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. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________.
A Nespresso, half a bagel and a workout.
2. Something you can’t get enough of?
Honestly, hair masks and deep conditioners. Give them all to my thirsty mane!
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house?
Ugh, my phone. It’s a love-hate relationship. On one hand, I wish I could go back to not feeling so tethered to the internet all of the time. On the other hand, it’s great to know Connor’s school can call me whenever she needs me.
4. The first thing you do when you get home?
Back when Tabs was my kitty boss, the first thing I’d do was pet him because he’d always come running to greet me at the door when I got home. Rosie doesn’t do that, so these days I take off my shoes first.
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?
Going out to dinner on Thursday! We’ve been doing this as a family for the past few weeks, and it’s been nice.
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love?
See’s milk chocolate candies. YUM!
7. Hair gel or hairspray?
Soft hold hair spray a la L’Oreal Elnett.
8. Your scent of the day?
I’m on a Tocca kick; today is Graciella.
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara?
Mascara, 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. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________.
2. Something you can’t get enough of?
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house?
4. The first thing you do when you get home?
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love?
7. Hair gel or hairspray?
8. Your scent of the day?
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara?
P.P.S. Happy Monday, sweet friend! I hope your week is calm and productive. 🤗
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________. A breakfast drink made with almond milk
2. Something you can’t get enough of? Hand cream – I handle boxes and paperwork all day at work and my hands get so dry
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house? Phone
4. The first thing you do when you get home? Drop my stuff on the kitchen island and say hi to whichever cat decided to greet me at the door. I have 5 so someone is always there
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week? NHL preseason games start this week which means regular season comes next and we are season ticket holders
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love? Dark chocolate salted caramels
7. Hair gel or hairspray? Hairspray
8. Your scent of the day? Nothing
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara? Mascara – I’m a mascara junkie
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________.
Thanks
2. Something you can’t get enough of?
We’ll, to be honest, Foundation. I’ve been noticing the price of many high-end brands dropping to like 50%, and I’m really a sucker for those kind of sales. Truth be told, I probably don’t need as much foundation as I’ve been purchasing lately, but I still get excited about new foundations on the market and different formulations.
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house?
Shades
4. The first thing you do when you get home?
Take my shoes off
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?
This puzzle my daughter and I started working on over the weekend. Seriously, can’t remember the last time I worked on a really big puzzle picture and it’s been so much fun to do. Also, very relaxing and not to mention, a good way to get both of our eyeballs off the screen and develop focus.
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love?
Right now, Gulab Jamun 😀
7. Hair gel or hairspray?
Hairspray
8. Your scent of the day?
A sample of Ralph Lauren’s Romance. Not the biggest fan, but it’s lying around, so it’ll do.
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara?
Eyeliner
Enjoy the week ahead! I’ll be trying to make the most of the cooler weather, hopefully it rains (at least for a bit) in the near future. I think we could use some here..
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________.
Coffee with oat milk, quinoa and red rice cake with nut butter and banana, npr news.
2. Something you can’t get enough of?
The quality of the autumn sunlight. It’s absolutely stunning.
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house?
A bag of some sort that holds keys, wallet, phone, and a book.
4. The first thing you do when you get home?
Take off my outside clothes. Immediately.
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?
Going to my favorite bookstore (Green Apple) and getting dim sum nearby.
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love?
Lately I’ve been really enjoying Hu dark chocolate with cashew butter and raspberry.
7. Hair gel or hairspray?
Neither works with my dry, curly hair.
8. Your scent of the day?
Ortigia Fico d’India, it’s warm and spicy and perfect for the changing weather.
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara?
Eyeshadow, I’ve been doing a sheer wash of Ilia liquid eyeshadow lately.
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with ____ either a cup of tea or a cup of coffee or cappuccino.
2. Something you can’t get enough of? SPF. Korean or Japanese made preferred.
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house? A house key. I often forget my phone and/or wallet. Sigh.
4. The first thing you do when you get home? Take my shoes off. Then give Nibbler a kiss on her forehead.
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week? Well not this week, but next, Warriors pre-season games.
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love? So many! Ice cream, Justine’s peanut butter cups (better than Reeses’) or Haribo gummy bears.
7. Hair gel or hairspray? Neither. I really don’t like hair products.
8. Your scent of the day? Hermes L’ambre des Merveilles
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara? Mascara!! Another mascara junkie here.
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________. A bowl of oatmeal and fruit on the side.
2. Something you can’t get enough of? Concealer- lots of new releases lately. Very excited to try new products!
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house? Lipgloss
4. The first thing you do when you get home? Take off my “work clothes” and change into loungewear.
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week? Payday
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love? Chewy candies
7. Hair gel or hairspray? Hairspray
8. Your scent of the day? Clinique Happy
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara? Eyeliner
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with – a mug of Mamaki Mint Tea from Kona Coffee and Tea Company and a homemade muffin.
2. Something you can’t get enough of? Facial masks! My favorites are Mahola – The Bean (smells like coffee), Me Time Botanicals Berry Bright, and Leahlani Mermaid Mask.
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house? My 50+ SPF Solbari brimmed sunhat.
4. The first thing you do when you get home? Give the dog a cuddle.
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week? Cooler evenings for my walk or run.
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love? I just visited the brand new Crumbl Cookie store that opened locally – it’s like crack with chips. SO worth the calories.
7. Hair gel or hairspray? I never liked styling products.
8. Your scent of the day? Chanel Paris – Venise.
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara? Mascara
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________.
A heating pad to get the soreness out of my lower back.
2. Something you can’t get enough of?
Ricotta toast with a drizzle of honey.
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house?
My bougie hand sanitizer, lol. (It’s made by Biossance and doesn’t dry out your skin.)
4. The first thing you do when you get home?
Wash my hands thoroughly with soap and hot water. The pandemic made me very aware of all the things I touch when I’m out and about.
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?
The first day of Fall!!! Although it doesn’t actually mean anything in Florida. Symbolic first day of Fall. 😄
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love?
Brownies! The fudgy kind. My favorite mix is from King Arthur Flour.
7. Hair gel or hairspray?
Hairspray. Target has a nice light-hold one from their Kristin Ess line.
8. Your scent of the day?
Replica’s Coffee Break.
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara?
Mascara, for sure. Lowest effort for the highest payoff.
Fudge-y brownies for the win. I can’t deal with the cake-y kind!
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________. COFFEE☕
2. Something you can’t get enough of? Bai Drinks…I’m obsessed with them lately
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house? Phone🙄.
4. The first thing you do when you get home? Let the dogs out
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week? Nerf party for a friend of my kiddos…parents vs kids!!!
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love? Chocolate Chip Cookies🍪…my weakness
7. Hair gel or hairspray? hairspray
8. Your scent of the day? None
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara? Mascara
Good luck to the parents at the Nerf party, LOL!
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________. Instant oatmeal. Except for right now – I’m in the low-fiber diet phase pre-colonoscopy.
2. Something you can’t get enough of? Hair products.
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house? My phone.
4. The first thing you do when you get home? Change clothes, followed quickly by my Welsh lesson.
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week? My fourth Covid shot, tomorrow after work.
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love? Boston Cream donuts.
7. Hair gel or hairspray? Gel all the way.
8. Your scent of the day? Nothing today. I’m down to just a Boyfriend rollerball at this point and I don’t wear it every day.
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara? Mascara for sure.
I’m getting my booster this week, too, E.D.! Mine is on Thursday.
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________.
Coffee for the win.
2. Something you can’t get enough of?
Cool fall mornings.
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house?
Gotta go with phone.
4. The first thing you do when you get home?
Off with my shoes!
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?
Some veggies and honey from the mid-week farmer’s market.
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love?
This is very tough because I love sweet treats of all varieties. But I cannot resist a fudgy brownie.
7. Hair gel or hairspray?
I use a little gel on wet hair for some hold and curl definition. The only time I use hairspray is at the salon when I get it cut/colored and that’s because I love the smell of Aveda hairspray so much! Seriously, I could use it as an air freshener.
8. Your scent of the day?
Glossier You.
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara?
Mascara. I tried the new Tower 28 formula today and so far so good!
Have a great week!
Ooh, I’ve heard about the new Tower 29 mascara! How is it with curl hold?
I don’t curl my lashes separately but what natural curl I have held fine. It’s a slim curved wand, which I like. I feel like I can really grab those outer lashes. I need to play around with it when I have more time this week. This probably isn’t for those seeking dramatic lashes but otherwise I think it’s worth a try!
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________. Coffee. It’s life giving.
2. Something you can’t get enough of? Nail polish.
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house? My phone. But I carry my ID and bank card in it, so I pretend it’s like a purse.
4. The first thing you do when you get home? Pet my pugs.
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week? I’m taking my girls out to dinner tomorrow night, I always enjoy that.
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love? Tate’s chocolate chip cookies.
7. Hair gel or hairspray? Gel, but not a crunchy one.
8. Your scent of the day? Nest Citrine, always.
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara? Mascara, but I hate washing it off.
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________. A small pot of Golden Monkey or Yunan Jig tea.
2. Something you can’t get enough of? Time with my sons and their incredible ladies.
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house? Ugh! Cell phone! Whenever I forget it at home, I feel anxious.
4. The first thing you do when you get home? I take my shoes off.
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week? We’ve been enjoying dinner out on the patio before we get hit with another round of heat.
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love? I love chocolate mousse. I use Ina Garten’s recipe which is rich, smooth, and has a hint of Grand Marnier (for the adults!).
7. Hair gel or hairspray? When I wear my hair up, I like a very light spritz of hairspray to prevent fly aways.
8. Your scent of the day? Today it’s Kilian Angel’s Share.
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara? I have black eyelashes and eyebrows and dark, warm green eyes so maybe I’d go with a deep plum eyeshadow that could be used as a liner or smoked out as a shadow.
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________. A drink of water!
2. Something you can’t get enough of? Tinted Lip Oils/ lip balms
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house? Keys, money, phone
4. The first thing you do when you get home? Take off my shoes
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week? The weekend 🤣🤣🤣
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love? Red or black licorice
7. Hair gel or hairspray? Neither. Hair gel does little for my thick mane and I hate the smell of hairspray/refuse to use it!
8. Your scent of the day? Viva la Juicy
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara? Mascara
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________.
A scowl — I’m not a morning person!
2. Something you can’t get enough of?
The smell, and crunch, of fall leaves. Looking forward to that.
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house?
Cellphone, of course. Mostly because its a camera and I document everything.
4. The first thing you do when you get home?
Make sure my keys go back in my purse so they don’t get lost!
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?
A visit from a friend who moved far away. It’s a 12-hour drive for her.
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love?
Vanilla custard-style ice cream. YUM.
7. Hair gel or hairspray?
Hair gel — I’m a particular fan of Aquage Fortifying Ultragel.
8. Your scent of the day?
Mango body wash.
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara?
Eyeshadow. Love it.
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with a smile from my 1 year old
2. Something you can’t get enough of? eggs
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house?my small wallet
4. The first thing you do when you get home? take off my head scarf
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?
the weekend
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love?
tres leches cake
7. Hair gel or hairspray?
neither
8. Your scent of the day?
none, unfortunately I work in a scent free zone. If I could I would ear Sunday Morning by Replica
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara?
mascara please
1. Fill in the blank: I start every morning with _________.
a cup of Earl Grey.
2. Something you can’t get enough of?
Pink Lady apples
3. One thing you always have with you when you leave the house?
Phone. To get the calls regarding my children, to take pictures of what I see, to play a podcast for my walks – it does everything.
4. The first thing you do when you get home?
Take off my shoes and slip on my fuzzy socks
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?
The weekend for sure
6. A sweet treat you absolutely love?
Maoam!
7. Hair gel or hairspray?
Neither, I hate the feeling of stuff in my hair.
8. Your scent of the day?
Guerlain Angue ou Demon – I wear that one every day.
9. Pick one — eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara?
Mascara if I have to pick, but you rarely see me without mascara and liner.