Happy 2016

Here's a blog I have been trying not to post. But I finally did.

Dedicated to all the people who never understand about my relationship with my furry children. And who's been telling me that "It is not the same with being married and having real children."

I won't argue with that.

Closet Cleaning

I have completed.... (drum roll) some closet cleaning earlier this month! Yay!

Why is this such a big deal? Because you really need the willingness to do it. And of course, time.

After reading some tips, I applied the simplest rule of thumb by asking myself these two questions:

"Have you worn this (top/pants/skirt/dress) the last six months?". 
If not, chances are you never will again. Or at least, until we have the next generation of fashion designers starting to bloom.
The next question:
"If you see this article in a store today, will you buy them?"
No? You know what to do.

After three hours, I managed to gather around six pairs of pants that no longer fits me (thanks to boot-camp sessions, I am shrinking from size 4 to size 2 #fistbump), ten tops (t-shirt, blouses and cardigans that I answered NO to the above questions) and five dresses (Was I not realizing my age when I got them?!). All will be donated.

My closet suddenly seems to be breathing fine. And the amazing thing is, I suddenly have more ideas on how to mix and match with less clothes! The logic must be because since I now have space, I am able to see clearly of what I have instead of gazing through a pile of mess that makes me feel like I have nothing to wear. With less clothes, I have the energy to color-coordinate them. Therefore, my eyes will automatically look for matching bottom after I spot some blues hues, for example. 

Isn't that a cool yet easy trick? I wonder if you can apply the same rule to contact list on your phone tho :-). 
E.q:Have you contacted this person the last six months? Do you want to? If you bumped into them today, will you have something interesting to say and or hear?

Here's a chart I got from Pinterest which you may find useful.

Be Ready to Be Copied

As an amateur blogger, I am reading plenty of other blogs and discussion forums too. Therefore, I am fully aware that I am influenced by them. Topics can be the same as interests and trends might be similar as well as vary.

But, we must have different style, and habits of using certain phrases or notions, orders, expressions, or even instagram hashtags. They cannot all be the exact same... Can they?

Here's to inspiring bloggers I have learned a lot from and somehow keep me sane to be my own self: Refinery 29, Miss Moss, Hello Giggles, The Dish Daily and many more!

ps: Well said, someecards!

What are your guilty pleasures?

Fashion magazines, pop music, Justin Bieber, or a very salty-and-creamy-delicious-butter. Guilty pleasures, people say. Something to savor after a long day; simple things to indulge, just cause. Everybody's got them. Me included.

At first, I never really thought that "Guilty Pleasures." is actually a thing. Until a few years ago, when preparing to pack my life leaving Jakarta... I found myself coughing in the midst of dust when cleaning my closet that is filled with... fashion magazines. Yep. You name it; Glamour, People Style, Vogue, ELLE, and more Vogue. 

1. Yes fashion magazines. I know...I know... you cannot just follow what magazines tell you to do, or worse, advise you to buy hand bags you cannot afford because it goes with that new hairdo. But, to thumb through fashion magazines gives my eyes a good rest, and my mind a well deserved "pause". I can be present. Just, be there. I can actually stop thinking about work, news, and problems just by staring at a picture of a well structured hand bags; admiring the details, imagining the texture. Do I go online and check the price, no, never. I just enjoy the view and sometimes sniff the smell of the paper before they turn dog-eared.  Also, when flipping through the pages, there will always be styling tips I can memorize to someday try to copy.
2. Watching movies I have seen for the umpteenth of time: Good Will Hunting, Remember The Titans, I am Sam, Men of Honor, The Mighty Ducks sequels, Lion King... Why?  Because I enjoy knowing how things ends. It's safe and comforting to know that this bad and sad scene will soon be over with a good ending. The same rule goes with books. I re read the ones I love. Weird, yes? And it scares me to think if this is also how I see most things in life, especially relationship. I like to know. It gives me pleasure to know. Not knowing kills me.
3. Salty butter with sprinkles of truffle that melts in your mouth in a second. Oh yes baby. And I am fully aware that it is bad to fill up on bread (with butter!) while waiting for your steak dinner to be ready... But I cannot help it. I am just relieved to be dating someone who does not think I am a human elephant. Tho, he loves to tease me by calling me "A black hole."
4. Trashy serials that makes me feel like I have nothing decent to wear in my closet. It is horrible, ya ya ya and yet I can tell you exactly what happened at the end of 90210. Or, Gossip Girls. But I am a religious follower of Private Practice too, so I guess that should make me a bit smarter? 
5. Buying the same stuff(s) again and again just because I know it works. Evidence: A serious galore of striped tops, white shirts and tees, dark-blue of everything, and a pile of gingham pattern). I swear to you I will never be able to buy myself a flower patterned blouse... Nothing wrong with it, it is just not familiar. It does not give me that tingling feeling of "guilty pleasures".

PS: A different take on Guilty Pleasure which I like!

Savory Sweetness

What I am looking forward to in 2016

Instead of listing down resolutions, this year I just want to continue an approach to share about what things, events, occasions that I am looking forward to in 2016, from personal life to fashion industry, from movies to what hair style to rock, and from sports and fun and games to politics.

Here goes!

1. My project. Oh my project. The progress is being stuck with my excuses since last May but I just had creative juices jump start in my head and is ready to continue for good.
2. The long awaited Finding Dory! I was stoked when Ellen officially announced it!
3. Trip to Tanjung Puting. Was meant to leave end of November but due to the forest fire math, it has been postponed to March 2016. I am begging the Universe to make this happen. A travel and lifestyle publication have asked me to do a story on this trip and I am thinking of interviewing one of the rangers there who has been doing the most selfless job ever. Find out (and support) them via Orangutan Foundation International.
4. Aesthetic department: Do you think this bob and bangs will suit me? Also, I want to style up high waist jeans more often. Like these ladies! In colors, to rock this rad combo of camel and red. What do you think?
5. Euro Cup 2016 Baby! I still have the heart for Espana, I mean look at them the past years! They failed the World Cup 2014 which was heartbreaking but I will still be rooting for them. And the Oranje!--- Update: Their nightmare sets in as the team failed to qualify Euro Cup. #heartbreak.
6. US Presidential Elections 2016, tho it is more because I am so into the brilliant campaigns they always have. Intriguing and interesting to watch. 
7. Continue supporting animal welfare cause and ask my families to join me.
8. Another career growth. In Jesus name. Amen

And the utmost thing I am looking forward to... A better world to live in. There has been so many sad news the past year and I do not even have the heart to mention them. For those affected by world's hatred... I am sending your all the prayers to stay strong, just stay beautiful as you are and do not let those turn your back away from believing that we can still work to make good matter again.

Grateful Heart for 2015

As it is, in a speed of a bullet, time flies.

For the next weeks before entering 2016, I will be taking time to reflect, evaluate and mostly to be thankful.

Especially for below...

1. Always and forever will thank God for my health. Two years ago, I started running and gradually increasing my kilometers and speed up my time every month. Since last June, I added boot camp to the menu. It is a combination of cross fit, circuit, tabata and pyramid training that rotates to build your muscle and develop your core strength. It is painful. And I almost gave up on it for so many times. But I did not. Running influence my mood in a good way whilst Boot camp helps me to stay motivated. The combo of both somehow has a magical power to help me focus even more at work and in other projects I have. 
2. Marilyn and Mahoni, my girls. My good side, my remedy, my daily dose of happiness and my strength. I do not need to say more. 
3. My siblings and my Mom who continue to make me feel appreciated and needed. Not because I have it all figured out (because I don't), but simply because we are family. 
4. The past year with the company I am working for has been great too, praise the Lord. May I continue to shine His work through me.
5. Friends I have lost and gained. You have taught me a lot about growing. "Be like a tree and let the dead leaves drop."- Rumi. It's just that simple. 
6. I finally re painted my washed out house, built a simple kitchen cabinet in my alfresco dining area and a floor to ceiling closet in my room. I keep making a big deal about it as it really is a big thing for me. For I still remember the days I prayed for the things I have now. So again, thank you God.

Especially For You

I know all of you will be reading this and will probably cringe realizing that this girl who listens to Kasabian and The Cure can be this cheesy!

But this song is the one that is playing in my head now. 

"Especially for you I wanna tell, you mean all the world to me
How I'm certain that our love was meant to be

You changed my life
You showed me the way."

xx

Pictures of You

Just cause.

Why I have a tiger plush toy in my office

Of all the things someone would treasure in their office, what is the quirkiest, most random, non-work-related one that you have seen? Or, have?

For many reasons my colleagues love to hang in my office. They enjoy browsing through the stacks of magazines that are sent regularly by various publications, or just to make a mess of my postcards collection. And of course to discuss work in between. 

And more often than not, they will lay eyes on my small tiger plush toy chilling on my bookshelf. And they will ask me "Why do you have a tiger toy in your office?"

And that, my friend, is my cue. 

Talk Pretty to Me

Every other week, I will post an interview session with an inspiring friend. My first guest on this maiden feature is a ravishingly beautiful girl working for a boutique Mall on weekdays, and cooking up a storm in her little kitchen to cater for her home-cooking delivery business on weekends.

Sweethearts... read Judith Kirana's take on Beauty.

Like a girl

Have you ever seen this campaign: Like a Girl
While I am trying so hard to not give up on bootcamp, I have been watching it over and over again the past days... 

And here's another version that I think you might like: Unstoppable

Eyes on The Road

Kudos, Volkswagen.
(Created by Ogilvy PR)

She's Always a Woman to Me

This song is not about me. It represents a man's true love to a woman I am very close to in life. That man is gone now, but I want to believe that the same kind of love is still existing.

“Elephants never forget.”

As you may have heard, #ripyongki is not a trending topic we can be proud of. As an Indonesian (and, a Sumatran), I am heart broken and embarrassed. And I am sure you all know me long enough to understand why I am taking this personally. And, quite hardly. I thought I would never be as mad as when I hear about Cecil, but boy was I wrong...

Please read here:

Rest In Peace, Yongki (Images can be very disturbing, if not making you question humanity over and over again) 

True, we cannot join the rangers out in the wilderness to get the poachers, but I believe you can find it in your heart to care enough to sign for the petition.

If you want to support further, I will give you the information on how you can “adopt” these beautiful beautiful creature.

Petition:

Justice for Yongki

Should there be another petition to be sent over to RI President so this cause will be brought up to his attention, I will re share. There’s a gigantic monster out there behind this illegal trading business. An elephant ivory is worth USD3,000 /kg… and, that's just the down payment. The real payment: Our children later in the future only being able to see them in pictures. We have to let the authorities know how much we need them to get into the roots of this evil. Greed, that is.

Thank you, friends… I would really appreciate your time. 

“Elephants never forget.” they say.

So why should we?

ps: I am grieving. I am sorry, Yongki... I am so so sorry for what we have done to you and your families.

Not Yongki. This is just a picture I got from Pinterest. It broke me to pieces.

Californication

Remember this little buddy Diogo?
Apparently, like yours truly, he's a big fan of RHCP too.

That head-banging, baby!

Here Comes The Sun

My idea of "walking-down-the-altar" song.

Questioning my unfaithfulness

People keep asking me; Why animal welfare? And for years I tried being diplomatic hiding my real answers: I have a close to zero faith in humanity. 
But today, I am glad to finally question my unfaithfulness when I joined a visit to this school for  children with disability as part of my company's CSR program. Not my very first CSR for sure but you'll see why this made a significant impact. Just from the smallest "incident".

After doing some painting and general cleaning work, I escaped to the classroom with these little fellas; Bayu, Nesi, Fito, and Putu to do some drawings. Them and many more that are not in the frame taught me a lot about overcoming disabilities (Down syndrome, deaf, blind). We think their life is hard but to them, the world is a safe place, people are kind, and God is amazing. I am swelled with the way they told me about their school, the games they love and even crush!

After almost an hour chatting leisurely, Putu (boy on my right) looked me in the eyes and asked the most important question "What color do you think I should use for this roof of the house I am drawing?" As a boring adult, I told him most house roofs are brown. 
I think he was a bit disappointed because he paused before asking me again 
"But, some can be red, right?" He stuttered in all his limitations in speaking. 
"Yes, Putu... Some can be red." I smiled. Trying hard to hide my trembling voice. 

And just at that very moment, I can hear my heart whispering " Yes, Tressabel, some can be kind."
God speed.

ps: If you want to be part of their inspiring journey by sponsoring them, please contact: +62 361 771718

L.O.V.E

Oh, woofs with me?

Pinterest

Things my divorce taught me.

A dear friend is going through a divorce at this moment. So, based on her request, I am re-posting this piece from a year ago.

This post is not a mellow one. It is a written assurance of how thankful I am now. For my divorce (4 years ago)- now 5, has taught me a lot that I am willing to share here, with no intention at all to pry.
One thing for sure, divorce taught you a lot about life, love, your friendship, family, and your vision about relationship(s). 
But foremost, it taught you a lot about yourself. 

Here goes.

1. It is okay to change your mind. Obviously. Tho in my case, it may seem like I have registered for a swimming club to just then finding out that I am allergic to chlorine... But, really... why would you risk getting all those skin rashes anyway?

• You will have this super power to listen to your heart more attentively. You will finally understand that you are not that much of a coward anyway, because you are not afraid to take chances and embrace changes. Even though it hurts you to the bone.
• Bitter truth lesson: Love, apparently, in a contrary of what The Beatles keep telling us in "All you need is Love" is, not the only thing you need. 
• Prioritizing battles is one skill I never thought I have. Now I know that I can do that. It may seems like an act of ignorance, but there are things that does not deserve a glance of a headache and there are things that deserve my blood-shed battle. My divorce taught me to differentiate those. 
• Some people can give you "that look" when you tell them you are divorced. That "Oh, sorry, you will find a better one someday" look (As if they think they know that's all that you are looking forward to in life!). Some sad people will be suspicious that you would want to eat every available-not available man that is breathing (including theirs!) Neither of those ideas that I care about.
• There are also people who think they know what's best for you and aren't afraid to make pointy judgment to hurt you and make you feel guilty. Do they mean it? I do not know. But  lucky for me, it is my very own family that once told me this at the beginning of my divorce trials: "You can't worry about what everyone else thinks."
• You will learn to understand that healing may take time. And trust... no surprise here; takes longer to re-build. And no need to rush. But admitting this is half the battle. I am getting there, in my timid baby steps.
• The continuous self-discovery after divorce roams in and around all aspects of my life, including sex. You will feel more empowered and confident since you started to see it as more of a need and can be separated from emotional attachments, if you like. Or, there can be some in it, there can be a lot. It is up to you. BUT Get to know your body and do things the healthy way! Self love is recommended. Vibrator, ladies, is a healthy option too!
• It makes you less judgmental. It folds you to be super critical towards men. Again, do not feel guilty about ditching someone just because he did not open the door for you (or because he does not read a lot of books, or has no health insurance, or not wearing nice shoes, does not like dogs!) 
• On a heavier note, it did change how I see religion. But it does not change the way God loves me and it makes me love Him even more. 
• Wolfing dinner by the sink is not a sin. So does gulping over a bottle of red (alone!) when you feel like casual dating is just a "meh" idea.
• You will be struck in an awe realizing that you can forgive. I did that. And it is very liberating.
• There will be skills and passions of you that are suddenly blooming. Simply because you have time to care more about yourself, your career, your potential. You will wake up one day feeling thankful for the roof upon your head that you actually built, or for that designer label hand bag you bought for yourself, or even maybe... for that handsome man next to you that you do not know his name of. 
• If you really ask yourself, and really-really answer, you know, that you still believe in falling in love again. And last one...
• You will burn, destroy, erase the things that are not you.

Ps: You asked me what to do first? This below:

Conqueror

The series itself, is not my cup of tea.

But I am falling for this song.

I dedicate this to each and everyone of you out there who's been through hell and back... or who is still crawling their way through life. 
Do not ever give up...

"I am a conqueror, I won't accept defeat."

A Rescue Story

She was scared. She act brave and all but she was scared.
Her eyes met mine and all I see is fear and a little bit of madness. I am familiar with that because I am too… filled with madness.
She told me that everything is going to be alright. That from now on, none of us will ever have to face the world alone.
I told her that I think this is why our path crossed. Here on the side of a busy street.

I do not trust other people that easy. She whispered. Well look where I am, I replied.
But deep inside, when my gut twitch and my head feels her stomping heart beat
I know… we can give this a fighting chance.To trust again.

To be less mad about the world, to heal our wounds.

 
She throw away the plastic bag that was used to wrap my tiny body before I was thrown to the gutter
I rest my shivering body on her chest. I let her hug me tight and take me home

We are in this together. I told her as she laugh-cry.
And I will never forget the day I rescued a human being... 

Sincerely,

Mahoni, a #mutt.#rescueddogs #mahonithemutt

Restoring faith on humanity one buzzfeed at a time

The tragedy of Cecil is just one of the reason that makes me question humanity over and over again. But, ranting about it will not solve anything so I continue to do my part. Signing petitions, sound the campaign and just continue making donations that may not be big at all... but it is a step ahead from just posting a mad statement on social media.

I also stumbled upon this buzzfeed article ... and it warms my heart.
Maybe, there still is... Hope.

My fave picture below pictures my #relationshipgoal. Yes, with you.

Max The Hero Dog

Finally! A movie that I am excited to see and tear-jerk this year! This canine adventure one is from the director of Remember The Titans (all-time fave) and a producer of Marley and Me (family's fave).

Max the Hero Dog

" "Max" played by five Belgian Malinois, but Carlos played in almost 80% of the movie. Four other Belgian Malinois dogs had their facial features carefully dyed to resemble and assist, each one with his own specialty. Jagger served as the main understudy. Dude specialized in jumping, Pilot in knocking people down and play-fighting. Pax was used for running shots and "happens to be good at showing his teeth," says Mathlide de Cagny of Birds & Animals Unlimited, who trained the dogs with O.J. Knighten.

Cecil The Lion

Nothing beats the ugliness of a person who needs constant ego stroking by killing animals. Just like no one can look as hideous as anyone posing for a picture next to a killed (hunted) animal(s). 

Read the news here. It is reported that Walter Palmer actually lured Cecil out of the Park.

Petition to sign:
Change.Org
Care 2 Petition Site

May you rest in peace, King Cecil. 
Now, I need to try to stop my cheeks from forming rivers. 

The Other Woman

On the last week of my job at my previous hotel, one of my biggest project: a short movie, was completed. Done, wrapped, ready to be shared. But yes, it was only on my last day that I got to show this to everyone in a general meeting/ farewell event, and it seems that the marketing of it has not yet been channeled.

But that is not why I am writing this post.

The purpose of this blog is not only for me to share personal stories and insights. But also to show my work. This, is one of them. The cooking of the idea was an amazing process, as it is based on a true story that I had to tweak. Yes, I am the director of this short movie, as well the script writer. And, the stylist!

In my industry (or maybe everywhere) you can sometimes be complaisant with standard and template, and... stop creating. I am glad I am still learning and producing.

By blogging this, I am inviting you to view it, please. And let me know what you think. It is not Coppola's, nor it is a Cannes quality as it is still a marketing movie but I hope you get to see why I am very proud of my rookie and raw talent and is not afraid to push forward for improvement.

Another short movie is still now in the making (giddy!) and I cannot wait to show you the result.

PS: Spot an energetic black fur!

The hurt and the healer

"The healing does not come from being explained." Mercy Me

Amen.

Current obsession: All Things Linen

For years, I have always been a striped frenzy. Does not matter how my families and friends keep telling me "Tressabel you already have that kind of stripes!", I will always think "Uhmmm, well I know what you mean but that one is not exactly like this one." 

Then I went on to the cashier.

But the past 3 months since my last "spring cleaning", I found some of my old linen shirts; white, dusty green and baby blue. And I am starting to reconnect with its comfort and breezy feeling again as well as its benefit to give me even more ideas to mix and match and to dress it up or down as I like. Also, I can style them as office wear, or to just eat in a warung after work. As for my next sunset cocktail event, I cannot wait to sport this linen trousers!

Unlike striped tee that comes in various brands, style, fabrics and price, linen can be a bit more expensive. My suggestion is to wait for sale season. Well, that's what I did. And you get a quality that will last you a lifetime. Or in my case, five years.

So maybe, my end of year shopping this time will no longer be a striped top galore purchase.

How about you? Any old/new fashion items you have been obsessing about?

ps: Wish list: Linen bedding, crisp linen dress and of course, linen tote!

GAP

About losing a parent

Losing a parent is the kind of grief that has its own depth.

Here are my thoughts why.

Back to the days

The worst kind of pain or sadness, I learned, is one you cannot explain why...

Or maybe you can, but you just do not want to.

And truthfully... that is the kind of sadness that I am now having.

I am very good with memories. Which can be good and bad. Today I decided to use the good ones. To help me go on, to help me feel less of pain and just hold on to what's good. To pause in between what feels like a roller coaster. To see even beyond the light at the end of what seems to be an endless tunnel.

Thinking of a moment, a poetry, a smell, a conversation, or... a song.

Like this song that I have been staging in my mind that I will someday sing to my children... and what I reckon as the most beautiful conversation ever: 

“ ‘Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?’

‘Supposing it didn’t,’ said Pooh after careful thought.

Piglet was comforted by this.”

— A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

And this one: