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In today’s not-so-pressing issue of the day — when faced with two choices:

a) Writing notes to myself on basic, boring yellow Post-its, or…

b) Writing notes to myself on a sticky note with a picture of a pensive cat in a pink polka-dot head scarf.

Obviously, the only right choice to make here is the second one, because why bother to write things like “RE: Nausea. Remember to put trash bag in the car in case need to vomit on the way to hospital,” or “Find 24-hour diner in SF that delivers banana pancakes” if it isn’t going to look cute when you stick the note on your computer screen?

To quote ‘80s English dynamic duo Wham!, “If you’re going to do it, do it right.”

And doing it right, sticky note-style, means that I’m gonna write reminders on these adorable memo pads from Jetoy USA ($5 each).

Gardening, metaphorically speaking

About the quote on this particular note…

I don’t really have a literal garden at the moment, because my deck garden is looking pretty tow-up these days, and nothing’s growing out there other than a seemingly invincible parsley plant from last spring that absolutely refuses to die. The note is more a food-for-thought thing.

Like, if I’m feeling blue, I re-read it and try to remember that in the metaphorical garden that is my life, there’s a lot of great stuff to look at. It’s tempting sometimes to get caught up on all the weeds, but it’s the fruit, vegetables, trees and flowers in the garden that bring me joy.

Admittedly…that was weird, I know, but it works for me, especially when I’m in a crabby mood, or when I’m feeling aggro and want to pick a fight with El Hub (according to the interwebz, mood swings are pretty common in the third trimester).

This note has been front and center on my computer screen for the past two weeks, and it actually helps.

Dry brushing — otherwise known as sweet, sweet punishment

This Medieval contraption has absolutely nothing to do with gardening…although it kind of looks like a gardening (or punishment) implement, doesn’t it? When El Hub saw me walking around with it, he recoiled, then asked if I was going to beat him with it.

Um, no, babes. Not today. As long as you keep your pregnant wife happy. 🙂
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Um…no, I did not have an extra big breakfast today.

As you may have just guessed, based on what looks like the watermelon I’m hiding under my dress, it’s only a matter of days (possibly minutes!) before Baby Girl officially arrives and I have another employer to boss me around. My hospital go-bag is packed and waiting by the door.

I’ll still be around during my maternity-ish leave, but while BG and I get to know each other over the next few months, these six talented, lovely makeup-loving ladies will also be helping me (and you) get my (your) MBB beauty fix.

Please make them feel at home, and give ’em a warm welcome. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addicts,

Adia, Anna, Carolina, Jen, Marcella, Nicole and Karen

Mine are (in no particular order)…

1. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in 88 Noir Intense — This intense dark black pencil liner doesn’t annoy my sensitive water lines and stays put all day long! I go through one of these every few months because I use it ALL THE TIME to tightline. Yup, we roll deep…
2. Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen in Deeper — All that and a bag of striped kittens with chunky paws and tiny tails. Hands down, Deeper is the easiest black liquid liner pen I’ve ever used. It draws jet black lines with crisp edges, and they last at least 10 hours and usually more. CRAZY expensive, though, at $56, erhmahgawd! But it’s the real deal.
3. MAC Eye Kohl in Powersurge — I’ve worn this golden bronze pencil liner, like, seriously, at least once a week for the past eight years, mostly on my lower lash line. I love this one because it defines my eyes without looking overdone. It’s an absolute MAC must.

How about you? What are your 3 go-to eyeliners, and why do you love ’em?

Your friendly neighborhood (ready to pop!) beauty addict,

Karen

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

1. What was the very first thing you ate today?
   A bright green smoothie! And I guess it would be more accurate to say that I drank it, instead of ate it, but it was filling.

   I put two big handfuls of spinach in there, one small gala apple, the juice from one lemon, a cup of coconut aloe juice (the one that comes in a box from Trader Joe’s), a fourth of an avocado and 10 blueberries (has to be 10… Don’t ask me why.).

   Now that I look back at the ingredients…yeah, it might sound kinda gross, but no way. It was delicious, and now I’m fired up with energy right meow, woo-hoo!

2. When was the last wedding you attended?
   Um…years ago. Maybe a decade? I think it was my friend Jen’s destination wedding in Boca Raton, Florida. That was a while ago…
3. And the Award for Best Pet in Your Entire Life goes to…
   Seriously, growing up our house was like a zoo. We had dogs, cats, birds, mice, rabbits, fish, probably other animals I can’t remember now too, since my dad was always bringing some random stray or other animal home, but of all of the animals I’ve shared my life with, Tabs wins, hands down. He’s been the sweetest, most patient, funniest, most loving animal I’ve ever known.
4. What would you call your biggest shortcoming?
   I waste a lot of time and energy — too much time and energy — needlessly worrying about things that are out of my control, and it’s exhausting.

   Like so many things, it’s a process. I’m workin’ on it…

5. What do you consider your biggest asset?
   Hmm… My outgoing-ness (is that a word?). Things do seem to work out better for me when I can talk to other people, even strangers.

   I don’t know if that makes any sense, but it’s true.

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. What was the very first thing you ate today?
2. When was the last wedding you attended?
3. And the Award for Best Pet in Your Entire Life goes to…
4. What would you call your biggest shortcoming?
5. What do you consider your biggest asset?

Hey, babe! Happy Monday to ya. Are you busy today? I am…but then again I’m not. Like, I feel like I have a ton of things to do around the house, but all I’m really doing is sitting around waiting for BG to show up. Will it be today? Tomorrow? Tonight? Middle of the afternoon? I don’t know.

I do have today, howeve, marked on my calendar, because it’s the day Susan Miller of Astrology Zone (don’t laugh… Her forecasts have been eerily accurate for me.) said that a new baby could be coming.

If she does decide to arrive today, I just hope it’s before 2 p.m. this afternoon… LOL! We have to drive to San Francisco, and I want to beat the traffic and still have some energy.

So, um…if I could please send a cosmic message out into the universe, I would like to ask for BG to announce her arrival before 2 p.m. today.

I’m just sayin’.

Anywho! Time for another cup of decaf tea. I hope to see you in the comments. Have a great day.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen