Challenge Entry: 10 Things I Love About Us

Here's my last scrap LO for 2011.  And I am soooo happy with the outcome.  I noticed that my best LOs are those featuring me and my Hubby Cookie. Well, I am just really inspired when I am working on something about us. So, here it goes... :)

I played around with the title a bit.  That nice chipboard "&" is from my S4All friend Cheryl! It is a great touch, isn't it? :)

A closer look on the details...

The journalling reads...

10 Things I Love About Us
the movie dates
sharing a cup of bubble milk tea
finishing each others sentences
mutual love for food
tech talks and gadgets
wearing matching shirts
fascination for zombies, Star Trek, and end of world movies
couple's massage sessions
holding hands while walking
falling asleep in a cuddle

Layout Recipe:


Cadstock Base - Bazzill Basics
Chipboard Letters - Thickers (American Crafts), Paper Market, stash from my S4All friends Cheryl and Rosey
Ribbon/Twine - from my stash
DP - American Crafts, Echo Park
Stamp Ink - Memento Rosebud
Rhinestone - Zva Creative, Mark Richards
Felt flower - Precocious Paper
Felt sticker - stash from Yen
Sketch - Creative Scrappers #172

- o0o -
This LO is for the challenges over at the S4All group.
I am also submitting my LO project to Paper Issues' newest Theme - We've Got Your Number.





It's me,

Cookies @ Lakeside: Cookie Christmas Tree 2011

I know it's quite late to be posting Christmas Tree photos, but here's ours for this year. It's a 7-foot plastic tree we bought in December 2008.

It's still the same set of ornaments from Christmases past.  But I added some pine cone ornaments I got from Daiso for 2SGD for a pack of 15 pieces.  And of course, my handmade tags cum tree ornaments. :)

Our tree topper is a "Bride and Groom Bear" we had as a decoration for our "hong bao" box from our September 2010 wedding. 

And here's us after setting up the tree. :)

I hope everybody had a fab holiday, and received lots of pressies! :)

Linking this up to Docerela Creations Christmas Tree linky party! :)


It's me,

Greetings: Finalist at mywedding's December Couple of the Month

Hello, my craft-y friends.  I am posting this to ask a little favour from you.

If you happen to have an FB account, could you pop by the mywedding Facebook page and "LIKE" our photo.  mywedding is running a December Couple of the Month photo contest, and me and Hubby Cookie's pre-wedding photo is one of the finalist. :)

Here is the link, and here is our photo.

Thank you very much for your usual support of Wifey Cookie's little endeavours!



It's me,

LO Project: I Love You Forever

On Sunday, 11 September 2011, my Hubby Cookie and I celebrates our first wedding anniversary.  How fast the days go by when you're having fun, right? :)

So, in remembrance of that special day when all of our families and friends witnessed our saying "I do" to each other, here is an LO project I made.

The photo is of us during our pre-wedding pictorial done in June 2010 at La Castellana in Manila, Philippines.  It was scorching hot that day, but everything went really well because of the professionalism exercised by the photographers, our wedding coordinator, and the staff of the venue.

Here is my little layout in a frame.  I know it's too pink, but I still hope Hubby Cookie brings it to work to display on his work desk. :D

~ o0o ~

On a side note, I would also like to enter my work to the following challenges. 

1. Paper Crafting Journey: PCJ Challenge 18 - Sketch

 2. Lollipop Crafts: Challenge #47 - Double Team

          2 stamps/images (sentiments count as 1) - Inkadinkado Ornate Flourish, Inkadinkado Inchies Flourish
          2 patterned/designer paper - Doodlebug Design, My Mind's Eye
          2 of the same embellishments - Zva Crystal Emellishment, Cutout flourish accents with Cricut Expression
          2 ribbons (same or different) - American Crafts

3.By The Cute and Girly Challenge - September Challenge - All Things Bright and Beautiful

Singapore Adventure: One Sick Cookie

I blame the weather!  Very hot and humid in the morning, then in the afternoon, the heavy rains come.  I may not be very fit, but I know I am no weakling.  But this crazy hot and cold weather is just throwing my immune system off.

My bestfriend - Erythromycin

So this week, Erythromycin is my bestfriend. 

Imagine your schedule being limited by the "2 to be taken 4 times daily".  And prior to that you need to sit down for a meal before taking the tabs.  \

Well, the pink color of the tabs somehow makes it easier to swallow.   Hahaha...  But still, I just couldn't bear the idea of taking another round of antibiotics.  Last time I did a cycle was for my unfortunate scissor accident about 3 months ago. 

Hopefully I get better real soon because being sick just sucks! 

In the meantime, I will enjoy the big pot of sopas (Milky Chicken Macaroni Soup) which is actually all I can eat since yesterday.  It's just so difficult to swallow with this sore throat.   

Sopas for Wifey Cookie

And yeah, meet my other bestfriend - Strepsils.

Strepsils with Honey & Lemon

Singapore Adventure: Cramming

After being out of work for 6 months, I am resuming job hunting.  Today at 2:30pm I will be having a phone interview for a contract position with a high profile client of my agent.  And damn am I tensed! :D

Not having done interviews of a technical nature for a while it definitely is nerve-wracking for me.  The last technical interview I did to land a job is more than three years ago for my last job.  And coming into this new interview I feel like an entry level candidate.  Hahaha...

Now, I am cramming and I officially suck at it!  So I need all the luck I can get.  But knowing that I have my Hubby Cookie's full support and confidence, it makes it a little better.

加油!!!

Singapore Adventure: Baby Talk

Isn't it funny when all your single life you conciously make an effort not to get preggers, then when you finally want to, it's actually not that easy!  Sheesh... Irony much!

The Cookies are trying to be pregnant.  Well, it's just about time.  I am 31 and if we postpone it further, it might just make it more difficult.  As the cliche goes, the (body) clock is ticking...

So yeah, we are now taking measures to make it happen.  Over the weekend, by a friend's recommendation, we purchased the Clearblue Easy Digital Ovulation Test.  I must say it is effective as their little girl has just turned one. :)

Crossing fingers.  Let's do this!

Singapore Adventure: Sunny Yellow

This is a lovely photo of the Cookies with Dylan.  What a coincidence that Dylan was also in a yellow shirt.  So cute, right?

April had a little party for her little girl Keyla.  And they happened to have the same birthday - 09 April!  Too bad we were not able to take a photo with the birthday girls. :)  But it was really nice catching  up with my girlfriends even just for a few hours.

Cookie Wedding Journal: 2 Months Away

1.5 years after the proposal happened, we are now finally down to the final stretch of this greate Cookie Wedding Adventure.  Then the real fun begins! :)  We can't wait to see the fruit of all our efforts (and money spent! hahaha)  But seriously, the most important thing, we can't want to start our journey to forever.

So, it's just two months away...  What's our game plan?  Planning is a done deal.  So now we deal with the details. 

INVITATIONS

The invitations are not yet out, but they will be soon (crossing fingers)...  And I am so excited to hand them out.  The concept is my own, and I am appreciating all the help and valuable inputs from Mindy, my coordinator.  The idea is quite creative and non-traditional, but I am sure our guests will find it so "Cookies".

We still need to finalise the names of the sponsors.  We have to put in their complete names to keep it formal. Well at least that part we'll stick with the traditional. :P

We had a little doubt deciding whether to specify our preference to recieve cash in lieu of gifts.  Most wedding forums will say it's taboo.  An invitation card should be to express the couple's intention to invite the guest to celebrate and not imply that guests are required to bring gifts along.  But there is also a question of guests needing a clue as to what the couple needs to get them on their way to married life.  And a polite hint should be appreciated.  I just will just go for the subtle clue.  After all, it's not really about whether guests bring gifts or not, we just need to see our invited guests present and enjoying the merriment of the ocassin with us. :) 

GUEST LIST

This is still in the works.  And we thought 150 is too small, but actually we have still not completed filled up the seats! :))

So what's the criteria.  Of course, family comes first!  But we're sticking to first degree relatives.  Well, at least those who we would want to share this happy ocassion with us.  We'd love to have our close friends to be there too to wish us well. 

But the most important of all is, we'd love our invited guests to be there for us to share our happiness, and not to give their opinion on my dress, the venue, the food, or the couple being overweight. :P  *hint hint*

WEDDING CAKE AND GIVE AWAYS

The wedding cake is part of our caterer's package.  So we'll just take whatever they have to offer.  Personally, I am not such a fan of cake, so for me, it's really just for cutting. And I feel that nobody really eats the wedding cake, or is it just me? :))

For the wedding cake, I'd want to have a damask design on it. Something like the photo on the left. I know having a bride and groom cake topper is already outdated, but I think it would be cute if we'll have one on our wedding cake. What do you think?

In the recent weddings that we have attended, the usual wedding giveaway is pastry - usually colorful and yummy cupcakes.  Gone were the days of dust collector giveaways.  :P  Well, as mentioned early, you're dealing with a creative Bride-zilla here, so no cupcakes.  Instead, we're having cookies! :)  You must know why, right? :)   Butter cookies with the damask design to match the cake FTW! :)

BRIDAL SUITE

We are still looking at having it at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.  We're still deciding if Lord and I will have it at the same hotel.  We'll decide on this soon, so we can book the rooms too.
SMALL DETAILS
A few more small details to be ironed out include -

1. Wedding Liturgy and Vows - I already have the copy.  Just need to go through it.  We must provide the final copy to Fr. Rodel a month before the wedding, so now this is on the top of the list.
2. Entourage "Thank You" presents - Just a token to show our appreciation.  Need to go shopping for this but we're still stumped as to what to get.  Ideas, please?
3. Cookie AVP - I have always made AVPs for friends, why not make one for our own wedding. Good idea? Just need to find time to get this done.  And I need to start digging out for our old photos.  We should have a gazillion being together for 4 years now.  :)
4. Transportation - Should we provide this? 
5. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue - Ideas please...
6. Guest Seating - After we have finalised the guest list of course!

Well, I am sure it will be unrealistic to say that all will run perfectly on the actual day.  Murphy's Law will always find itself some way to show up in the picture when we least expect it.  But for all the effort and thought the everybody behind the scenes had put in, it will all be worthwhile.  Because we know... well, I certainly can attest to it that that day will be all about Lord and Jenny, which is what the Cookie Wedding event is about really.  It should reflect the personality of the couple, and not some hodgepodge, smorsgasbord of ideas from bridal magazines or wedding web forums. All that should matter is what the couple wants.  After all it is the couple's day! Say yes? :)


 

Cookie Wedding Journal: Clearing the Checklist

The last weekend had the Megamall stirring with giddy brides-to-be and their enthusiastic grooms. A Bridal Fair was hosted there - http://www.mybridalfair.com/.

For the Cookies, that weekend was just like any other lazy weekends in Singapore. But with the help of our dearest Wedding Coordinator, we had something cooking there after all.

Finally, we had booked a photographer/videographer. The service contract was signed and the date is set. But of course, the reservation fee must first be paid before we start jumping in joy. :))

We have booked the services of Ralph Alejandrino - http://www.ralphalejandrino.com/, to cover the photography and videography for the Cookie Wedding. And not just that, he actually threw in a "photobooth" add-on with our package. So no need to book that supplier separately. Inital peg was Baicapture - http://baicapture.com/.

So how did the Cookies learn about Ralph?

It was at Carl and Pipay's wedding at the Fernwood Gardens on 24 April 2010. Ralph shot their wedding. So at the reception when we had our photo taken with the newly-wed couple, we came up to him to say hello and also ask for his card. He is anice guy and usdging by the work he has done with Carl and Pipay's prenup photo and AVP as well as the on-site AVP, we were impressed by his talent.

However, it still took us a few weeks before finally deciding. As customers, we do have the right to look around for other options, too. :P

But, finally, we did book his services at the bridal fair. And that is another item ticked off the wedding checklist.

So, last major thing on the list - a hair and makeup artist. Names that are popping up as recommended by friends are -

• Barbi Chan - http://barbichan.blogspot.com/
• Jeng and Carlan - http://jengandcarlan.com/ - But it seems Jeng will be out of town on our date.  
• Jesy Alto - http://www.thecolorartistry.com/ - Did Pipay's wedding.
• Val Villarin - http://valvillarin.com/ - Did Ri's and Chrissie's weddings

Again, suggestions from ex-brides who have survived the rollercoaster ride are most welcome.

Cookie Wedding Journal: 119 Days To Go

It has been more than a year after my last Cookie Adventures entry. So what have the Cookies been upto... Well, it's pretty much been the same usual mundane "trapped in the rat race" lifestyle, but we have definitely made headway in the Cookie Wedding preparations.

At 119 days before THE DAY, these items have been ticked off the list.

• Found a wedding coordinator
• Booked the church
• Booked the reception venue
• Booked the caterer
• Found Gown designer for the Bridal Gown, Groom's Suit and entourage dresses
• Booked the entertainment

A few things are now currently cooking.

• Picking out the songs for the wedding ceremony and reception
• Completing the paperwork for filing
• Book Baicapture for the Photobooth at the reception - thanks to my Kumares!!!
• Make contact and catch up with our Primary Sponsors

Most of the things are already set, but there are just a few more left to be attended to.

• Meet up with Fr. Rodel who will officiate the marriage ceremony - will be happening in June
• Book a Wedding Photographer/Videographer
• Book the Bridal Suite
• Book a makeup artist/hairstylist.

So there, a few more stuff to do for the next few months leading up to the Cookie Wedding. At the back of my mind I know I have missed a few items, but they should come to me just when I least expect it. *Too much on my mind right now... *

To ex-brides who have been there and survived the rollercoaster ride, your suggestions are most welcome!

Singapore Adventure: Valentines Day 2009

Wish you had a great Valentine's Day, because the Cookies did! ^_^

- oOo -

Thanks to Fwed for this magical photo. ^_^

- oOo -

We went for the Valentines dinner set offered at the Jade Restaurant of The Fullerton Hotel. It was a 7-course meal, and each one proved to be truly delightful. It's my first time to have foie gras, and it was how I expected it to be (based on what I have learned about it from watching all those cooking shows on TV), creamy and melts in your mouth flooding it with a gazillion flavours. My Cookie enjoyed it very much, too.

I also liked the fish course very much. It's pan fried sea bass with ginger sauce and fresh mushrooms and asparagus, drizzled with premium soy sauce. The fish was flaky and flavourful, definetly very moist. Simply remembering it makes my mouth water. Yum...

Each course was well-portioned. Just giving you a enough to enjoy the taste, not filling you up, and preparing your tastebuds for the next course. But I think we ate too fast that by the time we got to the last course before the dessert, we are stuffed.

It was a wonderful dining experience. A bit pricey, but the occasion calls for it, so it's no biggie. ;)

- o0o -

Sharing our Valentines Dinner photos from the Jade Restaurant at The Fullerton Hotel.

Malaysia Adventure: Day Two - Touring the City

Photos taken during our KL City Tour. We went to the different popular tourist spots within KL. The Handicraft Center, the King's Palace, the National Museum, the War Memorial, the National Mosque, and the Independence Square. The places we visited are interesting. Specially the National Museum which almost caused our tour scheduled to be delayed since we have spent more time there than allocated.

Also after the city tour, we also made quick stops to different "pasalubong shops". The leather shop, the batik shop, and the chocolate shop. We brought back to the hotel plenty of shopping bags! Hehehe... And of course, tons of scrapbook-worthy photos. ^_^

Malaysia Adventure: Day One - Conclusion

After dinner, we have successfully managed to find our way back. Again taking the same train lines as we did on the way to the mall. An interesting poster on the train wall caught our eye.

And yes, we are still in KL. :P

With me in the photo is a poster promoting "Uniquely Singapore". On the poster is the Marina Bay overview in the night time. Wonderful, is it not?

But before we went back into the hotel, we again made a quick trip to the mall just right beside it. I cannot recollect the name of the mall exactly... Was it "The Mall" or something?? Yeah... I think it is named "The Mall" (look closely at the name of the building in the photo).

Okay, back at the hotel to get some much needed relaxation and sleep. We need to get up early the following day to make it on time for the City Tour we have booked. Pick up time for the tour was at 0930 hours, and if we want to enjoy the buffet breakfast, we need to be up early, non-negotiable! ^_^

Some more snaps before finally concluding Day One of our Malaysia adventure.

Hotel Entrance

The floor map of the hotel is quite unique. From the entrance, you won't immediately be greeted by the Concierge or the Reception Desks. You still have to take the lift to the 9th floor where the Hotel Lobby is actually located. So this photo was taken at the entrance of the hotel on the ground floor near the lifts hall.

Hotel Lobby

The 9th floor is where the real happening is. ^_^

When we entered the hotel's spacious lobby, music from the piano is playing. It appears that on the evenings, the guests are serenaded with some soft, soothing music. The lighting was fantastic and the position of the piano under the wide dome at the center of the lobby is just so picture perfect! If I remember correctly, the song playing was "The Way You Look Tonight". Aww... so romantic!

The staircase was pleading to have it's photo taken with me, so I gave in. :P

I snapped this photo of my Cookie out of fun. I love you my Cookie for being such a good sport. Mwah! :-*

Our Suite

More snaps of our room, now from the other side. I told you it was spacious. ^_^

We spent the rest of the evening watching Hitch on Star Movies. Then, it was time for bed.

It was a fantastic Day One in KL. Good night!