ZenMarket & Liz Lisa

Hi,

Last month, I bought for the first time an item from Japan via ZenMarket, a shopping service in Japan. I had never used a shopping service before (except for one time when I used Yoybuy to shop on Taobao but it failed lol -- that wasn't because of the company and I will probably re-use Yoybuy next time if buy from Taobao), so I was always skeptic. It also looked too complicated.

I still bought something though. Can you guess what?

How  I got to know ZenMarket and got to the boots
I have no idea how to choose a good Japanese shopping service; they all claim they're the best, and everyone on the internet seems to have their own favorite (shopping service).

I got to know ZenMarket because of Yumi King (thanks!) but only kept the site in my favorites without really looking at it.

However last month, I went on the site out of curiosity, and found out they actually translate Japanese shopping sites for us to facilitate buying (which is not a unique feature of ZenMarket, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that of shopping services). Then I searched for Liz Lisa and omg there are such second-hand Liz Lisa stuffs that are priced "cheap" compared to the ones listed on eBay, Storenvy, Facebook. Maybe the quality is for something though, I'm not sure why the price difference is that huge. ZenMarket also provides a calculator on the item page to estimate the price.

While searching, I saw a pair of Liz Lisa boots (used, size M) I had seen only on Pinterest... (original listing is here)
I had loved these boots the first time I had seen them on Pinterest, and had pinned them thinking they were just another dream item I would probably never have the honor to own. lol. Especially since they seemed coming from an older Liz Lisa collection (but after having browsed for some weeks on the Yahoo auctions, I feel you can find a lot of Liz Lisa items from older collections, which is amazing.)

The boots
Let's start with the price:

• Price: 600 yen
• ZenMarket commission: 300 yen (300 yen/item)
• Domestic shipping (from seller to ZenMarket): 600 yen
• International shipping (from ZenMarket to my home): 1 390 yen (I chose SAL Small Package 18 days)

Total: 2 860 yen (≈ CAD$ 33.60)

+ In addition to that amount, you have to add the commission for transferring money from your card to ZenMarket account (the commission depends if you transfer money from Paypal or else.)

As you can see, it's definitely not the boots that were expensive. But when you add all the costs together, it's kind of expensive, and I chose the cheapest int'l shipping. But they were still worth it! And I can't find boots like this where I live.

I received the boots on March 14th.

code credit

The texture looks like suede, but when you touch it, it's softer than suede. I'm not sure what it is but I'll call it suede anyway.

Also, as you can see, the fur does not go completely down. So when you look at them from this angle (see pictures above), you can see some non-suede part. But I doubt anyone will look at my boots from this angle when I'll walk in them.

Here are signs of wear on the boots. I'd say they're minimal or can be covered:

Overall, I am really satisfied with them. I can't believe someone would sell those boots for 600 yen. That's like 7 dollars Canadian... Also, I was the only one who bid on them, so I was thinking something must be wrong. But they are actually really good quality. I'm thinking the first owner probably did not wear them that much.

As for the comfort of the boots, well, as I expected, they're not that comfortable (I can walk in them but after a few hours my feet will hurt), adding to that they've got heels. Also, they're quite small... I kinda expected this since I usually wear a size 6.5 in shoes (so a 7 in boots), but I still ordered them since I really wanted them. I also read someone on Instagram say her Liz Lisa knee-high boots stretched after a few walks in them, so I'm hoping mine will too lol.

ZenMarket Service

I really liked buying via ZenMarket, and I will definitely use this shopping service when I'll buy again from sellers in Japan.

• Shipping delay: The boots arrived 17 days after ZenMarket shipped them to me (the shipping I took was 18 days).
• Wrapping:  I was scared the fur would be damaged or something else, but my boots came in a big box and were nicely wrapped.
• Calculator: Prior to choosing ZenMarket to buy the boots, I had calculated the total boots' price on another shopping service. But their calculations did not provide the domestic shipping fees (and maybe other fees), they only stated the item fee, service fees, and international fees. I found ZenMarket's estimate was clearer and thus seemed more reliable.
• Fast service/communication: The item arrived at ZenMarket warehouse on Feb. 23rd, and they were shipped to me on Feb. 25th (I confirmed shipping fees on Feb. 24th.) Employees also answered my questions clearly and rapidly.

Finally, I was quite happy to learn that when you buy multiple clothes from different sellers, ZenMarket can keep them 45 days (for free) at their warehouse while you wait for your other items to arrive. Once they've all arrived at the warehouse, you can make "shipping packages". I'm really happy since I plan on buying more stuff lol.

Thank you for reading ☺

Yule Log (Christmas 2016)

Hi,

I don't know how many people in our province consume yule log during the Christmas holidays, but I always see yule logs being sold in the supermarkets during this time of the year. If you don't know what is a yule log, basically it's a sweet dessert that looks like a log. Also:

• There is filling on the inside and on the outside (can be two different fillings or the same one)
• You can buy it at the supermarket (ex. pastry counter), in a box (ex. Vachon always sells yule logs such as these on holidays), or make it yourself.
• You can decorate it as you wish.
• Their flavors vary a lot.

To me it's like eating a cake, although the texture of a yule log is a bit different from that of a cake. But I'm not a yule log expert, so my description ends here.

I've always been using the same recipe to make our yule log. You can find it here (it's in French). In English, the title is "Yule log (as light as a cloud)". Since I only make this recipe one or two time(s) a year, I always forget the right way to fold the cake and it ends up a mess. I hope with this post I can remember how to do it properly for the following years.

Take 1 (2016.12.19)

I did the first yule log of 2016 for my parents that were coming home after vacationing.

Before cooking

The white spots are the egg whites. I didn't mix them fully because I was scared to mix the preparation too much. But actually, mixing it more wouldn't have hurt the cake.

Cooked

The recipe tells us to roll the cake after coming out of the oven so to avoid cracking when rolling the cake once cooled off. But the way I rolled the cake was not correct, that's why it all started to crumble and I lost some pieces (see picture above).

This is the part where when the cake cooled off, you have to unroll it and spread the filling... Since the cake had crumbled already, it was impossible to unroll it without damaging it more. On the picture above, you can see I started to unroll it, and how ugly it looks. So I ended up re-rolling the cake and abandonning the idea of a filling inside. It looks like shit lmao.

After putting the chocolate whipped cream on the cake.

Usually there's supposed to be filling inside.

The cake was really good though! And the chocolate whipped cream as well.

Take 2 (2016.12.25)

My mom liked the yule log, so she asked me to make another one for Christmas.

Cooked

This time, my mom flipped the cake upside down;

she then peeled off the parchment paper and rolled the cake using a humid towel (see under)

code credit

Surface is flat and not patchy looking.

Unroll it when it's cooled off;

then spread on the chocolate whipped cream.

Re-roll the cake

Looks kinda sad and plain, but I was too lazy to make it prettier.

We did want to add a little bit of powdered sugar on top (like snow) but we forgot to.

Looks much better than the first one. However, the taste of the first yule log and chocolate whipped cream was better than the second one imo. Also, the texture wasn't the same; the first yule log's texture was soft and spongy, but the second one felt kind of wet/too spongy/not cooked enough.

Maybe because of this:

• Sugar: In the first yule log, I forgot to put 1/4 cup sugar with the egg whites. I only put 1/2 cup sugar with the egg yolk mix. In the second one, I put the 1/4 cup sugar with the egg whites.
• Cooking: I left the first yule log in the oven for about 18 minutes, but for the second one, it was about 17 minutes (just a detail but I'm still taking it into account.)
• Chocolate whipped cream: I used Hershey's cocoa powder for the chocolate whipped cream of the first yule log. For the second one, I used Fry's cocoa powder and the taste was a little bit bitter.

My first order with HIMI'Store

Hello,

Today I received a package from HIMI'Store, following an order I had made with them.

It's a store based in China that sells cute stuff and clothes. Most of them are Japanese-style (ex: kawaii).

I had ordered a denim suspender skirt and a brown-beige plaid suspender skirt.

My opinion of HIMI'Store will be at the very end of this post.

How the clothes were packaged:

These bags are so cool.

I can't compare with a lot of stores, but I've never seen any

other store packing my clothes in such closable bags.

They sent me adorable cat stickers. There are six sheets, and each one has different cats. As for the item on the right... I'll let you take a guess and reveal it at the end of this post! (my guess was a sleep mask or a shower cap).

That was a really sweet thought of them.

Denim suspender skirt

The denim looks really blue and cheap on some pictures.. it's my phone's camera, sorry.

But it's actually much darker in real life. I'd say the color looks like the 3rd picture.

*about this color in reality

Two layers

Buttons to adjust the skirt's length

** Unfortunately, most of my clothes are at my dorm, while I'm at home for the holidays.

So I couldn't try both of the skirts with the clothes I thought would look best with them. It's not that big of a tragedy, but still.

It looks a bit loose. I just realized I can try crossing the

suspenders next time to see if it would fit better.

The sides are a little bit loose, but I think I can arrange that.

Overall: Like I just said, a bit loose, but maybe crossing the straps or pinning somehow the sides will do the trick. Otherwise, I'm really satisfied! I was scared it would be too long, but I find the length ideal. I also love the denim fabric. I actually wished the pale denim version was available (see first model's picture on the skirt's page here), but the store only offered the dark denim one, and I loved so much the style I still bought it even though it wasn't my first color choice. Turns out the dark denim is as gorgeous.

Brown-beige plaid suspender skirt

*Not sure if this is a Tralala copy (or an inspired jumper copied off Tralala), since the brand has a similar skirt (you can just google "tralala plaid jumper"). Though I don't know enough about it to draw a firm conclusion.

Kind of a bad picture colorwise since the skirt doesn't look red/pink.

It's really brown-beige.

Also, I don't know if you can see it, but the suspenders sewing line shows in the front.

The ribbons are frayed, but I can fix it.

*about this color in reality

Again, buttons to adjust the length.

Not posting any try on pics cuz the fit is not great... This "skirt" looks so poufy and I doubt it's because I got a big butt. If it's too problematic I'll probably try to find a way to make it less big (the skirt).

Overall: While the denim suspender skirt could have been a bit tighter, this plaid one could have been a bit more loose..! Thankfully, I can uncross the straps (this gives me a little more space I believe). Let's just say it fits just right. It's ok though, I still like it, and the plaid pattern is so beautiful.

Other thoughts

Shipping: incredibly fast

→ December 7th: placed my order.

→ December 23rd: order arrived to my house.

So it took a bit more than 2 weeks to arrive. I couldn't believe it when the mailman arrived this morning with a package for me, I was expecting my order to arrive at the end of January/beginning of February. Usually, whether it's fake eyelashes, jewelry, or small pieces of clothing from Chinese sellers (like on eBay), it takes one month or more to arrive. It's the first time I receive something in the span of ~ two weeks.

Packaging: I already said it, but the items arrived so well wrapped; that surprised me since often, items I order from China arrive in a plastic bag without any protection and sometimes even crushed.

Items: I'm not disappointed at all with the skirts. They fit well and I can't wait to wear them with tights, cardigans, shirts, and pair them with hats, bows and other accessories. I was so surprised at how well they were made. I was certain the fabric would be cheaper, but it's thick and really well sewn. Except for the bow fraying and the sewing lines showing (straps) on the plaid skirt, I didn't notice other defects.

Price: I thought the denim skirt was quite expensive at the start ($29.99, in CAD it's 40$). However, when I received it and saw that the quality was excellent, I believe the price is totally worth it now. It would have probably cost me the same price or more if I had bought the same skirt where I live (if the stores had it.)

In sum: I will definitely buy again from HIMI'Store.

Thank you for reading, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year ☺

Ahh and I almost forgot, look at the free item they sent me with the stickers:

Quite kinky, I think they're too small for me lol. Thus if I end up not wearing them (which would be quite regrettable tbh), I'll certainly give them to someone as a gift.