H&M Conscious Collection 2013 Fitting Room Review

Spring has finally replaced Santa in Ohio. Every year I check out the H&M Conscious Collection because of the unique print and shapes they design. All dresses were 25% off last weekend, surprise surprise at the register. With my life and laundry overflowing with clothing, I think it's about time to be much more selective about buying new pieces and making sure that they can be multitasked for work and play. Somewhere along this process I've become more concerned about fit, which leads to more head shaking and less wallet busting in the fitting room.

1) H&M Conscious Collection plant pattern white cropped pants $35, sz 4 
These pants fit my legs like a glove - now that's rare. Perfectly tapered at my ankles, cinched well at the waist with a little room for dinner in there. However, I knew the water lilies and greenery were too wild for work and I wouldn't rock these on a night out either - more of a leather pants or skirt type of gal. If only they made this in solids! If you're petite/around 5'3" with athletic thighs, these are the pair for you. According to the uber tall model, they're supposed to be well above the ankles but I think they look better on shorties like me. Photo cred: H&M
- Verdict: Passed due to pattern

2) H&M Conscious Collection rainforest tapestry sheath dress $20 (paid 15), sz 2 
Debated for a long time whether to get this dress - the print is impractical and the material very thin and quite sheer. However, since it's blazing 80s suddenly, I figure this could be more highbrow with a white blazer, more tough with my leather jacket, and cute to wear on its own in a park setting, the botanical gardens, Coachella. The fit is quite good on me - have to wiggle in but once I pull it down it sits well at the shoulders, chest area, hips, and gives me some booty.
- Verdict: Purchased but may return - what do you think?

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Classy-fied | Satin Tank and Cropped Jacket

H&M mocha brown satin drape tank (deal) // H&M jewel beaded trim cropped jacket //

Ann Taylor Loft "Kate" straight leg black dress pants (00) (petite version) // 
Thrifted Melie Bianco faux camel leather satchel bag (deal) //

DIY/Payless red sole black pumps (DIY Christian Louboutin) //

Wet n Wild berry lipstick in Wine Room // Rose pearl necklace (gift) //
Ghetto $5 Walmart classic round watch (with a second hand for taking pulse) //

Photography: self; camera and remote

Balmy rays of sunshine, robins pecking at the ground for their version of gummy worms, longer days of clear blue sky: finally spring is here to stay! Today (4/8/13) I revisited this outfit from a few summers ago, when I was so excited to apply to medical school and start dressing more professionally for lab. Look how much has happened since! I wore this under my white coat for my clinical test (switched out black flats for heels, yellow backpack for my camel satchel, and threw on a necklace - what I would have worn if I weren't running late this morning). The cool spring breeze calmed down the warm 70s weather but inside the med school buildings, our heating/cooling is never thermostatically regulated and two words: pit stains.

Just because we blog about fashion doesn't mean we can't wear an old favourite and remix via accessories. My hair is significantly less fried than before and pulling it into a pony got the wind-blown strands out of my face and made for a cleaner, more twenty-something look. The satin top billows in the wind and reminds me of mocha sails fluttering on a chocolate sea - yum! These dress pants from Loft are the most slimming pair I've found so far for my uncommon leg/body ratio - these muscular thighs make it difficult to find a pair that skims over my upper leg while staying cinched at my waist. Have been too lazy to get it tailored so I just fold the bottoms in to make it more petite-friendly, since the 00P version was not flattering on me.

Cardiology so far has been really cool - I enjoy listening to the rhythm of heart sounds, taking advantage of my musical background to imagine a picture of what is happening. Reading EKG's and the physiology also appeals to visual-tactile learner me and I'm excited to learn more (this is rare optimism when living through the daily grind). My day-to-day schedule is more organized and manageable, so I'm able to feel like a normal semi-well-adjusted being again and do things like attend conferences on literature, draw with art students, scope out spring fashions, stuff my face with yummy treats, blog. Boy am I chatty today - off to watch the Mad Men season premiere and sip some Angry Orchard.

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Moulin Ruche | Cold Weather Work Outfit

H&M royal blue ruche button down blouse // H&M eggshell white cardigan //

Ann Taylor Petite dotted vertical pinstripe pants (4P) (from Aunt) // Mossimo suede grey ankle boots //

H&M ultra skinny leopard print belt // H&M plaid tweed coat //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

Today was cold as crap, meaning it was 38 degrees F when I walked out the door. Of course the heating in our lecture hall is the exact opposite of Mother Nature, so sweating bullets through my layers (why isn't my apartment that warm?). So, how do I dress professionally for the colder fall and winter days? Throw on a button down, add on a cardigan, swap out my pencil skirts for pants, and bundle up in a long coat. Snapped these in 5 minutes at sundown while my poor little fingers were turning into popsicles. Definitely not as cozy as these photos look. Details: rucheing on the royal blue button down keeps a feminine shape, as these types of tops tend to cut off our curves. Also, there are mini dotted vertical pinstripes on the pants, which I realize is not the most flattering cut on me (still looking for the perfect loose fitting tapered trousers). Swapped out my brown oxford wingtips too because it made me even more stumpy.

This weekend involved creative use of highlighters (heck yes, Harry Potter lightning bolt scar), singing for visiting alumni who graduated 50 years ago!, slurping pho noodles at North Market with a sweet friend, catching up and thrift-meandering during the Gallery Hop with some old college gals visiting Columbus. Fezes and turbans and mini custard cones were involved. Today I took my unused light and plugged it into my bedroom, brightening up the entire place and making me feel a lot less seasonally affected by the dreary winter greys. Clenching a pen between my teeth helps too (psych tips)

Thanks to all of you - new friends and old, readers and fellow bloggers - for your support and reaching out to me on my last post, offering wisdom, comfort, and starting meaningful conversations. With each day I am trying to be more brave and share why certain jokes and comments hurt me instead of bottling it up to suffer through alone. It is very difficult for me to cross that bridge and openly talk about this big part of my life. The next three weeks in med school will be challenging, as the topic is cancer. It has always been very personal to me, and now even more so. Something that does make my day better is gaining experience interacting with patients and learning how to be a more sensitive, humanitarian person - it reminds me why I am here at the end of the day, beyond the stress of studying all the time and being away from loved ones and friends.

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