It’s not often than I get to go to a party with Connor on his own… in fact go anywhere with him without Bradley, so I did enjoy the time I spent with him yesterday afternoon.  Lance wasn’t working, you see, and he took Bradley to an ice-skating party which overlapped.

The party that Connor was invited to was on a plot in Farmall, and it was a boy’s heaven… with a bike track and umpteen jungle gyms and jumping castles and trampolines with the added bonus of pigs and goats and geese to feed!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my “alone” time with Connor.  Just wish I’d remembered to pack an extra battery for my camera!! LOL! And if you’re wondering, I didn’t look like a pro for a change, I just carried my 50mm on my 5D body…

So, after all the blog posts I read and all the hype on Twitter and Facebook about Glossybox, Rubybox and Glambox, I decided to try it.  I ordered June’s Glossybox… partly because they were doing a special Stuttafords box.

It arrived at my desk at work yesterday, and it was beautiful.  The box was beautiful and so was the packaging inside.

Before I continue, let me explain what they are for those not in the know. All 3 companies basically offer the same thing.  You sign up for the month, and you get a box delivered with samples of cosmetics and toiletries of their choice (partially taking your preferences and skin type into account).

For R130 this is what I got:

1.  Sample sized (2ml) perfumes… Dolce and Gabbana The One sample, and the men’s Sport version of the same range.  The perfume is now going to be added to my birthday wish list.
2.  Escada perfume in a pack that only works for one application… smelt nice though when I used it this morning, but the scent didn’t even last until lunchtime.
3.  Clarins sample sized mascara… which is really awesome actually.  Love the wand that has a rubber end.  Really handy for a handbag.
4.  L’Occitane sample sized toner
5.  Lancome miniature lipstick from the Rouge in Love collection… which I won’t use because it’s orange-ish and not my cuppa tea.

And a Stuttafords card inviting me to go to the store to purchase the items at a discounted price.

My verdict:  The R130 probably covered the cost of the packaging and the courier, with a margin for Glossybox… but that’s all my money paid for.  I know, it’s a cynical way of looking at it

I did like being able to try the products without being in the shop, and that’s where the whole experience falls flat in my mind.  The market for the people ordering these boxes is online… they’re ordering the box online and it’s being delivered.  Probably like me, they’re time poor, but like trying new things, and like the idea of trying things at home rather than trawling from shop to shop.  Instead of giving me a card to make me walk into a Stuttafords… which I’m probably not going to do… rather allow me to buy the products online through Stuttafords with the discount.

I see that Glambox and Rubybox have an online store, but not sure whether they sell the same products that they deliver that month, and from chatting to a few people it sounds like the vouchers they got in those boxes can’t be used online either (although I could be mistaken there).

Do I like the actual products?  Some of them.  Love the Clarins mascara and I may go and hunt it down… and I’ve put the D&G perfume on my birthday list.

Would I buy it again?  No.  Partly because I don’t like the idea that I’m paying for just packaging, and partly because for me it’s a waste.  I don’t like using random lipstick colours that I haven’t chosen, and because my skin is so sensitive I’m very wary about facial products.

But glad I tried it once

Lance worked yesterday, so it was just me and the boys.  I took them to Market on Main in the Maboneng district in Jozi so that I could pick up the t-shirt that was waiting for me at LoveJozi.

Oh I do love that place!! A lot!! I’m very sad though that I couldn’t spend more time there because 1.  we couldn’t find the stall selling boerewors rolls which is the only thing the boys would eat (SMH).  And 2. for some reason I didn’t think all the stalls took cash only, so I ran out of money to buy lunch and there aren’t any ATM’s (or at least any that I could find).

Hmmm brownies from The Counter .  Wish I could’ve tried their burgers though, they looked incredible!

The awesome T-shirt I got from LoveJozi because they published one of my images on the APostcardADay mobile app .  They have T-shirts with hadedas and barb wire on them!! Love it And love that they have proper ladies cuts now.  My fave is still the one with the skyline

Drinking awesome homemade lemonade… the kids request.  It was very very sour, but oh so very nice.

Ooh and I bought some handmade raw chocolate was so very good!

The kids were trying to work out how the graffiti artists got down to the sewers to paint on the walls LOL!

Next time I’ll take more cash and stay longer!

**Update** apparently I’m blind and there’s an ATM on Kruger street close to Eat your Heart Out I’ll remember next time

I’m sure you’re missing me… and I can’t possibly recall what I was going to blog about… all I remember is that it was a good topic… oh well, maybe it’ll come back to me in my sleep tonight (like it usually does)

So… for the hell of it, here are some things that have happened… with images from Instagram…

1.  I had time to kill on the way to a photoshoot on Sunday, so stopped at a coffeeshop only to discover they weren’t open, and in fact, hadn’t even started trading yet! Even so, the owner invited me in and made me the most awesome cappuccino… I’m definitely going back to Yoola’s when it opens properly next week.  It’s on 1st Ave in Linden in that Woolies centre, where Europa used to be… and it’s completely gutted and redone and there’s even a new kids play area at the back!

2.  I also stopped in at this awesome florist called Amica Mea in the same centre and bought the most incredible purple roses… stunning people that own that shop too!  Loved their attention to detail, and the way they packaged their flowers even though it was just for me, and not for a gift, made me realise yet again how important packaging and design is in any industry… because I’ll be going back because they made me feel special.

3.  Speaking of shopping, I need to do my birthday list, I’m starting to get asked by people… I’m going to be putting it up on Pinterest this year… and I’ll post a link here when it’s done.

4.  Connor learnt to write his name a while ago… and he “draw’ed” it for my mom today

5.  I’m in love with my slippers that I got for Mother’s Day. Seriously people, sheep skin slippers from Cape Union Mart are the BEST… although they are passion killers LOL! My feet really suffer in winter… and these are the only things that keep my toetsies toasty.

6.  and I leave you with this image of Kimo… he was wanting me to take him for a walk.  And OMW what a walk it was! I took them to the park down the road which is an off-lead park.  Kimo and Kitara ended up packing together with another husky and chasing a stray fluffy dog until it was cowering in the corner of the park… none of the dogs would listen to me or the other owner… drama!! Thankfully they eventually lost interest when it stopped running away from them, and I managed to get them back under control and took them home.  Some days they listen, and other days there’s no chance!

I took my mom and the kids this afternoon to meet up with a few friends at Annica’s in Randburg.   I’ve been eyeing out the cake and coffee shop for months when I drive past it on my way to work (if I have to stop at the box company I drive past it), so was quite looking forward to this… especially because Annica’s is known for their cakes.

And secondly, we haven’t actually been able to meet up as a group for a while, so it was awesome to see Madelein, Dom and Svenja again

Well, loved the company, loved the chats, loved the tea, loved the play area for the kids (and from the noise they made they enjoyed it too), service was excellent… but the cakes… not so much.  I was really disappointed in them actually.  I ordered a red velvet cake… it wasn’t actually red, and it was very stodgy, and I was disappointed with the amount of mascarpone cheese they promised was in it.  And worst of all… it was tasteless.  Madelein and Svenja said their Lemon mud cakes were nice though… and not too sweet or too tart.  My mom said her cake was tasteless too.

The only thing red about the red velvet cake was the rose petals…

Thinking about it though, the texture of the cakes reminded me of towering designer cakes that need to be quite stiff to get the layering right… maybe I’m right about it, but surely they should have a softer recipe when they’re just making one layer… at least make it taste nicer.

Wonder what their breakfasts are like?  The waitress did say their carrot cake was popular…  so maybe that one is tasty.

Thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon though other than the cake, it was awesome!

It was such a lovely day yesterday.

After doing Bradley’s party in the morning (photos on my photoblog), we dashed home to have a quick cuppa tea and change and get picnic bags and blankets.

Then we dashed to Walter Sisulu gardens for the Mothers Day concert in the park.  Because we got there so late we had to park MILES away from the entrance and it seemed like we’d walked forever before we eventually got into the gardens and joined my parents and my sister, her boyfriend and his family for a picnic.

We did enjoy the half an hour that we spent there

Yip, after all that, only half an hour before the rain started and we had to pack up and trek back to the car.  LOL! It was a nice idea though, and I got some awesome ideas for my picnic birthday that I’m going to be holding at the same park next month

Oh well… it was a nice idea

So after that, and with tired and grumpy kids, we decided to go to my parent’s house and have some tea and cake… and then after that we opened more wine and had the rest of the picnic… in the lounge

It was an awesome day filled with family and friends and loads of fun. Just perfect.

One of the things I do like about the school is the way they get ALL the kids involved in Mothers Day events.  But what it does mean is that I have to work from home generally on the Friday before Mothers Day… because it’s just a logistical nightmare to get to all the events and to work in between.  And the things is, I do NOT want to miss it… I know how much it means for the kids to have me there, and I see how sad the other kids are that don’t have moms there.

On Friday, there was a Mother’s Day assembly at the primary school… and I left my damn tissues in the car again… I never learn!! Those songs make me cry every year!  Then after rushing home for an hour’s work break, I went back to the school for the pre-primary picnic.

And then they came home with gifts that they’d made… awww… just LOVE the bracelet that Connor made me (yes he chose the beads and threaded it)… and love the clever flower pot thing from Bradley (and the fact that it’s written in cursive)

I’ve been on a local moms forum a few times this week and had a good chuckle at some of the moms and their recounts of their youngest childrens antics.
Of course I was smug in my knowledge that with Connor being 5 that he should have outgrown some of those things that little kids do.

Well, that smugness came back to bite me tonight.

The kids were in the bathroom tonight. Connor was in the bath and Bradley undressing for a shower. Lance and I were in the lounge and we heard a giggle and then an almighty scream and then Bradley crying.

So I go sauntering down the passage not really concerned cos this type of squealing and fighting is normal.
Only to lose my cool when I get there and see what he’s done.

Beauty must’ve left the bathroom cleaner in the bathroom.

Connor thought it would be fun to squirt the bathroom cleaner… into Bradley’s eye.

Seriously?!!! He should know better by now… Surely?!!

He says he didn’t know it was poison.

Think we’re going to do some educating this weekend.

Bradley’s 9th birthday was yesterday, can you believe it? I can barely believe he’s 9 already.  And do you know how difficult it is to buy a present for a 9yo?!! He’s on the cusp of not wanting toys… and whatever he gets he barely plays with.  So, instead we decided to buy him a Nintendo DS Lite… and we quickly became the coolest parents ever yesterday

As for the day, we spent it quietly… we took the boys to the movies to see The Avengers…AWESOME movie!! Connor got a bit bored in the middle of it, but Bradley was enthralled!

Then my parents and Elaine (and her friend Natalie) came over for tea and a braai, and my mom baked one of her famous cakes So clever!! She fashioned the cricket bat out of ice cream sticks and used Lego men for cricketers … and Kimo just LOVED all the attention

It was a good day… hopefully his party next weekend will be successful

I dashed off to the the first Fat Olive Market this morning to support my friends Laura and Nicci who have undertaken this new project.  It’s an organic and craft market that’s going to be held monthly at the Fat Olive restaurant close to Lanseria airport.  Granted, I didn’t stay all that long and didn’t try the food at the restaurant because the family was wanting to go the movies to celebrate Bradley’s birthday.

But I did shop I couldn’t help myself… there were such stunning things on offer.  It’s still small as markets go, but there’s seriously quality stuff on offer.

I bought this awesome brownie jar from Laura’s Journey2Joy stall.  She had these things on offer too…

And then I stopped at this stall selling chain mail jewellery but decided against buying cos my skin is sensitive and doesn’t agree with a lot of jewellery

Oh and then I was seriously tempted by this little table.  I just couldn’t think where I’d use it!!  This couple have just started a furniture restoring business in Pretoria called Before and After… such awesome little sidetables!!

and I bought some lip balm from this stall selling Balm Balm (it’s 100% organic and comes from the UK)

Oh and the bread!! Wow!! I bought a pumpernickel bread from this stall selling from Nonno’s Village Baker – it was just outstanding!  We had it for lunch after the movies!

Ooh and I finally got to meet Sharon IRL!!!

If you’re keen, the next one is on 26 May 2012 from 9-1pm.  Just follow them on Facebook or Twitter to keep up to date with dates etc