Another Victoria's Secrets

Peachy Life

I think this is the first time someone ever write a review on my work, and this one is indeed a nice one. I know it seems like I've been cheating because the reviewer is my own friend (Gusti Amanda Noor, a fashion & graphic designer/blogger/accessories crafter) but trust me, she's hard to please when it comes to a good story!

Anna had been my "partner in crime" back when I lived in Bali for 2 years and we attended the same college, took the same class of Visual Communication Design in Binus Uni way back before. And yes, we have almost the same taste for style (she's more girly while I'm not), almost the same taste for books and stories and the most important is that we share same perspective for life that made her my tandem to talk for hours just discussing about life.

While you're checking out her review, don't forget to visit her handmade accessories shop and lovely blog posts about her life in Bali! ;)
#thankyou

www.boyanesebags.com

I just got my new tote bag delivered today and I'm so happy to get it. I found the link to the online store at boyanesebags on Sunday and it's already here today (Wednesday). The sewing is very neat (and has a lifetime guarantee if you're in Indonesia), the bag is light but made of strong synthetic leather material and waterproof inside layer) and it's pretty convenient to bring my stuff but still comfortable to wear all day.

day to night work outfit with Timor Blackbuck Tenun Tote Bag

This one I have is made of Tenun Rangrang, a handwoven fabric from Nusa Penida, Bali. It's really nice to wear with both of my casual and formal urban outfit (because I chose the most neutral color). It is also limited, for each model is produced in only 3-4 items maximum. And the fun part is that the price is very reasonable (if not to be said CHEAP!) and they give free shipping all around Indonesia!

What I like about the brand is they produced bags in order to save Indonesian tenun (handwoven fabric) so the craftsmen can keep on producing and creating, developing their inherited legacy from the ancestors. I highly support this brand, because they keep the price low enough but maintain high quality for both the design and production. I wish more products are made with this kind of spirit!

www.boyanesebags.com

Check their website and instagram for more choices.
#saveourtenun #ilovetenunindonesia #walkingwithculture

www.unocase.com

My new iPhone case just arrived, a customized design by uno.case (owned by my college friend and her husband) according to my request of hand-painted mandala, Jeparanese engraving style and my name logo. Gosh, how lovely it is and I'm loving it to the bottom! It really feels as happy as getting a tattoo (now that I'm no longer getting tatts anymore).

The wooden part is stuck to a soft black material that wrapped the phone. The engraving is very precise and subtle because of the laser cut, so even complicated design would do. It comes with black paper box with stamp of the casing design and care instruction. If you like this, contact uno.case or by instagram or by their Etsy shop for your own customized special design. Now, happy shopping guys!

Although many are inspired by the quote "My attitude is based on how you treat me", I would stand against the odd and added: NOT. It is based on how great a person I am. I know that as human we are tend to copy the attitude of our surroundings, being nice to those who are nice to us and to avenge the mistreats we've got.

It is easy to just do what the society do. But to have a character and not being affected by the negative is one hell kind of an attitude! While many people I know agree more to the original version of the quote (by the quotes they re-posted), I can easily judge them for being shallow, narrow-minded and being too mainstream to follow every trending topic.

I, on the other hand, was taught differently, both by the religion I was raised on and by the parents who always stood for what they said was right. I feel kind of lucky to have that kind of parents. They taught me to understand things more than to copy things literally. I was taught to get the point of every problem and implement different solutions to different situations.

If people are treating others by how they are treated, then how on earth would we have the peaceful world we all are dreaming about? If the chain of mistreats aren't to be broken, wouldn't this life be full with vengeance and unhappy people? If no one dare to be the light and inspire the others, won't this world covered in darkness with negativity all around?

So, I'm saying (especially to the youth) to stand out and be different--as long as it is the right thing to do--and have a principle to build a strong and mature character. This is necessary, especially to have the spirit of a knight, of being right before being good or kind, and to hold on to justice and wisdom. This is my opinion. What do you think?

having fun meeting old friends at the wedding reception

This was my first visit back to Bandung in 2015. I went with Mom on Saturday morning and we arrived around 1 p.m. from Pasirkoja toll exit. We had my friend Esther came visiting us then I went to the salon for my hairdo, then I dressed up in kebaya kutubaru for Ratih-Annas wedding. Rachelle picked me up and we went to Batununggal to attend the reception.

with Kang Akim, the IndoPop announcer

The next day, I went to Sonora 93.3 FM for interview at IndoPop program, 1-2 p.m. (if you want to listen to it, send me your email and I'll send you the records). It was my second experience talking in the radio but the first happened back in the junior high years when I won a prize on the short story I sent for OZ 103.1 FM-Oreo's Valentine's Day Contest (I forgot the exact name for the program tho).

me and childhood friends--and my lovely aunt

The interview went well and extended for another half hour than the predicted duration. Then I went to Roemah Tungku at Jl. Dr. Cipto till the café was closed. I met my schoolmates Nalya, Alex and Irma (and her daughter Jesselyn) and also my aunt E.T. I planned it to be my book-get-along but then it turned out to be a small elementary years' reunion. But it was quite fun, for they are few of the longest friends I know.

my old junior high school

The next day, I went to my junior high school, that was named as SMP Providentia before but now SMP Santa Ursula. I met with my teacher who is now the headmaster. Then I went to Rumah Makan Legoh for late lunch, then went to CUPS--both at Jl. Sultan Agung--to meet more friends. It was such a long tiring day of talking and discussing stuff. But I was so glad to meet them all with all the stories and new experiences. I'll come back soon, Bandung!

via amazonaws

my bookshelf

I just re-arranged my bookshelf because a packet containing our books from the moving (that had been kept in my aunt's house in the past 1.5 years) just arrived. I needed to organize these 2 x 110cm shelf to accommodate all of these books because the book rack in front of my room is now overloaded with the rest of our so-many-books--all just mine and dad's!

You can see my passion for books from the amount of the books stacked there on my shelf. These are my most favorite books--and 90% are in English--so I have to display them above my working desk. I love just to look at them and knowing that I have them in reach whenever I need to reread or looking for some reference. I know this is kind of narcissistic, but hey--people have their own fetish and books are mine!

P.S. I feel extremely happy and proud to put my own book Gerbang Nuswantara among these fantasy/spiritual/philosophical books. Oh, that feeling!

me, Alexandre, Adolfus, Jovita and Alif

I don't really maintain too many friends nowadays. So any kind of invitation to meet up is like a must-come for me. Last Wednesday, my elementary schoolmate Adolfus informed that he was coming to Jakarta just 6-7 hours upon his arrival. He asked for a meeting that night so I asked the other friends if they could join us--they could!

We gathered at Beer Garden Radio Dalam at 8.30 p.m. and waited for the guest to come for 2 hours. Adolfus finally showed up at 10.30 p.m., straight from his flight. We had fun till 1 a.m. and I got home at 2 something because I had to dropped Adolfus and Alif first. But I did have fun that night, especially to meet with Adolfus whom I never met in the past 23 years!

Adolfus wrote in his Facebook timeline: "true friends can go a long time without speaking, never question the friendship, and not hold grudges--but understand life is busy and you will always love them!" and I thought, he is right. These are the friends with whom I always feel welcomed and safe, knowing we're keeping each others' memory and sharing laughter together.

When I moved to Bandung in 1992 I was deeply missing them. I didn't have any phone number nor home addresses--I never had a chance to say goodbye because the move was quite a sudden and I was still 8 years old back then. I could only remember my old schoolmates from the photos I kept. Never that in my life I imagined I could meet them again, but I did (and thanks to Facebook for this).

I must once again say that "every person you meet in life, you'll know them all your life." This 'theory' had been proven in my life so many times. So always be careful with your words and behaviour toward people and leave only good impression for them, if not just memory. You'll never know when life decides for you to meet again anyone you've lost before. Life is indeed a mystery, eh?