Throwback Thursday: Summer Class

Thinking of gimmicks to make my blog more interesting, I came up with the idea of taking strolls down memory lane every Thursday with the help of my forever favorite social networking site, Multiply.

You remember the days when we all dump and upload our photos, whether flop or not, and still receive over a hundred comments from our contacts per album? I dearly miss those days.

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For my first Throwback Thursday post, here's a blast from (the past) our second summer class in college, circa 2008!

Familiar faces? Yes.

With the tisays--my Triplet, Claris and my Kambal, Bianca.

We had no wash days in college but we wanted to "feel" co-ed so during summer classes, we ditched our uniforms on some days. Some of our professors did not mind, though one took it up to the next level. We found out that she's also the Prefect of Discipline! Haha!

Girls: me, Anne, Cheenee, Maan, Kim and Jovy.

Birds of the same feather... wear stripes together! We were surprised to see 4/6 girls wore stripes on the very same day hence a mini-photoshoot! Good thing I always bought my camera with me.

The photos are also proofs that I have loved animal prints since I don't know when. I wish Cha and Phoebe were here, too! 

My boyfriend seemed to enjoy his summer class, too! At LOGBI. ♥

To beat the heat away, we also spent time in malls, specifically the ones nearest to us like TriNoma and The Block, which by the way until now, are our usual go-to places. :)

We had no Instagram then but we got loads of photos! Oh, look at how curvy Susie was, look at Kim's collar bone and my... bangs!

In 2008, frapuccino > milk tea!

We did not also let our second and last summer class end without photos to show how clean and green our FEU campus is! Even in our first few years as friends, we camwhored like yeah!

Peak of the Havaianas trend. Kahit bawal sa school sige pa din!

Kim, Jovy and I dancing to the extremes! (See how beautiful FEU is, too!)

One of my most popular photos in Multiply!

Now there you go. Four years might have passed but I think nothing's changed. Oops, I'm taking it back--there are a few changes but if you know where you stand and when you know how your friends value you and your friendship, you're on the right path. Keep going!

Lalala I just said too much. Seriously, Kim's now a happy wife and mom and Jovy's got shorter and browner hair now. Susie's slimmer than ever and I rarely see Anne, Cheenee and Miles. Also Cha and Phoebe. Those are the changes I'm talking about!

Hope you enjoyed the trip like I do. Until next Throwback Thursday!

♥,

Marianne

To Those Asking

It's twelve days before Christmas but I haven't crossed out anything on my Christmas gift list yet. I'm sort of intrigued why such thing is happening because if I'm not mistaken, as early as December 5 last year, there are already wrapped presents under our tree. I promise to get this thing done this weekend, though. I'm almost late for Christmas!

Looking on the bright side, I have received questions on what I want to receive this Christmas. Yes naman!!! :) So for the benefit of doubt (or those in doubt, hahaha), I'm HEREBY listing some of the things I want to get this Christmas. And for the first time in my life, I wish my parents will be able to read this post

1. A simple tote. No brand required, I take even the cheapest ones as long as it can carry all my stuff around. Any color will do, too but if you still want to know which color I prefer the most, brown.

2. Shu Uemura eyelash curler. Please don't ask me why but for me, this is the best eyelash curler in the world! I haven't moved on from my stolen SU eyelash curler in Baguio until now.

3. Anything animal-printed and Hello Kitty. A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G.

 

4. Flats shoes. I love heels but I love flat shoes even more. They're so comfortable, very chic and we can never go wrong with a pair of flats. Good thing my work doesn't require me to be in heels so I welcome these kinds of babies! And heels, if you still insist! :) (P.S.: Size 8/38)

5. Makeup brushes. Please help me complete my kit! I adore makeup brushes, synthetic or natural hair brush, I would appreciate.

6. Shining, shimmering! Any clothing that will make me shine and sparkle even more. Hoho! But seriously, I'm in love with these gleaming and glistening drama.

7. Blazers. I love topping off any outfits with blazers to complete a corporate yet super fashionable feel. Tip: Items from ukay-ukay/thrift stores are accepted.

8. Clear storage boxes. I have a penchant for transparent cubes of all sizes which allow me to store anything. And they make my life easier, no need to play hide-and-seek with things I'm looking for.

9. Makeups and more makeups. A cosmetic addict like me can never have enough lipsticks and eyeshadow palettes but as of the moment, I need concealer and eyeliners. No brand required. :)

There you go! Please be my Santa, dears! In the end, you will still be the judge. I accept anything even if what you're planning to give is not listed here. It will always be the thought that counts. Plus!!! If I wouldn't be able to receive all of these, I'll do anything to have these by myself. Remember, Gossip Girl said, "If you want something badly enough, you have to go out and get it yourself."

♥,

Baguio, I'm Back!

I'm back to the place that scared me the most! Oh well, Baguio City will always be Baguio City!

This time, we stayed at the  Baguio Country Club. Luckily, it was my first birthday leave ever so leaving for the City of Pines on a Friday afternoon isn't a bad idea at all. At first, I hesitated to join them but since Paolo insisted, I said yes ON the day itself. That's how impulsive I am especially when it comes to traveling. :)

The Baguio Country Club

Ohhh myyyy I love this place--very relaxing, quiet and very Pinoy. The wooden floors, the furniture, everything, spell comfort. And what I really love about this place is its cafe.

Welcome to the Raisin Bread cafe!

The Raisin Bread cafe sells delish cakes, breads and pastries. From its simple strawberry shortcake to raisin bread, chocolate chip cookies and pralines, I'm 100% sure that you will never leave the country club without eating here. It's a little piece of heaven in Baguio if you're a sweet tooth like me.

With Paolo.

The boyfriend and I strolled around the place and we found a mini butterfly haven, a small garden for a flock of hens (and a peacock), a swimming pool and a lot more. I really like the exclusivity of the place, you can have peaceful talks while walking and stuff. Really cool!

 All black.

Black lace top from Landmark Department Store | Black jeans from Topshop | Black patent t-strap shoes from The Shoe Gallery

Tea ceremony.

I also loved the fact that I was able to spend my entire afternoon in the veranda while sipping a hot cup of coffee and tea with mouthwatering desserts like cheesecake and molten chocolate cake. I forgot about diet!

With my soon-to-be sister-in-law.

Paolo's only sister, Patrish, and I have a lot of things in common. Top three are: 1.) We love makeups; 2.) We love to take pictures; 3.) We love animal prints. And these three are clearly shown in the photos above. I also lent her my pair of Aldo oxfords. If you take a closer look, you'll notice her white socks. Haha! That's because my shoe size is bigger than hers and the country club does not allow rubber slippers (regardless of the brand) so Patrish had no choice but to wear my shoes.

I really, really, really love this candid photo of ours! It reminds me of an Ayala ad with the background song "I love you more today than yesterday..." playing. Thanks to Janbie who patiently took our photos. 

And before I forgot, let me show you the Longchamp-inspired bag I thrifted a couple of weeks ago! Yes, you may find it odd but believe me, I got this bag at an ukay-ukay (vintage/thrift shop) for only a hundred pesos! Unbelievable? Believe it. :) And yes, it's in good condition and is made of good materials! Very Longchamp-ish!

This bag is mine.

Black + animal prints = class. Photo + black/white = classic.

On our way back to Manila, the in-laws(!!!) decided to have a dinner at Matutina's. I was so damn happy because Matutina's is one of my favorite local seafood restaurants and the last time I ate there was 4 years ago. So imagine me jumping like a frog because of excitement.

My seatmate, as usual, is Patricia.

We miss you, Deedee!

Julianna (in orange) and Paula (in black/pink) never leave my side whenever they see me. They call me "Mommy Marianne" and kiss and hug me all the time. I love taking care of them! I really feel like a young mom.

Paula sat beside me since her mom was not able to join us in our trip (while Julianna joined his real mom, Ate May). Notice how much she looks like his Tito Paolo! Her name is derived from him because of her chinky eyes, ergo the name Paula. Hehe.

Well if you're not convinced, here are our faux family portrait.

It was a short out-of-town trip but this has got to be very unforgettable. I became an action star, a drama princess and a thriller queen on our way back. Pangasinan and Tarlac are my witnesses!

Til the next Baguio adventure,

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!

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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!!!

♥,