top three [05.01.2016]

what's in my bag, through the years

medicine

• Ventricles are spaces in the brain that holds the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Abnormal CSF accumulations in ventricles can cause a ton of issues. Sunset sign is a physical exam finding that is used to describe a tonic downward deviation of both eyes caused by pressure from enlarged third ventricles on the upward gaze center. Here's a short example video where you can see how the pupils look like a setting sun. 
• Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection, or more easily known as PANDAS, is a rare phenomenon where pediatric patients develop obsessive-compulsive symptoms or tics after a strep infection. 
• Borborygmi: the medical term for a rumbling tummy 

on the internet

• If I could just dress and look like Adina every day, that would be great. She always look fabulous. 
• I love Amanda's Ikea hack - definitely bookmarking this for next year! (I basically just want to fly Amanda out and have her decorate my whole future home)
• Lindsay shares her amazing thrift haul, and her own tips for finding the best items - this makes me want to get back into thrifting so bad! Now I just need to find a place around here to try out...

spotted

• The Lush shirt I purchased this month now comes in a dress version! It looks a bit short on the models, but it comes in so many pretty colors that I'm tempted to at least try it. My favorite color is definitely that dusky lavender color - so pretty, and so different from anything in my closet.
• Also something a little different for me, but something I love the idea of, is this plaid top from Anthro - wouldn't it look great with some white jeans and cognac sandals? I just think it looks so comfy. 
• I just noticed that Cole Haan has a pair of rose gold flats (with bows!) - how cute are those?!

ask me anything

• How do you take notes during third year? How do you organize all the notes of medical school to have them handy when you need them? Do you use any app for that?
• I have a running word document on Google Drive that I keep all of my notes from third year on - they are 90% notes I take from UWorld and various other learning resources, but it's also where I take notes during lectures. I like this method just because I can pull them up on any device, I can always rearrange them, and they will never get lost! 
• When you started medical school you talked about the dress code. Now that you are further along in the process of becoming a doctor, do you think the dress code for students is a good idea?
• Ohh, this is such an interesting question! So all in all, I actually think a dress code during the first two years was a really great way to get us to be prepared for when we are out on clinicals. My closet is now a lot more cohesive and has a lot more professional clothing in it that I actually wear (rather than what I thought I would wear), so I haven't really had to think about clothes much this year since I already figured out what I like to wear. I think for students who maybe have never had to dress professionally before or don't care about clothes, having a bit of time to figure it out is not a bad idea. On the other hand, it was annoying sometimes - sometimes all you want to do is wear skinny jeans and a sweatshirt for 8 hours of learning! I would have loved to have a happy medium - maybe like casual Fridays or something. 
• I'm heading to Germany and Italy this summer with my boyfriend! Any input on what to wear so I don't completely stick out like an American? I've read that shorts are passe in Europe...is this true? I'm 28 and tend towards a casual-but-put-together style.
• First of all, I am so jealous of your trip - what an amazing time you guys will have! Where in Germany are you going? Anyway, about the clothes! Europeans, at least Germans (as I don't have much experience with Italians), seem to dress a bit more conservative than what we may see. When I go to Germany, I always stick with more classic pieces - darker jeans, nice blouses, a simple jacket. I think you can definitely wear shorts! I would stick with ones that weren't booty shorts or anything, but I don't think anyone is going to really side eye you if you are wearing some nice 4-5'' inseam shorts or anything. The only time that isn't true is if you are in the more religious parts of Italy, which I unfortunately do not have experience with. Previously, commenters have mentioned that a pair of linen pants, like these from Caslon, worked well for them on days they were going to to sites, as they are light weight but cover everything you need covered! I'd also recommend a cross body bag that zips and folds over (Emperia makes one for $37!) as they are a bit more secure, plus this way you have both hands free! Also, Birkenstocks are really popular right now, which is great because they are super comfortable for lots of walking. I have the triple banded sandals, and wear them all summer long. They make a cute rose gold pair that would be fun to wear too ;)

on franish

• on the blog: sharing this month's budget, and the death of a beloved piece of clothing
• on the instagram: post-exam treats
• on the twitter: did you watch GoT last week?! I'm so excited it's back, and for the record, I don't believe Jon Snow is actually dead.

notable sales

• Ann Taylor: 50% off select full price items
• I'm intrigued by this mixed eyelet shell top - it would be a nice going out top, or would be a great work top under a blazer. 
• This (also eyelet) top is a cute casual shirt - how pretty is the back? It also comes in petites for you shorter ladies!
• I'm thisclose to ordering this polka dot pencil skirt. It's so fun (and the reviews are great!).
• J.Crew: 25% off certain items
• I saw this amazing gingham blazer on instagram this past week, and hardcore fell in love. Not practical for my life, but so cute. 
• I never know really how to wear this kind of strapey camis, but I love the idea of them for an easy top for the summer. But...strapless bra? No bra (ha! yeah right). 
• Do you have pool or beach time in your future? I found the perfect cover up for you (that includes tassels!). 
• Macy's: 25% off almost everything!
• I love simple sleeved dresses during the summer because all you have to do is throw on one accessory and you're good to go. This white lace version has sleeves, is $35, plus an additional 25% off!
• My Michael Kors watch is still one of my favorite items I own, so here's a chance to get your own for less. 
• I used to own these Lucky flats, and they are super super comfortable - bonus is that they come in a ton of patterns and colors!

personal

• This week was the last week of my peds rotation, and now we're back to OB :) I will be living on the other side of the state of the next month, so that should be interesting! It'll be a bit strange to not be in my own home, but I suppose that's something to get used to since the next 6 months are going to involve a lot of time out of the house. 
• Mine and CR's parents are here for the weekend, and it has been so much fun to have everyone here! I haven't seen my parents for a while, so it's been so nice to catch up and show them where we live! We have had so much good food :)
• I have been all about podcasts lately - do you have any you love? I have a long drive ahead of me today :)

april budget

J.Crew Factory dress: originally $100, on sale for $45

Lush top: originally $42, on sale for $28

Sole Society shoes: originally $70, on sale for $60

J.Crew Factory skirt: originally $60, on sale for $30

Topshop flats: $50

April budget: $213

Quarterly budget: $625 - $145 in February - $85 in March - $213 in April = $182 left over

Well, spring was definitely on my mind this month (even though the weather here hasn't full cooperated yet)! The most worn item of the month is the Lush rollsleeve top - I've been wearing that thing every weekend, and at least once a week! I find that the v-neck goes a bit deep, so I used an iron on adhesive tap to "sew" it up a little higher, so now it covers the cleavage and has a bit sharper of a v-neck to it (which if you look at the pictures online, you can see that it's kind of broader). I'm very excited about both pair of shoes - the Topshop flats are obviously super trendy right now, but I think they are so fun! The Sole Society shoes were actually a recommendation from Jean, and I'm very happy to have a slightly dressier pair of cognac sandals for the summer - I always struggle with shoes during the summer because I don't like to wear shoes that make me much taller than I am, but flat sandals tend to look too casual sometimes, so this is a happy medium!

You may have noticed that a few items I discussed in my recent review post are missing, and that's because I've decided to return both the Madewell blouse and the BlankNYC jeans. For the blouse, I had it hanging in front of my closet for more than a week, and I never grabbed for it - I really wished that it was just a bit longer, so I never wanted to wear it, which is a very obvious sign that it needs to be returned. After wearing the jeans around the house for a little while, I realized that I really didn't like the whiskering on them, and that I would really like a darker pair of jeans, and keeping this pair would mean I wouldn't want to spend money on another pair, so that's another obvious reason for me to return. 

In sad clothing news, my favorite shirt in my closet, my J.Crew chambray shirt, has a large tear in the arm - I have worn that shirt so many times that I basically wore down the fabric, and then it ripped! RIP, best shirt ever. So that's really at the top of my list now! Luckily, J.Crew has a very similar version, and this one comes in talls, so maybe I'll get an even better version! Has anyone tried the Always Chambray shirt? I'm also currently waiting on my order from Loft to come in, so if I end up keeping anything, that'll be included next month. Among other things, I ordered these scalloped shorts and a blouse from Lou & Grey, so we will see what works out!

Besides that, shopping may be a bit light in the month of May as I will be living away from home for the month, which means less online shopping for me. I will probably do a bit of traveling on the weekends, so we will see if I don't end up doing just a little shopping ;)

This month I was really excited to work with Daniel Wellington and Kohl's on a couple of posts. I've been a looooong time fan of the DW watches, so I was very happy to add a cognac leather version to my collection. If you are interested, Daniel Wellington is offering 15% off your order with the code FRANISH. In my post yesterday, you saw my new dress and purse from the REED collection now available at Kohls. 

rosé taste on a boxed wine budget

I'm a girl who has always enjoyed the finer things in life...or I assume I would, if I wasn't living on loans and wasn't several hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt ;) My pinterest board is full of homes with granite-filled kitchens, far off travels, diamonds, and fancy designer purses that may or may not eventually be mine.

For that reason alone, I love when high end designers collaborate with stores to bring their designs to the masses - it's the perfect way to get "the look" at prices we can afford. I mentioned the release of the new REED collection at Kohl's a few weeks ago, and today I'm so excited to show you what I picked up! The collection includes handbags (!), apparel, and a few small leather goods (like the cutest key fob you will ever own). I was obviously most excited about the purses as I'm a huge fan of the Reed Krakoff boxer bag, and so I was so excited to see that they made a similar style in the REED collection. 

Because the original is still on my eternal wishlist, I went with a slightly different design, the Atlantique Satchel from the REED collection. This purse is the ultimate work bag - structured (so it holds its shape even with books and computers in it), organized (so many pouches and pockets), and the color selections could not be better (I almost love the cream/black version even more than the white/blue version I have!). Be sure to check out my instagram to see all that fits in it! I paired it with a simple shirtdress from the line - I kept it pretty simple this time around, but I'm already imagining it with a navy blazer and cognac accessories the next time around. All around, this is such a wonderful collaboration that I hope continues in the future (with even more purses, please!). 

Dress: REED c/o Kohl's [exact] *I suggest sizing down!

Bag: REED c/o Kohl's [exact]

Shoes: Chaps c/o Kohl's [exact]

Below are some of my favorites from the collection. There are so many good pieces, with almost everything in stock...and most of it on sale! The REED line is exclusive to Kohl's, and only around for a limited time, so I'd act fast if interested. Which one is your favorite?

one | two | three

four | five | six

seven | eight | nine

A big thank you to Kohl's and Shopstyle for sponsoring this post <3

beauty tuesday: it cosmetics bye bye under eye concealer review

I have always had pretty dark undereye circles - truly, I've had them since I was a child! My eyes are just a bit sunken into my head I suppose, so no amount of sleep or fancy skincare products will get rid of them...so that leaves me with covering them up! I have tried tons of concealers (haven't we all?) - I feel it's one of those things that people are never truly happy with, and always looking for their holy grail item. In the past, my favorites have been the Boi-ing concealer (a super thick concealer that comes in a pot) and Nars' liquid concealer. People have been raving about It Cosmetic's Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, so the last time I was at Ulta, I picked up a tube of the neutral medium to try out.

what it promises

An award winning anti-aging, treatment concealer that delivers highly pigmented perfect coverage, anti-aging technology to help treat the appearance of lines, wrinkles and discoloration, conceal dark circles, age spots and redness, conceal facial imperfections without settling into lines and wrinkles; and helps to diffuse the appearance of wrinkles instantly.

Developed with leading plastic surgeons, and using anti-aging ingredients including hydrolyzed collagen, and vitamins C & K, this award-winning concealer helps treat skin with anti-aging benefits and give a more youthful radiance while providing instant coverage for imperfections. The creamy, crease-proof formula glides on easily and lasts all day.

how I use it

After applying a primer (I currently alternate between Becca's primer and Laura Mercier's hydrating primer), I squeeze a tiny bit out of the tube, and then dab it under my eyes in a triangle. Then using a very damp beauty blender, I blend out. Afterwards, I set with my Smashbox powder.

what I like

First of all, this tube should last forever. I have never used so little of a product before! I think it does do a lot of the things it promises - as you can see below, it does cover up the dark circles, especially once it is set with powder. Luckily for me, my glasses sit right on that eye socket ridge you can still see in the pictures, so in real life, it isn't as apparent as it is in these pictures. It promises to be crease-proof, and I think it delivers on that - I haven't really had that problem so much with other concealers though.

please excuse the horrible lighting!

what I don't like

What keeps me from using this every day is that it takes a bit of maintanence to apply - the thing I really like about Nars' concealer is that it's a bit more liquidy, so you can easily pat it on and go. Sure, it doesn't cover as well, but it also requires less effort to apply. The Bye Bye Under Eye concealer only applies smoothly for me when I use a damp beauty blender, and sometimes at 5:45 in the morning, I don't want to put that much effort in.

It also promises to treat the undereye circle, but I have not (nor have I ever, with any product) noticed any difference in my skin. It does a nice job covering it up, but I don't feel like it has improved my skin for the better.

would I repurchase? 

I'm torn! On the one hand, it does do a nice job covering up my undereye circles. On the other hand, it takes a bit more time than I generally want to spend. I think I'll keep using it on days that I have more time, and then eventually try out the Urban Decay concealer once my Nars one is done (which is soon).

Do you have a holy grail concealer?! I'd love to hear about it!

top three [04.24.2016]

a little throwback when it comes to looking tan!

medicine

• Before we had home pregnancy tests, we had "the rabbit test". When the urine of a pregnant woman was injected initially into a mouse (later a rabbit), the mouse's ovaries would respond to the hormones in the urine. Nowadays, we thankfully no longer have to kill bunny rabbits to diagnose pregnancy!
• Coins are the most common foreign body ingested by children. 
• Obdormition: the medical term for "my foot fell asleep" 

on the internet

• I fell in love with Maya's skirt, but then I saw the rest of the post, and knew I could relate...although I'm jealous she's so close to both of our homes!
• 8 skincare myths put to rest - a quick and fun read!
• I loved Kecia's outfit in this post - that's how you do fun professional style! I'll take one of each please. 

spotted

• I finally ordered one of these Lush's blouses, and you know...I really like it! I got the olive version (in a size medium), and have been wearing it kind of nonstop, both to work and on the weekends. More about a little adjustment I made to it later this week!
• Y'all know that I don't do off the shoulder tops, but this dress from Old Navy has me reconsidering (...almost). And for the price, it may be a good way to test it out!
• I picked up this pair of wedges from Chaps this week and you guys...they are so cute! If you are between sizes, I'd suggest going down just because they fit a little large. I wore them all day Thursday and they were so comfortable. 

ask me anything

• Can you share a few photos of your closet? No cleaning or justifications for your methods required, I just love seeing how other people organize their most personal items.
• Here's a picture from last summer, although my closet still pretty much looks the same. Our house has three bedrooms, but tiny closets, so my closet is actually in the guest room. It doesn't have good shelving, so I had to add a few shelves to the wall just to have a place for my shoes and my bags. One of the requirements for our future house is that it has good closets! The good thing about having a smaller closet, and a set number of hangers, is that I not only have to think about what I'm adding, but I also usually have a ThredUp bag in process to be sent to them. It keeps me from adding too much to my closet. 
• My white coat ceremony is this summer! Any tips for finding the perfect dress? Are there certain colors or fit that you find look particularly good under a white coat? Thanks!
• Yay! That's so exciting. I loved our white coat ceremony - it made everything feel a bit more real. I think any professional dress you find would be appropriate - probably anything besides a white dress would work well! Big things to remember is that you will be on stage in front of all of your classmates and their families, so being a bit more on the modest side would be a good bet (I remember a girl from the Pharmacy school wore a dress shorter than the white coat...which as you can imagine, was incredibly short!). Loft has a cute cobalt faux wrap dress that would look really nice! Another option, especially if it's warmer weather, would be this keyhole dress from J.Crew Factory. Finally, this wrap front dress comes in several cute colors. Also important is wearing shoes you can walk in - I wore my wedges from J.Crew Factory because although they are a bit dressier, I knew I could easily walk in them. I actually wore pants and a blouse to my white coat ceremony because it was really rainy that day, but looking back, I wish I had worn a dress instead. 
• How do you spend your free time? What are your hobbies?
• Between going to rotations, studying when I get home, and blogging, there isn't a ton of time left in the day! I generally "enjoy" going to the gym, cooking, and reading a few pages of a non-school book at night (currently reading The Doctors' Plague)! Blogging really is my main hobby though :)

on franish

• on the blog: lamenting our height...or celebrating it? 
• on the instagram: #smart
• on the twitter: it's less than 500, at least? 

notable sales

• Kohls: doorbuster sales
• Has anyone tried the Tek Gear capri work out pants? At that price, and with those cute patterns, I'd love to try them!
• I love the double ruffle on this pencil skirt from Elle! Pink or black? 
• It's time for new work out shoes, so I think this Nike pair (in black, obvi) will soon be mine. 
• Loft: 50% off spring items
• Cute scalloped shorts with a longer (4'') inseam?! I'll take two. (all the reviews are raving about them!)
• This melange tee looks like a more casual version of my beloved BR top - may have to order the grey version!
• The gathering on this light weight dress gives it just the little extra. It's the perfect "throw on and go" summer dress!
• Madewell: 30% off spring essentials
• Everything I've ever wanted in a dress - stripes, a heavier fabric, and neutral colors. 
• I'm not always a higher shoes kinda girl...but for these coral wedges, I could be. 
• I basically live in my chambray shirt in the winter months...so wouldn't it make sense to have a short sleeved version for the warmer months too? Please say yes. 

personal

• We finished House of Cards this week and O.M.G. I couldn't even watch the last few minutes of the episode. When does it come back?!
• Our parents are coming next weekend (yay!) so we've been in a bit of prep mode - lots of cleaning, moving, and preparing. I'm so excited to see everyone :)
• Tomorrow starts my last week on peds. You guys, I tried so hard not to get sick, but those little buggers still got to me. Here's to hoping it all goes away by this weekend!

four. vier. cuatro. quatre. (+ a giveaway!)

Four years ago, I started my blog on a complete whim. I liked my outfit one day, and inspired by Pinterest, I snapped a picture using my macbook, and using a nickname from one of my friends, started a blog.

In some ways, not a lot has changed around here. My outfits are still clothes I wear to work. I'm still working on improving myself and my wardrobe. I still have a clothing budget, I still have adorable dogs, and I still get excited to post new content on here. In other ways, my life and blog are so different from where I was four years ago. I'm a year away from finishing medical school instead of working at a dead end job I didn't love in pharmaceutical development. I'm in a wonderful relationship, no longer feeling less than, but equal to. My pictures have improved, my closet is more cohesive, and I'm always looking for new things to talk about, whether it's about medical school or beauty products.

Many of you have been with me from the beginning, and I can't thank you enough for your support. Alissa wrote a post recently about how blogging has changed her life for the better, and I can very much say the same. The support you give me through clicking on my links has allowed me to become more financially independent than I could have imagined. I take out less loans, I've paid off all my consumer debt, I've straightened my teeth, and I'm able to prep for the future. I can not thank you enough for all of your support, comments, likes, shares, tweets, and emails throughout the years. As a small thank you, two of you will win a $100 giftcard to the store of your choice. Open to all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

picture via cocorrina

beauty tuesday: the best self tanner

Although I'm a blond haired, blue eyed German girl, I actually tan pretty easily. In my younger days, I spent a lot of time outside (with sunscreen on!) working as a lifeguard, camp counselor, and in marching band -  I always had a nice tan going in the warmer months! Are you ready for a throwback? Below I am at band practice, summer camp, my first day of college, and working as a life guard in high school. I sure know how to strike a pose ;)

Anyway, now that I have to pretend to be an adult and no longer have a reason to spend most of my days outside, I am consistently pretty pale. I appreciate those who really embrace their natural porcelain skin, and there are many women who look better with their pale skin...but I personally don't believe I'm one of them. I just like to have a bit more color sometimes! Over the years, I've tried various methods to add just a bit of color to my skin. In college, I stupidly went to the tanning place a few times over the winter - luckily I really only went maybe five times, but still, that was not the best decision. I've gotten a few spray tans, but hated how expensive they were. I've tried the slow self tanner lotions, but I hated the smell, and never noticed that much of a difference. I'd always wanted to try a self tanner, but never knew where to start.

One of my favorite beauty bloggers, Cara from Maskcara, wrote this post about her method for using a self tanner, and so I obviously wanted to try it. She said that her favorite product was a foam from Tanwise, which I of course immediately ordered. I also ordered this mitt to apply the product. I've been using that combination on and off for the past year, and after showing a bit of the process on snapchat this past weekend, figured it was time to finally share what I believe is the best way to use a self tanner.

the morning of:
1. Shave & exfoliate. To get an even color from the self tanner, you don't want any dry skin patches for the color to stick to. I like to shave the morning of, and just gently exfoliate - I don't do anything crazy, I just use a basic loofah.

2. Moisturize. Again to prevent any dry spots. My favorite lotion is from Lubriderm - it's not some cute bottle with a great smelling lotion, but it really works well. It's the only body lotion I use now. I personally like to do the shave + lotion hours before the self tanner, just so I'm not applying self tanner to lotion rather than my moisturized skin.

later at night:
1. Get naked. Or as naked as you want to be. I go down to just being in my underwear. May be an obvious step, but hey, just throwing it out there!

2. Apply the self tanner. With the mitten on my hand, I use about 1 squirt for each of the following body part: lower leg, upper legs, arms, chest/neck, and abdomen. When you apply, it's important to not spend a lot of time in one area - that's how you get splotchy and streaky. Really move back and forth, and making sure you get all sides of the body part - it's easy to forget your ankle or the back of your legs, but that's how it's easy to spot self tanner. Some people like to use this self tanner on their face, and some don't. I prefer to use it, but in a modified fashion. The mitten I use comes with a smaller "finger" mitten. On that, I put about half a squirt of the self tanner, start on the edge of my face and work in. I'll let them sit for the rest of the time I'm using the self tanner, and then I'll wash my face. This way it gives me a little bit of color without leaving me looking too tan.

3. Wash your hands and toes. No matter how much you try, the color will settle in between your toes and fingers. Rinsing them off will prevent that dark pooling that can easily happen.

4. Don't get dressed for 20 minutes. But since I don't like to run around the house naked, I just put on a (navy) robe once my skin has dried.

5. Put on loose pjs, and go to bed. I have white bedding, and have never had a problem with my sheets turning colors from my self tanner. This isn't to say that it may not happen for you, but that's just been my personal experience so far.

6. Take a shower the next morning. You will be a bit orange when you wake up - I promise that's not the final look! In the shower, you'll notice that the water will turn a bit brown for the first minute in the shower. Just use a normal body wash like you always do.

7. Ta da! Now you look like you just came back from vacation (where you diligently still wore sunscreen, but just got a slight tan).

The color fades slowly throughout the week, so I usually do it like every 7-10 days. This is not something I do all year long, but something I do for the first few weeks of the leg baring months and before special occasions. It only takes a few minutes but I find it makes quite a difference in how I feel I look.

I personally use the dark color, but it also comes in a medium and lighter version if you are afraid of jumping in with too much color. I definitely recommend using a tanning glove though to get the most even coverage - it really does make a big difference!

And don't forget...sunscreen is your friend, and you should still use it, even if you look tan ;)

review: #tallgirlproblems

A question I get asked often is how tall I am - the answer is 5'9'' (I've been told often I look shorter in pictures?). Now granted, 5'9'' is not that tall - it's really the beginning height that tall sizing was created for. But those four extra inches above the average woman's height creates some difficulties when buying clothes. Below are a few things I've tried recently, and while I'm keeping most of them, a part of me wishes I had the option of buying them in a tall size, just like many of the items are available in petites. Now who do we petition?! ;)

First up is this drapey t-shirt dress from J.Crew Factory. When I first discovered this dress two months ago, almost all sizes were sold out, but eventually a size 10 popped back, and although the reviews said to size up, I ordered it anyway. I now agree with the reviews - that size 10 was way too short and tight on me! That dress was immediately returned, and I continued to watch the site waiting for a size 12 to pop back, and luckily it did! So this is a polyblend t-shirt style dress. It has a slip underneath, which makes it opaque (love when they do that!). The fabric is just a bit crinkly, I wish it had a bit of cotton in it, but that's not a big deal (just wanted to give you a heads up!). As far as the fit goes, I find it just a tiny bit too loose in the waist (which isn't always a bad things - I need room for brunch!). It's quite shorter than what I typically wear though, as I like dresses to go right above my knees, and this is about an inch below my finger tips (as you can see in the middle picture). This is one of those situations where a tall option would have been great! I typically try to buy clothes I can wear both in my professional and my personal life, but you know, sometimes you just have to keep the fun dress and wear it on the weekends, even if it's just a bit shorter than you would normally wear. The dress is currently 50% off, plus if you use the code SRSLYSPRING, you can get free shipping too!

Next up is Madewell's eyelet tee. I mentioned this a few weeks ago, and while I was considering ordering it in navy instead of my go-to white, I just knew I would love the white more. I ordered this in a size large. This peekaboo lace is so freaking pretty! As you can see, it does require wearing a cami underneath (I'm wearing my favorite from Express), unless you're super daring and much cooler than I am. As most things at Madewell, this top is just a bit boxier than I generally prefer, but luckily that has an easy fix! In the back, you can see that is gathered near the top. My plan is to put in a few stitches down the back, to about the level of my waist, to bring it in just a little bit. This will give me the definition I prefer while keeping the general look of the shirt. I clipped in the picture on the right, so you can see that it's just a bit less boxy than before. Again, I would have loved if this was about two inches longer in front, but that's something I'm more than willing to ignore for such a pretty blouse. 

The other item from that Madewell order was this button-back top. I feel in love with this shirt on Nicole, but it just does not look as good on me as it does on her. Again I'm wearing a large here. I find that it falls at a weird point on me - right at my widest point, and with its boxier shape, it really makes me look much bigger than I am. If this had been about three inches longer in the front, I would have loved this shirt. It's actually a very well made (Madewell? har har) shirt, with a heaver fabric and great details. It just didn't work on me, unfortunately. 

The last item is one I'm torn on. This is the Hotel Distressed skinny jeans from BlankNYC. Here are the things I love about them: they are so soft (must be the 97% cotton/3% spandex combo), the distressing is just the right amount, the length is great (31 inch inseam), and the price isn't horrible. The two things I wish I could change would be to make them just a little bit darker, and to get rid of the whiskering (why is this still a thing?!). I'm honestly considering buying a darker blue fabric marker and coloring it in, just to cover those up a bit (I've never done that, but I'm willing to try!). So I'm like 90% in love with them, and while I typically say don't keep it unless you 100% love it, maybe that's a bit extreme for a pair of distressed jeans? Like, if you find something that is pretty darn close to what you've been looking for, just be happy? Thoughts? (side note, the reviews did mention to size down, which I did, so if you are interested, I'd also advise going down a size!).

top three [04.17.2016]

this BR top is still one of my absolute favorites - more colors please!

medicine

• The DeBakey classification is used to separate aortic dissections into those that need to be surgically repaired and those that are managed medically. The man who is responsible for this classification, Dr. Michael DeBakey, a world renowned cardiothoracic surgeon who pioneered the treatment for aortic dissections, not only invented this classification, but also suffered from aortic dissection himself. If that's not irony...
• During the first 7 weeks of gestation, the gonadal tissue of the fetus remains undifferentiated. The male sexual differentiation is an active process, and without the signals to become male, female sexualization is the default setting. 
• Hypertelorism: an abnormally increased distance between two organs. It's usually used to describe eyes that are too far apart. 

on the internet

• I loved this classic look on Katie - plus her Tuesday posts are always a fun read!
• I'm a big believer in threading (5 minutes of pain for 6 weeks of no hair!), but I'm intrigued by Allie's post about face shaving. Have any of you tried it? 
• Jessica's post about face masks just added like three more face masks to my wishlist! 

spotted

• I saw this straw tote at Target this weekend, and it looks so much more expensive than it is - I love that tassel. It would be such a fun tote for a beach trip!
• This top from Gibson would be a great going out top - the perfect mix of sexy, cute, and comfortable!
• Still on the hunt for comfortable dress shoes, and I stumbled upon this mary jane pair from Skechers - not usually a place I shop for shoes, but they're kind of cute, right? 

ask me anything

• I will be applying to PA schools this upcoming cycle as a California resident. I'm sure you can appreciate how competitive it is, and therefore I am applying to many programs including those out-of-state. I have been fortunate enough to visit some of these out-of-state programs, so I have some small idea of what the surrounding city is like. But I am still anxious about all the possible places I might end up geographically. Like, will I legit be able to survive in areas that are cold and snowy??? What about feeling at home in places like Utah that seem to be very...homogenous?? I'm wondering, how did you adjust to moving to a totally different area for school? How far in advance did you move? Do you have any tips for adjusting to an area where you've never lived? 
• First of all, best of luck with the applications - what a pain, but hopefully it will all be worth it! So I moved about 700 miles away from home, and while it was still the Midwest with similar weather, there was still quite a bit of adjustment. I went from a moderately sized city I loved to a small city that I was not that big of a fan of initially. The biggest thing for me was finding places that felt like "my places" - coffee shops, study places, restaurants. These were discovered through classmates, yelp, and just going out and exploring! Once you have a place you enjoy being at, the area you live in will just feel more like yours - that may sound silly, but it really has made a difference for me these past three years as I keep moving around small Midwest cities that don't always have the most to offer. Just really think of those years you are at school as an adventure - like how often in your life are you going to move to a completely different state and meet a whole bunch of new people and do something completely new to you? Not many, probably! And in the end, if you really hate where you live, it's only temporary - it's 2 years at most. One of my closest friends moved from Southern California to one of the snowiest places in the country, and although he used to say he wouldn't leave the house if it was below 45 degrees, he survived those two years, and now is almost a proficient driver in the snow ;) As far as moving goes, I moved about two weeks before school started - I moved in just my car, with just my dogs and clothes, so I needed a bit of time to go buy furniture and get a house together. That was just a personal choice since I wanted a bit of time to adjust and get my life in order before the craziness of school started. 
• Going on your day in the life post, I am so impressed that you can get up so early in the morning, especially with your heated mattress! (jealous). So, my question is, do you have any tips or tricks for 1. just plain old getting up in the morning without major grumbling and 2. making the most of that time? I'm a shower in the morning person but I usually leave myself 10 minutes to do that, and everything else, and it really makes me a grump for the rest of the day to leave my house with wet hair and no makeup. I can't bring myself to be a morning person!
• I am definitely still not a morning person, but I've definitely gotten better about it! The biggest thing for me is just going to bed early enough, which I know is not easy, and to be honest, I'm still really working on that. I have found using the Sleep Cycle app has really made a difference though - not only does it track your sleep, but it works by detecting your sleep cycles, and wakes you up at the best waking times. It has made such a difference in waking up because instead of being jolted awake by a buzzing alarm, it slowly wakes you up. As far as getting ready, getting into a habit of not washing my hair often actually has been awesome - I wash my hair like twice a week now, thanks to dry shampoo! I've used a ton over the years, from inexpensive versions to pricier versions (currently testing out the Living Proof dry shampoo, and really enjoying it!). Not washing my hair every morning gives me at least 20 extra minutes every morning!
• I'm turning 30 this year and had my first baby almost 8 months ago. As "swimsuit season" approaches, I find myself personally less and less comfortable with the idea of a two-piece swimsuit. I used to be a moderate bikini fan (no string bikinis!)... Any suggestions on cute/non-matronly one-piece options? 
• Congrats on the new baby! I don't have a baby yet, but I'm also on the one-piece bandwagon - I just feel a bit more comfortable with everything a bit more covered up! My favorite one right now is this scalloped version from Kate Spade - expensive, but so darn cute. I also really like this strappy number that is currently on sale (it also comes in a few different colors if black isn't your style!). From Miraclesuit, this suit is a little va-va-voom while still keeping everything covered up!

on franish

• on the blog: tips and tricks on how to get your makeup to last all day
• on the instagram: brighter, blunter, blonder :)
• what you missed on snapchat (@fhasselhof): first thoughts on my Sephora purchase

notable sales

• Anthropologie: 40% off sale items
• I have always loved gold flatware (CR disagrees) but come on, how cute is this flatware?! Want. 
• This textured front zip jacket is adorable - it would look equally great over a dress, or casually with jeans and a tee.
• Can't you see Clare Underwood wearing this wrap dress? Perfect for you ladies who have to dress more professionally for work!
• J.Crew Factory: 40% off new arrivals!
• I feel like I need to own this seersucker pencil skirt. Seriously. 
• I really want to try this short sleeved popover - wouldn't it look great with white jeans, or tucked into a pencil skirt? 
• If I had a beach vacation coming up, this tunic would also be mine - such a pretty color. 
• Kohls: save 20% if you spend over $50
• From the REED collection, the white eyelet dress is so fun - I love that it can be dressed up or down. 
• And in the "can't ever get enough polka dots" section, a blush + polka dot dress will always win. 
• I'm officially an LC fangirl, so of course I love her perforated pumps - I'll take the rose version, please!

personal

• This weekend, CR and I went to a local Amish market and omg, do those ladies know how to make baked goods! The best apple fritters I've ever had (and trust, there's a large sample size!).
• My Sephora order came in, and I've had so much fun playing around. Favorites so far include the Living Proof dry shampoo and Becca's highlighter. Things that will probably go back include this Tarte lipstick - I should stop buying lipstick without trying it first!
• I finally got my hair colored and cut this week, and I feel like a brand new person! Now how do I get someone to style my hair for me all the time? ;)

so trendy

I ordered these Topshop lace up flats a few weeks ago, and am so happy that it's finally stopped snowing so I can wear them! You may have noticed that I don't really own a lot of shoes - I have four pairs of flats that I wear on a regular basis. I tend to spend a little more on shoes, and therefore own less of them. I also have a very makeshift closet, so I have little room for shoes, so I just don't buy a lot of them! While these shoes are a bit out of my normal comfort zone, that's kind of what I love about them. The lace up flats trend is definitely a big trend this spring, and for under $50, I'll gladly play along with the cool kids for a few months. 

As far as fit goes, I do find they fit true to size - I'm typically a 9.5, and the 9.5 fit me perfectly. I wore them all day, and it wasn't until about six hours in that I felt them rubbing a bit on my heels (that's why I always keep this in my purse!), so definitely not as much of a break in needed as some of the other shoes I own! If you're interested, I've noticed that sizes keep popping in and out of stock, so just keep an eye on it as your size will probably be restocked at some point. 

Blouse: Banana Republic [similar]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Necklace: Forever 21 [similar]

Shoes: Topshop [exact]

Bag: Mulberry [similar | exact]

Watch: c/o Larsson & Jennings [exact]

In my list of top ten bags I'd love to own some day, the Reed Krakoff Boxer tote is definitely on the list. Like the rest of the bags on the list, that bag is a bit out of reach right now. Thankfully, with his collaboration with Kohl's, we can now get the look for less. I personally think the Kohl's collabs are almost always better than the Target ones, but without the crazy frenzy. Take a look at this behind the scenes article that explains his design process for the line a bit more.

I'm teaming up with Kohl's in a few weeks to show you guys a few of the products from the line, but wanted to mention some of my favorites today since they are now available. I love that this collab line shares the same essence of his own line - the shapes and colors are so expensive looking! Some of the pieces are basically the exact same look, just for less - here is one of his original designs, and then compare it to the REED version - they are basically identical!

Here are my picks - can you guess which one I ordered?!

one | two | three

four | five | six 

seven | eight | nine

beauty tuesday: how to get your makeup to last all day

Now that I've been working longer and longer days, I've been looking for makeup that lasts as long as my time in the hospital does. Below are the products, methods, and tricks I've found that work for me! While my makeup didn't exactly last through a 28 hour shift, it does hold up for 12+ hours!

start with the right base

No matter your skin type, using a primer is the vital first step to getting your makeup to last all day. There is a whole range of primers out there that address all and any of your skincare concerns. For me, I need something that is hydrating. My staple is the Laura Mercier hydrating primer, but have also enjoyed using Nivea's post-shave balm (review here), Urban Decay's Pore Perfecting primer, and Becca's Backlight Priming Filter. I would really like to try Too Faced's primer, partially because of the good reviews and partially because the packaging is so cute! Unfortunately, since I do not have experience with oiler skin, I don't personally have any recommendations - if any of you do and have found a primer that works well for oiler skin, please share below in the comments!

I personally rarely use an eyeshadow primer - I find that using my face primer on my eyes is usually enough to stop my eyeshadow from migrating and creasing, but I also don't wear a ton of eyeshadow during the workweek. This may not be the case for you if you have oilier skin though. I do own the Urban Decay eyeshadow primer, and it's the perfect primer for nights out when I go a little heavier with the eyeshadow. 

And for those of you who have issues with mascara fallout, you need to try a primer! I'm a big fan of the Urban Decay primer, and just ordered my second tube. Not only does it keep your mascara right where you want it, but it makes your eyelashes look almost fake they are so big (see here for proof!). If you are looking for something a bit more inexpensive, try the primer side of L'oreal's Double Extend mascara. 

pick the long-lasting products
Seems kind of like a no-duh statement, but it surprisingly took me a while to find products that really did stay on my face for 12+ hours. Below are the ones that stick around for an entire shift:

Estee Lauder's Double Wear Light: I've heard great things about their Double Wear foundation, but since I didn't want a full coverage foundation, I went with the lighter coverage version. I plan on having a full review of this in the coming weeks (completely with 12 hour later pictures!), but let's just say that this stays right where you put it. Highly recommend!

Smashbow Powder: I seem to work this into every beauty post, but that's because it is one of my absolute favorite beauty items. Not only does it even out your skin, make your pores disappear (truly!), but this is what sets all the rest of your makeup. I've purchased...probably at least 8 of these over the years.

Brow Pencil: I used a brow powder for years before switching to a pencil. They say that powders look more natural, but I find that with the right pencil and technique (you have to use the spooley!),  not only will your brows look "natural" (but better, obviously), but they'll also be there by the end of the day. I'm currently using Charlotte Tilbury's Brow Lift, but if you are looking for something with a few more colors, Anastasia recently came out with a similar product with more color options. If you are still noticing that your eyebrows are disappearing, try a brow gel after coloring in your brows!

Stila's Liquid Eyeliner: It says it right in the name - stay all day! Another one of my holy grail items, I've purchased probably at least 20 of these, and the day I find out they discontinue it is the day I order 20 more online. This truly stays on my eyelids all day long - through allergy season, sad movies, and afternoon naps.

Too Faced's 16 hour blush: A recent discovery, this blush not only comes in adorable packaging, but lives up to its name. It gives you just the right flush while staying put all day.

finish with a setting spray

This is fairly new to me, but I've been using Urban Decay's setting spray for about six months now, and have actually noticed quite a difference! Once all of your makeup is applied, apply your RBF (so that your face is neutral, unless you are lucky and don't have RBF like I do), and spray one-two pumps on your face. Wait about 15 seconds for it to dry before talking or really moving your face, otherwise it will settle into the crinkles of your skin. 

I hope that helps getting your make up to last all.day.long! If you have any tips, tricks, or products that have helped to increase the longevity if your makeup, please share below in the comments!

the best way to store your watches

I used to not be a watch girl - I don't think I even owned one until after I graduated from college! Since then, I have slowly built up my collection. Obviously a watch's main function is to tell you the time, but I think they really help elevate any look. I love wearing my bigger gold watch with more casual outfits, while sticking with my thinner leather watches for my time (har har) at work. 

My ultimate wishlist watch is the Cartier tank watch, but it's looking like it'll probably be a few decades until that happens (doesn't mean I won't keep stalking eBay looking for one though!). Below are a few I've had my eye on - the Marc Jacobs has a pretty similar feel to the Cartier...at a bit of a more reasonable price ;)

Marc Jacobs | Michael Kors | Kate Spade | Fossil 

After I owned a few watches, I didn't really know how to store them - for a while I just kept them all in a bowl! So I started looking for watch boxes, but all I could find where really masculine ones - think dark leathers, grey felt, and big hardware. I wanted something more feminine looking, so I was thrilled when I found the Mele watch box a few years ago. It's white, clean looking, and the best part, it's portable. It holds ten watches, so it's the perfect size to either keep your large collection in order, or have room for growth! 

top row: Kate Spade | c/o Larsson & Jennings | Michael Kors [on sale!] | Fossil | Michael Kors

bottom row: c/o Daniel Wellington x 4 | Boccia

As you can see, I have over the past four years amassed quite the Daniel Wellington collection. The Classic Sheffield, with its black leather and gold case, is the most worn watch in my collection. I wear almost every single day, and it still looks as good as the day I received it years ago. DW recently reached out again, and offered to send me something new. I'm thrilled to now own the St. Mawes as well - as you can see from above, I don't really own a cognac leather strapped watch, and combined with its bright white face and classic hardware, it really is going to give my Sheffield a run for its money!

If you've had your eye on anything from Daniel Wellington, from watches to a new leather band, you can use the code FRANISH to receive 15% off your entire order. The code is good until May 15th! 

top three [04.10.2016]

it's denim jacket time :) 

medicine

• The human brain is only 2% of our weight, but takes up 25% of our energy. 
• The word prosopagnosia describes the inability to recognize the faces of familiar people, ie face blindness. It most often happens after a brain injury.  
• The moro reflex is one we have at birth, and then outgrow. Other reflexes like that are the rooting reflex, and the hand grasp. 

on the internet

• Joyce shares the biggest mistakes in removing your make-up, and steps to right those wrongs!
• If you have a dog in your life, I guarantee you'll want to try Dani's treats that are good for our puppy's teeth. I can't wait to make some for my own!
• I love this casual outfit on Bri - doesn't her hair look so pretty? Plus I can't believe those jeans are from Old Navy!

spotted

• The Siwy distressed denim I ordered from Shopbop ended up being too short on me, but Grace mentioned this pair from BlankNYC, and with a 32 inch inseam (and currently on sale!), I'm hopeful. 
• I stumbled across these block heels from Sole Society, and immediately ordered them. The heel is enough to make it a little dressier, but the leather and casual style make them versatile. I'm interested to see how they look in real life!
• During the next good sale, this red crossbody from Loft is definitely coming my way! It's exactly what I'm looking for (while not being $800). 

ask me anything

• Do you do most of your shopping online? If so, how do you deal with picking the right size and fit? Do you find you spend a lot in online returns or do you return in store? 
• I do. I live about 90 miles away from a larger mall, so I'd say almost 90% of my shopping is done online. Before I buy anything, I read the reviews and google the item to see if any bloggers have reviewed the item. Usually that's enough to make me decide if I want to try an item or not. If it's from a store that has free returns and I'm unsure of sizing, I may order two sizes just to be safe. I also sometimes do this if I know I'll be a mall soon, so I can return the other item without having to pay the return shipping costs. 
• Working in a hospital setting, how do you stop yourself from getting sick (colds, flu, etc.)?
• I wish I had a good answer for that, but to be honest, I got sick three times while I was on internal medicine, so it's not like I've perfected it yet. I just wash my hands a lot, take my vitamins, and take some extra vitamin C on rotations with a lot of germs (like right now!).
• I've followed you since 2012, after clicking on a series of link from someone else's blog. You'd been doing this for a long time, and well, I'd like to know: At what point do you think you'll stop blogging?
• Ohhh, interesting question! Well, in two weeks, I will have been blogging for four years. I have never planned an end day for this whole blogging thing, and since you've been following for so long, you will have noticed how much Franish has changed over the years. It all started as an ootd kind of blog - I was posting outfits almost every day of the week. Once I started medical school, I somewhat kept up with the outfits, but started incorporating a bit more about my new life in school. Once I started rotations this past June, I no longer had as much control over my time (or the sunrise), so that's when I've branched out more with beauty posts. So that is all really to say that my blog has evolved, and I assume it'll evolve as I graduate from school next year and start my residency. I'm not quite sure when I'll stop, but I currently don't have plans to. 

on franish

• on the blog: my 24 (...28) hour call on OB. 
• on the instagram: these beauties came in, and now it just needs to stop snowing...
• on the twitter: and cold cold milk, please

notable sales

• J.Crew: 30% off everything
• I have the factory version of this dress and loooooove it! I almost like the retail version more, with the pockets and the cinching though (maybe I'll have to get the blue version!)
• The grommet detailing on this top are particularly cute. 
• PJ sets are my favorite (I have like 10 sets) but how could you resist this shorts version?! Too cute (I want it monogrammed, of course). 
• Kate Spade: 25% off everything
• I love the neutral tones of this tote! Although the mint is pretty too. 
• An on sale bag that I may like even more - this one is actually very tempting. 
• The perfect additions to your suitcase - they keep everything separated (and looking good!)
• Sephora's VIB sale (10% of for Beauty Insiders, 15% for VIBs)
• I finally picked up Living Proof's dry shampoo - people seem to be obsessed with it, so I can't wait to try it for myself!
• My big splurge this round was Drunk Elephant's glow kit. We will see how it works out!
• Dry skin? I recommend First Aid Beauty's Hydrating Serum - it's my holy grail skincare item!

personal

• I started my pediatrics rotation this week. It's been okay. I love the kids but sometimes you just don't click with a rotation. I guess it's probably normal when coming off of a rotation that I loved so much. 
• Like I mentioned earlier this week, this coming week I finally am going in for color and a trim, and I can't wait. My hair has been particularly unruly lately, and it needs to be beaten back into shape!
• My parents and CR's parents are coming down to visit us in three weeks and I am SO EXCITED. I haven't seen my parents since last summer, and neither set of parents have seen our house in it's current state, so we have been in preparation mode for weeks now. Our parents will also be meeting for the first time! :)