Smashbox

Lipgloss, keys, cat food, camera — I never leave home without ’em! They’re my essentials, especially the camera.

Oops! And my phone. Can’t forget that…

Gotta be ready to go paparazzi at a moment’s notice, because you never know when you’ll cross paths with a 1-pound tub of neon orange cheese balls or when you’ll find a cute kitty stowaway in the back of your car.

I’ve gotten so used to feeling the weight of a camera strap around my neck that I feel totally and completely weird without it (well, weirder than usual), and I’ll catch myself reaching for it from time to time, my fingers fooled by a phantom photography limb.

When I spotted the lights and photography umbrellas gracing the new photography-themed Smashbox Be Discovered Eye Shadow Palette ($44), my first thought was, “This was made for me!” The umbrellas are used to direct and diffuse light, hopefully, I assumed, like the palette’s colors.

Now that I’ve spent some time with these shadows, I see how they resemble photography in at least a couple of ways. First, they require time and effort, just like learning how to use a new camera or lens.

Over the past few seasons, I’ve felt like Smashbox’s eye palettes have moved toward sheerer and sheerer levels of pigment, and the Be Discovered palette continues that trend. Lighter lovelies who like less intense shadows, holla! This palette’s eight pastel and brown powder shadows were made for you.

If, on the other hand, you’re a darker diva and/or prefer bolder eyes, brace yourself for a workout; I find I have to apply a lot of layers with these (a minimum of five!).

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Ooh, Tuesday morning cat drama! Guess who just sauntered across the front yard with a twitchy tail and her little kitty nose raised up in the air? — the Russian Blue from next door, exuding tons of cattitude.

It’s been a while since the last time she visited, and when Tabs caught a glimpse of her through the window in my office upstairs, he hissed like a fiery cobra!

The window overlooks a row of overgrown rosemary bushes and what’s left of a large catnip plant, the same plant that Tabs caught her snacking on before their last altercation.

Judging by Tabs’ reaction this morning, tensions are still running high. I actually think he might be a little jealous, too, which is understandable, since I’m always gushing about the other cat’s dreamy grayish blue coat.

It’s just so gorgeous… I’ve been trying to build a collection of eyeliners in the exact same shade, or as close to it as possible (sorry, Tabs).

For the longest time, Laura Mercier’s Stormy Grey was the closest I could find, but now there’s a new contender in town, Smashbox Be Discovered Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner & Brush in Intrigue ($22).

It’s a gel liner, one of two shades in the new Smashbox Be Discovered Collection for spring 2012, and in kitty terms, it’s great like a Costco-sized case of gravy.

If you go gaga for gray liners, or if you’re just looking for a softer alternative to good ol’ black, you might just fall in love.

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