Work Model

YAY! I made it to our company's website. As much as I'm excited and flattered about this, it is to my dismay that they always take pictures when I'm having a bad hair day!!! LOL. Such a nerdy picture BUT I love what I do (Science entertains my brain)!! I should consider an agent next time!! hehehe

Eau De Parfum

Just want to share with you my favorite perfumes. I'm so in love with Chloe and D&G #3!!! Smells divine!!!! Been loyal with D&G#3 for more than a year now and Chloe for 6 months now. I recently bought Lollia but the smell does not last that long. Thank goodness I bought it in miniature size (I'm fickle minded so I've been buying small sizes). I love the scent but I don't think I will purchase the full size. I highly recommend the D&G and Chloe!! You will not be disappointed!

My lovebugs!!! ♥

My LOVEBUGS!

My new addition to my love bugs, meet Jizele! My cutest little cousin and god daughter, we are 30 years apart! OH-EM-GEE! she can be my daughter. I love this girl to death! Baby sat (with my sis of course, hehehe) her a couple of times and she is one good girl.
Meet Soiyan (soy-yan), she is my sister's step daughter. She is a shy girl with Beyonce type hair!!. A little push over but it's balance when we put Natalie in the picture. LOL. I barely see her BUT she is the easiest to babysit because she is so quiet. She's growing lovelier and lovelier everyday. Cute little girl!
And of course, my little rascal I meant princess, Natalie!!! This girl is such a character!! Strong personality and just playful. I love her as if she's my blood. She is my brother's step daughter. Although my brother broke up with Nat's mom, Nat still comes over my parents house to spend the weekends or whenever she has NO babysitter, my mom gladly volunteers so we can spend time with her. I love having conversation with her every morning when we wake up because I feel like I'm talking to somebody my age. We can talk on and on about everything. This girl is one smarty pants!! I hope to be part of her life forever because she will always be my first Lovebug!!!

SAVE-THE-DATE ♥

We finally mailed out our Save-The-Date's. YAY!!! We've been lagging with the addresses BUT we got it done last week. Ge and I are just NOT into the whole wedding planning right now. Gosh.... we better get ourselves ready in the next few months because we are down to 7 months before the big day. Maybe after the Hawaii trip, we can be in the wedding mode again. Anyways, I know I blogged last month about our save-the-dates options and finally I'm revealing the one we ended up choosing. My co-worker's fiance edited our original picture by cleaning up the water floaters and seaweeds. The photoshopped picture was perfect!! Looks like a destination wedding save-the date!! Now the real countdown begins!!!

CAM WOW!

My sis and I are having a blast taking pcitures with this iPhone app. Even with disfigured and chubby faces, we still kindha look alike. LOL.

HAPPY TUESDAY!!!

Stacked 'em

I've been buying and asked people a favor to buy me bangles when they go to International trips. I know this is a lilliputian collection but I'm ecstatic how it is slowly growing. I know some of these bangles are made in China BUT just the thought of me buying it from another country while I'm on my vacation makes it super special. The first bangle I bought that started my love for collecting international bangles was the turquoise one that I bought in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. My mom had a white version though that she bought at Burlington coat factory. LOL. Darn it! BUT mine is extra special 'coz it is from overseas. LOL. (trying to make myself feel good). One of my fave too are the Turkish evil "EYE" bangles my sister's friend Maida bought it for me from Turkey. It is supposed to protect you against back stabbing and envious people. Adding more to my collection is my thin bangle (white and gold) that I bought from our trip to Cancun, Mexico and my new addition is my thick plastic bangle that Janice got me from her Italy trip.

I'm hoping to add more to my collection and that means, more international vacations!!YAY!!

Ebay ♥

I love EBAY!! hehehe... the iphone app got me all addicted to it and I've been purchasing a lot of stuff from the online auction website. I even set the notification on just in case I get outbid before the end of the auction. lol. Since I do not have a heap of money this year, Ebay became my bestfriend. There are a lot of stuff on my wish list (mainly vintage designer stuff) that I want to purchase from Ebay BUT, it will be on hold for now. I'm forever drooling over the vintage Chanel earrings and vintage Gucci handbags. I wish!!! Anyways, the prices I paid for my purchases were unbelievably cheap!!! Thanks Ebay for making it possible for me to buy some impulse purchases without putting a hole in my pocket! ♥

Sister Sister wedding!

I'm so in love with Tia's wedding. She looks gorgeous!! How nice is the shade of pink she used for her bridesmaids dresses?!?!? GORGEOUS!! I'm loving her look from head to toe! Her peonies bouquet is so elegant!

Hide the freckles!

I've been on a hunt for the best powder foundation to cover up my freckles and simplify my morning make up routine for the longest time. BUT, after using it for 2 months, I'm so over it!! Laura Mercier was good BUT, it sheer coverage is not helping at all with my freckles. So, I bought Make Up Forever Duo Mat powder foundation because their liquid foundation is my fave!! I mean, this powder does the job in covering my freckles (not full coverage though) BUT I cannot find the right shade. The shade I currently have is a little bit lighter (I look like a Geisha) and the shade next to it is tad darker than my skin tone. So, I figure, let me try another brand. I bought Shiseido perfect smoothing foundation with SPF 15 and I love it! Feels really light and coverage is good. Hope I'll commit to it!!!

Work hard, Play hard!

If you read my blog below, you are aware that our planned East Coast trip was a DEBACLE! But, we still wanted to see New York. So, I checked out flights at Virgin America and it was affordable! only $71 more than the disastrous Delta Airlines flight. LOL. We will be staying at my Auntie's place in Long Island (save us some $$$, besides, we just need a place to sleep and shower anyways). We can't wait to see what the Big Apple has to offer!!!! We also hope to visit the neighboring states which are just a couple of hours away and bus accessible. See you Noo Yawk Noo Yawk in September!!!




Just when I thought I'm not going to any vacations this year, Gerald suggested we should go Hawaii. Ge wanting to go Hawaii was perplexing to me.
Reason#1: we are on a BUDGET!!!
Reason#2; there are NO all inclusive hotels in Hawaii. We like the all inclusive plan because we do not have to worry about food everyday.
Reason#3: let me reiterate the obvious, we are on a BUDGET!!!!
I kept asking myself, Can I afford this?? But I caved in because found us a good deal at Hawaii airlines. I'm ecstatic !!! See yah Waikiki in October!!!!

Flight disaster!!!

Suck it up morning flight delay

5 p.m.- Virgin America side for dinner. Catching up on my reading.

6p.m.-Totally frustrated at this point!!

Our East Coast trip was CANCELLED! We planned to visit my mom's cousin in the East coast (Washington) BUT the plan did not go the way we want it to be. The flight to Washington was a NIGHTMARE!!!. We were supposed to fly out of SFO to MN to Washington yesterday at 6:05 a.m. Unfortunately, on our way to the airport security (5 a.m.), my sister received a call from Delta airlines saying the flight was delayed and moved to 10:30 a.m. That was fine with me, 4 hours in the airport is okay. Delta gave us $50 voucher for our next trip and $6 food credit, so that appeased me a little. Almost 10:30 a.m., we are still not boarding. Delta customer service announced that they will change our flights again because the airplane is having a main computer board problems. So now our flight was moved to 10:30 p.m.!!! YES! I said it right, P.M!! At this point I'm irked out, my sis went on the line for an hour to get us another flight to ATL (not MN) to Washington. We sucked it up again and used our $56 food credit to eat our dinner (we went to the Virgin America airline side, I feel like I'm in Vegas. LOL). Then my mom's cousin suggested we should just fly out to JFK airport in NY so they can just meet us up there since we planned to be in NY Saturday morning if we flew to Washington. So we changed our flights again to SFO-->JFK., 10:30 p.m.flight. We went back to our Delta airline gate only to find out we are delayed again!!! 10:30 p.m. flight was changed to 2:05 a.m. At this point, I'm livid BUT we said, ok, let's calm down and just be patient!!! We checked the schedule for departure to find out that it was DELAYED again (2:05 a.m. -->3:40a.m)! WOW! That's it!!!! We are CANCELLING this trip!. 18 hours in the airport was NOT fun! I was tired and frustrated. I know for sure I'm not flying DELTA ever!!!

Update:
We resched our NY trip to September and this time we are flying Virgin America!!

My 31st!! ♥

31st??? wow!! I'm officially in my 30's!!! Gone were the days of "clubbing" and getting drunk on my birthday. BUT, this old lady still had the energy and the groove so we headed to Santana Row Saturday night. Sunday was FAM day!!! We went with the cousins to Cloverleaf at Irvington and had a blast bowling!!! Everything is mellow now BUT I'm glad I celebrated it with my loved ones ♥

I'm missing the beach!

Cancun, Dec 2010Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, May 2010

St. John, US Virgin Islands, June 2008

It's been 7 months for me since my last tropical vacation (Cancun)or should I say REAL vacation?!?!?. I usually go on vacation between the months of May-August of every year BUT since I'm on a budget for the wedding, there is just no extra $$$ to squander for a good tropical vacation. I'm in dire need of a good vacation!!! My brain seems to be on a vacation mode because I'm always sluggish at work even after taking 2 green tea pills (energy and hoping to speed up my metabolism) in the morning. 5 more months of savings and I can finally enjoy my paycheck!!! My first purchase will be a tropical vacation to relax, decompress and work on my tan a month before the wedding. I cant wait!!

SAVE THE DATE ♥

I've been on a hunt since April for our SAVE THE DATE card and Etsy has been my favorite website. Everything just look so cute and dainty!!!! I used pictures we took when we went to Cancun and so far, it is looking like a destination wedding SAVE THE DATE. hahaha. How I wish! Here are some samples of different designs BUT I will post in the next couple of days which design GE and I chose. Pardon the TOM and KATIE ♥ BRIAN & KATIE samples below. lol

Wedding inspirations

This is our actual reception venue (Casa Real at Ruby Hill winery) except, this is all decorated! I'm so inlove with these chandeliers BUT is super pricey. $500 per chandelier!! You read

it right, $500 EACH!

I'm in love with this cake, simple yet elegant. This is Khloe K. and Lamar O wedding cake.
These flower arrangements below are my inspiration for our centerpieces. I requested to use
hydrangea's (white) and blush roses to replicate this centerpieces (cost effective). Another flower inspiration

This flower arrangement below is I want for the bridesmaids bouquets. I like clean, crisp and fresh looking bouquets.

Lastly, I'm in love with Peonies!!! I hope our vendor can make me this exact bouquet. She is worried that peonies might not be in season on the month of April. :-( I chose peonies not just because it is beautiful and smells divine BUT my all time favorite book is "Peony in love". hehehe

Maldives

Maldives is just gorgeous BUT I can NOT convince Ge to go there for our honeymoon. The flight is way too long and Ge hates flying so, just great! lol. SFO to London and then Maldives. Then sea plane transfer to the resort. It's beautiful though (and all-inclusive) and I'm still considering this. Im in love!

Wants

Wants by Sambuddi2u510 featuring platform high heels

I will definitely hear an earful from Suze Orman!!! or I be would DENIED!! My penchant to nice and luxurious stuffs is just not acceptable this year because I'm saving for our wedding. I drool everytime I see all these stuff and wish I have few dollars to spare to buy 1 item from my wishlist. But alas, there is no budget for anything.
BOOHOO!!!

Wedding Gown

Wedding Gown by Sambuddi2u510 on Polyvore.com

A year from today, Gerald and I will be married!!! A year from today, I will be the "center of attention". It's imperative that I have to look good on our wedding day because it is going be "all eyes on me"!. Ughhhh... I will be beyond nervous!! And let me tell you, when I'm nervous, I sweat profusely. Just great!! Anyways, I found "the dress" BUT I can't blog about it until after the wedding day.... Anyways, I adore these dresses esp. the middle one. A year from now.... I will blog about my dress. hehehe.

Red Sole dilemma

Red Sole dilemma by sambuddi2u featuring star shoes

Wishing I can wear Louboutin's on my wedding day BUT, Mila Kunis said "It's uncomfortable"!!! The price tag is pretty steep too. So I will be dreaming for now......

Family Time

Last Sunday, I spent some family time with my parents and siblings. My mom and bro had the weekend off and it just so happened that it was my wedding dress fitting. My bro was not too happy to tag along because he knows it will take us forever to try on the dresses BUT a yummy pho made him a happy camper. hehehe.

After the dress fitting, I can finally E A T! LOL. We went to Buca de Pepo for some good Italian food. The slew of food was delish but more importantly, I enjoyed some good old family time. Back in the Philippines, we would do family time bondign after Sunday church. I know my parents do not say it BUT it is palpable that they miss spending time with us. And with both of them wanting to retire in the Philippines in few years, I want to spend more time with them when I have a chance. I ♥ my family.

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family." ~Anthony Brandt

I want to share some few of my favourite quotes:
"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses."~Joyce Brothers
"Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts." ~Author Unknown
"In time of test, family is best." ~Burmese Proverb
"The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works is the family. "~Lee Iacocca

Love is...... ♥

To my fiance:

Bridesmaids dress

I finally found "the bridesmaids dress"!!! Finding this one dress that suits three to five different body types was a daunting task. I was not sure if everybody will like it as much as I do. The reasons why chose these dress is because it is flowy (very figure friendly), the material is chiffon (perfect for our spring wedding) and the two toned color is just lovely. We bought the dress at Bridal city in Newark and the brand is Alfred Angelo. The dress color will be latte and the sash will be clover (green).

My sister who will be my Maid of Honor found this dress and she is in love with it!!! The color she chose was latte or cafe with hint of metallic. I love the one shoulder on her because she has nice arms.
All the girls ordered their dresses already. I'm glad everyone liked the style as much as I do. Another item checked off on my to-do list. YAY ♥