Shot this fun maternity session yesterday in one of my favorite places near Dumaguete. It was also my first time to meet expectant mommy Sheena and her hubby Lando but we hit it off like we've known each other for years. I love couples who are just so cool with everything. It wasn't surprising that shooting them turned out to be quite a hoot with lots of laughs as we walked from one end of the garden to another.
family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family
Kara's Party Ideas featured this whimsical Alice in Wonderland party for Raffi by Engrande Events. Head over
here for the full feature!
web, web, web, web, web,
“Because the birdsong might be pretty,
But it's not for you they sing,
And if you think my winter is too cold,
You don't deserve my spring.”
― Erin Hanson
I love walking out of my apartment and seeing all the nice yards that the neighbors have. There's one house right across the street with these lovely purple flowers growing by the side of the road so this morning I went out and started picking. I usually am no fan of giving girls flowers especially those that cost you P300 to P600 for a bunch...unless the girl loves to take photos of flowers then by all means...and besides, it's the wild ones that grow through the cracks on the street or the side of the road that look so much more beautiful to me. But seeing a few photos of flowers styled perfectly and shot by a photographer that I follow on IG inspired me to go out and take a second look at these beauties. Must be the cheapskate in me thinking all those years, but today I didn't have any regrets taking photos of the three blooms I picked. It took me so long until I began to appreciate flowers, their dainty prettiness, the persistence to grow anywhere and everywhere,, how they can add light and color to any room. Flowers are truly amazing things.
Happy Sunday everyone!
“The time has come
The walrus said
To talk of many things:
Of shoes- and ships-
And sealing wax-
Of cabbages and kings-
And why the sae is boiling hot-
And whether pigs have wings.”
― Lewis Carroll
Alice in Wonderland
family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family, family
Oh, the pretty little things! Ra
fi turned 1 in this gorgeous, Alice-in-Wonderland themed party styled by Engrande Events and boy, everyone got treated to an eyeful of whimsy, color, and the most creative edible cakes and cupcakes that were so cute, you almost didn't want to eat them!
The details for this birthday were just too adorable for words. There's the wonderful tiered cake with the Chesire Cat grinning mischievously from the bottom, cute fondant cup cakes, literally cakes in teacups with little colorful mushrooms, the Caterpillar, and the Mad Hatter's Hat on top courtesy of cake artist extraordinaire Isabelle Pinili, and equally adorable cupcakes with the most delicious icing made by Paula Celdran Montenegro. All these were set against the backdrop of colorful oversized flowers, button mushrooms and a life-sized cut-out of the White Rabbit. Let's not forget the intricate golden mirror hung against the hedge that surely reminded everyone of Through the Looking Glass.
More photos of Rafi's big day below. :)
Styling: Engrande Events
Birthday and Fondant Cupcakes: Isabel Pinili
Cupcakes: Paula Celdran Montenegro
I'm looking at my pictures and can't help but wax nostalgic about the last few months. I wish I could rewind June and July and everything that happened in between. The visit to Laoag and Vigan were the highlights for June and although we spent just a day or two in both place before it was back to Manila, there were so memories of exploration that I feel like I didn't really get to absorb until now.
Laoag was a real fun experience. I'm the relaxed tourist type, although JP would beg to differ because I'm always pulling him from one place to another. However, I do prefer getting into a new place and just exploring everything on foot, no frantic catching of buses to a nearby tourist spot or no cravings for adrenaline-pumping adventures. I usually prefer walking to the market, buying slippers (bought a pair of slippers at the Laoag SM supermarket because my feet were killing me), trying out the side-walk eats, sitting around and taking pictures of the town and marveling at the texture and color of the old brick structures and the many karitelas that seem to be the preferred mode of transportation around town. I think I have more fun pretending I'm one of the locals who just got back from a really long trip, than a wide-eyed tourist who just has to see everything all at once.
Eating in a new place is also heavenly. Just the experience of trying something new, tasting strange flavors that may or may not agree with my palate, that is an adventure in itself. Laoag is a great place to try new food. They have their signature orange empanada which you pair with their own brand of vinegar and there's longganisa and of course, bagnet which becomes even more famous once you travel to Vigan.
My only regret is that we didn't have more time to visit other places in Laoag like Paoay Church, which JP really wanted to see, since we had to catch the bus the next day. Hopefully I will get to visit Laoag soon and spend three or four days just exploring the town' nooks and crannies, trying out more of the local food and enjoying the city's calm, bucolic afternoons before it's time to have dinner again :D
