Fashion and Fitness - Couch to 5K with Boohoo!

Happy Monday!
Mondays are always a good day to start a new page in your fitness and health journey! Whenever I start a new training program, I always start on a Monday! If you haven't already noticed from my previous posts, I've been so into working out and living a healthy lifestyle lately. I literally have been living in my gym clothes, to the point where I have been wearing my workout leggings to work, because they are so comfy! When I did my laundry, I noticed 95% of my dirty clothes were all workout gear!! So I was really excited when I got the opportunity to check out another line of new workout clothing from BoohooFIT!
I was so excited when I received my items, a whole outfit that included a sports bra, top, and workout leggings for less than  £30 (about $30)! Can you believe that?! I ordered the Saskia Rainbow elastic hem sports bra (HERE), the Malkah Neon highlight sports running leggings in pink/orange (HERE) and the Lara Fit Sweat Squad Running Vest (HERE). The shirt I LOVED the quote, I've been really into cute quote shirts, and I didn't realize that the back had a cute strap running up the back - and it's cut like a muscle tee, so you really have to wear something underneath it (like the sports bra!). The running leggings were so soft and comfortable! They were super flexible. The sports bra had enough support for me which is what I needed, and a cute rainbow band that I just loved! I loved the way the outfit looked and the bra peeked from underneath!

Fashion and Fitness - My cheap therapy

Lately, if you have been following me on Instagram, you have been probably hearing about how I've been really stressed out. Partly the reason why I hadn't been posting as much in the recent months, because life got really out of hand. I got really stressed out, anxious, my project completely changed direction and I thought I would be ready to defend my thesis by the end of the summer, walked at graduation, and now my plans are completely different (or at least delayed).
I guess everything happens for a reason. I didn't get the job I interviewed for (the one that I thought was my perfect match, guess it wasn't so perfect after all), I started getting contradicting (but good I guess) results, I got a dissertation year fellowship, so the fact that all of my Plan A's didn't work out, my Plan B is coming in handy now, even though I didn't appreciate it at first; so now I don't have to worry about TAing while trying to figure out the jumble of confusion that is my life right now.
And while things haven't been working the way I planned (Oh science, that's how you must be, right?), the one thing I HAVE been able to control is my exercise and health routine. I gained some weight from losing my work out momentum, stress, eating whatever I wanted, and I fell back into the stress and anxiety routine I worked so hard to get over. I referred back to my health and fitness community over on facebook and I refound my inspiration. I started a workout program that's available for free on the Beachbody On Demand that I subscribe to, and with the help of 2 other amazing ladies, we are keeping ourselves accountable for getting the workouts done - as in, we have a group chat going and we each message the others when we are pressing play on our workouts and get it done! It has really helped me manage my stress and anxiety and really helped me make time for myself. I have started regarding working out as "Me" time, and a meeting I make with myself, and I'm not allowed to skip it, just as I wouldn't skip a work meeting, etc. While I have been struggling a little still, I am doing a lot better with managing my stress. I am obsessed with my new life style, when I have a rest day, I am just itching to get back to working out!

Malibu and Glam Necklace - weekend relaxing

Hello!
Happy Monday and happy February! I can't believe it is already the first of the month! January flew by!
I've been super busy with lab work and some outside things I am involved with, which is great because it gives me more of a work-life balance. I've been trying to leave lab at a reasonable time so I can have enough time to relax and workout when I get home. So far so good, and my stress levels are much lower!
I'm also working on rebranding my blog a little bit, adding a fitness aspect to it, because fitness and health has become a big aspect of my life recently, ever since I decided I needed to take care of myself. I am hoping to start writing some blogposts about lifestyle, fitness and health, and also start a youtube channel as well. I have been doing a beachbody program called 21 day fix and I saw results in 21 days, and I feel sooo much better - no more headaches or migraines! I am trying to help people as well so I signed up to be a coach, so if you are interested in doing a program with me, send me an email, I'd love to forward you some info on the program and have you join the challenge group that is starting next monday February 8!! I've started surrounding myself with a lot of positivity in this group, everyone is so great and posts every day to stay accountable, its exactly what I need right now.

Whimsical Ugly Sweater - Dreams and Flying with an old Top Shop Sweater

Hi everyone!
Sorry for lack of posts last week!
I have been super busy with work and working on keeping my stress level low - trying to work until normal people times and not stay in lab late unless absolutely necessary - and I think I was good about that! I am trying to not take any unplanned breaks throughout the day (unplanned as in getting sucked into my phone scrolling on instagram or facebook), and just getting everything done that I need to and not stress out about not finishing everything. I'm only human!
I have also started a workout and nutrition plan, called the 21 day fix, and I am using it as a platform to just get myself back into shape and back into the routine of working out and I can do the work outs at home (it beats going to the crowded gym right now) and also eating healthy (I noticed it has improved my headaches!). So I will probably post an update about my progress in 2 weeks (one week down, two more to go!). If you are interested in talking about your health goals, send me an email!
Well anyway, back to fashion. I thought this was a fun outfit that I decided to wear and the photoshoot was rather fun and silly. I bought this oversized rainbow sweater from Topshop when I was studying abroad in the UK like 5 years ago (another piece of clothing I haven't worn and has been sitting in my closet! I'm shopping for new outfits in my own closet!). It was super comfy and retained the warmth! I wore a plain black tank top underneath, and some black leggings along with my black Sketchers heeled sneakers, and it was the perfect outfit for chilling in lab and then just chilling at home while keeping warm during these chilly LA days!
I originally was going to wear this to an ugly sweater party, as it is kinda ugly, but it is still a little chic I think, if styled correctly!

Holiday Outfit - From Work to Holiday Party

Hello!
It's been a crazy couple of weeks and I am finally back with some outfit posts that I have been working on! Last week was rather stressful and I was pulling some late nights in lab so I can finish everything up before I headed to the east coast for the holidays. It is rather nice to relax and shut my brain off from work, and not have to think about anything "complicated" other than what I am going to eat and do that day! It is really nice. My headaches have started to go away and I realized they are all caused by stress! I am also trying to catch up on my sleep, something I got very little of this past quarter and had never been able to catch up on!
This last week was full of various holiday parties after work, so I decided to wear some cute transitional outfits that were appropriate to wear to work and also could easily transition to a holiday party later in the evening!
I have been posting this latest outfit on Instagram, if you haven't caught my sneak peak, here is the outfit! I am obsessed with wearing red this holiday season! My mom sent me this red lace top that is perfect for the holiday season, that I believe is from Target (Shop similar here). I also paired it with these black leggings that are super comfortable, and they are actually my workout pants from Fabletics, but I have been wearing them to work and outings because they are so cute and simple! No one can tell they are workout pants! For work/lab, I wore my hair up in a pony tail so it would be out of my way and these black hidden heeled sneakers from Sketchers, that give a little length to my legs, and then before I left for the holiday party, I just let my hair down and changed into these knee-high leather heeled boots that I have had in my closet for about 3 years now -- I bought these from Ross/TJ Maxx (Search Similar Here) a while ago and never wore them! I have been doing "shopping" in my closet and finding pieces that I haven't worn in a long time, like these boots and also this really pretty red jacket from Forever 21! (Shop Similar Here). It is kind of nice to find these old/new pieces because I was starting to get really bored with my wardrobe and been itching to go shopping, even though I don't have money! Accessories I pulled together this gold bracelet from Charlotte Russe, a neutral tassel bracelet from the Yayoi Collection at Boyajian Trend Gallery, and some earrings also from Charlotte Russe.

Daytime/Work:

Sunny days and pretty prints - Summer lab wear in LA

Hello loves!

I am finally bringing you an outfit post, that I am actually wearing to work today! I shot this look a few weeks ago and never got around to posting it! I am in dire need of sleep, but my experiments leave me no mercy and I must go to lab tomorrow (its Saturday, sigh...).

But anyway, I am wearing this cute comfy outfit today since I have been wearing jeans and sneakers all week. Leggings are my favorite, although I do need a longer top to cover my bum, so this floral print floaty top is perfect! Super cute print that I have had in my closet for years now, and never fails to look great! Top is from Forever21, and leggings I believe I just got them from Ross, but you can find them anywhere - I usually get them from H&M and buy new ones when I get holes in them! Just plain black leggings. The accessories I love, because they are simple yet super cute, with gold accents! 

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!

White skirt?! Oh my!

Today I am leaving work at a reasonable time (5 pm, which is rather early for me even though I was at work at 8am) to attend a fashion/blogger event in downtown LA! Figuring I wouldn't have much time to get home and change before having to leave, I adapted my outfit to be work appropriate! I recently bought this textured white bouncy skirt that I have been trying to wear, that I matched with a black tank top, black leggings, and my favorite pair of black boots! Not pictured here, but I am wearing a black and gold necklace! Pretty cute outfit if I may say, and easy to transition for work and events!
The boots are comfortable enough to wear while running around in lab (really, I'm not making this up!), and the leggings just complete the look!

It's also a little risky wearing a white skirt, since I tend to spill things on myself, but I managed to walk to work with my coffee in hand and not drip any on my white skirt (for once)! 

Skirt and Leggings! Happy Monday!

Happy Monday!

Today I rolled out of bed, super sleepy and not wanting to go to work after a nice relaxing weekend! What to wear, what to wear? I had a package for this skirt/legging combo I recently bought, so I decided it was the perfect thing to wear, since I wasn't really feeling pants today (lol). I love wearing leggings because they're so comfortable, but I always need to find a long shirt to wear over because some of mine are see through. These skirt/leggings are perfect, from Bottom's Up! that I found and ordered on Groupon! Such a good deal! Paired with a bright pink top from American Eagle and some heels from Nine West, such a cute outfit! Of course I wouldn't wear these heels in the lab, but I switched into some cute flats and I biked to work in this outfit! Cute, stylish and versatile!

I also painted my nails a few days ago. I tend to not paint my nails recently because they chip so fast with how often I switch gloves at work. I would LOVE to get a gel manicure at the nail salon, which I have gotten in the past, but it gets expensive at $25+ here in LA. I was at CVS the other day, and I came across this Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nailpolish! It's basically a gel polish with no light needed! You just paint your nails with two coats of the base (I have two colors so far, Piggy and Dig Fig, my fav is Piggy, so bright!), and then let them air dry. And once they are dry, just add a layer of the Top coat, and let natural light do its business! I love the look, it matches my outfit, and it has withstood lots of hand washing and glove changing! Perfect for someone working in a lab or another job where gloves are common and a lot of hand washing! Regular nailpolish doesn't even last a day for me without getting a chip, and this has already lasted 3 days! The brand promises 14 days no chip, but I don't believe that for my kind of job. It would probably last 14 days if I didn't have to change gloves so frequently!

What I'm wearing right now!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/1lU1Tfg April 26, 2014 at 04:46PM

Leggings and Shirt: H&M
"Leather" jacket: Express
Flats and Purse: Forever 21
Sunglasses: Armani Exchange

So on the first day of the conference, we decided to explore a little first before heading to the convention center to check in, so we headed to Mission Beach. It was so windy!! Caught this snap! What do you think of this outfit? It was casual but still appropriate for business if necessary!

xo
Andrea

Dark Lipstick - Urban Decay Venom

Hello!!
So I finally caved and ordered another Urban Decay Revolution lipstick that I had been eyeing for a while now, in shade "Venom."
I fell in love with it when I saw a swatch of it on another fashion blog (I can't remember which one! ah!). Sephora had a 15% off sale for Beauty Insiders so I found it as the perfect excuse/opportunity to finally buy it!
It arrived last night along with my DiorShow Blackout Mascara that I had ordered since I was running out of my daily use one. I also received some samples, but they aren't as exciting as this lipstick!
All of my makeup came in this huge box that was filled with filling paper and then my makeup was just sitting at the bottom of it -- what a waste of resources Sephora! I am disappointed! But oh well.

To be honest I was a little self conscious to wear such a dark shade to work -- but I wore it anyway because I was so excited and I think it looks good on me? What do you think?
I managed to wear a cute dress that I got in Cyprus years ago, it has some dark fuchsia shades in the flower print, so it matches perfectly! I also wore some leggings and little gray booties. Cute outfit for a Wednesday! Especially since I will be sitting at my desk and at meetings all day!