layering, made easy

Do you guys remember those "layered for you" shirts that were super popular in our middle school/high school days? The ones that had a fake white collar and white sleeves underneath a sweater to make it look like it was layered...but wasn't?

That's what I initially thought of when these new "layered for you" tops came out a few months ago, which made me hesitate at first. Then I saw them on a few people, and kind of loved the simplicity of it. Instead of fake layering a button up under a sweater, I think these are more mixed-media type shirts. I picked up mine at Loft a few weeks ago, and like I've mentioned, I have already worn it a ton of times and have received comments about it every time I've worn it. I think the appeal is that instead of trying to make you believe it's something it's not, these shirts own up to being just two different fabrics. The end result is an effortless "layered" look that doesn't remind you of 2002 ;)

Top: Loft [exact]

Jeans: Madewell [exact style]

Shoes: Converse c/o Shopbop [exact]

Bag: Madewell [save | exact]

Loft has quite a few of these "layered for you" tops currently. I, of course, love the black version - it would look so cute with black pants and bright accessories! 

one | two | three

Still not convinced, and would rather layer your own shirts? Here's my little tip:

via this really old post, when I used to wear blue sweaters over leopard shirts... ;)

you x modcloth

A few weeks ago, I was offered the chance to try out a few new pieces from the new Modcloth label. Coincidentally, I was already eyeing a few of the pieces anyway, so it was perfect timing! The designs are adorable - just enough whimsy to make them special, but still appropriate for every day life. 

I chose the Peace and Client dress to wear to CR's cousin's wedding last week, and it was perfect for a family wedding. It's stretchy, flattering, and with a small stitch put in, appropriate for a night of dancing with parents and cousins. Bonus: it has pockets! I got so many compliments on it that I may just wear it for the next wedding we are going to. 

During last week's fall preview (it was in the 60's for most of the week!), the snuggly cardigan in forest was perfect to keep me comfortable while reading outside at a coffee shop. The fabric is thick and soft, but doesn't feel heavy like some other open cardigans I've tried. I went with the green version of the cardigan because it's CR's favorite color, but they also have a red version that would be super cute during the holidays. 

outfit one

Dress: c/o Modcloth [exact - I'm wearing a large]

Belt: Gap [very similar]

Shoes: Banana Republic [exact]

Necklace: c/o Rocksbox [use code franishxoxo for 1 free month]

outfit two

Sweater: c/o Modcloth [exact]

Tee: Everlane [exact]

Jeans: Uniqlo [exact]

Shoes: Sperry [exact]

Purse: Madewell [save | exact]

Below are some of my picks from the new Modcloth collection. I've always wanted a bright and cheery skirt, so maybe this yellow one will have to be future purchase. Which of the following is your favorite? 

one | two | three | four

five | six | seven | eight

nine | ten | eleven | twelve

Disclosure: thank you to ShopStyle for sponsoring this post!

real life

I wasn't really planning on taking pictures of this outfit because it was nothing at all special - same pants I always wear, probably the oldest shirt in my closet, and the same accessories I wear every. single. day. My hair was a bit limp, and we had to take pictures after work because CR leaves for work three hours before I do, and my tripod hadn't been shipped yet. 

And then I remembered that someone asked me on my survey in April about how I feel about those blogs that pretend are their real life, but clearly are not. Blogs where people say they are going to work, but don't actually have a job anymore (isn't it crazy how much money you can make off of blogging?), or blogs that openly admit they shoot a bunch of outfits in one day, but don't actually wear those clothes in real life. And to be honest, I have a love/hate relationship with those kinds of blogs. I love looking at the pretty clothes with the professional photography with the interesting backgrounds. They serve a purpose, and that purpose is to be beautiful things to look at. But I also hate them, because I feel blogs used to be about real life and somehow have turned into fake life. Even the big blogs that say they are for working women are no longer real - how many working women do you know who wear $1400 skirts, or a new whole c/o outfit every single day, or can wear off the shoulder dresses to work ? I don't know any.

So. These are my real clothes that I wore in real life to my real "job" (that I don't get paid for, but am expected to show up to every day). Not every day can be something pretty and new to show you guys - sometimes it's just going to be a simple outfit and hopefully that's okay too :)

Blouse: H&M [similar]

Pants: The Limited [exact - I really should get a second pair!]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Shoes: Banana Republic [exact on sale]

Tote: Madewell [save | exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [exact]

95% love, 5% DIY

I'm in the process of writing a few posts on how to build a cohesive wardrobe (I'm hoping to have the first post done by the end of the week!) so I've been thinking a lot about what I've learned over the past few years, from the beginning of doing a closet clean out to buying those finishing pieces. One of my biggest rules over the years has been to only buy items you 100% love - or else, why spend money on it? 

A few weeks ago, I feel in love with this top from Anthropologie. On the model it looks light and airy, but on me, I felt it was too airy. The shirt sleeves actually don't really close all the way around the arms - they are open down half way the sides. I felt it made me look wider than I am because there was no waist definition, as you can see on the picture below. Besides that though, I really really liked it. The more I looked at the top, I wondered if there wasn't a way to fix it - the fabric lines up perfectly enough to sew shut along the sides. So the night after my board exam, I spent an hour sewing the sides closed and now it's so much better on me. It's still light and airy and perfect for summer, but now it's perfect for me too.

Listen learned? Sometimes a little DIY turns a no into a hell yes.

Blouse: Anthropologie [exact]

Denim Jacket: Paige c/o Nordstrom [very similar]

Jeans: Paige c/o Zappos [exact]

Bag: Madewell [save | exact]

Shoes: Banana Republic [exact]

Lipstick: Nars [exact]

i have no idea what i'm doing

Today was the first day of my third year of medical school - that's crazy! I still feel like I'm supposed to say I'm a first year, when I'm really a third year who supposedly knows things now.

My first month of rotations is in family medicine. I'm in a one doctor clinic, and so far (...one day), it's been really great. All of my shadowing experience was in family practice, so it was the one rotation I knew what to expect. I spent the day following the doctor and the nurse practitioner around. I got to feel some hernias, help with an EKG, and gave someone a shot. All around, I think it was the perfect way to start all of this off.

And since this is a style blog and all, this is what I wore. I wanted to go in pretty conservative as I wanted to make a good impression and I didn't know how the atmosphere would be. Bootleg slacks, my new "watch", and a flower blouse that buttons high enough - can't really go wrong! Turns out they are super relaxed there, so I can play around a bit more with outfits than I will be able to when I'm on surgery for my second and third rotation ;)

For you med students out there - any reading material suggestions for family med? I don't even know where to start.

Blouse: Loft [very similar on sale]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Bag: Madewell [save | exact]

Shoes: Banana Republic [exact]

Belt: Gap 

via instagram

the end of an era...

I wore this dress for one of our last days of school a few weeks ago. I didn't do what I did last year, where I wore the same thing as I wore on the first day of school, but just wore something that felt completely "me". A simple dress, simple jewelry, and a little too matchy-matchy with my leathers ;) It's actually surreal to me that we are half way done with medical school now. I told someone yesterday that I'm a third year now, and it felt so weird. I don't know anything!!

It's a little sad to see the background of the picture from the first day of school though, because that is exactly what my room looks like now. CR and I are moving in together on Wednesday, and I'm so excited, but I'm also really going to miss my current apartment. I've had so many great memories here with my roommate - I really couldn't have found a better person to live here with. Now we are tearing up our little bachelorette pad to move hours and hours away from each other. Thank God for group messages and snapchat!

Dress: Tahari c/o Nordstrom [exact]

Shoes: Banana Republic [exact - get 40% off w/ code BRSUMMER]

Belt: Gap [similar on sale]

Purse: Madewell [save | exact]

Although my dress is currently still full price [although it does come in a ton of different colors - I looooove the blush version], Nordstrom's currently has so many cute work-appropriate dresses on sale. My absolute favorite one is the pink floral number because I think it could be super versatile - nude wedges and a cardigan at work, or with more dressed up heels and the right clutch it would be perfect for a wedding. 

one | two | three | four

five | six | seven | eight

summer simple

While I don't consider myself a minimalist in the least, I absolutely love the look of simpler outfits, clean lines, and outfits that just look like they came together naturally. I've been working on having a cohesive closet for years now. I used to just own a bunch of clothes that didn't really go together, and over the years I've figured out what works for me and my closet, and how I can mix and match the pieces with each other. It's definitely a longer process (something I'm hoping to write about within the next month! yay free time :D), but one of the biggest things for me so far has been keeping a wish list.

One of the things I do to stay on track with my purchases and making sure I don't just spend money on a bunch of things that don't work with my closet is keeping a list of items I'd like to add. It used to be much longer, but over the past several years I've checked things off the list - items like the perfect white t-shirt, a classic wrap dress, Hunter boots that fit my calves, and a jean jacket. One of those items has been a pair of white jeans. I had a pair I bought a few summers ago, but they are now too big on me so I sold them. When given the chance to try out a few pairs from Nordstrom, it really was perfect timing. I LOVE how white jeans look on others, but wasn't so sure how my thighs would look in them. I tried on several pairs in a bunch of different price ranges and styles - from legging styles to almost $200 styles. This pair from Articles of Society was by far my favorite and the best part was that they cost under $55 - goes to show you that the most expensive isn't always the best. They fit true to size, aren't see through (with the proper undergarments of course), and have a long enough inseam. I'm so excited to wear these this summer!

Jeans: Articles of Society c/o Nordstrom [exact]

Blouse: Loft [similar]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Tote: Madewell [save | exact]

Shoes: Madewell [save | exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]

Below are a few more easy summer pieces that can easily be mix and matched. My absolute favorite is the olive shirt dress that mayyyyyyy be sitting in my cart...

one | two | three [on sale] | four

five | six | seven [LOVE] | eight

nine | ten | eleven | twelve [a little pricy but sooo pretty]

This is the last post I'll have for the week - my board exam is Thursday and then there are several days of celebrating and weddings - follow along on instagram and snapchat (fhasselhof)! See you next week!

Disclosure: thank you to Shopstyle for sponsoring this post!