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 the greens and various accoutrements are cut up into small, bite-sized pieces that you don’t have to cut
- A protein like eggs or tuna
- Avocado
- When the greens and various accoutrements are huge
- Raw onions
- Obnoxious amounts of mystery sauce
1. Your finish of choice for foundation?
Queen, I think you know how I roll. 👸 It’s demi-matte or satin ’til the end!
2. A word that makes you cringe?
Every day I imagine a new way to eradicate “moist” from existence. It’s super gross on its own, but even grosser when you say it repeatedly. Moist, moist, moist, moist, moist. UGH, NO!
3. Something you loved as a teenager?
I’m almost embarrassed to admit this…but I absolutely adored going to the New Park Mall in Newark, California. 😁
Union City, the town I lived in, didn’t really have a place teens could hang out, so you had to either take the bus or find a friend (or, god forbid, a parent) to drive you to the mall, and the New Park Mall was the most exotic place in the world to me!
Oh, my. Yes, my world was so blissfully small back then.
4. Action movies or romantic comedies?
I’ll go with rom-coms, but only ones with happy endings; otherwise, I’m not showing up to the party.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days?
Strangely, I haven’t worn polish in weeks!
What can I say? Like Bananarama sang all those years ago, it’s been a Cruel Summer. 😂
Now, if I could get it together, I’d do a mint green by Olive & June.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it?
Amy Heckerling’s masterpiece, Clueless.
7. How are your pets doing?
Rosie’s alright! Just as loving and thoughtful as ever. Only thing is, she’s been a little too enthusiastic about eating these days, so I’m a little worried about her weight from a health perspective (no body shaming allowed on my watch). I’m looking around to find a previously loved cat wheel to help her exercise.
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad?
Things I like:
Things I don’t like:
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope?
Honestly…I can’t remember a thing about it now! But back in elementary school, I did some damage on the playground with Chinese jump rope. I played to win, suckers! 🤣
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. Your finish of choice for foundation?
2. A word that makes you cringe?
3. Something you loved as a teenager?
4. Action movies or romantic comedies?
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days?
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it?
7. How are your pets doing?
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad?
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope?
P.P.S. Well, hello, old friend! Happy Monday to you. Remember to smile today, OK? 🤗
Happy Monday!
1. Your finish of choice for foundation? I like a radiant finish, but not too dewy.
2. A word that makes you cringe? When someone says “I’ll axe him/her” instead of ask.
3. Something you loved as a teenager? It has been so long, I can hardly remember, but going to Paramus Park Mall since it was one of the first to be totally enclosed back then.
4. Action movies or romantic comedies? Definitely Rom-coms.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days? Same as you, I have not worn nail polish in quite some time. I was thinking about getting a professional manicure, but this variant has me nervous again.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it? The Wizard of Oz. I have watch it at least once in the past 55 years.
7. How are your pets doing? I don’t have pets, but my son and husband are doing well.
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad? I love romaine, avocado, grilled shrimp or chicken, crumbled goat or gorgonzola cheese. I don’t like Cilantro or a salad drowning in dressing.
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope? I don’t know what that is.
So I admit that I am having a little separation anxiety now that Zack’s return to Ithaca is this Thursday. I can’t help feeling this way even though I know that is where he should be. It was fun having him around for the summer and I can’t believe he is a college Junior, but sometimes, I want my “little boy” back.
Be well and enjoy the rest of the summer!
1. Your finish of choice for foundation?
Semi-matte when I actually wear it, I’ve been more into tinted moisturizer/spf and spot concealing.
2. A word that makes you cringe?
When people use the word ‘ask’ as a noun. Ugh. Generally any kind of corporate speak makes me cringe.
3. Something you loved as a teenager?
Music, still do, but it was obsessive.
4. Action movies or romantic comedies?
I like both, but today I’ll say rom coms.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days?
Anything that’s sparkly, I love staring at my sparkly nails in the sun.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it?
Not a movie, but the show Supernatural. I’ve seen it so many times, it’s very comforting.
7. How are your pets doing?
It’s a time of transition for us. My beloved dog Alice passed away 10 days ago and we’re all relearning our roles and routines.
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad?
I love salads, they’re one of my favorite things to eat, so I have lots of opinions, lol. Basically, it’s all about balance and texture. The only thing I’m really adamant about in a salad is absolutely no onion of any kind, chives are ok. It’s important to have seasonal veggies, no winter tomatoes! And I don’t love canned foods in salads, especially beans or artichokes. And generally I don’t like creamy dressings, with the exception of Caesar and green goddess.
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope?
No, but it looks like fun!
1. Your finish of choice for foundation?
Probably matte, because in a few hours, my oily skin is going to make it look dewy anyways.
2. A word that makes you cringe?
Moist doesn’t bother me. The one that gets me starts with a “C”, is a four letter word and is usually derogatorily aimed towards women. Hate that word!
3. Something you loved as a teenager?
The Body Shop Lol. I wanted that strawberry body polish and body butter so bad!
4. Action movies or romantic comedies?
Both genres are so over saturated that it’s hard for new releases to be unique and satisfying, although I’d pick action over rom-com.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days?
Chanel camelia, vibration and sunlight. I love pinks during summer and reds during fall and winter.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it?
Shrek or Kung fu panda lol
7. How are your pets doing?
They’re both good! Just living their wonderful, spoiled lives surrounded by the people who love them.
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad?
I like grapes, gooseberries and olives. Fresh herbs. Home made dressing.
I dislike too large of pieces, too many dried cranberries than pumpkin seeds (it’s too sweet!) and most store bought dressings (there are two exceptions, but that’s it.)
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope?
I’m thinking I don’t.
1. Your finish of choice for foundation? Matte – always had oily skin
2. A word that makes you cringe? Obsessed- every blogger uses it about everything and I can’t take them seriously when they are ‘obsessed’ with something
3. Something you loved as a teenager? Getting to go to the mall without parents was the ultimate
4. Action movies or romantic comedies? Action – not into sappy plots
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days? Anything sparkly. It’s my inner 12 year old coming out
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it? Spaceballs
7. How are your pets doing? They are all good but our 15 yo geriatric cat seems sad and is super slow moving about. I see a vet visit in my future
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad? No raw onions and I love fennel and radishes. Nice crunch. No stems on the greens
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope? I used to but that was so long ago
Happy Monday, Karen, I hope you had a great weekend!
1. Your finish of choice for foundation?
I do the dew!
2. A word that makes you cringe?
I can barely even type it. *deep sigh* Panty.
3. Something you loved as a teenager?
Strawberry incense and turning up music by Siouxsie and the Banshees REAL LOUD!
4. Action movies or romantic comedies?
Action. The one and only rom com I actually liked was Destination Wedding (with your “other” hubby and Winona Ryder).
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days?
Anything by L.A. Girl. Never thought I’d like extra affordable drugstore nail polish but their colors and finishes are outstanding!
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it?
The Dark Crystal.
7. How are your pets doing?
Hee hee…the ones at Takis Shelter seem to be doing fine. I currently have no pets. *sob*
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad?
No salad. Between the oxalates, lectins, phytic acid, and the pesticides sprayed on whatever goes into salad these days, I have to say no to salad, for my gut’s sake.
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope?
I had to Google this. I still couldn’t figure out what it is. Must’ve left my brain at the weekend!
1. Your finish of choice for foundation?
Satin.
2. A word that makes you cringe?
Thing. As in “Did you send the thing?,” “Did you do that thing?”
3. Something you loved as a teenager?
Friday nights at Blockbuster followed by take out Chinese and movies at my best friend’s house.
4. Action movies or romantic comedies?
Not a big fan of either genre but if you’re twisting my arm I’d go with action.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days?
I haven’t painted my fingernails in ages but I have been doing regular pedis on myself this summer and I love a lavender.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it?
Steel Magnolias. My mom and I quote it quite frequently!
7. How are your pets doing?
Love ’em but don’t have any!
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad?
Likes:
1. walnuts
2. feta
3. whatever produce I pick up at the weekly farmer’s market (this summer it’s been peaches and tomatoes)
Dislikes:
1. shredded cheddar
2. raw mushrooms
3. dried cranberries
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope?
I do not!
Happy Monday. Has school started yet for your daughter?
1. Your finish of choice for foundation? dewy or satin finish
2. A word that makes you cringe? high- value. men and women have been wearing it out.
3. Something you loved as a teenager? sneaking listening to secular music
4. Action movies or romantic comedies? action
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days? clear right now
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it? boomerang
7. How are your pets doing? my cat is sick of me .
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad? i tried to think about what i dont like in a salad because i love alot of stuff from veggies to meat .. but i think i came up with two .. egg salad on top of a regular salad or shaved deli ham . i like all salads cobb and nicose being my favorite
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope? no and i had to look it up. that is so cool. omg.
1. Your finish of choice for foundation? Natural or radiant (Rare Beauty Foundation and Tarte Rainforest Water Foundation)
2. A word that makes you cringe? “Unprecedented”…Every day since the pandemic started😒
3. Something you loved as a teenager? Rollerblades, Caboodles, Lots of highlights in my dark hair
4. Action movies or romantic comedies? Both…My family loves all things Marvel and we watch them all together (hubby and 2 kiddos) and the rom-coms are just fun (The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds)
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days? I usually only paint my toes…red
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it? Sweet Home Alabama
7. How are your pets doing? I have a senior Aussie-doodle who is a bad girl that ALWAYS gets into everything. I have two 1 year old labradoodles that keep my household crazy😋 They are all doing great and are very spoiled.
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad? No onions!!!
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope? I don’t think so
Your finish of choice for foundation? Semi-Matte or Satin, otherwise, I keep expecting PETA to show up with a bunch of Dawn Detergent to wash off the oil slick.
2. A word that makes you cringe? Tactical. Lately at work, it’s the “go-to” word for things that have nothing to do with tactical. One day in a meeting with the big cheeses in DC I said, “if anyone says tactical one more time I’m hanging up”. They did, so I did. My secretary (a male Army Reservist) said “can I be you when I grow up?”
3. Something you loved as a teenager? Tab cola.
4. Action movies or romantic comedies? Action if they don’t defy too many laws of physics.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days? OPI Krona-Logical Order. Expresso with a pinkish/plum undertone.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it? Princess Diaries
7. How are your pets doing? Both living the good life (on my couch)
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad? Like – cucumbers, won ton strips. Don’t like Eggs, any meat but chicken.
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope? No, but with enough alcohol, I can Riverdance.
1. Your finish of choice for foundation?
Something natural. Matte looks robotic to me; dewy looks like I’ve been on my horse for an hour. (Insert cringe)
2. A word that makes you cringe?
“Triggered.” GAAAAAH. As a survivor, people really don’t use it correctly and it is really, really, really cringey.
3. Something you loved as a teenager?
Lining my top and bottom eyelashes thickly in black eyeliner and NOT SMUDGING IT. – facepalm – Ah, the days before YouTube. I think I’ve managed to burn all the evidence of said terrible makeup now.
4. Action movies or romantic comedies?
Oh this is hard. I’ll take a rom com, but it has to be one of the good ones that had us all in stitches like the Julia Roberts old ones. The new ones kind of bore me.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days?
I don’t wear any, but the rare times I do (for vacation), it’s usually obnoxiously bright or pastel like mint, bright pink, etc.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it?
The movie Clue. I can do whole scenes.
7. How are your pets doing?
Bree is doing well! She’s lost 2.7 of her 5 pandemic pounds (yay!) and still volunteering for shy dog classes. Ty (my greyhound) just got his Good Canine Citizen Certificate for indoor work. He’s an overachiever so now he’s going to go for OUTDOORS. 😂
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad?
I. Hate. Salad. (This may be the end of the world for some of you. Too many textures for me!)
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope?
When I was I teen, I could Double Ditch, Chinese, single…I was really good at jump rope. I don’t trust myself now. 😂
1. Your finish of choice for foundation?
Slightly glowing. I mix LM tinted moisturizer with a little extra sunscreen, a dab of exa primer, and a squeeze of something glowy.
2. A word that makes you cringe?
Hmm…English words I just don’t like the sound of phonetically, their meaning aside? Wow. This is making me think. Ok. As someone who has read a lot of 19th century documents, the word “afflatus” was a favorite of the cultured classes back then, and I always find it slightly cringey!
So I’m interested, Karen…how do you feel about the word “moisturizer,” which has your no-go cringe word in it but is a constantly recurring word in your professional vocabulary? Is it disguised/modified enough to escape your yuck radar??
3. Something you loved as a teenager?
Making pottery and other art.
4. Action movies or romantic comedies?
Action, as long as they’re not too gory.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days?
An Essie v pale pink. With that fabulous Essie gel topcoat you recommended.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it?
Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
7. How are your pets doing?
My hound is walked, full of treats, thoroughly petted and adored, and reclining like a king on the sofa.
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad?
Like: crumbled cheeses, nuts and berries, eggs, red onion, meat, artichoke hearts. Don’t like: tuna, white onion, beets, chiles.
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope?
Yes! Loved it as a kid. I’d have to have a refresher and practice up now. But we did that more than double Dutch.
1. Your finish of choice for foundation? I love a satin finish.
2. A word that makes you cringe? I cringe whenever someone says “on accident”. I hate that! It’s “on purpose” and “by accident”.
3. Something you loved as a teenager? I loved going to Sports Night at the high school. It was a weekly dance held in the gym—the proverbial sock-hop.
4. Action movies or romantic comedies? I like action movies, historical dramas, docu-dramas, that type of thing. Rom-coms can be fun, but they’re never my first choice.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days? I haven’t worn nail polish in years. I like a well shaped natural nail.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it? I can’t really think of anything. There are lots of catch phrases from movies that I know, but that isn’t really the same as quoting from a movie.
7. How are your pets doing? They’re doing very well, thank you. Because of the hot, muggy weather, I’ve been bringing them in during the heat of the day. Although the house has AC, they like to stretch out in front of a large fan that I turn on for them. They know it’s their fan. When I call them in, they immediately go and sit in front of it and wait for me to turn it on.
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad? I eat tons of salads (I’m vegetarian) and like a selection of crisp lettuces with seasonal veggies or fruit and an occasional sprinkling of nuts. In general, I don’t like salad dressings. Instead, I have all kinds of flavored vinegars to add some pizazz to my salads.
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope? I never really liked it, but I could play if that was what my friends wanted to do. I’m in my late seventies and have osteoporosis so I wouldn’t dream of it nowadays.
1. Your finish of choice for foundation? Dewy and glowy.
2. A word that makes you cringe? “Actually” followed by someone trying to change my mind about things.
3. Something you loved as a teenager? Wild clothing, I still love it, but I’m not as fearless as I used to be. Which is fine.
4. Action movies or romantic comedies? Happy ending rom-coms.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days? I like dark and holo, that’s my go to.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it? Shawshank Redemption.
7. How are your pets doing? I just got our three 9 month old boys neutered on Saturday, their feelings are hurt, but I have no regrets! The other five cats are happy, a little tired of the heat. The three pugs are loving being walked at 7am, my big pug, Carl, slipped his harness this morning so the walking is working. The bird is mad that his girl, my 15 year old daughter, abandons him every morning to go to school. He lets her know how mad he is every afternoon when she gets home. But then he’s happy again.
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad? I love sunflower seeds, a wide variety of vegetables, and salt and pepper. I don’t like thick cores of Romain lettuce, cucumbers, or salads having too much dressing on them.
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope? Yes! I haven’t done in in forever, but I’m confident I still could!
1. Your finish of choice for foundation?
Satin or Demi-matte. This forehead won’t blot itself.
2. A word that makes you cringe?
Moist. Ugh. How can something that generally indicates a positive thing sound so ugly? Runner-up: GOAT, as in Greatest of All Time. It is so overused. Also, actual goats are adorable, so I get all excited for nothing.
3. Something you loved as a teenager?
Singing, and riding my bike. (Not at the same time, though.)
4. Action movies or romantic comedies?
Rom-coms for now. There’s already enough excitement in the world at present.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days?
No polish at all.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it?
I’d like to say Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, but can I quote it? No.
7. How are your pets doing?
Haven’t had pets in years.
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad?
Apples or strawberries and walnuts, yay! Chickpeas, boo! Mixed greens, yay! One type of lettuce, boo!
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope?
I will have to google that to see what it is.
1. Your finish of choice for foundation? I love a satin finish
2. A word that makes you cringe? I cringe whenever someone says “Stay safe” I’m so over the covid.
3. Something you loved as a teenager? Orange Julius’s.
4. Action movies or romantic comedies? I always like a good chick flick, so romantic comedies.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days? a bronze neutral color right now.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it? Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, even though I haven’t watched it in years.
7. How are your pets doing? No pets right now although my youngest has been begging for a puppy.
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad? I like strawberries, spinach and walnuts and Would not want canned tuna.
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope? I did when I was 12, many moons ago!
1. Your finish of choice for foundation?
Matte or satin
2. A word that makes you cringe?
The word “snot,” makes me nauseous.
3. Something you loved as a teenager?
Duran Duran
4. Action movies or romantic comedies?
Action movies
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days?
I haven’t worn nail polish in years. I haven’t had colored gel nails the last year and a half.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it?
Jaws, The Shining, too many Disney animated movies. Lol
7. How are your pets doing?
They’re all doing well. Spike (Ragdoll) is missing my son who recently started working again. He’s very proud he that he can jump up to higher places than ever.
Jack (orange tabby) comes to my room every morning for mommy cuddles and has stopped peeing on the couch.
Coco (my son’s black kitty) is her full grown size now, though still petite. She’s a show off and very cute.
Maize (son’s corn snake) has completely healed from his injury last summer. He has a little scarring, but has been eating and shedding fine. He’s getting pretty long!
Renegade (other son’s guinea pig) is still feisty and social, and thinks it’s my husband’s job to sneak him baby carrots. He was slightly overweight, but
the vet said he’s lost what he needed to.
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad?
LIKE: Microgreens, carrots, slivered almonds, broccoli and/or cauliflower.
DISLIKE: Cilantro, raw onion, avocado, hard boiled egg
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope? No, that wasn’t really a thing when I was young. Double Dutch was popular back then.
1. Your finish of choice for foundation? Slightly dewy.
2. A word that makes you cringe? “Ya’ll.” It isn’t a legitimate word at all!
3. Something you loved as a teenager? Reading; also drawing. I was an introvert whose life was completed upended (basically ruined) by a family move when I was 12, so there wasn’t much else for me to do. (We also didn’t have any extra money for fun things like horseback riding or vacations.)
4. Action movies or romantic comedies? Ugh – neither. Prefer classic movies, or the handful of decent comedies made from the ’60s to the late ’80s.
5. What’s your go-to nail polish color these days? I like Color Club Beyond – it’s a mostly blue holo type.
6. A movie you know so well that you can easily quote from it? The Princess Bride.
7. How are your pets doing? Unfortunately, I don’t have any right now.
8. Things you like and don’t like in your salad? Like: Lettuce, carrots, cheese, croutons, sunflower seeds. Don’t like: Tomatoes (I tolerate them), cucumbers (hate them).
9. Do you know how to do Chinese jump rope? I’m too old to remember that, apparently 🤔.