Skinfood : yummy food for skin x ZALORA

Tinyceci is now in the land of kimchi with her mom typing this in the hostel. It feels really good to be back here! My second home~^^ The weather is my favorite type of chilly: 5-15 degrees Celsius but my skin isn't really agreeing with my elation since the dry weather takes some getting used to.

Anyway, so I started (restarted) using some skin packs and masks to restore moisture balance to my skin, which broke out the day we arrived. There are some secret tips Koreans use to do this at home using food ingredients, but thankfully for those of us who find it hard to keep track and store food for skin mask packs, there's SKINFOOD Singapore! Now available online~ ^^

I swear by using raw egg whites for break outs and in Korea(learned from my Korean beautician), it's really easy to store the excess raw egg whites in the fridge but in tropical countries like Singapore or Philippines, that's really tough without risking the whites getting contaminated or turning bad, so I'm really happy to see SKINFOOD came up with these products.

Also, the black sugar wash off mask is a great exfoliator! It's also much more cheaper compared to another brand F****.

Here're some masks for troubled skin (I'm really surprised the prices are so reasonable!)^^ : 

Next up, I know pore brushes are really popular in Singapore now and SKINFOOD also has their own! I love how they have a string thingy at the end so it's easy to hang it up for drying. 

Next up, I've been going crazy with lip tints whilst shopping here. There are just SO MANY lip tints to choose from! And they are so soooo good and pretty! Lipsticks are passé. Tints with a touch of gloss make such pretty gradient lips and they last all day...

With Christmas coming, SKINFOOD offers really good options for gifts under $10. Check this out! They are all so cute!!! Just buy one of each and mass presents for coworkers =done.

Christmas is coming ~!^^ HOHOHO better start planning for Christmas pressies now~

Lovely Korean Style is now available on ZALORA!

One of tinyceci's biggest peeves moving to Singapore is the lack of quality clothes which aren't drabby and over pricey. In the past, tiny only shopped exclusively online in Korea, where the delivery service offers next day to door delivery and the delivery guy ALWAYS calls beforehand to make sure there won't be wasted trips. What Koreans do is window shop in the streets of Hongdae, Edae, and Gangnam and then surf the net for similar/same dresses or outfits online, which usually automatically knocks 20-50% off the quoted price tags in the streets.

Since Qoo10sg is still nowhere as developed as GMarket Korea, the supply of quality Korean style clothes is still relatively low. Just when we were all wondering if we should make yet another trip down to kimchiland le Seoul to restock on the latest Korean styles, ZALORA launches a Korean Fashion Page!

Featuring brands like Seoul In Love, ShopsFashion and Kirsten-K, there's a wide range of OL friendly clothes to choose from, some of them with really unique designs which differentiates one from those run off the mill dresses which makes one look like the cheaper cousin of K-style, PRC-style. For ladies located in Sunny SG, wearing sandals and slippers doesn't have to be sloppy!

Here're some looks that tinyceci is really diggin'^^ (and nothing's over SGD40 with a sale on! 아싸~):

The latest trend in kimchiland right now is this casual preppy look, Shirts with fake collars. The usual way to wear this look is to layer a vest over a white shirt, but that's just way too hot for Spring/Summer transition isn't it? So they came up with this genius idea to make this look as a one shirt item. The boyish look/ boxy shape is still very much in style this season. Pair this with a pair of shoelaced white flats and khaki/white tapered pants for just a touch of feminine charm. Tassels on bags are still very much on trend. We look how this look is comfortable and yet still professional looking for work. ^^

The next look that tinyceci recommends is the jumpsuit look with sandals for a casual date out or a day at the beach. Skip the necklaces and earrings and go for some chunky arm/wrist candy like this bangle over here. Generally, Koreans visiting tropical countries love this look because it's laid back but still shows off details with intricate prints or interesting fabrics, and yes, they are not shy to don on a large summer straw hat just to complete the look. (It shields the face and shoulders from harsh sun rays too)

Grey is a color which is underutilized in Singapore. It's chic, and also more sun friendly compared to black. Pair the cotton flare dress with a string belt, a simple long necklace and laced up leather heels for instant glam street style. For a sharper, more work friendly look, try this bodycon maxi with the same heels and throw on a jacket/ cardi-shawl.

White tops never go out of style, but Kimchi style white tops always offer a little something more without going over the top. tinyceci loves the subtle details like a bit of chiffon or ribbons on unusual spots like the neckline, waist and shoulders which makes exudes classy sex appeal without excessive nudity. Point to note is for S/S 2015, the likes of Iven Blouse is really popular! A classic deep V that is somewhat like an off shoulder boat neck cut reminiscent of the Japanese school girl blouse for winter. Pair these tops with the Kirii sling bag for a slick, sophisticated look. We love how the bag is so versatile and matches any white, black or grey outfit. ^^

Actually there're still so many cute stuff on the ZALORA site but tinyceci has to run off. Till next time!

How to Celebrate Chuseok 추석 in Style with ZALORA x NEW LOOK

This year, the Chuseok 추석 holidays in Korea will fall on Sept 8, but it will be observed from 7-9 Sept 2014.

Some of you may wonder: what's the Chuseok holidays?

Well, in Singapore, we have the Mid-Autumn festival in the lunar calendar of August, which coincides with Chuseok though there's no public holiday.

In Korea, the Chuseok holidays is the major harvest festival originally known as Hangawi (한가위), which means "The Great Middle (of Autumn)" from ancient Korea. In this holiday, I remember seeing a mass exodus of people from Seoul back to their hometowns, carrying Hangwa 한과 (Korean sweets and pastries) and lots of fruits, money gifts for their parents/relatives. They are also supposed to give offerings to their ancestors and pray. (Some Christians in Korea choose not to do so)

In short, what I love about Chuseok:
- the long holidays (I usually visit Singapore for a week or so during this holiday period and it seems harder for Korean bosses to say no too since no one is going to be around)
- 송편 Song Pyeon (Essentially Korean mochi with fillings like honey, green bean paste. I really love the honey ones!)

- More money (Major Corporations in Korea tend to give out this semi bonus 귀성비 (Gwiseongbi) at Chuseok; literally it means the travel money. (I'm not sure if the smaller firms do, since I've only worked in the big firms) On a sidenote, I do suspect the reason why Korean firms tend to have lower turnover rates than Singapore is: they know how to dangle small carrots every 2-3 months in a year. The pay system is like:

Jan-Feb (Seollal bonus) (1.5k plus..?)

Feb-Mar (Profit Sharing ----> Super big bonus)

Jun (Profit Incentive : PI) (1.5k plus..?)

Sept (Chuseok bonus) (1.5k plus..?)

Dec (Profit Incentive) ((1.5k plus..?)

My coworkers in Samsung seem to be stuck there forever even though the working culture is largely harsh (military like) and non-female friendly.

Go figure.

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Aaaaaaaaaaaaanyways.

Some of us foreigners would take the chance in Chuseok to "escape" (?) to other countries like Europe, the US, Japan, China for a short respite. 

The cliche goes : When in Rome, do as the Romans do

So, for us Singaporeans who are thinking of doing the same during September, and escape to Korea, here's some ideas on how to dress like the locals in Korea:

Super great for the 
"not-so-chilly" sight seeing days in Fall!
Add nude leggings to the skater skirt 
to stay freeze free at nights

Play mix it up 
with the versatile grey cardigan!
Pair it with funky leggings 
and a contrasting geometric tee,
or go Goddess mode (여신) 
with a loose fit maxi dress

Pair a sexy number with the 
edgy leather biker jacket.
I personally love this look a lot as 
it's comfortable and warm but still stylish. ^^ 

Or, if your aim is to be mistaken as a Japanese tourist in Korea instead, here's a sure-fire way to rock the ilbonin (일본인) look:

Isn't this purse simply adorable?
Kawaii ja nai?

All these lovely stuffs are available on my favorite trusty online store ZALORA and the brand tinyceci is looking at today is NEW LOOK (a British global retailer) ^^ I think their stuff are reasonably priced and they have lots of cute stuffs! 

Shop New Look from ZALORA Singapore

Happy Shopping for Chuseok!

추석 잘 보내세요~ ^^ 빠2