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. One of your favorite things about fall beauty?
Ooh, the nail polish. Please give me all the deep and moody burgundies, greens and blues!
2. Candy corn: great or gross?
A little bit of both? I can handle a few nibbles, but there’s no way I’m eating a whole bag of candy corn.
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves?
I live in a neighborhood with a lot of old trees that drop their leaves in the fall, and the change is pretty significant. It usually starts around the middle of October, and by the end of November, most of the trees are bare and the streets are carpeted in leaves.
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow?
Brown. Although I love how gray instantly adds the illusion of a deeper crease, brown requires less effort for me to blend.
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
Right now, a hot cup of green tea with a drizzle of honey and a squeeze of lemon sounds good.
6. A memorable Halloween costume?
In kindergarten I dressed up as Big Bird, and I wasn’t happy about it at all. I guess my parents were busy because even though they’d been in the U.S. for years and knew about Halloween, it never occurred to them that their five-year-old child would need a costume. So, the day before Halloween, we drove all over to find me something last minute, and everything was too big or too weird. I remember ending up at the Thrifty’s in our town and picking a Big Bird costume because it was the only thing that was available and would fit me. I guess I should’ve been glad I had something, but I mostly remember the disappointment.
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi?
I’ll take the mani/pedi!
8. Persimmons or apples?
Persimmons any day of the week.
9. The scariest movie you ever watched?
Oh gosh, for years I was terrified of the movie “Salem’s Lot.” One day after school, one of the older children at the babysitter’s house thought it was a good idea to play it on the VCR for a bunch of elementary school kids, and why they were able to get away with it, I will never know.
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. One of your favorite things about fall beauty?
2. Candy corn: great or gross?
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves?
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow?
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea
6. A memorable Halloween costume?
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi?
8. Persimmons or apples?
9. The scariest movie you ever watched
P.P.S. Happy, happy Monday, beautiful girl. Let’s have a productive and peaceful day. Here is a virtual *hug* to get your week off to a sweet start. Remember, you are very important and very loved. 🤗
1. One of your favorite things about fall beauty? Nothing in particular. Although I do love dark nail polish.
2. Candy corn: great or gross? Gross
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves? Not so much on my street. Coast live oaks and redwoods. Although we’ve planted a maple and a gingko in our front yard and both change color. There is one street in town lined with pistache trees that turn orange and red and it’s really pretty.
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow? Gray
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea? Tea. No sugar, no calories, less heartburn.
6. A memorable Halloween costume? Hmm, nothing stands out. My mom just used to put me in the costumes from my dance recitals. In 8th grade I stayed in and handed out candy and dressed like a hippie. Headband, ribbed knit shirt, flower power printed huge bell bottoms, lots of love beads and a peace sign necklace. I remember my very conservative, proper mother being quite apoplectic over it.
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi? Mani
8. Persimmons or apples? Both. Don’t make me choose.
9. The scariest movie you ever watched? The Cabin in the Woods is about as scary as I’m willing to view.
Your answer to #8 cracked me up! 🙂
1. One of your favorite things about fall beauty? Hm, fall beauty? Maybe adding a bit of moisturizer to my regimen.
2. Candy corn: great or gross? I can take it or leave it.
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves? No change. I live in South Florida, land of the Palm Trees.
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow? Gray
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea Hot tea – now that’s something I love about Fall! Having Tea.
6. A memorable Halloween costume? Nothing for myself, but I made my son a spaceman costume when he was 8 or 9, it was terrific.
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi? Mani/Pedi.
8. Persimmons or apples? Apples.
9. The scariest movie you ever watched Nightmare on Elm Street.
South Florida sounds a lot like Hawaii, Linda! 🙂
Sort of, but in the summer, we have higher humidity. I’ve been to Hawaii 3 times & didn’t think the humidity was too bad. Obviously you’ve been there more often.
One of your favorite things about fall beauty? The greens and bronze and golds.
2. Candy corn: great or gross? I like a little nibble, especially on top of cream cheese frosting on a chocolate cupcake.
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves? In Chicago it’s pretty noticeable.
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow? Gray. Chanel Desert Wind Liquid is a fav.
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea? Hot tea.
6. A memorable Halloween costume? My husband had his Great Grandfather’s distinctive WWI “doughboy” soldier uniform (which fit) for a party. He suggested something that paired with it – likely thinking field nurse. I wore white sweatpants & sweatshirt, a blue bandana, a chef’s hat, and an oven mitt. Yes, I was the PILLSBURY DOUGHBOY.
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi? Blowout.
8. Persimmons or apples? I have never tried persimmon.
9. The scariest movie you ever watched. The original Halloween still scares me.
Hey Brigid,
If you ever get the chance to try a persimmon, especially a Fuyu persimmon, please do so! They are one of the best things about fall for me. Here’s a very interesting article I read recently about persimmons in case you (or anyone else here in the comments) is curious.
1. One of your favorite things about fall beauty?
The holiday gift sets are coming out.
2. Candy corn: great or gross?
Gross.
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves?
Almost non-existent. On the plus side, there’s still a lot of green here when the trees are bare everywhere else.
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow?
Brown.
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
Hot tea in the mornings, hot chocolate in the evenings.
6. A memorable Halloween costume?
We’ve never really done Halloween and masked faces have always made my anxiety go way up. That was something I learned real quick as a kid, long before I knew what anxiety was.
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi?
Blowout. Or mani without pedi. I don’t like people ‘messing with’ my feet.
8. Persimmons or apples?
Apples. Preferably in pie. 🥧💖
9. The scariest movie you ever watched?
My aunt took my cousin and me to see Gremlins when we were 8. (Although our moms had in no uncertain terms told her not to.) We’re still traumatized in our mid-40’s.
Suzanne, you aren’t alone! I remember my cousins making us watch “Gremlins” and being so frightened afterwards!
1. One of your favorite things about fall beauty?
Darker lipsticks and darker polish!
2. Candy corn: great or gross?
Gross! If that is all there is and I need something sweet after I meal I would eat it though.
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves?
Big! Our Public Works department comes by and sucks up piles of leaves on everyone’s lawn with a special machine once they’re all raked up!
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow?
Brown.
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea
Hot tea.
6. A memorable Halloween costume?
In college when I had a more bangin’ bod I had some cute ones: Britney Spears during her Oops I Did It Again music video comes to mind!
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi?
mani/pedi!
8. Persimmons or apples?
Apples – though I do miss living in Northern California and having access to persimmons!
9. The scariest movie you ever watched
My mom didn’t think twice about letting me watch scary movies when I was definitely too young to! Cujo, Carrie and anything Stephen King comes to mind!
Hi, Rachel! Re: persimmons. My parents have a Fuyu persimmon tree (my favorite!), and every fall I gorge myself on as many of them I can. My mom and dad dropped off some last weekend, so I’ll eat a few in your honor, LOL.
1. One of your favorite things about fall beauty?
I love darker lips and a mostly bare face.
2. Candy corn: great or gross?
Great! I’m a staunch candy corn defender. Although too much is a bad idea, I agree.
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves?
I live in Atlanta so it comes later-late October into November. But it’s still beautiful. The gingko and maple especially. Plus it’s a short drive to the mountains in N. Georgia where you often see more color.
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow?
Brown all the way.
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea
Love both but I definitely drink more hot tea. I made myself a chai oat milk latte this am.
6. A memorable Halloween costume?
One year a friend of my mom’s made me a poodle skirt. So I went as 50’s sock hop girl. I had a cardigan with the chain and black and white “snoopy” shoes. My mom’s friend made some amazing kid’s clothes!
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi?
Blowout. I can’t recreate that salon shine myself.
8. Persimmons or apples?
Apples. I’ve never had a persimmon but I am curious!
9. The scariest movie you ever watched
This is tough because I love scary movies. The most scared I remember being in the theatre was when I dragged my best friend to see The Ring. That movie still freaks me out. But it was so much fun!!
1. One of your favorite things about fall beauty? Dark polish! And darker lipstick.
2. Candy corn: great or gross? Great! I can’t eat a ton of it, but I do like it.
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves? Huge! I’m in Northern Michigan, and it’s a thing! The Fall colors are amazing!
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow? Brown.
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea. Hot chocolate, I have one every night.
6. A memorable Halloween costume? My Mom used to make our Halloween costumes, I have a twin brother, we went as an angel (me) and devil (him) one year. My Dad made me gold wings with glitter!
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi? Mani/pedi!
8. Persimmons or apples? Apples.
9. The scariest movie you ever watched? Oh gosh, I’m such a chicken, I am not a fan of scary things. Probably the original Japanese version of “Ring”.
1. One of your favorite things about fall beauty? Darker colors
2. Candy corn: great or gross? Too sweet
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves? They’re changing colors- I saw beautiful red leaves today! Stunning!
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow? Brown all the way!
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea? Tea!
6. A memorable Halloween costume? Madeline based on the book. Best costume ever!
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi? Blowout
8. Persimmons or apples? Apples
9. The scariest movie you ever watched? Carrie- hid under the blanket the entire time.
1. One of your favorite things about fall beauty? The rich earth tones really speak to me whether it’s in nature, house decorations, my makeup, or clothing.
2. Candy corn: great or gross? I like a bit primarily as decoration on cupcakes or in an autumn trail mix the of thing.
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves? Our neighborhood is comprised of custom homes so there are many different styles and the landscaping reflects that. It’s really beautiful, though, to see the fiery display put on by the maples and sycamores that is accentuated by the cool colors of the evergreens.
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow? Brown.
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea Hot tea.
6. A memorable Halloween costume? One year I went as a scuba diver.
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi? I can easily manage my hair, but a professional mani/pedi might be a real treat.
8. Persimmons or apples? Apples, apples, and more apples. I love apples!
9. The scariest movie you ever watched. I was a little kid and my uncle took me when he went to see “The Creature from the Black Lagoon”. Nowadays, it would seem really corny with little to no special effects, but back in the 50’s, it scared me to death.
1. One of your favorite things about fall beauty? Red nail polish.
2. Candy corn: great or gross? I like it.
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves?
It’s more subtle in my area. Usually the leaves start changing in late October to November – some trees have leaves that turn brown and stay that way, AND they stay on the trees until the next spring. That is ugly, in my opinion, and I don’t know why anyone plants ones like that. From November through part of December you’ll see red, yellow, and orange tones in the red oaks, and reddish leaves on the crape myrtles, but a lot of tree leaves just turn brown and drop off. By the 2nd week of January the trees are leafless, and the area looks very depressing until late March, when they leaf out again. There aren’t many evergreens in this area – it’s pretty much limited to live oaks and magnolias (magnolias aren’t common here).
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow? Gray. Brown is okay if it’s cool-toned.
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea Hot chocolate.
6. A memorable Halloween costume? I never had a great one. I went as a “princess” every year, not really because I wanted to, but the costumes were pretty awful during my childhood. My parents were cheap, and wouldn’t buy anything but the throw-aways that grocery stores carried (those masks were particularly bad – thin, hard plastic shells with weird eye holes in them). My last costume was an old re-sewn black velvet dress of my mother’s.
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi? Blowout.
8. Persimmons or apples? Apples.
9. The scariest movie you ever watched Probably “Poltergeist,” which I know seems laughable, but I can barely tolerate scary movies in general, especially ones that are about chainsaw massacres and the like. I don’t want to relive any of it in my nightmares.
1. One of your favorite things about fall beauty?
I love switching up to a richer blush color.
2. Candy corn: great or gross?
Gross, but it’s fun to stick ‘em on your incisors like striped fangs.
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves?
Complete change. It’s beautiful.
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow?
Gray.
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
Hot rooibos tea with honey.
6. A memorable Halloween costume?
An acquaintance won a costume contest. She was dressed as Saturn, rings and all.
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi?
Definitely a mani/pedi. My hair is pretty easy to blow dry.
8. Persimmons or apples?
Apples. I’ve never had a persimmon.
9. The scariest movie you ever watched?
There was a TV movie called Crowhaven Farm, about witches and torture. Just what little children should be watching after a long day at school. My sister and I were traumatized for life.
1. One of your favorite things about fall beauty? Darker colored lips
2. Candy corn: great or gross? Not too bad when I finally did try it
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves? There are some streets in our community here in SoCal that are lined with trees that turn colors, but otherwise it’s not too big of a change
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow? Brown
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea. Hot milk tea or a masala chai
6. A memorable Halloween costume? I dressed as a 60s mod one year. I’ll be Peli Motto this year.
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi? A blowout
8. Persimmons or apples? I love both but we’ll probably get a big box of persimmons in the mail from the in-laws’ tree this year
9. The scariest movie you ever watched
The Exorcist. I saw it on the big screen at a revival theater in my 20s and my friend and I clutched each other throughout. It was terrifying but kinda fun to watch with a theater-full of people. I’ve been reading a lot of Stephen King this year (a weird personal goal) and I must admit I think I’m becoming desensitized to the horror genre and I’m usually a scared cat!
1. One of your favorite things about fall beauty?
Hmm… Dark lipstick
2. Candy corn: great or gross?
Great!
3. In your neck of the woods, how big is the change in the fall leaves?
Not that much, though there are changes here and there which are noticeable and quite pretty.
4. Gray or brown eyeshadow?
Come to think of it, I have worn a lot more grey eyeshadow than brown. Throughout my 20s I’ve worn some silvery grey – that would’ve gone well with all my grey T-shirts haha 🙂
5. Hot chocolate or hot tea
Hot tea
6. A memorable Halloween costume?
I’ve never really decked up and gone full out for Halloween but a memorable costume was one I put together for my daughter. She went to school as Pinkalicious and Pinkalicious was a favorite character of hers at the time. We also made a Pinkalicious pumpkin for school that year 😄
7. Would you rather get a blowout or a mani/pedi?
Hmm… I’d skip the blowout and just get it flat-ironed but if I had to choose between a blowout and a mani-pedi… probably the mani-pedi.
8. Persimmons or apples?
I don’t think I’ve really tried persimmons that much, so apples.
9. The scariest movie you ever watched
Gosh… Back in college I watched The Ring with classmates. It was the best time ever. That night and the following couple of nights everyone in our hostel was pretty much on edge, (mostly everyone had seen it) and I had fun scaring people since I had really long hair at the time. 😂
Happy Halloween! 🦇👻💀🤡