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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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!

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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Day to Night: Double Cobalt + Chevron Cape

H&M cobalt blue lace detail top // Thrifted cobalt blue skirt //

BB Dakota chevon cape (c/o Jupe Boutique) // H&M leather camel skinny belt //

Black opaque tights // Target suede black ankle booties //

Thrifted Melie Bianco camel leather satchel // Pure Ice vampy red nail polish in Kissing Cupid //
Revlon lip butter in Lollipop //

Photography: self; tripod & remote

Day: this was the blue-on-blue lace top + pencil skirt ensemble I wore under my white coat Monday for a patient panel in the morning and afternoon clinical case presentations (10/28). We had a panel of speakers from different community resources for victims of domestic violence and a woman who came forward and shared her graphic experience. The auditorium of white coated students were riveted, shocked that someone can suffer so much for such a long time. It is something that we should all be educated on, even if it's difficult to grasp that this is a reality for up to 1 in 4 women in her lifetime.

Night: threw on a cape from BB Dakota and grabbed my favourite satchel for a friend's birthday dinner at Till's a couple weeks ago. It may be an odd thing to enjoy, but their lightly vinaigrette'd brussel sprouts were impeccably cooked. I had a lamb burger and though expensive, it was juicy and not gamey at all. The hour-long wait after we were seated was a little ridiculous even though we had a large party.

Yesterday, with the help of a light blonde wig, pair of scissors to give the wig a haircut, paler foundation, brown eyeliner for shading, and a determination to not crack up smiling, I transformed into one of our infamous faculty much to the delight of my classmates. There's nothing better than a costume that adds entertainment value for everyone around you. With that we bid Halloween adieu and find ourselves in denial that it's already November. Happy birthday, Mom.

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Liquid Gold | NYFW Cosmic Kickback

Forever 21 gold lamé dress // Express nude and black pointy cap toe T-strap stilettos //

BCBG silver metallic foldover clutch // CLAWS Jewelry black stone necklace //
Forever 21 gold spike bracelet // Erin Wasson Low Luv aztec shield ring // 
Lancome red lipstick in Baroque Rouge //

Photography: Jae L, Jess Y, photo at event: Alexis

My friend Jess graciously hosted me in New York during Fashion Week and we went to Jenn Im's Cosmic Kickback party, hosted by Threadsence and Sugar & Fluff at the Lali Lali Gallery (9/7). There were fans and big-time bloggers everywhere, outer space ambience/lighting, and professional masseuses who worked their magic on my tense back. I was beyond flattered when I met my long-time supporter Toni and another gal I met outside Lincoln Center the day before. Toni is a darling girl who is studying pre-med at NYU and we chatted about how school was going for her and how to boldly use all her passions to help her realize her dream. What a small, wonderful world! By the end of the party I couldn't feel my toes at all, so we went next door to Urban Outfitters, where I picked up the burgundy patent leather oxfords from yesterday's post and ran around town. We had dinner and cocktails at Oficina Latina - they have absolutely amazing mango peppercorn caiparinas - and finished off the night celebrating with one of our WashU friends turned successful restaurant owner at his new swanky flat in Brooklyn. Then shuttle it to La Guardia at 3 AM and hopped on a plane back to Columbus!

This gold floor-length gown was a stunner I saw on display at Forever 21 and knew that it was something extraordinary. While shopping we frequently think, "I don't have anywhere to wear this to," but my philosophy is to seek out occasions that fit the dress, not the other way around. Though it is made of stretchy material and quite unforgiving of food babies, this was the time and the place to go "balls to the wall," as Jenn Im says. This dress features a sexy leg slit on the side to show off your shoes and a keyhole back that heightens the drama even more. Thanks to Jess and her roommates for giving me a whirlwind weekend experience of a lifetime in the Big Apple (and doing my hair!). It was wonderful to catch up and swap stories - how our passions for art and science curiously played out in our post-college lives. Left my heart there in that city and I can't wait to be back.

Wear to Work: Speckles + Double Burgundy

H&M speckled dotted cropped cardigan // H&M yellow lace cami //

H&M eggplant purple origami pleat skirt // Forever 21 burgundy tights //

Urban Outfitters patent leather oxblood oxfords (on sale) // Jewelmint Calypso necklace (c/o) //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

Last weekend, autumn came out to play much to my bare legs' dismay. Thus before heading out into the brisk cooler morning, I threw on my pair of trusty thicker burgundy tights from last season and matched them with my new oxfords in the same shade. This lengthens the legs modestly since they're flats, but are a twist to the classic black-on-black trick. The eggplant shade on this skirt is an elegant jewel tone for the colder months, and the origami pleat in the front adds a subtle detail that makes it less "ho-hum pencil skirt." Pairing it with the ever-popular burgundy/oxblood makes for a fall-appropriate palette while further extending the illusion of longer legs. By the way, scored the skirt and dotted cardigan for $5 each during an H&M sale a few months ago - thrifty work wardrobe win!

I wore this look under my white coat for clinical class on Monday (10/20) and to meet my Med 1 mentee, who is really sweet and fashionable too. Meanwhile, my nightly read (Dan Brown's Inferno) turned into an engrossing page-turner and I had a roarin' time kicking off Halloween festivities at "Dr. Gatsby's" mansion. This amazing scene was complete with an octagonal open foyer, mini spiral staircase, rope bridge to a fully furnished treehouse, turning bookshelves, fireman's pole, rooftop access, and med students/residents/doctors decked out in 1920's suits and flapper dresses. The eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg presided over the dance floor, and we were all beautiful little fools for a night.

P.S. I love, love, love Ohio's fall foliage. Can't ever get over it.

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Trench Coat for Autumn Rain

Target khaki trench coat // H&M pastel floral peplum top // Forever 21 tan lace pencil skirt //

Predictions for Payless black pumps // H&M croc print faux leather skinny belt //

Lancome red lipstick in Rouge Baroque // Target clear bubble umbrella //

Photography: Cassandra Morecroft King

For this month's Bloggers Do It Better challenge, our task is to showcase our winter coats. While I recently invested in a long North Face puffy-yet-sleek parka for practicality and preservation of fingers and toes, the fleeting fall days are a great transitional time for light jackets like a trench coat. These are surprisingly water repellant to block out the freezing rain.

This outfit was from an entire year ago (10/19/2012), when the foliage in my neighborhood was absolutely striking. The explosion of fiery colours in the canopy above, reflected on wet pavement - one of my favourite images of fall, with natural confetti decorating the ground. Clear bubble umbrellas always seemed like fun raingear to me and make walking around easier when you can see right through them. They even show your outfit better than traditional opaque "rain-pellants." I tied the belt behind the coat to show off my layers underneath and liked the juxtaposition of the soft pastel flowers and peplum that are usually associated with spring against the vibrant shades of red and gold in the glistening leaves on the ground. Pop on a bright red lipstick and voila, fall workday to date night look.

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Parkas are for Apple Picking

ASOS biker parka jacket in Khaki (c/o) // Forever 21 ivory lace dress // 

H&M faux leather waxed leggings // Target suede black ankle booties //

Chicwish gold spike chain necklace // H&M apple ring //

Lancome red lipstick in Rouge Baroque // 

Photography: Kristin P, tripod & remote

Casual Friday Snow White picking poison apples? Almost. The girls and I went apple picking Friday morning to savour the chilly beginning that signifies true fall, wearing jackets for a total of 2 days before clinging onto our winter coats with our chattering teeth. It was Fuji day and we totally sneaked a few juicy munches in the midst of the orchard (tee hee). Upon entering Trader Joe's to pick up some groceries afterwards, I discovered my sincere addiction for everything pumpkin, and had to run away before I carted every box of pumpkin pie, cheesecake, and macarons I saw.

You can imagine how ecstatic I was when ASOS contacted me for a collaboration! Best thing about this parka is the utilitarian satisfaction of having a zillion pockets with zippers, a hood, and drawstring to cinch in the waistline. I ordered a size UK 4 since that's what the sizing guide recommended, but probably need a UK 2 since it's quite long and boxy on me (see the petite version on Sydney). I paired this boyfriend-fit, tomboyish outerwear piece with a girly lace frock and waxed leggings to keep warm. Even though my package was stolen off my doorstep, the ASOS Facebook support team sorted everything out and had a replacement package sent to me in a week (works better than emailing support if your package ever gets lost en route from the UK).

So, where the heck have I been? Well ... skydiving, paragliding, running my first 5k, white water rafting on class V rapids, classy-venue a cappella gigs, learning to do front flips and pelvic exams. Though second year is busy and challenging, it's still possible to live unapologetically in between the madness :) It was also really nice to meet up with my friend Jenny, whom I haven't seen for a good two years, and chat about the good ole days over bubble tea. JJ was here to visit and we ate our fill of bibimbap, fancy comfort food brunch, and curry burritos, went to a local pumpkin festival (so much pumpkin everything - fudge, sloppy joes, pizza, and a 14-foot diameter pie!?) to cure my newfound addiction once and for all, and watched the original Carrie and other scary movies to celebrate the Halloween mood. Happy Monday!

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NYFW SS 2014: Wine Red Tulle + Leather Accents

Eshakti (borrowed from Elle) burgundy tulle midi skirt // Urban Outfitters faux leather panel top //

Kristin Perry gold rose cat eye sunglasses // Express T-strap nude captoe stilettos //

Melie Bianco camel satchel bag // Wet n Wild lipstick in Wine Room

Photography: Mangue Banzima (1), Pierre Doumenjou (2,3)

DAY 2 MBFW. Still coming off my New York high - daydreaming about textures, colours, fit. These two handsome gents are my friends Rashad (@thestyleguyy) and Amechi (@bowtiemeach), stylist and tie-craftsman, respectively. Aren't they dapper in their fit-like-a-glove suits? We hung out together on our first experience inside NYFW, checking out shows that came our way, exploring the sponsor booths, and meeting fellow fashion influencers. Even a couple of weeks after, we're still keeping in touch and looking forward to bumping into each other at future events. It felt flattering and unreal to be snapped by streetstyle photographers and I tried chatting with each person afterwards to get a glimpse of his/her life story. For example, Pierre moved from France to NYC recently and used the festivities outside Lincoln Center as a springboard to launch his blog.

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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Dotted Dalmatian Pants + Sheer Top + Leather

Forever 21 woven detail sheer top // H&M spotted Dalmatian print pants //

Thrifted Ann Taylor stripy sandal wedges // Claire's black and white polka dot ball earrings (old) //

BCBG metallic silver foldover clutch // 

Photography: JJ

Usually on planes, I'm out cold before we clear the runway, but today I felt excited and productive in-flight. This was an outfit I wore when visiting JJ in Pitt (5/24/13). My Dalmatian "party pants" are still a lively favourite and get good wear for dancing and those weekdays that need a good pick-me-up. My quirky detail of the day was my black & white polka dot earrings to mirror the pants. Sheer is a cool look, but requires extra layers and steps to prevent the unclassy - in my case I always reach for a nude tank top to maximize the sheer effect. Finish off with strappy sandal wedges and a metallic clutch.

The past month has flown by in a giant blur of med school, research, getting swole at the gym, hanging out and catching meals with friends new and old, going "home-home" to Toledo and visiting Ann Arbor. Looking forward to a crazy weekend in NYC and updating you via Instagram and street style posts!

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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!)

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