One girl. 24 hours. Three random acts of beauty.
10:17 a.m. — While packing, I stumble upon an ancient artifact buried deep in the bedroom closet: my pink and green Caboodle makeup organizer, ooh!
Back in the early ’90s, Caboodles were a staple of teenage makeup life. This one housed all of my first makeup treasures (like Clinique Raspberry Glace lipstick… so old school!) and kept them safe and secure.
Over time, its role changed from Protector of Makeup to Defender of Costume Jewelry and Random Keepsakes.
I haven’t opened it in ages… My heart quickens! I dust off the top and brace myself before opening the lid.
Inside: a time capsule of my teenage years. 🙂
First, evidence that my evolution into a CCL (crazy cat lady) began at an early age.
Then, my vision wavers when I see this dress clip thing-a-ma-bobber, and it’s suddenly 1993 again. I’m at school, and girls are wearing them clipped to the backs of loose, floral-print dresses all around me.
I return to the present and find a small manila envelope… I’m intrigued. What’s inside?
EWW! It’s my old braces!
Sifting through my Caboodle’s long-forgotten bits and bobs, I smile, lost among memories. It’s the first time in many days I’ve felt present and “in the moment.” No stressing over work, packing, bills that have to be paid — nothing.
2:30 p.m. — I’m petting Tabs with my foot. I glance at my toes and note how massively ‘TOW UP my pedicure looks.
It’s down to polish remnants, and it’s not a pretty sight.
I don’t have much time to spare (must. continue. packing.), so I reach for a bottle of Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish ($3), aka drugstore nail polish savior of time-strapped women everywhere.
It delivers rich, even color and dries in — yup, you guessed it — about 60 seconds flat. With 26 color to choose from, there’s a shade for many moods and occasions.
Finally, my feet are cute once more; order has been restored.
11:49 p.m. I’m tucked beneath the covers in bed and starting to drift to sleep. El Hub is quietly explaining how The Final Four college basketball playoffs work…
Not a big sports fan growing up, I always wanted to know. Nowadays, I kinda enjoy watching big football and basketball games.
When we watch games together, El Hub patiently explains the goings on, describing the objectives, defining the rules and the athleticism involved in ways that are interesting and easy to understand. FUN!
It’s been a long day of work and moving. My eyes grow heavy. Tabs climbs up on the bed and curls up beside me.
It’s late and quiet outside. El Hub is still whispering. I hear something about the “Sweet 16.” I feel relaxed, happy, content.
Sweet dreams… 🙂
Have you seen any random acts of beauty lately?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
OMG.. i used to have the caboodle box.! you’re so lucky to have the memories to look back at. i am the complete opposite of a pat rack and throw everything away, so i have nothing. 🙁
note to self: stop throwing things away.
xoxo
Hi Veronica,
LOL, seriously, didn’t every girl have one back in the day? 🙂
The Rimmel polish in Night Before looks gorgeous!
Didn’t know they had they pro-wide brushes like OPI’s now. 😮
Ahhhh, typo!
Mind the second ”they”. 😀
I love this post! I had a Caboodle also and many pairs of crazy cat lady earrings (thanks to my Grandma who bought them for me). I was always too nice to tell her that I love cats, not cat THINGS, LOL!
I also had some of those clips for the back of dresses. Wow times have changed!
.-= Kelly’s last blog post… L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Explosion Mascara Swatches and Review =-.
Hi Kelly,
How funny! I found quite a few pairs of CCL earrings in my stash… all I need to do is add a matching cat shirt! I once saw a woman rocking a T that said, “Tabby or not tabby — that is the question.” I can’t lie, I kinda wanted it!!
best random act of beauty today?
I was running late for school, and ended up having to drive. I’m so broke that I really can’t afford the $9 parking fee, but alas its that or miss class!
So I’m pulling out the trusty old plastic to pay for my parking pass when another student walks up and goes “did you pay for your ticket yet?” I said no, she goes “here have this one. Its good until midnight. Just pass it on to someone else when you leave if you can!”
Wow! Totally made my day! That was amazing! What an awesome person!
.-= Briana’s last blog post… Too early =-.
Hi Briana,
That’s indeed a wonderful act of beauty! I’m gonna remember to do that next time I have to pay for parking. 🙂
Hi Maggie,
The brushes work really well — just a few swipes and BAM, yer done!
Oh, oh–I love that you found your old braces!!!!
I did my makeup in the car on the way to pick up my son & some classmates for a field trip. On the way home this afternoon, my son, 9, was messing with stuff in the makeup bag, teasing his friends with it. When he started sweeping the powder brush over his face, the boys totally freaked out–but he and I were cracking up. “What?” he said. “I have a date tonight!”
Pretty random, I think. : )
.-= Laura Benedict’s last blog post… Day Thirteen: Is That Me Disguised as a Sitcom Granny? =-.
Hi Laura,
LOL! Too funny. 🙂 Your son sounds like quite the comedian!
What a great post, Karen!
I love The Cat earrings very much.
As for Rimmel I kind of like their “Vynil Gloss” .
I never tried the nail polish but green one looks beautiful!
Btw when do you plan to move?
.-= Marina’s last blog post… New Extreme Party Mascara by Bobbi Brown =-.
Hi Marina,
We’re in the middle of moving right now… it hasn’t been easy because we’re having work done to the new place and timing it all has been a big PIA. But soon, soon!
How is your kitty doing? Is she feeling better today?
I have two Caboodles: one for makeup and one for jewellery. For the makeup one I put my yet to be used items and items I only use occasionally. The bad thing is that I hardly open that case and sometimes I forget about the items, but the good thing is that when I do open it I find hidden and long forgotten gems! My jewellery case has not been open in ages, I think there are my high school and university trinkets like barrettes, charms and stuff from Claires. I think it is time to go down memory lane and open the jewellery case again.n 🙂 I think I will find loads of butterflies and dragonflies barrettes.
.-= amy’s last blog post… MAC DSquared Greasepaint Sticks in Black,V, B Swatches and Review =-.
Hi Amy,
You must! Maybe you can rock some old school jewelry this weekend.
LOL, I still love Clarie’s. It’s sooo teenagery but I can always find something I like in there. I’m such a sucka for cheap earrings!
OMG Karen, I had a caboodle too and just how you explained it went from protector of my makeup to defender of costume jewelry lol! That was a simpler time in the sense that I didn’t own that much makeup:D
Hi Tami,
Was yours pink and green too? That was the standard color at my school, LOL!
Haha! Seeing that brought back memories of junior high. I think I had that exact same clip-thing, and of course the caboodle!
Hi Jennifer K,
Isn’t that funny? It’s like those Caboodles were rights of passage!
Hehe, we recently recarpeted and painted our house so we had to move everything out. I found my old caboodle at the back of the closet and it was filled with old middle school jewelry. Remember those slap bracelets? Yup, there were a couple of those in there too!
.-= Kajal Couture’s last blog post… A Smoky Eye With Just 1 Product! =-.
Hi Kajal Couture,
Oh totally! I think that was a little after my time though… 🙂
I still store all my makeup in Caboodle’s 🙂
Hi Gina G,
Awesome! Do you have the vintage green and pink one?
I love this post! I had the EXACT same caboodle, down to the colors, lol! That totally brought me back. I’m kinda sad I can’t think of any random acts of beauty from my day 🙁
Hi Tiffany,
Aww, I’m sure you’ve got a few hidden in there. Anything that brings a smile to your face totally counts!
Hey, this was great fun! Thanks for sharing your memories. I had cat earrings, dress clips and braces, too. 😀
Hi Kate,
Great minds think alike! How long did you wear braces for? I had mine up until my junior year. 🙂
OMG! I had that exact same Caboodle! Same color and all!
In a recent move I found a small box filled with Lisa Frank stickers, a Punky-esque bandana, homemade friendship bracelets, NKOTB mix tape, neon pink slap bracelets, and a banana clip! LMAO!!!!!
Hi Leilani,
OMG! I actually found a friendship bracelet in my Caboodle. I’m thinking about washing it (eww) and wearing it for a few weeks, ha ha ha!
Would you believe Lisa Frank still makes stickers? And they’re still awesome?
That is so funny that you found your old Caboodle because just last week I saw my old one in my dad’s shed. The closure broke years ago but he found a way to fix it and now uses it for random shop things – what a cute black and white poka dot, hot pink tool box. LOL
Hi Katrina,
My dad does stuff like that too. I think he likes to think of it as “repurposing” a product. 🙂
OMG! I had a few Caboodle’s for my hair things make up and etc. lol you have inspired me to go look for mine in all my moms things
.-= Ke”s last blog post… Army Wife =-.
Hi Ke’,
Do it! I bet you’ll find a lot of great treasure!
Oh, I definitely had some painted-wood cat earrings just like that. I don’t know if I wore them, but I know I had them. And while I just had a little Caboodle, I definitely have a little trunk in my old bedroom where I keep my “what the hell, 1990s” goodies.
And, uh, I probably have some braces and wires floating around at the parental home too — I definitely know that the retainers are there. And I still have dreams about my mouth being full of wires and braces and metal; ugh!
.-= Jeanne’s last blog post… Science Fair for September 21st – 27th =-.
Hi Jeanne,
Okay, maybe it was just my family, but every SINGLE TIME my braces got tightened, I swear to gawd my mom would make something impossible to eat for dinner, like steak or chicken wings. Did this happen to you? Or anybody else? LOLOL, I’m so not making this up…
i love that pink and green makeup case! Simply adorable and retro looking !!!
.-= Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… Blovet’s Clear Skin Talk Part 1 =-.
Hi Blovet,
LOL, it’s so late 80s/early 90s!
Eek, I can’t believe I’m at the age where I own “retro” things…
Wow, those Rimmel polishes look gorgeous. How’s the wear? Do you get a lot of chips when you wear it?
Well, I tried to combine some of my half-used-up chapsticks last night, and it totally didn’t work–maybe it’s because I didn’t heat up the chunks that much, but the end results were a little clumpy. Oh well…I guess it’s time for me to buy some new lip balm…I’m thinking Yes to Carrots.
That’s so cool a caboodles time capsule 🙂
I’ve still got mine too! It’s blue jelly with silver sparkles!
.-= Didi’s last blog post… Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation Color Chart (kinda sorta) =-.
Random acts of beauty? Finding a book series I had been looking for yesterday and in the process found a very (very) old journal with Sailor Moon on it from when I was, like, 10. Boy, I had about as much of a life at 10 as I do now! I talk about my pets and random drudgery. The only things that have changed (thankfully) are my spelling and my handwriting. Boy, was my handwriting abysmal! I mean, ew!
Y’know what’s funny? The only signs of my CDL (crazy dog lady) syndrome are my blog, my journal, my little stuffed toys and well, pictures. I’m starting to go crazier I think since I’ve done nothing but look at Rat Terrier knick knacks these past few weeks.
Who knows what I’ll unearth when I decide to tackle my closet. There’s tons of stuff in my closet. I know for sure I have the Barbie Victorian Mansion with a still working elevator in there that came out in 1997 or so. 🙂 🙂 🙂
I had a purple and teal caboodle. It was my favorite! I can’t remember when we parted ways, but my Mom was in perpetual ‘cleanout’ mode.
Random act of Beauty? I was close to being late for a Fiji class presentation in my 3rd graders class and I hit 7 green lights in a row. If that isn’t beautiful I don’t know what is.
.-= TaLaisa’s last blog post… Happy Valentines =-.
LOL, this was such a cute post, Karen!
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… NOTW & Tips for Glitter Removal =-.
I still have a Caboodle that I use to keep my nail polish in! Seriously, they are the best!
I keep everything, I have every love note/poem/letter/card that my husband wrote me while we were dating. It’s wonderful to go back and read them and I get all giggly and girly! After 13 years of marriage and two kids, it’s nice to still feel this way!
OMG! I use to wear those clips on the back of my loose baby doll dresses back in the day. What a blast in the past. I love it
.-= Sarah’s last blog post… Beautiful Photography by Miles Aldridge =-.