New York City

Just returned from an action-packed, super whirlwind trip to NYC. While originally planned for business I - of course - skillfully turned it into an amazing NYC evening of catching up with old friends and gown fitting at Vera Wang.

To be fair, the business part of the trip was really exciting. In town for a meeting at the New York Stock Exchange, it turned out that just entering the building would be an event in and of itself. This place was seriously secured like a fortress - crowds of tourists snapping shots of the ailing environment on Wall Street only added to the drama. Luckily, my name was on the list of scheduled NYSE guests and I was kindly (probably reluctantly - hahah) let it - but not after they searched and scanned my bags, of course :)


At the end of the work day, I was treated to a personal tour of the trading floor by one of the VPs of Listings. Wow. What a sight. While I couldn't actually help all of the plummeting stocks, it was still incredible to be down on the floor looking at the varied colored smocks and frenzied traders still looking weary from the current market conditions. I noted Fox News' booth and reporter stationed not too far from the CNBC team and was star struck by the industry I happen to be a player in. Needless to say, the day ended off with a bang - especially when I noted a camera-toter snapping shots of myself and a college as we exited the fortress/building. Clearly, this person had NO IDEA who was shooting at!

The famous trading floor.

Despite having been awake since 4am, I mustered up the energy to make it to my very exciting gown fitting at Vera Wang in the upper East Side. As you can imagine, I fell in love with a dress and was thrilled to have my older brother of sorts, and Anna's godfather, ENY there to lend a helping, stylish hand (: Fun, fun, fun.

We then went up to Carlyle's to meet up with yet another close friend and sister of sorts from my other life when I lived in Rome, VDL. An Armani employee, I guess I should have asked her to make an appointment for me at HIS boutique ;) hahaha. The feel at the Carlyle embodies so much of what I imagine about my wedding and the feel and glam that I would dare call my style. Why fight what you like?? Hell - who would have thought that I love old 1940s New York, live, big band music and most importantly, excellent dirty martinis!! Turns out that while I love the outdoors, I'm not the camp ground kind of bride, or evening foray-er! ::Shrug::

The Carlyle

The RedHead in the East Village

Note: I didn't take a SINGLE one of the above pictures. Below are the crappier, phone versions that I managed to pull off:

The board room where our meeting took place.

ENY probably will kill me for this one, but this was a tipsy shot I took at the Carlyle - I can't BELIEVE I didn't take a pic with VDL!

Shot I sent to ZMW and AFJW per their request on the flight home :) (I love that I have something in my teeth!!)

Bridal Magazine Bonanza

Warmed up next to our second cup of coffee. ZMW and I just noticed, with relief, that the blizzard outside has ceased. Where are we? Downtown A2 at our favorite bookstore, surrounded by PILES of bride magazines.

So far, the morning has been the perfect embodiment of engagement bliss. Snuggled next to one another I am so happy and grateful for my obliging fiance who humors me as I try very hard to take his wedding day suggestions. Seriously, I'm really not that bad...at least, I don't think (:

First, I should express the relief and excitement that we've been catapulted into since locking down our reception and now recently, our ceremony locations! It seems that my endless perusal of bridal magazines is an attempt to either inspire or confirm my wedding theme and surprisingly, it has been really fun. While I mostly imagine the music, dancing and general partying it seems that in the backdrop, I also see details...

I'm loving the idea of a white theme with gold accents - perhaps a general theme of romantic glamour that pays some homage to my Filipino roots. Specifically, I see orchids, calla lilies and other white local flowers, white candles and golden candle holders, napkins, etc. I shy away from 'stuffy' but I love old world elegance with touches of local romance and drama. It will be fun to explore ways to incorporate ZMW's goofy, fun loving energy and alternative taste for music to our wedding style.

The wedding item of note, however, is the wedding dress. Seriously, what's up with all these strapless ball gowns? If I see another exposed clavicle and wannabe princess bride in a magazine, I seriously think I'm going to...fill in the blank. Next on my to-do list is to make appointments with the two bridal boutiques in the state that carry some of the designers that I like.

Next up - considering vows and ceremony touches...stay tuned!

Reception Location - CHECK!

As many of you know, ZMW and I are in the throes of wedding planning. We are less than a year away from the big day and we are proud to have ticked off some major "To-Do's" from our list -- not the least of which is our reception location! We are getting married in Manila, at the Edsa Shangri-La hotel, which is set in lush tropical gardens in the heart of Manila's business and shopping district.



We're now in the middle of finalizing our ceremony location and are happy with how things are coming along. On the whole, the idea of planning these myriad details can give me a headache, but taken in pieces, it has SO FAR been stress free.

The truth is that while we SO EXCITED for the epic family reunion and amazing music program, we're VERY excited for a honeymoon, which we have incidentally already booked... ;)

El Nido Resorts, Palawan