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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Call Me Carrie Bradshaw

Eshakti Custom oxblood midi tulle skirt (c/o Elle) (similar) // Forever 21 white lace crochet crop top //
Forever 21 nude bandeau bra (underneath)

Payless white vintage style pumps (deal) // H&M burgundy felt floppy hat //

Kristin Perry gold rose decorated cat eye sunglasses (exact) (splurge) // Pure Ice red nail polish in Siren

Photography: JJ

Hello lovely people! I'm glad to have enjoyed my first real weekend in 10 months after finishing first year of med school. It was a crazy, crazy ride and I am glad for this respite before diving into the fray again. I wore this poofy tulle midi skirt from Elle to the class barbeque today at a local park. She was so kind to let me borrow it after I was so enamored with her remix post showing how versatile this statement piece is (sisterhood of the traveling tulle skirt!). When I put it on, it fit me like a glove - it's so uncanny to come across a blogger friend who has the same exact measurements. You can imagine my joy waddling around in this born-in-the-wrong-decade getup while munching on hamburgers and watching my classmates play sand volleyball in shorts and tank tops. Finally, impractical dressing is back full force! Though I've never watched Sex and the City, this is something I imagine Carrie Bradshaw would wear on a walk in Central Park.

At first when decorated sunglasses became a thing with the delicate little pastel roses, I thought they were the neatest thing. After a while I couldn't decide if it fell into the tacky and weird category, since I find myself reaching for more basics and classic wardrobe staples when I do find the energy and extra minutes to dress presentably (shhh don't tell). I redeemed this pair off Chictopia to replace my simple cat eye sunnies from H&M that I lost somewhere and am happy with the baroque over-the-top glamour they provide. The fedora version of my burgundy felt floppy hat wasn't a keeper, so I gave in to this round top one and it balances the poofy bottom of the silhouette.

Looking forward to rotating with opthalmology and ENT this week, a summer of relaxed research with plastic surgery, and exploring the nooks and crannies of Columbus. I spent the rest of this weekend watching Great Gatsby, doing some intense hiking and cliff-climbing with JJ and watching another David Attenborough animal documentary - not a bad way to begin.

P.S. The winner of the Gambita petite jeans giveaway is ... Lisa C. Ng! Caroline would like to offer all of you a 35% off coupon (enter code at checkout: Gambita4Pandaphilia) so you can skip the tailor and mall hunting and treat yoself to your favourite item.

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Double Oxblood | Work to Night Out Burgundy Outfit

Day:

H&M cable knit burgundy sweater // Forever 21 burgundy lace pencil skirt //

DIY Christian Louboutin dupe/Payless red-sole black pumps //

Black metal buckle belt (pass-me-up from brother) //

Night:

H&M cable knit burgundy sweater // Forever 21 burgundy lace pencil skirt //

Thrifted @ Goodwill/Ann Taylor black strappy wedges // H&M faux leather biker jacket //

Black metal buckle belt (pass-me-up from brother) // Michael Todd vampy lip stain in Disco (thanks Nikki) //

Photography: self; remote and tripod

OXBLOOD AND BLOOD ORANGES. What is with the violence in colour terminology these days? Why is it oxblood and not simply blood? And even though blood oranges are so yummy, there's something so inherently Bram Stoker and grotesque about it. This all-burgundy/wine red/oxblood outfit was inspired by this pin on a Refinery 29 slideshow on wearing midi skirts. What's more fall appropriate than lace pencil skirts with a matching cable knit sweater in the same exact perfect autumn shade? For the PrettyShinySparkly oxblood challenge: one of my big-time doc blogger inspirations!

I noticed halfway through the day why my neck was itching so badly. Looking side my shirt, I saw a tag *facepalm* ... so I had my sweater on backwards. However, I rolled with it because it gave a more straight cut neckline which looked sophisticated. This black belt with the cool silver square buckle is actually a really old belt my brother wore for piano recitals when he was a little kid. Ironically it fits well around my waist still! How to transition to night time? Throw on a leather jacket to toughen things up and go along with the black and burgundy theme, exchange work-friendly pumps with strappy wedges from summer. Nothing makes me happier than sticking it to the man - in this case, Mr. CL and his uber expensive shoes. $20 pumps, $3 of nail polish and voila! Two things I will never invest in: designer heels or designer bags because I am so rough with my crap everything gets tattered faster than you can say cobbler. I'll post the DIY Christian Louboutin red sole heel tutorial soon if anyone's interested in having some faux glam fun :)

Friday night meant wearing wine colours to wine tasting but I got very lost and missed the bus, so instead mosied on over to a dumpling night event and stuffed myself with the tasty treats doused with Sriracha hot sauce (thank goodness for the sweet tea they had handy). Afterwards was an evening well spent with some new friends, practical physical exam skills. Don't judge - call us nerds now and be thankful when we can wield our diagnostic tools with finesse when you have an ear ache or pink eye. This weekend JJ visited and we had a grand old time eating along High Street and exploring North Market. And today I sang my first performance ever with our med school a cappella group - do epic shift, guys. Every single day.

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