The Colours the Wind Brings

Summer is ending ever so slowly on this side of the world. It's been raining non-stop and very chilly this past week. Firu and I have been staying home, cuddling...or playing The Sims. Haha. It's been quite nice to have some down time after such an intense summer. But I wouldn't have it any other way. On this particularly sunny and lovely day, we went out for some groceries (read: much-needed snacks) and grabbed some lunch. I also bought a little entertainment for myself after finishing the last book I had with me - the entertainment being Jojo Moyes's Me Before You. It's been such an enjoyable read so far. After this (and two more books my sister sent me earlier this year), my friend Zahra is ever so kind as to let me borrow her edition of Jodi Picoult's Between The Lines. I'm foreseeing a season of readings this autumn. It'd be so great to snuggle in my coziest sweaters, drinking hot cocoa and reading tons of literature. Seriously can't wait!

Primark dress (worn as top) + belt // C&A cardigan // Sis's pants (hand-me-down) // thrifted brogues // photos by Firu

Though the colour of the leaves hasn't changed here, I'm quite ready to transition to fall colours already. My personal style goal this year is to dress more appropriate to the season/weather, though it's so much harder to do when the season doesn't come with the right weather. I wasn't here last year so I was at a loss of what to wear in such a confused state of season. It's definitely been too cool to wear summery outfits but not cold enough to pull out the pretty sweaters. I'd like to say, I'm all stocked up for autumn. Sweaters? Check. Boots? Check. Scarves? In the process. So bring on the golden season! For now, though, cardigans are my safest bet. It's not too thick and if I get too hot, I can simply peel them off. No big deal. I'll have to save my sweaters until I can wear them without wanting to strip later on. Until then, this might as well be my uniform.

♪ Bob Bob Baby ♫

Carrie // Rebecca // Valentine // Clara // Erin // Jana

Recently, some of my favourite bloggers have decided to go bob - a very nice choice, if I may say so myself. For many, many years bob has been my go-to hairstyle. Twelve out of twenty years of my life can you actually see bob being stuck to the top of my head. There were times where it looked awesome and there were times where it looked absolutely horrid. But having a bob is so much easier to style any way that you like. You can also just let it hang at the side of your head and it'd already look pretty done up. I love the simplicity and neutral look bob brings. It's long enough to make you look positively feminine but short enough for you to pair it with a tomboyish look - you know, without looking like a complete hobo. It's also amazing how bob seems to fit any hair colour and any face shapes (or am I mistaken?). It's just so incredible. No, I'm not thinking of going back to bob again. But it's a hairstyle that I've always adored and admired. Unfortunately, I haven't the styled mine beautifully in the past. Maybe next year, if I go back home, if my hair's already long enough for too long, I'd cut my hair into a bob. Now there's a thought.

Experience is the Best Teacher But Books Also Help

For those of you who are wondering, the photos I display in my blog are all taken by me unless stated otherwise (or we're on a trip and I don't even know anymore who took which photos). Needless to say, these photos were captured by yours truly. I don't own a tripod so I had to be creative on how I was going to accomplish that. Though getting help from friends or boyfriend (if you have one who's willing to do it for you) is a lot easier, there's no satisfaction like snapping your own shots. Firstly, you'd know what you want and have total control over the outcome. Whereas when someone else does it for you, you would be extra bossy and frustrated because your friends aren't mind-readers. A good way to lose a friend, I'd say. Unless, of course, your friend's a photographer whose work you admire and the outcome is always satisfactory to you, in which case you guys would get along and live happily ever after. Though such an occurrence is pretty rare, I should imagine.

Not only that, I've encountered some pretty interesting experiences having had photoshoots on my own. For instance, on this particular day, I met an old man who was apparently a conservationist in Kassel. He suddenly engaged me in a conversation about butterflies, like these Monarch butterflies - or at least I think that's what it was. He told me how many of which butterflies there are in Germany and where (and when) to find them. He said his favourite was the Lycaenidae (Bläulinge) and I can see why. They are so beautiful. He told me if we're sailing through the Mediterranean Sea, we could see heaps of butterflies passing through. That would be so magical. Somehow we ended up photo-hunting for butterflies. He told me how sad he was to see people misuse the earth, care nothing about the nature and throw away trash wherever they well please. There's no earth but this one. We should appreciate it more. 

Primark shirt via Kleider Kreisel // H&M skirt + socks // Flapper Girl ascot tie // vintage purse + brogues

Autumn is upon us and though school doesn't start for me for another month, I thought I'd make a back-to-school sort of outfit post for the heck of it. Despite people being so anti-uniform, one of the things I love about school was the uniform. In Indonesia, most schools have similar unfashionable uniforms - white and red for grade school, white and blue for middle school and white and grey for high school. Often I find myself craving Japanese sailor uniforms or British tartan ones. They're so stylish! So this is my rendition of a summer-look of British-inspired Japanese girls' uniform, save for the purse. 

I couldn't decide if the shirt was better tucked in or let loose but I think you should decide. It being tucked in gives a more casual look but because the shirt is loose and doesn't have a sturdy structure, it doesn't look at all goody-two-shoes or too preppy. Letting it loose is probably a very nice after-school style, where you get to let out your rebellious side whilst hanging out with your friends. I wish I had a matching satchel bag to go with this look though I really like the socks and, shockingly, I'm not wearing the loafers. Instead, I went with my brogues, which added a twist on the whole getup. Instead of a ribbon, I went with this lady necktie. Also, I just bought a set of Gumy by JVC earphones which I adore. It's orange, eco-friendly and has superb quality. Also a necessity for mundane school routine, I believe. Have fun at school for those of you already gone back there and let's do our best this semester as well, shall we?

Stadt in Überblick: Karlsruhe

There are places in this world, no matter how much time has passed and no matter the absence of the tie between you and that place, it will remain a home to you forever. Or maybe I'm just being overly sensitive. For kids with migration backgrounds, home probably varies or has no actual place at all. But I was never a kid with such a background, so I get emotionally attached to things and places. The place I got attached to the most, despite the fact that not many of my loved ones live there anymore, is Karlsruhe. Our first destination. Our home. Way back when.

These are, by far, the comfiest trams in Germany

Geographically, Karlsruhe is located in the middle of Baden-Württemberg in Germany. It somewhat borders not too far from Straßbourg, France. By chance - and probably fate - did I end up in this town. It is rather small and simple with a comfortable transport system - that is, until they started the whole construction to make subway railways in town. In my memory, this town is always sunny and warm, always filled with joy and laughter. My summer town. It was also featured in They Draw and Travel, where I learnt that it's also known as the fan city due to the way "the streets go out like rays through the houses and the huge forest." I am very much smitten with its classic architecture, spread all across town, especially around Durlach, its old town - where Firu and I used to reside. Durlach felt like a whole town all by itself. It was always so beautiful and I always enjoy taking a relaxed stroll around that part of town. To me, this was forever the town where inside jokes were made, obstacles were overcome and laughter was shared. Oh, me and my sentimentality.

Student-friendly copyshop: every town needs one

Mountain railway in Durlach (near where I used to live)

Though I'd only lived here for 8 months - less than my time in Halle - I came to love the town in a heartbeat and knew more of Karlsruhe than of Halle. For instance, Karlsruhe was apparently the birthplace of Carl Benz. Yes, it's that gentleman who manufactured the Mercedes-Benz cars. Every year, on Karlsruhe's anniversary cars of his creation from every period are paraded down the Adenauering - the street  circling the Schlosspark. I actually once saw a steam-engine car still running on the street. I wanted to hop on it pronto! This town also houses one of the most prestigious technical university in Germany (KIT), at one time or another. Aside from the usual tourist landmarks you definitely should visit (i.e. the Karlsruhe Castle, Kunsthalle, Orangerie, the Botanical Garden and Städtische Galerie), here are some of my favourite places in town to be. I used to hang out here with Firu, Iva, Wilson and Edwin or just stumbled upon these places by myself. 

Location: Ritterstraße (two junctions before Herrenstraße from Marktplatz)

This is one of Firu's favourite places in Karlsruhe. We used to go here all the time - even when we didn't purchase a thing. It is divided into 4 floors - including a basement, whereas each floor houses different kinds of toys. Our favourite corner would have to be the board games and cards corner. I love how the interior structure of this place and how many types of dices they have (yes, I have a mild dice obsession, so sue me). Plus, the exterior is also very enticing. This has got to be the most complete toy store downtown. Of course, it's probably nothing in comparison to the Toys'R'Us on Starckstraße. I've never been there myself but Firu said it was rather big, despite its absence of Gundam plastic models.

Location: one junction over from Europaplatz (before Vapiano)

One of the most annoying thing about Germany is, so many places don't have actual names. Granted, places I can actually afford to eat are no franchise so there really doesn't seem to be the need to have a name. But still. There are several phô places in Karlsruhe but this one is Indonesian students' personal favourite - including myself. Not only is it cheap, it also provides delicious bubble tea! The people are also so friendly and the food so delish! Plus, the atmosphere feels like a noodle place somewhere back home. I never say no to mentally flying back home for a small price of delicious food.

Location: Europaplatz (take a turn towards the Bayer building)

When I lived in Karlsruhe, I haven't figured out the art of thrifting just yet - heck, I wasn't even into figuring out my personal style just yet. All that being said, being environmentally conscious and helping the less fortunate is always something I try to do. I'm sure, if you're living in Europe, you've heard of Oxfam already. They're a non-profit organisation, whose sole goal is to help reduce poverty. They set up store almost everywhere across the continent. They sell not only clothes, but also books, cutleries, chinas, CDs, vinyls, you name it. Every Wednesday, this store here holds an auction of the items they put on display. I also wanted to volunteer here once but seeing as I only lived there for another 2 months, they rejected my offer. They appreciated it, though, and had the situation been a little different, they'd love to have me.

Location: Europaplatz (take a turn towards the Bayer building, turn left at the intersection)

Is it any surprise to any of you that this one should land into my favourites? I happened upon this place by chance, of course, when I was roaming town on my own. It looks pretty small from the outside but it's actually a three-story art-supplies store, each floor houses different branches of art. The ground level is filled with jewellery materials such as sequins, pearls, etc. The first level houses all sorts of paints, starting from acrylic, water colour, oil even markers of all kinds for all materials. This was my favourite floor. The topmost level has all kinds of items for handmade crafts such as wood, various papers, etc. The customer service is top notch. I love the ladies who work there, they always engage me in the friendliest manner. Sometimes I go there just to look at the art materials. They bring me such simple bliss nothing else can.

There are actually plenty more places that I want to share with you guys but I haven't had the pictures and I'm not sure when I'll go back there. Maybe some other time? Though instagram hadn't been made available to me when I lived there, I took some old pictures to be put on there because I love the town and memories so much. Karlsruhe was a dear town to me for so long, even long after I moved out, long after Firu did. Now my feelings for Karlsruhe are less strong, though when I go there and am able to reminisce about all these things we used to do, I would be hit with a pang of nostalgia. I love how Karlsruhe has a mixture of antiquity and modern. It gives you as much modern facility as you need without taking the old-school aspects. I know it's futile but how I wish you will never change. Let me just tell you, these pictures don't do the town justice and I regret not taking as many pictures as I probably should. Until we meet again, my friend.

Who Told You You're Allowed to Rain on My Picnic?

This is way overdue but I've just realised how August just flew right by. Three out of four weekends, I was on the move either back or from home. And some weekdays I also explored new grounds. It's been a total blast and I can't believe it's been over a month already. It's been so much fun hanging out with new friends, catching up with old friends, meeting up with a best friend and taking tons of pictures in the process. Real life is starting in a month's time for me and I am just not ready. If only life could be just about going on adventures like this past month. A lot has happened this month: Galuh, Firu's sister, came to Germany and lived with me, we checked out an English phone booth in Germany, we celebrated Eidul Fitr by going to the bowling alley, Firu and I went to the countryside, we (along with our good friends) visited a sunflower field, I met up with my high school best friend, got a visa for 2 years (the lady was really kind!) and, on the last weekend of August, Galuh and I went on a picnic. Oh, how I wish summer could last forever. But now it's time for the leaves to change, for the wheel to turn.

Hand-me-down denim coat (as top) // Pimkie mini tulle skirt // heart-print tights (eBay) // vintage brogues // photos of me by Galuh

On the last weekend of August, Galuh and I went out to the mountains to go on a picnic. We were so determined to do it the day before that we couldn't care less that we had to depart later - because my new roommate came to drop some of his stuff off - and that the sky was getting darker and darker with clouds. We packed our lunch - which wasn't in keeping with the picnic theme - put it in the picnic basket - which became a substitute for a bag to me - and made our way to the peak. We ate lunch and took loads of pictures. Despite our best interests, it rained. By the end of it, we were pretty much drenched - despite the umbrella. I know my outfit is probably not even picnic-friendly what with it being white, somewhat frilly and romantic. But it was actually pretty okay, except for the shoes, which are pretty slippery. It was kind of dangerous to climb up or down the wet slopes. Galuh's outfit didn't really fit the theme either. She got so cold by the end of it that we went to a building to warm up. The picnic was great while it lasted, though. And we both had fun taking pictures in the semi-forest.