Archives for July 2013

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

1. What’s something you like doing in the morning?
   Um, besides sleeping in? 🙂 I actually really love working out in the morning. Up through my early 30s, I was always an afternoon/early evening exerciser, the very thought of rolling out of bed and moving my @ss before noon made my tummy turn.

   Now, though, I love it! Love it, love it, love it! I feel like it gets my day off to a good start, like I’ve already checked something important off my list.

   And truth be told, I’m usually too tired to haul my cookies around after a long day assisting my kitty employer.

2. Do you thrive in chaos?
   Sometimes. I do get a lot done under pressure, but I think everything’s just better when I have the time to get all my ducks in a row.
3. A place you have very fond memories of?
   The North Shore of Oahu… I have so many happy memories with El Hub of those beaches and little surf towns, just swimming, relaxing, snorkeling and hanging out with each other. The best was our wedding, though. We got married there at a hotel called Turtle Bay.

   We celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary yesterday! 🙂

4. Something you’ve been meaning to do but keep putting off for one reason or another?
   Ugh, buy some dresser drawers! I’ve had the same one since 1999, and it has never been any good (damned thing’s drawers don’t close all the way).

   I got it second hand off Craigslist for a steal way back when you could meet people on Craigslist without the threat of great bodily harm, or at least as high a threat as there seems to be today, and I’ve hated it ever since.

   I’ve actually got my eye on this one from Crate & Barrel. It’s totally out of my price range but it’s perfect.

   Furniture lust!

5. How many windows did your childhood home have?
   Nine, if you include the sliding glass door in the backyard.
6. What’s your stance on lady mullets?
   DUDE. I’ve actually seen it on a few girls, and they looked really, really cute. I mean, you have to have the right style and the mojo to pull it off, but when works, it works.
7. Is there a part of growing older that’s surprised you?
   That it would someday take effort to see the world with wonder, which is something I think I always just did naturally as a kid. I thought it would be easier, to be honest… Now I’m definitely more skeptical and cynical.
8. Got any projects in the works?
   
   I’m thinking of starting either a fashion or a food blog…because, you know, Tabs gives me sooo much extra time for my side projects, hahaha!

   Yes, that was sarcasm.

9. Are you a hipster?
   No, but I have a hipster kitty! 😀
10. Write yourself a kind, encouraging note…
    Oh, Karen, I love you, but you really have to chill-the-eff out. Just breathe, relax, and look forward to getting a pedicure at 6.

    Don’t sweat the small stuff, kiddo. You’re doing just fine.

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. What’s something you like doing in the morning?
2. Do you thrive in chaos?
3. A place you have very fond memories of?
4. Something you’ve been meaning to do but keep putting off?
5. How many windows did your childhood home have?
6. What’s your stance on lady mullets?
7. Something that’s surprised you about growing up and growing older?
8. Got any projects in the works?
9. Are you a hipster?
10. Write yourself a kind, encouraging note…

Bear with me through some cheese, please, but I feel like I need to tell you something on this lovely Monday morning. You are appreciated and loved.

Do you hear me? I never take our friendship for granted.

Aww, cheesy, I know. I love cheese. 🙂

You have a good day and wonderful week, okay?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Do you wear more makeup now or less? Has your skincare regimen gotten more complicated than it used to be? How about your hair situation? Do you fuss with your mane more these days than you did 10 years ago, or have you learned to let it be?

I’m curious. How have your beauty routines changed over the past decade?

Let’s see… Ten years ago I was a wee lass o’ 28. My beauty routines have definitely changed a lot since then.

I’d say the biggest changes have been with how I do my hair. On a daily basis, I don’t mess with it as much as I used to. It took a long time to love my naturally wavy hair as much as I do now. Ten years ago I was straightening it almost daily, which took 20-30 minutes and was the most time consuming part of getting ready in the mornings for me.

Now I just let it do whatever it wants…and unsurprisingly that takes a lot less time! I’m usually done in five minutes. Fifteen at the most if I take a curling iron to it.

Of course, I use up that extra time with my skincare routine, which has gotten more complicated. It used to be pretty minimal — cleanser, toner, benzoyl peroxide (for le zits), moisturizer and sunscreen.

I didn’t even use an eye cream back then! Now, I do. I use way more products than I used to, including anti-aging goodies (like this and this).

As for makeup, I think I’m less fearful of trying new things and brighter colors than I was then. At 28, I mostly stuck to conservative colors — browns and beiges on my eyes, MAC Blushbaby on my cheeks and a slew of pinkish golden glosses (hello, MAC Nymphette).

My idea of pushing the envelope back then was a small amount of teal liner softly smudged along my upper lash line, and I would have never even considered wearing bright coral or hot pink lips.

Shoot, now I’ll try anything! 🙂

Let’s hop in the Wayback Machine… Ten years ago, what was your beauty routine like? And how has it changed over the past decade?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! Here’s to a loooong weekend (*raises coffee mug*).

I hope you slept well last night. I actually slept in this morning…to 6:40, woo-hoo! That’s a lot later than usual lately. Between the Finch Family and the Tabby alarm clock, 6:40 feels alright. 😀

What’s the plan for today? You know what I’m doin’. I’m hitting the pool, and then maybe, hopefully, the mall later today.