Merry Christmas, everyone! ???⛪
Sending you a huge, heartfelt hug. I hope you’re having a joyous holiday right now. I can hardly believe that another year is coming to a close and we’re celebrating another Christmas together. I think this is our tenth!
You guys…this was a big year in my corner of the world, and you were my sisters from another mister. Honestly…I didn’t know sh*t! I had no idea what I was doing during Ms. Connor Claire’s big debut and the months right after it (still don’t).
Like the Fisher Price Rocking Chair?? Would have never known about it if it weren’t for you. I would have been crawling around in the dark in tears the entire nine months without your help. The eight weeks before Connor was born and the three months after were some of the most exciting and terrifying of my life, and I thank my lucky stars for you, because I would have been… I’m gettin’ teary… I would have been a freaking mess.
All of you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. ?
Like Tatiana — you virtually held my hand and reassured me that, yes, it was gonna be hard, but things would be alright. And my friend snoopysteph from Chicago, who I met years ago through the blog, she’s a mom of two, and she checked up on me every few weeks to see how things were going during my pregnancy. I’d say, “I’m fine,” but then I’d usually start crying.
So many of you…
Thank you, Jen, Adia, Anna, Marcella, Carolina, Jessica and Nicole — thank you, girls, for your kindness, your company and your brilliant beauty posts after Connor was born. I hope you got something helpful and rewarding out of the internship, and I hope we stay in touch.
My beauty priorities have changed over the past year. I mean, I still appreciate eyes on fleek, multiple colors in the crease and blending that just knocks your socks off, but it’s just that…baby’s gotta eat every three hours. ? I don’t have as much time as I used to, and I’m in a minimalist makeup phase now. I’ll still do a smoky eye, but maybe it’s not a 15-step smoky eye. Maybe it’s a three-step smoky eye now.
That’s one of the things I love about makeup: it evolves, and we evolve with it. Like…not to get too deep on you.
As I sit here, I cannot believe I’ve done this (blogging) for 10 years. Honestly, I don’t know if I’m gonna be doing it for 10 more, but we’ll see what happens. I just want you to know that over the next year and the years after, I hope that we’re friends, that we stay in touch, and that we get to talk to each other, whether it be every day, like I do with some of you, or maybe once a week or once a month. I hope that I get to be one of the lucky people who gets to hear about the good things that happen to you. Thank you for being a part of my life.
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas from the bottom of my painted heart, and have an amazing 2017. This is going to be our year to shine. ?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addicts,
Karen, Connor Claire and Tabs
Niki says
Girl, I really believe you get what you give. This year has been a trial in many ways for me, and you and this blog have been a bright spot day after day. You don’t know me but I feel like we are friends, and hearing from you always lifts me up- especially when we get a glimps of sweet Connor Claire or the OG Tabs!!! Merry, merry Christmas, friend. Know that all the love and support you feel from us is felt by us too!!
Karen says
Hi Niki,
Merry, merry Christmas to you too, friend! Thank you for being part of my family here on MBB. I hope that 2017 brings you lots of good things. ❤️
Ruchita says
Merry Christmas! Hope you and the family have a wonderful day. Thanks for being a positive light out there in the world. Here’s to an amazing 2017!
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Ruchita and kitties! ??❤️ Thank you for always being there to talk about makeup and cats with me. What are you guys doing today? I hope there’s some high intensity kitty hugs involved.
Chris25 says
Hard for me to type through the tears, but I’m so glad I came across your blog 5 years ago. I hope I never leave. <3
Karen says
You’re always welcome here, Chris. Thank you for always being there! I always look forward to hearing from you. Merry Christmas! ?
Ilene Osroff says
Merry Christmas! My favorite posts are the one that include your beautiful girl Connor Claire. She’s gotten so big!
All the best in 2017
Ilene
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Ilene! I hope that 2017 is an amazing year for you.
Shannon says
Merry Christmas to you, dear Karen!! Sending you love and warm fuzzies from NYC. I’m so grateful for the steady presence you’ve been in my life all these years (I’ve been reading since about 2008, I think)! Thank you for being you – for your friendship, for your insight, and for your fabulous taste in makeup. ❤️
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Shannon! ? I am so happy to have met you. Thank you for your friendship and kindness all these years. Hopefully when I make it out to NYC one of these days I’ll finally get the chance to meet you and hear you sing live. How cool would that be? Happy holidays to you and your family! ❤️
Erin says
Merry Christmas! I hope you have another 10 years in you! CC is looking adorbs.
Karen says
Thank you, Erin! Merry Christmas to you too!
Chelsea says
Merry Christmas! I’m with my parents, and my mom loves Connor Claire too!
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Chelsea! (And hi to your momma from Connor Claire!) We all hope you have a wonderful day. What’s on your agenda today? We just left my parents’ house and bow we’re headed back home to celebrate with El Hub’s family. I’m going to make French food for an early Christmas dinner.
Chelsea says
We’re at my parents’house in northern Michigan! We had mostly a low key day at home, but we also went to see Star Wars at the movie theater. We spent Christmas Eve with Zack’s sister, her family including grandbabies, and Zack’s dad. The kids were cute, we’re getting another great nephew in April.
Karen says
OOh, what did you think of the movie? Did you like it?!
Chelsea says
I had already seen it, but I really liked it! Last year, we went to see The Force Awakens on Christmas Day because my parents didn’t have electricity due to wind storms, so we decided to do a repeat since we had so much fun!
Ann McCormack says
Merry Christmas to everyone. Peace and prosperity xx
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Ann! I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday! ?
Tiffanie says
Merry Christmas, Karen! I got the Connor Claire makeup nerd sweatshirt from my sister-in-law for Christmas! It’s so cute, so soft, and so perfect. Thank you!
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Tiffanie! ? I’m so happy you love your Makeup Nerd sweatshirt. ? Happy holidays to you and your family! ❤️
Raluca Artemis says
Merry Christmas to you, too, beauties! Kisses and hugs from Romania!
Raluca
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Raluca!
Shakun says
Merry Christmas Karen! Your blog means so much to me, I started reading when I still used to live in Canada and believe it or even though I never met you or have spoken on the blog here, when my then boyfriend and now husband asked me to move to Novato with him, I thought hmmm… Karen lives there, it looks like a nice place… and here I am few years later, living here and still reading every single post on the blog. You are inspiring to me.
Merry Christmas and still hoping to run into you one of these days!!!
Shakun
Karen says
Aww, Shakun! I would love to meet up with you. Maybe we can grab coffee at Starbucks sometime? Happy holidays and I hope you like living in Novato! ?
shakun says
I would be absolutely over the moon happt to meet you. Name the date, and ill be at the staurbucks in Vintage Oaks.
Karen says
Sweet! I’m always trying to meet more people in town because most of my friends live outside of Marin. Will send ya an email!
shakun says
I look forward to your email Katen! <3
Janet Shepherd says
Merry Christmas from Australia! It’s actually Boxing Day morning here. I hope you & your lovely family have a wonderful holiday break together.
I have to admit to having periods of terror about having a baby. She’s due in about 2 weeks and I feel like yelling out ‘I have no idea what I’m doing!?!’ I’m putting faith in that most first time Mums probably feel the same way, and that the midwives at the hospital I’ll be delivering in seem awesome and super helpful. Anyway, all that waffle is my way of saying I’m glad I’m not alone in this first time Mum stuff x
Karen says
Hi, Janet! You’re going to do great. I hope labor is fast and delivery is easy. I know everyone is probably telling you this, but get as much sleep as you can now. It’s going to be hard those first few months, but you got this! Would you mind if I emailed you to check in on you?
Janet Shepherd says
That would be lovely! You’re such a sweetheart xx
Karen says
It’s always helpful to talk to someone, especially during those first few months. Brace yourself for an emotional roller coaster! You can do this!!
Oh, and buy more than one package of baby wipes, LOL! I don’t know what I was thinking, but I bought just one. ONE. ?
Agata says
Aww, such sweet words! Merry Christmas, Karen! I appreciate you so much and I wish you and your family all the best!
Karen says
Hi, Agata. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you so much for your Christmas card! So happy to see you smiling and joyful. ?
Christy says
Merry Christmas!! Emma is having her first Christmas, she’s almost 8 months now! I remember watching you a step ahead of me in the journey both during pregnancy and baby hood to see what I had to look forward to! It was quite an adjustment for me as well and I love moms who give real talk (not just the pretty smiling picture amongst the 10 crying ones). I wish we lived closer so we could have a play date with the babes!
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Christy! I wish we lived closer too so we could have mommy/baby dates. How was Emma’s first Christmas? I bet she got spoiled to bits! ?
Fieran says
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Karen. I hope you have a wonderful day being surrounded by everyone (and everything) that you love. I look forward to reading all your posts next year – be it a 3 step smoky eye or a 1 step run-out-the-door look. You have an amazing gift for words that never fails to brighten up my day.
Karen says
Merry Christmas to you too, Fieran. I’ve been so lucky to have gotten to you know and all the girls/guys here on MBB. Happy holidays and I look forward to being friends for many, many more years!
Colleen says
What a great photo of you two lovelies ! Merry Christmas and enjoy your day. Extra love to Tabs please !
Karen says
Thank you, Colleen! Merry Christmas to you too! I hope that you are having a wonderful day. Tabs sends his regards, aka big kitty hugs and purrs. 🙂
Amy says
Merry Christmas! Thank you for being such a sweet, authentic presence on the internet. ??
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Amy! Thank you for stopping by my lil’ place here on the internet. I hope 2017 is an amazing year for you!
Carolina Braina says
Thank YOU, Karen, for your kindness, your advice, your support, and your positivity. Contributing to MBB and getting to know you were definitely the best things that happened to me this year.
I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas!
Karen says
Aww, Carolina! It’s been such a joy getting to know you. Thank you so much for helping out this year. Without you I would’ve been much more of a hot mess, LOL! I hope 2017 brings you everything you wish for.
Michele Martinelli DiCola says
Merry Merry Merry Christmas to you too !
I just want to say you always help me stay sane !
I love your blog, your ideas and your writing !
Geez if could only do that !
Stay well and pretty soon it will be Happy New Year !’
? Michele
Karen says
Aww, Michele! You help me stay sane too. Without you and the girls/guys here on MBB my life wouldn’t be nearly as interesting or fun. Thank you for being there to listen and for always having a nice thing to say. Big hugs and Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Shora says
Merry Christmas Karen! You and I both had babies around the same time this year and I can relate to you in so many ways! Like when you would post something about your pregnancy or when you write about the first few months after Connor was born. I would read those posts and feel like I wasn’t the only mom in the world who felt clueless or was crying for no reason. Thanks for sharing those moments because I think all moms go through it and it’s reassuring to know that we are not alone in those times. And when it’s been a particularly rough day, I come on your blog and read one of your makeup posts to help me relax and lift my spirits. i wish you and your beautiful family a wonderful Christmas.
Karen says
Hi Shora,
Merry, merry Christmas to you and your family! I hope that you had a wonderful holiday and that you feel extra loved and special this year. Aren’t those first few months after having a baby so hard? I can’t believe that El Hub and I made it through with our sanity intact. We got so little sleep and it was tough. We should exchange emails and talk babies sometime! I would love that.
Radhika says
Merry Christmas, Karen! Connor Claire is just too cute :*
Karen says
Thank you, Radhika! Merry Christmas to you. I hope you had a wonderful day!
Sakura says
Thank you for the lovely post! I hope that your day is filled with nice food, happiness family and all good things. It’s been fun and comforting following your blog through the years!
Karen says
Hi Sakura,
Thank you, friend, for being there for all these years! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas. 🙂
Denise S says
Merry Christmas Karen and cutie Conner Claire! Shout out to Tabs and El Hub! Happy holidays everybody!!
Karen says
Merry Christmas Denise! I hope you and your kids and your hubs had a wonderful holiday. What did you guys do for Christmas this year?
Lorraine. E.R says
I’ve enjoyed following your blog on & off since 2011! I’ve always enjoyed your take on makeup, your posts about tabs (esp his kitty modeling shots) and the way your personality shines through in your posts. I am super happy for you that you now have a gorgeous little girl! I hope your family is happy and healthy for many years to come.
Thanks for keeping this blog for us to read!
Karen says
Thank you Lorraine for your sweet words and kindness throughout the years. Tabs and I have enjoyed getting to know you! Thank you for loving him as much as I do. I hope your 2017 is one for the record books! 😀
Cheryene says
I’m so happy I found your blog! You always make my day brighter. Merry Christmas to you,Conner Claire,Tabs and El Hub.
Karen says
Hi Cheryene,
Thank you for stopping in and being part of my day. It’s so nice to hear from all my friends here on MBB, especially at Christmas. I hope yours was filled with food, family and fun!
Tatiana says
Merry Christmas to you, El Hubs, Connor Claire and Tabs!!!
I love this photo of you two beautiful girls, all dressed up!!
As the day is pretty much winding down (my dinner is still on the stove, but at least my dessert is finished) I hope you had a very wonderful Christmas! Can’t wait to hear the details of Connor’s first Christmas!
I hope 2017 brings you much joy, laughter and loads of love!
Karen says
Merry Christmas to you, your daughter, your hubs and Nora kitty! I hope you had a wonderful time in Paris with your girl. What did you make for Christmas dinner? I made mashed potatoes and coq au vin and it was a smashing success (thank goodness!).
2017 will be your best year yet! I just know it!
Tatiana says
Paris was wonderful. Too many museums, not enough time do much shopping. I made lamb stew with garlic/nut pesto and roasted potatoes. Dear daughter made a salad with arugula, pears, bleu cheese and hazelnuts and braised leeks. French apple tart for dessert. I am still stuffed.
I’ve never made coq au vin, was it hard to do?
Looking forward to more positive things in 2017.
Jennifer says
Merry Christmas to you and your family. What a beautiful photo of you and Connor Claire, I love it!
Christmas is a wonderful time and it’s even better when you have a little one. Enjoy every minute. XOXOXO
Karen says
Hi Jennifer,
There’s a little more magic on Christmas now that I have Connor Claire in my life. 🙂 It was so fun to watch her open presents this morning (with help from her family members, of course).
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas day and that you felt happy and loved. Merry, merry Christmas!
Sara says
Karen you totally just got me all teary. I had my baby girl 2 months after you. So I know what you mean! What a year it’s been. And I can’t believe you have been doing this for 10 years! Do you know…you were the first ever blog I started reading/following? I can’t believe it was that long ago. Here’s to another 10! I hope you had a very merry Christmas!
Love,
Sara
Gina Bullard says
Wow Karen, what a beautiful and heartfelt post. I guess I’ve been with you about three maybe four years. I didn’t realize that you’ve been posting that long – I, have been writing for about four – now going on five. It has been so beautiful to watch you grow and evolve through your pregnancy, then the precious arrival of baby girl, I am so honored to have been a part. Thank you for sharing your world with us, I look forward to the future, as baby girl walks, and talks, plus new makeup trends. You have such a unique way of elaborating and articulating that is so rare Karen.
Now past Christmas, I pray for your continued blessings and favor in the upcoming new year – all that prosperity can bring. Forge ahead fiercely, my friend, and embrace the journey. You are truly a beautiful person.
To you and yours,
Grace, peace, and unending favor,
Love – Gina and Gracie.
Julia says
Merry Christmas Karen! I remember your post when you wondered if you should consider motherhood, and now you have a beautiful daughter and are a wonderful mom! I too count my blessings as I became a mom in my late 40s and have an amazing boy! I want 2017 to be about making every moment count, more than ever! I really enjoy your blog! Thank you!
Julia, Montreal, Canada
Fran says
You and Connor Claire are so beautiful together, Karen!
From where I sit, it looks like you handled this whole amazing year with remarkable grace and style. I know it might not feel that way to you, but being a parent is so much harder, so much more challenging, just so much more work on so much less sleep than our culture’s romanticized image of it leads us to believe it should be.
I have a feeling that Connor Claire is going to want to be playing with your makeup within the next year or two… there must be recipes out there somewhere for child-friendly, edible “makeup” that can be played with, right? A whole new dimension for the makeup-loving world… even most little boys would love to play with “war paint” that could make them look like their favorite superheroes… for several years, my son practically lived in the black cape I made him for Halloween. LOL, do I need a grandchild, or what? I suspect that’s many years in the future for me, though…
My best wishes for you and your family for the holidays and the coming year 🙂
Rachel R. says
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! Thank you for all you do for your readers.
Marina (Makeup4all) says
That is SUCH a sweet photo of you and your baby. Merry Christmas, Karen x