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Jangheung: The Secret & Wonderful Place To Take Kids North Of Seoul
On the way up to Majang Lake one time, I took a road through Jangheung and saw lots of colorful facades, interesting signs for art spaces and places, and gardens and so it was put on the list for the next trip out. We’ve since been to this area at least three times and we love it. If you’re looking to take an adventure with your kiddos and want to find a best kept secret, this is the area to go. It’s fun and full of hidden gems. Plenty more that we haven’t yet visited. Here are some great things to do in Jangheung. Also note, this is Jangheung-eub in…
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Pela Phone Case Review: The Eco Friendly Compostable Phone Case
I have now had my Pela phone case for almost one year (51 weeks to be exact), and I wanted to do a review. I purchased this with my own money because I was looking into ways to be more sustainable and continuing my push into eco-friendly living. When I found this sustainable phone case which promotes itself as 100% compostable and eco-friendly, I was ready to try it. Check out my Pela phone case review to see if a sustainable compostable phone case is right for you. While I don’t think I’ll ever be able to have a completely waste free lifestyle, especially not here in Seoul, Korea, I…
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Dalgona Coffee: What It Is, Where It Came From, & Why What You’re Making, Isn’t It!
When you could just make a cup of coffee in less than five minutes, why not spend the next twenty to thirty making dalgona coffee? While Koreans know what dalgona is and where it started, most foreigners don’t despite the challenge’s viral success. I was recently invited out to a cafe in Seoul that makes legit dalgona coffee based off of real Korean dalgona and, surprise!, it is NOT what you’re making at home. They wanted to get the word out about dalgona and asked me to help. Spoiler: The coffee you’re whipping is actually based off an Indian coffee drink, not Korean at all. Mind blown? Yeah, let’s get…
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What To Do At The Sulwhasoo Dosan Flagship Store In Seoul
Sulwhasoo (설화수) is a Korean luxury skin care brand that is renowned for high quality herbal medicine based products and the Sulwhasoo Flagship Store Dosan (설화수 도산 플래그십 스토어) is an absolute must visit for not only KBeauty lovers but any tourist in Seoul interested in unique experiences that you can only have here. After trying my own collection of Sulwhasoo products, I can honestly say they are worth the money and I’ll be a loyal customer forever more. Not only that, but the flagship store is just stunning so any reason to go back there again and again… and maybe again. The flagship store is gorgeously Instagrammable and did…
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Stay At Home Activities For Kids
As a creative person myself, I have loved instilling the love of creation in my daughter. We have spent hours together cooking, dancing, crafting, and learning of course. It’s amazing how much can be learned in more fun and inspiring ways. Whether you’re homeschooling or just have the kids home for the summer, these are great stay at home activities for kids. Great things to do with kids on rainy days and great things just to do together. Here are some of the programs we LOVE and some other ideas too! (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after…
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Juknokwon: Korea’s Most Popular Bamboo Forest In Damyang
Damyang, Korea’s claim to fame is a massive bamboo forest named Juknokwon (죽녹원). It is the most famous bamboo forest in South Korea. While this is the most famous and was even named one of the top things to do in Korea in 2019 by the Korean Tourism Organization, there is also the stunning Taehwagang River Bamboo Forest in Ulsan which features a huge number of brilliantly colored flowers in the spring and summer and one of the best kept secrets on Geoje Island, the Bamboo Theme Park. Bamboo forests dot the southern half of the country, but if you only have time to visit one, Juknokwon Bamboo Forest is the…
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Gunsan, Korea Travel Guide: Things To Do, Where To Eat & How To Get There
Wanting to get out and see something different, we decided to take a road trip to Jeolla and our first stop was Gunsan, Korea in North Jeolla Province, or Jeollabuk-do. This port city is a bit deceiving as you drive in as there are huge industrial parks and of course ports all over so it can seem a bit more like a manufacturing city. For me, the most I knew about the city was that it is home to Gunsan Air Force Base for the American military and that it is where the more popular Seonyudo Island is located. (I say more popular because did you know there is a…
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Seoul Station: Transport Info, Food and Things To Do Nearby
Seoul Station (서울역) is one of the busiest transit hubs in Korea, the terminus for KTX high-speed trains, the connection point for two subway lines, the stop for the AREX airport express from Incheon, and home to a major intercity bus terminal. If you’re arriving in Seoul from the airport or leaving the city by train, you’ll be here. But once you’re oriented, Seoul Station is also worth spending time at. The original 1925 station building next door is now a free arts and culture center. The Seoullo 7017 elevated walkway, a former road converted into an urban park, starts from here. There’s street art, a hidden mirror plaza, a…
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How To Get To Seoul From Incheon International Airport: Train, Bus, Taxi, or Private Transfer
Are you traveling to Seoul, Korea soon? Do you know how you’ll be getting into the city? Take a private transfer or taxi if you’ve got small kids or a lot of luggage, the limousine bus if you’re traveling lighter and want a direct drop-off, or the AREX train if you want the cheapest option and don’t mind a bit more walking. Below, I’ll break down all four so you can pick the right one for your trip. Most likely you’ll land at Incheon International Airport, Seoul’s airport, which is an amazing airport and the 3rd busiest airport in the world for international transit passengers and serves more than 74…
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Troiareuke: A Review Of The Prescription Skincare Brand
Troiareuke takes its name from the ancient Greek word “foundation” or “beginning”. Their company offers holistic options like chroma therapy, aromatherapy, and herb therapy for skin concerns such as aging, blemishes, dryness and sensitivity. This is a cruelty-free Korean beauty brand that manufactures all of its products in Korea. The brand actually started as and still is a spa brand that caters to clients with acne and skin problems. Their clients were so happy with treatments at the spa and asked for products to take home so the brand expanded and produced prescription skincare cosmetics for home use. Whether your skin has been affected by environmental factors, emotions, or your…
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Korea Cherry Blossom Forecast 2026: Bloom Dates and Best Viewing Spots
Spring in Korea doesn’t really feel like spring for many locals and visitors until those beautiful light pink cherry blossoms bloom. One minute the trees are bare, and the next the streets, rivers, and parks turn soft pink, and then it’s gone again in what feels like the blink of an eye (some years it really is that fast if it rains). There are numerous places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul and around Korea with some being more popular than others. You could really walk down the most mundane neighborhood and see cherry blossoms, so while you should and probably will seek to find some of the touted best…
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Jumiso: Toner, Serum & Cream Review
About a year ago I was introduced to the brand Jumiso through the KBeauty Collective here in Seoul. The collective seeks to promote awesome clean Korean beauty companies and their products. Jumiso (주미소) is a Korean beauty brand that wants to “give smiles to their customers”. Their name literally means that with the words 주 (ju), to give; and 미소 (miso), smile. Jumiso is a subsidiary of the KBeauty brand Helloskin and the products feature some adorable design and packaging. All of the Jumiso products are manufactured in Korea and their top priority is listening to their customers. All of their products are cruelty-free and vegan friendly too. Want to learn…
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Where to Stay in Jeju Island: Best Hotels, Resorts & Areas for Every Budget
Jeju Island might look small on a map, but once you start planning a trip, you realize very quickly that choosing the right area to stay matters a lot. This is not the kind of place where you’ll pick a hotel and everything will be within 20 minutes of it. It won’t. If you want beach cafes, waterfalls, resort stays, Udo Island access, or an easy airport base, where you stay in Jeju will shape your entire trip. Jeju Island has been called the Hawaii of Korea and it is gorgeous. There is a ton to do whether you want to visit Jeju in the winter or the summer. Just…
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ShuShu and Sassy: What Happened to Seoul’s Kid-Friendly Beauty Spa
ShuShu and Sassy (슈슈앤쎄씨) was a boutique kids’ beauty spa brand in Seoul, offering child-safe manicures, pedicures, and sheet masks in adorably pink, Instagram-ready salons. The physical locations closed around 2021, though their non-toxic nail polish and skincare products can still be found through select international retailers. When our little lady was younger we visited the Tayo Kids Cafe and the Pororo Kids Cafe but she is quickly got into one of the hottest trends in Korea as soon as she spotted it at hte mall. Kids could get their own manicures, pedicures and glittery hair extensions and my daughter really jumped right onto that bandwagon. Children wanting to mimic…
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The Australia Chamber Of Commerce Australia-Korea Business Awards 2020
This past weekend I was invited to attend the prestigious Australia-Korea Business Awards hosted by the Australia Chamber of Commerce, or AustChamKorea. The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham) was established in 2008 and now consists of more than 250 members representing Australian services, manufacturing, energy and financial industries. AustCham supports Australian companies in Korea and Korean companies looking for business opportunities with Australia to meet the interests of both countries. Getting to attend these events as a bystander that isn’t affiliated with a Korean or Australian company makes for a unique experience where I become more of a spectator and it’s brilliant to learn about some awesome companies…
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Signiel Hotel: The Tallest Hotel In Seoul With The Best Views Of The City
SIGNIEL Seoul is one of the best luxury hotels in Seoul, Korea. It is in the tallest building in Korea and that should tell you that it most definitely features the best views of the city. You will literally be seated above airplanes and helicopters. I looked out the window after a massage to see helicopters flying at least five floors lower than where we sat. That is just amazing and I could have easily spent my entire stay just gazing out the window watching the tiny ants below and the lights flicker on in the evening. SIGNIEL Seoul is not only amazingly high, but it is gorgeous and the staff…
