Gmarket Haul

Happy New Years Eve everyone! I hope this year has been kind to you and if not, I hope the next will be better.

Well, my gmarket order arrived early this morning in record speed - the order was placed on Sunday and it took less than a week to arrive!

The main motive for this order was to get some bags for the next uni semester <3



Though they came out flat at first, tightening the straps that went through the holes near the top, it gave the bags a better shape.

The following two items are bags from FNB. My first bag, fresh out of plastic wrapping:

I wanted the white version but it was sold out, contemplated the light grey version but I settled with the tan colour.

Comparison with the stock image:

My second bag is a black one. I initially wanted the "purple beige" color but unluckily for me, it was sold out! Black was the only colour left! (no light coloured bags this time, so my next bag purchase will have to be something light!) Apologies for the dark photo.

Comaprison with stock image:

There is a strong plastic smell to the bags, but after airing them out for a while, it should disappear.

Next up, simple black 6cm heels from this store. The height is not too high so it's perfect for me to wear casually. I wear a size 6 and a half or 7 here in Aus, and I bought size 235. It's a bit tight. Next time I order shoes, I'll make sure to get size 240 instead.

Comparison:

Not the best, but the quality is decent, you get what you paid for.

Next up is the polaroid album:

The plastic case the album came with was cracked.

The inside of the album was a little bit damaged as well. I'm not too sure how it got damaged, but it's still usable so I'll deal with it. I'm a little unhappy though.

Next, Miffy pens to draw on polaroid photos!

Testing the pen out on a dead photo, it works successfully!

And finally, my brother's shirts:

And thats it! Another happy Gmarket order! I don't know how I afford to buy things on a student budget (it helps that the stuff is so cheap though) OTL Gotta start saving again!

30/12/2010

It's the end and almost the beginning of a new year and this decade!

Anyhow, I made banana and white choc chip muffins yesterday using this recipe.

My best muffins so far, if I do say so myself ♪

Recent Buys

Blog post of my recent buys this time!

Post-Xmas shopping at Parra and Livo:

Simple white tunic blouse from CottonOn. Had to get size M because there was no S left. $10


Cute lacey Elwood skirt from City Beach. $29


Lovisa necklace. Adorable and I'm glad I nabbed it since it was so cheap


Pins with rose motif from Equip. Kinda regretting this purchase since the pins with unrounded ends hurt when I put them in my hair! I think I was getting a little too rose-obsessed that day...


Nail polish from Sportsgirl. Top: Lace (a lilac, pale lavender sort of colour) bought at Liverpool $7.95, bottom: Bikini Babe (clear) bought at Parra $3.64.


Such a cute colour that I'll be whereing for a while this summer! Lace with (imperfect) white polka dots on my nails. I suck at applying nail polish as you can see... Still working on that ><


Shirt from CottonOn that I bought at Liverpool. $10

Pre-Xmas purchases:

Saw this during my shift in Fairfield. Adorable, so I bought it. $10


Khaki skirt from Chicabooti, Galleries Victoria, $8-ish. One of my purchases when my friends and I went shopping in the City and at Birkenhead Point the Saturday before Christmas. Was surprised by how good the discounts were there, but was also disappointed that there weren't too many shops. I also nabbed a pair of Levi black skinny jeans for $50!


My brother bought this for me when he was in Melbourne. I don't look good in t-shirts because my body shape is weirdly proportioned but I was surprised when I tried this on because it looked half decent on me. Cute design and great quality by the Japanese T-shirt store Aoi. $40 (Check out their site: http://www.aoi-t.com/news/ or store if you're in Melbourne!)

I like my sales ♪

28/12/2010

It looks like I did another disappearing act! I hope everyone had a great christmas feasting with their families!

I changed the layout again because the old one was really buggy. This new layout by bituwin is classic and cute. I changed the banner though, to a design by Shinzi Katoh. I am planning to change it soon because I know I'm probably not allowed to use it due to copyright or something like that >< I find Katoh really inspirational as he draws on simple and childish themes which appeal to us because of the nostalgic feeling it creates. The characters he uses in his designs remind us of our childhood and add a cute yet sophisticated flavour to simple products used in the household. Those Japanese designers for you! They're just one of a kind!

I want to design a new banner soon, inspired by Shinzi Katoh and the theme of fairy tales, while adding a cute and classic and vintage touch to it to project the image I have in mind for my blog site.

Blog related thoughts aside, I had a mini BBQ (not really a BBQ, but a small gathering in the spirits of that) on Christmas day in the evening and then went to my relatives the next evening for a family BBQ.

The day after that I went to the boxing day sales at Parra, to which I was a little disappointed. I could not find the tunic I wanted from City Beach, but I bought a cute lace skirt instead. I might buy the shirt I want online, if I get the money. Found an amazingly adorable and vintage-esque rusted "gold" necklace with an oversized key and a pink rose. I also grabbed a wallet for my mum at Strandbags and a few other things, which I may post later if I can gather the strength to!

Today, I headed to Liverpool to grab the nail polish I wanted from Sportsgirl. The previous day, I bought the wrong nail polish at the Parra Sportsgirl, mistaking the "Jelly shade" "Bikini Babe" for the cute Lilac colour named "Lace" that I had tried on my nails. Very disappointed that Lace was not discounted to the $3.64 that I had bought the jelly/clear for, instead it was full priced at $7.95. I bought it anyway. I couldn't resist, it was an insanely cute pastel colour! I am also looking to add a mint green and a baby blue to my small, almost non existent nail polish collection.

My bro and I also put an order in for Gmarket, it's been almost a year! I bought two bags, heels, a polaroid album and pens while my brother bought two shirts. Will blog it when the package arrives.

I also ordered City of Flowers from the Stravaganza series by Mary Hoffman from the book depository a week ago. Gotta love the low prices and free international shipping the site offers! I started the series in high school and I've been waiting years to read the third book! I am also hoping to get Blossoms and Shadows by Lian Hearn. I'm still waiting for it to go on sale in the book stores, and if not, I'll grab it online.

I am so broke now OTL

6/12/2010I

Tokyo Kawaii TV! This episode seems interesting (albeit being a few months old): Australia's Top Model 2010 top 4 contestants on the show! In the likely chance the embed video doesn't work here is the link: http://channel.pandora.tv/channel/video.ptv?ch_userid=861xm861xm#prgid=39337495&categid=all&page=1

In other news, I had my first driving lesson today :E

1/12/2010

Oh joy - summer has arrived (although to an un-summery start with rain!)

The last month of the year has finally arrived also!

Well, yesterday I had my first shift at work. It was okay, could've been better. I like working and having my time occupied - I detest having to be idle. I probably came off a bit of a ditz or annoying to the store manager because I forgot some things she had told me relating to the job and I always asked her what I had to do next once I finished my task (like I said - I hate having nothing to do. I believe one should work hard at the job because we're not being paid to be idle =3=)...

I have a feeling she doesn't really like me since she always gives me a 'wtf' or 'lowest scum on earth'-esque stares (the other worker was nice and tried her best to help me, though I had a feeling she got annoyed at me pestering her and asking what to do next). Not my problem.

The attitude of this store manager makes me miss my old part time job since everyone there were really nice to me (even if I was made to work harder than them and do the 'dirty work' ie. cleaning, but hey I can't complain, oddly enough, I like cleaning and keeping occupied). Maybe it's because my current store manager at my xmas casual gig is female and also younger (early or mid-twenties?). I guess bitchiness really does sort appear more imminently in women heh. On the other hand, my managers at the old part time job were male, older and had children, and were Asian which sorta gave off a more "paternal" feeling - the workplace itself was nice since it felt more like a huge family.

Oh - and I didn't end up going to that General Pants interview. Oh well.

Though, after much reflection these past few days, I've realised that I would like a job that did not require so much human interaction (with customers). I don't think I'm particularly bad with people though. I think I'm a rather nice and polite person (or at least, I try to be), but I don't know if others perceive me that way.

I just don't have that "spark" that other people have when talking to customers, able to easily connect to them (and their often young children!) and create conversation like they're friends. I know I'm not awfully sociable - maybe it's because of my personality or the fact that I don't have too many close friends, but that does not mean I am not a social person at all. I just like being with people who I am comfortable and myself with - my close friends. I am not going to act too friendly with a customer I do not know. I will simply try to treat them as a customer by greeting them, treating them politely (rude sales people create contempt!), and assist them in their shopping experience when needed. That is what I feel my job is. I know many people will not agree with that, but that is just purely what I feel.

I don't think I'd mind a desk or office job now that I think about, even though it would be quite dull and boring. At least I'd have a computer in front of me and plenty of work to occupy my time. I need orders - a list of things I must complete. I would be awfully lost if I was just left at the job with no instructions.

The thought of becoming a language teacher also occurred to me yesterday while I tried to go to sleep yesterday night. Interacting with those younger than oneself and teaching them does not sound as daunting. I have respect for good teachers and I think students, no matter how nasty some can be, need access to such and good role models to be influence by. I'm still not sure whether or not I should consider it seriously though - but what other jobs can I really get out of the degree I am studying. I would love to go overseas and teach English since that just requires a Bachelors degree but my mum would have none of that (even though I am legally an adult)! I am majoring in languages and I'm pathetic at seriously studying. I have no ambition to be a translator or interpreter. I can blame my environment (family/house) and I do, but I know that the root of it all is my lack of motivation, determination, laziness and... just myself.

I hate not knowing what to do with my life. Sometimes I wish I had done mathematics in High School and chose to do Engineering in University. Hah, perhaps I can even do Graduate Medicine - but then again, there is no motivation. I do however, believe I'm smart enough - especially with enough study and a goal to look forward to. I also kind of not want to do Journalism anymore after the epiphany of my (lack of) relation to other human beings and shyness - I'm just not cut out of Journalism now that I think about it. I think what I need to focus on at the moment is finding something I adore doing, things I love, consider all the options I have and then set a goal.

Well... That was a deeper than usual post... I guess I've been pretty dispirited lately (for many other reasons that I don't have the heart to post here - many that will probably be perceived as stupid or selfish or both, but hey, it's not like anyone reads this thing anyway!).

Okay - now lets get it together and do something productive during the holidays!

24/11/2010

I was pretty disappointed with yesterday's One Night Only sale at Parramatta Westfields... Maybe that was because I didn't browse in the stores I was meant to and those new clogs I bought from Rubi killed my feet (which are filled with blisters now...). I didn't end up buying too many things, and what I did purchase, I sort of regret now, but I'll try to be optimistic and make use of it. NTS: Stop being so cheap and buying cheap things - buy really nice things no matter what the price tag. The less I buy (and the better it is) means I'd wear it more and the less clogged up my wardrobe will get!

Argh! Why is it I never find nice things when I have money to shop, yet I always find nice things when I don't have money or trying to save money and not spend!

Also disappointed with the black floral strapless top I bought from yesstyle... I had to keep pulling it up or else it'd slip. Almost had an embarrassing moment with my bra showing =3=...

21/11/2010

I am surprising myself yet again by submitting daily blog entries!

So a few days ago, I ordered two pairs of earrings from yessasia because my bro decided to buy some books from there as well. (Click underlined text for link to the item.)

1) "Super Junior : Sung Min Style - Heart Earrings"

2) "Boys Over Flowers Style - Kissing Star Earrings"

I adore the first pair (I'm a sucker for heart shapes and pink things), but I'm still a bit iffy on the second. I think it looks okay. Speaking of quality, these earrings are actually pretty good and in my opinion better than the "Korean" or "Taiwanese" styled earrings we can find at Paddy's Market in the city (and which usually cost more too!).

The prices were pretty good, that's why I wanted to buy. The first pair was discounted to $6~ and the second was around $10~.

I also got a free pouch/coin purse from the yesstyle order and I forgot to take a photo of it previously:

Delighted that I got the pink one (the blue looks cute too). I love freebies!

Well, nothing much eventful today... Just lazed around the house watching TV and doing choirs. I really want to watch the new Harry Potter movie ;A;!

Hmm... I also have a job interview with General Pants Co. on Thursday... And on Tuesday there's an evening sale at Parramatta Westfields so I may check it out and skip TAFE yet again ):

And I think that might be all I have planned for this week... Oh, and NTS: start doing more creative writing (must get creative juices flowing... I've always liked and wanted to write when I was younger and what better time to do it now since I have three months of freedom in my hands)!

To end have some cute Shimeji Hetalia China~

20/11/2010

Woo just got back home...

Met friends after TAFE today to go K and wander around the city. I tried out that Japanese place in Sussex Centre that sells croquette and bought a cheese and a curry one. Yum yum! I ate it before I took a photo of it though ):

After K, we went to Barby's and I bought a Cookies and Cream Puff. Delightful...

After that we headed to Myers and wandered around the newly refurbished Westfields. Couldn't find the Miu Miu store so I assume it hasn't opened yet ):

There was a lively atmosphere today with a great sounding live band playing and an incredible piece of art by a 'street performer':

Also bought a pair of floral clogs for the spring/summer @ Rubi. 30% off yay 8D

Mmmm and there's a sale on at parra on Tuesday evening which is tempting to check out...

Well, I'll be back again tomorrow. The package from yesasia arrived yesterday with my bro's pile of Japanese books and my two pairs of earrings~

19/11/2010

And I'm on a roll! It has been what - 3 consecutive blog posts now?

My, it's a bit chilly today isn't it? And I thought we were heading into summer! Anyhow, I decided to go to the mall today because I needed to go to the store where I'm meant to work as a Xmas casual to inquire why I haven't been contacted yet. They told us at the induction that we would get a call from the respective store we'll be working at telling us about our shifts. I never got a call these past two weeks so I did what they told us to do at the induction if we didn't get called up - to go in the store and ask. They told me that they would contact me when they needed me because they didn't have the details of the xmas casuals yet. Hmm?

Well today this is what I wore today (once again a selca from my mobile phone camera, at least lighting is better here XD Sorry it's not showing it full body in front-view!):

It's the denim shirt from this post and a cute lace skirt I bought at the beginning year from 59 seconds on yesstyle.

I guess I'll do a review of these items while I'm at it! (Click the underlined text to go to the yesstyle page for the clothing piece).


The Review:

1) 59 Seconds: Lace Yoke Denim Shirt - It looks great on the model but I didn't think it would look that good in real life. I guess the main reason motivating me to buy this piece was the price tag - only $12~ (I think it was like half the original price. I love love love sales and marked down prices 8D)! When I got the package and opened it up, it smelt pretty bad (lol) but after a wash and airing it was fine.

It's exactly the same as the advertised product and fits me almost perfectly minus the fact that it's a tiny bit loose for my liking and the fact that it's also a bit longer for me than on the model because I am shorter than her (the usual height issues -sigh-). It goes best with a belt to cinch at the waist and show off the figure and it looks better when you roll up the sleeves, just as the model wears it. I could probably also use this piece as a light jacket (instead of a shirt) on top of something else. I felt the quality of the product was good for the price. An overall great piece for summer and I'm happy I bought it!

2) 59 Seconds: Lace & Tulle Elasticized Miniskirt - Got this at the beginning of the year I think, can't really remember anymore (this review is long overdue lol). I was looking for a tulle or lace skirt and I decided to get this in black (white also looks cute but I didn't get it in that colour because white clothing gets more visibly dirty quickly). Looks exactly like the advertised product. I just wish that the elastic part of the skirt was a little title because it's just a tad bit loose on me. I'm happy about the length though. It looks shorter on the model because she's fairly taller than me, but I felt the length sat right on me as it was neither too long nor too short.


Yay! I've actually kept to my word and reviewed the denim shirt! Alrighty - next I need to review the black strapless floral top and take a proper picture of me wearing the pink floral playsuit. Oh, and NTS: recharge camera battery and clean the mess that is my room (so I won't have to invade doggy's backyard :E)!

I'll be meeting my friends tomorrow for K so hopefully I get to do some shopping too - I need a new handbag and a pair of summer shoes or sandals! (And I still want my straw picnic hat!)

18/11/2010

I. Want. This. Bag. In black, brown or any of the other lovely colours, I don't mind, but I just want me a Miu Miu bag OTL!

Ever since seeing the spread for Miu Miu bags in the September 2008 edition of ViVi magazine, I've always had the impression that they are simple lovely (they also have quite delicious shoes as well!). The designs just appeal to me for some reason.

LV, Chanel, Burberry - I must honestly say, those brands have never really caught my eye or made me go "Wow! I NEED to get that! It's simple gorgeous!".

Though truthfully, no matter how much I say I want it I know that it's absolutely unreasonable for me to buy one now, especially considering its price-tag. I'm a poor uni student and it's just not on my list of necessities, it's on my list of wants.

But I know it will be one of the first materialistic items that I will be buying once I get a full time job (years, many years to come TT).

17/11/2010

Hurray, I've actually followed up with a blog post! I just finished my last exam today (the second half of the exam went terrible, by the way ><) - not yet celebrating but will bask in the freedom of limitless and guilt-free procrastination (well, not really procrastination now that I don't have anything that I'm obligated to do~)! So my blog title previously went along the lines of "♥ _____ in [wonder] land ? A life of [frustations] [fashion] and [fun] !" but I've decided to change it to something more appropriate, that being the current title now "Never too old for Fairy Tales". I am referring to the (often watered down or sweetened) fairy tales and myths one reads as a child. No one indeed, is ever too old for fairy tales. The original ones were more dark afterall, and appropriate for a more adult audience in my opinion. Anyway, I purchased a few items from yesstyle recently and they arrived in amazing speed! As usual, I bought discounted items, because I'm a cheapo like that D:

I bought 3 things in total, all from the Hong Kong brand "59 seconds": a 1) denim shirt, 2) black floral strapless top and 3) pink floral playsuit. (You'll be able to find the links to these items at the bottom of this post.)

Now, I really wanted to get the pink floral playsuit because when I set eyes on it, I thought it was the most adorable thing. And playsuits are popular this summer (it is indeed almost summer in Australia!), so why not? However, I was a little peeved because I saw it one night for 50% so somewhere near the $15-$16 mark, but the next day when I decided to purchase it, the discount percentage decreased and so, was listed for $25~. And on top of that, after I actually purchase it, the price of this piece decreases to around $20~ which was just the icing on the cake. Oh yesstyle, why do you torment me so!? See - I was desperate for the piece so I bought it anyway :E (Lucky I did so because the piece is now listed as sold out!)

Because I only took pictures of the floral playsuit, I'll start by reviewing that and keep the other two items for future blog posts, that way I'll have something to review heh. Excuse the bad quality images - my camera batteries died and I used my mobile. These photos really don't do it justice!

Photos:









The Review: This is a really cute piece, but I'm not sure if I can pull it off - I'll try though! The colour in the stock photo on yesstyle is really bright and vibrant, so when I opened the package and saw it, I was a little surprised by the fact that it wasn't as "vibrant" as the image suggested. But I guess its majorly because of the lighting >< I mean, it was a rainy day when I got the package!

When I tried it on, it fit just right. I was however, surprised that the shorts part of the one piece was a bit longer, going to my mid thigh. I think that is because the model is taller than I am (the website says her height is 166cm - I am only 158 cm tall!) I think I might alter this piece a bit because I think it looks better shorter XD

Overall, I think this is a solid, cute piece for summer especially since florals and jumpsuits are in! It's comfortable and the material is good for hot weather so I'll be anticipating wearing this properly! (Excuse the stockings in the photo. In reality, I wouldn't wear this with stockings, it was just that I was wearing stockings that day lol.) I'll hopefully get reviews of the other two in the coming days!

Links to items purchased:
1) http://www.yesstyle.com.au/en/59-seconds-lace-yoke-denim-shirt-blue-one-size/info.html/pid.1022755461
2) http://www.yesstyle.com.au/en/59-seconds-strapless-lace-up-floral-babydoll-top-black-one-size/info.html/pid.1022872041
3) http://www.yesstyle.com.au/en/59-seconds-ruffle-floral-playsuit-pink-one-size/info.html/pid.1022885887


Thanks for reading!

Welcome back!

Well I'm back after a long time of not posting anything!

I'm just about done with my first year of uni. That was fast!

I don't know why I never get the motivation to blog regularly. Maybe it's because I have nothing to write about or just my general laziness.

I've changed the layout temporarily. This is really a makeshift layout as I've tried to edit the original one to suit my tastes, but it looks really messy. After I finish my last exam, I'll try to find another layout that will suit my tastes and needs better (that way I won't have to edit anything). Free templates to the rescue <3 I'm no good at doing layouts so that's what I'm relying on!

I'm considering making a tumblr (I'm slow to catch on popular sites) since it looks interesting. I need to create a blog site to practice my French during the holidays so I don't lose my knowledge before next year! I've already got a Japanese blog but I rarely post on it. Japanese blogs are easier to use and come with a bunch of already made layouts which actually look nice (for those of us that are lazy!), so I should motivate myself to be more active.

I also bought some things from yesstyle so I want to review that. I'm hesitant to make make video reviews so I'm sticking with good 'ol blogging for the meantime!

Fingers crosses I don't disappear for 6+ months again XD

Gmarket buys #5 and 6

Alrighty, I'm finally posting about the latest batch of orders!

I just got my computer fixed so I don't have the pics for gmarket order #4, but I do have pics/reviews for batch #5 and #6 so I'll combine them and do those first. (Also, sorry about the image quality, I still haven't gotten around to installing Photoshop, so bear with me for now~~)

February purchases:


Brother's Purchases:

(^ this was from batch #5, the other two from #6)

My brother is really happy with his purchases. The red shirt seen in the second pic only cost roughly $2 he was also really surprised/happy about the quality of the shirt as it was better than he thought it would be, especially for the price! In the same pic, the hoody with the red devil is another purchase he is really happy about. He bought a size XL and it fits comfortable (though in Australia, he wears Men's size S lol).

The third pic with the racoon hoody was too a little too small and short for him - he bought size L. So in the end he offered to give it to me (and it fits snugly lol!)

So all the guys ordering from Gmarket out there from western countries - b careful about sizing! Korean sizes tend to run smaller than western sizes! Remember to check the measurements!!!

Now for my purchases, which I will focus on with more deeper reviews...



I bought this jacket for the coming winter in Navy and size M. (Ignore the guy in the pic lol, these are actually unisex haha)

★★★★★ (Rating: 5 out of 5)
Wearing the product... I'm glad I bought size M instead of S because its a little bit baggy (the way I like these sort of jackets to be) and is very warm and comfortable. For the price, which is roughly AU$10, I think this is a bargain. The quality of the material isn't bad at all and it'll definitely keep me warm in late/colder autumn and winter for sure! It looks exactly like the advertised image~~

I also ordered a simple, though cute canvas backpack to be used for university~~

★★★★☆ (Rating: 4 out of 5)
The actual thing I got was the exact same as what was advertised (excuse the bad lighting in my photo!). It's really cute, but a little too childish for university I think >w< style="font-style: italic;">a little bit bigger, it would be even better! (Though it can fit A4, but just bearly!) Still, a worthwhile product for roughyl AU$10!

+

(^The skirt in the following colour:)

★★★★★ (Rating: 5 out of 5)
I give both products a rating of 5 out of 5 because both appeared the same to be the advertised products and the quality of it was decent-good, especially for the price. Both cost roughyly AU$5 each. I adore the skirt - it's so cute. Its a pity that most of the colours ran out, so I had to get this one >w< I got this sweater in the black colour because I thought white would get too dirty easily xD

★★★★☆ (Rating: 4 out of 5)
I have a habit of buying dirt cheap items on gmarket xD Haha, I'm such a cheapo, but thats what I love love love about gmarket - the prices! This was part of batch #5... Its a nice fit, but i wish it was longer. The material is decent but I was surprised the the text actually puffed out a bit... I didn't know that it was meant to do that, until I actually looked at the stock image at the seller's shop more closely...




★★★★★ (Rating: 5 out of 5)
I actually forgot to take a picture of this to review... I've already worn this out and I absolutely love this shirt!!! It's exactly as pictured and will go well with many outfit combinations i.e versatile. I also like the design of the shirt xD

I got the above 4 items from a seller named vividsoda and I recommend their gmarket store to everyone!! I will be looking towards my future purchases with them~~

Finally, I also ordered this skirt but then it was out of stock ): It's such a pity! I was really looking forward to it so I could use it in this cute outfit I saw in a Japanese magazine!

Well, thats all for now~ I'll try to post the two items I ordered in buys #4 later on!

Oh man, I ♥ gmarket!