Travel-Indonesia, Borobudur Temple

In Central Java, Indonesia lies one of the greatest and supposedly largest Buddhist temples in the world, containing almost 2 million stone blocks.  During our trip to Yogyakarta, detailed in this post and continued in this post, we saw many amazing and interesting sights.  The highlight of the visit, however, was our early morning exploration of the Borobudur Temple.  Built between AD 750 and 842, almost 300 years before Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple, Borobudur was hidden and actually “lost” for centuries covered by layers of volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Merapi.  It was finally discovered again in 1814 and throughout the past century work has continued to restore this great monument.

Borobudur is built as a 3-D mandala (a concentric diagram) separated into three tiers representing the universe through Buddhist cosmology.  The first and bottom level is a pyramid base with five concentric square terraces known as Kamadhatu (world of desire), the second level is the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms known as Ruphadatu (world of forms) and the top of the temple, a monumental stupa, is Arupadhatu (world of formlessness).  On the top tier sits 72 stupas that circle the massive main stupa…this represents the eternity without a beginning or an end, a tranquil and pure state of the formless world.

The day we visited Borobudur we hired a driver, drove about an hour from the city of Yogyakarta, and arrived at the temple before dawn.  Arriving during early morning is highly recommended to avoid crowds and most importantly to experience the beauty of the temple as the sun rises and glistens against the millions of stone carvings.  Unfortunately, the day we visited it was quite foggy, but we were still able to experience the temple in all its glory.

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The sun begins to rise.  That’s Mount Merapi in the background.

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Of course I brought my Loubous (my nickname for my Louboutins)…

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 Walking around the temple tiers and looking up at the stupas.

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And the amazing carvings…

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 Monks praying; other visitors burning incense…

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As we walked away, I took this last picture of the fog enveloping the massive temple once again.

Posted in Asia, Indonesia, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Designer Spotlight-Bass

Last year Rachel Antonoff partnered with Bass to create the cutest saddle shoes I’ve seen in a while.  Styled below, I just love how she took the saddle shoe design and turned it into a patent leather pink and beige heel.  Plus, partnering with Bass was a clever idea in its own.  Being the leading provider of classic footwear for men and women since the late 1800s, the Bass brand strives to “complement all aspects of your life, from work to weekends”.  The first Bass shoe was created in 1876 and early on the most popular Bass shoe became the aviation boot, the official boot for the U.S. Army.  Then in 1936 the Weejuns were born, which were an adaptation of the Scandinavian moccasin (Norweejun).  A small strip of leather with a diamond cut-out graced the top of the shoe and when American prep school students in the 1950s starting inserting shiny pennies into this slit, the name penny loafer was born…a fashion statement began.  I can still remember my first pair of penny loafers and my mom shining up a penny to slip into the slit as I made my way to school.  Rachel Antonoff’s line of shoes with Bass have brought back these memories for me and although they aren’t the same as my first penny loafters, they are Bass and I wear them with the same pride and skip in my step.

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Ironing Out the Details:

BlouseEXPRESS
Blazer – JUICY COUTURE, Similar here and here
Vest – OLD NAVY, Similar here and here
Scarves – JESSICA SIMPSON, Similar; Gifted, Similar
Knee-Length Shorts – UNIQLO, Similar here and here
Earrings DAVID YURMAN
Bracelets – Gifted (made by my aunt), Nothing like them!
Watch MICHELE
Ring – Gifted, Similar
Knee-Highs – FREE PEOPLE Petticoat tall socks, Similar
ShoesRACHEL ANTONOFF for BASS – Saddled w/ Sweetness Heel at MODCLOTH, Similar
BagLOUIS VUITTON

Posted in Day Style, Designer Spotlight, Shoes, Style | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Top 25 Wardrobe Essentials-F/W (21-25)

Happy Tuesday!  Today is the last post in my Top 25 Wardrobe Essentials for the Fall/Winter season series.  Thanks so much for following along.  This week’s post details items 21 through 25.  To see more on the Top Wardrobe Essentials, click on last week’s post, and also see the list of the FIRST TWENTY below.

1.)  Skinny Jeans
2.)  Diamond/Pearl Studs

3.)  Classic Pumps
4.)  Blazer
5.) 
White Collared Button-Down
6.)  Pencil Skirt
7.)  Cardigan
8.)  Ballet Flats
9.)  Scarves
10.)  Watch
11.) 
Silk Blouse
12.) 
Dress Pants
13.) 
Clutch
14.) 
Belts
15.)  Riding Boots
16.)  Leather Jacket
17.)  Tights
18.)  Black Turtleneck
19.)  Statement Jewelry
20.)  Floppy Felt Hat

21.)  Little Black Dress – Affectionately known as the LBD…this dress is classic, timeless and perfect for almost any occasion (think “Breakfast at Tiffany’s).  Worn with blazers in board meetings or with stilettos to a fancy restaurant – you can not go wrong with throwing on a LBD.  Finding your go-to LBD may take some time and many dressing rooms, but when you find it, your LBD will become a favorite in your closet.  Ensure when buying your LBD that it’s a good quality fabric to stand the test of time and won’t fade (look at the tags).  Check the length and when looking in the mirror ask yourself if it’s appropriate for various functions and different style opportunities; also is it comfortable?  Many women have stated owning a LBD is a “rule of fashion”, so have fun when choosing yours…it will be around for many years to come!
Styled Here: Ophelie, Studded, D&G, Buckled Up, Jay Godfrey (B&W)
My Favorite Brands: WHBM, NORDSTROM
To be Worn: WORK, DAY and PLAY

22.)  Timeless Tote – With all the “stuff” that we seem to carry on an everyday basis, a timeless tote is essential in everyone’s closet.  When looking for a timeless tote, I ask myself these questions…is it roomy, does it have pockets for organization, is it a good quality leather/cloth, is it heavy even with nothing inside, is it versatile with different styles?  With all these specifications, an everyday tote can be a challenge to acquire, but don’t give up.  Your timeless tote may be waiting for you right around the corner, just “in time” for our S/S season!
Styled Here: Style Wild, MicheleFendi, Cape, 3.1, Chambray
My Favorite Brands/Places to shop: There are hundreds, but some of the bags that I use most often are – LONGCHAMP, MICHAEL KORS, FOLEY & CORINA (just got new-will style soon!).  Stores with a great selection of totes are – NEIMAN MARCUS, NORDSTROM, SAKS.  You can also find great totes at ZARA and FOREVER 21.
To be Worn:
WORK, DAY, sometimes PLAY (I usually carry clutches for my PLAY style.)

23.)  Rayban – Holding the first patent for Aviators and creating the Wayfarer, Rayban is one of the most popular manufacturers of sunglasses.  Of course sunglasses were originally designed to shield our eyes and protect them from the sun, but today sunglasses have become so much more…they are a symbol, a brand and even a trademark for some people’s style.  If you don’t own a pair, I highly recommend giving them a try.  Hey, your eyes will thank you!  The best part is when you glance in the mirror with your Raybans on, the theme song for Top Gun will start playing in the background, or maybe it’s in my head…
Styled Here: Tory Burch, Bobby Pins, Prada, Bangles
My Favorite Brands: To purchase RAYBANS, check out SUNGLASS HUT, AMAZON or RAYBAN.COM
To be Worn: 
DAY, PLAY and of course on the way to WORK

24.)  Basic T-Shirt – Short sleeve, long sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, crew neck, v-neck, no matter the kind, I wear my basic t-shirts to work, during the day or out to play.  Sometimes when I wake up in the morning and just don’t feel like ironing, I turn to one of my basic tees to pair with my dress pants for the office.  Although it’s a t-shirt, it’s in disguise…I wear it under a blazer or splash a statement necklace on top to hide its true identity.  During the weekends, t-shirts are obviously great with jeans, shorts and skirts.  At night, I pair my tees with skinny jeans and stilettos, also spicing it up with a bit of jewelry.  So remember, your basic t-shirt can be styled many ways and become so much more than basic. 
Styled Here:
Urban Jungle, Breaking Dawn, Trump, Window, North Face
My Favorite Brands: RILLER AND FOUNT, UNIQLO, GAP/OLD NAVY
To be Worn: WORK, DAY and PLAY

25.)  Trench Coat – Humphrey Bogart in “Casablanca“, Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, Warren Beatty in “Dick Tracy”…the trench coat is a very popular wardrobe item in pop culture.  Although the trench coat has been modified through the years and sometimes even given a bad rap when worn by evil villains in the movies, it is still as classic and versatile as it was in the late 1800s.  Its classic cut, length and color give the trench coat a timeless feel, not to mention keeping the wearer warm and dry.  The trench coat will be forever loved by men and women either worn for comfort, warmth and protection from bad weather or to add a bit of class, sophistication and even some mystery to your style…definitely a wardrobe essential.   
Styled Here:
Playground, Clouds, Chanel, Trench
My Favorite Brands: BURBERRY, EXPRESS, ZAPPOS, BANANA REPUBLIC/GAP/OLD NAVY, J CREW, ZARA
To be Worn: WORK, DAY and PLAY

Thanks so much for following along with my Top 25 Wardrobe Essentials posts.  If you have any ideas for some new posts you would like to see, please email me and let me know or just leave a comment below.  Thanks for being a part of Wrinkled Chiffon.

Posted in Accessories and Handbags, Clothing, Day Style, Jewelry, Play Style, Shoes, Style, Work Style | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments