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 10 (!) 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. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being normal and 1 being barely able to form a cohesive thought, how alert are you before you have that first cup of tea/coffee in the morning?

I’ll go with 3.

It’s not that I’m mean or crabby right when I first get up…but I’m not particularly friendly either, ha! Or talkative, for that matter.

It takes about 30 minutes and something caffeinated before my engine gets started and I’m ready to go. Before that, nuh-uh, don’t even talk to this girl. Maybe don’t even look my way, haha! Because I’m a grumpy goat.

2. Have you ever taken a vacation by yourself?

Have I ever taken a vacation by myself?

Ya know, I haven’t, but it’s definitely something on my bucket list. A friend once told me that both of her parents would take vacations by themselves, which I thought was cool.

I don’t know… I love sharing experiences and exploring new places with other people, but I also like being by myself sometimes and doing whatever I want on my terms and my own schedule.

I know that sounds a little selfish, but it’s something from my former life before El Hub, Tabs and Connor, from that part of me that loved being able to pick up and do whatever I wanted to, whenever I wanted to do it…

3. At what age did you learn how to drive?

I think I was 20, and it was in my sophomore or junior year of college. It was later than my friends, who were all driving in high school.

4. Does your makeup change with the seasons?

Yes and no. Like, I’m down to wear whatever colors in whatever season, but I like to wear less makeup overall in the spring and summer when it’s hot, and more makeup when it’s cold.

5. Where are you spending your Thanksgiving?

Right here in good ol’ Novato. We’re hosting again this year, and ya know, I wish I could say that this is going to be the year I make the whole meal from start to finish, but that’s just not happening. I ordered the turkey, sides and fixin’s from Nugget Market, and my parents and in-laws are bringing appetizers and pies.

It should be fun! I plan to spend a lot of the day lounging around, chasing the cat and the baby, and enjoying a little downtime with my family.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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

1. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being normal and 1 being barely able to form a cohesive thought, how alert are you before you have that first cup of tea/coffee in the morning?
2. Have you ever taken a vacation by yourself?
3. At what age did you learn how to drive?
4. Does your makeup change with the seasons?
5. Where are you spending your Thanksgiving?

Umm, too many! It all starts after I wash my hair. Then I have to “do stuff” to it.

Let’s see…

1. I usually wash my hair at night, and then after I’m done, I dry it gently with a towel. Actually…I usually need at least two towels (yes, it takes two).
2. Next, I brush it and apply R+Co High Dive leave-in conditioner from the roots to the ends, and I also put a bit in my bangs.
3. Then I let my hair dry as long I can before going to bed, at which time my hair is still a little damp, but if it’s too damp at bed time, I’ll…
4. Blow dry the roots, but leave the mid-shaft and ends damp.
5. In the morning, I brush it through and put it in a high bun (this helps to loosen the waves and smooth things down). Then I go about my usually morning routine.
6. When it’s time to do my hair, I plug in my ghd curling iron and part my hair down the middle. Then I do loose waves, starting on the left side and moving to the right. (For some reason, the left side *always* takes longer.)
7. When the curls are done, I spray some sort of wave spray all over, and these days it’s R+Co Sail. I let that cool a few minutes…
8. After that, I tend to the cowlicks in my bangs, which I don’t always get to, haha! I smooth down the big one on my widow’s peak with a paste by R+Co. Then, I spray the extra stubborn ones down with hairspray.
9. At this point, my curls are usually cool, so I break them up with my fingers.

OK, nine steps total! How about you?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I mean, let’s get real. Sometimes you have to give a gift to someone you don’t know very well. Something that says, “Hey, you’re cool, and I appreciate you. Have a wonderful holiday.” I think these Olive Wood Cutting Boards and Bowls from TJ’s would be great for those situations.

The boards are $11.99, and the bowls are $5.99 each, and they have just the right amount of individuality and usefulness, without costing an arm and a leg. They’re perfect for people you’re still getting to know, like a new neighbor or co-worker, or a boss, or a new friend. (Someone you get along with but don’t share inside jokes with yet.)

They kinda look like traditional Hawaiian koa wood bowls…

I think they’re super cool. Every one its own unique character. I wouldn’t mind if someone gifted me one or two, ha!

I spotted them by the checkout stand the other day, but it was after I’d already paid. If they’re still there when I go back this week, I’m grabbing a few. I have a feeling they won’t be around very long.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

For real life and not just playing around? Gosh, it’s been a while for me. I skipped getting gussied up for Halloween this year (too many things going on), so I think the last time was last fall or winter.

It’s been too long. I’ll tell you that much right now. I know it was when I had bangs… I did a glittery cut crease, around which ended up looking like a hot mess! It was fun to try, but I looked like I had a second set of purple sparkly brows.

Ah… Good times.

How about you? When was the last time you did a crazy artistic makeup look? And yes, if you did it for Halloween, it totally counts. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day, beautiful. Have a great day. We’re expecting a big storm here tonight with lots of rain. I heard something about an atmospheric river… That does sound slightly ominous, yeah?

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 10 (!) 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. Do you have any cowlicks?

Oh, my gosh, yes, and it is so annoying. It’s right at the tip of my widow’s peak, and it wants to go right when I want the hairs there to go left. Girl, I don’t even know why it’s so stubborn.

I’ve been parting my hair down the middle lately (a recent development), and because I used to be strictly a side sweeper, I only recently learned, because of this whole parting-the-hair-down-the-middle process, that this cowlick exists.

It just WILL NOT do what I want it to do. It’s like, nope! Sorry, lady. I’m gonna go this way, and you have no say in the matter at all.

2. What are three things that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face?

Hmmm…

1. Fluffy tabby kittens
2. Big, bright-eyed babies with chubby cheeks
3. Finding stuff on sale

3. A woman who inspires you?

There are so many, but the first one who comes to mind is Michelle Obama.

4. Who was the last person you said thank you to?

Hmm… Oh! It was El Hub. I thanked him for giving Connor a bath last night. I was downstairs making chocolate-chip cookies (nothing fancy, just the pre-made chunk ones you get out of a bag), and I could hear her laughing and splashing and squealing like she was having the best bath ever in the history of babies.

She always has much more fun with him, because I’m more of a taskmaster. I’m focused on efficiently moving through the steps. “OK, hair washed, CHECK. Hands washed, CHECK.” And dad is all about the fun.

5. How aggressive are you when you drive?

At the moment, not very aggressive, but I used to get super crabby behind the wheel. Then one day I was just like, “Ya know…this is a waste of energy. Flipping off this guy in his Porsche Boxster will just make my blood pressure go up, and I don’t need that in my life.”

Now when people cut me off, or honk at me, or do obnoxious things on the road — because there are a lot of obnoxious drivers in the Bay Area who drive like they’re in Thunderdome — I take a few deep breaths and repeatedly remind myself that this is not gonna matter in five years. When I say that to myself enough, the urge to chase someone down so that I can yell at them through my window and throw an obnoxious gesture goes away.

BONUS QUESTION: How are you feeling today (be honest!)?

Well, it’s early on Monday, so I’m cautiously optimistic…but also a little disappointed that the weekend is over. It went full-on fall last week — heavier air, colder, wet leaves everywhere — and I don’t think I’ve fully caught up to the weather. When it’s rainy, it always takes me longer to wake up.

I’m not the type of person who goes to 100% the moment their eyes open in the morning. It takes me at least an hour, and when it rains, especially when I’m super comfortable and snuggly underneath the covers, it’s even harder.

Other than that, I feel pretty darned great. I got up early, so I’ve been getting stuff done before the baby is awake, and the house is in a relatively non-chaotic state, which always calms me down.

So the short answer is that I feel calm, centered and positive about the day…but a little physically tired.

My mission this week…

Find a rain coat.

I used to have one ages ago, but I can’t find it. I’m pretty sure I konmari’d it a while back because it did not spark joy. In fact, it sucked the joy out of me whenever I wore it, because the sleeves were too short, so my wrists would always get wet when I was out in the rain, and the hood would always slip back whenever it was on my head, so the front of my forehead would always get wet.

So I’ve been looking for a new rain coat, but they’re all so expensive! I’m not about to spend $140 on a rain coat right now.

I did see some cute ones at Target, though. Which one do you think is better? This sporty Waterproof Rain Jacket by C9 (I wish it covered more of the bum, though) which is currently on sale for $40, or this olive hooded anorak by A New Day, which is on sale for $35?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Have a wonderful and productive week. I hope some good news comes your way. 🙂

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

1. Do you have any cowlicks?
2. What are three things that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face?
3. A woman who inspires you?
4. Who was the last person you said thank you to?
5. How aggressive are you when you drive?
BONUS QUESTION: How are you feeling today (be honest!)?