Friday, March 25, 2016

Fashion and Fitness - 8 ways to keep your cool and Stretch the stress away

Hello loves!
Happy Friday!
Another week down, another week closer to summer and being done!
I have alluded in previous posts and if you have been following me on instagram that I've been focusing a lot on self care, which is done by working on my nutrition and fitness!
This past fall I fell into a negative spiral where I was so stressed out, super overwhelmed, things weren't working on my projects, I had month-long headaches and migraines, and it just overall sucked. I was working 12 hour days but I didn't feel like I was progressing, I wasn't sleeping enough, and I didn't have time to relax or workout. Come December, I decided to change that, because I couldn't continue living in that same state. I also hit my heaviest weight. I needed to change something. I decided to start focusing on myself, so I can refind myself and I can actually be productive in work.
After months of contemplation to invest in a program, I committed to doing a Beachbody workout and nutrition program called 21 Day Fix, perfect for a beginner, thanks to a friend who is a coach and recommended it to me, and it was the best decision I made. All of a sudden I had a structured meal plan and workout program that I could do the workouts in 30 minutes a day, and really had no excuses not to stick to it, especially since I invested in it. The coaching and free accountability group/community I became a part of was a great plus, and I believe is the difference between sticking to a program and just buying it and leaving it to the side. Being in a community with other women who were making a huge effort to lose weight, change their health habits, was so inspiring. I lost 4 lbs in my first round and about 7.5 inches in 21 days. That's only 3 weeks!! And I also noticed my headaches were gone, I wasn't getting a migraine when I felt stressed. I saw a change in my skin, it cleared up, my bloating went down, and my stomach felt better. I realized I inadvertently cut out cheese and milk from my diet, and it make a wonderful difference. I found out I am to a degree lactose intolerant! I also found that I feel so much better and I actually enjoy cooking food! I cut out all processed foods, which has helped me regulate my body, and I am saving money since I have a focused meal plan and grocery list. I always would over buy lots of groceries and I would end up spending 100$+ a week on groceries and end up eating out most of the week. Sticking with this easy meal plan has helped me stay on track and save money! In addition I started having a superfoods shake to my meal plan, and I add some greens and fruits to it, super yummy and I get a lot of my nutrients in for the day! It has also curbed my sweet tooth quite a bit, and it has some protein, so perfect to drink for breakfast or snack after a workout!
I loved 21 Day Fix so much I decided to up it a little bit and I did my next 21 days using 21 Day Fix Extreme, which was similar to the regular fix, but the workouts were, like the title, a little more extreme! I saw even better results following this plan, I definitely lost some body fat and leaned out!
And currently, I am following the 22 Minute HardCorp program, which is an 8 week bootcamp style program that was just released! Tony Horton, who created P90X which you may have heard of, designed this bootcamp style program that can be done in 22 minutes! Literally, my soulmate workout, because I don't have a lot of time, so it is quick and done, and it hits all the muscle groups. It alternates between resistance and cardio, and I have definitely leaned out and I am just in week 3! I can't wait to see my body change and see my results by the end of 8 weeks (brings me to end of April! time is flying, it is almost summer!)
If you are interested in doing a program then send me an email (andrea@phdfashionista.com) and we can chat about your goals! I'd love to share what has worked for me and hopefully it can help you! You can also check out the options for On Demand Access at this link: www.tinyurl.com/workoutwithLCLD

Well, anyway, I also wanted to share this really cute Fabletics outfit that I love, I really really love all of the pieces in the Fabletics collection, especially bright pieces. And I love these bright neon pink sneakers from Nike! No one said working out had to be boring, there are so many brands out there with really fashionable pieces!

Here is a simple stretching workout to do when you are feeling tense and want to stretch the stress away! I found yoga, meditation and just stretching really help me when I am feeling really tense.


1. Runners Lunge - Stretch out your hips and hamstrings by coming into a runners lunge!
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Sunday, March 20, 2016

PhD Fashionista's Survival Guide to Grad School

Hey Loves!
Sorry it's been some time since my last outfit post, I do have outfits I need to post about, but I've just been swamped lately with school work and not having enough time to do anything!
I have a bunch of projects I am working on - I am heading to a conference in San Diego that I am preparing some Conference Fashion posts, and I will hopefully be blogging fashion during the conference also. I am also working on some fitness posts, that will be up soon also!

BUT! I am finally proud to announce that I kicked my butt into gear and FINALLY got around to starting this youtube series I have wanted to start since Summer, a Survival Guide to Grad School. I will be talking about various issues graduate students encounter, and this is the first intro video in the series - but I will be posting a video a week! These aren't issues just exclusive to grad students but also to life, so if you have anything you want me to talk about, do leave a comment!  Would love to hear some feedback also!






I would love it if you would SUBSCRIBE to my Channel!

Also, I am always active on Instagram right now, mainly because I am always on the go - so definitely check out my posts there if you want some more fashion inspiration (I have recently been posting my daily outfits that I don't get a chance to photograph for the blog!
Follow me on Instagram @phd_fashionista

And lastly, my giveaway is still running, so do check it out and enter to win the Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb full size perfume! It will be running until THIS FRIDAY - so go and enter!!

Enter the giveaway here


Hope you have a wonderful week ahead, and I will be posting again this week!

xoxo

Andrea



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Friday, March 11, 2016

Happy Friday - TGIF and Perfume Giveaway!

Happy Friday loves!

I'm soo soo glad it is Friday! TGIF. It's been a long and stressful week in lab, and I am just exhausted. I haven't had time to prepare my outfit post but an outfit post will be up next week!
I have been so busy with trying to wrap up experiments so I can start writing my dissertation and papers, but there's so much data and information to sift through, and so much to still do, it is a little overwhelming, and I am having a hard time balancing everything while still trying to take care of myself.

Well, I hit a milestone for my blog, I finally hit 1000 followers on instagram!!! It is a great accomplishment, and I hope to hit more milestones soon!


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Friday, March 4, 2016

Spring has Sprung - Happy Friday!

Hello and Happy Friday!
I can't believe it is already March! This year is flying by already, and it will be summer before we know it!
I've been pretty busy the last few weeks with work and trying to figure out the last things I need to do before I graduate, and I have a never ending to-do list, and soooo many things going on, it has been hard to find time to blog! But I am still around, never fear! I am posting to instagram daily, so if you are ever wondering what I'm up to, follow me there :) My golden birthday came last week, and I had a great time celebrating with friends, and alsoI went to the Vanity Fair Social Club event for the Oscars, so it was fun and I got some free goodies which I will blog about soon :)
School has been super stressful and I have felt overwhelmed at times, but I need to start taking it one day at a time :)
I've been trying to come up with outfits that are work appropriate, as I am trying to focus really on professional dress. I got this blouse from a birthday care package from my aunt in Cyprus for my Birthday, and I love it! I love the color and I love the patterns! It also is pretty flattering, and it shows a little cleavage without being over exposed, which I loved! I never feel too comfortable with cleavage, and I was worried this top would be too much - but it was just right! I have been wearing leggings mostly to work - as I spend a lot of time running around lab some days, and some days I'm sitting at my desk the whole time - and jeans aren't as comfy! So this is a usual outfit you will find me in, something stylish and comfy! Matched with these sketchers heeled sneakers that I have worn before! I paired this pretty statement necklace from Minu Jewels, the Botswana Agate necklace! So gorgeous!
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Friday, February 19, 2016

Simple Chic work outfit - and a JazzyKreationz Statement Necklace

Hello!
Happy Friday!
Another week, another post! What a busy crazy week it has been, and its only been a 4 day week, with the day off on Monday!
The weather in LA has also been a little crazy, cold, then warming back up into the 80s/90s, to rain, to back to warm... what is this!? I would expect this weather from back home in MA but not in SoCal! Though I can't say I didnt love the rain!! I'm so excited for the weekend to relax and recharge, it has been a really busy week running around to different obligations and experiments/gathering some really great data!
Here is a simple chic outfit I wore to work, featuring the Brown-gold statement necklace, that is a handmade statement necklace from JazzyKreationz - a handmade and customizable necklace and jewelry store I discovered on instagram! This necklace is so simple yet so chic - I love the beaded pattern and detail! It definitely steals the spotlight from the rest of the outfit, which I kept simple to focus on this necklace! I also love the colors, perfect for a conference or simple outfit, have it be the focal point! I got a lot of compliments on this outfit and necklace, so I am so happy with it! Definitely check out Jazzy's store and see her other "kreationz!" She can customize a necklace or make one to order, so if there is something in mind that you want, definitely let her know! I love the other necklaces she makes as well, they are super chic!
I just wore a simple white t-shirt with a sparkly cardigan from a local store, along with my YMI jeans and ankle boots from Target! This is one of my go-to outfits since it is so simple and can be paired with a nice statement necklace to really add some style!
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