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.
- One of my current life goals is to…
…get a full night’s sleep! I can’t even remember the last time that happened.I think it was about two months ago…
I think.
I’m not sure though…
See! That’s what chronic sleep deprivation can do to you. It wreaks havoc on your short-term memory, let me tell ya, but I know, I know! — it’s gonna get worse when Baby Girl arrives.
- Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
A pen. Yup, I’m the person who always keeps a pen in her purse, because you never know when you’ll have to sign something, like a receipt, and there won’t be any working pens at the counter or wherever.I’ve had this happen to me many times before, and all I have to say is “WHY?” Can someone please change the dang pens already!?
Pens are also handy when you’re sitting on the toilet in a public restroom, and there’s a note or a sign on the stall door that needs a comma…and you just can’t let it go.
- Neon nails or glitter nails?
Oh, glitter nails for sure (even though they’re a pain to remove).Gimme dat glitter!
- Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
My hair is naturally wavy, so I can do the beachy waves already. So I’ll pick the sleek blowout and, ideally, somebody else will be doing it for me, haha! - Do you have any artistic talents?
I like to think so, a little. Like, I think I’m OK at writing, taking pics and dressing up tomcat tabbies in bedazzled statement necklaces. 🙂And in a past life, I was a musician who could sing and dance on occasion.
Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!
1. One of my current life goals is to…
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
Here’s something I’ve had on my mind lately: if a few good days turn into a good week, and a few good weeks turn into a good month, and a few good months turn into a good year, then all it takes to have a good year is starting with a few good days.
Isn’t that right? I really hope that today is the start of a few good days for you. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Be more organized with my time.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Chapstick. I stash them everywhere!
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Glitter all the way! I feel more girly!
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
I have natural curly hair so I prefer a sleek blowout.
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
Unfortunately no. I wish I did…
1. One of my current life goals is to…
I have million, but right now it’s to stop being sad. I just found out David Bowie passed and between that and everything else going on, I think I’m headed back to bed.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Fresh Lip Treatment!
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
I’m not a huge fan of either but I have a neon coral, so I’ll go with Neon.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
Beach waves as it’s what I have naturally!
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
Quite a few. I’m an alright painter who is untrained, I’m excellent at jewelry making/design/casting/sandblasting, I’m an ok sculptor. I’ve got a great photographic eye, a good sense of color, and also industrial/product design. I also used to do graphic design but there is a lot more to learn on that front. I’m a writer of many things, I’m ok with makeup, and I’m a culinary wiz. I was also a model and actress as a kid and teen.
Oh and I can sing pretty well. I also used to be a belly dancer!
Count me impressed, Erin!
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
A magnifying glass.
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
I am a painter. Since forever. Whole life. Stereotypical artist with books and cats and paint. kinda sad…but true. LOL
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Exercise more and drink lots of water.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
A lipstick… or two!
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Glitter! I hate taking them off, but I love how sparkly and fabulous they look.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
I’ve always liked beachy waves. Probably because I already have sleek and straight hair.
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
Yes. Maybe? I think so. I do enjoy drawing, painting, and photography. Oh, and does nail art count? Haha!
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Practice hooping and circus more often!
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Lotion and lip balm
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Glitter! Or both.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
Waves, because my hair doesn’t do beachy waves.
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
I’m a good writer, I used to be a pretty good painter and seamstress. I was always good in plays and performances too, except for singing.
1. One of my current life goals is to… just be happy.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse? Lip balm. And hand cream.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails? Glitter!
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout? Beachy waves please! Always wanting what I can’t have… 😉
5. Do you have any artistic talents? I’m good at make-up and I like to think that qualifies as an artistic talent 🙂
1. One of my current life goals is to… pay off our home before our late 40s (I’m turning 39 next weekend). 🙂
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse? Fresh sugar lip treatment. Yum.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails? Glitter nails for sure.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout? Sleek blowout. I only get my hair straightened a few times per year when I get it cut so it’s a major treat.
5. Do you have any artistic talents? Photography. Back in the early 2000s we even had a basement darkroom.
1. One of my current life goals is to…
to buy my first house next year. I want a little bungalow on a bit of property outside town in the country side. Dark, quiet, NO NEIGHBORS!!!
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Blistex Lip Medex. I probably have about a dozen of these all over the place. Hand cream is also a must.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Probably glitter because it’s harder to tell when it chips.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
I have naturally curly hair so I don’t really know how to do beachy waves. I can basically style my hair naturally, dead straight or in a bun. Makeup is much more my thing.
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
Not particularly. I like to sing but I’m tone def. I love to colour but can’t draw to save my life. I do love photography and can put together the best playlists so maybe that’s the extent of my artistic abilities…
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Be more consistent in my efforts to achieve my goals.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Tissues. I have a nose that likes to be runny…
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Glitter! Neon works in the summer, not so much during the rest of the year for me.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
The waves! I also have naturally wavy hair, so I don’t have to do anything to get beach waves, just let it air dry. Perfect for my lazy self!
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
I played the clarinet for 5+ years when I was a teenager, and I was pretty gifted according to my teacher. Other than that, I have artistic inclinations but I don’t know if I can talk about talent.
Ahhh you’re so adorable! I have a feeling that you will get a bit more sleep when BG is here, because you’ll have El Hubs help at night. Unfortunately right now, he can take the 1am pregnancy shift!! 🙂 Darnit! Hard questions again…I love it!
1)Life goal…so many! The main one is to relax. I put so much pressure on myself for things, all the way down to folding clothes at retail stores because I feel bad if I mess something up. And “on time” to me means at least 20 min early. So, my goal is to just be and relax!
2) do I have to pick just one?! Like you…a pen. I journal EVERYTHING. Workouts, to do lists, schedules, favorite products, etc. And good ol pen and paper is so satisfying! I also fly a lot, so those darn customs forms! I’d have a heart attack if it were not filled out prior to landing!
3) I’d have to go with a subtle glitter. Neon is ok in the summer!
4) since I have wavy hair that gets ginormous with humidity, I’d love a good blowout. Professional and free of course! 😉
5) I can play the piano, dance and mix lip colors…it’s like painting right? In college, I would do my friends makeup just for fun and a free drink!
Karen, go take a nap, my friend.
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Get a job! My wonderful hubby let me take a career break, but now it’s time to go back (I’m talking to the cats too much!)
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
With you on the pen, being in the UK very often an umbrella, you never know when it will rain!
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Glitter! I lived through the 80s, neon nails look great on other people but give me flashbacks ;-D
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
Lots of volume! Ha surprise answer 🙂 my hair does wavy if I don’t comb it after washing and I can get it sleek if I do comb it and blow dry it, but I have really thin hair so volume is a thing.
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
I have a vivid imagination and no ability to put it into anything!
Except I roleplay (like Dungeons and Dragons, but not D&D) so I create people; backgrounds, appearance, family, education, career. Even putting together wardrobes and their homes, so I have a really clear detailed idea of who they are. Not sure if that counts.
I also write a bit, but I’m dyslexic, so it’s terrible, but it’s fun 🙂
I love your sentiment at the end of your post, Karen, about good days turning into a good year. Beautiful! And I hope it will be so!
1. One of my current life goals is to not procrastinate, a bad habit I’ve gotten into over the past year.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse? lipstick of course!
3. Neon nails or glitter nails? glitter, no contest
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout? sleek blowout Beachy waves never was my thang
5. Do you have any artistic talents? As I kid, I was artistic and also wrote, played piano, did a million crafts. Now, I’d say just writing my blog and crocheting, if that’s considered artistic 😉
1. One of my current life goals is to… have my whole house clean at the same time. :/
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse? My glasses. I need them to drive.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails? Glitter
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout? I wish for beachy waves, but my hair won’t hold a curl. I don’t need the blowout to have super-straight, sleek hair.
5. Do you have any artistic talents? I’m great a knitting, crocheting, and artsy-crafty stuff in general. I’m pretty good at drawing and painting. I also think I’m good at home decor.
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Paint and prepare this baby’s room by the end of the month!
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Oh pens for sure! I always also have Chapstick, tissues and mints.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Glitter even though I don’t wear either.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
Beachy waves
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
No, I guess baking if that counts. Also some crafty things too!
Hope you had a good weekend Karen! It’s so chilly here in CT this week but I love it. Wish we would finally get some snow!
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Is it weird to say a current life goal is actually to organize/prioritize my current life goals? I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot lately–I feel as though I have soooooo many goals that I’m looking at an insurmountable/unachievable list. I think I need to consolidate, remove something from my plate, take a vacation…SOMETHING!
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Gum. One promise that I feel absolutely confident in keeping is that I will ALWAYS have gum.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
I love neon in the summer. I also love glitter on other people, but I can’t do it myself–I dread the removal so much I end up peeling it off and f-ing up my nails!
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
Oooohhh, beachy waves. I feel as though I’ve got the sleek blowout down myself pretty well. Like you, I’d go for the option that someone else does for me!
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
Nope. None whatsoever.
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Buy my own house & property!
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Cash & Lipgloss.
Yes I am one of those people who actually still pays in cash. I try to use it when I shop, because I it helps me keep my spending real. Its so much harder to spend a $100 bill than to swipe a card.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Oh gosh both! Neon hot pink because its easier to remove!
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
I’m all about a sleek blowout, but in the summer I love some beachy waves.
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
I’m kinda crafty and can sew. I started a rag quilt 2 winters ago…I need to get back on that!
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Regain my fitness. I’m working with a personal trainer right now. Today he kicked my butt. I thought I was going to keel over and die in that gym, but when I was done all I could think was, “I DID IT!!!!”
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse? A pen, a pencil and a small sketchbook. I’m constantly pulling them out and making notes about something I’ve heard or sketching something I’ve seen.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails? Hmm, glitter I guess.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout? Not sure how beachy waves would look with my short pixie cut, so sleek blowout.
5. Do you have any artistic talents? Yeah. I can sorta draw and paint (I have a BFA and did some work towards an MFA). And I can sew pretty well.
“if a few good days turn into a good week, and a few good weeks turn into a good month, and a few good months turn into a good year, then all it takes to have a good year is starting with a few good days” This is really good. I’m going to use it as my motto for the new year. Thank you!
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Start seriously planning for the release of EP #2. We’re close to being done with recording, and then we have mixing & mastering which are going to go fairly quickly – so I need to get my rump in gear & start compiling a list of press contacts, writing a good pitch, etc… all the promo stuff. It’s exhausting to think about (and honestly I’d rather not think about it), but I need to start sooner rather than later, otherwise I’ll never get to any of it!
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Some sort of lip product. I always have SOMETHING kicking around to jazz things up! 🙂 maybe it won’t go with my particular outfit or FOTD, lol… but it’ll be there, in my purse!
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Glittaaaah, pleez. Go glam or go home!
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
I can’t really do either at the moment, with my pixie cut… but beachy waves are fun & easy, and I like fun & easy.
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
I like to think so! Haha. I’m a pretty good singer & songwriter. those two things are how I like to express my creativity (and eventually, how I want to make my living). Goodness, it does feel funny to say “hey, I’m talented at this!” But I like what I make, and I like making it, so… I guess I’m just gonna claim it, lol! 🙂
I used to sew a bit, too, though I haven’t made time & space for that for a couple years now. But I still love me some fabric and notions!
1. One of my current life goals is to…
start my own bookkeeping business.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Elastic band for an emergency ponytail.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Glitter, although I do like neon, too.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
I like both, especially when I don’t have to do it!
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
I can sew, do a lot of crafts, and write well.
1. One of my current life goals is to…
get a job (didn’t get the UNR one, dangit), find an apartment, start wedding planning. We’re doing good considering we’ve been here less than 2 months, but of course we’re itching to get the ball rolling! At least I’ve got contract work to help pay the bills. 🙂
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Lip balm. Can’t do without it (but I’m with you on having a pen too!).
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Glitter. Some are easier to remove than others.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
Sleek blowout comes pretty naturally to my hair (especially now with the different water and weather here in Reno), so I’d kill for fab beachy waves.
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
Just photography. Everything else I’m pretty crap at!
1. One of my current life goals is to…vastly improve my photography. Hubs built me a replica of a lowell ego light box over the weekend and I’m diving into a couple of photo books.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse? lipstick/lipgloss/lipbalm. In fact, if it wasn’t my addiction to lip products, I could probably go with one of those iPhone cases that you can fit a debit card in instead of carrying a purse.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails? #glitternails4ever
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout? beachy waves are easiest but I think I look better with a sleek blowout. I got one on Saturday when I got my hair colored and I’m trying to make it last til Wednesday (!). We’ll see. I’m trying the Living Proof Dry Shampoo, hopefully that stuff is the shiz that everyone says it is…
5. Do you have any artistic talents? nada
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Eat healthier this year. I’ve always done OK, but since I’m getting older I really want to tighten up and do a better job of eating fruits and veggies consistently.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse? tampons, I know that’s TMI but more than once I wasn’t paying attention and I needed them.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails? Glitter for sure
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout? Sleek blowout. I have a lot of hair and beachy waves look crazy on me. The few times I tried it my husband asked “what happened to your hair?”
5. Do you have any artistic talents? Sadly no, my brother is the artistic one in the family. I can bake though, I baked some homemade honey wheat bread last night.
the thing i always, always, always have in my purse is a lipgloss. i can’t stand dry lips. i also have them in my drawers at work, in every single bag, next to the bed, in some jacket pockets… i don’t ever want to be without!
as a writor/editor, i totally support you using that pen to correct public signs! i do the same thing! hilarious.
1. One of my current life goals is to… make the time to get my beauty blog back up and running. I derived so much pleasure from that. Unfortunately, I’m working 2 paid jobs and 2 volunteer jobs while in college full-time, so needless to say it’s going to be impossible to do on a permanent basis until I get out from under some of this other work. In the meantime I’m saving up for expenses when it is possible.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse? Breath mints. To be specific, my favorite breath mints tin that has Grumpy Cat on the front frowning and scolding “You need a mint.”
3. Neon nails or glitter nails? I love both. On the one hand, I hate removing glitter. On the other hand, I only wear neon nail polish in the Summer. Since both have an upside and downside: tie.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout? I love to change things up so I like both but I think the blowout is more flattering against my face, so I’ll go with that. I don’t have a very good knack for hairstyling though, so I usually just settle for “air dry and run a brush through it!”
5. Do you have any artistic talents? Creative writing and singing, and, of course, makeup artistry! I used to be into painting also, and have had lessons on the piano and viola. I’m also majoring in Art History in college.
I have what I call my Trusty Purse Pen that forever shall reside in my.. purse. I was attending my first stint of jury duty in Florida some 12+ years ago and they don’t provide pens to fill out the forms. I asked my neighbor if I could borrow hers and she generously gifted me a pen. And from that day forward, it has stayed in my purse. ??
{also i spelled writer wrong above because i was cutting/pasting and now i’m DYING and there is no edit feature… we need editing, Karen! gah!}
1. One of my current life goals is to…travel as much as possible!
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse? lip gloss and lots of it.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails? glitter nails.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout? beachy waves. They look so nice.
5. Do you have any artistic talents? scrapbooking.
1. One of my current life goals is to… get a new job.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse? A pen.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails? Glitter nails.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?: Sleek blowout.
5. Do you have any artistic talents? I know how to do makeup on others.
1. One of my current life goals is to…Lose weight & get healthy! I’m embarrassed at how lax I have been this year and how the weight has crept up on me.
2. Other than your wallet, keys,phone, what’s one thing that you always have in your purse? Lipstick, and they pile up through the week until I go through and organize
3. Neon nails or glitter nails? Glitter nails
4. Beachy waves or sleek blowout? Sleek blowout, my hair is kinda naturally wavy anyway
5. Artistic talents? I can write stories and poetry. I always did very well in high school and college with that, but I wouldn’t know where to begin now…
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Learn to canter. Yep, horse goals!
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Lotion. I’m insane about the hand moisturizing thing.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Glitter. Neon just makes my eyes hurt.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
Blowout as waves/curls don’t stay in my hair.
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
I do a little bit of everything but not really a master at anything.
1. One of my current life goals is to…
I feel you on the sleep, but I´d go with less stressing about the future.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Lip balm.
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Neither, but glitter if I had to.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
Sleek blowout. Beach waves just look messy in a bad way on my hair.
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
I used to write a lot (short stories etc.) and I am pretty good at acting, even though I haven’t done that in a while.
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Be focused and not to procrastinate.
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Lipgloss with spf 🙂
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Glitter nails, always.
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
Sleek Blowout.
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
Yes, I like DIY projects, esp, when making something for loved ones.
1. One of my current life goals is to…
Spend less time on social media!
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
Burts Bees chapstick
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
Glitter glitter glitter! 😉
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
Beachy waves, I can never get it right so i’d also like it done for me!
5. Do you have any artistic talents?
Ummm I really wish I did! I do LOVE to dance and i’d like to think in good at it. Ohhhh! Just remembered, I’m great at always running about 10-15 mins behind!