elainedispo

Posts Tagged ‘party’

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!

Mixer Monday: Mojito Madness

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Home Sweet Home, Mixer Monday, Relationships, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Yours Truly on 09/07/2015 at 09:00

Minty!

To ring in recent birthdays, I was all about ordering up mojitos!

La Canela Pasión

Passionfruit Mojito topped with Cocktail Fruit from La Canela Peruvian Restaurant

  1. First, to celebrate my Tita Fe‘s birthday, I had this Passionfruit Mojito at the Peruvian restaurant ~ thanks to my cousin & her hubby!
  2. Then I enjoyed a refreshing Frozen Blueberry Mojito at my own Bday Brunch from Miguel’s Mex Tex Café (Mex intentionally before Tex)!
  3. Most recently, I toasted to my cousin’s birthday with this Twisted Madre Mango Margarita ~ another special from Miguel’s Agave Bar!
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Twisted Madre: Frozen Margarita swirled with Mango Flavor topped with Lime and dressed with Chile Salt on the Sim from Miguel’s Mex Tex Café

S is for …

  • Sip On
  • ¡Salud!
Bday Frappé

Freebie for my Bday: Mocha Coconut Hazelnut Frappé

More Sweet Treats … this time without spirits:

Bday Frappé Run: Fun in the ☼Sun☼

Bday Frappé Run: Fun in the ☼Sun☼ as I stay cool at school #DISPObustAFlow #Frappuccino

Starbucks Birthday Rewards

Blueberries 'n' Creme

My Next Bday Freebie: Blackberries & Creme make you scream!

  1. First, from my research university before my BiG #-#: Hazelnut topped with Coconut
  2. Next, from our busiest local coffee shop: the new Blackberries & Creme Frappuccino
Blessed Frappuccino

Blessed with Rest (sort of) on my Bday … Real quick before I get back into it!

Movie Monday: The Best Man Holiday

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Motivational Monday, Movie Monday, Politics, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 03/02/2015 at 16:30

The 🎅holidays🎄 may be over, but The Best Man †Holiday† is the perfect 🎬movie🎥 for any season and reason!

Best Man Holiday

The Best Man †Holiday† on Blu-Ray: purrfect on snow day!

Last weekend, our latest ❄️snow⛄️ series out of a countless many, I popped the 💽DVD📀 in because

Yet this is by far one of my fave flicks for

Beauty Tuesday: Doo Wop Pop Sock Hop

In ♥ & Soul, Beauty Tuesday, Community, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 02/24/2015 at 16:25

This past weekend, I took my latest photo gig to my fam friend’s 50th birthday party ~ ’50s style! Before I strapped on my cam and shot snaps, I strapped on my suspenders and shot a smile!

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Since I seldom have time to shop, much less the money to invest on a full-fledged poodle skirt complete with petticoat

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I just created labels from photos of real French poodles who I professionally photographed!

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Presenting: my micro mini poodle skirt on a budget!

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To complete the look: my high school varsity letterman jacket * my grad ring on a chain * my cat bobby socks * my bowling shoes {Stevies by Steve Madden}

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My beloved felines seemed to think that I was looking fine!

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My big champ cat is the #BOMBdotCom ~ as in the beautiful #photobomb dot com!

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Of course, my furr babies also make the purrfect models!

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✌Deuces✌ That makes 2 for Tuesday Beauty!

Foodie Friday: Country Club Grub

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Foodie Friday, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Yours Truly on 02/13/2015 at 12:55

We celebrated ♥Valentine’s♥ Day one week early at the Country Club!

Salad Spread

Salad Spread: I’m all about the greens, & pasta is my weakness!

As always, the food was good!

Country Club

Country Club caters well! A little bit of everything, from veggies to meat.

And the drinks were as well!

Stella Artois

Stella Artois: my usual import @ the Country Club

Not to mention the dessert!

Wine & Chocolate

Wine & Chocolate: my kind of centerpiece!

Sweets …

Dessert Table

Dessert Table: Cheesecake Collection

… from the Sweet …

Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake

Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake: complete w/a ♥heart♥ @ the center

… by the Sweet …

Assorted Cheesecake

Assorted Cheesecake: Chocolate * Strawberry * Original

… for the Sweet!

Double Chocolate

Double Chocolate: Chocolate Cheesecake w/Cookies & Cream ♥Heart♥

Happy Friday the 13th & ♥Valentine’s♥ Eve!

Fitness Friday: V-Mode

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Fitness Friday, Foodie Friday, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 02/06/2015 at 16:30

After this Super Bowl Week’s YOLOs and spirits, it’s time to prep for ♥V-Day♥

Therefore, today, this DISPO has gone Beast Mode for V-Mode on this ♥Sweetheart♥ Ball Eve!

As tomorrow’s dinner approaches, I’ve been working out to my fave fitness gurus in their special dance dress moves:

Total Bod

{More from Cassey Ho below}

Target Areas

R&R

What about *Dallas Cowboys’ WR Dez Bryant’s* hard core abs?

My reward after these routines: my homemade ice cream!

  • Bananas for Potassium
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I’m going berry bananas over my homemade Cookie Butter ice cream!

  • Blueberries for Memory
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C & B are for … Cape Cod cranberries + blueberries & Crunchy Cookie Butter w/ B-A-N-A-N-A-S {chant from No Doubt‘s ♫Hollaback♪}

  • Cranberries for Urinary Tract (YES, after drinking tons of water, it helps!)
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Super Spoonful coming right up!

    • Crunchy Cookie Butter for Taste & Texture

!

Beauty Tuesday: Lookin’ Fine 4 Valentine’s

In ♥ & Soul, Beauty Tuesday, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Weekly Wonders, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 02/03/2015 at 20:00

My ♥LOVE♥ for gold and rose gold takes new heights for ♥Valentine’s Day♥ with the ♥Sweetheart Ball♥ about to be thrown down …

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This A’GACI dress was exactly what I envisioned: peach and goddess sleeves!

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Add to my ♥V-Day♥ ensemble: Forever 21 rose gold platforms!

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I’m swaying away from stilettos this time around & strutting my stuff in these platforms to make me taller like a baller! #DISPObustAFlow

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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.

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I may top off this ensemble with my rose gold ♥heart♥ & bow Guess? handbag to tote my DSLR cam!

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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

Sunday Fun Day: Drinking’s Ups & Downs

In Community, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Sunday Fun Day, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Yours Truly on 05/18/2014 at 17:55

Getting crunk can have its advantages and disadvantages. Here’s the obvious:

Drink in moderation.

But there are times when some of us have our moments. You may get carried away when you’re celebrating a special event, like graduation this time of the year, birthdays, weddings, etc. Just make sure you

DON’T drink and drive.

This Sunday segment is split into two sections: first the fun part and then the morning-after part. Been there, done that. Enjoy my Top 5 lists with a glass of wine or a frosty mug! {Photos from Creative Stock}

Top Five Drinking Games

When it’s time to get crunk and drunk, games bring drinkers together for healthy competition and entertainment. They call for coordination and strategy, even with a buzz, and warrant kicks and grins. Be creative by making up rules as you go and stay good sports until the end. Please remember to play responsibly.

Game1

Cheers to these most popular drinking games at parties and bars alike.

[Involving old-fashioned liquid courage, blocks, cards, coins and sports-inspired cup tricks, winners can prevail even with a buzz.]

5. I Never

This truth-tell-all game that appears on Drinknation and Webtender has been a favorite among party-goers and campers alike because it is simple and requires no equipment, except your liquid courage, of course. All you do is tell the crowd around you something you’ve never done and everyone else who has will drink to that. If you say, “I’ve never done jail time,” your fellow drinkers who have will take a swig.

Game2

“I Never” can be played around a bonfire.

4. Jenga

As if this blocks game wasn’t already a struggle while sober, drinkers can rise to the challenge of “Jenga,” which appears on Webtender and is frequently played at bars and parties. Your mission is to ensure that the tower stays intact during your turn, but if it topples, then bottoms up. Just don’t pull a party foul by knocking the tower over on purpose because nobody likes that guy (true story).

Game3

“Jenga” with a twist: playing while drinking.

3. FUBAR

Short for “Fouled Up Beyond Any Repair,” among other relevant acronyms, this Barmeister Top 100 card game played at many a party has rules for each card that you draw. Be prepared to be Thumbmaster with a 7 or join in a Waterfall with a King. “I Never” also makes a cameo when you pick a 6. Regardless of what the card holds, be prepared to consume, resume and get FUBARed.

Game4

Only the cards will tell… Read them and drink.

2. Quarters

As an original drinking game that also ranks high on the Barmeister Top 100 and has made its way to bar tables and party stairs, put your shooting skills to the test by bouncing a quarter (or another coin or bottle cap) from a table or other hard surface into a container. Filling up that cup, glass or jar is optional, but drinking up is required of those who the successful shooters choose when they toss up.

Coins

The flip of a coin can hit or miss…

1. Beer Pong

This most popular of drinking games, as shown on the Barmeister Top 100 and social events, ranging from celebrity benefits to college mixers, combines ping-pong and basketball.

Pong

Pong can be played on any surface that will get wet afterwards.

You shoot, you score, your opponent chugs from that cup the beer, not the ball. Hopefully, you can maintain your aim, both in this game and when you break the seal and take a leak afterwards.

Pong2

Play with caution! Have some fun in the sun!

Top Five Hangover Remedies

The morning after: you wake up with your head pounding like a ton of bricks and feel compelled to hurl yourself over to the porcelain gods (the nearest toilet). Sound familiar? Next time you drink like there’s no tomorrow, try these likely surefire holistic ways to cure your hangover. Word of caution: when you consume alcohol, know your limits or at least hand your car keys over to a trusted designated driver and have a buddy who will watch your back so you don’t go home with the wrong person.

Hangover1

You can mend your hangover without medicine or coffee.

5. Detox with Soothing Measures

Temperature differences may aid in recovering from your drinking spree. A hot bath or shower can release toxins from your alcohol consumption, and inhaling the steam can alleviate your senses. For headaches, a cold compress or covered ice pack can provide relief.

Hangover2

Suds up after your round of bottoms-up.

4. Take Vitamins, NOT Painkillers

If you’re going to pop a pill, be wise and take multivitamins, in particular those rich in Vitamins B and C and magnesium, which can nourish the body back to health. Do NOT take acetaminophen (Tylenol), which imposes more work on the liver to metabolize the alcohol and can debilitate it in the long run.

Hangover3

A vitamin does a sobering body good.

3. Eat, Drink, Be Merry

Eating BEFORE, DURING and AFTER drinking is essential to preventing or at least treating a hangover, preferably food that replenishes depleted levels of nutrients and comforts tummy aches. Dr. Mehmet Oz and Donna Cardillo, RN, both swear by eggs to ease hangovers because they contain cysteine, an amino acid with antioxidants that combat liver damage caused by the toxin acetaldehyde. Carbs, such as from crackers, rice or toast, can absorb alcohol and raise blood sugar levels that tend to drop with alcohol consumption and ease abdominal queasiness. Bananas offer sugar and potassium; tomatoes, honey and lemon contribute fructose; and ginger root boots out nausea.

Hangover4

Chow down so alcohol doesn’t bring you down.

2. Drink Plenty of Fluids

Since alcohol and caffeine are diuretics that can dehydrate your system, opt for water, juice, tea, sports drinks or bouillon-based soup to rehydrate yourself. Pure H2O is your best bet to flush out alcohol, yet non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated post-hangover drinks also can be refreshing. Try water mixed with lemon juice and a dash of salt or tomato juice with a hint of salt, lemon and pepper (or a Virgin Mary mocktail – as opposed to a Bloody Mary cocktail) or ginger tea for calming effects. If you choose to engage in low-impact exercise as your body recuperates, make sure that you stay hydrated with water or electrolyte-enriched beverages, such as coconut water or sports drinks.

Hangover5

Drink up, without spirits.

1. De-stress with Rest

Since alcohol is a depressant, consumption will lead to grogginess and fogginess. Even if you knock out soon after drinking, you still may feel fatigue when you wake up, on top of dizzy and nauseated. Give yourself extra shut-eye to recharge and get yourself back on track.

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Time may be on your side to heal and feel zeal.

Last, but not least:

DON’T drink and cook!

I speak from experience!

Have fun … and

Drink responsibly!

5:55 ~ make a wish!!!

Drinking Game References 

Barmeister: Drinking Game: F.U.B.A.R.
http://www.barmeister.com/games/rules/179/?o=top100

Barmeister: Quarters
http://www.barmeister.com/games/rules/330/?o=top100

Barmeister: Drinking Game: Ultimate Beer Pong
http://www.barmeister.com/games/rules/6869/?o=top100

Drinking Map: How to Play the Jenga Drink Game
http://www.drinkingmap.com/jenga-drinking-game-rules-and-directions.html

Drinknation: ‘I Never’ Drinking Game Instructions
http://www.drinknation.com/drinking-games/I-Never

Drinknation: ‘Quarters’ Drinking Game Instructions
http://www.drinknation.com/drinking-games/Quarters

Drinks Mixer: F.U.B.A.R.
http://www.drinksmixer.com/games/49/

The Webtender: Drinking Games – Beer Pong.
http://www.webtender.com/handbook/games/beer-pong.game

The Webtender: Drinking Games – I Never.
http://www.webtender.com/handbook/games/inever.game

The Webtender: Drinking Games – Jenga.
http://www.webtender.com/handbook/games/jenga.game

Hangover Remedy References 

Drinks Mixer: Virgin Mary Recipe
http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink7049.html

Expert Clinic: Hangover Remedies
http://www.expertclinic.org/Hangover-Remedies.html

Health: 10 Hangover Remedies: What Works?; Anne Harding; 2010
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20452426_5,00.html

Men’s Health: 11 Ways to Get Rid of a Nasty Hangover; Brittany Risher
http://www.menshealth.com/mhu/party/11-ways-ease-nasty-hangover

Share Care: What is the Cure for a Hangover?; Dr. Mehmet Oz
http://www.sharecare.com/question/what-is-cure-hangover#

The Dr. Oz Show: Staying Safe and Healthy on New Year’s Eve; Donna Cardillo
http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/donna-cardillo-rn-ma/staying-safe-and-healthy-new-years-eve

WebMD: Hangover Tips; Damon Meharg
http://www.webmd.com/diet/video/hangover-tips

Beauty Tuesday: Unique in Uniforms

In Beauty Tuesday, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 04/08/2014 at 15:00

For those of us who must wear special work or school attire, we don’t have to let our required wardrobe limit our creativity. You can make do with what you have to still express yourselves yet in a respectful way to represent your employer or your institution.

Here are some rules from my new job‘s dress codes ~ mainly for the sake of baby safety ~ and ways that I’ve still managed to throw in my sense of style subtly yet distinctively:

Wear black tank top underneath uniform shirt.

I have a variety of black sleeveless tops (i.e., camisoles, corsets) that double up as a layering pairing piece and on its own after work, whether I go out into the sunshine or on an evening gathering. {These include the top that I mentioned on #1 of yesterday’s TMI, which is like a mullet: business in the front, party in the back.}

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Wear black skirt and hosiery or black slacks.

I have a few pairs of bottoms (i.e., skirts, leggings) to coordinate with my uniform shirt.

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Wear all black, rubber-soled, non-skid shoes.

With skirts, I wear flats, and with pants, I wear sneakers. {Before I bought a new pair, I actually started a Pinterest board of ones that I tried on or were interested in to compare features, since I tend to be selective of what go on my runner’s feet.}

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Do not expose tattoos.

I cover all of my ink. {For more details on my body art, check out the aforementioned TMI, #s 6-7.}

Do not wear any jewelry, except for wedding ring and up to three studs on ear lobes.

I removed my CBR from my left helix and replaced it with my pearl stud, plus while I typically wear dangling or hoop earrings when I’m off duty, the sky’s the limit on studs, especially shiny, sparkly stones for bright bling to maintain my gym nickname from a decade ago! {Yesterday, I mentioned the earrings that I wore on TMI, #1. Like my cupcakes?}

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For shoulder-length hair and longer, pull hair back away from face, and do not wear hair accessories.

I do my hair differently everyday, just to keep it interesting and fresh. Usually, I braid it, whether it be in a high or low bun or ponytail. Due to my neck tat, I’ve worn a low bun or ponytail, but if I wear a high bun, then I simply can pop the collar. {Check out my Braid for Cascade of Waves post for a quick good hair day tip and Beauty Tuesday: Hair Care for more tips from root to tip.}

Happy Good Hair Day, Beautiful People!

Beautiful Snapshot of Birthday Girl (in two weeks) Sweet Pea ^_^

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