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. Crocs or Birkenstocks?

I find neither option terribly thrilling, but if I had to choose, I’d go with the Birkenstocks. At least my toes will be free.

2. Something you need to fix?

Honestly, I gotta get my teeth sorted out. I have several fillings that need to be replaced, and my dentist recommended that I get surgery for recessed gums… I’ve been putting everything off, and I just need to suck it up and get it done.

3. Are you going on any trips this summer?

Yes! We’re going on a couple camping trips on the Russian River in Sonoma, and a trip to Hawaii in July.

4. What was your last haircut like?

What even is a haircut? LOL! My last one was in September, I think. Unfortunately I said “yes” to the stylist when she offered to do a razor cut, and my waves have been wonky ever since. When will I ever learn? Le sigh!

5. Last thing you waxed?

My upper lip hair, yesterday. Thank goodness for Bliss blue wax!

6. Would you rather buy expensive skin care or expensive hair care?

Oh girl, expensive skin care, 100%!

7. First song that comes to mind?

“Could You Be Loved,” by Bob Marley and the Wailers.

8. How good are you about taking care of yourself?

I’ve been crap at it for the last year and a half but determined to do better. I’m starting with small steps. Guess what I did last weekend? I gave my fingers and toes a proper mani and pedi, I went to Ulta and restocked things I desperately needed, and I made an appointment to get my haircut (FINALLY).

9. Something you’re grateful for today (don’t overthink it)?

Fancy body lotion. I don’t know why, but it makes me feel so good.

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. Crocs or Birkenstocks?
2. Something you need to fix?
3. Are you going on any trips this summer?
4. What was your last haircut like?
5. Last thing you waxed?
6. Would you rather buy expensive skin care or expensive hair care?
7. First song that comes to mind?
8. How good are you about taking care of yourself?
9. Something you’re grateful for today (don’t overthink it)?

P.P.S. Have a peaceful Monday, sweet friend! I hope this week brings you joy. 🤗

Hi, friend. I’m following Rosie-Pose’s lead today and taking a nap any chance I get. Her new favorite spot is this sunny patch right outside my office. She often shows up during work meetings to make her presence known!

It’s been a long week, and I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am that it’s Saturday. Connor, poor thing, came down with a cold this week, so she was home with me on Thursday and Friday. She’s feeling better today, thank goodness. Me, on the other hand… I’m feeling tapped. I had a lot of unexpected things happen at work this week. Deadlines and caring for a sick child means I haven’t had much rest, so I’m taking the time to recharge this weekend.

This week’s reading

• Meet the female perfumers behind the industry’s most alluring scents.
• This one’s for the ladies who love rose scents just as much as I do.
• CK One, Clinique Happy, J. Lo Glow: ’90s and ’00s perfumes are trending again.
• People are getting manicures based on their aura readings.
• Who wants to roll out to Walnut Creek? There’s a Target there that’s testing manicures done by machines.
• 7 places to get your K-beauty skin care fix.
• A startup in San Diego creates the first portable “cold cap” to save chemotherapy patients’ hair.
• See nearly every lipstick worn to the 2022 Met Gala.

I’m going to try one of these.

LOVED this!

You can dance (for inspiration).

This made me so happy.

Catchy!

Talk to me Dr. V.

How do you feel about savory breakfast?

Interesting.

Enjoy the rest of your day. What are your plans?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Don’t overthink it. Just write down anything and everything that makes your life better in some small way. See ya in the comments!

Small things I’m grateful for

• Massive artichokes at Trader Joe’s
• The memories feature on my phone (Connor’s baby pics!)
• Socks without holes
• Extra strong hair ties for thick, heavy manes
• The night guard I use every night that prevents me from grinding my teeth into oblivion
• Stretching
• Cooking videos
• Twist-up pencils you don’t have to sharpen
• Sunscreen that doesn’t sting your eyes

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Thank goodness it’s Friday!

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1. Artichokes

My local TJ’s had huge artichokes last week. No joke, they were the size of a small child’s head! I intended to share the two I bought with the fam but ended up eating both in the span of 24 hours.

I steamed them, and then I gobbled them down with a sauce made from light mayo mixed with a few drops of Trader Joe’s Balsamic Glaze. Delightful!

2. Tokyo Vice on HBO Max

I stumbled onto this show and enjoyed it enough to marathon it last week. It’s set in Tokyo in the late ’90s. An American working as a crime reporter gets caught up in the gang underworld. Trouble ensues!

3. This sushi recipe video

OK, who else out there could happily eat all the sushi? Here’s how to make it at home. No joke, I’ve watched this video SO MANY TIMES.

4. Laura Mercier Ginger blush

I had two minutes to put makeup on before a meeting this morning. LM’s Ginger blush to the rescue.

5. Nespresso Colombia Coffee

If you have a Vertuo, you have to try this flavor ASAP. It’s so good! Smooth, buttery and just yum all around.

What have you been loving lately?

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

1. Side part or middle part?

A side part that’s not too far from the middle, but it all depends on how my cray-cray baby hairs are feeling at any given moment. They run the show.

2. Lavender or rose?

If we’re talking about color, then lavender. Scents? I’ll go with rose.

3. What’s the key to being a successful adult?

I don’t know. Maybe it’s always reading the directions thoroughly? Paying your bills? Learning to let sh*t go? If you figure this out, please let me know.

4. Makeup brands that you’re into at the moment?

Chantecaille, Kosas, Laura Mercier and Chanel (always Chanel).

5. Could you pull off a mullet?

Hard pass. I don’t have the hair texture or the wardrobe for it.

6. Are you grossed out by any vegetables?

Slimy okra in stews is not my jam. Neither is bittermelon, yuck!

7. Is it sunny out your way today?

Yup! Blue skies today, but it’s chilly because of the wind. BTW, chilly where I live in California is a high of 68.

8. Croissant or danish?

A fresh, flaky butter croissant with a side of butter and strawberry jam. Don’t forget the cafe au lait.

9. Something that makes your life better?

My husband and daughter, this blog (thank goodness for creative endeavors), socks that don’t fall down while I walk, duo fiber cheek brushes and having something to look forward to, like a vacation or a brunch. Whoops! That’s more than one thing.

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. Side part or middle part?
2. Lavender or rose?
3. What’s the key to being a successful adult?
4. Makeup brands that you’re into at the moment?
5. Could you pull off a mullet?
6. Are you grossed out by any vegetables?
7. Is it sunny out your way today?
8. Croissant or danish?
9. Something that makes your life better?

P.P.S. Good morning, beautiful friend (you’re beautiful inside and out). It’s a fresh week and a fresh start. I hope you’ve got your to-do list ready and that you’re feeling prepared and calm. You’re competent and will always land on your feet. You can do it! 🤗

Good morning, friend. Guess what? It’s CATURDAY! Rosie-Pose kindly reminded us of this by dragging a bag of beef jerky up the stairs and into our room in the wee hours. Of course, she mewled the entire time, loudly and obnoxiously, to let us know that she had captured her “prey.”

(Apparently she got into El Hub’s work bag and found his stash of snacks, LOL!)

This week’s reading

• Experts say hair slugging actually works.
• Is shopping for either natural or synthetic skin products really more sustainable than the other?
• There is a way to ease your skin into prescription-strength retinoids, hooray!
• For the ingredient enthusiasts: the most commonly used gums in beauty products and what they do.
• There’s been a significant move towards more sustainability within the fragrance industry.
• Musk perfumes are having a moment.
• This family uses nail polish to keep track of their identical triplets.

Love her and her cat!

Give me all the tips, JVM. My hair needs the TLC!

Oh yes.

Featuring El Debarge!

I want to eat all the things.

Interesting!

Yummy.

It’s a skill you can develop.

Get rid of your sun mustache.

What’s the plan for this weekend? Are you doing anything fun? If you are, please let me join you in spirit because I will be cleaning and organizing all weekend long.

It’s been two weeks since construction on our place ended, and we’re still living out of boxes. I’m really trying to take my time to figure out what to keep and what to donate, and it’s taking forever!

We’re also trying to find furniture that will 1) solve our storage issues, 2) fits the space properly and 3) hold up. Side note: why is everything made with flimsy particle board? If you have any affordable, well-made furniture brands to recommend that aren’t super pricey, please let me know.

Anywho, my goal is to have the place comfortable and ready for friends and visitors by June. On today’s agenda is to clean the windows to prepare them for new window treatments. I’m thinking automated roller shades are the way to go because they’re minimalist and not too fussy.

Fun stuff! And yes, I just watched a tutorial on how to clean window sills. LOL! There’s a first time for everything.

Drop that knowledge on me.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen