june budget

Banana Republic Blouse: originally $80 + $20 reward = $60
Madewell sweater: originally $72 + 10% student discount = $65
Madewell belt: originally $45 + 10% student discount = $40
Jack Rogers sandals: $130 + $50 gift card = $80

June budget: $245 - $50 sold = $195
Quarterly budget: $119 in May + $195 in June = $186 left for July

So this month was a bit more spendy than past months, but I kind of knew it was going to be. With my long nights and weekends off, I'm much more likely to do a bit of shopping! I'm very happy with the things I bought this month though. I've wanted a black leather belt with gold hardware for so long, so I'm glad I finally set out to find one - not that it's hard to find a black belt, I just never made it a priority (time for me to take my own advice!). The one I got from Madewell is just about as timeless as it gets, and I've already worn it a ton since I purchased it. On that same trip I bought this striped sweater. You can't see it from the picture above, but it actually has high slits on either side. I love that it's a bit unique while having that classic look about it. It's perfect for cooler nights now, and will definitely be packed for my trip this fall! The top from Banana Republic was a bit more expensive that I usually like to spend on tops, but I just couldn't get it out of my mind, so combined with a reward I've been saving for a few months, I finally ordered it. Pictures coming this week, but you can see a little bit of it on instagram! Last was this pair of Jack Rogers I linked to a few weeks ago - I haven't had a chance to wear them yet since it has rained literally every weekend this month, but I'm very excited to break them in! Aren't they the cutest?

I'm still waiting for my J.Crew Factory order to come in so I can see if the cardigan I ordered is a winner. Depending on how many days I'm in dress clothes this month, I'm also really hoping to find a few pairs of work pants - apparently no one buys pants in the summer! Maybe I'll get lucky and I'll be wearing scrubs for the next two months so it won't matter. Otherwise I don't have my eye on too many things currently, besides this pretty gingham dress that would be perfect for a casual wedding we have coming up in a few weeks.

Like I do every month, I wanted to share the pieces that I received from my sponsors. I think it's only fair that I disclose what I add to my closet that I don't pay for. I only work with companies I truly love, and I always pick out my own items that I end up wearing over and over again. This month I received a pair of 7 For All Mankind jeans from Fitcode (more about that coming soon!), a Tory Burch tote from Shopbop, and the watch of my dreams from Larsson & Jennings.

How did you spend your June budget? I'm excited to check out all of your posts. Thank you for linking up every month and sharing your budget with us. Please feel free to link up below and as always, please link back to this post so your readers can find other budgeting bloggers to be inspired by!

top three

can't stop won't stop with my favorite dress pants

medicine

• Over the last month, we've done quite a few sports physicals. These usually include a questionnaire that asks about family history, and specifically if anyone in the family had died of sudden cardiac issues under the age of 40. This is super important because a condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be passed down genetically - it basically means that the heart is enlarged. It usually results in teenagers/young adults suddenly dying during moments of exercise or high stress - I know when I was in high school, we would constantly hear about kids across the country just falling over dead during a basketball game. During the past month, we actually had to send two teenagers to cardiologists because of their family history and abnormal EKGs. 
• An essential tremor is another disease that can be inherited. It results in a tremor that notably usually goes away with alcohol use, which is why many patients tend to self-medicate with alcohol use. Treatment involves a simple beta blocker, so self-induced alcoholism isn't the only option ;)
• The "most tweeted medical study" indicates that frequent ejaculation for men may slow down the rate of prostate cancer. Men across the country are rejoicing ;)

on the internet

• We all have plans for our lives and how we see it working out, but this post from Laura is a reminder that even if it doesn't all go according to plan, it will all work out. 
• Looking to improve your hairblowing skills? Here's the perfect step-by-step guide to doing a blow-out at home. 
• A day in the life of a resident - can't tell if I'm excited to eventually also know how to do things (in four years) or nervous about my future life!

spotted

• I love how this dress is demure from the front but totally sexy from the back.
• I've become a bit of a self-proclaimed catlady, so it only makes sense that I want these (ridiculous/awesome?) shoes. Meow!
• My watch philosophy is usually the bigger, the better, but I may make an exception for this beautiful tortoise watch. It just looks so ladylike!

on franish

• on the blog: loved this outfit from a recent night out with CR
• on instagram: a quite afternoon at the local coffee shop (PS my headphones are from amazon and pretty cheap!)
• on twitter: posting on IG 3-5 times a day - yay or nay? 

notable sales

• Anthropologie: extra 20% off sale items
• This light floral dress is beautiful and would be perfect for any summer party.
• A pretty tassel scarf that works as both a scarf on the plane and then a cover-up on the beach!
• J.Crew: 30% off select items
• A white + gold popover short sleeved top? YES. 
• Madewell: extra 20% off sale items
• My absolute favorite pair of jeans in a lighter wash are on sale
• I want this white tunic top so I can wear it all winter long with riding boots and big fluffy scarves. 

personal

• 1 down, 10 more to go! My first month of rotations was on family medicine, and I think it was the perfect way to step into the clinical years. My hours were super nice, I loved the staff at the office I was at, and overall it was just nice to feel like a human again during my nights and weekends off. Tomorrow starts the beginning of two months of surgery. I'll be in a smaller community hospital so while I may not see a very diverse group of surgeries, I'll hopefully get to be more hands on! Wish me luck...I'll need it!
• CR and I spent part of the weekend in Cleveland and had so much fun. We went to Melt (all the carbs), then got my new computer (!!!), walked around down town, and went on a brewery tour at Great Lakes. It was so nice to get out of town for a little while and see a few new places.
• It's my grandma's 85th birthday today. My entire family (which is very small) is currently at her house in Germany celebrating, and I'm actually very upset I can't be there. I see my family (now including my parents and siblings) maybe once a year, and knowing that they are all together while I'm here is pretty rough. They always tell you that you'll miss out on family events because of medical school, but that doesn't make it suck any less. The bright side is that I will at least get to see some of them when we make our pitstop in Germany in September. 

building a cohesive wardrobe: making a shopping list

So now that we've cleaned out our closets, and thought about what we want our future wardrobes to look like, it's time to figure out what pieces we want to add back in. Figuring out what you want is pretty easy, it just takes a long time to find it all! Here are a few ways to break it down.

figure out your budget

white + blue, the perfect hue

While this is the first time I've shown this dress on here, I've been wearing it almost on a weekly basis since I ordered it a few months ago. It was a dress I had been eyeing for months, and when it finally went on sale when only my size was left, I very quickly ordered it. I just think it's the perfect summer dress - a sturdy fabric to hold its shape, a classic color pairing, and built-in pattern mixing. I wore this on a recent night out with CR, and we all know it's definitely going to be in my suitcase come late September - if not in the place of blue + white, then when? ;)

Dress: Tory Burch c/o Shopbop [exact with similar below]

Belt: Gap [very similar]

Sandals: Target [exact]

Ring: Kendra Scott c/o Nordstrom [exact]

Nails: Essie [exact]

and because my exact dress is almost completely sold out, here are a few similar options. I can't even pick a favorite because all are adorable!

one | two | three

four | five [< $50!] | six

sale on sale: shopbop edition

 

one | two | three | four | five | six

Shopbop doesn't have a ton of sales, so when they do, they're good ones. For the next three days, you can get 25% off all sale items. Above are a few of my picks - I'm so in love with the perforated espadrilles, but have had my eye on a striped Joie dress for months now, and with a sale on top of sale, it may be time to give it a try! Do you have your eye on anything? 

Disclosure: Please note that Shopbop is a current sponsor of this blog. All opinions and picks are always my own :)

style q&a

I wanted to answer a few more questions you guys had during my survey in April. These are more style and clothing related - fitting for a post that includes one of more favorite outfits this month :)

How has your style evolved since you started blogging? What is the biggest lesson you've learned?

I think I've figured out what shapes look best on me - that probably comes with looking at hundreds pictures of yourself in various outfits! I also have really worked on having a more cohesive wardrobe - when I first started blogging, I felt that one outfit was completely different than the next. I feel my outfits now all go together.

The biggest lesson I've learned is to try new things or trends, but only if you really like them. There's nothing wrong with being trendy as long as you stay true to yourself. For example - pearls have been pretty trendy for the last year now. I love pearls, so this is a trend I'm all about. But a few years ago when neon was all the rage, I tried it because I felt I had to, and never wore that shirt again. Lesson learned.

What trend or style would you love to try, but you aren't convinced you could pull it off?

I really wish I could do the more boxy looks - I love so many things that Madewell comes out with that I know would never work on me. For example, I fell in love with this embroidered top online, but in real life I saw how boxy it was and didn't even bother trying it on. Part of that comes with knowing my body type and having tried on lots of different things over the years!

How do you resist the urge to buy something if it doesn't fit you 100% the way you want it to?

I've donated and sold enough clothes for less than I paid for them to really think about only keeping something if I really love it. I also know how annoying it is to want something to work out a certain way, and then have it never look the way you want it to when you try to put an outfit together. I'd rather just hold out until I find the exact thing I want, even if that means looking for the perfect gray cardigan for the better part of the last year.

Do you dry clean all of your clothes? I find that I'm lazy and wash them instead - do you notice that it makes a difference to dry clean most items?

I dry clean very little - but I also try to buy very few things that are dry clean only. If I do buy something dry clean only, I have to really love it enough to eventual force myself to drive to the dry cleaners to get it cleaned. What I feel has helped though is having a steamer - I have this one that was about $30 on Amazon, and it really helps with keeping clothes fresher and wrinkle-free!

Totally understand if you don't want to share, but I'm always looking for bra/underwear recommendations. But again, you're a professional and may not want that floating around the interwebs forever.

While you guys will never see me in my underwear, wearing the proper undergarments can really make or break an outfit. My favorite bra is this demi bra from Victoria's Secret. It is definitely not a push-up, but it provides me with the support I need, plus I find it very comfortable. For underwear, I really prefer a more covered style (so old and boring!) but I also hate VPLs, so I really love the bare/seamless pairs at VS.

Any recommendations for a college undergrad to revamp their wardrobe?

Find a pair of pants you really love on yourself - for me, it's black skinny jeans. They can be dressed up or down so easily, so they are super versatile. Having even one pair of pants (or skirt or whatever) that you know always looks good pulls together any outfit.

Second, look into thrifting! With a limited budget, but more time, going to thrift store is an amazing way to add some pieces to your closet you may not have been able to otherwise. I always went to the one in the nicest part of town, and I found such great deals.

What are your criteria for choosing "staples"? How do you assess whether a clothing item will be versatile? -- color? cut? length? ability to accessorize?

Staples for me are things I can wear either several different ways, or in several different places. Since I've been working on having a more cohesive wardrobe, the colors I'm now drawn to all go together - that makes pieces themselves more versatile because they will also probably go with several other things in my closet. 

I also have a few types of outfits, so if I can add another one of those items to my closet, I already know it will be a staple. For me currently that's slightly longer silkier "tees", like the one I'm wearing in this post. I have a few variations of this style in different colors and sleeve lengths, and they work so well in both my professional life (like how I wore it here for my family medicine rotation) or how I wore it three days later to go shopping (with skinny jeans and a cross body bag).

I want to know about lounging and gym clothes. I think you mentioned that you don't normally wear anything fancy, but I would love to hear how those lulu crops you got awhile back worked out.

I love my lulu crops and still wear them all the time, both lounging around the house and when I go to Pure Barre. I also have a pair of leggings from Old Navy that have held up very well although I find them just a bit thinner than my lulu crops, as well as a few of their work out tops. I am looking for something that provides just a bit more support up top, so if anyone has any suggestions (from all price ranges), I'd love to hear them! For lounging at home, we don't have AC, so most times I'll be in just shorts and an Everlane tee.

What are your top 3 investment recommendations for post graduation, clothing and accessory wise?

Since our lives, careers, and preferences are so different, it's hard for me to say "everyone needs to have these three things", but you can't go wrong with a pair of professional pants, a nice work bag, and a watch you love to wear. For me, those have been my straight black pants, my newest tote bag, and my DW watch.

What's your dream purse/bag?

I've been saving up for a classic Chanel flap bag for two years now, and plan on buying it for myself for graduation in two years. My other current dream bag though is the Chloe Marcie bag. Maybe some day :)

How far in advance do you tend to pick out your outfits? a week before, the night before, five minutes before?

Honestly, usually the morning of. Sometimes I know I want to wear a certain item, so I'll build around that, but I don't spend a lot of time putting anything together. For someone who likes to plan everything else, what I'm wearing that day usually isn't planned ;)

What are the key staple pieces you have in your closet that you think every girl should have?

A pair of pants you love to wear. A coat for each season you experience. A dress to wear to a wedding, and one to wear to a funeral. A pair of shoes you can comfortable walk long distances in, and a pair you can't ;)

What pieces are totally worth the extra splurge?

Completer pieces - coats, bags, and shoes. Real leather will always last longer, and gets better with age (my absolute favorite is my Coach cross body that I got second hand that always looks great).

What are the 3 best fashion tips/advice you've learned since starting your blog?

Understand what looks best on your body type, have a "uniform" that you know will always look good on, and wear what you love, not what everyone else is currently wearing.

What is the one piece in your closet that you find the most valuable to you? In terms of versatility... the thing you grab for or appreciate the most.

Honestly, it's the thing you hardly see - my tank tops! I wear these tank tops from Express under just about everything (except dresses). I feel they just hold everything in - less jiggle every where around.

On the outside? I would say it's my simple black shirt dress. It's currently a size or two too large on me, but I just love how easy it is to throw on and go. I used to wear it to every single exam I had!

How many clothes do you have?

Here's my closet inventory from last year - I plan on writing a new post within the next week or so!

I am the same size as you, a 10/12, but only 5'4" .... do you have any tips on dressing slimmer that you might have picked up from the internet, friends, or your own thoughts on the subject.

Like I mentioned above, I wear these tank tops under everything because I do feel it makes me look slightly slimmer and more streamlined. They aren't shapewear, so they aren't super tight or anything, but they do work wonders.

Other things I've learned just from seeing clothes on myself, and figuring out why I like or don't like something. So I don't like my upper arms, so I've figured out that cap sleeves just emphasize that meatier part of my arm, so I don't buy them anymore. Because I have a bit of a chest, rounded necklaces don't like as good on me either, so I prefer either a v-neck or a straight across top.

What's in your everyday purse? I'm just curious what sort of stuff you have to have handy.

Another post coming up soon!

What size do you wear?

I'm between a 10 and a 12, more 10 than 12 currently. I wear a size 31 in pants and mostly buy large tops

You don't post your outfits every day. so what do you wear on those days when we don't see your outfits?

Now that I have a bit more free time, I've been really working on photographing my outfits every day! But on days that aren't photographed, I'm usually wearing jeans and a striped top (because I'm addicted and I know it).

How do you stay motivated to do hair and makeup everyday?

I'm a blondie, so I look quite different without make up on just because I have very light eyelashes and eyebrows. I know that I don't feel confident when I'm not wearing make-up, and only my boyfriend, closest friends, and family have seen me without any make up on. Putting 20 minutes a day into looking my best is worth it to me. Some days I just put more effort in than others ;)

What do you find most frustrating about clothes shopping?

The inconsistency between what the pictures show and what the clothes actually look like. That's why I do my review posts, and also often leave reviews of the items with pictures so others can see how the items actually look, rather than pinned back and edited.

Why don't you wear more color? ;)

Because I just don't like to :) Nah, I do like certain colors, but I also love the looks of more neutral outfits.

Top: Ann Taylor [similar in black]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch [save | exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]

Necklace: c/o Rocksbox [use code "franishxoxo" for 1 month free]

On a side note, Ann Taylor is currently offering 50% off your entire purchase. Here are a few of my picks - I'm thisclose to buying the embroidered top. Isn't it the prettiest? 

one | two | three

four | five | six

top three [06.21.2015]

a few corners of our house are coming together :)

medicine

• Hyperlipidemia is the most common chronic diseases seen in family practice clinics - probably because 1 in 2 people will have high cholesterol at some point in their lifetimes. High levels of lipid in the blood can lead to plaque formation in the arteries, which can eventually can end up causing heart attacks or strokes. Looking to keep control over your cholesterol? Stay in a healthy weight range, eat more plant-based foods, and exercise 30 minutes a day. And no smoking!
• Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disease that causes large blisters to form all over the body. They are caused by auto-antibodies that attack the hemidesmosomes in the epidermis. Here's a short video of someone's experience with the disease (warning: skin blisters all over the place!)
• As much as I love using Q-tips, seeing the ear wax we have to wash out of people's ears several times a week makes me want to throw mine away. Have you seen this (gross) video that went viral this week? It was oddly satisfying to watch. 

on the internet

• How fun is this 4th of July cake? Now I just need a party to go to...
• I loved Jessica's most recent Weekend Guide post! She always has the best links.
• I have been loving reading Kelly's weekly review posts - we are on completely opposite sides of the size spectrum, but reading what others look for when they buy clothes makes me pay more attention when I'm looking into buying something too!

spotted

• I'm not a huge fan of the original Jack Rogers, but I LOVE this simpler style of sandal. Cognac, or gold...or both? ;) 
• How figure flattering would this floral dress from Anthropologie be? Plus it's on sale, so it's double flattering (that's how that works, right?)
• Swimsuit shopping is definitely not on the top of my favorite things to shop for, but I would love to try this sassy one piece, both for this summer and my trip in September!

on franish

• on the blog: part two of building a cohesive wardrobe is all about figuring out your personal style. Have any of you made collages? I would love to see them!
• on the instagram: thoughts on working hard to look average
• on the pinterest: you guys - how do we feel about this haircut? I need a change.

notable sales

• J.Crew: 30% off everything
• So in love with this blue + white striped dress. LOVE.
• How would I look in this hat? Because I want one. 
• Madewell: 30% off sandals and swim items
• This coverup is simple from the front, but the back is simply beautiful. 
• Nordstrom: bunch of new items added to the sale section
• I have this necklace in the black and it's one of those "goes with everything" pieces. 
• Possibly the perfect summer heeled sandal. The thicker heels means it's much more comfortable!
• This Marc by Marc Jacobs bag is 40% off and I looooovveeeee it. Both colors are so beautiful!

personal

• I've officially paid off my braces this week! I still have to wear them for about another 5 months, but I'm so happy they are completely paid off. Now I just really need that snaggle tooth to disappear ;)
• We have officially booked our tickets to Santorini and now also have our hotel rooms booked, and it looks so amazing! I am beyond excited for this trip! My sister and mom and I have been texting for weeks now about outfits and places we want to go to on the island. I don't get to travel a lot (shocking, I know, because most blogs lead you to believe that everyone travels all the time, amiright?) so looking forward to this trip is really what is going to get me through the next two months of surgery!
• Happy Father's Day to the man who works harder than anyone else I know, can stay up working for three days straight and still want to fix something at home afterwards, who protects me from hammerhead sharks, and taught me the importance of knowing how to drive a stick shift. Thank you for supporting me even after you tried unsuccessfully to steer me away from medicine, and for always knowing how to fix any problem. We all sure did get lucky having you as our father, husband, son, and doctor! 

building a cohesive wardrobe: defining your style

Okay, so now that you have a closet full of only clothes you like and wear...so now what?

Well, there are really two options. You can march yourself to the nearest mall, and start buying anything that catches your eye, and then next week when you realize you didn't buy anything you feel adds something to your closet, you go back and buy a few more things, and then in six months you are standing in front of your closet again with "nothing to wear".

Or, you can make a plan.

Step one of this plan is figuring out what you want to look like. This is more than just saying your style is "girly" or "feminine" or "masculine with a twist" or "edgy" or "hobo". This is looking for inspiration, seeing how you can apply it to your life, and then figuring out what pieces you want to make that happen. Today's post is going to cover the first two points, and then next time we'll cover making a list of wants + needs.

So this is basically a rewritten version of my Refining your Wardrobe posts I did a few years ago. It's been a few years since I wrote those, and my style has changed a bit since then, but it really did help me narrow down what I want my own style to be.

look for inspiration

Most of us probably have a pinterest board full of outfits we may or may not have copied in the past. Go through your boards, and pick your 15-20 favorite outfits. Don't think about if you have the clothes to put them together, or if you can pull it off - just pick what you love the most. Here's a current version of mine:

one | two | three | four

five | six | seven | eight

look for what's the same

Look for any repeating patterns in the pictures you chose. Is there a certain shape your inspiration pictures share - skinny jeans, wide-legged pants, pencil skirts, lots of dresses? Look for any patterns (stripes, polka dots, animal print, florals) and colors that are similar. Are there accessories that seem to repeat - cross body bags, the same colored belts, big scarves, statement necklaces?

What do I currently love? Dark bottoms with neutral tops. Stripes with another pattern. Greys mixed with white, and a bit of blush thrown in. I love skinny jeans/pants (I actually really want to try these Paige jeans currently as they are the dark blue version of my favorite black jeans) but would love to be able to pull of a lengthening bootleg pant. I also like patterned shoes in neutral colors, like these pretty spotted shoes.

decide on a color palette

Like I mentioned in the last post, I used to purposely buy clothes in colors I didn't have in my closet because I thought it would make my closet more versatile. The problem is that it left me with a bunch of clothes that didn't really go together in colors that I didn't even like. For example, if I had seen this shirt a few years ago, I would have most certainly purchased the lime green color instead of the navy or grey shirt that I would buy now. I don't like lime green, but "I don't have anything in this color in my closet!"...probably for a good reason ;)

To start the process of building a more cohesive wardrobe, pick a color palette of 3-4 colors. Again, look at your inspiration and look to see if you see any repeating colors. Are you drawn to a darker palette, or do you prefer pastels? Do you like a lot of color, or are you more interested in neutrals? I'm clearly more drawn to neutrals, and darker colors with white thrown in.

Decide on a few colors, and continue looking through pinterest (or google) for outfits in these colors, and maybe even start a new board to keep all of your inspiration in one place so you have a quick guide for when you go shopping (...eventually). You can search on pinterest for specific outfits too - so for example, I'm currently looking to buy a grey cardigan, and pinterest quickly shows me a bunch of different ways to wear it. This also gives you a few ideas of future items to buy (which we will discuss next time!)

Also, as a side note, none of this is set in stone and your "forever rules". This is just to get you started. Building a cohesive wardrobe is about learning what works for you and for your life, and both of those things are always changing. So even though my inspiration pictures show mostly neutrals, I'm currently really interested in buying a pretty emerald shirt to add to my closet.

pick your leather colors

via PMT

You may have noticed that I wear a lot of the same leather pieces together - cognac flats with my madewell tote, or my black flats with my black Everlane belt. I do that because I believe it's the quickest way to pull an outfit together. I think I sometimes get a bit too matchy matchy with it, and I'm definitely trying to make my leathers "go" rather than "match", but if you are like me and like the look of matching leathers, or want a quick way to pull together an outfit, having a few set leathers in place really helps. I now have a pair of ballet flats, boots, thin belt, thick belt, cross body, and now tote bag (after my most recent purchase!) in both cognac and black leathers - but don't think you need to buy all of those pieces at once! It took several years to finally have a "full set".

For me, my leather colors are cognac and black. You may hate cognac, but love a darker brown leather, or you prefer navy versus black. Again, look to your inspirations to see what you are naturally drawn to, and then experiment with various options. Maybe even buy a more inexpensive option the next time you go shopping to see how it works for you. For example, I bought my BR cognac flats on super sale two years ago because I knew I was interested in trying out how much I liked cognac, but I wasn't sure how much I would actually wear it. Now that I know I'm wearing those shoes at least three times a week (and they are definitely starting to show their wear), I know that if I upgraded to a more expensive pair of cognac flats that they would also get a ton of wear.


how does it apply to your current life?

I think this is super important, and something that really all depends on you and your life. If your inspiration pictures are full of black slacks, blazers, and high heels, but you are a stay at home mom who hates heels, find ways to apply the general look to your life. Try black jeans with flats in the same color as the heels that you loved, and try out a ponte blazers, like this one from Target, rather than a suit blazer. If your inspiration pictures are all wearing sandals and short sleeves, but you live in a colder climate, try pants in that same color, and look for similar styled tops but with longer sleeves.

This whole process is about figuring out your style rather than copying someone else's, and it definitely is a process that I know many of us work on every time we go shopping. I know that the steps above really helped me to define what I want the clothes in my closet to look like, so I hope it helps you too! I'd love to hear any of your own experiences in figuring out your style, or what helped you decide what you want your wardrobe to look like!

review: paula's choice clear extra strength acne kit (with before + after pictures)

I've always had hormonal acne, but the last few months of board studying really did a number on my skin. I wasn't eating as clean as I had been, I was stressed, and I spent a large part of the day with my face in my hands (a terrible habit, I know!). It went from hormonal acne to just all month long acne, and I was so sick of it. I already felt chubby and not put together, so a bunch of blemishes all over my face made it even worse.

Every time I've asked you guys for skincare recommendations, a bunch of people always recommend Paula's Choice products. So once my typical routine of trying to not touch my face and dabbing a spot treatment on didn't work, I figured it was time to try something a bit more intensive. I ordered the extra strength acne kit after reading a bunch of great reviews, and while I didn't have high hopes, I was a bit desperate.

so this is normal?

Happy Monday, everyone! We had the best weekend - it was just about normal as it's supposed to be. 

CR did have to work Friday night into Saturday, so I went shopping while he caught up on some sleep Saturday morning. Besides a striped Madewell sweater and belt, I didn't really find anything I loved except some pretty flowers at Trader Joes. I did stock up on some of my "must have" items though, including two of my favorite camis (I seriously wear them under everything!), my favorite bra (on sale, which I'm super excited about), and my favorite mascara and Stila eyeliner. I also bought the Complexion Rescue, so I'm excited to finally try that out after everyone raved about it last week!

When I came home, CR and I did some yard and house work, went out for dinner, and then came home and caught up on a few episodes of Game of Thrones (don't tell me what happened in the finale yesterday!). On Sunday we slept in (no 4 AM alarms!), made breakfast, went on a walk with the dogs, got groceries, napped, and may have watched just a bit more of GoT. 

I know it sounds crazy to be excited about such a basic weekend, but after having spent every single weekend in the library for the past five months, it was so nice to just be normal for once. 

Dress: Target [similar]

Belt: Everlane [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Bag: Kate Spade [more options]

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

^ crazy knees :/

top three [05.14.2015]

the oldest, and probably most worn, top in my closet

medicine
I used to use this space to write about the new disease and syndromes I learned about in school. Since I'm no longer learning new diseases every week, I think this will now be more about what I see in medicine each week rather than looking for new strange things to tell you about. 

• Scabies are caused by mites that bite and may burrow into skin, causing what looks like a little pimple rash. They are highly contagious, and often spread person to person. I actually saw my second case of them this week (the other time was a few years ago while shadowing) and I always feel a little itchy afterwards.
• Do you feel tired all the time? Next time you are getting blood work, ask your doctor about your Vitamin D and B12 levels, especially if you live in colder, less sunny climates. I haven't seen a single patient in the last two weeks with normal Vitamin D levels!
• Remember how I said I diagnosed my first real case of appendicitis this week? Most cases of appendicitis are caused when the appendix becomes obstructed...often by a fecalith (that means basically a stone made of feces). Isn't medicine fun? ;)

spotted

• While this skirt is just a little too bold for workwear for me, I think it would be SO flattering on. Someone with a bit more flexibility, please wear this for me. 
• If you need a pair of simple and versatile heels, these strappy heels come in two colors and would go with seriously everything. Looking for something a bit more ornate? Shopbop currently has a bunch of pretty lace pumps available too - here are just a few options!
• I would have never guessed that this dress was from Old Navy if I didn't see it on the site myself. How fun is the white + orange option? 

on the internet

• Does being a fashion blogger mean you aren't a feminist? Loved reading Lindsay's thoughts on why she cares about fashion and blogging. 
• I am obsessed with this instagram - seriously, how does she look so amazing in everything? 
• Still struggling with doing a closet clean out? Maybe do what Audrey did, and get your husband involved! That'll make the decisions easier real quick!

on franish

• on the blog: thank you so much for all of your kind comments about showcasing "real life" outfits on here - you guys are the best
• on the instagram: the pretties that came home with me yesterday (ps my shoes are from Target!)
• on the twitter: not all of us were worn tiny. It actually requires a lot of work to stay at the size I am :/

notable sales

• Anthropologie: 25% off dresses
• This white + blue dress has some of the prettiest details I've ever seen. 
• White + florals + sleeves? Hello, my precious. 
• Gap: 35% off everything
• Is it wrong that I just really want a striped umbrella? 
• J.Crew: 30% off sale items
• Another pencil skirt that's a bit too loud for the clinics, but would be perfect for more casual offices. It would go with so much!
• These espadrille wedges are quite the steal right now - you can get them for 1/3 of the original price!

personal

• I went shopping yesterday, and left a bit disappointed. I was looking mainly for work clothes - dress pants and cardigans, and found neither. Apparently no one buys dress pants during the summer, so there were absolutely none to try on. I'm debating ordering this pair from the "suits" section of Ann Taylor even though they don't ever go on sale, just because I've looked everywhere else! I did get my favorite style of bra on sale, and did leave the mall with this fun striped sweater though, so it wasn't all bad. 
• CR and I spent last weekend camping and going to a Dave Matthews Band concert. We had pit tickets, so we were like 20 feet away for the entire show. It was amazing! We're going to another one in the middle of July and I'm already so excited.
• Because I can never go to Germany with my family when they go visit everyone, my parents and I are going together during my vacation month at the end of September. We are going to Germany for a few days, and then flying to Santorini for a week with my grandma. I'M SO EXCITED! I've never been, so if you have and have any suggestions, we are totally open to them. It's going to be amazing.

a day in the life: family medicine

7:05: I wake up 5 minutes before my alarm goes off - a fun new habit I've developed. CR has already been at the hospital for two hours at this point, probably cursing the fact that I'm just now rolling out of bed ;)

real life

I wasn't really planning on taking pictures of this outfit because it was nothing at all special - same pants I always wear, probably the oldest shirt in my closet, and the same accessories I wear every. single. day. My hair was a bit limp, and we had to take pictures after work because CR leaves for work three hours before I do, and my tripod hadn't been shipped yet. 

And then I remembered that someone asked me on my survey in April about how I feel about those blogs that pretend are their real life, but clearly are not. Blogs where people say they are going to work, but don't actually have a job anymore (isn't it crazy how much money you can make off of blogging?), or blogs that openly admit they shoot a bunch of outfits in one day, but don't actually wear those clothes in real life. And to be honest, I have a love/hate relationship with those kinds of blogs. I love looking at the pretty clothes with the professional photography with the interesting backgrounds. They serve a purpose, and that purpose is to be beautiful things to look at. But I also hate them, because I feel blogs used to be about real life and somehow have turned into fake life. Even the big blogs that say they are for working women are no longer real - how many working women do you know who wear $1400 skirts, or a new whole c/o outfit every single day, or can wear off the shoulder dresses to work ? I don't know any.

So. These are my real clothes that I wore in real life to my real "job" (that I don't get paid for, but am expected to show up to every day). Not every day can be something pretty and new to show you guys - sometimes it's just going to be a simple outfit and hopefully that's okay too :)

Blouse: H&M [similar]

Pants: The Limited [exact - I really should get a second pair!]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Shoes: Banana Republic [exact on sale]

Tote: Madewell [save | exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [exact]

making a shopping wish list

Like I mentioned yesterday, I'm going down to Pittsburgh this weekend to do a bit of shopping. CR has to work Friday into Saturday, so I'm entertaining myself by going to the mall. I haven't been in a mall since Christmas, so I'm excited to just walk around, actually try things on in stores, and not cart a bunch of boxes back to the post office a week later.

A future post of the "how to build a cohesive wardrobe" series is all about lists - long term and short term lists. I've found that it really helps me from buying things that I don't really wear. I've had a list of things I've wanted to add to my closet for a while now, as well as a few wants. Here are a few items I'm looking for this weekend, and my reasons behind them.

one: I love cardigans, but somehow have ended up with only one currently in my closet. All the other ones have been removed from my closet for one reason or another over the past year. My requirements are long sleeves (no 3/4 lengths), no front pockets (I find they get loose and look sloppy), and in either grey, black, red, or a medium blue. The Tilly style from J.Crew seems to meet all those requirements, but I've never tried one on, so that's at the top of the list.

two: I have this thing with not liking to mix metals - I like gold with gold, and only gold. I've been wearing a lot more gold lately, but I don't have a black belt with a gold clasp. This one from Madewell is exactly what I'm looking for - plus it's on sale!

three: this drapey top from Banana Republic is definitely more want than need. I love the sleeve length, I don't any own tops in this versatile color, and the higher neckline would be perfect for wearing in clinics but can also be really fun to wear with jeans on weekends. I'm really excited to try this one on!

four: another want rather than need, but how cute is this gingham dress from Loft? Another piece that could be super versatile - if it's long enough and worn with a cardigan, it would be nice for the clinic, or if it's a bit un-buttoned and belted, it would be perfect for a night out.

five: grey dress pants have been on the top of my wishlist for over a year, and I still haven't found a pair I like. I actually just ordered these J.Crew pants online over the weekend during a 30% off sale because I wanted to try them in talls, but if they don't work out, I'll definitely try on as many grey dress pants as possible this weekend.

six: I have wanted a pair of dalmatian print shoes for so long, but they are surprisingly hard to find! I love how sleek and simple this pair from Banana Republic is. Reviews are mixed though, so they are definitely something I will try on before buying.

seven: this top from Madewell looks super boxy on a hanger, but looks much better on the model. I'm 99% sure this won't work out for me, but it can't hurt to try! It just looks like the perfect summer top.

eight: I've been wearing Too Faced's BB cream for a few years now, and while I really enjoy it, it always takes just a bit more time to put on than I prefer. I've heard great things about BareMineral's Complexion Rescue, so I'd really love to try this out. Have you heard anything about it, or have suggestions for a different quick foundation?

nine: Ann Taylor has been making this style of sweater for a while now, and I'm always so intrigued. While I generally stay away from "layered for you" type of shirts, I think this one could be really pretty and also versatile.

Any suggestions for other things to look for this weekend? 

floral eyelet dress out on the town

Last Friday night, CR took me out for our first date in our new city. I, of course, used this as an opportunity to wear my new dress that I'd been saving for this very occasion. We went out for dinner at the supposedly number one burger place, had a celebratory drink, and then went straight home to cuddle with our animals and watched a movie. It was the perfect way to end the week :)

Speaking of this dress though, it is currently on sale + an additional 60% off! A few more steals are posted at the end of the post. I'm going to the mall this weekend, and I'm hoping to try on this pretty dress - who knows, maybe yellow is my color ;)

Dress: Ann Taylor [exact on sale]*

Shoes: Target [exact]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Bag: Michael Kors c/o Shopbop [exact]

*I'm wearing a 10 tall

all of these are on sale + 60% off!

one | two | three | four

five | six | seven | eight