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Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 878

January 18th, 2026 by Karen 6 Comments

“Can I get everyone to please turn on your cameras?”

Ugh, my least favorite thing to hear when I hop on a Zoom meeting at work lately.

So, the results of the Q4 Gallup survey here at Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC got Rosie very concerned — so concerned that she’s increased the number of required weekly Zoom meetings from four to 14, so now we have at least four Zoom meetings per day!

BRUTAL. 🙄

Man, Rosie can be a really tough boss.

She’s just all business, all the time.

Granted, that’s why she’s such a butt-kicker in her professional life, but it makes it tough if you’re one of the regular staff.

Tabs, on the other paw, was just better at making everyone feel like a valuable, trusted member of the team.

Some bosses are just better at leadership, you know what I mean?

Marnie’s having a tough time adjusting to the new changes to the meeting policy. She’s been stressing out about it. Luckily, she forgets there’s a new policy after a few hours, but then she remembers again the next morning, which starts the cycle of stress all over…

Poor Marnie…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 894

December 29th, 2025 by Karen 5 Comments

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. What’s your favorite punctuation mark?

I’ve got a major soft spot for the semicolon; my heart also loves an em dash.

2. Are you just as shocked as I am that it’s going to be 2026?

Seriously, how did an entire decade pass since I gave birth to Connor? Time is a crazy ride, man.

3. What sounds do you hear right at this very second?

Children screaming (with delight), Marnie Mae barking and chasing the previously mentioned screaming children, and the robot sounds of laser tag toys.

4. Did any of your pets attack or ruin your holiday decorations?

Ugh, these two fur kids decided this was their year to break sh*t. Rosie gnawed on the tips of some pine branches. Marnie Mae decided that she was in charge of destroying any and all the ornaments on the bottom part of the tree.

5. A book that made an impression on you this year?

There were many, but one that really sticks out is a graphic novel that Connor let me borrow called “Smile” by Raina Telgemeier. I grew up in the Bay Area in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, and the story it rings true for that slice in time.

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. What’s your favorite punctuation mark?
2. Are you just as shocked as I am that it’s going to be 2026?
3. What sounds do you hear right at this very second?
4. Did any of your pets attack or ruin your holiday decorations?
5. A book that made an impression on you this year?

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 893

December 15th, 2025 by Karen 4 Comments

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. What holiday beauty gifts have you bought?

I picked up a lovely Jo Malone perfume duo, a couple of Laneige skin care sets, my favorite body scrub and a tea tree oil foot spray, among other things!

2. And were any of those beauty gifts for yourself?

LOL, surprisingly no! I did buy an azelaic acid serum for myself, though, while I was at Ulta.

3. What’s for breakfast today?

Trader Joe’s Protein Pancakes. Have you tried them? They’re so good!

4. Have you baked anything for the holidays?

Not yet so far, but next weekend, I’ll be doing either cookies or brownies. At least, that’s my hope. If I’m completely frazzled, then I’m going to give myself the option to tap out of that yearly tradition this time around.

5. What’s your favorite holiday song?

It’s a toss up between Mariah’s “All I Want for Christmas” (I know, so basic) and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

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. What holiday beauty gifts have you bought?
2. And were any of those beauty gifts for yourself?
3. What’s for breakfast today?
4. Have you baked anything for the holidays?
5. What’s your favorite holiday song?

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 892

December 8th, 2025 by Karen 5 Comments

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. Have you finished your holiday shopping?

Have I even started holiday shopping yet? LOL! I’m really behind this year.

2. How early is too early to put your pajamas on in the evenings?

I feel like anything before 4pm is a little too early because there’s technically still light out. Any time after 4 is acceptable, though, since the sun sets around 4:50-ish around these parts now.

3. Something you’d like as a stocking stuffer?

I could use a few new beauty tools, like nail clippers, tweezers and the like. It’s time for a refresh, methinks.

4. Something creative you enjoy?

Even though I haven’t been hanging out here on MBB as much, I still really enjoy the creative side of writing.

5. Do you prefer colorful holiday lights or white holiday lights?

We’ve been doing white lights in our tree for the last couple of years because that’s what I have that works, although I do appreciate colorful lights, too.

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. Have you finished your holiday shopping?
2. How early is too early to put your pajamas on in the evenings?
3. Something you’d like as a stocking stuffer?
4. Something creative you enjoy?
5. Do you prefer colorful holiday lights or white holiday lights?

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 891

November 24th, 2025 by Karen 4 Comments

I hope you have a double rainbow kind of day!

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. Something you need to do for beauty maintenance soon?

Oh boy, my upper lip could use a wax. LOL! If I let it go much further, I’m going to look like a bad guy with a twirly mustache.

2. Something nice that’s beauty-related that you’ve done for yourself recently?

About a month ago, a friend of mine and I went to the Cavallo Point spa in Sausalito. I can’t wait to go back!

3. What’s a word that you like?

Honestly, I have so many. Off the top of my head: jaunt, effervescent, soliloquy.

4. What’s a funny little habit that your pet has?

When Rosie sleeps, she snores loudly. (It wakes me up sometimes.) Marnie likes to bring her favorite tennis ball outside; she doesn’t actually want to play fetch, though. She’ll just carry it and run around.

5. What’s the best Thanksgiving side dish?

Does pecan pie count? Because that’s all I’m interested in, hahaha! If it doesn’t, then I’ll go with mashed potatoes.

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. Something you need to do for beauty maintenance soon?
2. Something nice that’s beauty-related that you’ve done for yourself recently?
3. What’s a word that you like?
4. What’s a funny little habit that your pet has?
5. What’s the best Thanksgiving side dish?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 877

November 23rd, 2025 by Karen 3 Comments

It’s that time of year again — the holiday season. And it’s in full swing! Halloween zoomed by, and now Thanksgiving’s on the docket. After that, it’s smooth sailing till Christmas.

Seriously, though, I don’t know about you, but this year was an enigma wrapped in a riddle for me. We always say, “This year went by so fast!” but no, really, what the heck happened to 2025? I feel like I kinda lost a year, like, I went to bed last July and woke up in November. This was like the cheetah of the 2020s! Zipped right by.

Anywho…Thanksgiving. I cannot lie — I have a lot to be thankful for. I know we’re all working on borrowed time. Life is cruel and always too short. I’m thankful for my family and our health right, and I’m thankful for everything that has ever made me smile, including you. 🙂

Thank you, dear universe, for another blessed day.

As usual for a holiday, my mind always wanders to thoughts of Tabs… He passed away six years ago. Six years. And I still think of him every single day. That’s the honest truth. Not a day goes by when I don’t think of my tabby.

Thanksgiving was, of course, a big day around here when Tabs ruled the roost. He was a very thankful tabby.

He was thankful for his fabulous physique, his business acumen and, let’s be honest, for gravy.

The newer members of the family aren’t so new anymore. Rosie has been here since 2019, and Marnie joined the company in 2023.

Speaking of Marnie, she’s thankful for her family.

Even for Rosie, although there is some tension there…

As for Rosie, she’s thankful for her preternatural intellect and her many international science awards.

Happy early Thanksgiving! Hope you have a wonderful week ahead. Thank you, friend. 😊

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 890

November 17th, 2025 by Karen 5 Comments

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. What’s the best thing about rainy days?

Hmm, for me it’s a mix of things with one of them being the clean scent of the air after it rains. And back in the day I would say puddle stomping with baby Connor. Side note, would you believe she’s almost 10? Anyways, now I think the best thing about rainy days is the chances of wildfires happening are less, which is a big mental relief.

2. Where’s your happy place?

At Lanikai beach in the morning on Oahu. Or in my bed at night, when I know everyone I love is under the same roof. 🙂

3. Can you do any accents?

Well, I’m pretty sure I’ve got “Angry Filipino Mom Speaking American English Mixed with Random Tagalog Words” down pat! HAHAHA! I also used to do a very silly British accent but haven’t in years. Oh, and I can do a California surfer accent decently!

4. What’s a funny little habit that you have?

I always pack too many snacks in my work lunch box. I don’t know why. We have pretty awesome vending machines on campus, and there’s always extra food in the breakroom, so it’s not like I don’t have access to snacks. For some reason, though, I feel so much better knowing that I have a variety of relatively healthy snacks that I know I like to choose from. Or, if someone around me has a rumbly tummy, I like knowing that I’ve got extra food for someone else.

5. Something beauty related that you desperately need to buy?

I’m running low on conditioner. When you have long, wavy hair, this is a very nerve-wracking thing!

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. What’s the best thing about rainy days?
2. Where’s your happy place?
3. Can you do any accents?
4. What’s a funny little habit that you have?
5. Something beauty related that you desperately need to buy?

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 899

November 3rd, 2025 by Karen 5 Comments

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. Your thoughts on Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving?

If it jingles your bells, then go for it.

2. Last time you wore false lashes?

I honestly can’t remember. I’m guessing it must’ve been when Connor was a baby, so maybe nine years ago, more or less? It’s been a while!

3. Something discontinued you wish you could bring back?

The original NARS Dragon Girl pencil. I’ve been wearing my last one, and I’m gonna be sad when it finally runs out. I know there’s a new version but the OG is *chef’s kiss.*

4. Contacts or glasses?

Oh glasses, for sure. Contacts bother my eyes now, boo.

5. A book you read recently that you couldn’t put down?

“Seven Days in June” by Tia Williams. (Although I wish I read it in June, ha!)

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. Your thoughts on Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving?
2. Last time you wore false lashes?
3. Something discontinued you wish you could bring back?
4. Contacts or glasses?
5. A book you read recently that you couldn’t put down?