Karen

The MAC Electric Cool Collection Plugs Into Maximum Color and High Voltage Frost

July 31st, 2015 by Karen 16 Comments

These new $22 MAC Electric Cool Eye Shadows are electric!

But no…not literally electric. You do not have to plug them in, nor will you experience a jolt if you touch one of the springy, soft pans with your finger, but wouldn’t that be weird if it actually happened?

Oddly, I can see it being a thing someday in the not-too-distant future — women paying good money to get mildly electrocuted by their eyeshadow — because, I mean, people already pay to put snail slime on their faces, so getting zapped by an eyeshadow isn’t much of a jump.

In this case, though, by “electric,” I’m referring to intense pigment and frost; in other words, a whole lotta fun. 🙂

You might remember this family of shadows from A Novel Romance last year, within which were eight Electric Cool Eye Shadows (a few of which reappear here), and I guess MAC deemed them worthy of a comeback, because they’re back in their own 16-piece limited edition collection, and it’s available now on the MAC website and coming to MAC stores and counters August 6 through September 17.

So, watt (get it?) are they?

Sorry. Couldn’t help it. 🙂

Much like Chanel’s Illusion D’Ombre cream shadows, they have a soft, springy texture, and when you press down on them, they actually bounce back! The formula isn’t quite a cream or a powder; it’s something in between.

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Would You Rock a Fringed Purse?

July 31st, 2015 by Karen 15 Comments

urban originals project fringe bag — Urban Originals Project Crazyheart Fringe Purse ($88, available now at Nordstrom)

A fringed purse, as in a purse with fringe, as opposed to a purse living on the outskirts of society…

Get it? Fringe?

OK, that was pretty dumb, but you know you laughed! 🙂

So, I’m totally down with bags that have a little extra something-something, like an embellishment here or an accoutrement there, especially if they’re a more-is-more type of bag.

What I like about these bags I saw at Nordstrom the other day is how they move…where the fringe sways like a pony’s mane when you strut down the street. I kinda love that.

sole society fringe bag — Sole Society Faux Leather Fringe Hobo ($64.95, also at Nordstrom)

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5 Things Currently on My Wish List

July 30th, 2015 by Karen 15 Comments

1. Troubadour Contrast Study Dress from Anthropologie

How cute is this dress!?

I love the open back, and I think the neutral colors would work for lots of different occasions (imagine it with a pair of bright pumps…maybe in hot pink?).

I wish I had a party or something to go to so I had a good excuse to get this cutie!

2. Molly Hatch Mugs from Anthropologie

Hello, inspiration! 🙂 Each of these mugs has a nice little saying on the front.

What a great way to start a morning.

3. Recycled Karma Tee from Nordstrom

but first brunch — Recycled Karma Tee ($22 at Nordstrom)

Shout-out to my favorite meal of the day, what-what! At brunch you can make everyone happy, because there’s sweet stuff for the sweet tooth-ed folk (like yours truly) and savory stuff for the savory lovers.
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Would You Wear This Polka-Dot Jumpsuit?

July 30th, 2015 by Karen 20 Comments

whit two polka dot jumpsuit k 3 — Whit Two Polka Domino Dot Jumpsuit ($168) from Anthropologie

My eyes got all anime-sized huge when I saw this polka-dot jumpsuit from across the room…

Oh, Anthropologie, I’ll never understand your mysterious powers. How did you make me think I could actually wear polka dots from head to toe and have it look totally legit? I think it has something to do with your music or the store’s lighting… I dunno. Or it’s some kind of weird fashion voodoo.

In theory I like this outfit by Whit Two ($168) a lot. It comes in petite and regular sizes, for one thing, so I wouldn’t have to hem the pant legs. Then there’s the polka dots, which to me are timeless, like stripes and leopard print.

And then there’s also the black and white angle (again, never goes out of style), and how the whole thing is a complete one-piece outfit, so you just throw it on and you’re freakin’ done.

I also get a ’40s screen siren vibe from it, which is a style I LOVE, and I was already making a mental list of all the matte red lipsticks I was gonna wear with it.

Then I tried it on…

When I zipped up the back in the dressing room and saw myself in the mirror, I actually said, “This is SO not happening,” before promptly cracking up, LOL!

You know how some outfits look totally fine from certain angles, but then when you face the mirror full on they just look wrong?

Yeah, instead of feeling like Bette Davis or Katherine Hepburn in it, I felt like I was about to emerge from a very small car with 12 very tiny clowns.

Hey, at least I can say I tried, right? 🙂 Because you never know when it comes to clothes. Sometimes the things you think you’ll never wear end up being super cute.

Aaand sometimes they don’t.

Would you wear this black and white polka-dot jumpsuit? Inquiring minds want to know…

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Would You Wear These Vans Disney Princess Sneakers?

July 30th, 2015 by Karen 42 Comments

Vans Disney Princess Sneakers, $59.95 — Vans Disney Princess Sneakers ($59.95 at Nordstrom)

No, I did not find these Disney princess-bedecked Vans ($59.95) in the children’s shoe section. They’re for adults! 🙂

FOR REAL.

I spotted them at Nordies after lunch yesterday at the Cheesecake Factory (and between sightseeing venues) with mah fam.

I see a number of famous Disney princesses represented, except for Tiana from The Princess and the Frog (or maybe I’m just blind?). I love that movie…

Would you wear these shoes? I’m totally down for printed sneakers (I was actually wearing my ASPCA Cat Vans when I took this pic, haaaay!), but I probably wouldn’t wear these.

Probably. Maybe.

I love Disney and all, but I totally missed the Disney princess phase when I was a kid. I don’t know if I’m quite up to it now.

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

5 Summer Sightseeing Essentials

July 29th, 2015 by Karen 29 Comments

Howdy, amiga (and amigos)! I have some family visiting today from out of town, both my parents from the East Bay and El Hub’s parents from Redding, California, so I’ve been on daughter/daughter-in-law duty, which has involved some sightseeing and, of course, some eating (which apparently is what my family does best!).

Here are five simple summer sightseeing essentials I like to have on hand…

1. A cross-body purse

kate spade cross body purse — Like this Kate Spade Cobble Hill Small Ella in Cherry Liqueur

Yay for keeping your hands free! 🙂

I like cross-body purses for handsfree sightseeing and other summer excursions because you never know when you’ll bump into a friendly kitty who needs a little loving, or shopping bags, cold drinks or ice cream cones that will need a little holding.

2. A cute hat

kate spade straw hat — The Kate Spade Packable Straw Hat (I don’t think this one’s still available…)

I’m a huge fan of wearing hats to go sightseeing because not only are they good sun protection for my face and hair, but I can also use them to hide under when I’m not in the mood to wear any makeup or do my hair!

3. A comfy pair of shoes

roxy leopard shoes — Roxy Ventura Cheetah Slip-On Sneakers

You know it’s true: comfy footwear. Even though the allure of strappy sandals or shoes with heels is sometimes overpowering, you can’t go wrong with shoes that can handle a variety of sightseeing terrains and situations, like city streets, grassy parks, sandy beaches, etc. — because you never know where adventure will take you. 🙂
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Let’s Glow Crazy! L’Oreal True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator Prime & Highlight in Ice

July 29th, 2015 by Karen 15 Comments

loreal true match lumi liquid glow illuminator

This is the kind of high-beam headlights liquid highlighter I can totally see Beyonce rocking with head-to-toe leather on stage. It’s L’Oreal True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator in Ice ($12.99, one of three shades), and it’s bold, brash and shines so brightly that you can see it from across a room.

My first thought when these came out earlier this summer was, “Hm! Looks like a drugstore dupe of BECCA’s Shimmering Skin Perfectors.” Because they are similar. Both are liquid highlighters for use under your foundation or tinted moisturizer (so the shimmer peeks through your base), or on top of your foundation or tinted moisturizer (so the shimmer’s more obvious), or mixed in with your foundation or other base, and then applied all over yo’ pretty face (for an all-over glow).

It’s available in three shades — Rose (for people with yellow, peach, pink or blue) Golden (for peachy or yellow undertones) and Ice (for pink and blue undertones).

My skin tone is warm (MAC NC42), and I chose to try Ice…partly because I just like the pink color. 🙂
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Get Cuteness and Incredible Curl Hold With Paul & Joe Smudgeproof Mascara

July 29th, 2015 by Karen 6 Comments

paul joe smudgeproof mascara — Paul & Joe Smudgeproof Mascara ($26, available in four shades — Noir, Brun, Blue Hibiscus and Pink Samba)

Generally speaking, I have a high bar when it comes to the cuteness of mascara wands. Like, I’ll gladly gush over cute compacts and cute lipsticks, but cute mascara tubes?

Not usually enough to get me to go batsh*t cray.

What I REALLY want are mascaras that work well, but if the packaging is also cute, like I think it is with the Paul & Joe Smudgeproof Mascara in Noir I’ve been wearing lately, then that’s an extra bonus. 🙂

Barring disasters and other uncontrollable events, I curl my stick-straight lashes daily, and championship-caliber curl hold is one of the things I really like about this mascara.

That…and the super cute tube.

Smudgeproof sets, lengthens, lifts and locks lashes like it’s making it freakin’ rain at the club, and lashes stay elongated and lifted well beyond 12 hours — even through numerous naps (which I saw firsthand last weekend in Napa).

For me the sweet spot is two coats, which also adds some volume, but not a ton. Volume-wise, I’d say the effect is about two snaps shy of drag queen runway show.

So, it’s a good amount. I’m into it.

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The MAC Electric Cool Collection Plugs Into Maximum Color and High Voltage Frost

Would You Rock a Fringed Purse?

5 Things Currently on My Wish List

1. Troubadour Contrast Study Dress from Anthropologie

2. Molly Hatch Mugs from Anthropologie

3. Recycled Karma Tee from Nordstrom

Would You Wear This Polka-Dot Jumpsuit?

Would you wear this polka-dot jumpsuit?

Would You Wear These Vans Disney Princess Sneakers?

Would you wear these Vans Disney Princess Sneakers?

5 Summer Sightseeing Essentials

1. A cross-body purse

2. A cute hat

3. A comfy pair of shoes

Let’s Glow Crazy! L’Oreal True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator Prime & Highlight in Ice

Get Cuteness and Incredible Curl Hold With Paul & Joe Smudgeproof Mascara