Seoul,South Korea-Spring 2014

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My Exo Idols' Socks!

Too excited to wait on this one :pI got myself a set of Exo socks!Wasn't really confident on finding these socks because I heard that they were "almost extinct"-as in not being sold much anymore. So I was only hoping that I could just find myself Exo Kris' only.But hey!Didn't expect to find all 12.All 12 of them I got to find in Myeongdong!Chanyeol's was the hardest to find-because most of his were sold out but was soo thankful to find his at last!Now I'm trying to decide whether to use them or not.Too precious to be used!!!Should have bought another set so I can keep the other or maybe hang them on the wall... -.-Ok ok crazee fan girl mode alert :p Besides the 12,I got myself my other biases' girl idols' socks-Seohyun of SNSD & Park Bom's of 2NE1 :)These socks were super cheap-costing only at 1000 Korean Won approximately RM3!There were only two types of socks that I managed to find -one of them having the members' name in Hangul  & the other in English.I liked the ones in English better wanted to find myself more of them but only got to find Kai's.D.O's,Suho's & Sehun's in that type :( But that didn't bother me much.Anyway what I'm really trying to say was that I looked like a socks' collector in Seoul-I 'd be asking the shopkeepers repeatedly to confirm some of the members' socks' that're written in Hangul-they'd give me these surprised faces like I'm some crazy foreign Exo fan,which I positively am :p I bugged the same shopkeeper 3 days in a row ;p Searching for Chanyeol's socks -.- Too much of a fan & too "motivated" to be embarrassed hahax.I've just realised most of my sentences have words like "I got myself/I bought myself..".Can't help it! I'm just too excited to share them with you & what I'd gotten from there(here it goes again :p)
Here are my lovely lovely socks!

Upper row(left to right)-Kris,Lay,Chen,Luhan,Xiumin,Tao
Lower row(left to right)-Suho,Chanyeol,Kai,D.O,Baekhyun,Sehun

Seohyun's & Park Bom's :)

Summer Beauty Haul

Hello!It's been long since I posted on anything here.Just got back from my holiday in South Korea & I've got gazillions of things to say!!!It was only a one week trip but it was AWESOME.The juice of it I'll be telling you more in my upcoming posts:)Probably after I get back to Bangalore this Sunday-to kick off my 3rd year of Medical school!Aaaaaah I'm excited(I think...) yet nervous & scared all at the same time!Do wish me luck-because I really need it!
     Anyway,here's a sneak peek on the beauty reviews I'll be making.Got myself some good stuffs there.And the list of things to do & buy in Korea  that I had made,before going-was almost completed!So proud of myself D Plus I got almost all the skincare & beauty products that I've listed in my wish list!With some EXTRAS!I can't wait to try them on,waiting to finish the ones that I've still got left.Planning to use my Clinique's facial wash as a body shampoo gulp! :pIn Bangalore,summer's about to come by-so I bought myself some things that'll spice up my Indian Summer :D.Also got my hands on some cosmetics-my very first make-up!Didn't want to overdo it,so as first timer,just got myself some basics,like the ever so famous BB Cream,bases,highlighters & a pore compact powder.And as you all might know,being a sucker for face masks,I bought gazillions of them!!Weeeeee I love em' masks-bought myself a treatment mask,a sleeping pack,mask sheets etc...I can never have too many!!
      So here're the good stuffs-feast your eyes!

What I got + from what shop:
- The Face Shop: Herb Day 5 Grains Cereal Cleansing Cream
-Nature Republic: Botanical Pore Pact,BB Cream,Make up Base,Highlighter,Exo Chen's Peach Scented    Handcream,Lip Pencil,Bee Venom Facial Cleanser
-The Saem :Jeju Fresh Aloe Vera Gel
-Lush: Mask of Magnaminty
-Laneige: Water Sleeping Pack
-Etude House: Aloe Moistfull Essence, A-Z Sheet masks in Korean Ginseng,Snail Mucus,Elder Flower
-VDL : Naked Facial Scrub

 

The freebies!

Stay tuned for my reviews on these fab stuffs!Can't wait!

Carrot Noodle + Plum Salad

Something a lil' different from the norm!Try this salad :)It's nice to have it in this heat,on a sunny afternoon or something like that!Has some cooling effect to it too.click here for more

Honey-Roasted Ramen

Was craving for something sweet so I fixed something simple-honey-roasted ramen :)Was inspired after watching a show!It's super easy-just glaze a thin or thick layer,(depending on your preference) of honey on the noodle then roast it wala!Iclick here for more

What an Exo Fan Needs To Have In Their Backpack

I'am super excited about going to Korea for the holidays!Too excited till I started listing down things I need to do & buy there :pWas a lil' confused on what the "appropriate" things an Exo fan should do there hahax-this sounds like it's such a compulsory :p In my case.it's definitely one!Any fan would agree with me on this.A K-pop fan's visit to Korea is never the same to a normal visitor's-our "holiday" minds are never close to even similar.We're "special" visitors from our own la-la land & once we step on Incheon Airport it all becomes a  reality :D Ok what am I going on... -.-Anyway,in all my "confuse-ness" I googled on some things I needed to get done.There are some great blogs that tell you exactly where & when to go.I was lucky to find this one- http://fellfromtheskies.wordpress.com/When I read through her's,everything that I've been doing for the past three & a half years eventually made sense-all my fan girling,multiple downloadings,group merchandises' purchasing actually had value etc if you know what I mean *wink wink* :p.To know that I'm not the only one in the world who acts like this' kind of comforting weee.If you're a fan, you definitely would want to visit her blog then all of your guilty-fan-feeling will be zapped away bwahax.
       Meanwhile,I made my own list of things to bring-the essentials of any K-pop fan when visiting the "country of cuteness"-heard that from somewhere,didn't make it up :p
Here's my list of things to bring:)
-Camera!(I'd kill myself if I forgot this one -.-)The life of an avid fan's almost like a paparazzi's...
-Sunglasses(optional)-fans can be really jealous of each other,so you'd need shades when "interacting" with your biases-in case you get caught on Youtube :p
-My lovely water bottle-all that running around can be dehydrating
-My Avene' lipbalm-to maximize my water bottle's full potential :P
-My Exo Kris' GDA sweatshirt-still contemplating whether to bring it or not,don't know if I have the nerve to wear it!
-Any of Exo's album-having them to sign albums instead of notebooks will lift your status in the fandom hierarchy haha just made that up :P-but I don't have one myself yet!
-Good shoes-ones you'll be comfortable running around with-if possible those tall ones,so it'd be harder for other fans to push around a "tall" fan hahax
-My hoodie(optional)-to maximize the sunglasses' potential :p
-A lil' snack & vitamins,my personal fave vit B-all the waiting can zap up your glucose levels & energy hee
-A good sunblock-if you're paparazzi-ing in the outdoors
-My lovely notebook-for SIGNATURES!!-got one for myself & Jane-we're Exo freaks

Notebooks,camera,lip balm,sunblock,vitamins,exo Kris sweatshirt & water bottle!

My list of things to do:
-Visit places Exo visited during the airing of'Exo's Showtime' -i.e Hanok Village,Gwanghwamun square(Tao's selca attempts!),Namsan Tower(all three on ep7),Hongdae(ep2),Garosugil(ep3)etc.-omigodd I sound crazee to even remember all of these :P
-Visit the major three entertainment companies-SM,JYP,YG
-If possible try to get into M-Countdown
-Maybe if I'm lucky I can catch a fan signing event-anywhere!I'll try to go!
-If I'm super lucky,to get to meet any groups especially Exo at Incheon airport!!

My list of things to buy:
-Clothes
-Skincare products-stock up on my masks & stuffs from The Face Shop,Etude House,Lush,VDL,Skinfood,Holika Holika,Innisfree!
-Flat ankle boots
-Exo's Idol printed socks ;)
-Korean coffee in those cute lil' bottles they have
-Kimchi
-Chia seeds
-Vitamin water
-Bananna milk yum
-Korean table set utensils-love their long spoon & flat chopsticks!
-Exo's Nature Republic Handcream-I just need to get Lay's vanilla & Kai's Rose butter scented ones :)

So there goes my to dos' lists,hopefully it'll help you next time if you're ever planning to visit Korea with a more prepared fan-mind hahax.See you next time after I get back!Will sure to have more reviews in hand -so excited!Bye!
Ps-Can't wait for the official release of Exo's comeback song today-Overdose!(but because of their songs being leaked, heard there's going to be a delay in their comeback-hope not!Hope you Exotics are as excited as me!

Vegan Smoothie-Coffee + Black Soy Bean

Here's a great way to start your day!Instead of the heavily caffeinated plain coffee, I opted for a coffee smoothie added with black soy bean drink:)If you're a coffee addict .like me :P you'd still want the coffee taste to it.But to keep it healthy,I added black soy drink-this adds up a "nutty" flavour to this super yummy yum yum smoothie-so you won't really realise how there's less caffeine in it -cool right?click here for more

Exo's 2014 Comeback-15.04.2014 !

Hi guys!If you're familiar with the Korean pop scene you'd know that Exo is going to make a comeback next week on the 15th!Me,being their hardcore fan,have been waiting since their last Christmas' album & FINALLY  the boys are back!!SM Entertainment,their management company has been releasing pictures of their comeback,some teasers!Apparently some of their new songs' background music have been leaked on Youtube.It sounded like dub step according to Jane :)I'm not really a fan of dub steps,but I hope this new song will be a hit!Hopefully it can surpass last year's hits 'Growl' & 'Wolf '.Anyway, the pictures have come out great though the ones with them all in white looked a little costume-y,reminds me of Zorro's white shirt, if you ask me :PTheir comeback will be somewhere at Jamshil for Samsung,on the 15th!Guess what!?I'll be heading my way to Seoul for a holiday next week too!!Unfortunately my flight will be on the 15th too-a night flight,so I couldn't catch their comeback T.T.This was really unexpected,because it was my mom that had booked the ticket.It's just pure coincidence-a lucky one!I've only gotten to know that they'll be making a comeback early last week but the tickets were bought earlier!!Aaaaahh!Kept on thinking if I could fly there earlier with the possibility of me to get to watch the comeback!But I've been trying to stay calm ever since the comeback news,trying not to be too much of a hardcore fan or not I'm going to have that queasy feeling- full of regrets.The feeling I always get whenever I'm in a fan girl state T.T.Something like when I was an avid football fan before-don't want it to happen again this time.This is my destiny as a restrained fan girl's life :P But I'm not just going to rest in my laurels & leave everything to fate :pInstead I'm going to think of something when I do get to Seoul.I've got to be a more aggressive Exotic!(Exo's fan club)Hopefully I'll get to find people with the same fate as mine there!And I'm going to feel sorry for my mom & dad again for going to have to put up with me - a fan girling daughter,if you  know what I mean!Gosh being a fan is such hard work!Hopefully everything turns out fine in Seoul.I really really hope I'd get to see some of their idols at Incheon airport!It'd be super  awesome if it were to be Exo.If it were to happen, together with the fact that I'll be flying there on the same date they'll be making their comeback-it'll just prove how I'am really fated to be an Exotic,with the Universe having my back :DThese are some pictures of their comeback!Cool right!?I especially like Kris'(my ultra bias!) & Sehun's!

Exo with their 'Zorro-like' look!

Woomin hyung-Xiumin

Cold city guy a.k.a Galaxy hyung-Kris

Funky Jongdae-Chen!

KKaepsong founder-Baekhyun

Big mama leader -Suho

Kai's fan club's president-Chanyeol :p

My little pony  healing unicorn :p-Lay

Big eyes D.O

Kungfu panda-Tao

Evil maknae-Sehun :)

Deer-Luhan

Chicken mania-Kai

Love My Salad-Bean Sprouts + Fried Anchovies +Tofu

Felt like experimenting this morning with my food:)Came up with this.The basics include bean sprouts which I just bought this morning after making four rounds at the park :)I'm proud of myself!I love fresh bean sprouts,big juicy ones so just make sure more click here

Simple + Yummy Extra Fat Burning Foods + Leptin Sensitizing Food

Click here for the post in 'Love My Food'

Credits to:wellnessmama.com

Asian-Korean/Japanese Skincare

So you've probably heard about asian skincare by now with the Koreans & the Japanese leading the pack(wonder when Malaysia will,but still looking forward to it!).Myself being Malaysian,to be honest with you, I haven't really gotten any idea on why the rage for asian skincare,especially Korean skincare-UNTIL NOW(gulp!).As you all might know,I like making reviews & also read them-review junkie/face mask junkie.Most of the beauty products' reviews I'd stumble upon on search engines would almost always be on Korean skincare line.So I got quite curious..guess you can guess what happens next :PI was impressed!
     Before, I'd only follow a 3-step skincare regime that includes cleansing + toning + moisturising.But then as I've gotten older,I started incorporating other basics like facial scrubs + face masks.Face masks being my fave!With these 5, somehow I've concluded that I've perfected my skincare regime :)But then,that changed as I'd gotten to know of Korean skincare routines :)Somehow I think I can also say that Korean/Japanese skincare represents asian skincare,because I think both of these countries are kinda developed & brilliant in their respective beauty departments.Korean & Japanese skincare products are somewhat similar except that some terms are used interchangeably(i.e Japanese call their toners as lotions whereas Koreans call their emulsions as lotions-kinda confusing!!I know- but you'll get used to it!).My skincare regime have always been more "western"-I'd use products from Simple,St Ives,Clinique,L'oreal etc-and they've all somehow worked for me.But obviously,thanks to genetics!-asian skin is different to that of other types of skin-so that kinda got me thinking of a change.Since asian based products cater more to asian skin,as more extensive research has been done of their products towards asian skin-logic enough?But since products like Clinique/L'oreal rocked my skin I don't see why asian skincare products can't do the same to other skin types!So you should definitely give it a try despite what type of skin you have-BEAUTY IS A GAMBLE hahax don't know how that came out from me :p
      Anyway, besides the above said reasons,I really adore Korean women's skin.Especially when I watch their dramas & shows-their actresses have got great skin!They're somewhat dewy,shiny & porcelain-like-thanks to the ever famous BB cream!Primers are also an in thing right now but I've always believed that the best base for make up is good skin!So I'm hoping by following this new regime -it could get me that!
                                         

My fave Korean actress-Kim Tae Hee's got great skin!

      Basically these are the steps of a basic(couldn't get basic-er enough!)of this skincare routine.It's known as the 'layering' method.The French calls this 'millefeuille':
Step 1:Cream/Oil cleansing(at night)-Part of the 'double-cleansing' method-mainly to remove make up,but have additional properties(yay!),such as moisturising,prevents moisture from the skin being stripped off due to double cleansing
Step 2:Cleansing-the normal(night & day)-To remove excess cream/oil cleanser,if not,it'll shout=OILY FACE
Step 3:Massage cream(optional)
Step 4:Toner or lotion(Japanese) or skin water/balancer (Koreans)-western skincare usually use it together with cotton pads to wipe off the dirt & blemishes,but typically in this routine,only hands are used to pat them on the face-why waste them on cotton pads right?!Meanwhile the Japanese thought of a little something called 'lotion mask'-where you soak cotton pads with toner & stick the pads to the face-hence the word mask!Brilliant right!?That way,all the toner's goodness can be absorbed better :)
Step 5:Serum/essence-Contains high concentrates of ingredients that works on the deep layers of our skin!It's made up of smaller molecules compared to of a moisturiser/emulsion-hence it should be layered on first for maximum penetration.
Step 6:Moisturiser/emulsion or lotion(Korean) or Milk(Japanese)-the basics!
Step 7:Cream/(optional-if you have oily skin,you can skip this) or eye cream
Step 8:Special treatment(spot lighteners etc)
Step 9:Make up/Sunscreen
Step 10:For maintenance:Face packs(sheet masks are a big thing in Korea),sleeping masks :)

       Woah!!What a list.From my basic 3-step routine,to a 5, & now this!But it's going to be worth it,I know,because I'm trying it out myself.Plus,the steps might look tiresome at first, especially to people who're just like me,who thinks minimal is the way to go,though laziness is the REAL culprit :p But once you do see the results & what this routine does to your skin,you'll definitely make yourself more disciplined in your regimen & it'll turn out to be fun-having great skin is fun fun fun hahax.So give it a try-no harm done,no matter what type of skin you have :D
       If you're new to Korean/Japanese skincare routines,here are some of my favourite products that you can add into your current regimen-to make it to a 9-step routine!:(Note that I have oily-combination + sensitive-during cold seasons T.T-so not all the stuffs I use may be ok for your skin, so do ask around first before purchasing,or you can ask me!Plus most beauty stores these days give out samples!So don't be shy to ask for one :) )
-Daiso Japan's Blackheads Charcoal Peel Off Mask(great to remove white heads too!)
-The Face Shop's Chia Seed Sebum Control Moisture Cream
-Skin Food's Black Sesame Hot Mask
-The Face Shop's Raspberry Roots Mask
*I've made reviews on all 4 of these,so you can look them up here Beauty Diary-hopefully they'll help you!

       With these,I still use my Clinique facial cleanser for type 4 skin & Clinique's mild toner-and they work perfectly fine together:)And I'm planning to add some more one at a time-because I don't want to shock my skin with new products at one go!-skin can be culture shocked too yahh knoww!So it doesn't mean that you're switching to a new skincare routine,you'd need to completely make over your beauty hauls.I love mix & matching asian & western based products-and that's what you should start out with first.Here are some other products I'm trying to get my hands on Wish List -maybe they can do you justice:0
Hopefully these explanations helped you in figuring out what your skin really needs-like they have helped mine.Feel free to leave comments,I'd love to hear news on your progress & I'll update on mine too :)Thanks for reading!See ya!