
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. Tea or coffee?
Today? Coffee…ideally something that’s not too strong, because I don’t want to be shaking all day long.
2. Netflix marathon or a book?
Normally, I’d say a book, but I’ve been so tired lately that I’m going to go with the Netflix marathon.
3. Podcast or music?
Music!
4. Stay up late or wake up early?
This answer has clearly changed over the years, but nowadays I’d rather wake up early, but that is ONLY assuming I can have lots of coffee first thing in the morning; otherwise, I’m useless, man.
5. Jeans or leggings?
Much as I love the comfort of leggings, I’m going to have to go with jeans at this point of the pandemic… I’m much more productive when I’m not dressed in pajama-like clothing all day long.
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt?
T-shirt. I’ll take a white cotton v-neck please.
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil?
Brow pencil all the way now, but if this were 1995 we were talking about, there would be no question about it — lip pencil. MAC Mahogany was my love back then!
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent?
I’ll take the gerberas please.
9. Mud mask or sheet mask?
A moisturizing sheet mask would be lovely right meow.
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. Tea or coffee?
2. Netflix marathon or a book?
3. Podcast or music?
4. Stay up late or wake up early?
5. Jeans or leggings?
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt?
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil?
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent?
9. Mud mask or sheet mask?
P.P.S. Good morning, beautiful girl. So here we are — another Monday and another fresh start. Doesn’t a clean slate feel good? I know it does on my end, for sure. I want you to know that I’m so proud of all the progress you’ve made so far. Even if it’s slow progress, it’s *still* progress.
I’ve come across a tip that’s been helping me a lot lately. Here it is: if there’s a task you’ve been putting off for whatever reason — and in my case, it’s cleaning out my office (yes, I know, eternally broken record) — then do just five minutes of that task. Then, spend the next five minutes doing something you enjoy. Keep alternating the “not so fun” with the “fun” tasks in five-minute increments.
Next thing you know, you’ll have made real progress. Try it this week! ?

1. Tea or coffee? Tea preferably iced
2. Netflix marathon or a book? Book
3. Podcast or music? Podcast
4. Stay up late or wake up early? Always been an early bird
5. Jeans or leggings? Jeans
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt? T shirt
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil? Brow
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent? Daisies
9. Mud mask or sheet mask? Mud mask
Thank you for filling out the poll today, Melissa! Take care.
1. Tea or coffee?
Coffee today, tea t-morrow.
2. Netflix marathon or a book?
Netflix marathon. I’ve been finding it difficult to concentrate during the pandemic.
3. Podcast or music?
Music, always.
4. Stay up late or wake up early?
Stay up late, but kid myself that I can still wake up early. News alert: It’s not happening.
5. Jeans or leggings?
Jeans, but if leggings happen, they’d better have pockets.
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt?
Cozy sweatshirt. Later this week when temperatures spike up to 80-some degrees I’ll change my tune.
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil?
Brow pencil. No point doing lips if you’re wearing a mask in public.
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent?
Gerbera daisies, with flower heads as soft as kitten noses.
9. Mud mask or sheet mask?
Sheet mask.
Hi Susan!
If you find any good shows on Netflix to marathon please let me know. I’m always looking for more things to watch.
Happy Monday to you.
1. Tea or coffee? I love both. Today was tea because I had coffee from the Venetian cafe Saturday with Dear Husband and yesterday with Dear Daughter after riding.
2. Netflix marathon or a book? Dear Husband hates doing Netflix Marathons, so I would love to do one, just once.
3. Podcast or music? Music. Because if there aren’t visuals to go with the words I zone out and miss everything. Can’t do podcasts or audiobooks.
4. Stay up late or wake up early? My natural body rhythm is stay up late, sleep late. But the word runs on early to bed, early to rise, so I’ve been struggling to reset my clock for most of my adult life.
5. Jeans or leggings? Jeans. Always jeans. Leggings are only for working out in.
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt? T-shirt. Black, gray or blue. If I could find a vee neck white one that my bra didn’t show through, I’d do white too.
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil? Brow pencil. I have a cup full of lip pencils I rarely touch.
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent? Anything with color, so the daisies.
9. Mud mask or sheet mask? Neither. I hate anything gunky, cold, drippy on my face longer than it takes to wash it off. Lol.
I’ve been needing to clear out my office for far too long, too. We used to do “Ten minute Tidies” with Dear Daughter to get her to clean up her bedroom. Don’t know why I didn’t think of applying that method to myself.
You’ve gotta try it! It really does work. I’m at a point where a little bit of progress is better than none, ya know?
1. Tea or coffee? Coffee
2. Netflix marathon or a book? These days, Netflix marathon. I’m searching for a good novel to dive into.
3. Podcast or music? I generally always listen to one or the other during my daily walk but it depends on my energy level. If I’m tired I listen to a podcast. If I’m feeling energetic, I stream music.
4. Stay up late or wake up early? Neither appeals right now. If I stay up too late, it’s almost the same as having a hangover.
5. Jeans or leggings? Jeans, my pandemic belly is getting out of hand. I need that reminder from a button and zipper to stay outta the dang kitchen.
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt? tee shirt, one that doesn’t shrink please and has a special stain release function.
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil? At 51, I think I need defined brows more than a defined lip.
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent? Gerbera! I had them at my wedding and I adore them.
9. Mud mask or sheet mask? sheet
I will also take that special tee with a stain release function, LOL!
Happy Monday, Karen! Love the productivity tip. *looks at to do list* Might have to try it!
1. Tea or coffee?
Coffee will always have my heart. I know I’m not feeling well if I want tea.
2. Netflix marathon or a book?
Netflix, so I can knit, too. I know people who can read and knit and I am in awe.
3. Podcast or music?
Music. I tend to tune out to podcasts. Sorry, radio friends (my degree is in radio, LOL).
4. Stay up late or wake up early?
Stay up late! I’m a night owl.
5. Jeans or leggings?
Leggings are comfier, but jeans make my legs and butt look better, honestly! I also feel way more put together.
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt?
Sweatshirt. All about the cozy. And it’s chilly in my office today.
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil?
Lip pencil, gotta keep my lipstick in check.
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent?
Daisies, I can’t keep a succulent alive to save my life.
9. Mud mask or sheet mask?
Mud mask all the way! I find them way more satisfying than sheet masks.
Happy Monday to you, too, Christine! I hope you try the productivity tip. I just used it to tidy up my desk a little. It really does work!
Yes! Will definitely need to use it for my desk tomorrow, and also the side table where my printer and manicure stuff live (two entirely unrelated yet equally untidy items). I think it’ll make for a nice brain break from work, honestly. 🙂
1. Tea or coffee? Tea; I don’t like coffee.
2. Netflix marathon or a book? Disney + marathons, lately. Usually I would pick a book, but I’ve been too distracted to read.
3. Podcast or music? Music
4. Stay up late or wake up early? Stay up late.
5. Jeans or leggings? Leggings
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt? T- shirt
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil? Lip pencil. I don’t use brow pencils.
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent? Gerbera daisies
9. Mud mask or sheet mask? Mud mask for my oily skin, please.
1. Tea or coffee?
Tea! I hate coffee.
2. Netflix marathon or a book?
Book!
3. Podcast or music?
I like both, depending on what I’m working on. If I’m doing tedious Excel work, podcasts keep me from getting distracted. If it’s something where I’m using words or language, music.
4. Stay up late or wake up early?
Stay up late!
5. Jeans or leggings?
Leggings.
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt?
Hooded sweatshirt
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil?
Lip pencil
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent?
Gerbera daisies
9. Mud mask or sheet mask?
Sheet mask
1. Tea or coffee?
Coffee, espresso or americano depending of the day.
2. Netflix marathon or a book?
Now Netflix marathon, and preferably something short and nice like “The Way of the Househusband”
3. Podcast or music?
I prefer music, I can’t work with podcasts.
4. Stay up late or wake up early?
Neither, struggle with both.
5. Jeans or leggings?
A good pair of jeans.
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt?
With the warm weather we’re experiencing t-shirt.
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil?
Brow pencil, people can’t still see my mouth.
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent?
Gerbera.
9. Mud mask or sheet mask?
Sheet mask, I need all the hydrating stuff I can find.
1. Tea or coffee? Coffee. I want to like tea but I just find it unpleasant.
2. Netflix marathon or a book? Book, I like to read before bed.
3. Podcast or music? Podcast. But an uplifting one like “Imagined Life”.
4. Stay up late or wake up early? Wake up early, I really like mornings, once I get up and drink coffee.
5. Jeans or leggings? I put on the Covid weight, so it’s leggings for now, but I’m working on it!
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt? Tee, vending with a ridiculous picture of a pug or Scooby Doo.
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil? Brow.
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent? Gerberas, they’re so colorful!
9. Mud mask or sheet mask? Sheet, but I watched a Netflix doc about plastic and now I won’t use them. I really like the reusable one, Avant Guard.
1. Tea or coffee? I love piping hot tea in the morning, but a coffee or Nespresso espresso in the early afternoon.
2. Netflix marathon or a book? Normally I’d say a book, but just lately my husband and I got hooked on a Turkish series (105 episodes!) on Netflix. We don’t speak Turkish and the subtitles are a hoot, but we really got pulled in. The over-the-top drama was never ending!
3. Podcast or music? Definitely music. I can’t imagine a day without music.
4. Stay up late or wake up early? I’m an early bird.
5. Jeans or leggings? Jeans.
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt? Depends on the weather.
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil? Lip pencil. I don’t need brow pencil, but as I get older, my lips can use a bit of help.
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent? I adore daisies. They always look so cheerful.
9. Mud mask or sheet mask? I really enjoy a Tatcha sheet mask when my skin is feeling particularly parched or stressed. I apply it and lie down in a darkened room for about 20 minutes or so while listening to some soft, soothing music. If I doze off for a bit, so much the better.
I’ve heard of that 5 minutes on; 5 minutes off approach to tackling a project or a chore, but that would never work for me. I prefer to dive deep and not come up for air until I’m finished with the task. Focus, Eileen, focus ?
Eileen, I’m curious what Turkish show you are watching.
We watched 50M2. (Fifty meters square) It was very good, and I’m hoping for a second season, considering the cliff hanger ending.
We finished Burned Cacoon and are half way through Black Money. I don’t remember their titles in Turkish off hand. We came across them quite by accident. Next we’ll venture out and watch some actual movies. Some have pretty good reviews.
In our family we call the ‘five minutes on, five minutes off’ method of doing an unpleasant task the ‘Flagstone method’. It came from a comic book we read as kids, where a guy on clean up duty swept half a flagstone, had a breather then swept the other half, until he got around the whole courtyard ? It really does work though!
1. Tea or coffee? Green tea please, preferably fruit flavoured (my favourite right now is peach and passionfruit)
2. Netflix marathon or a book? A book, I’m into historical fiction right now
3. Podcast or music? Music
4. Stay up late or wake up early? Stay up late, although these days I’m done by 11pm
5. Jeans or leggings? Leggings
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt? Sweatshirt, our weather has turned too cold for t-shirts now
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil? Brow pencil
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent? Succulent, easier to care for ?
9. Mud mask or sheet mask? Mud mask
Hello Karen,
I was finally starting to feel human after my second Pfizer shot when Bree informed me she got an email saying there was a group walk with her pals. Clearly she forgot to state it was 2.1 miles. I. Am. BEAT.
1. Tea or coffee?
Neither. I think both are utterly disgusting. I’ll take a Coca-cola or a Dr. Pepper.
2. Netflix marathon or a book?
It really depends on my mood, but since we’re talking about now. My arm is still pretty sore from the shot…give me a marathon.
3. Podcast or music?
Music. Podcasts can really bore me.
4. Stay up late or wake up early?
I’m called a vampire for a reason…I’m up late.
5. Jeans or leggings?
Jeans.
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt?
Currently, sweatshirt.
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil?
Brow.
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent?
Gerbera daisies were my grams’ favorite.
9. Mud mask or sheet mask?
Sheet mask!
1. Tea or coffee? Iced coffee type beverages, preferably iced white mocha with no whip from Starbucks
2. Netflix marathon or a book? Netflix, I need to catch up on good girls and shameless and want to check out bridgerton since it seems to be popular ;)-
3. Podcast or music? Music. I’m just a plain old radio gal, classic rock preferably
4. Stay up late or wake up early? I have to wake up early for work but given the choice I’d rather stay up late
5. Jeans or leggings? Leggings lately, love being super casual on weekends
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt? Depends on temperature outside. Right now it’s T-shirt weather
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil? Brow pencil- I never use lipliner and usually use brow powder but I just got some benefit and anastasia brow pencils to try out
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent? Can I go with a third option- sunflowers- cuz Im getting a sunflower tattoo this Friday 😉
9. Mud mask or sheet mask? Sheet mask for sure- less messy and easier to remove!
1. Tea or coffee?
Tea. I don’t drink coffee
2. Netflix marathon or a book?
Netflix marathon for sure
3. Podcast or music?
Music
4. Stay up late or wake up early?
Both ??
5. Jeans or leggings?
Jeans, even though they are challenging to find the perfect pair
6. Sweatshirt or t-shirt?
T-shirt
7. Brow pencil or lip pencil?
Brow pencil
8. Gerbera daisies or a succulent?
Daisies
9. Mud mask or sheet mask?
Neither. Haven’t found a face mask I like.