Redbook Magazine Real Women Style Contest – I’m a Finalist!!

April 5, 2016April 5, 201614 Comments

Friends of Chic in Academia –

A few weeks ago, Redbook Magazine held a call for submissions to be considered for their annual Real Women Style Award competition. I submitted the following seven photos and guess what?! I’m a finalist! I am among 25 women being considered, and there is now a voting process to select this year’s Reader’s Choice.

I never imagined I’d be selected out of the hundreds – perhaps thousands – of entries submitted, but it happened! I am thrilled, but more so, excited to possibly have the opportunity share my thoughts about fashion and the professional woman on a larger platform. When I started Chic in Academia, I wanted to show the world that one could be a woman in academia and do all that academics do – nerd out, indulge in science, change the world one scientific discovery at a time, be professional, be a boss, etc – and still maintain a feminine identity. There appears to be a disconnect in many a workplace: a woman cannot be both fashionable and a superstar in her field. Especially in academia, paying attention to one’s attire might be construed as not paying enough attention to one’s science. Ruminate on that for a minute.

I don’t deem myself the best in my field. I am far from being the perfect or most successful woman in academia. But, I do my best and have achieved my share of success, all while wearing stilettos and bright colors to work. I get ready in 30 minutes or less every single morning and then turn my attention to science. The fact that I put some thought into what I wear every day, does not in any way distract me from my work or my science. My message to other academics and professional women was was: You can too! And you can also choose NOT too! But the choice should be yours. To quote the old adage, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’. A fashionable woman does not a dud make. 😉

A second goal for this blog was to help demystify shopping and debunk the myth that high-end, designer fashion was only attainable if you had loads of money. My blog helps women shop for the items they covet at affordable prices by sharing information about sales, second-hand or consignment shopping, rebates, coupons, making cash from closet inventory. I focus on making fashion affordable and attainable for all.

And so, although it’s been a great journey thus far, I see this opportunity to compete for the Real Style Award as a way to share this with even more women! Women who may not yet know about my blog, but who could benefit from reading the information I share, or possibly even gain inspiration on a daily basis from the outfits I share on Instagram. So, if any of this resonates with you, I would be so grateful if you would take a second to vote for me: a real woman, scientist, momma, wifey, and sartorialist! Go to this link

Vote here!

to vote. You’ll see this on the website, but just in case, here are the photos I submitted:

Photos taken by (in no particular order): my hubby – Michael Frymark; Mariana Pimiento; Rachel Tindall, and Rachel and Noah Ray.

Thank you so much in advance and wish me luck!!!

To vote, click here:

Real Women Style Award

Until next time! Stay ‘Chic’!

Spring at Kohl’s

April 3, 2016April 4, 20163 Comments

I collaborated with Kohl’s and Latina Bloggers Connect for this post, however all opinions are my own.

Spring is one of my favorite seasons. It’s often warm enough to finally wear skirts – though that also means I have to shave (ugh!) – but chilly enough that I can pull off a nice jacket or trench coat to complete the look. A couple of weeks ago, I stopped by Kohl’s to look for an easter outfit. If you don’t remember reading it about it, you can refresh your memory, here.

While I was there, I recall seeing some great items for the spring, and especially in colors that I don’t already have in my closet – imagine that! So off I went today to shop for the things I left behind during my last trip to Kohl’s. And lemme tell ya: I scored some major treasures!

COLOR ME BLUSH

I’ve wanted to add items in blush pink ever since I was an egg. It’s such a gorgeous color, subdued, yet makes a statement. The Jennifer Lopez collection has this gorgeous blush pink with a hint of peach, flowy trench. When I saw it on the hanger, I knew I could not leave it behind. I grabbed a size 2 and I think it is just the right amount of oversizedness (I totally made up that word, but you catch my drift). It’s light enough to wear this spring, but will work well with layers in the fall and winter. It’s a must have in my book.

Next up, I found a little black dress that I also HAD to have. I also saw it in a pretty lavender color in store. Much more spring-like than this black version, but people were quick and not a single lavender beauty was left in my size. Cue the waterworks. So, I grabbed on to the black one and ran like a fiend to the dressing room. If you follow me on Snapchat, you saw the try-on session. It’s a beauty. AND, it has pockets. I mean, how much better can it get?! It doesn’t. Go buy it. NOW.

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APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS (or early April flowers…)

Next up, the Sonoma Goods for Life Collection. That’s where I found the pieces below. Specifically, the denim pencil skirt, white t-shirt, and blue denim dress. All pieces were less than $40. I will say, out of the three collections I tried on today, the Sonoma collection is by the far the least expensive. It also has classic pieces and staples, and great quality too! On Snapchat, I showed a cropped denim jacket, cotton white and grey striped maxi dress, and other goodies that would pair well with most anything in your current closet. I would probably say it was my favorite line of spring items in store at this moment.

The coat in these pics is from the Elle collection. It is currently less than $65 and just a stunner. I’m kind of obsessed with it. It’s also thicker than the blush pink trench pictured above, but I love the dark contrast of the trim and buttons. It’s currently sold out online though, so run to your store and ask a sales associated to find one for you!! My store (Kohl’s at the Grove in Hoover, AL) still has them, so they are definitely still available in SOME stores. The cognac heels in the pictures below are from the LC by Lauren Conrad line. They are older, but would go with most of the items in her current line. You can find a similar pair – and one that I like even better than my pair – here. The other LC items I tried on weren’t quite my size, so I will have to try another Kohl’s store or look for them online, but again, can be seen on Snapchat during my try-on sessions.

I could easily see myself wearing all of these pieces to work and think I may just have to because I have not planned ANY outfits for the week. Although this past week was spring break, I found myself having a lot less time than usual – likely due to the holiday weekend (Easter!!) and being outdoors a lot more than usual (hello sun!!). All that to say, don’t be surprised if you see me in these outfits this week. Consider them replays or simply second chances to get a better look at the outfits. 😀

If you shopped for Easter and got you some Kohl’s cash, then you are in luck because they have lots of promos going on so: Kohl’s cash + promos + 1 Benjamin = whole new spring wardrobe! NICE!

That’s all for now, folks! Gotta get to bed and strategize for the week. Wishing you all a fashionable and productive week!

Until next time! Stay ‘Chic’!

PS – Find me on Snapchat for all the Kohl’s shopping trip details! Search for ChicInAcademia and there I’ll be!

2016 Bargain Carousel Giveaway!

March 31, 201616 Comments

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Guess what time of year it is?! It’s Bargain Carousel time! You and a friend have the opportunity to win free tickets to this year’s event. How? Well, simply leave a comment below telling me what it is that you hope to find at this year’s Carousel. Simple as that! But, “you’ve never been to this event”, you say and need to know more about it?? No worries! Here’s a little about about the event for your reading pleasure:

Bargain Carousel 2016 Brings Unbelievable Finds

Fundraiser Supports Community In Several Ways

For some there is nothing more fun than bargain hunting! What if you could find a wide variety of unbelievable items at low prices and buying them would mean you were improving lives for women and children? The Junior League of Birmingham’s (JLB) annual Bargain Carousel makes this shopping experience a reality.

Called the “largest garage sale in Birmingham,” the event offers two distinct experiences. Bargain Bash, held this April 21, is a casual cocktail party that offers first-chance shopping of Bargain Carousel items and impressive silent and live auctions, with more than 150 items, including original artwork and VIP travel packages. For shoppers wanting the best selection and smaller crowds, VIP admission is the best choice, with 6 p.m. entry at $40 a ticket. Shoppers receive one hour of early bird shopping before general admission patrons enter. All guests enjoy food, beverages and the auctions. Guests will also enjoy entertaining commentary from Mark & Stephanie with 93.7 WDJC. VIP admission is $40 a ticket and general admission (7 p.m. entry) is $30 a ticket. All Bargain Carousel items sell for double the ticket price during Bargain Bash.

Saturday and Sunday are a bargain hunter’s paradise, with more than 100,000 items for sale including art, appliances, furniture, heirloom items, baby and children’s clothing and furnishings, home décor, outdoors and sporting goods, and much more. This year, a local business liquidated their office furniture, providing Bargain Carousel with dozens of high quality desks, chairs and other office furniture.

“Bargain Carousel’s purpose is two-fold,” said JLB volunteer and Bargain Carousel chair, Haley Holden. “The sale raises money for the League’s 31 projects serving women and children in the metro area and it allows us to sell items at deeply discounted prices to individuals who can benefit from them.”

Both Magic Moments and Every Moment Matters will benefit from a portion of the funds raised at Bargain Carousel 2016.

“Many people return to the event year after year,” said Holden. “We have our Bargain Bash faithful who can afford to come in and buy antique pieces at double our retail price that night and we have hundreds of people who line up overnight for the general sale because they know they can get gently-used necessities at a price they can afford.”

Thanks to Baptist Health System, Bargain Carousel will be held in Hoover just off of Exit 10 from I-459 in the old Princeton-Hoover location.

In 2015, more than 500 tickets were pre-sold the day before Bargain Carousel opened its doors. People began lining up the night before to reserve their spot to pre-purchase tickets. This year, the pre-sale will be held at the sale location on Friday, April 22 from 3 – 7 p.m., where shoppers may purchase up to four tickets at $10/ticket to the Saturday sale.

Bargain Carousel 2016 will begin on Saturday, April 23 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Tickets from 8 – 10 a.m. are $10/ticket and from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. they are $5/ticket. It continues Sunday, April 24 (1 – 5 p.m.) with free admission and half price merchandise.

A special note for the Saturday sale, all tickets are numbered, and shoppers will enter Bargain Carousel in the order of their ticket number. For information about Bargain Carousel 2016, call 205-879-9861, visit www.bargaincarousel.net,“Like” Bargain Carousel on Facebook, or follow @jlbbargaincarousel on Instagram.