Neko Box - Matsuri Festival

          The Neko Box theme is “Matsuri Festival” . I’m going to share the information from the box because I think it is really interesting. 

           Now let us get into the box itself.  Everything inside is wrapped so well and the padding is super safe. 

          The first thing I took out of the box was the Leaf Chopsticks by Kawasemi. They are made from natural wood. They really look beautiful and I’m hoping to learn how to use them soon. 

          The next thing to come out of the box was this beautiful (I’m using this word a lot I know) bowl. It is by Saikai Touki, made from Arita porcelain and made in Saga prefecture. 

          The textured sake cup by Minoru Touki came out next. It is Mino porcelain made in Gifu prefecture. 

          This summer wind chime (Furin) was made by Yakushigama. It also has kanji on the paper with the translation of cool, refreshing. 

          I nearly missed this fan under all the stuffing and objects but I’m glad I didn’t. The Uchiwa is by Shin Nihon Calendar. It is made from paper and bamboo.

          Finally, this Matsuri art print from Neko box printed on Japanese paper.

          I’m so glad I decided to invest in this box. I’m learning about the culture and collecting beautiful but useful things along the way. Things I will probably not find here in Kuwait.

          

The Zakka Kit - July 2017

          The July theme for the Zakka Kit is Wagashi. Wagashi, according to the information card, are Japanese sweets made from rice flour and sweet bean paste.

          I keep hoarding the wrapping paper. One of these days I’m going to use them for a project that is percolating in my mind.

          This washi tape is designed by Shinzo Katoh and Seal Do. It features cute rice dumplings called dango.

          When I first saw this I thought it was a Japanese treat until I saw the word eraser; it is by Iwako. There are seven different colors and this is the one I got.

          Watercolor pencils by Sakura. They can be used like normal color pencils or with a watercolor brush and some water. 

          These are vintage note cards by Classiky. You can use them for mini recipes, reminders, gift notes and inspirational quotes. I’m probably going to use them in a project or as gift notes.

          So these are stickers and post-it notes (the smaller of the two) by Nihongo Flashcards and Round Top. I love that the names for the food are in both Japanese and English on the stickers.

          Finally, the art print. This time it is a bit different since they provide you with a picture that you have to color yourself. I think if I am going to use watercolors on this I’m going to transfer it to watercolor paper. I’m not sure how well this paper handles water lol.

Spotlight Stationery - July 2018

          July’s box from Spotlight Stationery is themed “Eden”. The box contains a stationery collection compiled around the new journals from Castilli. As usual, the purchase price of each box includes a donation to From Me To You, a charity that encourages people to write letters to cancer patient. 

          The first thing that caught my eye was the journal but I wanted to see the post cards first. 

          Now to the gorgeous journal, apparently it was the Eden line and at the time to box was sent out it wasn’t even on their website yet. It comes with a pencil as well. Just look at how beautiful it is!!!

          I love me some pens and this box has some good ones. The first is the Zebra Telescopic Stylus and it’s two refills, and the second is the Paper Mate Inkjoy which I love to write with because it is so smooth. Finally, the pencil, which is a Greengraph HB pencil from Stabilo. 

          Finally, the postcard included is as distinctive as the cover of the Eden journal and just as beautiful. 

         I’m always amazed by how Spotlight Stationery always manages to have amazing stuff in their boxes at a certain high quality level. They never disappoint.