So…what is the Monday Poll?
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 10 (!) 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.
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway?
So, I’m totally not a car person, but I love my li’l 2010 Mazda (zoom, zoom!). It’s reliable, and I REALLY like not having a car payment…but I wouldn’t mind having something a little bigger.
With power locks.
And those fancy seat cushion heaters that keep your butt and back warm when it’s cold.
2. What shoes are you wearing today?
Team flip-flops, baby! I’m wearing an ancient pair of black and hot pink Reef slippers that I probably shouldn’t be wearing in public anymore.
I sooooo love them, though.
Have you ever worn Reef flip-flops? My friend Cindy introduced me to them years ago, and now I can’t wear any other brand. They’re squishier and thicker than usual for slippers, and after you wear them a few times, they mold to the shape of your feet.
3. How’s your skin doing?
Aghh! It’s moody today. I used a nighttime retinol by Chantecaille a couple times last week, and my skin is still crabby about it. I’m definitely not used to it yet, and the skin at the base of my nose and the corners of my mouth feels tight and dry, blergh…
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind?
Oh, gosh. Not that often anymore, but when I was younger and completely clueless, I’d blurt out any old crazy thing that crossed my mind. I quit doing it when I hit my 30s and realized that some things are better left unsaid. Basically, sometimes it’s hurtful when people say whatever they want.
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you?
Hmm, nope. Never have. One guy I briefly went out with in college had hair that was long enough to hit his cheekbones, but now that I think about it, it was more like a bowl cut than “long hair” (air quotes).
Hey, at least he used conditioner.
Happy Monday, friend
Drink an extra cup of coffee for me today, will ya? I need the energy!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the questions to copy and paste…
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway?
2. What shoes are you wearing today?
3. How’s your skin doing?
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind?
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you?
1) Something you don’t need but want anyway?: A manor style house. I’d never be bored.
2) What shoes are you wearing today?: My usual Nike Musique IV sneakers.
3) How’s your skin doing?; Pretty good! I’m wearing Ole Henriksen vitamin C serum and I reapplied my eye cream this morning.
4) How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind?: Rarely. I hate my boss so I often have to keep my vitriol to myself.
5) Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you?: No, I don’t think I have.
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway? More makeup and skincare.
2. What shoes are you wearing today? sneakers, nike
3. How’s your skin doing? bad, i have all this acne ( just a couple of spots but its still more i usually get. )
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind? 50/50
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you? hell no, funny thing is i like short hair cuts and i had a interest who was growing dreads and it was only to his ear but i was no.i dont like men with hair. he had to cut it. we only lasted 6 months. poor thing
1. An all inclusive trip to Cuba.
2.Black Ballet Flats its part of my uniform.
3. Better then it has been the last week.
4. Not enough. I work in customer service. If I did I would’ve been fired a long time ago.
5.Never
This was fun.
Alexis||https://lidsandtricks.com/
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway?
So much stuff! I’ve been lusting after the new Urban Decay eyeliner in Torch. I love shades like that and they’re hard to find in good-quality eyeliners. The new Nars liquid blushes look so pretty, and I really want Luster, although the last thing I need is more blush! Since this is a new permanent formula, I hope they’ll make liquid versions of more of their shades. If they made a Madly or Sex Appeal, I’d snap them up! I’ve also had my eye on the Sunday Riley UFO oil since I’ve been dehydrated and congested lately. Maybe I’ll get the smaller $40 size and try it out. Ooh, and the Sephora spray foundation! So yeah, lots of stuff I don’t need and can’t afford!
2. What shoes are you wearing today?
Ooh, fun question! A pair of brown ankle boots I got at Sears for 75% off, as part of the (get ready) Seventeen Magazine collection. I was walking through Sears a few years ago because it’s the mall entrance nearest my bus station and saw them, and it wasn’t until I got home that I realized they were by Seventeen. Anyway, I adore them and they’re super comfy and cute, although I did have to cut off these weird tassels with really annoyingly noisy beads that’d clack together when I walked.
3. How’s your skin doing?
Meh. Been worse, been better. I’m somehow congested, oily, and dehydrated all at the same time. It’s like oil is sitting in my pores but not penetrating the skin itself. I’m going to do a mud mask tonight to try to detox and “reset” my skin. My favorite two mud masks are the Sephora collection mask (for oilier parts of my face) and the Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor mud mask (for drier and more sensitive parts of my face). I’ve kind of slacked on my skincare the last five days or so.
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind?
Very rarely. I’m a bit afraid to be open with people because I hate being vulnerable. I’m trying to open up more now, though! I also can’t stand people being mad at me, so I don’t stand up for myself as much as I should.
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you?
I’ve never really dated one person exclusively for a significant period of time, but I have definitely gone on dates with people with longer hair than me!
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway?
Some of my favorite double chocolate chip ice cream sounds great right now!
2. What shoes are you wearing today?
Black, flat sandals from Born.
3. How’s your skin doing?
Not too bad, actually. I’m feeling good for turning 40 next month!
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind?
Haha, rarely. But sometimes I’ll talk out loud to the cats. 🙂
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you?
No, but I’ve seen pics of my husband with long-ish hair before we met.
Happy Monday!
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway? A new oven. We rent, so it’s not super important, but I want a fancy oven! Weird I know.
2. What shoes are you wearing today? No shoes! Haven’t put on any all day. If I end up leaving the house, I’ll be wearing a turquoise pair of flip flops I got at Target for 3.99.
3. How’s your skin doing? Great actually! I’m pretty lucky in the skin department, I inherited good genes.
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind? I’d like to say 100% of the time, but I’m a chicken. My daughters, ages 11 and 14, have no problem saying exactly what’s on their mind, I’m trying to be more like them.
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you? Nope, never.
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway?
More makeup. I could never finish what I already own, but dangit if I can’t.stop.buying.it…. I have a Becca bronzer en route as I type.
2. What shoes are you wearing today?
Betula by Birkenstock Mia sandals in black. Go get some from Amazon or Nordstrom Rack. You’ll thank me later. Affordable and way more comfortable than original Birks.
3. How’s your skin doing?
Very well, thank you for asking. Also, now I’m afraid I’ve jinxed it and will break out in 3, 2….
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind?
Very rarely. I like to sit on it for a bit and make sure I can articulate what I am actually trying to get across, rather than spit out my gut reaction. I NEVER spoke out in my 20s. Around 30 I decided to learn to speak up for myself. Now, at 32 I have finally found a balance.
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you?
No. I don’t find long hair attractive on men. All of my guys have been very clean cut. I suppose I have a type.
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway? A maid
2. What shoes are you wearing today? I usually go barefoot indoors so none yet. I’ll probably just throw on black or leopard flats if I go somewhere.
3. How’s your skin doing? Not bad. A couple of small blemishes. Not too oily, though.
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind? No nearly as much as I want to. 😉 I’ve been described as “direct,” and accused of talking more like a man than a woman. (I had four brothers, I’m not surprised. lol)
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you? No
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway? Oh lord, everything! A job with free child care, crazy color hair, fancy dishes, all the houseplants you could buy…
2. What shoes are you wearing today? Nike! It was a gym day.
3. How’s your skin doing? Meh. It’s aging. I’m trying to be zen about it.
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind?
Pretty often, I try not to play games. But I’m tactful. If I really need to have a conversation with someone I prefer to do it over text!
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you? Nope, but got close in college when my hair was short and he was growing his out a bit.
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway?
AC in my car would be really nice…
2. What shoes are you wearing today?
Flip flops of course, I’m off ! *happy dance*
They’re from brand Sanuk, and the soles are made of yoga mat, literally.
3. How’s your skin doing?
Pretty good, except for a zit that’s trying to form on my chin. Still a little pink because I went to a spinning class this morning (my face turns bright red when I work out. Oh so fun. People look at me funny but are afraid to say anything). And I started a subtle self-tanner a few days ago that is now giving me a nice golden glow!
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind?
I used to do it all the time, but I’ve also learnt to filter a little more. But to be honest I think I’m still a little blunt, especially by US standards…
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you?
Nope. I wouldn’t mind though, as long as they don’t steal my hair products. Not gonna happen with hubby though, that’s not his style, although it would look interesting with his pitch black, super straight hair.
I hope you’re having a great holiday weekend Karen! Any plans for tomorrow?
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway?
The Lorac Beauty and the Beast eyeshadow palette…and lipstick set…and blush palette…and lip gloss collection. I thought I could resist, but the eyeshadows are silky, the blushes are gorgeous, and the lip products are adorned with a rose design. Have I mentioned that I adore roses? Yeah, there’s no resisting this launch.
2. What shoes are you wearing today?
Same old black and mint green Asics sneaks I wear almost every day. They’re super comfy and supportive, if a little beaten up.
3. How’s your skin doing?
Eh, pretty well, considering I never bothered to wash of yesterday’s sunscreen.
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind?
All the time….to myself, when I’m alone in the car. ?
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you?
Yep. At one point in my marriage, my husband’s long, enviably curly hair came down about between his shoulder blades. I had made the unfortunate decision to have mine lopped into some sad asymmetrical style cut. Let’s just say I realized he looked a LOT cuter than I!
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway?
Where to start, lol?! I’d have to say this stupidly expensive chef’s knife I’ve been wanting forever.
2. What shoes are you wearing today?
Flip-flops now, a pair of Clarks sandals when I was in Walmart earlier today. Now I have to go look at some Reefs- I need a new pair of ‘flops badly.
3. How’s your skin doing?
Really well, except for these two massive pimples that I’ve had for a month. I started using skincare from the FAB line and it’s been so great for my extra-sensitive skin.
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind?
Less than I used to, but more often than I’d like.
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you?
No, I don’t care for long hair on guys. With the exception of 80’s/90’s Jon Bon Jovi, of course. 😉
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway?
Skincare? All of it? More red lipsticks?
2. What shoes are you wearing today?
Kitten heels in black with silver details. Work shoes…
3. How’s your skin doing?
Very well, thank you for asking.
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind?
More often than I should, probably…
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you?
Yes. But it was a close call.
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway? The new Chanel Gabrielle hobo purse. Don’t need it, don’t need the price tag, but for some ridiculous reason I still want it.
2. What shoes are you wearing today? Black Vans
3. How’s your skin doing? Except for the healing spot at the juncture of my jawline and ear, it’s looking pretty good.
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind? Quite often. I’m too old and cranky to mince words.
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you? No
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway? MORE MAKEUP! MORE SKINCARE! MORE HAIR PRODUCTS!
2. What shoes are you wearing today? NONE. And I intend to go barefoot as long as possible!
3. How’s your skin doing? Ehh, not so great. I’m not sure if it’s a hormonal thing or just because my skin is feeling super sassy (and annoying), but I’ve been breaking out. It didn’t help my skin’s overall situation that I’ve been spending some extra time at the pool…even with SPF. All that chlorine/salt pool water! ?
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind? Maybe 50/50, give or take. I try to be careful with what I share and how I share it.
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you? No.
1. Something you don’t need but want anyway? Lakefront property.
2. What shoes are you wearing today? Hot pink Nike Vomeros. On a side note, I just can NOT wear flip-flops. I must be a weird walker but I feel like I need to grip them with my toes every time I step. The toe thong also kills me. I have to wear the Teva style “sports” sandal or whatever they’re called. I’m quite jealous of you folks who have no issue wearing flip-flops!
3. How’s your skin doing? Not too bad. It’s a bit oily because I burned slightly this weekend (despite copious amounts of sunscreen) and it’s trying to heal.
4. How often do you say exactly what’s on your mind? I like to be honest and straightforward, especially when I’m asked a question. However, I make every effort to say things diplomatically (I hope!). You can still be honest while being kind (or trying to be, at least). I find that people who just blurt out “their truth” are often the most offended when someone does the same to them.
5. Have you ever dated someone who had longer hair than you? No, not even in the mullet-filled 80s. 🙂