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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. Eyeshadow or lipstick?

Lipstick please!

2. Your favorite necklace?

It’s a gold necklace shaped like a coral branch, but for some reason people sometimes think it’s an antler. LOL!

3. Something that helps your day get off to a good start?

Coffee, for sure, but the biggest thing that helps is going to bed the night before at a decent time. Eight hours of sleep works wonders.

4. Ice skating or roller skating?

Roller skating, babe. Let’s make those “Xanadu” dreams come true!

5. Last time you saw snow?

Fall of 2021, when we visited Tahoe.

6. Have you taken your holiday decorations down yet?

Nope! I thought I was going to do it today, but I think I’ll wait until Connor goes back to school tomorrow.

7. Last person you chatted with on the phone?

El Hub. He called to tell me he was coming home early from work.

8. Wide leg or boot cut?

I like both, but let’s go with wide leg, baby.

9. Heels: low, medium or high?

Low or medium. I can do high for short amounts of time, but the shoes have to be just right.

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. Eyeshadow or lipstick?
2. Your favorite necklace?
3. Something that helps your day get off to a good start?
4. Ice skating or roller skating?
5. Last time you saw snow?
6. Have you taken your holiday decorations down yet
7. Last person you chatted with on the phone?
8. Wide leg or boot cut?
9. Heels: low, medium or high?

P.P.S. Hi, my friend! I hope you’re enjoying 2023 so far. Have a peaceful and joyful week!

Happy New Year and happy Saturday to you, my friend. I hope this last day of the year is filled with love, sweetness, kindness and laughter.

Just a quick reminder courtesy of the show “Emily in Paris” — should you need a pal to talk you down from cutting your bangs while under duress, you know where to find me. 😉

It’s raining cats and dogs here in Northern California, so I’m shimmying into 2023 with my people here at home. I’ve got grand plans for pajamas, hot tea, a charcuterie board and karaoke. Yes, I’m excited!

We’ll stay up until midnight, and when the clock strikes 12, we’ll do some Filipino cultural things to welcome the New Year. At midnight on the dot, we’ll jump up and down, make a lot of noise, and then open the door to let all the good luck into our house! Shortly afterward, we’ll all promptly pass out. Ha ha ha!

What are you up to this evening?

This week’s reading

• Organize your makeup with these finds from Tar-ghay!
• Here are some jasmine perfumes to sniff next time you go shopping for a new scent.
• More museums, hotels and fragrance experts are offering immersive “smell-based adventures.” Could this be the next big thing in travel?
• Cats of Yore features kitties from days gone by.
• Simple eye makeup ideas to try ASAP.

Some lovely music to usher in 2023.

Making my list!

Obsessed.

Adds to cart!

All I have say is wow!

I hope good things come your way in 2023. Stay safe tonight, OK?

Sending you so much love!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

1. Asking people about their favorite planet

Connor and I found this cool notebook while we were Christmas shopping, and we decided to use it for a fun little project at home.

When people come over to visit us, we ask them what their favorite planet is, and then we jot the answer down in the notebook.

We can’t wait to fill up all the pages!

2. Believing in all the good things to come

In the last couple months, I’ve started reading a lot of books about mindset by Louise Hay.

She believes that our subconscious doesn’t play around. If you allow your subconscious to believe that you’ll achieve a certain goal, you’ll find a way to make it come true. If you allow your subconscious to doubt yourself, then you’ll find a way to sabotage that goal.

In a nutshell: believe you can do it and you’ll get it done.

The funny thing is, I’ve believed in this to some degree, but it was always in a joking way.

Like, I like to jokingly say that I’m 100% certain that I would survive the zombie apocalypse. Really though, I have absolutely no doubt that I would make it, and that’s not just because I’ve watched my share of “The Walking Dead.”

I know from past experiences that when sh*t really hits the fan, I always find a way to land on my feet and keep going. It’s something I truly believe right down to my core.

It never occurred to me to apply this mindset other things in my life. Crazy!

Anyway, I’m doing it now and will continue to eagerly receive all the good things the universe is sending all of us!

3. Cooking vegan and plant-based meals

I love eating vegetables, but I’ve never thought to cook vegan meals because it always seemed so intimidating. I think this would be a fun skill to learn, though. If you have any vegan or plant-based recipes you can recommend, please send them my way.

4. Decorating my space

Home decorating continues to baffle me, but ever since I tackled the window treatments and lugged a dining room rug home, I’ve discovered that, GASP, if you actually know and follow the design rules, your space looks and feels nicer.

Even though we’ve lived in the same spot for years, my decorating choices have never felt cohesive or purposeful. I can’t wait to change that.

5. Spending more time outdoors

I’ve realized that the more time I spend outside, the more peaceful I feel inside — especially when I’m around trees! It sounds corny, but it’s true.

I can’t wait to spend more time hiking and exploring the outdoors next year.

What are you looking forward to in 2023?

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. Lip plumping gloss: yes or no?

I don’t mind it, but it’s not the biggest factor for me when it comes to gloss. So, yes, but it’s not a hard yes, LOL!

2. Where were you this time 10 years ago in 2013?

Living in Novato, in the same place, doing MBB all the time and enjoying life with the boys — El Hub and Tabs. I had no idea of what was to come!

3. Would you rather get a warm-toned or a cool-toned eyeshadow palette?

Cool-toned. I feel like I can wear both, but ever since I embraced my grays, cooler tones tend to look better on my lids.

4. Have you ever ridden an electric bike?

Yes, and I was terrified! I do not need to be going that fast on two wheels.

5. Last time you hosted dinner at your house?

Two weeks ago, although it wasn’t anything fancy. My parents came to visit and we went to chapel to watch Connor’s Christmas performance, and afterwards we had In-N-Out at our house.

6. Something nice that happened to you over the Christmas holiday?

I asked Santa for a karaoke machine and he delivered! Connor and I have been doing duets for the last 24 hours, LOL!

7. New Year’s resolutions?

I don’t really do specific resolutions anymore. I prefer a goal or two that I can approach in a way that feels right. One thing I would like to do in 2023 is to widen our circle as much as possible — dance friends, neighbor friends, all the friends!

8. Best way to spend New Year’s Eve?

In my jammies with my people eating something special and watching a movie.

9. Shall we send some well-wishes to each other today?

Yes, let’s do it! I hope the rest of your 2022 is smooth sailing. Keep it up! You’re doing so great.

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. Lip plumping gloss: yes or no?
2. Where were you this time 10 years ago in 2013?
3. Would you rather get a warm-toned or a cool-toned eyeshadow palette?
4. Have you ever ridden an electric bike?
5. Last time you hosted dinner at your house?
6. Something nice that happened to you over the Christmas holiday?
7. New Year’s resolutions?
8. Best way to spend New Year’s Eve?
9. Shall we send some well-wishes to each other today?

P.P.S. Hello, friend! Last Monday Poll of the year — can you believe it? Time flies when you’re searching for a decent hair mask.

About the pic at the top… I keep seeing repeating numbers and have been for the last two months. I like to think it’s a good sign, so I’m sending good vibes into the universe and your way today.

Take care of yourself. Love you so, so much!

Merry Christmas, sweet friend.

It’s been a bananas year on this end, with highs and lows and everything in between, and even though it was relatively not as scary as recent times, there were definitely moments when I wondered if it would ever get easier.

But then I think of all the rainbows that I’ve seen, all the hugs I’ve shared with my loved ones, and all the mornings when I woke up and watched the sun rise over the hills and felt like anything was possible.

I’m so grateful for all the moments in this past year that have filled my heart, aka my “emotional cup,” and for the time spent with you here on MBB. Having a few minutes to chat with you about life and beauty and everything in between — it’s one of the best parts of my day.

Thank you for being around and sharing your life with me. You continue to lift me up, day in and day out.

I know the holidays can be hard on hearts sometimes; I’ve felt this way, too, on occasion. So, if you need a little extra kindness poured in your cup today, please know there’s someone on the other end of the keyboard who treasures you. You are worthy, special and cherished.

I hope that your “emotional cup” is filled with love, peace and so much joy this Christmas.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen