You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”
Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
- Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
When Tabs isn’t running my life like a little dictator, my sweet tooth is.I have noticed, though, that over the past few years some of the sweet things I used to ravenously crave, like Reese’s Pieces and Ghirardelli milk chocolate, don’t light my fire the way they used to. Now they taste almost too sweet for me.
I think I’m gradually turning into one of those peeps (mmm…peeps) who likes a little salt with her sweets.
- Who’s been doing your brows these days?
To quote De La Soul, “It’s just me myself and I.” - What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
Surprisingly, for once, it had nothing at all to do with capri pants, haha.We talked about books. She just finished rereading The Great Gatsby (she’s on a classics kick), and I’m in the middle of Daughter of Smoke and Bone and loving every minute of it.
- This week I give myself permission to _____.
This week I give myself permission to take it easy because, note to self, not everything has to be difficult, Karen! - Have you ever fostered an animal?
No, not yet. I’d love to. I can definitely see myself fostering kitties someday, but my current employment contract stipulates that I not take on any additional jobs assisting other felines while I’m employed by Tabs… He’s spoiled and ferociously territorial. I’d be worried about bringing any other cats into this office environment.
Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____
5. Have you ever fostered an animal?
So, I’ve been on a Karl Lagerfeld quote kick lately (blame it on the sweatpants!), and the more of them I read, the more I’m convinced that hanging out with him would be simultaneously terrifying and fun.
Homeboy says some crazy sh*t! Some of it is just so ridiculous that I can’t help but laugh.
“When I was four I asked my mother for a valet for my birthday.”
But he also says some things that resonate with me…
“I’m never content with what I do. I live in a sort of permanent dissatisfaction. I think that’s the secret to doing things well.”
I don’t know about it being the secret to doing things well, but I can relate to the part about never being content with what I do.
Freakin’ Karl… I’d love to have coffee with him someday. I think a conversation with him would be wonderfully weird and inspiring.
And speaking of inspiration (and lame transitions, yes), here are some things I’ve been liking lately…
- Celebrity makeup artist Monika Blunder’s YouTube vids. I watched a bunch of them on the treadmill last Friday during my long run for the week. She’s worked with Megan Fox, Rosie Huntington-Whitley and Jessica Alba, among others. Her vids are really easy to follow, and I love her accent (although I’m not sure what it is).
- Butter London makeup artist and manicurist Katie Jane Hughes on Instagram. I dig her FOTDs. Her style is accessible with a bit of an edge.
- These cat eye glasses by Vogue Eyewear. I need new specs and am totally lusting over these frames. What do you think — black or brown?
I hope you have a wonderful Monday, babe, and a great week. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet? Spicy. But good spicy, not Hot Cheetos spicy. Spicy with flavor, not just hot.
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days? Sadly, nobody. They are in some serious need of doing, I just don’t have the desire. Bad Stef!
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about? I keep sending her son super noisy toys that she’s not fond of. But I think it’s hilarious!
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____ Take a deep breath and enjoy it.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? No! My brother fostered kittens and ended up keeping them, because you fall in love with animals and it’s hard to give them up. My MIL fostered puppies and her house got super stinky, puppies everywhere. She did a lot of good, but at a cost.
LOL, Stephanie! Can’t say that I’m a fan of Hot Cheetos, either. Gimme old school Cheetos any day!
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet? Sweet! I live for desserts 🙂
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days? Moi!
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about? Beggars.
4. This week,I give myself permission to get a hair cut.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? No. But if I were rich I’d foster a whole zoo.
Me too! I would set up a cat sanctuary. Actually El Hub and I have already talked about this in great detail, LOL!
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet? A mix of sweet and salt is my melody
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days? Nothing at all – had the flu and makeup has not been a priority – not at all…
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about? Sea food. We have a shellfish date coming up. We meet up and eat lobster and sometimes we buy a big box of mixed shellfish and go bananas. The best type of bff-date for us
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____ relax, and not work overtime! (we will see how that works out…)
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? No, from “childhood”
Happy Monday!
Now I read the brow question again and actually understood it, haha. I ALWAYS do my own brows
Happy Monday to you too, Petra! Your shellfish date with your BFF sounds FUN. I vote for a crab-fest. Mmm…crab!
I hope you had a lovely weekend. Did you do anything fun?
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet? Dessert, always, but spicy food as well!
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days? I need to color them this evening so I don’t look washed out…
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about? Me moving back to Germany and trying to find an apartment and her black kitty 4.5 months).
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____ have fun and enjoy life.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? Nope.
Hi Daniela,
Where are you currently living now! That sounds like a big move.
I’m in London and I will move bec of the job. On the one hand I’m sad to leave this great city but on the other hand I’m looking forward to be closer to friends and family again.
London is AMAZING. I visited once and would love to go back. I hope that you enjoyed your time living and working there. Will you be doing the same type of work when you return home?
Yes, it will be with the same company again. So the changes won’t be so big. And I will definitely come back for tourist things and shopping 🙂
Have you been to Germany ‘
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet? Spicy, hands down!!
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days? Moi, of course
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about? her daughter’s baby
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____ hmmm, you stumped me with that one.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? no but a nice idea
Hi Allison,
Thanks for filling out the poll! Did you have a nice weekend?
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet? If I absolutely had to choose, I guess it would be spicy, but all of these flavors are best when mixed together. I’ve had a similar experience with sweets, btw. I don’t know if my palate has changed of they’re just sweeter these days, but the last time I had Reece’s PB cups they were way too sweet and not salty enough, and not nearly as satisfying as I remembered them to be.
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days? I always do them myself, they have a naturally nice shape so I just pluck the strays and fill in with a brow pencil.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about? Our animals.
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____ just take care of myself. I’ve been having terrible anxiety and panic attacks, so I need to pay attention and manage that.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? Yes, many times. All of my animals are rescues, two cats and a dog. I am very grateful to the person who fostered my dog before I adopted her, she saved her life! I don’t have a lot of money to give to animal rescue groups, but I contribute by volunteering and fostering, it really is the difference between life and death for many shelter animals. The last dog I fostered found an amazing home with a family who adores him, he gets to go to the beach almost daily. It was really nice to be able to tell them about him, to be sure they would be a good match.
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?: Salty and spicy. I very rarely crave sweet things.
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?: Just me!
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?: HGTV, probably. That channel is addicting.
4. This week, I give myself permission to _____: Relax and not stress out too much over school. However, that’s not an excuse to blow off my homework.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal?: No, I haven’t. It’s a lovely idea, though.
Oh, and by the way, Monika Blunder is from Austria. I have family from Austria, and they all have accents like that when they speak English. 🙂
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
I have a major sweet tooth, but sometimes I have cravings for spicy and salty foods.
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
Me and my tweezers. When they get really out hand, I get them threaded.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
It’s actually been a while, but she wished me happy birthday.
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____
Relax. We were on vacation last week, so I’m still in beach mode. 🙂
5. Have you ever fostered an animal?
Yes, although it was unexpected. Two years ago, my husband found a stray kitten in the boiler/mechanical room at his work. We brought him home in a cardboard box. He had a bad respiratory infection and it took a couple of rounds of antibiotics to get him healthy enough to get neutered. He was living with a family member down the street, but several months ago he got lost. It’s something that still makes me sad.
Unfortunately, Mingus didn’t react well to the fostering and we had to spend a couple of months getting him back on track with regard to terriortial marking, etc.
I would LOVE to foster more cats/kittens, but I would worry about Mingus and Ella reacting badly.
In the meantime, check out the user “foster_kittens” in Instragram. So much cuteness! 🙂
Happy Monday!
Happy Monday! 🙂 I actually wore jeans today because of Karl, darn him! HAHA! You know, I’m generally the 2nd coming of Johnny Cash with my love of black but, I think I might go with brown on the glasses. Thicker black rims can look harsh. But I’d really need to see pics of you in both to give a definite answer.
What did she think of the Great Gatsby? I’m always interested in people’s opinions because I so strongly dislike Daisy that it clouds my feelings about the book and the movies.
Sorry for such a long intro. To the list!
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet? Salty AND spicy. 🙂
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days? Like you, just me.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about? Her run in with a fox this AM.
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____. No permissions this week. It’s time to buckle down with everything. I’ve been lax in a lot of areas and need to tighten up. I guess I give myself permission to accept my own tough love! 🙂
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? If by “foster” you mean take in an animal that needs a home and then have it forever and end up with 4 cats, Crazy. Then, yes. We’ve never been a temporary home, though.
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
I love sweet food, however I don’t like it to be too sweet, now I can’t eat things that are too salty/sweet/spicy because I can’t really stand them.
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
Only me, I’m afraid someone will over plucked them and two SAs have complimented them.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
About my Saturday adventure in the club >.<
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____
To be relax and don't get nervous about my certification in English test.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal?
I haven't, your nephew Max was gifted to us but in really bad conditions (he was only 2-3 months) so we took a lot of care of him.
Karen today is a Mexico's celebration so today and tomorrow is holiday for me (for most of the people only tomorrow) so I'll study for my test, eat A LOT of Mexican dishes and get updated in the blogs I read.
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
I have a sweet tooth. Enough said.
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
Other than myself I don’t think I can convince any professional to even come near the magic carpet floating above my eyes.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF texted or talked about?
A boy we’ve been crushing on for the past year and a half. We simply can’t get over him.
4. This week I give myself permission to_____?
……work my bottom off until I have no bottom.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal?
No. *sad face* But I see myself with a puppy in the near future. Or maybe a Goldfish.
Such a cute, laid back post for a lazy Monday.
Karen!
I got the pro longwear concealer on your recommendation and covered it in a makeup sponge for protection ^_^
First impressions are good, we’ll see how it goes from here.
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet? Sweet!
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days? Me, myself, and I.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about? I just started student teaching, so I sent that one of my students asked if the school could keep me forever! 🙂
4. This week, I give myself permission to take a nap.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? No, and I probably wont since I have a lot of pet allergies.
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet? Depending on the food, I could say all three, although sweet can be a bit OVERLY-sweet to my tastebuds. I was the gal who didn’t like spicy about 5yrs ago, but recently, I’ve been loving the low-level spicy!!
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days? uh, NO ONE (not even ME!!)…they are a HOT mess and need some major overhaul!!! Please, no judging…..
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about? Kids, and Makeup….that’s normally the two most-talked-about topics with us…LOL!
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____ stay up late tonight (since I have to get up at 5am for work tomorrow) to watch DWTS!! SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK!!! Ask me tomorrow how that goes—LOL!!!
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? Nope….we’re pet-FREE at the moment.
It’s Superhero Walk for Hope week! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! So excited!
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
Salty or savory.
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
I have been doing them a little, but I still trust my Benefit Brow Girl, Katie, most.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
I don’t have a true BFF yet!
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____
Be truly creative with my look!
5. Have you ever fostered an animal?
No, it would be too hard on me. My heart would break when I had to give it away; I really bond to animals!
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet? Sweet
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days? My manicurist waxes them every six weeks or so, and I pluck the stray hairs in between, till they reach that unmanageable point.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
Her upcoming shoulder surgery.
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____ I’d like to say not feel guilty for not getting everything done, but who am I kidding?
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? No, things are too crazy at my house. Plus, I’d keep them all.
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
~I really like all 3. Love slightly spicy Korean BBQ with Sriracha hot sauce, and I am a sucker for anything salted caramel. Buffalo Wild Wings has a bbq sauce that is Salted Caramel and it’s surprisingly good and addictive.
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
~I do my own, whether it’s by plucking or one of the eyebrow shapers.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
~We don’t text every day but I am sure it was about her being in nursing school when she was in!
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____
~Relax when I get off work. I am working really hard at both work and in my workouts, and I’m putting in 12 to 16 hour days with both. It’s hard to relax when I am wired, but I need the down time.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal?
~I have not but I’d like to at some point in my life.
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
I like a nice balance, actually! Especially if ‘spicy’ is taken to mean ‘spice’ rather than just ‘heat’. 🙂
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
Just me. I’m kind of territorial about my brows, LOL!
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
Plans for the future! We’re both getting to that point in grad school where sh*t gets real, you know?
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____
Not blame myself as a complete failure for every minute setback. Bad habit, that! Easy to slip into, though.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal?
Nope! Not yet. Unless you count the assorted friends’ pets that have taken up residence on my lap or at my feet and refused to move, LOL!
I love kickstarts to the brain (except it’s late afternoon…oh well, I still love it).
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
ALL OF THE ABOVE–bc I’m greedy like that. I seldom like anything that is too sweet, or salty, or spicy–but I like combinations. And fragrant complex components (like the difference between sweetened mango sorbet and a super ripe mango).
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
ME! I think I over-tweezed last time so trying to let it grow out a bit. I’ve never had someone else do my brows before so I’ve been keeping an eye out for a nice pair of brows (and then asking where it’s been done).
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
About our other BFF! She just got married and we were lucky to be her bridesmaids!
4. This week, I give myself permission to not sweat the small stuff. I’ve been obsessing over tiny details lately (especially all the wedding-related stuff) and when little things go wrong–I feel like flying off the handle. Not Cool. Defeats the purpose too. So not sweating the small stuff.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? Nope. I don’t plan to either. Maybe some day in the future but I’m allergic to cats and the people in our household are hardly home during the day.
Those glasses are cute! Very cat lady appropriate!
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet? Sweet all the way! Definitely not spicy. I’m super sensitive to spicy foods.
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days? This girl, but I haven’t tweezed in probably half a year! Trying to grow them out, but I need to clean up a bit…
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about? Um, probably bunnies! We bonded in middle school over a mutual love of bunnies.
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____ sleep in as much as possible!
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? No, but I’d love to! I did find a tiny kitten in the parking lot of an apartment we used to live in and kept him for a few days over a holiday weekend until the shelter was open. He was all dirty and scabby, very little, wormy… I referred to him as TinyCat. I bawled when I surrendered him to the shelter, but it was not an option at the time. Zack is starting to sound open to the idea of another kitty…
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
Oh, sheesh…all of them. I dig really spicy Thai food, and my current obsession is this Sweet and Spicy Cajun trail mix that I’ve been getting at Aldi. If you were to twist my arm, though, sweet would probably win. While I could technically physically survive without chocolate, it would really, really suck.
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
Me! It’s always me. 🙂 A lot of people ask me how I shape and fill them in. I don’t do anything fancy, I’m just lucky enough to have a pretty good natural brow shape.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
We were just texting about different kinds of dip, haha. Everyone in her work is bringing in dip to share at lunch tomorrow. I’m kind of jealous!
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____
Not stress! I’m a little bit of a worrier, even (especially?) when it’s not helpful. It’s a habit that I’m trying to get over.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal?
No, I wish! We’ve decided that, since we’ve moved around a bit over the last couple of years, that we’ll wait until we’re in one place for good to make any decisions about pets. Especially since, for me, fostering an animal would basically mean me adopting that animal myself. I love just about every domesticated animal and would never be able to part with one that entered my home.
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
Spicy and salty! Not much of a seet addict. Don’t even like chocolate. 😛
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2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
Me, myself and I. But just because I don’t pluck them at all. Just clean around them. I like my brows full and with some pesronality, just the way they actually are! 😉
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3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
Oh.. about THE guy, of course! Hehehe…
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4. This week,I give myself permission to… SAY NO! (and it wasn’t as hard as I thought!) Just after reading this http://mashable.com/2014/09/10/how-to-say-no-to-anyone/
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5. Have you ever fostered an animal?
Yes, but just for a couple of days. It was a cat that somebody found in the parking lot, at work. The security guy called me because he knew I have cats.
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
Spicy–the hotter the better! Bring those chillis on!!!
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
Brows? What brows? Well, me, of course.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
The benefits of exercise!
4. This week,I give myself permission to … be outrageous. Oh, wait, I do that every week!
5. Have you ever fostered an animal?
Yes, and then adopted her. A ten-year-old Bichon Frise. After whom, we adopted another four from the BF rescue association. I love, love, love dogs. I’d have fifty if I could.
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet? – Sweeeet!
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days? – Me.. although they’re getting a little out of control. Scared to go back to a salon due to my last (excruciating) brow waxing, but I would like to get them reined in professionally, as long as I can trust the stylist.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about? – How to block someone on your phone! She was just saying a local number kept creepily calling her, and we both have iPhones and I had no idea you could just go to the call/contact and block the number! So useful for telemarketers and needy ex-boyfriends.
4. This week, I give myself permission to _____. – Rejuvenate, meditate, take some distance. I’ve been too close to my drama situations, staying up too late, and even having a glass of wine too many… need to get a little zen and shed the stress.
5. Have you ever fostered an animal? – My high school biology teacher would offer an extra credit program over Christmas Break to students if they took home an animal or two, took care of it, and brought it back. Wanting some extra credit in 10th grade, I took home the gecko in its tank. Pretty low-maintenance reptile, followed its care instructions to a T, had no problems… until one day it was keeled over dead, no reason why. My parents thought my room was possibly too cold for it, even with the gecko’s heat lamp on… Needless to say, I did not get the extra credit, but I am also secretly glad the gecko did not work out because it was A) creepy and B) they got a way cooler (and hardier) chameleon to replace it!
1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
I actually prefer spicy because I’m really into a variety of food and I could live on Indian!
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
I’ve been doing them myself, just using a brow brush and using clear gel to keep them in shape.
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
How nice our chicken and mayo sandwich was!
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____
I have given myself permission to think about myself for once as I am constantly trying to impress people but not myself!
5. Have you ever fostered an animal?
Yes, I have fostered 3 animals before, 2 dogs and a kitten!