Karen

Tabby Tea, Super Duper Extra Strength!

August 7th, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

On a Saturday a few weeks ago El Hub and I went down to touristy Pier 39 in SF to walk around and have lunch, and we strolled into this shop called The Spice & Tea Exchange.

They carry about a million different loose teas and cooking spices. Really cool, lots of interesting scents, and the sales associates were very nice (they actually create many of the tea recipes themselves).

I brought home a couple of teas for me…

…and a packet of dried Super Duper Extra Strength catnip for Tabs. I wonder if it fires up cat ladies like it fires up cats, LOL!

There’s even a recipe for catnip cookies attached, which are supposed to be for cats…but I’m craving one for some reason.

I’m thinking about making them for Tabs this weekend, but I suspect he won’t share.

The gal at the shop said that catnip is also a good bedtime tea, which is perfect because I have chronic insomnia.

I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ll let you know.

Have you ever had catnip in a tea or anything else?

Guerlain Aced Black Jack Eye Pencil

August 7th, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

The new Guerlain Black Jack Eye Pencil ($30)

You know I’ll always be your wing-woman, right? When you need a second opinion on that pair of bedazzled purple pumps (THE ANSWER IS YES!), or if you’re just in the mood to shoot the sh*t online from a Starbucks?

There’s just one thing: gambling. If you’re looking for a partner to play anything involving cards or dice, I’mma have to peace-the-eff-out, because I’m absolutely, positively the worst gambling buddy ever.

I was at a Blackjack table in Vegas a few years ago with my friend Jen when I noticed Jen’s cards, which she was holding secretly, and blurted out, “OOooh! That’s a really good hand, right?! YAY!!!”

I don’t even know if that was a faux pas or not, but everyone at the table suddenly stopped and glared at me. 🙂

Now, whenever we go to a casino together and Jen wants to play a card game, she parks me in front of Kitty Glitter and says me she’ll be back in half an hour…

So, cards aren’t my thing, but I’m glad I still took a chance on Guerlain’s Black Jack retractable Eye Pencil.

Why?

Because it’s all that and a bag of (Trader Joe’s Baked Potato) chips! Granted, it’s $30…but man! — it’s a contender for Best Eye Pencil of the Year. Like, you might unintentionally let out a pervy, “Oooooh!” when you see the deep, dark black swatch on the back of your hand.

Black Jack is one of five new retractable Eye Pencils in the new 21-piece Guerlain Voilette de Madame fall collection, which introduces new eyeshadow duos and eyeliners to the permanent line, along with new limited edition lip, cheek and nail products.

The formula is water-resistant and lasts for hours (from 8-10), even on my water lines, and it glides across my skin as if its sole purpose in life is to refrain from skipping.

I can’t handle liners that tug, and Black Jack doesn’t. It’s just so, so smooth…

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5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately, Beauty and Otherwise

August 6th, 2013 by Karen 19 Comments

I heart all five of these bad boys!

1. Ouidad Wave Create Sea Spray ($23)

Have you ever had coconut Lifesavers before? I don’t know if they still are, but they used to be in the Tropical fruit packs.

Dang, I sure loved those things…

I’d always eat the other flavors first and save the coconuts for last, and then devour them all one after another like Cookie Monster eats Chips Ahoys! until I reached a state of sugar-fueled ecstasy.

I haven’t had one in years, which makes me a little sad because I looked them up online today, and apparently the Tropical Lifesavers are going the way of the dinosaurs… (*tears*)

Oh, well. At least I’ll still have Ouidad’s new Wave Create Sea Spray. Stuff smells EXACTLY like coconut-flavored Tropical Lifesavers.

And it’s not just the scent I like. When I spray it on my wavy hair while it’s wet and let my hair air dry, I get perfectly tousled tresses, well-defined waves and lots of great volume — a little messy, but not too messy, which I like. None of that annoying crunchy business, either, you sometimes get with other beach wave sprays, blech! And my hair still looks pretty good on the second day.

Ouidad Wave Create Sea Spray — What it contains

The 6.4-ounce bottle sells for $23 at Ulta stores and ouidad.com.

2. Lollia At Last White Petals & Rice Flower Handcreme ($25 for a 4-ounce tube)

This has been my favorite hand cream for a while because of the majorly moisturizing shea butter formula and the powdery rice flower, mimosa and magnolia scent.

I love the refreshing fragrance, so I like that it lingers throughout the day, and because the cream absorbs quickly into my skin, my fingers don’t feel slimy or greasy…so I can keep typing away at Tabs’ memoirs without skipping a beat. 🙂

I keep the big, cheerful 4-ounce tube at my desk right where I’m bound to see it, and it can remind me to moisturize during the day.

It’s available now at Neiman Marcus and neimanmarcus.com.

There’s also a smaller 0.33-ounce tiny tube for $7.50.

3. Mr. Bob Harris

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Wear Golden MAC Woodwinked Eye Shadow and Your Favorite Purple for a Pretty Party Eye

August 6th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

MAC Woodwinked on my lids and Becca Cabrera along the lower lash line — MAC Woodwinked + your fave purple liner = magic!

This is not a post about the marvelous MAC Woodwinked Eye Shadow, although it could be. In Jack Kerouac On the Road-style, I could scribe a novel on a single scroll of paper about its many marvelous traits and why you need it in your life.

More accurately, this is a post about the magic MAC Woodwinked makes when you pair it with a purple liner or eyeshadow. When shimmery golden Woodwinked meets a violet, the combo creates more magic than Harry Potter!

They’re one of my favorite dinner party pairings, perfect when I want to up my eye game but don’t want to spend all night getting ready.

Why MAC Woodwinked?

Well, why not? It’s freaking beautiful! 🙂 But if you’re unfamiliar with this warm, shimmery gold…

It looks amazing with brown, green, hazel, gray and blue eyes.
It’s softer than a tabby’s tum, pigmented and blends like a breeze.
It goes well with just about every beige or brown I’ve ever seen.
I love it so much that I haven’t taken a trip without it in at least five years.
It’s freaking beautiful!

Whenever I wear the combo above, I usually apply Woodwinked on my lids and a purple along my lower lash and water lines, but wearing purple on the upper lash and water lines totally works, too.

If I’m feeling fancy and/or have a little extra time, then I’ll do some thick cat liner on my upper lash lines, and put on a pair of false lashes like the MAC 33s.

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Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour SPF 15 Face Powder: When It Comes to Chanel, There’s Nothing Boring About Beige

August 6th, 2013 by Karen 37 Comments

Leave it to Chanel to take something as seemingly boring as beige (seriously…the standard dull color of boring apartment walls everywhere) and turn it into something schmexy and worthy of being coveted.

Their new Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour SPF 15 face powders are doing just that.

From the elegant packaging to the cozy brush to the sheer, finely-milled powders (barely there on the skin, and perfect for natural-looking weekend makeup, or other times when you just want to look like yourself but a little put together), everything about it whispers “luxury…”

Chanel Les Beiges Packaging — Pretty packaging…

The line comes in seven shades with numerical names, No. 10 to No. 70. Right now I’m wearing No. 40, which is a perfect match for my mid-summer tan.

I’m kind of surprised by how well it works because I find that many beige products have a little too much pink for me. Many of them appear grayish on my warm skin tone, but at least for Nos. 40 and 50, which contain enough warm golden tones and also have a slight sheen, I’m not seeing any signs of gray.

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Laura Mercier Chic Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colour: Pigmented, Lightweight, Hydrating and Oh, So Smooth

August 6th, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

These new Laura Mercier Chic Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colours are smoother than Ryan Gosling’s rendition of Let’s Get It On at a karaoke bar.

Even if you’ve sworn allegiance to Team Lipgloss 4-eva (a phase I think every gal goes through…like wanting a pony), Laura Mercier’s Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colours ($24 each) could convert you to Team Lipstick.

Pigmented, lightweight, hydrating and oh, so smooth, it’s probably one of the most comfy new lipsticks I’ve tried this year.

The deets

Has a wax-free formula designed to deliver long-lasting, breathe-able color
Available in 15 shades and three different finishes (matte, sheer and creme)
The first letter of each color corresponds to the finish (this berry shade is named Chic, and it’s a creme)

He’s a Trendy Tabby

August 6th, 2013 by Karen 13 Comments

Even if he’s just lounging around the house, Tabs insists on wearing the latest trends. Here he’s trying out the look of layered necklaces.

You know he can’t say no to bling! 🙂

The Glamour Layer Necklace by Banana Republic ($45), available now in stores and online.

MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara: One for the Girls With Natural Lash Curls

August 5th, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

Is the new MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash mascara right for you?

Well, if you happen to be blessed with Zac Efron-like lashes, all super curly and bee-yoo-ti-ful, then perhaps, yes. In Extreme Dimension could be the best thing since pizza-scented Febreze.

(Actually, there’s no such thing as pizza-scented Febreze, but doesn’t it sound great?)

MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Tube — Cute curvy tube

That’s because its one weakness is holding curls, but if you’ve already got ’em, you’re golden.

Other than wimpy curl hold, it delivers lots of bells and whistles for girls/guys who love dramatic black lash looks — no clumps, no flakes or smudges, and you get lots of really lovely length, separation and volume (just shy of the epic Le Volume de Chanel).

Plus, it doesn’t make my lashes feel crunchy or weighed down, and removing it before bed is a snap.

MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Stubby Brush — The stubby brush is a cinch to use

But DAMN! What’s up with the curl? Immediately after I apply the first coat, the curl from my Shu starts relaxing. In no time flat, my naturally straight lashes are back to being straight, sans any curl or lift.

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