beauty tuesday: my holy grail beauty items

foundation | lipgloss | powder | mascara | eyeliner

I love new beauty products as much, if not more, than the next girl, but there is something so reassuring about buying a product again that you know is always going to work on you. There are certain items I enjoy, but am not loyal to - for example, once my bronzer runs out, I'll buy a different one, not because my current one isn't good, but because I want to see if I can't find something even better. Same goes for the three different brow products I'm using - I'm constantly switching between the Brow Wiz, the thicker version from Charlotte Tilberry, and the Anastasia brow powder. They are all good products, but one hasn't stood out amongst the rest.

But..the following five products I have purchased over and over again (some for years), and don't feel like I want to even try something else. They may be the first product I tried of their kind (for example, my liquid eyeliner) or I had to try a lot of different versions before finding the perfect one (my mascara!), but they are items that, for me, I can say are holy grail beauty items.

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue: I have been wearing this for ten months now, and am about to buy my second container. While this is my newest "holy grail", it was such a game changer for me. It's a gel/cream that promises to be the perfect combination of BB, CC, and tinted moisturizer. It really is like a gel mixed with a tinted moisturizer! On more casual days, like when I'm just running errands, I'll wear it by itself to give me that little bit of coverage to even out my skin tone. Most days for work though, I mix it with a more medium-full coverage foundation (currently this version from Laura Mercier, although I'm very interested in trying out the Double Wear foundation from Estee Lauder). It gives me the perfect amount of dewiness that I can't find in a medium coverage foundation, so by mixing it together, I get the best of both worlds. Highly highly recommend this for anyone who has drier skin and needs just a little bit more moisturizing!

BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie: I have owned about five different colors of this same formation over the past few years. I just find that they have the prettiest colors, smell nice, last fairly long for a gloss, and are just beautiful little tubes of lipgloss! Above, my current favorite color is Hot Shot.

Smashbox Halo Hydrating Powder: This is one of those products I've been wearing for years - at least four now! It's hard to really put into words why I love this - basically, it's a setting powder mixed with color that evens out your skin, all without looking cakey or dried up at all. It comes in a container with a built-in shaver, which means you are less likely to spill but also makes the powder light and fluffy to apply. I have repurchased this at least 8 times - one container lasts me around 6-8 months, and I basically refuse to even try a different powder because I love this one so much.

Too Faced Better than Sex: I have raved about this mascara for a while now, and while I have seen it on blogs for years, it was really my mom who made me try it! She was loving it, and then sent me a tube for my birthday two years ago, and I haven't looked back. I have since repurchased it probably at least ten times. I now wear it over Urban Decay's lash primer (see more about that here), and I think that combo makes it look like I have falsies on...even though it's just my own lashes! Did you see that Too Faced is coming out with a waterproof version? I'm curious to see if it's just as great as the original, although I don't really have a need for waterproof mascara most days of the year.

Stila Liquid Eyeliner: This eyeliner has been my 'ride or die' eyeliner for the past 7 (!!!) years. I first purchased it in college, and have not purchased a different eyeliner since. It has a thin, marker-like tip that has a waterproof, smudge proof, quick dry formula in it. It takes me like 20 seconds to do my eyeliner because it's precise, it's an all-in-one product (versus the gel eyeliners where you constantly have to dip a brush in the product), it gets tight in between my lashes (very important for this blondie!), and it stays on all day. I know many people find liquid eyeliner to be intimidating, but I think this eyeliner makes it just so easy (but let me know if you'd like a more in depth video on how to use it!).

top three [03.06.2016]

still haven't tried to wear my chambray blazer with something other than black pants...

medicine

• Oscillopsia is a fun new word I learned this week. It is used to describe the sensation of objects moving around in the visual field when looking in any direction. It can be a side effect of certain antibiotics.
• One of the biggest clues for PCP intoxication is vertical nystagmus (which looks like this). 
• Coloboma is a missing structure of the eye - an abnormality that occurs before birth. Here's an example - it's sometimes called a "cat eye" for obvious reasons!

on the internet

• I'm back to being addicted to watching The Bachelor - I used to watch it loyally with my girlfriends in college, but then kind of lost interest when I moved for school. Now I'm back...and I can't get enough of reading Sharleen's recaps. As a former contestant, she has so many great insights into the show. If you're looking for a funny Bachelor recap, Lincee is my favorite!
• Elyse shares her tips to make info stick when studying - I love hearing what works for others! My way of making it stick is making my own documents of notes, organized in the way I like it (no more than three indentations, simple charts) that has the highest yield/buzzwords in red. I can always see them in my mind when I'm taking an exam!
• French braids are my go-to hairstyle for the hospital....so I'm a bit obsessed with this prettier version. 

spotted

• I saw my friend Morgan this week, and she was wearing the cutest red polka dot blouse that I immediately fell in love with. When I asked her where she got it, she told me it was from Loft, and that I had turned her into a total Loft girl...so of course I had to order it too! #twinsies
• Spring has sprung (...in some places) but we're still in the snowy part of winter, which makes it okay if I buy at least two of these comfy purl knit sweaters, right? 
• With the start of spring fashion comes the end of winter fashion...which means cheaper items for us! Get a classic pair of riding boots, like this pair from Franco Sarto, for a major steal. 

ask me anything

• I'm a freshman in undergrad and am on the pre-med track. I am hoping to attend medical school and want to be an Ob/Gyn too! I was wondering if you had any tips for me going through undergrad? Thank you!
• My biggest piece of advice is to remember that this process is a marathon, not a sprint, so take your time to get to finish line! Spread your science classes out through the next few years, and mix in classes that you will enjoy and make you a more well rounded student and applicant. Find a cause that is worthwhile to you to volunteer for! I volunteered as a wig fitter in college and then with a seniors euchre program after I graduated, and it really opened my eyes to so many different types of people (plus I really enjoyed my time doing it). Take time to explore other options, and if you find your way back to medicine, then go for it! It may not happen the first time, but it's worth trying again. 
• Are you and CR planning on doing couples match for residency?
• We are :) We have been researching and checking out programs for the last few months now, and are very excited to get closer to starting the match process (although in all honesty, I just want it to be a year from now so we know where we will be going!)
• My husband and I just booked a cruise for our vacation this summer (yay!) which means I need to find a bathing suit that I like and feel comfortable in (noooo!). I am about your age, size ,and build (though a little shorter). Any suggestions for stylish one piece/tankini suits or places to shop for them?
• YAY! Pack me in your suitcase, please! I have heard really great things about the one pieces from Modcloth actually. I've had my eye on several - for one pieces, my absolute favorite is this sexy but covered up black version (it's quickly selling out so I'm thisclose to getting it, even though I don't even have a vacation coming up!), although this emerald version is pretty darn cute too. For two pieces, this season is amazing for us because high rise bottoms are in right now! This fern covered one is adorable, and would be perfect for a cruise!

on franish

• on the blog: my four faves and a fail (+ the struggle to say those words!)
• on the instagram: meow!
• on the twitter: swimming pigs > swimming turtles

notable sales

• Ann Taylor: 30% off best-loved items
• I love the color of their trench coat (although I'd probably wait for it to go on sale first!)
• How amazing is this multi-layered pearl necklace? LOVE!
• + 40% off sale items: how have I not seen this marled jacket before?! It's gorgeous, and would be perfect both for work and for more casual situations (think skinny jeans, a white tee, and fun flats!) 
• Loft: 30% off everything (40% if you use your Loft card)
• When you have one you love, stock up on it's siblings! This striped pocket blouse is on its way to me now!
• I alsooooo maybeeee ordered this pointelle sweater (in mauve) just because it looks so darn comfortable. 
• Someone please teach me how to wear this wrap skirt - it's adorable!
• J.Crew: extra 30% off sale
• Their excursion vest in this preppy gingham pattern is the perfect transition piece into spring. Can't you just see it with a fun pair of rain boots? 
• While still a bit pricy, this sheath dress is perfect for work, play, and just about any occasion you need a pretty dress for. My favorite is the green version!
• Do I need another polka dot shirt? Nope. Do I want it anyway? ...maybe ;)

personal

• Hello from Detroit! CR and I are planning on applying to some of the hospitals up here for residency, and since we had a free weekend between rotations, we figured it would be the perfect time to come up and take a look. I've never been to Detroit, so I'm excited to just see a new city!
• I made a couple of updates around here this week! First and foremost, there's been a little bit of a redesign, thanks to Maru! I'm not ready to commit to a whole new website and layout - I really prefer the simple "older" style of blogs where it's all on one page rather than "magazine style", but I love the simpler look Maru created for me. I'm obsessed with my new header! Second, I finally purchased my own domain name. About six months ago, I wanted to change all of my social media names from my own (very unique) name to something related to my blog. Unfortunately, I did not plan ahead four years ago when I first started my blog, so half of the social media names of @franish were taken, so I finally just made everything @franishtheblog. It's not what I really wanted, but I couldn't think of something better. I also did not purchase franish.com four years ago, and now someone is sitting on it for $4500! So...that is all to say, welcome to the same blog, just with an updated face and address! :)
• TIME FOR BABIES! Tomorrow starts my OB rotation and I am so excited. I really did love  my three months on IM - I learned so much about medicine and had such a wonderful experience...but this is the rotation I've been waiting for since September. I'm nervous though! I have a whole wishlist of things I want to learn/improve on this month, and I just am putting more pressure on myself than I have in the past. I can't wait :)

two truths and a lie

one: Growing up, I thought I was going to be a science teacher. I even applied to be in the School of Education in college. 

two: My family order is girl (me), girl, boy, girl. CR's family order is boy (him), boy, girl, boy. Oh, and we're all about the same ages too.

three: I moved to the US when I was five, but spent all of 8th grade in Germany because my parents wanted me to have that German experience too. 

so which two are true and which is a lie? let me know your guesses! and then go check out my recent interview with Flock & Gabble for another round of two truths and a lie, plus a lot of thoughts on blogging!

Blazer: Loft [similar]

Blouse: Anthropologie [similar]

Pants: Paige [exact]

Clutch: Clare V. c/o Shopbop [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch [save | exact]

Watch: c/o Larsson & Jenngings [exact]

Bracelet: gift from my friend Lizzi [similar for under $10]

As you may know, Shopbop's annual spring sale started yesterday. If you've had your eye on some more pricey items, ones that rarely go on sale, now is a wonderful time to snatch them up for less. Some of my favorite items in my closet can be found on Shopbop, from my Ferragamo flats, to the clutch I am holding above, to my Paige denim that beat any other jeans I've ever worn. Personally, I have my eye on a few of their sweaters that are marked down - may as well get a sale on sale! ...or a few things for the house ;) You can find all the details (plus exclusions) here!

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beauty tuesday: february's four favorites and a fail

I'm starting a new little series here I'm calling "four favorites...and a fail". These are new and older items that I've been loving throughout the month. Let me know what you think!

favorites:

Tarte's Tartelette in bloom palette

IT brushes for Ulta (108)

First Aid Facial Radiance Pads

Clinique Pop Lip Color

fail: 

Morphe blush palette

february budget

Banana Republic blouse [seen here]: originally $80, on sale for $35

Blank jeans [seen here]: originally $88, on sale for $60

Nordstrom sweater : originally $90, on sale for $50

February budget: $145

Quarterly budget: $625 ($500 + $125 carried over) - $145 = $480 left 

This is the most non grey, white, or black budget recap month I've had in a long time! Maybe it was Valentine's day or the fact that I felt like I needed to bit more "color" in my wardrobe, but either way, I'm loving the pretty new colors in my closet. Unfortunately, both of the tops are now out of stock - fingers crossed that Halogen brings back that sweater in a bunch of colors because I can't get enough of it. The jeans are still available with most sizes still in stock as well - they are such a comfortable pair of jeans that I highly recommend. 

I've been sticking pretty under budget for the better part of the year, but this is the first time I've actually rolled over the extra amount. We will see if I actually end up using it all, chances are probably not, but I like having the option. I may just stick that money away to save up for a couple of suits for interview season instead - that'll be a whole pain in itself, so if anyone has experience buying suits, please advise! Luckily I have quite some time until I actually need one, but I'd rather save up a little bit since I figure it's going to be a bit pricy! 

I do have my eyes on several items this month. Like I mentioned yesterday, I would really love to try on this blue and white short sleeved dress from J.Crew Factory - I just see it as the perfect summer dress paired with cognac accessories! I've also had my eye on this double v-neck shell - all of the patterns are so freaking cute, although I'm currently leaned towards the green grid version. 

Well that's all for me - your turn! Please link up below and let me know how budgeting went for your this month. Last month we had the most amount of link-ups ever!

top three [02.28.2016]

Mulberry + black pants = never fails

medicine

• Struma ovarii is an ovarian teratoma (a type of tumor) that produces thyroid hormone, which can cause thyrotoxicosis (an excessive amount of thyroid hormone).
• Micrographia is what it sounds like - small writing! It is often seen in patients with Parkinson's disease, and that presentation can actually be used to help make the diagnosis. Interestingly, there isn't one clear cut diagnostic test to diagnose Parkinson's, and it's largely made on clinical presentation. 
• Working in GI this month means that I've learned all about the world of digestion. Probably the most interesting thing I've learned about and discussed with patients is fecal transplants, which is an option for some patients who have incurable diarrheal disease from Clostridium difficile. The first documented case of this was in the 1950s, when four residents donated their feces for fecal enemas in a last ditch effort to help four of their patients with fulminant pseudomembranous colitis. Nowadays, there are whole donation centers that will pay for your "donations" that will eventually be made into capsules that can either be swallowed, or the option that most patients choose, dropped into the small bowel via a scope. 

on the internet

• I love this bright red dress on Jessica - and I love it even more with the matching red shoes (totally stealing that idea!)
• Looking to start a blog, or trying to expand? Carly shares some great tips in this post. An established blogger who isn't sure what you are worth? Check out this post from My Style Vita that shares a bit more about what most bloggers are roughly charging (while I don't have very many sponsorship opportunities, I do find that my prices are similar to what she mentions!)
• Kimberly is giving me major spring fever in this outfit - I need those shoes!

spotted

• CR's brother is getting married this summer, and I feel it's never too early to start planning what we are going to wear (CR is actually going to marry them, so we're all very excited!). I'm thinking something like this pretty blue floral dress with a matching tie for him. 
• You guys, gold mocs are definitely happening this spring - they are just so cute and fun and most importantly, comfortable!
• How freaking cute is this scalloped bag from Cambridge? I just love that blue color!

ask me anything

• I was wondering if you have a laptop and if you ever brought it to school during your 1st and 2nd years? Or did you find that you only needed to bring your iPad to class for note taking? If you did bring your laptop, did you use a backpack to bring it or did it still fit in your tote? 
• I do have a labtop - I used to have a Macbook Pro that I had for almost 6 years before it finally broke a few months ago. In school, it really depended on what classes I had that day for whether I would bring my computer or my iPad. During anatomy, I used to download all of the powerpoints on my iPad, and used Notability to record the lectures and draw on the slides. For most other classes (that were way less visual), I just used my computer. I still used my tote for whenever I was at school. Looking for a tote you won't feel bad weighing down with all your stuff? This one from Charming Charlie is adorable, professional, and under $40!
• Do you have a season you feel most comfortable dressing for? I always feel like I look better in summer styles (brighter pure colors, shorts, and sundresses), but perhaps this is just because of my acquired wardrobe? Still, I feel like sweaters and winter pants just never suit me. Thoughts?
• I'm the complete opposite! I really should live somewhere where it is fall year round, because it's my favorite. I love being a bit more covered up, wearing layers, and wrapping up in scarves. I'm still trying to figure out how to dress in warmer weather because I still haven't quite figured it out!
• I've been a fan of your blog for quite some time and thought you'd be the perfect person to ask about my dilemma since I love your style! My husband and I will be attending a military ball in March at which point I'll be about 14 weeks pregnant with our first baby. I'm looking into rent the runway but I have no idea what shape will be flattering at that time. That will be right around the time we'll start telling people so the dress doesn't necessarily have to hide it but I don't think I'll have a cute little bump that I'll want to show off just yet, more like I just ate too much pizza. Any suggestions? I'm looking for something floor length and formal.
• First of all, congrats on the baby - can I come deliver it? ;) I don't have much experience (read: any) dressing a pregnant body...or going to a military ball, so I don't know how much help I will be, but my biggest suggestion would be to go with something a bit flowy but still flattering. You mentioned Rent the Runway, so I picked out a few options. If you want to go va va voom, this beautiful red criss crossed version should hit you in all the right places.  If you want to go glitzy and glam, this sequined version is a stunner (plus reviews say you can wear it with a regular bra!). If you want to go a bit more classic, this blue version is conservative but has a bit of a unique back. 

on franish

• on the blog: a couple of options for getting my go-to necklace for less
• on the instagram: when your whole house is from ikea...
• on the twitter: this was so worth the retweet

notable sales

• Amazon watch sale
• I have been looking for a white watch for SO LONG and think I found a winner with this Skagen version (that's almost 50% off!).
• I've loved my Michael Kors watch for years, so seeing a brand new watch for almost the price I paid for mine second hand makes me a little jealous!
• If white isn't your style, I've always loved my mesh bracelet watch, and Skagen (again!) has a cute version for under $100. 
• J.Crew Factory: extra 30% off 
• There's an outlet 20 minutes from my hospital, and I may have to drive there this week to see if I can't find this dress to try on because I'm in love with it and need it in my life. I'm only a little bit dramatic sometimes ;)
• I love the unique denim floral pattern on these shoes - professional enough for work but still really fun for your time away. 
• Prepping for a beach vacation? Pack this cute cover up, and please take me with you.
• Old Navy: 30% off your entire order
• Time to get a few new work out items! I live for their cropped pants and would love to try one of these graphic tanks.
• I live in quick and easy dresses like these t-shirt dresses during the summer, so I'm debating ordering a few in different patterns and sizes to see what works best on me. I love that black feather print!
• Pair those dresses with this classic jean jacket, and you are basically set for the summer. 

personal

• One more week of GI, and honestly, I have never had a rotation go by so quickly! I feel like I just started and now it's about to end. This week I really did feel like I was playing mini-resident - I was seeing all the consults by myself, writing notes, getting patient care in order, and just in general getting as much done as I could. It makes me excited to finally actually be helpful rather than feel like I'm always in the way. 
• Yesterday I spent the day going to a wine and painting class, followed by a "how to make appetizers class"...with my attending. Oh my god you guys, it was the more fun time I've had in a long time. So many laughs, so much good advice, and so much inspiration. 
• Thank you so much for all of your casserole and big batch recipe suggestions last week! We made quite a few of them this week, and it was so nice to come home and just pop something into the microwave. Definitely trying a few more out this week. 

statement is great, but delicate is better

For my 18th birthday, my parents gave me a diamond necklace - the diamond is actually from a ring that my grandparents gave my mom for her 18th birthday that she then had reset into a necklace for me. A decade later, I wear that necklace 99% of the time - it just goes with everything. While I love big necklaces too (my favorite is my big multi stranded pearl necklace), I have always been a person who will wear the simpler items more often.

I receive questions about my necklace all the time, and while my exact necklace is obviously not available, the style is! It's called a floating diamond necklace, and can be found at a variety of price points. Below are three very similar styles, from a Target version to a real diamond version.

save | spend (now on sale) | splurge

While I usually wear my necklace by itself, I think it looks so cute layered with other delicate pieces too. Below are a few options, from the mrs. for the recent bride to the starfish for the girl going on a beach vacation (jealous!).

one | two | three

four | five | six