Who is a Korean-American?

{Source}

Jenny, from the online project named, aptly, "I am Korean American" contacted me via email advising me about their venture. As a Korean-American, I was happy to find such a wonderful site that documents the unique, yet similar, experiences of different individuals who call themselves Korean-American.

Like any group of people, Korean-Americans are an amalgamation of different personalities, different experiences. Reading through the different accounts, here are some of my favourites:

Susan S Lee: I can totally relate to her! Especially about Korean school. I *hated* with a passion.

Anthony Kim: His loving account of his grandmother brought some tears to this grouchy Asian lady's eyes.

Linda Beck: This girl is awesome. I swear she's my twin. I love her sassy attitude and I love her story.

Michelle Koehn: An interesting perspective of an adoptee.

Jonathan Carfield: Another interesting story about a Korean adoptee. Except he's come to Korea. I can empathise with him.

There are so many interesting stories, many which I can relate, and many which are so deeply personal. I loved going through many of them and I know you will, too.

If you have the time or inclination, take a look at this project. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Thank you again, Jenny, for bringing this extraordinary project to my attention.

Korea Through My Eyes

Hey guys! It's really snowing outside. So beautiful that I'm about to go outside and take some pictures. My parents live up in the mountains so it truly is a sight to see, but terrible for going to the city. Booooo.

Anyways, since I'm cooped up at home, I wanted to update you on a few things I've been doing:


Where I'm Shopping:

Kyobo Bookstore, Gangnam

Duty Free! This pic is for you, Michelle.

What I'm Eating:

Degustine Menu at Table 34

Absolutely amasing! It was a white chocolate egg that melts away.

Beautiful Sashimi at Asian Live

This entire meal was less than 8USD. And so delish!!

Lastly, and most importantly, I got a PERM. I know. I'm not sure how I feel about it.

Lastly lastly (for reals this time), I didn't bring my tripod thinking my mom would have it, but she can't find it, so I'll try and post as many pics as I can. Until then, I hope you enjoy the snapshots of my holiday!
 

Any Interest?

Greetings from Korea! It is snowing up a storm here, and I finally have had an opportunity to sit down, drink some tea, and look at my growing amount of crap I am bringing back to the US. FML. Rather than clean my room, I've decided to write this post.

I don't know how many people actually read this little blog of mine, but I have in my possession a little something from Korea that I wanted to share with you. For those who are not from Korea, during the holidays, Koreans *love* to give calendars as gifts. In fact, certain calendars indicate a certain level of status in society. (More on that later) My mom was given this calendar, since she's such a power spender. ^__^

She was going to throw it away, but I snatched it out of her hands and told her I bet I could give this a lovely home.

I know! Korean movie stars!!! A calendar full of them!!!

Anyone interested? Let me know. It's yours for the taking.

Merry (belated) Xmas!!!

<3 Jane.

p.s. Movie stars not your thing? I'll have more goodies when I get back to the US to give away. I love Korea! Wheeee!!!!

Secret Gardens

Fashion to come soon, I promise, but in the mean time, these are some pictures I took when I was traveling through the backwoods of Korea. Korea is so beautiful and truly the remote places are so breath-taking. If you ever come to Korea, aside from the massive amount of shopping, which I willingly do, go to a Buddhist Temple. Or hike up some of the many mountains. You'll be surprised at how at peace you feel during your trek.

 

 

A Glimpse of What I've Been Doing

I actually use the nerdy calculator

Coffee. The spice of life.

Too many pens? I say not enough.

And, here is how I'm feeling:

I know how you feel, buddy.

Where I'll Be Soon.....

I'm excited.

I am a Mathlete, But am I a Book Nerd?

Michelle, who has an awesome blog, and Ashley, who also has an awesome blog, both did the BBC's 100 must read books. I decided to see how many I read. Here it goes:

Have you read more than 6 of these books? The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books listed here.

Instructions: Copy this. Bold those books you've read in their entirety, italicize the ones you started but didn't finish or read an excerpt. Tag other book nerds. Tag me as well so I can see your responses!

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible - Too Many Cooks
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell 
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller 
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk 
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoevsky 
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck 
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen 
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden 
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood 
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert X 
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen 
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt 
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas 
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding 
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett 
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce 
76 The Inferno – Dante
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens 
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery 
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare 
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

As you can see, I read a lot, but still not all 100; just 47/100. Some of these books I've read before, but I don't even remember what the plot was all about. Because they were lame. And as you can also see, there is a theme of books, besides the Bible, that I like to read: 1) depressing (Thomas Hardy is the best!) or 2) children's book. The rest can just suck it! =)

Where to Shop In Korea

I am no expert, but since I've lived in Korea, and more importantly, my *parents* live in Korea, I feel like I have a unique perspective on where to go, what to buy.

I see a lot of tourists go to the same old same old: Dongdaemun, for the young and hip and Namdaemun, for the rest. I think these places are great starting points, but there are a lot of other hidden gems in Korea. I am going to talk about Seoul, because that is what I'm familiar with, but obviously, other cities have great places to shop as well.

Districts:

Insadong: Whilst this is also become more and more of a tourist trap, there are definitely some awesome shops that sell great jewelry. Insadong is well known as an artistic district, and you can definitely feel that when you enter this district. What I recommend is to walk around, go into any shop or store that looks interesting.

What to buy: Jewelry! There are some interesting shoes and clothes, but I find jewelry is the way to go. I was going to buy Mr. T some interesting cufflinks that were only 35 USD, and there is this one huge place that basically are individual boutiques that sell all different kinds of amasing things.

One thing I bought at Insadong

Myongdong: A young and hip district in north Seoul. And yes, this is also becoming touristy. (Seriously, it seems everyone is in the know! Booo)Totally recommend. Go into all the little alleyways and look at the shops that aren't name brands, i.e. Gap, etc. The only store I say you should go that is a chain is, you guess it, Uniqlo.

What to Buy: Clothes, accessories, street food. Walk around; there are stores that sell earrings for a dollar, and there are also boutiques that sell clothes for a very good price. And the best thing is that the street food is delish! OMG I'm getting hungry. Eating and shopping: what more could you ask for???

I got this for a buck at one of those cheapie stores in Myongdong!

Dongdaemun: Generally, there are two places that people go to: Doota or Migliore. My take? You get what you pay for. The clothes here are generally really cheap, but they also *are* cheaply made. You really have to look. Also, go late; it's a great place to go late at night because they open late and close in the AM. It's a lot of fun and once again, the food is awesome!!! (If you haven't noticed, Koreans really do it best: eat and shop, then eat and shop some more.)

Caveat: There is a secret place, where not a lot of people know about, but *that*place has the BEST stuff for a good price. I've never gone there, so when I do, I'll let you know exactly *where* it is. =)

What to Buy: Clothes, Accessories. I recommend before you buy, LOOK at the clothes. I got some amasing leather pants there for 100 bux, (Yay!) and I also got some crappy clothes that I just used and threw away. So really, FEEL the clothes, look at the stitching.

Note: It's required you haggle here. Unlike Insadong or Myongdong, where it's not as prevalent, no haggling here means you're going to be paying more than you should.

Namdaemun: Go early, because the shops open early and close by 4PM. To me, Namdaemun is really hit or miss. If you are looking for clothes, this might not be the best place to go, but in terms of diversity, there is a lot of things. What I really enjoy is the Dokkaebi Market, i.e. the Black Market, only because I like to see what they have. I never buy anything, but it's fun to go.

What to Buy: Accessories, especially for the hair. They have some really cute stuff. And also, earrings, shoes and bags. But most importantly, the food. Seriously. It's that good.

One of the hair accessories I bought!

Jongro-gu: There is an alleyway that sells second-hand jewelry. It's kind of sketchy, but you could get a great deal. My mom and I went and I bought a cocktail ring for 60 USD. It's gold, with black and white. It's beautiful and I know I couldn't get it for that price anywhere.

What to Buy: Jewelry! There are cocktail rings with beautiful gems that you can get for the fraction of the price. If you can find this alleyway, you can get a great deal. It's hidden and only people in the know go there. One thing: you need to speak Korean or you will be shafted. Big time. It's really sketchy. But awesome!

Apgujung: Want to go to the ritziest area of Seoul, shopping wise? Go here. Think of it as a Korean version of Rodeo Drive. My friend, A, and I met up there and the same kimbap that costs 1 USD elsewhere is 3 USD here. My friend grumbled and wondered aloud whether there were gold flakes in the food.

What to Buy: Unless you have tons of money to blow, nothing. But definitely go here to go clubbing or go to the cafes; you will definitely see a Korean movie star or two. I promise. =)

Itaewon: Itaewon has never been my fav, as many ex-pats, and more importantly, ignorant soldiers, go there to drink and act like a foreign ass. Not a fan. BUT, there *are* some goodies if you go there during the day. Go to the alleyway and you will see some really cute clothes for a good price. Also, if you go inside the building where Suji's is housed, there are a bunch of stalls that sell cute clothes. I bought this dress there for 30 USD. No foreigners ever go there, so you know it's a Korean secret. ^^

Itaewon has a vast amount of foreign-ish food. I say "foreign-ish" because it's the Korean interpretation of Western food. It's delish, and I recommend trying as many restaurants as you can. It's a different feel of Korea.

Whilst eating, I also recommend, during the day, walking around and looking at the outdoor vendors. What I've noticed is that many of them sell clothes that are "knock-offs" of brands such as Polo, Abercrombie, and by "knock-offs," I mean they are basically the same thing, but because of some defect or because they made too much, they sell it at Itaewon. Also, there are some funny shirts that I want to buy, but some are really NSFW.

What to Buy: Clothes and maybe a fake bag and watch or two if you are so inclined.

NOTE if you're a foreigner, they will be very aggressive in trying to get you to buy fake bags. If you want to, go for it, but I generally try to stay away. They scare me.

COEX: Above are offices and below is the mall. This is *the* destination for all Korean young couples. There is an Aquarium in one area and shops galore. There are also two hotels that anchor the mall, as well as a huge movie theatre. And it's all indoors.

I love this place because there is everything. They have boutiques and brands. The COEX has Zara, Roem, Uniqlo, and little boutiques that sell unique and different clothes.

What to Buy: Clothes and accessories. Walk around and look! Generally a lot of the boutiques have these "enticers," i.e. clothes in the front they are selling for 10 USD. It's fun to look and sometimes there are some hidden gems.

Here are some of the things I bought:

I got that top for 10 USD in one of those "enticers" and I got the skirt from Zuma, the best store, ever!

In my next post, I will post about some stores and venues to look for cute things in Korea. Until then, hope you enjoy this!

Where To Thrift In DC

Sassy Marmalade asked me in the comments where I thrifted in DC. I thought I would talk a little about it, and maybe add on to it each time I go somewhere new.

When I first found out about thrifting, I was pretty excited about the idea of refashioning clothes, or even finding new treasures. Truly, it was the thrill of the chase. There were so many that people talked about, but the ones that they raved about were vintage stores, like Annie Creamcheese, and Meeps, to name a few. If I am honest, however, I never really went to any of these because when I am in Georgetown (which I try not to go unless I absolutely have to), or in Adams Morgan, I'm not going to go there to shop at a thrift store, no matter how awesome or vintage they may be.

Thrift Stores I've Visited

1) Goodwill on Glebe: I like their dress selection. And their suit selection. Their accessories are a bit to be desired. BUT(!), if you *do* find something there, it's definitely cheaper than the other Goodwill at Falls Church. The best thing I found there was an Etro scarf for a dollar. Yes. A dollar. I almost peed in my pants. But the gash on my wrist from getting said scarf is a testament to my tenacity. This was also the place that I found the new, with tags, H&M dress that I didn't buy. I like to look at the dresses and suits for two key reasons: 1) there is too much other stuff in the other items and I'm not that patient; and 2) I find the better items in the suits and dresses rather than the skirts, and jeans, and other stuff.

I also find the *quality* better here than the one in Falls Church. Like the Etro, I've found a Moschino suit that I'm dying to wear, and also some DvF, that, had it fit me, I would have bought. (damn boobs) I've also seen Christian Dior suits (and I know they are authentic, because trust me, I just know) and other nice goodies.

2) Goodwill near the Target in Falls Church: This place has some awesome belts, and accessories. Sometimes. Like this belt. I also saw this really cute sequined cummerbund, in gold, new, but didn't buy it because sometimes, it takes my brain 4 hours to realise that I made a dumb move.

Like I stated, this place is hit or miss. Sometimes, I find some really awesome things. Like said belt, and also some sweet accessories. I also found some vintage St. John skirts, one of which I gave to my aunt. But again, hit or miss. I also got this awesome dress from here, too. You really have to look, but since it's smaller than the Goodwill in Glebe, sometimes, when the mood strikes me, I'll pop in right before heading out to Target. Kind of like an amuse bouche to my main course.

Here is a great link from a prolific fashion blogger, Brooke, of all the thrift stores in DC where she has gone, with her reviews of them. I also really like Kasmira's and Allie's advise on thrifting.

One important comment: I would recommend dry cleaning or washing your clothes after you get them. I do it for all of them. I don't care what they are.  You never know where they've been and also, I keep thinking about bed bugs. Gross. I read somewhere that if you wash your clothes with vinegar it should get rid of all the germs. I don't know if it's true, but I just wash it and dry it normally and hope the water kills the little buggers. I also clean all the jewelry and clean all the shoes. I mean seriously spray it with everything under the sun.

Where I'd Like to Go

I still would like to go to a few places. One is Unique Thrift Store. Every time I pass by it on my home from the Korean market, I tell myself that I should pop by, and then I remember I have a ton of perishables and I just go home.

The other place is Joseph's Coat, a place I actually heard about from another fellow blogger, Katie. Haven't gone yet, but I pass it every time I go to eat Korean food, and I remind myself to go there when I have time, and well, I think you see a pattern.

I'm not a big fan of the consignment stores around here, because I think they are kind of pricey. I bought this really cute Nannette Lepore tank, but really, I think I overpaid at 50 USD. I might try Plato's Closet, even though it's really far away, however, because they are very similar to Buffalo Exchange.

Lastly, I've been *dying* to go to estate sales. They seem like the new thrift stores. I am actually on an email list, but I have never gone to any because Mr. T doesn't want to wake up in the crack of dawn on the weekend, as it is his day off, and I am too lazy to go myself. If anyone want to go with me, and you are in DC, drop me an email and let's plan it out. =)

One Final Note: I went thrifting in Texas and let me tell you, I found the *best* stuff there. I went to a thrift store and was bowled over at these two really amasing hand-made Indian copper goblets. For only 15 dollars! I didn't buy them because I really don't have a need for said goblets, but WOW were they beautiful. I did, however, buy a set of 8 china plates for 20 bux. Totally worth it. I also went to the Goodwill there and got myself an amasing vintage bag made in Italy for 3 dollars and this Neiman's bag for a buck! It was like thrifting heaven. I kind of regret not buying the companion knit bag, also made in Italy, also 3 USD. But I was with Mr. T and he wasn't that thrilled that I was in a thrift store, with my Longchamp bag, browsing, whilst the people around me were not there for the "thrill of the chase." (I have to tell you how many "I <3 USA" t-shirts I saw inside the Goodwill. Some were bedazzled. Some were not. It was a spectacle. I should have gotten one. Just because.)

Which I gets to my tip of the day: look at the label. If it says "Made in China," chances are, that Prada bag is really a Prado. Also, even if it *is* a Prado bag, or Adidos shoes, if they look good, buy it!

Thank You!

My lovely blog friend, Ashley, was kind enough to showcase me in her blog. I am deeply grateful and honoured to be recognised in such a fashion. I was so surprised I spit out my daily coffee onto the monitor.

If you have a chance, go to her blog as well. It is filled with wonderful posts that are, to me, very candid. We all have our ups and downs and I appreciate her willingness to say it's OK to eat a piece of pie for breakfast (or half dozen brownies, ahem) because they are delicious, or any other "bad habits" we all have tucked away in our psyche.

So, thank you. I am touched and amased to no end.

xoxo, Jane.

Thank you, Ashley!

Two Month Review

Remember this post? Well, it's been 60 days of posting outfits and I want to see how well badly well I did in terms of not buying clothes. Even in my birthday month.

The Background: I was inspired by this NY Times article, which led me to this blog, to see how long I could go without spending money on clothes. Clearly I failed in *not* spending. Not only did I buy some articles of clothing, I also have bought accessories. It seems as if at one point, every fashion blogger has tried to go without spending money on clothes, i.e. 30 clothes in 30 days, etc., but whilst they *do* fuel the creative mind, they didn't really hit the problem that many women, including myself, have, which is spending a crapload of money on clothes and accessories, be it good quality or not. I started this blog to try and force myself to wear all the crap I have in my closet, and give away/swap/sell whatever clothes I do not wear.

Regardless, I want to continue to hold myself accountable so that I won't go on a shopping spree and then regret my purchases.

Here's the breakdown of what I bought in the last two months:

Definitely a good purchase!

These shoes from Payless? Definitely a good purchase. I've been wearing the ones on the left all.the.time. In that sense, I'm glad I bought these shoes.

All the accessories I bought

Since I couldn't go hog wild on clothes, I ended up buying accessories. I bought the gold bracelet and necklace at Goodwill. The necklaces I got from F21, as well as the belt. And the sunglasses are from Target. So far, I think I made some decent purchases.

Source

Source

So these are the two dresses I bought from Charlotte Russe. Online. I never buy anything online. I like to try my stuff first. I got the first one because Mr. T really really liked it. And I got the second one because, really, how many wrap dresses can you have? Apparently the number is to the x to the nth power. I already wore it, too.

I actually bought these dresses because I really wanted to buy this:

Lies!!

That picture is totally deceiving. When I got this in person, there were holes in the centre that made it look cheap and tacky. And since they didn't have it in the store itself, I was forced to buy it online. And since it costs 6 bucks to ship, I felt I had to buy something to decrease the shipping cost per item. That's right; Charlotte Russe, unlike F21, does NOT have free shipping. So, I bought my roommate a present, which she loved, and I got these two dresses for 8USD, not including shipping. But, since I like how they look, I'm only 99% grumpy about the shipping cost. I took away 1% due to the utter satisfaction of the dresses. Though I guess I should put it back to 100% because the necklace was horrible. 

The Verdict? Holding myself accountable using this blog has definitely decreased the amount of money I spend on clothes, but I will say I now focus my energy on accessories, which, in the Goodwill, might be a good idea, because it seems all the clothes I buy from the Goodwill always goes back to the Goodwill, but definitely not the case when it comes to other places. Sometimes you definitely need a little something to fill your wardrobe. I think this post says it best. I give myself a C. 

ETA:  OK, after I wrote this, I epically failed because I bought: 1) the BR top; 2) Nine West booties; 3) Aveda face lotion (awesome stuff, but really, did I need it? No); 4) Sephora eye liner; and 5) a video game. Yes, I am a sucker for free stuff.

Another picture of the BR top

EPIC FAIL.

Day 55: Gunners

Sorry,  no pics from yesterday because I didn't have time to take a picture before dashing off to this.  I know DC is really small, but running into people that I really didn't want to see: Can I say aaawkward? Especially when one of then is an old college-mate of yours. And she's always been a little weird. Or maybe it's me. Clearly, more to the story exists, but it revolves around the judgemental nature of  Korean-American Christians. (you know who you are) I know I don't always get along with all the Korean-Americans out there, and it's not without trying. I know I'm not the most outgoing or the most Korean-American, but I am definitely loads of fun once you get to know me, I promise! I really wish I *did* snap a picture because I loved my dress, I had to bandage my chestal area, and I really got dolled up. Think flowy silver-grey dress. I love the dress to bits. I'll try to recreate it when I get my dress back from the cleaners.

Yeah, I suck at life

Anyways, the gala was filled with two types of people: (1) the gunners and (2) people who got their tickets free (i.e. me.) I'm not a big networker, so I really went to try the "fancy" Korean food. Talk about a FAIL. The food was so bad, even my friend, A, was giving me "the look." You know, I got dressed up for THIS?!?! look. It wasn't Korean food, and it definitely wasn't fancy. I got three measly pieces of beef and whilst soft, where was the accoutrement? Three cubes of beef does not a fancy dish make.And the fish dish? Terrible at best. Even the dessert didn't do it for me. The wine pairings was poor. I am not wine snob, but overly-sweet wine is good with dessert, not beef.  The whole experience was awkward and stilted, just like I expected. The food definitely didn't make up for the weird vibes I was getting throughout the gala. I really owe A a nice Korean dinner. Luckily, the people around us were not gunners so we just small talked a little bit before we high-tailed it back home.

Despite that, I really did appreciate my friend, D, of thinking of me. I wish I was more outgoing and able to talk to people, but really, I hate hate hate networking. I know I can be super charming, but not when I'm forced to do it. Call it teenage rebellion, if you must; I call it chafing against THE MAN. =)

Lion, Tigers and Bears!!

My new finds!!

After seeing a few girls on campus wearing the owl necklace, which I totally dug, I bought these two animal necklaces from Forever 21. I *love* F21's jewelry and accessories; they remind me very much of Korean accessories. Love love love. <333

I jump in it.... =)

I love elephant accessories. I have an elephant belt and Mr. T bought me two elephant pendants. Now I have another one. I was also thinking of buying this. Do you think it's too much???? (If you saw how many elephant stuff I have, you would be agog.)
 
That being said, is it just me or is Forever 21 using bloggers for inspiration? I mean, I was totally inspired by Indiana, especially all her elephant stuff (lucky girl), but doesn't this bracelet look similar to this? Or even the necklace I bought similar to this one? Or this one??

Regardless, I love Forever21 and I love all their accessories. To me, it's like they let the US market in on the secret of why a lot of Korean women are so stylish: cheap, but super cute accessories!! Love it. Mr. T always says most Asian women have a sense of style and I have to agree. I believe it starts with the accessories and the rest is just gravy.

Shivering In Anticipation

I just found out about this. LANVIN for H&M?!?!? I need to get to a store that sells it as soon as it comes out. I love love love Lanvin.

Day 27: Two-fer

Yes, like yesterday, today was a two-fer. A two-a-day. I blame Mr. T and his utter impatience. I kind of threw sthing on.

This is what I wore to the body shop to see Mr. T's f'd up car:

Ombre!

Dress: Calvin Klein (Costco)

I love this dress. Or, at least I did until I saw a friend of a friend wear the *same* dress on FB. Then, I didn't like it so much. I don't know why, but it just deflated my love for this dress. To be fair, one time, after I bought this dress, Mr. T and I saw another girl with the same dress, except it looked frumpy on her. Super frumpy. I think it was because she wore it as a skirt??? And wore some interesting shoes. (*cough Crocs cough*)

One of the biggest things about the clothes I buy from Costco in the US, is that they are a tad big. This is a size S and I feel like it would be cuter if it were a smidge tighter. And, because it's clingy, I can't wear anything under it because it would show the lumps. Any styling ideas would be so appreciated.

After looking at Mr. T's poor car, and possible new ones, I realised I needed to do laundry and also realised I smeared mascara on this lovely dress, so I needed to wash this. And then I changed to Outfit 2.

Yes, another outfit

Top: Korea (Costco)
Capri Jeans: Uniqlo

This is what I wore to pick up my car from the dealership. Turns out only to be a dead battery. Yay! This is also what I wore when I was doing laundry. I hate laundry.

Day 26: Outfit Swap

I wore two outfits in one day. Yes, I am sad.

This is what I wore to go eat Pho.

Outfit 1: Boooring

Tank: Target (Merona)
Jeans: Uniqlo

I kind of threw sthing on, as Mr. T and I were starving and totally craving Pho. Pho 75 is *the* best pho place in Arlington. Saddens me that there is no other ethnic food around that is even decent. I wish the Asian food here in DC was better. 

This is what I wore to go with Mr. T whilst he was getting a MRI:

Outfit 2: Better

Top: Korea (Costco)
Jeans: Uniqlo
Headband: Korea
Earrings: Korea

I just realised this entire outfit was from Korea. Awesome. =) 

I just switched out the tank top to this top, primarily because 1) I was feeling very bloated, but also, 2) because wanted to wear sthing that would cover me up a little more and so I could wear a cardigan just in case it gets cold in the hospital. It wasn't cold, but I did feel better after changing, especially because of point 1.

I am also trying to grow out my bangs because I was looking at some old pics and realised I didn't want bangs anymore. We'll see how long this will last. Since I am trying to *not* cut my bangs, I put on the this headband as a way to get the hair off my face. And, since there were sparkly jewels in the top, I added these earrings as an extra flair.

Ooooh! Pretty!

So, yes, two outfits. One day. I guess that makes up for Tuesday. Or Thursday.

Day 25: Broke Down Hotel

Top: Mango
Capri Shorts: Uniqlo

This is what I was *planning* to wear to go to watch the Rangers play the Orioles. Until my car broke down. Whilst parking illegally. Watching the police circle around me like vultures was very stressful to say the least. And, the Rangers lost. 

It was one of those days.

On the bright side? Got the shirt, on sale, for 10 USD. I love Mango when they  have those mega-sales. That's when to buy stuff from them.

Day 24: Unmotivated

Shirt: Wet Seal
Shorts: Target (DIY)

I am feeling very unmotivated to wear anything that doesn't resemble lounge clothes. Hence the lack of posts on Tuesday, and Thursday. Very very lazy. I wore this just to wear sthing outside. It's been bad, indeed.

I love the lace details, even when it's totally pilled. =(

 

I Caved. (aka "Why I am a sucker")

Yes, I broke my resolution for no clothes and bought exercise shorts at Target. I was going to cut my other shorts, but I figured this was faster and I realise I needed one more pair. Still, I feel bad. That and I bought some jewelry from Goodwill. Does anyone every feel pressured to buy sthing when you go to a store? I do sometimes. I hate that.

Let me explain how I ended up buying stuff from Goodwill. Before I do, here is a picture of the necklace I bought:

The necklace

Pretty, no? I got it for 5 USD.

This all started when I lost my brooch at the Whole Foods in Clarendon. I was determined to find another brooch to go with the brooch I still had in my presence.I even called to see if the Whole Foods had my brooch. I was SOL. Anyways, since I had to drop my roommate off somewhere in DC, early in the morning, with a very high possibility that I had to pick her up because it was raining like a mofo, I figured I would go to Target for said shorts and then pop by the Goodwill and see if they had any brooches. The problem with the Goodwill in Falls Church is that all the jewelry is ensconced in glass. Where the registers are located. Whilst looking to see if they had any possible brooches, I saw this necklace. I wasn't sure if this was a good idea, because I almost lost my breakfast when they said the necklace was 5 bux, but the dude was breathing down my neck and I wanted to get out of there ASAP. I just wanted to see if there was any brooches that matched the one I lost. I was on a mission. A mission that was an epic FAIL.

Close up of the necklace

What do you think? I like it, but is it too much?

Then, I went to *another* Goodwill, on Glebe, in the pouring rain, grumbling because I couldn't believe how much I spent on a necklace and saw this:

That's a bracelet!

I got *this* for a buck! What's up with different prices in each Goodwill? I thought I would layer this with some other bracelets, and, what's more important, it fit my tiny wrists.

Detail shot!

And, of course, there was no brooch that I liked. Hence, the EPIC FAIL! T_T

Anyways, the reason why I didn't mind buying the bracelet at the Goodwill on Glebe is because 1) the lady at the register was super awesome and friendly; and 2) it was only a dollar. The necklace should have been 3 USD. Also they were trying to push me into buying more stuff. Not cool, man. Not cool.

Any thoughts on how I can wear the necklace? I like it, but am drawing a blank. Don't want to look matronly, either. =*(