Category: Category

Δεν μπορώ να πιστέψω ότι λέω αυτή τη στιγμή, επειδή είναι η Home Depot που μιλάμε, και το El Hub μπορεί να περάσει ώρες – ώρες! – Κοιτάζοντας τους σωλήνες PVC και 2x4s (σοβαρά, ο άνθρωπος μπορεί να σκεφτεί καρφιά και ηλεκτρικά εργαλεία για μέρες), αλλά το περασμένο Σαββατοκύριακο είχα τόσο πολλή διασκέδαση στο Home Depot.

Πρώτον, βρήκα στην πραγματικότητα ένα ομοειδές μακιγιάζ-αγάπη gal που εργάζεται εκεί που ήθελε να μιλήσει για μακιγιάζ. Είπα στην ενότητα Εργαλεία ηλεκτρικών εργαλείων Babysitting El Hub, όταν ένας από τους συνεργάτες πωλήσεων περπάτησε και με συμπλήρωσε στα παπούτσια μου (φορούσα τα διαμερίσματα του Tom).

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Τα παπούτσια οδήγησαν στο μακιγιάζ επειδή, φυσικά, όλοι οι δρόμοι αναπόφευκτα οδηγούν στο μακιγιάζ, lol! Και συζητήσαμε για να κοκκινίσει για λίγο στη σκιά των κυκλικών πριονιών …

Αστείος.

Στη συνέχεια, περιπλανήθηκα στο τμήμα γκαζόν και στον κήπο, το οποίο ήταν από το γάντζο! Ήταν σαν ένα βοτανικό κήπο που έχει μέγεθος χώρας σε μια παραμυθένια ταινία. Πρέπει να έχουν δεκάδες χιλιάδες διαφορετικά φυτά.

Καταλήξαμε με ένα καλάθι γεμάτο με φύλλωμα (και, ναι, ο El Hub πήρε κάποια ξυλεία) για τον κήπο στο κατάστρωμα μου.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Δεν μπορώ να περιμένω να επιστρέψω …

Εδώ είναι μέρος αυτού που έχω στο κατάστρωμα μέχρι στιγμής. Υπάρχουν λίγο περισσότερα πράγματα από την άλλη πλευρά, αλλά έχω ακόμα έναν τρόπο να πάω … Πρέπει να πάρω μερικά άλλα κλουβιά για περισσότερες ντομάτες και πιο βρώσιμα φυτά.

Οποιεσδήποτε προτάσεις? Θέλω φυτά που παράγουν πολλά τρόφιμα.

It’s hard to let go of your fears…

Like, for me, the concern of smelling like a cleaning spray, or the scientific term, scentofcleaningspray-a-phobia.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

It started innocently enough. one day long ago I was wearing a scent — can’t remember which one it was now — but it had strong notes of verbena.

Doop-da-doo, someone leaned in for a hug but pulled away immediately, as if repelled, and said, “You smell exactly like Pledge.”

It left scars, man.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Γάτες & μακιγιάζ φούτερ;

$ 42

Ψώνισε τώρα

Scars.

Needless to say, I was a little skeptical at first about Laura Mercier’s new Verbena Infusion Gel Body Moisture, but I figured, it’s Laura, and I’ve pretty much loved all of her scented body products, so I banked on this one working out , πολύ.

And it did! No eau de scrubbing bubbles.

“Inspired by the countryside of Provence, Laura captures the crisp freshness of Verbena to invigorate the senses. A sparkling bouquet of green citrus and leafy spearmint infuse beautifully with petals of fresh blossoms and a touch of white amber and cedar wood. Leaving behind a refreshing sensation that rejuvenates the body.”

— lauramercier.com

With the mercury rising here in northern Marin, I’ve been digging the creamy gel-like texture, which feels nearly like a light mousse. It swiftly absorbs into my skin and doesn’t leave the backs of my knees feeling sticky, which is a major moisturizer turnoff.

A little goes a long way, too, and as for the scent, I find it light and refreshing.

I mean, I can tell it’s there, but it’s not like it’s setting up camp in my nostrils or anything.

Long story short, Laura’s Verbena Infusion Gel Body moisture is a charming summer indulgence.

Fingers crossed that Laura releases a lot more body products with the same gel-creme formula.

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Isododecane, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, fragrance (Parfum), Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Juice, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Acrylate/ Sodium, Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Verbena Officinalis Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Citral, Geraniol, Lilial, Limonene, Linalool. ingredients are subject to change at the manufacturer’s discretion. For the most complete and up-to-date information, refer to the product packaging.

Verbena Infusion Gel Body moisture ($45 for a big 8-ounce jar) is available now with the rest of the new Verbena Infusion body care line at Laura Mercier counters and online.

Pie for breakfast!

I highly recommend it, particularly cold pie fresh out of the fridge with a hot cup of coffee.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

That’s a magical combination ideal there! I had a slice of that leftover peach pie I got at the Petaluma Pie company this morning, and it really hit the spot, and why wouldn’t it? girl cannot live on oatmeal and wheat toast alone.

Η φιλική σας γειτονιά έκκληση εξαρτημένη,

Karen

Calling all Laura Fans! be on the lookout for these 13 new Lip Glace shades…
Lots of new Lip Glace lurve over at Laura Mercier right now.

I’m still here in the city, and one of the places I visited a little while ago was the Laura Mercier counter at Neiman Marcus in Union Square, where I spotted these 13 juicy new luscious Lip Glace lipglosses (Lip Glaces?) — all of them recent additions to Laura’s permanent line.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Top row from the left: Chocolate, Garnet, Poppy, Daiquiri, Tulip, Azalea and Cosmic; bottom row: Black Cherry, Orchid, Wildflower, Pink Pop, Nectar and Bare Baby
That colorful display up there stopped me in my tracks.

Now, I know that winters here in the Bay area are pretty mild compared to winters in other parts of the U.S. and the world…but I don’t care. I’m still completely over it, and these colors are putting me in a warm-weather mood.

I think I squealed a little too loudly at the counter when I was swatching one of the creamy, bold brights. It was Pink Pop. I’ve definitely got my eye on that one, for sure…

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Γάτες & μακιγιάζ φούτερ;

$ 42

Ψώνισε τώρα

And maybe also Daiquiri and Nectar. Those two deserve a happy home in my makeup bag, haha!

Yes, you know me all too well.

I asked one of the artists at the counter today if Laura reformulated the new shades, and the official answer was “I’m not sure,” but the artist did say that she really thinks the new colors are smoother and more intense than usual. Hmm …

Swatches, top row from the left: Chocolate, Garnet, Poppy, Daiquiri, Tulip, Azalea and Cosmic; bottom row: Black Cherry, Orchid, Wildflower, Pink Pop, Nectar and Bare Baby
Quick shout-out to Layla, the MBB reader who walked up to say “Hi” while I was at the store.

Hi, Layla! Γεια σου κορίτσι! You keep working on that smokey eye (be patient, do your layers and blend that mofo out!). You’ll get the hang of it. Είμαι σίγουρος.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

These 13 new Lip Glace shades are available now at Laura Mercier counters and online. They’re $25 each.

Ο φιλικός φίλος σας ομορφιάς γειτονιάς,

Karen

The make up For ever artist palette Vol. 2 colors You Crave ($42)
Current cravings:

A Pink Power Smoothie, even though I already had one today for breakfast.
Is there an unwritten policy I don’t know about against drinking two of the same kind of smoothies in one day?! #βαθιές σκέψεις.

A hug from Tabs, because I haven’t seen him considering that I fed him gravy this morning.
He normally “supervises” me in my office during the mornings because he likes the sun in here, but I think he’s terrified of the new pink shelves, so he’s hiding.

The poppin’ pigments in make up For Ever’s new $42 artist palette Vol. 2 colors You Crave

Make Up For ever artist palette Vol. 2 colors You Crave ($42)
May brings us two new artist Palettes from MUFE — Vol. 1, Nudes You Need, which I played with yesterday, and this brighter one here, Vol. 2, called colors You Crave.

Now, if my stomach rumbles through these next few paragraphs in this post, I apologize. You see, I am currently craving lunch, in addition to these colors.

The palette houses nine pans, which are set up into color-coordinating columns of three (or rows, if you turn it sideways), of make up For ever eyeshadow in their exceptionally soft, crazy creamy gel-dash-powder formula (they reformulated their eyeshadows last year).

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

So, how soft are they? Well, this morning El Hub stopped by my desk to loiter as he often does and asked what I was doing. before I could answer, he reached out and touched the palette.

Of course, he gouged a big divot into one of the pans just by brushing his Tarzan hand against it, so you have to be a little careful with these… all of that is just to say that they’re very soft. They nearly feel like a cream, but they’re not. They aren’t wet at all. They’re still powders, but they’re squishy powders.

I haven’t been wearing this batch of colors for very long today, but the neutrals I wore yesterday, which I applied around 10 in the morning and removed around 8 at night, had lost about a third of their intensity over that time.

Not bad, but not epic either.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Γάτες & μακιγιάζ φούτερ;

$ 42

Ψώνισε τώρα

But I wasn’t using my regular NARS pro Prime at the time because I was trying out a new concealer (new to me, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye, which I’ll be examining soon) and was using it on my lids as a primer, so that could have affected the overall longevity of the shadows.

Make Up For ever artist palette Vol. 2 colors You Crave ($42)
Wearing the new make up For ever artist palette Vol. 2 colors You Crave on my lids
S-924, ME-302 and ME-930
For this look I took MUFE’s lead and used the three coordinating colors in the middle column. I used the top shade as my highlight (the shade on the left in the above pic), then mixed the teal and the sort of metallic green, which looks a little like MAC Club, together. I mixed them on the back of my hand and applied that on my lids.

There was a lot of shimmer going on, so I also wanted a transition shade. I ended up grabbing MAC texture and using that in my crease.

I also did a little something-something in the outer corners for depth using the black shade from the MUFE Nudes You need palette.

ME-910, ME-232 and ME-700
From the left: I-872, D-552 and ME-512
All told, Vol. 2 here is absolutely flashier than Vol. 1, but I think Vol. 1 is probably a lot more beneficial day to day — absolutely for me. I think Vol. 2 is a good every-once-in-a-while palette, like a fancy dress that you only take out every once in a while…unless you wear colors like these everyday, in which case, good for you!

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

But normally speaking I see this one as a lot more of a special event palette for me, or, in combination with a batch of neutrals, a good source of spunky accent colors.

Τιμή: $ 42
AVAILABILITY: available now online and at make up For ever counters and Sephora
MAKEUP and appeal blog RATING: A- (only thing is, I think the three lightest shades are a tad redundant)

Η φιλική σας γειτονιά έκκληση εξαρτημένη,

Karen

BECCA holiday 2015
Pop the champagne, homegirl! — as well as if you can do it with a sword, much more power to you, since that would imply you’re only about two degrees away from Michonne-level bad-@ssery, as well as I’D BOW DOWN!

We have a totes legitimate reason to celebrate today. First, since it’s Tuesday, as well as Tuesdays are terrific. as well as second, since BECCA has a number of sparkly, shimmery sets on deck for the holidays, as well as they’re all offered now, so you can get dat glow on your cheeks in time for the office party. (For the record, if there will be karaoke involved, please understand that it may take much more than two glasses to turn you into Mariah Carey… Yes, I speak from firsthand experience.)

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

This year’s holiday collection includes three restricted edition sets, as well as they’re all about the glow — in other words, skin highlighted to high heaven.

BECCA holiday 2015 champagne glow combination ($34)
If you’re a die-hard BECCA shimmer fan, you may want to get your paws on the $34 Shimmering Skin Perfector pressed champagne glow combination highlighter trio. It’s offered now solely at Sephora as well as the Sephora website.

One of the three shades, pale linen Pearl, is a restricted edition shade making its debut best right here in this palette, while the other two — champagne Pop, a soft gold with pinkish peach undertones (the pity shade BECCA released last autumn with YouTuber Jaclyn Hill); as well as Blushed Copper, a warm copper with increased gold (also appeared earlier this year).

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Γάτες & μακιγιάζ φούτερ;

$ 42

Ψώνισε τώρα

BECCA holiday 2015 champagne glow combination ($34)

I feel like I’ve been raving about BECCA’s Shimmering Skin Perfectors because the dawn of time since these shimmery, pigmented pressed powders are oh, so flexible. depending upon exactly how disco you feel on any type of provided day, you can either wear them for a soft sheen or a full-blown mirror-like highlighter shine.

Like all Shimmering Skin Perfectors, the ones in this combination ought to be treated gently, as well as by carefully I imply that you’ll want to wrap this combination in bubble wrap as well as rubber bands if you ever bring it with you on trips, since these silky soft powders tend to crumble easily.

Incidentally, the three shades right here are all on the warm side, so if you like the method you look in warm golds, coppers as well as peachy tones, you’ll most likely like these, too.

BECCA holiday 2015 Afterglow combination ($34)
If you’re totally new to BECCA, you might, however, want to try the Afterglow combination ($42) instead, with its five bestselling BECCA products.

I’ve been using this a great deal lately, mainly ’cause it has two of my preferred BECCA Mineral Blushes of all time — matte peachy nude Wild Honey as well as shimmery golden peach Flowerchild (LOVE).

They blend like creamy peanut butter as well as last all day, however you’ll want to apply them with a small-sized deal with clean (I like the MAC 109), since the 0.056-oz. pans don’t have a great deal of space for swiping.

Same goes for the three highlighters in the combination — Moonstone (the pale gold), increased Gold (the soft rosy gold) as well as Topaz (the golden bronzed pearl). I utilize a tapered eyeshadow clean with them.

BECCA holiday 2015 Afterglow combination ($34)
Afterglow is an Ulta exclusive, as well as you can discover it now at Ulta stores as well as their website.

BECCA holiday 2015 Opal glow on the go set ($20)
Of course, it wouldn’t be a BECCA holiday celebration without Opal!

This shade… Ah! It’s close, personal fave, as well as I’m pleased to see it in right here in the $20 Opal glow on the go set (available now at choose Sephora as well as Ulta stores, as well as likewise online).

This golden opalescent pearl is the most wearable of the Shimmering Skin Perfector shades for me. It appears like candlelight on the skin, as well as if you want dewy, practically glossy, cheekbones, it’s the method to go. The set includes two different versions of it, as well — a liquid as well as a powder — as well as both of them are sized for travel.

I believe highlighting fans are truly gonna such as this one.

BECCA holiday 2015 Opal glow on the go set in my paw for scale
BECCA holiday 2015 champagne glow swatches
BECCA holiday 2015 Shimmering Skin Perfector Opal glow on the glow set swatches
BECCA holiday 2015 Afterglow combination Swatches

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Lots much more information in the video at the top, as well as as always, say thanks to you for watching.

Η φιλική κοινότητα του κοινού γοητεία σας,

Karen

It started with a pair of shoes… A pair of high-heeled caged shoes in a blush color to be exact. I spotted these high heels by INC worldwide ideas at Macy’s last week as well as was overcome keeping that special tingly shoe feeling — you know, the one where you understand you have to get a specific pair of shoes in your life.

INC worldwide ideas Rammee High Heel Sandal, $109
But I’m getting a bit ahead of myself… This story really starts a month ago.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

I woke up one morning, opened my wardrobe doors to pick out my clothes for the day, as well as realized that whatever I own is gray or black.

Not that there’s anything wrong with those colors. Black is always chic, as well as gray effectively hides the tabby feline fur. however I came to the realization that I just don’t want to be clad in black as well as gray from head to toe right now.

Spring is coming, as well as I feel like bright colors! — like a blooming garden with flowers around the location as well as rainbows as well as a teal pegasus soaring across the sky. It’s time to update my garments garden/game, as well as I’ve been looking for floral pieces that both match these shoes as well as likewise work with things I already have in my closet.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Γάτες & μακιγιάζ φούτερ;

$ 42

Ψώνισε τώρα

What do you believe of this floral peplum jacket?

Macy’s INC worldwide ideas Floral-Print Peplum diving Jacket, $99.50
A silver zipper adds some edge
A closeup of the peplum!
I like the different shades of pink as well as exactly how they vary from soft blush to intense hot pink. I believe the peplum likewise provides it a extremely ladylike sweetness, while the zipper provides it a bit of an edge.

It’s likewise quite versatile. I dressed it down right here with a pair of ripped boyfriend denim as well as a white tee, however I believe it would likewise look super adorable with a gray pencil skirt, or perhaps on top of a white streaming dress… Or perhaps with a pair of mint eco-friendly skinnies, since there is a bit mint eco-friendly in the pattern.

I’m affectionately referring to these tapered printed soft pants as my Blanche Devereaux pants because, hello! — Blanche would have totally rocked these in the golden women era, as well as they still look good. They’re like an updated version. They’ve got that draping, hugs-your-curves-in-all-the-right-ways vibe to ‘em.

Macy’s INC worldwide ideas Tapered printed Soft Pants, $69.50

Drawstring details…

A better look at the print
I truly such as this print since it goes with most of the black pieces in my closet. It’s perhaps not rather as wonderful as the peplum jacket is, however I can play off the black in the print as well as pair it with a black top and/or my black leather jacket.

Here I’m using the shoes again, however I believe it would likewise look adorable with a pair of black high heels.

Pink as well as gray — my two preferred colors when I was in fourth grade, as well as they’re still one of my preferred color combos now, which is why I was drawn to this floral-print pencil skirt. I kept it casual, pairing it with a hot pink tee as well as a slouchy gray cardigan.

Macy’s INC worldwide ideas Floral-Print Pencil Skirt, $79.50
Another look at the details on the cage shoes
The shoes as well as skirt!
One of the excellent things about florals is that they’re simple to gown up or down, as well as even if you feel like they may be as well loud for you, you can always ground them with a darker top or bottom. most importantly, begin with a floral print moves you in some way, like, when you see it, you think, “Oh! I like that combo,” or, “I like that pattern.” You just have to discover something that speaks to you (or whispers), as well as then just believe about exactly how it would work with a few of the pieces in your closet. Do you have a black tee shirts that would go with it? Or a white one?

Florals may seem limiting sometimes, however they’re not. The possibilities are endlessly blooming.

The floral pieces I’m using right here are offered now from Macy’s INC worldwide Concepts.

This was originally published on theFashionSpot.com.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Ο φιλικός της κοινότητας ομορφιάς σας,

Karen

ΥΣΤΕΡΟΓΡΑΦΟ.

picture a 19th-century noblewoman waiting to board a steamer bound for faraway lands.

Can you see her? Standing there on the dock surrounded by wardrobe trunks and chest cases containing all of her earthly possessions?

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Μπορείς?

Φοβερός. because she looks exactly like I did up until a few years ago whenever I traveled anywhere.

Yep! I used to pack sooo much stuff, “just in case,” but those “cases” rarely happened, and I’d usually come home with half of the things I brought still untouched.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Γάτες & μακιγιάζ φούτερ;

$ 42

Ψώνισε τώρα

Thankfully, possibly because I discovered the joy of traveling with only my carry-on bag, I’ve finally learnt how to streamline and pack the bare minimum.

The things in my (very streamlined) travel makeup bag
Case in point: I just spent a few days in Edinburgh, Scotland, and only brought along a minimal makeup stash (at least by a beauty lover’s standard).

I knew I wouldn’t want to waste the little time I’d have to explore the city on my weekend away doing my makeup, so I streamlined my beauty arsenal.

Hello from Edinburgh Castle!
Would you like to have a look inside my travel makeup bag?

Foundation: Chanel perfection Lumière Velvet

With its matte yet luminous finish, I Chanel perfection Lumière velvet foundation each day of the year, but its plastic packaging makes it especially convenient for traveling.

Concealers: Bobbi brown Corrector, Deborah brilliance Creator, and Laura Mercier secret Camouflage

Concealers are where I just can’t downsize. I need two — Bobbi brown Corrector in Peach and Deborah brilliance creator in 01 Light — for my dark under-eye area (thank you, genetics) and one — Laura Mercier secret Camouflage in SC-3 — to hide any blemishes (thank you, hormones).

Powder: puroBIO Indissoluble Compact Powder

Normally I use two different powders for my under-eye area and the rest of my face, but for the sake of traveling light I only packed puroBIO Indissoluble Compact Powder in 01 (I reviewed it here on my blog, if you’re interested).

I’m glad to report I survived! (But I may or may not have purchased an emergency hourglass Ambient lighting Powder while in Edinburgh…)

Blush: Max factor Crème Puff blush in nude Mauve

I didn’t take any bronzers or highlighters with me, only this little baked blush from Max Factor. It’s a terrific multitasker, as it subtly sculpts while giving cheeks a hint of a radiant flush.

Brows: KIKO eyebrow Fibers Coloured Mascara in 06 Black

Streamlining brow products for me only means one thing: brow mascara. I love that it fills in, defines and sets in one quick step. I really like this one from KIKO, but I wish it had a smaller brush.

Eyeshadow: KIKO cream Crush lasting Colour Eyeshadow in 03 mat Light Mahogany

KIKO’s cream Crush Eyeshadow is a new discovery of mine, and I’m completely in love with it! I really like its bouncy texture, and it’s easy to apply and blend using just fingers.

This particular matte pinkish brown shade doesn’t look like much in the jar, but it is gorgeous on eyes.

Eyeliners: Stila stay all day waterproof liquid Eye liner in Black & Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil in hot Scorch

I’ll reach for eyeliners when I want a flattering makeup look that’s still quick to do, and for my trip to Edinburgh I took Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil in 19 hot Scorch for daytime and STILA stay all day waterproof liquid Eye liner in Black για τη νύχτα.

Mascara: PUPA Milano Vamp! in 100 Black

Mascara is the one makeup product that I feel I always need. My favorite of the past few months has been PUPA Milano Vamp! Mascara in 100 Black. I find it very similar to too faced better Than Sex Mascara in the sense that it gives very voluminous, dramatic lashes, but it’s less than half the price (at least here in Italy).

Tinted Lip Balm: Fresh Sugar Lip treatment in Berry

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

While in Edinburgh, my daytime makeup uniform consisted of either the Essence eyeliner or KIKO eyeshadow on my eyes and this mini FRESH Sugar Lip treatment in Berry on my lips. I love how moisturizing it is, and the pretty tint lasts. It’s definitely my all-time favorite tinted lip balm.

Lipstick: Maybelline SuperStay 14HR Lipstick in Fuchsia Forever

Even though I love lipsticks, I forced myself to only pack one. I picked Maybelline SuperStay 14HR Lipstick in Fuchsia forever (which you may remember from 4 lipsticks I love that no one ever talks about), not only because of its amazing staying power, but also because it’s a shade I like wearing equally well during day and Νύχτα.

So, have I inspired you to downsize your makeup while traveling, or do you still feel the need to pack eight lipsticks and 15 eyeshadows?

Win a $50 Sephora e-gift card from makeup and appeal Blog
Πρωί! rise and shine, friend o’ mine. Είναι Caturday! A day to celebrate the wonderful awesomeness that is (are?) cats.

OK, not officially, but ya know, if you’re into cats…

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

What’s shakin’? See any good TV shows or motion pictures this week? El Hub and I went to see The theory of everything a few days ago and really liked it. I saw yesterday that the main person and girl got Oscar nominations. Yeah, they deserved ’em.

Boy, so video… I tried to make one this week, a tutorial, and I did some things differently than I have in the past. Anyway, it kind of spiraled out of control, which is why I disappeared for a couple days. I was trying to edit the thing down, but I underestimated how long it would take.

I had to table it for now, but I learned a few things, so hopefully it goes smoother next time. The lesson here is that editing video can take a looong time.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Γάτες & μακιγιάζ φούτερ;

$ 42

Ψώνισε τώρα

In other news, it’s very wintry here this morning, but I don’t indicate stormy. just gray and cold and blah… I haven’t figured out what’s on my agenda for today, but for now, I don’t really feel like seizing the day. I feel a lot more like asking El Hub to get me Starbucks and having breakfast in bed, lol.

I don’t know… maybe a trip to the mall will liven things up. I haven’t been to Nordies in a while.

Whatever you’re up to, I hope you have a terrific day, and good luck in the giveaway. (Your nephew says, “mrow,” btw.)

Μια (1) Sephora Egift Card που αποτελείται από $ 50 που αποστέλλεται στον νικητή μέσω ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου (διεθνείς αναγνώστες, μπορείτε να επιλέξετε να λάβετε $ 50 που αποστέλλονται από το PayPal).

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Ανοίξτε τα U.S. και τους διεθνείς αναγνώστες.

Πρέπει να είστε 18 ετών και άνω για να εισέλθετε (ή αλλιώς έναν ενήλικα με βάση τους τοπικούς νόμους σας).

Το σχόλιό σας μπορεί να είναι για οτιδήποτε καθόλου, αλλά εδώ είναι μερικές ιδέες αν είστε κολλημένοι:

Do you ever see yourself in the mirror, notice your makeup and think, “OMG! When did I do that?”

An eccentric, anonymous billionaire uses to give you $10,000 if you’ll quit your job today. Do you do it?

Most extraordinary tattoo you’ve ever seen in real life?

A department store/high-end makeup brand that’s absolutely worth the price?

You find a $100 bill on the sidewalk this afternoon with a note on it that says, “If found, please call 555-364-1212.” Τι κάνεις?

Have you ever gotten a perm?

You can enter in up to seven ways to improve your chances of winning.

The giveaway ends on Monday, January 19, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time).

Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Η φιλική σας γειτονιά έκκληση εξαρτημένη,

Karen

wearing the new Paul & Joe face & Eye colors in CS 096 and CS 094 from the spring 2015 Menagerie collection
Paul & Joe’s spring Menagerie collection is not simply a collection of printed animals on powder pans. It is a representation of my not-too-distant future, a future in which I am a woman of advancing years living on a farm on the big Island of Hawaii surrounding by cats (obviously) and various other fauna.

Despite El Hub’s protests, we adopt a hippo and an elephant, in addition to ducks (and cats), and all of them live together harmoniously, much as they do on these pans.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

The $39 face & Eye color CS palettes from the left in Elephanteau (096), Girafe (095) and Les Flamants Roses (094)
I think I’m physically incapable of not smiling when I look at these limited edition palettes, and they’re also a lot of fun to use, especially on casual makeup days when I’m rocking a ponytail, white tee and jeans (with my ASPCA cat Vans).

Face & Eye color in Elephanteau CS 096
The powders are multifunctional eyeshadows/blushes/highlighters and can be used on your eyes and cheeks.

Face & Eye color in Girafe CS 095
They also smell like candy hearts. and the scent is fairly strong (typical of Paul & Joe). Ευτυχώς, μου αρέσει.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Γάτες & μακιγιάζ φούτερ;

$ 42

Ψώνισε τώρα

Face & Eye color in Les Flamants Roses CS 094
Just like real life on a farm, these animals have jobs. The cat moonlights as an eyeshadow, the hippo works as an accent shade for eyes, the duck dances as a highlighter, and the elephant assists cheeks (while also doubling as an eye color).

Really, though, you can use any of them on your eyes or face, although Greta in the cube next to you might roll her eyes if she sees you wearing the blue hippo on your cheeks.

Αλλά ποιός νοιάζεται? Do it anyway. I did the other day, haha! I wanted to see how the eyeshadows would work on my cheeks, and they worked great. The smooth, easy-to-blend powders deposit a tiny bit of fallout, but it’s not enough to warrant calling the avenging makeup angels down to unleash their wrath of fire and brimstone. τίποτα σαν και αυτό.

Face & Eye color in Elephanteau CS 096
Face & Eye color in Girafe CS 095
Face & Eye color in Les Flamants Roses CS 094

Dude, these animals are chill. All they want to do is laze about and keep it casual, ma. optimal for diaphanous washes of color and softly glowing eyes and cheeks; not optimal for bold, high-impact makeup, as the colors aren’t heavily pigmented. They’re a lot more in the sheer-to-medium range.

Wearing Paul & Joe face & Eye colors in Elephanteau CS 096 and Les Flamants Roses CS 094 on my eyes and cheeks; MAC Please Me Lipstick on my lips
Each of the three palettes consists of four color-coordinated shades.

Les Flamantes Roses CS 094, the box with the flamingos on the front, has a soft matte taupe eyeshadow, a sheer and satiny blue accent color, a shimmery light pink highlighter and a matte pinkish red blush.

Face & Eye colors from the left: CS 096, CS 095 and CS 094
The box with the jungle cats is codenamed Girafe CS 095. It’s the one for animal lovers who like warm shades. Your eyes will glow with a shimmery brown and a sheer lemony gold, while your cheeks light up with warm beige and satiny copper.

OK, call me crazy (I know you want to), but I wish the design on the last box, Elephanteau CS 096, the one with the zebras and toucans, was also the wallpaper in my bathroom.

That would be so cool!

This one has a satiny grayish taupe eyeshadow, a shimmery teal eyeshadow (the a lot of pigmented of all the shades), a pearlescent pinkish beige highlighter and a sheer satiny rose blush.

You’ll find all of them on P&J counters and online ideal meow at beautyhabit.com for $39 each.

PRICE: $39
AVAILABILITY: limited edition for spring 2015, and available now at Paul & Joe counters and online at beautyhabit.com
MAKEUP and appeal blog RATING: B+

Speaking of animals…

I passed a family of deer on my walk at lunch! They were just a few feet away, ideal around the corner from my house.

I snapped some pics with my phone, but le sigh… They didn’t turn out. I moved too slowly because I didn’t want to make the deer nervous.

Sometimes I get lucky, though, and get some pics, like these from a couple years ago of a (then) young buck who chilled out in my yard.

Apparently, he wasn’t interested in modeling as a occupation because he never came back, LOL!

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Are there any neighborhood animals where you live?

Η φιλική σας γειτονιά έκκληση εξαρτημένη,

Karen

raise your perfectly manicured paw! — which mine is absolutely NOT at the moment because I’m long overdue for a manicure…

Anyways…raise your perfectly manicured paw if you’ll be heading out of town this weekend.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Γεια σας? Bueller?

Well, I’m one of those people. Tabs and has crack team of pet stylists, professional pet sitters and Michelin star-rated gravy preparers will be holding down the fort while I go visit my parents and in-laws, and if history has taught me absolutely anything, it’s that I better finish my packing ideal now because if I don’t, I’ll end up running late and randomly throwing stuff into a bag, and depend on me, this rarely works out the way I want it to, like the time I forgot all of my makeup brushes at home (NO, SERIOUSLY, all of THEM) or the time I packed mismatched shoes…

To stop this from happening, my plan calls for condensation.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Γάτες & μακιγιάζ φούτερ;

$ 42

Ψώνισε τώρα

Wait, no — not condensation. Συμπυκνωτικός! My plan calls for condensing. I have to condense the contents of my makeup bag.

I mean, I wasn’t going to be bringing everything and the kitchen sink with me anyway because I’m still going through a minimalist makeup phase, and I already have all of my minimalist stuff in my MAC Mia Moretti bag ideal now.

Here, let me show ya…

I’m also trying to think of things I can do to save time when I do my makeup today and tomorrow, like using products in different ways.

Like bronzer. I wear bronzer nearly daily, and did you know that your bronzer can also double as an eyeshadow?

Ναι! To deepen your eyes a little, just swirl your favorite crease brush into your bronzer, and sweep that into your crease.

Same goes for using blush as an eyeshadow. often I’ll take whatever blush I have with me, and after applying it on my cheeks, I’ll also apply it on my lids. Or, if the blush happens to be a little sparkly, I’ll wet a domed blending brush with MAC Fix+, and then use that on my lids for a a lot more intense contrast with the bronzer in my crease (which is normally a matte for μου).

I really like the NARS dual intensity Blushes for this (particularly Fervor).

Highlighters can also double as eyeshadows. using your finger or a pencil brush, dab some into the inner corners of your lids to brighten your eyes a little. You can also use a teeny, tiny bit under your brow bone to give your brows a lift.

I used all of these tricks last Saturday before going to the mall — using a bronzer, blush and highlighter as eyeshadows. It was one of those things where I told El Hub that I’ll be ready in five minutes (although it ended up being closer to 15).

I had to put on my makeup, get dressed, do my hair, moisturize my body (which is no easy feat when you’re 29 weeks pregnant), and I observed my Mia Moretti makeup bag with all of my products in it. When I saw my bronzer, blush and highlighter in there, I thought, “Huh. I’ll use these as eyeshadows.”

And it absolutely worked.

It’s kind of like multitasking. It just takes thinking about products in different ways.

For years I filled in my eyebrows with an eyeshadow (MAC Concrete) instead of a brow powder. I still do sometimes. often I’ll also use Concrete as an eyeliner.

Necessity is the mother of invention, after all. You can do a lot with a few products when you have to.

ΔΙΑΦΗΜΙΣΗ

Merry Christmas and safe travels.

Η φιλική σας γειτονιά έκκληση εξαρτημένη,

Karen