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. What are your favorite summer foods?
Oh! — I love all the summer fruit, especially watermelon and strawberries! I look forward to the fruit that shows up in stores around this time all year long.
This I will also gobble down most anything found at an outdoor BBQ, with emphasis on all the sides — corn (with lots of butter and salt, of course), potato salad, chips and dip, what have you.
2. Does your family take seasonal trips?
Well…prior to 2020, we tried to take at least one or two trips out to Oahu to see El Hub’s family. Hopefully, we’ll be able to start doing that again soon! I know we technically can go out there, but we’re not quite there yet in terms of our family’s readiness. There are still too many family members who haven’t gotten their vaccine shot.
Last summer we started going car camping, and I hope we can continue doing that for as many summers as Connor will tolerate hanging out with us, LOL.
3. One of your current short-term personal goals?
Honestly, it’s to get through May in one piece with my sanity intact. We’ve got a lot of things going on in terms of home repairs and stuff.
4. What’s your OOTD today?
My Prince tee and a pair of denim shorts.
5. Best and worst thing about traveling?
Best thing? Exploring new places and feeding my brain with new memories and experiences. Worst thing — bathrooms. Enough said.
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone?
I really don’t do this! I don’t understand how it happens. (El Hub said “You’re kidding!? It happens to me all the time!” when I mentioned this to him.)
7. What do you think about reality TV?
It’s not my favorite way to pass time because I’d rather watch a scripted drama or comedy, but if I’m tapped out mentally and need to just sit and let my brain turn into mush, I’ll look for old MTV reality shows like Laguna Beach and The Hills.
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment?
I’m really into all things skin care at the moment, but especially sunscreen. Is that weird? I’m also excited about a couple of hair care lines, Pattern (at Ulta) and Function of Beauty.
9. Last emoji you texted to someone?
? ? ? The thumbs-up sign my catch-all symbol. It’s short for “will do,” “got it,” “great idea,” and “let’s do it,” for starters.
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. What are your favorite summer foods?
2. Does your family take seasonal trips?
3. One of your current short-term personal goals?
4. What’s your OOTD today?
5. Best and worst thing about traveling?
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone?
7. What do you think about reality TV?
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment?
9. Last emoji you texted to someone?
P.P.S. Hiya and hello, Monday! How are things on your end, beautiful girl? I’m feeling happy and excited about the week ahead. Here’s to this week being a great one for us all.
1. What are your favorite summer foods?
Tomatoes! I know it’s really summer when they start showing up, especially the dry farmed ones. Also strawberries and corn.
2. Does your family take seasonal trips?
No, I travel when the mood strikes.
3. One of your current short-term personal goals?
Decluttering and reducing how much stuff I have in general.
4. What’s your OOTD today?
I’m still in my loungewear, cotton sleeveless T-shirt dress in black and white stripes, pink sweatpants, and silver slip ons.
5. Best and worst thing about traveling?
The only thing I dislike is the actual flying part, if it’s that kind of trip. Everything else I love!
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone?
Never ever.
7. What do you think about reality TV?
Totally does not interest me. At all.
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment?
I’m really enjoying the colors and energy of spring, and find that it’s inspiring me to wear more colorful and sparkling makeup.
9. Last emoji you texted to someone?
?
I cannot WAIT until the tomatoes are officially in season. The early girls are my favorite! SO YUMMY in bruchetta!
1. What are your favorite summer foods? I tend to eat more salads in the summer. I’m excited for certain fruits to be in-season as well.
2. Does your family take seasonal trips? Prior to Covid, we would go to Florida.
3. One of your current short-term personal goals? Exercise more! I sometimes want to be lazy and not do anything, but I feel so much better when I do!
4. What’s your OOTD today? It’s chilly here, so jeans and a long sleeve shirt and fleece jacket.
5. Best and worst thing about traveling? Best is seeing new places, eating new things, meeting new people. Worst is jet-lag, paying to use the bathroom (in some countries), some places can be dangerous, etc.
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone? I think it happened once or twice.
7. What do you think about reality TV? Entertaining, but it’s not really my thing.
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment? All of the different SPFs, waterproof makeup, etc.- makes me happy that summer is around the corner!
9. Last emoji you texted to someone? Thumbs up sign.
Happy Monday! Hope everyone is doing well!
Happy Monday to you too, Danielle! Hope you’re having a nice one o far.
1. What are your favorite summer foods?
Strawberries and watermelon are top of my list too. Oh and fresh lemonade and iced tea!
2. Does your family take seasonal trips?
I didn’t grow up in a family that did this (my parents didn’t get paid vacation) , and my husband and I take vacations but not based on the season.
3. One of your current short-term personal goals?
Being more consistent about doing my hand strengthening exercises. I’m really good about doing my full body PT routine but not the hands.
4. What’s your OOTD today?
I’m wearing Old Navy cargo leggings in black and a black Torrid tank top with mesh across the chest and a cross back.
5. Best and worst thing about traveling?
Best is trying new food, wandering around new places, and buying books. Worst is the getting there part!
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone?
I just accidentally hit the video chat button on Facebook messenger all the time because I’m terrible at touch screens.
7. What do you think about reality TV?
Eh. I like The Great British Bake off and some of the cooking competitions.
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment?
My skin is really nice right now with my current routine and the topical I got from the derm, so that makes me excited. My hair has changed texture over the past 5 years ago so that it’s no longer pin straight and more wavy, and that’s more frustrating than anything to figure out what works.
9. Last emoji you texted to someone?
?
What topical does your derm have you on? I need to visit one to get some Retin-A eventually. I would also love a prescription to azelaic acid.
I’m on metronidazole cream for my rosacea, but once that is under control, she wants to look at retinoids.
1. What are your favorite summer foods?
All the fruits and vegetables that are in season and taste so much better than the rest of the year! And BBQ’s and more burgers and light salads. Yum.
2. Does your family take seasonal trips?
Not once. My parents never could budget or save for a vacation. The first and only vacation I’ve ever had was to visit my ex’s family in Ecuador five years ago. While nice to be away from work, it was by no means a resort style vacation.
3. One of your current short-term personal goals?
Now that my knee is healing better, I want to get more exercise (be healthier). I’m trying to have a minimum 20 minute walk daily (so far I’ve been good, even during a windy rainstorm lol, I looked so silly).
4. What’s your OOTD today?
Today is a lazy day. Long sleeve shirt and leggings. Laundry, dishes and other housework await me.
5. Best and worst thing about traveling?
Best is new food and experiences. I agree with you on the worst. Bathrooms! ? ugh, I had some struggles in Ecuador. Not sure who designed some of those toilets and bathroom stalls but they should be fired ASAP! lol
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone?
Never!
7. What do you think about reality TV?
It’s not my thing. I’d prefer a regular show instead, or read a book.
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment?
Nothing much in beauty can excite me at this point! However, I did grab a Chanel nail polish in “vibration” and I’m so excited to wear it! It’s this gorgeous, vibrant, deep pink/purple.
9. Last emoji you texted to someone?
? to my fiancé.
Yay for a pretty Chanel polish to brighten up your day! I have Chanel on right meow (although I’m blanking on the name); it’s a pastel purplish gray and I love it.
When are you getting married? Are you guys going to have a big ceremony, or do you plan to keep things small? Congrats!
Are you wearing New Dawn? I wore that on my toes last month!
Our date is September 4th! I actually just got my dress over the weekend!
Unfortunately the extent of our planning is just covering the ceremony and photos. Our province has done so many last minute restrictions that it’s impossible to plan anything in advance. For example the wedding limit is ten people right now, which doesn’t even cover our immediate family ? we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it!
Yes, I think that’s the name! It’s a good one! Unfortunately it’s on its last legs so tonight I’ll do something new. I found a pastel green at Target today from Olive & June, and I can’t wait to try it out.
Yay for getting your dress. 🙂 I hope it fits perfectly and that you feel beautiful in it.
I have a friend who got married last month in Carmel, a beautiful seaside town here in Northern California. She and her fiancee originally intended to have a huge wedding last June, but they decided to just go ahead and elope with just the two of them instead of waiting until next year. They splurged on the pics and videography and it was beautiful! She sent the video to me and I was in tears by the end of it. All of this to say, you can have a small, intimate wedding and it can be amazing!
Whatever you guys choose, it’ll be great. 🙂
1. What are your favorite summer foods? All of them? Lol. Fresh, wild caught salmon. Cherries and other stone fruits. Spicy watermelon chaat. Roasted or grilled corn on the cob. Ripe, juicy heirloom tomatoes.
2. Does your family take seasonal trips? We used to take winter break trips. I love spending the holidays somewhere else and I like cold weather vacations.
3. One of your current short-term personal goals? Decluttering (always decluttering) and spending more time drawing and painting. Brush up on my French and learn Mandarin, Japanese and/or Korean.
4. What’s your OOTD today? Jeans and a long sleeve tee.
5. Best and worst thing about traveling? Seeing new things and taking in new ideas. Worst, airports.
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone? Quite often. It happens mostly when I’m out running or walking.
7. What do you think about reality TV? I don’t think there is anything of value in it and I loathe it.
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment? Can’t think of anything in particular. My routine is skincare and sunscreen these days.
9. Last emoji you texted to someone? Thumbs up to Dear Daughter. She didn’t get that beautiful apartment, but she did find a decent one and her lease starts mid-month. Also the new apartment has a doorman. A safer option.
I’m all about the safer option for your daughter! I’m so happy she found a place. I hope it’s close to school so that her commute isn’t too intense. How long is her program again?
Say hi to Nibbler for me!
Commute times, 12 minutes by subway, 15 by bus, 20 minutes by walking.
It’s a year long program. She’ll be done end of May next year.
Nibbler says, “Me-me-meowrrr!”
1. What are your favorite summer foods?
Peaches (almost time!), tomatoes, and corn.
2. Does your family take seasonal trips?
Not anymore. The parents are getting older and the teens have their own lives now.
3. One of your current short-term personal goals?
I have some organizing and minimalizing goals for the house that I’d like to get taken care of.
4. What’s your OOTD today?
Black yoga pants and a leopard print tee.
5. Best and worst thing about traveling?
Learning things; we’ve always tended to travel to historical destinations. Worst thing is staying in rooms other people have already stayed in.
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone?
Never. My phone is either in my purse or on it’s stand that sits next to my desk.
7. What do you think about reality TV?
I don’t watch it. There’s a difference between reality and improvisation. ‘Reality’ TV is just as fake as any other TV; the only difference is that Baby Yoda gets his scripts in advance and the Kardashians make that junk up as the cameras roll.
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment?
I haven’t seen anything lately.
9. Last emoji you texted to someone?
? to my niece when she texted me that she got home safely.
Hi, Suzanne! I love peaches too, especially white peaches. YUM! I’m looking forward to all the cobblers I’ll be making this summer. Hope you’re having a nice Monday so far.
I’ve never had white peaches before, that sounds interesting. We live about 5 inches from Georgia, so peaches will be plentiful around here soon and yes, all the cobbler!! I have a yummy cobbler recipe that mixes peaches and mangos and has coconut in the topping. Peach and blueberry is a favorite of ours’, too.
My Monday is okay, thanks. Hope your’s is, too. BTW, you guys might want to start a savings account for Connor’s senior year of high school now. It’s just over three weeks until my oldest niece graduates and all the little unexpected expenses might bankrupt the whole family, lol.
I remember senior year having all of those last-minute, unexpected expenses for some reason! I hope that she has a safe and smooth graduation. 🙂
I would love your cobbler recipe if you have it readily available. *drools*
Sure: https://www.rockrecipes.com/mango-peach-coconut-crumble/
And it does work well with frozen fruit, too. Enjoy!
1. What are your favorite summer foods? Fruit, all of it, fruit salads are my go to. It’s too hot in Central CA for actual food in The Summer.
2. Does your family take seasonal trips? I did growing up, usually around Easter because we were on Easter vacation at school, and my Dad who farms, wasn’t busy yet.
3. One of your current short-term personal goals? Cleaning out my garage. Oh it’s a job.
4. What’s your OOTD today? A Superman t-shirt and denim shorts.
5. Best and worst thing about traveling? Not always appreciating the journey. There’s so much GO GO GO, that there isn’t a lot of time to really enjoy the experience. And lack of bathrooms.
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone? Never.
7. What do you think about reality TV? I don’t really watch any of it.
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment? That drugstore beauty is starting to get really good with quality, I like that. And that sustainability is beginning to gain some traction with better packaging.
9. Last emoji you texted to someone? ⭐️ ?’s, for Starbucks, asking my 15 year old if she wanted one.
1. What are your favorite summer foods?
Popsicles and ice cream. I know some will say those are all year foods, but not here in Wisconsin! You really only do get 3 months to enjoy ice cream!
2. Does your family take seasonal trips?
If you mean do I go on vacation in summer? YES. My brother and dad go in fall,
3. One of your current short-term personal goals?
Finish filling out my online form for therapy. Ah ha ha ha. I’m sticking with the same therapist (she moved practices), but filling out insurance always confuses me and makes me cry.
4. What’s your OOTD today?
Sock monkey print pajamas, unicorn print robe. In other words…I clash and I don’t care.
5. Best and worst thing about traveling?
Best: new scenery and new things to do. Worst: new scenery, smells, sights, things to do, PACKING (aka every autistics worst nightmare. All the new sensory stuff.)
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone?
Uh never. I never keep my phone in my back pocket.
7. What do you think about reality TV?
But, it’s not really reality, is it? The Hills is still scripted to a point and I just don’t need that kind of drama. I don’t even watch Project Runway anymore because it’s like, “way too much drama and I don’t want to deal with that. Thanks, bye.” ? Shows like “Intervention” and “Hoarders,” though I like but I don’t think that’s classified as reality.
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment?
The movement toward silicone-free, fragrance-free and more “natural” skincare and makeup that works as well as some of the products I used to use. It’s really exciting for me as I’m really allergic to dimethicone and being able to use a product that has the pay off and longevity of, say Urban Decay (a beloved brand I can no longer use for the most part), makes me happy. It’s still a smaller niche, but now knowing there’s tinted moisturizer out there for me makes me ridiculously happy. I am a tinted moisturizer gal.
9. Last emoji you texted to someone?
? & ?. Before you look at me like a madwoman, there’s a story behind this. We have two dogs, a greyhound and a Rattie. Their “couple name” is Pinky (the greyhound, Ty) & the Brain (Bree). So, for emoji, we all use the white mouse for Ty and the brain for Bree. And yes, they fit the personality for each perfectly.
1. What are your favorite summer foods?
Peaches, strawberries and watermelon.
2. Does your family take seasonal trips?
We tend to take beach trips at the beginning and end of summer.
3. One of your current short-term personal goals?
Clean out/declutter the guest bedroom.
4. What’s your OOTD today?
Baggy Bermuda shorts and a Pokemon t-shirt. It’s cleaning day!
5. Best and worst thing about traveling?
Best — exploring and taking plenty of photos. Worst — finding allergy-friendly food and clean bathrooms.
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone?
Never. The phone is either in my front pocket or on one of its various chargers.
7. What do you think about reality TV?
It’s all too easy to get wrapped up in someone else’s (manufactured) drama.
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment?
Sunscreen. Lately it’s all about sunscreen and mascara.
9. Last emoji you texted to someone?
??♀️
1. What are your favorite summer foods? Juicy ripe peaches, apricots, and cherries.
2. Does your family take seasonal trips? No.
3. One of your current short-term personal goals? I need to get caught up with some personal correspondence.
4. What’s your OOTD today? I wore a sky blue T-shirt, dark wash blue jeans, dark grey loafers, and when I went outside, I tossed on a grey hoodie.
5. Best and worst thing about traveling? I love exploring new places. I share your dislike of public restrooms.
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone? Never
7. What do you think about reality TV? I can’t be bothered with it. I think it’s trite and contrived.
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment? I just discovered ISDIN mineral sunscreen, the untinted version. It’s fantastic.
9. Last emoji you texted to someone? ?? I sent a Turkish roasted chicken recipe to a friend.
1. What are your favorite summer foods?
I love watermelon, too, Karen. As warmer weather approaches, I really look forward to a summer treat called the Wattamelon Roll (Google it) from Friendly’s ice cream.
2. Does your family take seasonal trips?
We try to get to Cape Cod (“The Cape”) for a few days.
3. One of your current short-term personal goals?
Purging cosmetic products.
4. What’s your OOTD today? I wore leggings, a long sleeve tee shirt and an artfully wrinkled trench.
5. Best and worst thing about traveling?
Best thing: the food. Worst thing: PACKING (both to and from)
6. How often do you accidentally butt-dial people with your phone?
Never
7. What do you think about reality TV?
In the good old days I enjoyed The Real World or Rachel Zoe but now it’s not a part of my life.
8. What are some things in beauty that excite you at the moment?
New perfumes never get dull.
9. Last emoji you texted to someone? Poop emoji as a reaction to my husband spilling gasoline in the garage.
Addendum to #6: Although I have never butt dialed anyone, I have received what I think was a butt dial from a friend. She was clearly in the throes of…passion with her partner. Um…yeah…um. To quote “When Harry Met Sally”, “I’ll have what she’s having.”