5 Favorites

I've been wanting to join Hallie for 5 Favorites for weeks now, and here I finally am. Five lovely things this week:

1. Leopard loafers. I have a pair of leopard flats from Target, but they kill my feet every time I wear them. I like the loafer design, and these Steve Madden ones are perfecto (now if I could just find a pair on super sale).

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2. This J. Crew herringbone vest. I've never owned a puffer vest, but I've been kind of obsessed with this J. Crew one ever since I saw it all over the blogging world. I found it used this week for a killer price and I can hardly contain my excitement. 

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3. Burts Bees chapstick. I have three of them in my white coat right now (and only one pen...priorities).

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4. This graphic tee guide. I'm planning to pull out my favorite thrifted J. Crew graphic tee this weekend and try it out. 

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5. These words. Now if I could just live them...

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Boyfriend inspired

Boyfriend inspired by emarieh featuring Boyfriend fragrance

Alice + Olivia boatneck top / J.Crew j crew boyfriend fatigue jacket / AG Adriano Goldschmied / J.Crew leopard heels / Michael Kors  Hamilton tote / CITIZEN Men's Eco-Drive Goldtone Watch / Boyfriend fragrance

Bloglovin' is sponsoring a style contest based on the new Boyfriend perfume and it gave me an excuse to create a look with J. Crew's amazing boyfriend jacket.

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I used the J. Crew military jacket and Citizen watch (I got Stephen a similar style for our first anniversary) for my boyfriend-inspired pieces and paired it with a basic black-and-white striped tee/white skinny jeans. The tomboy-ish chunky heel on the J. Crew Etta leopard pumps didn't stray too far from the boyfriend theme, but I had to add a little girly touch with the pink purse (plus pink and army green are a perfect combo). 

You can find Boyfriend fragrance here.

Boyfriend inspired

Boyfriend inspired by emarieh featuring Boyfriend fragrance

Alice + Olivia boatneck top / J.Crew j crew boyfriend fatigue jacket / AG Adriano Goldschmied / J.Crew leopard heels / Michael Kors  Hamilton tote / CITIZEN Men's Eco-Drive Goldtone Watch / Boyfriend fragrance

Bloglovin' is sponsoring a style contest based on the new Boyfriend perfume and it gave me an excuse to create a look with J. Crew's amazing military jacket.

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I used the J. Crew boyfriend jacket and Citizen watch (I got Stephen a similar style for our first anniversary) for my boyfriend-inspired pieces and paired it with a basic black-and-white striped tee/white skinny jeans. The tomboy-ish chunky heel on the J. Crew Etta leopard pumps didn't stray too far from the boyfriend theme, but I had to add a little girly touch with the pink purse (plus pink and army green are a perfect combo). 

What I Wore Sunday: Mustard + Navy

So I've been trying to mix colors in my closet that are a little 'nontraditional' for me. And let me just say that mustard and navy were meant to be together. I can't take the credit though, since I was inspired by this picture:

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So pretty. 

This was a pretty un-exciting weekend. I did build a snow cave though (seriously). It was part of my wilderness emergency medicine class yesterday. I told Stephen that now we can sleep soundly in the knowledge that I can build a snow cave for shelter if we are ever caught outside in the middle of a blizzard, but I don't think that he has total faith in my abilities.

And about this perfect, perfect skirt: I tried to resist it, or at least find a cheaper version. I did find a very similar one at T.J. Maxx, but it fit me like most things at T.J. Maxx (as in, it didn't). But then this J. Crew skirt went on sale, and then they had an extra 30% off the sale price...and I can't say that I regret purchasing it since it seems very high quality and fits perfectly. Plus it's beautiful (and navy is so versatile, right?)

The details:

Eyelet skirt: J. Crew (purchased on sale with an extra 30% off)

Mustard sweater: J. Crew (old)

Necklace: Loft (old), similar

Suede wedges: Target

Happy Divine Mercy Sunday! Linking up with Fine Linen and Purple and Plane Pretty.

Friday Quick Takes

**Guest posting today at Stephanie's blog. Click here for some DIY wedding ideas and pictures of our wedding decor :)

Joining Jen for another Friday Quick Takes.

1. Isn't this scarf gorgeous? The best part is that it's made and named after a woman in Africa (and the proceeds support the women that make them). I have one scarf from FashionAble and love it.

2. This man skirt made my April Fools Day.


And these girlfriend jeans were pretty funny too. 

3. My friend Danielle shared this article by a female physician expecting her fifth child with me and I couldn't agree more. My favorite part: "Here’s my question: why can’t we look at children as future contributors to society, not burdens on society?  My children are the best gift I have for society.  Children bring hope for the future and model unconditional love.  Have we forgotten?  It is the sign of a dying society when we see our children as burdens rather than beacons of hope, future innovators." 

4. This is my car one morning this week...also, the temp was 12. Where oh where are you spring?

5. I'm not sure why I thought this was so hilarious.

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6. I ordered this Chevron dress with a Piperlime coupon and got it this week. I then promptly shipped it back because as cute as it is, it's too short for work or church and the only occasions I could think to wear it for were date night or girls' night. And since those occasions happen once per month max, I just couldn't justify keeping it. But if you have more possibilities to wear it than me and a Piperlime coupon, it's darn cute.

7. And a quote for your weekend. Happy Friday!

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What I Wore Wednesday

 

So far, this is not my favorite week. Monday was surgery clinic, which basically means 8 hours of "butts and guts" (the fond phrase describing much of general surgery) and weird lumps in weird places (which I admit can be sort of interesting). Tuesday was our research presentation day. Our research project did not go so smoothly, particularly our data collection, and I honestly thought that my project partner was going to stroke out right before we presented. And once we finished the presentation and thought we were home free, one of our administrators walked into the room and told us that our medical school had decided to give us a surprise test on research methods right then and there. Not a good surprise. I think my last 'pop quiz' was in 9th grade.

So anyways, let's talk about better things, like this Aztec sweater. I would say that in general I gravitate more towards classic preppy pieces (J. Crew) than trends, but I've fallen head over heels for geometric and tribal prints. Also, my dad actually complimented me on this sweater. I can't remember the last time (if ever) that my dad noticed anything that I was wearing so this sweater must really have something going for it.

Cardi: Urban Outfitters (color sold out), another almost identical one

Jeans: J. Crew Factory

Shoes: Madewell (I wish that I could own them in every color)

And to try to make up for our mediocre research project, I wore my favorite sweater for our presentation. If I could keep only one top in my entire closet, it would be this one. I've worn it way too many times to count since I got it last year. I layered it over a ruffly button-up top that I looooove but is way old and starting to look a little shaggy. Also, I blame my research project induced-stress for my frazzled hair (and the dark circles that Stephen commented on when he got home from work).

 Sweater: J. Crew (old), similar-ish options here and here

Shirt: J. Crew Factory (old), similar here

Pants: Loft clearance (old)

Shoes: Jessica Simpson via TJ Maxx (old)

 Apparently Katie Holmes agrees that this sweater is the best. Also I'm sure that this is the only item I own that resembles anything in Katie Holmes closet.

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Happy Wednesday! Is it the weekend yet?

Linking up with Style Elixir, Alison, the Pleated Poppy, Wardrobe Wednesday, and Rolled Up Pretty.

How to date (or marry) a med student....

Joining my second Medical Mondays today (I loved meeting fellow med students, docs, and medical families last month!). For the first Medical Mondays, I recapped a day on General Surgery; this month I decided to give my take on what dating (or marrying!) a med student is really like (adapted from this article). In the near future, I'm hoping to write a series on my journey through med school (applying, first year, second year, Step I, third year, residency applications...) 

At my white coat ceremony almost three years ago (poor guy had no idea what he was in for.)

Shortly before I started medical school, I came across an article on "How to Date a Med Student." Reading it now, at the end of my third year, I have to admit that it was pretty accurate.

All bullets in quotation marks taken from this article

• "Don't expect to see them. Ever."
• Not completely true...Stephen lived an hour and a half away from me during my first two years of medical school and would come visit me most weekends. Unfortunately, most weekends during first and second year were spent studying like a fiend, so he ended up spending more time watching TV with my aunt (who I lived with) than me when he came to visit.
• "Accept the fact they will have many affairs. With their books."
• Probably true. I have a gazillion boxes in our basement right now of books and notes (something in me just cannot get rid of my notes from first and second year even though Step 1 is over and I most likely will never, ever look at them again).
•  "Learn to hide your “ew, gross” reactions when they tell you all the stuff you never wanted to know about your bodily functions."
• This one's definitely true. Starting in gross anatomy lab, continuing through all aspects of human physiology, and culminating in my OB-GYN rotation. I loved OB-GYN, so Stephen got to hear about pretty much all.of.it. At least he'll be prepared for our future first babe.
• "Support them when they come home after each test, upset because they failed—and gently remind them after they get their well above passing grade how unnecessary the “I’m going to fail out of medical school and never become an MD” dramatics are."
• Ha. This was me after most tests (I blame it on my very first anatomy written exam which destroyed many previous years of test-taking confidence). Stephen actually started to get concerned when I didn't come home after a test freaking out. The worse of this was after my Step 1 exam. I honestly cried several times per week about how terrible I did for the entire month after the exam while I was waiting to get my results. And it truly speaks to Stephen's character that after I finally got my results (in the top percentage and average for plastic surgery/derm) he didn't say one word. I love that boy.
• "Each week they will have a new illness. Some will be extremely rare, others will be more mundane. Doesn’t matter. They will be certain they have it (no second opinions necessary.) Med school can, and will, turn even the sanest into a hypochondriac. Date them for long enough, and you’ll become one too."
• Since I worked as an ER nurse for two years prior to medical school, I thought that I would be immune to Med Student Syndrome (a.k.a. thinking that you have every disease). Nope. I would give you the list of diseases and syndromes I have diagnosed myself with in the last two years but it would be kind of embarrassing. Also, I have diagnosed Stephen with everything from lymphoma to Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helio-Opthalmic Outburst syndrome. 
• "They'll make you hyper-aware that germs are everywhere and on everything. Even though you used to walk into your home with your shoes on, and sit on your bed in the same clothes you just wore while riding the subway, or sat on a public bench in, you'll become far too disgusted to ever do it again. Believe me, it's going to get bad...you'll watch yourself transform into the anal retentive person you swore you'd never become. And when you witness others perform these same acts that, before you began dating your med student, you spent your entire life doing too, you'll wince and wonder, “Ew! How can they do that? Don't they know how many germs and bacteria they're spreading??!”
• I was weird about this before med school, and I'm still weird about it. And yes, now Stephen is weird about it. Our kids are going to be total germ-a-phobes.
• "Romantic date = Chinese take-out in front of the TV on their 10 minute study break."
• True that. 
• "A vacation together consists of a trip down the street to Walgreens for new highlighters and printer paper."
• Office Max, but okay.
• "Their study habits will make you feel like a complete slacker. For them, hitting the books 8-to-10 hours a day is not uncommon, nor difficult. You'll wonder how you ever managed to pass school on your meager one hour of studying per night."
• Well, I don't know if he felt like a complete slacker as much as 100% grateful that he wasn't the one studying 8, 10, or 12 hours a day. We did study together when he was finishing his paramedic, but unfortunately that meant 2 hours for him which was only a dent in my weekend study marathons. And I have to say that since med school, I have wondered how I got through college and MCAT studying on an average of an hour of studying a few times/week (a little more on the weekends). Those days are long, long gone.
• "They're expected to know everything. Everything! The name of the 8 billion-lettered, German sounding cell that lives in the depths of your inner ear, the technical term for the “no one's ever heard of this disease” disease that exists only on one foot of the Southern tip of the African continent. But ask them if your knee is swollen, or what you should do to tame your mucous-filled cough, or why the heck your head feels like someone's been drilling through it for oil for two weeks straight, and they won't have a clue."
• Hilarious, but kind of true. First and second year especially were full of obscure things that we had to memorize (all the cytokines, rare parasites, bacterial genetics, that little teeny tiny nerve in your left pinky toe, the list goes on). And if it weren't for my prior nursing knowledge, I wouldn't have had a clue on common/basic medical questions. Actually, the further I got into first year, the less I remembered about the things I saw every day working in the ER.
• “My brain's filled with so much information, I can't be expected to remember THAT!" will be the standard excuse for forgetting anniversaries, birthdays, and, if you get this far, probably the birth of your first-born."
• It's unfortunately ingrained in my memory the first birthday that I forgot, my little sister's 8th. The sad thing is that I remembered it two weeks later. And then I cried. Twice. I wish I could say that it never happened again after that, but I have forgotten my close friends' birthdays multiple times since (and I probably would have forgotten family members again too except that now my mom calls and warns me before each one).

So medical school is crazy. Any significant others/spouses of med students/residents/etc. can attest to that. But in case I've scared any potential future medical students, the bright side is that things do get better (well, after the first two years of medical school at least...I can't speak to residency). And ultimately, being in medical school actually strengthened our relationship (we got married at the beginning of third year!) because I realized that Stephen's love and support was unconditional.

Happy Medical Monday!