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In Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, which I HIGHLY recommend for anybody, but especially tweens and teens, the main character is an everyday girl navigating her way through adolescence and puberty. In one part of the story she contemplates stuffing her bra with cotton balls before going to a party.

Even though I read the book about a bazillion times in my early teens, it never occurred to me way back then to actually stuff my bra. I just thought it was something they only did in books, and not in, like, real life.

That’s how clueless I was as a kid. We didn’t have the Interwebs or the Googles back then! 🙂

And now that I think back about it, I hated having to wear my first bra. It wasn’t one of those things about growing up that I looked forward to, because I was a bit of a tomboy back then, and my mom and I never had that “your body is going through ch-ch-changes” conversation.

The only reason I started wearing that first bra was because my best friend’s mom mentioned something to my mom about me/it. I think my mom was in total denial about the fact that I was visibly going through puberty, but she still dug deep and eventually took me to go bra shopping at the mall.

So we got one, and it felt annoyingly oppressive. I hated wearing it, and the thought of stuffing it never crossed my mind…

Until I hit my 20s and 30s, when I did use those chicken cutlets bra inserts from time to time with tops and dresses that I felt could benefit from a bit of a boost.

So yes, I have stuffed my bra.

I know that for many women, this subject is a sensitive one that takes on a different meaning because of breast cancer. My mother-in-law is a breast cancer survivor, and we’ve talked many times about specialty bras.

In whatever ways and however it applies to you, have you ever stuffed your bra before? The comments here are a safe place (I STRICTLY enforce that).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

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 seven 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 that saves you time when you’re getting ready in the morning?
   Curling my hair and/or doing a blowout early on Monday morning, which usually takes me about a half an hour, so that all I have to do the rest of the week is touch up my roots with a little dry shampoo (I’m really lovin’ this one from Living Proof, BTW) and quickly brush it through.

   Saves me a TON of time to not have to style my hair on a daily basis. Plus, in that weirdly icky, ironic hair way, I think my hair looks better as it gets grungier throughout the week.

2. Cheesecake or pie?
   Pie all day, every day, son! Please make mine pecan with a big scoop of whipped cream on top. Thank you kindly. 🙂
3. Would you rather read a romance, or a mystery?
   Hmm… OK, how about a young adult romantic mystery??

   LOL! But seriously, probably a mystery, but it’s gotta be lighthearted and fun. I can’t get into books that are too heavy or serious these days.

4. What’s the weather like today?
   Oh, my gosh! It’s raining!! It’s cold, completely overcast and lightly raining.

   It was pouring last night and this morning, and we had some loud, long thunder and lightning. Poor Tabs was terrified! He was staring out one of the windows when the thunder struck, and it scared him so badly that he leapt in the air and started coughing! 🙁

   I think he may have choked for minute, but he seems OK now.

5. When was the last time you wore a uniform?
   If we’re defining “uniform” in the strictest sense of the word, then it was probably my band uniform back in high school, and good grief that thing was hideous! Ruffles and a huge, ill-fitting bucket hat just ain’t cute.

   But if we’re using the looser, more usual definition of “uniform,” then it was probably about eight or nine years ago when I worked as a legal assistant in a tall building in downtown SF.

   I pretty much wore a slightly different version of the same thing every day — black pants, black shirt, black shoes.

   Eh, it was easy, and I didn’t want to think too hard.

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. Something that saves you time when you’re getting ready in the morning?
2. Cheesecake or pie?
3. Would you rather read a romance, or a mystery?
4. What’s the weather like today?
5. When was the last time you wore a uniform?

Good morning, sweet friend! It’s a stormy day here in Northern California.

Wanna hear something kind of random…? I just noticed that I can’t sit as close to my desk as I used to because of Baby Girl and my tum.

Yup, and my keyboard feels so far away… LOL! I know I keep saying this, but that’s because I’m constantly shocked: Baby Girl is getting ginormous! I was staring at my stomach the other night, and she kicked so hard that I actually saw the skin move.

It was both delightful and freaky at the same time.

In other random news, I made a loaf of banana bread last night, and it’s already almost gone. El Hub and I tore into that thing with a fierceness!

The recipe came from MBB reader Rachel R.’s hubby (thank you very much, you guys!), and it was effing deliciously light, cake-like and moist. Thank you again, Rachel, for sharing it!

Rachel R.’s Hubby’s Banana Bread

* Start with all ingredients at room temperature, 68-70 degrees F. Put rack on lower third of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8.5″ x 4.5″ (6-cup) loaf pan.

* Thoroughly whisk together the following ingredients in a bowl:
1 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

* In a large bowl, beat on high speed until lightened in color and texture, approximately 2-3 minutes:
6 Tbsp. softened unsalted butter
1/3 c. granulated white sugar
1/3 c. light brown sugar
Beat in the flour mixture, adding a little at a time until blended and the consistency of brown sugar.

* Gradually beat in until combined:
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

* Fold in until just combined:
1 c. mashed, very ripe bananas (about 2 average-sized bananas)
½ c. coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans (optional). You can also add in a 1/2 c. of chocolate chips, if you like.

* Scrape the batter into the pan and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50-60 mins. Let cool in the pan, on a rack, for 5-10 mins. Un-mold and let cool completely on the rack.

Mmm… OK, just copying/pasting that recipe made me really, REALLY want another slice, haha.

You have a great day, OK? I’ll talk to you soon.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen