beauty tuesday: ask me anything

I've never worn makeup before but as I get older (and more tired) I'm tempted to start. Do you have any tips on how to get started? I like to be low-maintenance and eco-friendly, so I'm not sure if it's possible within those parameters? 

My biggest piece of advice would be to figure out what is the biggest concern you have, and what would make the biggest difference on you, and start from there. For example, on me as a blondie with light eyelashes and eyebrows, using mascara and filling in my eyebrows makes a huge difference. If you don't usually wear any makeup, I'd advise starting with the big hitters - eyes, cheeks, and lips. Physician's Formula makes a 100% natural mascara that is highly rated. Tarte is known for leaning more on the eco-friendly side, and I've had my eye on their cheek tints - they look like an easy way to add a bit of color to your cheeks! For lips, Burt's Bees is a great place to look, since they have both lipbalms and lipsticks (I've heard great things about these!).

I was wondering about your experience with tretinoin. Have you experienced positive results? 

I actually wrote a whole post about this a few months ago. I'm very pleased with my results!

I just wanted to know if you have tried any Josie Maran skin products, like her Argon Oil. My daughter swears by them and just wanted to suggest that for your dry skin problems.

I have, and I've really enjoyed them, although I didn't find the right place in my routine for them. In the AM, I found that they made my skin just a little too greasy, and I found my make-up sliding off my face. In the PM, I really look for products that can help improve my skin, and although her oil made my skin less dry, I didn't really notice a transformation in my skin from using her Argon Oil. I have used her Argan Milk treatment though, and it has worked wonders on those dry patches!

What do you think about powder sunscreens? Think Peter Thomas Roth instant mineral SPF45 or mineral fusion SPF30 from Ulta? Summer is approaching and there is nothing worse than having to reapply sunscreen over your makeup.

For this question, I consulted my friend Joyce, who is a dermatology resident at NYU. Her advice (and the FDA's) is that a powder sunscreen should not replace a standard sunscreen, you should still be using a sunscreen under your make-up every day.

My personal advice? If it's between not reapplying any sunscreen, or using a powder form of SPF (not a face powder that has SPF) throughout the day after using sunscreen earlier in the day, obviously a little protection is better than none. But if you are spending all day in the sun, slap on the sunscreen, and keep a little powder in your purse to fix your makeup afterwards. 

You always manage to have such impeccable makeup! I'm pretty bare-bones with my routine, but I find my makeup always seems to fade and smudge quickly. You and I also have pretty different skin types, but I was wondering - what would you consider the BASICS for a make-up routine to get a lasting flawless look (or as close as possible)?

This is such a great question, and one I plan on going into more detail in a future post (it's just taking me a while to put it together!). The biggest thing to get your makeup to look flawless is good skincare - which, trust me, is easier said than done. So for me, getting my dry flaky skin to not be so flaky has made a huge difference in how my makeup applies and looks. Secondly, a good primer has made such a difference in terms of my makeup going on smoothly and staying put. There are a whole range of formulas and prices - I typically use the Laura Mercier hydrating primer, which is perfect for an additional layer of hydration. If you are new to primers, I'd suggest going to Sephora and just talking to a sales associate about your skin concerns, and they'll have plenty of suggestions for you!

I've also had dry flaky skin like you, and haven't figured out a way to fix it. Any advice? 

I have been very experimental these past nine months, trying to find the best way to deal with my dry flaky skin. For the flakes themselves, the products that have made the most difference is the Glam Glow mask once a week and using a konjac sponge several times a week. For moisturizing, the First Aid Rehydrating Serum has made the biggest difference for me. I really notice how dry my skin is on mornings I forget to use it!

I am new to makeup and want something to even out my skin tone and at the same time to have a dewy fresh finish. What one or two products do you recommend I start with? Currently I am a lazy makeup person with just mascara and lipgloss.

I think the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue would be a great place to start to get a bit more coverage while keeping that fresh look that you want! I'm a huge fan of it, and find that when used alone, it gives you a bit more coverage, and when mixed with a thicker foundation, it gives you the dewiness you want.

You mentioned in a makeup favorites video that you've been watching more beauty you-tubers. Could you let us know who you're enjoying? I'm looking for some new inspiration!

I'm still new to watching YouTube beauty videos, and so I really only follow a few, especially because it takes so much more time to watch a video rather than skimming a blog post. The ones I watch are Vivianna Does Makeup, Makeup TIA, Jaclyn Hill, and Kristina.

I've been coloring my hair for a long while now, but I'm bored of my basic shampoo/conditioner set - Loreal Everpure. Do you have any advice for hair are that's non-pricey? 

I actually don't have any real recommendations, because I also use the L'oreal Everpure system! I haven't found a brand or type of shampoo/conditioner system I really really love, or that has made a difference on my hair, so if any of you feel strongly about something, please let me know because I'm more than willing to try!

I know you've mentioned having dry skin, but you also mention getting pimples, so you must have some oily areas as well. Can you recommend a good mattifier that I could wear under make-up? I find that especially as the weather heats up, my liquid make-up melts because of the oil underneath. I've been looking at Paula's Choice, but was wondering if you had any suggestions.

For me, my acne is probably more due to face touching rather than having truly oily skin - all my acne is right where I rest my face on my hands, especially when I study, so I think it has more to do with that rather than having truly oily skin. Since I personally don't have experience with needing a mattifier, I would suggest going into a Sephora or Ulta and asking the staff there for their recommendations for a mattifying primer, as they have a lot more experience! Or, if any of you guys have suggestions, I'm sure she would appreciate any input you have!

What is on your list for the Sephora sale next week? 

I'm so excited for this sale! The sale Halley is referring to is the Sephora VIB sale starting this Friday, where VIB members get 15% off their orders. The items I'm considering are:

• Becca's pressed highlighter: I looooove her liquid highlighter, but I don't always have the time or patience to use it in the morning. The powder form would be a pretty, and more efficient, option.
• Kevyn Aucoin's sculpting powder: a favorite of the beauty blogger crowd, I've really wanted to try this for a while now! Have any of you had any experience with it? 
• Peter Thomas Roth Mask set: another item I've wanted to try for quite some time but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I've heard great reviews on that pumpkin enzyme mask!
• Ouai Texturizing spray: I just ran out of my Amika texturizing spray, and I'm ready to just try something new. Plus how pretty is the bottle? 
• Tarte Butter Lipstick: I'm trying to be more adventurous with my lipsticks, so the reddish pink color is definitely in my basket! 

ps. I'm sure you've seen that Shopbop is having their Friends & Family sale right now, which I think is truly their best sale of the year because it's 25% off everything, not a "spend this much to get this much off". I personally just ordered these slightly distressed jeans, as well as this fairly inexpensive clutch from Baggu. Tomorrow I'll include my picks at all price points!

AMA: medicine

Have you always wanted to be a doctor?

Nope. In high school, I really loved my English classes, but was always pretty interested in science as well. When I got to college, a huge university after leaving my tiny high school, taking a science class really intimidated me. So I spent my time taking a bunch of really interesting classes, but didn't really have a direction. During my sophomore year, my parents asked me if I could be anything, what would I be? And I said doctor...and here I am.

How do you study for hours and hours on end?! Maybe it's just me, but I HATE studying and I honestly can't imagine how you do it! I think it's because you're so dedicated and you like what you do?

"how much do you make from blogging" and other questions

Blouse: Banana Republic [similar short sleeved version]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Necklace: J.Crew Factory [similar for < $10!]

Purse: Tory Burch c/o Shopbop [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

How much do you really bring in via affiliate links every month?

I don't feel comfortable saying the exact amount, but lets just say that if I wasn't in school, I could make blogging be my full time job in the sense that it could pay the bills (but not much else). But, I am in school and I have loans because blogging income is not consistent, so the money I do make now has been used to pay off credit card debt (all gone now!), pay for Invisalign, and now is being saved up for a down payment for a house in two years. I always say that the money I make from blogging is a blessing and not a necessity, and I think that helps keep me in check a lot of the time when it comes to being too pushy with links.

I'm just starting out... and trying to work up the courage to take my outfit pics and post them online. What gave you the courage to start posting your own pics and do you have someone that takes your pictures or do you do it yourself?

ask me anything: personal life

Today I'm going to answer a few more of the questions you guys had during my survey in April. You can find previous ask me anything posts here! These questions are all more about my personal life. Anything not answered below? Let me know in the comments!

How do you deal with your online presence? How do you balance your professional aspirations with having a significant online history? I consider you a tactful and professional blogger but just from a privacy standpoint, I know that as an engineer I wouldn't necessarily want my identity/personal preferences over several years readily available to colleagues/potential clients/employers. How do you feel about writing as a to-be-doctor and your patients being able to see your posts? Does this ever influence what you write?

style q&a

I wanted to answer a few more questions you guys had during my survey in April. These are more style and clothing related - fitting for a post that includes one of more favorite outfits this month :)

How has your style evolved since you started blogging? What is the biggest lesson you've learned?

I think I've figured out what shapes look best on me - that probably comes with looking at hundreds pictures of yourself in various outfits! I also have really worked on having a more cohesive wardrobe - when I first started blogging, I felt that one outfit was completely different than the next. I feel my outfits now all go together.

The biggest lesson I've learned is to try new things or trends, but only if you really like them. There's nothing wrong with being trendy as long as you stay true to yourself. For example - pearls have been pretty trendy for the last year now. I love pearls, so this is a trend I'm all about. But a few years ago when neon was all the rage, I tried it because I felt I had to, and never wore that shirt again. Lesson learned.

What trend or style would you love to try, but you aren't convinced you could pull it off?

I really wish I could do the more boxy looks - I love so many things that Madewell comes out with that I know would never work on me. For example, I fell in love with this embroidered top online, but in real life I saw how boxy it was and didn't even bother trying it on. Part of that comes with knowing my body type and having tried on lots of different things over the years!

How do you resist the urge to buy something if it doesn't fit you 100% the way you want it to?

I've donated and sold enough clothes for less than I paid for them to really think about only keeping something if I really love it. I also know how annoying it is to want something to work out a certain way, and then have it never look the way you want it to when you try to put an outfit together. I'd rather just hold out until I find the exact thing I want, even if that means looking for the perfect gray cardigan for the better part of the last year.

Do you dry clean all of your clothes? I find that I'm lazy and wash them instead - do you notice that it makes a difference to dry clean most items?

I dry clean very little - but I also try to buy very few things that are dry clean only. If I do buy something dry clean only, I have to really love it enough to eventual force myself to drive to the dry cleaners to get it cleaned. What I feel has helped though is having a steamer - I have this one that was about $30 on Amazon, and it really helps with keeping clothes fresher and wrinkle-free!

Totally understand if you don't want to share, but I'm always looking for bra/underwear recommendations. But again, you're a professional and may not want that floating around the interwebs forever.

While you guys will never see me in my underwear, wearing the proper undergarments can really make or break an outfit. My favorite bra is this demi bra from Victoria's Secret. It is definitely not a push-up, but it provides me with the support I need, plus I find it very comfortable. For underwear, I really prefer a more covered style (so old and boring!) but I also hate VPLs, so I really love the bare/seamless pairs at VS.

Any recommendations for a college undergrad to revamp their wardrobe?

Find a pair of pants you really love on yourself - for me, it's black skinny jeans. They can be dressed up or down so easily, so they are super versatile. Having even one pair of pants (or skirt or whatever) that you know always looks good pulls together any outfit.

Second, look into thrifting! With a limited budget, but more time, going to thrift store is an amazing way to add some pieces to your closet you may not have been able to otherwise. I always went to the one in the nicest part of town, and I found such great deals.

What are your criteria for choosing "staples"? How do you assess whether a clothing item will be versatile? -- color? cut? length? ability to accessorize?

Staples for me are things I can wear either several different ways, or in several different places. Since I've been working on having a more cohesive wardrobe, the colors I'm now drawn to all go together - that makes pieces themselves more versatile because they will also probably go with several other things in my closet. 

I also have a few types of outfits, so if I can add another one of those items to my closet, I already know it will be a staple. For me currently that's slightly longer silkier "tees", like the one I'm wearing in this post. I have a few variations of this style in different colors and sleeve lengths, and they work so well in both my professional life (like how I wore it here for my family medicine rotation) or how I wore it three days later to go shopping (with skinny jeans and a cross body bag).

I want to know about lounging and gym clothes. I think you mentioned that you don't normally wear anything fancy, but I would love to hear how those lulu crops you got awhile back worked out.

I love my lulu crops and still wear them all the time, both lounging around the house and when I go to Pure Barre. I also have a pair of leggings from Old Navy that have held up very well although I find them just a bit thinner than my lulu crops, as well as a few of their work out tops. I am looking for something that provides just a bit more support up top, so if anyone has any suggestions (from all price ranges), I'd love to hear them! For lounging at home, we don't have AC, so most times I'll be in just shorts and an Everlane tee.

What are your top 3 investment recommendations for post graduation, clothing and accessory wise?

Since our lives, careers, and preferences are so different, it's hard for me to say "everyone needs to have these three things", but you can't go wrong with a pair of professional pants, a nice work bag, and a watch you love to wear. For me, those have been my straight black pants, my newest tote bag, and my DW watch.

What's your dream purse/bag?

I've been saving up for a classic Chanel flap bag for two years now, and plan on buying it for myself for graduation in two years. My other current dream bag though is the Chloe Marcie bag. Maybe some day :)

How far in advance do you tend to pick out your outfits? a week before, the night before, five minutes before?

Honestly, usually the morning of. Sometimes I know I want to wear a certain item, so I'll build around that, but I don't spend a lot of time putting anything together. For someone who likes to plan everything else, what I'm wearing that day usually isn't planned ;)

What are the key staple pieces you have in your closet that you think every girl should have?

A pair of pants you love to wear. A coat for each season you experience. A dress to wear to a wedding, and one to wear to a funeral. A pair of shoes you can comfortable walk long distances in, and a pair you can't ;)

What pieces are totally worth the extra splurge?

Completer pieces - coats, bags, and shoes. Real leather will always last longer, and gets better with age (my absolute favorite is my Coach cross body that I got second hand that always looks great).

What are the 3 best fashion tips/advice you've learned since starting your blog?

Understand what looks best on your body type, have a "uniform" that you know will always look good on, and wear what you love, not what everyone else is currently wearing.

What is the one piece in your closet that you find the most valuable to you? In terms of versatility... the thing you grab for or appreciate the most.

Honestly, it's the thing you hardly see - my tank tops! I wear these tank tops from Express under just about everything (except dresses). I feel they just hold everything in - less jiggle every where around.

On the outside? I would say it's my simple black shirt dress. It's currently a size or two too large on me, but I just love how easy it is to throw on and go. I used to wear it to every single exam I had!

How many clothes do you have?

Here's my closet inventory from last year - I plan on writing a new post within the next week or so!

I am the same size as you, a 10/12, but only 5'4" .... do you have any tips on dressing slimmer that you might have picked up from the internet, friends, or your own thoughts on the subject.

Like I mentioned above, I wear these tank tops under everything because I do feel it makes me look slightly slimmer and more streamlined. They aren't shapewear, so they aren't super tight or anything, but they do work wonders.

Other things I've learned just from seeing clothes on myself, and figuring out why I like or don't like something. So I don't like my upper arms, so I've figured out that cap sleeves just emphasize that meatier part of my arm, so I don't buy them anymore. Because I have a bit of a chest, rounded necklaces don't like as good on me either, so I prefer either a v-neck or a straight across top.

What's in your everyday purse? I'm just curious what sort of stuff you have to have handy.

Another post coming up soon!

What size do you wear?

I'm between a 10 and a 12, more 10 than 12 currently. I wear a size 31 in pants and mostly buy large tops

You don't post your outfits every day. so what do you wear on those days when we don't see your outfits?

Now that I have a bit more free time, I've been really working on photographing my outfits every day! But on days that aren't photographed, I'm usually wearing jeans and a striped top (because I'm addicted and I know it).

How do you stay motivated to do hair and makeup everyday?

I'm a blondie, so I look quite different without make up on just because I have very light eyelashes and eyebrows. I know that I don't feel confident when I'm not wearing make-up, and only my boyfriend, closest friends, and family have seen me without any make up on. Putting 20 minutes a day into looking my best is worth it to me. Some days I just put more effort in than others ;)

What do you find most frustrating about clothes shopping?

The inconsistency between what the pictures show and what the clothes actually look like. That's why I do my review posts, and also often leave reviews of the items with pictures so others can see how the items actually look, rather than pinned back and edited.

Why don't you wear more color? ;)

Because I just don't like to :) Nah, I do like certain colors, but I also love the looks of more neutral outfits.

Top: Ann Taylor [similar in black]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch [save | exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]

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

On a side note, Ann Taylor is currently offering 50% off your entire purchase. Here are a few of my picks - I'm thisclose to buying the embroidered top. Isn't it the prettiest? 

one | two | three

four | five | six

may budget + budget FAQ

Loft blouse: originally $44, on sale for $31
Birkenstocks: originally $100, with credit: $0
Anthropologie top: $88

May total: $119  ($381 left for June and July)


So not a ton of shopping this month, which is not surprising. My favorite purchase of the month is this top from Anthropologie. It's so pretty! The sleeves are a bit looser than I had hoped, but I actually did a little DIY fix that made it exactly what I wanted - I'll share more next week! The Birks were purchased using a Modcloth credit I've had for yeeeeeaaarrrs. While slightly bulky and hideous, they are very comfortable and will be perfect for a few of the concerts we are going to this summer!

No real big plans for June except to find a pair of comfortable black ballet flats - my first rotation is family medicine, so I'll be in dress clothes all month. While I love my TB Revas, they aren't broken in enough yet to wear for full days at work. I'm thinking something like these from Naturalizer, but I would love to hear any of your suggestions for comfortable and supportive black flats!

This month I received the following from my sponsors - a pretty black dress from Nordstrom for the wedding I went to last weekend, the perfect pair of white jeans (seen here), a striped dress that will double as a swim cover up that's currently on sale (seen here), and a beautiful floral skirt from Kohl's (seen here). Thank you for supporting those who support me :)

I had a bunch of budget questions during my recent survey, so I figured this would be a good time to answer some of them!

ask me anything: fashion + style

This is the last installment of this round of Ask Me Anything. You can find previous answers to various other questions (med school, budgets, boyfriends) here. Have any questions you'd like to ask but hasn't been answered? Let me know in the comments!

If you could only shop at one store what would it be?

ask me anything: life + blogging

This edition of Ask Me Anything covers life and blogging. I got a bit gabby, so if you don't want to listen to all 30 minutes, the questions and times are listed below. My dad even makes a surprise appearance!

0:35: What's the deal with your relationship? How'd you meet, how long have you been together, tell us the good stuff! He's really cute.

1:40: I know you have a new man in your life, but do you ever miss past relationships?

2:17: What's the best thing another blogger has taught you? And/or what one thing from medical school makes you a better blogger?

4:12: You're stranded somewhere remote, all on your own. What's the one piece of clothing/book/food you couldn't live without?

4:35: You always have great hair. How do you convince yourself to get out of bed early to do your hair and makeup? I have good intentions, but usually show up for work with meh hair and maybe some mascara slapped on.

6:24: I love that you manage time between med school and blogging AND living a good life ... My question is that how do u make time or more importantly how do u manage time with everything? Schedules, to do lists?

7:09: Which other style blogs do you most relate to?

7:50: What has been your best blogging resource to help grow your blog to the big 2-mil?

8:42: How do you create that balance between talking fashion and yet sharing a bit about your life? How do you decide what is worth sharing? I never know what to say in my posts because I don't do anything all that interesting!

10:27: I noticed on your IG that you have been hash tagging "cheat days." is this a diet/health plan?
      (post about my experiences with the 4 hour body here)

12:08: What does it really take to start a blog? I just can't seem to find my niche and am totally discouraged because I have no followers, and not into asking friends to follow because I don't think they'll "get it". I am shy about letting people who know me read my stuff, but I want to be part of the blogger community. Any suggestions?

14:05: I first found your blog through GOMI (in the SOMI forum!) and you quickly became one of my favourite reads. I know you participate over there and you seem to have a really great attitude towards blogging. I wondered if you ever get any tension from other bloggers over your open participation in and liking for GOMI given all the 'fat, jealous, haters', narrative about GOMI we see on some other blogs?

17:00: I am a German girl living in Boston, and love your blog and your style! Please tell us more about your family life, how you all stay in touch, trips to Germany, and so forth. Are there any quirky family traditions you guys do, anything funny/weird?

19:07: How do you deal with negative blog or social media comments?

20:30: What's the best place you have ever been to?

21:00: Does your friend Lizzi actually pull off wearing lululemon Wunder Under crops as pants? I'm skeptical...

21:14: What are your favorite self-care practices for when you are really stressed out? You are in medical school, after all.

22:22: What does your family think of your blog?

23:19: Where does most of your fashion inspiration come from?

23:50: How much time do you spend you reading other blogs? How much time do you spend on your own blog?

25:11: What's your favorite kind of beer?

25:37: I've always been the type of person who has hated her body and has been on a diet since she was 5. You seem to really love and embrace your body. Have you always been like that or is that something you have had to work towards?

26:53: Do you want kids in the future?

27:04: How many siblings do you have and how old are they?

27:35: What are your favorite tv shows?

28:08: How did you initially grow a following on your blog? Tips/methods to share?


P.S. My shirt is from Loft (currently 40% off), my watch is c/o Daniel Wellington (use code holiday_franish for 15% off!), my nails are Essie, and my earrings are from eBay.