PICKED PICS

On Short Notice

2012-01-27T18:04:00.000+09:00

This is short notice but this blog will soon be no more!

I'll keep it online for another month after which I will finally delete it, I just want everyone to get the notice.

There is several reasons to closing down Picked Pics. First of all, I have grown out of this format. It doesn't suit my interests and life any longer. I like clear cuts so I want to start something new that gets all aspects of me under one address, and leave everything else behind.

So yes, that means I'll stick around, just under a new address, with a new blog, with a new format. Whoever wants to stick around also, do it on my new blog from now on, or keep an eye on my twitter.

Picked Pics has been my special baby, but now is the time for me to move on.

Thanks again for an amazing time!

Jung Ryeo-won

2012-01-24T20:56:00.000+09:00

Jung Ryeo-won is a Korean drama actress and singer who is currently starring in the recently airing K-drama Salaryman Chohanji. She's also known as the wife of Uhm Tae Woong, but it doesn't matter really. What matters is that Jung Ryeo-won is been making headlines lately for her impeccable style she is showing off in the new drama, and you can also get a taste of it in the new issue of High Cut. Here's a few pictures of the shoot both from the official High Cut homepage (also see here) as well as a few scans I did myself. You should check out the drama if only for a glimpse of her style. The Korean fashion blog scene obviously likes her, too (like for example here)!

2012 01 22 Skater Skirt

2012-01-22T16:55:00.001+09:00

And more bad quality mirror pictures! The skirt is by American Apparel. It's girly, and not the typical thing I'd wear. But I am looking forward to spicing it up. Also, I've been practicing doing french braids. Still got a long way to go, but I'll get there eventually!

2012 01 16 Outside

2012-01-16T22:14:00.003+09:00

In the winter, I oftentimes think it doesn't matter much what I wear underneath my coats. My outfit thus covered is a well kept hidden secret for the greater part of the day anyway. That's why I already preached about the importance of good outerwear in times like these years ago. And this is what I look like for the greater part of the day, then. Count of layers in this outfit: five. Plus new Converse shoes, my Sunday's impulse buy of the week. How could I resist? My way to casual wear one pair of sneakers at a time.

An Approach to Personal Style

2012-01-15T09:00:00.000+09:00

I received a request for advice on finding one's own personal style. It's possible that the way to one's own personal style differs from person to person. But I guess, most of the time it works like this:

Most of us go through the most inconsistent but also most instructive phase of constant trial and error that is finding one's own personal style during our fickle years of youth. In the end of it all, we usually develop a sense or idea of what suits us, and also what we feel and look good in. The key simply is to know thyself.

However, inconsistency in style isn't necessarily bad in itself. It can also work out nicely. It's suffices to know what doesn't work for you. Get rid of the parts of your wardrobe that don't flatter your frame, that you don't feel comfortable in, that you don't look great in. Start building up a foundation and start to assemble a basic wardrobe. Focus on simple basics that work with basically everything, like a white T, the perfect blue jeans, a well-fitted blazer, a comfortable cardigan, all based on the premise that it has to suit and fit you optimally. From there on, it's simply a matter of re-configuring and accessorizing.

You can go with every whim and every trend that is out there simply by buying into it by the cheap: have a colorful cardigan for a pop of color, accessorize with plastic jewelry for a shot at the 70ies, wear a hat because it's in -- that's what's fast fashion is there for! Don't be afraid to experiment and try out new things you take a liking to. Fast fashion is disposable, you can also get rid of them again thereafter.

One important thing, though. While you experiment, don't focus on how you like the style, focus on how you like the style on you. Don't wear anything you don't feel absolutely comfortable in. Not each and every style looks good on each and every person -- be realistic, step back, look at yourself and get some sense! It's about filtering out the noise, the stuff you don't look good in, the stuff that you can't feel your own self in. By the end, you should be able to discern what is and what isn't your style.

Rice Porridge

2012-01-14T21:14:00.002+09:00

Rice porridge is what any Asian mom will cook you when you're sick! But it's not only the perfect food for when you're sick, it's also a convenient way to use up your cold left over rice. Anyway, I've been sick lately, so this is the rice porridge concoction I came up with for the occasion. Recipe is for one person. For more, adjust accordingly.

Set up 1 cup of soup stock of your choice. Boil.

Add one bowl of cooked white rice.

Turn the heat down to medium.

Boil and stir often until the liquid turns into -- excuse the expression, haha -- slime, and the rice has mainly dissolved into pap.

Add an egg. Stir. Let it sit for a few seconds.

Add a topping of your choice. I used doljaban muchim, seasoned seaweed.

Serve hot and enjoy!

Another version I often cook and which is even more suitable for sick people is by using water and white rice only. Usually I top off that version with pork floss.

A Year In Style

2012-01-14T09:23:00.001+09:00

I might be a little late with this, but I, too, felt inclined to assemble a little 2011-personal-style-retrospective, and well, that's it. All in all, I felt like 2011 was much about comfort and casual. I can see the red thread running through my outfits and feel absolutely good with it. 2011 also marks the year in which I took the plunge and settled in Korea. I am happy to say that despite of this I was still able to hang onto my own sense of style and not have myself drift away in other fashion abysses. Again, to an even better 2012!

Still available

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000+09:00

Click to shop

Nail Talk

2012-01-12T18:40:00.002+09:00

There is three things I am decidedly obsessed about: clothes, Korean boybands and nail polish. I can spend hour after hour on all of them. But anyway, let's talk about how to prolong the wear of your nail polish!

Of course, the right top coat is a must.

A good base coat is very helpful, too. And yes, top and base coat do differ in important aspects!

essie top coats don't work all that well on most OPI polishes is what I experienced

Remember to go to the toilet before painting your nails.

Also, paint your nails after washing your hair! Hot water and the head massage that, fyi, you perform with your fingertips after all won't be nice to your fresh manicure.

Your manicure will hold up better on healthy nails. If they're not, change your nail polish remover. Fast!

Don't shake your nail polish bottle, your manicure might get bubbles!

Paint your nails with sufficiently lighting provided.

lacquerized has some tremendously good guides on how to paint your nails (my technique is pretty similar) and easily clean up after painting.

Wardrobe Building: Out with the Old

2012-01-09T09:00:00.000+09:00

Having long bid 2011 a celebratory good-bye, the new year is for fresh starts, and that for me comprised a new run at de-cluttering my wardrobe. However, as the contents of my wardrobe are boiling down to only so many items it is getting increasingly more difficult to decide which need to go and which can stay on. Here are a few rules of thumb that work for me.

Toss it, if

You have started feeling uncomfortable in it, no matter if it's the size or the style you are growing out of. For me, for example, that's anything that's sleeveless. No more bearing arms!

You cannot remember one occasion on which you have worn it in 2011. It might come back in style, alright, but by then, you will probably also want to buy it new.

Mix and matching it with the rest of your clothes and bringing it into accordance with your own style is giving you a headache. Such items get in the way too much, especially in the mornings when dressing is also about efficiency.

It's not ideal, maybe because the fit is a little off or because of some detail you don't like. Of course, that's not yet reason enough to toss it, but if it's something you can easily replace by something better out there, go ahead and do it.

For make up, please be aware that cosmetic articles have only limited shelf-life. That is especially important for mascara and lipstick/lipgloss, but also foundations, etc. General rule is, if color, smell or texture have changed, it's time to get rid of it. Also, if you can't remember any more when you bought it, it's probably old enough to be tossed, too.

OK. You don't wear it often, and it doesn't go with most of what's in your wardrobe. But if you really, really love it, why not hold onto it for special occasions. Be perfectly realistic and honest about it, tho, and remember that you are trying to de-clutter your closet here, don't leave the job half undone! Set your mind to "de-clutter mode" with the help of this post.

Korean Make Up Favorites

2012-01-08T09:00:00.000+09:00

If you have taken a look into my Korean fashion shop you will have also noticed that I offer Korean make up there, too. However, I find it important to state that one of my main objectives isn't to simply just sell any make up, but only the make up and cosmetics I personally prefer, like, and can give good reviews of. Thus, here a short introduction to the make up products on offer right now. I will make sure to add more of my favorites by the by.

The Jelly Pop Nail Top Coat by Etude House
It's pure luck I picked exactly the one top coat at random that I would be the most satisfied with ever. This top coat leaves an incredibly glossy finish and extends the wear of my nail polishes by at least one or two days, if not more in some cases. It's a splendid inexpensive top coat I know I will buy again and again.

Lime Secret Shine Base by Skin Food
This comes in three color nuances, #65 Lime Pearl Green, #75 Lime Pearl Gold and #85 Lime Pearl Peach. They can be used as spot highlighter or applied all over the face or anywhere else for that matter giving your complexion a healthy shine and wonderful dew. I love using this all over the face as a make up base under my powder or by mixing it with my sun screen or BB Cream. For me, it really makes a difference and I love the dewy look it creates leaving my complexion looking fresh and healthy. Insider claim that the Skin Food Lime Secret Shine Base in #85 Lime Pearl Peach is an affordable dupe of the famous Benefit High Beam liquid highlighter.

M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++ by Missha
This BB Cream by Missha is one of the classics of Korean make up and has been extremely popular all around the globe for a while now. BB Cream is short for Blemish Balm Cream and is, to cut it short, a type of liquid foundation with plenty of nourishing and skin improving properties, as well as often UV protection and moisturizing features. The fascinating thing about BB Creams is their ability to blend perfectly with the color of your teint even though they usually come in very limited shades. This BB Cream by Missha really is no fuss, it blends right in and makes my skin look flawless. It has UV protection of SPF 42 +++, anti-wrinkle, whitening, soothing and moisturizing properties in one. If you are worrying about the whitening feature, please be at rest. What it actually does is lighten up your complexion evening out your skin tone by reducing redness or dark spots, so it's a good feature to everyone. Many blog readers I have recommended this to have been extremely satisfied, too!

Milk Shake Point Make-up Remover by Skin Food
This is hands down one of my most favorite beauty products in the world! It's a great and thorough make up remover that gets rid of the even most stubborn waterproof mascara there is for you all while being nice to the sensitive skin area around the eyes. Nourishing and efficient, I use this on heavy eye make up and lipstick. It's never let me down! Shake well before use.

Pretty People in Hotels

2012-01-07T09:00:00.000+09:00

Something about the seemingly endless number of rooms in hotels obviously inspires video makers tremendously. The following three videos feature pretty people in hotels, starting off with the famous H&M x Lanvin collaboration promotion video, and the other videos being poppy K-pop.

"Never Mind" in Vogue Girl Korea, 2012/1, photographed by Mario Sorrenti

2012-01-06T09:00:00.001+09:00

"Never Mind" in the Vogue Girl Korea issue from January 2012 plays with the lightness of casual wear and heavy jackets and knits. A mix I find very attractive and well-suited for everyday wear.

20xx xx xx The 2-in-1 Sweater

2012-01-05T09:00:00.000+09:00

The thing about my shop is that I only stock things I would, without fail, all wear my very self.

Take this sweater for example.

Shortly before I left for Germany, I decided I need a warm, cosy sweater to keep me warm during the colder days, so off I ran coming home with this one. It's become one of my favorite items to wear!

Not only is it incredibly soft inside making it delightfully comfortable, it also ticks all the right boxes. Its oversized cut with the wide batwing sleeves gives it just the right quirk to an otherwise staple jersey sweater, and the zipper in the back only adds to this. What's even better, that zipper allows for double wearability since turned front to back the sweater can also be worn as a loose jersey jacket (see here).

Running back to the store where I got it, I purchased two more of it and they are now, of course brand new and unworn, available in the shop. Check it out!

Shop!

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000+09:00

May I present to you my little brand new online shop,

ONE SIZE TO FIT ALL

selling new and unworn clothing as well as make up and cosmetics from South-Korea, carefully selected and hand-picked by yours truly

***

The offerings aren't much yet, but I will add more and more the next few days, and even more depending on the demand I'm experiencing, so please keep an eye on it and spread the love!

K-Brands: Young Korean Designers in Nylon Japan

2012-01-03T09:00:00.000+09:00

While the world has not yet fully cooled down over quirky Japanese fashion, Japan itself has already moved on to the next thing: Korean fashion! Nylon Japan is keeping up with the times and, besides K-pop and Korean cosmetics, is offering an introduction to so-called K-brands, young Korean designer brands. Brands which you must not fail to miss, either, so here they are, with a few informational bits and bobs that Nylon Japan has to say about them.

Paul & Alice, I introduced to you earlier in 2011 already. To follow up the link to my post on Paul & Alice, click! Described as grown up romantic-casual, Paul & Alice is taking cues from a Jean-Luc Godard movie, called "À bout de souffle" from 1960, and its main character Patricia, played by Jean Seberg, this season. Inspired by Charlotte Gainsbourg, Joo Hyo Soon, designer behind Paul & Alice, knows how to translate French chic into casual Korean cool.

Jardin de chouette is first and foremost famous for its well-constructed and stylish jackets. Frequented by Korean stars and the stylish crowd alike, Jardin de chouette is a popular shopping destination in the heart of Korean high-class area Apgujeong.

Steve J & Yoni P are already somewhat famous among fashion insiders not only in Japan. They are mostly known for their unique prints and street-fashion inspired wares, and popular among stylists and fashion editors who have make the brand name emblematic of modern Korean fashion.

fleamadonna's design are greatly based on unusual textures as well as bold prints that have garnered the brand fans all over the world.

Kai-aakmann is a personal favorite of mine. It's the modern Korean girls' staple wardrobe being cool and casual working great as basic pieces. Kai-aakmann being stocked at international mega-online-shops like Revolve Clothing attests to its wide appeal.

The Centaur complements androgynous cuts with feminine prints and playful details making it a brand to watch out for! Its main catch is certainly a certain gender ambivalence which, in my opinion, makes it very modern and "right now".

Johnny hates jazz is minimal and feminine. Having been an assistant of Vivienne Westwood, the designer is concentrating on basic pieces like dresses and trenchcoats it works with color-blocking and other modern style elements in trend today.

Goen.J is probably best known for being one of the contestants in Project Runway Korea season 2. But I'm sure the classic and basic designs with fun twists and quirks make waves of their own enough, too.

Talk Service is simple designs that work every day without being boring. Easy to mix and match with strong color pops here and there it's a great brand for fun style without being overdressed.

pushbutton is another one of my favorites. Girly, yet very poppy pushbutton encourages girls to dress for themselves adding vivid colors and modern cuts to a quirky yet wearable whole.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T12:00:00.000+09:00

Happy new year everyone!

All hopes and expectations for something new, for something better seem to be within reach as soon as the new year rings in. Of course, everything is just the same way it has been before including ourselves, nothing really has changed. But this shouldn't stop us from drawing up well-intent resolutions nonetheless. Because with the new year, we have a great starting point from which at least to try our best and hope for better outcomes!

So for 2012, I'm hoping and wishing for good ideas, initiative, perseverance, and confidence.

My new years resolutions for 2012 are 1.) to be neater and not so lazy with the cleaning any more, 2.) to believe in the splendid future I am going to have but also to work for it, 3.) to do as I know is right.

Kiko Mizuhara in Nylon Japan, 2012/1, shot by Hiroki Wada

2011-12-30T14:32:00.001+09:00

I doubt that print will be dead any time soon considering the amount of material blogs draw from magazines. Where else would we be getting our glossy fashion editorials to re-blog on our 'inspiration tumblrs' I wonder. Like these three 90ies-inspired shots from the current Nylon Japan issue from January 2012 starring Kiko Mizuhara.

'Genderless' in So-en [荘園], 2012/1 shot by Masahiro Sanbe

2011-12-29T09:00:00.000+09:00

Japanese magazines currently are full of gender ambiguous style editorials as I think are actually many other fashion magazines all over the globe. Most of the time that means masculine fashion on girls. The capture of this spread called "Genderless" thus simply runs "A girl wears men's clothes". Among all editorials of the kind I've seen so far I choose these pictures as I think they capture the gender-ambiguity best while touching upon some markedly 90ies style elements that are so en vogue at the moment.

As the watermarks suggest, these scans aren't mine.

Ideas

2011-12-28T20:32:00.001+09:00

Only a few days left until the new year. My, time really flies! Did you already draw up your new years resolutions? No? I've got some ideas for you.

Use up your tubes, pots and bottles in your beauty and make up stack, or at least try to use up five of your products in 2012.

Compile a list of five books you've always wanted to read and read them over the course of 2012.

Make a list for your next shopping spree and stick to it.

Find the part of your body you especially like and find ways to dress it to its best advantage! Flaunt it!

Think about and prepare birthday presents for your most loved ones way in advance and make it something special by complementing it with things you made yourself.

Sitting Pretty

2011-12-10T17:25:00.001+09:00

Drapes, and layers, and sequins.

via Style Bubble // Vogue UK // S Moda

End of the Year Soonish

2011-12-09T21:11:00.001+09:00

Wow.

Can you believe it? 2011 is coming to an end supersoon already. The older I get the faster time seems to fly by. I can still clearly remember drawing up my New Year Resolutions for this year, and now it's already about time to think about new ones!

As inspiration, let's see what my resolutions for 2011 were and how, by measure of that list, did I fare.

~ 1 ~

Wear lipstick more!

Shoot! I didn't really. Well, for the first few months I did, but it didn't feel quite right once I was in Seoul so I forgot about it. But it's not too late yet, and I'm in Germany right now, so it's the perfect moment to finally wear out my bright red NARS on my lips, a purchase I did in summer but never actually wore.

~ 2 ~

Have cool hair!

Yay! My hair this year is the longest it has ever been in my life, and also, 2011 marks the year I dyed my hair for the first time ever in my life, too. Right now, I'm pretty much blonde, though with a slight orange hue, but hey, it's a blonde, and I like it a lot! So personally, yeah, I think I did well in this category.

Mission: clear!

~ 3 ~

Be more relaxed

To be more relaxed is actually a very important life lesson for me personally and sometimes I have to halt myself and literally force myself to chill. I'm far from being a more relaxed person yet, but I do think I got my worrying and overreacting better under control now. So yes, I do think I did well here, too!

Mission: clear!

What were some of your resolutions and did you keep them? And honestly, do you even remember them? I wasn't so sure anymore, fortunately it's all chronicled on my blog.

Now, I will take my time and think about new resolutions for the end of year soon.

Lee Hana in Nylon Korea Dec 2011

2011-12-07T09:00:00.000+09:00

Lee Hana is a Korean actress and singer, and the star of this short spread in this December's Nylon Korea.

On another note, I'm taking a flight back to Germany today for the winter holidays coming back to Seoul just shortly before Christmas. The posting won't be affected too much I believe. Besides, I still have a few scans left.

But feel free to tell me if you've got enough of them yet.

Nylon Korea Dec 2011, "It's very Hyoni"

2011-12-06T09:00:00.000+09:00

Got enough of Korean magazine scans yet or craving for more?

Anyway, I still have a few good ones left. These few starring Hyoni Kang for example from the "It's very Hyoni" spread in this December's issue of Nylon Korea.

Elle Girl Korea Dec 2011, "Fur gets paddings", shot by Hong Jang Hyun

2011-12-05T16:23:00.001+09:00

Another editorial that I thought I'd share. I mean, one can never have enough winter inspiration. Especially when it's as playful and fun as this.

To see the rest of the pictures, just jump!