Saturday, October 11, 2014

Japan (Part One)

Got the chance to travel to Japan, even only for a week, but the lesson I got is already too much to be written down. I arrived at Narita International Airport at 9 in the morning and because it was spring at that time, the weather is uncertain. In Narita, it was rain and so windy I feel sad for a while for it is hard to enjoy Japan on foot in rainy days. But then again, welcome to Japan yay!



A glance of Tokyo that I captured on my way to Shizuoka prefecture

Then from Narita we go straight to Shizuoka prefecture to have lunch at Gotenba Kameya, enjoying set menu which consist of udon, tempura, grilled salmon, stewed vegetables, rolled omelete, and rice. First impression about enjoying japanese set in Japan? Divine. 



At Gotenba Kameya, me wearing: 
Dress (Amary bought from Zalora), Jacket (Marks & Spencer), 
Bag (Charles &  Keith), Shoes (Unbranded)



Gotemba Factory Outlet

On my first day in Japan I choose simple dress bought from Zalora, I love it since the fabric is so comfortable and suits best for traveling, yet the stripes pattern makes it does not look less fashionable. And even if the temperature of Japan in spring is not too low, the wind blows quite hard so my Marks & Spencer wool jacket really was able to keep me warm.

Anyway, from Gotenba Kameya we go straight to Gotemba Factory Outlet. A big open air factory outlet located at Shizuoka Prefecture with magnificent scenery. Who doesn't love a lot of outlet to be wander around, a lot of snacks and food stall, and a good scenery (including Mt Fuji) combined in one place? In Gotemba Factory Outlet you could find a bunch of branded outlet from Prada to Adidas. Anyway, my brother wants to buy one of Adidas collection so we went into their outlet. Since the price is in Yen so it doesn't differ much from one in Indonesia, but we could almost find a complete collection there. And of course, no, you don't have to go all the way to Japan to buy Adidas, do first check Adidas page at Zalora since it is easier and they will deliver it right to your door step!


Lake Kawaguchi's Surrounding


Kawaguchi Koryu Hotel

We sleep in Lake Kawaguchi area since the itinerary for the next day is around Mt Fuji and Shibazakura Festival which is close from Lake Kawaguchi. Lake Kawaguchi itself is one of five lake which spread around Mt Fuji. We got tatami sytle room, a traditional bedding room of Japan with floor mat instead of regular bed. I love learning Japan traditional culture! Beside sleeping in tatami style, almost all of the hotel around Lake Kawaguchi provide onsen, including ours. In Japan, it is a common rule that once you enjoy onsen, you have to bath without any garments in your body, because if you use towel, for example, they believe that the towel is able to transfer your body's sweat to the onsen and that will be quite unhealthy for the other person in the onsen. Want to try to bath in the onsen already? :)


Kaiseki at Traditional Dinner Ceremony in our hotel


Dinner Ceremony wearing Yukata

Because we sleep in traditional hotel, in Japan it is called Ryokan, we were able to enjoy a traditional dinner ceremony, eating Kaiseki, a traditional set menu of various Japanese cuisine each provided in small portions while wearing Yukata, traditional casual Japanese dress. Once wearing Yukata don't forget to place the left side above the right side, because if you place the right side above the left side it means you attend a grieve ceremony. One thing that touch my heart the most, is in every Ryokan they still doing this traditional culture: when you are about to leave the hotel and end your stay there, all of the staff will take you to the gate and waving a goodbye, all of the staff. Such a great hospitality, right? So, it is true that travel will open your eyes to the things you haven't known before that it is ever exist, I suppose?

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Fashion Week Galore

Every blogger's dream? Going to fashion week of course! I can even imagine how exciting it is, me packing the best dress I have for my fashion week agenda, flying from New York to Milan and then to Paris, get tired of jet lag but also unexceptionally happy to witness history, walk in the crowded venue and accidentally bump into famous fashion bloggers, models, photographers! Haha enough with the dream anyway...

Well, since I can't attend the fashion week (yet, hehe), one thing that I can do is follow the update on it at both magazine and social media. Speaking about the street style, I found some street style which is happening at the fashion week, from New York to Milan, and here it is:







Simple midi skirt combined with patterned top, sleek white shirt, or matching top. Simply sophisticated! 





Simple outfit will be the center of attention when you combine it with eye catching outerwear.







This is the style I love the most. Simple graphic tees once combine with the perfect skirt, simple make up and sleek & natural hairdo, will be more than beautifully proper to be showed off at fashion week. 

So, just like usual, after finding some inspiration, I usually will browse through online store just to check that maybe there will be some collection available which I can purchase. And luckily I found some collection which will help me to dress just as cool as the street style people who attend the fashion week!


Simple yet unexceptionally sophisticated skirt, totally worth to be worn at Fashion Week: Jamie's Party Skirt by Partyskirts, Cheap and Chic Eye Skirt by Moschino, Skirt with Flounce Hem by DKNY


Without having to try hard to choose dress or bottom&top which will catch attention, with only simple dress once we wear this outerwear, we will instantly be the center of attention: Wool Jacket by Moschino, Mirrored Coat by Gareth Pugh, Karloff Check Coat by Rachel Comey


Of course I never thought before that simple graphic tees will look that stylish. But well it is, and at least we have to give it a try: Giacomo Bonjour Sweatshirt by AIKO, Fearless Crop Top by Spiritual Gangster, Off to Europe Long Sleeve Top by Wildfox Couture

Anyway you can easily click Shopbop.com and there will be other plenty outfit which is as great as the fashion week street style outfit. Now, let's get ourselves ready to try every way possible which will bring us to fashion week's front row, shall we?

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Keep Updated and In Style on Busy Days

Lately, I have been a little busy in the hospital. Fyi, now I am doing my clinical education to be a dentist (I think I almost never mention it, right?). So, when I got home I will be in a drained battery mode and have no appetite to open my notebook just to read the latest news. After this condition happened for about a month, I think it's the time for me to change, because I start to not be able to catch up, well just sharing some latest news, latest trends, latest gossip, with my friends while we hang out. So, I decided to maximize my phone while having just a little break within my daily routines. Phone apps like instagram and flipboard are my bestfriend now!

So, I am beyond happy when I discover Shopbop's phone application in the app store, I just download it right away without thinking.





The phone app pretty much resembles the web version of Shopbop.com, but easier and simpler. When I open the application I have no difficulties in the way of using it because its familiarity with the web. I can easily check the lookbook section while in dire need of some inspirations and I can even easily shop with one simple click at the item that I love! 

Beside phone app, Shopbop's account is also one of my favorite feeds to check in instagram. It is always up to date, and sometimes the quote they post just simply brighten up my days. These days, fashion week is on the run and Shopbop always update the news of their fashion director while she attending the fashion week, from New York to Paris. I am a happy kid since I can keep updated on fashion week news in between my busy days yay!





From Shopbop's instagram account, I start to notice their fashion director Elle Strauss and start to love the way she dress. Fortunately, when I check Shopbop.com, they display Elle's items choices. Now I can easily steal her look, eh? :P


You wiil see J.W Anderson's skirt, Maison Martin Margiela's boots, until Alexander Wang's clutch in the Elle's pick. I love Shopbop fashion editor's pick! Don't you curious of her pick too? Well you can rush to open Shopbop's web or click the link above. Have fun, then!

Malaysia (Part Five)

Previous Post: Malaysia (Part Four)

On my last day at Malaysia, I can not go anywhere too far because my flight back home is at 9pm and it took about an hour from downtown Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Lumpur LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal). So, me and my travel mate decided to stay in town. Then off we go to Bukit Bintang, the entertainment and shopping district in the center of Kuala Lumpur.



OOTD at the hotel, me wearing: Top (Fleur), Skirt (Tailor-made), Belt (Unbranded), Shoes (Unbranded), Bag (Unbranded)

When arrived at Bukit Bintang we immediately enjoy our breakfast at Tous le Jours, for complete culinary guide in Bukit  Bintang, you can read my previous Malaysian Culinary post HERE.


Sephora Store, Bukit Bintang


Times Book Store, Pavilion Mall, Bukit Bintang


TWG Show Room, Pavilion Mall, Bukit Bintang


In front of Pavilion Mall

We spent our day at Bukit Bintang from 9 am until about 3 pm walked from one store to another store and trying out food that tempted us, yay! At 3 pm we had to go back to our hotel, took our baggage and went straight to Central Station to take bus to Kuala Lumpur LCCT. 4 pm is such a rush hour and  we have to take KL rapid while bringing our luggage, well it took a quite big effort actually. But, when arrived at Kuala Lumpur LCCT we feel sad anyway because our holiday is over. Gonna come back to Malaysia one day for sure, because there are still a lot of place I haven't got the chance to explore at that time!

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Fall Inspiration



Just want to do a quick update on the shoes that I bought from Shopbop.com, in only 4 days after my purchase, the shoes had been arrived! It is even faster than any other domestic store shipping, whoa I am in an awe. I am already happy enough with how fast and professional Shopbop's service is. And then when I saw the beautiful packaging from Kate Spade, I can not take my eyes off of it for quite a while. I love this quote printed in my shoe bag "She tucked her coral lipstick away and floated back to the party". Can you picture a lady does that in your mind? It must be one sexy and independent lady no one can never resist.


Top (Unbranded), Shoes (Kate Spade New York at Shopbop.com), Book (Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy), Perfume (Daisy by Marc Jacobs)

Since I haven't got the chance to wear the shoes, maybe you can enjoy how I would like to wear it. That mood in the picture above: a shade of black with floral scent accompanied by Hardy's classic heroine, somehow is how I picture what my mood would be when I wear my Kate Spade shoes.

Anyway, once I look for style inspiration online, I've just realized the fall trends is already in the line. Ah I can already picture my self walking in the park with that melancholy colour of the leaves, I feel excited already! I think this Alice and Olivia Fall 2014 look book pretty much resembles my imagination. 





If you want to know the latest trend and are looking for just some inspiration to start your day with a glimpse of style and imagination, you could always check brand's look book. They always know the best way to start a day with their crazy imagination and long lasting style. If it is me, I always check Shopbop's lookbook page regularly, you could try to check it HERE, because they update it everyday so it never goes out of style. Anyway, which season you love the most?

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Malaysia (Part Four)

Previous Post: Malaysia (Part Three)

My second day at Malaysia was spent at Melacca City which could be reached by bus in 2,5 hours from Kuala Lumpur. What's interesting about Melacca? It is called the historic site and has  been listed as UNESCO world heritage site. The Stadthuys or red building which you will see at my photos is the landmark of Dutch, they built it while they ruled Melacca. Interesting enough? Now let's see!






Me and my travel mate - my cousin, take rapid KL from our hotel at Jalan Pudu to TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) then bought a ticket to Melaka Sentral. What makes us feel amazed from the very first time we step our feet at TBS is that Kuala Lumpur has this very clean and organized bus terminal which is as good as our airport, and they also have gates for every bus departure!


Me wearing: Top (Tailor-made), Skirt (Tailor-made), Belt (Unbranded), 
Shoes (Unbranded), Bag (Unbranded)

We arrived at Melaka Sentral, then take city bus with Red Square as the destination. It takes about 20 minutes from Melaka Sentral to Red Square. Red Square contains of historical building, almost all are painted in red, which is used mostly as churches, museums and galleries. A lot of museums are available here! From stamp museum until outer space museum, such a yay! One day won't be enough to enjoy Red Square.




Above photos: Melaka Art Gallery


A lot of red building!



Above photos: The Ruins of St Paul's Church



In front of Casa del Rio Hotel



We walked further from red square and found ourselves walking in Jalan Hang Jebat. Here, we could find antiques, arts, crafts, and souvenirs in bargained price! And the best thing is, we could also find street food! If we walked further, we could also find Heeran Street. While Jalan Hang Jebat used to be home for second class gentlemen, Heeran Street used to be the resident of prominent Dutch noble families. Heeran Street has much of Dutch influence in its architecture.

And that was how my second day at Malaysia looks like. I don't know why but writing about my traveling journey always makes my heart beats faster, I am soooo in love in discovering new places!