Traveling with my partner

Not too long ago, I was invited by Love Out Loud Asia to write my thoughts on traveling with my significant other. I thought it would be nice to revisit all the beautiful memories I had with Javin during our trips so I accepted their kind invite and the post is now on Love Out Loud Asia's site.

Additionally, they hold a bi-weekly contest/event called LOLA Datebook, which I think may be interesting for ladies who visit this space.

A lucky winner will walk away with four complimentary classes at Sadhana Sanctuary, as well as a one-hour yoga class with their selected date. Sounds good? That's not all. The lady will get to pick a dress from Ohvola too. Contest ends 17 April (2359) so single ladies, don't hesitate and pick your eligible date here.

100% free and private so don't worry about registration fees or compromising your privacy/identity.

Happy April!

It's April!! I'm not sure whether this has got to do with my birthday, but April is one of my two favourite months (the other being December) because I love the idea of spring - flowers, flowers and more flowers, all in bloom.

It's been nothing but crazy busy for the past week and for the next few weeks as well, but I managed to find time to visit Style Nanda for some visual therapy. I've become even more interested in and much more informed about local Korean fashion since I went there for exchange and my absolute favourite colours for this spring are white, bubblegum pink, powder blue and lighter shades of grey. Enjoy~

Vegetarian in Seoul: Garobee, well-being buffet

Garobee (가로비), located in Gangnam, used to be Javin's and my haven for vegan food and was one of the places we absolutely had to eat at during the last few days in Seoul. I remember promising that we would return to this place again for a good meal when we returned to Seoul in the next few years. Unfortunately, much to our dismay, the place has closed down as of 11 March 2014. I guess I really should have posted this post (overdue for a year goodness) earlier so maybe you guys who headed to Seoul and are interested in trying a vegan meal could have visited this place.

I'm trying my best to upload as much as possible about my exchange and experience in Seoul because I know this information will be very useful for many, evident from comments as well as emails I have received. Please email or comment if there is anything in particular that you would like to know about (e.g. budget-eating in Seoul, useful apps, how to find good places to eat) and I will address it asap. Just for you ;)

Although you guys can no longer visit the best vegan buffet I have ever had, here are some photos just for the sake of sharing my experience. I really miss this place! My favourites are the bean cutlet (supposed to be a replacement for pork cutlet) and bean bulgogi (replacing beef bulgogi). Divine.

Ending off this post with a photo of Javin looking all 'Garobee spokesperson'.

By the way, I just finished watching You Who Came From The Stars and it is officially my favourite Korean rom-com drama. Facing drama withdrawal symptoms now :'(

Katie Ermilio: FALL 2014 READY-TO-WEAR

So prettyy

March 2013 in Seoul: Edae / Sunnies / The Cup

Edae, pronounced "e-hwa" not "ew-ha", is short for Ewha Women's University and is the dream school of guys who want to be surrounded by Korean girls everyday. Or just girls in general. I've heard of friends' male friends who went there for university hahaha... Having an all-female university in the area, it goes without saying that there is a lot of shopping for clothes and cosmetics here. It is also the place to look for more affordable hair services. After my first perm, I coloured my hair and had my second perm in Edae, because I spent quite a bit of money after all that traveling. If not I would have returned to Lee Chul Hairkerker.

However, what intrigued me most was the beautiful campus. My friends and I took a walk around while some of our female friends did their hair. I wish my campus was this pretty. I actually loved going to school (Korea University) back then because school was beautiful and filled with beautiful people. I loved that every faculty is within reasonable walking distance and I don't have to wait for buses that are crowded and sometimes take forever to come. Weather was amazing too, which made walking from one building to another very bearable, with my sunnies of course.

It was perfectly normal to be walking in campus with sunglasses on in Korea; it's actually a good habit that they practise to protect their eyes. Besides that, I found that in Seoul it was okay to wear them anywhere, even if there is no sun. When I first came back I wore sunglasses often due to habit, but realised I was getting strange stares so I tried not to wear them in "strange" places or people were going to ask me where the sun was, as if it's important. On days when I have a good comeback for such absurd questions, I leave them on. Yes, in the train. I highly recommend that people start investing in good sunglasses (by that I mean those with proper sufficient UV protection) and actually wear them out.

The last few photos are taken in The Cup, a place in Edae that we took refuge in after the girls had their hair done. The lady there (not sure if she was the owner or not) was really nice because it seemed like she was getting ready to close the shop but she happily opened up the kitchen just for us. They serve carb-heavy meals in paper cups such as rice, noodles and pasta. If you're on those no-carb diets that I don't understand or just looking for something light, you can choose from their salad menu. If you noticed, Javin wore his sunglasses (1) indoors and (2) in the evening. Bam! Point proven.