Just For Fun

Good morning! Happy Caturday! Hope you’re having a great morning so far. ’round these parts, today is a Christmas shopping day, but ya know…if a purple nail polish hitches a ride home with me (I’ve got my eye on this one from OPI called Boys Be Thistle-ing at Me), I will not protest, nor will I be mad at it. 😹

This week’s reading

• A bunch of holiday kits are on sale at Sephora right meow.
• Meet the perfume house favored by European and Hollywood royalty.
• What is fragrance primer?
• I REALLY like the bottles in the BROWN GIRL Jane perfume line.
• Here’s a long list of scents for folks who like cozy vanilla notes.
• I’m not surprised to see Byredo Gypsy Water on this list!
• Six influential fifty-somethings share their beauty and skin-care secrets…

What are you up to today? Whatever you’re doing, I hope it involves fun and/or hardcore relaxing. 😊

We might actually get our Christmas tree today… 🎄

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I’ve been trying (trying being the key word here) to lighten my load when I leave the house so I try to bring only what’s allegedly necessary, ha ha!

One thing I’m never without, though, is hand sanitizer. I like using this one because it doesn’t sting my hands, and I can also spritz it on cart handles and baskets when I’m shopping. Plus, for me a spray is much less messy compared to sanitizing gels, which always end up on my clothes or on my purse.

I used to bring hand cream, but lately, in the effort to streamline, I just put it on before I leave the house and when I get back home.

Some sort of lip product always comes, whether it be a lipstick, or a lip oil or some sort of healing balm. CeraVe’s Healing Ointment in the blue tube is a fave! Ulta has a twin pack with two mini tubes that are travel size, and FYI, it works as a hand cream in a pinch.

I don’t know if this necessarily counts, but I always bring a Cocofloss with me whenever I go, because I loathe the feeling of food stuck in between my teeth. Plus the package is lightweight and small, so it doesn’t take up too much space in my purse.

Again, this might not technically be a beauty product, but I always have one with me because of Connor — oversized, disposable toilet seat covers. If you have a small child and they like to hold onto the sides of the toilet seat when they use the restroom, you need one of these in your life when you’re out and about.

OK, babe. Time to spill the beans! What beauty products do you always have with you when you walk out the door?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

1. Purple nails

Not very holiday-esque, I know, but I’ve been really into purple nails lately. 🤷

2. Love Life on HBO

I stumbled onto this romantic comedy purely on accident, and guess what? It’s really good. 😁 It’s funny, earnest, sweet, heartbreaking — all the good stuff! I had to force myself to slow down while watching the first season, which stars Anna Kendrick, because otherwise I would never have gone to bed! It’s that good.

3. Not asking for people to give me Christmas wish lists.

I used to ask people to give me lists of what they wanted for Christmas because I always like to give gifts they actually want…but this year I’ve decided to skip that.

Ya know, I always end up hounding them for their list, which just stresses me out and puts me behind on my holiday shopping, so I’ve let it go this year. And you know what?

I’m totally cool with that. 😁

4. Edamame and rice bowl

I had this for lunch today and remembered why it’s such a great, easy meal.

It’s quick to make, filling and tastes delish. Just heat some rice and frozen edamame, and you’re done!

Wasn’t that easy?

When I need more protein, I add a sunny-side-up egg on top.

5. Mattloveshair on Instagram

His feed is fun and he has great tips!

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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. Have you started decorating for the holidays?

I have some Thanksgiving decorations up that I need to put away. As for Christmas decor, no not yet. Hopefully sometime this week I’ll get some lights and ornaments up outside. We’ll probably do the tree this weekend or the next.

2. What things help you wake up when you’re feeling groggy?

One thing that always helps is washing my face with cold water. Exercising first thing in the morning also wakes me up, too.

3. Have you ever had a bunk bed?

No, although when I was a kid, I always thought it would be super cool to have one, and then sleep in the top bunk!

4. A scent that says, “It’s the holidays,” for you?

Christmas trees and pine needles. I love smelling a fresh tree inside my house.

5. Cranberry sauce: does it belong in sandwiches?

I don’t mind it in a turkey sandwich.

6. How did you do your eyeliner today?

I tightlined my upper lash line and roots with a dark brown gel liner (Ilia Dusk), and then I did a swish of brown liquid liner on the top lash line with a tiny little flick (Clinique Pretty Easy Pen in Brown).

7. Jeans: with or without some stretch?

Just a little bit of stretch but not too much. I don’t like it when jeans get too loose around the booty and knees.

8. A lipstick shade you wear a lot?

MAC Velvet Teddy never lets me down.

9. Something you need to replace?

This might be TMI, but whatev! I’m way overdue to replace socks and underwear! Both situations are kinda stressing me out at the moment.

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. Have you started decorating for the holidays?
2. What things help you wake up when you’re feeling groggy?
3. Have you ever had a bunk bed?
4. A scent that says, “It’s the holidays,” for you?
5. Cranberry sauce: does it belong in sandwiches?
6. How did you do your eyeliner today?
7. Jeans: with or without some stretch?
8. A lipstick shade you wear a lot?
9. Something you need to replace?

P.P.S. Hello and happy Monday, my dear friend. I hope good things happen to you today! 🤗

Welcome to the weekend. Truth be told, the last few days have all felt like a Saturday with the holiday and all. Hard to believe Thanksgiving has come and gone… I don’t know why, but I continue to be shocked by how quickly the days sneak up on me this time of year!

It’s a sunny day here in Novato, and I’ll be taking it easy today. I’ll be doing some intense Netflixing because there’s a new season of “Selling Sunset” out. 😁

Yes, it’s cheesy, and I don’t really have any interest in the Los Angeles real estate market, but I enjoy it because my brain can completely turn off while I watch it.

After lunch I’m taking Connor ice skating! We went ice skating together for the first time when we were in Tahoe last weekend, and she picked up on it pretty quickly. She’s been eager to get back on the ice ever since, and there’s a temporary ice skating rink at the Northgate Mall nearby in San Rafael, so that’s where we’re going.

Also, before we head out, I’m going to try to not eat this entire box of satsuma oranges I got at Trader Joe’s the other day… DANG! Satsumas are where it’s at, girl. They’re so easy to peel and so soft and juicy… If you see them at the store, grab them! SO GOOD.

This week’s reading

• Say what?! Are thin eyebrows back?
• Do probiotics have any benefits for skin?
• Seriously, I can’t wait to see Lady Gaga in the new “House of Gucci” movie. Here’s how her makeup and hair team transformed her look for the film.
• I’m a huge fan of this eyeshadow placement, and I especially love a diffused spotlight of shimmery peach or pink in the inner corner.
• 12 scents for people who prefer perfumes that aren’t overly sweet.
• Oh, my! Cats have driven these species toward extinction.
• How ballet companies are planning covid-free performances of “Nutcracker.”
• “Clean” (airquotes) shampoos for curly hair.
• In case you were looking for a new nail polish remover that doesn’t destroy your nails…

I hope the rest of the weekend treats you well! I hope you have some time to relax.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Happy Thanksgiving, or as I jokingly like to say, “Happy Pie and Stretchy Pants Day.” I’m thankful for pecan pie and the spandex in my black leggings!

All silliness aside, I’m extra grateful for you today. Thank you for your companionship and for always making my day better. It truly is a gift to check in with a friend, even when they’re a long ways away across the keyboard.

Thank you for sharing all your stories about your pets, your kids and grandkids, and your life. Thank you for being the person I can chat with endlessly about face cream, blush (ALL THE BLUSH), lipstick and perfume. Thank you for being you! I think you’re absolutely wonderful.

You’ll always have a friend on this end. Happy Thanksgiving! ❤️

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. How are you spending the holiday? We’ll be heading to our neighbor’s house to celebrate tonight, and then my family will be coming over tomorrow so we can have a belated T-day dinner at our house.

P.P.S. And because I can’t resist talking about beauty… Have you shopped any Black Friday sales yet? I’m about to hit check out on the Biossance 30% off sale because I’m just about done with my jar of Squalane + Omega Repair Cream, and I love it enough to buy another jar.