how to not look like an undergrad at the library

Because our own library has too many rules (including no drinking of water or coffee), we spend a ton of our study time at the more relaxed local college where CR's sister goes to school. We sit in a beautiful large open room with natural light and big wood tables where four of us can sit comfortably with about 15 books and electronic devices between us. Many times we have the room to ourselves early on Saturday mornings, and it's really the place I get the most work done.

I'm close to a decade older than some of the undergrads who study there though, and I think at this point I don't think I can get away with pretending I'm 21 anymore (but please, tell me I'm wrong ;) ). As a general rule, I try to look presentable when I go to the library. I've always been a person who has to change out of pajamas and put myself together before I can be productive in the morning, and since studying is kind of my job right now (one that never seems to end), I put on real clothes. I got this open cardigan a few months ago, and it very quickly has become my most worn item in my closet. I wear a variation of this outfit probably 3 days a week and it's the perfect medium between see through leggings and mini skirts and tube tops (both of which I've witnessed at the library...). 

Oh college, I miss you ;)

Sweater: c/o Shopbop [love this zip-up version]

Tee: Everlane [exact]

Pants: Paige c/o Zappos [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

Bracelet: gift from my friend Lizzi [very similar]

Nails: Essie [exact]

Ring: borrowed from Rocksbox [use code franishxoxo for 1 free month]

On a side note, Ann Taylor currently is offering 50% off everything! While I don't shop there often because their clothes are typically a little more pricey, I did order several items with such a steep discount. A few of you 3rd and 4th year medical students have recommended a few sleeveless tops for under the white coat in the summer, so I ordered this pretty linen shell (with a high neckline, which is definitely a necessity). I also couldn't resist ordering this dress to at least try on ...it's just so pretty! The practical side of me ordered these grey ankle pants too, just because I am determined to find a pair I like!

one | two | three | four | five 

top three [04.19.2015]

a striped tee for all season: one | two | three

medicine

• While electroconvulsive therapy ("electroshock therapy") seems like it's something that no longer exists (it's over 80 years old), it's actually still a pretty common tool used in the treatment of depression or mania with over a million people receiving it yearly.  It's actually one of the safest options for severely depressed pregnant women! Great improvements have been made in the past few decades with the use of anesthesia and muscle relaxants to make it a less terrifying experience for the patient.
• Many performers in "freak shows" of the past actually had medical conditions that predisposed them to their talents. An example of this is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which due to a defect in connective tissue, and leads to hyperflexibility and stretchy skin. Here's a short video that shows a couple of examples. 
• The various vasculitis syndromes are some of my favorite pathological diseases. Kawasaki Disease is pretty interesting disease because it happens in young children. Due to an autoimmune reaction, vessels in these children's' bodies become inflamed, with the most serious of these vessels being the coronary arteries. This can lead to fatal coronary artery aneurysms but don't worry, with the right treatment, mortality is less than half a percent. The treatment is also interesting, as it includes aspirin, which is hardly ever given to children. 

on the internet

• 
  
• Helpful hints for buying on eBay - take it from this lady, she has ninja eBay skills!
• Are you guys participating in Sarah's Top 10 Remix? I'm not getting dressed/blogging consistently enough to do it this time around, but I've loved seeing all of your takes on it!

spotted

• I've seen this beautiful midi skirt on several bloggers and just fell in love with it. It's way too expensive and it wouldn't really be something I can wear to work, but a girl can dream, right? (please say right)
• Peplum was something I haven't really gotten in to, but I would love to try on this beautiful lace peplum top. Maybe as a post boards present to myself? 
• I love the color of this sheer lipstick - it just looks like it would the prettiest color for spring...and summer...and really, whenever.
• P.S. Don't forget that the Lilly x Target line came out today! I'm stopping by my Target early just to take a look - I have my eye on the wine stoppers, the blue tassel shorts, and the starfish cuff :) This article on the collaboration was also an interesting read - I love that the brand says that everyone should get to enjoy their aesthetic, which is so refreshing. 

on franish

• on the blog: a review of some hits and misses lately 
• on the instagram: what's your favorite flavor? 
• on the twitter: my fantasies include early morning "fun" reading, an afternoon nap, and a movie on the couch with white cheddar popcorn

notable sales

• Ann Taylor: 40% off select styles
• How beautiful is this dress? Seriously. 
• Loft: 40% off everything (code: SHAREIT)
• Love love LOVE this checkered shirt dress
• Just ordered this shift dress. I love that the straps are thick enough to wear a normal bra, and that it comes in talls so it hopefully won't be too short
• Kate Spade: 25% off everything (code: DEAREST)

personal

• We ordered our couch this week! Thank you for all of your suggestions on instagram - we ended up going with the middle color because it's dark enough to hide any stains and floating pet hairs (although it will firmly be a NO PETS couch) but is still a very neutral color.  Now I get to start imaginary decorating it and the surrounding space! I love the idea of this ink dot pillow with this gold pillow just because it's a little girly but something that CR will still approve of. Now I just need to figure out how to convince him that this gold coral is a necessary part of that vision...
• We're at the part of board studying where the days are starting to run together and I'm just kind of numb to the amount of time we spend studying. On Wednesday we spent 12 hours at the library, and then studied for another 3 after coming home. It sounds nuts, but the hours just kind of fly by.
• Spring is officially here! CR and I went on a three mile run yesterday by the lake, and it was so nice to be outside for a little while. I haven't ran in a while, just ellipticalled all winter, and yesterday made me realize how much I miss running. We are thinking about signing up for a half marathon sometime this summer! 

little red dress

I've been looking for a sleeved red dress for ages (does it feel like I say that about a lot of things? I'm always looking for something...), but apparently they are much harder to find than one would think! A few weeks ago I was perusing Nordstrom's dress section (a weekly habit) looking for a dang dress for that wedding next month, and I spotted this one. The ratings spoke very highly of it, so when I had the opportunity through ShopStyle to try out a dress from Nordstrom, it was the push I needed to order it because what's the worst thing that happens, I use the free return shipping and send it back? 

The reviews say that if you are between sizes, which I am, to size down, so I'm wearing a 10 here. It's a beautiful thick fabric that isn't stiff at all. The lining helps hold the shape of the dress, and I think the cut is so flattering. It's form fitting without being tight. I wore this on a quick dinner out with CR before settling down at the library (after changing into yoga pants...). I loved having a chance to get just a little dressed up by pairing it with my favorite wedges and tassel necklace (I felt very Joan) but I do think it's a bit short on me with heels in more professional settings, so I'll be wearing it with flats at school. It's like the perfect dual occasions dress!

Dress: c/o Tahari dress [exact - comes in a bunch of colors!]

Necklace: Forever 21 [exact]

Wedges: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

Below are a few more "dual occasion" dresses - I adore the polka dot wrap dress!

one | two | three | four

five | six | seven | eight

nine | ten | eleven | twelve

Thank you to ShopStyle for sponsoring this post!

purple rain

If my flattened hair didn't give it away, it just started sprinkling when we started taking these pictures. I kind of forgot that with the beautiful spells of sun and 65 degrees comes random thunderstorms...

On a completely different, non-boring weather, topic is the subject of Rocksbox. If you guys follow on instagram, you've probably seen that I've been wearing various pieces of jewelry from them lately. There are literally hundreds of different subscription boxes out there - make-up, nail polish, clothes, snacks, you know the drill. I've tried a couple of them, like Birchbox and Le Tote, and wasn't the biggest fan. The concept of Le Tote is wonderful, but if you are outside of their standard sizing, the clothes didn't fit all that well - everything was always shorter than I wanted it to me, so it wasn't worth the cost of the box for me.

You know what looks good on everyone? Jewelry. Rocksbox asked me a few months ago if I wanted to try out their jewelry subscription box, and hey, who doesn't like to wear free jewelry? The concept of Rocksbox is for $20 a month, you basically get an unlimited amount of jewelry - well, you really get 3 pieces at a time, but if you don't like it, you can send it back and have a new box at your house in just a few days. Rocksbox gave me a subscription for three months, and I was thinking about if I would spend my own money on it, and you know, I really would. I have a large collection of necklaces I don't really wear. I wear them a few times and then I'm kind of bored with them. There are definitely exceptions - certain items I wear over and over again, but I definitely have more that I don't wear. When I got this Juliet + Co. necklace in a recent box, I was so excited because it's so pretty...but it's also a very "statement" pieces that I know I wouldn't wear as often as the cost would make me feel like I had to. So I wore it with an outfit I loved, and then sent it right back. Best part is that now I have a new box coming my way with a few pieces I think I will really love, and if it turns out I want to wear them again and again, I can buy them from Rocksbox at a discounted price (plus they give you $10 every month that goes toward a purchase, so it's even cheaper). 

Rocksbox isn't paying me to say any of this, but I wanted to share my thoughts on their subscription box. If you'd like to give it a try, you can get a free month with the code "franishxoxo". If you've signed up, or do in the future, I'd love to hear about your opinions on it! 

Blazer: Loft [exact | review here]

Tee: Boden [exact]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

Shoes: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Nails: Essie [exact]

top three [04.12.2015]

I miss wearing jeans 

medicine

• A deletion on chromosome 5 can lead to a syndrome called Cri du chat, which means cry of the cat in french. It's named this because many infants have a cry that sounds like a cat's meow. 
• While most health issues have to do with problems below the skin, we are taught to look for clues that we can see to help us make a diagnosis. Years before imaging and explorative surgery were possible, these clues were all doctors had to base their diagnoses on. Finger clubbing was the first diagnostic clue tied to a disease - it points (haha get it?) to certain pulmonary and cardiac issues.
• Pica is a rare type of eating disorder that leads people to eat various non-nutritive objects, like paper, metal, or sand. There different variations and causes, from iron deficiency to a chemical imbalance. There are all sorts of preferences for different objects - here are a couple of different videos of people of various ages and object preferences.  

on the internet

• Tips on how to turn your blog into a business.
• It's seriously not fair how cute Grace is. 
• Loved this casual look on Maya - I want those sneakers!! ...and to look good in hats 

spotted

• I'm not a huge floral person, but the print on this (oh so flattering) dress is beeauuuuutiful. I could totally do florals this way! Think black cardigan and heels for work, jean jacket and sandals for a night out (ps looking for a jean jacket? I just got this one and love it. It's currently 60% off and there are a few sizes left. If you are between sizes, I would suggest sizing down - mine is a medium and fits nicely)
• Soft. pink. espadrilles (for under $40). You will be mine! 
• Those espadrilles + skinny jeans + this soft white blouse = summer uniform. It looks slightly boxy - I wonder if ordering it in a size down but in a tall will help make it more figure flattering?

on franish

• on the blog: the difference a year makes
• on the instagram: tell me you wouldn't do the same
• on the pinterest: think CR will allow a pink chair in our living room? We are ordering our couch this week though and I'm so nervous/excited!

notable sales

• Banana Republic: up to 40% off certain styles
• Is it bad that the thing I want the most from there is a sweatshirt?
• J.Crew Factory: 40-60% off everything
• My favorite retail dress now is available!
• Loft: extra 60% off sale items
• Helllllllllllo striped pocket blouse! *hearteyes*

personal

• Game of Thrones!!!!!!! We won't start watching this season until we are through with this season's House of Cards, but I'm SO excited it's back. We only finished the previous season a month ago, but I already was going through withdrawals. Remember, no twitter spoilers!! ;)
• I'm very much emoji obsessed, if my snapchat, instagram, and actual stickers didn't give it away. Did you see they came out with new ones? Still no cheese one, so me and Apple are currently not on speaking terms. 
• We are just under six weeks away from our board exam and I'm actually feeling okay. I'm about half way through the question bank (just about everyone studies for step 1 by doing a 2500 question bank) and feel like I have a pretty good grasp on the material...sometimes. It's getting harder and harder to lock myself away for hours at a time now that it's nicer out, but I just keep reminding myself that this is temporary. I know there will be times where I will miss this time of school - making my own schedule, just sitting at a table with my coffee and learning, but I'm also kind of excited for our clinical years to start. 

one year ago today: boden wow pencil skirt

I didn't realize that I wore basically the exact same thing, one year apart, until I put the pictures next to each other. You know what they say - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I'm so excited it's finally warm enough outside to wear skirts again. I don't really wear skirts much in the winter because I hate tights, but we are consistently above 35 degrees now, and that means skirt weather! This one from Boden is one of my favorites, although I don't wear it nearly enough. I love that it's something just a little bit unique in my closet (yellow and green, who am I?...besides someone from Wisconsin) but it also fits in perfectly with the more tame pieces I have.

On a different note, I'm like a whole new level of pale right now. I finally broke down and ordered Tanwise after seeing it recommended on several blogs. Lets hope it gives me just a little color so I don't completely match my nude shoes...

Blouse: Loft [similar on sale]

Skirt: c/o Boden [exact]

Shoes: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Bag: Kate Spade [similar]

Watch: Michael Kors [exact]

Lipstick: Nars [exact]

Nails: Essie [exact]

previous one year ago posts: floral pants, embroidered tee

all you need is a light jacket

If I were a better planner, I would have waited to post these until the perfect date.  But I'm not, so here we are! 

I ordered the J.Crew field jacket a few weeks ago during a particular good sale. I've had my eye on it for the past two years, but never actually bought it. When it went on sale for just over $70, and it the weather outside looked like it would need a jacket for the next month, I finally bought it. I ended up ordering it in tall large and after trying it on, was debating exchanging it for a medium. When I wear a light shirt under it, it is a little too big on me, but I figured that I will want to wear it with sweaters and more layers during the cooler months of the year, so I kept the large. It's come in handy over the last week since we've gone from 60 and sunny to 20 and snowy within 24 hours!

Blouse: J.Crew [exact on sale - I'm wearing a medium]

Jacket: J.Crew [exact]

Jeans: Uniqlo [exact]

Bag: Madewell [exact | black version on sale]

Shoes: Banana Republic [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [love this pink face version]

P.S. J.Crew Factory's jewelry is all on sale for $15 or less. I just picked up this $50+ necklace that I've wanted forever. Sale ends tomorrow!