top three [05.01.2016]

what's in my bag, through the years

medicine

• Ventricles are spaces in the brain that holds the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Abnormal CSF accumulations in ventricles can cause a ton of issues. Sunset sign is a physical exam finding that is used to describe a tonic downward deviation of both eyes caused by pressure from enlarged third ventricles on the upward gaze center. Here's a short example video where you can see how the pupils look like a setting sun. 
• Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection, or more easily known as PANDAS, is a rare phenomenon where pediatric patients develop obsessive-compulsive symptoms or tics after a strep infection. 
• Borborygmi: the medical term for a rumbling tummy 

on the internet

• If I could just dress and look like Adina every day, that would be great. She always look fabulous. 
• I love Amanda's Ikea hack - definitely bookmarking this for next year! (I basically just want to fly Amanda out and have her decorate my whole future home)
• Lindsay shares her amazing thrift haul, and her own tips for finding the best items - this makes me want to get back into thrifting so bad! Now I just need to find a place around here to try out...

spotted

• The Lush shirt I purchased this month now comes in a dress version! It looks a bit short on the models, but it comes in so many pretty colors that I'm tempted to at least try it. My favorite color is definitely that dusky lavender color - so pretty, and so different from anything in my closet.
• Also something a little different for me, but something I love the idea of, is this plaid top from Anthro - wouldn't it look great with some white jeans and cognac sandals? I just think it looks so comfy. 
• I just noticed that Cole Haan has a pair of rose gold flats (with bows!) - how cute are those?!

ask me anything

• How do you take notes during third year? How do you organize all the notes of medical school to have them handy when you need them? Do you use any app for that?
• I have a running word document on Google Drive that I keep all of my notes from third year on - they are 90% notes I take from UWorld and various other learning resources, but it's also where I take notes during lectures. I like this method just because I can pull them up on any device, I can always rearrange them, and they will never get lost! 
• When you started medical school you talked about the dress code. Now that you are further along in the process of becoming a doctor, do you think the dress code for students is a good idea?
• Ohh, this is such an interesting question! So all in all, I actually think a dress code during the first two years was a really great way to get us to be prepared for when we are out on clinicals. My closet is now a lot more cohesive and has a lot more professional clothing in it that I actually wear (rather than what I thought I would wear), so I haven't really had to think about clothes much this year since I already figured out what I like to wear. I think for students who maybe have never had to dress professionally before or don't care about clothes, having a bit of time to figure it out is not a bad idea. On the other hand, it was annoying sometimes - sometimes all you want to do is wear skinny jeans and a sweatshirt for 8 hours of learning! I would have loved to have a happy medium - maybe like casual Fridays or something. 
• I'm heading to Germany and Italy this summer with my boyfriend! Any input on what to wear so I don't completely stick out like an American? I've read that shorts are passe in Europe...is this true? I'm 28 and tend towards a casual-but-put-together style.
• First of all, I am so jealous of your trip - what an amazing time you guys will have! Where in Germany are you going? Anyway, about the clothes! Europeans, at least Germans (as I don't have much experience with Italians), seem to dress a bit more conservative than what we may see. When I go to Germany, I always stick with more classic pieces - darker jeans, nice blouses, a simple jacket. I think you can definitely wear shorts! I would stick with ones that weren't booty shorts or anything, but I don't think anyone is going to really side eye you if you are wearing some nice 4-5'' inseam shorts or anything. The only time that isn't true is if you are in the more religious parts of Italy, which I unfortunately do not have experience with. Previously, commenters have mentioned that a pair of linen pants, like these from Caslon, worked well for them on days they were going to to sites, as they are light weight but cover everything you need covered! I'd also recommend a cross body bag that zips and folds over (Emperia makes one for $37!) as they are a bit more secure, plus this way you have both hands free! Also, Birkenstocks are really popular right now, which is great because they are super comfortable for lots of walking. I have the triple banded sandals, and wear them all summer long. They make a cute rose gold pair that would be fun to wear too ;)

on franish

• on the blog: sharing this month's budget, and the death of a beloved piece of clothing
• on the instagram: post-exam treats
• on the twitter: did you watch GoT last week?! I'm so excited it's back, and for the record, I don't believe Jon Snow is actually dead.

notable sales

• Ann Taylor: 50% off select full price items
• I'm intrigued by this mixed eyelet shell top - it would be a nice going out top, or would be a great work top under a blazer. 
• This (also eyelet) top is a cute casual shirt - how pretty is the back? It also comes in petites for you shorter ladies!
• I'm thisclose to ordering this polka dot pencil skirt. It's so fun (and the reviews are great!).
• J.Crew: 25% off certain items
• I saw this amazing gingham blazer on instagram this past week, and hardcore fell in love. Not practical for my life, but so cute. 
• I never know really how to wear this kind of strapey camis, but I love the idea of them for an easy top for the summer. But...strapless bra? No bra (ha! yeah right). 
• Do you have pool or beach time in your future? I found the perfect cover up for you (that includes tassels!). 
• Macy's: 25% off almost everything!
• I love simple sleeved dresses during the summer because all you have to do is throw on one accessory and you're good to go. This white lace version has sleeves, is $35, plus an additional 25% off!
• My Michael Kors watch is still one of my favorite items I own, so here's a chance to get your own for less. 
• I used to own these Lucky flats, and they are super super comfortable - bonus is that they come in a ton of patterns and colors!

personal

• This week was the last week of my peds rotation, and now we're back to OB :) I will be living on the other side of the state of the next month, so that should be interesting! It'll be a bit strange to not be in my own home, but I suppose that's something to get used to since the next 6 months are going to involve a lot of time out of the house. 
• Mine and CR's parents are here for the weekend, and it has been so much fun to have everyone here! I haven't seen my parents for a while, so it's been so nice to catch up and show them where we live! We have had so much good food :)
• I have been all about podcasts lately - do you have any you love? I have a long drive ahead of me today :)

april budget

J.Crew Factory dress: originally $100, on sale for $45

Lush top: originally $42, on sale for $28

Sole Society shoes: originally $70, on sale for $60

J.Crew Factory skirt: originally $60, on sale for $30

Topshop flats: $50

April budget: $213

Quarterly budget: $625 - $145 in February - $85 in March - $213 in April = $182 left over

Well, spring was definitely on my mind this month (even though the weather here hasn't full cooperated yet)! The most worn item of the month is the Lush rollsleeve top - I've been wearing that thing every weekend, and at least once a week! I find that the v-neck goes a bit deep, so I used an iron on adhesive tap to "sew" it up a little higher, so now it covers the cleavage and has a bit sharper of a v-neck to it (which if you look at the pictures online, you can see that it's kind of broader). I'm very excited about both pair of shoes - the Topshop flats are obviously super trendy right now, but I think they are so fun! The Sole Society shoes were actually a recommendation from Jean, and I'm very happy to have a slightly dressier pair of cognac sandals for the summer - I always struggle with shoes during the summer because I don't like to wear shoes that make me much taller than I am, but flat sandals tend to look too casual sometimes, so this is a happy medium!

You may have noticed that a few items I discussed in my recent review post are missing, and that's because I've decided to return both the Madewell blouse and the BlankNYC jeans. For the blouse, I had it hanging in front of my closet for more than a week, and I never grabbed for it - I really wished that it was just a bit longer, so I never wanted to wear it, which is a very obvious sign that it needs to be returned. After wearing the jeans around the house for a little while, I realized that I really didn't like the whiskering on them, and that I would really like a darker pair of jeans, and keeping this pair would mean I wouldn't want to spend money on another pair, so that's another obvious reason for me to return. 

In sad clothing news, my favorite shirt in my closet, my J.Crew chambray shirt, has a large tear in the arm - I have worn that shirt so many times that I basically wore down the fabric, and then it ripped! RIP, best shirt ever. So that's really at the top of my list now! Luckily, J.Crew has a very similar version, and this one comes in talls, so maybe I'll get an even better version! Has anyone tried the Always Chambray shirt? I'm also currently waiting on my order from Loft to come in, so if I end up keeping anything, that'll be included next month. Among other things, I ordered these scalloped shorts and a blouse from Lou & Grey, so we will see what works out!

Besides that, shopping may be a bit light in the month of May as I will be living away from home for the month, which means less online shopping for me. I will probably do a bit of traveling on the weekends, so we will see if I don't end up doing just a little shopping ;)

This month I was really excited to work with Daniel Wellington and Kohl's on a couple of posts. I've been a looooong time fan of the DW watches, so I was very happy to add a cognac leather version to my collection. If you are interested, Daniel Wellington is offering 15% off your order with the code FRANISH. In my post yesterday, you saw my new dress and purse from the REED collection now available at Kohls. 

rosé taste on a boxed wine budget

I'm a girl who has always enjoyed the finer things in life...or I assume I would, if I wasn't living on loans and wasn't several hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt ;) My pinterest board is full of homes with granite-filled kitchens, far off travels, diamonds, and fancy designer purses that may or may not eventually be mine.

For that reason alone, I love when high end designers collaborate with stores to bring their designs to the masses - it's the perfect way to get "the look" at prices we can afford. I mentioned the release of the new REED collection at Kohl's a few weeks ago, and today I'm so excited to show you what I picked up! The collection includes handbags (!), apparel, and a few small leather goods (like the cutest key fob you will ever own). I was obviously most excited about the purses as I'm a huge fan of the Reed Krakoff boxer bag, and so I was so excited to see that they made a similar style in the REED collection. 

Because the original is still on my eternal wishlist, I went with a slightly different design, the Atlantique Satchel from the REED collection. This purse is the ultimate work bag - structured (so it holds its shape even with books and computers in it), organized (so many pouches and pockets), and the color selections could not be better (I almost love the cream/black version even more than the white/blue version I have!). Be sure to check out my instagram to see all that fits in it! I paired it with a simple shirtdress from the line - I kept it pretty simple this time around, but I'm already imagining it with a navy blazer and cognac accessories the next time around. All around, this is such a wonderful collaboration that I hope continues in the future (with even more purses, please!). 

Dress: REED c/o Kohl's [exact] *I suggest sizing down!

Bag: REED c/o Kohl's [exact]

Shoes: Chaps c/o Kohl's [exact]

Below are some of my favorites from the collection. There are so many good pieces, with almost everything in stock...and most of it on sale! The REED line is exclusive to Kohl's, and only around for a limited time, so I'd act fast if interested. Which one is your favorite?

one | two | three

four | five | six

seven | eight | nine

A big thank you to Kohl's and Shopstyle for sponsoring this post <3

beauty tuesday: it cosmetics bye bye under eye concealer review

I have always had pretty dark undereye circles - truly, I've had them since I was a child! My eyes are just a bit sunken into my head I suppose, so no amount of sleep or fancy skincare products will get rid of them...so that leaves me with covering them up! I have tried tons of concealers (haven't we all?) - I feel it's one of those things that people are never truly happy with, and always looking for their holy grail item. In the past, my favorites have been the Boi-ing concealer (a super thick concealer that comes in a pot) and Nars' liquid concealer. People have been raving about It Cosmetic's Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, so the last time I was at Ulta, I picked up a tube of the neutral medium to try out.

what it promises

An award winning anti-aging, treatment concealer that delivers highly pigmented perfect coverage, anti-aging technology to help treat the appearance of lines, wrinkles and discoloration, conceal dark circles, age spots and redness, conceal facial imperfections without settling into lines and wrinkles; and helps to diffuse the appearance of wrinkles instantly.

Developed with leading plastic surgeons, and using anti-aging ingredients including hydrolyzed collagen, and vitamins C & K, this award-winning concealer helps treat skin with anti-aging benefits and give a more youthful radiance while providing instant coverage for imperfections. The creamy, crease-proof formula glides on easily and lasts all day.

how I use it

After applying a primer (I currently alternate between Becca's primer and Laura Mercier's hydrating primer), I squeeze a tiny bit out of the tube, and then dab it under my eyes in a triangle. Then using a very damp beauty blender, I blend out. Afterwards, I set with my Smashbox powder.

what I like

First of all, this tube should last forever. I have never used so little of a product before! I think it does do a lot of the things it promises - as you can see below, it does cover up the dark circles, especially once it is set with powder. Luckily for me, my glasses sit right on that eye socket ridge you can still see in the pictures, so in real life, it isn't as apparent as it is in these pictures. It promises to be crease-proof, and I think it delivers on that - I haven't really had that problem so much with other concealers though.

please excuse the horrible lighting!

what I don't like

What keeps me from using this every day is that it takes a bit of maintanence to apply - the thing I really like about Nars' concealer is that it's a bit more liquidy, so you can easily pat it on and go. Sure, it doesn't cover as well, but it also requires less effort to apply. The Bye Bye Under Eye concealer only applies smoothly for me when I use a damp beauty blender, and sometimes at 5:45 in the morning, I don't want to put that much effort in.

It also promises to treat the undereye circle, but I have not (nor have I ever, with any product) noticed any difference in my skin. It does a nice job covering it up, but I don't feel like it has improved my skin for the better.

would I repurchase? 

I'm torn! On the one hand, it does do a nice job covering up my undereye circles. On the other hand, it takes a bit more time than I generally want to spend. I think I'll keep using it on days that I have more time, and then eventually try out the Urban Decay concealer once my Nars one is done (which is soon).

Do you have a holy grail concealer?! I'd love to hear about it!

top three [04.24.2016]

a little throwback when it comes to looking tan!

medicine

• Before we had home pregnancy tests, we had "the rabbit test". When the urine of a pregnant woman was injected initially into a mouse (later a rabbit), the mouse's ovaries would respond to the hormones in the urine. Nowadays, we thankfully no longer have to kill bunny rabbits to diagnose pregnancy!
• Coins are the most common foreign body ingested by children. 
• Obdormition: the medical term for "my foot fell asleep" 

on the internet

• I fell in love with Maya's skirt, but then I saw the rest of the post, and knew I could relate...although I'm jealous she's so close to both of our homes!
• 8 skincare myths put to rest - a quick and fun read!
• I loved Kecia's outfit in this post - that's how you do fun professional style! I'll take one of each please. 

spotted

• I finally ordered one of these Lush's blouses, and you know...I really like it! I got the olive version (in a size medium), and have been wearing it kind of nonstop, both to work and on the weekends. More about a little adjustment I made to it later this week!
• Y'all know that I don't do off the shoulder tops, but this dress from Old Navy has me reconsidering (...almost). And for the price, it may be a good way to test it out!
• I picked up this pair of wedges from Chaps this week and you guys...they are so cute! If you are between sizes, I'd suggest going down just because they fit a little large. I wore them all day Thursday and they were so comfortable. 

ask me anything

• Can you share a few photos of your closet? No cleaning or justifications for your methods required, I just love seeing how other people organize their most personal items.
• Here's a picture from last summer, although my closet still pretty much looks the same. Our house has three bedrooms, but tiny closets, so my closet is actually in the guest room. It doesn't have good shelving, so I had to add a few shelves to the wall just to have a place for my shoes and my bags. One of the requirements for our future house is that it has good closets! The good thing about having a smaller closet, and a set number of hangers, is that I not only have to think about what I'm adding, but I also usually have a ThredUp bag in process to be sent to them. It keeps me from adding too much to my closet. 
• My white coat ceremony is this summer! Any tips for finding the perfect dress? Are there certain colors or fit that you find look particularly good under a white coat? Thanks!
• Yay! That's so exciting. I loved our white coat ceremony - it made everything feel a bit more real. I think any professional dress you find would be appropriate - probably anything besides a white dress would work well! Big things to remember is that you will be on stage in front of all of your classmates and their families, so being a bit more on the modest side would be a good bet (I remember a girl from the Pharmacy school wore a dress shorter than the white coat...which as you can imagine, was incredibly short!). Loft has a cute cobalt faux wrap dress that would look really nice! Another option, especially if it's warmer weather, would be this keyhole dress from J.Crew Factory. Finally, this wrap front dress comes in several cute colors. Also important is wearing shoes you can walk in - I wore my wedges from J.Crew Factory because although they are a bit dressier, I knew I could easily walk in them. I actually wore pants and a blouse to my white coat ceremony because it was really rainy that day, but looking back, I wish I had worn a dress instead. 
• How do you spend your free time? What are your hobbies?
• Between going to rotations, studying when I get home, and blogging, there isn't a ton of time left in the day! I generally "enjoy" going to the gym, cooking, and reading a few pages of a non-school book at night (currently reading The Doctors' Plague)! Blogging really is my main hobby though :)

on franish

• on the blog: lamenting our height...or celebrating it? 
• on the instagram: #smart
• on the twitter: it's less than 500, at least? 

notable sales

• Kohls: doorbuster sales
• Has anyone tried the Tek Gear capri work out pants? At that price, and with those cute patterns, I'd love to try them!
• I love the double ruffle on this pencil skirt from Elle! Pink or black? 
• It's time for new work out shoes, so I think this Nike pair (in black, obvi) will soon be mine. 
• Loft: 50% off spring items
• Cute scalloped shorts with a longer (4'') inseam?! I'll take two. (all the reviews are raving about them!)
• This melange tee looks like a more casual version of my beloved BR top - may have to order the grey version!
• The gathering on this light weight dress gives it just the little extra. It's the perfect "throw on and go" summer dress!
• Madewell: 30% off spring essentials
• Everything I've ever wanted in a dress - stripes, a heavier fabric, and neutral colors. 
• I'm not always a higher shoes kinda girl...but for these coral wedges, I could be. 
• I basically live in my chambray shirt in the winter months...so wouldn't it make sense to have a short sleeved version for the warmer months too? Please say yes. 

personal

• We finished House of Cards this week and O.M.G. I couldn't even watch the last few minutes of the episode. When does it come back?!
• Our parents are coming next weekend (yay!) so we've been in a bit of prep mode - lots of cleaning, moving, and preparing. I'm so excited to see everyone :)
• Tomorrow starts my last week on peds. You guys, I tried so hard not to get sick, but those little buggers still got to me. Here's to hoping it all goes away by this weekend!

four. vier. cuatro. quatre. (+ a giveaway!)

Four years ago, I started my blog on a complete whim. I liked my outfit one day, and inspired by Pinterest, I snapped a picture using my macbook, and using a nickname from one of my friends, started a blog.

In some ways, not a lot has changed around here. My outfits are still clothes I wear to work. I'm still working on improving myself and my wardrobe. I still have a clothing budget, I still have adorable dogs, and I still get excited to post new content on here. In other ways, my life and blog are so different from where I was four years ago. I'm a year away from finishing medical school instead of working at a dead end job I didn't love in pharmaceutical development. I'm in a wonderful relationship, no longer feeling less than, but equal to. My pictures have improved, my closet is more cohesive, and I'm always looking for new things to talk about, whether it's about medical school or beauty products.

Many of you have been with me from the beginning, and I can't thank you enough for your support. Alissa wrote a post recently about how blogging has changed her life for the better, and I can very much say the same. The support you give me through clicking on my links has allowed me to become more financially independent than I could have imagined. I take out less loans, I've paid off all my consumer debt, I've straightened my teeth, and I'm able to prep for the future. I can not thank you enough for all of your support, comments, likes, shares, tweets, and emails throughout the years. As a small thank you, two of you will win a $100 giftcard to the store of your choice. Open to all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

picture via cocorrina

beauty tuesday: the best self tanner

Although I'm a blond haired, blue eyed German girl, I actually tan pretty easily. In my younger days, I spent a lot of time outside (with sunscreen on!) working as a lifeguard, camp counselor, and in marching band -  I always had a nice tan going in the warmer months! Are you ready for a throwback? Below I am at band practice, summer camp, my first day of college, and working as a life guard in high school. I sure know how to strike a pose ;)

Anyway, now that I have to pretend to be an adult and no longer have a reason to spend most of my days outside, I am consistently pretty pale. I appreciate those who really embrace their natural porcelain skin, and there are many women who look better with their pale skin...but I personally don't believe I'm one of them. I just like to have a bit more color sometimes! Over the years, I've tried various methods to add just a bit of color to my skin. In college, I stupidly went to the tanning place a few times over the winter - luckily I really only went maybe five times, but still, that was not the best decision. I've gotten a few spray tans, but hated how expensive they were. I've tried the slow self tanner lotions, but I hated the smell, and never noticed that much of a difference. I'd always wanted to try a self tanner, but never knew where to start.

One of my favorite beauty bloggers, Cara from Maskcara, wrote this post about her method for using a self tanner, and so I obviously wanted to try it. She said that her favorite product was a foam from Tanwise, which I of course immediately ordered. I also ordered this mitt to apply the product. I've been using that combination on and off for the past year, and after showing a bit of the process on snapchat this past weekend, figured it was time to finally share what I believe is the best way to use a self tanner.

the morning of:
1. Shave & exfoliate. To get an even color from the self tanner, you don't want any dry skin patches for the color to stick to. I like to shave the morning of, and just gently exfoliate - I don't do anything crazy, I just use a basic loofah.

2. Moisturize. Again to prevent any dry spots. My favorite lotion is from Lubriderm - it's not some cute bottle with a great smelling lotion, but it really works well. It's the only body lotion I use now. I personally like to do the shave + lotion hours before the self tanner, just so I'm not applying self tanner to lotion rather than my moisturized skin.

later at night:
1. Get naked. Or as naked as you want to be. I go down to just being in my underwear. May be an obvious step, but hey, just throwing it out there!

2. Apply the self tanner. With the mitten on my hand, I use about 1 squirt for each of the following body part: lower leg, upper legs, arms, chest/neck, and abdomen. When you apply, it's important to not spend a lot of time in one area - that's how you get splotchy and streaky. Really move back and forth, and making sure you get all sides of the body part - it's easy to forget your ankle or the back of your legs, but that's how it's easy to spot self tanner. Some people like to use this self tanner on their face, and some don't. I prefer to use it, but in a modified fashion. The mitten I use comes with a smaller "finger" mitten. On that, I put about half a squirt of the self tanner, start on the edge of my face and work in. I'll let them sit for the rest of the time I'm using the self tanner, and then I'll wash my face. This way it gives me a little bit of color without leaving me looking too tan.

3. Wash your hands and toes. No matter how much you try, the color will settle in between your toes and fingers. Rinsing them off will prevent that dark pooling that can easily happen.

4. Don't get dressed for 20 minutes. But since I don't like to run around the house naked, I just put on a (navy) robe once my skin has dried.

5. Put on loose pjs, and go to bed. I have white bedding, and have never had a problem with my sheets turning colors from my self tanner. This isn't to say that it may not happen for you, but that's just been my personal experience so far.

6. Take a shower the next morning. You will be a bit orange when you wake up - I promise that's not the final look! In the shower, you'll notice that the water will turn a bit brown for the first minute in the shower. Just use a normal body wash like you always do.

7. Ta da! Now you look like you just came back from vacation (where you diligently still wore sunscreen, but just got a slight tan).

The color fades slowly throughout the week, so I usually do it like every 7-10 days. This is not something I do all year long, but something I do for the first few weeks of the leg baring months and before special occasions. It only takes a few minutes but I find it makes quite a difference in how I feel I look.

I personally use the dark color, but it also comes in a medium and lighter version if you are afraid of jumping in with too much color. I definitely recommend using a tanning glove though to get the most even coverage - it really does make a big difference!

And don't forget...sunscreen is your friend, and you should still use it, even if you look tan ;)