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. What are you most excited about at this current moment?
LOL, don’t laugh, but I can’t wait to go out to eat at an actual restaurant again and not have to wear a hazmat suit. Who knows when it’ll be, but I’m so looking forward to it.
Ooh! — I hope it’ll be sushi. The flavors are totally out of my everyday wheelhouse.
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now?
The old-school MAC eyeliners. I’ve been having a moment with Teddy, Prunella, Powersurge and Costa Riche. I think I’m going to use them all in single eyeshadow looks this week… Got the wheels in my mind a-turning…
3. Where do you feel most at home?
Our current home here in Novato. Mind you, it took a while to feel this way. For a couple years after we moved here, whenever I’d drive by my old exit on Highway 101 in Mill Valley, I’d always feel like, “Oh, that’s where I live. That’s where my home is,” but now Novato feels like my home.
4. What’s the best part about the place you live?
How friendly the people are. It really does have a small town feel to it, for the most part, and people are genuinely friendly. For instance, when you’re walking into a store at the mall, the person in front of you will smile and hold the door open for you, and the cashiers will smile and make small talk. Strangers you pass on the sidewalk make eye contact and say “Good morning,” and things like that.
I mean, there’s always crabby people wherever you go, right? But for the most part, the people you run into here will look at you and smile (even underneath their mask!). ?
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live?
Right now? Wildfire season. Being on alert and constantly prepared to evacuate or have the power go out for days at a time every summer and fall is…getting old. I also wish Novato had more diversity. There were more people from different backgrounds and cultures where I grew up in the East Bay, and I do miss that.
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone?
A lash curler, girlfriend! I’m a big an of the Surratt one.
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I’ll tell you this much, it’s not going to be the tuba. It does absolutely nothing for my soul! Sorry, tuba players. ?♀️
I would pick the piano. ? You’ve got the treble clef and the bass clef, and you can easily play a variety of musical genres with it.
8. What was the last emoji you remember using?
✨ The three stars! ✨ I’ve been going a little crazy with it lately. ✨
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles?
SF for sure.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment?
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now?
3. Where do you feel most at home?
4. What’s the best part about the place you live?
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live?
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone?
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be?
8. What was the last emoji you remember using?
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles?
P.P.S. I hope your Monday is full of love and laughter, sweet girl. Have a wonderful day! ?
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment?
The weather forecast for the week. I think it is technically fall here, or almost, but it’s still going to be sunny and 70’s all week!
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now?
Becca First Light Primer. I got a small tube during Black Friday at Sephora last year and am now just getting around to using it. My skin is oily, or gets that way in the afternoon, so I never thought I would like highlighter but this one isn’t too shiny.
3. Where do you feel most at home?
The house I bought about four years ago. It needed a lot of work when I moved in, but my dad and boyfriend are carpenters and did most of the work. I really love my home now!
4. What’s the best part about the place you live?
Small town feel and friendly people.
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live?
The winters in North Dakota are downright horrible!
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone?
Maybe lipliner. It seems like not a lot of people use it but it can make a huge difference in staying power!
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Piano.
8. What was the last emoji you remember using?
Probably the drool face, I feel like I text about food a lot!
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles?
San Francisco!
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment?
Vaccine potentials!
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now?
I don’t even have it yet but the Natasha Denona glam – I got the Bronze and her formulas are so easy to use that it makes it so fast to create an eye look.
3. Where do you feel most at home?
My townhouse or just being anywhere in the town I grew up in.
4. What’s the best part about the place you live?
All of the seasons and you’re near ocean, lakes, mountains. Got it all!!
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live?
Other people would say winter for sure but I like winter. Probably lack of diversity, and the fact that I can’t seem to find a good spot in the woods nearby where I’m totally alone.
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone?
Hourglass unlocked!
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be? Maybe cello or violin?
8. What was the last emoji you remember using? ?
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles? Never been to LA but I really liked SF so I pick SF!
Have a great Monday! Happy the skies and air are clear there again.
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment?
I’ve never thought I’d say this, but I’m excited about starting psychotherapy again. It’s something I stopped doing because life happened.
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now?
Right now I’m in love with Lash Paradise mascara, also I really want to try Kaja cream blushes.
3. Where do you feel most at home?
Actually here in Puebla, it’s always awkward being born in one place but raised in another. Alvarado (in Veracruz) is my hometown but I think I haven’t been there in more than two years and even though I get most of the references something is off in the end.
4. What’s the best part about the place you live?
I think the fact of being in a big city and having access to many services.
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live?
Not being near to the sea and having rainy summers.
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone?
Before I was a blush believer, but now I think doing your brows gives you a new look.
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Piano too, I find it soothing.
8. What was the last emoji you remember using?
An emoji laughing (I’m at a computer and I’m unsure how to put one from here).
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles?
San Francisco looks more interesting.
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment? Cooler weather! I love fall and winter and sweaters
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now? I found generic replacement brush heads for my Clarisonic so I won’t have to find something new now that it’s been discontinued
3. Where do you feel most at home? My house – New Hope, PA
4. What’s the best part about the place you live? Small town and rural. Right on the Delaware River Quiet, great restaurants. Not crowded which is a huge plus right now
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live? Not much comes to mind but it could be more diverse. Also we lose power often and the last time our generator was on the fritz. Since gotten that fixed
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone? Mascara
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be? Violin
8. What was the last emoji you remember using? ?♀️ When my husband texted me to ask when his mom’s birthday was
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles? San Francisco.
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment?
I made some chocolate cake over the weekend and I’m going to treat myself to a piece once I’m done with work.
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now?
I love my Tweezerman tweezers.
3. Where do you feel most at home?
On my couch, snuggling with the kitties.
4. What’s the best part about the place you live?
The low cost of living.
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live?
It’s not very diverse, but some of the larger employers are bringing in more people.
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone?
This isn’t a specific beauty brand, but I’m so glad I switched to reusable cotton rounds. I haven’t used the disposable ones in ages.
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Hmm, maybe something calming like the harp.
8. What was the last emoji you remember using?
No surprise here, but it was a cat smiling emoji.
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles?
I visited L.A once and it was fine, but I think I would have to pick San Francisco just based on pictures I’ve seen. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to visit!
Happy Monday! Hope your week is off to a great start. 🙂
Yum to the chocolate cake! How was it? And more importantly, did you have frosting on it?!
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment?
Seeing my childhood BFF next month! And her baby! Who is 9 months old and I haven’t met in person yet! But we’ve had great rapport over video chat so I’m pretty stoked about a live, in-person dance party for two (to Lizzo, no less).
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now?
I just discovered NARS soft matte foundation and OMG. It’s perfection for my skin.
3. Where do you feel most at home?
Under a cozy blanket on the couch with my kitties and some knitting, and a candle burning, the SO nearby.
4. What’s the best part about the place you live?
I like to say Chicago is the world’s largest small town, and the neighborhood I live in is huge on community. And our neighborhood facebook page is more entertaining than drama 90% of the time. It’s great.
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live?
The harsh and stupid winters. You get fooled by getting to Christmas with fairly mild temps and then Jan/Feb come on in and it’s just…no. No thanks.
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone?
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be?
SUPER NERD ALERT: bass clarinet. And I am biased (played it for yearrrrrrrs). But it’s such a wonderful, bassy, colorful instrument. The National uses it liberally and it’s amazing LOL
8. What was the last emoji you remember using?
The 3 fall leaves – our team Slack channel is very fall heavy this morning.
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles?
SF. I’ve been to LA once and have no desire to go again. SF I’ve gone several times for work and each time I want to extend my trip so I can explore the Bay Area some more.
OK, well if you’re a super-nerd then I’m a super-super-nerd, because I was once madly in love with a bass clarinet player. He was also the drum major. LOL! Oh, band geeks… Gotta love ’em.
LOL Bass clarinets are pretty freakin’ cool sooooooooo you have really good taste.
(I auditioned to be drum major! I wound up dropping out because I decided I’d rather keep on’ keepin’ on in colorguard instead.)
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment? Voting
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now? Cleanser and sunscreen
3. Where do you feel most at home? In my bed
4. What’s the best part about the place you live? My bed and I live near a park
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live? That I live near a very busy road
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone? Sunscreen
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be? Viola
8. What was the last emoji you remember using? The yikes face
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles? Los Angeles .
I’m excited about voting too, Ericca. Here in the county I live in we’ll be getting mail-in votes, and I’ve already marked when they’ll be arriving (October 6) and all the drop off stations around town.
Hope you’re having a nice Tuesday so far.
Happy Monday! I hope you all have a wonderful week! 🙂
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment? That I’m done work in 4 minutes. HAHA!
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now? I got a bottle of Peter Thomas Roth anti-aging face wash that ended up being a winner for me. You need like a drop on a konjac sponge and your whole face gets foamy.
3. Where do you feel most at home? I’ve really only ever lived in the area I live in now. I can see myself feeling at home in many places but, for now, it’s my current home.
4. What’s the best part about the place you live? It’s beautiful with easy access to lakes, mountains, etc and it’s where my best friends live. 🙂
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live? The winters.
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone? YSL Faux Cils.
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be? I’m with you – piano!
8. What was the last emoji you remember using?
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles?
Happy Monday, Kim!
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment? Watching the Tour de France on the couch later (I’m recording it).
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now? UZ liquid eyeliner! It’s stays ON. I just ordered two new colors, grey and navy black.
3. Where do you feel most at home? Backpacking waaaay out there, settled in after a couple nights.
– that’s where the UZ liner came in, stays put even whilst camping.
4. What’s the best part about the place you live? Access to the amazing outdoors.
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live? Super busy in town, lotsa people.
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone? Moroccan Oil hair oil.
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be? Hmmmm, guitar?
8. What was the last emoji you remember using? The cat face!
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles? San Fran, tho I’ve not been to either. Just want to see the place.
Ya know, I’ve never watched the Tour de France on TV! Are you rooting for anyone in particular?
Tadej Pogacar (followed hubby’s lead on that) and, he won!
Even if you aren’t into cycling the stunning, centuries old architecture, breathtaking countryside and goofy fans ( I saw a man/thong and a carrot suit) are all so entertaining and interesting.
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment? Crocheting more pumpkins later today.
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now? The new Tarte cream bronzer I got
3. Where do you feel most at home? I suppose my house
4. What’s the best part about the place you live? I live in your old hood :-). It would be the diversity and the ability to eat as much filipino food as I can
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live? It’s getting really expensive to live here.
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone? A good set of brushes
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be? an acoustic guitar
8. What was the last emoji you remember using? the poop emoji
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles? Of course, SF Bay Area!!!
Yay for the East Bay, Leah! 🙂
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment? At this very moment, it’s my son and his fiancee coming for a short visit. They just took their covid tests (she’s a pulmonary specialist and so she has easy access), got negative results, hopped in the car, and are on their way here at this very moment. I’m so very, very, excited!
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now? I really don’t get worked up about beauty items (as much as I love them), but I am looking forward to the holiday collections.
3. Where do you feel most at home? At home! LOL
4. What’s the best part about the place you live? It’s the best of both worlds–semi rural but close to all the conveniences of big city living. The weather is consistently rated amongst the best in the nation, the crime rate is almost non-existent, everyone lives on acreage in family oriented, kid friendly neighborhoods. There’s no place like home 🙂
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live? Nothing.
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone? This is actually a triumvirate: a potent stable C serum, a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 40, a 1.0 retinol serum or a prescription strength retinoid. Of course, other lotions and potions also come into play, but those three things are the basics everyone should be using.
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be? It would be the piano. I played for years until the arthritis in my hands became too severe.
8. What was the last emoji you remember using? It was a tomato. Long story; don’t ask.
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles? I’m a native Angelino but have always had a soft spot in my heart for SF. I could be happy in either city.
I hope you have loads of fun when your son and his fiancee visit! 🙂
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment? I ordered candy (gummy bears and sour lips) from Sugarfina- it was pricey, but so worth it!
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now? Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Deep Aubergine. It really is intense, but it’s matte and stays in place until you take it off. I love it!
3. Where do you feel most at home? Where I currently live- it took a while because I missed the city and house that I grew up in.
4. What’s the best part about the place you live? I’m 30-45 minutes away from the city. I live in a fairly large suburb that is more rural- we have horses that go by, so it’s the best of both worlds!
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live? The taxes, high cost of living (I couldn’t afford to live on my own.), and construction.
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone? Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer- It is lightweaight, yet pigmented and stays on until you remove it! Also Cle de Peau concealer, but Marc Jacobs makes a great one as well!
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be? I played the flute and piano, but piano wins this one.
8. What was the last emoji you remember using? Smiley face and hearts- my sis sent me a pic of my nephews with new haircuts.
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles? I’ve never been to LA (drove past it, but couldn’t stop), so SF wins this round. I absolutely love San Diego, Oceanside, and Carlsbad. (If only I could afford it, I’d totally live there!)
I’ve had the gummies from Sugarfina, Danielle, and yes, they are so worth it! YUM!
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment? My siblings are coming to town this weekend, I can’t wait to see them.
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now? None really, I’ve been foregoing makeup because of the masks.
3. Where do you feel most at home? Wherever my husband and kids are.
4. What’s the best part about the place you live? The tacos! I live in central CA and the tacos are the best in the state!
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live? It’s a bit on the conservative side, I wish it were more open minded.
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone? Sunblock. It really is so important.
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be? A harp.
8. What was the last emoji you remember using? ❤️
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles? LA, it’s dirty but fun.
Have fun with your siblings this weekend, Stephanie!
1. What are you most excited about at this current moment? More anxious than excited about the Nov. 3rd election. Hopeful still that we can return to normality (or some semblance of it) next year.
2. What beauty item are you most excited about right now? Nothing much since I haven’t really used anything new enough times to judge.
3. Where do you feel most at home? I could go on at length about this, but the short answer would be nowhere. That’s what happens when you move a lot as a child and you never really feel like you belong anywhere, especially if you had to leave the only place you ever really liked when very young.
4. What’s the best part about the place you live? Cool dry days in the fall. Blink and you’ll miss them, as there aren’t very many.
5. What’s the worst part about the place you live? Heat and humidity for 5 to 6 straight months most years. This year wasn’t too bad, though.
6. A beauty item you recommend to everyone? Sunscreen.
7. If there’s one instrument you could listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be? Piano.
8. What was the last emoji you remember using? Frowny face in email, as I don’t have a smartphone
9. San Francisco or Los Angeles? I’d love to see San Francisco again, I only saw it once when I was 9 years old – it was still the hippie era at the time. Nice and cool in the middle of summer, which I appreciated since I lived in the desert.