Triple Threat

“I have very personally felt the overwhelming loneliness, self-doubt, and frustration that often comes with the minority status of a woman in engineering. As much as I can help others get through or avoid those difficult stretches that I myself had to weather, I’d like to. As a bonus, the more women (and minorities) that enter and don’t leave the field, the better it all gets for everyone, including me!” - Tracy Chou, Software Engineer at Pinterest

I was seven years old when my parents gave me my first set of science and technology books. Soon after receiving the books I quickly immersed myself in them. My parents knew at an early age that I enjoyed to be challenged and loved to learn. A few years later, my Mom decided to get a home desktop for the family, and I quickly became infatuated with technology. I soon taught myself how to build a website from scratch and learned the in's and out's of web design. It was absolutely something I loved and I'm more than fortunate my parents encouraged me to learn and grow.

While I had a super supportive system at home, it wasn't always like that outside of my safe space. I quickly learned at an early age not everyone would be supporting of my dreams. There were many teachers I had growing up who pushed and challenged me. I'm forever grateful to the educators who allowed me to be creative and design.

In the 8th grade, one of my teachers informed my parents that I should apply for a Technology Academy for high school. I submitted my application packet, and was 1 of 100 students to be accepted into the program. This opportunity completely changed my life and set the stage for my career now. For, four years I worked and learned beside other like-minded individuals. The academy was one of the greatest opportunities that happened to me. 

During my last two years in the academy, I had the opportunity to take courses at a local community college. This opportunity, helped me hone in on my tech skills. During this time, I absolutely knew that majoring in Computer Science was a must for me. I was so fortunate that the two main tech influences in my pre-college career were women. They were strong, and informed me that I could do absolutely anything. Yet, they began to prepare me for the struggles that would arise, especially in the collegiate space.

When I arrived to my university and quickly declared Computer Science as my major in my first year ... there was a lot of discouragement. Being one of the few women majoring in and being an African-American woman, it was extremely tough. I remember a few professors telling me very early on that I should switch my major. They indicated that I wasn't good enough for the program. I constantly had to show and prove, which made my academic journey much harder. Not only did I have to combat prejudice frequently, but the expectations to still keep up with my white male peers were daunting. 

My college experience quickly prepared me for my post-graduate career in Information Technology. I knew that I'd have to fight for a seat at the table, and be strong as well as confident in my many roles to come throughout my career. The experiences I learned over many years have made me a well rounded individual. I have been able to mentor many young women in IT, and it has been one of the most fulfilling endeavors I've ever done.

There are so many things I've learned throughout my journey, and below are a few tips.

1. You are more than good enough. I've been told many times that I would fail, and not be successful in the technical field. There were many times I had to tell myself that this was false, and I'm more than good enough. Like I have said previously, my family is very supportive, and they never limited me in any capacity, especially when it came to education. There were many times when I had to fight through self-doubt and depression, because of the negativity from peers. Yet, I powered through and showed everyone that I was more than capable and absolutely good enough.
2. There is strength in numbers. My two best friends are engineers. They are smart and brilliant, and so amazing. There were many days where I had to really push and fight to ensure my voice was heard. Lucky for me, I surrounded myself with women who challenged and pushed me. We supported and fought for the women and minorities whose voices weren't heard. I had to learn to not only fight for myself, but for the women who would come after me. 
3. Work smarter, not harder. This was something one of my favorite Computer Science professors taught me. He always challenged me. One day in his office, I was crying uncontrollably, and exclaimed, "I'm working so hard!" I'll never forget his tone and sincerity, as he said, "Work smarter, not harder. Sometimes you have to take a new approach to the things you are working on, in order for it to be successful. If the way you are working on things isn't working, it's time to change the process." That statement forever changed my work ethic ... and it's something I preach to this day.

Nothing in this life will come easy, but if you are absolutely passionate about something, never give up and keep pushing. Also, always know that you are not alone.

XO, Analise

Wardrobe Essentials

"Building a proper wardrobe is like building a home. Indeed, you should think of it like a home, because it is something you're going to live in. It must be comfortable and suit all your needs." - Edith Head

I'm always on the hunt for finding functional and great looking pieces for my closet. There are several items that I make sure are kept in my wardrobe. I love shopping at my favorite stores and finding inspiration for new looks. Also, some of the items I own are vintage pieces that were handed down by several women in my family.

Today, I'm sharing my top picks and wonderful items that I keep in my closet!

Clothes

• Denim | I love a great pair of jeans! Levi's and White House Black Market denim typically work best for my curvy frame. Not only is the quality amazing, but they are very affordable and last forever.
• Knit Sweater | This is a fall and winter staple for me. I enjoy throwing on a nice knit and chunky sweater, especially in the evening.
• Classic Tee | T-shirts are perfect for layering or running around the town doing a few errands. Tees can be used to dress up or down any look!
• Button-Down Shirt | This classic staple is perfect for the work day, it's very comfortable and chic!
• Ankle Pant | These pants are perfect to wear with flats or heels! Ankle pants are my go-to for the work day.
• Fit & Flare Dress | I have a hour-glass shape, and this dress is a perfect compliment to my frame. This dress is great for work or date night!

Shoes

• Flats | Personally, I love the perfect pair of flats. The style is great with jeans, pants, and skirts!
• Sandals | I absolutely adore a fun and cute sandal. They can dress up a look and are ideal for warm weather!
• Booties | Ankle booties are my new fave! They are so soft and comfortable.
• Boots | I have pretty big calves - from running and working out. It is super hard for me to find a stylish boot to fit my legs. These boots are comfortable and so wonderful!
• Heels | They are perfect for the office and a night on the town! I always try to find heels that are comfortable and can go with any outfit.

Accessories

• Purse | Purses are my weakness. I'm always on the hunt for the perfect bag. I have a purse to this and it fits all of my essentials!
• Belt | It is absolutely key to have a nice belt. I typically have belts that are black and brown, just to make sure options are available. 
• Faux Fur Scarf | This is one of my fave pieces. On a cool night this is perfect to have! It is such a fun item and wonderful addition to my closet.
• Watch | I truly enjoy this watch. The mixed metal tones, make it very versatile and easy to wear. Also, it is lightweight and so comfortable to wear.
• Ring | A statement ring is an absolute must. I have a lovely blue sapphire ring that I wear almost daily. It is one of my most treasured items.

What are a few of your closet staples?

XO, Analise

Shopping Habit

"Shopping is my cardio." - Carrie Bradshaw

Shopping is absolutely one of my preferred methods of cardio. I have a few stores that I'm in love with, and really enjoy going to on a regular basis.

Today, I'm sharing my favorite stores and why I like shopping there.

1. Nordstrom - This store has been my favorite for years! When I started my professional career in 2011, Nordstrom was my go-to for office attire. One of my favorite things that Nords offer are stylists. I'm super busy, and one of my least favorite things is going through the racks hunting for my sizes and different pieces. The stylists are able to pull any items of your choice, in your size and hold them for you to try on at your convenience - total lifesaver! Also, they offer in-house tailoring and alterations! This service is awesome, and their seamstresses are so patient and absolutely amazing. I have a curvy figure, and any time I purchase pants from Nords it's great I can leave them right at the store for alterations! Also, lets not forget that Nordstrom's return policy is stellar - you can return any item whenever you like, no questions asked! Overall, this store is amazing, and will forever be one of my faves.
2. White House Black Market - This has been a new favorite of mine within the past year! A former co-worker recommended I come into the shop one day, since she works there part-time. She pulled so many items for me, and I fell in love with the quality of the clothes and designs! Just like Nordstrom, WHBM follows an appointment based model with a stylist. You are able to make a reservation in advance to try on clothes at your preferred time. I absolutely love the variety that WHBM offers. I'm able to find a lot of clothes for work, weekend, and date night!
3. TJ Maxx - I really love this store. This is typically my go-to before I go anywhere else! The price point is phenomenal and I'm able to get a lot of bang for my buck here! I like discovering new and different designers at the store. Also, I experiment with different styles as well. TJ Maxx is where I get many of my staples, such as t-shirts, workout apparel, and accessories. There are so many gems in this store and I love going in and finding awesome pieces!

What are some of your favorite places to shop?

XO, Analise