Beauty Tuesday: Double-D Recovery to be Double-D Ready

Double D is for …

Dissertation Defense * Dr. Dispo * BiG Day: December 8 ~ Save the Date!

After I passed my presentation with full faculty on Veterans’ Day, I followed my Bestie Evie‘s advice:

Take a Me QT Day.

While I still worked on revising my paper, I also set aside Spa Time this past weekend!

Facial Mask

Based on Fleur De Force‘s The Glam Guide, I used these ingredients for *acne  and **dark spots:

• Banana*
• Honey*
• Lemon***

Manicure

Then I treated myself to an at-home mani with the following gift sets:

• Mary Kay Satin Hands from María Elena
• four-step nail block from my R.E. student
• buffer and shine sticks from my Tita Susan

and polished my finger nails with my own lacquers:

• starting with Sally Hansen 18K Gold Hardener
• painting red for the season and plaid accents
• finishing off with Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

O•P•I Got the Blues for Red & Sally Hansen 18K Gold Hardener + Revlon Orchid & Silver Screen + Sally Hansen i ♥ Nail Art Striper in black

My top tip to achieving a lasting nail paint job:

Run freshly coated nails in cold water and dodge hot water!

• Cold water seals in moisture, while hot water repels and drys it out
• If I hand wash dishes, I wear special gloves
• I also wear gloves during hands-on activity

Massage

My good †Christian† friend and fellow prayer warrior, Lisa, came through again, introducing me

• previously to the rolling pin technique
• plus post-massage detox mocktails
• and this time to Biblical oils!

Thank GOD for these special gifts of blessings and wonderful company!

Beauty Tuesday: Quality Colors

If you’ve ever watched Funny Face that starred Audrey Hepburn, then you’ll remember the opening scene when Quality magazine’s editor, Ms. Prescott made time to rhyme:

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wear pink everyday! {Black & white zig zag chiffon high-low dress + pink houndstooth silk bow blouse both by Kardashian Kollection

Before the iPhone 6s in rose gold was released, I’ve already been on the rose gold fix for over a couple of years ~ including with my watches (except for my Texas Longhorns one ~ that’s in silver with burnt orange detail but I’m showing it to root ’em on this season) #RoseGold #HookEm ^~^

• Think pink [especially for Breast Cancer Awareness]

My M•A•C Hello Kitty limited edition nail lacquers came in handy for my mani!

This Chanel shade from my beautician Auntie from my visit a couple of years ago is sure to be a show-shopper!

• Red is dead
  

  Perfect for the approaching Advent/CHRISTmas season: Pine cones outside my school‘s gazebo that I picked up after I taught speech today! (Fun fact: Last time I scored some was when I went snowboarding with my cousins at Lake Tahoe while I still lived in the Bay Area!)

My polka dotted navy blue fetish has been with me for several decades: as a child (my family portrait) + these Calvin Klein boxers (left) from the ’90s, this Gap cami (right) from the 2000s, & my A’Gaci maxi dress (center) for my dissertation defense if all goes according to plan ~ GOD-willing, †praying✌ & hoping!

DOC the doe can rock these blue gingham & houndstooth numbers on her antlers!

My mini-Fall Haul from CVS consisted of seasonal home fragrances, to-go stain remover & Neutrogena eye make-up with my new find: this Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Liner in Twylight Blue ~ which can counteract the look of redness and enhance the whiteness in our eyes –> just what this almost–Doctor ordered, after investing 12-15h/day☼ & staying up ’til 2-4:30AM lately refining my research (plus can create the purr-fect cat eye), as you can see by these selfies that follow!

• Blue is through [including for my *Dallas Cowboys* plus through blue eyeliner and denim tops]

Gap denim 3/4-sleeves got me through my †Church† duty as photographer for †Confirmation†

My best accessory: this blue-eyed girl, ♥Asia♥ a.k.a. Grad Cat! My Gap denim short-sleeved top is a classic layering piece.

Cheers with my PSL as I focus on tomorrow’s preliminary run-through of my dissertation defense! My Express denim long-sleeved top with snap buttons can go underneath my brand-new Adam Lippes for Target plaid vest special-delivered today!

Mani Monday: 1st paint job this season & still bringing on the ☼sunshine☼ … This teal (Nicole by O•P•I Gum Drops in That’s What I Mint) is a steal (also included Nicole by O•P•I Kardashian Kolor in Disco Dolls for the gold glitter for ☼sun☼ & ☼sunflower)

• Green‘s obscene

Warmly welcoming me home from my vacay getaway (while I wear the teal convertible shawl from my Tita): ♥Sweet Annie♥ my green-eyed girl

Not as warmly welcoming me home from my vacay getaway (while I wear the teal convertible shawl from my Tita): Growl … I mean, Grrrrad Cat ♥Asia♥

• Brown’s too boo

Pine cones to ring in fall & sustain through the winter! Why buy this decor at the store when at work is where I score?

Look what the deer dragged in … Let’s not leave out black & gray + muted tones ~ looking rad in plaid this season: DOC the doe puts on a show with this Adam Lippes for Target plaid sweater vest, my wardrobe’s *NEW* best (and prime photo backdrop for pink nail polish above)!

I beg to differ, Ms. Prescott, because I don’t discriminate against any color … Bring on ALL of the above this season, everyday and always, please!

Bottom line: Fashion rules don’t dictate our lives + we may have pieces in our collection that’ll stay timeless.

Beauty Tuesday: Bootie Call to Kickoff Fall

Score! One of my favorite stores has collaborated with one of my fave shoe companies! ALDO + Target = A+

My boot collection consists primarily of thigh-highs and mid-calves …

A+ Emery (another fab Target collab ~ this time with ALDO): Perfect length to still show some leg & rock out my running man tat!

’til now.

Blue hue on cue plus black and brown color block details coordinate well with either neutral shade ~ like on my bday bag ~ & length + any event ~ including my TS midi to Church or work & ultimate presentation maxi to possibly wear (& look dayum good in) on the BiG Day!

Welcome, these ankle-high blue booties to top off my A+ look

Both these booties & these bootcut jeans are from Target ~ special delivery online & fonded by my special feline

from ☼summer☼ to fall!

I’m not gonna lie like ♫Ginuwine♫ … My behind ♪in those jeans♪ = fly! #DISPObustAFlow

Kickoff to fall cleaning (clearing/decluttering) and season-switching!

Beauty Tuesday: Fine Online

Special delivery: Introducing the Sweet Pea (I ♥love♥ the name ~ same as my *True Blue Pit Bull* may she ✌R.I.P.) satchel from the MARKKIT BelindaSelene Collection …

As a birthday treat to myself

I absolutely ♥adore♥ the sleek shine of the patent blush & smooth texture of the taupe suede … all in vegan leather #GoodForTheEnvironment (I also dig the packaging & tags in Tiffany blue + complimentary candy ~ pleasant sweet surprises ~ to add to my desk)

I added to my wardrobe from my YouTube gurus’ collections:

The gold handle hardware matches up w/my gold wristlets complete w/satin polka dotted lining w/a large zipped pocket in the inside back + handy-dandy compartments to store keys, lipstick, etc. Carries well w/the adjustable crossbody & double snaps above zipper closure ~ what appealed to me the most initially was the bowling bag shape! This’d go great with the CK colorblock dress from my Nanay!

• Belinda Selene‘s Markkit Sweet Pea satchel (blush patent vegan leather handbag)

Special Delivery today … Oh, snap as I call my stats a wrap! Stats Cat wants to get in on the pacatge wrap!

• Anna Akana‘s *Ghost & Stars* Taylor Swift midi dress (navy gingham)

This navy blue & white number would pair well with the Sakroots crossbody that Mami Aya gave me for my bday!

I must’ve scored the last 1 because it no longer stayed in stock the day after!

Soon-to-be Bday Grrrl Sweet Annie‘s easy to please: w/her squirrel tail & her likewise squirrel tail toy + dress packaging!

♪ #WeNeverGoOutOfSTYLE ♫

Speaking of ♫T-Swift, here’s her rendition of Friends‘ Phoebe’s ♫Smelly Cat♪ ^– check it –^

Soul Saturday: Patriotic Pets & Pie

Happy *4th of July* 2015!!!

F is for: * Festive * Feline *ASIA* who celebrates our * Freedom with our * Flag

Star & Stripes Forever …P is for:* Patriotic* Pet *ANNIE* who is * PURRfect * Patient

Who wore Uncle Sam better? Sweet *ANNIE* or her K9 cousin *COCO*??

F also is for: Fauxhawk! *COCO* rocks it on America’s Birthday!

F indeed is for: Food … Apple Pie: An *American* Classic

My *Festive* Sweet Treat this 4th … Apple Pie a la *Freedom* Mode: Apple Pie for *Red* topped with Lite Cool Whip for *White* & Blueberries for *Blue*

GOD Bless the U*S*A!!!

Beauty Tuesday: Suit Up!

Back to business …

Now that we’ve entered the †Easter† season, I’ve continued to prepare for my dissertation defense

Right down to what I wear!

I actually sought consult from my personal stylist/classmate who finished his Ph.D. two years ago

As of this month!

I ended up scoring another A’GACI number that matches up with almost all-of-the-above ~ plus has this ☼spring’s☼ on-point trend: polka dots!

Then I had to remind myself of this scripture that I came across during †Lent†:

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

Therefore do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of †GOD† and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” ~ Matthew 6:25-27, 31-34

Beauty Tuesday: Saints & Devils

For my speech class‘ Paper Bag Speech

Mani Monday: Blue * Silver * Gold for team spirit ~ specifically for the Duke Blue Devils + my Dallas Mavericks & Cowboys + my Our Lady of the Lake Saints!

I showed school spirit

Mani Monday: Blue * VS Secret No Strings nail lacquer (dark blue) * NUANCE Salma Hayek True Azul 450 nail lacquer (cobalt blue) | Silver * Revlon Silver Screen 918 * O•P•I Silver Snowflakes top coat | Gold * NUANCE Salma Hayek Goldstone 345 nail lacquer * O•P•I ♥Heart♥ of Gold nail lacquer

right down to my team colors

Paper Bag Speech: My 5K Trophy * my OLLU PhD Medal & Ring + Afghan Blanket * Dallas Cowboys earrings

and even wore a similar suit to Coach K after he reached 1K!

E is for … Elaine * Education * Earned