A Delivery of Cuteness: Kawaii Box + Giveaway

Disclosure: I received a free sample in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

As you may recall, the kids and I had so much fun reviewing the Japan Candy Box.  Therefore, when I was contacted about reviewing a Kawaii Box, I did not hesitate to say yes.  The concept is similar, but the Kawaii Box is a monthly subscription box focused on all things kawaii, or “cute”.

We received the September box to review, and the theme was “Travel With Sumikko Gurashi”.  I have been a fan of Sanrio for as long as I can remember, and this relatively newer set of characters makes me smile.  Sumikko Gurashi literally translates to “living in a corner”.  I am not exactly sure what that means, but this line is adorable!

I was thrilled that a Sumikko Gurashi notepad, plushie, and travel badge were all included in this month’s box.  I think I am going to have to fight with my daughter over these items. 🙂

Not surprisingly, my son was immediately drawn to the Happy Nikukyu Paw Gummies.  These gummies are soda flavored, which makes them unique and fun to eat.  Going along with the “cute dog” theme, is this pad of Inu Sticky Notes.

Gudetama is a Sanrio character that I have been seeing a lot of lately.  I personally do not see the appeal of a character who is a “lazy egg”, but these stickers are pretty funny.

Items featuring unicorns still seem to be quite popular.  Any unicorn fan is sure to love this Unicorn Pen With Light, Sweet Unicorn Gel Pen, and Unicorn Washi Tape.

For those us who cannot have enough decorative tape, this month’s box also included a Sparkly Deco Tape Set.

Kawaii Box offers different lengths of subscriptions at varying price points ($17.90-$19.90/month) and shipping is free!  This would make a wonderful gift for anyone who would appreciate a box of cuteness delivered to their doorstep every month.

Enter today for a chance to win a Kawaii Box for yourself!
LimByLim Kawaii Box Giveaway

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Moms Meet WOW Summit 2018 Coming to Orange County + Giveaway

Disclosure: Samples were received. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

wowsummit18-influencer-promocode

I am so excited to share that Moms Meet WOW Summit 2018 will be held right here in Orange County, California, at the Hyatt Regency in Anaheim, on November 2-3, 2018.  I had the opportunity to attend this conference back in 2015 when it was held in San Diego.  It was my first time attending an event for moms and/or bloggers and I remember not really knowing what to expect.  However, it was such a wonderful experience to be surrounded by moms that had similar interests regarding natural products.  I came away from the conference feeling inspired to make better choices for my family.  I was also really excited to share my bag full of samples with my family and friends!

There are two types of passes available: Blogger Pass and General Admission. The Blogger Pass is good for both days, Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3.  Now that I am doing more sponsored posts for this blog and collaborating with brands, I am really excited to attend the blogger workshops being offered, such as:

• Nicky Omohundro: SEO: Going Beyond Yoast’s Green Button

• Carolina King: Leverage the Power of Pinterest to Increase your Blog Traffic

• Julie Cole: The Blog and Beyond: How Influencers Can Effectively Work with Brands

I feel like I have so much to learn as a blogger, so I am eager to receive advice and tips from those who have more experience than me.

There is also an exhibit hall with natural brands that are interested in connecting with bloggers and spreading the word about their products with moms.

Here is just a small sampling of some of the products that will be featured.  Personally, I am especially excited to connect with and learn more about Don’t Go Nuts, True Made Foods, OCHO Candy and Hippo Sak,  For a more extensive list of brands that will be represented, go here.

The General Admission Pass is for Saturday, November 3 only, and is open to all moms (as well as grandparents and dads!)  The speakers and topics will appeal to a more general audience, not just bloggers.  The exhibit hall will be open on this day as well.  The epic goody bags (worth more than $150!) will be handed out to everyone in attendance on Saturday, so you do not want to miss out!

Don’t these speakers and topics sound interesting?

• Dr. Bill Sears (Keynote): Your Top Parenting Questions, Answered!

• Dr. Jonny Bowden: From Vegan to Keto: Unpacking the Myths About Healthy Eating

• Leah Segedie: Green Enough: 101

• Lucy Riles: Balancing Romance and Motherhood

For all speakers and topics, visit summit18.momsmeet.com/speakers.

If you are interested in attending this year’s Moms Meet WOW Summit, register here and use code WOW30 at checkout to receive a 30% discount for an event pass (General Admission or Blogger).

In addition, Moms Meet is providing me with the opportunity to give away an event pass (General Admission or Blogger) to two of my readers.  Hope to see you there!

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Hot or Cold? Cold Brew Coffee Your Way With Java House

Disclosure: I was provided free samples in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Over the years both D and I have become avid coffee drinkers.  We drink it hot or cold, pretty much year-round.  I usually make batches of cold brew coffee in the summertime.  I like the refreshing, smooth, less acidic flavor.  It is easy to make, but it does take about twelve hours to steep.  Therefore, I was excited to learn about the convenience of Java House Cold Brew Coffee.

Java House Cold Brew Coffee comes in pods, but these pods are unique because they contain liquid, not grounds.  The ingredient list is simple: Filtered Water, 100% Arabica Coffee.  That’s it!  No preservatives or other weird additives.

The manufacturing process is also simple, but the result is a delicious cup of cold brew coffee.  What is even better is that this cold brew coffee can be enjoyed either hot or cold.

We had the opportunity to try the following four varieties: Ethiopian (light roast), Sumatran (dark roast), Colombian (medium roast) and Decaf (medium roast).

Preparing the coffee cold could not be easier.  Peel off the lid, pour it in a cup and add cold water (no coffee maker needed!).  I could see this being handy for traveling.

I used our Hamilton Beach FlexBrew coffee maker to prepare the hot version.  It was a little trickier because I did not failed to read the directions and did not realize that the liquid would come out as soon as I inserted the pod (although I guess that should be obvious!)  As long as you have your mug ready as soon as the pod is inserted, there should not be any problems.  Cold or hot, it was delicious both ways!

I cannot wait for the weather to become cooler.  Reading with a cup of coffee and a little sweet snack on a chilly day is one of my favorite things to do!

Each 6-count box retails for $8.99 and can be found at javahouse.com, walmart.com, or your local Wal-Mart store.  Java House is providing the opportunity for one of my readers to win a month’s supply of their cold brew coffee pods (1 box of each variety: Ethiopian, Colombian, Sumatran, and Decaf)!

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Inspired Reading: The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible Review + Giveaway

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible, written by Doris Wynbeek Rikkers and illustrated by Fernando Juarez, is a book of Bible stories geared towards kids ages 4-8.  What makes this book unique is that it focuses on God’s Spirit, the oft-neglected part of the Trinity.  Kids often (understandably) do not have a clear understanding of God’s Spirit.  This book shows that God’s Spirit is present from Creation to the present and highlights the role of God’s Spirit through various stories from the Bible.

This beautifully illustrated hardback book recently published by Zonderkidz contains over forty stories from both the Old Testament and the New Testament and is a substantial 312 pages.  I think this book would be ideal for bedtime reading sessions and/or devotions.  It would make a wonderful gift for any child in your life, and I have a giveaway for one my readers to win a copy of their own!

 

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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Label It Or Lose It: Mabel’s Labels Review + Giveaway

Disclosure: Samples were provided in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

With kids going back to school, now is the best time to make sure all of their personal belongings are labelled with their name.  In 2002, four moms noticed a need for durable, waterproof labels and tags for their children’s belongings.  They met this need by starting a company called Mabel’s Labels.  I am always inspired by entrepreneurial stories where people see a need in everyday life and take action.

I had the opportunity to try out the Ultimate Back-To-School Combo for my kids.  This ultra-handy pack includes:

  • 40 Mini Custom Name Stickers: 1-1/2″ x 5/16″
  • 70 Tag Mates™ Stick On Clothing Labels: 13/16″ x 3/8″
  • 16 Custom Shoe Stickers (8 pairs): 1.3″
  • 2 Personalized Mini Tags: 1-1/4″ x 3/4″

We were able to choose the name (of course), font, image, and color scheme.  This was the fun part for my kids.  Not surprisingly, my daughter chose the basketball design, and my son chose the soccer design.  When we received our package in the mail, I was impressed with how high-quality the labels and tags are.  I can tell that these labels have been designed to withstand heavy use.  They are dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, laundry-safe and waterproof!

The tags are metal and are convenient to attach to a zipper, like here on my daughter’s backpack.

I am pleased to announce that Mabel’s Labels has generously offered to give away one School Label Pack ($42 value) to one of my readers.  The choices include: Ultimate Back to School Combo, Little Kid School Combo, Middle School Label Pack, Designer Label Pack, Mr. Men School Label Pack, or Hello Kitty School Label Pack.

 

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Unique Gourmet Popcorn: Pop Art Snacks Review + Giveaway

Disclosure: I received free samples in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own.

Popcorn is one of my all-time favorite snacks.  I like that it satisfies my craving for salt and crunch without too much guilt compared to other snacks.

Pop Art Snacks is a company that makes gourmet popcorn with unique and interesting flavors.  The packaging is so bright and cheerful!  I was excited to have the opportunity to try out four of their varieties:

  • Hawaiian Sea Salt with Avocado Oil
  • White Cheddar Jalapeno
  • Rosemary Truffle
  • Nori Sesame

The Hawaiian Sea Salt with Avocado Oil flavor debuted at Expo West this past spring, but somehow I missed their booth.  I love how the ingredients are so simple: Non-GMO Popcorn, Avocado Oil, Natural Pacific Sea Salt.

The White Cheddar Jalapeno flavor definitely has a kick to it!  It might be a little too spicy for kids, but spice fans will like this one.  The white cheddar rounds out the spiciness.

As soon as you open the Rosemary Truffle, the aroma hits you.  Although I am not the biggest rosemary fan, I was surprised that I really enjoyed this sophisticated flavor.  Set a bowl of this flavor out as a hors d’oeuvre at your next fancy dinner party.

The Nori Sesame was naturally a big hit with my Asian American family.  I am still surprised to see how “mainstream” nori has become, but it seems to be a flavor that a lot of people enjoy these days.  I like how this is a flavor of popcorn that you cannot find just anywhere.

All of the flavors use non-GMO corn, are gluten-free, air-popped, and have no trans fat or MSG.

Why not make a Pop Art popcorn bar at your next gathering and let your guests decide which is their favorite?

My son and I had fun making origami paper cups to coordinate with each of the flavors!

Origami Popcorn Cup Tutorial

 

I think these pictures are easy to follow, but I will attempt to explain the steps as well:

1. Start with a square piece of paper.

2. Fold in half into a triangle.

3. Fold one corner of the triangle so that the top is parallel to the bottom of the triangle.

4. Fold the opposite corner of the triangle in the same way.

5. Fold top triangles down and tuck into the cup.

6.  To make the cup stand up, flatten the bottom and place a weight, like a little piece of candy in the bottom to help it stay upright.

These paper cups are so festive and easy to make!  They are perfect for serving popcorn and are easy to coordinate by choosing paper that matches your occasion.

Pop Art Gourmet Popcorn can be found at a store near you.  We were also thrilled to find three flavors at our local Cost Plus World Market on sale for $2.99!  We bought a bag of the Thai Coconut Curry because it sounded so intriguing.

You also have the opportunity to try this delicious popcorn for yourself.  Enter our giveaway for four bags of Pop Art Popcorn in the flavors pictured below!

 

 

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A Sweet Selection: Japan Candy Box Review + Giveaway

Disclosure: I received a free product sample in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

As a Japanese-American, I have always been fascinated by Japanese candy.  The packaging is so kawaii (cute) and the flavors and varieties are quite different from what is available in the United States.  When Japan Candy Box gave me the opportunity to review one of their monthly subscription boxes, I was so excited (and so were my kids!)

The box comes with a handy guide that has a description of all of the products in English.  Each box has a theme, and this month’s theme is Ice Cream Carnival!

These are the items that came in our box, along with some of our thoughts:

1. Glico Caplico Mini Ice Cream Snack

This is an ice cream snack that does not melt! It really does look like a mini ice cream cone.  The filling is interesting, like aerated frosting.

2. Coris Cola & Soda Soft Candy

I was not quite sure what to expect from this candy, which is described as a “rope shaped candy [with] two layers, one tastes like cola and the other like soda!”  I do not know what flavor “soda” is, but it tasted like Sprite or 7Up.  I cannot think of any American candy that is similar.

3. Calbee Sapporo Potato Chips BBQ Flavor

This is a light and crispy snack made from Sapporo potatoes.  The BBQ flavor is more subtle than American BBQ chips.  It is nice that they added a couple of savory snacks to the mix.

4. Fujiya Baskin Robbins Mint Chocolate

It is a little strange (but fun!) to see an American company (Baskin Robbins) featured on a Japanese product.  The individually wrapped pieces of chocolate were very “melty” when we opened them so we put them in the freezer before eating.  The dark chocolate outer shell is a nice contrast to the minty sweet middle.

5. Yaokin Little Gang Popping Candy

This one is similar to Pop Rocks, but the kids liked it better because of the sour flavor.  I have never thought about putting popping candy on ice cream, but we tried it as suggested on the package.  It is definitely a party on your tongue!

6. Coris Hiyarinko Ice Gum

I am personally not a big fan of gum, but I do like penguins!  I only let my kids have gum on occasion, so this was a special treat.  These gumballs have a slightly hard outer shell and are filled with softer cooling xylitol that freshens your breath.

7. Meiji Panda Yan Yan Biscuit Sticks

The kids liked the DIY aspect of this snack.  They had fun dipping the not-too-sweet biscuit sticks (with Japanese writing!) in the chocolate and then in the sprinkles.

8. Baby Star Shinkansen Ramen Maru

The Shinkansen (bullet train) in Japan is truly a marvel to behold, but it still seems odd for it to be a featured image on packaging for a crispy noodle snack–ha!  n really liked these little savory and crunchy nuggets.

9. Koala’s March Biscuits Soft Ice Cream

We have had Koala Biscuits before, but only in flavors like chocolate and green tea.  This soft ice cream flavor is a limited edition.  We put them in the freezer before eating for the “full taste experience” as suggested in the pamphlet.  I like how the koalas come in so many designs, and the vanilla flavor did remind me of soft serve ice cream when I ate it cold.  This was my favorite item of the box!

10. Kabaya Kakigori Shaved Ice Gummies

I enjoy shaved ice, but I have never heard of shaved ice candy!  How cute are these gummy candy snow cone tops??  These soft gummies are unique and fun.  The sugar crystals make them really look like snow cones, plus they add a nice little crunch.

A subscription to Japan Candy Box would be a delightful gift to yourself, or for anyone you know who would be interested in trying out a variety of Japanese snacks and candy for $19.90 per month (with free shipping!).

Now for the exciting part…Japan Candy Box is giving away one of their boxes to one of my readers!  This giveaway is open worldwide, and is open until August 9.

 

LimByLim Japan Candy Box Giveaway

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Adorbs x 2: Cutie Stix Bracelet Collector Pack Review + Giveaway

Disclosure: Samples received in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

I would consider both of my kids to be “makers”; they like to make things with their hands.  These Cutie Stix Friendship Collectible Bracelets packs by Maya Toys come with everything you need to make two utterly adorable bracelets.

I like how each pack makes two bracelets so that there is one to keep and one to share with a friend.  Each pack comes with two bright pink cords, two sets of clasps and a variety of Cutie Stix to collect and trade.

The recommended age is 6 years and up, but these 11 year olds enjoyed making them too!

These Cutie Stix Friendship Collectible Bracelets packs can be found at Target and retail for $4.99.  Series 2 will be launching in Fall 2018.  How cute is the Target-exclusive avocado??

These bracelet packs would be a fun summer activity, party favor, or stocking stuffer.

Maya Toys has offered to give two Cutie Stix Collectible Bracelets Packs to one of my readers!

 

 

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Make Your Own Ice Pops: Zipzicles Review + Giveaway

Disclosure: Samples were provided in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Summer is in full swing, and we like to have frozen treats on hand.  It is a good idea to make your own, since a lot of store-bought frozen treats have artificial colors and flavors, not to mention high fructose corn syrup.  Have you heard of Zipzicles?  They are sealable BPA/BPS/Phthalate-free plastic pouches that let you make your own portable ice pops.

They also offer Ice Pop Sleeves to “Keep hands warm & ice pop cold”.  Ingenious.

These are the Zipzicle flavors that we made:

There are plenty of ice pop recipes that can be found on the Zipzicle website, along with Pinterest, etc.  However, we kind of just winged it with some ingredients that we thought sounded good.

n cut up the strawberries and we blended it with lemonade to make the strawberry lemonade flavor.  We did the same with some blackberries that my parents gave me from their backyard.

For the mango lemonade flavor, we used frozen mango chunks from Trader Joe’s.  So easy–no prep!

For the root beer float flavor we simply blended root beer and vanilla ice cream.  (Confession: we used “regular” root beer so there were some not-so-good-for-you ingredients in that one, but you could easily use a natural brand!)

For the cold brew coffee flavor (for D and me) we used cold brew coffee, milk and sweetened condensed milk.  The beauty is that you can make it as milky or as sweet as you like it.  This would also be a good way to use up any leftover coffee that you may have, as well.

Once we blended the ingredients, we found it easiest to use a funnel to fill the ice pop molds.  There is even a “fill line” marked on the pouch so you know when to stop. (Since liquid expands when it freezes, you don’t wan’t to overfill it!)

We froze them upright, as recommended on the website.  We just used another ice pop set that we already had but you could use a cup or anything that would hold them upright.  They did not take long to freeze–maybe a couple of hours.

So excited to have a stockpile of these Zipzicles in our freezer!

The kids had so much fun both making and eating their Zipzicles!

Zipzicles can be ordered here.  They are also available at Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart and Amazon.

I am also excited to announce that Zipzicles is offering one of my readers a chance to win their own set of ice pop molds and ice pop sleeves!

Welcome to the Summer Lovin’ Giveaway Hop brought to you by The Hopping Bloggers!

Hosted By: Mama’s Geeky & Women and Their Pretties

Each giveaway has a value of a minimum of $15, however some are worth much more. Be sure to enter to win all of them because there is no limit to how many you can win. GOOD LUCK!

If you’re a blogger looking to connect with brands: Join The Hopping Bloggers database and get started today!
If you’re a brand looking to work with a network of professional bloggers: Check out the creative campaigns The Hopping Bloggers has to offer!

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Nona Lim: No Nonsense Noodle Bowls + Bone Broth [Review + Giveaway]

Disclosure: I received product samples in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Nona Lim is yet another company that I discovered through Expo West.  Obviously, the name “Lim” immediately caught my attention, although we are not related that I know of!  I was interested in trying their line of Asian-inspired products, which are gluten-free, dairy-free, preservative-free, additive-free, low-sodium and low-sugar.

I was especially excited to try their new Noodle Bowls, which come in three flavors: Chicken Pho, Thai Coconut Lime, and Green Curry.

This is the Chicken Pho Noodle Bowl, deconstructed.

The prep could not be any easier.  Empty the noodles and broth into the paper bowl and microwave for 5 minutes.

We added some jalapenos, scallions and herbs, but you could add chicken or other vegetables for a heartier meal.

First off, the broth smelled amazing; I felt like I was in a Vietnamese restaurant!  The rice noodles turned out to have a nice texture; not too firm or mushy.  The broth had a lighter flavor than I am used to, but that is probably due to fact that it is not overloaded with sodium and MSG.  It was still delicious–I think it is good for our palates to adjust to what “clean” eating should taste like.

I was also curious about these Heat & Sip Bone Broth Cups.  The flavors include Ginseng Chicken, Vietnamese Pho Beef, Tumeric Chicken, Shiitake Beef, and Thai Coconut Lime.  I have been hearing a lot lately about the benefits of bone broth, including better digestion and healthier skin, hair, nails, joints, immune system and metabolic functions.  Sounds good to me!

In addition to the nutritional benefits, the Nona Lim Bone Broths have wonderfully complex and nuanced flavors that are warm and comforting.  I had D take the Ginseng Chicken Bone Broth to work for an afternoon pick-me-up.  It was so easy for him to heat it up in the microwave and enjoy in his office’s “hub”.

The Heat & Sip Bone Broth Cups also fit perfectly in my car’s cupholders.  I could see taking one of these along when I need nourishment on the go, which seems to be often for me these days!

Nona Lim products can be found at select markets, including Whole Foods.  Go here to find a store near you, or you can order their products online.

I am also excited to announce that Nona Lim is generously offering a $50 gift card to their online store for one of my readers!

 

 

 

 

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