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. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
If we’re including human beings, then yes, because my brother and I used to fight like cats and dogs when we were little, and there were several biting exchanges with really, REALLY sharp teeth! Oh, and Tabs has recently taken to biting me, but they aren’t real bites. Just gentle nips here and there.
I think it’s ’cause he’s older now and doesn’t have as much patience as he used to. I think of them as love ? bites.
2. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being off-the-charts fabulous, what’s your skill with liquid liner?
If my trusty Tom Ford liquid liner or Clinique Pretty Easy Pen are in my paw, I give myself a solid 8; otherwise, it’s kind of questionable. A 5 or 5.5 at the most.
3. What’s your current no-makeup makeup routine?
OH. GIRL. My favorite makeup style at the moment! I fill in my brows with MAC Brow Sculpt Pencil in Spiked because I ran out of it in Brun, but also because I wanted to try something different…
Spiked is good for brunettes, but I still prefer Brun.
Anyway, then I apply a little MAC Matchmaster Concealer under my eyes if I’m looking really tired. If, on the other paw, I’m looking semi-rested, then I skip it.
Next, I curl my lashes, add a layer or two of COVERGIRL Total Tease Mascara to my bottom and top lashes, some Pixi Gel Blush on my cheeks and a lip tint or gloss.
I’ve been alternating between the Pixi duos with the lip tint and gloss, and a Cremesheen Glass from MAC called Cha-Cha-Cha from the Fruity Juicy collection.
4. What purse are you carrying at the moment?
It’s an old Michael Kors tote that my mom got me as a present years ago, and I love it! It’s dark brown, so it goes with everything, and it’s very lightweight.
I can fit all of my usual suspects in there, like my wallet, giant key ring, my phone, my makeup bag, snacks (protein bars, Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies), water bottle… It’s also roomy enough to fit baby girl’s things, which I usually keep in a Ziploc gallon bag. One diaper, travel packs of diaper wipes and Wet Ones Wipes, a travel diaper changing blanket, an emergency toy (usually a tiny plastic Elmo) and an extra binky. #momlife
5. A color you wear well?
I like the way I look in coral, and I also seem to do well in bright yellows and pale mints…but I haven’t been wearing any of those shades lately. Lately, I’ve been wearing lots of neutrals — white, black, gray.
Note to self: wear more color!
6. Can you recommend a good book to take to the beach or pool?
I read Big Little Lies a couple months ago, and I couldn’t put it down! It’s well-written and perfect for the beach because it’s suspenseful, but it isn’t too mentally demanding.
It’s SO good.
Have a marvelous Monday
Every morning when Connor wakes up — and I mostly do this as a reminder to myself — I say, “It’s morning times! We have a new day before us, and it’s filled with so many possibilities. We’re going to fall every once in a while, be when we do, we’re going to pick ourselves up and keep trying.”
Have a great one, sweet friend. We have a new day before us, and it’s filled with so many possibilities. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Ok. Monday poll:
1. When I was a camper at sleep-away many years ago, I was nicked by a field mouse hiding in my clog.
2. I have never used liquid liner.
3. My current no-makeup, makeup look is as follows:
Nars Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in St. Moritz (my summer shade), Nars creamy concealer in Macadamia, Les Beiges Luminous powder in medium as bronzer, whatever lip color as a cream blush and Bobbi Brown Smoky Eye mascara.
4. I have been carrying the same bag for months which is my Coach tote in the color saddle. i got it in October of last year for my birthday at the Coach Outlet for under $200. It is my all time favorite for every day use.
5. I have always been told that I wear red well, but I also love to wear rosey tones.
6. I have read some good books in the past months, but nothing good recently for the beach. A book that I have been recommending to anyone who asks is a book called The Rent Collector. It is a great story based on a real life story in post- Khmer Rouge Cambodia. It is not a long book, but very emotional.
Anyway, so my local Lord & Taylor finally has the new Chanel Les Beiges Neutral eye shadow palette and Friday is Charity with 15% off cosmetics. My friend is putting one aside for me. Now I have another reason to sat TGIF!
Enjoy those moments with Connor.
I’m trying to savor every moment. 🙂
Does the Chanel counter have any of the cream stick blushes in? They’re SO GOOD!
I loved the Rent Collector. Great suggestion!
Leah, it is an eye opening story.
1) Yes, by a rat, by cats and playfully by Zoe the dog.
2) If I have a good brush, a 9.
3) A wash of Bobbi Brown Toast eyeshadow all over my lid, black mascara, a swirl of Marc Jacobs Promiscuous blush on my cheeks, and NYX Soft Matte lip cream in Budapest.
4) My Kate Spade Emerson bag in black.
5) Red and purple.
6) I’m bad at recommending fun books because I’m a nerd who likes to read textbooks lol. But if I had to choose, I’d recommend a style icon book, like one of Princess Diana’s fashion books. It’s fun to look at a collection of outfits assembled in one book.
Eek! By a rat?! That sounds frightening!
1. Bitten: Just my cat when he’s playing
2. Liquid liner: I don’t wear it
3. Dandelion powder by Benefit and Rosebud salve on lips and brows.
4. Urban Expressions light green bag. From Stitch Fix. I alternate between that one and a dark army green one also from SF.
5. Blue
6. We just finished Ginny Moon for bookclub and I would recommend it.
1. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
I remember a little yapper dog biting me through my jeans on my knee when I was in high school. Jerk.
2. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being off-the-charts fabulous, what’s your skill with liquid liner?
6.5 maybe? I don’t do it often, but I love Revlon’s colorstay liquid liner, nice formula and easy applicator.
3. What’s your current no-makeup makeup routine?
I start with a quick application of Pixi’s tint and conceal (love that stuff!). It doesn’t match me exactly but if I’m just running errands it’s no biggie. I may or may not set with powder. Then a little Brow Wiz on my brows, unless I’ve just gotten them done, a finger swipe of cream shadow, curl the lashes, two coats of mascara and a dash of blush and I’m good to go.
4. What purse are you carrying at the moment?
One from Fossil that I splurged on (well kinda, I found it on super sale for $135) two years ago, it still looks new and is the perfect size for the daily haul but has a zipper that lets it expand – great for travel!
5. A color you wear well?
Most greens. 🙂
6. Can you recommend a good book to take to the beach or pool?
I’m loving The Hangman’s Daughter right now, it’s free for Amazon Prime members this month through the Kindle app. 🙂
1. Quincy didn’t bite too often, but when he did, it hurt! Bunny teeth are nothing to mess around with. Mina nibbles a bit.
2. Definitely depends on the brand and whether it’s a felt or brush tip. Probably similar to you, I’m great with Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Lining Pen.
3. Nars Pure Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla under the eyes, Nars Pure Matte Concealer I’m Chantilly on any blemishes or anything, Stila Convertible Color blush, NYX Dose of Dew face Glossier Boy Brow, and whatever brown mascara I have around.
4. It’s a chartreuse cross body Steve Madden bag that’s seen better days, but i haven’t found anything I like to replace it.
5. Emerald green
6. I’ve been reading the Percy Jackson is books again, about to start the French translations of Harry Potter to get ready for the fall semester.
Have you ever been bitten by an animal? yes , my cat
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being off-the-charts fabulous, what’s your skill with liquid liner? 2. I am shaky at best. Cant do a cat eye and when i do just get a nice straight line on both eyes i cheer.
What purse are you carrying at the moment? my coach bag , real nice leather
A color you wear well? hair color: i look real good with jet black hair. In terms of clothing , i look nice in coral or black
Can you recommend a good book to take to the beach or pool. I am a magazine girl. I cant recommend anything book wise.
1. Have you ever been bitten by an animal? Yes! Once I was surrounded by five little yappy chihuahuas, the owner was right there, and they kept lunging at me to bite me. She kept telling me to not move, but there were five dogs trying to bite me. One got my ankle a little bit, and she took off with them. Needless to say, I hate chihuahuas. I also got my finger snapped on by one of our pet turtles, it didn’t hurt, and our pet Oscar fish, which was huge. Scared me more than hurt.
2. On a scale of 1-10, what is your liquid eyeliner skill? If I work at it, I’m a solid 6, but that takes time and interest, two things I don’t have a lot of when it comes to liquid liner. I looooove liquid liner on other people, it is beyond amazing, I just don’t think it works on me.
3. What is your current favorite no-makeup makeup routine? Eye cream, moisturizer, fill in brows with Benefit brow pencil, jam in a little Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner into the upper lash line, and a little Benefit Benetint on the cheeks and lips.
4. What bag are you currently carrying? I have a Fossil yellow bag, love it, but I don’t carry it. I have a rose gold phone wallet that I keep my phone and a couple of cards in, that’s what I use. I like minimalism.
5. What is a color you think you wear well? Anytime I wore pink, my grandmother would always tell me how good it made me look. So I made sure to wear pink when I’d see her.
6. Can you recommend a good book? I’m currently reading “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. I know there’s a tv show based on it, but I haven’t seen it. So I don’t know much about it. It’s a fascinating read, but I’m a fifth of the way through it and I don’t know what’s going on. I do know that it’s compelling, easy to read, slightly terrifying, and almost impossible to put down.
Hi Stephanie Smith,
If you ever get the chance, try watching the TV show. It’s intense but really well made.
1. Playfully by my cat, not enough to sink her teeth into me. Once by my mare when I was taking off her saddle and didn’t know there was a groom on the other side trying to do the same thing. We both pulled up on the girth at the same time and she nipped at me. My gelding all the time. He was mouthy and anytime he wanted a treat he’d bite. Left marks on my should once.
2. Somewhere between a 2 and 3. I had the pen liner from Le Metier de Beaute and tried it a few times. Never really got good at it and I feel like I can do more with an Urban Decay pencil or Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof.
3. Sunscreen, Bobbi Brown brow gel in slate, waterproof mascara, something on the lips. Powder if I’m looking shiny.
4. Blue Michael Kors East West zip top tote. I love that it has 4 open pockets inside, plus one zipped and two outside pockets. Plus it has a clip on a leash for your keys. Without any logic, I am crushing on the new Chanel Gabrielle bag, but the prices give me a huge pause. I’m also wishing I could replace my PS1 bag.
5. I wear black a lot! I also like burgundy red and blues. For some reason olive greens work well on me, too.
6. I haven’t starting reading anything lately that has kept my attention past the first two chapters or so. The last fun books I’ve read to the end are The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion.
Looks like it’s only going to be moderately hot this week, so I’m hoping to get more yard work done. I hope you have a good week.
Aww, I loved The Rosie Project. Such a fun read!
So of course I had to google that Chanel purse and WOW! Gorgeous. You have great taste. 🙂
1. I’ve been bitten by my puppies (they were little, still with those needley teeth) and by an adult dog once when I was just walking past the yard. The dog jumped up on the fence and bit me in the shoulder. It HURT and left a big bruise. Luckily I was wearing a leather jacket or it would have been much worse.
2. At least a negative 4. I don’t wear liner any more. I like how my eyes look without it.
3. Concealer, a little blush, some natural color (but shiny!) eye shadow (see #2 above) and some mascara. Well, lots of mascara. Lip color. Done.
4. A big black leather tote with a couple of outside pockets.
5. Orange (for clothing) copper (for cosmetics)
6. Not really. I read mostly historical fiction. It’s not generally something I’d recommend unless someone has an interest in it. One of the ones I’ve read lately that I really liked a lot is “The Autobiography of Henry VIII with notes by his Fool”. I think the author is Margaret George.
Hi Kelly,
Funny that you mention not wearing liner because I’ve been skipping the lash lines lately and just waterlining and am surprised by how much I like the look. I feel like my eyes look so much bigger. What natural color shiny shadows are you liking, by the way?
One of my all time favorites isn’t even a shadow – it’s MAC Skinfinish in Superb. I also just got Stila’s new creamy-textured highlighter in Kitten, which isn’t supposed to be an eye shadow either. I just like a shiny eyelid look. I have a few things that are actually supposed to be eye shadows, all those same flesh-toned things that just make my eyelids look shiny. If it shines, it’s mine!!! 😀
Happy Monday!
1. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
Several, though not severely. Usually more like nips. Dogs, cats, snakes (non-venomous), guinea pig, goat, bird, praying mantis, spider (non-venomous to humans),mosquitoes.
2. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being off-the-charts fabulous, what’s your skill with liquid liner? An 8, I think. I do pretty well freehand, but usually have to do a little cleanup on the wing. Or use tape as a guide. Back in my teens and 20s, I would have been a 10. I could do a freehand flick like nobody’s business. But now I have crows’ feet. 😛
3. What’s your current no-makeup makeup routine? I don’t do no-makeup makeup.
4. What purse are you carrying at the moment? One I got a couple weeks ago. It’s by Mountain West, and it’s brown faux leather with a grogeous embroidered rainbow sugar skull on it. Details include crystals, studs, chain handles, and a floral print lining. It’s beautiful and roomy,and I really love it. I got it from Overstock.com.
https://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Sugar-Skull-Handbag-with-Concealed-Carry-Pocket/15923632/product.html
5. A color you wear well? Red
6. Can you recommend a good book to take to the beach or pool? A collection of short stories or poems is good when you have kids. You might actually have time to finish one. lol
1. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
Many times! I’ve had dogs, cats, gerbils, turtles, rabbits, chinchillas, birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, ponies and horses bite me. There is almost always a reason an animal bites, so I often come out understanding why and that helps me be more attuned later.
2. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being off-the-charts fabulous, what’s your skill with liquid liner?
I’m not very good with liquid liner! I’m better with gel!
3. What’s your current no-makeup makeup routine?
No makeup? Fine, I usually apply sunscreen, put on Urban Decay’s 24/7 concealer where needed, curl lashes and apply mascara and put on some Clinique Chubby Stick on lips. That’s it. XD
4. What purse are you carrying at the moment?
A Fossil I’ve had for a few years that’s started to show it’s use and abuse.
5. A color you wear well?
Blues.
6. Can you recommend a good book to take to the beach or pool?
I couldn’t tell you as I can’t read on the beach. I’m too busy running in and out of the waves.
Have you ever been bitten by an animal? A dog on 2 separate occasions as a child. Could explain why why I’m not s huge animal lover. I like them, but I’m not one of those people who gravitate to every animal they see.
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being off-the-charts fabulous, what’s your skill with liquid liner? 6ish. I don’t wear it often. I may not be a pro at application…but I can clean it up and make it crisp like a champ after.
What purse are you carrying at the moment? A white and grey leather Fossil I picked up at an outlet mall. It is the first non-Kate Spade I have carried in a few years. I like it, but I miss Kate.
A color you wear well? Jewel tones i.e. cobalt blue, kelly green. I wear black the most, but I love rich colors.
Can you recommend a good book to take to the beach or pool? ANYTHING by Colleen Hoover. I always finish her books at record speed. I get attached to the characters she creates so easily. I recommend starting with Hopeless. Strap in and be prepared for an emotional roller coaster.
1. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
If we’re counting bugs, then so, so many. All the bugs. Every single bug. I’m convinced every spider in New York has had a nibble on me at some point. My cat doesn’t bite or scratch (she’s too lovey dovey for that!) but my stepsister’s cat has definitely bitten me before as well, in addition to my grandma’s dog (he bites everyone – it’s not me!).
2. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being off-the-charts fabulous, what’s your skill with liquid liner?
Actually, I’m not bad. I’d say probably like a 5. I just rarely wear it! The NYC liquid liner is just as good as everyone says it is, BTW!
3. What’s your current no-makeup makeup routine?
I have been SO into no-makeup makeup lately! I use the Wet N Wild PhotoFocus/Coverall face primer, then either IT Cosmetics CC cream (if I’m my palest) or NARS Radiant tinted moisturizer (if I’ve got a bit of color). I’ll use either no concealer or the SMALLEST dab of the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer (with the spongey tip). If I wear concealer I set it with the smallest amount of RCMA No Color powder. Then, I use the cream contour in the Kevyn Aucoin Contour Book II (worth every last single penny) under my cheekbones and the cream highlighter on top of my cheekbones, brow bone, cupid’s bow, and tear duct (or the Glossier Haloscope in Quartz if I want something more intense). If I’m looking especially wan, I’ll use a teeny bit of cream blush, usually from the E.L.F. Soft blush palette. For my eyes, I usually skip mascara since I already have pretty dark and long lashes, but if I am going to wear some, it’ll be either a brown or a burgundy shade (my favorite trick for hazel eyes). On brows, I just wear the ABH tinted brow gel. Lots of stuff goes into no-makeup makeup!
4. What purse are you carrying at the moment?
I’ve got a big brown fake leather tote bag from Forever 21 for when I wear my brown shoes and a big black fake leather tote bag from Amazon for when I wear my black shoes! Those are for class when I need to bring my laptop and books. On weekends when I just need my purse, I’ll usually use this vintage Coach purse my mom gave me (she used it in college too!).
5. A color you wear well?
I like tertiary colors on me (chartreuse, magenta, etc.) a lot! Black can be a bit harsh since I’m so pale so I often wear charcoal gray and navy as well.
6. Can you recommend a good book to take to the beach or pool?
I’ve been trying to read more for pleasure lately so I appreciate the question! I finished A Beautiful Poison by Lydia Kang a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. It’s not the best book I’ve ever read but it’s got an interesting plot and it’s fairly well-written. The author is actually a physician and the book has got a lot of medicine and chemistry woven into the plot. I could definitely say it’s a good beach read!
1. I’ve been bitten by a toy poodle once. It belonged to a neighbor. Poodles tend to be snippy with people they don’t know.
2. Not too good; I haven’t used it much.
3. Tinted moisturizer (I like TheBalm’s BalmShelter in Lighter than Light), light dusting of Sonia Kashuk or L’Oréal powder, light application of Nars Orgasm blush, fill in/draw on eyebrows with Nyx product in ash brown, lip gloss or tinted lip balm, and light application of mascara. I would usually skip the eyebrow makeup, but my eyebrows are mostly gone due to chemotherapy.
4. A large travel purse by Pacsafe. It has a lot of good features, but I should switch to one of my many other purses so I can get some use out of them.
5. Cobalt blue.
6. I’m not much interest in popular fiction. I’ve read a lot of American and British classic literature. For those interested in Mark Twain’s “dark side,” I’d recommend getting the UC Berkeley-published book, “The Mysterious Stranger Manuscripts.”
1. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
Only by a cat lol
2. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being off-the-charts fabulous, what’s your skill with liquid liner?
Pretty good, I’d say, both on myself and others.
3. What’s your current no-makeup makeup routine?
I don’t really do the no makeup thing. It is rather really no makeup, or my regular look.
4. What purse are you carrying at the moment?
Old Gucci one.
5. A color you wear well?
RED and royal blue.
6. Can you recommend a good book to take to the beach or pool?
I am currently reading 9 books (thanks to Good Reads I can keep a track on them) but non of them are really “beach reads”.
I’ve missed these polls! 😀
1. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
My best friend’s dog once half-bit me in the face. I leaned it for a kiss when she was snoozing and I guess I caught her off guard. I was a kid, I didn’t think it through.
2. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being off-the-charts fabulous, what’s your skill with liquid liner?
Probably still no more than a 5. I finally mastered the outer corner flick but a full line is still mission impossible for me.
3. What’s your current no-makeup makeup routine?
For the face: no base make-up, just banana powder.
For the eyes: a minimal smokey in pale naturals, but still with black liner and mascara.
For the lips: a soft nude or a soft pink
4. What purse are you carrying at the moment?
I bought a new bag for my new job and even though it was just 30 EUR at New Look I absolutely adore it. It fits all my stuff. Like, all of it. That has never happened before. Ever.
5. A color you wear well?
I’m often told I look nice in dark rich blues.
6. Can you recommend a good book to take to the beach or pool?
I read Karin Slaughter – Fractured on holidat last week. I thought it was brilliant. But you have to like murder stories of course.
I was out somewhere random with friends when I was in high school–maybe a park? And I got bit by a stray kitten. Because we couldn’t find the kitten later on and it was a pretty good bite, I had to get rabies shots. This was back in 1988 when you had to get a bunch of them. I had to get two in my butt cheek the first week and these were giant needles filled with a really icy, thick liquid. Then I had to go back every week for six weeks to get a shot in the arm. It was incredibly painful. But, on the plus side, if I ever get bitten by a wild animal, I’ll just need to get one rabies booster shot! 🙂
Liquid eyeliner–if I practice eight hours a day for the next week, I might be at a level one.
No makeup routine: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30. If you’re a pale girl prone to ruddiness this stuff is the jam. It totally gets rid of redness and you’re left with just a tint of beige like you’ve put on a tinted moisturizer. Plus its got a good sunscreen. Love so much. Then I put on Korres lip butter in jasmine.
I’m carrying the cutest purse right meow! I found it at T.J. Maxx. It’s linen- and it has black leather eyelashes and it has “Hello Gorgeous” in bright pink script. With a black and gold chain strap and a thick bright pink tassel. And it was $5.99.
A good beach read would be Deborah Harkness’ “A Discovery of Witches.” It’s got everything, suspense, history, romance. It’s probably one of the best novels I’ve ever read and I have an English Lit degree so I’ve read a bunch.
I get a million compliments when I wear pink.
p.s. I haven’t read Big Little Lies but I did watch the series on HBO and Loved it. I had to binge it in like two sittings once I started. I don’t know what they would do for a second season since they covered the entire book but I love all the actresses and actors in it.