Just For Fun

A recent Quirkology study (LOL!) found that most people who made New Year’s resolutions didn’t accomplish them. While a full 52% of the participants were sure they’d succeed, only 12% of them actually did!

Men were able to increase their odds of success by 22% when they engaged in goal setting, a system where small measurable goals are set (lose a pound a week, instead of saying “lose weight”), while women increased their rate of success by 10% when they made their goals public and got support and encouragement from friends and family. 🙂

Hmm…

I haven’t decided on my New Year’s resolution yet, but I’ve started a list to help me narrow ’em down. The research also shows that people do better when they plan ahead and focus on just one resolution at a time.

Women — How to keep your New Year’s resolutions

Go public
. Most women keep their resolutions to themselves, but that makes ’em easy to forget. Instead, go public. Immortalize them in print on huge pieces of paper, and post them like signs all over your house. Tell your friends and family what you’re trying to achieve, and ask them to pick you up if/when you stumble.


Be persistent. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don’t beat up on yourself if you fall off the wagon once or twice. Old habits die hard. Remember that everyone messes up from time to time. Keep the goal in sight and your eye on the prize, even when you falter.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Key West, November 2008

1. Mood:

Determined.

2. Fragrance:

Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture.

3. Brush lust:

Laura Mercier Corner Eye Brush.

4. Mascara:

Flirt! Far Out Lengthening Mascara in Extreme Black.

5. Best thing about last weekend:

Watching lots of really cheesy Hallmark holiday movies on TV. Oh, and sleep.

6. Skin issue:

Ugh, my forehead is breaking out like crazy!

7. Fave hair product:

Bumble & Bumble Creme de Coco Conditioner because it removes all the knots and tangles in my hair.

8. Celeb I’d like to hang out with today:

Britney Spears. Did you see For the Record, her “documentary” on MTV last night? She seems lonely.

9. Nails:

They’re naked right now, but when I’m done with work today I’m going to try shades from the Essie Winter 2008 collection — Shift Power on my fingers and Sexy Divide on my toes.

10. Weekly goals:

Start (and finish) my Christmas shopping, be kind to myself even when I make mistakes and try to eat less crap.

Happy Monday! Are you ready to play? All you have to do is copy the empty list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le list

Mood:
Fragrance:
Brush lust:
Mascara:
Best thing about last weekend:
Current skin issue:
Fave hair product:
Celeb I’d like to hang out with today:
Nails:
Weekly goals:

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Nars Super Orgasm Blush: Less Glitter, Please

“All awkward name issues aside, I have to give Super Orgasm props. It begets cheeks with a perfect, just-pinched, shimmery peach color. Super Orgasm Blush would totally be the stuff of legend if it weren’t for one flaw — massive, meteoric chunks of golden glitter.”

Givenchy Pop Gloss Crystal in Plum By Night Brings the Hawtness

“For once Tabs wasn’t the sexiest thing in the house. Today the honor went to Givenchy Pop Gloss Crystal in Plum By Night ($23.50), one of two limited edition glosses from the Givenchy Holiday 2008 collection. A dark, shimmery berry shade with multi-colored glitter that’s oh-so-very fine, this cream gloss not only looks pretty, but also feels fabulous on the lips.”

5 More Makeup and Beauty Tips from Paris Hilton

“When it comes to makeup, Paris loves lipgloss. This time last year she was all about Chanel Glossimer in Astral. Before that, it was MAC Lipglass in Prrr, but lately she’s been lovin’ on Laura Mercier Liquid Crystal Lipgloss in Citrine, a bright golden coral.”

MAC Smokey Eye Tutorial: Halloween Flashback

“Hey, ladies! On Halloween some of you asked for a tutorial describing the MAC Smokey Eyes look I wore to dinner. I was in the mood for MAC today, so I thought I’d give it a try. It’s heavy on MAC products, but you could definitely use similar products from other brands.”

OMG! Bed, Bath & Beyond Goes Major Makeup

“We were just about ready to leave the store when I turned a corner and there, before my starstruck eyes, was a sight of such profound beauty that I almost dropped the shower caddy and slipcover I was cradling in my arms. What I saw was the biggest makeup and beauty department I’ve seen outside a MAC or Sephora in quite some time…”

Yves Saint Laurent: A Career Retrospective

“I played hooky earlier this week and drove into San Francisco to visit the de Young museum in Golden Gate Park. The museum has on display a new exhibit featuring a career retrospective of clothing designer Yves Saint Laurent, who passed away on June 1 of this year.”

Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond and Party: Bobbi vs. Bobby

“If there’s a season to go crazy for shimmery glitter-full makeup, then this has got to be it. Even reserved, conservative lines like Bobbi Brown get in on the action. This month Bobbi debuts two glitzy new collections — Copper Diamond and Party, and both are high on shimmer, glitter and metallic finishes.”

Dior Sparkle Shine Glitter Top Coat For Lips Gets the Party Started

“There are those rare times, though, when a truly dynamic glitter gloss takes my breath away. That magical feeling swept over me when I first marveled at Dior Sparkle Shine Glitter Top Coat for Lips ($24.50), a limited edition lipgloss from the Dior Night Diamond holiday collection.”

43 Things I’m Thankful For: The Non-Makeup Edition

“I scribbled these down in my notebook on the plane ride back from Florida last night. It was a rough ride. There was heavy turbulence flying over the Gulf of Mexico, and every time the plane would knock my head against the back of my seat, I’d get another idea for the list.”

Aussie Opposites Attract Shampoo Does Double Duty as a Fast, Cheap Brush Cleaner

“…Aussie Opposites Attract Shampoo worked great! Caked on concealer, dried gel liner, crusty cream shadow (eww) — it removed even the most stubborn makeup, breaking up the product within seconds. And the suds rinsed out quickly, too.”

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Globe Trotting Cats!

Artist and mother Lisa M. Dalton started The Travel Kitty Project to teach her son geography and to help people share travel stories.

Travel Kitties are small stuffed animals Lisa sews by hand (soo cute) and sells on Etsy. People bring their Travel Kitties along with them on trips and take pictures of them posing with landmarks, ha! I love it! You can follow their adventures on the Travel Kitty Blog.

Really, Japan?

I love the colors and composition of photographer Ruben Frosali’s work. He really makes Japan come alive in his shots. A few of my favorites: We’re Meant to Be Together, Donnie Darko Tokyo and Japanese Man Hairstyle.

Sci-Fi Makeup

Satellite 3‘s spacey makeup merges sci-fi packaging with makeup colors inspired by heavenly bodies like planets, stars and comets. Beam me UP, Scotty!

Booming Budget Salons

Even when the economy goes to sh*t, women will still find ways to get their facials, eyelash extensions and blow outs. Necessity is the mother of invention, after all. Former regulars to pricey salons and spas like Bliss have started migrating to budget-friendly beauty salons like Feet Island and Sai Kay 21 (great names!).

Goin’ Gray

I haven’t worn a gray nail polish in years, but this I gotta try — check out these shades from Carolyn New York. I’m getting the itch to go gray!

Happy day after turkey day! Gobble, gobble…

Whew! Today was hectic. I had to pick up Tabs from the kitty hotel today because they were closed yesterday. He seems fine, a little needier than usual, but I think it’s kinda sweet. I like to think he misses me.

After getting Tabs I caught up on some blogging and resisted the urge to hit the stores for Black Friday. I did do some online window shopping, though, loading up shopping carts at Sephora, Old Navy and J. Crew, but I chickened out and closed my browser without pulling the trigger. 🙂

Hope you had a great day!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

It’s not always easy to remember the things I have to be thankful for because, like a lot of people, I get caught up sweating all the small stuff in life — the carpet needing to be vacuumed, the laundry piling up or how I’m running low on concealer, eek!

Earlier today I posted the 43 makeup-related things I’m thankful for. Well, here’s the non-makeup version of my list.

I scribbled these down in my notebook on the plane ride back from Florida last night. It was a rough ride. There was heavy turbulence flying over the Gulf of Mexico, and every time the plane would knock my head against the back of my seat, I’d get another idea for the list.

Here they are, the 43 (non-makeup) things I’m thankful for this year, in no particular order… 🙂

1. The good news that El Hub and I just got about my MIL’s health. She’s not out of the woods yet, but last week’s operation was a success.

2. Visiting new places.

3. Luggage with wheels… No kidding.

3. Teen vampire fiction.

4. Minty dental floss and modern orthodontia. When I was a kid I had a wayward fang that made me look like a vampire from the side. Thanks for the braces, Mom and Dad.

5. Those awesome little umbrellas and plastic stirrers that go in tropical bar drinks. I’m gonna start using them at home to liven up my milk, guava juice and coffee…

6. The people who still love me despite my numerous faults.

7. Tabs. I just adore that stupid cat…

8. OTC meds for indigestion. Seriously, thank gawd for Tums and Pepto (it blackens the poo!).

9. Good workouts.

10. Polydactyl cats, because weird is cool.

11. Kanye West’s Graduation CD. The track, Stronger, got me through many a tough time.

12. Heated swimming pools.

13. Modern women’s apparel. Could you imagine if we were still wearing corsets and gowns? Give me a wrap dress, stretchy pants or sweats, please.

14. Popcorn, Life Savers Gummy candies and Vitamin Water.

15. Sleeping in.

16. My health.

17. The wisdom that comes with having made so many mistakes in life.

18. Apple computers and the iPhone (they make my life easier).

19. Arch inserts and quality running shoes.

20. Heaters.

21. Down comforters.

22. Random acts of kindness.

23. Seeing my brother in love.

24. Stylish winter boots.

25. The Jamba Juice Orange Dream Machine … YUM!

26. For the chance to have been my BFF’s matron of honor. There was a moment in the Catholic ceremony when I held her hand during a prayer. Before letting go, I gave her hand a good squeeze, and she squeezed mine back. It was a small gesture but reminded me of all the good and bad times we’ve shared throughout our 20-year friendship.

27. Puzzle games like Tetris and Jumble.

28. Older women in Chanel tweed suits, with nicely coiffed hair and age appropriate makeup. It gives me something to work toward, LOL!

29. Washing machines.

30. The Golden Girls.

31. Dictionary.com… What can I say? I can’t spell.

32. Karaoke.

33. The Canon Digital Rebel XTi camera, EF 50 mm f/1.8 II lens and good lighting.

34. Kitty kennels.

35. Afternoon tea.

36. That I said yes to a second date.

37. Good hair days.

38. People who laugh at my jokes.

39. The first waves of the day at Waikiki beach (before the big crowds).

40. Days when I hit “random” on my iPod and the playlist turns out to be magic.

41. Singing in the car.

42. Toe socks.

43. All of you who read this blog! 🙂

What are you most thankful for this year?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen