My TEDx Talk is Live on Youtube!

Why Corona :(

So it's been more than a month since I updated my blog and suddenly I'm back because I feel...sad? Sigh. Because probably writing is one of the best ways to heal.

What has happened while I was gone (from the blogging world):

• I've fallen in love with sewing at home, thanks to S who bought me a sewing machine for my birthday. My sewing machine now feels like an extension of my heart...it's a tool that fixes so many things; hubby's torn pyjamas, clothes that are too big, it also fixes my mood. I've been sewing almost every night doing so many things. Upcycling, making clothes from scratch, I really feel this whole sewing thing has opened me up. It made me understand design better. It has taught me the real construction of a design which is basically a result of great planning, thinking, patience and precision.
• The new Disney "Stargirl" movie is finally out aaaaand...you can spot 3 pairs of my UP shoes in it woohooooo! Grace VanderWaal's style is so perfect in the movie, it reminds me of my own style when I was young(er) LOL. And yes, I MADE IT TO DISNEY. Wow.
• I'm working on a new BIG project that requires me to go back to my roots: graphic designing. It involves cute doodles and bright vivid colors and for sure, motivational quotes. I cannottttt wait to reveal this project soon, launching in June 2020.
• I failed my Switzerland driving theory test for the 2nd time gosshhhhhh. I'm so sad I am so not motivated to take another test again..:D
• Lastly, COVID-19. Yes, the coronavirus crisis. I am so worried about my parents back in Indonesia. At the same time, the numbers are quite high in Switzerland too. As of today, there has been more than 3,000 cases and 33 deaths here in Swiss. In Indonesia, the fatality rate is around 9%. Every hour, I message or call my parents to monitor what they are doing, where they are, just to make sure that they STAY AT HOME and not get tempted to go out because of boredom. As for us here in Switzerland, it's already quarantine Day 5, and so far we have managed to stay at home fully and keep the kids occupied with toys and books. We check the numbers every few hours and feel so sad whenever there is a new case or death. It's crazy. It's scary. It is not "just" a virus. Please don't take this lightly. Stay safe, be cautious, and keep updated with new policies and regulations being implemented by the government around the world.

Oh no. Daria just woke up LOL. Gotta put her to sleep now. Good night! :)

Secretary Candy

Moschino belt, Benetton pants, Up bag

Minty Limey Strawberry

Sister Jane dress, Dior bag, Gucci shoes

Back To School

First day in school after the long holiday. 2020 I am ready for you! :)

New Trinkets At Home

Jazzing up our Switzerland home with some new items we bought from Pakistan...:)

Pastiest Party Pants

Heelllooooooooo, 2020!!

For The Love of Hot Chestnuts

Hello Kitty x Levi's dungaree, JW Anderson bag

Colored Bangs, Anyone?

It's Finally Snowing Woohoo!

Finally 35

“Happyyyy birthhhhhhdaaaayyyy.. tooooooo... meeeeeeee...” 🥳🎶🥰

35 is a defining age for me personally, because I have always told myself that by the age of 35, I must be “very successful”. I don’t know whether I’ve accomplished that at all to be honest. And I guess, the definition of “success” itself has changed over time. When you’re young and single, you define success as your own individual success. When you have a partner, you want to reach success together; a shared success. When you have children, success is extended to theirs too. And so somehow, success becomes less and less “yours”, but more “ours”.

I turn 35 today and honestly this was not at all how I imagined 35 would be like. Today, I feel like I have lost so much ~ of the things I wish I can do freely ~ run wild, run wild ~ but probably it’s so I can gain so much more ~ together with my family, as I learn to run slower and find a speed that we all can walk together comfortably at. It’s also almost 6 years since I’ve become a mother, and everyday I am still learning how to actually become a mother. Am I motherly enough? Am I mother-material enough? I don’t know. I just try my best. I just hope my children will one day understand that a mother also self-doubts herself once in a while because nobody’s perfect. We are all God’s creatures trying to find our way and place in this world, and within that journey, it feels better when we simply hold hands.

This birthday letter for myself sounds rather sad, no? Maybe because I am, but a good kind of “sad”. The kind of sadness that comes from self-reflecting and realizing that there’s still so much more room to grow and soar high and you realize it’s only the beginning, and therefore you decide to turn that sadness into good energy.

Happy birthday, Diana. I love you for who you are. ✨

It Sparks Joy

Today was the last day of school for 2019 and we spent the day making holiday tote bags to exchange with each other. So fun! I made one that says “JOY”. This year has been so exciting with the fact that I decided to go back to school and all these school assignments make me so stressed, but a good kind of stress. I feel so motivated by the new things I'm learning and although I have sooooo much more on my plate; family, home, business, school, I am happy.

Yellow With a Hint of Rainbow

Burberry hat and bag, UP sweater

I Talked at TEDx LausanneWomen!

I never saw this coming, but here we are, here I was, sharing about my #UNICORNMOM values to such a huge crowd in TEDx LausanneWomen. The audience that night was around 1,500 people. Tickets were sold out. It was a night so many people were looking forward to in Lausanne, a powerful event filled with so much positive energy, and I am truly honoured & humbled to be able to participate this year as a speaker. Like OMG. Last year I came as an attendee, and now I'm the one speaking? Just wow.

My talk that night was titled “How to Become a Unicorn” ~ a talk about the importance of authenticity, practicing mindfulness and daring to live outside of the box. I crafted this talk within 1,5 months with the help and support of amazing mentors; Ashley & Justyna from the TEDx LausanneWomen committee. My beautiful slides were illustrated by the one and only Dinda Puspitasari (I love you!).

Before going on stage, public-speaking coach, Soness Stevens, asked me, “what would you like to achieve with your audience from this talk? Write it at the bottom of your shoes so when you step foot on stage, it empowers and resonates with you”. Isn’t this such a beautiful idea? And it did. I wanted to connect, engage and became friends with my audience and I felt it. It was magical.

Was I nervous that night? VERY VERY MUCH. I meditated a lot, controlled my breath backstage, drank lots of water, prayed. I was so afraid I might forget my script. I mean, it's a 12-minutes-long script. IT'S LONG, okay? Hahah. But as soon as I stepped on that stage, I felt relaxed more than ever. I remembered each and every word, each and every line, and I made myself brave enough to look into the eyes of my audience. I've done so many talkshows and seminars and live TV interviews, but this was different. This was special. "This has to be magical", I kept telling myself. I just wanted my (I-don't-know-when-I-will-ever-get-this-kind-of-opportunity-again) talk to touch, inspire, empower and change people's lives within my capacity, my way.

I dressed up as a unicorn, wore sparkly clothes, and that was it. I was in my element. I was so happy. It was such an amazing experience. After the talk, I was SHOCKED to have so many people coming to me expressing how much they enjoyed my talk. Some even cried as they felt the talk being so relevant to their current situation at the moment. Some wanted to take pics together. Some wanted to try on my unicorn headband (LOL!), some just wanted to hug. So beautiful.

The power of being true to yourself is indeed very powerful. Never let anyone dull your sparkle. ✨🦄

Good Family, Happy Family

Another school project done woohoooooo! This took soooo much of my time, an assignment that made me have less screen time significantly for the past few weeks...:D

“Good Family, Happy Family”, a #deconstructionfashion collection repurposing old clothes from the family, inspired by the concept of karma and goodness that dies like the flowers in Autumn and blooms back in Spring 🌸🍂💖

 

Forever Cured by Pink

Moschino sweater, Prada bag

Big Bows Matter

ASOS x Christian Cowan dress, Topshop tights

Feeling #GIRLBOSS

Wearing hubby's shirt & tie to school today..:)

Lazy (Colorblocking) Day

UNIF sweater, Ellesse leggings, Converse shoes