You know how when people say that they feel like a big kid at heart, even though they’re technically adults? Yeah, I think that’s a real thing, because I felt like a kid masquerading as an adult all the way up through my early 30s.
There wasn’t one moment where I woke up and said, “Oh, gee! Would ya look at that?? How cool! I’m an adult now!” like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis.
It happened slowly over the course of a few years…
Even before I started thinking of myself as a grownup, I still went to work and paid my bills and did the regular adult jazz, but I never quite felt like an honest-to-goodness adult.
Then a couple of big life things happened. The first was my friend Jen’s parents passing away, and the second was El Hub’s mom getting cancer.
The kid in my heart didn’t disappear…but she had to let grownup Karen take over for a while.
Every once in a while, kid Karen lets me know she’s still kicking around, though, like when I met this stuffed blue pegasus with her rainbow mane.
Yeah, this was a Valentine’s Day present from El Hub.
Seriously, my friend, if you can, marry a man who knows that you will derive great joy from a blue pegasus because SHE HAS A RAINBOW LIGHTNING BOLT ON HER BUTT.
This toy brings me joy (just made a rhyme!). I’ve named her Charlie, and here she’s posing for you with flowers. 🙂
P.S. TGIF!
P.P.S. Today — actually this very day — marks the official eight-year anniversary of Makeup and Beauty Blog.
Yup, eight years ago today I typed up my very first post.
10,223 posts later…WE’RE STILL TALKING ABOUT MAKEUP AND PLUSH RAINBOW TOYS WITH LIGHTNING BOLTS ON THEIR BUTTS, LOL!
And I’m still typing “LOL” and using ellipses…
Holy sh*t, right!? I’ve written more than 10,200 posts over 2,900 days. I don’t know if I should be embarrassed or proud!
Probably a bit of both…
You know what, though? I’ve had fun. 🙂 I hope you have too.
Happy anniversery!! Good job – i have not been here since the start but i have still been a daily reader for quite a few years now 🙂 yours is still the first blog I read in the morning.
I’m very glad that you have such a child-like enthusiasm for life & the things you love! It shines through on every one of your posts & it’s what drew me in a couple months ago & it’s what keeps me coming back daily. Thank you for sharing your passions with your devoted followers; here’s to many more years!
Karen, this is such a sweet post! Your husband is a keeper, how cute of a gift is that?? And the flowers are gorgeous too! And the animated gif of Charlie is so adorable!
Happy 8 year anniversary of blogging. I love reading your early posts 🙂 You should def be proud of every single post you wrote and I don’t remember how I stumbled upon your blog, but it was a blessing and I love coming back to MBB every single time. And talking to you, even through the comments, is really like chatting with an old friend! Hugs and kisses and cheers to many more years of blogging and to being a kid at heart!
Happy birthday, MBB!!! So glad you’ve been here writing away for the last 8 years, Karen! And I’m glad that I’ve been around for about 6 of those years 🙂 I lift my glass to you! Cheers for the past, present, & future. We love you!
Happy eight years! I’m a (relatively) new reader, and I’ve gotta say, I’m kicking myself for not finding this blog earlier. I love reading your posts and I hope you keep going for at least another eight years!
(Sorry if that got a bit goopy at the end, I’ve got your cold and am a bit loopy thanks to cold medicine.)
You are the reason I love your blog! I love that you use ellipses and type LOL. It’s like talking to a girlfriend.
My husband, my best friend and I have an inside joke about My Little Pony, and we all have a coffee mug with Charlie’s face on it. It’s funny to see 2 grown men drinking from children’s mugs!
Great job, Karen!! You have more (better quality) photos now compared to your very first post! Please bring us more and more good product reviews and cute pictures of Tabs!
Happy Anniversary!
Happy anniversary, love your blog and the whimsy you bring!! I refuse to be a grown up, no fun there!! RAINBOW DASH aka Charlie is the best, my 12 yr old niece told me all about them!! I have a mini Charlie in my car, he makes me happy!!
Happy blog-versary, Karen! Your blog is a fun and cozy space, just like sitting with a friend and chatting over a cup of tea :). Charlie is adorable! Such cute little things are perfect comfort for when we need to be our big girl selves, right?
Lots of love and here’s to more coral lipsticks and a ton o’ blog fun! Xoxo.
Hi Musical! Thank you for your friendship and for loving Tabs just as much as I do. 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend!
Hi Angelic Mariposa,
I love that you have a mini Charlie in your car! I actually thought about bringing mine with me on my trip to he salon today, LOL! Have a wonderful Friday. 🙂
Hi Cosmetics Aficionado!
Thank you!
Awesome present! Happy Anniversary!!!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !!!
Trop migon le petit poney 🙂
I’m so glad you’re still doing what you do because you taught me so many things… you have no idea !
I’m quite new in makeup (‘cos i drop it for years), in watching tutorials and i’m really enjoying reading you at the end of the days.
I which you the best and many many other posts…
Happy Anniversary! I just want to say that as a fairly new subscriber I thoroughly enjoy your blog and a huge thank you for making beauty fun.
Charie and the flowers look cute together! I love soft toys too and the kid in me stays forever visiting now and then! And it’s sweet of your husband to gift you such a bundle of cuteness 🙂 Happy anniversary Karen!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MBB!
Congrats, Karen 🙂 I’m so pumped and happy that this site exists, tbh. Here’s to eight more! 😀
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Eight years is huge. I’ve only been blogging for two. I’m not sure I will have much of my brain left if I continue for six more years.
How old is my nephew? Has he, too, been blogging for 8 years?
I love that your husband knew to get you something so fabulous for Valentine’s Day. It’s the little things that keep us married.
I told my husband that as long as he keeps making me laugh, we’re good.
Happy weekend 🙂
Happy anniversary! I’m so happy to have been reading most of those years!
I like your Pegasus!
Happy Anniversary!! I too feel like a big kid and I still have all my beanie babies. I get a kick out of the fact that all 3 of my nieces love to play with my stuff toys!
Congrats on your blog-a-versary! 🙂 MBB is one of my favorite daily reads and of course I love when Tabs makes an appearance. I love your positive attitude and that kid Karen is still around making things fun. Hope you and the family have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
Hi Ruchita,
Thanks for letting me and Tabs be a part of your day. It’s been so much fun getting to know you (and talking about baking and cats!). I hope that you are having a wonderful Friday so far!
Happy anniversary! I love your blog! Keep up the excellent work. BTW, I love Tabs.
Happy Anniversary, Karen! Just know, that like Charlie, when it comes to MBB, I’ll be with you all the way. Ride or die! <3
Oh yay, happy blog birthday, Karen! Another milestone that you should be oh so proud of! <3
P.S.: I have that non-adult adult thing going on at the moment…
Hi Melissa,
Thank you! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you! Have a wonderful rest of your day. 🙂
AWWW CONGRATS KAREN!
I didn’t realize it was that long, but I can tell you that personally, it has been atleast 6 years since I’ve been reading your blog religiously….it’s my daily treat, my break from stress, my way to cheer up and de stress, the only way I shop is (check in on your reviews first of course!), and well a lot of times the way I enjoy makeup through you because while I have a lot of makeup, I definitely can’t afford to buy it all 😀
HAPPY FRIDAY!
Hi Yelena,
Thank you, friend. I’m so honored to have been a part of your day for the last 6 years. I really appreciate you reading the site and I’ve enjoyed getting to know you! Thank you so, so much for all of your nice comments and for just being you!
Congrats, Karen! I have been reading your blog for about two years now and I keep coming back every day! This is the first time I have ever commented on your posts, I guess I should more often now!
Hi Ellen,
It’s so nice to meet you! I’m glad you stopped by to say hello today. 🙂 Thank you for your well wishes and have a wonderful Friday! What are you up to this weekend?
8 years?! How awesome!! Congrats!! I love reading your blog Karen, your words makes us all feel like you are our BFF! The LOL’s and gurl talk are my favorite thing! Keep doing you boo! LOL!!
Hi Leticia,
Aww, thanks boo! 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Birthday and happy blog anniversary! To many more 🙂 Your rainbow dash Charlie is cute 🙂
Hi Phyrra,
Thank you! Thanks for all of your nice comments and for your kindness. Have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Anniversary Karen! Thanks for all the funny, informative and creative posts. We love you and Tabs and glad El Hub is a good hubby to you. You deserve all the best gurl!!!
Hi Denise S,
Thank you for letting Tabs and me get to know you! I’ve enjoyed chatting with you all of these years, and hearing about Blaow, your daughter and your son. Big hugs to you!
Happy anniversary, Karen! Your blog is awesome ❤️.
Hi Aida,
Thank you so much! YOU are awesome! Enjoy your weekend. 🙂
Hi Karen,
I LOVED this post! First of all Happy Anniversary! I Love your blog and it’s sense of humor. Big fan! I can completely relate to this. I had a really rocky childhood so I feel like I had to grow up in a lot of ways way too early. Now that I am 31 everyone seems to expect me to act/feel like a real grownup lol. They don’t seem to appreciate things like an awesome My Little Pony or glitter or Disney. I think having the inner child around is the only thing that keeps us from loosing our shiz when life gets hard!
Thank you for posting this!
Hi Alissa Cady,
Thank you for the well wishes! I’m glad you were able to make it through that rough patch, and I hope that everything for you from here on out is gravy (to quote Tabs). Have a wonderful weekend and thank you again for your sweet words. 🙂
3.5 posts a day? That’s crazy! Congrats!
O emmmmm geeeeee! How cool is this! Both the Pegasus & your anniversary! I’m a big kid at heart, too. I’m not sure I’ve grown up (yet) but I LOVE that you’re a big kid at heart, too. I hope you get a million more Pegasus’- like blue, and pink, and purple, & a rainbow colored one, cause, you know, diversity. BOL! So happy you’re here. This is totally my little happy space on the interwebs. Wishing you perfect brows, perfectly winged eyeliner, and a killer lippie to tie it all together.
Hi Kwmechelle,
Thank you, friend! I’ve enjoyed getting to know you here in the comments (you’re my sister from another mister, FOR REAL THO!!) and chatting with you about makeup and all the good stuff. 🙂 I hope your weekend is filled with fun, flutes and fabulously blended eyeshadow!
Happy anniversary! Here’s to many more! I love your blog, Karen. Your posts always bring a smile to my face, even when I’m having a bad day. Thank you.
Charlie is so cute!
Hi Gio,
Thank you for all of your nice comments and for reading the site! Have a wonderful weekend!
Congratulations on your Happy Blog Anniversary! You were one of the very first bloggers I discovered and followed. You are a major talent: great writer, wonderful photographers, so imaginative! Best of luck to you going forward! And I love your adorable Charlie, gift from your husband. What a sweetie he must be! Adulthood is over-rated by it beats the alternative. Happy weekend 🙂
Hi Allison,
You’re so sweet, Allison. Thank you for this kind note! Have a wonderful rest of your Friday… What’s the plan for the weekend?
OMG Karen! You got Rainbow Dash! My nephew loves her and all the My Little Ponies! So cute!
Hi Ann,
I had no idea Charlie/aka Rainbow Dash was so famous! Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
Congrats, Karen. I’m so happy for you!!!!!! And I’ve been a reader the whole time. Wow. 🙂
Lots of love from a buried Boston,
Leah G.
Hi Leah G.,
Thank you for reading all this time (WOW!). You’re my ride or die! 🙂 Sending you some Cali sunshine over the interwebz, and have a wonderful weekend!
Awwwww, Karen, I’m so glad you started posting.
Hi Vanessa,
Thank you for reading MBB. 🙂 Hugs!
El Hub is awesome for getting you a lightening bolt tattooed rainbow Pegasus! And I’m glad the kid Karen is still there because she’s super fun!
Congratulations Karen!! That’s truly is an awesome feat. I so enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing this super awesome Pegasus too. So cute! I’m older than you (51) and still love all the “child-like” things in life. Some days I put on my “big girl panties” but, really, only if I have to. lol
Hi Natalie Brown,
Thank you! 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your Friday and have a wonderful weekend!
Ok, so I’m leaving work but didn’t want to sign off before saying CONGRATULATIONS on the Blog – LOVE IT!
And, rainbow lighting bolt butts make the world spin! LOL
I got a mini rose bush (will plant around the pond in the spring), a card that stated that I was simply AMAZING (go me), and 3 chocolate covered cherries (because he knows too much chocolate can be a not so good thing for me). I got a keeper too.
Ok, gotta bolt, see ya on FB this weekend!
Hi Majick,
Aww, thank you! Enjoy your weekend, and say hi to Caliboosh for me (what a nice kitty to get you some makeup!).
p.s. I just turned 55 yesterday and stay young by refusing to grow up. LMAO! (actually not having kids helps a great deal too, I get to be the kid… sorry Moms ;-))
Happy Birthday, Majick! You know what they say. Birthdays last for at least a good week after the actual day, so enjoy your birthday weekend!
And congratulations on the blog-I never miss a post from you since I have the sent yo my email! You’re the best!
Thank you, Ann! XOX
Happy blogiversary, sweet Karen! I love your gift from El Hubs! When our daughter (our first child) was born, Mr. M surprised me with Domo and Mono the plush microbe (more people should have these in their lives!). Because they are adorable and he new I’d enjoy them 🙂
Hi Alison!
Thank you my friend. I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know you! I think if we met in person we’d definitely have fun.
I love that story about your hubby and the plush toys! He sounds like a sweetheart.
I hope that you’re enjoying your new job and that you have a great weekend!
Karen, I am a real newbie. Only been a follower a few months. Your blog is one I read EVERY day. I love your humor and hearing about El Hub and Tabs! So Happy Blog Anniversary to a truly beautiful lady
Hi Sandy,
Thank you! 🙂 I’m very glad that you stopped by that first day… Who knows? Maybe we’ll still be chatting 8 years from now. 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Anniversary!!! The answer is definitely proud! I have googled many beauty blogs and there are very few that I love love love and this is one of them. I love the silly and funny parts of your posts the best AND (maybe more importantly) you’re a cat lover like me! Can I ask what inspired you to start that first post?
Hi Jenn,
Yay for cats! Tabs sends his regards, by the way. 😉
So, that’s a good question about inspiration! I dunno… I remember hearing a funny little voice inside my heading saying, “Wouldn’t it be kind of cool if you took pictures of your Barbie Loves MAC and talked about it?.” I’m glad I listened, because the MBB has changed my life is so many positive ways.
Thank you for reading and CATS 4 EVA!!!
Man oh man I loved the Barbie line. I still remember that bright pink shadow and blush I actually used up all of for once! I’ve branched out in recent years but MAC will always be a favorite. Ps if my husband goes before I do Im sure I’ll have at least 5 cats in the house at once. At least….
Happy Anniversary! Very great news ♥ yout gift is so cute I looove 😀
Happy Anniversary Karen! Reading your blog always put a smile on my face. Thanks for that! : )
I love toys. My husband got me a Cabbage Patch Kid for Christmas. ☺️ Sometimes I’m not ready to be an adult either, even though I’m 33. I remembered that your first blog post was Barbie Loves Mac! And I remember that collection. I still have a beauty powder from it. Maybe that means I really am an adult.
Happy Anni Karen! I luv the blog, especially your wonderful personality! And Charlie is actually “Rainbow Dash”! My lil girl loves MLP and his several. But she was excited to see her moving lol. Now ya need to pick up “DJ Pony”
Happy (Blog) Anniversary, Karen! Here’s to many more blog posts on beauty and makeup in the years ahead! I’ve enjoyed your blog so much,please continue your good work!
Happy birthday MBB! This is my go-to blog. And even when I google swatches of something, all paths lead to MBB! No seriously, I will look for a swatch of a product and the first result is always MBB it seems.
I’m a kid at heart too! Probably doesn’t help that I look younger than my age too. I remember at my last job a guy commented about school or something or other and I talked about graduating and he thought I meant I just graduated high school…nope, out of college by a few years haha. And for my birthday a few weeks ago one of my tiny presents from my bf was a t-shirt with Tina (from Bob’s Burgers on it). haha. I will never grow up!
I can’t wait to see many more blog posts to come!
Happy Birthday MBB! My favorite Beauty Blog ! You are so Genuine and that’s why your blog is so unique and different you make us feel like we are your friends <3
Thank you for all the smiles when reading your posts 😀
Happy eighth blog anniversary, Karen! Here’s to many, many years more of delightful experimentation with a smorgasbord of makeup and reviews of all things pertaining to beauty and skincare 🙂
Happy Anniversary ! Love your blog, your sense of humor, and your spirit. Thank you for sharing yourself and Tabs with us.
Awwww, congratulations on your anniversary and what an adorable gift! I, too, enjoy your blog and your very clever sense of humor as well as the joy and information you share with all of us over our mutual love of cosmetics and playing with makeup! Thank you for all the information you provide in your blog, and here’s looking forward to more years of MBB!
Did you ever end up getting the Barbie Loves Mac T-shirt?
I don’t follow too many blogs on a daily basis (2 including yours Karen) because the grown up me doesn’t allow the time, but MBB is like a daily treat for me. You always put a smile on my face. Thank you Karen, you’re much loved by your followers like me.
You should be so very,very proud. I’ve been here with you for about 6 years. Although, I’m usually just a very quiet fly on the wall but you have done so much and I can’t wait to see where you take us next!
On a side note. I took some advice from your last Channel post and bought the blush Malice because you said it was the grown up version of Nars Orgasm. Which I have purchased and returned several times because I could just never get past the glitter. But Malice, I love! But I have to say I forgot how much I hate their blush packaging. It’s so cheap feeling. It has no weight and the plastic is so thin. It’s one small drop off the counter from breaking in two. Booooo. Oh well, the price of beauty… Or obsession. Lol
Happy Anniversary Karen!
Congrats on your blog anniversary! Eight years and still going strong.
To be honest, even while having a responsible job, a baby and a husband, I sometimes fear people would stop me on the street, yelling: You are not really an adult, you just pretend! And I am glad it is this way.
Happy 8th anniversary, Karen!! 😀 Wow! I’ve been a reader since 2011 – you were one of the first beauty blogs I found when I first discovered them, and I fell in love with your writing style, photography, creativity, and spunky spirit! Congrats and many more! <3
PS: Yas to the rainbow pegasus! Your husband is the man!
Congratulations on your Blog Anniversary!! That’s fantabulous!!
Congratulations on eight years of blogging! Wish I had found your blog sooner, you’re so much fun to read. Here’s to many more years of blog posts!
And El Hub! He’s a keeper! That rainbow pegasus is the best. BTW, in horse world terms, that isn’t the horses butt. That rainbow is on the haunches. Just sounds stronger in some way, ya know? 😉
Happy Anniversary!!!!:D I love your blogs!I’m very happy I found you!:)
Congratulations, Karen! Your blog is so much fun to read!
Congratulations on the anniversary! I’m glad you’re still here and writing about makeup. I have loved reading your blog (I think I’ve been reading for about 7 years). You’re great and I wish you continued success!
love your makeup.
Karen, congratulations on reaching such a monumental milestone! Before I knew e-reader services existed, I would hop on over to read MBB during my lunch break every day of the week. It was an escape I still enjoy to this day. You’re a lovely lady and deserve nothing but the best, because you’ve worked so tirelessly with a tremendous amount of grace, and pizazz 🙂
Congrats on 8 years! We must be having fun because time is flying!
Sorry about your MIL, and you are right adult reality is a major eye opener.
happy anniversary, karen! i started reading your blog not long after it started, and really appreciate how you’ve grown and taken this thing to be THE BEST beauty blog there is, hands down.
have a good one!
Congrats on the anniversary! I’ve been following your blog for several years now. Time flies like a pony with a lightning bolt on her butt 🙂
Happy blog anniversary! I enjoy checking put your makeup reviews and seeing how you use color. Congrats and continued success!
Happy blogiversary! You should most definitely be proud of all the content you’re able to put out. It’s an insane level of production to do all on your own so consistently – those of us who have done it know this! 🙂