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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).
1. How do you like your coffee?
Smooth and not too bitter, and served with a good amount warm, frothy whole milk or a splash of half and half. Sometimes with a spoonful of sugar, sometimes without.
2. What outfit are you currently wearing?
I’m still in my pajamas! Zella joggers (LOVE THEM) and an old tee with the words “Lake Tahoe” on the front. I also have a black sweatshirt on, too. It’s chilly today!
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition?
Opening the front door right at midnight to let all the good luck into the house. It’s a Filipino thang!
4. What are you wishing for in the new year?
Honestly, less stress and less worry. I can’t take much more in either category.
5. A hairstyle that suits you well?
Anything past my shoulders and layered seems to generally work for me. The layers have to be done specifically for wavy hair, though.
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year?
I got a new writing job! It was always my plan to go back into the professional/corporate world when Connor started kindergarten, and I made it happen in the fall. It’s one thing that I’m very proud of (side note: I’m trying to break the habit of minimizing my accomplishments).
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp?
Oh, girlfriend… Those cookies better be chewy!
8. Something you don’t need but would love?
Umm, new windows? Mine are the original ones that came with the house when it was made in the ’70s. New ones would be great!
9. Peach, pink or plum blush?
Peach with hint of coral, please!
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. How do you like your coffee?
2. What outfit are you currently wearing?
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition?
4. What are you wishing for in the new year?
5. A hairstyle that suits you well?
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year?
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp?
8. Something you don’t need but would love?
9. Peach, pink or plum blush?
P.P.S. Good morning, my friend! It’s the last Monday of 2021, so let’s make it a good one, OK? 🤗
1. How do you like your coffee? We make Kona coffee. I have mine with coconut creamer (Laird Superfoods) as cow dairy makes my eczema go nuts.
2. What outfit are you currently wearing? Navy yoga pants, a grey silk t-shirt, and an oversized pink cardigan. It’s “I don’t have to go into an office” wear.
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition? We clear out our closets of stuff we don’t wear but are still in great shape and donate it to charity.
4. What are you wishing for in the new year? Good health., I had a staph infection in my leg last year that went septic and I spent three weeks in the hospital including intensive care.
5. A hairstyle that suits you well? Just above shoulder length with layers so with the natural wave I can just let it air dry.
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year? My last book won “Book of the Year” for non-fiction, young adult from the Independent Author’s Network.
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp? Chewy
8. Something you don’t need but would love? A treadmill so I don’t have to get my power walk in when it’s 30 degrees and damp out.
9. Peach, pink or plum blush? Pink.
1. How do you like your coffee? I love coffee…but I recently had a an episode that landed me in the emergency room two days before Christmas…diagnosed with tachycardia (all other tests came back good). It’s recommended that I stay off any caffeine, alcohol, and try not to stress. I’m trying to drink tea instead.
2. What outfit are you currently wearing? I am working from home this week…so sweatpants and no makeup
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition? I do a toast with sparkling grape juice with my kids…they love it
4. What are you wishing for in the new year? Less stress and anxiety
5. A hairstyle that suits you well? Long and layered
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year? I helped a 1st and 2nd grader through a whole year of online school while working from home. It was chaos…LOL.
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp? Chewy and gooey
8. Something you don’t need but would love? I’m wanting to try new foundations again…I definitely don’t “need” any
9. Peach, pink or plum blush? Peach
Karen…you are my stress free and happy zone. Love the good vibes from you and all of your readers. I appreciate you sharing your life with us. It’s nice to read the words of someone you can relate to. Thank you🥰
1. How do you like your coffee? With a heavy splash of heavy cream.
2. What outfit are you currently wearing? It’s cold and rainy, and I’m wearing Scooby Doo joggers, a Scooby Doo tee, and a pink plaid flannel. I’m basically dressed as a toddler.
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition? Kissing at midnight.
4. What are you wishing for in the new year? Less bitter, more glitter. That’s going to be my 2022 motto.
5. A hairstyle that suits you well? Past my shoulders, not too long, layers, and bangs.
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year? Staying healthy, body and mind.
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp? I really like both, it’s impossible to choose.
8. Something you don’t need but would love? A desktop computer. I wouldn’t use it for anything except Facebook and tooling around the internet, but I love typing on a keyboard. I use an iPad and it’s perfect for me.
9. Peach, pink or plum blush? Peach.
1. How do you like your coffee?
I add cream and sugar.
2. What outfit are you currently wearing?
Sweatshirt and jeans.
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition?
Eating and snacking.
4. What are you wishing for in the new year?
Also, less stress!
5. A hairstyle that suits you well?
Shoulder length or a little longer hair style.
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year?
Did quite a bit of decluttering around the house.
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp?
Chewy!
8. Something you don’t need but would love?
The Patrick Ta Major Dimension eye shadow palette. It’s already sold out again! My wallet thanks me though, lol.
9. Peach, pink or plum blush?
Peach blush.
Karen – Just curious, do the Zella joggers come in petite sizes? I purchased sweatpants from Kohls on Black Friday, but they don’t list the length. It ended up being way too long for me and I had to return them. I’m looking for comfy joggers.
1. How do you like your coffee?
From my Nespresso machine with a shot of half and half and a packet of stevia.
2. What outfit are you currently wearing?
Maternity Zella joggers and a sweatshirt. My boss let us leave work at noon because it’s storming here today so I came home and took a nap!
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition?
Taking time to reflect on the past year.
4. What are you wishing for in the new year?
My twins to be born healthy and happy!
5. A hairstyle that suits you well?
Shoulder length or a bit longer with layers, and bangs. I know it’s not “in” but it’s what works on me!
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year?
Thriving after a toxic co-worker quit. I didn’t realize how much her attitude was affecting me!
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp?
Chewy!
8. Something you don’t need but would love?
A bathroom remodel! We don’t have a bathtub in the house and that is going to be a challenge with twin baby girls!
9. Peach, pink or plum blush?
Pink.
1. How do you like your coffee?
I like fairly strong coffee. Plain, not flavored. From my Nespresso. With an occasional splash of oat milk.
2. What outfit are you currently wearing?
My new fancy lounge ensemble. Black wide leg pj pants and matching black v-neck cami. May be my NYE outfit!
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition?
Drinking Prosecco and eating assorted dips for dinner.
4. What are you wishing for in the new year?
Like so many of us-wishing for more peace and joy and less anxiety.
5. A hairstyle that suits you well?
With my wavy/curly hair, it’s best hovering around the shoulders with longer layers so it curls away from my face.
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year?
I can hold plank in my at home core workouts with no problem.
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp?
Chewy. Won’t turn down a crispy tho.
8. Something you don’t need but would love?
Laptop.
9. Peach, pink or plum blush?
This time of year I love plum. I think it mimics that in from the cold flush. Of course it’s 70 here today.
Happy early New Year to you, Karen and to the whole MBB family! Even when times are hard the new year brings fresh hope. May it be a good one for all.
1. How do you like your coffee?
Down a kitchen drain. I absolutely hate coffee. I’ll take a Dr. Pepper.
2. What outfit are you currently wearing?
Target dinosaur pjs, matching socks, Eddie Bauer slippers, fuzzy purple with white unicorn print robe…all under a sea foam green with Boston terrier print fuzzy blanket. Tiny Dog (Bree) is taking up the chair space I’m not occupying. Big Dog (Ty) is in the living room being a speed bump.
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition?
I don’t have one.
4. What are you wishing for in the new year?
Like so many of us – an end to the pandemic.
5. A hairstyle that suits you well?
Shoulder length layered bob.
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year?
I went back to Special Olympics.
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp?
I like chewy crisp. Crispy chewy? Crispy edges but chewy inside.
8. Something you don’t need but would love?
A horse. I’m kidding. 😂 I’d never be able to go on vacation if I did.
9. Peach, pink or plum blush?
Pink!
1. How do you like your coffee? Black unless it’s Arabic (Turkish) style coffee in which case I like it medium sweet.
2. What outfit are you currently wearing? I’m wearing charcoal grey slacks, a cranberry colored cashmere sweater, and grey and deep red fuzzy socks.
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition? I don’t have any NY traditions. As holidays go, I’ve never cared for it.
4. What are you wishing for in the new year? I hope we can get this pandemic under control. We know what needs to be done; we just need everyone to do it.
5. A hairstyle that suits you well? Except for a brief time back in the 60’s, I’ve always worn my hair long and straight.
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year? I’ve maintained good health and a positive outlook.
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp? I like mine soft and chewy; still warm from the oven.
8. Something you don’t need but would love? Nothing comes to mind.
9. Peach, pink or plum blush? A soft pink suits my fair complexion best.
How do you like your coffee?
With fat-free coffee mate powdered creamer (just a little), then I put collagen powder in it, as well as two packets of splenda. The collagen powder makes it super creamy.
What outfit are you currently wearing?
My Zella live-in leggings too! They have become a full force staple in my closet. The most comfortable, versatile, anytime wearing item in my closet. With them a simple v-neck white t shirt and a Barefoot Dreams sweater cardigan.
Favorite New Year’s Tradition: On New Year’s Day we cook Pork and Sauerkraut. I’m originally from right outside of Pittsburgh and that is the tradition in that area of the country. When I moved to the south, they do pork and black-eyed peas. But I have always gone back to my Pittsburgh roots on NY Day.
What are you wishing for in the New Year?
I wish Covid would go away, me and my family stay healthy, and peace on earth. I wish to be able to stay more present in the moment that is right in front of me, and to be the most optimum version of myself so that I can service others.
A hairstyle that suits you well? Long with my ends curled.
One of your greatest accomplishments this year? I ran my first half-marathon. It was glorious. Hoping to run a full marathon this year.
Chewy or crispy chocolate chip cookies? Chewy! No other way
Something you don’t need but would love? A new job that is on day shift, not nights. Nights is exhausting. But the pay is better.
Peach, pink, or plum blush? Plum suits my neutral/cool skin tone during this season.
Happy Holidays!
1. How do you like your coffee? Just milk or half & half
2. What outfit are you currently wearing? My comfy black V-neck cashmere sweater and jeans.
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition? Staying in!
4. What are you wishing for in the new year? To get through this COVID epidemic and that Zack’s get back to school.
5. A hairstyle that suits you well? Just above shoulder length bob look
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year?
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp? Definitely chewy
8. Something you don’t need but would love? A Chanel bag
9. Peach, pink or plum blush? Peachy-pink
Have a safe New Year’s!
1. How do you like your coffee?
I don’t drink coffee but I drink tea. Usually I have it black. Rarely I’ll have cream or milk, but never sugar.
2. What outfit are you currently wearing?
Yoga pants, grey T-shirt and beige, long cardigan.
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition?
Not really anything aside from having a celebratory glass of champagne.
4. What are you wishing for in the new year?
New friends, less stress and anxiety in general. I haven’t really connected with a friend in what feels like forever. I don’t even remember what that feels like anymore 😕
5. A hairstyle that suits you well?
Short, with a bit of layers for more volume.
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year?
Not much to report, I got married this year. The wedding planning was very stressful (many times I wanted to cancel the whole thing) unfortunately it was people making things difficult, not the actual planning.
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp?
Chewy!
8. Something you don’t need but would love?
Would love to finally furnish this one big room we have in our basement. Currently, a sad ping pong table resides there. But I’d love to make the place useable with couches, a large area rug, shelves for books and decor, art for the wall, maybe a fake fireplace. I’m hoping we can get started on that this year.
9. Peach, pink or plum blush?
I’d chose pink first, a peachy pink second.
1. How do you like your coffee?
Italian dark Lavazza only perculated old school style. I became an addict since ny first trip to Rome.
2. What outfit are you currently wearing?
Grey Pajamas with Polar bears printed all over them.
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition?
Always being awake when the new year comes along. I refuse to sleep through it.
4. What are you wishing for in the new year?
Less worry, more adventure and to try things I’m afraid of.
5. A hairstyle that suits you well?
Layered beach waved hair.
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year?
Going back to school and quitting a toxic job.
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp?
Chewy and hot only.
8. Something you don’t need but would love?
A second chance.
9. Peach, pink or plum blush?
Peach. I’m an Island girl.
1. How do you like your coffee? I don’t drink coffee. I generally don’t like hot drinks. I only drink hot cocoa about three times a year.
2. What outfit are you currently wearing? Long-sleeved old red linen shirt accented by a red and blue turquoise necklace, with light blue denim pants.
3. What’s your favorite new year’s tradition? Public fireworks.
4. What are you wishing for in the new year? For some degree of normalcy. I’m soooooo tired of everything seeming like we all died in 2016 and woke up in Hell.
5. A hairstyle that suits you well? Slightly past shoulder length, naturally wavy.
6. One of your greatest accomplishments this year? Staying alive and sane in a world gone mad.
7. Chocolate chip cookies: chewy or crisp? Chewy.
8. Something you don’t need but would love? A really expensive leather purse.
9. Peach, pink or plum blush? Pink suits me best, but I’m drawn to peach.