all staples, no flash

I'm in the process of writing a "what are my closet staples" post, and I realize now that that every single item in this outfit is in that category. From my second pair of ponte pants to cognac boots to a neutral oversized scarf, these are items I grab for over and over again. While they aren't always the most exciting items, they are the ones I'm most loyal to!

Blouse: Banana Republic [cute similar on sale]

Pants: Express [exact - review here]

Boots: Vince Camuto [exact]

Jacket: Old Navy [similar below]

Scarf: Nordstrom [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]

and because my Old Navy coat is older and no longer available, here are three options in three price ranges. I think my favorite is the spend version, which comes in three colors and is marked down!

save (<$25) | spend (<$100) | splurge (< $200)

ps. sorry for the lack of pictures where my head isn't chopped off or down - it was super windy this day, and my camera died within a minute of taking pictures! but with a lack of days to take pictures currently, I still wanted to share this set of pictures because I loved the outfit :)

living that path life

I'm in my third week of my pathology elective, and it's been a very interesting experience so far. It's not a very hands-on experience as the hospital I'm at unfortunately no longer does autopsies, but I've seen several frozen sections, and many cut up placentas. Not only do I get to see what they do in pathology, but I've also spent some time in the other laboratories. They drew my blood, and I've watched it go through the various typings, screenings, and tests. At the end of the post is a picture of my actual blood smear - I thought it was pretty neat!

It's been a bit strange not having any patient contact, but since I spend all day in the basement where no one sees me, I've been a bit more casual with my outfits. Starting in two weeks though, I'll be on internal medicine for three months straight. It'll also be the middle of the winter, so I ordered a second pair of slim black pants (this time trying out some from Banana Republic) in preparation (I find it easier to just slip on hunter boots for the short commute through the snow while wearing slimmer dress pants, rather than having them bunch all up). Thankfully the snow hasn't arrived yet!

Sweater: H&M [similar]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Coat: Old Navy [similar]

Purse: Coach 

Shoes: Target [save | splurge]

Watch: c/o Larsson & Jennings [exact]

And here's my blood smear. That purple circle in the middle is an eosinophil, all of the red dots are red blood cells, and the few purple dots on the periphery are neutrophils. 

P.S. I wanted to mention that my Loft polka dot tunic came yesterday and it's amazing. I ordered both a medium and a large, but have only received the large so far. It fits slightly oversized when I wear the large, but I think I prefer it that way. Sizes keep popping back every day, so if you are interested in it but your size isn't available, keep checking it because it may just come back!

ponte pants are the best kind of pants

We are currently in the best part of the year - true fall. When the leaves are the prettiest, the jackets are a necessity, and ponte pants + boots become a staple. I've been wearing my ponte pants for three years now, and love them just as much as I did when I first bought them. They are thicker than most leggings, so they are warmer, aren't see through, and I think they look better than jeans when it comes to what pants to wear with boots. While mine are old, there are three pairs at three different price points at the bottom of this post!

Blouse: Banana Republic [even cuter version]

Pants: Gap [similar below]

Scarf: Forever 21 [exact]

Coat: Old Navy [exact]

Boots: Vince Camuto [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact on sale!]

Bag: Madewell [save | exact]

Here are several ponte pants at different price points - I'm actually really tempted by the <$25 pair (because they look exactly like the $100 pair!)

< $25 | < $50 | < $100