Sunday, April 30, 2017

top three [04.30.2017]


medicine
  • Biggest news of the week was a study came out that artificial wombs are being created to help premature babies. This could be a huge development in the world of neonatology. Many babies are born prematurely due to reasons like incompetent cervixes or because the mother has a condition like pre-eclampsia that can only be cured by delivery. This would give those babies a chance to continue developing in "the ideal" conditions. I'm very excited to see where this research goes!
  • "Hexenmilch" is German for "witch's milk", which is an old term that used to be used to describe galactorrhea of the newborn. Babies are born under the hormonal influence of their mother, so a withdrawal of those hormones can lead to babies "lactating"!
  • If you are someone who follows doctors on social media, Natalie and I would be so thankful if you would fill out this survey for us. There's a chance for you to win a $200 giftcard at the end!

on the internet
  • Dani shares her favorite things to do in Madison, and it makes me want to buy a ticket home immediately. I miss it so much!
  • Krista wrote a great post about the current Instagram algorithm. Anyone who is an "influencer" has seen changes, and her post talks about how you can combat some of those new issues. 
  • I think about what Jane says in this post all the time. I'm also addicted to my phone - it's basically always in my hand. I feel like I've been trying to resist every urge to pick up my phone but it's hard! 

spotted
  • I posted on instastories about this earlier this week, but one of my go-to tricks for wearing dresses in the warmer months is wearing these shorts underneath them. There is nothing worse than having your legs chaf from rubbing together after walking all day! They do add just a bit of warmth, but I take a little bit more sweating over aching skin any day! 
  • Over the years, I've realized that skirts are really the only way I'll get through summer. I'm thinking this striped beauty has to be mine (and tbh, I'd basically wear it exactly like Katie did because I'm a giant copy cat). 
  • If you're looking for a simple sandal for this spring and summer, try these cut out ones from Loft. The low heel makes they flattering but comfortable, and the nude coloring means they go with everything!

on franish

at home
  • I had my first experiences with food poisoning earlier this week, and wow, do I never want to experience that ever again. It was a cycle of vomiting, sleeping, feeling awful, vomiting for about six hours. Awful!
  • This week marks my last rotation EVER! This is my 24th rotation, and I'll be in the ED since it gives me a bit of flexibility with our schedule. May is JAM PACKED - we are going to Long Island next weekend, Rochester the weekend after that, we are hopefully closing on a house the week after that, then we are going to see Mumford and Sons, and then we graduate! Lots happening, all things I'm really excited for!
  • Also, hello from NYC! I'm in the city mainly to go wedding dress shopping with my mom and sister. We had one appointment yesterday, and have the main ones today. I have a very good idea of what I'm looking for, now I just need to find "the one". Fingers crossed!

Friday, April 28, 2017

april budget

J.Crew shoes: originally $118, on sale for $90
J.Crew skirt: originally $128, on sale for $95

April budget: $285

Quarterly budget: $500 - $60 in February  - $130 in March - $285 in April

I was going to say this is the most exciting budget post I've had in a while, until I look at the picture and realized it's all neutral color ðŸ˜‚ (although technically the sweater is a blush and not tan). But I am so excited about the items I purchased. I actually bought the Leith dress last month, and for some reason didn't include it in my budget post, so it's here now (you can see the review of it here). 

If you follow along on instastories, you know we had a lengthy discussion about the polka dot skirt. When I saw it in stores a few weeks ago, I beelined for it. I basically knew I had to have it, and so waited for a sale, and ordered it. I almost didn't want it to fit or have it be a really poor quality so I wouldn't be tempted to keep it, but you guys...this skirt. The pattern is adorable, the fabric is thick and forgiving, and since it's in such neutral colors, I know I could wear it with a bunch of different items I already own. On the other hand, I'm about to start a residency where I do spend the majority of the time in scrubs. After lots of discussions with readers, I've decided to keep it. I just love it so much, and it's rare for me to really really love something. So I'll just be a little more dressed up for clinic and look for reasons to wear it. I think sometimes it's okay to keep something you really love even if it's not always the most practical. Sometimes I'm a bit tired of always being practical! 

But I did lean more on the practical side with the pointed toe flats. My friend saw me looking at them a few weeks ago and said "those literally look like they were made for you" because they are everything I want in a shoe! I love the look of pointed toe flats (even if I only have two pairs of them) and they are such a neutral shoe that I can wear them with just about everything in my closet. I will probably end up having to put in an insole in them as they don't provide a ton of support, just as an fyi for those looking for shoes!

As far as sponsored posts, I worked with JCPenney on post (you can see it here). I'm obsessed with the dress and jean jacket, both of which are coming with me to NYC this weekend! Although most of our trip is centered around wedding dress shopping (!), you know there will be a bit of shopping involved. Fingers crossed I find both a dress and my graduation present to myself (eek! I'm so excited). 

sidenote: if you have just a few minutes, would you mind helping me out on a research project by filling out this survey? One participant will win a $200 Nordstrom giftcard. Thank you!

Thursday, April 27, 2017

baby, you're so classic

St. John's Bay Short Sleeve Shift Dress Is there anything more classic than stripes?

You guys know I love a good stripe, whether it's a shirt, skirt, pants, sweater, or scarf! My favorite though is a striped dress - I just find them the most versatile! I used to wear a black and white striped dress all the time back in the day! I've always been on the look out for a short sleeved, black on white, t-shirt dress though. I've tried several over the years, but for some reason could never find the right one - some were too short, others were just too tight. I found this St. John's Bay dress at JCPenney though, and it's truly perfect. It's long enough on my frame (very important), has the type of stripes I've been looking for, and it isn't too tight around my midsection and hips (I'm wearing a size large). Best of all, I got it for $25! 

I paired it with this jean jacket from Levi's - it's technically called a trucker jacket, but I find it to be the perfect jean jacket. Jean jackets are another one of those things I find a bit harder to shop for - sometimes the denim color is off, some are super cropped, or the fabric is too stiff. This one is really soft (you can actually move in it!), and it hits me at the hip, rather than the waist. It's just the classic American jean jacket ðŸ‘Œ
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Dress: St. John's Bay c/o JCPenney [exact]
Jacket: Levi's c/o JCpenney [exact]
Purse: Liz Claiborne c/o JCPenney [exact]
Shoes: Bamboo Festival c/o JCPenney [exact]
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Levi’s® Trucker Jacket
JCPenney's VIP Event is happening from 4/27 until 4/30. Use code BUYNOW13 to save:

Online: An extra 30% off $100 or more select apparel, shoes, accessories, fine jewelry, home, furniture & mattresses. 

In stores & online: Extra 25% off with your JCPenney Card or Extra 20% off any other method of payment select apparel, shoes, accessories, fine jewelry, home, furniture & mattresses

Below are a few of my favorite striped items! Happy shopping :)



Thank you to JCPenney and ShopStyle for sponsoring this post!

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

gift ideas for graduating medical students

what to get a medical student for gradution
With thousands of medical students across the country getting ready to graduate from medical school, I've received several requests for a gift guide...which luckily, I've been thinking about for months now! I love making gift guides, and having made a Christmas one for medical student for the past four years, I was excited to make one for upcoming graduates. I've had a few items on my list for a while, I've asked my girlfriends, and I consulted google (although the posts I found were from 2005 and recommended buying mp3 players, so only a bit outdated!). Below are 14 items that I think would make great gift ideas for any student about to graduate from medical school!
  1. Patagonia fleece (embroidery optional): Consider it a part of their "welcome to residency" uniform. A lot of residents choose to wear a comfortable fleece versus the traditional white coat while working in the hospital. While there are a ton of different companies that make fleeces, my personal favorite is the Patagonia "better sweater". To make it more personalized, you can take it to any local embroidery shop to have their new doctor title and department embroidered on it! Don't forget that the proper way to write a doctor's name is either (I'll use my name as an example):  Dr. Franziska Hasselhof, or Franziska Hasselhof, DO (not "Dr. Franziska Hasselhof, DO"). 
  2. Diploma frame: Most school bookstores sell these online, and I think it's one of the best "traditional" presents you can get any recent grad! CR's parents have gotten him one for every degree he's received, and I'm so jealous (although I graduated from college six years ago, I'm debating finally getting one from UW for my undergrad degree). This is one present I'd love to receive - they are so pricey, and really allow a new grad to show off that degree they worked so hard for.
  3. Apple Watch: You can read my full review of my Apple Watch here, and why I love it, but in short, it's great to have access to your phone on your watch, and as soon-to-be residents, we all need a watch! You can get one of the older series for around $200
  4. Lunch boxes: Not the sexiest of all presents, but definitely practical! With most of us putting in around 80 hours a week some weeks, having a way to keep your food cool for hours at a time will be super important! Even though I have a food allowance for our cafeteria, I know that I'll personally try to bring most of my own food to stay on track with my dieting goals. 
  5. Subscription Wine boxes: When I asked my girlfriends for ideas for this post, one suggestion a Wine of the Month club and the rest of us immediately responded with YES THAT IS SUCH A GREAT IDEA! What's better than having delicious wine delivered to your front step once a month? I love this idea - it's a great way to wind down at the end of the day, and the recipient can invite over some of their co-interns for wine and bonding time. It's a win all around. Here's a run down of the 12 most popular services (I think I'd try Tasting Room, myself!). 
  6. Yeti mug: With most residents showing up at the hospital between the hours of 4-6 AM, coffee or tea will be a staple for most of us. A Yeti mug will keep their beverage of choice either hot or cold for hours on end. Include a giftcard to a local coffee shop (that has an early morning drive through) or one of those subscription coffee boxes for home brewers. I'm personally hoping I can perfect my at-home mango black iced tea!
  7. Meal Subscription box: When I lived with a couple who were both residents last summer while I was on an audition rotation, they had a meal subscription service drop off supplies twice a week. They said they absolutely loved that they had to do zero work ahead of time to make delicious home cooked meals - no grocery runs, no food going bad in the fridge. They loved that they were still cooking healthy meals and spending that time together in the kitchen. These services are kind of pricey, which makes them a great gift for a recent grad! There are a ton to chose from - Refinery 29 narrowed down 16 of the most popular ones, so you can find something for any type of eater!
  8. Noise Canceling headphones: Although we will no longer have the "student" title, our learning is far from over. Between Step 3, daily education requirements, inservice exams, and board exams, we have years of exams ahead of us. Noise canceling headphones have been one of those items I use constantly, and am so thankful for! Plus they are great if someone needs to catch a few minutes of sleep in a not-so-quiet hospital call room. 
  9. Personalized mug: I love these mugs, and have a whole bunch waiting to be handed out in five weeks! 
  10. Cleaning service: This is something a different couple who were both in a surgical residency mentioned last fall. They said they received it as a graduation present, and that it's been amazing to have someone come over once every 3-4 weeks to deep clean their house. Again, something that'll be a bit pricey, but also something they'll appreciate for the several months their house is spotless at least once a month ;)
  11. iPad mini: The mini's are small enough to keep in white coat pockets, which is especially great for anyone who will be in a speciality that rounds a lot (most medicine services). It'll be great for looking up something quickly, for all of their medical apps, and for down time on quieter night shifts. 
  12. On the go charger: With a lot of hospitals switching from traditional pagers to iPhone paging systems, there's a greater chance phones will die on those longer shifts. I love that this Rebecca Minkoff charging cable keychain is just plain cute, but also hides a lightening cord. 
  13. Embroidered scrubs: While those soon to be residents going into surgical specialities will have to wear hospital-issued scrubs while in the OR, it would be nice to have a nicer set or two to wear for off-service blocks or days outside of the OR (for example, I will spend one day a week in our clinic, where I don't have to wear hospital issued scrubs). I really like Maevn's scrubs, or you can get a set from Medelita and have their names embroidered on them. 
  14. Pens: You know what's a hot commodity amongst anyone in the hospital? PENS. A big box of nice pens should last a resident quite some time. My personal favorite pens are the Tul pens and the Pilot G-2 pens. If the recent grad loves stationery and paper products, include fun highlighters, a cute pencil bag, and occupational appropriate USB flash drive!
Congrats to all of you soon-to-be doctors! 

Sunday, April 23, 2017

top three [04.23.2017]

everlane reviews throughout the years - have you entered the giveaway

medicine
  • Melkersson's Syndrome is a neurologic disorder that's characterized by a triad of recurrent facial paralysis, swelling of the face (usually the upper lip), and folds and furrows developing on the tongue (called lingual plicata). Google that last one at your own risk. 
  • An empty, non-pregnant uterus weighs around 70g and holds 5 mL. Immediately post-birth, it weights around 1,000g and holds around 5,000 mL. HOW COOL IS THAT?!
  • Plexor: the technical term for that little plastic headed hammer used to test reflexes

on the internet

spotted
  • This is the second year that Topshop has made this scalloped top, and I just really want it...except all the reviews say it runs really short and boxy. Has anyone tried it? 
  • I know these are technically for children...BUT I LOVE THEM. Now to just convince the person I share a bedroom with that they are necessary. 
  • I got this workout top a few days ago and wore it for the first time yesterday. CR (who does not have any social media) did not get it. When I tried to explain what #squadgoals was, he just looked at my blankly ðŸ˜‚

throwback

ask me anything
  • I feel like I am in a somewhat similar situation as your story - always interested in science but decided a little later that I really loved medicine and took a gap year after graduating. Now I'm getting ready to start a post bacc so I can hopefully get into med school but I am freaking out. I'm so nervous that I won't get in or that I am not smart enough to handle it. Now that you have successfully matched - yay! - do you have any advice for newbies? Did you ever feel the same? How did you deal?
    • I have definitely felt the same way! For a lot of years, my now ex-boyfriend told me that I could never cut it in medical school. I didn't even realize how damaging that was until after we broke up, and I had to see him to pick up a few things from our old house, and he asked me if I had failed out of medical school yet. So yes, I definitely felt like I couldn't get in and be successful. You just have to surround yourself with good people who are rooting for you, to believe that you CAN do it (!), and that if you need help, to not be afraid to ask for it. Focus on school, come up with great study plans, and you'll get in and do great! :)
  • I'm starting my fourth year of pharmacy school in 2 weeks which consists of a year of month-long rotations. I'll be living in student housing for a few rotations a few hours away to be at a rural hospital. Do you have any advice on what to pack for rotations away from home or on how to prepare a capsule wardrobe for a month? 
    • I spent half of fourth year living not at home, so I definitely know about your current situation. So for things to bring that aren't clothing, I would suggest bringing your own pillows and sheets (some places provide them but you for sure want your own), a long phone cord, and snacks (soooo many snacks). As far as clothing goes, think about what your "uniform" is. For me, that's black ankle pants and a loose fitting top. So what I did was bring like 2 pairs of those pants and 5 of those shirts, and just rotated them around. For you it may be simple sheath dresses or pencil skirts with a blouse, but I find sticking with one "uniform" makes it a lot easier to pack when you're gone for a month at a time! 
  • I'm looking for cognac sandals to wear all summer. Any suggestions?

on franish

notable sales

at home
  • We watched The OA this week and omg you guys - I couldn't stop watching! Have you seen it?! It's like a low-key sci-fi suspense, but it's not like aliens and superheroes. I found it so interesting! (It's on Netflix)
  • This is my last week of MFM - I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. It's been a good mix of gestational diabetes, and then pretty intense situations like cancer while pregnant, and rare infectious diseases. After this week, I'll be on my last rotation ever!
  • This upcoming weekend is when I'm going to NYC with my mom to go dress shopping. I've been planning our itinerary for months now, and can't wait to go explore!


Saturday, April 22, 2017

healthyish, vol. 16

...and we're back!

Last week, I just wasn't feeling it. I was having a bad week, and so I just kind of let myself sit on the couch watching HGTV and eating not the healthiest foods. The good news is by the end of the week, I was ready to get back to my healthier ways, and felt re-energized to work out. My friend Amy and I decided we were going to start BBG again, this time together, and it's been so good having a work out buddy! It's a bit of a commitment for us as we live 30 minutes apart, but we have made it work, and are excited to continue doing it together. It felt good (...but bad) to be so sore again!

exercise
Sunday: BBG Week 1 legs
Tuesday: BBG Week 1 arms + abs
Wednesday: 1 hour spin class
Saturday: 1 hour spin class + BBG Week 1 full body

diet:
Looks like I kind of forgot to take pictures of food this week! For breakfast I had scrambled eggs or an omelet every morning. I brought bananas, Baby Bell cheese, and turkey sticks for snacks, as well as ate a bunch of apple and orange slices my attending offered me about every hour (I love apple slices!). For lunches and dinners we had a big thing of pulled pork in the crock pot with my beloved cheesy "potatoes", as well as chili, and butternut squash noodles with turkey meatballs. All were amazing!

goals: 

This week I would like to make two meals tomorrow to last us all week. Bringing my own lunches makes such a big difference in my eating habits!

this week's treat:

We are having a few friends over later to grill cheeseburgers and brats (YAY!), as well as having mac and cheese, salt potatoes, lemon bars, and cupcakes. I can't wait!

weigh in: -0.0 lbs (total: -10.0 lbs). Not surprising considering the weight I probably gained last week, but glad to be back at this point. Can't wait to see where I'm at in a week from now (probably still unable to walk correctly haha).

Thursday, April 20, 2017

to everlane, with love ( + giveaway)

silk tank | mules
Everlane was one of my first blogging discoveries back in the day. Back then, they only made one item - a t-shirt. And I fell for it hard.  I've reviewed it, I've worn it, and now I own at least 15 of their shirts. I wear one every single day (my home uniform is always black leggings, Everlane tee, and a drapey sweater). It just hits me in all the right places, it's not see through, and it holds up so so well.

Over the years, Everlane has added more to their collection of clothing, always staying true to their "radical transparency" tagline about knowing where your clothes come from, how much they cost to make, and where the money goes. I own probably a dozen of their items besides the tee - I carried their backpack for all of first and second year of school, I wear their dress pants, their pocket tote is my gym bag, and I own several of their silk blouses and dresses. Not every piece they make works on my frame - some items run boxier than others, but they now have such a wide variety of items that I always find something I love in their new arrivals. Check out a few of my favorites below - that back zip tee looks just like my beloved BR tee, and the silk v-neck blouse would be perfect for the summer.
sweater | blouse (already on the waitlist!) | silk dress

Basically, I'm a huge fan of Everlane, and have been for years and years. To celebrate my "blogging anniversary" this week, I want one of you to experience and love Everlane as much as I do, which is why I'm giving away a $100 Everlane giftcard. You can enter the giveaway below - open to US, Canada, and Australia only as that is where they ship. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

my daily make-up routine (& a Sephora giveaway!)

It's been a hot second since I last wrote about my daily make-up routine (...so it's been like 18 months), and since quite a bit has changed (and a few things have stayed the same), today's post is all about my current make-up routine! I have this thing down to a science, and can do all of this in about ten minutes now. If I'm in a hurry, I skip the foundation and highlighter parts, but for the most part, here's what I use every day!
  1. Smashbox primer: I have larger pores, and this does a great job of "blurring" them out. Downside is that some days I need more hydration, so I sometimes use the Laura Mercier primer for those dryer days. 
  2. Hourglass foundation stick: A YouTube favorite, I started using this about four months ago and absolutely love it! I love that it's really buildable (I don't it to be super thick, so I just use a few swipes of this), that you don't have to get any foundation on your hands, and that there is such a broad selection of colors so you can really get your perfect color. I blend it out with my Beauty Blender. Highly recommend, especially if you travel a lot (no risk of spills!).
  3. Urban Decay concealer: Still one of my favorite concealers I've ever used ( I'm on my third tube now). I am curious about the Tarte Shape Tape though - everyone seems to love it!
  4. Smashbox powder: Still one of my holy grail items. I've been using this for over six years now and have no plans on changing my powder anytime soon. I use it with an It Cosmetics brush and the combo is ðŸ‘Œ
  5. Charlotte Tilbury bronzer: One of the newer pieces of my routine, I love the color and formulation of this bronzer. It's not too orange, and has good staying power without being overwhelming. This guy is a bit of a splurge for sure. I use it with this Morphe brush (which I absolutely adore!).
  6. Bobbi Brown blush: I wear the "pretty pink" color and it's the perfect amount of pink glow for every day wear. I apply it with a Sephora blush brush that I've had for years and years. 
  7. Urban Decay setting spray: As I mentioned last week, I spray this on a beauty blender, and then tap on to my skin. Have you tried this trick yet? It's one of my favorites!
  8. Becca highlighter: This is something I've owned for over a year, and continue to really enjoy. I use an Anastasia brush to apply a little on my cheek bone and nose. While I love the pretty glow this provides, it's also the first step I'll skip if I'm in a hurry. 
  9. Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow: In every day life, I just use my fingers to put a swipe of the lightest color on my lid. It brightens up my deep set eyes, and I think it provides a better foundation for my eyeliner. If I'm going somewhere special, I'll apply a bit of the darker color to my crease for added definition.
  10. Stila eyeliner: You already know this was going to be here - it's the only eyeliner I've used consistently for the past seven years or so. #holygrail
  11. Eyelash curler: One of those steps that makes such a huge difference that I never ever skip it! Eyelash curlers are the secret to longer looking fluttery lashes. 
  12. Eyebrow pencil + eyebrow gel: I have used several different methods for "applying your brows" but I really like using the brow definer pencil the most - when you apply and then use the spooley to brush it out, I think it looks a lot more natural than a pomade like the dipbrow, and it's a lot quicker to use than a powder. Combined with a clear gel, they now last all day!
  13. Eyelash primer + mascara: Saving the best (and most important!) step for last! I have been using this eyelash primer for about 18 months now, and am on my third or fourth tube of it. It makes such a difference in the thickness and volume of your eyelashes, and really makes your mascara stay put (I never have issues with flaking). I've been playing around with a few new mascaras, but my go-to is still the eye opening mascara. It does dry up quicker than others I've used, but a few drops of contact solution fixes that problem real quick, and extends the use of the tube for at least another month this way!
And that's it! It takes so much longer to write that up than to actually do it ðŸ˜‚  I did want to mention that this upcoming week is the spring VIB sale event! Here are the details:

  • VIB Rouge: 
    • April 18th - April 24th
    • 15% off with code ROUGESPRING
  • VIB:
    • April 19th - April 24th
    • 15% off with code VIBSPRING
  • Beauty Insider:
    • April 20th - April 23rd
    • 10% off with code BISPRING

Since I'm doing pretty good on my go-to products (I have a few favorites stock piled from previous sales), there are just a few things I'm going to order. I want to try  Hourglass's primer (I've read so many good things!), this CC cream from It Cosmetics, and Dior's lip scrub+ balm combo (I tried this last weekend and my lips looked amazing after!). To celebrate my five year of blogging anniversary though, I want to give one of you a little extra spending money for the sale! Enter the giveaway below - and as always, thank you for being my internet friends and loving make-up and skincare as much as I do! Giftcard will be in US dollars.

Sunday, April 16, 2017

top three [04.16.2017]

only one of these came home with me yesterday... ;)
medicine
  • On fetal ultrasound, another way of telling whether a baby is male or female besides "the money shot" is by looking at the bladder! The female bladder will be less rounded than a male bladder because the uterus is in the way!
  • Dr. Barry Marshall proved the link between H. pylori (a type of bacteria) and stomach ulcers by drinking a petri dish of the bacteria! Now that's dedication to science. Don't worry, he was treated, and then won the Nobel Prize, so it all worked out in the end!
  • The masseter is the strongest muscle in the body. 

on the internet

spotted

throwback

ask me anything
  • Does where you do your residency usually end up being where you practice medicine, or is it easy for any physician to move around? All I know is law school because my husband is an attorney, and unless you went to Harvard or something, in my experience most law school grads end up working in the city or state where they went to school.
    • You can practice wherever you want, and aren't obligated to stay in the state you did your training in! I know for most lawyers, you practice in the state you pass the bar in (but not always), but our board exams are national, so we can practice anywhere. Our long term plan is to live where we are doing residency for the next 6-7 years, and then move to upstate New York permanently. 
  • I'm getting ready to take Step 1 and I'd love to treat myself to new pajamas to wear the night before (I'm superstitious like that). Any suggestions for cute nightgowns/pajama sets?
  • Congrats on your match! I'm starting med school next fall, and like you, I'm going to have to rely on loans for my income. What recommendations or suggestions do you have for this process? I'm slightly terrified but I have to remember it will all be worth it in the end!
    • Taking out a significant amount of loans is definitely scary - it's a huge amount of money! Just remind yourself that most doctors have to take out loans to pay for school, so you are not in a unique situation. All but one of my friends had to take out loans to pay for school, and we all know that we will be able to pay it off. My suggestions would be to make a budget plan so you know how much you have to take out - you may not need the full amount of money every semester (although there are some where you need the full amount to pay for step exams and application and interview season). When I got my loan checks, I would calculate about how much all my bills would be every month, and put that into one savings account. Then I gave myself an allowance (for groceries, gas, and fun), put that money into a separate account, and had it automatically transfer that to my checking every two weeks (like a paycheck!). The rest I put into another savings account which I used for big school expenses (each board exam is around $1000) and unexpected expenses. That system worked out really well for me! Just know you will have a job eventually where you will be able to pay back loans. We plan on staying in our house we will be in for residency for several years after we are done with training so we can pay off our loans quicker - knowing we are doing that gives me the piece of mind that we will be free of our loan debt quicker. 

on franish
  • on the blog: I loved all of your advice on figuring out your personal home style. You guys had such insightful comments!
  • on the insta: 6 weeks left with the baby white coat (but really only 2 weeks because I don't have to wear it on my last rotation)
  • on the twitter: on Thursday we went on a Home Depot date...

at home
  • My MFM rotation started, and it's been so interesting! The MFM (maternal fetal medicine) doctors are the high risk ob doctors, so we see a wide variety of problems. Some from the simpler gestational diabetes, to patients with rare infections and cancers (while pregnant). We also see a lot of routine 20 week ultrasounds though, so it's been an interesting mix of patients. 
  • I ended up not writing a Healthyish post yesterday, and it's, to be honest with you, because last week was basically a week off for me. I wasn't having a good week, and so I only worked out once, and allowed myself a lot of freedom eating. It was obviously amazing to eat allllll that food, but I am ready to get back to it! I guess I just needed a few days off to be re-excited about this journey. I suppose going wedding dress shopping also helped! ;)
  • Happy Easter! I hope you are getting to spend some time with families and the Easter Bunny. CR's parents sent us an edible arrangement (I've never had one!), so we have been enjoying all that delicious fruit!

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

figuring out my "interior design" style...help?


The closer we get to figuring out our housing situation for the next few years, the more I get the itch to decorate. And then I get lost in Pinterest and HGTV and try to imagine how I would decorate and change houses, and then realize I have no idea what my "interior design" style is. Do I like farmhouse chic (a la JoJo, CR's HGTV crush) or am I more mid century modern? Can I have a farmhouse table in the same room as a wood floors - how do the woods work together? Do you put a rug underneath it? What kind of sectional is best...or no sectional, and two complimenting couches instead? TV above the fire place or on a separate wall? How many patterns are too many? Can you have gold home decor when you have silver hardware?

I really have no idea how to answer any of these questions (but if you do, please enlighten me because I'm not really joking about those questions). But I do know that we all took years to figure out our own personal clothing style, and I bet you most of us are still working on figuring it out! Which is why, for now, I'm just kind of going with what I like, without having to put a title on it. So my future home may have a farm house table, gallery walls, and gold accents every where - just because I can file it under one category doesn't mean I won't love it!

For those of you who have decorated a house, pretty much from scratch, how did you figure it all out? Did you stick with one style, or did you kind of go with your gut about what you liked and didn't like? 

ps. I found that amazing peace sign hand statue while perusing Shopbop's home section, and wanted to mention that they are having their spring sale right now. 20% off everything if you spend under $500, and 25% if you spend over $500!

please note that Shopbop is a sponsor of this blog

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

beauty tuesday: first impressions and new favorites

I have been playing with a bunch of new products over the last few months. Some I found by falling into an internet black hole, some I tried samples and loved, some were sent to me, and others were suggested by friends. I didn't think any really warranted a full review post (although a couple will have follow up posts with continued use), so I wanted to do a quick first impressions and mini review of the products!

Banila Clean it Zero Cleanser: K Beauty and its 10 step nightly routine has been a big thing discussed online for a while now, and every time I read about some people's routines, I get really confused about all the different steps, and what each of them does and then I just give up and continue my standard make-up removal, cleanser, treatment, moisturizing routine I've been doing my whole life. But then I recently read Sydney's post about her new routine, and man, her skin does look pretty amazing, and since her post made it a little easier to figure out how to go about all of this stuff, I purchased a few things. The first one is this balm cleanser, the first step in "double cleansing". For those of you who use coconut oil to remove your make-up, this is pretty similar, except it cleanses more and doesn't leave as oily of a residue behind. You scoop a little of the solid balm into your fingers, rub all over your face and eyes, and then cleanse with warm water. It does a great job of removing all of my eye make-up! I then cleanse again with my go-to Paula's Choice cleanser to remove all remaining make-up and cleansing balm. My face feels so soft after, and I like that I don't have to wipe at my face with any clothes or wipes or pads.

Neogen Wine Exfoliating Pads: You guys know I'm all about exfoliating - when you have dry flaky skin, anything that helps your skin look bright and not dying wins in my book. I've seen these wine soaked pads mentioned a few times over the past few months, so I figured it was time to try. I use these 2-3 times a week after double cleansing. Basically they smell like a combination of red wine and grape jelly - if you're sensitive to smells, you will probably hate this. I love it, I think it smells amazing! These are little gauze pouches, basically - you stick your finger in them, use the "rougher" side first (it's not rough at all) and then use the softer side after, to rub all over your face to exfoliate. My belief in this kind of over the counter skin care product is that it won't really change what your skin is really like - chances are, your pores won't be that much smaller, your acne isn't going to magically all disappear, your dark spots aren't going to just go away. But what it does in the day to day feeling of your skin is real - it does change how my skin feels, and how other skincare products react with my skin. So I would say in this situation, my skin does feel smoother! But it's not a magic product, just like most skincare products aren't. If you want a nice smelling exfoliator that helps with flakiness, this is a great product to try!

The Ordinary oils: In Sydney's post, a commenter said that there's no need to pay $40 for some of the face oils because you can get them for a quarter of that price from The Ordinary. I had never heard of this brand, so I fell deep into the internet hole about this brand. Basically, The Ordinary provides the active ingredients without any of the fillers...and for fair prices. I don't know if it's because we are so conditioned to see $100 bottles of face oil or if it's because we believe you can't buy good products for inexpensive prices, but I was pretty shocked when I saw that you could get the same 100% Squalane that sells for $60 from some brands for EIGHT DOLLARS from The Ordinary. $8! So at those prices, what do you really have to lose? Here's my disclaimer: I do not own the expensive bottle of Squalane, so I can't compare the two, but this little $8 bottle of oil feels pretty amazing. At night, after cleansing and exfoliating, I pat the squalane and rose hip see oil on my face. My face glows - I seriously can't stop looking at it because it looks so bright and clean and glowy! Again, I think this is one of those products that can change your skin when you apply it, but I have no idea how much it changes your skin over the long run, if that makes sense. The only product I have ever used where I noticed my skin actually changing is my prescription tretionoin cream - that product is the holy grail of changing your skin. These products change my skin on the daily, and so if you are looking for a few inexpensive face oils to try, The Ordinary is a great place to start! I've been very impressed with the products in the few days I've used it so far.


Ole Henriksen Truth Serum: A few months ago I reviewed Ole Henriksen's Power Peel system. I felt it was pretty harsh on my skin, so I returned it. Then I received a sample pack for the Power Bright system, and while it wasn't as harsh, the only part I really liked was the serum, or the middle step. Turns out, you can buy just the serum part without buying the harsh scrubs! So I bought the smaller bottle, and have been using it for about three weeks now. I use this in the morning after washing and toning my face - I use half a squirt, and pat into my face, and then follow with moisturizer. If you have oily skin, this may not be the best option for you, but for those of us with dry skin, it feels so good. I would actually say my skin does look radiant after using this (and I don't say that about everything)! It contains Vitamin C, which is another one of those skin care ingredients that has actually been shown to improve wrinkles and improve texture of the skin. I bought this before finding The Ordinary, but if you want to try a different Vitamin C product and not spend $50 on this oil, they make a Vitamin C suspension for $6...

Chanel Le Volume Mascara: I went to a Nordstrom Beauty event about two months ago with Katy. One of the products we got to play with was Chanel's volume mascara. Katy said she swears by the sample sized tubes, and it's been the best mascara she's ever used. You guys know I'm an eyelash junkie - I'm all about long thick lashes! So even though I kind of hate plastic brushes, I gave the sample tube a try...and have been using it ever since! It just really lifts and separates your lashes, while also building up the volume. I use one coat of primer, two coats of this, and one coat of Bobbi Brown's mascara for added thickness (I know it seems excessive...I just really love dark and thick eyelashes). Katy did say that she really likes the sample tubes more than the full size product, and I have only used the sample sizes so I can't verify her statement, but believe her. If you live near a store that sells Chanel makeup (like Nordstrom), stop by a counter and ask for a sample tube! It costs nothing, and maybe it'll be your new favorite. A sample tube lasts 2-3 weeks!


Bumble and Bumble Hairspray: When I got my hair colored back last fall, the stylist used this hairspray on my hair, and my curls lasted for THREE DAYS. That's unheard of for me! I remembered that she used a blue Bumble and Bumble hairspray, so when I finished  my last bottle of hairspray (which, tbh, I'd had for like two years because I don't use hair spray every day), I bought a bottle of this. And you know, my curls really have lasted longer! I love the fine mist, I love that it's technically a light hold, and I love that it's a twist top rather than having a lid that will mostly likely go missing.

Vichy Double Peel Mask: I was sent this tub by Amazon to test out, which I will be honest, I was so excited about. My mom has been a lifelong Vichy skincare user - whenever we go to Germany, she buys like ten tubs of products to bring back with her to the US. I trust my mother implicitly, so whatever works well for her, I know will be a good product. I fell in love with this "double" peel face mask - it exfoliated mechanically with powdered volconic rock, and then chemically exfoliated with AHA. I use this about once a mask, and then follow with a face mask. I would say this is a pretty gentle peel/exfoliator - there is not redness or burning after use (I have pretty sensitive skin, so this is important!). Definitely gentle enough to use multiple times a week. Be on the look out for a chance to win a trio of Vichy masks in the near future!

Monday, April 10, 2017

couples matching: how we went about this crazy process


Alright! So this post is like three weeks overdue from when I promised I'd write about the couples match and how we approached this process, but as it turns out, it takes a lot longer to write out everything we did over a 14 month process!

So, as a background, for medical students to be accepted into a residency program (where they receive the training in whatever field they go into - for me it's obstetrics and gynecology), they have to go through a process called "The Match". Long long story short, we apply to as many programs as we want, are offered interviews to residency programs based on our application, submit a rank order list at the end of the season, and then an algorithm figures out where everyone goes based on the applicants' and programs' lists. This video explains how that algorithm works so much better than I ever could - it even won a Nobel prize in Economics! The match is not a perfect system, but I do believe it probably makes this process as fair as possible.

So the nice thing is that the NRMP has what is known as The Couples Match. It's the exact same as the normal match, but is complicated because you and your rank list are tied to another person. Watch this video to see how the algorithm manages that situation. The fun thing about the couples match is that you can couples match with anyone! I know best friends, cousins, and siblings who have gone through the couples match, as well as people who are dating, engaged, or married.

Okay, so now with that background, here is how CR and I went about this process.

Sunday, April 9, 2017

top three [04.09.2017]

a few snaps of white dresses from this week's review post
on the internet
  • Jessica is starting a new wellness series, and I found her story about when she was forced to stop working out that she had to find new ways to be healthy, and ways that made her feel better than just exercising away calories. Very excited to read more posts about this!
  • As I've started to fall down the house decorating rabbit hole, I've recently fallen in love with Copy Cat Chic. I love seeing the items where she finds an inexpensive dupe of a way to expensive for our budget item. Not everything is my taste, but it's very inspiring to see the look for less!
  • Love this girly meets rocker look on AJ! Plus check out the amazing deal she got on a designer bag - looks like perseverance paid off big time!

spotted
  • If you're looking for an easy throw on and go LBD, this Madewell version would be perfect for you! I love the details on the sleeve and neckline. 
  • How precious is Club Monaco's scalloped trench?! If only I wore jackets more often, I'd be all about that grey version!
  • A lower stacked heel + cognac + ankle straps make these sandals from Sole Society a great spring time shoe! They would look cute with jeans, skirts, or dresses! The ideal shoe ;)

throwback

ask me anything
  • Do you have any rain coat recommendations? I'm looking for a longer bum covering style, and not black.
  • Are there any gifts you have gotten that you have loved/ would love to get for your engagement? Just a little something (on the "I'm starting med school this year" budget!) to help friends celebrate!
  • 3rd year medical student here wondering about outfit ideas for interview dinners this fall (because it's more fun than thinking about ERAS, Step 2, etc). I am applying general surgery, which I have heard is more formal across the board. But I also want to show more style at the interview dinner than the black suit and collared shirt that interview day mandates. I am always up for a good, flattering dress (body type = skinny with no curves). What are your thoughts?
    • The dinner the night before interviews are the perfect time to show a bit more of your personality through clothing, because exactly like you said, on your interview day you will be in a dark suit just like everyone else. I wore something business casual on my interviews. I almost always wore black jeans with either a white blouse with my camel blazer (now on sale!) or with a flowy blouse. I was comfortable, felt like myself, and my pants were stretchy enough for all the amazing dinners you eat! Don't forget that you'll be interviewing from October-January, so depending on what part of the country you apply in, you may want to be more covered up as well. Good luck! Interview season was a lot of fun, even at times when it was stressful, nerve wrecking, and time consuming!

on franish

notable sales
  • J.Crew: 30% off everything
    • After eyeing this crossbody bag for a while, I've decided I'm finally going to get it in that amazing blush color...with a gold monogram, of course!
    • My beloved blazer is now on sale + an additional 30% off! See my sizing review here. 
    • I also ordered this indigo button up - I think it's one of those super versatile shirts you can wear tucked into black dress pants or a darker skirt for work, but then you can also just wear over a white tank and ripped black jeans for a casual weekend look. Based off of experience with their sizing, I ordered a 10 Tall. 

at home
  • We rented Passengers this weekend, and even though it got some not so great reviews, I loved it! Maybe it's because I want to live in space (like unrealistically want to, but I've always dreamed of it!), and because parts of it speaks to me in a "making the best of any situation" life story, but I really liked it!
  • Have I mentioned that we've been going to play trivia every Wednesday? It's my favorite night of the week now, between one of my favorite spin classes followed by a few hours of sitting in a bar with my friends playing trivia. Two weeks ago we won second place!
  • One of the next wedding things we are doing is asking our bridesmaids and groomsmen! My little way of asking them is coming together - I can't wait to share what I put together for them after I finally get the chance to ask all of them in person :)

Saturday, April 8, 2017

healthyish, vol. 15

15 weeks in, and I finally hit the 10 pound mark! I am very excited about this milestone. This whole process was definitely about taking it slow and steady, and while some weeks were more slow than others, I'm proud of myself for really sticking with it! The work outs really just are a normal part of my week now, and every week I'm excited to find a new way to incorporate veggies and proteins into my diet. I have been far from perfect - you guys know that I love to eat, especially while traveling and spending time with friends, but it's this series that has made me come back to the cleaner eating part every week.

exercise: 
Monday: 1 hour spin class
Wednesday: 1 hour spin class
Thursday: 30 minute circuit training at Planet Fitness
Saturday: 1 hour spin class

diet: 
This week, CR brought me a package of lobster cakes, and OMG, they were so good! One cake is 190 calories, so I squished it down to make it a larger patty, and added two poached eggs, and that combo was so filling and protein filled that I always made it to lunch without needing a snack! They definitely aren't going to be a weekly occurrence, but at least once in a while! I met CR for lunch one day, and we had our go-to burrito bowls from Chipotle. I made a big casserole dish of the cheesy "potatoes" (that are actually cauliflower) and just basically ate that all week - it is so so good, and I plan on making it just about every other week from here on out. Dinners included our first attempt at making salmon at home - we tried out this recipe, but put the salmon in a packet instead of on the grill (it turned out okay, but will try something else next time). Also grilled chicken and salmon, and made a dinner of hamburger patties + a fried egg with roasted brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes when my best friend was here for a night.

goals:

Last week's goal was to cut back on sugar. I was pretty good about this this week! We did order Girl Scout cookies from our friend's god daughter, so I allowed myself to have one at the end of every day, but besides that, I didn't eat any other sugary goodies!

I'm making this next week's goal as well. It was really good to be mindful of the sugar, and it clearly made a difference for me, so I'm going to stick with the same goal for next week!

treats:

I ordered these customized tennis shoes three months ago, and they have been sitting under my bed since then, waiting for me to hit the 10 pound milestone. I just love them! You can see what they look like here!

weigh in: - 0.6 lbs (total: 10 lbs!)