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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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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