top three [07.31.2016]

I love a good shirt dress [one | two | three]

medicine

• "Popeye sign" is a term used to describe what a biceps tendon rupture looks like. I saw one this week, and it really does look like Popeye's arm!
• An "en caul" birth is when a baby is born still in its amniotic sac. I saw this video posted (from Glamour, of all places), and found it fascinating!
• Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease that causes the fusion of the spine and sacroiliac joints. It has the nickname of "bamboo spine" because of how it looks on x-ray and because of how stiff the spine becomes. 

on the internet

• Audrey breaks down how to build a business casual wardrobe - a must read for anyone who is trying to figure out what they need if that is their dress code!
• I love AMA posts - Adina's has so many good tidbits in there!
• Amanda shares the three things you should ask yourself before buying something for your home. Since we will be moving in May/June, we (okay, ME) are trying not to buy any house things as we don't know what kind of space we will be in next, but these will be questions I will definitely be asking myself come next spring!

spotted

• Has anyone tried Lush's short sleeved blouses? They come in a ton of colors (of course I love the white and blush version) and look so comfortable!
• I love Ann Taylor's new marled jacket  - very Chanel, no? 
• Nude shoes can sometimes be a bit boring, but this strapy version from Daya is so fun and would go with everything. 

ask me anything

• I was wondering what necklace you seem to be wearing in all your posts. The one I am referring to consists of a chain with a single gem. I love the simple, classic design and would be really interested in purchasing (or suggesting to my significant other) the same one or a similar version!
• My diamond necklace was a gift from my parents for my 18th birthday, and I've been wearing it almost nonstop since then. The diamond is actually a family heirloom, but the style is pretty common - it's called a floating diamond. You can get that style at a jewelry store if you want a real diamond, or if you want to try out the style first, I found a very similar style on Etsy as well. 
• Did you watch the Steve Avery documentary? How did it make you feel about how Wisconsin was portrayed?
• We did watch it. I didn't really love the first episode, but once you got past the Wisconsin stereotypes, it was a compelling show for sure. I grew up on the other side of the state and was in middle school/early high school when the cases were happening, so I don't remember them actually happening. I guess I never really thought about how the show reflected on the entire state of Wisconsin, rather than a crooked police system in one part of the state. I guess maybe we should clarify that not at all our accents are that bad either ;)
• I was curious when and how you take pictures with your busy schedule? For example - do you take them before you leave for clinical or after clinical? Do you take a bunch of pics with outfit changes on one day and then spread out the posts? Does CR take your pics or do you use a tripod? 
• When I take pictures, which how often that happens is highly dependent on what rotation I am on, happens before work. I can only take pictures if I don't have to be at work until 8:30 or 9, since I need to wait for the sun to be up, and I have to drive 30-40 minutes before getting to work, which is not in a photogenic area. Now that CR and I have separate schedules, I am back to taking most of my own work outfit pictures. I use this tripod and this remote - both are key! For my casual outfits, CR takes most of them. I wish he could take all of them, as the pictures always turn out better, and it's so much easier!

on franish

• on the blog: Loft does it again...and again...and again. 
• on the instagram: stepping back into the white coat...10 months until it gets burned!
• on the twitter: I can't wait until Tuesday - this will be my first time watching. Also, not excited about Monday night - I don't want either to win!

notable sales

• J.Crew: 50% off final sale items
• Their #2 pencil skirts are some of my favorites, and now their cotton version is on super sale (like under $35 on sale!). I'm so disappointed the emerald color is sold out in my size or else I would have already ordered it. 
• Also one of my favorites includes their blazers, and now you can get their classic navy blazer in a summer appropriate linen. 
• The back straps of their flowy cotton dress make the dress extra special. 
• Loft: 40% off tops and sweaters
• I'm so glad they restocked their tunic sweater - I missed out on it the first time so definitely ordering a version now (I love that it has a v neck!) Cream or red?!
• This lace mockneck blouse is so unlike anything Loft really has made or anything I've ever worn, but I'm so tempted. How fun would it be with some slim black pants and cute pumps? 
• My tunic tee (seen here) is included in the sale too!
• Nordstrom
• I saw these block heels in real life a few weeks ago, and if I wore heels more often, I would have immediately purchased them. They are so cute!
• The rich gem colors of these Lush blouses are so pretty - I love that red color!
• Eliza J always makes the best dresses, and her ombre polka dot dress is no exception. 

at home

• We got our board scores this week and want to know something disgusting? CR and I got the exact same score. Besides that, we are very happy about how this round of testing worked out for us. 
• This weekend, we spent the weekend up in Allegheny State Park camping with CR's family. Besides the four hours of heavy rain on Saturday morning, we had such a great time! It was nice to just be outside, away from technology (my phone had absolutely no service), and cooking over a fire. The dogs had a blast too!
• I finished my first week of family medicine this week. After months and months on the ObGyn service, it's been nice to have a change of pace and learn about different sides of medicine again. I saw some pretty interesting cases this week!

reviews: when you don't go shopping for several months...

Today I'm going to share some thoughts of items I've ordered over the past few weeks. I haven't done a review post since May! Since I spent all of May, June, and most of July in scrubs/lounge clothes, I also didn't really buy a lot of clothes...but now with more free time and a business casual dress code, I have been extra online shopping happy. Here are the things I've ordered, and my thoughts on them!

First up is this Loft shell, which I actually ordered before I saw it on Kecia, but then was even that much more excited when I saw how cute it was on her. I ordered it in a size large. There are things I really really love about this top - obviously the pattern, the flattering neckline, the cute ruffle detail, and just how easily I can mix and match it with items in my closet. The only reason I'm on the fence about this one is because it's just the tiniest bit too short in the front, which makes it look slightly boxy on me - you can see how it hangs off me on the picture on the right. Is this me just being too picky? It would really only be an issue when I wore the top alone with pants, which may not ever actually happen - I'd probably only wear it tucked into a skirt or under a cardigan/blazer. Hmmm...I'm definitely torn on this one!

The Loft item I'm definitely not torn about is this mustard blouse. I used to have this really great thrifted mustard cardigan I wore all.the.time, but it was getting really worn out, so I eventually I redonated it. Although some say blondes shouldn't wear yellow, I kinda love the mustard color against my hair. Anyway, this blouse is also in a size large. It has a nice flowy feel to it, it's long enough on me (also comes in petite for you smaller framed ladies), and overall I'm just excited to wear it. Plans already include pairing it with white jeans now, with my go-to black pants for work, and with distressed jeans on the weekend. All Loft tops are currently 40% off, bringing this top in under $30. I bet it would look good on so many of you ladies, no matter your hair color!

feeling sorry for the boys...

You know who I feel bad for in the warm summer months? Men who have to wear dress clothes. While I do think they have it easier in general when it comes to dressing professionally (hi, where are entire women's suit sections in the stores? oh yeah...), I imagine it kind of sucks that they have to wear long dress pants, full sleeved shirts, and a tie when it's 90 degrees out.

Which is the nice thing about being a woman! We can get away with wearing a sleeveless shirt dress and simple accessories, and be good to go (at least those of us with a business casual dress code). Mine is from J.Crew Factory and I'm so excited about it. I'm wearing a size large, and it fits my bust and hips well. You can see that there's a bit of extra fabric in the waist, which I plan on having my tailor take in (as well as remove that belt loop that sits too low on my waist...oops!) - it should be an easy fix for her, and will make all the difference in having the dress fit me the way I want it to! I should also note that some of the reviews say it runs a bit sheer - I personally didn't think it was see through, but I wore a slip just in case for work. The dress is currently under $30, if you are interested!

Dress: J.Crew Factory [exact on sale]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Belt: H&M 

Watch: c/o Larsson & Jennings [exact]

Below are a few more under $50 picks from J.Crew Factory. My favorite? That grey skirt - wear it now with a striped tee and metallic sandals, and then pair it with tights, boots, and a vest in the fall. LOVE. 

one | two | three | four

five | six | seven | eight

beauty tuesday: beauty tips for surviving a summer wedding

Once you hit your mid to late twenties, it seems that your entire summer is taken up by weddings. Last summer we went to five weddings! I personally love everything about weddings - the love they celebrates, the clothes (the wedding dress, the bridesmaids, the guests!), the prettiness of it all...and obviously the food. One of the hardest things about summer weddings though is that it's usually summery, i.e. hot, which means makeup and hair tends to fall quickly. I've rounded up a few of my favorite Sephora items that have helped me combat the heat, both during wedding season and just the rest of the summer!

 

skincare

Not starting with your best skin possible is possibly the biggest mistake you can make while getting ready for any event. For us drier-skinned girls, that means we can start with flaky patches that causes our makeup to stick in strange places, and for your ladies with oilier skin, it can cause your makeup to run off quickly. My preferred mini facial routine is doing the Glamglow mask after getting out of the shower to smooth out my skin, and then I follow up with a sheet mask to moisturize and treat my skin (you guys have seen this routine several times on Snapchat...I do it at least twice a month!). I love that Sephora has their own affordable line of face masks, so at $6 a pop, not only can you do them quite often on your own, but also if you are a member of a wedding party, you can bring some for everyone the night before the wedding and have a little mini spa. Once my skin is in good shape, I go heavy with the primers for longer events (as wedding days seem to be!). It is one of the only times I really use an eyelid primer (I've been using the Urban Decay primer for years), and also my Laura Mercier primer to add moisture and staying power to my makeup.

makeup

I see being a wedding guest as a great time to have a little more fun with my makeup than I do with my every day makeup. Typically, I like to go with a heavier eyes, a fresh face, and nude lips. For the eyes I'm still loving my Tarte Tartelette in bloom palette (reviewed here), but I go with the darker colors to bring in some dimension. My trusty Stila eyeliner stays put all day and night, which is obviously important because weddings always mean a ton of pictures. I have really wanted to play around with fake lashes for a while (I just noticed that they have a whole little section now for false lashes in stores!) but CR always teases me about them, so I haven't actually worn them in real life (but for the record, if I were to wear false lashes, I'd be all about these "fluff n' thick" lashes - so pretty!).

For the face, I recently jumped on the baking band wagon - it does make such a difference for days you want your make up to last. I've been using the Laura Mercier translucent powder - I press it under my eyes with a damp Beautyblender, and let it "bake" while doing my eye makeup, and then I brush it away with a powder brush at the end. I stick with light contouring (currently testing out the infamous Kevyn Aucoin powder!), the prettiest pink blush, and of course a bit of highlighter (I'll reuse the damp Beautyblender to apply Becca's highlighter). To finish it all off, a few sprays of Urban Decay's setting spray, and your make up better last until at least the Cupid Shuffle.

Like I said, for lips, I prefer to go with pretty pink nude colors - enough to bring color to my face, but not where I'm leaving lip prints on everyone. The lip glosses I've been reaching for the most are UD's Naked in Liar, YSL's rouge volupte shine in Nude Lavalliere (so pretty and makes your lips so smooth!), and YSL's volupte shine candy (in rose candy). I especially love using the YSL lip glosses for special events like weddings just because they are almost too pretty to use every day, so I love being able to pull them out for weddings. I also think they'd be a great present for a bride - just a little something pretty she can use for all of her upcoming bridal events!

Worth noting is that if you aren't feeling too comfortable with your makeup skills, or just want to try something new, you can book an appointment at Sephora for a 45 minute custom makeover that is free if you buy $50 worth of products (or if you are a VIB Rouge, these are always free!). I have really wanted to try this out because I have friends who tried it and loved it, so definitely worth looking into!

Hair

Hair is always my biggest struggle for going to weddings - especially summers where you have a ton of events, I personally can't justify getting a blow out for every single one of them! Having the right tools and lots of practice over the years has helped though. I generally like to start with second day hair, as it has a bit more grip and texture to it. I use my absolute favorite dry shampoo from Living Proof (review coming soon - this is my second bottle!), which helps soak up the oil but also gives your hair some volume. Then I use my new T3 curling iron (review on that coming too!) to curl my hair in two layers - this curling iron is pricey for sure, but it's been the only one I've found that has actually curled my hair and hasn't left it flat in ten minutes. Then, without touching the curls, I'll spray them with Verb's Ghost hairspray. This hairspray doesn't even feel like you are using hairspray - it just makes your hair keep hold without feeling all sticky (plus it's not too terribly expensive at $14 per bottle). Then I like to tease at my crown, and pin half my hair back - I find that this keeps your hair looking voluminous throughout the whole day and night, and keeps some of your hair out of your face during the dancing parts (...and the eating parts) of the night. 

CR's brother is getting married in two weeks, and it's a wedding we have all been really looking forward to (CR is the one marrying them!). With more weddings coming in the next few years (lots of engagements on the horizon!), Sephora will always be my go-to when it comes to getting ready for weddings, which is why I'd like to thank them for sponsoring this post! If you are a bride, in a wedding, or are there just to help celebrate love, Sephora's bridal section has all the prettiest items picked out, from skin prep to nails to bridesmaids gifts (my favorite section!). Plus don't forget that a Sephora gift card is always appropriate for any gifting occasion (seriously, I'll take make up gift cards over pans for the kitchen any day).

Thank you to Sephora and ShopStyle for sponsoring this post! 

top three [07.24.16]

summer = white jeans (mine are currently under $35!)

medicine

• For young men going through cancer treatments, many choose to have their sperm stored in case they are not fertile after treatments. A baby has been conceived using sperm that was 23 years old - the father was treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma when he was 15 - which is now a Guinness World Record!
• Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a clinical condition caused when an abdominal tumor (often the appendix) produces so much mucin that the inside of the peritoneum looks like jelly, which is why the other fun name for this condition is "jelly belly". 
• Microcalcification of the breasts are tiny specks of calcium in the breast that may or may not be a sign of malignancy. Deodorant can appear similar on mammograms, which is why it is advised to not wear deodorant before one!

on the internet

• Priya pulls off the summer look I wish I had the guts to try. 
• My friend Carrie, who is one of CR's best friends from college, recently started a pizza blog, which is currently my favorite thing on the internet. Carrie and her husband have weekly tradition of making homemade pizza (something we were treated to when we visited them last month!), which they are now documenting on her blog, The Pizza Sunday Blog. Not only does it share a bit of their lives, but also the recipes they are trying out, and tips they have learned along the way. I can't wait to try more of their pizzas when we see them again in a few months!
• I wish I had every item from Kecia's outfit - the cutest work outfit I think I've ever seen. 

spotted

• I've been wearing my white jeans so much that I'm tempted to get a distressed pair too - the distressing on this Vigoss pair (now on sale!) is just the right amount. Why can't all distressed jeans look like that?!
• I love work dresses that just have that little special detail - in the case of this sheath dress from Kohl's, it's the adorable scalloped hemline. If it wasn't on the shorter side, I would totally order it!
• I love these elastic top shoes from Tory Burch! They look like they'd be so comfy. 

ask me anything

• Where did you buy your bedding and headboard?
• Our headboard is from Overstock.com, and our bedding is from Pottery Barn! Here's a picture of what it looks like in real life. 
• How do you assess what's a "good sale"? I get so many ads in my e-mail telling me about sales it's hard to know which ones are actually worth it! For example, I've seen LOFT have 40% sales, but I'm not sure if they'd go any cheaper - like, say, 60% sales. I want to buy items during sales when I'm going to get the best bang for my buck.
• For me, I think any sale that is 40% or more is a great sale, and I almost always wait for one of those from places that regularly have those types of sales (Gap/Banana, Ann Taylor/Loft) before I buy something. For example, I was at a Loft store this week, and tried on (and fell in love with) this beautiful goldenrod blouse, but it was only 25% off. I waited, and now it's 40% off, which is an acceptable percent off. There is always the option, although it takes a bit of hassle, to order something when it's say, 40% off, and if in three days there's a flash sale for 60% off, you order it again, and just return the 40% off order. I've only done that a time or two when the difference was worth the hassle. 
• I was just wondering what your recommended "classic pieces" or "wardrobe staples" were? I feel like I have quite a few unique pieces but lack the basics.
• This is one of those things that is so different for everyone, just depending on what you do for a living and so on, but there are some general items that probably most of us will wear. Top of the list are a great pair of blue jeans (my favorites include Madewell's skinny skinny) and I personally have gotten even more wear out of black jeans (Paige makes amazing jeans). A pair of flats (my go-to are the Tory Burch Revas) and a pair of boots (hoping the TB boots I ordered, and should be here Tuesday, will fill that hole for me!). A few simple tops you can mix and match with (mine are almost all from Loft, go figure), and a nice leather or gold watch top it off, are great closet staples. Those really are basics for me that have carried me through. I wrote a piece a few months ago about this too that shares what are my own closet staples :)

on franish

• on the blog: it's definitely not sweater weather this weekend!
• on the instagram: same same same! (the case is from casetify!)
• on the twitter: experienced something really heart touching this week

notable sales

• Loft: 30% off full priced items (40% if you are a card holder!)
• As soon as I saw this flutter sleeve dress, I put it in my cart and ordered it - HOW FREAKING CUTE IS THAT DRESS. 
• Also in that order is this large polka dot shell - I wore my long sleeved version all winter long, and now I'll have the sister version for summer (and then again fall under a cardigan/blouse). 
• While not typically what I would gravitate towards, I love the idea of pink pants for work! In the appropriate setting, they could be a fun take on workwear. 
• Madewell: 40% off sale items (this almost never happens!)
• My favorite jeans, in white.
• I have this checkered shirt, and can't wait for it to cool down a little so I can wear it more often!
• I love the curved hemline on this sweater - so darn cute!
• Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
• I love the fit of these Topshop jeans, and how the high waist would be so tummy flattering (it's like built in support!), especially since I would just wear a long blouse over it instead! Has anyone tried them? 
• I'm all about drapey cardigans in the cooler months, so of course I want to try one of the ombre versions currently under $60. 
• I've been going back and forth on whether I really need a plaid shirt dress...but it's so darn cute! I just want to wrap a cognac belt around it, and wear it all fall long. 
• Shopbop sale section: I've wanted a pair of Rag&Bones shorts for so long, and now they have several pairs on sale! Did you know they have pool floaties?! (I want all of them). Rebecca Minkoff also has several items discounted, including the coolest work satchel. 

at home

• I'm hoooome! For a whole two months!! While I love getting to explore different parts of the state/country, home really is where the heart is. I've missed my boys (...and the cat), so I'm excited to get back into a normal routine at home. While CR will be gone for parts of my time home, he will be close enough that we can see each other at least every weekend, if not some weekdays too!
• Now I start two months of family medicine, and I'll be honest, I'm a bit nervous! I haven't done family med since last June, and have spent the better part of the last six months in ObGyn land, so things may be a bit rusty for me at first...good thing I'm dating someone who loves family medicine ;)
• Now that I have normal access to a kitchen, and back near my gym/home gym, I'm excited to get back into cooking lots of veggies and working out again. Has anyone made anything particularly yummy lately? I'd love to hear any good recipes you've tried!

...sweater weather?

My gosh you guys, it has been so hot lately! Do I need to say again how much I dislike summer? I do though. But with all the talks of fall clothing (thanks to the #NSale, mostly), I was excited to wear pants again so I tried to wear a couple of my transitional pieces a few weekends ago, when it was just really warm instead of unbearably hot. White jeans are a summer closet staple for many, which is why I was thrilled when I finally found a pair I liked last spring after years of looking. Mine are from Articles of Society, and are actually currently 40% off the original price! I find they run true to size, and haven't had a problem with them stretching out through the day. I paired them with my new "tunic tee" from Loft - it's a super light weight sweater that I've actually worn several times now. It's one of those baggy oversized sweaters that lets some air in, is comfy, and can be worn every season. It does have those dreaded drop shoulders, but I find them to not be that noticeable in the black. Looking at this pictures, I feel like I look really covered up, but the thin layers were actually quite comfortable! Until I got back home, where we don't have AC... ;)

Sweater: Loft [exact]

Jeans: Articles of Society [exact on sale!]

Shoes: Jack Rogers [exact]

Bag: c/o Torregrossa [exact - use code FRANISH20 for 20% off!]

Ring: Catbird [similar at Shopbop]

And I can't really talk about fall clothing without mentioning the current Nordstrom Anniversary sale. This is the first year I've had a Nordstrom card, so it's my first time shopping early access (the sale is open to the public tomorrow, so hopefully they will have a lot of it restocked). I think the sale is really wonderful for certain reasons - you can get the upcoming trends early and at reduced prices, and you can get brand name items at prices you really can't otherwise. I think there's a lot of "extra" stuff in the sale that tends to make it kind of a hassle to pick through everything, so that's a downside, so some things aren't as great of a deal as the internet may make it seem. 

What I ended up doing is focusing on trying to get a few things that I've wanted for a while, now at a discounted price. So for me, that was a pair of black distressed jeans, a pair of blue jean distressed jeans (both are waiting at home for me to try on, and I'll only be keeping at most one of them), and black riding boots from Tory Burch that I've been obsessed with for years, as they are marked down $200 from their regular price. So those are all designer pieces I typically wouldn't purchase at full price, especially when it's 90 degrees outside, but the deals are really too good to pass up if you've had your eye on anything. Below are a few of what I think are the best deals during the sale. Quality denim, cashmere sweaters, real leather products. Since I haven't actually tried on anything from the sale, I'd love to hear about your experiences with any times you've tried (any must haves?).

one | two | three [the non distressed version that I ordered]

one [reviewed by Krista here] | two [I ordered the tan] | three [really want the light grey version!]

one | two | three

top three [07.17.2016]

medicine

• Cutis verticis gyrata is a condition I learned about this week from Elyse's snapchat. It is a condition of the scalp that causes thickened folds and furrows to appear as if they were the gyri and sulci of the brain. 
• Twiddler's Syndrome refers to the malfunction of a pacemaker due to the patient's "twiddling" with it!
• Latisse, the drug that enhances the growth of eyelashes, was actually initially being developed as a glaucoma treatment...until researchers noticed a change in the participant's eyelashes!

on the internet

• My favorite series on the internet is back! She's the cutest. 
• Alicia is a bombshell in her flowy maxi dress!
• Have you guys been following Jess's roadtrip adventure? It looked so much fun! She shares her tips for setting expectations for the trip here. 

spotted

• I love a great wrap dress, but I love a beautiful wrap dress even more. Topshop's blush version is so pretty, right?! It would be so great with some nude shoes and gold jewelry. 
• One of the items I can't wait to add to my closet this fall is an olive twill top - it's the perfect chambray alternative, especially if you don't want to wear blue denim on top of blue denim!
• Another item I'm going to add is a pair of cool loafers (considering this cutout pair from Vince Camuto). I used to wear loafters all the time, no idea why I ever stopped!

ask me anything

• I really want to start a blog but I don't even know where to begin. Do I pay for a domain name? What photography tools should I be using to help me along the way? I know you kind of learn a lot as you go along, but I'd find it really helpful to hear your story on how you started and your tips. What basics could you recommend for someone just starting out?
• Yay! I love blogging, and feel I've learned a lot along the way that I wish someone had told me (they probably did, I just didn't realize how important it was at the time!). Here are some tips and answers to your questions!
• I personally wish I had purchased my domain right when I started. I just wasn't thinking long term, and by the time I went to buy Franish.com, it was several thousand dollars because someone was sitting on it! I watched the price increase every year (it's currently at $4300), and finally just decided I had to go with something else because not only was the domain taken, but so were some of the social media names! So that's why everything on here is now Franish the Blog (which I still am not too happy with, but couldn't think of a different alternative). So! My tip would be to at least reserve the domain name and social media names as soon as you come up with a blog name. 
• I was lucky to already own a DSLR when I started blogging, but did a few things over the years to improve my photography. I initially used the kit lens that came with my camera (see an example of those pictures here...look at that dark hair! and all those colors haha) but eventually bought a 50mm lens, which is the lens I used until about two months ago (see an example of that photography here - you get the nice blurred background with the 50 mm lens). Then I eventually added an 85 mm lens (example here), which still gives you the nice blurred background but I think makes me look sharper in the pictures. That being said...you do not need to buy all these things right away!! That was my camera journey over the past five years, and if you want a little secret...we still shot in automatic. Neither CR nor I have really had the time to figure out how to shot in manual, so we really just take pictures in "ideal" situations (in the shade, not in the middle of the day) rather than learning how to work around that. If you think you'll be pretty serious about blogging, or enjoy photography, I'd suggest looking into getting a DSLR second hand, and starting from there.
• As far as photo editing goes, for many years I just used iPhoto, but I bought a copy of Lightroom on eBay for like $10, and it has made such a difference! I can control so much more about the pictures, and add filters (you can buy them on Etsy - this is a pack I just purchased) and so on. It takes a little bit of playing around with everything to know how to use it, but I think it makes such a difference. I also bought an older version of photoshop on eBay, and use that to make my collages. 
• And then you just start! You will figure it out as you go - I wish I hadn't accidentally deleted a ton of my old pictures, or else you could go back and see what my blog used to look like. It just takes time to figure out your blogging style, what you want to talk about, and how to get everything to look the way you want it to. I'm definitely not there yet, I'm still trying to figure it out all out, but blogging is supposed to be fun, so just have fun with it! Oh, and send me your link so I can follow :)
• Is your favorite white tee still Everlane? I don't like having to wear camis, they're so uncomfortable!
• YES! You guys, I live in my Everlane tees. LIVE IN THEM. Here's my review from years ago, and everything I said then stands today. I have tried out a ton of their tees over the years, but the cotton v-neck (I think their first product they made) is still my favorite. It holds its shape, it's sleeves are actually a full short sleeve, it's thin enough to be comfortable but opaque enough that you don't have to wear a cami. All around, still my favorite tee I own! I did notice they came out with a linen tee, and I'm very tempted by that charcoal version, so we will see how that holds up!
• Do you ever still talk to your ex? (Long time reader - just curious. I'm happy to see you so happy with CR or as I like to think of him as Winnie the Pooh's Christopher Robin.)
• You know, I haven't spoken with him since we broke up. For those of you who weren't around then, I dated a guy for over five years before I moved for medical school. About three months into school, we just couldn't make it work (and to be honest, it wasn't really working before I moved). It was pretty amicable at the time of the break up, it's all the things I found out later that make me not as amicable anymore ;) So no, we haven't spoken since then. And you're not too far off with your Christopher Robin thoughts :)

notable sales

• Anthropologie: extra 30% off sale
• How freaking adorable are these lace shorts?! I need to finally replace the pair of Target boxer shorts I've been wearing since college, and these may just be it!
• And speaking of white clothing (...always), how cute would this slight peplum top look with some skinny jeans and a blazer for when it gets cold? I love it. 
• The pattern of this skirt stand out, but the black + white makes it super versatile. 
• J.Crew Factory: 40-60% off dressed up styles
• One of my favorite items from JCF is my multistrand pearl necklace (see it on me here). It goes with everything (and is now $26!)
• I also own their military style dress, and it's the best. It's the factory version of the original retail dress, and it just is the perfect summer dress. Highly recommend! (see it on me here).
• And on its way to me is this simple shirt dress that I'm hoping I can wear the rest of this summer - doesn't it look so light weight and comfy? 
• Nordstrom anniversary sale
• Last year during the sale I purchased a pair of Zella leggings, and after wearing them nonstop for the past year, I broke down and purchased the cropped length as well. Reviews say to size down, but I went with a size large, and would say they are the perfect amount of snug (ie, I couldn't get into a medium if my life depended on it!).
• After seeing AG jeans being recommended so.many.times on blogs over the years, I decided to order the distressed black pair, just to try for myself! Thank God for free return shipping ;)
• My big debate I'm having with myself is if I can justify buying the Tory Burch boots I've been eyeing for literally years now. They are $200 less right now, and they are the wide calf version, which is awesome for those of us with muscular calves! My black boots are shot from the past two winters, so I'd love to replace them with these. Thoughts?

on franish

• on the blog: talking about those damn pesky pores!
• on the twitter: so proud of this tweet
• what you missed on snapchat (@ fhasselhof): pre-morning report shenanigans 

at home

• It has been a pretty busy week over here! I was on gyn surgery, which was great because I really enjoy being in the OR. I definitely got my suturing practice in this week! We also had presentations to give, and applications to prepare, so overall, it's been busy but so good. 
• A few months ago I spoke with Racked after they reached out to me about the portrayal of average sized women in media. It's nice to see the discussion revolve around why there aren't more average sized women represented, since the most of us are "average". You can read the full article here!
• CR and I met in Columbus yesterday, and had ourselves a few adventures for the day. We got donuts, got a delicious lunch, spent the afternoon at the zoo, and then went to a cute little gastropub for dinner. It was perfect. I'm working today, so we could only go for one day, but it was such a great day. What a fun city! Can't wait to go back and explore more :)

beauty tuesday: those damn large pores (and how to cover them up)

before | after Estee Edit's Pore Vanishing Stick

Over the past year, I've become quite content with the direction my skin is going. With the help of Paula's Choice, my acne has drastically cleared up, and with the help of my tretinoin cream, the hyperpigmentation I had from the acne is now going away too. Which means it's time for me to focus my skin insecurities on the next item...my large pores.

I've always had them, and after talking to my dermatologist about it, turns out I have my genetics to blame as genetics are really the reason for the size of our pores...which means there's also not a ton that can be done about them.  We have all seen products that promise to reduce pore size, and not shockingly, they don't really work. My doctor did say that my tretinoin cream should help, but to be honest, I've been using it for nine months now, and I haven't really noticed much of a difference. So I'm going to continue her recommendations, which is to use the tretonoin cream, and start an at-home microdermabrasian about once a week (do you have any recommendations? I was debating trying the Ole Hendricksen power peel, if any of you have tried it, I'd love to hear your thoughts!).

Anyway, all of this is to say that since there isn't a ton that can be done about the actual pores on my face in ways of treatment, I was more than willing to try out Estee Edit's new Pore Vanishing stick to cover them up. What it is is basically a primer in stick form that blurs the look of pores. While not really a new concept (Smashbox and Benefit both have primers geared toward reducing the look of the size of pores), I found the concept in stick form to be so much easier to use. In the morning before putting on my makeup, I use my regular primer (I use this Laura Mercier hydrating primer for my dry skin) over the rest of my face, and then use the Estee Edit primer on just my nose. Although the rest of my face is on the dry side, my nose is my one oilier spot, so this primer not only helps with the oil, but it really does blur away the enlarged pores! As you can see in the picture on the right, you can't see all the little spots like you can on the picture on the left. I currently don't wear foundation on a regular basis (my face is covered up by a face mask most days anyway), so I like that this helps cover up my insecurities without adding much more than five seconds to my morning routine. I'd definitely recommend at least swiping it across your nose the next time you're in store so you can see the difference it makes - when I tried it, I immediately felt okay spending $28 on the stick as I saw that it actually worked.

This is  my first purchase from the new Estee Edit line (which is an Estee Lauder line at Sephora) but I was playing around with a few items while I was in the store recently so I'm looking forward to trying a few more items. I'm going to get a sample of the White Mask for sure (the reviews look promising!). I'm also intrigued by their mascara as it comes with two wands - one side to build up your lashes (the brush looks very similar to my beloved Too Faced mascara) and a smaller side to define (great for the lower lashes).

top three [07.10.2016]

LBD for every season [one | two | three]

medicine

• I saw my first Interstim placement surgery this week. Interstim is a small device that is implanted in the buttocks that stimulates the sacral nerves to help with bladder control. The majority of the surgery is spent checking reflexes to make sure the implants are in the right position. It's such a clever procedure!
• A few weeks ago I mentioned an antibiotic that turns urine orange, and this week I saw a patient whose urine turned a dark dark brown from using Flagyl. 
• Nocturnal enuresis: a fancy word to describe bed wetting (sometimes I wonder why we have to have medical terms for literally everything)

on the internet

• I love this rainy weather look on Kendi - definitely need to get my hands on that rain jacket!
• Audrey's "how you wear an item multiple ways" are always my favorite types of post. 
• Hallie shares her tips on how to party smarter - this one is a must read!

spotted

• I haven't had to dress up for work since April, which is mostly nice (#scrublife) but I'm starting to look forward to dressing up again once my next rotation starts. I just ordered this pretty patterned skirt from Loft, so fingers crossed it fits! We all know I have enough white tops to go with it! ;)
• While it's way way wayyyy out of my budget, I'm obsessed with Tory Burch's newest tote. Isn't it beautiful?!
• The former dancer in me loves this side tie cardigan - I love the grey version! Now if only it stopped being 90 degrees around here!

ask me anything

• I love how much you love the 4th of July. I'm curious. Do you think you'll ever take the plunge and become a U.S citizen?
• I'm actually asked this question alllll the time! I don't think I will, to be honest. It took a really long time and a lot of money for my family to get our greencards, so I don't really want to go through the hassle of gaining citizenship for not that many perks that I don't already have as a permanent resident. Germany also doesn't allow dual citizenship, so I'd have to give that (and my EU passport) up! And just on a personal level, I don't want to do have to renounce my German status ;)
• I have an engagement shoot coming up and I was wondering if you had any suggestions for a cute casual dress to wear. 
• Congrats! My personal philosophy is that you should use your engagement as a time to wear as many white dresses as possible ;) My favorite is this lace shift from Ann Taylor - it's casual but still very bridal (plus I love the sleeves!). If you guys are doing a "business casual" kind of shoot (like with him wearing dress pants and a tie), this shirt dress from Eliza J could be a cute option too (or if you have a bit of cash to spend, DVF has the cutest options). If you don't want to do a white dress, I kind of love this simple floral dress from Banana Republic - so pretty, right? Send me pictures once you figure it out either way - I love engagement pictures :)
• I was just prescribed retin A micro 0.08, but I cannot afford the amount that is being charged. Is there any place I can purchase it at a cheaper price?
• I have two suggestions. First, you can use the Good Rx app to see if any pharmacies around you are selling the cream for less, and then you ask your doctor to send your perscription to that pharmacy. Second, Retin A Micro is a brand prescription that has a generic form as a tretinoin cream, so that is another possibility. 

on franish

• on the blog: I just really love this dress, ok? 
• on the instagram: night shift essentials (the night mask is from Amazon!)
• on the twitter: I was just really excited. 

notable sales

• Anthropologie: extra 30% off sale items
• I still can't get over how freaking adorable this bow backed dress is. If only I had somewhere to wear it! (plus it's now 1/3 of the original price PLUS 30% off!).
• If I had any plans at all to go on a warm vacation soon, I'd be all about this pretty midi dress. Don't you love the side detail?!
• I still haven't found a peplum top that works on me, but I'm tempted to try their striped version (hello, real short sleeves and stripes? Obviously I'm sold). 
• J.Crew: extra 40-60% off sale itesm
• While I'm not sure they are the most practical, these tortoise sandals are definitely the coolest. 
• I'm still on the hunt for the perfect striped short sleeved black and white dress, and with the good reviews on this version, I may just have to try it!
• If I didn't have to wear a white coat every day, I would 100% buy this gingham blazer. 100%. 
• Madewell: 30% off select summer item
• Their striped shirt dress may be the only dress you need for the rest of the summer. It looks so comfy!
• I'm really toying with the idea of getting their short sleeved chambray shirt. It's the ultimate summer top that would go with everything. 
• Flares are still going to be a big thing this fall, so you may as well get the trend on sale!
• PS: Shopbop's newest sale includes some adorable pieces from my favorite brand, Michael Kors's satchels (so great for work!), and Sam Edelman shoes (I'm debating purchasing the scalloped flats). 

at home

• It was kind of a strange week at work for me this week. I was on night float Tuesday and Wednesday. I always find being on night float for just a few days difficult, just because you don't have the time to really adjust to the schedule of being up for 14 hours when you want to be sleeping. Then on Friday I got a taste of the gyn surgery service, which I have a full week of this week. I'm excited to see some surgeries, but my poor feet are already complaining.
• We saw our third (and last) Dave Matthews show last night and it was the best one I've been to yet. We were in the pit, so like 15 feet away from Dave, and they played so many great songs. I'm already looking forward to their next tour!
• Keeping it short today because we are off to brunch! Can't wait to have that avocado toast ;)

curvy girl

A couple of months ago, I wrote a post about being an average sized girl in our not so averaged size blogging world. Due to a problem with Disqus, the 100+ comments on that post are stuck on a dashboard that I can't figure out how to get on my blog, but you all had so many great points about body image, body love, and self respect that I wish I could go back and read and share the comments with all of you. Women of all sizes, ages, and lifestyles shared their stories about accepting their bodies, no matter what the internet, the media, and obviously social media claim to be our #goals.

CR and I took these pictures a few weeks ago before going out to dinner. I was so excited to wear my new wrap dress . It hits me at all the right places - it shows a little cleavage (perfect for a night out with my boyfriend), it emphasizes my waist, and hits at the spot at my knees that make the dress both appropriate for work and play. I don't always play up the curves I have, but for certain occasions, I let them come out and play.

This afternoon, after waking up from a few hours of sleep after my night shift, I started to edit these pictures. Then I checked my blog stats and found a post that referenced my size quite a bit. I believe that in general, the blog post was positive (it's a foreign blog, and google translate isn't perfect), but it just made me annoyed that it had to be about my body size. I personally don't really feel I need to talk about my average build body all the time - in fact, the only time I really mention what size I even am is when I'm reviewing clothes.  I just don't think it's relevant to my story here. I'm just living my life - sharing what I've purchased, occasionally showing what I wore, and telling you guys about my time in medical school. I don't define myself by the size of my pants, the school I go to, or the things I own, so why do other people feel that I should be defined a certain way? How did the internet become so skewed in either direction that people have to write blog posts about average sized girls saying "hey, it's okay to not be skinny!". 

Those thoughts started to creep in on me as I was looking through these pictures. My arms aren't as thin as I sometimes wish they were. You can see a bit pudge sticking out on my sides - I suppose that could easily be photoshopped, right? God knows enough instabloggers are making hundreds of thousands of dollars by photoshopping themselves into skinny oblivion. A few clicks could easily tighten up my jawline, and slim down my calves. And then I thought...this is complete bullshit. I'm completely fine with my body - sure, I try to live a healthy life by eating more vegetables and working out when I have the energy, but I've accepted my body for what it is. I have boobs, a round booty, and thicker thighs. If nothing else, I've strived to learn how to dress my body better rather than will it into something it's not. So instead of worrying about the rolls I have or the width of my calves in these pictures, I want to focus on the happiness I had while wearing the dress - the good food I enjoyed and the limited special time I got to spend with my amazing boyfriend. While I'm all about celebrating our bodies, I don't find it necessary to constantly define them. I want to define myself by the person I am and the things I accomplish, not the body I'm in. 

Dress: Boden [save | exact]

Shoes: Sole Society [exact]

Sunglasses: Amazon [exact]

top three [07.03.2016]

4th of July outfits through the years, and through better photography ;)

medicine

• If you've ever had a baby, you more than likely know all about fetal heart rate monitoring during pregnancy and delivery. It was originally invented to decrease the incidence of cerebral palsy, and while intrapartum heart rate monitoring hasn't statistically decreased the incidence, it's still used in over 85% of pregnancies. That isn't to say that it doesn't serve a purpose, just that it's original purpose didn't really pan out. 
• In patients with bipolar disorder, if you use only an antidepressant, it can send the patient into a manic phase, so both an antidepressant and mood stabilizer should be used. 
• Onchocryptosis: an ingrown toe nail

on the internet

• As we start the prep for our post-graduation trip to Ireland next summer, Carly's post is going to come so in handy when it comes to the actual packing. 
• How fun is Laura's whole outfit?! She's so darn cute. 
• Kimberly shares how to truly get "the look for less" - her examples are SO good!

spotted

• One of the shirts I've been wearing the most lately is the Lush top I purchased a few months ago - just noticed that it comes in white, so for $27, I of course had to order it! 
• I love my Ferragamo flats, but they are stupidly expensive - you can get seriously 99% of the same shoe from Target for one tenth of the price. They even have a red version that looks identical to the originals!
• My gingham dress is one of my favorite items in my closet. If you've wanted a similar version, Macy's has a cute one for $50 (+ an extra 20% off).

ask me anything

• Have you officially started 4th year now?
• Yes! I'm already in  my second rotation of fourth year. I still stumble over saying it though because I'm so used to saying "I'm a third year!". 
• I'm starting medical school soon, and I know I will be needing some professional and comfortable flats. Can you recommend a few types of flats that stay comfortable throughout a long day of working/walking etc?!
• Congrats! The nice thing about the first few years of school is that you won't need as comfortable shoes as you'll need for third and fourth year because you'll be sitting a lot. That being said, I've had the best luck with shoes that have an elastic top, like this pair from Target that's currently on sale, because they are the most comfortable and require little break in time - I just put some shoe inserts in for extra heel and arch comfort, and it's been pretty much my go-to the past few years. I also have a pair of Clarks that to be honest, are not the cutest, but they feel like walking on air, so who cares ;)
• What are your top tips for doing a great job on OB electives (or any electives for that matter)?
• My biggest tips for rotations in general are:
• Be on time (...5 minutes early). Some rotations start earlier than others (I currently have to be at the hospital at 5:15) so figure out how to get out of the house on time in the morning. For me that means having my snacks packed up, I wash my hair at night instead of spending time on it in the morning, and my bag is ready to go. 
• Show interest: read up on your patient's conditions, keep on an eye on their labs, ask occasional questions (more on management of care rather than the facts you can look up yourself)
• Be nice to everyone: this is such general advice, but be kind and courteous to every person who works at the hospital. If you're an ass, that reputation follows you around. 
• There are varying thoughts on this, but I typically brought in a treat on my last day of a rotation for the doctors, nurses, and office staff. They took the time to teach you and help you, so it's a nice way to thank them for their time and effort. Usually it was just donuts, but I did bake muffins a few times too for rotations that were particularly enjoyable. 
• For an OB rotation:
• Know how to knot tie (one handed and two handed). You may get the chance to close some port sites or close a layer during a c-section, and you'll want to look like you have some idea of what you're doing. 
• Offer to do the H&Ps for admitted patients.
• After surgeries and c-sections, help to clean up the patient, move the patient (typically students help move the feet), and clean up after the surgery. 
• After a delivery, it's pretty much the same thing - ask the nurse how you can help them get the patient cleaned up and more comfortable. 
• Know what tests and labs need to be done throughout the pregnancy, so that if a 28 weeker comes in to the office, you know that you'll need certain tests done, or if someone comes in to rule out labor at 38 weeks, you know what tests the OBs will do for them. 
• If you think you are going to go into OB, I can't recommend this little pocket book enough. It's great because it has all the quick hitter facts, and you don't have to pull your phone out every time you want to look something up quick. 

notable sales

• Banana Republic: 50% off
• If you're a stripes girl too, you'll love this unique tank they have in both navy and red. I love both - which is your favorite?!
• Got a bunch of weddings this year, but only want one dress? This cross over classic LBD is all you need. It's so freaking pretty. 
• Going to a beach this summer and need something for the cooler nights? It doesn't get much better than a comfy striped sweater. 
• J.Crew Factory: 50% off everything + additional  15
• Lace, white, and sleeves?! You know I'm all about their new eyelet dress. 
• And speaking of lace and white...shorts would also be fun summer addition. 
• My favorite though is this simple blue tied dress - definitely just ordered myself one as it's pretty much the perfect casual summer dress! I also ordered CR a cute rose tie (secret time: he gets a new tie every time I order something from J.Crew Factory...so sneaky!) 
• Loft: 50% off everything
• 100% ordering this split neck lace patterned tee - I would ask white or navy, but you all know the answer!
• If I was more a halter top girl, I'd be all over this pretty floral midi dress. It just looks so darn comfortable (if it weren't for the fact of having to wear a bra...)
• Wouldn't their relaxed tunic tee look cute with some distressed denim and cute sandals? Perfect for a cooler summer night! I'm going to listen to the reviews, and order it in a size down. 

at home

• This week I started my first sub-internship rotation (during the first 6 months of fourth year, you go to various programs you are interested in applying to, and rotate with them for a month so they can get to know you and you can get to know the program). It's been a long week with 4:30 AM wake ups, and I got sick during the middle of it (literally the worst time to get sick!!), but it's also been really great to see a new program, meet current residents, and to be back on labor hall :)
• I have a very exciting post with Sephora coming soon, and because of that, I finally got to try the T3 curling wand and...I'm convinced by its greatness. My hair actually stayed curled yesterday after using it for the first time! Full review coming up...sometime in the near future.
• Since I have a three day weekend, we went up to Rochester for the weekend to visit CR's family. It is so nice to just hang out, swim in the pool, and eat delicious food. Plus it's just nice to be near a Wegmans again ;)