Shopping is very therapeutic for me, it surely brought superficial happiness.  It helps me to forget things and be happy even just for a moment.

Unlike most women, shopping for jewelries doesn’t really attract me because I don’t really wear such things aside from pair of pearl earrings and my wedding ring. I have been wearing pearl earrings for years, and the pair of earrings I am currently wearing was bought cheap on the street. I have thought I need a change of fashion so when I saw elegant yet affordable earrings online I immediately added it on my shopping cart. I need to reach a specific amount so I could use a voucher for discount and adding the pair of earrings in my shopping cart made it possible, so if I sum it I got the earrings for free.

The earring is a pair of Jewelmine Phoebe 29a Cubic Zircon, yes it is not a gold earring where you can sell or pawned for higher price. It was mainly for fashion and accessories that you can wear daily or to pair on your favorite outfit of the day.  It cost Php299.00 ($6.65) but with the use of coupon voucher I got it for Php263.12 ($5.84). The voucher was split on to other items in my cart so the discount for the pair of earrings was not really huge.

Jewelmine Phoebe 29a Cubic Zircon earrings is classy and elegant; it somehow looks like the pair of earrings from Avon that my mother gave to me a year ago which until now is only sitting in the fancy jewelry box.  Of course, I didn’t start wearing too the earrings I just recently bought, I just admire its beauty while sitting in the jewelry box that comes with it.

Secretly for over a decade I have been wishing to receive jewelries made of my birth stone but somehow nobody thought of it. I was planning to buy one for myself since they were just affordable accessories but when I have read that jewelries made of birth stone are best to receive as a gift it stops me. Now, I am wondering who will be the thoughtful one to wrap it for me.  LOL

Well, it is going to be my birthday in few weeks. My mother reminded me of it and I just shrugged it off and told her it is not a happy one, probably the saddest in my almost three decades of existence. 🙁

Everyone loves a bargain and sales are really big temptation that is hard to resist. Going home after submitting my visa application in Seoul I stumbled to Missha’s outlet in the Express Bus Terminal without thinking I just went in to look around, I am looking for a toner to cleanse my face at the end of the day. I have asked the sales clerk for the best toner but the one she showed me is quite expensive so I just go with Super Aqua Hydrating Toner, it was on sale for ₩7, 850 and I think it is a good product as I remember seeing most Korean women buying Super Toner when the Missha outlet in Icheon was on sale.

While paying in the counter the Super Aqua D-Tox Peeling gel for ₩6,800 got my attention, it was also on sale so I paid for it as well together with Missha Shower Cologne for ₩2,800, it was already a good deal because I saved few thousand won.

Super Aqua Hydrating Toner

• Retail Price ₩9, 800/150ml
• Sale Price: ₩7, 850
• Savings: ₩ 1, 950

Super Aqua D-Tox Peeling Gel

• Retail Price: ₩10, 800/100ml
• Sale Price: ₩6, 850
• Savings: ₩3, 950

Shopping online is one of the more convenient thing to do and one of the things I have enjoyed the most when I have extra cash to spend. My shopping haul is not for myself, but for my family. I love sending presents to them and any products that I found sale online.

Recently, I shopped frequently so I can fill the “balikbayan box” I need to send home. It is for my family and gift for my relatives as we are leaving Korea soon. One of the items I bought online are Pantene shampoo, they are cheap for ₩590 per 90ml bottle. These are perfect as a homecoming gift to my relatives, right?

I have thought shampoo is not enough as a gift so I search for soaps that are on sale in Gmarket, I was lucky to find ON body soaps on sale (ON: Lovely Perfume and ON: Sweet Perfume) ₩6, 900 for 10 soaps so I bought 2 sets, making it 20 ON body soaps.

With the Lunar New Year coming there are plenty of items on sale in Gmarket and when I found a good deal for Closeup toothpaste, ₩2, 900 for 100mlx5 I bought five sets making it 25 pieces of 100ml Closeup toothpaste, also a perfect match for my gift set, isn’t it?

Online shopping has become a real popular alternative to shopping in malls and local stores. Shopping online offers many different ways to save money and there are many online shopping malls to choose from but one type that is real economical is a portal shopping mall that gives cash back or offer deals and discount on all purchases.

In Korea shopping online is one of the popular trend. There are many shopping portal online caters locals and foreign shoppers, and one shopping portal catering global shoppers is Gmarket, a leading e-commerce marketplace in Korea since it has been founded in 2000 and a brand of eBay Korea. Gmarket gives sellers a flexible and comprehensive sales solution and buyers a tremendous selection of goods at competitive prices.

Gmarket is my favorite place to shop online because it is convenient and items are cheaper than the local stores. The shopping portal also offer discounts, coupon codes, free return and delivery in special cases.

First time shopper in Gmarket? Do you like to create an account, you can start shopping in Gmarket by registering an account. Choose global so the site will run in English language, once you create your account you can start shopping in Gmarket. Add the items you like in your shopping cart, if you live in Korea add them in domestic delivery and if you want to ship the items overseas choose overseas delivery.

Before you hit PLACE AN ORDER look for coupons to avail discounts on the item in your shopping cart, to use the coupons just click the orange menu “Apply Coupon” on your shopping cart and you can see all the usable coupon for your order, choose one and click apply. The discount will now reflect on the item in your shopping cart, fill-up the delivery information and choose your payment method in payment options you can pay thru credit card, sending money (bank transfer), mobile payment and paypal.

Gmarket sellers offers fast delivery, my order always arrived 2-3 days after payment.

[ Tagged In ] Gmarket, Gmarket Korea, Korea, Korea Shopping, Life in Korea, Living in South Korea, Online Shopping, South Korea

Shopping for shampoo and conditioners is what I love the most when they are on sale. I am hopping from the nearby supermarket to look for sale and discounted hair regimen but I can’t find any. Of course, my favorite thing to do is to shop online. Shopping online is more convenient and I can get the best discount using coupon codes and free shipping deals.

I have tried many shampoos already, but when I used Dove Damage Therapy Hair Fall I have noticed my hair becoming softer and shinier and since then I have been using this brand. Thinking that Dove shampoo will be expensive in the Philippines I decided to buy more Dove Damage Therapy Hair Fall Shampoo and Conditioner to be sent home.

Retail Price: ₩11, 900/780 ml
Sale Price Online: ₩3, 900/780 ml
Savings: ₩8, 000/780 ml

When living abroad one of the things we missed is food aside from our love ones. In Korea there are few Asian stores that sell Asian food items you can mostly find them in a place where there’s an Asian community.  Anyway, while working with my documents to be notarized I have decided to pay a visit at the KC Filipino store just beside the Han Bi Sa notarization office. It is not my first time in the store, my friend and I already ate there when I did my passport renewal.  I think this was my 4th time at the Filipino store, the third time was when I bought polvoron the other day, but this time I want to eat local Filipino viand.

I was happy to see that there’s cooked vegetables left “pakbit” so I have ordered for takeout and it cost ₩5, 000 for a small serving, it  doesn’t even meet the ₱10. 00 cooked vegetables in the Philippines but it doesn’t matter because this is Korea so the price is different.  I’ve ordered one serving of “papaitan” too which I forgot to ask how much. Seeing buko salad for sale I have asked and ordered 2 servings, ₩5, 000 each per serving. It was been a long time since I had this dessert and I just want to treat myself for a job well done in document notarization and one step closer to travel to Europe.

[Pinakbit and 1 serving of buko salad]

Well, looking at the Filipino local items in the store the impulsive shopper me just ask and buy items that I think to be useful.  I have bought a PH Care Feminine wash for ₩12, 000 a little expensive than the ₩8, 000 PH Care Feminine Wash in an Asian store in Itaewon station exit 3, if I am not mistaken about the exit. I have bought my last bottle from there with the help of a friend and I am little lazy to drop there or in the Asian store in our place. I saw Victoria’s secret cologne as well, but when I asked it is kind expensive for me I can buy them in less amount online or in Hyehwa.

Anyway, I was asked what is my job just to start a  conversation like if I am a factory worker, I laughingly replied I am PAL (read palamunin), I am not allowed to work because I am in dependent visa.

[Papaitan before and after removing the soup]

When I saw Ponds facial foam I have bought it too for ₩10, 000 although I knew I can buy them in gmarket for 1+1 in the same price, I am just in a happy mood because I can finally apply for Schengen visa.  When I pay at the counter the total cost of my order is ₩48, 000 so it seems one serving of “papaitan” cost ₩11, 000.  Exiting the door, I saw monggo beans and I bought one for ₩5, 000 I have thought of cooking monggo beans at home.

That’s my shopping haul a little bit pricey,  probably if I bought Korean food, there’s more food in my bag, but Filipino food is a food I can’t eat every day in Korea so I have no choice but to spend and Hyehwa informal Filipino market is only around on Sunday and Wednesday is far over to Sunday. So when my husband asked me how much do I spend on my shopping loot, I didn’t tell an amount I just said cheap, I might get scolded or be called crazy for spending too much despite it is my own money and not his.

Well, I have read once from online community of Filipinas in Facebook that it is a bit expensive to buy in KC Philippine store , I guess because of its location and it is a restaurant with a store unlike in Hyehwa informal market (see Hyehwa shopping here) where viand only cost ₩5, 000 per serving is a market and only open during Sunday. Not sure how much does it cost to dine in Kusina Filipino Restaurant in Seoul, I should try it next time.

Today I went to Lotte Supermarket to buy 10kg of rice, it took me a while the find the price so I call the attention of a sales clerk but I am still the first one to find the price when she roam her eyes around the price lists. After getting a rice I continue to roam around the supermarket to look for something cheap and on sale.

I was not expecting any sale among the shampoo’s and conditioner because the supermarket doesn’t frequently hold sale on shampoo and conditioner products unlike the other supermarket near us. So I guess I am lucky to see L’oreal shampoo and conditioner on 50% sale, there’s only 3 pair left and I am only thinking of buying 1 or 2 pair but to the last minute I put them all in my cart.

[L’oreal Shampoo]

I decided to buy all of them because it was cheap and I am also planning to buy online on the same price or more + shipping fee, so buying right away in the store will save me on shipping fee. As far as I remember my sister uses L’oreal Shampoo for her hair so I am sure she will be happy receiving these set.

[L’oreal Conditioner]

Retail Price: ₩8, 000
Sale Price: ₩4, 000
Savings: ₩4, 000

[ Tagged In ] Korea, L'Oreal, L'Oreal Caring Shampoo, L'Oreal Conditioner, L'Oreal Repairing Conditioner, L'Oreal Repairing Shampoo, L'Oreal Sale, L'Oreal Shampoo, Life in Korea, Living in South Korea, South Korea

Shopping in Watsons at the down town is what I enjoyed doing when I have money especially when I don’t know yet that I can buy items cheaper online. The Watsons is always in 30-50% sale that’s why I love visiting the shop whenever I happened to pass by the shop, so when I went there a few weeks ago to look what’s on sale I bought a few chocolates and ON: The Body wash. The body wash is on sale from ₩11, 500 to ₩4, 500, I bought two of them, sweet love and happy breeze scent.

ON: The Body wash is sold online for ₩8, 900 for two so I have thought buying them at Watsons cost the same and I am able to try the tester and smell the scent.

ON: The Body products are scented like perfume that’s why I love using them. I am thinking of buying ON: The Body soap to send home when I have funds for it.

Retail Price: ₩11, 500
Sale Price: ₩4, 500
Savings: ₩7, 000

Last Sunday I went to downtown Icheon and after shopping at Daiso I walked through the shopping street and look around what’s on sale. When I reached Watsons I was tempted to go inside but thinking I just spend $30 in Daiso and shopping in Gmarket is cheaper it stops me and I continue walking until I reached Naughty Cat accessory store. I was also tempted to go inside but thinking I don’t need anything from the store I continue walking but seeing a newly opened shop beside Dickies stops me. The shoe store was gone already, the last time I passed it is under renovation and now a new shop is already opened. Within four years in Icheon I already see how shops closed and new shop open, business is not good all the time. I just took a picture of the newly open ARTBOX shop and go, but after a few steps I walked back and went inside the shop, the impulsive me can’t control myself again. I have thought from the shop name I can find Korean art inside like cards, stationaries or other items to display.

There’s  a lot of shoppers and curious shoppers inside, I took a small shopping basket thinking if the items are cheap, I can buy a few but I have already reached the end of the store I can’t find anything good it is basically like Daiso but the items in Artbox are more expensive and most of the items have no prices written on them which is quite a turn off,  I will not pick an item I like and be surprised of the cost when I have to pay, I should say Artbox is more about Olive Young, Naughty Cat, Daiso and Barunson combine, which are all few meters away from Artbox.

Artbox have beauty and makeup section, accessories, school supply items, bags and luggages, candies and even few house supplies like in Daiso.  I have to walked twice on the shelves to see what’s good, when I found scented candles I took two of lavender scented candle. My husband wishes the other night to have a lavender scent in our apartment so he can sleep, there are times he can’t sleep and it makes him grumpy in the morning.

I continue checking the aisles again I maybe missed something, I went to perfume section and try the tester. I tried four different perfumes and I am about to buy the scent I’d like when I found the cheaper perfume below the display cabinet, it has been just too bad there’s no tester for them. Oh well, I just follow my instinct and  pick the purple box and went to the counter, service is not that great, a little slow. I spent about $18 for my haul after paying I left, while walking I saw Missha on holiday sale and it didn’t stop me to check what’s for grab, I spent too much already for one day, it should be enough.

Looking at the photos I took, it seems I missed to visit the second floor section of Artbox, I’ll probably check it next time I went to downtown.

Since we moved in Shinha-ri I seldom go to Icheon downtown, I only visit once a week when there’s no frozen chicken breast anymore for my husband daily meal. Unlike when we still lived in downtown Icheon, I can wander around three or four times a week to shop, go to the gym and pay the bills.

If I felt like walking the long way I get off at the Seolbongsan bus stop and from there I walk to the shopping streets back to the bus terminal where I should get off on the first place.  That’s what I did last Sunday, I walk through the traditional market to shopping streets, every Sunday is market day so the market was full of people, selling and buying local food.

When I am around the market I always went to Daiso to check what’s new and if there’s an item that interests me, when I saw bubble wrapped displayed outside I immediately took one roll, I need it for wrapping my box and probably could use it too to wrap our windows to avoid cold air entering our apartment.  Daiso was quite busy there’s a lot of Christmas shoppers and just ordinary shoppers, every time I visit Daiso my first stop is the school supplies aisle. I picked some oil pastel colors, my godson’s in the Philippines will like them, I will include them in the box I need to send home in a few months time. Aside from oil pastel colors I bought other stuff like color sand, clay, pens, shoe laces, colorful makeup case comb and earphone.

Most of the items I bought I don’t need like color sand, the makeup case, shoe laces, clay and pens. I just bought them because  I found them cute, cheap and colorful, hopefully my family will find a use for them. If you will ask my husband about my shopping loots these are junks and I am just wasting my money.