Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 351

June 21st, 2015 by Karen 14 Comments

Serving up uncomfortable decisions since 2007!

We haven’t done a YOU MUST CHOOSE post in…I can’t even remember when the last one was. Tabs feels that we should rectify that ish with a special Tabs Edition. 🙂

Sooo…what is YOU MUST CHOOSE?

It’s just a game I used to play at work with my BFF Naaman when we got really bored. You present two really messed-up scenarios and make your friend choose between the two, mwahahahahaha!

Choices like…

Would you rather have an unlimited gravy supply or unlimited outside time?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Would you rather be feared or loved?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Would you rather be an awesome mouser or an amazing birder?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Would you rather hang out with Garfield, or hang out with Morris?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Would you rather be blessed with a luxurious, fluffy tum or a luxurious fluffy tail?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

[Continue reading…]

Comment to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora! (Ends Monday)

June 20th, 2015 by Karen 392 Comments

** THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED **
This giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted (CONGRATULATIONS, KATHERINE!!!), but check back next Saturday for another giveaway.

Win a $50 Sephora eCard from Makeup and Beauty Blog

Goood morning, glory! Rise and shine! 🙂 You’re going to have a wonderful day.

I hope you slept well. I feel like I could have slept longer, but you know how it is when you work for a demanding feline employer. The early cat catches the bird. The tabby alarm clock woke me up early because we have to get out there on patrol. It’s bright and sunny this morning, so who knows how many cat intruders have infiltrated the perimeter of the hill…

Oh! — that movie last night? Inside Out? What an amazing movie, animated or otherwise. From this one (part-time) adult’s point of view, I thought it was brilliant. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a movie more thoughtfully present joy, depression, fear, anger and general adolescence, at least not in a way as entertaining as this. I kept thinking, “Holy crap! That’s really what it’s like!” when they’d show one of the characters overjoyed or depressed. Highly recommended for children of all ages. I think it’s right up there with Pixar’s best.

In other news, are you doing anything for Father’s Day tomorrow? My brother and I are taking my dad out to lunch, but I’m not sure where yet. My dad is kind of picky when it comes to food, so we’re going to let him pick the restaurant. Chances are it’ll be something involving charred meat, and I’ll just go with the flow… Hopefully there will be some semblance of veggies involved.

Good luck in the giveaway, my friend. Have a great weekend, and I’ll talk to you soon.

One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

Enter by leaving a comment below.
Open to U.S. and international readers.
You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
- Who’s the toughest person you know?
- Do you have a good imagination?
- What’s your go-to lazy day makeup look?
- How old were you when you got your first cell phone?
- Which would you use more: a good eyeshadow quad or an amazing 10-pan palette?
One entry per person.
You must use a valid email address to win.
The giveaway ends on Monday, June 22, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

10 Things Under $10 at Sephora

June 18th, 2015 by Karen 14 Comments

Sometimes a girl (or guy!) just wants to treat herself to a trip to Sephora, and while she’s there, maybe find herself something that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Ya feel me?! I think you do. 🙂

I was there earlier today under the guise of “searching for a Father’s Day gift for my dad,” while also looking for an inexpensive treat for…myself. Here are 10 potential beauty treats for less than $10 each, whoop-whoop!

1. Purely Pure Organic Cotton Facial Pads ($6)

2. Express Dry Shampoo ($9)

3. Instant Nail Polish Remover Wipes ($5)

[Continue reading…]

Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas at Sephora

June 18th, 2015 by Karen 6 Comments

Father’s Day is hours away (it’s this Sunday, ack!), and purr usual, I’m scrambling to find my dad a gift.

Is it just me, or is it surprisingly hard to shop for dudes?

I never know what to get my dad. He has more than enough flashlights, socks, radios and pocket knives, so I think this year I’ll get him something related to men’s grooming.

I guess that I could always fall back on a tech gadget or a case of beer (and there’s always beef jerky). Any of those would make him really happy, too, but he’s always seemed to like getting shave cream or cologne.

I think that most guys — at least the guys in my life — like it when they get grooming gifts because they’re the kinds of things they never buy for themselves.

Honestly, I don’t know… It’s just a theory. 🙂

Anywho! I stopped by Sephora this afternoon to look around. Here are some last-minute Father’s Day beauty-related gift ideas…

Skin care kits and shaving sets

Skin care kits and shaving sets are always a good place to start. I think my dad would love The Perfect Shave Kit by Anthony ($65), which comes with a face cleanser, pre-shave oil, shave cream and an after shave balm, and the Jack Black sets ($24-55) look like something most dads would like, too.

[Continue reading…]

Do You Wear Makeup When You Go on Vacation?

June 16th, 2015 by Karen 40 Comments

nars lodhi — Basking in the beignet-fueled afterglow last week after breakfast at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans (there are probably a thousand beignets and two tons of powdered sugar just to my right in this picture)

Do I ever wear makeup on vacation?

Oh, totally, I do. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever not brought makeup with me on vacation, but what I end up wearing depends on what I’ll be doing, of course. Like, if it’s a beach trip, I’ll usually just fill in my brows and curl my lashes and go on about my high-intensity relaxing, but if I’ll be walking around someplace, shopping and sightseeing, then I’ll usually do some kind of modified version of a regular non-vacation everyday look.

And by “modified,” I mean that I’ll see how much I can get away with before El Hub starts getting antsy. 😉

Oh, about the makeup I’m wearing above, that’s pretty much what I wore every day of my trip to New Orleans — a little cat eye flick, a bit of bronzer, blush and a bright lip.

Believe or not, it stayed put through the NOLA rain and ridiculous humidity. If you’re interested in hearing more about that and the look I’m wearing up top, let me know!

Do you usually wear makeup when you go on vacation, and if you do, do you ever go all out?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Tuesday. 🙂

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 377

June 15th, 2015 by Karen 31 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for June 15, 2015

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

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 seven 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.

Sunglasses or hats?
Hats. I got my hair lightened a few weeks ago, so I’m all about wearing hats to protect my hair color from the hair color-sapping powers of the sun.

Have you ever been waterskiing?
Nope. It’s a balancing sport, and I have decent balance, so I think I might be OK at it, but the thought of standing on two long sticks in the water doesn’t tremendously appeal to me.

I think I’d be better at wakeboarding (because there’s one less stick involved).

Preppy or bohemian?
Preppy if we’re talking clothes; bohemian if we’re talking home furnishings.

Bright lipstick or bright eyeliner?
Bright lipstick. No question about it.

What’s your current favorite face cream?
Clarins Multi-Active Day Early Wrinkle Correction Cream ($59).

I love Clarins moisturizers. They never give me breakouts, they’re always super moisturizing, and they layer well beneath makeup.

And they’re carried almost everywhere — Macy’s, Sephora, Nordstrom — so I don’t have to hunt them down.

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. Sunglasses or hats?
2. Have you ever been waterskiing?
3. Preppy or bohemian?
4. Bright lipstick or bright eyeliner?
5. What’s your current favorite face cream?

Good morning! I may or may not be sitting here on the couch with the top button of my pants undone.

Yeah…somebody may have had one too many beignets last week.

Whatever, every bite was worth it! 🙂

I hope things are going well. I feel like I’ve been gone a while, but I’m getting back in the beauty blogging groove today.

What’s new with you?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 350

June 14th, 2015 by Karen 4 Comments

Dear Tabby is written by Tabs the cat, widely considered “the world’s first plus-size kitty supermodel.” Founded in mid 2012, it has quickly become the most popular cat advice column on earth — known for its fresh, feline perspective on lifestyle, fashion and style issues affecting cats and humans.

Overworked orange tabby needs a break

Dear Tabby,

The last time I went on a trip, it was not at all what I expected. I thought I’d booked a 10-day cruise to Hawaii, but instead I ended up at the vet.

I trusted my assistant to make the arrangements, but she clearly failed. I desperately need a vacation, but I can’t afford to have anything like that happen again.

Tabby, can you recommend any travel websites or cat-friendly tours? I’d really like to see the Great Wall.

-Hankering for a Holiday

DEAR HANKERING: I hear that Costco has some good deals, but I think my assistant usually uses Expedia.

You might want to start by taking a shorter overnight trip — something easy to arrange. You wouldn’t even need your assistant’s help to arrange something like that. You could pack an overnight bag with essentials (if you’re looking for some delicious travel-friendly cat treats, I highly recommend these), and spend the night out.

It may not be as glamorous as Madrid or China, but it might help you unwind and clear your head.

A cat wonders if the time is right to make a major career move

Dear Tabby,

I live in a very small town in Minnesota (Stillwater born and bred!), where I work as the town’s only suitcase model.

I love Minnesota, but I’m starting to feel like I can’t go any further here in my career. My dream is to model someday for Chanel and Louis Vuitton, but I’m afraid I’ll never reach that level of feline suitcase modeling unless I move. What should I do?

-Longing for L.V.

DEAR LONGING: I admire your ambition and drive, because that’s what it takes to reach the pinnacle in this business. If you want it bad enough, it’s worth the sacrifice.

My first question for you is this: are you sure you’ve learned everything you can in Stillwater? If so, then I say go for it! Next stop: New York, Milan or Paris.

Best of luck in your future endeavors. Work hard, and keep me posted.
[Continue reading…]

Comment to Win a $50 eGift Card From MAC! (Ends Monday)

June 13th, 2015 by Karen 405 Comments

** THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED **
This giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted (CONGRATULATIONS, AMOURE!!!), but check back next Saturday for another giveaway.

Birthday beignets, po’ boys and art gallery cats! — ’twas an interesting (and fun) week.

I hope yours went well, too. Things here in Novato, California are still chugging along. It’s a little overcast this morning, but I’m pretty sure the misty morning fog will burn off by the afternoon. Then it’ll be hot, hot, hot.

Your nephew, King Tabby, is sitting right behind me on the couch. He says “mrow!” by the way. 🙂

I get the strong feeling that he’s hoping we’re going to go outside soon for a walk, because while I was out stuffing my gullet with beignets, he was stuck here with his petsitter in the house. Now I’m sure he’s raring to go (you know how seriously he takes securing the perimeter).

In other news, what’s the plan for this weekend? Is it sunny there?

One (1) MAC eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

Enter by leaving a comment below.
Open to U.S. and international readers.
You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
- Other than yours if you’re married, what’s the most amazing wedding you’ve ever attended?
- Do you know how to skip?
- What’s a lipstick, gloss or balm you’ve been loving lately?
- What was your favorite field trip when you were a kid?
- When was the last time you felt like you “knocked it out of the park”?
- When you hear the word “suave,” does anyone particular come to mind?
One entry per person.
You must use a valid email address to win.
The giveaway ends on Monday, June 15, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen