H&F BELX Glass Tumbler review

H&F BELX Glass Tumbler (M) 550ml

This is my current obsession... and I love it!

I was contemplating whether to post it on this blog or my daily blog... but since there will be a short review, here seems to make more sense.

the sleeve is sold separately

It is a glass tumbler (you know how obsessed I am when it comes to glass)

Pros:

• easy to clean
• small holes on the strainer stop any tea leaves or coffee grind to slip through
• can steep tea directly
• durable (it is tampered glass)
• easy to carry
• doesn't leave odor (because of the glass and stainless steel material)
• you can put fruits and herbs too
• the strainer can be removed (if you want to use a tea bag instead)

Cons: 

• expensive (this was ¥2400 - around $20 USD)
• doesn't include the sleeve (sleeve was ¥600 - around $5 USD)
• a bit on the heavier side

score: 9/10

website: https://www.handfbelx.com/fullgrasstumbler/

Canmake Quick Easy Eyeliner review

Canmake Quick Easy Eyeliner in brown

So I stumbled upon this eyeliner which I was shopping for eyeliners. The "Quick-Easy Eyeliner" text caught my attention. 

Canmake claims that this eyeliner is great for beginners and very easy to use. You will have great control in making all sorts of shapes. Since there wasn't a tester, I had to buy it (it was ¥550), so it was very affordable.

I threw away the packaging, but I remember it said that this eyeliner is waterproof but can be washed off with hot water. It is smudge-proof and resistant to sweat, oil and tears!

This is what the tip looks like but it is very stiff... I'm still a beginner so I couldn't tell whether that was a good or bad thing.

It is a felt tip type with a 1.65mm thickness. 

However, I had trouble drawing lines on my hand... the tip was hard to control and it left uneven double strokes... I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. While it felt soft on my hand, when I used it on my eyelids, it was a different story. The tip of the liner scratched my eye and it was very hard to control... (the scraps weren't severe to the point it wounded me or left me in tears but it was enough to feel discomfort)

I didn't have to use warm water, it just removed with normal cold/lukewarm water... 

the results are average... you can see I couldn't properly make the line to the end... I find it hard to fill in after I make my initial line.

definitely not a fan... 

score: 1/10 (one for staying true to colour)

website: https://www.canmake.com/en/item/detail/35 

Coca Cola's Apple Coke mini review

It is no secret that Coca Cola is one of the best-tasting soft drinks in the world!

I am very fortunate to be in Japan where mixing coke with other beverages is common.

A few weeks ago, I found these Coca Cola with Apple flavour lying around my local grocery store and decided to get it!

impressions:

• they used Japanese Fuji Apple juice
• I LOVE IT
• reminds me of Autumn (because of the subtle apple taste)

The apple juice (think Japanese apple juice... not the American/Canadian kind) which is lightly apple with a hint of sweetness complements the coke so well! While it makes the coke flavour less coke, the lightly scent of an apple makes your tastebuds wonder what is that familiar subtle taste?

I highly recommend it (and I have already drank 3 bottles)

score: 9.5/10
website: https://www.cocacola.co.jp/brands/coca-cola_/cocacola13

Ginza Tsubame Grill 銀座つばめグリル review

For those who follow my daily blog, you must be anticipating my blog post about this place, and I am FINALLY writing about it!

restaurant logo

Tsubame Grill opened in 1930, which means they have been in business for 89 years!... that's a very long time! (especially in Tokyo where the lifecycle of a restaurant is usually 5 years).

The inside of the restaurant leaves a Showa ambience, but it is new and very clean. Their wet wipes were very thick and the cutlery was very sturdy. There is usually a wait during lunchtime, but I came after lunchtime, so it was fairly empty.  (btw... they have several locations around Tokyo).

I ordered their seasonal special, which was approximately ¥1400 (this is the lunch set... you can get a cheaper option, the only difference is there is no salad). It was very bold for me since I have not found a single Hamburg place I like... in fact... I don't like Hamburg... it doesn't have the same meat texture as steak... however, this place changed my mind.

The Tomato salad came... I certainly wasn't expecting this... a whole tomato! There was a pile of chicken salad at the bottom. It was tasty... did I mention I don't like tomatoes? And I liked this O.O

The next item was the baguette, the bread.

This bread deserves 2 pictures because it tasted so good!! I am a fan of bread... and the last time I had something so tasty was when I was in Macau... (but that was a Portuguese type of bread). This bread was REALLY good!! ...It was crispy, fresh, and... just tasted so good! 

This is the seasonal veggies with hamburg steak. It came with a soy-based sauce with mustard. This hamburg steak was very tasty... the meat was tender and was marinated with a bit of salt so that you can taste the freshness of the meat. It was grilled so that it wasn't overcooked or undercooked. Just right!

The seasonal veggies were done very well... just enough seasoning to make them tasty but did not steak away from the tastiness and freshness of the veggies. The potatoes were fried very well, crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. 

I had to do a close up of the eggplant... it was really good :P

My conclusion is, if things are made right... everything can taste good... included by lifelong hated tomato and hamburg steak. I will be back for more!

Ginza's Tsubame Grill
銀座のつばめグリル

score: 9.5/10
website: https://www.tsubame-grill.co.jp/

Canada Dry Peach Ginger Ale review

Is this Japan or does this Peach Ginger Ale exist in other parts of the world (e.g. Canada)?

A few months ago, I got to try White Grape Ginger Ale in a Karaoke in Tokyo (Rainbow Karaoke) and loved it... it reminded me of a light sweet sparkling wine.

When I saw this Peach Ginger Ale I knew I had to try it! (if you haven't already noticed, I love peach flavoured things).

Currently, it is right in the middle of Peach season in Japan... I figured Canada Dry added this to be part of the seasonal peach hype.

First off, I love it! It combines two of my favourite tastes into one! Although, I have to admit the Peach flavour is slightly stronger than the ginger ale taste.

impressions:

• I taste peach!! 
• this is very fizzy
• contains 2% juice (according to label)
• contains Vitamin C
• great on its own (I wouldn't pair it with food)

The peach taste is slightly strong and leaves a nice peachy aftertaste. The ginger ale makes the peachy taste slightly less sweet than other peach drinks.

I highly recommend it (if you like peach flavoured drinks). I wouldn't recommend drinking it in a meal, (since it isn't very sweet) it will lose its taste among the other food flavours.

score: 9/10
website: none

hey my fellow foodies, explorers, adventurists...

I'm feeling a little stressed lately and don't have the energy to write reviews :(...

Would appreciate prayers...

Please head over to my other blog to see what's happening... I try to post daily there.

Japan 7-Eleven's サクッとした食感ひとくちソースカツreview

The long name サクッとした食感ひとくちソースカツ can be translated as "A savoury texture sauce cutlet.

One of the reasons why this snack caught my attention was that it is always sold out (or there will always be a miserable one left) so when I had the chance, I bought it. I can't say I regret buying it... but it is definitely not "a great find".

impressions:

• salty
• dry
• is this meat or fake meat???

so... I'm not sure why this snack is so popular. Is it because it is nostalgic? or do people actually enjoy it?... whatever the reason may be... it wasn't enough to convince me. 

It was hard to tell whether there was real meat inside (it had a weird porky, fishy taste to it).

A quick scan of the ingredients told me that there was SOME fish but it was buried in the middle of the ingredients list which meant there was hardly any. The major ingredient of this snack was flour.

score: 6.5/10
website: https://7premium.jp/product/search/detail?id=4859

Kyoto Malebranche - Matcha Chocolate (not a review)

THIS. IS. SERIOUSLY. THE. BEST. MATCHA. CHOCOLATE. I. HAVE. EVER. HAD. PERIOD.

if you ever go to Kyoko... please remember to buy this...

I tried to document as much as possible

when you take the rubber bands off these are the shape they are in

everything looks so pretty :D

more info :)

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

score: matcha/10!

website: http://www.malebranche.co.jp.e.aby.hp.transer.com/products/yakigashi/chanoka/

Dior Gold Clip on Earrings short review

the earrings

These are my first "high end" designer earrings!! I was really excited when I saw these earrings! I'm usually not a fan of designer jewellery because they usually look too mature for me (I do have Tiffany Clip-ons and Lanvin jewelry but Dior, Chanel, Hermes, LV <-- I feel these are more suitable for a mature audience)

they are clip-ons!

impressions:

• they do not pinch me
• they do not fall
• the clips do not change over time
• love the design
• looks effortless but elegant enough to match any formal/casual wear <-- very versatile

These earrings were love at first sight and I do not regret buying them. They are so versatile. I can wear them with any outfit and they will make the outfit look nice.

I am impressed! :)

score: fantastic/10
website: no website (couldn't find the actual product on the website)

Family Mart's hot sausages review

I picked these up at my local Family Mart and loved them :P

It has been a LONG time since I have had good Hot sausages. For those who live in Japan, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Most "hot sausages" here lack the sausage meat flavour, and a lot of them can't even be considered as "hot".

I was a bit skeptical when I found them, but was glad I did.

If you are an expat who is dying to get a decent tasting hot sausage. I would recommend getting these to satisfy that craving.

score: 8/10
website: http://www.family.co.jp/campaign.html?q=%7B%22C%5DcampaignCategory%22%3A%5B%223%22%5D%7D

Ritz Baked Chips Salt and Black Pepper review

Ritz is one of my favourite crackers so I got super excited when I saw Ritz baked chips at my local grocery store!

This package is only 35 grams.

their size is fairly standard

impressions:

• no resemblance to Ritz the cracker
• does not have the Ritz "fluffiness"
• a little bit of salt and pepper taste
• strong onion/garlic aftertaste
• very light (no bloating)
• despite how small the package was, I struggled to finish it
• ¥138/package - quite expensive for what you get

unfortunately, I didn't really like it. I really want to say I did but I didn't. As a Ritz fan, I am very disappointed. These chips are NOTHING similar to Ritz, and I'm not sure why they were labelled as "Ritz" related.

not a lot inside

For such a tiny package, it took me over a week to finish them. I did not like the onion/garlic taste they put into these chips especially when the flavour should only be Salt and Black Pepper. If you are going into a meeting or meeting someone... do not eat these... they will give you onion/garlic breath.

score: 5.5/10
website: https://www.ritzcrackers.com/products

Family Mart's Tapioca Milk Tea review

One of the things I miss about Toronto is the convenience to get boba/bubble tea/珍珠奶茶 (whichever you like to call it). It's not that there aren't any in Tokyo, they are just located in touristy areas (places I hardly go to... and when I do there is usually a LONG line) I have seen this at Family Mart for quite some time and I finally managed to buy it and try!

impressions:

• not real milk tea... tastes like Japanese royal milk tea >____<
• tapioca tastes like it is made out of 大菜糕 (not chewy enough and very veggie like)

the "tapioca"

first off for what you pay for, it is a good deal (only ¥238). BUT... it tastes nothing like the real thing. The tapioca isn't made from the same ingredients in authentic tapioca, they are less chewy, smaller, and not sweet.

I was very disappointed with the milk tea. It tasted a lot of Japanese Royal Milk Tea. If you haven't had the real thing, this is worth a try, but if you had the real authentic Bubble Milk Tea then you will be quite disappointed.


score: 6.5/10
website: http://www.family.co.jp/goods/drink/1753301.html

Arnott's original Tim Tam short review

Before leaving Canada I have never heard of Tim Tam after meeting Australians (or Aussie's) in Hong Kong and Tokyo I learn that Tim Tam are the equivalent of Oreo's in North America. EVERY Australian I met has told me about their love for Tim Tam and would complain about how hard it is to buy them in Asia and whenever they went home, they will stock up and bring it back to Asia.

Some of my Aussie friends were generous enough to share their stash with me and after my first bite, I can understand why they are so popular.

Unlike most "Western" snacks, they aren't as sweet. They are sweet enough for you to satisfy your sugary craving but not overwhelmingly sweet to the point you need to eat them with tea.

Each Tim Tam consists of two malted biscuits separated by a light chocolate cream filling and coated with a thin layer of chocolate.
The crispiness is not familiar with me. It is somewhat of a mix between a Kit Kat, a Coffee Crisp and a cracker. Whatever it is, my mouth likes it.

If you ever get the chance, I recommend that you try :)

score: 9.5/10
website: https://www.arnotts.com/tim-tam-home/


also... please check out my personal blog and follow me around Tokyo :)

Etude House Silk Scarf Double Care Hair Mask review

Etude House Silk Scarf Double Care Hair Mask

You know a product is good if you want to repurchase it the moment you finish using it. This happens to be one of those products.

Thankfully there are instructions in English

For those who are new to this blog, you know how much I care about the health of my hair. If you type of "hair" in the search --> you are bound to find loads of posts relating to hair.

close up of diagrams and Korean instructions

close up of the ingredients

impressions:

• my hair smells so nice! 
• smells like a sort of grapefruit
• hair felt like silky, smooth and soft
• no tangles
• did I mention it smells really nice?... I can't stop sniffing my hair!
• results lasted for about 5 days

the mask

pros:

• smells nice
• works and easy to use
• made hair so silky, soft and smooth!
• cheaper (compared to professional salons)

cons:

• too many steps + very time consuming (wash and dry and apply and wash and dry...)
• the cap part was slightly troublesome (how can I tell all the essence was properly rubbed in?)
• expensive (compared to other home hair masks -  $5 USD)
• only lasted for 5 days

the shower cap to seal the product

the shower cap also had its own ingredients to help with making your hair feel silky smooth

I will definitely be purchasing this hair mask again! I loved my hair! It made my hair so silky smooth and smelled so good!! But because of the hefty price tag (and you can only use it once), I might save my future purchases for special occasions.


score: 9.5/10
website: https://www.etudehouse.com/int/en/index.php/silk-scarf-double-hair-mask.html