
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. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no?
Sure, why not? I rocked it back in the day and still like the look.
2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager?
Yes and no. Considering both my parents were immigrants and super strict, I had a decent amount of freedom compared to other kids in the same situation. I was allowed to go to birthday parties and sleepovers when I was in high school, but only if my parents knew the family and there was adult supervision. I was also allowed to go on overnight school trips with the marching band, too.
I couldn’t drive, though, and I didn’t get my license until I was in college. Oh, and there was no such thing as “hanging out” at someone’s house after school for the sake of socializing!
3. Have you ever had a bob haircut?
Yeah, I’ve had various incarnations of a bob since I was 12, and periodically the urge to rock it comes back. It’s definitely not a low-maintenance type of cut for me, though! I have to do a lot to make it work.
4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go?
I’m tempted to say somewhere that isn’t too hot, but eh, where’s the fun in that? I’d go to Kauai to live on a small farm with goats and chickens!
5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta!
Trader Joe’s! I go at least once a week.
Aloha, my friend! We’re on Oahu visiting family and I’m so excited to slather 3,405 layers of sunscreen on myself, ha ha ha! My plan for this trip is to enjoy as much time as I can outside and to try ALL OF THE SHAVE ICE. 🙂
I hope your Monday is going great. Sending you a big hug from across the Pacific!
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. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no?
2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager?
3. Have you ever had a bob haircut?
4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go?
5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta!

1. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no? No.
2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager? My parents adopted my brother and me when they were almost 40 so they were pretty laid back. But we had a curfew and I couldn’t date until I was 16.
3. Have you ever had a bob haircut? Several
4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go? Someplace cool in the mountains in the Pacific Northwest.
5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta! Trader Joe’s. There’s one just a mile and a half from our house and I love to stop even if I don’t need anything.
1. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no? Not for me
2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager? Way more than my siblings since I was the last of 6! I had my own car in high school or my best friend would drive if I had my car taken away. I was pretty responsible and did well in school, though, so maybe that’s why I had my parents’ trust. Or they were just over the strict parenting life at that point lol
3. Have you ever had a bob haircut? Yes, it works well on my straight hair
4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go? Tough question since all the places I want to visit would be uncomfortable and crowded in August (I’d have migraines galore too!). I’d love to revisit Sitka, AK, though and go fishing and kayaking and just take in all that natural beauty.
5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta! Trader Joe’s every week and Lowe’s for my plant needs
Enjoy your time in Oahu 😊 It’s the perfect way to recharge!
1. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no? No
2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager? Not really. I was told what do and when and how and I really heard it if I made a mistake. I sometimes wonder if that’s why I did crazy, stupid stuff and didn’t study much when I went to college.
3. Have you ever had a bob haircut? Yes, short bob, layered bob, long bob they all work with my fine, straight hair.
4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go? Melbourne or Sydney Australia or the area around Auckland New Zealand. I am really beginning to hate summer heat more than I ever have.
5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta! The farmers’ market near my house. Trying to eat more fruits and veggies and their prices are much better than the grocery stores.
1. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no?
No.
2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager?
Not a lot. But in my late teens, I had a group of older friends (early to mid 20’s) who were like brothers and sisters to me. If I was with them, my parents were cool with whatever.
3. Have you ever had a bob haircut?
I have a lob right now.
4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go?
Somewhere not tropical. Who has the most un-Florida weather? I want to go there.
5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta!
Homegoods. (Also, Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx, etc.) Still trying to get the new house squared away.
Homegoods (and TJMaxx) corporate office is in my city so I like to think they save the best merch for the residents. Perhaps.
1. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no? Yes! It’s a fun look.
2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager? Yes, I really did. I never had a curfew, my parents gave us a lot of freedom. Thankfully we did not abuse that freedom.
3. Have you ever had a bob haircut? Yes, but I have curly hair so Bob cuts on me need to be worn straight, and I am in the curly hair era of my life right now.
4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go? I’d stay right here in Michigan, it is sunny, 75, and beautiful!
5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta! Hmmmm, Starbucks? Lol! Aldi, I like their sparkling water and buy it often.
1. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no? No.
2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager? Not really. But I had no social life, anyway, due to having been forced to move to the most hostile place you can imagine. If I can give one piece of advice I hope people will take, it’s don’t force your kid to move in the middle of a school year. Especially if that place is full of spoiled, cruel brats, with spoiled, horrible parents. Also, NEVER move to any area where everyone else makes more money than you do.
3. Have you ever had a bob haircut? No – but my mother did cut my hair really short when I was 8 years old due to it getting tangled all the time (if she’d just given me my own hairbrush to carry with me that wouldn’t have been a problem). I looked really cute back then with short hair, but I always preferred longer hair.
4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go? San Diego. The only place in the continental US that has a decent year-round climate.
5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta! Sadly, just the grocery store. I’m still chained to a job and I still spend most of my time looking after my elderly mother. I haven’t even seen a movie in a theater in about 8 years.
1. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no?
Nope! Lived through that trend once already!
2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager?
No – we lived out in the country so my parents pretty much knew where I was at all times – there was no sneaking out! And I was an only child so they were super protective.
3. Have you ever had a bob haircut?
Does a long bob count?
4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go?
Newport Beach.
5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta!
TJ Maxx and Aldi.
I am so jealous you’re in Hawaii, Karen! Have so much fun with your fam and make lots of wonderful memories!
1. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no?
That’s a hard no.
2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager?
Yes. Although I was the younger of two girls, my parents had a lot of trust in me. My parents knew my friends and they knew I never went anywhere so…there was no reason to lock me in my room. I was a boring and respectful teen.
3. Have you ever had a bob haircut?
Yes. Only because it was one of two styles that worked for my thin hair. (The other was a pixie but that was too short for me.)
4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go?
I spent a couple weeks in Crete, in August ’07 and I would happily return.
5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta! Trader Joe’s since it’s one of the few grocery stores in my area that sells wine.
1. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no? No
2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager? I probably had too much freedom
3. Have you ever had a bob haircut? Never…do Halloween wigs count?
4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go? Probably Hawaii (as long as my dogs could come with us)
5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta! Target and Costco