Cappuccino with Jules

Breakfast Tunes

Mornings are made for breakfast.

Starting this January, I’ve made it a habit to rise out of bed by the time the clock strikes 6 if only for the inviting aroma of bread and butter (it’s more of a personal challenge, actually) and so far, I’ve been successful. But no matter what delicacies you start your AM with – croissants, English breakfast tea, muffins, orange juice, buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup, grilled tomatoes, beef sausages, et cetera – light, playful tunes are bound to excite you and set you up for the day.

Let music be a savory treat for your ears. So pick a morning soundtrack and eat, listen and be jolly. No time to assemble your track list? Here are whimsical ideas you can steal for a relaxing musical breakfast. Mix them with your own for a personalized morning playlist.

Enjoy!

“”Jolly Holiday” – Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke (from Mary Poppins)
“It’s a Good Day” – Peggy Lee
“Good Morning” – Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor (from Singin’ in the Rain)
”Isn’t This a Lovely Day” – Ella Fitzgerald
”Boy in a Rock N Roll Band” – The Pierces
“Frim Fram Sauce” – Diana Krall
”Chasing Pirates” – Norah Jones
“Lulu’s Pie Song” – Sara Bareilles (from Waitress)
“It’s a Wonderful World” – Joan Chamorro, Andrea Motis, Bobby Gordon & Sant Andreu Jazz Band
”Mona Lisa” – Nat King Cole
“Another Day of Sun” – La La Land Cast (from La La Land)
“What a Difference a Day Makes” – Jamie Cullum
“A Wink and a Smile” – Harry Connick Jr. (from Sleepless in Seattle)
“Wonderful” – Idina Menzel and Joel Grey (from Wicked)
“In a World of My Own” – Kathryn Beaumont (from Alice in Wonderland)
“White Winter Hymnal” – Birdy
”City Love” – John Mayer
“Goody Goody” – Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
“My Sugar is So Refined” – Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers
”A Spoonful of Sugar” – Julie Andrews (from Mary Poppins)

January 12, 2018 0

#TimesUp at the 75th Golden Globes

Oprah Winfrey. Photo Credit: Variety

The Big Little Lies ladies. Photo Credit: ABC

It’s 2018, and the annual Golden Globe Awards went into its 75th year with a fiery revolution in support of women across all industries, encouraging them to speak up in light of abuse, misrepresentation and all forms of mistreatment. The #TimesUp movement packed a lot of female punch, as stars and public figures – women and men – attended the event all decked in black as a sign of solidarity. Most of the wins and speeches on stage also reflected and acknowledged the need to continue pushing for equal opportunities for females in all aspects of their careers.

Speaking as a screenwriter, I stand by Oprah Winfrey, Jessica Chastain, Zoe Saldana, Natalie Portman, Dwayne Johnson, Ansel Elgort, Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, Laura Dern, Evan Rachel Wood, and many other icons in the fight for lady power. May more opportunities open up for female writers, directors, engineers, coders, entrepreneurs, and other career fields from all backgrounds and from all over the world, for the world of storytelling and the entire workforce should always be diverse.

The 75th Golden Globe Awards presented us with tons of highlights. Feel free to list all your favorite moments. Here are mine:

All the Big Little Lies wins (congrats Nicole Kidman and Laura Dern) and the all-girl cast photos.
Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort and Laura Dern in the same room. The Fault in Our Stars nostalgia.
Queen Oprah’s all-inspiring, super important speech about hope and an inclusive future as she accepted the Cecille B. Demille award.
Both Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor winning brought a little Moulin Rouge magic. Viva Satine and Christian!
The Greatest Showman won Best Original Song with “This is Me”.
Barbra Streisand’s surprise appearance. I’d personally want Babs to make a triumphant return to film directing and acting. The last feature film she directed and starred in was the lovely Mirror Has Two Faces.
Saoirse Ronan and the Lady Bird appreciation. Director Greta Gerwig deserved a nomination for crafting a powerful female-driven film.

January 10, 2018 0

2017 Highlights, 2018 Greetings

It’s here, it’s now, it’s 2018. Well, almost. Before I start my annual New Years Eve movie When Harry Met Sally (been enjoying brunch with some good friends and a cozy family dinner), allow me to present a brief list of my 2017 highlights. You’re welcome to share yours as well.

Happy 2018! 😀 Here’s to another year full of opportunities and adventures for all of us. #DreamBig

FILMS

Loving Vincent
Baby Driver
The Beguiled
A United Kingdom
Murder on the Orient Express
Goodbye Christopher Robin
Lady Bird
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Coco
The Greatest Showman
Spiderman: Homecoming
Thor: Ragnarok
Kingsman 2: The Golden Circle

TV SHOWS

Reign: The Final Season
The Crown
Big Little Lies
The Orville

MUSIC

What’s That Sound? – Haley Reinhart
Baby Driver Soundtrack – Various Artists
Anastasia Broadway Soundtrack – Christy Altomare & Cast
Meaning of Life – Kelly Clarkson
Glory Days: Platinum Edition – Little Mix
Robin Hood Soundtrack: Disney Legacy Collection – Various Artists

NOVELS

The Last Tudor – Phillipa Gregory
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – J.K. Rowling
All the Light We Cannot See – Anthony Doerr
The Land of Stories Series – Chris Colfer
Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty
The Witches of New York – Ami McKay

December 31, 2017 0

Happy Holidays from Jules!

Christmastime is finally here. Wishing everyone around the world a warm and cozy winter. May your days be merry and bright. No matter how you spend it – going all out with a festive holiday feast surrounded by all the sparkly decors, a family get-together and quick catch-up with friends (like me) or even a simple Christmas at home – you’re all good. What matters is the spirit of Christmas itself along with acts of kindness, generosity and compassion. The universe will always value those. Happy holidays! Still need a spark of holiday inspiration? Feel free to look up my list.

MOVIES

Miracle on 34th Street
Look Who’s Talking Now
The Polar Express
Elf
The Holiday
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Christmas Cottage
It’s a Wonderful Life
Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Serendipity
Peter Pan

RECORDS

Ella Fitzgerald – “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas”
Nat King Cole – “The Christmas Song”
Michael Buble – “Christmas”
Diana Krall – “Christmas Songs”
Kristin Chenoweth – “A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas”
Idina Menzel – “Holiday Wishes”
Kelly Clarkson – “Wrapped in Red”
David Archuleta – “Christmas From the Heart”
She & Him – “A Very She & Him Christmas” and “Christmas Party”

DESSERTS

Classic chocolate chip cookies
Warm almond cake
Christmas pudding
Chocolate lava cake with peanut butter
Eggnog
Butter biscuits

December 25, 2017 0

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” Universe @ The Forum

In celebration of the much-anticipated release of The Last Jedi, a massive Star Wars fest is being set up at The Forum and throughout the ground floor of Jakarta’s Kelapa Gading Mall, where hardcore fans are granted a free entrance to a galaxy far, far away with all the selfie areas, mini exhibits, and merchandises available for their enjoyment. Be a part of the action and get ready to jet off to the Star Wars universe once again! Be sure to catch the film as well. Photographic highlights from the event are displayed below.

Hey there, BB-8!

Battlefront II demo corner.

Welcome to the Star Wars merch shop! 🙂

Assorted notebooks.

December 16, 2017 0

Bakerzin’s Tales of Valrhona Schokolade: Christmas 2017

Bakerzin offers foodies like you tons of adventures in a single menu book that’s full of delicious photography. The actual foods themselves are even tastier with just the right amount of herbs. Whatever you crave, you can count on Bakerzin for great meals and desserts. My top picks include the black olive salmon fried rice, roasted chicken, oxtail soup (their oxtail soup is really top notch), Bali rice, the millefeuille, souffle, tiramisu and many other dishes. I’d like to know yours.

This holiday season, Bakerzin presents “the Tales of Valrhona Schokolade” as their Christmas desserts series that you oughta try. For the sweet tooth, there’s the White Castle cake that magically blends almond and caramel with white chocolate. Dark chocolate lovers can have it with fruity delights lined on the top. And then the sizzling chocolate lava cake enters, filled with warm peanut butter. That makes a fine choice too. I have yet to try the hot chocolate but that sure looks amazing in the promo picture.

What I enjoy about Bakerzin at Christmastime is the lovely jazz standards that continue to entertain us amidst the whimsical interiors. Such a jazzy setting. Add it to your holiday list and have a delightful meal!

December 7, 2017 0

Starbucks Christmas Drinks in Jakarta 2017

It’s always a delicious holiday season at Starbucks, for their starry Christmas drinks make super festive treats. Over in Jakarta, Starbucks presents four toasty beverages to jazz up your Christmas, and they can be enjoyed as both a latte and a frappuccino.

Toffee Nut Crunch
Fans of toffee nut and caramel can delight in this nutty holiday drink. It’s not too sugary so it tastes just right.

Vanilla Nougat
I did not have high expectations prior to trying out this beverage – mainly ’cause nougats aren’t really my thing – but the vanilla nougat latte got me addicted. The warm vanilla tone and aroma can instantly transport you to Winter Wonderland.

Mocha Praline
Perfect for mocha and chocolate lovers. A cup of mocha spiraled with chocolate sauce on the top is bound to entertain your tongue. While the toffee nut crunch and vanilla nougat are only available at a select number of Starbucks now, the mocha praline is here to stay.

Holiday Tree Dark Mocha
Inspired by a classic Christmas tree, this is one unique dark mocha. It’s designed as a mocha drink with a fresh green tea whipped cream. Such a whimsical look!

So what’s your Starbucks Christmas vibe for today? Are you feeling a little latte or frappe?

NOTE: The Starbucks logo is owned by Starbucks Corporation.

December 6, 2017 0

“Robin Hood” Merch

Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly what a day! Or year, in this case, for Robin Hood merchandises are finally making rounds in 2017.

Robin Hood is undoubtedly one of Disney’s most underrated films. A fine treasure that not many of today’s generation have watched besides me and a select few. Released in 1973, this classic envisions the tale of Robin Hood and his merry men with an all-star cast of animals as these iconic characters, giving the story a unique, whimsical flair while still capturing the essence of the original plot – stealing from the rich and giving back to the poor – and also the well-known setting of Nottingham, which is greatly animated, including the divine-looking woodland of Sherwood Forest. Robin Hood is a foxy hero, Little John makes a fun yet smart sidekick, Maid Marian is lovely and a kind soul, Prince John is ‘the phony king of England’, and Lady Kluck entertains me. This movie easily makes my Top 5 Disney list, and I’m more than thrilled that its merchandises are starting to be released.

Let’s take a look at all the merry things available!

SOUNDTRACK

For the first time ever, the official Robin Hood soundtrack has been added to the Disney Legacy soundtrack collection and is now available to get on Amazon, the Disney Music store and other retailers.

The music of Robin Hood adds cinematic nuances to the film, and in a non-Disney fashion, stays true to the folky roots of the legend by keeping every musical number raw and country-ish with a deep storytelling focus. “Love” is one of the best love themes to have ever been penned (and should’ve been as well-known as the usual standards like “Beauty and the Beast” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”), and songs like “Oo-De-Lally” and “Not in Nottingham” have a distinctive country tone that are easy on the ears.

All the film tracks and instrumental scores can be found in the 2-disc soundtrack along with a few charming early demos.

FAIRYTALES & FOLKTALES MERCH

Stunningly crafted as part of the Disney Designer Collection – the Fairytales & Folktales series – Robin Hood and Maid Marian’s timeless “Love” scene can be revisited in the form of an adorable coffee mug, limited edition figures finely displayed in a glass box, and a journal (sold individually and as part of the Disney Designer Collection journal set). There’s literally only one word to associate them with: “Love”!

SOFT TOYS

The UK Disney Store posted this photo on Instagram. Disney plush collectors would want to own these.

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT

With a gorgeous little ornament like this one, your holiday season is bound to be merry. And bright!

Spot other fab Robin merch? Share your findings in the comments below and let all of Nottingham (and the entire Disney fandom) know. All together now… “Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly what a day”!

Photo Credits: Disney

November 24, 2017 0

“The Lion King” 2019 Film Cast

The circle of life will be revamped with an all-new cast for its 2019 cinematic version.

With The Lion King being Disney’s top masterpiece, die-hard fans were opposed to any form of remake, but after the new cast reveal that include quality names like Donald Glover, James Earl Jones (in a reprising role as Mufasa), Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen, Alfre Woodard and Queen Beyonce Knowles as Nala, it’s safe to say this remake would not only be promising but also strongly recapture Simba’s story, vast African landscape and grand music.

As someone who has seen The Lion King over 80 times as a kid (and still a fan in my 20’s), bought tickets to the Broadway production, learned a bit of Swahili, looked up more of Lebo M’s musical works, and written fan fictions about it, I’m very open to this new interpretation of the Hamlet-based plot. It’d be thrilling to revisit Pride Rock and all its glory and to see the universe expand and reach a new generation. Now if only they’d feature some of the tracks used in the Broadway version like “Morning Report” and “Shadowland”…

#Epic

November 2, 2017 0

Lifestyle. Music. Film. TV. Freshly brewed.