try, try again

Do you have clothing in your closet that you consistently don't touch because you had a bad experience with it? I do, and for me it is this dress. In theory, this dress was made for me - black and white, sleeves, polka dot - what's not to love? Well on the two separate occasions I've tried wearing it, I ended up hating it. It came with this horrible slip that fit wrong, and so I have just shied away from it every since. There is nothing wrong with the dress, it's just those two experiences of trying to make it work and having it fail that have left it sitting in the back of my closet since then.

As I'm trying to declutter my closet before I move in May, I've been making an effort to wear some of those less worn items to see if it's me or them. In this situation, it's a me problem, I just didn't have the right undergarments. I purchased one of these slips at Target, and the problem is no longer a problem. Now it just needs to warm up above negative a million so I can wear it with flats and no tights!

Dress: Gap [really cute similar]

Scarf: Banana Republic [exact in grey....tempting!]

Belt: Everlane [exact]

Earrings: c/o BaubleBar [exact]

Tights: Target [exact]

Boots: Franco Sarto [exact]

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

Bag: Kate Spade [save option]

top three [01.11.2015]

one of my favorites of the year: one | two | three

medicine

• There's a blood disorder called beta thalassemia where the synthesis of hemoglobin is decreased. A certain variant results in extra bone formation in a pattern called a "crew-cut" appearance - and it totally looks like that!
• Polychythemia is a disease where you basically have more red blood cells, which means you can carry more oxygen in your blood. Sometimes this is an inherited trait, as was the case for Eero Mantyranta. He was a Finnish Olympic cross country skier who was accused of "blood doping" and it wasn't until 30 years later, when they finally discovered his disorder by studying his own family, that he was acquitted of those charges. Yikes!
• Back in the middle of the 1800s, a doctor noticed that many of his patients who had just given birth were dying (by what was called childbed fever), and that many times, the doctors that performed the delivery had just came back from working in the morgue. Ignaz Semmelweis is credited with instilling the first cleanliness standards in hospitals, making doctors wash their hands before performing a delivery. Interestingly, many doctors at the time didn't think his hypothesis was real, and he was eventually committed to an insane asylum. It'll be interesting to see what the medical community comes up with in the next 100 years that we don't know exists today!

on the internet

• Elevated basics, done so so well. 
• Have you heard about synesthesia? I hadn't, but I found Nicole's history with it so interesting.
• Successful people wear the same thing every day, apparently because of decision fatigue - thoughts? 

spotted

• I've wanted a doctors bag for all the medical equipment we have to lug around for our history and physical practical exams, and this faux leather one would be perfect (and under $30!)
• Probably not the most "patient-contact friendly" pants of all time, but I kind of love these ankle dress pants.
• Target has really stepped it up - this is the perfect every day work dress. Plus their "end of season" boot sale is pretty great right now, especially since we have another 3+ months of boot wearing ahead of us (go for these classic riding boots!).

on franish

• on instagram: testing out a new nail polish
• on the blog: sticking with goals, not resolutions in 2015
• on twitter: I've been clinically diagnosed....

notable sales

• Ann Taylor: 50% off select full-price items (go for this tweed skirt!) + up to 70% off sale items (this oversized blouse would look so great with black leggings and a comfy scarf)
• C. Wonder: 50% off everything (get this for your friend's birthday... coming up in May...)
• J. Crew: 40% off "wear now" items (like the world's most perfect red tote *hearteyes*)

personal 

• Man, these next 4.5 months are going to be...something. We started school on Monday, and it's been full steam ahead since then. Not only do we have our normal school schedule (we are currently doing hematology), but all of our board stuff on top of it. Our schedule used to be a bit more relaxed, especially since we make our own, so if we got through all the school stuff we had to, we got a bit of rest. Now if we aren't doing school work, we're board studying. I've already covered 2 whole core subjects (which in school time took us 5 weeks to cover) and I am all fidgety about trying to get it all done. Bet you guys are going to get as tired of the word "boards" as I've been for the 6 months leading up to now! ;)
• I made this chicken tikka masala (on top of cauliflower rice) and it was so good! A bit time-intensive, but I think I may make a huge batch next time and just freeze a large chunk of it. 
• Have you guys heard all the fuss about Starbuck's "new" drink, the flat white? I actually drank a ton of these when I went to Australia/ New Zealand a few years ago, so I was excited that they now are going to be more popular in the US (I bet you kiwis disagree though!). While a bit rich to be an every day drink (both calorically and financially!), it was a nice treat on the way to the library yesterday. 

one for me and one for you (leah lerner giveaway)

While I love to see what bags are currently the "in" purse to have, I know that in the long run, a classic bag is going to get a lot more use. Simple leather purses with classic shapes will always be in style, which is why I was thrilled with Leah Lerner gifted me one of their beautiful tote bags. With a very similar style to my Madewell tote, the grey color adds a cool feel while remaining super versatile. The leather is seriously so soft, and I think it's definitely one of those purses that gets better with wear. I need to make a bag shaper for it so I can start using it for school more often (I don't want to stretch out the bottom with a heavy computer!), but I'm very excited to add such a beautiful bag to my closet.

Interested in owning your own timeless bag? We're giving away one of their navy small pouches - just enter the rafflecopter below (it's open internationally!) Or use that left over Christmas money to buy this beauty of a bag!

Purse: c/o Leah Lerner [exact]

Cardigan: thrifted [similar]

Tee: Everlane [exact]

Pants: Paige c/o Zappos [exact]

Scarf: Banana Republic [exact on sale!!]

Shoes: suuuuuper old [similar]

Bracelet: gift from miss lizzi [similar]

a Rafflecopter giveaway

shopping, party of one

I've always heard that the day after Christmas is the best day of the year to go shopping, and so today I'm braving the crowds and going to the mall. I haven't been in a mall by myself in over a year, so I'm excited to just go! I really enjoy shopping by myself, but since we live further away from a bigger mall, I'm always either with my boyfriend or my girlfriends, and I hate making people wait around for me to try anything on so I end up never really getting anything. 

Since we're at my boyfriend's parents house for the week and they live in a bigger city, I have the opportunity to go out by myself! Here are some of the current deals out there, and just a few of the things I'd love to try on. Are you going out today, and are you still recovering from all the Christmas goodies?

• Banana Republic: up to 50% off 
• The side-zip sweater I tried on a few weeks ago is now on sale
• I'd love to try on this slight peplum top (perfect for our NYE plans!)
• Gap: 35% off online (code: GIFT4ME)
• I recently got this wireless bra for sleeping (you know, for when you aren't in your own home haha) and it's super cute and soft. I barely even notice it. There are also matching bottoms ;)
• I've heard that the Eversoft sweaters have a cult-like following - this v-neck sweater comes in several great colors (that red is so pretty!)
• J.Crew: 30% off full price + 40% off sale items (code: HOLIDAYTIME)
• Full price: you'll wear this plaid boyfriend shirt for Christmases to come
• On sale: these pencil skirts are amazing and now on super sale (I love that green color!) 
• Loft: 50% off everything (including some Lou & Grey)
• This sweater is the perfect mix of comfort and style - wouldn't it look great with leggings and boots?
• The pattern on this dress isn't actually polka dots. I think it would make a great dress for all seasons, just depends on the accessories! 
• I highly recommend this blouse that I got last month. I did end up having my tailor take it in on the sides slightly, but now it's one of my favorite blouses. I wore it to CR's grandmothers for Christmas and received several compliments :)
• Madewell: 30% off sale items + free shipping on all orders (code: FORYOU)
• This quilted transport tote is now just slightly over $100
• I don't love the styling of this skirt online, but think it would be super cute in real life

Sweater: Everlane [exact]

Tee: Boden

Pants: c/o Zappos [exact]

Scarf: Banana Republic 

Purse: c/o Shopbop [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]

Bracelet: gift from Lizzi [exact]

what I should have done differently

I loved this outfit the day I wore it - my pants were newly pressed, the snow was melting so I didn't have to wear boots (#hussyankles), and I got so many compliments on my new scarf (rightfully so...). Then after looking at these pictures I really thought I should have worn a blazer or more layers or something - this is kind of a boring outfit, huh? Nothing really special about it other than I liked wearing it. 

But here we are, looking at it on the internet anyway. I fight with myself a lot when it comes to picking out my outfits, and then uploading the pictures to share with you guys. I want to look nice and have it be interesting, but I also don't want to be fake, or just wear something because of the blog. I know a lot of us "every day women" bloggers struggle with that - dressing up enough to have it be worth sharing, but not dressing "for the blog". Do I think I may have been a bit lazy with this outfit? Sure - I could have layered a bit more, worn some bright lipstick, maybe tried to tame the frizz or made sure my shirt was properly tucked in (whoops!), but in the end, this blog is still a learning experience for me, my body, and my closet. 

Things I do know though? That this scarf is amazing and as soon as it stops being a BR Pick, everyone should buy it so we can all be twins. You'll love it, I promise.

Tee: Ann Taylor

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Scarf: Banana Republic [exact]

Shoes: J.Crew Factory [exact on sale]

Bag: Kate Spade [similar]

P.S. Shopbop is currently having a 20% off sale items (use code EXTRASALE)*

one: pretty crossbody bags in a variety of colors and styles

two: necklaces that tie your whole outfit together

three: you'll always know what time it is because you'll never take these watches off

four: give yourself something to look forward to for spring (only 5 months away!)

*Disclosure: I receive a monthly credit to Shopbop but as always, my opinions are all my own.