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.