Summer is here!

 Sunny rays, bright clothes, comfy wedges and cool face masks to start off the week.

Tried a blueberry basil lemonade- refreshing! 

I've never had frozen yogurt up until now. 

I take fish oil every single day.

A new ramen flavor to add for late night laziness.

The best part of my day is eating, a lot.

- I realized the other day that no matter how long I stay in the sun my skin doesn't get much darker than where it's already at. 

- My favorite go-to hairstyle: the messy bun. This look can pass especially when you're in Korea.

- I catch myself doing the "lazy" walk every so often, especially when wearing flip flops. 

- My wavy/curly hair is grow rapidly. I'm actually starting to like it now that I can do more with it.

- Fell in love with Shiseido's makeup  lifting foundation. Gives my face a nice dewy look for those warm summer nights.

- Noticed that restaurants here in Korea aren't serving as much white rice. You have to request it if it's not offered. Koreans are really getting on the "less carb and more meat" boat.

- The garlic cloves taste so good here......

- Seeing cute little Spark cars everywhere makes me want one. Thank goodness for cheap public transportation, though. No car payment necessary. :)

- "Could I quite my job and just travel for a couple years?"- my next ideal goal.

Makkoli and seafood pancakes

There was this small food shack by the shore we stopped at that served fresh seafood and seafood pancakes. It was pretty delicious! This was my first time ever trying/drinking makkoli (rice wine) and I really liked it.  Talk about fresh seafood, our lunch was caught just hours before and served straight from the waters onto our plate. It was definitely an experience. 

the sweet smell of street food in the air

The street food stands always taste the best served late at night. 

My favorite: Mandu and battered squid.

A stroll in the park

For some reason I favor foggy days over the rest.

 All that walking around built up quite an appetite.

Mackerel- my how you taste so fine

This is how the table looked for lunch. We were surrounded with panchans, soup and fresh caught fish.  (Notice Anthony's arm covers?)

If I could eat fish every single day I would, but it can be a little tricky finding the right place that serves the certain fish that I like and that is actually good. We lucked out and found another spot to add to the list of must-have. Being that mackerel is one of my favorites I went straight for it and dug in. Sometimes sharing  food can have it's disadvantages too....more to go around but less for me. My eyes are sometimes bigger than my stomach, but not in this case.

Korea so far- My week in a snap

 These pants I tried on at the Loft were so comfortable. I pictured myself all snuggled on the airplane ride to Korea in comfort and "style," until my friend exclaimed that they looked a lot like over priced ajima pants. It's safe to say that I saved her and everybody else what ever embarrassment I might have caused by wearing these out and about. The mannequin pulled them off pretty well, so I thought I could too. What do you think?

Polham. Hadn't heard of this brand until I came here. That could also be because it's a Korean brand based out of Korea, but trying  (in my opinion) to market as a western brand. I mean, have you seen the models they use on their advertisement and website? Resembles and reminds me a lot like Abercrombie & Fitch mixed with some Ralph Lauren. Anywho, Anthony and I were given these two Polham (couple) tees as a gift from our good friend, Geonwoo. Yay! Finally, our first official couple tee set. And just as I was starting to think we weren't blending in enough. 

I like to paperer myself every now and then. These are perfect for those hot and humid days that gets my face all puffy and red.. I buy every kind there are, not that I think they have any affect on me. They just feel cool and relaxing.

 Younmi was so sweet and gave me this cute little pig wrist support. She must know how attached I am to the computer.

Had some lip smacking jajamyun for lunch. 

A roll of kimbap on the go. I can't express enough just how much I love the fact that Korea has food around every street corner.

View from the hotel room.

Ramen for dinner

Sometimes something so simple can be so good.

Ediya Coffee- Patbingsu

I'm not a big coffee drinker, therefore, I don't really care for coffee shops. Maybe it's because all I know there seems to be here in the states is Starbucks, but I haven't really come across a coffee that screams "absolutely delicious!" Although, when I am in the rare mood for coffee, my Maxim sticks usually do the trick.


In Korea, however, there's so many different coffee shops it's hard to choose were to start. Even though I have yet to try Tom N Toms (as many of my friends recommend,) I came across Ediya Coffee. Still, didn't walk in for the coffee, BUT I heard they had some yummy patbingsu. Yes! If you must know, this is my favorite korean dessert and I swear, I wake up in the middle of the night craving it like a mad pregnant woman.


Who wants a banana split when you can have this. Talk about the works, this dessert has everything! There's many variations of it, but the base foundation consist of ice shavings, ice cream, sweet red beans, fruit, rice cake, and sweetened condensed milk. The best, when I come across one that's served with corn flakes. Heaven in mouth.

And just as I thought this cafe couldn't get any cuter, their toilet seat proved me wrong.

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Trader Joe's new Kimchi Fried Rice

If you don't already know, Trader Joe's is one of my all time favorite grocery stores. Actually, it's really the only one. Even though the store offers less than half the size of most grocery chain stores, I always find something new to add to my regular grocery list. Tonight was no exception.


I'm casually grabbing my regular go-to items, when all of a sudden I stop dead in my tracks.........


What is this I see?? Could it be?


 Trader Joe's now sells kimchi fried rice?? Tell me I'm seeing things-

I couldn't believe it! 


Just in case you're wondering, you can find it in the frozen section with all the other varieties of fried rice. (Along with the kalbi and bibim bap. Their bulgolgi is in the deli meat section.)


I haven't tried it yet, being that I just made some the other night for dinner, but I will let you know the verdict as soon as possible.


Another reason why Trader Joe's is the best.


I think it's great that they're starting to integrate Korean food into the "culture" products they offer. 


A big win in my book.

UPDATE:

I finally popped open the bag and gave it a taste test. I made this for lunch with some bulgolgi on the side. The rice was actually pretty good. I thought it would have a bland taste to it judging my the frozen product, but it was really full of the familiar flavor with that slight kick. It tastes pretty darn close to the kimchi fried rice I make at home from time to time.

This is now always in my freezer as a backup. I like how the ingredients are all natural and with items I can actually understand: rice, kimchi (salted napa cabbage,red pepper powder, sweet rice flour paste, garlic, leek, ginger, salt, shitake mushroom), onion, expeller pressed canola oil, green bell pepper, sugar, salt, naturally brewed soy sauce (water, wheat, soybean, salt), red pepper powder, sesame oil.

The only thing that it lacks are the actual kimchi chunks that are shown on the picture of the bag. This may be good for some that don't really care for the pieces of cabbage, but for those that do like more of the kimchi taste and texture, make sure you have some of your own at home because there's only like 5 or 6 pieces per serving (which the bag has  total of like 2.) Other than that, it's pretty much a win win. Good taste, cheap price, and easy to make.