Live for Love: October 2011

My easy to make Spooky Cupcakes

We had a simple Halloween Party for Mig, the only kid in the house who just wanted to experience the fun. Years ago, when I was still a staff writer of Sense & Style I remembered our shoot for Halloween treats at Maya Kitchen in Makati. I saw how the chef transformed an ordinary chocolate cupcake into something creepy putting some gummy worms and powdered Oreo cookies that can look like soil. So here I am trying to be a copycat and make my own version of a spooky cupcake.

For the Chocolate cupcake I bought a box of Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate cake mix. Just mix the powder with water, oil, and eggs using a beater for 3 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth. No worries the complete instructions are at the back of the box follow it and the cake will be perfectly fine. No experience necessary. :)

Then put the mixture in cupcake wrappers in a cupcake pan.

Baking time depends on the pan that you are going to use. In a small oven like mine that can only hold 1 pan with 6 cups, it took me 20 minutes at 200C per batch to bake. Set aside and let it cool.

While waiting for the cupcake to cool down make some icing. Here is an easy Coffee icing recipe that I got from the net.

Ingredients:

2 cups confectioner's sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

3 tablespoons strong brewed coffee

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Beat together confectioner's sugar, butter or margarine, coffee, and vanilla until smooth. Add more liquid or confectioner's sugar as needed.

And let the FUN part begins...where imagination and creativity meets.

I sprinkled grounded Oreo cookies to look like soil

Add gummy worms on top

Easy to make cupcakes that can make the kids asking for more. To be honest while doing this DIY project I discovered the little kid that still inside me.

I was born and raised in the Philippines, migrated in the Bay Area of California in 2008, and now moved here in Singapore to be with my husband. Three countries with different cultures but each has a distinct quality that made me fell in love with even in a short period of time.

As a Filipino, seeing the beauty and progress of Singapore, I guess I can’t help it to wish that my dear Philippines will somehow be like this country. Clean, low crime rate, orderly, and progressive. Anyway, in this entry I just want to share some places that I love to visit here in Singapore and where I bring my friends and families whenever they come here. Places you can’t simply miss!

ORCHARD ROAD

A woman’s paradise! A place where you can find all the fab brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Tod’s, Gucci and a whole lot more in one single stretch. And why I bring my guests here first? Well, it makes them ask for more and honestly just seeing all these fancy shops simply blew their hearts away.

Classy retail destination located at Mandarin Gallery

PRADA at Ion Orchard

With its distinctive Chinese architecture,
TANGS has been around for almost 80 years.

Enjoy the festive lights at Orchard Road during the Holiday Season

Still shining with opulence even at night time, Louis Vuitton at Takashimaya

Wisma Atria, established itself as the Fashionista's Mall.

With my friends, Bobby and Louis
who found this place a shopping paradise.

MARINA BAY

One can see the grandeur of this small country by just visiting this spot. Picture perfect in any angle. You can walk or have a ride in a vintage looking ferry boat to feel the relaxing river breeze while enjoying the state of the art architecture of Marina Bay Sands, Esplanade, Singapore Flyer, and the famous Merlion Park.

150 meters in diameter and 165 meters in height, Singapore Flyer
gives any guest a different experience.

Another astounding architecture, Marina Bay Sands

You can't be in Singapore without having a picture with, The Merlion

Tita Arlet from NY enjoys the view of the Esplanade - Theaters on the Bay

River Cruise captures the beauty and glamour of the Bay
especially at night.

First ever Island Maison,
Louis Vuitton opened last September 18, 2011

ORCHARD CENTRAL

Roof Garden is located at the topmost L11 and L12 floors of Orchard Central here you can simply find a luscious garden with waterfalls and bamboo groves. A perfect view to enjoy the heart of the city. Why I love to bring my guests here? I love their faces terrified with the height because to get to the top you need to use the escalator outside the building (literally outside the building no worries it’s very safe).

Covered with changing colorful lights,
Orchard Central captivates every visitor

My cousin Jena, she's smiling but she is scared of heights.

Relaxing waterfalls

My friend Bing enjoys the beauty of garden.

Carmela, my recent guest appreciate the way up enjoyed the thrill.

She loves the Roof Garden and the city view that goes with it.

ARAB STREET

Arab Street, true to its name gives you a glimpse of another rich culture, the Muslim tradition. Here you will be greeted by a prominent landmark, the Masjid Sultan. A mosque that has a long history which dates back to 1824 and has a prayer room that can accommodate up to 5,000 people in mass prayer.

Masjid Sultan Mosque

New Yorkers posing at Kampong Glam

Tita Marisol loves the designs

Colorful Pashmina for only $8

See Alladin is just here in Arab Street

How can you say you are on diet? So inviting.

BUGIS

For me, Bugis Village is Singapore’s version of Manila’s Divisoria. A shopping haven for those who have taste for fashion but in tight budget. Located across Bugis MRT and Bugis Junction Shopping Centre, Bugis Village is like a flee market in US or Tiangge in the Philippines. Here you can find varieties of products ranges clothing, shoes, souveneirs, sex toys, bags, accessories and cheap watches.

Ready to shop at Bugis Village

Crowded even during weekdays

Colorful apartments behind Bugis Village

LITTLE INDIA

A place wherein you can have a taste of life on the streets of New Delhi and Mumbai. The air is filled with flavours of spices. The colorful garlands adds to the culture. Here is where Bollywood comes to life.

Celebrating Deepavali, Festival of Lights

Serangoon Road, Little India

Colored shophouses

Colorful garlands

Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu

Naan and Indian Chicken Curry

CHINATOWN

Everywhere I go, there will always be a place called Chinatown. Singapore’s Chinatown maybe smaller than what we have in San Francisco and Manila but hey strolling in these streets will just blew you back to the rich traditions and centuries-old practices that still flourish here. Cheap merchandise and great food attracts hundreds of tourists everyday.

CLAKE QUAY

Clarke Quay is the place for a great night out in the heart of the city. Situated along the Singapore River where a labyrinth of restaurants, bars and stores can be found. A mixture of modern and tradition but spells out FUN!

SENTOSA

They say, Asia’s favourite playground. Sentosa means, “peace and tranquility” in Malay. A leisure island packed with numerous exciting, fun-filled attractions, resorts, facilities, and amenities. Here you can also find 5-star hotels, world class celebrity chef restaurants, luxe designer boutiques and the theme park known to all ages, Universal Studios Singapore.