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Our First Time to Host a Party

January 5, 2011

This is our first official party in our home. Previously we tried not to have more than 2 or 3 people at a time since we didn’t have the necessary furniture yet. However Christmas is a big thing for us Filipinos – normally it is celebrated not just with immediate family but also extended family (or in my case with our clan) plus friends. So we are used to massive parties. Most of our friends went home to the Philippines to celebrate Christmas but this year it’s my hubby’s turn to stay in Jakarta so we decided to host a Christmas Eve party – even if we don’t have our buffet table yet.

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010DiploDog hanging out by the tree

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010Our entry hall with some Christmas decor

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

Welcome to our DiploHome!

  • Capiz picture frames TESORO 3-4 USD each est.
  • Custom pottery GALERI POT 18 USD est.
  • Fake grass VINOTI LIVING 2.50 USD est.
  • Coconut candle CHIC MART 4 USD est.

 

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

TD checking the drinks before the guests arrive

We placed all the food in the dining table. Admittedly it was quite crowded with the drinks and all. Yes TD and I are planning to have a bar/liquor cabinet made as well. For now the dining table would have to do.

We moved the dining chairs against the wall. Made sure there were a lot of Christmas coasters available for guests to protect our teak furniture. 

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

Our hallway with Christmas decor for Christmas eve dinner. Guest book (inset) with gold-edged leaves from TD’s brother, who also happens to be a diplomat

Remember the pseudo-belen (nativity scene) I had on on the coffee table in the living room? I transferred it to the console to make space for pica-pica and guests food on the coffee table.

Though it is an informal event we like having our guest sign our guest book, because it will be fun to look at years from now – you never know who will someday be famous! =P And it’s a nice remembrance!

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

Since we don’t have a buffet yet, just lined the side with lights & some solid teakwood frames

  • String of lights PHUKET THAILAND
  • Solid Teak Picture frames DUNIA, YOGYAKARTA Set of 3 frames for Rp 150,000 or 15 USD est.

Hopefully I can order my L-shaped buffet table next month! Once I refine the design.

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

TD and I are happy to find that there is lechon in Indonesia: Babi Guling La Filipina

My favorite food in the world is lechon or roast suckling pig. I never eat lechon in Manila because they don’t do it as well as they do in Mindanao (Southern Philippine Island) however here in Indonesia it comes close if not exactly like our lechon in Mindanao! Awesome!!!

In Bali their specialty is Babi Guling however the spices used are different and it’s definitely spicy the way the Indonesians like it! Whenever we order lechon here we ask for Babi Guling La Filipina.

It’s VERY IMPORTANT  to remember that once the lechon is delivered, you must open the carton around it and poke big holes all over the paper wrapping so that the steam will escape and it will remain crispy until consumed. We don’t open it fully either so it doesn’t get cold fast.

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

Again I forgot to take a pic with the pig whole

Every time that wrapper is opened, I forget to restrain myself and immediately dive in. That’s why I never have a picture of the pig whole! ARGH!! =P

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

Drink of the night: Caipirinhas. Official bar tender (L)  and giving the shaker a whirl (R)

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

Bolognese  (L) & aglio olio peperoncino (R) a la Ritz

I learned to make these 2 recipes at cooking class at The Ritz Carlton.

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

Sweet potatoes for health conscious guests (L) and sugared ham (R)

Sugared ham is a traditional Christmas dish in our household. Not pictured is the Ayam Goreng Suharti a very popular place for Indonesian fried chicken.

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

My favorite thing to eat ever: crispy lechon skin and those streaky bits beneath the fat

To be honest I focused on eating as much lechon as I could since I usually indulge in this sinful treat only during Christmas time and special occasions!

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

Traditional Christmas food for TD’s family: Turrón from Spain (Top). And Klapertart, a local dessert from Manado, Indonesia (Bottom).

Thank you to I & S for bringing the traditional Indonesian dessert! It is very similar to Maja Blanca in the Philippines (Bottom). And thanks to TD’s brother who visited from Switzerland we had some Turrón as well!

Turrón (Spanish), torró (Catalan), or torrone (Italian) is a nougat confection, typically made of honey, sugar, and egg white, with toasted almonds or other nuts, and usually shaped into either a rectangular tablet or a round cake. It is frequently consumed as a traditional Christmas dessert in Spain and Italy.

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

Strawberry cheesecake from Harvest Cake Shop

The Strawberry Cheesecake is TD’s favorite cake among all of Harvest‘s yummy cakes! I used an acrylic cake stand from Ace Hardware.

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

A fun night eating and chatting with friends (Diplo Dog has fallen asleep under the coffee table with his ball by his snout – such a cutie!)

Not all our DiploFriends celebrate Christmas because we all come from different cultures and religions, however we were so very pleased that they came over and celebrated Christmas Eve with us. Though we weren’t with our family this year, it didn’t feel sad or lonely because we had our extended family here in Jakarta to celebrate with us! Thank you so much for coming!

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

Bubbly served when the clock struck midnight in crystal from Russia, given to us by TD’s mom.

When our guests left, it was time to open our gifts for each other. I gave TD a universal charging station and a starter-cufflinks & watch case with a couple of cufflinks in side.

TD gave me a gold coach bag, designer kitchen bowls I’ve been eyeing for so long (it was also the cover of my favorite design book, Design for Small Spaces, and finally a Dynamo label maker. Weeeee! I’ve been wanting one for so long!

But of course we wouldn’t forget about DiploDog…

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

Our gift for DiploDog: Begging Strips

Beggin Strips are the equivalent of BACON in doggie world, and DiploDog goes absolutely crazy for them. We only give them to him as a special treat.

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

DiploDog happy with his Christmas gifts: Beggin’ Strips and toys

Thanks Tito K and Tita D for the super fun toys! – DiploDog

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

DiploDog Anticipating his treat!

Our first official party hosting: Christmas Eve 2010

Lickin’ his chops!

Some things I learned from this party are:

  1. I really need a buffet table that can accommodate all the food for a party.
  2. I must design a liquor cabinet that not only stores liquor but also
    • Has a “table top” for preparing & serving it
    • This “table top” must have a tray (preferably stainless steel) that is removable and replaceable since it will for sure get wet
    • I also need to store a smaller stainless tray for serving shots
  3. I need to order a glass top for our dining table – the heat from the lechon caused our table to have water-stains
  4. I need to buy a set of 14 champagne glasses that aren’t too expensive. The set is usually 12, but I try to get 14 – the two extra is incase of breakage. The expensive set that my mother-in-law gave me was only for 6.

GALERI POT  (JC’s Pottery)

Jl. Kemang Timur No. 58 R, Jakarta 12 730, Indonesia
+62-21-718 0881 / 718 0209 | Fax: + 62-21-717 93070
shop@jcspottery.com | www.jcspottery.com

Chic Mart – Kemang, Jakarta

021 – 719 92 49
Jl. Kemang Raya No. 55, Jakarta Selatan
Check out Retota  on the 2/f of Chic Mart

The Harvest Cake Shop

Jl. Dharmawangsa Raya No. 10 B, Jakarta Selatan  | +62-21-7394225 | Fax : +62-21-7394914
Jl Senopati Raya, No.78, Jakarta Selatan | +62-21-72788657 | Fax : +62-21-7396125

Family’s Household Ceramics

Where I bought square stoneware dinner set: 40pcs for only Rp 650,000 / 65 USD est.
Jl RS. Fatmawati Cilandak I No. 3, Jakarta Selatan | 021-7650991

16 Comments · Diplo Home, What's Happening

Comments

  1. Jenn says

    January 5, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    Nice, sweetie.
    Everything looks absolutely gorgeous.
    Wish I had been there with you.

    Reply
    • thediplomaticwife says

      January 6, 2011 at 2:13 AM

      Thanks hun! I super miss you! And I can’t believe Lucy is a year older!!!! AAAAAAAH! Come visit any time!!! Hugs & kisses!

      Reply
  2. Tala says

    January 5, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    AWESOME!!! I’m sooo proud of you and happy for you my dear 🙂 Caipirinhas!!! I love it! And Diplo Dog gets his own picture in a frame! Wayyy coool! Can’t wait to visit you guys!!!

    Reply
    • thediplomaticwife says

      January 6, 2011 at 2:14 AM

      Thanks hun!! You should totally get a dog too! LOL! When are you visiting! Come come! I must plan my visit to Sri Lanka too!!! Before we both have babies hurry! =P

      Reply
  3. Tala says

    January 5, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    Oh and I would just like to say that you have made such a lovely home 🙂

    Reply
  4. Charmarie says

    January 10, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    Hi ,

    I found you googleing for pottery in Sri Lanka on the first page …. how very funny….. Do drop a line when you plan to visit Sri Lanka may be I can give some insider tips!!!!

    Reply
    • thediplomaticwife says

      January 10, 2011 at 7:43 AM

      How cool! I think it’s because my best friend is also a trailing spouse in Sri Lanka and she commented on this post as well. You should check out her blog as well! It’s http://lavidalanka.blogspot.com/ Are you a trailing spouse in Sri Lanka as well?

      Reply
  5. Kath says

    January 14, 2011 at 6:14 AM

    What a beautiful home you made for you and TD, absolutely gorgeous! You entertain in style and of course, with class! I’m impressed. I need to take pictures of our humble abode and email them to you sometime. I’d like your opinion. Merry Christmas DWife! 🙂

    Reply
    • thediplomaticwife says

      January 20, 2011 at 5:54 AM

      Thanks sweety! I really wish you would visit me here! Come come! It’s looking a bit bare now without all the Christmas Decoration. Which means I have to start working on my next project – the buffet cabinet! I would love to see your new home! Please do send me pics or post em on FB and tag me! I super miss you!

      Reply
  6. Kath says

    January 14, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    By the way, you should post recipes using the leftover lechon! I’d love to read that write-up!

    Reply
    • thediplomaticwife says

      January 20, 2011 at 5:56 AM

      Re the lechon, we don’t like lechon paksiw so we place some in the ref the next day for toasting in the oven. The rest we just freeze for long term storage and once in a while we treat ourselves with re-fried lechon. We like em crispy!

      Reply
  7. aileen says

    February 14, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    hi where did u buy the lechon in jakarta? i’m also a pinay working here in indo 🙂 i love ur blog btw! 🙂

    Reply
    • diplomaticwife says

      March 9, 2013 at 9:46 PM

      Hi Aileen. Here you go: http://undiplomaticwife.com/2011/10/13/jakarta-finds-✽-where-to-order-lechon-in-jakarta/

      Enjoy!

      Reply
  8. Adinda says

    March 9, 2013 at 5:26 AM

    Hi, can you share where to order the lechon in Jakarta? Thanks!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. JAKARTA FINDS ✽ Custom-made pottery at Galeri Pot | The Diplomatic Wife says:
    September 18, 2013 at 6:17 PM

    […] Prada Silver pot for holding faux greens to add a little height to our console table […]

    Reply
  2. DIPLO HOME: It’s another GOLD Christmas says:
    January 2, 2014 at 5:13 PM

    […] post. Last year was our first time we spend Christmas in Jakarta and I had to buy more decor for the Christmas dinner we were hosting. From my earlier posts, you can tell I love gold so to keep with the theme of my home (white, […]

    Reply

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Welcome

Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

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I am an Amazon affiliate, but all opinions are my own. The content of all my blog and social media posts are products and experiences that I truly enjoy and I only work with brands that fit my life and style.

GOOD TO KNOW GUIDE

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @UNDIPLOMATICWIFE

HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport? We are very lucky th HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport?

We are very lucky that the Geneva Airport is very near because it is located 4 km northwest of the city centre. It takes us less than 15mins by car & is easier to get to than airports outside the city.

BUT also means that many of the Geneva residents suffer from AIRCRAFT NOISE POLLUTION. 

In some parts of Geneva, like Vernier, Meyrin, Bellevue, Versoix, etc will have the airplane pass on top of you or very near you. This is something to consider when you are MOVING TO GENEVA & looking for a home.

When we were in @bioparcgeneve recently, it felt like airplane after airplane was going overhead every few mins. The poor animals were screaming each time.

A  report by the European Environment Agency(EEA) in 2017 said that 12% or 73,500 Geneva residents have their hearing disturbed by aircraft noise. Probably the figures have risen with the natural increase population & travel?

“The EEA describes noise as a pervasive pollutant that directly affects the health and well-being of humans and wildlife. Populations exposed to high noise levels can exhibit stress reactions, sleep-stage changes, and clinical symptoms like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. All of these can contribute to premature mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) reckons that humans exposed to noise levels above 40 decibels at night experience adverse health effects.

Across Europe it is estimated that noise contributed to at least 900,000 additional cases of hypertension in 2011.” - @le_news_ch 

DID YOU KNOW that owners of homes affected by the noise can request for soundproofing to be paid for by GVA? 

Check if your home meets the conditions for FREE SOUNDPROOFING c/o Genève Aéroport here:

https://www.gva.ch/en/Site/Geneve-Aeroport/Questions-Reponses-FAQ/Bruit#

SAVE or SHARE this now with someone you know who might be moving to Geneva or is already suffering from aircraft #noisepollution. 

#UDWinGeneva #UDWgenevagoodtoknow #expatingeneva #diplofamily #expatlife #genevaswitzerland #expatingeneva #filipinoingeneva #pinoyingeneva #movingtogeneva #movingtoswitzerland #movingtogeneva #genevaexpats #switzerlandexpatlife #geneva #genevaswitzerland
MERCADONA HAUL Whenever we go to Spain, we love t MERCADONA HAUL

Whenever we go to Spain, we love to go to @mercadona. It might be small but has a good affordable selection. It’s my thrifty Spanish MIL’s favorite.

We were so lucky that we had a @mercadona right beside our hotel Marina Badalona. Very convenient.
Our favorite things to bring home are:

☕️ frozen porras (bigger than churros)

🐑 baby lamb chops (the only lamb I eat coz it’s not malangsa & all you need to do is fry till crispy in olive oil with S&P) it’s called Chuletas Cabrito but TD calls it lechal 

🐽 chicharon or crispy pork rinds

🥔 Homemade potato chips. The best potato chips for me are from Spain. I don’t know how it’s so much yummier! The olive oil???

🎣 canned Sardines & tuna for me and Yaya B

TIPS:

🧊 For frozen items, we usually ask the hotel before we buy if they can put it in their freezer until we fly.

✍️ I usually bring different sizes ZIPLOCK BAGS, MASKING TAPE & MARKER when we travel so we can put everything in, label with our name and room number.

📸 then I take a photo so we can just show it to the staff and they can easily find it in their freezer.

✈️ When it’s time to pack, I placed our beach towels around the frozen packages coz I know they will SWEAT & I don’t want our other things to get wet 💦 

What  grocery do you usually like to shop for when in Spain? Where do you buy them?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries #udwtraveltips #udwtraveltip #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW C FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW Calisthenics Park 

📍Chem. des Tuileries 140, 1293 Bellevue

After the lovely BIOPARC we headed across to this chill park with ample PARKING that had so many things for kids & anyone who wants to move & work out:

⚽️ The kids wanted to kick around a football so we borrowed a ball from @boxup.app (they also have pumps, 🏓, 🏐, 🏀, etc) just download the app & turn on your Bluetooth & follow instructions! Return after 3hrs.

👟 Outdoor gym - this was a huge hit with the kids

⚽️ football - this too!

🏀 basketball court

🏓 Ping-pong 

🏐 Beach volleyball court

🤸🏻 Monkey bars

🛝 small playground

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon guys @lidia_otilia_botezatu! 
How lucky are we to have these beautiful, clean open spaces. And the free rental gear is AMAZING! so convenient.

This is in Geneva, about 15mins drive from where we live.

SAVE THIS on your list of PARKS to visit!

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. It’s not as close as the bioparc but bring earplugs/earphones if you are sensitive.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
BIOPARC GENÈVE Yesterday was a holiday in Switze BIOPARC GENÈVE

Yesterday was a holiday in Switzerland (except for Geneva). It was raining & miserable so I wanted to take @diplobaby out for a few hours. Thankfully midafternoon it stopped raining.

We met with our friends @lidia_otilia_botezatu in @bioparcgeneve and had a lovely time in this volunteer run zoo.

TIPS💡

🆓 It’s free for families on your FIRST visit!

🦢 you walk inside animal enclosures so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/stepping on poop. We wore boots & happy we did

🅿️ there’s parking inside on wood chips, if it’s full there’s another pavement parking (free up to 4hrs) across the roundabout 

🦔 Do not feed or touch the animals no matter how cute they are

🗺️ There are 2 routes (purple & blue) and 1-1.5hrs #diplshould be enough 

❎ Park closes at 4pm

SAVE THIS NOW if your looking for a fun & not too you can do in well und2hrs. It’s nice that you can go inside unlike most zoos so it’s quite unique.

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. @diplobaby who is super noise sensitive did not mind as much as I thought he would because he was so entertained by the animals.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
MARINA BADALONA HOTEL At first we were going to MARINA BADALONA HOTEL 

At first we were going to stay in the heart of Barcelona, where we stayed 8 years ago (I didn’t even know that @diplobaby was already in my tummy at 2 weeks old) but the “hotel” is now expensive with no amenities & small rooms. So TD found a hotel in #badalona - a 20min taxi ride from Barcelona city center - that was so fabulous & slightly less expensive.

SAVE THIS NOW for future trips to Barcelona

WHY I LOVED marinabadalona
🤍 All white interiors was so beautiful & calming
🤍 Gorgeous view of the Marina 
🤍 Everything was so aesthetic, even where you tap your card to enter the room
🤍 Massive bed
🤍 Electric curtains
🤍 Lots of closet space & hangers
🤍 2 TVs
🤍 Refrigerator
🤍 White/cream Nespresso & kettle
🤍 Architecture & interior design is sooooo me!
🤍 Small rooftop pool with unbelievable views (need to do a separate post)
🤍 5min walk to the beach
🤍 Gorg esplanade
🤍 Yummy restos beside
🤍 Mercadona right beside - so convenient!

FEW RECOS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
✌️ Loved the textured wall paper, but it’s difficult to keep clean inside the bathroom
✌️ The bathroom surface area was a bit small & our stuff kept falling off the sink
✌️ Not a single chair in the family room so when we had room service we had to eat standing
✌️ No salt & pepper with room service so we called to ask & were told we would be charged for them taking it up. After TD clarified that there was no S&P with our meal, they said they would bring it up. The person brought a small bowl of of salt & pepper combined. The salt was for DiploBaby’s salmon, but he can’t eat pepper, I wanted both for my pesto. Had to run down in my slippers & the resto staff were very apologetic coz who serves a mixed S&P ever? They gave me individually packaged ones which I really appreciated.
✌️ Since the hotel has a pool & is by the beach, I wish there was a place to hang & dry swim suits. Our suits & watershoes did not dry in the tub.

All in all the value we got from staying in this hotel was so high compared to a more expensive hotel in Barcelona. No hotel stay is perfect.

Now, would I stay there again? YES PLEASE! Would you?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries
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