i heart vanilla bean

Things to be Thankful for in 2011

iheartvanillabean — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:01:36 +0000

Hello! I’m back! First of all I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I hope you all had a fabulous Holiday weekend! Here’s a little recap that I had put together that made my 2011 more meaningful.

JANUARY – Meet Loolly, the family Pomeranian.

FEBRUARY – A Night of Toasts and our Trip to Hong Kong

MARCH – Received our Service Awards for five years of continuous service to the company me and my loving husband work for.

APRIL – Celebrated my nephew Gabriel’s birthday, loved the Kilawin (a Filipino dish in which the main ingredient is raw fish or meat marinated in vinegar, pepper, chili, chopped onions, and garlic and either cooked or served fresh without cooking) made by my best friend’s husband for her dirty thirty party and had our office team lunch at Circles Event Cafe at Shangri-la Makati.

MAY – Started a new fitness regimen: jogging and was able to admire the sunflowers basking in the sun every time we have our morning jog in U.P., a visit to Mercato Centrale (a weekend market in Manila), our family weekend trip to Anilao, Batangas and my nephew-in-law’s Sponge Bob Squarepants Themed seventh birthday celebration.

JUNE – Celebrated my birthday lounging by the poolside of Discovery Suites, got invited by a good friend to join their food tasting at The Peninsula Manila, welcomed a new addition to the Cruz family: Tinker!, and had a fabulous find: my father-in-law’s vintage Nikon camera!

JULY – Saw a group of sport cars parked while me and my husband were strolling the sidewalks of Burgos Circle looking for a place to have brunch (not bad for a third world country huh? LOL), won a miniature gasoline station from Caltex (aka Chevron), and got to wear pink topsiders by Sperry (thanks Tita Cham!)

AUGUST – Memorable Pizza date at Trio with my better half, Michael.

SEPTEMBER – Supported my cousin’s art exhibit at the Boston Gallery and helped a good friend in preparing for their engagement shoot (Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street is only their 1st location and it was heaven being inside a closed bookstore surrounded by books books and more books!)

OCTOBER – Attended a godmother’s sixtieth surprise birthday bash and played the role of commentator for a good friend’s wedding!

NOVEMBER – Spent more than an entire week in Beijing and Shanghai where we also celebrated my hubby’s birthday!

DECEMBER – Celebrated our first wedding anniversary (photo of me a year ago during our pictorial after the wedding ceremony), Attended a handful of Christmas Parties and spent Christmas and New Year with our families.

The year 2011 has been quite challenging but was able to go through with it by learning to appreciate life more, counting the blessings we receive each day and by always being grateful. I wish everyone happiness and success for 2012!

Happy New Year!!!

Lem + Rox {A Vintage-Inspired Engagement Shoot}

iheartvanillabean — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:28:49 +0000

Hello!!! I’ve been on hiatus for quite sometime but now I’m back and can’t wait to share with you these gorgeous engagement photos I have stumbled upon while checking RAW’s blog. I just love the idea of a photo shoot in a diner. It perfectly projects a 1950s vibe.

Now this photo reminds me of my carefree high school days. Did I mention one of my best friends is Rubilen Amit?

Cute Couple + Creative Ideas + Talented Photographers = Awesome Imagery!

{Images by Really Awesome Weddings / Location: Filling Station}

Elum Designs {Couture Letterpress Wedding Invitations}

iheartvanillabean — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:22:37 +0000

It’s been a while since I have visited the website of Elum. During the time of our wedding preparations, I made sure to check Elum on a weekly basis. Up to now, they still never fail to take my breath away with their gorgeous, innovative, and luxurious designs. Here are some of my faves:

The Renaissance style Gilded Frame invitation is inspired by the gilded framework and opulence of the Baroque period.
Ink Colors: Fudge, Water and Mocha

The Cherry Blossom invitation is a charming romantic design. The cherry blossom holds great significance amongst Japanese culture, that of peace, happiness, and change.
Ink Colors: Pink Champagne and Chocolate

Poster. This boisterous invitation design was inspired by classic concert posters, the perfect choice for a hip fun-loving couple.
Ink Colors: Kelly Green and Graphite

The Rococo invitation has a lavish allure inspired by Hollywood Regency design.
Ink Colors: Spring Green, Sunshine and Graphite

The Paisley invitation is unparalleled in its extravagance. Perfect for a truly lavish celebration.
Ink Colors: Latte, Midnight Blue and Wasabi

This Bone China design was inspired by the intricate patterns in vintage fine china.
Ink Colors: Antique Gold and Buttercup

Elum‘s baroque style Empress invitation is inspired by lavishly ornate chandeliers. This extraordinary design is enchanting and regal.
Ink Colors: Black and Tiffany Blue

All invites are letterpress printed on cotton paper. Even if Elum is out of your budget, just viewing their website is so worth the trip as their invitations could literally inspire your entire wedding style. Sigh! I’m in letterpress invitation heaven!

{Images: Elum}

You know you love me.

Purple + Robin’s Egg Blue Inspiration Board

iheartvanillabean — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:31:10 +0000

When I was conceptualizing our wedding way back in 2008, the combination of Purple + Robin’s Egg Blue as a color motif reached the top five of my list. I got the idea in one of my favorite international wedding blogs.

Love, love, love the setup! :-) drool

{Disclaimer: These photos has been stored in my hard drive like forever and wasn’t able to get the details about the photographer. }

You know you love me.

Brooch Bridal Bouquets

iheartvanillabean — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:29:43 +0000

Here’s a sweet way to use the accessories your grandmother has been collecting all these years, or the sparkly items you’ve been picking up at vintage shops or flea markets since you were a kid simply because they make you happy!

Such a brilliant and fab idea to make your wedding more personalized.

{Image via Pinterest}

You know you love me.

Thursday Purse Day: Tod’s Easy Sacca Grande

iheartvanillabean — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:22:57 +0000

Our bag for the day: Tod’s Easy Sacca Grande

Don’t you just love the simplicity, elegance and timeless appeal these handbags exude? My husband’s cousin owns one and I can’t stop gushing over it. This is definitely on my list.

{Image: The Bag Forum}

You know you love me.

Pretty in Pink

iheartvanillabean — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:37:17 +0000

Pink is the color of universal love.

Pink provides feelings of caring, tenderness, self-worth and love, acceptance.

Pink is a quiet color. Lovers of beauty favor pink!

In gratitude to a good friend who is tying the knot with her long-time beau this October. May your wedding be full of love, laughter and all things pink!

{Images via Pinterest}

You know you love me.

Real Weddings: Jeremy + Joyce

iheartvanillabean — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:41:35 +0000

Hello!!! Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite Metrofied Weddings. According to the couple’s official wedding photographer, Jeremy was a very hands-on groom but of course Joyce still has the final say on things.

This lovely wedding was held in Tagaytay City. The place is rich with character, elegance and also considered to be one of the most romantic places here in the country.

I just can stop gushing over the bride’s beautiful wedding dress. Sigh!

See more of this wedding here.

{Images by Metrophoto}

You know you love me.

Scrabble L-O-V-E

iheartvanillabean — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:03:59 +0000

This is sooo cute! Don’t you just love the idea of a Scrabble-themed Wedding?

Happy Fabulous Friday Lovelies!

{Image by Pinterest}

You know you love me.

Thursday Purse Day: Prada Tessuto Bow

iheartvanillabean — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:11:15 +0000

I really admire the brand’s dedication to subtle sophistication. This is the perfect black purse you can use everyday.

Prada Tessuto Bow (BR3919 / Nero)

Oh, I have one too!

posing in the streets of New York City (5th Ave and 35th)

You know you love me.