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Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 716

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Tabs was one of those lucky cats who could do almost anything. Whatever he touched turned to gold. I mean, not literally. He wasn’t an alchemist or anything, although I feel like if he had tried transmutation, he would have succeeded at it.

He was not afraid to take bold risks, especially when it came to entrepreneurialship. He was not content to just be a pretty face. He had several side hustles going on at any given time, and yes, this kept me busy.

Sometimes a little too busy. But I didn’t mind.

Rosie

Now Rosie has decided to dip her toes into the side hustle world. She’s starting one-on-one life coaching for cat ladies who want to take their cat ladying to the next level.

Connor is her first client, and believe me I asked for a family discount. Of course, I was a little shocked, but also not shocked, when Rosie said no. 🙁

Ruthless, this one is!

I’m sure she’ll be fabulously successful.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, June 25, 2022!

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weekend fun saturday surfing may 8

Hey, friend. How are ya? I’m doing OK — a little blah because of the news lately, though. A looming recession, the recent SCOTUS ruling, the sense of living in chaos and uncertainty… Sigh. Anywho, I really need this today:

At least it’s Saturday. We have that. In case you need a distraction…

This week’s reading


Chanel usually makes it better.


That’s a lot of cats.


Love her.


Note to self.

If you want (or need) to talk, I’m here. I got you.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What’s Your Current Makeup Routine for Hot Summer Days?

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My friend, happy first day of summer. It’s a hot one out here in Northern California today — supposed to hit 101 degrees Fahrenheit! Early this morning, first thing, since it was already plenty warm, I let Connor run through the lawn sprinklers. I would’ve joined her except I had already done my hair and makeup for the day, LOL!

Yup, I’ve been trying lately to do a little something-something with makeup, even when it’s hot. I’ve been on a roll recently with le face paint, and I don’t want to lose my momentum.

Here’s what I’ve been doing lately

  • Base: I start by blending a sheer, semi-matte foundation on my cheeks and nose, around my mouth and on my forehead. I pat a sheer concealer underneath my eyes and set it with the tiniest amount of powder. Then, I take a skunk brush, and I run it gently across everything to blend it all together.
  • Blush: Next, I add some color to my cheeks. I layer a coral cream blush with warm golden bronzer, and then I blend them together with my fingers. To set the cream blush/bronzer combo, I load a blush brush with a warm golden bronzer and dust it lightly across my cheeks, nose and along the edge of my face.
  • Eyes and lips:For my eyes, I keep it simple: brow pencil, mascara, eyeliner on the waterline and a pat of bronze glitter shadow on my lids. To wrap it all up, I layer a lip balm with sunscreen a pinkish nude lipstick.

And here are the products in heavy rotation!

  • Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation in 50 Beige
  • Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid in Sand
  • MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Golden
  • Chanel Les Beiges Cream Blush in No. 20 and No. 22
  • MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Give Me Sun
  • Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Brown
  • Anastasia Clear Brow Gel
  • Ilia Gel Liner in Dusk
  • Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow in Ray
  • MAC Extended Play Perm Me Up Lash
  • Sun Bum Lip Blam SPF 30
  • MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick

How about you? What’s your current makeup routine for hot summer days?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 734

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Have a wonderful day!

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. Ice cream in a cone or an ice cream sandwich?

    A single scoop of Baskin-Robbins pistachio in a sugar cone, please.

    2. Do you usually wear base/foundation during the summer?

    Depends on what I’m doing and how hot it is on any given day. If I’m puttering around the house or doing low-key errands, then typically I’ll do just a tinted sunscreen (both Avene and Bliss make good ones). If I’m meeting someone for lunch or have to go in to work, then something like Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua is what I’ll grab.

    3. Last skin care product you bought?

    It was a tube of sunscreen – shocking, I know! LOL. Anywho, I’ve been wanting to try a watery sunscreen to reapply over my makeup during the day, so I grabbed ISNTREE Hyaluronic Watery Sun Gel SPF 50.

    4. How are your makeup skills?

    Sufficient when it comes to quick looks. Anything too complicated… Eh, I could handle it, but it would take a good amount of time. A couple hours at the very least.

    5. Chanel or Shiseido?

    Both! Right this second, though, Chanel.

    6. Something you want to buy for yourself?

    Honestly, I want to say something fun, like a cruiser bike. Really, though, I could use a rug for my office. I’m thinking of getting a washable one from Ruggable. If you have any of their rugs, please spill the tea!

    7. Would you rather roller skate or ride a bike?

    I would rather ride a bike, but only if it’s a cruiser bike that comes with a basket full of well-behaved kittens.

    8. How’s your summer garden going?

    Eh, not so great. I’m not doing a deck garden this year because of all the stuff I have to deal with inside the house. The closest thing I’ve come to a summer garden is a basil plant that I bought at Trader Joe’s, which I bought specifically to eat!

    9. Mascara primers: love ‘em or leave ‘em?

    I mean, they’re great if you’re willing to put in the work. At this stage in my makeup journey, I will say leave ‘em. It’s just one more thing, ya know?

    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. Ice cream in a cone or an ice cream sandwich?
    2. Do you usually wear base/foundation during the summer?
    3. Last skin care product you bought?
    4. How are your makeup skills?
    5. Chanel or Shiseido?
    6. Something you want to buy for yourself?
    7. Would you rather roller skate or ride a bike?
    8. How’s your summer garden going?
    9. Mascara primers: love ‘em or leave ‘em?

    P.P.S. Hi, there my friend! It’s a beautiful morning and a beautiful start to a new week. Take good care of yourself this week, please. Stay hydrated, put your sunscreen on and be kind to yourself. You’re doing great! 🤗

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 715

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First off, happy Father’s Day to ya! Hope you had a great one. We just stuck around the house, but it was a lot of fun. Just a lot of lounging, watching TV, cooking some burgers on the grill 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

Saturday Surfing, June 18, 2022!

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HELLO, I LOVE YOU

It’s Saturday, YES! Whatever your plans are today, I hope they involve copious amounts of coffee. I’m about to grab another cup because I need the fuel.

Today we’re working on putting boxes away, moving furniture and figuring out long-term storage… It’s only taking forever, le sigh.

The house is still in post-renovation chaos, and it’s starting to make me a little crazy. I have to remind myself that one step at a time is totally fine. It will get there eventually, and when it’s done it’ll all be worth it. Oh, and I have to also remind myself not to be too grumpy about it. LOL! The struggle is real, man.

What’s new in your neck of the woods? Are you working on any big (or small) projects? I would love to hear about them.

This week’s reading


Now I want to try all of these!


So pretty.


Her wallpaper, OMG!


I quite enjoyed this.


I miss my tabby boy.


Chic!


FYI.


Let’s do this.


Lovely.


The magic words: easy and fresh!

Have a wonderful Saturday, and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Checking In: Chanel Faves, Birthday Gifts to Myself and GO Dub Nation!

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Hey, friend. TGIF and happy FRI-YAY!

No joke, I could crawl into bed right now and sleep for three days straight. My deadlines haven’t been playin’ lately! I’m so glad we made it to the end of the week.

Last week I mentioned last week I was going to buy myself a gift for my b-day. I ended up with a Kelty Cabana shade tent, a 100% spur-of-the-moment purchase from our local sporting goods store, Sports Basement.

I can safely say this is the first time I’ve bought outdoor equipment for myself on my birthday, LOL! You know what, though? I’ve always wanted a shade tent for the beach and for camping, and I’m so glad I finally did it. This one is relatively simple to assemble and pack, too. I think with practice, I can easily do it myself.

As you can see, Connor loves it! I can’t wait to take it on all our outdoor adventures this summer.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a birthday without a few beauty products. I’m still on a big hair kick, so to maximize volume and add moisture to my mane, I bought Bumble and Bumble’s Invisible Oil Shampoo and Conditioner for dry hair. Both contain six lightweight oils to hydrate, detangle and reduce frizz (among other things). I also grabbed a bottle of Alterna Caviar Foam Conditioner to use as a co-wash.

I’m currently on a Chanel kick, which seems to happen a few times a year, especially in the summer, go figure.

In these pics, I’m wearing the go-to Chanel makeup “uniform” I’ve been rocking all week: Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation (SO GOOD) on my skin; Les Beiges Cream Blushes in No. 22 and No. 20 layered together on my cheeks; and Electric Brown Eyeshadow-Liner-Khol topped with Liquid Eyeshadow in Desert Wind on my eyes. I’ll try to take more pictures soon to give you a better idea of the colors and textures, however I can safely say these pieces look great in-life and in phone selfies! Super easy to use, too.

And, oh my gosh, last but not certainly not least, I’ve gotta give a shout-out to the Warriors, aka the 2022 NBA Champions.

Did you watch the game last night? I had absolutely NO CHILL until the last two minutes, LOL!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

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5 things loving lately

1. Swimsuits with long sleeves

It’s like having a built-in sun protection shirt! I technically don’t need one because I’m allegedly trying to not add more things to my closet and already have 1) a swimsuit that I don’t hate, and 2) a long-sleeve swimming shirt for sun protection, but still, I want. Free People has a bunch of cute ones!

2. Early Aughts dancehall music

I’ve been listening to a lot of it lately. Who knew one could be so moved by Sean Paul’s “Gimme the Light”? LOL!

3. The show “Hacks” on HBO

This show about a seasoned Vegas comedian and an up-and-coming writer from Los Angeles cracks me up. It’s also surprisingly touching at times, too. You’ll be fan-girling actress Jean Smart by the end of it.

4. Printing out recipes

Lately I’ve been printing out recipes I make for dinner. It’s different from what I usually do, which is to pull a recipe up on my phone, make it once, and then forget about it.

You know what? Having a physical piece of paper works so much better for me. It really helps me to have a space to write detailed notes about what worked and what didn’t. I also like storing the recipes in a folder in my kitchen which I can easily grab whenever I need it.

I guess I’m old school like that!

Speaking of dinner recipes, I just made this Thai basil chicken dish (I subbed the chicken for shrimp) and it was a hit with the fam-bam.

5. Basketball

I wish I could play it, but I’m terrible when it comes to sports with fast-moving projectiles, and I don’t love the thought of other sweaty people all up in my space, bumping me from all angles. It’s a lot of fun to watch though. Side note: go Warriors!

Throw back to this cutie pie rockin’ her Warriors gear

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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