TGIF: Fall Perks & Quirks ~ Tacky Sweater Weather Edition

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!

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 …

☼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

Thank GOD It’s Fall!

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:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte 

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

• Salted Caramel Mocha 

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

• *NEW* Toasted Graham 

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!

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 …

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 Works‘ Salty 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 Titans, Any Given Sunday, The 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:

Sweet Annie

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!

Sassy Asia

CHEERS to this time of year!

Beauty Tuesday: BTS Hacks

‘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:

• braids ~ so you could rock waves the next day!
• workout gear ~ so you could run as soon as you wake up (TIU‘s K&K‘s Karena also vouches for this in Beach Babe 3‘s ☼Morning☼ Motivation segment)!

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

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 …

*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)

• tote reusable containers ~ mine from Starbucks saves me 10-cents per use and conserves resources (great for my next craving, this flavor-of-the-day: the Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino to redeem my latest Gold Card Reward*)

The navy blue & gold go well with my dissertation defense dress!

1-Stop Shop

Target showcases its own products in renditions of Vogue** covers from this past century

• My everything store is Target because it offers decent prices on clothing ~ including my designer collab limited editions ~ as well as home goods, some groceries, and is my personal fave place for gift registries

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

• I’m also a CVS patron for Beauty and ExtraCare Bucks Rewards*
  

  I picked up this month’s Vogue** while grabbing some monthly & quarterly essentials

☼Sunshine☼ Time

• Get a daily dose of Vitamin D (as weather permits) ~ for health & happiness

Taking a breezy breather from my dissertation in the backyard to thumb through Vogue** in ☼serenity☼

Just make YOU Time

• Lately, my pleasure reading getaways have been simpler to prevent brain burnout (i.e., pictures for eye candy) ~ so no information overload in this rotation

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

• No believer is ever too busy to †pray† ~ even if we can’t take a ½ hour or full hour to meditate, at least devote a few to several minutes or even †pray† before, during and/or after your activities (my Rosary begins my days, and playing the ♪song♫ jump-starts it!)

* 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♫

Beauty Tuesday: Post-Summer Post ~ S is for …

Welcome, September! With school in full swing, I still have ☼summer☼ season on the brain!

☼Sunkissed Summer☼

1. What is your go-to product for a sunkissed summer glow?

natural ☼sunshine: *FREE* Vitamin D!

2. What book would you recommend for a summer read?

Dulce Candy Ruiz‘s The Sweet Life to inspire anyone & Dr. Karen Kelsky‘s The Professor Is In for fellow grad students

Backyard Post-Bday Brunch to bask in ☼sunshine☼ + organize my HK planner & pleasure-read (intended ~ I ended up just working)

 both of which hit bookshelves exactly 4 weeks ago!

3. What’s your signature summer scent this year?

Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Summer Edition (since 2012) ~ I also store Sephora samples in my handbags

4. The sun is shining and it’s time to get outside! What’s your favorite thing to do?

simply bask in the ☼sunshine☼ through ALL of my senses ~ including the smell of fresh air

5. You’re on the boardwalk and starving! What’s your go-to summer beach food?

banana ice cream, paletas (popcycles) or raspas (snow cones) ~ anything frozen treat to beat the heat!

6. What’s your dream summery date?

watch a blockbuster & ☼sun☼ fun run or walk on the beach + chow down

7. After a day in the summer heat, what do you do to cool off?

chillax with my shows + consume cucumber ~ on my eyes & in H2O #DISPObustAFlow

8. How do you wear your hair in the summer?

braids for days

9. What’s your must-have nail polish for summer 2015?

this Tiffany Blue hue

Fitting name for this shade

as Audrey Hepburn tribute

10. What shows do you recommend for summer?

my share of sizzling series: network nighttime dramas + home/real estate reality TV

11. Do you wear liquid foundation, BB cream, or tinted moisturizer in the summer?

occasional base but more powder to offset sweat

12. Sunglasses or Hats?

Exhibit shown below

I tip off this hat & show school team spirit!

I always must sport ~O-O~specs~O-O~ anyway ~ I usually rock my Coach transitional lenses nowadays + still have my Fendi & Gucci frames*

13. What is your summer jam this year?

• ♪Let’s ♫Marvin Gaye♫ & Get It On♪ (not that I’m trying to make love or babies ~ I just like the ♫rhythm♫ & ♪tune♪)

• ♫Locked Away♪ (not that I’m doing anything to get locked up ~ I really dig the ♫beat♪ & ♫Adam Levine‘s ♪singing)

• ♪Bad Blood♫ (so cliche, but I ♥heart♥ the graceful ♫Taylor Swift♪ ~ not to mention that you can’t take the ♪hip hop♫ out of this chick)

14. Do you have a summer bucket list?

mainly to finish my doc docs (paper & PowerPoint to prep to present for dissertation defense) ~ since I’m not completely caught up, my Plan B is to have them done by Labor Day now that Fall is upon us and the BiG Day draws near + added bonus: relatives reunion, check √

15. Bikini, tankini, or one piece? Show us your fave bathing suit this year!

I’ve already built up quite a two-piece collection through the years but wouldn’t mind adding a monokini to the mix ~ my fave of the moment: my VS chevron top & ombré bottom (see No. 5 “paleta” link for sippie selfie in said swimsuit)

16. What’s your favorite sweat proof product?

Banana Boat Baby Faces ☼sunblock

17. If you could create your own ice cream flavor, what would it be?

Champ Hoop Scoop ~ to score an ice cream dreamy combo of my faves:

• Nutella
• caramel
• nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts)
• coconut
• pineapple

S also is for …

• Sticking to Schedule

Filled up in August & as we approach September

• Spiritual Supplies including *Star* Hole Punch

Champ Catechesis student’s First Communion reception gift goodies

• This Season’s Shoes & MORE Score ~ especially the A+ collaboration between ALDO & Target (coming to stores on ☼Sunday, September 6th/countdown in 5 days)
• *Specs & ☼Sunglasses now that Drew Barrymore has released her Flower brand exclusively with Walmart ~ some timing as I’m in need for new Rx eyewear!
• Speaking of which, Sofia Vergara glasses & shades are offered at Sears!

$ Therefore, S also is for: Savings $

NO

• ♫Summertime Sadness♫ or
• ♪Wake Me Up When September Ends♪ here!

Beauty Tuesday: Skin Deep

Happy Belated Grandparents’ Day!

Last week, I had the pleasure of spending time with my good friends’ grandmother, who was sweet enough to give me these birthday gifts! 🎁

📖 This affirmations book definitely comes in handy as a reminder of beauty from the inside out, and this prayer is the most kind gesture. 🙏

💝 Of course, I was happy to see the Victoria’s Secret tissue paper before I unwrapped the package, so I’ll use this VS Heavenly (one of my fave fragrances) lotion ~ all of these can fit into my handbag… 👜

☝️GOD bless nice Natalia👏

2 for Tuesday: Sweater Weather Tag before I Ring in Spring!

Let’s hear it for the Sweater Tag!

Like my sweater and snake scarf?

My family and I went to Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater (approx. 45mi NW of Abilene) ~ which supposedly is the world’s largest!

Now here goes… [Questions are in italics; my answers are in bold.]

Yours truly’s SWEATER TAG

1. Favorite candle scent? Bath & Body Works Salty Caramel

BBW Salty Caramel

True Blue Jack-o-Lantern w/Salty Caramel Candle

2. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? ALL of the Above
3. What’s the best fall memory you have? football ~ most recently Dallas Cowboys 

GO, ‘BOYS! True Blue, through & through!

4. Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner? neither; cat make-up: my red lips in Ardency Inn Modster Long Play Supercharged Lip Color in Love Cat and cat eyeliner by M•A•C 

Tried to pull off Cat Eye & Cat Lips at Christmas Party

5. Best fragrance for fall? COACH Legacy

COACH Legacy Stripes in bag, fragrance and Gabrielle glasses

6. Favorite Thanksgiving food? my Cranberry Walnut Pie

My THANKful Cranberry Walnut Pie

7. What is autumn weather like where you live? bipolar: sunny & warm 1 day, snowy & frosty the next

Sunny Abilene

Snow Day

8. Most worn sweater? my Kardashian Kollection white Open Knit Sweater because I could layer it over any color and wear off-the-shoulder 

My fave Sweater Weather sweater that I can wear everywhere, including the beach!

9. Must-have nail polish this fall? Nicole by OPI® Kardashian Kollection Disco Dolls for the gold glitter and Follow Me on Glitter for the dark glitter

Kardashian Kolor from Nicole by OPI®

10. Football games or jumping in leaf piles? BOTH

Dallas Cowboys on the field! I’d like to play in the leaves with them!

11. Skinny jeans or leggings? BOTH … or how ’bout jeggings? (e.g., Sofia Vergara Lurex Jeggings in Gold Foil, Indigo & Jet Black ~ like the glitter effect from #9)

These Gold Jeggings pair well w/this Snake Scarf, along w/my Cowboys Boots!

12. Combat boots or Uggs? neither; I’ll go for my Kenneth Cole knee-high zip-up black stiletto boots, Corral Cowboy boots or Sketchers Tone-Ups camel boots w/ faux fur

Jeggings + Sketchers = Match Made on Snow Day

13. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype? he**-to-the-YEAH

Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte

I asked for Salted Caramel & Whip to top off my PSL!

Salted Caramel PSL in the house!

Enjoy like yours truly at a Starbucks near you!

14. Favorite fall TV show? I’d say Grey’s Anatomy for the rainy weather, ’til it went on hiatus before the holidays, but now it’s back to ring in spring! 
15. What song really gets you into the fall spirit? Katy Perry’s Eye of the Tiger brought me school spirit because my alma mater, Cooper H.S., was a finalist in her music vid contest

Katy Perry ~ Hear Me ROAR!

Katy Perry Challenge Finalists

Katy Perry Challenge includes CHS, all right, all right, all right!

Cooper Cougars ROAR to Katy Perry!

5:55 ~ make a wish!!!