May Birchbox

My May Birchbox is here!

This month's theme is Gossip Girl.  I admit, I haven't seen the show so I really didn't know what to expect from this box.  Nevertheless, I'm happy with the products.

• Miracle Skin Transformer Body SPF 20 in glow
• fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15
• Kiehl's Abyssine Cream
• Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline fragrance
• Birchbox Notecards

So far, I've tried the body lotion, its kind of like a concealer for legs/arms/wherever you have scars or blemishes you want to cover.  It's really thick and has a tint to it.  I was nervous it would make me look orange, but I was pleasantly surprised. I've also used the lip balm. It is really light and adds nice, sheer color.  The Kiehl's moisturizer is nice, too.  I'm not sold on it yet.  It might be a bit thick for me and the summer humidity.  The fragrance really isn't my thing, but overall, I'm pleased with the products.

April Birchbox

My April Birchbox has arrived!  I had a few hiccups getting my box this month, but in spite of the post office being slow about forwarding my mail and the delivery confirmation telling my my package was undeliverable, my box only showed up a few days late.  I, however, am just late posting about it because of my own inefficiency.   Anyway, on to the goodies.

This month's theme was earthy and organic inspired products.  Now I'm not the most green person around, but I can appreciate a good, natural product.  I don't like to buy things just because they are natural and organic, the product better be effective and wow me.  This box delivered.

• Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift.  Ok, maybe not a green product, but it smells great, and my daughter loves it.  Another perfume sample to add to my collection.
• Zoya nail polish in Lotus.  Its a lovely purple color, no tuolene, camphor, or formaldehyde, goes on opaque in one coat, and lasts at least 50% longer than other nail-polishes.  I really like it!
• Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer.  Its a nice, light moisturizer that contains natural salicylic acid for acne prone skin.  Its also great for oily skin.  I was pleasantly surprised after trying this product.  I normally don't like things with salicylic acid, I feel they are too drying for me, but this one works great!  
• Amika Obliphica Nourishing Hair Mask.  I'm a sucker for hair products.  Its my beauty weakness.  I love this stuff.  I've only used it twice, but I can my hair feels softer and the ends don't feel as rough.  I might have to splurge on this product.
• Dropps Laundry Detergent.  This the "lifestyle extra" for my box.  I am currently washing a load of sheets with it right now.  Individual packets are always nice to keep down the mess with detergent, but the really factor is the scent and stain removal effectiveness. 

So there is my April Birchbox.  Any questions about the products?  Any fabulous new products you've tried recently?

March Birchbox

On my Princess' birthday I also received a present.  My March Birchbox came!  The boxes usually ship by the 10th of the month, however I must have been on the top of the list to actually get is on the 10th.  I'm not complaining, in fact I was really excited.  Anyway, here are my goodies:

It's a bright, cheery, green box.  It feels very spring to me.

Shampoo and hand soap.

Green Tea blotting papers, bright orange nail polish, and a smokey eye shadow trio.

Green detox tea.

I haven't tried anything yet.  Honestly, I was busy with party and guests, then work stuff.  I really want to break out that nail polish and give myself a pedicure.  It was 80 degrees the other day and I need to get sandal ready.  What do you do to get ready for spring?

Princess Turns Four

This past weekend was a momentous occasion, Princess had a birthday.

It didn't start off so well.

 

 My baby girl didn't sleep the night before or all day.  She had a slight fever and congestion.  Poor honey didn't know what to do.  We babied her by watching TV all day with occasional breaks to play the iPad.  She didn't sleep very well Friday night, but at least she slept some.  By Saturday, she had most of her energy back.

We had a birthday lunch a local pizza/game zone place.  She had a blast, and of course I left the camera in the car.  You will just have to imagine her running around with her uncles in tow from game to game.

After pizza, we headed home for cake, specifically cake pops.

 The presentation isn't perfect, but they were delicious and my daughter loved them.  Its a win in my book.

A dozen balloons were a nice surprise.   (they are tied to the chair)

We sang "Happy Birthday" and Princess sang it two more times.  She really likes to sing.

Of course we opened presents.  Both kiddos really enjoyed it this time.

After destroying my living room, it was time for one more present.

First, a lovely blue hat.

She absolutely loved her new bike.  And of course she was adorable trying to ride it.

She had lots of help with Daddy, Papa, and two uncles to rally behind her.

She loved her blue helmet so much she wanted to wear it the rest of the evening.  By the end of the weekend she figured out how to pedal herself.  I think she enjoyed her birthday weekend.

Gold Dust

This last weekend, I attempted to tackle my bucket list.  One of my amazing co-workers and I went to Silas and Maddie's for ice cream with my kiddos.  We planned it out for days; trying to avoid graduation mayhem in a college town, watchful for good weather, and most importantly, nap schedules.   We had awesome luck. While the line was out the door, it moved quickly and was definitely worth the wait.  Oddly enough, we both chose the same flavor, Gold Dust.  It is vanilla ice cream with Oreos, Snickers, and caramel.  Pure deliciousness, especially served in a waffle bowl.   I should go again so I can get a picture.  Princess liked it, except for the snicker chunks.  Those were immediately dropped on the ground.   Handsome snubbed his nose.  He ate some, but I think he was boycotting because I wouldn't let him hold the spoon.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Afterwards, we walked to South Park.  It was crawling with kiddos and parents.  Somehow, one bum managed to sleep through the chaos on a park bench.  My kiddos, as usual, preferred to play in separate areas.  Handsome made a bee line for the stairs on the tallest slide.  I casually walked behind him until I realized he had no fear and was going to slide down by himself, without hesitation.  I rushed down to the bottom, but he was already there, ready to go again.  Boys.   I tried to keep them on the shady side.  It worked for a bit, and I got a few pictures.


Handsome loved this alligator. I gently bounced it for him, but of course he soon figured out how to make it move. Let's just say he made it jump more vigorously. Another not so suprising difference between boys and girls.











This is pretty much the only picture of Princess.  She is far too busy to be bothered with pictures or to even look at the camera.  Maybe next time.

All in all, we had a great time.  The kiddos got worn out, mom got a few pictures, and we all got ice cream.   Princess didn't even throw a fit when we left!  She waved and told everyone "buhbye" a million times.  Even more impressive, Tiffany and I didn't talk about work!  That's true friendship.  So what did you do this weekend? Anyone else eat ice cream and jump on alligators?

A Walk in the Park

Its been almost four weeks since the Princess had her birthday.  The weekend following, we went to a new park.  It is fenced in.  I love that.  I almost didn't have to watch my kids, except for the dangerous, high playground equipment and my curious kiddos.  Darn.  Also, they were being cute and having so much fun, that I tried to snap a few pictures.  Of course, I am only uploading those same pictures tonight.  Anyway, here are my beautiful babies.

These are a few of my favorite of Princess up close.....I love her expressions.

And here is Handsome.  The little turkey wouldn't look at me most of the day.  He was too busy running away, looking for the next big thing.  I'm also blaming his running for the lack of focus in the pictures.

And here is my rebel.  Already daring to be different.  Somehow, I actually have more pictures of Handsome than Princess.  That's not supposed to happen for a second born.  I guess he got lucky this time, especially, since it wasn't his birthday.

Which picture is your favorite?  Any chance my babies are starting to look like me?  I still see hubby when I look that them, which really isn't a bad thing.  I just assumed my kiddos would have some of my features, too.

Blessings--

There's a Spring in My Step

 I don't know about you, but I'm itching for spring.  I'm tired of the snow, ice, and cold.  I think my kids are, too.  On one of the nice days, we took the kids for a walk and snapped some pictures.  Well, hubby took the pictures, I chased the kids.  Most of the pics were of the kids running away from us.  It was beautiful, clear, 70-something, and WINDY.  Two days later, it snowed.  At least we have some pictures to remind us what beautiful weather and stir crazy kids look like.

Handsome running

Happy Baby Boy and Mommy

My Princess