4 Weddings & a Preggy Me

I think hubby and I got married quite young 5 years ago at 26, since during that time, we were one of the first out of all our friends and batchmates. It wasn't until about last year when the wedding boom started for us, with people started getting engaged and married left and right.

I attended a total of 4 weddings this year and they were all held during the last quarter of 2013. Which means a very pregnant me! It really is so much fun attending weddings, because you know for sure there'll be drinks and people are there to really let loose and get wasted (at least my friends are haha!). But since I'm preggy, I can't really par-tay so that just means more drinks for everyone! ;p

We're also one of the first to have kids in our group so what's good is that they're almost always guaranteed to be part of the entourage (yey!). But it also means we can't stay out too late since we'll be dealing with temper tantrums and sleepyheads as the night goes on (booo!).

Anyway, here's a glimpse into each of the 4 weddings we went to. :)

Wedding #1

This was the wedding of my brother-in-law which was held in Cebu. We were all part of the entourage - hubby was the best man, I was a secondary sponsor, Miley was the flowergirl, and Sabe was the ringbearer (although he refused to walk!).

ceremony was held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

reception was held at Shangri-La Mactan

super yummy everything

Wedding #2

This was the wedding of one of our college barkada and it had a Parisian theme. It was honestly one of the most beautiful receptions I had ever been to with all the gorgeous flowers and overall set-up.

I got my dress from Miss Selfridge at 70% off!

Rizal Ballroom, Makati Shangri-La

loved the photobooth set-up!

Wedding #3

Another wedding of our college kabarkada, this time held in Tagaytay. This wedding was held on November 9, the day after typhoon Yolanda hit! Everybody was really anxious the week before just reading the news about how this was the biggest storm ever (especially the poor couple since their reception was going to be outdoors!). We were all just praying that the weather wouldn't be that bad on the day itself. But lo and behold, the sun actually shone that morning and there was only some slight rainfall before the ceremony. :)

Sabe was the coin bearer, and again he refused to walk so I had to carry him down the aisle! Hope he gets the hang of this soon though, since he'll be the coin bearer again for my cousins wedding in January. ;p

got my dress at 50% off from a store called Mags in Southmall!

Reception was held in Angelfields, Tagaytay. They had the whole place tented up last minute!

silly faces for the photobooth ;p

Wedding #4

The last wedding was my high school barkada's and I was a bridesmaid and Miley was a flowergirl again. I really loved our dresses and all the colors of the entourage! And all the details down to the reception was just lovely. :)

Being able to be part of all these celebrations is just so wonderful. Especially seeing and feeling all the love in the air (naks!). I kept joking hubby that it was a good thing we already got married because it would be so much pressure for me if I had to plan a wedding now with all those gorgeous ideas to compete with haha! I think there would definitely be some things I'd change if I could get married again now (like getting an on-site video done!!! grrr, my biggest regret!). But of course, each wedding is beautiful in its own way and when I look back at the pictures from our special day, the main thing I'm reminded of is that was the start of our lives together. I can only wish the same happiness for all the couples in this new chapter in their lives... :)

Vacuum bags

I've been looking for vacuum bags for the longest time now, and I finally chanced upon an online seller with some affordable products.

The company is called XPLORE and aside from vacuum compressed bags, they also sell stuff like foldable boots, luggage scale, perfume atomizer and other latest travel products.

I emailed them to inquire and got a reply very quickly. The 60x80cm vacuum bags (2pcs/set) were P199 and you get 20% discount if you get at least 4 sets. Free delivery too.

So I got 4 sets for a grand total of P637 (for 8 bags all in all) and they got delivered two days after I deposited the payment. Super fast and efficient service. :)

I've been wanting to store some of my out of season clothes plus those that don't fit me right now (since I'm preggy) as well as some of the kids' stuff, and it's been quite a challenge fitting them all inside orocan boxes. Plus, I've always wanted to use these when we travel to save space in our luggage.

Anyway, the vacuum bags are so easy to use. Just put all your clothes in and close the bag like you would a regular ziplock bag.

Open the valve and use a vacuum cleaner to suck the air out. You can also do it manually by compressing the bag by hand to push the air out.

Close the valve and you're all done! Instant space saver, plus I love how the stuff inside are protected since it's airtight and waterproof. :)

Anyway, for inquiries and orders, you can check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/xploreunli. Or call 09998193543 / 09178227787 / 6246249 or email xploreunli@gmail.com.

Repost: 28 Rules For Fathers Of Sons

I'm sure most of you have already read or seen this article that's made its way around social media. But if you're like me who just read it for the first time, then allow me to share it here again since I absolutely loved it and couldn't help but tear up after getting to the end. :)

28 RULES FOR FATHERS OF SONS

1. Love his Mother. He will learn to love like you love, and hate like you hate. So choose love for both of you. Devote yourself to it. Love with your whole heart and express that love each and every day. Then, someday down the road, you will see the way he loves his own wife, and know that you played a part in that.

2. Let him drive. Every child remembers the first time they drove on daddy’s lap. For that one moment, he will believe that he is just. like. you.

3. Teach him to be picky. Especially when it comes to women and burgers. Teach him to never settle.

4. Take him to a ball game. There is something about sharing a day of hot dogs, sunshine and baseball with your father.

5. Love with Bravery. Boys have this preconceived notion that they have to be tough. When he is young, he will express his love fully and innocently. As he grows, he will hide his feelings and wipe off kisses. Teach him to be a man who rubs them in instead. It takes courage for a man to show love: teach him to be courageous.

6. Talk about sex. Sometimes, boys need to know that all men are created equal.

7. Teach him to be a man’s man. Show him how to be brave and tough around the guys. Then, remind him on the ride home that it is okay to cry.

8. Share secrets together. Communicate. Talk. Talk about anything. Let him tell you about girls, friends, school. Listen. Ask questions. Share dreams, hopes, concerns. He is not only your son, you are not only his father. Be his friend too.

9. Teach him manners. Because sometimes you have to be his father, not just his friend. The world is a happier place when made up of polite words and smiles.

10. Teach him when to stand-up and when to walk away. He should know that he doesn’t have to throw punches to prove he is right. He may not always be right. Make sure he knows how to demand respect- he is worthy of it. It does not mean he has to fight back with fists or words, because sometimes you say more with silence.

11. Teach him to choose his battles. Make sure he knows which battles are worth fighting- like for family or his favorite baseball team. Remind him that people can be mean and nasty because of jealousy, or other personal reasons. Help him to understand when to shut his mouth and walk-away. Teach him to be the bigger better person.

12. Let him dance in tighty whiteys. Dance alongside him in yours. Teach him that there are moments when it is okay to be absolutely ridiculous.

13. Share music. Introduce him to the classics and learn the words to the not-so-classics. Create a rock band with wooden instruments, share your earphones, and blast Pink Floyd in the car. Create a soundtrack to your lives together.

14. Let him win. Sometimes he needs to know that big things are possible.

15. Teach him about family. Let him know family is always worth fighting for. Family is always worth standing up for. At the end of the day, he has you to fall back on, and pray to God that you will have him.

16. Father him. Being a father—to him—is undoubtedly one of your greatest accomplishments. Share with him the joys of fatherhood, so one day he will want to be a father too. Remind him over and over again with words and kisses that no one will ever love him like you love him.

17. Listen to him now. If you don’t listen to the little things now, he won’t share the big things later.

18. Let him try on your shoes. Even if they are old and smelly. Let him slip his little feet in and watch him as he hopes like hell that someday he can fill them. He will fill them.

19. Give him bear hugs. The kind that squeezes his insides and make him giggle. The kind of hug only a daddy can give.

20. Give him baths. Because Mom can’t do everything damnit.

21. Teach him how to pee standing up. Let him pee outside- such is the joy of being a man. Mom cannot teach this talent, so someone has to.

22. Know the answers. He will assume you do. If you don’t know them, pretend you do and look them up later.

23. Toss him around. Because little boys love seeing the strength of their father. Throw him up in the air, so that he knows you will always be there to catch him on his way down.

24. Ask his mother. He will come to you with questions that he won’t always want to ask his mother, about girls and about love. Ask her anyway, she will know the answers.

25. Love him like you would love a daughter. Little girls are not the only ones who need hugs and kisses. Love is the color yellow of emotions. It is both happy and gender neutral.

26. Grow a big belly. Because every child should get the chance to rest their head on the absolute softest pillow ever. Daddy’s belly is the best place to land.

27. Don’t say, do. American inventor Charles F. Kettering once said, “every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice.” Be a good one.

28. Be his hero. You are anyway. To him, you have the strength of Batman, the speed of Spiderman and the brain of Ironman. Don’t disappoint. Prove to him that Daddy’s are the biggest heroes of all. Only Daddy’s can save the day.

my boys. my loves.

Source: http://www.viralnova.com/rules-for-fathers-of-sons/

NOEL Bazaar at the World Trade Center (Nov 22 - Dec 1)

After a successful launch in the South which marked the start of Yuletide shopping, NOEL BAZAAR returns to its biggest home on November 22 - December 1, 2013 (11:00am - 9:00pm) at the World Trade Center.

With a huge number of varieties pooled together, the event once again promises to be THE shopping mecca this Christmas. Simultaneous side events such as: The Search for Runway Duke and Duchess, Miss Campus Role Model 2013, GMA Variety Show and Celebrity Auction, Kiddie Fashion Show, Imaje's Top Model, Enchanted Kingdom Circle of Artists, Philippine Flair Open and Little Angels Show with parents will surely be an added attraction to the event.

Known as the biggest bazaar with a heart, NOEL BAZAAR will also feature "Dingdong and Marian's Celebrity Ukay-Ukay" which will sell pre-loved items by Kapuso celebrities. Proceeds of this project will benefit the Kapuso School Development (KSD), Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan (UHSK) and Give a Gift: Alay sa Batang Pinoy Christmas Projects of the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

See you there and happy shopping!

Scenes from our Cebu trip

It's been about 2 months since we were in Cebu for my brother-in-law's wedding and I honestly almost forgot to post about it already, with everything that's been happening in our country today.

We're just so thankful that we were able to enjoy this vacation in beautiful Cebu which has given us so many wonderful memories. It's just so sad and shocking that so many calamities (the earthquake and typhoon Yolanda) have struck the Visayas region since then. But there's no doubt in my mind that with everyone in the Philippines and around the world helping out, our nation will come out stronger than ever.

Anyway, here's some photos from our trip. I'll try to blog about the wedding in a separate post. :)

we made it! we're here!

the beautiful Shangri-La Mactan

kiddie play area which the kids enjoyed so much

Miley had so much fun on the slides!

while Sabe especially loved the water fountains! and check out the lower right pic - such a little BOSS lounging with his iPad and Chippy lol! ;p

Here are some more of the places we were able to see:

Lapu-Lapu Shrine



Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod

Magellan's Cross

Sto. Nino Basilica (so sad how it was damaged in the earthquake...)

Cebu will always have a special place in our hearts. Even the kids love it there so much, Miley keeps saying that Cebu is her favorite place in the whole wide world and she wants to go back there NOW na! ;p Well, hubby has already registered for next year's Ironman Triathlon competition which will be held in August also in Shangri-La Mactan. We haven't booked anything yet, but hopefully (fingers crossed) the whole family will be able to go. :)

Our Christmas tree is up!

Every year since we moved in our house, I've been setting up the Christmas tree from start to finish. I'm just OC like that since I like all the branches to be perfect and all the decors to be placed just where I like it. Since I'm heavily preggers now though, I asked hubby if he could be the one to do it this year. But of course, with my extremely close supervision lol! ;p

hello again Christmas tree!

Hubby hard at work. Now he knows it ain't so easy placing those branches one by one!

now the fun part - decorating!

It was so cute watching hubby and the kids decorate the tree while I acted as official photographer hehe. What's nice is that the kids are at that age where they actually help and don't destroy the decors anymore. :)

I left them to do their thing while I rested for a bit. After a while, they bounded back into the room all happy and proud. So when I went to check on the tree, I fully expected everything to be all done. But what was so hilarious is that they only placed half the balls and then gave up already haha! And hubby blamed the kids pa - tinamad na daw sila! haaaay! ;p

So I still ended up doing almost ALL the decorating, but I honestly didn't mind. :)

Now we're all feeling the Christmas spirit at home. Next on the agenda - wrapping all the gifts! ;p

Easy to do Banana Cake

Sadly, I don't cook and I also don't bake. But my kids love mixing things and when I saw this oven toaster cake mix in the grocery, I figured we'd give it a try. :)

It's so easy for a non-baker like me, plus all the ingredients and tools are stuff I already had lying around the house.

This is such a great activity to do with the kids because the directions are so simple to follow, you can't really mess it up haha. I love how the kids were so excited to help out! They practically did everything themselves. ;p

mash 2 ripe bananas

add the cake mix, 3 tbsps cooking oil, 1/4 cup water, egg

mix everything until nice and smooth

line the loaf pan with wax paper then pour the mixture in

cover the pan with aluminum foil

then pop it in the over toaster for 10-20 mins

It's that simple! The kids were so happy to see the finished product. And I was even happier when it tasted so good! Not bad at all for an instant, ready to mix cake. Btw, you can substitute carrots for the bananas if you want to do a carrot cake. Check out our masterpiece below! Yummmmmmy! ;p

 

How I wish I had been blessed with some culinary skills so I could whip up some homemade cupcakes, muffins, or cookies. But I gotta start somewhere right? I also bought a brownie mix which I can't wait to try out. Who knows, this may be the start of me becoming a baking queen in the kitchen haha! ;p