A Cupcake Tower for an 18th Birthday

My Husband and I are still glowing with joy from the success of my cousin's 18th birthday bash.  Last night was the culmination of two weeks of hard work.  My Husband and I were asked to cook Menudo and bake cupcakes for the party.  Other than helping out in the food, we were also in-charged of creating an AVP for the debutant and to officially cover the event.

I will share my story and photos of the event on another time.  I still haven't shared two events we have covered: a wedding in May and a christening a week ago.  I believe I should share them first before jumping to another event.  Our photography journey is becoming exciting by the day and I really would love to document everything as I know in the future, I will be coming back to my writings for learning and inspiration.

In the meantime, let me share with you the cupcakes we especially made for my cousin's debut. 
Since this is a debut, we decided to create a simple, sweet and classic design. 

We bought these cute little rose icing decors and pink & white fairy bitz.  The rose icing decors came in three different colours: pink, white and yellow.  We made two cupcake flavours this time: vanilla and chocolate.  We only used silver foils with white paper inside to hold our cupcakes.  Since this was for a debut we wanted our cupcakes to have a more classy look.

We invested in a 6-tier cupcake stand for better presentation.  Our stand can hold up to 22 cupcakes.

 

On the topmost cupcake, I put the rose icing decor on the side and placed one silver candle.

My cousin had two blowing-of-cake portions during the party.  One was solely with her friends and so we used the Cupcake Tower for that.  The second blowing-of-cake portion was with her big tradional cake as she was surrounded by all the guests.

We made 3 batches of cupcakes which equaled to 36 pieces.  We were told by guests that they loved our cupcakes and we can't be happier. 

To our dear cousin Rachel, we hope you had a great time on your 18th birthday. We are so happy to be a part of it.  We love you!

International FIFA Fan Fest Sydney 2010

A few Fridays ago (11 June 2010), I had dinner with friends, Jackie and Chie (Jojo, Jack's husband eventually joined us).  We had a taste of the yummiest burgers at Grill'd.  It's the newest burger place in Darling Harbour and they serve the healthiest burgers ever (will blog about them soon).

It was the opening night of the International FIFA Fan Fest Sydney at Darling Harbour, so after dinner we had a bit of a walk around Darling Harbour and took some photos (our group photos courtesy of Jojo).

For this year's FIFA World Cup, Sydney has joined London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City as International FIFA Fan Fest cities.

Sydney's International FIFA Fan Fest is setted up at Darling Harbour, one of the globe's leading waterfront leisure and entertainment destinations with more than 100 restaurants, cafes and bars and over 20 nearby accommodation options from serviced apartments to five-star hotels.

They have this massive soccer ball that has TV screens, it's so cool.

This area gives soccer fans a chance to watch matches live on a 50-square metre floating screen, with a view of Darling Harbour and the city skyline as backdrop.   Soccer fans come to watch and  enjoy live music and soak up Australia's amazing cultural and culinary diversity at the biggest World Cup celebration in Australia.

There are booths for food, drinks and souvenirs.  The soccer celebration at Darling Harbour is on til 12 July 2010.

Things I Love: Songs From Movies

I've been getting some emails asking of things I love so to answer them, I'm introducing a new feature on my blog entitled "Things I love".  This will also give me a platform for sharing stuff from my discoveries and/or family & friends' recommendations.

I'll start with songs that I love from movies I've seen.  These are songs that I never get tired of hearing no matter how many times I listen to them.

"Falling Slowly" from the movie "Once".  The song and the movie are hauntingly beautiful.  If you haven't seen the film, I highly recommend that you watch it. 

Favorite parts of the song:

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

"Anyone Else But You" from the movie "Juno".  Originally sung by Moldy Peaches but on the last bit of the film, lead actors Ellen Page and Michael Cera sang the song.  My Husband and I love this very cute song.

Favorite parts of the song:

Your part time lover and a full time friend,
The monkey on the back is the latest trend,
Don't see what anyone can see,
In anyone else,
But you

I'm always tryin to keep it real,
Now I'm in love with how you feel,
I don't see what anyone can see,
In anyone else,
But you

"Labels or Love" from the movie "Sex and the City".  I love this song because it is very catchy, makes me wanna dance and just shouts "women power" all over.  Some may think that this is just a song on shopping and how it makes a woman happy but for me, this song is also about what women can do nowadays--that they can afford whatever it is they want to buy because they just can. Like my girlfriends and I say, "We don't need men to buy us what we want because we can do that ourselves."

Favorite part of the song:

Love’s like a runway but which one do I love more
No emotional baggage, just big bags filled with Dior
Love’s like a runway, so what’s all the fussing for
Let’s stop chasing them boys and shop some more 

"Slipping Through My Fingers" from the movie "Mamma Mia!".  Almost all the songs from the movie "Mamma Mia!" is a favorite of mine but this one always makes me tear up a bit.  Such a touching song that talks of a parent letting of his/her child.

Favorite parts of the song:

Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see what's in her mind
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
And save it from the funny tricks of time

"Power of Two" from the movie "Boys on the Side".  A song that talks of friendship and being there for people you love.  I have dedicated this song to a few friends and to my Husband whom I consider my favorite teammate and bestest friend in the world.  "Boys on the Side" is 1995 comedy-drama film with Whoopi Goldberg, Drew Barrymore and Mary-Louise Parker as lead actors.  If you love the song "Power of Two", I suggest you find a copy of "Boys on the Side" and be equallly touched.  The song and the movie will make you appreciate the friendships in your life more.

Favorite parts of the song:

So we're ok, we're fine
Baby I'm here to stop your crying
Chase all the ghosts from your head
I'm stronger than the monster beneath your bed
Smarter than the tricks played on your heart
Look at them together then we'll take them apart
Adding up the total of a love that's true
Multiply life by the power of two

I know the things that I am afraid of
I'm not afraid to tell
And if we ever leave a legacy
It's that we loved each other well

Now we're talking about a difficult thing
And your eyes are getting wet
I took us for better and I took us for worse
And don't you ever forget it

Now there's steel bars between me and a promise
Suddenly bend with ease
And the closer I'm bound in love to you
The closer I am and free

What about you?  What are your favorite songs from movies you've watched?

Happy Monday!

Come To Where The Good Food Is

Foodies and food enthusiasts are in for a delightful treat this July.  Two events in Sydney will be held for lovers of good food, wine, coffee, tea and spice.

Good Food and Wine Show
A celebration of Good Food, Good Wine and Good Times!

Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
Darling Drive, Darling Harbour
10am to 6pm, Friday 16 July
10am to 6pm, Saturday 17 July
10am to 5pm, Sunday 18 July

Experience a world of new taste sensations at the Good Food & Wine Show. Discover mouth-watering recipes, see live cooking demonstrations and sample some of Australia’s best produce.

Gary Mehigan & George Calombaris return to the Celebrity Theatre alongside chefs Tobie Puttock, Matt Moran and Pete Evans. This year there will also be a food & wine matching feature session by Tobie Puttock & Matt Skinner.

There will be so much to see, do, taste and value to discover at this year's Show. Sample some of the best boutique wines, beers, spirits and gourmet treats from hundreds of exhibitors. Tantalise your tastebuds with fabulous dishes from well renowned chefs and try your hand at dozens of interactive cooking and wine classes.

For tickets to the Good Food and Wine Show, you can purchase them via Ticketek.com

For more details, visit the Good Food and Wine Show website.

The Rocks invites you to experience the world in a day at Aroma 2010
The Rocks, Circular Quay, Sydney
10am to 5pm, Sunday 25 July

Pack your passport and explore divine taste sensations at The Oasis, The Continent, The Orient and The Latin Quarter.

Try cups of coffee for $2; warm up with tea, chai and hot chocolate; give in to temptation with chocolate dipped strawberries and cute cupcakes; and enjoy free entertainment at four unique destinations in The Rocks.

This year the Aroma team will attempt to break their Mona Lisa coffee sculpture world record with a brand new iconic image and the famous harbourside camel rides are back!

For more details, visit the website.  Entrance to the Aroma Festival is free.