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 five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start.
1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip?
This like my Sophie’s choice of statement items because I love them all! But I guess I’d go with the shoes because they’d be lower maintenance. I’d have to reapply the statement lip throughout the day, and if I were carrying a statement bag, I’d just spend the whole day worrying about not losing it.
At least the shoes should just stay on my feet, LOL!
2. Orange blush or pink blush?
Neither! — an orange-pink blush. 😊
3. Have you ever done a paint night?
Just once, and it was tons of fun. My friend and I went to one and painted a flying unicorn with a rainbow on its butt. 🦄
4. Should lipstick smell like food?
Hmm… I don’t mind a subtle vanilla fragrance, like MAC lipstick, but anything else I can do without. The sweet, sugary scents, in particular, make my tummy churn!
5. Have you ever been hypnotized?
Yes, in high school. It was for a psychology class. They had a hypnotist come in, and a few of us volunteered to be subjects…
We mostly just did silly stuff, or so I’m told — jumping up and down on one foot and acting like a hyena. Things like that.
New favorite food spot: Amy’s Drive-Thru
Hiya, friend. Happy Monday! 😊
How was your weekend? Mine was delicious. We went to visit my parents in the East Bay on Friday night. El Hub and I had a movie date night and saw the new Spiderman, which I thought was great, BTW!
We stayed the night there, then left early on Saturday to run a few errands up in Cotati and Rohnert Park.
That’s where we found this gem: Amy’s Drive Thru!
Yes, the Amy’s, the same ones with the frozen foods and soups. Turns out they also have a small chain of fast food restaurants with lots of organic, non-GMO and gluten-free fare, which are all things I don’t usually attribute to fast food places with a drive through, but this place has it all…AND it has a living garden on the rooftop.
Everything on the menu is vegetarian (with vegan options, too), and everything can be ordered gluten-free, which is why we ended up going there, since El Hub has Celiac.
They serve vegetarian hamburgers, fries, burritos, baked goods, pizza, mac and cheese, chili, soup, shakes, sodas and salads.
It’s like In-n-Out, but with a vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free organic non-GMO menu, and dang if it wasn’t good. I gobbled down my burger, “The Amy,” which has two veggie patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions and a special sauce that tasted kinda like Thousand Island dressing. Also got fries and a vanilla shake, and Connor almost finished her mac and cheese (which she never does).
El Hub was a little disappointed by his burrito, because it was smaller than he hoped, and he said it tasted like a frozen burrito, but he was still overjoyed to have found a fast food gluten-free place.
So, yeah, we’ll go back next time we’re in the neighborhood.
If you’re ever up in Sonoma County, it’s worth making a pit stop.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Have a wonderful week! 😊
P.P.S. Question time! Here they are to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to you soon.
1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip?
2. Orange blush or pink blush?
3. Have you ever done a paint night?
4. Should lipstick smell like food?
5. Have you ever been hypnotized?
Rachel says
July 15th, 2019 at 7:19 am1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip?
I think statement lip, I have a ton of lipsticks and I’m not really into the fancy purses and shoes anymore.
2. Orange blush or pink blush?
Pink blush complements my skin tone a little better.
3. Have you ever done a paint night?
No. But there are quite a few options for that in my town and I should try it out sometime, though I am not whatsoever!
4. Should lipstick smell like food?
No thank you please!
5. Have you ever been hypnotized?
No but I am fascinated by it. I think it’s especially cool when it can help people stop smoking.
That Amy’s diner looks awesome! One thing I miss about living in California is all the healthy vegetarian options! Plus I love the Amy’s frozen entrees and I always have a few in my freezer for a quick lunch or dinner.
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:46 pmYeah, for sure, that’s one of the reasons why I love the Bay Area so much. There’s a LOT of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free places compared to other parts of the country!
Kim says
July 15th, 2019 at 10:10 amFor the first time ever, in the history of your blog, I would have chosen your meal over El Hub’s. HAHA! The burger looks delish and it sounds like a great place!
1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip? I realize it’s “pick one” but I just don’t think I could do statement anything. I guess shoes, too. But, like, statement sneakers. 🙂
2. Orange blush or pink blush? Pink, I think.
3. Have you ever done a paint night? No but everyone I know who has, has had a great time, too.
4. Should lipstick smell like food? Sure.
5. Have you ever been hypnotized? No but I think it would be fun. Maybe next year at the boys’ prom. They always have a hypnotist. And I’m curious to know how suggestible I am.
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:45 pmI seriously cannot believe you’re taking about the boys’ prom!
Kim says
July 16th, 2019 at 11:17 amThey have their 5 hour course this weekend and will then be able to take their driver’s test for an actual license next month. It’s happening!! They’ll be gone soon (sobs). PS I don’t think you have that requirement in CA. I mean, I know you have to have driver’s ed and a road test, but the 5 hour course might be a NY thing. Here, you get your permit at 16, then practice driving with an adult in the vehicle. You can get your junior licence after 6 months but must take a 5 hour course and pass a driver’s test first. Then you can’t drive without an adult after 9PM until you’re 18. There are other passenger restrictions, too. But, still, it’s pretty much freedom. HAHA!
E.D. says
July 15th, 2019 at 10:18 am1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip? Statement bag. I rarely wear lipstick since I’m constantly drinking something and statement shoes don’t really work with my job in a lab environment.
2. Orange blush or pink blush? Don’t wear/own blush.
3. Have you ever done a paint night? Yeah and it was insane. Way too rushed for my perfectionist self.
4. Should lipstick smell like food? That’s fine as long as it’s not artificial grape flavor or licorice/anise.
5. Have you ever been hypnotized? No
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:44 pmHi E.D.,
Now that I think about it I was a little anxious at that paint night because of the hurried pacing. There served wine so that probably helped, LOL!
Happy Monday!
Suzanne C says
July 15th, 2019 at 11:18 am1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip?
Statement bag, especially if it’s a Kate Spade.
2. Orange blush or pink blush?
Pink blush. My undertones do not allow for orange of any kind.
3. Have you ever done a paint night?
No, that never sounded like much fun to me. Which is odd, considering how much I love arts and crafts.
4. Should lipstick smell like food?
Other than old-school Lipsmackers, no, absolutely not.
5. Have you ever been hypnotized?
No.
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:43 pmHi Suzanne,
I remember loving the grape Lip Smacker back in the day.
Did you know they have a Maple Bacon flavor now? Craziness!
Hope you have a nice rest of your Monday and a great week ahead.
Ruchita says
July 15th, 2019 at 11:36 am1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip?
Statement bag! I feel like my shoes are all rather sensible these days.:-)
2. Orange blush or pink blush?
Pink blush.
3. Have you ever done a paint night?
Yes, just once. I really enjoy drawing, but struggled a bit more with paint. It was fun, though!
4. Should lipstick smell like food?
Depends on the food – I don’t mind a mild vanilla or fruity flavor, but not something like bacon!
5. Have you ever been hypnotized?
Nope. I’d be kind of scared about what dumb stuff I’d do while I was under.
I thought that Amy’s logo looked familiar! How cool that the company has a restaurant. I always have the Indian Mattar Paneer frozen meal stocked in my freezer.
I loved the new Spiderman movie too. So fun!
Happy Monday!
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:39 pmI don’t think I’ve ever tried that Amy’s dish. I’ll look for it next time I’m at Tar-ghay.
You know what I loved about that movie? All of the scenery! Makes me wish I had a trip to Europe planned.
Ruchita says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:48 pmThe paneer dish is pretty good! It’s a quick way to get my Indian food fix. 🙂
I loved the scenery in the movie too. It boggles my mind how they were able to film some of those crazy action scenes.
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 3:07 pmApparently a lot of it was done on green screen, which blows my mind. The technology has gotten so seamless!
Susan C. says
July 15th, 2019 at 8:35 pmSeconded on Amy’s mattar paneer. It is dee-lish!
Cyndi says
July 15th, 2019 at 11:45 am1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip?
Statement earring? 😛 Otherwise statement shoe.
2. Orange blush or pink blush?
Orangey-pink for sure!
3. Have you ever done a paint night?
Yes, we made an abstract watercolour and it was lots of fun!
4. Should lipstick smell like food?
I’m not a fan of strong smelling lipsticks – if it’s a faint smell than i’m ok with that.
5. Have you ever been hypnotized?
Nope, and don’t plan on ever being hypnotized. 🙂
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:38 pmLOL, good call with the statement earrings. I don’t mind them as long as they’re not too heavy.
Happy Monday!
Tatiana says
July 15th, 2019 at 11:52 am1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip? Shoes or lip because I can afford them. Last time I checked the Chanel bag I’ve been lusting over is now $4800. Unless I win $20 million in the lottery I’m not going there.
2. Orange blush or pink blush? Pink
3. Have you ever done a paint night? No
4. Should lipstick smell like food? Good grief, NO! And is shouldn’t smell like flowers, powder or anything else either. My lips are right under my nose and I can’t stand scented lipsticks.
5. Have you ever been hypnotized? No
I love Amy’s frozen GF Mac n Cheese. I usually top it off with salsa, sriacha or vadouvan. I think their GF burritos are lame though.
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:37 pmYou’re my fancy food friend, because I had to look up “vadouvan.” 🙂 Amy’s is supposedly going to open another restaurant in Corte Madera, which usually means SF and the peninsula are only a few years away!
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:39 pmP.S. My fave Amy’s products are their frozen burrito bowls!
Tatiana says
July 15th, 2019 at 5:20 pmI’m not sure I know the burrito bowls. Is that the Mexican Casserole Bowl? I’m looking at their website and there are so many more bowl varieties than my local store stocks. I like the Mushroom Risotto bowl for lunch because Dear Husband isn’t around then and he doesn’t like mushrooms.
Susan C. says
July 15th, 2019 at 8:49 pmYum! I’m a fan of Amy’s Mushroom Risotto bowl as well. Sometimes I zest it up with some crumbled feta cheese and diced grape tomatoes.
Stephanie Smith says
July 15th, 2019 at 12:27 pm1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip? Shoe. I think. Or lip. Not bag, that’s for sure. I don’t normally carry a bag, so I’m afraid I’d forget it.
2. Orange blush or pink blush? Pinky orange? Can I choose both? If I can’t, I’d go pink.
3. Have you ever done a paint night? Yes. I did a pink peacock with a mom friend, that’s what I call the moms of my kids’ friends at school. It was a fun night, my peacock was terrible. But my bff loved it, so I gave it to her and it’s hanging in her bedroom. I tell her she has terrible taste in art all the time!
4. Should lipstick smell like food? I don’t mind if it’s peppermint, but that’s it. I don’t like anything sweet smelling because it smells fake. Same for lip balms, peppermint, coconut, or vanilla. That’s it. No cake, no cookies, nothing else.
5. Have you ever been hypnotized? No, but I remember people being hypnotized at my town’s fair when I was a kid. One guy showed his undies, which was scandalous for 10 year old me.
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:36 pmOMG what was that hypnotist thinking?! He or she should’ve been fired! lol
Erica says
July 15th, 2019 at 12:36 pm1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip? Statement shoe though not necessarily heels lol. I’m not really a bag person and too many are too boring or frou frouy. And unless a nude can be a statement lip, I’ll pass on it since mostly it has to be a red, orange or pink or something like that😉
2. Orange blush or pink blush? Both. But I like peachy pink best!
3. Have you ever done a paint night? Nope but I should
4. Should lipstick smell like food? Vanilla yes. Otherwise no since it usually smells artificial and not close to its scent. I mean everything is ok next to old floral scented ones though
5. Have you ever been hypnotized? Nope
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:35 pmThanks for filling out the poll, and have a good week Erica!
Michele DiCola says
July 15th, 2019 at 1:05 pmHi Karen ,
Happy Monday .
Gucci is my statement bag . I bought it in Italy .
Def pink blush or mauve .
Lipstick 💄 should have a small but it can get rancid so that might cover it up .
Never been hypnotized. I don’t think I can be .
Happy would get the Amy’s Mac and cheese !
Never did a paint night .
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:35 pmHi Michele,
How cool that you bought your statement bag in Italy! Have a good rest of your Monday. 🙂
Chelsea says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:37 pm1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip?
I can’t wear fancy shoes right now while my foot is recovering and lipstick is too high maintenance, so bag!
2. Orange blush or pink blush?
Peach!
3. Have you ever done a paint night?
A few, mostly fundraisers! My favorite is a forest with a rainbow background, but I have a floral one and a butterfly one too.
4. Should lipstick smell like food?
No! I don’t want it to smell like anything, but you know that 🤣
5. Have you ever been hypnotized?
Never!
Restaurant sounds great! We have a vegan mostly gluten free restaurant about 25 minutes from here, but they used to have a food truck and it was so good! I usually got chili cheese fries and a shake.
Karen says
July 15th, 2019 at 2:47 pmThat combo sounds delicious and exactly like something I’d order too.
I hope your foot is on the mend!
Roy says
July 15th, 2019 at 4:29 pmThe old Denny’s in Corte madera is going to be the location for a new Amy’s in Marin.
Susan C. says
July 15th, 2019 at 8:25 pm1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip?
Statement bag, but not necessarily brand name, just fun. I love a funky bag.
2. Orange blush or pink blush?
Pink, only because I’ve tried orange and with my cool skin tone it’s just not happening.
3. Have you ever done a paint night?
Only a paint the walls night, or paint the crown molding night, or paint the bannister night. Trying to produce an actual piece of artwork, no.
4. Should lipstick smell like food?
There’s nothing inherently wrong with it, I guess. However, I have smelled some doozies and avoided buying them.
5. Have you ever been hypnotized?
Yes and no. I attended a group hypnosis session to facilitate weight loss, but it didn’t really take. I just remained too conscious of what the hypnotist was saying, in part because it included bad nutritional advice. It’s hard to relax and go with the flow when your mind is saying “Nope, nope, don’t agree with that either, nope.”
Donna says
July 15th, 2019 at 11:16 pmGood news for you…when I was in Amy’s yesterday I was told they are planning to open another Amy’s in Corte Madera at the old Denny’s location just off 101.
🙂
Ericca says
July 16th, 2019 at 7:03 am1. Statement bag, statement shoe or statement lip? Statement bag (high end) low end choice statement lip
2. Orange blush or pink blush? Orange
3. Have you ever done a paint night? Yes for birthday
4. Should lipstick smell like food? Umm not like a turkey sandwich maybe like Starbucks coffee drinks
5. Have you ever been hypnotized? No