A Month of Sundays, #4

Shirt:  Old Navy

Skirt/dress:  Goodwill

Tights:  JC Penney

Boots:  Merrell, from REI

Despite the title of this post, I actually wore this outfit on a Saturday, for dinner with friends.  I wanted to experiment with the shirt-over-a-dress style.  When I usually try this out, it looks awkward.  Either my shirt is too long, or too short, or the dress underneath looks lumpy.  But I liked how this turned out! I think this dress could work with a shorter shirt as well, so I'm going to keep trying.  Call me inspired.

Have you tried any new-to-you styles recently?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

Being a Real Grown-Up

Last week was a short one -- Monday off for Presidents' Day, and nothing to put me on campus on Friday -- but Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday had professional-dress obligations every day.  Seeing as that has never happened to me before (I have to look like someone you'd take seriously?  For multiple days in a row?), figured I'd share.

Occasion: determining fates

Lace Blouse: Downeast Basics via Sorella Bella | Trousers: Banana Republic, thrifted | Belt: plundered from my mum | Shoes: Marshalls | Earrings: Target

Tuesday, I was part of the interview panel evaluating applicants to the medical school.  Considering that this was exactly the second interview I've taken part in -- and the first was when I was literally on the other side of that table, praying to get accepted -- I was pretty nervous.  It turned out to be a lot of fun, though (for me, at least -- the applicants all looked a bit like they were going to be sick).  It surprised me to see that, though they'll all probably be good doctors, some are a great fit for our school, some will be, but need another year to grow first, and some I most definitely do not want to see on this campus again.  It ended up being a dreary, blustery day, so I was quite happy for my cozy, lined wool dress pants.

Occasion: 25, and talking about sex

Grey sweater dress: Anthropologie | Red sweater: Banana Republic, thrifted | Tights: Assets, via Target | Boots: b.o.c. by Born

Wednesday was my birthday!  I have successfully completed my first quarter-century, and none too shabby, if I may say so myself.  The professional event was a bit unusual (professional sex educators running scenarios with us, so we can gain experience and strategies for navigating touchy-but-important subjects) so I figured I could get away with more "me" -- those tall boots, a shorter skirt -- and less clinically formal.  I also learned that I enjoy suturing (putting in stitches), and am quite good at it!  Though my first birthday ever where I did not have snow, it was an interesting day overall, and nearly made up for the fact that I was in the library 'til nearly midnight, studying. 

Occasion: run-of-the-mill doctor-y business

Sweater: thrifted | Trousers: New York & Co. | Shoes: Naya, via db Shoes

After all the unusual happens this week, Thursday's "pretend to be a team of doctors in charge of managing this patient's care" lab was almost no big deal.  This one, where we had to tell our patient she had diabetes, was super-affirming for me -- I don't want to be a specialist, and all the chasing-down-weird-diagnoses we've done previously have been overwhelming, but motivational interviewing and patient education and reassuring your patient that you are on her side and want to help her live the fullest, healthiest life she's able?  Totally my scene.  Primary care all the way, baby...

How'd you feel about those "yes, this is where it's at" moments, confirming for you where you want to be?  Anyone else find it just a little exhausting to dress like a "real" professional adult for, um, three days in a row?

A Month of Sundays, #3

In Wisconsin, you often have to choose outfits that are strategically warm.

For example, I was initially going to wear heels with this outfit.  But with temperatures dipping into the teens, and my decision to wear a shorter-sleeved sweater, I knew I'd be shivering throughout church.  I love being warm.  The only bad part about the hot, muggy heat of summer is that I can't drink hot coffee or eat soup.  (Well that, and it's hard to sleep when it's so hot.)  Maybe my blood doesn't circulate as well as other people's, I don't know, but I find myself needing to wear layers, even when I'm in a heated place.  I knew that tights, wool socks and these boots would keep me toasty warm.

Thank goodness I changed my mind, because Jordan and I accidentally got locked out of our house when we were done taking these photos.  We only had to wait 10 minutes for my mother in law to drop off a spare key, and we were in direct sunlight (as evidenced by these pictures), so we were actually quite warm.

Dress:  thrifted

Sweater:  Goodwill

Tights & boots:  hand-me-downs

Earrings:  a gift

What about you?

Are you a warm or cold blooded person?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

Reasons to Wear Red

I admit it, I'm one of those folks who will dress up in the appropriate colors for a holiday.  No over-the-top themed sweaters with crazy matching jewelry or anything, but red/white/blue for national holidays, green for St. Patrick's, harvest colors for Thanksgiving and sparkles for New Year's.  So, it's probably 100% likely I'd have worn red on Thursday anyway because duh, Valentine's Day.  However, for the past two weeks our school has been emphatically encouraging us to wear red on the 14th in support of "Humanism in Medicine."  While I think they would have gotten a more accurate representation of solidarity on a day when people weren't otherwise inclined to wear the same colors, it was still really cool to see so much support.  As a classmate described it, I am an "accidental osteopath" -- I found my way here due to the constraints of other parts of my life, but I recognize how blessed I am to be surrounded by colleagues with similar priorities of being empathetic, compassionate people and doctors.

Occasion: a Valentine's date with the sweetest elderly patient

We had follow-up visits with patients in a nearby senior residential community, and hence had to dress doctorly.  I was excited to break out this skirt, a recent thrifting score -- not only is it nubbly tweedy wool in a plaid pattern (two of my favorites!), but all the seams are on the bias (diagonally across the grain), which gives it more flexibility and a great fit, for a non-stretchy pencil skirt.  Also, I'm pretty sure that these are my favorite shoes.

Shirt: H&M | Skirt: thrifted | Belt: thrifted | Tights: Hue | Shoes: b.o.c. by Born, thrifted; similar, similar | Necklace: gift from the mister

Do you dress for the holidays?  Intentionally do the opposite?  Ignore 'em and wear whatever?

A Month of Sundays, #2

Well, bah phooey.  I was all ready to take my pictures outside on Sunday and it decided to pour.  Snow, I could have trudged on, but rain?  Rain in February?  Seriously.

I was sick of taking my photos in front of the bookcase, so I went in front of the window, even though I knew it would be shadowy.  My tights are a royal blue color and my skirt is a grey houndstooth, which is hard to see here.

But I love this outfit.  It makes me feel like a dancer, maybe a ballerina outside of the studio, especially if my hair is pulled back.  The way the shirt fits reminds me of a leotard and the skirt is just begging for a dance.  Look at the way it twirls!

Shirt:  Old Navy

Skirt:  hand-me-down

Tights:  Target

Boots:  Merrell, from REI

Do you have any outfits that make you feel like someone different?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

Ladies' Night

Last week was hard, there's just no other way to say it.  I could tell by Tuesday that it was going to be a doozy, so I convinced a friend to head up to wine country with me after class on Friday for some drinks, nibbles, and non-school-related girl time.

Occasion: Friday night happy hour

This outfit debuted for New Year's Eve (fondue and card games with friends), and I liked it so much this seemed like the perfect occasion to bring it out again -- nothing stuffy or uncomfortable for the day full of studying, but still polished and fun enough not to feel out of place at a trendy wine bar. 

 

Top: Banana Republic, thrifted | Sweater: thrifted | Jeans: thrifted | Boots: b.o.c. by Born | Earrings: gift from the mister | Watch: Citizen Ecodrive

All in all, it was exactly what the [student] doctor ordered -- intentional time to nurture a new-but-meaningful friendship, small indulgences, and so many reminders that we're not going through medical school alone.

What do you find yourself doing to unwind after a week you can't wait to put behind you?

A Month of Sundays, #1

I'm not one of those skirt-and-blouse type teachers.  Maybe if I taught high school, but as an elementary special education teacher, it's just not worth the risk.  Besides, I'd feel as thought I couldn't get down on the ground and play with my students, or create art projects.

Since my work wardrobe is fairly functional, I break out my skirts and heels whenever I can on the weekends.

Wearing stripes is also not common for me.  I find that you're either a stripes or a polka-dot girl, and you typically don't stray into foreign territory.  Stripes usually seem blocky or sailor-y to me; polka dots mean fun!

Since this shirt was a hand-me-down, I felt braver about venturing into stripes territory, since I wouldn't feel like I "wasted money" if it didn't work out.  Though I have purchased two other striped shirts recently, so we'll see if I can mosey into new territory.

Shirt & shoes:  hand-me-downs

Pants:  Goodwill

Hat & bracelet:  gifts

Yeah, I probably spent a total of five dollars on this outfit.
I have very generous sisters.
Speaking of sisters, my sister took these photos for me.
Thanks, Lyn!

Are you a stripes or a polka-dot girl?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

Inspiration Gone Awry

I have long admired the look of a blousey top tucked into trouser jeans.  If that description leaves you raising an eyebrow in disbelief, allow me to illustrate:

Sources: Feathers & Freckles | Kendi Everyday | What Would a Nerd Wear

See?  Such a nice change from the skinny jeans that seem to be all we see, right?  Seems like it would be an easy look to emulate and make work for oneself, doesn't it?  So please, help me tease out the differences between those above, and this one here:

Trouser jeans: thrifted | Blouse: thrifted | Sweater: Kimchi Blue, thrifted (seen here) | Shoes: b.o.c., thrifted (seen here) | Earrings: Target | Belt: Target | Watch: plundered from the mister

I only caught a glimpse in the mirror before snapping that shot and setting off on my day.  Everything wore comfortably, but compared to my inspiration photos, it just feels frumpy.  I have a few suspicions about how to get closer to what I was aiming for: a sweater that hangs more openly and reaches the top of the inseam, thereby skimming the hips; and pants that are flared rather than true wide-legged trousers, as these are.  I absolutely love the way my professional-wear, dress-pant trousers fit -- such a nice, fluid drape -- but these denim ones are much more stiff.

How do you translate fashion inspiration into sartorial success?  What kinds of tweaking do you find yourself doing to make something look or feel just the way you'd hoped?