so good

Hello!

It feels like it's been forever since I actually wrote a post - the last couple of weeks have been so busy! Between finishing peds and taking the shelf exam, my family visiting, moving six hours from home for the month, and starting my new ObGyn rotation, it's been a bit crazy! I am so excited about this rotation though, which is why you may not hear from me as much this month. It's my first time working with ob residents, and working in a big hospital means we get to see the most acute of the acute cases. Not only has it been nice to learn a lot about the management of these acute situations, but it's been so helpful to be around residents who were in my shoes just a few years ago. I was on night float the past two nights, so while it's slightly draining to switch between day and night, while living in a dorm room, it's been so good. 

And speaking of so good....this J.Crew Factory dress. Unfortunately it looks like the polka dot version is currently not in stock, but definitely worth checking out in stores if you are near an outlet. I wore it a few weeks ago when CR and I went out to brunch and it was perfect for the occasion (back when it felt like spring, and not this weird cold stuff we have right now!). Like I mentioned in my review post, it is on the short side, so definitely a weekend-only dress for me, but it could be a fun work dress for the petite ladies out there. Wouldn't it look great with a tan blazer (the regent is still my number one wishlist blazer right now!).

Dress: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Jacket: Paige [similar]

Purse: Michael Kors c/o Shopbop [similar]

Shoes: Banana Republic [similar]

Watch: c/o Larsson & Jennings [exact]

J.Crew Factory has everything up to 60% off (+ 20% off if you buy 3 items). I'm ordering the white popover top (perfect for the summer with distressed jeans) and debating on that sweatshirt just because I think it's so darn cute. 

sweatshirt | shell top | popover

gingham shell | midi skirt | striped wedges

catch ya later

This will hopefully be the last winter pictures of the year! Winter is always hard for blogging - I've always lived in places with true winters, so trying to get pictures in between snow storms, early darkness, and ugly backgrounds, it's always been tough. I think this year was the hardest winter yet though, as I've spent the majority of it in scrubs and/or in the hospital before 7. 

So needless to say, I'm so ready for more sunlight, pretty flowers, and not having to wear boots all the time (as much as I love them). I'm thinking about picking up a few pairs of colorful or patterned flats to add to the mix - something like these floral pointed toe flats that are cute but versatile. I'm just imagining them with skinny jeans and a flowy white blouse. Cute, right?

On a side note, today is Match Day (the day that 4th year medical students find out where they will be going for their residency)! I've been a wreck all day knowing that this is happening in 52 weeks. I'm just so nervous! To any of you 4th years out there - congrats!!! (and please pass along any tips you have!).

Sweater: Nordstrom [cute ruffled option]

Pants: Express [exact]

Scarf: Nordstrom [exact on sale!]

Purse: Michael Kors c/o Shopbop [similar]

Boots: Vince Camuto [exact]

ps. there's a ton of great sales going on right now for winter items. Below are a few coats/sweaters/boots that you can pick up for a steal. My personal favorite is the Cole Haan wrap jacket - it's so pretty!

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gingham love

Early last week, I had one of the best days. CR was off on a canoe trip with my dad and his buddies, so I spent the day in Madison. For those of you not familiar with Madison, WI, it's basically the best city in the world. I'm probably biased because I lived there for seven years, but it's seriously the greatest. I always knew I wanted to go to the University of Wisconsin, so my time at the UW, and the couple of years after, will always hold a special place in my heart.

I started my day off by stopping by Loft, "just to look". I don't always have the best luck finding anything in stores, but as I was glancing through the sale section, I found the gingham dress I fell in love months ago, now priced at $50 + 50% off...and the only size left was my own. I was so excited about it that I changed into it in the parking lot! It's now sold out, but this version is very similar, if you are looking for the perfect little gingham dress of your own!

After my dress success, I spent the afternoon studying at the cutest little coffee shop on the square (while consuming a nutella crepe and a flat white...yum!), then met up for drinks with Jessica. We've been following each other's blogs for years now, so it was so great to meet up in person. She was such a delight to be around, and I'm sad that we didn't know each other better when I still lived in the area. For those of you in the Madison area, we went to Gib's Bar on Willy Street - we both had the dark and stormies, which were delicious!

I then met up with one of my college besties, Lizzi. You may remember her from her posts about moving in with her boyfriend. We met in the marching band, and have remained close since our years of wool uniforms. She's one of the smartest (she's an engineer!), kindest, and funniest people I know. She was kind enough to snap a few pictures before we went to eat, and then we continued to spend hours catching up and stuffing our faces with cheesecurds, the true Wisconsin way. 

I miss Madison terribly, but the best part about moving away is getting to come back to visit and seeing all of the highlights :)

Dress: Loft [similar below]

Bag: Michael Kors c/o Shopbop [exact]

Sandals: Jack Rogers [exact]

Watch: c/o Larsson & Jennings [exact]

Nail Polish: Essie [exact]

via instagram

one [on sale + 25% off] | two 

three [my favorite] | four

floral eyelet dress out on the town

Last Friday night, CR took me out for our first date in our new city. I, of course, used this as an opportunity to wear my new dress that I'd been saving for this very occasion. We went out for dinner at the supposedly number one burger place, had a celebratory drink, and then went straight home to cuddle with our animals and watched a movie. It was the perfect way to end the week :)

Speaking of this dress though, it is currently on sale + an additional 60% off! A few more steals are posted at the end of the post. I'm going to the mall this weekend, and I'm hoping to try on this pretty dress - who knows, maybe yellow is my color ;)

Dress: Ann Taylor [exact on sale]*

Shoes: Target [exact]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Bag: Michael Kors c/o Shopbop [exact]

*I'm wearing a 10 tall

all of these are on sale + 60% off!

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good bye, second year!

Yesterday was our last day of school! 

Technically we aren't done with second year yet (hello, boards!), but we are officially done with classroom work...forever! That's a pretty crazy thought. Besides the two years I worked between undergrad and med school, I've been in a classroom for 21 years. I love school - I think you kinda have to to go to graduate school. I love the office supplies, I love the learning, I love being stuck with a bunch of people who start out as strangers and become best friends. Although I bitch about sitting at the library for 12+ hours a day, I love just having control over my time, with headphones blasting and coffee in hand. 

It's hard to even quantify how much we've learned in the last two years. I was discussing that with my friend Neel the other day, who mentioned that he was looking through our old anatomy lab guide (from our first class in med school two years ago) and how he had to write in what cyanosis meant. Now that vocabulary, and the concepts behind it, are almost second nature to us. There is SO SO SO much left for us to learn, not only in the second half of school, but throughout our career, but it's really crazy to think about how much we've learned. I always tell people when they ask about how hard medical is, is that this isn't hard - the concepts aren't difficult, you just have to know everything about everything. 

Throughout the past two years, there have been doubts, breakdowns, and tears. I think that's just a part of the process. I'm so thankful for my closest girlfriends, CR, and my parents, for talking me through those difficult times, going on walks when it was time to get some air, and just giving me a hug because I needed it. I was told in the past that I wouldn't be able to handle the first two years of medical school, and I now love that I've proven that statement to be wrong. I'm also glad I only keep supportive people in my life now ;)

Thank you to all of your for your support these last two years. It really means the world to me! 

Dress: Old Navy

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory 

Bag: Michael Kors c/o Shopbop [exact]

Shoes: Madewell [exact]

Belt: Gap [similar]

My dress is currently sold out at Old Navy, but they have so many cute dresses right now. If you are looking for an inexpensive summer party dress, this one is adorable, available in 8 patterns in talls/petites, AND is on sale! This polka dot number is my absolute favorite even though I'm not sure I could pull it off. Thoughts?

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