Taobao Shopping Guide

Hey all!

Many have been asking me how one can order from mega shopping website Taobao.com, so here's a guide on how to do so! I will be listing a few ways on how to order so do read on and determine which are you most comfortable with! Its fairly simple even for those who don't read Chinese :)

Taobao Haul April 2013

How to buy from Taobao

Taobao haul again!!

This came quite long ago, but here's a belated post because I have been hell busy the past few months. Probably the last Taobao haul till I head to Seoul! Really ought to curb my spending ugh.

 Best buys from this haul were these 2 really simple chiffon tanks!

Store: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1.w15083534-18342775494.1.tYAn09&id=15035977496

I always wanted basic tanks but most blogshops were either selling cotton ones (which would become out of shape after a few washes) or pathetically thin and sheer chiffon tanks. I was sooo happy when I found this on taobao! it is double layered hence not sheer. Bought it in lilac and black!

Its a very basic cut, wore it in the following photo with lacepipe's floral jeans:

Might consider getting this in other colours since its so versatile and cooling for Singapore's weather! :)

Lacepipe Floral Jeans

Finally had the time to post up some photos of my blogshop buys. Retail therapy during exams heh.

Fossil watch, Lilac tank from Taobao, Navy and White Floral Pants from Lacepipe

Finally got this pair of floral pants from Lacepipe thanks to restocks! Got it in M which was tagged L. haha. FAT. Absolutely loving the floral prints, its not that common and the colour combination makes it fairly easy to match. Just that I have to be extra careful since its white, can't just sit anywhere. meh. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is made of real denim material, thought it would just be those kind of pseudo-jeans material!

Anyway I chopped off my hair (yet again), and its ultra short now. Feels super airy though, plus loving the fact that my hair dries so quickly now! Extremely useful since I only reach home at 11/12+am nowadays due to production practices and I don't have to waste precious sleep time waiting for the hair to dry.

Oh Hi Nikon - Camera Buying Experience

I'm such a camera junkie.

I already have a Canon compact and a semi-pro, but look at whats the latest addition to the family:

My Nikon D5100! :D

 Photos by my trusty compact of course heehee.

So I was contemplating getting either a mirrorless Olympus or a DSLR for quite some time. Well part of the hesitation was because a DSLR is just SO FREAKING HEAVY. But after weeks of thinking and talking to people, I decided to invest in a DSLR.

Then came the issue of WHICH to get... and oh my god never knew there were so many models. Well, price was a major factor and I decided on Nikon rather than Canon in the end... Change of brand eh. and after pestering avid photographers Flo and Nelson for advice, I kind of settled on the D3s/5s but was open to the D90 as well. gosh really too many models. 

So started the hunt on clubsnap forums for a decent 2nd hand one (because first hand was just TOO expensive), and after many attempts of futile bargaining - I swear photography is a male world. the countless "hey bro" opening msgs i received- I saw a sale post by a female seller at a decent price! :D well dont mind me stereotyping that girls DO take better care of their cameras... so I immd arranged for viewing and yay fast fingers secured me the deal. Definitely was apprehensive about 2nd hand ones after reading stories bout mould, fungus growing in the lens etc LOL. But when I held the camera, oh man it was literally love at first touch and I just had to get it, hahhahaha. Plus it was a pretty good deal I didnt have to bargain anything!

The stuffs in the package. 

The standard items: Camera bag, Body, Kit Lens, Lens cap, Nikon Strap, Battery

The extra items that she threw in: Black rapid strap, UV filter, Polarizing Filter, Memory card (SURPRISINGLY other sellers didn't include memory card when selling I was like whut)

And I got an additional original Nikon Battery + Nikon Remote from her as well for a reasonable price! 

I was lugging everything around on my birthday - definitely didn't expect the whole kit to be so heavy omg hahaha. 

All of these cost me less than 600 bucks. Woohoo! I'm pretty sure the price will go down in the next few months but I'm just to eager to get one and start learning how to take proper photos before going for exchange heh. :)

Ohvola Sale Loots!

After my first lost mail with ohvola, I didn't purchase anything from them already until they had a sale a few weeks back.

This time, I was kiasu enough to opt for registered postage! better play safe. heh. and thank goodness they arrived safe and sound!

Bought the Dolce lapel jacket in White and Lilya crochet frock in daffodil. MY FIRST YELLOW DRESS!!! I had always wanted a yellow dress.

Actual photos!

Looks so office ladyish when paired together.

The blazer isn't that well-manufactured, as you can see from the photo, the back tail (?) on the right side is longer than the left tail. It is padded at the shoulder and there's also a hidden front hook! I thought the lapel front design was pretty unique. Also, the colour is, well, pure white. absolutely no tinge of cream in it. Given that I got it for only 20 odd after postage, I guess its quite a decent purchase! I'm super worried that i'll dirty it though. woes of white clothing D:

As for the dress, it is made of rather stiff lace fabric. And the colour is pretty hard to capture on camera, it is a really rich golden yellow! none of my photos are anywhere near the color haha. The colour is so powerful I wonder if I'll dare to wear it out.

M was a little too loose so I just tied a satin sash as a belt.

The fit is okay, and I really like the length. Dresses that are too short are annoying, I prefer those that end just a few fingers above the knee! but there is this really awkward keyhole at the back, which doesn't look nice at all. I really dislike the exposed zip as well - they should just either have the keyhole and a hidden side zip or just 1 exposed zip at the back. I don't really understand why they need the exposed zip since there is already a hidden side zip. Kind of too many details going on.

The lovely lace details! :)

Navel rings

Recently dug out a collection of pretty navel rings.

Not that i have a navel piercing, but these can be worn as earrings as well!

So many designs and I can hardly wear them all.

Hence selling them off! prices range from $6-$10 each. Which is quite a steal cos i bought them for i think around $15? Gotta stop impulsive shopping :(

One that I'm keeping ;)

Drop me an email if interested!

Review: Threadtheory and lacepipe loots

CNY season, bought too many new clothes :/

Here are two of the recent pieces that I got!

1. Lacepipe Black and gold tweed shorts

Got this BN from a reseller, it was from a launch almost a year ago!

2. Threadtheory Bloom Blaum Cut-in Lace top in Indigo $25.50

I rarely see people talking about thread theory, is it a new blogshop? I really think it is underrated for the quality of apparel they offer and the designs.

Managed to get the 2nd last piece in M heh. wanted S at first but it was OOS, and the threadtheory girls  very quickly reserved it for me :) Really love their customer service as well as their apparel! I hope they remain as good even if they grow bigger, unlike some other mega blogshops with awful cs :(

Stock photos:

Can I just mention that the threadtheory model, Elaine Jasmine, is SO PRETTY.

Love the electric blue colour and the lace details :) Theres a slight colour difference, the one in the stock photo seems more purplish, but i saw elaine's instagram so i knew it was more of electric blue 

Recently this "cut-in" or racer front style has been getting popular, but I still don't quite like it. IMO, its not very flattering, just makes me look fat. Plus it kind of looks like a swimsuit...

But this cut in isn't that extreme so it'll pass. theres an inner opaque lining and if you enlarge the pic you can see that the lining covers the zip too :) so that the zip won't scrap your skin. this made my $25.50 worth it haha

I really really appreciate it when the lining of an apparel is NOT sheer. it really saves alot of worry and problems and I don't have to wear another inner layer etc. you'll be surprised at how many blogshops have sheer lining in their items out there. so annoying!!!

Although this top is a little on the pricey side (to me, who usually budgets $26 for a dress lol), I decided to buy it after a few weeks of contemplation and totally not regretting it :) 

and now for the tweed shorts!

It is realllyyy hard to capture the gold tweed details :(

There was a little hole at the side of the shorts when i got it, which i'm sure is a manufacturing defect because it was brand new WITH tag, so the previous owner hadn't worn it at all. but it was easily mended with a few stitches.

I remember tweed was in the rage around 5 years back? because i still have another pair of tweed shorts that i got from taiwan when i first started online shopping in sec 2/3. haha. trends keep repeating. I really like the gold in the tweed though, makes it look more dressy!

When paired together :) but no I'm not gonna wear them together cos black is disallowed for CNY heh.

January is almost over

School work is starting to pick up. one word: BUSY.

submitted exchange apps, submitted a few internship apps, but none of the firms got back to me so far :( I wonder why.

my mpw prof is awfully nice. all profs should teach like him. i'm really interested in OB but sadly the other courses in OB major ain't interesting :(

Some stuff that I bought recently: Rilakkuma pullover (this was from sh :) ), polaroid stickers, a minty peplum blouse frm bugis. Really loving the polaroid stickers, they totally eliminate the need for patterned films!

sigh need to curb my spending though!

A pait of porcelain earstuds that I made for CNY.

And of course, the giveaway is still on until the end of this month :)

http://mayotuna.blogspot.sg/2013/01/diy-galaxy-bracelet-giveaway.html

Baviphat Apple AC Therapy Sleeping Pack Review

Okay first time posting a product review! 

I'm damn lazy to follow a proper skincare routine and hence have cui skin lol. I really don't like the feeling of having smth sticky on my face so i do prefer sleeping masks/packs cos I can just go to sleep with the stuff on and not care about the icky feeling!

So some time last year i bought the Baviphat Apple AC Therapy Sleeping Pack during one of my gmarket hauls. Yes i bought two, and up till now i haven't finished 1. HAHA.

As its name suggests, it contains apple extracts. the peach ones contain peach extracts and so on. It claims to help in acne control (hence the AC label) by removing dead skin etc. Well I didnt know this beforehand, i just bought it cos the packaging is SO DAMN CUTE.

So the rough list of ingredients which i googled online:

Water / Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone/ Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Acrylate/ Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Alcohol Denat., Betaine, Petrolatum, Yellow 6 / CI 15985, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Yellow 5 / CI 19140, Parfum / Fragrance, Arginine, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Triclosan 

And what i like about it is that they're pretty thoughtful, there was supposed to be a small spatula/spoon attached (in the holes), but I lost it. HAHA. using a spatula DEFINITELY makes it more hygenic then just dipping your fingers in. But oh well i'm guiilty of this sin ;(

I have been using it on and off for quite a few months now, hence i'm only left with half the tub. 

The smell is SOO GOOD. it's not the kind of synthetic smell, but more of a sweet, apple scent. Everytime I apply it, the smell is so relaxing that I can just fall asleep.

It has a gel-like consistency, which will dry up a little soon after application. Bonus points for this because it reduces the yuck-smth-gooey-is-on-my-face feeling plus it wont be transferred all over your pillow/bed when you are sleeping. 

I dont see an obvious result, partly because I don't use it consistently. (But i'm trying to!) Guess i'm update this post again once i'm through the first or even the 2nd tub. It is one of the highly raved baviphat products and with such a cheap price (I think it was around SGD10-15?), its worth a try :) Use it 2-3 times a week to get the best results! AND remember to wash it off the next morning :)

Taobao Haul #123254234

*UPDATE: added some product links since there were numerous requests :)

How to buy from Taobao

Okay god knows how many times i've ordered from taobao already! thats where a large amount of my personal fortune goes to T.T I've been trying to buy more needs rather than wants already. Even still, theres always this ONE item that i just have to get and it snowballs into many items.........

i'm kinda put off by blogshops right now cos i just encountered a lost mail from Ohvola :( 

But i'm gonna stop already, for some reason shipping is getting TOO expensive. omgawd. 

Lugged this 10kg parcel from the PO back home in the hot sun... Singpost is getting inefficient these days. the parcel status was changed to on delivery in the morning 9am and they only came after i left house at 7pm. =.= wasted my whole day waiting for it.

Goodies! Packed to the brim as usual. 

I realised that more people are aware of Taobao now but still have some reservations about the quality! I have made many large purchases and bought from at least 50 over sellers, and so far the quality is pretty decent for the price of the items! Of course, usually before buying i will compare with a few other sellers selling the same items to look at the feedback from other buyers. Rule of the thumb is that generally items that are too cheap do tend to be sucky. But this ain't necessarily true for expensive stuff!

I do have a few trusted sellers that i always return to cos the quality is good :)

unpacking the loot!

Bought mainly clothes this time round i don't even know why D: but they were mostly basics and some stuff for friends too.

Bought my 2013 planner!!! 

The pages inside wasn't as well designed as those on gmarket korea, but for the price (RMB12) its okay la HAHA

much needed basic loose tanks! am soo gonna wear them out often. costs around RMB25 each wo shipping. Made of thin cotton, its just nice for layering and sg weather!

Lovely seller :) first time receiving a handwritten note!

Also got a few galaxy print stuffs:

Stock photo: Galaxy skirt! 

From here

Love the print! but not sure if i'll ever wear it out cos its too.. pouffy? and I dont really like pouffy skirts in general. or rather i seldom wear skirts HAHA.

ANDDDD this!

Stock Photo

From here

Yes I saw this pullover selling at Miyoc for... $27? well i got this for bout 10 bucks less! Really love the material its so smooth and stretchable!

the printssss. 

Also bought some basic cotton tees for mum!

Still in my pullover craze, got this raglan pullover! cost RMB35

From here

Wanted to stud it but i think i'll just leave it plain and simple like this :)

shall pair it with denims shorts, great for a lazy school day!

And this faux leather sleeved tweed top:

Stock photo

From here

I thought that it would be more slim cut but its kinda baggy actually. havent tried it on but i hope it looks good!

Details of the shoulder area. 

ANDDD this!

I keep seeing this leather shorts on blogshops. AND i got it on taobao for only RMB34. Cheap thrill!!!

From here

at first i thought i wouldnt be able to fit into it, but its perfect! means i cant gain/lose weight....

Paird with the grey tank! ugly legs. 

But i still dont quite fancy these kind of faux leather material. so suffocating for the skin! plus its not stretchable.... ugh

Also got 2 more chiffon maxi skirts. Spent a long time hunting for them because most of those available were the pleated kind (which is a bitch to iron).

Bought in staple black and light blue!!

From here

love how its so light and flowy!

More tees for everyday wear!

Big bang themed!

I keep seeing the BOY design everywhere especially at flea markets! everyone is wearing it :O

These shirts werent cheap.. RMB45 each but the quality of the shirt was pretty good not those printing super lousy kind :)

And as usual i cant get enough of knit wear

Stock Photo

A super expensive buy! bought this at RMB100. needed a cream coloured cardigan to add to my collection.

Love the cable knit pattern and colour! I have an extra one that i'm letting go at $25, cos i accidentally bought two =.=

And another knitted pullover!

stock photo

Originally i bought it cos i loved the colour! but when it came it was slightly darker. guess slight colour discrepancies are common! Still love it though, its so comfy i just feel like sleeping when wearing it! and the best thing was that this was only RMB50! a similar one would cost soo much more at gmarket or in blogshops! 

I dont really like buying stuff from blogshops cos it means that 32094820935 other girls will have the same item (just look at popular items from ashincans etc)

andd i bought 2 bags for going out! gotta stop using my humongous manhattan portage all the time or it will spoil very soon ;(

stock photo

From here

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!

Its a burgundy hand bag. wasn't cheap, but damn awesome cos i can carry it in two ways, two different lengths of sling. and i really love the colour! its more purplish than the normal reddish burgundy. Its also fairly roomy, so i can chuck all my barang barangs inside

Gold zip!!

I was also looking for a smaller backpack. and found this!

stock photo

From here

SO cute right! like going to school.

Made of leather, its a small black backpack with magnetic closure and a zip closure. Bad point is that cos of all the buckles/multiple zips, its DAMN heavy even before i put anything inside :( But the material is super thick and it feel sturdy.

But the inside is a really ugly lining hahah! i think its the brand's new. but oh well who really looks on the inside XD

Okay so thats the end of my haul! I really need to stop spending alr! but taobao has many awesome stuffs... :)