Style & Stuff: What I Packed for Penang

COTTON INK MARCY TOP | LE SPECS X HENRY HOLLAND SUNGLASSES | GQ MAGAZINE | ET CETERA SHORTS

Waktu aku harus packing untuk 18 hari di Penang, mikir-mikir banget apa yang harus dibawa dan mana yang gak usah dibawa. Akhirnya untuk baju-baju, aku pilih yang basic banget jadi bisa dipakai berulang-ulang. Tinggal bawa beberapa aksesoris untuk di mix & match supaya gak bosen. Tentunya, aku bawa beberapa baju dari Cotton Ink. Baju Cotton Ink masuk dalam list "wajib dibawa" setiap aku traveling. Bahannya nyaman banget, cuttingnya sangat cocok untuk tipe badan aku. Selain itu, aku sengaja beli celana pendek dan jeans baru karena semua celanaku kedodoran (efek penurunan berat badan). Et Cetera pilihan yang tepat banget untuk cari celana pendek karena cuttingnya cocok di aku, selain itu harganya super friendly!

GROWING THE EGGS #1

Hello semua, akhirnya aku “mood” juga duduk di depan laptop untuk sharing cerita tentang IVF (lagi). Untuk yang follow aku di Instagram mungkin tau kalau beberapa hari yang lalu, aku habis operasi kecil untuk mengeluarkan cairan di rahim aku supaya indung telurnya “bersih”. Ternyata cairannya cukup banyak, sekitar 200ml. Katanya masih ada cairan di atas rahim tapi dokter cukup membersihkan seperlunya saja. Dari kemarin aku teler banget karena gak tau akan dibius total walaupun cuma sekitar 20-30 menit aja. Yang menarik adalah pengalamanku masuk ruang operasi (lagi) tapi kali ini dengan kondisi badan yang sangat fit, pikiran tenang dan positif hehehe.. Terakhir masuk ruang operasi aku lemes banget karena dikasih obat pencahar sama dokter, karena mules-mules dan tegang mau operasi besar jadi gak inget apa-apa. Ya hampir kritis juga sih karena kehabisan darah cukup banyak, hehe jadi gak inget.

WAXING EXPERIENCE AT PINK PARLOUR

Dua minggu lalu, aku udah cerita tentang first experience treatment di Pink Parlour dengan “Speedy Manicure”. Nah, kali ini aku mau cerita pengalaman seru aku waxing full leg dan Brazilian waxing! Hihihi.. Waxing bukanlah hal yang asing lagi buat aku, aku sudah 6 tahun nyobain berbagai macam waxing di berbagai area di badanku. Dari mulai ketiak, area V, kaki, tangan sampai waxing "kumis" pun pernah! Dulu awalnya waxing, gara-gara iseng bareng sahabat-sahabat aku. Pertama kali memang deg-degan banget, lama-lama ketagihan karena aku ngerasa lebih ‘bersih’ dan lebih nyaman kalau waxing secara rutin.

Aku inget banget 7-8 tahun lalu, kalau ngomongin waxing kayaknya masih ‘tabu’ banget. Sekarang liat aja, salon waxing dimana-mana. Walaupun banyak salon khusus waxing, selama ini aku tetap pakai cara tradisional yaitu dengan wax yang terbuat dari gula dan madu plus kain! Memang sakit dan kalau kamu gak hati-hati bisa gatel-gatel habis waxing. Plus kadang beberapa salon (khususnya salon rumahan) kurang memperhatikan kebersihan dan kualitas waxnya.

LIFE AFTER BOTH OF MY FALLOPIAN TUBES REMOVED

Last week I had an appointment with my doctor in Penang to continue the check up process before having the IVF* treatment. When the result came out, the doctor found out that there are cyst and fluid inside my uterus which, according to him, could possibly came from menstruation blood or blood that stuck inside of the uterus after I had big surgery on the previous four months. Those cyst and fluid are harmless, but they are possibly failing the IVF process that I’m going to take. I was surprised ‘cause they weren’t there when I had a medical check up last month.

Sometimes I thought, why problems keep on coming to me? I’d struggled in fighting the post-surgery pain from the previous surgery in Jakarta for one year and a half, suffering unrealistic pain during my periods for about eight months, having another painful surgery (more painful than Caesar since I had a vertical abdominal incision), and finally, facing the truth that I had to lose my fallopian tubes. As a result, I couldn’t get pregnant naturally. I even haven’t got pregnant once.

Doctor told me that there’s a way to remove the cyst and fluid inside my uterus. He said that I have to get a small surgery, yet he needs to monitor my condition before doing so. Feels like all those that I faced and now facing aren’t enough, I still have to do daily fertility injection to produce the eggs. The injection itself doesn’t hurt, but what comes after the injection does. I always get dizzy, nauseous, and become extremely tired. All I want to do during those times would be taking a nap.

Telling you this story doesn’t mean that I complain about my life.

I’m not sad. I’d been in that time long before now, so there’s no point to be sad again and again. I don’t blame God, nor anybody. At least, those problems got me thinking that this saying is true: “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” I feel stronger than I used to, I become immune to whatever kinds of pain. Even my doctor confuses those problems that I should go through. I’m a “beautiful outside, dying inside” according to him. I smile whenever I remember it. Well, it’s not my heart that’s dying, it’s my problematic body.

All I could do now is praying for my health and becoming more concern on what I should consume—more vegetables and fruits! Not to forget to always get enough rest and leave the hard work for a while just like what doctor advises. Besides, I always try to do self-healing. You know, understanding what my body needs does help the healing process after surgery, physically and mentally.

I deliver this message to whoever reads this writing. I want to share my experiences with a lot of people, ‘cause I know there are many people out there who face the similar problems like mine but have no place or even shy to share theirs. Well, sometimes the ones we expect the support comes from are not the ones who give it. The only person we should always ask for support is ourselves.

You may say, “Andra, you look happy and healthy!” or “Oh, you’re so glowing!”, but in reality, the condition inside my body doesn’t look like that. No matter what, I always try to have all positive mindset in facing problems. There’s no need to be sad, why should I waste my time in blue? I’m thankful for I’m still able to wake up every morning, do my job, blog, think creative, inspire people through pictures and words, and I still have my family around. They make me feel as if I have nothing left behind.

The point is, whatever kind of problem you’re facing, don’t feel sorry yourself. Get over it and be thankful to God. Don’t ever compare your life to others, don’t think too much about money, get away from social media and people who spend their time gossiping. Instead, make time for the ones that you care for and do the same for you. The ones who wouldn’t stop giving you support and love you need. Spend your time to do something positive and think positive. Though you’re facing a puzzling moment, just face it with a wide smile. :)

Thank you everyone for your love and support. And thanks for reading!

*IVF = IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION/BAYI TABUNG
PHOTO COURTESY OF COTTONINK.CO.ID - BY SABILA ANJANI

SPECIAL FOR YOU, ALODITA x BOBOBOBO

Bulan September ini adalah bulan yang spesial banget untuk aku dan alodita.com karena aku mau bagi-bagi hadiah lagi! Kali ini memang bukan berupa produk seperti SK-II Giveaway yang dua minggu lalu aku adakan, tapi berupa voucher code yang bisa kamu pakai untuk belanja di Bobobobo! Sekarang, bukan hanya untuk bagian TREATS aja, tapi untuk semuanyaaa YAAAAY! :D

NIKICIO PRINTED SILK TOP & WHITE JEANS

NIKICIO PRINTED SILK HABUTAI TOP (ALSO AVAILABLE AT BOBOBOBO)

ET CETERA WHITE JEANS | STEVE MADDEN HEELS | GIVENCHY OBSEDIA BAG

PHOTOS BY SABILA ANJANI

MY LOVE FOR GLAMGLOW

Di Instagram ada beberapa followers aku yang suka nanya, aku pakai perawatan dokter atau apa? Kok kulitnya bisa gitu? Dan semua orang ngira kulit aku selalu bagus-bagus aja, padahal ya kalau lagi PMS sama aja kok.. Keluar banyak jerawat dan bruntusan. Percaya deh, aku orang termales ngerawat muka (ya kecuali sejak pake SK-II yahhhh) dan termales perawatan! Hahaha.. Kadang-kadang aku memang ke salon tapi aku tuh bukan cewek yang tiap minggu ke salon gitu loh (dari pada ke salon mendingan aku jalan-jalan sama suami hihihi). Kalo bisa dirawat di rumah, ya mending di rumah. Soalnya aku kalo di rumah bisa nyantai sambil nonton DVD, minum teh, baca buku tanpa harus grasak-grusuk.

Kali ini aku mau membuka satu lagi rahasia kulit cerah aku yaitu GLAMGLOW! Aku udah sering bgt dengar dan diracunin tentang Glamglow alias si masker lumpur dari Harumi - sumpah thanks banget ya Mi! Harumi menyarankan aku kalau mau ada photoshoot, harus maskeran dulu pake Glamglow agar kulitnya lebih glowing dan makeup lebih nyerap. Produk Glamglow pertamaku justru yang ThirstyMud & BrightMud Eye Treatment.

JOLIE

Last week I went to Penang with my husband for another medical check-up. We had planned to spend three days there, and you know what, I’m always excited to pack things especially outfits whenever I’m about to go somewhere. No exception on my previous visit to Penang. You know, whatever the purpose is, flying somewhere always makes me anxious about what I’m going to wear. I did wonder what I should wear whilst I wasn’t queuing for the doctor and then… I saw this super lovely dress from Jolie Clothing by Ms. Stefani Tan. Whilst I normally wear casual attire, why didn’t I give a try to something a little dressier?

SPEEDY MANICURE EXPERIENCE AT PINK PARLOUR

Kemarin aku diundang untuk nyobain treatment di Pink Parlour, beauty brand house asal Singapore, yang ada di Kemang Village. Pink Parlour adalah salon kecantikan yang didirikan pada tahun 2005 di Singapore. Pink Parlour merupakan salah satu spesialis hair removal yang udah menang banyak penghargaan loh dari tahun ke tahun. Treatment yang ditawarkan mulai dari waxing, IPL hair removal, spray tanning dan princess manicure & pedicure.

Karena waktuku kemarin lagi agak mepet, aku pilih treatment yang paling praktis aja: Speedy Manicure. Selain itu aku juga coba Brazilian waxing dan full leg waxing, tapi nanti aku ceritakan di post yang berbeda yaa.. Kemarin adalah experience pertamaku treatment di Pink Parlour, sebelumnya aku memang sering lewat dan pertama kali taunya dari blognya Harumi. Sekalian aja mumpung di Kemang Village, aku ajak temanku Sabila untuk ikut treatment dan bantuin aku foto-foto untuk review di blog.

Bobobobo x We The Fest 2014

On Sunday, August 24th, 2014, Ismaya Live! launched the first ever We The Fest: a summer festival of music, arts, fashion and food. Kebetulan aku kesana, iseng ingin jalan-jalan dan udah lama gak nonton music festival. Salah satu e-commerce favoritku, Bobobobo was the festival's Official Fashion Partner. Pas We The Fest, tenda Bobobobo seperti glass house dengan lantai kayu dan penataan yang super rapi! Bukan kayak tenda-tenda tempat jualan ngasal dan panas gitu. Coba deh cek video di atas supaya kamu bisa liat sendiri :) thanks for reading!

Beauty: What I Packed for Penang

Awal minggu ini aku lagi quick trip ke Penang untuk check-up ke dokter, jalan-jalan plus wisata kuliner. Karena cuma short trip jadi aku pilih produk dengan ukuran mini dan multifungsi. Read more after the jump!

Casual Monday

DRESS - PULL & BEAR | WHITE JEANS - ET CETERA | SHAWL - MANGO TOUCH | SHOES - VANS

MIRANDA POCKET TOTE BAG - ACCESSORIZE UK | PHOTOS BY ABENK ALTER

Maybelline Eye-mazing Eyes Kit for Dramatic Look

Bulan lalu aku dikirimin sama salah satu brand kosmetik favoritku dari jaman SMP. Yes, it's Maybelline! Dulu brand kosmetik di Indonesia belum banyak kayak sekarang, tapi biarpun udah banyak tetap aja sih aku hobi banget tuh beli-beliin Maybelline. Maybelline bisa dibilang penyelamatku dari jaman kuda di saat-saat aku masih gak ngerti dandan. Semua produknya bisa aku beli dengan harga yang super friendly dan memang kualitasnya bagus banget. Dari mulai pertama kali nyobain foundation, bedak, blush on, aku lupa deh pokoknya banyak. Malah sampai sekarang aku punya beberapa produk holy-grail dari Maybelline. Selain itu nyari counter Maybelline gampang banget, mulai dari di drug store, supermarket sampai department store, pasti ada Maybelline deh.

Weekend Outfit

Seminggu ini cuaca dan suhu udara di Jakarta lagi super panas sampai bikin aku 'nyerah' - gak kuat menghadapi panasnya cuaca Jakarta kalau pakai celana jeans, legging, jegging atau baju apa pun yang kurang nyaman. Mau keluar rumah aja udah gerah dan hampir bad mood karena panas banget! Akhirnya cari baju paling nyaman dan celana pendek untuk nemenin weekend. Gak lupa untuk pilih warna cerah demi membasmi 'gak nyaman' akibat cuaca yang super panas!

SUNRISE BLOUSE - GEULIS

WHITE FLORAL SKORT - SUITEBLANCO

RINGS - DUE PUNTI

ELEPHANT LONG PENDANT & CHARM BRACELETS - ACCESSORIZE UK

MIRANDA POCKET TOTE BAG - ACCESSORIZE UK

PHOTOS BY ABENK ALTER

RAW HONEY BY MADU URAY

Happy banget setiap kali liat hashtag #honeylemonshot di Instagram, banyak yang pakai Madu Uray! Hihihi.. sebenarnya aku tau Madu Uray dari ibu aku sewaktu beliau masih di kemoterapi. Selama kemoterapi, ibu aku setiap pagi minum honey-lemon shot. Tapi suatu hari ibuku bilang, “Ini Madu Uray bagus loh! Hasil tes darah Mama membaik sejak minum madu ini.”

Awalnya aku gak terlalu percaya, tapi lama-lama cari tau dan percaya sendiri karena setiap pulang kemoterapi ibu aku malah makin fresh – bukannya makin keliatan kayak orang sakit. Memang setiap hari orang tuaku gak pernah absen minum honey-lemon shot sih. Udah gitu kulit ibu aku jadi bagus parahhhhh udah gak ngerti lagi bagusnya, glowingggg banget. Kayak habis mandi pake SK-II. Beda banget sama pasien-pasien kanker lainnya. Paling orang suka kaget aja kalau liat ibuku, karena ibu aku jadi botak tapi badannya segar bugar dan kulitnya astaga glowing banget.

TERISTIMEWA

Looks like not so many people know that "Teristimewa" was written by my dear husband, Abenk Alter. Aside from being proposed in a public place, this single of Andien Aisyah is one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. It has a special meaning for my husband and I. Not only since it is sung by Abenk’s childhood friend, but also because Abenk said that the song came to a realisation inspired by me. At first I thought that he would introduce the song in his solo album, but he didn’t. Instead, he let Andien sings this beautiful song of ours. She even shot the music video in New York with Fimela!

Speaking about love life, I actually haven’t told mine much in this blog. Abenk and I first knew each other from a friend of ours, Deri, during the times when Soulvibe prepared their debut album. He told me a lot about Abenk until we finally met each other at Soulvibe’s photo shoot (we didn’t talk much back then!). Two years passed and God knows why we accidentally met at Pacific Place, and since then we started to contact each other through Blackberry Messenger after I first mentioned him on Twitter. Every time we’re hanging up, my heart would always went BOOM; first because he’d always smelt sooo good and second, the way he looked me in the eye—he’s got a set of beautiful eagle eyes!

After a month of getting to know each other, we’re officially dating. Though the relationship we had was not the so serious one, I later found out that I had a different feeling to him than what I had on my past relationships.



Our love story was not like the one you read in a fairytale. We went on and off for about three times and that successfully stressed me out to think that we were not click. Many times I cried for our not-so-smooth communication. But then, there he was, after our third break up, he wanted to make up. And by which, he meant he wanted to marry me! I was so surprised that time, seriously, who doesn’t?! Long story short, following the six months preparations, we finally become a couple of husband and wife. To be honest, one day before our wedding day I still had a doubt, like, “Whoa, am I really going to be somebody’s wife?” That’s just out of my mind back then.

But I can now say that I’m a lot happier than I was before we’re married. Abenk makes me happy. He makes me have a person to get a daily motivation from, and the most important thing is, he comes as a great partner to spend my life with, through ups and downs. Every time I wake up, I’m always thankful for having Abenk beside me. Never I forget to kiss and give him a hug while whisper, “I love you” (though he doesn’t seem to listen since he’s usually still sleeping). Sometimes I pray for us to die together, thus there would be none of us being left alone :)

I wouldn’t deny that we had our bad days and I dare to say that even though we’re married, we’re not always see everything eye to eye. But those were nothing because we went through it together. We complete each other. There’s the fun thing about us: Abenk is a Pisces and I’m a Libra, which according to our zodiac signs, we’re totally not made for each other!! Just like, “I don’t get you” hahaha. But whatever the zodiac says, that has no proves since we’re in love and have commitments and that is all.

To me, my husband is not only a husband who leads me or pays the bill. Mine is my 24-7 partner, or I could say that he is the bestest friend that I could ever ask for. Abenk is my Teristimewa besides my parents.

So, how about you? Who’s the person you consider as "teristimewa" besides your parents? :)

WEDDING PHOTO BY SURYA P NUGROHO - PPF PHOTOGRAPHY

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Smiley Face by Abenk Alter
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Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint "Envy"
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White, Red & Black

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