#Rilakkuma: A small forest house

[rement-fanclub]

Rilakkuma: A small forest house

[cadenceventures]

May 27 - Arashiyama

Today we went to Arashiyama. I was really excited for this day because there’s been a ton of stores in that area I’ve been waiting to go to and I also wanted to see the monkeys. The bamboo forest was a little busy (a theme here as you can tell) but it was still really pretty. I talked with some of my friends and didn’t take many pictures due to the crowds. We “hiked” up to the monkey park next which was probably my favorite part of the day. The monkeys were so cute and actually healed me from any stress. The little baby and mom monkeys made me miss my parents to be honest. I made sure to send a video of fighting monkeys to my siblings to let them know that they reminded me of us.

After the monkey park, we split up for the day. I went to lunch with my friends and then left to do my own personal shopping. I went to Rilakkuma tea house for some Rilakkuma-yakis and soft serve. I also went to Miffy Sakura Kitchen where I got some cute chopsticks, so that I can hopefully get better chopstick form with practice at home. Later in the evening, I went to a small bar with a larger group of friends. It was nice talking and relaxing with them, as the trip is winding down to its final days.

Academic Reflection

The readings last night focused on the land management of Arashiyama and tales of Genji. The tales of Genji I felt didn’t necessarily help me better understand the activities of today in the same way as the reading on land management. I thought it was really interesting the way in which appreciation for park preservation has changed so much over the years. I always wonder how these tourist spots are perceived because while they are historic and warrant respect, they also are great drivers of tourism and revenue. Being such a great spot in peak tourism times of spring (cherry blossoms) and autumn (leaves turning color), it has drawn many people to Arashiyama.

We learned that over the years, awareness of the need for preservation led to Arashiyama gaining new classifications as a park in need of conservation due to its cultural significance. I saw today how well kept the area was, with many parts of it even closed off to public. I was glad that tourism in the area was still permitted, as it really was a big item on my Japan bucket list. I’ve noticed a theme in Japan is the very widespread management of land. However, it often takes a while for this management to be enforced or may not be widely enforced.

[cutiecrates]

Cutie Reviews: DokiDoki May 19

I was kind of disappointed in how my review for the TokyoTreat went yesterday, I mean, even though it annoyed me through various means I wouldn’t not recommend the box still.

Meanwhile, I was very excited for this one. I’ve realized that after doing two really big box reviews, I come to really appreciate the much smaller ones, DokiDoki and YumeTwins. In turn I feel like that makes me do a little better... maybe.

This months theme: Sweet Dreams

“Drift off into dreamland with May’s crate. This month’s theme, Sweet Dreams is all about getting you ready to settle down and get cozy for a good night’s rest. Oyasuminisai is the common saying in Japan to wish someone a good night, so this month Doki Doki Crate is wishing you sweet dreams and a good night!“

This month, the booklet features a fun illustration featuring Tomomi with the girl mascots of Japan Crate and KiraKira Crate having a slumber party. I love how they have cute crossovers between their brands like this x3 it’s a fun touch- did you know Tomomi’s boyfriend is the mascot from Umai Crate?

I also like how even though they quit making the comics, they’re still making original art now and then.

Suteki Crate

This month the Suteki Crate (special crate all subscribers have a chance to win, in case you’re new here) focused on the theme and stuck to the characters featured in this box. It makes me want to nap just looking at everything~

(and I just woke up like an hour ago...)

But I will point out that they have offered a Kirby Otamatone before. Probably a year back or so, I remember seeing it. Also, the adorable Sleepy My Melody plush goes great with the photo contest prize, a sleepy Kuromi plush~

My Melody Mesh Case

Our first item would come in handy when staying out of the house for the day, it’s a mesh pack/bag/case, which can hold many toiletries; hair brushes and accessories, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc. It features an adorable pale pink zipper to match the adorable patterned band around the bottom, which is covered in My Melody with some small forest friends doing various activities (and lots of adorable English phrases).

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

You know, I wasn’t ever into mesh containers like this, I always thought they looked kind of gaudy and they just didn’t appeal to me; but now that I’m older and I’m actually looking at one, it isn’t that bad. This would have come in handy when I was younger, I used to visit my grandma and spend the night/weekend a lot and my suitcase was always a pain dealing with. This could have lightened the load a little, or at least organized it better.

Also, it’s pretty big, I was able to fit in a lot of items and it didn’t feel too heavy or bad carrying. I did notice something though, the inside of the bottom section is sort of... thin cloth-ish, that kind of has me concerned that it might not be a good idea to get it wet, compared to the outside, which feels like it could handle that. Oh, I also noticed two holes in the mesh from the tag being cut, but I feel like it doesn’t really hinder anything.

San-X Towel

Also for bathroom/washing preparedness prior to bed or in the morning, we have a cute mini-towel featuring Sumikko Gurashi or Rilakkuma. As you can see, the Sumikko Gurashi group are out enjoying what looks like an autumn excursion :3 perfect timing considering it’s going on that season now. 

And yes, it’s on one of my cats. He wouldn’t leave me alone while I was trying to get pictures, so I tried making him comfortable enough to go back to sleep.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Well, besides being cute, I’m always impressed when we get towels like this because I don’t usually seen any around here. We have slightly bigger hand towels/rags, but nothing like this. It feels soft and nice, so I feel like this would be ideal for washing your face, drying off the hair, wrapping around the shoulders, using as a hand towel; it’s also the perfect size for wrapping up adorable pets~

(also, I noticed that when held up to the light you can see noticeable tag holes again. Not a huge deal though.)

Pajya Shark Plushie

Of course when you go to bed, you need a cuddly companion by your side to ensure sweet dreams or to help chase away the bad nightmares~

This month, we have an adorably colorful, pastel shark. The name Pajya is inspired by the fact that this was made with common Japanese Sleepwear in mind, which is usually in various soft tones and made from fluffy, soft material. 

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

I love fluffy-soft things~ and I also happen to have a fondness for sharks; it’s a weird combination when you think about it, but I love it! He is very soft and sweet looking, and he isn’t threatening or have any teeth, so he’s a good buddy for all types and ages x3 I admit, the sewing could be a little better, but it’s not bad.

(This box has made me super-sleepy~  As of now I’ve only been up an hour and a half >3< But it’s probably because I stayed up until 4am, and I’ve been hungry and didn’t eat yet...)

Kirby Eye Mask

As we prepare for bed, our next item is an adorable eye mask :D featuring Kirby or Waddle Dee. I have a few eye masks and I enjoy using them sometimes (they especially come in handy if you have a headache or just need to relax, unless they squeeze your head too much...) but I don’t use them too frequently.

The mask has a sleek feel and is thin and made from shiny material. It has a really stretchy light pink strap, and the inner-side is cloth, featuring a dark blue star pattern. It also has a small black nose flap...? I’m not entirely sure how that works or what its for, none of my others have one, but I assume it’s just for a little additional comfort or to help support the mask.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

It’s very cute, and I love the concept of bringing in Kirby for this sort of theme. In preparation for the review I was very excited to use this, and it feels very comfortable. Sometimes when I use eye masks I end up pulling them off after a while because they’re kind of uncomfortable or start squeezing, and I admit that this one felt like that after a while- but at the same time it wasn’t nearly to the same extent and didn’t bother me as much. The thin material makes it feel sort of breathable as well, which is nice when my poor nose is stuffed up and I can hardly breath as it is.

I can’t help but relax when I wear an eye mask, so I can’t imagine a more suitable item for this theme~

Kirby Night Light

Our last item is an adorable partner to the Kirby eye mask; a light! Again, this is another great and perfect bed item, especially if you’re someone you might feel a anxious in the dark or need a back-up light. It would also just be cute for a little desk light or something.

This requires 3 AA batteries (not included) and it is available in 2 styles; this parasol blue one I got, and a pink one covered in black and white old style manga or pop art Kirby. We all know how much I love pink, but I also really like the rain, and have a lot of fun playing with the parasol ability/item in Kirby games, so I think I’m actually really happy I got this one.

And of course I wouldn’t leave you guys hanging. I did get it working:

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

The light is warm yellow (you know, the lights that seem kind of dim when you compare them to white lights? and yes I know it looks white in the pic, I had to brighten the image to make it see-able clearly) but still very bright; it ended up surprising me. I found it to be really soothing~

I also like the practicality behind this, if you didn’t want to use it as a night light you could use it as a backup flashlight (cause if you’re like us you have a bunch and they either die and you don’t replace batteries, or you lose them), or just to help create a mood- like telling spooky stories during a slumber party. 

♥ Cutie Ranking ♥

Content - 5 out of 5. I have no complaints, I love these items :3 They’re very sweet and cute, and seeing them (and doing this review) makes me want to lay down to snuggle up with some of them~

Theme: 5 out of 5. I’m really happy to finally have a theme like this, I wish we’d get more bedtime items or themes. I feel like this is also suitable for all times of the year, and everything definitely went together to create a near-seamless box. I say near because some could argue well the bathroom items don’t count: but many people have a routine prior to bed, and some enjoy taking bathes before bed, so in a way yeah, they do count. Suteki Crate and the prize were also spot-on.  

Total Rank: 10 out of 10 Cuties. I know to some people they might argue that a bedtime theme isn’t very exciting but everyone could use a little unwinding, especially at bed. I wasn’t feeling tired when I began writing this but I’m probably going to go back to bed when I finish. I didn’t have anything going on today and I fully plan to take advantage of that. As much as I liked our prior box, I love this one even more! Keep it up Doki Doki~

♥ Cutie Scale ♥

1. Kirby Nightlight - I love how it resembles an actual lamp x3 and I adore the pattern/print on both of the options. The glow made me feel relaxed- the only way it could be better would be if it had an actual rain effect or color change feature like my oil mister~

2. Pajya Shark - It’s colorful and sweet, it’s perfect for bed or just in a sugary sweet pastel setting. Very soft and cuddly. 

3. Kirby Eye Mask - I kind of find face-themed eye masks to be kind of corny, but when it comes to Kirby it’s very cute! It felt really nice against the skin and I can’t wait to use it again (probably after this review).

4. Towel - It’s very cute, I can’t say the color scheme does all that much for me but I love how it’s fall/autumn themed and goes with the upcoming season. The cats really like it too.

5. My Melody Mesh Case - I think it’s sweet and soft on the eyes, but I know I won’t get much use out of it. I could use it now to do some organization of my items in the bathroom (or some others, which I’ll probably do) though, so it’s really practical.

[kaseyspeaks]

Kawaii Plushies: My Rilakkuma Collection

Hello, hello again! My love for Japanese Kawaii Plushies have grown since my last blog post and this time, I’m talking all about my RILAKKUMA collection!

Many of you have asked for an update on how my plushie collection has grown and trust me, it definitely has (and maybe a bit too much)! In my last blog post, I talk about how I spent over $5K on my collection of kawaii plushies and well… let’s just say I’ve spent a little bit more since then and my collection is much bigger now.

As collectors, sometimes you don’t even realize how much money you’ve actually spent on collecting until you start seeing that you have almost no more room for any more. At this point, almost every crevice of my shelves is plastered with plushies and even vinyls!

But, if you’re a real collector of plushies or characters that you love, you would understand the happiness and joy that each one of them brings you. Every single time I hold one, I feel very loved and I want to give it love! They just make me so happy so, for me…it’s an investment in my mental health :-).

Difference Between Japanese & US Plushies

I collect Rilakkuma products from both Japan and the US. There are plushies that are made from Japan and they uphold a certain standard of quality. They are typically softer, stuffed more evenly, and have fewer discrepancies in the face of the characters but, Japan-made plushies tend to be more expensive. I prefer Japan made plushies, but sometimes my pocket doesn’t prefer it, so I like to mix and match them.

Some Rilakkuma plushies are also exclusive to manufacturing companies like Aliquantum International (items that are made in China). However, many of those products are exclusive releases to Aliquantum so you won’t find them in Japan. Similarly, Japan releases are not the same as China0manufactured releases. So, if you want a big variety of plushies, it’s best to collect from both for a more eclectic collection.

How I Fell In Love With Rilakkuma

It’s funny and ironic how I fell in love with Rilakkuma. At first, I didn’t think he was even that cute until my photographer introduced me to him. I started doing more research and ended falling for his face.  After discovering his story and digging into all the characters, it was a wrap. I couldn’t get away from them.

The Rilakkuma Origin Story

Rilakkuma is a fictional character produced by the company San-X and created by Aki Kondo in 2003. Rilakkuma is known to spend his day relaxing and he has a zipper on his back that he’s known for.

We don’t know if he’s actually a bear inside or if he’s a human inside. If you watch the show Rilakkuma and Kaoru on Netflix, you’ll see that his costume is hung up on a drying rack, but it never shows who is sleeping in the bed so that’s always a mystery!

Rilakkuma

One day Rilakkuma appears at Kaoru’s apartment, who is a female office worker in Japan. They become friends and Kaoru winds up taking care of him.

Korilakkuma

Korilakkuma, a white bear who is much small and possibly a female, also shows up at Kaoru’s apartment. She has a red button on her chest which she is known for. We also don’t know who exactly she is. Is she a real bear or a fake bear?

Kiiroitori

Then there’s Kaoru’s pet yellow bird name Kiiroitori. Kiiroitori loves to clean and gets easily agitated when the house is disheveled, dusty, or growing mushrooms. He is super cute and I love the way he chirps throughout the show. He is also permitted to leave his cage at any time to take care of Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma.

Chairoikoguma

A new bear was introduced in 2016 named Chairoikoguma. Korilakkuma finds him in the forest one day and befriends him immediately. Chairoikoguma is a brown honey bear with defined fangs and bear-shaped honey patches on his feet and rear. His chest is always white and hairy. It’s so specific but it’s so cute!

If you wanted to check out the show, it’s called Rilakkuma and Kaoru on Netflix. It’s a stop motion animated series so it’s very different from the cartoons that are out there right now. It’s unbelievable how much work was put into each episode and it’s really well made!

Exclusive Promo Code to Japanese Kawaii Plushies!

If you’re looking to buy Rilakkuma products or any other kawaii characters, I have exclusive promo codes, just for you!

JellyBeet – Use code “TheStyleWright” to Get 10% OFF

Mary Bear Shop – Use code “TheStyleWright” to Get $2 off $20

And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed learning more about Rilakkuma, his friends, and my never-ending obsession with kawaii products!

And don’t forget to check out my Rilakkuma video on my YouTube channel below where I show off my newest collection of Rilakkuma & all his friends. I am also doing a HUGE kawaii plush giveaway with JellyBeet so be sure to watch the full video for all the details!

My Kawaii Rilakkuma Plushie Collection Video

WATCH MY RILAKKUMA COLLECTION VIDEO HERE!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel for new content every week!

  Xoxo,

Kasey

Shop some of my favorite plushies and some from the video BELOW!

You can also shop at JellyBeet.com to get 10% OFF the entire site using promo code “TheStyleWright” AND at MaryBearShop.com to get $2 OFF $20 or more using promo code “TheStyleWright“

Shop My Kawaii Storefront HERE

https://amzn.to/2YYf6si

  PLUSHIES

Remember to use my promo code “TheStyleWright” to get 10% off of Jellybeet.com!

Korilakkuma Eating Biscuit – Shop on Amazon or Jellybeet

Rilakkuma Eating Biscuit – Shop on Amazon or Bed, Bath & Beyond

Korilakkuma Small – Shop on Amazon or Jellybeet

Korilakkuma Otter – Shop on Amazon or Jellybeet

Rilakkuma Christmas Blind Boxes – Barnes & Noble

Rilakkuma Cat Blind Boxes – Jellybeet

Korilakkuma Handbag – Shop on Amazon or on Jellybeet

Rilakkuma Face Plush Bag w/ Kiroitori – Jellybeet

Rilakkuma Cell Phone Holder – Shop on Amazon or Jellybeet

Chairoikoguma Ice cream Plush – Shop on Mary Bear Shop

Korilakkuma Ice cream Plush – Shop on Mary Bear Shop

Rilakkuma Round Mochi – Shop on Amazon

Korilakkuma Round Mochi – Shop on Amazon

Chairoikoguma Round Mochi – Shop on Amazon

Kiroitorii Round Mochi – Shop on Amazon

Chairoikoguma Round Mochi – Shop on Mary Bear Shop

RE-MENTS

Rilakkuma Flower Tea Cup Set – Shop ENTIRE set HERE

Korilakkuma Flower Tea Cup – Shop on eBay

Rilakkuma with Kiroitorii Flower Tea Cup – Amazon

Kiroitorii Flower Tea Cup – Shop on eBay

Rilakkuma Fruit Dessert Blind Box – Shop on Jellybeet

Rilakkuma Room Blind Box – Jellybeet

  Keep up with my updated fashion and beauty picks HERE and fashion blog posts HERE!

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My Kawaii Rilakkuma Collection Update Kawaii Plushies: My Rilakkuma Collection Hello, hello again! My love for Japanese Kawaii Plushies have grown since my last blog post and this time, I’m talking all about my RILAKKUMA collection!