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 eight (!) 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.
- What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try?
I’m counting down the minutes (nay, the seconds!) until I shower this morning, just so I can try Laura Mercier’s new Tea Menthe Citron Gel Body Moisture body moisturizer.Remember Laura’s Gel Moisturizer from last year? The lemon verbena one?
Ahhh! Beyond good. My heart broke a little when I finished the big 8-ounce jar…
Anyway, she has this new one out (it just arrived on counters), and it smells like citrusy, minty black tea.
Yum!
I’m hoping it’ll be just as moisturizing and absorb just as quickly (none of that icky, sticky skin you get with some gels) as the O.G. version.
- Is there anything missing in your life?
You mean other than sleep? Well, yeah…for sure. Nothing material, although some new living room furniture (and hardwood floors) would be nice.But right now what I’m missing most are steady emotions — my emotions being not so up and down. More “even.”
I know it’s because of post-baby hormones and that “this too shall pass,” but I’m just over it, you know? One day things will be easy and even, and the next day I’ll be crying at the drop of a hat because of something completely dumb. Man!
Like the other day I cried watching Gilmore Girls (I’m re-watching the first season). It was the episode where Rory has two sixteenth birthday parties, in the scene where Lorelei wakes Rory up early in the morning on her birthday and talks about the day she was born, and I totally burst into tears because one day my baby will turn 16, waaah!
See? Totally can’t handle it right meow.
- When was the last time you had pizza? What kind?
Caturday night. El Hub made his famous (well, famous in our house!) ultra thin crust pizza. 🙂He gets the pre-made thin crusts from Target, then adds pizza sauce, mozarella, pepperoni, brocolli, tomato, fresh garlic, chopped olives and drizzles it all with olive oil. NOM!
- Moderation or excess?
I know myself waaaay too well. When I do things to excess (food, exercise, shopping, what have you), it always, ALWAYS comes back to bite me in the @ss.So, moderation FTW.
- What’s the next book you want to read?
Ah! So many. There are two in the number one spot — Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter and Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple. Both have been on my reading list forever!
Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!
1. What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try?
2. Is there anything missing in your life?
3. When was the last time you had pizza? What kind?
4. Moderation or excess?
5. What’s the next book you want to read?
Kinda, sorta related to the last question, but I’m thinking about signing up for a speed reading class through the Novato adult learning program.
It’s supposed to teach you how to read challenging material faster, like textbooks (twice as fast) and magazines (three times faster!).
Are you thinking about taking any classes this summer? If you could, what would you take?
Happy Monday, babe!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
1. What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try?
Sunday Riley Blue Moon
2. Is there anything missing in your life?
That’s too long of a list! At the top: Fun and money!
3. When was the last time you had pizza? What kind?
About 3 weeks ago, I had a slice of wood-fired Sicilian pizza from TJ’s.
4. Moderation or excess?
Moderation in all things!
5. What’s the next book you want to read?
I need to get my hands on the next book in the Midnight Queen series. I forget the name but that was the name of the first book.
Have a great week, Erin!
1. What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try?
I picked up the Beauty Blender thing for winged liner and haven’t gotten a chance to use it yet!
2. Is there anything missing in your life?
Circus, but I’m going to start going to a circus gym in Toledo (1 hourish away) with a friend every week. Tomorrow will be my first time on a trapeze in 6 months!
3. When was the last time you had pizza? What kind?
Hmmm… Last week, an Against the Grain gluten free cheese pizza.
4. Moderation or excess?
I aim for moderation, but it doesn’t always happen!
5. What’s the next book you want to read? Something young adult!
Driving an hour to work out is dedication! Props to you, my friend.
Sooo tell me about this Beauty Blender thing you picked up for winged liner. Did you get the sponge?
http://www.sephora.com/liner-designer-by-beautyblender-reg-P406731?skuId=1808385
It’s a little guitar pick looking thing that sticks to your face! I’m not bad at wings, but was curious about this.
Trapeze is more like playing than working out, so I’m excited!
How interesting! It’s kinda like the fancy version of the old business card trick.
When you do trapeze are you flying through the air?!
Nope! I do static trapeze, so it hangs from very high and I do moves on it.
Trapeze stays still, I move 🙂
Girl, you so crazy! That sounds scary (and like a really good workout). Do you think you’ll eventually do the type of trapeze where you fly through the air?
1. What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try?
I’d really like to try one of Clarins’ foundations. They have pretty good reputation but I haven’t tested one yet!
2. Is there anything missing in your life?
Yes, income, lol! And with it an activity that can give me a sense of professional achievement.
3. When was the last time you had pizza? What kind?
Last night! Hubby makes pizza dough from scratch regularly, and then we freeze it for future use. It’s really easy actually, and at least we know our crust is only flour and water! So last night we used some dough for a very simple margherita with fresh cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil.
4. Moderation or excess?
Moderation pushed to its upper limit usually…
5. What’s the next book you want to read?
The New York City guidebook I just got for our June trip!
Funny you’re talking about speed reading, Karen, because I was just reading an article about it in the NYT 2 days ago, and it was basically saying that you can’t simply read faster. You can learn to skim more efficiently, but you won’t absorb the meaning like you would from reading at your own pace.
That pizza sounds AMAZING. Allegedly El Hub can make a pizza crust from scratch but I’ve yet to witness that miracle, LOL!
Oh, and NY! I’m so excited for you. What do you have on your list of things to see so far? How long will you be there?
Interesting thing about speed reading…Even if it doesn’t really help me read that much faster, I wouldn’t mind learning to skim more efficiently!
We’ll be in NYC for almost a week, we’re staying at a friend’s apartment in the Upper East Side! I’m so excited, I’ve been wanting to go for decades (I went for a day when I was 15). I already have an appointment at the Bite Beauty Lip Lab in SoHo to create my own shade of lipstick, lol!
Apart from that, we want to visit museums, run in Central Park, eat good stuff, see the skyline, etc… I love art but I don’t want to spend the entire time inside museums, so we’re looking at self-guided walking tours to discover the architecture and character of different neighborhoods. Let me know if you have suggestions of things to see!
How exciting! The last time I was in NY was ages ago (maybe 12 years ago?). El Hub (who was The Boyfriend) at the time went over Thanksgiving weekend so that we could watch the big Thanksgiving Day parade. It was SO fun. I don’t remember much from that trip other than going to Magnolia Bakery and eating a bunch of cupcakes. LOL! So I’d suggest doing that. 🙂 My friend Jen goes every one or two years to go watch shows, so maybe get tickets to a musical? I hear that Hamilton is very good. Might be hard to get tickets though because it’s a very popular show right now.
pizza- Friday night. I didn’t want to cook. Daughter wanted a pie. we picked up a plain pie from the pizzeria down the block. they made it right there while we waited. awesome just the way it is supposed to be, which is why NYC has the BEST pizza. (It is our water) It was good for breakfast the next morning too.
missing? a lot. people. help. support.
Aww, sorry to hear that you’re missing help and support. Sending you love!
1. What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try? Not sure. Maybe eyebrow pencils/gel or eyelash tinted primer.
2. Is there anything missing in your life? A cat.
3. When was the last time you had pizza? What kind? Friday night. Vegetarian all the way.
4. Moderation or excess? Moderation if that is possible.
5. What’s the next book you want to read? A romantic comedy for sure.
Aww, Mel! Everything is better with a kitty cat. 🙂 Do you have any other pets at the moment?
1. What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try?
I’m looking forward to try Revlon Colorstay in Golden caramel; I have the whipped versión in Natural tan which is a tad lighter and more neutral for me, in the liquid range Golden caramel is the next shade and in forums they say it’s yellower so it could be my dream match in a drugstore brand. I didn’t try it before the shade wasn’t available in Mexico.
2. Is there anything missing in your life?
Motivation, as I told you none of my classes had been great. Also in missing being home just watching Netflix.
3. When was the last time you had pizza? What kind?
I got one from Pizza hut two weeks ago, it was one that instead of having the crust stuffed with cheese it has like little bunchs of cheese on top of the crust. I didn’t love it but it wasn’t bad. I prefer really thin crusts so I got hungry by just reading what El hub does.
4. Moderation or excess?
I know I’m just 21 but I feel like I’m too old for some excess like alcohol; right now I prefer stopping at the fifth beer before I get tipsy, and also as I’m having problems to sleep I hate going to sleep really late; so most of the time moderation; BUT if you are talking about dancing I might say excess.
5. What’s the next book you want to read?
I’ve just read two chapters of Reflections on Gender and Science by Evelyn Fox Keller but I stopped because of classes so I want to finish it, I really liked what I’ve read.
In summer I think I’ll take only my French course and my swimming class so nothing new for me but if I find somethinReflections on Gender and Science. really interesting I may take it up.
Good luck with the foundation! I hope it works out for you. Let me tell you, things are SO much better now in terms of drugstore foundation shade range for people of color. Back in the ’90s it was ROUGH! When you try it let me know how it goes.
And guuuuurl, I look at a beer and I get tipsy. LOL. Oh, and there’s no such thing as dancing too much. At least it’s exercise. 🙂
The next makeup product I want to try is: the NARS Summer 2016 collection. I am especially impressed with the new eyeshadow shades, but everything looks amazing!
Missing from my life: time to relax. I work about 9 hors a day about 7 days a week. And, of course, money. I need more makeup and more travel!
Last weekend. Little Caesars. Great value!
What’s moderation…!
I just got “Makep Your Mind: Express Yourself” by Francois Nars but no time to open it yet!
Hi Heather!
I have that NARS book, and the version I have is signed by Francois Nars. Funny story: I got to meet him at a beauty event a few years back, and I was so nervous that the first thing I said was, “Did you ever know that you’re my hero?” which is a quote from that song from the movie Beaches, Wind Beneath My Wings. HAHA! I’m still kicking myself for that.
1. What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try? Hmm, I purchased a small jar of the Laura Mercier translucent face powder during last week’s Sephora VIB but, alas, I don’t like it. Gonna return it this week & see if there’s anything else I’d like to try. Got my eyes on the Becca Mineral Blush in Hyacinth. Gasp! Such a beaut!
2. Is there anything missing in your life? Yes, but I’m hormonal ATM & have already had a good cry for the day. So, I’ll pass on this one, lest I feel the well of tears filling up again.
3. When was the last time you had pizza? What kind? Umm, Thursday, I think? It was a Tombstone pepperoni. Not very tasty but I was having dinner with friends so I ate it with a smile.
4. Moderation or excess? Moderation for sure. I’m kinda intrigued with the notion of living the minimalist life. Totes goes with my dream of owning a tiny house. Definitely a struggle as a beauty enthusiast, though.
5. What’s the next book you want to read? Good question. I heart historic fiction books. Haven’t checked my over-flowing book list on Goodreads in a minute. But I might read Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee next.
Sorry about your emotions, friend. 🙁 I can’t relate entirely, but I can only imagine what it feels like (as a woman whose emotions can be all over the place in an hour’s time). Hope you get to do something you enjoy that can help to “pick you up” during this time. A trip to the beach, a walk through your favorite park, a good Netfkix binge of HGTV (I LOVE THIS STATION) to get redecorating ideas, or a splurge gift because you’ve EARNED it. Kate Spade comes to mind (smile). Neither of these will help get you closer to that new couch but they sure will feel good! Hugs from your east coast homie 🙂
You’re so sweet, Kwmechelle. I hope your hormonal situation mellows out, too, and that you feel better soon.
But please know that if you need someone to say, “Everyone is SOOOO wrong!!!,” while you cry your eyes out, you know I’m here.
Sooo, splurge gifts. I’m thinking of gifting myself with some eyelash extensions. 🙂
As your east coast (enabler) homie, I approve of you getting falsies. Not that you need my approval, it just sounds more official that way ☺️. And you may now yell, “everyone else is so WRONG!” I’ll keep you on speed dial in the event I need you to say this in the future. In other news, I’m taking a road trip along the coast to visit friends for a week. It’s my happy place. I may even play nicely while there & purchase that Becca blush I referenced ?
It sounds weird but there’s something SO RIGHT about hearing “Everyone else is SOOOO wrong!” when you’re in the middle of a meltdown. Whenever I was in the throes of a hormonal hurricane, I’d text my friend Jen and she’d respond with that line, and then suddenly all was well with the world. If you need someone…you have my email! 🙂
A trip along the coast, how exciting! What towns will you be hitting up? And more importantly, do you have the places you plan on eating mapped out? 😀
1. What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try? I’m wanting to get my hands on the Urban Decay Through the Looking Glass Book of Shadows coming out next month.
2. Is there anything missing in your life? Supportive family and friends. I didn’t have a lot to begin with, and having disabled kids sure showed us that with no doubts. You get very socially isolated, so I haven’t acquired many new ones; none who live near me.
3. When was the last time you had pizza? What kind? A couple weeks ago. Deep dish pepperoni.
4. Moderation or excess? Moderation with most things. It’s fun to have a little excess now and then. When it comes to makeup, definitely excess. I’m piling that stuff on my face. 😉
5. What’s the next book you want to read? As crazy as things have been here, I’d settle for any book. :/
LOL, Rachel! I love your answer to number 4. Sometimes you gotta pile on the war paint! Feels so good!
I hope that you had a nice weekend. Did you do anything fun? We’re still in baby jail so we didn’t do anything too cray-cray. The most exciting thing that happened was Connor and I took our first walk around the neighborhood! The weather’s been really warm (almost like summer), so I took her out for a quick stroll yesterday afternoon. I popped her into her baby carrier and we cruised around our circle. LOL, the things that amuse me these days…
I slept almost the entire weekend. I mean dead to the world, could not keep my eyes open at all. I know I needed to catch up on sleep, but…it was the weekend. AND it was nice out!
I’m glad you got to take Connor out for a walk. She must love looking at everything. Anything that you get you out of the house, too!
Honestly, you had my dream weekend, LOL! What I’d give for an uninterrupted block of 10 hours of sweet, sweet, sleep. I hope you don’t mind if I vicariously live through you. 🙂
Speaking of sleep, things are looking up on the baby front, because for the first time ever Connor Claire slept for 6 1/2 hours through the night, OMG! Of course now that I’ve said it out loud I’ve jinxed it…
Yay for baby sleeping through the night! *knock on wood* My first son woke up every two hours for the longest time, and didn’t really sleep for 6 hours or more till he was nearly a year old. He was big enough he didn’t need to feed during the night. Now I know it was the anxiety associated with his early-onset bipolar disorder, and that is common with EOBP. My second one slept for 6 hours a night from day one. I was so ridiculously happy about that People thought I was kind of nuts, but I was like, “No! This. Is. Heaven!”
She did it again last night too! I’m trying not to get too excited because with babies it seems like just when you think you get into a pattern, they switch the game up on you. I’m getting the feeling that this is pretty much the overarching theme of parenting…
I can’t believe your second one slept for 6 hours from day one, that is miraculous!
Anyway, happy Wednesday to you. It’s a bright and sunny day here in the North Bay Area. What’s the weather like on your end of the keyboard?
1. What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try?
I’m curious about the new Surrat real skin foundation wand.
2. Is there anything missing in your life?
Man I haven’t had a date night with my hubby in almost a year…So date nights
3. When was the last time you had pizza? What kind?
Friday night at Uncle Maddios, garlic olive oil sauce with artichokes,spinach,mushrooms and fresh mozzarella
4. Moderation or excess? Moderation always. Except I shop excessively;)
5. What’s the next book you want to read?
I heard “Crazy rich Asians” by Kevin Kwan is pretty hilarious, I may actually pick it up today since I hear it’s being made into a movie now so I need to read it ASAP
Hi Metta,
Le sigh, I miss date night too (and it’s only been six weeks since Connor came along, LOL!). I hope you guys get to go on one, soon.
Oh, and I’m adding that book to my reading list. Got any other recommendations for me?
Have a nice day!
1. What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try?
I have the Kat Von D tatoo liner waiting for my first attempt at a cat eye.
2. Is there anything missing in your life?
Stability. Anxiety disorders are so unpredictable.
3. When was the last time you had pizza? What kind?
Last week. It was just a frozen pizza, due to time constraints, but one of the better ones I’ve had.
4. Moderation or excess?
Moderation. Unless I’m book or makeup shopping.
5. What’s the next book you want to read?
Emma Cline’s ‘The Girls’.
Hi Suzanne,
Good luck with your cat eye! I hope it goes smoothly. If you need any tips please let me know; I’m always happy to help!
P.S. How was your weekend?
It was a great weekend, thanks! My Mom & I had a girls’ day out at a local art festival, lunch, and shopping. That’s your payback for the hormones, crying, and 3 minute showers, btw- you get to have shopping dates and Gilmore Girls marathons. (We’re on season 5) Also, someone who knows what to order for you at Starbucks without having to ask and who will convince you to absolutely buy the flamingo purse, but absolutely not the elephant print capris. Hang in there. It’s going to get legendary.
What a fun day! It sounds like you and your mom are close; you’re so lucky. 🙂 I hope that Connor Claire and I have that kind of tightly knit bond when she gets older (that’s what I’m working towards!).
Did you get anything makeup-related when you were out shopping? 🙂
Happy Tuesday!
I hope you get back to more steady emotions soon! I recently saw that Gilmore Girls epi and I can see how it would be a tear-jerker for a new mom! You and CC will be best friends like Lorelei and Rory, I can feel it!
1. What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try? I just picked up the Eylure Vegas Nay lash glue. I usually use Duo but I liked the wand design of the Eylure glue. We shall see! That Laura Mercier shower gel sounds MUY DELICIOUSO!
2. Is there anything missing in your life? Financial freedom and a couple of animals! I need to achieve one before I begin the other, though!
3. When was the last time you had pizza? What kind? Last Thursday. It was a yummy vegetarian greek pizza with black and green olives, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, green peppers….SO good.
4. Moderation or excess? Moderation is really the key to a happy life!
5. What’s the next book you want to read? Probably another John Grisham. My work bff loaned me a stack of them and I just finished “The Runaway Jury” and loved it!
I hope you have a groovy week, K-dawg! Much love!
1. What’s the next beauty product you’d like to try?
Really liking the new Hourglass palette on sephora. The Illume sheer color trio.Did you try it karen?
2. Is there anything missing in your life?
Like you sleep. I was a person who slept a lot, 9 to 10 hours a day. Now sleep missing sleep because of job. 🙁
3. When was the last time you had pizza? What kind?
Ooh i had sausage crust pizza with my bf 2 weeks back. ?? now trying to cut back since i have put on a lot. Hehe
4. Moderation or excess?
Even though i would like to do every thing in moderation i end up in “excess”
5. What’s the next book you want to read?
Harry potter and the cursed child thats coming in july. Can’t wait for that!!!