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Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 785

November 5th, 2023 by Karen 1 Comment

There are some things Rosie’s scientific mind surely could not comprehend. I was reminded of this while rewatching “The Golden Compass” this weekend, which stars Stelmaria, the snow leopard daemon / spirit animal of Lord Asriel. If a snow leopard were to move into our neighborhood, I’m pretty sure Rosie would short circuit. She’s very territorial when it comes to cats, but a big cat would be a little too much to handle… Tabs, on the other paw, would probably become besties with the big cat, seeing as he fancied himself as one too.

Here’s a look back at this time a few years ago, back when Tabs was still the king of the neighborhood.

It was a dark and stormy night…

Actually, not really. It was a clear and chilly morning.

You know, we used to — well, not we. Tabs mostly. He used to outsource the first patrol of the day to a freelance security company, but in his semi-retirement, he’s come to realize that he’s an early riser and enjoys getting up before the sun.

This morning’s pre-dawn patrol was uneventful, so Tabs cut it short and caught up on some reading instead.

He’s been doing a lot of reading lately to his little sister/pet assistant intern. Their favorite book is called Big Cats, by National Geographic Kids, although he’s a little offended that he wasn’t hired to model for it. He is, after all, a big cat.

The second patrol occurs at 10 a.m. on the dot, and today’s was also relatively uneventful, so Tabs took the opportunity to lounge in the front yard and absorb nature’s bountiful gifts.

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Categories: Just For Fun, Rosie, Tabs

Saturday Surfing, November 4, 2023!

November 4th, 2023 by Karen 3 Comments

Have a gorgeous day

Good morning, sweet friend. Happy Saturday to you!

The pic above is one of my favorite parts of my neighborhood right meow, and I see it whenever I go for a long walk. I love being under the canopy of leaves and seeing the sunlight filter through. Soon enough, the entire pathway will be covered with yellow and brown leaves.

It’s tiny moments like these that really lift me up.

When you go outside today, I hope you take a quick moment to take in all the beauty that surrounds you!

This week’s reading

  • This is how 5 beauty experts do vamp makeup.
  • New research shows that hair follicles have a hidden “sixth sense.”
  • While we’re on the subject of hair, did you know cat hair can be useful forensic evidence? Cat hair from a crime scene can provide important evidence, like linking a suspect and a victim.
  • Also, dog hair is experiencing a resurgence as a sustainable textile.
  • Will the odds be ever in your favor with these nail polishes based on “The Hunger Games?”
  • 12 your-lips-but-better lipticks that aren’t just “universal” beige.


Mood for the day


Note to self


Gonna watch this


I know this is about liner, but I just love looking at her hair


So pretty

What are you up to today? In a little bit I’m going for a walk, then I’m painting my nails (they need some TLC) and then I’m taking Connor to a birthday party.

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 3 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Chanel Rouge Allure L’Extrait in Rouge Puissant | Red Lips Inspired by Fall Leaves

November 3rd, 2023 by Karen 9 Comments

Look at those shades of red, wow!

There’s a joke around where I live in Northern California about the Bay Area not having a real fall season. I think the trees around my neighborhood would have something to say about that, LOL! Here’s a stunner that I see every day when I walk Connor to school.

My new favorite fall tree!

Gorgeous, right? I strolled by her today and couldn’t help but feel inspired to wear a bright red lip.

I’m wearing a super intense, super concentrated red from Chanel’s holiday 2023 collection, Rouge Puissant.

chanel rouge puissant lipstick
Chanel Rouge Allure L’Exrait in 854 Rouge Puissant
chanel rouge puissant lipstick
Chanel Rouge Allure L’Exrait in 854 Rouge Puissant

It’s a long-wearing formula that takes a bit of elbow grease to remove, so if ya prefer lippies that pack a ton of pigment, you might love it.

Happy Friday to you, my friend! I’ve got a video interview in just a few, and I feel so ready with this makeup. 🙂 Please send good vibes. I’ll take ’em!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 9 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Chanel, Lips, Makeup

Chanel Lumière Graphique and Duo Lumière, and the Inner Corner Highlight Moment

November 2nd, 2023 by Karen 3 Comments

Yay for Chanel

Sometimes that inner corner highlight hits just right! I put a little bit of the new Chanel Duo Lumière highlighter on after doing a swish of the khaki taupe shade from the Lumière Graphique eyeshadow palette on my lids, and it was exactly what I needed today.

Both are from the new holiday collection, by the way.

I feel so out of practice with eyeshadow, but you know what? I’m gonna give myself plenty of grace and go with the flow. 🙂

I’m wearing Chanel Lumière Graphique Eyeshadow Palette and Duo Lumière Illuminating Powder Duo on my eyes
Chanel Lumière Graphique Eyeshadow Palette and Duo Lumière Illuminating Powder Duo
Blush is Ilia Color Haze Pigment in Temptation and Lipsitick is MAC Crossfade

How’s your Thursday going so far? I think I’ve finally recovered from all the Halloween festivities, LOL!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 3 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Chanel, Eyes, Face of the Day (FOTD), Makeup

Checking In: Happy Halloween! Zombie Dark Circles, Food Costumes, Big ‘80s Hair

October 31st, 2023 by Karen 2 Comments

I'm going to be on The Walking Dead!
Legit dark circles, man

Happy Halloween, my friend! I didn’t really have plans to dress up this year but apparently today I’ve been walking around as an unintentional zombie… I got dark circles under my eyes for days.

I was wide awake in the wee hours of the morning because I got absolutely no sleep last night. Ugh, hormones. How rude of them to rob me of precious slumber!

Why do the most random thoughts flood my brain late at night? At around 3 in the morning I had a revelation that food-related Halloween costumes are truly the best. Pizza, pineapple, berries? YES, PLEASE. From this point on, anything food-related is the way to go.

Also the best? All the ’80s themed costumes. I kinda wish I got it together and dressed up as Madonna from “Desperately Seeking Susan,” now that I think about it. Sigh.


My favorite Madge era

It would give me an excuse to do big bangs, which I’m enamored with right meow. I’ll take all the height at the roots, please!

OK, I’m going to slam another coffee… You gotta do what you gotta do to get through the school costume parade and trick-or-treating, you know?

I hope that you’re having a fun and happy Halloween so far. Did you dress up today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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Categories: Just For Fun

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 805

October 30th, 2023 by Karen 5 Comments

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. Jamie Lee Curtis in “Halloween” or Neve Campbell in “Scream”?

Jamie Lee Curtis in “Halloween” all the way.

2. “Ghostbusters” or “Monster Mash”?

Who you gonna call?

3. Frankenstein or Dracula?

I’d rather hang out with Frankenstein. Dracula seems gross. Plus, you don’t know if he’s going to try to have you for a snack.

4. Elvira or Morticia?

Morticia!

5. Ouija boards – yes or no?

Hard pass. I’m already well on my way to becoming a superstitious Filipino grandma; I don’t mess with that stuff!

6. Have you ever been in a legit haunted house?

Oh, for sure. When we were looking to move back in 2009, a couple places that we visited felt ominous. I could tell right away, too. In one of the houses, I felt like something was following me from room to room. And in another, I felt like I had a weight on my chest the entire time (it went away once we left the house).

7. Your top 3 favorite Halloween candies?

I’ll take Snickers, Life Savers Gummies and Nestle Crunch. I used to love Milky Way bars, but I had one recently and it was way too sweet.

Hi! Oh my goodness, I know Halloween isn’t until tomorrow, but I feel like I’ve been celebrating it for three weeks straight! On Saturday during the daytime, I took Dr. Connor the Veterinarian to an event in our town where the restaurants and shops on the main street give out candy to trick-or-treaters.


On Saturday night, I took her to a trunk-or-treat at the dance studio. Needless to say there’s already been a lot of snacking on Snickers and Kit Kat and whatnot around these parts.

What are you doing for Halloween? Whatever you’re up to, have a fun and safe time!

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. Jamie Lee Curtis in “Halloween” or Neve Campbell in “Scream”?
2. “Ghostbusters” or “Monster Mash”?
3. Frankenstein or Dracula?
4. Elvira or Morticia?
5. Ouija boards – yes or no?
6. Have you ever been in a legit haunted house?
7. Your top three Halloween candies?

There are 5 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 784

October 29th, 2023 by Karen 2 Comments

Rosie wanted to show off her two favorite Halloween-themed cat collars, so this week’s installment of Sundays With Tabs is all about her.

(And this jack o’lantern.)

First, there’s her leopard-print ghosty collar…

And then there’s her candy corn bow collar…

She’s curious — which one do you like best?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 2 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Rosie, Tabs

Saturday Surfing, October 28, 2023!

October 28th, 2023 by Karen Leave a Comment

Easiest last-minute Halloween costume ever — MAC makeup artist!

Happy Caturday, friend! I’m taking my sidekick to a couple trick-or-treating events in town in just a few. Are you dressing up this year? I haven’t really thought about it at all, but if I feel like doing a last-minute costume, I’ll bust out an oldie but goodie — MAC makeup artist.

All you have to do is dress in black from head to toe, do a colorful eye, throw a couple of brushes in your hair and whip out a quickie MAC badge on your printer. Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy.

What Halloween things are you doing today?

This week’s reading

  • Why is Taylor’s glam team so secretive about her makeup?
  • A look at the new makeup line by Hermès.
  • Skincare expert-approved products to consider at the Sephora sale.
  • How age, stress and genetics turn hair gray.
  • Someday, house cats will rule the world.
  • Manifest your dream life with perfume layering and astrology!
  • Weird perfumes are taking over.


Middle school me loved this song


Can’t wait


This is fun


Note to self


Making a list

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, k?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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Categories: Just For Fun

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

Makeup and Beauty Blog features daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news — like an interactive version of a monthly print magazine, except with occasional pictures of my cat.

Recent Posts

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 878

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 894

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 893

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 892

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