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. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate?
Dark chocolate tastes like punishment to me…and white chocolate doesn’t really taste like much at all, so I’ll take some really good milk chocolate for the win, please! See’s preferably! ??
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte finish, or a shiny finish today?
I’ll go for shiny today. ✨
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment?
Cleaning my bathroom… I’ve got to do it soon (hopefully this week) because it’s on the brink of true grossness! Not quite full-on disgusting yet, but it’s getting there.
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours?
I absolutely cannot stand when my hair smells like barbecue. YUCK! Also, when my toenails or fingernails are even just a tad too long, I’m basically non-functional. I can’t think about anything other than cutting my nails when they get like that, and I’ll obsess over it until it’s done.
5. Who’s your dream travel partner?
Besides Keanu Reeves? El Hub, I guess. LOL! He’s very detail oriented, so I know that even if I’m completely out of it (like if it’s 3 a.m.
and I’m delirious from lack of sleep), and there’s a train or a connecting flight we absolutely cannot miss, I know we’ll get to where we need to go with all the paperwork and everything ready to go.
Plus, homeboy’s pretty funny. He’s always available for a hug if I need one and is always up for an adventure… And I’m also going to have to include my childhood friends Jen and Cindy, who I still hang out with. I’ve traveled extensively with them over the years, and we haven’t killed each other yet, haha! They’re both super easygoing, which is yin to my yang.
6. Who’s always on your playlist?
Honestly, these days it’s always one of the Disney princesses, hahaha! Connor loves Disney movies and music, so I like to have Disney princess tunes available to play at a moment’s notice in case she feels the need to bust out into song.
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you?
That brown eyeliner is your BFF!
8. What does your afternoon look like today?
Got a few errands to run and a couple things to write, but otherwise not terribly busy if I’m mindful of the time and stay on task.
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order?
I use ‘Karen’ most of the time, but there are those rare days when I can’t deal with someone writing ‘Kelvin’ or ‘Kerran’ or ‘Kiera,’ so I end up giving my nickname, which is Kate.
Nobody seems to mess up Kate for some reason!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate?
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today?
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment?
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours?
5. Who’s your dream travel partner?
6. Who’s always on your playlist?
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you?
8. What does your afternoon look like today?
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order?
P.P.S. You’re going to have a great day, my friend. I just know it! ?
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate?
I like dark chocolate!
Fun fact, all throughout high school and college I worked at a candy store that is famous for their chocolate covered potato chips!
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today?
Matte.
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment?
Cleaning in general. I should’ve done it this weekend, I had absolutely no excuse other than I didn’t want to!
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours?
When my hair smells like bonfire. I almost want to wash it that same night before I go to bed!
5. Who’s your dream travel partner?
That’s tough! In real life my boyfriend is actually really easy to travel with, and we have another couple that we’ve gone places with and they are easy to travel with too!
6. Who’s always on your playlist?
Lately the Hamilton soundtrack!
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you?
Primer really makes a difference!
8. What does your afternoon look like today?
Work! My boyfriend and my dad are working on putting up a fence at my house so I’m excited to go home and see the progress they’ve made! I hope it’s done!
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order?
Rachel.
So excited for your ne fence! What does it look like?
It’s just a wooden privacy fence made of cedar. Keeps the riff raff out, i.e. the neighbors kids!
Oh, nice! I’m sure it’ll add some great property value to your place, too!
Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend.
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate?
I LOVE milk chocolate. Especially with caramel.
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today?
Matte, please.
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment?
Writing the review feedback for a couple of my coworkers. It’s not bad, it’s just more focus than I have brainpower for at the moment.
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours?
Nail polish chips on my own nails. One chip and they all need to come off that day. Other people, I’m like, ooooh you’re so artsy! You must use your hands to create!
5. Who’s your dream travel partner?
I enjoy traveling with my SO. We both like to have days where we planned things, but also know when to rest or “unschedule” things.
6. Who’s always on your playlist?
twentyone pilots, Ingrid Michaelson
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you?
Even though I have always had full brows, using a tinted brow gel is amazing for really completing a “put-together” look.
8. What does your afternoon look like today?
Actually writing my feedback, eating lunch, working on a content calendar for virtual community in the office, and then wedding stuff.
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order?
Christine – I mobile order 90% of the time so it’s correct then, but when I don’t I get Chris, Christi, Christina, Christopher, Chrissy, (also all of those variations with a K) and once I got Steve.
I got my coffee. That’s all I want.
Your answer to the Starbucks question cracked me up!
I’ve gotten “Lucy” at 2 different coffee places (a Sbx and an independent). Am I not saying our name correctly?! lol
LUCYYYY!
I am DYING – actually laughing out loud.
Steve I get (the “Stine” part kinda sounds like it, sure” but Lucy?!
Maybe you were a Lucy in a past life?
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate?
dark chocolate
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today?
matte
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment?
a bunch of things like cleaning, changing sheets, using my new computer
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours?
outlining lips , or shaving eyebrows then drawing one straight line
5. Who’s your dream travel partner?
anthony bourdain
6. Who’s always on your playlist?
kanye .. dont judge i love the dark twisted fantasy album
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you?
put lipstick on before blush to decide how much blush you need or if you want to decide what should go on your cheeks
8. What does your afternoon look like today?
like work
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order?
ericca
No Kanye judgement! I have Graduation Day (which IMHO is his magnum opus) and Dark Twisted Fantasy (I love it for Power and All of the Lights). I applaud his musical creativity.
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate? Dark milk chocolate with a cacao content between 45 and 55% or semisweet dark chocolates between 62-66% cacao mass. Don’t like it too light or too dark.
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today? I guess matte. I can’t do winged liner. Too many deep, down turned wrinkles at the corners of my eyes.
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment? Taking a shower. I worked out this morning, then came home and swept the front of the house, the drive, the side yard and only quit when I started on the back and realized I was getting a blister.
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours? Like you I can’t stand when my hair picks up smells. Like when we’d eat a restaurant with a wood burning oven and I’d walk out with hair that smells like a campfire. Ugh.
5. Who’s your dream travel partner? Dear Husband. He gets that I’m not a morning person, so he doesn’t push me. He’ll get up and take a shower, get dressed and then after I wake up he’ll go out and find a cappuccino for me while I’m in the shower.
6. Who’s always on your playlist? Salt N Peppa, B-52s.
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you? Not really surprising, but I look better in brown or gray eye-liner. Black is just too contrasty with my paleness.
8. What does your afternoon look like today? Need to go out to the farm stand and pick up some romaine, veggies and apples and other fruit. Need to order some nail swatch sticks from Amazon because I’ve decided to do a destash of my nail polish collection and I want to make sure I end up keeping the ones I truly love.
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order? Uh, trying to remember. My first name or my first initial if I recall correctly. Or I let Dear Daughter do the ordering with her name. I only drink Starbucks when I’m on road trips. I’m spoiled that I have a good Venetian coffee house nearby that I frequent. Their coffee is just sooo much better than Starbucks. A Singaporean coffee house just opened nearby too. Can’t wait to try it.
OK, food smells in my hair that I can’t stand besides barbecue: fried fish (I. CANNOT.), pizza oven (although in theory I should enjoy this, I do not) and hamburger!
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate? mmm, like a 60percent dark or a strong milk. don’t care for white but I do bake with it.
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today? winged liner
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment? Cleaning my fridge. It’s such a pain in the butt but it’s getting really gross
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours? flaky lip skin
5. Who’s your dream travel partner? I’m going to sound really obnoxious but myself. After a challenging back to school shopping trip with my high school senior, I really want a few days away all by myself.
6. Who’s always on your playlist? Tom Petty. He is missed.
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you? Eh, maybe that highlighter is really important? I’m tired and I can’t think.
8. What does your afternoon look like today? I’m covering a murder trial. We’re on a break right now so obvi, I’m filling out your poll.
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order? Jennifer. Also, my mind is blown that your nickname is Kate! I love it! I’ve always imagined that your family and friends just call you Karen! Can your readers start calling you Kate? What does Connor call you?
So funny thing about my nickname… I went to a mom’s group event last year, and ended up chatting with a woman named Kate. I told her that Kate was my nickname, and that it’s short for Karen. Then she told me her name was Karen and that Kate was her nickname too. My mind was seriously blown!
Connor calls me “mama” or “mommy” or course! My mom once thought it was funny to teach her to call me Karen and I shut that down RIGHT QUICK.
Happy Monday girl!
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate?
I like dark chocolate but I looove milk chocolate.
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today?
Shiny finish today please.
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment?
My marketing course from Coursera, I’m tired of learning through videos.
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours?
I also don’t like my nails long! However since they grow so fast, they tend to be longer that I’d like.
5. Who’s your dream travel partner?
I think my sister, but at the same time I love travelling by myself.
6. Who’s always on your playlist?
Right now BTS and Blackpink, my sister is making me a kpopper.
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you?
How important are undertones in color.
8. What does your afternoon look like today?
I’m probably going to get late from office because being the end of the month, but I can’t complain.
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order?
Efra, shorter and easier. Many times the write Efren (it sounds kinda similar in Spanish).
You’re not the only one tired of zoom, friend! I miss seeing my people in person, sigh. Well, it’s better than nothing, right?
Actually in Coursera, you only watch videos and only get feedback on final tests and exams. So it’s kinda like YouTube, but you get a certificate.
What I missed is feedback, but you’re right also Zoom is tiring, I hope we can get the vaccine soon so we can see other people without problems.
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate?
Dark!!! ? Milk and white are too sweet.
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today?
Matte, please. I’m not feeling the shine today.
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment?
Putting away clean clothes.
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours?
People trying to dye their hair unusual colors (purple, etc) at home. It takes a very specific process and very few amateurs can do it right. If you want mermaid hair, get it done professionally.
5. Who’s your dream travel partner?
Travel? What is this thing you call travel?
6. Who’s always on your playlist?
We are listening to a lot of Yacht Rock on Sirius lately. And the decades channels, 60’s through 90’s.
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you?
This year I learned just how much of my regular makeup routine could be given up without it making that much of a difference. Really, why all those extra steps? Same for skincare.
8. What does your afternoon look like today?
I finished a book and I really do need to put away all those clean clothes.
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order?
I use my mom’s name. It cannot be messed up, while mine cannot be done correctly, for some reason.
I totally had to look up yacht rock! Had no idea it was a thing.
What book did you finish, by the way?
(Oh, and thanks for reminding me to put my clean clothes away.)
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate? Dark chocolate only, and dark dark, 86%. Milk is too sweet for me and white is disgusting.
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today? Shiny, always.
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment? Making my grocery list, it’s necessary for me, but I’m dragging.
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours? Chipped polish, I swear I can feel it, I can’t of course, but if I have one teeny chip then I need a whole new manicure.
5. Who’s your dream travel partner? My kids, they’re 14 and 17. We’re a good team. My husband gets a little spun up in the details, but my girls are kick back and easy.
6. Who’s always on your playlist? Madonna, always.
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you? Blush makes you look younger!
8. What does your afternoon look like today? My AC needs to be worked on, so I’m waiting for the repair guy. And I should probably mop my floor.
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order? I pay with the app so I can earn free drinks, and it automatically adds my name. Plus, I go to my Starbucks so often that they know my name. Lol!
Love that your girls are so easy going! I hope that Connor Claire is my travel buddy someday too. 🙂
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate? Milk chocolate
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today? No winged liner today
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment? Organizing my closet
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours? I can’t stand to have hair anywhere near my eyes. It’s why I never go for bangs.
5. Who’s your dream travel partner? My hubby. We love to go places together.
6. Who’s always on your playlist? Duran Duran, of course
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you? How much perimenopause and menopause changes your skin — and how many times it does it.
8. What does your afternoon look like today? Taking the guinea pig to the vet’s for an overdue nail trim.
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order? Rachel
Duran Duran, ALWAYS!
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate? I like to think I’m equal opportunity ? I like all 3… and that means I need to run more!
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today? Matte (also even if I’m wishing)
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment? Vacuuming ?
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours? Stray eyebrow hairs and chipped nail polish
5. Who’s your dream travel partner? My sister – we have so much fun together!
6. Who’s always on your playlist? Boyz II Men – for some reason, singing loudly with them in the car helps overcome traffic frustration!
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you? A matte brightening shade under my eyebrow really makes me look more awake.
8. What does your afternoon look like today? I don’t know! I took the afternoon and next two days off … it’s my first real break in almost 1.5 years and I don’t know what to do with myself! I guess I should vacuum … but, I just bought a new book so maybe I’ll read.
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order? AJ – it’s so much easier! My sister always puts down ‘Superwoman.’ She gets a kick out them saying “Caramel latte for superwoman!”
I hope you spend the next two days doing all the things that make you feel relaxed and happy. Enjoy the time! It’s important to rest.
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate? None. Not a fan of chocolate and could do without on most days. Milk chocolate if I had to choose and it has to have caramel or peanut butter with it!
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today? Neither. I don’t do winged liner so I have no preference
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment? Putting away laundry
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours? I hate the smell of ALL hairsprays!
5. Who’s your dream travel partner? My daughter
6. Who’s always on your playlist? Pearl Jam or Queen
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you? I have most of everything I need ?
8. What does your afternoon look like today?
After a long day at work, I’m heading home to make supper, baked fish, and going to fill out my ballot for the election!
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order If I pay, Erica!
Sounds like a great afternoon/evening to me. I can’t wait to get my ballot!
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate?
MILK 4EVA (Dark choc DOES taste like punishment!)
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today?
Matte
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment?
Cleaning my bathroom, too!
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours?
Under-eye liner with none on the top. Sooo dated and unflattering.
5. Who’s your dream travel partner?
I really don’t know! Somebody tech-savvy, who can figure out how to get our phones to work overseas, etc.
6. Who’s always on your playlist?
Anything Motown
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you?
The older you get, the more you need your brows!
8. What does your afternoon look like today?
Taking tomorrow off to tackle chores… so resting up!
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order?
Whatever I put, they spell wrong…
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate?
– Dark chocolate! I especially love dark chocolate with sea salt. Yum!
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today?
-Shiny!
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment?
– Hmm, a few things. Driving lessons is one.
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours?
– There are many. Ha! I’m similar to you with the long nail thing.
5. Who’s your dream travel partner?
– My fiancé! Although we have yet to get to travel anywhere yet, I’m confident our relationship won’t unravel with a well planned trip lol
6. Who’s always on your playlist?
-Nothing but thieves. They’re quality and talent.
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you?
-Less is more! I shudder at the amount of crease colours I used to use. With the exception of two eyeshadow colours, I also only use brown eyeliner. It’s much softer and flattering, and I still get definition.
8. What does your afternoon look like today?
– Reading. I’m reading “The Secret Garden” for the first time. I bought a beautifully illustrated hard copy a few months ago. I’m enjoying it!
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order?
– Anna. I’ve had Susannah, Samantha, Stefania, so I shorten it.
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate? Milk chocolate
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today? Shiny finish
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment? Paying bills
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours? I’m with you on the long nail thing. Chipped nail polish bothers me too.
5. Who’s your dream travel partner? I mostly travel by myself, but my mom or sister are fun to go with as well.
6. Who’s always on your playlist? Anything Coldplay
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you? Baking really does help your concealer stay on longer. Also setting sprays help too.
8. What does your afternoon look like today? Busy with work. Boo.
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order? Danielle, but I’ve had Daniel, Dana, Diane…. Doesn’t matter as long as I get my tea/coffee.
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate?
Milk chocolate.
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today?
Matte. Always matte. Shiny just looks…odd.
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment?
Grocery shopping. I desperately need food but I kind of don’t want to go out.
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours?
Really dark lipliner with super light lipgloss/lipstick. It. Makes. Me. Twitch.
5. Who’s your dream travel partner?
My aunt because we always find neat places.
6. Who’s always on your playlist?
Lady Gaga.
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you?
It’s not about quantity; it’s about quality.
8. What does your afternoon look like today?
I slept because I’m recovering from a seriously bad migraine.
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order?
Kate because apparently no one can screw that up, but they can screw up Katie. ?
1. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate?
I love really good milk chocolate (especially See’s) but this week I have been craving dark chocolate a lot.
2. Would you like winged liner with a matte or shiny finish today?
Matte for sure today, shiny would be too much for my tired eyes.
3. Something you’re putting off at the moment?
Work – I am at my desk for procrastination is my go to.
4. A weird beauty-related pet peeve of yours?
Overdrawn cupids bows ! Why? It looks so weird. To be fair any beauty trend that leads to everyone trying to create an “ideal” shape so everyone looks identical.
5. Who’s your dream travel partner?
Hmmm, I don’t currently have one but I am open to finding one – I have always travelled best when travelling alone.
6. Who’s always on your playlist?
Taylor Swift and Carly Rae Jepson, I grew up on metal but cannot get enough of those two.
7. What’s something you learned about makeup in the last few years that really surprised you?
That eyeshadow can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.
I didn’t have the confidence to play with it before so I am learning all the time.
8. What does your afternoon look like today?
Work! It isn’t too busy but we have an insurance inspection so there is a slightly stressed out buzz in the air.
9. What’s the name you put on your Starbucks order?
Adele, it always tends to come out wrong but I can’t be bothered to give anything else. Maybe I’ll go with Bob eventually.
See’s is the best! We have one in our town and I did a dance of joy when it reopened again.