5 Favs: J. Crew edition

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J. Crew is still running a huge sale (40% off all final sale items and 40% off select summer items) and five of my favorite things are on super sale:

1. Downtown Field Jacket (worn here): This jacket is timeless and uber flattering...I love the navy and gold buttons (this is one of my sister's favorite things to borrow out of my closet).
2. Boyfriend Fatigue Jacket (worn here and here): You can't go wrong with a pretty and structured military jacket in a classic shade of green.
3. Linen Baseball Tee (worn here): J. Crew's linen tees are light and airy for summer, and I love the pale pink/grey color scheme.
4. Skinny Zipper Pants (worn here and here): I already wrote all about my love for them in my post here. It's tough to find flattering and comfortable pants postpartum, but these work thanks to the stretch and the mid-rise. They can be dressed up or down and the 'pearl' color pretty much goes with everything.
5. Linen Lace-trim Tank (worn here): Another pretty and comfy top (I have the heather grey/champagne)...and it will transition easily to fall with a cardigan or jacket.

I also realized that my favorite cardigan (ever) is part of the sale...the mixed tape cardigan is a closet staple in a great length (hits just past the hip on me) and fit (the arms are nice and snug...I hate cardigans with baggy arms!). I own it in black and ivory, and wore it here and here.

Linking up with Heather for Five Favorites.

J. Crew for fall...

J. Crew overload today! I got the fall 'style guide' in the mail yesterday and while I can't say I'll be purchasing anything (well, maybe when it goes on clearance), there are tons of great styling ideas for things that I already have in my closet. Here are some of my favorites:

All images from J. Crew

Layered loveliness, denim, and fun jewelry:

Fun patterns, military jacket, classy dress: 

Blazers + denim + heels, pencil skirt/ruffles, neutrals: 

Also, today is the last day of a great sale on closet staples. Many of these items are around 50% off, and all are major wardrobe-builders and nice fall pieces:

1. Chambray popover: for toning down a pencil skirt and layering under sweaters, blazers, and cardis. I own last year's version and loooove it.

2. Navy schoolboy blazer: the quinessential fall staple (that never normally goes on sale).

3. Matchstick jeans: these are the J. Crew jeans that fit me perfectly, in a great dark wash.

4. Nolita jacket: gorgeous denim jacket (although still kinda pricey...I found mine on ebay).

5.Mixed tape cardi: pair it with black leggings, brown boots, and a scarf for fall.

6. The Tippi: I have three of these that I found on clearance, and wear them constantly for work.

7. Vintage tee: not too loose, not too tight fit in a lovely violet color.

8. 5 inch chino shorts: finally, shorts that aren't too short! I have these in the neon pink color from last year.

Oh, J. Crew.

Pencil + graphic tee

Most of my energy this week was spent on the cervical cancer screening presentation I did this morning, and I realized yesterday that pretty much all I've talked about in my free time is pap smears. My sister was mortified when I went to lunch with her and my mom: "Seriously you can't say pap smear in a restaurant!" and after a 20 minute dinner conversation the next day on the merits and screening guidelines for pap smears, my youngest sister (age 10) wanted to know what the heck a pap smear was...and was most likely scarred for life when my mom tried to explain. It speaks volumes that I a) don't realize that pap smears may be an inappropriate public lunch-time conservation topic and b) greatly enjoy talking about all sorts of gynecological topics in my free time (although I did not enjoy the massive amount of research and slightly boring powerpoint that went into my persentation today). Clearly, I'm probably meant to be an OB/GYN despite how much people have tried to talk me out of it.

In other life news, Stephen and I found a house to rent! It was most definitely a God-thing, because we were about to sign a lease on an apartment that we weren't entirely happy with (price or location-wise) and that same day, I ended  up reconnecting with a close friend whose dad owns the perfect rental house for Stephen and I (and just happened to be opening up next week). It's quite a bit cheaper than the apartment we were going to move into (her dad is an orthopedic surgeon and so her parents understand the trials of paying rent as a medical student) and it's perfect for us: a cozy, peaceful little house with a rustic feel and a hot tub (which hasn't been used in a while but I'm begging Stephen to get started up again).

Graphic tee & pencil skirt: J. Crew

Shoes: Madewell skimmers

I finally had time today between my presentation/afternoon clinic hours to blog...I've been wanting all week to post this outfit and link-up with Bri (I love stripes) and Freckles in April. Also joining the Pleated Poppy, Penniless Socialite, Jenni, and Agi. 

I really like the combo of a pencil skirt/graphic tee, although I'm still figuring out how to apply it to 'real life'; I could probably get away with it in the family medicine clinic where I'm working now but normally it would be too casual...

Pencil + graphic tee inspiration via Madewell//Merricks Art//J. Crew:

Happy, happy weekend!

What I Wore Easter Sunday

The Easter vigil mass last night was beautiful. The past few years, I have felt like Easter came way too quickly and I didn't have a chance to truly fulfill my Lenten resolutions or prepare my heart. This year wasn't really an exception, but instead of feeling disappointed, I tried to recognize the small strides that I did make this Lent and also have a prayerful Holy Week. I spent some time alone in front of the tabernacle this week, and I experienced a peace that I haven't felt for a while (things have been way too hectic lately). Stephen and I were also able to go to mass and confession one night which was just what my soul needed. The priest saying mass that night made an analogy that I loved: he said that just as the sun lights the moon, we need to allow Christ's light to be reflected in us. And on another side note, the priest and I started to talk about medical school in confession; it turns out that his sister is a high-risk specialist OB-GYN (so a sign that I should do OB? I hope so). 

The temperature hit a whopping 40 degrees yesterday, which meant that I could forego my normally obligatory sweater tights for more respectable pantyhose (I took things a little too far today though and wore flats with no socks, ending up with snow in between my bare toes). I think the colors of my outfit slightly resemble an Easter egg, but I still love it... I can't think of a better combo than mint and peachy pink (and lace!)

 Cardi: thrifted

Lace top: J. Crew Factory

Necklace: Loft

Mint skirt: J. Crew Factory

Since we went to the Vigil last night, I wore a more casual outfit for Easter brunch and dinner today. Easter and spring are an excuse to pull out all the pretty pinks and pastels that I have in my closet (I could really use less of those colors, more neutrals) and I'm not complaining.

Oh, how I love this pink blazer! And I love even more that I found it for $30.

Scarf: Etsy

Pink blazer: J. Crew clearance; similar here

Jeans: Loft outlet

Happy Easter! I hope that it was beautiful and blessed. 

Linking up of course with the ladies at Fine Linen and Purple along with Grace and Plane Pretty.

What I Wore Palm Sunday: Navy + eyelet

We went to a beautiful Palm Sunday service today, presided over by our bishop who was newly appointed archbishop and will be leaving for his new assignment next week. My family has known him since he was a young priest and so he married Stephen and I...we are pretty thrilled that we were married by an archbishop :)

I've been slowly trying to clean out my closet, and I found this white eyelet dress tucked away. There are some happy memories attached to it, since I last wore it for Stephen's confirmation two years ago, when I was his sponsor:

I had to sort of 'winterize' the dress by adding a navy cardi and tights since we still have tons of snow outside (and also Stephen informed me that I looked like I was going to my First Communion when I first put it on by itself). Credit goes to Martha for the nude wedges + grey tights; I was so excited to get these shoes on sale a couple months ago, but thought I would have to wait until late spring/summer to wear them since I didn't think I could pull them off with tights (Martha proved me wrong).

Wedges: J. Crew Factory

Cardi (last worn here): J. Crew Factory

Necklace (last worn here and here): J. Crew Factory

 Dress: J. Crew clearance rack a few years ago 

Chunky pearls + navy cardi:

I've never really been a 'shoe' person (I wear ballet flats or moccasins 85% of the time) but I loved, loved the nude Martina wedges that J. Crew came out with last year. Unfortunately, they were way, way over my budget. I found these on sale at J. Crew Factory a couple months ago (pretty much a replica of the Martina's, color and all!) and they are now my absolute favorite shoes:

J. Crew Factory Sylvia Wedges in bronzed clay

Happy Sunday! Linking up, as always, with Fine Linen and Purple. Also linking up with Plane Pretty.