So I Feel A Little Bit Relieved

I got anxiety attack! I can not sleep, a non-stop major migraine and also trouble breathing *sigh*

Almost a year ago, when I stumbled on one big problem that I thought would never find the solution, I also experienced this exact symptoms. I directly went to the doctor. Not just any doctor, but the experienced pulmonary specialist at MMC Hospital. He asked few questions before he then examined me. He convinced me that I'm on my perfect health and it was not asthma that made me trouble breathing. He said that maybe there's something going on in my mind. Things that I haven't shared with anyone and made me stressed out. He thought that I was still in college and thinking too much about the examinations. Then I thought, how weird is it that I just turned 26 years old at that time and don't even know my own body? How come I couldn't sense it when the stress appeared? Was I being too ignorant or maybe was it just a form of denial?

Guess that's what happened to me now. Preparing this wedding thingy made me so stressful. Thank God I quit my job so my mind can focus on this one thing only. I'm not complaining about the hectic of this preparations or anything. In fact, the activity was very much enjoyable. But when it comes in dealing with jerks, I just couldn't stand myself to not pissed out. Not to mention when things aren't working out just the way it was planned. That's when the beauty bride becomes the most scary bridezilla you can ever imagine.

Regarding the case that I faced a few days earlier, I've asked some people's opinion. What if they were in my shoes? What are they going to do? And I also asked some of my wedding vendors. As the vendors, what if they have to deal with this kind of situation? All of them, yes I mean ALL the people I asked, gave the exact same answers. He has NO right at all to charge me the penalty and I MUST NOT pay him just like what he asked. It is not negotiable because he NEVER told me his policy regarding the cancellation, which every vendors MUST inform to the potential clients. Especially to those who are eager to use your service. It is just not making any sense when he said he didn't tell me about the cancellation fee because I already agree to use him as the makeup artist right on the day we did the makeup test. In fact, if I were not agree to use his service then why bother to cancel him in the first place, right? And he said that he also has prepared for my wedding, which is blocking the date for me and proposing furloughs from his office while my wedding is still 2,5 months away. Well, not only it was just spoken orally and has no legal force, but as someone who provides service, you are obligate to state all the consequences if any client suddenly cancel the agreement. So his defense was non sense for me. But if he ever informed me verbally about the cancellation fee before, then it would be impossible for me to not obey his policy. Let me refresh your mind. I called him first to asked his bank account just because I wanted to recouped the makeup test fee just like what we agreed. But then he shocked me when I heard he suddenly add up to 30% due to cancellation without any notice before. I may be bitchy sometime, but to harm people and disclaiming others rights? I never ever have the heart to do so.

Life is about taking balance. When there's bad at one side but there's also good beneath it. After feeling so fed up with one of the vendors, this morning I had my pictures from Imotio that I'm going to use for the invitations. The photos were just like what I always wanted. They made it clearly inspired by pictures I sent as my references. So the fiance and I almost reached the top of our satisfactions. Hopefully they will keep up the good work until the last day we're working together *crossing fingers*.

After what I've been through with my previous makeup artist candidate, the fiance suggested to meet up with my new one. We had our first meeting this afternoon. I won't spill the name now. Maybe later. At first, the fiance told me that I have to force them to make an agreement letter. But after we had a long talk, asking loads of questions, we reached to the conclusion that this new one is much more professional and experienced. I told him about the case with my previous and he has the exact same answer just like everyone else. He then initiated to make an agreement letter once I transferred the 30% deposit. Just to engage both of parties. If I ever cancel the agreement, then I won't get back my 30%. But if he's the one who cancel, which he said never ever happened in his 18 years of experiences, then he will give back my 30%. Fair enough. Meeting him and his assistant was the right thing to do. After the consultations, I feel a little bit relieved. At least, now I'm convinced even more of what action should I choose to do regarding the case.

As for me, it's much better to say all the worse things and consequences upfront than covered it all with good things but then end up badly.

Shit Happens

Hati-hati melakukan perjanjian tanpa kontrak tertulis!

Jadi begini ceritanya. Beberapa waktu yang lalu saat saya mengalami kegalauan mencari makeup artist yang cociks, seorang teman merekomendasikan sebuah nama. Sayapun langsung menghubungi orang tersebut dan bertanya-tanya soal fee dan kesediaannya untuk menjadi makeup artist untuk kawinan saya. Namun melihat portfolionya membuat saya kurang yakin sehingga merasa perlu untuk melakukan test makeup. Sebelumnya sayapun ingin memastikan terlebih dahulu apa konsekuensinya jika tiba-tiba saya memutuskan untuk tidak menggunakan jasanya. Katanya, makeup test tersebut gratis jika saya jadi pakai dia sebagai makeup artist. Tapi kalau tidak, saya hanya perlu mengganti biaya test makeup sehara Rp 1,6jt. Mahal ya, pikir saya saat itu? Namun karena desperate tak dapat menemukan makeup artist yang sesuai budget tapi tetap keukeuh ingin cantik di hari H nanti, akhirnya sayapun mengambil resiko tersebut.

Hingga sampailah pada hari test makeup. Seperti postingan saya sebelumnya, hasil makeupnya tak mengecewakan. Tapi jujur, tak sesuai ekspektasi saya karena kurang "manglingin". Tak jauh beda dengan hasil makeup yang saya kerjakan sendiri hanya terlihat sedikit lebih menor, kira-kira begitulah komentar teman saya. Namun lagi-lagi karena desperado tadi dan terlalu malas untuk test makeup dengan makeup artist lain, akhirnya di hari itu juga saya langsung mengiyakan untuk menggunakan jasanya. Mungkin inilah buah hasil dari ketidaksabaran..

Beberapa hari kemudian, makeup artist dambaan saya memberi kabar baik. Ia bersedia memberi diskon sehingga tarifnya masih bisa terjangkau oleh budget saya. Setelah konsultasi dengan mama dan beberapa orang teman, sayapun memutuskan untuk menggunakan jasanya. Kali ini tanpa test makeup karena selain portfolio yang lebih meyakinkan, seorang teman dekat yang pernah menggunakan jasanyapun berpendapat demikian.

Membatalkan kerjasama memang tidak pernah enak. Baik di pihak yang membatalkan atau pihak yang dibatalkan. Tadi malam saya mengirimkan pesan melalui BBM kepada si makeup artist tersebut. Saya bahkan meminta nomer rekeningnya untuk mengirimkan uang test makeup sesuai dengan perjanjian yang telah disepakati sebelumnya. Namun tak disangka-sangka, yang bersangkutan malah mengenakan charge 30% dari harga makeup. Hal ini tidak pernah dibicarakan sebelumnya dan cukup bikin saya shocked. Bukan apa-apa, nominalnya cukup besar buat saya. Ditambah lagi saat ini dimana begitu banyak pengeluaran tak terduga. Dia ngotot. Alasannya, dia sudah booked tanggal tersebut untuk kawinan saya dan diapun telah mengajukan cuti ke kantornya. Padahal kawinan saya juga masih 2 bulan lagi. Apakah membatalkan cuti segitu ribetnya?

Tadi malam energi saya telah habis untuk berdebat. Apalagi lewat BBM dimana bisa terjadi kesalahpahaman dalam menginterpretasikan intonasi suara. Sayapun menghubungi beberapa teman, yang juga berkecimpung di dunia per-makeup-artist-an dan vendor kawinan untuk sekedar bertanya pendapat. Semua orang yang saya tanyakan menganjurkan saya untuk tidak membayar charge 30% karena memang tidak pernah ada pembicaraan seperti itu dari awal. Kontrak tertulispun tidak ada, jadi tidak ada kekuatan hukum apapun yang mewajibkan saya untuk membayar charge tersebut. Dan lagi kalau mau jahat, bisa saja saya mangkir menolak membayar fee makeup test. Tapi untuk apa mengambil hak orang? Tidak pernah ada di kamus saya seperti itu.

Sekarang saya masih mengumpulkan pendapat orang-orang sekitar mengenai hal ini. Kekesalan saya membuat tidur tadi malam tak nyenyak. Akibatnya sekarang pusing dan berkunang-kunang. Ah, mudah-mudahan saja segera mendapat pencerahan. Pembelajaran yang harus dipetik dari kasus ini, hati-hati saat dealing dengan orang. Tanyakan sedetail mungkin, bahkan kemungkinan terburuk sekalipun. Dan perjanjian tertulis itu teramat sangat penting. Meskipun dengan teman sendiri. Daripada ujung-ujungnya nggak enak kayak gini, ya kan???

Is It A Coincidence Or What?

Isn't it amazing how life works out?

So here's the thing. I bought Dewi Magazine Bridal Edition just to find some insight for the wedding. Then when I turn the pages, my eyes suddenly struck on this one page where there's a woman with a very nice makeup on her wedding day. So I took that woman's picture as my makeup inspiration on makeup test day.

Then few days later, I got messages on my blackberry from the makeup artist's assistant that I've been longing for but couldn't afford. She asked, whether I want to use him or not. But then I told her that his price is way out of my league so I have to say no. Lucky me, after a very long conversation via BBM, she then told me that she can give me a very good deal if I want to use him. It feels like my world is turning upside down when I heard the news. So then I told my mom and she agrees on my decision to change the makeup artist.

Since preparing my brother's wedding last year, it had been my hobby to collect bridal magazines. I love seeing beautiful ladies on pretty dresses along with beautiful decorations on her wedding day. Seeing beautiful things is like living on a fairytale. So I bought another magazines to pampered my eyes. Then there she is, the exact same girl on my favorite makeup as the inspiration. And when I look into details of the event, guess who did the wonderful makeup? Yes, my new makeup artist that I used to longed for and finally get to use because he gave me a very good deal was the one who did the makeup. I feel relieved that I chose the right decision. I gave my 110% trust on him to turn me into the prettiest girl on my wedding day just like what he did to that girl. And now I really really really hope he won't let me down.

Dilemma!

And when I thought I've already found the perfect one to do my makeup, then comes the temptation. This makeup artist, one of my favorite, gave a huge discounts. Just a little bit higher than my actual budget, but I could still cover it. As long as it is still reasonable and affordable, then why not? I think I might gonna change my makeup artist. Not that my previous one is not any good. I liked his work very much. Though, they both have different style of makeup. My previous is still young. His style is more modern and simple. He would be perfect for international wedding. As for the traditional wedding, this new one is the best. He is more well known among the socialite. And what makes me more convinced is that the fee is not far apart. Guess we know which one to choose, aren't we?

I've read good reviews, looking results through his facebook. And based on my best friend's experience, this person is one of the best in town. She had her wedding last year and she was very much satisfied with the result. I trust her words. So I guess I will choose him even without doing anymore makeup test. Otherwise, it would be a waste of money if I do another makeup test.

Now all I have to do is giving all my trust to him that he would make me the most prettiest girl in the room right on my big day *crossing fingers*

This Is It!

I finally found the one whom I believe will make me pretty on my big day. Thank God. It's very much relieving. I never thought finding the right makeup artist would be this hard. After all the surveys, I decided to chose Kiky Lutan as the makeup artist. Not only he fits the budget, but he also did a wonderful work on my face as we did the makeup test yesterday. And the most important thing, he doesn't mind going back to Aceh for the whole 5 days. After I did the makeup, I immediately shared the pictures with the fiancé, my mom, and some of my close friends. Just to hear their opinion. Thank God, they all liked it. And I do too!

Honestly, seeing his portfolio through his blog is not very much convincing. He mostly did a lot of makeup for models who already is beautiful. The wedding and before - after portfolio shows that he is more into natural makeups. He brings out the the best features and tries to cover the flaws. At first, I was planning to do some makeup tests with other makeup artists just to find the right one. But seeing what he did and all the positive responses, I so don't think I'm gonna need another more makeup tests.

The only concern I have now, is hopefully the makeup on my wedding day will make me look different than the makeup I did for myself on daily life. Or should I quit on putting makeup on my face from now on???

Make Up Artist Needed!

Selama ini akrab dengan istilah "Bridezilla" hanya lewat film Hollywood. Sekedar drama para calon pengantin perempuan yang ingin mencari perhatian, pikir saya saat itu. Sampai akhirnya mengalami sendiri. Panik berlebihan sampai-sampai merasa sulit bernafas.

Bagi tiap perempuan, tampil cantik di hari pernikahan itu adalah wajib hukumnya. Begitupun yang saya rasakan. Mendapat pujian di hari pertunangan memang bikin melayang tapi di satu sisi juga menambah beban bagi saya. Kenapa beban? Karena otomatis saya ingin hari pernikahan dan resepsi yang merupakan puncak acara dapat menandingi hari pertunangan saya dari berbagai aspek. Baik itu dari segi makanan, dekor, susunan acara, pakaian, hingga yang paling penting yaitu make up!

Sering saya melihat pengantin dengan make up yang amburadul. Bedak pecah-pecah, foundation yang tak sesuai dengan warna kulit, bulu mata yang tampak sungguh palsu, dan masih banyak kekacauan lainnya. Pengalaman itu membuat saya hati-hati dalam memilih make up artist yang akan menangani muka saya nantinya. Tadinya masalah ini tidak menjadi concern terbesar saya karena saya sudah merencanakan untuk menggunakan make up artist yang juga mendandani saya waktu tunangan dulu. Namun emang dasar tidak jodoh, ternyata si doski ditugaskan ke luar negeri bertepatan dengan tanggal pernikahan saya. Membaca BBMnya itu membuat saya ingin nangis darah sekaligus panik tak menentu. Rasanya ingin marah, tapi sama siapa? Memang sih, dia berjanji akan merekomendasikan temannya yang tak kalah ciamik. Tapi hati saya tetap ketar ketir karena saya belum bisa percaya sepenuhnya dengan si make up artist ini. Alhasil, berbekal pengalaman bekerja di majalah dulu, saya langsung mengontak beberapa teman yang bekerja sebagai fashion stylist dan beauty editor majalah. Yah, setidaknya referensi dari mereka dapat menambah pilihan saya.

Sempat sih browsing make up artist di majalah wedding. Ternyata sulit amat. Selain pilihan yang terlalu banyak, foto-foto yang dimasukkan ke majalah pasti sudah melalui proses editing, dan yang paling menyebalkannya lagi kebanyakan menggunakan model bule atau chinese. Yah, secara kulit bule dan chinese putih kayaknya gampang untuk dimake up dengan model gimanapun. Kurang applicable gituh kalau untuk kulit agak gelap seperti saya.

Kendala lainnya yaitu, si make up artist ini harus rela untuk saya boyong ke Banda Aceh selama 4 hari. Kenapa bisa jadi 4 hari? Karena hari nikah dan resepsinya memang berjarak 4 hari yang diselingi upacara adat "Boh Gaca" dan "Manoe Pucok". Ribet memang. Kalau mau ditotal, acara saya nanti akan berlangsung selama 7 hari, yang berisi acara "Rapat Keluarga dan Panitia", "Khatam Al-Quran" dan "Boh Gaca"selama 3 hari. Padahal kalau bisa memilih, saya cuma ingin pernikahan yang intimate. Tapi kayaknya sih nggak mungkin ya. Meskipun mama saya menawarkan untuk mengadakan resepsi kecil-kecilan untuk teman dekat, tapi saya memilih untuk menolaknya saja. Lebih baik uangnya digunakan untuk dana bulan madu sajalah nanti.

Sejauh ini saya belum menemukan siapa yang bakal mendandani saya nantinya. Ada sih beberapa make up artist yang saya kira bisa cocok namun setelah ditanya, harganya over budget banget. Masa iya make up sebanyak 4 kali hampir 50 juta? Wah, bisa pingsan saya jadinya :/

Yah, mudah-mudahan saja saya dapat segera menemukan make up artist yang ciamiks dan sesuai budget. Any recommendations?