Just For Fun

Happy Friday to ya, friend. Greetings from the temporary construction site that is my upstairs!

The end of the road is in sight, though, and hopefully everything will be finished around the middle of next week. It’s been different to have so many people in my house all day, every day. Usually it’s just me, Rosie Pose, and the sound of my fingers clacking against my keyboard.

One thing I’m especially happy about is the downstairs powder room, which is finally fixed and finished. It has been out of commission for years and thus has served as the designated kitty litter room, LOL! Sorry Rosie, your bathroom belongs to the humans again.

Anywho, a couple quick things before the hammering and sawing starts again and I can no longer think:

1. The $12 Wild Fable sunglasses at Target are kind of amazing!

A couple times this week, my brother came over to help watch Connor (she’s been home for spring break all week long) while I worked. The other day we took a jaunt to Target and stumbled across these super affordable $12 Wild Fable sunglasses.

Do you have a person in your life who’ll happily try on ALL THE SUNGLASSES with you at the store? That’s my bro. Anywho, we were trying on sunnies for fun, and we were surprised with how many of these pairs fit us well.

Several of the styles we tried on stayed on our noses (we both have a low nose bridge and glasses tend to slip down), and the lenses were big enough to actually block a good amount of light from your eyes. My brother ended up buying a couple pairs, although, truth be told we aren’t sure if he bought women’s glasses, but whatev. They work.

Granted, they don’t feel like they’ll last for a long time. For $12 they’re not bad at all, though. If you want an affordable pair to bring to the beach or the pool, and you don’t want to worry about losing your sunglasses, Wild Fable is where it’s at, man.

2. Fake pockets are total bullsh*t.

I bought a really lovely knit blazer from the brand Gibsonlook recently. I love the cut and the material, and I especially love how the blazer drapes. You can easily dress it up and down, too.

I’d want it in all the colors if it wasn’t for one massive bummer — the fake pockets.

There’s pocket flaps in the front of the jacket, but they’re just for show, which bugs me to no end. If you’re going to not have pockets, then don’t pretend to have them, and just leave ’em out.

I don’t know why this bothers me so much, but it does.

If you can get over the faux pocket situation, then grab this jacket. I have the camel shade, which tends to go fast once it’s re-stocked, so if you like it and see it in your size, grab it.

How’s your week been so far?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Have you heard of silent haircuts? You book a haircut with a stylist who, after an initial consultation to make sure you’re both on the same page for your cut, trims your coif in silence.

A lovely stylist who cut my hair a few years ago, Maya Lowe, now offers this service to her clients. I subscribe to her newsletter, which is how I found out about it. Here’s what she says:

Are you going through a lot, feeling tired, need a break from feeling like you need to say anything? Or whatever the reason, if you would like the time to sit and be with yourself, I will be happy to hold space for you and work on your hair in silence, no judgment, no questions asked. Other than getting clear about what we are doing with your hair, we will be quiet. If you would like to choose some music, that’s totally cool too.

–Maya Lowe

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A post shared by Maya Lowe Batki (@mayalowe_hair)

I’m generally pretty outgoing, so I’m usually chatty in the chair, but I can also see myself wanting a peaceful hour without small talk and with soothing music playing in the background — especially if I was tired. That would be restful and relaxing.

I can see, though, how some might feel a little uncomfortable with the silence.

What are your thoughts on the silent haircut? Is it something you’d like?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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. How are you feeling today?

Sore, but otherwise good. We moved everything out of the upstairs main bedroom last weekend to prep for floors and paint, and all I have to say is thank goodness I purged my closet last year. It would’ve been so much harder if I hadn’t done it!

2. What’s on your nails?

The last bits of an improv Chanel Purple Ray manicure that I did a few weeks ago before Hawaii.

3. Something you’re looking forward to this week?

Oh gosh, sleeping in my bed. We’re on the couch for a few days, and while it’s pretty comfortable, Rosie has been walking all over me all night long and waking me up at all hours. She’s either sleeping on my head, underneath my arm, or between my feet. Poor thing is out of sorts because of all the chaos lately.

4. Outfit of the day?

Still in my pajamas: Zella joggers (the best), a light blue tee and my new gray Honolua sweatshirt.

5. Last movie you watched?

About 20 minutes of “Power of the Dog” on Netflix on Saturday night.
Fchan

6. Body lotion?

Gosh, did I put on any body lotion last night after showering? I don’t know.

7. When I grow up, I want to be…

Less tired. LOL! Or, a freelance copywriter for beauty brands. That sounds pretty nice. 🙂

8. I can’t live, if living is without…

My Nespresso machine.

9. Next on my to-do list?

Wake Connor up (she’s sleeping in because it’s spring break at school), and get us ready for the day.

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. How are you feeling today?
2. What’s on your nails?
3. Something you’re looking forward to this week?
4. Outfit of the day?
5. Last movie you watched?
6. Body lotion?
7. When I grow up, I want to be…
8. I can’t live, if living is without…
9. Next on my to-do list?

P.P.S. Hello and happy Monday, my friend. Wishing you a beautiful and productive day! 🤗

Hello, and happy Caturday, friend! Ahh, sweet silence. I really didn’t understand how much I loved hearing the quaint sounds of wild turkeys gobbling and leaves rustling in my neighborhood until the cacophony of jackhammering and sawing took over last week.

The construction has been moving along at a quick clip, which on one hand has been great, because most of the downstairs is almost done.

On the other hand, it’s been, to put it mildly, very, very loud. My nerves are shot, homie!

Still lots to go, though.

I’ve got a ton of moving this weekend to do again, so short and sweet Saturday Surfing today. I’ve been reading a lot about perfume lately, so fragrance fanatics, this one’s for you.

This week’s reading

• Favorite read of the week ——–> “I’m the perfumer who created the scent you love to hate — Abercrombie & Fitch’s Fierce.”
• How the iris root became one of the most expensive and coveted ingredients on the planet.
• Did I ever tell you about the time I had a panic attack at IKEA because I couldn’t find any windows or exits? Anywho, another story for another time. They do have a new home fragrance collection, though!
• The history of Acqua di Parma, one of my favorite Italian fragrance houses.

I’m off to move boxes/do squats for the next 48 hours. If we can empty the entire upstairs successfully before Monday, then there’s a good chance the work will all be done by next Saturday. Cross your fingers and toes for me!

What are ya up to this weekend?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Hi, friend. Happy Friday! I hope that you’re feeling warm, cozy and calm as the week wraps up.

I was putting on lipstick this morning (shout out to Chantecaille’s new Lip Chic in Willow!), and I realized something. I’ve pretty much put on at least a little bit of makeup almost every day since I was a freshman in high school.

And for the past 15 years, I’ve also wrote or thought about something beauty related almost every day — testing, taking pics and deep diving into countless blushes, mascaras, eyeshadows… It’s been quite a journey, but I think now it’s time to embark on a new one.

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. Something near you right now?

A white noise machine, and girlfriend, it’s CRANKING. Our contractor started doing demolition on our floors and between the pounding and the house music blasting downstairs, I’m starting to feel a little cray. It’s almost tolerable when the Dohm Natural Sound Machine is on, though. It used to be Connor’s when she was a baby, and now it’s mine. It’s one of those gadgets I never knew I needed until I had it.

2. Banana bread or English muffin?

Freshly baked banana bread with nuts, please.

3. Which type of movie would you rather watch: a mystery, romance or action flick?

I’ll take the mystery movie, and it better be suspenseful enough for me to want to fast forward to the good parts.

4. Three things every beauty lover needs?

Sunscreen, lipstick and mascara. Each one should be something that you absolutely love!

5. Which meal would you rather make: breakfast, lunch or dinner?

I’d pick lunch. For me it would be the lowest level of effort! I’m not awake first thing in the morning, so breakfast is a heavy mental lift, and dinner is too much pressure. LOL! Honestly, let’s just order takeout and call it a day…

6. Beach or desert?

Beach because I’m a water baby through and through, although I do appreciate the stark beauty of the desert, and the amazing things the C4 and CAM desert plants can do.

7. Describe your current outfit.

Striped navy and white tee, dark blue jeans, long navy sweater, neon orange ankle socks (!) and leopard print slides. We don’t usually wear shoes in our house, but we’ll have to for the next few weeks during construction.

8. What are you reading?

“The Girl in the Tower” by Katherine Arden. It’s a historical fantasy novel and the second book in the Winternight Trilogy, which I started reading last month.

9. Body glitter?

Back in the day, sure why not? I can’t help but laugh a little because once upon a time, I would’ve had remnants of the weekend’s body glitter on me on Monday.

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. Something near you right now?
2. Banana bread or English muffin?
3. Which type of movie would you rather watch: a mystery, romance or action flick?
4. Three things every beauty lover needs?
5. Which meal would you rather make: breakfast, lunch or dinner?
6. Beach or desert?
7. Describe your current outfit.
8. What are you reading?
9. Body glitter?

P.P.S. Hello and happy Monday, my friend. I’m channeling all the calming, flexible and good feelings today. If you could please send those vibes my way, I’d really appreciate it. Have a wonderful day! 🤗