Archives for June 2014

What Are You Wearing on Your Nails?

June 17th, 2014 by Karen 31 Comments

Chanel Atmosphere Swatch — 629 Atmosphere Le Vernis Nail Color from the new Chanel Collection États Poétiques fall 2014 collection, available now online ($27)

Chanel me! 🙂

Yes, I think it’s a Chanel day for me.

At least for the time being.

But you know how it is… One minute you’re rocking an opalescent golden pinkish grey; the next it’s a creamy bright yellow.

You know what, though? I’d rather have too many nail polish whims than too few ideas.

Ooh! This one here, 629 Atmosphere, is super cool — like MAC Vex Eye Shadow (without the flash of green) in a bottle of nail polish.

It’s a color chameleon of sorts. Sometimes it’s a golden pink, but then the light will hit it just right, and it’ll turn grayish gold.

Very neat, almost like having opals on your nails…

It’s available now online for $27 as part of the Chanel États Poétiques collection for fall 2014.

How about you, babe? What’s on your claws today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Sorry about being incommunicado in the comments yesterday. I’m finishing up a project (yes, for Tabs), but I should be done with everything by the end of the day.

What are you up to? Do you have a busy day?

Crazy About Kate Spade? There’s a HUGE New Kate Spade Outlet Store at the Vacaville Premium Outlets Now

June 16th, 2014 by Karen 18 Comments

If there were something like Batman’s bat signal for bargain hunters, it would be up in the sky over the Kate Spade outlet store in Vacaville, California, right now.

There’s a HUGE outlet mall in Vacaville, which is about an hour north of the Bay Area, and it’s like an oasis of awesomeness in the Central Valley (between San Francisco and Sacramento).

Vacaville Premium Outlets: List of Stores

We stopped by on our way home yesterday from Redding, and I kid you not — it took us 30 minutes to actually find the Kate Spade store. That’s how big the mall is. We just kept driving around the giant parking lots.

But we did eventually find it. It’s a big one, too, with a wide selection of bags, purses, clothes, jewelry and accessories like belts, iPhone and iPad cases and scarves — no shoes, though (boo!).

Last weekend was the store’s grand opening, and everything was 40% off. On top of that, the sales associates were giving out coupons for an additional 20% off, so yeah.

I saw so many things I’ve recently drooled over on the Kate Spade website, which was a good sign, but the prices weren’t earth-shatteringly lower than the sale prices I’ve seen on katespade.com.

But I get the feeling they’ll have some great sales at the outlet store from time to time.

I tried on a few dresses and cardigans but didn’t leave with any clothing.

Well, I mean… I didn’t leave with any NEW clothing.

You know what I meant. 🙂

Incidentally, every piece of Kate Spade clothing I’ve tried on in the past has always fit like a glove, but everything I tried on at the outlet store was a little off. Either the fit was wonky in certain places, or the clothing had details that didn’t seem quite right, like plastic zippers that looked less-than-luxe.

I’ve read that some outlet stores carry things that are specifically made for the outlets, and sometimes those pieces aren’t of the same construction as the things carried in the regular stores.

I don’t know if that was the case here, but I’m just saying… If you go, try everything on first, and give it a good once-over before you buy.

Even though I didn’t flip for the clothes, I didn’t walk away empty-handed. I did pick up some jewelry, which seemed up to par with the quality I’ve seen at my local Kate Spade store.

With the 60% discount (or thereabouts), it was a pretty good deal. The round Gumdrop Stud earrings pictured here usually go for $28, but I got ’em for $13. Not bad!

Do you live near an outlet mall? What do you think about them? Are there usually good deals?

Do You Reuse False Lashes? (I do)

June 16th, 2014 by Karen 10 Comments

How to reuse your false lashes — Reusing your false lashes

Toss ’em or keep ’em? Which way to go?

First of all, if you liked a pair of false lashes you wore and wouldn’t mind wearing them again, ain’t no shame in that game. I reuse mine. All. The. Time.

Might as well get the most bang for your buck, ya know, and save some extra dough for your cat’s gravy fund.

We all know how that is. 🙂

So, if you liked a pair of false lashes enough to reuse them, here’s what you can do…

False Lashes, Take 2: Reusing Your False Lashes

First, after carefully removing the lashes, I soak a Q-tip with regular isopropyl rubbing alcohol from the drugstore, then gently run the Q-tip along the band and the false lash fibers to sanitize them and remove any remaining adhesive, bits of mascara and other eye makeup.
If that doesn’t take care of every last bit of glue or other gunk (and it usually doesn’t get every last tidbit of glue), I gently finish the cleaning with my fingers, peeling away the last shreds of tiny glue globs.
Then, I just place the lashes back into their original packaging (the one for the right eye on the right side, and the left eye on the left side), which retains their shape and keeps them clean until the next time I use ’em.

This is probably pretty obvious, but I think it’s worth mentioning anyway: reusing lashes worn by someone else is a big no-no for sanitary reasons (pinkeye, anyone?). I’m sure you already knew that because, hello, it’s pretty gross, but I’m just putting it out there. ‘Nuff said.

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Zap! Bam! Boom! It’s the New Read My Lips Lip Gloss With Ginseng by theBalm!

June 16th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

Able to leap short distances in a single bound, it’s, it’s…Super Tabs!

By day, he’s just your average diva kitty supermodel. Likes gravy, chasing birds, and watching reruns of My Cat From Hell.

But by night he transforms into the Husky Tabby! 🙂

I’m taking the new Read My Lips Lip Glosses by theBalm for a spin this week, but you know me. I’m already loving ’em because they look so comic bookish and have exclamatory names like BOOM, POW and KA-BANG!

I love comics.

11 available shades, $15 each
Formula includes ginseng and green tea extracts for their energizing and antioxidant properties, and aloe to moisturize lips
A non-sticky medium-to-full coverage formula

Available now in comic stores everywhere…

Kidding. 🙂 Available now at theBalm counters and online at thebalm.com.

You Must Choose: The Take Your Tabby to Work Edition

June 16th, 2014 by Karen 18 Comments

It’s time for another installment of YOU MUST CHOOSE! 🙂

What is You Must Choose?

Well, the idea is to choose between two or more seemingly impossible, or at least disturbing, choices.

Things like…

Finally, after years of toil and trouble, you land your dream job! You nail the interview, and the company calls you the next day to make an offer.

It’s a pretty good salary, and there are lots of perks, too, including a generous holiday bonus, a gym membership, five weeks of vacation and a casual dress code (people wear pajamas to work!). You can even bring your pets to the office, and they have free on-site child care.

Only thing is…you’d have a two-hour commute in the car every day. Each way. And public transportation and carpooling aren’t viable options (no, you cannot take a helicopter or small plane either, you goofball!). Neither are telecommuting or moving closer to the office.

Do you take the job? YOU MUST CHOOSE.

Speaking of airplanes, you’re on a packed 8-hour flight to give a huge presentation at company headquarters, and you’ll have to be “on” the moment the plane lands.

On the flight, would you rather…

There be an obnoxious child behind you who relentlessly kicks your seat, touches your ears and screams at the top of his lungs the entire time (you also forgot to bring your noise-canceling headphones and, sorry! — you can’t switch seats.)?
Or have to take a special chartered party plane with nonstop booty-shaking music, drunk people grinding and shouting in the aisles, and filthy restrooms? To top it all off, there’s no food service. Just free drinks. And you haven’t eaten since yesterday.

Which flight do you take? YOU MUST CHOOSE.

Bonus question for the cat ladies (sorry, this one is tough): would you rather work as a pet assistant for a cat who absolutely adores you but sadly departs to cross the Rainbow Bridge after only five years (*tears*), or land a gig with a cat who lives for 25 years but mostly ignores you, except when food is involved? YOU MUST CHOOSE.

Leave your answers in the comments, babe! I can’t wait to read ’em. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 326

June 16th, 2014 by Karen 35 Comments

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 seven years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Bun or ponytail?
Ponytails are just easier for me, but I love how buns look…

Ha! I love how buns look… 🙂

I mean, I love the look of buns, especially messy buns that are slightly off center, but ponytails are just easier and less work.

When was the last time you dug your toes into the sand?
Hmm…

It was Memorial Day weekend, and it wasn’t ocean sand. It was sandy little pebbles on the banks of the Russian River.

Around what time do you usually have your first meal of the day?
I wake up ravenous! I swear, as soon as I open my eyes in the morning, the first thing I think is, “FOOD!”

Or, sometimes, “PHLEW! WHAT IS THIS THING ON MY FACE!? Oh, it’s Tabs…”

So I usually eat around 6:30 a.m., most of the time gruel/oatmeal with strawberry slices, or toast with peanut or almond butter, or waffles with a little peanut butter and raisins on top.

Do you like wearing unconventional colors on your lips like grays, blues, greens, etc.?
Sure, why not? But only when I feel like I can get away with it, like at a makeup function at a department store, or a fashion show, or something like that.

Where do you sleep best?
It didn’t used to matter. I used to be able to zonk out and sleep soundly anywhere, even on public transportation! But these days, just my bed or the living room couch.

Do not underestimate the awesome power of the couch nap.

It’s some powerful stuff.

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. Bun or ponytail?
2. When was the last time you dug your toes into the sand?
3. Around what time do you usually have your first meal of the day?
4. Do you like wearing unconventional colors on your lips like grays, blues, greens, etc.?
5. Where do you sleep best?

Good mornin’ and happy Monday, friend!

One of the things I like to do when I get up (after eating, of course) is sort of like a little morning meditation.

OK, I know… But before you roll your eyes and go, “Oh, boy, here we go…” I’m serious! — it’s not too cheesy or involved. It’s really quick and helpful.

First, I’ll read a few minutes of something motivational. Sometimes it’s a few pages in a self-help book or an article online. Lately it’s been a website I like called The Daily Motivator.

I’ll just sit quietly and think about it for a few minutes, and then put the best takeaway points into a note in my own words or a list in my phone.

This morning’s post on The Daily Motivator was about enthusiasm, so here’s the note I put in my phone…

Give yourself permission to shine and be enthusiastic about your life and the opportunities in front of you. Enthusiasm keeps you engaged and feeling young and invested in the world around you. Use it to create something wonderful today.

I know, it’s corny, but I don’t care. It works! Give it a try this week. I mean, why not?

Keep your chin up today, OK? See you soon. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 300

June 15th, 2014 by Karen 10 Comments

Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot

Tonight, on a very special 300th installment of Sundays With Tabs, Karen of Makeup and Beauty Blog (and PawsTV) sits down with the cat kahuna himself, world famous kitty supermodel Tabs, to discuss the controversy surrounding his new television show (Game of Cat Thrones), his feud with Choupette, his love life (is Snowball the one?), his legacy and his future plans.

KAREN: First of all, Tabs, let me just say that I’m a huuuuge fan of your work, and that’s not just because you’re my employer. Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview. I know you’re super busy.

So tell me — what’s new with you? How are things going in the world of Tabs?

TABS: Good, good. Well, as you know, I’ve been aggressively transitioning from the catwalk to television and movies this year.

KAREN: Right! This season of Game of Cat Thrones has been off the chain. My husband and I are obsessed. We spent four hours today talking about — oh, I don’t want to reveal any spoilers.

TABS: You wouldn’t want to do that. Fans are crazy about the show, especially for my character, Tabby Baratheon, the First of His Name.

KAREN: Ooh! I love the cat politics and intrigue. Was it hard for you to get into the role?

TABS: No, not really. I drew a lot from my personal life. There’s lots of drama and politicking within the high-stakes world of kitty modeling, so…

KAREN: Speaking of drama, what’s going on with you and Chaupette? I hear rumors… Care to set the record straight?

TABS: Well, I respect Chaupette Lagerfeld and have a great relationship with Karl and The House of Chanel, but we’re just completely different cats.

Some cats have to claw their way to the top, while others are perfectly comfortable riding on someone else’s coattails. Let’s just leave it at that.

KAREN: Alright, but people want to know. Did you steal the role from her?

TABS: No, I just think the better cat got the job.

KAREN:Fair enough. New topic now — do you think your previous life as a stray kitten on the mean streets of Mill Valley prepared you for the cat-eat-cat world of kitty modeling?

TABS: Definitely. I didn’t have a famous last name — or actually any last name for that matter. I built my empire one kitty scratch at a time.

KAREN: Your empire. What about legacy? Is that also important to you at this stage in your life?

TABS: Sure. I think all driven cats want to look back on their lives and say, “I made a difference in this world.” I hope to inspire young kittens and older cats — anybody who wants to chase their dreams. I want them to know that they have the power to make a positive impact on the world, whether it be through kitty modeling or academia or whatever path they choose.

KAREN: Do you feel you’ve made a difference?

TABS: I’d like to think so. You see more plus-size cats on the runway now, so that’s one thing that has come out of my work, but I’m also very proud of my foundation, Furr-ever Homes, which finds stray cats and kittens rewarding work environments with qualified pet assistants.

KAREN: It sounds like philanthropy is important to you. Do you see yourself retiring and focussing on that any time soon?

TABS: The thought has crossed my mind, but I’m not quite there yet. There are still things I’d like to accomplish in the worlds of kitty modeling and entertainment.

KAREN: Oh, really? Like what? Any hints into your future plans?

TABS: Let’s just say that I may have to expand my staff of professional pet assistants soon. Things are about to get busy at Tabs the Cat Industries LLC.

KAREN: Ooh, mysterious… Come on, just one little hint?

TABS: I can’t officially say anything yet because my attorneys would have a fit, but I can say that cats all over the world will be looking a lot more stylish soon.

KAREN: Interesting. OK, how about your love life, Tabs? Seeing anyone special these days? **cough** Snowball? **cough**

TABS: Snowball and I are great friends. I have a lot of respect for her and enjoy her company very much.

KAREN: You were photographed by the French paparazzi on your yacht in the Riviera with her. She must be a really good friend.

TABS: She is.

KAREN: Anything else? Are you ever gonna put a ring on that?

TABS: Next topic please.

KAREN: Well, that’s all the time we have today. Thank you again for doing this, Tabs. It’s been a real pleasure. I’ll see you back at the office. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

7 Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora! (Ends Monday)

June 14th, 2014 by Karen 304 Comments

Rise and shine, morning glory! Happy caturday!

How did you sleep? Did you have any good dreams? Were there any…kittens involved?

Kittens make everything better. 🙂

I’m still out here in Redding visiting my in-laws. Last night we had a nice dinner at Olive Garden (love their bread sticks and salad!) and then chatted at home. This morning El Hub is going fishing for a couple hours with his dad, and I’m going for a run around the little nature preserve next door before it gets too hot.

It gets HOT here. Up into the 100s, so if you’re gonna do any exercising outside, it’s best to do it before 9.

Other than that, I’m probably just going to chill at the house. Maybe also test some makeup. You know, unwind.

You have a great day, OK? I got a text from Tabs last night. He said that he and his petsitter did some shopping at Petco, and then had catnip cocktails while they marathon’d My Cat From Hell back at company headquarters/the house.

Sounds like everyone had a good night. 🙂

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).

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Open to U.S. and international readers.
You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
- Your favorite ’80s or ’90s TV show?
- Best makeup you’ve ever seen in a movie?
- Have you been swimming yet this year?
- What are you wearing right now at this very moment?
- How long/short is your hair?
- Tell me about your bed. Four poster? Water? Sleigh? Canopy? Bunk? (LOL!)
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time), which is, incidentally, someone’s birthday. 🙂
Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen