0 Creativity Spotlight: Ivahona Shop, Antananarivo, Madagascar

Hi everyone ^.^

This is the first post under the category Creativity Spotlight, a category that will feature creative works that we come across both offline and online. It's basically like a mini report and our opinions on the creative works that we have decided to share. 

So without further ado here's the first one by T1 ^.^ 

On the fourth the day in Antananarivo, my family and I went around town to see the main sights. Our first stop was the old train station that has become a museum with small gift shops. It was here, that I came across a small souvenir shop that caught my attention. From the outside it seemed very normal but when I took a look inside, the atmosphere was so pleasant and nice that I wanted to take pictures and share what I've seen. Fortunately, the shop assistant gave me permission to document this beautiful small shop.

The Ivahona shop from the main entrance of the train station.

What I love about this store is how the interior is designed in a clean modern way but with a local and vintage touch. This can be seen from the use of the neat ordered racks and displays but filled with local details such as the woven baskets and bags. 

Aesthetically, this is one of the most pleasant shops I've seen. Everything here is just perfectly balanced. Local, clean, modern but with a vintage feel. Homy. Simple yet stunning. 

Displaying items in the local way.

Mats for hot pans from bottle caps, simply creative! :)

 A balanced combination of wood, natural colours and other accessories brightens up the whole space.

My favourite shot. How putting flowers into a can, can simply brighten your window :)

 What I learnt from this small walk through experience is that with creativity you can always turn something simple into something stunning yet still humble and memorable.


Hope I can do something like this for my own home one day :)


Hope you enjoyed this post, see you next time :) 

0 Hijab Accessorising

Hi everyone, this post is mainly about the essential accessories that you need to style up your hijab and also accessorising your hijab. Since the hair, ears, and neck are covered, what is left to accessorise is the hijab itself. Here, I'm going to share what I and most Muslim women in Indonesia use.

First of all, I guess the most essential accessory is the broche. It comes in all shapes, sizes and colours. You can practically mix and match with any kind. However, I think the must have is the neutral coloured ones or the ones with white studs (the left one in the picture below) or stones in light violet or light beige. After that, you can choose any colour you like. Since I'm obsessed with blue, as you can see, I bought the blue one ;). Here, the broche is usually placed at the front of the hijab near your cheek or shoulder or at the back of the hijab (at the back of your head).

The next type is the chain broche. This type has been a major trend lately in Indonesia. Believe me, it's everywhere! You usually place it at the back of the hijab or at the front near your cheek or on your shoulder. Below is my collection that I bought myself but most I got from my family and friends. :D

Contrast or Match:

Once you've got your accessories, next up is to contrast or match it with your hijab. As stated in the previous post, here, accessorising you hijab is also about C.R.A.P. First of all, you should have the basic colours to work with.