Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Manoffin

I have had a cupcake craving for a long time now, Korea is nothing like America where cupcakes are at every corner. I finally found Manoffin Gallery, a place that sells "muffins"but thankfully it fulfilled part of my cupcake craving. I picked up the strawberry topped with nuts, filled with a strawberry sauce and dried berries as well as the Manoffin original that is topped whip cream and a chocolate Christmas tree. 

I am in love with the texture of the Manoffin original. It is fluffy like that of a cupcake, but a Korean style. It is difficult to explain, but it helped to satisfy my cupcake craving. As for the strawberry muffin, the texture is a lot more like that of a muffin. I am in love with the strawberry jam that fills the middle as well as the mix of nuts and dried berries. It was definitely a great touch. 

Another obsession I have with these Manoffins is the way they are wrapped. Unlike American cupcakes and muffins that are wrapped and unfolded in one, the Manoffin has a base bottom and a wrapping that circles around the sides. You first rip the side which unfolds the whole muffin but you can still stand it alone and it won't get dirty with the base. Perfect for those germ a phobes like me!

Food Goods - Lemon

We all know lemon is great for beauty fanatics. It not only helps to slim down weight, but it also helps to promote a healthy body. There are many things that you can do with the handy lemon which calls for you to stock up in your fridge. Lemon is great for Vitamin C intake so if you're low on oranges, swap it for a lemon.

• Daily early morning drink. Mix cold water, honey, and lemon cleanse the body when you wake up. Be sure to drink this on an empty stomach. You can use warm water if you want, but it is not recommended because the heat kills many benefits of lemon and honey. For those who can endure water and lemon directly, it will help you to efficiently detox and lose weight. A whole lemon mixed with a  cup of water is suggested for those who are over 150 pounds and unhealthy, half of a lemon for those who are 150 pounds and healthy. 
• Teeth Whitening. This is by far my favorite and most recommended for both men and women. Simply squeeze the fresh juice from half of a lemon, rub with table salt and baking soda along the teeth. Baking soda is known to help whiten teeth, but lemon gives it that extra boost.
• Smooth skin. For a simple mask, mash an over-ripe banana with fresh lemon juice and apply to the face and hands for clear and smooth skin. There is also the less messy alternative of a teaspoon of honey, a teaspoon of olive oil, and quarter teaspoon of lemon juice for the hands, elbows, heels and drier areas. I suggest covering up the area for ten minutes with a plastic bag or old pieces of clothing and wash away to reveal beatified skin. 
• Dark spots. There are many areas that women are insecure with when it comes to the body which include underarms, elbows, and dark spots on the face. Simply rub fresh lemon juice on the area for ten minutes and wash away. Over time, the color will gradually lighten. 
• Dandruff treatment. Mix a few tablespoons of fresh lemon with olive oil and rub it into the scalp. I suggest using a shower cap to soak in the treatment for 15 minutes and follow the regular shampoo and conditioner. 
• Itchy scalp. Mix an egg white and lemon juice, massage into the scalp of your head and soak in the treatment with a shower cap for an hour. Follow with your regular hair wash routine. I suggest to practice this twice a week for a month.
• For those with psoriasis, lemon juice also helps to strengthen the liver enzymes because the liver can make more enzymes from fresh lemon juice than any other food element. Therefore, having half a lemon to a whole lemon a day (depending on your health) will help to clear up your psoriasis. 
• Yellow nails. If you're like me and use nail polish just about daily, the winter colors are probably not so healthy for your nails. Dark colors may turn your nails yellow. Simply brush your nails with lemon juice and baking soda. This will help to lighten the color, not fully revive your natural born color.

Its amazing how the many foods found around the house can help in daily grooming and beauty care. The best thing is the DIY items save a ton of money which adds up when it comes to beauty products. Good luck!

Merry Christmas to All and Happy Birthday to MEEEEE !!

I am blessed to be born on this special day, Christmas day (over in Korea, it is Christmas day already). I am blessed to be on the other side of the world, but still celebrate with a bunch of new friends here in Korea. I am blessed to have a family that face timed me a cake and my niece blow out the candles for me. I am blessed to carry my tradition of having an "ice cream cake" this year, only separated with: ice cream and cake. I am blessed to have you, a true list of supporters who read my blogs. Thank you all. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

I also decided to include a photo of my birthday makeup, very simple with bold red lips. Just for laughters, my "ice cream cake" with before and after photos :] Baskin Robbins ice cream flavor: dulce de leche and strawberry madness along with a chocolate cake from Paris Baguette.

Cheap Eats - Pomato Soup

This was perhaps one of the most cheapest eats that I have had in Korea since I've been. Pomato Soup, what seems to be a more edgy touch to the Korean traditional eats attracted me as I was exploring one of the markets over in Guui. I ordered the Pork Katsu which comes with rice and a salad. When I say salad, I mean chopped up lettuce with mayonnaise and a bbq-like sauce. Don't get me wrong, I love my little salad, but the best part of the meal was the price. It only cost me $3.50 because they were running a special promotion on the dish on the random day that I decided to try it.

Pomato Soup is also known for their cheap prices with dishes that range from $4-6. It is quite filling so it is a recommendation on my end! Try the many fried rices or the katsu. You can never go wrong with getting a fried dish imo!

Life in Korea - Junkfood Stash

I am big on food, very big on small eats and junk food. I finally decided to share with the world my "stash." Everyone knows I am big on sweets and chips and when I go shopping, the three C's (cookies, chips, and candy) are always on the top of my list. Sometimes, I spend more money on junk foods than real food. 

Nonetheless, I love Korea for its flavored goodies. I am currently addicted to the chocolate covered sunflower seeds which is equivalent to a peanut's M&M, but oh so delicious. I recently bought a 1.5 pound bag of these sunflower seeds. You won't understand until you have tried them!

In addition to the oh so delicious sunflower seeds, I have a stash of the Ganache Macadamia Chocolates that are truffle like squares filled with macadamia nuts. It is delicious! Being that I am big on truffles, with my numerous posts (La Maison Du Chocolat, Leonidas, Lily O'Briens Cafe, teuscher, neuhaus chocolate), I've been on the search here. I haven't found any chocolate truffle places, but I did find a store brand that has helped me satisfy my current cravings: Royal Milk and Dark Chocolate Truffle.

I haven't found any great cookies here, but I did find a whole bunch of chips. Korea doesn't have the many typical plain flavors that we find back in America, but there are a bunch of seafood and sweet chips. For a different craving, these chips have a blast of flavor that is usually puffy inside. I love the big fluff of Asian chips, doesn't taste anything like the flat, thin fried potato chip you find in America. My favorites include the crab shaped chips, puffy fish shaped cuttlefish chip, the sweet potato chip, and the sweet flavored chip topped with black sesame in the shape of a ring.


Lastly, rice cakes and uncooked ramen noodles are a big snack here as well. They even have baby size bags of ramen that are compressed and kid's bite sizes. I have learned to like them, just not as much as the kids do here. They even have the chips where the ramen come in size and a bag of powder for the kids to add it to. All they do is shake it up and enjoy. I know for a fact when I fly back, I will be having a suitcase full of junk food!

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Dunkin Donuts

I recently went on a bubble tea crave because I have bubble tea every week back in New York. I thought I wouldn't be able to find any bubble tea in Korea, but who would have ever thought that I'd find it in Dunkin Donuts. The only upset that I have is that the bubble tea here is made of powder which makes me a bit bloated afterwards. I try to stay away but they do have the common flavors of milk tea, green tea, and taro. It definitely helps to satisfy a random craving, although the bubbles are microwaved. I just wish they would sell it to me alone! This way, I'd be able to make my own bubble tea :]

Asia is known to put a twist on American chains in order to satisfy the difference in taste requirements. I love the fact that I was able to find bubble tea in a Dunkin Donuts, along with some of the traditional drinks that they carry back in America. It does cater to the taste of the Asians as well as those American drinks as well. 

One thing that I do want to point out is the Dunkin Donuts in Korea definitely has better looking donuts than those in the states. The best part is Dunkin Donuts have cake. These cakes are way too pretty to eat which makes me a little sad. Lastly, the price difference is high. Dunkin Donuts is known to be the cheap spot for coffee, not in Korea. As seen on the right, donuts cost $1.50 and you can find some for a little cheaper, but it usually starts at over $1 per donut. 

Splurge of the Week - Missha

It is impossible to live in Korea and not pick up beauty and makeup products. It is the time of the year where businesses throws all type of sales for the holiday season, the best time for shopping and splurging on yourself. This week's beauty and makeup splurge is from Missha.

I picked up three Pure Source masks which consists of honey, pomegranate, and aloe. For just about a dollar each, it was worth a try to see how well it would work on my skin. That, and I have never seen a honey mask before and I know honey and oatmeal works wonders for the skin! I was not a big fan of the honey smell, but it was an amazing 20 minute touch.

Next, I picked up a top coat that I forgot to get bring from the states. On sale for just $4, the brush is thicker than those in the states. It allows for one quick sweep of color through the nail and tops my color with a shiny coat. It is a great soft finish for the Missha Lucid Nail Care.

Following, I picked up a Creamy Matte Lip Rouge in PK03, a pink that I have been dying to get for a while now. Today was finally the day! The matte color works extremely well with my lip, I just wish there was a bit more moisture to the lipstick. 

Near Skin Bio White, is one of the popular lines of Missha. I decided to give it a try with the Healing Eye Treatment which is certified but he KFDA that uses white peptide bio technology to minimize fine lines. For those without wrinkles, it is good to prevent and protect earlier.

Lastly, I found an extremely moisturizing Excellent Milky Body Oil for a low price. American brand products can be hard to find in Korea for a low price, but I hope this will help my dry skin due to the difference in water.