Neko Box - Autumn Cats

This Neko Box is all about autumn cats. From the Japanese cultural aspect, this box includes some knowledge about Community cats and Temple cats.

The first thing that caught my eye in this box was the ornament cat. It is designed to bring good luck and fortune into a person's life (need!).

The mini Maple dish was the cutest thing ever! It comes in 3 different colors mine was green. 

The sleeping cat dish is very charming and would be a great way to display snacks. There are three different designs, the one I got I dubbed “the smug cat”.

The happy cat bowl makes me happy, it holds soup and rice really well and is pleasant to look at.

I have to admit, I still have not opened the Autumn Flower Cloth but the material is really beautiful and light.

Finally, the postcard. That card is giving me ideas for a mixed media painting and I can’t wait to start when I have time.

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.

Zakka Kit - Edo Cats

The theme for this Zakka Kit is Edo Cats.

          I’m always interested in what supplies this box has because I can use them in many ways. The first thing that came out of the box was the Edo Fabric Pouch. I can use it to store a few pens that I need when I go to work or on a trip.

          Next up is the Edo Cats postcard by Galen Sta:Ful. This card can either be used as a print or as a postcard.

          I love the tiny note cards they sometimes include in the boxes, I sometimes use them to add special thoughts to my journal. The Cat Notecards are by Classiky and Mihoko Seki.

          I’m drowning in small notebooks but I still love it when I get them...yes I may be addicted. This is a Sou Sou Patterns Notebook by Galen Sta:Ful.

          No Zakka Kit is complete without Washi Tape and this box is no different.

          Finally, this double-sided pen from Mitsubishi. It is brown with one end being thick and the other thin.

Neko Box - Japanese Folklore

          I really love my cultural boxes because I learn something new every time I open them. This Neko Box is all about Japanese Folklore. As usual, the box comes with a little booklet that gives information and some Japanese recipes for me to try. 

          Along with the recipes and the dose of culture, there all also beautiful items. Take this cute and beautiful Soba Bowl by Izawa which is used for holding noodle dipping sauce, snacks, desserts, or miso soup. I got the Talking Monkey design but you could also have gotten the Frog design. 

          Next is the Tenugui cloth by Senshu Towel. It can be used as a bathroom hand towel, face cloth, a kitchen towel or a travel towel. The cloth is good quality and I can’t wait to use it.

          I’m trying to learn how to use chopsticks and although these are not as pretty as the ones we got in a previous box they are still very elegant and I can’t wait to put them to good use!

          This small Wabisabi dish is simple but cute. It is by Yamako and can be used for snacks, desserts, side dishes or just decoration. 

          The lucky charm ornament by Yakushigama is really cute I got the Treasure ship but you could also get the magic hammer. 

          Finally, this beautiful art print from Neko box. It features characters from famous folktale Momotarō. This box made me curious to go read some Japanese folktales!

Inspire Me Korea - Traditional Box

          I was very excited to get this box from Inspire Me Korea. I love history and this box was all about Traditional Korea.

          The first thing to come out of the box was the 33rd issue of Inspire Me Korea Magazine, and this one is entitled The Tradition. Inside there is a little bit of everything from Korean language tips to Korea’s best kept secret. 

          The Jeju Natural Canola Honey Mask is a sheet mask that I have tried last month and my skin just slurped all the goodness from it. It left my skin nice and hydrated for a few days so I’m happy that I got it again.
     

          Next up is a Calligraphy postcard that was made in collaboration with the artist Jang Hyeon Ju. It looks great and it will make a great addition to a journal entry, a mixed media project or even to send to someone with a heartfelt message.

          This item is a Do It Yourself project. It is a traditional 하회탈, (Hahoetal) named after a village in Korea. This mask looks like the nobleman mask from a collection of 12 masks usually used in plays. Now-a-days they usually have very vivid colors.

      The snack of the box this time is MikWang Whole Wheat Crackers. I saw them and thought...hmm I don’t know if I want to eat this, but once I took a bite I was very surprised. They are yummy as a snack between meals without ruining your appetite for the main meal later. 

         The final item in the box was a Bokjumeoni (복주머니), which means fortune pouch, is a drawstring silk or cotton pouch embroidered with various auspicious symbols that are believed to bring fortune. Inside the pouch there were three traditional Korean coins called Oshuchon (I tried to find the Hangul for this term but couldn’t find it) I think I am going to keep this pouch with me from now on. I need all the luck I can get lately 🤣

Neko Box - Mountain Train Journey

          This box is all about the mountains of Kyushu and the Luxury slow trains. The reason that I love this box, apart from the awesome stuff in it is the amount of cultural information they add in. I love learning about new things and I know whenever I open a Neko Box I will learn something.

          The Kurume Kasuri Woven Coaster by Wamomen comes in there different colors and I got the Navy one. I love how different this is. The coasters that I have are all either cork, wood, or metal.

          I loved this next bowl, it is called the Rabbit bowl and it is by Asahi Kyoyo. It is a lightweight resin bowl used for soups, rice and noodle dishes.

          The vintage gold spoon by Tsubame, having not seen the other design, I’m going to say that I got the Matte Gold. It can be used for tea or soups.

          Next up is the Vintage Floral cup by Saikai Touki; it is made from ceramic and can be used to hold tea, coffee or for scoops of Gelato.

         Patterned mini dish by Yamada Seni, I got the bird design and it is pretty and sturdy. It can be used for snacks, side dishes, dessert or even for storing small accessories.


          Finally, the Neko Box Artprint and I’ve already got ideas for this print. I really thing it would look good in a mixed media compostion.