Glitter Dessert

Bloggers Meet Up

2012-02-29T21:08:00.000+07:00

Okay, forgive me for posting about the following so lateeee, as this event has happened last two Saturdays :0 :0. I know, so late, huh? Anyway, what event I mean is the Surabaya bloggers meet up I came to. We connected through a Blackberry group for Surabaya bloggers. Isn't it amazing how technology can help us build new connections?

At first I didn't know what to expect, since I never met them before. I just know (not personally) a couple of them through their blogs. It turned out to be fun, as the bloggers were friendly and funny. Glad to have met them all! We met up at Hungry Daze in the mall Tunjungan Plaza.

I didn't eat while I was there but the atmosphere of the restaurant was cozy, great for a chit chat with new friends.

The "Blogger" writing is actually unfinished, so that's why it sees a bit hanging.

We were suffocating when we took these photo booth pictures, as the booth was just so crampy for all of us! But yes it was hilarious!

The bloggers: Maria, Fidella, Belvin, me, Rima, Dewi, Veiby, and Lukas which is also a photographer.

By the way Belvin, if you're reading this, I love your shoes!

See you next time, guys :D

Photo credits to Maria Widjaja.

Move Like a Junsu

2012-02-28T21:31:00.001+07:00

So how many of you guys are into the hot and buzzing K-pop right now? I'm not a huge fan or anything, but their fashion is definitely intriguing and worth noticing. I chose the heartthrob boy band 2PM to take the spotlight...

You see these boys wearing a lot of detailed and colorful jackets with interesting textures. Studs, metallic, print tees, they sure know how to rock it.

Playing with monochromatic colors and prints, with a splash of red, army green, and gold. Makes such a great and fresh blend doesn't it?

Despite their crazy selections of jackets and prints, they sure know how to look clean and classy with classic tuxedos. They don't forget to add their touches to their outfits with the fur and leather gloves.

Now get ready girls, for the following pictures from their music video "Hands Up".

Junsu looking classy yet edgy with the stud jackets.

The jacket is amazing. Like, you can wear it forever. Yeah, you know which one I'm talking about; the glow in the dark one of course.

What I love most about the K-pop fashion is how the artists are able to present themselves in such styles that are unique and out of the box, which not Western artists and especially normal people can do. I mean, imagine Chace Crawford wearing one of 2PM's green metallic jackets...Not even Adam Lambert can pull of leather pants without looking a bit girly, can he? Whereas the K-pop male stars can definitely pull off pretty much any extreme look and give definition to "K-pop style".

Let's Say We Could Go Back

2012-02-21T21:45:00.000+07:00

Here I'm wearing two of my favorite pieces from my closet. The green and gold sequin combo is surely a bold one. Definitely my style.

I didn’t intend to wear ripped stockings, but since I have accidentally ripped a small part of the only black stockings I owned, I ended up ripping the right side. A ripped and hole-y stockings are grungy and messy, perfect to clash with a glamorous sequin shorts. I grabbed a pair of scissors and cut, cut, away! It’s actually easy to rip your stockings. Create a small hole and pull it until shreds appear. Or don’t pull it if you want to just have holes. Cut holes in various sizes. Yes, very easy right? I left the left leg clean of rips to create an asymmetrical look.

Gold accessories surely complements the gold shorts.

Taking off the blazer for a less formal look, but it still looks as great!

T-shirt: Aeropostale

Blazer: bYSi

Shorts: Express

Stockings: DIY

Open toe heels: Zara

Necklace: (X) S.M.L

Photography: Evelyne Soetanto

I Was Enchanted to Meet You Too

2012-02-11T23:01:00.002+07:00

My thoughts will echo your name

These are the words I held back as I was leaving too soon

I was enchanted to meet you

I surely enjoyed compiling lovely fashion items to put in my Valentine's Day gift guide/wish list yesterday, so I decided to have a gift guide "for him". I have to say that I enjoy looking at men's fashion almost as much as I enjoy looking at women's. Now these are gifts I dream of giving to Adam Young. Okay, just kidding.

1. Louis Vuitton Evidence Sunglasses (US$720): The gold detail is sleek and perfect for any guy who wants to stand out a bit from the crowd of black sunnies. They are available in white, black, and red.

2. Bottega Veneta Dark Peridot Intrecciato VN Belt (US$520): Get him something different- something green instead of the usual black and blue.

3. Bottega Veneta Garnet Intrecciato Suede Shoe (US$520): The shoes he'll wear every day and make him think about you in every step.

4. YSL t-shirt (US$325): Pricey for a t-shirt, but the design is just iconic and classic. So would you get this for him? Perhaps in a color or two?

5. Gucci Ipad Case (US$315): The perfect way to be a stylish Apple nerd.

Collage background from http://redesigned.com/
Images from various sources
Lyrics by Taylor Swift

I Was Enchanted to Meet You

2012-02-10T22:55:00.008+07:00

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you

The scent of love is around us, as Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Have you prepared your gifts for your dearest ones? Here is my gift guide or should I say wish list? ;)

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Blade' Round Leather Strap Watch: Clean and classy, perfect for any chic young lady.

2. Betsey Johnson Cupid's Arrow Pave Crystal Heart Chandelier Earrings: A romantic pair of earrings to wear with your Valentine's Day outfit.

3. Chloe Paraty Medium Leather tote: Go ahead treat yourself. Love yourself. You know you want it.

4. Givenchy Glitter Chunky Heel Sandals: I love the combination of the edgy shoes silhouette with sparkly glitter. Ready to get glittery in this season of love!

I secretly dream of Adam Young appearing at my door on 14th of February with one of these items- or perhaps all. And then he would say that it was enchanting to meet me.

What's your V-day fairy-tale?

P.S: Don't forget that my snake skin clutch giveaway is still on! See the next two posts below! :D

Collage created in Polyvore

Lyrics by Taylor Swift

Shoe Spotlight: Lusciously Red

2012-02-09T22:05:00.000+07:00

I decided to have a "Shoe Spotlight" post, where I focus on my favorite fashion item: shoes! Black patent leather pumps are surely a basic to match with almost all your clothing, but this time red patent leather pumps deserves the attention. Red is gorgeous. Red is love. Red gives that extra dash of excitement to the outfit.

Meet one of my babies...

Probably some of you have noticed this piece from one of my outfit posts. Yes, they're my delicious Pour la Victoire!

I got this when my mom went back from the States, I think it was about 1,5 years ago.

These red pumps may not be unique like a pair of avant-garde heels, but it's sure a classic piece that will stand the test of time.

Photography: Ivana Joy

First Giveaway!

2012-02-02T23:18:00.011+07:00

Hello, hello! How have you guys been? It's February, like oh-my-gosh time's been very fast to me. I'm so sad I only have 4 months left until my high school ends :( I remember when high school seemed to last forever. And university life is just around the corner. And I'm not sure where I'm going. And...And... Okay, before I end up talking about my school life, I'm finally doing my first GIVEAWAY! I'm giving away an authentic snake skin clutch from the exotic island Bali specially for you stylish darlings :) With its soft and versatile color you can wear the clutch for day or night, dress it up or dress it down!

Button down: Phanuel- my sister's

Shorts: Forever 21

Shoes: Aldo

Steps to join giveaway:

1. Follow Glitter Dessert via Google Friend Connect

2. Follow Glitter Dessert via Bloglovin'

3. Follow my twitter here
4. 'Like' Glitter Dessert's Facebook page.

4. Leave a comment below with your name and e-mail address

5. Optional step: To get more chances of winning, share this post via Facebook and/or Twitter. (Just click the buttons at the bottom of this post). The shares are not limited. One share (either via Facebook or Twitter) equals to one more chance of winning.

Don't forget to mention @nadyajs if you share via Twitter and leave a separate comment stating that you have shared via Twitter.

Leave the link of your share in a separate comment if you share via Facebook.

If you are not on a blogging site:

1. Follow my twitter here

2. 'Like' Glitter Dessert's Facebook page

3. Follow the step 5 above. (Not optional if your are not on a blogging site)

4. Leave a comment below with your name and e-mail

So sorry to say that this giveaway is open only for Indonesian residents. However, if you're currently abroad but have an Indonesian address, you're able to join! :)

Giveaway closes on 2 March 2012, and the winner will be chosen randomly. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner on 3 March 2012! :D

Good luck darlings :*

Make the Sky Your Limit

2012-01-26T22:40:00.000+07:00

This is my first time trying out the dress and sneakers look, usually pulled off by Kristen Stewart and Lily Allen (and yes, I'm loving it!). Either on a casual day or on the red carpet, comfortable Converse has been spotted on celebrities' feet. They add an edgy twist to a pretty dress! This may be a weird combination for many people, but the trendsetters proof otherwise. What are you waiting for? Grab your cute dress and a pair of rugged sneakers.

A custom-made satin flower headpiece for a girly-er touch.

The doggie: Espresso!

I wore a flowing Armani Exchange dress which makes a lovely day-dress. Paired it with a pair of old Converse high tops belonging to my sister. The fact that it’s old and rugged is what makes it more perfect for the dress. A combination of femininity and boy-ish-ness (excuse, this weird slang haha).

Photography: Evelyne Soetanto

Sweet Scented

2012-01-20T22:46:00.002+07:00

Lace. What do you think when you hear the word “lace”? Girly, feminine, soft, tender, dainty, lovely? It basically falls to a category of feminine style. So I paired a Cotton On lace tank top with NAF NAF light washed grey jeans to create a feminine- boy-ish look. I rolled up the edges for that grungy look.

Clutch is Steve Madden with a snakeskin print. It’s not your exotic snakeskin clutch, but it’s rather plastic-y. It’s eye-catching and edgy. For the shoes, I wore a nude Aldo gladiator heels. They’re quite steep with no platform- not the best heels to wear for a long time.

As you can see, the jeans are not tight-fitted but rather loose. Do you like your jeans tight-fitted or a bit baggy like this? For me, if you’re going for an edgier look, baggier jeans would rock.

Leather detail on back pockets!

By the way, I just updated my blog header, thanks to the designer, my lovely sister Ivana Joy.

Check out her creative blog here.

Thoughts on the new header? =)

Photography: Evelyne Soetanto

Singapore Skyline

2012-01-16T22:41:00.002+07:00

My hair is much shorter in these photographs, as they were taken in Singapore a couple of months ago. I didn't really intend or prepare for a photo shoot, but decided to take some quick shots in the hotel room.

I finally bought a colorful blazer, something so me. They're just so fun and eye-catching. During my trip I bought a really green one from bYSI. And paired it with some basic and casual items: Aeropostale t-shirt and Forever 21 shorts. For the shoes, I wore my sister's The Little Things She Needs wedges. They're comfy and great for walking around Singapore. Just a relaxed and simple yet eye-catching look for a day around town!

By the way, if you are interested in exchanging blog links with me, feel free to e-mail me at nadyajoy@hotmail.com.

Photography: Ivana Joy

If I Could Paint a Rainbow

2012-01-12T20:41:00.000+07:00

Don’t you just love putting two or more bold colors together? Yes, color blocking. I color blocked a red DKNY top and a purple H&M pencil skirt which are both rich and vibrant in color. This results in a rich and eye-catching look. The skirt is very body-fitted and the top is loose and has a flowing material. A good balance right?

I wore my Simply Vera by Vera Wang necklace which I think has an oriental style, because it looks like the red Chinese buttons, don’t you think? For the shoes, I went for nude Sam Edelmans. Love both the look and comfort it gives.

The BCBG Maxazria clutch is also purple in a darker hue, and it complements the skirt. Isn’t is so cute how it’s shaped like a small bow? However, it's pretty minute that it's not very practical.

Photography: Evelyne Soetanto

Gadis Magazine Feature

2012-01-07T01:18:00.000+07:00

As I have told you before, I'm blessed to have won 3rd place in Gadis Fashion Blog Competition. Gadis is an Indonesian fashion magazine for female youths that has been an inspiration for the past 38 years. I got to be interviewed for the magazine and I have to say that this is my first magazine feature! Exciting <3

Since the article is in Indonesian, I will translate it into English:

Nadya's love for the fashion world was the main factor for her to join GADIS Fashion Blog Compeitition. She has even started her own fashion blog since August 2011. "I like fashion blogging because from there we can be creative, play with the art of mix and match, and write about it with thoughtful process of course," she said.

According to Nadya, there were a few challenges that she had to face while making the blog for the competition. One of it was organizing her time between school and writing the blog. "During the competition, I was having my school exams. So when I finished my exams, I speed up taking some looks photos and posting them up. Luckily, I submitted the posts on time," Nadya shared.

Meanwhile, she is inspired by Switzerland fashion blogger Kristina Bazan. "I admire her because she is only 18 years old, and she also manages her time well between school and her blog."

In the future, Nadya would love to continue her fashion blog. She hopes her blog can be exposed more and be an inspiration for many. "Hopefully what I do now can bring me to the fashion industry later on," she hoped.

The feature is out in GADIS edition G1/2012, so go get it! :)

If My Heart Was a House You'd be Home

2012-01-05T23:11:00.003+07:00

I'm wearing my sister's dress from China; the fabric is soft, light, and just makes it the perfect dress for a hang out at the mall. I had some gelato and read a good book. It was sure the right dress for this relaxing day!

Silver and blue are surely a lovely match that complements each other. The blue is soft and rich, and the silver Tory Burch flats shines, which acts as the stand out key piece. I love having one item in my outfit that stands out when I’m wearing a soft or one-color block outfit. Of course the Tory flats were a comfortable yet stylish choice for the day. I wore a classic Chanel flap bag from my mom’s collection which she has given to me. It’s actually about 20 something years old, but Chanel has surely proven its ability to fight "aging". The leather is still smooth and fine, with minimum peeling of the leather. Chanel has been a girl’s best friend with its classic and classy quilted handbags, that is timeless in trends and never fails to look gorgeous.

More silver elements from the accessories.

I recall that this feather-like structure necklace was only S$5 when I got it in Far East Plaza! Awesome bargain, right?

Literally make a statement with a cocktail ring; "broken wings are fragile and imperfect, but isn't it the flaws that make us perfect?"

Can't deny that this piece is one of my favorite baby in my collection <3

Do you love Tory or what? ;p

Photography: Ivana Joy

Btw, I'm joining Mode Republic's Outfit Contest, hope you'd vote me here
before January 17th, 2011 (it's really quick and easy to register on Mode Republic)
Just tell me if you have voted and I'll follow you on GFC, Bloglovin', and fan you on Lookbook if you have the accounts :)

Thank you so much darlings <3

Paradise Getaway Day 3

2012-01-04T20:49:00.004+07:00

I enjoyed my Bali trip very much, but unfortunately I couldn't stay in Paradise forever :(. Here's the last series of "Paradise Getaway". As you will see, there are many photographs of scrumptious food to hopefully tantalize your taste buds and tempt you to visit Bali some time! And no I'm not starting to make a food blog :p

Had some lunch at Kudeta... Another restaurant by the beach.

Had to order their classic hot chocolate, where you pour in warm milk into the chocolate chunks.

My sister wanted to go back to W hotel again! And I surely didn't mind ;)

I bought this Forever 21 maxi dress specially for this Bali trip. I love the light and cotton fabric that's comfortable for a sunny day out and about in Bali. Not to mention their ethnic and eye-catching print is perfect for summer. Bali is surely where you get to wear fun, printed, dresses- either mini or maxi. And in Surabaya my hometown, I'm pretty sure I'll get stares if wear this around the mall.

Isn't the smoke just dramatic?

Tea time at The W! Cute teapot, isn't it?

As the night comes, the lights are switched on. Gorgeous.

Perhaps this photograph might seem out of place in the midst of western food. This is a lovely traditional Balinese pork and rice meal, served in a wrap.

Later in the night, I went to my hotel Ayana's Rock Bar, which is a bar literally on the rocks, overlooking the sea.

One word: Ah-mazing.

(Rock Bar image source: inspirebydesignblog.com)

Leather Roses

2012-01-03T17:34:00.005+07:00

So sorry for being absent for a while, as I just got back from Singapore. Yes, I do need to manage my blogging while I'm away! So.... How was your last day of 2011 and first day of 2012? I hope you a have a spectacular and glittery road ahead! God Bless!

Do you realize how basic shirts can be paired easily with skirts to create an instant smart look? In this outfit it creates a smart yet edgy look. As a businesswoman my mom has many basic shirts in different colors and textures. So I selected Mom’s soft pink William Rast for Target shirt to pair with my Bershka bandage leather skirt for an sweet and edgy combination. The shirt actually has a shiny texture, but I guess you can't see it in the photo. So both the top and bottom's shine give a sleek look.

Leather skirts aren't always formal and fancy. You can create a casual look too with the shirt!

Leather skirt and leather booty-wedges (Elizabeth and James). Looking sleek from head to toe. The snakeskin clutch is from Seminyak area in Bali where they sell many snakeskin products. There was this phase when Mom loved snakeskin bags and always looked for it while in Bali. I got a multicolored one, because the pattern and color is so fun and vibrant- great to spice up an outfit!

Photography and editing: Evelyne Soetanto and Adrianus Hariesta

I can't believe it's 2012 already, how about you?

Paradise Getaway Day 2

2011-12-29T01:11:00.002+07:00

Okay, before you go through this post, I have to say that there are quite many food photographs that aren't to be missed. So please excuse me for the food sharing.

For lunch we went to this restaurant called Potato Head. No, they're not a french fries restaurant :p. This is basically what's right in front of your eyes while you dine there:

Sorry the picture's a bit dark, it was a cloudy and rainy day; perfect for a relaxing time.

Amazing Panacota dessert. Amazing I could dive into a sea of theses Panacotas.

We went to check out the new W Hotel! Paris Hilton stayed there during her recent trip to Bali in November.

I bought this bargain dress in the streets of Kuta (in Bali) I think about a year ago. I haven't got to wear it much in my city, because it's just so beach-y and boho-ish; more for a Bali outfit. As much as I love the crazy bat wing sleeves, I'm afraid it might make me a little large when I lift up my arm.

Hard to ignore these three ultra giant cakes.

At the night we dined in this lovely Indian fine dining restaurant...

Paradise Getaway Day 1

2011-12-27T21:53:00.002+07:00

Last week I was on vacation in a beautiful island in Indonesia, where the breeze, beaches, and gorgeous sunsets collide. Yes, it's Bali! As I have said, I will post about my trip. Here's the overview of the first day, but I didn't do much, as I arrived at noon. Took some pics in Ayana hotel lobby as soon as I arrived...

A traditional and modern mixture in the Christmas centerpieces.

My sister and I. Arriving guests were adorned with flower garlands.

Never saw such a creatively designed Christmas tree! Traditional Bali elements with a touch of modern Christmas decoration like the stars make up a lovely Christmas tree, right?

My family and I went for dinner in a restaurant near the hotel. Unfortunately the dinner wasn't very delicious :( But the other restaurants I went in Bali was sure awesome (wait for that in next posts!).

An interesting looking bug in my room. Haha random :p

Happy Birthday Mom

2011-12-24T22:45:00.002+07:00

Earlier this month my mom had her birthday dinner at a lovely restaurant called De Sumatra. It used to be an old Dutch style house, then it was renovated into a classy Dutch interior restaurant. It’s a very private and intimate restaurant which takes a a few weeks of advanced booking to dine there. For this special event, I decided to wear my hot pink Zara A-line skirt which I rarely wear because I didn’t have many matching tops for it. A basic white t-shirt would do, but that would be casual right? So I raided Mom’s closet and found several matching tops. My pick fell to this sleeveless peach pink satin top from Alldressedup. Make sure you visit the store when you drop by Singapore or other countries abroad. They have the cutest design with interesting draping techniques.

Isn't the chandelier gorgeous? Oh, and have I mentioned that the flowers are fresh? So imagine the minute you step in the restaurant, you are greeted with a fresh aroma.

Don’t you love my sister's dress? It’s like tribal lace to me; to you? The pattern of the lace is not the regular flowery lace, but ethnic indeed. She’s also wearing nude shoes :).

My cousin, Evelyn Soetanto, which has photographed many of my looks.

My top in the photographs looks orange-y, not like how it should be. But orange and hot pink combination is so juicy right?

Fa La La La

2011-12-23T22:23:00.002+07:00

Here is a Christmas look, and yeah I’m wearing my gold sequins Express shorts. This time I paired the shorts with a a bold red Banana Republic shirt. The cotton is very soft and not to mention it has a well fitted cut. Shirts are more formal and relaxed which was the kind of style I wanted to get. Relaxed yet glamorous because of the shirt and sequined shorts combination. The shirt also gives a smart look, doesn’t it? All in all, it’s a relaxed, glamorous, smart outfit! The shirt is actually my mom’s which she rarely wears, and ended up giving it to me after I wore it for the shoot. Yays :D.

Doesnt the red pieces in the outfit and the bright green background give you a Christmas feeling?

What better shoes to pair with if not a pair of luscious red pumps? (from Pour la Victoire)

Christmas is 2 days away! Are you ready?

Photography: Evelyne Soetanto

Paint Me a Purple Sky

2011-12-22T20:06:00.003+07:00

I'm sorry that it's been a while since my last post. I just got back from Bali and didn't manage to get internet connection. I owe many posts for you from my trip! Before I go through my holiday pictures, here's an outfit post...

I was raiding my closet the other day and I found many items that I haven’t worn at all or for a long time. Two Topshop pieces of top and skirt caught my attention because it’s like 2 years old! I got them both from London’s Topshop sales rack during my Europe holiday. It is such a pity to have left these great bargains in my closet. It’s so bad isn’t it? It’s like buying without a purpose, but not anymore, because I finally wore them both.

The shoulder of the top are shoulder pads, giving it a tougher look. Do you like shoulder pads? I do, especially in a feminine look, to give the piece a boy-ish touch. I wore a colorful flower bangle to spice up the look with color of course.

The top is a backless top with a ribbon to tie at the back of the neck. I wouldn’t dare to wear it without a tank top inside, as the armhole was quite loose and open. So I wore a tank top similar in shade with the both the top and skirt. This gives it a lovely purple flow, as the purples are similar, just in slight difference of hues.

For the shoes, I wore my Sam Edelman nude slingback pumps. Nude surely gives a soft touch to any color.

Photography: Evelyne Soetanto
Edit: Ivana Joy

Reflections of You

2011-12-13T21:52:00.008+07:00

Mixing cultures in fashion is just a great experiment resulting in interesting styles. I love mixing ethnic prints with a modern style, like how I did in this outfit. I wore a Yunita Kosasih Ikat Skirt and a Biasa one shoulder top. Yunita Kosasih is well known for her lovely mix of beads and batik. Biasa’s products are just like its name in Indonesian: ‘biasa’ (normal), so their items are mostly simple and classic, but they often have items that can be worn in different ways. The top is made of delicate soft silk which hangs nicely on the body.

There are just so many amazing traditional prints out there. Ikat print would be one of my favorite and I love how it has survived for more than a few centuries until it is impossible to know the true origins of Ikat. Isn’t it amazing that people back then had the ability to create such beautiful fabric and patterns? History surely enriches the fabric’s value. It is part of many countries now, including Indonesia, Mexico, and India. It is interesting how different countries has a specific similarity in their culture. Ikat is a dyeing technique to create patterns on the fabric, so of course each country would have their own pattern style.

I found this corner of light at the cafe, which is lovely for photos. Couldn’t stop taking some more shots there.

Both my top and skirt were neutral brown in different hues, so I wore my red Pour la Victoire pumps to spice up the outfit with a color pop. For the accessories I wore a colorful flower patterned bangle and one of my favorite flower cocktal ring.

Indonesian ethnic prints are now a chic and classic style, which I’m sure its popularity will bloom even more in then near future, especially after UNESCO listing Batik as one of the world’s heritage. Back then most modern people weren’t so fond of wearing traditional prints. Now let’s always love culture, love Indonesia!

Photography: Evelyne Soetanto

//
Gadis Fashion Blogger Competition
I'd like to share some real happy news. Yesterday I woke up with text messages congratulating me on getting 3rd place on Gadis Fashion Blogger Competition. I didn't even know yet that I won, then I checked the results it was for real! The post that was selected for 3rd place can be seen here. Gadis is an Indonesian fashion magazine for teens that has been around for 38 years, inspiring the female youths of Indonesia. And can you believe there were 1000 participants in just 2,5 months the competition was held? I thank the Lord so very much for this amazing blessing!

I will be interviewed for the magazine, and will surely share about it in the near future!

What We Came Here For

2011-12-11T01:15:00.003+07:00

I’ve been a fan of jumpsuits for its stylishness and comfort, but I never had the thought of wearing a jumpsuit and blazer, until one day it came pretty randomly to me to pair these two. Usually people would pair shorts and blazer. So I stayed away from the obvious and tried this jumpsuit and blazer look. It’s relaxed with some seriousness. The jumpsuit is really great for casual days, as the pattern is fun and the material is satin and light. With the blazer it looks more formal and dressed-up. And of course don’t forget the semi-gladiator heels to make the look edgier, as the heels has that rough texture to give a tough look. So perhaps you’d like to wear the jumpsuit during the day then switch to night mode just by putting on a blazer!

I’m wearing one of my favorite jumpsuits from Forever 21, Cotton On Blazer, and Charles by Charles David shoes. And some assorted bangles which are staple for your accessories collection.

Dare to wear a long jumpsuit instead?

Photography: Ivana Joy

Scarlet Red

2011-12-05T17:37:00.007+07:00

Doesn’t the soft, luscious, slippery texture of leather just makes you so attracted to it? It makes you wanna’ love it, touch it, feel it, wear it! That’s why leather skirt is a fashion investment just like my cotton bandage skirt in the previous post. I got mine from Pull and Bear. They’re of course versatile and classic in black. Edgy and tough at the same time. How would you wear your leather skirt? Classy and feminine or rock it like a dude? I wore mine with a DKNY soft satin top with a rich red color knotted at the bottom giving a crease effect. Here I’m clashing the softness of the satin with a strong leather look. They are a simple and easy item to spice up many tops.

To keep the look strong, I wore my red Pour la Victoire pumps. And of course bib necklaces accessorizes the simple top. The necklace is from Ebay, I recall it's only US$15. Great deal.

However I have to admit this skirt is not the most comfortable to wear, as the texture is slippery that it shifts upwards easily when I walk in it. Hmm, time to search for a new one?

Leather is a recent trend that should be a classic and fashion staple in the near future for its luxurious versatility. What do you think?

Photography: Evelyne Soetanto

Puddles of Blue

2011-11-30T15:51:00.008+07:00

I found this draped skirt from Topshop’s sale rack in Jakarta and without much hesitation, purchased it. It was a good deal, especially for Topshop. Usually their sale items wouldn’t be as cheap as this, so I’m happy with the purchase. The skirt caught my eye because of its vibrant patterns. I know it’s just a random print, but it reminds me of a puddle-cheetah print. Just imagining a bit here of what the pattern could be. I paired the skirt with a Moonsoon black tank, which was kinda loose, which made it comfortable. Not to mention the soft cotton fabric of the top makes it nice to wear in the hot Surabaya weather.

Bib necklaces never fails to glam up a plain top.

This look can be worn during the day or night; so versatile right? Let’s say you’re out all day from a lunch to dinner- this outfit will save you if you don’t have time to change. That applies if you’re having dinner with different people though.

So how has your November been? Can you even believe it's the last day of November? Are you guys ready for Christmas? I'm glad to say that I'm finally done with my Semester Exams and I can relax for a while. I find myself a bit bored, but at the same time excited for a photoshoot tomorrow. Hope the weather will be sunny tomorrow. It has been sunny and super hot for a couple of days and rainy in the next days. So unpredictable.

Photography: Evelyne Soetanto

Swept Away

2011-11-27T23:48:00.005+07:00

Red. What comes first to your mind when you hear the word red? There are just so many connotations of red. It is used when you’re in love, embarrassed, angry, or even in “red carpet”. So what effect does it have on fashion? There is such power that the color red has; its rich energy that wakes us up and excites us. It gives confidence and determination to the person wearing red. Yes, it’s that powerful, as opposed to if you wear neutral. This all is simply why I opted red for my first maxi skirt which was custom made. I selected the fabric at my usual local fabric shop. It’s silk and isn’t the hue just lovely? Honestly this isn’t the best material for the skirt, as it is kind of thick that it doesn’t fall or hang as I hoped. I should have gone for a lighter silk. But I still love it of course.

The maxi skirt wouldn’t be complete without the slit that gives a statement to the whole look. I paired the skirt with a custom made one shoulder fitted silk bustier which I designed. I chose black to keep the outfit subtle. I think it’s good to keep a balance in the outfit you wear. Unless you’re planning to create some clashes.

Doesn’t the long grass make the skirt even more dramatic?

There’s enough bold color in this outfit, so I kept the shoes simple with black classic open toe pumps from Zara which I got as a birthday present. And of course the outfit wouldn’t be as lovely without the cocktail ring from Diva and bangle from Forever 21.

Honestly this wasn’t the most comfortable position to be in, as it was quite tricky to sit on these huge round things in heels, with the grass and branches around.

I actually planned to wear the outfit to my friend’s Sweet 17 party, but I changed my mind, as it was too dressy for the private party. Hopefully I'll get to wear this outfit out soon to an event, or even dress down the maxi skirt for a casual look.

When in doubt wear red -Bill Blass

Agree?

Photography: Evelyne Soetanto

The Perfect Two

2011-11-22T17:01:00.005+07:00

Do you have one of those days when you’re on-the-go and just need to pick up an outfit quickly? But at the same time you don’t want to wear those boring jeans and t-shirt you have worn a million times? Here I’m creating an alternative easy to-go look for your casual days, whether it’s just for a walk in the mall or a trip to the supermarket. Casual doesn’t always mean you have to wear boring and simple clothes.

So what are the key pieces to looking casual and chic? Simply a basic white t-shirt paired with a silk high waist shorts. Basic white t-shirt is a staple and fashion investment for your wardrobe. So at least buy one with a good, soft quality that won’t fuzz quickly. Buy a couple of them in different necklines for versatility in matching your clothes. In this look, any t-shirt neckline would do. If you don’t have one good one yet, go get it!!! You will definitely need it! Mine is a v-neck from Aeropostale. I love that the shorts are loose, making it comfortable and laid-back. I fell in love with this dark blue shorts the moment I tried it on at Warehouse. They hung nicely and fit well. Make sure when you buy a loose clothing item they don’t look as if you’re drowning in them. That’s why I don’t recommend super baggy clothes on petites. However, these shorts are just the right fit and looseness for many body types!

Accessories, accessories! Bib necklaces are simply the right choice for adding some spice to a simple outfit. This bib necklace can be worn for both casual or fancy clothes. The awesome thing about bib necklaces is that they create a statement key piece (yes, I’m into key pieces to make a look stand out!; key piece is the item in the outfit that plays an important part in making the look strong). I chose the grey bib to keep a fluid look in my outfit. I wanted to keep it simple, yet chic. Then I could add a pop of color from my Louis Vuitton epi leather drawstring bag. Yes, I am fond of having a color pop in my outfits! It gives the outfit a little extra surprise. The bag is actually, I don’t know, 20 years old? It’s passed down from my mom, but it still looks great and up-to-date. This is surely a fashion investment that you can pass on to your grandchildren. For the shoes, I kept it neutral with my mom’s Chloe wedges. They are not very high and not to mention they are soft, making it comfortable to wear all day! Oh, and I by the way, notice the huge ring flower? It’s from Charlotte Russe and the biggest ring in my collection yet. I’m a cocktail ring addict; the bigger the better!

I couldn’t decide which shoes to wear. Might as well wear both right?;p With the red pumps from Pour la Victoire, it adds more color pops to the outfit, which complements the LV bag as well. It also adds some fabulosity to the casual look. Casual and chic or casual and fabulous? You make the pick according to the shoes!

And if you’re wondering, I wore this outfit to Ciputra World mall. It was lovely to find this white spot from a store in construction. I love how the white wall and floor is the same pure white color, resulting in a clear and serene background.

Photography:

Evelyn Soetanto

Retrotopia: Arva's 16th Annual Fashion Show

2011-11-17T21:25:00.004+07:00

Forgive me for being terribly late in posting this. But it would be even more terrible if I had to forget telling you about the following. Fashion is Surabaya has been growing, one of it because of the fashion schools here like Arva. Arva held a Junior Fashion Design Competition, which I joined. In the competition, I had to design a costume for the army moving people of the Earth to the second Earth. Think of it as kind of a "Futuristic Army" concept. This theme evolves around self defense, meaning some weapons would be part of the accessories and anything just crazy over the top futuristic. Earlier in February-March this year, the selection process was already done and I was more than happy to know that I was selected as one of the semi-finalists of 20 high school participants, then as one of the finalists of 10. I remember the moment I got the letter from Arva, the excitement of tearing of the envelope slowly, and the even bigger excitement when I read my name in top 10 list. On top of that, the finalists were asked to showcase their design during Arva's Annual Fashion Show.

The journey wasn't as smooth and sweet as it seems. I decided to make my own design come true instead of giving it to Arva's seamstresses. I wanted to be able to see my hard work on that catwalk. Luckily my sewing teacher was there to help me select the materials and make my design come true. It was sure a tiring process, where I had to go back and forth to hardware stores, which were a major part of my design. On the last night I still worked on it until up in the morning. Yes it was pressuring to finish up my creation with a tight deadline, but at the same time I enjoyed it. I've learned a lot also, as I went to places I would never go, and learned some types of hardware materials. To get a full understanding of your design and concept, some thorough research would be necessary. For example, I had to know what type of nuts and bolts to use, so that the costume wouldn't be too heavy, and of course, wearable.

October 22 came. It was the day of the Fashion Show, where Arva's graduates and students also showcased their work. The Fashion Design graduates each had their own themes in their collection. Some of the themes were "Iconography", "Perfect Decay", and "Retrofuture". Overall, the show was an eye candy, having a mixture of futuristic, girly, fun, simple, cultural etc designs.


Who ever thought of making those paper planes you make during class as a head piece?

I've never been a fan of "boat shoes", where the platform at the back and at the front are similar in height. But, these ones are just awesome.

I love the mix of cultural elements of Indonesia's agriculurists' hat with modern and classy clothing.

Another pair of futuristic shoes. Taking the designs and purposes of shoes to the next level.

One of the Junior Fashion Design Competition Finalists.

Another finalist.

Here it is! My Napoleon Bonaprte piece! The strips encircling the legs are plastic used to tighten cables. The gold ornaments on the bodysuit are rings (as in hardware), bolts, and nuts. I choose the lightest I could find; however, I still ofcourse couldn't escape from creating wight-y outfit. Underneath the plastic strips are my Bershka leather leggings. My first design actually used gold leggings with black plastic strips, but I thought it would be gaudy, at the same time thought maybe it would be futuristic and exciting. Your thoughts?

Moving on to the finger accessories, they are made from...okay, I don't know the English term for it, but it's basically a sheet of wire. Then it was cut into small rectangular strips and shaped into a cone according to the finger size. On the tips of it are small rings, nuts, and bolts gathered by wires. They would get stuck with each other. I remember panicking fixing it, just when the model needed to go on stage. For the accessory on the arm, it's made from hard plastic and the bottom part was grommet-ed.

It was quite complicated to put on the strips into the model, as the plastic would tangle and entwine with each other, not to mention the backstage rush of the need to be quick in dressing the model. I loved the backstage atmosphere, so fast, yet exciting. The models were rushing around getting dressed, hectic, hectic....

Photography: Evelyn Soetanto

No One Like You

2011-11-12T23:01:00.003+07:00

Make a statement with sequined gold shorts to show off those long legs. It's the perfect fashion investment for you to dress up or dress down. You'd wanna' dress it down for a walk in the park or even to a supermarket trip. There's nothing wrong with looking good in the supermarket right? Shorts are friends with colorful flip-flops, even sequined ones. But in this post I dressed it up making it suitable for a special event. I wore the shorts over sheer black stockings, as the shorts were pretty short. The stockings doesn't make the shorts too revealing, but more classy and mature. Stockings can change a whole look from drab to glam, in this case it brings the already glam shorts into a higher level!

In this look the statement key piece is the Express gold sequin shorts of course. I matched it with a Topshop loose purple cotton top to make the look more relaxed, but still fabulous enough for a party.

I wore Christian Louboutin open toe heels to make the legs look longer and extended. And of course a party look isn't complete without a clutch. I wore a black Steve Madden clutch, again, for a more relaxed look. Last, but never the least, accessories complete the outfit. The necklace is Simply Vera by Vera Wang, assorted bangles from Far East Plaza, and the cocktail ring from Soho, New York. Isn't the ring unique? It looks like a cell structure to me. What do you think? So with the combination of fancy and casual items, this look is perfect for a semi-formal party or a fine-dining night out. Or ditch the usual and wear this look during the day, creating a clash. Dare to dry?

Photography: www.facebook.com/ijstudio

Dreams Don't Turn Into Dust

2011-11-11T23:42:00.003+07:00

Today is 11. 11. 11 and everyone is making it special. I didn't really care about this date until now that I'm officialy LAUNCHING MY BLOG with a revamped, fresh, and gorgeous look! Thanks to my friend, Fefe! So I shall celebrate with the following post:

It’s amazing how a long dress can make you feel different, graceful, and confident. I let myself bask into this dreamy, flowing peach chiffon gown. Felt the soft, dainty texture against my skin. It’s the ultimate dress perfect for a pre-sweet 17 photo shoot, like this one. This photo shoot was taken on the rooftop where the wind blew through the fabric gracefully. The gown + the wind + the sun= lovely shoot for a lovely event.

I was able to play around with the dress and have fun, making the dress look less serious and dramatic, but adding some playfulness to it. Not only a colorful summer dress can be fun, just know how to work it! It’s not the dress wearing you, but you working the dress!

The creases on the dress gives lovely detail and the chiffon sure does hang perfectly. The dressmaker did a great job in creating the fine creases, draping, and fitted bustier.

A gorgeous long dress works best with a confident model pose!

I kept the accessories simple just with a gold ring and silver cuff bangle, as I wanted the focus to be on the dress and make the look simple and classy. I paired the gown with Sam Edelman nude slingback pumps (a birthday gift from my sister :)), as nude color always looks lovely with neutral or soft colors. They’re very comfortable, as you can see they have a thick platform that is actually soft. I can feel comfortable wearing them for hours! They can also be dressed up or down, whether you’re just going to chill with some friends or attend a party, these shoes are sure a companion for most occasions!

Photography: www.facebook.com/ijstudio

The Sweetest 17th

2011-10-30T20:30:00.004+07:00

19th of August, 2011 was surely a lovely night. I celebrated my Sweetest 17th Birthday, as I'd like to call it, at Primavera, Hotel Bumi Surabaya in a private party style. The party was cozy, relaxed, and intimate, just like how I wanted it to be. Okay, I know that it is so late to give a coverage of my birthday party, but it's better late than never right?

My photos displayed on the bar table, near the entrance. I printed these

photos in the last-minute, just the day before :p.

White and purple adorned the round tables, with fresh flower center pieces. Oh, the hanging fabric and flowers on the ceiling was a fresh and soft combination of colors, giving a warm atmosphere.

Fresh flowers <3

The buffet area was also decorated with lovely fabric. On the right, are some sitting booths. The buffet wasn't large, but was rather like a "mini buffet".

A red-carpet style backdrop for the arriving guests and me to take photos. I love, love this photo booth!

All the guests wrote down wishes for me and hung it on this tree. I collected all the cards afterwards and read them through, seeing a lot of "wish you all the best". :p

My sister opened the party with prayer, at 8 pm. The original invitation was at 6 pm, so I freaked out as the restaurant wasn't full at 8 pm, but more guests poured in during the prayer. I guess tardiness has always been and perhaps always will be a culture here. Ha ha. Then the singers, the band and some of my friends started sing their hearts out.

Never Knew I Needed by Ne-yo

Somehow the photographer gave me this black and white photo, before he edit the selected ones. So it may seem a little out of place, but I like the dramatic atmosphere a black and white photograph gives, especially with the singer- Alvian so immersed in the music.

Alvian sang twice, one solo and one duet with Abigail Gunarso playing the piano. I know the keyboard on the piano is quite disturbing. It was just for emergency if the piano, which was the Primavera's, out of tune. The piano worked perfectly fine though.

I never thought I would actually sing. Just a week before my party, I was contemplating whether to sing or not, and my sisters and practices, convinced me to do it. It was so fun to perform and I don't know why I should be so worried about singing. Take it easy and relax was the right thing to do. I decided to sing All About Your Heart by Mindy Gledhill, a soft, melancholy song.

One of my best friends suddenly walked in with a cake. I surely wasn't expecting it. Thank you :)

Make a wish!

Beautiful Ending by BarlowGirl

The Birthday Song- David and Angel. Each of them also sang solo;

You Raise Me Up and The Prayer- Josh Groban for David and Angel

sang I Just Need You Now- Lady Antabellum. David might have build his first fan base that night, as the crowd asked for more songs from him. Yes, his voice is amazing

you have to hear him sing!

Trying to get Kenneth to sing, as it was his last night before he left for Melbourne.

Success! He finally agreed to go up after much nags and requests for him to sing. Sorry Kejo for making you sing Cinta Cenat Cenut- Sm*sh. It probably wasn't
you're favorite moment, was it?

This was so cute my sister sang Nadia by Ada Band, so perfect for my birthday!

First of all I thank Jesus for making this day possible! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! You have given me more than I deserve. Thank you mom and dad for raising me up with your love and care for the past 17 years! I love you! For my dearest sisters, friends, Tante Lina from Birthday Birthday who created the gorgeous decoration, Forca Photography, and Orange Band thank you for being part of this memorable night!

Photography: Forca

Leaving a Legacy

2011-08-16T22:34:00.001+07:00

One of the fun things of having sisters is you get to borrow their clothes. Ha ha. Here all the pieces are from my sisters' closet. I don't normally wear white jeans or pants. Unlike normal black or blue jeans, white jeans make the top stand out when it's in a different color, especially in bright or dark colors. The white jeans gives a contrast between the white and the top color.

More color contrast is present in the green tank underneath the sheer blouse. I love how I can wear different colors for the tanks, as the black blouse would match any color. Sheer blouses are very elegant and lovely, but you can still give edge to it.

X(S.M.L) sheer blouse, Aeropostale green tank, white Flying Monkey skinny jeans, Gap studded belt, Far East bangles, and Charles & Keith T-strap heels.

Photography: www.facebook.com/ijstudio

Go Bold or Go Home

2011-07-21T17:33:00.001+07:00

I'm so excited to be making a fashion blog at last after wanting it for so long! This is my first post- about standing out and being bold in fashion! Play with patterns, colors, textures, accessories, whatever and just have fun with it!

My key pieces for the outfit are the Cotton On leopard blazer, Bershka leather leggings, and Pour la Victoire pumps. To not overdo the look, I wore a white cotton top underneath from Forever 21. I honestly felt like Michael Jackson with the leopard blazer, but after a while I realize that that's boldness. Dressing daringly and differently, sometimes as if you were a totally different person.

These are my favorite shoes of mine from Pour la Victoire. They're red in patent leather. Luscious. Gorgeous. Do I need to say more?

The cocktail ring on the left is a cluster of bling-bling stones gathered in a bunch. I like the size that it's big enough to be bold an seen from afar. The other ring complements the cluster ring, as they both are bling-bling.

Photography: www.facebook.com/ijstudio