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5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

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5 things loving lately

1. Swimsuits with long sleeves

It’s like having a built-in sun protection shirt! I technically don’t need one because I’m allegedly trying to not add more things to my closet and already have 1) a swimsuit that I don’t hate, and 2) a long-sleeve swimming shirt for sun protection, but still, I want. Free People has a bunch of cute ones!

2. Early Aughts dancehall music

I’ve been listening to a lot of it lately. Who knew one could be so moved by Sean Paul’s “Gimme the Light”? LOL!

3. The show “Hacks” on HBO

This show about a seasoned Vegas comedian and an up-and-coming writer from Los Angeles cracks me up. It’s also surprisingly touching at times, too. You’ll be fan-girling actress Jean Smart by the end of it.

4. Printing out recipes

Lately I’ve been printing out recipes I make for dinner. It’s different from what I usually do, which is to pull a recipe up on my phone, make it once, and then forget about it.

You know what? Having a physical piece of paper works so much better for me. It really helps me to have a space to write detailed notes about what worked and what didn’t. I also like storing the recipes in a folder in my kitchen which I can easily grab whenever I need it.

I guess I’m old school like that!

Speaking of dinner recipes, I just made this Thai basil chicken dish (I subbed the chicken for shrimp) and it was a hit with the fam-bam.

5. Basketball

I wish I could play it, but I’m terrible when it comes to sports with fast-moving projectiles, and I don’t love the thought of other sweaty people all up in my space, bumping me from all angles. It’s a lot of fun to watch though. Side note: go Warriors!

Throw back to this cutie pie rockin’ her Warriors gear

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Checking In: A Chanel Blush Brush Haunting, and a Jewel-Toned FOTD With Purple Lids!

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urban decay born to run purple look k lids closed

This blush brush is still one of my favorite tools. I used it this morning to apply a wash of bronzer. Then, I promptly hid it from Rosie-Pose before she could get a hold of it. 🙂

I will totally get to these purple lids in a second (BECAUSE PURPLE), but first, can we pleeeeease talk about the latest mystery to unfold on this end of the keyboard — a mystery also known as “The Haunting of Casa MBB”?

Don’t worry, there’s nothing terribly sinister afoot (I’m not splashing buckets of holy water on things left and right, in case you’re wondering!).

I’ve been gently “haunted” for the past few weeks by my favorite Chanel blush brush, which has been disappearing and reappearing all over the house in the most random places. I’ve found it on my bed, in the hallway, on the middle of the stairs, on the kitchen floor.

Last week I found it smack dab in the middle of living room, just sitting there on the carpet right in front of the couch.

Hmm… ?

I just assumed that Connor had grabbed it and played with it and forgot to put it back, but when I asked her about it later she said, “No, mama, I have my own brushes.” (Hahaha! She totally does!)

Now, this brush just so happens to be one of my favorite blush brushes because it’s super soft, and the brush head fits perfectly on top of the apples of my cheeks and underneath the hollow of my cheekbones, so I can use it for blush and bronzer. The bristles are also perfectly floofy, so it blends like a dream.

I thought, if an otherworldly entity/spirit has been obsessing over it, I completely understand.

But it ended up not being due to a makeup brush-loving ghost. The disappearances were in fact due to a cat.

rosie posie chanel blush brush

YUP! Look who I just found outside my office doing her “hunter’s mewl.” It’s this cute little growl/grumble Rosie Posie does whenever she stalks and hunts one of her soft toy balls and she wants to show off the riches of her spoils.

I went into the hallway to investigate and give her the usual attention she likes after she catches her prey (“Oh, good job, Rosie-Pose! You’re such a good mouser. Look how well you stalked your toy!”), and that’s when I caught her red-handed (red-pawed?) with my Chanel brush in her mouth.

Mystery solved!

I guess from this point forward, this brush will have a special hiding place…inside a drawer!

(QUICK UPDATE: Later in the day, I also caught her dragging my NARS blush brush around, so she appears to be expanding her hunting horizons.)

Jewel-toned purple lids

OK, so let’s talk purple lids. Now, this might look a little familiar to ya because I’ve been doing variations of this look using the same neutral colors in the crease, inner corner and lash lines, but with different jewel tones on the lids. First, green, and then blue, and now purple!

urban decay born to run purple look eye closeup

urban decay born to run purple look k lids

Find your core

This totally wearable look relies on finding a core group of matte brown and beige eyeshadows for your crease colors. Once you find ones you like, then you can just keep them on standby, and then quickly swap out the jewel tone on your lids with other colors to create different looks!

I’ve been using the same set of warm browns and beiges in this series…

For the purples, I’m wearing a shimmery purple called Guilt Trip, a dark purple called Drift (both are from the Urban Decay Born to Run Palette) and a dark purple UD pencil called Empire.

urban decay born to run purple look k

The foundation, powder blush/bronzer and lipstick are the same products I recently used in a 10-minute makeup look in this It Cosmetics Foundation review (which I’m also wearing in this pic, by the way).

As you can see, I’m pretty stoked about this look, and I’m excited to wear makeup again! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 733

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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. Mascara today?

    But of course! I’m wearing MAC Extended Play Perm Me Up Lash on my upper lashes. I don’t know when I decided this, but apparently I don’t wear mascara on my lower lashes anymore, LOL!

    2. What’s your summer scent?

    Oh gosh, eau de mosquito repellent! Either in the form of Sawyer bug spray (seriously, the best) or Victoria’s Secret Amber Romance.

    3. When’s the last time you went swimming?

    In March when we visited Hawaii. I wanted to go last weekend because it was hot, but my swimsuit is currently packed in a box.

    4. Broccoli or kale?

    Broccoli all the way! I’m finicky about kale.

    5. Charlotte Tilbury or Bobbi Brown?

    Ooh, girl. Why is this so hard? I guess Charlotte Tilbury, so she can call me “Dahhh-ling,” and then hook me up with a fabulously glam beat.

    6. Body scrub or bubble bath?

    Body scrub is too challenging, LOL! Give me a relaxing bubble bath, PLEASE.

    7. Something on your to-do list this week?

    Connor starts summer camp this week, but for some reason I forgot to sign her up for a camp during the last week of June. I need to find something for her to do ASAP!

    8. Glasses or braces?

    I’ve had both at different times in my life, but not at the same time. I swear, right now, I roll with three different pairs of glasses at any given moment! Where would I be without my spectacles? Apparently, I’d be unable to see anything, ha ha ha!

    9. Coral blush: love it or leave it?

    LOVE IT. I’m wearing a coral Chanel blush today, and it’s the only thing that’s helping me appear somewhat alert. Side note: I was just telling my co-worker that I am SO TIRED ALL THE TIME from parenting. Makeup certainly helps me feel a little perkier even though I’m barely alive.

    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. Mascara today?
    2. What’s your summer scent?
    3. When’s the last time you went swimming?
    4. Broccoli or kale?
    5. Charlotte Tilbury or Bobbi Brown?
    6. Body scrub or bubble bath?
    7. Something on your to-do list this week?
    8. Glasses or braces?
    9. Coral blush: love it or leave it?

    P.P.S. Happy Monday, beautiful girl! It finally feels like summer is here. I hope you have the best summer ever, and that it’s filled with adventure and opportunity! 🤗

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 714

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Tabs liked to live in the fast lane, so it’s no surprise that he loved fast cars. Maseratis, Lamborghinis…anything that ended in an “iti” or “ini” he was into. Sadly, I never got to drive any of the cars in his personal collection. He kept them offsite in a temperature-controlled warehouse, and when he passed, he gifted his entire car collection to his foundation…

Fun fact: he was terrible when it came to backseat driving. I could not even drive to Trader Joe’s without getting an earful about merging into the wrong lane or making a turn here instead of there. I missed many things about him, but I do not miss that.

Many people don’t know this, but he was actually the true genius behind Tesla. He worked on the original design team and was the one who pushed for the car to be curvy, just like him. 🙂

Rosie

Speaking of Tesla, Rosie just got another job offer. They seem to be coming in left and right these days. This one was to be Tesla’s lead scientist for their electric cars for cats team.

Yes! — there is a market for cars that are fuel efficient and driven by cats.

I advised her to really think about taking it on because she’s already working for several biotech companies, as well as freelancing for SpaceX on the side, which is how she got the Tesla offer. They were deeply impressed by her mathematical calculations.

Anywho, I think she’s too busy for another job, but we’ll see.

If she does take it on, I have a feeling I may be going full time as her assistant.

Exciting things on the horizon! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, June 11, 2022!

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Happy Saturday, friend! WHEW. I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am that it’s finally the weekend. The last few days has taken a lot out of me, so I’m looking forward to relaxing and doing a little post-birthday shopping. Ilia has a friends and family sale happening right meow, so I’m going to hop on over and grab a lip oil (or two), eyeliner and a cream blush.

Whatcha up to today? I hope having some fun is on your list.

This week’s reading


Note to self.


I’m still obsessed with her!


Fascinating!


What it was like to be a teenager during the Victorian era.


Gorgeous.


You know you love this song.


Love it.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Summer Makeup Shout Out! Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15

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chanel summery bold bright lipsticks
That’s Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in the middle AKA perfection!

Happy Friday, friend! Thank you so much for the birthday wishes and sweet notes. You made me feel very special.

So, I gotta call out my new favorite base as of late, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua. It’s a sheer liquid foundation that’s lightweight and effortless with just a touch of pore blurring. It offers a little more coverage than a tinted moisturizer or a skin tint, but less than a full-on foundation, so skin still looks like skin.

From chanel.com:

Product
With a soft, water-light texture and light-to-medium coverage, the tiniest drop of this hybrid fluid foundation creates a natural-looking glow. Skin looks refined and feels refreshed, for an exquisite makeup experience.

Composition
“High Definition Light” pigments help ensure the complexion looks even, natural and radiant. Hyaluronic Acid maintains moisture and SPF 15 provides UVB protection.

How to Apply
Shake before use. Gently pat, dab or stipple with brush onto entire face — or key areas— and blend from the center of the face outward.

Best part? It’s super easy to apply. I blend a few drops on bare skin with my fingers, and I’m done! If I want a little more coverage on my cheeks and around my mouth, I’ll wait a minute or so for that first layer to dry, and then I’ll apply a second layer.

It’s Chanel, so it has a floral scent, which I like, however if you’re not into scented makeup, know that it fades pretty quickly.

By the way, I’m usually an NC42 in MAC, and my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua shade is 50 Dore.

What summertime makeup bases do you like? I’m happy with this one and Laura Mercier, but ya know… It’s good to have options.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Birthday Gift to Myself

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baked sprinkle cake
Cake is always a good idea

Today’s my birthday, and ya know, it kinda snuck up on me this time around. I’ve been busy with work and end-of-the-school-year stuff for Connor, and between those things and the camping trip last weekend, I haven’t had much time to really think about it. *shrugs*

Anywho, every year I buy a birthday gift for myself. I haven’t done it yet, so sometime today I’ll pick up something tangible (I could use summer clothes). Also, while I was showering this morning after working out, it hit me that I could also give myself a non-tangible gift, too — like the gift of letting things go.

GIRL, THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I NEED TO LET GO. I’ve held onto too many of them for too long. I think it would be a good gift to give myself for this next trip around the sun.

I would love to let go of…

  • Being too hard on myself.
  • All the worries/anxiety/monsters in general.
  • Trying to figure things out on my own. It’s OK to get help!
  • The idea of a tight tribe of moms, like you see in the movies.
  • The clutter in my life.
  • Getting in my own way.
  • Trying to change myself. I’m a sensitive soul. It’s OK to be this way.
  • My gray hair. Probably gonna dye it soon.
  • All the shoes that I never wear (LOL!), so I can make room for more shoes that I will actually wear.
  • The thought that MBB needs to be a certain way in order to be “good.” I’m changing, and MBB can change with me.
  • Painting my own toenails. I really hate doing it. The time has come to outsource. Stop denying it already, LOL!

Anyway, thank you for being here today. I’m off to go get myself a slice of cake from my favorite bakery in town, Creekside, and then I’m getting a pedicure.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What Are Your Beauty Confessions?

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blue winged liner
WINGS!

Girl, I’ve got so many right meow. Here’s a few to start:

1. I haven’t shaved in days.

I brought my razor with me on my camping trip last weekend, and I think I may have left it in the bathroom shower. I have a vague recollection of setting it on top of the machine where you put your quarters in to start the shower water. Needless to say, I’m super hairy at the moment!

2. I actually brought makeup with on my camping trip.

I always see a handful of ladies wearing their warpaint when they’re camping and I think to myself, hey, I can do that, too! For my trip last weekend, I packed brow pencil, brow gel, mascara, a lash curler, a stick of coral Chanel cream blush (I don’t know why, but Chanel seemed appropriate for the woods) and a sheer lipstick. Did I wear any of it? Nope. LOL! There’s always next time.

3. I put blue winged liner on today just so I could feel alive.

I’ve had crazy work deadlines lately, and it’s starting to take a toll on my mental health. Super stressed, dude! This morning I forced myself to do a full face, and it really helped my mood. I was a little less cranky (just a little).

How about you? What are your beauty confessions?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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