Pictures Spree: Philadelphia’s Landmarks

The city of Philadelphia is so rich with history. Not only it was the place where America’s founding fathers declared the nation’s independence from the British. It was  also the nation’s first capital city and many other “firsts” including the making of the first American flag and also the first arts school and museum. I was so amazed by how ornate these old buildings are and how beautifully kept they are.  Some people might find it weird having to see an 18th century buildings tucked between modern skyscrapers, but to me they’re so charming. It also shows how proud the people are to their heritage by preserving these exquisite old buildings alongside new developments.

The city’s very brief history

George Washington statue in front of the Independence Hall

William Penn statue on top of the City Hall

From the City Hall’s quadrangle

PAFA: The first arts school and museum in USA

Golden Leaves

Golden leaves, golden leaves

falling from the trees

Wind catches them

they float  up to the sky

Golden leaves, golden leaves

let me fly with you.

Taking a study break. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

The last of summer flower, the fall leaves, and the fresh snow

On Saturday morning I woke up

greeted by snowfall before winter

The last blossoms of summer bowed down

heaved by the snow’s weight

The red Autumn leaves contrasted

greatly with the white fresh snow

A girl happily skipped on a field

fully covered by snow.

Batik Appreciation Day

Batiks are clothes traditionally made by painting the fabrics with hot wax. Although the technique is common in Asia and Africa, batiks are popularly believed to be originated from Indonesia. Traditionally, in Java in particular, batiks are worn to compliment kebaya. Javanese aristocrats wore different motives of batik according to their status in society as well as the events’ importance. When I was younger, batiks are mostly worn to attend formal events or as house dresses. It wasn’t part of our daily “going out” wardrobe that were mostly western influenced. Nowadays batik regains its popularity. Many local fashion houses and designers incorporated batiks in their collections,  as formal and casual, traditional and modern wears. We don’t only see the traditional earthy colored batik patterns from central Java, but also those colorful ones from coastal Java and other traditional patterns from different parts of Indonesia (such as the Asmat pattern from Papua).

Today (October 2), UNESCO designated Indonesian batik as world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. To celebrate this, many Indonesians show their pride and wear their batiks out. Hopefully it is not just a fad. I mean, who’s going to appreciate our heritage if we don’t appreciate it first?

Below are examples of batik creations, each pictures are clickable to their sources:

2008 Jogjakarta Fashion week (pictures from Fasity.com)

I especially love the one on the right, the tiered skirt is amazing.

Danar Hadi (pictures from xtemujin’s flickr)

Traditional batik motives with modern designs

Danar Hadi (pictures from Antara.com)

Traditional batik wears (the 3rd and last pictures) and modern ones

Learn more about batik here and here.

When I was younger batiks are mostly worn to attend formal events. It wasn’t part of our daily wardrobe that were mostly western clothes. Nowadays batik regains its popularity. Many local fashion houses and designers incorporated batiks in their collections,  as formal and casual, traditional and modern wears.We don’t only see the traditional earthy colored batik patterns from mainland Java, but also those colorful ones from coastal Java.

Inglourious Basterds

Last night we finally watched  Inglorious Basterds. I can’t say I’m an avid fan of Quentin Tarantino due to his tendency to shoot gory scenes — which I paranoidly thought would then haunt my dreams at nights, but I somehow still go and watch his movies which I think both clever and entertaining. This movie is not an exception. There were moments that my heart raced so fast and  I had to cover my eyes from seeing blood splattering scenes. But overall, for me personally, it wasn’t as gory as Kill Bill vol. 1. In addition to that, the casts are amazingly good. Especially Christoph Waltz and even Brad Pitt.

Also I have to say that I love Shosanna’s menswear inspired wardrobe in the movie. Though I have doubts I can pull it off as perfectly as Garance Dore, but rolled pants, trench coat, and newsboy cap seems like a cozy outfit to sport this fall.

Lastly, here’s what I was wearing last night:

Jeans jacket: Aeropostale (many years ago)

Dress & key necklace: thrifted

boots: JC Penney

Bag: Target