Reverie of the Solitary Walker*

Let me give myself over entirely to the pleasure of conversing with my soul, since this is the only pleasure that men cannot take away from me
(Jean-Jacques Rousseau)

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I always love when the sunshine gently stroke my cheek and the wind smells sweet of floral fragant. The greenery captured my eyes and daydreaming is never a sin. My beloved ones are next to me and 'lonely' is an unknown word. I like walking slowly in a tranquil park watching people passing by. Everything is so alive and friendly.

For me now, that is reverie..just in time when I found this poem:

A warm and cheery fire roars merrily
And shadows dance about the darkened room.
Beside the hearth a gardener sits and dreams
Of sunny days, of flowers in full bloom.
Some hollyhocks should tower near the fence,
Bright red. ones that the bees can't help but find.
The trellis at the gate again must wear
Blue morning glories, or the rosy kind.
To lend a bit of distance to the scene,
Close to the rear I'll plant in shades of blue:
The tall and stately larkspur, double ones­
Of course I'll put in scabiosa, too.
I couldn't do without a pansy bed­
Snapdragons make such beautiful bouquets­
Frilled zinnias and yellow marigolds
Add just the proper touch to autumn days.
The flowers grow and bloom with loveliness
Until a sound destroys the fantasy­
A burning ember falls and I must leave
My garden and my charming reverie.

(Reverie by Helen Bath Swanson)

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..and I am now, a solitary walker..

(*)About the post title:

Reveries of a Solitary Walker (Les Rêveries du Promeneur Solitaire) is an unfinished book by French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, written between 1776 and 1778. The book is divided into ten chapters called Walks. The content of the book is a mix of autobiographical anecdote, descriptions of the sights, especially plants, that Rousseau saw in his walks around Paris, and elaborations and extensions of arguments previously made by Rousseau in fields like education and political philosophy.

I have been searching for this book since forever! Unluckily, I haven't found it yet..I can only read those beautiful phrases online and captured in his solitude now and then. One line from the First Walk just feel so right for me now:

"Although I have been in this curious position for fifteen years and more, it still seems like a dream to me. I still imagine that I am being tormented by indigestion, that I am sleeping badly, and that I am going to wake up fully relieved of my pain and find myself once again with my friends."

Read more here and here

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Miy
Necklace / Vintage
Headband / handmade as taught by Mr.Palm
Floral Dress / ObiObi
Pink Tight / Socks gallery
Shoes and Bag / from my mom

Photographed by Dito Yuwono


Dito, Miy, and some friends just made a new online magazine: Huff. Check it out here. ;)

Lost in Transition

(Left-right: Sleepy who helps me feel a bit 'home' and my little comfy bed that reminds me of the tranquility of the sea)

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One of my favorite blogger, Amanda of Here Comes the Sun, once consider posting "Corners of My Home" photos inspired by Frankie. Which is good, because I think it's simply nice to share a tiny bit of our life once in awhile... no?

For me, this time is like the weirdest time to post "Corners of My Home" photo series.. or maybe, it's just the right time? You tell me. I am currently moving to another town, actually leaving home for the first time, and in a transitional phase to settle in another new place. I am both excited and terrified. My mood goes up and down like a rollercoaster (and it's annoying, I know..)

For me, home means being with people that I love in a place that feels familiar. Home means whenever I step out of the door, I know where am I heading and which friend to call. And the moment the feeling was taken away from me, I feel both adventurous~ wanting to know each part of the new place I'm in; and totally down for feeling lost. I am lost in a transition.

I move from my home to (now) my uncle's place and (later) I'm going to stay in another house by myself. Now, home for me still means the place where my heart belongs: an hour away by plane from wherever I am now.

But, I can always post a "corners of my house(s)" photos. Now, house is another thing. House is where we're physically staying and I'm going to move a lot these days. This photos record one of them: a transition, a place to stay feeling safe, and a flowing time of life..

Recording this changes in life, capturing the ongoing moment, and sharing them make me feel so much better. These are the moments in my life that will never be repeated: to learn to fly away from my comfortable nest. Although I am somewhere away from home and continuously feeling lost, I know my beloved ones will be glad knowing that I am surviving the changes and missing them like mad.

Anyway..no more gloomy feeling.. there are good news: my dear friends will be here this week: Thika the Versicle will stay at my place from 28 June to 1st of July and the cute little Intan and Diela will took me to vintage thrifting this weekend.. no more sad lonely day this week, hopefully.. :*

Sorry for the superlong, melancholic, and no fashion-related post.. but I'm glad I have this blog to always come home to. Now, lets take a tour to my transitional house: the place that makes me feel not-so-lost anymore.

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The Closet

(Clockwise: 1. Some of my dear shoes; 2. my little white closet; 3. some other shoes; and 4. the green dress which is a gift from Intan and Diela that shrink after being washed..ouch..)

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4 Things that Makes Me Happy

(Clockwise: 1. Maduya and Terebi- Maduya is a gift from my best friend Amel, it is said to be a doll that takes human's burdens away and Terebi is a dearly gift from my Dito whom I miss so much all the time; 2. Miy's Lunchset- gift from my dearest mom whom I also miss very very much I feel like crying when I think of her; 3. A Piece of Wonderland- this collage reminds me a bit of wonderland and I smile a little whenever I look at it; 4. Knowing that even this city is dull, we can sometimes see the blue sky..well, from the 25th floor, no doubt..)

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Things that I Like

( Clockwise: 1. The morning sunlight falls on the spa room; 2. The classic ceramic collection of my uncle that are just adorable; 3. the ugly old phone that connects me with Dito all the time; and 4. The sunbeam that falls on the floral tile)

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The Entertainment

(Clockwise: 1. The classic mirror in front of the door; 2. The city view that reminds me of Dito and I can enjoy while soaking in salty hot tub; 3. The TV to watch sad dramas and love stories; and 4. My favorite spot of the laundry room with the hanging plants that reminds me of home a little)

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The House

(Clockwise: 1. The aisle from my room to living room; 2. The city view that looks amazing at night; 3. The kitchen that successfully makes me eat only healthy food; and 4. The living room where I spend most of my heart-to-heart chat and tea ritual with my uncle)

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The Gastronomy Center

(Right: although the dining table is always set, me and my uncle prefer eating at the mini bar while enjoying a bit of jazz and drinking: Left)

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Photographed (poorly) by Miy using cellphone camera

(yes..I wish my Dito were here too so he can take thousand-times-better-quality photos for me.. but, we still have more-qualified photo of my actual room back home, an outfit photo taken in my piano room and in my library~ coming up very soon)

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The Tea Party Family

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What would it looks like when the sweet icing of pastely cupcakes transformed into a green apron with white embroidery? What would you do when that green cupcakes-icing apron find its soulmate that comes in a sweet pink dress? And they both are vintage, and they both are happily married to each other? Oh..and they soon have a cute little chocolate wedge child, and they live happily ever after..

Now when I live with this happy family, I feel like throwing a tea party on a floral glasses and serving fruity-scented tea all the time. Me, the chocolate wedge baby, the vintage green apron, and the pretty pink dress are one happy family! :D

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Thanks to Irene and Kendra of Fingerstaches for this beautiful vintage apron; and thanks to sweet Aya of Strawberry Koi for this giveaway~ which is, in fact, my 1st giveaway ever! :D I'm so excited. Thank you so much.

Do visit Fingerstaches' store here and indulge yourself with those pretty dreamy vintage findings. I personally love the yellow sunshine dress. It puts a smile in my heart even just to look at. Do pick your own favorite and share it with me, Loveliest..

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Miy
Pink Vintage Dress / Kotak Pandora
Green Vintage Apron / Fingerstaches
Chocolate Wedge Shoes / Friday to Sunday

Photographed by Dito Yuwono

Hello, I'm New Here.. Can You Show Me The Way?

Uh-oh.. do you notice? I have a new domain address.. I am now a .com!

www.ThePicnicGirl.com

although you can still access my blog through http://thepicnicgirl.blogspot.com but it would be so much easier to find me in www.thepicnicgirl.com ~easier to pronounce and simpler to remember.

Feel free to link me, Darlas.. ;)

The Grown Up

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Who would guess that after the crying series and the entire crazy trip, I'd finally move to that town~ leaving my wonderland; moving to the city without green grass, blue sky, and even without sunset. But, as I once said.. a girl must grow up. So I'll leave my little dreams for awhile, hoping that I'll be back real soon. I'll try to stand on my own; heads up and smiling.

Meanwhile, I have a week to fully enjoy home and be with everyone that I love. Distance will later teach me the meaning of longing for home, yearning for the beloved ones, and what does it means to be alone and (try to be) happy.

Right after the back-and-forth trip and the final decision for my next three month future, I went to some of my momentous spots with my dearest Dito. The next day, I had a picnic pal photo session with my two darlas: Intan and Diela. That day, they give me this beautiful green dress as belated Picnic Girl Anniversary gift. It is so pretty and somehow, sadly, it makes me feel like a grown up~ well, the way it suppose to be. But that day I spent with them at the beach was really fun..So, I'll probably wear it on my first day at work and remember them. Thank you, dears.. :*

Oh.. there you go, real world! Seize me from my wonderland as you like now! I'll be fine. (Uhm.. if only you're wondering.. no, I won't work as an economist or something.. Actually, my work will be pretty fun and a liiittle bit like Carrie. The dresscode is free and fabulous. But, yes.. I'll work 9 to 6..in a city I don't like, hundreds kilos from my beloved ones and my beloved life..leaving all my comfort zone, and that's why I keep moaning..don't let me bore you, everybody..just wish me luck nicely, please)

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Miy
Neclace / Vintage
Headband / Nicolette
Bag and shoes / Gift from my mom
Bracelets / Gift from Dito's mom
Green Dress / PG Anniversary Gift

Photographed by Dito Yuwono

Window Shopping: Kotak Pandora

I don't usually promote a friend's shop in this blog other than mentioning their brand and link them in my post, but, Kotak Pandora is different. Kotak Pandora has the quirkiest vintage taste I've ever known.. a bit of drama and a taste that will easily beloved by any hardcore vintage lover.

Their items consist of dresses, skirt, tops, and jacket that are carefully selected from year 80 and backward. It looks sweetly vintage rather than dully old because of their fabric type selection. Their stock is limited because it's not that easy to find vintage clothing that suit the owner's taste. The personal daily style of the owners, Vita (also model for the catalog) and Tria, reflects their impeccable vintage taste.

With every purchase, you will get a colorful handmade box (as they named themselves Kotak Pandora- translation: Pandora Box) completed with an adorable card of Poetry of the Day to enlighten your day. Sense of style and the sweet little kindness are two things that keep me attached with this two lovely ladies online store. ;)

Visit their store here

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Whoops.. these pretty dresses below are already mine, Ladies..

Crafting the Meadow, Sewing the Cloud

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After LBoPG I; II; III; coming up next on Little Book of the Picnic Girl 4: Tria-Miy

The first time I met Tria Nin, I was just started my milk-shop business in my house garage and she was just start dating my friend. She works as a radio producer for a well-known radio in my neighboring city, an hour away from where I live. She is a whimsical dreamer with sometimes-weird but most-of-the-time interestingly cute mind. She always has this cute quirky style consist of mini skirt, a touch of red, signature bob haircut, and nice vintage. We're getting closer as she always supports me in my PG projects and Cups. It's very coincidental that my childhood bestfriend name is also Tria, so I have two Tria(s) in my life. :D

Here are a some sneak peek preview of our latest project for LBoPG 4

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Miy
Blue Mini Dress / Graphic
Beaded Stocking /Miy's
White Tee / Simplicity
Ankle Boots / Absolutee
Red Bag / Tria Nin's
Buttoned Headband / Tria Nin's

Photographed by Dito Yuwono