Wedding Expo 2010

Me in a beautiful gown with a (really) long train, my groom looking dashing in a black tuxedo, friends and family dressed up in my 5-color motif, everyone happy and emotional as they witness our exchange of vows - all those and more for the wedding of my dreams. Yes, I have always been fascinated with weddings that's why the moment I heard of the Wedding Expo Philippines 2010, I registered right away. Of course I signed-up for Jhay too so that we can go together but he's sick so I just tagged along one of my girlfriends, Nhix, because there really is no stopping me.

Both excited, we got to the SMX Convention Center around 3pm. It was my first time to go to a wedding fair and I was ecstatic! I don't know where to go to first! Photo and video? Gowns? Invitations? Cakes? Sweet Jesus! It was a wedding enthusiast's piece of heaven on earth! ^_^

Nhix and I walked around like real soon-to-weds asking for quotations and discounts. There was this one booth whose offer almost made us swoon: East Digital Photography. From the photo and video coverage package of 135k++, they are giving it for 65k++!!! And that still comes with a lot (and I really mean a LOT) of freebies! Mimi and Karl is still my top choice but money-wise, EDP was an amazing deal! Plus, their portfolio isn't bad at all! Oh well, I just wish I'll chance upon something like that when I really am getting married.

Moving on, we headed to the Jewelries section. The wedding rings are lovely, but the engagement rings were just breath-taking! *Sigh* Can we just fast-forward to Jhay's proposal? LOL.

And then the photobooths, they're free! All you have to do is line up and you get an instant souvenir! Nhix and I got 4 ^_^

 

 

 

Crazy shots! Love them all!
Thanks to Snap It, Litrato and Pic Me!

We wandered some more and we didn't mind our leg muscles aching. Anywhere you turn your head to you see something beautiful, so you'll really lose track of how long you've been walking around. Too bad picture-taking is discouraged inside the exhibit hall.

Me posing by a gigantic #4 outside (it's our number, that's why! :D)

All the flyers that I've gathered. Now I don't have to guess the prices

that I input in my "dream wedding" excel sheet. Hahaha.

After around 3 hours of strolling past pretty displays, we decided to leave SMX. We've seen enough... enough to keep daydreaming about our turn to be brides. *wink wink*

Eating our Hearts out at Kamayan

I previously wrote here that I have 2 engagements on September 4: a spa session and a date with my Jhay for our 63rd month. A few days earlier, he told me that he’ll be taking charge of everything (because he seldom does that, he always lets me decide on things), and that all I have to do is do what he asks me to. So I was giddy.

The day came, and things went a little off-track because we spent almost three hours in The Spa instead of the planned 2 hours. And have I already mentioned that waiting isn’t one of Jhay’s specialties? This resulted to him giving me silent treatment the entire time we were in the cab. From Makati to Ortigas wasn’t so short a ride considering the heavy traffic in EDSA even if it’s a Saturday. But I’m lucky that my honey is easy to please. It was one of the things that I love about him: a little lambing goes a long way. So upon reaching Megamall, we were already hand-in-hand and loving each moment of the 4th of the month :D

Eventhough I already had a clue, I played innocent by asking him where we’ll eat. He won’t say it, he just tagged me along until we reached the 4th floor and that’s when my instinct was confirmed. We’re having an Eat-All-You-Can dinner at Kamayan! It’s nothing special for most but it is for us because it’s the first time that we’re pigging out together. Hahaha.

So without further ado, here’s our first round *in the background a bell is ringing like that in a boxing match*:

Her.

His.

My plate had Bagoong Rice, Fried Chicken, Dinuguan, Lechon Kawali, a seafood dish that I already forgot the name, and Fish Fillet that they have another name for. LOL.

His plate had almost the same thing except that he has Lumpiang Shanghai and Crispy Alimasag in addition.

I was starving so I quickly finished most of my food but I had to breathe in and out a few times before I could clear my plate of all the viands (ask my friends, they can attest that I can eat a lot of rice with only a small serving of viand). I especially loved the Lechon Kawali (artery-clogging, I know) and the Lumpiang Shanghai. The Fish Fillet and Crispy Alimasag is also a winner but their Dinuguan didn’t hit the mark. It was like that of a local eatery :-(

And then we chatted for a few minutes as we made way for the next round. I forgot to take a picture of Jhay’s 2nd plate but mine had this.

Pork Barbeque, Minatamis na Saging na Saba, Biko and Puto Bumbong

I am a sucker for barbeque so it was the round's runaway winner. Jhay took advantage of my BBQ fascination and the next thing I saw was a bite left of the Puto Bumbong and him trying to keep his laughter to himself. Hahaha.

 Jhay watching me and my big appetite.

 He took one shot after another trying to capture my takaw moments.

You think I'm done? Oh no, not yet! I went back to the buffet table for dessert!

In my plate are 2 small pieces of Bibingka, 2 slices of gelatin and the classic halo-halo. I loved the ube topping, although I would have loved it more if it has leche flan too!

After our palates are satisfied and our tummies full, he took the bill. We paid PhP 922 for the two buffet meals and two bottomless iced tea. Is it worth it? With an appetite like ours, it's a yes, yes, yes! *except for the iced tea, you're better off with water, believe me*

And please let me mention how I love my blouse that day for concealing the right areas. *wink wink*

After we've gotten enough rest, we looked for Etude House - a boutique that sells high-quality yet affordable Korean cosmetics. It is a kikay's haven so go check it out :-)

I asked honey to buy me a lipstick (I told you, he's easy to lambing ^_^) but I didn't find the shade that I want so I ended up buying this eye shadow instead.

 Petite Darling Eyes Eyeshadow for Php 148.

Thank you so much for the dinner and the little present, hon. Oh, one question: When are we doing this again??? :D

A Spa-bulous Saturday

Almost a week of popping online contacts messages telling them to vote for our entry to the Toblerone Epic Friend Promo was very much worth it as the Toblerone Piipinas team awarded us the gift packs and 2 PhP2000 The Spa Gift Cards last Saturday, September 4th. I and Ate Pants (my Epic Friend) went all the way to The Spa at Bonifacio Global City for the awarding ceremony along with the other winners. It was fun to meet the cool (and generous) people behind the contest especially the Brand Ambassador for Toblerone Pilipinas, Ian, who gave a very heart-warming opening speech in his slang Tag-lish :-)

The Spa @ Global City

With Ian of the Toblerone Team.

Our prizes.

5 pairs were chosen to read their winning piece to the group. Good thing Ate Pants and I were not picked because we are both very emotional we might be crying even before reaching halfway.

Us with the other Epic Friends Promo winners.

After the photo opps, we hurried to The Spa Bel-Air branch for our Refreshing Start session at 3:30pm (The Fort's fully-booked, that's why). 

 We chose Swedish body massage, Peppermint Foot Rub and

Aroma Scalp and Shoulder massage, all for Php 1950.

The Fort branch was modern and more of black and white while Bel-Air has an Oriental feel - very cozy and homey with stylish wooden pieces all over. We got there earlier than our appointment but when I asked if we can already be accommodated, they happily obliged :-) We presented our Gift Cards and were given the keys to our locker with corresponding numbers. Then they asked us to proceed to the 4th floor where the Female Spa is located. 

I just love the dainty little details :D

As soon as we stepped off the elevator, we were welcomed by the friendly crew as she handed us our spa kit.

Then we went to the locker room which is by the way very impressive in terms of aesthetics (Oh my, why did I forget to take a picture of that?!). We left our things, quickly changed into our robes then headed to the wet floor to take a shower before the pampering activities. We could have gone skinny dipping in the mini pool have we known early on that we could use all the wet floor amenities. Oh well, better luck next time, ladies. :P

 (L) The locker. (R) Ate Pants posing by the vanity counter.

Refreshed and ready, we were led to the lounge and were offered the complimentary ginger tea. I'm not very much into teas so I just sipped from Ate Pants' cup and it wasn't bad at all :-) We waited for like 10 minutes till our Peppermint Foot Rub therapists arrived. And then the blissful two-hour session started.

  

A year ago when Ate Pants treated me to a full-body massage at a spa near our place, she said "Aaahh... This is life..." but as we seated in the Foot Spa's uber comfy recliners while our feet were soaked in warm water, she can't help but exclaim, "This is heaven!"

In the middle of the foot treatment, 2 more therapists came in to do the Aroma Scalp and Shoulder massage simultaneously. And boy, the two treatments combined was divine!

After an hour of head and foot massage.

After the session, we were asked to go to the room where our Swedish massage will be done. We took a few photos again while waiting for the new set of therapists.

At 4:45pm, the full-body massage commenced. It was an hour packed with soothing kneads from head to toe, with the scent of eucalyptus in the room completing the relaxing experience. How I loved the moderate pressure done by my therapist! It was just how I wanted it as I don't like aching muscles afterwards.

Exactly an hour later, we're done. We took one last shot and promptly went off because other clients are having their session in the same room (Deluxe services are done in rooms with around 5 beds in them, but we had no issues on privacy naman)

Invigorated, we went back to the locker room. We posed by the mirrors for some more photos with our robes on.

We kept raving about the entire Spa Service as we changed into our clothes. Two thumbs up for The Spa Bel-Air. We got treatments fit for a queen, even just for a day :-) This is a pampering that we deserve, and at the same time a bonding moment that I and Ate Pants haven't done in years.

All dressed up and ready to go (hurry Em, Jhay is waiting for hours already!)

Ate Pants with another cup of ginger tea. Like it much, cuz? :)

By the wooden staircase.

So from the bottom of our hearts, a big thank you to Toblerone team! It was truly a Spa-bulous Saturday!

Two super satisfied customers of The Spa.

Wanna experience it too? Book your appointment here! :)