Resolutions

With each passing year, I find more meaning in ringing in the new year and having the opportunity to start afresh, to take a look back and give thanks but to also look ahead with renewed anticipation.

And I find myself reflecting even more about what I want to focus on this particular year being in a new country, in a new year. 

I spent my New Years Eve with family here. I was especially eager to be reunited with my grandmother and greeted her with a big bear hug. We reminisced on the past, my relatives telling me how much I have changed and how they didn't imagine Y & I would find ourselves living here in Korea! We exchanged our hopes and wishes. We enjoyed dinner together intermingled with glasses of red wine and topped it all off with a delicious cheesecake to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. 

On New Year's Day, we invited my relatives to our place. We had 떡국 (dduk gook - a Korean dish traditionally eaten on New Years), played 윷놀이, made california rolls for dinner and then went to watch a movie altogether (one that I bawled my eyes out in... it's a good thing we took a picture before the movie). 

I cherish these moments. The laughter, the tears, the conversations, the silence. And look forward to many more moments like this. And with that, I share with you my resolutions for 2015. 

A new year, a new season

Long time! I can't believe it's already been over two weeks since I arrived here in Korea. It was a whirlwind getting here. Let me just say, packing up your life is not easy, physically but mainly emotionally. I found myself getting tearful at the most unexpected times but I embraced even those tears as part of the "journey". Thanks to the help of many friends, I was able to pack up my things, say my goodbyes and got myself on a plane. 

Accompanied by my beautiful passport case (thanks Y!) and Tina Fey's hilarious and insightful Bossypants 

Seoul, the city that truly never sleeps

After 20+ hours of travel and a bout of motion sickness, I was thrilled to get off that plane and to be reunited with my husband after two months of being apart. He greeted me with a cute sign he had made. With my three heavy luggage bags, we arrived at our new (and very empty!) apartment! 

The husband had a big bowl of 육개장 waiting for me at home! 

They say, Home is where the heart is. And my heart is where my family is. But with my family so far apart, my heart has been torn. When I was in the States, I missed my parents and my husband. Now that I'm in Korea, I miss my brother, my babies (Laila and Emmy), my friends and my church. 

The first few days here, I think my body was not yet ready to admit that I was no longer in the States and it only craved American food. So the first day, I had a sub sandwich. And then the following day, I had eggs benedict at brunch. 

First weekend in Korea? Brunch, of course. @Suji's in Itaewon 

Date night with the husband. Tacos @Vatos in Itaewon. 

Though I miss "home" while I try to make this new place my home, I am choosing to embrace this new season and make the most of it. The next weekend here, Y and I took the train down and made a trip down to my parents'. It was a relaxing and refreshing time full of good eats with my parents. 

Snow covered fields in the countryside 

My mom's sandplay therapy room 

Food, glorious food. 

Interestingly enough though, we weren't able to spend Christmas with family. Christmas isn't as "hyped up" here in Korea as it is back in the States. But regardless, we spent Christmas Eve with my cousin and her kids and we spent a meaningful Christmas going to a joint service and walking around the heart of the city. 

With my unni

The packed streets of Myeongdong on Christmas day!

Yesterday, I was able to reconnect with my good friend J from college. We talked about how it's funny that it's easier for us to meet here all the way in Korea than when we are both on the East Coast! Good friends are such treasures and I cherish these moments.

Having some bingsoo in Korea is a given. 

A brisk walk with J&J along the Hangang

Thank you for your patience while I got settled in. You can look forward to many more adventures! 

Merry Christmas

I apologize for having been MIA as of late but I promise to get back into the swing of things here in Korea. But for now, in the holiday spirit, I want to wish you all...

Makeup Menu

I came to a rather interesting realization recently: There is a positive correlation between the cold weather and the amount of makeup I put on my face. In the hot and humid summer weather, I tend to be a minimalist with the "No Makeup Makeup" look on most days. It is most likely because the humidity causes makeup to slide right off my face. But I seem to pile on more during the colder months. (Note: colder weather = drier skin so consistent exfoliation + hydration is key prior to makeup application.) 

Benefit The POREfessional - This primer is one of those "cult favorites". When applied under your foundation, it helps your base makeup stay put and last longer. It minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines, creating a smooth canvas for your foundation to be applied. 

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer (in Neutralizer) - When I want a more "full cover" look, I start off with this concealer. I use it for the "Kim Kardashian" highlighting effect, applying it under my eyes, around my nose, on my forehead, down the bridge of my nose, on my chin. I use my finger to blend gently.

L'oreal True Match Lumi Foundation (in Nude Beige W3) - This is my current favorite foundation. It have a light/medium coverage while having a natural glow to it. I dot it on my face and buff it in with a buffing brush. 

Anastasia Brow Wiz (in Medium Ash) - My favorite eyebrow product! Recently, I have been enjoying filling in my eyebrows a bit more than usual and I'm embracing a thicker, fuller brow look. I'm embracing it all the more after one of my students said to me, "Mrs. Ko, your eyebrow is strong!" 

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler - No need to elaborate here. This is an everyday must-have. 

L'oreal Lash Out Butterfly Waterproof Mascara (in Blackest Black) - 

Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal (in Brown) - A long-lasting, easy-to-apply eyeliner. I put it on my upper tightline and sometimes on my lashline. 

Jordana Lip Liner (in Plush Plum) - Confession: The other day, I had a few minutes to kill while waiting for a sushi take-out order so I stepped into a Walgreens next door. I perused the aisles of beauty products and walked out with a lip liner for $2 and some change. *Pats self on back* Turns out it was $2 well-spent because it is a wonderful lip liner and it pairs perfectly with the lipstick I had had in mind. (Keep reading to find out.) 

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss (in Shade 09) - I love this color. It is the quintessential fall lip color. It would go with any skin tone. Not to mention I got quite a few compliments when I wore it this past weekend.

NARS Blush (in Oasis) - Sephora had their famous VIB sale recently and yes, I caved and went. I love NARS and wanted to try another one of their blushes. A Sephora representative helped me choose this color and I absolutely am in love. It is the perfect fall blush shade, giving you that "I just frolicked in the cold" flush. 

The Blanket Scarf

I am thrilled to introduce to you a good good friend of mine, Christine from The Belletrist. Christine has been a friend since we were wee-little ones (our dads have been close friends for as long as I can remember) and she was my inspiration to join the blogging world. Her incredible prose, her beautiful photography, her culinary escapades, not to mention her delicious little daughter; in essence, she makes living life look fabulous. It's no wonder why I welcome her as my very first guest blogger! 

Shirt: Madewell, Jeans: Forever 21, Jacket and shoes: Target, Bag: thrifted, Scarf- Zara 

Giant scarves have been around for a couple of years, but they are making a big statement this year and I have been seeing them everywhere in the form of blanket scarves. My friend told me about this scarf from Zara and all of a sudden the idea of wearing a blanket as a scarf seemed really appealing to me. Most of it probably had to do with the fact that I was feeling cold all the time. 

I worried about the comfort level and practicality of wrapping a blanket around your neck, especially because I am prone to feeling suffocated by too fabric all up in my neck and face, but when I put it on I immediately noticed how much warmer I was and now I'm all in. 

You can wear these like a normal scarf, wrapped around your neck in various shapes, or just drape it around yourself like a poncho. I get cold easily so I love that I have the option to wrap this around my shoulders or over my legs when I'm sitting down, and that it can double as a blanket to sit on. You could also come up with a makeshift hat, drape it around your neck as a statement piece, or use it to wrap up your toddler when it gets extra cold. 

I'm all about figuring out ways to stay warmer during the winter and I'm planning on making full use of giant scarves this season. Here's to a cozier next few months! 

I think the particular one I have on here is out of stock, but here are some links to other options if you want to check it out for yourself: 

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