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!

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...

Strong Work

"Strong work," for the uninitiated, is the ultimate compliment in medical training.  It is a commendation I have only received twice, both in this past month at our county medical center & teaching hospital.  The first time was probably related to clinical knowledge or skill.  The second was today, for my participation in the institution's time-honored tradition:

Bow-tie Fridays.

Borrowed from my mister, but hand-tied (on the first try!) all by myself, thank you very much.

Bow-ties are cool.

Sprummer Day 7 -- Feeling French

I've got to say, I love a classic Breton stripe.  I've managed to restrain myself to two thus far, but only because I want them to be appreciably different from each other.  This breezy, lightweight sweater is definitely the more fun one, and just right for a springtime Sunday.

In addition to the stripes, rocking the crops with ankle-strap sandals makes me feel oh-so-French.  Je ne sais pas si les vetements sont vraiment francais, et bien sur j'ai oublie beaucoup des mots, mais... =)

Sweater: Kohl's | Pants: thrifted and DIY cropped | Sandals: Chinese Laundry, thrifted

Oh, and I promised that I'd be debuting my favorite new accessory.  The thing I just can't leave the house without these days is...dog hair!  All over everything!

While that's not a perk, the new four-legged family member certainly is.  Her name is Ada, she's about two years old and a mutt of unknown origin, and whenever she's not sleeping she's looking at me like this:

No joke.  All. The. Time.  (Not that I'm complaining -- this puppy is very good for our egos!)

It's been another lovely fashion week -- much thanks to Deanna & Joanna for hosting! -- 

Sprummer Day 6 -- Pseudo Summer Camp

Such fun thus far for sprummer fashion week!  I really like seeing everyone in their warm-weather best.  Today, here at Phenofab we're living up casual Saturday.  No professional dress, no obligations, just some grocery shopping and enjoying the beautiful day outside.

Shirt: Colombia, thrifted | Shorts: Eddie Bauer, thrifted | Shoes: Merrell, via eBay 

The combination of the button-up with rolled sleeves (it's one with fancy sun protection, too, which is awesome 'cuz I sunburn just thinking about going outside) paired with shorts, moccasins, and a ponytail (it's runty, but it's there!) makes me feel like a summer camp counselor.

My shoes are part of Merrell's barefoot line.  I've been intentionally working toward minimal footwear for over a year, you've got to have your foot strong enough to not hurt yourself, but I *love* them.  It's like wearing jazz dance slippers, they fit my feet like a second skin.  Plus, I can feel everything -- did you know that 25% of the muscles and bones in your body are from your ankle down?  And that the palms of your hands and soles of your feet have the most nerve endings per surface area?  That's a ton of information about the world you're interacting with that you're just not getting if you're wearing stiff shoes all the time!  =)

You know the drill -- head over to Delirious Rhapsody, drop your thanks to Deanna and cheer on everyone participating!

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 4 -- Proportion Play

The clinic where I've been working lately has a no-white-coats rule, and I've got to say, I really like it.  It means that rather than just trying to look professional, it's worth it to put some effort into dressing cute, because it's actually visible.  It also means I get to wear things, like this majorly-dolman-sleeved sweater, that simply wouldn't work worn under a lab coat.

Sweater: thrifted | Pants: thrifted | Sandals: Chinese Landry, thrifted | Necklace: gift

I can never figure out what color this sweater is (disclosure: I'm slightly colorblind).  Is it grey?  Lavender?  A kind of putty-taupe?  No idea.  It does go well with the wall, though.

This is a new type of silhouette for me.  It doesn't do the things I'm used to or address my usual style priorities.  It's fun, though, to push those boundaries a little, to play with proportion and shape and emphasis in ways that differ from my MO.

You know the drill...Sprummer Fashion Week!  Let's go give everybody some love.  =)

Sprummer Day 3 -- Junebug Redux

Not much to say here.  This was a church outfit; somehow, I feel like I can get away with a slightly higher hemline there than at work (medicine is soooooo conservative!).  

Blouse: Kohl's | Skirt: vintage Talbot's, thrifted | Sandals: Chinese Laundry, thrifted 

This skirt is so happy-making.  I love the bright color, the ladybugs, the sketched, doodle-y appearance.  I like the texture on the blouse, too -- embroidered cutouts up top, and a slubby linen knit for the rest.  Breezy and summery in black, yes please!  

Derpy face, but you get to see the embroidery texture a little better...

Join me for the party that is Sprummer Fashion Week over at Deanna's place!

Sprummer Day 2 - Commencing

My original medical school class graduated recently(!) -- of course I went, wouldn't have missed it for anything.  This is what I wore:

Cardigan: Target | Tunic: Kohl's | Jeans: thrifted | Shoes: Crocs  

The school colors are dark blue & white, but matching them was serendipitous rather than intentional -- I just tend to wear a lot of navy.

I really like the shirttail hem on this tunic -- I like the length in the front and back, with the higher sides allowing a flattering continuation of the visual leg line.  I am also nearly a month into the bangs and still liking them -- takes a touch more work in the morning to brush them out (compared to my normal "I do nothing to it" hair routine), but for relatively minimal effort I get a much more polished look.  I'm looking forward to the rest of my hair growing out a bit so I can do the braid-&-bangs combo I'm aiming for.

It was awesome to go to my [old] class's graduation.  I sat with some other classmates who had added an extra year -- for medical reasons, research, public health study, what-have-you -- and we ended up being right on the aisle that all the medical-students-commencing-to-be-doctors processed down during the entry.  Half the class stopped and hugged us, causing major traffic jams =) and it was SO COOL to remember being strangers four years ago and now see them on the verge of being doctors.  It wasn't bittersweet, either, because I still feel like I need at least a year of school yet; it was exciting to look forward to our ceremony next year, but purely, 100% happiness and celebration for the 2014s.

Any big celebrations your way recently?  If nothing else, you should go join the party for the Sprummer Fashion Week!

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!

Hello Again!

After nearly four months in scrubs, I'm back!  Back to wearing cute work clothes and not being paranoid about contaminating the sterile field.  Back to caring what my hair and face look like because they're not covered by a mask and hairnet every day.  Back from surgery, and never to return!

(Just kidding, I have one month of surgery next spring.  I get to choose who I'm working with, though, which helps.  I am SO OVER surgeons!)

There some changes on the horizon.  We've got the Sprummer Fashion Week coming up, in which I'll debut a new haircut and quite possibly the cutest accessory of the season.  For now, though, I want to enjoy a rare Really Good Hair Day in its pre-trim form, immortalized forever on the internet.

The clothes are all thrifted.  The necklaces were both gifts.  The red glass pendant came with matching earrings, and was a wedding gift.  Is that weird?  It seems a little odd to have gotten a wedding present so obviously intended for only one party.  Though, the mister likes the necklace, and how it 'fits,' so I guess everyone's happy with the situation?

 Come back and play next week for Fashion Week!  You know those are always a blast.  =)

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!

Suits!

This year, I need a suit.

I ought to have had one when interviewing for medical school, but I didn't.  I doubt it's a make-or-break situation, I still got in, but believe me that the anxiety I had sitting the conference room in a bright blue sweater surrounded by peers in very conservative professional attire -- well, there's a reason you stick with convention in situations like that.  No need to make yourself more nervous than necessary.

However, this year I need a suit.  I will be interviewing for a medical residency, AKA my First Grown-Up Job, AKA Incredibly High-Stakes Professional Courtship.  I am not such a BAMF that I can interview now in a blue sweater and black capris again.  I'm not even such a rockstar that I can interview in the awesome vintage dark olive green suit I loved (but have no use for).  Dark, intimidating, conservative is the way to go.

Well, almost.  The classic option is a black suit, of course, but then everyone wears that, so it's beneficial to do something a *little* bit distinct amongst that sea of black come interview day.  Charcoal grey is recommended, or navy blue.  The really baller do black with white pinstripes.

Me?  I do purple.  And plaid.

The pantsuit: nice lightweight wool, with cool details that I fell for: that folded collar, the tone-on-tone plaid, the of-the-season cropped trousers.  I simply detest having things that are just like everyone else's.  It's counter-intuitive to me, but pantsuits are perceived as less formal than skirtsuits, though still acceptable on the interview trail.  I'm pretty sure this one will be returned, though.  The pieces are the right sizes, but just the wrong fit.  The jacket isn't shaped like me, and I'm not thrilled with the silhouette of the pants either.

The pants would get tailored in at the waist, which might help the fit of the legs, but I think I'm just more comfortable with a traditional wide trouser, rather than this cropped business.  (Also, the pants are unlined, and consequently a bit itchy).  The jacket also has a pleat at the low back, and you can see that it pulls open across my hips.  Love the details, but this is not the right suit for me.

The skirt suit: polyester (boo) with some stretch (yay!), and a slight purple cast (interesting).  Fitting the blazer is still not *quite* perfect, but it sits well at the shoulders and bust and the rest can be tailored.  I've got a substantial bust/waist difference and quite a short torso; fitted jackets never fit on me without tailoring.

I've got to say, I feel much more like me in a skirt suit, and even more so when I ditch the jacket.  This one is a keeper; a classy modern shape, construction with some movement ease (yay, stretch and kick-pleats!), and that just-off-of-black hue is due to this subtle purple pinstripe-dottiness.  To me, it says "I look respectable and responsible from a difference, but when you get close you realize I have this fun side as well."  Hopefully it would say the same to my interviewers...

I may go out looking for a pantsuit again -- it's recommended to have two suits, so that you're not panicked trying to get your only one back from the dry cleaner in time, and I may be shilling myself out in the frozen Midwest where pants are mighty advisable come December.  Interview season is still six months away, though, so I've got time.

Thoughts?  Favorite suit sources?  Opinions on how these things fit?  Commiseration in the First Job hunt?  I'm all ears.