One girl. 24 hours. Three random acts of beauty.
7:00 a.m. — I’m jolted awake by bongo drums from my iPhone’s alarm, but instead of feeling refreshed, I feel fussy, foggy-headed and confused.
The past 72 hours have been exhausting — scrubbing, lifting, driving, packing and moving until the wee hours every night. Making matters worse (at least emotionally), I haven’t eaten well, haven’t showered enough and have a lethal case of PMS. 🙂
I slink from bed and lumber to the bathroom, wiping the sleep from my eyes.
What I see before me in the mirror frightens me… It’s a creature akin to a zombie, but with worse skin, and dark half moons beneath its eyes. They mock me and I wonder, “Will I be able to keep it together today?”
I want to be funny and interesting and friendly, but that’s not how I feel.
Brushing the fuzz from my teeth, I notice the Urban Decay Rocks kit ($18, new for Holiday 2009) sitting beside me on the bathroom sink. I don’t remember setting it there… Perhaps it was left by an angel.
The kit contains little gold, silver and iridescent glue-on crystals, along with a tube of glue. Despite my appearance, I glue three of them onto the side of my left eye.
Wow… *BLING*
“Girl,” I say to the bedazzled zombie before me, “you ain’t no Hemingway, but you WORK those crystals and ratty pajamas. WORK!”
12:37 p.m. — I’m weeping on my knees in the kitchen.
An hour ago, delivery men from Best Buy installed our new washer and dryer.
For the first time in my adult life — no more quarters, no more hauling laundry up/down flights of stairs, no more standing guard over the machines.
This must be what joy is.
3:06 p.m. — I have writer’s block today.
I need a new freelancing gig, but I’m totally stuck. I remember some advice given to me by a friend years ago: At some point the waffling, hand-wringing and self-pity have to stop, and you just need to sit your butt down and start clicking keys.
True. True.
Seen or lived any cool random acts of beauty lately? Tell me know about ’em in the comments.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Glosslizard says
October 6th, 2009 at 4:36 pmAwww, our poor exhausted blogger-girl! I hope you can settle in and regain your energy soon!
A random act of beauty for me, I’m finally on the road to recovery after a 6-day bout with a sore throat and fatigue… and I look it! Pawing through my drawer of random foundation samples I came across a tube of Laura Mercier illuminating tinted moisturizer and OMG, it actually makes me look like a well-rested, healthy human being! Add a fanbrush-sweep of MAC beauty powder blush in Sweetness, and I look like all of the above… on vacation! Here’s to finding the perk-me-ups we need to get through! 🙂
I’m so moved by your washer/dryer rapture! Everyone should know such joy! 😀
Karen says
October 6th, 2009 at 4:44 pmHi Glosslizard,
I am so glad to hear you’re feeling better. Oh, and I’m super stoked about your new love for L-Boogie’s Illuminating TM! I love the regular TM… perhaps this version will also be gold.
Never in my life have I been so happy to wash sheets. Really!
Have the hubby, imps and the kittehs been taking good care of you?
Tiffany says
October 6th, 2009 at 4:42 pmlove the washer/dryer story! I was totally enamored by things like that when I moved into my townhouse after living in apartments for so long. I was mostly excited about not having to climb 3 flights of stairs to get to my apartment anymore, and not being awakened by drunk people in the parking lot every night.
Karen says
October 6th, 2009 at 4:50 pmHi Tiffany,
I hear ya! The last time something like this happened was in 2002; I finally moved into my own apartment and was overjoyed with the thought of having my own fridge. I think I might have shed a tear then, too… 😉
How’s your week going?
Marisol says
October 6th, 2009 at 4:54 pmYou use the same detergent as I. Congrats on getting a w & d. I hope the move went smoothly. Last December when i moved, I was a mess. I did all the packing, lifting & cleaning up. I did hire a moving companyto move my boxes to storage. I was so drained after it all. Then I was in limbo for 2 months while I found an apt. No fun! But now I live in a great place & it was all worth it.
A beauty RAOK – I am visiting a branch for work and this lady here sells Avon. She heard me say that I like MU so she came by with a mark catalog & told me to pick out a few e/s. I told her that I would pay for them but she said that she wanted to give them to me. So nice!
iPhone – you known you can make free ringtones so you have something more cheerful to wake u up in the morning. I have Beyonce’s Single Ladies as my alarm.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… SoCal visit =-.
Karen says
October 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pmHi Marisol,
Ha! I picked out that detergent using the tried and true “sniff it in the grocery store aisle” method. 🙂
That’s awesome that she hooked you up with a few colors. Have you played with ’em yet?
Oh, good to know about the ringtones… I’ll have to put something on that’s soothing. No more waking up to the bongos, HALLELUJAR!!
Rae says
October 6th, 2009 at 4:59 pmAww, Karen. Moving sounds exhausting!! But I mean, having your own washer and dryer? It sounds nuts even as I say it, but man, it is SO worth any hassle.
No random acts of beauty to share with you today, but I will definitely be checking this comment thread tomorrow to read everone elses’ stories!
.-= Rae’s last blog post… *Well if you won’t work with me… =-.
Nancy says
October 6th, 2009 at 5:37 pmoh, karen, i feel for you…just wait, when things start to feel less overwhelming, you’ll truly appreciate and feel the utter joy in having such a KICK-A** washer and dryer! i’m a bit jealous. 🙂 i’m serious! you’ve got one SWEET set there (that is joy!)…i feel for you, girl, and my thoughts go out to you. sending some positive vibes your way! i wish i could bring you something delicious from the crock pot…do you have one? just throw a roast or something in there with some veggies in the morn’, and you’ll have dinner ready in the evening. send el hub out for some fresh bread…
mishel says
October 6th, 2009 at 5:43 pmsorry to hear ur having one of those days karen, but glad the eye gems cheered ya up! i’ve been on the grind today also, and look terrible, ala carebear boxers and big tshirt. tomorrow will be a better day. u know what cheers me up? besides reading ur blog, looking up makeup tutorials on youtube!
amy says
October 6th, 2009 at 5:55 pmCongrats on your very own washer and dryer! I guess my random acts of beauty will be getting my bangs trimmed (boring I know) and yesterday I impulsed bought a Chanel Allure Rouge Laque in Ming and Guerlain Tsarina quad. Both ridiculously expensive. The Gurelain palette was sold out almost everywhere and I found one sitting by herself in Sephora, so I bought it to keep it company. 🙂
.-= amy’s last blog post… FOTD MAC V Greasepaint Stick, Fashion Groupie Eyeshadow, Push the Edge Pigment, Feline Kohl Liner with Shape & Sculpt Accentuate/ Sculpt =-.
Patty says
October 6th, 2009 at 6:16 pmOooh girl, there is no joy like the joy of having your own washer/dryer situation. I pay $60 extra a month in rent just so I can have my own in my apartment, and it’s worth every penny. May you spend many lazy afternoons doing laundry stress-free! 🙂
Random act of beauty… I got my Stila smudge pot collection in the mail yesterday, and being that I only got 4 hours of sleep last night, I was looking pretty deathly. Kitten on the waterline fixed me right up for my 9:30 (gag!) class.
Tiffany says
October 6th, 2009 at 6:30 pmHey Karen! My week is good so far! Def not stressful like yours. Setting up a new home will be fun though! And yeah, you should change your alarm to something calming! Mine is a song called wavy gravy by sasha – very pretty to wake up to!
gn. says
October 6th, 2009 at 7:32 pm*Internet Hugs* It’s cool that you have your own washer and dryer now!
I’m just thankful that we got ours working again after this recent flood. All my make-up got submerged too, together with the whole house. Anyway, no point in the pity party right? I’m just glad that my colleague offered to let me play with her stash of nail polishes (the joys of working for a beauty product distributor!)
Vanessa H says
October 6th, 2009 at 8:00 pmI am so happy for your new washer and dryer! Laundry will be ten times better 🙂
ines + cha cha says
October 6th, 2009 at 8:42 pmHAHA i use the same fabric softener.
ugh i hate having to walk up and down with my underpants and sweaty dance gear for all the world to see… so i bought a portable washing machine on ebay for $100. you don’t technically “install” it (it hooks up to kitchen sink then stows away when you’re done) and i used sensitive skin/allergies as an excuse so my landlord won’t get pissy.
i can’t wait until i get a “real” job and buy a condo (i hate grooming lawns and gardening, so i’d much rather a condo)!
how’s tabs putting up with all of this?
.-= ines + cha cha’s last blog post… MIDTERMS GALORE 🙁 =-.
Anina says
October 6th, 2009 at 9:31 pmsunlight always gets me. i don’t know why, considering that i do live in a tropical country. but the rainy season has been a big mofo, and has taken over much of our lives here in manila.
but more importantly, my random act of make-up beauty was the new batch of smashbox tutorial videos on the web. and of course, a new trick went straight into my make-up routine.
i do love the idea of just deciding to put bling on.
.-= Anina’s last blog post… been trying to go softer =-.
Kate & Zena says
October 6th, 2009 at 10:37 pmWell, as someone speaking from the Seventh Ring of School Hell (see turkey comment), my random act of beauty was unearthing my When Depressed (or Stressed), Wear Me! lipstick aka Neutrogena lipstick in Cherry Twist. Even though I’m kinda turned off my the Kool-Aid cherry smell, that lipstick is divine. It really makes my sometimes lackluster pale skin glow. There aren’t many lipsticks that do that for me. Tons of lipglosses, few lipsticks.
The fact I had to unearth it should tell me something, like get a better organization system or reorganize the makeup spot. I had to unearth my mighty black eyeliner pencil too.
Oh, Karen, if only my washer/dryer were on the first floor of my town house. That would be divine. I would only have to go down 14 stairs instead of, like, 30 to the basement. People wonder why I wash my bedding so little and that would be it. My comforter alone is a heavy thing to haul down the stairs. Add in the pillowcases, fuzzy blanket and all the sheets and it’s so heavy. It also means three loads of laundry. Did I mention I hate doing laundry? It ranks up there with cleaning the bathroom (particularly toilets) and cleaning the kitchen sink.
Ringo says
October 6th, 2009 at 11:18 pmHi Karen. I hope you are okay! Reading your blog is like my daily routine now. Thanks for all the wonderful posts. As for my random beauty act…I woke up from my crazy iphone alarm too at 7am!! Only to go to class XD. And later I decided to get a hair cut–in a place I’ve never been to. And the result is DISASTER. My bangs look like it has been bitten by a dog, which bit off part of my bangs. Tried a million remedy (bobbi pin, trim the thing myself) and nothing worked.
But I decided to put on eyeliner and mascara. I guess drawing attention from my hair to my eyes wouldn’t be too bad.
Hope you have a wonderful week 😀
Sharon says
October 6th, 2009 at 11:19 pmLOVE LOVE LOVE the washer and dryer! and your positivity too!
Michaela says
October 6th, 2009 at 11:24 pmI still can’t BELIEVE that you’re blogging the same # and quality of posts during your move!!! I say you deserve a day or two off, at least.
I guess no is when you could really use some guest posters, huh? 🙂 I’ve got lots of ideas if you need someone!
Anyways, not to be a total sentimental goof, but I just wanted to let you know how much I (and, I’m sure, all your readers) enjoy your daily posts. I really appreciate your dedication, and reading MBB at the end of my crazy day is such a wonderful and interesting escape.
Good luck with the unpacking!
Christy says
October 7th, 2009 at 12:28 amHope the unpacking is going well.
My random act of beauty was using my Stila Barbie palette today for the first time. I got it almost 2 weeks ago, yet hadn’t used it. My mom was bugging to go get groceries. Inside was a nice champagne shade and a medium brown shade. Perfect neutral eyes 🙂 I was really surprised by the quality. I didn’t think they’d be that nice, but they were wonderful to work with.
.-= Christy’s last blog post… Deep Dark MAC Lipstick Swatches =-.
seattle says
October 7th, 2009 at 3:22 amhey karen,
are those your handwriting on the some of the pics i see throughout your blog???
if so, i LOVE your handwriting. 🙂
lol. random questions, i know…
mela says
October 7th, 2009 at 8:06 amhey karen!
congrats on the move! i can’t even imagine your washer/dryer story…i remember when ours broke in the sorority house in college and we were forced to walk (horrors!) across the street to a freshman dorm to wash our clothes and the madness that ensued…congratulations!
i love the idea of urban decay rocks, and as much as i LOVE urban decay, i just loathe the idea of paying $18 for them! so for all those recessonistas out there…
i’ve been using these nail jewels along with eyelash adhesive to get the same effect – more colors, and much more economical!
http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=acc_cosmetics&product_id=1063066175&Page=all
xoxo
mela
.-= mela’s last blog post… adoreartistry: being a little daring and rocking @stilacosmetics violet holiday smudgepot to school today (just as liner) but so bright and fun! =-.
Tekoa says
October 7th, 2009 at 8:15 amAll hail beauty perks and convenient machines! How did Tabs weather the trip? Poor kitty!
Andrea says
October 7th, 2009 at 11:55 am“Girl,†I say to the bedazzled zombie before me, “you ain’t no Hemingway, but you WORK those crystals and ratty pajamas. WORK!â€
LOLOLOL
just too funny
I love angels.
Louise Gray says
October 7th, 2009 at 3:38 pmHiya,
I felt the way that you felt about your new washer and dryer when I used my dishwasher for the first time several years ago. Urban Decay is rocking my world lately. Yesterday I bought the Book of Shadows, Volume 2 at ULTA. I also have the ammo palette. This is good for me especially since nothing at Chanel is appealing to me at the time. The Noir collection-too edgy. The Holiday collection-Dear Hubby took a look over my shoulder at your photos and he said, “You already have those colors.” They look too summery and light for me anyway. What were they thinking???? I guess I will just have to wait for the spring 2010 things. Good luck in your new digs and I hope that you will have many happy memories there. Louise
Martha says
October 7th, 2009 at 6:35 pmPer asper ad astra – that’s Kansas’s motto! Holla! State pride.
Martha out.
Karen says
October 7th, 2009 at 8:26 pmHi Martha,
How cool! That’s gonna be handy if I ever find myself on Jeopardy someday!
Trude says
October 8th, 2009 at 1:43 pmHooray for not hauling the laundry up a zillion flights of stairs! 🙂 Go girl!
The Sartorialist has been my inspiration lately. How I went around not knowing about it ’til now, I’ll never know, but his perspective as a photographer and fashionista (fashionister?) just moves me.
.-= Trude’s last blog post… 26? Are You Sure? =-.