Savvy Thinker

Authentic moments

Karin — Sun, 27 May 2012 05:28:17 +0000

Moments that are authentic can never be reproduced. You've got to make your own moment. Things work the first time and everything else is a copy. Jerry Springer

This isn't always true, especially making movies. Practice either makes perfect and fresh, or it's a one-take kind of director. I admire someone who can take the same words and make them fresh each time. It's fun to see the outtakes at the end of the DVDs now.

I do think you have to make your own moments. Moments don't always fall into your lap. I can think of at least two things, more actually, where actions I took (or open doors I went through) changed the course of my life. If I hadn't made those moments, I'd be in a different place, and I'd be a different person.

I think all my life I've been copied to one extent or another. Or, let's say, I'm not a follower. Ouch. Sometimes I laugh because I am either a trend setter or so far behind, it is new again. A small example is that for a while now I've liked to wear multiple bracelets, either ones I've beaded or been given. That way I get to enjoy them. If it is around my neck, I can't see it. My 9 yo is wearing about 50, literally, plastic bracelets on her one arm. She got these at the skating rink trading her coupons, and then others gave her theirs. I say she looks like me only moreso.

Suddenly every major designer, jewelry or clothing, in trendy department store catalogs is showing multiple bracelets or a bracelet that looks like a multiple. I was first -- or I was behind!

It is a compliment to be copied unless it gets out of hand, as it did once, but then she moved, so it stopped.

Growing up in the clothing business, it was good to be copied. It meant they'd shop with us. And maybe even the few times I went on buying trips as a child, opened my eyes to realize the next new thing that would be hitting the stores in the next season. So I was already ahead of the game in newness or at least in recognizing that things would not always stay the same. Change was the order of the day.

I know of some folks who won't even tell what fragrance they are wearing, because they don't want anyone to know for whatever reason(s). I always like to ask. It's interesting to me to hear it is a fragrance that smells completely different on me. I know no matter how many times I try it, it wouldn't be my signature scent as it is on them. I've never run into anyone yet who was wearing a niche fragrance or anyone else who layers up like I do though I know others who have.

Everyone's life holds authentic moments, even if it involves following a trend. It's your life, live it as you wish! Make it your own. Who cares if you are first or not, or if you simply march to a different drummer? We only go round this world once, so be sure to eat all the chocolate the first time around!

Which are you? a follower? a trend setter? march to a different drum? All, at various times? Which do you feel most comfortable with?

Karin

Originally posted 2007-04-27 15:07:59.

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Review: NYX Round lippies

Karin — Sat, 26 May 2012 17:10:49 +0000

This is the first time I've ever worn a NYX lippie. How can you go wrong for $2.00 at Cherry Culture (regularly $3.50)?! The colors are certainly lovely. They are definitely worth a try.

In a way, they remind me of the old Artmatic, Emerge (sold at Phar-Mor for .69, discounted from $1.19) or Wet n Wild. They all had striking colors. Until I saw my label, I hadn't thought they'd be under $2 -- but we are talking way back when.

This is a mix of Louisiana (a light, bright color, in for this season)(the SA at MAC was wearing a similar color) and Fusion (a medium toned, orchid pink with a shimmer).

The picture was taken about 2 hours after I applied it. So it has good staying power.

This lippie is moist, but not gooey. My lips still feel comfortable (and I didn't put a balm underneath.) There is no discernible taste or smell. It feels good, but not luxurious, the way a Chanel or even a Lancome lippie feels.

I asked myself, if someone told me this was a Chanel or a Lancome lippie, would I know the difference in feel, scent or taste? Well, yes as to scent or taste, since I'm familiar with both of the other brands. And it feels different. And Chanel, especially, has very designer type colors, worth the price for that.

Is that any reason to turn it down because of reverse snobbism?

Have you tried any of the colors? What are your faves?

Karin
5 for value
5 for color selection
3 because you can't tell if the color has shimmer or not when you order
5 for moisture level
5 for nice packaging, love the way the color shows on the bottom of the tube; love the saying: lip smacking fun colors -- they are!
4 not luxurious, but whadya want for $2/$3.50?

Originally posted 2009-03-06 23:47:18.

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Review Green Hornet (no spoilers)

Karin — Sat, 26 May 2012 04:46:05 +0000

We were more than pleasantly surprised when we went to see Green Hornet. It has your usual comic book mayhem, but it is well cast (even Seth Rogan was a surprise in it.) And surprise again, Rogan was one of the writers. And it has moments of laugh out loud (literally) humor.

I am not familiar with the comic at all nor the radio or other series based on the Green Hornet.

The story
Britt Reid (Rogan) is a dissolute playboy who has angered his father over his ne'er do well tendencies since his youth. Of course, in his youth he was not in the wrong, he was trying to right one. His dad is constitutionally unable to hear him.

Then his father dies of a reaction to a bee sting, thrusting his son into the reins of his father's newspaper.

But all is not what it seems.

On a night when Reid decapitates his father's statue with his father's assistant Kato (a kung fu expert) driving, Reid rescues (comically) a young couple from a gang of hooligans. Kato comes to the rescue of Reid and manages to single handedly fend off the gang.

They are now a team of gangbusters, fighting evil, not quite super heroes, but seen as though they were the bad guys too. That is the twist.

Enter Cameron Diaz in another of her beautiful, clever, humorous parts that she does so well. She becomes immediately Reid's personal assistant and the brains behind (though she doesn't know it) the Green Hornet.

Reid uses his influence at the paper to build up the bad guy images of the Green Hornet team, all the while fighting crime in reality with Kato's souped up car and other gadgets.

My take
Reid and Kato (Jaye Chou) play off each other well, to great comedy. Their timing is impeccable. Diaz is her wonderful, normal self, fun to watch, playing a strong character, as always.

The other supporting actors are equally good: Tom Wilkinson plays Reid's father. Edward James Olmos is chief honcho of the newspaper. David Harmour is the smarmy politician...Christoph Waltz is Chudnofsky, the amoral, wicked bad guy who doesn't take criticism well ...

I rate it 2.5 or 3* out of 4. We had fun with it.

Have you seen it?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2011-01-25 09:07:03.

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FOTD Lancome Redux + Fyrinnae eyes

Karin — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:31:38 +0000

I said yesterday that I wanted to go to the Lancome counter and see if I could apply the mineral foundation and have it turn out well. I didn't want to go sans all makeup, so I did my eyes with some of the new colors in my Fyrinnae haul.

Don't laugh! I look like death warmed over. I hoped that the final product would be balanced. You've seen me now with practically no eye makeup (the Beauté post) and now with no foundation. Trust me, you likely will not see me minus both!

I'm still playing with the Fyrinnae eye colors to get the technique down pat (pun intended -- you pat these, not swipe them) -- and if you can't have fun with makeup, why bother! I have a place on my eyes that always needs a touch more color. When I did it today, tapping in the brush, unknown to me, what was left on the brush was basically black, not the blue or green -- yikes! I won't make that mistake again. Before I did that and after, I used a damp brush to soften the top edges.

Fyrinnae Created Lippie: Ryunome + Visual Kei, lightly

Eyes, all Fyrinnae, unless noted
Base: Too Faced
Lid, lightly: Nijiro, light beige
Outer corners: Fujiro, bright blue, applying it lightly, it looks semi-matte, not bright and glistening, as I expected -- but looking at these pictures, the color no longer looks matte at all
Inner corners: Dark Fantasy, deep green -- free sample with order -- this shows up well in a picture toward the bottom
Dry lined lower: Javan Rhino, bright light turquoise
Tightlined upper: Avon cosmic brown pencil
Mascara: Too Faced bright blue, first time I used it, the brush felt awkward

Then I went to the Lancome counter and applied the mineral foundation myself, with a little coaching. The technique is the same as for BE. The SA told me that you can use any translucent powder, but we used the mineral as she did yesterday.

I didn't do anything else, except apply Groupie lighter than she did yesterday. We used the same blush, which has a touch of apricot in it. I forgot the color again, but I know where it is in the tester unit. [Update: Sheer Amarose]I didn't touch my eyes again. Amazing how it all goes together, once it's finished! I can't remember a time when I did my complete eyes first -- it's really strange looking at it that way instead of knowing how it will complete the rest of the face.

I think Nude Frost offers a better base. You can see it has drifted a bit. OTOH, I applied eye cream over the Too Faced base, then more base, as I wanted to use the cream on my upper lids too.

My take:
I think the foundation is terrific! It was easy to apply. In the future, I need more on my outer face. The SA told me to apply from the outer lower face into the middle so there would be less foundation in the middle. I wanted a sheer look, but with coverage.

The brush is a dream.

What do you think?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-15 15:46:39.

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Review Serums Estee Lauder

Karin — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:23:48 +0000

Estee Lauder
Re-Nutriv
These might be excellent serums, but you couldn't prove it by me. I prefer EL Perfectionist [CP+]. I have been told at least one of these serums is made to replace and include Perfectionist and Idealist (and possibly Night Repair.) For myself, I prefer to use individual serums depending on what my skin seems to need. Plus often gwp include small sample sizes of these individual serums so you can get a pretty good feel for how one of them works for you.

Intensive Lifting Serum $180

...continuous repair linked to continuous protection...a visible smoothing of lines...skin becomes silky-young to the touch...helps skin increase its own collagen production.

Ultimate Lifting Serum $200

Immediately creates a more lifted feeling. With continued use, exclusive OGG1 technology helps skin reduce the look of past UVA damage. Powerful boosters help skin increase
its own natural collagen production.

Use it faithfully for skin that looks more lifted, firmer, more defined and younger.

Perfectionist [CP+] Wrinkle Lifting Serum $125 for 3.4 oz or $80 for 1.7 oz or $55 for 1 oz.
This one seems to do it all -- it lifts and fills in. Peptides™ begin to amplify collagen production in just 2 hours based on in vitro testing. When I apply it to the back of my hand, I see and feel immediate results. I figure it is doing the same on my face. I never go past an EL counter without putting some on the back of my hands.

Here's what EL says:

It’s our most effective wrinkle fighter ever.
Wrinkles appear significantly reduced instantly and all day long.

See a dramatic 61% reduction in the look of deep, prominent wrinkles in as fast as 4 weeks.

[It] reduces the appearance of lines, wrinkles and age spots...Instantly skin looks less lined.

* See a 36% reduction in the apparent length, depth and number of lines and wrinkles.
* Fills in and visibly immobilizes wrinkles with a flexible elastomer.
* Skin looks brighter, fresher, more lineless.

Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher
Estee Lauder says:

Virtually poreless.
* Pores appear 1/3 smaller—instantly.
* See a 69% reduction in the look of pores in just 4 weeks.
* Repairs the look of uneven skin texture,flakiness and roughness.
* See more clarity and luminosity.

Advanced Night Repair
Synchronized Recovery Complex
This won 'Best Serum' Beauty Awards 2009 Fitness Magazine, October 2009. It contains Hyaluronic Acid. I use this when I need a moisture boost. I also use it in the daytime.

This comprehensive, high-performance anti-aging serum-inspired by groundbreaking DNA research-brings your skin a dramatic reduction in the visible signs of aging.

This advanced formula-with 20 patents worldwide-includes all the benefits you love about the original, plus more to help your skin repair itself like never before:

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-01-28 19:47:47.

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Lucinda Williams, Joy

Karin — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:20:48 +0000

A three-time Grammy Award winner, she was named "America's best songwriter" by TIME magazine in 2002. I noticed that she was featured on my site, even though I had not put any of her music on yet. There is not a lot at youtube.

Mary Chapin Carpenter recorded her song Passionate Kisses.

You took my joy and I want it back. I'm goin' to West Memphis/Slidell and look for my joy.

Fight for your joy.
Karin

Originally posted 2007-02-06 08:36:16.

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On winning an Oscar

Karin — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:10:21 +0000

It's flattering to have two, but they haven't changed my life or my career. My work continues as it did before -- an adventure, full of passion and uncertainty. Of course, I'd like to win another one, who wouldn't? Pedro Almodovar; won for Best Foreign Language Film All About My Mother, 1999; Best Original Screenplay, Talk to Her, 2002

I love thinking of life as an adventure, full of passion and uncertainty. Taking risks, partaking of the adventure and the uncertainty, is one measure to me of whether I live a life well-lived. I have gone outside my comfort zone on a number of occasions. The alternative would be to narrow my life more and more. No can do!

How about you? do you look for passion and adventure in your life?

Karin

Originally posted 2007-02-21 10:12:57.

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A life that is well lived

Karin — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:58:02 +0000

This comes from a friend of mine who helped another friend celebrate her 102nd birthday! I asked her to tell me something about her friend. I think we tend to hear more of decrepitude than elders who are still going strong. I like to collect stories of folks living life well into their elder years. It counteracts what we hear way more of than we should for our own good.

Karin

My friend who is celebrating her 102nd birthday this week, is so inspiring to me. She stays up to date with news and current events and is always interesting to talk to. She knows what's going on and often has a thoughtful comment to offer. She has friends of all ages. I know that each of her friends feel just as I do.....they visit her because they WANT to, not because they feel obligated. They enjoy talking to her and they enjoy being with her.

One day, when she was 98 years old, I took her to the bank because she had two c.d.'s that were coming due and she wasn't sure what to do with them. I waited while she went in and talked to the bank officer. A few minutes later she came out of his office and with a little smile on her face, she told me that she had renewed the cd's for another two years. We both kind of chuckled at her decision, but that was just another example of how she lives each moment of her life, always living in the here and now. I don't know what she did with the cd's when they came due again. She would have been 100 that year and I'd be willing to bet that she renewed them for another two years. (and if so, it's now time to renew them again!) She lives each day with anticipation and appreciation.

About two years ago the apartment building which she had lived in for more than 25 years was being turned into condos and everyone had to leave unless they wanted to buy a unit. She knew she would have to leave, and after much help from several friends she moved from her spacious two bedroom apartment into a much smaller one-bedroom apartment a few blocks away. She could not fit all of her furniture into the one bedroom apartment, but instead of selling the furniture that she couldn't use, she rented a storage unit and stored the excess furniture.. I saw that as one more example of her living for the moment. She seldom talks about the past unless she has an interesting story to tell you. She's a real inspiration!

You asked me to include any comments that she might have made at her birthday party about life or birthdays, but she just simply thanked everyone for being there and for their kindness. She seems to take each birthday in stride without ever making a big deal about it . Amazing! Love, J.

Originally posted 2007-02-18 14:00:35.

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50 ways to leave your lover, Paul Simon

Karin — Wed, 23 May 2012 03:47:58 +0000

It's only fair to present the other side, after Valentine's Day. I always thought this song was clever.

It might add a little humor to life if we thought of another word for lover -- perhaps job or resentment or anger or...we aren't stuck in unhappiness in life if we look for a way out. Sometimes that might even mean staying under new circumstances.

Karin

Originally posted 2007-02-16 07:59:39.

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Colinette Absolutely Fab Throw as shawl

Karin — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:37:11 +0000

This is really a gorgeous kit and comes in an array of colors. Directions in each kit include a number of ways to knit the throw.

I really didn't want to commit myself to that much time -- or expense -- and some of the yarns have wool in them, so I felt the throw would get very little use.

I decided to see if one of my mini poncho patterns would work, since the number of stitches was the same. I knitted the design, following the pattern for yarn, until it was long enough to go around me. Then I made fringe to hold it along the top. For the fringe to hold, it has to pass through both sides; hold them even, and make a single knot. It is not attached like normal fringe. The shawl drapes on the bias.

I figured if I didn't like it, I could just keep knitting, and I'd have the throw. Just the same, I was a bit anxious to see if it would do as I hoped.

I have nearly enough yarn, or I have enough, to make a second shawl, especially if I would fudge the pattern and use the yarn down to the last inch. There is definitely enough if I were to make it for one of my children or a smaller adult. Whatever odd bits of yarn could be incorporated into the fringe.

I was happy with the way it turned out. What do you think?

Karin
www.savvythnker.com

COLINETTE Mohair knitting yarn - Earth (50g)

US $14.50

7h 20m

COLINETTE Mohair knitting yarn - Black (50g)

US $14.50

7h 22m

COLINETTE Mohair knitting yarn - Ecru (50g)

US $14.50

7h 24m

COLINETTE Mohair knitting yarn - Gaugin (50g)