Dudebabe Apparel (8063_NiceDress, 8419_TrendyCardigan)

8419_TrendyCardigan ($5.44)

I always like to start the better things first, so I've placed this cardigan as the top post. Made of cotton, this grey cardigan tails off in front rather than the back, making it rather suitable for dresses that flaunt your bottom. The pockets are just for show and the sleeves are long enough to cover the whole arm. 

However, the buttons are haphazardly sewn, but with minor tweaking (like removing 4 buttons and keeping only 2 at the waist region), the cardigan is a worthwhile buy.

8063_NiceDress ($11.45)

Nice dress? I beg to differ. There is no inner lining and the flare is simply overboard. 

After washing, the material is quite crumpled and I find it a hassle to iron it properly. The white regions were off-white rather than pure white and after washing, the off-white colour is more evident. Oh well, online shopping has its pros and cons.

Source: Gmarket

Item Rating: 3/5 for cardigan, 2/5 for dress

Price: Refer to above + $1.50 shipping

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask 100ml

Black heads are irritating, especially if they block your view in the theatres or if they block your pores. Korean cosmetic industries are innovative to combine volcanic clay with some other adsorbents to create a clay mask that promises to "purify" pores via suction. 

Attracted to that notion, as well as the good reviews and ongoing promotion, I knew I had to get my hands on this product (it's the one in a cardbox box surrounded by samples):

For this product, there isn't any fragrance that Korean manufacturers love to put into their products to attract naive young girls. It is very thick as well, so a little goes a long way. It would be good if they made it into a tube instead of using a plastic jar to prevent bacteria and nasty things from getting in when one sticks a finger in to get a dollop.

From my experiment, it certainly helps in a way or two to lighten the appearance of blackheads, but don't place your hopes too high.

Stubborn blackheads, how do I remove thou? 

Source: Gmarket

Rating: 8/10

Price: $9.90 + Free shipping

Eindra Store Spider Podium (White & Black)

If you hate creepy-crawlies and wished they would be more useful than just scaring the daylights out of people, this spider podium might just do the trick.

Thick wires (I think so) are encased with rubber exterior to make this sturdy yet flexible podium. However, some tact is needed to make sure that base that one makes has a low centre of gravity to ensure that one's beloved electronic do not topple over like mine did.

Source: Gmarket

Rating: 9/10

Price: $6.80 each + Free Shipping

iheartkoreanbeauty TheFaceShop Raspberry Eye Masks

Face masks help to moisturise / whiten / etc the face. But they usually don't cover the undereye regions and one would probably end up like this: 

Nope that's not me and I'm also not suggesting that you should put on faux eyelashes with the face mask on, who in the right mind does that anyway? 

Anyway, back to the main topic, I was mentioning that the undereye regions are very sensitive and should also deserve a good treat. So TheFaceShop Raspberry Eye Mask might be helpful. I got them from iheartkoreanbeauty at $1.90 each, and the seller gave me a handwritten note in appreciation of the purchase as well as some samples. That's what I call a sincere seller. 

I'm not sure why, but the eye mask below turned out slightly pinkish under my handphone camera when it is really white. There is a firm layer of collagen gel that is backed up with a cloth mesh, and you place that collagen gel part which is hard to figure out to the undereye region. There are guidelines to say how long to put the mask on for, but I didn't really follow as I just left it on till the collagen part disappeared and left me with the cloth mesh.

The before and after results are not very evident - only some creases appear smoothened out and the effects did not last beyond the next day. Good for last-minute but short-acting remedy.

Source: Gmarket

Price: $1.90

Rating: 9.5/10

Pretty Summer Dress (D1402R)

If you have boobs the size of Lindsay Lohan's, this dress is the one for you. You'll get what I mean. 

At that point of time, I had no idea what stopped me from mailing it back to the seller, and I totally regretted it now. To avoid being in my situation, here's the solution:

Source: Gmarket

Rating: 2/10

Price: $9.90 + $1 shipping

Excella Supply Velcro Hair Stick

The pictures say it all yes? Got it for my friend but I am itching to try one on. It took some effort to press that velcro on my long fringe and that didn't stay over long since my hair is pretty "heavy". I would recommend it for those with short or sparse fringe.

Source: Gmarket

Rating: 7.5/10

Price: $0.95 + Free shipping

Pretty Shop Etude House Missing U Hand Cream (Fairy Penguin, Harp Seal, Panda)

These adorable hand creams were on sale (way way cheaper than the brick and mortar stores who are retailing them at $12 or so) when I decided to purchase them. Brilliant for gifting! 

I'm surprised that there are English descriptions on the package since most Korean products which are directly imported barely have any hint of English. One quick squint at the ingredients and I felt that the cream makeup wasn't so bad after all.

This time the rating that I'm giving is not going to be very accurate since I did not use them. Based on the packaging, samples given, speed of delivery and wafts of fragrance from the adorable petite jars, I will gladly give a 9.

Source: Gmarket

Rating: 9/10

Price: $4.90 each + Free shipping

The JD Stockings (1108_LY150 Black, 1131_GN01 Black)

These stockings were bought in preparation for my trip to HK for the cold weather. Unfortunately, they were not very useful in keeping my fat legs warm. Better stick with woollen ones.

1131_GN01(Black) ($5.90)

They were well-sewn at the seams and really stretchable.

1108_LY150 (Black) ($5.40)  

Source: Gmarket

Rating: 7/10

Price: See above + $2.50 shipping

xRebirthed 1900mAh Microusb Battery Charger

I am on the road vibering my friend and suddenly my phone goes into "battery-saving" mode. I still have another outdoor event to go to and my "Creme Brulee is ready to be served'. And did I call my other friend regarding tonight's arrangement? Oh man I'm lost, why can't I use my phone's GPS? 

Seems familiar? 

Portable mobile chargers come to the rescue! They promise additional juice for your phone battery and brings you out of those sticky situations when your smartphone dies on you.

Or do they? This one from xRebirthed is a typical mini USB charger with 1900mAh, and a free anti-radiation sticker. The charging port fits well to my Galaxy GS2. On the first few charges and discharges, it charged my phone by 60%. It was about 3 months when the charger didn't charge as much (like <30%), and the charging port no longer fitted as well so it was loose. Charging my phone was almost impossible. 

I had to switch to another charger after that. $11.70 for less than 3 months of standby charger? I'm sure anyone can do the math.

Source: Gmarket 

Rating: 6.5/10

Price: $11.70 each + Free shipping

ShuzMod Crocs Shoes Malindi - Oyster Size W6 and W8

I'm not a fan of Crocs shoes since I have this paranoid feeling that rubber shoes can leak chemicals which can get absorbed into the skin. If the chemicals are fat-soluble, that means that they will penetrate the skin well. If the chemicals are water-soluble, that's bad too. Cos they are probably going to dissolve in that one cup of sweat that both your feet produce daily and go straight to your skin. Sounds creepy. Or I'm just paranoid.

My paranoia aside, here's two pairs of Crocs shoes of size 6 and 8 which I've bought online (who can resist cheap deals? I can't).

They look pretty authentic:

I'm a size 8 and I find that it fits me well, but my mum who is a size 6 find it too tight. So here's a suggestion: visit your nearest Crocs outlet and try the size first before buying online!

Source: Gmarket 

Rating: 9/10

Price: $8.90 each + Free shipping

99mile-trust seller SlapChop

Don't waste money on this. It requires a ton of energy to use and doesn't do clean cuts. The blades seem to rust easily as well. I do better with a knife and chopping board. So it went into the trash. Buy at your own peril.

Source: Gmarket

Rating: 2/10

Price: $8.90 + Free Shipping

Four Seasons Durian Cake

I bought this cake at a discounted price (think it is 50% off) from Groupon, so I spent around $32.10 for this cake worth $64.20. Personally I don't think I would splurge that much money on this cake, even if it's divine. Well it kinda looks pretty on the whole.. However, I still feel that it's weird to have durian puffs adorning the top of a cake. 

I'm speculating that the cake designers probably thought that the durian puffs could serve as a guide to equally cut the cake up (so you end up with 8 fat slices) and also they didn't have to purchase extra cake ornaments. But what if I only want 1/2 of each slice? Or worse still, that I have 9 people sharing the cake?? "Oh here you go, a slice of 1/9 of the cake and 8/9 of a durian puff for you".

Judging from the amount of whipped cream I scrapped off my slice, the cake bakers certainly are generous with the whipped cream. Wished they would do the same for the durian layers. There are two layers of durian puree sandwiched among 3 soft layers of sponge cake, and I seriously couldn't tell if those were D24 or if whipped cream were added in. Bah.

Some family comments:

The cake is very nan chi! - Dad

Don't like it. - Mum

Edible. - Bro

Can I have half the slice? - Me

To be fair, I find that it's actually not bad =p

Sellinghot Crystal Rhinestone Bracelet

I'm a sucker for scintillating accessories. Probably more will become a convert if they see this post:

Source: Ebay

Rating: 9.5/10

Price: USD $0.99 + Free shipping

Great Digital Bra Clips

20 bra clips! The material is sturdy and really holds my bra straps together at the back well. Just that it takes a little bit of skills and whole lot of practice to get it right.

Source: Ebay

Rating: 9/10

Price: USD $1.08 + Free shipping

Vogue Dresses (B9493, R205, White dress)

I'm over the moon! Apart from all the online shopping, I've done retail shopping for clothes at Vogue again! Here's today's haul:

B9493 Blue dress ($12.50)

This blue body-hugging dress might seem average upfront, make a back turn and it will change your perception. 

Intricately-linked together, eight straps converge at the thoracic region of your spine to give a sophisticated look. Nu-bra recommended.

Despite being non-sheer and smooth, the dress comes with a black inner lining. See that the seams are neatly sewn in, good handiwork! 

R205 Flowery dress ($12.50)

I wasn't really keen on getting this dress but K seemed to like it and that the other dresses on sale are so-so so okay, I'll get it. I like the overall design - sweet patterned dress with smocked waistline and frill-like bottom. I am not very sure what the patterned design is, but it looks kinda like blue ribbons/flowers gone awry, coupled with some circular curly whirly things. 

There is a zip at side which appear uncalled for since I just slip on the dress from the top. This dress is not suitable for those with heavy tops, as the top part is rather small. Unlike the previous dress, a white translucent lining is a must for this one as the material is slightly sheer. Good sewing as seen.

White dress ($10)

Priced competitively at $10, this white satin dress gives many fashion boutiques a run for their money. When I first saw it, it appeared weird to me to have a band connecting the two straps at the chest area. But after I've put it on, well, it didn't turn out as bad as I thought, apart from the fact that it squeezed out too much of my armpit fat =X

Even though the fabric is thick, an inner lining is present, and all well-sewn. One has to be careful with this kind of fabric and not scratch it, to avoid those nasty lints.

Source: Vogue

Price: B9493 & R205@$15 ea, buy 2@$25; white dress@$10, buy 2@$18

Rating: 9/10

Eiffel Vacuum Sealer

Watch the vacuum sealer in action

Source: Gmarket

Rating: 7.5/10

Price: $44.00 + Free Shipping

SavannaOnline Purple Pelpum Dress

 I bought this when it was on sale, so it's pretty worth it. The quality is smooth and silky, resembling that of Feythcloset's dress. However, I do not find the back frills (left picture) very well-sewn as they sort of gathered too much together. The 2nd picture is the front view, which is somewhat similar to the back one with less gathers. I wore this dress for a presentation and my dear friend commented that I looked like Unity's auntie cashiers, omg.

Source: Gmarket

Price: $10.90 + $1.50 shipping

Rating: 8.5/10