Wear to Work: Neon Florals + Lace Shoulders

Pink champagne long sleeve top with lace shoulders // H&M neon floral knee length pencil skirt //

H&M nude extra skinny belt // Kristin Perry gold rose cat eye sunglasses //

Aldo nude almond toe pumps //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

Today was my first day of the second year of med school - walking back into the same never-heard-of-a-thermostat lecture hall felt like the entire summer took place in a few nanoseconds. I always enjoyed dressing up for back to school and today was no different, pulling out all the stops with this neon pencil skirt in its classic knee-length cut. Though the print is so bright and busy, the silhouette makes it appropriate for work settings. Because it's long enough to hide my thighs, the skirt gives the illusion that my calves are super thin and lean with the one-two finishing punch of nude almond toe pumps.

Our school also rolled out ipad mini's as part of our educational tools so we spent a good deal of this morning setting them up and of course, goofing around on Photobooth (it's junior high graphing calculator games all over). After a summer running around clinic, I felt more at ease interviewing our patient for an audience of peers, even about touchy gastrointestinal topics (a flashy outfit may or may not add +10 confidence haha).

To another crazy year - as American Authors sing, this is gonna be the best day of my life ... my life-i-i-i-i-ife! (rinse, lather, repeat!)

Click to see more pictures → → →

Lollapalooza Day 2: Lace Crochet + Denim + Mint Green

Arden B long mint green open cardigan // Forever 21 lace crochet crop top //

DivaNY high waisted distressed denim shorts (c/o) // H&M burgundy floppy wool sunhat // 

Forever 21 sparkly gold and brown strappy sandals // Wet n Wild nail polish in Goldmine //
H&M/F21 gold bracelets // Erin Wasson Low Luv silver Aztec shield ring //

Photography: Marie H; last photo above jump by Karyn M.

Crop top + high waisted shorts + long duster cardigan has been a no-brainer festival fashion recipe for the past few seasons. Since it was super sunny on Saturday (Day 2 Lolla), I threw on my floppy wool sunhat though completely forgetting my shades. Lunch at Osaka sushi right across the street: 6 pieces of unagi and mango tropical roll each for less than $10. Somehow in the crowd of 160,000 people I found my friend Mike from college, Jenn Im, eventually my group, and when wandering lost I would just plop down in the grass and discover someone new: Frontier Ruckus, Reignwolf, Griz*, Family of the Year*, The National, Steve Angello. Matt & Kim was too crowded to stay, and I heard parts of Elie Goulding and Kendrick Lamar away from the crowd. Sad to have missed The Lumineers and Mumford but got a nice evening closer by The Postal Service.

Lesson of the trip: Lolla is for all-out lunatics who can stand/walk/dance/crowdsurf for 12 hours straight and then some #gettingtoooldforthis.

Click to see more pictures → → →

Chicago: Hot Doug's and The Bean

Thrifted Forever 21 cashmere baseball tee sweater // Thrifted Ragorama black high waisted shorts //

Forever 21 sparkly sandals // Nordstrom ombre green and brown sunglasses //
Ruche brown messenger bag //

Thanks Karyn and Marie for helping with outfit photos!

On Day 0 of Lolla, we drove the 6 hours from Columbus to Chicago and made our first stop at Hot Doug's, a corner hot dog place serving everything from their famous foie gras (duck liver) to deer meat. The foie gras hit the spot, adding a rich creamy texture to a simple hot dog (though it costs $10!). Then we walked along the bustle of Michigan Ave to Millenium Park and The Bean for some silly pictures. Afterwards, it was time to terrorize the people of Chicago with our bike share beachcruisers until we finally found a beautiful bike trail that hugs Lake Michigan and rode to our hearts' content. The bikes have to be returned at a station every 30 minutes, so it was like a stressful touristy version of the Amazing Race on wheels. We ended the night at Pequod's for some serious deep dish pizza.

Click to see more pictures → → →

First Day of Class | Pink Blazer

H&M pink blazer with ruffle detail // Forever 21 lace dress //

Melie Bianco faux leather camel satchel bag // H&M black bow flats //
Revlon lip butter in Lollipop //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

This was what I wore on my first day of med school class an entire year ago (8/7/2012): my statement pink blazer and a white lace dress with simple black flats and a sensible camel satchel. Back when my apartment was blank and I was attempting to shoot outfits in my no-aircon, barely-lit room with my zoom lens. Just look at that naive little face, ready to be a well-adjusted individual in the real world (yeah right)! Meanwhile, time is flying by at home in San Diego, with not enough days to eat eat eat and take literal long walks on the beach. This is the deep breath before we dive straight into another year of madness!

Click to see more pictures → → →

Blogger Meetup in Chicago: Jenn Im, Olivia Lopez, Claire Marshall

A quick update from the airport terminal: I had the astounding luck to meet three of my favourite bloggers/youtubers in Chicago this weekend at Lolla. Olivia (LusttforLife) and Claire (ohhaiclaire) were at The Bean and I bumped into Jenn (clothesencounters) in line. They were down-to-earth and friendly. It was especially inspirational chatting with Olivia because she is very petite and has been a fearless explorer of high fashion since her early teen years, rocking maxi skirts without breaking a sweat. What a freaking experience summertime in Chicago is - many adventures to recount in upcoming posts!