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Sugar, spice, and a pinch of GLAM

Archive for the ‘MY EVER AFTER’ Category

Almost..I do.

Hello, dolls!!! 🙂 Aaaah finally!!! I am sorry for being MIA for a week. Being in Manila means dealing with poor service. For the past 2 weeks A and I have had our fair share of annoying stories about being taken advantage of government officials/ traffic enforcers and having no internet for a week (just because PLDT decided to do maintenance i the area FOR A WEEK!). So it has been a busy 2 weeks, I’ve always dreamed of being a hands on bride, but gaaah I never thought it would be this challenging (not that I am complaining). I am kind of getting frustrated about not documenting most of the things that has been happening since I’ve been home. I don’t know why but maybe it’s the fact that I have been so worried about being so bloated/swollen because of the sudden change of weather (from 18 degrees to 97!). My ring finger is having an allergic reaction to the hot weather that I am so afraid my rings won’t fit next week! #StoryOfMyLife. Nonetheless, I feel like we are pretty much ready to say I do…suppliers are picked out and all I need is for my guests to RSVP! Haha So as I mentioned above, I failed to document everything, so let me share some throwbacks for you that shows how my life has been like for the past 2 weeks. DSC_0898A

Greek Easter: Greek Easter was this past Sunday. We missed it this year and aaah I was dreaming about Greek food all day!

Thinking about Greek Easter reminded me of the Greek Festival last year.

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it was a Friday and luckily both A and I got the night off. So we invited this little egg tart to join us

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Category:

BALTIMORE, Family, FOOD, LIFE IN BALTIMORE, LIFE IN MNL, LOVE in MNL, MANILA, MY EVER AFTER, THE FIANCE

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Wedding Diaries: Bridal Registry I

10.2014: beep-beep-beep-bop…scanned!

Hello, dolls!!! 🙂 Happy Saturday!!! We just welcomed spring yesterday and aaah I am so happy.It was a snowy first day of spring but whatevs, I know my beloved warmer days are here. Only a month left until I say I do and gahd I don’t think I can hide my excitement anymore!!! Today is the last Satruday that I will be stressing about working a double (not that I am complaining). I am looking forward to my weekend with A next week! It’s been almost 8 months since we had a full weekend together with nothing to worry about. For all the important things that we have to deal with for our careers, needless to say 2 weeks before our flight to Manila, I think we really deserve a weekend with just the two of us.

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Only one week left…and I can embrace freedooooom!

 The past 2 weeks has been really challenging for A and I. I think I am now at the point where in I feel like I have exceeded my limit when it comes to decision making…like I do not know if I have something hiding inside my head that can help alleviate the situation. Aaaaah… grown up problems are hard! haha DSC_0318A

So now, let me share with you something that made me love being a bride-to-be more — the wedding registry! (more…)

Category:

BALTIMORE, Fashion, FOOD, LIFE IN BALTIMORE, MY EVER AFTER, Photography, THE FIANCE

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hello, sweets! 🙂 Happy Valentine’s Day <3 What a cold snowy Valentine’s day it is! It’s so funny whenever people asked me what I am doing for Valentine’s day and I would abruptly say “work” and “I don’t do Valentine’s…it’s a Dad thing for me”. Then I go on and on how my Dad never fails to buy flowers for me, most of the time with balloons, and a cute Vday card. He still does that even when I am far from home. This year, it kind of made me wonder if “Valentine’s is really not my thing”. I mean I have A now….but it feels weird you know? Because I know A and I will be working all day on Valentine’s day for the next (n) years so it never really occurred to me that my Vday is going to be extraordinary. If anything, I am just glad that I have someone to come home to and call my Valentine.

A gave Valentine’s a new meaning for me. Although we don’t get to do anything special on the day itself, we see to it that we spend time together before or after the day of hearts to celebrate our love for each other. And let’s face it, it’s also a reason for us to eat out 😉 

So let me share with you some of the 3 things that made me change my mind and think about Valentine’s as a romantic day for lovers.

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1. It can be anything

A and I received a lot of presents last year. We gave each other significant gifts that can remind us of every special occasion from last year. We also have our wedding coming up in less than 3 months. Meaning, more surprises for the two of us. So for Valentine’s this year, I thought….why not keep it simple? We decided on making it fun by doing a theme, and it revolved around a book that we want to give each other (we have a never-ending list of books that we want to get so yeaaap). I find it really amusing to find things that will match the book that I got him. Instead of giving each other one big gift, we received small trinkets.

I am not a big fan of flowers (geeez how many times do I have to say this? lol) so flowers are out of the question. A week ago I already told A to not give me balloons because I’ve had enough balloons to make me happy until the end of the year from my 24th birthday and bridal shower. I guess, my point is…..it can be anything, or it could be nothing cause the best present of all is having someone to spend Valentine’s with.

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2. Valentine Date

Let’s face it, one of the joys of having a boyfriend/fiance/husband for Valentine’s day is the fact that I know I won’t be joining the “I am single for Valentine’s slash I wish I have a boyfriend” FB status club. I know in the end, whether we give each other presents or not, or if we go out or stay in, I’ll have A.

But A showed me that he is more than just a date. I am not the most romantic showy person ever! And most of the time I feel guilty for not being affectionate more. Anyway, A is more than just a date because he does not make me look forward to Valentine’s, he makes me excited about the things that are yet to happen after that. He is the perfect Valentine every day. (more…)

Category:

FOOD, LOVE in MNL, MANILA, MY EVER AFTER, THE FIANCE

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Engagement Dinner

07.20.14: With My Italian Family

Hello, dolls!!!! Happy Friday — well it’s not officially Friday yet but ahhh I am just excited to wake up in the morning later and have lunch with the fiance cause it won’t be for another 2 and a half days until I get to spend more than an hour with him during the day. Anyway, one of my goals for my blog is to post at least 2 entries about our upcoming big day (3 months left!), finish all my holiday posts, and start February with a Bangkok post. I know I can do all these as long as I stick to blogging 3 times a week.

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I can’t believe that my year of being a fiancee is already over and that in a few months I will embrace a new role.

If there is a perfect word for 2014 for me, it would be YES.

2015 will be, I DO.

After I got engaged to A, I realized that we are not only engaged to each other, we are also engaged to our families. Last year, I really felt how blessed I am to be a part of A’s family. They give me sooo much love and happiness like we have known each other for years!

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Over the summer, A’s parents threw us an engagement dinner. Since A’s family live in New York, we did the party there.

Adorable gift bag from the Buscemi’s. (more…)

Category:

Family, FOOD, MY EVER AFTER, NEW YORK, THE FIANCE

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21 Reasons Why A Is My Soulmate

Hello,sweets! 🙂 Happy (almost) weekend!! For the past few weeks, I’ve realized that my life is in complete procrastination mode. I don’t know what hit me but balancing life,work,and the wedding seems to be the hardest thing to do! I did so well the first few months, but now, everything around me seems very demanding and causes me to be busy. I wish I could just take a solid break and work on things one by one without losing my sanity, but I have to remind myself that this situation that I have now is another huge blessing…it all leads to the beautiful amazing things in life.

All the craziness that I experienced before lead me to my soulmate, A. I have uncountable reasons why I know he is my soulmate,but today I am going to share with you 21 reasons.

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1. Hugs

I don’t do hugs and I am not big on cuddling. I can honestly say that up until now I still sometimes have this blank look on my face when A tries to give me a cheesy hug (emphasis on the sometimes!). I don’t know why but I was never good at showing my affection by touch. I told A about my condition (haha) during our first month of dating and he just quickly laughed at me.

I guess, when you meet the right person, some things change for the best. Looking at A makes me want to hug him, even if he is just sitting on the couch or doing the something simple, I want to hug him! I like how he gives me this soft smile when I hug him (unlike the annoying blank face that I give him) cause I know I have the world wrapped in my arms 🙂
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2. He lets me sparkle

The first time I stared at my engagement ring, I can’t help but feel like the grandest and luckiest woman in the world! I kept on asking him over and over again why he chose the ring that he gave me. It’s so beautiful and it just shows how much A loves me. Every time someone sees my ring I always get the “your ring is so beautiful! your man must really love you”. I get this big spark in my heart everytime I hear that, because A does not only let me sparkle through my ring, he lets me sparkle in so many ways.

Like the way he compliments me when I do something beautiful in the kitchen. How I keep the apartment clean. The way I dress up, and the way I do my make-up and hair.I know I sparkle in his eyes.

He calls me maarte when I am being extra naughty, but he will also take me out on dates just so I can feel pretty by dressing up. (more…)

Category:

MY EVER AFTER, Photography, THE FIANCE

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New York Engagement Shoot II

Hello, sweets!!! 🙂 Today I am going to write about the continuation of our engagement shoot. Unlike my previous post, this won’t be extra cheesy and it will mostly cover food. It’s hard for A and I to go out on a date and not make food the highlight.Planning the engagement shoot was very exciting for us, so I will also add a little extra to this post and show you snippets of the things that we did prior to the event. I don’t know if I can ever top my New York Engagement Shoot post, I mean WOW! The traffic that I got and overwhelming messages from everyone made my heart melt. And I guess it’s safe to say…… donnnnn’t goooo! Hahaha!

Want to be inspired? Read my blog about our Engagement Shoot before you scroll down http://riannagalvez.wordpress.com/2014/10/22/new-york-engagement-shoot/

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New York is not only about the fast phased lifestyle and glamorous outfits. It’s the concrete jungle, and one must be an animal to fully see what New York is all about.

Don’t just go to 5th Ave or Times Square. Do get lost,ask New Yorkers, and don’t be afraid! Try the food carts parked on the streets and go to a beautiful restaurant with an amazing view. Stare at the subway map. Ladies, look at the shoes that New  Yorkers wear.

Don’t be a tourist, be a traveler.

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A gets excited when he sees the word “noodles”. He saw the logo of this restaurant and asked Pat if he can take pictures outside this restaurant.

I almost died laughing, but let’s be honest I found it cute that he spoke up. The engagement shoot is more of a woman’s thing and the fact that he cooperated and wanted something for the two of us made me so happy.

Anyway, we can’t have a picture outside this restaurant and not eat here.

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Category:

Fashion, FOOD, MY EVER AFTER, NEW YORK, Photography, THE FIANCE

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New York Engagement Shoot

Hello, sweets!! 🙂 Happy hump day!!! I’ve noticed that I haven’t posted anything about my wedding and the joys of planning it since the proposal entry. I love planning events! I think if I am not a Chef right now I would be an Event planner, slaving my way to every joyous moment. I can’t believe that A and I are getting closer and closer to our BIG DAY!!!! And everyday I feel like I still have a million things to do. It’s extra challenging to plan our wedding because we are miles and miles away from the Philippines. Yes! The wedding is going to be in the Philippines, so we are going back to my home country in a couple of months and we can’t wait!! My only wish during this process is to not be a bridezilla, I do not want to put the people that I love through a frightening roller coaster ride. I want it to be memorable for all of us, that’s why I want my personal touch in everything and everyone’s opinion. So far, no one has opposed to anything yet, I don’t know if they are just being nice or what but knowing that everyone is on the same page when it comes to the wedding makes things a lot easier.

Today, I will share with you one of the most exciting happenings in my life,and probably one of the best parts of being engaged —- the engagement shoot! A lot of couples are doing it now, and since I got engaged, whenever A and I does something related to the wedding I couldn’t help but be grateful for all the fun things that we get to experience. Getting married now is now an extra memorable milestone for the couple,all the perks and celebrations are just some of the things that makes me want to not let this pre-wedding stuff to end. I also know that there are still a number of engaged couples out there who are not too thrilled about doing an engagement shoot, and it could be because of many reasons,doing an engagement shoot is not cheap,and it will take up your day just for the shoot alone —- unless you want to keep it low-key and hire a friend photographer, you’ll be fine. 

Anyway, these are not the official photos from our photographer. I will be selfish for a little bit and take my time before I share them here! HAHA. And before you move on to the rest of my entry, read about my engagement here http://riannagalvez.wordpress.com/2014/07/20/yes/

My main reason why I started this blog 3 years ago is to inspire people, and though sometimes I feel like I fall short in doing that. Today, I will do my very best to tell you a few tips about having an engagement shoot 🙂

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New York, New York!

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Here we are at the Brooklyn Bridge being directed by my favorite photographer 🙂  (more…)

Category:

MY EVER AFTER, NEW YORK, Photography, TRAVEL

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YES

04.21.2014: Will you marry me?

Hello, dolls!! 🙂 Today, I will be sharing something very special and personal. I’ve always had trouble opening up,and this blog has been my outlet for years now. I may not dig deep when I share something, but knowing that there is a place where I can pour my heart out is comforting for me. Before, this was just a place for me to vent and put my sadness into words. Now, as years went by, I’ve seen the beauty in life and I promised myself that I will try to inspire people through this blog by talking about all the amazing things that comes my way.

Who would have thought that I would be writing about something that every girl dreams of now? I must confess, I’ve always wanted to find my one true love before I turn 25. There’s something about growing old together and celebrating years and years and yeaaaars of love  with the person you love, you know? Something that made me believe in young love (without being a hopeless romantic) and taking risks. I still can’t believe that IT HAPPENED! I met the love of my life and he is beyond AMAZING! Three years ago I was hopeless and broken, and I ran away….I decided to clean my life and do something that I wouldn’t do in a million years, leave home. 

I flew 8,539 miles, with half my heart left in MNL. 8,539 miles to find myself again and create a better version of me. Until someone, unexpectedly came my way.YES… the time that I wasn’t even trying to find someone and the only time that I told myself that I am not ready. It’s crazy you know? How A found me, how he saw me at my ugliest and still looked at me. How I was so broken for being away from my family, and without even trying he fixed me. And how it just all happened, without me even knowing. It’s crazy…. crazy love.DSC_1295A

…and YES.

It happened. It’s official.

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GORGEOUS! A knows how to make me feel special…in every possible way.

Me: Why did you get this ring? 

Him: When I saw it I just said “thats’ her”. It was the most beautiful ring in the case.

There is something about a man who knows what to give his lady without even asking her.

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Category:

Family, FOOD, LIFE IN BALTIMORE, MY EVER AFTER, NEW YORK, Photography, THE FIANCE, TRAVEL

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Japanese Night

02.08.14: Moshi Moshi!

Hello, dolls!! 🙂 Happy Sunday!! It has been another exhausting work weekend and I am so glad I will be embracing Monday in less than 12 hours!!!! So my mind is preoccupied with anything relating to the big W next year…and I am guessing it is going to be like this for the next 9 months (AAAAH save me). I promised myself not to be the capricious about the entire thing, but I guess it is common nature you know? To sleep with one thought in the head and wake up with a brand new one the next day. So maybe, it is safe to say that I am driving myself…nuts. Haha

Anyway, so I was able to cross off something on my list and that is to let my favorite girls know about their importance throughout the entire process, and their participation. I wish I could have asked them personally, but yeah…my life is so awesome right now, God reserved something exciting for me instead. Since today is family day, let me share with you a post about the girls that I consider family.

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I hosted a pre-Valentine’s day dinner for the girls. And as usual, we can’t not have a theme. I chose Japanese cuisine so I can practice on my sushi skillZ (yes with a Z haha) AND so we can play around with fun outfits..

We’ve decided to go for “Japanese Street Style” as our peg for the night, you will see our outfits later on but yeah…it was so much fun to be extra weird with my favorite girls! <3

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Category:

CULINARY, Fashion, FOOD, FRIENDSHIP, KITCHEN DIARIES, MY EVER AFTER, STYLE

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