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 singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen?
Totally dating myself here, but one of my favorite singers was Madonna.
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley?
Yes! I’ve ridden them in San Francisco, New Orleans and Lisbon. I think they’re so fun!
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power?
This morning I had to buy tickets for a few of Connor’s upcoming dance shows, and between balancing the multiple shows and the various amounts of tickets, it took a surprising amount of concentration.
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura?
Both are super cool, and both offer awesome lash curlers. LOL! I’ll go with Shiseido, though. I like their skin care in addition to their makeup.
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them?
Why are uncomfortable socks so upsetting? Give me the comfy pair with the hole.
6. Powder foundation – yes or no?
On me, no.
7. Last makeup recommendation you made?
The dance moms from Connor’s dance team asked for a long-wearing red lipstick recommendation (the girls have to wear red lipstick as part of their costume), and I recommended MAC Fashion Legacy.
8. What did you do over the weekend?
On Saturday, we watched a middle school musical production of “Rudolph,” and then Connor had an outdoor dance performance with her team at the yearly local tree lighting in our town. On Sunday we got our Christmas tree!
I hope your day is off to a great start, my friend. Remember to grab some downtime for yourself this week, OK?
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 singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen?
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley?
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power?
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura?
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them?
6. Powder foundation – yes or no?
7. Last makeup recommendation you made?
8. What did you do over the weekend?
1. One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen? Led Zeppelin. (I realized I was officially “old” when I heard one of their tunes playing in a Cadillac convertible).
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley? in San Francisco as a kid.
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power? Making about 4 different kinds of Christmas cookies at once, in an 80-year-old gas oven that doesn’t have a thermostat (I know I could get a new one, but this old one is SO cool looking).
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura? Shiseido – I’ve used their sunscreen and lipstick forever.
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them? Comfy!
6. Powder foundation – yes or no? No, my skin is too dry to pull that off.
7. Last makeup recommendation you made? Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks for the eyes, so easy to have for makeup on the go.
8. What did you do over the weekend? My husband was traveling for work so I just read, baked, and did a couple of facial masks.
Hi Brigid,
Your gas range sounds very cool! You could always put a portable oven thermometer inside your oven to help you gauge the temps. I always bake with one because my gas oven typically takes an extra 20 minutes to come to the designated temp, but it really depends on the weather outside; sometimes it just CRANKS. When I was working in a bakery we had multiple thermometers inside the ovens as some ranges have very specific hot spots. Anywho. Happy Monday!
1. One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen? Heard The Smiths when I was 14 and it probably changed the trajectory of my social life
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley? Yes to both the street kind and the hanging kind
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power? Had to cut a cheesecake recipe by 2/3 since I didn’t have enough cream cheese and didn’t want to go back to the store. Fractions to the rescue!
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura? Shiseido but I haven’t really used any of their products regularly since my 20s
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them? Holes in socks is a pet peeve of mine so they’d be just as uncomfortable
6. Powder foundation – yes or no? No
7. Last makeup recommendation you made? Not makeup but beauty related. Recommended vitamin c serum to my friend who’s concerned with hyperpigmentation
8. What did you do over the weekend? Finished putting up the tree with my little boy and golfed with family on Sunday
Hi KC,
May I ask which vitamin C serum you recommended? Happy Monday to ya!
Hi Karen,
I told my friend to use any vit c serum in her preferred price point because she’s never used it before. I started with Sunday Riley’s CEO line years ago and liked it. Also tried CE Ferulic but it’s too pricey. I’m currently using ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican ampoules, and I like that I only break one open when I’m ready to use it so I’m not too worried about it oxidizing. Do you have a vitamin c product you love?
1. One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen? Duran Duran – I was a teen in the 80s
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley? Yes – San Francisco & Italy
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power? I do billing at my job so it takes a lot some days
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura? I’ve never used either
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them? Comfortable all the way
6. Powder foundation – yes or no? At this point in my life, no
7. Last makeup recommendation you made? I told a friend that my tinted sunscreen is so good, I only use concealer after putting it on
8. What did you do over the weekend? So exciting- cleaned and organized various rooms since we are still in the midst of a huge home renovation project
Good luck with the renovation! We did one about a year and a half ago. They’re hard but worth it. 😀
1. One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen? Really dating myself, I was a teen in the 60’s – The Beach Boys.
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley? Yes, both, I grew up in Philadelphia.
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power? I make soap (I sell quite a bit) and it requires concentration and lots of math.
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura? I have always loved Shiseido.
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them? Comfy with the hole!
6. Powder foundation – yes or no? I sometimes like to use some Bare Minerals, so I guess, yes.
7. Last makeup recommendation you made? Hm – I recommended a mascara to a friend recently.
8. What did you do over the weekend? I went to a yoga workshop on Saturday – 8 hours, it was awesome! And on Sunday, we put up our tree and outside decorations.
Hi Linda,
How cool that you were able to attend a yoga workshop. Are you studying to be a yoga instructor? I did yoga years ago and while I liked it, I’m not naturally very flexible, so I fall in and out of love with it. LOL
1. One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen?
Nirvana- I was totally into the grunge thing for a minute.
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley?
I’ve ridden the tour trolley in Savannah, Georgia, but not a legit cable car.
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power?
I’m working on a new family budget for 2024.
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura?
Shiseido, for their eyelash curler and cotton facial pads alone.
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them?
Comfy socks with a hole. I’m not a sock fan to begin with; uncomfortable socks make me crazy.
6. Powder foundation – yes or no?
No. I’m too old for that to be a good look.
7. Last makeup recommendation you made?
The Rare Beauty blush brush that they make for their Soft Pinch blush. It’s a good one.
8. What did you do over the weekend?
Not much and it was glorious! The highlights were listening to an audiobook and making homemade chicken noddle soup with homemade bread.
Hi Suzanne,
Your chicken soup and homemade bread sounds amazing! YUM!
What audiobook are you listening to? I’m still trying to get through the prequel to the “Hunger Games.”
I just finished Commonwealth, by Ann Patchett and I’m starting Shogun, by James Clavell, as a ‘buddy read’ with some friends. We’re reading it over several weeks to get ready for the release of the new limited series on Hulu that comes out in February.
1. One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen? The Beatles! The early sixties was the time of the British music invasion. There were so many incredible bands.
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley? Yes. I always made a point of riding one when in SF.
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power? I got a head start on tax preparation. We own commercial properties so there’s a lot involved.
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura? I love both and was sorry when Shu Uemura pulled out of the US market.
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them? I can’t imagine that wearing socks with a big hole would be comfortable so it’s a draw.
6. Powder foundation – yes or no? No. My dry old skin needs all the moisture it can get.
7. Last makeup recommendation you made? I recommended Rouge Coco Flash in Freeze to a friend who was looking for a soft, clear, translucent pink.
8. What did you do over the weekend? I had a dear friend to lunch. We’ve known each other for 67 years. She’s the sister of my heart.
1. One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen?
Been a Beatles fan since I was around 5 years old – Paul being my favorite. As a teen, I will date myself by mentioning Linda Ronstadt. But there were so many greats back then: Paul Simon, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Supertramp, Al Stewart, Olivia Newton-John, Elton John, Billy Joel, etc. I don’t really categorize things or people as favorites, generally.
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley? I don’t think so. I have gone on those people-moving vehicles they have at theme parks, if that counts. Universal Studios had some that went through the filming areas back in the late 1960s.
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power?
Almost everything! But I suppose one of the most nerve-wracking things for me was planning (and being on) a business trip on my own some years ago, as I had never had to go on a trip alone before.
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura? Don’t know – never had any of their stuff.
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them? Neither. I usually go sockless.
6. Powder foundation – yes or no? Yes, if it’s the right kind.
7. Last makeup recommendation you made? I’m never asked for my advice on that – probably for two reasons – my age, and my lighter-than-light skin tone means no one relates to my makeup choices.
8. What did you do over the weekend? Grocery shopping, house cleaning, library trip, more drudgery involving settling my mother’s estate, etc. As you may know by now, I never get to do the fun things that other people take for granted.
1. One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen?
David Bowie. Still love him.
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley?
Yes — once in San Francisco and once in Philly.
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power?
It seems that everything does lately! Grocery shopping comes to mind.
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura?
Shiseido for the sunscreen.
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them?
A pair of comfortable socks with a big hole, I guess. Mean question!
6. Powder foundation – yes or no?
Yes, I’m a fan. That T-zone needs help.
7. Last makeup recommendation you made?
I recommended a mascara to someone, and now can’t remember which one it was.
8. What did you do over the weekend?
Paid bills online, helped my mom who is now in hospice at home.
1. One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen?
Well, I was totally into the “hair bands”. So, so many hair bands but Motley Crue was my favorite.
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley?
Yes, in San Fran.
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power?
Filling out various school paperwork for my kids.
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura?
I don’t think I have anything by either brand.
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them?
Comfort with annoyance wins every time.
6. Powder foundation – yes or no?
Yes. I tried one by Iman cosmetics and one by Fenty–both winners.
7. Last makeup recommendation you made?
Golly! I can’t recall any recommendations recently.
8. What did you do over the weekend?
It was rainy here (near Boston) so there was no great opportunity to get outside. I did laundry.
1. One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen? New Kids on the Block
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley? No
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power? Life…everyday my brain is ready to “crash” 😜
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura? Neither
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them? Comfortable with hole
6. Powder foundation – yes or no? Never
7. Last makeup recommendation you made? I recommended MAC’s new foundation: STUDIO RADIANCE SERUM-POWERED FOUNDATION
8. What did you do over the weekend? Oh man…not enough. Too going on during this time of year
1. One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen? I’m gonna go with Madonna, I had a poster of her in my room, I loved it.
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley? Yes, in San Francisco.
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power? I work at a hotel and couldn’t figure out why a third party payment wouldn’t go through. But I figured it out and all was well.
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura? I don’t have any opinion on either brand.
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them? Hole, comfort is important.
6. Powder foundation – yes or no? On me, nope. My dry skin doesn’t like it.
7. Last makeup recommendation you made? My bestie asked about foundations, I recommended a tinted moisturizer for her.
8. What did you do over the weekend? Napped, cleaned, cuddled with my pugs.
First of all, glad to see you are still around. Been reading your blog on and off for at least a decade now! Your skin tone is similar to mine so your color recommendations are always helpful. Anyway, on to the “slam book”
One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen? Same as you-was obsessed with Madonna then
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley? In SF and the little one at the Grove in LA
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power? Making 75 sandwiches
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura? Gotta go with Shu Uemura for the eyelash curler. Haven’t found one better.
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them? Comfy!
6. Powder foundation – yes or no? Back in my 20s and early 30s, yes. Mac studio fix was my HG and then Chanel. Now it’s gotta be cream or liquid
7. Last makeup recommendation you made? Ilia balmy tints…I am obsessed with them and I now have 4 colors
8. What did you do over the weekend? Wish it was more exciting but my kid got the flu =(
1. One of your favorite singers and/or a favorite band when you were a teen? I was growing up in the 70’s and swooned over Puppy Love by Donny Osmond.
2. Have you ever ridden a cable car or a trolley? yes, in Europe I did.
3. Last thing you did that required a good amount of concentration/brain power? Reading all the DMV info on their websites, So cumbersome.
4. Shiseido or Shu Uemura? I have never used Shu Uemura but have used Shiseido and loved it.
5. Would you rather wear a pair of uncomfortable socks or a pair of comfortable socks with a big hole in them? a pair of comfie ones with the hole.
6. Powder foundation – yes or no? prefer dewy and a glow so no powder
7. Last makeup recommendation you made? none
8. What did you do over the weekend? Had a microdermabrasion and got a hair blowout. Put up Christmas decorations and cleaned my house!!!