Billy & Cynthia Post 9: Things to bring for photoshoot

So, we did our photoshoot on the 4th of March. We got to select our photographs on the 23rd. We were blessed to have our great friends TYE and SSS to select the photographs with us. Of course, the best part and the funniest part was our silly little wedding planner, Shayna. 

"This one not nice, don't want."

"This one not nice because you sit on the floor" and proceeds to fling the photograph across the table. 

She made the photo selection such a breeze!

We have only 35 photographs in the package that we signed up for but there were 200+ photographs that we took throughout the photoshoot. Most of them were generally pretty with some exception of unflattering angles/weird facial expressions. Some locations that I really liked were edited with horribly weird contrasts RUINING the images. I was pretty upset but then again, the photos for those images weren't too amazing so giving them up were not so much of a waste. What I cannot understand was their motive behind editing the photographs so heavily to get a specific effect like 'nostalgia'. Why not show me the raw images? Odd indeed. 

In any case, this blog post is to help those who are planning to or are going to do their pre-wedding photoshoot. Here's a list of stuff to bring and or prepare. (:

Ribbon Nutella Mango Swiss Roll

So after a long wait, I've finally picked up my Miss Junko Swiss Roll Book 2 to work on another Swiss Roll.  I term it the Ribbon Nutella Mango Swiss Roll. My previous attempt a real long time ago with the Pikachu design was kinda spongy for the design part. I wanted the entire cake to be as soft as possible. Of course, I wanted it to look really pretty. So I was bored enough from the warm weather (it's been insane of late here nowadays!) and since I had the evening free (rare moments), I decided to bake this very ribbon design that I've been eyeing. I choose Nutella and fresh mango cubes as they were just about the only stuff I have on hand right now. 

This is the Pikachu one I did probably a year or two ago. I should recreate it and make it real soft like what I did to the Ribbon Nutella Mango Swiss Roll. 

This Swiss Roll recipe is indeed really soft, softer than I had imagined. Of course, measures have to be taken to let it be that soft and to maintain its level of moisture. I've had experiences baking soft Swiss Rolls like those for the Yule Logs I did last Christmas, but truth be told, this recipe is even softer and it is a keeper for me. 

I termed this recipe as a difficulty level 4 as precision is required. Exact portions are required for each step to work so if you're afraid of a lil' precision and hard work for such a pretty swiss roll, I'd suggest you look else where. But trust me, the product is worth the hard work (: This recipe also requires your full attention as meringue is being used. Please do not work on the recipe halfway and attend to other matters, the meringue will deflate and turn watery with time. Then, the recipe will not be successful. 

Time with Cynthia: Folding of cake batter using bare hands

Ever had sponge cake batter that is clumpy after baking or still has pockets of flour in it after baking? Then this method of folding in cake batter using bare hands will help you achieve the right cake batter.

Our fingers enable us to feel for pockets of flour and oil left unfolded unlike using a spatula where it's easy to miss pockets of flour and traces of oil. 

Try this method now, of course, with cleanly scrubbed hands! (: 

Time with Cynthia: Removal of Chiffon Cake by hand

Here's a video for the removal of Chiffon Cake by hand. 

Refer to recipe for Fluffy Pandan Chiffon Cake here.

Recipe for Rainbow Chiffon Cake here.

Recipe for Black Tea Forest Fruit Chiffon Cakes here.

Time with Cynthia: Hand Folding for Chiffon Batter

Here's a video for the folding of batter for chiffon cakes. 

Refer to recipe for Fluffy Pandan Chiffon Cake here.

Recipe for Rainbow Chiffon Cake here.

Recipe for Black Tea Forest Fruit Chiffon Cakes here.

Billy & Cynthia POST 8: Pre-wedding Photoshoot

So, we did our pre-wedding photoshoot on the 4th of March. It was raining the week before and was predicted to rain the week following the photoshoot. We were indeed blessed with the awesome non-humid weather. We started off really early in the morning at 9am. We were really blessed to have my MOH, Esther come along for the photoshoot to give us a helping hand! 

Click on to read more as.......

Food Review: The Rice Table at International Building

Boasting an array of 14 buffet items on the lunch menu as well 19 items on the dinner menu, The Rice Table located in International Building (Between Thai Embassy & Isetan Scotts) is my favourite place for a good Indonesian Buffet. Being an ala-carte buffet, it's conducive for gatherings and get-togethers as opposed to buffet line buffets. This is one of the places I love to gather with good friends and even my mum whenever I have a craving for their Indonesian food, which is quite often! Some time ago, I gathered there with Sandra and Esther for a lazy afternoon lunch! Just thinking of the food as I blog this entry makes me salivate!

Here are the details of the opening hours and address. I'd recommend making reservations even if it's for lunch as the place can get quite packed with people at times! 

The lunch buffet consists of 14 dishes at a price of $17.90 nett excluding drinks. 

The dinner buffet consists of 19 dishes at a price of $17.90 nett excluding drinks. 

Here's the drinks menu. The juices used to be a flat rate of $3.50 and drinks were refillable. However, that's been removed some time ago. Nevertheless, the sour plum drink is really good. They do serve Chendols too. 

Click on the link for more images of the good food! 

Marbled Eggs

So, as Easter is approaching, eggs are somewhat loved by many even though it doesn't have much true meaning in relation to the purpose/significance of Easter. Here's a really simple recipe for Marbled Eggs for any parties that you may have or even a simple treat for kids! I've used gel food colouring in these eggs as they're the easier way out but you may definitely seek alternative natural food colouring options like Pandan Leaves for green, Blue Pea Flowers for blue, Beetroot for red so on and so forth.