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Posts Tagged ‘crisp’

TGIF: Fall Perks & Quirks ~ Tacky Sweater Weather Edition

In ♥ & Soul, Beauty Tuesday, Community, De-Stress Saturday, Feline Friday, Flashback Friday, Floral Friday, Foodie Friday, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Musical Monday, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Soul Saturday, Tag, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 10/02/2015 at 21:45
Holy Cow Cats

Don’t these *Holy Cow Cats* just warm your ♥heart? Both Belated Bday Girl Stats Cat & almost-decade-old Grad Cat do mine! Almost reaching our ultimate goal: PhD for Dr. D

To stay in the spirit for this season, I decked out with a little bit of my autumn aesthetics ~ ringing in the old with the new!

Halloween thru CHRISTmas

My little splurge to bring me cheer this time of year: this rad-in-plaid deer because plaid is on-trend (this one somewhat resembles Burberry) + it’s deer season (not that I’m a hunter) & reindeer season‘s just around the corner ~ so I’ll adorn it with special ornaments! Just to add to my eccentricity, I named this bad boy DOC to keep me motivated as I keep trucking along (more in high-speed) toward my doctoral degree! Along with Doc are A&A‘s *Dallas Cowboys* TD toy for football season & my classic Halloween decor ~ including Badtz-Maru pillow ~ on this plaid spread that accompanies autumn yet also is appropriate for winter as we approach CHRIS†mas in red & green!

Here’s more info on my fall favorites to take yours truly through this sweater weather & before the snow hits our neck of the woods …

Come Fall with Me

☼Sunset☼ Selfie: I’m double-cheesin’ (at least without a double-chin) and have a Kool-Aid smile (without the Kool-Aid) because I had a superb dentist visit & cleaning! Coffee stains: gone! {My 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Paper Floral Shirt Dress works in any season & I ♥adore♥ these Smithsonian Cherry Blossom earrings with Swarovski elements from Mami Aya as the perfect color for Breast Cancer Awareness Month + I’m dolling Dulce Candy‘s fall braid-framed bun}

13 Pre-Howl-o-ween Fave Fall Things

  1. What’s the best fall memory you have? ~ football games, both when I was in h.s. & when I’d see my *Dallas Cowboys* live (everything’s BIGGER in TX)
  2. What’s your favorite book you’re reading (or have read) this fall?~ Guts Grace & Glory (football devotionals) that I received during Lent & am reading through football season
  3. Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner?~ both (winged liner above in Exhibit B)
  4. Best fragrance for fall? ~ Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin (above in Exhibit A)
  5. What is autumn weather like where you live? ~ we’re still as ☼sunny☼ as Indian summer but anticipate a cool-down soon
  6. Most worn sweater? ~ my tribal cardigan by ♫Maroon 5‘s ♪Adam Levine♪
  7. Must-have nail polish this fall? ~ Sally Hansen‘s Miracle Gel to top off color because it seriously lasts a long time (I’m just barely removing my color after 45 days)!
  8. Football games or jumping in leaf piles? ~ BOTH! (see No. 1 for football & Exhibit B for leaf piles)
  9. Skinny jeans or leggings? ~ either or, as long as I don’t have a muffin top in the denim or camel toe in the tights
  10. What is something that nobody knows about you? ~ I don’t mind digging into Ramen even if there’s other food in the panty (especially as comfort food now that we’re entering a colder climate), which I actually ate for lunch this afternoon while watching Wong Fu‘s major cook-off!
  11. Combat boots or Uggs? ~ bringing on my Docs, baby!
  12. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype?~ ¡Claro que sí!
  13. What song really gets you into the fall spirit? ~ oddly enough, ♫Taylor Swift‘s Wildest Dreams because it could describe any desire (i.e., “tall” could be a tall order of Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha), fulfilled or fantasized about

1st Friday of Fall Y’all: TGIF

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Feline Friday, Fitness Friday, Floral Friday, Foodie Friday, Foto Friday, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Yours Truly on 09/25/2015 at 20:45

Thank GOD It’s Fall!

Moon Rise

Facing east for the moon rise from my backyard garden … Just another West Texas Friday night!

As much as ☼summer☼ is my favorite season (after all, that’s when my birthday takes place), I’m making the most out of autumn ~ especially going outside for crisp, fresh air!

I’m also all about Starbucks seasonal flavors* ~ from ☼summer’s fruitiness to these comfy delights:

Salted Caramel Mocha Frap

My latest Starbucks Gold Card reward redeemed: Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino!

Starbucks Cold Cup

My venti cold cup always comes in handy … for a discount & a drink to last me all ☼day!

Toasted Graham Frap

Apparently, I was my local barista’s 1st customer to order a Toasted Graham Frappuccino! #StarbucksLovers ♥ #trendsetter

Furthermore, football has kicked off into full swing!

Refreshments Reinforcements

I refreshed my ♥heart♥ & ☼soul☼ with ♥Adoration♥ †Chapel† holy hour at †Church† & with this ☼spirit☼ book + my bod with this Graham Goodness! (Even though I’ll cover up more, I’ll definitely still tone up with whatever energy I still can muster in the midst of working on my dissertation!

Here are a few of my favorite things for fall …

Howl-o-ween Hype

Trunk or Treat: ☼Sunshine☼ (my truck) tailgate was decked out with festive decor that featured ♥A&A♥ when we gave candy to my †Church† students last Howl-o-ween!

Nine Fine Fall Flaves

1. Favorite Candle: my Bath & Body WorksSalty Caramel that I used to light up my *Dallas Cowboys* jack-o-lantern and Advent †cross† (I’m also all about BBW‘s Pumpkin Pecan Waffles/White Barn‘s Thanksgiving Morning)
2. Favorite Lip Color: toss-up between my red Ardency Inn ♥Love♥ Cat lipstick from Sephora or purple Vera Wang *Rockstar* lip gloss from ULTA (c/o my Bestie Evie)
3. Favorite Drink: please view above {Exhibits B-E}
4. Favorite Blush: the ones from my KleanKolor Double Rainbow palette, plus I think that I’ll try Dulce Candy‘s tip on lip colors in a pill box for cheek colors!
5. Favorite Clothing Item: my birthday gifts ~ specifically the scarf/shawl ~ and my recent online finds plus my Target scores ~ particularly the jeans and booties!
6. Favorite Fall Movie: no new releases, so I’ll go with classic football flicks: Varsity Blues (came out my sr. yr.), Friday Night Lights (with a cameo of my h.s.), Remember the TitansAny Given SundayThe Longest Yard (including the original)
7. Favorite Fall Show: Grey’s ♥Anatomy!!! I’ve been counting down for the Season 12 premiere since the Season 11 finale ~ as a loyal fan for over a decade since the very beginning with the previous seasons on DVD
8. Favorite Thanksgiving Food: I’m not going to lie –> my Cranberry Pie #DISPObustAFlow
9. Favorite Halloween Costume: now how about I have y’all pick? My personal faves include when I rocked out my abs live, No. 5 … I won our contest in 2013 as Lone Ranger‘s Tonto and in 2014 as my Nurse Mom who was fine in 1969! Will I make a 3-peat??

Actually, please allow me to add a 10th item:

My #1 Favorite for Fall: my ✌two✌ ♥cute, cuddly companions♥ with whom to softly snuggle for cozy comfort plus who keep me company while hard at work and welcome me home after hard at play!

CHEERS to this time of year!

Beauty Tuesday: BTS Hacks

In ♥ & Soul, Beauty Tuesday, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 09/15/2015 at 09:30

‘Cause I have your back!

This Back-to-School season, check out my super saver tips for time, money and the Earth plus even your sanity …

Set out:

  • weekly wardrobe ~ clothes, jewelry, hair accessories, handbags, etc. (hang on a rolling rack or dedicated space to designate) #OOTDforDays
  • anything else that you need to get ready ~ especially your keys, in the same spot, and also specific hair tools & products, makeup, nail colors

Always check the weather forecast and have a back-up plan if an unexpected natural circumstance arises

Sleep in:

This has worked for me on a couple of different situations:

  1. when I had my fitness classes 1st thing in the AM in college
  2. when I worked at my hometown gym and exercised before work

Speaking of ♫working on my fitness, he’s my witness♪ {Fergie‘s Fergalicious}

Be Prepared  {Boy Scout motto}

  • stash sneakers in your vehicle ~ so you have no excuse for a fun run on-the-go
  • pack change clothes ~ from working out to reporting to work or vice versa

This has worked for me on a few different situations:

  1. when I hit the base gym before and after work after I graduated from college (YES, 2-a-days)
  2. when I hit the university gym during lunch with my boss during graduate school
  3. when I hit the college gym between classes that I taught
  4. when I had my photography gig at the hospitals (during which I’d sometimes fit in a work workout) before teaching at the College or ministering at Church

Bearing this in mind, make sure to pack

  • hygiene products (i.e., dry shampoo, deodorant) ~ do your best to fit in a quick shower if there’s a locker room
  • dental hygiene products (i.e., floss picks, gum, mints) ~ so your breath doesn’t kick

I actually store deodorant and mini perfume bottles plus packs of gum in most of my purses plus my compact bag that I transport when I switch handbags

DON’T forget to eat! ~ Mami Aya + many Pinay & caring moms everywhere

  • double-duty edibles ~ such as coconut oil to substitute fatty oils in recipes plus is my favorite hair conditioner and also moisturizes skin, as well as removes makeup (according to The Sweet Life)
  • handy healthy snacks (not fast food) ~ such as apples, grapes (I dig mine fresh or frozen), pears ~ the pear or apple crisp can trigger brain juice flow, don’t ya know #DISPObustAFlow
  • chill your coffee ~ since I don’t drink as much for heartburn prevention, I store the rest in the fridge until the next day
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Stylin’ Sippie Selfie: Reppin’ my *Dallas Cowboys* after last night‘s victory to kick off NFL season: Go, Big Blue … in Checkered & Houndstooth!

Transitioning between seasons from cold cups to hot tumblers …

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*Star* Quality: Starbucks Anniversary Collection Houndstooth Double-Wall Traveler Ceramic Mug was worth the investment for yours truly (as long as I don’t drop it ~ no jinx, please) because I ♥love♥ the look and can save a few cents every time I refill it … (I also adore the same-style Swarovski Crystal one from this season’s collection because I wear Swarovski from head to toe, but c’mon: I’m a doc candidate on a tight budget ~ so I’ll keep admiring from afar)

1-Stop Shop

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You too can check out these Target en Vogue** photos by scoring a copy and scanning with your Shazam app

☼Sunshine☼ Time

  • Get a daily dose of Vitamin D (as weather permits) ~ for health & happiness
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Taking a breezy breather from my dissertation in the backyard to thumb through Vogue** in ☼serenity☼

Just make YOU Time

Easy Reads

Perfect coffee table or night stand literature ~ when I need a break from my dissertation, these are my latest go-tos: the original Cupcakes and Cashmere (prequel to Cupcakes and Cashmere at Home that I have in eBook form) and this month’s 800+-page Vogue** (glossy inspirations of this season’s styles)

More than Scrub in the Tub

  • ♪sing♫ in the shower ~ so cliché, but as someone who needs a nice-sounding voice for teaching, defending my dissertation, and most of all: ministering (leading in readings, prayers and song) at Mass, I must warm up my ♫melody♪
  • stay fit as you suds up ~ stretch (with caution) as you reach for body parts to clean, and if you’re seated during a bath, I strongly suggest doing water pilates (think table top position with head and feet raised for resistance as you move)

†Pray† at Any Time of the Day

* Rewards = another way to $ave (discount$ & FREEbie$)

These guidelines will save you in the long one ~ not only for the aforementioned reasons, but also from embarrassment (i.e., killer breath, B.O.) if you run into someone later… We don’t want to be Finch from the American Pie movies who had to go home from school every time he had to release his macchiato! You’re welcome.  ✌

Happy ☼Birthday☼ to my ♥Tita Fe♥, a.k.a. Dr. Reyes-Dollete, & HBD to my BFF Bestie SSG Melody!

^– Let this **Vogue ♪jam♫ ♫pump you up♪ today!!! –^

As ♫Madonna♪ sings:

♪That’s why I feel so beautiful♫

Foodie Friday: S is for …

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Foodie Friday, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 06/26/2015 at 20:35

Summer = Salad Season!

Salad

F is for … Fresh & flavorful: Romaine lettuce topped with crumbled feta cheese {Trader Joe’s} & drizzled with Italian dressing {Olive Garden}

I may indulge in comfort foods during colder weather when I prefer to stay cozy and warm, but now that the ☼heat☼ is on ~ not to mention, the pressure, since I’ve stepped up my A-game on my dissertation ~ I’m saving time and energy from cooking much to go raw!

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A is for … Apple! Added crunch from fruit & nuts (in this case, walnut ½s & pieces) suppresses appetite & burns calories!

Gotta ♥love♥ my greens!

Piña

P is for … Pineapple & pecan chips for sweet flavor & savory crunch!

Speaking of freshness, I had a little more time this morning to whip this up for breakfast!

Banana Nut Chocolate Crepe

Banana Nut Chocolate {Jif Mocha Cappuccino Hazelnut Spread} Crepe created with a smile 🙂

#TGIF

Banana Nut Chocolate Crepe

Melt in your mouth … Let my tongue & palate ♪sing♫!