Archives 2022

1. My So Called Life on Hulu

Oh, Angela Chase as well as all her teen drama!

I utilized to like this show back in the day, as well as what’s fascinating to me now, enjoying it as a full-blown adult, is the parents… DANG. They look *really* young! I keep in mind enjoying this show as a teen/young adult as well as the parents looking, like, you know, routine parents — the people who would send you to your space as well as ground you if you got as well sassy.

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And oh, the ’90s fashion. All the high-waisted denim as well as the floral dresses! It makes me desire I would’ve saved a lot more of my ’90s wardrobe.

I like to picture where Angela, Rickie as well as Rayanne ended up in life… maybe they Zoomed together during quarantine? LOL!

2. Chanel Ultra Le Teint Ultrawear All-Day comfort perfect surface Foundation

Well, this foundation from Chanel is just lovely! It’s a full-coverage, soft matte foundation that feels comfy as well as lasts all day. I like exactly how natural it looks on my skin, exactly how it doesn’t feel heavy as well as exactly how quickly it blends. It’s likewise offered in 30 shades.

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A full-coverage matte foundation that lasts all day
3. The soundtrack to Kipo as well as the Age of the Wonderbeasts

So, I’ve really never enjoyed a full episode of this animated show, only bits as well as pieces since it’s always on at our house. El hub as well as Connor are consumed with it! The parts I’ve seen are humorous as well as extremely clever, so ultimately I’ll enjoy it, however for now I’m all about the music. The soundtrack is truly good. Catchy as well as absolutely dance-able, as well as full of tunes I desire were on the radio, however for unknown reasons are not.

4. universal thread Sleeveless knit Dress

I just got this $20 gown from Target in black, as well as I’m ecstatic to wear it to the pool as well as the beach when the weather condition gets warmer. very first of all, 20 bucks! Second, it’s 100% cotton, as well as the cotton feels good, too. It’s soft, fairly thick, as well as it skims the body nicely.

5. The front tuck as well as the half tuck

While we’re on the subject of clothes, I’ve been using my button-up (button-down?) tee shirts such as this lately, as well as all I have to state is why didn’t I find this sooner?

I feel like I absolutely look taller as well as leaner when I wear my tee shirts this way. let the front tuck as well as half tuck modification your life, babe!

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Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

I’m wearing MAC
My thoughts on pink eyeshadow? I’m into it. I have been ever considering that high school. My very first pink (because you never forget your first!) was a dainty pale pink frost — Seashell Pink, by Clinique — which I loved to wear from lash line to brow bone when I was a teenager.

I know.

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But wait, it gets better…

Sometimes I added a little bit of shimmery bright blue in the outer corner. ?

Later in high school, when I really started experimenting, I buffed my favorite pink blushes on my lids. One was Clinique new Clover, otherwise known as “the blush in nearly every gift-with-purchase ever given out at the Clinique counter.”

In college, I was all about the mauve-pinks, and again, Clinique. The color was Fawn Satin, which used to be sold as an eyeshadow single in the ’90s. (Fun fact! Both Seashell Pink and Fawn Satin are still around, and they’re sold together in a duo.)

Even today, I still wear all o’ the pinks. When I wear neutral looks, I like to use a pale pink eyeshadow like MAC Malt as highlight placed in the center of the lid, underneath the arch of the brow (just a little), and also in the inner corner.

Bright pinks? Yeah, them too, especially on the lids, and always, always with a black liner. A couple faves: MAC Sushi flower and MAC Girlie.

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And you? What are your thoughts on pink eyeshadow?

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

Bite Beauty’s new $25 Upswing extreme Longwear liquid eyeliner is quite good!
This product does not bite.

There, I stated it. ?

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Bite’s new $25 matte black liquid liner has flower power. (Side note: I just threw up a double-peace sign.) By flower power, I don’t indicate in the “Let’s come together as well as like one another, man!” way. I’m referring to enthusiasm fruit flowers.

It’s the not-so-secret component in this “clean” (air quotes) formula to stop smudging, transferring as well as flaking.

Also, keep in mind when “carbon black” was the most popular thing in eyeliner as well as mascara? So lots of products boasted about being “carbon black.” Well, this liner is really carbon black-free (I’m honestly not sure if that’s a great or poor thing).

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The liner has a long wand with a flexible, thin brush, which broke my heart a bit when I very first saw it since I normally do much better with pen-style liners. For whatever reason, they’re just much easier for me to hold as well as much easier to execute a wing or a infant kitten flick with. just a personal preference.

I’m fine utilizing this wand along the lash line, as well as I can draw thin, exact lines with it there, however when I get out to the wing with it, I’m a mess. I can ultimately get there, however it needs cleaning up the edges with a Q-tip as well as some makeup cleaner to get a chiseled edge I like. So there’s that.

The liner itself is truly beautiful, though. It’s a deep, dark true black without any type of blue or red undertones, as well as each layer is intensely pigmented.

The formula likewise glides as well as dries in about a minute, which is great as well as quick, so it doesn’t transfer up into my lids when I blink.

I haven’t used it for a full 12-hour period yet, however I have used it from soon after dawn till dusk, as well as it does just fine. No flaking or fading in that time.

If you’re great with a wand applicator as well as trying to find a “clean” product in the $25 range, put it on your listing of possibilities to try.

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FYI, sincere Beauty’s liquid liner is comparable. It likewise has a wand with a versatile tip, a likewise rich black color without any type of odd undertones, as well as it’s $9.99. That said, the appeal Beauty one is a smidgen darker as well as smoother, IMO, as well as consequently a bit much easier to use, however both are rather good.

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

great to the last drop
I’ll be the very first to admit that part of the reason I’m asking this today is since I wished to take a photo of my empty jar of By Terry Baume de increased Lip care ($60), which I’ve had permanently as well as only just finished. ?

I was hoping Santa would decrease off one more jar, however I assumption he didn’t get the memo.

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Last few empties…

By Terry Baume de increased Lip Care

Joico wetness Co+Wash (Side note: I just completed the last of the three bottles I’ve been hoarding considering that this got discontinued, as well as yes, I’m a unfortunate panda. ?)

Chanel dimensions de Chanel Mascara

How ’bout you?

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Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. T.G.I.EFFFFF.

just a little meow time!
Hiya, friend! good morning to you! In random-but-pertinent-to-this-blog news…everyone at our house is currently obsessed with mandarin oranges, but only the kind with the leaves attached.

Yes, this is really breaking news.

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I don’t know why, but I think the ones with the leaves attached to them are juicier and sweeter than the ones without. I can’t get enough of ’em! Today I have grand plans to sit around, snack on mandarins, read books and drink tea. I like to call this “high-intensity relaxation.”

Today’s reading

If you happen to know someone who wants to smell like their favorite pub, now you know what scent to purchase them for their next birthday.

Fuchsia is currently having a moment.

Here’s a dermatologist’s walkthrough of the spring skin care swaps you need to do best meow.

7 trendy ways to reinvent your hair this summer (side note: I love the square bob cut.)

Here’s your chance to own a lock of George Washington’s hair.

How to keep your active cat out of trouble!

10-minute makeup!

Well, now I want to drink tea!

Today’s vibe

A stunning cover of one of my favorite songs

I love everything about this house, especially the floors!

It’s going to be 70-something degrees today, and I’m so thrilled about it! I can’t even! It’s shaping up to be the warmest weekend of the year so far. I’m thinking either a picnic, a hike, Marin French Cheese, or maybe Bon Tempe Lake.

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What are you up to? Is the weather good there? I hope it’s good enough to go outside for a bit!

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

You’ve got this, my friend!

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with bit clicky buttons. It’s just a listing of five more or less random concerns I’ve been publishing on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I like reading your answers, as well as it assists me get my week off to a great start. ?

1. sheer or opaque pink polish?

Opaque all the way, lady, as well as hold the shimmer too!

2. Fruits or vegetables?

Hmm… I like both dearly, however seeing as it’s still morning as well as I’m about to have some ordinary Greek yogurt…I’ll go with fruit. Specifically, berries!

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3. exactly how great are you at confrontation?

Oh, my gosh, I’m absolutely terrible at confrontation, however I’m…working on it? LOL. I tend to bottle things up up until I ultimately explode. It ain’t pretty.

4. Sweatshirt with a hood, or a button-up cardigan?

I’m going to shock myself (GASP) as well as go for the button-up cardigan.

5. Lipstick — warm red or awesome red?

I like both for different reasons, however I’ll go with warm red since I have warm skin tone.

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6. have you ever climbed a tree only to find you couldn’t discover a method down?

Nah, girl! I grew up in a community that was still fairly new at the time, as well as there weren’t a great deal of large, mature trees around to climb.

7. Oatmeal cookies or chocolate chip cookies?

Right now I would like a batch of oatmeal cookies with raisins. ?

8. Strapless bras — like ’em or leave ’em?

Eff all the strapless bras, I’m so done with them, so leave ’em. MY women requirement STRAPS!

9. What show (or shows) are you currently watching?

Firefly Lane on Netflix. It’s about two finest buddies as well as the ups as well as downs in their relationship. Eh, I believe it’s just okay so far… Somehow, though, I’ve gotten sucked in!

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

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P.S. right here are the concerns to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. talk to ya soon.

1. sheer or opaque pink polish?
2. Fruits or vegetables?
3. exactly how great are you at confrontation?
4. Sweatshirt with a hood, or a button-up cardigan?
5. Lipstick — warm red or awesome red?
6. have you ever climbed a tree only to find you couldn’t discover a method down?
7. Oatmeal cookies or chocolate-chip cookies?
8. Strapless bras — like ’em or leave ’em?
9. What show (or shows) are you currently watching?

P.P.S. happy Monday, friend. exactly how goes it? I hope you got a long time to relax over the weekend. I anticipate that we’re going to have a great week. ?

delighted Friday, friend!
Even though I didn’t have any video meetings for work today, I painted my face anyway! I’ve been trying to do a lot more things just for me that make me feel good, and this warm, glowing look with a few MAC classics (Woodwinked, Saddle and Honey Lust Eyeshadows, along with Teddy liner, of course), did just that.

It made staring at the same spreadsheet for six hours a little a lot more bearable. Really!

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Scorch eyeliner is by urban Decay; everything else is MAC
By the way, I’ve started doing this thing lately where I wear a darker liner on my water lines (in this case, MAC Teddy) with a coordinating liner in a lighter tone on my lash lines (Urban Decay Scorch). I like how it creates a subtle gradient! try it sometime with a couple of your favorite liners.

I hope you’re having a terrific Friday so far!

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Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Loving this vibe
Fun fact: makeup artist Laura Mercier spent her formative years in France. (Maybe that’s why it’s so simple to photo myself using her makeup while getting coffee as well as croissants?!)

If we were going to satisfy at a cafe today for a socially distanced woman date (I WANT!), I’d wear this Laura Mercier makeup look, as well as I’d get an iced latte as well as a ordinary croissant. What would you order?

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Incidentally, my preferred coffee drink as of late is an iced latte with a single shot from Marin Coffee Roasters.
Laura Mercier is one those lines I keep coming back to, over as well as over as well as over again. My like affair with all things LM began before I started MBB (so, we’re speaking prehistoric time).

In teen romance terms, we’ve been going steady…for a great 14 years now (here’s infant Karen mixing as well as using Laura Mercier foundation). I understand I can count on the makeup, as well as whenever I wear it, I truly feel like myself.

I just recently restocked on a few oldies however goodies (and a few new-to-me things as well)…

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Caviar volume Mascara: legendary curl, lift as well as volume. SO great for wimpy lashes that requirement great deals of help.

Eye fundamentals in Wheat: A lovely satiny matte cream shadow that you can wear alone as a lid base or as a primer. fun truth — this utilized to be called “Basic Color.”

Caviar Stick Eye Colour in cobblestone as well as Moonlight: Cocoa is my preferred in this line of cream shadows, as well as these two are new to me. Cobblestone, I LOVE. It’s a mid-toned matte brown as well as adds just the right touch of light meaning to lids. as well as Moonlight is a shimmery taupe… I like it, however don’t like it since it’s a bit as well frosty for my taste.

Inner Eye Definer in stormy Grey: I hope LM never discontinues this gunmetal gray liner, which I’ve been using as well as loving for 10 years, at least.

Cheek color in Ginger: The shade increased is my jam, however I such as this sheer matte peachy nude too.

Tinted Moisturizer: OLD SCHOOL, BABY! lightweight feel with just a hint of tint to even whatever out. I mixed Wheat with Tan as well as set it with Laura’s iconic loose setting powder in this look.

Vanille Gourmande Eau Gourmande: Did you understand Laura Mercier makes some beautifully wearable scents too? this has notes of vanilla, vanilla orchid, vanilla liqueur, bourbon vanilla as well as vanilla musk, mixed with heliotrope, lily, sandalwood as well as amber.

Current faves!

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Do you have any type of Laura Mercier loves? I desire we might chat about them over croissants in genuine life!

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

As you know, today was worldwide feline Day. If Tabs were around, I’m sure he would have set up a Zoom phone call with all of his worldwide feline friends, as well as he wouldn’t have even needed my help. He was quite proficient when it concerned utilizing technology. In fact, he utilized the assumption that people as well as other cats had about his great looks to his advantage… Well, you know, they would see him as well as presume he was just one more quite deal with without any substance, as well as while he wasn’t precisely a mathematical genius, a la Rosie, he was still wise as well as handled to, not only run an worldwide company empire, however he likewise accrued several collegiate degrees along the way, just for fun.

Did you understand he had a PhD in paleobiology? Yeah, me neither! I discovered out someday while I was opening the mail as well as a bundle had shown up from Harvard. It was a degree! In a frame!

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Rosie

Speaking of Ivy league schools, Rosie’s alma mater is MIT (the Meow-ssachusetts Institute of Technology). They had their yearly alumni lunch today, as well as she wished to get a bit dressed up, which is why she looks fancier than typical in these pics.

I was all set to drive her to SF for the luncheon (she was the keynote speaker), however it was touch as well as opt for a moment since Harris the community feline ruffian stopped by. Yeah, I assumption he was in the mood to rumble in the jungle.

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Thankfully, Rosie hissed as well as growled as well as frightened him away, so we were able to leave as well as make it to the luncheon on time.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

welcome to the weekend!

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Hi, guys! pleased Easter weekend. ?? great morning. very first things first; I have a concern for you. Does the picture at the top make you want to paint your paws? since it did for me! now I requirement creamy yellow, pink as well as blue claws ASAP. ?

This week’s reading

Allegedly, these are the 21 finest makeup organizers of 2021!

YouTuber Violette_FR just introduced her own makeup line, so now we can all master French woman chic.

Byredo’s new spring makeup collection includes an eyeliner called “Practical Brown,” a name that speaks volumes to my present makeup aesthetic.

If you have psoriasis, here’s what a doc suggests doing to make your charm routine much more manageable.

Does your skin care routine requirement an oil cleanser?

This is what the professionals suggest doing if you want your nail polish to dry faster.

These three fourth graders started a rescue organization for stray, homeless as well as abandoned felines in their community.

14 orange lipsticks that are expected to look great on everybody.

Meet China’s “Lipstick King,” Austin Li Jiaqi.

D-R-Y

Grace Kelly’s style

Love me some Mally Roncal

Yum

Your friendly community charm addict,

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Karen