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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. Something beauty related that you’re excited about at the moment?

Chanel has some new long-wearing nail polishes that I’m stoked about! I’m thinking I need to get the pale yellow, blue and green into my life ASAP.

2. Something that isn’t related to beauty that you’re excited about?

I finally bought a new car to replace my much-loved ’99 Toyota 4Runner. I was surprised to see how emotional it was to say goodbye to her; I actually cried! I’m relieved to be driving something that was made in this century, though.

3. Lemonade or ice tea?

Both! Put ’em both in a tall glass with some ice, and I’m a happy girl.

4. Cropped pants: yes or no?

I used to think yes until I saw a recent picture of me in a pair, OMG! Gonna go with no on this one from this point out.

5. Expensive skin care brands that never let you down?

Skinceuticals and Kate Somerville will always have my heart.

6. A drugstore skin care product that you buy over and over again?

The unscented Aveeno body wash and lotion, always and forever. They don’t give me a headache when I’m migraine-y, and I know I can use both without having to worry about an unexpected allergic reaction.

7. What’s for dinner tonight?

I think I’m gonna do breakfast for dinner. Maybe pancakes.

8. What do you think of Bath & Body Works lotion and body spray scents?

When I’m in the mood (aka not having a monster migraine), I like them. I usually reserve the lotions for summer, though, because they don’t typically have enough oomph for my dry winter skin.

How’s your Monday so far, friend? I hope everything is going your way. Smooth sailing from here on out, OK?

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. Something beauty related that you’re excited about at the moment?
2. Something that isn’t related to beauty that you’re excited about?
3. Lemonade or ice tea?
4. Cropped pants: yes or no?
5. Expensive skin care brands that never let you down?
6. A drugstore skin care product that you buy over and over again?
7. What’s for dinner tonight?
8. What do you think of Bath & Body Works lotion and body spray scents?

Hi! FYI, in case you were contemplating DML (Dance Mom Life) with a little one, the month of May tends to be busy on the weekends, so don’t even think of sleeping in, LOL!

On that note, I’m off to drive Connor to rehearsal. 🙂

This week’s beauty reading

• Apparently purple blush is going to be summer’s hot color.
• More Met Gala hair and makeup, just in case you’re wanting some inspo!
• Anyone else have a rose note obsession?
• “Vogue” says these are the best shampoos if you’re experiencing thinning hair.
• Science may have found the best way to make friends with all the random kitties that cross your path.

Beach waves all day, every day

LOVE

Yes, please

Hope your weekend has been great so far!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

• MAC Whirl Lip Pencil is really great, especially when you use it to line and fill in your lips and then dab a lip oil or a lip treatment on top.
• I swear, if this family didn’t have me to keep track of and buy toilet paper, nobody would ever have anything around to wipe their butt, ever.
• I’m probably not going to buy the shimmer gel twist-up eyeliners from Sephora Collection again (makes my waterlines itch). The matte one’s OK, though, and affordable.
• I wish Hung Vanngo would come over and do this makeup on me, like, every day.
• It’s easier to think of things for lists when you’re doing something mindless and your brain can wander, like if you’re walking and wandering aimlessly
  outside, or when you’re (TMI) going to the bathroom.
• You know you’re adulting when all you do all day long is try to get enough protein at every meal. IT’S EXHAUSTING. Getting enough protein feels like another job!



• Why can’t we just all eat massively big bowls of pho (Vietnamese soup) for lunch everyday? I would much rather do that than eat salad.



• Whenever I write banana notes for Connor’s lunch, I pretend I’m writing a note to the 30-year-old version of her.





• Sometimes I see old pictures of me and El Hub and think, “DAMN. We had so much collagen.” LOL!
• I’m so tired of sneezing, coughing and sniffling. I feel personally attacked by nature during the spring.









• I never met a potato I didn’t like, but I’ve yet to find a go-to potato salad recipe. Need to get on that ASAP.
• I’m kinda bummed about the SF Nordstrom closing, although yikes, I think the last time I was there was in the fall of 2015, when I was pregnant with Connor. I still remember going there for my first official bra fitting, hanging out at the MAC and Bobbi Brown counters, meeting Francois Nars there, eating at the cafe with my friends… Good times.
• Why do I have to keep learning the same lessons over and over again? This week’s re-learned lessons: 1) I really like writing lists; 2) it’s very helpful to do research the day before you write a first draft; and 3) planning your upcoming workday really helps a lot.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Have a terrific Thursday-Purrsday!

Oh em gee. It’s all over the place lately! This latest one celebrated Karl Lagerfeld (most people seem to have strong feelings about him).

Anywho, I’ve scanned a few Insta posts here and there, and I’ve also read a couple stories online — and that was only because some people dressed up as Choupette, aka KL’s cat!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vogue (@voguemagazine)

Leave it to the cat lady to get stoked about a big fashion night because of cats, ha ha ha! Other than that, though, I don’t really follow it that closely. *shrugs*

I have to admit the Met Gala’s great for makeup inspiration. I bookmarked these two posts from Chanel!

I love the lip in this look on Margaret Qualley (she’s an actress and Andie McDowell’s daughter). The makeup is fresh and understated, yet so elegant. Can someone please come over and do this makeup on me so I can look like this all day, every day?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CHANEL BEAUTY Community (@welovecoco)

This look on Whitney Peak (yup, she’s an actress, too) has the same elegant, glamorous vibe. If you look closely, you can see a tiny diffused little dot on her upper lid; I think it’s blue or purple, with glitter on top. Kinda cool!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CHANEL BEAUTY Community (@welovecoco)

Anywho, let me know if Met Gala floats your boat. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Not related, but Bay Area ladies, FYI, the big Nordstrom in downtown San Francisco is closing. It’s the end of an era!

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. One piece of makeup that instantly makes you feel good when you wear it?

There are so many makeup things that instantly pick me up, but currently mascara is doing a lot heavy lifting for me. Just the simple act of curling my lashes and coating them with a layer or two puts a big spring in my step!

2. What’s more fun: a day hiking or a spa day?

Both are loads of fun for me, but right meow, I’ll take the a spa day because my allergies are cray.

3. Cardigan or blazer?

I’ll take the cardigan if it’s slightly oversized and soft!

4. Who’s the best cook in your family?

Hmm, well, my immediate family isn’t known for their culinary prowess, LOL! Before she passed, my godmother was the best cook. I still dream about her peanut butter oxtail soup! Now the best cook is probably my brother.

5. What is your favorite/least favorite makeup brand?

It changes all the time, but my favorite brand at the moment is Chanel, with Laura Mercier a close second. Least favorite, hmmm… I generally can find at least one thing I like from every brand, but I’m having a hard time figuring this answer out. Maybe any of the brands that make lipsticks shaped like a dude’s private parts? There was one line that recently did this, and my first thought was, “Who asked for this?”

6. What is your favorite/least favorite ice cream flavor?

My favorite is ice pistachio almond from Baskin Robbins. Least favorite is any type of orange sherbet.

7. Who takes care of your nails?

I do my own nails because I’m crazy picky about how they’re painted. If I was a celeb, though, I’d hire a high-profile manicurist in a heartbeat!

8. What do you think of trendy perfumes?

Ya know, I don’t mind smelling trendy scents on other people, but I probably wouldn’t go out and actively seek what’s popular at the moment for myself.

I hope the rest of your Monday is calm and positive. Maybe treat yourself to something sweet today? I’m going to go for a latte in a few. 🙂

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. One piece of makeup that instantly makes you feel good when you wear it?
2. What’s more fun: a day hiking or a spa day?
3. Cardigan or blazer?
4. Who’s the best cook in your family?
5. What is your favorite/least favorite makeup brand?
6. What is your favorite/least favorite ice cream flavor?
7. Who takes care of your nails?
8. What do you think of trendy perfumes?