So…what is the Monday Poll?
Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past 11 (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
1. What does your hair currently smell like?
Well, I took a shower last night, and I haven’t cooked any meals that involve sauteing onions or meat, so at the moment my hair smells pretty darned good! 🙂 It smells like Herbal Essences Blue Ginger Shampoo and Conditioner, which i’m still using and loving, by the way.
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today?
Tabs would be wearing a late ’80s/early ’90s ice skating leotard. More specifically, he’d be rocking some Kristy Yamaguchi gear.
Of course there would be sequins.
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be?
Obviously, MAC. Duh. 🙂 I’m still a huge fan. The amount and style of training they get, and the breadth of knowledge of the people working there… I would ask ALL OF THE QUESTIONS and soak up as much as I could. I’d ask, like, what are some ways to do full-coverage on mature skin? Can you show me how to do the most complicated smoky eye you know? How can I contour and have it look real and natural? What are some different ways to do full, fluffy brows? What are the insider MAC secrets that the public doesn’t know?
And hopefully I wouldn’t f*ck up too much, i.e., poke somebody’s eye out while lining it with Powersurge.
4. Someone you like traveling with?
My friend Cindy. We’ve taken several trips together since high school, and she’s so easygoing when it comes to meals and planning stuff, and she’s always up for doing stuff on the fly. She’s also the type of person who won’t leave every decision up to you. She’ll pick some things to do, and then you’ll get to pick some things to do, so it’s an equal partnership on your trip.
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station ?️ for a year?
I would probably crack in the first two weeks, haha! I wouldn’t even last a month. I’d be like, “Please let me ?? go home.”
For one, I’m claustrophobic, and I need to be able to open a window, which one cannot do on an international space station.
I mean, the only way I’d survive a year is if I were heavily medicated…
My Instagram would be off the chain, though. 🙂 Can you imagine? Every day? Just doing snapshots of the Earth from any of the windows? “At work today, just chillin’!”
Happy Monday!
Just had to share my breakfast because what is the internet without breakfast pics?!
My friend Marisol introduced me to these yummy protein bars called One Bars, and this one is Maple Glazed Doughnut. And even though it doesn’t exactly taste like a doughnut, it’s sweet enough and close enough to a doughnut to satisfy a craving. It has 20g of protein and 1g of sugar, and it keeps me full for hours. Not too sticky and doesn’t get stuck in my teeth, either. And oh so delicious! I found ’em at Trader Joe’s for $1.99 a bar.
Dough-nut ? worry about a thing, my friend! It’s gonna be a good week.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the questions to copy and paste with your answers in a comment:
1. What does your hair currently smell like?
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today?
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be?
4. Someone you like traveling with?
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year?
1a. What does your hair currently smell like?
I washed it yesterday in the afternoon so it smells only fresh but without perfume.
1b. What’s the weirdest gift you’ve ever given?
I don’t think I’ve ever given something really strange.
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today?
Max it’s a dog but we can make it work. He would wear a complete lumberjack style.
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be?
Even though I had some shitty experience in that counter later, I’d love to work for Bobbi Brown because I love their approach to makeup.
4. Someone you like traveling with?
My sister, even though we fight a lot, both of us are adventurous enough to explore the city. Also my friend Lydia, because we can talk and explore at the same time.
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year?
It’ll depend of how many people would be there and how easy is to communicate with the Earth, but I think it’ll be hard AF.
Today is a national holiday so I’m staying home (that’s the reason I’m commenting without worries).
1. What does your hair currently smell like?
Pulled pork and sebum. Don’t worry I’m about to go wash it, lol!
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today?
He’d be rocking tuxedos daily. He’s classy like that.
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be?
Chanel, just so I could try everything without spending a penny!
4. Someone you like traveling with?
Myself! I traveled alone quite a bit in my 20s and I quite enjoyed it. My hubby is fun but sometimes he needs convincing when it comes to visiting multiple places.
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year?
Not well! I could probably do a week, but that’s about it.
Hope you have a wonderful week Karen!
Hi Lulle,
Thank you for filling out the poll today! By the way, I enjoyed reading your 5 Things post on your blog. 🙂
Hi Karen ,
It’s easier to answer you on FB because I don’t get “ repeated comment post “! Just sayin .
1 my hair smells clean ; was it every other day .
2 my Cat is wearing leggings and Ugg’s until the weather breaks ?
3 MAC counter hands down ! Many options
4 I like traveling w my husband because he gets everything I want
5 ISS ? Not even 10 minutes ! Too claustrophobic!
Hi Michele,
That comes up if you hit the reply button more than once. All you have to do is answer the poll questions, hit reply once, and that’s that. 🙂 Easy as pie.
Have a great Monday and thanks for stopping by to fill out the poll.
Thanks Karen !
Will only hit reply Once !
1. What’s the weirdest gift you’ve ever given? a silver owl
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today? a tuxedo but in navy blue or hunter green
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be? NARS. they have very sexy brand and they fit a lot of people
4. Someone you like traveling with? me , myself and i
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year? not well unless there are alot of people i get home sick easily . Wouldn’t that be the ultimate homesick . I went to Ghana with my husband at the time and after the jet lag wore off, i wanted to get back home. it was too far.
my hair smells like hair. i dont know. i dont wash it often but its not dirty.
1. What’s the weirdest gift you’ve ever given?
A food dehydrator
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today?
Rhinestones – all of mine like bling
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be?
Sephora – I wear so many brands and this way I could learn about all of them
4. Someone you like traveling with?
The hubby – he’s up for anything
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year?
Ok but I’d get bored after a while. I’d take amazing pictures though…
1a. What’s the weirdest gift you’ve ever given? I don’t really know, I like to give meaningful gifts, not weird ones. I have no answer for this one!
1b. What does your hair currently smell like? I just washed it, Elvive by L’Oréal I think, the blue one. I really like it. I bought it because Winona Ryder is in the commercial for it, and I loooove her!
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today? My cats, sleek black, white fluffy, and tuxedo, cannot be bothered by fashion, they would be nudists.
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be? Urban Decay, they have such highly pigmented palettes, I’d be asking them how to use some of the colors without looking like a drag queen.
4. Someone you like traveling with? The hubs and kids. We always have a pep talk before we leave, that we need to work as a team. I hate the prep work, the hubs gets annoying, but once we’re out the door, it works.
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year? I’d be fine. I love the family, but some quiet would do me well! As long as I could FaceBook to keep up with peeps, I’d be fine.
My hair currently smells like TJ’s coconut hair mask!
1. What’s the weirdest gift you’ve ever given?
I don’t give weird gifts! Or at least ones that don’t seem odd to me or the receiver. The weirdest gift I ever got however was a a purse made of out a dead armadillo. Even worse, it was addressed to my uncle on the inside of the gift and me on the outside. I’m pretty sure I got regifted a joke gift.
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today?
Weedgie would probably be wearing a super snuggly bathrobe. She was wearing mine last night!
If it was pure fashion, I’d see her in some kind of Marie Antionette get up. Powdered wig and all!
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be?
HMMMM, I’m really not sure! Hourglass? Chanel? NARS? Something sophisticated with a bit of whimsy but just a touch.
4. Someone you like traveling with?
Uh, I’m not sure. I know I should say my husband but he’s incredible high maintenance. In fact, everyone in my family is. Hmmm, I guess myself?
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year?
I would want to but I’m not sure I could. First off, I’m a little claustrophobic, I hate being restrained, and I’m not sure my body could handle the stress!
1. What does your hair currently smell like?
Vaguely coconut-y. (Dove coconut hydration shampoo & conditioner.)
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today?
I really don’t like cats at all, but my dog would be wearing a raincoat because it is seriously pouring today.
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be?
Chanel, so I could have an employee discount and buy every color of Le Vernis nail polish and Stylo Yeux eyeliner.
4. Someone you like traveling with?
We tend to vacay in places of historical interest, so I guess my Dad because he is into history as much as I am.
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year?
No way, not even for a minute. Besides the claustrophobia, NASA keeps contradicting themselves about what did and didn’t happen to Scott Kelly during his stay. The fact is that a lot of time will have to pass before we know the full effects of living in space long-term. Until we know for sure that there’s not going to be some serious Ray Bradbury-type mess happening to him, I’ll pass.
1a. What does your hair currently smell like?
Nioxin hair shampoo and conditioner and argan oil…aka, peppermint-y and a tiny bit nutty. Apparently, it’s a good combo as my mom is always sniffing my hair. I can’t tell you if it smells nice as my hair is now too short to reach my nose. I had to get it cut above my shoulders mostly after Lupus gave me some nice big bald spots.
1b. What’s the weirdest gift you’ve ever given?
That I’ve ever given to someone else? I don’t think I’ve given a weird gift. I try to keep the receiver in mind so if it’s “weird,” it’s probably to someone else, but not to the recipient. I did give Star Wars steins (Darth Vader and R2-D2) to my brother and Dad though. My brother’s Darth Vader and my dad’s R2.
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today?
Well, I don’t have a cat, but I do have a dog and she would be in cute pajamas with a rubber ducky print I think. This dog loves to sleep.
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be?
Most likely Urban Decay. I own so many of their products. Either that or Clinique as I use many of their chubby sticks and skincare products (Take the Day Off and All About Eyes are two holy grail items. I also love their sunscreen although it’s expensive as crap!)
4. Someone you like traveling with?
Probably my mom as we don’t mind going off the road and looking at things that pique our interest. My dad is always the one that says, “THIS IS THE ROUTE. WE DO NOT VEER OFF THE ROUTE!” Yes, he even includes designates potty spots and you cannot go potty until you get to that designated potty spot and it. drives. me. crazy.
I love you Dad, but you’re nuts.
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year?
I wouldn’t. You wouldn’t even get me on the shuttle. Too small. I’d scream the entire take off probably if you got me on the shuttle and cry the minute I saw space – whether from sadness or awe you’ll never know. Then I’ll be chipper for two days…and be begging for home by day three. That’s me. No dogs = no fun.
Hi Kate,
Your dad was in the military, right? So was mine. Our family road trips were similar, LOL! We had designated rest stop plans for lunch and bathroom breaks. For the longest time I had no idea that you could take a road trip and take any exit you wanted if you had to go to the bathroom because I was so used to following the plan.
Hi Karen!
Yes, my dad is retired military! He has our road trips planned out to breakfast, lunch, dinner, hotel stays and the exact time we hit bathroom trips and gas pit stops. He’s gotten the tiniest, tiniest bit better now that GPS is a thing, but still I am not allowed to complain about needing to go to potty. I will go potty at the next designated area…even if it’s an hour away. However, if the DOG has to go to the bathroom, he’ll pull over for the dog. (Something I never understood no matter what dog we had.)
I never learned you could actually go out and explore about what you curious about when you were driving somewhere until my aunt would drive me places when I was older. She’s got wanderlust like I do. My dad is, “We are going from Point A to Point B. This is the fastest route. We are not stopping. End of discussion.” This is also him when he shops for clothes, shoes, food…thus he hates when I make him shop with me as I have to wander the aisles. It does not fit his directive. HA HA HA.
I mean, on one hand it’s nice to have everything laid out for you, right? I can appreciate a trip that’s hyper organized because then you get where you want efficiently and have more time to do whatever you’re going to do when you get to your destination. But I also appreciate the time to wander and explore, too!
Do you have any trips planned for the near future? My hubs and I want to go to Nashville sometime soon. We both had to go there briefly for work (separately) and enjoyed the city a lot. I’m hoping to go within the next six months.
My dad will be going to Alaska in May for a kayaking trip (not going. I told him I’m not freezing my tail off or going on another stinking boat.) Sometime during the summer, I’ll probably see my aunt in Michigan again because I seriously am aching to try dune buggying. I love anything dangerous and fast it seems. We tried out the luge there last year too and I had a little too much fun doing that.
We do have some dunes here nearby where I live (maybe 10 minutes away, if that), but they aren’t very big and are protected so you can only walk them but I’d like to walk them. My main goal this year is to really learn more about my new neighborhood! I really want to learn about local ice cream shops because I’m a glutton for it, restaurants, museums, parks, and the like, especially if I can take Bree because it seems she likes to ride around in the car. I’ll never take her to a dog park (too many deaths and injuries have happened in dog parks for me to trust them!), but if there are art fairs and such, I’d really love to expose her to such things.
That sounds like a good goal, and I’m sure Bree would love to see more of the world around her. You should do a guided tour of your ‘hood with posts on your favorite places (what to order, when’s the best time to go, etc.). Take some pics and rattle off a paragraph or two. You’re a great writer and I’m sure you’d do an amazing job!
I’ve never gone dune buggying! I’d try it once for fun as long as I didn’t have to drive, LOL!
I may do that on Facebook or Insta!
I did a Dune Buggy tour at Silver Lakes and it’s way too much fun to go 40+ on sand dunes. I have this weird need for speed (I am the registered lead foot in the family. I admit it, okay? If it says 70, I am probably going 80. It’s an equestrian thing I’ve come to find out.) so I love anything that goes fast. Luge? Fabulous. Dune buggy? Great. Horses? Obviously addicted.
Motorcycles? Yea, no. I don’t consider myself to be that much of a speed demon. I don’t want to be kitty litter.
You should! Make a hashtag for it and everything. I’d love to follow your adventures!
So I have a friend (my hairstylist and buddy, Alis), who is a motorcycle mama! She has her own bike and everything, and she and her hubs often go for long rides out where she lives in Vegas. She’s always trying to get me to try it but I like NOPE! I know myself way too well.
I can’t remember if you follow me on the Insta (I’m tattooedhorselady if you haven’t) but I will definitely make a hashtag. I keep my Insta private as I had a stalker and he even tried to stalk me on Instagram (of which I blocked access to him, like I did Facebook and everywhere else.) and I had a Vero that was public, but Vero’s policies and their owners just didn’t sit right with me so I shut that one down. I’d love to do a public one just for Bree’s situation and how she’s opening up/my horseback riding, but to flip between accounts on Instagram I’ve heard can be a nightmare (and I’m like, no. No.)
1. What does your hair currently smell like?
Hair? I washed it Saturday morning and used L’oreal’s Air Dry It styling cream – I can’t pin down the smell, but it’s very salon-y.
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today?
Ilsa would be wearing leggings, a fleece, and ugg boots because it’s Monday and I feel she’d be pretty basic (no shade there, this is what I wear when not at work!). Maybe a cute beanie, too. She’s cozy-chic.
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be?
Benefit! I really love their products and the super fun packaging.
4. Someone you like traveling with?
I like traveling with the SO because we’re both pretty laid back travelers (we spent an afternoon in Maine just driving around aimlessly through small towns) and he balances my airport anxiety nicely.
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year?
I’d probably end up being a ball o’ crazy about halfway through and then get myself together and finish strong.
Hi Christine,
I approve of Ilsa’s Monday outfit. May I suggest a colorful beaded necklace to go with the the cozy-chic look? LOL
How are you liking that Air Dry styling cream? I saw it on the shelf when I was at Target the other day (I had to grab some root cover up, gah!).
Ha! Ilsa would love the accessories.
I’m loving the Air Dry It cream! I have long, coarse-ish beach waves and it really helps soften and shape without the dry out (I don’t like using mousse or sprays for that reason) and it really does control the frizz. Day 1 one hairs fab, day 2 hair gets a small touch up on the ends. It’s not greasy or heavy. For under $5, it’s a total win! I’ve even had some coworkers ask if I’ve gotten my hair cut (4 weeks ago) recently… Honestly, I think they’re seeing I’m wearing my hair down way more because it’s now manageable. I highly recommend it!
Just put it on the Official Target List. 🙂 I have to go back today because — GASP! — I forgot to get cat food. I think I was so distracted by a tote bag situation I had gotten myself into yesterday. When I walked into the store with the baby in one arm and the totes in another, I put them into the first cart I could get my hands on. I went to the cart wipe bin and realized they had no more left, so I started digging into my purse for the packet of Wet Ones wipes I keep on hand for emergencies, and when I found it, instead of going back to the cart with my tote bags, I grabbed another cart instead. WHOOPS. Of course I didn’t realize this until I was halfway done with the shopping. I just assumed they were gone forever. Anyway, I finished the shopping, and instead of getting in one of the lines with cashiers, I decided to do self checkout. The only self checkout station was one closest to the exit doors, and just as I was pulling up my cart, I saw a woman leaving a cart at the door who just about to exit the store WITH MY TOTE BAGS IN HER HAND (I would’ve taken them to lost and found myself). I went up to her and nicely said, “Excuse me, those are my totes, I mistakenly left them in the cart,” and thankfully she didn’t put up too much struggle giving them back to me.
Ahhh, Target drama!
Oh man!! I’ve done that before and the person did take them to customer service (I was so happy because it was a bag full of every other reusable tote we had, including the ones my BFF made for me) and I was standing there describing them, LOL. I’m glad she returned your totes! Were her own items in your bags?
Fingers crossed for a more uneventful Target trip today!
Oh, that’s nice. I would’ve done the same exact thing, because what if that person has a weird sentimental connection to his or her totes (you never know)? Glad you were able to get yours back too!
Funny thing is, she had her items in a bag, and she was carrying the totes in her free hand. I figure if you were gonna take some totes, might as well start using them right then and there, LOL!
1. What does your hair currently smell like?
Nothing special. Just regular shampoo scent.
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today?
We adopted my friends’ two cats, at least temporarily. They’ve been here a week or so and still won’t let us touch them. I’m guessing they’d just be wearing pretty collars, because they’re indoor kitties.
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be?
Urban Decay would be really fun. I love their stuff. (Do they have counters? It’s been so long since I shopped for makeup at counters, that I really don’t know who all has them.)
4. Someone you like traveling with?
My husband (most of the time, at least! lol).
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year?
I think I’d be so busy that I wouldn’t get bored, so I’d probably do O.K. I’d love to see space and work on the science experiments. It would be too good of an opportunity to turn down, even if I think I’d be a bit homesick.
Hi Rachel,
Oh, how nice of you to offer the cats a temporary home. Give them some to settle in; it’ll take a while to get used to your place. They’ll come around eventually (hopefully!). What are their names?
Their names are Spike (a long-haired silver-point Siamese mix) and Jack (an orange tabby). The poor babies have been moved around a lot recently due to some bad luck my friends have had. The poor things probably think I’ve murdered their mommy and daddy and kidnapped their poor feline selves. I ordered them a new, huge kitty condo, so maybe that will help them feel safer and more at home.
Oh, sweet babies! Thank goodness they have you to care for them. Do you know their favorite food/snacks? In my experience treats and snacks go a long way in new kitty relationships. Maybe a catnip plant would make a nice “welcome to your new home” gift too. They’re easy to care for and they are tough as nails. Pretty too!
I’m sure they will love their cat tower.
They love tuna, but they will only eat if we don’t bother them. I haven’t tried catnip. Good thinking!
You can sometimes find small plants at the pet store. If not there, try a gardening store. They might also like some cat grass too! Sometimes when I’m at Petco I’ll grab Tabs one for a treat.
Do they stay indoors with you? Or are they indoor/outdoor?
I was going to check the PetCo up the street first, but there is a nursery across the street from it, too.
They’re indoor cats. I’d visited and petted them in the past, but they don’t seem to remember me, unfortunately.
What does your hair currently smell like? Pantene Volume Conditioning Foam
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today? a great pair of jeans and his rayban wayfarers
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be? Bobbi Brown
4. Someone you like traveling with? my husband
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year? I would have a panic attack during the launch and it would be all over!
Wait… why am I not seeing “what’s the weirdest gift you’ve ever given?” as a question anywhere?? So confused..
Hi Sarah,
It was my mistake. I meant to write what does your hair smell like, and I didn’t catch it until later on in the day. 🙂
What does your hair currently smell like?
–Chocolate! I used tweak-d (the ojon guy) tribal chocolate leave in
2. If your cat could talk and had fabulous feline fashion sense, what would he/she be wearing today?
–He likes his ll bean flannel chic look but is venturing out to cat bling lately
3. If you could work at any makeup counter for a week, which would it be?
–Sephora to try them all at least once
4. Someone you like traveling with?
–my husband has a great sense of adventure. Always up for a trip anywhere.
5. How well would you handle living on the International Space Station for a year?
–I’m so claustrophobic I couldn’t even get in the shuttle door. No way!
**Weirdest gift-havent been told yet “hey that’s odd but thanks” so far so good ?