I Bump You Bump.

Just a note when it comes to roaming and being on your way anywhere. 

While I really hope that this is not the case, I notice that my shoulder hit counts have hit a sky high record in my life after being here. 

Espera.

Hey folks!

Sorry for the absence, my luck with the internet hasn't been quite well, and I've been busy battling the winds (you ain't taking me down that easy!) and just setting my feet into the whole school groove, on top of adapting to my life here.

Sorry. 

But my internet in the house is now set!! So I have no excuses (when I'm home)! But if I am absent, it's because I am either around town exploring, studying, or working (hopefully!! I'm awaiting good news!). It can be any one of those, of I could be busy collecting some fun, cool, Kim-styled ideas to talk about. So do check in with me once in a while! Unlike many of the amazing bloggers out there who posts something on a really regular basis (hats off to them man, I'm telling you, that is major major hard work + talent right thur), I will only post something when I feel like the post is ready to see the world. Like this one!

Something has caught my attention of late, and I feel the need to talk about it.

To all those of you whose interest lie in a good lipstick, or for those of you whose significant other is, I've got something that will tickle your fancy! Well, more like, I'd like to share with you a story about a lipstick that I think will soon replace my MAC purchases:

I really like the MAC lipsticks. They're highly pigmented, stays true to the color of the lipstick (what you see is what sticks to your lips), and most importantly, the matte effect is just on point. But I mean, since it's MAC, as great as the quality is, it comes with a price tag that I don't put it as priority. Also, I notice that the lipstick dries my lips out pretty quick. After a day long of wearing it, my lips start to chip, so I have to apply lip balm before I apply the lipstick, making the matte effect much to be desired.

But then yesterday on my quest to find shoes, we walked into

And being bored, I decided to just check out their lipsticks. The magic word is "Matte". So I just picked up the first color that I saw titled "Wild Rose". what a good choice. I love the smell of roses (my mom has a rose branch and the roses smell delightful), and the color was a nice shade of dark coral + pink + red. And so the guy working there urged me to try it (and so did my friends). 

Here is the end result (taken approx 2-3 hours after application) with no filters/ editing (not that I edit my face anyway... *looks slyly away* HAHA filters!) 

Approx 2-3 hours after application, with no lip balm

My lips by then were still surprisingly pretty smooth, with no need for lip balm, the way I do with the MAC ones. I actually really hope someone from MAC is reading this right now, so they can improve, cause I've been going to them for a while, and I hope they take constructive criticism. (: Just my two cents!

Anyhoo, I decided to Level UP...! By showering with it on!

It stayed pretty well! Right?

(again no editing, you can see my pimples *GASP*)

But of course, by then a lot of it has come off, and also when I drank, the lipstick started just powdering off onto the rim of my cup. 

Uh... I have no photos for this one... Sorry. Got carried away with getting ready for bed I actually forgot. But yeah, the lipstick started sticking to my cup, but it was powdery, so washing it didn't require extra attention... aka, easy removal! YAY! It worked the same with remover (baby oil cuz I actually haven't bought remover, and I brought this from home home).

So it is quite safe to say that I.... really like this lipstickkkkkk! My friends have been asking me if I'm ever gonna get it. To be honest, I really like it. But unfortunately, I'm on severe budget here. Seriously. Sidenote, I've been vegetarian here for the most part cause veges are the only things I can actually afford... So, for now, no... I'm not gonna get it. However, I would HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY! ACUTELY (haha acutely) recommend this beautiful beautiful lipstick! And ESPECIALLY with the dry winter weather (my hands are all red and cracking from the cold!) 

If, like me, you like the matte effect, without having to dry your lips out, and still have the lasting effect, oh boy. You're in for a wonderful wonderful trip! (: Also, after looking it up, I learnt that Espoir is French for hope, and can also mean promising, or up & coming! Hey, with this amazing lipstick, it's not surprise! I saw quite a few Sold Out items. So they're definitely doing lotsa stuff right! Lipstick is one of them HAHA.

But for now, Espoir, if you're reading this, know that you have a major fan! (: 

Okay shall end this here tonight. Right now. 

Love,

Kim

RM75/USD25 Passport Photos, Anyone?

Yesterday, I got my photo taken (I say passport photo cause it's that size, BUT I was about to have it taken Korean Passport status, which I will address later) for my Alien Registration Card application.

So of course, in any photo, you want to hide any large & tiny flaws, so you seek the professional help of who I call (and all of us know as), Make up. With the help of my friend, make up, I head out to the studio with an appointment already set up. I get there, the whole place looks super pretty, as if it were a smaller version of a studio for weddings  (I was so distracted by him taking photos of a girl who was also taking profile sized photos I forgot to take pictures of the place).

The atmosphere in the studio was pretty lively, with people moving around, and  music playing and another person editing the photos. Then I was told to "get ready" at the make up table that was located in the corner, equipped with hair spray, combs, hair ties, and a shit ton of mirrors.

As I was already ready to go, I just sat there watching her shoot. The photographer was really animated as he was giving directions to her. She kept laughing from being so amused. The shoot was fast, but boy did they take a lot of photos. She also took quite a lot of time picking the photo of her choice...

Eons later, she's finally out, and it's my turn. The photographer was super down to every littlest detail, fixing my hair with the comb, holding up the mirror to ensure my hair is properly arranged, so meticulous! I guess that's why my wallet has a big hole in it now. 25,000₩ for all this, and of course the said energy and amusement as the photographer directs your shoot. Everything ended in 15 minutes. The photo taking, the selection (where he narrows it down to 4 main photos and you pick the ONE. HAHA what is this, SayYesToTheDressPhoto?). Afterwards, I was out. Super efficient.

\Later in the evening, I was emailed the soft copies of the photos.

Before I go on, allow me to say, that no matter where you go in Korea, they photoshop ALL your photos like this to make you look flawless and perfect. (I blame the workforce requirements for judging a book by it's cover but that's for another day) AND SO, THIS IS ALL VERY NORMAL IN KOREA.

My verdict?

HOLY COW. 

Imma quote Cindy Crawford: "I don't look like Kimberley Ng*"
*names have been edited to fit the article.


Prepare yourselves...

WHUT?

Talk about Photoshop. I can't even. Now I know why they charge you so much for a friggin passport photo. Golly gee. 

Was it worth it? 

I don't even know. I don't think that looks like me. That looks like a digital version of my doppelgänger. But man, what an experience! 

Subway Cards

On my way back to KL from LA, I exited the airport to check out some stuff in Sinchon.
I was so excited, walking around and everything, until it was time to leave.. I reached into the pocket where the card was, and lo and behold... it wasn't there! Oh the horror. So I backtracked in hopes of finding it somewhere... But not to my surprise, it was wishful thinking. One could only hope, right? So upsetting was it as I had just topped it up at the airport before leaving. So I had no other choice but to purchase another.. It was pretty! In a nice blue color and in much better condition than my original. Oh well. Life goes on, right?

Fine. Now that I'm back, I've had to run quite a lot of errands and stuff. And yesterday I spent practically the whole day in one area, buying supplies, finding my bearings, and figuring out of I needed some of the stuff.. So after purchasing the last of the supplies for the day, I was ready to go home for a good hot shower (cause it's way too cold here). After almost 7 hours of walking, I was just excited for rest. That was until I reached into my pockets again...

//but it was just here a second ago...

I lost my subway card... AGAIN.
OH MY GOSH. So okay. BACKTRACK BACKTRACK. Let's go back to the restaurant cause that's where I threw some trash out..
For two whole hours, I tried looking for the restaurant. Going round and round in circles, trying to retrace my steps, only to feel like something out of a movie where these places disappear after you visit it that one time by accident. I stole wifi to get there. Followed the way, and after walking by things for the umpteenth time, realized... that I was so near yet so far...

SUCCESS! the flooring looks right...! YES! But wait... where..

OH. It's closed.

Let's just get another card.

Hello Again!

Hi!

It's been a while but...

I'm back here in Seoul!

I've spent the last two days organizing things and just moving into my apartment. Tomorrow, I have a busy busy day of buying some supplies (as I had to rid my baggage of so may clothes even though I actually have pretty little. Damn winter clothes so bulky and heavy.

I've also spent some time today looking up ways to really explore this city, and to talk about it more efficiently. I'm vowing to do my best to keep this blog updated to the best of my abilities!

Here, I will be posting about the my life here, the food, the places, the people, shopping, and anything else between in regards to being in Korea. I will also be blogging about any other adventures (both within and outside Korea) so keep your eyes peeled for them!

Also, I hope you guys continue to support me as I do my best to write about things that are foreign to me. What I will be talking about will be as I understand them to be. My thoughts and ideas will defer from others, and opinions are my own. So please be kind! (:

Thank you again for your understanding!

I will see you guys soon!

Love,
Kim

K-K-K-Kosvogue!

Hello dear readers (or whoever who has either stumbled upon this & especially to you who have been loyally checking up on this blog, hello! *waves with big grin*)!

So yes, it is true, I have been MIA. Because well, for obvious reasons. I'm no longer in Korea.. (for now!) And yes, I had a bunch of stuff that were supposed to be reviewed by someone, but however, due to some unfortunate circumstances, I was in the end, unable to retrieve his comments regarding the products ):

But! Life goes on, and moving on, there's a place I, after lots of searching and swimming through the internet, and combing through things, have visited personally and am glad to report back to you with joy (uh, this is a service in Malaysia run by Koreans) of a hair salon that'll give you instantaneously gorgeous K-celebrity status? May I also add, before we go on, that THIS is definitely not paid. I wasn't, am not, and will not be paid for this, unless they see this and wanna give me another free service, then heck yes, I'll take it hahaha but no, really, I'm not paid. I just decided that it'd be nice to get the word out, cause I mean, really, who doesn't want beautiful luscious hair despite all the coloring and perming? 

It all started out actually when I saw the newspaper article about their services, and how they use all natural products, my mom and I were so taken! So, just to give you a rough idea of our (mom's and mine) hair, its pretty coarse, naturally so. And we have a problem, we love red hair. Okay mom for obvious reasons of white hair and red being the easiest to cover them up (she does look good with it tho) and me, cause well, I've just been so fascinated by it and in the last four years, the color has been within that range.

Red

red

reddd

RED

Red. Okay we get it.

Even in my latest hair venture the dude, without me even asking, just threw in red on my hurrs! RED! 

Ha. See?

But anyway, yeah, so from all the crazy coloring (even when I was letting my hair recover, I had it colored brown or something, so all the coloring and stuff really killed it), my hair was just at a ghastly state. Awfully dry, damaged hair. And being someone who really enjoys Korean entertainment, I've always been super fascinated by how despite all the hair altercations, they still have smooth silky hair (like, come on! what is thisss!). The answer to my question finally answered on a small piece of ad in the papers: Hair Coating! 

In my best understanding from the owner of the place (which may also be perhaps incorrect but this is the most I caught from our conversation), hair coating, as the name suggests, is basically putting an additional layer of protein on your hair (and fixing the damaged bits of your hair cuticles) so that instead of your hair taking ALL the beating, the protein is your hair's stuntman haha, taking your hair's place while it undergoes a recovery from the treatment. Multitasking say whuuuut! 

It's a crazy long process of washing, cleaning (deep into the hair), absorbing (your hair does, not you) of the treatments, straightening, trimming, and some ironing out the rest. But honestly, after I left, I was just smiling like a crazy lady cause my hair was the smoothest it's been since I can remember... 

 
Dead hair, "New" hair haha

I mean, really, how great is that? And on top of that, you can do whatever you want with your hair after. But I mean, naturally, it's always highly recommended that we let the treatment sit in for a bit before we go crazy with it again, cause I mean, really, you spend so much money, only to have it all gone by being too overexcited with wanting to color it and stuff. Waste of money, no?

Here are the really sweet owners, who by the way have it all thought out like whaaa!

I was served drinks of my choice, some good snacks that I was too shy to touch haha, and they even had a stand for whatever you're reading so it's propped up to ease reading, without the usual bend that hurts your back so badly. They're really nice and efficient, though the price tag may be on the slightly higher side, you can be rest assured that you're in good hands (quite literally).

They even showed me their products that uhm, seriously is so organic and free of chemicals you can eat it and is safe for everyone in the family to use, I mean, COME ON HOW COOL IS THAT!! Nyam nyam, oh just eating my shampoo. 

For those of you who are interested in the home supplies for your hairs thats safe for babies, grandparents, and everyone else, here's a photo of it and it may just help yaaaa (:

A number of these things were also used during the process of my treatment (: 

All natural and so goooooood smells good too.

Anyway, here are some important details:
It's called Kosvogue, located at Sunway Giza, it's upstairs kind of to the corner, so explore a bit. Or find Lot B-16-1, cause clearly I suck at giving directions cause I can't remember what it was near. I'm SORRY!

And I know this isn't Korea related but if you're in KL, and are in search of a fixer up-er, you know where to go. I definitely thought it was really good. Though my treatment was just ONE of the many the salon offers, you should definitely talk to them to figure out which one works best for your hair, cause like I said, my hair was dead. Again, it's slightly more on the expensive side, but it's really good if you're planning on killing your hair, preventing the need to chop all of your hair off from bleaching, coloring, and perming, cause haha I know I'm guilty of putting my hair through all that haha.

Anyhooties, I hope this post fulfills something, cause I'm up at 3.30am with a rumbling tummy writing this cause it's been a while... Sorryyyyyyy ): And I really wanted to share this with you guys! (: I hope you guys do drop by their store for a visit cause I really liked their service and I'm sure you'll feel like a million bucks during and after (:

Toniiiiiiiiiiiight... 그토록 기다렸던 우리만의 시간

THIS VIDEO ONLY HAS 550,000 VIEWS ON YOUTUBE (I think I contributed to the 50,000 views haha).

THE ABSURDITY! IT MAKES NO SENSE! NONE WHATSOEVER! 

Breathe Kim, breatheeee (phewwww)

If you've heard the song being played, I'm POSITIVE you'd do a double take of the song and be like "WOW THIS IS PRETTY DARN GREAT". The way I did actually haha. 

BUT SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THIS SONG ONLY HAS SO LITTLE VIEWS? 

It's a pretty great song. Okay they're not 2NE1, but tell me, how can anyone watch the video and not wanna join a Holi Festival?? Take a look.

AM I RIGHT OR AM I RIGHT?! AHHH this song is just soooo fun! Those clothes are super cute, the girls are having a great time, and damn those colors!!! 

I'm not an avid iTunes Store customer, but if I REALLY like one song and don't plan on buying the album, I purchase it. And this song is one of those songs. I only do it if I REAAAAAALLY like the song. Also cause my iTunes has not a humungous credit sum waiting to be consumed. 

If you like the song as much as I do (clearly I'm obsessed with it), copy the link and then open this link, and then paste the coped link in 

this box

& 

HIT REPLAY

DO IT I KNOW YOU WANT TO 

I'm not even paid to say any of this. 

Kay, you don't need to understand Korean to understand the song. Just let it soak in and just enjoy it.

DO IT I KNOW YOU WANT TO 

남산타워 Uh, LEE MINHO! DUHHHH

I know I said I would do a video review but uhm... that has a shit ton of work to be done to it before it can be shown to public... So bare with me (: hehe

Instead, today, I'll be talking a bit about 남산타워 aka Namsan Tower! or N Seoul Tower! Super famous landmark, gives you a pretty good view of Seoul (towards Myeondong and all), and it's a pretty known place for couples to visit and have their personalized locks locked onto the rails of the look out point.

How to get there:
Kay, honestly, a friend drove me to the National Theatre of Korea, and we bused it up the hill to the tower!

So, I'm gonna pull out my cheat sheet and show you some ways of getting up there (instead of you having to google it and all hehehe)

Alright.

How to get there by:


BUS
First, get to the bus stop by subway.
Your options include Myeondong Station (Line 4), getting out at Exit 3 or Chungmuro Station (Line 3 or Line 4), getting out at Exit 2/ if you're looking at the map, in front of Daehan Cinema)
From there, you can take the Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus #2 (02번 남산 순환버스) up to the tower.

Running Hours: 0700 -2400 (aka Midnight)
Intervals: 15 minutes
Cost: 950 won with cash, 850 with T Money card.

Route/ Using the same bus, you can also board it at the following locations:
N Seoul Tower (N서울타워) → Namsan Public Library (남산도서관) → Seoul Education Research & Information Institute (교육연구정보원) → Namsan Walk B Course (남산산책로입구B코스) → Seoul Animation Center/Soongeui Women's College (서울애니매이션센터,승의여대) → Teogyero 3-ga Hanok Village (퇴계로3가하녹마을) →  Daehan Cinema (댈한국산) → Teogyero 5-ga (퇴계로5가) → Dongguk University Station (동대입구역) → National Theatre of Korea (국립극산) → Namsan North Side Circuit Entry (남산북측순환로입국).

Option 2 (subway and Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus #3)
Subway stops: Seoul Station (Line 1/ Line 4) getting off at Exit 9, Itaewon (Line 6) Exit 4, Hangangjin Station (Line 6) in front of Exit 2

Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus #3 (3번 남산 순환버스)
Running Hours: 0730 -2330 (aka 11.30pm)
Intervals: 20 minutes
Cost: 950 won with cash, 850 with T Money card.

Route: N Seoul Tower (N서울타워) → Namsan Public Library (남산도서관) → Beokbeom Plaza (벅범광장) → Huam Intersection (후암삼거리) → Namdaemun Police Station (남대문경찰서) → Seoul Station (서울역) → Namdaemun Market (남대문시장) → Namsan Tunnel 3 (남산산3호터날) → Yonghan Hanshin Apartment (영한한신아파트) → Haebangchon (해방촌) → Itaewon Yongsan-gu Office (이태원 녕산구청) → Hamilton Hotel (해밀톤호텔) → Itaewon Fire Branch (이태원소방파출서) → Hangangjin Station (한강진역) → Beoti Gogae (버티고개) → Songdo Hospital (송도병원앞) → Yaksu Station (약수역) → Dongguk University Station (동대잎구역) → National Theatre of Korea (국립극산) → Namsan North Side Circuit Entry (남산북측순환로입국) → N Seoul Tower (N서울타워)


Option 3: Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus #5 (5번 남산 순환버스)
Running Hours: 0730 -2330 (aka 11.30pm)
Intervals: 15 minutes
Cost: 950 won with cash, 850 with T Money card.

Route: N Seoul Tower (N서울타워) → Namsan Public Library (남산도서관) → Beokbeom Plaza (벅범광장) → Hilton Hotel (힐톤호텔) Namdaemun Market, Accessory Arcade (남대문시장, ) → Entrance to Myeongdong () → Teogyero 3-ga Hanok Village (퇴계로3가하녹마을) → Daehan Cinema (댈한국산) → Teogyero 5-ga (퇴계로5가) Teogyero 6-ga (퇴계로6가) → Gwanghui-dong Crossroads (광희희동사거리) → Chungmu Art Hall, Jungbu Fire Station (충무아트홀, 충무소바서) → Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town (신당동 떡볶이타운) → Sindang-dong Cheongo Station (신당동, 청구역) → Yaksu Station (약수역) → Dongguk University Station (동대잎구역) → National Theatre of Korea (국립극산) → Namsan North Side Circuit Entry (남산북측순환로입국) → N Seoul Tower (N서울타워)


CABLE CAR
Operating Hours: 10.00-2300
How To Get There: Get on the Subway and take Exit 3 at Myeongdong Station (Line 4), when you see Pacific Hotel, go on the road to the RIGHT of it, and walk for 10-15 minutes to the stop.
Price:

I would recommend taking the cable car (especially if you watched Boys Over Flowers) cause it's a different view I believe (:

There are other means of getting there that are less common. But if you wanna go how to get there by Seoul City Bus, or by driving, click here and here individually.

When you get there by bus though, you'll have to walk up this super steep hill up to the Tower (the night view is quite breathtaking actually) itself. Then when you're there, you can just follow the crowd to the look out point. If you're there with your significant other, you can either purchase those love locks and/or love magnets and do your message thing. For the locks, couples write their names on the lock and hang them on the railings of the look out point, they say that its so that the relationship will last. And the magnets is an extra, after writing a message, you get to hang it up in the gift shop (also where you buy the lock and magnets), though the lock I'd recommend buying it BEFORE you go up, but the magnets, they only allow the store bought ones. 

And when inside the tower, you can walk around the shopping area and check out some souvenirs (POSTCARDS! I'd recommend getting them here cause it was a rather difficult task trying to find postcards in the city itself) while being silly like me...

these little deco things are just too cute not to take photos with haha

or go UP the tower (something I didn't do cause I didn't have the money) for an extended view though the open look out point has a good enough view. 

Here's Sun and I (: It was a pretty good night. 

Sorry for the late late LATE updates ): 

I know I apologize a lot, but my time is seriously so limited I barely have time ): 

커피! Part One

SORRRRRRYY!

So, my phone is practically dead right now.. Literally. I've been having so many problems with just trying to take pictures it's a little upsetting. So I've been using Sun's phone to take photos and getting the photos from her have been a tad difficult because of conflicting schedules ):

So, here,

사과를 받안줘

Please accept my apology/apple (apology and apple, same word, different context)

Hehe, I learnt that from Boys Over Flowers HEHE

BACK TO THE POINT:

FINALLY!

I've been to a handful of coffee places to be able to start talking about all some of them. I think...

So here's how I'm gonna do the reviews...

1. Coffee taste. 

Rating 1-6. 

1 = too bitter aka I like to call it Starbuck bitter (sorry Starbucks, your coffee isn't my cup. But I like your green teas though! So don't kick me out please?)

6 = Too sweet aka here, take some coffee with the sugar please!

2. Free trade/organic
Where is their coffee from? Is it free trade? Are they encouraging free trade?


3. Service
Service is SO SO SO important. Having worked in retail, being a promoter handing out flyers, and having parents in the food industry, and being a food junkie myself, I appreciate good service. I mean, who doesn't? (Assholes who sit 5 at a table to eat one slice of cheesecake, have 5 glasses of water and ask to split the bill are definitely not included in this mesh because y'all are evil and need to be sent to HumblePieCookingSchool and learn a thing or two about how to be human cause at this rate you're the devil's spawn)
So service very simple:
1 = awful (okay, this is for shop owners who also needa go to HumblePieCookingSchool cause you talk down to your customers and all. What reason? Maybe business is good and you forgot how to care for customers anymore)
2 = Not bad, but more work needs to be put in here. Okay, I'm not a fire breathing dragon (or crazy passive aggressive customers who send complaints the company's way even though in front of the server, I act like everything is dandy). This means there are one or two things that could have been better (maybe it was too slow and there was a huge hold up for no apparent reason or whatever it may be)
3 = Excellent. Nuff said.


4. Price 
1 = Too expensive. With the taste of the coffee, price is too high.
2 = Just nice. Not too expensive
3 = CHEAP ERMERGERD (okay overdramatized here but you get the gist haha) I mean who doesn't like to pay less for something right?


5. Miscellaneous
Extra stuff worth mentioning. Like service? (service in Korea means free stuff. I didn't know what it was til I got here. Koreans are pretty generous with service actually. Surprise!)





Let's start with..

Gridaggum 

They're at a bunch of locations, but at select places.

This specific one was near the City Hall. 

I also saw one in Shinchon (which by the way, you HAVE to check out when you go to Seoul, ESPECIALLY if you love drinking and eating, AND shopping. Their mall is kewl. Hehe. Not that I could shop much anyway but yeah!)

We went there because we heard that their coffee drinks were cheap.

I don't think the price we got was on the list (psst, it was cheaper)

What I noticed was cafe price lists are for sit in customers (though this clearly wasn't suited for sit in)

And to-go is usually bout $1 cheaper depending on where you go

coffee aside, they had a TON of other drinks that looked so yums!

these were our cafe lattes (they're double shots no extra charge woot!)

[check out the drink in the photo behind our coffees. Unlike some places that dramatize their photos of their food, the real thing looks JUST like the photo -]

here's a size reference.

Because they had bigger cups, they usually have 2 shots of espressos in their cups.

Coffee taste: 2. More on the bitter side, but not too bad. I think it's also cause I drank it over a period of like 2 hours? It was a busy busy day and we barely had time to stop and take a drink haha.

Free trade? I've no idea. I really wasn't thinking about it when I was ordering it but tbh, I highly doubt it is :/ You know how usually if a place is free trade, they'd make it super obvious? Not this one I guess. 

Service: 2. They were not as friendly (I guess cause they had some malfunction at the back) and was a little slow but nothing big to complain about (:

Price: 4! It was SUPER CHEAP. Exceeded the ranking haha.

Misc: double shots... uh, yes please? Plus, they're located in a few areas (: So plus!

NEXT

Beanstore

Apparently the CEO used to work for an NGO

and gives out free coffee to the NGOs nearby (that place is surrounded by NGOs)

they're at the Gyeongbokgung station (though you have to walk a little, really, a little)

Free Trade? YES!

Cafe Latte ^^

Syrup, sugars, and chocolate. 

FRIGGIN TRUFFLES UH YES PLEASEEE

Coffee taste: 3. For those of you who are familiar with Papa Palheta (famous for its CSHH store) in Singapore, then you'll know what I'm talking about. I guess in the US, a comparison that I'm able to make is that to Peet's coffee? I think. Coffee flavor is delishhhh. Not too strong (sugar added according to preference). 

Free trade? You betcha! Place is packed with displays of it!  

Service: 3. Not bad. Served, instead of having your mini UFOs and self pick-ups. It's a small store, so they know who ordered what (: And place had a pretty chill vibe.

Price: 3. A little bit more on the pricey side (sorry I forgot to take photos of it) but it's not at break-a-limb-expensive

Misc: FREE CHOCOLATE! One truffle for one drink. Hells to the ye! but if you take to go, you get 1,000 won back and no truffle. Personally the truffle is worth the stay hehe.

PS- I've to split this up cause it's taking too long to write one full post (I did not anticipate it and I've been busy working) so I'm splitting it up

Samcheongdong!

Forgive my negligence!

I have been so busy, not necessarily in the way I had initially intended but busy nevertheless!

But yesterday I was lucky enough to have been able to go out to Samcheong-dong for some R&R and to do a little shopping. If you're wondering how to get there, it's really simple, just get on the Subway (Orange Line 3) and get off at Anguk. Exit 1 is where you wanna get off. If you get out and see the Jongno Police Station across the street, you're on the right track. Turn right once you get out the exit and you'll pass and Starbucks at one point (which will be on your right) and Olive Young on the corner. At some point you'll see (on your right) the entrance to the area (it'll be pretty crowded) so follow the crowd and keep walking. As you walk, you'll see street vendors selling little trinkets and things then as you walk, you'll start to see little cafes and small eateries  as the road kinda gets narrower.

As I was starving by the time I got there, I went into the first shop that caught my attention. It was upstairs and I had no idea what it was so I sat down and was given this menu. Then I saw the price and could not stomach it. So I left and I ended up here

Meok-shui-don-na

it had SBS on it so I guessed it was good?

Who knew, it was Toppokki made for sharing. Goddamn. 

But I was fucking hungry and toooo lazy to leave again so here's what I got:

Seafood and Beef Toppoki with Ramyeon, Fish Cake, and Eggs.

I think Emma'd agree wimme on this. 

Sad to say the least, I couldn't finish it completely. Dude, it was made for 2 or more! I finished the important ingredients though haha (like the fish cakes, seafood, meat, as much of the eggs as I could, and the veges). I felt like a boss eating it all on my own though ;) hehe. The couple that sat next to me didn't even finish HALF. Watching their figures maybe?

But of course all of that was followed by some walking around and shopping! Gotta sweat it all out. And sweat I did. Everyone did, in fact. It was hot and humid so of course beads of sweat would at definitely make its way at least to your neck. ANYWAY, enough about sweat.

Most of the things on sale were pretty cheap. 

Those pink ones remind me of the ones I had at Soka.

interesting name. Koreans really have a quirky sense of humor when it comes to setting up shop names

The shoes were on sale approx 20,000-30,000 on sale. Didn't bother looking at the non sale items.

I usually do not (or pretty much can't so why bother) roll that way.

My last stop was this vintage store to pick up some stuff I couldn't pay for the night before (we dropped by for a few seconds and I picked out a dress and a skirt) 

most of their stuff in the vintage store was 10,000 ₩ aka approx USD9/RM30

Seriously in love with this place.

In the end, my hauls for the day were:

a ton of jewelry I was too lazy to take photos of 

vintage skirt and dress 

from Retro Vintage

& these beauties from I ♥ Flat

They remind me of my late grandma. 

She only wore these kinds of shoes.

Here are some other shots of the shoes I thought you'd appreciate..

the insoles are pretty soft +1

the sole is pretty sturdy looking. When I wear them the bottom of my feet feel protected +1

not bad for 25,000₩ won't you say?

okay. Let's sum it all up.

My advice from this trip:

1. BRING CASH! This applies to whenever you leave your hotel room (ESPECIALLY if you're going shopping at places that isn't a mall). I mean unless money is no biggy and you don't mind getting charged at least an extra 10% with every purchase. Then in that case, don't. But realistically speaking, why pay that extra when you can pay for whats on the price tag alone?

2. When it comes to food, unless you have a pitless cove for a stomach, I'd suggest bringing a friend. As mentioned with the toppokki, I had to eat it all by myself and was not able to devour all the yummy desserts that tempted me and called my name like mermaids at sea. Pretty much everything except the chicken skewers (which I could not try cause broke as fuck and not hungry partially cause of the thin wallet) were made for sharing

3. Food aside, here's why bringing a friend/another person would be good: One, as mentioned above, sharing, less binging, more variety. Two, second opinions when it comes to shopping cause dude, most of the things there are so cheap/on sale that you literally wanna buy everything and it'll make you go broke in 5 seconds, not even kidding. Lucky for me, I had a small wallet, aka small-ass-budget so I had to control my own spending. Three, the photo taking! If, like me, you're vain (nothing wrong with that) and enjoy being in front of the camera, then your friend would do much much help. Vice versa. Win. Mother-fcukin-WIN. 

4. This point is quite important so remember this well: There is a small drink stall next to the restaurant Flora. You won't miss it. It has fruits in a cup on display and it's pretty red/pinkish on the inside. Take note of this place. You do not. I repeat DO NOT wanna buy anything from there. Heres why: I paid almost USD4 for a tea that didn't even have milk, honey OR sugar in it. I was not offered any condiments and the sad pathetic part of it all was when I asked for some milk, she told me that she'll only put in a little after showing me a sour face and then pretending to be confused. Trust me, you're not missing out on much if you're opting out of this place. With the money you're paying for "traditional Korean tea" (it was stuff you can make at home cause all you need to do is add hot water), you could probably save that money, add a couple more dollars for a sit in nice ice cold cuppa or shaved ice in an AC-ed (or heated depending on the season you're in) cafe that's round the corner. Seriously, refrain from that stall! You're not missing out on much.

5. When you reach Flora, you'll think you're at the end. But you're not. So cross the street, keep walking (follow the crowd) and go up to the Bukchon village (especially during sunset you don't wanna miss the view) and just slow walk. Its really chill and you get to people watch from an elevated view. It's like watching a live dollhouse! 

Like the escaping teddy...

I promise. 

And if you're feeling hungry by then, there's a ton of restaurants/cafes for you to pick from too!

Alright, I feel like I've regurgitated too much. Hope you took at least one thing away from this! :)

Watch out for my next post! I sense a coffee one coming! :) YAY!

I'm out.