Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 274

December 15th, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Who is Tabs the Cat? About six years ago I befriended a stray, flea-bitten tabby cat with a bad case of worms. I could see he’d fallen on hard times, but his profound knowledge of high fashion and department store cosmetics led me to believe that he was more than meets the eye. We became fast friends, and now he’s actually my boss (and a successful kitty model). 🙂

Dear friends and feline aficionados,

Just a quick entry tonight. I’ve spent the better part of the past two days contending with the Christmas crowds, and my paws are killing me.

I started at the mall, and heavens! — it was a madhouse. So. Many. Cats, dogs and humans.

The dogs were everywhere, running this way and that. Most of them stayed out of my way, though, which was nice.

The children were…generally less polite, yelling and reaching out with their sticky grabby hands. One of them grabbed my tail but had the good sense to let go when I hissed. Another one exhibited perfect technique with her petting, so I advised her to consider a career in professional pet assisting after she finished her schooling.

When my tummy rumbled, I stopped by Boudin’s for a small cup of their delicious clam chowder and then stopped by Pier One to look for festive feline decorations.

Unfortunately, the cat-themed selection was lacking, but the elephants and penguins were represented well. They must shop at that store a lot…

As for my kitty modeling, I had a few fun jobs early this week, but things are starting to slow down now with Christmas approaching. I’m sure they’ll pick up again after the first.

Per our regular arrangement, I’m reposting my kitty modeling campaign pictures here in my online portfolio for your evaluation. I hope you enjoy. 🙂

Your loving furry friend, always,

Tabs

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

December 14th, 2013 by Karen 439 Comments

NOTE TO SELF: Typing is kind of hard when you’re wearing gloves…even if they’re fingerless and have an extremely cute snow leopard-print pattern.

My inner cat lady mistakenly assumed that kitty-print gloves would be more conducive to typing.

Yup, we live and learn…

I broke down and got those Betsey Johnson black and gray leopard-print knit gloves we talked about earlier this week. You remember — I was tempted the first time I saw them, but I forgot the gift card I wanted to use at home.

At the time I figured that if the universe wanted me to have fingerless leopard gloves in my life, the gloves would still be at Nordstrom on my next visit, and lo-and-behold, they were! 🙂

Now, you might be wondering why I’m wearing them inside the house to type. Well…why not? I’m in the kitchen, which is the coldest room in the house, and it’s particularly chilly this morning (I’m wearing a parka and gloves to make coffee and type).

But that’s not even the funniest part. Get this: the thermostat is set for 65 degrees…so on the global scheme of things, it really ain’t that cold in here, haha! I’m just not designed for cold.

So what’s on your plate today? Other than staying warm, I have a few chores to do (Blergh! Although I do love having a clean bathroom…) and some Christmas shopping, and hopefully I’ll have time to film one or two new videos. I’ve really been enjoying the video thing so far and want to keep exploring.

Before you get going, don’t forget to enter this week’s Sephora giveaway, even if it’s just one entry by logging into the widget and leaving a comment. You never know — this could be your week.

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 favorite movie snacks?
- What are your throw-on-and-go makeup products?
- Have you ever been on a radio or tv show?
- What’s the most peaceful place you know?
- How many scrunchies do you own?
- What’s your Starbuck’s drink of choice
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time).
Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

If You Had To Pare Your Morning Makeup Down to Just Five Products (Brushes and Tools Notwithstanding), What Would They Be?

December 13th, 2013 by Karen 46 Comments

I thought this was going to be an easy question to answer, but then I got down to the nitty-gritty details and WHAT!? I mean, seriously, how could I ever NOT wear bronzer?

No. No way.

But, I guess if through some cruel twist of galactic fate, I absolutely couldn’t use more than five products to do my morning makeup…here’s what I’d choose.

1. Concealer

Obvs. To cover up those dreaded dark circles.

2. A dark brown powder eyeshadow

Something like MAC Brun, which I’d use to fill in my brows and could also use as an eyeliner in a pinch — with this cruel scenario being one such pinch.

3. Mascara

To thicken my lashes and help me create more of a wide-awake look. Even a single coat makes a big difference for my eyes.

[Continue reading…]

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 301

December 9th, 2013 by Karen 39 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for December 9, 2013

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

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

One of your favorite holiday snacks/noms/sweet treats?
Oh, so many to choose from, but I look forward to Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Stars every year…even if my waistline does not. 🙂

Whatevs… Waistline just needs to deal. I’d rather indulge and then run an extra mile or two.
How do you know when a mascara is right for you?
My lashes are normally pretty average — stick straight, no curl to speak of, and not particularly long or thick — unlike El Hub’s, which are AMAZING.

I swear, boys get the best lashes… It’s just not fair.

Anyways, yeah, I can usually tell when a mascara hits the sweet spot for me when it holds a curl from my lash curler, makes me go “OooOOOoooh” when I see it on in the mirror for the first time, and it doesn’t smudge or flake.

While I don’t like drama in my personal life, I need it from my mascaras. BRING IT!
What’s one thing you do really well?
Uh…sleep?

LOL! I can sleep through almost anything — thunderstorms, earthquakes, concerts. I’m a deeeeep sleeper, and once I’m out, I AM OUT.

Is it snowing where you live?
Almost. It almost never snows here in Marin County (just north of the Golden Gate Bridge). Maybe once a smidgen every 10 years or so. It gets cold — like down around the upper 20s for a couple weeks a year — but it rarely snows.

What’s something weird you keep in your purse?
Cat treats.

Are cat treats weird…? There are a couple of new kitties in our neighborhood, and I’m hell bent on befriending them.

Food is the fastest path to feline friendship! Hmm… I should put that on a bumper sticker.

Do you ever wear dark smokey eyes to work?
Sometimes. The dress code here at the home offices of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC, does occasionally call for dressy attire. 😉

Are you easy to spot in a crowd?
If it’s a crowd of short people, LOL! Or if I’m waving my phone above my head like a maniac to get your attention. I’m pretty short.

What’s your best over-protective parent story?
Once in high school when a boy came over to take me out on a date, my dad was doing some yard work in the back yard.

He invited the guy back there for a “quick chat.” While they were there, my dad went through his regular list of non-negotiables (no drinking and driving, missing curfew, etc.) while swinging a huge axe back and forth in front of the poor kid’s face.

I was mortified at the time…but now I just think it was just hilarious!

Are there any beauty products you need to re-purchase?
Right now? YSL Touche Eclat in 4.5 and Kate Sommerville Anti-Bac Clearing Lotion.

What’s the best thing that happened to you last weekend?
El Hub and I had a really lovely, relaxing Saturday night. We turned on the Comcast Yule Log channel on the TV, listened to Christmas music and read books by the faux fireplace.

It was so nice…

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

1. One of your favorite holiday snacks/noms/sweet treats?
2. How do you know when a mascara is right for you?
3. What’s one thing you do well?
4. Is it snowing where you live?
5. What’s something weird you keep in your purse?
6. Do you ever wear dark smokey eyes to work?
7. Are you easy to spot in a crowd?
8. What’s your best over-protective parent story?
9. Are there any beauty products you need to re-purchase?
10. What’s the best thing that happened to you last weekend?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 273

December 8th, 2013 by Karen 10 Comments

Who is Tabs the Cat? About six years ago I befriended a stray, flea-bitten tabby cat with a bad case of worms. I could see he’d fallen on hard times, but his profound knowledge of high fashion and department store cosmetics led me to believe that he was more than meets the eye. We became fast friends, and now he’s actually my boss (and a successful kitty model). 🙂

Dear fans and felines:

I’m on the cusp of an exciting adventure! Finally, a world where cats and technology become one…

I’ve been approached by a group of VCs and tech giants in Silicon Valley to consult on a thrilling new project involving kitties, technology and treats. I’m not at liberty to reveal the company’s name yet, but let’s just say that it rhymes with “Snoogle.”

Exciting times, these are…

I will always love kitty modeling; it is my art. But upon my recent acceptance into Kitty Mensa, I’ve decided to also explore academic pursuits like this exciting new venture. I’m enthralled by the new frontier of tech, in particular tech for cats, who have traditionally lagged behind humans in the tech arena.

Truth is, I’m not just a hot body. I’ve got brains, too. 🙂

Don’t worry. I have no plans to quit modeling. In fact, I was quite busy this weekend, and here are the latest snapshots in my kitty modeling portfolio.

Much love, always,

Tabs

[Continue reading…]

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

December 7th, 2013 by Karen 481 Comments

OH! I’m watching one of Rick Steve’s travel programs for Paris on PBS as I type this (he was just at the Musee Rodin) and would so LOVE to be sipping my hot coffee at a Parisian cafe…

That would be nice. 🙂

Rise and shine, morning glory! It’s going to be a beautiful day. I hope you have something nice lined up, or at least don’t have a ton of chores to do today. I should do a little cleaning and finish decorating the tree…but I really don’t want to. I’d rather futz around and play.

Have a wonderful weekend, OK? If I keep watching this program, I’m never gonna get anything productive done, so I’d better hop to it. The treadmill is calling my name… “Karen!? Aren’t you going to run on me?? You’re supposed to run on me today!!”

Haha! I made myself laugh.

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:
- When was the last time you went to a museum?
- How do you say “beautiful” in your first language?
- Do you have any paintings on your walls?
- Most beautiful bottle of perfume you’ve ever seen?
- Who makes your favorite blush/bronzer?
- Do you have any strange and unusual talents?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, December 9, 2013 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time).
Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Bizarre Beauty Question of the Day: What’s the Best Beauty Advice You’ve Chosen to Ignore?

December 6th, 2013 by Karen 46 Comments

My Lips Are Sealed — Go ahead. Spill your beauty beans… My lips are sealed!

One piece of makeup/beauty advice I continually choose to “selectively forget,” otherwise known as “blatantly ignore,” is to “never curl your lashes after you apply mascara.” 🙂

I know, I know… You run the risk of your lashes sticking to the lash curler and getting accidentally pulled out, but I’m very careful when I do it (she said the day before disaster struck), and I never squeeze too hard.

But it’s just that my lashes aren’t naturally very curly, and whenever I wear a mascara that straightens the curl from my lash curler at all, the extra squeeze just kind of holds them in place.

Uh…I probably also keep makeup longer than I should.

I’ve got some pretty old pieces from MAC (like from the decade before the 2000s) that I should probably toss, but I keep them for nostalgia-sake and their vintage packaging.

How about you? Is there any sort of commonplace or well-known beauty advice that you wantonly ignore? (It’s OK. I do it, too. :))

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.

What’s One Type of Makeup Look You Don’t Wear Often (or Ever)?

December 5th, 2013 by Karen 39 Comments

MAC Viva Glam Nicki 2 Lipstick — Wearing Viva Glam Nicki 2 Lipstick

Hmm…

How ’bout opaque, pastel pink lips? I hardly ever wear ’em. Actually…I never wear them, but that’s not because I don’t want to. They can look very striking and beautiful, especially on darker skin tones.

Buuuut,, I just can’t pull it off. Maybe I’m not high fashion enough.

A lot of the gals I see wearing pastel pink lips look like they just stepped off the pages of a magazine, but I feel like they make me look too cartoony, you know? Like a little girl who snuck into her my mother’s makeup bag and smeared pale pink lipstick all over her face, doh!

Plus, this one time when I was wearing MAC’s Viva Glam Nicki 2 Lipstick (an opaque cool-toned pinkish violet) and answered the door, the UPS guy said I looked like Lil’ Kim…and I’m pretty sure he was referring to the Kim way, way after the Crush on You era.

But heck, who knows? Maybe opaque pastel pink lips will be the next big thing to have a moment, like rose gold is having now, and everyone will be wearing them. I’ll just have to climb aboard the bandwagon and go with the flow.

You never know. 🙂

Your turn, buddy. What’s one type of makeup look you don’t wear often (or ever)? Spill those beans in the comments!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Help me out here, babe. I’m trying to think of more video ideas. What kinds of videos would you like to see?