Gift Ideas for Mom - Mother's Day Inspiration

Hello lovelies!

Happy mother's day this coming Sunday to all the lovely mums and mums to be!
I unfortunately won't be able to spend it with my lovely mom because she is all the way across the country in Boston, but I will be there in spirit and have already sent her a card, and may just send her a bouquet of flowers or a care package later with some gifts! It's a little hard to send a lot of gifts when you are so far away, but the post office is always around the corner!

Here are some of my gift ideas for my mom, and hopefully some inspiration for you to get for your mom/wife/daughter/best friend/anyone in your life that you are celebrating this weekend!

1. Flowers - While I hate buying in to the whole holiday get flowers thing for like Valentine's day and other holidays, when you are so far away from your family, sometimes flowers mean the world. I like to send my mom flowers to her work to surprise her, and I have in the past on her birthday, particularly because she doesn't expect it. And my mom works a lot, so it's more likely to make an impact sitting on her desk :) There are lots of floral shops you can order flowers online, so even being across the country I can order from a local florist online and have it delivered within a few hours!

2. Cards - Cheesy sometimes, but again, when so far away, it shows that you are thinking of mom! A nice personalized message inside to tell her how much you appreciate her and miss her, can mean a lot!

3. Jewelry -  I tend to not like necklaces that say 'Mom' on them, but if it floats your boat, go for it! I float towards jewelry that can be worn with various things, and such I would shop for my mom with such a necklace! These cute wish, love necklaces are perfect, and add just the right touch to a casual simple outfit!

Gift Ideas for Mom - Mother's Day Inspiration by andreah227 

Spring/Summer '15 Inspirations

As it is may already, I am already thinking about and trying to plan my summer getaway. I am overdue for a vacation, and this stress from work is killing me! I am dreaming of sun, beach, coffee/drinks, and relaxation at a place far far away! I am trying to turn this into a European escapade, so I will let you know the details as soon as I know more myself! hehe!

Today I bring to you a style board with some pieces and inspirations that I have been in love with recently.

1. Blazers:  Ever since I went to the conference, I have been in love with blazers and wearing them over a casual outfit. They add the right amount of chic and elegance while still being able to be worn more casually if the moment calls for it. They are very versatile, can be worn to work, over a dress, over a blouse, or even a T-shirt! I am stocking up on blazers and trying to wear them as part of different outfits to create more variation in my outfits!

2. Floral Print Spring Dresses: Something that I think I am going to carry over into summer is floral print dresses - I am in love with big floral prints this season, and what more romantic that a light, flowy skater dress with a flower print! Super easy to wear and easy to dress up or down, depending on the occasion!

Spring/Summer '15 Inspirations by andreah227 featuring a button jacket

Winter/Spring 2015 Outfit Recap and Reflections

Hello lovlies!
Happy Friday and first of the month!
Today I bring you a recap of my favorite outfits since the beginning of 2015, since this past Winter and Spring here in LA (if you believe that LA has seasons, which it does not, so you won't see a great variation), now that it is May and the temperatures are rising (today it was 93 degrees! eek! Good thing I am inside in air condition all day, although it would be nice to enjoy the weather at the beach!)
Ever since I invested in a nicer camera and lens, I have been able to bring you much better quality outfit of the day posts, and I am so in love with the process of blogging, photography, and posting about it. It has become something I look forward to doing, even at the end of an extremely tiring day in the lab. And the blogger community is amazing - I have met so many amazing people in the last few months ever since I started branching out and going to networking events, and I am happy to say that some have become my close friends. It is a great feeling!

April 2015: Twist and Turn Open Back Top by Dina Arrieta

     

See more on Original posts:  1st look and 2nd Look

Sunny days are back! Twist and Turn Open back top take 2!

Hello!
I have had such a busy weekend, with another on campus symposium where I presented my research again with a poster and then 12 hours of talks on Saturday! It was awesome but rather tiring! It's nice to be busy but I also enjoy having a few hours to relax. This past week it was very cloudy and gray, which is unusually for LA. But, alas, the sun is back!
Today I am sharing with you another look I created using the Twist and Turn Open Back top by Leaf and Crown that I posted about a few weeks ago! Check out the original post HERE! I wanted a more casual, chill look, so I went with a maxi skirt. Little secret - this is actually a dress that I just rolled the top part down to my waist so it would act as a skirt! I got this skirt/dress from when I went to Hawaii back in September from a local store.  I loved the mint green color contrast with the black pattern, particularly matched with the black top!  I also wore these sandals that I have worn before, that I also got from a local store in Waikiki.

The top detail in the back again I love, and it perfectly hides my bra straps in the back! Super easy to wear and style! You can find/shop for this top on the Leaf and Crown Etsy store (https://www.etsy.com/shop/leafandcrown), and it comes in a variety of colors! I particularly loved the black top but I also loved the top in purple or red!

Daily Face Routine - Feat InstaNatural Retinol Moisturizer

Hello Lovelies!

This post is in honor of yesterday's Earth Day and attempts at #goingGreen! 

I decided to share with you my morning face routine, using various products I have grown to like and have decided to try out! I received this InstaNaturals Advanced Action Retinol Moisturizer to try out, and I decided to replace my current moisturizer (from CVS brand), to compare it!

I decided to use this routine instead of washing my face with the other face washes because it helps save water! This way I use cotton pads instead of water and while it does generate some waste, with California's drought, any water saved is good! So I think its a good trade off.

1. Deep Cleaning Astringent - This Clean & Clear Essentials Deep cleaning astringent is something I love using, I pour some of it on a cotton pad and then wipe my face with it. I feel it working and it has salicylic acid acne medication to keep control of your acne! It is similar to the other face washes with salicylic acid but doesn't require any water!