KoreanBuddy Forwarding Service Review:

These are just some of the items I bought from the massive haul of mine. Over here, there are earrings on the left, two denim skirts of different lengths from Dailymonday, three bags, two of which were backpacks, one picnic bag, five skincare products, more clothes from Dailymonday and two lamps that I thought were cute. 

Over here, I've got two pairs of pants, sandals, some cosmetics, another skirt, a linen jacket, belt, and Jonghyun's album that came with a poster. :)

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I have chosen to use Korean Buddy as a shipping/forwarding service through scrolling through a couple reviews and from browsing online. Based off what I had seen, Korean Buddy was a service with good communication with good recommendation so I gave it a try. I usually would use larger Korean sites such as Gmarket and 11st when I bought things online from Korea, however I did find that either selection was limited or that the weight of items were sometimes states too high causing the shipping fee to be too expensive. Either how, both of those websites were also reliable yet I wanted to see if there was another alternative to shipping goods to me.

Personally, as someone who browsed the web too often and had too many things that I wanted to buy online, I had indulged into my pleasures. There happened to be a online, clothing mall that I really liked that only shipped to Korea. Otherwise, if it did ship internationally, the fees were overpriced. So of course, I submitted my first order, and came another and etc. Lol

The application process was quite easy and simple. I submitted links of items that I wanted stating the quantity, color and other details if necessary. The replies were quick and I got a response usually in the next 24 hours. I would submit my payment and when the items arrived, Korean Buddy would message me in choosing a shipping option.

In terms of communication, I really appreciated how I was able to get a response quickly. I had messaged them through the messenger app, Line, as well as online through my account and they were able to clarify and questions that I had. When I had forgotten if I had added something to my list to purchase, they were able to confirm that with me.

Now that is why, I liked this service. Usually in shipping from other sites, they demanded for EMS which is understandable as that is reliable and allowed parcels to arrive quickly. However, for those who are concerned with the fee of shipping, you are able to select what type of shipping option you would like. Ex: EMS, air, economy/ground shipping… The first time I had bought from them, which was really a large haul, I chose that ground shipping option as I happened to be travelling abroad and away for home. Therefore, waiting one to two months for the parcels were fine with me. Do keep in mind that the cheaper the shipping option that you opt for, the longer it would take for the items to arrive.

Not only were there plenty shipping options to choose from, I also liked the fact that they would snap you pictures of the items that arrived so that you can feel at ease and satisfied with what  you had bought. So yay :) Usually from some other sites that do forwarding, they would require extra payment but Korean Buddy did not. Another thing to add is that Korean Buddy would label your parcel as “gift” or related so when it arrives to your country, you do not need to pay extra fees from your border. Or at least from my experience, I have yet to pay any extra fees once items were labeled as gift.

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As you can see, all items that arrived were in good condition and nothing came in broken. From above, I had purchased items from 10x10, 11st, Gmarket and Daily Monday.

In terms of this, I would recommend using this site as a place to forward parcels from Korea to your home. Also, if you happen to follow them on Instagram, they also have giveaways so :)

Ratings:

Communication: 10/10

Shipping: Great. I can’t put a rating on this since this depends on which option you choose.

I personally believe that a number shouldn't be labeled here for a rating because KoreanBuddy really does a great job in sending you the things you would like efficiently and easily. With that in mind, I would like to give a referral code, "mekexpress" for those who would like to purchase something from Korea. This code does give me upgraded shipping but those who use the code also get $4.50 off your service fee on your first order. <3

As a late update, I would like to say thank you for reading, and that I'm trying to update with some new information and reviews soon. Until then :)

Rivaland Princess Enzyme Review

 

All photo credits: Rakuten

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Would be absence from blogging be considered a hiatus? 0.0

Anyhow, this would be actually multiple post regarding this enzyme that I have decided to try out today. I would think that I would add on the following link to the next continuous post regarding this mini diet drink. To say it's a diet drink may not be the best description, since it is more of a substance that regulates the metabolism while also helping one to lose weight?

I bought and received this in the mail the other day from Tenso but from the Rivaland store from Rakuten. What I bought was three bottles of princess enzymes and they gave out 2 meals of their pasta grain pastas: seaweed flavor (jyunshin wakame) and spicy Korean soup flavor (passionate yukke jyan). I plan to record daily posts regarding the prccess and whether or not I would lose weight rather than writing a big posts for further insight.

Rivaland claims that they have two diets that one can follow to lose weight. I am currently trying the second one where you replace one meal with the enzyme drink and still eating my other two meals rather than fasting. I do hope to lose 3kg! Because who knows if such a drink can do what it claims, despite the many purchases from Japan, I think such a "miracle" drink should be tried out for my own purposes. 

If you would like to see more of my review and experience of this enzyme drink, follow up here.^^

I will also try their pasta which would be commented on in the same link. 

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Link for more info: rivaland.

Food/Drink: Healthy Yam & Banana Smoothie Recipe

         This technically should be my first official post of 2015, but well, I've been finishing up on other posts for school... Either how, I thought I would like to share this amazing recipe that I just happen to really like. It's a smoothie!

One of my goals for this year is to lose weight. But then again, I say that to myself every year and I end up forgetting perhaps three months after the goal and ha, what weight have I lost. Anyhow, this smoothie is healthy considering my titles and has the possibilities of leaving you slightly full depending, satisfying your cravings. ;) Besides, the difficulty level of smoothie can't be that hard. It's an easy one, this recipe, I tell you.

Yam, from what my family tells me, helps constipation for those who need it, and otherwise, just really good for our bodies. (Excusing that all sweet potatoes/yams/potatoes all cause human bodies to let out gas, ahem). It's a carbohydrate but one that has enough fiber/re that help flush out toxins.

Nonetheless, here are the ingredients.

-1 cup/250mL of milk (any type should be fine even semi-sweet, I used almond milk)
-1/2 a boiled yam (can be substituted by a sweet potato)
- 1 banana (size to your preference)
-1 small handfuls of blueberries ( I used iced ones since I had some leftover)

Materials: Blender ( I own a magic bullet)

Directions:

1. Warm up the yam with hot water for easier peeling afterwards ( I did this since my yam was leftover from the fridge)
2. Peel the yam skin.
3. Add all ingredients into blender including milk.
Optional: Add cinnamon powder (for dieting purposes ;)
4. Blend well and serve.

For those who would like to see the really short video that I made regarding this recipe, click video. Or just watch below, if you don't wanna see it in a new tab. Do excuse my editing skills and shortness of it, it is my first video :p (And yes, the quality probably sucks a bit, since I did edit and film on my phone).

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Personal thoughts on the recipe:

Texture: Smooth -> When you drink it, it feels like there are more ingredients to it? Like perhaps add more yogurt or something, but the texture is the real smooth for me.

Appearance: The smoothie does seem kind of dark, half way when editing the video,my smoothie looked ultra dark as if evil/poison at some point. But the taste says otherwise! :D I would not kill myself with a smoothie :X

Taste: It's simply delicious? Well, whenever I make food/drinks for myself it always tastes great. But I like how your practically eat a yam and some fruits without eating it (perfect if your teeth hurt or liquid diet). The yam taste isn't all too distracting in the smoothie and tastes better than kale if you ask me. ^^

Perhaps I may share a few recipes every now and then, it doesn't hurt to share my love for food <3

Autumn Trends 2014:

So these are just some of the things I've caught onto looking through my Vivi magazine of September the final edition of Lena Fuji before leaving ;_; Anyhow, will be totally missing her!~ Some others include my favorites styles from Emoda, and Jouetie.

Notes: Emoda offers clothing that is mode-gal which is defined as be modern in clothing and still looking fashionable and chic like a cool girl. It's current theme for Autumn/Winter is Rockability dolls while their Spring/Summer collection was inspired by Pin-up girls.

Jouetie: This brand offers more of a Harajuku x Street Style look found commonly in Japan. Their line is usually unique with adorable, practical  items.

Here's Lena Fuji's makeup and hair styling:

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Vivi's Autumn Style Recommendations: 

  

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Conclusion Point 01: Dress femininely with a wide range of shoes this Autumn for a lovely look! Go for heels/sandals or sneakers for a different style. 

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Below are some Emoda and Jouetie Outfits  I pulled out of Instagram because I thought they were some perfect transition pieces going into Fall! In a sense, they are kind of full outfits. 

Those t-strap lady heels are something I'm dying to have! >.<

One of the creators of Jouetie, Aya, in the duo AMIAYA (also a twin-sister pop group)

This may still seem to belong in Summer, but early Fall. I just really like the long, flowered kimono cardigan. For those wondering, this is Ena Matsumoto's sister, Yurina.

Ena always dresses stylishly and I thought as simple this outfit went, its just fitting to wear in Autumn. She's also the producer of fashion, mode-gal, brand: Emoda along with designer Mina Nagamine. 

Conclusion Point 02: I am aware that these outfits are not as feminine as the other ones I have listed but I think these are great for those who are more of a "pants," person. 

~~~~ If you haven't noticed already, this will be a photo-heavy post!~~~

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Accessories:

Conclusion Point 03: These accessories are all obviously directed in the direction of lovely, lady-like outfits. :)

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Beauty/Make up:

Here's a few ways to do you eyeliner for a different look this September and October.

1: All about those eyes.

2: Shape your brows. :)

If you're willing to go a bold, try the following.

3: Cheeks :3

or:

4: Pout your lips!

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            Heheh, btw the above model is Yagi Arisa and the other is Emma the new model in Vivi. I don't know if it is obvious that I'm a bit upset that Lena is leaving but I'm still glad that the other models aren't leaving! This is what Snapeee has currently listed for this Fall with the posts of Vivi all shown above. I personally really like the freckles and possibly that ox-red lip, perhaps a bit vampy? ;)  Although this post has generally be dedicated to the Japanese trend of the next few months, I am aware that in Korea for those who want to know, the vamp lip is definitely in!

Yes, this is the end of this post, I'll be back with another review on a moisturizer.

<3