My week in a snap

 This week went by in a flash. Spring is now here offering warming days and sunny rays.


I've been wearing the heck out of my new G-Shock Casio watch given to me for my bday. I love it!

 I got this iphone cover for my HK obsessed friend. Birds of a feather flock together.


It's so hard not to get tempted to buy anything when you're trying to save, save, save. I was a good girl and just stuck to window shopping...for the most part.

 And then the money I DID save actually went to eating out with friends. *fail* Totally worth it though.

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.

My week in a snap

This week has been somewhat busy for me-

Happy Hour has been visited almost every other night with colleagues.

Stuffing my face with sushi as usual. But loving my katsu curry too.

 Bought some new nail polish in spring colors.

Essie is still my favorite nail polish brand thus far. Their colors last forever before chipping.

 Forever 21 stocked up on some cute blazers.

Kimbap- a good snack when on the run.

I have a whole bag of Maxim coffee lying around the house. It'll take months until it's gone.

Outdoors girl

Hiking has been my new favorite thing recently. A lot of my money has been going to REI. I think I'm starting to fall in love with that store. *getting old* Their pants are so comfortable and perfect for a long sunny hike up the mountains. Oh, I even picked up a Camelbak and some Chaco sandals. Bring on the outdoors!

Luggage Pieces

Every time I go plan a vacation I'm always eyeballing new luggage. Not that there's anything wrong with the one I bought last year, or the year before, but just because I want something new. How impractical, huh? Well, for now I'm just going to "look" before I buy. TJ Maxx had a huge selection of these vintage carry-on pieces. Look at the animal print inside the Jessica Simpson one! It was really hard walking out of the store empty handed.

Black Saturday

I avoided shopping on Black Friday because, well, it's always chaotic. Not that today was any better, but at least people weren't as crazy and wild. My first stop was Dillard's because my friend had mentioned they had handbags 50% off. My goal was to snatch up a nice MK bag, or maybe even a cute wallet. The outcome- all the good styles were of course long gone. Hmm, guess it wasn't meant to be. Steph scored and stocked up on Coach wristlets though to give out as Christmas gifts. Maybe I'll be one of the recipients. *grin*

Sephora didn't really have much going on, but I did fall prey for the Nars Orgasm nail polish. This color was just too pretty to pass up. Sometimes when I'm looking around in that store I get tempted to buy cosmetics that I don't even use or need! A girl's got to be  and firm shopping in there...ha! Just point A to B....nothing in between.

I got my Zelda game! I've been playing that thing none stop. After a while though I get a little nauseous from all that movement and different camera angles. Plus, in this game you need to do a lot of interaction by moving, slashing and jumping around. This will be my excuse to skip the gym on some days.

All that shopping worked up an appetite so we stopped by my favorite Korean restaurant. Their kimchi fried is the best I've had! I tried asking the server exactly how and what exact ingredients they use for the dish, but she was pretty vague and close lipped. Maybe I should have laid out her tip ahead of time... eh eh.

The afternoon ended with a nice Twilight marathon with the girls. I went to go see Breaking Dawn last weekend and so now my girlfriends and I are crazy over the saga all over again. Why must they torture us for another whole year until the next movie release?? Come on!

Oh! I finally found my nice coat for the winter. Luckily I saw the last one (in Forever 21) and it just so happened to be my size. Score! Don't you love that feeling of finding the last one of something and it just happens to be right for you? The worst is when you see it, want it, but then there's a hole or stain on it. Grudge.

I'll show pics of my jacket soon. I'm planning a trip to the Grand Canyon in the next couple weeks so that will be my excuse to whip it out, instead of just saving it for "that occasion" or "something special."

Holiday Window Shopping

I started my pre-holiday shopping. I spent most of the time eye balling stuff and making mental notes to myself. I found this safer than actually trying to attempt waiting in those long weekend lines. I totally forgot Vera Wang had her department store brand at Kohl's. I only realized that because I had one of those free $10 store credit they always send out in the mail and it gave me and excuse to check it out. Then afterwards I realized it, I don't like Kohl's......at all. Blah.

During the year I skip shopping at Bath and Body works. Their products and signature scents  pretty much stay the same so I know there's nothing new. Now there's an exception though- the holiday season. This is the only time of year I step foot in here to find all their new limited holiday products. My favorite are the foamy hand soap pumps. I couldn't resist the candy cranberry scent or the warm cookie. Starting to smell a lot like Christmas.

 Where do I start? Ahh, yes- "Dear Santa............."

Steve Madden is always a win in my eyes (and on my feet.)

 Mmmm. On a chilly night like this one, nothing hits the spot better than a big ol bowl of pho (and of course my boba drink on the side).

 Saw this in the parking lot. Too funny.  I also get a lot of compliments on my kitten heels. Does this shirt look a little familiar?

This isn't my typical average breakfast. The banana's mine while my coworker was so thoughtful and bought me a frappuccino with an orange on the side. Win! The pastries are from this local bakery I stop in from time to time do order their delicious sandwhiches.

 Who would have thought that Fry's grocery store made some really good sushi? They have actual Japanese sushi chefs right there making it fresh for you while boxing it up. Now that's what I call wonderfully fresh. There's nothing worse like buying pre-made sushi and all the rice is soggy and clumped up. Thanks, Steph, for the valuable info! 

It's nice seeing all the stores decorated in Christmas spirit. Living in Arizona it's easy to forget that we don't actually have a real winter season per say. There's hardly any snow where I live and the temperatures don't seem to drop and lower than 60 degrees . Yet, retail stores and business establishments still jazz up their stores/buildings to make it feel like a real holiday season. There's still the scarves that come out with the cute boots that are saved all year just to wear at this time.

The only thing that put a big frown on this face was hearing about how certain major corporate chains are pushing back Black Friday even earlier!! This is crazy, people. Thanksgiving day AND night needs to be spent with family and friends eating and enjoying each other's company. Not worrying about going to bed early that day to make your midnight shift for crazy folks that choose to get trampled go shopping instead of staying home and celebrating the really meaning behind this holiday- to appreciate and give thanks. Remember? Just how we learned in school, children. This sign really got me heated. I feel for whoever has to work Black Friday.  I really do. Till this day, I've never wasted my time on that made up shopping "holiday". It's just not fair and goes to show how even more greedy we're getting/becoming. Let's just be thankful for something, someone and for once, huh? 

Making my list

I saw this at Target today.

How cute would this look in my kitchen or anyone's at that? I can just imagine it now- Every day I would walk in to get something to eat and this little thing would just put a big ol smile on my face. I definitely added this to my holiday wish list. Let's just hope Santa doesn't have selective reading.

I feel like the stores hold out on all the good stuff solely for this time of the year. Don't retail stores understand that their customers are suppose to be shopping for others and not themselves?? How can I pass up this Hello Kitty microwave? Well, no worries. As I took a picture of this I made sure Anthony was right next to me listening to my girly squeals. "OH MY GOSH!! Look how cute this is! I really want this.....and it's only $80. Wow, this is sooo me and needs to be in our kitchen. All my friends would love it yet be jealous of it..." Blah Blah, you know how us girls talk. I think my girl talk got implanted in his head pretty well. He just smiled and replied with a "Yep." Typical man answer if you ask me. 

Besides window shopping this weekend my time has been wasted invested on watching Cake Boss, Mad Men, Nana (yes, that anime series), and Weeds. I need to restrict myself sometimes because I'll find that I rather sit and watch all my new favorite shows on the laptop instead of going out with friends. *guilty* You know....... I just see it as saving money and spending quality quiet time with myself. Hey. I work a long week and sometimes at the end of it I just want to bum it around the house in my house clothes (do you have those too?) and snack on seaweed sheets. :)

Fantastic Finds

 Ulta was having a 'buy 2 get 1 free' sale for their Butter nail polishes. I know, I know.....$14 for one nail polish is quite expensive if you ask me. But I figured it would be equivalent to me purchasing 3 regular priced OPI's. Plus, the Butter London polishes are formaldehyde-free so there's no strong nail polish odor to it (not that it bothers me to begin with.) I got more colors to add to my fall collection  - "Toff, All Hail the Queen," and "Yummy Mummy."

So, I always mention how I love wearing my hair in a bun. It's just easier (and less damaging) for me and everyone loves it. I get more compliments on my lazy hair bun days then when I actually take the time to straighten it out. *hmpf* When I started my new office job I wanted my bun to have a somewhat professional look to it so I purchased this bun spongy-thingy. It's really handy and helps for those that want that perfect cleaner look. You can find it at Claire's (or Icing's) for under $4. Too bad they were out of black so I had to settle for this nude color. My hair's pretty long and thick though so it covers the sponge pretty well. Great find!!

Even though I already came across some blazers......I'm always on the lookout for more. Oh, and I'm currently on the search for some nice faux pearl pieces as well. Forever 21 was of course my number one spot. They always have everything I'm looking for. And if they don't then I skip over to H&M.

The key covers weren't necessary but since it was right there on the counter as I was paying out I couldn't resist. Too cute, right? Look at these cute beanies that Charlotte Russe had. I normally pass by Charlotte but....something "anime-ish" caught my eye so I had to see what it was. Although I didn't purchase one of these cute beanies, I did buy a pair of the socks (in the background.)

Summer has passed and my thirst level has gone down...drastically. I still like to force myself to drink about 8 glasses of water a day, but it gets hard when I'm not even thirsty. I found these liquid water enhancers aka flavored water droplets and they are so good! I got the sweet ice tea one (at your local drugstore for under $5) and it has made water drinking tasty. I only use 1 drop for 8-16 ounces and the flavor is still pretty strong and exactly how it's labeled- as sweet tea. YUM!

Halloween Spirit

Almost everywhere you go there's costumes out in display beckoning you to come try them on and take them home. Halloween is right around the corner and I'm not quite sure yet if I'll be dressing up this year. Hmmm, I've been keeping my eye out for a Pan Am outfit, but no luck so far. I am so hooked on that new show! If you haven't seen it it yet, definitely check it out! I haven't dressed up or celebrated Halloween the last 2 years, and even if I did......I know I would pick something ridiculously relevant to these pics I took at the mall.....

Hot Topic is the way to go for any Hello Kitty and anime lover......*which I'm secretly both*

**Currently blasting this in the car**-

What are you doing for Halloween and will you be dressing up?