Blue Collar, White Coat

Ann Taylor white fitted blazer (00P) // 

Thrifted Ann Taylor light blue button down blouse with tiny pinstripes (2P petite) //

Thrifted cobalt blue skirt // Payless white low heel pump //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

Long time no see! My summer research job with pediatric plastic surgery turned into a lot more than I bargained for, and that's a wonderful thing. So far in these past two weeks I have been in cleft palate clinic thrice, watched two surgeries, dug through stacks of literature, tinkered with new tech, and met some awesome kids (and adults, too). Every single day is a new adventure that I'm juiced for.

Working at a hospital and clinical research means no blue jeans or tshirts, so I have to find a way to dress for the baking humid commute and the chilly air conditioning. A button down and skirt are standard for me by now - simple to throw on and professional. A couple of weeks ago I went to a Goodwill near campus and was pleased to find a big variety of on-trend small pieces. Downside was a slightly higher price tag ($7 for a sundress) for a thrift shop but the never-before-worn or designer items made it worth it. This top was a welcome teeny Ann Taylor discovery in 2Petite that fits me well. It is of a thicker soft cotton material and has tiny vertical stripes for a whole $4. The cobalt blue skirt hits right above my knee and fits at the waist, also for $4. It has side slits but my coat covers it. The white blazer is going to simulate my white coat and the whole look reminds me slightly of flight attendant.

Off to late night life on the town and catching up with friends! Warm nights, firefly lights, maybe a sip and a munch in hand too. C'est la vie!

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Wear to Work: Tiered Ruffle Shell + Pleated Midi Skirt

Ann Taylor LOFT teal layered shell tank (XSP) (petite deal) // H&M khaki green cardigan //

H&M grey pleated midi skirt (similar for $8) // Charming Charlie coral and gold bauble statement necklace (similar) // 

H&M black bow flats // Claire's white ruffle purse //

Photography: Kristin

MONDAYS (are sometimes awesome). In between a cappella rehearsals for our performance this weekend and geeking out with heart and lung cases, this week has flown by. This Monday (4/22/13) was exceptional in how un-Monday it felt: a midterm conquered, more lectures right after, then an afternoon of clinical class, long rehearsal with choreo, phone chat with a new exciting blog sponsor, nice sit-down dinner with friends and free scrumptious veggie burgers at Northstar Cafe for Earth Day, making grown-up ice cream floats, blaring "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" as loud as we could at karaoke night. Thanks Kristin for taking photos of me nearly walking backwards into traffic as we stood in a long line of onlookers waiting for free dinner (the other two smiling faces are Emma and Kyle).

During lunch I went home to change out of my "ain't nobody got time for that" exam uniform of pocketed sweats and a comfy top to something more presentable, sticking with mostly neutrals and a pop of teal. This pretty LOFT shell has served me well in layering and hot summer days in the research lab. I like the asymmetrical tiers and how they contrast with the long flowing vertical pleats on my midi skirt - a classic yet romantic spring length. To finish off, accessorize with a berry lip and statement pink and gold chain bauble necklace. Happy spring!

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I'll Hufflepuff and I'll Blow your House Down!

H&M yellow ruffle tiered dress (tucked into pants) (Euro size ???) // Ann Taylor cropped black pants (0P straight) // `twentythree "Hedwig's Ballad" dangling owl earrings // Xhilaration yellow strappy wedges (5.5) // Urban Outfitters double face watch //

Photography: tripod and remote

I feel quite proud of myself for coming up with that punny title. Of course, this is after all a disguise of an outfit - a wolf in sheepskin, or a snake in badgerskin? My my, the sly Slytherin in me is showing. This was my work outfit for 7/14, the day of the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 2 (aka HP7.2). Perfectly sunny and bright like any Hufflepuff, but my true colours will show in the Harry Potter inspired photoshoot my friends and I are doing soon. If you haven't seen the movie, go! Not as epic of a conclusion as I had hoped, but the WashU-filled theatre had some good laughs. Won't spoil it for you ; )

Ignore the large pimple on my nose. It's just chilling there, making frenemies with the local pores. Meanwhile, these beautiful earrings from `twentythree handmade are so unique and perfect for the occasion! I got lots of "wows" and compliments on them throughout the day. After an entire day of wear, they felt heavy and are most comfortable for a few hours. Still, Hedwig and cages - perfect. I put on my favourite red lipstick, Lancome Rouge Baroque after work for these pictures and it stayed on until 3 AM. 

Funny story about the H&M bright yellow ruffle dress I'm wearing here as a top - there's no size tag. It was lost somewhere inside the store but I figured it fit well enough, like a Euro 6? The black sash can go more than twice around my waist and is nice for cinching for a better fit. This combo was inspired by Jen of herwaisechoice btw, mad props to her sweet and always put-together style. It was a wonder that I could stuff all the dress material into my pants - seemed nigh impossible at first. Scored these cropped black work pants at Ann Taylor Factory at the Lake of the Ozarks outlet mall for $15. Apparently I'm a 0P Straight leg - funny because all the petite bloggers are much tinier than me, so I started out trying on size 4 Curvy xD

Work, MCAT, secondaries. Wear, shoot, edit. Rinse, lather, repeat.

Btw, the first winner of the Alonai shoe giveaway is

 KAYLA PEGA

 Congrats : ) Please email me your mailing address and shoe choice (up to $50) within 72 hours or a new winner will be chosen. If you didn't win this round, stay tuned because I'm drawing another winner in 2 weeks and all current entries are already entered. If you haven't entered, do so here!

Don't forget to enter my Alonai shoes giveaway and JStyleShopper $100 giveaway!

Bodycon, M.D.

Ann Taylor white fitted blazer (00P) // Pitaya cutout bodycon dress (S) // 

Merona black dotted tights (S/M) // Fioni for Payless strappy heels (5) //

Photography: JJ using Nikon D70

Way back in September, I ventured into Ann Taylor for the first time and came out with my first nice piece of clothing. Though it was after Labor Day, this stark white fitted blazer still caught my eye from the sale rack. To my surprise, a 00P was even slightly too big on me in places. The sales associate told me the back needed to be taken in a little and the sleeves shortened. It was originally something like $180 originally but had a sale price of $60 but in the end after some more discounts for a few dirty spots I found it came out to be $32. Not bad at all! From pictures, it seems like the fit is pretty good though not perfect. 

Bodycons really do make me body-conscious, or rather body self-conscious. All those steak phillies are finally catching up to me d'oh. I like the cutout of the back and this is probably one of the most skin-showing pieces I own. I definitely went out with the blazer on so that I didn't feel naked at the fashion show. 

I am SO STOKED to be leaving on a 14-hour flight to Taiwan in 3 days !!! This is my first time out of the country and back in Asia in 7 years. These next few days are going to be full of writing scheduled posts of reviews and some leftover outfits, packing and packing, trying to figure out how to avoid jetlag. My poor body is in need of some healthy vacationing, with amazing food and depending on my legs for transportation instead of firmly planting my butt in a hard chair and keeping my eyes glued to books or a computer screen. I want a true vacation away from the internet (gasp!) so I'm going to blog a ton beforehand and get my fair share of adventure and relaxation during. See you on the other side of the world!

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