Cravebox Girls' Night In Unboxing Video

My first video!  Yay!  I'm still too shy to come out in front of the camera, so enjoy my magic dancing hands as I unbox the Girls' Night In Cravebox!  Feel free to leave me feedback, either on this blog post or on YouTube!

Thanks!

Goodies Box April 2013

Good Morning all my wonderful readers!  I'm reviewing my April Goodies box, and I have to say, this box is rapidly going downhill.  I'm not to the point of cancelling yet (after all, it's only $7/mo), but if I continue to get a box full of energy bars and single-serving chips, I will be waving buh-bye to this sub.  I'm bummed about that, because Goodies was so great when I started.  I'd get things like entire boxes of cookies, or make new discoveries like Biscoff spread (it's like peanut butter - only made out of crushed cookies! NOMZ) or Barefruit's Cinnamon Apple Chips.  Now it's all stuff I'd never buy again.

I know, my completely underwhelmed reaction is totally making you excited to read this review, right? Sorry.  I promise, there were a few good things this month!

Hey, at least the box is pretty neat!

Nectresse and the Wonderful World of Smoothies

Here's the latest in product review posts from my Sugar 'N Spice Influenster box!  Here's my standard disclaimer shill - I got the Nectresse free from Influenster! Yay me!  Influenster isn't paying me to write this review (I wish, right!?)  I'm sharing with you a Nectresse recipe that I found as part of my latest obsession. Smoothies!

Yum!

Potty-a-Go-Go

It seems I've nicknamed my kids all too well.  This is what our living room looks like today:

St. George and the Dragon - by Paolo Uccello c. 1470

I'm the chick on the left, but instead of letting out cries of  "Save me, George!" it's more like "If you two do not stop wrestling I will turn the Wild Kratts OFF!"  But I digress.

It's been a few weeks and I thought I'd put out an update on the epic battle that I have dubbed "Potty Training a Dragon (Is Not For the Faint of Heart)."  In a previous post, I broke the process down into phases, and I'm happy to announce that we've moved up a phase!  Dragon is now attending pre-school in underoos! (and his elastic-waist pants collection is getting quite a bit of wear)  I ascribe it to the amazing efforts of his teachers.  It's one thing to chase my own kid around at home and ask him if he has to go potty every 20 minutes.  It's another thing entirely to keep a 3-year-old dry all day in a class of 15, several of whom are also in various phases of potty training.

We are now solidly in Phase III.  If you haven't read my previous posts, this means that Dragon is mainly in underoos, only switching to a diaper at night or for long (4+ hour) trips away from home.  It's seriously so cool!  I'm down to using 1-2 diapers a day, and WOW does that make a box last!  I can finally see a light at the end of the diaper-buying tunnel. *cue dramatic & inspiring music*

My main goal over the next few weeks is getting him to use a public toilet.  Doesn't have to be seriously public, just one that is not at our house or his school.  I remember that Knight went through something similar, but I don't remember doing anything specific to encourage public pottying.  He just "got over it" after a few weeks.  However, if any of you have hints on how you got your kid over this little potty phobia, please let me know in the comments! (Or drop me an email! Whichever works for you!)

My secondary goal is teaching Dragon to pee standing up.  I'm not sure how common this is, but I found it easier (with both boys) to teach them sitting down, and then later incorporate standing up.  Knight did well with using Cheerios to learn "aim", but Dragon gets mad that I'm using his precious cereal and will try to fish them out.  Seriously, you should have seen my *brilliant* idea to use goldfish crackers one day.  NUCLEAR MELTDOWN.  I quickly flushed it, got him a big bowl of them and a cup of milk, and we all took a time-out.

So that's our current status.  If you're another mom going through potty-training right now, or even if your little one isn't yet ready to start, remember that potty training is a PROCESS that can take days, weeks, or even (as in my case) months.  There will be setbacks and frustration as you figure out what works best for your little one.  If you're that ONE MOM whose kid just woke up one day perfectly potty-trained, congrats.  Pat yourself on the back and go get a congratulatory cup of coffee.  The rest of us will be cleaning up walls, floors, and toilet seats.  We'll be making those memories that will come in handy when making small talk with his first girlfriend.

Have any hints, creative ideas, or fun stories to share?  Leave them in the comments, or email me at amagicalmom@gmail.com!

Starlooks April 2013 Starbox

Finally! I did it!  I got a box, I took/edited pics, and I'm writing a post, ALL ON THE SAME DAY!  I'm totally getting back into my groove!  It really helped that my hubby read my "Thursday Thoughts" post, and told me he liked it.  It made me realize how much I love blogging, and getting feedback on it, whether from my husband, other bloggers, or even random strangers!  So I'm going to work towards dedicating more time to writing.

Oh, and to anyone who stumbled across this post via Google search or Facebook, sorry.  I promise we'll get to reviewing the Starbox in just a second.  And yes, I always am this self-indulgent and introspective.  Feel free to stick around for more!

And as this is my first Starlooks review, let me take a minute to tell you a bit about the company.  Instead of sending out makeup they source from different companies (i.e. Ipsy & Birchbox), Starlooks is a makeup brand that sends their own products in a subscription service.  Their cosmetics are made in the USA, using the same high-end labs as M*A*C, Smashbox, and Dior.  However, their prices are much lower!  Their subscription service is $15/mo (Plus $2.68 in shipping), and you receive FOUR FULL SIZE makeup items from their line!  I have loved every item I've received from this company, and their customer service is amazing.  The best part is, they sell any extra Starboxes for $25 (free shipping).  So if you don't want to take the gamble of the subscription, just check out their website, because $25 is still an awesome deal!

April's Starbox theme is "Festival."  Now that the weather is warming up, I need makeup that is light, wearable, and doesn't melt in the hot sun.  So I was really thrilled when they released the sneak preview "lookbook" for this month!

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Thursday Thoughts

It's Thursday, and time for Thursday Thoughts!  Man, I feel like I just wrote one of these. Where does the time go?  I'm linking up through Ramblings of a Suburban Mom, 'cause she's the awesomest!

- I have now watched every single episode of That 70s Show.  I'd watched bits and pieces throughout the years while it was on, but man, watching all 8 seasons?  That was crazy!  And of course... now I need something new to watch.  I've been all about the British comedies and teacozy mysteries* lately, and I need some good recommendations from Netflix!

- My poor darling hubby is begging to get cable/satellite back so he can watch sports.  I'm trying to talk him into installing an antenna to get local channels, but he wants to watch our home team (Da Bengals!), which won't come through the local channels now that we live 10 hours away!  Does anyone have suggestions about online streaming programs (they don't have to be free, just less than the cost of cable each month!) for sports, especially the NFL?

- Dragon has been wearing big boy underoos to preschool this week, and he has gone three whole days without any accidents! Proud mama right here!  We've been working so hard with him at home, and his teacher suggested we start sending him in wearing underoos.  (I personally don't like Pull-Ups.  I know they're a valuable tool for some kids, but mine just view them as something else to pee in.)  And he's been so good!

- And, while I'm on the topic of mommy bragging, Knight has also been very well-behaved at school this week!  He has trouble paying attention sometimes (and I fully admit, he got that from me), but this week he's earned all of the smiley faces in his daily reports!  I definitely think he's improved since his Daddy came home. (I think we all have!)

- I am now on a no-buy for makeup for awhile, due to my fantastic haul at Ulta!  I will get makeup through my subs, but I won't be actively seeking out any new stuff.  I have a feeling I won't feel too deprived, because I get a lot of makeup through Ipsy, the occasional item through Birchbox, and a whole lot of awesomeness through Starlooks! (those are my three beauty subs. Don't ask me to pick a favorite, I love them all equally, but for different reasons!)

- And just in case you need to see something beautiful, here's a picture of the azalea bushes at my house!  We just bought the house late last summer, so I've never seen these babies in bloom... They're gorgeous!

Yay pretty flowers!

I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

Holy Ulta Haul, Batman!

I  have exciting news.  There's a new Ulta by my house!  Hooray! (ok so it's exciting news for me)  We recently moved to a more rural area, and the closest Ulta was more than an hour away.  So when I saw one going up next to an (also recently built) Kohl's in my area, I was beyond excited.  Of course, having both stores together in one shopping center will be bad for my wallet, but oh so much fun!

Well, I got a flyer in the mail recently from Ulta, and was amazed and delighted to see a fantastic GWP!  (that's gift with purchase, for any of my readers that are not shopping-obsessed.)  With any $19.50 purchase of Ulta brand products, they're giving out a cute little bag full of makeup worth $88!  And to avoid having to describe the contents ad nauseum, I decided to just share the pic from their website:

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