Class to Work: Forest Green Blazer + DIY Inkblot Top

Class:

Thrifted forest green blazer with bold lapels // DIY inkblot top (Whit & Mal's tutorial) // 
H&M nude cami tank (underneath) //

Forever 21 skinny jeans // H&M black bow flats //
Chicwish gold spike chain necklace //

Work: 

Thrifted forest green blazer with bold lapels // DIY inkblot top //

Forever 21 grey and black roses pencil skirt // Payless black pumps //
Chicwish gold spike chain necklace //

Photography: Cassandra

Throwback time (8/13/12): I remember this was one of the first professional dress outfits I wore for medical school last year. The day was hot, the lecture room was cold, and I needed to switch from morning casuals for lecture to something dressier for afternoon clinical class. By swapping my skinnies for a pencil skirt and tucking in my top, this was a simple class-to-work transition. There's something about the sharp lapels on this blazer thrifted in San Fran that remind me of Romulan starships. Unfortunately, pencil skirts inevitably get shorter on my legs after walking anywhere so truly knee-length pieces are on my thrift list.

Looking back, I am grateful my hair is no longer that fried and this makes me miss summer badly - yesterday morning I trekked through a light layer of snow to get to my 8 AM clinical exam. Frigid winter is already upon us - hide yo wife, hide yo kids, hide yo fingers inside gloves!

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!

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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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Florals and Foliage | Fall Work Outfit

H&M pink ruffle blazer // H&M pastel floral peplum top //

Forever 21 taupe lace pencil skirt // Predictions for Payless low heel black pumps //
Lancome lipstick in Rouge Baroque //

Photography: Cassandra Morecroft King

My bff Cassandra is back in town visiting with creative spark and crazy ideas, like photoshooting in the cold and rain to capture the ephemeral beautiful forest of fall colours down my street. We ran around my neighborhood with 2 cameras, 1 tripod, 2 umbrellas, getting progressively more drenched and frozen while having a blast. This was outfit #2 and what I originally planned on wearing to work on Friday (10/19), but under my white coat the pink blazer and peplum all accumulated to being way too much. The next post will show how I modified this to be more work-appropriate and polished. You can  still be stylin' even when it's pouring (which is all the time in Ohio).

This weekend was a whirlwind of studying for my med block final, celebrating my childhood best friend's birthday at a swank downtown restaurant, dealing with things coming up randomly. Still trying to keep my cool with hazelnut Panera's coffee, spontaneous food outings, catching up with friends old and new. Enjoy your fall foliage! Best part of this season ... besides pumpkin patches, apple cider, cozying up in layers :)

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She Means Business

H&M striped white and black tshirt dress (worn as shirt) // H&M hunter green skinny pants //

H&M black fitted blazer with red satin interior // Mossimo suede black ankle boots //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

What I Wore When I Almost Saw Barack Obama. This is the outfit I would have worn to see President Obama today. As a huge public university with 50,000 undergrads and a major swing state, of course El Jefe himself would come down and get the students revved up. Though I had tickets to elbow it out with the masses, when they opened the doors at 2, the line was at least a thousand people long so I decided to stay inside the tepid med library and duke it out with some studying. Is it silly that I was so happy to find the one cubicle that had an extra bright happy desk lamp? All the small things, guys. Some of my classmates did end up waiting the 4 hours. There will be future chances!

Remember this simple basic striped dress that I got for free from H&M grand opening a month ago? Turned it into a shirt today but tucking the "dress" bottom part of material up and inside, hiding it from view and avoiding the visible-tucking-into-pants-scrunching. Paired it with my favourite crisp, clean blazer and threw on some fall-toned pants to "boot." These skinnies used to be skin tight but maybe after all the stress and high levels of sugar consumption by my brain, they seem baggier (totes matches my eyes). Ran around all day and it was very comfortable and I felt polished. Booked it back from the ultrasound training session to catch the last, last rays in a 2 minute shoot. Curling up with my Powerpoints, pumpkin pie, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks on my Nook tonight (it's not as romantic as it sounds) and wondering how it's only Tuesday.

A fall shoot in the autumn foliage? Plotting ways to self-take photos with the fiery scenery and lying in the piles of fallen leaves ...

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DIY Inkblot Tee

DIY inkblot flowy top ($5 shirt from H&M) // DIY/Unionbay distressed denim shorts //

Thrifted dark green fitted boyfriend blazer // Thrifted J. Crew light blue strappy sandal heels (size 6; selling!)

Forever 21 double black triangle necklace //

Photography: JJ

WHAT DO YOU SEE? A quick post as I'm scrambling to fit everything into a suitcase. I'm headed to CHINA for 3 weeks, and as you know the Great Firewall doesn't like Blogger (personally I think it's a plot to keep all the kids from distraction but they find their ways - I'm looking at you, World of Warcraft gold miners). Hopefully I can get a VPN.

Wore this dressed-up casual outfit for exploring dowtown San Jose and some yummy Vietnamese dinner (6/10). I really enjoy the strong lapel on this forest green blazer, thrifted for only $4 at Thrift Town in San Francisco when I met up with Whitney and Mallory of WhitWatWear. It fits like a glove and looks especially flattering in the back, flared yet fitted. Thanks for a great time, girls! Speaking of these fun and giggly gals, they made a tutorial on how to make DIY inkblot tees! This was a super cool, unique, and fun project (see their video here) - you need a bit of soft fabric paint, posterboard, and a simple, preferably white, tee. So all in all this project only cost $8, materials and all :) Talk about awesome. And shhh don't tell but this entire outfit cost $25 including accessories.

So, what do you see in this inkblot? I see Frank the bulldog from Men in Black, JJ sees a scary clown, and I've gotten responses from "a fat tiger" to a crying woman. Let me know in a comment because faux psychoanalysis is fun.

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Oxford Prep

Pitaya navy boyfriend tuxedo blazer // College Crests of Cambridge tshirt (old) //

H&M tweed plaid high waisted shorts // Sheer black thigh high tights (old) //

Forever 21 lace up oxford booties //

Poshlocket gold and silver striped Celeste bracelet (c/o) // CLAWS Jewelry cobra black stone gold necklace (c/o)

Photography: self, camera and remote

ONE OF THE BOYS. Tomorrow I am heading to Norcal to visit JJ and friends until the 11th. Yay! I'm really excited for potential blogger meetups in the area too (Whit and Mal, for instance). This outfit I wore yesterday pulled together elements of tomboyness and preppy, which makes me think of boys prep schools and A Separate Peace. I also reused some ancient pieces that I found in boxes back home. This tshirt is from junior high - most of my stuff still fits from back then because I haven't grown much since then (crazy, right?). It was a gift from my Dad when he went to England and it used to be part of my everyday nerd wardrobe (no, not the cute nerd-trend type) and these ever-popular sheer thigh high tights are from years of playing in orchestra (totally beats having to wear full blown pantyhose when you're already wearing a floor length dress). My knees never held onto these things the proper way anyway and the black strip always rolls downwards.

My bangs severely need a trimming and I can't believe it's JUNE. Where has the year gone? And I will give you a thousand virtual cookies if you'll take a gander at my blog sale and maybe get something :)

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Glamour Photos 3: Modern & Casual

Photography: Tank, Modern Concept Photography in Taipei, Taiwan

This is the third and final installment of our glamour photos from Taiwan last year (of 3) - see the FIRST SET and SECOND SET. In honour of March and le birthday month (it's madness), saved the most natural and "us" set for last. We worked with the limited clothes we had in our suitcases, which was mostly casual and comfy jeans, printed tees, and my favourite black fitted blazer. Turned out great after they curled and tamed my hair from the hot mess it was in! Thanks JJ for doing this with me - it was so fun and part of an adventurous trip to remember.

Readers - have you taken glamour photos before? Share a link if you have!

Dressed in Berry Creme & Wine

H&M pink blazer w/ side ruffles (Euro 4) // H&M light pink lace shoulder top (S) //

Forever 21 lace/tulle scallop hem skirt (S) // Forever 21 burgundy leggings //

H&M small black purse // Xhilaration cognac oxford flats/wingtips (5.5) //

Charming Charlie pink bauble and gold chain statement necklace // 
Taiwanese brand red frame glasses // Urban Outfitters double face watch //

Wet n Wild lipstick in Wine Room //

Photography: self-timer/remote & tripod

CONFECTION CONFESSIONS. My last-minute holiday mall-hunting outfit (12/22) coloured in ROMANTIC PINK + BERRY, taken the day after because it gets dark so fast. Don't let the warm temperature and palm trees fool you - it is still the dead of December. This colour palette was inspired by burgundy, which goes well with pink and cream, satin and lace textures. Burgundy is like a fine wine - complements well, not ostentatious. Been wanting a pair of these in my cold weather wardrobe for a while and their fuzzy lining will ensure lots of wear to come.

This lace/chiffon skirt is a perfect length and I got it for $4.75 from easypetitelooks' blogsale. It's a very tiny small and the wide elastic band makes it fit like an XS so I folded it in to prevent unsightly bunching. With raised floral patterns embroidered onto the tulle and a thick opaque underskirt, it's ladylike and girly at the same time. My favourite thing about this light pink top is that it balances out the skirt with a tinge of lace modestly placed at the shoulders. It's sexy in a subdued and elegant way. With my trusty H&M pink blazer over the bunch and my favourite pair of shoes (honest to God, wear them almost every day), mix in a heavy bauble and gold necklace in a matching rose pink shade and my med school interview purse - utilitarian, unobtrusive, and still fashionable.

At the mall, I did some major damage perusing the racks at H&M in their convenient pre-Christmas sales. All the best fall/winter items are leftover in sunny San Diego, where there is never much need for major Midwest cold weather staples. Forever 21 was also very well-stocked but as per usual, I tired of the long lines and visual overload and run clawing at my eye sockets and screaming. Meanwhile, the rest of my break thus far has been spent marathoning Psych and reading countless ebooks on my Nook Tablet (read my picture-filled review here).

Day 11 of the 12 Days of Fabulous (almost done!)

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What's Black and White and Red All Over?

H&M black fitted blazer w/ red lining (Euro 4) // Rue 21 "Le Moustache" print tee (L) //
H&M black and white pleated mini skirt (Euro 4) //

Forever 21? black leggings // Wild Diva peep toe suede ankle booties w/ bow tie accent (5.5) //

Thrifted red knit beret // H&M red gems and baubles statement necklace //

Claires black faux shiny croc bag // From Taiwan black frame glasses //

Photography: JJ

WORK IT, QUIRK IT. Hello lovelies! Been off the web for a few days, spending time with family in hot-hot-hot (relatively) San Diego. Had my computer off, finished reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, started another page-turner on my Nook: Brandwashed. It reveals the psychology behind how companies fool us into buying, buying, buying and as a blogger, it's certainly pertinent. Since I started 2.5 years ago, my closet has rapidly divided and colonized my life like some unruly E.coli. The pressure to consume, to buy the newest hyped lipstick, to online-browse the incessant discount offers, to hand over that hard-earned money. There haven't been many times when I've come home and not felt guilty about purchasing something. Up until high school and even through some of college, I refrained from consuming materialistically and was all about saving. What happened? Btw Day 7 of 12 Days of Fabulous (need to catch up I do)

This was my outfit for a day of finals studying at Kayak's Coffee (12/17). I spent more time eating and enjoying my gingerbread latte than chugging through 400 pages of boring academia, books, and journal articles, but it all worked out. My never-ending obsession with all things that are magically (in my head, at least) French, including BLACK/WHITE/RED colour schemes. In fact, standing in front of my closet I meant to do an all black/white outfit but with the hint of red on my blazer cuff, the red just kept piling on in the form of accessories. Got the red beret for 50 cents I remember at a thrift shop. It gave off an aura of grandma-knitted-it and head lice, but still, it has been one of my favourite pieces conducive to playing Parisian dress-up. Black tights with ankle booties elongate the legs, a readers' favourite H&M pleated skirt that was only $10 not-on-sale, and a $6 snarky print tee that fed my moustache obsession starting all the way back in the sweltering summer at the Lake of the Ozarks. Can you believe it's a large? Yeah, makes no sense. 

Right now: attracting the bewildered attention of many a neighbor as I hurdle, jump, squat, pose, laugh in front of my tripod and remote/self-timer combo as the best boyfriend-photog in the world is on the other side of Cali. Also, forcing myself to finally get that blog shop running, which will include these booties :) Last but not least, making ambitious lists and resolutions as always. You can guess what's on there: get off my butt and exercise, stop being a hermit and enjoy college, stop picking my pimples. Realistically, let's aim to do at least one, mmkay self? 

To Peace. Love. And really long blog posts. Happy Holidays !

Readers - what's your favourite colour combo?

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