I can’t believe the month of January is almost over. Time really flies so fast. So before we move on to February, I would like to share bits and pieces of my happy celebration at home.

 

For the table décor, I wanted to use a lot of candles and simple flowers because the glow of the candle lights around the house just simply evoke elegance, warmth and just make the place cozier. I was so glad my mom gave me an air conditioner for my living and dining rooms. I’ve always had trouble using candles before because the electric fans keep blowing the fires out. I also didn’t want to spend so much on the party so I had to be really resourceful. I wanted some white tapered candles and gold candle holders but I did not really want to spend on it because I knew they will only be used that day. I had to scout two malls just to find these. I almost texted my friend that I hated this country because everything I was looking for was just not available.😂 I was so frustrated I just wanted to cancel the whole thing. I also wanted gold birthday candles and I called every mall and every store there is but I just couldn’t find any. Unbelievable.

I walked for hours at the department store two days before the event when I found these double metal jiggers in different sizes for only P59.75. I also bought a gold spray paint and painted the jiggers and I used them as my candle holders. I found white tapered candles at Gourdo’s on sale. It was only P45.00 for 2 pieces. I wanted to buy boxes of these for future use! My table runner used to be a skirt but I wanted the print so badly I cut them and turned them into a runner. For the wood pieces, I bought a long piece of wood from a sash factory. I got it for P200. but really, this wood only cost P18. per piece but I didn’t mind paying for more because I had them cut it into small pieces. It was a manual labor because they didn’t have a cutting machine.

When it came to the food of the party, I never ever  really hire a caterer as I enjoy making my own menu and cooking them. I prepared a simple menu that I was sure my friends would love. My birthday party also happened to be Chinese new year so I wanted to make it special. For my appetizer, I served skewered curry chicken and kebabs with hummus and garlic sauce and pita bread. Everyone raved about the hummus and garlic sauce. You can find the recipe here. I also made Pear with Walnut Salad. For the main spread, I served three kilos of shrimps, thinly sliced beef with mushroom sauce, pork barbecue with atchara (pickled papaya), Fish fillet in garlic oyster sauce, lumping shanghai (Filipino spring rolls) and jasmine rice. For the desserts, I made some spiced red wine poached pears topped with mascarpone cheese and chopped walnuts. I also served some fresh pears. For the birthday cake, I ordered this moist custard layered rum cake with whipped cream that was sooo good. This was recommended by someone I follow on instagram, Alicia Sy, author of the popular food guide Eat Out Now and lifestyle editor of Town and Country magazine.

To end, everyone enjoyed my party that they stayed until the following morning. I brought down blankets and I just felt like we were back in high school talking non stop reminiscing our grade school and high school days.

Again, I would like to thank my friends who celebrated with me. Contrary to what a lot of people think, I don’t really have a lot. But with the little I have, I am thankful for their genuine friendship.

And last but not the least, I am and will forever be grateful to the One above, my creator. I thank you for giving me another day, another chance to become a better individual, another chance to give and experience love.♥