Wednesday, October 31, 2012

X Factor Australia : Nathaniel given the boot

Is X Factor Australia now considered a joke? What are people thinking when they vote?? Who on earth are the looneys voting?? Why are people still watching?? and will people stop watching?

I think majority would.

After yesterday's shock, many are outraged. The week before, haters were hating Bella. This week, we're dumbfounded at the bottom twos.

It's incredulous!! and in a bad way.

Because that is what most of us are thinking after yesterday's shocking bottom two - Nathaniel Williamse and Samantha Jones, definitely the two stronger vocalist on the competition.

 

The crowd really, really loves Bella and Jason and Shiane, somehow.


Bella Ferraro has personality but her voice is really shaky when she sings. Either that or she doesn't have voice control yet. Initially, I was wondering, "why is she still in the top finalist?" "It's time for her to go." 

But week after week, despite being in the bottom twos before, she's managed to pull through. What I think redeemed her was her last two performances which were better than her earlier ones, that's for sure. However, in comparison to Nathaniel and Samantha? It's plain for all to see who has better vocals and stage performance. 

Or at least, I thought it was plain to see.

Jason started out in need of grooming and erm, to be less country bumpkin ish. But I reckon that's his charm. He does seem to have a really pleasant, jovial personality or at least, that's the impression I get from the media. 

I think MelB needs to give him better songs to sing though. What were they thinking with Taylor Swift's song last week??! MelB should give Jason a song to showcase his voice, his potential. And his styling needs some erm... better styling!

Shiane Hawke is a sweet 14 year old with a big voice. But at this point, for me, she's just that... a 14 year old with a unique voice. I don't deny she's got a really special voice and I reckon she could be the next Adele. However, I think her lack of  life experiences is her handicap. And it's obvious as she struggles to sing with emotions depicted and required in the lyrics.

Often than naught, she ends up delivering her songs in a lackluster performance looking like she's worried, nervous, tense and awkward, at times. Nat has got to give her some younger songs... some fun, loving songs that she can enjoy and sing well. If not, give her some simple but soulful song to sing. Despite that, she's still in week after week. 

So, why was Nathaniel and Samantha were at the bottom two? 

Well, some says Nathaniel's case was probably due to him admitting on Monday night on national TV that he's not single. And there goes his female fans. Out the door. Besides that, I can't see what other reason there possibly could be. 

As for Samantha, she's had her run. She's had singles produced but somehow, she's just not made it. She's got great vocals, stage presence and good fashion sense (minus the weird middle hair parting highlighting her high and huge forehead), so why hasn't she become famous? Or made it to the top? Hmmm.. I think it's cos she lacks personality. She's too... nice... and forgettable. 

But she chose well with Etta James' classic 'At Last' for her 'save yourself' performance. She sang the song beautifully and based on that performance, despite my liking and supporting Nathaniel, I felt she deserved to go on to to next week.

Although vocally not as strong, Bella stands out. And in my opinion, that's why she's still around.

Next week, will Sammie be at the bottom two again? I think she might be if she doesn't start showing us MORE of her and I don't mean more flesh.

At the end of the day, when it comes to voting for anything, sad to say, it ends up a personality contest more than a real contest on talent or merits.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Death by Oreo cupcakes

I felt like I did not make good use of my week.

After Nini's wedding on Saturday, I felt aimless. Before that, I was full on busy trying out ideas upon ideas for her wedding; wedding bouquet, chocolate chip cookies and wrapping, cake topper, beautifying the picture frames and what not. 

It was tiring and kept me busy but I enjoyed it. Sourcing for ideas and testing them out in practical to see if it really looks as pretty in reality as it did in my head. Lols.

Back to aimless wandering me.

Hence, yesterday, I decided to try my hand at cupcake baking. So far, I've never made (in my opinion) a successful tasting cupcake despite two attempts. Haha. Just two tries and I expect to be a pro. Silly isn't it.

And people say, third time's the charm... right?

Followed Death by Oreo Cupcake recipe from HERE. Feel free to try it out and tell your baking story!

 





 
 
 
  
 

Had to improvised from original recipe as I ran out of Oreos and my frosting wasn't turning out well
 
 
 
 
My newly bought AUD7 Christmas cupcake stand
Guess what? Third time WASN'T the charm in this case. Mr. C really liked the cupcake but I felt that my icing was too sweet despite using less icing sugar than stated in recipe. For that, icing wasn't firm but had a more runny texture.

Felt a bit disappointed that my cupcake wasn't as YUM as I had hope it to be. But I won't give up. I'll try baking again and again and again till I get the right tasting cupcake with topping that's tasty and scrumptious but not too sweet either.

Stay tuned for a *fingers and toes crossed* successful baking cupcake story!!
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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

This is me


 

 

3.10.12 : Agatha Christie's Mousetrap

Early on in October, four weeks to be exact, Mr. C and I had the privileged to be part of a play by Agatha Christie named  The Mousetrap held at Comedy Theatre on Exhibition Street. 

All in all, it was an interesting experience which both Mr. C and I enjoyed. Can't wait to see more plays in the future. 

And we will definitely pay a bit more for better (and closer to the stage) seats than the last minute cheap seats we had which were alright with the setback that we could hardly make out the facial expressions of the actors and actresses.


Took a photo of the theater only to be spotted and told, 'no pictures allowed'


Fun fact #1:
It is a classic 'whodunit' murder mystery play that first opened on London's West End in November 1952.

Fun fact #2:
It is the longest running show of any kind and is known for its twist ending.

Fun fact #3:
When I said we were 'part' of the play, it's because at the end of the play, we, the audience were asked to keep mum and not reveal the identity of the murderer. It's part of the play's tradition.

Fun fact #4:
Came home and googled 'The Mousetrap' and was surprised to see the twist revealed in Wikipedia. Apparently requests made to remove the revelation of the murderer have been ignored. 


 
Lols. I may look preggers but I can assure you, I am not! ;p
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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Nini & Zen's intimate wedding : Part 2

Continuation from Part 1.... more on the intimate wedding of Nini and her Prince Charming.

After a round of must haves group photo session at Fitzroy Gardens, Mr. C and I proceeded to Fenix  (the wedding luncheon venue) ahead of everyone else to put any needed final touches to the guest book table and ensure deco is set out right.

 

 
All in all, was really pleased with how it looked; all sweet and cutesie ish, a true representation of the bride which she came up with, most of the stuff and ideas whilst I assisted in the set up and where to put what.

We sectioned the 3 meter long table into 3 areas.

Middle is where we put the guest book with some pens and photo frames. On the right side was all the sweets and lollies on display with personalised couple's initial 'H & Z' goodie bags to be filled up

 






 









Pastel pens to fit the pastel wedding theme


 
On the left side, was individually wrapped and baked by me chocolate chip cookies sitting atop a cake stang and a picture of a bicycle for guests to leave their thumb prints on. Unfortunately, some guests didn't get the concept where their thumb prints represents the balloons attached to the bicycle. LOLs.

Hence, some thumb prints at the bottom of the picture!



A little bit about the venue, Fenix. It has a simple layout and often than naught, less can be more. The luncheon area had an area with glass windows and a view overlooking the Yarra River and lots of trees lending a picturesque feel.

Check out HC Mak's site for photos captured through his eyes and lens.

Back to Fenix, Fenix is not just another restaurant but is known as one of the two restaurants opened by Gary Mehigan.

Now, you must be wondering who he is for me to mention his name as if he is well known, as if recognition should be shown just by hearing his name.

Well, if you follow Master Chef, you'll know that Gary Mehigan is one of the Master Chef judges! And with that, expectations are raised. It is reputed to serve tasty morsels despite garnering a mere 66% 'like' from over 650 votes on Urbanspoon.

All in all, the food was alright. 

 
Handmade by the bride
Left is the to-die-for salted caramel ice cream

I don't think fine dining is Mr. C and my palate. It would seem that we have common people's taste buds. Lols. Having said that, I would say I enjoyed my dessert immensely. The salted caramel was beautiful; just the right amount of sweet mixed with salty taste. The chocolate cake (I think) is crisp on the top but below it, it melts in your mouth!

I would go back there for the dessert!!
 


 
 

All in all, what made this wedding special was the personalised guest book table, the cutesie bride and groom's speech follower by their impromptu 'Gangnam style' dance. What more to say, the adorable bird cake topper made by the father-in-law till the wee hours of the wedding morning was quite an attraction sitting atop a simple cake tiered by delectable cupcakes from Cupcake Central.
 

Simple white pic frame beautified by DIY pearl stickers and polka dot mint ribbon

The bride's favourite 'flower' pose

And 'Oppa Gangnam Style' pose
 


Scribbled guestbook with instant pictures of guests and heartfelt congratulations
XOXO

Calling all single ladies!!

"Get ready to catch ya..."

oopsie... hit the ceiling!

Attempt #2

Success and one happy camper!

The beauty of old school making a comeback instant films!!

T & D





Where there are kids, you'll find Mr. C 


Wrapped chocolate chip cookies

Simple yet sweet hairdo

Chalkboard name signs handmade by the bride!!
Fenix on Urbanspoon