Marianne x Hello Kitty

When people asked me if I'm throwing a bash for my 24th birthday, I said yes, even if I was unsure. My friends got excited and they were all eager to know what the theme's gonna be. I honestly couldn't think of anything else other than animal prints. Maybe neon? Or pastel? What a worldly problem I had. Until one day I realized that aside from animal prints, Hello Kitty has my heart.

I grew up owning Hello Kitty items straight from Tokyo, thanks to my ever loving Tita Teng who never fails (until now) in sending me packages of Sanrio goodies.

I also put myself in my friends' shoes thinking how hard it would be for them to search for neon or pastel dresses/clothes because even I myself had a hard time on them. Hello Kitty is super famous, can be found anywhere whether you're in a tiangge or in a mall and above all, Hello Kitty is a cutie patootie! I'd love to see everyone wearing something with Hello Kitty on it... on my birthday celebration.

The venue was never a problem since Discovery Suites is my second home in the metro. Paolo directed everything--from food, drink, the setup, the guests. A week before the party he started searching and buying all the party needs. He downloaded the music and even bought my outfit. During the day of my party, he picked me up from home with his car filled with all the night's essentials, as if we're going to a big family picnic. I went to my friend's wedding after checking in at the hotel. A couple of hours after, he's done with the cooking, blew all the balloons by himself and rearranged the room. All he ever asked me to do was to fix myself to be ready for my party. :)

The first guests who arrived were my sisters and cousins, followed by Paolo's cousins, high school friends, college friends, another two sets of high school friends and more. From last year's 25 guests, I think I had almost 40 guests (out of the 60 we invited) this time.

Photo bombs! For your guidance, dresscode: Ladies to wear something with Hello Kitty, gentlemen to wear white, ladies and gentlemen not to wear black... except me!

Brothers and sisters: Miming, Ate Mai, Jeric and Kuya Archie.

The future in-laws: Paolo's siblings and cousins, plus his best friend with his best friend's girlfriend!

Monthly Period with the two boys in town, Patrick and Jallo.

More Girlfriends in the house!

The night was young when we started. We served sweets and more sweets to set the mood right. Marshmallows, filled cookies, jelly candies, strawberry sticks and cupcakes. Don, Paolo's cousin, helped me with the ladies' drinks: mudslide and orange-flavored zombie. And while the men enjoyed their cans of beer, I unconsciously finished a bottle of chardonnay. :)

Spot me getting started on that bottle of wine.

I was so happy that Paolo didn't drink too much and that he knocked himself out so early. Way to go, babe!

Stolen shots. <3

The birthday bash was also a sort of reunion party. Remember Rachel-Toto from my last year's celebration?

Click here in case you forgot.

Two of my best friends for life. <3

High school reunion! Super happy that MMMM+V came. :)

The night was also filled with picture takings here and there but flop, I forgot to remind everyone that I planned to take a Call Me Maybe vid while we're all in one roof. Nobody ever did remind me as well, I only recalled the idea yesterday. :|

We might have forgotten it, but we had loads of beautiful group shots --

Thank you for coming, family and friends! :)

The birthday girl really had a great night. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Other photos (food, drinks, cupcakes, gifts, what I wore, etc.) will be posted on Instagram! I was so busy I forgot to take photos of them using the camera. 

I'd also like to commend Discovery Suites for always surprising me with the sweetest stuff literally and figuratively. The moment we entered our suite, a banner with "Happy birthday, Ms. Marcial" greeted me. They also sent me slices of cakes, a platter of pastries and pieces of chocolate truffles. Thank you! 

My photos show how happy and thankful I am not only because of the successful birthday bash we threw, but because I got to spend another special moment of fun, laughter and memories with the people who are so dear to me. :)

I am Superloved because of you!

♥,

Marianne

Years In The Making

Today is the last day of my 23-year old self. I can't believe it's been a year since I threw an all animal prints party on the night I turned 23 with my closest friends and family.

Anyareh sa loob ng isang taon ko?

I've been through a lot. Yet, it doesn't make me feel like I'm growing old. I'm growing up. I'm slowly seeing my future and I think this is a good sign. When my Mom's my age, she's already sending my sister to school. Me? I'm getting some of the things I want and trying to work on the things I can't get so I can get them. There are so many wants in life. So many I just can't enumerate them all! 

Tomorrow I'll be another ageing lady. I'm 24, happy and blessed. I'm happy that I'm blessed with happy and blessed people. More than this, I'm thankful. 

If asked what's the best thing that ever happened to me in a span of one year, I'm happy to say that it's my career. My former boss once said, "Marianne Joyce is moving on with her career." Two years of dedicated service, loving all my bosses like a real family and respecting them the way an employee should respect his superiors were not even the hardest things to do. I gave my heart to my work, to them and to all my friends from TV5. It's so easy to love and to be loved if we're surrounded by real people. 

The moving on part, however, almost killed me. I can't believe I can no longer see the usual people I see everyday. I had to give up my work station, my desktop computer, everything. But you know what is bringing me back to life? New people who inspire me to do better! Five days of fun, laughter and challenge in the office a week. I have new friends and I'm happy to have them in my "new" home. I still have the best Kapatids. 

Next, what is life without friends? They are our chosen family, much as we can't live without our family, we can't also live life without friends. And a number here isn't important. Who cares if we only have one when you can count on him anytime? But life blessed me with more than a dozen. They may be in different groups and views but they are all equal. All loving and helping, transparent and beautiful. Here's a shout-out to my Monthly Period, Girlfriends, Rich Kids, Temptation Island, Tropang Logbi friends: Thank you for making me happy. <3

And eight out of twenty-four years I have a very happy and solid love life. It's unbeatable! I called myself Superloved because that's the way I feel about life when love is concerned. Paolo isn't manageable (hahahaha) and it's only me who can manage him. People closest to us will attest, and I plan to live with it in the next twenty-four years of my life until forever. :)

Lastly, I wouldn't be this happy and thankful if not for my family. My parents, sisters and cousins, most especially. I'm so ready to age a little older and to turn tables to take extra care of them. 

This is life! And it might take years in the making to know what my life's real purpose is. As of now, I will continue living and loving.

Cheers to my 23 years! Let's get it on, 24! 

♥,

Marianne

Daenerys Zarya's Christening

Sharing you lovely photos from Daenerys Zarya's Christening c/o my good friend JC Cordel:

Nei Nei and Mommy Kim.

The Ninangs

The Ninongs and the Ninangs with Nei Nei and parents.

At the reception with Phoebe and her baby Khara, Susie, Kim E. and Doms.

Family pegging for the nth time with Khara. :D

Friends, friends and more friends came to celebrate Nei Nei's special day as a Christian.

I can no longer tell you how fun it was to attend events like this. I guess I blogged about Nei Nei's Christening twice this month, making this post the third time. 

Look how sweet, beautiful, loving and adorable this baby is. Nei Nei is definitely a Royal Kouture Baby like her mommy.

Daenerys Zarya aka Nei Nei

Baby Fashionista! :)

I superlove her cupcake cake! 

I wish Nei Nei all the best. I know she'll grow up exactly like her mom: thoughtful, sweet and joyful. I hope someday she'll get to read this and kiss her Ninang Yannie and say, "Thank you, Ninang!" :)

We love you, baby! All our eyes are on you. We want to see you grow up and we're all right with you and your family. :)

♥,

Marianne

Photos from JC Cordel.

PS: For photoshoots, party coverages, etc. Kindly contact JC Cordel of JCC Digital Photo. Thanks!

 

My Dad Is My Only Hero

...and I'm sure there's no other man better than him.

 I'm not a spoiled brat nor the kindest daughter. He's not rich but he gave us our world: our home. He saves us in times of trouble like a superhero does. And he saves for his daughters' future just like what a father is supposed to do.

But what makes my dad--our dad different from the rest? He's ours.

I love you, Pappppa! Happy Father's Day!

♥,

Your Marianne

Mika's Birthday and Two Others

Before I attended two baptismal celebrations and a dancing recital last Saturday, Paolo and I attended a Wrangler and Cosmopolitan event and a birthday dinner/bash the night before. We were awake for more than 24 hours last weekend with only an hour break to fix our groggy selves.

MIKA'S BIRTHDAY

Mika was planning to celebrate her birthday on a Saturday. I'm thankful for some adjustments or else, I'll be sad to miss one! Ninang Ng Bayan = Kaibigan ng Bayan = Ate ng Bayan. Noli de Castro is now threatened. Hehe. I'm just so blessed!

The group sans Vaughn who took this photo.

Mika's family surprised her with a "camera" cake. So sweet!

Maro, Mika and Marianne ♥

Monte, Paolo, Dexter, Mark and Vaughn-a.

The last time I saw them was during Maro's birthday. It took me four months to be with them again, but four months only feel like four days. We had non-stop talks about stuff and even tried copying each others' penmanship and signature. Also found out that Mika's brother Migi and cousin Jijo are now full-pledged binatilyos--they are taller than me! They are one of the many people I grew up with, and I'm lucky that I'm still with them, now that we all finished school. :)

AND TWO OTHERS

 Wrangler and Cosmo event handled by Paolowww.

Patricia and I after Migi's recital with All Stars. Lovely hair, sister!

Have a lovely Saturday!

♥,

Marianne

Photo Bootylicious!

I enjoy photo booths like a little girl enjoying her paper dolls! Though some may find it ordinary or a usual scene on parties, I appreciate taking time in front of the camera and goofing around with people you want to have fun photos with regardless of how many other guests are looking at you while they wait for their turn. It's F-U-N! And my favorite part is, getting the hard copies to display them at home or at work. Remember my posts about Photo Booty? See how I evolved in a year!

Sharing you now my photo booth memories during Nei Nei's Christening party last Saturday. PS: I have lots and I want to post them all!

Super friends!

Temptation Island: ODK!

Pao and I with JC the PHOTOGRAPHER! Naks!

Phoebe and Kimmie, two of my closest-est-est friends in college and in life.

Mamai and Papao! :)

You might have noticed that all of us were wearing almost the same shade--yep! That's the theme: fuchsia pink for girls and purple for the guys. My dress even matched the background of the photo template, so Barney-ish and we like it!

For now I'm still waiting for the photos from JC! Can't wait to write good things about it, plus Mika's birthday celebration at Tides last Friday night. :)

♥,

Marianne