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!
First, I sought a layering top to complete my ultimate presentation🎤 ensemble and went so far as to look for different colors🎨 and 🐆prints. I searched for a color-coordinating overlay, but did I want a solid🎱 sweater since I already had a patterned👙 dress? When I thought that I was getting warmer in reaching the 👓vision by shopping online, I imagined my striped sweater👘 that I scored earlier this summer ~ suprisingly perfect with polka dots in the same colors!
Next, I needed plaid🏁 for the 🍁fall🍂 and found this snap-button shirt that pairs well with my new skater 👗dress & come to think of it, may match my new sneakers for the 1st day of school! I can pull off this kicka** look!
Even when I wasn’t trying, when I went to my 🙏🏽Holy💖 💒Hour⏰ the other day, I made a masterpiece match with this 💐🌾spring/summer🍃 dress💃🏻 and striped👔 scarf🏂 that still could make a statement as we enter the cooler months!
For clothing in colors that already pop, I go for neutral/muted tones in the finishing touches, such as in these nude wedges & black Docs!
Then I realized that I had my latest pursuits as classic pieces in my closets all along!
P also is for …
Period
Since it’s my time of the month ~ YES, I admit it, no shame in my TMI as I bring more FYI ~ I don’t want my cramps to interfere with my shut-eye or staying productive as I power through my paper (I’ve also wondered whether the “crimson tide,” as Clueless‘ Cher puts it, will hit when I present it, but I’ll have to deal when that time comes and look dayum good in the process) … However, when I felt fatigued and craved energy yet didn’t want my coffee to add to my bloat, I sought acclaim/affirmation for or at least alternatives to caffeine
Also, I reminded myself that this flow wouldn’t mess with my flow. In fact, over a decade ago, when I worked at my my hometown gym, I wouldn’t empathize with fellow females who used their flow as an excuse not to witness their fitness ~ even when I felt crummy from cramping, I’d still exercise!
Well, this brand-spankin’ new member to our 26.2-mile club gives running while being on the rag a whole new meaning.
She even brings up chaffing, so speaking of which … enter {drum roll, please}
Powder
I’ve rediscovered this product that my mom had patted on my skin when I was a baby and had me keep applying it to maintain my hygiene as a child. When I ran my marathon, I realized how effective it could be to areas that experienced a lot of friction (which will remain unnamed) ~ now I use it more during this exceptionally hotter-than-usual ☼summer☼ whether I have a fun run in the ☼sun☼ or am just sweating bullets!
My personal preference: Johnson & Johnson’sBaby Powder with Cornstarch
For more cramp & comic relief, this No Strings Attached scene (no tampon pun intended) shows a period ♪playlist♫ ~ now I wish that someone could bring me cupcakes (red velvet & other assorted flavors ~ I’m not picky) like this character did!
♪I keep bleeding … keep, keep bleeding ♥love♥♪~ ♫Leona Lewis♫ | Pretty picture (“crime scene in my pants”), right?
But I might as well keep it real about my age and aging process!
How’d I begin my silver streak👵🏽 in the first place?
My seasoned teacher colleague whose office was down the hall from mine had a head full of gray hair and suggested ~ actually, more declared ~ to me that this is a sign that we’re smart
👴🏽White👓 = 💡WISE!!!
My BFF and sis observed their own prior to mine. I first noticed it while I was doing my game day braids👧🏻 the post-season after my NBA D-League🏀 team won the 🏆NBA-DL championship…
Now that I’ve found a few more stragglers as I’m growing out my hair to donate without chemicalsafterI graduate, I’m looking at the bright [light –> white] side ~ the silver lining, if you will (hence the pun)
My dear Nanay has been wanting to revamp my 💃🏽wardrobe, and with my 🎈birthday🎁 around the corner (hint hint), I took her up on her offer while mixing in pieces that I already have!
White Bottoms & Color Blocking + Silver & Gold = #BOLD
Since I wear white bottoms between Memorial Day & Labor Day, here’s what I wore to our evening/Vigil Mass at Church last weekend: my new *white HOT* slacks {Liz ClaiborneEmma} paired with black off-the-shoulder blouse {*Express} over navy blue tank top {GAP} + black patent leather wedges {BCBG} + black & white color block handbag {CoachHamptons} ~ I pay attention to every single detail, so the silver hardware on both my purse & sandals coordinate! [Alternate top: zebra striped cowl neck peplum {EXP*} 🇺🇸💒👠👒👜
Peachy Keen: My obsession with peach/coral has taken us by storm through this color block dress with taupe piping & white bottom {Calvin Klein} that looks dayum good with these nude patent leather cork wedges with gold trim {Antonio Melani, Dillard’s exclusive} ~ top it off with my rose gold heart tote {Guess?} + gold ♥heart♥ jewelry & we’re off! #PrettyInPink #GoForTheGold 🍑🌺👗👡💝👜👛🎀
My *new* nude (also available in black) patent leather cork wedges with gold trim by Antonio Melani can go with anything! ♥Love♥ the Tiffany Blue box & surroundings?
2 lessons that I teach & practice: (1) Visualization ~ Walking across the stage (2) Self-Fulfilling Prophecy ~ Taking the steps toward reaching this goal
Shift Dress (more forgiving / less flattering straight silhouette) in Coral (to suit my stylist Dr. Garza‘s taste): Spaghetti Strap Slip underneath Crocheted Lace Overlay * Skater Dress (more figure-framing A-line short skirt) in Mint (close enough to fulfill my Tiffany blue obsession): Strapless Slip layered under Sleeveless Scoopneck Sparkly Silver Lurex Fishnet
My Ash Wednesday ensemble when I proclaimed the readings at evening Mass: IN San Francisco lavender 3/4-sleeved mini dress with ruffled v-neck & tan trim ivory braided skinny belt {thanks to María’s †CHRISTmas† gift card from Dillard’s} * Corral 2-toned cowboy boots * Nicole by O•P•I Kardashian Kolor in Back to Reality TV (lavender) as main shade & Follow Me on Glitter (black sparkle for ashes) as accent hue
Most recently, I wore this when I proclaimed the readings at Ash Wednesday †Mass†.
†
I did a diagonal side braid to float across the crown.
Last week (or shall I say, two weeks before then to include three full weeks), I rang in my BiG 3-3 and prepared to teach in my hometown this fall ~ after over five years of teaching in South Texas. Therefore, I had to get a minor makeover!
First, Evie‘s mom Maggie cut and curled my hair (as seen with A&A).
Then Dee and I celebrated together, and she added to my wardrobe👗!
Don’t Dee & I look hot in our maxi dresses?
On my actual Bday, we curled our hair!
Speaking of Dee, don’t she, Lisa and I all look fabulous as the August Birthday Baby Beauties💁?
Beautiful Bday BabesLisa & Me
Love ’em like Sisters!
& of course, now that I’m exactly half my mom‘s age (she was my age when she gave birth to me), here’s an indicator of how I may look like when I’m double my age!
Good timing that Back-to-School was yesterday, due to my beauty gifts from Nanay & Sis!
It’s a fancy feast of frills & thrills up in here!
With Proms coming up and many weddings around the corner, I want to show you how my style has evolved over time through these throwbacks and more recent ensembles from major events.
As you can see, I prefer maxi dresses because I thought that long skirts would conceal my lack of height, but I can lean toward revealing my legs more!
Even though most of these were worn only once, there’ve been a couple that made their way in the rotation twice…
Red, White & Bluesequined Mestiza gown (Filipiniana Gala) ~ frontal view in my DispoBio
My Philippine national flag number & my Celtic Cross w/Crown of Thorns (Philippians 4:13) + my DSLR make their debut @ the Ms. PIDC-RGV Pageant ~ caught in action as I catch the action on camera!
Turquoiseone-shoulder (sister Joanne’s wedding)
My sis wanted all of us bridesmaids to look the same, but I as MOH took it upon myself to add a shawl (to cover my back tat — I thought it was appropriate for the Catholic Church ceremony) & ruching to the skirt of my dress! I wanted the Belle-of-the-Ball from Beauty & the Beast look, so check out my “princess hair”!
Midnight Bluesleeveless satin dress w/ruffled skirt (student Limeya‘s wedding and this year’s Valentine’s Sweetheart Ball) ~ as seen in my Attitude w/Gratitude
I exposed my back tat this time w/straps + my hair teased & pinned up @ the outdoors wedding & reception + to adopt my golden lab Cami!
The 2nd time around, I wore my hair mostly down & this silver shawl to compliment the bling on the empire waist of this evening gown!
Like the dark blue clutch w/silver chain & sparkly stilettos to match the shimmery shine?
Since this is a long dress, I try to bare my running man tattoo on the dance floor! Maybe my next ink should be the dancing queen!
Deep Purplesleeveless chiffon A-line dress (cousin Donnabelle‘s wedding and Royals Banquet)
Getting ready @ the hotel
Nanay & Me
Nanay, Uncle Terry & Me
Lola Enrica, Uncle Terry & Me
Flying solo!
I added this purple shawl from México to warm me up @ the Banquet! My black & metallic silver signature Coach Poppy glam tote came in handy to carry my DSLR so I could photo @ the event!
#PutYourBestFaceForward #Easter #Sunday #Best #LastSupper #EasterBunny #BunnyEars #EasterBunnies eat #carrots therefore this #bunny eats #CarrotCake in #cupcake #helix / #cartilage #earring & #magenta #flowers #bling #earrings + #salmon #Pashmina #shawl to #compliment #pink #ears #HappyEaster #JesusChrist the #LORD is #risen today #Peace 💒🐇🍳💍👗🎀🎂🍰
#ManiMonday after #Easter w/#glitter & #shimmer from #NicoleByOPI: w/#ModernFamily #ShesLilySomething #stars + #GumDrops #ThatsWhatIMint #AccentNails (#Thumbnail & #RingFinger) ~ #Nicole by #OPI #green & #pink to keep #ring in #Spring past #EasterWeek complete w/ #EasterBunny & #CarrotCake #cupcake b/c #bunnies eat #carrots #HappyEaster w/ #yellow & #turquoise #ZebraStripes #NailArt 💒🐇🍳💍👗👡👜🎀🎂🍰
Strolling down memory lane with the Bunny Hop through the past few Easters…
Happy Easter from ASIA & Me (pre-ANNIE)
{yellow, lime green, turquoise, black and white scarf plus white sleeveless woven snap top by Express}
Happy Easter from Sissy & Me!
{on me: floppy straw hat from the Philippines and spaghetti strap paisley dress from T.J. Maxx]
Happy Easter from JUSTIN & Me!
{on me: Pashmina shawl from mi Suegra, magenta dress from my mom, RockstarFlip Flops with Swarovski crystals}
With more special days that we anticipate to celebrate this season, I’d like to share other outfits that are worthy of wearing.
Cross into the Orange
{Cross from México + orange camisole & tie-dye halter dress from Express}
Pastels & Purple
{Black & gold chain necklace from Target + purple v-neck cap-sleeved dress from Express + multi-colored CoachPoppy Pop C backpack featured on my debut Beauty Tuesday}
Almost dressed!
Posing with the Posies!
Dad & DISPO Sisters
Mom & DISPO Sisters
DISPO Family in the Yard!
{my accessories: Dallas Cowboys star earrings from Touch by Alyssa Milano & hibiscus necklace as Ph.D. cohort leader’s pasalubong from Hawaii + Fendi shades in purple; my outfit: my purple camisole from Express + pastel floral high-low dress, orange shrug & gold metallic cork sandals from Sofia by Sofia Vergara}
2 Great Minds Think Alike!
DISPO Sisters in Prabal Gurung
{on my sister & me: sleeveless First Date abstract print top w/black mesh overlay from Prabal Gurung for Target®; my red cami from Express, my grey & turquoise skort from Champion, my black sandals from BCBG}
Welcome/Mabuhay/¡Biénvenidos! I am a USAF brat who was born in Germany and grew up State-side while celebrating my Catholic and Filipino heritage. ☼Sunny☼ DISPOsition Elaine’s Eye Candy/DISPhotos ~ I love GOD & His creations, so I take photos @ any given opportunity. Elaine DISPOrts ~ I am passionate about sports, which is my research focus on my ... Continue reading →
The Elaine Dispo Journal 