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5 Things I’m Loving About February (So Far)

February 17th, 2015 by Karen 50 Comments

1. Valentine’s Day

MAC Lady Danger Lipstick and Julep Nail Color in Myriam

Do I think that love should be celebrated 365 days a year? Heck, sure, why not? But I’m still glad it gets its own day. The chocolate and baby cherubs deserve their time in the sun.

Plus…it’s a textbook, absolutely perfect excuse to wear red lipstick, which someone I know did last weekend when he/she went to the symphony.

2. The cherry blossoms

They’re officially coming along, to which my allergies protest, “HELL TO THE NO, WOMAN!”

You want to know something weird??

Of course you do. 🙂 You’re reading MBB, LOL!

OK, here it is: every time I go for a walk around the neighborhood, I check to see if any of the cherry trees are bearing real cherry fruit.

I know, most are strictly ornamental, but when I was a teenager, my friend Jen’s family had a bad-@ss cherry blossom tree in their front yard that was grafted from two different plants, and one side had white flowers, and the other side had pink flowers and actual edible cherries that YOU COULD EAT!

I used to pick some to eat on the way to school in the morning, so now whenever I see a cherry tree in bloom, I take a close look at it to see if any fruit type action is going on.

Because you never know…

3. Having dinner outside (even if it’s just once before the cold weather returns)

Chez Maman Baked Camembert — The baked camembert at Chez Maman in San Francisco, NOM!

Here in Northern California, it is entirely possible to enjoy a meal outside in February.

Just not every February.

Some years, though, when we hit a mysterious stretch of early spring-like weather, you can do amazing things like eat wine and cheese outside at a French Bistro in San Francisco on a Saturday afternoon, which will make you temporarily forget that the Bay Area is one of the MOST EXPENSIVE PLACES ON THE PLANET TO LIVE.
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A Night at the Symphony

February 16th, 2015 by Karen 32 Comments

Valentine's Day at Davies Symphony in Hall

In a parallel universe, maybe I could have been a symphony flute player…

In this universe, music was a huge part of my identity and life from the age of four until I left for college, when it stopped being the main focus (you know how it is). I spent years and years in band and taking piano lessons and doing scales and practicing and performing on stages and football fields. I played flute, French horn (so much spit!), piano, piccolo and a wee bit of trumpet.

Now I kind of wish I’d stayed involved in music over the years because — oh! — the symphony.

El Hub and I went for our Valentine’s Day special date night. 🙂

It was the San Francisco Symphony at the Davies Symphony Hall. They did a special Valentine’s tribute to Mozart.

So, there was music…and I got to dress up and wear bright lipstick. Score! 🙂

The first part of the performance was Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K. 459…

After so many years playing piano as a kid, I can still kind of tell where the music is supposed to go (although I never played anything that difficult).

The second part of the performance was by a composer I wasn’t familiar with, someone named Sibelius. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Opus 43.

I can totally see this one in a modern day movie soundtrack. It’s a good one to listen to with your eyes closed.

Also, since a gal’s gotta eat, before the performance we had dinner at Chez Maman, a little French Bistro right around the corner from the symphony hall…

Chillin' outside of Chez Maman — I would like to eat all of the cheese, please

Chez Maman Salmon — Grille salmon with roasted potatoes, foine (!) herbs & crème fraîche

Very casual place and good food. They don’t take reservations, and prices are reasonable (for that part of the city). It was a warm night, so we had our dinner outside just as the sun was setting…

Hello, romance. 🙂 Our table was tucked away in a corner on the sidewalk, not easily accessible, so our waiter would pass our food to us through the window next to me.

Everything was delish, but the crème brûlée? Best part. I live for cracking that crust on crème brûlée, homie.

10 Things I Love About Chanel

February 16th, 2015 by Karen 19 Comments

1. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Parfum

With notes of bergamot, orange, jasmine, rose, patchouli, vetiver, white musks and vanilla), Coco is classified as a fresh oriental fragrance, but I just think of it as a perfect date night outfit in fragrance form — elegant, yet playful, with one of those sexy winks.

Here’s a fun fact: in coming up with this famous fragrance, Coco Mademoiselle creator Jacques Polge tried to envision a scent that Coco herself might have worn had she celebrated her 21st birthday bash right at the dawn of the 21st century.

2. Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Malice

Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Malice ($45)

Scary name. Awesome blush.

If you’ve always liked the idea of NARS Orgasm but were kept away by its sparkly golden shimmer, then try the following: 1) pick up a pan of Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Malice, and 2) write yourself a note to remember to send me an invitation to the wedding, because you + this blush = lifetime of peachy pink happiness. 🙂

Chanel Malice Blush — That’s Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Malice on mah cheeks

3. Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Pink Explosion

Malice all day errrday…except when I’m wearing Chanel Pink Explosion.

Boom.

This one’s a fireworks display of straight-up pink. Great for going all-out pink with pink lipsticks and glosses, and it looks killer with bright hot pinks or fuchsias.

4. The Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow

Chanel New Moon — Chanel Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in New Moon ($36)

It’s safe to assume that I have one of these jars of creamy goodness somewhere on my person or in my hotel room whenever I’m anywhere on a trip.

Most of the time it’s shimmery, bronzy golden Mirage or coppery reddish bronze New Moon.

All of them are easy to apply (just pat ’em on your lids with a finger). Plus they last all day.

Gosh, I love these… So many of them fall into my everyday makeup category. You can even wear the super glittery ones like Fantasme on top of other eye products as a glittery eyeshadow top coat.

5. Chanel Poudres Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder

chanel natural finish loose powder — Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder in 040 Dore ($52)

Dore is my champion in the ongoing battle of Karen Versus Her Pores.

Seriously, this loose powder’s skin-smoothing powers are surreal. The grains are imbued with pore-blurring powder-puffing magic that creates a hazy soft focus effect.
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 360

February 16th, 2015 by Karen 25 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for February 16, 2015

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Talking animals in commercials: yes or no?
Oh, hell no. They freak me out! Please back to the days when — gosh, what was that movie called? The Incredible Journey? There was also Homeward Bound, the one where the animals have to cross the wilderness, and they talk along the way, but their lips don’t actually move.

Maybe I’m just a throwback to the days of yore, but for me, that’s how I picture animals communicating.

Best fashion/beauty first aid tools to bring with you and keep in your purse wherever you go?
Band-Aids, yo! Or, if you’re feeling really super fancy, Moleskin, which you can get at Walgreens. Either way, they serve the same function.

Basically, if you have a sore spot on your feet — and with me being a shoe person, this happens often, especially with a new pair of shoes — you just stick the Band-Aid on your heel or wherever that spot is to protect it from rubbing and chaffing against the shoe.

Oh! — and Tide pens. Those are great because you never know when pizza or spaghetti sauce will go a little cray-cray. Very handy when you’re wearing white.

Also, that double-sided fashion tape to keep your bra straps stuck to your clothes and hidden from view, and mini-lint/pet hair rollers, and good old-fashioned safety pins (the tiny ones are great for wardrobe malfunctions), and a little case of Advil/ibuprofen, because it sucks to have a headache ruin an evening.

If you could totally redecorate your house, what would you do?
I would rip out all of the carpet and put in hardwood floors. I would fix the stairs, because Tabs treats them like his own personal cat tower, so the carpet covering the stairs has been torn to shreds.

I’d redo the windows to make them more energy efficient. I would paint each and every room in the house a different color, and I would completely revamp my kitchen and get new countertops, new cupboards and a new, larger sink, because my tiny sink drives me bonkers.

And that’s just for starters.

What’s been your favorite accessory to wear lately?
These Kate Spade gumdrop small square studs.

I love those things! They go with everything, and I also have a necklace from a designer, whose name I can’t remember now. It’s a delicate gold necklace with a letter “K” pendant.

What’s your favorite way to play or experiment with color when it comes to beauty (nail polish, hair, lipstick, blush, eyeshadow, etc.)?
Hair. Definitely. I love to change the color of my hair, and I’m currently going through a dark hair phase.

I love hair because you can see it every day, and it’s easy to change.

(Well…I’m not changing it. My friend Alis is changing it.)

You can make a super dramatic change in your look by changing your hair color, and it can completely change what colors you wear on your face and how you dress. I feel like a different person when I change my hair color.

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. Talking animals in commercials: yes or no?
2. Best fashion/beauty first aid tools to bring with you and keep in your purse wherever you go?
3. If you could totally redecorate your house, what would you do?
4. What’s been your favorite accessory to wear lately?
5. What’s your favorite way to play or experiment with color when it comes to beauty (nail polish, hair, lipstick, blush, eyeshadow, etc.)?

First of all, happy President’s Day! Second, I think I figured out the key to Valentine’s gift-giving, and I think it might be power tools.

Apparently nothing says “I love you” like power tools. 🙂

I gave El Hub this thing called a jig saw, and his eyes lit up! Power tools: who knew?

I hope you had a nice weekend. What did you do? Did you do anything fun, and did it involve cats?

What’s the plan for this week?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 334

February 15th, 2015 by Karen 9 Comments

Charlie (Prince's favorite cat) — Charlie (Prince’s favorite cat)

Tabs has been trying to trace his lineage lately, so we’ve been doing some research into his kitty family tree. We found out that he’s closely tied to some very famous feline entertainers, which isn’t a big surprise… After all, he’s an entertainer himself. Celebrity runs in his veins. It’s literally in his DNA.

Pleased with the initial results of his genealogical investigation, Tabs commissioned the following art portraits.

I have no idea where we’re going to hang these… 🙂

Peanut (Joan Jett's guitar instructor) — Peanut (Joan Jett’s guitar instructor)

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7 Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora! (Ends Monday)

February 14th, 2015 by Karen 309 Comments

Today is going to be so bomb. 🙂 Happy Valentine’s Day, my love! Tabby hugs and kisses for you. And nose taps. And cute mrows. And purr-chirps.

We made it through another week, which means we’re another week closer to the cherry blossoms and earlier sunrises and longer days and warm nights where you can sleep with the windows open and tubing down the river and barbecues and shorts and flip-flops! Just gotta hang in there a little longer…

Here’s your fun feat of the day, as assigned by Tabs: bring your camera with you wherever you go, and have it at the ready. Look for beauty in all things, all around you, and be quick on the draw. Take pictures of pretty things wherever you find them, and don’t be stingy! With digital cameras and camera phones, the film is free.

Today, while the world of consumer products works to shove love down our gullets and make us purchase all things chocolate, heart-shaped and red/pink, I hope you feel loved, my friend, no matter what, especially if you’re flying solo.

I’ve flown many solo V-Days over my 39 years, and while some have been good, some have also been tough. I hope you never forget how much you’re loved, irrespective of your current romantic situation. I love you very much, and Tabs does too (but he’s easy, haha).

May you have a wonderful day. Sending you virtual hugs, candy hearts and nose kisses.

Best of luck in the giveaway. Talk to you soon.

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).

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Open to U.S. and international readers.
You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
- Will you be my Valentine?
- How many times did you paint your nails this week?
- What’s your favorite opera?
- Nail polish for men?
- Best celebrity makeup? Who rocks the raddest looks?
- Recurring pimples in the same place? Do you get ’em?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, February 16, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Walk Around the Neighborhood

February 13th, 2015 by Karen 18 Comments

Boo! Happy Friday the 13th from Novato, California.

Actually, this black cat’s name is Boo Radley. That’s what I named him. 🙂 I saw Mr. Radley today on my walk around the neighborhood. He’s your black cat of the day. For the record, you’re crossing his path. He’s not crossing yours.

This is the hill that Tabs patrols on his walks with me. It’s his favorite place in the world. 🙂

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Warm Up Your Skin and Add Color to Your Cheeks With the New Bobbi Brown Brightening Bricks

February 13th, 2015 by Karen 14 Comments

I wish my house was made out of Bobbi Brown Brightening Bricks.

Never mind that they aren’t adequate building materials (Lego would probably be sturdier), but at least when the homies rolled up I’d have a great conversation starter.

“Um…what kind of walls you got there?”

“Bricks.”

“Those don’t look like bricks…”

“They are bricks. They’re Bobbi Brown Brightening Bricks.”

“OK. So, basically, your house is made out of makeup?”

“Yes.”

“Alright then.”

The housing situation would be precarious at best. Cold nights would force me to snuggle closer to Ryan Gosling (darn), but I’d always have access to a good-looking blush.

Sweet! 🙂

Bobbi Brown Brightening Brick in Coral — Brightening Brick in Coral

Recently released with Bobbi’s spring collection, the Brightening Bricks are like toned down Shimmer Bricks, but instead of containing strips of highlighting powder, they’re part blush, part warm bronzer. And they’re $46 each (which seems a little steep for Bobbi Brown, or is that just me?).

Bobbi Brown Brightening Brick in Cranberry — Brightening Brick in Cranberry

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