City Break: Busan, South Korea
Sunday, 25 February 2018 • Travel
South Korea, is honestly, one of the most beautiful countries I've ever been and is so rich in culture and heritage. Busan, is a city, sited on the southern coast of the Korean peninsula, it's the second biggest city in Korea next to Seoul, the capital. Seoul, by the way, is a beautifully enriched metropolis and well worth the visit too- I'd definitely recommend. Especially as you are able to go to the DMZ (de-militarised zone) between South and North Korea.
Busan is a gorgeous city and below is a list of a few of my must-see places:
Beomeosa Temple
Beomeosa Temple is situated on the outskirts of Busan and up the side of a mountain. You can take a taxi there, but the walk up is beautiful and well worth the exercise! When you get to the temple you are greeted with an intricate gate and inside a beautiful temple. One of my favourite places to go, be quiet and contemplate life!
Nampo- Dong Market and Jalgalchi Fish Market
If you're anything like me, markets are a must in other countries and Korea is certainly no exception. Nampo-Dong market is known for it's fake goods and accessories. Accessories are insaaaane in Korea! The road to the market is also lined with Korean beauty stores so this entire area is like my haven.
Jalgalchi fish market is a cultural experience in itself, I feel like it's an insight into "old Korea", as adjumas (elderly women) run the market and chop fresh fish right in front of you. All types of fish ranging from Sea Bass to Sea Cucumbers are available and it's definitely an experience not to miss!
Haeundae Beach
I will always have fond memories of Haeundae Beach as I spent many of my childhood summers playing in the sea and building sandcastles. With it's luscious white sands, it's the ULTIMATE beach. The beach front is lined with hotels and restaurants so you'll never be without but, you do still get beach sellers wandering along selling KFC (Korean Fried Chicken!) and cold drinks (Sang Mechuuuuu!- Cold Beer!) which is fantastic.
Another beach, and slightly quieter than Haeundae Beach, but perfect to chill out on the beach with a cold one.
Centum City- Shinsegae and Spa Land
Centum City Shinsegae and Spa Land is a must. First up, Shinsegae is the largest department store in the world and hold's the guiness world record so it's filled with high class stores and it's incredible! But, within Shinsegae, there is the gem which is Spa Land. You can get the full Korean Spa experience here, although be aware- in the gender-segregated pools you must go fully starkers. I honestly love Spa Land and you can spend four hours going through the pools, steam rooms, cold rooms, saunas for only £6. YES. £6. Do not miss this!
United Nations Memorial Cemetery
The UN War Memorial cemetery contains over 2,300 graves of those who lost their lives in the Korean War. The largest proportion of bodies that this cemetery holds, are those of British soldiers who lost their lives fighting for South Korea. 885 to be precise. As a British national, it was incredibly important for me to go and pay my respects.
Busan Museum of Art
Busan Museum of Art is a fantastic building and there are often so many wonderful exhibits and on a typhoon-kind-of-day it's the perfect place to mill around and check out the art work and exhibits which range from traditional artwork to more modern artwork.
Dongbaek Island
Dongbaek Island is situated just behind the Westin Chosen hotel in Haeundae and is essentially an exercise park (which are big in Korea!) and has incredible views. This pagoda sits just up some stone steps off of Dongbaek and I used to enjoy sitting there, reading and looking out over the sea. A definite place to go to chill out.
Galbi (Korean BBQ)
Okay, so this isn't really a must-see but it's definitely a must try. Korean BBQ. It is quite frankly DIVINE. Basically, you BBQ your own meat (beef, pork, tofu, pretty much anything) and vegetables whilst you have lots of different accompaniments like rice, kimchi (fermented cabbage in a spicy paste) and onions soaked in like a vinegar sauce. It's to die for. My favourite spot in Busan is No.1 restaurant near the tunnel. If you get the opportunity, definitely give it a go! (ps. if you aren't planning on going to Korea anytime soon- then they also have Galbi restaurants in England- especially London/ Bristol/Manchester).
Have you ever been to South Korea? Or anywhere in Southeast Asia? I'd love to hear about your experiences!
XOXO Molly
Kiss Lashes: Review
Sunday, 18 February 2018 • Beauty
I'm a bit of a false lash fanatic. I honestly, cannot go out out with a pair stuck to my face. I get my eyelashes dyed on the reg, but am always on the hunt for longer lashes and as someone who is allergic to the glue that they use for eyelash extensions, I have to resort to false lashes.
In honour of National Lash Day (tomorrow!), I thought I'd share a little review of Kiss Lashes. I've tried many different kinds of eyelashes, and I used to be exclusively an Eylure kind of girl, but recently they changed their lashes and made them awful and super inflexible, so I've been on the hunt for a new brand.
I got sent Kiss lashes in Boudoir and Midnight, and honestly, they make my eyelashes look longer and fuller which is what I strive for! These can be bought at Superdrug for £7.99 and although they aren't most inexpensive lashes, they achieve the desired effect and are flexible! They definitely finish my out-out look and I'll be purchasing some more. I would recommend these as an alternative to Eylure lashes, if like me, you've been let down by their lashes recently!
What I would say though is that one of these pairs of lashes (Midnight) came without glue so I'd recommend purchasing a good eyelash glue. I'm very reliant on my Benefit lash glue!
Have you tried Kiss Lashes? What are your favourite fake eyelashes? I'd love to know!
XOXO Molly
Please note, the lovely people of Alex Silver PR invited me to test out Kiss Lashes and provided them to me free of charge, but all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Blogger Swap with Tea with B
Wednesday, 14 February 2018 • Beauty, Food and Drink
Before I start anything, I should mention, we had an unfortunate incident with Parcelforce which resulted in them dipping my parcel from America in a Ford and leaving it submerged in water for hours resulting in a dripping mess arriving at my house. This is a warning now, if you have to ship anything, AVOID PARCELFORCE LIKE THE PLAGUE. USPS managed to get the parcel across the entire Atlantic Ocean safe and dry, but Parcelforce couldn't manage from Basingstoke to my house (like an hours drive), so good job guys! This wasn't Becca's fault but it did mean that all of the parcel including the yummy American food I was sent, had to be disposed of. I did however go out and get replacements for the make up (what I could!) so I can show what a brilliant well-thought out gift Becca sent! I will never forgive Parcelforce for ruining my pretzel pieces. MORE LIKE PARCELFARCE.
Anyway, moving on from Parcelforce gate as this incident shall forever be known, these are some of the goodies I got sent by Becca!
I am yet to try the coffee scrub but I cannot wait to- I've heard amazing things about coffee scrubs about how they pep up your skin and I'm definitely in need of some pepping! This notebook is also SO cute. I will be keeping all my future blog ideas in here!
Becca also popped some face packs in the parcel from my all time favourite place SEPHORA. She also got me one from GlamGlow which I'm super excited to try as I've only heard good things about GlamGlow as a brand and their products. I've also been blessed with an Ulta face pack in Strawberries and Champagne (she knows me so well!) and I've never tried Ulta either so excited to try this face pack. I'm going to have world's smoothest skin at this rate!
Along with the TooFaced Peanut Butter and Jelly palette, Becca also got me a Wet N Wild Palette and highlighter, which I was so excited with! Becca and I love the same kind of make-up shades so she chose perfectly, and these are all colours I'll be able to utilise and work into my everyday make up routine!
The Boss Lady sign sits proudly on my desk at work (despite not being the boss!) because I'm obsessed with it. I love anything rose gold so it's perfect.
Becca also got me the takeaway mug, featured at the top of this post, which is gorgeous and a definite must with my obsession with green tea at the moment!
Please note, this is also only a small portion of the HUGE parcel Becca got me, there were other make up goodies and American touristy type goodies along with food.
Have you ever done a swap of mystery goodies with another blogger? What USA goodies would you want to try?
XOXO Molly
How To Survive Valentines Day
Thursday, 8 February 2018 • Beauty, Food and Drink, Other
Another year, another Valentines. And for a change, I'm single on the blessed day #foreversingle. All jokes aside, Valentines day can be quite demoralising if you don't have another half, but, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE!
Everyone goes on about how it's amazing to have another half and a partner, which, I'm sure it is and to be fair, I love being in a relationship. But right now, I'm happy doing me and just getting on with life which has been super busy as of late.
So, if, like me, you are single this Valentines, follow my step-by-step tongue in cheek how to survive Valentines Day guide, and live your best life. I certainly will be!
Step 1- All of the Brownies
Obviously, the first step, would be to dive head first into comfort food. Comfort food doesn't come in a better shape than chocolate brownie. Especially from Brownie Heaven.
I'm not sure if you read my Brownie Heaven review but, they are DIVINE. They've recently come out with their Valentine's range, and I was sent the most indulgent, decadent, moist, delightfully gooey and soft heart-shaped brownie. Which was genuinely as big as my head, LIVING THE BROWNIE DREAM. As mentioned in my first review, the brownies also keep for up to 5 days in the fridge, and as I've taken this Brownie as a portion for one (piggy a f) I can personally confirm that my brownie heart was still as delicious as the first day I got it.
Step 2- Pop that Champagne
Why should Champagne on Valentine's day purely be reserved for couples? All I can say, is pop that cork and treat yo' self. Call it a hump day treat? Who doesn't love Champagne on a Wednesday? Certainly not me, sign me up! Although I don't think Thursday me will appreciate the champagne induced hangover.
Step 3- Treat yo' self
I don't think people in couples should be the only one to get presents on Valentines. On this purely commercialised day, why not join in? Treat yourself! Go on, you know you want to! That palette you've had your eye on? Go for it! Those pretty shoes, dooooo it!
Think about it, that money you've saved on hotel/ flowers/ dinner/ gifts/ cards/ chocolates/ teddy bears/ engagement ring/ anything else you can possibly buy your partner for Valentines, is just sat there- waiting for a purpose. If you're anything like me, get yourself on ASOS, splash the cash and treat yourself.
Step 4- Get That Bubble Bath on the Go
For me, there is nothing better than a bubble bath, super relaxing and de-stressing which is definitely something needed mid-week. Chuck a Lush bath bomb in it and you're onto a winner.
Thinking about it from a single gals perspective though, no need to share the bath. I'm not sure who came up with the notion that sharing a bubble bath is a romantic idea. It's not. It's cramped and uncomfortable. As a single pringle, stretch out, and enjoy your bath. You deserve it!
Step 5- Win yourself some Brownies
As mentioned in Step 1, I think one of the keys to a fabulous single Valentine's is through Brownies. Specifically, Brownie Heaven Brownies. Brownie Heaven have provided me with another (non-eaten!) heart-shaped Brownie to giveaway to one of you, my lovely readers! All you need to do, is head over to my twitter and Brownie Heaven's twitter, give us both a follow and retweet my pinned tweet. Winner will be announced Sunday 11th February 2018 at 7pm GMT. Good luck!
How are you spending Valentines this year? I'd love to know. Let me know!
XOXO Molly
PS. Please note, I don't mean any offence to anyone in relationships, I hope you all have a wonderful Valentines Day!
Please note, the lovely people of Brownie Heaven invited me to try out their delicious brownies and provided them to me free of charge, but all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Please note, the lovely people of Brownie Heaven invited me to try out their delicious brownies and provided them to me free of charge, but all views and opinions expressed are my own.
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