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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today?
One of my favorites, Eau de Jane. I love a fresh green vibe on a Monday.
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails?
My practical side says a soft, creamy pink won’t show chips as much, but the part of me that loves color says a dark burgundy would be very chic. Let’s go with the dark burgundy. 🙂
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face?
Honestly, having a plan — even a really rough one — helps keep me sane. I’m a person who likes knowing the next steps.
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent?
As long as I like the scent, I’m cool with it.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend?
Oh my gosh, I had tempura for the first time in ages last Friday at dinner, and it was heavenly. And even though nobody asked, here’s the order in which I eat my tempura — shrimp, sweet potato (LOVE), broccoli, carrot, potato, zucchini, mushroom (YUCK).
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil?
Cleansing oil.
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em?
Leave ’em. If you asked me when I was 24, though, it would be another story.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em?
LOVE ‘EM.
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today.
You’re doing better than you think, so keep at it. You’ll get there. Also, please remember that you are cherished and so, so loved!
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 scent/perfume are you wearing today?
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails?
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face?
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent?
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend?
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil?
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em?
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em?
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today.
P.P.S. Hey, friend. Happy, happy Monday! Take a deep breath, and remember, you are a rock star! 🤗
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today?
I’m not wearing any scent today. Lately if I do, it’s the Glossier You solid.
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails?
I’d go for a nice middle ground. A nice rosy pink with a little depth. I actually probably have not painted my fingernails in about 2 years. I can’t deal with chipping!
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face?
Clean hair, groomed brows and some tinted lip balm.
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent?
I like a scented body wash but prefer an unscented lotion.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend?
My mom made a spinach pie for Sunday dinner (just for her and me b/c my dad doesn’t like cooked spinach). It has spinach, ricotta, eggs and I’m not sure what else. But it’s so yum. And pie for dinner-yes, please!
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil?
Cleansing oil. Just ordered a back up DHC from Dermstore while it’s 25% off.
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em?
Leave ’em. I remember when Benetint was all the rage but I found it difficult to apply over any base product. I prefer a creamy texture.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em?
Love ’em. Preferably if they are somewhat buildable.
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today.
If you are reading this, you are not alone. There’s a really nice little corner of the internet that has your back! 🙂
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today?
Biotherme Eau D’Energie – my default summer scent.
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails?
Colorful, like an orangey red. Which is what I picked for my at home manicure yesterday.
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face?
Knowing I will get back to my children after work. Or chocolate, if it is a hard day.
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent?
No, but I don’t like it unscented either. It needs to be a pleasant scent of medium intensity.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend?
Ice cream!
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil?
Balms in winter, oils in summer.
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em?
Leave em, I find them usually too drying.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em?
That depends. On rare occasions I am okay with a low color payoff balm, but usually I prefer pigment that I can sheer out myself.
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today.
There is something good waiting for you just around the corner, because you deserve it for being awesome.
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today?
Boy Smells Italian Kush. Love the bergamot that mellows into a lovely skin scent.
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails?
Definitely colorful, maybe a nice reddish orange.
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face?
Interacting with animals.
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent?
No, I prefer a either a subtle scent or no scent at all.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend?
I finally have (most of) my taste back after a bout of Covid, so I’m thrilled to be eating all the things. My favorite was sushi from a tiny spot in Oakland with a white burgundy I’d been waiting to have. So satisfying!
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil?
I don’t love either, I feel like I always end up breaking out. I have a bottle of Tatcha cleansing oil I sometimes go back to which makes my skin feel super soft.
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em?
Meh, I never really reach for them.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em?
Generally really like, it’s easier to layer to achieve the opacity I want than use something that’s opaque with a very light hand.
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today.
I hope you have some sunshine on your face and a deep belly laugh today.
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today? Body, Mind and Spirit
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails? neutral – love the neutral look (goes with everything)
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face? My dog! When I wake up my dog is there, and when I get home from work, greets me too. Love her !!!
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent? I would say, “no”. I would much rather a soft scent (like powder or fresh soap scents “clean”)
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend? On a diet, I had a HUGE salad with walnuts, chia seeds, kale, spinach, tomatoes, etc,
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil? Love any kind of oil (like balm too, but love oil)
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em? Love em.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em? Nahhh!
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today. Hi friends, hope you are blessed with health, love, and happiness always. xx
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today? The last drops of my 1970’s vintage Chanel No. 19 EdT. Sigh. That galbanum top note combined with the orris root is everything. Your Eau de Jane sounds very similar. I will have to find a sample to try.
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails? Dear Husband’s away for business, so I would do colorful! He prefers neutrals on fingertips and lips.
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face? Thinking of my family and my furry beasts.
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent? If they happen to match the fragrance I want to wear sure. Otherwise I prefer unscented so I can wear the fragrance I’m craving.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend? Arugula and heirloom tomato salad with Italian burrata.
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil? Cleansing oil. Haven’t found a balm that doesn’t feel too heavy on my skin.
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em? Leave ’em
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em? Absolutely love them! It’s easier in my book to build up color than to try and tone it down.
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today. Hey beautiful! Hope the weather is nice where you are and you can get outside for 5 to 15 minutes to take in some fresh air.
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today? Nest Citrine, my always scent. I just love it so much.
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails? Colorful, probably a neon, and matte.
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face? I also like having a plan, it makes me feel like the day isn’t wasted.
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent? I want to say yes, but no. I like a light traditionally lotion scent. Nothing floral or perfumey.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend? The chocolate chip cookies I made, double the salt called for in the recipe, use semisweet and bittersweet chips, and walnuts from my parents’ farm.
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil? Balm.
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em? I love lip stains.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em? Love love love.
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today. You are doing a great job!
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today? Nothing
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails? Neutral French Tip
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face? Being one day closer to the weekend/pay day.
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent? No- opposite.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend? Salmon
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil? Balm
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em? Used to use them- now not so much.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em? Love them
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today.
“You are stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know!”
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today? Ambre Blends Invoke – it’s their original Ambre Essence with jasmine, neroli, sandalwood, and a touch of rose.
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails? Neutral.
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face? The secret stash of gummi bears in my desk drawer.
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent? Yes, I put it on after showering and before bed. My sheets still smell nice in the morning.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend? Homemade Swedish waffles with Cardamom and Lingonberries.
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil? Balm – Me Time Botanicals is my favorite and can also be used as a night mask/moisturizer and does NOT break me out like most do.
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em? I’ll pass.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em? Love them.
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today. By sharing your joys you help amplify our own.
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today? Armani’s Sí.
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails? I’d stick with light neutrals. Right now I’m all about the shade Bubble Bath—I know, I know. So trendy! Lol
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face? Well, on Monday, it’s this poll. I always look forward to reading everyone’s responses.
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent? No, not strong. A bit of a mild spa type of scent is pleasing so long as it doesn’t linger. I don’t like anything that interferes with the fragrance I choose to wear.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend? Fattoush—so light and refreshing.
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil? I like a good cleansing oil that emulsifies easily when water is added and then rinses clean. I like Tatcha’s or SKII’s.
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em? Leave ‘em. Getting them to apply evenly is just too much trouble as far as I’m concerned. There are so many cream blushes that glide on, blend like a dream, and last longer than the old cream blushes from the previous decade.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em? Love ‘em. It’s easier to add color than to subtract it so I always favor sheer to moderately pigmented products.
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today. Thank you all for another Monday filled with interesting, and often humorous, replies.
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today?
Escada Cherry in Japan.
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails?
Bright, bold red.
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face?
Chocolate.
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent?
No, but I don’t like unscented either. Basically a nice scent is incentive to bother using the lotion.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend?
A delicious oatmeal cookie. It was so good I managed to overlook the dreaded raisins.
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil?
I’ve never used either.
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em?
Leave ‘em. They scare me.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em?
Love ‘em.
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today.
You’ve got this! You are stronger than you realize.
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today?
Took a trip to my local Ulta and sprayed some of Armani’s Ocean di Gioia, so that was basically my scent for the day. I can tell you, with what felt like a 100 degrees outside today, I wasn’t feeling it. Definitely switching to something more fruitier tomorrow.
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails?
Chopped my nails some days ago since I’m giving them a break right now, but if I had to go to the salon to get them done I’d choose maybe something like a translucent pink.
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face?
This blog! 😀 Then of course inspirational Instagram posts… music… birdies that visit my balcony for their daily feed…
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent?
Good question. No.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend?
Mashed potatoes from the food bar at Bristol Farms
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil?
Balm
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em?
Trying to get them to work
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em?
Love
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today.
It’s gonna be a long week, but it’ll be a good one. At this point, hydration will be key. Let’s go
1. What fragrance/perfume are you wearing today?- Diptyque Philosykos and the Greek summer are inseparable, unfortunately it doesn’t last
2.If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails? – Colorful, but chic for summer! Chanel Giallo Napoli
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face? – Music
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent?= No, I prefer fragrance-free products for body and face care. A not scented body cream also helps me, with my parfum that don’t have good sillage, to last a little longer.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend? – Mussels cooked in coconut milk and toasted bread slices drizzled with extra virgin greek olive oil and curry.
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil? -Balm, but I want to try a non fragranced not irritating, good oil.
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em? Not tried yet, I need to finish makeup in my collection, first. I had an old E.L lip stain, nothing special.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em? – If quality is present, why not.
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today. -Have a nice rest of the summer, with health, love, and happiness and the coming winter will be better than what is said to be coming! We will win!
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today?
A mix of Aftelier’s Lemon Island and Rose Anodyne cologne. Nothing heavy for me during the summer.
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails?
Neutral. My fingers and nails are short and stubby so I usually prefer Sally Hansen’s pink nail strengthener.
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face?
A workout first thing in the morning and a huge cup of coffee.
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent?
No, I like unscented lotion that doesn’t clash with perfume.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend?
I made a pretty rad chickpea cavatappi with lacinato kale, goat cheese and pancetta. Also Trader Joe’s peanut butter/chocolate ice cream.
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil?
Both. I like Banila Clean It Zero, but since I ran out, I have also liked Purito’s green cleansing oil.
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em?
Leave ’em. They’re OK when it is really hot out and cream blush slides off my face, but I just use powder blush in that case.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em?
Love ’em — I can use more product and hit pan sooner.
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today.
May you be happy. May you be well. May you be at peace.
1. What scent/perfume are you wearing today? Nothing today.
2. If you could get a manicure today, which one would you choose — neutral or colorful fingernails? Honestly, just buffed. I’m doing too much yardwork and also don’t want to sit and wait for anything to dry.
3. Something that helps you get through your day with a smile on your face? Maru (and Hana and Miri) videos. Mugumogo has really increased output, so there is a new video almost every day.
4. Do you like it when your body lotion has a strong scent? Not really.
5. Best thing you ate over the weekend? I’ve been on a lemon ricotta pancake kick for a while now.
6. Cleansing balm or cleansing oil? Balm most of the time, although I do use both.
7. Lip and cheek stains — love ’em or leave ’em? Lip stains yes, cheek stains, no.
8. Products with sheer color payoff — love ’em or leave ’em? Love ’em for sure. They are makeup idiot (me) proof.
9. Write a nice note to someone reading the comments today. Whatever is going on today, you will get through it!