Wedding Journey: Local Pre-Wedding Photoshoot

Package? Or Ala Carte?

That was the question that we had when planning our local pre-wedding photoshoot. And we know that we weren't the only ones who had this question.

In the end, we went ALA CARTE. The main reason: Many packages come with pre-wedding photoshoot together with the actual day, but we haven't actually gotten a date when we will get married, and a lot of things weren't even discussed yet. (Note: He hasn't actually proposed when we did out local pre-wedding photoshoot).

So, if you are wondering how much did it cost in the end and how it compared to local pre-wedding photoshoot packages only, here's a breakdown of how much it costs us (comparing items that come in standard packages):

• Photographer - $550 by a Freelance Photographer
• 3 hours photoshoot (we choose 3 venues within the 3 hours)
• 36 edited photos and the rest softcopy return, colour corrected.
• Makeup Artist - $300 by Anastasia from Autelier Makeup
• Note: Only 1 look (hair and makeup), no follow through
• Hand Bouquet (Artificial) - $24.22 from TaoBao
• Artificial Flower for Hair Accessory - $5.51 from TaoBao
• Wedding Gown - $114.85 from TaoBao, bought during 11/11 sales
• Evening Gown - $76.21 from TaoBao, bought during 11/11 sales
• Men's Suit and Shirt - already owned previously tailored, but costed $300
• Extra shirt to match evening look - already owned from G2000, but costed around $49

The total we paid was $1070.79 for items in standard wedding package. Adding the Men's attire which we already had, it will come up to $1419.79.

Some advantages of going Ala Carte:

• Not restricted by gown rental to do anything with your gown
• It was raining that day of photoshoot and the photographer was worried about getting my gown wet on the wet floor because he heard of stories about paying extra to gown rental companies for "damaging" the gown, but when he heard I bought it and it was from TaoBao, we just went all out.
• You have more gown choices
• Some packages restrict your choice of gowns by allowing you to only choose from them or their partners, and you can't bring another gown from anywhere else into the shoot
• You can customize your package

Of course, there are slight differences like we used artificial flowers instead of fresh ones.

A quick comparison with some of the packages out there:

onethreeonefour:

Source: https://www.onethreeonefour.com/s?city=Singapore
The basic package is $1,499, but it's only 1 location and 1 set of attire

BVWedding:

Source: https://www.bvwedding.sg/pre-wedding-photography-package
The simple package as shown in the capture above is also $1,499, but has only 18 edited photos (and 2 locations)

Yikeshu:

Source: http://shop.yikeshu.com.sg/product/outdoor-pre-wedding-photography-trial/
Note: The T&C list is longer that what my screen can show and capture.
The listed 4 hours outdoor photography price is $288! When I thought I found a cheap one, and then I realized that there were a lot of things not included. For example:

• Additional BASIC gown - $150
• Additional suit - $75
• And you can only choose from one of the 2 bundle below:

The total price for 4 hours, 2 gowns, 1 suit, 1 makeup style, 10 edited photos, all other softcopy return totals $788.00. Still cheaper than my ala carte package, but with lesser edited photos.

At the end of the day, it really depends on what you are looking for and what you want. A package is good because then you do not have to source for everything by yourself. However it takes away some flexibility of what you can do.

Hope this post helps those who are wondering to do a package pre-wedding shoot, or a local pre-wedding shoot. :)

Laneige Pore Control BB Cushion Review

Laneige came out with a new and improved BB Cushion, and I am in love with it. I'm using shade #21

Let's jump into the review first before I blog about the other stuff of this new cushion I'm loving.

The good:

• It does cover my pore pretty well
• It has matifying properties. Which is good in sunny Singapore and for those with oily skin
• This has a light scent (the old one doesn't), and it's kind of nice
• It's light-weight; you hardly feel that you have anything on
• It is water resistant
• It comes in warm and cool tones, and a huge variety of colours
• It comes with a refill! 
• SPF50++!

The bad:

• I just wished that it was more longer lasting

Side note: It does say it is moisturizing, however I use a additional moisturizer with it so I can't tell...

Overall rating: 9.5/10

For SGD$59, you get a casing with the product already, and an additional refill.

So anyway, I bought both an old version which I found and the new one, and I tried the new one first.

Photo: On left, the new one, and on the right, the old version

I kind of like the new packing, it looks better than the old one.

I picked up a brochure from the Laneige counter on this new BB Cushion, and there is a page on what is new:

Photo: One of the pages in the brochure of the new Laneige BB Cushion

 There is also one page on the properties of this new Laneige Pore Control BB Cushion

Photo: Page from the brochure about the new Pore Control BB Cushion

 Each box comes with a refill pack.I think its kind of useful because one cushion is kind of small, and it runs out faster than a normal BB cream tube.

Photo: What is in the box

Photo: The actual cushion

When opening the first casing, there is a sticker on top of the cushion to protect it. After peeling it away, I was amazed at the sponge inside. Maybe because my first cushion (the L'oeral Paris Cushion) had a sponge that was quite flimsy. I would say the quality of the sponge is quite good.



Fr the next time... I managed to get a Hera UV Mist Cushion and will be trying that to compare with the Laneige one. Some reviews say Hera is better while others prefer Laneige. Maybe it depends on the country and weather, but nevertheless I will try it and see how. :) Till next time.

L'oreal Paris Lucent Magique BB Cushion Review

So I got into this trend a bit late. I finally got my first BB Cushion after watching the clicknetwork show where Shu An and Qiu Qiu unboxed their gifts from L'oreal Paris (link here). So my first BB Cushion was of course from L'oreal Paris.

I got it for $32 at Watsons, and it was only 14g. It had a refill pack but the casing didn't contain the product, so I am guessing $32 is for one set. The funny thing is that they dun sell the refill.

I got mine in N2 Ivory Miracle. There was only to shades available, N2 and N3 which is a darker shade.

So let's jump into it:

Photo: The info written at the back

Photo: What the cushion looks like. Pardon the dirtied sponge; used it for 2 months on and off before taking this photo

Photo: Pretty casing, and it's so shiny it's like a mirror

After trying it for 2 months (here and there), here is what I feel

The good:

• Pretty rose-gold casing
• It's buildable
• The sponge is anti-bacterial  

The bad:

• SPF29++ only. Most of those bb/cc cushions reviews I see of the other brands are SPF50++.
• Non-water proof. It actually comes off very easily with water. I wore this to my granddad's funeral where I cried, and when I wiped my face with tissue, it came off, leaving streaks on my face...
• The sponge is kind of flimsy. Like those you can buy off the shops and make your own BB cushion
• This point might be just for me, but it's kind of sticky as a top layer. I only put a moisturizer then this BB cushion
• It made my face look oily after one day out with this product (no touch ups)
• It has very little product. I use it on average of 2-3 times a week, but it seems like it's running out already

Verdict: 4/10

Up next:

I just purchased Laneige's BB Cushion (Pore Control) and am excited to try it out. The reviews online are great and it took me a month before I finally got my hands onto one. Sephora Singapore's online shop was sold out, and it was also sold out in NEX's Sephora store and the Laneige counter at Isetan NEX. I finally managed to purchase the new improved one at the Isetan Laneige counter at NEX, and after which I found the old one at JEM's Sephora store, so I purchased that too. Will be reviewing this in the next blog post. :)

Travel to Japan - Onsen Etiquette

If you are intending to go for onsen in Japan while there on vacation, here are some tips for using the onsen.

Onsen (温泉) is a term for hot springs. This term is also often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. Onsen were traditionally used as public bathing places.

Do note that if you are a women and you happen to be menstruating, you should not use the Onsen even with a tampon or a menstrual cup.



1. Choosing which Onsen to visit

Do not that while onsen is very popular especially in winter time, be sure to check out web reviews of the onsens that you are intending to visit. Things to look out for include:

a. Private and Public bath areas

Public baths are opened to everyone (typically seperated into male and female) to use. Some ryokans have mixed bathing (meaning both male and female soak in the same onsen). Do note that if you have a tattoo, you will not be able to enter public baths. This is because in Japan, if you have a tattoo, you are considered to have connections with gangsters or yakusa (which is transnational organized crime syndicates), which is not cool in Japan.

Some ryokans have private baths which you would have to book when you reserve a room at the ryokan. These are very popular and ideal for those who are shy about your own body parts as you are able to enjoy a bath without having to worry about the others.  Do note that you are supposed to go into the Onsen naked. No swimsuits is allowed. At mixed baths, some ryokans allow special towels to be wrapped around yourselves that is to be rented from the ryokan. Do check this out before you enter the Onsen.

b. Indoor and Outdoor Onsen

This is more of a preference. In an outdoor Onsen, it is more likely that there will be a scenic view. IF you would like to have a scenic view while soaking in the Onsen, do check out the ryokan's website and reviews to get a gist of what views you will be able to see.

c. Type of Onsen

Some Onsen are more acidic, while others are more alkaline. Different baths have different mineral in them and have different properties.

It is good to make sure you are not visiting an Onsen which does not suit your skin type. (I visited an acidic onsen and my skin is prone to break on in rashes. The next day I had winter rash all over and now even after my trip ended, I am still having the rash.)

d. Reviews of Onsen

It is also good to take note if there are bad reviews about the onsen especially if you have sensitive skin. You won't want to visit an Onsen which has a dirty bath.



2. Getting dress for the Onsen

At most ryokan, they will provide a yukata (a thin robe). Japanese often change into them before entering the bath area. A small percentage of people don’t wear underwear under the robe if heading from their room to the bath.

Note, if you are going to a common dining area after your bath in a yukata, you should have at least underwear on under your yukata. If you aren’t used to wearing a yukata, it is also ok to wear a t-shirt and shorts underneath. After all it is not nice if the robe gapes open.

How to wear a Yukata: Generally a yukata is wore right over left (the opposite is meant for the dead). The belt if tied into the ribbon should be place at the back. The ribbon in front is used to indicate a prostitute.

Photo above: How to wear a Yukata. Photo Credits here

Ryokans also usually provide slippers for their guests to use, and these slippers are not disposable, so please do not take them away.



3. Going to the Onsen from your room

Make sure you enter the correct changing rooms. In most ryokans they are separated into male and female areas so be sure not to enter the wrong one. Male changing rooms have blue curtains and may use the kanji for man - 男 (otoko). Female changing rooms usually have red curtains and are often inscribed with the kanji for woman - 女 (onna) (but this varies). If you are a Chinese, you will realise that the kanji words are the same to the Chinese words for man and woman.

Photo above: Shoe storage at entrance. Picture Credit here

If you have booked a private one, then no worries about the gender. Just be sure that you do not exceed the timing which you booked it (some ryokans allow booking only by the hour, and the next hour may have been booked by someone else).



4. Getting ready to enter the Onsen

When entering the changing room, one will be required to remove your slippers at the entrance.

Photo above: Shoe storage at entrance. Picture Credit here

Be sure to shower before entering the Onsen. This is to take away all the oil from the body so that it will not contaminate the Onsen's water. Remove your clothing and place it in the basket that the provide. Some ryokans have lockers for your valuables.

Photo above: Baskets to place your clothes in. Picture Credit here

Most Onsen have stools for you to sit while bathing. Do note that bathing while standing is not acceptable, so that you do not splash water everywhere around you. Some traditional style onsen only provide stools and buckets (no shower). In this case you use the bucket to wash.

Photo above: Typical bathing area. Picture Credit here

You are supposed to go into the Onsen naked. No swimsuits is allowed. At mixed baths, some ryokans allow special towels to be wrapped around yourselves that is to be rented from the ryokan. Do check this out before you enter the Onsen.

For females with long hair, ensure that your hair is tied up before entering the Onsen.

Ryokans will provide a small towel. This small towel is for bathing and is the only thing that you can bring to the bath area. The small towel is for you to cover your private parts while you make your way to the Onsen.



5. Using the Onsen

If you bring the small towel to the bath area, do not soak it into the water, instead wring it outside of the water pool and put it either on the rim of the pool or on your head. Soaking these towels into the baths is considered unclean.

Do not eat or drink in the Onsen. It will pollute the water and it is not nice for the others who are bathing in it.

Do also not that photography is not allowed in the Onsen (for the privacy of other users).



6. Getting out of the Onsen

Before leaving the bath area, use the towel to dry yourself before entering the changing rooms. You do not want to enter the changing room wet, leaving traces of water everywhere.

Enjoy!

A summary of my time as an undergraduate in NUS

I haven't been blogging in a long while, since I got busy with my FYP, then job search, then preparing to start my first job, and then settling in. Am currently going to my second month in my first job, and since had commencement, so I decided not to drag this post any further since I always wanted to write one.

I was struggling for my grades in my year 1 and 2, and there wasn't much for me to remember (or much I remember) of my first two years in NUS. Except for the fact that I fell in love with Chinese Dance and made a bunch of awesome friends in MSE.

Photo: Some of us in MSE Class of 2014 with Prof John Wang (extreme left), Prof Wang Qing (centre), and our TA Dr Zhang who graduated with a PhD with us, and who's currently my colleague on the same company but different functions and business unit (extreme right).

MSE journey

As weird as it sounds, my MSE journey didn't really begin until I attended a camp, and it wasn't a camp where I was the freshman, but a camp that I helped organized in my freshman year for the next batch of freshmen. That was like, the end of my year 1.

Photo: MSE Camp 2011, Freshmen, OGLs, Councillors and Organizing Comm

I subsequently went for the other two camps in my time in NUS (in 2012 and 2013), and had to skip the one this year cause I was starting work the very day the camp ends. And apparently, I'm the most "well-known" senior since in 2012 there were only 2 others in my batch that went for their camp (as OGL or councillor), and in 2013 I was the only one in my batch that attended their camp.

Photos: My awesome juniors at my 21st (in 2012) and one of their 21st (this year, 2014). The guys are mostly my age and the girls are 2 years younger. This is the batch of juniors that I'm the closest to.

Photo: First and last poster presentation as undergrad with my immediate juniors

I don't remember too much of the classes and all, but I do, and I guess we all do, remember our prof's quirky-ness. From the "Ladies and gentlemen, the beauty of this elegance is that..." to "aye, believe it or not!" to "umm..., ok. *pause* good.*" to "actual-ne" to "gourld" and all the other random stuff.

NUS Chinese Dance journey

I would say the most memorable journey was that I took with NUS Chinese Dance. I started my NUS Chinese Dance (NUSCD) journey between year 1 and 2. Although I auditioned for it in year 1 and passed the audition and indicated I wanted to join them, I never was really part of them until I became a ASM for one of their production, Cold Night. Then I performed twice in productions for NUSCD among other external engagements and Tao Li Cup competition, before moving to the backstage part. I seem to always be stuck at ASM (since I really had no confidence to actually do SM).

Photo: Dancers and guests from Beijing Dance Academy for Rhythm of Life VI: Efflorescence 《舞韵风情六之北花新放》2011

Photo: Dancers, Laoshis, Choreographers and SM for EMCC 2012: 7 Deadly Sins

That two photos above was the only two productions I danced with NUSCD, and both were in my year 2 in NUS. I did dance with NUSCD on other occasions after, but mostly did backstage, and in my year 3 I became the vice-president of NUSCD too.

Photos: 10th Tao Li Cup, Anhui, China, 2012

Photo: Dancers and Crew for NUS Arts Festival 2013: Mirror.Moon 《镜水月》

I think my EXCO and never fully express in words how proud we are that Mirror.Moon won many awards. We had two guest choreographers from China, who were laoshis' friends, and we had a bit of a headache trying to keep the cost down. But it was all worth it in the end. The production received many good reviews, Two of the 8 dances are still being used today (and they brought it to Macau recently last week for the International Youth Dance Festival 2014, which I sadly couldn't go with them). We won the event of the year at the Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards 2013, and also the Bronze award under the Projects: Arts and Culture category at the Students Achievement Award 2014.

Photo: Some of the EXCO and crew at Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards 2013

Photo: EXCO of NUSCD for AY12/13 with our 2 laoshis and our group manager, Iris

After that the last production I did before graduation with NUSCD was Rhythm of Life VII: Timeless Love 《忆生所爱》2014, where I didn't dance, but was the ASM. There's a group photo for the production, but I ran away and didn't manage to get many photos for that production with the dancers.

For those who know, I sustained a hemstring injury that never healed since Tao Li Cup 2012. I have plans to slowly pick up dancing again and hopefully, if my work allows, go back to dance with NUSCD.

Residental College 4, a.k.a. Khaya, a.k.a. Yale-NUS College

I took a huge leap when I decided to move into hostel (thanks to NUSCD acutally). I probably never cleaned my room properly in my entire life, never really did laundry and etc. So when I wanted to move in (I insisted on moving into hostel), I shocked my family. But it turned out to be a good decision for me. The independence made me learn how to do these chores, and it actually made me relax a little (and increased my grades).

Photo: My room for the 2 sems in AY12/13. I didn't take the photo for my room in my only sem I stayed for AY13/14, but it was 16-01C, and I was wondering which person played the cruel joke on me to give me the room just beside my old one, and my muscle memory was such that I almost walked into the wrong room.

Photos: the awesome view from my room window of the sunrise. Top photo was May 2013 if I dun remember wrongly, and bottom photo was around Oct 2013.

Photo: New Town Sec Sch which is opposite Khaya

Photo: The apartment door in preparation for LNY 2013. Decorations bought by one of my apartment-mates, Heather.

Staying in hostel was probably the best move that I made in NUS. I highly highly recommend that each and everyone of you try.

Other random modules

The one that I really really enjoyed was ES2007S and GEM2027. Both has something to do with communication, but I really enjoyed them although they were no exam, but heavily based on assignments/projects.

Photos: ES2007S class with Prof Brad Blackstone in the middle

GEM2027 was particularly memorable for me, not cause of the module itself but also cause I met a friend in that class, and who happens to be in another tutorial class of mine. The chances of that are like, so damn low. Apparently of the 6 of my clique that balloted for the second tut class only 2 of us got it, and he was there too. It's just so... weird and coincidental.

Closing notes

Photo: Me collecting my Bachelor's degree

So right now, I've graduated with an Bachelor's degree in Engineering. There's a whole bunch of people I want to thank for being with me through this journey. But for now, it's to the next phase in life.

Thanks Brian, Jeremy, Teo Hong, Changsoon, Andy and Nuomin for being there for the last 3 semesters of my undergrad life. It was really really fun talking nonsense with you guys, and the guys for being such asses. Not to forget discussing about schoolwork at random timings and also before the exams, trying to help each other. Thanks to the former 3 for those car rides back home during the last semester especially. Thanks so much.

Thanks Hui Quan and Yan Jie for the crazy moments in school and out of school, and just being there for me. Thanks gor esp for all the times you have to listen to me rant and also the times were we had video calls while I was in hostel that made me laugh so so so hard. I do still really think that my apartment-mates thought I was crazy.

Thanks Jovian for the nonsense you poured on my during my Year 4 Sem 1. No matter what you thought, it really really helped me go through that period of 25MCs. And thanks for being there to hear me rant at times. (and reminding me to smile :))

Thanks Xinhang, Stephanie and Steffi for being there in my first half of my NUS life before I moved into hostel and became busy with all the other random stuffs.

Thanks also Rebecca, Chin Liang, Delvin, Aditya, Bo Xiang, Justin, Yong Jian, Jonathan, Gladine for being such great friends especially in my year 2.

Thanks to the people in NUS Chinese Dance (esp Wenqian, Lim Min, Jiemin, Xiu Xuan, Jieyi) for making my time in NUSCD fun and enjoyable and helping me to improve my techniques. Hope I can get over my injury and come back to you guys.

Thanks to my juniors (esp Huangyu) for all the times that you guys jioed me out and all the laughter. Mainly in my Yr3Sem1. Thanks to the three guys who had to bear with my poking during BSP1005 too (Jeremy, Gerard, and Zhi Xiong)

Thanks to my apartment-mates in Khaya for bearing with my laughter. Thanks Heather especially for being a delightful friend as well.

Looking back at past 4 years as undergraduate

Haven't been active for a long long while... Have been too busy with school work and looking for a job.

So many things have happened since the last blog post. I'm now on the last week of school (or lessons), with a presentation for my Final Year Project in about 2-3 days time. And after that, one more final paper, and I'm officially done being an undergraduate.

I have enjoyed my undergrad years a lot, enjoying the later half more. I still miss staying in school now if you ask me, what with the convenience and the freedom. Anyway that aside. I intend to make this a very brief post because I suddenly felt the urge to blog again, but it's quite late already.

There's this clique that I currently hang out with that is made of mainly guys, and yes they keep me laughing all the time. Yes, mainly guys, I mean, I'm in engineering... Ok anyway, would like to thank all of them for being so gentlemanly (most of the times of course). :)

Somehow I came into the backstage of things (stage managering to be exact) after joining Chinese dance and pulling my left hamstring (after aggravating my knees further). And over the period of my hiatus, I've ASM-ed for Chinese Dance and Synergy's NAF show. And I did learn a hard lesson from the latter show cause my cash got stolen. But nevertheless, I enjoy being backstage though I miss the stage so much I think if time permits I'll come back to dance at least once.

So in short, I will end here for now. :)

Nails

This is not a sponsored post, but Ira, the owner of Nail Talk by Ira Chan (also known as For Your Nails Only) needed a nail model to complete her assignment so the nail art was done free. I only paid for the normal service.

Here's the link to her blog, facebook and instagram

Here's the design on her blog, fb page and instagram:

So here's the design, taken from my phone a few days after I did my nails:

I super love the french tip done in black and white, and the ribbons! :) so pretty, and I can never draw that by myself.

Anyway just a shout out, if you like the design or want to see more of her designs (and I swear they are super nice), do drop by her blog, facebook or instagram. :)