7 Tips on How to Stay Fit and Healthy During the Holiday Season

Hello Lovely Ladies! 

It`s that time of the year again where there are parties here and there. Even though parties are lessened because of what`s going on globally, we have adapted to online parties and limited gatherings. Many of us can celebrate this holiday season in our own ways through delightful foods and appetizing drinks, even with just our closest family and loved ones. 

Throughout the years, December is probably the time that many of us tend to gain weight. Enjoying this beautiful time doesn`t mean we have to compromise our figure. Hence, here are 7 tips on how to stay slim and fit and still be able to enjoy mouthwatering feasts:

1. You can eat anything you want in moderation. 

7 Tips on How to Stay Fit and Healthy During the Holiday Season | by @TheGracefulMist (www.TheGracefulMist.com) | Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Losing or maintaining weight doesn`t necessarily mean you have to refrain from eating foods that you love. One of the best practices in maintaining an excellent figure is to eat everything in moderation. Want that pizza? Sure, just eat a slice. Craving for that chocolate cake? Sure, just take a few bites. The key to enjoying holiday feasts this month is simply not over-indulging and making sure to eat more fiber-rich foods that will help in blood sugar control and digestion.

The Graceful Mist Reads: End World, Capital Run #9 (Book Review)

I. Title of the Novel
End World, Capital Run #9 (1988)

II. Author
David L. Robbins

III. Short background information about the author
David "Dave" Larence Robbins is an American author and was born in Southeastern Pennsylvania. He is a writer, outdoorsman, and broadcaster. He writes both fiction and non-fiction books and his writing has been critically praised by the Pulp Rack, among others. He is perhaps best known for two current long-running series, the "Wilderness". and the "End World". He has also written hundreds of books under his own name and many pen names. At age seventeen, he enlisted in the armed forces, and after serving overseas, he returned to travel through America. David Robbins is acquiring a devoted core of the readers who enjoy his finely crafted tales of adventure, romance, mystery, and excitement.


IV. Main Characters
A. Protagonists
Blade, Hickok, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, and Lexine.

Blade and Hickok are warriors. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is also a warrior, and a skilled martial artist, "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi`s skills as a martial artist was renowned, the tales of his exploits matched or surpassed by only a few of the warriors: Blade, Geronimo, Yama, and definitely Hickok." (This line can be seen on page 30.) Lexine was once one of the Leather Knights, but she didn`t like the way women ruled over men, and so she quit and was labelled "traitor" by the Leather Knights. (The lines that can prove this is on page 163 and was also mentioned on the answer in the question "If you were in the shoes of the characters, who would it be? Why?")

Review: 100% Pure and Organic Castor Oil

Hello, Lovely Ladies!

Review: 100% Pure and Organic Castor Oil | by The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

I`ve always wanted fuller-looking brows without bothering to fill them in with brow powder. I first found out about this eyebrows and eyelashes product when I was checking out of Mercury Drug Store. It was quite affordable compared to the castor oil brow thickening products I've tried like Luxe Organix: Castor Oil Eyelash and Brow Growth Serum (which costs around Php 109.00 at Watsons) or seen in most beauty stores which is why I gave it a try. 

5 Chic and Classy Clothes for Fall 2020

 Hi, Lovely Ladies!

Fall is in and there has been a lot of trends for this season this year. Looking fashionable in fall would somehow make things feel normal especially with what`s going on with the world right now. You don`t have to look for expensive clothing items. The key is to look for clothing pieces that fit your style and personality. Here are some ideas on what to wear this season:

1. Look Stylish and Comfy with Jumpsuits

Sources:

Vibrant Gray Single Shoulder Elastic Waist Jumpsuit Sensual Curves

Black Waist Belt Stripes Pattern Natural Jumpsuit Fashion Trend

Fairy Beige Floral Print Keyhole V-Neck Romper Knot Outfit

Comfortable Spaghetti Straps White Rompers Front Button Plain Snug Fit

Jumpsuits are easy to wear which makes it a great item to have in your closet especially when you`re in a hurry. Jumpsuits tend to be very comfortable as its design was originally fashioned after parachutists` clothes. The only drawback of wearing a jumpsuit is it can be quite of a hassle whenever you have to go to the bathroom for quick relief. Nonetheless, there are many jumpsuits that are easy to take off. 

Having a few jumpsuits won`t hurt your pockets and time. They`re fashionable, quick to put on, and easy to accessorize. The best tip in shopping is to buy wholesale jumpsuits as many online shopping websites  

Grace`s Open Book: Notes during Quarantine

Hello, everyone! 

Grace`s Open Book: Notes during Quarantine

How are you holding up? For most people, the days during the enhanced community lock down were some of the hardest. I can`t say otherwise because not being able to work the way I used to was specially saddening for me. I`ve always tried my best to work hard and work smart and when I`m presented with some limitations to be able to do that, it becomes a real challenge. The positive side of being locked down or in quarantine was that I was able to take notes of significant changes I ought to apply in my life.

As my readers, I would love to share with you basic yet life-changing notes I wrote while facing the financial, emotional and spiritual challenges during a lock down: 

Note #1: Finances

Thankfully, doing those viral challenges for saving up like Peso Sense Ipon Challenge, and Mr. Chinkee Tan`s Ipon Challenge has helped me tremendously when I needed funds the most though it`s not much. This lock down is genuinely an eye opener how significant every cent is. 

I remember reading Mr. Robert Sy Tan`s "What Would You Do? If This Was Your Last Day On Earth", Mr. Don Soriano`s "Break Free" and many books about budgeting, attending a financial seminar, and discussing with my older sister about money management. All these books and effort would be wasted if not put into action. 

Grocery Shopping and Organization: How I Store Foods in My Single-Door Refrigerator

Hello, everyone! 

One of the relaxing ways I used to de-stress is retail therapy. I find it quite satisfying to treat myself after all the stress from work, home and pollution outside. Nowadays, I`m barely able to do this because of the pandemic. Hence, I had to divert my attention to a safer and more practical way to release the negative tension in my body and mind. 

I had been getting peace from making sure that my small home is well kept. I have gotten a lot of really helpful tips from different communities about organizing refrigerator, pantry and food storage. Here`s what I came up so far when it comes to organizing my small refrigerator: 

Freezer

Grocery Shopping and Organization: How I Store Foods in My Single-Door Refrigerator (by @The Graceful Mist | www.TheGracefuMist.com) 

I found that keeping frozen meats in containers make it easier for me to defroze them unlike keeping them in their original plastic bags and just stuffing them in the freezer. Back then, whenever I had to defroze meat, I had to take out the other meat in a plastic bag that got attached through ice. Now that they`re in containers, I simply have to choose which one to defroze and I don`t have to worry about the difficulty of removing the plastic bag and stuck meat. 

4 Tips on How to Choose the Right Shapewear

"4 Tips on How to Choose the Right Shapewear" by The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com) 

Shapewears is one of the most confidence-boosting clothing ever invented. Shapewears help show the best of our curves but it can also be the worst clothing mishap. Making sure that we use the appropriate shapewear will definitely benefit us.

I am personally conscious of my body specially whenever I had to wear a dress or a tight clothing, and many girls and women might feel the same way. Hence, I`m sharing with all of you this quick guide on wearing the appropriate shapewear for different types of clothing at the same time wise tips which you can take note when shopping for undergarments:

June 2020: Purely Pastel Weekly Planner Spreads. ft. "The Universe is in Me" Belle De Jour Power Planner

Hello, everyone! 

The start of the month of June has been a blessing for me because I started working again. Hence, I became more inspired and motivated to design and make the most out of my planner. Ever since I was a young girl, creative planning and journaling has always helped me cope with the good and the bad which is why I`m absolutely cheerful that I`m back and doing this more actively again. I wanted my days to be more lighthearted, positive and sweet so I chose pastel pink, purple and blue in most of my weekly planner spreads.

Here are my weekly planner spreads for June:

1.  Notes in the corner

June 2020: Purely Pastel Weekly Planner Spreads. ft. "The Universe is in Me" Belle De Jour Power Planner | by The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

This is such a cute planner spread. I specially love the "Just a note" cut out. I`m just using the box of crafts I received from a good friend who had to declutter because she was going abroad (Thank you, Yani!). The little flags of "to-do," "work," and "to buy" are adorable. I absolutely love finding these in the craft box and using them on my planner spreads.

5 Wise Financial Learnings during the Covid-19 Lockdown

Hello, Lovely Ladies! 

5 Wise Financial Learnings during the Covid-19 Lockdown | by The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

The on-going Pandemic has put a pause on many people`s plans including mine. I was on "no work, no pay" for 2 1/2 months hence the stop of regular financial provision. Thankfully, my company provided some financial assistance as well through conversion of remaining leave credits and prorated 13th month pay. If only I didn`t start saving during the start of the year, I would`ve also been doomed and on a forced diet. Fortunately, that isn`t the case for me though sadly to say many people can`t say the same

Being on the lockdown for more than 2 months has made me truly realize these 5 significant financial moves to do now that I`m back to work again which I would love to share with all of you to make sure that we`ll all never lack financially in the future:

3 Types of Elegant Dresses to Look For

Hello, Lovely Ladies!

3 Types of Elegant Dresses to Look For | by The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Having that one dress that can be used for most occasions is quite difficult to find. This is the reason why getting a clothing item that`s both versatile and stylish is important. Here are some exquisite dresses that are great pieces to look for when shopping which you may use for casual or semi-formal events:

1. Black Dress

3 Types of Elegant Dresses to Look For -
Elegant Shift V neck Pleated
Embossed Statement Midi Dress | by
The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com) 

3 Types of Elegant Dresses to Look For -
Black Embroidered V-Neck 3/4 Sleeve Dress |
by The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

3 Types of Elegant Dresses to Look For -
Silk Color-block Polka Dot Dress | by
The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

A lot of the most beautiful elegant dresses I`ve seen are usually black. Black is such a classic and versatile color that it can be paired with almost anything. 

A black dress doesn`t have to be boring, you may look for a minimalist ruffle dress with modern design. Black dresses are the ultimate go-to in times of uncertainty. Choosing a black dress with minimal design like color blocks, modern ruffles and simple prints will help you accessorize your outfit easier. 

Ruffle dresses may not seem like a desirable choice reminiscence of the expressive outfits of the 80`s. Ruffle dresses with a minimalist and modern touch are certainly unique. The little touches of flare ruffles give make the dress more feminine as well. 

Before the Lockdown and Online Shopping: Watsons Haul

Hello, Lovely Ladies!

How have you been doing so far? I've been cleaning every corner of the house and it has been exhausting. Thankfully, it has been helping me cope with the Coronovirus situation and keeping me productive.

One of the best ways I thought I could use the free time is to pay more attention to self-care. Hence, I did quite a bit of shopping at Watsons before the lockdown and the products I got are so useful in taking care of myself more.

Here are all the items I got:

1. First-Aid Items

Before the Lockdown and Online Shopping:  Watsons Haul (by The Graceful Mist | www.TheGracefulMist.com)

I realized that I lack some emergency supplies so I got a few necessities.

Prices:

Dermaid Hydrogen Peroxide: Php 17.00
Betadine Wound Solution: Php 55.50
Aidplus Elastic Band: Php 47.00
Mediplast Gauze Pads: Php 5.75 each
Mediplast Gauze Pads: Php 4.25 (small one)
Watsons` Washproof Plasters: Php 99.00

2. De Luxe Hair Masks

I`ve been using these hair masks because they`re on sale at Watsons in my area. I can use each sachet for up to 3 uses because my hair is quite thin.

SKINCARE REVIEW | Gluta-C: Glutathione and Vitamin C with Kojic+ Whitening System Face & Neck Cream and Intense Whitening Face & Body Soap, and Alcohol-Free Toner

Hello Lovely Ladies!

SKINCARE REVIEW | Gluta-C: Glutathione and Vitamin C with Kojic+ Whitening System Face & Neck Cream and Intense Whitening Face & Body Soap, and Alcohol-Free Toner (by @TheGracefulMist | www.TheGracefulMist.com) 

Gluta-C by Ardent World Inc. is a Filipino skincare company which focuses on providing whitening products through powerful lightening ingredients such as Glutathione, Vitamin C and other natural extracts. They currently have 3 skincare lines; Gluta-C Elixir which has the most potent ingredients to deliver the most effective results, Gluta-C Intense Whitening which is their most basic skincare line which consists of soap, lotion, cream and serum to provide the best over-all care, and Gluta-C with Kojic Plus+ 4X Whitening System which targets acne-prone skin and hyperpigmentation, and aims to smoothen skin, and lighten dark spots.

Grace's Open Book: Notes of Resolution

Grace's Open Book: Notes of Resolution (by @TheGracefulMist | www.TheGracefulMist.com)

When it feels like nobody understands, just know that you can just take it in. There will come a day, it'll all make sense without the need for explanation. Nobody knows and walks your journey better than you do anyway.

Coffee and Tea: Cafe Amazon

Hello Lovely Ladies!

Coffee and Tea: Cafe Amazon (Review by @TheGracefulMist | www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Cafe Amazon is a coffee shop which originated in Thailand and owned by PTT Public Company Limited. It features a forest theme with animals and mostly birds designs. They offer a variety of food and drinks at reasonable prices.

Coffee and Tea: Cafe Amazon (Review by @TheGracefulMist | www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Coffee and Tea: Cafe Amazon (Review by @TheGracefulMist | www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Cafe Amazon is located in many places including malls, and gasoline stations. My most favorite branch is beside PTT Gasoline Stations because the cafe is usually bigger with more seats, and free Wi-Fi! The interior of the cafe is calm, charming, and cozy.

Luxe Organix: Castor Oil Eyelash and Brow Growth Serum

Hello Lovely Ladies!


Fuller looking brows and long lashes are so in right now. I personally have long lashes but my brows are quite thin. Hence, I took it upon myself to search effective ways on how to grow my brows and lashes. Castor Oil has been the top recommended ingredient in growing hair which is why when I first saw the Luxe Organic Castor Oil Eyelash and Brow Growth Serum at Watsons, with its fairly affordable price of Php 99.00, I tried it out.

Luxe Organix - Castor Oil Eyelash and Brow Growth Serum (Review by @TheGracefulMist | www.TheGracefulMist.com)