Last Friday Night

A single celebration doubles the fun!

Susie and Rachel, both August babies, celebrated their birthdays in a night together. Only the closest friends were there where a friend of a friend instantly becomes friends with each other, except for Kimmie who spent her weekend in Singapore. 

The birthday girls enjoying the mysterious cake from Bruce Wayne.

Out of the 20+ registered guests, only a few arrived due to the problems brought about by the monsoon. It must be awkward to say, but the night was unexpectedly cosy. Everyone bonded so well because the small celebration turned out to be homely feast. <3

Maxi and mini.

While the girls sported their mini bottoms, I came in wearing my maxi dress topped by a blazer. I went to Discovery Suites straight from the office and didn't want to bring extra kilos of stuff with me so there. No legs, only fezzz.

JC joined us not to take our photos but to send me home. 

(Joke lang, but thanks, JC!)

Paolo wasn't around because he went to Baguio for work. And this is me without him (ho-ho-ho):

Sad.

But as Leighton Meester said, "Who needs a boyfriend? I've got my girlfriends!"

The night wouldn't be perfect, of course, without group photos. Our college chum, Mai, also came! It was three years since I last saw her. She lost a lot of weight but lost her heart too. Chost. But seriously, Mai's amazing! 

Temptation Islanders and Mai and Cham. 

For kids only also! With my super cutie patootie godson Zack. <3

"Life is always better when you have good friends around." - Marianne M.

Love this! Our almost complete group pic. :)

Rachel and Susie's party was a blast but there was a mini hole in my heart because aside from them celebrating their birthdays, the night also served as a farewell party to my dearest-est-est-est Susie who will soon leave for Canada. 

If you take a closer look at this photo, you will see my teary eyes. Can't let her go but I was actually one of the few who convinced her to take the chance abroad. 

I will miss you and I will always love you, Sushie!!!

I'm so glad to have friends like them! All fun, always young and care free! Again, happy birthday to you Susie, Rachel, and of course, my sister Ate Mai. I pray for the best for the three of you. :)

♥,

Marianne

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

The Night I Turned 23

Zoo party, safari party, animal prints party, birthday party!

I turned 23 last Sunday and welcomed it with a bang! Paolo helped me with everything. My kind of party happened exactly as I wanted it to be. Guests in animal prints attire, cupcakes with leopard design, booze, laughter, memories in Discovery Suites.

23 homemade cupcakes by Paolo and me. Remember my tweets last week about shopping at Gourdo's and grocery stores for the cupcake I wanted to have? I had it. Pao taught me how to apply the frosting too! Such a lovely thing to do!!! I'm really convinced to take up pastries lessons now!

Here's a closeup of my delightful birthday cupcake!

The Monthly Period also brought this Hello Kitty cake from Breadtalk for me. I'm not sure if it's brazo de mercedes because I haven't tasted it yet. I don't eat brazo de mercedes and even if I do, I'd find it hard to eat coz it'll tear my heart to slice Hello Kitty!

I love Discovery Suites! When they heard that I'll be celebrating my birthday there, they surprised me with each slices of cheesecake and chocolate cake! The sweets also came with a touching note from the entire Discovery Suites family. Thank you so much, Discovery Suites!

The table napkins, courtesy of my Mom, also complemented the party theme!

Right before the other guests arrive, my HS friends gave me this killer heels!

So here's what I wore! A tube bodycon dress from my sister Ate Mai, metallic crop top from Topshop and the killer heels from the Monthly Period. I also wore my Aldo pumps!

The early bird catches the burger worm. My Monthly Period friends who stayed until 6 in the mownin'! L-R: Ahyin, Jessica, Aiza, Une, Mia and Toto.

Girlfriends sans Anne, Cha, Miles, Cheenee and Susie! And there goes Mon, hiding with the help of a Wilton cupcake cup.

My lovely sisters Ate Mai and Miming who bought new clothes to fit in. Thank you and I love you!

Paolo's bestfriend Allan with his girlfriend/my GF, Mutya!

Tropang Logbi represent! JC and girlfriend/fellow FEU Tourism grad, Mau!

My sister's boyf, James aka Bimby!

Fun times with my boyfriend who prepared almost everything! By the way, I'm giving the fedora he was wearing a hype, it looked good on him!

This one will probably make it if ever Pods will have a "make your own billboard" promo like Choco Mucho.

My boyfriend always makes fun of me whenever he catches me tweeting.

 His forever favorite pose! #waley

A birthday kiss from him. Halatang kilig lang ako!

Sorry I just have to post these!

 My guests having a good time!

Topview! Spot me pushing Toto. I'm convincing him to smell my gas! Hahaha

Jovy always turns red every after her alcohol intake! I thank my body I'm not allergic to any food/drink! :P

Whatever happened to me in this one is totally unexplainable. I can't even remember why I acted that way! Animal prints = Animal gesture, maybe?

The girls are the first one to leave! Thank you lovely ladies! Thank you for the gifts as well! I ♥ RK, you know!

I made sure to snap a shot of everyone in costume! I love you all!

THE KISS THAT MADE US ALL SCREAM! Whoah! Only Rachel and Toto can do that on the spot!

Juicy!!! We can't stop laughing after they kissed! These two stole the limelight away from me for a few seconds!

***

I can't recall what time the party "actually" ended! Jessica just woke me up at around 5:30 AM while I was lying on the floor beside Paolo and Janbie. They woke me up to say goodbye.

A room full of clutter! 

A tad unconscious because I just got up from bed floor, I woke up Pao and asked him to take pictures of me. Hahaha I was so cruel to distract him but heck, it was my birthday! Bad! :D

The peg: Party like a rock star. I really felt like throwing up that moment but waking up with birthday greetings made me feel good. :)

***

Again and again and again, thank you! I'm still overwhelmed and unmoved from all the happenings during my party! The presence of everyone who came made it one of the best, next to my 18th birthday, and will forever cherish this for the rest of my life. Thank you for sharing a night with me to celebrate my birthday party. ♥

And before I finally end this blog post, I'm leaving you this party-worthy GIF images:

and

PARTY!!! PARTY!!!

♥,