Just For Fun

The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

June 17th, 2012 by Karen 8 Comments

Happy Father’s Day! Quick shout-out to all the dads out there, including my pop overseas in the Philippines and my father-in-law up in Redding. Hey, dads. 🙂

So yesterday, my brother had half jokingly mentioned that I should bring another shirt — for that Korean barbecue place in the city that we went to for his birthday. Because, he said, “after you leave, you smell like ‘the cue!'”

And we did. Yeah, I mean like the grill is right there in the center of the table, and it infused my hair and clothes with eau de cooking meat.

The meat-eaters in the group ate like fiends! Not gonna lie, though, it was a little challenging as a semi/fare-weather vegetarian. I had what’s called a bibimbap, or bee-bim bop, which is basically a big rice bowl filled with different veggies and an egg over easy, and this red sauce that tasted kinda spicy and plummy. Very yummy.

After dinner, we just strolled around Japantown, hung out a little bit more, and got ice cream-filled crepes for desert. I had the green tea flavor.

There was talk of karaoke…but my brother and his girlfriend had gotten massages earlier, so they were really sleepy. That plus the meat = coma.

It’s gonna be another hot one out here in Novato. I think it topped 100 yesterday. Tabs keeps nudging me to take him to the pool…

I think he just wants to show off his Dior sunglasses. 🙂

The posts you might have missed

Simply Vera Vera Wang Transforming Shadow Duo

Clark’s Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Tint in Carlotta Pink

Desperately Seeking Shoes! A DSW Neon / Nude Shoe Adventure

Charlotte Ronson Starry Eyes Liquid Eyeshadows

By Terry Blush Veloute Sheer Cream Blush in Ginger Glaze

Essie Summer 2012 Bikini So Teeny Collection

Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in Coralista, Dallas and Sugarbomb

Preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse With BCBG

Bobbi Brown Desert Twilight Collection

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora!

June 16th, 2012 by Karen 415 Comments

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Anjali! Congratulations, Anjali! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

A Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway
Win a $50 eGift card from Sephora

Okay, this is a totally random way to start the day, but I’m excited! I haven’t been to Japantown in ages, and I’m supposed to be going tonight.

Yes, it’s barely 8:30 in the morning right now, and I’m already thinking about dinner…

And magazines!

El Hub and I are meeting my bro and his girlfriend for Korean barbecue (yup, Korean barbecue in San Francisco’s Japantown), and if we can get there early enough, I hope to visit Kinokuniya Bookstore, which is this huge bookstore filled with Japanese books — everything from business books to art, anime and manga, children’s literature, and an awesome magazine section with literally hundreds of titles.

I can’t read many of them, ya know, except for the few that are in English, but I love looking at the pictures. The fashion, photography and art mags are my faves.

How are you doing this morning? I hope your day got off to a good start.

Oh! — I’ve got a movie rental recommendation for you. It’s called The Way, starring Martin Sheen. It’s about a father who heads overseas to recover the body of his estranged son who died while traveling the “El camino de Santiago,” and decides to take the pilgrimage himself.

Just a wonderful film (found it on Netflix) that warmed my heart and also made me really want to take a trip to Europe.

Have a great day today, whatever you’re up to. Before you jet, don’t forget to enter both of this weekend’s giveaways (here’s the other one, for some Cos Bar products from Target). Might as well. I mean, since you’re already here. 🙂

What folks are saying…

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. 🙂 I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

“Never before have I been so pleased to check my email right before bed!!! Thank you so, so much! I truly enjoy your blog and check it almost daily! Thanks again! This made my night!”
-Melissa, Edmond, OK

“Hi Karen. Oh my goodness! I can’t believe I won! :O Thank you so much! You, Tabs, and your blog are amazing! Thank you for keeping me updated on all things beauty and more importantly, for keeping me entertained! Keep doing your thing! 🙂 Thank you again.”
-Jacqueline

“Hi Karen. Thank you so much, I’m so excited, I’ve never won anything before. My name is Hana … I just turned 25 (today is my birthday!) Yay! Thank you.”
-Hana

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).

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, do you ever flip through magazines in different languages? If so, do you have a favorite magazine? How many languages do you speak? Are there any beauty products unavailable in your country that you wish you could more easily get? How are you wearing your hair today? What are you wearing on your nails? — you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/MFPHHh

The deadline to enter is Sunday, June 17, 2012 at 11:59PM (PT).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Don’t forget the other giveaway (for some Cos Bar goodies from Target), which also runs through tomorrow. It’s a small one, but there are 10 winners, which improves the odds of winning quite a bit.

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Anjali! Congratulations, Anjali! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Two Ways to Win a Selection of Beauty Goodies From Cos Bar at Target [10 WINNERS]

June 15th, 2012 by Karen 140 Comments

The Cos Bar Target Giveaway

I gotta hand it to Target for keeping things fresh, and I don’t just mean in the produce aisle (ba-dum-bum cha!). They’re always trying new things and partnering with new designers and lines, like the limited-edition products and regional boutique brands showcased in The Shops at Target.

There’s Boston’s Polka Dog Bakery (biscuits and bones for good dogs, good dogs!), Connecticut’s Privet House (vintage, bohemian-chic curiosities, antiques and home decor), San Francisco’s The Candy Store (sweet treats in glass jars), Miami’s The Webster (home of Miami’s passion for trÃ¨s chic fashion) and Aspen’s luxurious Cos Bar (where Aspen flirts with fake lashes).

The Cos Bar at Target collection features affordable, limited-edition body care products, bath accessories, beauty tools, manicure essentials and cosmetic bags — all for under $20 each.

Haven’t been able to see the Cos Bar collection in person yet? Well, maybe we can take care of that now. 🙂

A Makeup and Beauty Blog Giveaway!

Enter now (it only takes a comment and/or tweet), and you could be one of 10 lucky ladies or gents to win a selection of Cos Bar at Target products valued at $22.

One (1) package of False Eyelashes ($9)
One (1) Pair of Tweezers in Green ($4)
One (1) Body Butter in Orange Citrus ($6)
One (1) Mini Nail Polish in Purple ($3)

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, are you down with cosplay? What’s the game plan for tonight? When was the last time you went to a drugstore specifically to buy makeup? Do you prefer body butters or body lotions? What’s your favorite drugstore makeup/beauty brand? — you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a Selection of Beauty Goodies From Cos Bar at Target [10 WINNERS] http://bit.ly/K8RvrO

The deadline to enter is Sunday, June 17, 2012 at 11:59PM (PT).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals of the US who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select ten (10) winners at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Outfit of the Day, Vol. 11: Preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse With BCBG

June 13th, 2012 by Karen 21 Comments

bcbg dress outfit of the day

Oh, hey. Um… How’s it going?

Me? What am I doing? Oh, I’m just working on my zombie look… Yeah, practicing for the big day. Wanna look my best for Z Day, ya know?

I mean, I don’t plan to be turned into a zombie (after all, who would look after Tabs?), but no one ever does, right? It still happens, and if/when it does, I want to look cute.

What do you think of this BCBG dress? Does it say to you, “Now there’s a sharp-looking zombie”?

bcbg dress outfit of the day

I got the idea for it from this new book I’m reading called Warm Bodies, by Isaac Marion.

Three words: zombie love story.

I know! What a killer idea (pun intended).

The official trailer for the book

The story’s told from the perspective of a zombie named “R.”

R falls in love with Julie, a human, after eating Julie’s boyfriend’s brain and absorbing his memories. Obviously. 🙂 But like in all good love stories, things get a little complicated after that…

Which brings me to my outfit today!

You know how zombies are usually stuck wearing the same outfit forever? Could be a real drag, right?

I wouldn’t want to be wearing a light solid-color dress, because it would show every gore stain, and as much as I love stretchy pants, they aren’t the first outfit that comes to mind when I think, “zombie couture.”
[Continue reading…]

What’s Your Current Favorite Lip Product Combo?

June 12th, 2012 by Karen 26 Comments

mac youre perfect already in synch

Lately, my lips and I have been loving this little pink combo here. It’s a combination of three different products, pale neutral pink MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in You’re Perfect Already, bright yellowish pink MAC Lip Pencil In Synch (in In Synch?) and baby pink bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Show Off.

I dunno… I feel like I’ve been more adventurous than usual with my eye makeup lately (than usual for me, LOL!), and so I like my lips a little mellow so that they don’t end up overwhelming the rest of my look.

This combo here? Pretty mellow, and I like that it’s neutral enough to wear with warm or cool eye colors.

First, I line with In Synch, feather out the edges with a finger, and apply a layer of MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in You’re Perfect Already directly from the tube.

Then, after blotting with a tissue or, sometimes, with the back of my hand, I apply one layer of bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Show Off.

That’s it! And one of my favorite things about this triple play? None of the products dry out my lips.

mac youre perfect already in synch

mac youre perfect already in synch swatch
Swatches from the left: MAC Lip Pencil in In Synch, MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in You’re Perfect Already and bareMinerals Moxie Lipgloss in Show Off

How about you? What’s your current favorite lip product combo?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Last Day to Enter the Makeup and Beauty Blog Buxom Photo Contest for a Chance to Win More Than $600 in Prizes

June 12th, 2012 by Karen 20 Comments

To enter, just upload a pic of yourself “Living life vividly!”

This series is brought to you by Buxom Color Choreography Eyeshadow. Buxom wants to inspire you to live life vividly.

Time’s a’ tickin’, beauty lovahs! Today’s the last day to enter your pics for a chance (actually, up to three chances) to win a $500 Visa gift card AND an assortment of Buxom cosmetics.

Entering’s a snap (details down below), and chances are you probably already have a perfect picture of yourself that you could use. Something that makes you smile from a happy time in your life. 🙂

Your pic doesn’t have to be makeup or beauty related, either, although it could be (perhaps flaunting a bright mani, or smiling in a face of the day). It just has to portray you “living life vividly,” like how I’m making a silly face in the pic above (see a few more examples here).

Yeah…you also don’t have to be making goofy faces in your entry (I just like to!)

Here’s how to enter

Visit www.flickr.com and upload a photo that displays you “living life vividly,” as well as a short caption (200 characters or less) that explains the photo.
Mark the photo as “public” (so I’m able to view it).
Tag it with the following tag:
- BuxomPhotoContestMakeupandBeautyBlog
Simply post a link to your Flickr photo in a comment at the bottom of any of the posts in this series, including this post.

How will the winner be picked?

Tabs and I will choose the winner based on the following criteria…

Creativity/originality (33%)
The overall quality of your submission (33%)
How well it displays you “living life vividly” (34%)

What’s the prize?

A $500 VisaÂ® gift card and an assortment of BuxomÂ® cosmetics, including two (2) Buxom Color Choreography eye shadow palettes, one (1) Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish, and one (1) Buxom Lash (volumizing mascara).

Approximate retail value: $609!

What about the small print?

The contest is open to adults 18+ in the US only (sorry, international babes!)
The last date to enter is June 12, 2012 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Up to 3 entries per person (yup, you read that correctly: 3 entries per person)

Click here for the official rules, terms and conditions.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Desperately Seeking Shoes! A DSW Neon/Nude Shoe Adventure

June 11th, 2012 by Karen 21 Comments

desperately seeking shoes

So. Jury duty. Moments before anarchy erupted in the jury selection room, the judge, perhaps sensing a rebellion on his/her hands, excused everyone and sent us home.

Tempers quickly cooled… My fellow mutineers and I set down the folding chairs we were about to start throwing at one another and filed out of the room in a calm and orderly fashion.

Disaster averted. For now. But it was yet another reminder of the precariousness of our so-called civilization. If/when the zombie apocalypse occurs, we are so screwed.

Anywho! 🙂 After my brush with disaster, I felt like I needed something to restore my faith in humanity, so naturally I stopped at DSW on my way home.

I thought I might get myself a pair of neon shoes to start year 37 on a bright note, but after trying on this pair of Guess Alcott pumps in Yellow ($59), now I’m not so sure…

Guess Yellow Shoes

They’re just so bright! And, I don’t know, maybe a little too much shoe for me.

Oh! — do you remember those BCBG Platforms I’d been lusting after? Well, they were there at the store today on sale for $59.

Thing is, they only had this mint shade, and not the neon lime green one that originally caught my eye…

bcbg mint

I still tried ’em on and thought they were pretty comfortable for the height, but definitely not comfort shoes. The heel felt stable, and nothing pinched or felt too tight, but I’m still trying to stick to my rule of only getting shoes I can comfortably walk in, so I set them down and turned the corner…

…and bumped right into these super cute hot pink neon/nude pumps by Steve Madden ($59)!

steve madden p carli
Steve Madden Carli Pump, $59

Cute! But far from practical. The leather felt tough and tight, and I almost toppled over when I tried a Miss J catwalk turn.

The nude part reminded me of the shoes Reese Witherspoon wears in This Means War. Through most of the movie, Reese wears nude pumps or sandals that really seemed to make her look taller.

Since I’m always looking for ways to enhance my vertical stature, I thought the trick might also work for me, so I started scanning the aisles for cute nude sandals and pumps…

Badgley Mischka dayna shoe
Badgley Mishcka Dana shoes, on sale for $112 (originally $160)

I loved the gold tough girl accents, but the zipper in the back made ’em difficult to just slip on and off.
[Continue reading…]

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 224

June 11th, 2012 by Karen 43 Comments

Me and my younger brother

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”
Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Mood:
Splendiferous! Phantasmagorical, actually. 🙂 I had such a nice birthday weekend. Best one in years, and now I’m just going to try to milk those good vibes for as long as possible this week.
Did you ever go through an awkward phase?

You mean other than the one I’m in now, LOL?! Every day feels awkward in its own special way.

But seriously, image-wise, my years 9 through 12 were particularly challenging. I had Richard Marx hair, none of my clothes fit me correctly, and I hadn’t yet figured out my place in my school’s social pecking order.

I was also very, very shy, and that made things…difficult.
Have you ever read a book based solely on its cover?

LOL! Oh, yeah. Absolutely. I used to do it all the time when I was a kid. I’d go to the library and borrow a stack of books with the coolest/prettiest covers.

Funny thing is, I actually found some great reads that way! Like The Nasty Alexander, which had a beautiful bright red cover.

It was about a very naughty child who kept getting into trouble, which gave me an idea…

At the time I read it, my mom was pregnant with my younger brother, and she and my dad still hadn’t decided on his name. I remember handing her the book and asking her to read it to me, and how she paused when she read the title, “Alexander,” which later became my brother’s name. 🙂

Nowadays, I’m most attracted to book covers with interesting typography (and repelled by book covers that feature my nemesis font, Comic Sans).
Boots with shorts in summer? Yay or a nay?
A lot of gals around town here have been rockin’ the look lately. I think it’s kinda cute, so yay.
Who was the last person you had coffee with?
Hmm… Tabs only drinks decaf, so I guess it would be my friends Jen and Cindy two weeks ago.
Where did you grow up?
I spent my childhood and teenage years in a town about 40 miles east of here called Union City, which is about 20 miles or so from Oakland.

It’s grown since then, but it was a pretty small town when I was growing up, and I lived a very sheltered life.

I was happy, though. I just don’t think it really prepared me for life outside the nest.

Moving away to college in Davis about 150 miles north was probably where I did most of my growing up. There, and the few years I lived in San Francisco in my early 20s.

Those were difficult years…but I feel like I learned a lot about myself.
Have you ever used the words, “broseph” or “bromance,” in a serious sentence?
Broseph, no. But bromance? Yes. I’m also guilty of using an offshoot of the word, “bromantical.” LOL!
Did you ever own a Walkman (CD or cassette)?
No, but I remember my friend having one and thinking how lucky she was to always have music at her fingertips!
Which of the True Blood characters would you most like to hang out with?
Lafayette (who tweeted me once in real life! — err, well, the actor who plays Lafayette). I have a feeling we’d be able to talk about smudgy eyeliner and nail polish for days.
Weekly goals:
Just to keep smilin’. 🙂 Oh, ya know, and to get all of my work done.

Good morning and happy Monday, my friend. Brace yourself for 20 pounds of virtual kitty hugs. Tabs would like to climb up on your lap, if you’re so inclined, so please make space on your right shoulder (always has to be the right shoulder), so that he may rest his heft upon thou unimpeded.

There. Now you can’t move until you finish today’s Monday Poll. 😉

Good job, Tabs. Good job.

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

1. Mood:
2. Did you ever go through an awkward phase?
3. Have you ever read a book based solely on its cover?
4. Boots with shorts in summer: yay or nay?
5. Who was the last person you had coffee with?
6. Where did you grow up?
7. Have you ever used the words, “broseph” or “bromance,” in a sentence?
8. Did you ever own a Walkman (CD or cassette)?
9. Which of the True Blood characters would you most like to hang out with?
10. Weekly goals:

You know what? You and I are are going to have an exceptionally good week. Seriously, I’ve got that feeling!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen