That Tchaikovsky is GOLD.



Photographs of friends and postcards from the past.

We're not very good at flat lays but we tried our best.

Just like Yna, I also create and cut patterns on the floor. It just makes things easier.

Multitasking is a skill that's needed to be mastered especially if you're an entrepreneur like us.

We both love coffee. So she made me a cup and we chatted over coffee for a few minutes.

We like to read books. She likes to multi-"read" books but unlike her, sadly I can only do one book at a time.

Her family loves art + music. Her mom bought her that keyboard because she said she stopped playing.

The view from her window was insanely beautiful. Perfect to match with a cup of coffee.

Just like us, FILM IS LIFE.

She's got so many film cameras than I had imagined!

It was great to see Yna's space. It gave me new insight into how she worked and how she conceptualizes new stuff for her brand, @ohwellstuffhappens. If you happen to be interested in a more youthful brand, take a look at Yna's brand and you might see something you like.

What I will do on the other hand is just to continue pushing the grind. Work on being successful while others mind their own business. Continue finding and learning more about myself. Be a better person to myself and to others. Keep dishing out work and grow my brands(more on that later). Meet new people (and try not to be awkward AF about it). AND ALWAYS KEEP CREATING.

These are not self-imposed. These are willfully brought up on my plate and these are not resolutions but these are goals and habits I want to instill in myself. These may take time and this may reach 2019 or even forever but I will continue and try my best to put my best foot forward in any way that I can. So cheers to 2017 and dash onwards to 2018!

I didn't do much shopping but I made sure I got myself something. Actually, I always make sure to get something for myself even if those are lookbooks, catalogs or magazines from international publishers and retailers. I'm happy to share my new cops!

These aren't much but I'm pretty happy with what I've got. Especially since everything I've spent here in my travel all came from my own pocket and savings. I don't really get to travel much because I tend to save it or spend it on things. Since this is my first time out with everything being shouldered by me and nobody else to lean on (like my family) it felt pretty special. Coming back to reality (actually I've been back in reality for about 2 months now), I've realized I like to travel. The next time I do it I want to do it with my friends again OR go super bold and just travel alone. Scary but what an exhilarating thought.

Peace out. XX

Ok so this is a bit tricky but its really more of a Japanese Magazine Pick-ups post than a Korean one because all the magazines I've purchased are all from Japan. Wanted some K-magazines but didn't really like the current issues they had. Lucky enough, on my VERY LAST FEW hours in Seoul before I head out back to Incheon Airport, I happened to spot this place called FASHION BOOKS which sells FASHION BOOKS ONLY! Internal screaming aside, I scoured as fast as I could but only noticed awesome Japanese Magazines.

Btw, they also had on-trend magazines which focuses on runway photos and details of trends carefully curated PER SEASON. I NEVER EVEN KNEW THAT THERE WERE MAGAZINES LIKE THAT. I'm pretty sure those are handy for fashion designers and students.

Anyway, here's a quick run-through of what I copped.

Check out a quick video of my visit around Seoul. Inspiration has always been my number 1 reason whenever I travel. I'm not picky of where I eat or where I shop. If I see something that I like and I feel like I can't have it or find it anywhere else then it would definitely be something I'd purchase. That will segue me into my next upcoming video of my pickups so stay tuned for that. 

In the meantime, if you guys are curious as to the places I went, here are the list of the places we visited in order of appearance in the video:

1. Gyeungbokgung Palace - http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264337

 The ONLY palace you ever need to visit. It's pretty huge. Trust me.

2. Myeungdong- the MAIN PLACE in Seoul. It's basically middle ground. It's sort of in the middle of everything and all of the skin care products you need to look for can be found here.

3. Dongdaemun Design Plaza - http://english.visitseoul.net/attractions/Dongdaemun-Design-Plaza-DDP_/96

When I visited 4 years ago this was still under construction. I'm glad I was able to set foot in it before I left. It's pretty huge though and I don't think you can finish it in an hour. Being in the place though makes me appreciate how Koreans appreciate culture and the arts. How they show support in local and mainstream/ commercial artists. It's a huge place dedicated for all types of art and you can purchase artsy things in their "design market". 

4.  Ohkoos Store- https://www.timeout.com/seoul/shopping/ohkoos

Probably my favorite one of the trip. It's basically the shop I want to build in the future. Leather goods, vintage-inspired clothing, neon signages, amazing brands on stock, and they have a beer tap. Super cool store. 

5. FOLDER Shoe Store-  https://www.instagram.com/folder_korea/

This is where I got my PF Flyers. When I went to Los Angeles last year I thought PFs were expensive I didn't even check their tags. It was pretty affordable in Korea so I copped it. They were pretty much almost in every FOLDER store in Korea. Oddly enough, it was kind of elusive in LA. 

6. Style Nanda Pink Hotel- https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Attraction_Review-g294197-d11918183-Reviews-Stylenanda_Pink_Hotel_Flagship_Store-Seoul.html

Always been a fan of how they grew an independent brand and made it famous. Now having 2 flagship stores and a "HOTEL" concept store in the middle of the busiest place in Seoul is definitely a feat to conquer. Inspiring aesthetics and they have legions of followers.

7. Inside Object- https://www.instagram.com/insideobject/

A cool store recommended by my friend. Went inside without expectations, went out happy with what I bought. It's basically a local artists type of store where they consign different artists and brands that are handcrafted, independent and artsy. Really cool store. Gives you a depth of what the young artists in Seoul are up to. 

8. BEAKER - https://www.timeout.com/seoul/shopping/beaker-shop 

A high-end "streetwear" lifestyle shop. Amazing products all in one store. Think Maison Kitsune, Common Projects, Carhartt, Vans and the likes. Very similar to our local store HOODWINK which can be found in SM Aura. I can also compare it to UNIVERS found in Rockwell. 

9. OSSULOC - https://www.osulloc.com/kr/en

Tea from their awesome island, Jeju. If you like green teas and any kind of tea, you can dine and order teas in their shop in Myeungdong. 

10. Yoo Ga Ne - http://yoogane.com.sg/

DAK GALBI AT ITS FINEST. Best eaten when tired because it just gives you the energy that you need. It's fast food but it's the good kind. Really satisfying to eat. 

11. Everland Resort- http://www.everland.com/web/multi/english/everland/main.html

It's basically their answer to a Disney Land. I find the characters weird because I can't relate to it but their rides were really fun. Try their roller coaster ride that has the steepest decline. 

More updates from my Korean trip in the upcoming posts so stay tuned for more!