Christmas greetings from the mail!

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!

Vera Wang Spring 2011

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

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!

Vera Wang for David's Bridal

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 

finally, i found THE perfect pair!

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!

possible wedding shoes??

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.

the search for the Cake - Joy San Gabriel

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/