trying something a little new (+ premium jeans giveaway!)

A couple of weeks ago, I decided that I wanted to buy a pair of flare jeans. I have so many skinny jeans, and while I love them, I was ready for something new and fun. Because I have to order everything online, I went to my trusty Fitcode to guide me in my search. I've used and talked about them in the past, but basically Fitcode has an algorithm to figure our your shape, and then makes recommendations for jeans that would fit your body well. Since you can filter your results by shape, I quickly found these BLANKNYC flared jeans...and bonus, they were on sale! I ordered them in my regular jeans size, and find they run true to size. I think they are just a fun way to add a little variety to my closet while having them be super versatile - I can wear them with blouses, sweaters, tees, and it just always works. CR kept calling them mom jeans, but really, what do boys know anyway? I love the sexy shape the create, plus it's always a win when you add something to your closet that goes with so much you already own.

Jeans: BLANKNYC [exact on sale]

Blouse: Asos [cute similar on sale]

Wedges: Frye [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]

Seriously three days after I ordered my jeans, Fitcode reached out again and asked if I wanted to hold a giveaway on my blog for a pair of jeans. I'm already such a fan that I agreed immediately because I have enjoyed using their service, and I wanted one of you to win a pair of jeans! 

As a disclosure, I paid for my own jeans before they even reached out, I am not being compensated for this giveaway, but it is also a blogger competition so if my giveaway has the most entries, I get a giftcard too. Enter the giveaway though the Rafflecopter below - your Fitcode is the number you receive when you answer their 4 questions. For example, mine is 710. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

plaid tidings

4 more days until Christmas - who's ready?! We get Christmas Eve and Christmas day off from school, which is really nice, but not enough time for me to fly home. I would definitely say that the hardest part of the holidays this year (and last year) is that I can't go home to be with my family. I actually likely won't be able to visit my parents until January 2017, which is something I try to suppress sometimes when I'm feeling homesick. I am so lucky though that CR's family takes me in, and basically treats me like their fifth child. I don't know how I would manage without having that support system somewhat close to us!

In less sappy news, I'm slightly obsessed with my plaid skirt. I've worn it twice since I received it, and plan on wearing it on Christmas Eve as well. The issue with patterned skirts like these is that they show off your curves a little more since it's just a bunch of lines on fabric, but it's so fun to wear that I just don't even care in this situation! The last time I wore it for work I wore it with my simple white ASOS blouse, but I've also worn it with a sweater, and for Christmas Eve may wear it with a sparkly shirt. Gotta get those wears in before it's no longer plaid skirt season ;)

Blouse: Asos [similar]

Skirt: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch c/o Shopbop [similar]

Bracelet: gift from my friend Lizzi [very similar]

Below are a few plaid items, some you can still order today and receive by Christmas (or pick up when you are at the mall getting those last minute presents)! My favorite is the pom-pom scarf. Seriously, how cute is that?! The duffel bag is also pretty great for if you only have a few days to spend somewhere this weekend (plus it's under $40 and reversible!)

one | two | three

four | five | six

what's red and white and black all over?

Santa coming down the chimney. 

har har.

Thank you, I'll be here all night!

Lamest opener for a blog post ever? Possibly. But if you forced me to choose 3 colors to wear for the rest of my life, I'd be all about being like ol' St. Nick and go with red, black, and white. It's just what I feel most comfortable in now. I remember a few years ago when I was shopping, I would always buy an item in a color that I didn't own a lot of because I thought it would add versatility to my closet. Turns out, it really just added a bunch of clothes in colors I don't really like to wear. Lesson learned.

If you were forced to choose three colors for life, what would you go with? And do you find yourself shopping towards them now, or do you try to add a little bit more variation? I'm still trying to find the balance between sticking to what I'm completely comfortable with, and still keeping it fun.

Blouse: ASOS [similar]

Pants: c/o Zappos [exact]

Scarf: Target [exact]

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]*

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Nails: Essie [exact]

*use code holiday_franish for 15% off

and because my Target scarf is sometimes hard to find, here are 4 similar ones. Not feeling the plaid? Try this pom pom scarf! I recorded a little video a few months ago about how I wear mine here.

one | two

three | four

blown away

By:

- the wind. clearly.
- how much I'm looking forward to cardiology being over
- how much I love this scarf
- and how much I've worn it in the days since I got it

So much that you're going to be sick of it by next week when I've worn in for the third post in a row ;)

Blouse: ASOS [similar]

Scarf: Target [exact]

Skirt: Anthropologie via eBay [inexpensive similar]

Shoes: Sperry [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save || splurge]

Ring: Jewelmint

Nails: Julep

as seen on instagram:

p.s. scarf tying "tutorial" in the next post with this scarf :)

lub dub

Life has been a little hectic lately.

We officially finished the GI system on Monday - it's been my favorite so far so I'm sad to see it go. I missed getting an A by 3 points (out of almost 400) so I'm fairly disappointed that I was so.close, but didn't quite get there. They say grades don't "matter" in the grand scheme of things, but when you spend so much time working towards it and fall just short, it's always kind of a bummer.

But now we have started cardio...and it's going to be ridiculous the next few weeks. We have a test every week (always on Mondays too, because who needs even half a day off?), with a sprinkling of random tests and practicals all over the place. I'm already dreading all of it.

At least by the end of it I'll know what all the squiggly lines on an EKG mean though - Tracy already informed me that flat line is dead, so at least I'm off to a good start ;)

Blouse: ASOS [similar]

Pants: The Limited [same style - the green is so pretty!]

Necklace: Forever 21 [cute stone similar]

Bag: Madewell [exact]

Shoes:  Banana Republic [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save || exact]

On a side note, if you've been eyeing the Madewell Transport Tote, but don't to spend the money on it, this tote from Forever 21 looks very similar in size + shape for a fraction of the cost!

the beginning of the end

Today is my last first day of classroom school....EVER. It was surprising to me how fast first year ended, so my plan for this school year is to treasure the last year of "free time" - this will be the last time when I have control over most hours of my day. After that, good bye self-made schedule! 

We are starting school with GI, which was my favorite section in anatomy last year so I'm excited to learn about it more in depth. I'm still continuing with my bone research, and I may also work as an anatomy TA, so this is going to be a busy fall semester!  

Blouse: ASOS [exact with more pop-backs]

Skirt: Anthro via eBay [similar below]

Necklace: Forever 21 [exact]

Belt: Gap [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [exact]

Shoes: Banana Republic [save | exact]

Purse: Kate Spade [similar]

Nails: Essie [exact]

all my favorite ladies :)

P.S. I was recently interviewed by Abby - check it out here!

sweet sweet summertime

After a whirlwind summer of traveling all over the country, I'm excited to spend the last two weeks at home before school starts again. I have a few projects I want to finish around the house (I started making this pinboard today for our kitchen), bike rides to go on (after receiving a bike as a surprise present!), and hopefully finishing Breaking Bad (only two seasons to go). After a day of sleeping in, going for a swim, and making a delicious dinner, we capped off the night with a Starbucks date. The cooler temperatures meant I got to wear both jeans AND a long-sleeved shirt....so while I'm not excited for school to start, I am excited for FALL.

Please don't hate me for bringing up fall in the middle of July ;)

Top: ASOS [exact on sale w/ popback sizes!]

Jeans: Uniqlo [exact]

Necklace: c/o BaubleBar [exact]

Shoes: thrifted Tory Burch [current version]

Bag: Madewell [save - read Audrey's review here | exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]

P.S. It seems that J.Crew is becoming the new Gap with their constant sales...and I'm not complaining. With their 40% off sale items, I picked up these adorable pants after seeing them on Kendi. I can't wait to wear them with all the red and cognac accessories ;)

x marks the spot

We're half way through our summer, and I'm almost done with my summer prosection job in the cadaver lab. The last five weeks have had a ton of events stuffed in, including family commitments, concerts, camping, and baseball games, and the next five are just as packed! We are going to Seattle for a whole week starting next week, and then more camping, baseball games, and enjoying the last few weeks of freedom. 

I've loved having this time to pick and choose what I want to do and wear. I'm sure you've noticed that these shorts have been on constant rotation, and that's because they are just so dang comfortable in the hot weather. Old Navy currently has a 30% off online sales [code: SURPRISE, ending the 1st], and I plan on picking up the grey pair as well. Based on the cost per wear, they'll cost me pennies in the end!

Blouse: ASOS [exact on sale]

Shorts: Old Navy [exact]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Shoes: Madewell [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [exact]

x Ring: BaubleBar [exact]

Sunglasses: Amazon [exact under $5!]

Nails: Essie [exact]