So…what is the Monday Poll?
Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?
1. Have you ever ridden a moped?
Nope, but I seriously thought about doing it many times when I lived in SF. I just never got around to actually doing it.
There’s something very appealing to me about tooling around town in a mint green Vespa for some reason (it’s gotta be mint green though… No other color will do). I’ll probably never do it at this point because I know myself way too well, and I absolutely do not belong on anything motorized with two wheels.
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked?
A few years ago when El Hub got home from work and told me that our long-time family friends were getting a divorce.
It blew my mind. It was the proverbial “They seemed so happy!” thing. It just goes to show you that you can’t always tell from the outside what people are really going through.
I’m also a bonafide softie, and I always want to believe that love lasts forever, so I was shocked — like jaw dropped to the floor — when I found out.
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
Ooh! OK, here we go! These are in the order in which they’re applied…
- Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
- Tarte Knockout Tingling Treatment
- Kate Somerville Dermal Quench Wrinkle Warrior
- Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion
- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream mixed with a few drops of Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil
- Clinique Superdefense Broad Spectrum SPF 20 for Very Dry to Dry Combination Skin
4. How often do strangers mess up your name?
Not too often. “Karen” is pretty basic, but I’ve still gotten my share of creative monikers written on my to-go cups when I’ve ordered a toasty beverage from Starbucks, Cairn, Carrot, Care and Karun (pronounced Ka-roon).
Sometimes I think maybe the baristas do it on purpose to amuse themselves, which is TOTALLY what I would do if I were writing names on cups all day long, ha ha ha!
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today?
Full-tilt fabulously festive ??. I’m feeling the spirit!
Life Lesson No. 3,546
Girl…if you’re gonna take a selfie with a goat, be prepared for that goat to 1) lick your hair and 2) outshine your bad self.
I guess I should be glad the goat didn’t try to eat my hair? After all, my hair did smell a little like bacon and Cheetos, so I wouldn’t have blamed her had she tried, ha ha! She (the goat) lives on a Christmas tree farm in town. We visited it yesterday, not to get our tree yet, because we’re doing that next weekend, but because I wanted to take a family selfie for the holidays, and it was the closet Christmassy-looking place nearby. #keepingitreal
So, yeah, if you live in Novato and saw a lady shamelessly walking around Cousins’ Christmas Trees yesterday with a selfie stick, looking for good lighting, that was yours truly!
Have you put up your tree yet?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Question time! Here they are to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to you soon.
1. Have you ever ridden a moped?
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked?
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
4. How often do strangers mess up your name?
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today?
Oh, you’re just baaaad with the selfies (see what I did there?).
1. Have you ever ridden a moped? No. One of my friends had one for years but at the time I was way too cool to be seen on that put-put. The thing probably did a max of 30 mph. HAHA! It was NOT a Vespa. Now I think they’re pretty cool and would totally tool around town on one.
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked? When I just scrolled to the pic of Connor and thought “how can she keep getting cuter with every pic?!”. 🙂
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow. CeraVe lotion.
4. How often do strangers mess up your name? My first name, never. My last name, almost always. I am in the habit of saying and then spelling every time now.
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today? Fabulously festive!! It’s the most wonderful time of the year! 🙂
1. Have you ever ridden a moped?
Yes – in Italy on the Amalfi Coast
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked? A friends’ teenage child suddenly passed away
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
Eye cream, vitamin c serum, moisturizer, sunscreen & cc cream
4. How often do strangers mess up your name? Constantly – I answer to almost anything since no one gets it right. My favorite is people who say ‘are you sure?’ when I correct them ?♀️
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today? I work in retail – any holiday spirit I have is quickly sucked out of me
1. Have you ever ridden a moped? Nope, but I’ve ridden a dirt bike.
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked? When my dad passed away totally unexpectedly.
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow. Belif eye cream and moisture bomb moisturizer.
4. How often do strangers mess up your name? Not that often but a lot of people spell it wrong. They’ll spell it Barbra like Barbra Steisand.
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today? Totally Festive! Listening to Christmas songs at my desk. Got the tree up, house is totally decorated and my cubicle is decked out.
Happy Monday! You and goat are both cute as heck. 🙂
1. Have you ever ridden a moped? No
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked? When Trump won the electoral college.
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow. Nothing yet
4. How often do strangers mess up your name? Less than they used to. I used to get “Rachelle” a lot, because my name doesn’t have a second “a.” Before I got married, teachers and doctors were always mixed up and calling me by my maiden name, “Shannon.”
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today? Starting to get in the spirit. Our tree is up and I have a big chunk of shopping done.
1. No and now suddenly my life feels incomplete.
2. The night of Nov 6, 2016.
3. Nuetrogena sunscreen. Chapstick.
4. Not often but half the time strangers will shorten my name to “Jackie” without asking. I am def not a Jackie!
5. Stressed but sequined!
I love your answer to #5, Jaclyn!
BTW there’s a cookie exchange happening at my daughter’s school and so I’ll be making your world famous ginger cookies very soon. 🙂
I love Connor Claire’s coy little smile in that last picture! 🙂
1. Have you ever ridden a moped? No. I have yet to master a regular bicycle (!) so trying a motorized version seems unwise…
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked? Saturday. I texted a friend that I hadn’t seen in a while to find out if she wanted to catch up, and found out she moved to Phoenix a week ago!
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
alba botanica sea kelp toner, may coop raw sauce, peach & lily glass skin refining serum, EL advanced night repair, tatcha the pearl, LXMI creme du nil.
4. How often do strangers mess up your name? Frequently. “Suzanne” usually gets turned into Susan or Sue (sorry, but that one makes me cringe), and I would never have believed how often people think 2 Z’s and 1 N looks correct (suzzan/suzzane? really??).
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today? I’d say Meh+. Although we did bedeck the
5 spruces in our backyard with lights and I’m enjoying looking at them once it gets dark.
Hi Suz,
Funny you should mention bikes. We’re getting Connor one this year because she keeps asking for a bike, and my hubs found this newfangled thing called a Strider Bike (they’re also called balance bikes). They’re basically like a regular bike but without pedals, and they teach riders about balance and control of the bike. If you’d like to learn how to ride a bike, they also make models for adults!
1. Have you ever ridden a moped?
– Oh, no. Nope. It’s in everyone’s best interests and my own that I don’t do that, ha ha!
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked?
– Hmm, probably when my husband decided to pack all of his things and proceed to leave me. (I’m fine, honestly. I’m much better off)
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
– Not much, just the sea berry oil you recommended. This is only my second day trying it out but so far I like it!
4. How often do strangers mess up your name?
– Mostly on the phone. They think I’m saying “Suzannah” and if they’ve got the phonetics right, most people spell it wrong. But I get it, it’s a long name and a bit hard to spell for most people.
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today?
– I feel fabulously festive this year! This is the first time ever that I’ve been excited for Christmas in my adult life. Now I can do whatever I want with decorations, and just have fun with it! And I can watch all the Christmas specials and movies I want!
Hi Savannah,
I’m so happy that you are liking the Seaberry Oil so far! I’m going to be writing about the oil makeup remover version of it this week, too, so stay tuned. It’s just a good. 🙂
1. Have you ever ridden a moped?
No ma’am. atv yes
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked?
when i pass a portion of my driver’s test I went ballistic
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
1. youth to the people superfood cleanser
2. the ordinary euk
3. the ordinary buffett serum
4.orgins ginzing face cream
5. kiehls eye cream
4. How often do strangers mess up your name?
not pronouncing but spelling all the time
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today? bah humbug.
i forgot my sunscreen by supergoop
I remember how anxious you were about your drivers test. So happy that you passed it. Any plans for getting a car soon?
i feel like its 50/50 about getting a car. i still anxious about driving ,it took me forever and a day to do it . also if i drive my bf wont do it but i would like to be styling and profiling in my new beater.
1. Have you ever ridden a moped? No. I want a Vespa, they are so cute, but I’d be afraid to ride one. I just don’t trust other drivers.
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked? In October, we had to put my doggie baby to sleep. It was the right decision, it was time, we knew it was coming, but I was heartbroken. I still am. She was the dog that changed our lives, she was perfect. My spirit animal. My God I loved that dog more than anything, she was my third daughter. I had called the vet and left a message for them to call me back. While I was waiting, I got a messenger ding on Facebook. A friend I went to school with, who lives a couple of miles down the street where I grew up, said that a pug (which is what my dog was) was dumped at her house the night before and asked if I wanted her. Whaaaaaaat? Losing a pug and gaining a pug on the same day? I’m convinced that my Fanny (my departed angel) waited until a pug needed a family, because we needed a pug. It was crazy. But I’m so greatful. Ironically, two weeks later, another high school friend gave us another pug. It’s been a crazy couple of months, but if the universe puts a pug in your path, you take it.
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow. Nothing. Not a darn thing! I need to adopt a daytime skin routine, I have a night one, but usually I just slap on some moisturizer with SPF 30 in it. But I travelled yesterday and I was tired this morning, so I’m wearing nothing.
4. How often do strangers mess up your name? My name is Stephanie, I get called “Jennifer” quite a bit. So much that I answer to it now. And it’ll get mispelled with an “F” at Starbucks, or I get “Stefine”, which I say is “Stef fine”, because I am!
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today? Love them! I’m wearing a pug themed Christmas sweatshirt, I looked at all the Christmas ornaments at Target, I have a few Christmas things up in the house, but I had to order a new tree this year, an artificial one, and it’s coming tomorrow. So tomorrow I’m putting it up. I hate not having a tree up yet.
Hey Stephanie,
So sorry for the loss of your dear dog. I’m sure she has lots of friends at the rainbow bridge, including my old pup Shauna (aka the best dog ever).
1. Have you ever ridden a moped?
Nope – a bunch of my coworkers have them, though…and there’s a place that sells them a few blocks from me. It’s very tempting.
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked?
Probably when a director left the company I work for last month…I totally didn’t see that coming.
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
Right meow I have on:
Thayer’s Rose Toner
Tree of Life Vitamin C Serum
Pond’s sensitive skin moisturizer
4. How often do strangers mess up your name?
I get Christina and Chris on the regular. Chris really bothers me (I’ve never understood shortening someone’s name if they don’t introduce themselves like that??). Also Kristen, Christy…or spelled Kristine…
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today?
SO BAH HUMBUG. I’m not crazy about the holidays. Never have been. Which leads into your tree question…no, not yet. I told SO it’s his choice this year, I’m indifferent. If he wants to, great! I’ll help decorate. But I’m not sad if we don’t.
1. Have you ever ridden a moped?
Once, for about 10 feet when I was 14. Not since then.
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked?
Presidential election 2016
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
Maelove Vitaglow, Neogen Real Ferment Essence, Wishtrend 5% Mandelic Acid, NIOD eye serum, Holy Snails Shark Sauce, Ginseng Ampoule, Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis, HadaLabo Premium Lotion, Revision Skincare Tinted SPF.
4. How often do strangers mess up your name?
First name, not often. Last name, all the time.
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today?
I’m mildly excited about the holidays. We’re having a Christmas cookie baking party in a couple of weeks, so at least we’re doing something festive, which is more than usual. I find as you get older, holidays mean a lot less (especially if you don’t have kids).
1. Have you ever ridden a moped? Well, yes. On honeymoon in Mexico we rented one. Husband drove, I clung to his back for dear life. It was Terrifying.
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked? When I got a call from the doctor who said “you have cancer.” There isn’t anything in the world that can prepare you for that. (I’m good now)
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow. Philosophy When Hope is Not Enough refining moisturizer
4. How often do strangers mess up your name? People manage Jennifer okay but in the Northeast, they tend to shorten it to “Jen” without asking. In the Midwest, people would always ask first.
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today? Pretty fabulously festive although a bit tired.
Love the pic of you too in front of the trees. Connor has the cutest expression on her face!
1. Have you ever ridden a moped?
Yeah, I grew up with close family and friends who sold motorcycles, so mopeds were around, and I have. Not something I’ve ever wanted.
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked?
When one of my closest friends decided we were no longer friends and wouldn’t talk to me anymore. It’s been a year and still stings.
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
Pixi Glow Tonic
Drunk Elephant C Firma
Indeed Collagen Peptide Serum
Indeed Squalene
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream
And a spritz of Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Excellerator
4. How often do strangers mess up your name?
I get Sara all the time. Occasionally Serra or Cerra, and once in a very blue moon Farrah.
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today?
Seven?
1. Have you ever ridden a moped? Nope, and I believe I’ve missed that window.
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked?
Frankly, the 2016 election.
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
Coppertone Faces SPF 50 sunscreen mixed with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer. The Neutrogena is like a BB cream but only has SPF 20, so I increase that rating (and lighten the color) by diluting it with white sunscreen.
4. How often do strangers mess up your name?
Sometimes if I speak too quickly when I introduce myself someone will mistake Susan for Suzanne, but it’s a relatively rare occurrence.
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today?
Bah humbug. I’m totally not into it this year; in fact, this afternoon I texted a friend to let her know I won’t be exchanging gifts with her or with anybody. I am officially Opting Out.
1. Have you ever ridden a moped?
No, and unless I’m in a relatively abandoned village road like in the movies where I can go at 10 mph, I’m probably never going to do it. I work in the OR. I’ve seen what happens in bad motorcycle accidents!
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked? Similar to your story—when I found out my friends were splitting up
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
Ooh skincare! This morning I put on HAda Labo hyaluronic acid mixed with The Ordinary’s vitamin C powder, then CosRx snail essence, Cerave PM moisturizer, Nivea SPF 50 PA +++, and finally Australian Gold Tinted SPF 50
4. How often do strangers mess up your name? Sometimes they say “Kit” or “Kaye” instead of Kate
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today?
My tree is up and I’ve made Christmas cookies and am singing Christmas songs but I’m dreading the gift buying
1- Yes! In the Bahamas. I hit a parked car! And my husband hit a brick wall! We won’t be doing that ever again.
2- When my best friend suddenly died at age 36 (30 years ago).
3- Moon Juice, Kate Somerville’s AntiBac, CC cream.
4- My first name not so much, although lately people keep asking me if I use an I or Y, my last name frequently.
5- So-So. Now that my kids are grown it’s Noah’s much fun. But we’ll put up a tree and make Christmas cookies, so…….
1. Have you ever ridden a moped?
I haven’t but I’ve always wanted to.
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked?
When Bree just started playing with toys a few days after being on her thyroid medicine. I was just stunned.
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
Just some Pacifica.
4. How often do strangers mess up your name?
Only with my real name. My real name is Kathryn, only two syllables, not “Kath-er-in.” Very. Frustrating.
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today?
Tired but full of unicorn spirit
1. No, but I owned a Honda 350 in college. My parents made me sell it when they found out. To be fair, it was uninsured (meaning so was I). Ah, the things that sound reasonable when you’re 20…
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked?
Honestly nothing shocks me. I’m always prepared to hear bad news and step in to help. I love good news, too, but the whole range is always a possibility.
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
I honestly don’t remember! Maybe nothing today? I did a full face a few days ago but all I recall from today is a combo of two new bare minerals lippies and an old shiseido lippie with a great pinkie coral color.
4. How often do strangers mess up your name?
My parents actually named me “Amy” in part so it couldn’t be shortened and would be easy to pronounce! The last name I married into is Dutch, though, and people get it wrong even when I spell it out. Which doesn’t really bother me, that’s how the world rolls.
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today?
Tree is up! Combo of colored and white lights! Stockings are up! I went to a friend’s jewelry sale yesterday where several people bought Hanukkah and Christmas gifts. It was festive and fun.
1. Have you ever ridden a moped?
I rode a moped once on Martha’s Vineyard. Actually, my then-boyfriend (now husband) was the driver and I left fingernail marks on his stomach as I clutched him too desperately. Never again.
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked?
The night of the 2016 Presidential election.
3. List all of the skincare on your face right now.
Murad Essential C Day Moisture Lotion SPF 30
4. How often do strangers mess up your name?
Sometimes foreign people pronounce it “puh MEL a”
5.On a scale from “Fab Festive” to “bah humbug”, how do you feel about the holidays today?
I’m always excited for my kids but I’m in the middle of fab and bah humbug because I never feel like I bought them enough stuff.
Hi Pamela,
If I was ever on a moped with El Hub I would leave permanent scars on his stomach, ha ha ha! I’m definitely not built for anything motorized with two wheels.
How are your kids doing, btw? Your oldest is in kinder this year, right?
1. Have you ever ridden a moped?
Yes, for the first time just this past September in Las Vegas. We did a moped tour through the mountains and it was fantastic! I want one now.
2. An instance when you were genuinely shocked?
When my neighbor put her house up for sale. She was a horticulturist by trade and she had a beautiful sanctuary yard and we thought she would never put it up for sale. I cried for a week when I found out.
3. List all of the skin care you’re wearing on your face right meow.
-Paulas choice toner
-Algenist liquid collagen
-Algenist anti-aging cream
– Hydrocortizone on a nodular pimple I’ve had for almost 5 weeks. I named him Jake from State Farm because he’s hideous?.
4. How often do strangers mess up your name?
All the time. It’s two of the simplist names put together, yet I get just Mary, Mary Ellen, Marion, Marianne, and my Italian friends just call me Mar.
5. On a scale from “Fabulously festive” to “bah humbug,” how do you feel about the holidays today?
I’m middle of the road. To lower my stress levels and declutter my life I stopped exchanging gifts with people years ago and donate money to a local shelter instead. It’s definitely freeing and I feel good about it, but it’s kind of a bummer on Christmas Day and you have no gifts to open.