Chronicles

Paris is breathtaking and Woody Allen is brilliant. The city has been captured in so many movies yet he made it again filled with enchantment. Allen's Paris was made with the vibe of its songs and dances were its vibe; with arts as part of their quotidian. Salvador Dali, Fitzgerald, and Hemingway swarming in this movie and around the city as if they were original Parisiens. [...]

Tulisan's production is moving fast to a phase that is extremely exciting yet challenging. With higher demands of our products and interests from the international market's, we knew it is time to step things up. For the last few months, we’ve been working hard to settle a platform for our international launch: expanding our production capacity while retaining the traditional methods and idealistically insisting that our products should be made as a labor of love. The thought of the overwhelming work to meet our deadlines and high standards - at times jittered this clueless-self the most. [...]

I spent last Saturday exposing myself to arts. I have never thought of myself to be a serious art aficionado, I merely only enjoy the big picture. So when I was lucky to found that the New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)'s online course was available in a series of art lecture  facilitated by At America in Pacific Place (more of it, here). It is a 10 week sessions moderated by Amir Siddharta from SidhARTa Auction House. [...]

Rainy season is upon us.  A mid-morning downpour, soaks the city in oversized raindrops that bend giant leaves and further indulge traffic’s unhurried pace.  Deep puddles form on jagged sidewalks making crossing the street an unwelcome adventure.  A steamy heat sets in, and provides one last reason why staying inside is, for now, the best choice. Looking out the window, watching my  garden get a bath, I make a pitcher of a refreshing drink my wise little Mama always reccommends.  Procured from a diet she tried once upon a time, then reinterpreted to suit her taste, she now always [...]

"Behind every successful woman, is a substantial amount of coffee" - Stephanie Piro Piro said it well and Liberica definitely understands it well. The quote was written on a black painted wall of Liberica, a new coffee shop located in Pacific Place Mall, Jakarta.  Deriving its name from an original coffee found in Liberia, West Africa, Liberica is our new favorite coffee shop. [...]

If you ever visit Singapore and look for something to do other than shopping at Orchard Road, I highly recommend going to Dempsey Hill. There are several quaint restaurants and one of my favorite spot is Jones, a specialized grocery shop with a cafe in the middle. My very first attraction to this place was their use of Gill Sans typeface for their whole branding. [...]

Sometimes when your heart is broken, your emotions frayed, or when circumstance requires a fresh perspective, taking a little trip is a remedy the soul appreciates. Stale city air is no match for the fresh variety found just beyond the concrete margins. Sunshine on warm skin induces a tender, peaceful feeling when experienced in new surroundings. With everyday obstacles and implications removed, we become free to imagine that anything is possible. Creative energy seeps in and we can move with confidence in new directions. French artist Yves Klein made a wonderful photomontage documenting his own, Leap into the Void. [...]

Any plan to fly on this Mischievous March? Maybe we could give a little help for your preparation with our passport cover which comes with new design. We're ready to accompany you with Les Papilons de Victor's Passport Envelope. Available at IDR. 65,000. [...]

Long gone are the days when diaper bags were merely utilitarian accessories exclusively dedicated  to toting around baby’s essentials.  The notion of a diaper bag being something you can use long after bottles, pacifiers, and well, diapers have left the scene has (thankfully) taken off. Take for instance our Club & [...]

Last February, KDM opened their campus for more than 500 people whose life crossed path and touched by KDM. It's their 40th anniversary, so they have all the reasons to throw a big celebration for the achievement. Yet, the celebration remained modest and personal despite the large number of guests coming. A warm smile or hugs splurged from the children, staff, and fellow volunteers. Pak Benny, KDM Director, seemed to be the busiest man of the day. [...]

J'adore Penelope Cruz! Not only because she is that beautiful, but I literally spent yesterday watching two of her movies and found it highly productive to find muse. Both movies were recommended by Melissa. The first was 'A Matador's Mistress' starring Adrian Brody and Penelope Cruz in a 1940's Spain setting. It  was a story of the life of Manuel Laureano Rodríguez Sánchez, also known as Manolette,  the best matador ever known to date. The movie depicted his short life and the love that led him to his death. [...]

When Melissa first shared me her idea of incorporating Indonesian folk tales on Tulisan's 2012 edition series, I wondered if I could still explore these stories as much as I could do on an original story. The Secret Garden of Admiral Kasarung was my first attempt. The story of Admiral Kasarung was derived from a West Java folklore, "Lutung Kasarung". Melissa had a very vivid idea of how she wanted the illustration to be elegant and exquisite with a monarchial touch. [...]