Hello everyone! Long time no see~

This post will be a review for my purchase of Vixx Single Album Vol. 5 -  BOYS' RECORD from KPOP Mart.

I was so excited to order another KPOP Album and it was hard to decide on what website to use since there were mixed reviews for so many of them. I ordered the album but it also came with a free poster if I wanted it, so of course I said yes! They give options with some of their albums as to whether you want the poster folded or in a tube, which is nice. I chose to have it in a tube.

It took a a few days for the order to shipped and when they did they sent an email with pictures showing the packages, which was really nice since it's reassuring to see proof. The other picture had my details on it so I can't include it here~

The shipping took a few weeks, as I expected, but when it did arrive I was a little concerned at how the package looked: 

But I imagine it was the customs checking to see what is inside, only to find a KPOP album and poster.When I took it out the packaging this is what it looked like:

They included some pictures that were printed out as well as the photo card inside the album. The poster was in great condition, but it's a large poster that was printed out on paper, not the official poster on shiny paper.

Everything came in perfect condition and at a reasonable cost. I have nothing bad to say, but I'm not sure if other websites would have provided a different type of poster. Making a decision on what website to use depends on those preferences.

I will shop from KPOP Mart again in the future since it seems to be the one with the best prices, but I would like to hear about other websites and how their products are. Let me know, if have any feedback!

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello, everyone!

So, I'm not sure why I decided to write this post, haha, I was kind of lying in bed thinking about this great post I read on tumblr about the difference between admiring a culture and appropriating a culture, and wondered how much of this I have witnessed.

Personally, I come from two cultural backgrounds and am now delving into many more through my study of my third language, and I love it when people ask about the values and the different things that make up my culture.

But, since I have an interest in the in the Japanese and Korean culture, it's easy for me to interact with other people and see how other people express this interest.

Firstly, it says here:

“Cultural appropriation is taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone else’s culture without permission. This can include the unauthorized use of another culture’s dance, dress, music, language, folklore, cuisine, traditional medicine, religious symbols, etc. It’s most likely to be harmful when the source community is a minority group that has been oppressed or exploited in other ways, or when the object of appropriation is particularly sensitive, e.g. sacred objects.” (Susan Scafidi)

I think the issue a lot of people see is that a group of people might use a culture and their values as 'accessories' or a 'background for fantasies', rather than using the language, costume or other values as I way to respect the people and the country.
Appropriating it inappropriately, might promote the culture in a different or negative way, disrespect the culture, or as I said before, certain aspects of the culture is being used just because the person thinks it is 'cool'. 

Two videos come to mind when I think about this, and that's Katy Perry's performance of "Unconditionally" at the American Music Awards:

 and Avril Lavigne's "Hello Kitty" music video:

Since I remember a lot of comments pointing out 'cultural appropriation' and 'racism', as it promoted stereotypes and the Japanese culture was used as an accessory for their music. Even though, I thought Katy's performance was really pretty ._.

But, in my own experience, but it irks be when I see the word "kawaii" or "baka" thrown about just like that. I've also seen how girls I know seem to be completely obsessed with Asian boys purely because of their interest in anime and KPOP. I'm only using one culture as an example, but it's not just that gets thrown about, significant things belonging to other cultures are being used as fashion accessories, and as soon as they do, it's considered 'cool', especially if they were looked down upon before they were appropriated.

The difference between appreciating or admiring a culture and appropriating it, depends a lot about the context, for example, if you are wearing a national costume just because you think it looks cool, that's appropriating, but wearing it to pay your respect or because you've been invited to partake in that culture (for example, a wedding), that's appreciating the culture.

I think if we appreciate different cultures more, it'll promote a lot more understand and a better relationship between countries.

But, it's so hard to know the difference these days, as the line in between is very fine. I am no expert , of course, but it is hard to not notice when people take it too far these days. What are your thoughts?

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello, everyone~

I just wanted to write a quick post to say that, because of this university semester coming to an end soon, I have been pouring a lot of my time into finishing off assignments and studying for exams. So, my posts are coming a bit slowly.

BUT!

I have so many posts coming up! Lots of reviews on beauty products and clothing stores are in the process of being written, so there will be something up in the near future. Keep a look out!

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello everyone~

I have watched quite a few videos related to Korean and Japanese skincare products, and one that has incredibly positive reviews and feedback, is the Cure Natural Aqua Gel!

I have wanted to try this product for so long and see what exactly everyone is on about, and finally I did!

After all, a gel like product that you rub into your skin and the dead skin just comes off? Obviously I had to try it out and see.

When I looked at the bottle, I was a bit worried that I would use it up quickly, but a few pumps of it actually lasts for the whole face so I don't think it will run out anytime soon. That, and the fact that it's not good to vigorously exfoliate your skin everyday so I won't be using it every day, so that'll make it last longer as well.

One of the great things about this product is that, although I use a scrub every week to exfoliate, I find that scrubs don't work well with around the nostrils of my nose, if you know what I mean, the crevices. That area has always been a problem area for me and I could never properly scrub it - but this wonder did the trick! Since it's a gel, it obviously can easily get into every nook and cranny of your face, so my face was properly exfoliated! Yay!

Sorry if you didn't want to see a photo of my face with the skin, when I was looking through reviews, personally, I wanted to see photos.

I don't know how this product works, but it must be magic. It's very gentle and refreshing on the skin, which is great for an exfoliate, and did a great job in removing dead skin and smoothing out my skin. So far, my skin hasn't had any major break outs since using it as well.

I'm really happy with this purchase and I think I'll be using it in the future!

Have any of you tried this product? Do you know any other products that work well for the skin? Let me know!

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello, everyone!

So, the other day I watched a video in the middle of my university library. I saw a few things on my news feed about a boy, and I didn't understand what it was about since the article titles were quite vague and not touching on the issue properly. But, then when I saw a proper post about this boy, Jonathan Pitre, I watched it, and I am glad I did!

I was so shocked to hear such a condition like Epidermolysis Bullosa existed! He is so brave to be fighting this everyday and how he spoke sounded so wise and gentle. 

It also really helped me to think - I mean, just that very morning I got up at 4am and looked in the mirror and thought, "wow my skin is blotchy and bloated" - and this poor boy is going through this everyday, how can I possible complain?

It's small things like these that have a huge impact! I just wanted to share that since it gives perspective to a lot of things :)

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello, lovelies!

I can't remember the last time I wrote a post like this, but now I know what I want to write! Today, I want to write about not feeling like you're good enough.

So, I recently got back the results from my first Japanese exam, and I didn't too well. It's only a small one but it still made me lose all hope in myself for a little bit. I kind of zone dout because I wasn't too sure how to feel.

You see, I grew having so many characterize me as the smart girl in the class throughout primary school, and when it got to mid high school, and now, university, I feel like I can no longer meet those expectations which is quite burdensome.

In today's society, we have lots of burdens: we need to look good, speak good, have a good education, a good job, communicate well and so much more! How can we possible tick each box and say we are perfect? Exactly, we can't. And that easily leads us to not feeling like we are good enough or meet the standards that are set.

How can there even be standards in a world and society like this, that is so full of diversity and different backgrounds? We are all different - that's a well known fact - and for that reason, there is no use in comparing yourself with anyone else.

Rather than focusing on what you can't do, focus on what you can do and how you can improve, for yourself, not anyone else.

I'm so glad at some point I decided to be healthier and be more responsible, in order to become a better person, for myself. It's a good feeling! Definitely try it out! If you focus your energy that you would spend on criticizing yourself, into improving yourself - you will see a change and will get positive results!

Remember, always surround yourself with people that give support you and bring the best out of you!

I believe in you!

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello, everyone~

I'm adding another post to my series! This one will give a few ideas as to what to when you find some Asian clothes are too small or the wrong size for you. I don't know about you, but I always have trouble finding gyaru clothing that is long enough to wear.

I am in every mindset to just go to Japan just to personally buy the clothing myself and know for sure it's my size, but that's not that easy. I hope to find a reliable store that will sell gyaru clothing suitable for a girl of over 170cm in height!

Until then, we have to manage with what we have, right?

Wear several layers!

I found that for some short dresses or skirts, it can still work if you slip on a skirt underneath. By having one of two skirts/shorts of a neutral tone- like white, grey or black (but with most clothing, you might need a pink or white one) it might make it easier to quickly add an extra layer underneath your clothing.
You could even put some leggings, shorts or bloomers underneath as well.


Dress too short? Wear it as a top!

Yup, pretty much. Some of taller girls don't have much that we can do about gyaru clothing being too short for our frames - but we can still use it, yes! 

Almost like wearing layers, you can use the dress as a cute top instead and wear it over a skirt or jeans!

Sew on another layer/alter the length

Now for this, I am hopeless at trying to alter the length of my clothing, I'm pretty sure I would make it worse. But if you can, or know some who can, why not alter the length of your clothing through sewing? If not, then maybe a professional can do it, but that would come with a cost,

What is your experience with buying clothes online? What do you do if it's not your size? Do you know any stores that sell Asian clothing that is a good fit for western girls? Let me know!

Enjoy life!

Nina