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.

New Subscription Alert: Inspire Me Korea

          This is the first box from this subscription and the reason I got it was a) because it promises a look at the culture and b) it promises Korean goods. So here we go. The first thing that I noticed was that there was no information card to tell me what is in the box. However, if you go looking on their website you can find some information there. The theme for this box is music.

          The first thing to come out of the box was this issue of Inspire Me Korea. I think I’m going to look around on the internet for the previous issues. It has some interesting stuff in it about the people, places, and culture. 

          This hat is one that I have seen a few Kpop artists wear, one of which is one of my favorites Taemin from Shinee. 

          Korea is well known for its sheet masks and this box contains one; I can’t wait to try it out!

          The next item is a cute one, it is a sheet of Chibi stickers of the members of different Kpop groups. The names of the members and the groups they belong to are listed in case you can’t tell who they are. 

          Next up is something yummy. Included in the box was a pack of Butter Coconut cookies and a pack of Kimchi Ramyeon. The cookies disappeared before I could show you what they looked like on the inside (they disappeared into my stomach übber yummy) and this is the Kimchi ramyeon. I like mine with no soup and an egg so that is why it looks like that. BUT YUMMY!!!!!

          Also included in the box are some Kpop cards and some buttons with Kpop lyrics on them. The cards are EXO members and the lyric button one belongs to BlackPink (Hit you with that...) and the second I THINK belongs to BTS (Don’t hate me, while I like BTS I don’t actually Stan them so I’m not familiar with all their songs) .

        I like this box so far. For what it processes to do, it is doing it well. So I’m looking forward to the next box from Inspire Me Korea.

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.

          

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.