voyage Category
Everyone needs a break. I don’t care how tough you are in life, you could use some time away from your routine.
Four days after we arrived in Jakarta, I packed a little suitcase again for me and Cait. We flew with my dad RM. Suryo S.Negoro to his hometown Jogjakarta. Life has been all about being fast and grabbing opportunities as they present themselves. Life in Jogja is completely different. Life moves as is, at its own pace. People understand that everything that is good is the result of time. Life, customs and traditions behind the wall of the palace are preserved as much as possible to the way that it was in the 13th century. The Jogjanese pay respect to their ancestors, they live life respecting values passed on to them by the ancestors.
This trip, fully embracing my Javanese culture I visited the grave site of my grand mother RA Chamdamliyah Sosronegoro. Also later to the grave site of her father RM Sosronegoro and my ancestors the kings of Jogjakarta in the sacred hill of Imogiri.
Imogiri requires visitors to put on traditional Javanese outfits. On certain areas of the sacred grave such as the resting place of Sultan Agung, you are not allowed to take pictures and not allowed to have any footwear on. We all changed our outfits, took off our sandals and embrace the heat which in the beginning felt like a bite to our feet. Cait walked a bit and then I carried her. She did what she could, not easy for a six year old to be in a sacred environment such as this. And Cait was amazing. It was too hot for her I know but she did not once complain about heat or being tired. She looked uncomfortable yet acted as what is to be expected from a good Javanese little girl.
We started with a visit to the grave of Sultan Agung, the first Sultan of Jogja. Located at the very top of the hill, as we entered the gate we each kneeled down, put our palms together fingers straight to the front and thumbs to our noses, a sign of respect and submission to our king or to the respected elderly. An abdi dalem (loyal subject to the court of Jogja) assisted us by carrying our tray of flowers and acted as our guide to our ancestors grave sites (there are three levels in Imogiri).
I can’t explain to you the peace I felt once I prayed, meditated, put flowers on the grave sites of my ancestors. The calm I haven’t had in months. The things I was finally able to let go. The refocus on the important things in life. With my dad’s guidance, Cait and I finished the whole process and rituals and went back to the place where we changed our clothes.
Yes, this is the end of the visit. Cait was completely exhausted from the heat at this point.
Snack and a drink of ginger tea at the local ‘warung’/street vendor before we left Imogiri. Another family tradition.
When in Jogja, besides the famous gudeg dish, definitely try the local specialty of tongseng (a goat or beef stew dish) and sate kambing (goat satay). My dad and uncle are vegetarians, so after the yummy stop at a tongseng and sate restaurant we went to another restaurant which serves tofu as its main dish. Jogja is food heaven. Cheap and delicious.
We all went back to Jakarta. Five days later I flew by myself to Bali to join my friends in a celebration of their love. In the morning, my good friend Thres and I sat at Metis restaurant while she browsed through a magazine and I sipped my coffee enjoying the view of a paddy field in front of us. Thres is an interior designer with big projects around Indonesia. She is one very busy woman, so it was really nice for us both to have a quiet ten minutes to sit there enjoying ourselves.
Metis, Bali
Random, but Thres took me and Sing to this place where they sell snacks. The owners have deers that I got to feed 
This visit was definitely not the usual crazy parties, staying up til early morning, Jakarta style. In each vacation you know what you need. I needed family time, I needed beauty. I needed peace. By the time I flew back to Jakarta and hugged Cait, I was fully recharged. There was just one more thing to do before Cait and I leave to go back to LA, a shopping trip to Alun-Alun in Grand Indonesia!
We ended our trip celebrating my dad 70th birthday! It happened that TVOne, a local TV channel in Jakarta, called dad and requested him to be their guest as an expert in Javanese culture for a show the next day. Go daddy! It was really cool to watch Cait watching my Dad being interviewed on television. She kept on saying how proud she was of Eyang Kakung (Grand Father in Javanese). I was proud too. Dad dedicates his life, his energy, his time to preserve the spirituality and customs of our culture. It was nice to see that his hard work is starting to get recognition in the country.
When he got home from the interview, I took a picture of Cait with Dad and our family dog Bello. In every level I felt blessed and grateful. This has been an amazing trip for me and Caitlin. And guess what happened when we came back here? All of a sudden I’m blogging again!
Cait and I are back in LA now, readjusting ourselves to the local time here. We’re both ready to get back to our busy schedule again, Cait to her studies and I am to projects. It was good to be away and now it is absolutely great to be back!
Much love,
Lolo K. Sosronegoro
PS: When in Jogja we stayed at the guest house Ndalem Maharani . The house used to be my grandparents house, turned into a cozy guest house. Special thank you to Adjie Bancono and Sekar Sosronegoro for our amazing stay at Ndalem Maharani. The guest house still feels like Eyang’s house when I was little. Amazing job preserving the architecture and the calm-peaceful vibe of the place!
Daddy’s Day- NYC edition
With out him, you would not have the title of “Mom”. The moment he becomes the father of your child or children, he oozes a certain kind of sexiness that you’ve never seen. He is the tie that binds between you and your child/children.
The day I saw my husband hold our son Zac after he was born and the first time I saw him changing a diaper, I knew I was married to the right man. While I was recovering from my C-section after giving birth, he figured out how to do a perfect swaddle and could change a diaper like he was a pro. I love how his voice could calm our son when he is fussy or snap him out of a tantrum. As Zac grew he often did the “cool and fun” things with his Dad. There were many moments where he and Zac would wrestle and roll on the floor and giggle. They would bring Taekwondo class home to the living room even though I didn’t approve. I worried that he’d be too rough or Zac would get hurt and he’d easily calm my fears by just saying “relax, we are just having fun”. It wasn’t much but it worked for me and Zac would often repeat the same thing immediately after so I know he was enjoying himself and did not want the fun to end. There are also times where my husband had a different idea of what’s appropriate for our son such as introducing fruit loops as part a of nourishing breakfast. Zac appreciated this more than I did.
In all this, I’m glad I’ve learned to let go more and I realize that Zac needs his Dad’s adventurous spirit to balance his over-cautiousness Mom.
In the spirit of Father’s day, I’ve come up with some ideas for NYC Dads to help let them know how special they are to us. I know my husband will appreciate these things. The best part of these choice is that he can redeem almost anytime throughout the year, even when it’s not Father’s day.
Chelsea Piers Golf Club
The Golf Club www.chelseapiers.com/gcNYGolf.htm has added two full-swing simulators – the latest in virtual golf technology and a valuable teaching tool for the Golf Academy. Choose from 51 Championship Courses and experience the challenge and enjoyment of playing the world’s greatest golf courses at any time. I know that he is simply will be thrilled if I get him a gift card for simulator playing lessons or 1 hour Private Lesson with PGA Pro.
Bateaux New York
Take him out on a date night for the most up-close views of New York’s world-renowned skyline separated only by glass windows and water. An elegant experience with outstanding service but don’t forget to book the babysitter. www.bateauxnewyork.com
Tickets to a Yankees game or the US Open
You absolutely can’t go wrong with this one. Enough said. www.stubhub.com
Lastly, what better way to show my appreciation on this Father’s day by letting him to sleep in late in AM, taking him out to a nice breakfast at the Boat House, www.thecentralparkhouse.com and surrender to his wish for watching “golf-athon’ for the rest of the afternoon (without me complaining).
Happy Father’s Day to all Dads, but especially to my husband. Because of his role as a father, I’ve become a better mother.
Spring is in the air. Palm Springs is my affair. Like the quote from Bambi, “You might be looking neither to the left nor to the right when all of a sudden you run smack into a pretty face”. In my case, pretty desert. I was blogging from Palm Springs, darling! I am only attracted to boutique hotels that have the vibe and style of glam. And love was in the air for sure there at the Viceroy Palm Springs, with interiors designed by the modern-glamour designer Kelly Wearstler! Especially, right where I was editing this post: at midnight, poolside. Steps from our room. I wanted to mark my territory in every corner of this ‘desert home’ of ours. Unfortunately, the hotel is not mine but I feel like it always is. I just pretend it is. No, actually, the fabulous flamboyant gentleman at the concierge told me that the hotel was my home and he welcomed me back when I arrived. So, I was home! My love at first sight with the Viceroy hotels sparked in 2005, when I moved back to the golden sunny state from New York. My heart always skips a beat when I hear the word “Viceroy”. This is the heart of my Hollywood Regency style. It is where I planted my love seeds for the shiny addiction. Where I first found my home decor design style. My place in the sun where I can always find, touch and stare at images of beautiful, glamorous things. And that is why I feel incredibly happy when I am at the Viceroy! Staying over night or not. I need my own Viceroyship flag. With the sunburst design, too, of course, representing my paradise in the sun. Beams and all.
What is exactly the “Hollywood Regency” home design style? Well, according to Mrs. McM: it’s all about the drama of shine and glam. It is a glamour, chic and sophisticated decor style that originated in the golden age of Hollywood, back in the early 1920′s and 1930′s. A style that gives you that “regency”, Hollywood Glamour feel. It’s a style that is decorated fully by ornate detail of Baroque design, lovely lacquered furniture, luxurious, gorgeous fabrics such as silk, satin, velvet and fur, and lusciously paired with metallic finishes, the sparkle of crystals, glass and mirrors. Think: Dramatic. Glamour. Gorgeous. Old Hollywood. Film sets were created lavishly for movies during the 1930′s era. The sets were dressed with highly theatrical accents that often featured tall white plaster floor lamps, mirrored dressing tables and fainting tufted sofas upholstered in rich satin or velvet. The colors of set interiors were often vibrant even though the movies were filmed in black and white. Regardless, the movies produced beautiful, darling, glamorous images. Just the way I love it.
I pretend that I was Jean Harlow sometimes…fainting, of course.
Dinner at Eight
Some may say that the style may be going to be out of date. I’d say, “Choose your dazzle.” Hollywood Regency that is arising to popularity these days has brought a lot of refreshing elements to home decor by combining the classical regency style with a lot more fresh modern touch. To me, it is such a flexible design lifestyle, a classic approach that never goes out of style since it allows you to mix and match the modern and vintage pieces you find. The interior designers popular from Hollywood’s Golden Age were Dorothy Draper, William “Billy” Haines, Elsie de Wolfe, and today’s talented leading designers such as Kelly Wearstler, Miles Redd, and Jonathan Adler have reinvented the luxurious lifestyle with more fresh modern baroque style. The publicist for William Haines Designs once said, “The whole concept is that this is a suite of furniture for an individual,” she says. “It’s classic furniture that never goes out of style. It’s back because it’s luxurious and glamorous, and because you can create an individual look because it allows you to mix and create your own living space.” Didn’t I say, it never goes out of style? Exactly. So, not to worry, you’ll always be fabulous in it!
I am absolutely obsessed with Dorothy Draper’s color combinations, broad stripes, utterly polished checkered floors, over-scaled classic traditional rooms, intricate mirrors, lacquered doors and wide use of chintz and plaster molding! All became strong elements in the Hollywood Regency style. In 1923, Dorothy Draper established the first interior design company in the United States.
In the 1960’s Billy Haines mixed his early love of Neo Classical elements with modernism. Chinoiserie was added to the mix to create the true Hollywood Regency look we now connect with the name.
“Welcome back, Mrs. McManus to the Viceroy Palm Springs”! Why…Thank you! I was planning on posing in the hotel lobby, exactly like Kelly Wearstler here. Actually, I had been planning for quite some time and it still didn’t happen at this recent visit. The first time we were here, I was 8-months pregnant. The second time, Keira was about six months old. And then now, Keira is two and a half years old. Somehow, I got busier by each visit. I was always occupied with something more important than posing fabulously by the time I stepped into the lobby to check in. Yes, the picture below is where you are greeted by the fabulous cheerful staff at the concierge desk (the beautiful designer is not part of the staff, by the way, sorry!), toss your duffel bag on the stripe-y chaise, get your credit card and driver’s license out and take a deep breath. You’re about to enter MY desert paradise. Ok, yours, too. And you’re about to contribute more numbers on your next credit card statement. But, it’s worth it! Just remember, it’s paradise.
The following pictures are all the reasons why I did not want to leave my paradise in the sun…At our very first visit, pre-Keira days – it was actually our “babymoon” because I was about to pop – we stayed at the ever-so-fabulous Dorrington Villa suite. It was an utterly darling villa I’ve ever seen and stayed. The suite we stayed had a beautiful living room, a fireplace, a powder room, a one bedroom and bathroom and a cozy stylish kitchen that opened up to a beautiful dining room with fabulous wallpaper all around, including the ceiling. All with the same touch of modern and vintage that Kelly Wearstler magically and equally created throughout the property. At the last two visits, we have stayed at the Premium Studio Two Queens Pool View room with a “step-out patio” that gives you direct access to one of the three glamorous chic pools. I miss the Dorrington suite like crazy. But, every room is so serene and smashing that you can never go wrong with whichever room you pick!
I JUST LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the VICEROY. Abundantly.
I had never craved for being pampered SO, SO much until I arrived, saw the spa menu in our room and fell in love all over again with the…spa design logo! The logo tells it all. The spa was not only fabulous, but I also received a real star treatment!
Citron. The restaurant, the bar, my special “sunny-side-up”!
Did I tell you that one night I was blogging from my laptop right at the poolside below – which was the view from our patio -, exactly in the fifth chair from the left? At midnight? There I was, in my beloved Viceroy bathrobe, sharing everything about my paradise with you!
I love love love “Hollywood Regency” style in every possible element of my home decor “extravaganza”. The glamour of the old Hollywood era mixed with the “hotel” feel attracts me deeply to the bottom of my heart. Colors! Oh how I love colors and this style gets me. I love the ingredients that made the look of the 20′s through the 60′s. One reason why I am so happy in this style is because I just LOVE celebrating the fabulous old Hollywood, the glamour of that era and having company over to entertain, having cocktails, just like when TV was less important during those years! I have adorned our living room, bedrooms and my little office at home for quite a few years with Hollywood Regency style in mind. Besides, I like to pretend that I was a movie star, living in the past… you know, “oh, daaahrling“! The bold and dramatic decorating style has influenced Mrs. McM a lot in refurnishing her “homework”.
This is where I put my book down before going to bed…when I don’t pass out in Keira’s bed! Pier 1 Imports carries beautiful Hayworth-style mirrored furniture! I’ve got my nightstand below and Keira’s 4-drawer chest from there.
The bold colors that are distinctive Hollywood Regency elements are known to be in the reds, oranges, yellows, teal, kelly or apple green, pinks. They are mixed with the basic colors of white, black, cream, and brown. Put those bold and basic colors in broad stripes and the look will be so chic. Choose tufted upholstered chairs, sofas or headboards. Add repeated geometric patterns on the upholstery or the wall. Put a lacquered Queen Anne chair in by the hallway or a group of them in the dining room. Hang chandeliers and sconces made with crystals or glass. Think shiny! Everywhere. Pick a mirrored end table, dress your room with a mirrored nightstand or dresser. Use mirrors on the wall and on furniture. Did I say shiny? Yes, cover the whole wall with different-sized of hanging mirrors. Add drama to the rooms by hanging silk, satin or velvet curtains on the windows, doorways, and even for the bathrooms. I love curtains. No wonder I love Hollywood Regency! Curtains add drama and heavy ones create spectacular scenery. Throw furs and feathers on the sofa or get a rug with a lot of fuzzy furry things on it. (Faux of course!). That will definitely add a dash of opulence. And unusual surprising items are also part of Hollywood Regency characteristics. Layer in some chinoiserie pieces as part of the artwork, wallpaper and accessories, for example.
La Mill coffee boutique in Silverlake was designed by Rubbish Interiors, an interior design firm and store that can be your source for finding new customized Hollywood Regency style furniture or dramatic refurbished vintage pieces…
I found joyfully the round end table in the picture above at Target for $99! Yay!
When you feel blue, you might love these glam pieces from Grace Home Furnishings…
A Horchow Coffee Table
William Haines Bel Air Sofa
Someone else is as obsessed as I am! Tinyabode blog compiled these little darlings in its post on Hollywood Regency:
A year ago, a High School dear friend of mine Lydia gave me this amazing prescription created by the entertaining and talented interior designer Jonathan Adler. Life can be tricky sometimes. And I sure got the right remedy for it! Thanks, Lyd! What a sweet gift! I hope you know that I always adore your style, darling! And I definitely love this book! Especially, coming from the stylish you!
I just love the joy in Jonathan Adler’s reinvented version of Hollywood Regency. Shiny pink poodle, anyone? I want it!
I am getting a tad sleepy and will finally stop talking! A tad. I blame it on the chocolate I have been munching. Thank you for letting me pour my heart out to the fullest on my love for Hollywood Regency! Thanks for staying to read it
Oh, I almost forgot. I intend to keep this teal Viceroy keycard sleeve forever. The color matches my accent wall in the living room! Didn’t I tell you I LOVE the Viceroy? I LOVE! We’re so in sync! (For the wall if you dare like me, the color is “Peacock Tail” by Behr). Here’s my previous post about the wall: Nautical Time.
It’s REALLY time for me to wind down…maybe by watching an old movie and sipping a cocktail before taking off to my other paradise…the bed. I hope to see you in my dramatic dreams, beautiful people!
With love to you always, darling. May your style make you as happy as mine makes me. Rain or shine.
Mrs. McM. Mostly in the sun and mostly shiny.
They say that “life begins at 40″, yet it is hard to believe when you have reached this age in your life. Plan for the special day with a special party to embrace the next phase of your life with a swing!
Here’s a brilliant idea to celebrate it. Organize a chic Sparty (Spa Party)! The ultimate combination of “Good Friends, Spa Treats, Delectable Nibbles & Refreshing Cocktails”…
My friend Rica just turned 40 and she wanted to celebrate her birthday in a special way. Rica is a full-time mommy with three gorgeous children. Her husband Ed is a British banker. They met when Rica was working in banking and they were introduced by a mutual friend. Rica’s life now is busy with taking care of her children. Whenever she gets a chance, she simply wishes to have a relaxing and fun time with her girlfriends.
At first she tried to organize a cocktail party and a sunset cruise on a yacht. Which I think it was a fabulous idea also. But then Rica and her girlfriends came up with something even more brilliant: SPARTY! What are universally two lovely words that everyone will love? SPA and PARTY.
Bored and tired of visiting typical spas in hotels, shopping malls and office buildings? Looking for something that is both different and interesting, something that brings you back to mother nature and rub off a bit of colonial Singapore?
The Lush Spa is uniquely situated in the Singapore Polo Club. It is where time seems to have sat still since the colonial days in Singapore, where rich locals and expatriates come to the club for their daily horse rides to sip tea in open verandas.
I have never heard of Lush Spa before, so I was excited to try it for the first time. I love how it is away from the city and quiet. I didn’t know there was a spa amongst all the horses. I suppose the jockeys need a good massage after all that horse riding!
We arrived around 7pm; first we had to remove our footwear before entering the reception of the spa. I was impressed the moment I stepped in, the place smelt heavenly (like a spa!) and I swear I felt my stress levels dropped a few notches already.
The reception area of the spa is decorated with spa products and a small seating area on the side. The delicious sparty bites were set at the buffet table close to the seating area. The sparty menus consisted of antipasti platter (cold cuts, olives, duck rillettes, cheese and crackers), caprese salad, prawn cocktail with spicy dip, parma ham with rock melon shots, deluxe sushi platter, petite fruit tarts, spa chocolates.
First we were served with lychee martini and we started our spa session soon after. It started off with a foot massage in the seating area while we chatted over wine and sparty bites. The ladies who worked at the spa spoiled us by being so attentive with the drinks and food. Before we started our next session, we hovered around the buffet table enjoying all the delicious bites and champagne. After we had our bites and drinks, the massage therapists gave us back and hand massages. We can choose to have the massage either in the seating area or in a private room. Most of us chose to have the massage in a seating area to be able to chat over drinks.
After 4 hours, we were finally done. A four-hour session of pure bliss! *With wiggling fingers and toes*. I felt really pampered, It was the most lovely way to have a birthday party, all leisurely and relaxing. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
On Valentine’s Day, I think of people who have cheered and encouraged me, who have gone out of their way to be kind and caring. These people have enriched my life just by being themselves. On the special day of love, I celebrated my “V “ day with my special people.
February 14 is such a special date for me because it is also the day of my beloved sister’s birthday. It was so great that she was in town so I got to celebrate the special day with my husband and sisters.
I reserved a table for us at Le Nicolas. It’s a French restaurant located on Club street, which is my favorite neighborhood in Singapore. Club street is located in Chinatown and it relives the old days of Singapore. The street is lined up with conserved shophouses that are occupied by European restaurants, bars and several galleries. It is more an upmarket area compared to other nightlife districts, catering mainly to yuppies and business executives.
The restaurant has such a cozy atmosphere and is flanked by restored pre-war shophouses in an art-deco architectural style. The food at Nicolas is prepared by a dedicated chef who puts his heart into his food. And it shows. It was my second time there. I was so impressed by its food on my first visit that I decided to have our VDay celebration there! The set menu changes every week and they also have the option of a “Surprise” menu. How the surprise menu works is that the chef will ask you only the things that you DON’T eat and leave the rest of the selection to the chef. I had it last time and it was fantastic! This second time around, I was so ready to be blown away again.
The chef presented a series of 8-course dinner which began with the lightest fare, proceeded to the heaviest, richest dishes. My favorite dishes were the Japanese-inspired egg custard served in an egg shell where a runny yolk was mixed with truffle oil, foie grass with apple sauce, pigeon breast roasted with green lentils ragout, 200-day-grass-fed angus beef tenderloin, slow confit roasted and chocolate truffle for dessert.
Happy belated VDay from Singapore…! “Laughter is brightest where food is best.” Irish Proverb
