Little Old Lady

Outfit

H&M hat / Mom's vintage denim maxi skirt (shortened) / Pull&Bear leather flats / Forever New satchel  

There's a beautiful old song from the 1930's that my grandmother love to whistle. It's a song called Little Old Lady, originally a Broadway musical song. I tried to do a little search and finally I discover its lyrics :

"Little old lady passing by / Catching everyone's eye /You have such a charming manner / Sweet and shy... Little old bonnet set in place / And a smile on your face / You're a perfect picture in your / Lavender and lace... " (Little Old Lady, Hoagy Carmichael & Stanley Adams)

I don't know what made me deeply attached with this song but one of the reason why I love oldies tunes because they are much simpler and romantic in a quiet way, very intense and poetic. There's always this kind of thing that won't change for ages, since this old song could still perfectly deliver an odd serenity to me each time... I guess in this complicated generation, I've been dreaming a lot about simplicity. And up to this point, I think the way I dress today resembles quite a strong simple and practical wishes. One dress to-go. 

I got this dress after digging some fancy minutes in my mother's closet, where she stored ALL of the treasure she never wanted to wear herself (I always thought I should be the old-styled mother instead). After a little reconstruction to shorten the edge a bit, this dress became my new favorite. I really love its natural washed-out surfaces, and the good quality. I asked mom where did she get the dress and she said something like "...not in a fancy shop for sure." Never surprised me to know that good clothes doesn't always go with famous brands. Sometimes all we need is just some luck in our eyes and taste in our mind. I'm not a person who praise brands (either in fashion, technology, anything) so maybe that's a subjective opinion... But since I wasn't born as a damn rich person in such a luxurious life, I have this little tendency to look into those people who seemed less-fortunate than me (people became beggar, children can't pay their school fees, homeless people die and I should be amazed with a ridiculous hundred millions-priced items from the fashion industry just because they look good? the idea just couldn't get my modest mind). I didn't say it is all bad, but there's always a way to see between both sides. I'd rather be the one who embrace the goodness in my own way, not in what the industry tried to persuade me with. Being to serious, didn't I? I'm such a little old lady - just like the song!

Vintage Typewriters

photos via etsy : 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

I think I can't literally stop admiring manual typewriters, since I used to always play around with ones that my grandpa have. I always believe they're magical, you know, like they could type emotions other than mere physical letters. Now I know what I want for my Christmas present this year.

Shopping Experience with Love, Bonito!

On my last visit to Singapore, I had a wonderful chance to visit Love, Bonito's warehouse along with other Indonesian blogger Diana Rikasari and Malaysian blogger Cheesie. It was such a great time filled with laughters, pretty shoes, amazing range collections of clothes, and some sweet-served chocolate snacks! And the picture above is me on my very best Love, Bonito mint-colored dress and mustard mary-jane heels with double straps - taken on their own private studio at the warehouse. I feel so dreamy.

(the lovely owners of Love, Bonito)

Before getting into the shopping stories, I'd like to share you several things about this shop! Love, Bonito is one of the most-known blog shop in Singapore that belongs to three beautiful ladies : Rachel Lim, Velda Tan and Viona Tan. From the talks I knew that these girls are simply wants to grow their love for fashion, and let other people get the chances to enjoy that passion as well. Originally created as BonitoChico before, now they officially released the fashion line flag under Love, Bonito. They also have released several premium lines such as COVET; Basics by Love, Bonito; Swimwears by Love, Bonito and the latest one Bridesmaids by Love, Bonito. I personally like their products because they provide casual clothes that can fits in to multiple occasions,  very easy to pair... Just like a sweet and simple daily-wear that everybody could enjoy!

(the welcome speech!)

Shopping Experience. So several minutes after introductions, me and other bloggers were rewarded by a fun, free shopping experience at the warehouse! We were told that we can try on any clothes or shoes (or bags or accessories) that caught our eyes and styled up ourselves with some different outfits, plus bring all of those items home with us after that. SHUCKS! That's an awesomeness!! I was thrilled and soon after that, was too busy fitting around. So let's the picture talk by themselves now...

I'd Like To Tell You One Thing... (Q & A)

floral sailor top from wholesale-dress, shortened vintage navy pleated skirt,

leather satchel from topshop, and a pair of creme peep-toe shoes from wholesale-dress

I receive a question from my reader this morning : Do you always edit your photo's tone? I always wondering how did you get the vintage effect. Well, I tend to always give some extra touch on most of my photos in this blog, so the answer is yes. Maybe because I want to get that old-vintagey mood in my pictures and I kind of accustomed to layer my photos with additional finishing touch. But since there is a question about it, I think it will be interesting to post an outfit post on its original color, just so you know how my figure mostly looked when appeared on images. These are my outfit pictures from my second day in Singapore last week, taken by self-timer mode, on their very original colors. Yes,  all of the photos you see right now is unedited. I just did a quick resizing because they came in a large RAW version. Why did I do so? Because there is actually a way to get classic-toned picture without digital editing (explained later). Thus, along in this post I will answer some questions I got from emails / direct twitter messages that I haven't reply one by one.

What camera are you using?

I have mentioned this several time actually, but I don't mind sharing again. I'm using an EOS CANON 50D camera named Luce (yes, I name my blog after her) since 2010 (as a replacement of my previous use 500D before). For the lens, I'm mostly use the lens-kit 18/55mm and 18/200mm, with additional 50mm/1.8 to get sharper object with great quality bokeh background. Currently I'm also using 85mm/1.8 and it's my favorite so far!

If nobody around, how do you take your pictures?

The very basic helper is Mr. Tripod, which come in handy in most situation. However I don't always bring my tripod everywhere so I'm reckless enough to place my camera in front of the table, bed, suitcase, books, or any possible surfaces. Just remember that it's dangerous though!

Back in the Alley

outfit

tights - topshop

black solid wedges - Ruby

brown pleated skirt - a+plus

gold-chained purse - sportsgirl

creme vintage lace top -  thrifted

black vintage coat - Camberwell  Market

Coincidence. While these several days I've been longing Melbourne quite much, I found a photo folder on my archive containing these pictures I took with some of my new friend back in last August. That was such a fun afternoon to remember, to meet some real photographers who showed me cool places and small hidden corners with certain beauty. I recall the day when I finally could find the winter wind to be friendly, and how the short walk to Flinders street for an evening coffee wasn't that torturing anymore! 

DIY : Customize Your Plain Journal

above: an after-picture of my agenda

I'm quite a forgetful one, and my whole life is depended on how good I manage my routines - specifically, how good I write them. It's quite hard for me to remember things (!) and to put plans on priority order... so I've always been a diary slash agenda slash journal person. It's essential for me to have a loyal agenda in which I'd happily write down everything I should remember. The thing is I don't really like the "serious" look of the black agenda I purchased recently. I love how it has a classic leather cover, but the page separator and papers are simply plain. Look below : 

It's neat, it's clean, but it's like a 'dead' sculpture (I know it is a dead one, but it doesn't have to looked dead all the time!). I want to make it looked more colorful and alive, just like a real, simple piece of art. So I made a simple customization on my agenda until it transformed into the very first picture above. Writing will be way more interesting and you can do a little show-off to other people too (like communicating something that sounds like, can you believe how fun writing on a fancy agenda is? - without even say a word :P). Below I posted a tutorial if you'd like to know (or try) something similar with your agenda!

Tools and Raw Material. Here are the basic things you need to prepare : your very own agenda, a double-side cellotape, scissors, cutter, paper-punch, and some colorful origami / custom patterned papers. Now we can start. To get a significant effect without having too much hassle, we just need to do three big steps. Follow me?

Jakarta : Old Cameras

Singapore : Arrival

Never Too Old for A School Girl

vintage top (thrifted), reconstructed vintage pants (mom's), handmade bow-tie, 

bag from singapore, leather pairs of oxford from Giovanna singapore, and random belts.

As I'm in the middle of sorting out bunches of images I load from the Singapore trip, to share a look of my outfit today seems pretty light and fine. I reach Jogja already, after some delayed-transit hours in Jakarta and a night full of dreamless sleep. Saturday and Monday were supposed to be a good weekend, but in my case it was tiring and busy as I have to unpacked my luggage and listing some new tasks to-go. I haven't share my travel posts to Jakarta as well (a week before Singapore), such a bad organizer I am! Couldn't have some time to blogwalking too but I wonder why people keep coming and leaving comments. Might be a good reasons of why I love my readers so much. YOU! Awesomeness.

Singapore!

Have spent these late three days (19-21) in Singapore due to some projects and events cover. Went there with the one and only, sweetest Diana Rikasari of Hot Chocolate & Mint. There's a lot of stories and new vibrant of thoughts that I'd like to share, but that should awaits for the next coming posts! I'm working on my blog's new layout (small reconstruction, for a refreshment) and two giveaways to be hosted on early November. Can't believe October will flew this fast!

Frocks For Good!

homemade photos : self- taken

Froctober

It's October and for goodness sake, let's celebrate Froctober! For those who live (or blog) in Australia might found this familiar, but for you who don't, I'll share what I know about this fancy word. So, Froctober is an act of raising funds for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) by wearing frocks everyday, in the whole month of October. Members of this movement aim to ask people donates some sum of money for the great cause, and they share their photos wearing various frocks in return. Maybe sound a bit funny, to wear dress in charity purposes, but who knows that this repetitive actions had collected over than $112.000 alone last year to help OCRF? Think simple, act big. That is. Ovarian cancer is dangerous - in Australia it is known as the seventh most common cause of women's death, the fifth leading cause among Americans, while in the world itself there are over 200.000 women estimated to develop this type of cancer (and half of them die every year). OCRF said that until now, there are no screening test for ovarian cancer, while early-detection could lead to a big progress in getting back the victim's health. That's why they need huge support to keep building an early-detector methods or tools. Even started and established in Australia, but by the widely-spread virtual communication systems, now everyone in the world just can reach out a bit further to help! 

Spread the Love!

I was told by my best blogger fellow, Anna from Much Love, about this wonderful action last week and instantly feel this is such a wonderful circle of love that Froctober try to create. She volunteered herself into this program and since the first day of October she's been wearing different frocks (all of those vintage treasures, yes) to consistently showing her campaign. I can't involve officially, but there's always a way to show some supports! So this is me, today, wearing one of my recently-purchased 70's polkadot frock in navy tone, asking you to drop by Anna's Froctober Page to make a donation for this cause! I hope this year we could also make a big impact. On the name of my beloved grandmother who also passed away under ovarian cancer disease, I wish you all a very healthy day ahead. x

PS : I know I haven't been blogging for a while, but I'm on a productive root lately! Two giveaways are coming soon, and you may expect some travelling reports again nearly. Just keep coming!