Last Birthday as a SINGLE Woman

Okay.. So today is no ordinary day aside from the fact that it's my birthday! :) 26th to be exact.

Woke up today to the greetings of my parents to which started this whole emotional day.

We all know for a fact that this will be my last birthday as a single woman, but boy I did not expect it to be emotional at all! I have to say, I have my Papa to blame for this.

He started off by greeting me a happy birthday (with me still fresh from a good night's sleep). Then the next lines, well let's just say it hit a very soft spot in me. These were his actual words, "Ang bilis. 26 ka na ngayon. Parang kelan lang baby ka pa, kelan ka lang nagaaral lumakad... tapos ngayon ikakasal ka na. Susunod, apo naman ang aalagaan namin, sasabihin nya, Lolo may pagkain ba kayo dyan? Wala pa niluluto si Mommy!" A tear fell from my eye then bursted into laughs after hearing the last line. Haha!

Side story is that my Papa cooks very well. And I have always enjoyed him cooking for us that I don't bother sometimes to cook for the family when he's around. :P

Then, just before lunch, Ron came with a bouquet of red roses and chocolates to greet me a happy birthday. It was a surprise cause I wasn't expecting anything from him since (1) He just got home last night from his India trip, and (2) we've been saving so much for the wedding that we don't spend much on little things anymore. But it's true that the little things count the most. :)

Well there.. The two most important men in my life making a mark on this special day. Next time, it'll be the wedding day! :)

Happiest Birthday Girl,

Single with Proof

After requesting our Cenomars last February 19th at SM, we just picked it up today. :)

Actually, I was excited to have them that I called them last week to check, as it would have been a nice monthsary present. But to no avail did I get the certificates.

But.. At least we have them now... Next stop - Marriage license! :))

Officially Single for Now,

Sneak a Peek!

Our sneak peek is out! :))

Just can't contain my excitement, as I had been on the look out for this one. And contrary to what I had said last Saturday (to which Ron will not see, even the sneak peek), my excitement beat the best of me. As today is our "reveal day", and our 22nd month together, I chose to show Ron the photo! :)

He was quiet, as compared to how he really is, and no comments were given when he saw the photo - this worried me. Until he took my laptop from me, and changed the desktop wallpaper! Haha! Good thing he changed this one, instead of using it as his own desktop wallpaper. :P But, still he ended up saving it on his phone and used it as his iPhone wallpaper. Proud hubby-to-be, I supposed. Haha! ;)

And to add, his comment was "Elegant sya and hindi erotic kasi erotic ung expected ko. But I like the output even more." --> Marunong lang mambola! Hahaha! :))

For the reveal... here is my sneak peek photo. :))

Still feeling sexy,

Bucket List: Boudoir DONE! :)

So it's exactly 24 hours after my boudoir shoot with Boudoir Le Blanc was done. Yey me! And yey us, "Boudoir Ladies". :))

So backtrack to January's shopping-oriented month. I started buying lingerie on my own, without the mood board yet - was just too excited! Haha!

A week later, we received the mood boards for our wardrobe and realized that none of mine could actually be used except for the jacket that we had made for the prenup, and a baseball cap that was given to me as a gift years ago. Other than that, it was time to hit the mall again!

Personal Mood Board courtesy of Heather of Boudoir Le Blanc

After an entire Saturday spent at SM Makati, Landmark, Glorietta, even Greenbelt and MOA, I was able to complete my wardrobe list.

Then, just when we got home, I read an email from Heather that we needed to move the shoot as Tooney had an injury. :( So, we had to reschedule it to yesterday, as this was the earliest free day for all four of us. A week had passed since our supposed shoot, when Heather was able to confirm March 2nd as our Boudoir group schedule. Yey! :)

About a week ago, we received our set design boards, and mine was very "college-dormy" (as how Ron described it). And to add, not a girl's dorm, except for some candles and flowers. Haha! But I have to say, this was not far from my actual room way back when - minus the candles and flowers. ;))

Set Design Board courtesy of Heather of Boudoir Le Blanc

So.. going back to now...

Yesterday was a fun, fast-paced day with each of us having only an hour to shoot, and about an hour also for hair and makeup (BIG BIG THANKS to Tina who made us super pretty!), and photo shoot being done in a marathon. I did not feel any hunger - to which I think (aside from the butterflies) it was also because I was so focused on having a smaller tummy than the usual. ;)

With all of us being excited and nervous, we did not think 1 hour would seem so short - or at least I did not. And after Tooney said, "Okay, that's it!", I sat there thinking, "Wanted to do some more shots, please!". Haha! It was just simply fun, and they made us feel so comfortable - with some music and a lot of confidence-boosting words of encouragement. ;)

Oh, and I just need to say how much I appreciate Heather's eye for details. When she conceptualized our mood boards for the set, I did not imagine my set to be how it was. I was actually scared it might not work, or would not look feminine at all because (a) comparing how it was sexy and girly for the other ladies, mine reflected my boyish self, and (b) with the colors and the elements, I did not think it would suit me... But boy she pulled it through! :)

Oh, and I just lovvveeedddd the little detail on my set that kept me thinking "Did I sent this to her?" Haha! She had framed one of our prenup pics that so happened was the same photo that I have now on my bedside table. Heather said, she got it from FB to add a little more personal touch. :))) **Sorry I was not able to take photos of the set... I was just excited and nervous getting there that I forgot I had my phone with me.**

Needless to say, I did enjoy this experience and I could now cross it off my bucket list. Till yesterday morning, I thought I'll never do it again... but, it was such a liberating experience that I'm thinking this won't be the last time. ;)

My little souvenir

Our individual "No Peeking" signs showing our individual sets (Photos courtesy of Tine)

Now, I just hope that when and if any of my family would see it, they would just see how beautiful I am, and not get mad for doing something like this. ;))

And of course, I hope I could keep it off from Ron, at least till our wedding night... Yiii! Hahaha!

Feeling sexy (Naks!),

120 Day Countdown Begins

At last, we begin our 120 day countdown. :)

I must say, I actually thought I'll be all calm and collected having booked most of our suppliers ahead, even having done with our prenup... yet I actually feel pressured! Haha!

As a control freak that I am, you may understand how this countdown set me in a panic mode. We still need to book the following:

(a) Lights and sounds - to which we already spoke to and pencil booked. Just need to pay the DP and sign the contract.

(b) Entourage gown maker - though we decided not to pay for the entourage gowns, we still need to find one for them for uniformity. This is already pre-set to be my mom's friend, but we still haven't booked her cause I want my mom to tag along so we coudk avail of "friendly" rates. ;)

(c) Wedding Rings - Okay, so we bought a voucher already months ago. However, we decided no to go with it anymore. My Tita has a jeweller friend and we could have ours custom made by them at a much reasonable cost. So we decided to go ahead with this and completely set aside the voucher. Plus, my mom will be paying for these so we are, again, waiting for her to tag along.

(d) Florist - This is pre-set to another friend of my mom, who happened to be the same florist during my debutant's ball. So going with her is also a walk in the park choice. However, since he is a mom's friend, we need her to tag along with us.

(e) Invite drafts and printouts - So we're done with the STD, however I have not yet started anything - not even a dot for our DIY invitations. :| This is the major pressure I have as of now since work had been hectic and demanding of my time even on weekends.

(f) Musicians - We are still yet to find one! We liked SJT Strings, however they are a bit over our budget. So we need to look for others, and book them soon. I wouldn't want you to hear me sing on my own wedding - you might all go home! Haha!

(g) Ron's confirmation - We are needing to have this settled SOON! The thing was, Ron sort of remember that he received the Sacrament of Confirmation, however, he could not remember when or where! So to avoid anymore hassles, we just decided for him to go through it again - to which in my opinion, he needs a "re-confirmation". Hahaha!

So there... I do hope we do get to settle all of these this month of February till March. I just want a detailing schedule by April! Fingers crossed! :)

120 days and counting,