Just For Fun

This or That: Mascara Edition

November 6th, 2020 by Karen 9 Comments

mascara kitties mbb blog post top pic — Must haves: cats (obvs) and a great mascara! Mascara and Kitties Tee ($34)

How to play

Pick one or the other for each of the questions below, and copy/paste your answers in the comments. Can’t wait to see your picks! Mine are listed below. ?

Copy and paste

Would you rather have a mascara that gives you massive length or intense thickness?

Lash primer: a must-have or an unnecessary step?

Mascara on lower lashes: love it or leave it?

Brown mascara or black mascara?

Purple mascara or blue mascara?

Department store or drugstore mascara?

Skinny wand or oversized wand?

Tapered wand or curved wand?

Do you prefer mascaras with a natural effect or dramatic effect?

Soft or stiff lashes?

Tubing mascara or fiber mascara?

Clear mascara: love it or leave it?

Would you rather have a mascara that gives you massive length or intense thickness?

Don’t laugh but I spent an inordinate amount of time contemplating this. One the one hand, length is great because I feel like it mimics the look of falsies, but thickness offers a lot of bang for your buck visually. Hmm… I think ultimately I’ll have to go with length, but who knows? That answer might change in five minutes, LOL!

Lash primer: a must-have or an unnecessary step?

Five years ago I loved the stuff (I think it really does make a difference in how your mascara performs), but now I just don’t have the patience for it. So, unnecessary step.

Mascara on lower lashes: love it or leave it?

Love it, but only when it’s a thin layer.

Brown mascara or black mascara?

Black mascara all day every day!

Purple mascara or blue mascara?

Ooh, choices! I’ll go with blue because it’s easier to see blue on my lashes. Purple mascara usually ends up looking black.

Department store or drugstore mascara?

Got mad love for both, but the department store ones seem to do a better overall job, and they’re not nearly as crunchy.

Skinny wand or oversized wand?

Skinny wand, since it’s much easier for me to get between the lash hairs.

Tapered wand or curved wand?

Tapered, because I always end up holding my wrist in a weird way with the curved ones.

Do you prefer mascaras with a natural effect or dramatic effect?

GIMME ALL THE DRAMA!

Soft or stiff lashes?

Soft please.

Tubing mascara or fiber mascara?

Tubing, even if they’re a pain to remove. The fiber ones always end up flaking off and getting in my eyes.

Clear mascara: love it or leave it?

Love it. Handy for the beach or brows!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen ?

P.S. TGIF!

Latest Trader Joe’s Finds

November 5th, 2020 by Karen 15 Comments

trader joes bag front steps — There’s no place like home.

I do most of our grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s, so every week, in addition to picking up the usual staples (milk, eggs, nacho cheese tortilla chips, FROZEN WAFFLES!), I try to get at least one or two things I haven’t gotten before at Trader Joe’s…to try something new. I’m a pretty adventurous eater, and I’m trying to pass that on to Connor Claire.

Anywho, here are a few new finds I’ve been eating and loving lately…

Harvest Apple Salad Kit

This is a complete salad kit! You get a spring mix, unexpected cheddar cheese, apple cinnamon chips, pecans and an apple vinaigrette spring mix, and there’s enough for small side salads for four people, although, truth be told, I ate an entire bag all by myself in one day (half for lunch and half for dinner).

Apparently, I’m not the only person who does this because the cashier who helped me earlier this week said she’ll finish one in a single sitting. It’s THAT good!

Turkey Meatballs

You can find this bag of Italian flavored pre-made turkey meatballs in the frozen section. I snack on these throughout the day. I’ll microwave a meatball or two and dip them into TJ’s Marinara Sauce.

Cauliflower Crisp Snack Thins

These thin crackers have a delightful crunch! Great to nibble on with a slice of TJ’s pre-sliced Swiss cheese.

Les Petite Carrots of Many Colors

The fam-bam LOVES these tiny carrots. They come prepared in a bag, already peeled and washed and ready for cooking or snacking. I like to toss them with a little bit of avocado oil and salt, then roast them in the oven. I served them as a side with roasted shrimp scampi last Friday and they were a hit!

Colorful Carrot Coins

Sliced, seasoned and pre-cooked frozen carrot coins, yum! I use these as a quick-and-easy side to have with my lunch salad. I warm them up in a pan, which takes about 5 minutes.

Bite Size Sharp Cheddar Cheesy Crackers

I love these crunchy, crispy crackers because they have a strong sharp cheddar flavor. (Connor isn’t a fan, though).

Pepita Salsa

This salsa is made with pumpkin seeds and tastes delish with eggs. I’m a wimp when it comes to heat, and if I eat too much my tongue feels like it’s on fire, LOL!

Cinnamon Croissant Loaf

Like a cross between a croissant and a cinnamon bun, and extra delicious when lightly toasted and buttered. If you see this loaf, DO NOT PASS IT UP!

Bamba Peanut Snacks

WARNING: These peanut snacks are melt-in-your-mouth lighter than air and highly addictive. Connor also loves ’em!

What yummy finds have you uncovered at Trader Joe’s lately?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 650

November 2nd, 2020 by Karen 20 Comments

lets start the journey monday poll — Happy Monday to you!

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. Black, gray or brown eyeliner?

All the shades of brown, forever and ever.

2. Lash curlers — love ’em or leave ’em?

Love ’em. ❤️ My Surratt curler and I roll deep.

3. Have you been doing anything that you really like lately?

There’ve been a few things…

Listening to podcasts and shows about improving my communication skills.
Pilates, which is my new favorite type of workout. It’s low impact and quite mentally engaging! Plus, the day after a workout I’m so, so sore, but in that good workout way.
Watching the leaves fall, because they’re a reminder of the changing seasons, and another reminder that “this too shall pass.”

4. Describe your home in three words?

Warm, cozy, fun.

5. What’s your favorite app?

Don’t laugh, but it’s the Target app! I go there a lot, for reals.

6. UGGS or Doc Martens?

My feet currently would prefer to not be challenged by the rigors of combat boot life, so I’m going to go with a pair of soft, snuggly UGGS. The more basic the better. HAHAHA!

7. How do you squash nervous energy?

I take some deep big belly breaths for 5-10 minutes.

8. Three makeup/beauty items that’ve been bringing you joy lately?

I’ve been feeling my makeup mojo coming back a little (hooray for inspiration), so there have been a few things. Off the top of my head…

Lancôme fragrances (La Vie Est Belle and Idôle are LIFE).
Maybelline Color Strike Shadow Pens (surprisingly great).
ALL THE SKINNY BROW PENCILS.

9. The name of your favorite fall or holiday candle?

Cinnamon Stick, by Yankee Candle. It’s more spicy than sweet, which I like, and when I light it the scent fills the house.

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. Black, gray or brown eyeliner?
2. Lash curlers: love ’em or leave ’em?
3. Have you been doing anything that you really like lately?
4. Describe your home in three words?
5. What’s your favorite app?
6. UGGS or Doc Martens?
7. How do you squash nervous energy?
8. Three makeup/beauty items that’ve been bringing you joy lately?
9. The name of your favorite fall or holiday candle?

P.P.S. Hi there, sweet girl! New month, new week, new day. It’s a big week here in America. Tomorrow is Election Day, and I don’t feel like discussing politics right now. Tensions and emotions are sky high, and our political discourse has turned toxic.

Whatever happens tomorrow, I hope it works out for all Americans. I want the best for us all.

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 631

November 1st, 2020 by Karen 3 Comments

Of all the things Tabs was, he was definitely not a minimalist. He’d go big on every occasion, but especially Halloween, and the day after his epic Halloween blowouts I would spend the day drinking green juices and detoxing while he would indulge in even more excess. I’m talking smoked fish flown in from Nova Scotia and caviar, and even though I would insist on eating a salad, I would find boxes upon boxes of Snickers all over the house.

If there were such a thing as an anti-“less is more,” it would have been him.

Yesterday I briefly wondered if he was doing it up at the Rainbow Bridge. I wonder what his costume was this year… I don’t know, I can see him being a golden mermaid.

I offered to throw Rosie a Halloween party multiple times, but she straight-up refused. She just wanted to stay home and quietly study chess. She just finished watching Queen’s Gambit, and now she wants to be a Grandmaster of cat chess.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, Oct. 31, 2020! Happy Halloween!

October 31st, 2020 by Karen 6 Comments

Good morning and Happy Halloween from this panda.

(Yes, my affinity for smokey eyes was the driving factor for this costume.)

We’re just about to head to the pumpkin patch I mentioned up in Petaluma, but before we go, I have to tell you about a great show I stumbled on this week called Women of Impact. You gotta watch this episode with Evy Poumpouras. She’s an author and former Secret Service Agent (she’s protected three presidents!), and she received the U.S. Secret Service Valor Award for her heroism on 9/11.

IT’S SO GOOD!

One of the things Evy talks about in the episode is the communication skills she used on the job and how to develop them in practical ways for everyday life.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the techniques in the video… I’ve tried them in a few of my interactions with people this week, and by gosh! — it definitely got me thinking about the different ways we connect with people.

Last night I used a few of the tips Evy mentions while I was getting Connor ready for bed. Instead of rushing and going through the motions, I was conscious of the tone of my voice (I softened it to make it more suitable for my “audience”) and my goal for our interaction (to have Connor feel safe and loved and free to talk to me about anything). I really think it made such a difference in the way we connected.

Big thumbs up for this video. I hope you watch it!

I just ordered Evy’s book, by the way. Will let ya know what I think about it.

Speaking of reading…here’s your list of stories for the week.

Bobbi Brown has a new makeup line called Jones Road.
In case you were looking for last-minute Halloween makeup to freak out your friends or your kids…
Space X compared their latest launch delay to nail polish. ?
While we’re on the subject o’ science, two women have been awarded a Nobel Prize for science for their work on identifying and developing a revolutionary method of genome editing known as CRISPR.
If your hair is unruly and you love gadgets, you’ll probably want everything on this list (I know I do).
What hair density is and why it matters

Late ’90s makeup vibes

FANTASTIC

Lifted eyes? Yes, please.

I’m sure this will come in handy someday.

There’s a chill in the air…

We’re off to the pumpkin patch! See ya soon. ?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 649

October 26th, 2020 by Karen 23 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 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. Can you keep a secret?

Girlfriend, it’s like Fort Knox up in here! You can tell me what ya need to get off your chest. I won’t tell a soul (well, unless it’s hella illegal; then truth be told we will have an issue.)

2. What’s inspiring you right now?

’80s fashion, particularly the costuming in Desperately Seeking Susan. ’90s makeup, for sure! OH, and pies. ALL THE PIES.

3. What time did your alarm go off this morning?

Six o’clock on the dot. But I didn’t roll outta bed until 6:10.

4. What does your alarm currently sound like?

It’s got chimes in it. I use my phone, although I really want to start using a regular alarm clock so I don’t have to keep my phone by my bed. Anyway, it sounds kinda xylaphone-y. “Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!”

5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry?

UGH. We always have a big-@ss bottle of Tabasco, and I never touch the stuff. El Hub loves it, but I had a traumatic experience when I was in elementary school involving a dare at the babysitter’s house, Tabasco and some canned peaches… Yeah, it was gross.

6. Favorite country to visit?

I’m halfway tempted to say Hawaii because when you go to Hawaii it feels like a different country, for real. But it’s not! Sooo, right now I’m going to say the last country I remember visiting and liking, which is Canada, eh.

7. Describe your brows in three words.

A little problematic. HAHAHA!

8. The most overused phrase right now?

Literally, people (including me) need to stop prefacing sentences with the word “literally.” STTAHHHHHHHP!

9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now!

I think you’re beautiful and you’re tougher than you think you are, and you’re doing great!

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. Can you keep a secret?
2. What’s inspiring you right now?
3. What time did your alarm go off this morning?
4. What does your alarm currently sound like?
5. What’s the least used condiment in your pantry?
6. Favorite country to visit?
7. Describe your brows in three words.
8. The most overused phrase right now?
9. Write a nice note to the other people reading the poll right now!

P.P.S. Hello, sweet friend. Sending you a big hug from across the keyboard, and good thoughts for the week. I’ve decided that from this point on the holiday season, I’m going to focus on the future. No looking back at the past. Just eyes ahead at all the opportunities and good things on the horizon. Wanna come with me? I would love the company. ?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 630

October 25th, 2020 by Karen 5 Comments

Crab cakes, tuna tacos and sweet turkey crisps, cat intrigue and politicking, tons of tail twitching and furtive glances — I tell ya, there’s nothing quite like a Tabs the Cat Halloween Masquerade Ball. 🙂

They were always one of the hottest parties of the year. As you might recall, one year’s gala was the scene of a foiled plot to push Vladimir Puss ‘N’ Mau off the banister directly on top of Tabs, and the culprit cat was never caught. He fled the scene wearing a teddy bear mask and disappeared into the night…

But that wasn’t the only shocking development. We also found some vandalism in Tabs’ study, the words “CL was here” scratched into an antique desk.

After that, we really beefed up security to prevent anything nefarious from happening. It would have been such a shame to have anything overshadow the costumes.

Speaking of that, here’s a Halloween cat makeup tutorial Tabs was very proud of… Hope you like. 🙂

TOOLS:

Primer — Go with one that suits your fur type; I went with an anti-aging formula for dry or combination fur.
Full-coverage black cream stick foundation — Matte, velvet or shimmer. The finish is entirely up to you, but I prefer a sheen finish, which has a hint of glossy shine.
Black liquid nose and cheek tint — Liquid nose and cheek tints are easy to blend and layer, which is why I like working with them. Like the cream stick foundation, you have a lot of room to play in terms of finish. I ended up sticking with the same sheen finish for the sake of continuity.
Black kohl pencil — Black liner instantly intensifies your look.
Golden yellow contacts — A fun extra touch.
Kabuki brush
Beauty Blender

STEPS:

Pour a dollop of primer into your paw. Blend the primer by going in the direction of your fur, not against it. Wait a few minutes for your primer to completely dry before moving on to the next step.
Gently massage a full-coverage black cream stick foundation into your fur with your paws, swirling and tapping until the foundation covers most of your natural fur color and markings. Buff away any heavy areas with a kabuki brush, and repeat the process until you reach the level of coverage you want. Also take care to smooth out any patchy areas.
Dot a multi-purpose black liquid nose and cheek tint on your nose and whisker pads, then stipple and blend using a Beauty Blender sponge to thoroughly blend the product.
Rim your water lines and lash lines with a black kohl pencil to enhance your illusion of black cat-ness.
Optional: if you want to go the extra mile, apply golden yellow contacts.

(NOTE: No cats received actual makeovers in the preparation of this tutorial…even though I’m sure you already knew that. But still, please don’t put makeup on your kitty cat.)

Have a happy Halloween week from Tabs!

Rosie’s also in the Halloween spirit

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, Oct. 24, 2020

October 24th, 2020 by Karen 13 Comments

Hey there, pumpkin. ? Happy Saturday to ya. Two (not-so-pressing) pumpkin-related things on this glorious weekend morning:

First, it occurred to me *just now* that despite the fact that the season o’ pumpkins is in full swing, I’ve yet to have a pumpkin spice drink. ?

AND THAT MUST BE REMEDIED ASAP.

We’re taking CoyCoy to a socially distanced Halloween dance party/pumpkin patch at her dance studio today, and to ensure that I have plenty of energy to do the Monster Mash (it was a graveyard smash!), I plan to drink a massive pumpkin spice drink with all the fixings.

Oh, and you know you’ve crossed a certain bridge when your Halloween party plans involve slamming a pumpkin spice latte in the early afternoon so you can dance to Baby Shark — with feeling! — at a children’s party.

Second pumpkin related item: I need a reliable pumpkin pie recipe ASAP because I’m still in the thick of Pie Quest 2020, and last Saturday, I made, not one, but TWO absolutely terrible gluten-free pumpkin pies.

Seriously, totally gross and inedible. The filling was terribly bland, and the pre-made gluten-free pie crust was so overcooked that it turned into a crispy cracker.

Pies are kicking my baking butt, man!

Anywho, if you have a pumpkin pie recipe that doesn’t let you down, please drop it for me in the comments. Either gluten-full or gluten-free would be cool. Thank you in advance.