Friday, March 27, 2015

A Sweet Feature by Party Doll Manila

Oh-wheeee!!! This little momma is so thrilled! :)

So a few days after the celebration, I received a text message from Ms. Lovely of Sugarplum Pastries, our super galing cake supplier. She said that an event blogger was interested to include a feature on our Baby Gatsby Party. When she told me who it was - Ms. Jo-Anne of Party Doll Manila, I may have just hyper-ventilated!! Imagine, I was walking along the halls of DLSU when I got the news, and this was in between my classes. All the while I had that silly smile on my face that I couldn't seem to wipe away! My students were surely wondering why their professor was in an exceptionally good mood! Hahaha...you see, I'm such a big fan of hers and all the cute, pretty and whimsical parties featured in her site. Even before our party preps, her blog has been one of the few I frequent for inspiration/pegs to be added to our mood board. 

The really nice thing about her features is that it doesn't necessarily have to be about the costs or having every party detail ticked off the checklist. If that were the case, I'm very sure ours wouldn't even be considered in the first place. Siguro even if we ask them, they'll say that their criteria would be a mixed bag of factors - something that can only be seen in the final details and execution. Well what I'm trying to say is, pwede rin pala ang simple..basta rock! Hahahahaha :)

As new parents in the children's party game, it's really heart-warming to find that your ideas & efforts are appreciated. For me this is some sort of a validation, a pat on the back, a thumbs-up sign...that we did something right :) And who knows, maybe it could also inspire other parents to come up with even more amazing parties with this in mind (quoted from my good friends' Jobeth & Jayson's wedding mantra): "Sing ganda, pero di sing mahal...".

So thank you once again to our wonderful suppliers - credit goes to them for giving us a light and highly enjoyable occasion. And of course, thank you so much Ms. Jo-Anne for including Z's Baby Gatsby party in your blog..I'm still beyond thrilled :) This silly smile can stay on a little longer... :D

We're featured on Party Doll Manila's blog! :) (Content courtesy of: Party Doll Manila; Pictures by Happy Folks Studio)

Check out our party on Party Doll Manila's site [Zara’s Baby Gatsby Themed Party – 1st Birthday]. Careful, there are so many nice parties, it'd make you want to throw one right about now!

So....Daddy A, care for party #2? Hahahahahaha :)


Vendor listing and reference:
Venue: Alveo Celadon Park Function Rooms A & B  |  Caterer / Stylist: Passion Cooks Catering  |  Cake: Sugarplum Pastries  |  Photographer: Happy Folks Studio  |  Videographer: Shuttercount  |  Host / Magician: Chayno  |  Mommy’s dress: SURCO by Vien Resurreccion  |  Baby’s red party dress: a gift by Ninang Vien Resurreccion of SURCO  |  Daddy’s suit: BKS Couture (Boy Kastner Santos)  |  Headpiece and Boutonnieres: ETC Handmade Goodness  |  Hair and Make-up: Chinky Tanjangco and Wheng Diva  |  Lights and Sounds: Metromix  |  Photobooth: Incredibooths  |  OTD Coordinator: Madison Events  |  Chocolate souvenir: Unit 16 Sweets  |  Food carts: Ice Cream by Pinkerton; Fries, Ice Scramble and Cotton Candy by Sweet Services  |  Paperie: Invitation by Nicci Wiedman of Paper Street Press; Menu card, dish card, tarps, chocolate layout, wish card by Caren Resurreccion; Table numbers, memorabilia table pictures by Mommy Meowmeow; and Printing by Printlane


Related posts



Official Photos by Happy Folks Studio --> Coming soon!

Party MTV by Shuttercount 

Saturday, March 7, 2015

A shabby-colorful-chic baby shower for Jobeth

[This is a late post. Congratulations to the Lo family who welcomed their baby X in December of 2014!]

When #Mr&Mrs Lo announced 'their' pregnancy, we couldn't help but be happy and excited for them. We have met and became friends with each other in our mid-20's, while taking our master's degree. You can say it's a relatively short time from then til now to be truly friends with each other. But let me assure you, it doesn't at all diminish the level of connection, care and love for our dear friends. It actually helps that we are in similar stages now - from clueless newlyweds to even more clueless parents! Haha..kidding! :)

So I asked dear Ninang Vien to help me plan a nice baby shower for Jobs; after all, sila din naman ang mga "punong abala" for the surprise baby shower they gave me back in 2013! 

She recommended Sophie's Mom and I can say that it's a really nice place. V immediately booked the branch in Makati. What's nice about it is that we really did not have to do a lot of decorating. The place is so Instagram- and Pinterest-worthy! It's not too big, which made it perfect for our intimate celebration. And for only a minimum consumable amount, we were able to have the place all to ourselves, for the next 3-4 hours. Aside from the pastries like cupcakes and cakes, they also provide yummy party meals :) I definitely loved their pasta and tapsilog! So for party planners, super worth it kasi everything's there na. All you need to do is prepare a short program or games, sit back, relax and have a chill outing!

Writings on the (glass) wall

Okay, I have to give credit to my hubby for the final design of the diaper cake! Gujab!!! 


Because Mader Jobs' fave color is purple, that's what we focused on for some of the details..


This place is just so pretty!! :)



Delicious cupcackes..



The surprise rainbow cake :)


So while waiting for Don, we started with the game. I thought they'd all get it in just a few minutes but they ended up scratching their heads in disbelief. "Madz!! Quiz ba ito??" Hahaha..Sorry guys, didn't know you were not showbiz :p

Baby Shower Pop Quiz
  1. Match the celebrity couple to their kid's name (Victoria & David Beckham, Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck, etc.)
  2. Animal baby names (what do you call a baby cat, dog, or how about a baby dolphin?)
  3. Mommy & Daddy test (will they or won't they get the same answers to -- where baby was conceived, the name they want, etc.)





"Ang sakit na ng ulo namin!" Hahahahaha..


Here I was giving them the answers while babywearing Z.


Don, glad you made it!! :) I hope hindi ka nahilo sa Makati :p



This little baby dolly came with us too!

Group shot! :)


Alright little dolly, let's see if Mr. Lo is ready to be a baby-daddy! Hahahaha..We actually tested him on different papa-hood skillz..:


  1. Changing nappies
  2. Burping
  3. Swaddling
  4. Babywearing in a sling

Xavi if you ever get to read this, be thankful for little dolly. Siya pinag-practicean ni Daddy Vlady mo. :p Thank you so much Mr. Lo for being a nice sport about this! Definitely passed with flying colors! :)


I can see Mommy Jobs was enjoying this portion too much! Hahaha..."Ayos, no need for yaya anymore!" Actually, even the cashier staff were laughing with us during this part of the game!


Ganito ba mag change ng diaper?



At one point Jason even said, "Pre, tama ba?" Hahahaha :)


A glimpse of the loving father..



And here's the lovely couple opening their shower presents :)


Unbeknownst to them, I asked Don to list Jobeth's and Jason's reactions to the presents as they unwrap it. We documented it in her purple scrapbook under: "Mommy and Daddy's reactions while 'making' baby" Hahahahahahaha :))


Okay, and here you can see their reactions as Don read aloud from his list. Jobs found it too funny while Jayson didn't look too amused! Hahaha :) 


So before our reservation was up, it was the couple's turn to share their surprise tokens for us. A tub of Chef Tony's popcorn and San Miguel memorabilia cans for each of us! Yehey! Thank you so much and we hope you enjoyed our celebration! :)

Thank you so much Vien and (my brother) Arvin for helping us with this shower in a major way!
Thanks to my hubby for preparing the nappy cake and taking care of the printouts
Thanks to Don and Diane for your help and input
Thanks to Nick, Wendy and Camille for the active participation

Until the next baby shower, guys! Or wedding?? Sino kaya? Hahahaha :)


Sophie's Mom | facebook.com/sophiesmomonline | 8760 Santol St., San Antonio Village, 1203 Makati | 856-4849 / 738 6625

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

2015 Feng Shui Crystals & Charms

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Welcome to the lunar year of the Wood Sheep! :)

The Chinese New Year brings out much excitement for me. I love that we get to celebrate with family over sumptuous meals (and tikoy on the side), the kids get nice presents and some angpao money for them to save. As for me....ah, 'tis the season to update and refresh my crystals..woohoo!!

I consider it a special "mommy treat" whenever my hubby and I go to Binondo to have our bracelets made, then get to savor Chinatown with a meal in Wai Ying :) Mababaw lang ang kaligayan? Yes! siomai, congee and hot salad roll, oks na oks na!! Hahaha :) 

They say that these crystals that come from the earth possess their own energy / auric field that can promote healing for certain afflictions. At the same time, some can ward off negativity both from external and internal sources. Here are some examples I learned through the years: Muscovite can help people who are suffering from diabetes, Jade is good for circulation, Lapis Lazuli is good for a student's concentration, Black Tourmaline can block psychic attacks..and so on. 

When merged with Feng Shui practice, some stones or crystals can help activate say, wealth luck (this is usually done on a good year) or help deflect negative aspects or some bad flying stars from manifesting. A popular example would be the Citrine stone, usually worn by businessmen or salespeople to help improve and focus their thinking, assist in their work and as a consequence, hopefully will increase their sales.

I'm sharing a picture of my 2015 bracelet. The crystal gemstone arrangement was recommended to me by Mr. Johnson Chua of Feng Shui Sunrise based on my personal Paht Chee / Bazi chart. Based on the forecast for the year and missing elements in my chart, this is what he suggested. I researched online on each stone's particular meaning and they look promising. I emphasized in bold fonts the virtues and characteristics that I consider as important.

SNOWFLAKES OBSIDIAN - [This is the big stone in the foreground, carved in the shape of a conch shell with an inggot. On their own, the conch shell and inggot also symbolize auspicious things in Feng Shui.]  
♥ Balance during changes ♥ Purification ♥ Transformation ♥ Fulfillment ♥ Metamorphoses ♥ Manifestation ♥ Practicality ♥ Psychic ability
"In addition to the generic healing properties of Obsidian, Snowflake Obsidian is calming and soothing.  It teaches you to value mistakes as well as successes.  A stone of purity, Snowflake Obsidian provides balance for body, mind and spirit.  It helps you recognise and release “wrong thinking” and stressful mental patterns.  Promotes dispassion and inner centring.  Snowflake Obsidian empowers isolation and loneliness, aiding surrender in meditation.
Snowflake Obsidian aids in disorders of the veins and the skeletal structure.  It improves circulation and alleviates muscular aches and spasms.  Treats joint pain (arthritis) and hardening of the arteries." (Source: http://www.charmsoflight.com
SANDSTONE -  ♥ Creativity ♥ Solidarity ♥ Truth ♥ Understanding 
"Sandstone is a stone of creativity.  It helps to build and strengthen the cohesiveness and solidarity within relationships.  Encourages truth and promotes clarity in thought and sight.  Sandstone balances one’s reality and facilitates ease of movement and change.  It dispels abrasiveness of character and promotes loving acceptance of humanity.  Discourages bad tempers and general grouchiness. Sandstone treats wounds and broken bones.  It improves water retention and assists in the restoration of degenerative eyesight, weak fingernails and thinning hair." (Source: http://www.charmsoflight.com)
APATITE ♥ Intellect ♥ Focus ♥ Learning ♥ Clarity of concentration ♥ Acceptance ♥ Unconditional Love ♥ Stimulates thoughts & ideas ♥ Communication ♥ Intellectual pursuits ♥ Peace and harmony ♥ Fights viruses
"Apatite is a stone of manifestation.  It is related to service and to humanitarian pursuits.  Apatite is attuned to the future, yet connects to past lives.  It stimulates the development of our psychic gifts and spiritual attunement, deepening meditation and aiding communication and self-expression on all levels.  It balances the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies, and the chakras, eliminating overactivity and stimulating underactivity. 
Psychologically, Apatite increases motivation.  It draws off negativity about oneself and others.  It is helpful for hyperactivity and autism in children.  Apatite enhances creativity and the intellect.  It clears confusion and frustration, reducing irritability and awakening the inner self.  Apatite expands knowledge and truth and eases sorrow, apathy, and anger.
Physically, Apatite aids in the absorption of calcium, helping cartilage, bones and teeth; healing bones and encouraging the formation of new cells.  It improves arthritis and joint problems.  Apatite can successfully help in suppressing hunger and raising the metabolic rate, encouraging healthy eating.  It heals the glands, meridians, organs and overcomes hypertension." (Source: http://www.charmsoflight.com)

My personal 2015 feng shui crystals and charms from Feng Shui Sunrise

I don't know why, but I feel a particular affinity towards these stones and crystals in general. They are attractive to look at and supposedly helps promote healing and clearing of energy blockages. If nothing, I find that having a pretty go-to arm candy or accessory helps save time each day and spruces up an otherwise drab wardrobe. Something different, right? They also serve as a nice reminder of the virtues we should aspire for and engender, in order for us to reach our goals...and in effect, bringing about the so-called "luck".

Of course I cannot guarantee the truth to all those claims. For all we know, it could be true or might be just a subject of fancy folk lore passed through the ages. We must remember that in order for us to manifest the good things in life we must work for it, do good and lift up everything to God.

I pray we all have a great year ahead, dear readers! Wishing you all a prosperous and happy new year! :)

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