Kelly Green + Stripes

Pitaya kelly green satin tie top // Black lace cami (underneath) // 
H&M pleated black and white striped skirt (similar) // Poshlocket gold and silver striped bracelet (c/o)

H&M gold snake coil chain necklace (steal) // H&M black bow flats //
Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop //

Photography: Cassandra (I miss you!)

From a similarly windy hot summer day summer (8/16/12), a lightweight unique top and mini skirt (with biker shorts underneath because Marilyn'ing doesn't quite work for the caught-off-guard/elegance-challenged/short skirts) make for an easy, breezy, casual look. This is a would-be St. Patricks' Day outfit if the holiday were worth celebrating after you've hit twenty one: 1) you're still a child at heart and refuse to be pinched 2) you're Irish 3) you like to drink lots of watered down light beer. On scorching breezy days like this, I wish for a beachcruiser to ride around the park in and a pool on my rooftop.

My thighs don't lie - though they've atrophied after a year of sitting in a chair all day, working on that flat butt while hunched over Powerpoint notes, my "Marion Joneses" are still loud and proud. This mini skirt length is too short to hide them even with their A-line shape, but that's okay. Beefcake and SWOLE are the new thigh gap, haven't you heard?

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Wear to Work: Tiered Ruffle Shell + Pleated Midi Skirt

Ann Taylor LOFT teal layered shell tank (XSP) (petite deal) // H&M khaki green cardigan //

H&M grey pleated midi skirt (similar for $8) // Charming Charlie coral and gold bauble statement necklace (similar) // 

H&M black bow flats // Claire's white ruffle purse //

Photography: Kristin

MONDAYS (are sometimes awesome). In between a cappella rehearsals for our performance this weekend and geeking out with heart and lung cases, this week has flown by. This Monday (4/22/13) was exceptional in how un-Monday it felt: a midterm conquered, more lectures right after, then an afternoon of clinical class, long rehearsal with choreo, phone chat with a new exciting blog sponsor, nice sit-down dinner with friends and free scrumptious veggie burgers at Northstar Cafe for Earth Day, making grown-up ice cream floats, blaring "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" as loud as we could at karaoke night. Thanks Kristin for taking photos of me nearly walking backwards into traffic as we stood in a long line of onlookers waiting for free dinner (the other two smiling faces are Emma and Kyle).

During lunch I went home to change out of my "ain't nobody got time for that" exam uniform of pocketed sweats and a comfy top to something more presentable, sticking with mostly neutrals and a pop of teal. This pretty LOFT shell has served me well in layering and hot summer days in the research lab. I like the asymmetrical tiers and how they contrast with the long flowing vertical pleats on my midi skirt - a classic yet romantic spring length. To finish off, accessorize with a berry lip and statement pink and gold chain bauble necklace. Happy spring!

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Paisley Pleats

Forever 21 sheer black top with lattice detail // H&M nude slip dress (underneath)
H&M paisley pleated skirt //Pitaya yellow faux patent leather belt // 
Thrifted @ Scholarshop basketweave nude loafers // Poshlocket gold and silver striped bracelet (c/o) //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

At long last: a new outfit post! So maybe med school is as time-consuming as everyone says it is ... the great news is for every outfit I've worn since school began, I've taken pictures and they're all nice and cozy on my SD card. But after all the additionally lectures we're required to learn each day outside of class, I have -5 hours of free time, which ends up stuffed in my piggy bank as rain checks for "sleep, what is sleep?" Moral of the story is: time management is everything and life just started fast forwarding at 3x speed. Second moral: dressing cute is the one thing stringing my sanity together. This is what I wore for running around during the undergraduate activities fair (hot summer weather), ziplining on my lunch break (yup, always in style), and meeting the dental students who are our partners for anatomy dissection. Business ultra-casual? The skirt was a $7 on-sale thingeemajigger that I grabbed before my China trip and the best thing is it has pockets; the second best thing is the pleated flap covers more leg when you sit down.

In the past 2 weeks I have learned how to perform CPR, place EKG leads, how to take a patient history, the clinical side of sickle cell anemia, and lots more. Between all this I finally settled into my apartment and got internet, drove to Pittsburgh for the weekend to visit JJ (he's starting grad school), ate my weight in free food. This is an exhilarating change of pace, because I'm finally learning all the things I wanted to since the beginning of college and we get hands-on clinical experience very early on. Also, at least twice a week I have to dress professionally, so time to start crash-coursing petite friendly outfits for young-people-forever-stuck-in-and-pencil-skirts-and-pantsuits. It's so strange having to wear pencil skirts instead of for whimsical I-feel-fancy-schmancy days.

More random thoughts uncategorizable for paragraph form:
1. There are so many undergrads everywhere (50,000 to be exact-ish?)
2. IKEA is heaven on Earth. Confirmed by scientific studies. Their Swedish meatballs are also food of the gods. Also confirmed by science. Okay maybe not ... still. LINGONBERRIES
3. Being an "adult" is soooo weird. Not sure if I like it. Can I return after 30 days?

Thank you Underrated Gems for featuring me alongside Youtube fashion and beauty gurus. I'm beyond flattered - check it out! Good luck to everyone going back to school - snap a pic and show me your outfits!

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Little Blouse on the Prairie

H&M monarch butterfly cropped top (4) // H&M grey chiffon pleated midi skirt (4) //

H&M chiffon bow black flats (US 5/Euro 6) // H&M gold snakelike segmented necklace ($6) //
H&M faux leather biker jacket (4) //

c/o Poshlocket gold and silver Celeste roped bracelet, H&M multicolour friendship bracelets //

H&M small faux leather crossbody bag // H&M gold glitter mini envelope purse //
Lipstick: Covergirl LipPerfection in Rapture

Photography: JJ

BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY. A spring-minded school outfit for warmer February days (2/22). Inadvertently almost all H&M ... my my they've been making bank off of me. The monarch top is so boho and carefree, matched with a flowing off-grey (tinge of purple) chiffon midi skirt with pleats, oh pleats. If only every day of the year were like this :)

I was planning on crossing off things on my mall to-do list on Friday, but the weather took a turn for the worse. Cold, windy, dreary. Despite the Debbie Downer weather, I still went berserk at the mall over florals and leather, met up with more friends, and had a blast of a 22nd birthday with my best college buds. They surprised me with Moscato, cheesecake, champagne, and watching Paranormal Activity 3 together, and best of all, themselves! The weather gods stopped being poo and today was sunny gorgeous, high of 75 but with super strong whisk-me-to-Oz winds.

During a cellular biology seminar on Friday, I was inspired by a Ben Franklin quote one of the presenters said: "Energy and persistence conquer all." My persistence fuels my strength but the energy is a bit lacking. Recently, there are a lot of honestly fun and happy moments and there's also periods of grief and really missing my Mom. Talking with people helps, and especially being able to connect with others going through similar hardship. Thanks to every one of you who have offered hugs and words of support ♥. A giant bowl of basil pesto chicken soup also helps warm up the spirit. Mmmm foodie.

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Fairest Paris

Forever 21 Eiffel Tower cropped top (S) // H&M black and white pleated mini skirt (Euro 4) // 

Thrifted red knit beanie (old) // Merona orange strappy sandals (5.5) // 

H&M red chunky jewels necklace //

Photography: JJ

WHY ISN'T IT CALLED NO-LABOR DAY? My Labor Day started out Daniel Powter style but eventually got better. First, woke up a little behind schedule. Next, printer refused to print my coupons and my old Macbook flopped trying to update drivers and software. I had an angry meltdown at the rebellious technology ugh. Wore this outfit to class last Wednesday (8/31), minus red beret. I remember it was still blazing hot that day when I decided to walk the whole 20 minutes to class and now this weekend, it's chill as the North Pole.

Mall trip delayed for hours and no salary won from Banana Republic (of course). But H&M's Pants Collection had some great finds - 2 pairs for JJ, 1 pair $13 for me. Will have fitting room review on those tomorrow. Urban Outfitters involved the usual ogling at all the quirkiest and coolest things and books - they should charge admission like a museum because I can't afford to do anything but stare lol. After meandering around the mall, we went to Borders for some cheap literature thrills-hunting. I picked up a Photoshop CS4 Studio handbook at 60% off and we crazy kids brought back an 8-foot-long "ANIMALS AND NATURE" sign. Yup Borders is even getting rid of all their bookshelves.

Meanwhile, fun things: Saw a big fox tail at Aldo but they sold out, so I ordered one online ($12). If you play their games you can win Aldo shoes for life and get 15% off your purchase with this coupon code: getlucky75985 (in store option: print)

Readers - did you go (Labor Day) shopping? Tell me about your haul!

Enter my Highglossfashion jewelry giveaway

Sailor Mouth

H&M ruffle detail navy top (S) // H&M black and white striped pleated mini skirt (Euro 4) //
H&M apple chunky plastic ring // H&M and Forever 21 bracelets // Forever 21 hummingbird gold layered necklace //
Merona bright orange strappy sandals (5.5) //

Photography: JJ

Today is the last day of July. Holy crap time flies. Quickest update ever in the midst of a clusterschmuck of cramming and work (300th post on Pandaphilia, y'all!). This is what I wore to Kaldi's coffeeshop today (7/31). Had a nice meeting for my community service group, shoved a bunch of chemistry and physics knowledge into my skull, drank several cups of coffee.

August arrives augustly tomorrow - I don't think I'm ready! This means a few days left until the end of my summer research program, 12 days until the MCAT exam, 13 days before I'm flying out to Orlando to see my BFF (first time in Florida - so excited!), 19 days until home in sweet sunny (but not blazing hot/humid TG) San Diego, 30 until senior year starts. This summer is spinning faster and faster out of a normal timescale.

Obsessed with pleated skirts. Can you believe this one was only $10 not on sale? : ) I swear it was dark blue stripes when I viewed it at the store ... Nautical nonsense - my fave. New sandals finally, bright orange and funky for comfortable summer frolicking (my white pair grew mold in the spring o_0). Also, I'm a sucker for quirky rings, if you didn't already know. Chunky apple sauce, anyone?

Last but not least, the giveaway winner for JStyleShopper $100 store credit is ...

[new winner chosen]

Congrats and please email me your mailing address ASAP. A new winner will be drawn in 72 hours if there is no response. Stay tuned for the Alonai Shoes giveaway winner!

Don't forget to enter my Apothica giveaway!