Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the †LORD† your GOD, am with you wherever you go.
I received this generous gift from my spiritual mentor in great timing: the day before my latest conference call with my professor** to practice my dissertation defense ~ in which I advanced to my first committee defense (preliminary presentation to my professors on board)! This reminds me of how the Bishop has always come through for me ~ particularly when he gave me the Holy Spirit blessing and medal right before I took my comprehensive examinations for my Master’s degree almost a decade ago!
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
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*)
My everything store is Target because it offers decent prices on clothing ~ including my designer collablimited 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
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
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)
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$)
These guidelines will save you in the long one ~ not only for the aforementioned reasons, but also from embarrassment (i.e., killer breath, B.O.) if you run into someone later… We don’t want to be Finch from the American Pie movies who had to go home from school every time he had to release his macchiato! You’re welcome. ✌
The gold handle hardware matches up w/my gold wristlets complete w/satin polka dotted lining w/a large zipped pocket in the inside back + handy-dandy compartments to store keys, lipstick, etc. Carries well w/the adjustable crossbody & double snaps above zipper closure ~ what appealed to me the most initially was the bowling bag shape! This’d go great with the CK colorblock dress from my Nanay!
Hello Kitty in the House: Fashion Forward with SanrioHK tops paired with plaidEspritskirts {camisoles layered underneath by Express} | Still sporting sandals as we transition from the ☼summer: blacks • plaids • solid shades
Which keychain should I hook to this SanrioKeroppi planner zipper? * Dallas Cowboys * Dallas Mavericks * Luke Bryan * Office Depot*Star* Teacher 🎒🔑🏈🏀🌠
Ever since I was in elementary, I enjoyed organizing my planners📒 & came across several agendas from grade school, junior high & h.s. while spring🍀 cleaning & decluttering📦 ~ including 1☝🏽️ worth saving!
I’ve already set my 🍁semester🍂 wardrobe👗 (by listing dates & outfits in my iPhone📱 📓notes) ~ yet there’s something about penning✒️ important 🎓events.
My 1st academic month filled up quick… Yikes! Please disregard my birthday age ~ my brain must be fried from my dissertation focus that I actually entered 1yr older than my real age. #smh 📅💡🍳💫🎉
Since I don’t have much time to hand write📝 everything (or fund$💰 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
It has to do with reaching your 🌈goal🏆 &/or
Involves someone you 💝care💖 about
Now I’m also ready with next year’s creative 📆calendar!
Cherry Blossom earrings bedazzled with Swarovski crystal elements * lucky♣ jade bracelet * collector’s key chain
Sally HansenMiracle Gel Top Coat to amp the *Staying Power* ~ to seal & protect nail color
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🎈🎁🎂💝🎀💅🏽💃🏻🍎 🌺🌴
+ Convertible Shawl as pasalubong from my other Auntie!
Sunday Brunch + Sunday & Sippie Selfies with my Bestie who celebrated my Bday w/me! #Salud
†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 🎈🍓🍰🎂🎆🎇🎊🎉😍💝🎀🎁🐝🌼💐👏🏽💋🌠🌎🏆🙆🏻🙅🏻🙋🏻💁🏻🙏🏽☝🏽️✌🏽️🎓📊📉📈📖📲📱📷📹🎥👯
MORE Posies on the Strawberry Birthday Cake baked by my Bestie-O & Photo Accessories as her gift to me!!!
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:
To tip off this month, as we already did spring into spring, I’ll show and tell you about how I get ready in the morning…
☼ Rise and shine ☼
First thing I do: hit snooze. (No April Foolin’ you ~ at least I’m keeping it real.)
Actually, here’s #1 once I get up: Open the curtains and blinds to let the sunshine stream in! I like the way that my fellow woman of faith and family friend, the Birthday Girl, Tita Mel says that this is our way of:
Letting GOD into our day!
I pray to start and end each and every single day. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, His bright light fills my days. Maybe some of you who are reading this aren’t religious or spiritual, but I promise you: if you believe in the Higher Power, you’ll live with a sense of purpose and more trust in any outcome. As my good friend and spiritual mentor, Bishop Mike always advises me:
Take it one day at a time with the LORD.
If I wake up early enough before work or an appointment, then I’ll fit in a workout, whether a fun run into the sun, toning up or stretching with gratitude, and shower afterwards. However, I usually prefer to take a bath the night before, so I can sleep fresh in my clean sheets!
My morning rituals typically do start the night before to save me time in getting ready, making decisions and searching for stuff. Before the week starts, I check the forecast, then set out my wardrobe according to the weather (I used to plan ahead by the month because I seldom wore the same outfit twice): outfits, handbags, shoes — hanging hooks on my closet, bedroom, and bathroom doors come in handy.
Then I do the following skin care and beauty routine with the products that I mentioned in my debut Beauty Tuesday Review:
Cleanse my face
Apply astringent to treat any acne
Apply moisturizer with sunscreen on my face
Apply sunscreen and/or lotion
Put on my clothes
Apply makeup (which I sometimes set out if I plan to wear special colors) — items are easily accessible from my acrylic organizer from my Procrastinating Beauty Tag
Do my hair ~ sometimes I go to bed with my hair braided and/or pinned up to make waves, or at least set out styling tools, products and accessories
Put on my jewelry and accessories
Grab my water, coffee and my breakfast
Get set to jet ~ depending on the distance from my destination, I set aside ample time to drive and arrive
What I do to begin my day may work for you, especially if you’ve also been guilty of running late like yours truly. Although I’ve always planned what to wear ahead of time, also preparing for trips to our destinations will help us maintain punctuality.
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 