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. What would no one guess about you?
Hmm… That I love to bake! ??? I used to do it more than I do nowadays, but I still do it on occasion.
I’d do it more if my friends and family would eat my food, LOL! I mean, not to say that it doesn’t taste good (at least I think it tastes OK!), but there was a point in time when I was literally baking multiple cakes every weekend because I thought it was so much fun to do, and then I’d give all of my baked goods away to my friends, folks and my brother, but eventually they were like, “You need to stop because we’re all gaining weight.”
I just love the act of baking. I love the precision and the artistry, and how it’s a combination of science and art. I dunno…
Plus, you get something yummy to eat at the end, and how could you not love that?
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup?
I strongly believe that purple is a “do,” and everyone sitting here has to try using at least one purple liner. I recommend MAC Prunella as that liner.
It’s not an in-your-face purple, though. It’s more of a deep plum, and the reason why everyone needs to try purple at least once IMO is because it enhances practically every eye color out there — especially blue, brown and hazel. Purple is the stuff!
It’s also the color of royalty, AND Prince loved it too.
3. What gets you up in the morning?
Sheer force of will, haha!
OK, if we’re being literal, then the answer is “my alarm clock,” also known as Tabs. He’s so vocal now in the morning, and when he isn’t meowing, he’s biting me to get up. LOL!
What also gets me up is knowing that the baby will get up at a certain time, which means that I have that before she gets up to myself, and it’s when I feel mentally fresh, so I know that I can get a lot of writing done.
I used to hate waking up at 5:30, but now I’m like, “I’m getting up, and we’re DOING THIS.”
Also, coffee helps. A lot.
4. I think one should always be__________.
I think one should always be ready with a change of shoes, because you never know when the pair you’re wearing will start hurting your feet, and yes, I know this from experience.
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better?
Let me think here… Well, I just started decorating my living room. It’s been slow progress, but it’s definitely progress.
For the longest time… I mean, I’ve lived in this condo for years, and I haven’t wanted to seriously decorate because I have a major fear of furniture commitment. I just get so overwhelmed by the choices.
Someone in the comments here on MBB suggested starting with one thing — and in this case that thing was my new couch — and then build from there with things that you like, and that’s what I’ve been doing. I got a few lamps last weekend and grabbed some pillows with fall colors (wine, orange, gold) for the couch. It’s coming along. 🙂
Happy Halloween Eve/Monday!
Rise and shine, morning gory (haha)! Are you dressing up this week? And do the people where you work get into the spirit? I think it’s so cool when people at work dress up for Halloween.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the questions to copy and paste.
1. What would no one guess about you?
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup?
3. What gets you up in the morning?
4. I think one should always be__________.
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better?
Happy Monday, Friend! 🙂
1. What would no one guess about you? That I’m quite empathetic.
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup? I love wearing purple eye makeup that looks exactly like brown eye makeup. 😉
3. What gets you up in the morning? Necessity. Must work to pay bills. HAHA!
4. I think one should always be__________. Prepared but ready to improvise.
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better? We started to de-clutter this weekend. Baby steps but it’s a start.
PS Did you watch any of Stranger Things 2 yet? One of my friends and I binged it this weekend. 🙂
1. What would no one guess about you?
I speak Spanish. Many people I meet have no idea that I’m Mexican haha
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup?
Yes, please, for all the eyeballs! I love using purple on clients :). I had a bridesmaid hire me this past weekend because her bride friend requested purple eye makeup and my client was terrified. She loved the results!
3. What gets you up in the morning?
My alarm clock on work days. Sometimes it’s my husband getting home from work, or his sleep sounds hahaha
4. I think one should always be__________.
Thankful. So many people get caught up in looking at what everyone else has and feeling sorry for themselves. Once you decide to say “thank you” throughout the day, for even the tiniest things, your entire world brightens up!
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better?
Allowing myself to take days off. Balancing being a full time mua and also managing a home and doing all the stuff a stay at home wife does, I was on edge all the time. Once I allowed myself to take days off without guilt, everything has improved 🙂
1. What would no one guess about you? Hmmm…I have a son who is 30 years old 🙂
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup? Love it! I feel like it makes my green eyes pop.
3. What gets you up in the morning? Ha ha. I need to get up for work. The alarm goes off , hit snooze once and I’m out of bed in 7 minutes.
4. I think one should always be__________. Kind. Kindness goes a long way.
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better? In the midst of redoing our bedroom. Ripped up carpeting, took down wallpaper, painted the walls. My husband just put down new woodwork and painted it this weekend. Looks so good!
1. What would no one guess about you? I have a very warped sense of humor that’s gotten me into trouble on numerous occasions.
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup? My favorite!
3. What gets you up in the morning? My kids
4. I think one should always be__________. Kind
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better? Nothing new
1. What would no one guess about you? Folks have trouble guessing my age (I’m 40). I still get carded too!
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup? On me I would say a no. Too vibrant of a color.
3. What gets you up in the morning? Maximus howling downstairs.
4. I think one should always be__________. Open minded. 🙂
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better? I just started taking a class at the gym called Body Art. It combines yoga, tai chi, cardio, etc. It’s a great addition to my week.
Happy Halloween Karen! I’m not dressing up but I’ll be wearing orange.
1. What would no one guess about you? That i am a sorority girl
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup? love it.
3. What gets you up in the morning? not being fired
4. I think one should always be… ready to accept what may come their way
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better? drinking water
1. What would no one guess about you?
I have a sarcastic, dark sense of humor. I tend to be bright and warm, but I love dark humor.
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup?
Love! My first eyeshadow trio was a plum tone one from Shiseido. It’s practically neutral on me. Sometimes eyeshadows just blend to look purple on me.
Newest obsession: using Pat McGrath’s lipstick in Deep Void used as eyeshadow. I was doing an impromptu kitty makeup last Friday and it came out so good. Topped it with a bit a gold highlighter and rawr!
3. What gets you up in the morning?
The alarm clock. I have an old alarm that attaches to old models of iPods/iPhones. I have an iPod that I used as my workout iPod docked—it was last updated in 2010 or 2011 so it’s heavy with Danity Kane, Britney, Gaga and LMFAO.
4. I think one should always be__________.
Inquisitive.
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better?
Sleeping. I’ve always snored, but a few months ago I finally went to get a sleep study done and was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I’ve been using a cpap machine every night and my life has changed. I’m not sleep deprived anymore. My eating habits have gotten better, my hormones are more stable, and I have energy to exercise! I just feel more whole!
Wish you and the coy wolf a spooooooky Halloween! xxG
1. What would no one guess about you?
I love to brush the manes and tails of horses. Everything else can be a real drag sometimes, but manes and tails are my territory.
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup?
Loooooooove.
3. What gets you up in the morning?
Zena, my alarm clock or the need to go potty (TMI). All are way too insistent.
4. I think one should always be__________.
Curious and open-minded.
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better?
Walking around my new neighborhood and looking around websites seeing what there is to do! I never realized how much I missed by not looking to seeing what there was to do in my old neck o’ the woods.
1. What would no one guess about you?
I’m a really good carpenter/handywoman.
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup?
Yes, especially plum shades. I love a deep plum mixed all up in a smoky eye.
3. What gets you up in the morning?
These days, my back hurting so much I can’t lay in bed any more. This happens an unfortunately short time after I get to sleep.
4. I think one should always be__________.
Grateful, even if it’s for only one little thing on a really bad day.
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better?
Yoga.
I nearly fell out of my chair when I read your comment about baking being a combination of science and art. I say that exact thing All. The. Time.
1. What would no one guess about you?
If they were looking at me, probably how geeky I am. I love my books, video games, Harry Potter and Doctor Who. 🙂 But like so many women, I also love fashion and beauty too!
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup?
It’s a yes! I’ve strayed away from in-your-face purple in the last 5 years or so, but since I have green eyes I tend to like purple-ish and will reach for purpley-taupes a lot.
3. What gets you up in the morning?
Work. And when that ends in a few months, I’m sure it will be the baby! 😉
4. I think one should always be__________.
Polite. A least to start. It doesn’t take much and people are just so much more responsive than if you’re a jerk.
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better?
Regular bedtimes, even on the weekends. It’s mainly due to pregnancy and being so tired, but I try not to sleep in too much either and just take a nap if I need it. I feel so much more productive!
1. I’m Latina. A big part of me wishes I didn’t change my spanish-sounding maiden name when I got married. Now my name is very normal. When people find out I am Spanish they’re surprised.
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup? A huge resounding yes!
3. What gets you up in the morning?
My 3 year old.
4. I think one should always be real.
5. Putting on hand cream. It’s that time of year!
1. What would no one guess about you?
I’m allergic to dogs!
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup?
Do! On myself I only like it as eyeliner.
3. What gets you up in the morning?
Hunger ?
4. I think one should always be__________.
Genuine
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better?
Trying harder not to pick at my skin. It’s a really bad habit!
1. I have 2 children , 47 and 46. One is an FBI agent the other a prof . Dancer ??
2. I LOVE purple eyeshadow . Makes my eyes even greener.
3. I get up because I am really hungry and can’t wait to eat breakfast.
4. ,,,,, polite and smile in the worst of circumstances.
5. For me starting WW and losing 22 pounds. I have more to go but fitting into clothes in my closet is gratifying.
1. That I have a wide knowledge of multiple subjects, and a high IQ (I can prove this, unlike Trump).
2. Fine when handled appropriately for the situation. Intense purple is fine on models and entertainers. Any woman who has a normal job and wants to be taken seriously better tone it down a lot.
3. Not sure. Lately I tend to agree with a recent “Pearls Before Swine” cartoon in which he says nothing that will happen if he gets up will be any better than spending the day in bed.
4. Realistic.
5. Taking care of my facial skin.
1. What would no one guess about me? Whatever it is…probably good to leave it a mystery.
2. LOVE purple eye makeup more than any other beauty product ever. Always have, always will. But there are so many dud purple eye shadows!
3. What gets you up in the morning? Um, coffee. Did I mention coffee?
4. I think one should always be respectful.
5. Something I just started that’s making life better: Eating Keto.
1. What would no one guess about you? There are too many things
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup? I like it!
3. What gets you up in the morning? My alarm clock, and the idea of having breakfast!
4. I think one should always be KIND.
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better? Re-organizing my wardrobe yet again.
1. What would no one guess about you? That I am a softy inside.
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup? My eyes are allergic to any sort of purple eye makeup. And I found that out the painful way… but I think it looks gorgeous on other people.
3. What gets you up in the morning? Food mostly. And the need for a hot shower.
4. I think one should always be reaching for their inner child every now and then.
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better? Thinking about how I am gonna decorate my very first and very own christmas tree in my new home. I am a christmas fanatic.
OMG, Sorry I’m so late to the party! I broke my ankle last Saturday, so I’m way behind on like, everything 😛
1. What would no one guess about you?
I used to be a model. People just see as me as the overweight person I’ve become between massive illness a smidgen of neglect.
2. Your thoughts on purple eye makeup?
Love!
3. What gets you up in the morning?
The alarm! Making money?
4. I think one should always be__________.
Educated. It’s really the most important thing. On all fronts, emotionally, socially, politically and traditional education. Always be curious and never stop learning.
5. Something you just started doing that’s making your life better?
I started pilates again but due to my move and recent events it’s impossible to keep going rn.