Just For Fun

Rise and shine, morning glory! Happy Caturday, and happy first day of spring! I hope you have something warm and delicious in your mug and a cat purring in your lap.

So…I went to Cost Plus World Market last weekend on a mission to find a British version of a Cadbury Fruit & Nut Bar (long story , but I prefer the taste of the ones made across the pond to the ones made here in the U.S.), and while I was there I spotted this tin of butter cookies…

We had one in our house growing up, but it never actually had any cookies in it (weird, I know). Instead it was filled with sewing supplies, and now whenever I see one at a store, I crack up because memories.

By the way, I didn’t find my Cadbury Bar, boo! Cost Plus didn’t have ’em. If you happen to know someplace that sells the British version, holla at your girl.

Onto this week’s reading…

• The Ordinary will be launching a makeup line exclusively at Ulta.
• Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes shares her drugstore makeup faves.
• Fall 2021 makeup trends to look forward to, according to makeup seen lately on the runways…
• And here are some makeup trends to look forward to this summer!
• Jackie Aina’s (love her) beauty MVPs…
• 6 essential eye makeup tips for ladies over 40, according to a celebrity makeup artist.
• Makeup after lockdown — will you go bold or go natural?

I cannot wait to watch this.

Hooray for embracing the gray.

Feeling this makeup vibe, for sure

I may have spent the entire video watching her bangs, LOL.

I love that Drew sees not using injectables as being rebellious.

The music in this is good!

I will take all the tips, thanks.

Dupes!

Kinda catchy

This looks fun.

Let’s do this.

Connor wanted to watch this because HORSES.

Aww!

The little girl in the pink velvet is too cute.

An interesting point of view in this age of oversharing.

I would love to read more books. Drop that knowledge on me, man!

It’s been drizzling all week so I bet today will be a good day to visit the Fairway Waterfall. What are you up to?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

1. My So Called Life on Hulu

Oh, Angela Chase and all her teenage drama!

I used to love this show back in the day, and what’s interesting to me now, watching it as a full-blown adult, is the parents… DANG. They look *really* young! I remember watching this show as a teen/young adult and the parents looking, like, you know, regular parents — the people who would send you to your room and ground you if you got too sassy.

And oh, the ’90s fashion. All the high-waisted jeans and the floral dresses! It makes me wish I would’ve saved more of my ’90s wardrobe.

I like to imagine where Angela, Rickie and Rayanne ended up in life… Perhaps they Zoomed together during quarantine? LOL!

2. Chanel Ultra Le Teint Ultrawear All-Day Comfort Flawless Finish Foundation

Well, this foundation from Chanel is just lovely! It’s a full-coverage, soft matte foundation that feels comfy and lasts all day. I like how natural it looks on my skin, how it doesn’t feel heavy and how easily it blends. It’s also available in 30 shades.

3. The soundtrack to Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts

So, I’ve actually never watched a full episode of this animated show, only bits and pieces because it’s always on at our house. El hub and Connor are obsessed with it! The parts I’ve seen are hilarious and very clever, so eventually I’ll watch it, but for now I’m all about the music. The soundtrack is really good. Catchy and totally dance-able, and full of songs I wish were on the radio, but for unknown reasons are not.

4. Universal Thread Sleeveless Knit Dress

I just got this $20 dress from Target in black, and I’m excited to wear it to the pool and the beach when the weather gets warmer. First of all, 20 bucks! Second, it’s 100% cotton, and the cotton feels good, too. It’s soft, relatively thick, and it skims the body nicely.

5. The front tuck and the half tuck

While we’re on the subject of clothes, I’ve been wearing my button-up (button-down?) shirts like this lately, and all I have to say is why didn’t I discover this sooner?

I feel like I definitely look taller and leaner when I wear my shirts this way. Let the front tuck and half tuck change your life, babe!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

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 five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?

1. Your must-have hair accessories?

Soft scrunchies, black hair ties and bobby pins are my ride-or-dies. I have a few fabric headbands that I used when I was working at the bakery, but eh, I could take ’em or leave ’em.

2. Garlic or ginger?

Garlic, roasted!

3. Yellow or purple polish?

All the shades of purple, please.

4. What do you think of boba?

It’s OK. It’s one of those things that I like when it’s there, but I’ve never craved it in the middle of the night or anything. I do have to say that I’m finicky about the texture of the tapioca pearls. If they’re tough and chewy I won’t even bother.

5. Have you ever worn a perfume that didn’t quite feel like “you”?

Totally. It was Chanel Cristalle in the early 2000s. I bought a bottle for myself as a birthday present because I like how it smelled when I sprayed it in the air, but on my skin something about it didn’t quite gel. I used it as decor for many years before eventually passing it onto a friend!

6. Tie dye or polka dots?

Tie dye in soft pastel colors.

7. Inner corner highlight or brow bone highlight?

Inner corner highlight — a pearly warm peach would be nice, just ever-so-gently buffed in with a fluffy shadow brush.

8. Wide leg or boot cut pants?

BOTH!

9. Three things that make you smile?

Seeing flowers blooming on my favorite tree again, the sound of church bells in the distance in the middle of the day, and getting a tummy flash from my neighborhood kitty friends.

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. Your must-have hair accessories?
2. Garlic or ginger?
3. Yellow or purple polish?
4. What do you think of boba?
5. Have you ever worn a perfume that didn’t quite feel like “you”?
6. Tie dye or polka dots?
7. Inner corner highlight or brow bone highlight?
8. Wide leg or boot cut pants?
9. Three things that make you smile?

P.P.S. Hello, my friend. Happy Monday to you! I hope your day so far has been calm and peaceful and that you’re feeling strong and steady. We’re going to have a good week. You hear me? I have it on good authority from a very wise torbie cat. WE. CAN. DO. THIS. ?

Good morning and happy Saturday, friend! I read earlier this week that lavender nail polish is going to be a “thing” this spring, and so of course my first thought was, “Isn’t lavender polish always a thing?” My second thought was, “LET’S DO THIS.”

Hence, the small parade o’ purple polish at the top. I’m learning toward Fauntleroy at the moment…

Do you have a favorite lavender polish? If you do, I would love to hear about it!

This week’s reading…

• Do you really need a base AND a top coat?
• How to build a makeup capsule collection/
• 11 ways to defend yourself against a cat!!
• Apparently, lavender is the new nude.
• Note to self: I love these floors.

Oui!

This looks pretty and easy.

I realize this is all about the makeup but THE HAIR! Epic.

You know I love me some Erin.

Looking forward to sweating to this ASAP.

Yes, please.

Concealer 411

Lots of good tips

I’ve been obsessed with cleaning videos lately.

Look at what the dudes are wearing.

Got any plans for the weekend? Besides painting my paws and doing a whole lotta high-intensity relaxing (IT NEEDS TO BE DONE), I’m going to Home Depot to check out some flooring and look at plants.

Dude, you know you’re officially adulting when trips to Home Depot are the *highlight* of your weekend! ?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

1. Whole Foods Four Cheese Thin Crust Pizza

Otherwise known as “Magic Pizza.” If you’re in the mood for easy meals, and/or you’re too tired to deal with the mechanics of cooking dinner, chances are anyone within the perimeter will inhale this cheesy masterpiece. Conner always asks for seconds (sometimes thirds), WHICH SHE NEVER DOES, EVER! I like it too.

The cheese marvelously melts like actual, real cheese, and it isn’t too oily. The thin crust feels more substantial than Saltine crackers, too, and the red sauce has some sweetness and very little bite, which is why I think it’s a been a hit here.

2. Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 50

SUPER GOOD. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, layers well under makeup, AND it’s moisturizing. Best of all, it doesn’t leave a visible white cast behind.

3. Odele Leave-In Conditioner

This got me through the most challenging period of crazy pandemic hair. To say that I love it would be an understatement of epic proportions! It does a little bit of everything, and does it all well — smooths frizz, detangles knots, and drenches hair with a deluge of moisture. And it does it all without weighing hair down or heavily coating it with anything.

4. Cat & Jack Stevie Lemon Sneakers

These toddler/kids shoes are super cute in person. They’re sparkly, bright and cheerful. I got a pair for Connor, and she loves them! If there’s a little girl in your life, grab a pair if you can.

5. Lucky Brand Classic One Pocket Shirt

The white button-up (or button-down, if you will) shirt I got recently on sale is 50% off now on the Lucky website! I usually wear a size Small (4 or 6), but I sized up to Medium because I didn’t want to have to deal with the buttons gaping open. I also wanted the option to layer things under or over it without the arms feeling too tight.

It’s more of a casual than a dressy white shirt, which is what I wanted too. I love it!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! 🙂

How to play

Pick one or the other for each of the questions below, and copy/paste your answers in the comments. Can’t wait to see your picks! Mine are listed below. ?

This or That: The Eyeshadow Palette Edition

• All matte or all shimmer?
• Practical colors or fun colors?
• Creams or powders?
• Do you use the brush that comes with the palette, or do you ditch it?
• 7 or fewer shades, or more than 7 shades?
• With a mirror or without?
• Magnetic closure or snap?
• Black or white packaging?
• Build your own or buy premade?
• It’s time to refresh your makeup bag! Do you re-purchase a palette you know and love, or buy a new palette from a brand you haven’t tried before that looks exciting?

All matte or all shimmer?

All matte, no doubt!

Practical colors or fun colors?

Girl, when did I get so #basic? Gimme those practical colors. (SIGH) At least I know I’ll wear them. ?‍♀️

Creams or powders?

Powders that feel like creams! ?

Do you use the brush that comes with the palette, or do you ditch it?

I’ll keep it around but only use it out of sheer desperation… I’m crazy picky about my brushes.

7 or fewer shades, or more than 7 shades?

10 is the sweet spot for me!

With a mirror or without?

With a mirror, because you just never know.

Magnetic closure or snap?

Magnetic closure! They eliminate having to pay any attention at all when you open and close, and I’m all for that. Also, it’s not like I’m hitting the open road right now, so I’m not worried about things jostling around and unexpectedly opening in my makeup bag.

Black or white packaging?

I like the look of white packaging (plus, it’s easier to find white products in my bag for some reason), but black is generally easier to keep clean. So…black.

Build your own or buy premade?

Build your own!

It’s time to refresh your makeup bag! Do you re-purchase a palette you know and love, or buy a new palette from a brand you haven’t tried before that looks exciting?

A new palette to play with would be fun, so let’s do that!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen ?