On our third day in Seoul, we woke up early and went back to Hongdae to check the place out in the morning.  We spent a good hour and a half in Hongdae exploring and doing street photography.  From Hongdae, we took the train going to Anguk Station and made our way out to Exit #3. 

As we were walking out to Exit #3, I saw this cafe with an amusing name: Bread is Ready, Coffee is Done (BRCD).  Since we haven’t had any proper breakfast yet, we decided to stop by and have late morning tea.  The aroma of coffee and freshly-baked bread was also inviting.

Bread is Ready, Coffee is Done

Even if lengthy, I fancy the name and their logo.  As a foodie, the name of a restaurant/cafe has an impact on me, plus, how they brand themselves with their logo and interiors.

Bread is Ready, Coffee is Done

Bread is Ready, Coffee is Done has cozy interiors with good, non-intrusive lighting.  Most walls are covered in doodles and artworks.

Bread is Ready, Coffee is Done

It is a cafe, bakery and restaurant.  They not only serve cakes and pastries, they also offer dishes such as burgers and pasta.

Bread is Ready, Coffee is Done

It was nearly 12 noon when we got to BRCD but we craved for just good coffee and bread that time since it was our official sit down meal for the day.  I think our tummies seemed to be running on Australian time still because it would’ve been nearly 9:00am in Sydney–so that meant morning tea for us.

I had my usual Cafe Americano and now that I’m on my third day, I’m convinced that they make really good Americanoes here.  Their coffee was smooth and rich.

Bread is Ready, Coffee is Done

I don’t remember the names of the bread we had but mine, I think, was cheese bread.  While the Husband had a roll with fillings insideI can’t remember what that filling was though.  Their bread was light and not too sweet.

Bread is Ready, Coffee is Done


Bread is Ready, Coffee is Done


Bread is Ready, Coffee is Done


We left
Bread is Ready, Coffee is Done satisfied and newly-charged with energy as we excitedly went off to our next stop: Changdeok Palace (coming next on our Wanderlust Wednesdays this week).We visited BRCD on 20 April 2011.

Bread is Ready, Coffee is Done

Located in Anguk Station
Seoul, Korea

One of my best retail find when I visited Manila a few months ago was Kultura Filipino It’s one of the best shopping experiences for a balikbayan like me or travelers who explore the Philippines.  From crafts, accessories, apparel, bags, food and souvenir items, you can all find these in this lifestyle retail store.  You can conveniently find Kultura Filipino in all SM Malls.
Here are some my loots from Kultura Filipino:

The Jeepney shirt which has become one of my favourite shirts now.  I wore it once at the office and my workmates loved it!  I proudly told them about Jeepney being the national transportation of the Philippines.  I love the back of the shirt because of its detailed graphics.

Shirts from Kultura Fashion Fridays: Proudly Philippine-made Loots From Kultura

Being a Rizal fan, I just had to buy myself some Rizal shirts.  The white shirt with “Rizal twins” (that’s how I call it hehe, it’s actually likened to a playing card) is made by My Philippines, while the green shirt with the sunglasses-wearing Rizal (he looks soooo cool in this graphic design) is by Team Manila.  

Shirts from KulturaFashion Fridays: Proudly Philippine-made Loots From Kultura

The merchandise at Kultura Filipino are also great gifts to balikbayans.  Our wedding ninang, Mama Jules, gifted the Husband and I shirts from Kultura Filipino!!!  We were so grateful for her thoughtfulness and oh how we loved her gifts to us.

Mama Jules gave me this cute shirt that had a heart made up of different symbols that relate to everything about the Philippines. 

Fashion Fridays: Proudly Philippine-made Loots From Kultura

The Husband’s shirt on the other hand had Pinoy Jokes written all over.  Whenever he wears this I get mesmerized reading the jokes written on it.  
Fashion Fridays: Proudly Philippine-made Loots From KulturaFashion Fridays: Proudly Philippine-made Loots From Kultura

Other than shirts, I got myself some re-usable bags that had pop culture designs on them.
I like this Manila Street Life bag because it had the names of different cities in Metro Manila with icons of our Manila street life (click this to see enlarged photo).  And of course, I wouldn’t leave the store without buying a Rizal bag to add to my Rizal collection.
Fashion Fridays: Proudly Philippine-made Loots From Kultura

Fashion Fridays: Proudly Philippine-made Loots From Kultura


The Buti Na Lang Sabado Bukas bag was designed by Team Manila is one bag that I can’t help but add to my collection.  Love the humour!
Fashion Fridays: Proudly Philippine-made Loots From Kultura

The Common Filipino Mistakes bag is a gift from one of my aunts who vacationed in the Philippines last year.  Love the humour on this one too.

Fashion Fridays: Proudly Philippine-made Loots From Kultura

Whenever I’m at Megamall, I always drop by their Kultura Filipino store and in one of my visits, I found this rosary necklace in the accessories section.  It is made of a crystal called Citrine.  The crystals are actually light yellow in colour (I used a white filter when I took this photo that why it became white).  I bought this because I also have a collection of Rosaries and I’m very fond of crystals and precious stones.

Fashion Fridays: Proudly Philippine-made Loots From Kultura

And because in just a short span of time that I was in the Philippines and have been shopping there all the time, Kultura Filipino gave me a big, lovely Bayong before I left (you have to spend a minimum amount of which escapes me right now).

Fashion Fridays: My Great Finds From Kultura Filipino
If in case you are visiting the Philippines or you plan to give travelers or balikbayans a gift that is truly made by Filipinos, visit Kultura Filipino.

For Kultura Filipino branches, please click this.

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Our wedding happened four years ago…but my Husband and I celebrate our MARRIAGE everyday.
 
I received a very nice tweet from one of our closest friends in Manila and it said,  “Just saw your photo on your blog. You look lovely. Your Husband must be pleased everyday of his life.

To which I replied, “We’re blessed to be together.  Everyday is a gift.

It’s nice receiving compliments period. However, receiving compliments from friends mean a lot to us because they are the people who know us and know what we go thru as a couple.  Thru their compliments, we get to see how we grow together as a couple.


Our married life is far from ideal. We face challenges once in a while and there are frustrations that needs to be managed. But amidst some not-so-good times, we honour our marriage more and we respect each other more than to let the challenging times get the best of us.  Tempers sometimes get way out of hand but thank God, we have not made bad tempers a habit inside the home–and we have no plans of doing so. We are both peace-loving and fun-loving persons that we’d rather kiss and make-up than let pride get in the way of having fun.

One thing I love about our Marriage is that we never take the small things for granted. We actually believe the opposite–that it’s always the small things that matter. Small things such as the way we greet each other when we arrive at home, how we never seem to get tired of saying “love you, love you!” (Yes, we say it twice), how after all these years of being so familiar with each other we say “please” when asking favours from each other,  how we still like holding hands, how we respect each other’s personal space, how until now we still get surprised when we discover some things about each other and how we always say “thank you” for being there for each other.

Everyday is a gift and everyday we celebrate our marriage and togetherness by finding joy in the smallest of small things.

 

This is also my entry for this month’s It’s a Wife’s Life Blog Carnival

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Our newest hang out to get our Korean cuisine fix in Strathfield is at Won Jo Korean Restaurant.  Located just a few minutes away from the Strathfield Train Station, it’s convenient to stop by the area for some good ‘ol authentic Korean BBQ and more.

Restaurant: Won Jo Korean BBQ (Strathfield, NSW)


Once inside the restaurant, we felt that it’s parallel to those Korean BBQ restaurants we found in Seoul.  A friendly greeting of “Annyeong Haseyo!” by the owners and staff will easily transport you to a different place.  

Won Jo Korean BBQ (Strathfield, NSW)


We first dined here with another couple who loves Korean cuisine like we do.  The second time around, I organized our group of friends to have dinner here so my Husband and I can share our love for Korean food with them.  And Won Jo did not disappoint!

As soon as we sat ourselves on our table, they served us a set of Banchan (refers to their small dishes/side dishes).  We love that the Banchan here at Won Jo are refillable.  Just ask the servers for more and they will oblige.  The nicest thing they did to us was the second time they served us Banchan, they gave us two sets! 

Restaurant: Won Jo Korean BBQ (Strathfield, NSW)


My favourite of all the Banchan: Cabbage Kimchi.
Won Jo Korean BBQ (Strathfield, NSW)

There were four of us that initially arrived at the resto so while waiting, we ordered one of their appetizers, the Kimchi Pancake.  We loved it.  Freshly-cooked and warm.  It wasn’t too spicy, just right.

Restaurant: Won Jo Korean BBQ (Strathfield, NSW)


There were seven of us that night so we ordered two big plates of the Combination BBQA plate consists of different meats: chicken, pork and beef.
Won Jo Korean BBQ (Strathfield, NSW)

Along with the BBQ, they will serve the usual vegetables to go with it.

Won Jo Korean BBQ (Strathfield, NSW)

They staff of Won Jo will help set up the BBQ and even start laying out the meat for you.

Won Jo Korean BBQ (Strathfield, NSW)


Restaurant: Won Jo Korean BBQ (Strathfield, NSW)


The fun part of the BBQ is that you get to enjoy cooking, eating, talking and drinking Soju with friends. 

Soju!

Korean BBQ will not be complete without the Jjigae (Korean Hot Pot).  We  ordered the Beef and Mushroom Jjigae.  The soup was clear and sweet. It came with a lot of vegetables, tofu, rice cakes and soft vermicelli noodles.


Won Jo Korean BBQ (Strathfield, NSW)

Our dinner was well-spent with everyone going home with happy smiles from all the great food and company.


Won Jo Korean Restaurant
#33 The Boulevard
Strathfield NSW 
Phone: 02-9746 7041
Open for lunch and dinner, 7 days a week

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As promised last week, I will share with you our adventure at the Teddy Bear Museum.  Before we went up the N Seoul Tower, the lady at the entrance told us that we have to have our tickets validated at the Teddy Bear Museum before we go up.  So explore the Teddy Bear Museum we did, and boy, we had the funnest time as we looked at the super cutest dioramas of TEDDY BEARS we’ve ever seen!!!

AWCL Wonderlust Wednesdays


The Teddy Bear Museum 
(N Seoul Tower)

Seoul has long been the cultural, political and economic centre of Korea, and is now emerging as a vibrant global city with the extraordinary breadth and width of tradition and charm.  The Teddy Bear Museum aims to spotlight Seoul’s rich history and highlight some of its most exciting trends today with teddy bears, one of the most adored stuffed toys.

Korea’s very first Teddy Bear Museum was opened in April 2001 at Jeju Island.  It boasts the world’s largest collection of teddy bears.  It consists of two exhibition halls namely (1) the Hall of History and (2) the Hall of Art.  It houses about 1,500 teddy bears including the supremely luxurious Louis Vuitton Bear.

The one in N Seoul Tower is the third Teddy Bear Museum in Korea and upon arrival at the entrance, a big brown teddy bear welcomed us.  Hmmm, a sign of cute things to come.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)

The museum is made up of two exhibition halls.  We are grateful that taking photographs are allowed while inside so here are some of the many photos we took from both exhibition halls.

Exhibition Hall I – The Past
Hall of Historical Seoul

This section traces Seoul’s history from Hanyang of the Joseon  Dynasty to modern-day Seoul.

 Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)


Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)

A traditional Korean wedding.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)

Women making Kimchi.   Men grateful for the gift of electricity.

The nation’s Prince.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)

Exhibition Hall II – The Present
Hall of Today’s Seoul
 
This section introduces the many interesting facets of modern Seoul from Apgujeong to Samcheong. 

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)

Christmas in Seoul.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)

They love fashion and would spend for designer brands.  The rise of the Chefs.


Never forgetting their faith.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)

The cutest KPOP group! 🙂

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)

The Photographer.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)


Emergence of Cafes.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)

Lovers in Seoul.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)


Other than the two major exhibition halls, the Teddy Bear Museum also showcases a few small special sections.

The Palace Zone
This is where you’ll find the teddy bears featured in the Korean drama “Princess Hours” or “Goong“.  I was so happy when I saw the bears that I can’t help but hug the Prince Bear hehe.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)


Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)


They even have a few memorabilia from the drama like the scripts and pencils they used, etc.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)

The exhibited the bear used in the drama.  He is called the “Alfred” Bear.  You can buy the Alfred bear in the Teddy Bear Museum shop but it was quite expensive compared to the other bears.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)

More photos with the giant Princess Hours bears.


The Photo Zone
Have a digital photo with the bears via this platform that you need to step on.  The TV above will show if you are on the right spot.  The three circles on the platform indicates SHOOT, SAVE, CANCEL.  All you need is to do is step on the command of your choice. The photo you saved can be printed and of course you have to pay for them before you leave.  I just tested this thing out but didn’t save my photo. 



The Teddy Bear Museum Shop
From postcards, coffee mugs, key chains, bags and teddy bears, you can buy them all here before you leave the museum.  Picture taking is not allowed inside the shop that’s why I don’t have photos of their merchandise.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: The Teddy Bear Museum (Seoul, Korea)


If you are at the N Seoul Tower, be sure to allot at least an hour to go around the Teddy Bear Museum.

The Teddy Bear Museum
N Seoul Tower
Seoul: Past & Present

How To Get To N Seoul Tower
Open all year round from 10:00AM to 10:00PM

Ticket Prices:
W8,000/adult – Teddy Bear Museum Only
W14,000/adult – Teddy Bear Museum+N Seoul Tower Observatory

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