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Ring Me in the Open Thread

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Well, it’s official. I’m 100% NOT ready for the weekend to end.

It’s just that I had such a good time in Napa yesterday (with the exception of the mud bath!) that it’s making me dread Monday morning. Two of my best girlfriends from childhood, Jen and Cindy, went up with me, and we began the adventure with snacks at Dean & DeLuca, a fancy shmancy market in a little town called St. Helena. I had the gigantic bread ring in the picture at the top.

From there it was over to Castello di Amorosa Winery in neighboring Calistoga, a town at the northern end of the Napa Valley, for a tour and tasting.

The castle’s relatively new… How often does one say that? — “The castle’s relatively new.” It’s a replica of a real one in Tuscany; I have to assume that one’s a lot older. 🙂

Mark, our guide, gave us a tour of the grounds, throwing in tidbits about the winemaking process and ancient castles, of which he knew A LOT!


One of the castle’s two tabby cat guards
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The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Weekly Roundup for June 6, 2010

Okay, so, yesterday’s mud bath was…interesting, ladies. 🙂 I don’t regret giving it a try, but I won’t be making a followup appointment anytime soon. Let’s just put it that way.

The weirdest part wasn’t that it felt like I was sleeping on wet dirt in a barn but that I went in thinking it would be a private thing, like at a regular spa where you get your own room. Nope! It was a big @ss room with mud troughs and lots of boobies hanging out, including mine. Not the most relaxing experience, LOL!

But more on that a little later in the open thread…

As for this week in makeup, the highlight for me was Smashbox Eye Illusion because of how much more I liked it than I thought I would. Honestly, it doesn’t look like much in the pan, but the moment I layered it on top of Urban Decay Rockstar liner, I knew it was something special.

I hope you had a good makeup week. Any awesome new finds or hauls you’d like to share?

While I prep today’s open thread and try to forget how traumatic my mud bath was, here’s a quick look at some of the topics we discussed.

Smashbox Eye IllusionSMASHBOX EYE ILLUSION
EQUALS MORE OPTIONS

Every makeup junkie has at least a few of ’em — sad, neglected eyeshadows and liners tossed into a miscellaneous junk drawer or lost at the bottom of a long forgotten makeup bag (aww!).

Smashbox must have felt terrible about all of that wasted potential because they designed their latest Smashbox Eye Illusion ($28, available at Sephora stores and Smashbox.com) trio to breathe new life into second string colors. When layered on top of other eyeshadows and liners, its sheer, iridescent blue, pink and gold change the hue of existing products and add a metallic finish. Read more…

Tips for wearing bright glossy lipsBRIGHT GLOSSY LIPS
TIPS & TRICKS

I swear there’s a magic dial behind makeup counters that associates can use to crank up the brightness of their lipglosses because shiny shades of red, coral, fuchsia, neon orange and hot pink are blossoming right before my eyes!

Bright, glossy lips are among my favorite things about summer. Here are five hot tips to get your pretty kisser primed and ready to glow!

TIP #1: Prevent pigmented glosses from drifting past your natural lip line. Once I spent an entire day sightseeing in San Francisco without realizing I had bright red lipgloss smeared all over my chin… I’d assumed folks were staring because they wanted to be friends, but when a highly pigmented gloss creeps past your natural lip line, it’s like wearing a big sign on your forehead that reads, “WHEE! LOOK AT ME! I LOOK LIKE A CRAZY!” Read more…

Clarins Instant Sun Light PaletteCLARINS INSTANT SUN LIGHT
EYE QUARTET & LINER

Cute black shoes, jeans that make my bum look good, pictures of men with rippled abs, and wearable neutral eye palettes — these are some of the things I love.

Cue the band!

The Clarins Instant Sun Light Eye Quartet & Liner Palette ($36) has a lot to offer ladies who love warm, blendable neutrals. With four smooth, pigmented powder shadows and an accompanying cream liner, it’s ready and waiting to help you rock a range of casual to dressy eye looks.

Now available at Clarins counters and online, it’s part of the eight-piece Instant Sun Light summer collection. Read more…

Hot summertime lipsHOT SUMMERTIME LIPS
FROM URBAN DECAY, LANCOME & ILLAMASQUA

Red often gets pigeonholed as a holiday color, but it can look great any time of year. In summer, I like reds with orange, coral or rose tones and a shiny, high-gloss finish. Bright lips can be tricky, but they’re well worth the work. Pair that pucker with a neutral eyeshadow (here I’m wearing colors from the Clarins Instant Sun Light Palette), and you’re good to go! Read more…

Urban Decay Summer of LoveURBAN DECAY
SUMMER OF LOVE SHADOW PALETTE

I wish I could be a butterfly on the wall at Urban Decay HQ and watch the creative peeps plan the brand’s summer lineup. Do they huddle around a big table smoking blunts and eating brownies, hotboxing in a board room until someone proclaims, “Whoa! Like, Eureka!”

You know what I mean, right? And they must know, too. Those cheeky references to herbal refreshment — nope, I’m not talking about Celestial Seasonings — aren’t foolin’ anyone.

Your honor, let the record show that this year’s Summer of Love Shadow Palette ($29) is a little less obvious in its references than last year’s incredible Get Baked (LOVE!) was, but it still has that same vibe.

The palette’s been available online and at Sephora since March, but I only just recently took the time to explore its many charms. Read more…

MAC Mascara XMAC MASCARA X
LASH LENGTH, VOLUME & GLOSS

I love the look of big, bold tranny lashes, but I can’t wear them all the time (no matter how much I’d like to!). Now, when I need to look more professional than partygoer, I can reach for MAC Mascara X ($13). It delivers the perfect amount of lash volume with great separation and length.

Available for a while as part of the MAC permanent makeup line, it’s one of five mascaras designed to enhance lashes while maintaining a (somewhat) natural feel and appearance (Pro Lash, Splashproof Lash, Pro Longlash and Dazzle Lash are the others).

For volumized lashes that appear long, lush and separated — but still within the realm of possibility — I’ll apply two to three coats of Mascara X. It glides on smooth, dries to a glossy finish and leaves my lashes feeling light, flexible and soft. Read more…

Tokidoki Chromatico Eye PaletteTOKIDOKI CHROMATICO
EYE PALETTE

Okay, so, most of us probably need another eyeshadow palette about as much as RuPaul needs another blonde wig. Perhaps that’s why the marketing mavens at Tokidoki decided to up the ante by adding an alluring treat to each of their three impossibly cute Chromatico Eyeshadow Palettes ($25 each).

Bastardino, Adios and Diamante come with a tiny charm tucked away in the bottom compartment. Aww! They’re like Happy Meals without the calories, but instead of a burger, fries and soda, you get four coordinating shades with vibrant pigmentation. Read more…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing

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Mornin’, ladies! How’s it going out yonder way? I’m over here trying to figure out what to wear to that spa I mentioned. Seriously, what does one wear to a mud bath?

The place is about an hour north up in Napa. Two of my good friends are taking me as sort of a pre-birthday present (my actual bday’s on Wednesday). It’s been ages since we’ve hung out, so I’m really looking forward to it. Let’s hope the mud bath goes well!

Before I hit the road, how’s about a quick dip? Grab your e-board because surf’s up! 🙂

Random acts ‘o beauty…

I watch this when I want to relax…

Have a lovely Saturday, and I’ll see you soon!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Comment to Win A Full Set of Avon Glazewear Lipglosses [25 WINNERS!]

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  • The giveaway is now closed, and the winners are being contacted. Before you go, check the home page for ongoing giveaways.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to wake up one sunny morning to the encouraging clatter of colorful songbirds and cartoon forest critters like in Disney’s Snow White? The bunnies would make breakfast while fluttering finches helped you put on your dress. And before you left the house, a very official-looking chipmunk with a clipboard and tiny glasses on the end of his nose would stand at your feet, examine your ensemble and say, “Needs more color!”

Question: Does your current lipgloss stash leave you uninspired?

Today’s gargantuan giveaway may not come with animated forest friends, but it does have all the fixin’s for a complete lip color makeover. Let these Avon Glazewear Lipglosses help you with your summertime looks.

TODAY’S PRIZES

(Winners randomly selected)

The entire set of sixteen (16) Avon Glazewear Lipglosses in various shades of pink, mauve, gold, brown, clear, red and plum. Prizes valued at $96 each (25 winners).

These glosses get raves for their non-sticky texture and the wide range of colors and finishes throughout the set.

TO ENTER

To enter the Avon Glazewear Lipgloss giveaway, just answer the following question in the comments:

“When did you start wearing lipgloss?”

My answer: I didn’t really start wearing gloss until I got out of college in the late ’90s. During the first part of the decade, when I was in high school and college, lipstick was more popular, but no one I knew wore gloss! It wasn’t until about 1998 when I picked up my first tube of MAC Spite that gloss entered the picture. It was love at first sight and all downhill from there.

RULES

Please, one entry per person, and don’t forget to leave a valid email address in the comment form so I can reach you if you’ve won.

The giveaway is open to US readers only (per the company’s request).

I’ll choose the winners at random from the entries left in the comments by 11:59 p.m. PST on Saturday, June 5, 2010.

Good luck! And have a splendiferous day! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

  • The giveaway is now closed, and the winners are being contacted. Before you go, check the home page for ongoing giveaways.

9 Things: I Am…

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I was panning for gold (aka wasting time) on Vimeo last weekend when my mouse and I came across I Am, a short documentary in which a series of different people finish a sentence that starts, “I am…” Their answers are so revealing — sometimes cheeky, other times deeply moving — that I thought it would make a great topic for a 9 Things list. 🙂

I am

  1. I am a daughter, sister, wife, friend and crazy cat mom.
  2. I am afraid that if I have a child I might not be a good mother. I mean, I know I won’t be a monster or anything like that mom in Precious, but sometimes I think I’m too moody and not nearly maternal enough. Friends with babies tell me not to worry. They say, “You’ll be fine, Karen. Your instincts will kick in.” I don’t know… I’d like to believe they’re right.
  3. I am still trying to lose the same 15 pounds I gained 10 years ago. Apparently, something ain’t working, but I will NEVER GIVE UP THE FIGHT!
  4. I am currently obsessed with goat cheese.
  5. I am worried that my life is passing me by.
  6. I am eternally grateful to my parents. We’ve hit a few bumps along the way (who hasn’t?), but as a kid I always felt protected, loved and safe.
  7. I am funny? — and creative, spontaneous, inquisitive, musical, stubborn and outgoing.
  8. I am perpetually five minutes late. I started wearing a watch 24/7, but truth be told it hasn’t helped at all.
  9. I am not getting enough sleep. Concealer is my BFF, fo’ reals.

Would you like to give this a try (please do)? It can be very illuminating! Complete the sentence, “I am…” and share as much (or as little) as you’d like.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day!

Hair Do or Don’t? Colorful Clip-In Hair Extensions in Your Team’s Colors

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Just added to the list of “things I’d never thought I’d live to see” — funky clip-in hair extensions made to look like sports team logos.

These are made by an outfit called Sports Hair Styles and give women (or very brave long-haired dudes) an unconventional way to support their favorite team ($12.95 each).

For the patriotic, there’s even the US flag!

While these hair extensions aren’t exactly my style, I could see how sports fiends and/or cheerleaders could rock ’em and look legit.

Would you wear clip-in hair extensions to support your favorite team?

View Results

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What do you think? Are these a hair do or don’t?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Comment to Win a Little Bit of Lancome Lipstick [$44 VALUE]

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  • The giveaway is now closed; congrats Beatrice! Before you go, check the home page for ongoing giveaways.

Lancome Color Design Sensation Effects Smooth Hold Lipstick

Could your lips use some extra lurving? Does your pucker long to meet its matte?

Today’s giveaway features a pair of dangerous lippie liaisons. These two Lancome Color Design Sensation Smooth Hold Lipsticks were designed with full coverage and long-lasting color in mind.

TODAY’S PRIZE

(Winner randomly selected)

Two (2) Lancome Color Design Sensation Smooth Hold Lipsticks — one in Red Haute (a matte red) and the other in Lucky Kiss (a matte pinkish brown). Prize valued at $44 (one winner).

Lancome Color Design Sensation Effects Smooth Hold Lipstick

Lancome Color Design Sensation Effects Smooth Hold Lipstick

TO ENTER

To enter the Lancome Color Design Smooth Hold Lipstick giveaway, answer the following question in the comments:

“What’s your very first lipstick memory?”

My answer: At 14, when I finally got the go-ahead from my parents to start wearing makeup. One day, my mom took me shopping to get the basics, which included a single tube of lipstick. Oh, how I cherished that thing! It was a shimmery raspberry pink, and I loved wearing it as a lip stain. I’d dab it on my lower lip and then mush both lips together to disperse the color. It always made me feel so grown up to take it out for touchups in the girl’s bathroom.

RULES

Please, one entry per person, and don’t forget to leave a valid email address in the comment form so I can reach you if you’ve won.

The giveaway is open to US and international readers.

I’ll choose the winner at random from the entries received by 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, June 1, 2010.

Best of luck, and enjoy the rest of your day! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

  • The giveaway is now closed; congrats Beatrice! Before you go, check the home page for ongoing giveaways.

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, May 31

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makeup and beauty blog monday polls
View of Diamond Head from the Halekulani hotel on Oahu, Hawaii

  1. Mood:

    2. Not too shabby, tabby. 🙂 Today is a federal holiday here in the US (Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day), and it’s sort of our unofficial summer kickoff.

  2. What do you do for a living?

    3. I’m a professional blogger (I use the term loosely) and do some freelance writing on the side.

  3. Who’s in your posse?

    4. A loose band of ragamuffins. El Hub and Tabs, mostly, and when I’m able to see them, Cindy and Jen, two friends from childhood.

  4. What projects are you currently working on?

    5. Nothing really big. Slowly but surely I’m improving how I organize and store my makeup, my gigantic collection of print magazines (I keep them for ideas), books and my clothes. I should probably be working harder to decorate our condo (not my forte), because after six months it still looks like we just moved in.

  5. If one were to open your bedroom closet, what would they find?

    6. Most of my clothes (some are still in boxes from the move), stacks of books and boxes on the floor, a pair of L.A.M.B. high heels that I can barely walk in but still keep because I love how they look, an acoustic guitar, a few random scarves, three purses and sometimes a cat.

  6. Where do you find inspiration?

    7. Many different places. Often I’ll find it in the comments here on the blog; sometimes in books, on blogs or in magazines; and sometimes in song lyrics or poetry. I’m a very visual person, so I’m also inspired by movies and nature (particularly the ocean).

  7. When you aren’t working, how do you like to unwind?

    8. Running, reading, watching movies, listening to music and taking pictures. When I get the chance, I also like to spend time with friends.

  8. Where are you right now?

    9. At my desk in my living room/home office.

  9. Outfit:

    10. Dark gray yoga pants, a yellow and white striped tank top and un-matching hot pink hoodie. Stylish, I know! I’m thinking about changing into a sundress or jeans and a summery top pretty soon.

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Just some small but important things: I want to closely monitor my moods and stay relaxed, stick to my schedules, call my brother to say hi, and get in some extra push-ups and sit-ups.

Here we go again (on our own!) — time to conquer yet another Monday. 🙂

Do you have today off from work? El Hub does, so we may try to catch a movie or do some gardening. Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, I hope you have an exceptional day! Paint a picture of it for me here in the Monday Poll. Just grab your favorite morning beverage (don’t skip that part; it’s very important!), copy the list below, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le list

1. Mood:
2. What do you do for a living?
3. Who’s in your posse?
4. What projects are you currently working on?
5. If one were to open your bedroom closet, what would they find?
6. Where do you find inspiration?
7. When you aren’t working, how do you like to unwind?
8. Where are you right now?
9. Outfit:
10. Your weekly goals:

Here’s to a great summer, *rasies teacup*!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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