The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed
May 13th, 2012 | Karen | Filed in: Just For Fun
Tags: weeklyroundup
Rise and shine, morning glory! 
I hope you slept well. I’m heading out to the East Bay today to visit my family and wish Mom a happy Mother’s Day.
We’re taking her out to brunch, and then just hanging out at the house. My folks are leaving for a three-month trip to the Philippines soon, so this will be the last time I see them before they go.
It’ll be weird with them away for so long…not that I’m a 36-year-old woman or anything, LOL! No matter how old I get, I still feel like a kid whenever I talk about my parents.
On the home front, I’ve resolved, yet again, to finally decorate my dining room.
I know, I know, I’ve said that before, but things are starting to reach critical mass. We’ve been living here for three years, and I’m still staring at moving boxes. So over it!
El Hub has no absolutely home decorating skills or interest in the project whatsoever, and I’m not naturally good at home décor either, so it keeps getting put off.
Mark my words (oh, boy…), by the end of summer, it’s getting done!
I started by bookmarking a whole bunch of room pics I found on potterybarn.com last night. I never knew this before, but they have this neat online tool where you can browse for decorating ideas by style and room.
I think my style’s somewhere between “Mediterranean” and “Global Chic.”
They also have some decorating how-to articles and a room planner that looks pretty neat.
Inspiration. I sure could use some, so if you have any ideas, send ‘em my way!
All kinds of inspiration, too. Not strictly home décor. Anything that gets your creative juices flowing, like this picture of 83-year old model Daphne Selfe does for me.
She’s been gracing runways and magazine spreads since the 1950s… Isn’t that incredible?
“I’ve never had anything done to my face,” Selfe recently told the Daily Mail. “Not that poison, not a face-lift. I think it’s a waste of money. Anyway, I couldn’t afford it!”
I was just checking out some of the pictures on makeup artist Troy Jensen’s website when I found her.
While I was there, I also drooled over this look he did on model Crystial Graham pairing blue mascara with a deep cherry lip stain and gloss, and bookmarked Makeup Makeovers in 5, 10, 15, 20 by makeup artist Robert Jones; photographer Veronique De Viguerie’s series, Women Around the World (be sure to turn on the captions to read the story behind the pics); and fashion photographer Melissa Rodwell’s very touching story (it made me cry) about losing her pet companion of 13 years, Lulu the dog.
On a lighter note, kittens! Have you heard? A litter of kittens was recently adopted by a Yorkie mom. And in other kitten news, did you know that there’s a a secret kitten ? Yup, it’s almost as enlightening as this gang of kittens discovering a tortoise for the very first time.
A few other things I’ve been using or thinking about lately…
- iCloud’s Find My Phone feature is beyond cool! I actually used it to find my iPhone this week, which I’d lost. Saw where it was on a map (it was at home; left it under a blanket). You can even remote lock, remote erase, and send messages to your phone from icloud.com. — icloud.com
- Evernote is like my day planner now. Best thing about it is that the phone app syncs with their website, so I can type long notes and lists quickly on the website using a regular keyboard that then appear automatically on my phone. I have to-do lists for home stuff, blogging stuff, trip planning, my grocery list, home furnishing ideas… Also, it’s totally free. — evernote.com (and various app stores)
- When I travel to the tropics, I like bringing a rugged waterproof camera with me, one that I can take swimming, snorkeling, hiking and kayaking. Not only can they take pics and video where regular cameras can’t, but they just make vacation more fun. I brought the Canon PowerShot D10 with me to Kauai last month (there’s also the brand new D20 now, which adds full HD video), and it did a great job. I used it for most of my outdoor pics. — Canon PowerShot D10
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Have a great day!
The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed
May 6th, 2012 | Karen | Filed in: Just For Fun
Tags: weeklyroundup
Supermoon! I’m so stoked. Last night’s supermoon was the first celestial special event I’ve seen in … I can’t remember how long. Whenever I hear about something like a meteor shower or a planet in perfect position to see with the naked eye, I get all excited, plan to stay up late, figure out when/where I’m supposed to be in my neighborhood to get a good look at it, but then I either forget, fall asleep early, or the clouds roll in to block my view!
Not last night though. It was a perfect confluence of astrological and earth-bound factors. The moon was big and bright and hard to miss. So beautiful.
I struggled a bit this week to get back into the swing of things, only because the week started with me having fun in the tropics. I think that means I had a really good time on vacation, because I wasn’t ready for it to end. I’m still doing that thing where you say, “This time last week I was [INSERT VACATION ACTIVITY HERE].” I mean, I like my office, but it’s not the quite the same as swimming in a tropical waterfall.
A few beauty (and otherwise random) posts that caught my eye this week…
- Get yer gradient nails! Here’s a pictorial tutorial — The Nailasaurus
- Trolls better watch out. 500 new fairytales have been discovered in Germany — The Guardian
- Loved this short lesson in perspective — The San Francisco Egotist
- Colorific brows — The Guilty Hyena
- Gotta get me some of this Sk:n Aloe Vera Gel — Let’s MakeYuUp
- This Avenging eye makeup is Marvel-ous — Makeup Your Jangsara
- Journalist and SF writer Cory Doctorow says a hypnotherapist helped him get over writer’s block — AdviceToWriters
- Deathly afraid of snakes, but these pictures are just so COOL! — but does it float
- 24 Best Travel Blogs and Websites — Fathom
- Spec-Tacular Makeup Tips For Eye Glass Wearers — JennySue Makeup
Oh, big news this weekend about recent makeup monster sightings, and a warning to be careful if there’s a fountain in front of your favorite mall…
Prodoctopus
Frequency: Rare
Speed: Medium
Armor Class: 7 (they regrow severed tentacles)
Special Attacks: Able to strike 8 times per round
Special Defenses: Underwater breathing; liquid mascara ink cloud
Intelligence: Medium
Alignment: Evil
Size: Large (20′ long, including tentacles)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed
April 22nd, 2012 | Karen | Filed in: Just For Fun
Tags: weeklyroundup
In Cat Bought a Zoo, a single 6-year-old tabby is going through a difficult time in his life. His kitty modeling career hits a snag when he loses a big job to an up-and-coming younger kitty. Tired and stressed, he quits, cashes out his life savings and buys a piece of property on the outskirts of town, which he decides to turn into a petting zoo/spa.
Highly recommended if you’re looking for a good family movie. It actually got an 85% on Rottentomatoes.
In other news, happy Sunday, friend. How’s it going over there? I’m sorry I’ve been so incommunicado in the comments lately. I’m trying to wrap up a couple of time-consuming projects, and I’m almost there. I have been reading everything, though, even when I haven’t had much time to reply.
No Makeup Monster sightings this week, so we’re safe for now, but you can bet they’re out there… Plotting… Waiting for their chance to strike.
It’s only a matter of time. It’s always only a matter of time.
A few beauty posts that caught my eye…
- A beautiful palette for beautiful eyes: the Josie Maran Argan Beautiful Eyes palette in Beautiful Purples — My Weekend Ramblings
- Out of this world! This purple, silver and black glitter feast for the eyes looks like a nebula on these nails — The Nailasaurus
- Croisette is a thoroughfare in Cannes. It’s also the name of this sunny, summery palette from Dior — Mostly Sunny
- Gotta get my hands (and cheeks) on RMK’s 15th anniversary cheek palettes fairy-ly soon — My Women Stuff
- Impromptu picnic time! — Oh Happy Day
- Accessorize blush in Quiver makes me want to take up archery — Bellachique
- Giorgio Armani Spring 2012: Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani Sheer Lipstick in 600 — Glitter Geek
- Tabs needs an Adidas track suit just like this one, ideally in kelly green to match his eyes — Luxirare
- For the typography and/or Star Wars fans — H-57 The Force of Typography
- I think I need these simple reminder of happiness cards for my desk — The Happiness Cocktail
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed
April 15th, 2012 | Karen | Filed in: Just For Fun
Tags: weeklyroundup
I’m starting to realize just how much I enjoy going to tea houses. On my second trip into the city this week, I had a hankering for tea and that smoked salmon quiche I had earlier in the week at Samovar Tea Lounge, so I went back on Thursday.
I love the whole experience of it, ya know, because you’re there, you’re eating, you’re socializing. Plus, you’re having tea! And you’re having it in cute little cups with matching saucers.
Which reminds me — have we ever talked about fine china? I don’t own any, but I’d love to have a nice set someday. Doing dishes the other day, I realized that I don’t own a full set of matching dishes. And I may never will, thanks to El Hub (sorry, sweetie, but it’s true). I love that man, but he has an uncanny knack for breaking plates, and quite frankly, it drives me bonkers.
I don’t know how one man can break so many dishes… It’s like his superpower. I swear, if I ever get a really nice set, they’re going to be off limits to him.
A few beauty posts that caught my eye…
- Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Shadows look lovely — We Heart This
- Want! This set of T3 Voluminous Hot Rollers– Cafe Makeup
- And speaking of curls, the ghd Style Curl Hold Spray looks intriguing, too — Let’s MakeYuUp
- Nom nom, coral nail polishes for spring! — The Beauty Look Book
- I like the idea of the natural, sheer matte finish of this Chanel Loose Powder — 25fLondon
- New lipstick shades from Le Metier de Beaute — The Non-Blonde
- Butter London Nail Stickers? Yes, please! — A Vain Woman
- A soft, blue eye look with Clarins — The Notice
- A tutorial with soft citrus colors to wake up your eye look — Beaut.ie
- Sounds like I need this Clarins Relax Bath & Shower Concentrate, stat — MakeUp4All
Oh, no. They’re back! Reports of a new makeup monster sighting are trickling in. Witnesses report seeing purple school buses and orange stop lights. Very unusual, indeed…
Color Chameleon
Although generally peaceful, they are quick to react when bright colors, interesting color patterns or large blocks of uninterrupted color threaten their territory. Using stealth and camouflage, they will stalk the colorful interloper, getting up to within a few feet of it, and then change its colors by proximity.
They derive sustenance by licking pigmented products. It’s kind of nasty…but not altogether dangerous.
Frequency: Rare
Speed: Medium
Armor Class: 5
Special Attacks: Proximity pigment change
Special Defenses: Camouflage
Intelligence: Low
Alignment: Neutral
Size: Medium (7′ tall)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed
April 8th, 2012 | Karen | Filed in: Just For Fun
Tags: weeklyroundup
It’s Easter, everyone! And I hope wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you’re having a wonderful day.
First thing this morning, while I was still asleep, El Hub sneaked out of the house on a quest to find hot doughnuts and coffee. Not an easy task at 7 on Easter morning (even Starbucks is closed), but he somehow succeeded! He must have found the only open doughnut shop in the county, LOL!
Yup, fresh doughnuts and coffee are a pretty good way to start a lazy day.
In other news, no makeup monster sightings today, but I’m sure they’ll be back soon… I bet they’re just busy with their families today.
If you feel like saying hi, I’d love to hear from you. Please drop me a line in the comments.
A few beauty posts that caught my eye…
- Happy Malteaster! — The Nailasaurus
- The Feline Force is strong with this one — vostre on YouTube
- T3′s video hair styling tips rule! — T3Micro on YouTube
- A nice step-by-step tutorial using MUFE Ultraviolet — Makeup Your Jangsara
- 3 lessons learned from one blogger’s second month of blogging (and here’s Part 1) — Linh’s Kitchen
- Do Sigma Beauty’s eye makeup brushes live up to the hype? — Jenn Staz
- Summer’s looking bronzy over at YSL — Glitter Geek
- How to create a lady-like Mad Men makeup look — JennySue Makeup
- Coral nail polishes for spring and summer — The Beauty Look Book
- Sephora + Pantone Color of the Year Tangerine Tango Creme Lipstick — My Weekend Ramblings
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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