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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. Converse or cowboy boots?

Converse, but they’ve gotta be platform Converse!

2. A sweet treat that reminds you of elementary school?

I don’t know why, but pudding was all over the place when I was in elementary school. I remember eating a lot of pudding made from a box, pre-made pudding in plastic cups (tapioca was my favorite) and Jell-O pudding pops all the time. There was so much damn pudding, LOL! I barely eat it as an adult, but as a child, I remember it being a big thing.

3. Barrettes – yes or no?

I like the idea of them in theory, so yes. In practice, though, I rarely wear them. Maybe I need more barrettes in my life!

4. Something that surprised you about getting older?

That my hands and my forearms would sometimes hurt after doing physical work. It was kind of shocking! I’ve always had strong hands (I think playing piano seriously from when I was four until 17 years old helped develop a lot of finger dexterity and strength), but now, I have to purposefully do things for recovery, like stretching, otherwise they’re sore.

5. A scent that make you happy?

Lilacs. Violet notes in perfumes. A pie baking in the oven. The air in my lungs on a sunny day after it’s been raining for a long time. Sunscreen at the beach. The top of a baby’s head.

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. Converse or cowboy boots?
2. A sweet treat that reminds you of elementary school?
3. Barrettes – yes or no?
4. Something that surprised you about getting older?
5. A scent that makes you happy?

Happy Saturday, friend. Guess what? I was at Target yesterday, and when I saw this display for CeraVe at an endcap, I half expected Michael Cera to pop out and hand me a bottle of lotion.

Seriously, who made this? It’s so wacky and I wish I was on the creative team that dreamt it up. I laughed so hard when I saw this commercial!

Anywho, while I was perusing the beauty section, I noticed a bunch of Bliss skincare significantly marked down on sale.

Of course I grabbed a bottle of one of my favorite mineral sunscreens, Bliss Block Star. It’s usually around $24 but was on sale for about $12.

If you happen to see it on shelves, grab one! It’s really good.

I’m on day two of a four day weekend. I spent my first day cleaning, believe it or not. I had the whole house to myself and instead of chilling out, I used the time to deep clean my floors. I have luxury plank vinyl all over the house, so I spent the day vacuuming, Swiffering and mopping. I’m going to buy some chairs and other bits and bobs of furniture soon, and I like the idea of a fresh start with clean floors!

Just in case you’re looking for a mop that’s easy to use, here’s the one I have by O-Cedar. I like that the removable microfiber mop head flips over and is machine washable.

The cleaning solution I use is a mix of warm water, vinegar and the teeniest drop of Dawn dish washing soap.

In a gallon-size bucket, I mix warm water, a cup of vinegar and one to two drops of Dawn. After vacuuming and running a dry Swiffer over the floors, I mop the floor and wipe down the baseboards with a microfiber cloth soaked in the solution. Then, after a bit of time passes, I take another fresh Swiffer to dry everything down.

It might be OTT, but my floors feel so clean afterwards.

I find that the more things I have in my cleaning arsenal, the easier it is to keep things tidy!

Anywho, before I jet, the original reason why I went to Target was to buy a round mirror, coat hooks and a thin floating shelf for my entryway. 🙂

OK, I’m off to grab a birthday present for a friend, and then I plan to do some high intensity relaxing. If you’re in Nor Cal, stay dry and safe in the rain.

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I can think of two distinct periods. The first was in high school, when makeup was new to me and I was finally given free reign to wear it in public. Side note, I don’t know if it was just a strict Filipino family thing, but there was an unwritten rule that I was forbidden to wear makeup until I got the go-ahead from my parents, so I’d sneak it on when I was in middle school.

Anywho, I had just turned 14, and I was finally allowed to wear makeup, so I went all in and did the whole kit and caboodle for a day at school — foundation, powder, blush, eyeshadow, lipstick and eyeliner. For some reason my mom wouldn’t allow me to wear mascara though. Weird! I loved it all and relished the fact that I could wear makeup out in the real world. Now that I think about it, though, I had a lot on for such a young person.

About 10 years ago, when I was in the thick of writing for MBB, I did a full-on glam look pretty much every day. It was fun, and looked great in photos, but it was a lot of work. I look back on that period of my life with fondness, though. Dang, I could slay some eyeshadow back then.

When was a time in your life when you wore a lot of makeup?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Hiya! I just want to say a quick hello before I head on off to work.

I hope you take a moment today to remember that you’re just so lovely, both inside and out. I know we don’t know each other in person, but I’m so proud of you. You’re doing the best you can, day in, day out, and that’s not always easy, but you’re still here, and you keep on going.

Please remember you’re worthy of all the good things that are happening to you, and there are even more great things coming your way! They’re just around the corner.

Sending you so much love today.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I think this crazy cold that’s had a grip on my sinuses is finally starting to ease up! I can’t wait to feel 100% better again. If you’re healthy today, cherish that please.

With Valentine’s day around the corner and Taylor Swift winning the Super Bowl recently (ha), I’ve had red lipstick on my mind. What’s your go-to at the moment? Mine lately has been NARS Dragon Girl. How about you?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Ahhh-choo! I would be wearing Dragon Girl today if I didn’t have a cold. It’s been a seemingly never-ending season of sniffles here at our house. Life with a little kid, you know how it goes.

Anywho, I remember when Connor first started preschool, and I was talking to a friend who’s a nurse and has kids, and I said, “I can’t wait until kindergarten is over and her immune system builds up so that we aren’t all constantly sick from October through April,” and she laughed SO HARD for SO LONG. She then said, “Kindergarten? Try third grade.” What was I thinking?!

I’m off to go drink another cup of hot tea and sneeze a few times. Stay healthy, my friend!

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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. A beauty product that’s over hyped?

While I like NARS Orgasm blush, I think there are other shades in their lineup are equally as flattering but easier to wear, like Lovejoy or Deep Throat.

2. Who makes your favorite lipsticks?

I like MAC for certain hero shades that I hold near and dear to my heart. The chubby NARS lip pencils because they’re so easy to use. Chanel, of course, for their fancy lady-ness. 😀

3. What’s the most challenging thing about your hair?

Ugh, washing it, for sure. It’s so tedious.

4. Have you ever had a beauty-related injury?

The one time I tried to wax my brows, I ended up accidentally ripping half of one off. WHOOPS! I’ve also poked my eye out with a mascara brush a couple times.

5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?

I have a four day weekend coming up starting on Friday, woo hoo!

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. A beauty product that’s over hyped?
2. Who makes your favorite lipsticks?
3. What’s the most challenging thing about your hair?
4. Have you ever had a beauty-related injury?
5. Something you’re looking forward to this week?