Another Victoria's Secrets

So after years of friendship and lots of plan to collaborate, my friend Ana and I finally got the vibe and started a new collaboration blog 'Sunset Walks And Midnight Ramblings'. The blog is inspired by our years in Bali, our friendship, and all the stuff that happened along the way. I take care of the text while Ana is drawing the doodles. I guess we team up pretty good. Come visit and take a peek of our fun days. It's free!

Last Saturday, I went with Mom, my best friend Ana, and her niece Ceska. We parked in the all-new parking Senayan lot and got a free shuttle-ride to the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) building. It was my first time visit to the complex again since Bon Jovi's tour in 2015. The sporting area has got a huge renovation for next August's Asian Games 2018 preparation and I was happy to see the improvement everywhere in the block.

the theme this year is Batak's Gorga

So we arrived at around 5 p.m. and filled in some forms to get our pass. A group of band performed to welcome us at the entrance, and as we walk in we get to see pottery and puppetry on the left side. I was amazed to see how beautiful they make exhibition displays of Indonesia's handwoven from different provinces on the right side. I love just how they show Indonesia's rich culture as an introduction at this lobby.

a little introduction to Indonesia's handicrafts

Indonesian pottery

This was the second year for PT. Telkom to exhibit this Telkom Craft Indonesia, which displays 200 of selected small businesses (UKM) from over 130,000 businesses they (and other State-owned Enterprises) have coached in 514 regencies in Indonesia. The selection is done in tight curation by the director's wife so they have to compete in quality to get into this event. It is similar to Ina Craft or BeKraf Festival, only the brands are limited.

the handwoven textiles from Sumatra has gold or silver threads

Tenun, Indonesian handwoven textiles

So all of the booths here are prepared only for the coached businesses, as part of the company's social responsibility program (CSR). Their products are sold on blanja.com, and the payments are made with T-Cash. I think it's just so cool that a company can do such CSR like this, to help small businesses to improve, grow, and expand their wings. And I just love to see how well they (well, most of them) designed their packaging. Totally dope!

Wayang Golek or Indonesian 3D/doll puppet

Lady Ong Tin and Betawi dancer

the lobby entrance

Entering the Hall A, there were at least 80 booths of handcrafts and fashion from all over the country. It took us at least an hour to stroll through that hall but at 6 p.m. we got hungry so we proceed to the food court. Meanwhile, we had Once Mekel sing in the background, but we didn't have time to see his performance. Still, I love his voice and the songs.

Look at those handicrafts!

After dinner, we continued to stroll around in Hall B and found even more gorgeous stuff there. I got a black/grey canvas two-way tote/messenger bag from Toean Batik. I don't really like the strap handle, but I can always modify it. Let's see what I'm gonna do with it. And my mom got this super awesome handwoven textile from Soe Village, Timor, NTT, which I adore and is now hanging on the wall of our living room.

beautiful handwoven textile from Soe, NTT - I'm in love!

two-way tote/messenger bag - isn't it cool?

I always love canvas bags, and I know you can tell!

The expo closed at 9 p.m. but we haven't really seen them all. We had to hurry on our way back, but still missed some booths that were closing. It was a tiring, cold night for all of us so we had a stop at McD in Taman Alfa Indah, and had some meal there. I dunno why fast food is always soothing for late night supper. LOL. It was almost midnight when we got home.

on shuttle bus

late night supper with Happy Meal

On the next day my Mom wasn't satisfied with our incomplete visit to the expo, so we did it again on Sunday. But it was just the two of us this time. We arrived at 5 p.m. and it was raining. There was a soccer game in the stadium so the parking lot was full. There wasn't any shuttle bus around, so we had to walk about 200-300 metres to get to the building. And we had to hire an umbrella 'ojek'. What a mess!

me on the expo's last day

But once we're inside, we forgot about all of our suffering out there. We made another stroll around, but this time with different route. Alas, the booths were closing at 7 p.m. so we had very limited time that day. However, I brought home with me a pair of silver lace mules and a blue 'jumputan' angkin (girdle) to wear a kebaya with. I'm ecstatic--and can't wait for next year's expo!

pretty silver lace mules from Aldorra - oh so adorable!

adorable two-sided batik angkin from WDrupadi - love that blue!

P.S. To see what they sold in the expo and more of it, click here. And if you wanna read our collaboration blog, see here.

After like 5 years having birthday in silence, I finally 'came out' to public. Since I moved to Bali I kept silent about my birthday so my surroundings wouldn't know/aware that it was 'my day'. I just kind of like to keep that special day to myself. Last year I spent it all by myself in Bali, bought some flowers and sent them to the ocean along with my prayers in Sanur beach.

But this year my mother had planned it with my friends, that was supposed to be a surprise, but eventually she told me by like midday because she was worried that my friends wouldn't come. So I became worried too at first. Because most of my friends were out of town or just already had other plans. Despite that, I managed to go to the venue after spending few shopping vouchers at Sogo PIM.

My best friend Ana (whom I blog-collaborate with) came to PIM and together we arrived at our friend's place at around 6 p.m. Mom had bought packages of nasi bogana, so people can just come and eat. She also bought a black forest birthday cake, but we kept it until more people came. A friend of mine came with a bottle of Grey Goose, and that was my first ever booze present!

thanks to my mom who made this day happened. 34 years ago and that day.

Apart from Ana and the house owner, the rest of the guests were never expected. But I was happy, as more people come that night. The joy of sharing a special day with those who were not in my guest list was different. But I liked it. I loved the vibe. Later at night, our stylist friend Nate joined the party and apparently he is a great bartender. He mixed the vodka with syrup and lime, and we all liked it.

Nate, mixing the vodka

Nate, reading my coffee dregs

doesn't look so good, judging by his expression?

Then, he opened the table for card reading. Everyone got their own turn, being read by Namboru. But since I was the star of the night, he read me by my coffee dregs. It felt so much like Tessomancy in Professor Trelawney's divination class (talk about Harry Potter fans) so maybe if we had to decorate the party, the only theme that matches hat night was nothing but 'magical'.

a birthday present: handwoven scarf from organic material

The party ended at 3 a.m. or at least it was the time that me, Mom and Ana departed from the venue. Some people stayed longer that night, as the house is our base camp to spend the late night at (but let me not mention the name or address here to honour the house owner.) Thank you for everyone who came to celebrate my day and those who pray from afar. I really can't describe my happiness but to thank you. (And God.)