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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 NINE (!) 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. How often do you wear mascara on your lower lashes?

Most of the time. I’d say 80% of the time when I wear mascara, and when I don’t do it, it’s usually because I ran out of time or was feeling lazy.

My lashes are uninspiring by default and fairly sparse (seriously, you can barely see them at all), so it helps when I wear mascara on the top and bottom.

I’m also pretty picky when it comes to my lower lash mascara, though, particularly the brush. I prefer super skinny brushes like the one that comes with It Cosmetics Tightline Mascara to get way down there at the base/roots.

2. Backpacks or cross-body bags?

Cross-body all day, son! I’m always reaching into my bag for something, like my phone, lip balm, baby toys, etc., and it’s just easier for me to grab things out of a cross-body bag than a backpack (because I don’t have to take it off).

3. What are three things you’d like to accomplish over the next two weeks?

1. Clean my bathroom (it has reached the event horizon between “not quite gross” and “pretty disgusting”)
2. Walk or run a combined 20 miles, at least
3. Hang at least one of my framed pictures in the hallway (P.S. Can you tell that I’m into this whole short-term goals thing?)

4. Where do you go when you need a quiet place to think?

If I’m away from the house, I’ll go sit in my car. It’s quiet with the windows up, and it’s a good place to think. And at home, my “thinking space” is the bathroom, LOL!

It’s quiet, especially with the fan on, and nobody bothers me in there…but I suspect that that will change once Connor Claire figures out door knobs!

5. What’s something you need to let go of?

Connor Claire’s little baby clothes that don’t fit her anymore. 🙁 I’m about to go full-on hoarders status in about two seconds if I don’t.

Thing is, it’s hard saying goodbye to the things that I remember her wearing when she was a teeny, tiny peanut. I tried to set aside a box filled with things for donation last weekend, but I just couldn’t do it. I got very emotional. I ended up shoving the box in my closet…

I figure, I’ll let go of it when I’m good and ready.

Oh, deer…

Look who visited last weekend! A family of four stopped by to chill on our hill for a bit.

I swear, seeing animals outside never gets old.

Speaking of chilling, I hope it isn’t too cold there, and I hope you’re able to do some relaxing today. Today is a national holiday here in the U.S., Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Take good care of yourself, my friend. 🙂 If you can, maybe paint your nails, take a nap or read a magazine — something to recharge your batteries a little. It’s important.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy and paste…

1. How often do you wear mascara on your lower lashes?
2. Backpacks or cross-body bags?
3. What are three things you’d like to accomplish over the next two weeks?
4. Where do you go when you need a quiet place to think?
5. What’s something you need to let go of?

I’m curious, because I’ve heard a lot of people compare makeup to painting, and I loved art class in elementary and high school (I stopped in college because I was too busy taking boring sh*t like organic chemistry, ugh).

Especially makeup artists. I’ve heard that a lot — that they were one of the “art kids,” and they were into painting and drawing, so they got into makeup because it was a natural extension of that.

Do you have an artistic background? Because I don’t really. I mean, I like doodling and drawing logos and designs for connorclaire.com, and I played musical instruments as a kid, but I haven’t taken serious painting or drawing classes or anything like that as an adult.

I’ve always just liked applying makeup, and when I’d see a makeup look somewhere that I liked, I’d try to figure out how to do it on my own.

It’s funny, but have you ever noticed how much paint brushes look like makeup brushes? I remember going into an art store after I was really getting into makeup and having an aha! moment. “Oh! This brush looks like the flat brush I use to pack color on my lids, and this one looks like a tapered blending brush for diffusing color!” It makes perfect sense in hindsight.

Fellow makeup lovers, do you happen to have an art background? Inquiring minds want to know.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! 🙂