Saturday 24 November 2012

Taiwan shopping haul

As some of you may know, I was in Taiwan last week for a little holi-holiday. It was a much needed break away from work. And as with most of my holidays in Asia, retail therapy was a big part of it.

I took these shopping haul pics diligently every night, upon returning to our hotel, even though I was knackered most of the nights. So I hope this satisfies your curiousity and serves as a shopping guide of sorts.

Before going, I had already done some research online and also asked my Taiwanese friends (whom I met during my University days), so it was pretty mapped out where my focus should be.

My purchases were made all over the place; Shihlin Night Market, Ximending, Taipei Main Station underground markets, Wu Fen Pu, Hualien, Danshui, Jiu Fen etc. Most were purchased from night markets and street vendors. Needless to say, I'm not the kind of girl who can afford to shop at the likes of Taipei 101 hehe *sad* sigh... #poor

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

As you can see, I got lotsa studded stuff (I loved studded items even before it was a trend! *proud*)! I was also on the lookout for bejeweled items, but the trend hasn't yet hit Taiwan, it seemed, except for some stalls where the owners obviously flew to Japan to source for the items.

Oh, oh, the shop where I bought the peach coloured, leather biker jacket also had items from Emoda, Rose Bullet, LagunaMoon and other famous Japanese brands. The shopowner was super impressed that I knew the brands, "Ni men Ma Lai Si Ya (Malaysia) ren dou ting guo hor?" (Even Malaysians have heard of these brands?). Haha of course la, which kampung you think I come from? kekekeke...but no la, if I didn't read as many fashion blogs as I did, I wouldn't have heard of the brands. See, reading fashion blogs opens up your mind *lol* #joke #humour











The pics above were my shopping inspirations taken from Vivi magazines (Malaysian edition)*click*

Here's a closer look at what I got:


I find that accessories in Taiwan in general aren't as cheap as I thought; at least the ones I liked weren't. It seems like a lot of their accessories are imported from South Korea, hence the higher prices. They are really pretty, don't get me wrong and the quality is definitely better, if you don't mind forking out extra. Yes, you can find the lower end NT$100 for 3 pairs of earrings sort of range, but there are already tons of those in KL, anyway.

I do highly recommend one particular accessories shop, though; PierMei. The accessories here are a bit more within my price range with earrings going for NT$50 and mobile phone plugys/minipols for NT$100.



The bottom four bracelets I got at Wu Fen Pu and were NT$150 a piece (original asking price was NT$190), but I think I overpaid just a little bit, I'm not sure. The top 2 friendship bracelets (from Danshui) were 2 for NT$50, so at least those were pretty cheap.


Tattoo tights were everywhere and I had to get some. The quality is pretty good and they are pretty cheap. I hauled some for myself and for friends.


I think my biggest haul has got to be facial sheet masks. I stocked up on my favourite My Beauty Diary ones and also got persuaded by a SA to try Sasatinne ones haha. Well, why not, the Sasatinne ones were like NT$150 a box. Mad cheap! I don't think I went overboard at all considering some of the above are for friends/family hehe

MBD is super crazy cheap in Taiwan because well, they are actually Made in Taiwan. Hong Kong sells them pretty cheap, too. I'm never, ever, ever (getting back together...sorry #lame) buying MBD masks in Malaysia, again. Ever. *cough*unless it's limited ed*cough*


These iPhone cases were NT$200 a pop and I did hesitate, but thought the prints were too pretty to ignore. I was actually hoping to stock up on cheap iPhone cases, so I was pretty disappointed to see that most of the ones I like were selling for NT$300 and above. Even the really old designs which can easily be bought at RM10 (NT$100) in KL are still sold at NT$300 over there.


These kong ming deng I bought as souvenirs. They are so pretty and I think they stand out from the usual keychains or magnets type of souvenirs. You can find Made in Taiwan versions and Made in China versions. The difference is pretty obvious as the fabric used in the Made in Taiwan ones are much nicer and of better quality. Each kong ming deng has a wish written on it like good health, happiness etc.



One of my Taiwanese friends said that she doesn't bargain when she shops, but being kiasu, I did anyway haha. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. I guess the prices are already very reasonable to them unlike say, Bangkok or Hong Kong where we'd slash it down to half price.

Overall, I think I had a pretty good haul from Taiwan, but I think I could have done better!

51 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. You got some really nice stuff! I'm jealous-Asia has the cutest styles!!!

    http://lifeasart215.blogspot.com

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  3. Love your blog, instant followed!

    I wish I could visit Taiwan (one day!). My aunt just came back from Taiwan and got me one of those kong ming deng. I had no clue what it was for, but thank you for letting me know.

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  4. Wow, super awesome haulin'! I love, love those tattoo tights - especially the ones with the kitty kats! I have to get some - but it's summer in Perth now :(

    I love all the studded flats you bought too! I'm really into studs right now as well~

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    1. It's too hot to wear them in Malaysia, but I stubbornly got them anyway lol

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  5. Wow, super love your hauls!! :D
    I need to save money and go for a sightseeing/shopping trip to Taiwan some day. XD

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    1. AirAsia! hehe Food it actually very cheap in Taiwan and shopping can be okay-cheap, but my tip would be to go during the summer months so the clothes are more suited for our Msian weather :)

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  6. Your shopping gets are awesome! I feel like going to Taiwan now. I recently bought a few tattoo tights too. They are really cute!

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    1. I hope to get to wear them soon. It's too hot here in Msia

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  7. OMG! Lovely haul!!! I wish I could go to Taiwan! ;)

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  8. so cool~ ^^ can i have all these items!! haha ><

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  9. wahhh jealous of your taiwan haul you got some super super cute stuff!! i need a taiwan trip stat to i can go shopping hahaha!

    you are going to get so much use out of your leather tulip skirt i wear mine ALL the time!!!

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    1. Hehe I hope so! I'm already thinking of different coordinates for the leather skirt

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  10. So many awesome things you purchased! Makes me want to take another trip to a different country to experience a different shopping experience.

    Digging all the spiked and studded items, I always seem to be a sucker for those and I like the nice variety of bracelets you got.

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    1. I'm totally into studs and spikes, too! I've so much stuff it's not even funny hehe

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  11. Omg you got some much awesome stuff. Isn't it so hard to get a good leather skirt? All of the ones I've purchased so far are not quite perfect... still on the hunt. Let me know if you find one :)


    myblissisthisway.blogspot.com

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    1. Ikr?! I'm okay-satisfied with this one, but I want more! hehe

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  12. wow nice! you alot of nice stuff! cant wait to go taiwan :D
    i will be going there during the lunar newyear >_<

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    1. Ooooh hope you have fun! I'm sure it'll be very "re now"

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  13. wow, that is a really nice haul! :D omg, i love those shoes with spikes!

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    1. Thank you for always leaving me comments Yak Man. I really appreciated it :)

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  14. You got so much amazing stuff!! The tattoo tights with the cat face is super cute!! The mini kong ming dengs are very adorable too.

    Liz
    chewylove.blogspot.com

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  15. I like so much your clutch!
    kisses)

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  16. I'm in love with the skirt! I want one like yours and it's already sold out in F21. =(

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  17. JOEY! I love some your items sooooooo much! Ok lemme try to organize my points. You know I can get long-winded at times.

    I love how your haul loots look almost exactly like those from the magazine! It looks just like your products being shot for the magazine. You know what I mean?

    I love those subtle tattoo stockings too. They are so lovely!

    I agree that Korean imported stuff are expensive but the quality is a lot better too.

    The peach colour (faux?) leather jacket is so sweet! Could you model it some day?

    Hahaha... I like it when the SA wondered at how Malaysians know the Japanese brands and how your inner thoughts was about which kampong you come from. Not many people know how diversified Malaysia is ranging from the cosmopolitan city-dwellers to the traditional village folks.

    I do not know many Jap brands but I definitely have heard of Rose Bullet, Laguna Moon perhaps. Probably coz I see these names in Vivi?

    Ah forgive me for being annoying but I can't help but point out it is "ting" and not "ding". I do love to see international blogger friends writing in Chinese, Hokkien, Teowchew or hanyu pinyin coz I feel a sense of solidarity. Hehehe...

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    1. Haha thank you for your long comment. It makes me happy when people actually take the time to read what I wrote :D

      I will definitely be wearing the leather jacket if I go to a cooler country and I'd be sure to snap some pics. If however, my next cold country holiday is a bit too far, I'd definitely model it just for you hehe
      I left my black one in the UK thinking I'd never ever have the chance to wear it here.

      Thanks for the "ting" "ding" correction. I've amended it. "Ting" makes so much more sense now that you mention it hehehe

      Delete
  18. ahh i adore shopping in taiwan :')
    the studded clutch has to be my favorite buy of yours!

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  19. Love ur blog dear! Such great shopping :)
    Would u like to follow each other?
    Kisses from Italy!

    ..and now you can read my blog also in SPANISH!

    GIVEAWAY: Win a Peplum dress!

    NEW POST UP!

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  20. great photos
    great blog

    do you want follow each other?

    xoxo


    www.celyneglam.blogspot.com

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  21. I always bargain shop in hk where it's appropriate or at least the bf asks me to hahaha because the prices are so ridiculous! Like at ladies market, you can seriously go the mall across the street and get the item for half price (true story for me T_T) I'm glad you got so many buys! I love the tattoo leggings/panty hose! OMG! We almost have the same bracelet~

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    1. Definitely! I do the same.

      Ikr?!! I saw yours and was like omg she paid like half price of what I paid! :(

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  22. Love all of them :) I would like to invite you to join my GIVEAWAY :)

    http://anna-and-klaudia.blogspot.com/

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  23. Ah, you're making me miss Taiwan so much. The shopping is so good there! You got a lot of great stuff :)

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  24. nice stuffs especially the peach jacket :)

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  25. ooh I love this post- so much eye candy! I love every single one of your outfits! Somehow vivi magazine inspires me so much more that western magazines

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    1. Me, too! I don't buy any Western magazines at all because the fashion in there aren't really wearable unless you want the Hollywood look all the time :D

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  26. Day 1,5 & 7 I'd want all those things! The studded shoes, jeweled sweater and skin care bits! lovely stuff! I'm so happy for your hauling! I'm guessing you had a great time, I'd kill for a lovely clutch bag with studds!

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  27. I love your haul from Day 1 <33333
    Amazing purse, it's so cool!

    www.wldhrts.com

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  28. omg amazing haul... everything is so cute!! esp the tattoo tights & the kong ming deng~ :D look forward to seeing outfit posts w/ these new gets!!

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  29. WOOOW i love everything in this post!!! xx

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  30. Oh my you got so many My Beauty Diary masks and in such cool 'flavours' too!

    And major envy for the bracelets, especially the pastel one with the big heart charm. It's so cute and pretty!

    Tattoo tights seem to be getting suuuper popular now and being the fashion noob I am, I can't really see its massive appeal and I'm also not daring enough to try them. I would love to see them in your OOTD posts! :D

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    1. lol I did! Went a little crazy hauling.
      Awww I love the pastel one best, too, but I think I overpaid for it.

      I'll be sure to post OOTD when I wear the tattoo tights. I just hope I don't have to wait until I go to a cooler place haha

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  31. i was in taipei last week too. i bought a few pairs of elegantly designed panty hose. (i regret i didn't buy tatto tights.) i also bought some nice garments at wufenpu n xi men ding. if u go to taiwan u can actually shop at uniqlo. things r quite reasonable there compared to in msia. n more choices. i like the things u bought on ur day 6. the tops r nice. r they expensive?

    yl

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    1. Oh, I hope you enjoyed your time there! :D

      Thanks for the tip re Uniqlo. I didn't go into any high street shops this time round, so perhaps it'd be a good idea next time.

      The grey bejeweled sweater was from a clearance rail, so I know it was really cheap, but I can't remember the prices anymore. I'm sure both were below NT300 each, though

      Delete
  32. omg joey i'm so jealous omgomg i want the studded clutch and the leather skirt and those cute shoes and bracelets and these are the best iphone cases i've ever seen! just give me everything lol xxx

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  33. i lik everything u bought... so lovely~ may i kno hw much the tattoo tights cost??

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