We cut the legs off of our pants...

Oh, the humidity! Despite Korea’s sweat-tastic weather at the moment, I am in the highest of spirits! Erika and I have a very exciting few weeks ahead, including a trip to Boryeong Mudfestival and our vacation to the “Hawaii of Korea,” Jeju Island. We’ll be sure to share our adventures with you, but for now, here is a list of my current summer must-haves.
 

(Clockwise from left to right)

1. Anything and everything cut out. Anything and everything monochromatic. I am a huge fan of white on white with a bold lip.
2. Matching sets. Erika and I have been scouring the boutiques of Seoul for the perfect cropped combos. I’m also loving the palm tree prints gracing stores this season.
3. Loose. Ripped. Boyfriend. Jeans. I like to pair mine with a fitted tank or a crop top to offset the bagginess of the jeans. They’re so casual, I’m in love.
4. Blue-hue nail polishes! Okay, yes, paired with the metallic sandal, they’re a bit ‘90s... but they look so great together, I can’t say no!
5. Cat-eye sunglasses. That is all.
6. The Metallic Sandal! Are you even mad at this? I’m also loving the chunky heel on this particular pair. Throw these on with your boyfriend jeans or a monochromatic combo to complete your look.

Let me know what some of your summer must-haves are in the comment section!

Bisous,

Marie-Anne

Summer Life Hacks

 

1. Maxi Skirts:

Ditch the denim this summer in favor of a flowy maxi skirt made from a light material such as jersey knit or a nice cotton blend. The modesty of the maxi allows you to comfortably wear a crop without feeling over exposed. A maxi skirt is flattering on most body types and they can easily be transitioned from day to night with the right accessories and coordinating pieces. Statement necklaces are a great addition to make your look feel less causal and more sophisticated.  

2. Ice Cube Trays:

It never ceases to amaze me how cute ice cube trays have become. Some the most affordable ones that I have found have been at Target and Ikea. Instead of adding water to the trays, I have been adding different varieties of juices to get great flavor combinations. My favorite combination lately has been raspberry tea flavored ice cubes added to lemonade. 

3. Milk:

Ever get unbearable sunburns that make it difficult to sleep? Being fair skinned means that I get those kind of sunburns if I even look at a picture of a beach. My skin blisters and the pain seems to spread to every inch on my body. An old, Southern woman taught me a trick that I will use for the rest of my sunburned days. She told me that putting milk or plain yogurt on a sunburn takes away the sting. I don't know the science behind this gross trick, but it has worked for me for many summers. 

4. Lemons:

Not only are lemons delicious to drink in lemonade, they are also quite useful. I have bleached and highlighted my hair to get it my color blonde, however lemons are a great natural alternative to hair dye in the summer. Spraying a mixture of lemon juice and water can bring out your natural highlights. If lemons weren't already cool enough for being a natural hair dye, they also can clean your clothes. Arm pit stains are as embarrassing as they are disgusting. By rubbing lemon juice and 1 tsp of salt on your shirts underarm, deodorant and dark coloration stains are lifted. 

5. Hand Fans:

In Korea, many people believe in something called " Fan Death ". Motorized fans are replaced by adorable hand fans that are as practical as they are cute. They are incredibly light weight and very easy to carry around. My fan is an shaped like an elephant and was purchased at my local Daiso (very similar to Dollar General) for 1,000 Won (around $1). Hand fans are not very stylish in North America, but I think it is time for them to become a new trend. 

6. Deodorant:

 

Who says that deodorant can only be used on underarms? No me! Deodorant is by far my favorite summer secret. I don't sweat profusely, however I still like to keep a deodorant stick in my purse just to be safe. Not all girls were born with a thigh gap, and that is okay. Being one of those girls whose thighs rub together means that summer time = chafing time. Every summer, I would get horrible blisters until I learned that all chafing could be eliminated by putting deodorant on my thighs. Deodorant is also very helpful to break in a cute, new pair of flats. A little bit of deodorant on your heel can help the breaking in process become significantly less painful. If you are worried that the deodorant will stain your clothing, a little lemon is an excellent solution. 

I hope my summer secrets work for you as well as they have worked for me. 

Besos, 

Erika 

Croppy Cats

We spent Sunday walking around Marie-Anne's neighborhood, eating delicious Mexican food and enjoying the weather before the Monsoon and Humidity Seasons begin.

Huckleberry Gin

During the summer, there are very few things I enjoy more than a refreshing poolside drink. Poolside or not this summer, I enjoy having a cold drink on a hot day. Due to the heat, I've stopped using ice in my gin and tonics and have started adding frozen fruit. Instead of being left with a watery cocktail when the ice melts, I'm left with a delicious summery treat. Here are some frozen fruits that I've tried with a gin and tonic:

+Blueberries
+Blackberries
+Strawberries
+Grapefruit
+Grapes
+Raspberries
+Orange

+Lime

Gin is my drink of choice, but I'm sure frozen fruit would be a yummy alternative to ice in a variety of summer favorites. Recipes are always welcomed and appreciated. 

Besos, 

Erika

Canada Day + Independence Day

Happy Canada Day + Independence Day, y'all!

Do we look patriotic yet?

I will be celebrating Independence Day by watching a firework show with fellow Americans at an American military base in Seoul. Nothing represents the USA better than a BBQ and a good old-fashioned firework show. Happy 4th of July!

I celebrated Canada Day by eating "poutine" (or the closest to the real thing) and drinking Canadian cider at a Canadian pub in Seoul! There were lots of "sorry's" and "pardon me's" to be heard throughout the night. Happy Canada Day!

Fifa Madness

Although my dreams of seeing Mexico win the World Cup this year have come to an unfortunate end, it doesn't mean that the hype is over. Who says that the only way to watch a game is in a jersey? There are many ways to dress up for a game without looking like you're wearing a costume. This is one of the looks I wore while watching a Mexico game. 

Besos, 

Erika

Netflix Queue

Sometimes I get the feeling that I pay a $7.99 monthly subscription to just browse the endless titles that Netflix offers. Instead of spending countless hours browsing, I have gone in with a plan and have created a list of nine films and/or television shows that I am itching to see.

1. Submarine- I put this coming-of-age comedy-drama on my list after learning that Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys was a large contributing factor to the music of the film. I may not be a 15-year-old love-stricken teen anymore, but I surely remember being one. I look forward to watching this and seeing if it rings adolescent truth. 
2. Safety Not Guaranteed- Jake Johnson. If you have seen the show New Girl, you know him as the lovable, Nick Miller. I've had major love eyes for Mr. Johnson ever since seeing him in Paperheart. After watching The Wire, I can't seem pull myself away from investigate plot lines. I'm curious as to see how the characters solve their classified ads mystery. 
3. Orange is the New Black: Season 2- I was initially hesitant to start watching OITNB because I didn't see the appeal of a show about a women's prison. I started watching the show last year, and I've been hooked ever since. I don't know how the second season is going to compare, but I am ready to attach myself once more to Piper and the gang. 
4. Troll Hunter- Norwegian + low budget horror film + mockumentary = a film that I am excited to see. This film was recommended to me by a friend who shares my interest in dark fantasy horror films. The film has received many positive reviews and there is an American remake already on the way. 
5. Jobs- I'm an Apple addict and have always been drawn to the story of Steve Jobs. The film was not a blockbuster giant, but Ashton Kutcher received a lot of praise for his portrayal of Jobs. I'm curious to see how Kutcher can go from playing Kelso to playing a technology legend. 
6. The Kids Are All Right- The film is based on a very relevant topic accompanied by a great cast. Same sex marriage is the primary civil rights issue of this generation. The fact that this film received so much praise and recognition is another sign that times are changing and people are starting to recognize that a family is a family, no matter the circumstance. 
7. Blackfish- The Cove tore my heart in a million pieces and I expect Blackfish to do the same. I've never been to SeaWorld, but I have always had a distaste for animals in captivity. Documentaries have a way to teaching the viewer about controversial topics without overwhelming them and I am intrigued as to who they paint the villain. Is the killer whale going to be live true its name and be seen as a killer?  
8. Pretty in Pink- There are many movies that I watched as a child that I am trying to re-watch as an adult. The only thing I remember about this film is that at some point, Molly Ringwald wears pink. Pretty in Pink has has a great influence in pop culture, and I would like to see why I enjoyed it so much as a child.   
9. House of Cards: Seasons 1 & 2- House of Cards had me at Kevin Spacey. American politics always have a way of seeping into the the media and pop culture. The series is said to show the true colors of US politics by eluding manipulation, power, ruthless pragmatism and doing bad things for the greater good. Sign me up! It also doesn't hurt that Kevin Spacey's character is from my home state. 

Besos, 

Erika