• Work Life Balance

    Skin Care to Beat Winter Dryness

    This year I wanted to create content in different areas so I’m finally, slowly (very) working on video content, which I know lots of people prefer over reading. It’s an endeavor because I never knew how awkward it is to talk to a camera–it’s supes awks and I’m super awkward so that is weird, but I slowly am getting used to it. Let me know what you think! With that said, I thought it would be a simple first video to talk about skin care routine in the wintertime because the temperature in Chicago gets crazy disrespectful and my skin pays a major price. I’m sure we can all agree…

  • Work Life Balance

    Looking Good: Eyeshadow Primer for Work

    One of the negatives about makeup is that it’s so easy to get it wrong. Too heavy-handed and it can look overwhelming; a slight misapplication can look sloppy; too light and it’s gone in an hour—I takes patience and practice, imo. One big thing for me is that if you’re going to wear makeup in a professional setting it needs to look appropriate and be applied well. A big problem I see (and I categorize it as a problem because it can be distracting) is smeared eyeshadow/liner. Eyelids can get oily, even mine and I have a super dry skin. I hate to admit that I’m often distracted by people at…

  • Legal Practice,  Work Life Balance

    Cultural Conflict: Finding the Balance between Keeping it Real and Selling Out

    One of the my favorite IG pics is Kermit, reminding us that we can all turn hood if we need to—and even for those of us that didn’t grow up “hood,” as people of color, we code-switch all the time. When we decide to play the game of being an attorney/joining a professional field we have to take stock of what it takes to be successful in that field and decide whether or not to assimilate to those standards. Speaking quietly, acting obedient, dressing modestly, and doing everything possible to not seem Brown is expected in seemingly all areas—even wine trains; but especially in the legal field. For example, I…

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  • Issues,  Law School,  Legal Practice,  Work Life Balance

    Throwback–Posts You May Have Missed in Our First Year

    For those new followers (or just for those that would like a refresher), here are some of the earlier posts from Latinas Uprising that are worth a revisit–especially as a new school year starts and many others will begin new jobs in the weeks to come! How would you/do you react when you’re mistaken (sometimes on purpose) as the interpreter? Different shoe options when working in conservative law offices (side note: wedges forever!) The best way to study in law school is to Study How You Study! The importance of being an active alumna, even if (or especially if) you didn’t feel very welcomed at your educational institution. How to…

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  • Legal Practice

    From Day to Night: Makeup for Networking Events

    One thing I hate is lugging makeup with me back and forth to work. I keep some cosmetics at work (mostly lip balms and lotions), but I don’t take a full case of makeup to do touchups throughout the day. I just figure that by 5 o’clock everyone looks just as drained—and again, the culture of my work doesn’t really call for a full face of makeup throughout the day. However, whenever I have events in the evening, I always do my best to prepare so that my face looks bright-eyed and polished; especially when it’s a networking event with private attorneys. I mean, let’s be real, other legal aid…

  • Legal Practice,  Work Life Balance

    Makeup Transition for the Summer.

    After spending a long weekend in Tampa, I’ve decided to officially switch into my “summer makeup mode,” even though it’s still not super warm here in Chicago.  If you’re a professional woman who uses makeup, then I really recommend switching gears to lighter, brighter hues and products during the hotter months.  Not only do the lighter products keep you feeling refreshed, but softer tones make you look fresh and brighter than if you stick to the same routine throughout the year.  For me the change in routine may seem a little dramatic because I’m a little out of control when it comes to “putting on my face” before work. i.e. I…

  • Issues,  Work Life Balance

    Simple Sun Protection for Latinas

    When I entered my late twenties I became super vigilant about skin care–steps I’d normally skip in the past (like washing off my makeup) suddenly became very necessary. This new devotion was definitely fueled by my long term plan to stay looking young for as long as I can. However, the more I read up on skin care, the more I realized how proactive I needed to start being about sun protection.  This is a topic that is sometimes ignored by Latinas because there is a myth that we’re not as affected by the sun. One reason for our lack of awareness is due to the fact that many studies seem…

  • Legal Practice,  Work Life Balance

    Fading Acne Scars and Spots

    About two years ago, I suddenly started dealing with massive acne issues.  Ok, I’m exaggerating, but I cruised past my teens and most of my twenties with hardly any issues with acne so imagine my surprise (and horror) when I started dealing with continuous breakouts. It just was a new problem with which I had little experience.  Apparently, as we age we may continue (or start) to fight bouts of acne because of the different hormone fluctuations.  It also doesn’t help that we have the added stress of an often hectic lawyer lifestyle that increases our chances of acne breakouts.  It’s a really vicious cycle. For those working on their…

  • Legal Practice,  Work Life Balance

    Long Nights, Bright Eyes: Looking Alert after Working Late

    If you follow Latina Uprising on Instagram (and you really should because the community on there is so awesome!), then you saw my post last night about having to work late. I really have no room to complain because in all the years I’ve been practicing, I’ve rarely had to stay extremely late or come in during the weekends. Of course that is the trade off with working in public interest; the money is low, but we aren’t chained to our desks and can expect a better work life balance. But in every legal practice there will be some late nights and the last thing I like to do is…

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  • Issues,  Work Life Balance

    Happy Thanksgiving: Link Round Up

    We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  We are on the mend of a really bad head cold (in fact, I just googled “can I harm my brain from coughing,” because this cough is still something fierce).  But instead of wallowing about being sick, I’m trying to enjoy having time off work and getting to spend quality time with family. Though I know for many people it’s the beginning of high stress season with finals approaching.  I mentioned on instagram that Thanksgiving as a 1L was so stressful and sad–so even though I’m sick, I’m still much happier today than when I had to work Black Friday and cram for exams…