New Addition & PP Scrapping (again)

A few weeks ago, we got a new addition to our would be growing family. She's a wonderful joy though a pure adjustment to all (and I mean everyone in our family)...a long-haired Chihuahua named...Tootsie Taffy Chan. Her name is still in debate with the following: Chesnut, Cooper, Choco, Coco, Lady, Truffles...etc.
She's 1.5yrs old (thankfully done her main shoots and teething) and is a long-haired Chihuahua. I was told that she has reached her size already; if ever she will about another inch. :)





She's got a wonderful disposition that everyone and i mean everyone in the family loves so asking people to babysit her is not a problem.
How did I get myself into this situation is a funny one or a "leap of faith" as I think about it.
I can say...she's the world to both E&I. Yes, it's a huge responsibility but it will surely prepare us to taking things to the next level.
Schedules and priorities have changed in so many ways as of date. :D

Currently quite busy with work but looking forward to the long weekend since we are all (including our Tootsie) are taking a trip out-of-town. :)

With Christmas around the corner, I'm looking forward to just spending some quiet time with the family. Ed will be away a few days before and it will give me some time to bond with my folks and grandparents. I'll be spending next week at my folks' place. It will be like singlehood again. :D

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Paper, Pin Accent, Ribbon: Making Memories
Cardstock: Bazzill Cardstock
Photo Corner: EK Sticks (Architexture)
Tailored Tabs: Scrapworks









Charmed Words, Ribbon: Making Memories
Pattern Paper & Vellum: Made to Match by American Crafts
Cardstock: Bazzill
Handcrafted Papers: Mini Scraps by Provo Craft









Cardstock: Bazzill
Pattern Papers: Basic Gray
Tailored Tab: Scrapworks
Text Stickers: Stickopotomus
Words to Go: K&Co.





Below is an album I'm giving one of my gal pals who doesn't have much time to really scrap now that she's got a more hectic work schedule. I hope she likes it!
There are a lot of random supplies but it was surely great to be able to finish an album (even if it's just a mini album) again. It's been so so long!

Metro Weddings: Most Outstanding Weddings in 2008

Some more wedding related news...our wedding was featured at Metro Wedding's Most Stunning Weddings of the Year (Best of 2008). It was truly an honor. The magazine wanted to focus more on the details and the wedding in general than the preparations so I provided more photos on details, decor, etc. It was nice and different. Oh...and my supplier list is a like a mile long. I thought they were going to sift through and decide what would be relevant to the readers and space. I didn't know that they would have it all in there. :P
Check out the article below.
(BIRTHDAY SHOUTOUT to N-G who's featured on the 4th page, my wonderful bridesmaid!)

 

There were some typos/mistakes:
1.) exchanging my mom's shoe supplier with mine. I love my shoes and it's by Rene Caovilla.
2.) some of the quotes were either "Joy" and "Cheryl"...both the same person...me!
3.) fyi - the photoshop/edit of the cover photo was odd...I don't remember it being that way. Oh well...

Other featured weddings are:- (*previously at WE's magazine)

• Way-Out-of-Town Weddings
  Nara Sulisto + Orange Aberin (Bali, Indonesia)
  David Jacob + Amanda Griffin (Bali, Indonesia)
  Leo Po +  Marielle Santos (Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia)


• Out-of-Town Weddings
  Raymond Rufino + Anna Palabyab (Tagaytay City)
  Raj Moreno + Kai Prieto (Calatagan, Batangas)
  Joseph Juico + Trisha Chua (Tagaytay City)
  Les Romero + Erika Alba (Baguio City)
  Tonito Gonzalez + Tyra Trebol (Tagaytay City)
  Px Mx + Mx Gx (Tagaytay City)
  Jon + Yacuy Villanueva (Tagaytay City)
  Sig Castro + Rhea Lio (Tagaytay City)*
  Mark Reyes + Karina Garcia (Tagaytay City)
  Hans Montenegro + Marilen Faustino (Cebu City)
  Migs Camacho + Criscy Bautista (Boracay)
  Jojo Silverio + Jenny Serrano (Nasugbu, Batangas)
  Andrew Parker + Julia Abad (Basco, Batanes)*


• In-Town Weddings
  Rob Pengzon + Sunshine Pue
  Noli Legarda + Bledes Fores
  James Chiongbian + Nina Ynares
  RB Roa + Patricia Morato
  RJ Ledesma + Vanessa Pastor
  J Calma + Tricia Bermudez
  Anthony Kierulf + Patty Cojuangco
  Jorge Bocobo + Chi Datu
  Nino Alejandro + Michelle Katigbak
  Nathan Azarcon + Ina Serrano
  Mark Mauricio + Aimee Murillo
  Lesly Bergonia + Miselle Peñalosa
  Miguel Peña + Jerianne Ejercito
  Miguel Silos + Roxanne Ancheta
  Dondon Gelido + Bianca Dinglasan
  Leyton Lozada + Mia Cabawatan
  Ben Colayco + Autumn Cho
  Mike Sinco + Jamie Chun
  Ed Wong + Cheryl Chan*
  Ace Stimeiher + Gela Laurel*

On the home front news, I was able to find our couch (a really striking one) for our living room and I was able to finally get my "dream coffee table", the Naguchi coffee table in black. :) I wish the purchase of our couch was as easy and seamless (in every way) as the coffee table. The couch took forever to arrive compared to an hour for our table upon purchase. I guess it helps a lot if you are near the latter's shop warehouse. :P I'm so loving the living room now...even if there's still tons to go, I'm looking forward to having people over!

With the stress of work, scrapping and keeping sane, I've mustered up the energy and time to start playing golf more regularly again. I need to get some exercise in my regiment since I sit in front a computer most of the time. Slowly...once a week first before I get my feel and then maybe twice a week. I hope to be able to keep this up till maybe summer. I normally play less during the really hot months. So far, decently getting back to the groove. :)

I'd like to promote a fellow blogger friend's site: Mabuhay Project
Crop Dreams aids to promote Filipino culture and talent through digital scrapbooking!
They got a lovely design team this 2008! Keep scrappin'...

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Title: 7 Things
Kit/Designer: Trimming the Tree by Daniel Designs and Doodleboogs
Template: 12x24 Happiness Is by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Herald
**2-paged layout

Parties Galore for October

BIRTHDAY SHOUT-OUTS!
This is continuation of the last entry since I was overly excited about the magazine launch. :) It was surely a busy week. There were so many birthday parties from start to finish aside from the magazine launch during the week.
I would like to send birthday wishes to the following people:
Oct 06 - to my brother, Jay; great treat - gotta love that Jap food!
Oct 10 - to my cousin, Jenilee; it was a rockin' party! Great food and great treats...check out the souvenier picture on the left. :D
Oct 11 - to my BFF, Tam; hope you were "surprised" with the work done by your hubby to celebrate your special day. :) Glad you liked your gift a lot!
Oct 19 - Happy Happy Birthday MOM!!!! I'm so proud to be your daughter! :)
Oct 23 - to my Cuz Ken, Happy Birthday and may you have tons and tons more birthdays to come! :) Great party!
Oct 24 - Happy Birthday, Sister Rhea! May you have many many more birthdays (and maybe babies) to come!
Wishing all of you a wonderful and great year ahead!

LANE CRAWFORD HOME
This is what I miss about Hong Kong...random invites to interesting shows, previews like this one. Did I tell you that I totally love the new Lane Crawford Home in Pacific Place? Well, I do love it to bits! Every square inch of the store is filled with wonderful and "my styled" furnitures, decors, amenities, etc! Ah...the Luxe Life indeed...
I love the contemporary theme of the place...tres chic!
It's also one of the places to get my fav tea brands, Mariage Freres, from France, which is the tea brand served at Agnes b Cafe and considered one of the best tea brands in the world.
I remember purchasing one of the unique woven pillow covers there too...still looking for the perfect couch to pair it. :P
Lane Crawford Home is an essential visit when you go to HK, especially Pacific Place. :)

SWONG: WISHING YOU WELL...TILL THE NEXT FOODSCAPE
My BBF pal, Swong, will be heading to DC next month to start a new chapter (a new life and job). I'm so going to miss her. She's my big sister in HK when I was there all alone so I'll surely feel very lost whenever I go to HK since we had so many cool excursions - Stanley, Discovery Bay, Repulse Bay, Tai Tam, Cybermall, Happy Valley, etc.
Although it would be a nice thing to visit her in DC when the time comes... :D

Etsy.com Feature
It's been awhile since I checked out Etsy but I'm glad I did today. I haven't seen the latest season of Project Runway (Season 4) but it was exciting to find out who won, because Etsy wrote an article featuring Etsy items that represent the new winner. So cool! I feel the "eco-beauty" of the creative sellers of the site. :D
**Warning- the article is a big spoiler…so unless you still want to keep Project Runway 4's winner a secret, I suggest you cover your eyes and just check out the sample photos below. :D
Ode to Project Runway's Contestant
My favorites are the following

(1) Micro Tile Hydrangea
(2) Aqua-licious scallop dish
(3) Custom Order, Medium Coffee/Cocktail Table

Do you see a pattern? I sure love my circles and curves. :)

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Title: Aiden & The Ice Cream
Kit: Cafe Mia by Shabby Scrap Designs (Deanna Patterson) Font: CK Becky
Photo Credit: Vivian Chung Photography

WWWWWWWWEEEEEEEE!!!

**News Flash**
This is surely an exciting entry!
Our wedding was one of the 30 couples that were featured on this year's Wedding Essentials (WE) magazine's annual issue of Beautiful Weddings. The magazine launch was just this October 08 at the Loft, Rockwell Power Plant.

**Now I know how Sister Mandy feel...though we were not as lucky as she did since we aren't part of the cover page. :P

1.) the loot bag of freebees for attending the launch: our cover magazine, a various compilation cd, a travel coffee mug, Artistry sheer lipstick, Manila Bulletin's Travel magazine

2.) our souvenier photo by BaiCapture

3.) the official cover of Beautiful Weddings 2008

4.) our own unique and personalized cover of Beautiful Weddings 2008 with our wedding photo as the cover for contributing to the feature

5.) Henry Pascual's advertisement in the magazine...it's our whole wedding decor!

6-8.) our wedding's cover story (photo credits: Patrick Uy and Eddie Boy Escudero)

Check out the 30 specialized covers of the other lucky couples featured:

(click a thumbnail for a larger view of a particular cover)

Please see the below for the full write-up:

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Confessions of an Overseas Bride

Ed and I were classmates from Saint Jude. I remember him to be the naughty boy constantly being punished while I kept to myself. I didn’t expect to bump into him after I moved to Canada for high school.
It just so happened that about six years ago, we met up again at our 5th year high school reunion. We made an impression of each other that day. After a very memorable Alabang first date, numerous emails and text messages, we officially became a couple six months later.
Ed and I never discussed marriage in our relationship until he proposed in late 2006. At that time I had just moved to Hong Kong, and we were having a long distance relationship. I was thrilled but planning a wedding was a daunting task for us, with me in Hong Kong and Ed in Manila. Luckily we had supportive parents and friends who helped us with setting up meetings and booking suppliers. My mom was the main driving force in this wedding – from my dress design to the theme.
There was no doubt in my mind where I would like our church ceremony to be. San Agustin Church was the obvious choice for its vintage and antique feel; it’s also the place where my parents were married at.
Food was another important factor and we booked the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for our reception. We had a few special requests regarding food, décor and planning that my account officer accommodated with great results. One of our main dishes was paired with a special sauce created by Mandarin’s Tivoli, Caper Calamansi Beurre Blanc, which became a big hit with our guests.
Searching my wedding gown was one of the most enjoyable experiences I had. When my best friend in Hong Kong found out that I was engaged, she took me bridal dress shopping all over town. I tried on so many good ones but the one I finally settled on was a Reem Acra ivory princess cut gown, which my mom found in a magazine ad. At first, it was tricky to pick a gown based only on a photo but luckily Central Weddings was able to find an in-store sample gown with a similar cut to reassure me of the fit. When my gown came, they were able to custom fit it to my size perfectly! It was seamless service!
The theme was harder to decide since I switched around from simple classic to Asian on a weekly basis. It was only after I finalized my gown design, with its elaborate details, that my mom suggested we explore a lavish, festive and rich Middle Eastern motif, perfect for a December wedding.
Half way through preparations, I had to change my florist. Although, I had ample time for this unexpected change, I had to screen suppliers all over again. Henry Pascual, one of the referrals that I seriously considered, won my mom over on the first meeting with his over-the-top creativity and proposed story board. The ideas he suggested went way beyond flowers and encompassed the whole motif. After that meeting, I knew we finally found not just a florist, but our event stylist.
The big day arrived and after a good night’s rest, I woke up ready to take on the world and a new chapter of my life. I recall being all relaxed from the time Jing, my make-up artist, came until my big walk behind San Agustin’s carved doors. I remembered wanting the doors to open faster but after seeing everyone looking at me when I was to take my first step, my legs buckled and my knees felt like jell-o! It was the extreme opposite of how I felt a few hours ago, but as I saw the sea of friends and relatives in full attendance, I kept my poise, walked slowly and smiled at the same time. The wedding ceremony was beautiful and solemn but passed in a flash and before I knew it, we were at Mandarin Oriental entering the grandest ballroom that I have ever seen. I was blown away with what Henry did. It was pure magic; it was as if I were transported to The Kasbah.
As a surprise to Ed, I was fortunate enough to have veteran balladeer, Jose Mari Chan, and noted concert pianist, Raul Sunico, as our honored guests. They both performed and made our wedding special for everyone.
Our wedding did not focus on just one thing. Each and every detail were well thought out and never compromised. Seeing our guests’ faces upon entering the ballroom with its “wow factor” definitely made all the effort worth it. It is pure flattery to be told by our guests and friends that ours is the benchmark of a successful wedding party.