Mommy Corner: Preparing for your Child's First Birthday

Your child's first birthday is probably one of the things that a mom is looking forward celebrating. To tell you the truth, we were quite late in preparing for our child's birthday, our first option for the venue has already been taken. Parents nowadays book their parties quite way in advance, that's why it is highly recommended that at least for the venue, book at as soon as your child is born and have finalized the day he/she will be celebrating. 

Here are some of the suppliers that we chose for our child's birthday. I will be posting a separate review on each of them later on.

Venue and Food: Quezon Hall, Quezon City Sports Club

If you are a member, this is probably one of the best places to have a party - why? Because the rental of the hall is free provided that you are able to consume the amount that is required. They also welcome authorization so if you have relatives who are members, you can ask them to sponsor your party by providing authorization letter. Because you book it with QCSC, meals should be ordered from them, there are a lot of dishes to choose from, you just have to ask which of those dishes are good.

Event Styling: Patry Magic

We couldn't be happier with what Michelle gave us. Honestly, I'm not an artistic mom and I rely heavily on suppliers. Michelle was able to give us the simple styled party that is very very elegant and mind you, even the seniors loved the decors!

Photographer: Little J Photo

It was actually recommended to us by our stylist. Her tip was to get a child photographer because wedding photographers are different from children's party photographer. 

Videographer: Lemon Three Films

It is important to have a videographer because only this can of service can make you re-live the moments through watching the video clips. Just like weddings, video is the best medium that your children could enjoy their first birthday when they grow older to watch it.

Cake: Bethany Dream Cakes

We were given 2 designs to choose from: the defying gravity or the classic 3-layered cake. We decided to choose the first one because we wanted something different. My husband was a bit disappointed though, it was quite expensive for the outcome. Good thing that it looked good in the photo - at least the price was justified.

Photobooth: Photoman

We wanted everyone to have their souvenir shots so we decided to book Photoman. I've had my set of rants because they came late (should have come 2pm but arrived past 3) They've tried to make up for lost time but you could never rewind lost moments.

Party Carts: 

We had 5 party carts which were sourced from different suppliers, haha! Taho (soy pudding with caramel syrup and tapioca balls) and manong sorbetero (dirty ice cream) was in-house from QCSC. My NYFD fries cart sourced from second supplier, and Fuitas/Jamaican Patty cart I got from a third supplier. If you ask me why, its because I canvassed the cheapest one for each! I had to do this because I still had to pay additional on the corkage and electricity for QCSC.

Dessert Buffet: My Sister's

I was really blessed that my sister was good in making cakes and cookies. When asked, she agreed to make the dessert table spread for her nephew. Revel bars, cookies, red velvet and chocolate cupcakes made the dessert table worth going back. It was also a good way to introduce her sweets to our guests.

Host: Amazing Arnold

Because we wanted our host to be 100% wholesome with gospel sharing, we decided to get Amazing Arnold. I've actually seen him in my cousin's party so we know how he does his hosting. We also got additional entertainment from him - golden show (balancing show). We had to add this because we had a lot of adults and a few kids and wanted the adults to enjoy the party as well.

Invitations and Giveaways: 

These 2 items are the ones that can cost much but can be minimized. One of my sisters who is good in vector and photoshop did the layout of the invitation and I had it printed at Fuji. We bought envelops and a calligraphy pen from National bookstore. I also ordered embosser from The Best Impressions to make our envelops more personal. I started learning calligraphy while writing names in the envelop and got the hung of it in no time.   

With regards to our souvenir loot bags, we sourced our containers and then checked the grocery out for the items that would best fit and complement one another. This may sound tedious but I enjoy doing them so its not too big of an effort on my part.

I will be reviewing some of the items later on and share with you some of our son's birthday party experience.

Photo taken from sxc.hu

Lanna
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Not Your Usual Weekend Bonding - With the White Forest Cake

It was just like any other weekend. Woke up a bit late, read the bible and turned my laptop on. After, I went down to eat my usual breakfast -- eggs, oatmeal and a slice of sweetness.

The only thing very unusual that day was the non-stop rain. Same with any other rainy days, I loved it. I didn't think that it was the last time I'd love that kind of heavy rain.

Lunch came and our activities were still flowing normally. No one would expect that, that same weekend, it would change the lives of a lot of Filipinos. Afternoon came and the effects were getting worst. Suddenly, our electricity went out in the afternoon. Stuck at home, without electricity and without anything to do, we did what most people do when there is no electricity -- talk.

This is what you get for living an optimistic life. Even though everything is so negative, you still find ways to make it positive. And to take our family bonding level up one notch, mom offered us all a slice of White Forest cake from Red Ribbon. We don't want to put that cake to waste, don't we?

One soft, rich and creamy spoon after another, what was supposedly a short bonding talk became a long and unexpected fun bonding time even though when everything seemed to go wrong. Amazing!

Too bad, the cake didn't last till our dinner. But, with the help of that cake, it made every single second of our lives sweet and memorable that day -- Bonding time was lengthened because of one cake.

It's a cake we will surely remember for the rest of our lives.

For more information about Red Ribbon's Yummy cakes, please go to their website at or read my previous post HERE.

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Red Ribbon Cookies and Cream with Oreo cake

Want to brighten up your day?

After being addicted to several Red Ribbon cakes over the years, I must say that this cake will make waves!

With all the problems in the world, this is the new cake that will brighten up every person's day! It's the Red Ribbon Cookies and Cream with Oreo cake!

I will give you three very good and valid reasons why you should try this cake:
1. The sweetness level is just the right amount -- good for those who can't handle too much sweets!
2. It's so soft and yet, not hollow.
3. Just imagine - layers of vanilla and chocolate chiffon, chocolate cookies, and creamy cookies-and-cream filling!

Just thinking about the Red Ribbon Cookies and Cream with Oreo makes my mouth water! If I were you, I would not think twice -- go to the nearest Red Ribbon bakeshop now. as in NOW! See how that cake will brighten up your day?

I don't need to do that because as I am typing this, I am enjoying my second slice. :)

I often end my meals with something sweet. But for this Red Ribbon Cookies and Cream with Oreo cake, I can eat it for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Members of my family can testify to this. With or without special events, the Red Ribbon cake I give them brightens up their day! Much more, every special event, I give them cakes. This is the reason why this new Red Ribbon cake would be a great treat to them and as always, this will brighten up their day!

Since we are talking about cakes and memories, watch this video below...

Red Ribbon Website

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New Red Ribbon commercial - will start airing tomorrow Sep 21,2008

I've tasted this personally in an event and all I can say is "You would definitely want S'more!"

I've even made up my own tagline for this cake they name "S'mores"

"There's always some more S'mores for everyone"

Actually, "S'mores is a traditional campfire treat made of melted marshmallows, chocolate and sandwiched by graham crackers. Originated from the girlscouts of America in 1920's. It was name "S'mores" which means, "Some more" because it is so delicious you will want "some more"!

Another first from that event that night. I didn't know their palabok tasted that good! I am not a palabok eater and more often than not, I just take a spoonful and that would be enough for me. But after eating Red Ribbon palabok that night, I'd definitely gotten S'more of that stuff!

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