Brand New Semester

Varsity jacket// 1982 boys; Tee// Esprit; Pants + Scarf// C&A; Chelsea boots// Deichmann; Backpack// Mom's

It's autumn! It's autumn! Autumn is here, autumn is finally here! For Students, such as myself, this could, well...it could mean many things but it also means the beginning of a brand new semester. Being a first-year student at the university, I am mega excited to attend this semester. The actual semester won't begin for another 10 days but the orientation for international students starts now. To commemorate this event, I've decided to share with you my varsity outfit post. Oops, did I look like I just woke up in these pictures? Well, being a student, there might not be a lot of time to fix myself up before class -- or, at least, I never do. People say life in grad school and high school are totally different. I'm scared to find out. Good-scared, though. With a new semester starting, I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post anymore. Oh, by the way, have I mentioned, that ever since seeing Zahra and Akita (my sister) wearing varsity jackets, I'm just hooked? Yep, I went so low as to purchase this from the boys' department. BOYS! Not even men! I've sunk so low. Happy Monday, all! Cheerio!

P.S: Isn't the writing on this tee just perfect for a brand new life?

The Three-Colour Rule

If you have to ask what my favourite month of the year is, I would definitely, without a doubt answer October. Happy things happen in October. It is when my favourite season, autumn, peaks. The month of my birthday. The month of excitement. The month we celebrate Halloween -- which worked to my best advantage for my 17th birthday party. I believe a post similar to this has been made before but I just can't help it that I love October so much. Last year, October loved me back and gave me two golden chances to see my beloved in the second month of our early long distance relationship. The years before, it was the month my sister came back from Australia. I can't believe a year's passed since the first time I tried my hand on a considerably long distance relationship. Three years since my Halloween-themed birthday. What will happen this October? Who's to say?

The beginning of this October was rather hectic for me. I moved into a new home that will hopefully be  my permanent home in Germany -- finally. I prolonged my electronic visa with the help of a kind but stern lady at the immigration. There will be an orientation for foreign students on Monday and orientations for my major and minor the week after. The actual class will start two days before my birthday, which is kind of bittersweet. But I love being kept busy. I've made some friends in the last few days. If I have time -- and the permit, I might feature my new home along with my new roommates later on the blog. They are really cool and friendly. I'm so glad to have them as roommates. Aside from them, there are also some friends of my friends who I was introduced to. I have just the best of friends. Thanks, guys!

Top// Primark; Tulle skirt// Pimkie (finally on sale! from 20€ to 5€); Blazer// H&M (borrowed); 

Tights// flea market; Bag// Euroshop; Ballerina// Tracce

Back when I was still in Indonesia, my stepmom told me of an important rule in creating an outfit. It might not be mandatory but it poses to be quite important. She told me that an outfit should consist of a maximal of three colours. I take it that the colour can only be three but might still be okay to vary in different shades. Upon putting together this outfit, I remembered what she said and divided this outfit in three monochromic regions: Navy, White and Black. I kind of like how it turns out. If you haven't noticed it yet, I've been eyeing this tulle skirt since, like, April or May and was completely disappointed to find it was 20€. When I got back in the autumn, it was reduced so low to 5€! Oh wow! Even though the stitch was a little bit jacked, I snatched it right away. Combined with these ballerina flats, I feel like a total ballerina. Maybe I'll get to style it like that too one day. Have an autumnal weekend, all! Cheerio!

P.S: Don't forget to enter this awesome Denim Competition by New Look!

Baby Doll Batik

Happy Belated Batik Day and German's Independence Day, all! To commemorate these events, I wore this beautiful Batik dress the other day. I was originally going to wear it to the local Oktoberfest but everything kind of got screwed up when A.) Firu just up and left to Hamburg last weekend and B.) the other Oktoberfest I researched wasn't open for public after all. Sad, I was...well, am, really. But no matter. I don't know if you could take a good look at the dress but I do wish you could because...I DESIGNED THIS DRESS! Yes, yes, I did. That was back in Indonesia when I found a sufficient Batik fabric and decided to magically turn it into a dress. Because I can't sew -- well, I can't sew a dress, I took the materials and design to the tailor across the street and had this made. Is it ever so obvious that I simply adore how this turned out?

Details: rounded collar (supposed to be Peter Pan-collared), black skirt layered with batik, puffy blue batik sleeves (no buttons), batik button accessories

Dress// tailor-made; Coat// Marks & Spencer; Bag// Gifted; Tights// Deichmann; Shoes// Primark; 

Tie (worn as hairband)// Cotton Club; Watch// Guess (gift); Photos of me by Firu

Can you tell that I've gone back to my trusted and beloved Canon Powershot? I am reminded why I love this camera so much, despite the fact that it's no SLR. It's starting to get cold and the SLR I was borrowing started acting out again. I'm interested in purchasing one myself and have been eyeing either the Canon DSLR 600D or the Nikon DSLR D3200. What do you guys think? Does anybody have any clue about SLR cameras at all? Help! With the autumn coming up, it's the perfect opportunity for some photo op, really.

My hair is getting longer, have you noticed? It's getting to the point, where it's far too short to be called any hairstyle but too long to be called pixie cut. I'm excited to have it at least shoulder-length and crop it  into a bob. Winter is coming in and I really want to get a little warmer with longer hair. This dress, although it was made in a tropical country and tailor-made, no less, it is actually thicker than it seems. So fitting for german festivals and winter road trips. Which we WILL be having this December with some fellows of ours to one of the european countries. Guess which one! Campus life is coming soon and I really want to really take in every last moment I get with Firu before it starts. We're supposed to get me to move in today. Eep! Why don't you guys have an anything-but-mundane Thursday! Cheerio!

New Look: An Outfit for Every Occasion

Oh wow! It's October already! I can hardly believe it. The best part of autumn comes in October - or so I believe. In the olden days, October meant harvest moon and people in Germany held what is called Erntefest (Harvest Festival). These days, though, they have Oktoberfest instead - which is rich with beers and sausages. October represents many things, such as the beginning of a new semester for grad school students (such as myself), my birthday, and - best of all - Halloween! Do you know what you're dressing up as for Halloween? 

Anyway, this October I get to be excited about yet one more thing: New Look Denim Competition! I was informed of it a few days ago by New Look through mail and was busy looking through their catalogue for an outfit ever since. This time the price is £200 and a pair of New Look jeans. Awesome, right? What more is that 9 lucky runner-ups can 'go home' with their pairs of New Look jeans. Tempting, am I right? If you want to join, just hope on over to the link above and read the official rules because Sparkle Fashion Blog teamed up with New Look to bring you this competition. Basically, you have to create an outfit for ANY occasion with one of their denims and give the pair the spotlight it deserves. But I went over the miles and created this instead. Without further ado, here's my entry:

Occasion #1: Campus Life

First of all, meet the star of my entry: this Lee Lipstick Red Jade Skinny Jeans. For months, I've been looking for a pair of bold red jeans but have yet to get my hands on one. When I saw this pair, I simply fell in love. It's from Lee, no less. Autumn is in the air and we might have to dress a little bulkier and layered and less cheerful and colourful. Oh, but, sir, I do refuse to bow down to that general rule. So here I am with these bold red denims. I'd walk into my campus as a debut to my university life in this ensemble. It's not too dressed-up for class but oh-so-effortless.

Occasion #2: Running Errands

As it is such an effortless outfit to build up, people won't suddenly think you're out of place when you run around grocery shopping and posting mails around town. The boots help. Imagine you wearing high heels instead, how are you going to check off the things in your to-do list that require walking around a lot? Actually, I have been obsessed with Chelsea Boots lately and have been wearing them everywhere. They're excessively comfortable and work with everything. Oh yeah, what's more is that this pair can attract attention from people enough that they'd admire your style yet not so much that they'd think you're in the wrong location.

Occasion #3: Meet-Ups

Okay, the first two occasions might need less fashion and more function but who says this outfit won't work either way? Say you want to hang out with your friends after class or on the weekend whilst, say, go shopping or meeting up in cafés. This outfit is another way to go. Or for a 2nd or 3rd date? Done! It's so handy too for those chilly nights - or days, really, it's autumn after all. Say you want to go to the movies with your boyfriend/husband. This is also such the perfect outfit. The chunky cardigan keeps you warm and so snuggly. And, again, the boots keep all options open.

I realise I have yet to share about some other pieces of this outfit. I know I'm supposed to give the jeans the spotlight but I can't help but to share the love. Since forever, I've loved t-shirts and they were in several years ago. They don't seem to shine as bright anymore. I still love them, though. Especially printed ones like these. Oh, I instantly fell in love with this bag the moment I laid my eyes on it. The butterfly clasp and the corn colour are perfect! So there you go. Technically, you don't have to share with me if you're making an entry as well but, if you do, I'll totally check it out. Have fun entering, all! Cheerio!

At the End of the Line

Dress// Connexion; Blouse// Vero Moda; Cozy Cardi + Boyscap// C&A; Tights// H&M; Satchel// Typo; Chelsea Boots// Deichmann

Little colours of autumn. I love seeing them peek out from beneath the green bushes and leaves, as if asking if they could come out. They inspire me to dress in the same shade of colours. Which is basically why the clothing stores are such dangerous places for me to be in. Autumn marks many things. The end of things - namely, summer - and the beginning of things - namely, everything else. Has anyone read Rilke's Herbsttag (Autumn Day)? It is, by far, one of my favourite german poems. Last autumn my class showcased a whole poetry-reading event dedicated to the beautiful autumn we were having. All the teachers were invited, the students read poems, photos of autumn were hanged around the room (which we took) and food and drinks were passed around. It was such a wondrous event. I read Christian Morgenstern's Novembertag (November Day).

Way before class started, Firu and I went on little trips to the ends of the tramlines 1 and 5 - both of which pass by my house. We reached Vellmar (line 1) and Baunatal (line 5). They are small towns on the outskirts of Kassel. Actually, they're not even IN Kassel anymore yet the trams go all the way to the ends of them. They are actually more beautiful than we thought, although, being small towns that they are, there aren't much of anything there anyway. Most these pictures were taken in the outskirts of Vellmar, by the way. My biggest autumn goal is to have more adventures. Last autumn, especially October, was highly eventful for me. I wish to reach the same goal this year. If we're lucky, Firu and I might be able to go to the Netherlands this fall. Yippie! Enjoy the season, guys! Cheerio!