You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”
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 seven 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.
- What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
I’ve been listening to iTunes radio a lot, especially the classical station, and this one station called “On the Floor” with disco and dance music with a ’70s-ish to now tempo.I was listening to the R&B station, too, but I’d heard all of the songs in the rotation, and it started repeating over and over and over… Got to where if I’d heard Drake moan or groan one more time about how some girl never called him on his cell phone, I was going to open my window and scream at strangers on the street!
- What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
Hmm… Well, I’m heavily invested in the “prep” phase, ya know, with the skin care, primers and all that good stuff you put on before the actual face paint, but my process is probably more complicated than most.After that, probably my eye makeup, although I’ve been paring back quite a bit lately. Ever since that cold. I’m still more into doing eye looks that don’t take a lot of time.
- Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
I think you already know the answer to this question, haha! Because Tabs got rave reviews for his shark sweater, he’s thinking about bringing it out again this year.
- Can you keep a secret?
Only if you bribe me with sweets and/or threaten my cat.Just kidding! Yes, I can keep a secret. Yours is safe with me. 🙂
- Something you’d like to do today?
All I want to do is have a good day, and I want you to have the same. I’d like to approach every task with a happy heart. That’s my mantra for the day.Actually, my mantra for the week.
Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
4. Can you keep a secret?
5. Something you’d like to do today?
Good morning, my friend! I hope you’re having a good Monday so far. Part of the country is going through some tough weather right now with historically heavy rains, so I hope you’re OK wherever you are.
Tabs is just here supervising me, purr usual. He says, “MROW!” by the way.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Here, in Spain, there’s a radio show when Little childres are asked about something different every day. Their answers are hilarious. I’ve downloaded some postcast and enjoyed them in the gym.
No doubt, the worst part of my makeup aplication is mascara. 8 out of 10 times I stain my lower lid with it.
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately? — Last week was Jason Derulo week. This week seems to be turning into Fall Out Boy week. I have a wide taste in music and my picks tend to change with my mood!
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process? — Getting my eyebrows to look even. And tightlining the upper waterline can be quite challenging as well sometimes.
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear? — Oh, we used to dress up Lenka all the time! Some of my favorite costumes were here Mexican outfit, her Batman outfit and her PJs outfit.
4. Can you keep a secret? — I can.
5. Something you’d like to do today? — Finish Balmorra. (+1 reputation gain for anyone who knows what that means! :-))
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
Since I discovered that Google Play has music radios that’s basically all I’ve been listening to! They have hundreds, categorized by genre, mood or activity, and I always find something I enjoy.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
Definitely the eyes! I’m not even doing something super complex but the rest is really simple.
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
Yep, Ernesto was an Acme rocket launcher a few years ago! He got a little crazy trying to get to that rocket on his back, lol! Where did you find Tab’s shark sweater? I’d love it for Ernesto. I bought him Yoda ears but he won’t keep them on 😀
4. Can you keep a secret?
Yes absolutely. I’m a very loyal friend so if you tell me that something is confidential, I’ll take it with me to the grave and no one will ever know.
5. Something you’d like to do today?
Write some good cover letters for job applications? I find the exercice quite difficult…
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately? I listen to a lot of stand up comedy at work – I like Jim Jefferies, Aziz Ansari, and Louis CK.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process? Skincare! I’m a skincare junkie. am skincare involves a gentle cleanser, toner, a face mist or two, a serum or two, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear? No, but I put antlers on Quincy for Christmas. He was not a fan.
4. Can you keep a secret? Sure.
5. Something you’d like to do today? Go to Ulta! I need sheet masks.
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
I’ve been in a very eclectic space lately – listening to Sara Bareilles, Becca Stevens, Erika Lloyd, my own stuff, musician/entrepreneur podcasts… I’m all over the place.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
Ha! I laugh, because my routine is all so basic these days! Probably either my brows or my eyes, though, depending on the day. It’s not like I do anything complicated; they just take more time/precision than sweeping on my powder foundation & blush 🙂
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
I’m counting my parents’ dog for this one, since I (sigh) still don’t have a pet… but no, I don’t think so!
4. Can you keep a secret?
Yes, I can! I don’t especially like them, though, to be perfectly honest.
5. Something you’d like to do today?
Mmm… be content in the things I like to do? Like, going for a walk on my lunch, or making dinner with my husband. I like relishing the little things, and I’d like to especially focus on appreciating them today. 🙂
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
I just listen to random radio in the car…
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
Right now I don’t really have a process. Sometimes I have time and energy to wash my face and put on some make-up but most days I can hardly be bothered…
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
Don’t have a pet right now.
4. Can you keep a secret?
Yup. I never know anything 😉
5. Something you’d like to do today? We are in another timezone here so I just crawled into bed after a full day. Ended with a shift at the local cat shelter. Now I hope to actually get 7 hours of continious sleep.. i have not gotten that for about 2 months… max 5 hours. I am starting to get a bit cranky
Happy monday!
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
I listen to audio books in the car a lot and lately I’ve been getting through the Outlander series. I also have the Game of Thrones series which I’ve already finished.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
Lately my makeup has been no more than 10 minutes so probably my concealer to hide the lovely stress related blemishes. Ugh!
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
I got my puppy a week before Halloween last year so she was too small for any costumes I could find at the time, but this year I was able to get her a bumble bee costume. She’s all black and the wings are sparkly so I think it’ll work really well. It’s a surprise for my nieces who we’ll trick or treat with.
4. Can you keep a secret?
Absolutely. If you tell me something I will never tell another person no matter what. As far as I’m concerned that’s your business to tell, not mine.
5. Something you’d like to do today?
Sleep! I think I’m fighting an oncoming cold and would love nothing more to be buried underneath my flannel sheets and duvet right now. My cold and flu drugs are the only thing keeping me upright in my chair at work
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
The radio in my car. I have so much noise around me all day, I really enjoy the silence in the evenings, so I just turn on the radio whenever I drive.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
The eyes.
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
No, and at the moment I don’t even own a pet (insert sad face)
4. Can you keep a secret?
Yes. It is part of my job.
5. Something you’d like to do today?
Go to bed early for once! I always plan on doing that but never get around to.
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
I’ve been listening to a lot of classical music lately. It’s very soothing after a long day of work.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
I wouldn’t say it’s complicated but my brows definitely take the longest to do (damn you 90s)
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
I’ve wanted to but I haven’t done it yet. Maybe this year will be the first.
4. Can you keep a secret?
Yes but it’s definitely hard sometimes when it comes to surprises.
5. Something you’d like to do today
Get over the flu that’s been plaguing me for over a week. I’m not good at doing nothing.
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately? I don’t listen to audiobooks or podcasts. I’ve listened to the local alternative station in the car. Also, the new Duran Duran album Paper Gods — it’s a lot of fun. I saw them and Nile Rodgers a couple weeks ago. What a great show!
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process? Definitely my eyes. That’s where my creativity comes through.
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear? Never
4. Can you keep a secret? Yes
5. Something you’d like to do today? I did it. I went to the nail salon and got a fill and manicure. Sparkly emerald green nails, baby!
Hi Rachel R.,
When I was a kid I was obsessed with Duran Duran and wanted to marry John Taylor. LOL!
What is your favorite song from Paper Gods? I want to listen to some of it this afternoon while I work on pictures.
You and a lot of girls wanted to marry JT! lol I was more of a Simon girl. I’ve followed the band since I was 12.
It’s over-all a pretty good album and getting good reviews. My favorites are the title track, You Kill Me With Silence, and Only in Dreams. The bonus tracks Northern Lights and Planet Roaring are great, but I think they’re Target version exclusive. The EDM-style tracks on the album are fun and catchy, but not my favorites.
I think we all secretly wished our hair and makeup looked as good as his, haha! It’s been ages since I’ve listened to their new stuff, so I’m going to try to find these songs on youtube this afternoon. Thank you for the recs! Yay for new music.
I hope that you’re having a nice Monday so far. Mine is chugging along!
Hahaha, yes! My hair was never that fabulous. 😀
Enjoy the album. I hope you and Baby Girl like it. 🙂
My Monday is good. I got my nails filled and painted, and we’re just kind of chilling at home today.
Oh how nice! I was thinking last night that I need to go in for a pedicure. I’m starting to have a hard time reaching my toes, LOL! What colors are you wearing on your fingers and toes?
I don’t know the shade name on my fingers. It’s a super-glittery emerald green gel shellac. (I think it’s by Cuccio.)
Right now there’s nothing on my toes.
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
I really like the “You Must Remember This” podcast (about Hollywood’s early history), and I’ve been listening to the Nerdist podcast for years. Love having them downloaded and ready for my commute every day. 🙂
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
Probably my skin, from prep through foundation and concealer. With my redness and acne scarring that’s what I like to have done more than anything, even if it means only a swipe of mascara!
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
I had bat wings for my old dog, he loved them. 😉
4. Can you keep a secret?
The serious ones, yes. But I have a hard time with gifts!
5. Something you’d like to do today?
Get my ring sized. We got engaged last night (squeeee!) and of course I’m wearing it, but it’s at least two sizes too big and making me nervous!
Congrats! Maybe put it on a chain until you size it!
Thanks Erin, that’s a great idea!
Congrats Trude! What was the proposal like?! Share with the class, I wanna hear the story.
Thanks Karen! Well it’s my grandmother’s ring that my mom has been wearing on and off for years, so he went to my parents and coordinated proposing during dinner for my birthday last night. 🙂 He kept it simple, down on one knee and just asked THE question, and my whole family was there to cheer us on. It was perfect. 🙂
This is so wonderful, Trude, I’m very happy for you! I know it’s early but any idea on the date yet?
We have no idea yet. 🙂 With moving up to Reno next month, we’re not sure how we’ll play it, doing something up there or down here in the OC. But I’m thinking next fall, definitely not summer, and something extremely low key, like someone’s backyard. We’d rather save for a house, you know? 🙂
I totally get it. That’s one of the reasons why we ended up doing a lot of the planning ourselves and kept the wedding small. I can’t wait until you start going dress shopping and I can vicariously live through you, LOL! That’s my favorite part. 🙂
Let the planning begin! So many budget holes to fall into! My best advice is call in every favor ever if you want to have a traditional wedding. They are expensive.
I was able to keep mine cheap, but some friends of mine had a winery wedding for about 25 guests and it was expensive as hell. They called in lots of help for photography, videography, makeup, hair, florals, music and an officiant but it was still expensive for the venue, food, and materials.
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
God Bless the Child audiobook by Toni Morrison. I really enjoyed it! I get audiobooks from the library I ususally listen to a new audiobook every week.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
Concealer! I own a whole makeup bag full. But have a hard time matching my complexion. Half the time my under eye circles look worst after applying it.
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
We dressed our golden retriever once in a Superman outfit and took him trick or treating when the kids were little.
4. Can you keep a secret?
If it’s really something important . But I might accidentally reveal it otherwise, oops!
5. Something you’d like to do today?
Go shopping with my daughter to get her some new sneakers. Stop at Whole foods and get some produce.
Hi Denise,
Have fun shopping with your daughter! Has she graduated from UC Davis yet?
She finished this summer. And will go back to graduate in December. She wanted to be a feline veterinarian ( she’s a Tabs fan too) but the math was too tough. She majored in political science , just took the LSAT and plans to go to law school in the fall.
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
I’ve just been listening to a lot of alternative music on iTunes and the soundtracks of Bear McCreary.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
Day to day, that’s my skin. I have to prep the hell out of it and really be careful in my foundation and concealer application because of my texture and pores.
On nights out, it’s definitely the eyes.
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
Nope. Believe it or not, we’re not Halloween fans here.
4. Can you keep a secret?
Yes. My own and others. I have a tendency to tell my husband everything, which gets me in trouble. I always believed sharing 100% of everything was the key to a good marriage but I can’t trust my husband if booze is involved. Now that he’s a “Secret Squirrel of the ‘Man'” I can trust him again.
5. Something you’d like to do today?
Does winning the lotto count? I’d like to get some cleaning done if my lower body can keep up. I went on a hike with my dog yesterday for the first time in weeks and I’m wrecked!
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
I’ve been revisiting a bunch of instrumental stuff lately (mostly pieces I played way back when in HS/district bands), but also a lot of Ingrid Michaelson, too…which is always the case.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
I’ll go with the washing/toning/moisturizing. Or eyeliner, if I happen to be wearing any. My eye lashes grow all willy-nilly so I have a few barely above my lashline, right where eyeliner goes.
I tried to pluck one, once. MF’ers hurt! So they stay and complicate things.
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
Ilsa — my cross-eyed balinese mix — has a chicken costume. She tolerates it, but she’s also pretty food motivated. I think it got lost when we moved a few years ago and she’s probably pretty happy about that.
4. Can you keep a secret?
Yep! But bribery doesn’t hurt. I like candy.
5. Something you’d like to do today?
Figure out what I’ll be knitting next! I *finally* finished this long, open vest yesterday and now I’m all, “Now what??”
Hi Christine,
Can I please see a pic of Ilsa, pretty please? She sounds like a beauty!
Of course! 😀 This is my current favorite photo of her:
https://instagram.com/p/7ad8qPQZSQ/
She’s not the brightest cat, but what she lacks in brains she makes up for in beauty!
(Being a cat lady, my IG is full of my kitties…)
What a beauty! How long have you been her assistant?
Thank you! I’ve been her assistant for a bit over 4 years now – we got her from a rescue when she was about 10mos old (and the most chill kitten ever).
Oh how lovely. Just followed you two on instagram so I can see pics of her! Cat ladies 4 eva. 🙂
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately? I’ve been listening to an X-Files review podcast called ‘The X-Files Files’, and a great spooky story podcast called ‘Lore’ – perfect for Halloween!
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process? Wow, prob none! I’m very minimalist these days – tinted moisturiser, concealer, blush, mascara, lippy.
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear? Hmm, not really. But my chihuahua George used to get lots of attention in his ‘Security’ t-shirt – my little body guard!
4. Can you keep a secret? Yep, always.
5. Something you’d like to do today? Walk my doggies, and enjoy my day off!
Hi Janet,
I just saw the cutest chihuahua yesterday taking a walk with his assistant. 🙂 How long have you and George been together?
I have been assisting my Georgie for 9 years – he turns 10 in December! I also assist chihuahua royalty, Princess Mildred. Known within close circles as Millie, and lover of being pampered and of all things pink & girly! I’ve been assisting Millie for about 7 years.
Love my guys so much, they’re out sunning themselves in the garden at the moment. There’s a freakish hot spell here in my part of Australia – I think the hottest Spring on record? It is going to get to about 32C/89F today. So I’m going to wait until this evening to walk the dogs I think!
Oh how sweet. I bet they are best friends! They sound like lovely companions. I’m a cat lady now but I grew up with dogs; El Hub and I always assumed we’d end up with a pup but when we met Tabs it was all over, LOL! How are they on the leash? Are they well behaved.
Stay cool, all of you!
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
I’ve just been listening to random music on Spotify
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
I would say putting on primer and foundation and concealer
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
Tulip has been a pumpkin, a witch, a butterfly and in all of the photos she’s not to happy
4. Can you keep a secret?
Well it depends…if I forget about it then yes but sometimes I forget that it was a secret and “accidently”tell
5. Something you’d like to do today?
To take a nap 🙂
Tulip dresses up, too cute! Does Jazmine get to wear a costume too?
I think I dressed Jazmine up as a mouse once….she runs away when she sees you coming with cat clothes
The trick is approaching from the back and putting the outfit on quickly! Oh, and do it when she’s the most sleepy. For Tabs, this is time is usually between 3-5 pm. LOL!
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately? Jess Glynne’s album. She seems like a nice person and has such a great voice.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process? The eyes are definitely the hardest part, especially liquid eyeliner. I find it very hard to apply eye products because my eyesight is pretty bad when I’m not wearing my glasses. There’s nothing like having to get up close and personal with a mirror when you’ve got a sharp object very close to your eyeball.
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear? No, because I’ve never had a pet. In the near future, I plan to get a dog and s/he will definitely be dressing up because Halloween is my favorite holiday.
4. Can you keep a secret? Yes, to the grave!
5. Something you’d like to do today? Study for a work exam, but I’m procrastinating. 🙁
Good luck with your work exam, Deena! When is the test, and what’s it about?
Thanks Karen! It’s the PHR certification exam aka Professional of Human Resources. My test is scheduled for December, but there’s a lot of content to review, hence the worrying.
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately? I’ve been in a hardcore work mode so it’s been all blogging podcasts, all the time. Mainly Darren Rowse and the Problogger podcast and the Bloggers Get Social podcast.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process? I don’t think I have anything too complicated, I guess I would have to say the eyes because I’m out of practice for doing more than eyeliner and mascara
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear? Paco Rabanne was a cowboy cat last year but I think he threw the hat out so he didn’t have to give a repeat performance.
4. Can you keep a secret? No
5. Something you’d like to do today? take naps and drink margaritas. neither is on the agenda.
I feel terribly for those people in South Carolina. We got like 7 inches in a day, last week. But my favorite farmer’s kid lives in S.C. and they got like 24 inches of rain in 3 days. That’s just cra-cra.
. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately? Ringo! Downloaded some of his music after hearing him in concert last Thursday night.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process? Eye liner / eye makeup in general.
5. Something you’d like to do today? Scope out Forever 21 for that cute top I saw on Shopkick …. and I did! I found it and it’s darling! Can’t wait to wear it for a Birthday lunch this week.
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?
I’ve been listing to a lot of Kasey Musgraves songs lately, instead of audiobooks and podcasts I bing watch tv, currently Entourage
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?
Undereye concealer
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear?
When I was five, I dressed up as Ballet Miss Piggy and dressed my fuzzy airedale terrier as Fozzy Bear then took him trick or treating with me. My mom wouldn’t let me paint him green and call him Kermit
4. Can you keep a secret?
It depends, but not really. I do have one specific person that I tell things, that doesn’t know any of my other friends, so it’s pretty safe unless it’s government secrets.
5. Something you’d like to do today?
Visit my grandma.
1. What music, audiobooks or podcasts have you been listening to lately?Country music especially Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert and Rascal Flatts.
2. What’s the most complicated part of your makeup application process?Getting my eyeliner right and not being overdone for work.
3. Has your pet ever dressed up for Halloween, and if so, what did he/she wear? My cocker spaniel Trixie was Snow White one year.
4. Can you keep a secret? Absolutely!
5. Something you’d like to do today? Work this catch out of my neck.