Merry Christmas, my sweet friend. I feel like a broken record because I say this every year, but I still don’t feel like I say it enough — THANK YOU. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being here, for being my makeup sister-from-another-mister, for sharing your life with me. All the highs and lows. Thank you from the bottom of my glittery painted toes to the tips of my lashes, and from the deepest part of my being.
The universe seems to have had fun messing with all our plans in 2020 (so rude!), and while it’s been a year of many good moments and unexpected blessings (like all the extra time spent with El Hub and Connor), it’s also been…well…super weird. Difficult, too. Like, that once-in-a-lifetime kinda hard that changes you forever. The optimism that I could once find so easily has been shaken to the core and challenged in so many ways.
Somehow, though, I’ve still managed to hold onto hope.
I’m feeling it today.
When things feel insurmountable, I look to that sense of hope. It reminds me that we’re still moving forward, and that soon enough, better days will come. Hope steadies me, and it keeps me going.
This Christmas has been vastly different for many of us, but I hope you find a way to enjoy this very unusual take on the holiday season. Love you so, so much. Thank you for giving me the greatest gift of all — the gift of your time and your friendship.
Merry Christmas.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Jen C says
December 25th, 2020 at 7:15 amMerry Christmas! I know it is a difficult and different year for many of us, but hopefully it will also be a year where we look back and realise how much stronger we have become. Thank YOU for being here, and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!
Karen says
December 25th, 2020 at 3:06 pmMerry Christmas to you and your family, Jen! Here’s to better days in 2021.
Jay says
December 26th, 2020 at 5:02 amMerry Christmas Karen… thank you for another year of brightening up my days!
Lisa says
December 25th, 2020 at 8:58 amMerry Christmas to you and your family! Here’s hoping 2021 is your best year yet!
Karen says
December 25th, 2020 at 3:05 pmHere’s to good things in 2021, Lisa!
Rachel says
December 25th, 2020 at 9:09 amMerry Christmas Karen! I hope Connor Claire gets spoiled today! Next year will be better for sure!
Karen says
December 25th, 2020 at 3:05 pmHi Rachel! Merry Christmas! She certainly did. 🙂
How did your parents take the good news? I bet your mom freaked when she saw the onesie!
Rachel says
December 25th, 2020 at 3:33 pmMy mom and I both cried! She was in shock, and so was my dad! It was such a fun surprise!
Sami says
December 25th, 2020 at 10:05 amWow your hair is so long & thick. &5 looks fabulous!
Merry Christmas!
Karen says
December 25th, 2020 at 3:04 pmMerry Christmas, Sami!
Barbara Jean Rios says
December 25th, 2020 at 11:03 amMerry Christmas Karen! Thanks for being a bright spot in my days! ❤️
Karen says
December 25th, 2020 at 3:03 pmMerry Christmas, Barbara!
Linda says
December 25th, 2020 at 11:46 amMerry Christmas! And thank you, because I have been following you for the gazillion years you have been doing this. And my good news is: I’m getting the vaccine Monday morning! I’m not a frontline worker, but I am a nurse and thankfully they are trying to vaccinate the nurses. Happy New Year to you and your family Karen.
Karen says
December 25th, 2020 at 3:03 pmI’m happy to hear that, Linda. Take care of yourself and merry, merry Christmas!
kellly says
December 25th, 2020 at 11:50 amThis weird year has tested everybody in many ways that have been absolutely zero fun. From the pandemic to the wildfires and that heavy blanket of smoke covering half the country this summer, the election season and everything else, it stretched and taxed our inventiveness and patience.
What helps me bolster my fortitude to keep on dealing with it the best I can is to remember that we are a part of a population making history. Other years and holiday seasons will be lost in the dust of history but 2020 is one for the record books that people long after us will remember what happened in 2020.
Karen says
December 25th, 2020 at 3:03 pmThat is so very true. This is a time that I will *never* forget! Merry Christmas to you!
Christine says
December 25th, 2020 at 1:15 pmSo thankful that YOU have been there for US, like an internet marriage — through sickness and through health, keeping us going with your optimism, vulnerability, and sharing (of socially-distant dance recitals, delicious food, and tools for self-care) that somehow make the unbearable bearable.
I wish you and your lucky-to-be-with-you-IRL family a Merry Christmas!!
Onward to 2021…
Karen says
December 25th, 2020 at 3:02 pmOnward to 2021 indeed. Sending you a hug from the rainy Bay Area today. Merry Christmas!
Daphne B says
December 25th, 2020 at 3:38 pmMerry Christmas Karen! Thank you for being there for all of us this year. You have been a beacon of light in what has been a weird and sometimes very dark year. You gave me something to look forward to everyday while I have been in front of my computer working from home. I take calls all day for Legal Aid, and the stories get very sad and depressing sometimes, and I was happy to have your blog to read. I have so enjoyed all of the pictures, recipes, fun makeup discussions and polls, and getting to know Rosie. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year. 2021 is going to be a much better year for all of us!
TravelingBlush says
December 26th, 2020 at 9:54 pmMust be hard for you. Hope you find solaceand support in your life.
Jennifer Emmett says
December 25th, 2020 at 5:33 pmBackatcha, humans and felines alike. I love that no matter what happens there are still people that enjoy makeup as much as me!!
Vita Houlihan says
December 25th, 2020 at 6:08 pmMerry Christmas Karen – and El Hub – and most importantly Connor Claire.
I hope Santa found you Miss Connor Claire. I was worried he wouldn’t find my nephew Dixon born to my Brother Connor, named after my late father Richard, but he DID. And most magical of all was that two days ago our restrictions were relaxed so singles like me could do a day visit. Dixon was born March 25th during our first two weeks of lock up and I will always be thankful for him. His smile and his sparkly eyes remind me of my Dad and I believe a part of him lives inside that little baby boy.
Karen. I am soooo thankful for you and your followers and always will be – many nights while we were at hospital with my dad or in his last weeks of palliative care at our childhood home, I would read your blogs and try makeup tricks or order things you recommended and it made life feel more normal – less serious than my then 38 years of age. It was an escape and although I only began commenting recently, you were the silent, caring, positive voice on long scary unknown nights.
Please do what you do – you are a positive light for so many – I am sure I am not alone!
A very merry holiday to you all!!
Vita
Anne says
December 26th, 2020 at 4:11 amMerry Christmas, and thank you for providing a welcome escape of the daily struggles through all of last year.
Wishing you and your loved ones a lovely time.
Anne recently posted … My skincare routine to fight hyperpigmentation | Doctor Anne
Julie says
December 26th, 2020 at 7:22 amKaran: I echo all the sentiments above. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Your comments are a bright spot in my day and I eagerly await you email every day. I look forward to the Tab’s adventures, watching Connor Claire grow and seeing Rosie develop her natural modeling stances. Thank you for all you do – your positivity is infectious! Happy New Year!