Unboxing: The Body Shop Summer Haul

Okay, this is super random, but I was watching an ASMR video a couple months ago that featured some sort of relaxing sleep spray from The Body Shop, and I thought, "Wow, when was the last time I used anything from The Body Shop?" I would buy the odd loofah or hand cream in the 2010s, but had largely forgotten about this once ultra-giant bath chain from the UK. I remember I wanted to buy a couple things online during COVID, but saw that the Canadian website no longer offered online shopping or shipping, and I didn't care enough to do curbside pick-up at the mall, so I shopped elsewhere.

As an '80s baby born in Canada, The Body Shop was the go-to place to buy literally anything shower, bath, or skincare-related in the '90s and 2000s. (FYI, Bath & Body Works didn't come to Canada until 2008.) And this ASMR video reminded me that The Body Shop still exists, so I went to their website to see if they offered online shopping again. Not only have they revamped the entire website and made online shopping available again, but The Body Shop in Canada is now a fully Canadian-owned company! (Yay to supporting Canadian companies!) I had bought a variety of products because they were having a 40% off sitewide sale a few months ago, and I was incredibly impressed at the quality of quite literally everything I got. So when I got a notice that The Body Shop was having another 40% off sitewide sale for Canada Day, I hauled HARD. 

Guarana & Coffee Energising Cleanser, Edelweiss Cleansing Concentrate, and Vitamin C Daily Glow Cleansing Polish
Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, Camomile Jelly One-Step Cleanser, and Aloe Soothing Toner
Vitamin E Gentle Face Wash, Vitamin C Glow Revealing Microdermabrasion, and Peppermint Invigorating Foot Scrub
Banana Smooth & Shine Shampoo and Banana Smooth & Shine Conditioner
Shower Gel (750ml) in Mango, Satsuma, and Pink Grapefruit
Body Yogurt in Mango, Satsuma, and Pink Grapefruit
Dewberry Bath & Shower Gel, Dewberry Body Butter, Refreshing Passionfruit Shower Gel, and Refreshing Passionfruit Body Yogurt x 2

My face and body genuinely feel softer, smoother, and more hydrated after using their products (moving to a condo means using hard water, which means my eczema-prone skin gets even drier, itchier, and scalier), and best of all, I'm not allergic to anything! In comparison, I am allergic to almost all skin products from Bath & Body Works because of the scent ingredients they use. And I found out the hard way. I had developed little blisters on my hands that would itch like crazy and then pop and burst open into lesions and bleed out. I would get patches of eczema on my shins and forearms seemingly out of nowhere. And I had these for YEARS before an allergy test at the dermatologist determined that both Bath & Body Works hand soap and body soap were culprits. Suffice it to say, I would only go there to buy candles. And I don't use candles.

The Body Shop, which is celebrating their 50th anniversary (!!!) this year, is still supporting, utilizing, and emphasizing fair trade, ethically-sourced ingredients, and women empowerment. Not only that, but no one's doing scents like The Body Shop, which are pure, nostalgic delights. One whiff of Satsuma, and I am brought back to Christmas morning when I was 8. A sniff of White Musk, and I am in Grade 9 taking the subway to school. Of course, I picked up some newer items I'd never tried before as well, like the Guarana & Coffee face cleanser (it's apparently "for men," but I'm happy to report that it smells amazing and leaves my skin feeling clean and baby soft), Camomile jelly cleanser (takes off all my mascara and sunscreen like a cleansing balm but with a much more fluid, bouncy texture), and the Vitamin C face scrub (not harsh at all despite being called "microdermabrasion" and leaves my skin smoother than ever) that have officially entered my repeat buy list.

I'm sorry I abandoned you for so long, Body Shop. But I am back, and I am here to support you again.

Unboxing: Summer 2024 Skincare Haul

As my skincare stash from Hong Kong is dwindling now, I decided to scope out some new products. But between summer sales, late-night T&T runs, and Amazon Prime Day, it got a little out of hand:

Fresh x Juno Shen Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence in Juno Purple, Lotus Youth Preserve Resurfacing Dream Serum, and Sugar Roll-On Deodorant Antiperspirant

Kumano Hatomugi Lotion and Etude House Soonjung pH 5.5 Relief Toner

Curel Japan Intensive Moisture Care Moisture Facial Lotion II, Moisture Facial Milk, and Moisture Facial Cream

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Serum, Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer, Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturizer, Water Sleeping Mask, and Pink Lemonade Lip Sleeping Mask

Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer and Mango Lip Smoothie

Kracie Naive Face Wash in Peach Leaf and Yuzu Ceramide and Shiseido Super Mild Green Citrus Body Soap

Off & Relax Refresh Spa Shampoo and Spa Treatment

Kracie Limited Edition Ichikami Moonlight Beauty Shampoo and Conditioner Set

BTS TinyTan x Toy Story Shu Shu & Sassy Hand Cream in Jin as Alien, Suga as Hamm, J-Hope as Forky, Jimin as Rex, and Jungkook as Buzz Lightyear

BTS TinyTan x Toy Story Shu Shu & Sassy Hand Cream in Jin as Alien, Suga as Hamm, J-Hope as Forky, Jimin as Rex, and Jungkook as Buzz Lightyear

But this should last me until next year, right?

Unboxing: Japan 2024 Travel Haul

You know what's great about Japan (aside from the food and high-tech toilets)? Duty free shopping for tourists! 

Sholayered Light Green 1945 Eau de Toilette
Shiro Fragrance Earl Grey Hand Serum and Eau de Parfum
House of Rose Aroma Rucette Body Wash & Bubble Bath in Pink & White Grapefruit and Mandarin & Bitter Orange
House of Rose Sakura Fufufu Milky Body Cream
House of Rose Doux Surge Moisture Body Milk and Moisture Body Cream
Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara x 2, DeJavu Lash Knockout Extra Volume Mascara, DeJavu Fiber Wig Ultra Long Mascara, and Rohto C3 Cool Eye Drops x 3
Sunstar Ora2 Stain Clear Toothpaste in Peach Leaf Mint x 3 and Fresh Kiwi Mint x 3
Asahi Mintia Breeze Sugarless Candy in Fresh Peach x 5 and Fresh Grape x 5
Souvenirs: Cosmetics pouch, hair brush, coin purse, and glasses case
Starbucks Been There Series: Across the Globe Collection Mug — Tokyo
Starbucks Been There Series: Across the Globe Collection Mug — Osaka
Starbucks Been There Series: Across the Globe Collection Mug — Japan (Spring Edition)
Starbucks Been There Series: Across the Globe Collection Tote Bag — Japan (Spring Edition)
Uniqlo "Asakusa" and "Daruma Dolls" by Bog Craft UT Graphic T-Shirts
Uniqlo "Asakusa Icons" and "Kaitenzushi" UT Graphic T-Shirts

Not included in this post are the plethora of random skin ointments and lip balms I got at pharmacies and the atrocious amount of jeggings and sweatshirts I got at Uniqlo (which are HALF THE PRICE than they are here!!!!!).

Sholayered

Shibuya Scramble Square, 5/F

2 Chome-24-12

Shibuya, Shibuya City

Tokyo, Japan 〒150-0002 

+81-03-4221-4280

Shiro

Shibuya Scramble Square, 6/F

2 Chome-24-12

Shibuya, Shibuya City

Tokyo, Japan 〒150-0002 

+81-03-6803-8246

House of Rose

Tokyu Plaza Shibuya, 3/F

1 Chome−2−3

Dogenzaka, Shibuya City

Tokyo, Japan 〒150-0043

+81-03-6427-0709

Uniqlo Asakusa

Tokyo Rakutenchi Asakusa Building, 1-2/F

2 Chome−6−7

Asakusa, Taito City

Tokyo, Japan 〒111-0032

+81-50-3355-7798

Unboxing: Fall/Winter 2023 Haul

(Warning: This post is extremely long and photo-heavy.)

So, between my birthday, Black Friday, and the holiday sales in general, I bought a lot of stuff. Like, A LOT OF STUFF.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max in White Titanium
Casetify MagSafe Clear Cases for iPhone 15 Pro Max by The Little Red House
(Left to right: Moon Bear with Boba, Red Panda with Leaf, and Happy Octopus with Takoyaki)
Casetify Impact Cases for iPhone 15 Pro Max by The Little Red House(Left to right: Taiyaki with Bunny, Mice with Egg Tart, and Spring Time Bunnies)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Elago AirPods Pro 2 Strawberry Ice Cream Case Cover
I traded in my old iPhone 13 Pro Max and got a new iPhone 15 Pro Max for my birthday. So obviously, I had to get cases for it. Coincidentally, Casetify was having a 30% off discount for Black Friday, so I bought not one, not two, but six phone cases. (Variety is the spice of life?) Then my colleague wanted to take advantage of a 20% off promotion at Costco on Apple products, but he needed to spend a minimum of $1,000 and all he wanted was an iPad. I figured since I would have to get USB-C adaptors for all my Lightning connectors because of the iPhone 15, it would be easier to just switch all my iPhone accessories to wireless, so I got a pair of AirPods Pro to take advantage of the discount. I actually wasn't going to get a case for it initially, but then I saw this one shaped like an ice cream bar, and that was that. 

Tiffany & Co. Return to Tiffany Silver Mini Heart Tag Stud Earrings
Also as a birthday present to myself this year (and to celebrate my work bonus), I got a pair of new Tiffany Return to Tiffany heart tag earrings to replace my really old ones from 15 years ago. There was no sale or anything. I just thought they were cute.

Fresh Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum 100ml x 2 and Sugar Lemon Eau de Parfum 30ml
Fresh Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum 100ml x 2 and Sugar Lemon Eau de Parfum 30ml
Fresh Sugar Lychee Body & Hand Wash and Body Lotion
Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit Body & Hand Wash and Body Lotion
Fresh Milk Bodycare Set: Milk Body Cleanser, Body Lotion, and Hand Cream
Fresh Tea Elixir Skin Resilience Activating Serum, Lotus Youth preserve Dream Face Cream, and Lotus Youth Preserve Eye Cream
Fresh Holiday Gift: Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence, Black Tea Advanced Age Renewal Cream, Tea Elixir Skin Resilience Activating Serum, Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment, and Soy Face Cleanser
Fresh was having a 30% off sale for Black Friday, so I decided to stock up on my favourite Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum (I've been using this for a decade so I don't mind splurging regularly, but when it's on sale, I get 2 bottles), a smaller size of the Sugar Lemon Eau de Parfum, plus some of the body products that I would never have considered buying at full price. I also took the opportunity to get some new skincare from them because again, I find their products to be way too expensive to purchase on a regular basis, but I don't feel so guilty when they're on sale. I've used the Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Face Cream before and really liked it, but have wanted to try the Tea Elixir Resilience Activating Serum and the Lotus Youth Preserve Eye Cream for a while, so I got those, too. Because now that I'm 37, I have to PRESERVE MY YOUTH.

Shingmulnara Jeju Sparkling Water Pore Deep Cleansing Foam x 2 and Jeju Sparkling Water Power Whip Cleansing Foam x 2
Klavuu Phytoncide Mild Cleansing Foam and Ariul Apple Cider Fresh Puree Scrub Mask
Numbuzin No. 3 Skin Softening Serum, No. 4 Collagen 73% Pudding Serum, and No. 6 Deep Sleep Mask Serum

Innisfree Black Tea Youth Enhancing Ampoule and Black Tea Youth Enhancing Cream
Which is why I also bought a ton of skincare from Olive Young, because they were having a 25% off sale for Black Friday as well, and I'm basically treating this like Sephora VIB sale. (And since I don't shop at Sephora anymore, I obviously have to take advantage of their sales.) All I'm saying is, with all the money I spend on skincare, I better look like I'm 25 when I'm 40. 

LEGO Botanical Collection Wildflower Bouquet
LEGO Tranquil Garden
LEGO Vincent van Gogh - The Starry Night
LEGO Hokusai - The Great Wave
Knowing my affinity for building LEGO, my friend Ronsee told me that Indigo was selling all LEGO sets at 20% off for Black Friday. I didn't even know Indigo carried LEGO sets, let alone have a sale for them, but I ended up getting four of the ones I'd been eyeing. Crazy that I could get them at Indigo on sale but LEGO itself didn't offer any discounts on these sets at all. (In fact, their Black Friday deals were absolute shit. Bless Ronsee for always looking out for me!) Anyway, at this rate, my apartment will basically become a hybrid BTS-LEGO exhibition soon.

Smoko Souffle Pancake Ambient Light
Smoko Tayto Potato Ramen Vinyl Figurine Blind Boxes
Smoko Tayto Potato Ramen Vinyl Figurine Blind Boxes(Tayto Ramen and Tayto Deluxe Ramen)
Smoko Tayto Potato Ramen Vinyl Figurine Blind Boxes(Tayto Udon and Tayto Cup Ramen)
Smoko Dim Sum Plush Keychain Blind Boxes
Smoko Dim Sum Plush Keychain Blind Boxes(Shrimp dumpling and baked bun)
Smoko Dim Sum Plush Keychain Blind Boxes(Siu mai and molten egg custard buns)
Smoko Dim Sum Plush Keychain Blind Boxes(Xiao long bao and egg tart)
Okay, so those who have been following this blog for the past few years will know that collecting figures has become one of my hobbies. (Perhaps this makes up for all the dolls and shit that I didn't play with when I was a kid because they scared the shit out of me.) Some people spend extra money on travel, some spend it on designer bags or shoes, and I spend it on figurines. (I'm basically living out my childhood dreams.) It started with BT21, but has apparently moved on to whatever the fuck is too cute to resist. Case in point, my shopping spree at Smoko because they were having a 25% off sale for Black Friday and I quite literally bought a total of 27 blind boxes. Potatoes in ramen? Dim sum plushes? HECK. YES. (Except I do feel like those blind boxes are somewhat rigged. Those potato ramen figures? I actually bought a total of 15 of them. I figured that would be enough to collect all 5 versions. Umm, I got 7 OF ONE TYPE. This is how they get you. It's like getting lottery tickets. You always buy more in hopes of winning. But at least I managed to get all 6 of those dim sum plushes.)

BT21 Mang "Hope in Love" Humidifier
BT21 Minini Monitor Figurines(Left to right: Tata, Koya, RJ, and Shooky)
BT21 Minini Monitor Figurines(Left to right: Mang, Chimmy, and Cooky)
BT21 x FRAGMENT Chimmy Graphic Hoodie(Front + Back)
BT21 x FRAGMENT Cube Keyring
Of course, I can't leave out my BT21 items. These were not on sale. They were just cute and I wanted them. (Err... Holiday presents to myself?) I was especially excited about the BT21 x FRAGMENT collection because there hasn't been a streetwear collab with BT21 since the one with Anti Social Social Club in 2018. I only really wanted the hoodies and was set to buy both Cooky and Chimmy, but the Cooky one was sold out almost immediately so I only ended up with the one. At least I got a cute keychain as a gift with it.

SUGA | Agust Tour D-Day The Final Guitar Pick Set
Jungkook GOLDEN Accessory Tray
Jungkook GOLDEN Keyring

That finally leads me to some BTS merch that I had pre-ordered and finally arrived. No sale or anything, just my standard BTS merch ordering. (They're all enlisted in the military now but that does not mean the merch stops.) And with that, my end-of-year shopping haul is complete! WHAT GOODIES WILL 2024 BRING? (Actually, I've already got a few BTS things coming for next year since I pre-ordered some stuff over the last two months... but I digress.) 

I hope everyone has a safe, healthy, and happy new year!