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The Lust List, Vol. 7: Stuff I Kinda Want

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the lust list may 2 dresses
Spring (dresses) on my mind

It’s 88 degrees here right meow, and when I looked in the drawer earlier where my summer shorts were supposed to be, I only found two pairs of jeans shorts…

Where the heck did my other shorts go?!? Did I Konmari them into oblivion? I can’t remember.

Anyway, the next most logical thing for me to do was to go online and look for new spring dresses, HAHA! Obviously.

So, these are all from Old Navy and LOFT, and the main reason for that is because both are within easy driving distance of my house (Vintage Oaks in Novato). And also because Old Navy has good deals (all their dresses are on sale online right now), and their dresses are machine washable.

Let me tell you, when your clothes almost always have baby food and/or cat hair on them, machine washable is VERY important.

All of these caught my eye for one reason or another…

  1. Old Navy Off-the-Shoulder Chambray Shift Dress ($37) — I love me some chambray! And I love the detailing at the bottom, but I don’t know if if I should “go there” with this dress, because I can see the Coywolf pulling down that top part while we’re in line at Target and exposing my bosom for all the world to see.
  2. Old Navy Fit + Flare Cami Dress ($25) — The cut of this dress might be a little too young for this 40-something-year-old gal, but I sure do love the tropical print.

    Eh, if you’re in your teens or 20s, you could totally rock this, and I’ll rock it with you in spirit.

  3. Old Navy Sleeveless Pintuck Swing Dress ($30) — Hello, yellow! So bright and happy. 🙂 I love the idea of this dress swinging in the breeze…
  4. Old Navy Fit & Flare Cutwork Midi Dress ($42) — I’m thinking that the length of this dress might make me look pint-sized, but oh, the color!

    Ah, imagine all the coral lipsticks you could wear with it…

  5. Old Navy One-Shoulder Swing Dress ($25) — Homegirl can’t say no to a good striped dress, or a ruffle, for that matter! This dress combines both.
  6. Old Navy Jersey Tee Dress in Red Stripe ($24) — If the ruffle is too much, and I feel like it would be on some days, this red and white striped number could be a cute alternative, yeah?
  7. Loft Bontanic Cold Shoulder Dress ($89.50) — The print on this reminds me of vintage china tea cups, which I’m fascinated by for some reason.
  8. Loft Lace Halter Dress ($118) — I love the deep teal, the lace, the cut and the halter neckline… I seriously love EVERYTHING about this dress. Thing is, OH! I forgot to mention that I never pay full price for Loft, ever, because they go on sale every other day. No, seriously. They run 40% and 50% off sales often, so if you see something you like, just wait for it.
  9. Loft Beach Floral Medallion Halter Dress ($59.50) — How pretty is this print? I think the burgundy would look * amazing with gold jewelry.

    * It would also conceal baby food stains well. #justsayin

  10. Loft Islander Ruffle Midi Dress ($69.50) — Baby food stains would be harder to hide on this white and khaki dress, but I like the thought of wearing this dress with a stack of gold bangles on both arms.
  11. Loft Plaid Flutter Dress ($79.50) — This dress looks so breezy and comfortable, ah… What a perfect Saturday dress.

That’s me! What’s on your lust list, babes? 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 473

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So…what is the Monday Poll?

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past 10 (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine. ?

1. How good are you at delegating?

Bah, I’m terrible. Delegating? What’s that…? To be honest, my life would probably be easier if I were better at delegating, although…I don’t really have anybody to delegate to, other than Tabs, and he’s too busy delegating tasks to me, haha.

I’ve always just thought that I had to do everything myself, even when I was totally overwhelmed. Maybe it’s a control thing? I dunno… Like, if I do it, at least I know it’s going to be done the way I want it to be done. Of course, herein lies the problem. When I’m overwhelmed, things don’t get done. It’s a conundrum.

But I really would like to get better at it, or at least better at asking for help when I need it.

2. Last time you wore a tutu?

Oh, snap, mama! Don’t ask me why I thought of this question now, because I have no idea, but I don’t think I’ve ever worn a tutu. Clearly, this is a travesty of epic proportions!

3. Last time you rode a bike?

Hmm… It’s been a while. I think it was before I got pregnant with Connor Claire. I seem to remember going on a ride around the neighborhood with El Hub after he got a new helmet. It must have been 2015.

Unless a stationary bike counts. Then it was a month ago.

4. Style or comfort?

Le sigh… I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I have to go with comfort.

5. What’s the last pic you took with your phone?

This one here…

The doll was a gift from Connor’s grandparents, and it came riding in a teeny, tiny stroller. The first thing Connor did was replace the doll with a cat (I swear, it wasn’t my idea!).

6. Is one of your eyes easier for you to do makeup on?

Yes, definitely my left, because the crease is slightly deeper on that eye, and it makes everything easier.

My left brow is also longer and more in proportion to my left eye, so I don’t have to do as much work to it as I do on the other side.

7. Liner: with or without a wing?

Most of the time without, and if I do a wing it’s usually a kitten flick, instead of an adult cat wing.

Have a sweet Monday, my sweet friend ?

I’m getting over a cold meow, and I’m just really hoping the baby doesn’t get it. Fingers and toes crossed.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste.

1. How good are you at delegating?
2. Last time you wore a tutu?
3. Last time you rode a bike?
4. Style or comfort?
5. What’s the last pic you took with your phone?
6. Is one of your eyes easier for you to do makeup on?
7. Liner: with or without a wing?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 447

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Tabs was hongry today on our walk. Not just hungry, but hongry. He was ravenous! He didn’t even care about the giant turkeys gobbling on the hill or the little kids shouting at the neighborhood playground. He was too busy hunting for the freshest, tastiest shoots of grass, which were hard to find today because the condo landscapers mowed the hill this week.

Tabby loves Novato so much, and we’re coming up on the best time of year for kitty exploring. The days are nice and long now, which means that he can go for more walks.

The only problem is that everyone else has the same idea, so there are also more trespassers and violators of the Tabs the Cat Industries LLC property perimeter.

Consequently, sometimes Tabs has to flex his kitty muscles to show ’em who’s boss, and he’s always ready to throw down, because you never know when some other cat will attempt a hostile takeover. As I’m sure you know, the kitty modeling business is cutthroat.

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Saturday Surfing: April 29th, 2017

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If we didn’t have company over (Connor’s grandparents have a playdate with Ms. Thang), I’d be parked on the couch, playing with palettes and watching Midsomer Muders ALL DAY LONG.

I totally blame Jessica for this. She mentioned the show on Facebook, so I gave it a go, and now I’m straight-up obsessed.

It’s a detective show set in a rural U.K. village where you might think the most dramatic thing to happen would be someone getting a flat bicycle tire, but noooo! All sorts of sordid things churn in the village’s seedy underbelly… People are dying left and right of unnatural causes!

It’s pretty slow paced, even though creepy stuff happens, so it isn’t terribly stressful. I love it. I watched it every night this week tucked under a blanket with a cup of Sleepytime tea.

Anywho, that’s what I’m binging.

In other news…here are some things that caught my makeup-lovin’ eye this week.

Have yourself an epic weekend, ‘k? Please do something fun. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Mostly Makeup-Related Friday Ramblings: The Urban Decay Basquiat Collection, New Makeup Setting Sprays, and Mom Brain (It’s a Legit Thing!)

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urban decay basquiat collection final
I had some fun today with the Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Collection.

Hey, guys! Happy Friday. 🙂 I hope you’re having a good one so far. I hope it hasn’t been too hectic or stressful. Sometimes on Fridays I feel a mix of relief, because it’s the end of the week, and a little bit of…I dunno, anxiety? Just because I like to leave things in a good place for Monday. You know what I mean? I like to fix up my office a little and have a plan for what I’m going to do the next week, maybe take pictures if I need to or go to the arts and crafts store for props.

I also like to do a little housecleaning if I can get to it, just so that I don’t have to think about it over the weekend, and I can actually, maybe relax.

So even though I’m super excited that it’s Friday, it’s tinged with slight stress, LOL.

Anyway…

Today I started testing some new products from Urban Decay. They have a new collection out called UD Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Yup, inspired by the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. That’s his artwork on the packaging.

urban decay basquiat collection 1
The Urban Decay UD Jean-Michel Basquait Collection

I saw the neutral Gold Griot Eyeshadow palette and thought, “Girl, I need to get that on my lids ASAP,” so I’m wearing it.

I’ve got a warm brownish red in the crease (I used reddish brown Anatomy Glide-On Eye Pencil as a base), a bronze lid and a soft navy cat eye flick. I’m also wearing the UD Gallery Blush Palette and two of the collection’s lipsticks, warmish brown Epigram and purplish pink Exhibition, mixed together.

I’m thinking about throwing on some glitter later to take it up a notch if we go out to dinner (we’re thinking pizza). 🙂

urban decay basquiat collection k1
That’s the UD Gold Griot Eyeshadow Palette on my lids (also used Anatomy 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil as a base), the Gallery Blush Palette on my cheeks, and the lipsticks in Exhibition and Epigram mixed together on my lips.

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What Makeup Products Do You Use the Most, and What Products Do You Use the Least?

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Alright. OK. The most? The products I use the most to de-zombie-fy myself on the daily (but not necessarily everyday together) are under-eye concealer, my lash curler, mascara, brow filler (which is usually a powder or a pencil and a clear brow gel), foundation or tinted moisturizer, face powder, blush, bronzer, highlighter, gloss, lipstick and a black pencil liner for tightlining.

Now, for the things I use the least? Hmm… That would be anything having to do with contouring. Also, anything overly matte, like a super matte foundation or setting powder. I don’t use those very often.

I don’t use long-wearing matte liquid lipsticks either (well, hardly ever), because they’re usually a pain to apply, and I don’t like how they start to look cracked as the day wears on.

So, yeah. That’s me. How about you? What makeup products do you use the most, and what products do you use the least?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Oh, you know it, girl! It’s that time again. 🙂 TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yet Another Awesome Reason to Swing By SpaceNK Larkspur for the MBB Meet-and-Greet on May 6th!

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There will be a special in-store promotion for Makeup and Beauty Blog readers who stop by: $20 off purchases of $100 or more. Thank you, SpaceNK, for hooking that up.

I’ll be there from noon till 2 p.m., and Tabs will be there in spirit. You can ask me about anything! Got questions about makeup, beauty blogging, cats, babies, whateva?! I’m here for you, girl.

It’s been waaay too long. I can’t wait to see you.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeovers, Noms, Express Skin Treatments and Girl Talk at SpaceNK Larkspur on Saturday, May 6 From Noon-2

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Artis Brushes at SpaceNK… They’re so soft!

These Artis brushes, girl… When I was at SpaceNK in Larkspur last Saturday, I stood there petting them like they were tiny little kittens for, um, longer than I probably should’ve, LOL! They are SO soft.

Oh, and get this! I learned a new trick from Katherine, one of the fab ladies who works there (hi, Katherine!) with the Artis brushes and Hourglass Vanish Foundation, which you know I loooooove.

Swipe a little Vanish on your face, drop one or two drops of your favorite face oil directly into an Artis brush head, then blend and buff the foundation with the brush. The face oil sheers out the foundation just a touch, so it’ll look that much more seamless and natural. Kind of genius, right?

So, May 6, Saturday. You, me, SpaceNK at the Marin Country Mart in Larkspur from noon until 2. It’s gonna be kind of like a mini MBB party!

There will be makeovers (yay!), refreshments (yay!) and express skin treatments (yay!). I’ll be there to hang out, and we can chat about beauty, cats and all that fun stuff.

I’m dying to meet you and really hope you can make it!

MBB Meet Up at SpaceNK Larkspur
Saturday, May 6 from noon – 2 p.m.
Marin Country Mart
2011 Larkspur Landing Circle
Larkspur, CA 94939
(415) 419-5904

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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