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.
- When people show up on time — not too early, not too late. Just on time.
- Perfectly executed thin crust margherita pizza (with a flavorful crust and sauce, of course)
- Cute, comfy shoes with good arch support that don’t hurt my feet
- Bras that don’t slip off my shoulders and that don’t have a weird gap in the cups!
1. Navy or nude nails?
Navy! I’m ready for dark fall nails.
2. Things that make you happy?
Oh, where do I start?
3. Things that help you feel centered?
Working out. Writing lists. Reading (or listening to an audiobook) every day. Stretching.
4. Your latest and greatest find?
The Honest Beauty Liquid Lipsticks. They’re super pretty (the shade called Happiness is my fave), hydrating, and they don’t give me cat butt lips.
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts?
DO IT, DO IT, DO IT! And while you’re at it, might as well add matching blush for a full-on monochromatic makeup look.
Flip it and reverse it
Hiya and happy Monday! ❤️
Can I show you something?
Aren’t these shoes the wackiest? They’re absolutely bonkers, and I LOVE THEM.
I found them at Nordstrom Rack last weekend while I was there looking for clothes to wear to a meeting I have with a beauty brand later this week (more on this soon).
I went clothes shopping because — kid you not — everything I own is hella old and has been “baby-ized,” meaning that it exhibits some combination of stains, rips and holes.
Funny thing is, even though the shoes spoke to me and they’re totally my style, I kept thinking of all the “professional lady work wear” (air quotes) outfits I looked up on Pinterest and Instagram beforehand, so I nixed them because I thought they might be too weird…even though I loved them.
I sent a quick text to my friend Jen from the store to see what she thought, and she thought the striped cuties were the best fit for my personality. Then she gently reminded me that I work in a creative profession in the Bay Area, so hopefully have a little leeway to dress somewhat casual, if not wacky.
That was the push I needed! So I got them. ?
Anyway, this incident with the shoes got me thinking about how we are so quick to compare ourselves to others, aren’t we? It’s so easy to do, especially with the time we spend seeing the curated, filtered versions of other people’s lives online. I catch myself going there more often than I care to admit…
So this week I’m going to practice *not* comparing myself to others, and as soon as I catch myself doing it, I’m going flip it and reverse it à la Missy Elliot, ha ha ha!
What are you working on this week to make you a better version of yourself? I constantly remind myself that, even if it’s something small, as long as you’re moving forward in some way, YOU’RE MOVING FORWARD.
Have a beautiful Monday. ?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Question time! Here they are to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon!
1. Navy or nude nails?
2. Things that make you happy?
3. Something that helps you feel centered?
4. Your latest and greatest find?
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts?
P.P.S. Have an epic rest of your week! ?
This post is so positive, I love it. This week I’m working on giving myself permission to rest. I was hitting the gym hard and was only 1, ONE workout away from testing my PRs after a summer of preparation, but my body started kind of giving out and I finally realized I needed to cool it for a bit. Really disappointing, but I know I’ll only get worse if I don’t rest now! The PRs will have to wait.
1. Nude. I don’t think I’ve worn anything navy in regards to make up or nails!
2. My son lost one of his “front window” teeth. So freaking adorable. My youngest starts school on Thursday. And I finished a weeks-long secret project for my husband which I finally was able to give to him last night. ❤️ And the non profit I volunteer for is kicking butt. Really nice to see everyone involved working so well together and making a difference!
3. Weightlifting. Hanging with my besties. A big ass thunderstorm. Doing manual labor.
4. Punky color depositing shampoo in purpledacious. Now instead of stripping my hair of color when I shower, this shampoo redyes it! A freaking miracle. ?♀️
5. Do it! I’d pick KVD Lolita eye palette paired with Lolita lipstick. ?
I love the Lolita eyeshadow so much!
I don’t have it but I think I need it in my life. Hmmm… Maybe I’ll take a quick trip to Sephora and do a last round of VIB?
Hi Jacklyn,
As I get older I’ve learned to appreciate the rest days SO MUCH MORE. You have to listen to your body and respect what it needs, for sure.
Happy Monday, Karen. Hope you had a good weekend!
1. Navy or nude nails? – Yes, Navy! I’m there with you on the dark fall nails 🙂
2. Things that make you happy? – So many things – music, sounds of the ocean and rain, puppies, kittens, babies.
3. Something that helps you feel centered? – Music and doing hard busy work.
4. Your latest and greatest find? – Straight jeans at Old Navy.
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts? Absolutely!
Heya, Barb! I had a great weekend. Did the weather end up being nice out there in Philly?
It was beautiful! Low humidity. Was able to open the windows and air the house out. It felts so nice! My air has been non-stop for pretty much the whole summer!
There’s something so wonderful about opening up the windows and getting fresh air to flow through the house. Ours is buttoned up tight because it’s hot right now and I’m enjoying my new air conditioner immensely! AHHHH!
It’s the little things, really. 🙂
. Navy or nude nails? nude – ballet slippers by Essie is a favorite. My short stubby fingers look odd with dark nails.
2. Things that make you happy? FALL! (counting the days), books, cats! music of the 70’s
3. Something that helps you feel centered?cleaning my house
4. Your latest and greatest find? Sirius XM radio ( I got 90 days free when I bought my 2015 Hyndai Sonata last week) it is the bomb! Also, I highly recommend Carvana if you are looking for a good used car.
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts? I love it on other people, but I wear mostly brown/taupe eyeshadows, and the brownish lips don’t work on me.
P.S Love the shoes, Karen! I am so glad you got them. I have learned that if you really love something and it speaks to you (and you can afford it) get it! If you love it, you will always find a way to wear it, and it will haunt you if you don’t.
Daphne! Speaking of music from the ’70s, here’s what I’ve been listening to non-stop: Cheryl Lynn’s Got to Be Real.
And thanks for the props on the shoes. I can’t wait to wear them on Wednesday!
1. Navy or nude nails?
Neither, I have very non-dainty, working hands that I think look better with sparkly, bright colors to distract the eye.
2. Things that make you happy?
Animals, reading, looking at plants, looking at art.
3. Something that helps you feel centered?
Going for walks/being in nature, alone time.
4. Your latest and greatest find?
Txakolina wine from the Basque region.
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts?
Sure!
Hi Ewa,
I’m noting that wine because I’d love to try it someday. (I’m a low-key wine enthusiast.) How did you find it?
One of my coworkers recommended it (we work with wine) and I loved it. The rosé is really lovely as is the white, they both have a wonderfully light effervescence. If you’d like to read about it, here’s a link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/27/dining/drinks/wine-school-rose.html
If you enjoy reading about wine, Eric Asimov’s column is really great!
Noting that column, thank you! I’m a sucker for a lovely white wine; we have a Spanish specialty food and wine store in my old neighborhood which is about a half hour away, so next time I’m there I’m going to pop in to see if they have it.
1. Navy or nude nails?
Navy! I’m ready for fallish colors too.
2. Things that make you happy?
– Getting enough sleep
– A good book
– Mom’s homemade Indian food
– Cats (P.S. I have 5 now!) They make me smile every day with their antics
3. Something that helps you feel centered?
– Starting the day with reading a devotional and spending some time praying
– Having a clean house. Lately I have been watching cleaning videos on YouTube and I love trying new cleaning products
– Putting my phone away and not scrolling through social media – easier said than done sometimes
4. Your latest and greatest find?
I had a coupon at DSW for my birthday and I bought some cute Skechers with kitties on them. 🙂
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts?
Definitely!
I LOVE that outfit! That color top looks great on you and the shoes are so fun. Thanks for being so inspiring and positive. Happy Monday!
Thanks, Ruchita! I hope that you are able to move along some aspect of your life this week, whether it’s a big task or a little task. 🙂
P.S. Sooo… I have to give you a Mama Kitty update. She went to the vet last week and the vet said that she might be pregnant again. Apparently some cats can carry two litters at the same time?!
Thanks for the support! I was out of town for work last week, so I think I’m going to getting some small things done, like unpacking!
Oh my goodness – I hope Mama Kitty is not pregnant again! I knew kitties could get impregnated by multiple males, but I thought they all generally delivered at the same time. Regardless, I hope she is able to get spayed after having this litter so she can go back to being just a regular kitty.
Do you remember Bob Barker’s PSA at the end of the Price is Right about spaying and neutering your pets? I never paid attention to it as a kid, but now I realize how important it is! 🙂
One thing I’ve learned about unpacking after a trip is that if I don’t unpack immediately (like right when I get home, or the next day at the very latest), that bag will sit there for months! I’m so not kidding. Get that unpacking done ASAP, girl.
I had no idea that a mama cat could carry multiple litters, either. I hope she’s OK and that it’s just babies (and not anything more serious).
And yes, I remember that PSA at the end of show. 🙂 I always wanted to go on there to play Plinko!
Luckily I just brought a carry on, so it should not take long to empty! Thanks for the motivation.
I remember Plinko and that game with the mountain climber and the groovy music. 🙂
Oh yeah, I remember that one too!
You know what I really wish I could do, though? SPIN THAT WHEEL!
How are the kitties doing, by the way?
I know! I always wondered how heavy the wheel was to spin.
Kitties are doing well! Thanks for asking. We took in a new guy about a month ago. Top priority was to get him neutered, but he was too sweet and friendly to let back outside. The plan was to foster him until we found him a home, but haven’t gotten any inquiries yet. He’s a little tabby boy with a permanently bent ear and he chirps and talks all the time! His name is Max and he’s got me wrapped around his little paw. 🙂
1. Navy or nude nails?
– nude!
2. Things that make you happy?
– my puppies! My boyfriend! My parents and friends! Watching movies snuggled up on the couch! Reading in quiet with tea and something sweet.
3. Something that helps you feel centred?
-definitely my quiet/alone time. I need it to recharge.
4. Your latest and greatest find?
-I’ve been obsessed with Mac paint pots since I found a primer that works underneath them. Now my eye makeup is flawless for at least 9 hours! No more creasing!
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts?
-I don’t mind this on other people but probably not myself so much, unless it was a coral-peach.
I am so bad for comparing and it is so self destructive! I’m always working on that!
Hi Savannah,
Me too. It’s hard to avoid, especially if you spend any time online. I’m going to work a little bit every day on not doing it so much this week, so that it will become a habit!
Happy Monday to you.
1. Navy or nude nails? navy i love dark nails.
2. Things that make you happy? my skincare hoard, my cat ajax and my nephew
3. Something that helps you feel centered? a cup of tea, praying
4. Your latest and greatest find? someone was handing out gre study information on twitter. God Bless them.
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts?its your thing, do what you wanna do.
Haha, when I read your answer to question 5 I did it with the Isley Brother’s song running through my head!
Happy Monday!
i love that song too.
I’m building a new playlist and just put it on there along with Cheryl Lynn’s To Be Real and Kool and the Gang’s Let’s Groove. ??
1. Navy or nude nails? Navy! I don’t really do nude nails.
2. Things that make you happy? My pugs, it’s National Dog Day! Coffee dates with girlfriends. Crossing things off my to-do list. Naps.
3. Something that helps you feel centered? Meditation, journaling, petting the three pugs and five cats (not at the same time)
4. Your latest and greatest find? Moonshine Mani nail polish. Indie brands are so so so much more fun than mainstream brands. They’re innovative and original and FUN!
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts? Sure why not? Makeup is fun, do what makes you happy!
My 13 year old daughter sings that Missy song ALL THE TIME! It makes me laugh, she doesn’t understand the lyrics, thank goodness!
Honestly my favorite part of that song are the animal sounds, HA HA!
Did you know the nonsense part of the song is her saying “flip it and reverse it” backwards?
1. Navy or nude nails?
Navy, as long as I don’t try to paint them myself, lol.
2. Things that make you happy?
Hanging out with my girls (minus the teenaged moods), clean sheets, raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens… ?
3. Something that helps you feel centered?
I always feel that an organized space is a quiet space. So putting things away, quieting my space, quiets my mind.
4. Your latest and greatest find?
Bare Minerals Bounce & Blur Blush. (Not so much with their eyeshadow, though.) It has such a fantastic, natural-glow thing going on and so super-easy to apply.
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts?
I like how it looks on Instagram, but not so much on me.
Okay, but now I’m dying to know what this ‘meeting with a beauty brand’ is all about. Is there an amazing collab in our future? I’ll start saving my money just in case. And I hear you on the baby-ized wardrobe. I recently realized that everything I owned (plus my hair and makeup) screams “40-something aunt of 5 who spends her life in the school pick-up line”. Thus the big box of up-graded clothes on my bed, waiting for me to try them on. Rock those crazy-fun shoes, girl.
I’m so glad you got the quirky shoes! They’re totally you. 🙂
1. Navy or nude nails? Navy. I never wear nude nails.
2. Things that make you happy? When my husband and kids tell me they love me. And when my 24-year-old son will just turn to me and say, “You’re a pretty lady!” It’s the best, and how many guys his age tell their moms that every time they see them?
3. Something that helps you feel centered? Putting on my face; coloring; visiting the ocean
4. Your latest and greatest find? Volition Strawberry-C serum. It’s done wonders for my menopause-ravaged face. No more dry cheeks!
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts? DO!!! I love that, and I big time love a monochromatic look.
My brother is 27, and he’s ALWAYS called our mom “pretty lady” instead of mom. He always greets her with “sup pretty lady? How we doing?”
Its SO nice to see men their age, doing that!!!
That’s so sweet! Your mom raised him right.
You rock those shoes Karen! It’s great to look down at your feet and smile at yourself.
1. Navy or nude nails? Navy all day
2. Things that make you happy? In this crazy world, seeing people being kind to each other, especially strangers.
3. Something that helps you feel centered? Making lists, meditating, yoga, and a cat on my lap.
4. Your latest and greatest find? Revlon Colorstay Looks Book Palettes. I try not to by brands that aren’t cruelty free, but these little cuties caught my eye and were on sale at Walgreens for $6 last week. Really surprised at their payoff! I thought the mattes blended well and the shimmers are very good, but a little better with glitter glue.
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts? I only match the tone, either cool or warm, not the color.
I love the shoes! And this post! I definitely need some new work clothes and I don’t know what I’m looking for. I’m chubby with a belly so I have to work with that. I’m going to try eShakti based on some recommendations. I need new glasses too.
1. Navy or nude nails?
Probably navy! I look like hell in nudes.
2. Things that make you happy?
Kitties, chocolate, naps
3. Something that helps you feel centered?
I’m also a fan of lists, stretching. Oh and circus of course!
4. Your latest and greatest find?
More of finding an old favorite – Cheryl Lee MD Ceramide+ Cream is saving my life again.
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts?
Why not?
I love the shoes! I have a friend whose last name is Parrott and she has a kazillion parrot themed things – from clothing to jewelry to home goods. I would have totally picked those up for her. 🙂 Maybe it’s because I live in a rural area and can be as casual or dressy as I want at work, but I find these days that pretty much anything goes in terms of personal style. I still keep it quite traditional if I have business meetings but I think Jen is right. You work in a creative field in a liberal town – dress however makes you happy! 🙂
1. Navy or nude nails? Nude on the fingernails, navy on the toes.
2. Things that make you happy? These questions are so hard for me because I almost never think about feelings. I’m a pretty consistently happy person (thankfully) so I just kind of go with the flow. My family and friends definitely make me happy! And sometimes not happy. HAHA!
3. Something that helps you feel centered? Church. I grew up Catholic but rarely went to church as an adult. A couple of years ago, I was waking up multiple times per night panicking (work related). I’d never experienced real panic or stress before but it happened to coincide with my boys making their Confirmation so we “had” to be in church every Sunday. It gave me a lot of peace and made me feel very relaxed when I was there, so I still go. It’s definitely not for everyone but it works for me!
4. Your latest and greatest find? Not really late but I’m still pretty excited about the Laneige water sleeping mask.
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts? For sure. The simpler, the better for me!
1. Navy or nude nails?
Navy, my nails are in post gel recovery so as soon as I can wear polish again it will be darker. Nude is too hard to find the perfect shade and always shows up any slight cut or dryness around the cuticle more.
2. Things that make you happy?
Pole, whether strength, trick or dance training- it is my happy place.
Dancing in general.
My rescue pupper and my cats – every day with them is a blessing.
Attention from the boy I can’t have (he is 24 so still a boy).
The new Taylor Swift album (because it is mostly about feeling besotted with someone).
My family, those I was born to and those I have gathered.
And finally – great skin and make up days.
3. Something that helps you feel centered?
Pole dancing, stretching and taking my girl out for her walks.
4. Your latest and greatest find?
My rescue dog, I have had her 6 weeks now and I love her more than I can describe.
Beauty Pie Tinted SPF 20 – would love it to be a 50 but it makes a great summer base.
5. Matching lids and lips: thoughts?
I haven’t seen enough or though enough about this but red and red is cool, not so sure about nude on nude, too corpsey.