Just For Fun

Comment to Win a $50 eGift Card From MAC! (Ends Monday)

June 6th, 2015 by Karen Monterichard 421 Comments

** THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED **
This giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted (CONGRATULATIONS, ELISABETH!!!), but check back next Saturday for another giveaway.

Rise and shine, pal o’ mine, and happy Caturday! 🙂 It’s a sunny day in Novato, haaay!

Today’s headlines…

A new family of finches has moved into the hanging plant on my deck, and the bird action has been intense. The mommy and daddy birds get very chirpy and protective whenever Tabs or I go out there. It’s exciting stuff. I can control myself, of course, by the tabby overlord keeps wanting to get in on the action, so I have to keep a close eye on him when we’re outside.

Also, New Orleans! We’re heading out there for my birthday next week, and I’m damned excited. I’ve never been there before, but I’ve always wanted to go. I plan to take a bazillion pictures while scouring the French Quarter for interesting things to share. I’ll be checking in from time to time.

Have a great weekend, whatever you’re up to. Your tabby nephew says “mrow.”

Oh! — the new MAC website. Brace yourself. It’s coming soon. I have it on good authority that we’ll be seeing the brand new MAC website very, very soon (here’s a hint: on what day of the week do we usually do that poll?). 🙂

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

Enter by leaving a comment 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:
- Mirror, mirror on the wall, what’s your favorite MAC finish or formula of them all?
- What’s the rarest, most collectible piece of makeup you own?
- Do you believe in the Abominable Snowman or the Loch Ness monster?
- What’s the longest you’ve gone without shaving?
- Have you ever cheated at cards?
- Do you know anyone whom you swear really does have ESP/a sixth sense?
One entry per person.
You must use a valid email address to win.
The giveaway ends on Monday, June 8, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Confessions of a Chronic Packing Procrastinator: Part 1

June 5th, 2015 by Karen 25 Comments

It’s the final countdown to New Orleans and my birthday trip! We leave on Monday (we’ll be there through Thursday), which means I need to start packing NOW.

If I wait any longer, last-minute mayhem will ensue, and I’ll end up just randomly throwing sh*t into my bag — like, literally throwing bottles of hair spray and whatnot into my luggage all haphazardly shortly before we leave for the airport. Because that’s what I usually do. 🙂

But not this time! I started today by settings a few things aside…

A sample of Oribe Shampoo and Conditioner for Beautiful Color, which my friend Alis gave me a while back when I saw her at the salon.
One Gillette Venus Snap Razor. Because body hair never takes a day off, LOL!
Mine certainly never does… I’m a freaking Sasquatch. 🙂

This travel razor has its own little case, so it’s easy to bring along on trips. $7.99 for a razor, razor blade and a carrying case.
Avene Ultra-Light Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion Spray SPF 50+. It’s supposed to be hot in New Orleans, and I’ll be doing a lot of walking around outside, so SPF is a must. This sheer, lightweight sunscreen by Avene is oil and alcohol free, and very moisturizing, too. $12 for a 1-oz. bottle.
Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk. Since I probably won’t be washing my hair every day (it’s vacation, after all!), I’ll use this dry shampoo to help soak up oil on my scalp and remove the funky scent of unwashed hair. $9 for a 1-oz. bottle.
Byredo Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum Travel Spray. One of my favorite scents in a travel-friendly bottle. $110 for three 0.4-oz. spray bottles.

[Continue reading…]

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 375

June 1st, 2015 by Karen 40 Comments

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

How comfortable are you posing for photographs?
Most of the time I’m pretty comfortable, although to be honest…it partly depends on who’s taking the picture. I can’t lie! I have control issues. 🙂

If I’m taking the pictures myself, of myself (myself of myself?), then I’m fine because I can set everything up exactly the way I want, but when someone else is the photographer, sometimes I’m like, “Here, why don’t you tilt the camera like this?” or, “How about we face the light from this angle instead?” or “Let’s move everyone about a foot to the left so the garbage can isn’t in the shot.”

Honestly, I usually end up just grabbing the camera and taking the pictures myself, which is why I’m rarely in a lot of group pictures.

Finish the following sentence: Glitter is…
…an absolute necessity sometimes.

How often do you wear hair extensions?
Rarely, if ever. I’ve worn them a couple of times (mostly after I’ve chopped off my hair), but I don’t like the extra weight on my head.

I do eventually want to try some clip-on bangs, though! I’m still looking for a natural-looking pair that I like.

If you could jump on a plane right now and go beauty shopping for 24 hours anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Ooh! So tough. It’s a tossup between Milan and Japan. On my brief trip to Milan a few years ago I saw a lot of cool beauty stuff over the course of just half a day walking around, so I’m sure if I had a full 24 hours I’d find some real gems.

But I think I’d rather go to Japan because I’ve never been there before. I’d stock up on face masks, brushes, false lashes and as many weird products as I could find. Either way, fun!

Pigtails on adults: a do or a don’t?
Generally, a don’t for me, although I was guilty of wearing them with reckless abandon in the late ’90s (*cringes*). I wore them to clubs and to class, but never to work. I do have to say that I have seen some gals (and some guys) who can legitimately pull off the look, but it’s a rare thing.

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. How comfortable are you posing for photographs?
2. Finish the following sentence: Glitter is…
3. How often do you wear hair extensions?
4. If you could jump on a plane right now and go beauty shopping for 24 hours anywhere in the world, where would you go?
5. Pigtails on adults: a do or a don’t?

Good morning, sweet friend. I’m having one of those Monday mornings where I feel like I need to treat myself with extra tenderness. Does that ever happen to you? Yesterday was one of those “cry at the drop of a hat” days (thankfully, I managed to avoid Target), and so today I’m having emotional leftovers for brunch.

At the moment I’m trying to do all of the little things that usually help me feel better, like I put on a shirt that makes me happy (it’s covered in cats!), I drank some tea out of my favorite teacup, I lit my current favorite candle by Aveda, and now I’m looking for some cheerful music.

I hope you’re having a good day so far. Do something nice for yourself.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 349

May 31st, 2015 by Karen 20 Comments

So what does this particular cat lady want for her upcoming birthday?

Um…how about anything at all from this list? 🙂

I gave this list of cat lady birthday gift ideas to Tabs in the hopes that he would find it in his tiny tabby heart to get his most loyal assistant something for her birthday this year.

But yeah…I’m definitely not getting my hopes up.

1. The Crazy CatLadyBox

Give her the gift that keeps giving! Gift your favorite feline enthusiast with a subscription to CatLadyBox, a new subscription service that sends her a monthly box filled with cat-themed items. I recommend that you upgrade to the CRAZY CatLadyBox, which includes goodies for the resident kitty-in -charge, too. Available now at catladybox.com, $39.99.

2. Mewgaroo Sweatshirt

This cozy sweatshirt with a front pouch keeps both cat lady and kitty warm. Available now at unihabit.

3. I Was Normal Three Cats Ago

Enough said. Available now at MittenMadeDesigns, $15.

4. Crazy Cat Lady Pouch

The timeless colors of this elegant black and white cosmetics pouch are always in fashion. Fill with makeup, cat treats or both. Available now at Zana Products, $20.

5. Crazy Cat Lady Birthday Card

The purr-fect card for your favorite CCL. Available now at LovelyCuppa, $3.14.

6. Crazy Cat Lady Stick Figure Family

Let everyone on the street know that you’re living the dream with these Crazy Cat Lady stickers for your car. Available now at PMVinyls, $10.

7. Ceramic Cat Bowl With Sprinkle Pattern

These black and white sprinkle ceramic cat-head shaped bowls can be used for jewelry, candles, makeup, cat treats… Available now at ZanaProducts, $45.

8. Cat Magnet

Keep your cray cat lady’s desk neat and tidy with this Cat Magnet. Available now at Urban Outfitters, $14.

9. Project Social T Peeking Cat Tee

Dress up your favorite pair of cat-hair covered skinny jeans with this tabby cat tee. Available now at Urban Outfitters, $34.
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Comment to Win a $50 eGift Card From MAC! (Ends Monday)

May 30th, 2015 by Karen 395 Comments

** THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED **
This giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted (CONGRATULATIONS, CASEY!!!), but check back next Saturday for another giveaway.

Good morning, glory. Happy caturday! Meows all around.

So, I watched a surprisingly entertaining movie on iTunes last night called Love, Rosie, and I thought you should know about it…just in case you’re ever in the mood for something light and fluffy that also happens to star the guy who played Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

You know, just in case you need something that meets all three of those important criteria — light, fluffy and starring Finnick Odair. 🙂

It wasn’t bad! I mean, OK, it only gets a 26% on rottentomatoes, but I swear, it’s better than that.

In other news, I’m driving into the city this morning to have breakfast with my brother, and my most difficult decision at the moment is whether I should order the buckwheat pancakes, or the huevos rancheros.

Hmm… I might end up getting both, ’cause that’s how I roll.

Have a great weekend, whatever you’re up to, and may it be filled with cats.

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

Enter by leaving a comment 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 scent reminds you of your mom?
- Make a real word using all of the letters in your first name (you can also use additional letters if you want to). Here’s one for me: “hanker,” because I have a “hankering” for a yummy breakfast. 🙂
- Did you do any shopping this week? What did you get?
- Have you ever gotten into a big argument with someone at work?
- What’s the chismis (pronounced chees-mees), which is Tagalog for “gossip”?
- Would you rather 1) live forever, or 2) live a normal length of time but never need to sleep?
One entry per person.
You must use a valid email address to win.
The giveaway ends on Monday, June 1, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 374

May 25th, 2015 by Karen 35 Comments

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Are there parts of your beauty routine that you won’t let anybody see?
Well, yeah. El Hub doesn’t need to see me attending to my upper lip hair, aka “the stash,” and I’m very self-conscious about my grey hair roots at the end of my coloring cycle.

Sometimes I’ll get these little white baby hairs at the front of my head that I’ll just pluck out behind closed doors. 🙂

Wearing workout clothes when you’re not working out — a do or a don’t?
Honestly, I am so conflicted about this one because there are days when I just want the stretchy Spandex to hold everything in, but I also feel that if you’re gonna wear workout clothes outside the house to someplace other than a class or the gym…your butt and your lady parts should also be covered by something else, like a hoody or a long sweatshirt.

What makeup did you wear to your prom (if you can’t remember exactly, do you remember the general idea)?
I don’t remember exactly, because this was roughly… I don’t even need to say how long ago it was, LOL! Let’s just say “the ’90s,” but I’m pretty sure that I wore a dark warm brown lip — the same one that’s very popular again right now — and I probably did thick black cat eyeliner.

I didn’t go someplace to get my makeup done, either. I don’t know why, but it didn’t occur to me, so I just did it at home by myself in my parents’ bathroom, which had the worst lighting imaginable.

But, of course, when I left for the evening, I thought I was hot sh*t (although I probably looked like a hot mess).

When was the last time you returned makeup? What was it, and why did you take it back?
It was after the last Sephora VIB sale. I bought a tube of Anastasia Clear Brow Gel, because that’s just something I usually do on the VIB sales (I go through brow gels quickly), but then when I got home and opened the drawer where I keep my brow products, I realized, “Oh, snap! There are like six clear brow gels here…” So I returned the new one.

Do you own any neutral/nude/naked palettes, and what’s your favorite one?
My favorite one is the MAC Brooke Shields Gravitas palette, because of its combination of warm and cool neutrals, and because I just think the colors are incredibly flattering. It has a lot of my favorite MAC eyeshadows like Soft Brown, Satin Taupe, Carbon and Shroom, but there are also some purples and khakis that make it more flexible than the average beige-brown neutrals palette.

This time around, I also think that the quality of the shadows in the palette rose to the level of MAC’s single pan shadows, which hasn’t always been the case with MAC palettes.

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. Are there parts of your beauty routine that you won’t let anybody see?
2. Wearing workout clothes when you’re not working out — a do or a don’t?
3. What makeup did you wear to your prom (if you can’t remember exactly, do you remember the general idea)?
4. When was the last time you returned makeup? What was it and why did you take it back?
5. Do you own any neutral/nude/naked palettes, and what’s your favorite one?

Happy Monday, my friend. 🙂 Are there any barbecues or swimming pools in your Memorial Day future? I hope so. Neither one for me, though, because it’s actually kind of chilly here… The Bay Area is doing its weird weather thing, where the days start out cloudy but then warm up a little in the afternoon, so that’s when I’ll hopefully be catching some rays and doing some window shopping at the Corte Madera mall.

Have a good holiday. I’ll talk to you soon.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 348

May 24th, 2015 by Karen 9 Comments

My darlings,

My birthday, which I share with my assistant on June 9th, is coming up in a couple weeks (we’re Geminis!), and to help her help me, I’ve created this very special cat gift wish list.

Let’s hope she gets the hint.

Love ya more than catnip,

Tabs

1. Neon Kitten Birthday Cake

What’s a birthday without a fabulous birthday cake?! I’m taking this picture of this neon kitten birthday cake to my personal chef for inspiration. All of the pictures will be of me, of course. Via craftsy.com.

2. World’s Best Cat Trophy, $9.49

Because, obviously. Available now at perpetualkid.com.

3. Microchip Pet Door, $200

Because in-and-out privileges are a right, not a luxury. By scanning your microchip, this high-tech pet door allows you to freely enter and exit your home while also keeping your enemies out. Available now at sureflap.com.

4. Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratching Post, $67

Birthday cats who appreciate clean lines in design will love this unique scratching post. Available now at hepper.com.

5. Hepper Pod Cat Bed, $147

I love how this herringbone cat bed matches with so many different fur patterns and fur colors. Available now at hepper.com.

6. Three-story indoor/outdoor cat home, $199.95

Clearly, a one-story cat home isn’t enough. For the birthday cat who’s motto is “more is more.” Available now at plowhearth.com.

7. Cat Keyboard Scratcher, $11.99

Sing us a song, you’re the piano ~~man~~ cat! A fabulous gift for musical felines. Available now at perpetualkid.com.
[Continue reading…]

Comment to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora! (Ends Monday)

May 23rd, 2015 by Karen Monterichard 438 Comments

** THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED **
This giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted (CONGRATULATIONS, NATALIA!!!), but check back next Saturday for another giveaway.

Win a $50 Sephora eCard from Makeup and Beauty Blog

Rise and shine, morning glory, and happy caturday. 🙂 I hope you slept well.

Gosh, can you believe that it’s already Memorial Day weekend? I totally forgot that this Monday was a holiday. I only realized it last night! No plans for me yet…but we’ll have to think of something. Maybe a picnic at the beach or a hike in the Marin Headlands. I just wish that Tabs could come with us…

Do you ever do that — wish that your cat could do outdoorsy things with you?

No? Is that crazy?

Haha! Yeah, it sounds a little crazy.

Speaking of cats, your royal highness is in quite a mood. He hasn’t gone for his walk yet today because it’s damp out there and cloudy, so he’s mewling and pacing up and down the hallway.

I wonder what he’s saying in cat-speak. It sounds dramatic like, “THIS IS THE WORST DAY IN THE HISTORY OF DAYS EVER!” But it’s probably, “GRAVY, GRAVY, BIRD, GRAVY, BIRD, LIZARD, CRINKLY TOY!”

LOL!

Good luck in the giveaway. I thought we’d make this one for Sephora again.

And have a great Memorial Day weekend, whatever you’re up to. 🙂

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 by leaving a comment 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 proverb or piece of folk wisdom?
- About how often do you wear waterproof makeup?
- Do you know anyone who has an identical twin?
- Have you gone swimming outside yet anywhere this year?
- What’s one of the easiest things to do that always makes you feel more put together?
One entry per person.
You must use a valid email address to win.
The giveaway ends on Monday, May 25, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen