of Trial Make-Ups and other Trials

Because am such a cheapskate, I insisted on there being a party at least for me to parade in with a made-up face.

Anyway, due to limited funds brought about by the birthday-hectic month of July (at least in my family), I went to see Lawrence of Going Straight Salon (a tip from a w@wie, at Rob Place Ermita). Trial cost me P600 (plus tip because I was feeling gracious and on such short notice) and I came in too late for there to be proper waves to my hair... but still, I was attending a non-formal debut anyway.

Lawrence just basically twisted my hair on the sides. Some other pics show me pale (I took shots of me in the ladies' room, bwahaha), reminding me of corpses in coffins. But my sis told me I looked nice enough (though she finds the make-up too simple for a bride, which of course will be adjusted in case I do get Lawrence), and that pic is taken 5 hours after I came out of the salon.

Anyway, I think it would be wise to try other make-up artists... and really get myself to a dermatologist. For I am really acne-prone and only the truly-enlightened make-up artist will know which base/foundation won't show much of my pockmarks and also limit the oil build-up on my face (which incidentally, Jojo tells me is the most beautiful one in the world... but then he loves me).

To practice making myself up, I bought a new lipstick... an eyelash curler and other kikay stuff yesterday.

Wish ko lang i'd really use them, bwahahaha.

*~*

Not sure if i'd already mentioned how these are trying times for my Baby and I. The wedding preparations are triggering issues left and right. It also doesn't help that this is the first project we really have to decide on as a team... we're not exactly fighting about money, but we've been fighting about how to spend it etc. (like I want a new digicam, he wants a handycam) The littlest things can trigger an issue/emotional outburst and we've been leaving each other raw with pain.

And it doesn't help that we're both really very independent people... both earning well enough... both holding fairly respectable positions... and both first-borns.

And true, I've always been hasty to call a halt to everything... and I still hate how he handles pressure and bad times.

Which was why, having come to a brick wall (or a mountain), he decided to shell out P4,800 so we can attend a Discovery Weekend this August. I actually wanted to get into pre-wedding seminars very early in the preps but he wasn't interested... it's only now that he (we) banks on DW to put us back on track... to make us remember just WHY exactly we want to live and grow old together.

Anyway, the most recent dare to separate happened last Saturday... and I really thought he'd skip my nephew's birthday party the next day because I told him I didn't want to see him ever again (and yes, of course, I was moping all day Sunday, and checking my messages for any from him).

But my Baby has yet to disappoint... for he arrived just in time to bring my nephew his most favorite birthday gift (this ball of a horse) and to give me a caramel sundae (he knew we got mcflurries instead for the party).

The caramel sundae, aside from being a favorite addiction, reminded me yet again that my Baby has always been able to deliver the grand gesture... is usually the first to raise the white flag... that he knows I have a greater problem with pride and refuses to let something so detrimental take me away from him.

And so, we've just crossed another hurdle... and are really looking forward to the DW. Maybe if I can find some more money, we'd also attend one of CEFAM's offerings.

This is not to say that things are going to be easier from this point on (surely not when we're speedily approaching the wedding date), or that we're no longer hurting from what each other said and did and didn't do...

But it's another hurdle crossed... and no matter what was, I thank God that am assured of his love and true willingness to work on being with me.

It's nice how, we make the decision of loving each other... again and again and again, every day.

We just have to work now on loving each other better... in ways we really need and want to be loved by the other.

And Baby, am really sorry for hurting your feelings. And no, there isn't anything wrong with my logic. :)

Mike & Icel wedding

My bestfriend got married last Saturday at Lipa Cathedral. I was a little emotional seeing her waiting for the cathedral doors to be opened for her march.

Anyway, the ceremony was nice enough... am not so sure who their suppliers were, but the El Grande Resort was nice, with the reception held at the pavilion overlooking their 3 pools.

Other nice touches at the wedding...


Note cards about them, things they've done, given, said, etc. were hung from the centerpieces


Japanese umbrellas/parasols were hung from the pavilion's ceiling, with beads cascading from them... similar umbrellas were used to decorate the gazebos too

That was the first time I saw my friend wear make-up. And I just know, they'd live happily forever...

Anyway, here's to a happy, healthy life for them! :)

(will blog about this wedding some more on my main blog)

*~*

Why crazylover, you ask? Here is the proof.

Our Precious

My Baby surprised me with our wedding rings last night. He even put it in a bag (which he also surprised me with) for added drama.

I was sooooo KILIG!

The jeweller (someone whose obscure shop can be found at the right side of Fernando's, in Las Piñas) managed to deliver the design that we wanted. Only, instead of a smooth finish for background, he made it into this rough something... to cover the HINANG imperfections for the Roman Numerals.

Now, am not sure if it's because we ordered 14k rings in white and rose gold (because we didn't want something that will easily get deformed over time) or it's the general effect of the non-smooth background... but our rings lacked sparkle. Hopefully, it can be polished to look more like a jewelry (and not just an accessory).

Another thing we didn't really expect... the rings were huge and thick. As in they were chunky (as in, i think my ring alone can yield 3 rings... ahehe). On one hand, it's nice that the jeweller didn't scrimp on gold (i believe our rings total some 20 grams of gold, plus the other alloys/metal... bwahahaha), but on the other hand... I'm afraid that it's not so comfy wearing them because they're really chunky. A little squeeze of my fingers when am wearing mine result in pain... I don't know if I can really handle wearing them everyday while I go about my daily business. (and imagine if my ring is chunky, what more my Baby's!) And I don't think they'd go well with formal/classy outfits...

So there, with trepidation I shared my honest feelings with Jojo... that I really wish the rings can be polished and that they'd grow on me. My Baby assured me it can be polished... and if we're both really not comfy, we can get another set of simple bands for everyday wear.

See... we really loved the design... it was perfect!!! And we really don't think it could be made un-chunky.

So... am I totally unhappy with the rings?

Not really.

Which is why am hoping they'd grow on me.

Because we wanted a non-traditional look and very personalized set of wedding rings... and that is exactly what we got!

Picture to follow...

First Fitting

The first fitting is usually the fitting of the inner gown... actually, more like the LINING of your gown. Anyway, I was asked to undress down to my panties for the fitting (I'd be braless on the wedding day, yes). The 'gown' was kinda maluwag so they started pinning/tucking parts of it (around the back area).

Me... I was like a child playing with her Mother's good dress. I was so giddy with excitement... i'd have turned pink with delight if I could.

I even wanted to have my picture taken... but alas, the lunatic that I am, I was wearing this really hot pink and blue undie that's very visible through the lining.

They asked me to try on a petticoat so I braced myself for the heavyweight champ of tulle... but then they handed me this graceful creation of tulle and lining, where the tulle starts just above one's knee. It wasn't even heavy at all... but it is still destined to do its part in defining a gown's silhouette.

I was ecstatic. I looked like a bride!!! If not for the pink undie, of course.

So I tried moving around (twirling, more like it) to get a better feel of everything as Tet asks me if I want more train... more tuck... more depth (to the decolletage and back) and as she discusses the 'fall' of the skirt with her assistant.

*Happiness*

Anyway, it's really only going to be a sweep train, they're just adding some more length to the skirt because I intend to wear at least 3-inch heels... and for a more dramatic effect (without necessarily rendering me immobile).

Tet also showed me lace swatches to choose from. Then she also held several satin swatches over my hands so we'd see which white is perfect for my coloring.

She told me that actually, the whiter whites work best for morenas... because darker whites and creams darken the skin further (that's why they work best for light-complexioned people). Also, orange works better with morenas, while green is better with again, light-complezioned ones. Yellow (if it isn't too bright) brightens complexion so it's also good for morenas.

We also discussed beadings (she'd use flat sequins, pearls and swarovski... but minimally, so as to let the gown stand on its own merits... the embellishments are more for drama when light strikes my gown)...

And we finalized the color of the fabrics for the entou:

MOH - orange shantung and chiffon (with minimal beadings)
SS - orange shantung with green accents
FG - white top, yellow chiffon/tulle skirt and green sash

She also asked me to send her pictures of the Mothers so she can think of simple, elegant, non-matronlike designs for them (I think the latest Weddings In Style mag had several pages devoted to Mothers).

Anyway... I guess I can say the fitting went well. Tet will just e-mail me the final sketches of the gowns so I can post them daw (she's aware that w@wies do that).

Twas exhausting though... Pasig kasi eh.

*~*

Heard that the main EA for Jojie's (Apple, the daughter of the owner) is getting married next year. Too bad she can't join W@W. But she's nice. She's even asking my bestfriend who I referred to her for tips and ideas.

Ahehe.

Shootix, only 5 months to go...

... and am not quite sure if we've made real progress since 2 months ago...

Church and ceremony
We attended Mass there last Sunday... I noticed that it's really rather dark there... or the lighting is just really muted. Anyway, I counted the rows of pews (?) and it's really only ten... I would be plotting the seating arrangement there soon (for am thinking i'd have the bearers sit on the side pew near the altar, so they'd be closer to the Priest and would be more scared to make noises).

Still have yet to meet with a Priest. But already finished the missal draft. I keep getting weepy around the 'exchange of vows' part. Hehe.

Jojo has made contact with the choir that sings there. We were told we can bring in soloists if we want, and that they're usually 7 in the choir when they do weddings. Not sure what their rate is.

Rings
Uhm... we found jewellers who said they've made the same design for a June couple. We've already had them give us a quote for our rings. But since we're prioritizing the reception, we still can't order from them.

What's good though is they say they can make the rings three days tops.

Reception
Awaiting the layout map of PICC plus the dimensions of the Courtyard.

Also, still trying to come up with the P80k for the downpayment for Barbara's... hopefully by August we'd have done this and can start really harassing them.

Wedding Gown and Other Outfits
Am actually having my first fitting tonight at Tet's :) She managed to get swatches of different laces and we'd be discussing what would fit me best. She'd also tailor the beadings/embellishments of my gown from the lace we'd choose.

Am only sorry I still haven't bought shoes... and that am only wearing 2" heels right now.

Still, I brought my cam :)

Cake
Uhm... like what I said, am still having issues with this. But I spoke with Ms. Santos this morning (from Cake Treats) and she's very amenable in making a cake for me with different-flavored chiffon, fillings and mousse :)

Ok na ako with a small round cake so long as I get the flavor I want. I mean, I already compromised, did I not?

Flowers
Have yet to receive quotations from Ms. Yolly... Last I heard, they've gotten my e-mail (so they can give me a proper quote for the topiaries). Other than that... am really not paying much attention to this... there's always Dangwa anyway :)

Photo & Video
Saw Vignette in action at Joy's wedding... I still feel I chose well when I chose them.

Wedding Program
When I see Batjay, i'd get a CD of lovesongs... and the gimik with the cake... that won't work with a small cake and real small cake table (chances are, cocktail table lang gagamitin)... no real program yet :)

Invitations
Haven't met with our primary sponsors yet. Haven't informed Jojo's cousin that we're getting her in lieu of his preggy sis.

I have been at Printed Matter a lot though... but because am accompanying w@wies. I'd deal with this maybe around September.

Honeymoon
Right now, I just really want a stress-free wedding with elements that I really like, and didn't just settle for.

Discovery Weekend and the like
We're booked for the August 12 DW. In a way, my Baby got forced because lately, communication is a real challenge. I've also kept teling him that more and more times, I'm not looking forward to the wedding anymore.

Hopefully, we'd be enlightened... and we'd get to tackle our real issues.

Medical/Dental check-ups
One more month to go before we decide if my Baby will need the Exec. Exam. I got a jacket for my teeth and can smile now.

the Guest List
Uhm... what guest list?

Bridal car
A benz courtesy of Barbara's

Hair and Make Up/Beauty treatments
I'm torn between having a trial make-up w/ Angie Cruz or Lawrence this coming July 16. My bestfriend is getting married and I might as well maximize the makeup. Angie's is P1k, Lawrence's is P500.