Pre-nup Photos Galore!

WeddingsAtWork Xmas Party 2007 (23 November 2007) was one great party! I gotta say that there were tons of great freebees and friends. Ed took the day-off for this since we were part of the volunteers helping Clarice of An Event To Remember, with the pre-nup sessions.
The schedule went...
8am - Ed goes for his haircut
10am - leave home
1130am - check-in at Fernwood Gardens
1145am - lunch
1230pm - HMUA
2pm - pre-nup photos
5pm - assist other W@W gals with pre-nup shots
7pm - dinner party

The W@W Wall was so cool...I saw so many of the W@W sisters that I met online. It was cool to meet Kendz & Lui, Tina & Jessie, Gel & Patrick, etc. Everyone was in good spirits and brides all made-up to their best...definitely full of love and support for all of us. :D
Too bad that I missed Irene/Ivy. Oh well - on the next one.

Ed and I practiced on how our real day would turn out to be...exciting and fun but at the same time, tiring and busy! :P Ed and I were lucky to have experienced photographer-hopping since there were 25/26 photographers giving random pre-nup shots to the couples who attended the pre-nup photo shoot.

My make-up was done by Lorie Abraham; while some partial photos are posted below. I hope to see the rest sometime soon or when I get the photo cd. :)

photo by THE Dino Lara
--> this was a fun shot...adorably fun.

photo by THE Leah Taas
--> had some balloon trouble but this turned out so well!

photos by THE Richie Macapinlac
--> one of my fav photos

photos by THE Crew Photography
--> another fav


photo by Metrophoto (Oly is so funny!)

--> this is so cool! lovin' it. :D

THE Fabphoto Booth


THE Clique Booth

Check out the Cliquebooth Party Video that Mimi&Karl compiled/found. It's one fun video that showed a good majority of the attendees that evening. It was so much fun!!!

THE Fotoloco Booth
--> fyi: the first shot...we weren't prepared and then we couldn't see the timer so much!

Ed was so happy that I enjoyed it ... but more that the food for dinner was bountiful and really good. Josiah Catering did a wonderful job! All the above were for free. Now, how cool is that?

I brought home some cakes for my mom from Sugarbox & Joy San Gabriel, fondant and cheese cakes, respectively. :)

Thanks so much Mam Benz & Papa John!

MNL Adjustments: have to wait, wedding preps 1st

Man, it's been so long since I updated this.
Thanks so much for the people who do visit the site and leave comments. I super duper love yah all - especially Malou, Cris, Steph, and Michelle!

I'm still struggling with coming back and meeting suppliers left and right.
This wedding is going out-of-control with the guest lists. I'm wondering how I'll be tackling the seat arrangement. Ed and I totally want to get over with this asap! :P There are a few more people we need to still set-up meetings with but so far we are done with the: priest (super duper nice and totally a character), misalette (finally - are much back&forth between our priest and SAC), invites (distributing), coordinator, entourage fitting (done and will have some alterations), cake (meeting again next week), bridal registry (registered and it was great making a "wish list"), got my RTW wedding cord (super nice ~ PM me if you want the info), mom's dress (coming along very very well), arrhae & other wedding items (ordered ~ PM me if you want the info), MOH (layout & number of guests - still working on this) and neckties for entourage (distributed).
I can't wait to wear my gown...oh, I need to pick it up in HK by next week. Yes, I'm flying back for a few days for my gown. :P This is really going down-the-wire! So far, 20 days to go ~ I'm so counting the days.
**For those W@Wies who will be going to this year's Xmas Party - I shall see you there! :D

I can finally post my SUAS layouts. It was totally tough to keep consistent mojo for these layouts. I know there were times when I just wanted to stop...but what the hey...oh well. All item are in the SUAS megakit unless stated. :) This is my very first digital contest. :P

Week One: Stamps
Journaling: I wish for hope to reign strong and true in the hearts of all. Even though hope could erase the pains of the world, it could make the pain easier.
Supplies: all are from the Stand Up And Scrap Kit unless indicated.
PP: Heather Ann Melzer and Christin Renee
Vintage Photo Frame: Christina Renee
Ribbon Wrap: Christina Renee
Alpha: Gina Marie Huff
Brushes: Journal Highlights by Jackie Eckles (Little Dreamer Designs Freebee) and Digi Stamps - Paisley by Shabby Princess (Shabby Shoppe)Font: Bernard MT Condensed, Rage Italic

Week Two: Pattern Papers
Journaling: The sweetest moments in my life are pieces of random thoughts and visions that stimulates the senses in my head like the delectible flavors of a drink, the oriental motif of mom’s robe, the addicting embrace of a boy, the festive colors of mosaic tiles, the fragrant scent of flowers, the melodic laughter of a child, and many more...all of these things are tattooed on my mind to be remembered and savoured for years to come.
Supplies: all are from the Stand Up And Scrap Kit.
PP: Amber Clegg, Audrey Neal, Shabby Miss Jean, Heather Roselli and RobinCarlton
String Closure: Heather Roselli
Brads: Anna Aspnes
Cross-stitch: Lisa Whitney
Paper Clip: Robin Carlton
Staples: Christina Renee
Flower Accent: Sarah Amarie
Font: GarryMondrian Condensed

Week Three: Song Lyrics
Lyrics: Angel by Sarah McLachlan (Soundtrack from the City of Angels)
Supplies: all are from the Stand Up And Scrap Kit
PP: Angela Barton, Christy Lyle, Mindy Terasawa
Backsplash: Susan Bartolini
Recycle Tag: Shabby Miss Jenn
Clip: Christy Lyle
Ribbon: Christy Lyle
Font: NSimsun, Vladimir Script, Palace Script MT




Week Four: Color
Journaling: Whenever Christmas holiday season rolls around, I go all out “nuts” for a Starbucks’ gingerbread latte, which sadly comes only once a year. I go through the whole year..without it and somehow my body knows its about time. I start smelling nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla round me. I would look for it...think about it...it’s a really bad case of “gingerbread withdrawal”! It doesn’t matter what the heck I’m doing - the all important objective is to have that RED cup of java in the palm of my hands. The drink is like a big warm hug wrapped in a nice RED Christmasy cup - making me remember wonderfulwinter memories in Vancouver - RED stockings, striped RED and white candycanes, RED Santa costumes, Rudolph’s RED nose, etc! And let's face it: ginger and spice are delicious. I could eat them year-round!But, alas, by January the gingerbread latte disappears yet again. Every season I await for its return. Its appearance on the specials board is a better harbinger of the season than the weather or the opening of Christmas display. And every season, I mourn its passing...
Supplies:Paper: Gina Marie Huff, Audrey Neal (red bubbles)
Journal Tag/Sticker: Robin Carlton
Stitching: Susan Bartolino (cream), Audrey Neal (red)
Font: Gungsuh, ITC Zapf Dingbats, Script MT Bold

Week Five: Simplicity
Supplies: all are from the Stand Up And Scrap Kit
PP: Meredith Fenwick
Font: CK Becky









Week Six: Anything...what's next?
Journaling: I am looking forward to see two years of hard work, meticulous research and careful decision-making in one special day - the day my soulmate and I would finally tie the knot.Notes: This to me is my own change soon (new challenges, new beginnings)...to later have kids to share the wonderful world, I grew to love and enjoy all through my life - to teach them how to preserve it in all its beauty and glory.
Supplies: All are from the Stand Up And Scrap Kit unless indicated.
Pattern Papers: Angela Barton, Heather Roselli, Sarah Bartolini, Mindy Terasawa, Gina Miller (for the green tiny flower accent's recolored)
Stamp (enlarged): Angela Barton
Doodle: Meredith Fenwick
Ribbon: Shabby Miss Jenn
Tiny Flower Accents: Lauren Grier
Denim Flower: Sara Amerie
Zipper Embellishment: Laura Deacetis
Staples: Christina Renee
Graffiti Grunge Frame: Shawna Clingerman (available at Sweet Shoppe Designs)
Buttons: Julie Mead
Font: Geometr231 BT Herald, Bernard MT Condensed
*******
All items below are by digitalGinger/Bevin Dunn
Kit: Marigold - Floral Print
Ribbons:Knotted & Folded Ribbons - Jewel Tones
Frames: Rockstar - 6"x3" Twin Frames

HKG: Time's Up

Just a quick update since I'm balancing packing, scrapping, and entertaining my folks here. :) 

 - Finally finished work last week! Yehey! 

My last day was on the 18th, and now the task of packing and more packing comes to play. With loads of things to pack, I unintentionally forgot my mom's birthday this year! I'm so ashamed! My mom called me that afternoon of her birthday to tell me that I forgot something...couldn't for the life of me know what I've forgotten...till she told me! Oh my gosh...apologized profusely but of course, I basically forgot - slipped my mind. :P House is so empty now...most of the stuff is shipped off already. I've never seen it this empty. I forgot to take a photo of it before I started dismantling the place. Didn't realize how much stuff my brother and I accumulated all these years. I believe it's only he and I that really fully utilized this place, aside from grams. 

 - Wedding details are coming to place quite well. I'm going home for a few weeks before coming back for one last time in Nov (before the big day) to finish further packing and wrapping up with some suppliers here. I'm sad with the thought that I feel closer to my grams living at her place but since she moved on early this year, I think I should do the same with regards to the current residency I'm in. I believe my relatives will be selling it soon. It's a great place and I believe HKG holds a very close place in my heart. I know I'll be back often since I have too many ties here and will always have a place to stay on my own. Bittersweet to not have grams see what I've become. **My mantra for her - "better place...better place...better place.** For now, MNL, here I come! 

 - The 6th and last SUAS scrap challenge is done and out. I'm just thankful for being able to keep my scrap mojo in line after some pretty intense assignments. Can't wait to see the outcome of this contest, even if I know that I'm not in contention or anything. Just being able to complete six weeks of pure scrapping with assigned tasks is a big deal for someone who just scraps whatever. the kits were very versatile since I didn't have a problem with mixing and matching products from different designers -> a first for me! Can't wait to post my works up to show what I did. It was really cool to hide my identity and be judged on the same level ground. I don't believe I gave myself away but you'll be the judge of it when I can fully post it. :) 

 ******** Some scrap news - just got informed that Doodleboogs, AMY, will be retiring from designing digi kits now. I'm sad with the thought but I know she's good and well with her decision. It's a real honor to have been part of her CT and I do wish her well. Amy - you rock and I do hope to see you again sometime in the digi-scrap world. **HUGS** No layouts since I'm busy with the move, wedding, and some pending scrap layouts. I promise soon!

3 Weeks' Round-up

It's been a very long time. Scrapping and packing for the "Big Move" are taking up most of my time. This is aside from wedding details that still needs to be ironed out. I'll try to keep this as short and as concise as I can. :)

Last Week of September 2007.
- got to meet so many suppliers: caker, stylist (finally met him in-person), designer, venue/reception, printers, etc.
- hung out with my cutie nephew as I learn more cool things about him like his fear of crossing his house's doorstep (the "threshold") to go outside without holding an adult's hand. So adorable on how he would look at us with his "puppy dog eyes"...kids are always so cute!
- played the "mid-autumn dice game" with old high school friends before I left the next day to head back to HK.
- went house furnishings shopping with Ed to shortlist some choices or options that we shall need at our new place, which is still a work in progress.
- was also able to attend my extended family's weekly Sunday dinners this time around since I left Monday (Oct 01). It was good seeing the relatives but I didn't feel like much socializing. Oh, Ed went with me too. :)
- scrapping like crazy for a contest...5 more challenges to go.

1st week of October 2007.
- good friend, AJ came for a short visit. It was great remeniscing about old times and catching up on what people are doing.
- company bonding night: I played babysitting babies and little girls as I would check out the gambling table on who was up or down :)
- Swong and I hit the town for some fall fashion...nothing interesting...yet :P
- this week's layout came quick and fast, just how I like them to be. 4 more challenges to go.

2nd week of October 2007.
- training a few people at work...
- scrapped a bit for a swap then for the contest. I believe I'm getting the hang of scrapping underpressure. :P My last two entries came a lot faster than I expected. I hope this streak continues.
- will be having hairy crab (HK winter delicacy) on the weekend aside from trying to pack like crazy. I want to get my scrapstuff home first so as to clear up space for more boxes in the coming weeks. Wish me luck!

Big shoutout for my gal pal, TAM ~ Happy Happy Birthday!
I will see you really really soon!

*********
On some other news, I got into the CT that I recently applied for - digitalGinger. :)
I posted a new layout for the kit that I previously worked with. The site's up already. Make sure you come and check out the ever-growing kits available.

*********
Title: Cherish
Supplies: all by digitalGinger (original illustrations & designs by Bevin Dunn)
Kit Name: Marigold - Vintage Notebook
Stamp: Marigold - Vintage Frames
Buttons: Marigold Collection
Font: Simsun
Journaling: To cherish the love you have, cherish the life you live.
Program: PS7.0



Template: Birthdaylicious Mega Kit (Doodleboogs' contribution)
Doodle: Rhonna Farrer's Blue Title from Color My World Kit (2Peas)
Ribbons: Deanna Patterson's Tilly Kit (DigizinesDigitalDen)

Alpha "5" paper: Deanna Patterson's Tilly Kit (DigizinesDigitalDen)

Alpha "5": Jeri Ingall's Monogram with Numbers (Scrapper's Toolbox Kit - SBE's CT Xmas 2006 giveaway)
Font: Gungsuh
Program: PS7.0

A Taste of the Luxe Life

12 September, Wednesday.
I really forced myself to get some good deals at the Sogo 21st Floor Brand Name Sale. It started today and I wasn't able to go till alittle before lunch. Nonetheless, I was able to get a lot of deals on a lot of good brands. Some range from hkd100 to hkd1k but it's fine since I know if I don't like them or if they won't fit, I can sell them off easily since I got good brand names as a fail-safe approach. Check out my stash below!

L-R (top): Plenty silk dress (hkd100), JustCavalli jersey-like/lycra signature printed dress(hkd500), Plenty felt flowers dress (hkd300), D&G embroidered cardigan (hkd1k) and Nanette Lepore, mom's fav, ribbon skirt (hkd1k++)

The last one is the most expensive purchase but I love it. There are two more articles but those are pretty simple like a clubbing shirt by JustCavalli at hkd450 and a Sunday dress by Plenty at hkd100.
After my successful purchases and promised myself to maintain my figure since a lot of the dresses require me to be in the size I'm already in, if not try to lose "the pouch" in front, I realized that I can go into business with this sort of thing - buy&sell in Manila. We'll see. I don't know if I can part with these lovely items!

15 September, Saturday.
Got up early to run some errands around town plus have some r&r around CWB.

Star-sighting:
Guess who I bumped into at the D-Mop store...Joey Yung, the Canto singer. :P
She was shopping with her assistant. You just see the flock of salespersons that manage to emerge on a sleepy Saturday afternoon right after lunch. She looked bored and was rejecting all the suggestions that the sales people were giving her. I guess it's normal for her. :)

Around the afternoon, I caught two movies today with some friends:
1.) Disturbia: reminds me of the I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream franchise flicks...a lot of teeners in the movie theater. It's a bit more serious than their former predecessors but still a "teen flick" through and through. It's funny since I know the actor, Shia LaBeouf, when he was still in Disney Channel's Even Stevens so it's a good serious acting from a goof-ball character that he started from.
2.) I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry: typical Adam Sandler movie but good and funny. Cute and light-hearted. Just what I need on a weekend. :)

16 September, Sunday.
My old highschool friend, Herman, came to visit. It's great to see old friends from back in the day. Being in HK enables me to get reconnected them since HK is the big hub of every travel itinerary here in Asia. Oh, it does help that

********
19 Sept, Wednesday.
Today - they will be announcing the first challenge for the Stand Up & Scrap Contest. It's going to be intense. :)
On a lighter note, checked the image on the left.
I got freebee invites to this party and had the time to do it with my best pal, Swong.
We didn't get there too early but we were still able to get some goodie bags. No luck with the raffle though their prizes are pretty sweet ~ two night's stay at Shangri-La Thailand's special suite as the grand prize.
Maybe next year would be a better year for this. :P
Free drinks and snacks were good enough for us! We were able to catch up on some much need life-updates since she's been busy in the dating front. I'm so happy for her! :) Had some late lunch at Tsui Hua for some fish ball noodles before headed home.

*MUST SEE BMW SHORT FLICKS*
For all you car-chasing, Madonna-loving, Clive Owen-fans out there...
BMW Films.
The short films gave me an even bigger respect for Clive Owen though I love him in the 2004 movie, Closer. There is so much emotion in this man's eyes and words...amazing!

*********
23 Sept, Sunday
Finally finished my entry for the SUAS Challenge #1. It took a lot of braincell burning but I'm glad that it's done for now. Now, I'm bracing myself for the next challenge, this coming Wednesday (Sept 26) and this time, I'll be doing it in Manila. I hope I get to have time to think about it as much I had for the first challenge.
There are a lot of great entries to this contest ~ have a look here.

Sorry - can't post my layout for this since we post through assigned entry numbers. I'll post them all later after the contest. :)

Heading home for a week this Tuesday so won't be updating this till I get back...around the first week of October or so.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to you all!

*********
Kit Name: Newsletter Freebee - Vintage Dreams - Retro Diva (Little Dreamer Designs) by Lori Barnhurst and Michelle Coleman
Template: 12x12 Template #Fifteen - Getting Comical (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox) by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Rage Italic
Journaling: Thank you for always knowing what to do and what to say. You are my sanity at the end of the day.
~excerpt from My Moon, My Sun, My Star, My Everything
by C. Blanco


Kit Name: Autumn Frolic (available at Scrapbook-Elements) by Mikki Livanos - coming soon!
Template Link: 12x12 Template #14 - Polaroidization by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Rage Italic
Journaling: Make one of your favorite hobbies collecting friends. ~Life's Little Instruction Calendar Volume XI





Kit: Tiny Pilot by Mikki Livanos
Template: 12x12 Template #Fifteen - Getting Comical by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Rage Italic
Journaling: Savour the moments that are warm and special and giggly. ~Sammy Davis Jr.






Kit Name: Autumn Frolic (coming soon) by Mikki Livanos (available at Scrapbook-Elements)
Template: September Template Challenge at SBE by Alice Koh
Program: PS7.0
Font: Times New Roman and CK Ranch
Journaling: You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants. ~Stephen King

Ed's September Visit

Thursday, August 29
A good friend of mine, LS, had a short business trip to HK and we hooked up to have dinner at Ricepaper (CWB).
This resto used to just be located across the island, Kowloon side, but I was happy to have learned that it branched out to CWB's World Trade. At last...
Food is contemporary Vietnamese but doesn't scrimp on taste. Decor is very clean and neat - white furnitures and quite roomy, for a CWB resto.
The resto is a Maxim's Group concept that gave us The Square (Exchange Square) and Lian (IFC), etc. A lot of the good noteable restos in HK are run by this restaurant group.
Recommedables: Softshell Crab Handroll and their Curries! Leave room for their really great desserts. Also, if you like hot apple cider...their version is quite neat!
Better book ahead since this place gets packed up so quickly due to the price, location and the good food. :)

Rice Paper
P413-418 Podium 4
World Trade Centre
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Tel 2890 3975

Ed arriving HK late that evening. We weren't able to hooked up till the following day.

Friday, August 30
I took day-off to fix some gov't paper work and bank stuff with Ed. It was basically "work". :)
We were done (thank goodness) by around lunch time and hooked up with Ed's brother, CW, to grab a bit at Bonheur near CW's workplace...so nice! Those lambchops were well-done and the soup (pumpkin and tomato soup) was just perfect.
Bonheur
6/F, The Pemberton
22 Bonham Strand,
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Tel: 2544.6333

The afternoon was spent hunging out with Ed and checking out his car parts around my area. Who knew that one of the Toyota parts dealership in HK is just behind my condo?!?
We had dinner at MOS Burger, Tai Koo branch...AWESOME!
This was a great highlight to Ed's visit...I'm still dreaming for these burgers!
They have so many kinds - chicken terriyaki, seafood, fish, tofu, etc

L-R: Cheese Burger with their sauce; Seafood Burger on Rice Patty
Mos Burger
Shop A1-A2 G/F
2 Hong On Street
Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong
Tel (852) 2568 1313

Saturday, August 31
CW, Ed and I had lunch at Crystal Jade as per Ed's request.
Ed love their chili dumplings there. :) I had to have only two before saying "no" since it was already numbing my tongue. :P
Around mid-afternoon, Ed and I picked-up the remaining car parts that Ed ordered yesterday from the car parts dealership.
Ed and I had dinner at Whampoa (Maxim's Group resto) with some friends then Hagen Daz around the area before splitting with the gang to hung out at LKF (Lam Kwai Fung), Ed got his Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey while we checked out the Saturday night scene
Our next aim: dinner at La Mer at LKF Hotel
La Mer Brasserie
1/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street,
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2523 0200

Rare that I need to boycott and announce something not worth your money so here it is....AVOID ATOMIC PATTY at LKF: if you are picky with your burgers and great fries...won't bother giving you the addy.
Just look at the sloppy looking curry fries that I think is made from instant-curries you get from supermarkets. If that's the case, why bother having one outside when you can get it inside?!?


Sunday, September 01
I went with Ed to checked himself in through Airport Express HK.
While waiting for Ed to finish, I was at the Starbucks stall next door and go to try the Blueberry Green Tea Frap...super yummy! (...and to think, I'm not big fan of fraps)
We then went to lunch with CW at Lawry's Prime Rib at Lee Gardens. Quite nice!
Lawry's The Prime Rib
4/F, The Lee Gardens,
33 Hysan Avenue,
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2907 2218

After lunch, all three of us hung out a bit at CWB. Ed and his brother, CW, went to BMW to gawk at more cars before heading to IFC, Central.
It was still fairly early so Ed and I went for some afternoon snack (since we didn't have any more dessert at Lawry's). I had French macaroons at the below.
Le Goûter Bernardaud
Shop 2028-29
International Finance Center
Central, Hong Kong

I was lazy to think about cooking dinner after Ed went in through immigration so I had dinner alone at Spaghetti House, airport branch, as I wait for Ed's plane to fly off and before I head home. This is sort of the tradition that we go through...since we would talk on the phone as he waited to board his plane.

Monday, September 02
I had a craving for burgers...after MOS burger.
Thus, I proposed to my coworkers about Shake 'En Buns. They took the bait!
Food as simple but filling! I got Arizona peach tea...a rare American indulgence over here. :)
All 8 thumbs up from me and my friends who checked it out! :)

Shake 'En Buns
Causeway Bay Shop,
G/F, 5 Hoi Ping Road,
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

********
Kit: Mondays with Dah (available at Digizines Digital Den)
Designer: Deanne Patterson (Shabby Scrap Designs)
Program: PS7.0
Font: Engravers MT, Bernard MT Condensed, Freestyle Script
Journaling: Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends. (Author:ThinkExist.com Quotations. “Loyalty quotes”. ThinkExist.com)

Kit : Mondays with Dah (available at Digizines Digital Den)
Designer: Deanne Patterson (Shabby Scrap Designs)
Program: PS7.0
Font: CK Becky Higgins
Journaling: Endless Stories of old friends / Yot's visit.05
Notes: an old photo of an old high school gathering from way back.

PUBLISHED

Thursday, August 29
Took the 6pm PAL flight home for a weekend with family and friends.
I was totally psyched about it since my last trip was around the end of June. There were more people visiting me in July/August that didn't allow me to go home between those months. It didn't bother me that I wouldn't be able to be upgraded since the flight was pretty much "open". Work was good to none since I was already in vacation mode by the time I took the early check-in at Airport Express (Central). This is one of the important conveniences of HK - check-in early in the morning, go to work then take the bullet train to the airport about 1.5 hours before flight time. Wonderful wonderful invention! :)
NOTE: brought back all my winter cloths since I don't think I'll be needing much of them. HK has been having a bad case of the heatwave since last year. My luggage was pretty heavy for just jackets and more jackets...24kg!

Friday, August 30
Got woken up a bit earlier for someone who is on vacation to prepare for a meeting with my entourage dress designer at 9am! Mom said that it's best that I talk to her live since I had brought back the dresses. There were some design changes for my MOH but the rest of the entourage's dresses were shaping up quite well. I'm excited and hope it all turns out okay. It's still a bit too early to really know how things will end up looking on the big day.
Mom and I met the caker (one of our fav suppliers, I might add) at 10.30am. There were some design concerns with some of the layers of the cake and mom wanted me to be there as we discuss how it is. We are also concern on what the overall cake color will be. We didn't want just a plain ivory or white cake. :P Mom brought some of the props that the events stylist will be using and maybe to shed some good ol' inspiration. Love how the meeting ended - discussed the colors, the design, etc...can't wait to see how it would all come together in color, even if it's still going to be just on paper.
My long-awaited massage at home with Tess at 1pm! It's been a very long time since I had my massage at home but it was all so good! Tess was strong but nice. We chatted everything under-the-sun. :) My muscles had a good workout and I was glad that there were no knots with regards to my veins since that would be mean terrible pain. I was fine till when she did my back part, wherein my shoulders were stiffening up and when we were finishing off with some stretches. The latter was the most painful one. I was in the verge of crying but still biting on the pain. :P
Later in the afternoon, Ed got fitted for this tux. We got the cloth already and basically employed a tailor's services. I hope it turns out okay.
We had dinner at Cyma, Edsa Shangri-La Mall. I love their Roka Insalata. Check out my previous postings on this...I'm still dreaming of the tangie sauce and the candied walnuts. :P Ed had some weird pasta but we both didn't really like it since it didn't fit as a pasta dish...more like an entree.
We hungout later at Serendra, Fort (Taguig) since Ed thinks that we wouldn't have anymore time to check out the place on this trip. Better to get it out-of-the-way. I was curious on the new and further development of the place. It's place to have a nice walk after that heavy meal.

Saturday, August 31
Morning meeting with Paul Cabral for mom's dress at 9am yet again. I wonder what's up with all this early morning meetings. It's driving me nuts since I'm suppose to be taking it easier now. We took longer since mom had design and color issues. Hay...we didn't talk to Paul. She wanted me to check out if the colors are okay, etc - basically a 2nd opinion.
I'm lucky to have squeezed in lunch with Jeremy, my nephew. My brother, Jay, got some food from the Salcedo Saturday outdoor market like Aling Neneng's BBQ, some Cebu roast pig (letchon) and baked sole for lunch. Jeremy was being his silly cute self as he ate his soupy rice and veggies. He was mimicing us a lot...from drinking to munching.
Mom bugged me that it was still early before my next appointment so we rushed to PICC for the Wedding Fair. A lot of suppliers but not as impressive as the ones I've been like at the World Trade Center or NBC tent - where Ed and I used to hang out on Sunday afternoons even before we were engaged. :P
The cool thing though was that I got to meet Eddie Boy Escudero's wife, and we got chatting. Too bad though that Eddie Boy was not there because I wanted mom to meet him and see this hilarious photographer of ours. Oh well - next time. :)
Salon appointment came...my hairstylist didn't want to cut my hair shorter than just below my shoulders since he said that my wedding is so close now. He did manage to make it lighter and less "dragging". I love my haircolor though...3 colors! I got so many complements in the office when I got back. Worth every penny and pain I had to go through (sitting down for so long)!
Poor Ed...this is just not his week. By the time I finished my hair cut and color, I had a big bad migrane from all the activities and running around the city.

Sunday, September 01
I got packing then Ed picked me up to check out our would-be new "pad". It was nice though still bear but we see the potential. Ed's all excited with the lounge area in our bedroom. I'm still thinking how my scrapbook items can fit in the small scrapbook room that would double up as storage. Man! I think I will have to be forced to sell a few of them or something.
We headed off for lunch at Cibo, PP and got my cool red grape shake. :) After a harty lunch, we went to a charity bazaar around the area. Nothing interesting but it was somewhere to hang.
I was able to bump into an ex-Citi of mine, Yeye, who is now with Merrill Singapore.
Ed and I had one last meal/snack together - thus it was dessert at Haagen Daaz!
I got my strawberry while Ed got his chocolate cookie dough.
Got home, one last prep and it was off to the airport.

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Wedding Quick Note: Ed and my rings are done! Excited but wasn't able to get photos since I was worried about keeping it safe. Ed's got a plain corded band while mine had some "icies" but definitely vintage-like as per my taste. :)

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STAND UP AND SCRAP Kit is an extremely large collection of digital goods consisting of 7 zipped folders over 100MB each.
This gorgeous kit was created by Amber Clegg, Amy Martin, Ange Barton, Anna Aspnes, Audrey Neal, Christina Renee, Christy Lyle, Eve Recinella, Gina Marie Huff, Gina Miller, Heather Ann Melzer, Heather Roselli, Heidi Williams, Jackie Eckles, Jen Wilson, Julie Mead, Kate Hadfield, Laura Deacetis, Lauren Grier, Lisa Whitney, Lori Barnhurst, MandaBean, Meredith Fenwick, Michelle Coleman, Miriam Lima, Mindy Terasawa, Nancie Rowe Janitz, Robin Carlton, Sara Amarie, Sara Carling, Shabby Miss Jenn, Susan Bartolini, Tiff Brady and Zoe Pearn.
You can read more about the rules and timeline on the official site, Stand Up And Scrap Blog. You can get the kit here.
Make a difference * scrap for a cause...or get a really look mega kit that I'm so drooling over. :)

Dates to Note:
September 1st-16th - Contest Registration at Sweet Shoppe Designs
Wed, September 19th - Challenge #1 Revealed
Tue, September 25th - Challenge #1 Due
Wed, September 26th - Challenge #2 Revealed
Tue, October 2nd - Challenge #2 Due, Challenge #1 Results Show on Disc Talk Radio
Wed, October 3rd - Challenge #3 Revealed
Tue, October 9th - Challenge #3 Due, Challenge #2 Results Show on Disc Talk Radio
Wed, Octiber 10th- Challenge #4 Revealed
Tue, October 16th - Challenge #4 Due, Challenge #3 Results Show on Disc Talk Radio
Wed, October 17th - Challenge #5 Revealed
Tue, October 23rd - Challenge #5 Due, Challenge #4 Results Show on Disc Talk Radio
Wed, October 24th - Final Challenge Revealed
Tue, October 30th - Final Challenge Due, Challenge #5 Results Show on Disc Talk Radio
Tue, November 6th - Finale Show on Disc Talk Radio - Grand Prize Winners Announced

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I'm so glad that I don't have to keep this secret anymore. :P
Want to update you that I got PUBLISHED!
Although digitally but it was a great honor indeed.
I contributed an article for My Scrap Works' about shifting from trad scrapping to digi scrapping. I would have to say that this is a pretty surreal experience.
In the first place, why would anyone want to read about a "typical digi-scrapper" like me? I am nothing-out-of-the-ordinary sort of person nor have my works been officially published in traditional and/or digital scrapbook magazines or websites (some "layout of the day" can count but nothing really BIG) ...so why would someone want to read about how I got into digi? I guess there are people who do...as per this article's proof. :P
I didn't realize that I wrote a lot. I suppose most of it is babbling/rambling on thoughts in my head but this article came out so fast and fluid. It was totally not a problem as what I inititally thought.
I appreciate the opportunity, Mabelle! Thanks and always a pleasure! (Anything to that can degress me from work. :P)

On traditional scrapping news...check out what 2Peas just got in.
Metal tags/tabs from Making Memories --> very cool.
It is used with the Tab Curler or simply folded on to your layout.
Wait...I need a Tab Curler as an option?
Man...MM always finds ways to burn my wallet. Before, it was the Tag Maker (had a tag fever at that time), then the Universal/Silent Eyelet Setter (though their normal eyelet setter is quite good with the "special hammer"...can't use an ordinary hammer...tried it), Instant Stamp Setter (win the magnetic stamps from a contest but needed this to use it :P), etc!!!! WWWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! No, this time - this will just an eye candy for me. :P

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Kit and Designer: Rotten Tomatoes by Doodleboogs (ScrapOutsideOfTheBox)
Decorative Spiral Notes: Note This by Ronnie McCray (SBE CT Gift)
Alphas: Scrapper's Toolbox by Microferk Designs (SBE CT Gift)
Program: PS7.0
Font: Times New Roman
Journaling: My Mother's Garden. My Mother kept a garden, a garden of the heart, she planted all the good things that gave my life it's start. She turned me to the sunshine and encouraged me to dream, fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem... And when the winds and rain came, she protected me enough-- But not too much because she knew I'd need to stand up strong and tough. Her constant good example always taught me right from wrong-- markers for my pathway that will last a lifetime long. I am my Mother's garden. I am her legacy and I hope today she feels the love reflected back from me.
- author unknown
Notes: A two page layout...a first for me. I've been meaning to do a 2-page LO for as long as I could remember. It was a bit daunting in some way since I had to think about merging the two coherently. Thus, this had to be done simultaneously - a lot of flipping through both files.