Cuzzin'

When I was young, I said I want to have many kids so my kids can give me many grandchildren, and my grandchildren will have many cousins.

I want to share with you how wonderful and everlasting my relationship is with my cousins. They are all my best-est friends, the only real people I can turn to when life is throwing me with challenges I cannot face alone, on my own.

As kids, we were not allowed to play outside the compound, not even allowed to play with kids outside. But of course our parents explained us that we have our cousins as friends and playmates to share our toys with. We didn't complain. In fact, 100% of my childhood was made of fun and laughter filled with the most cherishing memories because of my cousins. Without them, I wouldn't be who I am now. 

Us, through the years.

And though some of us are already living outside the Philippines, we make sure our communication never gets rusted. I'm very thankful that our parents raised us so well that nothing can ever come between us and that we will have each other forever. :)

♥,

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

Northern Eastbound

The best friend we could ever have next to Candy Magazine is our cousins. Something is so special about them, like being able to avoid arguments we always have with our siblings and being friends with them while proving that the saying "Blood is thicker than water." is true.

Last Friday, our plan to spend a night together at Bite Club finally happened. We have been planning this for years! Though incomplete due to last minute cancellations of my other cousins' whereabouts, five of us made it and my sister and I had introduced them the biggest burger we know in the metro. Don't judge us! We love Bite Club since I was in high school and I haven't found its best competitor yet except for the one in Iloilo.

Goofing around with my cousin Ebok. Do you see the Enchong Dee resemblance? :)

Here we are enjoying our first ever bite at Bite Club that night!

We're like wolves enjoying the great meaty taste of the grilled patty! Ate Mai and I are glad that they enjoyed it and we are definitely coming back... with more cousins and close friends!

After an hour and a half of staying there, we decided to spend a little more time in Eastwood. We originally planned to drink in The Distillery but Friday night is A Friday night, hence, The Distillery could no longer accommodate us so we stayed at Bed Room instead. It brought back some college memories but it's quite disappointing to see Bed Room now. Dirty, bad service, drinks are not served well and blah, blah, blah. We could have chose Agave instead! But still, we let the good times roll through our endless laughs and catchups!

A bit flop but I love how the "effect" looked like!

Paolo straight from his Naga (work-related) trip!

I missed him! :)

Kuya CJ, Paolo and me.

With Ate Lauren and Budoy!!! :)

What I wore: Cropped top from Royal Kouture | Black knit jeans from Jag | Snakeskin flat shoes from Misbehave and Pepper Potts feathered hairclip from MARiS.



Christmas is near!

Til the next getaway with my cousins!

♥,