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Just For Fun

Saturday Surfing

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What’s up, weekenders? How’s your Saturday coming along? Are you doing anything fun? So far today I’ve gone to breakfast (thanks for the Hamilton Cafe reco, Marisol!), took care of some bills, played with Tabs, and now I’m snapping as many product pictures as I can before the sun goes down. We had great light here this afternoon, so I’m trying to take advantage of it.

Do you have time for a little break? 🙂 Grab your mouse; let’s go surfing!

Random bright spots

New in beauty

What a beautiful interpretation of one of my favorite INXS songs… Yes, that’s Beck. 🙂

Watching this makes me hyper…

OH, HELL YAH! — Aiden’s baAAAaack!

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday. Oh, Tabs is on the rampage right now… He’s been giving me his “Feed me some gravy, bitches!” face because he finished the last of his Fancy Feast tuna in gravy last night. All he’s had to eat since then has been Science Diet, and he’s none too pleased.

Sorry, cat. We all learn to deal with disappointment sooner or later. Today was just your time. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Zoe Saldana: Her Best Hair?

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One of my favorite parts about going to the movies is seeing the trailers before the flick. At Hot Tub Time Machine last week I caught a trailer for an upcoming action movie called The Losers, which stars actress Zoe Saldana.


Zoe, Tabs and some other dude star in Avatar…

I’m a little burnt out on action movies, but if she’s in it, I’m there.

Born Zoe Yadira Zaldaña Nazario on June 19, 1978, Zoe’s ballet background helped her snag her first big screen role in 2000’s Center Stage. The rest is history!

Which of Zoe's hairstyles do you like best?

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Two Ways to Win a Beautiful Bottle of Balenciaga Paris Perfume

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  • The giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner, Jan! Before you go, check the home page for ongoing giveaways.

Good morning, glory. 🙂 I hope you’re ready for hump day, but just in case you aren’t, maybe the light and fresh star of today’s giveaway can help.

Have you been looking for a new scent for the season? If the answer’s “Hell, yes, woman!” then…

The prize

One lucky lady will win a 1.7-oz bottle of Balenciaga Paris Eau de Parfum (a $95 value).

Long-time Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquiere of the Balenciaga fashion house says a wide range of everyday scents, among them wax and flowers, inspired Balenciaga Paris.

Perfumer Oliver Polge, winner of the coveted 2009 International Fragrance Prize and the nose behind Burberry The Beat, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb and Clinique Happy Heart, infused the fragrance with violet, pepper and mossy wood, dressing it in a beautiful glass bottle with simply elegant, smooth curves.

How to enter…

2ways2enterEntering is easy. There are two different ways, 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. In it, tell me your favorite thing about spring.

Finally! The longer days! I love that El Hub still has some sunlight left when he gets home from work in the evenings. And then there’s all of the blooming flowers, of course (thank goodness for allergy medicine!).

Follow me
Second, enter by following me on Twitter and retweeting (RT) the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to win Balenciaga Paris Perfume (a $95 Value) http://bit.ly/dzBdGE

Recap…

  1. Enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.
  2. Follow me on Twitter and retweet the following message:

    RT @karenmbb: RT to win Balenciaga Paris Perfume (a $95 Value) http://bit.ly/dzBdGE

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 p.m. PST on Friday, April 9.

Успех!!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. You also have until 11:59 PM tonight to enter the MAC Prep For Colour giveaway, so head over and mention your favorite color if you haven’t already. 🙂

  • The giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner, Jan! Before you go, check the home page for ongoing giveaways.

Two Ways to Win MAC Prep For Colour

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  • UPDATE: Apr. 8, 2010. The giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner, DoDe! 🙂

It never hurts to be prepared … for the application of color! 🙂 MAC’s new six-piece Prep for Colour collection is all about turning skin into a perfectly primed canvas for color, and it skips onto counters this Thursday, April 8.

With just three neutral eyeshadows, one bright fuchsia gloss, a skin brightening serum and a new sunscreen, the collection might not be as extensive or exciting as last week’s Art Supplies, but MAC still tossed some interesting stuff our way. And girls (and boys) who love everyday makeup and skincare products — that is, products you might like to wear every single day — are also in luck.

Which reminds me, are you ready for a giveaway?

The prize

One lucky lady will win three items from the MAC Prep For Colour collection: Eyeshadow in Sorcery (a reddish mid-tone brown), Eyeshadow in Hey (a warm mid-tone beige) and Prep + Prime Skin Brightening Serum. Total prize value: $69.


From left: Sorcery, Hey

How to enter…

2ways2enterEntering is easy. There are two different ways, 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. In it, tell me the name of your favorite color and why it’s your favorite. 🙂

Wait — just one? Um, I have so many favorite colors … but I guess I do have a special place in my heart for blue (it reminds me of the ocean).

Follow me
Second, enter by following me on Twitter and retweeting (RT) the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to win MAC Prep For Color (a $69 Value) http://bit.ly/9jTOU7

Recap…

  1. Enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.
  2. Follow me on Twitter and retweet the following message:

    RT @karenmbb: RT to win MAC Prep For Color (a $69 Value) http://bit.ly/9jTOU7

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 p.m. PST on Wednesday, April 7.

Baie geluk!!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

  • UPDATE: Apr. 8, 2010. The giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner, DoDe! 🙂

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, April. 5

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  1. Mood:

    2. Not quite awake yet (*yawn*), but I’m gettin’ there. 🙂

  2. Are you good under pressure?

    3. It depends. There have been times when “it was on” and I’ve flourished, and other times in which I’ve cracked miserably.

  3. Who was the last person you smooched?

    4. El Hub… oh, wait, it might’ve been Tabs. Have I mentioned that I’m not quite awake yet?

  4. Breakfast beverage?

    5. Green tea with squeezes of Meyer lemon and honey. I hope it kicks in soon!

  5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:

    6. It’s a mostly Tokidoki day: The Bastardino eyeshadow palette with MAC Technakhol in Uniform, Prisma Lipgloss in Monkey Pirate/Benefit Sugarbomb with a dash of MAC Cream Colour Base in Hush

  6. Your favorite love story?

    7. Casablanca. It’s not a puppies-and-rainbows love story, but I like how the characters, thrown into extreme circumstances, put the safety and happiness of the ones they love before their own.

  7. Last boat-rocking makeup or beauty find under $10?

    8. The $6 Sonia Kashuk Bent Eyeliner Brush (it’s the bomb dizzle, yo!)

  8. Milk chocolate, semi-sweet, dark or white?

    9. Milk chocolate as far as candy, but semi-sweet for chocolate chip cookies

  9. Outfit:

    10. Jeans and a plaid button-up shirt

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Attack the treadmill at least three times (thrice!), finish my work by 6 every afternoon, eat more salads and get to bed by a decent hour

Haaay, boo! Happy Monday. Are you well rested and ready to tackle the week? Don’t worry — you don’t have to answer if you’re not (it is Monday, after all). 🙂

How are things going on your end of the keyboard? If you have a minute, let me know how you’re doing. Just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le list

1. Mood:
2. Are you good under pressure?
3. Who was the last person you smooched?
4. Breakfast beverage?
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. Your favorite love story?
7. Last boat-rocking makeup or beauty find under $10?
8. Milk chocolate, semi-sweet, dark or white?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

Let’s have a good week (NO MATTER WHAT!).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

This Week’s Top Posts

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Heya, girls. How was your Easter? I just got back from visiting my parents across the Bay. Lots of eating (of course) and hanging out. How about you? What did you do today?

I’m sad to see the weekend end, but did you have a favorite new collection or beauty product this week? I think I’m gonna go with Pacifica’s Malibu Lemon Blossom Body Butter. Mmm…

Bright Lights, Sheer Lippies: Two New Gloss Fluo de Chanel Lipglosses for Summer 2010

“I usually covet punchy, pigmented glosses, but these leave a lighter kiss of pretty color instead (unflavored, no scent). While the color may be easy to miss, the price is hard to ignore. ”

The Dolce and Gabbana Brush Collection

“With prices starting near $30, the five-pieces in the brush set for eyes, face and lips are clearly for lovers of luxury, but I think they look the part with that gold lettering on those matte black handles. Sure do look lush!”

One Easy Way to Rock MAC Art Supplies

“Inspiration for the winged purple liner goes to ’80s hair metal band Motley Crue. I was listening to them on iTunes when it came to me. Here I’m wearing a toned-down version of the wing for daytime wear, but you could always ramp it up for evenings with a thicker line and a bigger flick.”

Pacifica Totally Makes Scents: Take Malibu Lemon Blossom Body Wash and Body Butter, For Example

“Packed with moisturizing shea and mango butters, aloe vera gel, and sweet almond oil, this body butter has SERIOUS game. It’s thick, rich, and a little bit goes a long, long way. It keeps my driest parts smooth and ash-free all day long (I’d say a full 24 hours), and I love that it doesn’t leave a greasy film on my skin.”

Thar She Blows! Getting Blown at the Blo Bar, SF

“Okay, so the name’s kinda cheesy/pervy, but don’t let that scare you away. I got blown at the Blo Bar in San Francisco yesterday, and I can’t wait to go back. It’s completely legit and involves two of my favorite things: efficiency and fabulous hair.”

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Kick Off Your Shoes in the Open Thread

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I’m really starting to enjoy these open threads. 🙂 If you guys like, maybe we can make them a permanent thing like the Monday Poll.

Remember, you can chat about anything. Whatever’s on your mind. Last week we covered cameras, beauty products, surfing and cats (among other things)! Do you have any burning beauty questions or movie reviews?? Feel free to share them in the comments.

To kick things off, here are a couple of questions that showed up in my inbox this week:

Where’d I get my green jacket?

The khaki green one I wore in the Milani/MAC FOTD? I found it about a month ago in the junior’s section at Marshall’s, aka my home away from home, and it was a steal of a deal, too, at $16! I haven’t seen it again on the racks since then, but if you want to track it down, it’s by Therapy.
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Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 81

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Happy Easter, morning glories. 🙂 Rise and shine! I hope you’re filling up on jelly beans and chocolate.

As you might imagine, Tabs has been all about finding hidden Easter eggs today. He found most of them, but one’s still unaccounted for, and it happens to be the magical Golden Easter Egg! Please help him track it down before it stinks up the place.

It’s hidden somewhere on a post in the Makeup and Beauty Blog archives…

Help Tabs find the Golden Easter Egg

Solve the three anagrams (what’s an anagram?) to get a clue to the whereabouts of the missing egg. Enter the clue in the search box, and you’re well on your way. Once you’ve found it, let Tabs know the name of the post in the comments. 🙂

UNCLE I QI

SLANG NICE

LAMB

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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