You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”
Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
- How do you feel right now?
I’m all smiles. 🙂 The sun’s out, I slept well (went to bed at 10…although I was hoping to be in bed by 9:30), and there’s a ginormous tabby meowing up a storm on my lap.I know he just wants food, but I’m going to pretend he’s happy to see me.
- Bacon: love it or leave it?
Love the fake stuff from Morning Star, which, by the way, really does smell (and almost taste) like bacon!Oh, you were talking about Kevin Bacon? Well I love him, too. I’ll always have place in my heart for the OG Footloose (“Kick off your Sunday shoes!”).
- If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live?
Seeing as how it’s been freezing here lately, I’m going with Oahu, Hawaii! I could see myself as a beach bum, and go surfing every morning (slathered in sunscreen from head to toe, of course). I’m a water baby, through and through! - Do you remember your very first day of school?
I remember the bag lunch my mom prepared for me for my first day of kindergarten. She filled a gray, glass-shaped Tupperware with milk because we didn’t have a thermos (the tupperware was supposed to be for making Jell-O).Unfortunately, the milk leaked in the bag and soaked everything, but I guess it wasn’t a big whoop because I don’t remember crying about it…the spilled milk. 🙂
- What’s something that sometimes holds you back?
I think fear holds me back more than it used to. I remember being pretty fearless in my late teens and early 20s.I’m not sure when it changed — probably after being knocked down by life a few times (unexpected family illnesses, starting to perceive my own mortality, facing failure at work, that sort of thing).
Sometimes, I think I’m also just too exhausted to try, like I’ve temporarily depleted my willpower.
- What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?
Oh, gawd, my wedding or engagement rings. I would FREAK OUT!I have a bad habit of losing jewelry, which is one big reason why I like costume jewelry so much.
But with my engagement and wedding rings, I told El Hub, “Um, yeah. Not gonna be costume jewelry.” LOL! And I’ve developed some extra-paranoid tactics to keep from losing them, like storing them in the same designated place in the house whenever I take them off, or never taking them off at all when I’m away from home.
So far, so good (knock on wood!), although I have left them in a pocket before and found them later in the washing machine…
Whoops!
- Do you have a morning skincare routine?
I do, and I like to do this right when I get up. If I don’t I feel kind of groggy all morning long.First thing, I wash my face, and lately I’ve been using Neutrogena’s All-in-1 Acne Control Daily Face Scrub because I’ve got some acne on my chin. It seems to be getting them under control.
I follow that up with a serum by Skinceuticals called CE Ferulic, which I’ve been using and loving for the past few months.
I think it’s totally changed my skin — made it generally brighter, more even-toned and smoother.
Then I apply my eye cream, lately SK-II’s Skin Signature.
After that, I rub Kate Somerville’s Anti Bac Clearing Lotion around my mouth, chin and jaw. (For the zits! It’s an acne treatment.)
Lastly, sunscreen, and right now I’m using Clarins SPF 30 Wrinkle Control on my eyes and Caudalie Vinoperfect SPF 15 Day Perfecting Fluid on the rest of my face.
- When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?
I brush my teeth and floss when I need a quick pick-me-up, but if I have a little more time, I’ll straighten my hair, and smooth down the ends with Bumble & Bumble Brilliantine Cream. - What’s been your favorite day of the new year so far?
Okay, so I know we’re only 14 days in, but my best day so far was about a week ago at that spa day/slumber party I mentioned. So much fun! - What are you hoping to accomplish this week?
Well, I have a few writing deadlines, so I hope to get those done early this week…I’m so over procrastinating. I’m just sick of it!
This hit me last week when I went to meet a friend for lunch. I’m usually rushing to make it out the door at the last minute and always feeling kind of frazzled, but that day I left the house early, with time to spare, and made it to lunch 15 minutes early.
Wow.
It felt great! And I sorta rediscovered how much I like getting stuff done early. Somewhere along the way, I turned into a procrastinator, and I don’t think it suits me anymore…
To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.
Le List
1. How do you feel right now?
2. Bacon: love it or leave it?
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live?
4. Do you remember your very first day of school?
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back?
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine?
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far?
10. What are your weekly goals?
What’s up, cutie? Here’s a big Monday morning hug (HUG).
But if you don’t like your personal space invaded, then please take this gentle shoulder squeeze from an arm’s length away. 🙂
It’s with great relief that I can finally say that — TA-DA! — I’m finally done watching The Hills. And I’m a better person for it!
Okay, not really, but it was good enough brain candy while it lasted.
I just started a new show called Homeland with Claire Danes. I’m five episodes in, and it’s intense!
I needed something to tide me over until The Walking Dead comes back next month, and this should do nicely.
Anyway, hope you’re having a good day so far. Looking forward to sharing another week with you.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
1. How do you feel right now? satisfied, today was a productive day!
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? not a massive fan.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? Such a hard question as I can think of so many destinations. Maybe in Barcelona?
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? I don’t think I remember the first day but remember some of the first days.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? my laziness?! gah..
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? Maybe jewelry, as well.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? I try to be as quick as possible, but I do enjoy my routine in the evening.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? wash my hair if a have a chance.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? Actually I’ve had such a fantastic start of 2013 that it’s hard to choose.
10. What are your weekly goals? buy all the necessary products for the renovation of my home. I have people that start working in two weeks, and I need everything to be bought.
PS. also wanted to give Homeland a go, but now I am kinda busy for a new show.
Hi Marina,
When did you buy the new house? So exciting!
Unfortunately, I did not buy a new house, just re-doing things in my (old) flat.
That’s still very exciting. Are you going for a new look?
Thanks for the Monday Morning Hug, Karen!
1. How do you feel right now? Pretty good! Eating leftovers from last night for lunch (chicken breast stuffed with greens and some parmesan/romano/asiago cheese, and carrots and green beans on the side.)
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? Love it, but I didn’t actually like bacon until a year or two ago. My mom always made turkey bacon growing up. I don’t buy it very often though, so expensive!
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? Brest, France. It’s where I did my study abroad, and my favorite place in the world. Plus, awesome weather for redheads!
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? I had a holographic pink backpack that I wish I still had, it was awesome.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? Anxiety! I’m always worried about the future.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? Engagement ring, and my stuffed teddy bear Cricket (he is blue with white polka dots, and has been loved to death, he’s falling apart). I also have an amazing gold bangle of my grandma’s that it would break my heart to lose.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? Yep!
Cleanse with CeraVe cleanser.
Moisturize with Tri-Derma Redness Repair Moisturizer
Simple Soothing Eye Balm Eye Cream
and Johnson’s Baby Daily Face and Body Lotion SPF 40 all over.
I tried Olay Pro-X Spot Fading treatment for 5 weeks or so, and saw no difference, so I’m not using that any longer.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? Fill in my brows, it makes such a difference.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? Not sure! the day my brother and his wife came over and we played board games was great!
10. What are your weekly goals? Work out 4 more times (I did hooping yesterday, so fun!), read all my chapters, and start filling out a few scholarship applications (the one from the French American Chamber of Commerce Michigan chapter WILL BE MINE.)
You’re welcome, Chelsea. 🙂
What was hooping like? That’s a hoola hoop workout, right?
Yes! I just do it at home, I bought a weighted hula hoop, I put on some music, and I rock out. So much fun!
1. How do you feel right now?
~A little sleepy. Had a windy, hilly 2 mile run this morning and my hip was bothering me.
2. Bacon: love it or leave it?
~I enjoy it but don’t eat it a lot.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live?
~Ooohhh that’s a tough one. When I visit other places I appreciate my home state of Maryland even more. I loved being in the Caribbean (St. Thomas especially) but it wasn’t home. It was beautiful but it didn’t have the same mountains and rivers that I have at home. So I’d spend my years living in my home state!
4. Do you remember your very first day of school?
~Not really, I was 4 when I started kindergarden.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back?
~Not really fear, but worry or overthinking it. I don’t really get paralyzing fear anymore. Sometimes I underestimate my true physical and mental abilities.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?
~Definitely my engagement ring. Another thing that can’t be replaced is my 25 year old teddy bear who has literally seen it all.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine?
~I usually use Cetaphil – it’s the best face wash around. My dermatologist recommended it years ago because I have combination skin – it gets oily but also very dry at times. Then I apply the Garnier moisture gel cream for normal to oily skin – it moisturizes well but isn’t heavy. It’s also cool when I feel warm or flushed. I also spot treat zits with 10% benzoyl peroxide, usually by Clean and Clear.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?
~I wash my face or take a shower and make sure everything is clean and shaved (love the Schick Intuition – it does a great job). I don’t do much with makeup or hair other than make sure I look clean and polished. If I have to break out the straightener I will.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far?
~Not sure. It’s been rough at the hospital because of the big influx of flu patients, so I’ve been spending my days off working out and resting.
10. What are your weekly goals?
~Go to my first MMA/jiu jitsu class tonight and just have fun and learn.
~Keep working on fitness and make every effort to meet my goals for each week.
Hi Katherine,
Have fun at your class! I can’t wait to hear all about it. 🙂
It was awesome! The academy/gym I went to was really friendly and I saw the ER doc I work with who recommended it to me. It gave me a nice confidence boost, and we did a lot of cardio, yoga, and grappling! Can’t wait to do more classes. Highly recommend it for women if you’re looking for something new to try, however you can’t wear makeup to the class (you get really sweaty and it rubs off).
1. How do you feel right now?
Kinda tired. Didn’t go to bed as early as I should have last night. I wanted to stay up and watch the Golden Globes.
2. Bacon: love it or leave it?
Love it, but I don’t eat it very often. I’ll usually eat it once a week for a lazy weekend breakfast along with pancakes and eggs.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live?
Somewhere in Hawaii, probably Kauai. It’s been 10 years since I was there last, but I still think about it. Love that place!
4. Do you remember your very first day of school?
Not really. I know I had just moved to the States from India with my parents so I was very shy. I do remember I had a Strawberry Shortcake lunch box. 🙂
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back?
Fear and complacency. There’s certain things in my life that I’m not entirely happy with, but they’re not bad enough to change. And I’m afraid to take the risk to change things and them have them (potentially) be worse.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?
Do kitties count? They’re much more than keepsakes, but when Ella was lost for a few hours, I was beside myself.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine?
I wash my face using my Clarisonic and an Olay foaming cleanser. After that, Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Corrector, Neutrogena Eye Cream, and moisturizer with SPF.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?
I wash and style my hair. Dry shampoo helps, but I feel best when I have clean, styled hair.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far?
No specific day stands out, but I’m looking forward to this Friday. We’re having dinner with my sister-in-law and her husband at a fancy restaurant in town. My father-in-law always gives us gift certificates for the restaurant for Christmas and it’s been tradition to meet up after the holidays and have dinner.
10. What are your weekly goals?
Hop on the elliptical 3-4 days. I did 4 days last week and I hope to keep it up this week.
Homeland is fantastic! Seriously one of the best new shows on television. Season 2 just finished up recently, so I’ll keep mum on any further details. 🙂
Have a great Monday!
1. How do you feel right now? Slightly better, still recovering from the cold I have since christmas.
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? I don’t eat animals anymore, so no bacon for me, but before I became vegtarian, sometimes I liked it.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? London, or New York, and I still think about moving to Toronto for working…
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? No, not really
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? Procrastinating…
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? My family or a person I love, because things can be replaced…
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? No, it’s pretty fast…, no cleaning, just eye cream from MAC and moisturizer (Bobbi Brown or Dr. Hauschka)
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? Wash my hair
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? Last weeks thursday, my cold had improved, the weather was okay and I did some shopping
10. What are your weekly goals? Sleep more, and read some books
1. How do you feel right now? Well, tired in fact
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? Leave it, I am half-vegetarian
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? Bora Bora I think
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? No but I was scared, I remember that
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? Mood swings
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? A necklace with a heart my mother gave me as a present
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? Yes, skintoner, floral water and a good daycream ( currently Nuxe Crème Fraîche for sensitive skins, I use my anti-ageing cream in the evening, Estee Lauder )
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? Use rosewater all over the face and that’s it.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? Last saturday when I found the Dior Bow Cherie collection ! I bought 7 items and I am very glad, no regrets it’s a gorgeous spring collection !
10. What are your weekly goals? Many in fact but as I tend to procrastinate a lot, well…
1. How do you feel right now? Anxious, but in a good way! The new semester begins tomorrow!
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? Bacon is the food of the gods.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? England. I’d hit London, Bath, York, Leicester, all the beautiful places I’ve ever wanted to go. Also I’d jet over to Europe constantly and hit a new country every weekend.
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? Kindergarten, no, but I remember my first day of 1st grade.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? My anxiety disorder.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? The silver bracelet my grandmother gave me when she died.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? Neutrogena moisturizer all over my face, then primer, then makeup.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? My skin.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? So far? Probably yesterday, when the Patriots won the AFC Divisional title. I’m a big football buff.
10. What are your weekly goals? Get through the first week of school, don’t overanalyze everything, get some more perspective on what I’m doing with my marriage.
Oh karen! Homeland is amazing! I think it’s a little racist… but so intense and keeps you back for more! We started it when Season 2 was ending, and are now watching Season 2- 4 episodes left!!
1. How do you feel right now?
I wish the sun was shining in Washington, DC!
I feel good. Work load has eased up. Finished my 1st week of P90X yesterday. Being positive about life. 🙂
2. Bacon: love it or leave it?
I don’t eat pork, but I do love turkey bacon. I’ll have to try the morningstar!
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live?
Italy! There’s so much culture, so much to explore, and the food…!
4. Do you remember your very first day of school?
Yeah. Some kid was talking about me asking why I was coming into the class mid year, and the teacher had to tell her that wasn’t nice.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back?
Fear of failure. I can’t accept failure and sometimes I don’t try things because of it.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?
Not sure, maybe a pic of me and my grandmother from when I was a baby. It’s black and white, and I’m pretty sure it’s the only copy.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine?
Not really. Just spash with water and moisturizer. I don’t like putting too many things under my makeup.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?
Do a nice hairstyle
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far?
I’ve been working to make every day this year positive and being present in the moment. So far, every day has been good- even the struggling ones! I’m trying to spend time doing more of what I love.
10. What are your weekly goals?
P90x week 2! Continue to watch what I eat. Clean up the condo.
1. How do you feel right now?: Relaxed.
2. Bacon: love it or leave it?: Love it. Don’t eat it often, but it’s so yummy with avocado and chicken. Turkey bacon, pork bacon, veggie bacon, it’s all good.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live?: South of France, or my father’s family home on a teeny tiny (population <100) island in the Adriatic Sea.
4. Do you remember your very first day of school?: Not quite.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back?: Fear of what people would think of me.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?: I have a small ring that my grandmother and grandfather gave me when I was born. It's a thin gold ring with a heart shaped diamond. My grandparents passed away over a decade ago, and loosing something like that would be so heartbreaking.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine?: Wash my face with a warm damp washcloth, or a mild creamy cleanser if I really need it. I use Nuxe Huile Prodigeuse on my face and neck at nighttime after I shower/use the Clairisonic, so that tends to keep my moisture level alright in the morning. Then follow with a very thin sunblock.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?: Put on a nice lipstick.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far?: Not sure yet!
10. What are your weekly goals?: Take it easy before my final (!!!) semester of grad school starts next Tuesday.
Have a great week, everyone!
1. How do you feel right now?
WERQ! Plotting and planning global domina–I mean my life. I got transferred to a new position at work so lots of training to plan for. My husband is away on Friday night, making me free for the evening. I’m going to go on a girl day at Sephora!
2. Bacon: love it or leave it?
Love it. When in doubt, bacon.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live?
Hawaii! The warm weather, ocean, and beaches did wonders for my psyche and my health. I was breathing better, had more energy, and I had a tan!
4. Do you remember your very first day of school?
Kindergarten, right? I learned John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt. I think my class got the name right by the third time we repeated the lyrics. Mr. Henry was the tallest man I ever met by that time. I thought a giant was teaching me about numbers and letters.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back?
I hesitate for a moment. This isn’t as bad as it used to be, like in high school. I tell my inner scaredy-cat to scram.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?
My mom’s earrings. It was one of the first things she bought for herself when she immigrated to the U.S. She gave it to me because it couldn’t fit her earlobes anymore.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine?
– Wash my face with Sana Hadanomy Aqua Placenta Moisture Cleansing Foam Wash using a Sephora Precision Pore Cleaning Pad. Weirdest name, but my face doesn’t feel tight when I use it.
– Optional: Use Hadanomy wash with Clarisonic once a week.
– Moisturize! A spritz of Caudalie Divine Oil. Lotion just wasn’t doing it for me this winter. I needed some serious moisturizer on my face.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?
I brush/style my hair. If it’s up I put it down, and vice versa.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far?
Watching really good football games on Saturday (11/12/2013). It was seriously some of the best games I witnessed. GO NINERS!
10. What are your weekly goals?
– Laundry. A never ending grind but it has to be done. My husband needs socks and I need underthings.
– Get my Sephora appointment locked in. I have to use that VIB offer. Usually I don’t have Sephora staff demo on me and it’s high time I changed that.
– Organize my arts and crafts stuff. I was doing a lot of projects. The stuff is pretty but my supplies are scattered. I need to clean that all up.
1. How do you feel right now?
Tired! There was a storm last night that kept me awake for most of the night.
2. Bacon: love it or leave it?
Love it!
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live?
London! It’s my favourite city in the world.
4. Do you remember your very first day of school?
Nope.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back?
Fear of failing.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?
A ring my boyfriend has given me. It’s not an engagement ring but it’s very special to me anyway.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine?
At the moment, I’m using an exfoliating cleanser, followed by sunscreen and an Olay moisturizer.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?
Put lipstick on.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far?
6th January. My boyfriend and I celebrated 11 years together.
10. What are your weekly goals?
Clean up the house.
1. How do you feel right now?
Pretty good. I asked for yet another week off… and I still have my job… so it’s a good day! But it’s danged cold out here, though…and I’m such a wuss.
2. Bacon: love it or leave it?
Love it!
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live?
That’s a tough one…so many places… Hubby actually has a sabbatical coming up in 2014, so this is a real question for us… Hawaii is a real possibility as is Tel Aviv… and they would both be fabulous. Hawaii for relaxation and traditional music. Tel Aviv for culture and proximity to ancient historical sites and places where I could experience real henna traditions (Yemeni Jews, and Jordan is pretty close by, and lots of immigrants with henna traditions)…actually, as long as we don’t go to rural Pennsylvania or New Jersey or Antartica, I’m happy.
4. Do you remember your very first day of school?
Not really. Except that I HAD to know how to spell my name… only Czech name in town…
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back?
Doubt.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?
Wedding ring for sure! I also still have my childhood teddy bear, but I think I could part with him if push came to shove…
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine?
Yes, Sephora’s gentle foaming cleanser in the shower, a serum with vit C (right now I’m using one I picked up in Israel and adding in a smidge of powdered vit C), moisturizer and sunscreen…but right now I’m using Skinfood’s Grape Platinum Essence super-duper moisturizing sunscreen with SPF 50 so that’s 2 steps in one.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?
Get my hair off my face and into an updo (usually a twist)
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far?
Yesterday. Date day with the hubby. Saw Life of Pi and then went to our favorite Turkish restaurant for lunch.
10. What are your weekly goals?
Exercise 2x a day for 5 days this week, take the car in for it’s oil change and alignment, finish making my vision board for 2013.
Ooo! I have never done one of these! I have been a long time lurker on your blog.
1. How do you feel right now? Good and guilty… I think I found my HG foundation and concealers (Cle de Peau) and I am cringing at the price! And I am one who is willing to pay whatever the price for as long as it works for me, but ack!
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? Love it. But it took my Hubby (then boyfriend) 10 years to get me to eat any and then when I started, I only ate the lean bits.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? Sorrento, Italy. My Hubby and I are seriously thinking about becoming expats when he retires and we kick our kid out of the house and into a dorm room!
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? Oh dear yes. A girl approach me and tell me we’re cousins (my Mum calls her a “cocktail cousin”… Related, but very distant) and then tell me I had to listen to her or she would tell my Mum I did a bad thing at school, even though I didn’t. I do not know her whereabouts, nor do I care.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? I would like to say nothing holds me back anymore. I am brutally honest and straightforward and I respect those who are the same way. I was bullied all throughout school, both physically and mentally, and I always kept quiet about it, letting them get away with it. Never again and I believe Karma will always bite you back.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? My wedding ring and earrings. I never wanted an engagement ring, which shocked my Hubby. So he gave me the most beautiful earrings the night before our wedding. These and my Snoopy stuffed doll! My Daughter now “babysits” him.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? Wash with a little Kiehl’s Washable Cleansing Milk (t-zone, water everywhere else), Kiehl’s Dark Spot Corrector serum and Ultra Facial most days, or Creme de la Mer serum and Clarins Beauty Balm for dehydrated days, and Clarins UV Plus HP everyday.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? Brows and correct my dark circles!!
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? Sunday. The only day I am not schlepping my daughter to school and dance classes and I can leisurely make dinner for my family!
10. What are your weekly goals? To get more sleep!
I am looking for a good eye cream that is not irritating. No matter what concealer I use they all end up looking cakey and dry so it has to be that my eye skin is dry. Is SK-II eye cream really good under concealer? Or is there another one you recommend?
Oh, and enjoy the crazy ride that is Homeland! Once I realized it was by the people that did 24 it calmed me down a bit. Still intense, but a little more predictable.
1. How do you feel right now? Bloated. =(
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? mmmm…love, love, love me my bacon!
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? Maui or Oahu, HI. I have fam in both places so I wouldn’t get lonely and like you, Karen, I’d be at the beach everyday!!! =)
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? Yup. I remember being dropped off at preschool and standing at the fence watching my mom go. My mom told me not to cry because she’d be back soon so I held it in but man, it was one of the worst feelings.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? My own insecurities, but I have to say, as I’ve gotten a bit wiser and since having my kiddies, I’m becoming more and more secure with just putting it out there.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? My cross pendant that belonged to my grandma and mama.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? Sure do! I cannot, for the life of me, think of the line of skincare I use. It’s been about 3 months and I’m drawing a blank. =(
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? Some lipstick usually does the trick!
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? January 4th…birth of my nephew! <3
10. What are your weekly goals? Just get everything done before Thursday when I start my staycation! Woot!!
1. How do you feel right now? Ok, though a little depressed. Insurance is expensive and my medication is even MORE expensive and I have a very full class load at school this coming semester and I just don’t know how I will get everything done. *sigh*
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? LOVE it. Too much.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? Hawaii or Costa Rica
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? No :/
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? Uncertainty. Like you, I used to just go for things. In the last year or 2, I’ve noticed that I’ve become a lot more reserved and always question myself. I wish I could break free from the doubt sometimes
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? The jewelry my mom gave me
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? Kinda. If I’m waking up and going out immediately after, I just have a simple routine of washing face with Aveeno foaming cleanser, spray Ole Henriksen toner on face and pat in, apply Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Radiance serum to damp skin, allow to sink in for 10 mins then apply Elta MD sunscreen. If I’m not going out, I just do a quick cleanse with my Caudalie Cleansing Water then apply a bit of the same serum.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? brush my teeth and use a cleansing water to cool down and freshen up
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? sorting through a huge bag of rocks with my brother (it was more fun than it sounds! :P)
10. What are your weekly goals? GET SOME INSURANCE!, workout, catch up on photos, enjoy my last week of winter break for the madness of the spring semester starts
1. How do you feel right now? A whole lot of things! Spring semester just started for me so I feel that nervous anticipation about classes. But I’m also extremely excited about advertising my Etsy and helping with another website. I know I’m going to be busy the upcoming months but I can’t wait to see how it will all turn out.
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? Love it! My guilty pleasure is mac n cheese with some bacon in it.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? It’s freezing in San Diego, too! (Though us native San Diegans are complete wusses when in comes to the cold..). I think I would like to try living in Japan assuming I was able to get a knack of the language beforehand. If not, I’d like to try someplace like San Francisco or New York. I’d like to live in the big city for, at least, a year!
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? The only thing I remember is what my parents and grandparents told me. I was crying when they dropped me off (because I didn’t want to stay) and I was crying when they came to pick me up (because I didn’t want to leave) 😛
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? Fear of failing. Putting all my sincerest effort into something and not being able to succeed terrifies me. But I’m trying my best to take risks because I really do like to challenge myself. I’m still working on getting out of my comfort zone in a lot of aspects.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? Yes, especially with how drying this weather has been! I use the Murad Vitamin C cleanser, Shiseido Hydrating Skin Softener, Kate Sommerville Quench Hydrating Serum, and the Shiseido Multi-Energizing Cream.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?
There’s something about getting my eyebrows threaded that makes me feel absolutely polished and refined! I’m a regular at the place I go to and I LOVE how they make my brows look.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? For me, it would have to be last Friday because I was able to visit my old college and see some of my previous TAs that I really connected with over the years. Afterwards, I was able to hang with my two besties back in the South Bay. Despite the awful traffic, it was an amazing day.
10. What are your weekly goals? I’m still trying to clean my work space in my bedroom and am figuring out how to adjust my schedule to make all my new activities fit!
1. How do you feel right now? I feel happy. I’m glad to be off work.
2. Bacon: love it or leave it?Leave it.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? The Maldives.
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? Yes.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? I’m quiet.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? My grandmas jade ring.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? I wash my face.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? Paint my nails.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? New Years Day.
10. What are your weekly goals? To work out 4 times this week.
finally doing this! happy monday!
1. How do you feel right now?
slightly accomplished. finished my homemaker duties (clean house! yay!), but i haven’t resumed my study duties. :/
2. Bacon: love it or leave it?
love it, but the real stuff! (reduced sodium, due to the man’s high blood pressure). i tried turkey bacon, and i couldn’t bear to finish the package. 🙁 the texture felt like bologna.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live?
italy. i love the art, history, and style. i think a year would be enough time to see everything.
4. Do you remember your very first day of school?
i think it was pre-school. i cried my eyes out when my mom left, but coloring helped ease that separation anxiety.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back?
fear of failure. i should just try, and see what the outcome will be, but i always get stuck on failing.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?
a green comb that my lola gave me, the last time i was in the philippines. i hope to visit her this year 🙂
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine?
depends what i’m doing for the day. if i’m staying home, i just wash my face with water, apply eye cream, and then olay moisturizer. if i’m going somewhere, i use my olay moisturizer with SPF, and get the make up going. under eye circles are not my friend, but they hang out with me anyway.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?
clean up! shower, brush teeth, and get dressed!
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far?
it’s only two weeks into the year! LoL! i haven’t had a particular favourite day, but i’m looking forward to the day after valentine’s day! that’s when the man and i celebrate valentine’s day. the hype is gone, and the candy is half off. LoL 🙂
10. What are your weekly goals?
i NEED to get through my review lectures, and get homework knocked out of the way. i NEED to be knee-deep in misery with this review course! 🙂
1. How do you feel right now? Still recovering from flu, lingering fever. Emotionally good, though.
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? I’m vegetarian, but I love smoky tempeh “bacon”.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? Ooh, so hard to choose. Damascus, Istanbul, Ho Chi Minh City, Scottish Highlands, Iceland, Paris. I would love a year in each place.
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? Not first grade, but I remember my first day of school in the US (4th grade). It was terrifying, especially since I didn’t speak a word of English.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? Definitely fear. I’ve gotten so much less sure of myself as I’ve gotten older,I’ve had some hard life lessons in the last 10 years.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? The dictionary my mother used when she came to the US. The spine is broken in many places,and the cover and pages are mangled. I love thinking about her hands searching and fumbling to understand.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? I wash my face in the shower with an Elizabeth Arden cleanser. Tone with Evan Healy rose petal hydrosol. Apply Dr.Hauschka rose day cream or 100% Pure Pomegranate moisturizer with SPF.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? Brush my teeth and apply a bright lipstick.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? I went to a great flea market a week ago, it makes me happy to look at old things.
10. What are your weekly goals? Do some house cleaning, finish up loose ends before classes start next week, get over this flu.
1. How do you feel right now? Urghh cranky. It’s been a long day.
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? It’s good but not all the time.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? I’d live in San Juan, PR. Beach living is the way to go.
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? Not the very first day but I definitely remember Kindergarten and it was pretty traumatizing.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? Fear of failure. Still after all these years sometimes I doubt my abilities.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? The first few pictures of hubby and me when we first met.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? Yeah in the shower I usually exfoliate with St. Ives scrub.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? Take a nap to be honest.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? Last week I got to see my best friend who came up from North Carolina. I was so happy to see her!
10. What are your weekly goals? Finish laundry, do all my HW for class, work out 2xs
1. How do you feel right now? Extremely exhausted and sick of this PA weather. Why give us warmth with rain? UGH!
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? Bacon is a food group!
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? Greece
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? No
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? Ego
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? Nothing. I’ve already lost it. I no long attach strong emotions to material things.
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine?
Wash with Cetaphil.
Serums: Skinceuticals CE Ferulic,
Moisturizing: Skincueticals B5 gel then spritz with Avene Thermal Spring Water
If a little dry: Clinique’s Dramatically Different
If very dry: Skinceuticals Daily Moisture
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? Usually I feel grubby when my skin or hair looks greasy. I use blotting papers and dry shampoo. If I have time, a shower.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? Two Sundays ago. The day I rode my new bike.
10. What are your weekly goals? Find my mother a massage therapist. Focus on being thankful.
BTW, I can not wait for Walking Dead! Wondering about the storyline and characters now that there will be a new show runner.
1. How do you feel right now? Bummed that Friday is still 4 days away.
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? Pork fat rules!
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? New Orleans…there’s no place like it.
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? Not really…just the old harpy who taught the class.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? Fear (instilled by parents who grew up during the Depression)
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? Ring from my significant other
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? Just washing, followed by BB cream
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? Fix my hair
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? Last Saturday…lunch with old friends
10. What are your weekly goals? Exercise (ha!), paint (primarily landscapes, in acrylic), survive the work week, more quality time with SO and my 2 cats
1. How do you feel right now? Really good! I just hit my weekly goal at the gym, on Monday! So now I need a new goal! Yesssss!
2. Bacon: love it or leave it? Love it, but not obsessively. Honestly I eat it maybe four or five times a year. But the insaneness with it, bacon ice cream, bacon donuts, bacon all this, I would leave all that.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live? Hmmmmm, so many amazing places! Bora Bora is beautiful and tropical, but I think I’d choose Rome, the food, the art, the history.
4. Do you remember your very first day of school? I do! I met my BFF on the first day of Kindergarten! One of the best days of my life! She’s been my BFF for 32 years, how many people can say that?
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back? Fear of what people might think. Where has this come from? When I was a teenager, I could do anything. And I mean anything! I didn’t give two hoots about what people thought, and now, that’s all I can think about. It’s been bothering me a lot lately, and I don’t like it! I have daughters, they need to know that women can do anything!
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose? I got a big stuffed unicorn for Christmas when I was 8. I still sleep with her. Every night, for 29 years. I love that unicorn. My husband tolerates it, which makes me love him even more! I love love love that unicorn!
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine? I wash my face at night, so in the morning I just apply an SPF day cream by Boscia. I call it my old lady cream.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished? Bright eyeliner, a high ponytail, and a cute t-shirt.
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far? Last Tuesday, when the kids went back to school! Hooray!
10. What are your weekly goals? Make my next weekly goal at the gym after figuring out what it is, clean my bedroom (donate the hubby’s fat clothes that he’s outgrown! Go Dave!), try out my new bottle of China Glaze’s transitions nail polish that turns a different color with topcoat!
Why am I always late on these?! Better late than never I suppose! Here it goes…
1. How do you feel right now?
Okay. Bloated. Don’t know why I’ve been stuffing my face these days…like I’m NEVER full! Well, technically I’m SUPPOSED to be full, but I guess I should say I’m never satisfied. One day at a time…
2. Bacon: love it or leave it?
Leave it. I’m okay with a world without bacon. Call me a criminal.
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live?
Honestly, I love how beautiful Greece is. I went there for a week during HS, and I still can’t get over how beautiful it was. All the pictures we see? ALL REAL. But I’m also okay with Sweden, Norway, or Iceland. These countries are much nicer to their females than the US. Not to mention, how cool would it be to say you live in any of those places?!
4. Do you remember your very first day of school?
Nope, but I DO remember my mom taking a picture of me and my sis when we started school in a new city. I was embarrassed (which kid wouldn’t be?), and my first crush EVER was in the picture too. Just a wonderful, wonderful guy. R.I.P. Ben, we all miss you.
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back?
Fear of failure. I’m working on it. It’s on my unofficial New Year’s Resolutions list.
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?
A necklace from my mom. It wasn’t expensive/fancy or anything, but it’s the only gift I kept from her (you know, besides the gift of life).
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine?
ABSOLUTELY. Right now I’m using a Lancome cleanser I got from my Clarisonic. So far, so good. Whenever I don’t wash my face after I wake up, my face becomes an oil slick after a few hours. Also, I feel sleepy if I don’t go through my routine.
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?
Take a shower or sometimes a bath. Exfoliate my skin and slather lotion on. Ahhh, it feels nice to be moisturized!
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far?
Don’t have a favorite so far!
10. What are your weekly goals?
BE MORE PRODUCTIVE!!! And maybe visit Sephora sometime soon, hehehe.