a temporary switch...

hey my sweetie butter cups,

I have been quite drained recently... please go to https://cutiepiestephanie.blogspot.jp/ for some updates... reviews will be back soon... :)

Nissin's Crisp Choco Strawberry Flakes「クリスプチョコ ストロベリー」 review

Crisp Choco 

hey my sugar pies!

welcome to February! I hope you are all staying warm (northern hemisphere)!

I was at my local combini (Japanese way to say convenient store), Lawson 100 (which is a 100yen convient store) and this interesting product caught my eye. I mean... who can resist those eyes? :P

price: ¥108 (tax included)

Name in Japanese:クリスプチョコ ストロベリー (Crispy Choco Strawberry)

*please note that the strawberry version is the limited version, the original version uses milk chocolate

What it is:

this is a strawberry white chocolate coated corn flakes snack.

impressions:

• very tasty
• perfect amount of strawberry white chooclate to melt in your mouth
• loved the texture of the corn flakes as the strawberry white chocolate melted away
• I finished it .. correction... devoured it in one go
• similar to a rice crispy, but a corn flakes version also less sweet
• very reasonable price!

I REALLY liked this! It is the perfect snack, I highly recommend this snack for anyone who likes Strawberry White chocolate. 

score: 10/10!!

website: https://www.nissin.com/jp/products/items/6890

also... if you are interested, please check out my personal blog and follow me around Tokyo :)

L'Oreal Elseve Extraordinary Oil (Hair Oil) review

I know... I am obsessed with hair oil, but the health of my hair is extremely important to me. 

product description:

This hair oil is made of French rose oil. Its Shine Mirror technology helps treat the hair strand by strand, giving your hair unbelievable gloss. It will leave your hair eye-catchingly glossy from any angle
Benefits of the range infused with Precious French Rose Oil:
On the Hair Length: Deeply penetrates into the hair keratin and moisturizes to the core of the hair, enhances shine from within and luxuriously smoothen hair fibers strand by strand, fiber by fiber.

RESULTS:
Upon application, the light-weight and non-greasy formula is instantly absorbed on hair, leaving your hair feeling exceptionally soft with supreme smoothness and lustrous shine.

how to use:

Distribute 2-3 pumps onto palm and apply:

1. Before shampoo and conditioner to prepare, nourish and prep hair for washing
2. On towel dry/ dry hair (before blow drying) to protect hair
3. Throughout the day for continuous nourishment and shine

Out of the three ways, I prefer the 2nd way, it is so important to protect your hair after washing and before blow drying. I also find that the product absorbs easier when it is on wet hair.

impressions:

• smells so good (like "expensive" perfume)
• the product is thick and transparent
• three - four pumps is adequate (you should do trial and error starting with 1 pump to see how much product your hair needs)
• perfume smell does not stay
• works, my hair feels much stronger and healthier.

more info:

depending on your preference, in my case, I didn't like that the expensive perfume smell did not stay in my hair at all... in fact... I was quite disappointed. It doesn't make sense why they would add a scent in only for it to be gone within a few minutes. Alcohol is not only damaging but also very unnecessary for hair oil... especially when it only stays for such a short time.

This product is amazing. I love how my hair immediately absorbs all the product, by the time you are done, your hand should feel dry. If they are still oily, it means you have used WAY too much.

I noticed that this hair oil made my hair feel shiny in a healthy way (not in a greasy dirty way). Which is great. After using this product for about a week, I started noticing how much my hair has gotten stronger and healthier. It has a bounce to it, and when I pull it (to test the strength) it, my hair does not give in to the pull.

I have been using this product for about 5 months and I still have about half a bottle left. 

score: 8/10

website: https://www.loreal-paris.com.sg/products/hair-care/hair-treatment/extraordinary-oil-eclat-imperial-high-shine-oil-100ml/

also... if you are interested, please check out my personal blog and follow me around Tokyo :)

Tempura with Rice -TenDon- 天丼 Tenya 天や てんや review

天丼 ¥500 (tax included)

If you read the title, I didn't make a typo... this isn't about an animal's tendon... in Japanese TenDon (or 天丼) means Tempera with rice.

I happen to end up at one of their locations the other day (I have been craving fried things lately... anyone else or is it just me?)

They have a simple menu... there isn't a lot of options... so I chose their 人氣#01 (everyone's #1 choice), which was the shop's special 天丼.

This 天丼 contained: a slice of a type of pumpkin/squash, a shrimp, 2 string peas, a fish, and squid.

impressions

• very cheap
• extremely filling
• good quality
• very fresh

don't be fooled... just because these are fried items, they do not lose their freshness... don't even think for a moment they are giving you old stale shrimp or veggies. They were extremely fresh. 

price: ¥500 (tax included)

score: 9.5/10

website: http://www.tenya.co.jp/

群馬県 - 鹿火屋 Kahiya sweets shop review

I found this review unfinished sitting in the back of my drafts folder, so I thought I should finish it... I visited this Sweets Shop in November 2017.

It is Kouyou season (紅葉)!!!  We are excited so we decided to go up to Ikaho, Gunma (伊香保、群馬県.

My friend took us to a place called: 鹿火屋, which literally translate to Deer Fire Shop, is a traditional Gunma Prefecture (群馬県) snack shop (和菓子屋).

as pictures are worth a thousand words, I will let you be the judge of this place. I, for one, found it fascinating, it was very uniquely Japanese and very traditional.

abacus used to calculate your orders

simple menu

seating area

we order pretty much everything on the menu

source of fire to keep us warm and toasty

unfortunately, this source of heat made my clothes stink... but still nice

grilled yam skewer

watching the chef/master do his job

I wasn't much of a fan of the food, I felt it was too bland. It wasn't filling either. But if you are up for an interesting experience, to see and feel another side of Japan, I would suggest this place.

score: food: 7/10; atmosphere: 9.8/10
no website
Address: 1329-127 Kaminoda, Yoshioka, Kitagunma District, Gunma Prefecture 370-3606
Phone: 0279-54-3920

Doutor’s こんがりうす焼トースト review

Doutor is one of the most popular coffee chains in Tokyo. Their coffee is one of the local favourites in Tokyo. You can find a Doutor at most places around Tokyo. Since it is a local favourite, it is no wonder they would start selling products under their name using their famous coffee taste.

The title, こんがりうす焼トースト, literally translates to thin toast crisps. 

[栄養成分] 1袋（52g）当たり
エネルギー：248kcal / たんぱく質：4.9g / 脂質：10.1g / 炭水化物34.3g / 食塩相当量：0.68g

[Nutritional information] per bag (52 g)
Energy: 248 kcal / Protein: 4.9 g / Lipid: 10.1 g / Carbohydrate 34.3 g / Salt equivalent amount: 0.68 g

inside of the package

impressions:

• sweet, but not too sweet
• toast taste on one side
• sweet coffee sugar (similar to cinnamon toast crunch... but with coffee) on the other side
• addictive
• literally tastes like plain toast (if you take off all the sweet coffee sugar)

the actual product

I really liked these... I couldn't stop munching on them... they were really good and make a good snack, the whole bag is only 248 calories and only ¥100/bag.

Score: 9/10
website: https://www.doutor.co.jp/business/wholesale/snack/57_42.html

The Body Shop Vitamin E serum review

product

The Body Shop packaging is always changing so I'm not sure what it would look like by the time this post comes out. Just remember the name: Vitamin E Moisture Serum

Since I got this in a Canadian store, the packaging might be different than if you buy it somewhere else.

product and product

Details and info about product:

A concentrated pre-moisturiser treatment for the skin, for continuous, enhanced moisturisation and protection. Vitamin E protects, while tara bush seed extract works within the skin to boost moisture levels. Skin is instantly smoothed, while the future of your skin is protected over time, with regular regime use.

It claims it is:

• Suitable for all skin types
• With vitamin E
• With Community Trade honey from Ethiopia
• Facial serum
• Concentrated formula
• Enhances moisturisation
• All-day protection

impressions:

• pump type (easy to use and hygienic)
• very thick (consistency is between a serum and lotion)
• works!
• has a lightly baby powder scent
• your skin just grabs it and absorbs it

I was impressed. What seemed to be an innocent purchase became a great find! This serum must be paired with a moisturizer or it won't work. (I've tried). You do not have to use a body shop moisturizer, but you NEED a moisturizer.

This is definitely a product I was glad I picked up and I highly recommend it.

Score: 9.8/10
Website: https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-sg/face/moisturizers/vitamin-e-moisture-serum/p/p000878