Karen

Saturday Surfing, August 5, 2023!

August 5th, 2023 by Karen Leave a Comment

Happy Saturday!

Who goes to Ulta right before a camping trip because she can’t go to the woods without certain beauty necessities? THIS GIRL.

I realized this morning that my go-to co-wash (which has also quickly become Connor’s conditioner of choice) is running dangerously low. Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk 3-in-1 Conditioner is technically made for curly and wavy girls, but I think it would be great for anyone looking for bouncy, soft hair.

This lightweight conditioner works as a leave-in or rinse-out conditioner or a co-wash. It’s an affordable $8.99 for a 12-ounce bottle with a pump, and you can find it at most drugstores. Anywho, there’s no way that I’ll survive a long camping weekend without it… OK, perhaps that’s a little dramatic, but being able to fall asleep underneath the stars with clean hair is always a good thing in my book!

While I’m there, I also plan on grabbing a compact with a magnifying mirror. I’ve realized I’m at the point where I can’t pluck my brows or draw a swish of black liner on without the help of a mirror with magnification. I hope I can find one, so it can save me from my chin hairs, ha ha ha.

How’s your Caturday going so far? I hope you’re doing well both physically and mentally and that you’ve got something nice planned for yourself this weekend.

This week’s reading

Prada has a new skincare and makeup line.
Peep Charlotte Tilbury’s new Disney collection.
How to clean your brushes, according to Lisa Eldridge.
Fancy! Now people who fly business class on United’s premium transcontinental domestic routes get new amenity kits with exclusive products from Venus Williams-backed wellness brand Asutra.
A derm’s budget-friendly anti-aging skincare routine.

Body care!

I love a glossy lid

All the sparkles please

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Essie Gel Couture Labels Only: You Can’t Go Wrong With Secret Shimmer

August 4th, 2023 by Karen 1 Comment

essie labels only top pic — Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Labels Only ($11.50), my current nail crush

Happy Friday! I need to paint my nails ASAP with this beautiful periwinkle blue from Essie.

This periwinkle makes me think of this one time when Jen and I were college students, and we were killing some time at a bookstore because we were both singers in her dad’s Saturday rock band.

You know, one of those bands that only played once a week at random functions. I think it was somebody’s sixteenth birthday party.

We were sitting there looking through a magazine… We must have been in our early 20s at the time, and I can’t remember why, but the magazine we were looking through was a wedding magazine.

I remember saying to her, “One day we’re gonna be doing this for real,” and she was like, “Oh, my gawd!” Previous to that, we’d never talked about planing our weddings before. It just never came up.

About my distant future wedding, I distinctly remember saying in that conversation, “I’m gonna have you in a periwinkle dress!”

But things didn’t go down that way. Both she and my BFF Cindy ended up wearing very tasteful dark brown J. Crew dresses to go with our other color, which was Tiffany Blue.

So…periwinkle wasn’t involved in any form or fashion, but I did have periwinkle wedding dreams once upon a time (so random!).

Maybe that’s why I like Essie Labels Only from their Gel Couture line.

essie labels only swatch — Essie Labels Only

The Gel Coutures are GREAAAT. They dry quickly and last a long time, and even among the Gel Couture line, Labels Only lasts longer than some of the other shades do for me. I get a full week’s worth of wear using two layers and the Essie Gel Couture Top Coat (you don’t have to use a base coat with these).

It isn’t just a straight-up periwinkle, either. It has secret pink shimmer, which you can kind of see in the top pic.

You can’t go wrong with secret shimmer, ya know? 🙂

It’s available now for $11.50 at Ulta.

What are you wearing on your nails today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

August 3rd, 2023 by Karen 3 Comments

1. Homemade pesto

Connor and I are obsessed! I used this recipe, which I got from my neighbor Ellen. I went to visit her and she fed me a bowl of freshly made pesto pasta made with basil from her farm, and I swear I had an out-of-body experience. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to go back to the pre-made stuff in the jar, ahhh!

Oh, if you’re going to make pesto at home, one thing I learned from this last batch was that the freshness of the basil makes a huge difference. I was lucky enough to get a very fresh bunch, and the basil notes were great – very, very flavorful.

2. Barilla Protein Spaghetti

I probably sound like a broken record, I know, but adulting for me equals trying to eat enough protein at every meal. The struggle is SO REAL. I bought a box of Barilla protein spaghetti on the recommendation of a nutritionist friend, and alas, I don’t hate it! It tastes like regular pasta and doesn’t have a funky texture. Tastes great with homemade pesto.

3. “The Babysitter’s Club” series on Netflix

I honestly don’t know how I missed this series of books when they first came out in the mid-’80s; I think I was deep in my trashy novel phase reading stuff like “Flowers in the Attic” by V.C. Andrews, LOL!

Netflix recently turned it into a television show and updated it with a modern twist, and you know what? It’s REALLY GOOD.

I’m serious, even if you aren’t watching it with a little one, it’s a sweet show with likable characters and relatable storylines. Give it a chance!

4. “Boomerang” by Imagine Dragons

Warning: this song will get stuck in your head, and you’ll find yourself awake in the middle of the night humming it internally as you contemplate the current state of your life and career.

5. Soul searching in the shower

Honestly, it’s the best place I’ve found to work stuff out. There’s something about the sound of water and having my body on autopilot (wash hair, condition, exfoliate, shave) that clears up my head. I seem to be able to make mental connections quicker there.

What’ve you been loving lately?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Why I Still Love Makeup

August 2nd, 2023 by Karen 9 Comments

Sometimes a little bit of liner means a lot.

There’s been some unexpected big life changes in my world recently – nothing too crazy, just some job-related stuff. Although the most important things are still okay (health, family and having a roof over my head), I’ve been feeling like things are shifting in ways that I would’ve never expected.

I think the main thing is that, well, I’m changing. I’ve been craving stability more than anything, and freelance life is so up and down. It can be emotionally draining.

With writing, I’ve always steadfastly known, deep in my core, that I will always land on my feet, but lately, I’ve been wondering if it’s time to dream a new dream.

I don’t know what that looks like, but I’ve decided to open myself up to the universe and see where things take me.

Anywho, I was thinking about all this yesterday *except* for a brief window when I was at Sephora, exchanging the stick of black liquid liner by Rare Beauty that went wonky on me.

To be honest it’s been kinda exhausting to be all up in my head ALL THE TIME lately, but for the few minutes when I was chatting with the nice sales associate about the pros and cons of brush tip versus felt lip liquid liner, my spirit felt lighter.

It just reminded me that there are some small things that one can always depend on, like a thin swish of black liquid liner on the upper lash line, to always bring you back to center.

Even though I’ve worn very little makeup in the last few years compared to The Before Times (pre-pandemic), I still really, really love it for the stability it gives me.

I might be changing in ways I didn’t expect, but some things, like black eyeliner, stay steadfastly the same. Makeup has always been an anchor for me, and I’ll always appreciate it for that reason.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Summer Beauty Buddies: Supergoop! Shimmershade Illuminating Cream Eyeshadow SPF 30 in Sunset

August 1st, 2023 by Karen 5 Comments

Obvs this can’t be the only sunscreen on your lids. Think of it more as a beautiful, bronze bonus layer of protection!

I bought Sunset totally on a whim; I road tested it in Hawaii because I like the idea of extra sun protection on my face by any means necessary. Plus, it was so, so pretty — totally reminds me of Tom Ford Spice!

On my tan skin, it’s a warm copper with the tiniest flecks of amber. It doesn’t look heavy or cake-y, and it adds just enough color to my lids.

On its own with a smidge of liner and mascara, it’s just the thing for makeup lovers who don’t want a heavy lift with their eye makeup but still like a little something-something.

Do take care to make sure your lids are completely free of anything slippery before you apply it, though.

I’ve noticed when I layer it on top of mineral sunscreen that hasn’t completely dried down, the eyeshadow disappears before the end of the day.

When I apply it on my lids without anything slippery, though, it stays on, even through humidity and sweat.

There three other shades and after reading several comments about glitter on the Sephora website, it appears as though the shimmer varies in each. I haven’t tried any of the shadows, but Sunset’s shimmer is soft, subtle and elegant. It looks more expensive than it is.

It was love at first swipe with this one. Check it meow-t next time you’re perusing Supergoop!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 792

July 31st, 2023 by Karen 11 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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. A hobby you’d like to start?

I fell down an internet rabbit hole last night researching growing heirloom roses in containers. LOL! I dunno, I just love the idea of having my own beautiful roses to cut and enjoy and smell. I don’t really know anything about roses, though, other than the fact that the deer in our neighborhood like to eat them.

2. Coconut or papaya?

I feel like coconut is so much more flexible in terms of drinks and baking, but if given the chance to eat one or the other plain, then I’d go with papaya, for sure. I wouldn’t just sit down and crack open a coconut for the heck of it, ya know?

3. Have you gone swimming much this summer?

When we were in Hawaii, yes, I was in the water pretty much every day because Connor needed someone to watch her while she cannonballed and backflipped and whatnot. Here in the Bay Area, I’ve only gone swimming once in our community pool. It’s not heated (a travesty!), so I only go in on days after we’ve had a warm spell.

4. How good are you about scheduling time for self-care?

I’m getting better at it. When I was younger, I was an overachiever in so many ways, and I’d always push myself mentally and physically until I got to my breaking point; I just thought that’s what everyone else did, and I didn’t realize how unhealthy it was. Now I’m better about recognizing and listening to my body when it needs a self-care break.

5. Does your job do summer Fridays off or do they schedule a summer shutdown?

I work freelance so I can schedule time off when I see fit, however at one of my writing gigs they do have Fridays off. It doesn’t seem to stop people from emailing me though, ha ha ha!

Happy last day of July, friend. Is it just me, or is this summer flying by? I’m ready but also NOT ready for the school year to start. It’s been so nice to have family time and lots of time outside with my people, but I also miss the routine. As someone who formerly lived by the seat of their pants, I can’t believe I’m saying that, but it’s where I’m at in life right meow.

Oh, something unexpected happened last weekend! My neighbor hooked me up with some products from her farm, and now I’ve got basil and zucchini for days. I’m going to make pesto with the basil, but I’ve yet to find a go-to recipe that’s kid friendly. Side note: Connor loves pesto, but she’s particular about it. Anywho, if you have a pesto recipe that you LOVE please pass it along.

Have a great rest of your day!

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 hobby you’d like to start?
2. Coconut or papaya?
3. Have you gone swimming much this summer?
4. How good are you about scheduling time for self-care?
5. Does your job do summer Fridays off or do they schedule a summer shutdown?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 771

July 30th, 2023 by Karen 4 Comments

So, while those of us of the bipedal, humanoid variety were in the islands last week, Rosie kept herself busy here at the home office, of course. Not only did she keep the business running smoothly, she also found time to invent a DIY irrigation system to keep our potted plants properly hydrated.

Sure, she could have used the watering hose, but that would have been too easy! 🙂

Here’s the gist of it: Everything’s available from Amazon, and the components are pretty affordable. Everything here can be purchased for about $75 dollars and be reused for many years. It combines a mini submersible water pump like the kind used to circulate water in a small aquarium, with a simple WiFi smart plug. You place the small pump into a bucket or other container of water, run some irrigation tubing from it to each of your potted plants, poke some holes into the tubing where you want the water to spritz your plants, and control everything from your phone with a smart plug app! You can even set an automatic schedule. Like, Rosie set hers to run for 30 minutes every morning.

A large tote like the one Rosie used here holds more than enough water to keep a handful of large potted plants happily hydrated for two to three weeks. When we got back from Hawaii, our tomatoes were going off! The bushes were bursting with bright red deliciousness. 🍅 Thank you, Rosie! 🙂

Note: The wine bottle watering spikes in these pics were from a previous effort to automatically water our plants. Rosie wasn’t too thrilled about how well they worked. They did alright for a couple days, but then they were empty, which is why she developed her WiFi water pump method, which could last a whole lot longer.

Here’s what you need:

The pump Rosie recommends has an automatic shutoff in case the tote or bucket it sits in runs out of water. She said the whole thing is really easy to set up, but give yourself a couple hours to cut the tubing, which you can easily do with a pair of household scissors, and poke the little holes into the tubing with a sewing needle. You can use little pieces of duct tape to cover up any holes in the tubing you decide you don’t want to use.

The Kasa smart plug Rosie used isn’t outdoor rated, so this one works best if it isn’t exposed to rain. Kasa does make a fully outdoor smart plug if you need one.

It’s a good idea to cover the water container you use, especially if it’s going to be left outside, because of, you know, MOSQUITOS. No one wants to come home to a billion hungry bugs.

Small plastic stakes are available that you can use to keep the tubing off the ground, but they really aren’t necessary. You can use a rock or something else to position the tubing and keep it where you want it.

You may, and probably will, also need an extension cord, because the submersible pump only has about a 4 ft. long power cable. Here’s a pretty good one.

At the very end of your tubing, you may want to crimp or fold the last inch or two of tubing and hold it crimped with a rubber band. If you don’t do that, that last plant in the line will probably get a lot more water than everything else — probably a lot more water than it needs. Crimping the end will increase the water pressure and the flow rate to the needle holes you make elsewhere in the tube.

Happy watering! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, July 29, 2023!

July 29th, 2023 by Karen Leave a Comment

This rainbow shave ice is your Caturday reminder to invite more color into your life.

At least it’s my reminder, LOL! For the first time in ages, I’ve been wanting to wear more fun colors. So, this weekend, the first thing on the agenda is to find a beautiful coral lipgloss that makes me swoon. I would love something glossy and sparkly in something similar to the shade of this top. Got any ideas?

Happy Saturday, by the way. We’re having a family day today with me, El Hub and Connor, and I’m craving sushi something fierce, so we’re going to grab some for lunch. Then, this evening, we’re doing an outdoor movie night at our house. El Hub bought a projector and we’re excited to hang out underneath the stars, eat popcorn and watch a movie.

What are you up to today? Whatever you’ve got going on, I hope you get some time to yourself to rest and recharge.