My Daughter's Birthday Party

Last Oct 6, 2013, we celebrated my daughter's Christening at Binondo Church and her 1st year birthday at Andrea North Clubhouse. Planning parties are really stressful yet rewarding especially if it is your own. Recently, I realized what that I really love to do was plan things and executing them.

Earlier this year, I first reserved our event place. We booked Andrea Tower Clubhouse because of it's airy place and great parking space. It is important that guests have parking space and the place is big enough for our guests to mingle.

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Next on my list is the caterer, Ti Joe Catering, an affiliate of Quick Snack. Told them how many tables and ask for their prices. They are quick and easy to talk to. I already tasted their food and saw their services from one of our family gathering that's why I have great confidence in them.

I also booked Balloontix for our decors. They are also the one who made the decors for our son's 1st birthday party last 2011. They are very professional and easy to talk to. They also answer inquiries fast except on a Sat and Sun since they are usually busy. I wanted something different for my daughter's birthday, different from my son. I veered away from balloons and asked them if they could make paper lanterns, pompoms etc. in purple, white and pink. I also asked them to make the table centerpiece, Buffet centerpiece and the Dessert Bar Centerpiece. They also made my backdrop at the stage, I asked them to make it simple, classy and chic. I emailed them my pegs and I'm very happy what they did on that day.

For the host, I chose Jiggles, the balloon lady. It was not for the theme but it was for the kids and she was amazing on stage. She performed her balloon show and at the same time host the party. She also provided my sounds since my lights and sounds did not show up on that day. A blessing in disguise actually, since I do not really need them. The place do not need extra lighting and sounds was already included in Jiggles package. FIY, my supplier for the lights and sounds returned my deposit after I texted them about it. They already said sorry and told me that their cell was destroyed including contact lists.

I also booked Nestle Ice cream cart but they said their cart can not pass thru Edsa, that is why the one they used was the cooler only. I don't mind anyway.

My sister got the photographer and the coffee booth for that day. According to her, this is her gift for her inaanak aside from the angpao. Very generous ninang! Thankyou Shobe! hehe!

Coffee booth from Organo coffee sponsored by my sister. Loved their iced drinks! I didn't had the chance to taste their latte though, but someone told me it tasted quite bitter.

I took our photobooth and birthday cakes from a deal site. Photobooth is from wishes and dreams. I paid an extra Php500 since they came from Cavite. Their prints are superb and props are super cute and quirky! I am sure our guests had fun using the props!

All I can say about the cake is that it was delivered on time. The cake was from Decobake and I got their offer for a 10 inch cake plus 50 cupcakes. The design was ok but the taste of the chocolate cake itself is dry. Up until now, we are trying to eat the remaining cake! haha! Hirap kainin pag hindi mo type.

I almost forgot the Lechon! I ordered our lechon from General's Lechon. I love their garlic lechon! But sadly, the skin was not crunchy anymore when they started chopping it.. Sayang! Pero yung laman malinamnam! No need for sarsa! hay nakakagutom! Lol!

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Last but not the least! Our dessert bar curtesy of my sis-in-law! Actually it was a joint venture/passion... This deserve another post. My sis-in-law and me brave divisoria in a hot and rainy day, brave traffic in Quiapo and almost did not sleep the day before the party! I got jitters on the day itself, my knees almost buckled because I am that tensed! hahaha! Abangan ang review and post for this sumptious, mind wrecking (for me at least) dessert bar.

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Below are the contact numbers in case you would like to inquire. :)

Caterer : Tjioe The Caterer
               tjioethecaterer@yahoo.com
               02 2429572

Place : Andrea North Clubhouse
            02 6552900

Dessert Bar : Sweet Sense Desserts
                      www.facebook.com/sweetsensedesserts
                      sweetsensedesserts@gmail.com
                      9869930

Decors : Balloontix
              Jojo 0920 6660652
           
Host : Jiggles the Balloon Lady
           0920 9246022

Lechon : General's Lechon
               generalslechon@yahoo.com
               0917 8532466

Photobooth : Wishes and Dreams
                      wishesanddreams@yahoo.com

Ice Cream : Nestle Ice Cream

Coffee booth : Organo Coffee


Photographer : Sophia Photography

Cake : Decobake

My breastfeeding Journey (Happy breastfeeding month!)

This topic touches home base. I breastfed my son for 15 months although mixed feeding when he reached 9 months. I am also breastfeeding my daughter till today. She is already 10 mos. and only taking formula when I am not at home, which is rare.

I remember when I was 7 mos pregnant with my son, I had doubts to breastfeed. I read and search the net, kinulit ko rin hubby ko to go with me at Medela House to attend breastfeeding seminar 101. haha! It is a big help to bring hubby along kahit na una hesitant siya in the end he is really supportive, my wall when I am about to fall. (Sandalan ika nga) Without him I might give up easily.

The only thing that I regret is that I breastfed my son less when he reached 9 mos. and gave him formula instead to fatten him up. My pedia advise us to give him different milk brands but until now his body is lean eventhough he is eating a lot. I tried giving him breast milk in a cup but when he tasted it he didn't like it already. Sad.. I also stop breastfeeding him by 15 mos because I had complications when I became preganant again.

This time I am determined to breastfeed my daughter upto when she is ready to wean herself.

If you have doubts on breastfeeding, I suggest you join breastfeeding pinays page in facebook. You will learn alot reading experiences from different mothers.

For me, breastfeeding is an on going journey for both my son and daughter. I would sneak a little breast milk to my son once in a while. haha! for as long as I have milk. And for my daughter, she will continue to latch, maybe upto 2 yrs old. Let's see..

Happy breastfeeding month!

Homecooking Time!

Once in a while, I do the cooking at home. Especially when my MIL is not home. I love to experiment on food that were enhanced with spices and sauce mixes. 

The food that I cook usually are more on the western side mixed with asian rather than my pure Chinese heritage. 

For tonight's dish, I prepared Crispy porkchop and Spicy bulgogi eggplant. 

For the pork, I marinated it with calamansi, pepper and salt for 1 hour. Then dipped in egg and coated it with flour that has a teaspoon of baking soda. (baking soda makes the skin crunchier)

For the eggplant, I chopped it lengthwise. Browned the chopped garlic then add the eggplant. When the eggplant was a little soft, put 1/4 cup Bulgogi sauce. I also added chili flakes for added spice. You can use the yellow cab chili flakes sachet. 

This is the sauce that I used for the eggplant. This sauce is being sold in Landmark supermarket at Php109 for 500g.

Iphone 5 casing

As soon as I got my Iphone 5, my hubby told me to buy a case for it. Me being stingy, borrowed first his Gola pouch for my iphone 5 as I search for the perfect case.

We went to trinoma last sunday night to eat dinner and buy some groceries at home. While my MIL was buying some groceries, I went to Mac center to check. I wanted a case that has free screen protector.. (haha! stingy nga eh!)

I found one in yellow and loved it instantly! Kaso sana naging Kate Spade or Marc by Marc Jacobs o kaya naman juicy couture na lang siya.. haha! If I found a much better casing I will change it. For now, this will do. Kasi mas mahal pag nagasgasan iphone ko! hahaha!

The perfect Cup

I had a favorite mug since I was single. This was given to me by a friend of mine. I brought this favorite mug with me when I got married. Unfortunately, one maid broke it. My MIL saw that I can not decide which one to buy bought me an orange mug from starbucks. I also love it but it lack something. 

Maarte lang talaga kasi ako, I think it lack character.. My character perhaps to the mug.

Early this January, I saw that Starbucks sells their new designs for cups, mugs and other items. I instantly fell in love to the pink cup! It's just so me! Ganda talaga! So I bought it, together with the black mug for my hubby! Kasi siya talaga yung kelangan ng bagong mug! haha! Crack na yung ilalim ng mug niya.. Kaso minsan lang talaga ako makakita ng gusto ko na cup.. So I also bought this one for me.. 

I just justified my purchase! LOL!

My hubby's mug is a limited edition Breakfast mug. I love it din kasi it has character. Simple pero may dating.. (wink!)

My new phone!

Sa wakas nakuha ko rin ang iphone 5! 

Last Dec, may tumawag sa akin representative daw sila ng globe. They are asking if I wanted an Iphone 5 and a new line. Kasi globe forwarded my request daw to them that I was applying for a new line and for the Iphone 5. 

Ang daming dinaanan niyan, umabot na ng New Year wala pa rin Iphone 5 ko. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali. Because I still love my blackberry kahit na pinapatapon na sa akin yan ng asawa ko... Aba, dami na pinagdaanan ng blackberry ko.. nahagis na yan ng panganay ko buo pa rin! ganyan katibay yan.. So, when my hubby asked me to get a new phone, I was really hesitant. Una, gastos! Allergic ako dyan.. pwera na lang kung shoes, bags, dresses at make up yan.. hahahaha! 

Anyways, the phone was sent to me last weds thru a courier with the new sim. I still have to activate the new sim to get my new number. To activate, I have to call globe.

Eto na.. Ang nakakainis inis na nangyare..

Ayan, I called globe for the activation. The guy that I talked to ask me for the serial num of the sim. so I gave it to him and wait daw ako ng 24 hours para ma activate. The next day, wala pa rin signal! I called na naman. Another guy answered and asked if I gave na ba daw the serial num ng sim. I told him oo nga. pero ano oras ko daw binigay sabi ko mga 3pm. Eh 2pm pa lang daw nun so baka daw maya konti meron na. Umabot na ng isang buong araw wala pa rin signal phone ko! 

I called again, this time it's Friday na and a girl answered the call. She asked if I gave the serial num of the sim. I told her yes. Pero daw wala daw nakalagay sa system nila! ano ba naman klaseng service yan GLOBE?! So again this time I gave her the serial number of my sim plus the IMES daw ng Iphone 5. 

Sa hapon nagkaroon na ng signal.. after a decade.. LOL! 

Now nagagamit ko na fully ang iphone 5 features pati si siri.. kakatuwa lang kasi may virtual assistant ako to take down notes and to set my alarm. Totoo nga na you can only fully utilize the Iphone 5 feature pag naka internet ka. Hindi ko na mabitawan new phone ko! I love it to the max! Thanks bi for telling me to buy it. Hindi naman ako nagsisi.. natatakot lang ako sa bill pag dumating... hahaha! 

Karl Lagerfield Shu Collection

Karl Lagerfield is one of many designers that I love. Unfortunately, his designs are way too pricey for my budgeted wallet. I'm just too happy that also one of my most love make up brands collaborated with Karl Lagerfield! I happily bought a lipstick and a make up palette. 

I also tried the nail polish and I love it! The shade of red is matte but shiny, lasted more longer before it chipped and it doesn't leave yellow stain marks on my nails. But at Php1k a bottle I think it had to wait! haha! 

The SA gave me some samples of the Ultim8 cleansing oil. I've been using their cleansing oil since 2010 and the Ultim8 cleansing oil does it's job really well. It cleanses my face without drying it. That will be on my next list of things I need to buy. hehehe!

My son's 1st swimming experience

One Sunday morning, my hubby took our son swimming. Kaso natakot lang naman siya, nagulat din ako kasi ang lakas ng iyak. 

So I went to them carrying the big yellow giraffe and play with him a little.

Nakakawa ang itsura niya, takot na takot sa water. I also went inside and took some pictures while talking to him.

Ayan after a while, he was playing na and smiling. kaso ayaw naman bumitaw sa daddy niya! hehe! At least may improvement... =)

Sofitel mini Bday Celeb!

Celebrated my birthday at Sofitel's Spiral buffet. This was supposed to on my 30th birthday but since tinamaan ng baha ang Spiral, I moved it to 2011 na lang.. haha! 

The new Spiral is much more bigger and better. It has a cheese room that I enjoyed much. There was also unlimited foie gras and boy it was really yummy! Parang butter lang siya na nagmemelt sa mouth! And it was also so sinful! feeling ko magkaka heart attack ako after eating 4 pcs hahaha! 

There were fresh selections of seafoods and other meats. Sa dami hindi ko na maalala mga nakain ko. I only remembered the tall dessert that I ate sa chocolate selections. Ang sarap niya! 

This is my daughter, naiirita na kasi wala siya daw makain hehe!

Thank you to my family for spending that day with me! Love love love you! 

The experience at Spiral was delightful and I wanna go back.. pero sana a date with the hubby lang.. (parinig lang baka mabasa niya! hehe!)

Nov 2, 2012 - 1st month

This is a super delayed posting.. Nauna pa yung 2nd month niya haha! I'm so sorry! On her 1st month nagpakain kami sa house. Fam ko and fam lang ni hubby. Bought Causeway bay take out food. Mango Bravo cake by Conti's courtesy of her amah! 

Pardon the outfits, nasa bahay kami that's why nakapambahay kami lahat! hehe!

Thankyou to my immediate family for celebrating Carynne's 1st month with us! =)

PF Chang - Alabang Town Center

Upon arriving at St. James bazaar, ang daming people and it was hot that day. We didn't stay long because we have a toddler and a baby in tow. We went na lang to Alabang Town Center to eat lunch. It was already past 12nn that time and super hungry na kami. Unanimous vote was to eat at PF Chang. My hubby's family already ate there once or twice when they toured US and they said it was delicious! So they each took turns ordering their favorite meal. 

Dynamite shrimp was the only one that I ordered. It was spicy and super sarap!

Dynamite Shrimp

Minced pork with lettuce wrap

Iced tea

Chicken?

Chicken..?

Chicken Brocolli?

If you have noticed, most of the ordered food are chicken. Naubusan daw kasi na sila ng pork and other food. At isa pa same sauce lang ata ginamit nila in all the dishes that we ordered. Ang naiba lang is yung minced pork and the shrimp! 

Medyo maalat pa ung mga sauce.. Maybe because we ate already at 2pm..? Wala na gana magluto yung mga chef? Anyway, I was happy though with my order, the dynamite shrimp! Un babalik balikan ko! 

Open na raw yung PF Chang sa Bonifacio Global City! Ma try nga ulit! One thing that I learned through our food trippings, when in doubt of what to order, check the menu and check whats the chef recommended! For sure masarap un!