Introducing...Quinn!

WOW.  So, um...2015.

It's like it never happened.  (At least if this place is any indication).

Couldn't really be farther from the truth.  Namely, because this happened:

And naturally, everything was very, very full, even if full of nothing very impressive, ever since that day.

So, now I want to introduce you to Quinn!

Actually, you've met before.  Remember this...?

(And remember how some of my dresses end up with names?)

So no, Quinn isn't my kiddo.  (That's Lumpen.)  However, Quinn kept showing up throughout Lumpen's time in utero and after...

...from our baby shower...

...to our first trip home together(!)...

...to my first Mother's Day(!).  Not to mention many ordinary days in between, and since.

So, Quinn!  A sweet and simple cotton jersey wrap dress, now imbued with so many sweet memories of mama-hood.  

It's good to be back.  Let's do this more often, shall we?

Grey Sweater Club

This picture didn't happen, in real life.  However, I wish it did (or that it existed on the computer before I had to order Christmas cards)!

On the Mister:

Sweater: Gap, a gift | Jeans: thrifted | Ergo baby carrier: a gift | Ada: so very confused

On Ada:

Reflective collar with engraved buckle: Mimi Green 

On me: 

Glasses (they're purple!): Goggles4U | Dress: Lands End | Watch: Fossil

One of the many, many reasons that I love sweater dresses is that they are so incredibly stretchy.  This exact dress made it into last year's Fall Fashion Week.  It was cute and cozy and cowl-y and curve-fitting then, and it is all of those same things now...and there are certainly more curves to fit!  This is definitely one of those relatively rare times where major body changes lead to fun new stylings within the same wardrobe.

Have you ever had a time where a body changes led to you loving a garment even more than with its original fit?  

Sweater Weather

After a month away in a vastly different climate (seriously, October is *not* supposed to be 85 degrees!), I am super excited to be back home.  My school/professional obligations let me dig into some of my favorite dresses, and the weather is telling me it's time for boots and sweaters.

Dress: People Tree, via Modcloth | Sweater: thrifted | Boots: Merrell 

Tall leather boots and cozy wool sweaters, nubbly leggings and unstructured dresses...this is my favorite time of the year, clothes-wise!  (And a couple other ways, too.)

This was likely the last wear for quite some time of a favorite dress of mine -- the jersey material has surprisingly little give, which keeps its shape but means that I'm maxing out the skirt already and the neckline won't be nursing-compatible.  It's been fun to get some "one last time" wear out of things before I pack them away...and has definitely led to multiple episodes of dancing around the house singing my take on the Black Eyed Peas ("My bump, my bump my bump my bump, my bump my bump my bump, my lovely baby bump!")

...and I'll just leave you with that mental image.  =)  Anyone else loving sweater weather these days?

The Unintentional Capsule Wardrobe

This is my closet in its entirety right now:

It consists of: an entirely unnecessary lab coat, three pairs of pants (plus workout capris), one skirt, one formal dress (for a family wedding next weekend), three dressy-casual dresses, a long-sleeved sweater, two short-sleeved sweaters, two cardigans, a track jacket, two button-up blouses, a tunic blouse, three short-sleeved blouses, four or five casual tees, and four pairs of shoes (one not pictured), as well as necessary underbits.

While I have been continuing a slow closet purge, this capsule collection is still only a fraction of what I own and came about rather unintentionally -- I'm living and working in Texas for a month, and thus only have access to an abridged wardrobe.  Putting it together (the night before traveling, of course) was a bit stressful, trying to accommodate the necessary business casual dress code with Central Texas climate in garments I possessed...but I'm quite pleased with the end result: mostly neutrals (black, khaki, denim, chambray, cream), paired with light warms (mustard yellow, coral, rusty orange) and deep blues (cobalt, navy).

Dress: Old Navy

I've got to admit, the limited selection is actually quite refreshing.  I'm definitely the type to be overwhelmed with too many options; selecting the garments when packing initially felt constricting, but now paring it down so that I can literally see everything at once is very freeing in the morning.  

Getting comfortable with a substantially-limited clothes selection is important for more than just this month, too, because...well...

Yup, that's a baby bump!  I'm currently 16 weeks along and loving it.  About a week ago, I went from "Sure, I can probably get another couple weeks out of my pants" to "Haha, NOPE!" literally overnight.

I'm hoping to be more present these next 5+ months than I've been in the previous -- I think balancing a constantly-changing body with a limited closet will be a fun challenge, and of course there are belly photos to take!

Charlotte colored her hair, and I'm growing another person -- any big changes for you?  Do share!

Skirtember #3

Better late than never!  I had a very late night on Sunday, which made for a sleepy Monday (and... uh... Tuesday, I guess).  I'm still playing catch-up from the weekend!

And what a weekend it was.  First, the weather couldn't make up its mind.  Sometimes, it was cloudy and rainy.  Sometimes, summer-like humidity.  The evenings got very chilly.  My Saturday outfit ended up being too warm, though my Sunday one worked out nicely.  Second, Jordan and I had adventures on Saturday - apple picking, then rushing up to the top of the US Bank building for the last 30 minutes of Doors Open Milwaukee - and I had adventures with a long-time friend on Sunday.  Hurrah for adventuring in dresses!

Dress:  Thrifted

Leggings:  Kohls

Socks:  a gift

Boots:  Merrell from REI

When I occasionally wore this dress to work (with jeans underneath it), one of my students called it my "little kid" dress, so these swings at the apple farm made for an ideal photo location!

Detail of the socks - my secret nerdy socks.

They're a Dalek!

Dress, scarf and tights:  hand-me-downs

Shirt:  Old Navy

Boots:  Target

On Sunday, my oldest friend and I went to the American Players Theater to see "The Importance of Being Earnest".  It's an outdoor theater, so I knew I wanted something cozy to wear.  Also, I wanted to chance to break out this sweater dress!  I like the top more than the bottom, but overall, I think it's pretty good.

Also, dun dun dunnnnn, I'm happy to debut my new hair color!  I'm loving it even more than I thought.

Skirtember #1

Last year, I participated in Skirtember on my regular blog space, The Daily Snapshot.  I got all amped up to do it again this year... only I find that no one else seems to be participating.  (Except Bombasine.  Howdy!)  Well, if I make a plan, I like to stick with it, so I'm going to venture on my own skirt/dress adventure throughout the month!

For various reasons, I can't wear skirts or dresses to work, so I made it my goal to wear them on the weekends, though I've already gotten off on a shaky start.  I ended up in jeans all Saturday, even though I had plans to dress up to go out with friends in the evening.  But after a long bike ride late into the day, and an unplanned stop or two (*cough* distillery tour *cough*), I couldn't muster up the energy to go out (sorry Ali!).

I still squeezed in two Skirtember outfits though!

An unintentional shot!

I really was typing a note into my phone, and my husband snapped the picture.

I wore this outfit out for drinks with my husband on Friday night, and then to church on Sunday.  (It was the one I was going to wear if I went out on Saturday.)

It's still a little too hot during the day to wear tights; it's more needed in the evenings.

Dress:  gift from my husband

Tights:  Target

Boots:  hand-me-down

Bracelet:  Amazon

Trying to get a detailed shot of my boots, tights and bracelet...

The bracelet is hard to see, but it's Harry Potter themed!

It has owls, a Snitch and the Deathly Hallows on it.

Details of the dress.

It was a perfect gift from my husband, who works in the cycling industry.

 I wore this more casual outfit on Sunday for hanging out at the house, taking the dog to the dog park, etc.

T-shirt and tank top:  hand-me-downs

Skirt:  Forever 21

Shoes:  Goodwill

Wanna join in Skirtember?  Make a girl feel not so lonely?

Sprummer Day 5 -- Playing Favorites

If this dress came from a furniture store, it would be IKEA.  Because of that, it's one of my favorites.

Okay, that makes no sense.  Let me explain: in solely an aesthetic sense (quality is something else entirely), IKEA -- & Scandinavian design in general -- rocks my world.  Not everything is a hit, far from it, but the combination of form-is-function minimalism, elegant classic lines, and sweet, primary-colored traditional motifs is totally my jam.

 Dress: Old Navy, thrifted | There-might-be-dancing shoes: Aerosoles

So this dress -- with its white-yellow-red-orange tulips and breezy shirtdress shape, in seriously-I-can't-turn-down-navy-blue -- is pushing all the right buttons for me.  It's also just right in so many occasions; last summer's wine tasting to this spring's Easter, working at the clinic to exams on campus.

Oh, and these are my "there-might-be-dancing" shoes -- originally purchased for our wedding, and re-soled with hard leather on the bottom suitable for swing dancing in street-shoe-acceptable venues.  They made good on their name when last worn on Easter, as our worship band did a rollicking gospel blues rendition of "Wake Up, O Sleeper" that had our congregation literally dancing in the aisles.

Dance yourself over to see everyone that has got it going on down at the fashion week extravaganza!

Sprummer Day 1 - Broken Promises

At the end of 2013, I made a New Year's resolution not to acquire any new clothes (with a few important exceptions).  While I keep my word faithfully and hold promises in high regard, I broke this resolution in April and feel absolutely no remorse.

Allow me to introduce Greta:

A friend invited me on a thrifting excursion and I said yes -- "for the social outing" -- which I *knew* was a tricky, tempting situation to put myself in.  I did well, SO well, trying things on for fun and playing with how things looked on my body with no expectation for purchase...basically, dress-up with a good friend.  Of course, I had to go and grab this at the end of the day; the folksy navy-and-white pattern (totally me!) caught my eye; when I touched it the airy, silky cotton, I knew I had to try it on.  And when I tried it on...

Okay, it took a little work -- repositioning straps, shortening the hem -- but the fit is spot-on and look at the twirl factor!  Plus, it even has a built-in bra.  (Not enough to go jogging in or anything, but adequate for a wedding reception dance party in a non-Lindy crowd.)  The mister approves of the, um, torso fittage, and I feel both utterly lascivious and totally girl-next-door.  If my hair were long enough, I'd put it in milkmaid braids...and then model for pinups.  (Again.  I was Miss July, once upon a time.)  Hence, Greta -- mostly sweetness and simplicity, with a touch of va-va-voom.

(Lest Joan and Greta make you think otherwise -- no, I don't name all my dresses.  Only certain ones, that are really worth it.  Besides, they really name themselves.)

Hair disheveled post-spin, sidelong glances and oh-so-pleased-with-myself grin...do I look even remotely sorry?  Yeah, I'm totally not.  And I am perfectly okay with that.  Consider that resolution well and truly broken, with pleasure.

Go to Deanna's and play along with the fun!

Spring Cleaning

Here in the California version of Phenotype: fabulous, we've been getting spring-like weather for several months know.  (Sorry, not trying to brag!)  However, it's only recently that I've been bit by the freshen-up bug that prompts a thorough spring cleaning.  The last several purges have been offered back to the thrift stores that have been so good to me, so this time I offer it to you!

I've got the sizing and content as described on the label, and also a little about how it fits, to give some better sizing estimates.  These days, I'm a *curvy* pear/hourglass, dress size 8-10 and 5'6" tall.  

Cami, M (fits like medium )

Cotton crochet tunic/mini-dress, with awesome belled elbow-length sleeves.  Lined in the body.  Lining stops at upper thigh, crochet hits mid-lower thigh.

AA Studio AA, size 12 (fits like 8-10)

A heavier-weight poly/rayon blend knit, more substantial than jersey tees but not quite ponte.  Side gathers on left with tie (loose in picture).  Incredibly comfy.  Mid-thigh length, came to a few inches above my knees.

George, 4 (fits like 6-8)

I *love* the abstract, brushstroked floral pattern.  Cool notched neckline, self belt.  100% cotton with blended lining.  Fairly fitted bodice, nearly-full-circle skirt, hits just below knee length.

no label, 2 (fits loose on 2-4, fitted on 6-8)

Oh man.  This blazer is SUPER cute.  Light grey wool blend, great belled elbow sleeves.  It made me feel very Victorian with its cropped, fitted form, like a riding jacket.  Would be a great base for a steampunk costume.  Needs a somewhat smaller bust than mine.   

Banana Republic, M (fits like small-medium)

Gauzy lightweight 100% cotton blouse with polka dots of heavier bits woven in.  Hook-and-eye up the front, elastic at [high] waist.  Could use a dye bath, the white is showing its age -- I have a suspicion that the dots won't dye as intensely as the rest, which will be fun.  On a sentimental note, this is the blouse I wore to interview for medical school (aww, so long ago!)

no label (fits like medium) 

Looking closely at this one, I think it's handmade -- and it's essentially reversible to its grey-brown lining, since the seams are contained.  Tunic-minidress on me, hits at upper thigh.

If you're interested in any of these, speak up!  I'll want to work something out for shipping, but am giving away the clothes.  On a related note, there are also several pairs of shoes that I'm purging.  However, since I put more into my shoes and pretty much only get Nice Things, those *are* being listed for sale on eBay (along with some other stuff).  Check it out, if you're so inclined.  I ship anywhere in the US and will be happy to toss in some of these garments too!



Anyone else cleaning out the closet these days? Any buried treasures? I-Can't-Believe-I-Ever-Wore-That embarrassments?  Spring wishlists?  I broke my No New Clothing resolution (but am being redeemed on a technicality), but it is *so* worth it -- I'll show you next time!

Festivities in Review

Happy 2014!

With the festive season behind us and the new year fresh ahead, I want to take a moment to reflect on the time that has recently passed and face the promises made for that yet to come.

Like last year, I found myself with an abundance of celebratory occasions at the end of the year.  Of the ones with photographic evidence, in chronological order we have:

The Viewing of the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special

TARDIS t-shirt: Threadless | Boots: Merrell | Corduroy skirt: thrifted | Stripey socks: gift

Reaching back to November for this one, but it was post-Soup & Pie Potluck (our church's holiday kickoff, held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving) so it was officially part of the festive season in my book.  2013 was the Year of the Doctor for us-- we'd watched all the reboot episodes of Doctor Who, seven seasons' worth, between Christmas and July.  The anniversary special was enjoyed with good friends, DW-themed food & drink, and drawing straws for choice minifigs of the Doctor's various incarnations.

The Church Christmas Party

Dress: Anthropologie | Stripey socks & boots: same as above

Our lovely community does something different every year for a Christmas party -- talent show, dessert social, hymn sing...this year, it was a ceili/barn dance, complete with an accordion-wielding caller.  It's been ages since my last ceili, and I had an absolute blast, watching and dancing with everyone from our octogenarian churchbuilders to the toddlers up way past their bedtimes.  Afterwards, not wanting to waste an amazing dress by heading home at 9, the mister and I got to know some of our neighborhood beer havens a little better.  We clean up pretty nicely, don't you think?

The Most Joyful Wedding of All Time

 Dress: Modcloth | Sweater: thrifted

This was a love story to make cynics weep, something a decade in the making and straight out of a Jane Austen novel.  (No, seriously, the groom is even British.)  The last wedding amongst we four dear girlfriends (hey, look, there's Charlotte!), long-awaited and joyfully experienced.  A father's address, lovingly given, marvelously wordcrafted and speaking straight to the heart of marriage for the newlyweds and even more so for the rest of us.  An absolutely perfect winter day; dearly beloved friends and family; a happy couple buoyed up by the love and celebration of all those around them.  This was a day where Good Things Happened, and I am so thankful to have been witness to it.

Holiday events without photographic fashion evidence: the Holiday Work Party, the Doctors Terry Host a Christmas Shindig, Christmas Day Feasting, and New Year's Eve. 

And speaking of New Years -- I have one resolution this year, but it's a substantial one: I will not buy any new clothing.  No thrifting, no swaps, nada.  It's not about spending less money -- though that is a benefit -- but about cultivating a mindset of "enough," of using what I have, and of not chasing the New Shiny.  There are a few very important caveats: undergarments and an interview suit are not bound by this resolution.  (I am also not going to turn down gifts, that would be ungracious.)

So, here's to 2014!  A year started in fantastically good spirits, with hope and promise and a challenging-but-exciting clothing constraint.  Happy New Year to all!

Ode to the LBD

An avid lover of expressive colors as a teen and young adult, I did not see the point of the Little Black Dress.  Why would I ever want to wear a simple black dress when I could wear a bold red one, or a shimmery silver one, or a multi-hued beaded one?  I was convinced that, though they may be useful for other ladies, an LBD would never find a place in my wardrobe.

Then, I met Joan.

Joan is the dress, thusly named for obvious reasons.  She's a lady who doesn't like to speak of her age, but you'd hardly believe a gal with this many decades on her looks this good.

Joan has taught me that there is immense power in simplicity.  She may not be the right answer for everything, but with a timeless, demure, oh-so-flattering cut, she is ready for just about anything.
 

Oh, and what varied anythings we've seen together!  Joan and I have done the opera and the red carpet, Christmas parties and church luncheons.  Today, we popped my white coat on top for a day working on the hospital wards, and I expect we'll do a fair amount of residency interviewing together this time next year.

Joan is a far better friend than I deserve.  Her lightweight wool composition suits her perfectly to my favorite climate and seasons, and somehow without a single stitch of spandex she still fits like made-to-measure even after hefty weight gains.

  

We're quite the team, Joan and I.  You'd best not cross us -- curves and collarbones are our weapons of choice.

Lest you think Joan seeks all the limelight, I assure you she is quite content to be the supporting backdrop for a louder, flashier acquaintance.
 

 

Joan doesn't need to shout.  She's a lady.  She knows the right thing to do in any situation, and she gets our attention when she wants it, just as she is.

Dress Joan: vintage 1960s | Shoes: Clarks | Tights: ?? | Necklace: Otis B Jewelry

Comfy-Cozy Casual Friday

We don't get Casual Fridays as students out on rotations (though I think the nursing staff get to wear jeans, if they also wear pink, for breast cancer awareness during October...) so this is weekend wear for me, but I assure you that it is divinely comfy-cozy.   

Seriously, plaid flannel shirtdress?  That's like wearing pajamas all day, but WAY cuter.  Spunky dress and leather boots, my fall go-to when I'm not supposed to dress like a doctor.  Add a cute knit beanie like I've seen Charlotte, Deanna, or Rachael rock, and this would seem just about perfect. 

 Dress: Woolrich | Boots: Merrell

Showing off the oh-so-awesome detailing up around the sides of my oh-so-awesome boots.  And hey, did you figure out my theme for the week?  (I feel like today made it pretty obvious...)  It's plaid!  I'm an equal-opportunity plaid-lovin' [Irish] gal, I won't say no to it any time of year, but something about fall makes it seem simply perfect. 

 

It has been beyond lovely sharing this Fall Fashion Week with all of you.  Let's give a HUGE thanks to Deanna for hosting, and to all of you kind souls for your uplifting comments!

Is It Friday Yet?

I definitely understand Deanna's gravitation toward grey sweaters when the temperatures drop.  They are my weakness as well, especially cowl-necks.  At one point I think I had six -- all very different, mind you! -- but I've pared down.  (Either that, or I managed to hide them all away in the off-season clothes bin which we haven't opened yet for the fall & winter...)

Work work work.  I have determined that, cute as they are, these shoes are not up to snuff for a day on my feet in the hospital.  I have also learned that all Being On One's Feet is not equal -- I can do a full day of walking no worries, but it's this *standing* all day on the wards while the doc sits and lectures/explains/pimps us (ie: asks questions that put you on the spot in front of all the other students) that is totally killer.

 Sweater dress: Lands' End (I'm in straight sizes, but they still have pluses here) | Tights: Modcloth | Shoes: Naya, via dbShoes

Totally a vanity shot.  Killer curves and a good hair day...we all need self-portraits like that.  For more fall fashion and uplifting mutual admiration, you know where to go.  And if you found your way here from GeekMom, thanks for stopping by!  It's an honor to be featured amongst so many other lovely, stylish, geek-hearts-on-sleeves-wearing ladies.

DIY Debut

So... I made this dress.

I made it up as I went along, trying to copy another dress I have (without taking that one apart).  Of course, it ended up not really similar at all.  Someday I'll start using real patterns or slopers instead of winging it; for this one, I'm just happy that I was slow and careful and specifically not giving in to all the sloppy "eh, I can make it work" habits I've gotten into with my sewing projects.  Pattern-matching those stripes for a chevron in front wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and I like how they work with the high-low hem. 

Dress: I made it! | Sweater: Anthropologie, thrifted | Shoes: thrifted

It was not really this warm out -- rather, it was fine in the sunshine but not warm enough inside my study -- for these bared legs and sandals, which I did not appreciate. So, most of the day was spent with leggings and socks for the cozies.  Wearing something that I made myself was empowering, and I think the pride ("Look what I can do! I totally rock at life right now") helped inspire me to a highly-productive day.

Inspired by Rachel's QUITEbeautiful campaign, I give you: my completely un-done-up face.  (Not that I normally wear much makeup...)  My siblings and I all have that crazy-high hairline; we call it the "Phelan phorehead."  We're also all covered in freckles -- why would I want to bury those under makeup?  (Although mine have long been covered by what I suspect is rosacea, that discrete red patch across cheeks/nose/low forehead -- perils of being a medical student, you think you've got every condition you study).  I've gotten more compliments on my teeth (?!) in the last six months than I ever imagined I'd get in a lifetime.  I've got laugh lines at my eyes and no stress lines in my forehead, and dang it if my collarbones aren't just the sexiest things ever. 

What's making you feel like you rock these days?  What parts of your un-done self are your favorites?

Reflections

 As a way to mark the passing of time and celebrate all we have achieved at this half-way point, our school holds a pinning ceremony at the end of second year.  Usually it's like a mini-graduation -- some awards are given out, there are a few speeches, and one by one we march across the stage to receive a[nother] lapel pin for our white coats.

I attended last year's pinning in support of friends, but this time it was a particularly moving ceremony -- partly due to the events of the week, partly because it's now my future that's beginning to happen.  I've been doing a lot of thinking lately on my path in medicine, and the kind of doctor I want to be.  It seems like the more I know, the more I realize that there are even more questions needing to be answered before I can move forward.

Dress: Ross | Sweater: a Target brand, thrifted | Sandals: CL by Chinese Laundry, thrifted | Earrings: turquoise studs, I've had them forever | White Coat: courtesy of OPSC

It was nice to see almost everyone all polished up into their best doctor-y selves before we buckle down for boards preparations and then disperse to the four winds for rotations.  This dress was a last minute I-don't-have-anything-I-could-go-clubbing-in acquisition before our dance and basketball teams went to Vegas for the Big Game in March (a bit of a departure from my normal style, but with a sweater or the white coat, you'd never know), and the sandals got a ton of wear at conference-related social events in Orlando earlier this spring, since they're as dressy as heels but totally flat, making this an outfit full of memories of some of the very best parts of this year, and of medical school in general.

Is this spring a season of transition for you?  How are your reflections coloring your approach to your body and how you dress?