Last min Queen

All invites are send out, like finally!

And confirm all the necessary!

And 3 more days!

Left with some deco and chinese wedding schedule!

Oh shit! I forget to dye my hair!

And manicure!

What?! You mean we have to call everyone to confirm again???

Wait, I haven't tested my photobooth!

DAFUQ??? I havent cut out my church prog book!

Whatever! Super woman mode on!

Full time bride-to-be!

Finally done with term 3 exam! *yeah!*

And one of the most shocking new I recieved this month:

HOME WILL BE READY IN 1Q 2013!!!!

Long story short, so I get kinda of panic. Because we are truly broke from our wedding, and also honeymoon in Jan. If "what we heard" are correct, we are getting our keys in Jan. Neighbor (I have super on neighbors) saw inspection at our MSCP and understand that the 1st blk will be inspected today (22 Nov), and next (should be ours) will be 15 days later. If all goes well, we should be getting our keys by Jan. Did I just heard $$$$ flap away?

Anyway... more about that later, pressing issue now is the wedding which will be in a month time! The invites are still... WIP. *shake head* I intend to go full force after today to complete the invitation before Dec. 2 different set of invites (yes, all handmade, I'm this anal when it come to artworks) to be churn out by next week!

Things to DO!

- Chase Bliss for our wedding album
- Bring mamas for dress fitting
- PRINT INVITES! LIKE ASAP!

Design Idea

You know what is the best partnership? When I work my magic while he juz approve our reno cost. Lolx.

Anyway, Gavin is ok to let me handle the design, he told me I have a better eye of details den hm. As long as I keep it within cost coz he dun wan to take any loan for reno.

The look that I am going for is traditional mix modern japanese home.

Let start shall we?

Genkan

I never though this is possible coz it will means raising the platform of the whole house. But someone did it! In a HDB flat no less! wtf? It IS POSSIBLE! According to the forumer kirinshibori, what he did is so simple. *Jaws drop*

(http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=48242&view=findpost&p=719948)

"The genkan black tiles are laid on the bare concrete floor. Cement screeding was done up till -5mm from the kitchen tiles. 5mm vinyl tiles were overlaid on the existing kitchen tiles. 10mm laminate planks were laid on the cement screed to achieve a flush surface with the kitchen vinyl tiles. Take note that you'll most likely need to cut your doors in order for them to clear the installed laminates. The laminates company will take care of the trimming strip at the drop. But the drop is really not very significant."

 Oh Thank you internet and forum. What will I do without you!

Living area

This is probaly one area I will splurge. Due to the constrain of our home, the common area had to be mulch-functioning. This area function as home office, baby day room, entertainment room, and also guestroom.

And the solution to this?

TATAMI

Yes, I got this idea while I am holidaying at Hakone 2yrs back. Sharon & I stayed in a Ryokan and was very very amaze by everything in it. Our room is small (usual japanese room size), but it is so spacious. At night, we just have to put out the futons and sleep. And siting on tatami means we do not need sofa. Tatami is so nice to roll on. My future baby could just do her day nap and play on tatami while I work beside her.

And all I need are futons and room divider to create the space into a guest room. :)

That is my idea for now. As japanese design focus alot on nature and minimize design. I will be using wood like flooring, which either vinyl or laminate (woods are too expansive) for the whole house (minus the kitchen and toilet). I do hope I can achieve a place we would love to nest in.

Table

I found the Japanese low table that I had been looking for the past ONE year. Yes, one freaking year! And I wonder why is it so hard to find a low wooden table.

And yeah. Sold out! wtf.

http://www.beds.sg/living-room/coffee-table/daichi-japanese-table.html

Yes, I may be ambition for my quest. But nothing is stopping me from turning my 65m2 area to a heaven for Japan therapy. It may not be 100% ryokan style, but the living area will be the style that I always like. Tatami, chabudai and a pot of hot green tea. Ahh... I can't wait to enjoy such moment next year.

I can almost visualize myself drinking Uji Matcha and smelling the Igusa and goes "oyishii desu!

Cocktail dress found!

Walk pass a tailor shop after clinic visit and saw a nice dress. Exactly the sweetheart cutting I like, material is comfy for an outdoor event, and alternation included at an awesome price of $89 wtf. And of coz the most impt part! I dun look fat in it! MUHAHAHA.

So anyway, I bought it. Request to remove the blings and ribbon so we could have more flexibility in dressing the dress. And I though I could use the bling to zhng my heels! Can't wait for exam to be over so I can concentrate fully on the wedding project.

We met up Fr Siew last Thursday to finalize our wedding, and he gave us a marriage help book written by him. I'm truly blessed to have the priest that is heavily involve in Marriage Encounter Program to solemnize our marriage, he gave us alot of advise that we could work on. And he is the one that baptize me too, and I believe this is God's will that I will meet Fr Siew.

The next day, we promptly e-file our wedding. Tried 3x but keep encountering error, and after one desperate call to ROM, we finally realise the prob...........

"your solemnization address too long lah."



I swear I almost fell off the chair.

So well, after 4 attempts to file for a marriage, we finally filed a notice.

For now... Just need to send out the church invites asap, so we can confirm our caterer. :)

Shoessss

Pick my bridal shoes! Chose something out of the ordinary. Non-bling, Non-silver, and look "normal".

But I totally dig it! Not only it is comfortable, it is my favorite height of 4" (or 4.5"?), and I heart the rose design at the side of the heel! It add a softer look to this baby. =)

I admit this is plain compared to others bridal shoes that I saw. But I am NOT willing to shell out 100 over bucks for a shining shoes that will be only wore once (you hardly saw anyone walking ard with bling bling heels right?). I set my mind looking for a heels that is practical euff to wear for work too. And I guess I found the right match? ;) And the price tag is awesome! $49.90 for this pair of baby.

Now the heels is settle, I'm looking for my 2nd pair of shoes. And I guess it will be a surprise! But well... Not so much maybe, consider people always expect the unexpected from me. (>.<)/

Bridemaids Bouquet

I walk into paper market last week and fell in love with pinwheel! Yes, paper market is deck out with cute pinwheels of all sizes lately. And I had been thinking how it could fix in our decoration for church recept (because it is soooo bare!), and I come across some wonderful ideas to make them into a bouquet for the bridesmaids! Since our theme is "taking off", a bits of pinwheel does remind us of "wind" and "carefree" ya?

Going to buy some paper/ pins/ straws next week, and hopefully I do come up with some good result. =)

On the other note, we bought my 四点金 from Father-in-law's friend's Jewelry shop. Had to say that we are really lucky to find pieces I like in the small shop. Not alot of design to choose from, and I simply adore a Jade+gold+diamond bracelet but had to let go due to the price ($4K!). Choose another yellow+white gold bracelet instead.

House of Phua is located at People Park Complex Level 3. And they have beautiful Jade design, I even intend to buy one Guan Yin pendent for mum on her next birthday. =)

Save the Date (29 Dec)

What will I do without my bff & bgf!

Our "taking off" theme is hinted at this Save the Date card. Not too sure if I wanna to do similar for banquet. Eh... It's like I only have less then 50 friends coming for the party? Lolx. Let try to see what we can put together this weekend. =)

Truly, blessed to have great girlfriends. A big thank you to Sharon & Madeline!

A lifetime of adventure begin with "I do..."

Photo Selected

Spend 2hrs selecting our photos today. And proud of ourselves that we did not top up. =)

Collecting photos in a month time. Hope all turn out well.

Helpers

I remember when I was a jie-mei at Kelly's wedding, I had lotas fun helping out. So I wanna to spread the joy to my fellow helpers for my wedding. And happy to say, I have awesome friends that go all out to make my special day memorable.

And so I asked them to source catering, design my recept, and even coordinate their clothes!

On another note, we are back from BKK. Ate way too much, shop too much! We manage to buy our wedding favors for the banquet at a marvelous price. Have to thank CCK for dragging it back to our hotel! I couldn't have made it without the men.

We are done with our bridal photoshoot, it is a tiring but fun experience! Thank you Lord for the wonderful weather. Choosing photo in a week time. Hope all turn out well. =)

1st Fitting!

I was intially fearful as the previous bridal store sold off their biz to Bliss, which I had heard negatives reviews the last time. Frankly, I felt cheated! But surprisingly, their reviews are great recently, with brides prasing their service and gown.

Unqiue thing at Bliss is that they chose your gown for you, which is perfect for lazy bum like me. I just take whatever look nice and whether i like it or not. so I settle all my 5 gowns in 2hrs (the other bride take 2hrs and had yet to settle her 1st gown. lolx). Let just say the take over might be a blessing in disgust.

My wish of wearing a red evening gown is granted! Found the perfect evening gown on 1st try. The right shade of red, the right detail, the right cutting. I'm blessed. =)

Gavin choose a Silver and black coat. We (Jaina + Sharon + me) strongly against his idea of wearing white coat, coz he is fair euff! Any whiter he can be a Great white shark liao. =p

Here is a sneak preview of my evening gown. I love the detail at the front, but I shall keep the surprise till Dec!

Ceiling fan

I grew up without sleeping in aircon, and very much want to keep it that way. And so the new home is small, and the only solution is get a tower or ceiling fan.

To cut the long story short, I fell in love with this:

Fiore by Vento, and it cost a mind-blown $900.

*search for alternatives in progress*

Bachelorette Trip to Kansai!

Back from my Japan trip! This trip is totally awesome! Sometime I feel like the Stork accidentally drop me in Singapore while on it way to Japan. Lolx!

Manage to cover the Kansai area in these 6 days, and took way too much photo. A little highlight below. :D

I'm just so happy now budget airlines (Air asia, Jetstar, and soon Scoot!) fly to Japan! This make me able to visit there more often. Japan always have a special place in my heart. I grew up reading manga, watch anime, dance to J-pop, and spend sleepless night chasing J-drama.

And so, we are going to Tokyo for Honeymoon!!!! Sorry Taiwan, Japan is too hard to resist!

 It is the season of hydrangea! We love seeing them in the mist of rainy season!

 A snap shot of Uji Shrine.

 @ Fushimi Inari Shrine.

 Kobe is the hometown of Sake! Totally love them.

 We love bento on train. :p

 A blurry night shot of Osaka. @ Umeda Sky Building.

 

Stone Shrine of an influence person 400yrs ago. Can you guess who? :p

   

Totally dig the Zen of Mt Koya!

 KOBE BEEF! Never ever forget the wonderful taste!

A packet of sweet that we anyhow buy coz I was feeling dizzy. But turn out to be the best matcha sweet we had to date.

Ok, taking a break from mugging.

We are back from Phuket, and it is wonderful! The sea, the sky, the sand... I can't find a way to tell you how much I love there.

And I (yes, I the royal highness) decided on the wedding favor. Printing post-it pad is too expensive! And the quality is meh~ They dun even give me a cover, nor packaging. Juz the post-it. I dun mind it a little more expensive as this is personalize, but meh~ over-priced!

After some research, I found out abt Bonne Maman Honey! But alas~~~ Honey is too mainstream! So why not Jam? 酸酸甜甜 is how love and marriage feel like. ;) I love their strawberry and apricot jam! Best of all, the cost is without our budget! =D

A family altar

I want to create a home altar in our new home! God should be the center of our family life, and what we do in mass should extend to our home. :)

Good reference: http://www.ehow.com/how_8706234_make-catholic-family-altar.html

Bed bought

We bought our bed! At an awesome price of $2,088!

Slumberland TempSmart 1200 plus
Designer bedframe with storage

Freebies:

• 2 micro gel memory pillow
• 1 bolster
• 1 mattress protector
• toy polar bear
• 4 GB thumbdrive

Gavin is in awe at my bargaining skill. =p

Last trip as a single lady

Everyone know I had an undying passion for travel. Nope. Not juz a plain holiday, but a real travel experience.

I decide to give my instinct a go, so I bought a return ticket to Osaka for my backpacking trip. I give myself S$700 for 7 days to include everything. Yes, including air fare, lodging, foods, and transport. Do-able?

I can! =)

Pre-honeymoon

It's all started with an email from Jetstar (what's new...), and a return flight to Phuket cost only $78. So I though I would want to go on a buying trip. For some contact lens and allergy medicines.

And very de qiao, Gavin finish exam in april and we though it might be a good idea to go on a pre-honeymoon trip. As we might be pretty busy after wedding and might not get a chance to go for honeymoon, it might be good to have a relaxing trip before the hectic wedding prep start.

And I do not know why, but April always sound like a romantic month. :)

CEE booked

Another item down~ MUST NOT FORGET TO MAIL CHEQUE!

Church booked!

Yippee! Went to meet Fr Henry Siew before RCIA, and he is free on 29 Dec! Booked the 1pm slot with him and also booked the church. =)

Now, I can start thinking what hymns to use and what reading to read. And also booked CEE in June.

God is great! With him, anything is possible! Amen!

29 Dec!

Contract signed for AD photography package

We met up with Colin from Loveattic and paid the deposit for our package. Now we need to come up with a story line for the MV.

Eh.. What can we say about us?

It's available!

Spoke to the secretary of the church today, and she confirm that all 3 slots on 29 Dec are still available! But I need to make an appointment with Father to minister my wedding. Beautiful! i can save money on extra gown rental~

Time to book CEE. =D

I'm toying with this song as a wedding dance... Eh... High level boh ah?

And I'm ready to fall...

I always love this song from the movie "On the line". Joey had the best voice ever, and this song is how someone will feel before falling in love. :)

I get a feeling I can't explain
whenever your eyes meet mine
My heart spins in circles
and I lose all space and time
And now that we're standing face to face
something tells me it's gonna be OK

that I'm ready to fall in love tonight
ready to hold my heart open wide
I can't promise forever
but baby i'll try
cuz I'm ready to fall in love tonight

I know you've been watching
choosing the moment
I've been dreaming of that day
no one before you has gotten to me this way
And now that we're standing face to face
something that I need to say

and I'm ready to fall in love tonite
ready to hold my heart open wide
I can't promise forever but baby I'll try
cuz I'm ready to fall in love tonight

Nothing is certain
this I know
wherever we're heading
I'm ready to go

I can't promise forever but baby I'll try
cuz I'm ready to fall in love tonight
yes I'm ready to fall in love tonight
yes I'm ready to fall in love tonight

Save the date card DONE!