Anniversary @ Midas

Aside from my birthday month, I also look forward to October. It is our anniversary month. I love that my hubby wanted to celebrate it with me. 2015 was our ninth year of marriage. It fell on a Thursday and we had dinner. I was excited to wear my new dress I bought from Zalora. Here's my OOTD taken by the hubby using his phone.

Dress: Zalora | Shoes: H2Ocean | Bag: MFTote201 by mymomfriday | Watch: FitBit

There was a discount coupon from Deal Grocer for Midas Cafe at Midas Hotel and Casino that I snapped up. It was located in Manila and that's where we went.

Having King Midas in mind, I expected the hotel to be gilded, shiny and shimmering. The lighted wall in the photo above seemed promising.

Well, it was different from what I was looking forward to. We were seated at an area with lots of green that I felt like I was in a forest. While the nature-lover in me was happy, I felt like the interior design was disconnected from the name Midas. At least for me!

While I was getting food in one section of the buffet, the wind from the A/C was so strong my skirt was blown upwards. Good thing I had shorts on! I felt like Marilyn Monroe! Haha! It was so weird!

We were not yet finished with the main course when a staff brought this out together with a greeting. We were not informed, but the gesture was appreciated.

The food was alright. I am not sure if we will return, though. There are a lot of hotel restaurants to try in the Metro. Anniversary is a great excuse to sample various food selections. :-)

Lovely Day

Today is a beautiful day. The weather is sunny, but it's not too hot. There's a cool breeze blowing steadily. Ironically, we didn't go out to bask in the sunshine or let Elhaym roll on the grass or something. The street right outside our house is not noisy like usual, there's a significant decrease in the passenger jeeps roaming it. Why? Because they're watching the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao fight, which I take no interest in. It just makes me a wee bit sad to know that De La Hoya lost, after all, he is good-looking.

I have the luxury of time to play with Elhaym, and to finish up on my post on:

My Adventures as a Mommy Bridesmaid

It was morning on the day before my friend’s wedding and I was busy packing Rix’s, Elhaym’s and my stuff, trying my best to fit all our clothes, shoes, toiletries, sterilizer, toys into as few luggage as possible. The wedding venue was far, so the soon-to-weds arranged for their families and us bridesmaids and them coordinators to stay at Parque Espaňa on Friday night. Bringing the baby on trips entails packing almost all her things in. I always speculate that she might need this and that if this and that should happen, there’s always extra clothing and lots of extra diapers. Rix was contemplating on bringing his camera, since we won’t be letting the yaya come with us (the overnight stay was not on our own expense so it wasn’t right to bring any more guests), he’d be the one staying with Elhaym when I’d be fulfilling my duty as a bridesmaid, which was to pose for the picture-taking. He he! But he brought it anyway, in case the mood or inspiration strikes him.

We wove our vehicle through the streets towards unfamiliar territory, as we don’t frequent Alabang, which was already far south. The next couple of hours were spent navigating, with the aid of a sketch in the invitation. We even dropped by my brother’s store to ask him where Alabang Town Center was. All the while, I was holding Elhaym or seating her beside me or she was standing on the backseat, looking out windows or tugging on Rix’s sleeve, expecting him to carry her and let her play with the stirring wheel. In short, she’s all over the car. The mommy bridesmaid was now also a mommy car seat for Elhaym. She doesn’t have a proper car seat, the one lent to us we needed to re-upholster.

At around 4 pm, we finally arrived at ATC. I proceeded to have my nails and toenails done at David’s Salon while Rix was strolling with Elhaym at the mall. He even bought a bean-stuffed toy dog for her. We first had dinner at Gloria Maris – a Chinese restaurant within the compound before heading for Parque Espaňa to check in. After much confusion about the rooms, we finally settled in a 3-bedroom unit with the coordinators, and 2 other bridesmaids who are also my close friends. It doesn’t take long for Elhaym to feel at home; soon, she was walking, even running around the kitchen, dining, and living areas picking up stuff and leaving them in other spaces, opening and sometimes closing drawers.

Elhaym wakes up at around 6 am, so when she was calling for our attention on Saturday morning, I had no choice but to drag myself up, despite having hit the sack late. We had plenty of time since the wedding was to start at 3:30 pm. The 3 of us had complimentary breakfast buffet at the restaurant on the 19^th floor. The food was not bad. There were corned beef, scrambled eggs, strawberry & nutty chocolate muffins, cereals & milk, coffee, bread & jams, vegetable salad, cold cuts and fruits just to name some. There were even cheese slices, which Elhaym loved. After filling our tummies, we went back to our rooms to rest. I gave Elhaym milk and then I bathed her. I was in the shower when the make-up artist Chastine from Tony & Guy arrived. My friend Mary (she came from Taiwan just to attend this event) went first, I was next. Soon my transformation began. Well, it was not so drastic as he believed in enhancing a person’s facial features, not altering them; which was good. We were all prettier. Teehee!

Sometimes, after having hair and make-up done, I don’t want to move around much. But, being a mommy with a colored face is very different. I could not be as conscious as I tend to be because I needed to bend down and pick up Elhaym, carry her around, and feed her. My dress could be full of folds and creases, my one of my twin peaks could be hanging out and I wouldn’t really know.

Thank God it wasn’t raining or the sun wasn’t scorching, or else my curls would sag or I’d be sweating profusely. It was the perfect weather for an outdoor wedding ceremony at Fernbrook Gardens. God must love the soon-to-weds so. While Rix held Elhaym, I was walking with a bit of difficulty on the “red carpet” spread over uneven grass towards the front where we were to wait for Irish, the bride. Her carriage arrived and she descended from it like a fairytale princess. I took a look at Paulo the groom and he had on a very expectant countenance, with a shadow of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. I wonder what grooms were thinking when their brides were walking down the aisle. The ceremony was beautiful, especially the exchange of the vows, which the couple themselves composed. Tears were starting to well up in my eyes, I had to look up and blink them away.

Drinks and finger food were served before the reception began. Guests mingled at the covered plaza outside the dinner area. The air was cool and the atmosphere had a tinge of giddy delight at the celebration that was to commence. Now, it’s my turn to look after Elhaym as Rix was a bit tired. Appetizers were already served as my friends, my family and I settled onto one of the round tables near the front. The program included cutting of the wedding cake, sipping of wine, releasing of doves, singing of the popular group called MYMP, showing of an AVP of the couple’s pictures, a story of how they met and some messages from their family and friends, games for the single gals and guys, money dance by the newlyweds (the couple dances and guests pin money onto the bride’s gown and the groom’s suit, a Filipino tradition whose social significance I am not aware of). Simultaneously, dinner was being served. There were dishes of fish fillet, sizzling roasted beef, pork loin, and angel hair pasta with tomato sauce just to name a few. I think Elhaym was pooped as she slept halfway through the main course, but woke up before the whole affair ended. I had to change her into a T-shirt dress since the pink fairy dress that we picked for her made her neck area itchy and it was irritating her. I think she felt better after that.

The bride requested us, her friends to again stay at Parque Espaňa for another night so she could spend some time with us before they leave for Macau for their honeymoon the following day. And, also, she wished to chat with Mary before Mary goes back to Taiwan on Wednesday. Rix readily agreed to rent another room for the purpose of getting together (and since it was already late, it would be hard to drive home tired); our two guy friends Winch and Jack even stayed until midnight to talk about the wedding ceremony and the party. We also looked at some pictures they took and some videos they recorded on their laptop. Too bad the other two bridesmaids Meg and Chloe didn’t stay, we were not complete. From the animated way they discussed it, I think the newlyweds enjoyed their wedding, that’s what matters most. While we were talking in the living area about the wedding ceremony, the food and the guests, Elhaym was in the Master bedroom, on the bed surrounded by pillows, fast asleep.

When Winch and Jack left, Irish and Paulo also left for their room adjacent from ours. In times like these, a make-up remover would really come handy. Facial wash and water could not remove the eyeliner and mascara. I really haven’t thought of that. Good thing Mary has some; that stuff works like magic! I wonder where I could find good make-up remover… With that in mind, I drifted off to dreamland.

An abundant breakfast had been awaiting us again at the restaurant on the 19^th floor. Irish and Paulo were also with us to enjoy it. And, again we rested after our gluttony moment. But then, time came for us to leave for home (we’ll be charged another day if we stayed longer). Mary stayed with Rix and me as our house guest since she made Taiwan her home already, years after she left the Philippines. Elhaym was also very welcoming; she shared some of her toys.

And that concluded my eventful weekend. It was tiring, but enjoyable. The fun doesn’t end there though, as Mary was still in the country until last Wednesday.

Here's a picture of my little fairy superstar.

Finding Kinky

One of our close friends is planning a bridal shower evening for our friend who is getting married in November. The planner told me to bring a kinky gift. Before I got married, I have received some supposedly kinky gifts like porn Cd's, KY jelly and lingerie. Is that the trend? To give kinky gifts for a bride-to-be? I guess it injects spontaneity and to induce giggles from the gals.

Here are some ideas I found at gifts(dot)com. Some are not kinky, but are very nice.

A wedding day survival kit:

















A pocket-sized sex guide:
















A wedding time capsule:



















I included the word "kinky" in my search and these popped out.

An adult loaded questions board game:









A bachelorette survival kit:





















Interesting stuff, huh?

Now, I just have to locate one in a store near me.

How about you? What is/are the kinkiest gift/s you have received?

Go for the gold!

Nah, I'm not pertaining to the Beijing Olympics.

Ever since Elhaym was born, Nan1 was prescribed to her by her pediatrician. It is one of the more expensive infant formula around. So far, it suited my baby just fine. Up until it doesn't suit our budget anymore, so we asked the pedia to prescribe a new milk supplement for her, which is more inexpensive. So we bought a "trial version" of Progress Gold. It is yellowish in color and takes longer to dissolve in water. The measuring scoop is twice bigger, 2 scoops of Nan = 1 scoop of PG. It seems to agree with Elhaym since she finished most of her bottles. The one thing I don't like about it is that it makes Elhaym's poop very hard that she cries when she's defecating. I guess I have to up the ounces of water. *sigh*

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Yesterday, I went to Ylaya in Manila to choose cloths at a friend's store. You can visit her stalls if you have a requirement for cloths for uniforms or for wedding gowns. The road that leads to the place was crazy! It was so cramped! But, it would be a lot worse come Christmas time. That's how it is in Divisoria. It's like walking behind a funeral car that moves forward ever so slowly. I had to watch my bag all the time as Manila is notorious for its pick-pockets. The vendors devised all kind of hollers, just to catch the attention of potential buyers of their products. I wonder why things there are so cheap...

The color scheme my friend, who is getting married in November, chose for her entourage was gold and champagne. Since she has a budget constraint, I, together with 2 of our friends, decided to be the ones to purchase her godmothers' cloths as a wedding gift. I was the one tasked to choose, so I think it would be best to go with her color scheme so I bought 39 yards of these two-tone gold whatchamacallit cloths. Sorry, I don't know what's the specific name of these cloths. I felt that I have accomplished something cool. I hope she likes it! And her godmothers, too! If none of them used the cloths, then they didn't!

Something for the soon-to-weds

One of my close friends is getting married this coming November. She might be quite busy now at her planning stage, as I have gone through that also before I got married to my wonderful husband. At first I didn't know where to start, I just went online and got every website offering photography, wedding gowns, etc. I asked around for referrals to couturiers and photographers. It indeed is no easy feat, and help on this matter is welcome. What's nice about it is that it's a project for my fiance and me, it's a premarital task where the two of us got to decide together, debate and share ideas, discover more about each other's tastes - much like what a husband and a wife does. I have drawn bridesmaids' gowns designs for my friend, I'll show her the next time we meet. I like designing dresses. When I was little, I wanted to be a fashion designer. Anyway, here is a checklist that can be helpful for those who are about to get married, for those who want their photographers to get great shots, and not just to snap away at random.

Wedding Photography Checklist
A List of "Must Take" Wedding Photography Shots By Nina Callaway, About.com
On your wedding day, you'll want to make sure your photographer captures those essential details you worked so hard on. To help him or her out, provide a list of "must-take" wedding photography shots. Check off your essentials below, and add any of your own creative ones. But don't check off too many – you'll want the photographer to have some time for creative license.

Wedding Photography Shots Before the Ceremony
___ Wedding dress lying over a chair
___ Zipping up or buttoning the wedding dress
___ Mother of the bride fastening the bride's necklace
___ The bride's garter
___ The bride's veil
___ A close up of the bride's shoes peeking out from under the dress
___ Bride looking into a mirror
___ Bride looking out window
___ Bride and bridesmaids putting on makeup
___ Bride pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father
___ Bride hugging parents
___ Bride touching up
___ Bride and parents leaving for ceremony
___ Groom tying tie
___ Groom looking into mirror
___ Groom looking out window
___ Groom pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father
___ Groom hugging parents
___ Groom and parents leaving for ceremony

Wedding Photography Shots At the Ceremony
___ Outside of ceremony site
___ Guests walking into ceremony site
___ Bride and father entering ceremony site
___ Parents being seated
___ Grandparents being seated
___ Maid of honor walking down the aisle
___ Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
___ Flower girl and ring bearer walking down aisle
___ Groom waiting for bride
___ Ceremony musicians
___ Officiant
___ Altar or canopy during ceremony
___ Close up of bride, just before she makes her entrance
___ Bride and father walking down aisle
___ Groom seeing bride for first time
___ The back of bride and father walking down the aisle – with the groom waiting in the distance
___ Bride's father and Bride hugging at end of aisle
___ Shot of the audience from the bride and groom's point of view
___ The unity ceremony
___ Close up of bride and groom saying the vows
___ Wide shot of bride and groom saying the vows
___ Exchanging the rings
___ Close up of hands
___ The kiss
___ Bride & Groom walking up the aisle
___ Receiving line
___ Bride & Groom outside on steps
___ Guests throwing confetti/rose petals/birdseed
___ Bride & Groom hugging guests, laughing, getting congratulations
___ Bride & Groom getting in car
___ Bride & Groom in back seat

Post Wedding Photography Before the Reception (These can also be taken before the ceremony) ___ Bride alone (full length)
___ Bride with Maid of Honor
___ Bride with bridesmaids
___ Groom with bridesmaids
___ Bride with parents
___ Bride & Groom together
___ Bride & Groom with parents
___ Bride & Groom with families
___ Bride & Groom with entire wedding party
___ Bride & Groom with flower girl and ringbearer
___ Groom with parents
___ Groom with best man
___ Groom with groomsmen
___ Bride with groomsmen

During the Reception (to help your photographer, you may wish to list these shots in the order they will happen at your reception)
___ Outside of reception site
___ Bride & Groom arriving
___ Bride & Groom greeting guests
___ Table centerpieces
___ Table setting
___ Bride & Groom's table (head table)
___ Musicians or DJ
___ Guest book
___ Place card table
___ Closeup of bride and groom's place card
___ Wedding cake
___ Gift table
___ Decorations (specify which _________________________)
___ A shot of bride & groom with guests at each table
___ Bride with college alums
___ Groom with college alums
___ The buffet or, if having table service, a dinner serving
___ Bride & Groom's first dance
___ Bride & Father dancing
___ Groom & Mother dancing
___ Guests dancing
___ Bride & Groom cutting the cake
___ Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
___ Toasts (specify who is giving them: ____________________)
___ Bride & Groom drinking champagne
___ Signing the marriage license
___ Bride throwing bouquet
___ Groom retrieving garter
___ Groom tossing garter
___ Garter/Bouquet dance
___ The getaway car
___ Bride & Groom leaving party
___ Bride & Groom driving away
Guests the photographer shouldn't miss: (provide your photographer with a seating chart so that he can easily identify them)
_________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________

Within 5 months, I got engaged then got married, quite fast as most people normally plan the wedding one year ahead. This event I kept praying to the Lord for, because I did not know where to start and lots of suppliers needed to be sourced out. It was true as they say, it was stressful and a coordinator might come in handy; but we opted not to get one as we are under budget constraints. I talked to the Lord, asking for His helping hand in planning this event, and He really handed me His provision when I needed it the most. Like, I was able to book the church venue first, then it was in good timing that the reception venue was given to us as the first reservation by some people was canceled. Then the rest fell into place, I guess.
So now, I am living a married life since I said goodbye to singlehood. I get to be with my boyfriend, now my husband, everyday, he doesn't have to fetch me nor bring me home each time we are to meet because we come home to the same house now. I get to cook for him, and he for me, too. We take care of each other, it's fun, actually, while falling in love with each other more each day. :o)

being bridal...

You Will Be a Modern Bride!

While you aren't ready to throw away all wedding tradions, you want a wedding with a twist You're more inspired by celebrity weddings on E! than from bridal magazines Whether this means getting married on the beach barefoot or a mariachi band for the reception... Your wedding will be a blend of old and new - white dress cocktail, personalied vows, whatever suites you!!!

What Kind of Bride Will You Be?