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. Your current face wash?
REN Gentle Cleansing Gel. Ya know, it does the job just fine, but I feel like it’s overpriced for $37.
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week?
I’d like to finish all the planning for Connor’s birthday celebrations in March.
3. How often do you use a lash curler?
Almost every day. Lately I’ve been using the one by Shu Uemura, and it’s good! I also like the ones by Surratt and Shiseido.
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)?
The sound of birds singing outside my window. Seeing the freesia leaves in my neighbor’s yard grow a little bit every day. Spending time with Connor in the morning before she goes to school. Drinking warm water with a little squeeze of lemon. Getting a hug from Rosie-Pose first thing in the morning.
5. One thing you did last weekend?
I made Leche Flan, a Filipino dessert. Not sure if it was successful, but the people who ate it said it tasted good.
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today?
Panera makes a Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich with hummus and a mix of crunchy and soft veggies that’s SO GOOD. I’m currently craving one right meow!
7. Can you French braid your own hair?
Yes, and I can do a decent job, but it’s not Pinterest worthy or anything. I think the various textures of my grays make it harder for any hairstyle to look neat. It’s the occasional wiry ramen noodle hair, man! It messes up the vibe.
8. Bracelet or necklace?
Necklace because 1) I’m more likely to keep it on all day and 2) less likely to lose it. Bracelets always get in my way when I’m typing so I end up taking them off.
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most?
Lately I’ve been all about bronze or brown liners!
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. Your current face wash?
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week?
3. How often do you use a lash curler?
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)?
5. One thing you did last weekend?
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today?
7. Can you French braid your own hair?
8. Bracelet or necklace?
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most?
P.P.S. Good morning and happy Monday, my sweet friend! The universe is going to bring you so many good things this week. I just know it! Keep your chin up and stay positive. 🙂
1. Your current face wash? Me Time Botanicals Clay Play – mixed with water it’s a cleanser in the morning or a second cleanse at night if I’m wearing full makeup. It also can be used as a detoxifying mask.
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week? Shoveling whatever snow the next storm sends our way.
3. How often do you use a lash curler? Never.
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)? My Lab rescue gently snoring at my feet while I work.
5. One thing you did last weekend? I made homemade honey whole wheat bread.
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today? Veggie, with cucumbers, dairy-free mozzarella cheese, spinach, a few crunchy water chestnuts, and a smear of creamy Japanese Ginger Salad dressing.
7. Can you French braid your own hair? Nope.
8. Bracelet or necklace? Necklace.
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most? A dark grey one from Chanel.
Hi Brigid! That bread sounds delicious! I hope you make a couple slices into a sandwich soon. YUM!
This sandwich sounds so good I might have to write it down!
1. Your current face wash? Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week? Find a doctor that can figure out and fix my shoulder/arm pain.
3. How often do you use a lash curler? Never. I can usually get the curl I like from applying mascara. And I clearly don’t know how to use a curler because I just end up with an L crimp in my lashes.
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)? Holiday lights. Holiday lights that are still up in mid-late January. Nibbler jumping on Dear Husband’s lap while we watch TV. Cats and dogs that come up and say hello when you’re out for a walk. Blue skies and sunshine. All the art in all the art museums everywhere.
5. One thing you did last weekend? Counted down the hours and minutes til Dear Husband got back from his business trip. Made a pot of spiced pumpkin soup.
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today? Fruit (strawberry) cream on shokupan. Not because I love it that much, but it would mean I’m in a konbini somewhere in Japan. Or a katsu sandwich for the same reason.
7. Can you French braid your own hair? Nope. I have really short hair. And I could only do a half decent job on Dear Daughter’s long, straight hair.
8. Bracelet or necklace? Necklace for the most part. I only like bracelets when I know it would be knocking against a desk or dinner table.
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most? Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Hustle. Sadly discontinued. Need to find a dupe soon.
Hey Tatiana,
Thank you for the carrot soup recipe! I’m going to try it. I hope you and a doc are able to figure out what’s going on with your shoulder soon.
Have a good week, and tell Nibbler hi for me.
I hope you do try the soup recipe. When I make it again, I’m going to add some grated ginger root for some zippiness! I like a lot of the recipes on Pardon Your French. She’s very clear with her instructions.
Nibbler says purr-urrr-uurr-ur!
1. Your current face wash?
Tatcha Rice Wash. It works really well for my skin, every time I’ve tried something else because of the price I’m regretful and go back, lol.
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week?
Deep cleaning my house, ugh.
3. How often do you use a lash curler?
Never, ever!
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)?
Definitely the sunshine that’s here after so much rain.
5. One thing you did last weekend?
Went to an art show. It was really interesting and inspiring.
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today?
Haven’t been eating bread, so no sandwich. But I do want a kale caesar salad.
7. Can you French braid your own hair?
Technically yes, but it would look like chaos personified.
8. Bracelet or necklace?
Necklace, bracelets do not stand a chance of survival.
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most?
Lately it’s been a mustard-y yellow ochre from Melt Cosmetics.
Hey Ewa,
I have to say that the handful of things I tried from Tatcha were amazing. They have a purple face cream that I got a sample of from Sephora, and I still think about it fondly, LOL! Now I’m curious about the Rice Wash.
1. Your current face wash?
First DHC cleansing oil then Neutrogena Naturals makeup removing face wash.
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week?
Planning the twins 1st birthday party!
3. How often do you use a lash curler?
Every single day. I would like to schedule a lash lift and tint!
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)?
The sound of my girls giggling.
5. One thing you did last weekend?
Went out to dinner with a friend for her 42nd birthday!
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today?
I would give anything to have this sandwich again from Cafe Rolle in Sacramento: Chilled Salmon served with French baguette and fresh dill crème fraiche. Unfortunately they closed and I don’t live there anymore!
7. Can you French braid your own hair?
Nope!
8. Bracelet or necklace?
Necklace. I never wear bracelets. But I do wear an old school analog watch.
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most?
Black.
1. Your current face wash? biossance
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week? getting ready for my next to last semester of grad school and internship.
3. How often do you use a lash curler? not at all.
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)? butterflies.
5. One thing you did last weekend? meet some old college buddies.
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today?
7. Can you French braid your own hair? no
8. Bracelet or necklace? bracelet
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most? black
1. Your current face wash? My morning face wash is Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. My evening face wash is Cetaphil followed by Tatcha The Rice Polish Gentle. If I’ve been wearing foundation, I substitute Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil for the Cetaphil.
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week? Conquer? Nothing needs conquering at this time.
3. How often do you use a lash curler? Maybe 3-4 times a year; only for very special occasions.
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)? When I’m snuggling with my husky, as soon as I stop stroking her she’ll pat my hand with her paw and gaze up at me with the proverbially look of love in her beautiful blue eyes. Melts my heart every time.
5. One thing you did last weekend? Not much. I injured my back and just took it easy.
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today? I’m not a sandwich fan, but if I had to have one, maybe a grilled cheese on whole grain bread.
7. Can you French braid your own hair? No
8. Bracelet or necklace? I like both, but I wear necklaces more often.
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most? Guerlain’s Black Ebony
1. Your current face wash?
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser. I’m trying to finish this bottle then move on to something more moisturizing.
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week?
Scheduling necessary car repair. I keep putting it off.
3. How often do you use a lash curler?
Erm, once every four or five years. Maybe.
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)?
Fresh cut roses. The movie A Room with a View. Blue October skies.
5. One thing you did last weekend?
Went on a walk through the neighborhood.
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today?
Fresh mozzarella with basil on a good roll.
7. Can you French braid your own hair?
Naw. That is something I tried during lockdown summer. Results were…not presentable in public!
8. Bracelet or necklace?
Bracelet. It’s kind of my signature.
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most?
Warm brown.
1. Your current face wash? La Roche Posay normal to dry face wash. I like it a lot, it doesn’t dry out my dry skin.
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week? Organizing my pantry. I’d love a super organized with all the clear bins pantry, but I will settle for not having anything out of date.
3. How often do you use a lash curler? Rarely. I don’t wear mascara often. It’s just not my favorite.
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)? My 20 year old daughter adopted a teeny kitten last week. She’s a crazy cat lady. Lol. Seeing them fall in love with each other is sweet.
5. One thing you did last weekend? My 20 year old had her work party in Traverse City, and I was her plus one. It was fun to see how much her bosses value her. She works at a small bakery in a mini mart.
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today? I ate a monte cristo sandwich for lunch, tasty!
7. Can you French braid your own hair? Yes, but I have to really think about it. It’s not easy for me, a lot of brain power goes into it.
8. Bracelet or necklace? Necklace. Bracelets get in the way.
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most? Dark brown, bronze, definition but not too harsh.
1. CeraVe
2. I am planning two community events: one in March, 1 in april. I would like to nail down some details this week to get them on the calendar officially!
3. Never. I’m not a lashes girl!
4. My sons.
5. Drove hundreds of miles to spend the weekend with my friend whose father just died.
6. Once I ate a sandwich that was so good I immediately memorized the recipe: turkey breast, avocado, cranberry jam, cream cheese, sprouts, pumpernickel bread.
7. Not at all
8. Necklace! I have 2 I’m layering rn that I love.
9. Blackity black.
Monday was blah…so I’m answering on a Tuesday😜…
1. Your current face wash? My face is very sensitive to face wash…so I only use Purpose face wash. It’s basic and gets the job done without breaking my face out or drying my skin out. Everyone in the house can use it without any issues.
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week? Cutting dog nails😖…All 3 dogs
3. How often do you use a lash curler? Never. I want to…but I’m scared of them
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)? My daughter…She’s such a sweet girl. Beautiful inside and out🥰
5. One thing you did last weekend? Bought cube storage organizers for both kiddos
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today? Peanut butter & banana
7. Can you French braid your own hair? No
8. Bracelet or necklace? Necklace…I have small wrists and alot of bracelets don’t fit
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most? Urban Decay Perversion…It’s the one Urban Decay item I can’t go without
Confession time: I spent more on makeup this month than I was planning on😝 (birthday treat to myself?) I finally got a few shades of the Rare Beauty blushes (Joy, Encourage, and Hope). I bought two MAC lipsticks (E for Effortless and @Noorstars). I also got a few new face brushes that I wanted.
1. Your current face wash? Eve Lom foaming cream cleanser
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week? Chipping
3. How often do you use a lash curler? Everyday. Even if I don’t put on mascara, curling them really makes a difference. I really like the Surratt one too.
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)? Cute new leaves in my polka dot begonia! My houseplants are loving all the rain water from the last few weeks.
5. One thing you did last weekend? Took my son to his tennis lesson
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today? Banh mi with ham and extra pate
7. Can you French braid your own hair? Messily, yes
8. Bracelet or necklace? Necklace but nothing chunky
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most? I don’t wear eyeliner these days
1. Your current face wash?
Cereve Hydrating Face Wash. My tried and true since I was on Accutane 7 years ago! Never irritates my super sensitive skin.
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week?
I would like to get in a better night time routine again. We recently adopted two kittens and our routines have kind of gone by the way side. lol. I would like to get a few night workouts in and try to get dishes done before bed.
3. How often do you use a lash curler?
Never anymore. I used to use one every day and just fell out of the habit. I have been getting lash lifts and tints for the last few months and they are a game changer! My lashes always look curled.
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)?
My two kittens cuddling up to our 15 year old cat who LOVES babies. It is adorable!
5. One thing you did last weekend?
Went to the city and got some delish vegan cupcakes! Sugar!
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today?
Ugh, would love a toasted egg sandwich with hash browns please! YUM!
7. Can you French braid your own hair?
No, I really am not great with my hair, haha. High maintenance yes, but not great at styling anything other than loose curls with an iron lol.
8. Bracelet or necklace?
Necklace!
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most?
I always want to wear eyeliner more, but something I usually skip in the mornings. If I do wear it, I love shimmery dark brown!
1. Your current face wash?
A creamy one from Honest Beauty. I just bought a whole skin care routine (except spf) from Honest to try.
Also love Inkey list oat cleansing balm and cerave’s balm cleanser.
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week?
Getting through work as it’s stressing me out right now, before we leave for an annual winter vacation with my inlaws that we love so much.
3. How often do you use a lash curler?
Couple times a week. I used to not use one, but I find it helps just a bit on those days I don’t wear mascara (because I don’t like how it smudges and it’s easier to wash my face when I haven’t worn eye makeup).
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)?
My family. And the mountains that are so close and I can see the beauty of them each day. They are currently covered in snow.
5. One thing you did last weekend?
Hosted a game night and rearranged/freshened up a lot of my home decor.
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today?
Zupas grilled cheese on white
7. Can you French braid your own hair? Sort of.
8. Bracelet or necklace?
I go back and forth. I don’t wear bracelets to work. But I’m trying to find my own style of wearing a stack of bracelets that feels right to me.
I have a couple favorite necklaces.
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most?
Black in my water line on upper lid only.
1. Your current face wash? Neutrogena soap (after using simple baby oil to remove my make-up)
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week? Sewing!! I have a few pieces of clothing that needed to be stitched or buttons sewn on.
3. How often do you use a lash curler? Once in a while when I really have time to do my makeup
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)? My dog. LOVE my shiba inu
5. One thing you did last weekend? Went to dinner with friends (my fave – Mexican)
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today? Roasted veges on a whole grain toast or an avocado/tomato
7. Can you French braid your own hair? No, but wish I could
8. Bracelet or necklace? Both, Love jewelry
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most? dark blue
1. Your current face wash?
For morning or night? I usually have at least three open at all times.
2. What’s something you’d like to conquer this week?
The huge amount of laundry that has amassed in the bathroom…
3. How often do you use a lash curler?
Around three times a week. I can’t be bothered with the extra step every morning.
4. Something beautiful (anything at all)?
Morning cuddles with the kids on a Sunday.
5. One thing you did last weekend?
Sleep in, It was glorious.
6. What kind of sandwich would you like today?
Cheese and lettuce.
7. Can you French braid your own hair?
My own and other peoples!
8. Bracelet or necklace?
Necklace, I am the same with bracelets, they end up annoying me when typing, which is what I do all day.
9. The color of eyeliner you wear the most?
Black. I rarely wear anything else.