Dorothy Perkins Sale Alert!

October 29, 20133 Comments

As you know, the main premise of this blog is to provide you with information to help you stay ‘Chic in Academia’, or in any workplace for that matter (for you non-academics). 😉 So, what kind of blogger friend would I be if I failed to share with you amazing deals for workplace appropriate clothing??

Today, I came across this sale at Dorothy Perkins, with some very affordable dresses! What’s affordable you say?? Less than $30 for each of my picks below!

Here are a few of my faves:

1. Dogtooth pencil dress, $29.00

2. Camel and ivory sculpted dress, $27.00

3. Black neopreen pencil dress, $17.00

4. Navy and cobalt pencil dress, $29.00

I love that all four dresses have sculptured silhouettes, and that the black paneling on the sides adds a very slimming effect. Options 1 and 4 are great for those of us who are a little more self-conscious about our non-yoga toned arms! Lastly, I love the length on all four dresses…definitely a very flattering fit for all shapes and sizes.

To add to the good news, Dorothy Perkins is offering free shipping to all orders over $50 with promo code DPSHIP50, AND I found an additional discount online (15%, promo code INTDP15) by just Google searching “Dorothy Perkins Promo Code”! You’re welcome. 😉

Good luck shopping and definitely keep me posted with whatever exciting purchases you make!

Stay Chic!

Steal vs. Splurge!

October 14, 2013November 10, 20138 Comments

Those of us watching Scandal know that Olivia Pope rocks some amazing threads on the show. Are you all coveting her wardrobe as much as I am??

In searching for an Olivia Pope-esque coat this weekend, I happened to come across this, and knew I HAD to share it with you all! I first came across the Splurge version, but upon performing an extensive search for similar coats sold on other websites, came across this less expensive version, the Steal:

Steal: Yellow Bowknot Front H-line Simple Wool Blend Coat, $34.10

Splurge: OUTERWEAR BY ME Mustard Yellow Ribbon Longline Coat, $218.00

Do you feel like you are seeing double?? That’s what I thought! The description for both coats appears to describe two VERY similar coats (e.g. wool blend, exact same measurements and sizes). $218 vs $34?? I’d be crazy not to consider the less expensive version!! Unless…the quality was, of course, atrocious. However, based on the descriptions, they appear to be similar – if not the same – in quality.

Still have some reservations? Sure, not everyone is a fan of bright colors. Consider breaking out of your comfort zone with a color like mustard. It pairs well with black, so it is definitely an easy piece to incorporate into your current wardrobe, color scheme.

Not a fan of the bow? The placement on the coat makes me suspect that it is easily removable for a more sophisticated look (if indeed you feel the bow is in any way, girlish). Any tailor would be able to make that alteration. Even more reason to buy the less expensive version of the coat, right?

Fear not, I did purchase the Steal version of the coat, so I will be able to provide an accurate review of the less expensive version soon! In the meantime, I will keep an eye out for additional steals that may suit your wardrobe needs.

NOTE (November 9, 2013): I am in the process of writing the review for this coat. I strongly suggest you do not purchase the STEAL version of this coat until you read my review. The quality was honestly, incredibly disappointing.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 3, 2013October 4, 2013Leave a comment

Did you know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM)? Well it is! According to Wikipedia (you know, the bearer of ALL knowledge), “NBCAM was founded in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca, producer of several anti-breast cancer drugs).

The aim of the NBCAM from the start has been to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer.”

As an epidemiologist (and no, I am not a skin doctor…I do have a doctorate, but am not a skin specialist, ahem!), I often think in terms of numbers (yay, numbers!!). The following statistics come from the American Cancer Society’s ‘Cancer Facts & Figures, 2013’:

New cases: “An estimated 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the US during 2013; about 2,240 new cases are expected in men.”

Deaths: “An estimated 40,030 breast cancer deaths (39,620 women, 410 men) are expected in 2013. Breast cancer ranks second as a cause of cancer death in women (after lung cancer).”

Although much progress has been made with regard to breast cancer prevention and control, much remains to be done. You can help by becoming informed, spreading the word, and helping any way you can to advance our science and other efforts to help fight the battle against breast cancer.

For additional information on signs/symptoms, treatment, survival rates, etc., consult the full report here, or visit www.cancer.org, and/or consult with your doctor.

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To bring it back full circle to topics related to staying ‘chic’ in the workplace, I’ve put together a collection of pink items to help you both raise awareness, as well as help raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation! Portions of sales for items listed with an asterisk go towards funding the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The ones without an asterisk were, well…cute. 🙂