Late Post : Pirates for Halloween

PONIENTE PIRATES

Family Portrait

Oct. 31, 2012

This is a late post because my schedule has just been crazy busy but like I always say, "better late than never". I want to remember our very coordinated costumes this year. My hubby and I actually bought our costumes a year ago (the day after halloween sale) in NYC when we were there to visit. So we practically got everything at 60-70% off the original price. This year we were all PIRATES of the...Alabang Sea! We had a photo session before the actual trick or treating but Joel and I changed because we saved our costumes for our party that night! Hahaha!

Sofia the Pirate Mate

 Ay ay, Captain Henri!

The coolest (and scariest?) kids in the neighborhood 

 Trick or Treating inside the village

Henri was so amazed with Ursula

P.S.

We gave Cintai toothbrushes to the kids this year instead of sweets! :) Protect those pearly whites kiddos! :)

Mommy Birthday Party Project : Sofia's 1st Birthday Party

After about 3 months of planning and conceptualizing, Sofia's special day finally came. I got the same feeling about it during our wedding day... I was truly excited for it at the same time I wanted to get it over with! Hahaha! This was far more challenging than Henri's 1st Barnyard Party mainly because the venue was out of town and it was in a ballroom (more space to fill!). It took me a whole album of pegs to come up with the perfect concept (Shabby Chic Afternoon Tea Party). I'm happy that I was able to execute 90% of the ideas! Enjoy! :)

Do-It-Yourself Entrance Stand : I had the words SOFIA made (I found a supplier for this) and we painted it white to go with the actual stand. My foreman Henri made the stand for me (just a few pieces of wood put together).

A String of Sofia's Black and White Portraits - rope (from Divisoria) and clothespin (from Japan Home Centre). Photos by Ethan Vincent Photography.

Various Fabric (from Divisoria also) put together to serve as a nice dainty shabby chic confetti

Hat Station where you can pick your own hat. I made the chalkboard using plywood and chalkboard spray paint (from Michael's Craftstore in the US but I'm sure they have it here already!)

Hats from Divisoria mall and greenhills

One of her giveaways! Personalized Hand Sanitizers from Partystarters as well.

Her other giveaway - Personalized Pink Umbrellas (see wooden umbrella stand which foreman/in-house handyman Henri also made)

Flower centerpieces with my "Sip, don't slurp." table signs

Passion Cooks Catering for the food. They didn't disappoint. We had quiches, beef kabobs, pomodoro pasta, chicken with blue cheese and fresh fruit crepes with ice cream for dessert.

The Kid's Presidential Table

Floral Table runners sewn by one of my staff :)

 Paper Straws from Partystarters and Labels by Moi

Life is Sweet - Candy Corner! Always a hit!

Candy Tags by Partystarters

Laffy Taffy, Strawberry Pretzels, etc.

 More pictures of Sofia inside the pavilion

 Prizes, prizes, prizes :)

                                        More party favors... pink and green bubble swords

 Grown-up Giveaways - Our Cintai Homegrown Barako Coffee

Her one-of-a-kind cake made out of different things (towels, clothing, ribbons, etc.) - given by Lola Josie

 The Main Game was a Family Cintai Challenge wherein each family received a boarding pass, a map and a task sheet where the tasks/challenges around Cintai were stated. They got a check for every challenge they finished. First to finish = WINNER! 

Here are the sample stations :

Slide With Me : Kids had to slide down once to get a check!

                         

                             Merienda Hits : Someone in the team should eat one whole Batangas suman

The best host ever! Sugus has been hosting our family parties since we were kids. He actually hosted my sister's 7th birthday and Debut, my brother's 1st and 7th Birthday. Blast from the past!

The Birthday Family :)

It was clearly a success because all the guests had a wonderful and memorable time. And I think I found a second career...as a party stylist maybe? :)

Have a lovely day! Tata!

Henri's Graduation Program : Broadway Bound

Work has really taken a toll on my blogging. The entrepreneur self should be rejoicing about it because it means business is doing good but my Mommy self feels a little guilty. I'm so glad that I found time today to catch up on my backlog. A lot of things have happened since my last post and I'd like to begin with my son Henri's highly successful year-ender program "Broadway Bound" 2 weeks ago.

I was excited and at the same time really nervous when I got the invite. The tension is because  I know Henri gets a little bit uneasy and shy on stage.

The theme for this year was "Broadway Classics". The students of the different levels performed different numbers inspired by popular Broadway Musicals such as Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, The Wiz, and a whole lot more.

His Very very 80's costume - provided by the school :) Hahaha!

Warming up and stretching before leaving...

 The Stage Backdrop

Spotted : 2nd from the right...the naughty boy dancing to "Fame" -... Remember my name? Fame! I'm gonna live forever....". When he actually saw me, he began "spitting" literally and blowing bubbles. The teacher went to him to tell him to stop but all the more he did it. I'm not quite sure why but I guess it's his way of coping with his stage "fright". 

After the musical numbers, they were presented one by one on stage once again to take a bow and be acknowledged.  

 So happy school's over! Yaay for summer!

Congratulations Kuya for a job well done! Cheers to many more years of hard work and diligence! 

...hopefully no more spitting next year! *wink*

Mommy Birthday Party Project : Sofia's Invitations

It took me awhile to finally decide on what design I want her invitations to be. My idea is to keep it simple, dainty and consistent with her "shabby chic afternoon tea party". I found a perfect peg which challenged my domestic creativity...particularly sewing skills from way back High School HE (Home Economics) days. 

My invitation peg. The handmade ribbon made out of 3 fabrics caught my eye. I just had to try it out myself. 

I bought these fabrics from Divisoria (fabric market where you can buy everything wholesale). The fact that the designs are completely different yet put together they seem to blend emphasizes the "shabby-chic' theme.

Pink and Green Ribbons to add as accent. 

Voila! Addie and I experimented on how to do it and finally came up with this! Can't wait to put them on the actual invites which are already being printed by Wink (Written In Ink) Printing Company. 

I'll post the actual invites once I get them :) 

Mommy Project: Sofia's First Birthday

STEP 1 : Planning and Conceptualizing a Party Theme

I always tell my husband that if I am not doing what I'm doing now, my dream job is to be a party planner or events stylist. I love entertaining people and making things pretty. Throwing dinner parties and brunches at home really excite me. This entry is dedicated to this passion turned hobby. My challenge now is my daughter Sofia's first birthday party.

The first task is to finalize the basic details : Date, Venue, Time, Number of Invitees. - CHECK! I already decided on all this. I can share that the venue will be in (where else?) Cintai Corito's Garden, Balete, Batangas. I just think it's the most practical thing to do so I can focus my budget on other things like food, decorations, etc.

The next task is to decide on a THEME. I love this part. It took me awhile to decide on what theme would best fit Sofia's celebration. I want it to be feminine, fancy and dainty just like her :) After a lot of research and consultation (party blogs/magazines), I chose to go with a SHABBY CHIC AFTERNOON TEA PARTY! Here are my pegs:

 The chalkboard menu is brilliant for the theme

 I love the bubbles on glass with ribbons and antique keys

 I love how the setting is very shabby and uncoordinated yet stylish and classy at the same time

 Dainty table setting

I love the different fabric strips made into a nice, feminine backdrop. I can't wait to go to Divisoria (wholesale fabric market) and go shopping for Fabric scraps

Aren't all the pictures so lovely? This is too too exciting! I have about 3 months to work on it.  I'll update you about how I try to do everything step by step. This will be my little Mommy Project and I want my friends/readers to feel free to post any suggestions or comments to help me in this. Wish me luck!