Rocker Chic | Origami Skort + Denim Vest + Black Lace

Black lace cardigan // Black tank top (underneath) //
Thrifted from Goodwill denim vest // Zara dupe black origami skort (bought from Threadflip) // 

Target suede black ankle booties // Wet n Wild lipstick in Wine Room //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

Believe it or not, I found the inspiration for this outfit from a character on The Big Bang Theory - in one episode, Sheldon's assistant Alex was wearing a lace top underneath a denim vest. While sometimes denim vests can look tweenish, the way she paired this unexpected combination made it look feminine and fresh. I wore this to chill in German Village with my friend Marie, where we tried to study at our favourite French patisserie Pistacia Vera (they have the best sweet potato tart - tastes like a mini pumpkin pie!), exploring the Book Loft, finishing with some rainy day coffeeshop productivity (9/29).

Threadflip has been a successful way to sell my clothes and window-shop others' closets too, and since I had $50 of credit from inviting friends, I tried out the buying experiencing with this Zara look-alike origami skort that everyone in the blogosphere was sporting this past spring and summer. It is an asymmetrical skirt from the front that creates an interesting geometric "origami fold" shape on the legs, and a sensible pair of shorts in the back. This pair pays homage to the glorified times as a 90s kid dabbling in fashion, since skorts were THE thing to rock when I was in the 4th grade. This rocker look reminds me slightly of Kat Von D, the black lace standing in for her tattoo sleeves.

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Fall Neutrals + Matching Leopard Details | Wear to Work

Old Navy beige v-neck cable knit sweater // Forever 21 burgundy wine lace pencil skirt //

Target faux calfhair leopard print flats // H&M leopard print super skinny belt //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

Because I'm impatient and need to catch up on kidney knowledge before delving into editing NYFW eyecandy ... today's outfit, a go-to work ensemble that gets me through hot summer days and chilly air conditioned indoors without losing pints of sweat. Featuring neutrals and matchy-matchy leopard print belt and flats. I never thought leopard to be too wild for work, as long as it's toned down with solid colours or used for accenting. In other news I was at the airport at 3 AM and arrived in Columbus at 11, drove directly to homemade brunch & mimosas with my friends, caught up on sleep all afternoon, back to my med school life on Monday. Our a cappella group sang a surprise version of Little Talks for the first years and I even squeaked out a solo into the mic. I may feel slightly like Clark Kent today ;)

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Sequined Tank + Peplum Skirt

Old Navy blue sequined tank top // Forever 21 peplum bow skirt //

Merona faux calfhair leopard print flats // Forever 21 black preppy varsity cardigan //

Photography: Angela O.

This outfit was from nearly a year ago (8/22/2012) - boy time flies! Today was spent lounging by the pool with friends, trying to get a tan on a partly mostly cloudy Ohio day: the ultimate do-absolutely-nothing Sunday Funday activity. Last night after an a cappella event, we invented a new game involving footballs and frisbees at the same time and it was one of those perfect memorable hot summer nights.

There's a brick wall with graffiti near my place that says "COLONS!" and I thought it was hilarious since I'm in a gastroenterology clinic during the school year and had my best friend help me take photos using it as a backdrop. There's a tongue-in-cheek contrast to the uptown girliness of my outfit and the urban decay of the wall. This was back when I tried to look cute for class ... before I succumbed to the merry-go-round rotation of professional "biz caj," scrubs, or bum clothes. To the second year of med school starting soon and another chance to dress up even on off-duty days.

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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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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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High Tea | SugarLips Royal Inclinations Dress Review

Sugar Lips Apparel Royal Inclinations Dress w/ scarf print and sweetheart neckline detail (S) //

Merona for Target dotted sheer black tights // Mossini for Target black suede ankle boots (get it here) //

H&M segmented gold necklace // Thrifted Goodwill vintage belt //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

Sugar Lips welcomed me to my new place with another little number to style, Royal Inclinations Dress.  The sweetheart neckline makes this dress special, aside from the interesting "vintage scarf print." It features a horse drawn carriage? Horse saddle? Golden pipe? Golden lion head pin? Not really sure but it's mighty pretty (and no, I do not condone smoking!). I chose to style it with my "military jacket" to fit the theme of the prints. This is my first time ever doing milkmaid braids, so be nice. I'm actually quite impressed with myself since I never ever do anything to my hair besides wash it (I may or may not even comb it ... :P) Bobby pins are a brilliant invention. After jumping around for nearly an hour trying to figure out how my new official Canon remote works, I kind of favour the old $3 bootleg Chinese version I got off some weird site. The distance is very very close to my tripod which is terrible for prime lens users and i found that it has trouble focusing too close and too far unless I throw it in auto mode (fine by me as long as it's crisp). Eh ... not worth the $23 and the trouble. Or maybe my lens is just bust from humidity for real :(

The material is a lot thinner than I expected, almost like a satin scarf but with less sheen. From the pictures on Sugar Lips' site, it looked like a sturdy cotton fabric. Still, I was adamant this morning to wear it because I have been looking forward to getting dolled up post-exam for class and I froze my butt off. It was below freezing last night and when I left my apartment it was 41 degrees F and my derrière was not happy in this thin summer piece and sheer tights. Where did the end of summer go? We went from giving our sweat glands a workout to sudden polar bearing without a memo. Shakin mah head.

The bust area on this dress was very loose, and fit more like a usual Medium (or the occasional S at Forever 21) so after fiddling with flimsy double sided tape and hiding this hot mess under my jacket, I finally pinched and pinned with a safety pin. Fixed! So basically, this dress runs big. Next time I would go with an XS, which they do have. On their page they suggested styling this with a trench coat and white pumps - can do! That will be my next outfit with this, and I'm going to try throwing a lightweight sweater or chiffon top under it too to save my poor arms in this chilly weather. Finished off my day with kickboxing my guts abs out and tomorrow I will once again not be able to climb stairs without screaming every step of the way. Exercise, baby - make that fat cry.

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Scarlet and Grey | What to Wear to a Football Game

Faded Glory red tshirt // H&M plaid tweed high waisted shorts //

Forever 21 grey over the knee socks // Thrifted Goodwill white vintage belt //

Target Totes clear bubble umbrella (get it here) // DIY/Converse Chucks checkered sneakers //

Photography: self; timer and tripod

GO BUCKS. Last last Saturday was my first experience at big college sports event: Ohio State vs U Central Florida. I've been a Buckeyes fan since I was little growing up in Ohio and it was a real treat to live it up close in the stadium. Thanks to my friend Marie who won the tickets from our med school and let me tag along :)

I thought I lost my camera remote so without a stand-in, all the photos came out blurry. While flopping around on my bed I found the little black thing after I had ordered the official non-bootleg Canon remote from Amazon. Oh well - that one has a much better range, which is definitely useful so I don't look like Hermione bending over, casting some empathic spell at my camera on a stick.

Obligatory med school update: just finished my first exam today! Man is it a relief to get all that stress and pressure off of my shoulders ... and to get back to normal life. To add to the mess, we had clinical skills exams last week too, requiring perfect performances in procedures like blood draws, EKGs, sterile technique, shots, etc. Describing med school as "intense" just doesn't cut it anymore, it's just downright CRAY before the first midterm. Stewing in my girl-cave all week was not the best thing for my sanity's sake, and many lessons learned. This is one giant marathon (well, one that blitzes by at lightning speeds) and I just ran the first 100 meters. Professional clothes up to 4x a week, throw in scrubs every once in a while and jeans and tshirt becomes a luxury! A girl's also gotta let loose and get sassified, so I'm enjoying a well-deserved break with friends and classmates tonight: sushi and drinks!  [/end speed blogging]

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Olivia | Fall Transition Work Outfit

H&M olive green button down shirt // Forever 21 taupe lace pencil skirt //

H&M camel leather belt // Mossimo light grey suede ankle boots //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

The crisp morning air signals that fall is finally poking its darling little head around the corner! Everything is fresh with each inhale and I immediately wake up no matter how little sleep pre-midterm-week gets me, at least for the ten-minute walk. Songza pop hits pumping, headphones in, another brand new untainted day, wet clay.

I wore this outfit to class and work at the Free Clinic two weeks ago (8/31), swapping out the shoes for black flats because these ankle boots were a little casual to be professional dress. They are a great neutral piece, matching with the olive and taupe shades in this palette. It was really nice experiencing my first "real" patient from the community and having the privilege of hearing her story. As the days get shorter and the nights longer, it's vital to remember why I am here. You don't have to be a full-blown doctor to influence people, to make them feel special and taken care of. So I am to treat everyone I meet with the enthusiasm as if they were my first patient, the way I would have wanted anyone and everyone to take care of my Mom.

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Indian Summer

Lush/Pitaya abstract cocoon cardigan (S) // Forever 21 maroon floppy wool hat // 

Forever 21 magenta tank (S) // DIY/Union Bay distressed denim shorts (Jr 3) (old) // 

Merona faux calf hair leopard print flats (5.5) // H&M wood and gold bead bracelets //

Urban Outfitters double face watch // Charming Charlie pink bauble gold necklace //

Photography: JJ

THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER ARE BACK. In the middle of October, one week in the 50s, then rare days like this (10/25) in which it's flaming 80s with a strong wind. Just hopped off the plane from Ohio, rubbed the 10,000 vertical miles of oxygenated cabin pressure from my eyes and slipped on something comfortable and reminiscent of summer, summer, summer. Boy do I wish I had a whole three months to lie out in the grass and write poetry, read Murakami and Sacks, paint the sky with oil pastels. But no, it was all day in the lab, studying to wits end, writing my life story. Still, in times when life speeds past, you have to be like the Clockstoppers (remember that movie from 10 years ago!?) and just hit ||.

We took these photos right before the sun went down in Brookings Quad, on the Stage. An alternative name for this outfit was "Bohemian Rhapsody" since there is such flow in the deliciously boheme pieces fluttering in the wind. Finally! I found my maroon floppy wool hat that I've coveted ever since I saw those Free People and Urban Outfitters catalogs. There was a navy and brown one at Nordstrom, but it just wasn't maroon, and luckily at F21, there were 2 left. For some reason fedoras look funny on my head so I tried to stretch this one out by stuffing a sweater in it overnight xD This abstract cocoon shawl/cardigan is the coolest piece I found during my Labor Day Pitaya sale spree. It's so comfy, soft, and effortlessly stylish. However, I do get caught on doorknobs and chair handles a lot xD Still.

I've noticed that many petite ladies have been buying the Ann Taylor calf hair leopard pumps. Personally I think the spotted pattern features too small dots and it doesn't quite look right but these flats from Target haven't failed me yet. If you look closely, they have the calf hair too, which makes them feel more luxurious. Beware, these run small and they squeeze the feet, leaving blisters on the sides of the toes and on the ankles :( Pad, pad, pad!

Readers - what would you wear on a very warm day in the fall?