You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”
Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past six years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
- Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
Yup, I did, at the mall down in Corte Madera, and it was a sh*t-storm of bad behavior, I kid you not! The parking situation was straight out of Thunderdome, and I saw several adults acting entitled and ill-behaved.Oh, well. At least I saw lots of cute dogs in adorable Christmas outfits. 🙂
- How did you meet your best friend?
Just random chance. I met Jen in the second grade and Cindy in the third (we were in the same classes together), but we really didn’t start hanging out together all the time until high school (we all played flute in band).As for my other BFFs, El Hub, I met through a friend (we started emailing together, and he had a great sense of humor in print…and really excellent grammar), and Tabs was a friendly neighborhood stray who strolled into my apartment one afternoon, approved of my petting and immediately claimed me as his official gravy provider/servant.
- What do you miss most about the ’90s (assuming you were old enough to miss anything)?
Plaid shirts? Oh, wait — they’re back in style again. 🙂 I was in high school and college at the time, and I guess I miss having long stretches of free time on the weekends and jobs with very little responsibility. - What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
Two or three matte browns in the crease, a black/brown eye shadow/liner combo on my lash lines, a matte beige on my brow bone, a shimmery golden beige in the inner corners, black liquid cat liner and LOTS of mascara. - What color describes your mood today?
LOL! I’m not sure… Purple, I guess? - Do you have a mentor?
I don’t, but I’d really like one, if only to have someone (other than El Hub and Tabs) to listen to my special blend o’ crazy and give me advice… - What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
Hit the snooze button, haha! Then I turned over and saw Tabs sleeping on the bed beside me, so I greedily grabbed him and took two bites of his delicious tabby belly meat.SO TASTY!
- Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
It has not. - What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
YouTube videos. Dude! I’m a hot mess when that red light flicks on, but it’s fun. I feel like a TV personality.Also, cooking.
- Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
Being from the San Francisco Bay Area, I have to say no, but I’ve always loved the idea of a white Christmas.Except for the cold aspect.
Now it’s your turn. Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em! 🙂
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
2. How did you meet your best friend?
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
5. What color describes your mood today?
6. Do you have a mentor?
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?yes, I am almost done with the presents, yay!
2. How did you meet your best friend? we met via mutual friends.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? good question, can’t think of anything in particular right now. Maybe my school days?
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? the quicker the better, when it’s on myself. I also like it to be dimensional, not flat.
5. What color describes your mood today? red! 🙂
6. Do you have a mentor? most of my friends are older, so in a I do.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? brushed my teeth)
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? not really, but often think about the past.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? I don’t really enjoy things that I am not good at.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Most of them are snowy, and I am very happy about that.
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? : as in yesterday or the day before? Yes I did some online shopping for my son!
2. How did you meet your best friend? : I would like to say I have a few, I consider my hubby my best friend and I have a friend I met on wow last year. (if any of you know what wow is, lol to you!)
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? : growing up! 😉 I was born in 90. Okay or probably music. I love counting crows and the wallflowers.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? : I’m still working on it, but I like to use navy or purple on my brown eyes.
5. What color describes your mood today? : A little aggrivated but I am also excited, for two different reasons. lol.
6. Do you have a mentor? : no.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? : well I get up at 630 every morning and make my hubbys lunch for work, then go back to sleep then when I wake up again I get my son up for the day.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? : oh yes.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? : makeup! I am still working at it.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? : yea I’m sure we have.
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Nope. We got snowed in.
2. How did you meet your best friend? Freshman year of high school, during the school musical.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? Not much. Maybe being in high school, sometimes I miss that.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? They look awesome but I’m not great at them.
5. What color describes your mood today? Dark blue. Taciturn.
6. Do you have a mentor? Yes.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Whined.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? No.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Knitting.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Yup!
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Oh, yes–on Amazon! I swear, Amazon is the best ever for Christmas shopping for a large list of people!
2. How did you meet your best friend? Its funny–my super-mom best friend is NOTHING like the scary, will-cut-a-b**** girl I met at 18. We actually became friends because I was afraid of her–I was fresh off the farm in a new town for college!
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? Ha-ha–the body I had then! Pre-baby, I was HOTTTTT!
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? Usually a mix of bronzy browns, or if I’m feeling adventurous, purples! I’m still scared of going any darker than that!
5. What color describes your mood today? I totally can’t come up with an answer for this! Perhaps because my mood has already changed 48x today. So…rainbow? And not in a puppies and unicorns kind of rainbow way…
6. Do you have a mentor? Absolutely–both personally and professionally!
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Yelled at the damn cats! In my defense, it was because I was awoken by those monsters knocking the cup of water from my nightstand onto my head at a little after 4 this morning!
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? Nope!
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Sports of really any kind! I’m hopeless, but have so much fun jumping into a soccer/football/etc game with the neighborhood kids and having them laugh at me!
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? I’m in MD, and while we get snow, we don’t tend to get a lot of it. With that being said, I can recall only a few Christmases with snow on the ground, but none when it actually snowed on Christmas Day. I really wish it would, though!
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
Nope. Haven’t started yet. Yikes!
2. How did you meet your best friend?
I met my two oldest best friends back in middle school. My husband I met when I worked at his company one summer during college. Through him I got to be close with his older sister. Then a few years ago, random cats literally started showing up on my doorstep. 🙂
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
The carefree life of being in college without having grown-up resposibilities.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
I’m not an expert at smokey eyes, but for me it includes black liner, mascara and purple shadow on my lids.
5. What color describes your mood today?
Gray, black…feeling kind of headache-y and grumpy. Glad it’s a short week for me. Looking forward to taking some time off during the holidays.
6. Do you have a mentor?
Not really, but I do have close family members that are good with giving advice.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
Hit the snooze button, as usual. Mingy was in fine form this morning meowing and jumping on and off the bed. Then he managed to find some plastic bags. I really wanted that extra five minutes of sleep, but he wasn’t letting me have it!
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
Thankfully, no.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
Painting my nails. I always make a mess, but I found a small brush to do cleanup afterwards.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
Yep, too many to count! If I ever win the lottery, I’m flying my whole family somewhere warm.
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Yes! We had our first Christmas, and I needed to pick up a couple of things. My husband’s family did their Christmas last night. It wasn’t a madhouse, but it was definitely busy.
2. How did you meet your best friend? Elementary school, Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 6th grade. For the bff’s I’ve met as an adult, they were either my neighbors or the moms of my kids’ friends.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? A good economy, falling in love with the husband, the simple life I used to lead.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? I like a purple smokey eye, or an olive green one.
5. What color describes your mood today? Yellow, my heart is healing from the loss of a best friend, and yellow is a healing color for me.
6. Do you have a mentor? No.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Stretched, my back was killing me from sleeping for 8 hours, anything more than 7 hours and my back hurts, so I had to stretch it out.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? No, thank God!
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Singing! Oh I’m the worst singer, but I’m always busting out with a song, because I love to do it!
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? No, I live in Central California, no snow for me. But that’s fine, I think snow is beautiful, but I don’t like it that cold!
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Nope. I still have a couple more things to buy. I think I’ll do that today.
2. How did you meet your best friend? I don’t currently have a best friend. Who wants the slot?! I’m accepting applications. 😉
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? Gosh, probably the hip hop/pop music. It was so great in the early to mid-’90s. Remember that Wayo song? “Boom boom boom, let me hear you say wayo. WAYO!”
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? They’re great.
5. What color describes your mood today? What’s the color of sleepiness? I’m currently that color.
6. Do you have a mentor? Nah, but that would be cool.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Griped that I woke up with a song stuck in my head. I’d tell you what it was but I’ve luckily finally forgotten it–and I want to keep it that way.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? Nope!
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Singing. I LOVE singing. I wish I was good! I’m going to karaoke next week.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Almost all of them are snowy. I’ve only ever lived in the northern US. I’m over it.
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Nope, I did all my holiday shopping already! And I am SO glad 🙂
2. How did you meet your best friend? Right after I left my mother’s womb. Seriously. She was born 6 days before me, and our moms were close friends. So the moment I was born, I got introduced to my bestie, who now after 26 years still is my BFF!
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? The music.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? Love them! Classic dark smokey eyes, neutral shades, bold shades, it’s all good, as long as it’s smokey.
5. What color describes your mood today? Green. Yellow for the part of me that’s happy with just life in general and blue for the part of me that’s not feeling so happy about work right now.
6. Do you have a mentor? Nope.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Walk over to the bathroom and start getting ready for work.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? No. Does that really happen to people?
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Singing.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Oh yeah, often 🙂
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Not at all! Need to work on that…
2. How did you meet your best friend? We went to school together since elementary, became BFFs in 6th grade, and bonded over a mutual love of bunnies.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? Not a lot, middle school sucked!
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? I’m not big into smoky eyes – don’t like dark colors on me!
5. What color describes your mood today? What’s the color for lazy?
6. Do you have a mentor? Yes, one of the professors I work for. She’s a little crazy, but all creativity researchers kind of are…
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Ate a bowl of Kix.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? no!
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Singing and dancing!
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Most of them! I grew up in Northern Michigan. It was single digit temps on my walk to work this morning, what bull!
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
Yes. But still have more to do.
2. How did you meet your best friend?
We were in a class together in college.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
Not sure I miss the 90’s…
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
Gold on inner corners, bronze on the rest of the lid and crease. Black liner.
5. What color describes your mood today?
mauve
6. Do you have a mentor?
No, but I’d like one.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
the alarm clock.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
NO.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
Most things. But lately it’s knitting.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
I used to live in Buffalo, NY — so yes, I’ve had snowy X-Mas-es — and we were snowed in 3 years ago in NYC at the in-laws. Snow is over-rated. It’s fun for about 10 minutes, then it’s cold and in the way. I wish I could spend Christmas in San Diego. Bah humbug! LOL!
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
Just today. While hubby was at the doctor’s I walked to Peet’s (they are rare here in Boston so a rare treat!) to get the FIL his last gift.
2. How did you meet your best friend?
Hubby and I met by working in the same town while in HS. My friends from that time period are still my friends 19+ years later. Love!
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
(the dream of the 90s is alive in Portland -Portlandia.
I miss life without cell phones. We had Internet, yes but land lines only. My first cell in 1999 was a candy bar style Nokia and paid for by work $11/month. I miss the 90s every day. People were nicer and less bitter then).
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
Lately it’s a dark navy in a shadow that’s a nice natural brand from a local spa (win!)
5. What color describes your mood today?
RED. I slipped on the ice and no one stopped to help. My office cube wall came crashing down and well it’s red since I’m wearing my world series (go BOSTON!!) shirt today with a cute scarf. #humanity #caseOfMondays
6. Do you have a mentor? I do. Several of them. I’m applying to PhD programs in January (while working full time, yes) so they are important. I myself am a Mentor at Babson College’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
Stumbled out of bed. Walked down to the middle level (we have 4 small levels in our 1400 sq ft home) and let the cat up (Maximus) hungry tuxedo tabby.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? Yep, in October I ended up in the ER. 🙁 I’m okay now.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Ice skating! I prefer x-country skiing which I rock at.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Many in my 37 years living in New England but statistically speaking a white Christmas is rare. Normally we get 5 months of snow but no snow for Christmas. This year 6″ over the weekend and more tomorrow so we’re set. (chestnuts roasting by the fire….)
Hope you (and Tabs) are well! Be careful on the ice you East Coast gals!!!!!!!!!!!
I look forward the Monday polls now!! So let’s start! 😀
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
Yes just a few things to make me happy. Candles, shower gels and a few more personal care items.
2. How did you meet your best friend?
At work. He’s my husband now 🙂
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
🙁 my dad.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
mostly black, with a nice bottom lashline smudge.
5. What color describes your mood today?
pinkish red lol
6. Do you have a mentor?
hmm I don’t think so
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
I answered “you look amazing darling” to my husband’s question “how do I look in my suit today?” lol
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
Never.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
Dealing with difficult people 😉
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
What’s that? 😛
Oh I haven’t done one of these in a while!
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Yes, online shopping and in person – go me!
2. How did you meet your best friend? In grade 5 she moved to my school and we’ve been besties ever since.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? The Spice Girls.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? Liner on the top and bottom, usually kohl pencil, and various shades of grey/black smudged around the crease. It’s not very tidy, I tend to aim for the undone smoky eye.
5. What color describes your mood today? Red.. full of holiday cheer!
6. Do you have a mentor? I don’t think so.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Checked my snapchats..
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? I think so but I can’t recall when or why.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Singing ha! My poor friends and family get to listen to it and we all know I’m not talented in that area.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Always, I’m in Toronto so white Christmases are a given.
Enjoy your Monday Karen & Tabs!
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Sort of, on Friday I got my hair stylist a BE duel Ready Bronzer and a cute pack of mini brushes in a silver pack from BE also. I really don’t buy for anyone else anymore. Oh, and my new manicurist is getting the LORAC Pewter Eye shadow and liner from Sephora along with her tip.
2. How did you meet your best friend? Since I don’t really have one I’ll say El Hub too and we met at our beach, Camp Osborn (it totally burned down during Sandy UGH…)
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? My figure/face LOL
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? Black liner, dark brown shadow, followed by a bronzish shade, followed by a creamish color on the brow bone. (sometimes I’ll switch out the brown/bronze and use grey/pewter)
5. What color describes your mood today? Is Sparkley a color? LOL I’m wearing grey and black but I’m feelin’ pretty sparkley.
6. Do you have a mentor? Not really but I wish I did. I used to hang out with a group of ladies and two of them are “all that and a bag o’ chips” to me. They’ve been great help over the years and I wish I saw more of them these days. Alas, we are all getting more and more busy with less time for play. I also think part of my problem is I’m young at heart so my friend are mostly younger than me so I’m the one mentoring. LOL
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Checked to see if it was really time to get up; because, I was up ALL night long. LOL
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? I’m sure it has but I was younger then so it was short and unimpressive, and I was probably drunk so I forgot most of it. LOL I hope it doesn’t again anytime soon. (cause I’m older and I HOPE a little smarter now.)
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? yoga
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? East Coast, Tri-state area, all my life – MEGA SNOW. (and I still hate it)
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Some books for the boys and a couple of other little things. I also did a bit of online shopping and a movie gift card (while we were at the movies, watching The Hobbit). Totally agree about people being out this time of year. I sometimes want to ask if they mind me living in a world that was made to revolve around them. Painful.
2. How did you meet your best friend? I met a couple in my Kindergarten class, one waiting in line for the bus to swimming lessons and one playing summer softball in grade school.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? Definitely the freedom and lack of living expenses. 🙂
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? Abject horror at the idea of attempting them?
5. What color describes your mood today? I’m ashamed to admit, it’s grey. 🙁
6. Do you have a mentor? No, and one of my major flaws is that I hate criticism so I’d be a nightmare for any mentor.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Also, hit snooze! HAHA! Then, hopped in the shower.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? No, the present has slowed down in a very strange way and I’ve been in shock, but the past has never flashed.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Singing, for sure. Loudly, in the car, along to the radio is my specialty. 🙂
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Almost every one, sistah! If it’s going to be cold, there had better be snow!
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Nope. All done already.
2. How did you meet your best friend? In middle school. She was very shy and I was very outgoing and I made her laugh all the time to help her come out of her shell. It worked.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? Being a kid.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? Sultry, sexy, very blended.
5. What color describes your mood today? Christmas sparkling red.
6. Do you have a mentor? I wanna say no.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Go take a shower.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? I wanna say no there as well. But if it ever does I’m pretty sure it’s not good news.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? My nails.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Oh yea, when I was little. It’s over now, with global warming and all…
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
Not much, and it was all online! We have some last-minute shopping to get done this week. Sigh, to think back to October and my grand plans to be done with Christmas shopping by Nov. 1…
2. How did you meet your best friend?
I have a couple, whom I’ve met in a variety of ways – hanging out in the halls at the community college I went to, being randomly-assigned roommates, a my-brother-knows-your-sister situation, doing music… it’s a beautiful tapestry. Love my wonderful friends!
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
my innocence? 🙂 Or bell bottom jeans coming into fashion! man, I was so excited about that at the time. I also miss my then-undying-love of NSYNC.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
as simple as possible! And usually not black – it closes off my eyes too much. golds, taupes, and browns are colors I can handle.
5. What color describes your mood today?
blue, maybe? like a rich kind of blue… sapphire-like. or gold. heck. both! Why not.
6. Do you have a mentor?
Not really… I have a couple people in my life who give me good advice, but they’re more mom-types than mentors.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
hit the snooze button and cuddled!
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
don’t think so.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
hmmm… cooking, maybe? or playing piano. that second one is slowly (oh-so-very-slowly) improving. Someday I’ll be awesome at it. 🙂
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
yep, a few times! I didn’t have many growing up, since the Seattle area doesn’t get a LOT of snow, but now I go to upstate NY every other year, and that’s often snowy! I kind of love it. 🙂
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? – Not really, I worked all weekend.
2. How did you meet your best friend? – I’ve always had a quite a few (and have currently, as well!) I met my hometown BFFs during childhood and got tight with them in late middle school (and post-college, they’re still the 4 I hang with most now!). College BFFs, self-explanatory and 3 of them, we met in our freshmen dorm and we were just always really tight after that! We’re a bit more spread out since graduation, but stay in touch always. And then I have made 1 or 2 really close new friends since I finished college, 1 through a mutual acquaintance and the other through work.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? – I was born in 1990, so the 90s were my early childhood. And I do remember the tail-end of that decade! Probably the cute fashion- fun geometric prints in all colors, and I loved seeing the midriff-baring as well, even though I was way too young for that! And the TV shows and music were so great!
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? – A dark or medium brown in the crease, any ole color on the lid (I seriously jump from taupe one day, to purple the next, to a pop of green after that- they all look so good with brown), and then either a black or dark brown slightly-smudged cateye liner on the top lid, bringing it down to the outer corners of the bottom lid. And a bit of highlighter on the browbone, a champagne liner on the lower waterline, with as much mascara as I’ve got time for 🙂 That’s my go-to smokey!
5. What color describes your mood today? – Peridot! That appley-green, full of life and sparkle.
6. Do you have a mentor? – No, haven’t got one! That’s an interesting relationship, that is… a person who may not be the closest or most intimate of friends, but will give you deep and honest counsel/advice whenever you need it.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? – Scowled. I was pissed; it was my day off and my mom called me early to ask me a favor. I would have liked to sleep in… ah well.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? – More than once. I don’t even realize it’s happened until it’s over, because it really is just a flash. Of course, it tends to happen during dire circumstances, so it’s rare enough.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? – Ballet. Love love LOVE dance of all types- I don’t have much natural dancer in me, but I absolutely love to do it, and I’ve heard so many times that genuine hard work will always beat out god-given talent. When I put the work in, I do improve at ballet especially.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? – Every Christmas 🙂 This year, we’ve got oodles more snow than usual. I actually went skiing for a couple of hours today, and it was absolutely gorgeous! All white and literally sparkling, all over the hills and trees. I like dipping off the groomed, central parts of the hills and sliding through the powder by the trees. It’s an amazing feeling.
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
~Just for my husband’s birthday – other than that, nope! I have a hard time figuring out the perfect gifts and don’t like to get my family just anything or just a gift card.
2. How did you meet your best friend?
~I met her when I was in kindergarten and she was in first grade (we are 2 years apart but she was held back because of her birthday). We don’t talk as much as we used to because of being busy with different things, but she is always on my mind.
My hubby is my other BFF – we met at work but didn’t actually get together or be on each other’s radar until years later. He is the one who supports me no matter what and we have been through good and bad things together.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
~Hmmmm…I was a kid then so training horses all the time and not worrying about the really tough stuff yet.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
~I love a purple smokey eye to complement the green in my hazel eyes, or a silvery gray smokey look. Black smokey eyes are a little harsh on me, especially when my skin is winter pale. In the summer with a tan I like to do bronze/gold smokey eyes for evenings out.
5. What color describes your mood today?
~Gray. Kind of neutral, it’s cloudy and cold here, and I don’t feel like doing much of anything. I started bodybuilding again this morning with a tough upper body workout, so that is the highlight of today.
6. Do you have a mentor?
~Not one that I talk to like all the time about everything, unless you count my husband. I have relatives in my field that I talk to a lot about my field of work, and they understand the good and bad of my chosen field.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
~Put on workout clothes and headed downstairs to do my bodybuilding workout since I have a stress fracture in my leg and can’t run for another few weeks yet (that is absolutely killing me since I love running and can’t do it). It’s going to be bodybuilding and abs for a little while, but that’s not a bad thing.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
~Yep, on 2 occasions, it really does make you appreciate life more. My running joke is that God likes to let me learn things the hard way – but at my age now I don’t see it as such a bad thing. It means I can be a mentor to someone who is going through some tough stuff and it also means that I will be more helpful and empathetic with victims in my line of work.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
~I’m a terrible dancer (can’t dance or do anything like that to save a life), but I enjoy it.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
~Yep! We get them about every other year here in Maryland. We’ve already gotten 3 snow days so far this year with more snow than expected for one of them. Not sure if we will have a white Christmas this year but I wouldn’t mind 🙂
Here goes:
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
Nope, because my shopping is finished!
2. How did you meet your best friend?
We met in honors English class in 8th grade, and reconnected when I joined the church of which she is a long-time member.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
The right side of my brain! I had a bad stroke on January 1, 2001, and have been a one-handed typist in a wheelchair ever since.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
A medium (shimmery or matte) shade of grey, brown, or taupe on the lids and along lower lash line; a matte deeper version of the lid color in creases and on outer corners; a shimmery pale highlight shade in inner corners and on browbones; then blend, blend, blend with a wide flat blending brush; thin line of black, dark brown or plum cake liner along upper lash lines; black mascara on upper lashes; plum or black mascara on lower lashes. Rebel that I am, I *never* do nude or even sheer lips with a smokey eye. On lips, I always go bold, or go home! 🙂
5. What color describes your mood today? I guess purple – not jolly festive red, but not really blue, either.
6. Do you have a mentor? Nope.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Petted my 14-year-old calico; she was lying on my chest.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Singing – I can carry a tune, but that’s about it.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Not really – one year when I was in grade school, there were patches of snow still on the ground on Christmas Day, but that’s generally about as “snowy” as it gets here in the Dallas area.
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? No Ma’am.
2. How did you meet your best friend? We worked together in high school and 8 years later we are still just as close!
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? Hmm…a lot of things. I liked the music, the “style” or lack of, and even the horrible makeup trends. Metallic lips, anyone?!
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? I have small eyes so I generally stay away from a dark smokey eye involving black/charcoal. I like a bronze and gold smokey eye, it works better for me.
5. What color describes your mood today? Grey
6. Do you have a mentor? Not that I can think of.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? I ate a piece of King Cake – unhealthy but so great.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? No.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Hm…I enjoy taking math courses. It’s not my greatest subject but I still enjoy it through the struggle.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Almost all of my Christmas’s have been snowy. 🙂
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Yes!
2. How did you meet your best friend? We were together in school.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? Grunge music!
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? Usually, different shades of cool toned brown. Sometimes some dark green or plum! It all has to be blended well and really blurry 🙂
5. What color describes your mood today? Purple
6. Do you have a mentor? Nope!
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? I turned over because it was extremely early and I had had a bad night of trouble-sleeping, again!
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? No!
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Playing video games. Actually I’m quite good at them when the level is set low… haha
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Yes, most of my Christmas days have been snowy, here in north-western France.
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
I did some holiday shopping for myself LOL. I accidentally shrunk 3 pairs of jeans in the drier last week, so I was in need of new jeans fast! Going to the mall this close to Christmas was kind of crazy, but I bought some stuff at LUSH to brighten my day. =)
2. How did you meet your best friend?
We met online first, started chatting daily, and then met in person a month later. He’s now my husband. <3
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
The freedom of being a kid! I miss having so much free time!
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
I actually don't think I've ever done a smokey eye before. One of my friends attempted to give me the smokey eye look, and I kind of looked like a vampire, so I've been afraid to try it ever since!
5. What color describes your mood today?
Hmmm…red? I'm in the holiday spirit!
6. Do you have a mentor?
No, I don't.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
Gave my dogs a hug.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
Yes, unfortunately. I've been in 2 car accidents, and both times, I thought my life was about to end.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
Drawing, I guess? I mean, I'm not bad, but I need to practice more to improve.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
I think it snowed last year on Christmas, if I remember correctly.
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
Yes! (and got some presents for myself…)
2. How did you meet your best friend?
In college. He lived a floor below me, but it wasn’t until I was going through a breakup and showed up at his door sobbing that we became best friends.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
Saved by the Bell and good rock music
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
Ugh I went to a xmas party Friday and tried to a quick smokey eye and it came out so bad. Lots of fallout on already foundation-ed skin. I looked racoon-ish. I rarely attempt them and it showed. I usually stick to my winged liner and heavy mascara.
5. What color describes your mood today?
Navy blue. I just knit a deep blue infinity scarf and wore it for the first time today so maybe that’s why.
6. Do you have a mentor?
Nope
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
Climb down the ladder from my loft.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
Nope
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
Karaoke and dancing.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
Yes! A couple years ago in CT. Hoping for another one.
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? A bit, to Ikea for frames. It wasn’t too bad, except for the freeway traffic coming home!
2. How did you meet your best friend? We were in choir in high school together. She hated me at first. 🙂 We’ve been friends for 16 years now!
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? A carefree childhood.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? Usually greens or bronzey, with water and tightline done cuz otherwise it looks weird with my naturally blonde eyelashes. You can only get so close to the roots with mascara, the eyeliner helps fill in the rest.
5. What color describes your mood today? Orange maybe? I’m on high alert getting stuff done at work and at home for the holidays.
6. Do you have a mentor? I did in college, he was awesome. I guess you can say my mom is my life mentor. 🙂
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Hit the snooze button too!
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? Yup, when we had to make an emergency landing when I was flying to London. I was making peace with my maker, I was so freaked out. And I’ve been flying since I was a baby, so not much gets me anymore!
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Graphic design.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Not that I can remember. One year I’ve promised myself I’ll spend Christmas in Norway with that side of the family!
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Yep, but it was only for me ! I’m all done with presents for friends and family – just have to wrap them.
2. How did you meet your best friend? On her front porch, across the street from my house, when I was seven and she was eight – nearly 40 years ago !
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? Seeing Pearl Jam live with my 90s boyfriend – married someone else, divorced now, but still think about him ! The one that got away…
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? Either black/gray/silver or bronze/taupe/gold with blackest black eyeliner and mascara. Only a nighttime look for me – too heavy for day, but I don’t go out much in the daytime anyway – I must be a Makeup Vampire.
5. What color describes your mood today? Elated ! I’m adopting a new doggie !
6. Do you have a mentor? I did, and he guided me through my education and career – couldn’t have done it without him.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Made coffee – half Colombian and half decaf Hazelnut – Yum !
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? No, not yet, at least, and I hope it never does.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Playing softball – I can’t really bat or throw or catch but I love to try !
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Just about every year as I live in the Northeast and we typically have snow in December. There’s some on the ground right now !
Sorry – for Question Five – “Elated” is a bright, bright turquoise blue !
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
– Yes, I had to wait till Sunday to go because we had a huge snow storm on Saturday when I wanted to go.
2. How did you meet your best friend?
– At my last job. We were hired around the same time, and she and I connected through our love of books, movies, music and so much more. She was my maid of honor, and will continue to be my best friend for as long as she will have me 🙂
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
– Nickelodeon… 🙁
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
– Either a brown or silver base, taupeish color on the crease, black in the outer corner, highlight on the brow bone, smudged black liner on lash line and waterline, sometimes false lashes, and TONS of mascara!
5. What color describes your mood today?
– I guess green?
6. Do you have a mentor?
– Yes I have several! Most notably my father who is my biggest mentor. I can go to him for advice on almost everything, and he has taught me so much about life and business.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
– Hit the snooze button and snuggled my kitty.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
– No, thankfully!
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
– Singing
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
– Almost every year! I live in Ohio so yeah our winter’s suck!
Thanks for the poll! Love them <3
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
Nope. I’m the worst.. I’m definitely, an-hour-before-the-mall-closes-Christmas-eve-shopper. Every year!
2. How did you meet your best friend?
Freshman year of high school, I was new and running late to class. She was too. We ended up being even later than we intended because we just got to talking. The rest is history!
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
I was born in 1990 so I don’t remember too much. I definitely have to say music though. My parents would always have something good on.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
Any of the dark browns in the naked/naked 2 palettes smoked out all over the lid, the gold color as a pop in the center, lots of eyeliner and lashes! My go to whenever I go out!
5. What color describes your mood today?
Lazy. But a good lazy 🙂
6. Do you have a mentor?
No
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
Texted my boyfriend. I’m on vacation and the time difference is so crazy.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
Nope.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
Singing! Ain’t no shame in my game!
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
Yes. I’ve lived in Japan and Germany where it would snow during the winter. Honestly, not a fan. Too much of an island girl 🙂
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Yes, a little. I’m not buying very much this year, but I picked up the last of it.
2. How did you meet your best friend? Work.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? The simplicity of life, no cellphones and minimal internet. College radio.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? I don’t do them.
5. What color describes your mood today? Yellow? I’m calm and happy.
6. Do you have a mentor? I did in the past, but not at the moment. I wish I did.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Made coffee.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? I don’t think so.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? Swimming.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Many, when I lived on the east coast, and a few years ago when visiting Colorado.
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend? Nope, I baked like a maniac
2. How did you meet your best friend? one through work and another through mutual friends
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s? note much since I was a very akward pre-teen :/
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes? Black
5. What color describes your mood today? red
6. Do you have a mentor? not really
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? snoozed curled deeper into my covers and then checked the time on my phone to see if it really was time to get up.. it was 🙁
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? not that I can recall
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway? draw. i can hardly draw a stick figure but I still try
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas? Yes! almost always. It does not look promising this year though… *sad*
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
No! I did all of my holiday shopping online and I’m extremely excited to say I’M DONE!
2. How did you meet your best friend?
Our moms were friends when we were little so we’ve known each other since we were two.
As for my other besties, I met Ben at work and my other BFFL, Alexa, in high school on our first day of study hall. I passed her a note.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
Being a kid 🙁
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
Bobbi Brown White shadow base, gray over the top, darker gray in the crease, liner and hella mascara.
5. What color describes your mood today?
Green.
6. Do you have a mentor?
Nope.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
Kissed Ben and got out of bed to take my dad and brother to the airport.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
When I found out I was pregnant.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
Driving.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
Yes, every Christmas until this one. I’m hoping next year will be snowy again!
A day late but I’m better late than never! I hope you have a good week and I also enjoy cat belly meat! It’s a delicacy 🙂 Ours is of the Himalayan variety.
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
Nope. Not unless you count online browsing.
2. How did you meet your best friend?
We met in kindergarten! We didn’t become best friends until we got old enough to walk home from school and happened to walk in the same direction. My other close friends are people I’ve lived with–like in college.
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
All the cartoons and the shows. And how stress-free it was. I loved to read too but I’m still doing that now. =)
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
I actually really like purple/burgundy for smokey eyes. My second choice is taupe/browns. I don’t really have a go-to method for smokey eyes–just whatever feels right.
5. What color describes your mood today?
Hmm…blue. Not like, oh…I’m feeling blue. But the kind of blue where things are alright. Peaceful.
6. Do you have a mentor?
Hmm…not a professional one. I do have a circle of people I ask for advice from. It would be cool to have an official mentor. I wonder how people go about finding one?
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
Wash my face.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
Hmm…I’ve had a couple close calls if that’s what you mean. Mostly driving-related.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
Cooking. I like to do it but not when I’m on time constraints or deadlines. I love the smells, the process, the transformation, and trying to understand it.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
Nope.
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
Nope! We were proper snowed in. We went out to dinner Friday night and I didn’t leave my house again until I went to work Monday morning.
2. How did you meet your best friend?
In gym in first grade!
3. What do you miss most about the ’90s?
Amazing Nickelodian game shows. They’re still watchable today.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
Black mascara/eyeliner, deep mauve in the crease/outer corner, gold on lids.
5. What color describes your mood today?
A hazy gray; I’m super tired!
6. Do you have a mentor?
Nope, but I wish I did. Not really sure how those relationships are cultivated.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
Turned off my alarm and hopped out of bed. I am NOT a believer in the snooze button.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
Nope. Even the moments I’ve felt really truly in danger (driving in bad weather, homeless man chasing me on a train platform), I was always too “in the moment” to think about past life events.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
Dancing! I’m a terrible dancer but I love dancing in my living room or at a bar with music.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
More times than not– fingers crossed for one this year. Odds are looking pretty good!
1. Did you do any holiday shopping last weekend?
Yes, I went to the mall to pick up my last round of presents.
2. How did you meet your best friend?
At school, we were in a few classes together. Then we became debate partners, and got to know each other really well.
4. What’s your typical take on smokey eyes?
Dark grey on the lid, almost black thick cat eye eyeliner, and a little white on the brow bone.
5. What color describes your mood today?
Light blue
6. Do you have a mentor?
Kind of.
7. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up this morning?
Eat. I had potato and leek soup.
8. Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?
Nope.
9. What’s something you aren’t very good at but enjoy doing anyway?
Drawing.
10. Have you ever had a snowy Christmas?
No, but I might this year.