Karen

FOTD: One Lipstick, Two Looks: Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick in Nu Prefere

June 16th, 2021 by Karen 8 Comments

Good morning, fellow makeup lover! Today, my colleague and I are wearing the same lipstick, a creamy pinky brown by Laura Mercier called Nu Prefere, and, quite frankly, I think my colleague’s lewk is so much more interesting then mine. 😂

New Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer

If you’re a Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer fan, 1) CONGRATS, because it’s one of the best tinted moisturizers out there, IMO. The coverage is even, and it looks like legit real skin. Plus, they’ve just expanded their range to 20 shades!

The one I wear is called Wheat, and it’s the only thing, beyond a touch of under-eye concealer, that I’m wearing as a base in these pics. No setting powder, no smoothing primer, nothing! I think it looks great on its own.

Makeup I’m wearing in this look

EYES: Urban Decay Brow Blade in Dark Drapes, Laura Mercier Caviar Volume Mascara, Laura Mercier Stormy Grey Eyeliner, Clinique Black Pretty Easy Pen, Laura Mercier Eye Colours in Cocoa and Nude Rose, Laura Mercier Indiscretion Face Illuminator
CHEEKS: Laura Mercier Blush in Ginger, Laura Mercier Face Illuminator in Indiscretion
LIPS: Laura Mercier Nu Prefere Lipstick
BASE: Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer in Wheat

Makeup Connor is wearing in this look

Pixi On-The-Glow Blush in Juicy, Ruby and Fleur
Laura Mercier Nu Prefere Lipstick
Zoeva Eyeliner

It’s going to be a hot one today, so the itinerary at “mama camp” will involve a trip to the pool, where we’ll be wearing PLENTY of sunscreen, of course!

Hope it isn’t too hot where you are.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup Musings: Finishing a Bottle of Nail Polish, and When Small Acts of Love Are the Big Gestures

June 15th, 2021 by Karen 8 Comments

So, I realize that in the grand scheme of things, finishing a bottle of nail polish is totally not a big deal compared to, say, delivering a baby on a plane, or fighting oppression with acts of civil disobedience!

Buuuuuuuut, if you’re a beauty lover like I am, I think you’ll totally get this. See this bottle of mint green polish by Olive & June? I’ve finished almost a quarter of it, and I’m thrilled by the prospect of perhaps even finishing — gasp! — half of it soon. Or, perhaps the whole thing.

(MIND BLOWN.)

You guys, I can’t even remember the last time I finished a bottle of nail polish down to the last drop. I’m fairly sure it was decades ago.

This might have something to do with me getting rid of all of the old-@ss polishes that were gathering dust in my office for literally YEARS. I recently decided to only keep colors that I truly love, and even though I have far fewer bottles of nail polish now, deciding what to wear on my nails is so much easier than before.

I FULLY realize that I sound like a broken record there, but it’s been so liberating.

FYI, this is KMC with a slice of yellow watermelon! I bought a mini yellow watermelon from Trader Joe’s yesterday, and yes, I already finished most of it by myself, in one day, because it’s been the only decent watermelon I’ve gotten this year.

Every single red watermelon I’ve brought home in 2021 was either mealy, flavorless or otherwise inedible and gross! I’ve tried all of my “watermelon whisperer” tricks to pick them, too, like looking for the ones with the darkest yellow spot, comparing them by weight, knocking on the outsides to hear a hollow sound, but I’ve still yet to find a halfway decent red watermelon this year.

How’s your luck been with watermelon this year? Inquiring minds want to know…

Anyway, the watermelon was part of a picnic lunch that Connor “hosted” in our circle with her friends in the neighborhood. She’s with me this week because it’s the break between school and summer camp, and over the weekend she made a list of things she wanted to do while away at “mama camp.” One of the things was having a picnic outdoors with her buddies.

Guess what I figured out yesterday? If you have to feed children at a picnic — they don’t need much food! I put together a whole spread for the kids, but all they ate were slices of watermelon, homemade guacamole and tortilla chips. *shrugs*

I wanted to take a picture of the guacamole, but the kids ate it all before I could grab a shot. For the guac, I left out any strong spices, so no garlic or onion powder, and only used smashed avocado, a little bit of lime (lemon will work in a pinch) and some salt. That was it.

So, yeah, the next time you have to feed some little ones outdoors, keep in mind this *very gourmet* food combination, LOL! It’s a winner.

Oh, I almost forgot, but the kids also ate the homemade chocolate chip cookies Connor and I made the day before. I whipped up a batch of cookies to bring to my high school friends, Jen and Cindy, who I met for lunch at a sushi restaurant in Sausalito for a belated birthday fete.

I hadn’t seen them both in well over a year!

As a side, I like to get Connor up in the mix whenever I do things like write cards or make cookies for my friends because I think it’s important for her to learn about the importance of small gestures. I want her to know that this is what caring for your people looks like…doing the seemingly small things. I want her to know that there are many ways to say “I love you,” and sometimes the smallest gestures are very meaningful.

One of those “seemingly small but big” acts happened at the restaurant with Jen and Cindy. We were sitting at the table catching up, and when it was time to order, I had no idea what to choose. Ya know, you’d think that ordering a couple of California rolls wouldn’t be so damn hard, but it’s been so long since I’ve seen them (they’re like the sisters I always wanted), and I’ve been having to hold it together for everyone else around me for what feels like THE LONGEST YEAR EVER, and I just didn’t have it in me 1) to keep my guard up anymore, and 2) order food.

Because she knows me, Cindy saw that I was struggling and said, “Don’t worry about ordering. I got you, girl.” She then grabbed my menu, rattled off a meal for our table (she’s the bossy one, LOL!), and took care of it.

I don’t remember the last time I got to actually relax during a meal outside the house. I mean, yes, Connor and El Hub and I eat at restaurants every once in a while again, and even though it’s a break for me because I don’t have to cook, I’m still “on duty.” I’m watching Connor and helping her mind her manners, monitoring what comes out to our table because of El Hub’s gluten allergy, things like that. And I’m always making sure other people are set before I eat. I’m happy to do it all, of course, but when we eat out, I’m never truly relaxed. I’m mom-ing and wife-ing, and doing all the things people around me probably don’t even notice.

But, last Sunday, when I was having sushi with my friends, all I did was sit there. IT WAS GLORIOUS. Having a friend order for me (and for her to do it without me having to ask) made me feel so cared for and so, so loved.

It’s all the little things, right? In the end, they always end up being the big things.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 682

June 14th, 2021 by Karen 23 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 five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. 🌻

1. Lip tint or lip balm?

Lip balm, ideally something with SPF and a hint of color. I’ve got my eye on these by Colorscience because you can wear them on lips *and* cheeks, and they have SPF50.

2. Matchy-matchy: yes or no?

Yes, yes, yes!

3. Your thoughts on biker shorts?

I used to wear them back in the ’90s and liked them then. I probably wouldn’t wear them now though, because…why wear biker shorts when you can just as easily wear leggings? At least with leggings I get a little warmth and sun protection! LOL.

4. Snakes: cool or scary?

Um…scary cool? This is unlikely a shocker, but I’m not a big fan of snakes. We have a lot of them on the trails here in Marin County, so you have to be careful, and I’ve seen a few in real life. I get freaked out every single time. Once, I saw a MASSIVE snake. It was very long and as thick as my arm! I watched it slowly creep into the ground, and I was so stunned that I couldn’t move or talk.

That said, I do find that snake designs, especially in jewelry, can look very cool, although I don’t like snakeskin ANYTHING.

5. Something you wish you learned sooner?

That emotional neglect is a thing, but so is re-parenting yourself.

6. What’s your current go-to eyeliner style?

A SUPER thin, crisp liquid line on the upper lash line, with the smallest kitten flick at the end. Oh, and in black. It’s classic and has been workin’ for me, especially since I haven’t been wearing a lot of eyeshadow. I feel like liquid liner gives a high payoff in relation to the effort.

7. Something in your beauty arsenal that helps you get that glow?

Hmm…does liquid exfoliator count? I’ve been using the Jan Marini Skin Care Management System I got for Mother’s Day (it has a liquid exfoliator with glycolic, salicylic and azelaic acids!) a few days a week, and I swear my skin glows!

8. Do you own a CD player?

I don’t have one in my house anymore, but I do in my car. I don’t spend a lot of time driving, though, so I kinda want one in the house again so I can play my old CDs!

9. Last thing you drank?

A big glass of water with Tangerine Emergen-C.

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. Lip tint or lip balm?
2. Matchy-matchy: yes or no?
3. Your thoughts on biker shorts?
4. Snakes: cool or scary?
5. Something you wish you learned sooner?
6. What’s your current go-to eye liner style?
7. Something in your beauty arsenal that helps you get that glow?
8. Do you own a CD player?
9. Last thing you drank?

P.P.S. Happy Monday, sweet friend! 😊 I hope your morning so far has been filled with good things and perhaps even a little bit of unicorn magic (I know I could use some). 🦄 I have Connor with me this week because it’s the in-between time right after school ends and before camp begins, so maybe she’ll even grace me with her makeover skills.

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Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 663

June 13th, 2021 by Karen 1 Comment

“The Caviar Caper: A Tabs the Cat Adventure”

PART III

(Click here to read Part I and here for Part II.)

Well I’ll be… It was Linus. Tabs lifted the sterling silver lid from the serving tray. Yup, there it was, the missing caviar. About fifty thousand dollars worth.

Down below on the lawn, Detective Kinard was talking to Linus, who had his back to the large tree and to Tabs. Tabs started waving his arms above his head to get the detective’s attention. The detective glanced up at him, and Tabs emphatically pointed down at Linus, then held up the shiny silver lid from the serving tray to show the detective. It was him!

Below, the detective was making small talk with Linus to keep him preoccupied. They were discussing their favorite seasons of Project Runway.

“So,” Linus said, “on balance, I would have to say that season one, since it’s the season that started it all, would have to be my overall favorite.”

The detective nodded. “Makes sense.” He removed a pair of small handcuffs from his belt behind his back. “Linus,” the detective started, “you’re under arrest for grand larceny…”

“Mrow!” Linus giggled. Ha! He appeared to believe the detective was joking.

“Put your paws behind your back,” the detective continued.

Looking confused, Linus obliged. “Meow?” I’m…sorry? What’s this about?

Tabs backed his way down the tree awkwardly.

“You’re under arrest for stealing the caviar,” the detective said as knelt and put Linus’s tiny paws into the handcuffs.

“Meow?” asked Linus. What?

Tabs walked up beside Linus and the detective. “Mrow?” Tabs asked, hurt in his voice. Why, Linus? How could you?

“Meow?” Linus answered. How could I what? Mr. Tabs, what’s this about?

“Mow-row?” Tabs said. Just tell me why you did it?

Just then, a blue Toyota Camry rolled up onto the circle and pulled over by the lawn. Little Archibald slung his overly large Luis Vuitton backpack across his shoulder and held out the diamond-encrusted iPhone Tabs loaned him to call his mommy cat. “Mwow,” he squeaked. Um, thank you, sir, for letting me borrow your phone.

“Meow,” Tabs replied, taking the phone from Archibald’s tiny paw. You’re welcome, Archibald. I’m so sorry you had to witness this. Tabs put the bejeweled phone into the sleek, black quilted leather Channel fanny pack he was wearing and returned his attention to Linus.

Detective Kinard was escorting Linus away toward two nearby uniformed police officers. “Book him on a 487, grand theft,” the detective said. Linus was staring down at the ground in front of him as the officers guided him to a nearby police car.

“Mwow!” Archibald called back to Tabs as he opened the back passenger door of the blue Toyota. It was still a great party! He hopped in the backseat and closed the door. The Toyota slowly pulled away from the curb. Tabs saw a man behind the wheel.

“Meow-wow?” Tabs heard Linus say as the officers pushed him into the back of a patrol car. What is going on here? I didn’t do anything!

The blue Toyota with Archibald in it rounded the circle. Tabs noticed the man driving was wearing a very smart black shirt with purple stripes down the shoulders. It was quite fashionable. Tabs knew he had seen the design before but couldn’t place it.

The Toyota took the last turn before leaving the circle, and Tabs got a good look at the driver and his shirt. Being a world-renowned kitty supermodel and award-winning feline fashion designer, Tabs couldn’t resist anything related to good fashion. He just wished he could remember where he’d seen this design before.

As the car pulled away, Tabs noticed a sticker on the bumper. Fedex.

Fedex, Tabs pondered. Holy! The driver was wearing a Fedex shirt!

Tabs finally knew what it meant. He heard Linus crying in the backseat of the patrol car. I didn’t do anything! Why is this happening?

Just then, Tabs lept into action, sprinting at full speed to intercept the Toyota before it left the circle. “Meowwww!” he roared. It wasn’t Linus! It was Archibald!

Detective Kinard watched as Tabs jumped straight through the driver’s side open window of the Toyota, smashing into the driver. The car swerved sharply, coming to an abrupt stop as it struck the curb.

Inside the car, Tabs quickly subdued the driver with tabby jiujitsu until the detective and one of the uniformed police officers arrived. They pulled the driver and Archibald from the vehicle and promptly handcuffed both of them.

“Damnit!” the driver yelled. “I knew we’d never get away with it!”

“Meow!” barked Archibald. Shut up, you idiot! Don’t tell them anything!

Back over at the other police car, Tabs opened the back door and helped Linus out. “Meow…” he said. I’m sorry, Linus… “Mrow-ow.” This was a terrible mistake. You have my sincerest apologies. Tabs unlocked the handcuffs Linus was wearing with a set of keys he was holding.

“Mrow,” Linus replied, sounding relieved. It’s okay, sir. I’m just glad everything worked out.

“Meow-row-wow,” Tabs said, patting Linus on the head. You’re a real class act, buddy. With that silky fur and that positive cattitude, I have no doubt you’ll be an incredible kitty supermodel.

“Meow!” Linus said. Thank you! That means a lot coming from you, sir.

— THE END —

Rosie and graduation

This was graduation week around the country, and Rosie was very excited about it because it reminded her of her graduation from MIT. She loved school, and that was a great time.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, June 12, 2021!

June 12th, 2021 by Karen 3 Comments

colourpop volumizing mascara — Good morning!

I can’t believe I’m saying this (happy Saturday, by the way), but I don’t remember the last time I wore bright blue mascara. As a beauty lover, this is one of those details that I can usually recall with obnoxious clarity, but as you know…it’s been cray! I’m hoping, though, that this gloriously blue ColourPop Mascara will guide me to a similar (or perhaps even a better) place where I’m excited about wearing makeup again.

As they say, baby steps. Would you believe that last Thursday I actually left the house with filled in brows, cat eye liner *and* waterproof mascara? I know! The tinted sunscreen I’ve been wearing finally had some makeup friends to play with, LOL!

What do you have planned today? I’m gonna take it pretty easy on this end. I’m replanting the tomato plants, basil and the hot pink hibiscus I got last weekend, and oh! — my brother got me an air fryer for my birthday, so I’m going to experiment with it today. The one I have is by Innsky and it’s huge! It’s one my brother has and loves, so even though right now I can’t really tell if I’m using correctly, I’m hoping to become one of those people who says, “I LOOOOOVE MY AIR FRYER.”

Last night I made broccoli and salmon in it, and they weren’t terrible, so I’m looking forward to seeing what magic I can do…

Side note: it has a cake setting, which I’m both weirded out by and fascinated by.

If you have any good air fryer recipes, please feel free to share them! 🙂