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 11 (!) 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. Would you rather wear a ballgown or a tuxedo?
Depending on what I’d be doing, I could see myself wearing either, but I’d rather wear a ballgown. Ballgowns are pretty and fancy and they feel extra special, because how often do you get to wear a ballgown?
Plus, I love my black stretchy pants because they’re comfortable. But pants in general — like, regular structured pants — are hard to find that fit my body shape. I have long legs and a short torso, and pants are generally very uncomfortable for me…if they aren’t black and stretchy. 🙂
2. What’s the best way you know to start and keep a good habit?
I’m old school and analog, so I like using a printed calendar and those shiny star stickers that teachers give kids on their reports.
I like to track whatever habit I’m trying to build by taking a star, and putting one on each day that I do whatever I’m supposed to for the goal I’m trying to achieve. Like, if I want to exercise at least five times a week for a month, I’ll put one of the stars on the calendar whenever I do a workout.
There’s something satisfying about seeing those stars lined up on the calendar, and a key part of this is having a reward at the end; otherwise, what’s the point? Yeah, it’s fun to see the stars build up, but I also need to be working toward something, like a pair of new shoes, a facial, a small splurge at Sephora.
3. How well do you twerk?
Can I just answer this question with a bunch of old lady gray hair emojis? ?????? Because I’m not exactly sure what twerking is… It’s freaking, right? Well, that’s what we used to call it back in my day.
So, I don’t know how to answer this question…but I’ve got decent hip action, so I’m gonna say, “pretty well,” although I’m not sure I’ve ever done it before.
4. What was the last live play/concert/show you went to?
It’s been a while. The last live event I went to was a show in the city with my friends Jen and Cindy last year. We watched Roman Holiday, the musical interpretation of the Audrey Hepburn movie.
To be honest, I fell asleep, but that’s not uncommon for me in dark rooms these days. Even in the middle of the day.
5. A makeup item you loved that was sadly discontinued?
MAC Matchmaster Concealer. It was (I still have a stick left, and I’m cherishing that stick) the best under-eye concealer if you have dry skin under your eyes. It sits incredibly well, doesn’t look heavy and has a slight sheen, so the coverage doesn’t look matte or, let’s be honest, crusty.
I’m really crabby about it going off into the black hole of discontinued MAC products…
And while we’re at it, Coffee Eye Pencil… It was THE BEST basic brown liner.
Happy Monday
This is random, but you know what place is poppin’ on a Sunday Morning?
(I realize that this is Monday, but I just figured this out yesterday.)
Trader Joe’s is really poppin’ at 9 a.m. on Sunday. There’s nobody there. No lines, and no crazy people trying to mow you down with their cart, although there was one lady who freakin’ tried to mow me down when I was in front of the olives, and I was about to tell her to slow her roll, but then I was just like, you know what? Take a breath. It’s gonna be OK.
So, next Sunday you know where to find me.
And you know where I am now. 🙂 I’m chilling in front of my computer, counting down the seconds before the baby wakes up.
I hope you have a good day today and a great week. I hope we all have a good day.
BTW, did your team win yesterday? Tabs was happy to see the Eagles pull it off. As for me, I’m more about the snacks than the actual game. We had hot dogs, TJ’s onion dip and potato chips, and I also got some frozen garlic fries from TJ’s that were alright.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Happy Monday! I really wish they’d change the SB to a Saturday – I’m so tired this AM. HAHA! We had a very impromptu gathering at our house (with about 24 hour notice and just getting back into town late Saturday night). The ladies and I visited and only watched the Anthem and Half Time Show. We did get regular updates on the score. 🙂
1. Would you rather wear a ballgown or a tuxedo?
I think I’d need to go with the tux. And sneakers, of course. I’m not a fan of anything fitted or cumbersome so I’m sure I’d have the tie in my pocket and the shirt untucked and unbuttoned in a hot minute.
2. What’s the best way you know to start and keep a good habit?
I like your idea and I think it would be gratifying to see all the stars. I don’t really have any advice. I think repetition and consistency. I read that it takes 3 weeks for something new to become a habit. My personal experience is that you have to be determined to do the hard stuff every time you’re faced with a decision, 3 weeks or 3 years from when you start!
3. How well do you twerk?
I actually don’t know what that is either. It makes me think of Miley Cyrus jerking around like she’s having a seizure but I’m not sure why. HAHA! I’m going to say people would find it amusing to see me twerk; I doubt anyone would think I did it well. 🙂
4. What was the last live play/concert/show you went to?
A high school production of the Sound of Music. They did a good job and I love the movie, so that was a win.
5. A makeup item you loved that was sadly discontinued?
Clinique’s Just Gorgeous lipstick.
I hope you guys had some good snacks at this gathering! Was there dip or wings involved?!
Yes, we over-snacked, as usual. I had a nacho bar, cocktail meatballs, various meat/cheese/vegetables, killer cheese dip, buffalo chicken dip and spinach dip. I did get some of the standard dips (bacon horseradish, ranch, french onion, spinach artichoke) but we didn’t even break those out since we had too much already. The upside is we now have a fridge full of dip! HAHA!
1. Would you rather wear a ballgown or a tuxedo?
A ball gown for sure. I’m of a generation that dressed more formally and elegantly when going out for the evening. Although ball gowns were reserved for very special occasions such as holiday fêtes, we also had a variety of ravishing cocktail dresses for less formal occasions such cocktail parties (duh), dinner parties, an evening out, etc. Nowadays I live in pants and dress much more informally, but men’s wear is a completely no-go for me.
2. What’s the best way you know to start and keep a good habit? Repetition, repetition, repetition! Did I just repeat myself? LOL
3. How well do you twerk?
Well . . . I can twerk although I’d never do it in front of anyone. Given I’m in my seventies, the effect is not quite the same as when Miley twerks. ?
4. What was the last live play/concert/show you went to?
LA Philharmonic just last Saturday. In addition to season tickets to the LA Phil and LA Chamber Orchestra, I also attend other concerts as well. I go to 2-3 live performances a month.
5. A makeup item you loved that was sadly discontinued?
Trina Tarentino’s eye-liner in Puppeteer. It shows up online periodically at a ridiculously inflated price, but I would never buy it because it is old product and who knows how it has been stored.
Hi Eileen,
I hope you wore some glam makeup for the show last Saturday. What did they play?
1. Ball gown. I had a job in the late 90s that involved black tie dinners at conferences a few times per year. I loved getting dressed up for those events.
2. I heard doing something for 30 days makes the habit stick!
3. Twerk? Well I take Zumba so I can shake it when in a group being led by an instructor. It takes a special environment–I can’t just do it on my own. 🙂
4. It’s been a while but we saw Sting and Peter Gabriel together in one show last summer!
5. It was an eyeshadow called something like ‘Scraping the Rail’ by Benefit. Amazing dark bronzy color.
Sadly, the Patriots did not win (I’m a New England gal). I was happy for the Eagles though since they never won a Superbowl before.
Hi Leah,
I think I remember that Benefit shadow. I think it was a cream…
How was your birthday trip? I hope you had a lot of fun in the sun. 🙂
Hi Karen! Yes, it was a cream shadow. Good memory! Thank you for asking about my trip. 🙂 It was wonderful to see family. Longboat Key was beautiful and we were able to walk on the beach and have drinks by the pool. It was only in the 30s and 40s in the mornings and it warmed up to 50s-60s in the afternoon. Still warmer than home! It was a wonderful break. I just came back from my annual yoga retreat weekend. Ahhh soo amazing!
I’m pretty sure I had it in my collection. So old school! It was good though.
Sounds like you had a wonderful trip and I’m glad you were able to celebrate your birthday 1) surrounded by family and 2) feeling warm! I remember you mentioning your yearly yoga retreat a while back. I bet your muscles all feel loose-y goose-y now, ahhh! BTW I’m going to my first yoga class in years in a couple weeks. The mom’s club I’m part of is hosting a class at a local studio and I’m pretty sure I’m going to have the tightest hamstrings in the room, haha. I’m looking forward to it, though, because I love that feeling you have when you finish a good yoga class. 🙂
Karen,
I’m so happy for you and your upcoming class. Enjoy! 🙂 You will do just fine. The beauty is you can take it at your own level.
1. Definitely a ball gown. I’m not as girly of a girly girl as I used to be, but I’d still pick that.
2. Mmm, just doing it a lot? I’m trying to eat better, so obviously, the best thing to do is to resist temptation when you’re at the grocery store. Go there after just eating, so you don’t buy stupid crap. Stick to the list.
3. No, I cannot twerk.
4. I’ve never attended a concert/play/show. I used to perform in dance concerts but I don’t think that’s quite the same…
5. Mac Typographic and Copperplate eyeshadow! Seriously, what the what! They had the best formula, smooth, and blended like a dream. They don’t have a warm grey that compares to copperplate, and carbon just straight sucks. So sad 🙁 those were my go-to’s in terms of my smokey grey eyeshadow look. *cries*
Hi Savannah,
Copperplate was SO GOOD. I still have my pan. It’s beautiful on smudged on top of a black liner, le sigh.
What kind of dance did you do? A million years ago I used to take hip hop classes.
When I heard they were discontinuing the Matte2 formula, I bought one of all of them! Typographic is just such a gorgeous gray. It’s just dark enough, just neutral enough, etc. I still don’t understand why they’d discontinue such a fabulous formula. I always thought they should reformulate all their mattes to be Matte2!
1. Would you rather wear a ball gown or a tuxedo? Tux I think, but a well cut slim fit tux in a great stretchy fabric. Ball gowns would require strapless bras and that’s not my jam.
2. What’s the best way you know to start and keep a good habit? Lists! I like to cross things off lists! Also, letting someone know what I’m doing, so I can have that cheerleader if I need one.
3. How well do you twerk? Guuuuuuurl, let me tell you, I can shake my moneymaker! Lol! However, my husband twerks better than anyone (yay me!). My kids used to yell out “twerking contest” if they were trying to win an argument. We are a family of big rear ends!
4. What was the last live play/concert/show you went to? Most likely my kids’ band concerts. Both my girls play clarinet, I’m so proud!
5. What is an item you loved that was sadly discontinued? Easy, Revlon’s Crushed Cherry lipstick. It’s a bright cherry, and every time I bought a tube, I’d get a boyfriend. Crazy right? The last tube I bought, in 1994, I was 19, and I thought, “I guess I’ll meet a boyfriend now.” First time I wore it, the night I met my husband! I still have that lipstick, I’m never tossing it, even though it’s very old. But I don’t want to lose the hubs, so maybe I’m glad it’s discontinued, I’m not interested in a boyfriend now!
1. I’d rather wear ballgown than a tuxedo. I don’t like to wear skirts on a daily basis, but when it’s time to doll up, I want to be properly dolled up! All the colors, sparkles, hair-dos, pretty dress, *sigh*.
2. Best way to keep a habit? Keep an accountability partner, an ongoing schedule. Actually, I’m going to plug my personal blog instead of the beauty blog now, sharing my lessons in building a running habit.
3. Twerking? OMG I don’t think I can do that… maybe when I’m tipsy… in my head I can but not for realz.
4. Last live/play/concert? Linkin Park, last summer, when Chester was still with us. I’m really glad I went.
5. An item I love that’s sadly discontinued? I love the Rubenesque paint pot from mac. Still the prettiest gold color… then again maybe I’m just being nostalgic since it’s also one of the first real products I bought.
1. Would you rather wear a ballgown or a tuxedo?
Ballgown. I’ve never worn one and it would be fun to get dressed up!
2. What’s the best way you know to start and keep a good habit?
I’m still trying to figure this out. I’m a visual learner so I should try the printed calendar idea. I think working towards a reward of some kind would be good too.
3. How well do you twerk?
Uh, no twerking for me. 🙂 I tried doing this danc/cardio workout once that had twerking and I was completely out of my element
4. What was the last live play/concert/show you went to?
It was when my husband’s band played at a local restaurant last year.
5. A makeup item you loved that was sadly discontinued?
I can’t think of anything specific, but I wonder if Revlon Coffe Bean lipstick is still made. It reminds me of the good ol’ days back in high school and college.
Happy Monday!
1. Would you rather wear a ballgown or a tuxedo?
Ballgown – I feel the range of movement is way better. I actually just read a twitter thread last week about Disney princesses fighting in dresses (and which princesses had the best dresses to do so). It was really interesting!
2. What’s the best way you know to start and keep a good habit?
Tracking – be it food into myfitnesspal (which reminds me….LOL), exercise, or setting alarms.
3. How well do you twerk?
Ah, well, it’s one of those motions I can’t really do anymore after having surgery on my lower back a few years ago LOL – I’d get halfway through a “twerk” (oh god do I sound old, is this a thing?!) and would probably have a back spasm.
4. What was the last live play/concert/show you went to?
I think the last thing I went to was the Joffrey Ballet’s “Game Changers” last spring.
5. A makeup item you loved that was sadly discontinued?
Not makeup, but skin care: I *loved* Biore’s dual fusion face moisturizer. I think I made it through two bottles and then it was discontinued. It was great – light, SPF, and didn’t make my skin break out.
I didn’t even realize the Superbowl was yesterday until today. lol
1. Would you rather wear a ballgown or a tuxedo? Ballgown all the way!
2. What’s the best way you know to start and keep a good habit? Rewarding myself for sticking with the good habit.
3. How well do you twerk? I’ve never tried. I suspect I would suck at it.
4. What was the last live play/concert/show you went to? Evanescence “Synthesis” concert right before Christmas
5. A makeup item you loved that was sadly discontinued? Revlon’s Street Wear line (remember that?). More recently, e.l.f. Moiturizing Foundation Stick and HD Concealer in Brightening. Both worked really well for me, so of course e.l.f. dc’d them. I managed to get a couple backups of the Foundation Stick, but I didn’t have enough warning about the concealer. It was perfect for my undereyes.
1. Would you rather wear a ballgown or a tuxedo? Depends. If it was a Tom Ford designed, sexy tuxedo, definitely the tux. But if it was just a regular old tux, I’d go with a ball gown.
2. What’s the best way you know to start and keep a good habit? I have no clue. I’m really bad at developing and keeping good habits.
3. How well do you twerk? Uhhh, what’s twerking, exactly? I’ve heard of it, but I’m not sure I know what it is. It doesn’t sound like something I would care to be good at.
4. What was the last live play/concert/show you went to? Saw “A Christmas Story: The Musical” at the SF Playhouse in December and just saw “The Sleeping Beauty” performed by the SF Ballet last Saturday. Dear Daughter went to Not So Silent Night and even though I wanted to go too, she made it clear I was not allowed to sit anywhere near her.
5. A makeup item you loved that was sadly discontinued? Burberry Trench eyeshadow. The original formula when it first came out. It was a perfect match for my skin tone and used it as a base shade in almost all my looks. I went through three pans of that stuff and then without warning it was gone. I didn’t even have a chance to score a backup.
I just went through my cup of eyeliners. It was starting to get hard to put them back in after using one, so I knew I needed to downsize. And there were a few that were from Prescriptives from before they were discontinued and brought back on-line, so I needed to do a good clear out. Unfortunately, I tossed my MAC Coffee. It was almost brand new too. I hardly ever used it, having a preference for Chanel Stylo Yeux in Espresso. If only I had known, I would have kept it and sent it to you.
Hi Karen, both of your discontinued MAC items are still available here in the UK directly from MAC and through other retailers, there are a number of retailers that ship internationally if you are interested. I can only assume companies monitor what sells well in individual markets and keep/discontinue products accordingly. On my part I am still mourning the loss of two items, namely Chanel Rouge Coco in Amant and Dior Capture Totale loose powder. Nothing compares to the Dior powder, it was just divine. My Monday only has 24 minutes left, but enjoy the rest of yours!
1. Would you rather wear a ballgown or a tuxedo?
Ballgown! I wear pants every day, so I don’t get to get dressed up, so I’d love to be a girly girl for once!
2. What’s the best way you know to start and keep a good habit?
The best thing for me is to just do it. Usually, if I love it, I will continue it. If I *hate* it, you cannot make me continue doing it even if my life depended on it. In terms of exercise though (which I do usually have to force myself to do in winter), I keep things interesting and make sure I do things I love. Horseback riding is fun, but I have to get more strength which requires more strengthening and I find doing something that relates to horseback riding will get my butt moving.
3. How well do you twerk?
This must a younger-than-29 person thing because, yea, I don’t know what this is.
4. What was the last live play/concert/show you went to?
I went to Tempel Lipizzan’s horse show last Father’s Day. I’ve gone there for the past two years and it’s so much fun and so beautiful.
5. A makeup item you loved that was sadly discontinued?
Benefit’s Nice Knickers. That color is beautiful. WHY?! WHY?! Whhhhhhhhhy?
1. Would you rather wear a ballgown or a tuxedo?
Ballgown all the way! Glamour, baby! Preferably with some exquisite priceless jewelry, opera gloves, and a gorgeous date.
2. What’s the best way you know to start and keep a good habit?
Plan it. Write it down. Whittle it down to bite size chunks. And pair it with something enjoyable; for instance, no tv watching unless you’re on the treadmill. If you can’t pair it with something fun, then pair it with something you’re going to do anyway (like pairing flossing with brushing).
3. How well do you twerk?
Fairly awkwardly, but practice makes perfect. I certainly have the booty for it.
4. What was the last live play/concert/show you went to?
A Fab Faux (Beatles tribute band) concert in November with my brother, the ultimate Beatlemaniac. They put on a fantastic show — they don’t try to look like the band members, but their sound is very close to the original Beatles recordings.
5. A makeup item you loved that was sadly discontinued?
Lorac Natural Performance foundation. Well, it wasn’t discontinued but they changed the formula. The new ingredients don’t work for me, which is a shame because the color match was perfect and the finish was so beautiful.
I’m not one for team sports (usually watch the Puppy Bowl), but I live in Eagles country and am thrilled that the local team won the Super Bowl. There is such joy in Philadelphia right now, and frankly, we needed it.
The star sticker way is the only way to go 😉
Oh my heavens, MAC Coffee eye pencil… my first MAC product I bought for myself like 12 years ago… I’m so so sad now that I didn’t buy backups!!
I picked up that Chanel eyeshadow palette. I had to have it. It’s very pretty!
Late to the party again, it’s been a real pisser of a week so far.
1. Would you rather wear a ballgown or a tuxedo?
That depends, at my current weight, a gown probably. If I was in perfect shape, a tux with no shirt and a whole lot of jewelry, slicked back hair, and some winged liner sharp enough to cut a b*tch.
2. What’s the best way you know to start and keep a good habit?
Try to work it in to your regular routine. Keep doing it until it sticks. If it’s not sticking, then it’s either not for you or you need to find a variation that works for you.
3. How well do you twerk?
Um, I never tried to do the current ‘twerk’ style. I can work it pretty well though.
4. What was the last live play/concert/show you went to?
The last play was Madame Butterfly a long ass time ago. Last concert was Cheryl Crow at my work a long ass time ago. I saw some performance art in Europe as late as 2013. It’s been a dry couple of years for culture. Too expensive.
5. A makeup item you loved that was sadly discontinued?
NARS Strawberry Fields Lip Gloss, L’Oreal Mattique and Voluminous Full Definition Mascara!