Giveaways

I think most driven cats think about their legacy.

They want to leave their mark on the world; they want to be remembered. In fact, I think it’s one of the main reasons they scratch things…

It’s tough nowadays, though, because cats aren’t as easily impressed as they once were. There was a time when a cat could just scratch an oak tree, and other cats would walk by and say, “That scratch there? Your great, great, great grandcat made that scratch,” but no more. Now cats have to think bigger.

Bigger like the recently completed Dubai Cat Tower, which at 2,723′ is the tallest freestanding cat tower in the world.

Tabs just wants to leave his mark on the world… 🙂

In other news, good morning! Rise and shine, pal o’ mine. Happy caturday!

I really enjoyed yesterday’s open thread (thank you for stopping by), and I’ll still be hanging out in the comments there if you want to chat.

So…tell me about fireworks. Did you see any last night? We saw a few sparkles in the sky from our house, but that’s about it. We did, however, see one of the coolest movies I’ve seen in a long time. If you like thought-provoking sci-fi — oh! — you have to see Snowpiercer.

WOW! What a fan-friggin’-tastic sci-fi movie. I’m going to be seeing scenes from that movie in my head for the rest of my life.

It stars Chris Evans (Captain America), Jamie Bell (Billy Elliott, Jumper), Tilda Swinton (The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Deep End) and quite a few other good actors.

It’s kind of a weird premise, but that’s a recipe for good sci-fi. It’s about a train. The whole thing takes place on a train, but it doesn’t really feel claustrophobic, because the train is their entire world. For reasons explained in the movie, the people on the train can’t leave. Can’t ever step foot off the train. Ever.

There’s a struggle for leadership to control the limited resources on the train, and intense mayhem ensues.

Warning: It’s shocking and gruesome and twisted at times.

Seriously, if you consider yourself a fan of sci-fi, you gotta see Snowpiercer.

In other news…it’s giveaway time!

Are you ready for this? I hope you are.

Good luck. 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:
  • Do you have any phobias?
  • Sushi: yes or no?
  • What and where is your favorite hair salon?
  • Have you ever practiced a martial art?
  • Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?
  • Nail stickers: yes or no?
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, July 7, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time), which is, incidentally, someone’s birthday. 🙂
• Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

nce upon a time there was a Sephora store that happened to be built on a fissure between our world and the world of magic. For six minutes around the Witching Hour every night, magic would seep up through the crack, disabling the electronic surveillance system, and infusing all of the products in the store with magic!

One night, an employee was working late at the store to prepare for a big launch, stocking the shelves and making sure that all of the registers were set with enough shopping bags and other supplies for the following day. Because of that, when the magic time happened, the employee saw everything! The products came to life!

They panicked. They didn’t know what to do. No human had ever seen them alive before.

The products all cherished their brief time alive every night and merely sought to live normal lives. When the magic fled the store every night, it was painful for them. All they really wanted was to be able to remain alive the rest of the time.

The products were afraid the employee would ruin everything. She would tell others, and the products feared they would lose even their short time alive, so they refused to let her leave. “No, miss!” they told her. “You’re not going anywhere. You stay right there while we try to figure this out.” But what could they do? They only had six minutes each night.

Finally, after six minutes, the magic retreated, as it always did, and the products returned to their inanimate state.

The employee, thoroughly freaked out by all of this, promptly fled the store, and hasn’t been seen since.

–TRUTH–

Rise and shine, pal o’ mine! 🙂 Good morning.

It looks like it’s going to be a nice day around here. It hasn’t been too hot lately. It’s kind of mild, actually, for summer. Might be a nice day for a hike.

I hope you have something fun lined up for this weekend. Anyone heading out of town? Or doing any gardening? Any pool parties perhaps? How about a barbecue?

I don’t think I have anything going on, as far as I can remember right now. I’m not quite feeling 100% yet (I’ve had bad cramps), so I’m not anticipating anything too ambitious.

Good luck in this weekend’s giveaway. I wish I could do one of these with 1,000 winners every day.

I’ll talk to you soon (I still haven’t had my first cup of coffee, and I’m REALLY looking forward to it).

• 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:
  • Tell me about your favorite park.
  • Did you ever have an imaginary friend when you were a kid?
  • Does your fur friend/cat/dog/ferret/etc. have any unusual talents?
  • Most soothing lip balm?
  • Best smelling hair product?
  • Most underrated skin care product?
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, June 30, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time), which is, incidentally, someone’s birthday. 🙂
• Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

“Here she comes!” barked the bottle of Burberry Summer. “Hurry! Everyone, to your places.”

“What places, you fool?” replied the bottle of Chanel No. 5. “We never move unless she moves us. We have no legs.”

“You know what I mean!” responded Burberry Summer angrily, the frustration clear in her voice. “Always the diva!”

The girl turned the corner into the alcove with a big smile on her face. She was humming a happy tune, and it filled the bottles of perfume with joy. She was their queen, and she was here to pick one of them for the day, which was a very special honor for a perfume.

The bottles all stood at attention on the counter, backs straight, intent on making a good impression. Sunlight filtered in through the window, and the bottles all hoped it would reflect nicely on them.

“La, la-la-la-la la,” hummed the girl as she perused. “Hmm…” Her hand hovered over the bottle of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue for a moment. She often picked the bottle of Light Blue.

“No,” she said, moving on, “not today. I think I’m in the mood for something else.”

Light Blue’s disappointment was almost palpable.

Then the girl noticed the bottle of Coco Mademoiselle and stopped. “Yes!” she exclaimed, plucking the bottle from the counter. “There you are, my dear!”

And like that, the girl was gone, humming, twirling and spritzing out of the alcove and down the hallway, until the rejected bottles could no longer hear her voice.

A quiet sadness fell upon the group. They were crushed. Not today, they all thought. Oh, well.

Eventually, one of them spoke. “It’s, OK,” said the bottle of Daisy Eau So Fresh. “There’s always tomorrow.”

–THE END–

Good morning, my friend! Did you do anything fun last night? For me, it was dinner and a movie. We finally went to see that science fiction movie with Tom Cruise, Edge of Tomorrow.

Not bad at all. Interesting premise, with the whole Groundhog Day time travel (his character repeats the same day in an alien invasion over and over). I like self-contained science fiction stories that aren’t based on big franchises (I’m looking at you, Transformers!).

I just plan to take it easy this weekend. I might drive out to my parents’ house for a few hours tomorrow, and then I have some chores and errands to run (bluh), but that’s about it.

I hope you have something fun lined up. I bet it’s good barbecue/picnic weather. 🙂

Good luck in this weekend’s 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:
  • What are your three favorite scents (not just perfumes, but anything)?
  • Where do you see yourself in five years?
  • What do you really want?
  • What’s the most overrated beauty product out there now?
  • Have you ever been in the Arctic or Antarctic?
  • Where would you most like to vacation in your country?
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, June 23, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time), which is, incidentally, someone’s birthday. 🙂
• Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Rise and shine, morning glory! Happy caturday!

How did you sleep? Did you have any good dreams? Were there any…kittens involved?

Kittens make everything better. 🙂

I’m still out here in Redding visiting my in-laws. Last night we had a nice dinner at Olive Garden (love their bread sticks and salad!) and then chatted at home. This morning El Hub is going fishing for a couple hours with his dad, and I’m going for a run around the little nature preserve next door before it gets too hot.

It gets HOT here. Up into the 100s, so if you’re gonna do any exercising outside, it’s best to do it before 9.

Other than that, I’m probably just going to chill at the house. Maybe also test some makeup. You know, unwind.

You have a great day, OK? I got a text from Tabs last night. He said that he and his petsitter did some shopping at Petco, and then had catnip cocktails while they marathon’d My Cat From Hell back at company headquarters/the house.

Sounds like everyone had a good night. 🙂

• 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:
  • Your favorite ’80s or ’90s TV show?
  • Best makeup you’ve ever seen in a movie?
  • Have you been swimming yet this year?
  • What are you wearing right now at this very moment?
  • How long/short is your hair?
  • Tell me about your bed. Four poster? Water? Sleigh? Canopy? Bunk? (LOL!)
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time), which is, incidentally, someone’s birthday. 🙂
• Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

“Oh, my head…” said the big beefsteak tomato plant, “I feel like crap this morning.” Many of its leaves were yellow and speckled brown.

“You big baby!” chortled one of the roma tomato plants nearby. “You don’t even have a head!”

“I don’t?” said the beefsteak plant, genuinely surprised. “Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure,” answered the roma plant. “You’re just a stupid plant. I, on the other hand, am sophisticated and wise.”

“Oh…” said the beefsteak. “Do you know why I feel so bad?”

The beefsteak wasn’t doing well. Unlike the roma, who lived in a large wooden planter box with excellent drainage, the beefsteak lived in a large 18-inch plastic pot with a single small hole at the base for drainage. The pot sat flush on the wooden slats of the deck, lacking clearance beneath the pot for ventilation and drainage. Its soil was damp to the touch, even though the last watering was yesterday morning. Mushrooms sprouted up from the soil around the tomato’s stalk.

“You drank too much last night, you big goof!” said the roma, whose soil was cool and dry. Multiple large drainage holes were cut into the base of its wooden container.

“I did?” replied the beefsteak, confused. “I don’t… Oh, yeah! I remember now. Duuude, last night was off the chain! I drank all night.”

“Idiot,” interrupted the roma.

“What time did I get home?” asked the beefsteak.

The roma paused. “What time did you get home?” it asked. “Seriously? Are you really that dense? You never even left the deck. You just sat there drinking water the whole time.”

“I did?” said the beefsteak. “Whoa! Huh-huh… It must have been one hell of a night!”

---

LOL! That was fun… 🙂 Good morning, glory! Rise and shine, my friend. It’s going to be a beautiful day. This little story actually has some truth to it because I think I am overwatering my plants. A couple of the tomatoes aren’t doing too well, and one of the potted lavender plants.

They all like different amounts of water, so it’s a work in progress. I’m still trying to figure it out. Plus, if you’re a plant, Tabs isn’t the easiest co-gardener to work with. He bites…plants.

I’m just getting started with my day, having my first cup of coffee and fiddling around. I hope your weekend gets off to a great start.

One of my coworkers (yes, I’m referring to Tabs) is having a birthday on Monday, so we’ll probably do something fun.

Talk to you soon. Good luck in the giveaway.

• 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 are your plans this weekend?
  • Your #1 gardening tip?
  • What’s the most exhilarating thing you’ve ever done?
  • Favorite talk show?
  • I’m very proud of ______.
  • Do you do highlighting and/or contouring with your makeup?
  • Chocolate milk: yes or no?
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, June 9, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time), which is, incidentally, someone’s birthday. 🙂
• Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Dude, I’m so hooked on Petaluma right now!

So. Last night. El Hub and I were trying to figure out what to do — stay in and catch up on Game of Thrones (a viable option), go grab a bite to eat, catch a movie — but neither one of us could make a decision (it was one of those nights).

From where we live here in Novato, we’re at the northern tip of our county near Highway 101, and the other towns around us, like Sausalito, Tiburon, San Rafael, Mill Valley and Fairfax, are south of us, all the way down to the Golden Gate Bridge, so that’s usually the direction we go. South.

But not last night. Last night we drove north, and it was like heading into a different land! There are lots of big farms and huge tracts of open space, with trees and horses and cows and those tall water towers teenagers are always climbing on TV shows like Friday Night Lights. It’s weird to me that we’ve lived here three years and have only been to Petaluma twice, and it’s right next door! Twice in the same week, LOL!

Anyway, people are weird. 🙂

We had another good time up there, though. Japanese food followed by ice cream cones at Baskin-Robbins, and then a quick tour of the Dick’s Sporting Goods store, which was actually kind of neat. I’ve never seen so many neon-colored kayaks, canoes, fishing poles and women’s athletic wear under one roof.

And that was about it for me. I hope you did something equally fun.

Now I’m just enjoying my coffee and trying to psych myself up for a good run. I’m going to attempt my first 5-mile run in a while… I’ve slacked a little on my cardio lately, and I’ve had to work my way back up, so wish me luck.

Have a great day and a fun weekend. 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 kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddle boarding?
  • Current nail polish crush?
  • What was the highlight of your week?
  • Have you ever been on a cruise?
  • Have you ever gone without electricity for more than a week?
  • What’s the biggest party you’ve ever been to (including concerts and weddings)?
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, June 2, 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

Verve is such a cool word, isn’t it?

Verve…

I actually woke up lacking verve today, LOL! Totally lacking verve.

Oh, well. Hopefully the coffee helps me find it.

How’s it going this morning, my friend? What are you up to? I’m sitting here on the couch finishing my first cup of joe and breakfast (a waffle with almond butter and honey drizzled on top, and a side of sliced peaches) and watching The Golden Girls with Tabs.

Well, he’s actually staring out the window at the bird feeder expectantly. There are currently no birds dining at the restaurant.

Did you do anything fun last night? We were going to go see the new X-Men movie but ended up just going to Pasta Pomodoro instead.

Have you been watching True Detectives? I’m not the world’s biggest fan of cop shows, but dang if doesn’t have some amazing acting. Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson and Michelle Monaghan on screen in a TV show at the same time? That’s one heck of a cast.

Time for my second cup of coffee now! Can I get you one? Enter this weekend’s Sephora giveaway, and I’ll be right back. 🙂

• 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:
  • I wish i knew how to _____.
  • Who tells the best stories?
  • Have you ever been to a fashion show? What was it?
  • Do you ever find that you know more about makeup than the people working at the counter or store?
  • What are you doing for Memorial Day?
  • What’s your least favorite household chore?
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, May 26, 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

Good morning, glory! How did you sleep? Help yourself to a cup of coffee in the kitchen.

So, Godzilla last night… El Hub and I went.

Now, let me just start by saying that I sort of missed the whole Godzilla thing growing up. El Hub, on the other hand, appears to have seen dozens of Godzilla movies over the past zillion years, maybe because he grew up in Hawaii or something, and they must have been really popular over there. I don’t know.

At any rate, I went into the theater only expecting this: GIANT MONSTER DESTROYS CITIES! (With the all-caps like that because I expected a lot of it.)

And, uh, that’s pretty much what I got. 🙂 But you know me, I love sci-fi, and it was sci-fi-ish, so I liked it well enough.

Still, I can’t believe there are dozens of Godzilla movies out there. I wonder what the other ones are about…

LOL!

In other news, have you ever noticed how long cats drink when they drink water? It’s a freakishly long time, right? Tabs will sit at his water bowl lapping water for like three minutes!

Sorry, random thought…

Good luck in this weekend’s giveaway. Hope you have a fun weekend lined up.

• 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:
  • How do you feel about school?
  • What kind of bird are you?
  • Why do you like _______?
  • My favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon is _______.
  • Do you know anyone with a photographic memory?
  • What’s your current favorite makeup look?
• You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
• The giveaway ends on Monday, May 19, 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