Just For Fun

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?

1. Mango or pineapple?

Oh! — pineapple please, ideally of the fresh variety, perhaps at the breakfast buffet at Duke’s in Hawaii, although I won’t say no to canned. ?

2. What’s the farthest you’ve ever run?

That would be 13.1 miles in the Nike Women’s Half Marathon, and for the record…I don’t ever need to run that far again, LOL!

3. Your thoughts on shadow/liner on the lower lash line?

If it rocks your socks off, go for it! I do it every once in a blue moon now but not as often as I used to, partly due to makeup laziness, and partly due to my belief that I’m just better off now when I wear less in that general area.

4. Plaid, gingham or stripes?

My heart says plaid, but my brain says vertical stripes (so slimming!).

5. Rice or pasta?

YES!

6. How does your hair look when you air dry it?

Not bad since I stopped dyeing it, but I gotta prep it before it dries so it looks presentable, so I work in a few blobs of leave-in conditioner, spray a lightweight and flexible spray gel into my bangs, then clip my bangs down so they’ll lie flat.

7. Pick one gang/crew to hang out with:

• Blanche, Dorothy, Sophia and Rose
• Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte
• Big Bird, the Count, Bert and Ernie

No question — Blanche, Dorothy, Sophia and Rose! ?

8. What team sports have you played?

None, unfortunately. I wish I would’ve played a team sport when I was growing up because I think I would’ve enjoyed it. Plus, you learn so much about body awareness and important life lessons, like how to win and lose gracefully.

Sports just weren’t valued in my family, though.

9. Are you seeing any signs of spring around your neighborhood?

Yup! The leaves are starting to return on some of the oaks, and the cherry blossoms are finally blooming. Note to self: it’s time to start taking allergy meds again.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

1. Mango or pineapple?
2. What’s the farthest you’ve ever run?
3. Your thoughts on shadow/liner on the lower lash line?
4. Plaid, gingham or stripes?
5. Rice or pasta?
6. How does your hair look when you air dry it?
7. Pick one gang/crew to hang out with:

• Blanche, Dorothy, Sophia and Rose
• Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte
• Big Bird, the Count, Bert and Ernie

8. What team sports have you played?
9. Are you seeing any signs of spring around neighborhood?

P.P.S. Hi there, sweet girl! Happy International Women’s Day! I hope this Monday brings you plenty of peace, happiness and joy. You’re exactly where you need to be, alright? You’re doing better than you think! ?

Cue the trumpets! ? I’m wearing pants that actually fit, and they aren’t workout pants (!).

Heavens to Murgatroyd, why did I put off getting real post-baby body clothes for so long? I feel like a legit human being again! It only took five years! Better late than never, I guess. ?

These are the Slim Wide-Leg Cropped Pants from Banana Republic, BTW. Please note how they don’t look cropped on me…

I’m 5-foot-one, so I ordered my usual size, but I got them in a regular length with a long inseam so the pants would look longer on my legs, as opposed to cropped.

This was the first time I employed that trick, and my life is forever changed! Now I don’t have to hem.

I love the high rise and pockets, and they don’t readily wrinkle either (it’s a poly/rayon/spandex blend). There’s also a little stretch for comfort.

Bonus: they’re machine washable! ?

I’m also wearing a vintage tee, vintage denim jacket (it’s GAP from the ’90s) and sneakers to keep it casual, but you could dress things up with a silky blouse and flats.

Last time I checked, the pants were still on sale at Banana Republic, if you’re interested.

If you’re also tired of wearing pants that double as pajamas (because I totally am), these are great.

On that note, this week’s reading…

• Dudes are buying makeup for Zoom calls!
• Sephora’s adding more “clean brands” to their lineup.
• Makeup artists share their favorite products for monolids/hooded eyes.
• These are the makeup trends to look forward to in the fall.
• Coming soon to Ulta: a “WandaVision” x ULTA collab!
• 11 nail polish shades that are perfect for ladies (and gents) with dark skin.
• “Mentos. The FRESH MAKER!”
• I’m a Gypsy Water girl myself, but I kinda want to try Byredo Mixed Emotions just because I like the name.
• If you love Hawaii as much as I do, then you might like these local beauty brands.
• Neck care is now a thing.
• 11 skin care products that are safe to use while pregnant or nursing, according to Allure.
• Cats having a spa day!
• Bookmark this list of gifts for people who love reading and cats.
• This is why your cat likes to sleep at the foot of the bed.

Need this in my life, like, yesterday.

This looks so fun.

Fun things to do in one of my favorite places

I couldn’t look away.

I appreciate all the animal print wall paper.

Yes, please.

Starbuck from BSG dropping knowledge

He’s a cold hearted snake!

Dreaming of the day I can visit these places…

What’s the plan for the weekend?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

How to play

Pick one or the other for each of the questions below, and copy/paste your answers in the comments. Can’t wait to see your picks! Mine are listed below. ?

This or That: The Hair Dye Edition

• Salon or at-home dye?
• Highlights or balayage?
• Darker or lighter color?
• Subtle or dramatic?
• One color or multiple colors?
• Just for fun — pink hair or blue hair?
• Best way to hide roots — root spray, hat or headband?

Salon or at-home dye?

Currently, neither, but if I have to pick one…then salon dye. That way I won’t end up with a mess all over my bathroom walls! 🙂

Highlights or balayage?

Balayage (because it sounds fancy).

Darker or lighter color?

Ya know, I loved my hair lighter than my natural color, so I’ll go with lighter, but only if have unlimited time, funds and patience. LOL! Basically, it’s too expensive, takes too much time and is super high-maintenance, which is why I stopped doing it.

Subtle or dramatic?

I’m going to shock myself and go with “subtle.”

One color or multiple colors?

Multiple.

Just for fun: pink or blue hair?

Ooh! — pale pastel pink in a heartbeat.

Best way to hide roots — root spray, hat or headband?

Root spray, but only if it’s Rita Hazan’s.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen ?

Happy birthday to my kind-hearted, smart and funny little girl. Today she turns five years old! The last five years have passed in the blink of an eye! Everyone says that the days are long, and yet the years are short, and it’s so, so true.

Connor Claire enjoys coloring, counting numbers (the bigger the better!), and she especially enjoys reading. Her favorite books are the Disney 5-minute storybooks. Give her a story about Elsa and Anna from Frozen, and she’s one happy girl!

She’ll happily cook you a five-course meal (including dessert) in her play kitchen, or race you outside on her Pegasus, who lives in the imaginary stables right outside our house, along with all her other horses.

Currently, animals are a minor (actually major) obsession. She loves unicorns, horses and *all* the animals at the zoo. The other day she told me she wants to be a zookeeper when she grows up, but last week she wanted to be a marine biologist, and the week before that a veterinarian…

She likes to pass the time by building with her blocks or singing songs. She’s got a musical ear and knows how to stay on key, and she knows all the words to any and all the Disney princess songs with a big, belting chorus.

Dance is a big part of her life! She takes ballet classes and just started tap dancing class.

Pretty soon we’ll officially have a kindergartner on our hands, my friend, and I can’t wait to see how much she grows this year!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

1. Doughnuts and tea

Is it “doughnut” or “donut?” Because I dough-not know. HAHAHA! Sorry…I had to go there. ?

My brother brought us some sweet treats from this place called Vegan Donut Gelato in Oakland the other day, and my life is forever changed. The Oreo cookie doughnut is, in a word, epic, especially with a cup of Earl Grey with a splash of half-and-half in it.

YUM!

2.ALL THE LOTIONS

Well, I guess having dry skin from head to toe is good for something? This week I’m trying a new retinol body lotion from Josie Maran and two things from First Aid Beauty — Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration and their Ultra Repair Firming Collagen Cream.

3. Close the window, calm the light

Sing it with me: “And it will be alright…”

I used to listen to the Rita Coolidge version of this song (We’re All Alone) on the radio when I was a kid… I hadn’t heard it in years, so when it randomly popped up on YouTube last week I clicked to listen and started reading the subtitles for the lyrics.

HOLY EFFING CRAP, I’ve been singing it wrong this whole time! I always thought it was “Close the window, come alive,” but nope. It’s “close the window, calm the light.” WHOOPS.

Another mind-blowing realization: the lyrics are kinda depressing. I never thought that deeply about them when I was kid, but yeah. I only heard the music and Rita’s soothing voice.

4. Doing liner with an angled brush and a powder eyeshadow

It’s been my jam lately. Easy to clean and super quick to do, and I like making the line super thin. Sometimes I’ll tightline with an additional liner, but sometimes I won’t.

5. Emma

The 2020 version of the movie directed by Autumn de Wilde, specifically. I watched it again last weekend, and I’m gonna watch it again the next chance I get. I love the pacing, the costumes, the acting, and you’re probably going to laugh, but I also really, REALLY love the sets and (weirdly) the paint colors they used for the different indoor rooms.

There are so many vibrant pastel greens and blues. Seriously, you should watch it just to admire the paint on the walls. Not kidding!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?

1. Can you dance?

I want to say “YES!” because, you know…I just want to. 🙂 I used to take dance classes back in the day, and when I was in my 20s and early 30s, you would have found me dancing until the wee hours every weekend. Now, though? GIRL! My dance skills are questionable. I mean, I can still stay on the beat, but it’s not like I’m doing anything cool while I’m moving. My arms swing, my feet shuffle, but that’s about it.

Soooo, I guess my answer is “yes, kinda. But mostly no.” Hahaha!

2. Tote bag or backpack?

Backpack, because my hands need to be free!

3. Would you rather go running or swimming?

Swimming, ideally in a heated pool or a tropical sea, because I do not relish cold bodies of water.

4. Worst haircut you ever grew out?

There’ve been so many, but the one for the infamous Razor Incident of 1999 was the worst! A stylist at a bougie SF salon hacked away at my hair with a razor like she was cutting a path through the Amazon jungle with a machete.

It was a mess. The top part of my head puffed out, and the bottom half was super flat. I ended up with a mullet that took me two years to grow out.

As you can see…I never gotten over the trauma.

5. One of your favorite spring flowers?

All of them, but I particularly love freesia because they’re so dainty and fragrant. Note to self: plant some freesia bulbs this year.

6. Fringe or feathers?

Fringe. Why not?

7. What was your highest maintenance hairstyle?

It was in middle school in the late ’80s. I had this whole “hair bear” situation happening, and the prep work for it was INTENSE. Every morning, I curled my bangs, then cemented them into place with layer upon layer of hairspray.

It was huge! I swear, a strong breeze would have carried me away. It took about 30 minutes every day to do. All the girls did something similar, though. I remember what a big deal it was to go to school without your bangs, LOL! So silly. I should’ve just taken that time to sleep in.

8. How are your cat eyeliner skills these days?

100% adequate!

9. And how about your cat (as in the animal) assisting skills?

Totally on point, because I get a lot of practice assisting all of the neighborhood cats.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

1. Can you dance?
2. Tote bag or backpack?
3. Would you rather go running or swimming?
4. Worst haircut you ever grew out?
5. One of your favorite spring flowers?
6. Fringe or feathers?
7. What was your highest maintenance hairstyle?
8. How are your cat eyeliner skills these days?
9. And how about your cat (as in the animal) assisting skills?

P.P.S. Hello, my friend. Wishing you a joyful and productive Monday. You’re strong, and you’ve got this. If you ever need a buddy to lean on, I’m here. ?