Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

• NARS Makeup Cleansing Oil for oily skin? — Product Girl
• For m’lady, a Lord and Taylor’s 25% off friends and family sale — Spoiled Pretty
• 3 powder-to-cream products to fall in love with — Beauty Blogging Junkie
• One can never have too many fall skincare tips — Talking Makeup
• Fashion designer Betsey Johnson wins the National Arts Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award — Beyond Beauty Basics
• Faith Hill pulls off a hot fall trend — A Mom in Red High Heels
• What’s the 411 on keratin hair treatment? — The Jet Set Girls
• 3 mom-friendly ways to get groomed in mere minutes — Makeover Momma
• Guerlain’s Imperial Holiday collection looks downright REGAL! — Makeup Bag
• Curls for a cure — Hair Thursday

Good morning, beauties. 🙂

There’s no denying it — we’ve entered the rainy season out here in Northern California. Let’s hope all those wine grapes growing up in Napa Valley appreciate all this wetness and put it to good use, LOL! And I guess the weather also gives me an excuse to cruise for new boots…

BOOTS!

I hold them in high footwear regard, right behind platforms heels and flip-flops, and I’ve had my eye on this pair of Fiddler booties from Seychelles.

Be still my booty heart!

Do you have a favorite pair of boots?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

1. Mood:

Hyper-organized and hopeful — I’m surrounded by seven Post-It notes filled with lists, and dag-nabbit, all this stuff is gonna get done some how, some way.

2. List three things currently inspiring you.

1) The weird, quirky writing on Woot!. 2) Projects like Operation Beautiful that use the interwebz to spread a positive message. 3) Piet Mondrian.

3. MAC or PC?

MAC attack!

4. Gladiator sandals: yay or nay?

Nay (I have long monkey toes).

5. Lips and cheeks:

Stuff from Chanel Holiday: Aqualumiere Lipstick in Maldives, Aqualumiere Gloss in Canari and Les Tissages Lames de Chanel.

6. What’s one quality you like about yourself?

I’m not afraid of what the beefy gym rats refer to as “the heavy lifting.” Even if something seems intimidating, I’ll jump in and find a way to get it done.

7. Fragrance?

D&G Rose the One (LOVE!) Eau de Parfum.

8. Name three ways you’ve changed in the last 10 years.

Hmm, 10 years ago I was 24, and since then I’ve changed in both positive and not-so-positive ways. Nowadays, I’m less afraid to tell people “No.” I also feel emotionally steadier and less volatile than I did back then. On the flip side, I’ve become more set in my ways — it’s definitely more of a challenge for me to deal with change now than it used to be.

9. Outfit?

Diva Bootcut Jeans from Old Navy (sooo comfy and affordable), brown cardigan sweater, dark purple tank top and brown peep-toe heels.

10. Weekly goals:

Keep my work life organized, deal with at least one moving box a day, avoid the temptation to cover my desk in clutter and exercise at least twice.

Hey, bootcut divas! 🙂 Happy Monday! It’s raining out here in Marin County, and even though it’s gray and gloomy outside, I’m feeling sunshiny on the inside.

I think a big part of it is this article I read yesterday on how to overcome burnout and stay motivated.

If you’ve been feeling run down or find yourself struggling with school/work, maybe give it a read.

Last night I took some time to process and really think about the tips and tricks from the article, and today I’m feeling very hopeful about the week to come.

Well, it looks like there’s a break in the storm, so I’m heading outside for a quick walk.

If you’ve got a little time to spare, can you take a moment to check in? I’d love to hear what’s going on in your neck of the woods.

Copy the list below, and paste it in the comments with your answers. Talk to you soon!

Le list

1. Mood:
2. List three things currently inspiring you.
3. MAC or PC?
4. Gladiator sandals: yay or nay?
5. Lips and cheeks:
6. What’s one quality you like about yourself?
7. Fragrance?
8. Name three ways you’ve changed in the last 10 years.
9. Outfit?
10. Weekly goals:

You kick some arse today, okay?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Hiya, ladies. I hope you had a relaxing Sunday. Mine was mellow. I needed to recover from traveling. I slept in, read a little (A Writer’s Coach by Jack Hart), watched the new 30 Rock on Hulu and cooked a peppery shrimp stir-fry for lunch.

I did a little recreational web surfing, too…

• Try Halle Berry’s warm, glowing makeup look — Bella Sugar
• Carrie Bradshaw gets her own fragrance — Beauty Addict
• These costumes are only for “the sexy people” — We Heart This
• Les Impressions Makeup Collection by Chanel, Spring 2010 — Makeup 4 All
• It’s that time of Year: Essie Sweet Time of the Year — All Lacquered Up
• A Q&A with E! makeup artist Lisa Zimmitti — The Lancome Blog
• Benefit has a new blog — Secret Life of a Benefit Girl
• Once upon a time, your parents were awesome — My Parents Were Awesome
• Ugandan refugee turns soap into hope — Happy News
• Ghost of My Braver Self — Dan-ah Kim
• Defeat burnout and stay motivated — Zen Habits
• I need an excuse to buy this dress — BCBG
• What gives you hope? — GivesMeHope

What are you up to?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen