Welcoming 2015

Ah, new year resolutions, we meet again. Although I usually did not achieve anything in my yearly resolution list, I still enjoy making a list of things that I wanted to achieve. Let's just get to the point, here are my simple (I guess) new year resolutions:

1. Save some money –– Since I downloaded an app called HomeBudget –which is, by the way, amazing to track your expenses– I realized that I spent A LOT of money in the last six months of 2014. It freaked me out. I also learned that successful people, spend their money wisely. Thus, I decided to save more and spent less in 2015.
2. Read more books –– By joining this challenge, I hope I can read more.
3. Less Commitment, Less Stress –– I just learn that it is okay to say "no" and be selfish for yourself. Since 2014 is the year where commitments only lead to stressful days for me, I need to think more about the well-being of myself in the future.
4. Less Stuff, Less Stress –– In the last couple of months, I just learned about minimalism and frugal living. I have started reducing the number of items that I have in the last coupe of months, and I will try to keep this habit in the future.

I hope I can achieve at least one of my new year resolutions. It is several hours to go before the 1st of January comes, why don't you make a resolution list that you can actually achieve by listing several simple and detailed goals. By doing so, you can easily achieved your resolutions because you know what to do. Good luck making your own new year resolutions! 

The Perks of Having Short Hair

I could say hair is my best assets. Thanks to my mom who always take care of it and somehow treats me like a practice doll for hairstyle and hair treatments. It all started since the day I was born. She always dedicatedly smears crushed burned candle nut on my head to make my hair looks very black, and she succeed. When I was a little bit older and have more hair, she loves to give my hair a treatment by applying freshly cut aloe vera to my hair. She also succeed and my hair becomes very thick and beautiful. In addition to those treatment, she likes to combed my hair and applied hair tonic to my hair after I wash my hair, which makes my hair thicker and blacker.

Apparently, my mom's wish to make my hair thicker and longer also influenced me. For a long time, long hairstyle has always been my choice of hairstyle. I have cut it several times but only to change style or trim it a little bit, but I always keep my hair length below my shoulders. Well, I actually have a very cute Anna Wintour hairstyle when I was in kindergarten, but then my inner hairdresser came out and I decided to recklessly cut my hair with a pair of scissor that I found on my dad's desk by myself. I still do not know where the idea comes from. As a result, my hair looks like Angelica's doll, Cynthia.

[Before]

And after several years of living with long hair, now I decided to cut my hair short above my shoulder (again, if my kindergarten creative era counted as a legit haircut). Some people might think it is scary to cut this drastically, but I do not really mind it; since hair will eventually grows again. So, it is not a big deal. After I cut the hair, somehow I entered a new level of my life. I will share you what I feel about having a short hair:

1. Easy to take care –– When I was in my long hair period, I always have a question in my head about people with short hair. Do they always blow dry their hair every morning to achieve the perfect shape? If the do, then they should wake up earlier and dedicate some time to blow dry their hair every morning? These thoughts almost prevent me from cutting my hair because I do not have that much time and I tend to avoid using hairdryer for my hair. It turns out, with the perfect cut from the hand of my favourite hairdresser, I can achieve the polished look without hairdryer.
2. Less shampoo, less trips to the supermarket –– The first time I wash my short hair, I am amazed by the amount of shampoo needed to wash my hair. I can use less amount of shampoo because I have less hair on my head anyway. Thus, a bottle of shampoo can last longer in my bathroom. I will definitely keep my short hair when I study abroad since I can save some money with this haircut!
3. Looks fresher and taller –– In many articles found online or in magazines, they will tell you that by cutting your hair shorter, it will makes you look fresher and taller. Let me tell you, it works.
4. Less brushing –– I used to brush my long hair with four different types of hair brushes. Now, I barely brush my hair, and it still looks awesome!
5. Less time to dry my hair –– So convenient!

[After]

Music Monday: Oh No, Not My Baby

Oh No, Not My Baby by She & Him Album: Classics (2014)
Comments: The album has been on my iTunes for a while, but I rarely listen to it because of my disappointment on their third album. One day, I decided to listen to the album when I was taking a hot shower, turns out the album is very nice and great to accompany my relaxing hot shower. Oh No, Not My Baby is my favourite from this album, but the whole album is amazing especially for the holiday mood. Oh, Merry Christmas guys!

Art Candy: Tyler Spangler

In the middle of intense (with a little bit of procrastinating) study of Indonesian Economy for tomorrow's final exam, I relax my mind by browsing my Tumblr. When I checked my activity page, I found several people have followed me and I like to check them out. Then, I found this guy, Tyler Spangler, who did a simple yet wonderful artworks that I instantly like.

 

Don't forget to check the artist website, http://tylerspangler.com/!

Music Monday: Gie

Gie by Erros Sheila on 7 feat. Okta Album: Gie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2005)
Comments: I've heard this song so many times before, but it gives a lot more feelings when I watched the film. Great film, great soundtrack. It would be nice to hear this song with a cup of hot tea while it is raining outside.

Music Monday: Blush

Blush by Mr Twin Sister Album: Mr Twin Sister (2014)
Comments: I just found out that Twin Sister now add another word in front of their name, now the became Mr Twin Sisters. It's been a long time and I am glad to hear a new album from them. The first Twin Sister song that I heard is I Want a House. It is a simple song with simple lyrics, however it sounds very soothing. This song, also gives the same feeling to me. It is recommended for you to listen to this song when you are alone chilling on your bed at night.

Pretty Pictures #9: Manakamana

It is a very simple yet complex documentary that shows several different people commuting by using cablecar. I can classified this film as a study of human behaviour (and lambs). Sometimes people talk in a very enthusiastic manner, sometimes people sit without saying a single word. 

The film continuously force us to see people face to face, and it somehow makes me think: "When was the last time that I really pay attention to the people I am talking with?". The film successfully makes me think.

Pretty Pictures #8: Blue

Blue (1993) is a final cinematic statement of Derek Jarman. I find this film fascinating because in the whole film, you can only see texts with the colour of blue as the background. He talks about everything, it is scattered and sometimes doesn't make any sense. However, that's why I love this film.

Music Monday: Dear Mr. Salesman

Dear Mr. Salesman feat. Nomiya Maki by Fantastic Plastic Machine Album: The Fantastic Plastic Machine (1997) Comments: Thank you Sylla for introducing me to FPM. It totally suits my taste.

Pretty Pictures #7: Su-Ki-Da

I watched this Japanese film called 'Su-ki-da' a few weeks ago. While cleaning up my desktop, I realized that it was filled with pictures from this film. Well, I think I should post all of it here before moving it to the trash because the stills are beautiful.

Music Monday: Tank!

Tank! by The Seatbelts Album: Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Comments: I used to watch this anime back when I was still in elementary or junior high. I didn't follow the whole series, but the opening song is sooo good that it stuck on my head until today. Not only this song, the whole soundtracks are also sooooooo good. A perfect combo: an awesome anime with an awesome soundtrack.

Event Report: Indoestri Day 2014

Being a student in her third semester is really exhausting. Attending classes, organizing events, doing homeworks, and many more activities that are making my calendar looks like rows of rainbows is really stressful. I spent almost every weekend doing homeworks or worrying about a certain events that I organized at that moment. No time to relax (or at least doing other things that gives an impression of relaxing).

Surprisingly (and spontaneously), I got the chance to spend my Saturday with my friends. I should have go to a training session that I arrange for my division, but it cancelled at the last moment. So, I am free for a day!

It is part of the building, but not the actual entrance. The colour tones intrigued me.

My friends asked me to join them to attend an opening event of the first makerspace in Jakarta called Indoestri. We use my car to get there and the location is actually very easy to find, since it is not far from the toll exit. The space took an industrial design and it looks like an actual factory from the outside, which surprise me a little bit because I didn't expect that. Even though it looks like an abandoned factory from the outside, the inside of the space is very modern, dominated with woods material, white, black, and grey colours. Indoestri does not only provide the space, they also provide several 101 classes, the supplies, and the machines too, which are good if you are a total newbie. In addition to the makerspace, there is also a small cafe where you can replenish your fatigue or if you just want to hang around.

I believe this place will attracts many anak muda, especially the creative ones. Just like a pile of sugar to an army of ants.

I don't know why someone put this block of wood here.

MORE PHOTOS…

Fried Egg and Frying Pan Cookies

Accidentally found this video while browsing on Youtube. It makes me smile just by seeing how cute the cookie is when put together side by side with a tiny mini spatula.
All of the channel's tutorials are so cute. My personal favourites are the Illusion Strawberry Skeleton Jelly and the Mt. Fuji Jelly. Somehow the music-less and talk-less video makes the whole experience of watching it becomes more relaxing and comforting. In my opinion, it mimics the real atmosphere of cooking or baking at home.

Pretty Pictures #6

Found this on tumblr. If anyone has the correct source, please let me know.

Pretty Pictures #5

Vivienne Westwood illustration by Hellen Bullock

Originally found on here

#Throwback: Making of Whimsical, 20 December 2012

I made this artwork on my trip to Singapore in 2012. I saw this interesting tea house called Arteastiq, which collaborate the idea of a tea house and a place to pour all of your creativity into a blank canvas. I thought, "it looks interesting", so I tried it. There are several art references that you can use to inspire your art making, but I decided to create my own. It was very spontaneous. I just painted any shapes that came up in my mind, I also applied this technique on the colours that I used.

When I was about to checked out from the hotel, I passed this door boy who said a very memorable comment about my painting. He said, "did you make this? you are going to have a great future." I hope I will.

The Thought of Changing My Major

By Jean-Michel Basquiat

After two semesters studying Business Management, the thought of changing my major sometimes occurs in my mind. I've been thinking to change my major to something else that interests me, such as Art History, Curatorial, Art Management, or Journalism which I just discovered that I like. Actually, I have been accepted in LaSalle Singapore to study 'Fashion and Media Industry'. However for some reasons, I chose another university to study Business Management instead.

Sometimes I think that I have chosen the wrong major for myself. Some people will say that "if you are not satisfy with your current major, you better change it now because it will be a waste of money, time, and energy to study what you are not interested in.", but I cannot back out of my current study that easily. First, I am afraid that I will make my parents upset about my decision. Again, I guess a lot of people will say, "it's not about your parents, it is about you", but it does bother me what my parents will feel about my decision. Second, I am already half way. Next year, I will transfer to another university in Netherlands to continue my undergraduate study. It will be a waste of time and money if I decided to quit in the middle of it.

So in the end, I decided that I will continue my master's degree in something that actually interest me. Also hopefully, I can study my PhD in subjects that I love too.

• Staging an art show both a complex and detailed task from Pittsburg Post Gazette
• Modern Art Takes Center Stage in New Exhibition from Jakarta Globe
• Postgraduate Course, History Of Art from University of Oxford
• MA Culture, Criticism, and Curation from UAL: University of Arts London, Central Saint Martins
• Postgraduate Busaries from UAL: University of Arts London, Central Saint Martins
• Postgraduate Scholarships from UAL: University of Arts London, Central Saint Martins
• IndoArtNow

"IndoArtNow is a non-profit organization. Our vision and mission is to catalog all Indonesian art works exhibited in any galleries around the world." 

• Enjoy a Rainy Weekend Making Crafts with Wewo from Jakarta Globe

To-Read Links

Everything is overwhelming. At first, it is exciting and challenging when I got the tasks. However, today it is getting out of hand and it makes me anxious wether I will be able to do all of it or not. I guess, another thing that makes me anxious is the expectation from people around me. I hope I can do all of this task easily.

• The 25 Best Self-Improvement Books To Read Before You Turn 25 from Lifehack.org
• 10 Influential Business Books You Need To Read To Be Successful from Lifehack.org
• How Many Books From "Gilmore Girls" Have You Read? from Buzzfeed
• 25 Literary Pun Names For Your Cat from Buzzfeed
• 32 Books That Will Actually Change Your Life from Buzzfeed
• 11 Ways Busy People Make Time To Read from Lifehack.org
• Triple Your Speed for Reading and Processing Technical Documents from Lifehack.org

By the way, I just made a Goodreads account. The idea of listing books that you have read and want to read is fun. You can find me here = link.

Music Monday: The Tale of Serenity - Bed

The Tales of Serenity: Bed from chichago_ on 8tracks Radio.

Music Monday: Sous le ciel de Paris

Soul le ciel de Paris by Juliette Greco

Christopher Kane Spring 2015 Menswear

Even though the pattern is only made out of lines, it looks beautiful and complementing for the dark solid colour. The great example is the one on the bottom left, which shows you how to add a little bit of interesting touch to your outfit.

Source: style.com

Wishlist: Bunny Bag

Even though I know that the capacity of the bag will not be that big, the cute little bunny will still be a great statement bag. To sum it up, what makes me love the bag is; first it looks like rabbit and second it is in black.

Bag from SRW Dossier which can be found here.

Wishlist: Home Decor

I am writing this post on my bed in my new bedroom. It is my second night here alone in this room. Although the room is fine, there are several things that needs to be fixed and the furnitures are not complete yet. Sometimes the air conditioning is too cold and the lighting is not that perfect. I still have not have a mirror and a cabinet in the bathroom. The glass of my bathroom window is not done yet, so I can hear the street sounds without any barriers. I do not have a study desk yet. I do not have a table for my turntable yet. Etc.

However, I bought several things to complete the look of my bedroom and bathroom today. I am going to post about it probably tomorrow evening (I will try) since I have a team building with my organization mates tomorrow at 12 PM.

Above is a list of things that I'd love to have in my bedroom. The white and silver bowl is perfect for jewelries bowl. The wooden life saver will be a cute decoration for my front bedroom door. Just like a christmas wreath. The trash can on number 4 is self-explanatory. The blue cushion will be a perfect substitute for lounge chair that I am planning to buy. The basket on number 6 is actually a trash can, but I think it will be suitable as a laundry basket too. Last, the black and white carpet is cute and it will be a cute companion for my bed.

1. Formapura Kate Bowl | 2. Thai Silver Elephant Silver Bowl | 3. Piccolo Life Saver Wooden Decor | 4. Temple Trees Natural Rattan Waste Bin | 5. Temple Trees Blue Maroko Floor Cushion | 6. Le Souq Bamboo Trash Basket | 7. Svas Living Black Coco Rug

Art Candy: Case Studio Artist Series

1. Vasa di Culo by Parra | 2. You & I by Steve Harrington | 3. Snow Beach by Grotesk | 4. Vibes Melt Down 2043 by Cody Hudson | 5. The Thinker by Steve Harrington

Here is another new segment in my blog. I know there are many new segments that I introduced in my blog recently, and it might bores you (if there's anyone who read my blog though). Moving on, "Art Candy" will be filled with wonderful, interesting, beautiful, pretty, bizarre, disturbing, contemporary, etc. etc. artworks that I find interesting.

----

Since my new bedroom will be finished soon, I am very excited in searching for the perfect furnitures and decoration for the room. I began my search since the room is still just an idea. I focus on searching for decoration first because it is easier since I do not have to measures the thing to make it fit in the room. Now, I realized that finding a perfect furniture is harder that finding a perfect decoration or artworks for your room.

*The five pretty and interesting objects above can be found on Case Studyo, a publisher and producer of artworks by contemporary artists. They use the scarcity effect to sell their artworks, where only a few numbers of artwork produced and it will not be reproduce in the future to make it more unique and one of a kind.

Wishlist: Man's Accessories

I do not know where this comes from, but I am obsessed with men's clothing and accessories. They are so simple but have high quality. Although the design is not very complex, the almost-like-a-uniform men's clothing are very beautiful. If I could, I would wear suits everyday.

Two accessories above are Gucci Contrast-Edge Silk Pocket Square and Maison Martin Margiela Stone and Metal Cufflinks. The monochrome colour and the contrast-edge makes this pocket square looks beautiful inside your pocket. Meanwhile, the rough stone cufflinks from MMM is very unique and will give a touch to the simple white shirt. 

I think black and white (and of course, navy blue) are the must-have colours in everyone's closet.

Pretty Pictures #4

Which one is yours?

Source: link

Music Monday: Kisah Dari Selatan Jakarta

Kisah Dari Selatan Jakarta by White Shoes & The Couples Company

Album: Vakansi

Pretty Pictures #3

Ginger Brooks Takahashi

From the Our nature is our virtue series

2007

Cotton thread on paper

Source: link, link, link