…and the name’s a mouthful (Jordana Cosmetics Incolor Squeeze N’ Shine Super Shiny Tasty Lip Gloss, whew!), I’ll give these bargain babies a go. They’re only $1.99!
Even Though the Font Drives Me a Little Crazy…
The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed
I would so wear these boots in pink…
Dang, I love those shrimp tacos on the SkinnyLicious Menu at the Cheesecake Factory… The only problems are the bread that comes before the meal, how impossible it is to refuse, and the cheesecake afterward (which I was actually able to resist, for once, yesterday).
Good morning, gorgeous. 🙂 How’s it going today? The end of another week. Hopefully yours went well.
Although I haven’t mentioned it yet, I was saddened to hear about the death of Steve Jobs. He was an iconic figure in the tech world we live in today. I grew up with Apples in school and got my tech feet wet on those early computers, but when I entered the corporate world after college, I transitioned to using Microsoft Windows PCs, because that’s pretty much the way things were done.
When I started blogging back in early 2007, I was also using Windows at home. I wasn’t a tech person by any means, and I was always struggling with one issue or another, like a printer that wouldn’t print, extra toolbars multiplying in my web browser (gah!), getting redirected to websites that I didn’t intend to go to, annoying popups from my antivirus software asking me if I wanted to “Allow this program that you can’t identify by its weird name, like image.ao.helper, to run third-party software on your computer?” Uh… no? But then after clicking “No” my scanner would stop working, or something like that.
Since then I started using Apple stuff at home, and for whatever reasons, I have way fewer weird computer problems overall.
Anywho, Steve Jobs, dude, thank you. You will be missed.
The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed
THE ESSIE COCKTAIL BLING COLLECTION AND
TV’S LATEST DANCE CRAZE
Watching The Jersey Shore is completely exhausting (but yet strangely hard to resist). And with all of the underwear flashing that’s been happening over the past few eps, it’s also been quite gross.
I want to stop, but I almost feel like I’ve already invested so much time in following these goofy characters that I can’t quit now. And, truth be told, I’m also weirdly fascinated by Ronnie’s unique outlook on dance.
He’s not the nicest boy in the world (that’s one way to put it), but I gotta give it up to the guy for taking his club moves so seriously.
Lately he’s been doing this one thing where he puts his hand in front of his face and wiggles it side to side really fast, like “Peek-a-boo!” Read more…
THE SONIA KASHUK TRAVEL DUFFEL
ROOMY ENOUGH FOR XXL TABBIES
Just how roomy is Sonia Kashuk’s new $39.99 limited edition Travel Duffle? Well, it’s big enough to bear the bare necessities for a three-day weekend (or maybe four, with a few packing tips and tricks).
It’s also big enough to comfortably fit one XXL 18-pound tabby.
Ya know…in case you were wondering.
You know how I am about overpacking (I can’t help it!), and this is a bag I can really sink my teeth into. I was able to fit a pair of shoes into it, a few outfits and enough makeup to last me three days. That’s not bad. Plus, I think the pattern looks good with my two favorite fall jackets (one black and one brown). Read more…
MAC UNSUNG HEROES
DUBONNET LIPSTICK
Am I way too easily amused for my own good? Survey says, “Probably.” For instance, I continue to get a huge kick out of mucking up names. Around here, Trader Joe’s is Traitor Joe’s, Target is Tar-ghay, and Whole Foods is affectionately (not) referred to as Whole Paycheck.
Lame? Yes. But also hilarious to moi.
And now I’m doing it with makeup, too. I’ve heard the peeps at a MAC counter pronounce today’s Unsung Hero, MAC Dubonnet Lipstick ($14.50), as “Doo-bow-nay,” but I like to call it “DEW-bonnet” instead.
Sorry! I can’t help it, even if I am messing with the moniker of one of the greatest reds in the MAC permanent line. Read more…
THE LIMITED EDITION L’OREAL COLORS TAKE FLIGHT
COLLECTION HAS A RATHER CHARMING COCKATOO
It’s been a Project Runway kind of day…
No, nothing big like running into Heidi at Sephora or kicking it with Tim Gunn at the DSW (I wish!).
Just a couple of small but cool brushes with my favorite reality TV show. The first one I noticed this morning, when the Tivo, a normally evil form of artificial intelligence hell bent on recording all of the shows I NEVER watch, actually did something useful for a change. It recorded the entire season four of Project Runway, from start to finish, without me having to program it. Read more…
A BOBBI BROWN PARTY TO GO
PALETTE FACE OF THE DAY
I feel so “all dressed up with nowhere to go” right now! And yes, I know you’re probably laughing at my hat. It looks exactly like the one I wore with my band uniform freshman (or was it sophomore?) year. To complete the illusion, I should have been holding my mellophone and standing at attention in these pics of me wearing Bobbi Brown’s new holiday palette, Party to Go ($25).
Try as I might, I’ll never be able to escape my band geek past.
Do you remember a while back when we talked how no two purple eyeshadows are created equal? And how some of them, depending on the specific color and the wearer’s skin tone, can make our eyes look bruised, tired (like I need any extra help with that, hello!) or like we’ve been crying? Read more…
3 TIPS FOR A FABULOUS
FACE THIS FALL
The leaves are falling! The leaves are falling! And, oh my — that brisk breeze that leaves cool kisses on your cheeks? Yep, it’s baaack.
Fall, that is. I actually like the idea of the seasons changing and the different colors everywhere and the leaves falling from the trees. But in practice, I just don’t like being anything but warm.
This “in-between” time is actually one of my favorite times of year. Not yet winter, and just barely into fall. Too bad I know it won’t last. Pretty soon we’ll be freezing our bums off! — but this time we’ll be prepared.
I’ve been conducting extensive “research” into knee-high boots. Read more…
I’VE FALLEN FOR THE
FERGIE FALLEN BOOT
Why, cruel world!? Why is it so much easier to gain the weight than it is to lose it?
Last month, as part of my latest quest to get healthier, I resorted to good old-fashioned bribery (whatever works, right?). I told myself that I could get a new pair of boots if I exercised at least 24 days during the month…
And I did it!
So, last weekend I stopped by the new Novato DSW to select my prize, and I walked away with this snazzy suede olive pair of, quite possibly, the greatest boots I’ve ever owned.
Oh, and here’s the kicker: they’re made by Fergie! — as in Fergilicious, her body stays vicious; she be up in the gym working on her fitness. Yes, THAT Fergie. Read more…
20 LIP SWATCHES WITH THE BOBBI BROWN 1991 LIP PALETTE
AND 20 THINGS I’VE DONE SINCE 1991
My tummy’s rumbling like crazy right now, and I should probably eat…but I can’t stop yet. No breaks until I finish swatching all 20 lipsticks in the new Bobbi Brown 1991 Lip Palette ($60).
You know how it is. Makeup comes first!
Released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, the limited edition palette is available now at Bobbi Brown counters and also online, and it features 10 of the brown-based lipstick colors from Bobbi’s original launch way back in 1991, along with 10 bright new shades. Read more…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Even Unwrapped, the Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Oh La Luxe Kit Looks Like a Present
This luxe lovely is already dressed for the holidays. 🙂 Bare Escentuals bareMinerals loose shadow fans, the new limited edition Oh La Luxe holiday kit, available now at Sephora stores and also online ($79), wouldn’t even need wrapping paper to look good under the tree.
The kit comes with…
- 9 loose Eyecolors
- 1 loose Liner Shadow
- 3 loose Blushes
- 2 All Over Face Colors
- The snazzy two-tiered zippered makeup bag (CUTE!)
Performing Now, for Your Viewing Pleasure, the Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen Taster Trio
I know, I know, and I agree. Some Pixi pieces, cute as they are, don’t always seem like great values. It’s true. But before you file away the limited edition Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen Taster Trio into your “Ooh, that’s spendy!” category, check this out: it’s only $12.
To top it off, I think the three petite waterproof pencils it contains — a shimmery purple, a matte brown and a matte black — are kindasorta great.
Their smooth texture and intense pigment remind me of the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-Ons, and once I get them along my lash line, BAM! They aren’t going anywhere, even when I wear them without primer.
Other things I like about ’em…
- They don’t contain parabens, mineral oils or preservatives
- They DO contains vitamin E and natural pigments
- They weren’t tested on animals
Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora!
- WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Elizabeth W., for her comment that begins, “Karen, I’m a new subscriber to your blog, and enjoy it so much! Give Tabs a kiss on the head for me…” Congratulations, Elizabeth! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
Somewhere out there, perhaps right outside your window, the squirrel foreman of a nut collecting work detail is frantically squeaking orders to his crew, “Hurry, men! Winter’s coming! Leave no leaf unturned!”
Rise and shine, morning glory. 🙂 Happy autumn. I hope you slept well.
I felt like kicking off this weekend with a giveaway, but it’s not the only open giveaway round these here parts. If after entering today’s giveaway you also take a moment to enter The 2011 Breast Cancer Awareness Month Sign Project and Giveaway, you could win a monumental $1,126 makeup prize (and it’s very easy to enter). Right now there aren’t many entries, and the odds of winning are about 500,000 times better than the lottery.
I’m just sayin’.
In other news, it’s supposed to be nice and sunny here today, and I plan to milk that for all it’s worth! Whatever you’re up to this weekend, I hope it’s sunny there and you get to spend some time outside.
Without further ado, it’s…
- One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).
- There are two ways to enter, 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, a comment about anything at all, like, what’s the weather like out there today? Have you ever baked a pumpkin pie (if you did, how’d it turn out)? Do you have any plans this year for Thanksgiving (happy Canadian Thanksgiving to y’all up north!) or Halloween? What was your best hair/makeup/outfit this past week? — you get the idea.
- Second, you can enter by following me on
Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/r2CgCt
- The deadline to enter is Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 11:59PM (PT).
- Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
- A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
- Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
- Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
- Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
- The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
- Void where prohibited by law.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
- WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Elizabeth W., for her comment that begins, “Karen, I’m a new subscriber to your blog, and enjoy it so much! Give Tabs a kiss on the head for me…” Congratulations, Elizabeth! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
I Will Always Love You…
CAW, CAW!
Reach for the Sky! Jordana Cosmetics Easyshine Glossy Lip Color
The Jordana Cosmetics Easyshine Glossy Lip Colors, $1.99 each.
I can’t look away from that bubblegum pink on the right…
Looking for Some Haute Stuff… In New Jersey! The NYX Haute Jersey Leopard Couture Kit
Behold the rise of New Jersey!
Seriously, who knew New Jersey was such an entertaining place? I had no idea, yet there it is, rising to the top of the reality TV charts like a Creature from the Bronze Lagoon!
Before geography, I thought New Jersey was just the name of a Bon Jovi album (I kid), but now I know better.
SIDE NOTE: I wonder how John feels about the whole Snooks/Jionni (“JIONNI!”) debacle and if he watches the Jersey Shore, Jerseylicious and/or Real Housewives of New Jersey…
It’s also the Garden State, and Jersey girls are inspiring everything from TV shows to makeup. Makeup like the new NYX Haute Jersey Leopard Couture kit ($25).
The palette’s colors are supposed to complement gals with shore-worthy tans, but I dunno… I usually fall hard for NYX shadows, but these seem awfully light on pigment (which considering the Jersey tie in, I did not expect). I had to really pack ’em on, AND use a flash, to be able to see them well in these swatches, and the textures look surprisingly chalky and powdery on my skin.
I prefer the blushes, bronzer and leopard highlighter here. None of them have the finest milled powders I’ve ever seen, but they feel soft and deposit plenty o’ pigment, which is always a plus.
As for the two glosses, they’re sheer, non-sticky and come sans any added flavors or scents.
Swatches of the first row of eyeshadows
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