Pink blazer + chunky pearls

I have to confess that this is my Valentine's Day outfit, but Stephen doesn't get off work until 7 tonight and tomorrow so he snapped these yesterday before it got dark.  I found this blazer in an 8 Tall on sale at J. Crew for $30 and it probably wins as my best style find this year. I'm making a conscious effort to not add more pink to my wardrobe (I'm kind of obsessed), but I justified this because of the price and my almost blazer-less closet. I wore it with a black and white striped top and chinos here, but I think I like it best with my worn-and-trusty grey tee (I hope it never gets holes in it) and pleather boots of choice.

Today is my weekly "reading" day (a.k.a. study-after-hospital-rounds day) and I'll be heading to Ash Wednesday service in a bit. Also planning to finish making Stephen's Valentine's gift (I'll share a picture in my Friday Quick Takes as long as it turns out, ha). Joining the Pleated Poppy today (check out her amazing outfits) and Rolled Up Pretty along with Allison and Shanna. 

Also, if you are looking for Valentine's date/outfit ideas, be sure to check out Stephanie's guest post from yesterday. Have a lovely Wednesday!

Pink blazer: J. Crew on super sale (similar)
Boots: Famous Footwear (similar)
Pearls: J. Crew outlet
Jeans: Loft outlet
Grey tee: J. Crew factory (old)

Valentine's Date Style

Today I'm so happy to feature this guest post by Stephanie of Captive the Heart! Keep reading for some lovely Valentine's date ideas and the stylish outfits to go with them.

When I first found Erika's blog and saw that she's a Catholic newlywed like me, I suspected we'd be kindred spirits.  As I read on about her love for tartan, polka dots, and J.Crew Style on a budget, I was sure of it.  With love in the air this month, I'm so excited to share some sweet Valentine's Day dates with you and outfits to match each one!  I love my preppy basics like cable sweaters, Bean Boots, and quilted puffers, and aimed to give them a little upgrade with pops of red and pink and a nice, healthy dose of sparkle.

 

TASTE: If you've never had a nighttime picnic, I highly recommend it.  Set down some blankets in a cozy spot and stay warm, thermos-style, with cocoa and soup (this is my favorite chicken noodle recipe).  Bring candles and portable speakers for a little magic.  By the way, I get that it's February.  You can do this inside, too--just swap out the rain boots for your toastiest slippers!  Sweater and vest (similar), J. Crew.  Jeans, Old Navy.  Boots, Hunter.  Earrings, Bauble Bar.  Blanket, L.L. Bean.

 

TWIRL: Nearly every town has a few dance studios.  Sign you and your love up for a lesson!  Look for special offerings on Groupon and Living Social.  Dancing together is definitely romantic, but it can definitely fall in the practical, life skills category, too.  Swing, ballroom, or whatever puts a kick in your step...Dress, Old Navy.  Shoes, Nordstrom.  Bracelets, Swell Caroline.  Polish, Lovie Dovie by Essie.

 

TREK: Feeling adventurous?  My husband and I love hiking and riding our bikes, and are hoping to try snowshoeing before Winter's over!  Our trips are always such a relaxing mix of quiet reflection and long talks.  Bring your camera, and trade off taking pictures along your route.  Fleece, Patagonia.  Boots, L.L. Bean.  Scarf, Target (similar).  Camera strap, Etsy.

 

If you have the time, starting or ending your date with Adoration, or even just a few minutes of prayer, is the perfect addition!

 

Are you a single lady this Valentine's?  First, let me just say that no way are these little adventures and outfits limited to the girls-with-a-beau set.  Second, and more importantly, I know the ache for love all too well.  I know the cry of your heart.  I pray this prayer (I prayed it for about four years before meeting my husband) and this song lift your soul and give you hope.

What do you think?  Share your silliest, most creative, most meaningful Valentine's gestures with Erika and I in the comments!

***

Stephanie delights in bike rides, Jane Austen, pearls, puddle jumping, The Avett Brothers, hammocks, avocados, Wes Anderson, and monograms.  She thinks colorful pants are the best pants.  Her Valentine's Day this year will most likely consist of dinner by candlelight at home with her sweet husband Andrew.  They won't mess around with dessert.  Stephanie blogs about spirituality, style, and wedding planning for Catholic brides at Captive the Heart.

What I wore Sunday: polka dots + blush

My photographer (a.k.a. the hubs) caught some amazing light before mass last night!

I'm on call for the pediatrics service this weekend, but Stephen and I went to mass last night and had a nice dinner at his favorite waffle fries-and-burgers place (last dinner date was my pick) before the craziness started. My attending physician texted me around 9 last night to let me know that we were getting a pediatrics transfer from an outlying hospital and I would need to be at the hospital in an hour or so. I took a power nap and then got ready to go...but my pager never went off, so just before midnight I decided to go to bed (lesson learned: never miss an opportunity for sleep while on call). Of course, I got paged around 2 a.m.. Stephen practically flew out of bed and let out a loud "Your kidding" while I got my groggy self together and prepared for the freeeezing drive over. I was at the hospital for a few hours, home again for a power nap, and then back all morning for rounding on patients. I.love.call weekends (can't wait until residency when they are 10x more intense).

As per usual, joining Fine Linen and Purple for What I wore Sunday.   I think this Sunday outfit today was my favorite yet. I pretty much wore this same thing to the hospital on Friday, minus the polka dots (black and white striped shirt seemed more professional). The skirt is this soft blushy pink-beige color and combined with the polka dot sweater (amazing Forever 21 find) and fun bun, this outfit just felt 100% me (can't resist polka dots or blush pink!)

Besides Fine Linen and Purple, also linking up with Plane Pretty, Doranda's modest style blog, and Monday Mingle.

Check out the blog tomorrow for a lovely post by Stephanie of Captive the Heart about Valentine's date/outfit ideas!

Sweater: Forever 21, skirt & boots: J. Crew

Friday Quick Takes

Just as I was getting ready for bed last night, my pager went off and I let out a loud sigh and eye roll for Stephen’s benefit because “I always get paged when I’m on call” (not true but that’s what it felt like). Anyways, back to the hospital I went and so ended my long week. So glad it’s Friday…and as always, joining up with Jen.

    1. This was a rough week. Now, I’m trying to be nonchalant about it because undoubtedly there are many people who had a worse week than me. But anyways, it started with a small car accident. I’ll explain. I was running late to round on patients in the hospital and I had to take Stephen’s car because mine was dead. I tried to back up the driveway , but thanks to my dead car planted in our narrow driveway,  I had to back up at an odd angle (and backing up was never my strong suite to begin with). Before I realized what was happening, I stopped with a hard, shaking jolt. At first I thought that I had hit our mailbox (I was sure that it was long gone since I hit so hard) but then I realized it was ‘just’ the electric pole. The worst of it was the large crack left in Stephen’s bumper, on the car that he was hoping to trade in….of course he was his usual sweet self about it, which only made me feel worse…

Leftover tracks from my unfortunate incident; at least the pole and mailbox are still standing

2. The next morning, I was up early studying again and trying to finish an assignment before rounds and somehow managed to spill my mug of coffee on our precious new couch. Funny thing was that I could tell by Stephen’s face that he was way more crushed about our couch than his car. Still trying to get the stain out (any tips?)

3. My week started to look up on Wednesday morning because of what the residents and medical students like to call “Omelette Day”. Basically, one of the (only) perks of being a medical student is that we get free food (all-you-can-eat) in the hospital cafeteria. And on some Wednesdays, they will make you an omelet from scratch (mine is always all the veggies available and swiss cheese). Ok, these Quick Takes are getting a little sad.

4. I diagnosed Stephen this week with lip-licking syndrome and myself this week with cobblestoning of my oral pharynx #lifeofamedstudent. I should really write a post about all of the diseases that I have diagnosed myself and my family members with since starting medical school, but that would probably get a little too personal.

5. On to bigger and better things (ha). I had way too much fun this week with style posts  (pattern mixing here). I really love writing fashion posts, and I had the fleeting thought this week that if I weren’t like a trillion dollars in debt already, I would like to drop out of medical school and be a part-time fashion blogger and stay-at-home mom. I can dream, right?

6. Loving the Valentines-y looks here (no pun intended).

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7. So true.

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Valentine's Day inspired

Graphic tee / J.Crew  sweater / Madewell / J. Crew factory skirt / J. Crew factory skirt / J.Crew heart jewelry / Forever 21 scarve / Target Denim Blush to Hearts

I've always loved Valentine's Day (probably because of all the pink and hearts) and one of my favorite memories is the Valentine's Day party my mom helped me host in the second grade. We all had matching heart socks for favors, a pink heart-shaped funfetti cake, and lots of Valentine's-themed games.

I just couldn't resist making an inspiration board with these sweet heart patterns and red and pink. I think my favorites have to be the J. Crew heart ring and the camel/purple heart sweater....

Pattern mixing: plaid + stripes

I was a little intimidated by the pattern-mixing trend when it first started, and I've discovered that I like it best when it's either two neutrals or a simple pattern paired with something more colorful:

Sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

This is my second day this week wearing plaid (see plaid + burgundy), and I think it can mix perfectly with stripes. This cream and grey J. Crew striped sweatshirt was one of those totally worth it in cost-per-wear purchases since I've worn it with pretty much everything from skinny jeans to sweats to dress pants and skirts...



I loved this outfit, but not loving these pictures. Outside pics are always better, but the hubs was working yesterday until late so inside it is. Also, we are having a little camera trouble...thinking about purchasing a new and slightly better one (I'm looking at the Canon G series). Any suggestions?

I have to say that I'm glad it's Wednesday already because it seems like it's already been a long week. Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday, and with Allison and Shanna. Have a lovely hump day!

Stripes: J. Crew, plaid and boots: Madewell, jeans: Loft outlet 

What I wore Sunday: plaid + burgundy

I'm feeling a little off this Sunday; maybe because of the mountain of work that somehow piled up over the last four weeks of my pediatric rotation (it's been a fun weekend) or because I picked up some extra hours in the ER yesterday that my med school set up for me to try to help me decide between ER and OB-GYN as a specialty (starting to feel a little pressured).

Anyways, joining up with Fine Linen and Purple for another What I Wore Sunday and again with this lovely blog. I was feeling plaid today and sort of accidentally discovered that the blues, pinks, and greens in this shirt complemented these burgundy cords. And I'm really excited about these new-ish leather boots (first leather pair ev-ah) from ebay (thoroughly snow-proofed of course).

Happy superbowl Sunday, I'll be studying and maybe watching a few commercials in-between (I've never understood football and Stephen is working).

Plaid and open cardi: J. Crew Factory

Burgundy cords: J. Crew

Boots: Madewell

My lovely sister came over to take pictures since Stephen is working, and she totally posed this one. I felt a little silly when she took it, but was kind of impressed when I looked at it. Maybe she missed her calling as a photographer?