Wake up, time to shop!

The past few days have been a bit of a downer; I've been feeling exhausted from taekwondo, over-whelmed by Korean class, and homesick.  Don't get me wrong, I'm loving it here, but I had lost a bit of my previous spirit.  Something was missing in my experience abroad, and a little excursion to Dongdaemun's market for some therapy was just what I needed.  Ladies and gents, I discovered shopping in Seoul, and I am wide awake again!

I tried my best not to be over-whelmed, but it was difficult.  The streets are packed with different places to shop for great deals.  The indoor market Serena took us to was 7 floors (1-3 womens, 4-5 mens, 6-7 bags, shoes, accessories), and there were lines and lines of small booths filled with goodies.  It was awesome.  The first thing I noticed were the jackets and coats: Fur, fur, fur; fur-lined,-fur-trimmed,fur-furred. There was mod, military, geometric-structured, 50's ladylike, over-sized ...but no matter what style, it seems like everything included either a band, buttons, or a belt, to allow for a tighter fit around the waist.  I loved how everything was made to be fitted!  Serena explained that Korean girls like to show off how skinny they are.  Hah.

Into my shopping cart fell a coat.  I knew I needed it as soon as I saw it, and luckily Serena was there to do some bargaining for me.  I  noticed that the price always went down a lot more when she spoke to the sales person.  So thanks Serena!  The coat I purchased was not as structured as some of the other things I saw, I wanted something over-sized...But like everything else, it came with a tie to tighten around my waist, giving it a much more feminine silhouette.  My classmates also picked up some great coats.  See below for pics:)

Other looks I saw advertised were the ultra-feminine, and the ultra-ultra feminine.  Seriously, ultra-ultra-feminine is a very prominent style here in Korea, and by that I mean lots of frill, fluff, bows, barely-there skirts, super-high platforms, glittery this and that, cute panda bear sweaters... 

I picked up a light and feminine blouse for myself too, although I chose a safe colour palette; instead of pink and pastel green, I stuck with black and cream.  Sorry Korea, not ready yet.

Pics:

Coat I bought at the market at Dongdaemun.  Love it.

Nicki in her new military-esque coat!

Evelyn in her fitted off-white coat. Love the colour of this one.

Something light and feminine.

Make-up; all about the eyes.

Just wanted to mention something quickly about something about the make-up I've noticed here.  Highlight highlight highlight the eyes!  The bigger, the brighter, the better.  Before coming to Korea, I was really into the smokey-eye look (heavier and smudged dark eyeliner and shadow), but I'm starting to get into this look...It has a much fresher look.  What I like about it is that it hides my eye-bags more than the smokey-eye look does (which I find actually accentuates them)...it makes me look more awake! Hah, so when in Korea, put your face on like a Korean:

Highlight highlight highlight!

No look can be complete, without finishing off with a fierce peace-sign pose. 

(fyi: Scarf was also bought in Korea...at the Co-ex Mall.  Love it! It's duo-animal print (tiger print and cheetah).  I wear it with everything now.  

More notes on shopping in Korea: Picture time.

Shopping in Seoul makes you love New York?

(shopping bag from the market)

Don't forget to pick up your face-roller!  Slim slim slim your face.  I actually saw a man use this while waiting at a bus stop.  Yes a man, yes, bus stop, yes, a slim-roller.

It's important to be prepared.  Buy a handy dandy bunny case for your spoon and chop sticks!

Later!