Fashion: In Love with Cropped Top

Cropped top is trendy again

Yay! I finally get flat abs after dragging my ass to the gym (regularly) in this last one year. And the good news is … the cropped top is the latest fashion trend. Which means that it’s time to show off my new flat abs … ha ha ha!

Cropped top is not  a new fashion trend. According to this article , cropped  top has become popular in the 80s and 90s. Interestingly enough, cropped top was actually inspired by the Middle Eastern belly dancer’s bralette.

My first cropped top by New Look [2013: ER]

So here I was walking down to the New Look store in ION Orchard, Singapore, I found a cute lace high neck cropped top  as my first cropped top. I actually was not particularly confident when I wore it for the very first time. But apparently, I am in love with cropped it and I just go crazy buying some of those ‘unique’ outfit.

Guess what? Wearing a cropped top actually encourages me to go to the gym more often and be more disciplined about it so I can get my dream body. Tone yet strong but not too muscular with flat abs, firm butt, strong legs and  arm.

Yeah! That’s my dream body! It is not just about being slim. It is about having slim, healthy and strong body without any slimming pills or fat burners but exercise and healthy food.

Having healthy, strong yet toned body makes me confidence to wear any kind of outfit including the cropped top.

High neck lace cropped top by New Look [2013: ER]

White cropped top by New Look and wide leg pants by DKNY Jeans [2013: EU]

Long sleeve black cropped top by Top Shop [2013: ER]

Fashion: Lace and Sweatpants

Feeling lil bit sporty today! [2013: ER]

My alarm was ringing. It was just 8 a.m. I have not managed to have a proper rest as I just got home by 4 a.m.  Well, it was Friday night.  I went out with some of my friends,  had a couple glass of wine and had fun on the dance floor. I really had a fabulous time last night.

The alarm woke me up. I still felt sleepy. I wanna go back to sleep.

Shoot! I forgot! I actually had a couple appointment with Heirwid and Rina. I invited them to try my home-cooked lunch few days ago and we plan to go shopping at CLUB 21 Bazaar in Plaza Bapindo (as it was the last day of their crazy sale up to 90 percent).

Who doesn’t love shopping when you can get a good quality stuff with a good deal from 2010-2011 collection of Dolce & Gabbana, Marc by Marc Jacobs, DKNY Jeans, Armani Exchange and Calvin Klein?!

Woop! Woop! It’s shopping time for three of us after enjoying my home-cooked lunch of tumis pucuk daun labu, sapi lada hitam and sambal mangga. So here I am… feeling bit sporty with sweatpants by Marc by Marc Jacobs, lace crop top by New Look, wedges sandal by Sam Edelman, Dior sunglasses and Nero Intrecciaato Nappa Bottega Veneta handbag .

What do you think about the combination of sweatpants, lace top and wedges sandal? Yay or Nay?

Have a good weekend!

Lace Crop Top by New Look [2013: ER]

Sweatpants by Marc Jacobs [2013:ER]

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Rocking my new leopard peep toe shoes by Dolce & Gabbana [2013: Oktofani]

Who doesn’t want a good quality stuff with a good deal? [2013: Oktofani]

Those make me horny! [2013: Oktofani]

Fashion: Black Friday

Elegant yet sexy [2013:ER]

Every week, I am always excited about my Friday night because it is a dancing night for me. In order to enjoy my Friday night, it is very important for me to feel good about myself. I love to put my sexy yet elegant dress with a pair of pretty heels and simple clutch.

Unfortunately, I have not been feeling unwell in these last couple weeks. But the wildest part of me still wants to go out, enjoy the wine in a cool place and have a long bla bla bla chit chat with my friends.

So here I am wearing a black legging by Zara, long sleeve plugging neck body suit by  Bebe, belt by Massimo Dutti, Ted Baker clutch, gold rosary necklace and pigalle 120 mm black patent by Christian Louboutin. This outfit was really keeping me warm.

Pigalle 120 mm black patent by Christian Louboutin [2013: ER]

Bronze skinny belt by Massimo Dutti and Hard Case Box clutch by Ted Baker [2013: ER]

Cheers

Fashion: Casual Thursday

Casual Thursday [2013:ER]

It is Thursday morning. I am getting ready to go to the gym. I put my gym gear on and pack my gym bag. As I don’t have any significant agenda today, I just feel to wear something casual, cheeky yet sexy.

So here I am my outfit of the day after the gym. I am wearing Monica Belluci t-shirt by Dolce & Gabbana, Sam Edelman wedges sandal and lime neon bag by L.A.M.B.

Monica Belluci t-shirt by Dolce & Gabbana [2013: ER]

Yellow Neon Bag by L.A.M.B [2013: ER]

Sam Edelman Wedges sandal [2013:ER]

PS: All the stuff are authentic as I am against piracy. As T.I says ‘I’m allergic to counterfeit’

Diary: I Love Cooking

 

Preparation for ‘Tumis Daun Pucuk Labu’ [2013: Oktofani]

When it comes to food, I am actually quiet picky! I’d rather having a good homemade Indonesian food for lunch than having cheese burger and french fries from McDonald or steak with baked potato from any fancy good restaurant for dinner.

Since I moved to Jakarta, I always have a problem to find a good yet delicious homemade Indonesian food especially Javanese dish in Jakarta. Well, I would say that I can find hundred of them selling those homemade Indonesian food but most of them were tasteless. Whether the soto ayam is too oily, fried chicken is not well fried or tumis kangkung is too salty. It sucks.  Man… I need a real food! I need a healthy, clean yet delicious Indonesian food.

Therefore, as I have been taught how to cook  and any kind of recipes are available online, I start to use my cooking knowledge to cook my favorite Indonesian dish such as pepes ikan kembung, tumis kacang panjang, cah bayam, tempe goreng, pepes tahu, tumis daun singkong ikan teri, sayur asem, empal gepuk, tumis daging sapi or tumis bunga pepaya.

Sometimes I also make Western food such as broccoli pasta, salmon steak or beef steak. But it is very rarely.

I always make sure that I have complete source of nutrition on the table for my family. I always make a vegetable dish, meat or fish, rice and sambal in my dining table.  I love the idea of always having healthy food. It is just perfect for everybody! I even am in love with my own cooking! I love cooking!

Actually I like the idea of fancy dining in a good French, Italian or Japanese restaurant with a good bottle of wine. I like the culture of it where we can enjoy our meal, have fun and have a conversation over wine. But I am just not a big fans of Western food.

You know what they say? You can take the girl out of the village but you cannot take the village out of her. I love Indonesian food so much.

Tumis Daun Pucuk Labu [2013: Oktofani]

Tumis Bunga Pepaya [2012: Oktofani]

Pepes Tahu [2013: Oktofani]

Preparation for Pepes Ikan Kembung [2013: Oktofani]

Salmon Steak with Vegetable Salad [2012: Oktofani]

Tumis Kacang Panjang, Nasi Putih dan Sambal Terasi [2012: Oktofani]

Photography: Canada

Coming from a tropical country such as Indonesia, I used to dream to go to the Western Country to have a white Christmas. Wearing a pair of knee boots, long black stylist winter coat and colorful scarf while doing some window shopping in down town Toronto, London or New York City.

Or the idea of having outdoor Christmas tree light, snow, candy cane, Christmas gift and any other Christmas decoration in every corner of the town from the street to family house or churches to the shops, it seems that white Christmas is very magical. But I had no idea how freezing cold the winter would be.

Tried to enjoy my first winter and white Christmas in Halifax, Nova Scotia [2011: ER]

So here I was… Christmas 2011, I went to Canada for nearly one month. Finally, I knew what the white Christmas is. Despite the fact the ambience is very magical and romantic, I must admit that winter sucks BIG TIME! It is so freaking cold! I must wear multi-layers of clothes. Geez! I am so blessed to be born and come from a place with a wonderful weather just like Indonesia.

Nevertheless its suckness (that sometimes I miss), I really like Canada. It is such a beautiful yet organized place. There are so many old historical beautiful buildings (I love old historical building). While I was in Canada, I did not go to many places. I only went to Ottawa, Halifax, Toronto and Montreal.

I actually tend to go around solo because Ed was very busy especially when I was in Ottawa and Montreal. Meanwhile, Ed’s family were very kind to show us around and place to stay while we visited Ed’s parents in Halifax and Ed’s brother in Toronto. I really appreciate it a lot. Thank you very much.

I am looking forward to another trip to Canada but in different time of the year. Preferably during the summer time.

Anyway, here I am sharing some snapshots from my trip to North America.

The Parliament Building of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario [2011: Oktofani]

The View of Dartmouth from Halifax, Nova Scotia [2011: Oktofani]

La basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal [2012: Oktofani]

Apple Caramel dip [2011: Oktofani]

One cloudy day in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia [2011: Oktofani]

Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Ontario [2011: Oktofani]

 

Eternal Flame for The Unknown Soldier [2011: Oktofani]

Down town Ottawa [2011: Oktofani]

Down town of Ottawa [2011: Oktofani]

The famous light house, Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia [2011: Oktofani]

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia [2011: oktofani]

Photography: Kenya

In the end of 2009, I had the opportunity to visit Kenya, East Africa. It was my first big trip to travel to another side of the world. In my wildest dream as a 22 years old Indonesian girl, I had never thought that I want to go to Africa for holiday especially media have been repeatedly portrayed Africa as a ‘scary’ holiday destination.

Apparently, Kenya is such an idylic place with beautiful scenery. While I was in Kenya,  we went for camping at Maasai Mara for three days, went to Lake Magadi and Diani beach. I really enjoyed my trip to Kenya. It was quiet different and adventurous.

Here I am sharing some of my snapshots from my trip. The pictures were taken with Casio Exilim pocket camera. I was not really satisfied with the picture. Hence some of the pictures were edited with iPhoto. I hope you enjoy those pictures.

I am looking forward for more trip to another African country in the near future.

Cheers

Maasai Boy [2009: Oktofani]

Lake Magadi [2009: Oktofani]

Rainbow at Masai Mara [2009: Oktofani]

An antelope [2009: Oktofani]

A group of vulture shared their food [2009: Oktofani]

A group of water buffalo in Masai Mara [2009: Oktofani]

A couple of lovers [2009: Oktofani]

A group of vultures [2009: Oktofani]

Giraffe [2009: Oktofani]