Just For Fun

1. Mood:

Distracted but otherwise a-okay. The roofers are here doing repairs on our garage (I’m waving at them right now through my office window… “Hi, guys!”), and there’s quite a commotion.

2. How long does it take you to do your hair in the morning?

It varies wildly. Anywhere from 2-15 minutes, depending on how cooperative Lloyd Christmas is being (my bangs) and what I’m trying to do with my wavy hair.

If all goes well, then it takes me about five minutes to de-frizz and shape, unless I’m curling or flat ironing, in which case I’m looking at about 15.

And if I just can’t cajole Lloyd and the waves (great name for a band!) into behaving, I’ll slip on a Goody headband and a ponytail holder and call it a day.

Even though I miss having super long hair…I have to say that shorter hair sure has been easier to wear.

3. Do you have any plans for the holidays?

Not yet, nope. And to tell you the truth, I’m beginning to fret about it.

Now that El Hub’s parents have moved to California from Hawaii (they’re about a four-hour drive away from us), things are a little more complicated.

When they lived in Hawaii, visits were more cut and dry. We either went to Hawaii or stayed here in the Bay Area, but now with everyone within driving distance, both sides of the family will try to get together, or we’ll be driving back/forth.

I’m thankful that we’re all much closer together, but I haven’t quite figured out the new logistical challenges.

4. What’s one new thing you would like to try this week?

Last week I got a $20 voucher for 20 classes at a local yoga studio (I found the deal on Living Social), and I’d really like to make it to at least one class this week.

5. The first word that comes to mind when I ask, “What’s one thing you love about fall?”

Pie! 🙂 Pumpkin, apple, pecan…

6. A piece of makeup you’ve been loving lately?

I recently rediscovered Tarte Provocateur Pressed Mineral Powder after a long hiatus. Why I ever stopped using it, I have no idea.

It refuses to settle into my fine lines and pores and feels as light as air on my skin. Amazing stuff!

7. Do you wish that you could speak any other languages?

Oh, yes. French, Italian and Spanish, mainly because I would like to eat my way through Spain, Italy and France.

8. Shave, pluck or wax?

When I’m in a hurry, shaving AND plucking, and waxing when I have an extra hour to kill (I do it myself).

9. Things you’d like to do before the end of the year?

Meet and then maintain my weight-loss goal despite the good eats this time of year, re-organize my entire makeup collection, and plan to take a short trip some place warm in January.

10. Weekly goals:

Just one this week. I feel a little off kilter right now, so I just want to make it through the week in one (ideally happy) piece.

Hey, hey, cutie pie. 🙂 I just realized that following today, we only have six Mondays left in 2011.

I know! We’re in single digit territory…

We’re also coming up on our fifth year together, since I started MBB back in February of 2007.

This may sound corny, but I’m always grateful to be able to start the week with your friendship. I’m not kidding. Without you I’d probably go full-on bat sh*t crazy.

Before you jet, do you have a minute to touch base in today’s Monday Poll? I hope you do.

1. Mood:
2. How long does it take you to do your hair in the morning?
3. Do you have any plans for the holidays?
4. What’s one new thing you would like to try this week?
5. The first word that comes to mind when I ask, “What’s one thing you love about fall?”
6. A piece of makeup you’ve been loving lately?
7. Do you wish that you could speak any other languages?
8. Shave, pluck or wax?
9. Things you’d like to do before the end of the year?
10. Weekly goals:

I think today’s going to take a turn for the better any minute now. It’s just a matter of time.

You have yourself a good one, okay? Talk to you soon.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

1. Mood:

Determined and fiercely optimistic!

2. What’s one of the first things you do every morning?

Fix myself something warm to drink, and most of the time lately it’s been plain green tea — no milk, honey or sugar. I’m programmed to power up with those first few sips.

3. What scent are you wearing? Today?

Elie Saab Le Perfume. So graceful, fresh and feminine.

4. What’s one thing on your to-do list for today?

To run five miles after work this afternoon. Well, if everything goes according to plan.

5. One of the weirdest gifts you’ve ever received?

Hmm… Where to start? Okay, how about with Vaseline? Most of the strangest gifts I’ve ever received have been from my parents. Like last year, my mom gave me an entire Costco-sized case of Vaseline moisturizing body lotion in huge 24-oz. bottles. It totaled up to something like 200 ounces. I mean who really needs that much lotion?! 🙂

And for each of the past five Christmases they’ve given El Hub smoked salmon, we think because he said at their house once, “I like smoked salmon.” So now we have an entire shelf dedicated to smoked salmon in the kitchen.

My mom also likes to give me pajamas…and they’re always the wrong size.

6. Do you remember when you first started using the Internet regularly?

I sure do, and it was way back in the days of dial-up modems and AOL CDs. I remember being at my BFF’s house over Christmas break one year in the early 90s and her showing me how to use the AOL chat rooms. I’ll never forget that “EEE-err-OOOOOO… You’ve got mail!” LOL! Wow, that was a long time ago…

7. The zombies are coming! What do you do to prepare?

First, Tabs. I’d give Tabs one last can of gravy and hopefully, if there’s time, let him make biscuits on my tum. Of course, this is assuming that the zombies are still a few hours away. If they’re already at the front door, I’d take one long, last look into his eyes, whisper that I love him, and set him free into the hills behind our condo.

It would break my heart to let him go, but I think his chances would probably be better in the hills than they would be with us on the highways with zombies hot on our heels. He doesn’t deal well with stress. Although he’s lived indoors for the past few years, I’d hope that the instincts he once had as a kitten living on the mean streets of Mill Valley would keep him safe.

8. What’s your go-to food for stress eating/relief?

It varies. Sometimes it’s fro-yo, or Mango Bars, Nutella, cheese puffs, sliced fruit or sliced fruit served with Nutella. Other times, it’s something salty, like fries, chips, popcorn. It depends. I’m open to variety when it comes to stress eating.

9. What do you like to do when you’re stuck at home with a cold?

Watch the first two Godfather movies, drink plenty of fluids, and throw in a little bit of Blue Crush on the side.

10. Weekly goals:

To keep chipping away at my weight-loss goal (five more pounds to go!), to do at least 10 minutes of free writing every morning, to try and make myself a few yummy salads for lunches during the week, and to spend some time taking pictures of the outdoors.

OOH! So I have a new tea obsession. When I was at Target last weekend getting some snacks for my parent’s visit, I picked up a tea from Celestial Seasonings called Decaf Sweet Coconut That Chai ($3 for a pack with 20 bags).

Delicious!

Don’t get me wrong — I love caffeine, but I’ve found that if I have some after noon, I get the jitters. I like this decaf version (with a dash of milk and sugar) just as much as the regular one.

Here, why don’t I fix you a cup while you fill out the Monday Poll? 🙂

1. Mood:
2. What’s one of the first things you do every morning?
3. What scent are you wearing?
4. What’s one thing on your to-do list for today?
5. One of the weirdest gifts you’ve ever received?
6. Do you remember when you first started using the Internet regularly
7. The zombies are coming! What do you do to prepare?
8. What’s your go-to food for stress eating/relief?
9. What do you like to do when you’re stuck at home with a cold?
10. Weekly goals:

We’re gonna rock this week, my friend! There’s simply no doubt.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen