Every year through my teens and mid-20s, the drill on Christmas was more or less the same: sit around the table at my parents’ house for a couple hours and stuff myself silly. Then, bundle up, get in the car, and hit up my friends’ houses.
Both Jen’s and Cindy’s families lived less than five minutes away, so I’d swing by Cindy’s place first, say hi, and grab a bite to eat. Cindy’s grandma was an amazing cook, and she wouldn’t let me leave before feeding me. Even though I’d already be full by then, I always made room for her homemade Chinese food. 🙂
Next, I’d stop by Jen’s house, which was always so fun and full of life. Her mom and dad headed the church choir, and Christmas at their place was extra exciting. There was always music, lots of food, and all of the younger cousins — who are all grown up and married now! — would be somewhere underfoot, begging me to play with them.
After that, I’d make one final visit to my friend Mark’s house across town, for even more food (!) and family time.
Things are a little different now… I still go home to my parents’ house and gorge myself on Filipino food — that hasn’t changed — but Cindy’s family has since moved to another town, and after Jen’s parents passed away, and she and her brother sold the house, Jen now spends the holidays with her husband’s family in Florida. And my other good friend, Mark, his family now lives overseas.
I don’t know where I’m going with this… I guess what I’m trying to say is that for me, spending this time with you on MBB every Christmas is like one those old house visits. I stop by, you stop by, and we chat in our virtual living room, eating virtual Christmas cookies (COOKIES!), talking shop and wishing each other happy holidays.
It’s a good tradition, and it reminds me that I’m not all alone out here in front of the keyboard, typing the words, “Cats, cats, cats…eyeshadow!” into oblivion.
Who would’ve thunk that this crazy journey into makeup that started in Feb. 2007 would have led to so many friendships around the world?! I know that we talk about makeup and beauty and all of that good stuff on the daily, but deep, deep down…I’ve always believed that MBB is more about the connections — spending time with friends in a safe, happy place.
A place that feels like being at your best friend’s house on Christmas Eve. 🙂
OK, I should just cut this before I tear up and my eyeliner starts running… I’m wearing MAC Feline Eye Kohl (per a cranky tabby’s request), and if I tear up, it’ll only get all over the place.
Please know that you will always have a place here on Christmas at Casa de MBB, and Tabs and I are honored to be one of your stops over the holidays.
Merry Christmas!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Karen, you made me tear up as well. Thank God I am not wearing any makeup! Thank you for always making me feel welcomed in your virtual house, and for being a wonderful friend. And I agree, although we could probably talk about eyeshadows and blushes and liners for hours, it’s that special connection that makes your blog so unique.
Merry Christmas to you, Tabs and El Hub!
Hi Agata,
Merry Christmas to you and your hubby! Thank you for being such a lovely friend and always having a kind word. 🙂 I’ve enjoyed getting to know you!
Do you guys celebrate on Christmas Day? My family celebrates on the 24th and El Hub’s family celebrates on the day of.
Thank you for your kind words, Karen.
We celebrated yesterday, on the 24th. We had a nice family dinner and opened the gifts. Today I am working and I am really not happy about it….
I remember you mentioning that you were working today. Hopefully it’ll be quiet and low stress.
Did you get to talk to your mom and sisters yet?
Wesołych Świąt!
It’s been quiet so far. I started 3 hrs ago and had only one call. But being stuck by the computer is annoying, especially when my hubby is in the next room playing with his new gifts.
I called my mom and my sister yesterday, today my mom has to work as well.
Wesolych Swiat! 🙂
Merry Christmas!
I’ve been a regular reader for almost one year now, but this is the first time that I’m leaving a comment. I love your blog; it always makes me happy, no matter how crappy the day was. Thank you for that!
Take care and have a lovely time with your family.
Lots of love from Germany,
Anne <3
Hi Anne,
I’m happy to hear that MBB cheers you up! Thank you for stopping by today. Did you have a good Christmas? Were there any beauty goodies in your stocking?
Merry Christmas from the SF Bay area! xoxo
So far my Christmas has been a mixture of fun and chaos with my family. We tend to fight a bit at the beginning of each gathering, but by now everything’s back to normal. Phew! It’s always such an emotional time.
My stockings were mostly filled with books, but there were also some benefit goodies, my go-to beauty balm by Urban Decay, and my favourite powder, Les Voilettes by Guerlain. What about you? Did you get anything to add to your impressive collection?
xoxo
Anne
Happy happy Christmas to you, dear Karen, and to Tabs and el Hub as well!!!
By the way – I found out yesterday that my MIL’s first job as a teacher was in Novato! I was like, “hey wait – I don’t know the Bay Area very well, but I know that place!! It has lots of friendly neighborhood cats, right?” 🙂
Merry Christmas, Shannon! I thought of you this morning because I was writing a Christmas music playlist! I added your song, of course. 🙂 I hope that you are having a wonderful time with your family. I saw the pic on your Instagram with the Christmas desserts and got very excited, by the way. Lol. Was that a cheesecake at the top?
It WAS, in fact, cheesecake! Marbled pumpkin cheesecake with a molasses & ginger cookie & pecan crust, to be precise. Made from scratch and so yummy! I used my sister’s secret of wrapping the cake pan in heavily damp towels to keep things moist (and then cooling the cake very slowly, so it doesn’t crack). I hadn’t had good cheesecake in a long, long time, so it seemed especially heavenly last night 🙂
Yum! It looked absolutely delicious. Was it hard to make? If it’s not too hard I would love the recipe!
It’s not bad at all! Mostly it just takes time, so you have to have some patience. 🙂 Which is hard when you’re making cheesecake, lol! But I used the most popular recipe on allrecipes (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/marbled-pumpkin-cheesecake/), adding a bit of extra spices to the pumpkiny part, like a touch of clove & allspice & ginger.
A few more tips for good results – letting the cream cheese & eggs come to room temp before you start mixing things up helps to avoid lumps in the batter. Also, don’t actually bake until the filling is set! Bake until it’s still a little wiggly in the middle, and then let it cool in a cracked open oven for an hour or so before bringing it out on the counter to cool completely.
Merry Christmas from us . Have a wonderful day, we wish you a great year and many more years mbb 🙂 Greets from Willemstad far he?
Hi Icequeen!
Merry Christmas to you too. Did the animals wake you up this morning? Lol. I hope that you and your family have a lovely Christmas!
Hi,
As a matter of a fact they did, we heard the pups crying, and the rooster was in front of the kitchen door as always 🙂
Yesterday at Christmas eve we had a great day with the in laws family,where my parents were also invited that was great. Today my parents are coming to our place for a Christmas lunch 🙂
Dear Karen,
Merry Christmas from Malaysia!
Yes, MBB really is one of my favourite stops not just today but everyday.
Love you and your site. Take care and have a wonderful holiday!
Sincerely,
Marianne
Tabs looks very dapper! Thanks for sharing MBB with us. Happy Holidays.
Hi KeiS!
He was going to be for understated and classy this year. 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and your family!
What a beautiful Christmas photo! Hope you are having a great day! My parents and I opened gifts last night (I got a new vacuum!) and my cat, Natalia, got a stocking full of toys from her cat sitter, how thoughtful!
Hi Rachel!
Merry Christmas to you. 🙂 How nice that Natalia got a few gifts! Tabs got a box of treats from his grandparents, and a toy from his uncle.
So tell me about your vacuum!
Merry Christmas sweetie.
Merry Christmas, Lisa! I hope you have a nice day. Do you celebrate the nights before or the day of?
Merry Christmas, Karen, Tabs, and EL Hub!
I have so enjoyed following your blog this year. It is so much fun to check in with you at the end of a long day and catch up on the latest news and beauty products. I have learned alot from you this year, and I am glad to see alot of older women (50+) follow you and still care about fun stuff like makeup and skincare! Love all the pics of the bay area, where I grew up and still miss alot. Hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas and very Happy New Year!
Hi Daphne,
Merry Christmas! It’s a sunny day here in the Bay Area, so I’m sending you a little virtual sunshine. Thank you for this sweet note. 🙂 I hope you and your family are having a great day so far. Did Santa bring you any beauty goodies this year?
Have a good day! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! Oh, Karen. Discovering your blog was… well, it was an epiphany. I love your style of writing, the photos are exquisite and Tabs is perfection on four legs. I’ve been meaning to thank you as well. Thanks in no small part to you and your amazing blog, I’ve been looking into getting a job as a makeup artist (for NARS). While I don’t have any professional training, I have product knowledge, and the rest I’m willing to learn! Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas! =^.^=
Hi Julia, Merry Christmas to you, too! I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you! When you get it please drop me a line and let me know. 🙂
Hi Karen,
Merry Christmas to you, Tabs, and the rest of the Makeup & Beauty Blog fam! I always look forward to your posts, and look forward to more virtual livingroom greatness in the year ahead!
Hi Dovey!
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by today. Here, take a cookie! *passes chocolate chip cookie *
What are ya up to today?
Merry Christmas Karen, Tabs, and El Hub!
You look radiant and that Tabs is one handsome cat!
We celebrate the day of Christmas. Christmas Eve is quiet but special. My dear ones are all home this year so today is busy and extra special.
We open presents later in the day now that we are all adults. Gone are the days of wading through piles of wrapping paper at 9 a.m. – before I was even awake!)
I did early-open my gift from my very dear friend who is blush (makeup)-phobic. She must have had the vapors but she did it–bought me the NYX Love in Paris palette AND a smokey eye palette! Plus some makeup brushes! Today I celebrate victory!
And that’s what I wish for you today and in the coming year — celebrating victory. Because that is what your blog is for me every time I come to it — a celebration of victory. The makeup is the outward expression of it.
Now let’s all have a teary eye and re-apply the eyeliner!!
PS Just thought I’d let you know that Dear Daughter loves her white cat bookends (birthday present) as recommended by M&BB. I told her it’s the Karen gift. We are both glad that we discovered you sometime in 2009!
Merry Christmas to you, Debra. Thank you for this very sweet and kind note. I am so happy to have met you! Thank you for letting me into your life and sharing your writerly adventures.
So, kind of lovin’ that your blush-phobic buddy hooked you up with some sweet beauty loot. 🙂 I wonder what took over her! She was feeling the makeup spirit, I guess. If something like that happens with Cindy it will literally be a Christmas miracle.
I hope that you are enjoying the day with your dear daughter, hubby and the fur kids. Are the fur babies getting any special Christmas treats? Oh, and what’s on deck for Christmas dinner tonight?
P.S. Tabs is thrilled that Dear Daughter loves the bookends! Meowy Christmas. 🙂
Merry Christmas, Karen.
Not trying to make you tear up even more, but I have you to be thankful for. For giving me a chance by sharing your corner of the Internets with me and hitting ‘post’ close to four years ago. Because of you I was able to find my strength and inner voice to carve out a smallish landscape in the beauty blogging world.
Your writing, photography and smile constantly inspires and motivates. It sometimes has me selecting ‘add to cart’.
I do have two requests…
1. Make more video tutorials, I had a lot of fun watching and learning from you.
2. Keep smiling.
Thank you for all that you do.
Merry Christmas, Nicole!
This note was the sweetest. Thank you. I’m so happy to hear that you are still beauty blogging and loving it. 🙂
Oh, and thanks for the gentle nudge to do more videos. I needed that!
Enjoy the rest of your day. Did ya get any beauty loot, by the way?
I look forward to viewing anything you’d like to share with us ☺️
Instead of exchanging gifts this year we hopped on a plane and flew to Kauai. Next Thursday I’ll be hitting up Ala Moana and I fully intend on stocking up before heading home to Australia. Got any suggestions?
What about you, what’d you get?
Merry Christmas Karen! Hope you have a GREAT one with Tabs your family and friends! Looking forward to more amazingness here in 2015!! 😀
Merry Christmas, Divya! Enjoy your day. 🙂
Merry Christmas Karen!
I loved that you shared your past Christmas history. I was feeling a little down because of missing relatives. I needed to be reminded that life and traditions change through the years for everybody. And we have to be grateful and embrace the blessings and people in the present. Keep doing the great work you do girl! Happy Holidays to you, El Hub, and the charismatic Tabs!!!
Hi Denise,
The traditions change but the love stays the same. 🙂 I hope you had a very Merry Christmas. I’ll be sure to give Tabs a tight squeeze and some belly meat snorgles for you!
Merry Christmas Karen! You look absolutely beautiful in the picture! I hope you, El Hub, Tabs and your families are having a wonderful day. And the same to everyone else reading too!
This is such a sweet post and thank you for taking the time to post for us today. I’m having a bit of a blah day (in my head, I want the “perfect” Christmas which never happens!) so I’m very thankful to be able to come online and interact with people – so thank you!
Beth xoxo
Hi Beth,
Thank you, hon! You are so sweet. I hope that the day picked up for you and that you had a very Merry Christmas. Did you do any fun makeup today?
I’m so sorry I didn’t reply to this – I didn’t see the follow up email alert!! I didn’t wear any makeup at all on Christmas Day, I had a total makeup free day. I wasn’t feeling very inspired, but tomorrow is my first day back at work after two weeks off and I can’t wait to do my face! I picked up a few things in the Christmas sales which I’m excited to try. I got the Laura Mercier Artist Eye and Cheek palette for half price and finally bought myself the Dior Nude Skin BB cream which I’ve had on my list for ages since I tried a sample but just hadn’t splurged and bought it.
Happy New Year! I hope 2015 brings you and your family everything you wish for. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us here at MBB this year, I’m sure it will be amazing as always! xx
Merry Christmas to you and Tabs, Karen! I’ve been regularly visiting your blog this past year. I must say that it’s been a tough year for me with my health being a little on the down side, but visiting your blog every morning made every day that little bit brighter 🙂 Thank you! I hope that you’ll have an amazing day!
Hi Alex,
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too. I hope the new year brings you lots of luck and good health. 🙂
Aww Karen. I have no idea whom I would consult about the best eyeshadow, black eyeliner and foundation formula if not for your blog. It’s equivalent to a slice of Tiramisu on one of those days when life just doesn’t look to bright. Thank you for always writing with a positive twist; and thank you for your honest reviews. Merry Christmas!
P/s- Tabs looks dashing with that tie. Is it a Windsor knot?
Hi Fieran,
I’m happy for MBB to be your Tiramisu. 🙂 I like to think of the blog that way, too.
Have a very Merry Christmas, and eat an extra bite of dessert today!
P.S. Tabs says thank you for liking his outfit. He choose it himself! It’s a velcro tie that is allegedly one size fits all, but I dunno… It barely fit around his neck!
Hi Karen,
Merry Christmas!!! I’ve enjoyed your blog so much this year! By the way you’re my only Twitter friend right now. I love that you share the same craziness as I do for kitties. Well tulip is rubbing her face on my phone so I gotta go! Tell Tabs I love his outfit!!!
I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and your kitties this year. Tabs and I are happy to be your twitter buddies (it’s all about the kittehs!). Tell Tulip and Jazmine Meowy Christmas for me! 🙂 P.S. I just finished eating s huge piece of leche flan.
Oh gosh, Karen, way to make me sniffly! I’m spending the day sick on my couch, so I definitely appreciate a virtual living room to hang out and chat.
This week I’m super interested in skin and hair care products. My hair is suddenly really brittle and breaking all the time and that’s never happened to me before! I’m thinking about trying a Kiehl’s hair mask? My skin is also breaking out, probably due to all the medications I’m taking, so I’m thinking about getting a charcoal mask from Origins over the weekend – and maybe also try a antioxidant serum, maybe the wild rose Korres one? So many cool things to try… I read recently that dermatologists have started saying you need antioxidants in addition to sunscreen to protect from the sun’s rays, so I’m gonna try it. And then I will have glowing skin that I won’t have to correct too much with makeup! Mwah!
Sorry for stepping in here, but did you have your thyroid gland checked? A dysfunction is one of the reason for brittle and breaking hair.
Nay, don’t be sorry! I appreciate it. I’ve had my thyroid gland checked in the past and it’s been fine, and I have so many other health issues right now that it seems overkill to try that too (aka I really don’t want another reason to go to the doctor). I also have dyed hair for the first winter ever, and I’m thinking that’s probably part of the culprit.
Hair dye is a possible explanation, of course.
Just wanted to make sure to throw it out there, as the symptoms can be misleading sometimes.
Sorry to hear about your health issues, I hope everything will get better soon.
Hi Stephanie,
Merry Christmas and feel better soon! Even though though you were on the couch today I hope you were able to relax and recover.
So, about the hair. Are you also using any heat stylers? The dye coupled with heat might be contributing to the dryness. Oh! And indoor heating might be another issue. I’ve found that central heating tends to dry everything out – my face, my lips, my hands, my scalp and my hair, too. Have you tried any deep moisture hair masks? That might be helpful, and perhaps maybe a leave-in too.
Anti-oxidant serums: Skinceuticals C + E Ferulic is my ride or die. It’s kind if expensive, but it has changed my skin.
P.S. LindaLibraLoca, thank you for chiming in!
I don’t know nearly enough about heat styling to do much of it, but indoor heating has always been an issue (Minnesota, land of the super-dry-indoors). My eczema on my hands started way too early this winter, too. I keep trying coconut oil in my hair, but I am going to try this weekend to get a deep moisture mask instead. Might be easier to get out afterward? I dunno. I’m going to try to do a circuit of makeup/skin care stores at the Mall of America tomorrow.
Starting with my beloved Sephora. 😀
Skinceuticals C + E Ferulic! I’ll make a list of things to try when I’ve gotten more money saved up (just starting to make money for the first time now and most of it is going to bills). I have dry skin with acne, the weirdest combination ever, and I could use something that changes my skin (you know, after ignoring my acne during my high school and college years).
(I’m a fan of the parentheses tonight, it seems.)
I’ve found that as my skin has changed as I’ve gotten older; there might be some of that happening. My skin was super oily throughout my teens and 20s and now it’s oily in some parts, dry in others and acne prone around my chin. So maybe yours might be changing? I think it’s a very common thing. Anywho, the C+E Ferulic along with Kate Somerville’s Anti Bac really helped my chin acne. It’s my holy grail combo.
Have fun at Mall of America tomorrow. If you find anything interesting hair masks please let me know!
Merry Christmas from the long drive from Illinois to Iowa, only three more hours to go! We just pulled out the GPS so that’s a good sign 😉 I read your blog every day and today would be no exception, beautifully written!
Happy Holidays! Thank you for sharing Tabs, your life & all wonderful things makeup! ♡
Reading this post made me tear up in a second. I guess being over-emotional is one of the things that stick after you had a baby.
I look forward to visiting your virtual living room every day, because you make me feel welcome and like visiting a good friend. MBB reminds me of the salons they had two centuries ago, where you would meet likeminded people to discuss literature, politics or music, making new friends and enjoying each others company. Nowadays, we visit MBB, talk about beauty, food and cats, and enjoy meeting so many nice people from around the world.
So keep on inviting us to join you at your “Salon de les bonnes choses de la vie”.
Yes! Now if only I could figure out a way to serve tea and cookies. 🙂
I hope you had a wonderful day. Did Little Bean enjoy the festivities?
Yes, cookies are the one thing I miss 😉
Little Bean didn’t catch the special meaning yet, but lots of family around and heaps of paper to play with are great at any day, I suppose.
And of course the lights everywhere.
Merry Christmas Karen and Tabs! I think I can speak for everyone when I say we love and appreciate all you guys do to make our days a little cuter. You’ve always been a huge inspiration for me and I hope to read your entertaining posts for many more years to come. Enjoy your holiday!
Thank you, Fancie! Merry Christmas. 🙂
Aw Karen, this teared me up too!! I live a world away from my childhood Christmasses and though I’d had a wonderful day with my new family, your post really rang true to me. Thanks for providing this wonderful space. Even though you do mess with my wallet more often than I should allow ;).
You, Tabs and El Hubs have a wonderful Christmas!!
Hi Bella,
I bet your makeup looks fierce, though! Thank you for stopping by and visiting today. I hope that we get to chat more in the new year! Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🙂
Merry Christmas Karen! I’m thankful for everything you’ve shared over the years. BTW I just made a vat of mashed potatoes and these mofos have already demolished them.
Merry Christmas, Outlaw! Your mashed potatoes sounds bomb! What else did you make for Christmas dinner?
Ham, field peas, mac & cheese and a salad to make me feel better about the enormous amount of food. 🙂
Merry Christmas Karen! I appreciate all that you do!! I love your shirt, btw, where is it from?
Merry Christmas, Debbie! The shirt is from Anthropologie; I picked it up the summer before last so it might be a little hard to find.
I had a similar feeling this year: my family has changed and become smaller, we have lost touch with some relatives, friends have moved… I guess that in the end every xmas is unique and different and you should enjoy it with those close to you at that moment as one never knows what life will throw at you!
So lets enjoy the holidays and create new traditions. Traditions, afterall, always have to have a starting point 😉
Well said, Tirurit! 🙂 Merry Christmas to you.
Merry Christmas Karen and Tabs! I sure do enjoy reading your blog. You have a gift for making me feel like we are friends, even though we have never met! I look forward to what you will be sharing next year.
Hi Lisa!
Merry Christmas to you. 🙂 Thank you for your friendship and for stopping by today. I look forward to chatting more with you in the new year!
By the way, did Santa bring you any beauty loot?
I don’t comment much, but I like checking in everyday to see what’s new. Your blog is my favorite and the only one I read daily. Hope you had a great holiday!
Jan
Hi Jan,
I hope you had a great holiday, too. Thank you for reading the site and visiting today. 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your day!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Karen. Have a great one. 🙂
You too, Iris! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. 🙂
I hope you and Tabs and El Hub are having the most wonderful Christmas! Looking forward to another year of your fantastic blog. Hugs.
Hi Tatiana,
Merry Christmas to you and your family! My day had been fastastic. I spent the morning with my mom, dad and brother and now we’re visiting with my in-laws. How was your Christmas? Did you get to spend it with your family?
Merry Christmas Karen, Tabs and El Hub!
I really can’t understand why it took me so long to become a loyal reader since you make us part of your everyday in each post, as you said I like the fact we can talk of more stuff than only makeup.
This Christmas was a really different one because I got sick and we had to return home in the afternoon; finally at the Christmas dinner we were only my parents, my sister and I eating pound cake and watching movies.
Hi Efrain!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. How are you feeling? I hope you’re doing better.
Pound cake sounds delicious. I would love a slice right now, om nom nom.
I feel better but I should stay in bed (or at least seated) most of the time and also eating light (no spicy or greasy food) in order to avoid any complication.
Yes it was delicious it had pecans but I prefer the ones with oranges.
Take it easy and try to enjoy the quiet time with your family. Sometimes those mellow Christmases can be memorable too! I am now craving pound cake, gah! Actually my desert for tonight is flan. We haven’t had dinner yet, but I’m seriously considering just going straight to dessert.
Thank you for this post, Karen!
I remember those old days while living with my parents: unwrapping presents, cooking delicious food and watching good Christmas shows and movies, then going for a walk in the evening, enjoying the cold weather and glowing decorations.
I’ve moved to the states from Europe 1.5 years ago, still don’t have friends & just like Agata, I felt very welcome here when I read your warm words.
Merry Christmas!
Hi Natalie,
Merry Christmas to you! I hope you had a lovely day and were able to spend time relaxing. You hang in there… Soon you will have a network of close friends where you live. 🙂
Where do you live in Europe? Did you move for work or school?
Merry Christmas, Karen! You & your blog are my absolute favorite space on the interwebs & I read your blog daily (ok, several times a day) to get my makeup fix. Hope you, El hub, & Tabs had a fabulous day ☺️
Hi Kemechelle!
Merry Christmas! 🙂 Thank you for all of the fun makeup chat and for hanging out with me and Tabs. How was you Christmas? Did you do a fun Christmas look?
Merry Christmas Karen!! Hope you had a good Christmas!!! =)
xoxo
Hi Heidi! Merry Christmas to you too. Did you have a good one? I hope so!
Christmas was great! I spent the day with friends, had a wonderful dinner, & sweet presents (total surprise!). Didn’t do a special makeup look (my friend came kinda early) but I still managed to put on my war paint & look cute (if I do say so myself 🙂 Best to you guys. Bring on 2015!
Sounds like you had fun! You did more than me in terms of makeup. I’ve been bare faced all day!
Karen,
Greetings from NJ. Merry Christmas to you, Tabs and El Hub! WHile I only comment once in awhile, I want you to know I faithfully read your blog every day and just love it when there are pictures of TABS!
I love your makeup reviews and your color swatching–very helpful!
Hope Santa was good to you!
xoxo
Anne Marie
I lived in Lithuania (Northern Europe) and moved to the states because my husband is from Oregon.
We had a good day, even though I miss snow!
Thank you so much for cheering me up!! 🙂
Merry Christmas, Karen! I’ve always loved how interactive you are with your readers, and that along with many other qualities about your blog has kept me coming back day after day for about five years now. Your blog has been so important in terms of getting me into makeup, learning about application techniques/color theory, and you’ve always been a well of useful information when it comes to finding makeup that compliments my skin tone (we’re practically shade twins!). I’m looking forward to all the wonderful, high quality content that I’m sure you’ll pump out in the future. It’s gonna be great!
Merry Christmas to you and yours…..Love your blog and your cute little cat….Can’t wait to see all the new things you’ll be adding to your blog in the coming year 🙂
Merry Christmas Karen, Tabs and El Hub!
I always look forward to lunchtime ’cause I get to read your blog. It always brightens my day. My cats Rocky and Nikki Soxx love to see what Tabs is up to each day too. They’re huge fans. My makeup skills are getting better too and my makeup wishlist is way long.
Happy Holidays!
Hi Karen,
Merry Christmas! Would you mind sharing where you got your holiday stockings from?
Forgot to add I love your Christmas photos (what a flawless make up!) & needless to say, I adored your cat’s excitement about the holidays 😀
Merry Christmas Karen! I am just unwinding from literally a full days worth of cooking..for 9. I. Am. Spent! Me and the kitties are in bed but we thought we couldn’t fall into a coma until wishing you hugs and love.
Merry Christmas Karen, El Hub, and Tabs!! I am a little late as it is now Boxing Day but as per our calendar it is not over until Jan 6th. Hope you had a wonderful day with your family and eating pancit and lechon!!
Hugs and kisses from the Great Up North.
P.S. Tabs does not look impressed by his outfit although I think he looks squishable(y) handsome. 😉
Dear Karen,
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I am so, so glad I have found you and your blog and that you share the same passion for makeup and beauty as I do. I enjoy reading your blog posts so so much, they are always the last posts that I read so that I can enjoy them fully.
You are an incredible kind and (sooo sooo) funny person and I am really glad I have stumbled upon your blog.
Thank you for sharing your passion with all of us!
Have a great day, sweetheart and merry Christmas!
Love, Stefi
Merry Christmas, a day late.
Did Tabs get you anything for Christmas? My cats got me some MAC, they’re very clever. It’s hard to type with no thumbs, but they do pretty well.
My mother gave them a mouse toy that moves. It has two different games, it will just move around endlessly or it can be set to move only when they touch it. They LOVE it. We named him Oscar, I had to hide Oscar when it was time for bed. I put it up in the fruit basket and Jon Snow grabbed it out of the basket and managed to turn Oscar on.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to reading about all the new 2015 products here on MBB.
Hi Karen! Merry Christmas to you and Tabs! You two are fabulous; I have read this for a while now, just when I need a break from life-stress and want to hang with some kitties and lip gloss and a girl who likes both just as much as I do =) Love you and happy holidays!!! xoxo =)
Hi Katie,
Thank you for your sweet note. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Karen and Tabs! His tie is beyond adorable 🙂 Really look forward to your posts– charming and helpful.
Merry Christmas and Have a Happy New Year!!!
You two look so cute in those pictures. Merry Christmas! Thanks for having us over all these years, Karen and Tabs 🙂
Merry Christmas, Karen, Tabs and El Hub! 😀 And a happy new year! :))
hafta admit that i haven’t visited many days, the gorging of food takes precedence, y’know. in case i don’t drop by before the year’s over, have a wonderful new year’s eve karen! and keep up the good work, you nut job! kisses!