On grey blazers...

Via Pinterest

To be honest, I've never really been much of a blazer girl. I purchased my first blazer from the junior's section at Kohl's just before they closed the night before my first interview for a "real" job. It didn't fit me particularly well and I returned it as soon as the interview finished thinking I would never wear it again (I still feel a little guilty about this, I've never been a wear-and-return kind of girl). My second blazer was from Express, purchased for medical school interviews.  In terms of wearing a blazer for "fun," I always felt like they were a little old for me (I'm 27 now, so that's probably not an excuse) or gave off to much of a work vibe.

However, I started noticing some of the to-die-for styles in the J. Crew catalog (I mean, "Style Guide") as well as tons of fun ways to wear a blazer on Pinterest and in the fashion blog world. Blazers are definitely not just for grandmas, workwear, and uniforms.

Pretty Grey Blazer
via Wendy's Lookbook

Classy Grey Blazer
via Pink Peonies

If anyone knows how to make a grey blazer fun, it's Kendi

 

A grey blazer is extremely versatile, it goes with everything and can be easily carried from professional workwear to casual chic depending on what it's paired with. The J. Crew Factory Professor Blazer is a perfect shade of heather grey. I purchased this with an additional 30% off when they had their jackets/outerwear sale and I think it's a great price for a wardrobe staple. The fabric is a nice thin stretchy wool blend and the shoulders are lightly padded to give just enough structure without stiffness. The buttons add a little uniqueness to it.

J Crew Factory Professor Blazer

 



 

 

 

 

Fit is true to size (mine's a size 8). Hoping to post some fun looks with this in the future :)

You had me at mint sparkles...

I kind of fell in love with this J. Crew beauty when I saw it on Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere:

via Cupcakes and Cashmere





I'm a sucker for anything mint and also a fan of layering sleeveless chiffon tops under cardis. This top has just the right amount of tailored drapiness and the sparkle detail is lovely and classy without being too much "bling." And the icing on the cake is that I was able to find it marked down about $35 (from $128). Yes.

J. Crew Sparkle Row Cami

 

Black lightweight cardigan and slim cropped pants from Gap

Chunky light grey sweater from J. Crew Factory

 

 

I was debating whether to keep this because although it seems like a great top for the holidays, I wasn't sure how versatile it would be otherwise. However, a few styling tips from the J Crew Aficionadas here changed my mind. To dress it down, wear with jeans and a chunky sweater. For fall and winter, pair with a camel, navy, or even darker green cardi. The pastel shade will carry it into spring and summer.

 

Cardigan Ideas

Tippi cardigan, J Crew factory cardigan

 

Purchase on sale here.
Reviews here, here, and here.

Just another manic Monday...

It's a gloomy Monday in November and today marks the first week for me in the operating room on my OB-gyn rotation. Because obstetrics and gynecology surgeries are only held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, I get a "study day". Big plans include but are not limited to ironing my white coat (which I try to avoid whenever possible but an unfortunate splash of bodily fluids during a delivery on my call night necessitated a thorough laundering of said coat) and reviewing some anatomy of the pelvis:



(flashbacks to first-year-med-school-cadaver lab...oh the pain!)

Before I start my thrilling review of female gynecologic anatomy in all its glory, here's some wisdom for this manic Monday and the beginning of another busy week:

 

via Pinterest