With Thanksgiving just a day away, I want to tell you all how thankful I am for your readership and continued support! I so appreciate every time you read my blog posts, every click on my links, visits to my website, and follows on Instagram! You have made my little blog a happy success, and I have all of you to thank for that!!
I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing with you one of the things I enjoy most: that is, all things related to fashion: bargain shopping, style, clothes, shoes, beauty products, you name it!!
I have to tell you, it has been a scary process making this blog public and putting myself out there for the world to judge. I thought: What will people think? Will they like what I write? Will they find my content interesting or even worth reading?
Then, I read Sheryl Sandberg’s recent book, Lean In. Have you read it? If not, keep reading for a chance to win your very own copy! One of the things she mentions in the book is that as women, we are often afraid to ‘lean in’ and take chances. To take steps that may scare us, but that can lead us to success. So I decided, why not?? In the words of Sheryl Sandberg, “There is no perfect fit when you’re looking for the next big thing to do. You have to take opportunities and make an opportunity fit for you, rather than the other way around.”
And so began the adventure. Sure, some of you may have read my blog posts, or even just noticed that I was posting on Facebook about frilly topics and wondered, “Why, with a doctorate, does she have the need to talk about such superficial, non-important things?!” Well, my intention was dual-purposed:
1. I enjoy fashion. I do. I love to see it on runways, in magazines, to wear it, to talk about it…I just truly enjoy it! As a result, I have also always wanted to go to New York Fashion Week. I learned, however, that to get invited to one of those shows, you either have to know someone in the business (I don’t), have a ton of money to buy tickets outright (according to my husband, we don’t, lol), OR be part of the press (aha!!)!! And, guess, what?? If you’re a blogger, you are considered ‘press’! So, I began a blog!!
2. Second, it is important to me for people to know that, as a woman – specifically a woman scientist – it is more than okay to like fashion; no, to love fashion, and that it in no way takes away from who I am as a researcher, as an intellectual, or as a professional. It is simply an added bonus. 😉 Afterall, since when did being fashionable and being intelligent become mutually exclusive?? Perhaps even considered contradictory by some? I am here to tell you, and show you, that they are not.
On most traditional fashion/lifestyle blogs, you will see pictures of women posing in amazing clothes, shoes, etc. I LOVE to follow these blogs, and often wished that my blog would take on that form one day as well. Then I realized, if that were to happen, my blog would no longer be MY blog, but merely a reflection of other blogs out there.
So, for this blog post, I wanted to present you with my vision. To show you that intelligence can be a fashionable accessory – our BEST accessory.
To achieve this task, I recruited the very talented, young (literally, young…I’m talking high school student young!), Mariana Pimiento, to take my pictures. We ‘leaned in’ together and this was the result.
Stilettos and books…a fashionable combination, right? Shoes (Paris Hilton, pink soles, $25, Nordstrom Rack, Old).
Wearing my signature ‘hair in a bun’, dressed in couture, while reading Baby Rothman.
A true, blogger-style photo. Dress (Tadashi Shoji, $30, PeppermintPark.com, old)/ Necklace (Paris market, gift from BFF, more info here) / Bag (Chanel Medallion Tote, $waylessthanretail, eBay.com) / Tights (Hue, Nordstrom Rack, old) / Earrings (Francesca’s Collections, $8, old).
Same details as above. 🙂 Belt (Lotus Boutique, $10, old) and car (MBZ, 10 years old!).
A change of shoes…oxfords…the high-heeled version! Shoes (YSL, $waylessthanretail, eBay, old)
Isn’t this just a beautiful pair of shoes?! Fashion and books…a fabulous combination!
On my coffee table, often yes, fashion magazines and nerdy, scientific books and journals. 😉
A few last thoughts to close. This blog, as well as related content on Instagram and Twitter, are a reflection of my life, and the things that interest me as a woman – a mother, a wife, a scientist, a ‘fashionista’, and a newbie blogger. Thus far, it has provided a fun, creative outlet; a hobby that doesn’t require leaving the house, and that I can work on after the kids have gone to bed. Further, writing this blog appears to even be helping my scientific writing! Score!! I do hope that you will continue to join me as I venture on this journey, where fashion and smarts harmoniously co-exist. It has been a fun ride thus far!!
Finally, to reward my readers for getting through this super wordy blog post – but to also stay true to my mission, and keep you smart and informed – I am giving away a copy of the book Lean In! Don’t worry, you don’t have to do anything crazy! Simply, comment on this post with your thoughts on my blog in general, what you thought of this particular blog post, or anything else that you may fancy! A winner will be selected at random, one week from today. Good luck to you all and thanks again for reading!!
Stay Chic!
A lover of fashion from a young age, Maria Pimiento began her business at the age of 15. Her favorite things to shoot include, fashion runways and editorials. She also loves to travel and take road trips with family! Born in Medellin, Colombia, Mariana enjoys photographing people of diverse backgrounds. Mariana captures the essence of beauty through film. Sneak peak of photos on Instagram and on her personal website. Make sure to also check out her Youtube channel, The Mstudio, as well as her latest project, ProjectBare!
Chic in Academia 
Love the blog and the quote from the book. I will definitely have to get a copy of it if I don’t win your giveaway copy! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Gabbi!! I will announce the reader this week! Will keep you posted! Thanks for entering. 🙂
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I love your blog! I think that what i have really come to learn from it is that you really can do ANYTHING you set your mind to, and that no dream is too big. For some attending fashion week is just a dream, however, few will ever attempt to make it a reality. Thank you for taking initiative and being proactive!!
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Thanks so much, Susan! Yes, I am a big believer that you CAN do anything you set your mind to do. It may not always be easy, but if you work hard enough for it, you can most always make it happen. 🙂 Thanks for your message and also for reading the blog; it means a lot to me!
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Love your posts! I have to say that this one in particular is my favorite simply because the truth is that yes, we can combine intelligence and fashion. I have to admit that I am one of those people that doesn’t easily go outside of my comfort zone. I will definitely make an attempt at it and maybe, just maybe wonderful that might happen.
I will let you know that I am looking forward to checking out the sales at a Nordstrom’s Rack that recently opened less than 2 miles away from home. Hopefully I will score some deals.
Keep your posts coming. I truly enjoy reading them and look forward to a new one. Best wishes.
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Betty, thank you so much for the positive feedback and encouragement!! I greatly appreciate your support! I write from the heart, from experience, and truly to get information out there that I think would be helpful for my readers. 🙂 Good luck with the Nordstrom Rack near your house! That is so exciting! It can be hit or miss sometimes, but a hit for the most part. 😉 Thanks again for reading and I’ll post the results for the winner soon!
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aw loved reading this post babe! very intrigued by the book too. Beauty and smarts do combine like no other! 😀
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Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for your support! The book will not disappoint, I promise! And yes, I agree with you completely; beauty and smarts are definitely a powerful combination! 😉
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By the way, great pictures!
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Thank you!! So glad you think so!
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Wonderful post. Beauty and brains are definitely a winning combination and you embody both. Having a passion outside of science is essential to being a successful scientist.
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Thanks so much for your comment, Hope!! I so appreciate you taking the time to read this and glad that you found it to be worth reading. 🙂 Thanks for your comments, you are too sweet! Yes, I completely agree that having passion for something outside of science makes you a better scientist…I definitely think this blog is helping my scientific writing, which as we all know, is everything in science! Thanks again and hope to continue to post reading-worthy material!
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Great Blog Bertha!!
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Thanks so much, Amelia! Thank you for taking the time to read it!
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Great blog Bertha, as a budding fashionista in my own academic department, I absolutely wholeheartedly agree that fashion and intelligence/professionalism go hand in hand! In fact, I believe that my students have a better appreciation for my expertise because I bring the best representation of my self and personality in each class session and see my fashion as an expression and extention of my professional identity! Love the blog!
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Thanks, Jamie! Yes, you really hit the nail on the head; I agree that putting your best self forward sends a message not only about your personality, but possibly even about qualities that translate into your scientific work as well. I love that you are a fashionista and in an academic department no less. The two are definitely not mutually exclusive and I am glad that women are making that clearer and clearer every day! Thanks so much for reading this post and for your support for this blog!
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I thought this was a super cute, but more than that – inspirational. I have been thinking a lot about what holds people back in their careers – especially women. I love that you ‘took a risk’ and went for it. Keep writing please!
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Photos are awesome! Smart and sassy fashionable. That’s a great combo. I am completely lacking when it comes to fashion, so it’s great that you do it well and inexpensively. And I’ve been dying to read Lean In for months.
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I relate so much to this post. I work in Health IT now, and I often get comments related to me being nerdy…geeky…smart and get questioned about how that fits with my desire to always dress nice for work…get picked on if you will. Since when can those qualities not go together!!! Together we can change that perception. 🙂
I am actually reading Lean In right now, and am absolutely loving that book. I’m working for a big hospital corporation in the IT department, and being woman doesn’t go unnoticed. This book has inspired me and given me a lot of insight into what I do and feel, and how others act around me. Great read, I highly recommend all women (and men) read the book.
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