The Perfect Birthday Weather

We don’t ask to be eternal beings. 

We only ask that things do not lose all their meaning.

(Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)

It was the sky. 

I remember the sky look like fresh water with rippling clouds; deep and intense. I remember being carried away by the stream of wishes..listening to what my heart really wants, carefully..and followed where the path was taking me. 

I remember the wind brings tranquility to every heart it has touched. 

I remember being very careless, letting myself free from all the routines; trying to find the newness of daily life all over again..and succeed. I remember feeling like walking inside a bubble or warmth and serenity..and freedom. I found myself visiting the old sites I used to love when I was a kid..only to find myself still in love with all these places and the magic.  

I remember being very inspired by the sky..the irresistibly clear blue sky.. and decided to re-read the books of great aviators with soul of a poet: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.. Roald Dahl.. Gavin Pretor-Pinney. There goes the first birthday resolution. I imagine them dancing upon the cloud, swimming through the deep blue sky, and word starts pouring out like the endless stream of sun flares seen from their flying goggles. 

That day, I got a gorgeous weather as my birthday present. 

It was perfect. 

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Photographed by Kurniadi Widodo on my birthday 

Thanks to Ben, Kate, Dito, Wid, and Yoga for accompanying me through the journey! ;)

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Love,

What a Pleasant Surprise!!

 

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It was a bright windy morning at Lir with a pile of things to do and a new haircut when a pleasant surprise knocks on my door.. 

First, it was Diny.. so that day, Diny went to Lir and surprise me with this cute bunny wall sticker sticking behind me! She said it was an early birthday present and I've always wanted wall sticker so much!! (Yayyyy!!) I named my new bunny friend 'Lunapin' and she will sure become one of my favorite photo background! ;) 

Diny is my little sister's friend who has now become my friend and feels so much like my own sister. She has been an angel with wide helping hand these few days and she has just launched her zine: SPARK. It's a must read for teenage girls out there.. she's kinda inspiring and cute! (Click here to read her blog and click here for her zine)

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And the days went by.. and my birthday is coming closer (it's tomorrow, by the way).. and another surprise knocks on my door!!

 Mr.Postman delivered this package..

..from my favorite collage artist: Ika Vantiani!! 

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One..

Two.. Three..

 

Four!!

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Four pretty collages I used to droll over whenever I browse her etsy page!! *fainted* 

I was super speechless.. if you know how much I idolize this collage artist.. if you know how I also enjoy making collages and wish that one day I can learn making collage from her.. if you know how I waited and waited for a postcard that she promised to send once upon a time and end up finding this package!! My heart stops. I'm so excited I could burst!  (And there is a super exciting plan we have in the short future..just wait!)

Check out Vantiani's blog here and her works here.

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No.. that's not all!

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Mbak Donna (Dito's sister in-law) surprises me with another pre-birthday package containing three quirky rings!! (and I loooove quirky rings I'll make a blogpost about it soon enough) One of the best part is.. mbak Donna gave me a teacup ring that looks just like my most beloved ring that lost its way home long long time ago. I love it so much I once made a blogpost about it (here). Aaaah.. thank you, mbaaak.. :D *kisses*

Oh..I'm such a lucky girl to be surrounded with such thoughtful people, aren't I? *sigh*

*****

 

Miy

Outfit by Raindrops on Roses

Photographed by Dito Yuwono

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Love,

Looking for..

Lir Shop is hiring! 

Apply here

We need you.. 

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Hugs,

Indonesia Circa 60s

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An event that requires certain way of dressing or casually put up a dress code is always exciting. Sometime it feels like going to a costume party. Just like this one.. a theater performance with Indonesian vintage dress code~ me likey!! I feel like going back to the 60s.. Psst..it was my mom who gave me all the styling tips this time. Do I look convincing? ;) 

P.S.: No, I'm still not a vintage-fashion blogger. Although I convincingly look like one (in this post). In 2012 I'll try being a bit more 'now'.. or at least, less vintage..if you know what I mean.. We'll see!

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Speaking of, what do you think of a costume party to celebrate my (or Picnic Girl's) upcoming birthday?

I'm looking forward to it! 

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Miy

Bow Top / Little Garage

Apricot Long Skirt / Raindrops on Roses

Accessories / Random

Coin Pouch / handmade by my sister

Photographed by Hera Ariani (1), Dito Yuwono (2-5), and Octo Cornelius (6) 

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Hugs,

A Love Story Told on Mother's Day

 (the tour bus)

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At first, my mom hesitated to go watching Papermoon Puppet Theater's performance that night. If it wasn't a Mother's Day celebration, she would prefer staying at home and miss this heartwarming performance. I’m glad she finally said yes.  

Secangkir Kopi dari Playa* (A Cup of Coffee from Playa) is a site-specific puppet theater performance by Papermoon (I wrote about this theater once, here). The story was based on a true love story of Pak Wi** who got separated from his lover for over 40 years and spend his life waiting in vain, searching for the love of his life to fulfill his promise. It was such a coincidence that he shares the same nick name with my late father: "Pak Wi". That small fact must have meant a lot to my mom. :) 

That afternoon, we park the car at Kedai Kebun Forum and wait for the tour leader to take us to the 'secret' place where the play would be performed. A cute bus named "Sari Buah" (literally translated as "Fruit Juice") took us from KKF to Jangkrik Antique Warehouse. An old school styled tour guide (performed by Wulang, one of my favorite young artist) cheer us up by giving explanations with a dash of dry jokes about some old building we pass along the way.. Some jokes were so dry, it turned out hilarious. Especially at the end of the tour, we simply can't stop laughing!  

When the show begin, my mom and my sisters starts whispering to each other at certain parts, giggling, taken away by the story, and in some parts~ shed some sparkling tears. The story was heartbreaking but our story was a happy ending one. My mom was very happy (look at her smile at the end of this post!) and that's what really matters for me and my sisters.

Thank you, Papermoon..

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(Me and my sister, Mirla)

(Left: Me,my mom, my sisters Mirna and Mirla in the bus- Right: with mbak Ria Papermoon)

 

(Manda of Perempuan Gimbal, miy, and mb Ria of Kuwaci Kecil posing on the set)

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(with Dito next to the love bike)

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 (with my friend Octo who acted as the polaroid photographer)

 (with the mother of Papermoon herself)

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At the end of the show..

(My joyful mom hand-in-hand with my sisters)

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Photographed by Dito Yuwono, Octo Cornelius, and Hera Ariani

P.S.:

(*)   More about Secangkir Kopi dari Playa>> click here

(**) The true (heartbreaking) love story of Pak Wi >> click here: (1), (2), (3), (4) >> please read.. it worth all the fuss in clicking those four links.. it might remind you that true love exist. ;)

(***) There's a new update at Lir's blog: a review and a preview! >> click here