Karen

I can think of two distinct periods. The first was in high school, when makeup was new to me and I was finally given free reign to wear it in public. Side note, I don’t know if it was just a strict Filipino family thing, but there was an unwritten rule that I was forbidden to wear makeup until I got the go-ahead from my parents, so I’d sneak it on when I was in middle school.

Anywho, I had just turned 14, and I was finally allowed to wear makeup, so I went all in and did the whole kit and caboodle for a day at school — foundation, powder, blush, eyeshadow, lipstick and eyeliner. For some reason my mom wouldn’t allow me to wear mascara though. Weird! I loved it all and relished the fact that I could wear makeup out in the real world. Now that I think about it, though, I had a lot on for such a young person.

About 10 years ago, when I was in the thick of writing for MBB, I did a full-on glam look pretty much every day. It was fun, and looked great in photos, but it was a lot of work. I look back on that period of my life with fondness, though. Dang, I could slay some eyeshadow back then.

When was a time in your life when you wore a lot of makeup?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Hiya! I just want to say a quick hello before I head on off to work.

I hope you take a moment today to remember that you’re just so lovely, both inside and out. I know we don’t know each other in person, but I’m so proud of you. You’re doing the best you can, day in, day out, and that’s not always easy, but you’re still here, and you keep on going.

Please remember you’re worthy of all the good things that are happening to you, and there are even more great things coming your way! They’re just around the corner.

Sending you so much love today.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I think this crazy cold that’s had a grip on my sinuses is finally starting to ease up! I can’t wait to feel 100% better again. If you’re healthy today, cherish that please.

With Valentine’s day around the corner and Taylor Swift winning the Super Bowl recently (ha), I’ve had red lipstick on my mind. What’s your go-to at the moment? Mine lately has been NARS Dragon Girl. How about you?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Ahhh-choo! I would be wearing Dragon Girl today if I didn’t have a cold. It’s been a seemingly never-ending season of sniffles here at our house. Life with a little kid, you know how it goes.

Anywho, I remember when Connor first started preschool, and I was talking to a friend who’s a nurse and has kids, and I said, “I can’t wait until kindergarten is over and her immune system builds up so that we aren’t all constantly sick from October through April,” and she laughed SO HARD for SO LONG. She then said, “Kindergarten? Try third grade.” What was I thinking?!

I’m off to go drink another cup of hot tea and sneeze a few times. Stay healthy, my friend!

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. A beauty product that’s over hyped?

While I like NARS Orgasm blush, I think there are other shades in their lineup are equally as flattering but easier to wear, like Lovejoy or Deep Throat.

2. Who makes your favorite lipsticks?

I like MAC for certain hero shades that I hold near and dear to my heart. The chubby NARS lip pencils because they’re so easy to use. Chanel, of course, for their fancy lady-ness. 😀

3. What’s the most challenging thing about your hair?

Ugh, washing it, for sure. It’s so tedious.

4. Have you ever had a beauty-related injury?

The one time I tried to wax my brows, I ended up accidentally ripping half of one off. WHOOPS! I’ve also poked my eye out with a mascara brush a couple times.

5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?

I have a four day weekend coming up starting on Friday, woo hoo!

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. A beauty product that’s over hyped?
2. Who makes your favorite lipsticks?
3. What’s the most challenging thing about your hair?
4. Have you ever had a beauty-related injury?
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?

Good morning, my friend! The sun is out and I’m feeling sunshine-y. 🙂 I can’t wait for spring…

Today I’m headed back to World Market one more time to make a final decision on the teal swivel chairs. All signs are pointing to yes! When I get back, I’m making it a priority to rest, read and paint my nails, since I didn’t paint them last week. (I’m trying to get back in the habit.)

What’s on your list today?

This week’s reading

• Pamela Anderson’s entering the skincare biz.
• In case you were looking for some Valentine’s beauty gifts for yourself.
• Beautiful makeup looks from the Grammy Awards.
• Speaking of the Grammys, Joni Mitchell wore Ilia for her performance.
• Insect repellant perfumes are a thing.
• Why do cats lick people?
• Get a peek into the secret lives of barn cats.

Because I’m into wide-leg pants at the moment

I want this palette

Note to self

LOVE

This looks fun

Have a splendid rest of your Saturday!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

My friend, where would I be without you? Probably somewhere buying swivel chairs of regret, ha ha ha!

Connor and I went to World Market last weekend to test a few swivel chairs for our living room.

Side note, I once bought a whole-ass couch online without testing it out first when I was in my 20s. It was the peak of the dot-com age in the late ’90s, when seemingly everything that happened online, including buying a couch. I don’t know why it never occurred to me to purchase a major piece of furniture solely based on how it looked on the Pottery Barn website rather than how my booty felt sitting in it, LOL! That couch was with me for a good chunk of my young adult life, and years later it would get torn up by tabby claws and stained by baby barf. Good times.

Anyway, tangent!

At World Market, I wanted to specifically check out the beige sherpa swivel chair that caught my eye.

Seriously, what a difference seeing something in real life makes! I thought this sherpa chair was going to be the one until I saw the floor model, yikes.

The chair itself was really comfy, but the material left much to be desired. The model that was sitting out on the floor clearly had been out for a while, and what was once a beautiful beige was now a murky gray, and the cute nubs on the sherpa were worn down and flattened.

The upside, though, was that there was another version of the chair in the store in teal, and it looked and felt really good.

The base of the teal chairs felt sturdy and the gliding action was smooth. (Thank you to reader Julie for pointing out that the chairs with the spindle base could be easily knocked over by rambunctious kids because I didn’t even think of that.)

The velvet was also very pretty and looked like the material held up better to high traffic. I’m not sure how they’ll fare with Rosie the Destroyer’s cat claws, but I’ve read that velvet can deter kitties from scratching, so we’ll see.

So far these chairs are the front runner.

While we were there, we also looked at rugs because I’ve been needing to buy a couple for the house.

There was a synthetic version called “Cloudpile” that was pretty and very soft. They’re designed for high traffic areas and homes with kids and pets. The only concern I have is that some reviews mention how the rug can feel slick. I don’t want anyone running across it to slip and fall, hmm.

I was wondering if you had any insight into wool rugs? World Market seems to have quite a few, affordable options and a couple of them get very high ratings. However, some reviews say the wool sheds a lot. I don’t need a high-maintenance rug in my life, but I liked the thickness of the wool rugs I saw at the store, and the beautiful colors.

One last thing before I leave you to head to work! I’m so glad it’s Friday. This week went by quickly, but it felt slow getting there, if that makes sense.

How was your week? What are you up to this weekend?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen