I still can’t believe it’s 2009… I hadn’t even gotten used to writing “2008” on my checks, and then this New Year’s thing happened, LOL! What’s up with that?
At this time last year I was working for the literary agency, freelancing and blogging on the side. Not much has changed since then, really, except that I recently left the agency to go back to school for journalism. The blog is still my main creative outlet and undoubtedly the one thing that keeps me sane.
Today’s my first day of classes, yea! Very excited, a little nervous, and a little bittersweet. I’ll be back in a classroom for the first time in almost 10 years, yikes! I wonder if I’ll be the elder stateswoman of the journalism department…
In honor of time, here’s a look back at some of the posts that appeared on the blog around this time last year.
MAC Makeup Tutorial: Russian Red, an Ode to Madge
“I’m not shy about my obsessions — Christian Bale (marry me!), the MAC 266 brush and the Terminator series (more on this later) — but by far the deepest of my frivolous obsessions is for our Madge-esty almighty, Madonna, an obsession I’ve harbored since the tender age of eight.”
Paint it Pink, Paint it Black: Treat Yourself this Valentine’s Day
“Sometimes on the Big V you’re in lurve (how precious), but sometimes you’re not; sometimes you’re just plain bitter (it happens to the best of us). So, to celebrate the love and the pain of Valentine’s Day, this post kicks off Paint it Pink, Paint it Black, a series featuring pink and black themed makeup and beauty products to help you make the most of this Valentine’s Day — no matter what.”
Specktra for Beginners: What It Is, and How It Can Help You Be Beautiful
“Women (and men) are flocking to Specktra’s makeup and beauty forum, but for makeup newbies, sifting through the sheer volume of information on the site can be overwhelming. Specktra is one of my favorite beauty resources. Its members are generally nice, and on the site you’ll find lots of useful makeup application and product information, much of which appears on Specktra before it appears anywhere else.”
Beauty in Time: 9 Things I Would Say to My Younger Self
“Last week’s What’s in Your Purse post was a lot of fun, wasn’t it? I get a kick out of making strange lists, and I take it a lot of other people do too. I was thinking last night about an article I read a few months ago where people talked about what they’d tell their younger selves, so I made a list of the things I’d tell my 22-year-old self (yikes! that was 10 years ago?!) if given the chance.”
Paint it Pink, Paint it Black: Going Black to the Gym
“This Valentine’s Day, if your date for the evening is with the gym or a punching bag (try it sometime), you might as well look cute. Work it out with these road-tested gym makeup tips:”
MAC Moisturelush Cream: Say Buh-bye to Dry
“I was nervous to try MAC Moisturelush Cream because I had a bad incident with MAC Green Gel Cleanser last spring that left me with a less-than-stellar opinion of MAC’s skin care products. Lord knows I loves me some MAC, but I wasn’t a believer in their skin care line. Since ‘the incident,’ I’ve been hesitant to try anything new from them. But I sucked it up, took a chance, and I’m sure glad I did.”
Makeup Brush Lust: Billy B Paint Brushes Rawk!
“For years, the only brushes in my life were toothbrushes, hairbrushes and random brushes with destiny. I was content using the sad lil’ sponge applicators and teeny standard issue brushes that came with eyeshadows and blush. When I look back at my pictures from high school and college (aka, ‘the brush drought years’) my makeup didn’t look bad … but it definitely didn’t look good, either. My application was splotchy, and there was no blending to be had within a three-mile radius.”
It’s hump day, ladies! Let’s have ourselves a good one. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty student,
Karen
YadiQ says
KAREN have a fab day at school!
and if you are the oldest one there pride yourself that your smarter and hotter than the rest lol!
good luck!
YJ says
I love your “Paint it Pink, Paint it Black” series! Although I often have to read your blog with caution… it makes me want to go out and buy everything you have on here! =)
Have fun at class! Don’t forget to silence your cellphone, it’s always so embarrassing when mine rings in the middle of lecture =(
YJ´s last blog post..Cold Front on the East Coast
Vampy Varnish says
Good luck with your first back of classes!
Vampy Varnish´s last blog post..Lancome Midnight Glam Nail Polish
Ashley Jean says
Ooo, I REALLY liked my J-school and working for the student paper. Your undercover Fafi skills will serve you well as a reporter 🙂
Amanda says
big congrats again on school and good luck too-I’m sure you will have a great experience.
I loved the pink/black series last year.
adriana says
You had some great post last year,and i know there will be more this year! I loved the one about what you would say to your younger self!lol
Good luck on your first day of school,adriana
adriana´s last blog post..my fabulously affordable haul!
Tiera says
Hope you’re having a great first day! I started school a few days ago, meh, no excitement!
Anyhow, I like the throwback Specktra post. In fact, I “met” you on Specktra!
Tiera´s last blog post..Look: Silver and Black Lite
Briana says
Hope your first day went well 🙂
I recognized everything from this entry, and realized I’ve been reading your blog for at least a year now 🙂
tatiana says
Oh man, the post about “9 things you’d say to your 22 year old self” really hit me, especially the one about doing things to please other people. That’s me! That’s my battle right now! (I’m 25 by the way)
Megan says
Hey Chica… good luck in class…just keep repeating in your mind “I’m young and hip” You will so fit in…btw…someone told me the other day that they thought I was 24… Huh? okay…
ANYWAYS… MAJOR favor to ask you… Can you possibly review and/or comment on the Too Faced Smurfette collection? This so was not on my radar…but I am tempted to buy the whole thing up… especially the shimmery palette with her smurfiness’ face in it…
Marissa says
Karen, right now I’m a graduate student (a young one at 23) and if you walked into my classroom I’d immediately think you looked really cool. I’d want to ask you for make up tips. So don’t worry 🙂
Karen says
Hi Marissa,
Thanks, girl. 🙂 If we were in the same class I have a feeling we’d end up dishing about makeup big time!
How far are you into your graduate studies?
Karen says
Hi Megan,
Okay, that will be my new mantra! And hello, 24! 🙂
Regarding the Too Faced Smurf collection — I’m hoping to makeup it up to Sephora this weekend to check it out. I just wrote it down on my list o’ things to do. I know Too Faced makes some really fantastic, shimmery eyeshadows (very pigmented and smooth), so if you’re lusting after the palette I’d say go for it already because the quality is really good!
Karen says
Hi Tatiana,
It’s hard when you always want to please other people, isn’t it?
That lesson was a difficult one for me to learn.
Did you write your 9 things list? I know the post is old, but you can still post your list. 🙂
Marissa says
Dishing about make up would be so much fun! I’m in a two year master’s program for history. This is my last semester (assuming I pass everything haha). How long will you be in school for?
Marisol says
Congrats on going back to school! You will do great!
Marisol´s last blog post..Full of Hope