Great Deals at Deal Grocer

In my previous post, I mentioned that I did all the arrangement of my Mom's sparty here in Qatar. I was able to do that with the help of Deal Grocer. Last June 2012, I shared with you my love for online shopping. I have to say that Deal Grocer is by far, the best online voucher website I have ever subscribed into.

I love the simplicity of their website. Clean and elegant.

They offer the best deal in the market.

I just wanna share this wonderful site and I hope you will subscribe to them. Aside from getting the best deal, you get the best services and at the same time save money!

Thanks Deal Grocer for making my Mom the most relaxed and happy Mom yesterday. She enjoyed her Sparty at Pink Me Up.

xoxo,
Katey

Mommy's Birth Month!

Yesterday, my Mom had a mini sparty at Pink Me Up. We invited my Aunt Jing, my cousins Russell & Charmie. Unforge, Charmie was unable to come due to work. 

Anywho, it was my surprise gift for her. I did all the arrangement from Qatar.

It was such a joy to see my mom happy, surprised and touched by my little gift. I would like to thank my sister Jenny for arranging the appointment in Pink Me Up. Same with my Aunt and cousins who kept it a secret for almost a month! 

Btw, this is what my sister Joy wore yesterday. Isn't she cute. She looks exactly the same as her Bitstrips Avatar!! lol

Interior of Pink Me Up is a total girly girl. I love everything. Upon entering, Joy knew where to sit. She's so excited!

They have the place for themselves for 3 hours. It gave them privacy and quiet time. They had foot spa, pedicure and blow dry.

spell R-E-L-A-X-A-T-I-O-N

They have wide selection of nail polishes from Essie and Orly.

Jenny had a hard time choosing which color she wants.

I called my mom and she was trying to stop herself from crying. She was happy but at the same time sad coz I was not there to enjoy the services with them. I told her we will have our own QT when I come home for vacation which is on December.

Aside from the sparty, I gave her a personalized bracelet made of topaz which is her birthstone and charms with our names, Jacky (my nickname), Jenny and Joy. 

Happy Mommy!

Dear Mommy,

I know that you know how much I love you, we love you. We've been through tough times... which is a lot but we were able to surpass these challenges because we have each other. I miss our quality time every Sunday. Where we go to church, eat lunch and then grocery shopping. There are times that I disappoint you but you never given up on me. There are times that I wanted to rebel and be a teenager but then... every time I think of you, I stop myself because I know that I will hurt you. You are a good example. For that, I thank you. 

Mommy, you are the best mom in the whole wide world!!! I love you to the moon & back!

Thank you and I miss you.

Love,

Jacky

Wedding of the Year

Last October 26, I attended my friend's wedding. I flew out of the country to go to Bahrain. (Read my previous post).

Flying with British Airways

So let's start with October 25. My friends and I planned to have a city tour in the morning. Being the independent bunch that we are, we decided not to have a tour guide with us. We opted to research the famous landmark and go there on our own. Being new in the country, it is expected to get lost. We have been driving in circle and using up our gas. We ended up going to this small mall to eat our lunch and went to church for the wedding rehearsal.

Lost in Bahrain

After the rehearsal, we went to Charisse's flat to do the hosts script. Me & Ariel were asked to be the wedding's Masters of Ceremony. Which by the way an honor. I, personally, was a bit scared coz it was my first time to host a wedding.

Lunch!

So, while Charisse and I are busy with Bridesmaid duties, the rest of the ladies were fast asleep. We ordered pizza for dinner then did some dress up. Since we are in Charisse flat, we decided to make over our two tomboyish girls, January and Kamie. Kamie has never worn a dress in her life. Or maybe once when she attended a wedding but that was years ago. For January, she's your typical shirt & jeans girl.

We will attend Gina's last night of being a "Miss" so we wanted it to be memorable. So, Charisse gave them dress to wear. Both ladies are beautiful!!!

photoshoot inside the elevator... kasya tayo!!

We went to Ramee Grand Hotel, where the Groom is working, to celebrate the last night of being Ms. Gina Pangilinan. It was also a reunion as January is now based in UAE while Charisse, Gina, and Leizel are in Bahrain. Kamie, the newest recruit, came from the Philippines. It was a night full of fun, chicka and booze. (cheers to free drinks)

Cheers to friendship

Bridesmaid, Mrs. Wermers, and soon to be Mrs. Gardier

Me & my choice of drink, Peach Champagne

Groom & Best Man!!!

By 2:30hrs, we decided to end the night. 

So, THE day has come! We woke up early coz we need to go back to Ramee, not to drink, but to have our hair & make up done.

Blue Motif

Church wedding was held in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The church is small but beautiful. It made the ceremony more solemn & intimate. I just have to say that during the wedding rehearsal, I was teary eyed but during the wedding, while Gina was walking down the aisle, I was crying. She is beautiful! Knowing her, she does not commit easily. We would tease her before that she will be last BG to marry. Maybe that's why I cried. Because I am happy to see a friend to finally meet her match. Both are sarcastic, btw! lol...

Charisse read the first reading. I was tasked to light the candle, January & Ariel with veil and Kamie with cord. Liezel was the Matron of Honor and Ate Rax was the Principal Sponsor.

After the wedding, we went to Sofitel for the cocktail reception. 

The reception started with the arrival of the guests. While waiting for the couple, there were waiters serving light snacks & drinks. Then newly weds arrived. The couple had their first dance as Mr. & Mrs. After the first song, we then had a Filipino tradition of clipping money to the couple.

Mr. & Mrs. Nicolas & Gina Gardier, Belgian meets Filipino

After the dance, we then have our dinner. Food was delish! Sofitel also made a specialty drink for the couple. Bride's drink is a mixture of vodka and blueberry and Groom's drink is a mixture of rum & coke.

When we had our fill, we proceeded with tossing of bouquet and garter.

Ate Rax caught the bouquet and Serge got the garter

Charisse gave a heartfelt toast for the couple. I almost cried! 

Then cake slicing and wine drinking. After the reception, we went to Tapas to continue partying. We danced, we laughed and we drink some more. 

It was in deed THE "Wedding of the Year"! I love everything about it. The ceremony, the reception, the after party. Everything!

All throughout the event, I felt the love of the couple to each other. The simple touch, the way they look at each other, the smile.... argghh... it is so romantic. It is so overwhelming!!!

Have you been to a beautiful wedding? I wanna know your experience.

Speak to you soon.

xoxo,

Katey

Holiday Inn Express Bahrain

Hello Loves!!!

I have been MIA for a whole month coz life has been catching up with me. lol... been busy lately on which I will share with you on my succeeding posts.

Last October 24, my friends & I flew to Bahrain to attend the wedding of our dear friend, Gina.

We all stayed in Holiday Inn Express Bahrain. This is my second time to stay in a Holiday Inn Express so I came prepared. My first stay was in Holiday Inn Express Dubai when my BFF and I had a weekend in Dubai.

Anywho, just wanna share what I like and not about my stay.

I did my reservation via IHG Website and booked for their King bed standard room with seating area. 

Check-in procedure: We came early of October 25 at 2am. Check-in procedure is quite slow. Though we only had a 20-minute flight, we are all tired because it was already 2am. However, Receptionist did recognize me as an IHG Rewards Member and gave me my entitlement. 

view from my room

Room: Room is clean. I like that I got what I needed, King bed and non-smoking. I was in 18th floor, same floor as my friends. Bathroom is clean.

I like that they do turn-down service unlike Holiday Inn Express Dubai that we called several times but nobody came. My room is always clean and neat. Kudos to the Housekeeping Team.

Restaurant: If you book in Holiday Inn Express, you are entitled to complimentary breakfast. Breakfast is okay. Nothing special. I just ate few bread and some sausages. On my 3rd day, coffee machine was not working properly and I have informed the waitress about it. Variety of food is little though. I like the variety of food in Holiday Inn Express Dubai. (Manama - 1, Dubai - 1, we got a tie!!!)

WIFI: Wifi is free in the lobby and public area, however, in room internet is at a charge. I actually opened my roaming and I finished my credit in a few hours. Lesson learned! 

Staff Attitude: Staff are friendly. They greeted me every time they see me. Cool beans!

All in all, I did enjoy my stay at Holiday Inn Express Bahrain. In case I will visit Bahrain again, I will definitely stay in this hotel. 

What's your favorite hotel to stay in? Love to hear from you!!! 

xoxo,

Katey