may budget

Target dress [seen here]: $25
Old Navy shorts [seen here]: originally $22, on promotion for $10
Target dress [seen here]: $25
J.Crew Factory shorts: originally $40, on promotion for $20
J.Crew Factory shirt: originally $60, on promotion for $30

May budget: $110
Left for June + July: $390

And that completes May's budget...and two years of budgeting (see my original post about budgeting here, and a follow up from a year ago)! At this point, having a clothing budget is both a necessity and something that comes natural. Knowing that there's a point I can't cross (or don't allow myself to) has really curbed a lot of impulses purchases (or really just keeping of said impulses). The things I pay for and keep are things I really see myself wearing a lot, and looking back at my shopping habits from two years ago, I'm so happy that I started this.

The best part of my current set up is because it's a quarterly system, I have a bit of wiggle room in what I spend each month. This month I ended up ordering a ton of different things, but only kept the five things I really liked. Both Target dresses are awesome, and something I have worn basically every other day since I received them. I did end up making the black/white dress into a v-neck with some questionable sewing tactics (you can kind of see the end result here), and now it's truly the perfect summer dress. The shorts are helping me get out out of the jorts rut of previous summers, and the short-sleeved oxford will be perfect for date nights and future school outfits (and unlike a lot of the tops at J.Crew Factory, it isn't boxy!)

Unfortunately this means a few of the things I was most excited about are being sent back. This includes these pants from Loft that I had high hopes for but they were too baggy in the butt for me, plus I didn't love the pocket in the front because it looks slightly pleated, so back they go. I did love the relaxed vibe though, so I'm definitely going to keep an eye out for something similar but more flattering on me.

Even more disappointing is that the Madewell dress that I bought myself as a "hey, first year of medical school didn't kill you" present didn't work either. I had such high hopes for it! The color is beautiful, the stitching is fun, and I loved the v-neck and the fact that it had sleeves.  It has a slight drop waist, which I was hoping wouldn't be obvious but it totally is. Without a belt it is too loose, but it looks strange belted at my waist. It's also too short for the occasion coming up that I wanted to wear it to, so back it goes. If you happen to be a fan of drop-waist dresses, go out and buy this puppy and think of me every time you look awesome in it, because I'll just be over here, seething with jealousy. 

Moral of the story: budgeting isn't always fun, but it saves you anger in the long run. I could easily keep all of the things I purchased, but 6 months from now I'd be kicking myself that I spent money on something I never wear. UGH RESPONSIBILITY. 

Alright, how'd you do? Link up below (and please make sure you link back so your readers can find other budgeting bloggers to follow!)

giveaway: monograms

or ring!

or bracelet!

I love and wear my monogrammed necklace from oNecklace often, so to help celebrate their new Etsy store opening, I've teamed up with oNecklace again to give one of you the chance to win any piece of your choosing from their store. I have this necklace, but if you're looking for something a little more modern and simplistic, I think this necklace is a great choice! Of course there's rings and bracelets to choose from too. Just enter the rafflecopter below for your chance to win - this is open internationally so may the odds be ever in your favor ;)

hi Viktoria!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

quintessential

Everything about this screams summer to me, right down to the layer of sweat ;) Now that my life is a little less hectic, I'm trying to eat better (and regularly) and exercise more, but that means I feel like I'm constantly sweating too. But seriously, what's more summer than stripes, light weight shorts, sandals, and feeling too hot?

Well, possibly linen. I've wanted some linen pants forever, especially for cooler summer days/nights (unlike today) when it's still too hot to wear jeans. I happened upon these from Loft, and decided to order them after seeing that they are currently 50% off. I'm hoping they're that perfect in between pant for summer. 

Plus linen is supposed to be wrinkly, right? Perfect, because I do not plan on taking my iron out once this summer.

Tee: Boden [exact]

Shorts: Old Navy [exact]

Shoes: Madewell [exact]

Belt: Gap [similar]

be right back.

I was a litttttttttttle stir crazy this semester. We live in a city of 100,000, which is a fairly decent size, but still somewhat small. The closest larger cities are about two hours away, so with very limited free time, I didn't leave the city all semester. Now that we have all the free time in the world (!!!), I can't wait to get out of here and visit other places. 

This weekend we went to Cleveland - I've only ever driven through on my way here from Wisconsin, so I was so excited to explore! After a quick twitter crowd-sourcing, we decided to see the West Side Market (where we got amazing desserts), stopped for a quick beer at Bier Market, walked around the little shops, and then drove to Crocker Park to go shopping (there are a few pictures on my instagram...mostly about food). Although most of the big stores were visited, I ended up only purchasing a tie, and it wasn't even for myself ;) I had hoped that I could have tried these shorts on at Gap, but they only had size 25s and 33s. It's probably for the best that I didn't find anything though because I just ordered this dress as a "congrats on finishing your first year" present for myself. I had set a bit of money aside to buy myself something (not out of the budget) so I'm hoping it works out! I'm so happy we got out of town for the day and got to see a city that is so close to us. We're already planning another trip back at the end of the summer to go see some of the museums and go on a brewery tour!

Blouse: The Limited [exact - everything 50% off]

Jeans: Madewell [exact]

Belt: The Limited 

Shoes: Old Navy

Earrings: Tiffanys [exact]

helllllllo summer

I'M DONE! My first year of medical school is officially over and I truly can not believe it. The first weeks of school are still so vivid in my mind because the transition from working/funempolyement to sitting in class all day/studying all night wasn't the easiest. But I survived, learned a whole bunch of things, and plan on enjoying every last second of my last free summer. I'm working in our cadaver lab for 4 weeks, but other than that, my summer is going to be all about being outside, traveling, camping, and sitting by the pool. I CAN'T WAIT!

Ten free weeks away from school also means ten weeks of no dress code! We luckily get to wear scrubs to work in the lab, so I'm excited to take full advantage of shorts, sundresses, and sandals any time I'm not skinning bodies (my life is so so glamorous, I know). I got this dress last week and love the pattern and fit. I'm debating making the crew-neck into a v-neck though in the near future - anyone have any tips?  I like that I can dress it up now for school (and even in the winter with boots and a cardigan) but I can also wear it casually this summer.

If you haven't received the email yet, J.Crew Factory is currently having their huge Memorial Day sale. I ordered these shorts (in blue and red in different sizes to try on), this fun tee, and these simple sandals. I really wish that they made the 4 or 5 inch shorts in this grey color, but they don't, so I may have to check out these from Old Navy instead. Otherwise I really don't want to get too carried away with summer clothes as I basically live in Everlane tees anyway. 

So those are my summer plans! Okay, and maybe studying just a tiny tiny bit ;)

Dress: Target [exact]

Belt: The Limited

Shoes: Old Navy [these would be fun!]

day 293 of the rest of your life

Shirt: TJ Maxx

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Necklace: c/o Le Tote [exact]

Shoes: Old Navy [want these so hard]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Belt: The Limited

Today was the last day of classes for us - all that stands between me and a summer of lounging by the pool (...and dissecting cadavers) is one clinical neuro exam and one comprehensive exam for everything we've learned this year. 293 days ago I wore this same shirt, but it feels like a lifetime ago - I feel like a completely different person. While I'm not really ready to reflect on the school year as a whole (probably because I have like 40 more hours left in the library that is taking up all my free brain time), it is interesting to see how much has change. 

I have longer hair...and maybe a few extra pounds on my thighs from mostly sitting all day. A group of girls I had only known for a week became my "Erie family". I have a guy in my life now who makes me laugh and feel special every day. My dogs have their own friends they have dates with. I actually know and understand some real medicine now (okay, really just science book medicine). I know what the inside of a human body looks like. I can walk into a room and do a full physical exam on a person I've never met before. If your neck hurts, I now know several ways I may be able to help. I have so so much left to learn, but 70-some credits (for real) of medical school classes later, I feel like I do at least know a thing or two about the vast field of medicine.

warm weather >:(

Every year, after super long and frigid winters, nothing is as exciting as finally not having to wear a jacket outside, getting to pull out sandals...and then realizing that I don't own any clothes for warm weather. I'm just not a warm-weather-clothes loving kind of girl - I prefer the layers and the scarves and the boots that come with fall. I think part of that really has to do with my shape - heat and summer are all about non-clingy, swingy, thin strapped, show off as much skin as possible type of clothing, and I just can't do that. I need my heavy-duty bra (how attractive does that sound?!) and something that covers my not so slender arms, and I need something that won't make my thighs rub. So what I really comes down to is...I hate spring. 

I'm sure you could say I worry too much, and this is totally true (just ask those closest to me), but if I don't feel comfortable, I'm just not going to be able to enjoy the nice weather. Could I probably cut down on the delicious cheeseburgers once a week, and instead of napping maybe go on a run, sure, but ten pounds in either direction isn't going to change the fact that I prefer to be more covered up. 

What I do know is that I prefer dresses with some kind of sleeve - something that I can easily throw on, probably belt, and walk out the door. I went to Old Navy last week and tried on a bunch of different dresses in hopes of finding a few inexpensive options, and even though I liked the fit and flare dress I talked about before, it felt it was almost tooooo dressy. After seeing this dress on Merrick, I figured it was worth ordering online since I could return it in the store if I decided against it. I also needed to go buy dog food that day, so I went to Target anyway...and found this dress. Does it solve all of my summer time dressing woes? No, but it's light, has sleeves, and can be dressed up or down, so for one day I won't complain about having nothing to wear.

But just one day. 

Dress: Target [exact]

Necklace: c/o Bauble Bar [exact]

Shoes: Banana Republic [exact]

Belt: H&M

Nails: Essie + OPI

b+ h // h & p

We're coming in on 15 days of school left....FIFTEEN DAYS. When did this happen?! Unfortunately there's a lot of testing and learning left to cram into these last two weeks. 

Today we have our last History & Physical practical for the year - we have to preform a full physical exam on a standardized patient. I wish I could just wear what I'm wearing above, but the exam involves a lot of bending below the patient and standing right in front of their faces, so I have to minimize any risk of showing cleavage by wearing a button-up with a high collared sweater over it. I made the mistake of wearing just a button up for the first practical of last semester, and promptly was informed that cleavage is unprofessional. Yikes :/ Every day is a learning experience around here!

Skirt: The Limited [exact on sale for more than 50% off]

Tee: Everlane [exact - see full review here]

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Belt: Gap [similar style]

Shoes: Banana Republic [exact]

Necklace: c/o 9th & Elm [exact]

via instagram

daytime // nighttime

I've been kind of annoyed with the idea of getting dressed and blogging about it lately. I feel because I don't blog daily like I used to before I was in school that every time I do blog that it should be of something special. I feel this internal pressure that I need to put a lot of thought and effort into what I'm wearing, and make it worth taking pictures and editing and uploading and presenting it as "this is good enough for the internet" kind of thing. A large part of that comes from reading a ton of (awesome) other blogs, and seeing how much effort and talent they put into their space, and then feeling like nothing I can really do can compete with that. Because let's be honest, "work" clothes are kind of boring...and especially when they are being worn in a city that seems to never have nice weather. 

But you know, the whole point here is to show what I'm actually wearing in real life, and not dressing for the blog or putting on special outfits just to take pictures. So here are the two parts of what I wore today. It didn't feel like a costume or fake or something I just wore to blog - it felt comfortable and like myself. The first part is what I wore during the day to go to school. The second outfit is what I changed into to go study at the library - just a few simple changes to make it comfy enough to sit in for 6 hours but also dressed up enough to maybe not look like a freshman on the undergrad campus (unfortunately I think the study-induced forehead wrinkles now give me away!).

Blazer: J.Crew, thrifted

Tee: Boden [exact]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Necklace: Forever 21 [very similar save | splurge]

Purse: Kate Spade [cute similar]

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

Shoes:  Lucky [exact]

Nails: Essie [exact]

Blazer: J.Crew, thrifted

Tee: Boden [exact]

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Purse: Kate Spade [cute similar]

Shoes:  Lucky [exact]

Scarf: H&M