Just For Fun

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 885

July 7th, 2025 by Karen 4 Comments

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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. Do you keep backups of your favorite products?

These days, the only backups I buy are things I know I’ll finish on a regular basis (like shampoo and conditioner, or body lotion). I don’t even bother with makeup backups anymore, though. If I finish something like a blush or an eyebrow pencil, great, and if it’s still around when it’s time to restock, that’s even better. If it’s discontinued, I might mourn it a little bit, but there’s always something new coming out, and I don’t mind trying new things, so I don’t stress about it too much.

2. Something that you read/watched/listened to recently that was surprisingly great?

I watched “KPop Demon Hunters” on Netflix with Connor over the weekend, and I was surprised to enjoy it as much as I did. If you liked “Jem and the Holograms” back in the day, I think you’ll enjoy this movie, too.

3. Something beauty-related that you want to try?

The new tinted SPF by Merit seems intriguing!

4. Documentaries or TV shows about serial killers: yes or no?

Nope! Hard pass.

5. Something that you’re relieved to finally have gotten done?

GIRL. I finally did my nails. You don’t even want to know how tragic my pedicure has been for the last three weeks! But now everything is freshly polished and nice, and all is well with the world.

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. Do you keep backups of your favorite products?
2. Something that you read/watched/listened to recently that was surprisingly great?
3. Something beauty-related that you want to try?
4. Documentaries or TV shows about serial killers: yes or no?
5. Something that you’re relieved to finally have gotten done?

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 884

June 30th, 2025 by Karen 9 Comments

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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. Do you have a favorite vegetable?

Yes! Carrots, for sure. The fact that you can turn them into a cake is a big deal! I mean, come on, have you ever heard of a broccoli cake? Or an okra cake? Yeah, I didn’t think so, LOL! I also love that you can put them in salads, roast them or just eat them plain with a variety of different dips.

2. A song that’s been stuck in your head lately?

“Top of the World” by The Carpenters has been on repeat in my car.

3. Something you’ve been avoiding lately?

Social media and the news cycle in general.

4. Lip masks: yes or no?

Yes, but only if we’re talking Laneige.

5. Whatcha reading right now?

“The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris” by Evie Woods. I’m on a magical realism kick!

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. Do you have a favorite vegetable?
2. A song that’s been stuck in your head lately?
3. Something you’ve been avoiding lately?
4. Lip masks: yes or no?
5. Whatcha reading right now?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 865

June 22nd, 2025 by Karen 3 Comments

This time of year, Tabs was always pretty stoked about showing off his summer bod, which as you know, was curvy, Rubenesque and voluptuous.

With this being the official weekend of the summer solstice, this morning I asked Rosie if she had any big plans for summer, and she just stared at me blankly and meowed something under her breath that sounded like “science waits for no one.”

I took that as a “no.” 😂

Marnie’s sure been enjoying these longer summer days. In fact, she insists on waking me up at the crack of dawn so that she can go running with me, and by running I mean sprinting circles around me as I shuffle along…

I believe she thinks that I am her sheep. 🐑

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 883

June 16th, 2025 by Karen 7 Comments

This made me laugh so hard! Happy Monday 🙂

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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. Do you care about Labubus?

Nah, I just don’t get the hype.

2. What’s your favorite summer dessert?

Hmm, all of them? If pressed to pick one, then ice cream.

3. Do you have plans for the Fourth of July yet?

Connor will be dancing with her dance team in the town parade, so that’s our main event during the day. We’ll probably do a barbeque at home after the parade. Where we live doesn’t allow fireworks, so we may or may not go looking for a fireworks display. We’ll see how ambitious we’re feeling!

4. How do you feel about maxi dresses?

If it’s in a petite size and the print isn’t too overwhelming, then I’ll rock a maxi dress, for sure.

5. What is the last thing you had to drink?

I’m chugging a huge bottle of cold water as I type this. Oh, and you know what? I don’t know how I made it through the ‘80s and ‘90s because I barely drank any water back then, LOL! I don’t remember feeling awful at the time, but I guess that was due to the magic of being young. Now if I don’t drink massive amounts of water throughout the day I feel it in my body, my brain, my skin, sheesh, even my eyes feel dry if I don’t have enough water, haha!

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. Do you care about Labubus?
2. What’s your favorite summer dessert?
3. Do you have plans for the Fourth of July yet?
4. How do you feel about maxi dresses?
5. What is the last thing you had to drink?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 864

June 15th, 2025 by Karen Leave a Comment

Heya, friend! Happy late Father’s Day to ya! Hope you had a great one. Except for a brief drive out to visit the fam in the East Bay, we stayed around the house. But it was fun. Lots of high-intensity lounging, TV watching and chillaxin’…

Rosie, purr usual, spent the day working on her science experiments.

That reminds me…

Tabs wasn’t particularly interested in science or genetics like Rosie is, but he was interested in acting as a father figure to at-risk kittens and a mentor to up-and-coming kitty supermodels.

Despite his busy schedule, he always made time for the kittens in his foundation. He would read to them, do homework with them, teach them how to strut and strike poses on the catwalk — all the basic life skills.

Rosie

Rosie’s view of Father’s Day is a little different. As an introverted, more science-minded cat, she’s more interested in the genetic aspects of parentage. She was recently tapped by Genentech to lead a study into inherited traits that get passed along from father cat to kitten, so she’s been working on that all week long.

She has a theory that vertical leaping ability is closely tied to torbie fur pattern… Why Genentech is interested in that, I have no idea. 🤷‍♀️

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 882

June 9th, 2025 by Karen 10 Comments

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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. Loose or fitted t-shirts?

Generally, I like my tees slightly loose-y goose-y if I’m wearing them with jeans or shorts. If I’m layering with a sweater or a sweatshirt on top, then fitted.

2. What’s the oldest thing in your makeup bag right now?

Hmm, the brushes? Oh, and I’m almost embarrassed to say this out loud, but I have an ancient Nordstrom Naturals MAC palette that I bust out every so often.

3. How’s your June going so far?

It’s been very, very busy with end-of-the-year activities, dance things and whatnot. Things will kinda slow down after June 30, which I’m looking forward to.

4. How do you feel about walking around in sandals or flip flops without your toenails painted?

I like my toe nails to be painted a fun color, but I don’t stress if I don’t get around to a weekly pedicure.

5. What are you happy about right now?

Well, today’s my birthday, and I’m overjoyed to say that I’m healthy and I’m alive! Having health scares will do that to ya, I guess. I’m also happy to be surrounded by the people I love the most. Oh, and the opportunity to do something creative that’s just for me (like the Monday poll) is the icing on the cake. I’ve been on the verge of happy tears all day. It’s been a great!

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. Loose or fitted t-shirts?
2. What’s the oldest thing in your makeup bag right now?
3. How’s your June going so far?
4. How do you feel about walking around in sandals or flip flops without your toenails painted?
5. What are you happy about right now?

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 881

June 2nd, 2025 by Karen 9 Comments

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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. What time do you usually wake up in the morning?

These days, 6 in the morning. Ideally my day would start off at 5:30, though.

2. How organized is your purse?

It’s on the verge of haphazard, always, LOL! I mean, I can find the usual things I absolutely need – my phone, wallet, keys, medication, lipgloss. But do I find those things in an efficient manner? No.

3. If you could make one rule that everyone around you had to follow, what would it be?

Make your deadlines. I can’t stand it when people are casual about due dates!

4. How do you feel about wearing makeup when it’s hot?

I’ll do it, but I don’t like to do too many layers. I’m happy with cream blush, liner, mascara, brow pencil and gloss.

5. What are you focused on this week?

Getting all my deadlines in, and not sweating the small stuff!

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. What time do you usually wake up in the morning?
2. How organized is your purse?
3. If you could make one rule that everyone around you had to follow, what would it be?
4. How do you feel about wearing makeup when it’s hot?
5. What are you focused on this week?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 863

June 1st, 2025 by Karen Leave a Comment

Tabs always said that in kitty modeling, the best defense is a good offense. If you just rest on your laurels, sooner or later a hungrier up-and-coming cat (or Australian Shepherd) will take what’s yours, and you won’t be walking the catwalk at feline fashion week anymore. Nope, if you’re lucky, you’ll get a page in the Petco catalog.