So…what is the Monday Poll?
Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start.
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee?
It was in elementary school approximately one billion years ago, give or take. I was in third grade. It happened on the street by our house, right as I was walking by the corner.
I remember putting my arms around myself at the time like I was giving myself a big hug. I don’t remember why, but I was doing that, and I guess a bee got stuck in the cable-knit pink vest I was wearing… ? So, my arm touched where this bee was stuck, and I got a very deep, very intense bee sting right then and there.
I vividly remember running home and my dad taking out the stinger.
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist?
Oh, girlfriend, don’t even think we’re going to drive by a Baskin-Robins ? without stopping by. We are doing this, babe! I need my scoop of pralines and cream in a sugar cone.
NEED. IT.
3. Your thoughts on waxing?
Do it! — and do it yourself at home, because it’s 1) cheaper, 2) less mortifying, and 3) did I already mention that it’s cheaper?
It’ll take a while if you’ve never done it yourself before, but you’ll get the hang of it, and when I say do it at home, I’m saying do EVERYTHING at home. Mustache, brows (be very careful though), lady parts, ‘pits. Do it all at home. You have the power!
4. Comb or brush?
Hmm… This seriously gave me pause, because you can do a lot of cool things with combs, especially teasing combs, but I’m going to have to go with a brush. They’re just so practical.
5. Something that smells funny to you?
Squid. YUCK! It has a very distinct smell, and I can’t stomach it.
OK, so I gotta know…
Does anybody else plan their makeup looks ahead of time for the week? I just starting doing it a few weeks ago, and I looooove it. Weirdly enough, I feel like planning my makeup looks ahead of time frees up my imagination, because then I don’t feel the last-minute pressure during the week.
Anyone!?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Question time! Here they are to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon!
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee?
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist?
3. Your thoughts on waxing?
4. Comb or brush?
5. Something that smells funny to you?
P.P.S. I hope your mascara stays smudge-free all week long. ?
1. In high school about 16 years ago, I was in a pool after a soccer tournament six hours from home and got stung. I don’t remember it being that bad though. Also it was a hornet or a wasp.
2. Werther’s originals??♀️
3. Get my eyebrows done by a pro, she has a plan, and I’ve known her forever.
4. Brush.
5. A spice in falafels or Mediterranean cooking, it smells like BO to me but delicious to others. I also haven’t identified the spice yet.
I usually just do my makeup based on how I feel that morning and what I have going on that day. No pre planning here.
Jade! How are you? I hope you had a nice weekend. This is a little off-topic but I wanted to tell you I had the nicest visit with Mama Kitty and her babies yesterday. I am crushing on Mama K and one of the little girls, Rosie. Two cats (or really any cat) would be a lot for us right now because we have a ton going on in our house with the remodel, plus I have some personal projects I’d like to move along ASAP, but I can’t help get this crazy idea of two kitties out of my head. El hub is firmly against it! We’ll see how he feels in a few days after Connor and I work on him a little. LOL
Thank you for always being so kind and supportive!
Thank you, it was very relaxing.
That’s amazing!! Even if nothing comes of it, these are good, positive feelings. I am obviously a huge proponent of two pets because then they have a buddy, and I feel a lot less guilty about being gone a lot or being busy.
Thanks for working on and being the little corner of the internet that is always positive 🙂
That’s a good point. Sometimes I still feel like I have all this love to give Tabs and there’s no where for it to go. I miss him so much. We still talk about Tabs all the time (we were just chatting about him while we had dinner… cheese enchiladas! I’m on a kick.), but it’s my hope that we can all get to a place where our home is a haven for ALL THE ANIMALS.
Sending you a hug!
Happy Monday! I definitely plan my makeup looks for the week. In fact, they’re planned for about 5 years in advance. Same. thing. every. day. HAHA!
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee? A couple of years ago. Yellow jacket caught in the netting of the clothes sorter. I grabbed the edge to reach to the bottom and thought a sharp piece of metal drove THROUGH my finger. Hurt like a son-of-a-gun for days.
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist? I can always resist sweets. They’re not my thing. 🙂
3. Your thoughts on waxing? Go for it. I used to wax ye olde lip but, these days, there are so few hairs that I just tweeze. Shave and trim the other parts. But I’m all for waxing if needed/wanted.
4. Comb or brush? Comb. I like to keep my curls and brushing just creates frizz.
5. Something that smells funny to you? I dislike the smell of fish/seafood; worms after it rains; used cooking oil and old fryer grease; most florals in personal care or cleaning products.
You’re too funny! Hey, at least you’re prepared, right?!
I’ve got the makeup planning locked down so now I can move on to other things. 😉 Hope you are having nice weather. It suddenly became very “fall” here. The boys had a soccer game last night and I could see my breath by the end (at like 8PM). Quick weather transition!
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee?
7 or 8 years ago I was stung by a wasp. The initial pain wasn’t bad but it was itchy for weeks after because of the venom.
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist?
Chocolate! And pretty much anything with sugar! I am very addicted right now and I need to wean myself off.
3. Your thoughts on waxing?
Yes. I do my stache at home but leave the privates to a pro.
4. Comb or brush?
Brush. If I am packing to go somewhere I usually only bring a brush.
5. Something that smells funny to you?
This is going to sound weird but fingernails! Every time I clip or file my nails they have a distinct smell that is…strange.
No I don’t plan my makeup looks out really unless it is Halloween or a special occasion. I wear very minimal makeup to work and basically the same products every day. But I can see how planning would help mentally. I read an article about this guy who wore the same thing everyday so that would be one less decision he would have to make each day, thus leaving energy and imagination for other decisions throughout the day. Totally makes sense to me!
Hi Rachel,
I have to say there’s something freeing about having the looks planned beforehand! Especially for things I have to do in the morning (like putting on makeup); I definitely feel mentally “lighter.”
Hope you’re having a lovely day so far!
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee?
Not since I was a kid.
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist?
Lately I’ve been obsessed with Japanese cheese tarts. Basically anytime I’m in downtown SF I have to swing by Bake in the Westfield Center and get an original and a chocolate.
3. Your thoughts on waxing?
Love the results but cannot deal with the ingrowns, no matter how well I exfoliate my skin ends up super bumpy.
4. Comb or brush?
Neither, I have curly hair.
5. Something that smells funny to you?
The sweetness of a lot of cheap perfumes, total headache and nausea inducers.
Oh, I love those tarts! I haven’t had one in years though. When I lived in SF, I used to live a few blocks away from a bakery that made them, and I would always grab a few whenever I was in the neighborhood! YUM.
I would love one or three right now.
I wish I could remember the name of the bakery I used to go to! They had the most buttery crust and silkiest filling. YUM!
1. In high school. I think I was a junior. It was at a band party on a lake. And I STEPPED on a bee and got stung. I looked for my crush to help me, and he did. Carried me, even. ☺️ We’re married now. ?
2. Mochi ice cream. Sweetest, cutest little pockets of icy creamy goodness!
3. I’m intrigued by your diy endorsement! I get my brows waxed by a lady I lurve in town. We swap stories about our preschoolers while she rips my hair out. ?
4. Brush! Though I rarely use it. I’m trying to use it more now that my hair is dyed and needs extra tlc.
5. Weed. ? Don’t like it. Can’t do it. I try to act casual when I’m around it but ugh. I know I’m uncool.
I’ve never planned my makeup looks in advance really but this week my goal is to wear red lipstick every day. I have a few shades and I want to give each their time in the sun this week. ?
Jaclyn, that is the CUTEST story! How long have you guys been married? And have you been together since high school?
Aw thanks! We met in HS but broke up a few times. In the end the breakups didn’t stick and now we’ve been married 13 years. ? He’s still handsome as hell. ❤️
I love a good love story. I wish you guys all the best! It’s wonderful to hear when people can find each other again, even after a few breakups.
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee? I don’t remember. Middle school, I think.
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist? I can resist anything if I want to. I love chocolate, though.
3. Your thoughts on waxing? Just my brows and upper lip. I shave the rest. I’m too chicken to try home waxing.
4. Comb or brush? Brush
5. Something that smells funny to you? Canned tuna
OK, burning question: milk or dark chocolate?
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee?
11 years old. I stepped on it BY ACCIDENT I SWEAR. ;;;;;____;;;;
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist?
Think protein bars, creamy or chunky peanut butter flavor. KRYPTONITE.
3. Your thoughts on waxing?
Terrific. However, I don’t want to fork over the cash so now I just tweeze. Even that area. O__o
4. Comb or brush?
Comb.
5. Something that smells funny to you?
Those trees. Y’all know what I’m talking about….
Happy Monday, Karen! I used to plan my makeup looks but now I just do what strikes my fancy in the morning, and that will depend on what I decide to wear, which is also a last-minute decision. LOL
I like the go-with-the-flow vibe you have going on! 🙂
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee? Maybe 3 years ago? We were at my family’s camp on the beach and I stepped on one. So incredibly painful! I can’t imagine the trauma that people who are allergic to bees go through. All that intense pain plus you might die!
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist? Pie, brownies, cookies, homemade caramels. Caramel covered-apples. A better question for me would be what sweet treat I can resist and that would be cake. I can totally pass up cake.
3. Your thoughts on waxing? It’s best left to the professionals. If you’re going to encourage use to wax at home, I think we need video tutorial.
4. Comb or brush? Comb. It’s easier to get through my hair, which is thick in place, thinner in others, with a comb.
5. Something that smells funny to you? I can’t stand the smell of fish sauce. I love it in a dish but the smell of it almost makes me gag.
Your poor foot! That must’ve been awful!
Oh my gosh, we were at the park the other day and there were bees burrowing in the sandbox. I was terrified for all the babies and tried to keep them away from the area it was happening the most.
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee?
Elementary school? It’s only happened once.
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist?
Brownies! Fudgy, please. Cake brownies are an abomination.
3. Your thoughts on waxing?
I like to get my brows waxed. I’m okay with chin, ‘stache, and legs. I’ve never tried anything else.
4. Comb or brush?
Wet Brush after I get out of the shower, definitely. I love that thing; it’s a miracle worker. Round brush for blow-outs. I have a good teasing brush I like. Well, okay, brushes, now that I think about it, lol.
5. Something that smells funny to you?
I can’t deal with the smell of broccoli cooking. I like broccoli, I just can’t handle the smell. And sometimes eggs. I think it’s the amino acids letting off that sulfur smell.
Planning ahead your makeup looks. That’s a whole new level of organized I don’t think I’m ready for, but am hugely impressed by. Do you plan them according to your outfits or do you plan your outfit according to the makeup look? I’m fascinated.
Hi Suzanne,
I do the makeup/hair (!) planning first and then the clothes follow. Most of my outfits are pretty neutral/basic these days so they don’t clash with the looks (that helps a lot). We’ll see how long it lasts… I do have to say that having it all planned out beforehand is certainly freeing.
And now that I think about it, when broccoli is on the stove it smells pretty nasty to me too, LOL!
It sounds like you have a capsule wardrobe. That’s smart. I’ve been thinking about that, or at least a modified version. I have clothes busting out of my closets and drawers, but nothing to wear.
I’m all about roasting veggies these days. (That cuts way down on the sulfur smell, btw.) In fact, I’m all about sheet pan suppers these days. What can I spend 15 minutes cutting up and putting on one or two sheet pans? If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll put a grain in the rice cooker. That’s supper on many, many nights. And my people are so tired of take-out after the season of crazy we’ve had, they’re actually excited by this!
I wish I could say I did it on purpose, but the truth is I Kon-Mari’d most of my clothes, LOL! I was holding onto so many things that I just didn’t wear, and cleaning out my closest resulted in clothes that I don’t mind! Most of them are very basic — plain tees, shirts with simple patterns, jeans, simple jackets. I try to dress things up with jewelry and scarves sometimes, or interesting shoes. I used to be the person who liked to be EXTRA with her clothes, but that’s not where I am in life right now. I don’t have the room or energy or the budget. Plus everything ends up being used to wipe hands or snot or paint. LOL!
If you run into any good one-sheet recipes please send them my way!
My favorite recipe is Cold-Oven Chicken. You put boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a sheet pan (I line mine with parchment paper for easy cleanup). The chicken can be as simple as a little olive oil with salt and pepper, or it can be marinaded (we like Huli-Huli marinade), whatever you like. Then you put it in a cold oven and set the temperature to 450 degrees. Let it bake until the chicken hits 165 degrees, which is exactly 17 minutes in our oven. If you don’t let it go over 165 and you let it rest for a good 5 minutes before serving, that is the most tender and moist chicken breast you will ever put in your mouth.
Oooh, you know what I just started doing? When I rest baked chicken breasts, I put a bowl over them! I swear this is the key to the juiciest, tender chicken.
Happy Monday!
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee? In high school, laying out on my deck, i felt my toes being pinched, got stung on 2 toes, ouch.
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist? Anything caramel or cake with a good frosting.
3. Your thoughts on waxing? I’m all for it but not at the age I need to other than my upper lip
4. Comb or brush? Brush. I have thick wavy hair.
5. Something that smells funny to you? I love eggs but get nauseous at the smell of them cooking sometimes.
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee? Never stung by a be, was bitten by a yellow jacket about 30 years ago. Was at a garden party political fundraiser and the yellow jacket got inside my dress. It hurt like heck. The hostess let me use her powder room because that sucker was still inside my dress and I needed to get it out. Needless to say I begged Dear Boyfriend (now Dear Husband) if we could leave early. I swear that bug knew I was from the opposite political party.
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist? Ice cream/gelato, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Chocolate anything.
3. Your thoughts on waxing? Never tried it.
4. Comb or brush? Either.
5. Something that smells funny to you? Don’t get me started. Dear Husband says I have the nose of a hound dog. Which is why we’ve never had a dog, I think they smell like wet rags. Cats smell better to me. I also don’t like the smell of iron like on unfinished kettle bells or pull up bars at the gym. And I can tell if someone smokes from about 10 feet away even if they’re not smoking at the time. I also hate the scent of most hair products, which is why I always beg my hairstylist not to put any product in my hair.
I can barely plan my workouts or what I’m cooking for the week, so no I don’t think I could plan makeup for the week.
I know exactly how that pull up bar smells and it is YUCKY! So metallic… Hurts my teeth to think about it.
Did your sense of smell go next level when you were pregnant? I remember being in the first trimester and being able to smell my neighbor frying onions and garlic, and then smelling someone else across the way doing laundry, AND THEN getting a whiff of old garbage in a can ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
I’ve always had a really good sense of smell. But pregnancy put me over the top. I would ask Dear Husband to let me out of the car a block or two away if we needed petrol because the smell was so overwhelming when he was pumping gas I’d throw up. The smells in the hospital were the worst and I couldn’t seem to get it across to anyone why I was covering my nose and mouth. To this day I can call down from upstairs, “Your toast is done! Take it out before it burns” And when I’m making brownies I usually smell them being done about a minute before the timer goes off. It’s a curse. The house next door is a rental and has been empty since May. I’m praying no smokers (of any kind) move in.
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee?
I still lived up north so over ten years ago!
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist?
Crêpes!
3. Your thoughts on waxing?
I’ve only done it once or twice and I bruised myself!
4. Comb or brush?
Brush! I love my WetBrush.
5. Something that smells funny to you?
Stink bugs! They smell so weird.
I do similar makeup every day so I don’t really plan it out!
Cool idea about planning makeup looks for the week. I make a list of my clothes and shoes for tbe week, so makeup would be a good next step.
Hey Jan,
I think I’m going to start planning clothes and shoes too. Why not if it makes my life a little easier, especially in the morning, right?
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee? A few years ago. I picked up a jacket that was on a bench on a sunny day. A bee must have been in the coat. Stung me and flew off
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist? Ambrosia salad. Kind of gross when you think of it but I lovvvve it!
3. Your thoughts on waxing? It hurts!
4. Comb or brush? Need both. Use a brush more
5. Something that smells funny to you? Bacon frying. Cannot stand the smell!
Btw I love planning my makeup looks esp when it comes to my MAC singles. A palette I will set out the night before and just throw something together in the morning. With my singles I think about various combos like recently I wore Red Brick, Ricepaper, Soba and Sketch. Soba in the crease. Red Brick on the outer half. Ricepaper on the inner half. Sketch on the lower lashline. Turned out pretty good!
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee? I’m jinxing myself but never.
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist? My mom makes these Indian fried plantains and seriously I can eat them all.
3. Your thoughts on waxing? I prefer threading and now diy microplaning. I’ve never been good at self waxing…maybe I should practice. I’m Indian so I’m hairy!
4. Comb or brush? Neither, I’ve got curls.
5. Something that smells funny to you? Natto. I lived in japan and hated this…it’s fermented soy beans. It smells like stinky feet and has the texture of slimy rice Krispy treats.
I’ve started making a “makeup bag” for the week…it’s a mini box with just one or two of each item (shadow, lippie) and I use it for the week. It helps me rotate my stash even though I’ve purged a lot and most items are holy grail.
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee?
When I was a kid. Surprisingly I managed to avoid being stung this summer despite the fact that honeybees decided to nest between my deck wall and the interior wall of the condo. Sadly the deck has been off-limits all summer.
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist?
Soft-serve vanilla ice cream.
3. Your thoughts on waxing?
Skip it! My skin is so sensitive it cannot handle any waxing. It just turns angry red and stays that way for weeks, so the trimmer is my friend.
4. Comb or brush?
Brush!
5. Something that smells funny to you?
Play-Doh. Seriously.
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee?
I was 10. Family was at the Alamo around picnic benches, and I stepped on one.
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist?
Holiday themed Reese’s peanut butter cups. The shapes change the chocolate to peanut butter ratio.
3. Your thoughts on waxing?
Into threading now. I have very fair, sensitive skin, and waxing was just too much.
4. Comb or brush? Comb when I wear my hair curly, which is almost all the time, especially in the humidity. Brush when I want to straighten it.
5. Something that smells funny to you? Sea urchin. To me it tasted like it smelled – if gym shoes had a test, I would assume it would be close to this.
I don’t really plan makeup looks ahead of time. Maybe for a special look. Often it’s just what I feel like for the day.
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee?
Never, I have been very lucky so far but it has led to a minor fear of getting stung (I still try to help bees that are struggling on the street or trapped inside though).
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist?
Boba, anything with traditional boba is irresistable.
3. Your thoughts on waxing?
I wax my own tache, chin and between the brows but anything else is shaved now due to pole dance but I did all but a hollywood at home.
4. Comb or brush?
Both, brush for every day or blow drying, combs for separating or a wide tooth for wet hair detangling.
5. Something that smells funny to you?
Tonka bean, I just don’t understand why it is used in fragrance.
It is creamy and sweet all at once and I can’t deal with it.
I totally understand planning your make up for the week. I wear the same thing to work every day but started planning event make up in advance and it allows for so much creativity because you don’t rush home to then try and figure out what you can do in the 30 minutes you have allocated for it.
1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee? I honestly don’t remember. So it’s been years and years and years.
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist? Dude! Pralines and Cream in a sugar cone!!! I try to stay away from sugar because it gives me terrible canker sores, but I will risk it for Baskin Robbins. There’s one in my town, and I make sure to not drive near it.
3. Your thoughts on waxing? Wax away! I’m not great at home, but it’s worth it! So much better than shaving.
4. Comb or brush? Brush.
5. Something that smells funny to you? The way blueberry muffins smell when baking. I can’t stomach it.