Character & Gratitude

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!

I think this is the first time I write a blog post on the first day of a new year. I'm not going to post any pictures though, more like a New Year's Resolution inspiration? Let's just say this post is more like a short story on how I spent my New Year's Eve to New Year.

To be honest, I wasn't ready for a new year last year (the changing of the day between 2014 to 2015), but I think this year I am readier. Is that a word? Readier?
Maybe because I've had enough breaks, or maybe it's the conscience in me that is willing to change for the better.

People have different takes on what they write for their New Year's Resolutions. Minutes before the clock struck 12, meaning a few thousand seconds before 2016, I was googling about character. Before you point any finger at me mocking for spending my NYE in front of the computer screen, yes I admit it, it wasn't the best NYE celebration I've had which will bring to the second point later. Moving on…

We've heard it a lot of times. Like, a lot a lot. How character is the foundation of your success or the factor that makes you who you are yadda yadda yadda. I don't know about you, but sometimes when I read "inspiring" quotes, these words just passed by my mind for a second before I think about what to eat for dinner. So quotes don't really change my life. It's what I desire to change about myself that will (with actions, of course).

So for 2016, I hope I will develop better characters because I want to live with myself and be happy. In 2016 I want to be happy. And to be happy, I must be thankful first. And not just when things are right, but also when things get rough and situations turn shaky. Being grateful in all conditions will also improve characters. It also works both ways. These are two of my main NY Resolutions.

I'm not going into details too much, I'm just trying to implement these into my daily life.

To close this New Year blog post, I'll leave with some quotes ;)
Hope it will inspire you, readers, before you think of what to have for your first brunch in 2016!
(Brunch because, well, you might celebrate NY by partying all night and going to bed very late / early in the morning, and cannot wake up for breakfast… OK I'll just shut up and cuddle up in my already-cozy PJs and duvet.)

CHARACTER

"Character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you."

"There's something wrong with your character if 'opportunity' controls your loyalty." - Sean Simmons

"If you want to know what a man is like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." - Sirius Black

"Habits change into character."

"No change of circumstances can repair a defect of character." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Men show their characters in nothing more clearly than in what they think laughable." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Hire character. Train skill." - Peter Schutz

"Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"You can't go around hoping that most people have sterling moral characters. The most you can hope for is that people will pretend that they do." - Fran Lebowitz

"Knowledge will give you power, but character respect." - Bruce Lee

"Morals can be learned, character must be developed."

"Your success stops where your character stops. You can never rise above the limitations of your character."

"No amount of talents, skills or charisma can sustain us the way integrity, character and attitude does." - Sidney Mohede


GRATITUDE

"It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy."

"Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life." - Joel Osteen

"When you are grateful, fear disappears & abundance appears." - Anthony Robbins

"Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have."

"Gratitude unlocks the fulness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more." - Melody Beattie

"Each morning, when you open your eyes, think only three things; Thank You, thank You, thank You. Then set out to make the best use of gift of this day that you can."


BOTH

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful.” - Colossians 3:12-15

'Til next post!

I Just Can't Get Enough

of youuuu, London. Never.

It was a beautiful one spring day in London Town so my friend and I decided to go to Design Museum and had a look at the Designs of the Year 2014 exhibition. Then we took a stroll alongside River Thames at the same time being in awe of the sky that day and took loads of pictures of Tower Bridge. We had lunch in Butlers Wharf Chop House and headed home afterwards.

Dress - Forever 21 | similar here

Cardigan - AIIZ | similar here

Tights in navy blue - Primark

Shoes - ASOS | similar here

Bag - 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Satchel | similar here or here

Til next post!

Querencia

(n.) a place from which one's strength is drawn, where one feels at home; the place where you are your most authentic self.

One word that explains it all.

Photographed by Fitria Tjandra

Shirt - Cotton Ink | similar here

Cardigan - Mango | similar here

Skirt - Forever 21 | similar here

Socks - New Look | similar here

Shoes - Dr. Air Martens | similar here

Bag - Cupcake

Bracelet - Salvatore Ferragamo

Sunglasses - Rayban Aviator

Necklace - From Singapore

'Til next post!

Tomato Tights

On that day when we did this photo shoot I was trying to minimise what I brought to the set and just mix and match the things that I've got. The difference between this look and the one on the previous post is only the sweater and hat and voila! A complete new look. That is why I love playing dress-up because even one item can change the outfit. Still using pastels though, because it never gets old!

Shirt - H&M

Sweater - American Apparel

Blazer - Zara

Tights - New Look

Socks - Primark

Shoes - ASOS

Hat - Unbranded

Photographed by Fitria Tjandra

Shake It Off

Shirt - H&M

Blazer & skirt - Zara

Tights - New Look

Socks - Primark

Shoes - ASOS

Photographed by Fitria Tjandra

'Til next post!

Plain Text

I've just had an accident that made my heart stopped a bit. The app on my iPhone where I used to jot down ideas suddenly keep closing itself once it's opened. I was like, no this can't be happening… what about my thoughts, quotes, words that I typed down? They are important, even for an unpublished writer like me. It's like when a designer lost his/her sketchbook, or a photographer lost his/her memory card full of pictures, or a musician lost his/her music sheets. The app is still not working now and I'm terrified by the idea of losing all my writings there, but I'm also still hoping somebody from the developer can help me retrieve my data. Hopefully.

Dress - COS

Sweater & tights - American Apparel

Bag - Cupcake

Shoes - ASOS

Necklace - From China

Photographed by Fitria Tjandra

'Til next post!

Sanctuary

Counting down the days to the day when I was about to head back home was not a good feeling. I was haunted by many things such as physical work (sorting, packing, shipping) and the emotional roller coaster leaving the place I truly love, the place I'd say is my sanctuary. London is my sanctuary.

I had to throw away many stuff of mine when sorting them out because obviously I cannot bring everything home, even then I thought I should've thrown more stuff. But since I am a hoarder, throwing my belongings away is very hard because I get attached to them. Things that have served me for maybe one, two, or even four years straight. So to just abandon them, it was just terrible. Just like leaving London, where a big mark had been signed across my heart since Day 1 I stepped into that city to study.

Shirt - Cotton Ink

Blazer & coat - Zara

Necklace - From Singapore

Trousers - Major Minor

Socks - Sox Galeri

Shoes - ASOS

Bag - Cupcake

Bracelet - New Look

Photographed by Fitria Tjandra

Speaking of throwing stuff away, I had to throw this bag away too because the both sides of the bottom bit were ripped without me noticing at first. I was heart broken because this bag was love at first sight (as well as my other Cupcake bags). I thought I could fix it if I bring it home, but maybe it was a sign that I shouldn't bring everything that I want or else my shipping boxes can accumulate to 20. So, farewell not only to my Converse, but also my favourite backpack :(

'Til next post!