Just For Fun

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. One piece of clothing you wear year after year?

My black Zella leggings because they’re SOOOO COMFY, and comfy is my new M.O. I’m done — ABSOLUTELY DONE! — wearing uncomfortable clothes. The Zellas are super soft and keep me warm (but not too toasty). They also have enough compression to hold everything in without making me feel like a sausage about to burst. Most importantly, they don’t fall down.

2. One piece of clothing you’d never wear?

Uh… Hmm… The red latex costume Britney Spears wore in the Oops!… I Did It Again Video? The material doesn’t look like it breathes very well, and I’d probably pop the seams out while doing squats and such. LOL!

3. A good book you’d recommend to a friend?

Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens. I read it a while back, and it’s one of those books that sticks with you. I couldn’t put it down. Plus, the writing is gorgeous!

4. Secret to hosting a good party?

Letting go of that perfect picture you have in your head of how things will go, because when you accept that things will, in fact, not go as planned, it’s alllll gravy.

Also…”adult beverages” help. HAHAHA!

5. A beauty trend you don’t (or didn’t) understand?

Full-on red eyeshadow/eyeliner without any browns or neutrals to ground the color. I mean, I totally get the look is artsy and edgy, but does anyone actually look good with it on?

6. Favorite restaurant?

The State Room Brewery in San Rafael, because their pizzas are bomb, and they have a separate gluten-free kitchen (El Hub has Celiac).

7. One place you could happily visit for the rest of your life?

Kauai! I love the small town feel of it, the beautiful hikes, the secluded beaches and waterfalls and monk seals and turtles and tropical birds and papaya, guava, mango, pineapple… AHHH!

8. One beauty item you’ve been using a lot lately?

I’ve been putting on a few drops of Fresh Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence every morning and evening after I wash my face, and my skin has been so happy. It’s not as dry and tight since I’ve been using it and seems smoother and more even-toned.

9. What color (or colors) are most of your clothes?

I wear a lot of black and gray, which I didn’t realize until I reorganized my shirts by color not long ago (I previously organized everything by sleeve length, so tank tops, tees, long sleeves, etc.). I’ve never been afraid of wearing colorful clothes, so this was kinda shocking to me… I must’ve blacked out or something while I was Konmari-ing my closet one day.

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. One piece of clothing you wear year after year?
2. One piece of clothing you’d never wear?
3. A good book you’d recommend to a friend?
4. Secret to hosting a good party?
5. A beauty trend you don’t (or didn’t) understand?
6. Favorite restaurant?
7. One place you could happily visit for the rest of your life?
8. One beauty item you’ve been using a lot lately?
9. What color (or colors) are most of your clothes?

P.P.S. Just a quick reminder that you’re doing great! Don’t ever forget that you are so, so loved. ?

Hiya, beautiful! Ah, deep breath in… Deep breath out… We made it to the weekend! (And I’m assuming you’re still in one piece?! I really hope so.)

I’m in the mood for coffee and a chocolate croissant this morning because I just finished binge watching this show on Netflix…

It’s from Darren Star, the guy who also did Sex and the City, and if you and your brain desperately need to be transported to a light and fluffy, frothy universe for a few hours…it’s the way to go. It’s about an American girl who works in marketing and moves to Paris — without knowing a lick of French, SAY WHAT?! — for a new job. It’s a little soapy, a little corny, and not remotely close to realistic at all, but it’s lots of fun! I warn you…by the end of the season, you may find yourself craving a baguette, a hunk of cheese and a glass of bubbly. ?

If I get any alone time by myself this weekend, I just might rewatch a few episodes.

Anywho, grab your breakfast wine coffee or tea, and settle down for a bit with this week’s reading…

• Thick black eyeliner and matte smokey eyes are ’90s eye makeup trends that are supposed to be major next year. What say you? I’m totally down with this, 100%.
• Makeup artists break down how to seamlessly apply and blend concealer.
• Monochromatic smokey copper eyes are having a moment this fall.
• What ceramides can do for your skin, and how to add these powerful ingredients to your routine.
• According to dermatologists, here are changes you can make to your skin care as we head deeper into fall and winter.
• Interesting read —-> “Human hair is a valuable commodity traded across international borders.”
• Beauty experts weigh in on how to get healthier-looking hair if yours won’t stop thinning or straight-up falling out.
• Calling all of my friends who live in Wisconsin! I really need to know if this perfume, Eau de Wisconsin, really does smell like your state.
• Funky animal scents used to be popular with royalty back in the day. ???

Let us eat croissants!

Super pretty

I’ve been playing this lately, although not nearly as well as this dude!!!

Awwww

I think the fam-bam and I are going to Marin French Cheese for a picnic this afternoon. It’s starting to feel like fall in the mornings around here, but we’re supposed to see a little sun today and/or tomorrow, so we’re going to take advantage of it as much as possible.

What are you up to? 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. One must-have product you keep in your purse at all times (besides your wallet, keys and phone)?

I would love to answer this with something quirky, like a tube of green paint or an ice cream scoop (both of which have been in my little black backpack lately), but the real answer is something decidedly more practical — an asthma inhaler. So not exciting, but necessary!

2. What’s your favorite pie?

Still trying to figure this out, which is why I recently embarked upon what I call “The Epic Pie Quest of Fall/Winter 2020.” It’s why I tried making lemon meringue pie for the first time last week.

As of this morning, I’m about 80% sure my favorite’s pecan pie, but I’m leaving wiggle room in case I find something I like more.

3. One thing you still have from your childhood?

Three scars, none of which I remember getting. I’ve just always remembered having them, but I’ve been told how they appeared. Two of them are small oval-shaped marks, one on each shoulder, which were from immunizations I got as a kid, and I also have a tiny divot on my forehead that I got from chicken pox when I was four.

4. Eyeliner: purple or bronze?

BOTH! But if I had to choose one, I’d go with a dark plummy purple.

5. What color was your prom dress?

It was a black skirt with a white top, which was surprisingly conservative now that I think about it. I took a lot of fashion risks when I was in high school and dressed kinda wacky, so I’m shocked I didn’t go with something colorful.

6. Least favorite color?

Baby poo green, blah!

7. What’s the weirdest word in the English language?

Fork. No question about it. Because when you say “fork” over and over again, it starts to sound like nonsense. Fork, fork, fork, fork, fork!

8. Stairs or elevator?

Stairs, because 1) I wear tennis shoes everywhere now so my footwear is no longer an obstacle (a legit issue for me back in the early aughts), and 2) I gotta get my steps in whenever and wherever I can.

9. A makeup skill you’re pretty good at?

Dainty winged liner is my jam, lady. I can do it pretty quickly on the fly!

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. One must-have product you keep in your purse at all times (besides your wallet, keys and phone)?
2. What’s your favorite pie?
3. One thing you still have from your childhood?
4. Eyeliner: purple or bronze?
5. What color was your prom dress?
6. Least favorite color?
7. What’s the weirdest word in the English language?
8. Stairs or elevator?
9. A makeup skill you’re pretty good at?

P.P.S. Stay calm and steady on this beautiful Monday, sweet friend. Good things are coming your way! ?

Happy Caturday, my friend! I hope you have a sweet treat on your breakfast plate this morning (sprinkle cake perhaps?). I have grand designs on a slice of lemon meringue pie (sans meringue), my second one ever, because the gluten-free one I made last night did NOT turn out hella wackadoo (unlike the first one). If I may say so myself, it’s actually pretty good! ?

Now, this does not apply to the one I made before the one last night.

That one was downright terrible…

It was my first crack at lemon meringue, so I’m not stressing it, but it was borderline comical how bad it turned out.

The custard was runny. The meringue was overbeaten. And I somehow missed adding the half cup of butter the recipe called for (whoops!).

When Connor and I took the first bite and I said, “Oh, dear. We have to throw this out,” Connor said, “It’s OK, mama. This was just a practice pie. You just have to keep practicing so you can get better and better.”

AWWW!

In addition to further “practicing pie” this weekend, I intend to reunite with Tom Ford African Violet (pictured at the top), otherwise known as “my favorite fall purple.” I looked it up today to see if it was still available, and — le sigh! — it appears to have been discontinued.

If you’re looking for something similar, FYI, Essie Flowerista is a good option.

Onto today’s beauty reading!

• Dear Astronauts on the International Space Station who will be doing beauty blogger stuff with Estée Lauder products in zero gravity…do any of you need some tips from a 10+ year beauty blogging veteran? Because if you do, I’m here for you, and I can be ready to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy faster than you can say, “skin care serum in the stars.” ?‍??
• RIP Lillian Brown. She was the makeup artist who covered the dark circles, matted down the shiny spots and concealed blemishes on nine US presidents. She also painted the faces of many first ladies as well.
• Speaking of beauty and politics colliding…
• Meet Pakistani American Kirin Bhatty, a Hollywood makeup artist who’s worked with a diverse lineup of on-screen talent, including Awkwafina in Crazy Rich Asians and The Farewell, and Frieda Pinto on Slumdog Millionaire.
• How to avoid common mistakes when doing your makeup if you have dark skin, according to makeup artist Scott Osbourne.
• Stuff on sale up to 50% off at Ulta…
• A full makeup breakdown of J. Lo’s latest look via Mary Philips.
• I am low-key obsessed with Frédéric Malle.
• Is high-tech skin care worth the price?
• For your fun fact file: the Air Force is allowing servicemen to grow out their hair a little bit more.

Love this!

Vibing with this today.

This is my favorite Kate Bush song.

What the heck is going on here?

Fascinating!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I haven’t visited the San Francisco Zoo in years, but El Hub and I played hooky and took Connor this week.

It’s been so long since we ventured out of town, especially south to San Francisco (I think last time was last October?), even though it’s only about 25 miles to the Golden Gate Bridge.

We packed a picnic lunch, ALL THE DISINFECTING WIPES, our Caraa masks, and headed out for the day to learn more about our animal friends.

Things are a little different.

All visits are by reservation only now to enforce a lower maximum occupancy (a maximum of 50% capacity, although there were far fewer people than that on a weekday). You can’t just show up on a whim. You have to buy tickets online beforehand for a specific time, which is great. It really seems like the zoo has taken the pandemic seriously. Plus, the animals seem very well cared for. Enclosures are large, not overcrowded, and very well maintained, and I saw a lot of animals doing casual animal things, not pacing or looking stressed.

Visitors are required to wear masks and social distance at all times, and all of the indoor exhibits are closed. A couple of the dining cafes are open, but you can also bring your own food and drinks, which is what we did. We sat on a big lawn with several socially distanced families to have our lunch.

Run like the wind, ostriches!

It was nice seeing Connor’s eyes light up as she saw so many animals she hasn’t seen before. We meandered for hours and watched penguins plunging into a pool, chimpanzees chomping on romaine lettuce, peacocks preening, and ostriches sprinting — yes, sprinting! — across hills.

Speaking of the ostriches…they are crazy graceful! And so fast. I’d never seen ostriches run long distances before, and when they do, they glide along with their heads hardly even bobbing, while hauling major @ss. They’re like Olympic sprinters!

Layers love you, especially in SF.

I used to live in the city back in the day. It’s been a while since I visited, and I got a stark reminder of the one thing Bay Area peeps always tell visitors when they come to SF — wear layers, because the temperature can swing dramatically, and it’s no joke.

When we drove in at 10, the city was foggy and chilly, but by the time we left four hours later, the sun was out, and it was toasty enough to walk around in a tee shirt and shorts. Yup, if you’ll be visiting SF, wear things you can peel off and put back on if you need to.

Note to self: write in your journal tonight.

Also, while we were there, I had a major “aha!” moment about journaling, of all things. Basically, I gotta start doing it again consistently, even if it’s just a few lines every day; otherwise, my memory is going to erase all of these fleeting, sweet moments with CoyCoy right now as a small child… I desperately don’t want to lose them.

This hit me hard because of a couple things… First off, I was watching her prance through the grounds and talking to the peacocks (and really anyone who would listen to her), saying “I’m having a such great day,” over and over again. It was the sweetest thing to see pure joy on her face. I always want to remember it. ?

Second, while we were walking around I started thinking about a school trip I took to the SF Zoo when I was in sixth grade. I remember foggy, faint snippets of that day, like making my way back to the entrance as we were leaving and looking out the car window at the Bay on the drive home. I also remember all the “cool kids” listening to Lisa Lisa on their Sony Walkman headphones (OMG!).

But, for the life of me, I can’t remember who I hung out with that day, or if I even enjoyed it at all. Was I crabby? Was I cold and wishing that I’d brought an extra jacket? Did I see penguins? I’m genuinely curious, and I wish I had a journal to look to and find out… It would be nice (and 100% hilarious) to remember who I was back then.

Black Mirror moment…with a hippo

Oh! — I also tried an experiment with my phone while we were there this time. No mindless scrolling and staring at the screen. I only took out my phone when I absolutely needed, which I only did to take some pictures.

I was inspired to do this after watching The Social Dilemma on Netflix the other day. It’s about social media and how it’s changed our lives for better and worse.

I thought about it when I saw a group of people at an exhibit, all with their phones out. They were all recording a hippo happily pushing around a gigantic ball, and I couldn’t help but wonder how many of the people were really in the moment. I dunno… It felt very Black Mirror!

Not gonna lie…it was hard to resist recording that hella cute hippo. For serious! Also, I really didn’t realize how much of an unconscious habit it is for me to quickly check my emails or texts messages or see what’s happening on the ‘gram. I really do waste a lot of time doing a whole lotta nothing while staring at my phone screen…

I’m going to stick with limiting my phone time, though. Hopefully this will allow me to be more present when I’m with my friends and family when we’re together.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF. ???