I had a different kind of celebration for my birthday this year.

One of the things I was looking forward to since we got engaged was the bridal registry. I love receiving presents and although I am always ecstatic over receiving surprise gifts, there's just something about being gifted an item that you know you really like, so suffice it to say I am a fan of wish lists.

For my 38th birthday, J and I set an appointment with Rustan's Weddings & Beyond to choose items to include in our wedding registry. We actually tried to register back in September but we were advised it is better to return at least two to three months before our wedding to ensure availability of the items, especially since Christmas season was coming and stocks might run out. We went back last month, and chose April 6 as our appointment date.

We were assisted by Miss Ailene of Rustan's Makati

Since J and I have already built our life together, we actually have almost everything we need so it was a bit challenging to think of what items to add to our registry. We would love contributions to our honeymoon fund, but we also understand that some people would prefer to pick out presents. The bridal registry is a great way to ensure that we really get items we need and that we do not get multiple duplicates of the same item.

Each appointment runs for two hours, so it would be helpful to go around the department store prior and make a mental list of the items you feel you would want to add. To be honest, I imagined the scene to be like in the movies wherein we would be given a scanner and we could just scan the barcodes of the items we want, but Miss Ailene actually accompanied us during our session so she could take photos of the tags of the items we liked, together with our chosen quantities. This method also works because it felt like we had a personal shopper throughout the process, and Miss Ailene was also able to offer advice regarding the products as well as helpful suggestions. 

We forgot to take photos dueing our session so here's me deciding between luggage colors.

Whoever avails gifts from our bridal registry are entitled to 10% discount, while J and I could enjoy 10% discount to regular-priced items in Rustan's up to six months after the wedding. Amazing deal! 

Aside from one tiny thing that everything is done manually in that you have to get in touch with them via Viber as opposed to say getting on the website and entering a code to see what's available to purchase for the couple, I'd say the process is pretty seamless. The shop assistants in Rustan's Makati were also very helpful and accommodating, while Miss Ailene is quick to answer whatever questions we might have in our Viber group chat. 10/10 would recommend this experience. :)

And because it was my birthday, J INSISTED on getting me another gift aside from the DIY Monica's Apartment kit he already got me.

Get you a guy who treats you SO WELL all other guys pale in comparison

When we got home, we were also able to add more items to our registry by checking the website and noting the product names and product URLs.

65 days to go. ♡

It's past midnight and I should be sleeping as tomorrow is another busy workday but we just got the analog film photos from JP of Film8 for the prenup session I won from a giveaway, and I am filled with butterflies.

My New Year's Resolution is to be update my blog more constantly. Here's hoping I can follow through. 

For our 103rd month together as a couple and five months before we get married, J and I took a DIY Wedding Ring Class offered by Studio 925 and created each other's wedding rings. 

Ever since we got engaged we already know we want our wedding to reflect our personalities as much as possible. We’ve always been a couple who loves tinkering with things and making stuff with our hands, and what could be more personal than making our own wedding rings?

We both took days off from work and trooped to Studio 925 located in Jupiter Street in Makati. It was easy to find, but parking is quite a pain, so I suggest you go there early if you're bringing a car.

We started with a strip of silver alloy Our teacher, Teacher Kris, was super patient and accommodating. She explained all the steps and made her own ring alongside us so we could follow her example. I opted for a chevron ring and I appreciate that even though she has never made one before, she accepted the challenge and did not say no.

Another thing that made the experience extra kilig for us is making each other's rings and not making our own, which actually makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. Aside from the class being a great bonding experience for the couple, it's also a wonderful display of service, making sure that the ring you are making for your amore is flawless.

Ring size needs to be precise.

I didn't think it was possible, but seeing how happy J looked while making my ring made me fall in love with him a little bit more.

I now have a deeper appreciation for jewelry-makers, as it was not easy. I think my least favorite part is the sanding as I found it extra challenging and the grating sound almost gave me a migraine, but OMG the output made it all worth it.

My favorite part would probably be the hammering part to give texture to the ring. I almost didn't want to do it but J specifically asked for a textured ring so of course I had to oblige. I am happy I did because it gave the ring more character. We are thinking of having it engraved with our wedding date on the inside band but we can do it some other time. :)

They're so beautiful I can stare at them forever ♡ Knowing how hard we worked on them makes me cherish them more.

My chevron wedding ring points toward my heart, while this engagement ring (J gave me two engagement rings and this is my favorite of them, hee) makes me look like I have a mini bouquet everywhere I go.

The fee for the DIY Wedding Ring class (silver-smithing) is ₱9,600 for the two of you inclusive of usage of the studio and all equipment you will need to finish your rings, all materials, and instruction manual. They also have option for gold-smithing. What a great experience!

Thank you, Teacher Kris!

The class is four hours long but they typically extend to five hours. If you need more time, you also have the option to rent the studio for ₱200/ hour. Because our designs are a bit more complicated and it was also Teacher Kris's first time to make a chevron ring, we finished after a little more than six hours.

Huge thanks also to our diligent photographer Kookee for these great photos ♡

I'd marry J with paper rings but our hand-made wedding rings are so much better (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

Now let's go get married!

Merry Christmas, world.

Finding a date can be an exciting adventure, but when you’re just starting to work out what - or who - it is you want, and the dating scene is new to you, it can feel rather overwhelming. I should know, as I was single for about seven years before I met my now fiancé. Where do you even start when it comes to finding dates? 

My forever date

The good news is that today there are more ways than ever to find a great date, so it’s a question of doing some research and then picking the option (or options) that seem best to you. The world is your oyster! There are a lot of fishes in the sea! And all that jazz. With that in mind, here are just a few ideas to get you started. 

Online Dating 

My dream meet-cute was meeting the love of my life in a bookstore, but online dating has completely changed the way people are able to connect and meet. With so many dating apps and websites, you’re sure to find one that suits your needs perfectly. The key is to find the right platform, and whether you’re looking for a sugar daddy (no judging!) or someone to settle down and start a family with, there will be a site that’s perfect for you. 

Once you know which site you want to use, you’ll need to create a great profile, and this is often the hardest part. Some things to remember to include are any hobbies and interests you have, what you’re looking for in a date or partner, and, of course, photos. Try to showcase your personality so that the right people find you, and click to learn more. 

Fun fact: J and I met via Tinder. ♡

Social Events 

Some people prefer the ‘old-fashioned’ way of meeting people and going on dates, and that could include a variety of social events. They could be parties hosted by friends, they could be events in your community, or they might be events that have been specifically designed to get people to meet and go on dates (speed dating is a great example). 

The more parties you attend, clubs you join, and activities you get involved in, the more chance you’ll have of meeting someone, or more than one person, to go on dates with. The more time you spend at home alone, the less chance you’ll have of meeting people. It all makes sense and stands to reason, so make sure you go out as much as you can. Of course, don’t let socializing get in the way of your job or homework - you do need to have a good balance. 

Mutual Connections 

Another great way to meet new people is through mutual connections and acquaintances. You never know just who your friends are friends with, and it might be that one or more of those friends could be the ideal date. Don’t be afraid to ask your friendship group if they know of anyone who might be right for you - after all, your friends are going to know you well, so they’ll be able to judge who they think you might get on with from their other friendship groups. 

Because of this reason, and because you wouldn’t be meeting up with complete strangers, which I understand can be worrying for some, this can be the ideal option when you’re looking for a date. The only downside is that if you don’t get on and things don’t go so well, it could be awkward - but that’s something that you can deal with if you need to, and it shouldn’t cause a rift in your friendship.