30th Birthday Celebration: Bukas Na!

When I started planning for my 30th birthday, I was thinking of having a masquerade ball with family and friends.  I was so excited that I already have a concept and design for the invitation.

But one day, for no reason at all, I decided to change plans!

I asked friends to donate their old books and old toys for my birthday.  The original plan was to collect and give them to a chosen institution - that easy.  Nothing so special. In my mind, it would be like any other day.

But that was days and days ago.

Today, I can see children dancing, playing and having fun!  It's going to be a one-of-a-kind birthday party!

Be there when it happens.
See you tomorrow!

MSS Day 3: What's Sweet 'n Sour But Cannot Be Eaten?

The third edition of our 2013 kris kringle requires the gift to be: Sweet and Sour but CANNOT be eaten! Looking for such a gift needs great imagination.  And imagination, indeed!

Here's what I got.
Taadaaa!

For those who want to know what that is, well, it's a stuffed mango-shaped toy.  Since it's a 'mango', it can be sweet/sour (depending on the type of mango) and of course, I won't be able to eat this - because it's a toy!

Talk about being creative, imaginative, exceptional!

I got the coolest gift ever!
Whoever that Secret Santa is, thank you so much!

Christmas 2013: Decorations

Nativity Scene

Kultura, SM Department Store, SM City North EDSA

Price: 999.75

I'm thinking of getting the three Kings to complete the scene.

But I'm already happy to have the three most important characters :)

This is the Christmas look of our living area.  It will become a living 'room' soon - once I'm finished with with the curtains that will serve as room dividers.  More on that next time :)

On regular days (non-Christmas season), the Christmas tree will be replaced by a lamp.  I have to look for that perfect lamp though.

I placed a doily on top of the center table.  Since it's so plain, I decided to put on display our unity candles!

The doily costs 14.75 at SM Department Store, SM City North EDSA.  Though there are also other designs, I decided to buy this one because of its simplicity.

Bamboo stand for the candles and pebbles: from Mother :)

Our first Christmas tree!

Landmark, TriNoMa, North EDSA

Price: 2799.75 :)

I strongly believe that putting that .75 on the price tag is a marketing strategy.  Products with .75 on the tag look cheaper than they actually are.

Here's our Christmas tree with the lights on!

The accessories for the tree were from SM City North EDSA except for the eight glittery flowers which were bought from Landmark, TriNoMa.

Both stores have a wide selection of Christmas decors and most of them come in different colors!

For 2013, we're having a RED and GOLD Christmas! :)

And of course, we have a Christmas wreath on our bedroom door!  Although, we are having a red and gold Christmas this year, I opted for the multi-colored wreath because 1. the golden wreath I saw was not that - well, nice.  It's not worth it's price. 2. no red wreath was available at the time :( 3. so we won't need to buy another wreath for the coming years (when we changed from red and gold to say, pink and blue Christmas!).

Price: 300.00

SM Department Store, SM City North EDSA

Thank you for dropping by.

Happy weekend!