Karen

Hello from rainy Northern California, my friend! It’s damp and dreary outside today, so I’ll be spending most of it indoors on the couch getting some much-needed rest. I did manage to sneak in a quick walk outside during a break in the drizzle, though, and while I was outside, I picked a few lemons off my Meyer lemon tree. YUM! They smell so sweet and delicious, like freshly baked lemon bars.

I’ve got grand plans to do a whole lotta nothing, and I can’t even begin to say how excited I am to nap, read and Netflix. Relaxing Saturdays are the best, right?

This week’s reading

• Prada has a new skincare and makeup line. Fancy!
• Are you a fan of the drugstore brand, Eucerin? Heads up, they have some new face products hitting the shelves this month.
• A kitty cut is a thing, and FYI, it’s not for felines.
• Aurora nails are hypnotizing!

Can the deadliest cat in the world be this tiny and cute?

Note to self

Aww, so cute

Hits play with a quickness

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend. I hope all is well with you!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

1. J. Crew Factory Long-Sleeve Crewneck Girlfriend Tee, $9.95

I bought two of these awesome long-sleeve tees in neutral colors (Black and Oatmeal), and I deeply regret not buying more! Thick material, not too tight and doesn’t wrinkle easily. Right meow they’re $9.95, and there are a still a few left, so if you see your size, don’t hesitate. SO GOOD!

2. e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm, $11

I picked up my upteenth jar of this makeup removing balm at Target the other day. It’s just as good, if not better, than the higher-end version by Clinique. Takes off everything (including waterproof makeup) and doesn’t sting my eyes. One jar is $11 and lasts for months.

3. Target Threshold Printed Hand Towels, 2pk, $10

I really like these hand towels. They’re thick, the print stays bright and holds after multiple washings, and the size is just right — not too big, not too small. I bought the all-over floral version, but the hearts are super cute too.

4. Vanilla Oikos PRO High Protein Greek Yogurt, $6

I swear, getting enough protein in each meal has become my part-time job, ha ha ha! This greek yogurt tastes delicious, packs 23g of protein per serving and has 0g of added sugar. I eat it on its own and blended into smoothies. I get the 32-oz container for about $6 at Target.

5. GAP Breathe High Rise Bikinis (3-Pack), $19 (on sale)

GIRL. I can’t even begin to tell you how stressful the hunt for decent, comfortable underwear has been. I just found the Breathe High Rise ones from GAP, and I love, love, LOVE them.

Sure, they’re very granny-panty style, but whatever. The material is super soft and the waistband doesn’t cut into my skin, and if you can get them on sale, they’re very affordable.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Everyday, lately, I have a cup of coffee at 2 p.m., and let me tell you, I love it so, so much.

Why? I couldn’t do life without it. And 2 p.m. is the sweet spot for afternoon coffee, IMHO.

It’s still early enough in my day so that I can utilize the power of coffee to fuel me through the afternoon and evening, but not soo late that I’m buzzing all night long.

Coffee fuels life

Currently in this season of my life (young kid, new job, house to keep up) there are so many tasks, and having the extra caffeine boost really helps in the afternoon!

I’m usually feeling tired when I get from work, but I know that if I don’t do at least some “life things” between 3 and 8 p.m., I’ll be in a world of hurt come the weekend.

Mom taxi

When I leave work, I go into mom taxi mode. Ha! I pick Connor up from school, and then we usually pop into the grocery store and then go home. Once we get home, she makes herself a snack, and then she watches some cartoons, does homework and gets ready for dance.

While she’s doing those things, I catch up on house admin (phone calls, bills, planning whatever needs to get planned and whatnot), then I write, and sneak in a quick workout if I can.

What’s for dinner?

Next thing I know, it’s time to take her to dance, and when I come back, I make dinner for the evening and lunch for the next day.

After I pick her up from dance, we eat and get ready for bed. When Connor’s in the shower, I’m cleaning up the kitchen and doing at least another tidying task, like vacuuming or wiping down the bathroom counters or a load of laundry; otherwise if I leave those things for the weekend, I know I’ll be stuck doing chores all weekend long!

And then I pass out

After that’s done, I shower and change and get ready for bed, and then I help Connor with her bedtime routine, which is usually reading and a short (or sometimes long) chat before she falls asleep.

At this time, I’ve exhausted the caffeine and myself completely, LOL! And I usually stumble into bed and fall asleep pretty quickly.

I’m sure I could do it all without coffee, but I probably would be a lot grumpier and slower. Thank goodness for 2 p.m. coffee!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Here are some things I do that seem to help me feel like I’m not drowning in ALL. THE. TASKS. all the time!

When I’m tired, overwhelmed and overstimulated, which is often, these things help me deal with decision fatigue.

1. Plan the living crap outta lunch for the week.

It’s such a small thing, but it really helps. It’s just one less thing to think about.

Sometime over the weekend, I write a quick list of what’s for lunch and I make sure that I have the ingredients on hand.

Connor’s a very adventurous eater and will eat most things, but when it comes to school lunch, she doesn’t mind having a list of “greatest hits” to choose from. I have her pick what she wants on each day, and we go with that.

I do something similar with my work lunches for the week. I like to go with a theme! This week, I’m having protein with veggies, so for lunch today I’m having a pre-made salad with chicken I got from a local deli.

2. Keep your wardrobe limited to a few colors.

I do this specifically with my work wardrobe. I stick to three colors, tan, navy and black. It makes decision making that much easier when I purposefully limit my options. Kinda like a uniform.

3. Get rid of all the socks that annoy you.

While we’re on the subject of getting dressed, take an afternoon to sort through your sock drawer, and get rid of all the socks that have holes and don’t have a matching pair. Also, edit out the socks that bother you in any sort of way. I don’t know why, but knowing that there are no socks in my drawer that slip down, itch or are ill-fitting is just one less thing for me to concern myself with. I bought a bunch recently from Target by the brand A New Day, and I like ’em.

4. While you’re at it, only keep underwear in your drawer that fits you perfectly.

If it bothers you in any way, let it go! Like the sock situation, I find this also so very freeing. One less thing to contend with, you know? Side note, I recently bought several things from the women’s Breathe collection at GAP and really like them. Super comfortable and soft!

5. At the start of the week, grab a few key pieces of makeup that you absolutely love.

This one’s for my friends who have relatively big collections. (I’m working on editing mine down. It’s a process). Anywho, grab a few key pieces that you plan to use daily, and make sure you love EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. Swap this mini collection out after the week is over if you want with other things you love. This really helps me a lot! Lately I’ve been all about my Chanel.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. Paper book or audio book?

Um, both? I love the sensation of having a paper book in my hands and the feeling of turning pages, but I like that I can listen to an audio book while I’m walking or sitting in the car. And for some reason, when I listen to an audio book, the information seems to sink in a little better. If I had to choose one, though, then paper.

2. What’s a warm drink you’re having today?

A cup of darjeeling with cream and a lil’ bit of sugar!

3. What’s the fastest way to get stuff done – calling or texting?

Phone call for me, for sure. I’d rather just sort it out then and there, in real time and with clear voice cues, instead of sending a billion texts back and forth and wondering if a text has hidden subtext.

4. Silver or gold today?

Let’s go with gold because I’m wearing a gold necklace that says “mama” which Connor got me years ago.

5. Tell me all about your warmest and most comfortable pants!

I bought a pair of dark charcoal Lou and Gray joggers years ago and they are the softest, warmest and most comfortable pants I own. If I’m having a rough day, I swear these pants make everything better.

Hi and happy Monday. Are you home today? Connor and I have today off because it’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day (a federal holiday) here in the United States. This is the first paid day off I’ve had in years, and it thrills me.

Anywho, you’re not going to believe this (and even I almost can’t, seeing how last week, it hit freezing temps here in Marin county), but Connor and I took a walk this morning and saw some signs of spring.

There are white flowers blooming in my neighbor’s yard (I think they’re called paperwhites)!

We also found what seems like a newly build nest in some bushes.

Soon the days will be longer and the weather will be warmer. I’m really looking forward to it.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

1. Paper book or audio book?
2. What’s a warm drink you’re having today?
3. What’s the fastest way to get stuff done – calling or texting?
4. Silver or gold today?
5. Tell me all about your warmest and most comfortable pants!