck alligator strap, goes a long way to revealing the qualities of the Toric collection. Unfortunately, we do not have the space to get into details about the movements and straps but our longer treatise will hopefully cover it all. Consider for a moment that we have not even recounted the details of the watches, in terms of specifications. See you in the next installment of this evolving story, where we will dive even deeper into more of the details that define the Toric.

This article first appeared on WOW’s Legacy Issue #75

For more on the latest in luxury watch reads from WOW, click here.

The post Why the Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Petite Seconde Is the Connoisseur’s Choice appeared first on LUXUO.

🛩️ Fly Smarter with OGGHY Jet Set
🎟️ Hot Tickets Now
🌴 Explore Tours & Experiences
© 2025 William Liles (dba OGGHYmedia). All rights reserved.