Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

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• Would you rather have a forked tongue or very long, skinny, pointed teeth? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Would you rather have to live six months without toilet paper or six months without a toothbrush (yes, this includes Sonicare)? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Would you rather spend an entire night dancing to Prince songs or dancing to Michael Jackson songs?YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Would you rather be forced to endure every single episode of American Gladiators (those girl gladiators are no joke) or every episode of Shot at Love with Tila Tequila? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

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You’re on a date with a really cute guy (a boy you like A LOT). Unfortunately, you’re out of antacids and you have terrible gas. Would you rather pass silent but deadly gas every 15 minutes (you could always blame it on the waiter) or let out dainty burps that smell like sausage and onions? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

You’re trapped in an 80s music video. Which one is it? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

You get an urgent phone call. It’s Beyonce. She wants to know if she can wear your favorite pair of high heels to the Grammy Awards, but she still hasn’t returned the Juicy Couture terry cloth track suit you let her borrow in 2002. Do you loan her the shoes? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

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Keanu Reeves circa Speed or Tom Cruise circa Top Gun? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Wow, lucky you! You’re getting a live performer for your wedding reception; unfortunately, it must either be Bobby Brown or Jodeci. YOU MUST CHOOSE! diflucan thrush

LOLOLZ… I think I’d have to go with Jodeci (I’ve left the rest of my answers in the comments).

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You can play too. Just copy this list and add your answers.

YMC 1: Forked tongue or pointed teeth?

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what just happened divx online YMC 2: Toilet paper or toothbrush?

YMC 3: Prince songs or Michael Jackson?

YMC 4: American Gladiators or Shot at Love?

YMC 5: Silent but deadly or dainty burps?

YMC 6: 80s music video?

YMC 7: Yes or no to Beyonce?

YMC 8: Keanu or Tom?

YMC 9: Bobby Brown or Jodeci?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Sometimes all I need to be happy is a blank journal page, a pen and some sweet treats.

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What’s making you happy this afternoon?

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divx dark reprieve Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

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Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

More Holiday Wish List 2007 – Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean Perfume

It’s been months since I’ve gone surfing and I miss being in the ocean. Just looking at the blue packaging and bottle for Elizabeth Arden’s Mediterranean perfume makes me feel like I’m in Hawaii, sitting on my board and waiting for the next wave to come and carry me away.

Aside from the beautiful bottle and packaging, the best part about this perfume is that the scent isn’t too heavy or cloying. Mediterranean is described on the Elizabeth Arden Web site as a “radiant woody floral.” Imagine a hybrid between the best parts of Fresh’s Lemon Sugar perfume and Covet.

When I spray it on I get an initial burst that’s lemony and white floral. It then dries down to a light, black tea scent. On me Mediterranean smells gender neutral and not overly feminine or sweet.

If you have a girlfriend, sister or mom who likes perfumes that aren’t too sweet then she’ll love this. It would also be a great gift for a friend who loves beachy scents but doesn’t like strong “tropical” notes like pikake or tuberose.

The 1.7 fl oz bottle you see in the pic above is $47.50, but for the holidays Elizabeth Arden’s got a special set that includes the 1.7 fl oz Eau de Parfum Spray, Body Lotion and a wee Eau de Parfum replica for $52.00. Don’t you love the extra goodies in gifts sets? I sure do.

A Holiday 2007 Face of the Day with Clinique’s “Happy & Bright” Makeup

Here’s a face of the day I did with Clinique’s Holiday 2007 “Happy & Bright” makeup. What do you think?

I used the pink shade farthest on the left all over the lid, then the peach shade to highlight the browbone and inner eye. I put the lighter brown shade in the crease and used the darker brown on the far right to line the top and bottom. Then I finished it off with two coats of BECCA The Ultimate Mascara in Black.

On the cheeks I used the lightest touch of MAC’s Dollymix blush with Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony layered on top.

I finished the look off with Raspberry Glace Different Lipstick and Camisole Full Potential Lipglass on the lips.

I really love these colors. They are buildable and pretty much mistake proof. My next Clinique Holiday 2007 mission: use the Pink Truffle quad to create a gentle smoky eye!

Weekend Reading Just For You

Your weekend isn’t over yet! Here’s the latest beauty buzz from The Beauty Blog Network.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic – Christine Explains how Antioxidants Work
A Touch of Blusher – All About Japanese Cosmetics
All Lacquered Up - All Lacquered Up Reviews OPI’s Holiday in Hollywood Dazzling Darks & Neutrals
Beauty and Fashion Tech – Beauty and Fashion Tech Looks at the New MAC Holiday Collection and Provides Swatches
Beauty and Personality Grooming – Homemade rich nail cream
Etailers Mall – The Blog – PlumSmoke
Face Candy – Bridal Beauty
Makeup Moxie’s Beauty Blog - Makeup Moxie Reviews Cover Girl Lashblast Mascara
Musings of a Muse - The Muse’s First Look at the Sephora 2007 Catalog
Mystical Beauty’s Musings – How do you feel about your makeup talking to you?
Savvy Skin - Skimpy Thinning Eyebrows
SugarShock – Fragrance Notes: Factory Girl
Temptalia - MAC Curiositease Review, Swatches, and Photos!
Makeup Loves Me - Refreshing Facial at Fresh

And oooh girl, I know you didn’t miss Makeup and Beauty Blog’s MAC Holiday 2007 Curiositease Lip Sets: What to buy, What to pass up!

A Few More Random Thangs Currently Up in My Grill

Because the world is constantly moving toward randomness…here are few tidbits that have crossed my radar in the last few days.

In definance to all the laws of the universe, somehow Christian Bale came SECOND PLACE to Wentworth Miller in Entertainment Weekly’s Ultimate Hottie Poll, BOO!

That’s okay, I’ll comfort you, Chris

I saw this kid dancing on “The Soup” and I laughed for about 10 minutes straight. I kept rewinding and laughing, rewinding and laughing. He’s my hero.

Not that I need any more TV in my life, but Torchwood on BBC is FANTASTIC. Tivo it, yo!


What’s My Motivation?

Today I was in an infinitely better mood then yesterday because last night I slept twelve hours. No joke. Every moment of sleep was like manna from the heavens. Ahhhh!

In between working it out at the gym and watching the Colts and Patriots game (that Tom Brady is HAWT!) I thought of all the stuff I have to get done this week that I just don’t want to do.

“Hmmm,” I thought, “What’s the ultimate form of motivation? What’s gonna make me want to go the extra mile to get all this craptacular crapola done?”

The answer? C to the H to the A to the N to the E to the L.

The reward for finishing my first project…

And the second…

And the third…

The moral of this story? A little Chanel bribery goes a long, long way.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Trick or Treat! This year I’m the short, brown, non-alcoholic version of AMY WINEHOUSE.

Here’s what I used to get the look:

Eyes:
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline (LOTS AND LOTS OF IT!)
MAC Plushlash in Plushblack
MAC Shadow in Woodwinked all over lid
MAC Concrete in brows
MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer

Cheeks:
MAC Mocha blush
MAC Dollymix blush

Lips:
MAC Cremestick liner in Red Enriched
MAC Lipstick in Dubonnet

Hair:
Garnier Fructis Full Control Hairspray
Streekers Instant Liquid Hairclolor in Yellow

I haven’t done big hair in about 15 years so I hope that this massive bird’s nest on top of my head stays put for the rest of the day.

What did you dress up as? Whatever it is I hope it’s cute!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I gotta give some blog love to my husband (aka El Hub), who, in an ironic twist of fate, is at the dentist having his first cavities drilled today! Be strong, baby!

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

It seems that celeb perfumes, like Barney or Paris Hilton, divide people into two distinct camps: either you LOVE THEM or you HATE THEM.

I used to be in the HATE THEM category but after sampling and actually liking Sarah Jessica Parker’s Covet Perfume a few weeks ago, I realized that hating all celeb scents purely on principal was terribly unfair. A good scent is a good scent, and I can’t hate on one just because it’s being hocked by B-list singers or actors.

Maybe I’ll find at least one more celeb perfume that doesn’t make me want to throw up, I thought.

And sweet jeebus, did I find one – Britney Spears’ Midnight Fantasy. LOLOLOLZ!

Laugh all you want, ya’ll…I know I did when I first picked up the cheesy purple bottle, which is BeDazzled within an inch of it’s life.

I expected eau de Cheetoes/Red Bull/bad weave to be thrust into the air when I spritzed it on my wrist. Lo and behold, instead came out a really pretty fruit scent. It might be a touch too sweet for some, but on me I pick up notes of blackberries, vanilla and cherries. Yum!

It’s a fun, flirty, youthful smell. I’d wear it on date night or the weekends but not to work because it can a lil’ bit too Wet Seal/Forever 21/Limited Too if administered in too heavy a doseage.

One 5.5 oz bottle of Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy is $55.00, available on the macys.com Web site.

YOU MUST CHOOSE: The Britney Spears Edition

I must confess
That my lonliness
Is killing me now
Don’t you know I still believe?
–Britney Spears

So yeah, her personal life is a mess, and the girl can’t comb that dirty birdy weave to save her life but I gotta come clean. I’m on TEAM BRITNEY. I’ll even fess up to attending one of her concerts, and damnit, it was good!

A few weeks ago you were introducted to one of my fave time wasters, YOU MUST CHOOSE. Can you handle the Britney Spears edition?

The 10th circle of hell opens up…and it doesn’t lead into my closet! Instead, you are forced to work in close proximity as a personal assistant to either Britney Spears (who just shaved her head, is foaming at the mouth and is wielding a very large umbrella) or Rachel Ray (who speaks to you with excessive perkiness and ONLY in code – EVOO! YUM-O! – before you’ve had your morning coffee). And yes, you are on call for twenty four hours a day. YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Britney finally decides to get help, and unfortunately it’s not the mental kind. Instead, she has you choose a weave/wig to wear to court (she’s gotta get those babies back, yo!) to make her look like a model citizen. Blonde? Brunette? Black? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

You have the power to re-write history. You can either erase Kevin Federline from Britney Spears’ life OR Bobby Brown from Whitney’s life (remember “I Will Always Love You?” girlfriend KILLED that song!). Who would you save? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

You get the chance to be a backup dancer in any Britney Video that your lovin’ heart desires. Which one would you star in? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Aren’t you glad Monday is over? I am. This week should be better work-wise for me so I’ll be back to postings in the mornings once more, whew!

Have a good night…I hope you dream of Manolos.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Twenty-four hours. One beauty blogger. Three random acts of beauty.

Random Act of Beauty: October 24, 2007, 11:37 a.m.
I go to a local Punjabi Burrito joint hungrier than a hippo, and I find out after I order my food that they only take cash. I’m short $1.50 and the walk to the atm seems farther than a trek through the Sahara. Plus my stomach is rumbling like crazy.

I dig through the cusions and crevices of my car and I find nickels, dimes and pennies. When I add them all up, I find that I have exactly one dollar and fifty cents. Yes!

Random Act of Beauty: October 24, 2007, 5:35 p.m.
I finally find sunblock that doesn’t leave my neck feeling sticky, Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protection SPF 55 for Face & Body, at my local Macy’s Shiseido counter.

That’s it on the right in the funny shaped bottle. The formula is a thin liquid that spreads easily and absorbs quickly. It has a nice smell and the finish is matte, so my neck doesn’t feel sticky and gross after application.

On the left is the Face version. It’s incredibly moisturizing and so far hasn’t broken me out.

Before I leave the counter with these goodies the nice Shiseido lady hooks it up! In addition to the gift-with-purchase, she gives me a generous handful of extra samples. Yes!

October 24, 2007, 8:50 p.m.
I finally get enough time to sit my bum down to watch the newest episode of I Love NY 2. I admire one contestant, Buddha, and can’t help but think of El Hub.

Smile? Check. Muscles? Check.

Spaghetti strap tank top?

I thank the stars above that El Hub has the good enough sense to not sport this fashion faux pas. Yes!

And while I’m at it, I also thank jeebus I’m not on a reality TV show looking for love amongst closet psychos, like The Entertainer. Yes!

Any random acts of beauty happen to you lately? Please say yes!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Hell-to-the-Yah! #1: Uppity Fluidline from the MAC Antiquitease Limited Edition Collection

Everyone and their mamma is buzzing about the Antiquitease release, and for good reason. It’s sparkly. It’s pretty. And it reminds me of the Solid Gold Dancers.

Even though I’ve been hopelessly devoted to Blacktrack for the last three months, I find myself jonsing for the gold colored Fluidline, Uppity (yellow gold with gold pearl). Why do I need gold eyeliner? Where will I wear gold eyeliner? These questions are irrelevant. I can’t wait to dip my 209 into this. I think that it just might be better than eating a dozen hot, fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Maybe.

Hell-to-Yah! #2: Mission: KIMMORA LEE SIMMONS

I see dead people … okay not really. I see fried chicken. And Kimora Lee Simmons.

The other night I got about 2.5 seconds of sleep because I had a burst of creative energy between 11:00 and 3:00 am. I usually have fleeting creative moments in the shower or when I’m brushing my teeth (weird, I know), so when it comes on full blast I cannot deny its siren call.

At 2:15, just as I was in the middle of brainstorming story ideas, I hallucinated a plate of Kentucky Fried Chicken, complete the with biscuits, mashed potatoes and gravy and that weird but tasty sweet corn. Then I had a very clear, very precise revelation:

Someday, somehow I am going to meet KIMORA LEE SIMMONS. And I’m going to interview her.

I’ve caught a few episodes of her show, Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane this past week and for some reason I just think she’s kinda cool.

Sure she makes unrealistic demands on her people and seems to always be on the verge of bitching someone out. But I see her as having vision and not settling for less. And have you seen her closet? I’d consider giving up my firstborn up for the shoes and Louis Vuitton luggage alone.

I don’t know when it’s going to happen or how I’m going to do it but this is now one of my missions in life.

Kimora, watch out, girl! One of these days we’ll be talkin’ shop!

Hell-to-the-Yah! #3: Brown Round Toe Boots by Rebels

After searching high and low, I finally found a pair of boots that truly move my soul. I saw these brown Rebel boots on Zappos and I knew from the first glance that they were the boots for me…sigh! Whether or not they are practical in the rain remains to be determined. But who cares, they’re hot. I love you Zappos!

Hell-to-the-Yah #4: Halloween!

Out of the fall holiday trifecta (Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas) my favorite of the bunch is Halloween. It’s fun, non-denominational and of course, there is the gorging of the candy. Mmmm, Snickers.

This year I’m going to dress up as the hot mess chanteuse known as Amy Winehouse. I’ve got the beehive hair and cat eye covered but the tattoos, well…that’s an issue where I’m still working out. Hopefully I’ll find a bunch of cool temporary ones at the Halloween store this weekend.

Are you dressing up this year? What’s your costume?

Hell-to-the-Yah #5: Feeding My Inner Beast O’ Laziness … with Anti-bacterial Wet Ones

The fab makeup artist to the stars and Billy B. gave me my newest favorite makeup tip. When he’s working on several clients he’ll wipe his brushes between gigs with Anti-Bacterial Wet Ones wipes, which clean and disinfect brushes quickly and thoroughly and don’t leave a weird film on the brush heads.

And holy effing crap! These wipes are like gold for cleaning your brushes. If you don’t always have the time to do a thorough brush cleaning at the sink (or if you’ve got lazy beast tendencies like your truly) then these will save you from a life of dirty birdy brushes.

Woo hoo! We made it! Sometimes I think that we should all get an award for just making it to Friday without losing our minds. Now if only that reward involved copious amounts of Chanel …

Have a fantastic weekend! Drive safe in this rain, okay?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Dear Makeup and Beauty Blog…

What’s tough love got to do with it? You know you need it, and I’m here to give it to ya!

Dear Makeup and Beauty Blog,

I am a makeup fanatic, and over the past year I’ve gotten really good at applying makeup on myself and my two sisters and friends. My dream is to work for a makeup counter or as a makeup artist.

Everyone tells me that I’ve got mad skills, and I know that I am really good at it too. But there’s one big thing that I have trouble with. … I’m really shy. I have a hard time making small talk with strangers. And while I’d love to work all day long applying makeup on people, the thought of having to talk to them and interact with them makes me quite sweaty and nervous.

I really want to pursue this dream, but my shyness is getting in my way. I don’t want it to hold me back anymore. What should I do?

Shy in Chi-town

Hi Shy,

You are so lucky to have found your passion! It sounds like you really love makeup and have a great skill set which you can turn into something wonderful.

Like applying makeup, making small talk and interacting with strangers are skills. Think about it. Were you able to define your crease, work that outer V or blend like a rock star the first time you picked up an eye brush? Chances are it took you hours of practice and experimentation!

Learning how to be comfortable with strangers and making small talk is going to be hard, but you can work towards getting more comfortable. It just takes motivation and practice.

Believe it or not, just like you, I am a naturally shy person. I was a very introverted child, and even doing simple things, like ordering an ice cream cone, was very hard to do. I never raised my hand in class and felt comfortable talking only around my family and close friends.

I think I would’ve missed out on many opportunities in my life because of my shyness if it hadn’t been for two things that helped me pop out of my shell at the age of 14: taking drama classes and joining a speech/debate club.

I’m not going to lie. It was not easy. There were days I had to literally force myself to go to class because I hated it so much. However, after a while I got used to interacting with people and being in front of strangers. And after lots of practice I eventually became less shy.

If I were in your shoes I would …

1.) Either take a class or join a club, like a debate club or drama class. OR …

2.) Join a group like Toastmasters International, a non-profit group that helps adults learn how to become better public speakers.

I realize that these are big steps to take. If either one seems too intimidating then you could start by role-playing with your sisters or your friends. Have them pretend to be a stranger, and you can be the makeup artist at the counter.

I actually did something similar to this when I got my first magazine assignment years ago. I somehow talked myself into the job despite very little interviewing experience. To get some practice I sent out an email to my friends and family, and then scheduled “fake” interviews with them individually. It was a safe and gentle way to get my feet wet.

It sounds like a silly exercise but it is a step. And a baby step is better than no step at all.

Remember to gird your loins because like learning any new skill, it’s not going to be easy. However, this is your life. You can sit there with your shyness and watch it pass you by, or you can do something about it. You make the ultimate choice whether or not you move forward and chase those dreams.

Take care and keep on truckin’.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Newest MAC Obsession: Cremestick Liners

Product: MAC Cremestick liners
Use: A long lasting, retractable lip, creamy lip liner
Price: $14.00
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+

MAC Cremestick liners, where have you been all of my lipgloss life?

For many years I thought Subculture was the epitome of all lip liners. Little did I know there were other kinder, gentler options like Pink Treat, Honey B. and Beurre.

Cremestick liners …

- Glide on smoothly
- Don’t tug on my lips
- Are rich and highly pigmented
- Don’t dry out my lips
- Are easy to use and are great for really getting into the lip corners
- Are retractable so they don’t have to be sharpened (“YES!” says the lazy beast beauty blogger!)

Pink Treat, a recommendation from my girl Christine from Temptalia.com, is my favorite out of the three, followed by Honey B. next and then Beurre last.

I like combo-ing Pink Treat with Soft & Slow lipglass (a soft rose with gold pearl from the Smoke Signals collection) and have been using this on my lips every day for the last week.

It’s an easy, natural and pretty pink lip for minimum makeup days:

- Line with Pink Treat Cremestick liner, making sure to define the corners of the lips to get good definition
- Soften the line with your fingertip (or a lipbrush, whichever is handy)
- Apply 1 coat of Soft & Slow lipglass
- Run out the door!

I am looking forward to adding more Cremestick liners to my collection. On my wish list right now are:

- Mother Pearl (sheer yellow gold)
- Softwood (coral-brown)
- Gingerroot (flesh pink)

Are you a Cremestick fan? What’s your favorite combo?

Ease My Pain, Please! Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Working with MAC Matte2 Shadows and Mattene

MAC Senior artist and all around makeup p.i.m.p. Louise Zizzo always hooks me up with the best MAC tricks.

After bemoaning my Matte2 application misery she offered the following tips for working with the shadows and Mattene lipsticks. She even offered fave her combos, too. Rock on, Louise. Rock on.

Matte2 101: Louise Saves Me From Myself

What shadow bases can you recommend using with Matte2 shadows which will keep the matte texture (while minimizing glitter/sparkle) on the eye but still give a good base to grab the color?

These Shadows are amazing because they are extremely silky which means they do grab easily to the skin, I have found the paint pots in neutral shades and no frost or simply concealor dusted over with powder.

Many of us who remember matte shadows from the 90s recall having a difficult time blending. Can you please give a few of your favorite blending tips when working with Matte2?

The key is to make sure when ever you are using these shadows or any matte shadows is you need to make sure you have a nice powdery base to put them on other wise they will grab patchy. I really recommend using softer brushes to apply these like the #224 and gradually build up to the intensity you desire, don’t press hard use a light touch and these look absolutely amazing.

Can you recommend an easy day eye look for makeup novices who want to use Matte2 shadows?

Oh my gosh the best everyday combo…
Base – Blanc Type
Crease – Tete-A-Tint
Liner – Handwritten ( you can also use this to deepen the crease in the corner)

Work that Mattene 101: Louise Breaks it Down

What is your favorite neutral color lip/eye combo with the Mattene and Matte2?

The above shadow combo and then I love, Flattering with spice lip pencil

How about your favorite bright combo lip/eye combo?

I love the cherry red lip and classic eye using…

Lips – Cherry pencil & Classic Dame
Eyes – Blanc Type – Tete-A-Tint and Black Track Fluid Line

Also I have to add my favorite smokey eye combo

Eye Lid- Satin Taupe
Brow Highlight – Blanc Type
Crease – Handwritten and a touch of Typographic in the corner
Smoulder on the inner rim of eye
Lots and Lots of Plush Lash in Black

Do you prep the lips with anything before using Mattene?

No need because they glide on like silk!

If you have problems with bleeding my fool proof and must have product is the clear brow finisher used around the edge of the lips, it works wonders.

Midget MAC LIVES!

There’s something about this season of I LOVE NY 2 that begs for serious print diarrhea.

As usual, my hydrophobic homeboy MIDGET MAC comes through once again. Despite his inability to swim, he managed to survive a brush with death (via a defective frog floatie) and even wins a date with Miss NY!

That dumb-ass Tailor Made!

I gotta admit that he did work it when he brought NY those shoes. I’d be won over by a man bearing a pair of Manolos. I can’t lie; I’m easy that way.

I liked how his ex said that he was a workaholic, because I admire a man with a strong work ethic. However, I can’t stand anyone who would let me trample all over them, and Tailor Made has DOORMAT written all over his moisturizing mask face.

And last but not least, there’s IT. Words cannot express how I feel about this fool. Isn’t his mamma ashamed? RUN, NEW YORK, RUN!

The rain continues on here today and so of course does the boot shopping. I’m still looking for a pair of cute rain boots and the quest hasn’t been easy. Oh Zappos! Be good to me!

Anyway, aren’t you glad it’s Wednesday? We’re that much closer to Friday! How’s your day been so far? Have you been productive? Are ya slacking? Whatever you’re doing I hope that it’s getting you closer to your goals.

Stay dry…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I hate the Container Store. There is something fundamentally wrong with going to a store to buy more stuff to keep all of your present stuff in. Either 1.) get rid of some stuff or 2.) put that Container Store money (‘cause nothing in there is cheap) to better use and just buy more stuff!

Because of this philosophy, I have become a victim of my own personal hell. Dante shouldn’t have stopped at nine levels, because the 10th can be found in my apartment:

See those lovely bags perched precariously on the shelf? Of course they were filled to the brim with god-knows-what and of course they had to all succumb to gravity all at the same time and fall into the center of the closet, leaving a nice two foot layer o’ crap for me to swim through.

In case you were wondering: one DOES NOT feel like a pirate looting through buried treasure when doing this.

Speaking of pirates…

In addition to writing this blog, I freelance write for a living. I love my job for the most part, because there’s so much flexibility, I don’t have to work in a cube (which I did for many years…it sucked) and I’m constantly challenged. However lately I’ve been trying to think in terms of the big picture, and where I want to be in five years, yada yada yada, that kind of thing. Plus, NOBODY seems to understand what I really do. So while the closet was imploding, I also had a mini “What should I do with my life” freakout this weekend, too.

I’ve decided that instead of having to explain what I do for a living, I’m now going to start telling people that I’m a Pirate-ologist. And if you remember your Latin roots, that would be “Study of Pirates.”

While I was at Barnes & Noble this afternoon I actually told somebody in the magazine aisle that I was a Pirateologist, and that despite being completely landlocked, UC Davis had a great program!

What do you do for a living? And do you like your job? If you could do anything and not have to worry about paying bills, what would you do?

Despite all of the moments of temporary insanity this weekend, it was still really good. I spent lots of time with El Hub, downloaded a bunch of new music and did a lot of beauty product testing. This week expect to get the skinny on FUN stuff from bliss and DHC!

I hope that your weekend was fun and that you feel happy, sane (!), organized (!) and loved.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Your weekend isn’t done yet till you’ve checked out the best posts from the gals over at The Beauty Blog Network!

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic - Christine Tries an AMAZING 2 Minute Mask from Become!
A Touch of Blusher – First Thoughts After Seeing Some Holiday 2007 Collections in Store
All Lacquered Up – Check out All Lacquered Up’s Contest & Giveaway
Beauty and Fashion Tech - Beauty and Fashion Tech looks at Tropez, a great value cosmetics line!
Beauty and Personality Grooming – Correcting a gummy smile
Elke Von Freudenberg - Elke fondly remembers reviewing one of her all-time fav lip glosses. Ever.
Etailers Mall – What etailer products do you use?
Face Candy – Dior Holiday Romantic Collection 2007
Hello Dollface - You Dont Have to Spend a Fortune on Skin care…
Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint – Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint: Whole Foods Suggests that we Be Good To Our Whole Body
Makeup Moxie – Makeup Moxie reviews Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara
Savvy Skin - Savvy Skin’s Best of Summer 2007
Temptalia – Alexander McQueen Review, Product Photos, and Swatches
makeup loves me – mineral fusion kit contest at makeup loves me!