Daily Photo

Carbon Makes a Cameo in the MAC Keepsakes Holiday Collection Smoky Face Palette

October 6th, 2014 by Karen 9 Comments

MAC Keepsakes Face Palette in Smoky Face Palette

The new MAC Face Palette in Smoky ($49.50 US/$59.50 CAD), one of two new Face Palettes in the MAC Keepsakes holiday collection, gives good smoke. Each of the palettes contains a mix of seven eye, face and lip products for a different themed look.

Rrraow! Some good-looking colors and finishes here, and I love that LE pearl packaging with the cameo design.

I see a lot of smokey (or smoky) eyes in my immediate future. 🙂

Both Smoky and Natural, the second Face Palette in the Keepsakes collection, will be available on the MAC website starting October 19, at North American MAC stores and counters October 23 through December 18, and at all international MAC locations some time this November.

The Smoky Face Palette includes…

LUSTRE EYE SHADOW IN FILAMENT, a platinum silver
FROST EYE SHADOW IN ARISTOCRATIC AURA, a dirty blue gray with silver pearl
MATTE EYE SHADOW IN CARBON, an intense black
IRIDESCENT PRESSED POWDER IN BORN TO DAZZLE, a white gold champagne with pearl
CREAM COLOUR BASE IN PEARL, a pale gold with icy shimmer
AMPLIFIED LIPSTICK IN PETULANCE, a mauvey mid-tone nude
AMPLIFIED LIPSTICK IN EVENING POSH, a clean bright red

It’s the Great Pumpkin! Quick, Someone Tell Charlie Brown!

October 2nd, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

Every fall there’s this outdoor shopping center called the Marin Country Mart in the nearby town of Larkspur that has these HUGE pumpkins on display.

They aren’t for touching, or for sale, but smaller ones are.

Actually, they aren’t for sale either, so to speak. They’re on the honor payment system. You just take the pumpkin you want, and then leave your payment in a little box. The prices are based on pumpkin size and listed on a board.

That same place also hosts Off the Grid, which are these fancy traveling food trucks that are a thing here in the Bay Area (I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before).

I went last weekend for lunch with El Hub and my little brother. This time we all had Vietnamese fusion from the Little Green Cyclo truck.

Mine was fresh rice vermicelli with an egg on top, sweet potato tater tots and a coconut water to drink…

Kinda craving that again right now, can’t lie. 🙂

Quick hungry girl survey: how do you feel about shrimp? I’m always looking for a good recipe…

A Moody Model

October 1st, 2014 by Karen 6 Comments

Your nephew wasn’t feeling it today, even after I showed him these Halloween cards I saw at Barnes & Noble last weekend.

He was a moody model all day long, and the only thing he said to me was, “sigh…”

I don’t think he was impressed by the cards either, due to the obvious lack of tabbies.

Sorry, Tabs, but black cats are in high demand and get all the best modeling jobs this time of year. 🙂

The Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting EyeShadow 5-Color Palette in Infamous Sky

September 30th, 2014 by Karen 10 Comments

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting EyeShadow 5-Color Palette in Infamous Sky (2)

If I had a black-tie beachside gala to go to — assuming that there is such a thing — I’d be all about the browns and blues in this eyeshadow palette.

I want to go to there…ideally with Christopher Meloni (I’m sure El Hub would be cool with that). I like the idea of wearing shimmery sandy browns with a hint of sky blue as I snack on fancy scallop-kabobs washed down with bubbly. 🙂

Yup, Estee Lauder’s new Infamous Sky Palette ($50) suits that dream nicely…

Infamous Sky is one of the new Pure Color Envy Sculpting EyeShadow 5-Colors, a new line of creamy, plush powder eyeshadow palettes that partner wearable neutrals with richer pops of color, and they’re available now at Estee Lauder counters and also online.

Unforgettable, That’s What You Are, L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Ombre Quad in Unforgettable Lilac

September 29th, 2014 by Karen 10 Comments

L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Ombre Quad in Unforgettable Lilac

Mondays are for making plans, dreaming big and playing with purple eyeshadow. 🙂

This beauty is the Colour Riche Ombre Quad in Unforgettable Lilac by L’Oreal, and it’s only $9.99. Available now at drugstores, Ulta stores and also online.

Man, I just love that name… Unforgettable Lilac.

L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Ombre Quad in Incredible Grey

September 26th, 2014 by Karen 8 Comments

L’Oreal Paris Riche Eyeshadow in Incredible Grey (1)

So…sometimes I want to wear a smokey eye look, but I want it to just magically appear on my face, like POOF! All done. Instant smokey eye.

Basically, I want the smokey payoff part without all of the work, the blending.

That’s where palettes like the Colour Riche Ombre Quad in Incredible Grey ($9.99) by L’Oreal Paris are great. I’ll line my lash lines with a dark gray or gunmetal liner, smudge out the edges, and blend a deep gray shadow directly on top of the liner. Then I’ll line my water lines with a black kohl for a subtle gradient from black to gray.

I’ll keep it kind of messy on purpose…kind of rock ‘n’ roll.

By the way, these Colour Riche Ombre Quads are fab. The shadows are super pigmented, and the formula couldn’t be a whole lot easier to blend. Plus, they’re only $9.99 each.

Next time you swing by a drugstore, take a look. Incredible Grey and the other Colour Riche Ombre Quads are available now at drugstores, Ulta and online.

P.S. Whew! What a long week. Anyone else in the mood for Chinese food? I’m really craving walnut shrimp…

Last Hurrah of the Gerberas

September 25th, 2014 by Karen 19 Comments

I planted these gerbera daisies last spring, and they grew strong and bright and looked lovely through summer. Now, sadly, they’re saying farewell.

Aww! Glittery tears… Like on Westeros, winter is coming. 🙁

I’m not ready for the cold weather. Are you?!

Herbal Essences Tea-Lightfully Clean Shampoo and Conditioner Are Two Tea-Riffic Hair Helpers

September 24th, 2014 by Karen 4 Comments

Herbal Essences Tea-Lightfully Clean Shampoo and Conditioner

When I lather up with new Tea-Lightfully Clean Shampoo and Conditioner by Herbal Essences (just $3 each), I feel a bit perkier and better about my day. With these two tea-riffic hair helpers, you really do get a lot of perky for your buck.

Both have a refreshingly crisp green apple and mint scent, and when coupled with the light tingly sensation (it’s really mild, nothing like a sting at all), I definitely feel spunkier. Apparently, a stimulated scalp equals an invigorated Karen. Who knew?

Tea tree oil in both of the products also adds a little moisture and lots of bounce to my ‘do.

Yes, girlfriend, you know how I feel about big hair. 🙂

They’re available now at drugstores and online for $3.

Well worth a sniff.