4:44 ~ make a New Year’s wish!!!
Mad for #Plaid#🏁 & •Polka Dots•👙 again + Skirts & Sandals + Stars & Stripes + ~O–O~specs~O–O~ for Scholar Mode!
Hello Kitty in the House: Fashion Forward with Sanrio HK tops paired with plaid Esprit skirts {camisoles layered underneath by Express} | Still sporting sandals as we transition from the ☼summer: blacks • plaids • solid shades
Now that 🍎school is in session🍏 (never🚫 🚦stopped🚥 for yours truly the professor and scholar), PS also is for …
📅Planning / Scheduling📆
Which keychain should I hook to this Sanrio Keroppi planner zipper? * Dallas Cowboys * Dallas Mavericks * Luke Bryan * Office Depot *Star* Teacher 🎒🔑🏈🏀🌠
Ever since I was in elementary, I enjoyed organizing my planners📒 & came across several agendas from grade school, junior high & h.s. while spring🍀 cleaning & decluttering📦 ~ including 1☝🏽️ worth saving!
Glamming up with pens: animal prints from when I traveled for my doc research (I was giving them away to participants in my survey ~ male athletes didn’t want to keep them)
I’ve already set my 🍁semester🍂 wardrobe👗 (by listing dates & outfits in my iPhone📱 📓notes) ~ yet there’s something about penning✒️ important 🎓events.
My 1st academic month filled up quick… Yikes! Please disregard my birthday age ~ my brain must be fried from my dissertation focus that I actually entered 1yr older than my real age. #smh 📅💡🍳💫🎉
Since I don’t have much time to hand write📝 everything (or fund$💰 to $pend💸 oodles on a planner), I took the liberty🇺🇸 of typing📲 this term’s items (complete with my endearing 😍emojis) to print📇 from my phone📳 + personalizing each month with 📷photos ~ then I’ll color-coordinate with my gel pens to add anything else!
Thanks to our office stores ~ where I used to go when they held the annual Teacher Appreciation Breakfast ~ we have discount$ & reminders! I’ll be sporting my agenda with my *Independence Day* tote that’s appropriate for all seasons ~ especially when school‘s in sesh!
To-Do Tip: Treat your schedule like a grocery 📋list✅ on the day/week/month (depending on how far in advance you prefer to plan) of your booked📚 priorities & events ~ DON’T add➕ anything else that’ll allot more time unless
Now I’m also ready with next year’s creative 📆calendar!
FYI: YES, since I’m so fly, I post photos of yours truly … Can’t help being confident + happy & healthy ~ a beauty! #DISPObustAFlow#FoSho
P & S also are for …
+ is perfect to pair with purple & the whole rainbow + my stars tote bag for school 🙂
I wanna feel the air, I wanna feel the breeze {Treehouse leaf keychain}
Cherry Blossom earrings bedazzled with Swarovski crystal elements * lucky♣ jade bracelet * collector’s key chain
I’m topping off my mani with this Miracle Gel by Sally Hansen ~ there were 2 top coat options (I went w/101: the 1 that didn’t specify same-brand gel color)
Thanks to my Titas for the birthday gifts: Auntie Yollie for convertible shawl + Auntie Susan for dinner party & manicure! #MaramingSalamatPo #MagandaKaTalaga #ReyesReunion #BirthdayTrip2015 #pasalubong #BackToSchool #BTSmani #BTSready🎈🎁🎂💝🎀💅🏽💃🏻🍎 🌺🌴
#BirthdayBrunch #SundayBrunch #SundaySelfie w/my #Bestie #BestieBrunch #BestieSelfie #SelfieSunday #SippySelfie #SippieSelfie ¡Muchas gracias, mi querida! #TrueBlue #ALLweatherFriend #DoubleETeam #EasygoingEvie #ExcitedElaine #EvangelistEvie #EducatorElaine #Fajita #Fiesta #NoSiesta #SeñorFrogs #Mariachi #Mojito #KDivertido #DISPObustAFlow 🎈🎂🎆🎇🎊🎉😍💝🎀🎁🌞🍹👏🏽💋🌠🌎🏆🙆🏻🙅🏻🙋🏻💁🏻🙏🏽☝🏽️✌🏽️🐸🎺🎻🎤
†GOD 1st, family 2nd, work 3rd ~ Evie Bruno my #BestieO #DISPObustAFlow My #Bestie baked me #BerryGood #BirthdayCake & showered me w/ #BirthdayGifts + sang #FelizCumplé to complete my bday #BusyBees #BumbleBees #daisies #posies ¡Muchas gracias, mi querida! #TrueBlue #ALLweatherFriend #DoubleETeam #EasygoingEvie #ExcitedElaine #EvangelistEvie #EducatorElaine #SundaySelfie #SelfieSunday She’s doing the #LeadershipPractice from my #DocResearch of #EnablingOthersToAct w/ #PhotoAccessories brand new #TiffanyBlue #BreakfastAtTiffanys #QTforTheseBesties #SnapHappy #CamHappy #FamHappy 🎈🍓🍰🎂🎆🎇🎊🎉😍💝🎀🎁🐝🌼💐👏🏽💋🌠🌎🏆🙆🏻🙅🏻🙋🏻💁🏻🙏🏽☝🏽️✌🏽️🎓📊📉📈📖📲📱📷📹🎥👯
+ Sleep!!!
Despite my best efforts to hit the sack early during my sabbatical, I spent the week before my bday/vacay staying up ’til 4am working on my dissertation then awoke at 4am on my flight days.
Time for a new routine … Evie to the rescue with this tip from one of our fave artists:
Plaid🏁 • Polka Dots👙 | Solids🎱 • Stripes👔
Recently, I made it my mission to add a couple of new 🍁seasonal🍂 staples to my wardrobe …
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
Therefore, I drank a little bit of coffee while more liberally downing my *Star* Water + indulged in 1 piece of my Dove Almond & Dark Chocolate Promises to tide me over as I typed away!
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’s Baby Powder with Cornstarch
To ease some tension on this taboo topic, please check out my beauty guru‘s rag time collaboration!
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?
Don’t you just love exercise 💸incentives?
My most recent reward🏆 came from ⌚️RunKeeper: Saucony 🌞Sunday!
Following my 🏁fun run👣 around the 🎓university🏤 campus course⛳️ (2 full miles = 1 lap), I earned new 👟kicks! Pretty slick, huh?
As a mall rat worker back in high school and college, I sold💰 shoes (not like the Married with Children dad, Al Bundy) ~ so I knew my footwear👞 like the back of my 👋🏽hand, and it didn’t hurt to have those perks☕️ of test-driving🚘 …
Or running in them!
These Canadian🇨🇦 Running prize winners that I selected are in a kid’s size ~ so I could $ave over half👊🏽 of the original comparable women’s pair of shoes, while still having the competitive ISO feature!
Previously, I also scored more fitness rewards:
Moral of this story:
We might as well 💝gift🎁 ourselves in our health💪🏽 by adding on to that wellness😅 📳wealth!
#DISPObustAFlow fo’ sho’
Addendum
🏆Special💸 📮Delivery📦 (received ONLY 2 days after ordering 📶online!)
My mint & coral fresh & clean new kicks👟 pair👣 💕well💞 with my 💛💚pastel💙💜 brights, 💡lights✨ & whites: camisoles • tank tops🎽 by Banana🍌 ⚓️Republic * Gap * Esprit * PINK🏤 by Victoria’s Secret👙 • mesh jersey🏈 by Wilson🎾 | skorts⛳️ by C9 for Champion🏆 • shorts by Adidas⚽️ & Under Armor🏉
Ready for my 1st fun run to break in these comfy, lightweight, flexible kicks!
The name of these sneakers symbolize the runner who wears them! 👊🏽
Is having my stats cat on my grad gear bad luck? I didn’t ask for it… She just jumped on before I tried it on!
Leave it to this Angel Annie to always come through … all over the place!
Now that I’ve received {drum roll please} …
2 lessons that I teach & practice: (1) Visualization ~ Walking across the stage (2) Self-Fulfilling Prophecy ~ Taking the steps toward reaching this goal
… my doctorate graduation regalia …
Business in the front … Party in the back!
… and accompanying dresses (including the one for my dissertation defense), these are my pieces that I plan to feature in my doctoral grad announcement photos in solid shades that I ♥adore♥:
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
✌Both Dresses by Charlotte Russe
Now if only I can pair
This coral shift dress pairs well with these rose gold chunky heels {by Forever 21}! #PrettyInPink
But I could make do with my own!
I can rock out this mint skater dress with these just-as-*sparkly* stiletto heels {by A’Gaci O’Shoes}! #MintyFresh
Since I plan to drive around for my photo shoot, I’ll wear these comfy gladiators in between venues!
Both dresses coordinate with the stones in these gladiator sandals ~ which mi Cuñada and I both picked out for ourselves together!
S also is for …
#SoFreshAndSoClean
Happy Five-Year ♥Anniversary♥ to my Truck ☼SUNSHINE☼!!!
☼Sunshine☼ looks pristine!
She’s still as beautiful as can be and has sustained the pain beyond the rain, from sleet and snow to hurricanes and hail storms, without damage (knock on wood ~ as in my luxury wood dash trim interior)!
“It’s got 4-wheel drive, dual-side air bags & a monster [hit high-pitch] ♪sound♫ system!” ~ Alicia Silverstone as Cher on Clueless {mine makes the last 2-out-of-3}
Although we’re freshly into ☼summer☼, I tend to think ahead …
… Especially since I anticipate my dissertation defense.
While I’ve already planned what to wear on my BiG day right down to my footwear (yet still debatable), I’m wondering about plaid since it’ll be the look of next season.
I already know that I can *rock out* plaid! Just what the future Doctor ordered: these Doc Martens! {FYI: I have my phone screen shot for a reason ~ to show that I maintain Airplane Mode to prevent distractions during my study}
Perhaps I can go with one of these trendsetting patterns for my graduation photos that I’ll send with my announcements. Come to think of it, I really am treating this like I’m tying the knot! Here are similarities:
| Courtship of Dissertation –> Doctoral Degree | Engagement –> Wedding |
| Proposal (Concept, Defense) | Popping the Question |
| Wearing my Class Ring on my Left Finger *BLING* | Wearing an Engagement Ring on the Left Finger *BLING* |
| Committing to my Research Topic | Committing to Partner |
| Pre-Dissertation Coursework | Pre-Marital Classes |
| Selecting Dissertation Dress* | Selecting Bridal Gown |
| Selecting Grad Announcement Wardrobe | Selecting Engagement Announcement Wardrobe |
| Getting into/Staying in Shape for Events | <– Same as the left –| |
| Writing Dissertation (way longer to write and present) | Writing Wedding Vows (shorter to present) |
| Walking Across the Stage | Walking Down the Aisle |
| Getting Hooded | Getting Hitched |
| Changing Name to Dr. ________________ | Changing Name to Mrs. ________________ |
* Bearing in mind that I’m picking out how to dress for this milestone, I’m deciding between something stylish or timeless. Someday, as I flip through my Ph.D. grad pics to reminisce or show them to future generations, I must look put-together and NOT like a hot mess! ~ I definitely don’t want to reflect back and think
What was I thinking?
Like Ellen DeGeneres reveals on her throwback segments!
Despite the serious nature of my study and my own detail-orientation of my appearance for my final presentation, I can’t help but find fun in everything to lift my spirits, including with this clip:
Throwback: Papa Jun and Baby Me appear here on page 8 of the June 2015 issue of Blessed Living Magazine!
Run in heels!
♪These heels weren’t made for running…♫ Would you be caught in the Jurassic age sprinting in (a) platforms (east & west) or (b) stilettos (north & south)? Gotta ♥love♥ my glitz & glam collection of shiny spikes!
That’s exactly what Bryce Dallas Howard did in Jurassic World ~ which hit box office record-high revenues in its debut weekend ~ as her character, Claire, ran amidst dinosaurs.
This bombshell daughter of Happy Days actor and Oscar-winning director Ron Howard shows us that not only can she rock out nude pumps (one of my recent footwear options for my dissertation defense), she can race in them as well! Here’s more Heel Hype
Lunges are essential.
Calf raises also help.
While skinny heels aren’t particularly my first choice to login miles (obviously, those and platforms aren’t the most practical), some of us runners and good-cause advocates may have raced in them to raise funds for awareness and research.
[Sidestep note: I’m probably one of the only people into pop culture who still hasn’t seen it yet could’ve with my Jurassic fan Bestie ~ but am predisposed with my research now]
Dino Run = Dyno-mite!!!
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
My ♥LOVE♥ for gold and rose gold takes new heights for ♥Valentine’s Day♥ with the ♥Sweetheart Ball♥ about to be thrown down …
This A’GACI dress was exactly what I envisioned: peach and goddess sleeves!
Add to my ♥V-Day♥ ensemble: Forever 21 rose gold platforms!
I’m swaying away from stilettos this time around & strutting my stuff in these platforms to make me taller like a baller! #DISPObustAFlow
With so many yellow & rose gold ♥heart♥ choices to choose from, I actually most likely will adorn my neck with the beautiful ruby †cross† that María Elena gave me as a gift from Assisi Jewels in Italy.
I may top off this ensemble with my rose gold ♥heart♥ & bow Guess? handbag to tote my DSLR cam!
Now that I have my platforms, this DISPO wants to ♪strike a pose♪ {to the tune of Madonna‘s ♫Vogue♫} like Cassey Ho from her Chillout Stretches video! #DISPObustAFlow
Stay stylish in the snow!
Faux Fur & Foil: Metallic Top pairs well w/ Gold Foil Jeggings {Sofia by Sofia Vergara} & Sherpa Fur Lined Boots {Tone Up by Skechers} + Sherpa Fur Vest or Lined Suede Jacket {GAP} or Leopard Coat {Guess?}
Sweater Weather TAG ~ YOU’re IT!!!
TOMS One for One NOW at TARGET: Denim Jacket (in Natural) {TOMS} is the perfect piece to pair with any apparel from your wardrobe! Shown with red gold chain sweater {Bongo} * gingham slacks {H&M Fashion Star}, black sparkly bag {VS limited edition} * houndstooth wedges {TOMS}
Fall Faves 2014
[answers in bold]
1. Face Product lately, Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation
2. Cheek Product blush from palette given to me from my student
3. Eye Product eye shadows with warm colors from aforementioned palette
4. Lip product Bath & Body Works lip balms from my sister and sister-in-law
5. Fragrance/candle B&BW Thanksgiving Morning Pumpkin Pecan Waffles
6. Nail Polish NUANCE Goldstone 345
7. Hair Product Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser
8. Fall Fashion Faves layered looks (see photo above) ~ including this versatile TOMS denim jacket
9. Accessories scarves
10. Holiday Faves: CHRISTmas or THANKSgiving? BOTH because I’m grateful to GOD for JESUS’ birth & the gifts with which He has blessed us
11. Festive Food or Drink? Drinks: Pumpkin Spice Latte * Salted Caramel Mocha * White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha | Food: savory or sweet comfort food
12. Happiest Part of Fall? Football & Basketball (just attended my MAVS game when they put the LAkers to shame) #DISPObustAFlow
The Elaine Dispo Journal 