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: 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 Review: Fave Raves & Some Rants

Now that I’m doing Spring Cleaning during this Spring Break, I shall share my favorite beauty products, as well as a few reviews…

Since I love to stimulate my senses, I tend to stock up on stuff that is visually-appealing ~ you know, eye candy ~ and smells good to yours truly.

Matrix® Biolage Hydrathérapie & Smooththérapie

Biolage by Matrix®  is my #1 brand of hair care because I feel like I’m in a spa whenever I use it! It’s a sweet treat for my hair since I always experience an enticing scent and a smoothing effect.

• Matrix® Biolage Hydrathérapie  Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioning Balm in the shower, plus Hydra Seal Softening Mist as a daily protectant (provided by my former student/hairdresser in the Valley)
• Matrix® Biolage Smooththérapie Smoothing Gel as a serum when styling
• Matrix® Biolage styling sprays: Thermal-Active Setting Spray before applying heat through blow-drying and ironing, Hydro-Glaze Soft Styling Spray for sheer hold or Finishing Spritz Firm Hold Spray to last all day

Pantene Pro-V & TRESemmé + Conair & Revlon

However, I also rely on TRESemmé and Pantene Pro-V styling products when using my Conair and Revlon hair appliances.

• TRESemmé Fresh Start Waterless Foam Shampoo when I don’t have time to wash ~ which is a quick fix from sweaty hair at the gym ~ and America’s #1 Mousse for volume
• Pantene Pro-V Anti-Humidity Hairspray for staying power and Repair & Protect Overnight Miracle as a serum while I sleep [I also lavish in the Ultimate 10 BB Crème to condition my hair throughout the day, among many other functions]
  
• Conair®  Ionic Cord-Keeper Retractable Styler 1875 to dry [similar: Ionic Cord-Keeper Compact Styler 169XR] and Infiniti Pro Styler Flat Iron to flip   
• Revlon Limited Edition Leopard Tapered 1″ Curling Wand ~ which gives me princess curls [I’ve been want the Conair® Infiniti Auto-Rotating Curling Iron]

What’s in My Shower? More Pantene & Herbal Essences + Garnier Fructis

• Pantene Pro-V Expert Collection Age Defy Shampoo (not a fan due to sulfate content that tends to dry hair) and Conditioner (I like the moisture with Oil of Olay collab)
• [not pictured yet worthy of mentioning: Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths Shampoo and Conditioner to maintain strength in my long hair and supports Breast Cancer Awareness]
• Clairol Herbal Essences  Body Wash in Hello Hydration is refreshing with coconut aroma
• Garnier Fructis Ultimate Cleanser 3-in-1 Clean that does triple-duty as cleanser, exfoliating scrub and mask

Are You Sure? Raise Your Arms!

I stash deodorant in my bathrooms and my bags, so I’m always ready to combat b.o.

• Lady Speed Stick Stainguard and Invisible Dry to prevent white/yellow stains ~ particularly when I wear white or black
• Adidas Deep Energy that I roll on after a workout
• Dove® Clinical Protection Visibly Smooth to reduce shaving (I haven’t shaved in five years since I started laser hair removal anyway) ~ especially when I wear sleeveless or strapless tops
• Secret Outlast ~ my personal favorite due to the soft glide that lasts all day
• Tom’s Long Lasting in a floral fragrance just in time for spring plus Naturally Dry trial sizes for trips
• Avon Night Magic for my evenings out

N for SkiN Care: Neutrogena & Nivea Rock!

To treat my oily-dry combination skin, I need a variety of skin care products that treat acne and moisturize!

• Neutrogena® Clear Pore Astringent, Healthy Skin Face Lotion (I dig the dial to snap shut when not in use and the SPF 15) [similar: Oil-Free Moisture SPF 15], plus Eye Makeup Removers Hydrating Lotion and Cleansing Towelettes (I love the cucumber and aloe extract that soothes the under-eye area, and it works for the whole face)
• Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Scrub to energize me as soon as I wake up and Redness Soothing Facial Cleanser to wash my face at bedtime
• Eucerin Aquaphor ~ this was recommended to me to aid in healing my fresh ink (new tats at the time), but now I have other reasons: petroleum-based to delay aging in under-eye skin plus to moisturize lips and chapped skin
• Nivea Soft Refreshing Soft Moisturizing Creme as my sweet-smelling night moisturizer after I use the fragrance-free Neutrogena with sunscreen during the day, plus the Lip Care Kiss of Protection with SPF 30, Recovery with SPF 15 and Smoothness with SPF 10 [not pictured yet also recommended: Kiss of Moisture with jojoba oil and shea butter plus Kiss of Cherry with cherry red tint]
• I also have for allergy relief Vicks VapoRub both to inhale and rub on muscle aches and Clear Eyes Maximum Itchy Eye Relief Eye Drops

Neutrogena Skin-Clearing® w/ Microclear® Technology

Neutrogena Skin-Clearing® w/ Microclear® Technology

	FALL/WINTER (fairer complexion)	SPRING/SUMMER (more sunkissed)
Oil-Free Makeup	Warm Beige 90	Natural Tan 100
Blemish Concealer	Light 10	Medium 15

Hello Kitty for M•A•C & Forever 21 Limited Editions

Hello Kitty Happiness

• Forever 21 Limited Edition (2013) Scarf Print travel bag for my jewelry and toiletry bag
• Sephora Hello Kitty roller ball fragrance in Pink Bow (also below) [similar product: Hello Kitty Parfum Rollerball]
• M•A•C Limited Edition (2009) makeup bag and lipstick bag, plus Beauty Powder in Pretty Baby, Eye Shadow Palette in Too Dolly, Lustre Lipstick in Most Popular and LipGlass Lip Gloss in Sweet Strawberry

Signature Fragrances for Each Season

These are just a few of my favorite fragrances, in rotation by season.

• Sephora Hello Kitty Pink Bow roller ball when on-the-go
• Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Summer Edition
• Coach Legacy for Fall
• VS Angel Gold for Winter

Sephora Fragrance Sampler mini vials come in handy for travel

My sample bottles, including from this Sephora Favorites Fragrance Sampler for Her and from VS, are the perfect size to fit into my array of purses! 

More Sephora Fragrance Samplers

See how Sephora samples accumulate?

What’s in My Purse? Coach Handbags for Each Season + Bare Essentials I Don’t Leave Home Without

I should have enough scent samples to fill all of my handbags, including a couple of my classics and a couple of my seasonal

• Coach [counter-clockwise, from bottom right]: Madison Maggie Shoulder Bag in chocolate-doe/gold hardware with matching wristlet that I change out with larger bags, Poppy Denim Whipstich Hippie with matching wallet that has Legacy Stripes lining, Signature C Tote in tri-color, Poppy Pop C backpack in pastel/gold hardware
• Bath & Body Works® PocketBacs are in all of my bags
• As you already know, I also keep deodorant in handy
• A first-aid kit, or at least Neosporin and bandaids (like in this keychain container) aid in the event of a boo-boo
• My generous students have gifted me with other beauty needs worth mentioning: blush and eye shadow palette and manicure set from one plus Breast Cancer Awareness compact mirror from another!
• Miniature lotions and fragrances (such as those that appear above) ~ including this Juicy Cologne in Sprightly Sparkle from the Philippines ~ help my body smell nice
• Last but most definitely not least: gum freshens my breath, and floss picks are a must-have between meals!

Bath & Body Works® Aromatherapy & Fragrances to Get Through the Day

Certain scents are perfect for the senses at a specific time

• This B&BW® P.S. I Love You Spring Fling Lotion and Body Spray is great for the upcoming spring days and sunny rays!
• Orange for energy ~ such as B&BW® Orange Sapphire or Aromatherapy Energy with Orange + Ginger upon awaking 
• Eucayptus for destressing ~ such as B&BW® Aromatherapy Stress when relieving anxiety [I also apply the aforementioned Vicks VapoRub to tense muslces]
• Jasmine for romance ~ such as B&BW® Night Blooming Jasmine or Aromatherapy Sensual with Jasmine + Vanilla at bedtime [I also use vanilla to relax, such as from the Summer Vanillas collection ~ Berry, Lemon and Coconut] 
• Lavender for rest ~ such as B&BW® Aromatherapy Sleep with Lavender + Vanilla at bedtime

NOTE: None of these aforementioned rants and raves are endorsements; they all simply come from my own opinion [other similar product mentions appear in brackets]. 

4:44 ~ make a wish!!!