Chambray + Leather + Polka Dots | North Market

H&M chambray denim shirt // H&M polka dot shirt //

H&M faux leather pants // Forever 21 cat eye glasses //

Target suede black ankle booties // Black leather purse (gifted) //

Photography: JJ

Throwing back some more to last fall (9/22/12), when JJ and I explored one of my local Columbus favourites: North Market. It's an indoors farmers market that features diverse eats from around the world like Vietnamese pho noodles, Belgian waffles, a hot sauce corner, and Ohio based Jeni's gourmet ice cream. Cut sunflowers next to farm fresh veggies and next to things as eccentric as bison and pheasant give the place a rustic feel. I knotted my chambray top over a bold polka dot top for contrast, and threw on my chilly weather staple: leather pants. These babies keep my legs toasty for sunny-yet-frigid days and post-exam night festivities. Lastly, donned these huge cat eye frames for extra hipster effect. JJ and I unintentionally coordinated with an inverse outfit of leather jacket and denim jeans.

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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.

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A Little Rumi

Thrifted Forever 21 cashmere baseball sweatshirt // H&M A-line khaki green skirt //

Mossimo grey suede ankle boots // Gifted black leather crossbody purse //

Revlon Moondrops lipstick in Orange Flip + Revlon Colorburst lipstick in Soft Nude (underneath) //

Urban Outfitters gold midi rings // Rag-o-Rama tortoiseshell sunglasses //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

Besides eating and movie-watching, recently I've been crunch-timing at research to prepare for Lollapalooza in less than a week (!!!) Been experimenting with a different hair part lately to try to look older/something different than what I've been doing for the past decade. This relaxed weekender outfit reminds me of Rumi Neely. I threw on this soft cashmere-ish sweatshirt with the baseball tee design - perfect for cozying up on a drizzly summer Saturday. To balance out the loose tomboy top, I wore one of my favourite flare skirts for a fitted girly contrast. For an extra bright orange lip, I layered nude lipstick underneath. Recently, I've been drawn to dainty jewelry. These infinity/knotted midi rings from UO actually fit me like normal rings, so I'm terribly grateful for this trend. Ankle booties and a crossbody and out the door we go, towards Goodwill, local consignment shops, BBQ, Wolverine.

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VivaGambita Petite Jeans Review + Giveaway

H&M oxblood cableknit sweater // DL 1961 Toni Cropped Jean in Switch, size 26 (c/o VivaGambita) //

Firmoo round cat eye tortoiseshell glasses (c/o) // Zac & Zoe for Payless penny loafer pumps //

From China black and crystal detachable peter pan collar //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

Today the temperature took a dip into the nippy 50s and a lightweight cableknit sweater from the colder months still left me shivering. Today's outfit was inspired by the hipster librarian - cat eye tortoise shell glasses with a strong cat eye eyeliner, comfy sweater with a little sweet, comfy jeans and "mannish" shoes. I pulled on these fit-me-like-a-glove jeans that are the perfect length for 5'3" petite me and surprisingly stretchy to leave room for my thighs and acrobatics. Getting creative here, I wore my detachable peter pan collar backwards because of the more subtle rounded shape. Popped on some pennyloafer heels and we were good to start off another week of work.

I got lots of compliments on these glasses too and my classmates kept asking if they were new prescription glasses (they're not). Firmoo contacted me again for another collaboration and let me choose 2 pairs (the other one is quite unique - the frames are totally clear) to style and review. As you remember, they offer stylish frames and prescription glasses on the cheap. Whenever I pop on some cat eyes, my whole mood becomes surlier and cattier as the corners of the glasses are tugged past my eyebrows.

VivaGambita is a brand new petite clothing store that I am excited about. From their adorable mint and white logo to their curated inventory, their chief Caroline has it covered. This pair of petite denim came cuffed but when tried rolling it down, I was surprised to see that it was the perfect tailored length. While I can dish out a few bills and get all my pants rehemmed, the fit around the rest of my leg is much harder to manage. This dark wash pair does it all and from the lack of unsightly bunching lines and muffin top, they are finally a true "ready to wear" piece for us petite ladies. We are excited to give away a pair of VivaGambita's legit denim - enter via the Rafflecopter widget at the end of this post.

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Summer Citrus

H&M orange pleated midi skirt // Forever 21 embroidered sheer peasant top (deal) //

White tshirt (underneath) // H&M black bow ballet flats ($10 steal) //

Photography: Angela

FANTA ORANGE. It's almost unthinkable that this outfit came from last summer in the August heat, at the beginning of med school (8/8/12). Back when I was still getting settled in, back when I had no idea what I was doing (still figuring that out), back when my best friend by the same name was still in town. It's a blessing that we have known each other since 1st grade and through my many, many moves we are still close and keep each other updated. She means so much to me and kept me afloat last semester as I was trying to figure out how to face sad discussions of illness and death in class after losing my Mom, how to study, whether I belonged. Thank you.

Commonwealth is a hipster sandwich bar right around the corner from my place, and they have $5 deals every Wednesday. Interesting tidbit: I ran into Destiny from America's Next Top Model Cycle 19 and got the guts to introduce myself and have a conversation. I really enjoy their Three Little Pigs sandwich (ham, pulled pork, egg) and Into the Woods (vegetarian arugula, goat cheese, mushrooms), and sauces that go with their traditional/sweet potato fries. They also have bottled Mexican Coke and Mexican Orange Fanta, matching my outfit colours (along with the Blogspot logo).

I also spent a good deal of Sunday organizing my Threadflip closet - this site is kind of like a blog sale social media hub, less crazy than Ebay (which I'm too lazy to learn how to use), and allows buyers to see the exact final price they'll pay for each item so they won't be flabbergasted at the shipping costs at checkout. If you enjoy my outfit posts and would like to get your hands on some of my pieces, take a look and shipping is free!

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What to Wear to Coachella: LA Grunge

DIY inkblot top w/ flowy sleeves (similar) // Forever 21 red oversized beanie (deal) // 
Forever 21 denim distressed shorts (splurge) //

Soyfashion white tank top (underneath) // Target suede grey ankle booties (exact, on sale) //

Photography: Kristin P (in the jump shot!)

ALL-AMERICAN. Don't I look patriotic? While my heart and mind are drifting in the direction of Indio, CA for Coachella, my body is firmly planted in the Midwest where spring, winter, and summer are all happening a few times every day. This is something I'd wear to Coachella: something DIY for a conversation point, comfy and breathable, and not baring too much skin. Of course while everyone else is decked out in a sea of floral headbands, dreamy sundresses, sunnies bigger than one's face, this LA/grunge style would stand out. Last year I opted for giant floppy hats, showing more midriff, and boho pieces for my pretend Coachella. This year I'll be going to Lollapalooza in August and living the music festival experience to the fullest.

Last weekend was blazing hot and summer-esque. Sometimes being studious and going out seem like antonyms, but I still exercise the right to dress like I have somewhere more exciting to be ;) I threw on my lightweight DIY inkblot top and kept my bum and head warm inside a potentially chilly library with my lumpy beanie and sturdy longer shorts. Ankle boots are standard for year round, no explanation needed. Currently: brewing hazelnut coffee, listening to the "Eternal Spring" playlist, studying lungs vacuuming.

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Cherry Danish | Solvang, CA

Black lace cardigan // Red tshirt (underneath) // H&M faux leather biker jacket // 
H&M forest green skinny pants // Forever 21 red slouchy beanie // Xhilaration black and white oxford flats //

JJ is wearing a Nerdy Domokun hat :D

Photography: JJ's Dad, me

Fast forward through 3 months of living inside Powerpoints and the library and we arrive at a snowy, well-deserved, super laidback Spring Break. So far I've hiked 7 miles on a waterfall crawl in the great outdoors, eaten my weight in comfort food, and done some digging through my memory cards to shake out these ole blogging legs. Thank you for your supportive comments on my last post, saying hi on social media, and sticking with me for all these years.

Solvang is a quaint little Danish town in the mountains near Santa Barbara (12/30/12). JJ and his family and I frolicked around the village admiring the windmills, munching pastries and sausages, trying on clogs. Though it might feel odd to be seeing photos of real pretzels adorning Christmas trees in late March, the persistence of current coat-weather makes it quite fitting. Note to curator of weird American traditions: please fire The Groundhog.

The rest of this week will be spent drinking fancy coffee and reading for pleasure, exploring the zoo and botanical gardens, and writing a letter-to-self disaster preparedness plan to avoid repeating the same "med school + winter ate my blog" excuse next year. Step 1: hunt down a floor length puffy coat to act as full-body shield against the elements and to hide presentable outfits underneath. Step 2: clone self to take outfit pictures or convince the world that library-cubicles-are-the-next-thing-in-fashion. Step 3: laugh at the last photo and how often my priceless weirdo moments are captured on film.

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Starbucksian

H&M chambray denim button down shirt // Forever 21 french toast print tee //

Forever 21 circle scarf // H&M bird print skirt // Forever 21 black sweater tights //

DIY/Converse checkered Chucks sneakers //

Photography: Kristin

Okay, letsbehonest I have been marathoning The Walking Dead the past few days and really needed to get down to business (cue Mulan ballad). It was surprisingly balmy and sunny today so I threw on my cozy casuals and avoided pushing it too far into Hipsterland with my cat eye frames. My friend Kristin and I headed to a Starbucks to grab holiday drinks and listen to Michael Buble piping his heart out overhead while stuffing our brains with more deets about muscles and nerves. Ironically we had to snap photos in front of a mattress store because Starbucks was too bathed in sunlight and overexposed xD Thanks for picking out the "grungy urban" backdrop and playing photographer! Now back to waving my arms around like a looney trying to figure out where all my shoulder anatomy is (if you've ever seen a roomful of students staring quizzically at their thumb, pointer, and middle finger during a physics test, it's the same concept - look up at the ceiling, squint, and flail around your limbs until you understand where A attaches to B). Happy weekending!

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Mint Tea and Band Tees | Pittsburgh, PA

Arden B mint green long lightweight cardigan // Lush mint green scallop hem shorts

OK Go band tshirt (gift from friend Don) // Black crossbody purse (gift from JJ's mom) //
Mossimo suede grey ankle boots //

Photography: JJ

THE WEEKENDER. I had a fun and chillaxed weekend in Pittsburgh with JJ, munching on grapes/cheese/cracker/wine and his home-cooked meals, discovering new Indian eats, banana walnut pancakes and Tex-Mex omelettes at Pamela's brunch, watching Looper and old surprisingly campy horror flicks (Monkey Shines), bumping into a Washu friend and catching up, studying in the majestic Cathedral of Learning. The weather was relatively balmy, so out come the shorts and spring mint shades. This OK Go tee is a gift from my friend Don who has sensational fashion sense and was also working a cool internship in the music industry. Been a fan of their videos and music since their infamous treadmill days. A few quick snaps on the windy street near UPitt and we can call this streetstyle.

Yesterday changed things for the better. My Dad tells the most inspiring stories that have helped me keep pushing this entire journey through pre-med and now in the very baby stages of my career. The wisdom he imparted centered my med student tunnel vision back to focus on what I've been missing as I gripe about the monotony of my day-to-day and the endless studying: perspective. The privilege I have to be studying medicine, to be learning this specialized knowledge, the whole future of doing good for people. Thanks Dad :) Taking a good look at the people of this city today was also humbling, and I remembered how my passion for servicing the community brought me here in the first place. I feel re-energized and much happier and driven to succeed for those future people I will meet, those stories I will hear, the hands I will hold.

I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

- "Invictus" by William Earnest Henley

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Knotty Nautical | Fuchsia

H&M striped tshirt dress // H&M eggshell white cardigan // 

Merona/Target hot pink fuchsia loafers with brown tassels and back detail (get it here) //

Bracelets from H&M and Forever 21 // Revlon Lip Butter lipstick in Lollipop //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

A very simple school outfit that cost me a total of $7 head to toe. Won a $75 gift card from the H&M grand opening last week and this striped tshirt dress and eggshell white cardi would have been $13 + $18 but they were free! Target sales added this bright pair to my collection of flats: hot pink loafers with weird brown tassels and shoe versions of elbow pads in the back in a nice brown. These were hella on sale too but unfortunately gave me big open blisters for a week. Now my ankles are so calloused that it doesn't matter ack. Matching hot pink lipstick, kisskiss.

Having to give strangers the apologetic/nothing-to-see-here-whistling face is so weird when you see someone in the med year above you that you kind of know and it's just awk to Awktown. Anyway, adding to the sweat from 100 degrees Freakinghotheit (definition: noun; a new unit of temperature. Can you use it in a sentence? "Today in the Midwest I soaked two shirts and the thermometer read a zillion degrees Freakinghotheit, no wonder.") was this rightful social discomfort from 10 more undergrads walking by walking their dogs, big and little. Fast forward an hour and I'm sweating so much my pores are practically donating their own version of blood without my permission. Enter kickboxing session, not knowing what to expect, going along the lines of my adrenaline-fueled motto of "DO EPIC SHIfT" ... I had no idea would lay me on the floor like that! Core, crunch, kick, punch! That hour felt like eons and afterwards we went out for froyo and chrysanthemum bubble tea, undoing all that work. Aimless shopping at the Barnes & Noble and the haul consisted of a biochem textbook, medical Spanish workbook and sparkchart, scrubs top, review guide for the next standardized exam (once you think about a career in medicine, you commit to taking multiple choice exams until you're wielding a reflex hammer with a cane attached to it .. so basically forever).

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Pale Canary

H&M light canary yellow tank with sheer back // H&M bird print mini skirt //

Mossimo light grey ankle boots (get it here) //

Photography: JJ

Reminiscing about this awesome Labor Day weekend after a harrowing "Monday" Tuesday ... JJ drove over from Pittsburgh on Saturday and we went exploring down in the Short North Arts District by where I live. Gallery hopping, boutique exploring, ice cream nomming, an unexpected discovery of the North Market indoor public market complete with pho bars. This lightweight tank saved me half the time when I was in sweaty humid Beijing and the sheer back is just a tad of naughty. This new bird print skirt is no-surprise too short for my thighs, but still rocking it with a longer top for contrast and the cute little white doves that I still can't get over since Miu Miu a few years back. Been living in these boots, will keep living in these boots. Best. Shoes. Ever. Too hot and lazy for accessories.

Obligatory med school update? It's technically a chill week but every day is still full throttle. Long live my coffee thermos and water bottle (and of course ZUMBAAA!)

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