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?

I Love My Job!

Evidenced by the fact that I've used that title for both of my blogs within the past week, it's probably no surprise that I really love my job! Charlotte's question about dreams and what we want to be when we grow up gave me another opportunity to reflect on how really, truly content I am now.  We still have dreams -- someday the mister and I will have a dog, and kids, and a farmhouse on an orchard with chickens and a goat -- and there's some substantial uncertainty in our immediate future, but compared with the Very Unpleasant Recent Past, life is edifying and I am exactly where I'm supposed to be and it is good.

So, here's another day-at-the-pediatrics-clinic outfit.  This is totally true to my sartorial professional self, and I wore green and red (okay, burgundy) without looking like Christmas, and it's even a good hair day.  Winning on every front.

 Blouse: H&M, thrifted (from near Rocket Baby, char-let!) | Skirt: thrifted | Shoes: Camper, via eBay | Belt: thrifted, a favorite | Necklaces: gifts | Watch: Fossil, via Amazon | iPad cover: Make Things Better (front & back)

 
I got an iPad Mini to be my ectopic brain for rotations.  I am very much *not* a Mac person, and there are things about it that drive me absolutely bonkers, but it's a helpful tool.

The best part?  Getting to pick out an awesome, subtle-ly geeky cover.  River Song's journal was awfully compelling, but I ultimately went with the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.  Because...that's what it is!

P.S.  The weekend away mentioned with the honeymoon skirt was an absolute delight.  If anyone is interested in where to find a(n amazingly affordable!) slice of mountainous-but-near-the-seaside heaven in the Santa Cruz redwoods, I can totally hook you up.  Don't lie, you wish you were here...

Memories Revisited

A while ago I talked about chopping my honeymoon dress into pieces and not regretting it because at least one of them, the tunic top, was getting worn significantly more frequently.

Well, now both halves can get more love, since I've finally gotten some close-enough-in-color jersey and whipped up a yoga-pants-style waistband for the hacked-off skirt. 

It's a longer length than most of my summer skirts, which makes for nice variety; the breezy rayon is light and comfy and will be perfect for biking and strolling and whatever else may befall on our anniversary trip to the seaside this weekend.

I can never get the colors to come out quite right...this is the closest, and the embroidery is spot on, but the dress is actually greener, a lovely deep teal.    

I'm beyond pleased that this worked, and I can keep wearing, enjoying, and making new memories in such sentimental garments...

Spring Fashion Week - Tuesday

So, this is basically a love letter to my green pants.

My green pants are amazing.  They're ever-so-slightly loose, wearing a bit more like trousers or sweatpants than jeans.  They are corduroy, which immediately ups the awesome factor.  And they are this delightful neon-apple green that never fails to make me smile.  Watch out, world, katie has green pants.

I also really like this sweater -- it's such a lovely chunky open-knit lace, and *exactly* my skin tone.  A sweet feminine touch, which is an amusing contrast to the oh-so-bold green pants. 

Tank: Target | Sweater: Anthropologie, thrifted | GREEN PANTS: thrifted | Necklaces: birthday gift from the mister (black), Kohls (turquoise) | Sandals: Kalso Earth

Does that one look overly senior-picture-y to anyone else?  It's okay; if I'd had my green pants then, I totally would have done my senior portraits in them.  Also, apparently I spend so much time in the hunched-over-studying posture that I am physically incapable of relaxing my shoulders anymore.  It's okay, trapezius muscles, you can chill out, there's a fence there holding you up.   

Curly hair!  And a far more realistically-katie facial expression.

If Spring Fashion Week is what brought you here, thanks for stopping by!  Now, go check out what everyone else is up to.

Springing, or Holiday Dress

So, remember how I'm the type to dress for the holidays?  Well, green is my favorite color and I promise, I wore this on Tuesday and didn't realize until blogging it that it would post on the 17th.  Well, Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Given how I spent my entire life before college my background, St. Pat's is one of the High Holy days and though I haven't laced up those dance shoes for gosh, nearly eight(!) years, it still strikes me as odd to carry on with life as usual around this time of year.  Today, for example, I am studying for tomorrow's exam on Reproductive Physiology, when I *should* be drinking Guinness.  Alas...

Occasion: seriously professionalizing

You may also recall how strange it was to dress like a responsible adult for three days in a row.  This past week only -- "only" -- had two such occasions, but Tuesday had three different events totaling 6.5 hours of my day which mandated professional attire.  6.5 hours!  It's as if it's for real, now.  (And what 6.5 hours they were!  Lab with preggos, feeling their bellies and learning to do ultrasounds; interviewing applicants; and learning/performing actual pelvic exams, speculum and all, on an actual woman, who was a phenomenally patient and gracious teacher.)

Weird pose -- trying to show off all my little bits, and not look like a dork in the process.  Success on the first, not so much on the second.

Sweater: INC, thrifted | Blouse: INC, thrifted | Skirt: Express, inherited from an old roommate | Tights: Target | Shoes: b.o.c. by Born, thrifted | Watch: plundered from the mister | Earrings: old favorites

Coming up next, I've got a 10-day trip featuring four vastly different environs: a professional conference, relatively formal social events in Florida, Orlando's theme parks, and family time/Irish dance viewing in Boston.  How will I piece together 10 consecutive days' worth of outfits for two or three different climates and fit it all into one suitcase?  Truthfully, I have no idea -- so, tune in to find out!

Festive Fashions, Take 1

The semester is over and done, and the holidays are upon us.  Time to dress festively!  There have been three occasions in the past week that were particularly fun to plan for: a church Christmas party, a theater outing, and a swingin' night on the town.

Occasion: homegroup's annual White Elephant Christmas party

 

Tunic: thrifted | Jeans: Kohl's | Flats: Target

The sequins smattered on the neckline and cuffs of this shirt are so sparkly, I glitter like a disco ball (and I love it!).  Also, I'm convinced that the color of these mustard-y flats goes with everything.  This was our second year at this 15+-year party, and quite a hoot -- the mister secured for himself "the Khan," a coveted recurring gift, and my contribution of a super dooper reindeer pooper (plus jelly bellies, natch) was fought over, finally ending up in the hands of a precocious preschooler. 

Occasion: Broadway in San Francisco

 

Dress: option C, thrifted | Jeans: Kohl's | Booties: b.o.c., thrifted | Belt: (my favorite!) thrifted | Scarf: thrifted

As an end-of-the-term treat, we got tickets to see The Lion King.  I ended up taking a six-hour exam (ugh -- but, now I'm done with my Master's!) earlier in the day, so being dressed up was a pleasant boost.  The show was amazing, and dinner beforehand particularly notable for a sighting of my little sister's favorite minor internet celebrity at the next table over.

 Occasion: dancing the night away

Lace top: Ross | Bustier: Frederick's | Skirt: thrifted | Belt: thrifted | Stockings: Modcloth | Dancing Shoes: Nature Breeze via db shoes, self-glittered

Thanks for your input for my dance party indecision!  I went with option A, but changed things up a bit: a bustier rather than a tank gave coverage while getting the bombshell feeling that the elf-y version hadn't; taking in the skirt a couple inches let it sit at my waist, rather than below it; new fancy dancing flats (that sparkle!) just make me happy; and those tights...oh, those tights.  Ladies, these stockings are major win -- really good quality, sassy and unique.  I was asked if the ribbons were tattoos, they're so convincing in person.  (And while I couldn't/wouldn't ink so much skin, I have to admit that these would be some pretty rocking tattoos.)  The band was excellent, the venue was perfect, I felt incredible in that twirly, shimmery skirt, and had a wonderful evening [swing]dancing with my handsome husband.  Swanky party = success!

I hope your world is full of so many reasons to celebrate -- may your days be merry and bright!  (And all of you who are actually getting a white Christmas, my heart is with you.  I miss it so much...)

Holiday Party - Help!

Here's the deal:

I decided I needed a swanky-fun party to dress up for, preferably one involving [swing] dancing.  Amazingly, I found just such a party, featuring one of our favorite local bands.  Now, I can't decide what to wear.  Help a betty out?

Given the dress code of "vintage, cocktail, or red & green," my need to dance comfortably, and my wish to avoid my more-frequently-worn fancy bits, here's what I've come up with:

Option A:  Black lace blouse, green cami, and a lovely floaty, silky red skirt.  Oh, and that sparkly belt.  The skirt is amazing, but all the red and green makes me feel a little bit like an elf going to a ball.  Maybe a camisole in white or gold instead?

Option B:  The skirt part on this dress is stretchy, so it's great for dancing -- and while twirly skirts may be more fun on the dance floor, nothing makes you look like hot stuff better than a pencil skirt.  It's actually one of my "professional" dresses, but with the sparkly belt it's appropriately festive and retro, right? 

Option C:  Black chiffon and cotton-lace dress, sparkly red belt...I can't articulate exactly how, but this is *such* a lindy-hopper getup.  Even more so with my dancing shoes, which are white keds.   

Option D:  This feels the most vintage-reminiscent, with the black lace blouse under a sweetheart-neckline strapless dress in dark green.  This may also be The World's Most Perfect Bridesmaid Dress, as it has been worn in one wedding, as a guest to another, and for two formal parties.  (Not bad!)  The longer length gives a formality that's at odds with my shoes, though... 

So -- help!?  Thoughts?  What should I wear to my holiday bash?  What are you wearing to yours?

And now, bonus twirling picture:

Told you that skirt was amazing...

Pop Some Tags

Have you heard that new song Thrift Store?  When I first heard it on the radio, I thought it was another offering from DJ Dave (Whole Foods Parking Lot, Daddy Skills, Berkeley Enough, etc...).  Though a little coarse in the language, it's such a fun take on the thrill of the hunt and the feeling you get when you nab something awesome.  All of this to say -- you guys...

Occasion: Saturday

...I HAVE GREEN PANTS.  Green corduroys, no less.  They're a little more dark-limey-apple green than the true crayola they're showing up as in pictures...and they are rocking my world something awesome right now.

I've focused my clothing-acquisitions lately on "professional-able" things -- things that I like, would wear day-to-day, and can be presented as professional enough to pass muster in a white-coat-required clinical environment.  I was out on Friday on a post-block-exams (7 tests in 5 days, gross!) shopping treat at my favorite thrift shop and grabbed these AMAZE-BALLS oh! so! very! green! pants "just to try on."  Once on -- oh, man!  I'd forgotten that, though I am having to make the transition to responsible, professional adult, I don't have to put on that persona or that uniform all the time.  I can wear something just because it makes me grin from ear to ear.  LIKE GREEN PANTS.  =)

  

Sweater: Eddie Bauer, thrifted | Striped tee: Banana Republic, thrifted | GREEN PANTS: thrifted | Sneakers: Converse All-Stars

So, what are your green pants?  Do you have anything that plasters a goofy grin on your face every time you put it on? 

Color-riffic

Since katie and lyn have both posted about working colors into their outfits, I thought I should chime in.

FACT:  I have only recently been opened up to mixing colors.

Excluding my 90's-era elementary-aged "fashion" (I rocked the oversized sweatshirt like there was no tomorrow), I've stayed within normal color parameters.  I knew what matched and what didn't, and stayed far away from the didn't.  Black and brown, mixing bright colors, even introducing a new color into an outfit:  no. no. no.

Honestly, it was Fall Fashion Week that really helped me explore new fashion choices.  The women who participated were so encouraging, supportive and creative that I felt inspired to make new fashion choices, one of them being colors.

Shirt:  hand-me-down

Skirt:  Forever 21

Leggings:  Kohls

Socks:  Smartwool

Boots:  Merrell, from REI

Hat:  Gift, from Forever 21

As this outfit shows, I'm still fairly moderate with my color mixing.  But only a year or two ago, I would have never thought purple and green would be in my outfit, at the same time!

Have your fashion choices changed in the past few years?

[Student] Doctor Kate

A few times a month, we have labs (or in this case, an exam!) where we have to dress up, don our white coats, and act as the physicians for actors who come in to play the roles of our patients.  My nametag has my given name on it, while "katie" is my handle in daily, informal situations, but I have taken to mentally calling myself "Kate" when in professional garb.  "Kate" is my alter-ego, my ideal professional self, who stays cool under pressure and can pull together clinical know-how while staying present with and attentive to the patient.  

Occasion: pretending to be a doctor

I've got a long way to go before the real me is close to the Kate that I hope to be, but until then I can still dress the part.  Professional attire in my cohort is oh-so-conservative -- I haven't seen any of my other classmates don colored tights, but I do like that rich jade green and with everything else in inoffensive black and grey, why not?

Dress: thrifted | Cami: thrifted | Belt: Target | Tights: Target | Shoes: Naya via db shoes | Earrings: gift from the mister | Necklace: Kohls | White coat: courtesy of OPSC

Cheers,

Kate katie