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: Steel Butterfly Stilettos

Here’s a hint of what I’ll be this Halloween …

Throwback: My *Philippine Flag* Mestiza Gown complete with Butterfly Sleeves for the Filipinana Gala that I covered (press and photo) back in 2009 ~ Asia the #PhotoBombDotCom before Annie‘s birth ♥Annie-versary♥

Clue: She’s known as the Steel Butterfly who scared off the Beatles who flew far from the Philippines never ever to return.

Meet BOO ~ who’ll play the Pinoy Pomeranian pup this weekend (since the P.I. First Lady had a canine as her sidekick)

After winning the costume contest these past couple of years, will I come back for a 3-peat, suggested my boy *USMC* Kyle with a smile?

Just a few of my favorite all-season shoes … Love my Brett Favre photobomb?

While what was on my head (the crow as Lone Ranger‘s Tonto in 2013 & my beehive gone live in 2014) did the trick ~ or treat? ~ will this year’s fate be helped with what I wear on my feet?

I was choosing between my silver {from O’Shoes} or gold skinny heels to boost my height & compliment my festive sequins …

Speaking of stilettos, this Muse of Manila who I’ll portray this Saturday was known to have 3K pairs of shoes!

My skinny heels wouldn’t be complete without these Solemates High Heeler® ~ so I won’t stay stuck in the mud or other stilleto-unfriendly surfaces!

Just to be on the safe side, I wouldn’t endorse wearing heels all day everyday ~ more in moderation … and always have a back-up pair of flats!

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!