Fun at South Beach, Miami, Florida

I have to admit that I have soooo many to tell you from our last #roadtrip to the Southern part of the US. When I say alot, it means so many of them.

Well, we stopped at 9 cities and crossed 8 states here in the country. 

And I only have two hands to type, haha...

So, bear with me if I seem to be telling the story on et off, pieces by pieces, as I am trying (hard) to sneak around my crazily-tight schedule at the office (and the High Level Segment of the UN General Assembly is surely approaching.. noooo ).

So, I usually started with the photos.

Haha...tons of photos we took around the trip.

Don't ask my how many photos we took for those 10 days on the road but for sure we have used 4 memory cards (some 16 GB, some are 8 and 4) and transfered them 4 times before using them again.

I just don't know..

It's always be the same story for us wherever we go :).

Take tons of photos and let's see what happens. Either you keep them in the computer, publish them, put them in the blogs, or just simply keep them as they are in the memory cards :). Anybody wants to help me sort them out?

Well, anyway....long story short, here are the photos I have chosen today..

Jumping session at South Beach, Miami, Florida ;).

We arrived at Miami the day before we hit South Beach.

That morning, we started with our brunch in La Baguette, one of the restaurants along that famous promenade.

yummy choices..

It was quite a big brunch we had ;)

kids meal with chicken fingers..

But we just couldn't resist the temptation of dipping our bare foot to the powdery sand.

So we went to the beach first before enjoying our sunny side-up and toast.

And how fun it was...

jump high Bo :)

Obi was flying as well :)

We were jumping around, taking some photos here and there..and simply enjoying the beach to the max.

Well, not really to the max...

And I guess you know why :)

We didn't swim here as we needed to continue our journey to Key Largo where I have booked a 2.5-hour snorkeling session looking down the famous underwater scene at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Garden. We just couldn't wait but while we were in Miami Beach, why didn't we make the most of it ;).

But our hearts were content..

Walking along this America's Riviera truly gives us the warm feeling of getting closer to home :).

We took some selfies as well here by the beach

cheeers...

While Bo et Obi just couldn't resist and play in the water ;)

the water was sooo tempting..

And after enjoying the warm salty breeze at the beach, we took some time stroling around the famous promenade, South Beach.

Stopped and enjoyed Lummus Park...

Lummus Park

As well as the lovely and famous art deco buildings along the street :)

Look at the sky :)

Well.. Thank you, Miami..

It was surely fun to visit this city  and enjoy South Beach, Miami, Florida ;)

Have you ever been to one place that reminds you of hometown?

(Bukan) Beauty Blogger

Recently, I was tidying up my closet as well as my office.
Well summer is almost gone and I'm thinking of redecorating my living room as well as my office. Fall is coming soon and I got some new shades and accent here :).

But you know what I found?

I found beauty products here and there...

Yang ada aku menemukan make-up dan  produk kecantikan.Di mana manaaaaa ;p

some of the lipstick I found at home...and I still have some at the office :))

In my closet..
In my bathroom..
In the drawers..
In my bedroom...
In my office...
In my bags...

They are literally everywhere :).

Suami saya sampai nyeletuk bercanda begini "kamu punya berapa banyak bibir sih sampai lipstiknya lebih banyak dari warna crayon Bo et Obi?". 
Dan saya pun hanya bisa nyengir lebar :). 
Karena frankly speaking, saya sendiri tidak tahu kenapa saya bisa punya begitu banyak produk kecantikan. 

Apakah karena saya perempuan? because I'm a woman?
Apakah karena saya suka dandan? because I love make ups?
Apakah karena saya doyan belanja? because I love shopping?
Atau..apakah karena saya termakan iklan? because I was lurred by the ads and promotion? 
Hmmmmm..

I guess the answers to those questions are YES, YES, YES :)


From lipsticks to blush, palletes of eye shadows to loose and compact powder,
make-up removers to skin care :).

this is what happened when we have triple points program at sephora :)

Mostly lipsticks, with a wide range of purple shades as my favorite..

Wolvesmouth by Kat von D

Kendal Jenner Series by Estee Lauder, True Liar

Let alone my monthly-box :)
With monthly surprises as well that I got from birchbox ..

Not to mention, those I got some for free as well :-)
For prizes for example..

Or from my Look Good Feel Better program as the breast cancer survivor

And of course, from GWP or Gift with Purchase, where you usually get free gifts for buying certain amount of products.

Di sini niiih godaannya ;).

Saya sering banget beli produk kecantikan karena tertarik dengan hadiahnya hahahaha. So typical ;).

Tapi saya ngga mau rugi juga.. Biasanya produk yang dibeli selalu yang favorit atau pasti terpakai, misalnya lipstik atau parfum. Jadi Kalau tidak langsung dipakai, biasanya saya simpan untuk persediaan atau kado.

But still, I guess I got too much of them already ;).
Oh my....

Tapi seperti yang saya bilang, saya memang suka dandan ;).

Walaupun jauuuh dari jago.

Saya belum bisa dandan canggih seperti banyak temen-temen beauty blogger yang fotonya luar biasaaa..

Manglingin ;).
I sometimes couldn't help but wondering how they can beautifully tranform themselves like that :). 

Plus how much time needed (and practice as well, obviously), to do it neatly.

Saya paling pol dandan menggunakan moisturizer, bedak, lipstik, dan eyeliners.

Kalau lagi rajin, pakai eye shadow plus blush on.

Those are my favorites.
No wonder most of my collections (huh..shall I call it collection now) consist of those basic ones. But as I said, I have a wide range of collections thanks to my crush on colors :).

Dan biasanya saya dandan sambil 'lari-lari'.

Ya sambil masak pagi-pagi sebelum berangkat ke kantor, sambil nyolong-nyolong online or BW pagi-pagi, atau di mobil dan di subway on the way to the office ;). 

With tight schedule I have and series of meetings I have to go through, I have to learn to do it speedily.

I also love matching my outfits with accesories and lipstick.
It's always fuuuun to mix and match them. 

Tidak jarang saya beli kosmetik karena ingin memadankannya dengan aksesoris atau wastra nusantara kesayangan saya yang warna-warni ituuu :).

Gawat iniiii..

Karena koleksi aksesoris dan wastra saya biasanya selalu bertambah ;).

Shall I call myself make-up lovers or make up junkie?

Or simply blogger who loves beauty products?

Pastinya bukan beauty blogger ;).
But whatever it is, I do enjoy it.

Saya bukan bermaksud pamer koleksi make-up sayaaa yaaa, tapi urusan perempuan dan dandan ini benar-benar menggelitik.

Why?

Kenapa perempuan harus dandan?

Atau suka dandan?

Atau hobi dandan?

Was is because we like to do it?

Or was it because we have to do it?

Was it because we feel pretty after putting some make-up on?

Or was it just to support the inner beauty we have?

Apakah perempuan harus dandan?

What happen if we don't do it?

Bagaimana kalau kita tidak dandan?

Apakah lantas kita menjadi tidak percaya diri? Atau ada yang kurang lengkap?

Saya ingat kalau sempat ada celetukan di media sosial pantang keluar jika belum pasang alis. 

Atau pakai lipstik.

Or even pasang bulu mata palsu ;).

Menarik yaaaa ...

For me, it's a labyrinth of estrogens, socio-cultural values, self-esteem, personal branding, creativity and fun!

Seruuu ajaaa..

Bisa jadi topik disertasi doktoral yang oke bangeet ini ;).

Well, it's obvious now that I do love make-up and most of the time, can't help grabbing them at my favorite store Sephora.com and  many others as well. Some online sales and flash sale are alwaaays sucessfully luring me in ;). 

Perhaps, later.. I might try to review some of those products I got ;).

I guess I will because I loveeee all those products I use.

And become a beauty blogger?

Why not ;)...

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, Florida

It was a fine afternoon after our snorkeling session at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park at Key Largo, Florida.

Missing home and its beautiful underwater scene terribly, we decided to drive down to Florida Keys from Miami (and of course from NYC ;)) just to have a nice snorkeling session here.

And we made it :)..

heading back..

We took the snorkeling tour at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Garden.

It was only me and Bo, as Udi was so tired and decided to stay at our hotel in Holiday Inn Key Largo with Obi.

cheers from me et Bo :)

The session took about 2.5 hours and we paid USD 29.95 for adults and USD 24.95 for under 18.

We brought our own equipment so we didn't have to rent anything. But those who don't have them can definitely rent the equipments such as mask, fins, snorkel, and suit.

siap nyemplung :)

It took around 30 minutes to reach the snorkeling spot and we took the speed boat with other group as well.

And the view on the way there was beautiful :)

On our way to the snorkeling spot

Our group..

Clear turquoise water welcomed us as we got to the spot. 

I was feeling so excited to be on the sea again, although this one is surely different from home ;).

ready to plunge ourselves :)

It was beautiful indeed..

And there are so many purple corals ;)

My fave..

And Bo enjoyed it very much as well.

We talked a lot about Lampung and how we missed our hometown.

What have you seen today? almost everything here...

Underwater photos are coming..

For sure, it was a lovely day at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park ;)

the sunset...on our way back...

Join us on Skywatch Friday and enjoy  the beauty of God's masterpiece from every corner of the world.

Hot Kitchen Restaurant, Manhattan, New York City

Anybody here loves hot pot?

You know... It's one of the traditional Chinese cuisines where you have boiling soup or broth filled with beef, chicken, shrimps, tofu, vegetables and many more :)

I loveeee hot pot.

I have to say, as an Indonesian loveing a bowl of bakso at any time of the day, hot pot gives me similar satisfaction.

Especially during winter and cold days..

and even in summer days ;).

And I have one favorite spot here in Manhattan..

Hot Kitchen.

Frequently I come to this restaurant, especially the one located in 53rd street. The restaurant is strategically located and not far from my office as well as the UN, so it becomes one great meeting point for working lunch or simply for good food.

We usually order hot-pot with a mix of fresh green vegetables, fresh shrimps, tofu, fish balls, and beef.  My favorite is the fish and shrimp balls. 

You know why?

Because They are fresh, not frozen. 

Made and prepared on the spot.

I also love the fish tofu.

For the soup, ask for the half-halp...or if you dare, try the bold one, the original Sichuan soup. 

It's super hot :)

And super yummy as well..

Fresh shrimps and slices of lean meat will be great for the broth.

Hot pot...my fave :)

It's delicious...especially in cold days we often have here in NYC. 

For the starters, we usually order vegetable spring rolls, dumplings, and scallion pancakes. It's super yum as well :).

They have a great variety of Sichuan authentic dishes as well, so you can certainly explore more. But as I said, hot pot is my favorite indeed. and Hot Kitchen NYC is one of my fave.

In terms of service, you won't Have any problems here. The service is good and fast! Can't complain.

Ask for Albert, our favorite waiter ;).

And of course, the price of the food is very reasonable. With around $25 - 30 you already got a wonderful lunch :). Lunch hours can be very full sometimes, especially if you need to have the special table for hot-pot. But the wait shouldn't be that long.

Enjooy ;)...

Hot Kitchen

251 E 53rd st., New York, NYC, NY 10022

Phone +1 212 5888826

WW: Palisades Interstate Park, New Jersey

Riding along the Hudson River

At the Palisades Interstate Park, Ross Dock, New Jersey

Let's rideeee :)

by the Hudson River

Love this place...sooo nice and perfect for family picnic :)

Happy me :)
Photo was taken by my senior, Uda Masni Eriza

The rocks

Come and join me on (almost) Wordless Wednesday :)

Bo et Obi at the Boone Hall Plantation, Charleston, South Carolina

Remember our #Roadtrip this summer to the southeastern part of the US?

One of the most memorable stops we made was at the Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina.

I know I haven't really shared the story about this historical place but I will.
I will :).

This time, I just can't help sharing our photos there, particularly Bo et Obi :)

my Obi :)

Morning sky at Mid Beach, Miami, Florida

Morning sky at Mid Beach, Miami, Florida

It was taken right behind our hotel in Miami Mid Beach, Florida

during our #roadtrip this summer ;) 

I edited the photo using Lightroom and preset Zoo Benches for the first and the second photo...

giving me the purple hue on the sky :)

Join us un Skywatch Friday and enjoy the beautiful sky from all over the world :)