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. Did you catch the Oscars last night?
Nah, I missed it. I was really tired (I caught the cold Connor had last week) and passed out early.
2. Garlic bread: yes or no?
Sure, I’ll take some! Better yet, let’s have some spaghetti and meatballs with it.
3. Last lipstick you bought?
NARS Dragon Girl. It’s a cool-toned red lip crayon that’s easy to wear. LOVE IT!
4. Retinol or Vitamin C?
Yes please to both, LOL!
5. Have you ever owned a classic car?
So, according to my mechanic, the ancient Toyota 4Runner that I’ve driven for years is now old enough to be considered a classic car, OMG. So, yes.
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at?
I don’t even know what the answer to this question is anymore. I used to really love visiting the MAC store back in the day, but it’s been ages since I’ve stopped in anywhere and played. When I shop for products in person now, I usually go in with one thing in mind, and then I bounce.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be?
Probably peanut butter. It keeps me full and there’s so many different varieties. You can eat it on a sandwich, with carrots and/or celery, with bananas, you can make peanut butter cookies … Now that I think about it, I actually wouldn’t mind doing this at all.
8. Where would you like to travel next?
I’d love to go back to Kauai. It’s been several years since we’ve visited, and I would love to go back so I could start a campaign for us to move there, ha!
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 catch the Oscars last night?
2. Garlic bread: yes or no?
3. Last lipstick you bought?
4. Retinol or Vitamin C?
5. Have you ever owned a classic car?
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at?
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be?
8. Where would you like to travel next?
P.P.S. Hi, beautiful! It’s the start of a brand new week, and I hope you’re feeling good today. I sure am. I have a little more breathing room in terms of deadlines (just a little, ha), and that makes all the difference. This week I hope to do things that fill my cup: chatting here with you, making a few yummy meals (I really want to try making minestrone soup this week), cleaning up my house and filling up my creative well in all the ways I can.
I hope that your day so far has been good. Treat yourself with extra kindness this week, OK? Sending you a hug.
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night?
No, I’m not really a movie person.
2. Garlic bread: yes or no?
No, garlic makes my stomach feel awful.
3. Last lipstick you bought?
Oh wow, I don’t even know.
4. Retinol or Vitamin C?
Retinol. My dermatologist has me on tretinoin and it took a long time to work up to daily use but it’s great.
5. Have you ever owned a classic car?
No, but I grew up around them. My grandparents rebuilt classic cars, specifically Model A’s. I went to a lot of classic car shows with them. They had a ’57 Chevy when I was really young, and would give the kids ride in the Model A during family get togethers (and it was the first stick shift my brother ever drove).
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at?
Ones my friends work at!
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be?
I eat cereal most days LOL.
8. Where would you like to travel next?
We’re planning a vacation to Quebec City, Montréal, and Saint Pierre et Miquelon this fall for our tenth anniversary. I also go to Baltimore for my new job next month.
Is it your 10th anniversary already? Time flies!
BTW how is the new job?
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night? No, but I did check out the photos of the red (champagne) carpet fashions.
2. Garlic bread: yes or no? Yes, the more garlic the better.
3. Last lipstick you bought? Hourglass Unlocked Satin Crème Lipstick in Cypress
4. Retinol or Vitamin C? I’ve been alternating between the two, but I think the addition of Vit C might be too much for my skin, so I’m gonna pull back from that.
5. Have you ever owned a classic car? No
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at? I like the SA at my local Nordstrom Chanel counter because she’s fun to chat with, she always calls when she gets something in I might be interested in and she’s not pushy.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be? Curry. Indian curries, Thai curries, Japanese curries, Singaporean Nonya curries. I love them all, accompanied by rice of course.
8. Where would you like to travel next? We’re going to Tokyo next week. After that I’d like to visit Seoul. I’d like to visit Singapore and Australia some day too, but Dear Husband keeps bringing up how long and expensive those flights are.
How exciting! Have fun on your trip and please eat all the good food for me!
P.S. Is your beauty shopping list ready?
My shopping list is a page long. I need to edit it. Sigh.
What do you have on it? Brushes, skin care? My parents went to Japan years ago, and I asked my mom to get me something beauty-related and cool. I should’ve probably been more specific because she bought me perfume at the airport that I could’ve purchased here in the U.S. LOL
No brushes. I’ve been to the Hakuhodo showrooms in both Tokyo and Kyoto so many times. At this point I have ALL the brushes, I want and need and then some.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Korea and Japan have an amazing talent for making lightweight sunscreens you don’t feel and possibly don’t leave a white cast. Then again, they’re allowed to use ingredients that aren’t FDA approved.
Other skin care. Thought I’d take a look at SUQQU, Addiction, Koh Gen Do and Armani (because there are Asian foundations not available here in the US) in person.
Food, tea, stationery goods, the list is long.
You need to bring a separate piece of luggage just so you can fill it with your shopping!
Did you catch the Oscars last night? No, I am not a fan of all these stars patting themselves on the back.
2. Garlic bread: yes or no? It’s my favorite.
3. Last lipstick you bought? It’s been a while.
4. Retinol or Vitamin C? Retinol.
5. Have you ever owned a classic car? Yes, I had a 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass.
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at? Ulta.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be? Cheese. I love it and it can also go on anything.
8. Where would you like to travel next? I’m going to Barcelona next month, but I would also love to go to Tahiti.
I’m excited for your trip! How long will you be in Barcelona?
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night? No, but I have seen snippets of the winners. I love the recognition for the “Everything Everywhere All at Once” movie actors
2. Garlic bread: yes or no? Yes, always
3. Last lipstick you bought? Merit beauty, 3 different once. They will be delivered tomorrow.
4. Retinol or Vitamin C? Vitamin C
5. Have you ever owned a classic car? No
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at? It’s a place in Larkspur. I cannot remember the name, but you did a meet & greet years ago.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be? eggs
8. Where would you like to travel next? Turkey
Ooh, Gen! I think that place closed because of the pandemic, unfortunately. 🙁
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night? Yes. It was fun and I thought Jimmy Kimmel did a fine job hosting. I was absolutely thrilled with Michelle Yeoh’s win. She’s always been one of my favorites.
2. Garlic bread: yes or no? I love crispy garlic bread with enough garlic to slay a vampire.
3. Last lipstick you bought? It was that lovely warm pink in that gorgeous case that was part of Guerlain’s Cherry Blossom collection for Spring 2023.
4. Retinol or Vitamin C? They’re both important.
5. Have you ever owned a classic car? No.
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at? It depends entirely on the SA’s. I’ve had good experiences and bad just depending on the staff.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be? Tomato basil soup. I love the stuff—especially with that crispy garlic bread I mentioned in #2.
8. Where would you like to travel next? I was originally planning on traveling to Mallorca and Ibiza, but I seriously injured my back and won’t be going anywhere for awhile.
LOL to “enough garlic to slay a vampire.” Same, girl. SAME.
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night? Yes! Loved them! Everyone won that I was rooting for! “Everything Everywhere All At Once” is such a cool movie, I loved watching history be made!
2. Garlic bread: yes or no? It’s fine, but my husband could eat an entire loaf all by himself!
3. Last lipstick you bought? MAC Ruby Woo, for a 50’s themed 50th birthday party I went to a few months ago.
4. Retinol or Vitamin C? Retinol, but layered with a moisturizer and serum. Vitamin C breaks me out.
5. Have you ever owned a classic car? Ummm, my first car was a 1972 Ford Pinto, not a gorgeous car, but definitely a classic.
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at? I used to shop at the Benefit counter at Macy’s a lot, but I haven’t been to a beauty counter in forever.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be? Apples. Tart apples like Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith. Fresh, juicy, easily turned into dessert or eaten as a snack.
8. Where would you like to travel next? I moved to Michigan last year, I’d really like to visit Detroit this Summer.
How are you liking your new state, Stephanie?
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night? I didn’t. My favorite film of the year was The Banshees of Inisherin but didn’t feel it would take any awards home. We watched the finale of The Last of Us instead.
2. Garlic bread: yes or no? Yes please!
3. Last lipstick you bought? GXVE satin lippie in Anaheim Shine. It came in a new beauty vip box so I didn’t choose it, but I do like it and use it.
4. Retinol or Vitamin C? I use both but I think my skin gets more benefits from Vitamin C as of now.
5. Have you ever owned a classic car? My family used to have a red VW beetle back in the day.
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at? Barneys used to be fun when they were still around.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be? Eggs prepared a hundred different ways
8. Where would you like to travel next?
We’re thinking Pacific NW this summer. Haven’t been in almost 10 years.
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night?
No, but I did look at photos of the fashion today.
2. Garlic bread: yes or no?
Yes, homemade with lots of parsley.
3. Last lipstick you bought?
Three different shades of the Sephora Hydrating Satin lipstick.
4. Retinol or Vitamin C?
Retinol. I’ve never had good results with Vitamin C.
5. Have you ever owned a classic car?
Yes, I have one now. A 1963 Dodge Dart. Years ago I had two 1961 Mercury Comets, a his and hers pair I bought from a divorcing couple.
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at?
I’ve never enjoyed the makeup counter experience, too much pressure.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be?
I eat a rice cake with mixed nut butter and banana every morning along with my coffee, so I’m living this question, lol.
8. Where would you like to travel next?
Attainable- Mexico City. Fantasy-Morocco.
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night? Yes, even though I haven’t seen any of the nominated movies yet. I’m on the waiting list at the library for EEAAO (the best picture winner). The waiting list was surprisingly short when I signed up, a few days before the telecast.
2. Garlic bread: yes or no? Yes, on occasion. I really like the “New York” brand of garlic Texas toast that the grocery store carries.
3. Last lipstick you bought? I bought 4 in one of the sales in the last few months: Urban Decay Naked and Backtalk, and MAC Mehr, and Smashbox Big Spender. That last one is a liquid lipstick.
4. Retinol or Vitamin C? Both.
5. Have you ever owned a classic car? No. I’ve been a loyal Honda owner for my whole adult life, and none of those are really classics.
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at? Wouldn’t know. I’m an INFJ personality type, who tends to avoid interactions with strangers.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be? High-quality milk chocolate.
8. Where would you like to travel next? Europe, since I’m “old” and I have never been there; I don’t want to die without seeing it in person. Failing that, I’d like to see Yosemite or Yellowstone.
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night? No.
2. Garlic bread: yes or no? Absolutely!
3. Last lipstick you bought? GXVE Screen My Phone Calls (a favorite, this is my second one)
4. Retinol or Vitamin C? I can’t do retinol, even the gentle ones are too much. I use an essential oil-free Vitamin C serum from Wabi-Sabi Botanicals every day and love it. (and their EO free cleanser that smells like coffee)
5. Have you ever owned a classic car? I have a Triumph TR6 in the garage.
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at? I love the Art of Pure store in Chicago.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be? Croissants.
8. Where would you like to travel next? Nowhere, after 20 years as an airline pilot I just enjoy staying home or going to the family farm out in the country.
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night?
Didn’t even know they were on. But now that I do, I want to Google the outfits.
2. Garlic bread: yes or no?
Yes! I ate it for dinner with Caesar salad and lasagna tonight. But like you said, with spaghetti and meatballs… I like that better than lasagna.
3. Last lipstick you bought?
Don’t really wear it as my lips are so dry. But I just bought Vaseline in those tiny tubs.
4. Retinol or Vitamin C?
Retinol seems to dry my skin, but everything seems to. Ugg for dry skin. So now I’m using vitamin C in the a.m. that I’m trying out from Honest Beauty. Don’t think it’s doing anything, but vitamin c is a great anti oxidant, which is a good thing to wear in the morning.
5. Have you ever owned a classic car?
No
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at?
I don’t. But I do put things in my cart for sephora and ulta so I don’t forget what I want to buy on the infrequent occasion I go.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be?
Donuts. Or cinnamon rolls. Or for something healthy, homemade version of Olive Gardens salad and dressing.
8. Where would you like to travel next? Seattle to stay on an island, also Florida.
Good luck with the Minestrone soup. It’s a wonderful and easy soup. Too bad my family doesn’t really care for it. I like to make it in my crock pot (and cook the noodles on the stove top though and add before serving. Noodles cooked in the crock pot go mushy).
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night?
Yes. Loved the outfits, the speeches and that dance number.
2. Garlic bread: yes or no?
Yes, with extra garlic please.
3. Last lipstick you bought?
Clinique Black Honey..
4. Retinol or Vitamin C?
Retinol
5. Have you ever owned a classic car?
No.
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at?
Any brand at the local Nordstrom.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be?
Pizza never gets old.
8. Where would you like to travel next?
In my dreams? New Zealand. In reality? New Jersey.
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night? I saw clips of it. I loved when the actor who won best supporting actor hugged Harrison Ford when his movie won best picture. That was precious, as was his acceptance speech.
2. Garlic bread: yes or no? Absolutely.
3. Last lipstick you bought? Chanel Rouge Allure in Nuance
4. Retinol or Vitamin C? Retinol, but a mild one.
5. Have you ever owned a classic car? No
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at? I always loved the counters at Barneys. Too bad they’re gone.
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be? Chicken wings with Mambo sauce.
8. Where would you like to travel next? St. Thomas
I hope you are safe.
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night?No, I go online the next day to see who won and look at all the photos too. I like watching the pre-events (red carpet …interviews/fashion)…but the awards get boring,
2. Garlic bread: yes or no? Absolutely YES. Love it
3. Last lipstick you bought? I have so many at home, I have to use up what I have….but I think it was a NYX Buttergloss. Love them.
4. Retinol or Vitamin C? Both
5. Have you ever owned a classic car? Is classic a 1974 hatchback Mustang?
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at? All of them!!! LOVE makeup
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be? Pasta w/marinara (simple). LOVE it
8. Where would you like to travel next? anywhere I can afford to fly! So expensive these days. Thinking Aruba though. Or Caribbean anywhere.
1. Did you catch the Oscars last night? Yes all of it!!!
2. Garlic bread: yes or no? Probably no
3. Last lipstick you bought? Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk
4. Retinol or Vitamin C? Vitamin C
5. Have you ever owned a classic car? No
6. Funnest beauty counter to shop at? Sephora
7. If you had to eat one food every day for a week, what would it be? Great question…waffles.
8. Where would you like to travel next? Paris
I’m so glad it’s Friday and not Monday and, since I’m late to the party, I’ll skip the poll. I hope the writing is going well and it’s good to hear about having some more generous deadlines. I thought of you with my Sephora order. I used some points for a mini of the water sleeping mask. I have the full size, but it’s nice to have one to travel, you know? 🙂 I was bummed that they were out of stock on the original flavor of the lip mask, though. I came thisclose to pulling the trigger on gummy bear, hoping that it was grape. Maybe next time!