Karen

Open Thread: The Ripped Jeans Edition

April 10th, 2015 by Karen 102 Comments

What’s up, girlfriend? Happy Friday. 🙂 Also known as Fri-yay.

Fridays are good days for ripped jeans around here. At least for me. El Hub feels differently about it. He’s always poking fun at me for wearing these (the ones in the pic at the top). He calls them my “railroad scamp pants” and says that all I need now is one of those long sticks with the red and white checkerboard handkerchief tied to the end with some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in there and maybe a can of anchovies…

Oh, well. I like ’em! This pair is by Blank NYC. If you ask me about them in the comments, I’ll give you the scoop because guess what…?

It’s time for another OPEN THREAD!

Let’s catch up in the comments. I’m gonna be around. Valid topics of discussion include makeup, jeans and other garments, refreshing beverages, tasty recipes, work romances and other conundrums, seasonal allergies (so sniffly today!), roller skates, blogging, photography, movies, TV shows (Game of Thrones this Sunday!), cats, dogs, rabbits, flamingos, ferrets and…OK, pretty much anything.

See you in the comments.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

New Kitchen Tools…

April 9th, 2015 by Karen 20 Comments

Aaaand tonight, in our latest episode of “Karen Can’t Cook,” we discuss bulky things hidden away in cabinets, spaghetti noodles and new kitchen tools, also known as “kitchen doohickeys and thingamabobbers.”

When the Progressive Wedge & Pop Apple Slicer entered my life and subsequently rocked my world, I realized that I have a weird thing for kitchen tools. I don’t always know what to do with them and can’t always figure them out, but deep down inside I like having them around.

I got some new ones last week as part of my ongoing effort to eat less processed food and learn more about cooking.

Truth: cooking? Not my forte. Most of the time it amounts to me throwing a bunch of stuff into a pot and praying for it to be edible.

But I’m trying! 🙂

So, here are the new kitchen tool additions…

First thing: the Kuhn Rikon Julienne Peeler ($17). Basically, it’s an improv spiralizer (a tool to turn fresh veggies into faux-noodles). I’ve been wanting a spiralizer to make zucchini noodles, but seriously, the last thing I need is another bulky appliance stowed up on a high shelf in my cabinets, but I figured that with the Kuhn Rikon, because it’s smaller, I could just store it in a drawer for easy access.

How does it work? Well, you just rake the blade across the top of a vegetable to cut it into long, thin strips that look a little like spaghetti noodles.

Very cool, but it’s kind of scary to clean because those teeth are hella sharp.

The second thing: the Dual Slice Mandoline ($20), also by Kuhn Rikon. I grabbed this the other night on a trip with El Hub to our local hardware store (we needed lightbulbs). It’s for slicing very thinly. I used it last weekend to make scalloped potatoes for Easter lunch, and it worked great. You just stick that hat-looking thing to whatever you want to slice (it has prongs that insert into the vegetable), place the soon-to-be-sliced veggie on top of the slicer, hold on to the hat-thing, and run it back and forth across the slicer. The result? Thinly sliced food.

The third and final thing: the Rada Cutlery Vegetable Peeler ($8.99). How I made it this far in life without a vegetable peeler, I have no idea. Honestly, this one isn’t very exciting, but I needed a peeler…and this one gets good reviews on Amazon. So far I’ve used it to successfully peel carrots, potatoes and beets. It feels in my hand and gets the job done.

Oh, and P.S. — did you know that peeling beets is much easier if you cook them first? Yeah, lesson learned. 🙂

Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Matte Lipstick: Season Doesn’t Matte-Er to These Timeless Matte Reds

April 9th, 2015 by Karen 13 Comments

I feel like I’ve barely dipped a toe into the summer makeup season, but talking about this new line of Dolce Matte Lipsticks by Dolce & Gabbana right meow is like fast-forwarding all the way to fall.

But hey, they’re matte red lipsticks. That’s the definition of timeless. 🙂

Yup, these are all about red, as in various shades o’ vermillion. There are 13 of them in all, every one matte, and each one is $37.

Rather than wearing Dolce & Gabbana’s standard gold ensemble, these tubes are wearing black with gold bands, which is very Chanel-esque, methinks.

On the outside, they may look different, but they’re pure D&G lipstick through and through. They have the same rosy Dolce & Gabbana lipstick flavor and scent.

And the colors…? It’s as if a cement truck dumped a ton of pigment into each tube.

So. Much. Color. All five of the shades I’ve tried bring it. They’re opaque and crazy pigmented. One swipe is good.

If you like drier matte lipstick formulas with a thick texture, you might really like these. The formula’s firmly on the thicker side, which helps them last on my lips a long time (five or six hours).

I do feel like they could benefit from a little more moisture, because even after 20 minutes, my lips start craving balm, but even so, I like ’em. I can’t remember the last time I said no to a lovely matte red lip. I’ll just prep my lips first with balm.

Neutral matte red Dolce Heart 531 is my favorite of these five. I think it looks great with warm and cool blushes.

All 13 shades are available now online, at Dolce & Gabbana counters and in Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

Which reminds me — if you happen to be out this way in the San Francisco area tomorrow (Friday) or Saturday, swing by the Dolce & Gabbana counter at Saks in Union Square, and say “Wassup!” to Dolce & Gabbana National Makeup Artist Christian McCulloch, one of my favorite makeup artists around.

Christian’s work has graced the pages of many glossy magazines. He’s a brilliant artist. He’ll be at the store to introduce the new Dolce Matte Lipsticks and do makeovers (which are free) April 10-11 from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

He’s a lot of fun, and bonus! — just talking with him for a few minutes, you’ll learn a lot. If you go, please tell him I said hi. 🙂

To schedule an appointment, call the Dolce & Gabbana counter at the SF Union Square Saks to book a time. (415) 986-4300 ext. 5224.

7 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately (Makeup and Non-Makeup Related)

April 9th, 2015 by Karen 41 Comments

Since it’s Thursday and all (edit: it’s just random; there’s no logical reason), I’m wondering what’s been making you want to clutch your pearls with delight.

Here are seven things that have been giving me major smiles lately. 🙂

1. Yes to Coconut Ultra Light Spray Body Lotion for Very Dry Skin ($9.99)

Otherwise known as “Lotion for the Laziest of Alligator People.” My skin is so dry that it makes alligator skin look moisturized! But this stuff totally takes care of it (everywhere except on my Fred Flinstone feet, where I need something thicker). It leaves my skin feeling soft, but not greasy, and smelling faintly of coconut.

How moisturizing is it?

Pictures yourself standing in a tropical lagoon under a Hawaiian waterfall…and in this waterfall scenario, you look hot, of course.

Wait — to be honest, that’s hard to do because the water is really pouring down, so hold on to your bikini bottoms! (File this under “Life Lessons Learned the Hard Way.”)

Anyway, tangent.

I keep this stuff in my shower and spray it on my skin after toweling off (while I’m still in the shower). It’s easy to work in, and the bottle conveniently works when you hold it upside-down, which is super cool. I suggest spraying it into your palm first, and then massaging it into your arms and legs. That way you don’t accidentally spray the lotion all over your floors and walls.

2. Yes to Grapefruit Basil Liquid Hand Soap ($3.99)

And since we’re on the subject of saying yes to things, I also love the brand’s Yes To’s Grapefruit Basil Liquid Hand Soap ($3.99). It makes quick work of any dirt/gunk/oils/tabby hairs on my paws and works fast. It’s also non-drying (yay!) and lightly scented with grapefruit, which is one of my favorite things to eat.

Incidentally, sometimes I feel like I’m alone in this, because everyone around me detests the taste of grapefruit… Are you into it? Grapefruit 4-EVA is all I have to say.

3. The bkr 1-L Bottle in Sugar ($42)

This bkr water bottle! I’ve only been using it for a week, but I’m freaking ready to put a ring on it. I carry this thing everywhere!

Granted, it’s a lot heavier than a back-to-basics, standard plastic water bottle, but I don’t mind. I kinda like the solid glass heft. (The thick rubber sleeve should hopefully keep it from cracking if it’s ever dropped from a reasonable height… I’ll you know about that when/if it ever happens.)

The handle on the cap also feels juuuuuust right. I don’t know if the designers conducted any ergonomic studies or anything, but this bottle feels great in my hand.

I also like mouth because it’s not too huge/wide, and with every other water bottle I’ve owned, I end up spilling water all over my shirt all the time.

Doesn’t happen with this. I keep trying to find an excuse to get one of the smaller ones, too (I love the ones with the heart design) but yeah…one is enough for now.

I hope they make the liter-sized ones with a heart on it soon. Call me crazy (go on!), but I swear my water tastes better when I drink it from this bottle.

Yes, I know that’s impossible. 🙂
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With the Urban Decay Summer 2015 Ultimate Ozone Multipurpose Primer Pencil, Ozone Bulks Up

April 9th, 2015 by Karen 23 Comments

One thing’s clear about Urban Decay’s $20 Ultimate Ozone Multipurpose Primer Pencil — this handy husky wonder multitasks, and it handles some of its tasks better than others.

This here is basically a larger version of UD’s existing clear Ozone Lip Pencil, which many makeup lovers use for multiple purposes. It’s a clear-colored, unscented, unflavored multipurpose pencil with a silicone-like texture.

Have you ever tried Benefit’s dr. feelgood? It feels a lot like that — slippery and velvety — and did I mention it multitasks?

For instance, you can use it as a lip primer, where it helps keep your lipstick or gloss from wandering beyond your natural lip line, anchoring them down for extended wear time. Just trace and fill in your lips with Ozone first, and then layer your gloss and/or lipstick on top.

You can also use it as a makeup remover, by dabbing Ozone lightly over any mascara, eyeshadow or liquid liner boo-boos/mistakes, and then lifting any wayward flecks and bits away with a Q-tip.

Or, use it as a blurring face primer, by blending it all over and around fine lines and wrinkles.

First, I think it rocks as a lip primer. It makes my lipgloss last and stay put much longer than when I’m just left to my own devices without it (I’m a lip smacker/rubber, as you may already know if you’ve watched my YouTube videos… I know, I know. I’m trying to break the habit, but it’s so hard!).
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Trader Joe’s World’s Puffiest White Cheddar Corn Puffs

April 8th, 2015 by Karen 28 Comments

You’re probably wondering why you’re looking at a half-eaten bag of cheesy puffs.

Well, once upon a time (like an hour ago) this was actually a full bag of Trader Joe’s World’s Puffiest White Cheddar Corn Puffs. “Allegedly,” I bought it last weekend so that I could take pictures of it with my good camera to make a post about them and share it with you, and I say “allegedly” because this was my fourth bag in the past four weeks.

Someone ate the other ones before I could take the pics…

Anyway, this time I did it! The bag is only half empty. 🙂

Progress, my friends. It’s called progress.

These are the fluffiest, puffiest, most melt-in-your-mouthiest cheesy puffs I’ve ever had the pleasure of encountering. I carefully time when I’m going to open the bag to ensure that El Hub’s not around…so that I can have them all to myself.

I’m usually all about sharing, especially when it comes to food, but with these…they’re just so tasty and fluffy and yummy and cheesy and puffy and light. Before you know it, you’ve eaten 3/4 of the bag, and suddenly you are very crabby.

Oh, and these are cheesy, but it’s not that fake Cheetos cheesy (yeah, those are still good though). It’s real cheesy. Real cheese cheesy. Plus, a two-and-a-half cup serving is just 140 calories.

A big 7-oz. bag is just $1.99 at Trader Joe’s. Go get one now.

P.S. I’m watching this right now…

Urban Decay Summer 2015: The Eyeshadow Primer Potions Get New Outfits

April 8th, 2015 by Karen 43 Comments

Shakin’ my head, man, because…repackaging. In theory, I don’t mind it, as long as the product itself, assuming I like it, which I do in this case, doesn’t change, and the new packaging improves upon something or makes the whole experience better, as in NOT harder to use.

What I’m not crazy about is new packaging, when the new package contains less product, especially when the price stays the same, OR actually goes up.

It’s been happening a lot over the past few years, like with the Tarte LipSurgences and Tarte Cheek Stains, or the Benefit Boxed Blushes…and now it’s happening at Urban Decay.

Their newly repackaged Eyeshadow Primer Potion tubes, which are being released with the new Summer 2015 Collection, are slightly smaller than the previous versions (0.33-ounce tubes now, versus what had been 0.37 ounces).

It’s a very, very small difference in size, and the prices remain the same, thankfully — $20 for the Original, Eden, Minor Sin and Enigma Primer Potions, and $24 for the Anti-Aging one — but still.

I’m all for streamlining and lightening one’s load, but seriously, what’s up with that?

Anywho. #rantover 🙂

urban decay eyeshadow primer — The Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potions, $20-24 each

UD’s eyeshadow primers are designed to be worn under powder and cream shadows for more vibrant color and longer wear time, and that hasn’t changed. Neither have the formulas, really, but we do get a new one, Enigma (available now), and a slightly reworked Sin (now called Minor Sin), while the others — Original, Eden and Anti-Aging — are carryovers updated with the new packaging. Original formula dries down invisibly, while Eden, Minor Sin and Greed are shades that can also be worn as shadows or highlighters.

Regarding the packaging, UD kept the squeeze tube but removed the needlepoint applicator, replacing it with a doe-foot bedazzled with a bejeweled cap.

Ooh, fancy…

urban decay eyeshadow primer swatches — From the left: Original, Eden, Minor Sin and Anti-Aging

I like the new doe-foot. I actually prefer it to the old needlepoint because I can cover a lot of space with it on my lids quickly, not that it took a ton of time with the needlepoint tip. I think the doe-foot’s just a little faster. Minor thing though.
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Urban Decay Summer 2015: New Eyeshadow Shades

April 8th, 2015 by Karen 20 Comments

Well, now I know what to wear in the unlikely event that Charli XCX invites me to be a backup dancer in one of her videos. This: the new Urban Decay Summer 2015 Eyeshadow shades (arriving April 15 at Urban Decay counters and online for $18 each).

The “shifts,” as they’re called, have a cool 20-something party girl vibe. It’s very “big hair don’t care/let’s get drunk on the mini-bar.”

But I’m getting ahead of myself! — so lemme back up a little.

[INSERT SOUND OF AN OLD-SCHOOL CASSETTE TAPE REWINDING *HERE*]

The eight new shades join UD’s existing Eyeshadow permanent line. Six of them are “shifts” — duo-chromes that appear to change color in the light, like that holographic thing. The other two are matte browns, about which I have to say, “YAY!” Transition colors. 🙂 LOL! Leave it to me to get all cheerleader-y about the matte browns…

Whatever, I can always use another matte brown. Hand on my heart and hair to the sky, it’s the truth!

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