January Snakku Review and Giveaway

Snakku has quickly become one of my favorite subscription boxes for a number of reasons! They have beautiful packaging and delicious snacks that are sent straight from Japan. Their January box is the best one yet!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

Snakku is a Japanese snack box that is unique in that they send authentic foods that are only available in Japan. They also include more popular and easier to find snacks, but my favorite part is that the box lets me sample things I wouldn't normally have access to.

Boxes cost $38.95 per month with free shipping to U.S. addresses. While that might seem like a high price at first, I think it is well worth the cost because you'll get nearly two pounds of snacks that are only available in Japan. Without Snakku, I would have no access to these types of snacks!

Snakku's packaging is absolutely gorgeous. Each box is wrapped in a colorful cloth, which I would love to share with you but I must have accidentally deleted the photo I took of the box before opening it! You can see examples in my previous Snakku reviews, though.

This month's box features snacks from Chidoriya, which is a boutique snack company based in the southern island of Kyushu. It was established way back in 1630 near the port city of Nagasaki, which was the only place in Japan that had access to western goods at the time. Chidoriya was also one of the first snack shops in Japan to put sugar in their products. Even today they still hand make all of their snacks using traditional methods and high quality ingredients!

Here are the Featured Snacks for January:

• Hanachidori (top left in pink and yellow packaging) - These little cakes are called manju cakes, which I had never heard of before. They're filled with finely-milled bean paste and come in two flavors: mellow white bean paste and rich yellow bean paste mixed with egg yolks. When I first read the description I thought, bean paste? I wasn't sure what to expect, but these are delicious! I associate beans with savory in my mind, but these were soft and sweet.
• Tirolian Hat - This is the second most popular snack that Chidoriya makes. They're wafer sandwiches with a thin layer of creme in the middle. They come in lemon, strawberry, and coffee. I loved these but I wish they had more creme inside.
• Tirolian Chococrunch - These. Are. Amazing! They're little mini-waffle crunch cookies that are made with locally-produced milk and butter, baked for hours at a low temperature, coated in milk chocolate and then baked again. The chocolate taste is heavenly and the crispy texture is perfect!
• Tirolian - These are Chidoriya's most popular snack. They're roll cookies that are made using the same recipe that was used when the store opened in 1630. They're filled with creme and come in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and coffee creme flavors. I honestly can't pick a favorite flavor because they all were so good!

Here are the Popular Snacks for January:

• Pretz Corn - These pretzel sticks are very popular in Japan and are in the seasonal Hokkaido winter corn flavor. They have a nice savory flavor that really does taste like sweet corn.
• Happy Turn - The informational card says that these are hard to describe but that the Snakku team loves them, and I agree! They're kind of airy, like a popped chip, but have a good sweet/salty flavor. I love the kawaii packaging, too.
• Lemon Yogurt Candy - These are dual-layered candies with lemon on top and yogurt on the bottom. I haven't tried them yet but the combo sounds yummy.
• Yaki Imo - These are made with stone-baked Japanese sweet potatoes, and I am assuming that they have a creamy filling like the bean paste cakes. I haven't tried them yet, though, so I'm not entirely sure.
• Kuromame Senbei - I love senbei and this one was very tasty. It's a rice cracker with black beans baked in and an earthy yet slightly sweet flavor.

Bottom Line: This was my favorite Snakku box yet because I just loved all of the Chidoriya snacks! I tried to find Tirolian roll cookies (and really all of the cookies featured this month) online but couldn't find them anywhere, which just goes to show that Snakku really does send items that are only available in Japan!

• Visit Snakku to learn more and subscribe
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram

Want to win a January Snakku box? Snakku has kindly offered two boxes for my readers to win! Enter using the Rafflecopter below. The sweepstakes is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada aged 18+. Please see the Rafflecopter for full terms and conditions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

February PopSugar Must Have Theme!

The February PopSugar Must Have theme has been released, and it is...

*Disclaimer: Post contains affiliate links.

What kind of items do you think they'll include? Be sure to sign up to get the box here!

Zigels Laptop Travel Backpack Review

I don't travel as much as I'd like to, but I do like to get down to New York City as often as possible. The last two times I went I kept wishing I had a better carry on. Not taking my laptop with me on a trip is absolutely out of the question, but the "carry on plus one personal item" rule can be a bit cumbersome. Now I have the Zigels Laptop Backpack, which is the perfect combination of a carry on and laptop bag!

*Disclaimer: This product was purchased by See, Shop, Love! at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

My first impressions of the bag were that it was lightweight but sturdy at the same time. I'm a cautious packer and I always pack enough basics to last me through my trip in case my main luggage gets lost in transit. That means at least one pair of jeans, a dressier outfit, a casual outfit, pajamas, makeup, hair products...way more than most people probably put in a carry on! This expands and has a ton of extra pockets to put all of my items in.

I also really like the colors. Black is my favorite for accessories, and I like the tan/camel accents. I also appreciate the mesh pockets on the sides; they're perfect for slipping a water bottle into. I would definitely unpack this and then take it with me during my vacation, too. Maybe not in NYC because it would be too easy for pickpockets to take stuff out while it was on my back, but definitely for something like a hiking trip.

The bag has three zippered compartments and this is what the first one looks like. I really like all of the separate pockets, and the extra zip pocket inside! I could easily put my iPad Mini in the zip pocket and other miscellaneous things (lip balm, lotion, etc.) in the smaller slip pockets.

The second main zip section is where I would put my laptop because it has a velcro strap to keep it in place. It's also easy to remove and put back for the TSA check, since they require that you put any computers in a separate bin when you go through security. The bag fits laptops up with up to 17" screens.

There is also a zip pocket on the front of the exterior of the bag, which I would use to put my ID and wallet in, and anything else I would need to grab quickly at the airport and during a flight.

Lastly, the back of the bag has thick, sturdy straps and a buckle snap that holds the straps together. The straps are very comfortable on my shoulders and dispense weight evenly across my back.

This bag is really versatile and doesn't have to be used for travel. I also would have used this while I was in college, and it's great for day trips and hiking!

Bottom Line: I really like this bag and I can't wait to use it when I go to NYC in April! It's the perfect size for everything I need, and I love that I can now just use this as my carry on and laptop bag and no longer need to bring both.

• You can purchase the Zigels Laptop Travel Backpack on Amazon

Harrison Blake Apparel February Review & Coupon

Harrison Blake Apparel has a men's subscription that makes coordinating an outfit convenient and simple. This box is perfect for the man who doesn't like to shop but still wants to look good!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

The Harrison Blake box costs $25 per month and includes one tie with four color-coordinated accessories. Shipping is free to the U.S. and Canada. They also offer international shipping outside of the U.S. and Canada, which you can get the details for here.

All of the items are exclusive and hand-selected for the box. Accessories can include pocket squares, lapel pins, tie bars, and more!

I really like the colors in February's box! The maroon and blue are really nice together. All of the prices are listed as "average retail price" on the informational card included in the box.

• H.B. Scissors Tie Bar ($25) - Alright, so I don't wear ties, but I'm pretty sure tie bars are used to hold the tie together. The scissors shape is unique.
• Cotton Pocket Square ($20) - I really love the pattern and colors of this. It's a lightweight cotton square and feels really well-made.
• Knit Necktie ($25) - I've never seen a knit necktie before. This one doesn't have a triangle-tip end like every other tie I've ever seen in my life (as you can see in the photo above). It's interesting, but I like it!
• H.B. Polka Dot Socks ($12) - I love tall socks with fun patterns, so I'm keeping these for myself!
• Beaded Bracelet ($15) - I like this bracelet a lot, too. I think it's a pretty unisex design so I'll wear it with my casual outfits.

Bottom Line: I really like the Harrison Blake Apparel box! I'm impressed by the quality of the products and the low price. A tie alone would cost more than $25 in a lot of stores. The fact that everything is color-coordinated makes it an amazing deal, in my opinion.

• Visit the Harrison Blake Apparel website to sign up
• Use coupon code FASTFIVE for $5 off your first box
• Use coupon code FEB16 for 40% off a purchase from their shop (expires Feb. 28)
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

December Chisel Shave Club Review and Coupon!

Chisel Shave Club is a new wet shave subscription that was created to help men "discover the lost art of wet shaving." Even though this box is for men, I think we ladies can use it, too!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

Traditional wet shaving is definitely making a comeback, and Chisel Shave Club makes it easy for men to treat themselves to a smooth, superior shave at home.

The box costs $29.99 per month with the option to add on a safety razor handle and shaving brush to the first month's box for an additional cost. They also have the following price points:

• 3 months prepaid for $28.99/month
• 6 months prepaid for $27.99/month
• 12 months prepaid for $26.99/month

The 6- and 12-month prepaid options come with a free safety razor handle and shaving brush in he first box. Shipping is free to anywhere in the U.S., but they are currently not shipping outside of the U.S.

Here's everything that came in the box. Keep in mind that you'll have to pay an extra fee if you wish to receive a razor and brush without signing up for the 6- or 12-month prepaid options.

• Dr. Squatch Cedar Citrus Soap - I love Dr. Squatch soaps; they always smell so good! This one has natural coconut and olive oils to nourish skin. It smells exactly the way it sounds, citrus-y with a hint of cedarwood.
• Brickell Clarifying Gel Face Wash - This is made with coconut, aloe, and geranium to cleanse skin without drying it out.
• Red Leaf Black Tea Shaving Soap - This soap is 100% vegan and handmade in small batches in Seattle. The scent has notes of sandalwood and sage.
• Astra Superior Platinum Blades and Shark Super Stainless Blades - The Astra blades are made in Russia and are stainless steel coated in platinum for a smooth shave. The Shark blades are from Egypt and are known for their consistency and sharpness.
• Brickell Instant Relief Aftershave - This has aloe vera to reduce irritation, coconut to nourish, and hyaluronic acid to rejuvenate and refresh.

And then, of course, there is the brush and razor. The safety razor is sturdy and really well-made. The brush has sturdy yet soft bristles that lather up really well when you add the soap.

Head over to Chisel Shave Club to join and use coupon code SEESHOPLOVE10 to get 10% off your first order.

Bottom Line: Chisel Shave Club seems like a great way to introduce your man to wet shaving! I will definitely use these products myself, though, to shave my legs. And I'll certainly use the face wash as well. I think they send high-quality products and I'm very impressed with the December box!