giveaway

• WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Maggie! Congratulations, Maggie! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Good morning, young lady! Rise and shine. 🙂 It’s going to be a beautiful day (even if it is cloudy outside).

Hope you had a great night. Mine wasn’t bad. I just stayed in, watched some Bravo, and then went to bed around midnight.

I went to bed, but not exactly to sleep, because El Hub was doing his imitation of a rolling pin all night long, where he spontaneously spins in place on his side of the bed. Yup, there I’d be, sawing logs, minding my own beeswax, when all of a sudden the earth would move! — and no, not because we’re in California. It was El Hub rolling in place next to me, still sound asleep somehow, which makes it even stranger and all the more annoying for me, ha!

He must have woke me up 50 times through the night; I’m not kidding. I swear he couldn’t have been still for more than a few minutes at a time. And it would always start the same way, too, with a fidget, like his foot would wiggle once, followed by a long pause…but I was usually awake by this time, just lying there staring at him with wide, crazy eyes in the dark. And then we’re rolling and rolling and rolling —

GAH! YOU’RE DRIVING ME CRAZY!

Anywho, I’d probably be more upset if I thought he could stop, but I know he can’t. It’s an involuntary thing, some kind of sleep-rolling condition (although I don’t think that’s the clinical term).

As you can probably imagine, I’m going to require a little more caffeine than usual today, so while I go inject my second cup of coffee, why don’t we initiate the day with a giveaway?

Luckily for El Hub, he earned himself some extra brownie points yesterday for making me a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch.

• 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, does your partner/spouse have any annoying habits? Are there any stuffed animals on your bed? Do you ever go to sleep with wet hair? When was the last time you pulled an all-nighter? What’s the longest you’ve ever gone without removing your makeup? — 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/nDrhIC

• The deadline to enter is Sunday, September 4, 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 Maggie! Congratulations, Maggie! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

• WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is MM! Congratulations, MM! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Right now I smell like cilantro because I was just outside tending to the garden on the deck.

Greetings, young lady! I got a late start again today… That seems to be my new Saturday slogan: “I got a late start again today.” 🙂

Tabs has decided that cilantro is no longer the new catnip, and he totally ignores it now when we’re outside. And that means that the plants are overgrown, so I had to pick some off and trim it back…which made me hungry for Chipotle (their rice).

I think I might go for lunch to get a veggie burrito.

Oh! Here’s a fun fact: at Chipotle, if you order the veggie burrito, if you really and truly want it to be veg, you have to get it with the black beans, because they use bacon to make their pinto beans.

They don’t always mention that when you order the veggie burrito. I’ve seen it before…

So what are you up to today? Doing anything fun? I don’t have anything going on other than house chores and errands. Nothing exciting.

If I can sneak away for an hour, I’d like to swing by Nordstrom again to return the top I bought yesterday under duress. It looked cute on the rack and has a cutout back, which I thought I’d wear with a tank top underneath. I didn’t try it on in the store — it was one of those stress purchases — but I should have, because with it on I look like a trucker from the ’80s.

I didn’t notice in the store that the sides are also cut out, like how those rocker metal guys from the ’80s would cut out the sides of their shirts? That’s what it looks like. I look like a little rocker, biker girl with it on, and it’s not flattering at all.

Anywho, I hope your weekend got off to a good start, and maybe today’s giveaway will help. 🙂

While I’m at Nordie’s, I’m also gonna check out some of the new makeup from fall, like Bobbi Brown Marrakesh Chic, Lancôme’s Fall 2011 collection and MAC Me Over (the Shadesticks turned out to be really long lasting).

Now, on with the show!

• 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 are your favorite stores to buy clothes? Do you ever wear headbands? Do you know how to write in cursive? How many plants do you have in your house? Have you ever seen a cat attack a lizard (would you like to?)? What are you doing with your makeup today? — 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/pyw4q9

• The deadline to enter is Sunday, August 28, 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 MM! Congratulations, MM! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

• WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Margaret! Congratulations, Margaret! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
  

Rise and shine, morning glory. 🙂 I hope you slept well.

Tabs has been keeping new hours lately, staying up later at night and sleeping in later in the mornings. Right now he’s conked out at the top of his cat tower, with his cute kitty tail poking out through the hole in the bottom of the cubby. That’s sort of like his version of a hotel room’s “Do not disturb” sign, so I’ll leave him be while I have my coffee, and you and I catch up.

Other than dinner at a Japanese restaurant I’d never been to before, my Friday night was blissfully uneventful. Dinner was great, even though I was a little concerned right after placing my order…

“I’m sorry,” the waiter replied, visibly distraught. “We’re out of the regular white rice tonight.”

The words hung over the table for a few seconds before I could formulate a thought.

Wait — what? How does a Japanese restaurant run out of rice? Isn’t that like an Italian restaurant running out of pasta or a burger joint running out of buns?

I shifted uneasily in my seat looking over at the chefs working behind the bar. “So what are you guys using for the sushi?”

“Oh, I can get you some of the sushi rice,” the waiter answered, his eyes lighting up at the suggestion. “Would you like a bowl of that?”

“Uh…sure. Is it just regular sticky rice?”

“Mm hmm. Would you like a bowl of the sushi rice instead?”

Instead? Instead of what? “Yes, please.” This is weird. “Thank you.”

LOL! It was just a little confusing at the time, but I get it now. The steamed white rice they serve in bowls at the tables is slightly different than the steamed white rice they use to make sushi.

Anywho, it’s still early here. Cut me some slack. 🙂

• 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 your favorite restaurant? Do you have a little black cocktail dress? Do you like sushi? What’s your favorite dinner date makeup look? — 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/nkssZ8

• The deadline to enter is Sunday, August 21, 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 Margaret! Congratulations, Margaret! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
  

• WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Paula! Congratulations, Paula! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
  

Mornin’, y’all (said in my best Southern drawl). I’m still a little woozy getting up, so please forgive me if my fingertips trip on the keess — on the keys, okay? I’ll be much better as soon as I’ve had some coffee.

Anything new in your corner of the aquarium? After a late dinner of baked trout wrapped in banana leave (that’s how they spelled it on the menu) and veggies last night at a place in San Rafael called My Thai (Great name, right? Great food, too.), we came straight home.

But then I brought my laptop to bed…

I gotta stop doing that. Wi-Fi has not been kind to me in the sleep department lately. It makes it too easy to stay up too late watching online TV and surfing the web for prospective cat rescues.

Must. Exercise. More. Discipline.

Yeah, right… Not with kitten season upon us and new episodes of Project Runway to watch. 🙂

Seriously, Burt, what happened, man? Gotta hold it together.

Anywho, I hope you have a great weekend ahead of you. Let’s try to get it off to a good start right now, and I’m sure by now you know what that means. 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, do you ever upload your pic to sites like Daily Makeover to try out new looks and hairstyles? What do you think about makeup and fashion membership sites like HauteLook? What’s your favorite acne treatment for breakouts? Do you use your laptop in bed? — 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/qvLqty

• The deadline to enter is Sunday, August 14, 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 Paula! Congratulations, Paula! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
  

• WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Kristy! Congratulations, Kristy! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
  

One of the most valuable things I’ll take away from my time here at BlogHer is a motivational trick I actually learned at the San Francisco International Airport on the way here. It’s a great way to get yourself to do things you might otherwise not want to do. In my case, they might be things like getting up early on a Saturday morning, going for a run, doing laundry, vacuuming the stairs or cleaning the kitchen.

In practice, it works a little something like this: “If I get out of bed by 6:30 this morning, I can have a Pink Berry.” Or, another variation, equally effective: “If I clean the toilet today, I can have a Pink Berry tonight.”

It’s surprisingly effective. 🙂

Rise and shine, morning glory! It’s going to be a beautiful day. I’ll be over at the conference hall for most of it, but I hope to be able to walk around in the sunshine later this afternoon before the sun sets. I told myself that if I pay attention in class today, I can have a Pink Berry this afternoon…

I hope your workweek ended on a good note; let’s make sure your weekend starts on one.

I think you know what that means…

• 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, have you ever attended a conference? What’s your favorite flavored lipgloss? Best travel beauty tip? What’s been the highlight of your summer so far? — 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/oTlJ3v

• The deadline to enter is Sunday, August 7, 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 Kristy! Congratulations, Kristy! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
  

• WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Bonnie! Congratulations, Bonnie! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
  

Like Willie Nelson says, I’m on the road again, and what goes great with travel?

Games! 🙂

I thought it might be fun to hold a few giveaways while I’m here; tonight’s features a product near and dear to my heart. MAC Blushbaby was the very first MAC blush I ever purchased (not this exact pan, of course…because that would be gross), and it ended up being the only blush I wore for years.

Before Blushbaby, I don’t think I ever wore blush at all. Then, one random day, a friendly MAC artist introduced me to this sheer, pinkish beige powder (it produces a lovely, natural-looking flush), and look at me now — hooked! Turns out Blushbaby was my gateway blush.

Warm up those fingertips because our giveaway starts in three, two, one…

One lucky lady will win…

• One (1) pan of MAC Powder Blush in Blushbaby (a $19.50 value)

Swatch of Blushbaby on NC42 skin

Blushbaby on cheeks

I think Blushbaby looks great on pale pretties and darker divas alike. I can’t remember ever seeing it on anyone and thinking, “Hmm…” It’s a great everyday shade that looks fantastic on a wide range of skin tones.

• 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 (just one comment, please), like, tell me about the last time someone made you blush, or describe the technique and tools you use to apply your blush, or tell me this: have you ever hit the pan on a blush? — 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 Pan of MAC Blushbaby Blush http://bit.ly/nY01Pv

• The deadline to enter is Friday, August 5, 2011 at 11:59PM (PT). Yes, this one’s a quickie.
• 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).
• 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 Bonnie! Congratulations, Bonnie! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
  

• WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Giselle! Congratulations, Giselle! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
  

Rise and shine, morning glory. Happy Saturday. 🙂

I hope your weekend got off to a good start. It’s a little foggy out here today, both literally and figuratively. I see fog outside my window and feel foggy in the head, but it’s nothing a little coffee can’t cure.

What’s on your agenda for today? Doing anything fun? Right now I’m just getting ready to drive out to the East Bay for my friend Jen’s baby shower. That should be fun. Tabs is going to stay here at the office, though, and hold down the fort.

Other than that, nothing new to report. I did see Cowboys & Aliens last night, but I didn’t think it was as good as I thought it would be… Shirtless Daniel Craig, however, was exceptional. Truly top notch. If they make a sequel, they should just call it Shirtless Cowboy & Aliens and cut right to the chase, yeehaw!

Now I reckon it’s time for this cowgirl to giddy up and git some caffeine. While I do that, how about we start another giveaway?

• 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, have you ever dated a cowboy? Do you believe in aliens? What makeup are you wearing today? Have you ever ridden a horse? — 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/nfgvqz

• The deadline to enter is Sunday, July 31, 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 Giselle! Congratulations, Giselle! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
  

• WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is MimiG323. Congrats, Mimi! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
  

Heya, babe! How about a super quick mid-week giveaway to help us get over the hump?

Today we have seven runway-tested beauty bits, some for face, eyes, lips and hair, from TRESemme and Make Up For Ever. They’re items that made big splashes recently at Miami Fashion Week Swim 2011 during the Mara Hoffman show, but I bet they’ll look even better on one of us as we cruise the frozen food aisle at Trader Joe’s.

(Don’t forget to try their mango bars.) 😀

One lucky lady (or gent) will win a $101.97 prize package featuring goodies from Make Up For Ever and TRESemme.

The prize package includes…

• One (1) Make Up For Ever Mat Bronzer (a $30 value)
• One (1) Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Mascara ($22)
• One (1) Make Up For Ever Glossy Full Couleur in #10 (an $18 value)
• One (1) Make Up For Ever Kohl Eye Pencil in #1K (an $18 value)
• One (1) TRESemme Thermal Creations Curl Activator Spray (a $4.49 value)
• One (1) TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo (a $4.99 value)
• One (1) TRESemme Anti-Frizz Secret Smoothing Creme (a $4.49 value)

• 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, when was the last time you went swimming? How often do you wear a full face of makeup in summer? Have you ever walked down a runway for a fashion show? — 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 $100 Beauty Bonanza from Make Up For Ever and TRESemme http://bit.ly/qdzvie

• The deadline to enter is Friday, July 29, 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 the United States (sorry, international gals; I promise to hold a giveaway that includes you soon) 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).
• 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 MimiG323. Congrats, Mimi! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂