Wedding Supplier Review: Our Cake by Joy San Gabriel

Wedding Supplier Review: Our Cake by Joy San Gabriel

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

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Our cake supplier is one of the best decisions I made for our wedding.



Wedding reviews usually come with a rating and I forewent that in my previous entries, but for Ms. Joy, I will tell you that my rating is 5+++.



You know that supplier you can't stop raving about each and every time their product comes up in a conversation? This is that kind of supplier. If I can get married all over again just so I can have a three-tiered, all-edible, whipped cream cake with four different flavors, I would. Her cakes are THAT good.

To be honest, she wasn't my first choice. I didn't even know about her until I went to a bridal fair.



I already had a cake design and a cake designer in mind months before the wedding, and Jay and I even went to a bridal fair so we can avail of a discounted rate just in case we decided to get the said vendor.



But when we were there, the quote given to me was still way over our budget even with the discount, and for a design much simpler than I wanted. I could've worked on it if I wanted, but what made me decide to skip the said vendor was the taste of the cake. Let's just say I was expecting more.



I wanted our wedding cake to not just be beautiful on the outside, but decadent on the inside too. Our wedding cake wouldn't just be decoration. It will be eaten, and it will be eaten heartily. Mainly by me!

Haha. I love cake. Cake is one of my comfort food. I can finish a whole cake by myself , but I'm an adult now so I have to act like one.



So fast forward to another bridal fair my bridesmaid Kat and I visited. There we were, getting overwhelmed with the maze of wedding supplier booths all around us.



We got to the wedding cake vendor aisle and we sampled their products. One stall didn't have a lot of giant cake displays like the others, but they did have a lot of bite-sized samples laid out at their booth.



Different variants of cheesecakes, a carrot cake, a chocolate one, and some other flavors.



I was in cake heaven. First taste of the mango cheesecake and I knew, we found our supplier. But just to make sure, Kat and I went back another round so we can eat the samples again.



That vendor was Joy San Gabriel Young. Ms. Joy wasn't there during the fair, but her husband Martin explained their rates and cake details very well. I wanted to book them already, but of course Jay and I had to decide together.

I sent an email to Ms. Joy for the specific design I wanted. What I love about her is she takes into account her client's budget so she can work around it and still give the client the best product she can produce.



She explained to me the kind of cake we can avail within my budget, the flavors available within that range, and also the extent of the design we can achieve.



There's a fast turnaround for email inquiries, and her replies are clear and thorough.



To avail of the discount, I went to another bridal fair and paid our down payment. Mr. Martin filled out a form and gave it to me, and that's what I brought to Ms. Joy's studio for our cake tasting.

Cake sampling is scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays only since they have a busy week for events. The studio is located in Galas, Quezon City. I posted the map to her studio at the end of my review.



Our meeting was very productive. Ms. Joy was attentive to all the little details and emailed me her notes the day after. And of course, the samples she served were all delicious. I didn't finish everything so Jay and his family could taste them too.



I also met up with a friend and we were in agreement that everything was good.

Ms. Joy also gave me a sample of her cheese roll. Back then, they were still finalizing the details of a stand-alone kiosk for their baked goods to be sold in malls. And now, it's a reality! You can find their soft and yummy cheese rolls and ensaymada at Marketplace by Rustan's inside Powerplant Mall.

Our final design was a three-tier, all-edible whipped cream cake with four different flavors. Yes, four, because the bottom layer could be divided into two flavors. Isn't that awesome? My main design element was a cascade of light peach peonies with green leaves made of sugar icing.



But in the end we just chose three flavors because the strawberry shortcake was out of this world. That was our bottom layer. Our other two flavors were mango cheesecake (top) and moist chocolate (mid).



The three tiers were sized as follows: 6x5, 9x5, and 12x5 round cakes.



The best part is, we ended up with a cake that cost less than our budget! It's because of the 5% discount we availed at the bridal fair. And of course, Ms. Joy's generosity.



The other flavors you can choose from include coffee caramel, tarta San Marco, apple, or carrot.



For other weddings, after the couple slice their cake, it just sits there like a sad kid forgotten by the others. But not me. I had plans for our cake. Since we already had several dessert options for our guests (including a white chocolate cake, I planned on reserving the wedding cake for us and our families.

What's great is Ms. Joy offered to convert out top two tiers into styrofoam for the wedding day, and give us FOUR boxed cakes (two 6-inch mango cheesecakes and two 9-inch moist chocolate cakes).



It was perfect because we were able to give them to our families. As for the bottom layer, our lucky guests who stayed until the end of the wedding got to take home our cake too.

They have other options like converting one or two layers to cupcakes of mini-cakes. Just talk to Ms. Joy about your options.



Friends, don't overlook your wedding cake. It will be the first thing you taste during your reception proper (your coordinator is supposed to feed you before the program, but that doesn't count), and you want to make that memory great.



Choose wisely. Choose Joy.



Hehe sorry got a little carried away there with my copywriting brain. But, trust me. Go ahead and sample her cakes at bridal fairs. Drop by her stall for cheese rolls and ensaymada. You will not regret it.

Joy San Gabriel

Address: 3F PNB Galas Branch Building, 20 Bayani Street, Galas, Quezon City

Email: sangabriel.joy @gmail.com

Contact Numbers: +63917-5278837 / +632-7439306 / +632-2114820

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I Worked Out for 30 Days and This is What I Learned

I Worked Out for 30 Days and This is What I Learned

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

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Last month, I started working out again. I had gained back some of the weight I lost before the wedding and I felt lethargic from being in the house all the time. I also knew I had to start taking care of myself to prepare my body once Jay and I decide on having kids. But I'll be honest with you. My reason for wanting to work out and lose weight was this:



I wanted my thighs to stop chafing. 


It may sound simple to many of you. I know I can just wear cycling shorts or half slips underneath my skirts/dresses. I know I can put baby powder and/or lotion to reduce friction between my thighs, even put deodorant. I tried these, but thigh chafing has been bugging me for a long time. I would see other ladies who are the same size (sometimes even bigger) as I am, and watch in awe as they walk in shorts and skirts and dresses seemingly without a care in the world or the chafing between their thighs. I would wonder whether they're wearing something underneath that allows them to walk comfortably. And I would scratch my head when I prove they aren't. Hoooow?!



So instead of suffering and wondering all the time, I decided to hit two birds with one stone and just start working out. I would lose weight, and I would get rid of thigh chafing in the process. Easy peasy!

One Day or Day One. Choose wisely!

Not. I knew the challenge was to KEEP WORKING OUT. Like many good habits I tried to form in the past (applying body lotion every night before sleeping, dry body brushing, eating healthy), I would end up pumped with adrenaline in the beginning, usually the first three days, then fizzle out by the fourth day. So this was my short-term goal: to keep going beyond day 4. I didn't know if I could do it, in fact I highly doubted it, but here I am 30 days later and I'm still at it!



I only exercised during the weekdays, so that's 5 times a week. There were a couple of days I missed so I made up for them by either doubling my workout the next day, or working out even on a Saturday. I also started slow. I searched for beginner workouts on YouTube, and did those that were 10 minutes or less. Gradually, I increased my time and the intensity of my workouts. Sometimes I would do a 10-min HIIT workout with 20 minutes of yoga. Or sometimes I would do a 5-min standing arm workout coupled with a 30-min Zumba session. When I couldn't do some of the movements, I would modify them, but I kept moving. 



I love High Intensity Interval Workouts (HIIT). According to Shape Magazine, HIIT refers to any "workout that alternates between intense bursts of activity and fixed periods of less-intense activity or even complete rest." Most of these workouts involve cardio exercises, so it will get you sweating in no time. These workouts are best for people who love to say they don't have time to exercise. HIIT workouts are fast, convenient, and there are no equipment necessary. Best of all, they work. Researches have shown that short HIIT workouts are better than spending an hour at the treadmill. If you're really pressed for time, you can even work out for 4 minutes using the Tabata protocol!



Now I will start to introduce weight training to my routine as well. This is to tone my muscle and also help in burning fat. 



There's a saying that motivation is what gets you started and habit is what keeps you going. That proved true for me. I had my why, and I kept going because eventually my body became used to working out, and my mind became conditioned to include a workout for a complete weekday. But I also learned the importance of having rest days and listening to your body. I skipped a workout once because I lacked sleep and knew not to push myself. 



I weighed myself when I started and also measured my waist, hips, and thighs. I was told sometimes you'd see no weight loss but find it on the tape measure. Thirty days in, my progress is slow but sure. I lost four pounds, one inch each on my waist and hips, and half an inch on my right thigh. I am satisfied with my progress but also know I can do more. 



How? By eating better. I admit I had a hard time saying no to carbs and fast food and my kind of sweets (a.k.a. cakes and pastries). I saw the difference when I substituted rice with kamote for dinner for a week. I lost two pounds. Then I gained them back the following week. I also plateaued by week 4. Are you working out and not losing weight too? This article provides possible reasons why.



What was my biggest surprise during the last 30 days? I discovered I could hold a plank longer than I thought! One day I took a video of myself planking and was ready to stop at 20 seconds. I always found it hard to hold a plank, my body shakes and my body just gives up. But that day, I was shocked I held it for 45 seconds! I know, it's still under a minute, but if you knew how physically weak I am, that's a big achievement. So I slowly kept increasing my time after that and I am now up to the minute mark. One day I will do two minutes, just watch me!

I don't know why my site cut the video to under 45 seconds. 

Here are three workouts that I find most effective. I am so happy for discovering free workouts, because paying for a gym membership is way low on my priorities. I also love that these workouts involve the barest of equipment (just a mat!), and can be done anywhere. 

This video is from the Emi Wong's StayFitandTravel Youtube Channel. This is what I did on my first day of working out and it was perfect. I ended up subscribing to her channel. I love her workouts because I feel the burn and sweat starts dripping on my mat a few minutes in. Most of her workouts also require no equipment and she modifies them for beginners. It helps whenever she says "I know it's hard but remember, I am doing it with you. No pain no gain!" Haha. It's true though. Pain means it's working!

I discovered Tracy Campoli's workouts when I searched "standing arm workout no equipment" on YouTube. That's really my main criteria, so I'll have no excuse not to do them. You can do this while watching your favorite KDrama, while waiting for your dinner to cook, even at the office when you're itching to get out of your cubicle. Work those arms instead of stressing out on your deadline!

And finally, this one's for my thighs! Ooh when I did this workout I was so sore the next day. But I loved it. It's from the POPSUGAR Fitness YouTube channel. They have short-but-effective sets. One of my favorites also is this 5-Minute Standing Flat Belly Workout. 



I made my Instagram stories the daily repository of my fitness journey. That way there's some sort of accountability to stay focused and not get lazy. Follow me for video recs and hopefully meal planning in the future too!



Do you have fitness and workout tips for me? Leave them in the comments and let's work out together!

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Wedding Supplier Review: Preps at Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila

Wedding Supplier Review: Preps at Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

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This is a long read, but hopefully it will help you in your search for a good hotel for your wedding (or other event) preparations.



When I was researching for a good hotel to hold our preparations for the wedding day, I was looking for one with big rooms, affordable rates, good natural lighting, and one that was not strict with the number of people and outside food coming in. My search led me to Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila in Ortigas. It received a lot of good reviews with former brides. Later on, another plus point was that they didn't have extra charges for shooting within their hotel premises. I remember during my brother's wedding, we had to do a guerrilla shoot on our way to church because the hotel only permitted shoots when the reception would be done there. Others charge exorbitant fees and don't even allow aerial drones.

The one concern with Oakwood was it was far from our church, the INC locale of San Francisco in Del Monte Avenue, Quezon City. But when I learned that my on-the-day coordinator handled a wedding with hotel preps in Oakwood and an even further church in the INC locale of Capitol (Commonwealth Avenue), I became confident that we could do it. This was more because I trusted my OTD.



We initially booked two rooms in November, two one-bedroom suites for me and for Jay who will stay with his family. Later on, I thought Jay needed his own room so he can relax during his last night as a single man (hehe) and in the morning the room needed to be clean for the photo and video shoot. He was going to stay with three women in the other one-bedroom suite and I knew there'd be a lot of things there. So in January we booked another studio for Jay. We got this at a higher rate so my first tip is to book as early as possible, because the nearer you are to your wedding date, chances are the rates will be higher.

We booked my room for three nights, my in-laws' room for two nights, and Jay's room for one night. The day before the wedding was our check-in. We arrived late and since I had my wedding gown delivered to the hotel, the wedding gown arrived before us. I just called the concierge and asked them to receive it for me. When we arrived, it was at the lobby but it was arranged in an orderly manner, the gown in the mannequin was on a hotel trolley and the skirt part was covered with a black trash bin bag.



During the booking I indicated that the rooms will be used for a wedding so when we arrived at my room, there was a cake with "Congratulations!" written on top. That was a sweet gesture. I also said if it was possible for them to give us a room at the side facing Podium so we can have as much natural light as possible. It wasn't followed, but my room had big windows on two sides so we were still able to maximize the natural light.

We got married on April 7, and that was the time Oakwood introduced the one-time cleaning charge when a room will be used for weddings, functions, and other events. These were the rates:



Studio - Php2,000

1 Bedroom - Php2,500

2 Bedroom - Php4,000

3 Bedroom - 5,000



They were also charging Php200 per extra person, and Php50 per piece of extra luggage per guest (only 2pcs per guest allowed).



I was surprised. At the time of our booking these charges weren't implemented yet, and though I know it's the hotel's prerogative to change their rules, I thought it would have been proper to inform their clients especially since we indicated we were going to use our rooms for wedding preps. The receptionist I spoke to these charges were open to negotation, so I said we were only going to use one room for the preps, my room. So they had me sign the waiver (photo below) and charged us for one room only. As for the Php200 per extra person, we weren't charged for any extra persons during the wedding day. I'll discuss the extra luggage charge in the latter part of my review.

The night before our wedding, our florist delivered our entourage flowers. This was a surprise to me as this was not what we agreed upon. She just told me they were at the hotel lobby already after the fact. We were at the church for our wedding rehearsal so I wasn't able to do anything about it anymore. When we arrived, I was informed that they brought the flowers up to my room already. I appreciated that effort from them.



Our rooms were indeed spacious, Oakwood is a serviced-apartment more than a hotel, so we had a working kitchen complete with stove, ref, microwave, cutlery, plates, even a dishwasher. We also had a washing machine in our rooms.

Come wedding day, all of my suppliers, entourage, and other family members were able to move freely in my room. Since it's a one-bedroom suite, the living area is separated from the bedroom. My entourage HMUA set-up in the living room, while my own HMUA set up at the bedroom. Oakwood gave us keys that had access to the floors of the three rooms so our suppliers (coordinator, photo, and video) were able to transfer conveniently. Food deliveries were also allowed, provided we will meet them at the lobby and bring the food up ourselves. This was taken care of by our coordinator.

This photo was taken by my cousin. Oakwood really has spacious rooms.

During the preps my rooms had a ceiling leak. The area near the closets and bathroom was leaking. It was tolerable at first, until it became big and the carpet was soaking wet. My bridesmaids were having a hard time moving from the living area to the bathroom to fix themselves. I heard my bridal assistant (I was being made up then) calling housekeeping (or whatever department handles this) about it. She called several times, up until we were about to leave the hotel, but I didn't see any officer from the hotel check the room. I have a vague memory of a maintenance personnel checking it, but what my bridal assistant told me was that they wouldn't be able to fix the leak at that time. So before we left, my coordinator told me the arrangement was that we'll just transfer to another room when we get back from the wedding (because we still had a lot of stuff in the room).











After everybody finished their lunch (we ordered from Amber), my coordinators did a good job of cleaning everything up. Even the bed was fixed, so I thought there was really no need for the one-time cleaning fee. I understand there might have been former clients who trashed their rooms (probably had poppers/confetti or spilled champagne and what not during their video shoots), but they should check for damage AFTER the event and then assess whether to charge the fee.

After our wedding, we returned to Oakwood and that was when we transferred to another room. The leak still hadn't been fixed. There was just a bucket under the ceiling where it was leaking. My coordinator also informed me that they were being charged the Php50 per luggage fee, and they weren't allowed to use the trolley to bring the things from the wedding back to our room.



Since my coord didn't want us to incur any more charges, they brought the things up on their own. This didn't sit well with me because I was a paying customer, I was checked in for three nights, and technically, those were still my things. The luggage fee were only applicable to the wedding suppliers who would bring stuff up during the shoot.



But at that time I was so tired from everything that I just made a note to discuss it upon checkout.

When we were about to check out, I discussed with the receptionist all of my concerns. I told her the one-time cleaning fee should be a case-to-case basis. I also asked her why no one was able to fix the leak in our room. It caused so much hassle to everyone. We discussed all of this in a hurry because Jay and I still needed to buy something at SM. So I settled our bill and we left our stuff at the concierge first.



But everything was still bothering me, and I also asked my friend who's a manager at Manila Pen if they were charging a fee for rooms booked for wedding preps. She said no. So after we returned from SM I asked if I could speak to the manager on duty at Oakwood. It took a while, but I waited. When I spoke to the manager, I expressed my disappointment in a very cordial way. I did it out of concern, really, because Oakwood has a good reputation and good standing as a venue for wedding preps. I told him how no one even apologized for the leak, how no one assisted my coords for our stuff when I was still checked in (for two more nights). I said, "What if I was a guest and I shopped really hard and came home with dozens of bags, would you charge me for them?" He apologized for this and said it shouldn't have happened.

The ending was, our one-time cleaning charge was waived. But I think this was more because my room had a leak. If it didn't have a leak, I don't think they would have waived it. Still, I'm thankful that the manager was very receptive to my feedback and he handled my concerns well (which is more than I can say for the receptionist).



This happened in April, and in the wedding group I joined, someone took the initiative to contact Oakwood. It was resolved that everyone who made a booking before April 1 would have their cleaning charges waived. But after that, the charges would apply.

TIPS:



1. Check the rates at booking sites like Agoda or Booking.com. We booked through Agoda and their rates were much lower than what Oakwood gave us. Book as early as possible.



2. If you want to further save on cost, book rooms without breakfast included. Since Oakwood is not strict with outside food, you can order fast food delivery, or you can also cook in the functional kitchen.



3. Look for a hotel that has a lot of areas you can use for your photo and video shoot. Oakwood didn't have a lot of these. You can only shoot in the rooms, hallways, lobby and outside the hotel. But what I love about Oakwood's rooms are the huge windows and abundance of natural light.



4. Clarify with your hotel first about extra charges, and read your booking contract until the fine print. So you'll have something to back you up in case you will contest charges that come up during check in or check out.



5. If you'll still go for Oakwood, ask your suppliers to bring their own trolleys, or ask your coordinator to help them.



6. Talk to hotel management cordially. Let them know about your side, and if it's possible to have a workaround with your concerns. I believe everything can be fixed when we don't let out heightened emotions get in the way. At the same time, be firm with your stand.





Supplier Contact Details:



Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila

17 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1600

Telephone numbers: (632) 637-7786 / (632) 910-8888

Email: premiermanila@oakwoodasia.com

Website: www.oakwoodpremiermanila.com

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Wedding Supplier Review: Our Wedding Rings by Tolosa's Jewelry

Wedding Supplier Review: Our Wedding Rings by Tolosa's Jewelry

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

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You will be wearing your wedding rings your whole life so it is important to invest in them. They can still be within your budget, but make sure you research on reputable suppliers that do quality work. I've read a lot of problematic vendors who don't follow what's in the contract and create a lot of headaches for brides and grooms. I'm happy that our chosen jeweler was hassle- and stress-free.



Tolosa's Jewelry is owned by my bother's high school friend Kris. His family has been in the jewelry business for many years and they have a shop in Sta. Mesa, Manila. But because I already sent Kris the designs I wanted via FB Messenger, we didn't have to go to their shop. We just met in QC to discuss the details. I sent him three designs we were choosing from, and then he sent me price quotations for each pair. Jay and I discussed and decided on a design that was both beautiful but also within our budget. Our bands were made in 18k white gold and smooth finish, only mine had 5 pieces of small round-cut diamonds. Jay's band was also thicker since it's for men.

This is one important tip I'd like to give brides out there. Discuss with your jeweler the thickness of your band. When Kris asked me whether I'd want my band to be the same width as the diamonds, I said yes. Of course I had imagined something similar to the photos I sent him, but you know, photos can be deceiving hehe. So when we got the rings, I was initially surprised that my ring was thinner than I imagined. BUT! Eventually I found it to be perfect because it went well with my engagement ring. If my wedding band was thicker, I'd be too hesitant to wear my two rings together because they'd look too much, too over-the-top for my taste. But with the thinner wedding band, my two rings together now look just right.



Here's how they look like when worn together:

This is my Instagram post after trying out the Happy Skin nail polish that's why the bottle is included in the pic. Hehe!

Still, it would be wise to discuss specifics with your jeweler. I don't care much about jewelry and I trusted Kris so I didn't have that many questions. I knew they would deliver and they did! A week after our first meeting, our wedding rings were finished. Kris also said they can do rush production of wedding rings (as in two days!), but those are usually for simple wedding bands.



We got a good discount from Tolosa's Jewelry, and they also threw in free engraving for us. :) I think it's just manual engraving, so you might want to check their output first if you're looking for a machine-style engraving.



We made a down payment during our first meeting and paid the rest once we got the rings.



TIPS:



1. Know your ring size. Kris brought as measuring device with him so it'll be accurate. He also suggested we meet near our wedding date since there are instances when the bride and groom would lose/gain weight, and the finger size would be affected. He also advised to get a size that's not too exact, to give way to future pregnancies for the bride. Not to worry because if you have a ring that's a bit lose, you can do this hack! You know those colorful rubber cords you wrap around your phone charger so it doesn't get destroyed? Cut a couple of loops of the cord, wrap it around your ring, and it'll be snug as a bug on your finger! I've seen a lot of brides do this trick.



2. Discuss the band thickness and the diamond sizes.



3. Check if you're allergic to certain metals. This will save you time and money! Some people are allergic to nickel, et al. and it will be sad if you won't be able to wear your wedding ring, or if you have to replace it.



Click on the link below if you want to inquire about your wedding rings or your other jewelry needs. Happy preps!



Supplier Contact Details:



Tolosa's Jewelry Facebook Page

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Wedding Supplier Review: Our Invitations by Yanna's Printshop

Wedding Supplier Review: Our Invitations by Yanna's Printshop

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

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Yanna's Printshop is a Weddings at Work find. I read positive reviews from previous clients and searched for them during the Themes & Motifs bridal fair. Jay and I also looked at other invitation suppliers (including ones at other fairs), checked out their designs, and decided on booking Yanna's because of their price points and quality of work. Since we booked them at the fair, we got a 10% discount. 

Here's the breakdown of our order:

80 sets of invitations at Php76.50/set

3 pages of 6 x 8 inserts

1 envelope

Free gold foil of bride & groom's names on first insert

Free gold foil or embossing on envelope flap

Total: Php 6,120

We made a Php1,000 deposit at the fair. The person we talked to, Aldrin, wrote his contact number on the receipt and also gave us their calling card. He was also the one who did our layout and was our contact person throughout our transaction. 

Because we were overwhelmed with all the designs at the bridal fair, Jay and I went to their shop in Recto, Manila so we could choose at our own pace. After taking photos of several designs, Jay and I decided on combining the elements and then I made a detailed guide (photos with markings, comments, and instructions) which I emailed to Aldrin. 

We had about 4 revisions, and during this time I needed to constantly remind Aldrin that I sent my reply already, texting and calling him to confirm if he had received it. Turnover was just right, and he would clarify things when needed. For example, I wanted our map to be rendered in water color which I had seen in one of their designs, but he said that was provided by the client. 

For the envelope flap, we chose the embossed option instead of the gold foil. It's one of my favorite things about our invitation! I provided the monogram made by my friend. It can't be seen clearly on the photo below, but under the monogram is our wedding date.

They printed a mock-up (not including the embossed envelope) and we went back to Recto to check it out. After giving our go signal, we waited the standard 10 days for their printing. We got them on time, choosing to pick them up rather than having them couriered to us. 

They gave us three extra copies, and each invitation set actually came with jute strings, which would've been perfect with our rustic theme. TWhen you open the envelope, the inserts would've been tied with the jute strings. However, we thought this would require much effort for the guests, so we did away with them. 

I'd say our transaction with Yanna's Print Shop was fast and relatively hassle-free. We started on January 30 and finalized the layout by February 20, and got our printed invites on March 5. 



I would highly recommend Yanna's Printshop for your invitation needs. Reasonable prices, a wide variety of designs, plus good output.

TIPS:

1. As much as possible, check out their designs at the bridal fair to remove the hassle of going to their shop in Recto. Take photos of the designs you like and just choose later on. 

2. If you decide to visit their shop, take the LRT for convenience. The shop is very near the LRT Recto station, it's across the Isetann mall. Call ahead because they might be attending a bridal fair so the clear book with their designs, along with actual mock-ups, won't be there. 

3. Be very specific with your instructions. Use photo apps with text, Photoshop, or even Power Point so the layout artist can follow your specifications to the letter. This would help minimize the revisions. 



4. You don't have to print copies for each of your guests. We had about 180 persons in our guest lists and only had 80 hard copies printed. Most of them belong to one family, while several were from overseas. There were also a lot who favored a soft copy rather than a hard one. I'd say reserve the hard copies for your principal sponsors and family members. Make a Facebook event page for majority of your guests. 



Invitations are nice to have's. If you have the budget, then splurge on it. Some people hire calligaphers and graphic artists to create a custom suite. Brides on a budget opt for DIY invites. It's up to you to decide which part of the spectrum you belong. Just don't dwell too much on it, because, let's be real, most people just throw away the invites after the wedding. 

Supplier Contact Details: 

Yanna's Printshop

Address: 1755 C.M. Recto, Manila

Contact Numbers: +639493797028 / +639480934151 (Aldrin) / +632-5211156 / +632-8061905

Facebook: Invitations by Yanna's Printshop

Website: www.yannasprintshop.com 

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3 Cooking Tips for Beginners + An Easy Recipe!

3 Cooking Tips for Beginners + An Easy Recipe!

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

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Don't you hate it when you check a recipe and they neglect to tell you something important? I still consider myself a beginner home cook but I'm trying to change that now that I'm a newly-minted wife. I've collected hundreds of recipes and cook books over the years but it's only now that I get to use them every day, as opposed to when I was still single and I would only cook when I felt like it.



                                            



The problem I find with some recipes is they assume that you're already an experienced cook and they forget to tell you something important that needs to be done in between the steps. For example, this may seem like common knowledge and automatic to a lot of cooks, but when using Baguio beans or green beans, did you know that you have to remove the strings on the sides? Yes, because if you don't it's highly likely they'd end up stuck in between your teeth. Here's a video of a grandpa teaching us a fast way to string green beans!



Here are three other cooking tips you won't normally see on recipes:



1. When cooking paksiw or adobo, don't stir it immediately after adding the vinegar. Let it boil or reboil, and after that you can stir the pot. This is so the vinegar can cook properly, and it won't taste acidic or uncooked. In Filipino, it won't be "hilaw." 

2. When choosing okra for your sinigang or pinakbet, try to see if you can easily snap the tip. That's how to tell if they're still fresh aside from their bright green color. I once bought old okra and it was tough once cooked. :( Now I always remember to check my okra before I buy.



EXTRA TIP: It's better to buy in the market if there's one near you. The price is lower, and if you get there early enough, you get fresher veggies!



3. Tinola spoils easily. I don't know why since it doesn't have tomatoes or dairy in it (hit the comments if you know the reason!). Once you see bubbles, it's a bad sign. So either you cook it in small batches you can finish immediately, or always remember to store it properly in the fridge once it cools after cooking. When reheating, only reheat enough portion you can finish because the hot and cold temp also hastens its spoilage.

And now for an easy peasy recipe you can cook in 30 minutes! I just made it this Sunday. This recipe is perfect for busy nights when you worked overtime, have a deadline to beat, or still have some household chores to finish.



I got this Chicken & Broccoli Stir Fry recipe from Martha Stewart's website, and I just tweaked some ingredients with what I have in our pantry. You can visit the link because there's also a step-by-step video there to really guide beginner cooks. I'm also putting the recipe here with my tweaks. Comments in parenthesis and NOTES are mine.



Chicken & Broccoli Stir Fry



INGREDIENTS



2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons rice vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar)

2 tablespoons oyster sauce

1 tablespoon cornstarch (I used 3 tablespoons of flour)

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (this is for cooking, don't mix it with the sauce)

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2-inch strips (I used chicken breast fillets)

3 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 scallions, thinly sliced

1 bunch broccoli, cut into small florets, stalks peeled and thinly sliced 1

Cooked white rice, for serving



DIRECTIONS



1. Whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil.

NOTE: If you don't have cornstarch at home, you can use flour. I used 3 tbsps. of flour to substitute for 1 tbsp. of cornstarch. You just need to cook the sauce a little longer later on.



2. In a wok or large skillet (I used a large frying pan), heat vegetable oil over high. Add chicken and cook until browned for 10 minutes. Add ginger, garlic, scallions, and broccoli and cook, stirring frequently, until broccoli is bright green, for 3 minutes. (I forgot to buy scallions but that's fine!)



3. Add 1/4 cup water, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon.

NOTE: Add more water if you'd like it to be saucier, like my husband does. It's great to mix with rice.



4. Stir in soy sauce mixture and cook, stirring until thickened, for 1 minute. Serve warm with rice.



You can always adjust the sauce according to your taste. Either add more water or oyster sauce depending on your preference.

Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables! So crunchy, filling, and nutritious. It also has few calories since it's mostly water. :)

You can also cook this in a big batch since it reheats well. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container. 

Do you have cooking tips you want to share? Do leave them in the comments below!

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Remembering My Dad on Father's Day

Remembering My Dad on Father's Day

Sunday, June 18, 2017

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My father died when I was 14 years old, and that meant he wasn't there to see me during my milestones: graduate high school, turn 18, get my college degree, publish my first story, and walk down the aisle. 

Even though my Dad wasn't physically there, he didn't just fade into the background when he left. For those who have read my earliest blog posts back in college, I have always strived to keep my Dad's memory alive, and I'm fortunate he left us a deep well of memories to take from. 

A few months before getting married, I ran into a financial problem brought about by another family member. I asked a friend for advice on whether I should fix it and reallocate a portion of my wedding funds. What she and her husband told me gave me pause, and made me grateful once again that even beyond his life, my Dad tried his best to protect and provide for us. 

My friend and her husband said I have survived without that certain problem hanging over my head for years, and it was not something that needed immediate fixing. My wedding, however, only happens once. And aside from the celebrations, what we need to prepare for most is the marriage that would come after. She said my father would have loved the thought that he helped pay for my wedding. I also can't forget what her husband said, "As a father, I would love it if my kids are still feeling my love for them even long after I'm gone." And we do!

On my wedding day, with no one from my immediate family present except for my younger sister, I still celebrated with a full and grateful heart. I had a locket with my Dad's picture tied to my bouquet, so I can say he was still with me when I walked down the aisle to my husband. But even without that memento, I am living proof that you can overcome so much with more than enough love from a parent.

This Father's Day, as billions of children around the world celebrate and honor their father, I am happy albeit a bit wistful, that they get to spend more time with their first heroes. I can only wish them well, and tell you dear readers to let your fathers know how awesome they are while you still can! 

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Wedding Supplier Review: Our Prenup Photo Shoot with Bob & Zab Photography

Wedding Supplier Review: Our Prenup Photo Shoot with Bob & Zab Photography

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

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I'm going to jump a few steps ahead of my Wedding Wednesday posts to tell you what happened behind the scenes of our prenup photo shoot in February.



I wrote this supplier review to help other brides-to be out there in their quest of finding their wedding photographers, and to determine if they should even proceed with having an engagement/prenup photo shoot.



I remember when my brother and I were talking many years ago, he told me that he didn't want to have a prenup photo shoot. He said he found it awkward to be posing in front of people he barely knows, and that a couple who already had a lot of photos together (especially ones from their travels) didn't need a photo shoot anymore. It would probably best for couple who haven't been together for long. At that time, prenup photo shoots weren't a staple at weddings yet, and finding a good prenup location was hard especially for city folk.

When Jay and I got engaged, I initially didn't want to have a prenup shoot either. We have been together a long time and have accumulated more than our fair share of photos, including ones of our local and international travels. But my main concern was the budget. I felt like it was an unnecessary expense.



But when we booked Bob & Zab Photography as our wedding photographers, their package included a free engagement shoot. We got a really good deal from them, and I began to warm towards the idea of having our prenup shoot.

There are five main things to consider when preparing for your prenup shoot aside from your photographers:



1. Shoot Location

2. Hair & Makeup

3. Outfits

4. Props/Styling

5. Food & Transportation



If you add all those costs, they can really put a dent on your budget. So I had to make sure we can pull off a shoot without shelling out too much. Fortunately, my good friend and groomsman's family farm in Tanay, Rizal was a great location for our shoot. We didn't really have a theme in mind yet, our photographers just suggested an outdoor shoot and preferably with lots of greenery to blend with their light and vibrant style. After doing an ocular with Jay and our friend Kenneth, and getting the go signal from his lovely aunt to use the farm, we checked number 1 off our list.

For the hair and makeup, the best suggestion is to do a trial with the hair and makeup artist for your wedding. Trials usually come with a fee, so it's best to do a trial when you have an event to attend, or in this case, a photo shoot to do. When I asked my bridal HMUA if they were available for our shoot date, they already had a booking. Since it's harder to book my photographers, I had to search for an affordable HMUA. Tats Dionisio was recommended by a sister from W@W. 



I contacted Tats thru Facebook Messenger, and only got his phone number a few days before the shoot. Tats does both hair and makeup, and he offers unli retouch for the day. His rate is very reasonable, and I only added a couple of hundred bucks for his transportation to our meeting place.



When I was searching for a HMUA for the shoot, I was a bit baffled why they would give an initial rate then ask for an additional stipend for their transportation. I asked my other bride friends why they wouldn't just automatically add them up to their rate. Some told me that it depends on the shoot location/meet-up. And that we need to consider the heavy tools and equipment they would need to lug around especially when they are only using public transpo.











As for our outfits, I knew we wouldn't hire a stylist anymore because that would be beyond our budget. I only planned for three layouts: one casual, one formal, and one for our picnic layout. Jay's suit designer, Bianca Cordero, had an RTW gown at her studio and it fit like a glove when I tried it on. It was light peach/pink and had a long, wide train, perfect for windy and willowy shots. Back story: Jay was supposed to wear a suit for our formal layout, but as mishaps go, he forgot to bring it on the day of the shoot. Hehe. Good thing he had several long sleeved shirts to choose from.

I had a short trip to Singapore before our shoot, so I asked my Maid of Honor to accompany me to Bugis Street to buy some of my outfits. I then picked out Jay's outfits to match mine, and consulted a couple of friends with my choices. Zab also helped me out by suggesting to bring/buy a flowy dress, and to bring matching white shirts. After the shoot though, Jay and I wished we changed one of our outfits as we think they didn't really translate well on the photos.

As for our props, I didn't need to look further than my own stuff! Aside from being a hoarder and natural maarte, I thank my experience doing production management for our high school plays and later on, producing magazine shoots for work. They certainly came in handy. It was also perfect timing that my aunt got married in Tagaytay a couple of days before our shoot, so she gave me several flower arrangements (including her bridal bouquet!) to use. And just to push my wish to wear a flower crown, I bought a simple headband at the grocery, and using the wires from the bouquets, I created my own flower crown! Haha.

For our transportation, we rented a van for Php3,500 for the whole day (driver and gas included). We brought breakfast sandwiches and snacks for everyone, and we had our lunch at a nearby restaurant. Our gracious hosts served us dinner before we left. We were lucky that our photographers and our HMUA waived their out-of-town fees (OOTF) when we informed them that we'll be providing the transportation and food for the shoot.

We decided to meet with Tats along Kamuning in Cubao, and then proceed to Bob's residence also in Kamuning. Bob & Zab brought along their friend Earl to assist them, so all in all there were 7 of us traveling to Tanay. It was a Friday and we thought there would be heavy traffic along Katipunan and Marcos Highway because of the LRT construction, but were surprised that there wasn't. We arrived in Tanay a little past 9am. After showing Bob & Zab around the farm, laying out our outfits and showing them our pegs and props, Zab suggested we take a nap before heading out for lunch.

We started our makeup around 12:30pm. Everything was going well at first. Tats had a light hand, his tools were clean and arranged neatly, and he worked relatively fast. But we hit a snag when my right eye wouldn't stop tearing up because of my contact lens. I thought it was just natural at first as it happens every time I'm being made-up, but when it wouldn't stop even after I inverted the lens, we decided to just remove both lenses. Later on in the bathroom I found a makeup particle on my right eye, but even after flushing it with running water, it was already irritated. Also, I couldn't wash it out properly as I was already fully made up, and we will get delayed if we'll start over again.These things happen.



I'd like to commend Tats for his patience. I've lost count how many times he retouched my right eye makeup. He was also attentive during the shoot, ready with a tissue to wipe away my tears as the winds were picking up and further irritating my eye. I also requested him to take behind the scene shots using my phone. His makeup also lasted the whole day, and aside from retouching my eye makeup several times, he only needed to change my lipstick shade and my hairstyle for the other layouts. In Filipino, his work was plakado (in place or perfect).

Bob & Zab were a delight to shoot with. They kept a light and jovial mood during the shoot, cracking jokes and playing music to keep the atmosphere lively. They would direct us and find our right angles. During the portrait shots, Zab took my photos while Bob took Jay's. Bob also gave Jay tips that proved useful come our wedding day. And when they noticed that we were getting tired, they would remind us to smile. I won't disclose it here, but Jay and I really loved Zab's special way of getting us to smile and laugh. Even after the shoot, Jay and I would do it and it still makes us giggle.

Our contract stated that our prenup shoot is only for 3-4 hours, but of course we had Bob & Zab for the whole day. The duo is set to get married later this year, and during our breaks we talked about our wedding preps. This is when it dawned on me the importance of having a prenup photo shoot. Not only will you have great photos to remember this milestone by, but it will also allow you to bond with your suppliers, be at ease in front of the camera, and trust that your photographers will capture your best moments on your wedding. Having a supplier that goes above and beyond what is required is a great thing to have on your most special day. 

Bob & Zab required us to bring a laptop or external hard drive and right after our shoot, they gave us all the raw files. This is a good step because you'll already have a copy of the files and you can retrieve them just in case your photographers' files get corrupted.

Because they have a specific style that requires color editing, we didn't get the edited photos right away. Zab just said to choose around 20 photos that they will edit immediately, so we can post teasers on our social media and wedding pages. 

Prenup shoots are usually done around a month before the wedding, but I think it was a good decision for us to hold ours two months before our date. We received the teaser photos around 3 weeks after our shoot, and the whole set of edited photos a couple of weeks before the wedding day. I would suggest this if your chosen photographers still has a small team and do the editing themselves. Zab is a self-confessed OC and has particular standards for their output. But I can assure you, the wait will be worth it. 

For more photos of our engagement shoot, head over here. 

Suppliers' Contact Details:

Bob & Zab Photography

Facebook: Bob & Zab Photography

Instagram: @bobandzab

Website: www.bobandzab.com

Engagement Sessions: Singapore, May 14-22 & Japan, July 3-7

Tats Dionisio Hair & Makeup Artist

Facebook: Tats Dionisio

Instagram: @tatsdionisio

Mobile No: +639361094709

Van Rental c/o Kuya JR

Mobile No: +639225454980

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