YumeTwins August Kawaii Subscription Box Review ♥

Hi cuties!!!

So first off I want to see this review is not sponsored at all, I bought this with my own money and all opinions are 100% mine.

Right now that's out of the way. Me and Amy have been wanting to get a monthly subscription box for a while and we checked out some (which were all Japanese related be it snacks etc) but we weren't overall impressed. Me and twinny have been subscribed to this subscription box since it started 3 months ago. But really when we got them we were so excited we opened them up straight away and never really took photos or anything... until now!

So this is the August box I'm reviewing which theme was Loveable Animals. I'll be reviewing the design/ concept, the price, and the actual contents.

So what is Yume Twins? Well its a monthly subscription box from the people of Tokyo Treat. The people behind the boxes are actually based in Japan and all the goods are official merchandise. But Clairey, more about the box! Ok, so its a Kawaii monthly subscription box where you now get 8-10 items that fit into the Yume Kawaii style! The yume style, which the website describes as "a mixture of cuteness, fairytales and more importantly a touch of darkness! (yami)"  

So the design of the actual box and the idea of the subscription box to me is a magical girl dream.  The box outside and inside is beyond adorable with their two mascots,  and all the cuteness surrounding it in a lovely lavender colour.  

Now on to the contents, before I get into August's contents, I just want to quickly state what type of items you get. As I said before you get around 8-10 goodies. But what they include are all official merchandise which includes, plushies, stationary, figures, keyrings and accessories. So what brands have they included? Sanrio, Alpacasso, Bandai, Rement and lots more.

Now onto Augusts box. 

So in every box you get a little magazine which includes descriptions of the items you get, news from Yume Twins and insights of whats popular in Japan at the moment. The magazine is super cute and all designed with their mascots and original art which is a super cute box.

First is a blind box that is a cute little charm of yummy cakes and dessert. We really liked this, it was well made and though a small item still nice,

Then we got this egg carton, with GUDETAMA. We get this squishy pink egg with a little gudetama inside. Totally cute, totally adorable and totally pink. 

Couldn't get the best picture of this but I love pompompurin so much! The pen is quite good actually, blank ink and writes pretty well. It has a cute stamp like design on it, I was so happy when I got this.

As the theme of the box loveable animals this pink alpacasso sure fits the bill! Again it's pink so Amy was over the moon. It's cute and adorable and it has a ball chain on it so that you can put on your bag etc. Another great item. 

Cute face and hand towel featuring a cat from an anime? Doesn't really matter, it's a nice design and it's useful.

Another loveable animal. This is an item that you could of got one of a few. It's really soft and cute! And it's currently on my bag.

Oh my god. This is so so amazing, A thick notepad with lines, neko atsume pad. I don't actually like cats but neko atsume is just so charming. And its stationary! I collect it and I've used this pad a lot, so cute.

So I adoreeee pom pom purin! Like he's my favourite Sanrio character and when I saw this I went crazy. So cute and I'll probably never use it because I love it too much. It's a letter set and includes stickers too. 

Mini Review

So as this post has gone rather in depth I'll try keep this too the point. Shall be giving my last thoughts and a rating out of five.

The design/concept of this box is just amazing. So adorable and a bit of a gap in the market. I'm totally for the design and concept so this is a 5/5.

Now the price is different for everyone depending on their month package or which offers they have. Generally they always have some sort of offer on which helps with the price and the flat rate $6.99 worldwide shipping seems fair. With all the items in the box I do think it's really worth the price so I'll give this a 4/5.

Contents, well this is easy for me. You get 8-10 items and for every box I've had I have been pleased with everything! Even if it's something I'm much of a fan of it's all really cute and the other items in the box are normally really on point. 5/5.

So I really love this subscription box and if you're wanting kawaii items that aren't always candy or anime related this is for you. They normally have some sort of offer on so if there isn't one on at the moment, might be worth waiting a bit. You can find their website here. 

Sorry if this got rather in depth, if there is anything I didn't cover please comment and I'll gladly get back to you!

Clairey xoxo   

What is Otome no Sewing and How do I use it?

Hi girls, I've talked a lot about otome no sewing but not about what they are. In a sense there like a lolita pattern Ikea, they have pretty pictures of the products in the front then at the end is the instructions and patterns. 

Unlike gothic lolita bible the patterns are non branded ones however instead you get a lot more 'premium' patterns of actual clothes and plenty of them! roughly around 20 probably more!

So here is one of the front pages with coord ideas of all of it's patterns. Here you can see close up shots as well of certain details. Each pattern has a number which is its name once you've chosen a pattern you can go to the back to see the construction method and find the paper pattern of it (more on this later) 

Some of the patterns has photo instructions these are normally for more complex patterns. Only a couple of the patterns have photo instructions but don't worry...

Because the rest have diagram instructions and written instructions too!

But they are all in Japanese???
Yes they are but with the google translate phone app you can translate via photo! just take a photo of the page and let the app do the work for you. Turn flash on in the app as this helps it focus every time. You might get a few confusing translations but don't panic! translate the whole page first and not just little sections, you will find that the other sections will help you figure out any confusing areas. 

Now here are you paper patterns! confused? all the patterns are overlayed each other which means you have to trace off these patterns to which I recommend a tracing wheel. As you may need to alter the patterns tracing off means you can keep the original to check back to when needed. 

In this photo you can see the key, it will tell you what patterned lines to look for, for each pattern and how many pieces it has.

But my pattern I chose isn't on the paper pattern?
Some of the patterns are alterations of another pattern or include some self drafting. But don't worry there is instructions for it in the book sometimes the self drafting is for simple things like ruffles or pom pom balls. Some pattern call for alteration of the pattern but instructions are given on how to do that as well.

The pattern I want to do has a technique I've never done before?
Before the diagram  black and white instructions is a page on how to do certain techniques however google is your friend as well! I only recently learnt how to shirr with elastic thread (so easy!! why was I so afraid of them?) and how to gather with my overlocker.

so to conclude 

- Otome no sewing is a Japanese lolita sewing book with paper patterns in the back

- it has coord ideas at the front showcasing the patterns

-photo instructions and black and white instructions in the back

-It provides paper patterns that you have to trace off as they are all overlayed

- some pattern pieces are not provided but take some self drafting or alteration of a pattern that is already in the book.

- The books are seasonal one for s/s and one for a/w

I've managed to find these books at £15 and to get 20 or more patterns from it is an absolute steal! You can draft these patterns your self if you take long enough but to have already thought up patterns and instructions included projects is such a luxury. The patterns range from simple to detailed clever cuts. From scarfs and mittens to Ops and fluffy bear coats! I hope I've been able to help explain what these wonderful books are sewing lolita was a bit daunting for me but now with these books I have so many wonderful projects to choose from!