Life as I Know It

Happy New Year!

2012-01-25T09:35:00.000-06:00

To say that this year started as a busy one would be an understatement. I'm writing my first entry for the year, 25 days after the new year! I hope everyone had a safe and fabulous time welcoming the new year.

So what's been keeping me busy lately? I went back to school. Yep. School! Most of my free time had been devoted to reading and keeping up with the lessons for school. I just want to have options regarding my career. I've been working as an IT professional for almost 6 years now and sadly I feel like this isn't something that I'm seeing myself doing for another 5-10 years. So I'm going back to school to see other options available for me.

On another note, winter is biting our asses right now. After a whole December of no snow, it came with so much angst. We've had snowstorm two weeks in a row. Roads are an absolutely nightmare and the drive home takes almost 3 hours. I can't wait for winter to be over.

Oh, and yeah there are major changes happening in the next few weeks. I don't want to say anything because not everything is set in stone yet, but we're getting there! I'll share when everything worked out.

Christmas greetings from the mail!

2011-12-20T12:48:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, imagine my delight when I checked our mailbox and there is parcel all the way from Japan! It was from Marj, my online/blogger friend. She sent me a message a couple of weeks ago asking if I wanted to be postcard friends with her. I thought it was a great idea, although I haven't read the mechanics yet. Which is why I was pleasantly surprised to see a parcel/mail from her.

Inside was a greeting card of Mt. Fuji and super cute post-its for book marking. Marj and I (and Leah) are Goodreads friends too! And I know, we are all anxiously waiting for the holiday season to relax and finally read some good books.

Inside the card is Marj's message and a cute sticket/stamp of her and Atshusi.

Thank you Marj and Atsushi for remembering us this Christmas season. This is one tradition that I am excited to be a part of.

Merry Christmas!

balikbayan ngayong Pasko

2011-12-05T11:56:00.000-06:00

This video has gone viral on Facebook. And yes, it brought me to tears.

apartment living

2011-11-21T13:25:00.000-06:00

We have been living on our current place for 3 years now. I think we've been lucky to get this place although we just got here in US then. It has most of the amenities that we were looking for when we started looking for an apartment. Included with the rent are: heat, gas, water, parking and garbage disposal. We have considerable closet space and a sink with great counter space in the bedroom is an unexpected bonus! There is also a laundry facility at the building basement with 4 washers and 4 dryers. The few downsides are: the building is old (built in the 70's), the appliances are old and pets are not allowed. I would have loved to have a dog specially at the time when I'm not yet working.

Our current rent falls between $750-800 a month. It's a 1 bedroom place with about 800 sq/ft on it. The amount that we pay for rent is not unusual here in the Chicago suburb. Naturally, apartment rent would cost more in the city. I have a friend who pays more than a grand for her place in the city, excluding parking.

When we moved to our place, it was completely bare. Except for a stove and a fridge, it's pretty much empty. Little by little, we furnished the place to what it looks now. Admittedly, when you're starting your own place, you try to find the most inexpensive place to buy home stuff. Inexpensive but of good quality.

Living Room
Our living started really bare. Just an old a/c and vertical binds. Although we'd rather have wood flooring, it's really not an option since most of the older apartments have carpeted floors.

living room bare except for a/c and binds

I've been scouring for inexpensive sofa sets and furnitures online and I've come across Cort. It's a company that rents furniture to offices for a certain period. And then they have clearance centers where they sell these furniture for a really low price. Although they are technically second-hand stuff, you won't be able to tell. Their stuff are well kept and maintained. We bought our sofa set (pillows included), matching side and center table from Cort.

sofa set and tables from Cort

The photo below is taken on our first Christmas here in the US. This was in 2008 and I've taken the picture right after I setup our Christmas tree. We got a couple of home accents to decorate the living room.

taken at Christmas 2008

This is how our current living room looks like now. We've bought a couple of things from then to now. A bookcase to house my growing book collection and a daybed for friends who spend the night over.

how the living room looks now

I just realized that although our place has tons of stuff, it still seem bigger compared to the time when it was really bare. The daybed, tv stand and bookcase are all from IKEA.

Dining Room
Our dining room and kitchen is not much but I'm happy that at least we have an open layout to the dining table. As mentioned earlier, the fridge already came included with the apartment, the dining table we also got from Cort. The wall decor came all the way from Baguio, as a reminder of home. If I remember correctly, the picture below was taken when we first got our dining table together with the sofa set. The kitchen counter is still mess-free.

dining room/kitchen at 2008

The photo below is the current one. A small book shelf is added to the wall to house Topher's notes for work and our counter space is now bursting with kitchen aides. Oh and our fridge is curently crowded with magnets from places we've been to in the last 3 years.

kitchen and dining place now

Bedroom
The very first furniture that we've bought is our bed. I figured if there is anything that we should splurge for initially, it should be the bed. Peace and relaxation after a hard day's work is priceless. First day at our place, we went to IKEA to buy our bed. It's a good thing that Topher is really handy with tools and putting items together because I really don't have a clue when it comes to assembling pieces.

bed frame

We got lucky that the bedside tables that we've bought from Cort is the same shade as the bed frame that we got from IKEA. Beddings, table lamps and pictures finish off our bedroom.

bedroom

Picture below is how our current bedroom looked like. Our bedroom is huge, it's almost the same size as our living room. Topher got himself a study table he used while finishing his degree. The dresser across the bed is fairly new, we got it to divide the clothes bursting on the old dresser. We've been joking that a new TV would look really good on top of that dresser. Wouldn't you agree? And I'm planning to hang a blow-up wedding picture there too.

our bedroom now

As much as apartment living had been good for us, we've been planning on getting our own place. At least with paying the mortgage, the money we're paying goes to OUR house. Hopefully we can have this by next year, before my family comes to visit from Manila. At least a 3 bedroom, 2 bath with beautiful kitchen with an island. Master bedroom with huge closet space and a separate bath and shower for the master bath. For now, we need to save, save and save!

With black Friday coming this week, I'm planning to get linens and bedding sets to stock up in case we do get the change to get that dream house.

the undressing of Brandon Boyd

2011-11-15T12:26:00.002-06:00

August 21, 2011. We celebrated our 14th (yep, 14th!) anniversary as gf/bf by watching Incubus live. It was our 4th time watching them live and the timing couldn't be any better. Twice we watch them in Manila, 1st was in 2004 at CCP grounds for the A Crow Left of a Murder World tour. The 2nd in 2008 at Araneta Coliseum for the Light Grenades tour. On both occasions, we were so far from the stage, it's like watching miniature Incubus perform.

The concert before this, we watched them here in July 2009 at Charter One Pavilion in downtown Chicago. We were there front and center and it was one of the most awesome concert experience I ever had. Which is why it had been an unspoken agreement between us that if they will be having a concert, we need to be there. Always.Watching the band play is an awesome experience, specially because I knew most of their songs by heart. Yeah, I'm such a groupie. I know.

When we watched them last August, I really thought we wouldn't get a good place at the front. But fate is really good to us that day, we're able to squeeze ourselves in a decent place, though not front but great enough to get decent pictures of them. And of course, sing and dance along with the band.

This post is entitled "the undressing of Brandon Boyd" because on all 4 concerts that we've watched, he started up covered up with jacket and all then by the end of the set, he's already half-naked. Not that I'm complaining, Brandon is always an eye candy. Covered or not. If there is one person that I can get a "pass" for, it would be him. Sorry, TMI here.

So anyway, if you're interested to know the set list from the concert, you can find it here. I posted a couple of pictures below that we took. Or Topher took.

*all photos are copyright images. please do not copy.

remembering...

2011-10-31T14:45:00.003-05:00

It's been 4 years now that I have not celebrated All Saint's Day with my family. It had been a family tradition and still a tradition since Ate Malou passed in 2002 that we get-together at the cemetery to honor and remember all the our departed loved ones.

Ate Malou, Lola (cute) Juling and Lolo Tacio, we terribly miss you all.

O God our Father,

Creator of all the living, we entrust to Your gentle care all those we love who have gone before us;

and have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

cupcakes anyone?

2011-10-31T13:57:00.001-05:00

I love cupcakes. And I LOVE them better if they are the center-filled kind. Most of the really good cupcake shops are unfortunately located in the city. So it's only when we drive to the city to get-together with friends do I get the chance to buy them.

Here are a couple of shops that we love:

Molly's Cupcakes
2536 North Clark Street
Chicago Illinois 60614

I love Molly's! This is by far my favorite cupcake store. Their shop is almost always full with people even at 10pm. And yes, they are open 'til 10pm. Their shop is quaint and very homey. There are chairs, benches and tables of course. Cute design on the bar, instead of bar stools, they have swing-like seats! Really neat. Oh and board games are available for use, for free. So I imagine that they encourage their patrons to stay and linger while finishing their cupcakes.

photo credits: gwiv

photo credits: cupcake crusader

photo credits: molly's cupcakes

I've tried most of the flavors that offer, but by far my favorites are Tiramisu and Boston Creme. Oh man, just looking at these photos makes me crave for one.

Boston Creme

Tiramisu (photo credits: addicted2detail)

More Cupcakes
1 East Delaware Place
Chicago, Illinois 60611

I discovered More Cupcakes a couple of months ago. I personally haven't been to the store, but Topher surprised me with a box full of cupcakes when he went downtown. From pictures on their website, their shop looks really slick and minimal. Attention is purely on the cupcakes.

photo credits: leenaeats.com

shop's interior (photo credits: architectmagazine)

more box

happiness in a box

I'm afraid every cupcake that I would be having, I'd compare it to Molly's. More cupcakes are good, the bread is very chocolaty and the center-filled ones are really good too. I specially liked their Hazelnut flavor, but Molly's still have the 1st spot in my heart (and stomach). More is a fab second.

Crumbs Bake Shop
303 West Madison
Chicago, IL 60606

There are currently 4 Crumbs shop in Chicago and I haven't been to a single one. Yet. This is one of the cupcake shop that are all over the country. From west to the east coast. I got to try their cupcakes twice on gatherings with friends.

photo credits: crumbs.com

Unfortunately, I can't remember anything special when I had them. I'm not sure if they have cupcakes with center-filled ones because the ones we're tried doesn't have them.

best-sellers @ crumbs

Sprinkles Cupcakes
50 E Walton St.,
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Sprinkles' Chicago location opened a year ago, when they opened Topher and a couple of our friends lined up for their store opening. I wasn't able to join them as I am back in Manila at that time. They said that the cupcakes are good and they have tons of flavors to choose from.

photo credits: cupcakestakethecake

photo credits: worldbestspot

Their cupcakes looks really cute and I hope the frosting is good. I'm not for the super sweet frosting.

Had we held our wedding here in Chicago and not back in Manila, I would definitely get my cake/cupcakes from one of these shops. Most probably from Molly's.

PJ20: Pearl Jam's 20th Anniversary

2011-10-27T16:29:00.002-05:00

The 3rd of September 2011 is a cold and rainy day. The start of Pearl Jam's PJ20 tour/anniversary. We drove all the way to East Troy, WI for the show. This is the only venue in the whole United States where they will be performing. Other venues will be in Canada, Mexico and South America.

So it's just our luck that the day we picked to watch them is all cold and rainy. Lesson learned from Lollapalooza, buy/bring raincoats on concerts. You've spend the money buying the ticket, why not spare $3-5 dollars for the rain coat, right? We dropped by a nearby Walmart to get the raincoats, because we're not sure if they would be available at the concert venue (we later found out that they sold them, but it's the flimsy kind. Parang plastic labo)

Me, Topher and Rhandie with our rain coats on

We got there around 2pm but the band won't be performing 'til 9:30 pm. They setup 3 stages on the venue and we watched the other bands/artists while waiting for PJ to rock.

concert schedule

By 5pm, we left the smaller stage and went to the lawn on the Main Stage to catch a good spot. We would have bought tickets off the stage but unfortunately only lawn tickets were available when we bought ours. Bummer. It would have been real nice to have a proper seat while waiting for the band.

When Queen of the Stone Age graced the stage, we were stoked! We've been a fan since they had been on the Q101 playlist. The crowd went wild when they sang Little Sister and No One Knows. If you check the link/video on "No One Knows", you'd see that Dave Grohl played the drums for this song. How cool is that?

It was almost 10pm when Pearl Jam took the stage and oh boy, they did not disappoint! This is my first time watching them in concert and I was blown away. Eddie still have it. They all still have it. It's didn't seem like 20 years had already passed. Honestly, I wish the setlist that played had been more of their hits (which they all performed the following day) but seeing Temple of the Dog unite made up for it. I almost peed my pants when Chris Cornell took the stage with Eddie. They performed Hunger Strike together. You HAVE to watch the video below!

I have to post the following crappy pictures from my phone as a proof that we were really there! It sucks when you can't bring a proper camera for concerts like these. These things doesn't happen everyday, you know.

Below are the pictures from their official concert photo stream. Great photos.

09.03.2011 - Official Pearl Jam photos by Anna Knowlden

09.04.2011 - Official Pearl Jam photos by Karen Loria

09.04.2011 - Official Pearl Jam photos by Anna Knowlden (more official photos here)

If you're interested to know the setlist they played that night and the following night, you can check it here: Sept 03 setlist and Sept 04 setlist. We should have went to both shows! The concert wrapped up at around 1am and it took us about another hour to get off the parking grounds and head back to Chicago.

We had Pearl Jam hangover for about two weeks after the concert. Listening to their songs over and over and over again. I would love to catch them again live. There's to hoping for another concert next year.

havin' a Goodread

2011-10-18T15:13:00.002-05:00

I've always been a bookworm. As early as my grade school days, I always have a book in tow. It was my mother dear who introduced me to it and who fueled the passion. I remember her collecting books that fill up several boxes when I was younger. Back in grade school, I remember going to the high school department's library just to borrow books (they have better selection!).

Nowadays, I still borrow books from the library, and I'm extremely lucky that the library system here is phenomenal. I'd gladly pay all the taxes because I know and can see where the money goes to. I'm like a kid in a candy store whenever I'm at the library. Too many books to read, so little time. Another awesome thing about the library is that they have an online catalog of books that they have available. If you can't find the book at the local library, you can have it requested and the other libraries who have it will send that book to your local one and they notify you if it's ready for pick-up! Cool huh?!

More often than not, I just borrow books and if I read a really really good one, I check for deals online and buy them. Exception applies if a book is included in a series that I'm collecting, then I'm definitely getting myself a copy.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Anna and the French Kiss and Bloodlines

Take the above picture for example, I've read the Percy Jackson series a year ago, but I waited to get the paperback boxed set completed since it's cheaper! Anna and the French Kiss is a really, really good book and it was on sale, so I got that too. Bloodlines is 1st book of the Vampire Academy spin-off series, and I've already decided to complete the collection.

My current reading list is growing. The great thing about the library is they let you borrow a book for 2 or 3 weeks depending on how new the book is. You can renew again on it's due date granting that there is no other person waiting to borrow it. And also there is no limit to the number of books that you can borrow at a given time.

current reading list

With this many books at one's disposal, it's hard to choose which books are good reads. Of course, I do have my list of favorite authors which I always check if are releasing any new books. And then I discovered Goodreads from GIRLTalk. Similar to Shelfari (which I also have an account), it's a "social cataloging" website that allows you to list all the books that you have read, currently reading or planning to read. You can search by either the book's name, author or even the ISBN number. The cool thing about Goodreads is fellow bookworm friends can share, recommend a book, can view all the books in your library, read your review and many more! You can start a bookclub too. It can be open to all or by invitation only.

There is also a reading challenge that you can set for yourself. It tells you how far you are from your goal and if you're behind on your reading pace. Pretty neat! I've set myself to read 50 books this year and right now, I've already read 32 books. However, I'm 3 books behind on my current pace, if I want to reach that goal I need to read quicker!

I'm also an active member of the GIRLTalk bookclub. We nominate 2 books every month, one general fiction and one YA. There is voting schedule and whichever books won, you'd read it for that month. Discussion will be held the month after.

updates/wall page

profile page

bookshelf (read books)

Are you a Goodreads member too? Add me up: http://www.goodreads.com/alengdelarosa. I'd love to know what you're reading!

thank you, Steve Jobs.

2011-10-06T14:12:00.000-05:00

I am not a snob. When it comes to computers, I use whatever. But there are people who are. It's either you're a MAC or a PC. And I can understand why. Yesterday however, two worlds gather together to mourn the loss of a creative genius. Steve Jobs died yesterday at the age of 56. He had been first diagnosed of pancreatic cancer in 2004 and won the battle with it. But his health never really recovered, taking 6-12 months break to better focus on his health. Just last August 2011, he officially resigned a Apple's CEO. Yesterday, he finally said goodbye.

I think there is not one person in this generation that had not been touch by Jobs' creative genius. From the MAC, to the iPod, iPhone and iPad. It's the only electronic store that I know of that have people lining up just to get their hands on these gadgets. And that happens every time a new release comes. That is excruciatingly hard to achieve in this trying economy, but he did it.

Apple's current homepage, paying tribute to their founder

Mr. Jobs, you've done so well. You've touch millions and millions of people in this lifetime. You're one helluva genius with all the amazing innovations that you've done and you're gonna be sorely missed.

celebrating Lollapalooza's 20th anniversary

2011-10-01T20:08:00.008-05:00

As early as our high school days, I've been a fan of rock and alternative music. Music played a huge role on our growing up days, specially in high school. My friends play a huge part on the type of music I would listen to and enjoy. I got to discover a lot of bands and songs that I am not familiar to before.

Back then, the likes of Live, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, 311, Incubus, Green Day, Jane's Addiction, Ash, Everclear, Collective Soul, Better than Ezra and of course Nirvana are on our everyday playlist. Songs that were played at school programs were almost always from these bands. We had a chance to watch a live concert (from a videotape of course) that run for 3 days called Woodstock. I later learned that Woodstock only run for 3 years, 1969, 1994 and 1999.

When we moved here in Chicago in 2008, that summer's Lollapalooza had just ended. We had the chance to watch 2009 and 2010's lineup, but plans didn't push through. I remember harassing Topher to watch 2010 Lolla since Green Day and Soundgarden will be there. I guess it had been a blessing in disguise since I had to come back home to Manila for my Lola.

This year, then we learned that Foo Fighters is gonna headline, I know that there is NO way that we're not gonna see this year's show. In buying tickets, one can actually get it cheaper by buying them wayyy before the lineup is announced, called Early Bird tickets. Those were long gone when we bought ours.

Lollapalooza usually runs on the first weekend of August, and this year it was held on August 5, 6 and 7. Joni, a good friend of ours graciously welcomed us to stay at her place in Belmont during the 3-day show. We took half the day off from work to catch the bands performing on the first day. I was honestly pissed that we were not able to watch Foster the People play Pumped Up Kicks, their set started at 3pm and we got to Grant Park at past 4. Damn.

At the concert's first day, we scheduled to see the following:

3 - 4 Foster the People
6 - 7:15 A Perfect Circle
8:15 - 10 Coldplay
8:15 - 10 Muse

You may be wondering why Coldplay and Muse were scheduled to play at the same time, they very well can because the concert have 8 stages scattered strategically in Grant Park.

When we got to Grant Park, we were given our concert map, a free iTunes card and entrance bracelet at the gate.

map and iTunes card

Entrance bracelet (pardon his hairy arms, haha)

As we made our way in, we familiarize ourselves with the park's orientation and where the stages are placed. Concert environment is always a fun one, people are relaxed, laughing and chilling out and you can always smell weed in the air and these grounds were no different. We made our way to the stage where A Perfect Circle will perform. At exactly 6PM, the band walked out the stage.

A Perfect Circle

Billy Howerdel (guitar) and Josh Freese (drums)

Maynard James Keenan (lead vocals)

James Iha on bass (the same James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins)

Truthfully, I only knew some of their songs at heart and when they played 3 Libras, it was unbelievable. It was our first time to see them live and they did not disappoint. After their set, we waited for about an hour in front of the same stage waiting for Muse to perform. We figured we'd start with Muse and halfway through we'll go to the other stage to catch Coldplay perform.

Muse opening

performing Uprising

They started their set with Uprising and everyone went just nuts! The crowd moved as one, dancing and singing to their song. Then it was followed by Supermassive Black Hole, and it drove the crowd wild. A few other songs in between and then they played Resistance, the crowd absolutely loving it. I've been waiting for them to play Undisclosed Desires before we go to Coldplay's stage. We made our way out of the crowd ready to go to the other stage when finally they played the song. Muse absolute rocked the stage.

they're playing Undisclosed Desires

As we made our way to the other side of the park, there are people just roaming around the streets and buying food. This made us realized that we haven't had dinner yet. I ordered a chicken burrito for my dinner and Topher got some hot dogs I think.

I am exhausted when we got to Coldplay's stage. I sat and devoured my burrito while listening to Coldplay performed Clocks. I would have loved to hear them play Viva La Vida, but I know we were too late. Chris Martin played Amy Winehouse's Rehab in honor of the singer after her death. After about 3 more songs, they ended their set with fireworks! What a way to end the first day of Lollapalooza!

On day two of Lollapalooza, our list for bands to see are just two.
5 - 6 Deftones
8:30 - 10 Eminem

Exhausted from last night's shows, we decided to rest first and just watch the bands that we really liked. Joni dropped us off in Grant Park on her way to a small shopping spree downtown. We got there right in time for Deftones' set.

They sang a couple of their hits like: Diamond Eyes, Sextape, Be Quiet and Drive and Change. This is our 2nd time watching them live and they're really great. They covered Katy Perry's Firework and I thought it was both funny and weird at the time. Imagine Deftones knowing the words to Katy Perry's song.

We have about two hours to burn before Eminem's set at 8:30. We went to Adidas Originals Shoe Box. It's looked like a Shoe Box from the outside but it's really like a museum/playroom inside. They played the latest Originals commercial and there is a photo booth inside where our photos can be taken.

Adidas Shoe Box

Outside, they have this huge Superstar shoe made of Styrofoam where you can pretty much write anything on it.

Topher writing

As we make our way to Eminem's stage, we stopped by the Buckingham Fountain and then at a merchandise store, I bought a Foo Fighters shirt for tomorrow.

at the Buckingham Fountain

About an hour before Eminem's set, we went to the stage where he'd be performing and there were already a massive amount of people waiting. It was really hard to look for a good spot among the huge crowd. Eminem is the only huge artist in that time slot so I think almost everyone is there.

Official Lollapalooza photos by Dave Mead

We don't have any decent picture or videos of Eminem's performance, I'm posting pictures that I got from Lollapalooza's official photo stream. More photos in this set.

He sang hits like: Cleanin' Out My Closet, The Way I Am, Lighters, Airplanes Pt.II, Stan, Sing for the Moment, Love the Way You Lie, I Need A Doctor, My Name Is/The Real Slim Shady/Without Me.Bruno Mars made a cameo appearance for their song Lighters. We left the show before the set ended, that gave us plenty of time to board the L train going to Joni's place in Belmont.

On the third and last day of Lollapalooza, I'm super excited to see Foo Fighters. We heard the Sunday mass at Holy Name Cathedral and then went off to lunch at Cafe Iberico before we went to Grant Park. The bands we're gonna be watching are:
4:15 - 5:15 Flogging Molly
5:15 - 6:15 Cage the Elephant
8 - 10 Foo Fighters

We were able to watch Flogging Molly, they were a really great Irish band. Their music is upbeat and fun even though the lyrics to their songs are depressing. A song or two before they finished their set, we left and moved to Cage the Elephant's stage. We got lucky and secured a place at the front.

Matt Shultz of Cage the Elephant

This is our second time watching them live and I must say that they are better in this performance. They sang their hits like Ain't No Rest for the Wicked, Back Against the Wall, Shake Me Down and Around My Head. Halfway through their set, rain started to pour. One would think that with the rain, the crowd will disperse, it didn't. Most stayed throughout their whole set including us. And yes, we were drench!

Official Lollapalooza photos by Matt Ellis

more Official Photos in this set

About half an hour after, the rain finally stopped. We went to the other side of the park to find a good spot watching Foo Fighters. When we got there, it's clear that the whole place is gonna be as muddy as hell.

look at all that mud, looking more and more like the 90s

people playing in the mud

It's clear that we won't be getting anywhere near the stage, not unless we want to take off our shoes and make our way in the mud. We stayed at the concrete stairs where we still have a decent view of the stage although far. It was past 8pm when Dave and the guys went to the stage and they are sooo worth the wait!

Dave Grohl belting out

They sang most of their hits like: Rope, My Hero, Learn to Fly, Breakout, Walk, Monkey Wrench, Times Like These, Best of You and and their encore is our fave Everlong. Rain poured in again while they were playing and as any Foo Fighter fan would tell you, rain or shine, no one is leaving while Dave is on the stage.

Official Lollapalooza photos by Cambria Harkey

more Official Photos in this set

This is our first time in watching them in concert, and I personally find Dave Grohl as a very cool person. I remember him saying that the concert is the most fun that he had for a while and that he would skip the encore and would just play for the crowd as long as he can. Isn't he just great?

Lollapalooza had been one hell of an awesome experience and I almost certain that we would be going again next year!

amazing Coron!

2011-09-26T00:36:00.004-05:00

Just 2 days after our wedding, we were on our way to Coron! This trip is actually a gift from my parents. My mom asked me where we wanted to go when we go home to the Philippines and since I've never to Palawan, and I've seen photos of how pretty Coron is, this is where I wanted to go.

We pretty much settled all the arrangements months before returning back home. I've researched a couple of websites about people offering Coron packages and we've chosen Coron Wonders to help with our trip. Our transaction with them are all done mostly via email and a couple of times through sms, and dealing with them is a breeze.

We took the early flight going to there and after an hour flight, we reached paradise.

Not only my family came with us in this trip but a couple of relatives too. There are 11 of us in this trip.

When we reached Busuanga's Francisco B. Reyes Airport, there is a van ready to pick us up and drop us off to the hotel we're staying, Princess of Coron. Ate Rina of Coron Wonders met us at the hotel and welcomed us. We freshen up a bit and changed clothes then we're off to discover Coron.

The town proper, airport and all the hotels are all situated at Busuanga Island. Coron is the island next to it. From Busuanga, it takes about 20-30 minutes depending on the place you're visiting to discover the island. We went first to Banol Beach where we would be having our lunch.

Banol Beach

There were about 4 nipa huts at the beach and they are mostly occupied by other tourists as well. Ate Rina and her team prepared a really good lunch for us. It's simple but very filling.

Lunch right on the beach

After lunch, everything that we took to the beach (food, utensils, trash), we took back again to the boat to preserve the beach's cleanliness. It's the best way to care for the place. With tummies already full, we're off to discovering the island. First stop: Barracuda Lake.

There is a bit of a trek going to the limestone walls covering the lake. As you descend on to the lake, one word would come to mind. Serenity. There were no other visitors at the time when we were there and it feels like the whole place belonged to us. We (the younger members of the group) and the mamang bangkeros are able to persuade all of our group to dive in, with jackets on of course.

Next stop: Kayangan Lake and Cave

Kayangan Lake

Next to Kayangan Cave is the most photographed spot in the whole of Coron. Just looking at this picture, one would immediately know that it was taken there. The photo above is the island on the photogenic spot. Going to the Kayangan Cave/Lake takes a HUGE effort. You'd have to trek a slippery and rocky trail going up the Cave. Most of our group members have to take breaks in between to reach the infamous spot. Oh mosquito-repellent lotion is absolutely necessary.

trekking to Kayangan Cave/Lake

After trekking up to the cave, you then have to trek the same rocky slippery trail down the Lake. It was well worth it, jumping down a cool and refreshing lake would the very thing that you would love to do after the trek. Rock and tree formation surround the entire lake.

Kayangan Lake

Next stop: Siete Pecados

Siete Pecados is named as such for having 7 small islands surrounding the coral marine area. I loved this spot, we spent most of the time snorkeling with the fishes. And boy, we saw tons of fish. Fishes of all sizes and all colors. We come prepared to feed the fishes, buying bread for them to eat. They take the bread right out of your fingers!

One of the Siete Pecados

marine life at Siete Pecados

It was almost 6pm when we're done snorkeling with the fishes. The rest of stops in Coron Island we'll continue tomorrow before heading back to the pier.

Day 2: Banana Island, Malcapuya Island and Bulog Island (sand bar)

Our second day didn't start in sunny note. It was raining and with the rain, waves are definitely big. It took us almost 2 hours to reach Malcapuya Island and to be completely honest, that had been one of the scariest boat ride ever. We can feel each wave as it slam on to our boat. It was completely terrifying. And as we reach Malcapuya Island, it was sooo worth the boat ride.

It was still raining a bit when we got to the island but after half an hour, the sun shone. =) Ate Rina prepared morning snacks for us and we eat them at the island. There were a couple of sari-sari stores in the island too, but prices are exorbitant.

Malcapuya Island

It was definitely of the nicest beach I've been to. The sand is powdery white and it sooo fine. It's beautiful. It's a long stretch of beach wherein you can frolic at the sand or have fun crashing with the waves.

Next stop: Banana Island

Banana Island

This is my favorite place in the entire trip. It's postcard perfect. If given the chance to go back again, I'd definitely spent the night here at this island. It is just sooo beautiful.

We had our lunch at the island. Ate Rina and her team prepared to food for us again. There were several cottages scattered around the island. We had a minor incident though, my brother got stung by a jellyfish here and it damped the team's spirit for a while. I thought he would have been done enjoying Coron, but after a few hours, he went in and swam with us again. Oh, and they caught the evil jellyfish.

Bulog Island (sandbar)

Bulog Island

After leaving Banana Island, we stop for just for pictures at Bulog Island. This is an great place since it's basically a sandbar. When the tide is low, you can see the ridge of sand formed. Check out the sand that we're standing at.

Skeleton Wreck

This is supposedly included to yesterday's itinerary but since we're short on time, we are not able to squeeze it in. Good thing we were able to go to it today.

school of fish

Again, there were plenty of fish at the wreck. It was actually a Japanese tanker that submerged in Coron in 1944. It was eerie to find the wreck and you can still see the whole image of the tanker ship just a few meter below the surface. Most of the media that we have on the wreck are videos, should have took pictures of it.

Twin Lagoon

Last stop of the day is the twin lagoon. The entrance cave to the lagoon is visible only on low tide, such as the time we went there. Otherwise you'd have to climb the stairs to reach the other side. We rode a balsa going to the lagoon. Salt and fresh water are said to be mix at the lagoon which is why there are places where water is cool and at times warm.

3rd day: Mt. Tapyas

On our third and last day, we decided to climb Mt. Tapyas. Only 3 of us climb as the others were busy buying pasalubong at the town proper. The trail to the top takes about 700+ steps but was safe as it is paved and concrete. There were hand railings to aide you to the climb to the mountain. It was sweltering hot when we reached the summit and then a huge rainfall fell on us. There were no cottages at the summit! We had to stay underneath a tree waiting for the rain to stop. But of course, it didn't stop. So we decline the stairs and waited at the one of the steps with roof. After the raid stopped, we climbed the summit again.

at the summit

We stayed at Princess of Coron during our stay and it was one of the most convenient hotels since they have the most amenities in the island. We booked them through Coron Wonders too.

i made my Groom cry

2011-09-05T21:52:00.002-05:00

June 11, 2011

I've seen enough wedding SDEs to know that there are grooms who cry on their wedding day. I asked Topher if he would cry once he saw me walking down the aisle, his answer - maybe. I was actually just teasing him. I mean if he was moved to tears once he saw me walking down the aisle, that's awesome, if not that's ok too. While doing our misalette, I asked if we should create our own personalized vow for each other and he declined. I know him well enough to know that he may uncomfortable with reading his vow in front of hundreds of people. We designed and created the misalette to know how the ceremony will flow. However, God has other plans.

As I started to walk down the aisle and my parents met me halfway, I saw my Tatay crying. It was one of the few occasions that I saw my Tatay cry and that almost undid it for me. I had to tell him jokes about not crying so that I will not cry myself.

Then we started to walk to the altar, to the man I will be marrying again. I am sooo happy to see him. I missed him since we haven't seen each other since breakfast that morning. My parents handed me over to Topher and I kiss Mama and Papa. Then we made our way to the altar and Fr. Allen started the mass.

The homily was incredible. Fr. Allen's words were full of lessons and stories and jokes in between. He even sang a song for us. After the lighting of the candle, it was time for the vows. Fr. Allen asked us if we have any personalized vows that we would be reciting, we told him we don't have any. He then instructed us to think of any message that we would want to say to one another after the vows. This made me nervous but I know what I wanted to tell Topher. So after the vows, I gave him my message "As early as 14 years ago when we first met, I will always be here for you. You are the only person that I cannot live without. I love you." And my Groom starting crying. When he gave me his message "Thank you for being there for me, through good memories and through tough times. I really appreciate it. I love you." I started tearing up too.

That made our vows more special. Although the message is short, it was heartfelt and honest and it is what we were feeling at that moment. It is priceless and I am eternally grateful for Fr. Allen for giving that moment to us.

Next came the blessing of the Arrhae, Rings and Bible and then the Lighting of the Unity Candle. Then it was the laying of the Veil and Cord and then the Nuptial Blessing. After the communion, the ceremony was concluded and we were presented as Husband and Wife in the eyes of our family and friends and importantly, in the eyes of God. And then we kissed and hugged. It was such an amazing moment.

After signing the marriage contract/license (again!), it was the pictorials inside the church and then the recessional. We informed the guest to proceed to the reception venue while we are shooting pictures around Caleruega. It was my parents who waited for us to finish, then we all proceeded to the venue.

Traffic is not as horrible northbound but still the usual 30 minute drive took almost an hour and I'm scared that the guests may have not been able to figure out where the reception venue is. The relief I felt when I saw the number of cars park was so great, I can almost touch it. Guests made it! :) And our OTD team happily reported that people are having fun getting their coffee and photos taken while waiting for us. Awesome! We were led to the room that we would stay the night and my HMUA team is still there. How I love them. They really waited for me, for my retouch. I started eating some appetizers while Ms. Chichi is retouching my make-up. Then we were led to the reception place for the program to start.

We had our Father-Daughter and Son-Mother dance, and then Topher and I had our first dance to Incubus' Admiration. I love that song. And then it was cake-cutting time! Afterwards, it was pictorial time with each table so that the guests can start eating! I'm sure they're hungry because I am. While having dinner, we had the games and the AVP presentation that Topher created was shown. It was our growing up years. Then our SDE was shown, and I'm happy with the output. Topher was almost moved to tears again!

A few messages from our families and godparents and then before we know it, the reception program is finished! We didn't really got to eat since we had photo booth pictures with family and friends. I went over the suppliers who were having their dinner and I'm glad they've got to eat properly. I saw them lining to the Starbucks kiosk too, I'm happy they had a good time too. After all the guests left and most of the suppliers, we retreated to our room and was sooo happy and glad that the wedding is a success. God is truly great to us.

finally, our Wedding Day!

2011-08-02T23:31:00.004-05:00

June 11, 2011

For 18 months, I've been planning everything leading to this day. I've had countless dreams and nightmares, experienced stress as I have never had before. And then finally the day arrived. I am so grateful that the sun was shining. It's been raining for the last couple of days and one can only pray for a miracle.

My wake-up time is scheduled at 7am. I'm already awake at 5. Maybe it's because of the feeling of namamahay or just my brother doing his ninja moves while I'm sleeping next to him. I blogged how I was feeling that time here and then I woke up Chai, asking her to take a bath first since she takes forever to get ready. Then I called Topher and asked him to meet me at the breakfast lounge. I know that we need to eat properly and now is the only time we can do it. I'm pretty happy that we get to have together before all the craziness began. We took our time with our breakfast and we enjoyed almost everything on the buffet.

After breakfast, we went back to our separate rooms to get ready. I was about to take a bath when my OTD team came. They were sooo early! They're supposed to be there 9am and they showed up before 8:30! They advised me to take a bath and make sure I do all my business while at the restroom. They started preparing my dress and all the wedding paraphernalia on the bed. Just as I was leaving the bathroom, my photo team came! It was my first time meeting Puy and Chie.

A few minutes before 9am, my HMUA team came. It was also my first time ever meeting Ms.Chichi and her team. They went around the room, looking for the perfect spot with natural light to setup their equipment. Ms. Chichi and I talked about the look that I wanted and how I wanted my hair to be, I showed her and Steph some photos and then we started getting ready.

Ms.Chichi started with me and my eyebrows. It's funny because it took her a while to style my eyebrows properly, I can confess that my eyebrows are not that greatly shaped. All the while, my Nanay is getting primped and one of my SS's hair is being done. After my eyebrows were groomed, I'm called to Steph's chair for my hair. It only took a few minutes for Steph to do my hair, and around this time, Ate Yhoan came with our flowers. I was sooo happy on how my bouquet look and my entourage's flowers! They're beautiful, the flowers were vibrant and fresh! My make-up took the longest time to finish, my butt kinda froze but it's all worth-it. I love my make-up and how it registered in the photos.

Before 10am, the video team came and then started taking videos of the wedding accessories. Once I'm finished with my make-up, I changed into my wedding dress and then it's time for the photos. Me getting ready, wearing my wedding dress. Putting on earrings and accessories. Topher's sister helping me put on my shoes. I feel comfortable with Puy and how he directs the poses! "Very Nice, Perfect and Wow!" are what I usually hear from him! I feel really happy at the time and it does show in the photos.

We took some pictures at the hotel veranda and with my parents and immediately family. Next was with the entourage team, then my OTD informed me that we need to leave ahead of time. There is a long traffic queue going to Caleruega. Note that this is about an hour and a half earlier than the supposed time we're leaving for the church. Our regret is that we're not able to get photos with the Taal volcano at the background.

When we got on the road, the end of traffic was just before Bag of Beans. OMG. Super layo pa. And the traffic is NOT moving at all! Both sides are not moving. This is around 1:30pm. By 2pm, we just reached Residence Inn. We learned that DPWH had closed one of the lanes which basically means that traffic is stop-and-go. What we did is we counter-flowed with the incoming traffic, which I think is a very smart decision on my Tatay's part. See, he's the one that drove us to the church. 2:30pm we are still at Splendido/Royale Tagaytay. A few more miles to go. Ate Pia informed me that my groom is already at the church but our officiating priest is not there yet. We arrived at the church at 2:55pm. Just at the nick of time. We were not able to start with the bridal march immediately since my in-laws got lost somehow going to the church. We started the march at 3:15. I was suppose to do the long route for the bridal march but because of time constraint, I had to settle for the short-cut next to the church.

While I was waiting for the entourage march to finish, I was at the pathway leading to the church when my little cousin came and started talking to me. I got anxious around this time, since I know I'm about to do my march any minute now. Then I heard the entourage song, U2's All I Want is You ending and finally my bridal march, Beatle's Here, There and Everywhere is blaring at the speakers. I started to walk.

the day before the wedding...

2011-08-02T21:58:00.004-05:00

June 10, 2011

All our bags are packed. We've finally finished all the DIYs that needs to be completed. The misalette and the name cards were the last to finish. My whole family will be staying with me at the executive suite while Topher and his sisters will stay at his room. One of our primary sponsors will also be staying at the hotel with us, all in all, we're a loud group when we arrived at Taal Vista.

We left the house at around 4pm, triple checking that we have everything with us and nothing is left behind. After making sure that everything is completely packed, we're off to Tagaytay. We had small dinner at the lounge cafe before calling it a night at around 9pm.

Topher and I went to his room first since his sisters not yet there. We relaxed and watched TV, after a few minutes, I drifted to sleep. I remember waking up at around 11pm and returning to my room after we kissed goodnight. Need to rest, big day tomorrow.

Supplier Ratings

2011-07-27T23:00:00.002-05:00

click the picture to view the complete post

3 days before the big day...

2011-07-16T16:06:00.002-05:00

June 08, 2011

We woke up very early today. We're scheduled to have our precana seminar and canonical interviews today at St.Francis Xavier Parish in Nasugbu, Batangas at 7:30am. You may be wondering why we need to come all the to Nasugbu for both seminar and interview, see St. Francis governs our church, the Transfiguration Chapel in Batulao. It was a good thing that they do offer both precana and canonical for couples every Wednesday. We didn't have any other time to complete these 2 requirements aside from this week. Merely 3 days before the wedding day.

From our place to Nasugbu, it would take us about an hours and 30 minutes to get there. We left our place at around 6am. It was almost 8am when reached St. Francis church since it started raining really hard and there were road constructions going there. When we got to the church, we went straight to the office where we listed our names. Couple#10 it says. We then went to the waiting room and waited for our names to be called. It was an individual interview, it's usually the bride that go in first and then the groom follows. When it was my turn, I was just asked simple questions like date of the wedding, where is the church, our job and where we worked. And then I vividly remember the priest thanking us for still deciding to receive the sacrament of marriage although we have been civilly married before. That's very special to me.

The precana seminar was administered by one of the church's nun. It was about marriage, sex and family. She explained the symbols of marriage like the ring, candles, veil and cord and what it signifies. She was also very opinionated on the subject of family planning and that every child is a blessing from God.

We left Nasugbu after 12nn but before we went home, I asked them if we can visit Caleruega first since it was within the route. It's been years since I last visited the church and that had been my first and last. When we got to Caleruega, the church was already being preparing for a wedding. Flowers are being adorned on the pews and on the altar. It's exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time, only 3 more days and I will be here again to be wed. :) We stopped by Mile-Hi Diner before going home and that was when the heavy rain started pouring in. I thought about the wedding in Caleruega, I prayed and hope that the rain would stop for them. God have other plans anyway, the rain poured until the next day.

6 and 7 days before the big day...

2011-07-16T14:33:00.003-05:00

June 04, 2011

woke up at 3:30am. Jet-lagged. Instead of forcing myself to catch forty winks, I decided to start our misalette. I've bought materials the day before. Good thing Topher installed MS Publisher on our laptop and our home printer is working fine. After a few revisions and font change, I feel happy with the final output. I've printed about 3 copies before heading down for breakfast.

We have a couple of things to do today. I've scheduled to meet with our reception emcee to discuss the program flow. We've decided to meet in Edsa Shang and with that I've decided to visit Greenhills too. See, I've never visited home without paying a visit to the shopping mecca of San Juan. Roshee and I will be meeting today too, she'll come with me on my meeting with Sweet.

We arrived in Greenhills at around 11am, my sister and I strolled around the tiangge first. Then I left GH to go to Edsa Shang at around 1pm. Roshee and I had lunch at Pepper Lunch before meeting Sweet. She agreed to meet us at Starbucks on the 5th floor. Sweet is as sweet as her name. I felt like we've clicked instantly, we went over the program for the reception. She gave some song recommendation for the grand entrance and our first dance. After about an hour and a half, we summed up the meeting and agreed to communicated about the final details over text and email. I had to return back to GH to meet my family, Roshee and I parted ways as well. She's so sweet to gave us a pre-wedding gift!

June 05, 2011

Today is a Sunday. As with any other Sundays, we always hear mass at La Sallette in Silang. Since most of the family is there that day, I requested to have lunch in Tagaytay. We went to our usual place (Yellow Cab) and had a feast of pizza, pasta and chicken wings! Yum! :) After lunch we went to my paternal grandmother's place in Las Pinas to visit them.

8 days before the big day...

2011-06-30T00:32:00.006-05:00

Pardon the posts' titles from here on 'til our wedding day. :)

June 03, 2011

We've accomplished a couple of important things today! Even before heading home to Manila, Chi (of OAB) and I would meet online to discuss matters and questions that I would have about the wedding. Small wedding details that I keep on thinking on and on for days. The last time that we chatted online, we've set a schedule to meet at Moon Garden. Although they've handled several weddings in Tagaytay, this will be their first at Moon Garden and today was also the first day they would visit the place personally.

I've visited the place last year, when I went home unexpectedly. The whole family (Tatay, Nanay, Carlo and Chai) came with Topher and me when we met the OAB team. When we got to the venue, I was really surprised about the changes in the place. To tell you guys honestly, I was disappointed with the changes that I saw. More about that on the supplier's rating (coming soon).

Chi came with her husband, Jardonyx (June) and Ate Pia. Since Chi is already on her last trimester, she wouldn't be physically at the wedding, but the whole team will be there. She assured me that she will be on top of everything throughout the day.

We looked around at the venue and then we decided on where things will be set-up. I gave her a reception layout which Lace (of K by Cunanan) gave me before. It was a layout on how K by Cunanan usually set things up in Moon Garden. We then decided on where we would place things around the caterer's setup.Like where the Starbucks coffee station would go, where will be place the photo booth, the registration tables, string the escort cards and put the appetizers table. After a couple of hit and miss, we agreed on things.

Moon Garden setup from K by Cunanan

We proceed to the details of the weddings, things that I still need to finish and turn-over to them. Here are some of the items that we've discussed:

citronella candles/mosquito patches - as suggested by both Lace and Chi, we should get these just to make sure that guests not be swamped with mosquitoes. The garden has tons of ponds and the rainy season adds to the mosquitoes at night.

1 bedroom suite/deluxe room - they suggested that with the rooms, i should get one like a suite as there will be tons of people coming in that day, that is without adding in the guests and would visit. The last thing that all of us would want is a stressed environment come wedding day.

body form - they asked to make sure that the body form that Tito Boy lent me can be adjusted to my height.

steam iron - for last minute clothes that needs to be pressed.

Bible and pouch - things that I still need to buy!

organize things - organize and label that are needed for each. Place them on a box/paperbag for each place, like preps, church and reception.

labels - make sure that the gifts and the ties/vest of sponsors are properly labeled.

wedding march - prepare cds of the entourage/ wedding march in a CD in cda and mp3 format. also have it saved on a flash drive for back-up

fruit basket for offertory and stipend - need to prepare for the offering

water and snacks - they also recommended that if there are guests coming in from Manila/far location, we can opt to buy water and some snacks that they can distribute while waiting for the ceremony to start

string - needed for the escort cards

gift/gift certs - prizes for the games at the reception

OAB will still need to contact Starbucks Tagaytay to suggest the additional glasses to extend the number of the frappes, and the wedding day schedule. We agreed that we'll meet again 2 days before the wedding.

Moon Garden

We invited the OAB team for lunch, they declined and explained that Ate Pia still need to attend her review school that day. We had lunch in Dencio's Tagaytay before heading to Taal Vista to book our rooms.

@ Dencio's Tagaytay

I faced a dilemma when we reached Taal Vista. I wasn't prepared to shell out Php15,000 for a single night stay, and that is for my room only! Add Topher's room and we are looking at more than Php20,000 for a single night accommodation. I had to ask Topher and make sure that he's ok with the rates that we will be shelling out. He told me that this is only one day that we'll going to splurge and it's something that we need. So might as well get the best. Awwww. :) It the end, the front desk people at Taal Vista gave us discounts and generously granted my request for late checkout on all rooms (2pm checkout), that made the hefty price tag all worth-it.

Taal Vista

Before heading home, we met with Ate Yhoan of Yhoan's Flower shop who will be supplying our flowers, for both entourage and church come wedding day. I'm happy that she kept the pegs of the flowers that I've shown her for the bridal and the entourage bouquets. We also discussed the church flowers and the inclusions of the package (bridal car flower, offertory flowers, petals for the recessional etc). I still have to give her pegs of the groom's boutonniere as well as the entourage's. We agreed that I'll send the pegs over email and that if she has any concerns, we can chat, call and text.

We went to the mall to pick up supplies that I'm gonna need for the missalette and thank you cards. We still have tons of DIY projects to finish, but bar none, the hardest part of all this is the guest list. Why can't people do a simple RSVP? I've given all the contact information, online and on paper. A simple SMS would do. A message on Facebook would suffice. But noooo, most would still not do it. So all you brides-to-be, be warned as early as today. Finalizing the guest list is the hardest thing that you would have to do.

10 days before the big day...

2011-06-27T00:38:00.014-05:00

After flying for 16 hours (12 from Chicago to Narita, 4 from Narita to Manila) and 4 hours in lay over time in Japan, we were finally home! Ahhh, the chaotic airport and the humidity just welcomes you with open arms. My entire family (Tatay, Nanay, Chai and Carlo) and Mama picked us up from the airport. It was almost 12 midnight when we left the airport and it took us about an hour drive from NAIA 1 to Dasma.

I requested for Cecille's Beef Kaldereta and Chopsuey for my dinner that night, and divulge on it with glee when we got home. Topher went to their home at night, that's fine with me since I know how sabik they are with his company. He hasn't been home for 3 years. After dinner, I'm off to bed.

So, technically my vacation started on June 1st, 10 days before the wedding. That day, we were scheduled to meet with Boy Kastner Santos, our entourage couturier and Lace Tan of K by Cunanan, our caterer. I would be meeting Tito Boy in the morning to bring in my dress to be altered, it's way too long and then meet Lace in the afternoon. We picked up Mama and Kisses before heading to Tito Boy since they will be fitting their dresses as well.

At around 10:30am we were at Tito Boy's shop and I had the my dress fitted for him to see how long it needs to be altered at the hem. I brought the shoes that I would be wearing on our wedding day, to be sure that the length will be perfect. That same day, we took home all of the secondary sponsors' dresses. I was told by Tito Boy that all of the dresses will be ready on June 7th, even my dress. The only dresses that we were worried about are my Ninang Lolit's dress and one of the secondary sponsor's dress, they were both overseas and they only gave the measurements online.

My meeting with Lace is at 2pm. We picked up Topher and Papa from their house and dropped off Kisses. To said that there was hell of a traffic going to Quezon City would be an understatement. Then we had to stop to ask for directions going to Kaye's address since my Tatay is not all familiar with their village, we did get as far as Ateneo though.

5 minutes before 2 PM, we finally reached and found Kaye's house. There were several cars parked at the front. When we got in, we were led to a beautiful indoor patio where most of the food-tasting and meetings are on-going. We were led by a helpful waiter to our table.

our mock-up table

I received an email from Lace a few hours before our flight home, she was asking for pictures and ideas for the mock-up table setup. I remember telling her that I want to see hydrangeas in silver pail, lamps, linen in our motif and a few other flowers. Nothing too stiff.

We were then served with our chosen menu. This will be the 1st time that we will be having a food taste with them, the initial one was attended by Topher's 3 sisters. So I was both excited and nervous about the food. Remember that both our set of parents are with us that day which makes it even more nerve-wracking. What if they didn't like the food?!

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

We were first served soup and then appetizers. Remember that we went straight here after our meeting with Tito Boy and we didn't stop for lunch, so we were really famished at 2pm. We all enjoyed the Broccoli and Cheese Soup. It was a bit cheesier than the broccoli and cheddar soup that I got accustomed to having at Panera Bread here in the US. Nonetheless, it was good.

hoisin chicken wrap, bruschetta and fried ravioli

The appetizers that were served are: Hoisin Chicken Wrap, Bruschetta with Roasted Eggplant, Peppers and Feta Cheese and Fried Spinach and Feta Cheese Ravioli with Marinara Sauce. We kept all of them for the official menu. I specially love the Hoisin Chicken Wrap. Yummy!

oriental chicken salad

The Oriental Chicken Salad was served next and it was in a cute martini glass. It was a bit saltier that the usual Asian Chicken Salad that I love at Panera Bread, but we loved it still.

carrot rice, grilled red snapper, lapu-lapu and japanese rolled chicken

We were served the main entree; Carrot Rice, Grilled Red Snapper, Lapu-lapu and Japanese Rolled Chicken. I love the Carrot Rice, it was unexpectedly delicious. I asked them which of the fish dish to keep, Red Snapper or Lapu-lapu. It was unanimous with the Red Snapper. Everything was sooo good that we asked for 2nd servings of the Carrot Rice.

seafood pasta in pesto sauce

Topher chose the pasta dish. He looooves seafood in his pasta. We all liked it as well, however we replace the sauce with marinara, instead of pesto with the thought that more guests would have preferred it. But it in itself was already delicious.

We didn't get a chance to took pictures of the beef dishes that was served to us: Roast Beef Ribs with mashed potatoes and the Osso Bucco. Both were really really delish but we went with the Roast Beef and we were glad to know that it would be served in a carving station.

panna cotta, chocolate mousse and banofee

white chocolate decadence

We were to get 5 desserts for the dessert bar. At the food taste, we were served with the panna cotta, chocolate mousse, white chocolate decadence and banofee. We took the chocolate mousse off the menu, I find it too bitter. We replaced it with chocolate decadence and mixed fruit compote.While we were having desserts, Lace and I talked about the detailing, guests' tables and layouts. I'm glad that we got to cover everything that day.

We dropped off Topher, Mama and Papa in Espana before heading home. They decided to visit Gardini's for Papa's suit and to buy him a white dress shirt too.

It was a tiring but fulfilling day. We still have a lot to do and a ton of suppliers to meet before the big day, but it's pretty exciting as well. I won't let stress eat me up!

Hanging in there,

i'm now married to a doctor

2011-06-25T15:54:00.006-05:00

It's been 2 weeks since our wedding. Before I start sharing my stories about the days leading to the wedding and on the wedding day itself, I thought I'd share some pictures of my husband getting his doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. He officially finished his school term last December 2010 but their commencement was only held last May 2011.

Three days before flying to Manila, we drove 300++ plus miles to attend his commencement program. We went straight to Jethro's BBQ when we reached Des Moines, IA for dinner. Afterwards we checked in on our hotel room for the night.

Early morning, we checked out of the hotel and went to the Iowa Events Center. I can't be more proud when I saw Topher in his toga and his name on the list, Dr. Christopher dela Rosa.

how his name will be called once he climbed the stage

Topher and his classmates

I'm beaming with pride at this point, however I can't clap and shout as I'm concentrating on getting good pictures from afar

A Hooding Ceremony is a special recognition ceremony for doctoral degree candidates during which a faculty advisor and the Dean of Graduate Academics place the doctoral hood, signifying his or her success in completing the graduate program.

me and my doctor ;)

I have this feeling that this is not the last time that I'm attending his graduation program. :))

today is the day...

2011-06-10T17:00:00.003-05:00

I'm already here at the hotel room, woke up a bit too early for the call time to start preparing myself. I can't believe it, after more then 18 months of preparation, the day is finally here.

Today, i will again marry by best friend, my better half and the person I cannot live without. :) I am forever grateful for being given the opportunity to experience God's blessing with the man I love most.

Topher, I love you and I can't wait to marry you again.

Vera Wang Spring 2011

2011-05-01T23:11:00.002-05:00

Although I've had my dress for months, I still love to browse sites for wedding dresses. *sigh* Any bride would love to wear a Vera Wang.

FARRAH
One shoulder soft modified mermaid gown with hand-painted organza and metallic tulle with corset bodice and blossom flange skirt

FELICITY
Strapless tulle and tissue organza ballgown with floating petal rosette embroidery on bodice and softly tucked skirt

FIONA
Asymmetrically draped strapless stretch Mikado mermaid gown with full tissue organza skirt with ladder technique

FAYE
Strapless sweetheart lightweight gazaar & silk crepe sheath with corset bodice and asymmetrically draped skirt

FLORA
Strapless scoop neck tulle and tissue organza ballgown with floral sea bead embroidery on bodice and floating hand-painted blossoms on draped skirt

FERN
Strapless two-piece silk gazaar gown with multi-tiered peplum bodice and cascading peplum skirt with tissue organza ladder technique

FREIDA
Strapless sweetheart tissue organza & lightweight gazaar ballgown with asymmetrically draped corset bodice, Chantilly lace hand painting and softly draped skirt

FAWN
Strapless soft mermaid gown with pleated illusion keyhole neckline, floating Chantilly lace appliqué and soft tissue organza blossom flange skirt

ERICA
Strapless silk gazaar & tissue organza modified mermaid gown with full-length asymmetrical blossom flange detail

*all photos from VeraWang.com

something borrowed

2011-05-01T22:29:00.005-05:00

Something old, something new,
Something borrowed, something blue

"Something old" symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past. "Something new" means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead. "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. The borrowed item also reminds the bride that she can depend on her friends and family. "Something blue" blue has been connected to weddings for centuries.

Similarly, something borrowed is also the title of a novel by Emily Griffin and it was now a movie starring Jennifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson. Although I haven't read the book or watched the movie, I'm positive that it's a feel-good chick flick.

Anyway, my something borrowed are actually two jewelry items, the earrings and the bracelet that I'll wear. Mind you, I didn't borrow these items, they were offered to me! :) How lucky am I?

earrings from Ninang Bolin

The first one are earrings that will be lend to me by my Ninang/Tita Bolin. I've been asking my sister, Chai to check earrings at malls that I can use for the wedding. I'm not one for flashy, dangling earrings, really, a simple stud would do. When my Ninang learned this, she offered two pairs of earrings to me and took pictures of them, asking me to pick which one I liked better. I picked this one and I couldn't be happier.

bangle bracelet from Jo

The 2nd is a bangle bracelet! I love bracelets. I'm more of a bracelet person that a necklace one. I love statement bangles and cuffs. Jo is a friend here in Chicago that I met through a common friend. She also got married last October 2010. I saw her wedding photos and loved the bangle she was wearing! I asked her where she got it from, instead of answering my question me, she said "Ipapahiram ko na lang sayo, something borrowed mo na yun!" I'm truly blessed to have kind and generous friends!

Today is the 1st of May and I'm really happy that these details are finally off my long wedding detail list!

wedding escort cards

2011-04-18T23:36:00.006-05:00

What exactly are escort cards? Escort cards inform your guests of their assigned table. Each card displays a guests’ name and a table number or the name of the table. The most common way to address escort cards is as follows - but you can do it your own DIY way of course:

Matt Bomer - the full name of a single guest
Table 1
Mr. and Mrs. Burke - a married couple
Table 2
Percy Jackson and Guest - if an invitee brings a guest whose name you don’t know
Table 3

I've been checking wedding websites for ideas for the escort cards and these are few that I found really cool! ;)

Caricature Escort Cards - theknot.com

Ketchup Escort Cards - theknot.com

Apple Escort Cards - theknot.com

Clothespin Escort Cards - weddingwindow.com

Flower Ball Escort Cards - elizabethannedesigns.com

Starfish Escort Cards - theknot.com

Escort Cards on Lemon treats - sdweddinginsider.com

Origami Escort Cards - lullieux.com

Escort Cards as wedding favors

Modern Escort Cards - camillestyles.wordpress.com

I absolutely love the last one! So cool and fab! ;) I wonder if I can pull that one off. I've been thinking of doing clothespin escort cards using all the scrap papers from the invites, let's see that I can come up with! ;)

less than 2 months

2011-04-17T22:29:00.005-05:00

I don't know if putting a wedding countdown at the beginning of this blog is helping me or not. I felt pressured more than ever seeing the clock ticking down! I feel excited at the thought that we're finally going home in a few weeks time, and at the same time, I'm dreading the things that still needs to be done!

Let's have rundown of things:

1. Church - We'll have our pre-cana and canonical interview when we got home, we're scheduled for June 08 for both, 3 days before our wedding day. Wedding Banns will be available from our local parish at April 27. Need to complete payment for church. Need to follow-up again if Father Allen can now confirm his availability. Misallete approved, need to check for song list approval. Need to finalize choir for church, OLLP and pay for the down payment. Check their song list for the ceremony, processional and picture-taking.

2. Venue - Finalized the contract for the venue. Scheduled to do ocular with OTD (Chi of OAB) on June 03 to discuss the layout of the venue. Discuss location of couple's table, where to put the photobooth, the Starbucks kiosk, registration area and cocktails area.

3. Caterer - Final food tasting and detailing with K by Cunanan (Lace) once we got home. Payment of half of the total amount at the final food tasting.

4. Cake - Meet with Joy San Gabriel after the food tasting with K. Although we've already ordered the cakes via my Nanay, do cake tasting and final detailing.

5. Gown and Shoes - Meet with Tito Boy (Kastner Santos) on June 01 for dress length alteration. I've had my dress with me since July 2010. Shoes, I've already got since last year, I think.

6. Moms', Ninangs' and Entourage Dresses - Almost all had their measurements taken already (waiting for 1 Ninang's measurements), waiting for the 1st fitting. Male entourage's vest and ties are already completed.

7. Groom Suit - Everything completed! He just bought his shoes and belt today!

8. Dads' Suit - Tatay's already done, he bought one at Onesimus. Will have to check Gardini's for Papa's suit.

9. Rings - Already bought since last year. Need to check Paloma's Nest and buy the Bearer Bowls soon.

10. Invitations - All done. Most are already sent to Manila for distribution and guests from overseas have already been mailed with their invites. Getting the RSVP is the crucial part, needed for the escort cards!

11. Favors - Photo booth for the guests. Speaking of photo booth, need to send Engagement Pics and other documents for layout and backdrop to Partypics. Perfume and sunglasses for the Principal Sponsors. Got the Secondary sponsors wallets and colognes as favors.

12. Photo and Video - Done booking both. Ready to meet Redsheep RAW and Nextgen. Still need to order the photo book that I created via Snapfish for the guest book and create a slideshow (prenup, growing up etc)

13. HMUA - Booked Chichi Sotomil. Still deciding if I should meet her before the wedding day for a trial hair and make-up, still depends on our schedule when we got home.

14. Hotel Preps - Need to ask Nanay to check the Standard Room at Taal Vista for the wedding preps. Although we have a room included in Moon Garden, I think it's a bit too small for the preparation.

15. Florist - Booked Ate Yhoan for the entourage and church flowers. Down payment paid and I got the contract as well, but still need to make sure that everything will be as discussed and flowers on the bouquet will not be sparse.

16. Supplier's Food - Will have to ask OTD about this, specially for those who will be there in the morning and lunchtime. As much as possible, I don't want to serve usual the fast food.

17. Reception Program - Still need to coordinate with Sweet about the flow of the program and ask suggestion about games and prizes.

18. DIY Projects - Still have a ton to do. Escort cards, Misallette, Menu Card and Program.

Oh my gosh, we still have a ton to do! I will be having a virtual meeting with my OTD again this May for the updates and concerns that I have. Only 54 more days!

wedding updates...

2011-03-26T15:05:00.004-05:00

Time just flies so freakin' fast! You would think that with almost 18 months of preparation, I would be all done by this time. But NOPE, we're still going over the details and some important stuff still needs to be taken care of!

I'm super thankful for my Nanay. She takes care of the things now for the wedding, she dove in full force with helping with the wedding preps. My parents even offered to pay for our wedding cake and the Starbucks kiosk!

The latest suppliers that we have booked through my parents help are: Yhoan's Flower Shop for the entourage and church flowers, Joy San Gabriel for our cakes and Boy Kastner Santos for the entourage's dresses. My Nanay said that dealing with them is a breeze. I particularly love Tito Boy because he updates me of the progress. He just recently sent me a message, reminding me that Topher's sister who was also our secondary sponsor, is the only one whose dress was yet to be cut.

I've posted before that I would have a cake buffet and forgo the usual wedding cake but as we are nearing the wedding date, I realized I don't want to stress about that anymore. I know it will take a lot of effort from us to pull off the cake buffet.

The most important things that we need to take care of ASAP are the following:
Topher's Baptismal Cert
Topher's Confirmation Cert
Marriage Banns to be posted on church
Misalette
Song List Approval for Church
Photo booth Backdrop
Photo booth Layout
Prenup Slideshow
Guestbook

Topher's mom already took his baptismal and confirmation certificate before, it was my fault that we need to get one again. I didn't know that it's only valid 6 months prior to the wedding, and when I said that it was a requirement, his Mom went off to get it immediately. So need to get another one again.

Most of the items, I need to do myself. I seriously need to start on them NOW!

imma back!

2011-03-26T13:06:00.003-05:00

Just as what Super Mario would shout whenever you'll do a continue, Imma Back! :)

I can't believe it's been more than a month that I haven't posted here. Just so you all know, I'm still here, still doin' well! Alive and kickin'! I've been swamped with daily work routine, going to the gym after work and I'm usually beat once we got back home. Never finding the time to post and even update my status in FB!

Can't believe that other people frequents my blog more that I do, LOL!

the blizzard of 2011

2011-02-05T18:18:00.002-06:00

This is the 3rd winter we experience since we got here in Chicago, and this is the greatest one yet! As of this writing, it has been 4 days after the great blizzard. We started the week good, I didn't even know that there is a snowstorm coming until the day before we got hit. We were informed that it will hit the Chicago area Tuesday afternoon, February 1st at around 3pm. Naturally, we were still asked to report to work on Tuesday, but were allowed to leave early to head home safely. By 4pm, the wind was blowing soooo hard and the snow felt like hard pellets when it struck you on the face. It was terrible and frightening to say the least.

My usual 45 minute-drive home took almost 3 hours and it was absolutely the scariest commute of my life. It was actually better when it's bumper to bumper traffic, because at least you're following someone on a lane. It got soo much worse when the traffic ease, because by then you can't see the lanes and my car windows are all covered with snow. Switching lanes is impossible to do since I only have the rear view mirror as reference. There was even a time that I can't get to the ramp to exit since the road is covered with soooooo much snow, making it very difficult to drive.

Thank God, I arrived home safely. Upon arrival, I had a good cry. I really thought I'm gonna be stuck somewhere and will not make it home. We can hear the wind howling all through the night. The wind and the snow didn't stop until noon the next day. And that was after pouring in about 20" of snow.

(somewhere underneath that snow are our cars)

Thankfully, the sun shone at around noon. We started digging out the cars from under the pile of snow. It took us almost 3 hours to remove all the snow that surrounded both Bossing and Scarlett. I'm actually happy that we decided to dig them out early, it was freezing when the day reached the afternoon. Negative Fahrenheit degrees, anyone?

(it almost reached my waistline)

(playing around before the dig-out)

Right now, most of snow are plowed into the side street. It's natural to see hills upon hills of snow. Forecast in the coming days are not good, more snow on the way. I am seriously and anxiously excited for Spring.

on turning 28...

2011-02-05T16:51:00.002-06:00

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. ~ Mark Twain

This post is officially eleven days late. Because eleven days ago, i turned a year older. I don't mind getting old, it just freaks me out that the kids that I know are now in their teens! That certainly makes me feel old.

When I was small, I told myself that I'll get married at the age of 28 and start a family. Good thing I forgot that note to myself, because getting married early (at 25), is one of the best decisions of my life. This coming June will mark our 3rd anniversary as husband and wife and I am most thankful for the times that we have now. Starting our own family is in the plans but we're not rushing to anything. We want to savor and enjoy these moments.

We celebrated my birthday in a simple way. The night before, I received a sweet gesture from Topher. Waiting for me when I got home is a dozen red roses. It came as a surprise since I wasn't expecting it.

We both went to work that day. We celebrated with dinner at Olive Garden, we both enjoyed our meals. And then tonight will be a joined birthday celebration with a friend and we're having dinner, drinks and movies after! Good times. God is indeed very good.

hired!!!

2011-01-17T13:39:00.004-06:00

Yay!!! A month and a half spent searching for a job and it finally happened! Last January 05, 2011; I received one of the best news I've ever had through a phone call. The hiring manager called and offered me the job!

(my reaction upon hearing the great news!)

I received the employee welcome packet the day after, and that was when I called the HR department regarding the concern that I have for the wedding. I know that I should be up-front with the company with our wedding taking place on June 2011. The hiring manager actually had a couple of concerns about my pre-scheduled leave and thankfully, they understood and I was allowed a 3-week leave for the wedding.

I started work last Thursday, Jan 13, 2011. The job is comparable with the work that I had with Trend before, so I know that I won't be having a hard time with the job responsibilities. I just have to train myself again with the work schedule. Being out of the workforce for more than 2 years had taken it's toll on my daily routine. It was really tough to get out of bed at 6 in the morning, so I need to work on that. The first two days were basically meetings with the HR and technical trainings. I'm lucky that this company celebrates all the minor holidays, which is why I am able to write this entry now. It's MLK (Martin Luther King) Day today!

My workplace is a bit far, it's a 25mi drive from our place and that means that I had to get my own car. It's way too far for Topher to drop me off and pick me up after work. Two days before starting work, I bought my car (Scarlett)! She's a red 2005 Accord Coupe and I love her! :)

I thank God for this blessing, it's sooo nice to start the year on a positive and productive note!

diy rosary wedding cord

2011-01-03T02:53:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year everyone! :)

I'm happy that my first post for this year is a productive one. It's less than 6 months before the big day, I want to make sure that we make use of the time wisely. The last thing that we want to happen is to see the wedding day coming and we're cramming in completing our DIY projects.

The project that I decided to tackle after our invitations is the rosary wedding cord. I'm quite handy with paper crafts but it's my first time in doing beading/jewelry making. I initially thought that I would be having a hard time in doing the wedding cord but is pleasantly surprised that it is actually easy! When I went back home, I had the chance to get all the materials that I needed for the project when we visited Divisoria and Quiapo. I basically patterned our wedding cord from Lights and Binds website, I love their rosary style wedding cords.

I thought I'd share the materials and instructions on creating our DIY rosary wedding cord, so that you can make your own too! Okay, let's start with the materials:

1. Beads that catches your fancy. I think the ones that I used are called class-A swarovski. You can use any beads that you want here.
2. Different kinds of spacers. I'd suggest that you buy two packs of every design. You don't want to run out on the spacers while finishing the cord. Also the circle ones are a must.
3. Pliers and tape measure. You want the to have at least 50 inches for each loop.
4. Rings and end-clamp. Ok, I honestly don't know how you call the "end-clamp", but it's basically a clamp with a small hole in between which you place in the beginning and end of each line. It will hide the knot that you'll create with the nylon cord.
5. Trinkets of your choice. Since this is a rosary wedding cord, I chose a crucifix, a brooch for the middle and letters of our initials.
6. Nylon cord and bead board (optional). Choose a thicker nylon cord.

Now, for the instructions:

1. I initially laid out the sequence of the beads and spacers that I wanted using the bead board, but that's totally optional. First, you want to measure the nylon cord, make sure that you make an allowance on the length before you cut the cord. Make a knot using the pliers and pull until the knot is small enough.

2. Place the end-clamp in a way that if you close the clamp, it will swallow the knot. Then place the sequence of spacers that you want. How many spacers to put before and after the beads and the mysteries, it will be totally up to you. Just make sure that once all have been placed, the length of the loop will make at least 50 inches. Place another end clamp before making a knot to secure the end. Close the clamps before cutting the cord near the knot.

2a. After finishing the 2 loops, and the end tail of the rosary, connect all three using the brooch in the middle.

2b. For our initials, I basically created a small link using the rings and put clasps at the end. By putting the clasps, it's now optional if we wanted to include the initials or take it off.

3. I used white beads for the 10 Hail Marys and purple and gray beads for the mysteries.

4. The ones shown in pic 4 is the tail of the rosary. I basically followed the sequence form the Lights and Binds website.

If my instructions are confusing, let me know through the comments sections and I'll try my best to explain. :) Now I present our DIY rosary wedding cord!

(I used a brooch in the middle)

(crucifix)

(white beads for the 10 Hail Marys and purple and gray beads for the mysteries)

(a clasp at the end to make the initials optional)

(here connected to the brooch)

(our rosary wedding cord with the initials)

Not bad for a first time, right?! :) I'm really happy on how that wedding cord turned out. A bit surprised that it was actually quite heavy! For the cost, not including the strands of beads that I didn't get to use (about 4 strands, I bought extra), it will be about Php600-700. All materials are bought from D.I.Y Store and Wellmanson in Quiapo, Manila.

I can now happily take this one off the wedding list! Wedding Cord = Checked!

thank you 2010, hello 2011

2010-12-31T12:50:00.003-06:00

Less than 12 hours from now marks the start of a new year in this side of the world. I have soo much to be thankful for the past year. Although we've lost our Lola Cute, I do know that she's in a better place, we just miss her terribly. On a happier note, 2010 had been another great year of travel for us. We got to visit neighboring states like Wisconsin (snowboarding, Easter Sunday at Holy Hill and Lake Geneva for Labor Day); Michigan (Tulip Festival and apple picking); Indiana (Indianapolis trip); Iowa (Des Moines) and Missouri (St. Louis). We also got to visit Florida (Key West!), New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts (Boston!). Whew! We've certainly been around! And of course I went back to Manila for my Lola.

It was also the year when we got to watch a handful of concerts! It started with the Q101 Jamboree (Three Days Grace, Seether, Hollywood Undead, Papa Roach, Puddle of Mudd, Saliva, Janus, Story of the Year and Coheed & Cambria) then Weezer, Goo Goo Dolls, Switchfoot, Offspring, 311, Stone Temple Pilot, Cage the Elephant, Deftones and Alice in Chains. I know we can top this list next year, the bands that we love are releasing new albums!

Big things that we thankful for:
- Topher finishing his transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree this December
- Topher finding a great employer that sponsored our Permanent Resident (aka Greencard) application
- I-140, I-485, EAD and AP finally filed at the USCIS
- receiving our EAD a few weeks before, me finally allowed to work
- countless blessing in both our families

Another thing I'm grateful for is technology! I got to see and be with the family in Manila as they celebrate and welcome the New Year! Fireworks, food and everything in between! I love Facetime! If there is a reason to buy an Apple product, it's because of this!

I am very much looking forward to 2011! I'm excited to make use of that EAD and finally work! And of course, we are super excited for our wedding on June and finally making our way back to Manila again! See family and friends, explore the beauty of the Philippines, eat Filipino food that we can't find and eat here!

A blessed and prosperous New Year to one and all! Manigong Bagong Taon!

Vera Wang for David's Bridal

2010-12-30T22:02:00.006-06:00

Yep, you've read it right. It's Vera Wang for David's Bridal! The Vera Wang. I was flipping through a couple of bridal magazines when an article caught my eye. I thought I read it wrong, but no! It was definitely an O-M-G moment for me. How can they do this?! Now, when I've already burned Topher's pocket with my Demetrios gown. Freakin' unfair!!!

Someone posted a link of the dresses from the Wedding Bee hive. It was Vera Wang herself guesting in Oprah, talking about the her new line, WHITE by Vera Wang for David's Bridal. It was said that the line will be available Spring 2011. There was this one dress that I absolutely LOOOOVE! Here are some of the dresses from the line:

(Vera Wang in Oprah)

(one-shoulder, crinkle chiffon-draped gown)

(halter-neck chiffon gown features a draped charmeuse bodice and floral corsage with grosgrain ribbon at its empire waist)

(delicately pleated bodice in netting and chiffon, features illusion straps and a floral corsage at its dropped waist)

(strapless chiffon and net gown that has a tucked bodice and is detailed with delicately gathered draping at the dropped waist)

(strapless taffeta, asymmetrically draped bodice features a sweetheart neckline and soft netting on a full ball gown skirt)

(one-shoulder mikado and structured organza fit-and-flare gown features a dropped waist and swirling draped skirt)

(strapless, satin-faced organza fit-and-flare long gown is detailed with lace appliqués and an asymmetrical pleated skirt)

(at front, illusion-edged V-neckline and scattered lace appliqués)

(inspired by Ivanka Trump's dress, features a short-sleeve, lace-illusion bodice with strapless, satin-faced organza full A-line skirt)

(strapless satin-faced organza ball gown has a diagonally draped bodice and an asymmetrically swirling draped ball gown skirt with floral corsage detailing)

And here is the dress that I ABSOLUTELY adore! It was inspired by Chelsea Clinton's gown!

(strapless structural organza fit-and-flare gown has a dropped waist and swirling draped skirt)

Isn't it absolutely Vera Wang? It was shown here in blush, but it will be available in ivory and soft white too. The dresses are said to retail between $600 to $1,400. A fraction of the price compared to her original line. *sigh* Hopefully, you dear readers will be able to get her dresses. I bet it will sell like hotcakes!

*all photos are grabbed from Oprah.com

autumn in Chicago

2010-12-29T18:59:00.004-06:00

Although it's currently wintertime and we are freezing here in Chicago, I'd like to post some pictures we did back in autumn at the Morton Arboretum. It was our third time to experience fall in Chicago but was the first time that we were finally able to shoot decent pictures of it. We promise ourselves that we'd do this for every season in the coming years. We have yet to do a winter shoot, have to do it sometime soon. :)

Des Moines, heart of Iowa

2010-12-29T18:18:00.002-06:00

Last October, as one of his school requirements for Manual Therapy, Topher has to be on the school campus for his practicals. We started the trip early (2am) going to Des Moines. It's a 5-hr road trip from Chicago and they start 8am that Friday morning. I got myself busy at malls while he's at school. :) sweet. We were able to try local restaurants, like Jethro's (awesome BBQ and ribs, excellent sides! mac and cheese is ♥ ).

Before heading back to Chicago on Sunday, we visited the State Capitol and the Food Festival at East Village. Des Moines is pretty neat! I'm excited to be back again on May 2011 for his commencement.

(Iowa State Capitol)

(Downtown Des Moines)

(World Food Festival at East Village)

(there are 2 Filipino booths at the festival)

revisiting St. Louis

2010-12-29T17:35:00.002-06:00

This post is a few months late, as well the the succeeding posts about our travels. These photos are taken last September, we (me, Topher, G, Joni and Kiko) went on a weekend road trip to St. Louis, MO. We planned it in time before G went back home to Manila. We (Topher and I) have visited St. Louis a year before but it was a short day visit only. We just went there to check out the Gateway Arch, however this road trip is a bit longer since we intend to roam around the city and check what St. Louis has to offer.

( a gloomy day when we visited the Gateway Arch)

(tiny tram seats 5!)

(city of St. Louis, MO)

(the other view on the side of the Arch, the Mississippi river)

(at the top of the Arch)

>(me and G, peeking at the tiny windows)

(tour of the Anheuser-Busch plant, home of Budweiser)

current obsession: job hunting

2010-12-29T16:39:00.003-06:00

I've been out of the loop with regards to the wedding preparations for a few weeks now. Been keeping myself busy with job hunting! Yes, job hunting! Ever since we've received our EAD (Employment Authorization Document) a couple of weeks ago, I've been itching to make use of it. You see, I came here in US under H4 (dependent) visa, which basically allows me to live and study as long as Topher's H1B (working) visa is valid. But, it doesn't allow me to work. So I'm basically a bum for the last two years. It was actually the longest time that I've been idle. Coming of from college, I was lucky to get hired immediately.

So anyway, Topher transferred to a different employer and one of the conditions that he asked, was that he'd be filed for Permanent Resident (aka Green Card) once hired. His new employer has been true to their word; after filing the H1B transfer to them, we received communication from their lawyers about documents needed for filing the GC. We're very lucky that his profession is in demand and in need right now, otherwise, we won't be able to ask for this conditions at all.

To sum it up, our applications for GC are already filed with USCIS and with it, our EAD and AP (Advance Parole) were also filed. Receiving the EAD allows me now to work for any employer and gives me the right to get a SSN. Tao na ako sa America! And this fueled my current obsession on finding a job. I must admit, it has been tough to look for a job nowadays, recession and all. However, the economy if slowly picking up and I have my hopes up that I will be employed as soon as the new year starts.

I've been to a couple of interviews and I'm positive that one of these companies will be the one for me. I'm soo excited to earn again and of course to help out with the household expenses. Not to mention, help out in paying off the expenses for the wedding.

And then it made realized something, I still have a couple of DIY projects in line for the wedding. I should really get it started because once hired, I won't have the luxury of time like before to complete them. Its these things that I want finished, not to create any stress as the wedding date approaches.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T22:34:00.005-06:00

At Christmas, all roads lead home. ~Marjorie Holmes

(Christmas 2008 at Union Station in Chicago)

To all my readers, far and near! I wish all of you a blessed Christmas. Maligayang Pasko sa ating lahat!

meeting Richelle Mead

2010-12-10T13:19:00.008-06:00

Richelle Mead's book signing for the Last Sacrifice tour starts at 7pm. We're running late. We left the house 15 minutes before 6pm but due to the horrendous traffic in I-90, we barely got there in time. The venue is at the school auditorium of Northside Preparatory High School in downtown Chicago.

She started with reading a chapter on the book. She chose one that's not too revealing, conscious of readers who haven't started on the book yet. After reading an excerpt of the book, she proceeded to Q&A. Unfortunately, she cannot disclose much information about the spin-off. Although she mentioned that she did an interview with a national magazine which will be released this weekend with more information about the spin-off, I just forgot if it is Entertainment Weekly or something else. Someone in the audience also asked about the VA movie. She said that the rights have already been bought, but there is no casting happening yet, no movement with regards to the movie production. She asked the audience to spread the word that the information online (IMDB says a movie is in the works and will be released in 2012) are untrue.

(many fans came in for the book-signing)

(answering the Qs from the audience)

She mentioned a few guidelines on the book signing and taking pictures, make it easier on everyone who are in queue for the book signing. And then she started signing books! ;)

(sneaking a picture before my turn)

I asked Topher to stay in the queue with me, so that I can have 6 books signed (3 books per person, 1 personalized and 2 autographed). Also to have him take my pictures while she's signing my books.

(Richelle Mead and me!)

Upon meeting her, she immediately said that she likes my scarf! ;) Cool huh? And then while she was signing my books, I asked if she has plans of visiting Manila. I told her that she has a huge fan base back at home. She explained that she's not the one who's in-charge of picking the places where she'll go. Usually places that are picked are those that are locally publishing the book. In the case of Manila, she said that we import the books from the US and there was no local publisher who usually takes care of the finances. I joked and told her that maybe we should sign a petition to bring her in Manila. She laughed. She mentioned that she have good friends in Seattle who are Filipino and they have been inviting her to visit the Philippines with them. I seconded that and promoted the Philippines even more. So hopefully she'll visit soon. :)

(making small talk while she's signing)

She noticed my books as well, commented that she knows which ones are mine since I had them covered. Also said that the uncovered ones are most probably for friends. :) She's really soooo nice and so cool. I'm extremely grateful for having the chance to meet her.

Excuse me for now, I'll start reading VA: Last Sacrifice. :)

(personalized message on my favorite VA book so far)

(personalized message on Last Sacrifice :D)

VA: Last Sacrifice

2010-12-09T15:07:00.005-06:00

I'm excited! *grin*

In about 4 hours from now, I'll get to see, meet and greet Richelle Mead. So who is she? Well, she's the rock star author of the Vampire Academy. The last book on this series was just released on December 7, 2010 and I get to meet her because she's on tour. Honestly, I haven't started on the book yet. I'm delaying the gratification because just like any last book in a great series, I want it to last. Although I'm dying to know what happened to Rose and who did she choose. Wee, I'm really excited!

(3 books of Last Sacrifice. For me, Tin and Suyen; special request to have it signed)

Will post about what happened on the book signing later!

diy invitation: cost analysis

2010-12-09T13:51:00.004-06:00

A couple of people have asked me how much I've spent on our Star-ry invitations. I know that it is definitely less that having them done here professionally. However, comparing it to the cost of invitations done in Manila, it may be more. What I loved with this project is that I can use all the materials (read: trimmer, bone folder, ribbons, adhesive) for other paper projects related to the wedding. I have tons of scraps of the Stardream Ruby and Silver and I just know where to use it.

Here is the cost breakdown:

Stardream Invitation Envelope A7 (envelopemall.com) - $24.35 (shipping included)
Stardream Ruby for the Pocket fold (anchorpaper.com) - $51.20
Stardream Silver for the mats (anchorpaper.com) - $13.80
Recycled Classic Linen for the Invites and Inserts (anchorpaper.com) - $29.75
Shipping Cost from Anchor Paper - $12.13
Silver Ribbon for belly band (Divisoria) - $5.00
Fiskars Trimmer (Michaels) - $23.99
Terrifically Tacky Tape 1/4 inch (Michaels) - $2.99
Bone Folder (Michaels) - $0.99
Fiskars Scoring Blade (widgetsupply.com) - $5.28 (shipping included)
Terrifically Tacky Tape 1/8 inch, 10 rolls (joanns.com)- $15.83

Grand total is: $185.31 for 110 invitations. About $1.69 per invite, more or less Php74 with today's conversion. I'm seeing a projection of only about 80 invites needed so I have many extras at hand. Good souvenir huh? :) I have not include the postage to guests here in US, but that's only minimal. I plan to send the invites to NJ to a good friend who will be going home to Manila for the holidays and that saves us a LOT on postage.

One thing that you have to consider before tackling a DIY wedding invitation project is TIME. I have plenty of time on my hands which is why I choose to do this project. I dedicated sooo many hours on completing the project. But I loved the finished product and the pride that I have whenever I saw them knowing that I've made and completed it is priceless. They're fabulous!

I hope this helps!

presenting: our Star-ry invitations

2010-12-01T17:09:00.007-06:00

My pride. My joy. My babies. Our invitations. :D

I've beaming with joy with the our invitations. This is the biggest DIY project that I've done and I'm actually not sure at first that I can successfully manage to complete it. And yet here they are! Isn't obvious that I'm really happy with them? I'm proud to say that I've conceptualized everything in this project. Sure I did ask that Topher thinks, but knowing myself, I'm my own worst critic. So me being this happy is something else. I can't help but gush every time I've finished assembling one.

I decided on the color scheme, where to buy the paper, creating the pocket folds, designing the main invites as well as the 3 inserts. I created the map on the 2nd insert as well! Ha! Had to cut and measure everything precisely. I had to make sure that the "titles" (Entourage Cards, Location Map and Reception) on the 3 inserts will be precisely in line with each other when placed on the pocket. Designed the monograms and had it cut and adhered to their mats.

So without further ado, here are the invitations:

But wait, if you personally know me and you think you'll be invited to our wedding, close this window! NOW! I still want you to gush over our invites when you personally received them, okay? For everyone else, enjoy!

(Silver A7 envelopes at the background)

(Main Invitation)

(Entourage Card)

(Location Map)

(Reception Card)

I smudged our last name for security purposes (scared of identity theft!) I designed the invitations' main card and 3 inserts using Adobe Photoshop. Fonts used are: Saffron Too for the script and Trajan Pro for the serif.

I initially didn't plan on placing a note on the Reception Card telling that a small/enveloped gift is preferred, but then Topher had to remind me that not everyone have access to the internet especially the oldies (planned to put the preferred gift at wedsite). So I included a note that states that we preferred small gifts that we can bring back here in Chicago after the wedding. I didn't explicitly put "monetary" or "enveloped" words because we still want to receive small tokens from guests!

invitation assembly

2010-12-01T16:17:00.002-06:00

Finally, all components of the invitations are ready for assembly. After making the belly bands last week, everything is set. For the assembly, I first started with adhering the main invitations to the silver mats and then finally adhering them to the pocket folds. I decided that it's easier for me to adhere first all the invitations before placing the inserts and their respective belly bands.

(the pretty pocket folds)

(1st assembly: main invites, silver mats and plum pocket folds)

(placing double sided tape on the main invitation)

(placing double sided tape on the silver mat)

(main invite and silver mat together)

(main invite and silver mat adhered on the plum pocket fold: BEAUTY!)

After adhering the main invites with the silver mats to the pocketfolds, I had them placed under stacks of books to make sure that all folds and adhesive stick. Good thing Topher has lots of thick and heavy (PT) books that I can use. :) Last night, I've assembled about 20 invitations and then got stressed out with the guest list when called it a day.

(pocket folds, 3 inserts, and belly bands completed)

diy pocketfolds

2010-12-01T01:35:00.007-06:00

Here are the instructions on how I created our pocket folds. Creating the pocket folds myself is definitely cheaper than getting the ready-made-ones from Cards and Pockets. I made about 110 pocket folds and that's more than what we actually need. Of course we want extras for last minute guests, invitations lost in the mail and a couple to frame and keep.

SUPPLIES:
- Custom card stock. For more information on my paper order, click here.

- Paper cutter with scoring blade (Fiskars bought at Michaels)
- Scissors (sharp and decent ones)
- Bone Folder (also known as boning/transfer tool)
- Double sided permanent tape (Terrifically Tacky Tape 1/8" bought online from JoAnn's)
- Pencil

(forgot to include the green bone folder)

- Flap templates (optional) - You only need to make this if you want to make the points of the pocket folds. Obviously, this will add more work on making the pocket folds and you can have this skipped. I had mine created from scraps of paper.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1.) First, trace the flap templates on each side. Here I am tracing the template for the flap.

2.) And then, here I am tracing the template for the pocket.

3.) Cut carefully along your pencil lines.

4.) Score 3" from the pointed flap.

5.) Score again from the outside fold. (This section is were the invitation will be placed) Measurement for this is 5".

6.) Make the final score 3" from the end of the card stock.

7.) Use the bone folder to fold along your scored line to make the pocket.

8.) Once you have folded the pocket and made a good crease, unfold it again. Add the adhesive tape on both sides. (see the red adhesive)

9.) Fold over the pocket flap to make the pocket. Make the middle fold next.

10.) Make the top fold for the pointed flap. Make use of the bone folder to make clean, neat folds.

11.) Fold the whole thing over and then tada! It's done! :)

It's actually pretty easy to make the pocket folds, but it can be very tedious and time consuming. I dedicated a few days concentrated on just making the pocket folds. I do them by batch, so that I won't get bored. I actually followed the instruction from Heather Drive's blog She started with scoring the card stock first while I did the tracing first. It would depend on what you're comfortable doing that get's you done fastest.

finally, i found THE perfect pair!

2010-11-30T18:39:00.004-06:00

About a week ago, I wrote an entry about two shoe designs that I saw at the mall. For weeks now, I've been on a lookout for shoes that could possibly be the one! These are my requirements for THE shoes, they have to be plum (as much as possible), relatively cheap (no more than $80, if possible) and of good quality. I frequent Zappos, Aldo, Bakers and Nine West to check for deals. What I like about Zappos' website is that I can narrow down my option to the shoe color (purple!) that I like. If I can't find a plum-colored one, a silver one will do. Silver pairs are much easier to find anyway, it's just that I would love it if the perfect plum is available.

After sharing my blog-entry with the w@w online community, I've read another bride-to-be's (Rachel) story about finding her bridal shoes online. She got it from Nine West and that there is an ongoing sale when she bought them. I initially thought she bought the pair in Manila, then I found out that she's actually here in the US as well. Sweet! I quickly checked Nine West online and browse if there is anything that I might fancy. Lo and behold, I caught my breath upon seeing a pretty pair that I can't believe is in PLUM.

("Area" from Nine West)

Isn't it a beauty? Not only it's PLUM, it has that zipper at the back that I find real pretty and helpful when putting on shoes. And, my issue with slipping (nahuhugot!) will not be experienced with this pair since it has a wide bejeweled strap. Another plus? I got it on SALE and they offered FREE shipping. It was $59.99 less 30% which leads to $41.99 plus around $2 in taxes. So that's only about $44 in total! Sweet! :D

Yesterday, I received my shoes in the mail and they are much prettier in person, and real comfortable too. Yay! I'm real excited and happy that I finally found the perfect pair for me!

update: diy Invitations

2010-11-29T00:27:00.003-06:00

I basically rallied my way with the invitations! :) I'm almost done with them. Here were my to-do-list since my last post about the invitations:

Print the main invitations and cut to proper size - DONE!
Print the 3 inserts and cut to their proper sizes - DONE!
Decide and make mock of ribbon band - DONE!
Make mock of monogram seal - DONE!
Adhere the silver invitation mats to the main invites - DONE!

And, I've already made the following:
Printed and cut all monogram seal - DONE!
Adhere the seal to purple and silver mats - DONE!
Adhere the completed seal with the silver ribbon - DONE!

I'm pretty happy with the outputs if I say so myself. Will need to do the following in the next few days:
- Assemble the invitations
- Finalized the guest list for the wedding
- Print the guests' name in the envelopes

Yay! We're right on schedule with the invites. :) Funny thing about the monograms, I've created intricate, artsy fancy ones but Topher chose one of the simplest monograms I've done. I must admit it goes really well with the invitations.

(printed the 1st insert)

(monogram seals)

(monogram seals with the purple and silver mat)

(completed monogram seals)

(belly bands with the complete monogram seals)

cake buffet!

2010-11-23T19:48:00.004-06:00

Yep, you read it right. *grin* We're having a cake buffet! Imagine, 8 to 10 of our favorite cakes at our wedding. I can't think of anything sweeter. I love desserts! Cakes and ice cream are my favorites, and I have a competition in Topher. He loves his sweets too! It's really hard for us to say no when there are desserts serve at the table.

For months now, I've been going back and forth about the wedding cake, and well about many things about the wedding. At first, I just want a cupcake tower, then I learned that everyone is doing that. Birthdays, baptismal or anniversaries, the cupcakes are always present. I wanted our wedding to be different. One option is getting Joy San Gabriel for her mini-cakes, one that she's famous for. But then again, the price is an issue for me. It's possible that we'll have to spend around 15k (or more) for the cake, and honestly that's a bit too much even if my Nanay wants to pay for it.

Then I read LA's post about one of her nice-to-haves, a cake buffet. At the time that I was reading her post, I thought, what a great idea. But I didn't really think much into it. I still went to back to thinking and searching for the cake. And then, BOOOM! It hit me, a cake buffet is really briliant, beyond briliant idea. It's inexpensive, it would look nice on the table not to mention we're sure the cakes are yummy. So the next step before dreaming of my cake buffet is to ask Lace (of K by Cunanan) if they have cake stands. Bless them, they do! Lace is really nice to provide a picture of the cake stands. She also ask that we note how many we'll need by the time of contract signing.

(cake stands from K by Cunanan)

We can now decide on the cakes that we wanted for the buffet. They also have to be available near our place, easier for use to buy them a day before the wedding. Here are our choices:

(Conti's Mango Bravo; photo from practicalpinaybride.blogspot.com)

(Conti's Oreo Cheesecake; photo from Flickr)

(Sugarhouse's Almond Sans Rival; photo from shootfirsteatlater.com)

(Red Ribbon's Smores; photo from ybabie.blogspot.com)

(Red Ribbon's Choco Fudge Cake; photo from certifiedfoodies.com)

(Conti's Blueberry Cheesecake; photo from whatimlovingnow.blogspot.com)

(Conti's Choco Overload; photo from yedylicious.blogspot.com)

(Conti's Mango Cream Cake; photo from yedylicious.blogspot.com)

(Red Ribbon's Ube Cake; photo from dessertcomesfirst.com)

This list makes nine mouth-watering cakes. We would probably add another cake or two and call it a day. As much as I wanted to have all chocolate cakes for the buffet, I have to keep in mind that not all loves chocolate as much as we do, so the choices have to be diverse.

I'm soooo excited just thinking about the cakes and what they would look like come wedding day. Happiness!!

possible wedding shoes??

2010-11-21T20:07:00.005-06:00

Wedding shoes nowadays are far from the white ones that we see before. Shoes worn come wedding day are those that matches the bride's personality or their motif at the very least. It's also economical, you'll more likely to wear the shoes again unlike getting a white bridal shoes just for the wedding.

Yesterday, after watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow (Part One) and late lunch at Flat Top Grill, I saw two pairs that can be possible as weddings shoes. I've been keen on getting a plum pair, but if I can't find one in a decent price, a silver one will do.

(pewter jeweled pair from Nine West, $39.99 at Marshall's)

(silver glittery pair from Nine West, $39.99 at Marshall's)

I tried on both pairs in my size but since I don't wear heels often, I find the shoes sliding off my feet when walking. Nahuhugot! I think I'm better off with a strappy one. I hope to find a great pair this coming Black Friday weekend when deals are usually at their best. But if I have to choose between the two, I want to the pewter one better. I just hope that they (shoes) are still available if I'm decide to get them.

waw auction: 2nd wave

2010-11-18T12:52:00.003-06:00

A few days after the end of the w@w auction, Ms. Benz sent a message that there will be a silent auction for a few more items that were not won or services which reserve price were not met. I'm most excited that the auction includes unity coins again. All three types of it: Gold, Silver and Two-toned. Basically with the silent auction, instructions are that we are to email our bidding price and we'll be notified if we won.

Whadiyaknow, I actually won a set of Silver Unity Coin! I was actually not expecting to win that, since I almost didn't make it to the end of the auction. I got the unity coins that costs Php1,800 for Php1,100! :) Not bad huh?

(Silver Unity Coins similar to what I've won at the auction!)

booked: HMUA Chichi Sotomil

2010-11-16T18:10:00.004-06:00

If you are my blog reader, you've probably read that I've booked a different HMUA before. I had my trial make-up with her when I went home in Manila. I was actually happy with the trial, but I didn't get to have my trial hair styling that time. Unfortunately, this HMUA had negative reviews (one from w@w, and another one from a different place/person that was with her on a wedding before).

When I saw that a HMUA service is up for grabs at the w@w auction, I know that it may be possible for me to replace my current HMUA with one that I really did liked before but had trouble with the OOT fee to Tagaytay. Luckily, I won the bidding for Ms.Chichi's HMUA service and I'm extremely happy. Not only did I get the supplier that I really wanted, I'm also paying for the service less than the amount that I still owe HMUA1.

I've read POSITIVE reviews for Chichi Sotomil as early as 2005 in w@w. Her brides have nothing but good words and praises for her. I know that every review must be taken with a grain of salt, but reading good and favorable ones makes it easier to trust a supplier. I'm happy that I'm lucky enough to book her. She's very nice as well whenever I sent her emails, she's like a long lost friend. What I really liked from the reviews are stories that Ms.Chichi made the wedding day preparation atmosphere light and happy. Only good auras for the wedding day are needed.

I'm posting a couple of her brides on their respective wedding days. I hope that I can be as radiant and gorgeous as these brides are. I trust Ms.Chichi to do just that! :)

*all photos are grabbed from Ms.Chichi's multiply page.

Chichi Sotomil
chichisotomil@gmail.com
http://chichisotomil.multiply.com/

the search for the Cake - Joy San Gabriel

2010-11-16T15:03:00.007-06:00

Joy San Gabriel is another w@w find. Her name is synonymous to beautiful and decadent cakes. She's also famous for the mini-cakes that so many are swooning for. I honestly haven't tasted any of her cakes, God knows I would love to.

I've emailed her a couple of months before, asking for her price list. At that time, she honestly told me that I should maybe wait until November for the 2011 price list so that all prices will be as they are come wedding day. True enough, last November 6th, she did sent me the latest price list.

I'm actually aiming for her mini-cakes, it looks and seems delicious. I really have to ask a family member to have a cake taste with her. Below are some of her works. Oh, and she makes cute cake toppers as well! :)

The cake flavor options that she offers are astounding. It's certainly not the usual wedding cake flavor that you often see. The only thing that hinders me from getting her services is the price. Truth be told, it's steep for a wedding cake. Specially when I said to myself that I don't want to splurge with the cake. And this is a definite splurge. Delivery to Tagaytay alone will cost me 3.5-4k. Which made me think of doing the DIY route. Having a cake buffet.

*all photos are from Joy San Gabriel's blogsite.

Joy San Gabriel
sangabriel.joy@gmail.com
http://joysangabrielcakes.blogspot.com/

waw auction

2010-11-16T13:46:00.005-06:00

Around this time of the year, for more than 5 years, w@w (weddings at work) holds the w@w auction. All member are eligible to participate, specially those who are having their weddings in a certain time frame (say Dec 2010 - Oct 2011). Most of the items up for grabs are services from coveted suppliers. Ask any w@wies or former w@wies why they look forward to the auction, they'll tell you one thing. Savings! You get to save tons of money if you win!

Example: A Veluz gown nowadays costs roughly at Php100,000. Depending on the number of bidders, you can get the gown for say, Php60,000-80,000. And that's a HUGE savings. No one in her right mind will be bidding for what the item is worth. It'll always be less.

There were more than a hundred items at the auction. I've only set my mind to get the items that we still need even though top-notch suppliers are giving away their services for a fraction of a price. It doesn't make sense to bid on an item that you already have reservations for.

The auction ended last Sunday 7pm Manila time. I had to calculate on what time that will be here in Chicago. I had to set my alarm clock to wake up at 5am to bid for the items that I wanted. Luckily I won 1 of the 2 items that I'm bidding for.

Chichi Sotomil Hair and Make-Up Services (worth 13,500)

Definitely grateful to Ms. Benz Rana for continuing the w@w auction tradition, because it helps so many brides in so many ways. And our heartfelt gratitude to the suppliers who are providing their services for a fraction of the cost. It pays to be a w@wie.

me: fickle-minded

2010-11-10T22:18:00.005-06:00

A girl being fickle-minded is not ordinary. I know it happens to me from time to time. I try not to change my mind too much, specially on wedding matters. I fight it, I try to reason with myself. Because honestly, it costs a lot to change your mind when almost all suppliers have been booked.

So what's been buggin' me these days?

Reception Venue. Yep, it's that big. Don't get me wrong. I love our reception venue. I 'm delighted how it didn't disappoint me when I visited the place last July when I went home. The only thing is, I'm having some trouble with the size of it. According to the manager, it can accommodate 200 guests. But I think that's a stretch. We're only having 150 guests and I'm worried. One more thing that bugs me, I don't think we can have any stage for the reception program. There's a small space in front of the pavilion but I'm not sure if that will do. It's a great thing our caterer is accredited to the place. I need to ask Lace, our AE, on how the sit plan will look like.

HMUA. Unfortunately, I've encountered some not so good feedback with the HMUA that I booked. The feedback came from the e-group that I'm a part of. I know that all reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, but anyone reading a negative feedback about their supplier will do a double-take. I had the issue directed to my HMUA and asked her feedback about it. Although I still have confidence on her skills, it makes me think twice about going with my reservations. It doesn't help that my mom and sister is loving a different HMUA (my sister attend a make-up seminar under this HMUA). At the moment, it's status quo for the HMUA although I'm checking other HMUAs availability for our date.

Cake. I'm having extreme feelings about the cake. It's either I go all out (read: Joy San Gabriel) or not make a fuss about it at all. I don't want a cake just for aesthetic purposes. I wanted something that's good and yummy. I'm really hesitant in paying Php3,000+ just for out-of-town fee when that alone can buy 3-4 yummy cakes. LA's post made me realize that having cake buffet is a great idea. It will allow me to choose the cakes that I love (God knows how I love cakes!) but it will also be cheaper. Anyway, I'm not really feeling a traditional tiered-wedding cake. We've had one before on our civil wedding and it's only pretty to look at. We can't eat it! I just have to make sure that our caterer have cake stands available. It will look absolutely gorgeous on the dessert buffet. Oh, I'm planning to get brownies from Brownies Unlimited, we'll include Walnut Swirl at the desset buffet table.

(walnut swirl = LOVE)

Florist. First of all, I would love to get Vatel Manila for our entourage flowers. Dylan has been extremely patient and kind with all my inquiries. However, getting a single supplier for both church and entourage flowers will save me around Php8,000 as compared to getting 2 different suppliers for each. So it is with a heavy heart that I may have to forego getting Vatel Manila's services. I initially didn't want to spend much on flowers knowing that they will not last, but seeing Dylan's creation made me falter. The difference alone can pay for a back-up photographer's rates.

Back-up Photographer. Speaking of which, it made me realized that I really want one. I want TONS of photos of our wedding and having a back-up photographer will do just that. They will take care of angles and things that the main photographer may not cover. I have my list and will need to narrow it down based on portfolio and price.

Entourage Couturier. I need to decide on this real soon. I'm almost sure of booking Tito Boy Kastner Santos of Sheaths Couture for the entourage dresses. I have to finalize the dresses for the girls and for the moms. Soon!