So... a few days ago...
Like most people who are about to turn 21, I hosted a party for the first time in my life. Well, maybe it's gonna be the last time too hahaha. The whole transition-into-adulthood was kind of an excuse actually because I've kind of always wanted to have all the people I hold dear to in my life to come together to celebrate with me. That happened on that day on 24th October and I'm so touched with everything. Here's how it went:
This was the virtual invitation I designed myself
Pretty proud of myself because I didn't really have much time to do so
Obviously I'm really proud of my work hahaha
Was inspired by the newspaper headlines kind of design
Pity my blue hair had already faded lol...
Tara and Alvin
It has been 5-6 years since I've known this girl
The gang that I would have not have survived poly without
One of the first weirdo leftie person I've met in my life
I guess that explains how we can click so well
Sean and Mama Steph
Winn and Licia whom I've not seen for a long time
The craziest bunch I've ever met
#gamewardens #parkwarden
Dear cousins, god brother and god sis-to-be
The dear ones I can never imagine my life without
The dear ones who have seen me grow from my first steps
to the person I've grow to become today
to the person I've grow to become today
The person who gives me happiness
Saving the best for last...
My parents and my sister
I may not be the most patient and well behaved daughter/sister
But they always made me feel like a princess
The party was a success in the end and I think it was much less awkward than I thought it would be. About 8 of us returned to the hotel for a night of drinking games and 'Cards Against Humanity' (just bought the game & lovin it).
Returning home and opening the gifts and cards, there was this really warm feeling in my heart. Initially during the planning process, I did not even think or remember about presents because all I wanted was just everyone's presence.
A big thank you to everyone who got me presents. I really appreciate every single one of them, big or small, expensive or less expensive. And I've to say that everyone does know what are the things I like (either that or I'm really predictable lololol). Quite a few were from Sephora and there are things that I've always wanted but being the cheapskate me, I decided to just dream of having those things. I know some of them are really not cheap so I'm really grateful.
Thank you so much, everyone! XOXO
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Since I'm on the topic of a party, I think that this may be the first and last time I'm hosting one so I would just like to share my experience of the whole planning process right here. Also because I notice that it is really hard to find the perfect venue for a birthday party and there aren't really much guides/blogs on it so maybe what I'm sharing may be of use to you or some others in the future.
The VENUE and FOOD...
Hard Rock Hotel
Poolside Cabanas 3, 4 & 5 (connected)
WEBSITE
A private pool just beside the cabanas
A great place to hangout
Cozy huts with a clear view of the beautiful pool
The empty cabanas...
Poolside Cabanas 3, 4 & 5 (connected)
WEBSITE
A great place to hangout
The cabanas after decorating~
Most deco from SGShop (website)
In case of bad weather, The Rock Bar staff will shift everything to 'The Rock Bar Terrace' for free (originally minimum spending of SGD$1500++ and additional SGD$500 venue rental fee required to book)!
Kelly, the bar supervisor, was extremely helpful with all the arrangements and she was super friendly. Every once in awhile, she will come over and have a look to make sure that everything is in order. She was the one who answered all my inquiries very quickly and politely when I was checking out the venue.
Also, when we were packing up the food and the place, one of the staff also offered my mom a complementary cup of warm lemon honey after he noticed that she was having a really bad sore throat. I could not have asked for better service!
Most deco from SGShop (website)
I actually placed loads of time researching on the venue because I wanted to do something different from the typical birthday in a chalet or a BBQ. So I was researching on function rooms until I found the poolside cabana at Hard Rock Hotel.
A really nice place to chill at and their packages are at a rather affordable price except for their drinks that go for SGD$50.00++ for a tower of soft drink/fruit juice (yeah, what the hell right. it's super pricey). No outside food and drinks are allowed so you have to purchase them.
I got their 3 cabana package so there was a minimum spending of SGD$1150 required to book the place for free. The cheapest menu I got was SGD$35++ per pax for a minimum for 30 pax so if you order the same buffet as me, you would confirm meet the minimum required price to get the place.
I got their 3 cabana package so there was a minimum spending of SGD$1150 required to book the place for free. The cheapest menu I got was SGD$35++ per pax for a minimum for 30 pax so if you order the same buffet as me, you would confirm meet the minimum required price to get the place.
The SGD$35++ per pax, minimum 30 pax to order, buffet menu included:
Mini Salad Bar with Homemade Dressing and Condiments (shown above)
Prawn Roll with Wasabi Mayonaise
Roasted Red Skin Potato with Cajun Spices
Spicy Chicken Wings with Thai Sweet Chili Dip
Catch of the Day with Capsicum Salsa (it was fish on that day)
Sautee Seasonal Vegetables with Braised Mushroom
Pasta with Chili Con Carne and Mozzarella Cheese (with beef/chicken)
Assorted Mini French Pastries
Fresh Slice Seasonal Fruit Platter
I definitely had more than 30 guests that day but there was too much food even though I ordered 30 pax worth. I had no worries from the beginning because it's Hard Rock hotel chefs preparing the food and it turns out that the food was indeed utterly delicious.
My mom and sis loved the little cheesecakes (still some in my fridge because my mom packed home) and there was such a variety of meat (from prawns to chicken to fish). Many of my guests commented on how good the food was and of course, I was so glad!
Unfortunately I do not have any photos of the food but it was definitely worth the price. But if you're going to book this venue for a party or any other function, be ready to burn a hole in your pockets for the drinks.
My mom and sis loved the little cheesecakes (still some in my fridge because my mom packed home) and there was such a variety of meat (from prawns to chicken to fish). Many of my guests commented on how good the food was and of course, I was so glad!
Unfortunately I do not have any photos of the food but it was definitely worth the price. But if you're going to book this venue for a party or any other function, be ready to burn a hole in your pockets for the drinks.
In case of bad weather, The Rock Bar staff will shift everything to 'The Rock Bar Terrace' for free (originally minimum spending of SGD$1500++ and additional SGD$500 venue rental fee required to book)!
Kelly, the bar supervisor, was extremely helpful with all the arrangements and she was super friendly. Every once in awhile, she will come over and have a look to make sure that everything is in order. She was the one who answered all my inquiries very quickly and politely when I was checking out the venue.
Also, when we were packing up the food and the place, one of the staff also offered my mom a complementary cup of warm lemon honey after he noticed that she was having a really bad sore throat. I could not have asked for better service!
#OOTD
Nautilus Romper by blogshop Twenty3
My initial theme was Casino Mafia but I decided to change it after considering and I sort of just chose nautical because I saw this dress on sale on Twenty3's website. LOL. It was perfect and its also the 4th piece I've gotten from Twenty3 (so was my outfit for CNY 2015 and Valentine's Day 2015).
& the CAKE...
By The Pink Treats by Leiralala
Red Velvet flavour with Cream Cheese frosting!
I spent loads and loads of time searching for the perfect shop that I can trust for the center piece of my party. Most shops I found have really pretty cakes on their profile but their prices were kind of... ridiculously high.
Until I found The Pink Treats! The owner, Ariel, was really nice and her cakes are way more affordable as compared to the shops I previously contacted. I placed my order really fast after discussing about the cake with her.
It turned out even more beautiful than I imagined and it was so yummy oh my gosh. I got so many positive comments about the cake. Definitely did not regret my decision to get it from her.
It turned out even more beautiful than I imagined and it was so yummy oh my gosh. I got so many positive comments about the cake. Definitely did not regret my decision to get it from her.