Annual Refreshment for the Soul

Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting. 

(William Arthur Ward )

(Lets move on!)

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First and foremost, I'd like to wish a Happy Ied Mubarak 1432 H for those who celebrate it; asking a humble forgiveness for anything I've said and done wrong.. and for anything I wrote that might hurt any of you in the past, dear reader.. 

For an Ied Mubarak is an annual refreshment for the soul, a chance to write from the blank white page of life once again, a chance to forgive and forget, and to move on leaving broken hearts behind. For me, it means love..love..love! Family gathering, hugs, kisses, and forgiveness.. delicious treats, laughter, warmth, an attempt to be nicer, and happiness. A season of joy.. May you all enjoy it too!

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 (Do you realize? This is a batik dress I'm wearing.. how do you like the color?)

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(The color of this dress reminds me of Alice, lucky I found this pocket watch to top the look)

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(I have a crush on fox. I went all nuts and touristy when I found this statue of a boy and a fox by the river. *fainting*)

(Ah! and that picture on the right side.. Ha-ha.. look at my tired face,, this is probably the first time I felt kinda tired to get my pic taken, but Dito was all so excited.. I think it was because of the dress and the walk around the city.. ;)~ psst.. usually, I beg him for a photoshoot.. this time is kinda..well, monumental? Lol. )

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 (The bag I found at Tongue in Chic thrift market at Clarke Quay that day. That's why I'm wearing two bags)

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Miy

Batik Maxi Dress / Summer and Spring

White Bag / a gift from my mom

Nude Bag / Thrifted

Shoes / Conexxion

Sunglasses / Go-Girl

Pocket Watch / Thrifted

Ring / a birthday gift

Hat / Merpati's

Photographed (intensely) by Dito Yuwono ;)

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Hugs,

A Love Letter for Cat Socrates

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Dear Cat Socrates,

You, mean..mean little shop. You make my heart stops right at the first time I found you, even before I stepped into your shop. Those tiny whimsy photos you hang in front of the store, that insanely cute bicycle you display out there just like a lady owner of the bicycle is busy shopping inside and left her ride, and all those tiny details carelessly spreading around the place. I was bewitched. When I stepped in, I was literally breathless. I thought I already found treasure when I first hold that Alice in Wonderland and Le Petit Prince Agenda.. but I was wrong, digging deeper inside your shop was a journey to wonderland itself. 

I was totally amazed by those indie-published books (those postcard books; The Sky I Wish To Share With You *swoon* and other photo compilations; local literature and all); those handmade postcard and Polaroid’s stickers; those quirky notebooks (I die!); fun cameras (I can't help myself but taking home one of these and considered to name her Socrates before finally calling her Antoinette); amazing collections of tin toys (yes, those that actually run with keys); and super sweet collections of homewares and fabrics (I must have actually die and gone o a little shop in heaven).

One day visit wasn't enough to feed my hunger of your beautiful collections. I feel that urge to keep coming back. When my new pink camera Antoinette found out to be broken, I came back to your place the next day and got a brand new camera to replace pink Antoinette to blue Antoine; remember me? It was exceeding expectation. I thought the best thing that you can do was trying to repair the camera, but no.. a brand new baby, that is! How generous is that?

It's also very nice to take a sip in that busy mini cafe of yours, great selection of bossanova  musics and entertained by that humble yet romantic mini exhibition you held (Stand On Your Two Feet). I must say that I am a very happy customer.

Guess what, that very same day we tried to take a stroll along the city's hippest spot where all that cool blogshops are standing straight and tall, but, really.. Nothing compared to the satisfaction of finding you at the very first place. Well.. Book Actually; Threadbare and Squirrel; and Birds and Co. are kinda super cool too.. but still, you won over my heart. *lovestruck* 

The other satisfaction that came close to what I felt when I found you was finding the original site of Ya Kun Kaya Toast with all that original old-style stall (and I already have this unhealthy crush with Ya Kun Kaya Toast since a year ago because it reminds me so much of the taste of my childhood.. so, basically, that is still incomparable to my Polaroid love to you: instant, easy, and sweet). 

Someday, I be back and I have to say that you've inspired me to make some major makeovers for my own little shop in Jogja (Lir Shop). Hopefully one day, someone would fell in love when she first stepped inside my shop the way I did with you. It's so easy to love you.

Starry eyed, weird standing pose, and love charmed,

a (more than) happy customer

P.S.: Photographed by Dito Yuwono, and that pretty lady next to me? I'll feature her in a blogpost soon enough. ;)


P.S.S: Check out Cat Socrates' August Newsletter here. Over-flooding cuteness alert! (You've been warned!)

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Miy

Tea Dress / Summer and Spring

Sandals / St.Moritz

Accesories / Random

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Slow Down, You Move Too Fast

 (You Got to Make the Moment Last)

♪ ♫ ♪ The 59th Street Bridge Song - Simon and Garfunkel ♪ ♫ ♪

Hola! 

I'm just back from a week vacation to the neighboring country. It was a well-deserved rest, a break from the fast-moving pace of time, a celebration, a little visit to dear family and friends; as well as a business trip and some works to do. 

The trip was fulfilled with numerous art galleries and museum visits; cool and hip shops; bookstores and book shopping; toy and vintage thrifting; and miles of walking. Some highlights will be posted next, and now is time for random photos to do the talk. 

Woohoo!

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(with Merpati, Dito's sister who lives in this city)

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(cute mural)

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(My absolute favorite dish in this city: Briyani rice and chicken curry near Bugis street)

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(photographed by Iwan Effendi at Vue Privee)

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(with the nonas: Merpati, and mbak In + mbak Ria of Papermoon Puppet Theater)

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Ah! Talking about that floral backpack.. Really, I don't know how about you girls but I find it difficult to find just the perfect backpack. You know, the one that's just right. I've tried looking around and found none. 

That was until I met mbak Embun of Youthdew Vintage. She is a perfectionista and she makes the cutest wallets, necklace, and bags. Over and over again I fell for her creations and her attention to details. It's only normal that I finally decide to order a backpack from her.. and voila! Just the right backpack for me. As I always say, ladies.. if you can't find one, make one. So, how do you like that floral backpack? I like it a lot, I carry it all the way across the sea. ;) 

Check out her delicate floral bags, wallets, and pom-pom necklaces here.

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(I was spoiled with lots of pastel-colored building here.. awww..)

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(not to mention the huge trees that's spreading around the town and right in the middle of the town.. I mean it: huge!)

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(..and this too-cute-to-be-true balloon rabbit in front of the art museum. Insane!)

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(Our hostess, Merpati, cooked us this delicious shrimp and veggies.. yumm!)

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Miy

Lace Dress/ Forever 21

Backpack/ Youthdew Kulture

Scalloped Top/ Shop Versicle

Polkadots Skirt/ Obiobi

Rosette White Top/ Little Garage

Pink Scalloped Short/ Thrifted

Accessories/ Assorted

Photographed by Dito Yuwono

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Life, I love you.

All is groovy.