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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Hollywood, CA

H&M faux leather biker jacket // H&M chambray shirt // H&M silver metallic sweater //

Faded Glory red tee (underneath) // H&M olive A-line flare skirt // H&M faux leather leggings //

Forever 21 grey knee high socks // Xhilaration black and white oxfords //

Photography: JJ & me

Last weekend JJ and his family and I explored Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara on a spontaneous end-of-year trip (I survived on 1.25 outfits: proud). First stop: Hollywood, home of a bajillion people staring at the ground and snapping photos (aliens must be so amused at the human race). Bundling up in as many layers as possible, with assorted textures and fabrics, we meandered around streets, shops, and eateries like proper tourists. Some of my favourite moments: eating piping hot samosas at Bollywood Cafe, pleased to find the longgg boardwalk in Santa Barbara to be consistent with Psych, wandering around the little Dutch town in the mountains.

I made it home via pimped-out-with-wifi train in time for watching the crystal ball make its flamboyant descent down the pole on TV with my family while sipping champagne. Yesterday was mall day, catching some deals after all the holiday-crazed shoppers are still resting from the battle of 2012 ($1.80 for a big string of white Christmas lights, hollaaa). Today's adventure will be around downtown San Diego with a med school classmate and dinner at Fish Market for my brother's birthday. I hope your new year has kicked off ambitiously and adventurously!

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En{trench}ed Neon

Merona khaki trench coat (XS) // Ralph Lauren Polo royal blue sweatshirt (XS) (gift from Aunt) //

H&M hot pink suede mini skirt with gold zippers (Euro 4) // 

Xhilaration black and white wingtip oxford flats (6) // Taiwan brand dotted sheer tights (M/L)

Photography: JJ

• New favourite place on campus: Yellow gingko trees outside the library in late autumn. They are the perfect shade of golden yellow and you feel like you're in a magical forest.
• New favourite mood: A cafe during a light rain. The smell of sweet coffee is the nicest aroma to hit your olfactory bulbs when you walk in the door

I'M YOUR GOLDEN GIRL. Another one of those I-don't-care-that-it's-raining-all-day-I-will-still-wear-bright-colours campaigns for Tuesday (11/8). Remixed from this summer version of royal blue + fuchsia. Add a practical waterproof trench coat from Target, cinched nicely with a bow belt. Now I know why there's a room in the library called "The Gingko Room" ... used to take naps in there freshman year xD This time of year, it's the most beautiful view on campus. That perfect gingko-path leading to the quad. Remember this early autumn post? The leaves were still so green back then.

Rainy days after 12 hours of sleep call for a hot thermos of coffee and some library lovin'. Thanks to the best boyfriend-photographer, weathering the impending rain to get these shots. My favourite part of blogging is the blabbing part. I always write the content first to get my thoughts and moods down and then reluctantly deal with editing and coding photos later on. Readers, how do you deal with the blogging blues? How do you motivate yourself to keep churning out new content when the more you learn, the more it starts to feel like work?

Wednesday's weather: 45 degrees F and 30 mph winds. FML

Readers - what do you wear on rainy days?

In the Emerald City

Pitaya/Ezra emerald satin open kimono top (S) (tied in front) // 

H&M forest green slim fit skinny jeans (Euro 6) // H&M yellow lace cami (Euro 4) // 

Xhilaration black and white oxford flats (5.5) // 

Photography: JJ

ONE SHORT LONG DAY. Yesterday (9/6) felt like a good day to wear a satin kimono top with my new H&M Pants Collection slim fit (super skinnayy) forest green jeans. I got a lot of stares around campus and a few "Are you a leprechaun today?"s but it was worth the Wizard of Oz inspiration. Inconvenient truth about these jeans: no pockets! The side zip is nice to prevent unsightly crotch bunching. It has a hotpants kind of feel, a bit of high-waist going on. The kimono top had a weird stain in it, but that just means I got it for only $7 at Pitaya :) Love that the back is really long - gives it an elegant feel.

I really want a pair of those dorky green Wizard of Oz sunglasses they had in the movie to go with this. It was my favourite movie in kindergarten for sure. I remember playing Glinda over and over again for the class play despite not being able to speak English. Inspiration: Dorothy outfit, Tin man, maybe others! First, do lots and lots of homework. Notes: It's getting chillier yay! Need a reliable spot for 5 minute shoots in the morning. Lighting is very tricky at 9:30 AM.

Rest in peace, Dean McLeod. You will be cherished and missed.

Readers - how do you style a kimono?

Enter my Highglossfashion jewelry giveaway

A la Alexa

H&M striped navy sweater (XS) // Pitaya/Ezra peter pan collar bunny print top (S) //

Threadsence/Lush mint green scallop hem shorts (S) // Forever 21 oxford lace-up booties (6) //
Urban Outfitters double face watch //

Photography: JJ

NERDY SLEEK. After yesterday's crazy deluge and howling-wind-fest, I kept my hair tied up and for the most part, slept on it. Come morning, I awake to a nice curly mess in the back, but perfect for a relaxed Sunday morning look. Headed off to my boss's place for a Breakfast at Tiffany's-inspired brunch in an LBD and pearls, changed back into this outfit for afternoon writing and studying. BY THE WAY, it was totally 70 degrees today. Holy cow it feels SO nice to be able to breathe and not sweat like a pig (and smell other people's summer stank). It's beginning to look a lot like autumn! *sings*

I feel very Alexa Chung with the tousled hair and peter pan collar/sweater combo. Been wanting to wear this in my mind for a while but it's been too hot. In other news, my friend and co-worker just started a food blog! He always brings amazing made-from-scratch lunches that entice everyone else within a 10 foot radius. You should definitely check it out for the pretty foodpron and recipes!

Hurray for fall-transitioning! Bodyguards and Assassins is a sad movie.

P.S. Check out this awesome video JJ found of the past 100 years of fashion in 100 seconds:

Readers - how are you transitioning into fall?