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. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s?
OMG, yes, and it was disastrous! Let’s just say that if you’ve got naturally wavy hair with unruly tendencies, rocking “the Rachel” is a challenge. I looked like a mushroom for a year!
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart?
Even if I’m walking into the grocery store to buy a single banana, I will always grab a cart, because you never know when watermelons or other heavy and/or awkwardly shaped items will be on sale.
Trust me on this. You do not want to be shimmying to a checkout line with your basket in one hand and that discounted watermelon in the other. It will not end well. GRAB THE CART, BABE.
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow?
No, although I did go through a brief phase during my senior year in high school when I wanted a dainty gold hoop through my left brow.
I grew out of it eventually.
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives?
I’ll roll with the housewives.
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal?
This one’s been my go-to since college: two toasted frozen waffles with creamy peanut butter spread on top.
One could do crunchy peanut butter on them, I suppose, but I never do. I’m a creamy peanut butter gal, through and through.
Oh — after you put the peanut butter on, sprinkle the waffles with a handful of raisins, but if you don’t have raisins around, sliced bananas or blueberries work, too.
It’s a fast, filling, really yummy meal.
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation?
Girl, I’d be running that island! Join my girl gang. We’d be set! 😹
7. How are your plants doing?
They’re alive-ish, thanks to El Hub’s valiant watering efforts, so kudos to the dude who refuses to let the plant terrorists (me, Rosie and Connor) win.
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes?
Um…living without either would be pretty terrible! I suppose I’d be a little less miserable living without a bra. I could wear a very snug and supportive tank top instead, and perhaps I could even layer multiple tank tops when I worked out.
I couldn’t live without shoes, though. Imagine all of the gross public spaces — like gas station bathrooms! — and your shoeless feet walking all over them. Hard pass! 🙅♀️
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose?
Happy baby for the win! — with child’s pose a close second. Both make my lower back very happy. 😺
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. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s?
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart?
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow?
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives?
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal?
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation?
7. How are your plants doing?
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes?
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose?
P.P.S. Good morning to you, sweet girl! Happy, happy Monday. I hope the universe brings some good things to you this week. Sending joy and luck your way. 🤗
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s?No, but I did have the Dorothy Hamill cut in the ’70’s.
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart? I usually grab a cart, except when we are at Costco. After 15 years in Suburbia, I still shop for groceries like I did in my studio apartment in NYC.
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow? no.
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives? neither
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal? Grilled cheese
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation? I’d be eaten.
7. How are your plants doing? I don’t have plants because I am the “agent of death” when it comes to plants.
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes? I need both!
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose? The Warrior pose! I feel the power!
Back home and back to being an empty nester. Be well!
Oh boy, is the house too quiet?! I feel you, girl!
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s?
No, I don’t think so.. I DID chop my hair off at one point into “steps” which had sparked some outrage at home. Eventually it evolved into a razor cut which I tried to maintain throughout the 00 s.
Speaking of mushrooms, my brother had that mushroom cut that everybody had in the 90s. I on the other hand just kept it really long and dark, not as adventurous.. (The 2000s was a different story though 😄)
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart?
A basket 😀
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow?
No, but there was a time when I really wanted to. Actually talking about it right now is making me wanna get one
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives?
Gaaawwd, Housewives if I had to pick one
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal?
It would just be a cup of tea (chai) if I’m being honest but these days I’ve been eating a boiled egg with salt and pepper seasoning. If I really can’t wait, then a sunny side up, with the same seasoning
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation?
Haven’t read the book so couldn’t tell you details on how I’d fare but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be running the island, nor would I want to, what with all my anxiety and all
7. How are your plants doing?
Dead
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes?
Actually this answer would depend on where I was living. For right now (in the First World) I’d be able to go without bras.
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose?
Oh sure, I like the one where you plant your butt on the floor, raise your legs at a 45 degree angle with your back lifted trying to reach your toes. I forget what it’s called. I also like the opposite one where you’re on your belly, legs up and hands on your ankles.
P.S. Hope Connor’s first week of school was good! I’m sure she’s having a blast 😄
Hi Tisha,
Oh, the dreaded mushroom cut! Did you brother do it on purpose? Because mine was 100 percent accidental! HA!
Thank you for mentioning Connor’s first week. When I dropped her off this morning, she was so excited to see her teachers and friends that she forgot to give me a kiss goodbye. She really loves being in school with the “big kids.”
RE: yoga poses. I think I know the one you’re talking about with the booty in the air. I like it too but can’t remember the name.
About the poses, I looked it up, it’s Boat pose (Navasana) and Bow pose (Dhanurasana)
Oh and that mushroom cut was definitely not accidental but come to think of it, it must’ve been a standard cut the hair cutting guy was giving everybody at the time 😂
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s? oh yeah
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart? I haven’t grabbed a basket since my early 20’s. I always end up seeing something too big too carry or I remember we’re out of something.
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow? goodness no, I don’t like pain of any kind. The only reason my ears are pierced is because I was four when I asked if I could get it done and my very young at the time parents said “sure!”
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives? Real Housewives–speaking of, I go through phases where I’ll binge a whole season in a week (don’t judge me I’m momming a teenager). But right now, they just released Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and I cannot look away. I’ve always been obsessed with Mormons anyway so this has just been really fascinating for me–not that they’re all Mormons but a couple of the wives have some pretty big time ancestors.
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal? apple and almond butter or a piece of cheese or a handful of mixed, salted nuts
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation? Oh I’d be handling my business.
7. How are your plants doing? Great!
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes? Since I like to go barefoot anyway and for a petite person I’m very well-endowed, I have to go without shoes.
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose? I do an hour of yoga every morning except Sunday so it’s hard to pick just one. I do like me some happy baby, which one of my yoga teachers has nicknamed “happy boyfriend.” But I also love child’s pose, camel, and half moon. I also love pigeon. While not the most comfortable pose, I feel really good after.
Girl, I had to look up camel pose, and I had flashbacks of falling over in class back in the day, ha ha ha!
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s?
No. I also have curly/wavy hair and I don’t think that shape would work well for me.
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart?
Like you said, cart! I just had a flashback of my mom getting me to go to the store with her if she promised I could push the cart. It was the simple things in the 80s I guess!
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow?
Nope. In fact I’ve never had a piercing of any kind.
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives?
I have to go with Real Housewives. I watched quite a bit back in the day. NYC and NJ were my faves.
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal?
I also love peanut butter or almond butter on a waffle. For me it’s with strawberries or apples. But these days for me it’s probably an egg on toast with some berries. Works for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation?
Ummm…not so great? I’m not really a take charge person so I guess I’d have to align myself with the right crew.
7. How are your plants doing?
I dream of a house full of plants but the reality is I don’t have the green thumb. I keep thinking this summer I’ll pot some ferns or flowers for my porch but hasn’t happened so far.
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes?
I’m with you on this one. If I have to leave the house I have to have shoes. Love being barefoot on my clean floors-the gas station or the grocery store? Not so much.
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose?
It varies depending on what my body needs but I always love plow pose. It stretches my lower back like no other. I practice at home but I do miss classes!
Have a great week!
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s? no , i still was in plaits
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart? cart
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow? no
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives? real housewives
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal? spaghetti
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation? before i would probably be the victim but i think now, i have so more guts , i would fight.
7. How are your plants doing? they are doing well
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes? bras.
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose? no. but if i had to pick , extended child’s pose
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s? No, I don’t think that I did.
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart? Cart- it’s just easier.
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow? Ouch! No.
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives? Real Housewives if I had to pick one, but I don’t watch either.
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal? Some kind of pasta or soup
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation? I would probably relate the most to Simon.
7. How are your plants doing? Hanging in there.
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes? Bras
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose? Child’s pose or tree pose.
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s?
Not on purpose!
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart?
A cart, but it’s got to be that shorty cart. Otherwise, a basket but with reluctance.
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow?
Naw.
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives?
I go through periods of watching The Bachelor because I enjoy reading twitter snark. Back when I got Bravo I was a fan of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills — mind you, not for the drunken drama, which I can happily do without; for me, it was all about the houses. It’s a shame they didn’t just do a Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous-type expo featuring, say, Yolanda’s epic fridge and lemon grove.
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal?
Marinated tofu with peanut sauce. I microwave the tofu for 45 seconds and pour the bottled sauce on top. Perfection.
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation?
I’d be the first to go!
7. How are your plants doing?
Eh, the aloe plants seem okay but the green leafy whatevers seem to be on their last, er, roots. Not sure if they’ve been overwatered once too many times or if they need repotting (possibly both).
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes?
Bras, definitely. I can always use my hands to give the girls a boost!
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose?
Haven’t done yoga in years, but let’s say Triangle Pose. It’s a good stretch.
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s?
No
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart?
Usually a cart.
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow?
Yes, but it would migrate a little every few months, so I took it out after about a year.
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives? Neither
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal?
Wheat English muffins with cream cheese, sliced almonds, and dried cranberries.
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation?
I’d be everyone’s mom and run things, and keep us allq alive.
7. How are your plants doing?
I don’t keep house plants. My mom kept dozens, but made me take care of them, so I’ve never wanted them. My outside plants are doing pretty well despite the heat waves.
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes?
Bye-bye bra!
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose?
I’ve never done yoga.
Wow, your muffin snack sounds delicious, Rachel!
Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s? No, but there is a picture of me in the Captains seat of an airliner with a Mullet. My husband has more than once threatened to blackmail me with it to get me to make brownies.
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart? A cart.
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow? I have never been a fan of face tackle.
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives? I’ve never watched either. I’m pretty sure I’d hate the Bachelor more though.
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal? Leftover rice with some steamed broccoli and a splash of teriyaki sauce.
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation? I’d be running the place, but working on Amazon delivery.
7. How are your plants doing? I have one my acupuncturist gave me I’ve managed not to kill for 3 years.
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes? Bra, unfortunately, I’m of the size I have to wear one of those bras that makes me look like I’m expecting an assassination attempt. Not pretty but necessary.
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose? Sitting in the chair with ice cream probably doesn’t count does it?
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s?
No, not even slightly! I hardly had a professional haircut until the very late 90s.
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart?
Cart unless it’s a quick trip and I want to keep it that way and limit myself to less than ten items! Then I grab a basket. If it’s not comfortable to carry, I’ll be reminded that I really only have ten minutes and be motivated to get to checkout faster.
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow?
No. I briefly wanted a nose piercing in high school, but my school didn’t allow it, so that moment passed.
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives?
Neither.
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal?
A bar of some kind. Not exactly a “meal,” but a substantial snack.
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation?
I’d be protecting the vulnerable and helping bring order to chaos.
7. How are your plants doing?
Thriving. Love house plants. My husband has a green thumb with outdoor plants.
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes?
Bras. They didn’t even exist until 85 years ago, so there are lots of alternatives! And ugh, I’m with you on the gas station floor lol.
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose?
Haven’t done yoga. But I have always naturally sat in a butterfly position, which I find duper comfy!
Happy first week of kindergarten to you and Connor!
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s? No way – I have a pixie cut and if it takes longer than 3 minutes to dry, it’s too long
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart? Basket or one of the small carts. Unless I’m at Costco then all bets are off
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow? No but want to get a third hole in my left ear
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives? Have never watched either one
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal? If I have ripe avocados, then avocado toast for the win
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation? Somewhere in the middle-I have no desire to lead
7. How are your plants doing? My fake plants are fine. I kill real plants. The hostas in my yard were looking amazing but I did not keep up with spraying them with the deer repellent (my husband calls it coyote urine) and the deer devoured them
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes? Bras – hooray for small boobs!
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose? Child pose and down dog.
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s? No, but similar, though my wavy hair didn’t agree with that style. Rachel wears it well.
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart?
Always a cart
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow?
Nope, never even thought too.
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives? Neither! I’ll take other time wasters like Tatoo Redo, Glow Up or Love is Blind…. But a great show is The Goop Lab with Gwyneth Paltrow.
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal?
Oreo’s or cereal tide me over.
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation? I haven’t read it or watched it, so I can’t answer. I don’t invite anything about it.
7. How are your plants doing?
Well! I water every Tuesday. I have 12 horse plants. Love them.
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes? Bra. I agree about bare feet in public places-so nasty.
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose?
I like sun salutations
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s? No. Long, straight, all one length was my standard “do”.
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart? I grab a basket a bit more often than a cart.
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow? No.
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives? I’ve never watched either, but I think the whole concept behind The Bachelor is creepy.
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal? A hearty homemade soup and some crackers of some kind. I often prepare a pot of soup and freeze it in portions that can be quickly heated up for those times I don’t feel like cooking.
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation? That book was about a descent into savagery so I think I’d have tried to keep a low profile without appearing weak. Those kids created a brutal and barbaric order that steadily eroded their better impulses.
7. How are your plants doing? I live on a couple of acres so I don’t feel compelled to keep houseplants. The gardens and vegetation outside, though, are doing just fine.
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes? Since I’m a 32A, I can easily skip the bra.
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose? No. I’ve never been interested in yoga.
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s?
Nope.
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart?
Cart. Lord knows I tend to find things we need that I forgot about.
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow?
Nope/
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives?
Neither. Frankly, my life has enough stress in it that I don’t need tv stress. LOL
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal?
Trader Joes chicken & 4 cheese ravioli with butter, oregano, parsley, garlic powder (or minced. depends on mood) and shredded parmesan cheese with salt & pepper. It’s literally become same food for me (food I’ll eat for days on end.)
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation?
Uh, no.
7. How are your plants doing?
Alive and thriving.
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes?
BRAS. I HATE THEM. I’d just like to toss them all please.
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose?
Pigeon to stretch the hips or corpse because omg, really relaxing into the floor feels reeeeeeeeeeeally good.
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s? I did! I could not style it to save my life. Curly hair wasn’t meant for that style.
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart? Cart, always. I usually pick up far more things than just the cheese or milk I went in for.
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow? No. But I did pierce my nose two years ago for my 44th birthday. I love it.
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives? I’m not a fan of either, but I’d go Housewives.
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal? Toast, with anything on it, cream cheese and boysenberry jam, avocado, an egg, just butter, I like toast.
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation? I’d be so bad at it. I’d either sit back and let everyone else burn out, or go to the other side of the island and hang out.
7. How are your plants doing? I have two pots of succulents outside, I watered them two days ago and the dirt they’re in, rose up because they’re so dried out. That should tell you something about my gardening skills.
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes? Bras. I’m barefoot almost all the time, but there are times you need shoes.
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose? Down dog, of all poses. Used to hate it, but it stretches everything the way I need it to be stretched.
1. Did you ever have “the Rachel” haircut in the ’90s? No, and I’m surprised, frankly. I did like it on other people.
2. When you go grocery shopping, do you grab a basket or a cart? Always a cart, unless I know for a fact I’ll be in and out grabbing one item, in a hurry.
3. Have you ever pierced your eyebrow? No, I don’t care for facial piercings. They’ve never been my thing. It’s like tattoos for me. I’m so fickle that I would hate anything I got and then be stuck with it. I’m also the farthest thing from edgy, so those things are just not my jam.
4. The Bachelor or The Real Housewives? I’ve never seen either but think, from what I’ve heard, that I’d probably prefer Housewives, too.
5. You’re feeling hangry. What’s your go-to quick meal? Anything I can nuke fast (leftovers, frozen pizza) or cheese and crackers.
6. How do you think you’d fare in a Lord of the Flies situation? At that age? I’m embarrassed to say that I would not be the hero of that tale. I’m sure I would have been vicious. 🙁 These days, I think I’d be polarizing. I find it hard not to be straightforward. HAHA!
7. How are your plants doing? I only have outdoor, and they’re doing very well. Mainly because my mother likes to feed and water them.
8. You have to live without one item — bras or shoes? I’d hate not having a bra, too, but could not function without shoes. I’m the biggest barefoot wimp on earth. Putting the filth factor aside, my soles are way too sensitive to walk around unprotected.
9. Do you have a favorite yoga pose? I’ve always liked Warrior and Triangle. And Downward Dog. I like the stretchy poses best but also appreciate Child’s Pose at the very end.