Just For Fun

Good morning, beautiful girl! I’m about to put on boots and long pants because I have a whole day of moving ahead of me.

We’re not leaving the Bay Area (although that’s crossed my mind more than once in the last couple years) — just getting our place prepared because we’re finally getting new floors.

We were supposed to do the work back in the spring of 2020, but you know what went down. Sigh.

Anywho, better late than never! This means I’ll be moving things in and out of the garage all day long. On the bright side, not only will the carpet Tabs (RIP, sweet boy) and Rosie have shredded to bits will finally be gone, but I’ll also get to practice my squats today, ha ha ha!

What’s on the agenda on your end? Talk to me… I’ll need all the distraction I can get during my breaks from lifting boxes today.

This week’s reading

• Some graphic liner styles to try if you’re in the mood to experiment. I’m a fan of the double wing!
• I’m kinda feeling this sad clown eye look on Willow Smith. The smokey action on her lower lash line is *chef’s kiss.*
• Byredo has a new fragrance.
• I’m not surprised this throwback Britney scent gets so much love; I liked it back in the day, too.
• I need a hair glaze in my life ASAP.
• Favorite read of the week ——–> Cache as cats can!
• Pets from cats to gerbils are being forced to diet.

Today’s mood!

Love me some Erykah.

I’m totally watching this!

I hope your morning has been good so far and that the rest of your day is smooth sailing.

Take care. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Oahu has so many great things — beautiful beaches, scenic hikes, a vibrant food scene. Oh, and the shopping? EPIC.

Here are some cute things from local brands that I love and that you might like, too.

1. Aloha Crop Fleece in Mustard by Splash Hawaii

Seriously SO CUTE. This cozy, cropped sweater by Splash Hawaii is my new favorite thing to wear with high waisted jeans or shorts.

Please don’t immediately dismiss this sweatshirt because of the word crop. I know it can be triggering, LOL! – but this one isn’t really that cropped at all.

I have a size small, and it hits just below my natural waist. Yes, it has a cropped vibe, but I still feel decently covered up.

It’s made of a cotton and polyester blend, and the inside is kitten soft. I came home with the mustard version but came this close to buying the black one, too. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that Rosie Pose’s fur would be more visible on the black sweater, sigh. Cat lady life.

Anywho, Splash Hawaii has several stores on Oahu. If you’re ever on the island, buy a swimsuit there. They stock TONS in store, and often they have designs you can’t find anywhere else. I’ve purchased several over the years.

2. Squalor Fleece Hoodie by Honolua Surf Co.

This local store sells clothes you’d wear to the beach (or on a Zoom call with your co-workers, ha).

I like their sweatshirts, especially. I have one with a pineapple design from years ago, but I haven’t worn it in ages because it was what I was wearing the last time I held Tabs in my arms, and I can’t get myself to wash it. Anywho.

This gray sweatshirt was the cutest one in the store. It also comes in a beautiful blue shade, too!

3. Lil Lil Hula Girl With Starfish Tee by Cinnamon Girl

I always make a point to stop by the Cinnamon Girl store whenever I’m visiting Oahu. They have beautiful Hawaiian-themed clothes for moms and kids! I really like their tees for girls, and I’ve bought quite a few of their Hula Girl tees for Connor throughout the years.

The shirts are well constructed and adorable (I love the little touches like the pink seams on the sides), and I appreciate the wide range of sizes.

Oh, and if you’re looking for matching mommy and me outfits, Cinnamon Girl sells some cute ones.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Here’s what’s one of many cool things I love about Hawaii: just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s always something new to discover!

On this last trip to visit El Hub’s family on Oahu, I found a few new local favorites, including…

Noa Noa Hawaii Dresses

This local clothing brand designs dresses, shirts and pants with gorgeous batik prints (batik refers to a specific way of waxing and dyeing cloth). The clothes are lightweight and flow-y — perfect for warm island days or nights.

I have the Ginger dress which is midi length, made out of 100% cotton and reversible (you can wear it either with the buttons on the back for a crew neckline or on the front for a v-neck shape).

I’m wearing the dress loose and casual in these pics, but it’s also cute when you belt it at the waist.

Eden In Love Home Goods

I picked up a few cute home goods from a Hawaii-based brand called Eden in Love. They do adorable prints with local themes.

I bought some dish towels, aprons and nylon shopping bags from the Simply Home store at the Kahala Mall. They’re the perfect souvenirs because they’re lightweight, flat and don’t take up a lot of room in a suitcase.

Herringbone Restaurant at the International Market

If you’re looking for a spot for a special meal, Herringbone Restaurant is where it’s at!

They serve delicious seafood in an outdoor setting, and the service is spot on.

I ordered the lobster roll which was absolutely perfect. The bread was so buttery and soft, and the lobster practically melted in my mouth. El Hub ordered the squid ink risotto, which he loved.

There’s also a children’s menu, too, if you’re dining with a little one.

Herringbone is located in the middle of bustling Waikiki at the International Market. The old school version with the outdoor stalls filled with trinkets and tchotchkes is long gone and has been replaced by restaurants and mid- to high- end clothing and accessories shops.

There’s also a really great parking garage at the International Market, which I know is a little weird to say, but when you’ve lived in San Francisco like I did for many years, you cherish things like parking garages that are easy to get to and maneuver around.

If you eat at one of the International Market restaurants, they’ll validate your ticket! We were there for three hours and ended up only paying $2 for parking, which is a total steal for Waikiki parking.

Miss you already, Hawaii! Can’t wait to go back.

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 do you feel about slugging?

100% love it.

A few months ago I nearly melted my face off with a new retinol (I was a little too aggressive with the amount I was using and the frequency), and slugging at night saved my skin.

2. Favorite fruit juice?

Guava, but like I like mine a very particular way — 50% guava juice and 50% water.

3. Plumeria or hibiscus?

Plumeria. I love the shape of the leaves and their fragrance.

4. Do you wear a smartwatch?

Nope. I don’t like anything on my wrists generally, and honestly I feel like it would stress me out. It’s just too much information that I probably don’t need at the moment.

5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment?

My hair is too long, and I need a haircut! I feel like I have 50 pounds of hair. It’s so heavy it gives me headaches.

6. Fake or real houseplants?

Real, all the way.

Well, I do have a fake elephant ear in my office. I used to have a real one years ago, but I read somewhere that they aren’t safe for cats, so I re-homed it.

7. Concealer at the moment?

Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid. One word: bomb!

8. Can you play the guitar?

I cannot, and I’ve tried. It’s just not my instrument. My fingers, the strings — it’s not a pretty sight.

9. Best part of your job?

Girl, how many jobs do I have? So many. Favorite part of my copywriting job are the people I work with. Favorite part of the blog are the people I get to chat with (you!). Favorite part of my mom job are the hugs.

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 do you feel about slugging?
2. Favorite fruit juice?
3. Plumeria or hibiscus?
4. Do you wear a smartwatch?
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment?
6. Fake or real houseplants?
7. Concealer at the moment?
8. Can you play the guitar?
9. Best part of your job?

P.P.S. Happy Monday to ya, my sweet friend!

Good morning from Hawaii Kai on Oahu. Hawaii Kai is only 12 miles east from the bustling city of Honolulu. It’s near enough to feel like you could easily hop on the freeway and be in the middle of Waikiki, yet far enough to feel like you’re enjoying the slower pace of the suburbs. If we lived on the island, I wouldn’t mind being in this neighborhood at all.

We’re here visiting El Hub’s parents (going home on Monday), and as I’m typing this, I can hear doves cooing, chickens squawking and leaves rustling in the wind. It’s a beautiful morning song!

So far, we’ve spent most of our time next to water, either by the pool or at the beach, which has been glorious. I haven’t worn shorts or a swimsuit in months, and it’s nice to feel warm again.

Although, dang… the humidity here is next level! It definitely takes getting used to. I’m never not sweating. If you live in a humid place and know a product that removes that sticky feeling from the backs of your knees, then hook a girl up. I would buy it in a heart beat!

Oh, and my hair. It’s huge, man. The humidity transforms it into something else entirely, and it takes on a life of its own. I walk around feeling like I’ve got 20 extra pounds o’ lions mane.

This week’s reading

• These are supposed to be the best makeup products of 2022.
• Get to know makeup artist Porsche Poon.
• 17 vintage wedding makeup looks.
• The rise of gender-fluid fragrance.
• What experts have to say about petrolatum safety and slugging.

Science!

Face oils, FYI.

Speaking of slugging…

I love this show.

Have a beautiful day, and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Question for you: Do you pack light, or do you strive to shove the proverbial kitchen sink into your travel bags or luggage?

I’m a notoriously committed over-packer (hey, I like to be prepared), but truth be told…I usually don’t even use most of the things I pack!

I’ve been thinking about this for a couple days because we’re going on a short, few-day trip to visit our family in Hawaii, but rather than stuffing my carry-on luggage to the max, this time I packed all my stuff into a 1) Jansport backpack I’ve had since college and 2) my trusty Rick Steve’s shoulder bag (more on this in a second).

The other day I told El Hub that I planned to try this new packing strategy, and he straight up laughed! Then he said, “Good luck with that.” 😐

The reason I decided to try the new approach was because I realized that my regular luggage bag, which is just a standard soft-shell wheeled suitcase (carry-on size), weighed more than the actual contents inside!

I don’t know why, but I’m so bothered by the idea of luggage that weighs more than my clothes. It really bugs me.

Compared to my luggage, my old Jansport backpack from college weighs virtually nothing, and it also fits my clothes and my shoes.

Everything else — my makeup, hair and skin toiletries, electronic devices — will go in the same shoulder bag I’ve brought with me on every trip over the past decade, the Rick Steve’s shoulder bag. It’s by no means uber-fashionable, but it’s lightweight, has tons of pockets, and the shoulder pad is super comfy. Highly, highly recommended!

Still…knowing me, I’ll probably end up transferring everything into my luggage at the last minute. Haha.

Anywho, that’s all the makeup I’m bringing with me in the picture up at the top. I’m still rockin’ a relatively minimalist makeup vibe…

Vacation Makeup, 2022

• Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara
• NARS Deep Throat Blush
• Ilia Color Haze Multi-Use Pigment in Temptation
• NARS Eyeshadow Duos in Isolde, Alhambra, Kalahari
• NARS Eyeshadow Single in Fez
• Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow in Ray
• Ilia Clean Gel Liner in Dusk
• Eyeko Black Magic Cocoa Edit Liquid Liner
• Chanel Eyebrow Pencil in Deep Brown
• Laura Mercier Lipstick in Nu Prefere
• Sun Bum SPF30 Lip Balm in Pomegranate
• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Wheat
• Avene Mineral Sunscreen (Tinted and Non-Tinted)
• Hourglass Veil Retouching Makeup in Sand
• Ilia Balmy Gloss in Tahiti

See you on the other side of the Pacific!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Rosie can’t come on this trip, but she’s thrilled to be able to spend some “meow time” with her favorite petsitter/college professor. She practically kicked me out the door!