why I want a merry map :)

well, this was a pleasant surprise when I read sis khim's blog. I followed her link and I came across this amazing supplier. Another prized find from my fellow W@Wies. Grabe, i think they're (busy bee projects) one of a kind kasi they focus on maps, which are actually very pretty and creative. I never thought I'd pay much attention to the map, since most of our guests are from the south.

But then I thought of the other guests who will be coming from Makati, Manila, QC, etc. So I thought, I have to win this... or, maybe I'm just inventing a reason to justify including this very pretty map to our invites. The samples were just so cute! Very much my personality because I doodle a lot! Friends notice when I'm bored because I draw on my notebooks or any paper, and lets face it. I have doodles on almost every page. I have 12 pens in different colors on my office desk and I use them every day.

and okay, this would be a fun surprise for my babe since making a map might be an easy feat for him, an engineer, yet I want him to do the rough draft and leave it to me (or to busy bee project to make it so alive and colorful :)

Actually, we really haven't received a confirmation for our target venue yet, but i'm pretty sure we'll get it ( heck, i'm writing the owner, a politician). That's how determined I am. Plus I'm kinda lucky that way, you know? Hehehe. In Christmas parties, or random raffles, I always get the grand prize, or the most coveted one. Which is why I have a good feeling about this thingy :) If I win this, I'll have to include this as one of the reasons why I need to get confirmation of the place (Madame Congresswoman, I'm really serious with the venue, in fact, I even had a map made signifying that the reception will be made in Portofino Clubhouse) hahaha.

Background about the venue, there are two ways of getting there from our chosen church. One is via Alabang Zapote road and going to Daang Hari, which will take about 10-15 minutes for those who aren't Las Pinas residents, and then there's Friendship route, a way from inside the village, kinda complicated, but with the help of a MAP, can take guests there within 5 minutes.
Grabe, parang panalo na eh noh... well, as the saying goes, believe before it conceives. :)

Bottomline is, I find it really really pretty, and although I know that IF I don't win I can still find a way to have this done because my super nice, and the best fiancee and husband to be in the world would still let me have this pretty add-on to our invites, I'm thinking maybe I've had enough of that, uh, spoiling. I've had my way with the videographer, photographer, church, date... he's been so giving and really generous. Considering I was the one who told him we're gonna stick to this budget, yet I talk him into getting suppliers that are hmmm...kinda pricey. Its been great but I don't want to be abusive. Heck, I don't want people thinking na I'm just doing all the picking and he's the one with bills to pay. So yun. This is me doing my part of the bargain. Ako yung may gusto, I need to do something to acquire it. So here I am, trying my best :)

Anyway, i hope it was a pretty fun read, coz whether I win it or not (if I don't, hopefully one of my W@Wie sisters get it), this was a pretty good post and a really good supplier that more people should hear about them. So...really, there's nothing to lose. Win-win :)

in line with this creative projects, allow me to show you one project I made for my babe for Valentines Day. I used scrapblog here, just a proof that I'm one of those girls who still think that its the thought that counts (heck, I made this for free! yet its cute naman don't you think? :) )

Super pretty find - Twigs and Honey

Sis Maan is really an angel. hahaha. Through her, I came across this really great online store called twigs and honey, which specialzes in accesories for the bride. Since watching the finale of Gossip Girl Season 1 (where Lily got married and had a white flower for hair ornament) , I knew I wanted to have flowers on my hair when I get married. So I was always on the lookout for nice hairpieces in wedding websites, but I never found something that's pretty, chic and laidback enough for me, and for my theme.

Until... I read Maan's blogentry about twigs and honey. It was then that I found the perfect accesory. The prettiest flower for my hair. Its too beautiful for words, so you just have to know that I gasped and almost shed a tear when I saw this piece. I can't fully describe how I felt when I saw it, but some people may refer to it as "orgasmic." Maybe love at first sight holds true for me and pretty things ;) Its the exact color and style that matches the dream gown in my head.

Perfect timing for me to view the blog, since my cousin from Florida is going home this April to get married. I just might ask her (as a favor or pre-wedding gift) to buy it for me. It just sounds more affordable and reasonable in dollars than in peso. I mean, lets get real, brides here don't really spend that much for a hairpiece. But for my wedding day, I think its worth the investment. Besides, I want something from my wedding to be an heirloom piece to my future duaghters and grandchildren. They may not want to wear Lola's wedding gown, but at least they can use something old and pretty for their hair :) Fresh flowers are a no-no since they wilt. I'm also thinking of getting a buttoniere for my fiancee. So that we have a part of our wedding clothes to keep for memorabilia.

Anyway, here are the photos. I know my wedding is seasons away, but I hope I can get my cousin to buy for me. Maybe she should also buy for her own wedding :) I do hope Twigs and Honeys still sell items from last year's collections.

for my pre-nup pictoral, I want this one above. For my wedding day, the choices are below...

for my babe's buttoniere, here is my proposed buttoniere:

And then, I was never really a fan of shrugs (boleros), but the picture below just made me think twice :)

Oh well... Great website, the blog even helped me find the hairstyle that I like. I love all things nice and pretty, so this is really a find for me :)

Ever mine, ever thine, ever ours

Why the title? Hahaha wala lang :)

I was just feeling a little romantic. The wedding preps and wedding talks came to a halt the past few days, because Babe and I were arguing about several stuff and it just didn't feel right to talk about the wedding. Some arguments were serious, others almost became serious. There was even an instance when one of us thought of not pushing through with the whole thing. I guess that really happens to engaged couples, when they start arguing about something, and then all of a sudden they just start relating it to the big picture, because "hindi magkasundo" and they start thinking that this is how its gonna be when they get married.

Of course, always, or most of the time, it ends up with them working on their issues and still tying the knot. Maybe, a very important occasion such as a wedding brings out the best and the worst in you as a couple.

But notice when I said that when we were fighting, it didn't feel right to talk about the wedding. Wedding and not the marriage, because I never contested us getting married. I never thought of letting go, or giving up on him despite our 'occasional' diffierences. Since we got together, we have had A LOT of fights. There were even the heavy ones that almost did it, but I never doubted US. I knew we were going to make it. Its like I always knew he was gonna be the only one for me and that whatever our problems and our differences are, we can resolve it. Its like, we may need a day or two for time-out, but I'm faithful that in the end, he loves me and I love him, and its still the two of us. Its like what I always tell him, I will love him forever.

Honestly, I have never been this committed to anything, or anyone before. And if this is what marriage is all about, staying and believing that two very different people who love each other can make things work despite all the conflicts and stay in love forever, then I feel like I have been married with him a long time ago. Hahaha. :))

haha emo lang eh... I just miss my babe... For a while actually, we weren't arguing or getting in a fight, because we were both too busy with work and planning our wedding. I guess we're just getting used to the situation kaya bumabalik na sa normal. Hahaha, but as long as this rollercoaster ride involves gim, I'm on board :))

Wedding Expo sharing

Last Saturday, I went with my sister, who also happens to be (one of) my maid(s) of honor to the Wedding Expo in PICC. Grabe, it was good that we drove our cousin(one of my bridesmaids) to the airport early morning, and arrived at the expo a little before twelve o'clock. There weren't as many people when we got there, pero one our way out, around 3:30, super daming tao! Kaya for the next bridal fairs, I made a mental note to really go early.

Admittedly, I was a little sad when I saw couples holding hands as they walked through the booths. I missed my Babe... its one of those times when I really wished he wasn't working abroad. But then, he was here with me naman in moments that really mattered (like last Christmas, and when someone really close to my family died) and as promised, he called me up when I was already at the expo to ask how I'm doing and if i'm enjoying the hunt so far. Its a big deal for me since there's four hours time difference, and he could have been still asleep at that time. And its okay na rin since he abhors shopping and going to one shop (or booth) over and over. It would have caused a fight... or not. Anyway, I'm glad rin naman that it was my darling sis who accompanied me to the expo. She's my best girl and the best person to come with me with things like that because we have the same taste and enjoy the same things.

We had fun naman, she got a trial makeup from... oh no I forgot the name. Basta the name of the one who did her makeup was Junie. He's really good. He does makeup for tv celebrities. My sister was so impressed with her makeup, that she wanted to hire him for my wedding and get a different makeup artist from mine! Eh that's so not possible, since the makeup artist I'm getting is a relative, and parang tradition na that he does the hair and makeup of bride and mother and sister of every wedding in our family. He also did the hair and makeup of me and my sister on our proms and debuts. He's really good naman and of course he charges us super minimum lang. So yun, haha. Anyway, my sister's pestering me to get Junie even for the pre-nup lang, and she vows to get Junie in any occasion that she can! Not bad at all... hahaha!

So, aside from Kaye's fondness for Junie and her beautiful makeup, another accomplishment is having booked Angel of Hearts, for flowers for the church and my entourage. I personally met Lawrence, the owner of Angel of Hearts and made chika about the weddings of my aunts who got him as supplier. After which, I showed him the photos I got from the net of how I want the church and the flowers to look like, as in I loaded my usb pa in his computer ha! He was really easy to talk to, he gave me a really good rate with lots of freebies because suki na nga talaga ang family ko. Afterwards, I booked him for my wedding na :) there are some changes with my requirements, but I'll look for him na lang in Dangwa :)

We sampled (and went back several times for) Joy San Gabriel's cakes. It was delish! Originally I didn't want to spend so much on the cake, but upon tasting her creations, I suddenly have to think twice. Hmmm... its really mouthwatering that I have to stop blogging about it coz I'm starting to crave. Ok... now, stop.

I almost booked with Nice Print, kaya lang I had to think twice kasi I need to consult Babe first on how much he's willing to spend for these aspects. Although I'm pretty much convinced na rin that they're the best for us eh. I wanted to meet Meanne of Sensitivity Lights and Sounds personally, but she was busy talking to a client eh I was kinda exhausted na rin walking around the venue.

Anyway, it was a tiring but fulfilling day :) I'm looking forward to going to more bridal fairs in tne coming months. Hopefully, Babe can join me in one of these trips. Sana may bridal fair sa December... that's a breathe of fresh air from all the Christmas bazaars around the metro :)


More preps coming along! Umaandar na talaga toh!

Busy as a bride-to-be

Before anything else, I need to let out one big.... Haaaaayyy....

Why the sigh you ask. Nothing, I just feel so exhausted with work and starting up our business recently. It almost feels like I have no more time for myself. No time to watch tv and marvel on little things, on my interests. Exaggerating much? Well, I go home, take my dinner if I have an appetite, do my routine in the bathroom, pray and dream for a bit, then doze off. The next day I wake up early, no time to make my presence felt with my brothers and sister and even eat my breakfast.

Weekends are packed, because of occulars and wedding fairs and overtimes, and couple errands and service. I don't know if I can even squeeze in some time to watch a movie or read a magazine (that's not related to weddings).

Hey, I'm not complaining. Or maybe I am a little. Its not the wedding preps that's making me antsy. I'm loving it that sometimes I can't stop talking about it. Its not the wedding, its not even the new business. Its the thing that's most unnatural to me - office work. I remember in college, a professor who can see past lives told me that I was once a princess from an exotic land. So maybe that's why I abhor working like a slave. Hahaha. No, its more of an issue with time. You know, I have always believed that life should be spent with the people you love. Your family for instance. And so, I dread leaving for work every morning and coming home at night with no energy at all to have fun with them.

I don't picture myself being a nine to five office girl, running late for the bus, answering calls and emails. Putting in too much time outside the home that when its really time for home, you feel like a lifeless zombie, you don't get to enjoy your time with people who matter.

I pictured a different future for myself; it maybe the same with every girl, I don't know. But this is mine: I want to be able to kid around and stay up late with my husband until we get tired from laughing the entire night. I want to savor the hugging and cuddling and sweet nothings when we wake up in the morning. And to have the time and energy to prepare for him a nice breakfast, fix his tie and his hair, and put colored post its on his books, lunchbox and laptop so he'll think of me throughout the day, and then after work, he'll come home to a fresh-looking sweet smelling wife who has already prepared his dinner.

Of course, I'll still work, but not go to work. I'll write, answer emails, and have everything done at home. Except when I need to be in an event that my company is handling or when visiting and supervising our business in any part of the day. Still I'll have time to talk to my mother on the phone, to watch a movie with my sister, and give advice to my girlfriends. Of course that won't change even when we have our own kids except that I will devote most, if not all of my time for them.

Oh how beautiful life is. But first, I need to claim it, that it will happen. Because for something to be achieved, it should be conceived in the mind. And so it will...

Action is needed of course. Which is why I'm really striving now, to really save up, and prepare for a good future so that I won't have to be struggling by then. So now apart from work, I'm devoting my time to starting up our food cart business in the south. Although I don't know if I have ever worked this hard in my entire life, I could say that I am really motivated, especially since I have set my eyes and my heart on my long-term goals.

Also, although my body's really complaining, its easier than I thought especially because I chose the best company to help me achieve my goals. The Filipino Dream. I was never the entrepreneur-type until I found this company, in the best timing if I may add. Just as I was all set to prepare for my future family. So, not for the purpose of plugging, I really recommend this business to friends who are coupled-up, who have thought of taking the next step and those who just want a better life for their families. Let me tell you, its never too early to start planning and saving up. If you need information on this, let me know and I will help you.

Anyway, I notice my entry is getting longer so I would have to end soon. Yet, like I said, getting married is difficult and stressful at some point, but nothing compares to the anticipation of being with the love of your life, building your dreams together. Haay... this is a kilig-one compared to the stressed sigh I had at the start of this entry. Love... is the reason behind everything. So if I were you, I'd prepare for the big day, and the bigger days to come after that.

Hopefully, I'll be able to post wedding related entries before the end of the week, or rather before the start of another week :)

wedding preps realizations

A few months into the preparations, you might ask: for an event person, what is the hardest part in planning and preparing for your own wedding?

My honest answer: making the decisions!

The coordination and looking for suppliers is a blast, but when it comes to having the final say, I'm finding it really hard to just choose one! Its not like I don't think hard when making the decisions on past weddings that I coordinated, its just that, with that one I make sure to consult the couple or the bride at least, until the day before the wedding for last minute changes or instructions and I just give the go signal on the day itself while keeping their best interest at heart. I don't know why I can't seem to do that for my own wedding. Maybe its because as a young girl and a typical romantic, I've dreamed of that day for a long time and I want it to be nothing short of perfect. So now that it's about to become a reality, I'm scared that if I make a decision and it becomes the decision that will make my wedding a disaster...I might have that shoulda wouldas that I always have at the end of things, and will I regret it afterwards?

And of course its our budget. Never mind my small contribution, its my fiancee's hard-earned money that I'm using! Especially since he has been a real sweetheart with our wedding preps, not being stingy in our budget, not making a big deal on the number of zeros required in cash (he has always been a saver, and very prudent man, not too expensive in lifestyle) just to make sure that we'll have the best on our big day. I need to make sure that everything I spend on is worth every penny. Worth every minute that he has to be apart from me and work abroad. The best groom and husband to be deserves the best wedding. Well I guess I just need to trust myself more when it comes to my wedding. I think I did, and am still doing my research and I'm not deciding on impulse naman, so I shouldn't be too scared, as long as I know I have carefully thought of every decision. And I always consult him naman :)

Next question: What is the thing you're most nervous about when it comes to the wedding?

Well, I'm a planner and I want everything to be ready on my wedding day. And now I'm sure I'll be able to get everything done except for the legal documents.

Its really complicated when your groom is abroad. If I can, I'll do everything, every paper that I need to submit by myself this instant, but of course, both the bride and groom has to make an appearance before the court, and church. So there... adding to my anxiety is the fact that some of these documents has an expiration period and are only valid for a certain number of months. Aaarrgh! Its one of the things I'm really nervous about. What if everything's all set except for the papers, without which, we won't be able to get married...

Sigh... well, Babe's next vacation will be in December so by then, I have to prepare the things that we need to be able to attend the seminars that we need to complete while he's here. Well, mukha lang sigurong mahirap, but I have an aunt naman who went through the same thing because she married a foreigner. Kung nagawa nga niya eh... I'm sure kaya ko rin :) Anyway, my Babe is doing his share of hardwork and sacrifice for this, I just have to do mine :)

For my fellow beautiful brides, try to ponder on the same questions just to give you some insights as you savor the moments that you prepare for the big day... :)

For other friends who are viewing my blog, or will view my blog at one point, mahirap magpakasal. Pero masaya :) You just need to be ready for it I guess...