Happy Lunar New Year!

Happy Year of the Rooster! Lunar New Year is a big deal in Korea and I miss home so much.  Unlike the United States, New Years is a time to be with family.
Fun Fact: Did you know Japan doesn't celebrate Lunar New Year? They, do, however, celebrate the zodiac.

With that said, I want to talk about some clothes and makeup tips on what to wear when you're at a traditional family gathering. If your family is like mine, these tips might help. If, however, your family is not as conservative as mine, these probably will sound like I'm judging and whilst *I* am not, I know those in my family who are steeped in that tradition.

1) DON'T go all glam: Even if you think that heavy contour look is your thing, if your family is like  mine, all they will do is talk about you after you leave. Those aunties are NO joke.  Hold off that dramatic eye for your girlfriends who will appreciate all your hard work.

2) DON'T wear clothes like you're about to go clubbing: I'm all for wearing cute clothes. I really am. But I remember one time when I went to my grandmother's birthday party and my cousin, who is super pretty, came to the party in a very tight dress. The looks on my aunts' faces were priceless. So maybe lay low on the very cute, but very tight, dress.

3) Think of the lowest common denominator: During Lunar New Year, it's customary to go to a variety of different homes to pay your respect, in addition to paying your respect to those who are deceased.  Be sure you are comfortable but try and dress cleanly so your grandfather isn't making a snarky (but funny!) remark on your clothes or makeup.

4) BE comfortable: Driving to the grave site and going to each household during the Lunar New Year can be very tiring. It also is freezing in Korea. I generally like to go in a sweater and jeans but the key is to be really comfortable. Oftentimes you have to go to multiple grave sites and then drive immediately to a relative's home, so wearing your highest heels may not be feasible.

All in all, New Years is a time to be with family and here's to a wonderful year of the rooster.

xo Jane

Los Angeles vs Seoul

It's almost been a year since I've move to LA and I wanted to talk about my impressions about Los Angeles.  To me, there are  a lot of similarities between these two big cities.  Seoul can such be a tough city to meet people and to feel like home IF one doesn't have family there. LA, to me, is the same. I've noticed most people spend a lot of time with their family, which is absolutely lovely, but it doesn't provide room for those who do not have that support system.

I remember when I was in Seoul, I always promised myself I would go back once I have a family of my own, as I realised Seoul was a family city. Sure, there are places to go clubbing and go to bars, but most people live at home and it's not easy to just go to a bar and relax, unless you are at places that caters to foreigners.  In many ways, I feel the same way about LA except here, I wonder, where do the transplants go? Don't get me wrong, I do understand adjustment doesn't happen in a day and friends are not really that easy to find but I would argue there is sthing in LA that makes it just that much more difficult.

It's funny how hard my adjustment has been and, in a way, I am thankful. It reminded me to not be so afraid of following up when someone is new, even if it is sthing I find really difficult to do.  The unwelcoming attitude, added with a dash of self-centredness, many people gave me here has been really tough for me to swallow but I am thankful for the humbling experience.

As insipid as this sounds, I genuinely believe that everything happens in your life for a reason and whilst you may not see it right away, one day, you will understand why those events in your lives happened.  And, even when you're going through a dark time in your life, one day, there WILL be a light at the end of the tunnel. It doesn't mean it'll be over in 6 months or even a year but one day, the sun will shine again and all the pain you feel will be used for a purpose.

With that said, I look forward to my next one and hope for a better experience than the current one.

xo Jane

December Favourites

2016 is over and so is December. This month, I had the opportunity to try a few new products, since I am visiting family. So, without delay, here are some of my favourite things from December.

1) Essie "A Cut Above" Nail Polish: Recently, I've become more and more bothered by dark nail polishes, while lovely, will chip almost immediately. This nail polish is a clear nail polish with a pinky gold glitter. This polish allows me to be less concerned whether or not the nail polish has chipped, which is nice when you don't have the time to do a weekly manicure. I think this would be a decent choice when you go on holiday.

2) Annemarie Borlind "Facial Firming Gel": One thing I love about going home is the opportunity to try different European beauty products I don't find in the United States. One of them is this firming gel from Germany. I how it makes my skin tightens and how soft my face feels after patting this on my face. There is a fresh scent to it but isn't too overpowering.

3) belif "The true cream - moisturising bomb": In Korea, much like the East Coast, the weather now is cold and dry. I love it, but my skin does not. I forgot to bring a moisturiser and had to borrow my mom's. I love it so much I ended up getting on myself. Unlike other moisturisers, this moisturiser really sinks into your skin without giving you a heavy feel. It lasts for a very long time without making your skin oily. If you have dry skin or if you skin is lacking in moisture due to the winter, this is a great product to try. I use it both in the morning and night and I've not had a break out with it. I know they sell this at Sephora so definitely give it a go if you're looking for a new moisturiser.

4) belif "Peat miracle revital serum concentrate": I was at the duty-free and there was a special where if you buy three products you get a big discount, so I decided to try the serum. I love to use it in the daytime as it is so light and does not feel sticky or slick, which is a wonderful thing in the evening, but not so much in the morning. If you're looking for a really moisturising serum, this is not for you, but if you're looking for a serum that gives you a light layer of moisture, this serum does the trick. The smell is an earthy smell, hence the peat, but it isn't overpowering and can be pleasant. It's feels as if they really did use peat and I love how much my skin loves it in the morning.

5)  innisfree "apple seed cleansing balm": Much like how I forgot to bring a moisturiser, I also forgot to bring my cleansing balm. When I was at the innisfree store buying the no-sebum powder, I also ended up getting this as well. I love the smell of it, it smells like apples, and it does its job of taking away my makeup. Unlike the skinfood cleansing balm, which I did not particularly enjoy, this balm does not sting your eyes. If you have sensitive skin around the eyes like me, I highly recommend this balm.

6) 맛있는녀석들: Known as the "Tasty Guys" in English, this has been my GO-TO show when I've been home. I love this show so much.  They eat so much and when they lose the game to get the food they are so angry. I know that anger. Also, they have the best catch-phrase: "한입만~~" which mean "All in the mouth." If you haven't watched this show, WATCH IT. But don't watch it when you're hungry or you'll be like me, eating shrimp chips and salivating over everything they eat.

This is me. No joke.

I also am trying some new products and I can't wait to review them for you. Do let me know if there are any products you'd like for me to review.

xo Jane - 한입만!!!!

It's 2017 and I'm Feeling Like It's $19.99

Since it is January 1, 2017, I thought I'd veer off the usual topics and just talk about what I would like for 2017. I know this blog is relatively new and if anyone reads it, I'd be surprised.

This blog is still finding its voice and part of the reason for this struggle comes from my desire to keep this little corner of the internet fun, with as little snark as possible.  That doesn't mean a negative review isn't part of this blog, far from it, but to be honest about things without making snide remarks would be so nice, especially with the way things have become recently. And as fake and feel-good as it sounds, it's something I am truly working hard to maintain. That said, I do love a witty remark.

As for my resolutions for 2017,  I am still working on them, but I hope to have two resolutions that are feasible to maintain throughout 2017. I find the longer the list, the harder it is to make it happen. For me, I find one that helps change something internal about me, i.e. find happiness in all circumstance, and one that is more external, i.e. find a new place to live, is easier than when I just list ALL of my hopes and dreams. But, again, I am still mulling over the two.

With all that said, what are some of your resolutions for 2017?

xo Jane