Birchbox

Birchbox. Birchbox. Birchbox. If you say it enough times it turns into a jumbled mess that sounds faintly like bird box, try it you'll see. Anyway, for those of you who have lives and don't tinker around on social media or blogs all day long Birchbox has kind of made a name for itself around blog-sphere  The basic concept is that you can pay for a box of free samples to be delivered to your home each month (ingenious, right). Sometimes the boxes are themed such as this month which focused on well-being, hence the raw vegan macaroons #yikes. 

After my hair fiasco and the barrage of unsuccessful attempts at finding the perfect shampoo, gambling on samples each month just seemed like the obvious choice. This past week I received my  first box. Honestly, my expectations weren't very high. I was paying ten dollars for a box of samples and the likelihood of getting products that would cater specifically to my needs and wants seemed low. Nevertheless, I have been pleasantly surprised, the nail polish from Ruby Wing dried in less than a minute (seriously cool) and the hair serum from Nexxus obviously caught my eye, and while I haven't seen a complete transformation I'm optimistic. 

And honestly, what girl doesn't enjoy getting a box in the mail each month chuck-full of surprise goodies? I mean that right there is totally worth paying ten dollars. Want to sign up and try it for yourself? Go here, you won't be disappointed!

*note: this is not a sponsored post I'm just a girl as frustrated as the rest of you with paying full price for products that end up not working. #aakkk 

Eleven Months

 

You turned eleven-months-old last Thursday. We were out of town and away from our everyday routine--of which you made me pay for dearly. You really are a great baby, but holy cow, you become a force to be reckoned with when your schedule is changed. And after spending six exhausting hours at the car dealership on Friday night you really hit the ball home by taking three itty bitty steps all by yourself. Naturally, you were less concerned with walking and more intrigued with the toy Brecken had stolen from you earlier. Nevertheless, three steps and I'll take it! Of course you wouldn't repeat the walking for your Dad, and yes, I was so excited that I forgot to take pictures, but we're making progress I (dare) say!

And as if my little baby girl is slipping through my fingertips, three more teeth joined the party! Now it's all sippy cups and eating by yourself which really makes me crave (and cherish) those moments where you still need (and like) me to feed you. Your Dad cautiously suggested I wean you by your birthday. Quite frankly, I think we both enjoy our little moments together too much to call it quits. yes? 

Oh Addy, you really are the apple-of-my-eye. It's the simple things like your tousled bed head each morning and your dainty little fingers that play with my face that make me smile. One more month down baby girl, can you believe it?!

Love, Mom

Instagram+Three Things

One//I'm sure you've already seen the newest beauty campaign video released by Dove. But if you haven't please watch it. John will attest to the fact that I am not a crier, really, it takes a lot for me to shed tears. Prepare yourself for a tear-jerker with this video however. Whenever I watch this video I become a blubbering basket case. 

Two//One of my favorite shops is having a 50% off sale. And they are discontinuing some of my all time fave t-shirts. Run fast and get one or two or three...

Three//It may still be snowing here but we brought out the kick/balance bike. This weather will not stop us from "imagining" that it is Spring (and bike weather). And so far Brecken is loving his "new" bike (I prematurely got it for his second birthday). He is still learning how to balance, but his speed is kind of getting scary (yikes). The frame is metal (crash-proof), there is a foot rest for balancing, and an adjustable seat (great for my short stack). It really is an amazing bike, find it here.

See you tomorrow!

Boating.

What a day, I puttered around the house as usual--cleaning, feeding, tending to the kids oblivious to the outside world. It wasn't until John returned home from work that I learned about the awful news in Boston.  My sweet cousin and her husband were at the marathon when it happened. Luckily they're both safe. The whole event has left me a bit anxious, perhaps it's motherhood and the carnal nature to protect my children or any child for that matter I suppose. I guess in some respects it's also due to the day-in-day-out news of bad things happening to good people. Simply, it makes my heart hurt so much.  

******

Earlier tonight I was looking through pictures from weekend and I came upon this beauties. Even though there is still snow on the ground (say what?!) the ice has finally melted off the lake making it adequate boating weather. I've often referred to John's little boat as a death trap seeing as it only fits five and if it hits a three inch wave it's bound to sink. All joking aside it has served as a great escape for our little family. Brecken loves to sit with gleeful eyes all the while laughing as the wind blows across his face. Now that his life jacket fits a bit more snug and he has mastered the art of sea legs he can usually be found navigating with ease around the boat. This was Addy's first time out on the boat and she was beside herself with excitement when the boat would skim across the water, jostling her little body back-and-forth. I guess it was a win-win afternoon for us as parents. 

Hip-hip-hooray for more boating excursions and if we're lucky the arrival of Spring. #wishfulthinking

that's all. 

This Bug.

The last three weeks or so have been one for the books. We got a bug, it went away, then morphed into a different bug, and somehow it disappeared just in the nick-of-time for us to enjoy the warm weather for a few days. But Karma decided justice was necessary so it came back for a third time to give a whooper-of-a-finale (we must be just that fun to be around I guess). So we slept a lot. Ate lots of chicken noodle soup. Caught on all our favorite television shows. And I even attempted to clean the house one particularly grey afternoon, which resorted to no real cleaning and lots of hot cocoa drinking. 

I am happy to report we are now on the mend (crossing my fingers). Bed sheets have been thoroughly sanitized, showers and baths have been had by all, and my head feels about twenty pounds lighter. While I loved the extra cuddle sessions, and the endless supply of 7-Up I am now ready to move on to sunny days and playing outside. Thanks for the reality check, you sick bug, hopefully, we don't see you again until next year (say whaat?!).