Mad Hatter's Party

When I was a little girl, I asked my mom if she could take me to Paris for my 18th birthday instead of throwing a lavish celebration, or a debut as Filipino custom calls it. Paris, for an inexplicable reason, has always had a special hold of my heart, even as a child. Maybe because Madeline was my favorite tv show? Whatever it was, it was my earnest wish to see the City of Lights. My mom, surprised (and I like to think impressed) that her then 8-year old daughter would ask for such a rational and sound wish, of course, obliged.

As the years drew closer to my 18th birthday, the more titas would ask what my plans were for my debut. Proudly, my mom would share how I had asked to travel to Paris instead of a party, that it had been my wish for the past decade to do so. And I was still firm on my decision not to have any celebration of any kind. Which is why I was initially reluctant when my mom suddenly decided to throw a party for my birthday - on top of the promised trip. I didn’t love the idea but I knew this was something she wanted to give to me. I understood what it meant. It signified an accomplishment that as a single mother, she was able to raise me and my brother in every luxury she could expend. It couldn’t have been easy but she made it look like it was. And I'm incredibly grateful. Grateful for the life she’s given me, the experiences she enabled me to have, and the strength and confidence I found in myself growing up in such a loving and secure home.

Maybe it comes with age but lately I find my birthday has come to mean something else. The less it's become about me and more about the woman who has shaped my life and my heart. I guess that fateful day was never really mine but ours; the day the Universe gave me the best gift of all - letting me be born to an amazing supermom.

And let’s not forget that the Universe blessed my mom with her favorite daughter that day too. lol

So for my 18th birthday party, my mom and I wanted the theme to be akin to my personality. Alice in Wonderland was one of my favorite books/movies growing up so we decided to throw a Mad Hatter’s Party. We asked my guests to come in their kookiest and most bonkers outfits. I think that was what I was most excited about - to see how my friends and family would interpret the theme. I didn’t want a stiff and formal kind of celebration where people would spent most of the night sitting down for a program. I wanted everyone to be free to mingle, enjoy themselves and get lost in the theme. But ultimately, I think I just wanted an excuse to be over the top with my own look. lol

Photos from my pre-party shoot —

I mean where else could I wear make-up like this??

Find Me