Seoul Searching | Namdaemun Market.

Annyeonghaseyo!
Yes, my dear friends and readers, we're back in Seoul where the little man and I will be spending the holidays. We landed a few days ago, actually, and we were quite lucky to have chanced upon some very, very light snowfall the day after we arrived. (Praying for a White Christmas this year!)

My hands have been quite full the past few days - unpacking, meeting friends, grocery shopping, doing housework, and the biggest chore of all - adjusting to the freezing weather, haha! I'm going to try my very best to get some blogwork done (and reduce this mammoth backlog) in between the shopping, eating, and visiting tourist destinations. And with that, let's do some Seoul Searching all over again with a trip to Nandaemun Market.

Welcome to Nandaemun Market!

The largest and oldest traditional market in South Korea, Namdaemun Market is located right beside the Great South Gate, Namdaemun, from which its name was derived. Established in 1414 during the reign of King Taejong, Namdaemun Market began as a government-regulated marketplace with grains, fish, and fruits as the most popular trading commodities.

And we're ready to explore!

In 1945, after liberation from the Japanese, the merchants earned full operational rights of the market through the establishment of the Namdaemun Merchant Organization. However, tragedy struck the then-developing marketplace, as it turned to ruins during the Korean War and then ravaged by fire shortly after being rebuilt.

One eager beaver.

After a series of huge renovations, Namdaemun Market re-opened its doors in 1964. At present, the market is filled with over 1000 shops covering a span of more than 10 acres.

It's like Divisoria, but cleaner and safer! 

With its labyrinth of shops, stalls, and street vendors, you can practically buy anything and everything at Namdaemun. From cellphone accessories to luggage tags, kitchen utensils to bath items, even cross stitch patterns, they have it all at Namdaemun Market! It's like Divisoria in the Philippines - but cleaner and safer!

Rummaging through the plushies and other cute items.

We have been warned that the place can get seriously crowded during Fridays and Saturdays, so I chose to visit on a Wednesday. Luckily, the place was not as jampacked as I thought it would be, making it a pleasant and comfortable shopping experience for both Yue and I.

See? He's all smiles!

Clothes, bags, shoes, toys, and souvenir items are a common sight in Namdaemun Market. Most of them are relatively inexpensive, and can be purchased at wholesale prices if you're buying in bulk.

Hanboks!

Chopsticks, coin purses, kitchen utensils...

Classic souvenir item - fridge magnets!

Namdaemun also has an area known as the 'Ginseng Market', which is found along the market's central path. The shops in this area sell quality ginseng at discounted prices. Both fresh and processed ginseng (tea and powder) can be bought in this area, along with a variety of oriental health food such as honey, yeongji mushroom, brown rice, and adlay.

Ginseng.

Mushrooms.

In front of an Oriental Medicine store.

Speaking of food, Namdaemun also has a wet market where you can buy fresh produce, dried fish, and other food products. This area is also lined with 'sikdang', or hole in the wall diners. (In the Philippines, these are called 'turo turo'.)

A bounty of fresh vegetables.

Nuts and grains.

Sikdang, and stores selling food products.

There's an abundance of street food in Namdaemun, too. You'll never go hungry as you hop from one shop to another.

Steamed buns.

Sugar-coated bread.

Jokbal.

Hotteok.

Egg bread!

Fish cakes!

I'm definitely coming back to Namdaemun to do some souvenir shopping; possibly within the week, if the weather permits. Staying out for long in the cold makes my migraine act up! :(

Character socks!

K-pop merchandise!

Descendants of the Sun plushies!

To get to Namdaemun Market, take the subway to Hoehyeon Station (subway Line 4) Exit 5.

Or you can ride the following buses
Blue Bus # 103, 104, 105, 108, 51, 152, 163, 261, 262, 263, 300, 371, 401, 402, 406, 500, 501, 503, 504, 505, 604, 700, 701, 704
Green Bus # 0013, 0014, 0015 (to Yongsan), 0211, 7015, 7021, 7022, 7023
Yellow Bus # 01, 02.

Sneak Peek | Laneige x PLAYNOMORE My Darling, Shygirl Collection.

I just realized I have not updated my blog in almost two weeks!
The little man and I got sick two Saturdays ago (nasty combination of cough, colds, and fever) and last week we were pretty busy with lots of things - his first summative exams, Intramurals at school, and his karate training. I've been too out and about these days that I don't even have the time to watch my Kdramas! (And you know how my day can never be complete without watching an episode or two of them Korean dramas.)

Speaking of Korean dramas, I've got some exciting news for all the Kdrama/Kpop/Kbeauty fans out there! Laneige Meets Fashion - a yearly collaboration between Laneige and an up-and-coming fashion brand - is back, and this year they're teaming up with PLAYNOMORE, a Korean label that's all about 'having fun with fashion'.

Launched in 2014, PLAYNOMORE illustrates contrasting concepts such as luxury versus affordability, and masculinity versus femininity with contemporary wit. The brand gained recognition with the release of the SHYGIRL bag, now an iconic 'it' bag in Korean fashion. A minimal square tote bag, the SHYGIRL is decorated with cute comic book style eyes in sequins and comes in various bright colours.

For this collaboration, the signature SHYGIRL logo was given a makeover, adding a pink heart to the eyes of SHYGIRL. Hence, the birth of the My Darling, Shygirl - a makeup collection that screams of cuteness and femininity.

Laneige x PLAYNOMORE.

Let's take a look at what this collection has to offer.

Sneak peek after the jump! :)

Holiday Shopping at Nordstrom.

As we enter October, I begin working on my holiday shopping list and jot down all the things I need to buy for Christmas - new clothes for my little man, new shoes for my husband, toys for my nieces and nephews, gifts for family and friends, and of course, a little something for myself, in the form of a new purse, new makeup items, or perhaps a new pair of Onitsuka Tiger.

I usually start my Christmas shopping as early as the second week of October, because I hate being in the middle of the holiday rush. I try to avoid it as much as I can. By the time people flock to the malls to do their Christmas shopping, I'd be crossing off the last item on my list, and most of my gifts would be sitting pretty underneath the Christmas tree.

October is actually a good month for bargains, and early-bird shoppers like me often find good deals on gift items and home decorations. If you're lucky, you'll even chance upon Nordstrom coupons for an even sweeter shopping experience. Often found online, these Nordstrom promo codes offer free shipping on items, huge discounts, freebies, and much, much more.

Take for instance this Michael Kors Colorblock Herringbone Print Dress, which originally retails for around Php 7200. With a Nordstrom promo code, you get 60% off the original price. That's around Php 4000 off the price tag!

Michael Kors Colorblock Herringbone Print Dress.

If designer bags are your thing, you'd be glad to know that there's also a great deal waiting for you. This Jimmy Choo Becka Biker leather shoulder bag comes with a 40% discount when used with Nordstrom discount code.

Jimmy Choo Becka Biker-Large.

While this Kate Spade Grove Court - Fabric Maise Satchel, a personal favorite, sells at 33% off the original price. From Php 15,000, you can get this highly-coveted satchel for just a little over Php 10,000. That's a whopping Php 5000 off!

Kate Spade Grove Court - Fabric Maise Satchel. 

Nordstrom also has something for the men, with clothing brands such as Armani, Burberry London, Just Cavalli, and Jack Spade - to name a few. By using a Nordstrom coupon code, you can enjoy up to 30% discount on men's designer clothing and accessories.

Burberry London Dress Shirt.

Children's items are marked down, too. From shirts to shoes, to bags, socks, and watches, and even pullovers and sleepwear, you can get up to 60% off, plus enjoy free shipping on selected items.

Mighty Fine 'Turtley Awesome' Graphic Tee.

Beauty junkies like me are also in for a treat as makeup and grooming purchases entitle you to three free samples. Some of these samples include the Estee Lauder 'Perfectionist' Youth Infusing Makeup Broad Spectrum, Smashbox Photo Finish Foudation Primer, Yves Saint Laurent Y-Shape Cream, and Versace Bright Crystal Absolu Eau de Parfum.

Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup. 

Finally, we have the gift items. Nordstrom has an array of bed and bath products that would make great gifts for friends and relatives. With their eye-catching colors and stylish designs, not to mention the marked-down prices, you'd want to purchase an item or two for your own home. I know I would!

Levtex Cray Cray Pillow.

Clean Linen Mason Jar Candle.

They say the early bird catches the worm, I'd say the early shopper gets the best deals online.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. Thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

EZRA | The First Capsule Collection from ZALORA.

So what's a 'capsule collection', you may ask. Just to be clear, it's not a collection of medicines, or things that you pop into your mouth when you are (or to avoid getting) sick. A capsule collection or capsule wardrobe is actually a set of easy-to-wear items that can be mixed and matched to create a number of different stylish ensembles.

This concept was pioneered by American designer Donna Karan in 1985, when she first released her '7 Easy Pieces Collection'. These seven pieces are: a bodysuit, a blouse (or turtleneck), a coat, a jacket, a skirt, a pair of pants (or trousers), and an evening dress.

When this collection debuted in the runway, Donna Karan showed models dressed only in bodysuits and black tights. And as the show progressed, the models then began adding items of clothing such as jackets and trousers, to show versatility of the pieces and the interchangeable style of dressing.

An example of the 7 Easy Pieces.

Here in the Philippines, online fashion store Zalora recently launched their own capsule collection with their own clothing label, EZRA. This in-house, exclusive collection features clothing, shoes, and accessories for women, with a range of menswear already in the works.

EZRA.

Here's a bit of info about the brand:
Fresh, exciting and current, EZRA is for fashion-lovers who pride themselves on staying on the forefront of trends and up-to-the-minute style. Drawing inspiration from the catwalk, celebrity looks and street style, EZRA is a must-have for style-setting individuals that value unique and affordable fashion.

EZRA’s collective of international, Singapore based designers continually scour the globe for inspiration to bring you the latest in what’s directional and cool. This is seen in the diverse range of on-trend pieces found in both the women and men’s collections of apparel, footwear and bags.

Womenswear incorporates fun and flirty designs for the girl who loves the frivolity of fashion to the chic and trend-savvy, for the girl who likes to stand out from the crowd. Pieces that can take her from day to night with ease are paired with footwear and bags that effortlessly complete the EZRA look. EZRA’s Men’s collections embraces a wide-range of trends from youthful street-style to a more refined sartorial look that allow any guy to experiment with an assortment of modern, global-inspired looks.

Now take a look at some of my favorite stuff from this newly-unveiled line. These are pieces of clothing that I would actually wear, considering that I'm a simple jeans and t-shirt girl in real life. Haha! :)

Drop-waist T-shirt Dress, Php 595.

Tweed Jacket, Php 2195.

Metallic Lace Tee, Php 649.

Embellished Collar Sheath Dress, Php 1795.

You can view the entire collection here, and you can get to know more about EZRA here. :)

Spring Fever Giveaway | Win a Stylish Satchel!

Spring is definitely in the air! Now wouldn't it be nice to usher in this beautiful season with another wonderful giveaway? :)

My dear readers and followers, welcome to the Spring Fever Event, a giveaway hop hosted by Andersons Angels and Joy of Momma Joyner. For this giveaway, up for grabs is this lovely Bow Accent Satchel from PG Beauty!

A Taiwanese brand, PG Beauty encourages women to add a unique finishing touch to their look with its wide selection of versatile carryalls, attractive wallets and sophisticated handbags Established in 2003 by Zhuang Longlon, the brand currently operates over 20 retail locations in its native Taiwan. And for the people behind PG Beauty, living fashionably is all about having the right accessories and an attitude to match. 

This Bow Accent Satchel in particular, is one of the brand's best selling styles. And now, I'm giving one lucky reader the chance to strut in style with this chic satchel in tow!

Enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter below. Try to complete as many tasks as you can to gain more entries. This giveaway is open worldwide, and will run until March 15, 1159H EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

After you're done with my giveaway, please hop over to the other blogs listed below. These bloggers have prepared prize packages worth $25 or more just for you!

Disclamer: The Rebel Sweetheart, Andersons Angels, and the Spring Fever bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that fail to fulfill their prizes.

Get Ready for Lazada's Biggest Flash Sale Yet!

Eyeing a new gadget? Lusting after a tube of BB Cream or a bottle of perfume? Or perhaps thinking of sprucing up your home? Then take advantage of Lazada's Flash Sale which happens tomorrow, January 24!

Flash Sale!

Enjoy as much as 20% discount on books and movies, beauty products, bags, shoes, and fashion accessories! And get more discounts on top of the regular ones on gadgets, kitchenware, toys, and a whole lot more!

As a treat to my readers, here's a discount code you can use: LZDbrDgr

You get an extra Php300 for every Php3000 worth of items you buy.

Make sure you go online by 10am (PHL time) tomorrow, because that's when the Flash Sale starts. If you're shopping for makeup and beauty products be ready by 5pm (PHL time) - the BB Cream or the perfume you've been lusting for could be on sale at this hour. 

Enjoy shopping! :)

Join | Coachlicious Giveaway!

Here's a special Christmas event brought to you by Mom Powered Media -

connecting companies to consumers the super mom way!

It's the Coachlicious Giveaway, and up for grabs are these fabulous pieces!

Coach Legacy Signature Duffle Handbag in Silver {RV$298}

The beloved 1973 Duffle Sac is updated with a slimmer profile, decorative tassels 

and an adjustable crossbody strap. Crafted in our iconic signature jacquard

 and richly trimmed with glove-tanned leather, it has the look and feel of classic Coach.

• Signature fabric with leather trim
• Inside zip, cell phone and multifunction pockets
• Outside zip pocket
• Zip-top closure, fabric lining
• Strap with 18 3/4" drop for crossbody wear converts to double strap for shoulder wear
• 9 3/4" (L) x 13" (H) x 5 1/2" (W)

Coach Legacy Signature Zippy Wallet in Silver {RV$98}

Tonal and textured in iconic signature jacquard, our popular, soft-sided design 

is framed with hand-finished leather trim and updated with an elegant enameled Legacy plaque.

• Signature fabric with leather trim
• Credit card and multifunction pockets
• Full-length billfold compartments
• Zip-top closure
• Wrist strap attached
• 7 3/4" (L) x 4 1/4" (H) x 3/4" (W)
• A coach.com exclusive

Big thank you to Mom Powered Media partners: Mom to Bed by 8, Powered By Mom, Real Mom Reviews 

and Baby Costcutters for organizing this Coachlicious fashion event.

As well as our fantastic co-hosting blogs Mom Knows It All, What's Up Giveaways, 

Monica's Rants, Raves & Reviews, Keeping Your Cents, Mommy and Me Giveaways and Just Me and Davey.

One lucky winner will receive the Coachlicious Prize Package 

including the Legacy Signature Duffle and Zippy Wallet.

Giveaway ends January 3rd, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. 

 To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. 

Good luck!