So…what is the Monday Poll?
Good question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past gazillion years (more than 10!). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a great start. ?
1. What’s the weather like out your way?
Cloudy with a chance of meatballs. So, normal for this time of year. It should clear up by the afternoon.
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today…
No makeup yet. Just…
I’m waiting for the Anti Bac to dry before putting on moisturizer and sunscreen, as in Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream and Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion WetForce SPF 50+.
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month?
Biggest thing? Add three new summery t-shirt designs to the store. Small thing? Clean out the guest bedroom closet, because it’s become a catch-all nightmare for photography equipment and expired LE makeup that I keep for nostalgic reasons (hello, Archie’s Girls).
4. A memory that makes you smile?
Hiking to Queen’s Bath on Kauai a few years ago with El Hub. 🙂
Wish I could teleport myself there today!
5. Shorts or skirts?
Shorts, because skirts always fit me funny…
Happy Monday
Hey, lady. Hope you had a great weekend. It’s been a quiet morning here today, and I REALLY hope it stays that way. Fingers and toes currently crossed. I hope we both have a chill week. 😉
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. I hope you feel like chiming in today! Here are the questions to copy and paste:
1. What’s the weather like out your way?
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today…
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month?
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile?
5. Shorts or skirts?
1. What’s the weather like out your way?
– beautiful! Finally spring has come. We still need a good rain to get rid of all the dust.
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today…
-nothing yet, but I’m taking mom out for lunch and I will be wearing a full face of mostly Mac products ha ha.
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month?
– probably write some more. I’ve been in a slump for a dangerous amount of time. I need some inspiration fast!
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile?
– my baby ( chihuahua) just turned five! FIVE! That’s crazy! I still think of her as a little puppy 🙁 so, I’ve been thinking of when we just got her and she was exploring our yard for the first time with her perfect little piggy curly tail. Lol!
5. Shorts or skirts?
– can I say neither and go with capris instead?
Sure, why not Savannah? Capris ftw!
1. What’s the weather like out your way?
Rainy!
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today…
Oh man. Cleanser, toner, water mist, serum, moisturizer, eye cream, sunscreen, Glossier skin tint, Glossier concealer, Becca Hydramist powder, Daniel Sandler liquid blush, Nyx Face Gloss.
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month?
Get my aerial hammock routine more concretely choreographed for a July 28 performance.
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile?
Napping in a sunbeam with Jiji after a friend’s funeral and hoping she got to experience that kind of peace.
5. Shorts or skirts?
I love dresses but find skirts really unflattering! So shorts.
Girl, same re: skirts. I have maybe one or two? I buy them in times of duress. LOL They never hit me quite right; they’re always way too high up under my rib cage.
How are you liking that BECCA powder, by the way?
I really like it! Not drying at all but makes the makeup last.
Not drying sounds good to me! I don’t wear a ton of powder but I like the ones that don’t leave the dry spots feeling tight, ya know?
My skin is so easily dehydrated, powder and I don’t usually get along.
You and me both. I have to stay away from some powders because my skin straight up hurts after wearing them.
Weather: finally spring! Sunny with occasional showers rolling through, warm with all the flowers popping
Everything I’ve put on my face today: nothing yet
Accomplish in next month: become better in at least one tangible way
Sweet memory: my son picking out my earrings when he was two and saying I looked like a “pwincess” (I didn’t at all, which is why the memory is so sweet)
Shorts or skirts: skirts, straight and stretchy FTW. Or wide leg capris.
Hi Amy,
That’s such a sweet story! I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day.
Aww, thanks Karen. We did – I hope you did, too!
1. What’s the weather like out your way?
Cloudy, but supposedly warming up! It’s supposed to creep up into the low 70s today. Just waiting for the sunshine to peek through…
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today…
1) Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate – I have a sample from Sephora and am currently out of day cream, so am making do, lol!
2) Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer/Hydrating Gel Cream, which I’m not in love with – but since I need to stay away from chemical sunscreens, my TM selection is pretty limited, le sigh. I need to just invest in a separate sunscreen this summer!
3) Sephora #lipstories in Off-limits (grayish purple) on my eyes, lips, and cheeks. Keeping it simple, but still purple, lol.
4) UD Perversion Mascara on my lashes, and Ardell Brow Building Fiber Gel on my brows.
On this note – I really need to find a daytime face lotion/oil/cream that I like! I had a sample of Drunk Elephant’s marula oil, which was great… but man, I just don’t want to spend $70 on skincare. In fact I don’t really want to spend over $30, sigh. Maybe I just need to get over the price point and consider it an investment, but… but I mean, really??
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month?
I’d like to hammer out a plan to release my new single! Releasing music is always such a slow, arduous process… I can’t wait to have it out in the world, haha.
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile?
Anything involving my nieces & nephews. I have 2 siblings and one brother-in-law, and EACH of them have one boy & one girl! I love that it’s so evenly divided, haha.
5. Shorts or skirts?
Aw man, do I really have to pick? I guess if I had to, I’d pick shorts for comfort’s sake – they’re much more chub-rub friendly, lol. I love me some skirts, though!
Hi Shannon,
There’s some great stuff at a lower price point at the drugstore. Are you looking for just straight up moisture? I’ve had lots of luck with Neutrogena and Olay.
I’m not sure exactly what I’m looking for at the moment. Moisture, yes, but.. not sure if I need heavy or light, or if I should be thinking about other things. I changed my birth control recently and I feel like I’m back in high school, the way my skin is reacting. Breaking out on my forehead, chin, and back, feeling like more of a greaseball than ever… but now with under eye circles and “experience lines!” *throws hands in air*
So in a sense I’m waiting for everything to calm back down again, and am not totally sure if I’ll have a “new normal” once it does. Maybe I’ll just grab something cheap in the meantime, but I don’t wanna make the problem worse, yknow?
1. Here in E TN the weather is EVERYTHING we’ve been dreaming about during our looong Winter. We filled up the inflatable pool today!
2. Cleanser, nuetrogena sunscreen, ELF brow pomade, Maybelline volumous mascara.
3. This is an excellent question. I need to be more intentional about making goals like this. For now my answer is to stay sober. I’m not an alcoholic but I wanted to cut back. Today is day 14 of “no drinkies.” Hoping to make it till the end of the month!
4. The first time my youngest son said, “Mom, you’re my hero.”
5. Both! I just bought 3 new pairs of shorts and yesterday I bought 3 dresses! I refuse to wear pants again until the Fall.
Happy Monday!
Hi Jaclyn,
Aww, that’s so sweet that your son said that to you! Too cute. What did you guys do for Mother’s Day? I hope you had a great one.
1. What’s the weather like out your way? Sunny with a high of 90F! That’s crazy hot for this time of year.
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today…
Redness Relief Moisturizer for Normal to Oily Skin
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Enigma
Nyx Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer
E.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation in Light Ivory, HD Powder in Sheer, Original Mist & Set, and Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls.
Sephora Colorful Face Powder in Tranquil (as contour)
Physician’s Formula Murumuru Butter Blush in Plum Rose and Va Va Voom Mascara
Tarte PRO Palette: Mod, Drama, and Minx; the pink from the Huda Beauty Gemstones Obsessions Palette
ABH e/s single in Love Letter (brows)
Karess Krafters Lip Balm in Sugar Plum
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month? Get all my son’s paperwork and phone calls done for his social services.
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile? When my kids were babies
5. Shorts or skirts? Skirts
That is crazy! Enjoy the heat; it’s still cool down here and overcast!
I mostly stayed inside with the AC on, lol. Today it’s overcast and the high is supposed to be 74. That sounds more normal! 😉
Hey, at least you have AC! I’m definitely NOT looking forward to the days when it’s too hot to be in the house. 🙂
1. What’s the weather like out your way?
RAIN, dark, with a chance of hail balls
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today…
OMG here goes: Patricia Wexler MMPI cream, vitamin E cream, jojoba oil. Makeup: concealer, blush (Clinique New Clover), some kind of baked eye shadow that matches the sort of reddish tan/gold color of my shirt and jacket, some eye brow Maybelline thing, and L’oreal Mascara. ColourPop ultra matte lip color in WYD.
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month? Trying to buy a newish/different car.
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile? My black dog being silly. She is such a funny dog, she always makes me laugh and smile. Little goofball!
5. Shorts or skirts? Skirts. Always.
Hi Kellly,
Ahh, Clinique New Clover is a classic! I used to wear that back in the day all the time. 🙂
What kind of car are you looking into? I’m not a car person, but I’ve bought a few and I kinda enjoy the looking around part.
I like New Clover because it looks natural on me – not too much color but enough so that I don’t look like a zombie.
I’m looking at one of those little station-wagony things like a Toyota Yaris or a Honda Fit. They’re small enough that I don’t feel like I need a runway to park it, but roomier than a sedan with a trunk, esp when you fold the back seats down. My usual car is now 18 years old and while it’s been dependable all this time (I got it in 2007) there’s only so much you can expect from a car, you know?
My good friend Cindy has a Honda Fit and yes, it’s definitely surprisingly roomy considering how compact it is, especially the front. There’s decent leg room! Sometimes I get a little nervous in it though. I think it’s partially because Cindy drives like she’s training for the Indy 500 and partially because it’s kinda noisy inside; it has a sightly tinny sound of sound and you can feel every bump in the road. My other friend (who’s a car guy) assures me that’s on purpose and that some people like that rougher type of ride. Have you considered a Mini Cooper? I’ve never driven one but my friend Alis has one and she says it feels very heavy and sturdy on the road.
This is going to sound terribly shallow of me, but I don’t like how the Mini Coopers look. They just don’t appeal to me the way the others do. Considering that I keep a car for 10-15+ years I definitely want to love it going in. I like a Fiat, too, but the ones I’m looking at are a little bigger than a Fiat. 😛
Not shallow at all. Design is a BIG deal! You have to like the lines and the flow of something if you’re going to use it every day!
1. What’s the weather like out your way?
Only 83 degrees, but so humid. There’s rain coming in from the Gulf, but I doubt we’ll see any, although we need it badly.
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today…
Nothing.
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month?
Decluttering and rearranging my home decor closet. Also finishing the quilt I’ve been working on.
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile?
The day my nephew was born. When the nurse was cleaning him up, he heard my voice and was trying to find me. The nurse was laughing and said he gave her the dirtiest look, like “Why are you keeping me from my Tia?”.
5. Shorts or skirts?
Skirts. A nice knit skirt is like fancy yoga pants.
What a sweet story, Suzanne. How old is your nephew now?
Hope you’re having a lovely Monday so far! Connor and I just got back in from an exciting chalk drawing session. LOL Now she’s taking a nap which means I’m gonna cram tons of stuff in over the next two hours.
He’s 23 now and the father of my two youngest nieces. I not only get to enjoy being a Great Aunt, but it also gives the opportunity to refer to my sister as “Granny”. 🙂
Happy Monday, Karen!
1. What’s the weather like out your way?
UGH. I woke up at 5:30a to the sound of large hail…soooo…at least it’s softened to just some intermittent thunder and rain?
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today…
AcneFree Sensitive Face Wash, matching toner, Art Naturals Vitamin C serum, Ponds dry skin moisturizer…followed by CoverFx foundation, Sonia Kashuk concealer, blush (?? can’t remember which haha), and Tarte mascara. And Dr. Bronners Naked lip balm.
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month?
Actually mail off my passport to be renewed…I just need a new photo and I’m really dragging my feet. Ugh.
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile?
Going to Disneyworld for the first time…when I was 23!
5. Shorts or skirts?
Shorts, skirts have way too much risk of being a wardrobe malfunction. That’s not helped by the fact I am much taller than the average woman and skirts end up being toooooo short.
Hi Christine,
Hail at any time of year is crazy (especially the large pieces!), but in May it’s extra crazy, yikes!
BTW is the Tarte mascara you like Lights, Camera, Lashes? If it is, I’ve been using it too and loving it. It’s old school but it totally works.
Right? I was not expecting hail…clearly I wasn’t too concerned because I didn’t move to make sure the windows were closed.
Yes, that’s the mascara (your memory is awesome!) – my cousin gave me a few travel sized tubes and I finally bought the full size. Total classic in my book. I love that even as it gets a little tackier (read as: older) it still works amazingly well, instead of being a waste of money. My it cosmetics superhero mascara didn’t last long at all because it got really hard to work with after a few weeks.
It’s lovely on its own and as a layering mascara. The volume (especially at the roots) is no joke! My BFF uses the waterproof version of Lights, Camera, Lashes (which I haven’t tried yet) and it’s supposed to be great; if I ever give it a go I’ll let you know if it’s any good.
Hi Karen! Hope you had a fantastic Mother’s Day. Mine was nice but the weather was total crap!
1. What’s the weather like out your way? – Kinda warm but all week there is a chance of showers/thunderstorms. Right now though, the sun is shining after a cloudy morning.
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today… Right now it’s 3:33 pm so I’ve got a full face of makeup on for work. Foundation, bronzer, blush, highlight, eyeshadow, liquid liner, mascara and my brows.
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month? Well my son just decided he wanted a graduation party after he’s been saying he didn’t want one all year! That gives me 3 weeks to get my house in shape and get all things party related ordered, bought, etc.
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile? Ahh, there are so many. The day both of the kids were born, the first time I held them. The day my niece came home from the hospital after being born, I was her first babysitter while her mom and my brother ran out to do some errands. Those are just a few.
5. Shorts or skirts? This is hard. I guess I’ll go with shorts, if they fit me right and don’t ride up the inside of my thighs. I hate that!
Hi Barb,
My Mother’s Day was relaxing and fun. Sounds like you had a nice day, too. What did you do?
Hope everything comes together smoothly for the party, and hey, when it doubt, there’s always Costco! Has your son decided what he’s going to do after graduation?
It was a nice. Went to a fancy place and had brunch with my mom and a Mother’s Day cocktail. We were going to walk around at the outside mall there but between the weather and my mom’s arthritic pain, we just stopped by Target, did a little shopping there and headed on home.
I hear ya! We’ll be doing some damage at Sam’s Club, for sure. He’s gonna go to Community College till he figures out what he wants to do. It’s hard to know that at 18!
Hi Barb,
Oh, how lovely. Ya know… Sometimes those Target runs hit the spot! You can always find something you need when you’re there (along with all the other crap you don’t need, haha), and there’s always new stuff to look at. I certainly love going with my mom. 🙂
I think that’s so smart of your son to give himself the time to really figure it out, plus ultimately, the name on his degree will be whatever university he graduates from. May I offer some unsolicited advice? Tell him to do as many internships as he can. That way he can see what it’s like to work in different fields and get a feel for what he might like to do.
That is great advice, thank you!
You’re welcome. I did several internships when I was in college and wish that I did more! They’re such a good way to build up your resume and to make contacts in a field. 🙂 Of course it helps to have experience and good grades but inside contacts and references are great to have too. You never know when someone will be hiring or knows someone else who needs a hand.
I hope everything with the party goes smoothly!
P.S. When I look at Connor sometimes I can’t believe that someday my little bean will be graduating and going to college. ?
1. What’s the weather like out your way? Sunny and in the 70s
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today… Goat milk cleanser, an essence, vitamin c eye cream and serum, HA mist, moisturizer, SPF30, brow pencil, mascara, lip balm.
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month? Get rid of more stuff from this house.
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile? Multiple memories of Dear Daughter and Dear Husband
5. Shorts or skirts? Neither. Jeans or pants all the way. I like to keep covered.
1. What’s the weather like out your way?
It was overcast this morning and in the low 50s. It’s going on 6PM, the skies have cleared and temps have gone up to 74*. Unfortunately I’m trapped inside fighting with my desktop, which is apparently on its last legs. It was purchased in 2006, so we’ve had a good run.
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today…
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer mixed with Coppertone Clearly Sheer Faces SPF 50, a dusting of Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation on the T-zone, and Milani Baked Blush in Bella Bellini. Pretty! Oh, and a coat or two of Clinique High Impact mascara. Black, of course.
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month?
Get a new computer? Maybe a laptop!
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile?
Mom’s hand resting on my ankle last month while we lounged on my brother’s couch watching TV. She’s getting up there in years, so I really treasure those moments.
5. Shorts or skirts?
Gotta give it to skirts, for breathability alone.
1. What’s the weather like out your way?
Humid as all heck. At least it isn’t raining anymore. It rained for three days straight. Bree was NOT HAPPY.
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today…
Moisturizer. Yep, that’s it. I’ve been super lazy.
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month?
Have Abby cantering around the arena! We have her on the lunge (longe? We equestrian riders spell it both ways and now I don’t know which is more correct) ride now with me on top and it is SO MUCH FUN.
Also, I’d like to have Bree coming in and out of the door on her own.
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile?
Whenever I used to go shopping with my grams, we used to stop in the coloring book/paper doll (because paper dolls were the thing before the 2000s y’all) and she’d always buy me a new paper doll. Usually Disney or Barbie. I still have many of the paper dolls because I still love them and I inherited my grams’ Tom Tierney collection and the other paper dolls when she passed away (after a small scuffle with my cousin.)
5. Shorts or skirts?
Shorts because I still can’t find skirts that are my favorite length that fit me. However, between shorts and dresses? DRESSES.
Darn. It’s the Tuesday Poll for me, again. 🙁 I was really excited to try the Shiseido sunscreen (I have the regular, blue 50 SPF sample, not the wetforce) but it was pore clogging for me.
1. What’s the weather like out your way? Rainy and 59 degrees. Yesterday was beautiful – sunny and close to 80.
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today… Burt’s Bees Acne cleanser, Neutrogena Rapid Clear Lotion, CeraVe moisturizer, Amore Pacific cushioned compact.
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month? At least start the backyard deck. We also cleaned out a ridiculously piled closet this weekend. You can see spring is upon us!
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile? When the boys were about 12, we went to the furniture store and saw this huge chair-and-a-half. The 3 of us piled into it and they campaigned hard for us to buy it so we could all sit together (because we’d gotten too big to comfortably fit in our regular chair). It warms my heart to think of the time when they wanted to snuggle up and read or watch a movie. 🙂
5. Shorts or skirts? Shorts. I’m not a skirt or dress fan because then I have to remember to sit in a more lady-like manner. Plus, the gusts of wind. HAHA!
Oh bummer that it broke you out! Maybe try the Wetforce version? I’ve been wearing it for a couple weeks and haven’t broken out (knock on wood).
I love that sweet memory of your boys, by the way. I can’t believe there will come a time when Connor will pull away when I hug her. *tears*
I picked up a whole bag of sun care items as one of the Sephora deluxe samples and our summers are so short that I’m still working through them. 🙂 I will definitely give the Shiseido another try because it was layered under a BB cream and maybe that was just too much for my skin. 🙂
My boys were super sweet until halfway through 8th grade so I think I was luckier than some. But, I do have friends who’s sons will still come and spontaneously hug them or sit on their laps. And the boys are 14, 16 and 20. Connor may always be a snuggle bug. Let’s hope so!! 🙂
I was at TJ’s a couple months ago and saw a mother and her college-aged daughter hugging in the checkout line. Like, a full on real hug that lasted for at least a minute! Her daughter was the one who initiated it, too. I got a little teary eyed when I saw them, and when I caught up to them in line I asked the mom what the secret was. LOL! I know, I’m silly. The mom said in so many words, “Well, I don’t know if there’s a big secret. You just have to listen and try to understand. And I hugged her when she was born and haven’t stopped since.”
I hope Connor will grow up to be a snuggle bug. ? (Although I’ve noticed she’ll have moments when she’ll push me away.) I always think of what you said about holding them for as long as they’ll let you, so I always pick her up and carry her as much as I can.
Sorry for the late entry, yesterday was horrible!
1. What’s the weather like out your way?
94 with a breeze! Since it’s low humidity it feels more like 85.
2. List everything you’ve put on your face so far today…
I’ve been just rinsing my face and using Dr. Jart Tiger Grass Cream, the untinted one. It’s not as perfecting but I swear it zaps redness pretty well and takes off a few years. I’m also wearing Fresh’s tinted balm in Rose.
3. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish over the next month?
Lottery wins and weight loss, lol. For real though, I want to work on my health, fix my drip system in the yard, and fix my flagstone walkway. I’d also like to fix the tile situation in my front entryway but who am I kidding! Too many projects!
4. A sweet memory that makes you smile?
My dog riding my husband like a surfboard in the Sandy river in Portland.
5. Shorts or skirts?
I’m usually more into skirts but with the epic amount of thigh sweat I’ve been getting since moving to the desert, I’m moving into shorts slowly but surely.
Also, TJ’S ROSE HAND CREAM IS BACK! I know you know, I’m just celebrating and trying to stop myself from buying 18 tubes.
Yup, I just wrote about it the other day. 🙂 Gonna grab a few more tubes when I go today.