Korean arm covers

A common trend in Korea- arm covers.


Why? Because unlike the favored tan look in the states, Koreans don't really like to get dark. The whiter and "milkier" they look, the better. 


Anthony bought a couple packs to help protect his arm from further sunburning (as you can see in the first picture.). These can be bought almost anywhere and for super cheap. I think he paid 50 cents to a dollar for his pair. 


 At first it looks a little weird and appears that it would be hot wearing it all day, or even uncomfortable. But he says it actually feels cool on his arm and really does help from further burning. You'll also see many of bus and taxi ajusshis wearing these so that their driver's arm don't turn out darker than the other. Pretty clever....

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.

Berry Pink Samsung Galaxy Note

source

So I really want this phone........like now. If you just so happen to be in Korea could you please send me one? How about pretty please?

My reusable shopping bag

With plastic bags almost impossible to break down and paper bags using up more of our resources, it's unfortunate a lot of stores/businesses don't encourage customers to bring their own reusable ones. 


While the plastic bag issue has been a concern for many years, some places have made a great effort in reducing the use of it.


Stores like E-mart and Lotte Mart (Korea) charge for their shopping bags. Others such as Trader Joe's and Whole Foods ( United States) offer incentives or take 5-10 cents off your bill.


While some excuses may be the inconvenience of actually carrying around a reusable bag, others admit finding multiple use of plastic bags be it trash liners, etc. Whatever the case may be, I just know one thing. Korea has many reusable options and styles to chose from, so it's hard not wanting to carry one around. 


I got a new bag at E-mart for 3000 won (around $2.50 in US dollars.) I use it every time for light food shopping or unexpected buys at the market. No ajussi's charging me 25 cent for a bag! No siree!


 It's so easy to fold up, throw in, or clip on my purse. Plus, look how cute it is! Oh yeah. Grocery shopping just got that much better.

Lonely?

We wake up and find these all over the stairs of our motel. Now that's a way to start your day.

But, on another note. Yesterday left me in a sour mood. My friend got offered a new job position in another city and will be moving on next month.


I'm a little sad. Not only is she a friend, but the good friend that helped me get the current job position I'm in now. We work together everyday and she's a big part of the reason why I enjoy my job so much.


To top that off, our executive manager is leaving as well. He's transferring within the company and now moving to California. Things are sure going to be hectic the next couple of months.


Ever get that feeling that you're all alone with no one to turn to? Okay, I may not be feeling that extreme, but I'm definitely not looking forward to working solo. Yup, twiddling my thumbs all alone in the office....


It could be worse I guess. I could be that girl in my picture.

Korean Keyboard Stickers

I bought these at Emart. Even though I won't be typing or using hangul anytime soon (or ever), I wanted to accessorize my laptop with these decorative stickers. Being on the computer is that much cuter now. Not to mention, they also have a cushion like feeling so typing is quieter and softer on my fingers.

Rolling in the deep

This is by far my favorite song yet by Adele. I love it, I love, I love it. On the way to work I play it at least 3 times. Wish I had a voice like this talented girl to sing a long though. Notice the girl at 00:42 is thinking the same thing.....

Rice Catcher

For you rice cookers out there-
Am I the only one that didn't know about these? It wasn't until recently (when I was visiting Korea) that I came across this cute little rice catcher at Emart. To be honest, whenever I made rice sometimes most of the times I was too lazy to do a thorough rinse. Why? Well, I just had this thing where it bugged me if any rice fell out of the pot I felt like I "lost" the rice cleaning game. So, usually one rinse it was. I know, I know, pure laziness. But hey, now I have no excuse with this thing.

At first looking at it I was a little skeptical. How can this small rice catcher stand against the towering tumbling wave of rice? I figured for $3 might was well give it a shot. The little clip-on tool was sitting in the back of my drawer for weeks until one day I finally got caught cheating on the rice cleaning method. (Not like anyone noticed the difference in texture or taste anyway.)

So I tested this little smiling-plastic-bowl-of-rice thing and.....it works so well! Not a grain could pass it! Now I actually enjoy cleaning the rice and testing the catcher every time. "Will it miss this time? What if I put more rice in it? What if I pour it fast?" Still catches 'em all!

Pocket Bunny

This cute little facial spray I had bought in Korea was carried with me everywhere I went during the summer.  I don't use this as much now that the weather is cooler though. Nights where I don't get my 8-9 hours of beauty sleep I quickly spray this on before stepping into work to give off a more rejuvenated and  put together appearance. Sometimes when I apply too much face powder I use this as well to tone down the matte look. Works like a charm in making my face have a more natural dewy and glowing look.

Peachy

I collected so many cute hand creams while I was in Korea. This one from Etude House accompanies me at my work desk. It has a nice sweet peachy scent to it and moisturizes my hands really well with their mixture of shea butter, olives and natural herbs. It was so refreshing during the summer and got me all rejuvenated on those hot and sluggish days. Sometimes I have to hide my cute little panda because coworkers will try to ask and use some of it."Awww, how cute! Can I try some?"  Ummm...I don't think so.... *swinging fingers in a diva motion* This is precious to me..and me alone. That's why I keep a little rinky dinky backup lotion handy for moments like those......HA. I come prepared.

Etude House

Missing U hand cream

#3 Panda

Korean toothbrush holders

In a korean bathroom you'll find majority of the time the shower curtain "missing." The water from the shower is actually meant to spray out onto the floor which then pours into the drainage (which is already installed in the middle of the floor, so nothing you can do about it.) To protect the toothbrush from any soapy residue (or surprises from a toilet flush) you can find toothbrush covers at any convenient store. I stocked up on quite a few from emart......like....10! I love emart!

The covers come in many different styles and have so many cute characters to choose from. I had to end my toothbrush cover spree....it was getting out of hand. Just as I thought I grabbed the cutest one, a better one pops out in the next aisle. Oh well. Why hurt my head trying to pick between one or the other when I can just buy them all. :) I especially love when I have company come over because 99% of the time we always get complimented on how cute and clever our toothbrush covers are and look. Then they try to ask if we have an extra to give.....and I have to lie and say "No. Sorry." (with my best sympathy face on, of course. ):P

Off to the alley markets

My first full day in Korea and I'm already shopping to death. I grabbed pretty much anything that twinkled in the corner of my eye. There were so many cute things that I started finding excuses to buy stuff..... "Yeah, I think my friends need socks. Maybe they could use a cute sparkly hair clip to go with it. How about a matching soju key chain with those car keys?" :)

I like shopping in the alley markets. They always have the most random things that you would never think of yet, somehow you find a way to need it. *or maybe that's just me*

Man, Korea has the best taxis I've ever seen. Of course they're all Kia's or Hyundai's, but still. I have yet to be in a taxi with leather seats, matching leather roof interior, chrome outlining on the exterior, high tech GPS system, and the skilled crazy swerving taxi man driver to go with it all under $5 here in the US. Not to mention the drivers are actually normal looking men.....not the bum, perverted, creepy ones I always wind up getting back home. Not only is the ride nice, but the fare is super cheap!! I think the most we paid was $15, and that was for a 40 minute drive outside the town.
Ahh, I can still smell the open market smell. Oh, one thing I will always stick by- use the bathroom before you go out and about. I drank too much coffee and winded up prancing around for a toilet. Yeah, I found a bathroom all right---------- But I haven't had to squat since I was like.....4?? I just held my bladder until we got to a restaurant....Didn't want to chance pee running down my thigh....hahaha. Plus, I need to step up my shoe closet. All the women here wear heels.....even in the rain and mud! Talk about dedication to beauty and fashion..... *sigh*