Pageant Predictions: Miss USA 2015

TGIF y'all! The 2015 edition of Miss USA is this Sunday, which means I'll be very distracted on Monday morning (we're 8 hours ahead) refreshing social media pages and all. 

Favorites based on headshots, interviews and the comments fans leave on pageantry forums.

Arizona - Maureen Montagne

Georgia - Brooke Fletcher

Kansas - Alexis Railsback

Kentucky - Katie George

Massachusetts - Polikseni Manxhari

Michigan - Rashontae Wawrzyniak

Mississippi - Courtney Byrd

North Carolina - Julia Dalton

North Dakota - Molly Ketterling

South Carolina - Sarah Weishuhn

South Dakota - Lexy Schenk

Texas - Ylianna Guerra

Virginia - Laura Puleo

Credits - Advan Ramirez, AJ Day, Andrew Kung, Dan Compton, Fadil Berisha, Miss USA Fans, Kristy Belcher, Carter Studios Inc, Miss Texas USA

June 18, 2016

First things first, I'm 11 months away from the big day.

I do not know if I'll morph into a bridezilla as the days go by but here's my promise - I'll try not to. I have specifically informed my maid of honor and 2 bridesmaids to keep me sane. Oh, and the future groom as well because he knows my temper too darn well.

So here's the thing,

I am a big fan of western things, and my cousin's garden wedding in 2008 might have fueled the obsession. Then in 2013 Pinterest blew up in our faces and then I got to know this two words, rustic wedding.

What is rustic and can it even be done in Malaysia, you ask?

Rustic is defined as of or relating to the countryside and constructed or made in a plain and simple fashion.

In that sense, rustic incorporates outdoor and nature inspired elements. Think wood, tree barks, burlap, lace, plaid, twines and mason jars. And good news, it can be done in Malaysia. A lot of these can be accomplished through research, DIYs or hiring a wedding planner. And I'm talking about a fairly priced wedding here. A wedding of your dreams need not to be expensive, it's the small non-expensive touches that when combined leads it to be elaborate and extravagant.

In a nutshell, this post does not condone going overboard and then landing yourself in debt. Not worth it.

And speaking of debt, the fiance and I are pretty much frugal people, and more often than not, borderline cheapskate. We are okay to forgo a live band, elaborate centerpieces, a videographer, photo booth, expensive wedding rings and anything that we deem is too expensive.

So, bye bye Grand Hyatt. They charge RM3,400+ per table of 10.

Oh right, we're having the ceremony and reception in KL, mainly because it's convenient for us to plan a wedding since we work and live here and most of our close friends are here as well. Most of our relatives have homes in KL too so that will save accommodation costs. Having the events at the same location will also save time and lessen logistics nightmares.

I enlisted my cousin Philip to be the emcee. My maid of honor will be my cousin Bea and my bridesmaids are Shannen, my buddy since 7 and Nalz, my ex colleague.

There. Now I just need to scout for a location, the dress, flowers, decor, oh my, what did I get myself into ..

It's a love story, baby just say yes

If I was being truthful, weddings to me is a gorgeous, willowy white gown. 

All these years I have never given much thought to who the groom might be. My quintessential dream man when I was a teen, was a hunk, probably Caucasian and with an whopping bank account.

Fast forward to 2011, all the necessities I pined for in a man changed when I met the person I'd be spending the remainder of my life with. He didn't have to be the most good looking person in the room, he didn't need to be a Caucasian, he didn't need to be super rich, he didn't need to have a 6 pack.

All he had was love. And a bubbly personality. He was the positive to my negative.

Throughout the past 4 years, we have been through together a lot. From the switching jobs frenzy, to purchasing a place together and now to planning a June wedding.

You're an exceptional person, Mike.

Here's to forever.

xoxo

Muse - June 1, 2016

Source - Pinterest

The blues will pass.

Inhale. Read a chick flick book (or anything non serious). Talk to a loved one. Watch something funny on TV.

If all else fails, go to sleep and forget the blues.

20 nice things to think about

It's a weekend and all I can think of is an unfinished proposal for work and I have to drop by at work later to attend to some unfinished business.

So here I am at 2am in the morning thinking of happy thoughts to take my mind off unpleasant things.

1. Fresh air and natural light pouring into your living room.
2. McDonald's nuggets. Once in a while.
3. Leaving work when it's still sunny out.
4. Enid Blyton's story books.
5. Scented pomegranate candles.
6. That IKEA smell.
7. Making new acquaintances.
8. New chick flick books.
9. Anything vanilla.
10. Sunsets.
11. Beautiful illustrations and sketches.
12. Staying in on a Friday night with a good book or magazine with classical music playing in the background.
13. Spring time! Or any of the 4 seasons.
14. The Cotswolds! It's so pretty I have to post a picture of it.

Source - Tour of England

15. Rustic and vintage cafes.
16. The aroma of coffee brewing.
17. Purchasing a new dress.
18. Beautiful fonts for free. =P
19. Fresh flowers.
20. Getting into bed and doze of immediately.