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The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

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The Makeup and Beauty Blog Weekly Roundup

Once upon a time there lived a very sleepy girl named Karen. Early one Sunday morning, her tabby alarm clock signaled that it was time to wake up, but, as I just mentioned, she was a very sleepy girl. 🙂

“No…” she groaned at the purr-chirping tabby alarm clock. “Need more sleep.”

But the tabby alarm clock was an uncompromising device, a simple machine that operated on gravy and lurvies, and its reserves of both were dangerously low.

The tabby alarm clock triggered its low-power alert. “Mrrrrrowww…”

Wha!? Karen opened an eye that lolled about sleepily, trying to find the source of the annoying sound. It slowly came into focus on an object about one foot —

“MRRRROWWWW!”

Karen jerked awake with a start. The noise was much louder this time.

“Tabs!” she called at the tabby alarm clock. “Let me sleep.” And she plopped back down on her pillow.

…

Silence. She must have triggered the Snooze, so she drifted back to sleep…

The tabby alarm clock processed this data through its central processing unit, which outputted a single word in reply: unacceptable. It surveyed the situation, analyzed the bed-based terrain, and determined the next most logical course of action: physical intervention.

And then it leapt.

Bringing the full force of its 18-pound low-hanging belly to bear on the human’s head, the tabby alarm clock landed with the force of an…18-pound tabby.

“Mrmph!” came the muffled cry as Karen’s hands flew to her face. Her mouth was filled with something. What? It was moving! Alive! What…?

She realized what had happend. “Tabs!”

With its mission accomplished, the tabby alarm clock hopped out of the human’s reach.

“Tabs,” Karen growled, “you need to learn how to use the can opener, because that was not cool.”

Cool. The tabby alarm clock thought it recognized that word. Cool. Yes, very cool. 🙂

A few beauty posts that caught my eye…

  • Julep Nail Vernis Gayle: When Eggplant Meets Creme — à la peach
  • Coconut Oil: Health and Hair Benefits — My Weekend Ramblings
  • The Best Teeth Whitener You’ve Never Heard Of! — Beauty Logic
  • Guppy Sanding Fruit Extract Nail Polish in #12 — Nihrida
  • How to Get a Wet-Finish, Faux-Gloss Lid (aka Glossy Smokey Eyes) — theNotice
  • Project Runway: Season 9 Winner Anya Ayoung-Chee on Winning the Fan Favorite Contest — Afrobella
  • Learn a Gorgeous, Glowy Holiday Makeup Look — BellaSugar
  • Wet n Wild Limited Edition ColorIcon Ice Baby Nail Color Collection Swatches — Lacquered, Painted, Polished
  • Fashion Inspiration: The Powerpuff Girls — College Fashion
  • How to Highlight Your Facial Features — JennySue Makeup
  • Urban Decay Midnight Emergency Kit: It’s the Glitter Bomb.com — Lipglossiping

The Weekly Roundup: MBB Posts You Might Have Missed

Last-Minute MAC Halloween Costume, and Beware the Shark Cat! MY LAST-MINUTE MAC HALLOWEEN COSTUME,
AND BEWARE THE SHARK CAT!

Shoot, I wasn’t even planning to dress up at all this year, but Tabs insisted that I throw something on, because he didn’t want to be the only kitty on the block without a dressed up assistant/trick-or-treating companion.

I couldn’t bear the thought of hitting up the costume store, since I knew it was gonna be crazy busy, so I busted a Tim Gunn and tried to “make it work” with what I had around the house.

As far as last-minute Halloween getups go, this MAC artist costume was super easy. I slipped on a black dress, fashioned a homemade tag out of a MAC logo I found online and stuck some brushes behind my ear. I also really, REALLY wanted to sling a black brush belt around my waist (like the ones that MAC artists wear at the counter), but I kinda ran out of time. I wore a gold brush belt from the MAC Wonder Woman collection instead. Read more…

Benefit I'm Glam Therefore I Am Kit GLAM HAS ALWAYS BEEN COOL, BUT BENEFIT TAKES IT A
STEP FURTHER WITH THEIR LATEST MAKEUP KIT FOR EYES, LIPS AND CHEEKS

The power of packaging compels you! The power of packaging compels you!

And for me with Benefit’s new “I’m Glam… Therefore I am” palette ($36), it almost does. I desperately wanted to bond with B’s new kit of mostly cool-toned colors for eyes, lips and cheeks. That way I’d feel good about giving it a permanent place on my dresser, a place where I could gaze lovingly at the adorable illustrated box.

The glam gal featured on the front reminds me of the girls my friends and I would doodle on our notebooks in school, complete with gown, tiara and opera-length gloves, and her step-by-step makeup lessons imprinted on the packaging describe how to use the palette to achieve two distinct looks, one called Daytime Dahling and the other, Evening Goddess. Read more…

Smashbox Click You're It Palette A SMASHBOX HOLIDAY 2011 FACE OF THE DAY
WITH THE CLICK YOU’RE IT PALETTE

Because Smashbox bestowed numbers upon the pans of powder eyeshadow and cream liner in their new limited edition Click You’re It kit, following the included tutorial card for the “Golden Smolder” look this afternoon was a little like painting by numbers.

But not exactly. It was like a weird class combining math and art…and I’ve always kinda struggled with one of those disciplines, LOL!

I got a little carried away with the olive green eyeshadow, No. 15 in the palette, so my version of the look turned out more green than gold. I like the outcome, but it definitely didn’t go exactly as I’d planned. Read more…

Smashbox Be Discovered Palette YOU’RE DESTINED FOR FAME (AND FALLOUT)
WITH THE SMASHBOX BE DISCOVERED HOLIDAY PALETTE

I doubt Hollywood’s even looking for a short, sassy Filipino chick without any acting experience to star opposite Ryan Gosling in an upcoming romantic comedy, but if, perchance, I’m ever stopped by a famous director at Petco and asked to play the wind beneath Ryan’s wings, you can bet I’m putting down those 20 cans of gravy, girl, because we’re going to Hollywood!

Logic places the chances of this happening somewhere below 0.000001%, but ya never know… Maybe the new limited edition Smashbox Be Discovered palette (about $60, from the new Snappy Holidays 2011 collection) will improve my odds. Read more…

Tarte Lip Service Limited Edition LipSurgence Collection THE TARTE LIP SERVICE LIMITED EDITION
LIPSURGENCE COLLECTION AND A SNICKERS-FUELED SUGAR HIGH

Believe it or not, this swatch session for the new Tarte Lip Service Limited-Edition LipSurgence Collection ($29) actually began as something somewhat normal. But then I had two of these tiny Snickers bars (because it’s physically impossible to have just one).

And then it sort of went downhill from there. Read more…

Benefit Crescent Row Fragrance Set for 2011 HAPPY NOSES MAKE FOR HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH THE BENEFIT
CRESCENT ROW LIMITED EDITION SET

Benefit’s at it again this year, adding fragrant fuel to the fire that is my current obsession with petite perfume bottles, by taking us down another holiday trip down Crescent Row. Their new $36 Crescent Row Limited Edition Set bundles together four of the line’s 0.43-oz. (they’re small but cute) eau de toilettes.

Even though the four fragrances in this year’s set look and seem more to me like spring and summer scents than fragrances for winter and fall, I still like them all. Fragrance is a very personal thing, of course, and opinions will vary, but these four last all day long on my skin and remain pleasant as the notes evolve. Read more…

Miss Piggy for MAC Collection MISS PIGGY FOR MAC COLLECTION
SWATCHES AND PICS

When I was four, my favorite thing on television was The Muppet Show. I remember sitting in front of our set and praying I wouldn’t have to get up to fix the bunny ears on top of the TV, because I didn’t want to miss a single second.

I especially loved the two old dudes in the balcony who made fun of everyone, the adorable Fozzy bear, the Swedish Chef (“Bork! Bork! Bork!”) and of course, the diva of all divas, Miss Piggy.

How could you not love a glamorous pig in high heels, pearls and opera-length gloves? Read more…

Tarte The Starlet Makeup Vanity TAKE OUT YOUR DANCING SHOES FOR THE TARTE
THE STARLET LIMITED-EDITION MAKEUP VANITY

My neighbors probably don’t need another reason to think I’ve completely lost my mind, but that didn’t stop me from giving them another one today.

Since they already know that I take my cat out for walks on a leash, snap pictures of myself in the front yard, drive to the grocery store wearing false eyelashes, and periodically leap like this in the street, I figured heck — I have nothing else to lose. Might as well take pics of myself dancing in front of the windows while I blast Footloose and try on Tarte’s new The Starlet Limited-Edition Makeup Vanity ($52). Read more…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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

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

Win a $50 Sephora eGift card from Makeup and Beauty Blog
Ah, coffee… Sweet elixir. Mana from heaven. How I love ye so.

You tempt me with your bold, rich aroma, even though you play Tiddlywinks with my nerves. Should I partake of your mixed blessings this morning, or should I take the safer route, with its lower highs and higher lows, into The Valley of Honey and Green Tea?

Hmm… Decisions, decisions.

Rise and shine, morning glory! Welcome to your Saturday. 🙂

While I figure out which caffeinated beverage to enjoy, why don’t we get this weekend off to a good start with a giveaway?

And speaking of giveaways, I’ll be posting the signs and announcing the winner of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month Sign Project and Giveaway soon. Thank you very much for participating. Lots of wonderful signs and emails to sort through.

And now, drumroll please! It’s…

A Makeup and Beauty Blog Giveaway!

Win a $50 eGift card from Sephora" title="Win a $50 eGift card from Sephora

  • 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, what’s your current favorite caffeinated (or non-caffeinated) beverage? When was the last time you played in the snow? Are you doing anything fun this weekend? What are you wearing on your eyes? How do you feel about false lashes? — you get the idea.
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/rG1hAp

  • The deadline to enter is Sunday, November 6, 2011 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

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

My Last-Minute MAC Halloween Costume, and Beware the Shark Cat!

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Shoot, I wasn’t even planning to dress up at all this year, but Tabs insisted that I throw something on, because he didn’t want to be the only kitty on the block without a dressed up assistant/trick-or-treating companion.

I couldn’t bear the thought of hitting up the costume store, since I knew it was gonna be crazy busy, so I busted a Tim Gunn and tried to “make it work” with what I had around the house.

As far as last-minute Halloween getups go, this MAC artist costume was super easy. I slipped on a black dress, fashioned a homemade tag out of a MAC logo I found online and stuck some brushes behind my ear. I also really, REALLY wanted to sling a black brush belt around my waist (like the ones that MAC artists wear at the counter), but I kinda ran out of time. I wore a gold brush belt from the MAC Wonder Woman collection instead.

SIDE NOTE: If you plan to recreate this costume and have a brush belt sitting around the house, use it! It’ll totally take it to the next level.


[Continue reading…]

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Oct. 31

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The jack-o-lantern I befriended at Jen’s house last night…

  • 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 three years, which I guess makes this somewhere around Vol. 192. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
  1. Mood:

    2. Really, really great for a Monday. I feel powered up! — like those few hours I spent relaxing with my girlfriends yesterday recharged my batteries.

  2. Your most memorable Halloween costume?

    3. Well, one year I dressed up as Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (the one from 1971), complete with paper-mache golden egg and everything. Not surprisingly, acting like a brat wasn’t much of a stretch, LOL!

  3. Who knows you better than anyone else?

    4. It’s a tie between El Hub and my mom…with Tabs coming in a close second.

  4. What’s the first thing you do when you get off work/out of school?

    5. If it’s still light out, Tabs and I will go for a walk. If it’s already dark, though, I’ll usually just start making dinner, or collapse on the couch.

  5. What’s the most awkward movie-watching experience you’ve ever endured with your family?

    6. Top Gun. I remember we rented the tape from the video store to watch at home, and during the lurve scenes my mom would tell my brother and I to “cover your eyes.” 🙂

    HAHA! I was only about eight or nine at the time, but I remember feeling sufficiently mortified.

  6. How many times have you been in love?

    7. Three.

  7. Which game show would you like to be a contestant on?

    8. The Price is Right because I’ve always wanted to play Plinko!

  8. If you have one, can you tell me about your fitness routine?

    9. Mostly running, spiced up with a Jillian Michaels DVD once or twice a week.

  9. Favorite Halloween trick or treat?

    10. Mini Snickers, please!

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. To remember to get up from my chair every so often and take a few walking breaks throughout the day, to get back on my diet again (I fell off the wagon and stress ate BIG TIME last week), to finish reading one book (any book), and to keep a positive attitude.

The past couple of Mondays have been a little challenging for me, what with the trip last weekend and my family visiting, but this week I should be able to get back to my regular routine (I need my routines).

Spending some time with Jen and Cindy yesterday certainly helped. We went to this place called The Spa Los Gatos down in the cute South Bay town of Los Gatos…

It was more like a day spa than a full-service place, so no special facilities or pools, but it was spotless, homey, and the staff made us feel welcome.

I really needed that deep-tissue massage… Jamilla, the spa technician who worked with me, had great energy, and despite being tiny, her hands could WORK! Homegirl was strong. I left with that loosey-goosey feeling, just totally blissed out. If you’re ever in the area, it’s a great place to unwind.

And because good energy is infectious, here are some virtual vibes:

(You have to touch the monitor to accept them… Just for a second.)

There. Transfer complete. 🙂

Before you jet, do you have a minute to say hi in this week’s Monday Poll?

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



1. Mood:
2. Your most memorable Halloween costume?
3. Who knows you better than anyone else?
4. What’s the first thing you do when you get off work/out of school?
5. What’s the most awkward movie-watching experience you’ve ever endured with your family?
6. How many times have you been in love?
7. Which game show would you like to be a contestant on?
8. If you have one, can you tell me about your fitness routine?
9. Favorite Halloween trick or treat?
10. Weekly goals:

You have a great All Hallows Eve, alright? Are you getting dressed up tonight?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 163

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Tabs for MAC Paint Pot in Ice Cream Sandwich

What a close call! Tabs almost didn’t make it home in time for Halloween because of an unscheduled business trip. He flew down to San Diego early Sunday morning to help out a photographer friend of his who was in a bind after the Siamese he’d hired to model for a Laura Mercier campaign totally flaked on the job.

The shoot had a Gulliver’s Travels theme, but the Siamese never showed up for work, so Jean, Tabs’ photographer friend, needed a substitute model. He called Tabs early this morning before dawn in a panic.

Right after hanging up the phone, Tabs called a cab to the airport, caught a flight on standby down to San Diego, met the crew at the beach, modeled for the campaign, and then caught the next available flight back home. Total trip time: less than 12 hours.

Jean was so happy with the way things turned out that he booked Tabs for two more jobs next month!

Now that’s the way to get ahead as a top kitty supermodel in this business. 🙂

If you’re interested, here’s a shot from that campaign and the other modeling jobs Tabs had this week.

Tabs for Laura Mercier Gulliver's Traveling Lip Glace

Tabs for Tom Ford Beauty Savanna Mau
[Continue reading…]

The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Weekly Roundup

OOH! I’m so excited because I just checked the UPS tracking online, and my Forever Lazy is supposed to arrive today…

Just kidding! Have you seen that commercial? I saw it a minute ago while watching Cheaters, which I watch sometimes for the commercials. Forever Lazy is “the one-piece lie around, lounge around, full body lazy wear that covers you from head to toe!” It puts the Snuggie, Slanket and Snazzy Napper to shame, and why wouldn’t it? No other adult footed pajama has Forever Lazy’s patented potty pockets — zippered holes cut into the front and bottom area for easy bathroom breaks.

Très classy. 🙂

But enough about Tabs’ fashion dreams come true — how are you doing today? I’m on my way out the door to meet my friends Jen and Cindy for a spa date that I’ve been looking forward to all week long.

I’ve got hella knots in my back right now… It’s like macramé up in there, and I plan to tell the masseuse to tenderize me like a side of beef!

Hope you have a great day today. I’ll see you soon.

A few beauty posts that caught my eye…

The Weekly Roundup: MBB Posts You Might Have Missed

The Beauty Social: Want to Start Your Own Beauty Brand? THE BEAUTY SOCIAL, OCT. 2011
WANT TO START YOUR OWN BEAUTY BRAND?

Marissa Shipman, founder of theBalm Cosmetics, says that starting theBalm was a very organic process, with the idea growing and evolving over time.

On how to get things off the ground with your own beauty brand, she says, “You just really need a good idea and a good place to start.” When she started talking about wanting to sell her own beauty line, her dad had concerns. “Get a job, get a job,” she remembers him saying, but she was determined, felt prepared and decided to just go for it.

Jenny Frankel, founder, co-creator and executive vice president of Cover FX, actually started out as a chemist working for MAC (she created Clear Lipglass!). “It was tremendous for me,” she says of her time at MAC, “because it was a great learning experience.” On starting your own line, she says the real secret is doing your homework. “Before you invest your money, do your homework. Test on your friends, and if it’s something you want to do as a business, do a business plan. Do a little homework.” Read more…

Laura Mercier Luxe Colour Portfolio A MONDAY FACE OF THE DAY WITH THE NEW
LAURA MERCIER LUXE COLOUR PORTFOLIO FOR HOLIDAY 2011

Okay, so I haven’t figured out why the new $98 Laura Mercier Limited Edition Luxe Colour Portfolio palette comes in a faux snakeskin box, but I do think there’s something mysteriously luxurious about it.

Part of Laura’s new holiday collection, it combines the… Yeah, I’m drawing a blank on the snakeskin holiday thing, but nonetheless, here’s a super quick face of the day.

The palette comes with six non-venomous powder eyeshadows, three cake liners, three powder blushes and three eye brushes, and it’s available now at Laura Mercier counters and also online. Read more…

The Beauty Social Oct. 2011: How to Turn Beauty Blogging Into a Career THE BEAUTY SOCIAL, OCT. 2011
HOW TO TURN BEAUTY BLOGGING INTO A CAREER

Even though I was a little nervous (blast you, Lloyd!) and blinded by the stage lights, I really enjoyed speaking on the blogging panel at The Beauty Social last weekend, and I wanted to share some of the highlights with you while they’re still fresh in my mind.

In hindsight, I wish I’d recorded the session, or covertly taken a few notes, but I do remember most of my answers (NOTE: these are paraphrased, because I can’t remember the exact quotes) and some tidbits from my fellow co-panelists, Christine Mielke of temptalia.com, Erika Valente of makeupbag.net and Romy Schorr of romyraves.com. Read more…

Laura Mercier Limited Edition Mini Lip Glace Set HOW FAR WOULD GULLIVER TRAVEL FOR THE LITTLE GLOSSES IN THE LAURA MERCIER
LIMITED EDITION MINI LIP GLACÉ SET?

Minis rule! — and I’m not just saying that as someone who’s usually the shortest person in the room (even in heels). The diminutive glosses in the new Laura Mercier Limited Edition Mini Lip Glacé Set may share my challenges with vertical stature, but that’s only one of the reasons I think they’re such a dang good deal.

At first glance, the $48 kit may seem expensive, but it makes pretty good sense if you do the math. The price on the set translates into big savings on what are arguably some of the most underrated glosses available on counters now. Read more…

Chanel Les Scintillances De Chanel YOU’LL SPARKLE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
WITH LES SCINTILLANCES DE CHANEL

With my in-laws visiting, I’ve been splitting my time this week among three adults and a demanding tabby. The adults I’ve been able to handle, but the tabby — oh, the tabby. While my father-in-law went to pick up the pizza we ordered for dinner, Tabs insisted that I take pictures of these pieces from Chanel’s holiday collection, Les Scintillances De Chanel.

He’s such a ho for Coco.

The collection has been sparkling on counters and computer monitors for a little while (it’s also available online). I have some reviews planned and a couple of looks lined up over the next few days. Read more…

MAC Holiday 2011 Pictures MAC HOLIDAY 2011
GLITTER AND ICE, ICE PARADE AND DAZZLESPHERE PICS

Hey, buddy. Got pics for ya of some pieces from the new MAC Holiday 2011 collection.

The massive release (IT’S HUGE!) is broken up into several sub-collections: Glitter and Ice, Dazzlesphere, Ice Parade, Viva Glam and Kids Helping Kids. Find the whole shebang now on MAC counters, in stores and also online.

I’m not quite sure how I feel about this release yet, but I do know that it’s not one of my favorites of the year, at least from what I’ve seen so far. I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed, but I am getting the feeling from all of the frosty pieces that it’s not a perfect fit for me. Read more…

MAC Holiday 2011 and Smoky Blue Ornament Swatches MAC HOLIDAY 2011
GLITTER AND ICE, ICE PARADE AND DAZZLESPHERE SWATCHES

More MAC Holiday 2011, love!

Swatches of the new MAC Holiday 2011 collection, available now. Lots of frosty shades for cool-toned ladies here.

Let me know if you see something you like. 🙂 Read more…

Chanel Holiday 2011 Collection CHANEL HOLIDAY 2011 AND A GLAMOROUS
TRADER JOE’S/PETCO FACE OF THE DAY

Oh, Thank the Lord of the Rings for Chanel!

Not that I had a fab event to go to this afternoon, because the most exciting thing I’ve done today was stop by Trader Joe’s to get some Baked Cheese Crunchies, but everything’s better with Chanel…even quick trips to the grocery store.

As a side, I’ve been feeling awfully disheveled lately, and I imagine the crunchies aren’t helping. You know like when you can’t get your sh*t together, no matter how hard you try? That, combined with very little sleep this week, and I’ve been a fussy girl. Read more…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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

by 478 Comments

  • WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Jacqueline, for her comment that begins, “Omgoodness, I know exactly how you feel about losing your mechanical pencil! Losing a mechanical pencil, especially a favorite, makes me soo sad!” Congratulations, Jacqueline! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Win a $50 Sephora eGift card from Makeup and Beauty Blog
DANGIT! SHOOT! DRAT! BLAST!

I’m so peeved right now… I lost another mechanical pencil. And not just any pencil. I lost my Pentel drafting pencil. My lucky drawing pencil, gah!

my favorite pencil

Where hath thou gone to, oh lucky pencil? Why art thou hiding from my firm embrace? Momma just wants to draw pictures of kitties and makeup… Is that so wrong? In the grand scheme of things, ’tis surely a noble cause.

In other news, welcome to the weekend! 🙂 I hope all is going well on your end of the keyboard. If a missing pencil is the worst part of my day, I’ll consider myself a very lucky gal.

Something BorrowedOh, I rented a movie last night that really surprised me. Something Borrowed? Have you seen it? It got a frighteningly low 14% on Rottentomatoes, but I don’t know what those critics were smoking because I thought it was much better than that. Sure, it’s probably not gonna win any Academy Awards or anything, but I thought it was one of the better rom-coms to come along in a while. Even El Hub enjoyed it, and that was after I’d talked him out of renting Captain America (so he was already a little salty).

As a friendly reminder, The 2011 Breast Cancer Awareness Month Sign Project and Giveaway ends on Monday, so please take a minute to send in your support sign and leave a comment on the original post, if you haven’t already.

And now, without further ado…

A Makeup and Beauty Blog Giveaway!

Win a $50 eGift card from Sephora" title="Win a $50 eGift card from Sephora

  • 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 have a favorite writing implement (a pen/pencil)? What’s your favorite romantic comedy of all time? What was the most surprising part of your week? Where do you see yourself in five years? What was the last eyeshadow you purchased? When was the last time you gave someone makeup as a gift? — you get the idea.
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/tvIhQ0

  • The deadline to enter is Sunday, October 30, 2011 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. Hi again. 🙂 I know you have an artistic side just screaming to get out. Put it to good use this weekend by entering The 2011 Breast Cancer Awareness Month Sign Project and Giveaway. If you haven’t yet, it’s something you don’t want to miss. It’s easy, it matters, and that huge pile of products from MAC, Clinique, Make Up For Ever, Estée Lauder and Bobbi Brown (click here for the full details) needs a good home.

  • WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Jacqueline, for her comment that begins, “Omgoodness, I know exactly how you feel about losing your mechanical pencil! Losing a mechanical pencil, especially a favorite, makes me soo sad!” Congratulations, Jacqueline! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

The Breast Cancer Awareness Month Sign Project and Giveaway: Send in Your Sign Today!

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October is drawing to a close, but you still have a few days left to send in your sign for this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month Sign Project and Giveaway. Grab your favorite pens, pencils, paints or yarn (yep, yarn!), and show me your sign. 🙂

Don’t forget to leave a comment on the original post to let me know how you sent it — whether by email, Twitter, Facebook, blog posting or a link to someplace else.

Here are some of the lovely ladies (and gents) helping to spread awareness this year. Won’t you join us?

By sending your sign, not only will you be showing your support for a worthy cause, but you’ll also be entered to win a prize package worth more than $1,100 in makeup and beauty products provided by MAC, Clinique, Make Up For Ever, Estée Lauder and Bobbi Brown (click here for the full details). love


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