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Archives for June 2011

Birthday Shoes

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Yeah, I totally caved on the Michael Kors Braided Chain Platforms. My justifications: 1) you only turn 36 once, 2) they were on sale, and 3) I didn’t already have any “biker bar meets the Hamptons” sandals in my closet.

I’m actually really, REALLY thrilled with them. They fit true to size, the leather’s uber-soft, and the heel feels nice and sturdy.

The only potential problem is actually getting into the shoe. I have to angle and shimmy my foot a certain way to get it into the three braided straps. Not hard, but it does take a minute.

Other than that, they’re perfection.

Michael Kors Braided Chain Platform Sandal

Michael Kors Braided Chain Platform Sandal

Michael Kors Braided Chain Platform Sandal

Michael Kors Braided Chain Platform Sandal

Color Me Intrigued by the New Elizabeth Arden Bronze in Bloom Eyeshadow Quads

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Oh, fudge! Where’d I put my white gloves? They’re the only things that go with my Chanel tweed suit. What’s that, you say? They’re on the bureau by my Elizabeth Arden makeup? If I show up to lunch at the country club without my white gloves, Bunny MacDougal will throw a fit!

I don’t know, but I’ve always kind of thought of Elizabeth Arden as a line for mature ladies who lunch. I never would have expected some of the edgier products and colors I’ve been seeing in their new Bronze in Bloom Collection. First the Smokey Eyes Powder Pencil in Black Violet, and now this? With the Color Intrigue Eyeshadow Quads in Golden Lilac and Bronze in Bloom ($30 each), it’s almost like EA is trying to channel her inner MAC or NARS.

Inside each of the palettes live four coordinating colors in shades I typically expect to see in fall, not summer. And a couple of the shadows have a bit of an edge, which I like.

Take the yellowish beige pan in the Golden Lilac Quad. Looks like just another boring beige, right? Not even. It’s actually a duochrome with tiny bits of golden glitter, and it flashes from pink to purple. Then there’s the shimmery navy blue in the Blue Breeze Quad. It has a hint of sultry, smokey black.
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5 More Packing Tips for the Perennially Over-Packed

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“Oh…is this yours?”

I wish “carry on” referred to a passenger’s ability to actually carry their bags onto the plane, because if that were the case, I’d start lifting weights tomorrow.

Can I get a show of hands from my fellow packing-challenged girls (you are not alone!)? My flight to Vancouver doesn’t leave until tomorrow afternoon, but knowing how I am about packing, I should probably start now!

You know the saying, “everything but the kitchen sink”? Yeah, forget that. I’m not leaving without the sink. 🙂 But seriously, I tend to over-pack.

I think I’ve gotten a little better lately, though. Had one two many close calls with lost luggage, and out of principle I refuse to pay the extra check-in fees the airlines charge (what a racket!).

Things like e-packing lists have helped streamline the packing process, but I’m always on the market for new tips, like these, which I gleaned from a travel segment on the Today Show last week (which I originally recorded for the NKOTB/BSB live concert performance)…

1. If it won’t fit, wear it

With carry-on space at a premium, wear as many of your bulky items on the plane as you can, like heavy jackets, platform shoes, etc. Not only will you save space in your bag, but since planes tend to be a little chilly, the extra layers should help keep you warm.

2. The goal is containment

Don’t forget those nooks and crannies. Fill any spaces created by larger items with smaller things to save space. For instance, underwear can be rolled up and placed into the cup of a bra, or a bathing suit (or socks) can be rolled up and inserted in a tennis shoe.
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Hurts So Good

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I bought this pair of gold Seychelles Squeak Sandals online from the Nordstrom sale a couple weeks ago. As cute as they look, I gotta return them (sad face).

They’re just a touch too high for me, plus the heel area feels kinda off — a spot of uncomfortable pressure shoots up the bottom of my foot whenever I take a step.

The leather’s really soft, though, and the coral strap’s adorable. Le sigh!

Two Ways to Win $143 in bareMinerals Makeup (5 Winners)

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  • WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winners are Joanna, San D, Christina, Marian and Tammy! Congratulations, gals! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

bareMinerals Love & Happiness Collection

Woot, GEMINIS! Looks like I’m not the only one with a birthday this week. bareMinerals is officially turning 35, and they’re in the mood to party in a big way.

First with a giveaway — right here, right now (well, in a minute); second, with a gift with purchase. When you purchase $75 or more at one of their Bare Escentuals Boutiques from June 9-12, you’ll get a complimentary $20 gift card redeemable toward your next purchase (valid from June 20-July 5).

Now, on to the giveaway! 🙂

bareEscentuals has generously offered to host a kick @ss one here on MBB featuring some of their newest products (a few of which don’t even hit shelves until July). If you like bareMinenerals makeup but don’t like having to wait in line, today could be your lucky day.

A Makeup and Beauty Blog Giveaway!

Win bareMinerals

Five lucky ladies (or gents) will each win:

  • One (1) bareMinerals Love & Happiness Collection, a six-piece kit that includes Prime Time Brightening Sunlight Eyelid Primer, Queen Phyllis Matte Eyecolor, Big & Bright Eyeliner in Oz, Love Radiance All-OVer Face Color, Best Friend Lip Balm and an XOX charm (a $35 value)
  • One (1) bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer in Sundance, a metallic peach (an $18 value)
  • One (1) bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer in Urban Nature, a metallic taupe (an $18 value)
  • One (1) bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer in Gunmetal, a metallic bluish gray (an $18 value)
  • One (1) bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer in Racing Green, a metallic green (an $18 value)
  • One (1) bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer in Chroma Violet, a metallic purple (an $18 value)
  • One (1) bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer in Bronzed Twig, a metallic bronze (an $18 value)

bareminerals love happiness collection box

bareminerals love happiness collection box closeup with paws

bareminerals love happiness collection products open
Love & Happiness Collection clockwise from the beige jar on the lower left: Queen Phyllis Matte Eyecolor, XOX Charm, Love Radiance All-Over Face Color, Best Friend Lip Balm and Big & Bright Eyeliner in Oz

bareminerals love happiness collection products
Prime Time Brightening Sunlight Eyelid Primer, from the Love & Happiness Collection


Prime Time Eyelid Primers


Swatches of the Prime Time Eyelid Primers from the left: Sundance, Urban Nature, Gunmetal, Racing Green, Chroma Violet and Bronzed Twig

bareminerals love happiness collection swatches
Love & Happiness Collection swatches from the left: Big & Bright Eyeliner in Oz, Best Friend Lip Balm, Love Radiance All-Over Face Color and Queen Phyllis Matte Eyecolor

bareminerals love happiness collection swatches
Swatch of Prime Time Brightening Sunlight Eyelid Primer from the Love & Happiness Collection

  • There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all — What was your most memorable birthday? What’s your favorite flavor of birthday cake? Is there a bareMinerals product you can’t live without? You get the picture. 🙂
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win $143 in bareMinerals Makeup http://bit.ly/l3ITDG

  • The deadline to enter is Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 11:59PM (PT).
  • Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
  • A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
  • Contest is open to individuals of the United States who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21). Sorry, international folks; don’t worry, I’ll have something soon that includes you guys, too.
  • Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
  • The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
  • Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day! 🙂

  • WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winners are Joanna, San D, Christina, Marian and Tammy! Congratulations, gals! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

This MAC Sized To Go Eye Makeup Remover Is a Pro

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When it comes to skincare products, I have commitment issues, and it’s probably one of the many reasons I like the little bottles and jars in MAC Sized to Go.

By shrinking nine products down to 1-oz. in size and setting their prices (almost) accordingly, MAC made the products easier to travel with and try.

Like the $10 Sized to Go Pro Eye Makeup Remover, one of the gentlest, most soothing (it contains cucumber extract) and hydrating eye makeup removers my eyes have ever seen. Unlike many other removers, it neither stings my peepers nor makes me see clouds. And even when I use it to remove makeup along my waterlines, I don’t shed a single tear (a rare thing).

A few drops on a cotton ball take care of everything from light powders to heavy duty stuff like Fluidline and Prolongwear Concealer, all without leaving an oily residue behind. I don’t even have to rinse if off with water, as if it wasn’t awesome enough, and after using it my skin feels clean, hydrated and fresh.

I have a feeling I’ll be reaching for it often, since it’s small enough to hide in a pocket or a small purse.

But like Achilles, every hero has a weakness.
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