day 293 of the rest of your life

Shirt: TJ Maxx

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Necklace: c/o Le Tote [exact]

Shoes: Old Navy [want these so hard]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Belt: The Limited

Today was the last day of classes for us - all that stands between me and a summer of lounging by the pool (...and dissecting cadavers) is one clinical neuro exam and one comprehensive exam for everything we've learned this year. 293 days ago I wore this same shirt, but it feels like a lifetime ago - I feel like a completely different person. While I'm not really ready to reflect on the school year as a whole (probably because I have like 40 more hours left in the library that is taking up all my free brain time), it is interesting to see how much has change. 

I have longer hair...and maybe a few extra pounds on my thighs from mostly sitting all day. A group of girls I had only known for a week became my "Erie family". I have a guy in my life now who makes me laugh and feel special every day. My dogs have their own friends they have dates with. I actually know and understand some real medicine now (okay, really just science book medicine). I know what the inside of a human body looks like. I can walk into a room and do a full physical exam on a person I've never met before. If your neck hurts, I now know several ways I may be able to help. I have so so much left to learn, but 70-some credits (for real) of medical school classes later, I feel like I do at least know a thing or two about the vast field of medicine.

tassle!

 

Shirt: Tahari via TJ Maxx

Skirt: thrifted

Necklace: c/o White Bear Accessories [exact]

Shoes: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Bag: Target

So medical school is nothing like the blogging world - people aren't around to help you decide which pants to buy and they don't tell you on a daily basis that they like your outfit (I KNOW, SO RUDE), but today I had three people tell me that they really liked my necklace...and two were boys! 

When Lindsay from White Bear Accessories offered to send any piece in her store to me, I was unsure which piece to choose because you guys know I really only do smaller, simpler jewelry, but this pretty thing caught my eye. Now that I have it, I can think of many different ways to wear it - with a simple dress, with my polka dot blazer, casual with jeans and a cardigan - I don't know what I was ever afraid of! Thank you to White Bear Accessories for getting me to step out of my comfort zone...and for providing me with this beautiful necklace. Use the code fran20 to receive 20% off your own order!

P.S. I apologize for the blurry picture :(  I hope we can still be friends ;)

day one of the rest of my life

Shirt: Tahari via TJ Maxx

Skirt: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Belt: Old Navy

Wedges: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Tights: c/o Hanes 

Bag: Target [current in stores]

Funemployment is officially over - today was our first day of school! We haven't actually learned anything medically related yet - that starts on Tuesday with a fun three hours of histology. Today was just the orientation / meet people / have your paperwork in order day. I wasn't really sure what I was going to wear until I bought this skirt on Monday. I was a bit afraid that I was too colorful (I had a necklace on as well but decided to tone it down) and that I would be this giant blue blob in an ocean of black, but the girls (and some of the guys) were bright too so I felt a lot better once we got into the school. I also wore my new wedges for the first time since I ordered them in May. They were pretty comfortable as far as non-flats go - they didn't rub any of the wrong places and were actually fine to walk in. I just need to get my toes used to having a bit more pressure on them. Because I had to wear flats at work, and because there weren't many occasions outside of work that warranted heels, my feet are not used to it, but I'm sure they'll get used to it all real quick. J.Crew Factory is currently having a 40% off everything (both online and in stores if you are need an outlet) so I may order the black pair as well. I may also order this sweater since it is quite a bit cheaper online than it was in the store earlier this week (seen here) but I also feel a little silly about buying a sweater in July so I may just hold off....even though it's really cute. 

Also, I apologize about the crappy iPhone pictures lately. We carpool with the girls in our complex the mile and a half to school, and actually taking real pictures and editing them take up quite a bit of time (that I won't have), so hopefully you guys can put up with this method for a while until I get it all figured out. 

P.S. budgeting bloggers goes up on Sunday. Time to fess up (for me anyway...this month wasn't that great).

five

I found this vintage blazer at Goodwill a few weeks ago, and it luckily had the color tag of the weekend, so it only cost me $4. I hesitate to call things vintage because really, who knows, but I feel this one is definitely from a previous generation. The quality is great, the lining is beautiful, and the buttons are real leather. The label says Justin Ltd, but that doesn't mean anything to me or google. 

I wanted to wear it for one of my last days of work because once I'm done (four more days!), almost all of my cold weather/high AC clothing is being packed up to be shipped to me at the end of July. I was hoping that my nude wedges would have gotten here in time so that I could wear my new jeans but no such luck. I'm going to miss my colder weather clothes just because I like them a lot more than my almost non existant summer items. I did go to Old Navy the other day though specifically to find shorts similar to Whitney's, and got lucky when I found this pair and this pair. Both were on clearance, and less than $7 each in store. With some left over giftcard money, I only spent $5 in the store. 

You guys are going to get so sick of seeing them this summer.

Blazer: thrifted [similar-ish]

Tee: Tahara via TJ Maxx

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Belt: Madewell [exact on sale]

Shoes: Nine West [save | splurge]

Bag: Coach via Etsy [current style]

Nails: Essie Spagetti Strap

Watch: Target [MK knock off version]

the light this morning was so pretty...

mute

 

Happy Memorial Day!

I don't have much else to say, but I do have a few reminders.

+ budgetting bloggers goes up tomorrow!

+ have you entered this giveaway yet? you could win this watch!

+ the shop my closet post is up and ready :)

Shirt: Tahari via TJ Maxx

Vest: Old Navy [similar]

Jeans: Urban Outfitters [exact]

Glasses: c/o Firmoo

Necklaces: "f" from Whitney, diamond is a family heirloom

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

Belt: The Limited

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

5D5W: Casual Friday

I think this may be one of my most favorite outfits I've ever worn. I was trying to figure out why that is exactly. Some theories:

+ I just feel best in these jeans. I think bootcut really just looks best on me. I haven't had any luck finding a second pair on eBay yet, but I continue to be hopeful that a pair will come my way eventually. I still will not pay full price for them because once school starts I won't be wearing jeans much, but some days I'm tempted. Some one hold me back.

+ This blazer rivals my schoolboy blazer for most worn top. I love the neutral color, the fit, and the elbow patches. The blazer is from H&M which has always been kinder to me than Forever 21. I may have to see if they have anything similar currently...in April (side note: budgeting bloggers goes up tomorrow! eek.)

+ My new soft striped tee. This outfit was inspired by Chioma - I don't think I would have paired stripes and plaid like this on my own, but it works. right? yes. stripes + plaid = win

+ Cognac on cognac - my closet neutral color. 

Okay so I may not have a concrete answer...but I really did like wearing this.

Blazer: H&M  [similar]

Tee: Tahari via TJ Maxx

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Belt: H&M Mens

Shoes: Crown Vintage [similar]

Watch: Kate Spade [exact]

Bracelet: "J.Crew" via eBay [similar for less than $20]

Nails: Essie Fifth Avenue

Today is the last day for the 5 Day 5 Way link up I put together with my good friend Whitney. It brought such a smile to my face going to all of your blog posts and see you guys commenting, encouraging each other, offering advice, and just connecting in general. I love blogging because of my new found group of friends - you guys honestly bring so much joy into my life with every comment, email, and tweet. I hope this little challenge brought new readers, followers, and friends into your lives. Can we do this again soon? Maybe a end of spring 5 Day 5 Way Challenge? Please say yes.

Now onto the challenge - Casual Friday. Every day of the week is "Casual" for me - I could wear jeans and sweatshirts every single day. I make the effort to look just a little bit more pulled together than that (mostly so I can blog about it, amiright?). Here are 5 of my favorite "casual" looks from the past couple months. Jeans, flats, layers - doesn't get a lot more "work appropriate" casual than that! Go check out everyone else's definition of Casual Friday over on Along the Lines of Style....and thank you again for reading / participating / bringing joy into my life. You are all great :)

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Linking up with Plane Pretty.