Sometimes I get really nervous when strangers read my blog, some of the things I've written are so personal and endearing to me I wonder how will people react when they read it...is it too personal to share, how do I draw the thin line of sharing my inner thoughts and trying to pick which ones get audited and then hidden somewhere else under my subconscious?
Bali..yes I've written a lot about Bali in my recent posts, the charm of the little island has finally come creeping into my soul and surprises me along the way. Traveling every other week to Bali at the beginning was painful, mentally than physically as I'm not used to shorts jolts of adjusting quickly to being in a new environment...as I recently learned too (I guess I thrived in a familiar place, my comfort zone and I'm sure most people are - as much as I want to be known as the adventurous Sagittarian). As a co-owner of a recent boutique in Potato Head Beach Club Bali called Eleven, officially opened two days ago, one of my responsibilities is to make sure everything is well placed, running in order and all merchandised accordingly. We all divide our jobs (four of us) pretty equal, however I on the other hand like being the queen bee and so everything has it's sacrifice. Being the queen bee means you are the first person everyone calls for when things does not go right, you get chased by both my partners and my brother and his partner. But being a queen bee gives you power over everyone else, and that I think that is an "evil" trait I can't let go... not yet at least...for now.
The opening of Potato Head Beach Club Bali on the 29th of December attracted 5000 people in and out throughout the night! It was one of the most anticipated party of the year and boy was it a success! All the VIP guests arriving from 8 to 10 pm had to go through Eleven and OMG I didn't realize Bali has a LOT of CHIC people, I thought they would all be wearing all these sandals and khakis (there are still some)..but wow some where wearing purple linen shirts over burgundy pants, beautiful silver necklaces, checkered preppy sports jackets, leather french soles, and ahh I can't wait to post the photos! (still being edited)
I think I gave about 500 - 800 Eleven business cards to all the guests and every time I handed a card I tell them "Come next time and shop cos Eleven is now opened!" and most of them were very enthusiastic. Most guests were in party mood so I knew as much as we want to sell and sell it will take a couple of days for them to come back again. I had a lot of fun just seeing all these mix of people from all the different races coming through... My creative juice is flowing and flowing, I can't wait to release my line, it'll be men shirts for now, with a strong emphasis on fabrics the patterns with checks, plaids and a few embroidered details. It will be called yes, you guess it right "EMMELYN". I'm proud of my name, and it's very unique...don't you think so? a feminine menswear line, for someone like my brother, who is more consciously aware of fashion than I am :)
I'll be flying to Bali again the next couple of days, to make sure everything is running in order. My mom is coming with me, she said she wants to learn how to surf, sure why not... and my brother is also moving out to a new villa, and yes that includes me and I'm really excited because it's our own place, and he's getting married so it's important that he has his own enclave when wifey comes with him. It didn't feel like I was working when I was in Bali, perhaps because I am now truly doing something I really love and I can't believe my dreams are finally coming true, I have it in my hands. I can touch it, feel it and I know it's up to me to make it successful. A lot of things had happened along the way, but it was all well worth it, and it made me and my partners closer and stronger as team. I also met a lot of new people, genuine individuals who are now good friends, some are visitors of the island, and some left already to fulfill their own dreams. I can only wish that they will find their own dream catchers, grab it and truly hold on to it. The hardest part is always the process of getting there, of the uncertainties not knowing whether you are on the right path, always doubting your decisions and losing sleep over it. I'm still learning and curving my way around juggling two equally challenging jobs of maintaining Potato Head Jakarta and running this new shop. Jakarta is so different to Bali, I arrived last night and find that the city is so flat, and yet I woke up this morning and when I looked into my garden and knowing I had a good night sleep on my own bed I felt refreshed again and Bali is now just a good memory, with sweet glimpses of the best times I had with new friends and my partners.
Close the chapter they say and move on. I will be back very soon, too soon I think but it's okay, I need to get my system used to all these sudden jolts. Jolts of joy I hope and more blood, sweat and tears to come...Let's play!
Bali..yes I've written a lot about Bali in my recent posts, the charm of the little island has finally come creeping into my soul and surprises me along the way. Traveling every other week to Bali at the beginning was painful, mentally than physically as I'm not used to shorts jolts of adjusting quickly to being in a new environment...as I recently learned too (I guess I thrived in a familiar place, my comfort zone and I'm sure most people are - as much as I want to be known as the adventurous Sagittarian). As a co-owner of a recent boutique in Potato Head Beach Club Bali called Eleven, officially opened two days ago, one of my responsibilities is to make sure everything is well placed, running in order and all merchandised accordingly. We all divide our jobs (four of us) pretty equal, however I on the other hand like being the queen bee and so everything has it's sacrifice. Being the queen bee means you are the first person everyone calls for when things does not go right, you get chased by both my partners and my brother and his partner. But being a queen bee gives you power over everyone else, and that I think that is an "evil" trait I can't let go... not yet at least...for now.
The opening of Potato Head Beach Club Bali on the 29th of December attracted 5000 people in and out throughout the night! It was one of the most anticipated party of the year and boy was it a success! All the VIP guests arriving from 8 to 10 pm had to go through Eleven and OMG I didn't realize Bali has a LOT of CHIC people, I thought they would all be wearing all these sandals and khakis (there are still some)..but wow some where wearing purple linen shirts over burgundy pants, beautiful silver necklaces, checkered preppy sports jackets, leather french soles, and ahh I can't wait to post the photos! (still being edited)
I think I gave about 500 - 800 Eleven business cards to all the guests and every time I handed a card I tell them "Come next time and shop cos Eleven is now opened!" and most of them were very enthusiastic. Most guests were in party mood so I knew as much as we want to sell and sell it will take a couple of days for them to come back again. I had a lot of fun just seeing all these mix of people from all the different races coming through... My creative juice is flowing and flowing, I can't wait to release my line, it'll be men shirts for now, with a strong emphasis on fabrics the patterns with checks, plaids and a few embroidered details. It will be called yes, you guess it right "EMMELYN". I'm proud of my name, and it's very unique...don't you think so? a feminine menswear line, for someone like my brother, who is more consciously aware of fashion than I am :)
I'll be flying to Bali again the next couple of days, to make sure everything is running in order. My mom is coming with me, she said she wants to learn how to surf, sure why not... and my brother is also moving out to a new villa, and yes that includes me and I'm really excited because it's our own place, and he's getting married so it's important that he has his own enclave when wifey comes with him. It didn't feel like I was working when I was in Bali, perhaps because I am now truly doing something I really love and I can't believe my dreams are finally coming true, I have it in my hands. I can touch it, feel it and I know it's up to me to make it successful. A lot of things had happened along the way, but it was all well worth it, and it made me and my partners closer and stronger as team. I also met a lot of new people, genuine individuals who are now good friends, some are visitors of the island, and some left already to fulfill their own dreams. I can only wish that they will find their own dream catchers, grab it and truly hold on to it. The hardest part is always the process of getting there, of the uncertainties not knowing whether you are on the right path, always doubting your decisions and losing sleep over it. I'm still learning and curving my way around juggling two equally challenging jobs of maintaining Potato Head Jakarta and running this new shop. Jakarta is so different to Bali, I arrived last night and find that the city is so flat, and yet I woke up this morning and when I looked into my garden and knowing I had a good night sleep on my own bed I felt refreshed again and Bali is now just a good memory, with sweet glimpses of the best times I had with new friends and my partners.
Close the chapter they say and move on. I will be back very soon, too soon I think but it's okay, I need to get my system used to all these sudden jolts. Jolts of joy I hope and more blood, sweat and tears to come...Let's play!
