Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - babycakes

babycakes is an extremely popular vegan, but small bakery in Nolita. For anyone with an allergy, you can definitely give this bakery a try before giving up all things yummy. Decked out in all things girly and sweet, you can miss this small bakery if you aren't cautious enough and you definitely don't want to miss this bakery! Being that it is a small cozy spot and extremely popular, there is a request of photos to not be taken in store so definitely keep that in mind and make your purchases quick!

The best thing about babycakes that makes it stand apart from the rest is the fact that it is a vegan bakery, offering refined sugar-free, gluten-free, wheat free, soy-free, diary-free, egg-free, vegan and kosher goodies. For anyone who has to watch their diet or want a healthy cheat, babycakes is the best place to do so! With so many baked goods to choose from, you can go healthy or go crazy like me. The recommended of course is their cupcakes, a little too much to choose from which made my choices difficult. The one cupcake recommendation I must make is the chocolate chip mint cupcake that has chocolate chips inside the cupcake! I love the fact that the chocolate chips are still hard and not melted in the cupcakes like they are in other bakeries. 

Another one of my favorite is the vanilla lemon cupcake top. It is literally the top of a cupcake (literally the best part of a cupcake). Palm size and yummy, babycakes is definitely one of my favorite spots for dessert now. Be sure to try out their many other flavors and cupcake infusions like the pumpkin vanilla, sweet, savory, spicy.

For those who are looking to sample this goody but dont have the time to make a visit, you can simply order online. Orders require a dozen minimum, but the best part is that you can even order nationally!

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Ferrara Bakery & Café

Ferrara Bakery & Café

195 Grand Street

New York, NY 10013

http://www.ferraracafe.com/

This popular Italian bakery and café located right off of Little Italy and Chinatown, New York. A family owned business in its fifteenth generation, Ferrara café is well known for their pastries and cakes. There is always a line for their baked goods, no matter what time of the day. Mornings are filled with tourists that are looking to grab a steal of their goodies when making a quick visit in town.  If you are looking for a specific cake to purchase, be sure to go ahead of time or phone in for a special order because these cakes can go quick!

A few of the popular cakes at Ferrara Café are the Tiramisu, Chocolate Truffle Cake, Cheesecake, and the Cannoli Cake. If you are looking to sample a cake, there are small bite size pieces that range in price from $1.50-3 a piece. They are the exact replica of the bigger cakes and is perfect if you are looking to sample more choices.

For those who are interested in a sit down chit chat with the girls, Ferrara Café is the perfect place to coffee and sweets. Be sure to order enough goodies for the group to share!

Ferrara Café is a definite recommended place on my list, especially for those of you who are into Italian pastries. Although pricing is a little higher than other bakeries in Little Italy, it is well worth the price and the wait. 

My Current Obsession - Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder

After taking a vacation and moving home, I realized how light my skin has gotten and that is not a good thing for me. I am known to always be the tanned one in the family and that is why I am so obsessed with Guerlain's Terracotta. It is my absolute fix up, giving me the ultimate color and defining face. Although this is their older line of bronzing powder, I am in love with the different shades that compliments one another. I just didn't know the beauty and my love for the product until returning home to America! 

I'm not sure if this product is still in stores, I know Sephora no longer carries it because they have updated to the new line of products, but I definitely suggest checking out their new line of bronzing powders with a lot more color and options. 

My Current Obsession - Nature Republic's Aloe Vera

Nature Republic is the leading Aloe Vera Soothing Gel distributor in Korea. I am obsessed with the 92% aloe vera plant in this gel for such a low price! A 300 ml ounce bottle that can be used for both men and women on any part of the body as a soother and moisturizer. I definitely suggest it for those with sensitive skin and psoriasis being that it is hydrating. I actually prefer using aloe vera, the natural plant that helps all kinds of skin types rather than using chemically developed lotions.

Compared to the other aloe products that are on the market, this is the closest to all natural that you can find. It feels as if you are gliding a gel version of the aloe vera plant on your skin which is pretty amazing. The best part is the low price for the big quantity that you are receiving. The only con would probably be the fact that it is a product you have to scoop from meaning you'll have to use something else to scoop the aloe out and wash. It would be a lot better if it was from a squeeze tube, but it is a product that I would buy and have bought for family back at home. 

Bottoms Up - Rose Tea House

Rose Tea House

136-17 39^th Ave 1^st Fl

New York, NY 11354

(718) 359-7673

Rose Tea House is a cute little tea place that is located in Flushing, Queens. It’s a great place to catch up with friends and family, especially women, for its cute girly atmosphere. They also offer coffee and tea party snacks which I have seen a lot of businessmen chat over.

I am absolutely in love with their fruit infused tea. It is a blast of fruit flavor and I just can’t seem to get enough of it! Every tea ordered, comes in a little pot for a number of refills, whether hot or cold. Their coffee comes with little biscuits; a note about the coffee: do not get tricked by their label of Rose House Latte and such, it just regular coffee.

Drinks average a price of $12 and it is expensive, but I suggest to at least try it once. You’ll understand what I mean by the flavor keeps me coming back, regardless of price. Unless you are ordering coffee, do not expect to have a quick drink ready. I don’t know what they do in that kitchen that takes them at least 15 minutes to make a drink, but it is definitely worth the wait. 

Product Review - Clio Kill Slim Eye Liner

Drawing a perfect line is extremely difficult, especially with thick brushes. It is difficult to find a thin brush, especially one that works well. My recent discovery, a makeup store centered around club wear and makeup all night, Clio, has one of the thinnest bristles I have ever found. With a 0.1 mm brush, it allows for any thin design made around the eye area or any other areas for a specific design. It is probably one of the best thin liquid eyeliners that actually works. 

Clio's makeup is targeted to those individuals who are constantly out pulling all nighters. The makeup is known to last throughout the day, into the night, and fights against the heat and sweat. It is one of the makeup brands that are starting to make a stand in Korea. 

Restaurant Review - Tomatillo

Tomatillos, the Korean equivalent of the American comfort food of Chipotle, literally. With branches all over Korea, you can get your Chipotle fix in Korea at any time that you want. Although it is not exactly the same as Chipotle, it is the closest you can get with a few exceptions. Nonetheless, it is an all time favorite place of foreigners, locals as well. 

With choices of quesadillas, burritos, tacos, tostadas, sides, desserts, and drinks (this includes alcoholic beverages), the choices may even top Chipotle. There are not many fast food joints in America that serve alcoholic beverages, smoothies, and desserts with your order, but Tomatillos is definitely on it. The popular eats at Tomatillos is the quesadillas and burritos, especially the California burrito. This special burrito is stuffed with french fries in place of rice. Not the traditional burrito, but it doesn't take away from the deliciousness of a burrito. You definitely can't find that at Chipotle! 

A meal at Tomatillos can set you back about ten bucks, but hey, you can't complain for the comfort food in a Korean Chain! For those who are looking for something more filling, you can order your meal as a set where you will be offered a side of rice, beans, nachos with salsa and a drink. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Le Goûter Bernardaud

A trip to Hong Kong consists of many good eats, including Le Gouter Bernardaud, LGB. A dessert and coffee shop that originated in France made it's way to Hong Kong not too long ago and many parts of the world. Since then, their popularity has lead to the opening of a handful more stores. 

They are constantly whipping up new eats and are popular for their macarons, but the must try are the desserts. Known for their rose flavors in macarons, this summer's new dessert is the Rose cake which is just too pretty to eat. Be sure to make a stop here when you are on vacation, but because it is so popular, getting a seat may be difficult. With such a long wait, I even had to grab the goodies to go.

With three boutiques in Hong Kong and shipping services online, LGB is a must try for all. From France to Hong Kong to Korea, this will make it's way to the stomach of my family back at home!

Story of My Life - Kyoto Travels

Kyoto, a place known for its beautiful temples, is one of the popular tourist areas in Japan. There are temples and shrines everywhere. This is the place to go if you want to take a break from the city area and get a sense of inner peace. With so many gorgeous temples around to visit, there is quite a lot to do in Kyoto. It may be hard if you are not spending two days in the area at the very minimum, but if you have a short trip, take your pick and pick from the best of the best. 

The popular destinations to visit include the Nijo Castle (which is nothing like the Osaka Castle), Kyoto Imperial Palace inside of the Palace Park, Nishiki Market (my ultimate favorite place in Kyoto), Kiyomizudera, Gion (where, if you are lucky, you will see a Geisha come out from the restaurant) Kinkakuji (the famous gold temple there are two pavilions: gold and silver), Ryoanji, Arashiyama (where the famous bamboo groove and famous  is located), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and many more!

Unlike the main city, it is difficult to travel around Kyoto on foot, but possible. There is less to see during the walk and things are further away from each other so it is suggested to just pick up the Kyoto one day bus pass that allows you to hop on the bus for just 500 yen. With each ride at 220 yen, the bus pass is definitely worth it after hopping on for just three times! 

I definitely learned to fall in love with Kyoto although I was not a big fan of the temples and shrines at first. I think the city does speak for itself in regards to beauty and it is a place to visit. Many of the popular tourist areas will leave you speechless. Of the Kyoto trip, my favorite is the Nishiki market because I am extremely big on eating and trying all sorts of crazy foods. You can find fresh sashimi that is absolutely delicious and will melt in your mouth, tofu donuts, baby octopus, eel, Japanese pickles, snacks, and a whole lot of other goodies.

My Current Obsession - Missha Near Skin Firming Peptide Shaping V Mask

Missha puts a twist on the cliche face masks with their Near Skin Firming Peptide Shaping V Mask. This complex name is given to a product that microscopically helps to slim down the face and provide a V shaped jaw line. Everyone knows how important a strong jaw line and less of a double chin is. Providing firming and lifting benefits for contouring the face, this gel face mask uses peptides that helps to slim down the face within 20 minutes.

On a clean face, simply apply toner and remove the sticky side from the plastic covering. Center on the jawline and pull to the ears to hold in place. There is a bit of stretch to the product which helps to fit faces of all sizes. After 15-20 minutes, remove the mask and pat the leftover ingredients into the skin to be fully absorbed.

The product may differ from person to person. I did not feel a lot of leftover product on the face because my skin has been a bit dry. Korea's air has been a bit difficult for me to adapt to, but it feels great for the product to soak into my skin quickly. I didn't experience any allergic reactions after having the product on for 20 minutes and results for the slim face is not immediate so it will take a few uses prior before I can guarantee the product to work effectively.

Product Review - Nature Republic's Hand and Nature Anti-Wrinkle Hand Cream with Argan Oil

Nature Republic's Hand and Nature Anti-Wrinkle Hand Cream with Argan Oil is one hand lotion that I am extremely in love with. I usually skip out on hand lotions, but I cannot get enough of this product. It is extremely gentle on those with sensitive skin and helps to quickly repair any dead cells that there are. The moisture helps to heal any damaged hands and provide you with a floral scent that is strong but not overpowering like most products.

Story of My Life - Osaka Travels

Finally taking the time to travel to a place that I have been dying to go to, Japan is definitely a place that stands for itself. With different parts of Japan offering different cultures, the first stop of my main three destination visit across Japan is Osaka. Osaka, the third largest city in Japan, south of Tokyo, is word to be the next capital of Japan should a deadly earthquake occur within the next few years.

Known for their octopus, the traditional eats of Osaka is takoyaki balls and okonomiyaki pancake. With all different takes on this traditional eat, they are around every corner and should be consumed wherever you go! Every store has their own way to make this yum yum and I can’t say I had too much of it! I basically tried it at every location I can find it. Some restaurants that specialize in oyster will throw oysters in it and I have to admit, it is AMAZING. Seafood in Japan is definitely taken to a whole new level!

In addition to the amazing traditional eat, there are a handful of tourist places that are a must visit in Osaka. This includes the famous Omeda Sky Building which is two buildings connected by a hallway bridge, the gorgeous Osaka Castle alongside the Osaka Castle Park, the Shitennoji Temple (one of Japan’s oldest temples), Shinsekai where the Tsutenkaku Tower is located,  Namba and a few of the other many popular areas that are all of walking distance.

The main attractions of Osaka are quite small, but a bit disperse through the city. If you really want to, you could walk the city like I did. In total, it took about a day of time. Getting into each area, snapping a few photos and heading out. If you are planning to shop around and explore, do give yourself a few more days in the city. There are a lot of shopping areas and the city is extremely gorgeous. For those who are taking the subway around and do not have a pass, it is extremely easy to get around. Price for subway goes by location, simply locate your stop on the map and there is a price next to the station’s name. Put in the cash for the amount that it says and click the ticket price. All buses are the same price and you pay as you get off the bus. 

They currently have a few events going on which include the light festival which can be found down the main street of Namba. It is extremely easy to get in and get out of the city. One recommendation is to grab a map of each area that you want to go to because it is all detailed and mapped out. The tourist information is one place that I definitely recommend. The best part about them is that they have everything written out that you would want and need to get around.  Osaka is definitely one place I recommend for those who are looking for a place to stretch outside of Tokyo.

Pamper Me Pretty - Hair Threading

Threading is a popular technique used to remove hair from the face as well as other parts of the body, all parts of the body in fact. It is a method of tweezing hairs in many Arabic, Chinese, Indian, and Persian countries by using thread. This allows for quick hair removal compared to tweezing, but a cheaper method than waxing. 

Everyone has hairs on their face, but it is a matter of it being dark or light. Most women of the Asian cultures engage in threading in order to achieve a more lighter complexion in the skin. The most popular threading areas are the eyebrows and lip. Many others thread the entire face which includes the forehead, chin, cheeks, eye area, nose, ears, and so on. You can also thread the other parts of your body, which include the arms, legs, back. 

The process may sound a little painful to pluck off hairs with the use of thread, but it is just like waxing. It is a painful, tedious process (well a little more tedious than waxing the first time), but it is something that must be done and gets easier over time. You grow used to the feeling of the hairs being pulled. There is a certain technique to each part of the face that you are threading. You may need to pull at some areas to ensure a cleaner thread, but the person threading your skin will show you what to do. 

It is a more natural method and recommended for those who are allergic to different waxing products. In addition, the redness from threading is usually a lot less than that of waxing because of the burning wax that is applied to your skin. Some salons may thread immediately without the application of a baby powder, but others may use a baby powder in order to see where they have threaded already. 

The hairs on your face is then threaded line by line. The most painful areas are the lips and around the eyes because it is extremely sensitive and where the skin tugs at the most. It is important to stay relaxed and try not to flinch during the process because you do not want the specialist to pull of a chunk of hair that is not meant to be pulled off. 

Like plucking and waxing, hair stays off for the same amount of time so this varies from person to person. Each spa and salon has their own way of practice which may be sitting in a chair or laying on a bed, but is something to experience at least once in your life. Eyebrows would be my personal suggestion for someone who's doing it for the first time. Only because you probably have a habit of plucking or waxing your eyebrows already anyway so the pain is more endurable. Another area that is the least painful is the forehead, but if you don't plan on keeping that up, there is no need to thread the forehead area.

My Current Obsession - Dolly Wink Falsies

One of the more expensive falsies that you can purchase is the Dolly Wink falsies. With so many different "cute dolly" styles to choose from, this brand is extremely popular among Japanese and Taiwanese girls. This Japanese brand is one of the best falsies that I have ever used. I love the clear coat of liner that holds the lashes in place. It works extremely well with both clear and black glue. Average for a set is roughly $10, but its always great to have a random splurge every now and then on a pair of lashes that will last a while. 

Street Food Yum - Schneepang

Everyone knows that I am a big foodie and my recent discovery in Myeondong is a handful of new standing venues offering "Schneepang." A hard waffle ball that is topped with different flavors which include chocolate, caramel, strawberry, cinnamon or a plain glaze, originating in Germany. This ball is thrown into a bag and banged by a hammer a few times before given to you. A bag of broken up pieces of a hard waffle cone topped with a syrup, the ultimate sweet snack that is like a cookie mix. For just $3 a ball, it is a cheap street food yum that you can splurge on the calories by making it up with excessive walking and shopping in Myeondong.

This new yum yum can also be found in the Lotte department store food courts. Be sure to look for this goodie when you are shopping around for delicious eats. The only difference is the price in a Lotte department store is a little higher, but just a measly 50 cents. Slowly taking over the market, Schneepang is appearing in many different markets and taking over the food industry. They even have their own stores to specialize in selling balls of fun eats.

Updated:
There is now a store dedicated to Schneepang in Hongdae. From exit 9 of the Hongik station on line 2,  go straight until you hit the light. Take a left at the light and go straight until the end. You will see grey buildings of Hongik University in front of you. At the very end, take a right and take the first street uphill. Go straight and the Schneepang store will be on your right.

Bottoms Up - Cheers

HAPPY NEW YEARS AND CHEERS TO ALL ! There's no better way to celebrate New Years than going out for a drink. The only problem with New Years in Korea is that it is not as big for them as it is for foreigners. Therefore, the only places to go for a celebration where they will do a countdown is probably a casino or some foreign club, especially places in Itaewon. Nonetheless, you can always go out for a drink with the Koreans in their local spots.

Cheers, a Korean hof chain, is one of the popular spots to have a drink with a group of friends. The best part about hofs is being able to enjoy drinks with delicious foods. In my opinion, Cheers is one of the best hofs that I have been to in Korea for their food and service. Although there are a handful across town, service in Korea usually refers to "free dishes" and Cheers has some of the best ones.

Knowing that customers like to munch while they drink, peanuts and shredded squid is extremely popular among Asians to pick at when consuming alcoholic beverages, most of the time being beer. Cheers is the only Hof that I have been to that provides both peanuts and shredded squid as service. The best part about the squid is they freshly grill it so it is still hot when it gets to your table. Simply shred it into pieces while still hot and enjoy!

In addition to the services being amazing, the food at Cheers is relatively delicious as well. Sometimes Hofs lack on their dishes, but Cheers has been able to live up to the standards. The only false advertisement of Cheers is their buffalo wings which is nothing like the American hot and saucy wings, it is actually just regular fried chicken wings. Keep that in mind before ordering buffalo wings in Korea because there is probably not such a thing!