The Doctor is In

You guys -- it's exactly a year later, and I *still* LOVE this job.  Even more so now, knowing more clearly what I want to be when I grow up.

I realize it's probably not so flattering, but today is the first day my hair's been long enough to twist up and have it stay all day and this is SO EXCITING.  I'm pretty much in constant flip-flop with my hair -- I have bangs but pin'em back half the time, I've been rocking the short choppy bob for a year and a half but have decided to grow it out (but watch, I'll probably get bored again and chop it in six months, that's my standard MO).

I still think it's kind of odd that I own this skirt.  It's such a traditional, preppy kind of pattern and doesn't really feel like me.  That said, it's gotten more wear than any other work skirt this summer and it contains most of my current favorite clothes colors (navy, brown, mustard, periwinkle/chambray, white) so it works with about half my wardrobe and I haven't repeated any outfits on it yet.

That face.  I *always* make that face in a photo shoot.  Complete with the leg thing (weight on the left, swing the leg from standing over to crossed at the ankle).  Keeping it real, friends...

More of the Same

I'm afraid I've left Phenotype: fabulous wither because I haven't had much to share -- I'm straight off a month and a half of obstetrics, and facing two months of surgery, which means more than a quarter of a year straight wearing scrubs day in and day out.  On the one hand, it's a relief (like I hear wearing uniforms in high school is): I *never* have to think about what I'm wearing, because it's exactly the same every day.  On the other, it's pretty boring.  I have a closet full of things that I like, and no chance to wear them!  However, that does make it easier to keep my 2014 resolution not to acquire new clothes, since wearing what I want to is enough of a novelty that I don't pine over new additions to my wardrobe.

All of that means that when I do get to dress for myself, you can be darn sure I'm looking cute.

Tee: Threadless | Sweater: thrifted | Jeans: thrifted | Earrings: I made 'em 

And for a better look at that tee (riffing on Ben Franklin's famous cartoon)

The last time I got myself some fun graphic tees was my sophomore year of undergrad in 2007, when I first discovered Threadless.  I've added some new ones in the past year, and they make me quite happy.  I actually got two of this one, so that I could cannibalize one to make a birthday gift for one of my junior high buddies (AKA the piefairy's apprentice) last summer.

You've got to love an apron that comes with a recipe for apple pie right on it!  (I confess, I toyed with the idea of placing it upside-down, so that it could be read by the wearer, but the intended recipient had memorized my basic fruit pie recipe already, so I deemed it unnecessary).

How is everyone out there?  Same-old-same-old, like me, or are the winds of change a-blowing?

Jewelry Preferences

As much as I'd like to burrow into my blankets and hibernate until April, I decided to poke my head out of my little nest and share some jewelry ideas with you!

I'm actually not a huge fan of jewelry.  I rarely wear it on a daily basis.  I don't have "signature pieces", and most of it was purchased on the cheap, or given to me.  But, as I've been thinking lately about how my jewelry preferences have changed throughout the years, I wanted to document where I'm at now.

So, travelling from least favorite to most favorite, we start with...

This one's a gift from my sister, Andrea.

Bracelets:  I don't know if it's because I have very petite wrists, which cause things to slide around all the time, or if I just never got into the habit of wearing them, but bracelets are my least favorite jewelry item.  I think I own three.  Sometimes, they add a nice bit of sparkle, or pop of color, but overall, I prefer other jewelry options.

These were included as a bonus gift in a blogger's giveaway I won, years ago.

Earrings:  It's not that I don't enjoy earrings.  I really do.  I have my ears pierced five times - two on the left (cartilage and conch) and three on the right (twice in my lobe and tragus) - but I don't change my earrings very often.  Once I find something I like, it stays in my ear for months.  There was a period when I changed the earrings in my lobes frequently, but after the hole in my left earlobe got torn (long story, but gratefully, not a painful one), I gave away a lot of my fun earrings.  Now, I go for silver earrings, of various sizes and shapes.

Bicycle pendant - Forever 21

Coin - I think it's a Euro?

Heart - a gift from a boy I used to mentor

Necklaces:  Necklaces have always been at or near the top of my list of favorite jewelry.  There was a pearl necklace period and a long necklace period.  I have necklaces that double as watches and ones from overseas.  I don't wear chokers anymore, but other than that, I've kept most of the necklaces I've gotten throughout the years!

I bought my sisters and I matching mustache rings for our birthdays a few years ago.

I'm pretty sure this ring is broken now.

Rings:  Rings are my current favorite, especially stacked rings.  In the past, I've had eczema on my hands, which requires lots of special lotion.  Since I don't like to gunk up the diamonds on my engagement ring, I kept having to take it on & off.  Stacked rings give an interesting look without stones, so I've moved more in that direction lately.   As I said, I have very petite hands, so finding rings in general stores (like Forever 21, etc) can be challenging, so yay for Etsy!  However, a dozen or so years ago, I found some awesome stacked rings, that actually fit my hands, at a department store, but lost them at a bowling alley.  I don't even like bowling, so it was insult to injury.  I miss those rings...

What are your jewelry preferences?

Comfy Cozies

After long, hard weeks, the weekends are for rest and recovery.  Returning to favorites -- comfort foods, comfort clothes.  Warm fuzzies and cool neutrals.

Occasion: a studious Saturday

Grey and navy, stripes and corduroy, rustic earrings and cozy socks.  No shoes, because I'm not leaving the house.  Perfect for a long day of studying, punctuated by cups of tea and finished with an episode (or three) of the good Doctor. 

Shirt: Old Navy, thrifted | Corduroy skirt: thrifted | Leggings: Target | Socks: Smartwool, via REI | Earrings: Target

I like ice cream and clever t-shirts and unique earrings and good cheese, but if you want to make me love you forever, and I am so not exaggerating, the way to my heart is with really nice socks.  I like cute shoes, and I love going barefooted, but deliciously thick socks are one of the best things about cold temperate living.  

True story.