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. Brow pencil or brow gel?
Pencil, please.
2. Something you’d like to learn?
I really want to learn how to golf! There are a few gals from the mother’s club in town who are taking group lessons this summer, and I think I’m going to join them. Well…if I can find a set of used or cheap golf clubs, that is. I had NO IDEA clubs were so expensive. OMG.
I figured it would be a good way to exercise ye olde social skills (it’s been a while, and I’m sorely out of practice). Plus, I would get to be outside!
3. One thing you look for in hair products?
The scent, for sure. And I’m getting pickier! I really have to like how something smells, and it has to get the intensity of the fragrance juuuust right for me to like it now. I like a scent to be present, so you know it’s there, but it can’t pervade my every thought, if you know what I mean.
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO?
Reapply that sunscreen, girlfriend! Do it every single day, and don’t be chintzy with it either. I do my first coat in the morning, then reapply at lunch. and then again in the late afternoon. When I’m good about it, I don’t tan — not one single bit (and I pick up color really easily). It took me years to figure this out. YEARS.
Wish I had started doing it sooner!
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like.
I’ve never met a chonky tabby cat I didn’t like.
I love me a tubby tabby!
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend?
I recently picked up a mint green shade by Olive & June called KMC, and I like it a lot. Definitely give it a go!
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while?
Halo-halo, which is like the Filipino version of Hawaiian shave ice, but with many more ingredients and accoutrements up in the mix. It’s not the easiest thing to throw together at home because there are so many items involved, so I only get it every once in a blue moon when I visit my parents in the East Bay.
I do love it, though, especially on hot days. It totally takes me back to my childhood!
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good?
Under normal circumstances — that is, if I’m not waking up to catch an early flight to someplace awesome and tropical — assuming I went to bed at a decent time, then 6:30 a.m. is a good time for me.
Technically, I can do 5:30 if I went to bed early the night before, but my body DOES NOT like to do that naturally.
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise?
Nah. I get seasick easily, so I’m not really into being on boats!
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. Brow pencil or brow gel?
2. Something you’d like to learn?
3. One thing you look for in hair products?
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO?
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like.
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend?
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while?
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good?
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise?
P.P.S. Hello, my beautiful friend. ? Because one can never say it enough to their gal pals, I think you’re the bee’s knees. Keep doing what you’re doing!
1. Brow gel. But my favorite is pomade which I use every day. I’m not patient enough for a pencil and admire those who are!
2. I feel like I should have a good answer for this! Drawing a blank.
3. That they leave my hair soft.
4. Drink water! I love your commitment to sunscreen, Karen! I’ve been wearing sunscreen on the daily since college, but I rarely reapply because I hate touching my face during the day. But then I learned the trick to reapply using a makeup sponge which is a game changer! But, it isn’t part of my daily habit unfortunately.
5. I’ve never met a candle I didn’t like. I blame my sister for getting me hooked on burning candles. Even if they don’t end up smelling the way I want, they always look pretty when lit!
6. Essie brand in general.
7. Wendy’s #1 combo. Why is it so good?
8. 6:00am
9. Yes. First time was in HS and it was amazing! I went on a couple since and they weren’t as good. Felt like being back in HS. HA! Maybe that is why. 😀
I figured out an answer to number 2! I’d like to learn how to be stylish. Certain fashionable people just really seem to know what they’re doing with clothes and how they present themselves and I wish that is something I could do, too. I try sometimes but never can quite figure out how to get that eye that’s needed! Like I would love to have a personal stylist. That would be so cool.
Hi Jaclyn,
I recently ran into this issue and the thing that helped me was finding a checklist of wardrobe basics. I also donated all the clothes in my closet that 1) I never wore, and 2) didn’t fit. Now, the only things I have in there are pieces I actually wear that make me feel good. I’ve even been told a few times recently I always look “put together,” and the only reason why is because I finally have all the basics to choose from!
1. Brow pencil or brow gel?
Brow pencil. Brow gel makes my eyebrows feel gross.
2. Something you’d like to learn?
Another language. I’d like to know my Fiancé’s second language, Russian, fluently. I used to study it on my own years ago. But life happens and brings you down and I just haven’t had any motivation for that in years.
3. One thing you look for in hair products?
The formula has to be light weight. I have thin hair, so a heavy formula is a no no. But you’re right, scent is pretty important too.
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO?
Drink water, eat your fruits and veggies. Remove makeup (properly!) before sleep and follow with a moisturizer that suits your skin type. If you have oily, acne prone skin, I’d suggest changing your pillow case often.
I’d like to wear a sunscreen (mineral) that cooperated with my skin and makeup but I have yet to try one. All I’ve tried break me out, clog my pores and make my skin feel gross.
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like.
Puppy! I love puppies! (Who doesn’t?)
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend?
Chanel Camelia is my personal favourite. The colour and formula is perfect!
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while?
I love this French restaurant called Resto Gare. The food is incredible and their flour-less chocolate cake is practically orgasmic! Thanks to Covid it’s been longer than expected, hopefully soon I can dress up and go there again.
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good?
I am not an early bird! And now that it’s hot in my city, waking up in the mornings, my head feels like I’m hungover ?. Earliest I can do is 8:00 with minimal b*tching lol
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise?
I haven’t. I’m not sure it’s my thing, although I was considering an Alaskan cruise before Covid got so bad.
Hi Savannah,
I’m on the hunt for a good mineral face sunscreen too, so I’ll be trying a bunch within the next few months. If I find anything I’ll definitely let you know! Lately I’ve been using and loving Bliss Block Star. It’s comfortable to wear, has a beautiful matte finish and it’s easy to layer and reapply.
I hope you have a good week!
1. Brow pencil or brow gel?
Gel! I just got a new one in a pot from Bobbi Brown I’m trying out.
2. Something you’d like to learn?
Visual Basic in Excel.
3. One thing you look for in hair products?
I’m with you on smell, I’ve had some bad smelling hair products and that scent just lingers. No scent is also okay, but nothing too dramatic.
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO?
Wash your face gently and wear sunscreen!
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like.
Marmie cat!
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend?
I love the Essie gel couture line. I’m currently using a pretty purple OPI polish though.
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while?
I love getting Beaver Tails (like an elephant ear) when we get to Canada. And poutine!
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good?
7. There are times I have to get up earlier for meetings with folks in different time zones though.
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise?
No, and I’m not particularly interested. I don’t want to be stuck on a boat with a bunch of strangers.
The Essie Gel Couture line is truly great. So many good colors and they dry so fast.
BTW I never thought of a cruise as being trapped on a boat with a bunch of strangers… NO THANK YOU!
Happy Aloha Monday, Karen!
1. Brow pencil or brow gel?
Pencil. Even though my brows are sparse, I don’t think gel would hold them in place.
2. Something you’d like to learn?
Maybe…how to play chess. I’m convinced that I’m too dumb.
3. One thing you look for in hair products?
Ability to soften this horse tail hair of mine. Amika is aight. I keep meaning to buy LUSH H’Suan Wen Hua ‘coz that really worked for me (and I love smelling like a salad dressing) but they removed the eggs from it and I don’t think it would be the same without it.
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO?
Sweat. Clean those follicles out!
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like.
Bunch of bacon.
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend?
Zoya.
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while?
Eating out at a restaurant and not even due to COVID.
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good?
4:30 AM.
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise?
No. Does not appeal to me at all. I don’t like shopping, I don’t like eating out, I don’t like crowds, I don’t like swimming pools, I don’t like all-you-can-eat buffets, I don’t drink alcohol, I don’t like malls, I don’t like hotels, if I’m on a body of water for even a short amount of time, doesn’t matter what it is — surfboard, paddle board, dinghy, water skis, big boat, ship — all I feel at night is the bed swaying. Even the thought of a cruise just brings out the Grinch in me. lol
Happy Aloha Monday, Christine! You should move to my neck of the woods, I have a neighbor who will literally CHASE YOU DOWN to get you to play chess. This person has asked both me and El Hub repeatedly to play, and both of us are like, “Thank you but no, life is already like a never-ending chess game.” I had to tell the neighbor straight up said that all I can handle right now is Tetris. LOL!
Hahahaa!!!
I wish I knew someone that intellectual (the chess player).
I would totally intro you if you lived in my neck of the woods, ha!
Please allow me to chime in and say there is no such thing as “too dumb to learn chess,” Christine!! Kids do it all the time. It’s like any other game, you can learn and enjoy it! Not everyone who plays tennis will go on to be Serena Williams, but anyone physically able to can learn to hit. Most of us won’t be chess grandmasters, but you can still get a kick out of, learn strategies, and have fun. Hope that is encouraging. 🙂
1. Brow pencil or brow gel? Pencil
2. Something you’d like to learn? German
3. One thing you look for in hair products? Nothing that is too heavy because it weighs my hair down.
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO? Rest and hydrate. See a derm if you have to. Sunscreen!
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like. Puppies/kittens- too cute!
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend? OPI nail polish in pompeii purple
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while? Dr. Pepper. I had one yesterday and it was very good, but my stomach hurt afterwards.
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good? I wake up at 5:30 because I have to, but I’m not yet awake. I need 2-3 more hours of sleep to feel rested!
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise? No, but it would be fun one day.
I just looked up Pompeii Purple and it’s so pretty. Very summery!
1. Brow pencil or brow gel? Clear gel to hold.
2. Something you’d like to learn? More languages. Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, French.
3. One thing you look for in hair products? Moisture.
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO? Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like. A potato dish. Fried, baked, roasted, gratin, chips. And of course, black cats.
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend? Essie Gel Couture from the drugstore. Indie polishes from Tonic, Bees Knees and KB Shimmer.
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while? A croissant from Mademoiselle Colette. As close to a Paris made croissant as possible here in CA. Except on rainy days, the humidity ruins the shatteringly, crisp outer layer. I usually ask for one on my birthday and one on Mother’s Day.
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good? 6:30. My natural clock wants to wake up closer to 8 or 9 am.
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise? No. Even before this pandemic I thought they were floating germ factories. And you’re stuck even if something isn’t up to snuff. With a regular hotel you can ask to change a room or get better service and you always have the option to cancel the rest of the reservation and move to another hotel. Can’t do that when you’re out at sea. Oh, and did I mention I hate being out on the water.
I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday.
I hope you’re having a wonderful Monday, too.
Re: potatoes. Don’t forget tater tots! And mashed potatoes. And hash browns… AND OMG TWICE BAKED! *drools*
Like I said, I’ve never met a potato dish I don’t love.
How could I forget potato salad? And roasted potatoes with rosemary and whole garlic cloves? My mom used to have a homegirl at work who was Russian, and she’d always make me homemade Russian potato pies! I am drooling just thinking about them.
1. Brow pencil or brow gel?
Pencil. It just seems easier.
2. Something you’d like to learn?
I’d like to brush up on my extremely rusty French.
3. One thing you look for in hair products?
Volumizing!
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO?
Apply sunscreen diligently.
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like.
Stationery set!
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend?
It’s been so long I can’t recall what I like.
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while?
Waffles.
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good?
7:30. Any earlier than that and an afternoon (or even morning) nap is going to happen.
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise?
No. Maybe someday. The jury is out on whether I’d love it or get completely stir-crazy and annoyed by the crowds.
I’m guilty of hoarding stationary sets, too, Susan. They are my weakness!
Thanks for filling out the poll today. 🙂
1. Brow gel.
2. Drums.
3. That it works. And the scent must not stay in my hair.
4. Consult an esthetician that knows what they are doing!
5. …pair of flared jeans I didn’t like.
6. The Essie gel top coat
7. Instant noodles.
8. 7am.
9. No and I would like to.
Seriously, though, flared jeans FOREVER.
1. Brow pencil or brow gel?
Brow pencil? (Don’t really use much of either on a regular basis.)
2. Something you’d like to learn?
Spanish
3. One thing you look for in hair products?
Frizz-fighting, and something that doesn’t foam up too much
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO?
Drink lots of water. And sunscreen.
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like.
Newborn baby
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend?
Toes in the Sand, Poparazzi
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while?
Facials
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good?
6am
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise?
Nope
Yes to your answer to number 5. I love tiny little newborns! Especially their little scrunched faces and their tiny little hands, aww…
1. Brow pencil or brow gel? Pencil, gotta draw ‘em in!
2. Something you’d like to learn? Watercolor techniques.
3. One thing you look for in hair products? Not tested on animals.
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO? Don’t drink alcohol.
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like. Sheer, sparkly lipgloss. Or vegetarian pizza, or a cat!
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend? Blackbush by Death Valley Nails. It’s a fun butternut color, lovely formula.
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while? Shopping for cute performance clothes at Neptune Mountaineering. I go maybe once a year a splurge on expensive but nice stuff.
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good? Mmmm5:24am.
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise? Nope, sounds crowded and not fun.
YES to veggie pizza, Jennifer! I will take one, too!
1. Brow pencil or brow gel? Pencil most of the time. If I think I need to conceal white brow hairs, I use gel.
2. Something you’d like to learn? Keyboard/piano.
3. One thing you look for in hair products? How easily it rinses out. I grew up in an era of horrible conditioners that never seemed to rinse out right.
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO? Never, and I mean *never*, tan. I grew up in an era of “you look sick if you don’t tan,” but I didn’t give in to the pressure, and my skin is in great condition, even though I don’t use sunscreen that often. I wear a hat most of the time outdoors, and stay in the shade. I don’t smoke, either. See today’s Washington Post photo of Bill Gates – he’s not too many years older than I am, but his skin is in *horrible* condition. Probably due to too many hours golfing and yachting without so much as a proper hat.
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like. This is a hard one to answer – off the top of my head I truly can’t answer this. I’ve even seen flowers I don’t like ?.
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend? Color Club Over the Moon.
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while? Ice cream from an ice cream store.
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good? Probably 9:00 AM. I’m a night owl.
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise? No, I didn’t like the idea even well before the pandemic. Too many reports of mass illness, and too many weird things like assaults by staff members on women traveling alone, and the occasional “suicide” of someone falling over the side, to feel comfortable about going on cruises. Also, I’d hate to be pressured into gambling or drinking, and most “shipboard entertainment” looks and sounds lame to me (see Tina Fey’s “Bossy Pants” for more reasons not go to on cruises).
OK, that’s it. I’m officially terrified of cruises. LOL!
1. Brow pencil or brow gel? Pencil please.
2. Something you’d like to learn? How to cook properly… I can survive on what I throw together, but I would really love to learn how to cook properly, the science behind everything.
3. One thing you look for in hair products? That it doesn’t weigh my hair down.
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO? A toss-up between drink lots of water and apply sunscreen.
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like. Pasta!
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend? I don’t wear nail polish.
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while? A holiday overseas.
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good? I am not an early riser naturally… 6.30 is just doable, I try to be out of bed by 7.00 most mornings.
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise? No, but I’d like to try it, once Covid is over.
1. Brow pencil or brow gel? Brow pencil.
2. Something you’d like to learn? How to apply liquid liner. I’ve tried a couple of different tricks and I’m still bad at it!
3. One thing you look for in hair products? They need to be moisturizing without feeling greasy.
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO? Use a good moisturizer.
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like. Beautywise, red lipstick. Non-beauty, cat!
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend? I no longer have the patience to paint my nails, but when I did I liked Sinful Colors Dream On-it’s not quite purple, not quite magenta, all gorgeous!
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while? Deviled eggs-they’re a staple of holiday dinners on my mom’s side of the family. The more paprika, the better!
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good? I’ll go with 7:30, because that’s when my earliest work shift of the week starts.
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise? No. However, as a huge Disnerd, I think I’d like to go on a Disney cruise sometime.
I know this is insanely early on Tuesday but INSOMNIA STRIKES. Ugh.
1. Brow pencil or brow gel?
Gel! My executive dysfunction is real and I just like the mascara like stuff and swipe it on.
2. Something you’d like to learn?
Carriage (horse driving.) It’s a completely different set of skills.
3. One thing you look for in hair products?
Silicone-free, especially dimethicone as I’m allergic to it!
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO?
Use sunscreen!
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like.
Dog or horse. They are just all cute and adorable.
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend?
Ohhh it’s been a while since I’ve worn polish, but I really loved butterLONDON’s formula. Almost always one coat coverage.
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while?
A massage.
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good?
1 pm. Girl, I am backwards from most peeps.
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise?
No. I’ve done ferries and lake tours. I’m not good on boats and ships. I get motion sickness.
No, YOU are the bee’s knees (and I actually have a coworker who uses that phrase often). 🙂
1. Brow pencil or brow gel? Pencil.
2. Something you’d like to learn? Piano. Definitely get out and play some golf. It’s a horribly frustrating game and, even when you’re on, there’s a good chance your next shot (or your next round or your next year) will be terrible. HAHA!
3. One thing you look for in hair products? Light volume that will enhance my wash and go curls without weighing me down.
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO? Agreed 100% on the sunscreen.
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like. Carb? HAHA!
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend? Depends on the friend. If it was anyone but you, I’d say Essie Madamoiselle. I know you don’t care for the sheer pink.
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while? Plum cake made with Italian prunes. You can only get them here once per year.
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good? Thanks to my alarm, I’m up every weekday morning at 5:45 but it does not feel good. HAHA! If I wake up on my own, it’s generally around 9:30, even if I’m in bed by 10. I’m what’s known as a sleeper. 🙂
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise? I have not, but think I’d like to. My experience with large boats/being on the ocean is limited so I’m not sure if I’d be seasick. I’ve never had a problem with any watercraft on the lake (but I realize that’s quite different). The only thing that’s ever made me motion sick – and only rarely – are virtual reality rides.
1. Brow pencil or brow gel? Pencil, especially micro pencils!
2. Something you’d like to learn? Spanish. I live in Central CA, and I took German in high school.
3. One thing you look for in hair products? Sulfate free. I just started using sulfate free, and my hair is so much happier.
4. What’s the best thing you can do for your skin, IYHO? Sunscreen and washing your face at night with a gentle cleanser. It’s so easy to have good skin, just stay consistent.
5. I’ve never met a (FILL IN THE BLANK) I didn’t like. Pug. I have three. Any dog really. Or cat. Or bird. I love animals!
6. A nail polish you’d recommend to a friend? ILNP any color, but especially their holos. They’re well priced and so so good.
7. A special treat you only have every once in a while? Drumstick ice cream cones. I love them, but sugar gives me canker sores. So I stay away from it.
8. What’s the earliest you can wake up and still feel good? Six am. I get up at six everyday. I’d prefer seven, but I really like quiet mornings.
9. Have you ever gone on a cruise? No. It’s not my scene, it feels like it would be confining on a ship, and too crowded.