Indonesia Expat
Fashion Lifestyle

A Retro Romance – Groovy Valentine’ Day Ideas in Jakarta

What is the ideal way to celebrate love? The most genuine and unconditional feeling — love, can never be weighed enough in emotion or gesture. Love must be celebrated and shared beautifully with “the one.” We’ve seen this day evolve, year after year, from lovesick teens texting each other to a wedded love bug presenting a wall of roses.

This February, take a cue from the retro kids we knew and read about growing up — Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and Reggie from the iconic Archie’s comics and recent angst-filled television revival “Riverdale.” Share a milkshake with your better half in one of the groovy diners with plushy booths and neon signs like TRS Diner, Johnny Rockets, TGI Fridays, for your fast food fill in Jakarta. If you’re looking for another kind of diner, Genki Sushi is your best bet. Afterward, plan a romantic movie date and save some space for a large caramel popcorn.

For those who prefer quiet time, a cozy and intimate date at home; redecorate a room with bold retro wallpaper or place massive retro motif stickers. For dinner, plan a cook-off with your beau: you needn’t cook something elaborate to keep it full of fun and don’t forget to order in tubs of ice cream for dessert. Loosen up and play a couple rounds of a romantic truth-or-dare or whip out a few classic board games like Scrabble or Monopoly. A scavenger hunt is another interesting game to play together, where you can challenge your other half’s memory of your romantic journey while navigating clues you place around the house. Of course, the last clue could be to the ring box if you’re planning to pop the question or present a gift for the Valentine’s Day occasion.

[Appropriate Valentine’s night-at-home films suggestions include Grease, Dirty Dancing, The Breakfast Club, Hairspray or Pretty Woman. If you’re interested in doing a television show marathon, then perhaps Mad Men, Riverdale, Full House, Fuller House and Stranger Things are more up your alley.]

Want to look the retro part? Stores like Fendi, Moshchino, H&M, Zara, Bershka, Pull&Bear have items that can help you to channel the old-school vibes! What’s old is always new again, so throw on a varsity jacket over your crew neck t-shirt and blue jeans. For the men working that day, remember to stay suited and put on a colourful tie. For the ladies: wear a pleated short skirt with a slogan sweatshirt or a polka dot blouse and something really sweet is to match your sneakers with your man. If unable to skip the office that day, maybe wear a fitted pencil skirt with a satin blouse and put on your favourite kitten heels.

In the past, hairstyles were a big deal whether for men or women. For men, it was always neatly gelled hair and a conscious attempt to slick it back.

Whereas for girls it was all about the curls, distinctly coiffed or the locks tied up in a backcombed ponytail. Add a ribbon or bow on the side to channel the your inner pin-up girl! For some makeup inspiration, think Twiggy who was an English model, actress, and singer during the swinging 60s. She wore bold and clumped mascara on her upper and lower lashes and that grew into a makeup sensation. To make the eyes more dramatic draw a bold winged eye with a liquid eyeliner like Brigitte Bardot’s for a dedicate charm. For the lips, choose something light, either a frosty pastel pink or even a metallic creme lipstick. Don’t forget to rosy up the apples of your cheeks with a pink blush for a flirty finish!

Couples who wouldn’t mind a fun and sporty day, challenge yourselves at a bowling arcade. The Jakarta Bowling Centre in Jakarta Selatan or Mall Artha Gading Bowling Centre at Mall Artha Gading are great arcades. There, you can plan a surprise for your date with a bunch of her favourite flowers and chocolates. For the guys, take your date to a Time Zone in Pluit Village Mall for few hours of gaming together or Funworld in Pondok Indah Mall and let your competitive spirit rise. Ladies, every thought about karaoke at the T-REX Family Karaoke in Grand Indonesia and serenading your special guy?

Gifting is never about the amount you spend on the gift, it’s always the thought you put behind it. So think hard on what would really bring a smile on your beau’s face. Romantic letters with a countdown to Valentine’s Day (that’s 14 letters leading up to the day!) or you can attempt a love jar, filled with chits, and each with a line of what you love about your partner or what suggestions for dates you’d like to plan out year round. For instance, “I love your good morning messages, it lights up my day,” or, “I can’t wait to take you to see my favourite band in concert.” If you’ve been together for a while, collect a dozen or two of your favourite photos together and get them printed on a flipbook or an album. With each photo write the memory you have with your partner and how you felt that day when you spent time together. This is a fantastic gift to experience together and relive those golden moments. For those who live apart, get an Instax camera and capture memories from the entire day, wrap the beautiful polaroid moments and Go-Jek them with a romantic note to your better half at night. This would be a thoughtful way to end the day. A timeless gift, and one sure to always invoke a flustered blush!

Locations for Gifts and Date Ideas:

TRS Diner (Fatmawati)

Johnny Rockets (Lotte Shopping Avenue, Mega Kuningan)

TGI Fridays (Lippo Mall Kemang & Puri, Gandaria City Mall, Central Park Mall, Pondok Indah Mall)

Genki Sushi (Plaza Senayan, Grand Indonesia Mall, Kota Kasablanka Mall, Kawasan SCBD, Central Park Mall, Kelapa Gading Mall)

 

Link for Romantic Truth & Dare questions:

For Boyfriends: http://www.romanceways.com/truth-and-dare-questions-for-boyfriend.html

For Girlfriends: http://www.romanceways.com/truth-or-dare-questions-for-girlfriend.html

 

Fashion Retailers:

Fendi: Plaza Senayan, Jakarta

Moschino: Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta

Zara: Senayan City Mall, Jakarta

H&M: Grand Indonesia (east) Mall, Jakarta

Pull & Bear: Grand Indonesia (east) Mall, Jakarta

Bershka: Senayan City Mall, Jakarta

 

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