what's in my bag?

I did a what's in my bag post at the beginning of first year, and since it's been a few years, I thought an updated post would be fun! This is generally what I take with me every day. It changes a little bit based on each rotation, but this is what I pulled out this week! I'm currently using my Mulberry Bayswater purse as it sits next to me all day when I'm in the hospital (ie it's not stuffed into a locker or in a not secure area like on other rotations). 

1. Keys: obviously. My monogrammed keychain is from Baublebar and I'm obsessed with it (it would make a great Christmas present if you still need to find a present for someone - it's currently at least 20% off). I also have all of my keys on my removable keychain that is just the handiest little thing.
2. Phone charger: on rotations with longer hours, or more down time, my battery doesn't always last the whole day, so having a portable charger has been a lifesaver! Mine is from Anker, and I get about 1.25 charges out of one charge. 
3. Snacks! this varies daily - sometimes it's a bar, sometimes it's hardboiled eggs, or turkey sticks
4. Mints: because of #3...and coffee. 
5. ID + #veratheuterus
6. Study material: this is one of those things that changes on a monthly basis. As I'm starting my IM rotations next week, I'm trying to do a little pre-reading so I'm not 100% clueless...just 99% ;)
7. Wallet: I've had the same Kate Spade wallet for about four years now, and I just can't see myself parting from it. It's called the travel wallet - I don't think they make this style anymore, which is sad because mine is starting to be a bit worn. I may or may not have this with me, it depends if I have a secure location to keep my bag. If I don't, then I keep just my debit card + cash in my white coat. 
8. Pouch: The easiest way to move things from one purse to another. Mine is from my Ipsy shipments - those little bags are so handy to have!
9. Hand cream: because frequent hand washing is drying
10. Sheer lipstick: this YSL color in sheer candy adds just a hint of pink without being lipstick
11. Friction block: for when your shoes aren't as broken in as you thought they were
12. Ultra-moisturizing chapstick: I've really been loving the tinted version from Kari Gran
13. Phone (my cover is from Rifle Paper Company - shopbop has some adorable covers available right now too!

ps: what's in my white coat

beauty tuesday: urban decay naked smoky palette

One of the first Sephora purchases I ever made was to buy the original Urban Decay Naked palette. I was still in college, saved for several months, and years later, I still have that palette. I've also purchased the Naked 2 and Basics since then. This is all to say that when Urban Decay offered to send me a few things to try out, it may have been the most exciting day of my blogging career. They sent me their new Smoky eyeshadow palette, and it is beautiful. Below are my thoughts!

What it promises:

Packed with all the essentials needed to create the perfect neutral smoky eye, it offers an array of shades, a double-ended brush, and a detailed lookbook that breaks down four amazing ways to nail any smoky look. The eye shadow pans offer a smoky, transparent base, the magnetic closure on the case prevents shadow from spilling in your bag, and the full-size mirror makes it easy to get a sultry look whenever the urge strikes. 

With a dozen alluring, smoky neutrals, including nine never-before-seen shades and three exclusives from past palettes, these shadows range from warm bronzes and dimensional grays to rich browns, gorgeous taupes, and a deep black. From mattes and satins to shades with sparkle, each shade in this palette features Urban Decay’s Pigment Infusion System™, a proprietary blend of ingredients that gives every shade its velvety texture, rich color, staying power, and blendability. The exclusive double-ended brush, with a tapered crease brush on one end and a smoky smudger brush on the other, makes application easy.

How to use it:

I've been using this exclusively for about two weeks now. For an every day look, I used thirteen (the far right color) on the inside of my eyes (it helps to open up my smaller eyes), combust all over my lid, and then radar in my crease. On days I want to have a bit heavier make-up, I will use radar as the all over lid color, and then use the whiskey for my crease. I also use whiskey on my lower eyelash line, and then use black market to "smudge" out my liquid eyeliner. 

What I like:

First of all, this is a beautiful piece to just own. The palette itself isn't flimsy, the cover is pretty, and the metallic clasp means it stays closed (an issue I have with my Stila palette is that it's made out of cardboard and doesn't stay closed). 

I love that it is less shimmery than previous palettes - I found some of the colors in previous colors were just a bit too sparkly for me. I also really like that the eyeshadow stays put - I have a Lorac palette that I just don't even use because the color sprays all over my face when I apply it. I appreciate that it has a black color in the palette, something I found lacking in the basics palette. 

I also really like the shorter side of the brush - it does a great job of blending out the shadow in the crease and lower lash line. 

What I don't like:

The issue with any palette is that you may just not use some of the colors. This palette has 3 grey/blue colors that as a blue-eyed girl, I just don't see myself using. That means you're paying for a colors you may never really use. 

After trying to use the larger side of the brush, I just felt like it was too long almost - it just didn't give me the control I wanted. I also felt it didn't pick up as much color as some of my other brushes. 

Would I buy this again?

Like I said, I was gifted this product, so I can't really say if I would buy it again. Having used it now for a while though, I can say that I would have purchased this on my own. With a year of traveling ahead, it will be nice to have a palette that stays secure in my makeup bag, and that gives me options to stay more neutral or build up to a darker lid. The other point is that I don't think you will ever really need to replace it - like I said, I've been using my other palettes on and off for five years now, and am no where near the bottom. It's one of those make-up items you'll have for a very long time. 

Thank you to Urban Decay for providing me with this palette. I was not paid for this post - I just wanted to share my experiences. All opinions are always my own :)

the "I have nothing to wear" uniform

There are some outfit posts that I'm really excited to share with you guys, and to be honest, it usually involves a new piece of clothing. Blogging can really make you believe you constantly have to show new! exciting! things! all the time. But my blog revolves around my life (instead of the other way around), so many of my outfits don't always have new things to show. 

Mixing and matching what you have is harder than just wearing a new item, but I think for just about all of us, we mix and match the items in our closet way more than we wear new items. I think that's why sometimes we all stand in front of our closets and say we "have nothing to wear", when in reality, we have a ton of clothes, we're just not excited about wearing any of them. On those days, I personally will default to one of my uniforms. On this day, I defaulted to my pencil skirt + blouse (this Loft version is one of my favorites) + pendant necklace uniform. Is it the most exciting thing you have ever seen on this blog? Probably not, but it is my answer to the whiny statement of "I have nothing to wear!".

Blouse: Loft [same style]

Skirt: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Necklace: Forever 21 [similar for <$20 | more options]

Shoes: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Bag: Mulberry via eBay [save | exact]

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

top three [12.06.2015]

white/winter

medicine

• The word cancer comes from the greek word 'karkinos' because when looked at a tumor grossly, it looks like the body of a crab with legs that reach into the body.
• In two years time, cancer will kill more people than all the people who died in wars the US was a part of, combined.
• You can actually die of a broken heart - it's called Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. It presents similarly to a myocardial infarction, but when they go into "clear the block", there isn't one. Here's a quick 3 minute video that talks about it a bit more. 

on the internet

• After seeing Jean's pictures from her trip to San Francisco, I'm convinced that it's the next place on my vacation list (coming in January, 2017.....)
• Jessica's weekend guide is one of the only posts I will always always read, every single week. I loved this week's version!
• How cute is Lexi's recent outfit? I always think she looks like she was meant to be a Disney princess!

spotted

• I've wanted a knit moto jacket every since I saw Bri's, so Halogen's newest version is definitely on my wish list. The heather grey is so beautiful!
• If only I lived in a part of the country that didn't have real winters! I would 100% own this open front coat - how pretty is that pattern?!
• My almost all black bottoms part of my wardrobe makes it easy and quick to get ready most mornings, but I'm also a bit (a lot) bored with it. A reader asked recently how to wear a camel skirt, and after thinking of at least three ideas on the top of my head with items in my own closet, I convinced myself that it would be the perfect addition to my own work closet. Now I'm just waiting for J.Crew to have a good sale so I can pick up the skirt for myself! 

ask me anything

• How many shoes do you own?
• I own 4 pairs of boots (Hunters, a black pair, a tan pair, and a snow boots pair), 8 pairs of flats, 4 pairs of heels/wedges, and 5 pairs of sandals. Plus a few pairs of tennis shoes/clogs for working out and when I wear scrubs (my favorites are Birks!). I could probably cut out a few of those flats and sandals though, as I really only wear like three pairs of flats, and two of the sandals.
• I believe you mentioned that you attend a school of osteopathic medicine. What made you choose DO versus the traditional MD path?
• It kinda chose me! I was a fairly average applicant when it came to applying to medical school, so I wanted to keep my options open by applying to both allopathic and osteopathic med schools. I got into my school, and here I am!
• One thing I am nosy about is what's in your bag! I love those tumblrs where people take a snapshot of the contents of their bag. Although sometimes it's totally posed/fake, I still enjoy it!
• This is oddly one of my most asked questions! My post about that will be up later this week :)

on franish

• on the blog: holiday present gift guide for medical students
• on the instagram: wearing this #ootd for the rest of the winter (the top is from Loft, and sizes keep popping back every few hours it seems, so keep an eye on it if you are interested!)
• on the twitter: wasn't I just starting first year? I can't believe we start figuring out our residency applications in 6 months. EEK!

notable sales

• Anthropologie: 30% off sale items
• If I were able to wear jeans during the week, I would definitely buy these Citizens of Humanity flares - not only are they super flattering (and on trend), but they are now more than half the original price!
• Wear the above flares with a white tee and this beautiful pointelle cardigan - I love the pretty light red!
• Pointed suede red heels - if that doesn't scream Christmas, I don't know what does!
• Loft: 50% off festive favorites
• This cute cotton tunic would look cute with either an oversized scarf, or with your favorite cardigan, tucked into a skirt, or worn with leggings!
• The classic striped tee, for under $20. 
• 60% off sale items: if you add a pretty belt (like this <$25 one) to their soft swing dress, you'll be set for just about any dressy occasion that comes up. Wear it without a belt and with a cardigan, and you're set for work. 
• Madewell: 30% off sale items
• Your somewhat hipstery friend will love this buffalo plaid scarf.
• If I wore booties, I would be so tempted by their aimee pair - they just look so comfy for having a heel.  
• Majorly crushing on this gorgeous lace dress - it has sleeves (!) and comes in two pretty colors!
• Bonus: Shopbop sales
• I loved Krista's jacket in this post, and now you can get a very similar jacket (on sale, still expensive, but so pretty).
• Tory Burch's mini foldover bag is so dang cute, and is the perfect cherry red color. 
• Michael Kor's black to the knee boots are as classic as it's going to get. 

personal

• We spent Friday night watching some "childhood classics". Do you guys remember Wish Upon A Star? It was like my absolute favorite movie when I was in middle school. Then we watched Look Who's Talking, which was my youngest sister's "movie" (you know, the one she watched every single day for an entire summer). It was the perfect evening. 
• A few weeks ago, I surprised CR with some tickets to see his favorite football team, the Buffalo Bills. The game is today, and I couldn't be more excited! I have only been to a few Packer games when I was in the UW Marching band, so I'm excited to experience it as just a fan. And I'm super excited to see how excited he is :)
• One more week of pathology, and then IM starts. For those of you who have gone through it, any advice? 

gift guide: for a 3rd or 4th year medical student

1. the most convenient pocket organizer: CR got me one of these, and I'm obsessed with it. It's the perfect way to always having something to write on, it keeps all of your papers in one place, and if you order it directly from the website, you can have it engraved! I'm getting a certain newly minted doctor one for Christmas.
2. a cellphone/wallet combo: on most rotations, we keep our jackets/purses in a locker room or assigned space, and may not be able to go grab our wallets when we are told to go eat. A phone case that has a slot for cards is the perfect solution. The secret compartment on this version is pretty fun too!
3. a vehicle for caffeine, with a bit of sass: a bit of motivation for those shelf exam study sessions
4. a tape measurer for a future OB: each of the OB's I was with had their own tape measurer. If you know someone who is going into OB, this would be a really cute present for them. Plus...monogram!
5. badge reels with a sense of humor: I'm obsessed with these - I ordered one for myself, my OB attending, and as a present for a friend. They come in a bunch of different categories. And if the student you know prefers to be a bit more professional (I plan on only wearing mine when I'm actually on my OB rotation with attendings I already know), a badge reel from their undergrad or medical school is always appropriate (and a good conversation starter!).
6. a portable charger for those long shifts: as students, we spend a lot of time using our electronics, but don't always have the battery life we need on those 12-24 hour days. CR gave me a similar one for Christmas last year, and I use it at least three times a week. 
7. a little surgeon USB: my friend Kira got me one of these, and I'm obsessed. It's so cute, and would make a great stocking stuffer. 
8. a print for her gallery wall: for the girl who likes a bit of nerdy mixed in her gallery wall 

other ideas:
starbucks giftcard: lots of long days require lots of coffee
gas giftcard: with interviews and electives, that mileage adds up
pandora one: because we still have to study, and ads are annoying
a massage gift card: holding retractors for 6 hours tenses you up!
amazon gift card or amazon prime: we will always need study materials (and pens!)

p.s. gift guide for 1st or 2nd year medical students

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!

beauty tuesday: tata harper resurfacing mask review

Several months ago, I started using a retin-A cream after my dermatologist recommended it for me. I'm very happy with some of the results so far, but an unfortunate side effect is that it causes the skin to become flaky for a certain (undetermined) amount of time. My skin is already on the dry side, so it's been a constant struggle for me to keep the flakes and dryness under control. I've tried a ton of different products to help, and with the many glowing reviews online about the Tata Harper resurfacing mask, I was hoping it was going to be the product that helped me keep my dry flaky patches under control. The thing I always have to remind myself is that with skin care, what may be one person's holy grail item will just not work for someone with different skin. 

What it promises:

This powerful Resurfacing Mask works like a traditional peel to provide an instant solution for dull skin—without causing downtime or irritation. Formulated to deeply purify and help decongest surface debris and dead skin for a refreshed, revitalized appearance, it minimizes the appearance of pores for smooth, glowing skin. 

How to use it:

On a clean face, you are supposed to spread a "thick" layer and allow it to dry for about 30 minutes.  I used it this way three times in about one week.

What it did for me:

before | after | with make-up  (click for the gross close-up)

I think that overall, it probably did make my face just a bit smoother. But the reason I was using it, for those dry patches you can see above, it did nothing. Not that I was hoping for a miracle (okay, just a tiny miracle), but when I put my make-up on that day, I would say I was even flakier than I was the day before (you can see how the make-up sticks to those patches)! For someone who doesn't have these annoying flaky patches, this mask would be great to rejuvenate your skin - so many people on sephora have had great results! It just didn't do it for me what I need a mask to do right now. That's the annoying thing about skincare - what is amazing for one person will do absolutely nothing for the next. 

Would I buy this again?

At this point, I have already returned the mask. If it was cheaper, I could see myself keeping the mask around for when I got past this stage of flaking because I think it did brighten my skin a bit, but $50+ is way too much money for something I'm not using right now. The only product I've found so far that has actually helped me stay completely flake free is the Glam Glow mask, so after two years of asking for samples every time I went to Sephora, I finally broke down and bought the full sized jar (in their holiday set though, which is the same prize as the regular jar, but also includes a cleanser, a smaller sample of their youthmud mask, and a brush - all in all, a $130 worth of product for $70).