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. A food that you’ve been craving lately?
Toasted cinnamon raisin bagels and cream cheese! YUM. I buy the kind by Dave’s Killer Bread to get a little extra protein.
2. Where’s your calm and happy place?
Physically, my bed right before I fall asleep every night. Mentally, you can find me on Hideaways beach on Kauai.
3. Have you ever driven a boat?
Girl, no. I’m the last person you want driving anything motorized on a body of water, LOL! I’m too nervous behind the wheel.
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted?
Honestly, not too well these days. After I got pregnant and had Connor I became a strict creature of habit; it’s the only way I’ve been able to get through all the stuff I need to get through on a daily basis. When even the smallest thing gets thrown into the mix, it’s a lot harder for me to handle the change than it was when I was younger.
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts?
It has its time and place. I do love how it’s more forgiving compared to a crisp line.
6. Are ponchos a good idea?
Yeah, sure, why not? I love a flowing poncho on occasion. Makes me feel like I’m wrapped up in a snuggly blanket!
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush?
Oh gosh, by far applying concealer. But blush can be hard, too – the blending part is no joke. I can’t just rush through it unless I want to end up with two circles on my cheeks.
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today?
Good ol’ Avene Solaire UV. A true hero!
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em?
Meh. I’m undecided at the moment. I’ve yet to find a peptide-related product that rocks my world. (Side note: if you know of one, feel free to share it with the rest of us!)
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. A food that you’ve been craving lately?
2. Where’s your calm and happy place?
3. Have you ever driven a boat?
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted?
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts?
6. Are ponchos a good idea?
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush?
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today?
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em?
P.P.S. Good morning, friend. Happy Monday! I just wrote myself a reminder to take deep breaths throughout the day. Feel free to do the same for yourself! It really does help. 🤗
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately? Cinnamon sourdough bagels. I made a batch myself last week and they are already gone.
2. Where’s your calm and happy place? Our big covered front porch with some iced tea enjoying the breeze.
3. Have you ever driven a boat? Sailboat, part of a (very) amateur crew that did a race on a friend’s 40-foot Taiwanese Ketch on the Columbia River. We lost because we kept stopping and going ashore to buy more beer.
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted? Not well, I get through wearing about 5 hats by having a routine.
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts? Wear it all the time, unfortunately, it’s not intentional.
6. Are ponchos a good idea? Only if I want to be mistaken for a tent.
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush? Concealer.
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today? Honua Malu Day Cream spf 30. Worth the price. The only non-chemical sunscreen that doesn’t go on thick and white or irritate eczema I get on my lower neck and collarbone. Plus it smells wonderful (light Jasmine scent).
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em? Currently not using anything with them, that iI know of.
I’ll have to check out that sunscreen!
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately? Korean soon dubu and seafood rose tteokbokki. Also kimchi.
2. Where’s your calm and happy place? New York City, Tokyo, Paris. I like cities, especially ones with extensive subway/metro/train systems.
3. Have you ever driven a boat? No
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted? What’s a routine?
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts? Not for me.
6. Are ponchos a good idea? Nope, never
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush? They’re both hard for me. Then again, I never wear concealer because I can never get it to look natural.
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today? Kanebo Allie Extra UV Gel SPF50+ PA++++
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em? Eh. I’d been using the Biossance
Squalane + Copper Peptide serum, but didn’t really feel it was doing anything, so I went back to using The Ordinary Matrixyl* 10% + HA
Tokyo is on my bucket list. I want to go partially because of the beauty shopping! 🙂 Oh, and the food, of course.
If you go, let me know. Not sure if it’s still there but there used to be a large discount cosmetic store in the mall on Odaiba island in Tokyo. If you show them your passport they seal your purchase and you get the tax locals pay taken off too. Also, all the sunscreens that do NOT turn your skin white, blue or pasty gray.
I love sushi and the best sushi I’ve ever had in my life was in Tokyo.
And I love all the different flavors of KitKat’s that they have there.
Happy Monday afternoon from the East Coast. I think we’re finally going to have normal temperatures.
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately? Fried belly clams. Most places here only serve clam strips. I know of one place down at the shore to get them from time to time.
2. Where’s your calm and happy place? On the deck in my backyard. I usually have my early morning coffee there amongst the trees, bugs, birds and critters.
3. Have you ever driven a boat? Never driven one, but have been a passenger.
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted? Ok, I guess.
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts? Too much of a hot mess.
6. Are ponchos a good idea? rain ponchos are fine.
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush? I don’t use concealer much, but it is harder for me than blush.
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today? Sun bum #50 on my body and Accure 30 on my face. I think I like the Alba Botanics better.
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em? Not sure what they really do. For that matter, I’m not sure what most skin care products do for me. Give me a good, emolient moisturizer and face sunscreen and I’m good.
So we went to see Elton John last night for his farewell tour at Metlife Stadium. It was my sister’s birthday and we had a group of 16 people. We had such a blast and Elton was amazing. He will be missed. I think he is heading to LA for his last show.
Be well.
How fun! I hope your makeup for the concert was fierce!
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately?
Palak paneer. Now and always.
2. Where’s your calm and happy place?
The Philadelphia Museum of Art.
3. Have you ever driven a boat?
No, but I have paddled a canoe and a kayak.
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted?
I’d like to say rather well but I’m sure those near and dear would beg to differ!
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts?
It’s a good look.
6. Are ponchos a good idea?
Sure, though I think they look better on the tall people out there.
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush?
Concealer, by far.
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today?
I’m not wearing any.
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em?
Leave ‘em.
Palak paneer on top of rice… DROOLS!
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately? Wet food? Watermelon, salad, cucumber, things that are wet.
2. Where’s your calm and happy place? There’s a lovely nature preserve walking distance from my house. It’s so quiet inside it, I love it.
3. Have you ever driven a boat? Yes. Our friends have a boat and we just went out on the lake Friday. Took a turn driving it. So fun!
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted? I don’t like it. I like having a schedule, it’s an easy one, but throwing something new in there drives me nuts.
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts? I like it! I don’t do eyeliner often, but I like a smudgy line occasionally.
6. Are ponchos a good idea? Yes!
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush? Concealer, which is why I don’t use it.
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today? Purito. It’s a Korean sunscreen, spf 50. It doesn’t burn my eyelids.
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em? Honestly I don’t know what they do. So leave ‘em I guess.
Hey, Stephanie! Where did you buy your Purito sunscreen?
I got it at Stylevana.com. It takes a month to get it.
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately?
Pasta
2. Where’s your calm and happy place?
Any place with no loud, piercing voices out of nowhere
3. Have you ever driven a boat?
No
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted?
Not very well
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts?
I like it
6. Are ponchos a good idea?
Not for me
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush?
Applying blush
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today?
Coola mineral matte cucumber under Color science powder
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em?
Not too sure
Happy Monday to you! Hope the week is good… By any chance did you check out the Nordstrom anniversary sale? Any points of interest? 🙂 I visited the store yesterday and saw some adorable teeny tiny baby clothes… Sigh. Those days for me needing clothing for a newborn seem to over… 😭😭😭 (Also the Kiehls lotion deal looked pretty good – ordered online)
Hi Tisha! Yes, I bought a few things — clothes, though. I really need them! I purged my closet a while back and have yet to replenish the basics, so I’ve been surviving on very boring tees and jeans. I might get some lotion, maybe the set by Necessaire?
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately?
Chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons from my favorite local bakery.
2. Where’s your calm and happy place?
Hobby Lobby. Give me all the home decorating!
3. Have you ever driven a boat?
Bahaha! Definitely not. #NotOutdoorsy
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted?
I feel a bit aimless these days, because we haven’t been able to reestablish a regular routine since the quarantine ended. It’s just been one thing after another.
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts?
I’ve basically been no eyeliner for a while now.
6. Are ponchos a good idea?
Not for me. As a short and plus-size gal, that is just not a good look.
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush?
Applying concealer.
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today?
None. I was sick over the weekend and don’t feel like going out today.
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em?
I haven’t tried that trend out yet.
Feel better soon, Suzanne!
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately? I haven’t craved anything the past week because it has been so hot. I have no appetite when it is hot teen though our home is air conditioned.
2. Where’s your calm and happy place? I love a walk up into the hills in the early morning or working in my gardens in the early evening.
3. Have you ever driven a boat? Yes. When I was a kid, my parents always had motor boats so I was taught to drive one at an early age.
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted? Disruption to routine doesn’t faze me in the least. What gets me is a disruption to something that is NOT routine. For example, I had to leave for a dental appointment when I discovered my car battery was dead.
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts? It depends on how smudgy. If there is a soft blurring of the edges, I think that can be flattering and very pretty. If it’s the heavy “I fell asleep last night wearing eyeliner” smudginess, that just looks messy to me.
6. Are ponchos a good idea? I think they out of place in the city, but in the countryside, in the mountains, at the beach, they are a cozy and practical layer.
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush? I never wear concealer and applying blush is a piece of cake.
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today? ISDIN Photo Eryfotona Actinic Ultralight Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Whew! It’a my current favorite 100% mineral sunscreen.
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em? Love ’em.
I’m so glad I added this question in today! I’m adding yours to my list because I looooove mineral sunscreen.
The tinted version also has additional skin care benefits. You can visit ISDIN’s website and check it out. ISDIN is also available on Amazon, but I’m always worried about counterfeit or ready to expire products and so I purchase directly from ISDIN. Shipping is fast and they have frequent sales. That’s when I stock up.
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately?
Mentos. It’s strange, but in summer I really love minty things.
2. Where’s your calm and happy place?
The horse barn. It’s been a bit restless since Peter Pan died (it was his time, but it’s still hard) and all the horses have been grieving him, but going there still brings me a sense of calm nothing else does.
3. Have you ever driven a boat?
Only a kayak and a canoe. Me behind a motorized boat might be dangerous. I love all things speedy as we know…
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted?
I don’t. It’s a full meltdown. Please don’t disrupt the routine.
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts?
If it’s casual, fine. Fancy? That eyeliner better be sharp.
6. Are ponchos a good idea?
If I could find one I looked good in, I’d rock it. Mostly, it’s a coat for me.
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush?
Blush. You can’t just slap that on and be on your way.
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today?
I stayed inside so none.
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em?
Love them! Collagen peptides really have changed the game with my lupus.
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately? Chocolate.
2. Where’s your calm and happy place? Listening to music late at night. I live in an area that’s noisy virtually all the time, so going outside is only calm when it ices over so badly almost no one is on the road (only about 2 days per year on average).
3. Have you ever driven a boat? No. Hate motorboats – they’re noisy, and the lakes are always full of noisy drunks on boats. It’s amazing there aren’t more lake deaths in this part of the country, all things considered. A woman had her face disfigured by Dennis Rodman’s motorboat on a Texas lake some years ago. The boat became airborne and the engine’s propeller hit her face (while she was on a different boat). This was in the nighttime. Never, and I mean NEVER, go on a Texas lake at night.
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted? Depends on what disrupted it. Most of the problems are created by my relatives – and I don’t care for that one bit.
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts? Okay, so long as it doesn’t look slept-in.
6. Are ponchos a good idea? I guess. They were really popular when I was around 10 years old. Nowadays, I think most people prefer an open front wrap so it’s easily removed when it’s in the way, or it’s too hot to wear it.
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush? Concealer.
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today? None – I’m bad about that. I do wear a hat almost 100% of the time, though.
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em? Not sure. Haven’t used enough of them to know.
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately? Something, probably anything, fried.
2. Where’s your calm and happy place? Probably at home, by myself.
3. Have you ever driven a boat? No, lots of steering canoes, but no boat driving.
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted? I’m OK with it as long as it’s not a huge surprise. I don’t like surprises, good or bad.
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts? Looks good on others, but not great on me. Maybe I’m just not used to seeing it.
6. Are ponchos a good idea? Not really, since they are so open.
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush? For me, blush, mostly because I never wear it and my face is red and round.
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today? Skipped it today but normally wear the EltaMD UV Clear.
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em? Love them. I do think The Ordinary Buffet serum does something for me.
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately? Olive Garden Salad and soft serve chocolate ice cream!
2. Where’s your calm and happy place? Eeek, all in my memories!
3. Have you ever driven a boat? Yes for about 10 minutes with my Dad telling me how to do it
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted? Horribly lately! Ashamed to admit that but I get very panicky. My entire routine has changed drastically this past year so anything else thrown in really throws me and makes me a nervous nelly.
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts? Looks great on many but not so much on me!
6. Are ponchos a good idea? Sure! I have seen some people look so gorgeous in them!
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush? Both! But concealer for sure!
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today? Sun Bum
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em? Honestly I don’t think I’ve tried them! I’m so out of the loop!
1. A food that you’ve been craving lately?
Anything fruity – or ice cream. Must be the heat.
2. Where’s your calm and happy place?
At home. My castle that keeps me safe.
3. Have you ever driven a boat?
No. I get motion sick very quickly, so even being on a boat, let alone driving one, isn’t for me.
4. How do you handle your regular routine being disrupted?
That depends on how much I have on my plate that moment. But definitely worse than I did when I was young.
5. Smudgy eyeliner: your thoughts?
Love it, but not on me.
6. Are ponchos a good idea?
Absolutely.
7. What’s harder: applying concealer or applying blush?
Concealer. Overblushing is a look (even if it wasn’t one you meant to do), but creasing concealer isn’t.
8. What sunscreen are you wearing today?
Canmake Mermaid UV SKin Gel, for testing purposes.
9. Peptides: love ’em or leave ’em?
I use Copper Peptides in my routine and love them. They are just an add on though, not a must.