All-out, All-in

At 31, I don't have everything figured out. Quite frankly, where I am now is in a much different place than I have planned to be when I was younger (emotionally, physically, professionally, etc.). There was a time in my 20's when I envisioned myself living and working in a foreign country. There was a time when I'd be all for joining marathons and all the training that comes with it. Basically, there was a time when I thought I'd be everything I want to be and have everything I want to have by 30. 

Such a lofty and arduous ambition, right? At some point during the last couple of years, I was not okay with most everything that's happening..or not happening. I felt like there was a barrier, a road block to those aspirations. The struggle is REAL, so to speak. 

There were also times I'd question myself if I've made the right decisions, at the right time. Was this xx too soon? Is this xx too late? Should I have done this xx instead?? During my lowest points (okay, I'm not even going to blame hormones on this) I'd read, cry and sulk (all the feels!!!!) while my family's asleep. Sometimes Daddy A would wake and see me crying and comfort me, and sometimes he's just asleep! Hahaha.. Real talk? 2014 was especially challenging when we became parents for the first time. Changes here and there, pressure points everywhere.

I can't say I've gotten over all these..but what I can say is that I'm coming to terms with most of them. What helped me most was my husband's love and patience, rediscovering Mama Mary's help through the Rosary and of course, reading God's Word through some helpful books I've stumbled on in those dark times. 

One story that knocked some sense in me was the journey out of Egypt and in the desert for 40 years. Imagine that! Long story short, I truly could relate that right now in my life, I'm in the desert. This does not pertain to where I'm living but rather, what I feel within. But my hope is in God that by leaning in, praying, trusting Him and His plans and working for His glory, He will one day lead us out of the desert season of our life. 

I may be afraid but I will not let it paralyze me. I know now that at 31, life is just beginning for me and my family. And it's okay to not have everything figured out by now. A huge part of our success or failure lies in how we take action. I am God's work in progress. Sure there'll be mistakes, but I'll learn from them. Starting today, I'm going all-out and all-in!

THE Tagaytay trip with the Girlies

So this just happened!!! :)  The Tagaytay trip we almost weren't able to go to. Sooo sooo soo much fun! Thank you so much for hosting, Ayee :)

Wish you were here Ina, Grace & Kathy :)


Tagaytay, let's Marvin Gaye and get it on! from Andrew Lim on Vimeo.
Blogged here ==> www.mommymeowmeow.com
Music: Charlie Puth - Marvin Gaye ft. Meghan Trainor

Zara's Second Birthday at Guevarra's by Chef Laudico

Last week we celebrated an important milestone in our family's life - our daughter's second birthday!!! :) That's two years worth of diaper changes, mommy-baby tactical negotiations, working part-time / full-time parenting, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, sneaking in sexy times (hahaha) and everything in between. As I always say, it's not always easy but it's definitely worth it. 

What can I say, we may be far from being a perfect family but my two fellas right here make it bearable and a really enjoyable everyday living. 

Of course you could obviously see more than 1 cake in our pictures and that's part of the reason we decided to celebrate in a restaurant to accommodate our guests. It was a 3-in-1 celebration for our not-so-little Z, Daddy A's upcoming birthday and my parents' wedding anniversary. So that's really a "happy we"! Am I making sense here?? Hahahaha :D

All these lovely and yummy cakes were Pinterest-inspired and tweaked a bit by our supplier, Sweet Home Bakeshop.

What started as a 30-person party quickly turned to 50-ish as we wanted to spend time with our nearest and dearest families and Z's godparents. This is, in comparison with Z's 1st birthday bash, a pretty much unplanned event, giving us 2 weeks give or take to book the restaurant and invite our guests. Really so glad that they were able to join us despite having it on an odd schedule - yup, a Monday dinner party hehehe :)

It was good that Guevarra's restaurant is located in San Juan (387 P. Guevarra cor. Argonne St., San Juan City) and it's like in the center too of Metro Manila so makes it a bit easier for our guests to locate and to come on time. Parking is very convenient too.

Daddy A's Badminton Cake

My parents' anniversary cake

What made us decide to hold our event here at Guevarra's is primarily their superb buffet offering - tasty Filipino dishes that are reasonably priced. With drinks na yan ah! Of course the ambience is so nice too! Feels like I'm transported back in time to the 20's or 30's in a hacienda having a feast after attending to town concerns. Hahaha #feels ba? [P.S. Thanks so much to Ina & Reggie for inviting us here for A's homecoming, such a great recommendation]

But I tell you, for us it is sulit na :) Dinner from 5-8 pm with the spread that they have....ahhhh, I just want to come back and feast on their buffet again!

Daddy A and his architect friends also appreciate the fact that this is an old house from that period that was preserved and repurposed for many things - Guevarra's restaurant is just the latest incarnation. 

It helps too that the place and the over-all design was just pure understated elegance. Nothing over the top and not too zen minimalist. That's why even if we were not able to finish our DIY mylar balloons, carry na rin! 

I was only able to take photos of some dessert spread. At this point there were may people lining at the buffet and dyahe na ako to take pics. Baka gutom na rin sila :p

What I was telling you earlier. These aren't all our guests, ah. They have several function rooms that can accommodate from just a table to 50 pax. The buffet spread is shared amongst all diners. No worries since they replenish almost immediately and the hallways area large and spacious so the buffet station is really still just a few steps away from wherever you may be seated. 

I really like their angus beef tapa, lechon, kare-kare with bagoong and dessert. Almost everything, actually! 

Yep, you definitely are in Mommy Meowmeow's blog! Hahahaha...obvious much? Hihi :)

Again these are Pinterest-finds that my hubby kindly (out of mercy sa kawawang DIY-er?!) reproduced for me. Thank you so much! 

My grandma who travelled all the way from Quezon just to get here :)

Mommy and Baby Meowmeows! :)

My mother-in-law who helped me source balloons and lootbag contents in Divi-landia. Thank you so much po! :)

The kids ARE alright! Maybe a bit drunk looking here??

Guevarra's Mabini Function Room - can hold up to 50 persons, has male/female comfort rooms which are shared with the rest of the restaurant diners. If ultimate privacy and exclusivity is what you want, that might be a deal-breaker.

Mabini function room

Rivera - Lim - Ang families

With Z's godparents

My uncle and my (pretending to be) drunk dad hehehe :)

Girlies represent! My friends from high school, Z and Ate J

Me with the birthday girl, in her party hat....which I totally forgot about until we were about to hand out the lootbags!! Aaaackkkk...hahahaha :D

The singing waiters.

Time for you two to make a wish! [Cause I already made a wish and you both came true! Naks!!]

The front porch is just as picturesque as the inside. I really wanted us to have a class-picture-style photo taken here with all our guests but, it's a logistical challenge.

I felt Mondays would be more relaxed with less people but look, not only did they have a wedding reception, they were also celebrating Guevarra's staff Christmas party right smack in January :)

This is a photo of the function room that's good for at least 10 pax, I think..

Good night! Sweet hugs and kisses to my two loves..I love you both so so so very much :)

Food & Venue: Chef Laudico Guevarra's
Cakes by: Sweet Home Bakeshop
Photo / Video: Mommy Meowmeow; also great shots by my bro Arvin in his album; as well as my in-laws Gen & Athan :)
Hello Kitty Photobooth prop: Daddy Meowmeow (Andrew Lim)
Lootbags: Super thanks to my mother-in-law mama Medy & my mommy Madeleine for taking care of this :)
Godparents' caramel apple: The Bad Apple

Bag of Beans in Tagaytay

Hello 2016 and wishing you all a Happy New Year! :) So today I get to blog for a while about our post-Christmas and pre-NY Tagaytay outing. It was just an overnight trip but well worth it since I got to go to new places and try new dishes...yan tayo eh! :p

One of the reasons I blog is to share with you dear readers great finds so you'll be able to try it out too! I can't believe that after all these years and my nth Tagaytay trip, I finally set foot in a Bag of Beans branch. 

We stumbled upon their branch near the rotunda but I heard they have 3 branches in total. This is a quaint cafe that serves not only coffee and bread but some more food fares like pasta, appetizers and rice dishes. If you're in a hurry, you can still buy pasalubong from them like bread, ground coffee and other baked treats. But I definitely suggest you eat here too! Hahaha..

Over-all I like the food, serving size was okay, staff service very good and the ambience plus decors are totally on point for the season. We will definitely be back! So enjoy the photos and let me know when you've tried them out. Cheers to the new year! :)

In full bloom..

Their pasalubong corner

Here's Baby Z busy drawing something..

Of course, my Alice in Wonderland Vans kicks in action

Cute mosaic-like birdhouse display. Did you see the butterfly?

More seats available upstairs

Lakas maka Western-cottage vibe..let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Lovely to have a cup of hot chocolate and ensaymada in this corner. Wait, do they have ensaymada?? Hehehe :)

A view of the Taal Lake...

As you can see there are also seats available in the veranda area

My little-future-architect?

Banana chocolate milkshake - one of their best sellers so I've been told

Loving the shabby-chic vibe with these mismatched seats :)

So here are the bag of beans :)

Yummy nachos! :) Just took a second to take a shot, and a few more to devour it bwahahahaha :)

Roast beef with mashed potato and vegetables

"Waiter, can you take my order please?"

with the Lim family

Fish and chips?

Grilled fish with mashed potato and salsa

Yum yum yum! One of my fave breakfast dishes