My Current Obsession - Banila Co Prime Primer Mattifying Balm

One of the best sellers at Banila Co. is the Primer of Mattifying Balms. With a handful of different primers that the company is known for, the Banila Co Prime Primer is one of the most popular makeup primers in Korea and a well known one, winning an award every year. Developed from their famous bottled-liquid primer line, the balm version helps to maintain hydration in the skin and provide a more even pore base for foundation. I have to grown to love the product because it provides a great makeup base and does help to smooth out the face, much like the Tony Moly Egg Pore product, but this is in fact a great two in one! I just cant get enough of the product and so glad I have it with me on this trip!

Life in Korea - Doggy Cafe

A doggy cafe is exactly how it sounds, it's a cafe full of dogs running around and playing with you. It is the perfect compliment for coffee and animal lovers. For the most part, the dogs are of all ages, all different kinds. It is a great place to go to for people like me who are in love with dogs, but cannot have one. There are a few cafes in Seoul, Sunnyne Cafe, the one I visited is located in Hongdae.

Upon entrance, the dogs will run towards you, bark and go crazy, but once you simply sit down on a seat by the door, they will stop. After that, you will be guided to a seat where you can order a drink. Drinks are a little higher priced than coffee shops because it covers the entrance fee to interact with the dogs. They usually do not exceed the price of $10 so you are still getting your money’s worth.

You can play around with the dogs for as long as you want and most of them are extremely friendly. They will jump and run towards you once you sit down. Like people, there are different kinds of dogs which include more interactive and hyper ones, calm ones, and those who don’t care to interact with others.

Most of them will climb on you, on your clothes and bags latying around, jump on the table and such. Don’t worry about them stealing your drink or knocking it over because it’s least likely to happen. They are usually well behaved and are disciplined by trainers (in a good way) when not.

Doggy cafes also allow for you to bring your own pup to interact with the many new friends that are there. Some cafes also provide grooming services and other care taking items on the menu which allows you to leave your dog to get pampered and play around once done.

It’s definitely a place to go if you are an animal lover. You can have a blast of fun playing with all kinds of dogs and you’ll be surprised at how quickly time passes.

Korean Traditional Eat - Pork Bone Soup 감자탕

A Korean traditional eat is the Pork Bone Soup 감자탕 (Gam Ja Tang) which can be served per person or as a whole pot to share. Shared between a group of friends, this is an extremely delicious soup with pork spine that slides right off of the bones and a handful of vegetables and pearl noodles boiled in a broth. The soup is full of flavor and you are given a bowl of rice to fill up on in addition to the noodles. It is one of my absolute favorite soups to have in Korea and it is perfect for a winter day. Although the weather is warm now, it is that good that I will consume it on a summer day or when I am sick!

Story of My Life - Taiwan Travels

Taiwan has been nothing but amazing for me. My one week trip, which should have been so much longer, was just a week of eating and adventures with a group of close friends. Okay, maybe I stretched the truth a little, it was more eating than anything else! I mean you can't blame me because the food was just so good. From the Taiwan delicatessens to the random street finds, I think I spent 80% of my time eating. Even at all of the tourist locations, there were so much good eats that we would walk a few steps, grab a new goodie and munch our way down the rest of the street. I would've put on a lot more weight had I not walked everywhere instead of taking a cab, but I'm glad I was able to eat everything on my list of foods.

The number one thing for me was definitely bubble tea. Where can you find bubble tea in America for a dollar? The price of bubble tea in Korea is so much more expensive, but the problem is the authentic taste. I think I had at least two or three cups of bubble tea everyday which is probably a bad one week diet, but I just had to get in as much as I could before the week was over. Thank god I am going back to America soon to my favorite bubble tea store. In addition to the amazing bubble tea, fresh soy bean milk is a must. It is the perfect breakfast drink to have with a hot steam bun or even the rice porridge (congee and youtiao, a fried dough). There is of course the regular mill tea and coffee (it is pretty difficult to find a coffee shop in Taiwan, but they're there). If you're looking for a Taiwan drink that is special to their culture, try the almond milk. You can find a few stores around tourist areas that ground up a fresh cup of almond milk.

In regards to food, there is just too much to talk about! Starting with breakfast, there are so many types of steamed buns to have. These buns are made with a white dough and stuffed inside with all types of flavors. Sweet buns like my all time favorite sesame and red bean, vegetable buns, plain buns, meat buns, and a mix of flavors is one breakfast favorite that costs less than a dollar! There are also a handful of pastries and breads to have for breakfast. Bakeries are everywhere in Taiwan like they are in Korea, but you'll find a lot more different kinds of bread and creations because there are less chains in Taiwan.

If you're not a breakfast person, you can wait for dimsum which is a collaboration of breakfast and lunch tea time that I suggest going with a big group of people. The reason for this is that you want to sample all different kinds of foods. The suggest and number one restaurant in Taiwan is Din Tai Fung which can be found in Korea as well, but going to the one in Taiwan is the number one tourist and local thing to do. There are a handful of chains around town, be sure to make reservations so you can skip the long wait. Although there are no reservations on the weekends, we definitely got lucky and got a table within 10 minutes without the need to share our table with others like they do in Chinatown.

For main entrees whether for lunch or dinner, Taiwan is known for their beef noodle soup. Beef is a very big dish in Taiwan and it is pretty much delicious at every place! Another is their egg noodle soup which is noodles topped with an egg and a signature sauce. Of course every restaurant differs, but it is worth trying because the noodle is freshly made. Another must have, which is my all time favorite is the minced pork over rice. Marinates diced pork meat with some vegetables mixed in is topped in a bowl of rice that is too amazing to pass.

Now you can also get full the way I did everyday without having to sit down at a restaurant by eating all types of street food. You'll be surprised at what you'll find in town! A few of my recommended street foods are the Ro Yuan (a mochi dumpling that is filled with meat and topped with an amazing sauce), Coffin Bread (bread that is stuffed in the center), Gua Bao (a plain steamed bun topped with Taiwanese kimchi, pork meat and a sweet powder mix, flattened fried chicken (literally a whole chicken that is flattened, battered, and fried), Chinese sausage on a stick (a lot sweeter than American and Korean sausages).

For those who are more ballsy and are willing to try the weird foods of Taiwan, stinky tofu, pig intestine, duck blood (I prefer this over pigs blood because its a lot more smoother), ostrich skewers, and all the other random stuff you'll find. I'm sure this is not my complete list of weird foods in Taiwan, but you'll be surprised at what you'll actually enjoy without knowing what it is. Knowing what I was consuming, it tastes a lot better than I imagined. My motto is you only live once, when is the next time you can try a delicatessen, who can actually say they were able to eat all these weird foods? Don't limit yourself!

My all time favorite now, sweet dishes! Everyone knows I'm all about snacks and sweets. I am the one crazy girl to go shopping with my local Taiwanese friends and fill up two carts of junk food to bring home! The number one sweet dish in Taiwan is the shaved ice which can be topped with almost anything you desire. Another favorite is the sweet soup (usually hot) which is made with a variety of beans but usually red bean and filled with all kinds of sweet goodies. My one favorite is this tapioca-Mochi like dish. Be sure to also have the variety of Mochi, Dduk filled cakes that Taiwan offers. You'll find both sweet and salty flavors. There are also a handful of Chinese cakes which is just a soft dry bead filled with all types of things; the most popular is pineapple, but there are also red bean, lotus seed, meats and others.

Other than being the ultimate food heaven, Taiwan is also the place to get dolled up. Korea is one place for beauty, but I think you'll be surprised at what you can find in Taiwan. False lashes, lash extensions, high heels, short skirts, big circle lenses, crystal acrylic nails, make up everywhere you go. I definitely fall under that category because I finally got my permanent eyeliner tattoo and lash extension as well as a handful of other pamper me pretty services!

You can find the most dolly services in Ximen which is like the Myeondong of Korea. It is definitely worth it to check out this area and shop around. Stores open around 11 and into 11 pm, but be sure to haggle when making purchases. There is also a very famous rice noodle spot that has been around for years, you can't miss it with all the tourist and locals standing around front to grab a bite. Within close proximity to Ximen, you can also find the Red House for art which is a bit hidden in a side street after the police station.

A train ride away is also the Longshan Temple, Taipei Main Station underground shopping, and a handful of other malls. The other must visits in Taipei include Taipei 101, which used to hold the worlds fastest elevator, the Taipei Zoo which you can visit via gondola, the memorials, and of course the best clubs in town are in the area much like the Gangnam of Korea. Luxy, Myst, 18, these are the places you wanna go on a weekend. Be sure to also booze off the flavored beers which is more like a flavored soda with alcohol. You can find those at the 7-11 for a cheap price. Enjoy!

Pamper Me Pretty - Eyelash Extension and Eyeliner Tattoo

Photo taken right after 

This duo blog is of my two obsessions that I have been dying to get for a while now. On my recent trip to Taiwan, I finally got both eyelash extensions and my top water line tattooed at Ximen. The prices vary from place to place, but that is not the important part of the blog. My number one reason for getting this done is because of convenience. All photos are with no makeup on, how awesome is that!

Photo taken right after

Having my waterline tattooed allows me to get up without having to worry about a few extra minutes about my eyeliner. It is definitely great for those days that you're in a rush to get out of the door because you can save time on washing a brush and such. How about being on vacation and worrying about how you look first thing in the morning? I definitely don't have to worry about that and can maximize my time traveling in a different country which I am doing at the moment. 

taken on the day after, please ignore the facial expression

What I love the most about having the tattoo is that my eyeliner will always be there. I don't have to worry about smudges, smears, and especially the problem of my makeup running. It is a hassle to go out and have your makeup running within a few minutes, especially in the summer time. This is just like a waterproof make up without having to deal with the hassle of having to remove it everyday. This also saves on pulling and tugging at the eye area which reduces the wrinkles that I would get if I didn't have it tattooed. 

The process? I can't say it wasn't painful. It is a tattoo after all, and at the waterline area. An eye drop is used to clean out the eyes and a cream is layered on for a bit of numbing. You can still feel the pen being glided along your waterline, but it isn't as painful as it sounds. I think of it as more of an annoying itch that you wish would just hurry and end. Your eyes will be swollen right after the process and maybe even for a few days. Mine were swollen for two days, but a lot of girls love the swollen eye look because they don't have a fold at the eye. 

Photo taken 3 days after

Eyelash extensions. Although this lasts for a month or so, it is definitely great to have a set of falsies on all the time. I don't have to put on falsies when going out and the fullness of your set of lashes can be adjusted to your liking. Filled in where your lashes are, lashes are glued on one by one (usually) so it is important to be careful and gentle when messing around with the eye area. There is no need to apply mascara to the lashes so you can save a lot of time with the duo. If you are looking to keep the lash extension a continuous process, simply get them filled in every few weeks. You can also save on the amount of money that you spend on lashes because it is just a refill instead of a new set. 

My current obsession and number one pamper me pretty favorite that I recommend to all is the eyelash extension and eyeliner tattoo. Although it can be a bit expensive, it is definitely worth it to me. I suggest getting the tattoo to be thin so that you can shape it whichever way you want to later on. You have to keep in mind that you will have this tattoo with you for the rest of your life. Many people get both the top and bottom water line done at the same time, but I usually apply liner to my top line so there was no point of getting both for me. 

Restaurant Review - Hua's Restaurant

Named the best Chinese Restaurant by the Wall Street Journal, there are a handful of this restaurant chain all around the world. Although the menu can be a bit pricey, there are a few signature dishes that are extremely worth it. Getting a taste of the Chinese culture (although not all on point) through Hua's Restaurant is recommended. 

Because it is a Chinese restaurant, the style of dining is family style where you order a few dishes and share with the guests at the table. Depending on the number of guests you are with, it is recommended to order a few appetizers and main courses and split a noodle or rice dish between the group. Because proportions are fairly large for the rice dishes, it is best to eat a small amount and sample more of the other goodies they have to offer. 

One of the recommended dishes at Hua's Restaurant is the Peking duck. Freshly roasted daily when ordered in the restaurant, it is served crispy and fresh. Although it is also the priciest thing on the menu, it is definitely worth trying if you have never before. It is their signature dish that sold the name of the best restaurant. 

 

In addition to this, there are a handful of other dishes that are recommended which includes their dim sum, spring rolls, and sweet and sour dishes. The roast pork bun was one thing that caught my attention, but the weird Hua's Restaurant cooks up their own kind. With a sweet flour based bun and an interior that is nothing like a red roast pork filling, it is definitely unique to taste. 

Presentation is extremely valued at Hua's Restaurant so you are paying more for presentation than the taste of such dishes. If you are looking for authentic Chinese food, this would probably not be the place. It is a top restaurant for Chinese infused Korean goods. By that, the expectations to consume traditional Chinese dishes should be omitted. 

Visiting the one in Nami Island, after waiting for quite some time, the food was more mediocre to me. Maybe the expectations were high because it was labeled as the best restaurant in the world, but the cultural infused dishes takes away from the actual authentic taste. Nonetheless, the dishes stood on its own for its signature tastes. Although it was a bit odd to taste, it is still a recommended restaurant on the list.

My Current Obsession - Lancome Genifique

I am absolutely obsessed with this special edition 100ml Lancome's Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate. Thanks to a friend who works for the L'Oreal brand, I was able to pick this up and have not been able to put it down since. The product claims to show visibly younger skin within a week and I definitely waited it out to blog about the product. This product is not cheap and I wanted to see the actual results before blogging about it. To be quite honest, I have not been taking care of my skin lately because I have been working hard planning a handful of things and a little stressed out. Because of that, I have not been sleeping well and there's been a lot of chaos going on which has taken a toll on my skin. I do see the difference with use of the product. My dark circles are not as bad, my skin does not seem to age, but I don't think I've been using it long enough to see the actual changes in the skin. That and I never had a problem with wrinkles to begin with. I'm using this more as a preventative and precautions product. 

For the price that it is sold for, it may be a bit pricey for many, but I am currently obsessed and cannot let it go.  Simply use daily, once in the morning and in the evening. Be sure to use the product before your daily skincare regimen in order to maximize the results. All you need is to squirt one little bit and dab it all over the face with your ring finger, concentrating on the areas that you have the most problem wrinkles.