A Close-up Look inside a Filipino Lady`s Planner: 2018 Belle De Jour (BDJ) Power Planner | First Impressions and Review

Hello Graceful Girls and Bellas!

A Close-up Look inside a Filipino Lady`s Planner: 2018 Belle De Jour Power Planner | by +The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

2018 is very near. Therefore, I acquired the 2018 BDJ Power Planner to help me plan and organize my activities next year. The Belle De Jour Power Planner has had different versions, themes, and designs throughout the years. For 2018, their Belle De Jour Power Planner`s tagline is "I am a Beauty of One." You can use the coupon code "bella_kathryn" to get 20% off of your total regular purchases at ilovebdj.com.

Tips on How to have Naturally Beautiful Hair | Never Lose a Strand of Patience with Novuhair

Hello Graces!

Never Lose a Strand of Patience | NOVUHAIR

Have you ever experienced a day wherein nothing seems to go well, that no matter how you try to choose the right path, you keep making the wrong turn? Just like having a bad hair day, no matter how many times you comb your hair, it just would not budge.

Life can be challenging at times but there will always be a way to resolve these challenges and come out victorious. Having this in mind will be easy to keep your patience and continue to move forward.
Just like losing strands of your hair due to factors beyond your control, you too can do something.


Here are some tips to help you achieve beautiful and healthy hair:

NOVUHAIR Turns Favor with Holiday Bash Promo at Watsons Philippines

Hello Gentlemen and Lovely Ladies!

Watsons Philippines - Free NOVUHAIR Herbal Shampoo 200 ml worth Php 1,040 if you buy a NOVUHAIR 3-in-1 pack at participating stores nationwide. (DOH-FDA CCRR Permit No.: 967 s. 2017)

So you’ve got your festive outfit set and the fancy gift wrapped for your “monito” or “monita". All that’s left undone is a party season-perfect hairstyle. 

The fresh out of the shower look can be seductive yet temporary. Blame it to tropical climate, it can spoil your appearance, besides making you feel sweaty and stale. The heat and humidity brought about by extreme weather condition, likewise, dries out the locks easily and make it more fragile.

Adding damage to your delicate strands are the chemical contents of various products on hand. From shampoo to conditioner and hair treatment, down to styling goods to groom it to your liking, their harsh synthetic materials jeopardize the natural oil and luster of your mane.

Because you are what you eat, the fate of your crowning glory is in the plate. Your diet must have the correct balance of vitamins and minerals to supply hair with all that it needs to become shiny and strong. So don’t overindulge, especially this time of the year when gastronomic feasts are spread almost everywhere you go. Be careful on what you take in, thinking that it’s also what you feed your ‘do.

8 Weekly Planner Spreads | Ideas and Inspirations for the 2017 and 2018 Belle De Jour Power Planner (#BeforethePen)

Hello Lovely Ladies and Bellas!

8 Weekly Planner Spreads | Ideas and Inspirations for the 2017 and 2018 Belle De Jour Power Planner (#BeforethePen) | by +The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

2017 is coming to a close end. This year, I was able to try decorating my weekly planner spreads more. It was fun even though it took some time before I was able to actually jot down my activities and plans for the week.

I also made a post, "My 5 Planning Tools for Daily, Weekly and Monthly Planner Spreads" about the top planning tools or materials I often use whenever I decorate or plan my weekly planner spreads. You may read it for more details as I included in that post the majority of the things I used in the weekly planner spreads below. As far as I can accurately remember, I didn`t spend any money in designing my planner spreads since I`ve had so many leftover art and decorative materials since I was in elementary. I simply used available items I had at home.

The 2018 Belle De Jour Power Planner`s weekly spreads are very similar to the 2016 and 2017 versions which is why you can still get inspirations from the weekly planner spreads below:

3 Easy Ways to Add Minimalist Accents to a Room

Hello lovely ladies!

3 Easy Ways to Add Minimalist Accents to a Room | Article/Blog Post by +The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Being a minimalist doesn`t necessarily mean to be bland and lifeless. Being minimalist may be different for every person. However, minimalism is often associated with having less, enough or what`s only necessary to better enjoy and get the most out of the things we have around us.

Minimalism can be applied in almost every aspect of our lives. We can apply it in our finances, material possessions, social lives, and even our home. Our home is where we should feel the most comfortable and relaxed. Having the appropriate arrangement, organization and design in the house is significant, which is why designing our home with only minimal accents and decorations can help minimize our stress and burdens in life. Here are 3 easy and simple ways you can add minimalist accents to any room in your house:

Book Review: "What Would You Do? If This Was Your Last Day On Earth" by Mr. Robertson Sy Tan

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen!

Book Review: "What Would You Do? If This Was Your Last Day On Earth" by Mr. Robertson Sy Tan | by +The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

"What Would You Do? If This Was Your Last Day On Earth" by Mr. Robertson Sy Tan is an inspirational, motivational and financial self-help book which narrates the personal experiences and journey of the author in becoming the founder and CEO of Blade Auto Center.

Rosegal Review | Accessories and Shoes

Hello Lovely Ladies!

Rosegal Review | Accessories and Shoes | by +The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Rosegal is an online international shopping website quite similar to other online shopping websites like DressLily, SammyDress and Zaful. It has a wide variety of products with relatively inexpensive prices. It is based in China just like the other online shops mentioned.

I`ve already tried this shopping website and also made a blog post about the products I received. So far, I haven`t experienced anything negative worth mentioning from the products I received from the first and second sets of order.

5 Tips on How to Accessorize with Your Prom Dress

Hello Graceful Ladies!

5 Tips on How to Accessorize with Your Prom Dress | by @TheGracefulMist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Prom is a significant and anticipated social event in high school. It`s an event for students to dance, enjoy, and socialize. It`s also the time many young ladies wait for to look elegant in a more formal social setting. This entails the planning and preparation for the accessories, dress, and transportation among other things.

Preparing and planning for the perfect prom night can be quite stressful and costly. Therefore, to lessen some of your burdens and confusion, here are 5 tips on how to accessorize with your prom dress:

What`s in My Bag?

Hello Graceful Girls!

"What`s in My Bag?" by @TheGracefulMist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Wherever I go outside the house, I often need to be carrying a bag. I always need to make sure that I have everything I could possibly need which helps me to go through my day with less chaos and stress.

[READ: Back-to-School: What`s in My School Bag?]

Back when I was younger, around 14-17 years old, I often carried big bags. I often thought I need to be as prepared as I could be to the point wherein I`m carrying unnecessary items because I was very exaggerated in my preparations. However, when I turned 18, I discovered the beauty and comfort of small purses. Hence, why I used my Zaful Cat Handbag so much.

Hue & Me | Art Appreciation Event

Hello Graceful Girls!


A few months ago, ArtisteSpace in cooperation with SMX Convention at SM Aura held an art appreciation event open for all. Hue and Me had different types of art displayed by different artists.

Hue & Me | Art Appreciation Event |  Art by Mr. Ronald Castrillo | Blog Post by @TheGracefulMist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

This is one of the first few art pieces I saw and it became one of my favorites. The sculpture looks like a couple dancing on top of a rock. I liked the minimalist look with the simple silver body and transparent heads.  The beautiful art piece beside it is also one of my most admired sculptures in the event.

Grace`s Open Book: "Every Beginning"

"Every Beginning"

Five days have passed since that symbolic date,

Yet all that I`ve begun is wander about my fate.

View of unresolved uncertainty

Still creeps my eternity

Papemelroti | Recycled Items (Haul)

Hello Graceful Girls!

Papemelroti | Recycled and Handmade Items (Haul)

Papemelroti is a Filipino art, craft, and gift store which sells a variety of artsy, crafty, eco-friendly, handmade, Filipiniana inspired and recycled items. They sell bags, boxes, crafts, jewelry, picture frames, scrapbook kits and accessories, wall displays, wallpapers, woodcarvings and many other products. They also sell handmade furniture, hold workshops, give free downloadables and offer to customize items. It`s a really cute store with great items especially if I`m looking for gift inspirations. It`s a nice shop I`ve always liked visiting since high school.

I still remember visiting their main branch, exploring the variety of items that they sell, and buying cute and vintage stickers, and notepads.

Recently, I tried to organize my notes, journals, and planners. I dropped by at one of Papemelroti`s branches to get small notebooks so that all my notes, plans and other things are segregated according to purpose. I also bought other cute things that I can hopefully use a lot.

4 Simple Ways to Brighten and Visually Enlarge Small Rooms

Hello Graceful Girls!

4 Simple Ways to Brighten and Visually Enlarge Small Rooms by @TheGracefulMist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

A small room is usually one of the most difficult places to design because of its limited space. Most often, small rooms in houses end up looking like a stock room, a messy bedroom or just a claustrophobic area you usually don`t want to be in.

Small rooms can be a great place to lounge or be in if designed properly. Here are 4 simple ways to help brighten and visually enlarge small rooms:

Hue & Me: Embracing Art in Life | Art Fair at SM Aura Premier on July 8-9, 2017

Hello Graceful Girls!

Hue & Me: Embracing Art in Life | Art Fair at SM Aura Premier on July 8-9, 2017

Hue And Me: Embracing Art In Life is an art fair produced and organized by ArtisteSpace in collaboration with SM Aura Premier. This event celebrates art in all its forms and will bring different kinds of art within the reach of everybody. Everyone aged five to ninety-five is invited to join painting the town in bright hues on July 8-9, 2017, 10 AM to 7 PM at SM Aura Premier, Taguig.

My 5 Planning Tools for Daily, Weekly and Monthly Planner Spreads

Hello Graceful Girls!

My 5 Planning Tools for Daily, Weekly and Monthly Planner Spreads | by @TheGracefulMist ( www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Planning is a very helpful way to organize life`s activities and happenings. It allows for better mental and physical preparation. Planning, organizing and preparing with a planner has been commonly known to make events easier to manage and track. Along with that are several tools that keep the written and journaled life happenings more convenient, fun and motivating to read, understand and act upon. Such tools aren`t exactly necessary but rather add-ons to keep one`s planner visually pleasing, interesting, enjoyable and easy to follow. Decorative accessories and items for the planner tend to seem an unnecessary extra expense. However, there are other ways to keep daily, weekly and monthly plans organized, easy-to-read and visually pleasing without spending much money.

Mid-Year Review: 2017 Belle De Jour Power Planner

Hello Graceful Girls!

Mid-Year Review: 2017 Belle De Jour Power Planner | by @TheGracefulMist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Viviamo! Inc. has been encouraging, empowering, and equipping modern Filipino women through their products like their 2017 Belle De Jour Power Planner that encourage Filipino women to be the best they can be because they can and they will. Their planner is not only a planner because it is sprinkled with motivating and uplifting words of encouragement and wisdom to help Bellas get through their bad days and move forward in achieving their goals and dreams in life. Along with the planner is a lifestyle card that gives Bellas discounts and perks from different brands and access to the BDJ online community.

Viviamo! Inc. also holds events throughout the year for Bellas. These events can be about beauty, crafts, fashion, life, work and/or women empowerment like this year`s 2nd BDJ Women`s Summit which I attended. [ Read: BDJ Women`s Summit 2017 | Women Can. Women Will.: My 5 Significant Realizations about Life and Women ]

I`m greatly thrilled about the community Viviamo! Inc. created for Bellas to get to know each other, talk about beauty, fashion, lifestyle, travel and other things that inspire or motivate us, and share our passions and craft with other women. I like the events that the company organizes to further encourage and empower women. 

The 2017 Belle De Jour Power Planner has an overall blue and pink theme with the tagline, “Trust your Heart to Overcome the Waves.” This statement encourages me to be confident in reaching my goals and dreams despite the rough roads that lay ahead.

InWrite Braces for Creatinuum Launch

"InWrite Braces for Creatinuum Launch"

Online proofreading service InWrite.Com will be launching Creatinuum, a community this June 24, in Quezon City. 

Creatinuum is intended to be a community wherein writers, editors, bloggers, creatives, and professionals share their knowledge of their respective industries, in the hope of keeping creativity alive. The community will also be holding various events and workshops. Event starts at 1 PM.

InWrite General Manager An Pasco shared her goals for InWrite’s latest venture.

“Thru Creatinuum, the InWrite team will have the opportunity to hold seminars and conduct workshops,” she said. “The community was created primarily for InWrite, but we hope that this community will grow to include all those who want to become part of our industry, and of course, inWrite.”

5 Essentials for Sunny and Rainy Days

Hello dear readers,

"5 Essentials for Sunny and Rainy Days" by @TheGracefulMist | www.TheGracefulMist.com

The weather has been quite erratic lately. In the morning, it`s usually very sunny, humid and hot while in the evening, it`s usually very rainy, and damp. These changing weather throughout the day and season might confuse a lot of us on what we should wear and bring which is why the list below might give you some ideas on what to wear, bring and prepare for.


5 Essentials for Sunny and Rainy Days:


1.) Umbrella

This is a basic essential whether it`s sunny or rainy. We need to protect our skin from the scorching heat of the sun in the morning and downpour in the afternoon or evening.

Acceptance of Our Lives` Paths | 1 Quote and 2 Interpretations

“AcCePTaNCe OF ONeS PaTh IN LiFe IS NeCeSSArY SO He CAN OBTaIN LiFe`S BONUS.” by The Graceful Mist (www.TheGracefulMist.com) 

“Acceptance of one`s path in life is necessary so he can obtain life`s bonus” is a quote I created using the symbols of chemical elements for an assignment in Physics class in high school. This quote was initially meant to express that accepting our own designated path in life is necessary so we can fully receive the blessings meant for us and make the most out of them. However, based on a short and positive remark, the teacher had a different impression and interpretation that is geared towards our acceptance of other people`s achievements in life. Both initial interpretations are quite similar depending on whose path the reader is thinking but both make up a perspective conducive to a respectful society.

I Love Milk Tea

Hello Graceful Girls!

I Love Milk Tea Philippines | Cookies and Cream Milk Tea| Php 70 (approx. 1.40 USD) | Store Review | @TheGracefulMist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

“I Love Milk Tea" is a popular milk tea shop with many branches in the country. It can be franchised which is why there are many I Love Milk Tea stalls and stores. It offers to serve different flavors or variants of milk tea, fruit tea, frappe, poppin' yogurt tea and rock salt cheese.

It`s a nice little place for high school and college students who want to have a small group meeting or study session, workers who want to drink milk tea, hang out and chat on their break or individuals who just need an alone time. Their prices are relatively affordable which makes the store more appealing.

Spoiler-Free Korean Drama Review: Legends of the Blue Sea

Annyeong Haseyo!

Legends of the Blue Sea is a popular South Korean drama starring award-winning actors Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji Hyun. This Korean drama became popular because of its good story lines, comedy scenes, top actors, and over-all production.

Genre: Romance, Romantic-Comedy, Fantasy
Episodes: 20
Time: Approximately 1 hour/episode
Location/s: South Korea

MAIN CASTS:

Lee Min Ho - Kim Dam-ryeong / Heo Joon-jae
Jun Ji Hyun - Se-hwa / Shim Cheong
Sung Dong Il - Mr. Yang / Ma Dae-young
Lee Hi Joon - Heo Chi-hyun
Shin Won Ho - Tae-Oh

The Promises for the Princess and the Pauper

"The Promises for the Princess and the Pauper"

Once upon a fairy tale, a young lady who lives in a damp and dreadful house full of vermin and pests, saw the light. When she saw the light, her disposition dissolved. The light was more than merely the illumination of understanding.  It was full of promises and possibilities.

“She`s gone.” As those words sunk into my subconscious, my whole world seemed to stop. One will never truly realize actuality until it happens. Life seemed to stop for a moment until I was sitting on a couch clinging my little hiding place of comfort.

Moments of emotional release later, still dazed from what happened, I walked towards the place I knew would help me talk to Someone who can change the fate I refused to accept. My body was quivering from shock and suffering. As I humbly knelt down before Him, lowered my head, put my hands together and begged, “My King! I know you`re merciful and miraculous.” My lips quivered. “Show me a miracle and revive her from this distressing death!” Tremendous tears poured over my fallen face as I searched His face for any sign of deal. 

I begged and begged. “Her body has probably been frozen already. I believe in your Power. I know you can still bring her back to life.”

Nanny Rose`s Queen Bee - All Natural Hair Remover (Hot | Cold) Review

Hello Graceful Girls,

Nanny Rose`s Queen Bee - All Natural Hair Remover (Hot | Cold) (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Nanny Rose`s Queen Bee - All Natural Hair Remover is a product I appreciate because there aren`t many easily available products like this in physical stores. This honey wax is all natural and organic which makes it a great product to use because it doesn`t contain known harmful chemicals. It is easy to use and easy on the pockets as well.

Nanny Rose`s Queen Bee - All Natural Hair Remover (Hot | Cold) (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Spoiler-Free Korean Drama Review | Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth

Annyeong Haseyo!

Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth  is a South Korean Drama which featured Park Seo-joon, Park Hyung-sik, Go Ara, Choi Min-ho, Do Ji-han, Jo Yoon-woo, BTS` Kim Tae-hyung also known as "V," Kim Ji-soo and Seo Ye-ji.

Genre/s: Coming of Age, Historical, Romance
Episodes: 20 excluding 4 special episodes
Time: Approximately 1 hour/regular episode
Location/s: Kingdom of Silla (one of the three kingdoms of Korea before)

Main Cast:

Park Seo-joon as Moo-myung / Kim Sun-woo / Kim Isabu / Dog-Bird
Park Hyung-sik as Sammaekjong / Kim Ji-dwi / King Jinheung
Go Ara - Kim Ah-ro

BDJ Women`s Summit 2017 | Women Can. Women Will.: My 5 Significant Realizations about Life and Women

Hello Graceful Girls!

BDJ Women`s Summit 2017 | Women Can. Women Will.: My 5 Significant Realizations about Women 

On March 25, 2017, Viviamo! Inc. held the second BDJ Women`s Summit. It was an educating yet enjoyable event. They featured inspiring and encouraging keynote and guest speakers which gave light about how we can be empowered in today`s world.

BDJ Women`s Summit 2017: Women Can. Women Will.

The talks were divided into 4 parts with 3 plenaries for the guest speakers and a segment for the keynote speaker. The 3 plenaries` topics are "Unleashing the Power Within," "Make it Big with Something Small," and "Be the Driving Force to Positive Change."

Gift Ideas | Haul ft. SammyDress and Zaful

Hello Graceful Girls!

Gift Ideas | Haul ft. SammyDress and Zaful

During the past few months, there had been quite a few holidays that gives us opportunities to celebrate and show more of our care and love to our family, friends and loved ones. Even if there are days that aren`t holidays or special days, giving gifts can be done anytime because it is one of the many ways one can show care and love.

I ordered some items from Zaful and SammyDress to give as gifts to my family, friends and loved ones. The items in this haul can be gift ideas which you also might be able to use:

[READ: SammyDress Review and Zaful Review]

Spoiler-Free Korean Drama Review: 7 First Kisses

Annyeong Haseyo!

7 First Kisses is a South Korean web drama starring top male actors Lee Joon Gi, Park Hae Jin, Ji Chang Wook, EXO`s Kai, 2 PM`s Taec Yeon, Lee Jong Suk and Lee Min Ho. This short drama is in cooperation with Lotte Duty Free.

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Romantic Comedy
Episodes: 8
Time: Approximately 10 minutes/episode
Location/s: South Korea
(Available to watch at Lotte Duty Free`s Youtube Channel)

BDJ Women`s Summit 2017: Women Can. Women Will.

Hello Graceful Girls!

BDJ Women`s Summit 2017: Women Can. Women Will.

Viviamo! Inc., the producer of the Belle De Jour Power Planners, held its second women`s summit with the theme “Women Can. Women Will.” at Samsung Hall in SM Aura. The said event aimed to empower women and featured distinguished guest speakers, women`s expo with booths from different companies and organizations, small games and raffle prizes for those with VIP tickets.

Rosegal Review | Make-up Brushes and Evening Clutch

Hello Graceful Girls!

RoseGal Review by @TheGracefulMist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Rosegal is an international online shopping website which sells accessories, clothing, shoes, beauty and make-up items. It offers a variety of clothing pieces for men and women which have different styles at low to high prices. Rosegal is very similar to the international online shopping websites I`ve tried in 2016.

Book Review: "Break Free" by Don Soriano | 8 Financial Principles

Book Review: "Break Free" by Don Soriano | 8 Principles to Get from Employee to Employer in 3 Years or Less (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Title: Break Free

Author: Don Soriano

Genre/s: Finance, Business, Self-Help, Self-Development

Pages: 81 (main content only)

Break Free by Don Soriano is a book which teaches readers about the 8 principles we all need to learn to get from employee to employer in 3 years or less. It`s a modern financial literacy learning guide which teaches basic principles on how to manage personal finances, be financially free, get into sales and business, and eventually live your dream life.

Small Shoes Haul | Michaela and SoleMates (The SM Store)

Hello Graceful Girls!

Small Shoes Haul | Michaela and The SM Store | (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Since the mark of New Year, there had been quite a lot of clearance sales in malls and online shopping websites. One of the items I had recently been really needing is shoes. Thankfully, there were quite a lot of sales and options to choose from. Here are inexpensive flat shoes I recently picked out for casual wear:


1.) Pink Flat Shoes | Michaela

Small Shoes Haul | Michaela  | (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

These shoes are quite nice with its very simple yet cute design. Its pale pink color can make the feet look lighter. It`s a good pair of shoes which can be nicely worn with light-colored bottoms.

Top 5 Completed South Korean Dramas of 2016

Annyeong Haseyo!

Top 5 Completed South Korean Dramas of 2016 | List by @TheGracefulMist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

2016 is definitely the year I explored more Korean dramas. Korean dramas are popular not only in South Korea but also internationally due to the high-quality videography, dramatic story lines, good-looking casts and an overall great production. If you`re trying to find new Korean dramas, here are my top picks of completed Korean dramas in 2016:

1.) Descendants of the Sun

Top 5 Completed South Korean Dramas of 2016 | Descendants of the Sun | K-Drama Review by @TheGracefulMist (www.TheGracefulMist.com)

Genre: Military/Medical Drama, Fiction and Romance

Episodes: 16

Time: Approximately 1 hour/regular episode

Settings: Korea and Urk, Greece (around 2014-2016)