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Just For Fun

Grab a Snack in the Open Thread

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Howzit, ladies? I just got back from a Memorial Day picnic with my neighbors. A few families in our circle got together to fire up the barbeques, chill and hang out. It was basically four hours of eating, sitting and chatting in the sun (yes, I wore sunscreen). We stocked the spread with ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, macaroni salad, chips, cupcakes… somebody even made homemade ice cream in all sorts of unusual flavors like red wine, raspberry and jabanero. I’m stuffed beyond belief!

Maybe the open thread can take my mind off my stretchy pants, heh.

The open thread is kinda like a chat session in the comments. We talk about makeup, movies, books and ask (as well as answer) questions. Or, you can just pop in and say wassssup.

A few questions to start the party:

  • What dish do you usually bring to potlucks?
  • Do you have any brothers or sisters, and are you the oldest, youngest or middle kid?
  • What’s one of your pet peeves?

Talk to you soon. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 89

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Your Makeup and Beauty Blog Horoscope
Disclaimer: Tabs is NOT a certified astrologer…but he does read Susan Miller, a lot.

June 2010

Aries (March 21-April 19)
Keep your heart open around June 14, when Venus enters Leo and your fifth house of romance. Admiring eyes will be on you! — so be prepared. Keep that pucker primed for sudden kisses with a moisturizing lip balm or tint.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)
The alignments of Venus and Jupiter around the middle of the month will make it time to toot your own horn. In your professional life, don’t be too shy to highlight some of your skills and accomplishments. This potential for self-promotion and/or pleasure will peak on June 15, so pay extra attention to your makeup, hair and clothes.

Gemini (May 21-June20)
With Mercury visiting Gemini from June 10-25, expect the pace of your life to pick up. You’ll have a lot on your plate, so look for ways to simplify and streamline your hair and makeup; yes, you’ll be busy, but you’ll still want to look great.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)
When Venus dances into Leo on June 14, invest in yourself with some overdue pampering. Boost your confidence and clear your thoughts with a massage or a trip to a spa. Go alone or with girlfriends, and treat yourself to a sassy new outfit while you’re at it.

Leo (July 23-August 22)
Pack your favorite travel beauty bits as Jupiter bounds into Aries from June 6-8. Stay sharp; an opportunity to travel and advance your education will arise.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)
Stock up on your at-home spa indulgences (try a new hair mask or body scrub), a few chick flicks and your favorite beauty mags, because with Venus chilling in your twelfth house of Privacy through June 14, you’ll need the extra time to relax at home away from social obligations.

Libra (September 23-October 22)
Your creativity will explode on June 5, so let your imagination run wild; dust off your makeup brushes (or get some new ones), and prop yourself in front of a mirror. Test some new eyeshadow combinations you’ve been meaning to try.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
Friends will come calling shortly after June 14, when your social life kicks into high gear (peaking around June 22). Be ready and willing to try a fun makeup look, and plan for a night on the town!

Sagitarius (November 22-December 21)
You’ll feel a boost of energy around June 14, and you’ll be hard to stop. You’ll need some long-wearing makeup — particularly eyeshadows, waterproof mascara and a good primer — that can keep up with you. Cut back on caffeine and other stimulants, if you can; otherwise, you risk transforming your healthy energy into the nervous kind.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
Wear a flower in your hair, buy a new pink gloss, or wear an outfit that makes you feel great, as love has its eye on you early this month. Smile when others smile back, and be open to the idea of a new romance.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Money may become a minor issue late in the month (after June 22), so consider buying your monthly beauty supplies sooner rather than later, just in case. You may even find some great deals.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)
Wear your favorite office makeup look, and dress for success around June 7; a creative idea could spark your career or a personal project.

May the stars be with you,

P.S. Tabs is a gemini. What sign are you? 🙂

The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Weekly Roundup

Makeup
Beauty

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Venomous Villains Tribute: How to Draw Tabs in the Disney Style

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Tabs for MAC Venomous Villains

I guess dreams really do come true. The upcoming MAC Venomous Villains collection has me in such a tizzy that I’ve been drawing all morning long! A MAC Cosmetics/Disney collaboration? Um, are you kidding me!? Talk about a recipe for greatness.

Speaking of recipes, here’s one for today — a tutorial on how to draw Tabs in the Disney style (or as close as I can come to it). It’s his tribute to MAC Venomous Villains. 🙂

UPDATE, 8-15-2010: For the inside scoop on the MAC Venomous Villains collection, check out MAC Venomous Villains: 101 Things You Didn’t Know

Have fun! If you decide to give it a try, go on and send me a picture of your artwork so I can show it to Tabs.

Step 1

Simple is the name of the game here. Are you ready? Grab your favorite pen or pencil, and start by drawing one big circle for Tabs’ head, adding in the facial guidelines after that. Next, draw a line for his neck and two more circle shapes for his chest and his bottom. Finish the step with the remaining lines for his legs and tail.

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Saturday Surfing

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Rise and shine, morning glory! It’s a beautiful day today, or at least I hope it is where you are. How did you sleep?

Last night Tabs rented Invictus on iTunes, the rugby film with Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, so we watched that. I liked it, particularly this one scene where Matt takes off his — wait. I don’t want to spoil it for you. 🙂

I don’t feel properly caffeinated yet, but I think I’m ready for a little Saturday Surfing if you are. You may have to help me paddle out (please!)…

What’s new in beauty?

  • The Balm has a new concealer, REJOICE!
    Zap zits and get a flawless face with new Liquid timeBalm ($20) spot treatment concealer to cover redness, smooth imperfections and soothe blemished skin; available in Light, Light/Medium and Medium.
  • Oh, just brighten up…with Illamasqua Gleam Cream
    Mix Illamasqua Gleam Cream ($36), a lightweight and shimmery highlighter, with your favorite foundation or lotion for an instant skin brightening effect.

  • It’s the dance of the Fresh Sugar Plum fairy!
    Fresh’s new Sugar Plum Lip Treatment SPF 15 ($23) is supposed to moisturize, repair and protect lips while adding a deep plum tint.
  • Show those dark circles who’s boss
    Designed to help conceal the most intense dark circles, Laura Mercier’s Under Eye Perfector ($22) comes in two shades — Orange/Yellow to cancel purple/gray dark circles in olive-to-deep skin tones and Mauve/Rose to cancel pink/purple circles on fair-to-medium beauties.
  • Think pink!
    Isn’t this pink Sedu Revolution Styling Iron ($159) adorable? I’m very happy with the Sedu I use to flat iron my wavy locks. Too bad mine isn’t pink, though!
  • Did James Cameron direct this?
    I’m dying to smell the new Bath & Body Works Deep Aqua scent (products range from $3-14). It lists notes of melon, daffodil, violet, daisy and hydrangea. And, hello! — is that Helvetica Neue Ultra Light on the packaging?
  • Would you pay $105 for foundation?
    For that kind of money, By Terry’s new Or de Rose Teing Supreme Foundation sure better lift, smooth and anti-age like there’s no tomorrow (available in Beige, Rosy, Amber, Sand and Sienna)!
  • Easy, BIG FELLA!
    Urban Decay’s Big Fatty Double Hitter Mascara Duo ($29) adds POW! to your lashes with tubes of regular and waterproof volumizing mascaras.

Other random fun facts…

They’re starting ’em so young these days…

Kind of long but interesting. This might make a good “9 Things” topic, yes?

A beautiful take on my favorite Beatles song

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

9 Things: Times You Took a Chance

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Lately I’ve been trying to reconnect with my inner risk taker. No, not the “Danger, Will Robinson!” one (I’m glad she’s gone!). I’m referring to the me who used to take chances.

You know how it is. You’re faced with a choice — you can either play it safe and take the simply “okay” outcome, or you can go the riskier route and shoot for the potentially awesome ending.

I was more willing to take chances when I was younger, and with that courage came some great things. When I think about how fearless I was back then, well, I’m kind of amazed! I guess I always just assumed I’d land every leap of faith, but then you come up short a few times, life knocks you around, and pretty soon you don’t know if you can afford another miss. You start to play it safe — first once, and then again, and again, until pretty soon you’re playing it safe all the time.

Today I tried to think of the times I took chances in my life, and here are the nine that came to mind (in no particular order):

1. Chopping off my hair

After a bad breakup in my 20s, I traded my long, elbow-length black hair for a short, chin-length bob with red streaks. I felt like I needed a change, and the easiest place to start was on the top of my head. 🙂 Sure, it’s cliché, but I felt liberated afterward, even though the back of my neck was always freezing!

2. Skydiving

I always wanted to jump out of an airplane and finally went for it about 10 years ago. And I did it without telling my mom. Woman was PISSED when she found out! Now, whenever I feel afraid of something, I remind myself that I willfully hurled my body from a moving airplane thousands of feet above the ground.

3. Drama, One-Oh-One

As a kid, I was painfully shy, and then when I started high school, I decided I didn’t want to be that way anymore, so I enrolled in drama and public speaking, both of which really helped me break out of my shell.

4. Yellow nail polish

The first time I saw a bottle of yellow nail polish I thought, “Weird!” But thank goodness I went there. A good yellow polish always brightens my mood.


Essie Shorty pants, from the Neon collection
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Comment to Win SJP NYC [TWO WINNERS]

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

Happy Wednesday, my friend. I hope you’re having a great week so far and feeling downright fabulous. 🙂

There’s a cosmopolitan-fueled buzz in the air! The new Sex and the City sequel dances into theaters tomorrow (TOMORROW!), and I’m beyond stoked.

As if the movie opening isn’t cool enough, but today’s giveaway makes it that much cooler. It features some kick-arse prizes, including the new Sarah Jessica Parker scent, SJP NYC.

Conceived with a street-strutting Carrie Bradshaw in mind, it’s a flirtatious fruity floral with notes of wild strawberry, mandarin orange, gardenia, honeysuckle, mimosa, rum (yay!), sandalwood and creamy musk.

TODAY’S PRIZES

(Winners randomly selected)

Two (2) three-piece sets of SJP NYC products featuring a full-sized SJP NYC perfume, lotion and a solid perfume bracelet. Prize valued at $85 (two separate winners).

TO ENTER

To enter the SJP NYC giveaway, answer the following question in the comments:

“Why do you love Sex and the City?”

My answer: Besides the awesome fashion and shoes, I’ve always admired how much the characters love each other. Their friendship is one that I think a lot of women long for, including me. Many of my best friends live thousands of miles away…

RULES

Please, one entry per person.

Leave a valid email address in the comment form so I can reach you if you’ve won.

The SJP NYC folks asked that this giveaway extend to US and Canada residents only; to my international homegirls, I promise to make sure the next giveaway includes you.

I’ll choose the winners at random from the entries received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 28, 2010.

Good luck, and have a wonderful Wednesday! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, May 24

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Sunrise over Diamond Head Crater, Oahu, Hawaii

  1. Mood:

    2. Pretty good! I got eight hours o’ glorious sleep last night and feel rested and recharged. 🙂

  2. Three things that bring a smile to your face?

    3. 1) Kittens, 2) finding something great on sale and 3) the smell of freshly brewed coffee

  3. What do you wear to sleep?

    4. Now, mostly workout clothes — tank tops, t-shirts and yoga pants. That way, I’m already dressed to exercise first thing in the morning if the rhythm hits me. Oh, and if a fire breaks out sometime in the night and I have to make a mad dash outside, I’ll be dressed for it… Don’t want my goods hanging out for all the neighbors to see.

  4. Your favorite pair of shoes?

    5. You may already know this one — the yellow platform sandals I got on sale at Aerosoles a few years ago.

  5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:

    6. I’m in product testing mode today and wearing a bunch of random but promising things: Hard Candy 1,000 Lashes Fiberized Mascara in Mermaid Teal/Illamasqua Sheer Lipgoss in Electrify/Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Promise

  6. Your latest food/snack obsession?

    7. Last weekend I re-discovered my love for Jamba Juice’s Orange Dream Machine.

  7. Are you double jointed ?

    8. Nope, but I do have astonishing toe control. I can hold a pen and write with ’em!

  8. What’s one beauty product that everyone else raves about yet doesn’t rock your boat?

    9. Rosebud Salve… I like the way it smells and feels, but my lips need more moisture. And (yep, I know it’s weird), I don’t like dipping my fingers in the tin.

  9. Outfit:

    10. Ha! The layered workout ensemble I wore to bed last night — a gray hoodie over a brown tank top over a brown t-shirt. I’m getting ready to change into jeans and a white tank top here in a minute. Yep, I’m all about tank tops today.

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Adhere to a stricter freelance writing and blogging schedule (I’ve been known to spend 100 hours/week on blogging), avoid junk food, exercise at least three times, and finally deal with the mountain of cardboard boxes in the dining room.

What’s shakin’, turkey bacon? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could grab a cup of coffee in the break room this morning and gab about the weekend (le sigh!)?

For now, I guess the Monday Poll will have to do.

To participate (and I hope you do), use your mouse to copy the following list, and paste if with your answers in the comments at the bottom of this post.

Le list

1. Mood:
2. Three things that bring a smile to your face?
3. What do you wear to sleep?
4. Your favorite pair of shoes?
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. Your latest food/snack obsession?
7. Are you double jointed?
8. What’s one beauty product that everyone else raves about yet doesn’t rock your boat?
9. Outfit:
10. Your weekly goals:

Now say it with me! — “I’m having a great week!” 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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