
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. Bucket hat or fedora?
UGH to both right now; however back in the day I rocked ’em with enthusiasm, LOL! I guess I’d go with the bucket hat if I had to choose. I feel like it would do a better job of keeping rain off my face.
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea?
Um, like a half a day? I get seasick easily, so I don’t actively seek opportunities to hang out on boats.
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no?
Sure, why not! Add a bright red matte lip to it while we’re at it.
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April?
Hanging out with Connor over spring break! Last year I worked the entire week, and although she didn’t mind all the Disney movies, this year I want to take full advantage of the time. I figure I only have a short window of when she wants to hang out me!
5. A scent that means something to you?
Chanel Mademoiselle. Brings me back to my 30s and MBB’s early days – an exciting time in my life when I felt the possibilities were endless.
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails?
Essie Gel Couture in First View, a baby blue.
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday?
Go to bed early, for sure! And jot down a loose work plan for tomorrow before I finish up my day.
8. Do you enjoy spring?
Yes and no. I especially love seeing all the flowers and trees come back to life, but on the flip side of that, my allergies are killer. Everything is bothering me right now!
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat?
Ooh, I’d love a soft trench coat.
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. Bucket hat or fedora?
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea?
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no?
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April?
5. A scent that means something to you?
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails?
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday?
8. Do you enjoy spring?
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat?
P.P.S. Good morning, sunshine! I hope everything goes your way this week and that nothing holds you back. Let your light shine today!

1. Bucket hat or fedora? Fedora – my husband has several of them, and I don’t look too bad in one.
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea? Just a few hours on a sailboatl
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no? No.
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April? Seeing the flowers come up.
5. A scent that means something to you? Chanel No. 5. It smells like my Mom who died when I was a kid.
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails? OPI From Dusk til Dune
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday? Get to get early on Monday.
8. Do you enjoy spring? Yes, it’s not hot yet and no more snow to shovel (usually)
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat? Trench coat.
1. Bucket hat or fedora? Fedora. I used have a collection of them. Don’t seem to wear them anymore.
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea? We once spent most of the day “whale watching”. Didn’t see any whales and I got sick from the smell of diesel fumes and the waves.
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no? No, the carmine in it would wreak havoc with my eyes.
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April? All the flowers
5. A scent that means something to you? YSL Opium parfum. It was the first fragrance Dear Husband bought for me. I’m sad that YSL has weakened and destroyed that scent to the point that it bears no relationship to the original. I’m glad I still have the empty bottle with the tassel and box. I open it every now and then for a hit of nostalgia.
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails? Garden dirt. Went out to sweep and ended up pulling up a ton of weeds. I should have put on gardening gloves. On the other hand the makeup counter girls in Tokyo were rocking these gorgeous manicures that were translucent and opalescent in color on top but somehow opaque enough to not see nail line.
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday? Go to bed early and try to get back on CA time.
8. Do you enjoy spring? Except for the allergies, yes. There was an article in the paper in Japan, that pollen levels were twice what they normally are for this time of year and pharmacies were running out of OTC and prescription allergy medicines because twice the number of people were seeking help with allergies.
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat? I have a couple of moto jackets. Now I want one of the soft, drapey, lightweight trenches I saw so many women rocking in Tokyo.
Enjoy your time with Connor for Spring Break. Do you have any activities planned? Have you ever done afternoon tea at the Rotunda at Neiman Marcus or The Garden Court at the Palace? Not that this was ever something my Dear Daughter wanted to do, lol.
1. Bucket hat or fedora? Bucket hat but I don’t really wear hats.
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea? Half a day. My dad owned a boat when I was growing up so we went out quite often.
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no? No, not my style
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April? My birthday!
5. A scent that means something to you? Jean Nate always reminds me of my Grandma.
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails? Nada right now.
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday? Take the day off work 🙂
8. Do you enjoy spring? Yes, except for all the pollen.
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat? Motorcycle jacket
1. Bucket hat or fedora? Fedora. I’ve always been partial to a hat with a good-sized brim.
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea? A week. It was a cruise.
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no? Sure! Go for it!
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April? Getting the gardens in tip-top shape and doing some stucco and paint repairs around the house. Oh, and having the windows washed.
5. A scent that means something to you? The original 1957 version of L’Interdit. It reminds me of my first trip to France with my mom. I have a very small decant of it which I treasure. I don’t wear it—it’s too precious to me—I just occasionally sniff it when I’m feeling nostalgic. Memories, sweet memories.
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails? Nothing. Unless I’m going out somewhere special, I prefer well moisturized natural nails.
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday? Take a nap. We had strong winds last night which disrupted my sleep so I’m a bit tired today.
8. Do you enjoy spring? I love all four seasons and find that each one has its own special charms.
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat? I’ve had a trench coat in my closet ever since I was 15–no, not the same one! Lol
1. Bucket hat or fedora? Neither, I’m not a person who can wear hats. Unless I’m gardening and then I wear a straw hat but only because no one will see me.
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea? Eesh, I would say probably a week? I’ve been on a few cruises, one we didn’t stop anywhere for a while. Seabands are the cure for seasickness. You can get them at Walgreens.
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no? why not
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April? My son turns 20!
5. A scent that means something to you? Probably Liz by Liz Claiborne. I wore it all through high school.
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails? the dregs of a top coat–I forget which one but you recommended it a while back and it was really great.
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday? Get gas on my way home instead of waiting for tomorrow!
8. Do you enjoy spring? Kinda
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat? Both
1. Bucket hat or fedora? Bucket hat for the wide brim and sun protection
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea? A week-long cruise in Alaska. I’m not a fan of cruise ships and the open sea so that was probably the first and last time
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no? No
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April? Warmer weather
5. A scent that means something to you? Stella by Tocca. Reminds me of my wedding day and the California coast on a summer day. Haven’t worn it in years, but I sniff it whenever I come across it
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails? Nothing at the moment
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday? Stretch and hydrate
8. Do you enjoy spring? Yes the weather is usually just right where I am
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat? A knee-length trench coat
1. Bucket hat or fedora? Bucket hat, to keep the sun off my face.
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea? 2 weeks. My husband and I are big cruisers. We’re going on a 3 week cruise in April.
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no? Sounds interesting.
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April? The aforementioned cruise. We’re going to Barcelona.
5. A scent that means something to you? Emeraude. My mother wore it, and she’s been gone for 35 years.
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails? Nada.
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday? Get to bed early.
8. Do you enjoy spring? I live in South Florida. We only have Summer.
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat? Trench coat.
1. Bucket hat or fedora? Bucket hat. For sun protection.
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea? Just a couple of hours on a whale watching trip.
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no? Sure!
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April? Spring! There is old frozen snow on the ground in Michigan, I’m ready for sunshine.
5. A scent that means something to you? Lady Stetson, takes me back to high school. Class of 93 rules!
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails? Cupcake Polish “Fringe Benefits”, a holographic dark royal blue.
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday? Sleep in! My kid is on Spring Break, so I’m using this week to catch up on sleep. And organize my closet.
8. Do you enjoy spring? Yes! Well, I don’t know. It’s my first Spring in Michigan, so I don’t know how it’s going to go. It’s starting to thaw and we’re having more beautiful sunny days, but the other day it literally went from sunshine to snow every 15 minutes. It was weird.
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat? Trench.
1. Bucket hat or fedora? Fedora – and I have one!
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea? About an hour if you mean the ocean, maybe two hours on a lake.
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no? No.
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April? The last 3 – 4 weeks of cool weather before the oppressive 5 – 6 month Texas summer takes over.
5. A scent that means something to you? None, really. I do like “My Queen” by Alexander McQueen, but I have no special memories attached to it.
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails? Nothing. Too busy to do that detail work and wait for it to dry thoroughly.
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday? Get stuff organized for the next day.
8. Do you enjoy spring? Yes – but as I get older, I seem to get more allergy-type symptoms (I never used to). Spring has a lot of downsides, though: Hail, heavy thunderstorms, tornadoes, high straight-line winds.
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat? Trench coat.
1. Bucket hat or fedora?
Bucket hats are cute but fedoras are classic. And at my age, cute is not cute. Fedora.
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea?
Overnight on a big ship from Athens, Greece to Hania, Crete, Greece.
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no?
No.
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April?
new fragrances
5. A scent that means something to you?
Blue by Ralph Lauren because it was my “something blue” on my wedding day.
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails?
Dashing Diva strips in a mix on my fingertips: floral, glitter and deep burgundy.
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday?
Make a list of things to do while drinking limoncello.
8. Do you enjoy spring?
It can be rainy and cool here near Boston. That combo makes me grumpy. Or it can be too cool for too long which also makes me grumpy.
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat?
What would Audrey Hepburn say? The trench, my dear.
1. Bucket hat or fedora? I really don’t like hats…but if I had to choose I would go with bucket.
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea? Being in the middle of the ocean freaks me out…so never. I have been out on a lake many times when I was younger.
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no? Sure
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April? Spring Break…I’m working from home that week with the kids
5. A scent that means something to you?
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails? Nothing. My toenails are OPI “So Hot it Berns”
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday? It’s Tuesday for me…I’m late😝
8. Do you enjoy spring? I like the warmth of the sun…but I hate all the storms and allergies
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat? Motorcycle jacket
1. Bucket hat or fedora? Fedora–I own two, and once got a shouted compliment from a stranger in a passing car when I was wearing one of them. But I’ve hung on to my late father’s bucket hat for sentimental reasons. My favorite headgear has an illusion veil. I like to hide.
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea? A week, aboard the Queen Mary 2 (New York to Southampton). Not actually as fancy or expensive as you’d think, and I absolutely loved looking at the Atlantic all day long. And when I arrived in England: no jet lag.
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no? Never. See above: I like to hide.
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April? San Francisco Ballet and two film festivals.
5. A scent that means something to you? Two scents: eucalyptus and mock orange, redolent of my L.A. childhood.
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails? Nothing. At night I apply apricot oil.
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday? It’s already Tuesday, so I guess I failed that question.
8. Do you enjoy spring? Trees in blossom, what’s not to like? But here in the Bay Area it’s pretty springlike all year round.
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat? Trench coat, although I don’t think I have enough swagger to pull off either of those styles.
1. Bucket hat or fedora? Not sure I am crazy about either one. I like baseball hats on the beach with a ponytail!
2. What’s the longest you’ve been at sea? 7 days on a cruise
3. Bright magenta eyeshadow with black winged liner — yes or no? No, would make me look like I was punched in the eye. Pink eye! But I love magenta!
4. Something you’re looking forward to in April? Birds singing, grass turning green, flowers starting to bloom.
5. A scent that means something to you? Enjoli! LOL. I remember that song, “Cause I’m a woman”. Used to sing it all the time.
6. Whatcha wearing on your nails? Glue on manicure nails – ombre
7. What’s one thing you can do today to set yourself up for a good Tuesday? not complain and be blessed I’m able “to do” for myself.
8. Do you enjoy spring? Yes, LOVE hearing the birds
9. Motorcycle jacket or trench coat? Love them both