Just For Fun

If every dish was a work of art garnished with edible flowers, I strongly believe that road rage would end as we know it, and every Internet comment on every news website in the world would be exceptionally civil and polite from now on.

I mean…LOOK AT THAT TOAST. It’s like fine art. How can you not revel in its beauty? Just looking at it makes me happier…

That’s ricotta cheese, and those are strawberries, pistachios, honey, and what Creekside Bakery in Novato (which is where I got it the other day) calls “edible flora.”

I’m not sure what kind of flowers these are… If you know, don’t be shy. Hook a wanna-be horticulturalist up!

I’m gonna make this for breakfast as soon as I find some tasty edible ? flowers… Not today, though. This morning I’m getting down with Eggo waffles with peanut butter and raisins on top (breakfast of champions).

Whatcha having for breakfast this morning? Please know that I won’t judge you if you inhale your food while reading this week’s Saturday Surfing stories. I wake up a ravenous beast ? every morning, and the beast proceeds to rampage through my life until it gets some food in its tummy.

• Did you know that these clear lipstick caps were a thing? I didn’t, but I guess you can buy them to replace your opaque standard-issue opaque caps, and they come in different sizes to fit different brands.

  Yes, there’s a MAC one. ? MIND BLOWN!!

  Wishing I’d thought of this, because I’ve probably spent three years over the course of my life opening and closing lipstick caps to find the right color if I add up all the time I’ve spent.

• Like, it’s a mascara wand. How high tech can it be…? Well, apparently, Chanel’s latest wand for the new Volume Révolution de Chanel Mascara sounds pretty fancy.

  First of all, it’s the first mascara wand made by a 3D printer. To prevent clumping, the brush has a honeycomb structure designed to gradually siphon out the mascara, so it doesn’t all rush out at once.

• If you’re looking for a job in the indie beauty biz, here’s a story about how beauty entrepreneurs hire people for their companies.

• Even though the number of women running for U.S. House seats and state governorships in the upcoming 2018 midterm elections has surpassed previous years, the media still insists on critiquing what they’re wearing…

  “In politics, it’s still true that unless men’s outfits are out of the ordinary — wrinkled, stained, or downright unusual — their apparel isn’t generally subject to critique. Chintan Desai, who is running for Congress in Arkansas, summed it up well when he wrote to me: ‘I have never, not once, been asked about or had my wardrobe commented on while on the campaign trail.’

  “The catch for women is that even when they do show up dressed professionally, they’re still privy to scrutiny. Oscar de la Renta famously criticized Michelle Obama’s cardigan when she met with Queen Elizabeth II, despite the fact that her outfit was perfectly ‘in code.'”

  — racked.com

• YO. Ever since I moved my feet into the Land of Practical Flat Mom Shoes, my footwear choices haven’t been terribly interesting, but day-um, these summer sandals with the toes painted on them are too hideous, even for me.
• I’m really like Carisa Janes, the CEO of Hourglass Cosmetics. I interviewed her once, and she was very cool.

  Here’s how she quadrupled sales by spinning a $1 million packaging fail into a big success.

• Don’t stomp your little last season Prada shoes at me, honey, and dust off ye olde bend and snap, because Reese Witherspoon is coming back for Legally Blonde 3.

  YES! ?

  Truth? I’m ambivalent about Legally Blonde 2, but I’ve watched the first one more times than I can count. I luuuuuurves it.

  And whilst we’re Legally Blonde-ing, this story reveals eight behind-the-scenes secrets from the movie. Like, did you know that it was supposed to be set at Stanford in Palo Alto, and that the final graduation scene (which was filmed in England because Reese was filming something else there at the time) was a last-minute change, so it wasn’t the original ending?

  So many fun facts!

Agreed.

A look at beauty behind prison bars

When a family muumuu comes full circle…

Oh, and if you happen to have any other creative toast topping suggestions, please let me know, because I cannot eat another piece of avocado toast. I JUST CAN’T DO IT.

(Well…yes I can, but you know what I mean.)

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The benefits have been discussed here on MBB before, and I have friends who swear by it, but I’ve yet to give it a try.

I thoroughly acknowledge that my upper lip and my chin could probably do with a razor shave, because, yeah, sometimes I get close to turning into a full-on hipster lumberjack, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.

This will probably sound crazy…but I think it would make me feel too much like a dude shaving his face. I know, that makes no sense at all! But I’d still rather wax or pluck.

How ’bout you? Have you ever shaved your face?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.

Oh, gosh… I’ve made many, like picking at pimples (I know, a HUGE no-no), piling on layer upon layer of foundation, concealer and powder… I could go on. Generally, when it comes to me and makeup, the less I wear at any one time, the happier my pores are.

My last big skin care mistake, though, was starting a massively long multi-step process using a bevvy of brand new-to-me products within a short span of three weeks.

Wasn’t a good idea! Breakout City.

How about you? What’s a skin care mistake you’ve made before?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Ya know, I never used to be that big into snacks… Then Trader Joe’s entered my life. Now I’m that person who carries food in her purse at all times. ?

I’m actually 100% in favor of my in-between meals because I’m definitely less hangry when there are snacks around, and because I try to keep them healthy (for the most part), they don’t obliterate my daily meal plan.

These Honey Wheat Pretzel Sticks are my favorite snack right now.

I like the combo of salty and sweet, and crunchy foods are always so satisfying… Plus, they’re low-fat!

Speaking of crunches, sometimes I’ll add a handful of TJ’s (TJ’s’s?) Ancient Grains and Nuts Granola into some Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, along with some blackberries or strawberries, and add a drizzle of maple syrup.

Mmm…

But if I don’t have time to actually sit down and have a snack, these One Maple Glazed Doughnut Bars are fab. They have 20 grams of protein, each! That’s like three eggs! Those things carry me for a few hours.

Oh, and the Matcha Green Tea Greek Whole Milk Yogurt is a revelation, as is the Golden Oolong Tea, which tastes like…my childhood. Totally brings me back to going to Chinese restaurants with my family on the weekends and sipping hot oolong tea from tiny cups.

Also, did I mention that I’ve been trying to eat more protein? Because this sliced Rosemary Ham helps with that! Unlike making a protein powder smoothie or frying a couple eggs, nibbling on a slice or two of this doesn’t feel like a chore. Sometimes I’ll just eat them plain with a stick of TJ’s Organic String Cheese.

(Those Sweetened Orange Slices, BTW, taste just like candy.)

Also good for when you’re in the mood to crunch: the 3 Seed Sweet Potato Crackers (dip them into the Trader Joe’s Tomato Basil Hummus) or the Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers.

I crack up every time I see the phrase, “The Fancy Medjool Dates.” ?

Sometimes I slice one or two open, take out the pits, and then fill the insides with a dollop of peanut butter.

I’ve yet to have one of the Freeze Dried Raspberries because Connor always finishes the bag before I get my hands on them…

The crunchy Inner Peas and Pinks & Whites Cookies are bomb, by the way.

El Hub loves the Candied Ginger (they’re a little too spicy for me) and the Black Mission Figs, which totally taste like Fig Newtons.

Ah! Now I’m super hungry!

What are your favorite TJ’s snacks?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

1. The Scunci Fish Clip Jaw Clip for Extra Thick Hair

Otherwise know as THE JAWS OF LIFE! I bought this on a whim at Target, and now every other hair clip is dead to me. If you have long, thick or otherwise unruly hair, this will do wonders for you.

It has more teeth than your standard-issue claw clip, so it feels stronger and sturdier, and when I twist my hair up into a bun and secure the ends with this clip, the bun actually stays put, which NEVER happens when I use a single run-of-the-mill clip.

I got the large size for $3, but they also have small ones, too.

2. Edible Monterey Bay

I picked up two issues of this local magazine in Monterey last weekend (I believe it’s free in town). One was in our room, and I found the other one on the counter in a fancy-schmancy organic ice cream shop.

It has gorgeous photography and captivating writing! You’ll want to stay up reading about goat cheese all night long, even though you’re completely exhausted from sightseeing…

3. The Ninja Blender

My in-laws gave this to us while they were moving last month, and it’s the most terrifying blender I’ve ever owned.

So many blades!

I fear for my life every time I wash it…

But it slices through anything you feed it. Even lemon pits don’t stand a chance and get obliterated to bits. My green juices have been the smoothest they’ve ever been.

It’s not the most intuitive device, however (the first time I used it, I spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to turn it on), but once you get the hang of it, it’s great.

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So…what is the Monday Poll?

Good question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll. 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 gazillion years (more than 10!). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a great start. ?

Rise and shine, morning glory! Happy Monday. ?? I’ll be in and out today because I have some cool things to do for the Connor Claire store. And I want to do ’em. So that’s what I’m doing today, but I’m also blogging in a way because I’ll be wearing makeup and testing a few things to share with you.

Now, the poll!

1. A little…never hurt anyone.

A little dry shampoo never hurt anyone (best one of all time: R+Co Death Valley). I mean, if you think about it, you get an extra day out of your hairdo, lift at your roots, and, in some cases, kick-@ss perfumes (hi, Oribe)… Actually, when I’m done with this, I’m gonna use some because my hair feels gross. It’s been like two days since I washed it.

2. Crazy baby hairs — how the heck do you tame them?

Well, you can stop fighting them and just let them be all crazy, which is what I do sometimes. Or, you can do certain things, like redirecting your part, to make the taming process a little easier.

I part slightly down the center left now, whereas I used to do a deep part on my right, and the only reason I do this now is because of a few weeks when I was too tired to bother with my hair, and I just let it do what it wanted to, and the baby hairs always went a certain way…so when I just go with it and don’t spend all my life fighting them, it makes my life easier.

So, go with the grain.

Also, use lots of products if you need to. I highly recommend R+Co – CONTROL Flexible Paste, and also use a strong hairspray that doesn’t flake (I like Bumble and Bumble Strong Finish Firm Hold Hairspray).

3. Who or what do you currently need a break from?

Honestly, I would love a break — or, perhaps, a permanent breakup — from my anxiety. That would be nice. Basically…it’s hard to adult in the Bay Area. There are so many times when I just wish we could pack up and move someplace 1) cheaper, 2) that isn’t out in the middle of nowhere, 3) that’s still close to my family, 4) that has nice weather 5) and lots of Asians and different cultures.

Where is this place?? You tell me, ’cause I’ll move there. I’ll be your neighbor! ??

Anyway, kids are expensive! And Connor’s starting preschool soon. If we conveniently won the lottery, that would be great.

4. What kind of pie would you like?

I don’t think peaches are in season yet, but they should be soon, right? I would love a peach pie with a crust made from scratch and a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. (Not Breyers though. Breyers is bullsh*t.)

5. Reggae — love it or leave it?

I love it for about three hours if it’s sunny and I’m drinking a Corona and wearing shorts and a tank top, but after that I’m asking the DJ to please play something else. I’m done pretending I’m in a Shaggy video.

~ Advice on fancy ice cream and life ~

I went to a frou-frou ice cream place last weekend for birthday ice cream, and I appreciated their attention to detail with all organic everything, but you have to test every single flavor you’re considering when you go to a place like that. You don’t just jump in and get the mint and then be shocked when it actually tastes like real mint (like El Hub did, haha).

I tested all the flavors. I did my due diligence. ??

So test, test, test! Test all those flavors, girl — even if you’re holding up the line and people are behind you tapping their foot.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions for you to copy and paste with your answers in a comment:

1. A little…never hurt anyone.
2. Crazy baby hairs — how the heck do you tame them?
3. Who or what do you currently need a break from?
4. What kind of pie would you like?
5. Reggae — love it or leave it?