Giveaways

Only one long training run left before the half marathon next week! I think I finally got the chafing under control, thanks to the CW-X Running Bra and good old-fashioned Vaseline, and I’m going to try out the neat-looking Roo Sport Fitness Pouch, a small belt-less pouch with a magnetic fastener for carrying your cell phone, ID, credit card and, in my case, two Tri Berry GU Energy Gels, today on the treadmill.

But first! — Gilmore Girls and giveaways. 🙂

I am so hooked on that show it’s ridiculous. I don’t want to go anywhere or do anything else. I just want to sit on the couch watching Gilmore Girls and fantasize about living in the town of Stars Hollow. I could have breakfast and coffee at Luke’s Diner and then go shop for makeup at Stars Hollow Beauty Supply, LOL!

See, I told you. Ridiculous.

Well, that’s it for me. Good luck in this weekend’s giveaway, and hopefully I see you in the comments or on Twitter and Instagram today. Have a great caturday, my friend! Good luck!

• One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

• Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
• Open to U.S. and international readers.
• You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
• Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
  • What’s your favorite fictional town (town from a TV show, book or movie)?
  • Have you ever painted a room or a piece of furniture yourself?
  • Best indie or up-and-coming makeup brand?
  • Are you going to dress up this year for Halloween? Do you have your costume figured out?
  • Have you ever slept on a waterbed?
  • Honestly, have you ever pet a penguin (I’d be surprised if anyone says yes to this!)?
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, October 13, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
• Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

When the first words you say to someone in the morning are, “I think I want a Siberian Forest Cat,” it’s hard not to laugh! 🙂

Rise and shine, pal o’ mine. Guess who didn’t watch Gone Girl last night. (Did you go? Was it good?)

The timing just didn’t work out… I wanted to go to bed early instead to power up for my 10-mile run today, but then I went and got insomnia and barely slept at all last night. I just lay awake in bed looking at cat pics on my phone…

Gotta love it when things work out, haha. I’m going to need a little more coffee than usual today…

In other news, it’s giveaway time!!! Siberian Forest Cat wishes you good luck.

• One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

• Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
• Open to U.S. and international readers.
• You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
• Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
  • What’s something you enjoy doing when you have a few hours completely to yourself?
  • On average, how long do you spend on your makeup on weekday mornings?
  • What’s the first song that just came to mind?
  • Do you have any food allergies?
  • Alphabetize the letters of your first name. What do they spell? (In my case, it’s AEKNR.)
  • Finish this sentence: I really need a new _______.
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, October 6, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
• Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Have a great day, babe. 🙂

I’m so exci-ted,
I’m so exci-ted,
I’m going hi-king,
I’m going hi-king.

Yeah, I’m so excited! I’m going hiking with a girlfriend up at Muir Woods over in Mill Valley this morning, so I’m having a quick cup of coffee, a couple pancakes, and then I have to bolt.

I gotta tell ya…this whole blogging thing? Lots of indoor time. I’m really looking forward to just walking around outside.

It’s not going to be intense. We’re doing a loop around this one popular hike, but it’s sunny today, and the area is heavily forested redwood trees, so it should be fun. Maybe I’ll even see a Sasquatch or a porcupine or something interesting like that. 🙂

I hope you’re doing something other than chores and errands today. I know all of that stuff has to get done, and you’re probably the person who has to do it a lot of the time, but dang it! — screw that. Do something fun today instead.

Good luck in this weekend’s giveaway, babe. Onward and upward! Talk to you soon (maybe from the redwoods).

• One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

• Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
• Open to U.S. and international readers.
• You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
• Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
  • What’s the coolest hike you’ve ever done?
  • Do you believe in the Yeti, Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot, stuff like that?
  • What’s the best time you’ve ever had dancing?
  • Where’s your favorite makeup counter?
  • Who’s your best makeup shopping buddy?
  • What’s your favorite matte lipstick?
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, September 29, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
• Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Congratulations, Celia! 🙂 You’re the winner for your comment, “I think I’m probably the only person in the world who loves those peanut butter taffy candies they give out on halloween. The Necco ones. They’re almost like church lady candies, but I cannot get enough. I mention this because I am addicted to all things sweet and I’m pretty sure my teeth are just gonna peace-out one of these days. I have really good dental hygiene but there’s a tiny voice in my head (maybe my mouth?) pleading for me to take it easy on the sugar- it is unfortunately drowned out by all the happy ‘nom nom’ noises.”

Me-OWCH! The only things more painful than catching a kitty claw in the corner of your cuticles or having to hear about Ryan and Eva’s “alleged” baby (until actual DNA evidence comes to light, I refuse to believe it’s true) are my sensitive teeth.

Sensitive teeth: I haz them. Having anything cold touch my back teeth (particularly the back teeth on my upper left) is about as much fun as losing a beloved brow pencil on vacation.

In other words, not fun at all.

How can Crest Sensi-Stop Strips help?

Because you know I’m not about to give up my Three Twins ice cream, I use a number of accoutrements to keep my cold-sensitive chompers in check, including a toothpaste and mouthwash made for sensitive teeth.

I also started using these new Sensi-Stop Strips by Crest…

They’re thin, flexible strips that you apply directly to your sensitive teeth for a targeted, fast-acting desensitizing treatment. All you do is peel one of the strips, and stick it on the outside of your sensitive teeth, right where the teeth meet your gums, for 10 minutes. (The strips are so thin that you almost can’t even feel them.)

Then, after removing the strip, wait 30 minutes before eating, drinking, rinsing or brushing.

Using a strip like this, versus a toothpaste or a mouthwash for sensitive teeth, keeps the key desensitizing ingredients in contact with the surface of the tooth longer, which builds a lasting barrier and relieves the symptoms of dental sensitivity for up to 30 days.

It also works almost instantly! None of that having to wait days for relief.

Using the strips, which work shockingly fast (I’m talking within 30 minutes, versus the toothpaste, which can take up to a week for me), my teeth don’t freak out as much when I have cold drinks and ice cream.

Good news for my ice cream habit! Bad news for my muffin top…

September 27: The Walgreens Saturdate with Crest Sensi

Speaking of ice cream, Walgreens carries it! 🙂 But seriously, if you have sensitive teeth or know someone who does, stop by your local Walgreens store on Saturday, September 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Crest coupons and free samples of Crest Sensi toothpaste, and pick up a box of these awesome Crest Sensi-Stop Strips ($17.99) while you’re there.

And now, it’s giveaway time!

Question: Does one have to suffer from sensitive teeth to enter and win this week’s Crest giveaway?

Answer: one does not.

But if one does, they’ll probably be extra stoked about the prize. 🙂

I’ve partnered with Crest and Walgreens on a prize pack worth more than $100. One lucky winner will receive…
[Continue reading…]

Rise and shine, morning glory. It’s the crack of dawn!

El Hub and I sneaked away for a couple days up to Redding to visit family, so greetings from Redding! — the second sunniest city in the United States, and the home of the Sundial Bridge.

Tabs is holding down the fort back at MBB headquarters and (of course) ordering his petsitter around.

In other news, coffee. Have you had yours yet today? We’re here at my in-laws house, and I’m the only one awake (it’s only 7 a.m.), so I’m wondering…do I want to make the coffee myself, or should I wait for someone else?

Hmm…

Yes, these are the decisions of great importance that I make on a daily basis, LOL! 🙂

Have a great day today, my friend, whatever you’re doing, and good luck in the giveaway. Talk to you soon.

• One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

• Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
• Open to U.S. and international readers.
• You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
• Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
  • Have you ever been to Africa?
  • If you could only have one non-eyeshadow palette for the rest of your life, what would it be?
  • Best shopping center/mall you’ve ever seen?
  • Finish the sentence, “I should never have attempted to ______.”
  • If you were to dress your partner/significant other, what would you have them wear?
  • What’s been the best makeup purchase you’ve made so far this year?
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, September 22, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
• Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Shoot.

I just realized that I missed out on a free bear claw…

The last time I went to Panera Bread they said I’d earned one through their membership thingy program, but I had to use it by the ninth. I didn’t want it then because I was there for lunch, and it was noon. Now I’m too late…

See, there’s an important life lesson there. Never look a gift bear claw in the mouth. No matter what time it is, no matter if you want it or not, don’t wait. You take that bear claw, and you eat that bear claw, you hear me? 🙂

LOL!

In other news, happy caturday! Rise and shine, pal o’ mine. I hope you got a good night’s sleep. I slept pretty well, considering the scary movie I watched last night. (A sci-fi horror thriller called The Machine on Netflix. Brace yourself for the opening scene. That’s all I’m saying.)

Purr usual, I haven’t figured out what I’m doing yet today… I know that we definitely need some groceries (we’re down to carrots, soy milk and instant decaf coffee, blech!), so probably Trader Joe’s right away. After that, we’ll see.

Good luck in the giveaway, babe, and have a wonderful day. Talk to you soon.

• One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

• Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
• Open to U.S. and international readers.
• You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
• Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
  • What’s your favorite Asian makeup brand?
  • Has anyone ever sketched or painted a picture of you?
  • Raw cookie dough: yea or nay?
  • Does your cat have a cute meow?
  • Are you currently happy with the state of your brows?
  • Do you have a crush on anyone at school or work?
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, September 15, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
• Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Up, up, up, babe! It’s time to get up! Happy caturday. 🙂

In seemingly random news, today is my cross-training day.

See, I’ve been “training” for a half marathon (quotes because I’m still finding my rhythm), which is in about five weeks, and the plan I’m following calls for doing something different every day of the week, like, some days I’m supposed to run just a few miles at a slower-than-normal pace, some days are rest days, and then once a week I’m supposed to push myself a little harder with a slightly longer run (that was yesterday for me…so I’m a little tired).

Today is the day I’m supposed to cross-train, which means doing something other than running, like bicycle riding, walking or doing…I haven’t quite figured out what to do yet. The idea is to keep from overtraining and injuring the same muscles I use while running, but I don’t know what activity to do. I mean, after five minutes of push-ups, my arms are burnt toast, so that’s not much of a workout, and I don’t have an exercise bike or a gym membership.

Hmm… Maybe I’ll bust out a Jillian Michaels DVD (after I have three cups of coffee, LOL!).

What are you up to this weekend? Doing anything fun? I haven’t thought very far ahead yet, so I’m kind of winging it… I did want to mention that in addition to this weekend’s Sephora giveaway right here, that other giveaway for the Purina Pro Plan cat snacks (and other swag, including a giant refrigerator magnet frame, tote bag, food bowl and autographed picture of Tabs), is still open for new entries until Wednesday, September 10, and there haven’t been that many entries yet, so your cat’s chances of winning are pretty great. And you can enter in five ways. Once on Twitter, once on Facebook, once on Pinterest, once on Instagram and once in a comment on the giveaway post.

I’m just saying…if your cat likes those treats half as much as Tabs does, you’ll make him/her pretty happy.

Now I’d better go get started on that caffeine I mentioned if I’m going to have a successful cross-training day, whatever that means, haha. If you have any cross-training workout ideas for me, let me know.

• One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

• Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
• Open to U.S. and international readers.
• You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
• Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
  • What time do you usually go to bed?
  • Have you ever had a polydactyl cat?
  • What’s your current favorite drugstore product (makeup, and also non-makeup)?
  • Have you ever touched an elephant?
  • Can you do the splits?
  • Tell me about your outfit yesterday (makeup, hair, clothes).
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, September 8, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
• Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen