Post PhD Summer Trends - Bandeau Bikinis and Cape Dresses

Hi loves!

Hope your week is off to a great start! I'm bringing you the next Summer 17 Trends on my list, featuring Bandeau Bikinis and Cape Dresses! I'm seriously wanderlusting lately, wishing I could be on the beach in the mediterranean without a care... and these trends are totally those vibes! The next trend on my list is the Black Bandeau Bikini, although I need more support up top, so I tend to gravitate towards tops that are strapless but come with straps so I can easily convert it to more support if I need it! These two are two of my favorites right now. I love mix and matching solids and prints, and especially love the colors of the bottom. I also love the molded cups, helps keep the top up! The second one is very scrappy, which I love right now too! I have a very similar swim suit right now in my rotation!

My Current Favorite Beauty Products

Happy Monday!
I am back to blogging, with my dissertation due in a few weeks, so it is crunch time! I have 3 weeks exactly to submit to my committee, and one month exactly until my thesis defense! But I couldn't let it go without posting on my blog, and making a youtube video, to be exact! I can't wait to get back into regular blogging after I defend, I hope to ramp up the articles and some useful grad school articles for tips on various topics! I also want to write an article about career options in science and also do a live video on my instagram or Facebook page! Let me know what you think about all of these, and if there is anything you would like to see!

Anyway, Check out my Current Favorite Beauty Products!

Spring is Blooming with JORD

Happy March!
It is almost time for Spring, and I am counting down the days for warmer weather and blooms! LA is year round nice weather most of the time, but we've had an actual "winter" this year, with lots of rain to help get most of the state out of a drought, with the exception of some parts of southern California!
In addition, I am entering the final months of my PhD and while it feels like its been forever and time is going by slowly, May/June will be here before I know it! I am going to start writing the last parts of my dissertation come April! I am currently looking for research jobs but also exploring other options like science writing! 

Here is a lab friendly outfit I put together, with this really pretty cold shoulder top. I am in love with this trend for Winter/Spring, and I love that this specific top can let some color peek thru, as I have paired with with various colors. Some dark jeans and some boots, and the look is perfect for the lab! But we can't forget about accessories - and for this outfit, I based my outfit on my accessories! Does anyone else ever do that??  I purposely looked for an outfit I can match with my new women's watch by JORD Woodwatches, mostly because of the really cool Mint watch face.

2016 Reflections - The Year of Travel and Self Love

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year and Holiday Season!

I just got back from my trip to Jordan, and I had an amazing time! If you wanted to see my travel photos, take a look at my instagram (instagram.com/phd_fashionista). I will hopefully be doing a travel post soon featuring my highlights and also a video of some things :) 

Episode 2: How to deal with Finances and Giveaway Winner

Happy Tuesday!

Today I bring you Episode 2 of my new Youtube Series, PhD Fashionista's Survival Guide to Grad School, and I'm talking about dealing with finances. I've struggled living in LA on a grad student stipend, but I've made it work! Check out the video for some tips, and let me know if you have any comments or additional tips for how you made it work!

And Finally I selected a Flowerbomb Perfume Giveaway winner randomly from the entries - Congrats to Sarah Klein! I have sent you an email!!

Thanks to everyone who entered, stay tuned for another giveaway soon!

Have a great rest of your week and I will be back with an outfit post on Friday!

xoxo

Andrea

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

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!

Recap of Life: #FABDILab Blogger event, Halloween, my take on social media, and giveaway winner!

Hi loves!
Sorry for lack of posts this week! I am working for more posts for you guys for next week but it has been a rather stressful and busy two weeks, and only will be as busy this weekend!
Juggling 12 hr days at work where I am on my feet all day doing experiments is exhausting, and I have all the intentions to work on blog posts and outfit posts but I end up passing out on the couch from 10 pm! I think I will be graduating in this next year (hoping to walk at graduation, defend by summer!), so I can see the end of the tunnel which is great (so exciting to finally be done with this journey) but terrifying at the same time because I still have so much to accomplish in my projects!!

Two weekends ago I attended #FabDILab, a blogger conference that I attended last year and met some good blogger friends! So it was nice to go back again this year more experienced in the blogging world and I felt like I could take away so much more! The day started off with a networking breakfast followed by back to back talks - focusing on social media, branding yourself, how to work with companies, and much more! It was cool hearing of these things from others who do this full time! I definitely took home some tips that I hope I can share with you! If you follow me on twitter (@phd_fashionista), I was tweeting some good quotes from various speakers throughout the day! It was rather interesting to hear some statistics - what particularly stood out to me was that 81% of Consumers trust info and advice from bloggers! So Influencer marketing really works! I know I love to see a certain piece styled with an outfit rather than just seeing an ad for a piece by itself - so it makes sense! Another tip was, No's are not the end, they are a part of the process. Which really resonates for me, on more levels than just blogging, but in life. Sometimes you get down when you get rejection after rejection, but to be honest, it might mean you are saving yourself for something even more epic and a bigger opportunity!

I struggled with that today, as I applied to be a part of this social program that sends you samples to review, and I was instantly rejected. And it was because my instagram following was not up to par - apparently you need a minimum of 1000 followers. Number of followers is misleading because nowadays it's so easy to buy followers! I was a little upset but then it really made me realize why I started blogging - not for the free things or the glitz and glamor, but because I seriously enjoy writing and creating - I absolutely love creating outfit posts and styling them, doing my makeup and taking great photos to showcase my outfits - and then I enjoy writing the posts even more! It really helped put things in perspective - I didn't start blogging to become instagram famous, I started blogging because I love blogging, fashion, and this outlet! It was kind of funny because I had this epiphany along the same time as another Instagram star Essena O'neill posted about quitting social media - whether or not it was a publicity stunt or she genuinely was sick of the ridiculousness - I agree - and it's so upsetting to realize how much I have started obsessing over instagram and number of followers. And having photos to post - must be perfectly posed, must take so many shots of the same thing until it's perfect - she is completely right!

Well, anyway, if you have read down to hear, I really appreciate you reading my ranting and ramblings. I really had a great time at FabDILab, learned a lot, and also got some free goodies in a goodie bag (see photo below), that I will be reviewing in some posts coming up soon!

Keep scrolling to read about my Halloween and the announcement of the Giveaway winner!

My New Glasses and Firmoo Giveaway!

Hi Loves!
I never had to wear glasses before, but with all the time I spend in front of the computer with blogging and work as well as being on my phone a lot, I have been getting a lot of headaches and migraines. I went to get my eyes checked because I noticed that my eyes would start to hurt and then I would have a cluster headache behind my eye. I went and got my eyes checked and I found out I have astigmatism and a very slight slight prescription, and also because of how much time I spend in front of a screen, the more tired my eyes get from having to focus constantly. So, I decided to get glasses to do the work for me when my eyes get tired, so my prescription is slight but it has drastically helped with my headaches and it is awesome!! Just goes to show you how slight changes in your lifestyle can affect you!

Well, anyway, a few months ago I was contacted by Firmoo Optics to test out a pair of their glasses and they gifted me a pair, and since I hadn't updated my prescription yet (I hadn't gotten my eyes checked then), I used an old prescription and while they still work for my eyes they are a little straining. You can see that post from April HERE. So with my updated prescription I bought a new pair (with my own money) and found an even more fashionable pair that I am in love with and am currently wearing as I type this post! The total cost was around $30 because there was a sale going on and they offer free lenses! Which is awesome because at the optometrist it was $60 for lenses and then super expensive frames! Firmoo gives free lenses and a couple of free add ons, or cheap add ons like glare removal, etc., and the frames are super stylish, durable and cheap!

Here is my look with these dark rimmed glasses with some gold accents! There is also a touch of purple on the frames which is awesome! Keep reading below for a chance to get your own pair from Firmoo for free (Giveaway!)

PhD Fashionista turns Three! Birthday Giveaway

Hello loves!

PhD Fashionista turns three this weekend! To celebrate,  I am hosting another giveway, this time a bunch of beauty samples/minis in a cute little makeup bag! This giveaway is not sponsored by anyone or any company, just my own makeup bag because I want to thank you all for your continued support!

I have grown so much with this blog in the last three years, and I originally started it not thinking anything serious about it! I wasn't posting regularly, didn't have any dedication, and slowly throughout the years I have grown in the blogger community and have greatly upped my quality of posts, photos, and am posting more quality content in a regular fashion. This blog has also opened many doors for me and I have met some great people, some of whom have become close friends! Who knew, that a side hobby would link me with so many great people! And it offers a nice place to release stress when I don't want to think about work/science! I actually look forward to preparing my post the night before when I get home, even if I am exhausted from a long day at work!

Only within the last year has my blog really taken off, when I started taking it more seriously, started going to blogger events in LA, and bought a new camera and lens. Putting a little effort really goes a long way, and it's really nice to have something to provide a work/life balance! I am all about work/life balance recently, after coming back from my trip!

I have accumulated several really pretty makeup bags due to my Ipsy glambag subscription, but I figured I would gift one of my favorites, this pretty pink white and gray patterned makeup bag!

Fringe and Metal

Hello loves,

I bring you another outfit post, for an outfit that I am obsessed with, featuring fringe and another statement necklace. 

I had a rather rough week last week, I wasn't feeling so great and I had a recurring headache that evolved into a migraine, so that was fun. Not sure if it was due to stress, allergies, a combination of over working, being tired, stress, environment/pollen??? But I am feeling much better after relaxing this weekend and my paper was officially accepted to the journal! So I was super happy and I treated myself to a manicure, lunch, and drinks on Friday. Laughter really helped alleviate my headaches, and being surrounded by good people really helped! 

I love this outfit because it is rather simple and proper to wear to lab, yet still edgy enough to have some style! I bought this fringe top and statement metal necklace from Express, and I fell in love with how it all looks together! Paired with my usual dark Zara jeans (which, I have to go shopping to get new pants, too much wear has caused some holes... anyone else have this problem?!), some low heeled booties from Sam&Libby at Target, along with some accent bangles (cute Tassel bracelets from Charlotte Russe), I loved this outfit! 

Fringe Kimono and Amethyst Gemstone Necklace - Anjolee Necklace Giveaway!

Hello lovelies! Happy Monday!
I am currently on a high note because I received some good news about my paper, what an amazing way to start my Monday!!! :D Hope you are also having a great start to your week!

Spring/Summer is officially here in LA, and the weather is warming up! Although it has been getting rather chilly at night. Since I have posted multiple times about how obsessed I am with fringe, what a better way to incorporate that into my outfit than a floral kimono cover up with fringe! I have been wearing leggings a lot lately, and I wore this outfit to lab the other day, just with ankle booties instead of sandals! That way, I was still covered up and warm while still being rather fashionable. A simple black outfit underneath (tank top and leggings from Forever 21) with some accent pieces on top!
Since the floral print and fringe made enough of a statement for this simple all black outfit, I decided to pair with a simple diamond pendant necklace I got from Anjolee.com, featuring my birth gemstone, amethyst with some really pretty cubic zirconias in set in silver!