Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Week in Recap: It's All In The Family

About a year ago, I wrote about having a sanjit (proposal/engagement party in Chinese tradition) for Hubby's cousin, Tommy, in this post. Tommy's mom - Hubby's auntie - had been in wheelchair for about twenty years, due to a car accident that left her paralyzed for life. Over the years, several times she was taken to the emergency room and the family thought that we would have lost her, but turned out she was a strong trooper and survived. So it's so sad that in October, she finally passed away, as I wrote here.
 
In May this year, her son, Tommy, got married to her fiance, Inge. It was a Saturday, and we planned to attend both the Holy Matrimony at Church, as well as the reception in the evening. My parents just got back from a trip to Lourdes, France, and they were resting at home before leaving to my hometown, so they didn't come to the wedding.
 
The wedding was held at St. Theresia Catholic Church, which a church I used to go to mass to when I was living near downtown area, since it's located near the city center. So it was nostalgic for me to go there again. Unfortunately, Michael was rather ill that day, so he couldn't come. The initial plan is for him to come to the reception so Hubby's relatives from out of town would be able to see him for the first time since his babyhood, but oh, well, we've got to be flexible.
 

 
The wedding was beautiful, but I couldn't help thinking about Tommy's mother, Aunt Edith. Before the mass, I prayed at St. Mary's chapel, and asked Mother Mary to pray for the couple and for the late Aunt Edith. I guess Hubby felt the same way. "I wish Aunt Edith were here to witness her only son gets married, " he said solemnly.
 
After the matrimony and mass, we had a baloon releasing ceremony outside the Church. The mass didn't last as long as we expected, so after the bride and groom left, Hubby and I decided, since we are not often go out far from our neighborhood, and we are already in the city center, we should take advantage and have a lunch date at a famous old-time restaurant that happens to be located right in front of the Church, called Cafe Pisa.
 

 
 

We arrived back at home around noon, and my parents are supposed to leave for the airport at one o'clock. Hence, I said they could just cancel their taxi reservation and let me and Hubby give them a ride instead. We even still have time to take a little nap afterwards, before preparing for dinner reception.
 
I didn't take many pictures at the wedding reception, but I'd like to highlight that the wedding souvenir is one of my favorites. They are hand sanitizer with the holder in different color and scent, and I got the pink one with rose scent. It's not extravagant, but so practical and useful and pretty. I immediately take off the packaging and just hang it from my clutch.
 
There are many times where the wedding souvenir is some knick knacks or decorative items, and at the end, people just throw them away because they cannot make us of them, which is too bad. My other favorite souvenir is a package of envelope with pretty note cards in it. Simple, useful and consumable.
 

 

 

After the reception, Hubby asked if he could invite his cousins to hangout at the hotel restaurant where his out-of-town relatives (and the bride and groom) stayed. I said of course. I know Hubby loves to chat and spend time with his cousins. He's the eldest, so he becomes sort of big brother to them all. The groom, Tommy, even came down from his bridal suite and joined us for a bit, but he didn't stay long because he was tired, I guess. Both he and Inge has been up since dawn that day. And all afternoon, instead of napping, they were busy with traditional wedding ceremonies, photoshoot, videoshoot, touch ups, etc.

Congratulations, Tommy and Inge! May God's light and love shines upon you all the days you both shall live!

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Monday, May 25, 2015

Be Daring: Sequin N High End Retailer



 

If you are the kind of person who loves peaceful, simple, predictable, rather humdrum, routine life, then you are just like me nowadays. There is something comforting in knowing that everyday will be different yet more or less the same. Waking up in the morning, getting ready, going to work, going home, family time, then going to bed with the knowledge that you're going to wake up tomorrow and the day will be somehow similar. As much as I admire those people who can carry a backpack to travel to a foreign country then stay there, I know that I'm not the kind of person who would be happy to do that. Unless I have something to fall back on. I love stability.

Stability. Some people might dislike that - I know some people who have a tendency to think all old ways are bad and all new ways are good -, but I personally think stability is good. Government stability is good. With stability, people have the time and resources to explore something new. Why, do you think that Queen Isabella of Spain would have been able to finance Christopher Columbus' voyage in seeking the New World if her reign is colored with chaos and instability? I don't think so. As strange as it is, stability and order CAN breed change and flexibility. With minimum fuss and drama.

Now I might sound like I'm contradicting myself here, but I am also the kind of person, who, out of the blue would try something completely new. That's why I love to travel. And change our living room decor. And read books and blogs and watch YouTube. And trying out new, crazy color and pattern combination in my outfits. With all the risks and consequences. Somehow, my boring routine, schedule and the sense of order and stability in my life ensure me that I have solid enough foundation to fall back on to try something new.

For exmple, this flashy, tacky, fancy, purple sequin purse. I mean, hello, what 37 year old woman would carry a sequined purse to her conservative workplace? Well, this woman does. I saw this purse on 50% off sale rack about five years ago, and it was love at the first sight. There was also a bright pink sequined one, but I thought it was a little bit too much. The deep purple color of this purse somehow makes this purse look a bit subdued, despite all the sparkle and shine. I am glad I followed my instinct and bought it, no matter everyone said. It has served me well over the years.

Number two is this gorgeous flower dress. If you are frugal like me, you would think shopping at Neiman Marcus is a waste of money, right? Well, depends. They do have clothing items with very good quality that can last for many many years if you take care of them, and when they have a sale, you can really score some great finds. Like this skirt.

So there you have it. Two whimsical items that managed to find their way to my ordinary, orderly, routined life. 

Build a strong foundation. Then you can afford the risk to be daring.

vian hunter Floral Cotton Skirt • $65 Etch flower midi a-line skirt • Topshop • $55 Pleat in Paradise Black Floral Print Midi Skirt • rsvp • $84 Posie On Over Ivory Floral Print Midi Skirt • $62 Nasty Gal Bloom and Board Pleated Skirt • Nasty Gal • $98 Topshop Sequin Crossbody Bag • Topshop • $48 Ularmo® Hot Selling Women Sequin Leopard Messenger Cross Shoulder Bag Handbag Hand Bag • $12.21 BLUGIRL BLUMARINE Under-arm • Blugirl • $126 KETTLEBELL JEWELS Pouches • $46 MG Collection Myra Vintage Hand Beaded Evening Bag • $30.25



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