Loot Crate Review ~ February 2014

We got new loot!  Let's check out the February 2014 Loot Crate.  If it isn't obvious by my daughter's picture, this month's theme is Warriors.  Doesn't she look tough?

Loot Crate includes a mini magazine in every box.  This little beauty is 21 pages of information critical for carrying on nerd-like conversations!  This is the best piece of informative writing I've seen in all of my subscription boxes.  Each item in the box gets its own page with a detailed description.  Kudos to the writers of Team Loot Crate!

Warriors Collectible Pin ~ Pictured is Loot Crate's second Collectible Badge.  Artist Mike Vasquez (@MikeGoesGeek) created this exclusive image of Catbug wearing a Loot Crate.  This boxed-in "Bravest Warriors" pic sums up the great collaborative efforts of Frederator Studios and Loot Crate.

Alpha Battle T-Shirt ~ This is a Shirt Woot product by James Cho.  It features some of the most epic gaming warriors out there!  I would love to see these shirts offered in youth sizes.  In this month's Wall of Looters spread, 45% of the pictures are of kids.  Send them shirts in their sizes!!  True to size, nice fit.

Bravest Warriors Bow Tie ~ This is a Loot Crate Exclusive brought to you by Black Tie Geek and Frederator.  We received the Impossibear bow tie.  Bow ties are trending items!

Gas Powered Stick (GPS) Cinch Bag ~ It's just a picture of a stick.  Please do not hit others with it. Instead, try putting something in this snazzy bag - like peaches or loot!

Dunny Sideshow Blind Box Figure ~ This is kind of like a small piece of 3-D art.  I believe we got the Selfish Fisherman by artist Sergio Mancini.  You can find out more about the artist and product series at www.kidrobot.com  I see lots of posts saying how much people love blind boxes.  I have just come to the realization that subscription boxes are large blind boxes!

Bacon Love Card & Open Me Membership ~ Bacon - it is the epitome of love; it is the breakfast of warriors.  Can't find the right words?  Say it with bacon!  This is a very cute card to send to a loved one.  Plus I got a free Open Me membership.  Now I can brighten my friends' Facebook pages with unlimited e-cards from Open Me.

Bravest Warriors Digital Comic ~ Inside the box was a card with a code for a free digital comic.  I created an account with Comixology and redeemed my code for a digital copy of Bravest Warriors Issue 1, published by kaboom!  

Bravest Warriors Sticker ~ These limited edition stickers were specially printed for Looters by Just Toys Int. and Frederator.  I think we got a Firebelly Guard.  If I had a bioluminescent belly, I'd be mmm, comfy in a Japanese lantern!  

Even though I purchased this box for my son, I think my daughter enjoyed it more!  No one messes with this little warrior!  This month's verdict: shirt + warriors + bacon + bow tie = Loot Love!

Kawaii Monthly Review ~ February 2014

The February Kawaii Monthly has arrived from Japan!  It took a little longer to get here due to the snow in both Japan and the United States.  This box is $18.99 with free world-wide shipping.  Kawaii Monthly is a project of Oyatsu Cafe.  Every month you get five kawaii themed items.

Tohato Caramel Corn Chocolate ($3.49) ~ This is a bag of chocolate flavored puffed corn.  It tastes great!  The caramel corn is sweet and very light.  If you're intrigued with Japanese food, you have to check out OyatsuBox by Oyatsu Cafe.  It is a monthly subscription box jam packed with Japanese candy and snacks.  

Japanese Calligraphy Pen ($3.99) ~ This is a modern version of the traditional calligraphy pen.  It is known as a "Fudepen".  It has a brush-like nib that writes directly from the ink reservoir.

Shugi-Bukuro ($5) ~ We have gift card holders, the Japanese have Shugi-bukuro.  This is a special envelope for money.  These gift envelopes are usually given at weddings and other Japanese festivities.  The outer wrapping of the envelope is very thick and elaborate.  The ribbon (mizuhiki) is crafted from rice paper.

Hello Kitty Face Mask ($2.45) ~ Face masks protect against dust, pollen, and germs.  They are very popular Japanese accessories.  There are three white disposable face masks with pink pictures of Hello Kitty in the package.  They have two ear loops to fasten around your ear.

Konnyaku Sponge ($6) ~ This is an all natural luxury face sponge made from the konnyaku or konjac potato plant.  It has a great water-holding ability and special elastic properties that massage your face as you wash it.  The konnyaku sponge is considered to be a natural exfoliator and suitable for all skin types.  

This information sheet was also in the Kawaii Monthly box.  It is very detailed and easy to understand.  We have learned quite a lot about the Japanese culture with this box.  My daughter loves beauty products and will enjoy the konnyaku sponge.  She is already using the fude pen.  All of the prices listed are estimates.  In my opinion, this is a fun box worth trying out!

www.kawaiimonthly.com

Nerd Block Review ~ February 2014

My son came home to his very first subscription box!  He just opened up the February 2014 Nerd Block and was tickled to death over its contents.

Every month Nerd Block releases a limited edition t-shirt created by Shirt Punch.  Here is February's shirt with Metroid on it.

Halo Action Clix, Red Spartan Battle Pack ($5.71) ~ This set features three Halo figures for the 2007 ActionClix game.  They are approximately 2" tall with a rotating base that "clicks" when turned.  We received Major Elite, Master Chief, and Spartan.

Power Rangers Megaforce Mashems Capsule ($2) ~ This little collectible is almost 2" high.  It's actually very fun to play with.  We are having a blast squishing this thing!  Inside was the pink ranger.

The Smurfs Tag-athon Collectible Game Piece ($0.99) ~ Here is a booster pack containing one collectible miniature game piece for the The Smurfs, No Smurf Left Behind Game.  The game was released in 2011 with the first Smurf movie.  My son got Smurfette.  She is 2" tall and will be added to our McDonald's Smurf collection!

Playful Gorilla Presents the 80's Gelaskins for Smartphones ($5) ~ I think I'm going to take these because my son is too young to appreciate them!  This is a sheet of repositionable stickers for your electronic devices.  Playful Gorilla has created fantastic one-of-a-kind animation art for our most beloved 80's cartoon characters.  I was so proud when my daughter asked if that was Jem!  The characters include Jem, Duke, Megatron, He-Man, Battlecat, Voltron, Optimus Prime, Cobra Commander, Lion-O, and Panthro

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Collectible Miniature Figurine ($2) ~ These were released in 2012 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic movie, E.T.   This is a blind box assortment item.  Our E.T. figure is intricately detailed with a blue button down shirt and stands about 1.5" high.  I don't know how many times I watched this movie as a child.  

The Walking Dead Minimates Alice & Shoulder Zombie ($6.75) ~ Minimates are made by Diamond Select Toys.  Each figure is 2" tall and has 14 points of articulation, making them super-posable!  This package is from Series 4 of The Walking Dead collection.  Interchangeable parts and accessories (stands & gun) are included.

My son is five years old and thinks the figurines are great!  Even though he is not familiar with Metroid, he liked the graphics on the shirt.  I really enjoyed the walk down memory lane with the Playful Gorilla stickers, Smurf game piece, and E.T. collectible.  All of the prices listed are approximations.  I am in no means an expert on the items listed above.  This is just my newest hobby, in which I can express my personal views and opinions!

www.nerdblock.com

iDiscoverBox Review ~ February 2014

My first iDiscoverBox just came in the mail!  This company sends three accessories for your cell phone each month.  At $9.99 a month ($119.88 for the year), I could not resist.  I consider this a very practical subscription service because the products will help extend the life of my phone.  This month I received 2 phone cases and a screen protector for my Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

  

The first thing I saw was a thank-you note from iDiscoverBox.  Very sweet!

Underneath the thank-you note was an iDiscoverBox Tip for my Samsung Galaxy Note 3.  I guess I learned something new today!  

I really like the packaging.  It looks very professional.  

1 Screen Protector ~ This screen protector is scratch-proof, anti-glare, washable, and dust repellent.  I definitely need this item, however, I struggle with putting these on phones.  Does anyone else have this problem?

Phone Case ~ This is a light pink phone case.  I'm not positive, but it feels like a hard rubberized plastic.  iDiscoverBox not only customizes to your phone model, the boxes are gender specific.  You check your gender when you set up your account.

Phone Case ~ This is my favorite case.  It is a purple and black silicone case.  It has a more rugged look to it.  The black section in the middle of the case is actually a kickstand!  Now I can prop up my phone!!  This case is heavier than the pink one.  

Since I think of my phone as one of my "babies", I'm glad I can pamper it some.  I look forward to building up my phone case collection this year.  Maybe I'll have a case for every outfit!  I hope I get a charger in a future box.  I could really use one at work.

www.idiscoverbox.com

You can watch my Youtube unboxing here:  http://youtu.be/tKzLHizgTV0

Oyatsu Box Review ~ February 2014

I just received the very first OyatsuBox from Oyatsu Cafe in Chiba, Japan!  It took a little over two weeks to get here, but I think the weather and President's Day slowed down the shipping process.  This box is $25 a month, with free world-wide shipping.  Since shipping is free, there are no tracking numbers or shipment notifications.  February's box contains 11 unique candy and snack items.

  

Thank goodness the box comes with a description sheet!

Dagashi Super Pack ~ This big multi-pack lets you try 10 kinds of Dagashi (classic Japanese snacks).  Included are Umaibo (mentai & cheese flavors), Mochi-taro, Choco Daifuku, Kakinotane-Choco, Classic Grape Gum, UmaiJelly, Happy Pandaro, and a very cute and rare Mini-Umaibo (roasted corn flavor).

Festival Pineapple Hi-Chew ~ This special edition of Hi-Chew tastes just like the pineapple eaten at Japanese Street Festivals.  Each piece is infused with sweet hard candy bits, which give each piece an extra burst of flavor.

Black Black Mints ~ Black Black Mints are super strong with a big dose of caffeine!  Perfect for studying or long nights of work.  Each pack contains 50 mints in a cool plastic case.

Russian Roulette Gum ~ A totally unique invention and great fun to play with your friends!  Each pack contains three pieces of chewing gum.  Two pieces have a sweet and delicious liquid center and one piece is insanely sour.

LOOK Sparkling Lemonade Chocolate ~ Each piece of delicious chocolate is infused with a Lemonade flavor that actually fizzes and sparkles as you eat it.

BIG Black Thunder ~ Black Thunder is a Japanese chocolate bar with the tagline, "Delicious taste in a flash of lightning!"  This BIG version is for the serious fan and bears the tagline "Double the lightning strike!"

Big Katsu ~ This fun snack emulates the breadcrumb coating on Japanese Katsu (cutlet).  The large flat strip is slightly spicy, with a texture similar to American beef jerky.

Peach Pocky~ This peach flavor Pocky's packaging features a character from Kobito-Zukan (Dwarf Encyclopedia), which are little dwarves inhabiting Japan.

One Piece Gum & Poster ~ One Piece is the anime series that has taken the world by storm.  OyatsuBox is proud to present the awesome box of One Piece gum and a bonus collectable poster.

Strawberry Kit Kat ~ This Japanese only version of the world-wide favorite features the classic Kit Kat wafer biscuit covered in a deliciously sweet strawberry cream chocolate.

Pokemon White Chocolate Corn Puffs ~ Pokemon shaped corn puffs with a white chocolate flavor!  Each pack comes with a limited edition sticker featuring your favorite Pokemon characters.

Overall, my whole family is very excited to try everything in this box.  I really don't care about the value of the Oyatsubox, because I'm more interested in the experience it provides.  My kids have now received a package from Japan, seen Japanese products (writing and all), and will get to try some very different candies and snacks.  I consider this experience worth the $25!  

www.oyatsubox.com

You can check out my video unboxing here:  http://youtu.be/aNVEEDhIXbY