Inspire Me Korea - Relaxation box

I seem to always be saying that I am a little behind with my boxes but it is so true! Anyway, this is the November box from Inspire Me Korea and its theme is Relaxation. 

In every box there is the Inspire Me Korea magazine and this issue is entitled Relax. It has secret tips to embrace the best you. The issue is about how Koreans relax and find joy in the simple things in life.

For me the highlight of every box is the sheet mask. This time it is Jeju Natural Aloe Mask and it is supposed to soothe and moisturize. I have to admit, I’m addicted to Korean sheet masks. I’ve tried other ones from known brands but I always come back to the ones made in Korea no matter what brand they are.

I saw this exact eye mask on a reality show worn by a Korean celebrity to bed. This is a Soft Panda sleeping mask.

Rabbit socks, soft and cute. Also exactly my size 😬

Cosmic bookmark with “Everything will be alright” in English on one side and Korean on the other. The bookmark is a collaboration between Inspire Me Korea and calligrapher Jang Hyeon Ju.

Finally, no Inspire Me Korea box is complete without snacks. In this box we have tea and crackers. The tea came with two flavors, Green or Buckwheat tea, I got the Green Tea. And for the crackers, it was either Sweet Potato or Cosmos sweet potato, I got the Cosmos sweet potato. Can’t wait to try them both.

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.

OwlCrate - July 2017

          Before I get into the box I'm just going to say I'm going to take a bit of a break from the OwlCrate box because I have so much books that I have not read yet and I'd like to make a dent into them before I restart my subscription.

          The theme for the July OwlCrate box is “Strange & Unusual”.  There is a lot of interesting bookish things in the box as usual so let us get into it. 

          The first thing that came out of the box was a cute keychain Funko, and you could get one of two options - Dustin or Eleven - from Stranger Things. I got Eleven.

          I love spooky things and this box included two that are really cute and spooky. The first is Ouija Board mints from Boston America Corp, and the second is a set of spooky skull push pins created by the Team OwlCrate. 

          The wallet they included in this box is really interesting and beautiful. It could also work as a clutch bag. It came from Reverie and Ink.

           There was supposed to be a vinyl sticker in the box created by TJ Lubrano. But either they forget to pack it or it was lost when the customs officials opened the box to check what was inside. I think the second option is probably correct. So let me move on to the beautiful art print created by artist Aun-Juli Riddle. I love that it has things that I love...whale, books and coffee cups.

          The last bookish item to come out of the box is this pennant flag designed by Risa Rodil and inspired by Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

          Finally, we come to the book and the goodies included with it. The book itself, My Plain Jane, is a fun retelling of Jane Eyre. You’ll be taken on a journey through orphanages, and the Victorian occult scene. The book was signed by it’s authors and as usual has a hand written letter from them. Included with the book is a fun paper craft inspired by Mr. Rochester’s eerie home. 

          I loved all the items that came in the box especially the wallet and the push pins. I can’t wait to read the book.

         

New subscription Alert!! Neko Box - Kissaten Coffee

          This is my first Neko Box. I get the Zakka Kit from the same company though and I love it. The theme for this box is Kissaten Coffee.  The first thing that I saw as I opened my box was the information booklet. 

          Inside the booklet there is the information on what is inside the box, information about the Kissaten Culture and information on an antique cafe. On the back of the booklet there are two recipes, one for coffee and one for cake.

          Then I opened the wrapping and took at the first item; Asanoha Cotton Cloth by Seirai Gokachi. I love the material of the cloth!

          The next two items are linked together. A coffee cup and its saucer, both of them striped, by Tokusa. There are three colors dark blue, rich brown and cream. I got the brown one. 

          The next item is really cute. It is a two-color Glazed Mini Bowl by Tasai Kitchen. It either comes in blue or cream, mine is blue and it is used to either serve sweets or sugar. 

          Finally, a Kissaten Art Print by Neko Box. It is printed on Japanese paper. It arrived a little crumbled but nothing that can’t be fixed.

          Overall, I’m very please with my first Neko box. I love my coffee cup and saucer as well as the mini bowl and cloth. The print is really pretty too.

OWLCRATE - May 2018

          I’m very excited by OwlCrate’s May box, both for the theme and the fact that the box had something different from usual (at least since I have been subscribed).  May’s theme was “Fight Like A Girl” , so let us get into the box. 

          From Evie Bookish comes this wall hanging, which was inspired by Feyre from A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Mass.

          This bath bomb is created by Whipped Up Wonderful and is inspired by the character of Zéilie from Children of Blood and Bone. 

          Indigo Eleven created this double sided bookmark. It was inspired by both The Wrath of Dawn and Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh. 

          I really love this print. Mélanie Bourgeois illustrated this art print and was inspired by Inej from Six of Crows. 

           Catching Stars by Cayla Keenan it is a story about a powerful witch who is just trying to survive in the grim city she calls home. Her path crosses with Maddix, a young man who is wrongly thrown in prison and has just escaped. They become the most unlikely allies. This is an exclusive from Oftomes Publishing. 



 

          Finally, the main book for this box, Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young. This story is about Eelyn, who grows up as a member of the Aska clan of warriors. Loyalty is everything to her. She ends up facing her brother on the battlefield, a brother that she thought was dead. This battle takes her to live with a rival clan, and there she learns things that will change her life forever.

           I’m very excited by the fact that this box contains two books instead of one. ☺️

Content of the Blog

Hello everyone,

          Thanks to everyone who is following my blog so far. I’d like to update you all on what the content of the blog will be and what I have been doing lately. 

          You may have noticed that the blog no longer updates as much as previously, this is because I’ve been thinking about the direction of the blog. In the coming weeks you will notice a change in the way the blog works. I’ll still be doing some reviews of my favorite subscriptions but you’ll also see me sharing some creative projects I’m working on. I’ll also be dedicating some posts to all things Kpop, journaling, and Asian dramas that I have watched and liked.

          I hope you like what you see on my blog and for everyone who follows me to find something in the new content that they are interested in.

OwlCrate - April 2018

          The theme for April's Owlcrate box is "Shadows & Secrets". One of my favorite things was included in this box...I'm sure by the end you'll know what it is. Oh! And no it is not the book lol.

 
          Speaking of the book, this month's book is the first in the Shadow Games series by Amanda Goody, Ace of Shadows. From Goodreads.com: "Welcome to the City of Sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets…
and secrets hide in every shadow.

Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne must leave her finishing school—and her reputation—behind to follow her mother’s trail to the city where no one survives uncorrupted.

Frightened and alone, her only lead is a name: Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected—he’s a street lord and a con man. Levi is also only one payment away from cleaning up a rapidly unraveling investment scam, so he doesn't have time to investigate a woman leading a dangerous double life. Enne's offer of compensation, however, could be the solution to all his problems.

Their search for clues leads them through glamorous casinos, illicit cabarets and into the clutches of a ruthless mafia donna. As Enne unearths an impossible secret about her past, Levi's enemies catch up to them, ensnaring him in a vicious execution game where the players always lose. To save him, Enne will need to surrender herself to the city…

And she’ll need to play."

I have another book by Amanda Foody, Daughter of the Burning City, but I have not read it yet.


 
          Next up is a sneak peak for a book by Stephanie Garber, author of Caraval. This is an excerpt from her latest which goes on sale on May 29, 2018.



          COFFEE!!!! Need I say more? This brew is from Bones Coffee Company.


   
          This is the second time that I have seen Owlcrate include a pillow case in their boxes and as usual, good quality with a quote from Crooked Kingdom and designed by Stella Bookish Art.



          As the label says, handcrafted Bar Soap from Three Sisters Apothecary by Soap Cauldron.



          Finally, these pretty pencils with quotes from Harry Potter on them. They were created by Owlcrate and Jubilee Designs.

Have you guessed my favorite thing in this box??