Just For Fun

Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora!

May 26th, 2012 by Karen 329 Comments

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Katie-Jean! Congratulations, Katie-Jean! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

A Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway
Comment to win a Sephora eGift card

Whenever I play Maroon 5 in my office Tabs runs out of the room (he will hang out for Biggie though, LOL!). I’m telling you this because I can’t get that Payphone song out of my head, and I’ve been listening to it repeatedly, much to Tabs’ chagrin.

El Hub came home singing it the other day, and now it seems like we don’t go 20 minutes before one of us starts, “I’m at a payphone…”

Tabs has not been thrilled. 🙂

I’ve been trying to remember the last time I actually used a payphone, and I think it might’ve been around 1993. Hard to believe there was a time when you couldn’t easily get a hold of people 24 hours a day, isn’t it?

Now, I feel weird whenever I’m without my iPhone. Although, truth be told, I use my phone more to take pics of my cat than I do to speak with people, haha!

I just don’t have the patience to sit and talk on the phone for long periods of time anymore, not that I’m a bigger fan of texting, especially when it comes to sharing important news or well-wishes, like “Happy birthday!” or “Merry Christmas!” For things like that, I think you still gotta pick up the phone.

A single gal pal of mine tells me that texting is the big thing now in dating. She says that when boys ask her out, they always do it via text.

I don’t know if I could handle that if I were single. I mean, what if you met a really cute, great guy who texted terribly? I’m not down for dudes who send texts like, “C U 2NITE!” Please, I beg you, take the extra 5 seconds to spell out your words. Please.

Then again, I broke up with a guy once because he used ellipses at the end of every sentence in his emails… (I know I use them a lot, too…and I purposefully leave off that fourth dot at the end of sentences.)

I’ll say this about El Hub: the boy gives GREAT email.

I’ve been out of the dating game for a while, so I’m curious — what’s it like nowadays? For the single gals (and guys), do you think it’s easier or tougher to find a decent date? Does technology help or hinder dating?

Before you go, don’t forget to enter today’s Sephora eCard giveaway. I’m gonna go grab a second cup of coffee now. Be right back.

What folks are saying…

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. 🙂 I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

“Never before have I been so pleased to check my email right before bed!!! Thank you so, so much! I truly enjoy your blog and check it almost daily! Thanks again! This made my night!”
-Melissa, Edmond, OK

“Hi Karen. Oh my goodness! I can’t believe I won! :O Thank you so much! You, Tabs, and your blog are amazing! Thank you for keeping me updated on all things beauty and more importantly, for keeping me entertained! Keep doing your thing! 🙂 Thank you again.”
-Jacqueline

“Hi Karen. Thank you so much, I’m so excited, I’ve never won anything before. My name is Hana … I just turned 25 (today is my birthday!) Yay! Thank you.”
-Hana

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).

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, what was the worst date you’ve ever been on? And the best date? What are your dating deal-breakers (I just watched that episode of 30 Rock)? What’s your favorite date night look? Have you ever asked someone out on a date? What’s your current relationship status? — you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/LmXcpX

The deadline to enter is Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 11:59PM (PT).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Katie-Jean! Congratulations, Katie-Jean! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Enter the Makeup and Beauty Blog Buxom Photo Contest to Win a Prize Worth More Than $600

May 24th, 2012 by Karen 42 Comments

Ciao, vuoi un gelato?

This series is brought to you by Buxom Color Choreography Eyeshadow. Buxom wants to inspire you to live life vividly.

Got some beauty staples that need restocking?

A collection you’ve been coveting?

A vacation you’ve been wanting to book?

A girl with purple cat ears waits for something, somewhere in the middle of Montana…

Why not do all three? 🙂 Enter the Makeup and Beauty Blog Buxom Photo Contest for a chance to win a $500 Visa gift card.

But wait, there’s more (I always wanted to say that). Because we’re big on beauty ’round these parts, the prize also includes more than $100 in Buxom cosmetics. On top of the gift card, that’s a total prize package worth more than half a grand.

Entering is easy, and the full details are down below, but here’s the gist of it: all you need is a picture of yourself taken at a time when you felt great.

Maybe a travel picture from an exciting trip…

Parisian fountains make everything better

Or something closer to home.

Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco

Or, how about a fun time you had with friends?

With my buddy Cindy on our way to Maui

NOTE: Cheesy pics that show you goofing off are totally welcome, too. 🙂
[Continue reading…]

What Makeup Reminds You of High School?

May 23rd, 2012 by Karen 63 Comments

what makeup reminds you of high school?
ZOMG, brows! And no concealer!

My high school years were a mix of a handful Clinique (my gateway makeup drug, LOL!) along with lots of drugstore stuff. I mostly wore eye and lip makeup, and some powder. I hadn’t discovered the powers of brow products yet, or mascara. In no particular order:

Revlon Lipstick in Cherries in the Snow
Wet & Wild Eyeshadow Palettes (I had this bronze, gold and khaki one I wore all the time)
Wet & Wild 666 Lip Liner
Covergirl Lipslicks
Cornsilk Pressed Powder
Coty Airspun Loose Power
Clinique Blush (My only blush! I think the color was Clover), Eyeshadow and Lipstick

What makeup reminds you of high school?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 221

May 21st, 2012 by Karen 38 Comments

the mbb monday poll
At the Bay to Breakers with two Beastie Boys fans paying tribute to MCA. Notice the people in the background looking up? They’re staring at a wave of tortillas being tossed into the air, a Bay to Breakers tradition.

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 four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Mood:
Surprisingly alert! — because I went to bed early last night and slept well, but I’m also very achoo!. Sneezy. My allergies have been extra awful lately.

I’ve actually been up since 5:30 this morning, which is pretty darn early for me. And yes, it was on purpose. 🙂 In a weird way, having to get up at 4 yesterday morning for Bay to Breakers inspired me to get an earlier start today. I forget sometimes that the earlier you get up, the more stuff you can get done in the day…until you utterly pass out from exhaustion after the 6 o’clock news, LOL!
If you could telepathically make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?
I’d want Tabs to know how much he’s changed my life for the better. Things were good before, but when he came along, everything got better. He’s always good for a laugh and a smile.
Do you do anything in particular to celebrate the start of summer?
Not really. No big parties or BBQs. Mostly, I just like to get the deck ready, putting up the umbrella, refreshing the planters and putting out the comfy cushions for the chairs. I like to turn our little deck into an extended living/dining room for summer.
Eyes/Cheeks/Lips?
It was still dark outside when I said Hey, Sailor! before dawn this morning.

I’m wearing Barefoot Eyeshadow and Blue Stripe Eye Pencil on my Eyes, Launch Away! Blush on my cheeks, and Blessedly Lipglass on my lips.
Do you have a special spot where you like to read?
I do. When it’s not too hot or cold outside, I like to read in the papasan chair on the deck; otherwise, I just park my bottom on the left side of the living room couch (always the left side, but for no reason in particular; just feels right).
Is there a song that always puts you in a good/better mood?
Is there ever! Soooo many songs, but Jessie J’s Domino has been my favorite feel good jam for a few weeks.
Do you keep a pair of casual shoes by the front door?
My pink and black Reef flip-flops are never far from the door…unless I’m wearing them, or unless Tabs has hidden them somewhere.
Tell me about your weekend. What did you do?
I spent a lot of time “filling my well,” so to speak, which for me means doing things that I find relaxing. Like cleaning and organizing the living room.

It might sound weird, but I definitely feel better when the house is clean and I feel like like things have been put away in their proper place. So yeah, I cleaned like a crazy person…

I also spent some good quality time with friends, and that always recharges my batteries.
What scent are you wearing today?
MAC Turquatic is following me around this morning.
Weekly goals:
Jut a lot of life maintenance things. I’d like to go to a couple of yoga classes this week, which I say every week, even though I haven’t gone to one in a while. I’d also like to keep getting up at 5:30 in the morning, but we’ll see how long that one lasts…

Oh, and I’m really gonna try to keep the living room tidy, but some of that depends on Tabs (whose toys are always strewn about) and El Hub, who leaves empty glasses of dried protein powder and Gatorade bottles everywhere. They follow him around like his entourage, LOL!

In other news, I feel like I’ve been up forever! Is this how getting up at 5:30 feels…?

What a strange, interesting world. 🙂

Tabs, of course, loves the idea of his assistant getting to the office earlier in the day. He’s been following me around, chirping out demands all morning long. You know, demanding the attention he feels he so richly deserves.

Hope your day got off to a good start. Feel free to vent in the comments if you need to (I’ll be your sounding board).

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

1. Mood:
2. If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?
3. Do you do anything in particular to celebrate the start of summer?
4. Eyes/Lips/Cheeks?
5. Do you have a special spot where you like to read?
6. A song that always puts you in a good/better mood?
7. Do you keep a pair of casual shoes by the front door?
8. Tell me about your weekend. What did you do?
9. What scent are you wearing?
10. Weekly goals:

Promise me you’ll try one thing this week. One little thing that only takes a minute. Take a minute to tell yourself some of the things you love about yourself. “I love that I…” Like so many of the things suggest, yes, I know it’s cheesy, but cheese is good!

Especially when I’m struggling with something, a decision or an obstacle, it really helps me get to a good mental place.

Not cheese, but the other thing. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 192

May 20th, 2012 by Karen 16 Comments

Tabs for the MAC Submariner Collection

This sucks! I hardly got to see Tabs at all today, first because I was in the city this morning for the Bay to Breakers, and then second, by the time I got home this afternoon, he was out on the Bay training for the America’s Cup.

Yup, the big sailing race…

I don’t know if you knew this about him, but Tabs is a natural born sailor. His ancestors actually worked as mousers on the first ships that sailed here from England. Oh, yeah. He comes from a long, proud lineage of mousers with natural sea legs, thanks to their low-hanging bellies, which provide a low center of gravity and great shipboard balance.

He was on the water today training with his team. They’ve been using the Team Friskies boat while Tabs saves up for a boat of his own, which I’m supposed to help him research this week.

It just occurred to me… I hope Tabs doesn’t expect me to be part of his crew, because I get seasick very easily.

Knowing Tabs, he probably already has an outfit picked out for me! 🙂

It was no coincidence that Tabs worked on a nautical kitty modeling job this week for MAC’s new Submariner collection. He got the job specifically because they’d heard about his sailing experience and wanted a cat they could “trust on the water.” (The art director’s words.)

Submariner was just one of the gigs Tabs had this week. He also modeled for Essie, Covercat, Sugarpill and TRESemmÃ©, as you can see from these pics of the shoots…

Tabs for the Essie Pheasant Collection

Tabs for Covercat Mascara
[Continue reading…]

What’s Your Go-To Makeup Remover and Why?

May 20th, 2012 by Karen 47 Comments

What's your go-to makeup remover and why?
I bet MAC Cleanse Off Oil/Tranquil could stand up to the Hulk!

I rarely stick to the same beauty products for long (unless I think they’re great) because in testing new things I tend to get distracted, but now that I think about it, I’ve been loving and, more importantly, regularly reaching for MAC Cleanse Off Oil/Tranquil for months.

As a matter of fact, I picked up a backup bottle. That’s how much I like it.

It’s like the Hulk of the makeup remover world (nothing stands in its way!). Foundation, primer, long-wearing concealer, waterproof makeup — it brushes them aside, and it works fast, too, without tugging at my skin.

On top of everything else, it doesn’t give me breakouts (knock on wood!).

I always have to remember to knock on wood when I say that… I don’t want to tempt fate, LOL!

How about you? What’s your go-to makeup remover and why?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

May 20th, 2012 by Karen 14 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Weekly Roundup

Just a quick note to say hi. 🙂 Hopefully, I’m on the last leg of the Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco right now (I wrote this last night) and not still sleeping at home or passed out on a city sidewalk from fatigue.

(I better not still be asleep… If I am, I’m very sorry, Marisol!)

Bit o’ beauty from around the way…

One of my favorite superheroes is getting the boot! — the re-boot. I hope the filmmakers nail it, and speaking of nails, OPI obviously had fun naming the colors in their new Amazing Spider-Man Collection — Nails and Noms
Wow, one could get four of these $4 Maybelline Baby Lip Balms for the price of a single MAC Suntint (and they sound better, too) — My Weekend Ramblings
Celebrating Donna Summer’s Best Disco Queen Moments — New York Magazine

And for anyone who needs/wants to work from the road (i.e. a road warrior)…

When the power went out on Thursday, I was up in my office at home uploading pictures for a post, and I’d just finished the pics when the whole place went dark, lights, computer, every clock in the house. I hadn’t written anything yet, but I noticed that my phone still had power…

I remembered seeing someone at a coffee shop use a regular Apple iMac wireless keyboard to type directly into their iPhone. Since both have Bluetooth, you can pair the keyboard to the phone (or an iPad). For bloggers, or anyone who needs/wants to take notes or write lengthy emails, it’s a good travel combination. Any Bluetooth keyboard should work. Just slip the keyboard, if it’s small enough, into a big purse or your book bag when you hit the road.
Another road warrior tip for people who need access to the Net while they travel, or in my case, want a fallback Internet connection for power outages at home, there’s the Verizon MiFi Jetpack 4G Wireless Hotspot. They’re about the size of a cellphone and work like your wireless router at home, letting you surf the Net on your phone or computer over a Wifi connection, except using a carrier like Verizon, Sprint or AT&T.

With the prepaid ones, you aren’t under a contract, and you only pay for the months you use. Oh, and the connection is more secure than free Wifi hotspots in public places like coffee shops and bookstores, where it’s possible to steal your passwords over the air.

Just some of my favorite iPhone apps lately, and I hope you share your favorites too (please do!): the iOS Kindle app (FREE; Amazon.com just makes it so easy to buy books and get them on my phone), Dictionary (FREE; by FAR my favorite dictionary/thesaurus app on the iPhone), AP Stylebook (it’s expensive at $24.99, but if you’re familiar with the print AP Stylebook and like to write, it’s an invaluable tool), WordPress for iOS (the app I use to remotely blog) and the Netflix app (FREE; also available for Android phones; requires a $7.99/month Netflix subscription).

About the Netflix app, don’t tell anyone I told you :), but it’s possible to share a single subscription between two different households, as long as they use the same Netflix login account (shh…).

The posts you might have missed

Lips Luxe Dior Addict Lip Balm in Crystal Coral

Chanel Peche Cuivre Le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil

Say Hey to the MAC Hey, Sailor! Lipglasses

MAC Hey, Sailor! Collection Pics and Swatches

Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Shines a Light on Lips

Neon Helps Nails Do the Bright Thing

My latest skincare crushes from Sephora

A Look at the MAC Hey, Sailor! Blushes

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora!

May 19th, 2012 by Karen 402 Comments

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Vanessa! Congratulations, Vanessa! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

A Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway
Comment to win a Sephora eGift card

Good morning, glory. 🙂 Let me be one of the first people in your life to wish you a happy Saturday. Not much going on for me other than cleaning, grocery shopping and relaxing…not necessarily in that order.

I figure I shouldn’t do anything too strenuous before the Bay to Breakers tomorrow. I’m setting two separate alarms for 4 o’clock tomorrow morning, just to be safe.

The costumes that some of the runners wear are a big part of the race. There’s even a costume contest. Last year a group of people won for their royal centipede of 13 people, which had newlyweds Kate and William, and a royal posse of the Archbishop, Prince Harry, Prince Beatrice and others.

I’m all for expressing yourself — daily — but I really, really hope that everyone on the shuttle tomorrow morning is fully and completely clothed (the race is famous for its nude runners) because, seriously, I don’t think I could handle smalltalk with a naked stranger at 5:30 in the morning. “So…is this your first Bay to Breakers? My, that is an interesting tattoo on your bum of a phoenix rising from the ashes… Boy, these seats are cold.” LOL!

Well, it’s that time again. Time for you to get lucky and hopefully win today’s Sephora giveaway.

What folks are saying…

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. 🙂 I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

“Never before have I been so pleased to check my email right before bed!!! Thank you so, so much! I truly enjoy your blog and check it almost daily! Thanks again! This made my night!”
-Melissa, Edmond, OK

“Hi Karen. Oh my goodness! I can’t believe I won! :O Thank you so much! You, Tabs, and your blog are amazing! Thank you for keeping me updated on all things beauty and more importantly, for keeping me entertained! Keep doing your thing! 🙂 Thank you again.”
-Jacqueline

“Hi Karen. Thank you so much, I’m so excited, I’ve never won anything before. My name is Hana … I just turned 25 (today is my birthday!) Yay! Thank you.”
-Hana

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).

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, would you (or have you ever) run a race naked? Do you have a workout buddy? What are you wearing on your lips today? Do you prefer waterproof or non-waterproof mascara (and why)? Are you working this weekend? When was the last time you had chocolate milk? — you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/J4P5tS

The deadline to enter is Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 11:59PM (PT).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Vanessa! Congratulations, Vanessa! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂