Ella

I am sure you have all seen this on Google because lets face it we all go on Google at least once a day, but I wanted to post it here as I think it’s a fantastic drawing.
The Google here is Korean but I instantly knew who it was for. The lovely Miss Ella Fitzgerald of course.

Her music is a gift that we should all appreciate. I am glad that I discovered her as early as I did in my childhood but I am jealous when I see someone discover her for the first time.
It’s impossible to choose a favorite but here are a few selections:
 That Lady Is a Tramp
What are you doing New Year's?
Night and Day
Summer time

Have a lovely day everyone and Happy Birthday Ella x

Let’s make- up.

This is the first time in my life that I have disposable income. The terror of not having money still hangs in the air. I go to a shop and the second I buy anything, even bin bags I feel guilty.

This month was my first pay check so I forced myself to splurge.

I marched myself into the make up shop I’d read all about online while I was in the UK and filled my basket.

Korean Make up is like magic. I have no idea how but every item does more than it says on the tin (not that I can read the tin of course).

The best item by far was the nail varnish. I have learnt to wear nail varnish over the last few years and I’m addicted to it now. My nails don’t feel right unless and Elmo red adorns them. My problem though is that I have never been able to wear colors that last even a day. I held out little hope that this varnish would be different and by Jove I was right!

I can finally wear nail varnish for a day or two without a chip. It’s a miracle, especially since it’s actually cheaper than all of the UK make up brands.

The face creams I have bought have already started to make a difference. My poor tired eyes have more lines than a student’s detention book. I know the lines are from smiling so I don’t regret them but it can be annoying to look about 50 in all photos.

The firm eye cream I have has made a difference in only a week. It was cheap and makes me feel more awake when I put it on.

Since my first purchase was such a success and since I brought so little with me I think my fear of spending money will quickly fade. Since buying the makeup I have already bought a wonder woman jumper and some crazy Konglish t-shirts. Next on the list: Heels!

A relaxed weekend

I love the weekend. It is a chance for this (above) and for sleep.
I feel slightly guilty every time that I don't run around and do crazy things on weekends. Since I am half way across the world it feels like I should be absorbing but after a 65 hour week and a LOT of screaming kids its nice to now and again have a relax.

I met up with friends and saved the bar man a trip. This place is a great place to take friends. You just take your bottles up to the bar at the end of the night. They even have baskets for the likes of us british people that drink quite a few bottles.

The next night it was time for Shabba Shabba , a fantastic new discovery. Vietnamese food that istantly became a favourite. It involves putting your veg and thinly cut meat into a fanastic tasting broth. Once you feel you might pop its in with the noodles and the porriage.

The gang then headed to a few random bars and kept ourselves entertained until we hit upon the crazy idea of a night club. Night clubs in Korea are basically massive raves. You can't hear, can't see and there are bodies everywhere. It was fantastic. We danced until it was light then danced some more. 

The next night it was time for some quality time at home with the first season of HBO girls and pizza. It was perfect and needed after a night that ended at 6am.

The only thing we were craving this weekend was a film but with Korea only having one British film a month we had to make do with the memories of their delicious popcorn. After all its filled with Love, Happiness and Touching.

Friday sunshine

Its Friday here and almost time for lunch, home and good times.
This weekend is going to be a trip to the beach with my South African friends.
I'm expecting it to be loud.

So here is a lovely sunny song for you

She & Him

Love this lady!

http://www.youtube.com/user/LisaFreemontStreet/videos?query=pin+curl

This lady does the greatest pin curl and hair tutorials. I have horrible hair that hates all vintage styles but i'm going to try the veronica lake tonight...wish me luck x

Mad Men Music

The music at the end of Mad Men always gets me.
Its always so lovely and something new to my ears.

I was especially happy to find a new Etta James song.

So here is some lovely sad Draper tunes for your wednesday
Draper Tunes

First Vintage Korean Purchase

It finally arrived. Pay day!

It was a very anticipated and rewarding day for all of the new recruits here in Daegu.

Everyone ran to take pictures and print out pictures of their bank accounts as we are now all millionaires. Only in Won but who cares, the principal is kind of the same.

I desperately needed clothes. I know ladies seem to say this a lot (and a lot of blokes I know too) but I really did.

I was allowed one suitcase for the year and it was mainly filled with laptops, home comforts such as pictures and sheets (since they don’t sell sheets as we know it in Korea) so my clothes, especially the pretty vintage ones, were put into storage.

A lot it seems have migrated into my sister’s closet for safe keeping?!

I did bring a few choice pieces but mainly things that will work for a Korean teacher’s wardrobe which mainly translates as ‘Don’t show chest at all’.

I am so sick of wearing the same clothes that when payday came I ran out to the shops as fast as my in need of new shoes feet could carry me.

I had spied the vintage section of town while out traveling in my first week and I was intrigued.

All were basement shops and all were huge! Packed to the rafters with hundreds of different items. Lots of 70’s and 80’s but a lot of the stuff in their was easily adaptable or made in the 80’s to look 40’s which out in Korea is good enough for me.

As well as pretty things I have been looking for practical comfy things. Being an animator in the UK meant every day was jeans and t-shirt if I wanted so I tried to dress up but here is the exact reverse and I’m craving baggy jumpers and t-shirts.

I found a few purchases that will keep me entertained for a while.

A fantastic 70’s denim shirt, A stripped long sleeve top perfect for my K-pop classes (more on this later!) and a lovely double zipped black pencil skirt.

I was in clothes heaven.

The greatest thing about all of these finds was that they were stupidly cheap.

Clothes in Korea vary. You can go to underground malls and get lovely clothes for dirt cheap or you can go to the Lotte department store and spend the equivalent of 50,000 dollars on a fur coat. 

This shop was really great and luckily had a changing room (another rarity around here) to help me pick what suited me best.

I did arrive in Korea realizing my style was already 60% Korean. They love peter pan collars, they love bows and dots and they love quirky designs. All in all I am almost mistaken for a Korean daily. This isn’t helped with my dark hair and massive glasses which although unique even in London are common place around this area.

I never expected to find this area in Korea but I love exploring it. Who knows, I might have more vintage purchases here than I did in the UK,

I have already taught some Koreans to Jive on nights out and I’m looking into Lindy hop classes. The newest purchase I made was last night and it was a lovely electric curling iron so now there’s nothing to stop me getting my ‘Heyworth’ on. This place is the vintage home away from home.

Cherry Blossoms

The blossoms are so pretty. the bugs, not so much.