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Archives for 2013

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 257

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You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

  1. How do you feel today?
    When I worked at my old law gig, there were Monday mornings when I’d walk into my cube, and the first thing I wanted to do was roll myself into a cocoon under my desk behind a pile of boxes and stay there all day. Truth be told, I feel that way this morning, but I’m working through it. And talking to you always makes me feel better. 🙂

  2. What was the highlight of your weekend?
    Seeing my friend Cindy on Friday night. We went to dinner and watched Warm Bodies together.

    About the movie, thumbs up! Who’d a thunk it? A zombie romance… It’s a little campy, of course, but great screenplay. They cut out parts of the book that didn’t need to be in the movie.

  3. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
    Flying out to Milan by myself for Fashion Week was probably the most adventurous I’ve been in years.

    Which reminds me — I need a new adventure!

  4. Favorite new makeup/beauty product this winter and why?
    I’m lovin’ the new Dim Light Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder. I swear it takes 10 years off me — POOF! — like that.

  5. If you were a car, what kind would you be?
    A souped up, light blue Mini Cooper. Small, spunky, stylish.

  6. If you could be any character from fiction, whom would you be?
    Harriet the spy. And now, would someone please fix me a tomato sandwich? And if you need me, I’ll be hiding in the dumbwaiter. 🙂

  7. In one sentence, how would you describe your outlook on makeup?
    Classic with a twist.

  8. What’s one piece of clothing, or an accessory, you wish you could add to your wardrobe?
    UGH! PANTS. I desperately need pants. All of the non-stretchy pairs I have keep falling off my butt. And I’m over it.

  9. What are you wearing on your face, lips, eyes and nails today?
    Nothing yet, but I’ve got Guerlain, MAC and Dior spring products on my mind (and waiting on my desk to test).

  10. What are your weekly goals?
    To get either some wall shelves for my office or some gigantic cabinetry, to have fun writing, and to treat myself kindly. NO negative or critical self talk. That annoying voice needs to pipe down.

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. How do you feel today?
2. What was the highlight of your weekend?
3. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
4. Favorite new makeup/beauty product this winter and why?
5. If you were a car, what kind would you be?
6. If you could be any character from fiction, whom would you be?
7. In one sentence, how would you describe your outlook on makeup?
8. What’s one piece of clothing, or an accessory, you wish you could add to your wardrobe?
9. What are you wearing on your face, lips, eyes and nails today?
10. What are your weekly goals?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 229

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21 Valentine's Day Gifts for Your Fabulous Feline
A carefully curated collection of fine gifts for your favorite feline overloard!

Dear Friends, Feline Fans and Pet Assistants,

Love is in the air, and I’m fee-line the spirit (haha)! love

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I presume you’ve already given much careful thought to the gifts (note the plural use of the word) you intend to bestow upon your favorite feline.

But if you haven’t, well, I’m sure you have a good reason. Maybe your furry, feline overlord has been keeping you busy. It happens…and that’s where I can help.

I’ve carefully curated the following list of feline gift ideas. With a wide variety of cards, clothing, home decor, toys, accessories and jewelry here for almost any budget, there should be something to please even the most discriminating kitties.

As always, all my love,

Tabs

1. Valentine’s Day Cat Glasses, $10

15 Heart Shaped Sunglasses for Cats

For when the future’s so bright, your cat’s gotta wear shades. Available now at the NotsoKittyShop Etsy Shop.

2. Valentine Catnip Wool Cat Toy, $8

19 Valentine Catnip Wool Cat Toy
These colorful felted organic balls come packed with premium catnip. Available now at the Three Sassy Sisters Etsy Shop.

3. Because I Love You! Cat and Heart Valentine Note Card, $3.50

5 Because I Love You Cat and Heart Note Card
For kitties with a sense of humour! Available now at the Geri Shields Etsy Shop.

4. You’re Purr-fect Card, $3.50

6 Youre Purr fect
Is your feline the cat’s meow? Let him or her know with this purr-fect card made with recycled paper. Available now at the MAN vs. George Etsy Shop.
[Continue reading…]

Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora!

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WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Dunya! Congratulations, Dunya! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

A Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway
Win a $50 eGift card from Sephora

Betcha didn’t know that Tabs spends his downtime training as a ninja for an undisclosed employer. There are so many facets to this cat! I can’t believe I’ve been assisting him since 2007, and I only found this out today.

Yeah, he keeps secrets…

Anywho, good morning and happy Caturday!

Can I get an amen for 1) those rare, sweet Tabs pics (please see above) and 2) last-minute plans that actually work out?

Yesterday afternoon, I was thinking that I haven’t gone out on a Friday night in so long with a girlfriend, so I emailed one of my high school BFFs, Cindy, and asked her if she wanted to catch dinner and a movie. She didn’t have any plans either, so we decided to have a last-minute girls’ night out.

We met at a restaurant in Corte Madera, which is in Southern Marin, called Brick & Bottle. A few of the noms…


Ahi tartare


Fried brie with honey and grapes (whoever invented fried cheese deserves a national holiday, for reals)


My main dish: sole with dungeness crab mashed potatoes

After dinner, we watched Warm Bodies, the teenage zombie love story I’ve been “dying” to see ever since I read the book last year. I don’t want to spoil it for you in case you plan to watch it, but I think it was very true to the original work.

As for today, not much planned. El Hub’s visiting his parents, so Tabs and I are holding down the fort here at home. I should probably do some cleaning, but really, all I want to do is nap and relax. Maybe go to the mall and look at some makeup if I can get out of these stretchy pants. We’ll see how it pans out.

What’s on your agenda? Whatever it is, I hope you manage to clear some time in your schedule to treat yourself to something nice, even if it’s just 10 minutes of “me time” at Starbucks with a cup of coffee.

Before you head on out, though, it’s time for the weekend giveaway. 🙂

What folks are saying…

“Hi Karen!!! Wow, that news definitely gets a hoo ray ray and an elephant!!! (I’ve maybe been watching too much Boardwalk Empire.) Thank you so much!!!”
-Shana

“What a lovely surprise it was to see your announcement (after completing one of many exams/papers/projects I have this crazy week)! The eCard will definitely ease expenses for this broke, beauty-obsessed college student. Thank you, Karen and Tabs!!”
-Katie

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. 🙂 I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“Thank you SO much Karen! OMG! Wishes really do come true! I can’t believe I won! You have no idea how much this will help me through the holidays. I’ve been an avid fan of your blog for the past two years. Your witty and creative entries, informative makeup information, and beautiful photos have kept me hooked. I look forward to more of it. Goodness, you’ve
seriously just made my week and it’s only Tuesday night!”
-Zharlynne

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

Win a $50 gift card from Sephora

  • One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

  • 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, like, what toys does your pet like to play with? What’s your favorite type of dessert? Have you ever tried doing nail art? What counters do you visit when you go to the beauty department? Have you ever done makeup for any of your friends or family? What lipstick makes you feel like a million bucks? What’s your favorite way to spend a Saturday afternoon? — you get the idea.
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/UdzpjA

  • The deadline to enter is Sunday, February 3, 2013 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 any country 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).
  • Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
  • 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

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Dunya! Congratulations, Dunya! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

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