Just For Fun

Good morning! Guess what…?

We made it! IT’S THE WEEKEND.

Oh, yeah. ?

OK…so, normally I’m a coffee kinda girl, but lately I’ve been all about tea, like this one from Trader Joe’s. I kid you not, this one is so good. I had it tucked away in my cupboard, buried behind boxes of green tea and decaf green tea, and accidentally noticed it while reorganizing things. The pomegranate gives it a bit of sweetness, and the lemongrass and hibiscus a bit of tart, and it has a good kick to it, too! That white tea, man. It’s surprisingly potent! I feel kinda buzzy and shaky right now, which is probably not the best state to be in whilst painting one’s nails, hahaha!

Oh, well! I’m trying to decide between these three colors by Duri…

What do you think? Help me decide.

This week’s reading

• Young people are purposefully drawing in under-eye bags on social media…
• A nail biter’s journey…
• Yup, big surprise. Aaaand now I want a rose-colored Caboodle.
• Patches the cat is an unsung hero!
• All hail Pat McGrath!

I’m seriously, SERIOUSLY thinking about cutting my own hair.

Please save me from myself.

NO, seriously.

Obsessed

Connor asked me if she could take horse riding lessons yesterday, and then we watched this video three times in a row.

I spy Gregory Arlt!

Iconic

Current theme song

Yes, please.

Blasting this right now.

How are you doing on this lovely day? ???

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

1. Cat Lover’s Pad

The cover says it all. “100 Sheets of Cats Cats Cats!” ? ? ? First of all, it’s a lined notebook, and each page has a different illustration of adorable kitties in all their glorious shapes, sizes and colors.

It’s become my go-to notebook for short lists, which is saying something because you know I love lists!

2. Schitt’s Creek

Friends raved about this Netflix show. Heck, EVERYONE seemed to rave about this show and its ensemble cast, but something about it didn’t fire me up for a long time. I watched the first episode about a year ago and thought, “Eh…” and dismissed it. I thought the main characters were, well…kinda self-entitled and not very likeable, but I gave it another try a couple weeks ago, and wow! — I’m so glad I did because I’m fully onboard now.

There’s a lot more to it than I thought. At a surface level, it’s a comedy about an obscenely wealthy family that suddenly loses their fortune and are forced to relocate to a small rural town named Schitt’s Creek.

It’s one of those shows that just gets better and better as the characters develop over time, and you get the sense that the family members learn to appreciate each other and what they have so much more. I’ve laughed and cried more times than I can count. Plus, the styling and makeup (more on this in a second) are incredible.

3. Lucky Bromhead

She’s an Emmy-nominated makeup artist, and she did (and still does) the makeup for key cast members on Schitt’s Creek. She’s the one responsible for Moira’s killer red lips and smoky eyes, and Alexis’s casual-but-chic boho vibes. Love her work!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lucky Bromhead (she/her) (@luckymakeup)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lucky Bromhead (she/her) (@luckymakeup)

4. The Farmhouse collection from Crate & Barrel

I got some dishes, bowls and mugs from the Farmhouse collection at Crate & Barrel to replace all of the random, mismatched dishes in my kitchen, and I love, love, LOVE them. Each piece has some heft to it and feels sturdy, and the soft cream color and lines give the pieces a warm and casual vibe.

The Farmhouse collection is one of Crate & Barrel’s open stock lines, meaning that you can just roll up to the store and buy a single plate or mug at any time.

This is GREAT for our family because El Hub is pretty much the destroyer of all dishes, mugs and bowls. HE BREAKS EVERYTHING. I seriously cannot fathom how because I’ve only broken one or two dishes in my entire life!

SIGH.

All I know is that now, whenever he inevitably breaks one of my new dishes, I will always be able to replace it. ?

5. This 30-minute spin class…

By the time I was done with this home spinning workout, I was dripping in sweat, but dang if I didn’t feel great. The instructor is fantastic! She does a bang-up job of keeping you motivated, and I also get the sense that she’s working just as hard, too. There are a few ads throughout the class…which normally annoys me, but they happened at times when I was gasping for air and actually didn’t mind having the extra time to recover.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! ✨

1. They camouflage cray-cray hair

A beret instantly hides unruly baby hair so you don’t walk around looking like a mad scientists who hasn’t slept in days.

Added bonus: If the thought of brushing your mane sounds exhausting, a beret is your best friend! Just tuck those unruly strands underneath a chic beret.

2. They make great pop songs

Prince wrote a song about a raspberry beret found at a secondhand store. Can you imagine Raspberry Beret being something like Raspberry Bucket Hat or Raspberry Newsboy Cap or Raspberry Beanie? I don’t think so!

I would totally wear that cloud suit.

3. Cats love them!

Whether they’re wearing them, sleeping on them or attempting to tear them apart with their claws (ahem, *Rosie*), cats certainly love berets.

4. Berets effortlessly work with your favorite bold lip

Berets and bold lips are purrfection. This one is Chanel Eclosion, by the way, from the Spring-Summer 2021 collection.

5. No ears required!

Unlike earrings, glasses or a face mask, berets doesn’t rely on your ears for support (really, our ears are doing so much these days), so rejoice in your ear freedom as you jauntily place a beret atop your head.

6. An equal-opportunity hat

Both ladies and gents wear berets, so if your significant other has one you’re fond up, take note — it’s totally up for grabs!

7. A hat with history

The beret has long graced the heads of many iconic individuals throughout history, and they’ve often been symbols of revolution.

A few beautiful berets to consider…

• Halogen Wool Blend Beret, $29 — There’s a red one that’s always sold out, but mark my words, one day it shall be mine.
• Brixton Lennon Beret, $21.97 — I love the blush color and the gold trim
• Eugenia Kim Catarina, $227.50 (!) — Cat ears and pearls, what more could one want in a beret?

8. Famous people wear them…

Which may or may not be a plus, ha ha ha! Fun fact: Ernest Hemingway, cat fancier and novelist, liked berets.

9. You can have a beret for every mood

Depending on the material and size of said beret, you can either go chic and minimalist; or big, floppy and bold. There’s a beret for every occasion.

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 five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?

1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest?

Sequined vest! — presumably because it would be easier to clean?!

Maybe?

Maybe I’m wrong, but I can see furry boots being magnets for leaves, mud and whatnot. A big pain in the butt to keep tidy.

2. Are your holiday decorations still up?

Nah, everything’s been stored away. I like to put the decorations away shortly after New Years, because I know from experience that if I don’t do it then…we’ll still have our Christmas lights up in March. ?

3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen?

Banana ketchup. It’s a Filipino thing!

4. Yellow or orange?

Orange.

5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week?

Refrain from using my phone for at least an hour before bed, which I want to do because that thing is just too stimulating.

6. High-tops or high heels?

High-tops, because I can sprint at a moment’s notice in them if need be. Plus, I’m terribly out of practice wearing heels. I’d take a step and probably just fall over, LOL!

7. Do you have any original art on your walls?

If Connor’s drawings count, then yes. Otherwise, no. But I would love to have some original paintings on my walls someday.

8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring?

Seeing my favorite tree in bloom once again. ? It always takes my breath away.

9. Your most-used hair accessory?

My scrunchie, of course.

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. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest?
2. Are your holiday decorations still up?
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen?
4. Yellow or orange?
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week?
6. High-tops or high heels?
7. Do you have any original art on your walls?
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring?
9. Your most-used hair accessory?

P.P.S. Good morning and happy Monday! Just a quick reminder in case you need it — you’re focused, you’re strong, and you’re getting better every day. Let’s do this! ?

Salutations on this spectacular Saturday! Hi, friend. ?

OK, not-so-serious question for you… Have you discovered the wonder of combining popcorn with a handful of Peanut M&Ms?

Basically, IT IS A REVELATION. It’s my new favorite snack, and I can’t get enough of it. You get the salty popcorn coupled with the sweet chocolate. (Even Connor is obsessed!)

The trick — yes, there’s a trick to maximizing its greatness — is to start with a varietal of popcorn that isn’t too heavily flavored, and is only slightly salty. That way the popcorn-ness doesn’t clash with the candy. ?

I recommend Angie’s Boomchickapop Sea Salt Popcorn, which I get at Target, because it comes in a big bag, so I’m able to just toss a handful into a small bowl when I need something to tide myself over. Plop a few Peanut M&Ms in there, and you’re set.

I have yet to enjoy this delectable delicacy as my breakfast…but I’m tempted to right now. ?

Saturday Surfing

• New notables in the world of new makeup —-> makeup brands launching this month include Merit (from Katherine Power of Who What Wear) and About Face by singer Halsey.
• Just so you know, all kinds of skin care items are on sale at Ulta through January 23.
• The latest craze in skin care? Freeze-dried skin care technology!
• Inside the two biotech companies creating a Covid-19 vaccine for cats. ?
• Scent is still missing from the list of senses that are stimulated in film and TV entertainment, although entrepreneurs have often tried (and failed) to create scent-on-demand for a full sensory experience.
• This is what “hair ice” looks like… ❄️
• What is “combination hair?”
• Why hair goes gray, according to science.
• Speaking of hair…hair porosity is a thing.

An old-school jam with a new school spin

Oooh!

I love this.

Super pretty

This is totally my style.

It’s been drizzling off and on this entire week, so today we’re going hiking at the Fairway waterfall again to see if it’s a raging river now because of the rain.

I hope it’s raging!

What are your plans this weekend? I hope you’re doing well.

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 five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?

1. Your favorite green vegetables? (Yes, you can name more than one!)

Broccoli (you can do so much with it), spinach (like broccoli it’s super flexible), bok choy, napa cabbage and green beans.

2. Something you plan to do this year when “this is all over”?

First thing on the list is to invite my parents and brother over to spend the night so we can all just chill, eat pizza and watch a couple movies.

I’ve also decided that once the world starts really and truly opening up again, I’m going to wear sequins everywhere. All over the damn place. To the grocery store, to the library, to the park. SEQUINS EVERYWHERE!

3. What mascara are you wearing these days?

Bite Beauty’s new one has been in the rotation as of late.

4. Eyeliner — pencil or pen?

Pencil liner. That way I can also wear it on my waterline. ?

5. Lipstick — crayon or liquid?

Crayon!

6. Where do you go if you have to buy someone (or yourself) a birthday cake?

There’s a bakery in town called Creekside that makes a delicious, light-as-air vanilla cake with whipped cream and strawberries. YUM! They’re my go-to for birthday cakes.

7. How good are you at hemming pants?

Well…not good at all! You’d think it would be a skill I’d place a high priority on since almost every pair of pants I’ve ever owned has needed to be hemmed, but alas, no.

Mind you, I can make a borderline functional hem in a pinch… Borderline though.

8. When was the last time you built a snowman?

I honestly haven’t a clue. It may have been sometime in the early 2000s? I vaguely recall going someplace snowy with El Hub early in our relationship and being very grumpy while we were there because I was so cold, LOL!

9. What’s your signature makeup look?

Some variation of smokey eyes with a nude lip, but that might change in 2021! You just never know.

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. Your favorite green vegetables? (Yes, you can name more than one!)
2. Something you plan to do this year when “this is all over”?
3. What mascara are you wearing these days?
4. Eyeliner — pencil or pen?
5. Lipstick — crayon or liquid?
6. Where do you go if you have to buy someone (or yourself) a birthday cake?
7. How good are you at hemming pants?
8. When was the last time you built a snowman?
9. What’s your signature makeup look?

P.P.S. Hi there! I hope your morning has been going great, my beautiful friend. Sending you a warm hug and a high five. We’ve got this! ?