When You Believe

A beautiful cover from the Wonder Girls Sun Ye Ye Eun. Their pronunciation has improved dramatically.

Olympus xz-1

Finally purchased the Olympus xz-1!! Well actually, there were problems with the first one I they gave me, so I had to return that one and swap it for a new one. Unfortunately, they only had the display one left and they weren't sure when they would receive their next shipment *very annoyed. Never buying anything from that shop again.

The picture quality is excellent! Loving the art options, super macro focus, SLR quality photos and the list goes on. Not loving the lens cap though, wish it was automated and it's not really small for a compact camera, but hey, I'm not complaining.

Cannot wait to use this camera when I go overseas next week. I haven't been overseas for 5 years....ahhhh so excited, plus I need a holiday.

Here are some photos I've taken with the Olympus...

Kpop 2011

I remember posting a side note in my Favourite Kpop Artists of 2010 post about what I was looking forward to from Kpop artists in 2011. 10 months later....

Side note: What I'm looking forward to in 2011 for Kpop Artists

• Wonder Girls debut US album. Fans have been patiently waiting for almost a year for Wonder Girls breakthrough into the US market. I hope this album showcases their talents and is not some manufactured mainstream auto-tuned crap song that you hear on the radio nowadays  - Still patiently waiting, hope its as good as their 2nd Korean album Wonder World
• Big Bang's long awaited comeback to the Kpop scene. Since the Big Bang members have been concentrating on their solo careers and Japanese promotions during the past two years, fans have been patiently waiting for their Korean comeback. Hope their album is a huge success and is not some album that is only promoted for a month (that's the tend nowadays with Kpop) - An alright come back for 2011, didn't blow my mind away. Sadly, not sure when their next comeback is due to all the controversies surrounding two of the members. But I am looking forward to a Taeyang comeback!!
• BoA's US film debut. She's got some sick dance moves!! - Hope its good!
• Reconciliation between SM Entertainment and JYJ - no progress?
• SNSD's Japanese promotions. Let's hope they release an original Japanese song not their Korean songs but in Japanese - I liked their Japanese album over their Korean "The Boys" album. Hope they produce another one!
• More understanding between Kpop artists and their agencies - unsure?
• Brown Eyed Girl's comeback. Let's hope its a ballad, but I doubt it. I loved their 1st and 2nd albums - "Cleansing Cream", their only ballad they promoted this year...I didn't really like it much
• More Kpop artists coming to Australia - The 2011 Kpop Music Festival just last week in Sydney and Shinee fir this mini-concert at Town Hall!!  

Current Obsessions : Electronics

I've been going through a technology frenzy lately. I recently bought a Toshiba Satellite laptop because I was in dire needs of a new one. My old one was lagging like no tomorrow. Computer lag irritates me.

Since I'm going overseas next month (can't wait!!), I've been itching to buy the Olympus xz-1. Photos are a must for overseas holidays. Sadly, I'm not going for tourist purposes, just visiting the relos and *drum rolls* SHOPPING. Well, that's no shock. Hey, any holiday is worth looking forward to, I'm not complaining!

From the sample photos and reviews I've seen, it seems to take fantastic SLR quality photos all in one compact camera. But it does come at a price, retailing at around $500, its not a friendly gesture to your wallet, especially if you're not a camera enthusiast, like myself. However, that's not going to stop me. I've been eye-balling this camera for months!

Since technology is increasing at an ever so fast pace, trends come and go like fashion trends. However technology is evolving rapidly and there is a constant demand for newer and exciting innovations. Whereas fashion trends just go in cycles, with a bit of innovation there as well. Tablets have currently been the technological trend with many brands of tablets on the market since the release of the Apple iPad.

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Asus's highly anticipated Andriod tablet, which is going to be officially released to the public on November 9 2011 has caught my eye. With its lightweight design, amazing features and exceptional battery-life, this fascinating piece of technology has totally won me over. Pricing is still unknown. I'm seriously going to buy this when I go to Hong Kong!

With all these electronics I want to buy, my bank account is not going to look too happy at the end of this year. I don't think I've EVER bought that many electronics in one year EVER.

1. Blackberry Bold 9780 outright $AUD 480 (July 2011)

2. Toshiba Satellite C665 $AUD 598 (October 2011)

3. Olympus xz-1  $AUD 479 (Will buy in mid-November 2011)

4. Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, price unknown, hopefully it's around $AUD 499 (Will 

    buy in HK early December 2011)

Buh bye winter!!

As winter soon draws to an end in Australia (for now), one of the many things I'm pleasantly looking forward to is not having to pile on layers and layers of clothing just to stay warm...

This 2011 winter has been a very cold one compared to the previous years. With Australia being one the warmer countries, I hope it doesn't come to the point where we are looking like this every morning....  

Peace out ^_^

Current obsession: Statement necklaces ❤

Only recently, I have discovered a liking towards statement necklaces. I never really used to like wearing necklaces because of my laziness and thought of not doing anything special to an outfit.

However, they make a great fashion statement piece over any outfit worn. Whether you want to dress up a flat looking outfit or add a bit of sexiness, I would totally recommend to add a statement necklace the next time you go somewhere special. Compliments will sure be directed to you!!

Here, I'm wearing the same necklace in three different outfits. This necklace was a bargain....$5! Spending that $5 made a difference. I was glad I purchased it :)

Word of note, personally I think that statement necklaces tend to go well with block colours as there is not too much going on. But then again I tend to wear block colours over prints, its more my style. I like to keep things simple. That's just my personal opinion though, fashion is about experimenting and feeling comfortable in whatever you're wearing.

The next two statement necklaces I want to purchase:

House of Harlow: Station Leather Necklace in Khaki Leather and Gold

Juliet & Company: La Bonne Vie Necklace

They're a bit over my budget for jewellery but I'm sure they're well worth the investment. Just have to save some of my paycheck now -_-''

Happy shopping

Life after University

Wow, I haven't blogged in a while....been too busy with work now since I'm a full-time employee :)

Since creating this blog in January 2011, I haven't really told you much about myself, other than the obvious: I like Korean entertainment and online shopping.

I created this blog because I was bored out of my brains with too much time on my hands. I had graduated with  in an accounting degree with no real job prospects and an on the side casual job. I was actively looking for full time work in the accounting field during August 2010-November 2010. And to my utter disappointment, it was a total failure because of the lack of motivation and constant rejections I kept on receiving. I wasn't prepared for this outcome.

However, I finally started looking again in January 2011, but with a different career mind-set. There are only a handful of graduate accounting positions with little or no experience. There were many administration positions, so I decided to pursue a career in admin. Altogether letting go of becoming an accountant. I had the computer skills and telephone skills. So I started my quest of admin jobs on seek. But to my familiar disappointment, I underestimated my ability of getting the first interview. It took me weeks to obtain an interview for a receptionist position at a Chinese owned pharmaceutical supplement business. Honestly, I was pretty desperate for any full-time position, but this one wasn't really to my liking. First it was Asian owned, meaning tight-ass bosses who speak Mandarin. Look, I have nothing against the Chinese, I'm Chinese myself. However, I would never want to work for one. Anyways I went to the interview because I wanted to practice my interview skills which haven't really been put to the test. I did okay, but didn't make the final cut because, no surprise, I didn't speak Mandarin.

Before, I was notified if I had made the final cut for the Chinese business, I was asked for an interview for a receptionist and admin position at an accounting firm in the city. Excited and eager, I went to the interview and they seemed to like me and my accounting degree. I was 70% sure I would get that job. And to my luck, I got the job.

Just something from a piece of my life I thought I'd like to share.      

More Charming By The Day (English Subtitles)

Aired straight after High Kick Through the Roof, More Charming By The Day is a 138 episode sitcom by MBC. What attracted me to this sitcom is the appearance of Krystal Jung later in the sitcom (Jung Soo Jung, SNSD's Jesscia's younger sister and member of SM Entertainment's f(x)).

Synopsis: http://allkoreandrama.com/more-charming-by-the-day

I'm only up to episode 11, but all I can say for now is it isn't as entertaining as its successful predecessor High Kick Through the Roof. However, that doesn't mean I won't continue watching, some aspects of the sitcom are pretty funny and entertaining such as the characters and its unrelated storylines.

Here's a link with english subtitles for those who don't understand Korean, like myself: ww.dramacrazy.net/korean-drama/more-charming-by-the-day/

Thank withs2 for their hardwork subbing the sitcom. Without these dedicated fan subbing teams, I wouldn't be able to enjoy Korean entertainment as I do now and in my past 7 years.

RGB Nail Polish

The best nail polish! It dries fast, no harmful chemicals, easy to apply, chip resistant, a high shine formula and streak free. However, the downside is the lack of colours and you can't buy it in Australia. I bought mine on revovleclothing.com since they were the only website to ship RGB internationally, however they have very limited stock.

So if you're looking for a great nail polish, I recommend RGB.
Stockists are on the website: http://www.rgbcosmetics.com/stockists.html

ASOS Purchases

This is 12th time I've ordered from ASOS. Great service and prices are affordable especially with the Free Worldwide Shipping. My package hasn't arrived yet, but I thought I'd just like to post up my purchases.
Hopefully they turn out okay.

Oasis Acrylic Leaf Brooch

Oasis Faux Pearl And Crystal Comb

ASOS Open Back Drape Dress

What's in my bag?

My Mimco Wallet containing my cards and cash.

                                                                                  




                                                                                      My Nokia X6.

My Lip balm. My lips tend to get chapped throughout the day. Blistex Daily Conditioning, tastes nice and smells nice.





My Mac Blot Pressed Powder in Medium Dark. I have combination skin so my T-zone tends to get oily throughout the day.

My hand cream. My hands are dry after washing them. So I use whatever is in my bag, now its the Redwin Sorbolene or Bloom shea butter hand cream

My concealer. Just in case my blemishes are visible since I don't like to use foundation for daily use. I have the Biotherm Light Catch concealer, too bad its discontinued, it's a really good concealer.






My Sony 4GB Walkman mp3. I don't have it in my bag as much anymore, since I'm always driving











And lastly, but most importantly, my house keys and car keys.

A must watch for dog lovers!!

This just brings tears to my eyes. Pray for Japan!!

Shopbop.com ❤

Received my Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent flats that I have been eyeing at Shopbop.com for months. Bought it for a bargain, 70% off the original price, so they came down to a fabulous $60. But not only was the price drool worthy, the shipping time was positively outrageous. I ordered the flats on the 4th of February 6.30pm AEST and received them on the 7th of February 10am AEST. Shopbop's worldwide delivery guarantee in 3 days or less is definitely commendable!!

Here's the shipment journey of the package, if you're not convinced.

Sidra Mixed Material Flats

Sidra Mixed Material Flats

The flats are a good fit and it even came with the yellow protector bag. Too bad Shopbop's clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories are pricey, since they are designer brands and their sizes sell out pretty fast. However, there are some good finds if you're lucky. With great brands and excellent customer service, Shopbop is a must for online shopping addicts!!

High Kick Through The Roof/ Unstoppable High Kick Season 2 (English subtitles)

Lately, I've been addicted to Korean sitcoms. A sitcom I'm currently watching and highly recommend is High Kick Through the Roof. I've been waiting for English subtitles for months!
An entertaining family filled, enjoyable and funny Korean entertainment. A must watch!

Here's a link if want to know what it's about: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/High_Kick_Through_the_Roof 

Thank you to Withs2 for subbing!

Here's the link with English subtitles: http://www.dramacrazy.net/korean-drama/high-kick-through-the-roof/

My Beginnings with Kpop

SeeYa's final performance at M.Net Countdown

After watching SeeYa's final performance as a group on M.Net Countdown made me realise how long I've been a fan for Kpop music and how Korean's mainstream music has changed so rapidly during these past few years. So, here's my story of my humble beginnings with Kpop music.

It all first started with my first Korean drama Full House in 2005. I know what you're thinking, what does Full House have anything to do with Kpop music: 1. the OST music and 2. Rain (Bi). I liked Byul's I Think I Love You in the drama.
I'm the type of person who likes to do some reading before or after watching a drama or movie. I originally didn't know Rain debuted as a singer. But after listening to his albums, boy did it made me like him even more. And from there, it all started.

But what attracted me most to Korean music was their heartbreaking ballads. I don't understand the Korean language, but music is a universal language, you don't have to understand the language to like it. Sometimes its about the melody or how the singer conveys their song. To add with that, a ballad with a heartbreaking storyline in their Music Video is what totally sucked me into Korean music as well. I think it was SG Wannabe, SeeYa and Brown Eyed Girls music was what made me appreciate Kpop. I remember SG Wannabe and SeeYa's popularity back then, compared to now. They made great music back then, same goes to Brown Eyed Girls.

Wow, I can't believe it's been 5 years since I started listening to Korean music. And this obsession with probably continue. I will miss SeeYa's music and their awesome collaborations. That's sadly one less ballad group in the Korean music industry. I hope Kballads will be recognised more in the future as idol music is now.

Here's SeeYa's The Last & Scent Of A Woman, SG Wannabe's A Partner For Life and BEG's I Got Fooled By You.

Note: Nowadays, the Kpop industry is saturated with dance tracks and bubblegum pop. I know that some Kballads have now also become monotonous and have a similar beat, but we should give credit to this kind of genre and appreciate it because it really is worth a listen to. Idols should promote more of their ballads on their albums, because some their ballads actually are good. 

Favourite/s Kpop Artists of 2010

Female Artist: BoA

Her long awaited comeback to the Kpop industry with the release of her 6th album Hurricane Venus and also the celebration of her 10th year anniversary. A great album demonstrating her maturity as an artist. BoA will always be my favourite female artist in Kpop. She's the Queen of Kpop!!


Male Artist: Taeyang

With his smooth and sexy vocals, who doesn't love Taeyang. I Need a Girl wasn't one of my favourite songs from his first studio album Solar, but overall the album is one of my favourites. Looking forward to his comeback with the Big Bang members.


Female Group: Wonder Girls

Even though they weren't that active in Kpop in 2010, the charismatic Wonder Girls will always be my favourite female group. With 4-D Sunmi leaving the group, many thought the Wonder Girls were going down. But they exceeded my expectations in their US debut, I thought it was going to be a complete failure in all honesty. Definitely looking forward to their debut album. Hope it is going to be a success!!


Male Group: TVXQ, DBSK, Tohoshinki 

With the heart breaking news of the lawsuit and the split of this wonderfully talented group, TVXQ isn't TVXQ anymore without all its 5 members. But even so, they're still my #1 male group. I hope they stand together as 5 on stage once more.


Rookie Group: Miss A and  Sistar

With the influx of Kpop idol groups especially female groups, Miss A and Sistar stand out of the pack in 2010. With great live vocals and fierce dance moves, Miss A and Sistar both shouldn't be compared or rivaled with since they have their own individual styles. Looking forward their 2011 activities!!


Side note: What I'm looking forward to in 2011 for Kpop Artists

• Wonder Girls debut US album. Fans have been patiently waiting for almost a year for Wonder Girls breakthrough into the US market. I hope this album showcases their talents and is not some manufactured mainstream auto-tuned crap song that you hear on the radio nowadays
• Big Bang's long awaited comeback to the Kpop scene. Since the Big Bang members have been concentrating on their solo careers and Japanese promotions during the past two years, fans have been patiently waiting for their Korean comeback. Hope their album is a huge success and is not some album that is only promoted for a month (that's the tend nowadays with Kpop)
• BoA's US film debut. She's got some sick dance moves!!
• Reconciliation between SM Entertainment and JYJ
• SNSD's Japanese promotions. Let's hope they release an original Japanese song not their Korean songs but in Japanese
• More understanding between Kpop artists and their agencies
• Brown Eyed Girl's comeback. Let's hope its a ballad, but I doubt it. I loved their 1st and 2nd albums
• More Kpop artists coming to Australia

 That's all I can think of so far...

I like Kpop but than doesn't make me a teeny bopper :(

Nowadays, it seems liking Kpop and not understanding the Korean language can make you seem like a teeny bopper. I'm ashamed to admit to my friends and acquaintances to my listening and following Korean music.
Yes, I don't understand the language, but hey, music is a universal language, no matter what genre or language, everyone can enjoy it. I'm not a die hard fan of Kpop since I do listen to English music, but enough for me to purchase their actual CD on online music stores.  

The connection I'm trying to illustrate between Kpop and teeny boppers is that of, for example the Bieber fever fans and Swifty fans (I am a fan of Taylor Swift, she's pretty talented for her age). The majority of Bieber and Swifty fans are teenagers, so people then come to a conclusion, hey you like their music....you are then labelled as a "teeny bopper". Same goes with Kpop, many international fans of idol groups are those in their teens.

Out of topic rant: What I find depressing with Kpop nowadays is the influx of idol groups (note: I'm not trying to discriminate, I do like some of the idol groups) and to stay on top with this fierce competition, catchy lack lustre songs are released every so often, it becomes ever so repetitive and monotonous. Idol groups are changing their styles every so often with every single/mini-album/album release, it now becomes a bit difficult to distinct each group. But I'll talk more about this in one of my later posts.      

Online shopping sites

Here are some sites which I have purchased items from, some which may help for those online shopper noobs:

http://www.asos.com/
A UK online site offering a great range of clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, makeup, etc. You can  find some cheap deals especially when they have sales, however they do offer the higher end brands. Decent shipping times, packages come on time and they charge a flat shipping rate, great for those buying a lot. Overall, a great place to shop, however their prices have increased and in my opinion some of their styles lack in quality.

www.shopbop.com    
An American site offering the higher end American brands in clothing, bags, shoes and accessories. A great site for those who don't want to pay for shipping costs ($10 flat rate for purchases under $100, free over $100). They have awesome sales and shipping times. It literally took 3 days from the time of purchase, to the package being at the front of my doorstep. However the downside is that they don't stock enough of some products.

www.yesstyle.com
An Asian retailer site selling a great range of clothing, shoes, bags, accessories and makeup. There are so many pages of clothes,shoes, bags, etc in different colours and styles. Their shipping rates a good (free if >$150), however their shipping times can take a while, since they have to purchase it from a manufacturer. There are some great deals, although in my opinion, there are some items which are overpriced considering its quality.

www.revovleclothing.com
An American site offering affordable and higher end American brands. They have a decent range of clothing, shoes, etc. Great shipping rates ($10 flat rate for purchases under $100, free over $100) and delivery times. Overall, it's a great site to shop as they always have discount codes and great deals. But the downside is their limited range of handbags.

http://www.strawberrynet.com/main.aspx
A popular makeup, skincare and hair products site. Excellent prices, free shipping, discounts and they're the real thing!! One of my favourite makeup sites, a must for makeup lovers. However, they don't stock all the products I was after. Overall, excellent site!!

www.yesasia.com
An Asian retailer selling CDs, DVDs, etc. Founder of the yesstyle.com site, a great site if you want to purchase cheap DVDs and CDs and of course Asian entertainment. Okay shipping times, took a while for my package to arrive but they do have good shipping rates (free >$39).

These are just the main sites which I usually browse in. Hope this helps :)

yesstyle.com purchase and review

I have to sadly admit, I have an online shopping obsession. However, this obsession has only been recent since the $AUD is strong and occasionally on par with the $US. Why not utilise its benefits. 

This is the second time I have purchased something from yesstyle, an Asian online retailer selling women's and men's clothing, bags, beauty, etc. I wasn't entirely satisfied with my first purchase, one of the items were cancelled and the other did not fit. However, that did not stop me from my second purchase since yesstyle does have decent service, shipping rates and times.

I purchased a leather handbag for casual use since I was in need of a new handbag plus I was forever eyeing this bag. And what can I say, when I excitedly opened my long awaited package, I'm in love!! I love how it has three compartments, its shape (sorta reminds me of the Mulberry Edie Bag), an adjustable shoulder strap,  the unique golden rustic colour and the feel of the soft leather. The bag comes in a range colours, which I like about Korean handbag manufacturers. Black and brown bags can be overly bland. Unfortunately, there is only one bad point, the bag came with a funky smell when I opened the box and I cannot eliminate it. But other than that, I am very satisfied with my purchase. Now, it's time to use the bag!!  

http://www.yesstyle.com/en/ashton-genuine-leather-shoulder-bag-black-one-size/info.html/pid.1023857821

The bag originally sells at $155, pretty decent for a genuine leather bag. But luckily, it's 10% off (if only I waited for a bit, I love a bargain/sale).

K.Will and Sistar’s Hyorin – Whenever you call

A beautiful rendition of Mariah Carey and Brian McKnight’s Whenever you call. One of the best duets I’ve seen in Kpop. A must watch for Kpop lovers!!

Sistar’s Hyorin has such a beautiful voice and I think one of the best in Kpop’s overcrowded idol industry.

Welcome

My venting space :)
Also sharing my thoughts and purchases.
This blogging site seems so much easier than wordpress.
Enjoy

p.s. please excuse my incompetent English