You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”
Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
- Are you more polished or punk rock?
Polished, for sure.But I think there’s a little punk rocky part of me waiting to come out one of these days, upon which she will start a revolution. 😉
- Houndstooth or leopard print?
I feel like it would violate a sacred covenant of cat lady-dom to say anything but leopard print, but it’s leopard print…MEOW!
- Bun or braids?
Braids please! — preferably messy ones. - When was the last time you wore false lashes?
Just last week. I’m still clawing and scratching my way outta my makeup rut, and I thought that putting on a pair of Eylure 117s would help.They did, but I haven’t worn falsies in months, so it took longer than usual… I’m out of practice.
It’s a perishable skill, you know, false lash application? You gotta do it regularly, or else the muscle memory thing with all the atrophy and stuff. Whatever. 🙂
- Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
Not just laugh. I cracked up for 20 minutes!I was doing some cleaning when I struck gold. I came across some old handwritten notes that my friend Jen and I passed back and forth in high school band. The notes were buried in a random file folder labeled “Misc stuff that I’m holding onto for god knows what,” which, now that I think about it, was a perfect label for that file.
Jen and I used to sit next to each other in band and would pass written notes back and forth to each other during rehearsal, and we did this almost every day for years.
One of the notes was written shortly after we’d gone on a double-date with two brothers from school (we went to a musical; I think it was Camelot), and the note was about how the date went, and how were were enamored with these boys (SO LAME). There were also random references to Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, and wanting to read so-and-so’s letter to so-and-so.
Just the mundane but now hilarious stuff from the minds of two 17-year-old girls.
Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
3. Bun or braids?
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
Good morning to you, my friend! Happy Monday. It’s the last day of August, and it feels a little bittersweet to me. Where did the summer go?
My main goal for today is pretty unambitious. I just want smooth sailing. Low stress — not that I’m feeling particularly anxious or anything. I’m just not in the mood to stress.
So my wish for you (and for myself) is to have a peaceful, productive day. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
~A little bit of both. I like accessories that are more punk rock that add to a polished look. You can totally change a look with swapping out a blazer for a moto jacket, for instance.
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
~A small amount of both – I think they make good accents but not statements.
3. Bun or braids?
~Both – I love a quick messy bun for working out, but I love braids for the free-flowing, Game of Thrones, Pocahontas look.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
~Never – my own lashes are pretty long and I can get by with a few coats of mascara.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
~Hanging out with my good friend Wendy in southern MD – the drive down there was so worth it! We are trouble together.
Hi Katherine!
Sounds like you had a fun weekend. How long have you and Wendy been friends?
It was great! I’ve known her since 2009, so 6 years. We talk a lot and help each other through the tough stuff. Sometimes it’s not necessarily who you know the longest that can be a close friend 🙂
That’s so true. Sometimes you find people and you just click. You’re lucky to have found a good friend like that! I find that it’s harder now to meet people outside of my usual circle of friends; I really want to though and am going to try joining some groups in my town just to network and talk to other gals. You never know…
If you lived closer I bet we’d have a ton in common! Wendy is actually an hour and a half from me – I live now in Carroll County (northern MD), and she lives in the southern MD area (southern MD as a whole covers Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert Counties). The trip was so worth it though and I loved spending the whole day with her and other people that I knew down there. I also have friends that I’ve known for a very long time, but it can be hard to see them because of schedules.
Good morning and happy Monday,
Getting started on my daily routine of coffee and some workouts. Then work (assistant duties and blogging) which take up a hefty part of my day. Prayerfully it will be peaceful and productive all wrapped into one beautiful day.
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
I’m definitely polished but the edge sneaks in there ever now and again w/ a studded accessory to throw onlookers off.
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Houndstooth. It’s classic and chic to me which goes back to that polished look I adore.
3. Bun or braids?
The combination of the two is simply gorgeous so I like to have a braided bun tossed up with some cute band around it.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
A few days ago, which is quite abnormal since I like to have them on every day.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
I’m always laughing so it’s really hard to pinpoint what moment actually made me laugh.
Good for you starting the day with working out, Amoure! What kind of exercise do you do?
Thanks Karen. Today was some mild cardio and strength training. I try to do at least two 25-30 mins workouts per day and some breathing and circulation exercises at night before bed.
That’s great! I find that when I exercise consistently I feel so much better overall. I’m off to take an hour-long walk in a bit… It’s one of my favorite parts of the day. 🙂
1. Are you more polished or punk rock? Punk rock absolutly! Always a rocker at heart 🙂
2. Houndstooth or leopard print? Leopard all the way baby – my fav pair of comfy pants are leopard print <3
3. Bun or braids? Bun in any way or form
4. Last time you wore false lashes? cant find my glue and keep forgetting to buy new
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend? peoples reaction to my date on saturday – especially the wait staff who kept staring when they thought I didn't see… I had a great evening but it was super funny
OK, Petra, now I need to know why the wait staff was staring at your date!
Because of the age diffrence – he is 20 years older than me.
Ahh, I thought he was wearing some kind of crazy costume or something! I kept imaging some guy dressed up as a bunny, LOL!
well that would be a sight – I don’t think I would be able to have dinner then I would be laughing too hard LOL
I’m guilty of an overactive imagination, haha! How did the date go? Did you two get along? Was the conversation good? And most importantly, did he get your jokes?
The date was pretty great. We were friends before we even considered starting to date so yeah, good conversation and yes, he got my jokes 🙂
So the staring was not really just at him but at the contrast, I could almost hear them thinking first: oh how nice he is taking his daughter to dinner and then – oh not the daughter… We know we raise a few eyebrows but we just laugh at it.
1. Are you more polished or punk rock? Both – depends on the context! More polished for work and more punk rock for play!
2. Houndstooth or leopard print? Both, but preferably not at the same time! And, (you guessed it!) Houndstooth for work and leopard print for play!
3. Bun or braids? Neither. I like my hair down and big!
4. Last time you wore false lashes? Never have. I’ve done a lot of things with makeup, including wearing green lipstick and purple blush, but that is the one thing I haven’t done.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend? My cat “Shakespeare” chasing his own tail. Never gets old!!!
Hi Heather,
Woo hoo, team cat! 🙂 How old is Shakespeare? Tabs is about 9.
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
Definitely polished, but I certainly appreciate a good punk rock look!
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Hm, I like both, but I’ll have to go with leopard print.
3. Bun or braids?
Bun. When I had longer hair, I would do a messy bun on days I didn’t wash my hair.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Never and I need to remedy that! I would love to try them.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
I can’t think of anything specific, but the cats’ antics usually make me chuckle.
Happy Monday!
Happy Monday to you too, Ruchita! Did you bake anything over the weekend?
Nope, I was kind of lazy this weekend and didn’t spend much time in the kitchen. I do have a lot of peaches from the farmer’s market, so I might have to make use of those soon. 🙂
Mmm, I’m thinking peach and blueberry cobbler girlfriend.
Oh great, now I’m hungry!
LEOPARD PRINT.
I am leopard-girl all the way! Always have been.
Leopard print rocks, meow!
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
Polished, but the punk comes out every now and then. 🙂
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Yes! I love leopard for accessories, houndstooth for clothes.
3. Bun or braids?
Bun, I’m terrible at braids.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Our anniversary dinner maybe? I keep meaning to make time to play with them on the weekend, but never seem to get there.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
We finally saw Jurassic World and some of the dialogue had me cracking up at inappropriate times…so bad! But at least it was entertaining. 🙂
Hi Trude,
You’re not the only one who laughed all that way through that movie, LOL! I think my eyes were rollin’ throughout the entire thing. S
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
Punk rock- but, I do dress up appropriately (polished) if the occasion calls for it.
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Houndstooth. I’m not a fan of leopard…
3. Bun or braids?
Neither.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Last year for a wedding! (I have long lashes)
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
I was watching “what about Bob”! always gives me a good laugh!
Hi Angie,
You’re so lucky that you have long lashes! I’m so jealous.
Hope you’re having a nice Monday so far. Anything exciting happening this week?
1. Are you more polished or punk rock? A little bit both!
2. Houndstooth or leopard print? Probably leopard!
3. Bun or braids? Probably braids! My slippery hair doesn’t hold them well though!
4. Last time you wore false lashes? A few weeks ago at a showcase at the circus gym!
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend? Hmmm, I mostly slept all weekend (it was very needed!) Probably just my husband and his usual antics and terrible puns.
Good for you for sleeping in and catching up on your zzz’s. How are the fur kids?
They’re good! They were nuzzling each other this afternoon, which is adorable, of course. I need to schedule a tooth trim for Quincy soon, but he likes all the attention he gets from the ladies at the veterinary clinic anyway.
Aww, the cutest. Fur baby snuggles, I love it!
Hope you feel all rested and relaxed from the weekend. I will have to live vicariously through your sleeping — I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in ages (aka three weeks)!
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
“Natural” and sometimes “glam”… So I’d say polished.
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Sorry… Neither on me.
3. Bun or braids?
Bun… Just because my thin hair didn’t do braids well.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Oh, forever.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
Me! When I sent an email to the wrong person!
Hi Vanessa,
Hope you’re having a nice Monday so far! How was your weekend?
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
I would say polished.
2. Houndstooth or leopard print? Definitely leopard.
3. Bun or braids? I’ve been rockin a bun lately but my hair just reached past my shoulders so I can finally get it into 2 braids.
4. Last time you wore false lashes? Almost 3 years ago to my cousins wedding.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend? Watching my 20lb cat Doug attempt to fit himself into a tiny Sephora box. And succeeding.
Hi Tracy,
Oh gosh, I hope you got a pic of Doug in that box! LOL!
Hi Karen – I actually did. It’s on my Instagram @swaybeauty if you want to check it out.
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
Definitely polished but I wish I could be more punk!
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Houndstooth, leopard is so edgy, although I love it in tiny doses
3. Bun or braids?
Braids, love them even though I am way too old for me.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
In college, about 20 years ago, eek!
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
Watching Young Wild and Polished bloopers on YouTube, she is hilarious!q
Hi Rebecca,
I’ll have to look her up! Thanks for the rec; I’m always looking for more people to watch.
Hope you had a nice Monday! Anything exciting planned for the week?
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
definitely polished, the only punk-rock thing I could “rock” (sorry…) is a smokey eye, or a leather perfecto.
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Neither: I find both horrible and vulgar (especially leopard lol)
3. Bun or braids?
hum… I see so many buns these days that I became quite annoyed by this trend (and the half bun, “brand new” bun is a horrible trend, but whatever). So, braid, especially on long long hair look gorgeous I think.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
I’ve actually never worn false lashes. I’m 20 yo yet I never just thought about it. Also, I’m very lucky to have long lashes, so I don’t really need it =) , and I think -most of the time-, it looks a lil bit “over the top”, so I don’t think it is for me. Maybe one day I’ll try individual falses which seem more natural
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
I watched tucker&dale vs evil. It’s quite gross but it always makes me laugh
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
Equal parts of both. I wouldn’t sacrifice one for the other.
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
I’m not one much for either but I’d choose leopard I think.
3. Bun or braids?
Both for sure.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Halloween 1999! I got talked into doing a costume contest with a friend. He went as Jack Skellington and I went as Sally. We won of course!
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
I just erased everything I wrote because it was about someone else. Trust me it was hilarious but inappropriate for me to tell without permission.
Thank you! Your wish worked. I had a peaceful and productive day here on the East Coast. 🙂
1. Are you more polished or punk rock? polished fo sho.
2. Houndstooth or leopard print? leopard, no question. Leopard is the new black.
3. Bun or braids? braids, loose is best
4. Last time you wore false lashes? I must confess it’s been several years. I’ve never properly gotten the hang of applying them. I would really love to get eyelash extensions but I have super sensitive eyes and I worry about having a bad reaction.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend? I watched an old episode of SNL with Christina Applegate as host. (Not Chris Farley and David Spade old, she hosted way back too) but this was like 2010 something. There was a really funny skit about tech media whining about the iPhone 5.
I’m so glad you had a good day. Your nephew is here in my office and he’s trying to look disinterested, but really, he’s saying hi.
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
I’d like to be all coy and say “Well, it depends on how you define ‘punk rock,'” but…meh. Polished. I wish I could say punk.
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Depends on the context but generally, houndstooth. Although, a pair of leopard print smoking slippers has been a wardrobe staple for a few years now.
3. Bun or braids?
My hair is usually too short for either. I’m lucky if I can get a stubby low-pony.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
9 years ago at Halloween? I just can’t. Don’t have the skills nor the patience to acquire them.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
My dog always makes me laugh! He’s a goofball.
1. Are you more polished or punk rock? Polished for sure
2. Houndstooth or leopard print? Leopard. Im probably the only one who doesn’t know what houndstooth is
3. Bun or braids? Messy bun. My hair is too layered for nice braids
4. Last time you wore false lashes? Never my lashes are too long but Im dying to try them to add some fullness
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend? My sister’s birthday family get together. Always fun!!
1 Are you more polished or punk rock?
Polished
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Leopard
3. Bun or braids?
My hair is buzzed so I would love long braids
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
A few years ago on my anniversary -had the girl at MAC do my makeup because she insisted so I made her do falsies
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
Talking to my oldest friend – we have been friends since the 60’s – geez I am getting old – but we laugh so hard – at everything – love to laugh
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
Punk rock all the way! If I look too polished, there’s a strong need to mess it up a little!
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Houndstooth for clothing, leopard for accessories. Not at the same time, though.
3. Bun or braids?
Messy bun, because it’s easier. Never mastered braids, and now my hair’s thinning.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Never. Afraid I’d be allergic to the adhesive.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
Running errands in my friend’s car, with ’80s tunes cranked and us singing along, loudly and quite terribly. It was awesome.
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
My personal style is a little more polished than not but punk rock is necessary to balance things out. And I LOVE flannel–super glad it’s making a comeback (it never left my town ^_^).
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Houndstooth on woven items or twill. Leopard is better for things like bathing suits.
3. Bun or braids?
Braids!
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
I really can’t remember. I don’t wear them too often.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
An audio book called Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray.
Man! Finding old handwritten notes from friends is THE BEST! It’s amazing how small the world is when you’re 15 years old and everything seems like the biggest deal on earth! 😀
1. Are you more polished or punk rock? Polished. After decades of working in an office, it happens, lol!
2. Houndstooth or leopard print? LEPZ 4 LIFE!
3. Bun or braids? Bun! I cut my hair earlier this summer and I cannot wait for it to be long enough to go in a high bun again.
4. Last time you wore false lashes? Last Friday for my friend Susan’s bachelorette party. I totally feel you on the muscle memory thing! The skill of applying lashes definitely fades faster than anything else when you don’t do it on the regular.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend? My husband referred to a statement necklace as a “bamble”! I love him.
I hope you had your day of smooth sailing! One of my best friends from work left to embark on a new job and I’ve been kind of in the dumps about it ever since I found out. This poll helped cheer me up, so thanks, Karen! <3
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
Punk rock, definitely. I tried to do the whole “polished” look but I couldn’t do it. It didn’t feel like me.
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Leopard print! All punk rockers need their leopard print.
3. Bun or braids?
Eh… braids, probably. I have a pixie cut so I can’t wear either, but when my hair was longer, I used to put it in two braids to keep it under control.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
Never. My eyelashes are thankfully nice enough for me not to need to wear falsies.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
Coming back from vacation (visiting the family, now feeling massively homesick as I live on the other side of the country from them, plus feeling sad because I hadn’t met up with a friend of mine – seeing them had been one of the big reasons for me planning the trip, and then our schedules just didn’t gel), and having my boyfriend do his darn best to cheer me up and make me feel better.
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
I am both, depending on the occasion. Maybe a bit more polished these days. Studs just aren’t the way to go when you carry a toddler around.
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Leopard.
3. Bun or braids?
Buns.
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
October 2013. We were going out to celebrate Mr. Locas birthday and I needed to glam up because I was pregnant and looking fat. To be honest we haven’t really been out since then…
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
My daughter, several times. Just the way she talks, tries to accomplish things, the way she is puzzled by things that happen around her. You get a lot of crying, sleepless nights and puke when you have children, but they make you laugh like nothing else.
Trying to catch up on all the posts I’ve missed but just HAD to comment on this. I love that you rediscovered those notes. I once found one from a college friend who I’d lost touch with MANY years before in a very old jacket that had been put in the back of the closet and forgotten. It was better than finding money! 🙂
1. Are you more polished or punk rock? In the middle, really.
2. Houndstooth or leopard print? I like both, but leopard print if I have to choose.
3. Bun or braids? Braids
4. Last time you wore false lashes? High school; I found out I was allergic to the glue.
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend? My hubby and I were watching TV in our motel room. It was the middle of the half hour, so we were waiting for programming to change. We found some action movie with Sean Bean dubbed in Spanish, so we spent 10 minutes or so making up our own translations of the dialogue.
1. Are you more polished or punk rock?
Definitely more punk rock (and/or goth, depending on how throw-backy to my teenage years I’m feeling). I try to be polished when I have to at work, but I really just want to wear crazy lipsticks and tight black everything!
2. Houndstooth or leopard print?
Leopard print for sure! My bedspread is leopard print, so is my favorite cardigan (carrying on with the more-punk-than-polished theme…).
3. Bun or braids?
If I could braid my own hair, it would definitely be braids, but I can’t. So bun. 🙁
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
I have never worn them. I’m too scared to put glue and plastic thingies near my eyeballs!
5. Something that made you laugh over the weekend?
Like a month ago, I was driving down the road and saw this person dressed as a bunch of grapes, holding a sign for a wine tasting. For some reason, I thought this was so hilarious, and I still crack up thinking about it. Why?!