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.

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.

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. 

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

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

Indeed.

Grey

photo credit

i love wearing grey.

it's soft, warm and cozy.

yet, mysterious too.

like fog, and dense forests.

like bon iver's for emma, forever ago.

these tights are like icicles or snow-covered trees.

beautiful, and dangerous too.

(tights are from urban outfitters.)

Getting there

Shirt:  Kohls

Sweater:  Forever 21

Pants:  Goodwill

Shoes:  K-mart

Scarf:  a gift

I generally don't make New Year's resolutions.  For all the effort I could put in, it just feels like I'm spinning my wheels, making half-hearted attempts at insignificant changes.

That being sad, one of my goals from last year was to put more effort into my appearance.  I asked for beauty tips on my blog, and my reader came through generously.  I've bought some mascara and lip products, and truth be told, I've had fun playing with them.  

I'm wearing make-up in the above picture - you can hardly tell, which is perfect for me.  

I haven't figured out why it's important for me to take this step.  Why is make-up something that signifies being an adult?  I've gone this long without it, so why start now?  Partially, I get annoyed when people mistake me for being a teenager, but that's hardly a major influence.  Applying make-up also feels like something I should know, a piece of knowledge I should have gained a long time ago, but that's not entirely it either.

Ah well.  I'm making a mountain out of nothing more than tinted chapstick.  If it's something that makes me feel more confident, I should just go ahead and do it!

Winter fashion statements

Due to it being a mind-meltingly difficult week last week, I missed katie's winter challenge.
But better late than never!

Wisconsin is known for its long, hard winters.  Scarves, hats, mittens and thick coats are necessities; sometimes, you can be bundled up well into April.

Since you spend so much time in this thick layers, why not use them to make a statement?
Step away from the basic black coat!
Dig out those Nordic patterns!
Accessorize with a brightly colored scarf!

Winter is dull enough as it is.  No need to make it worse by pulling on something ho-hum.  If you need to be battling the elements, best put your best foot forward.

I fully embraced this philosophy in 2010, when I bought this yellow coat on eBay.  It doesn't fail to make me smile, and feel sunshiny on the bleakest days.

Coat:  eBay

Scarf:  H&M, in Germany

Mittens:  Ragstock

Do you have winter accessories that brighten your day?

Sick Days

And now, for our very first challenge week at Phenotype: fabulous...winter!  Here by the SF bay, it's been raining nonstop for days, and I've been dreaming about how much delightful snow that would bring if I were back home in colder climes...bundling up for outdoor [mis]adventures, cozying up inside by a fire -- there are so many things I love about winter!  One thing that I definitely do not appreciate, however, is being sick.

Even worse: being sick (and miserable!) on a day that you absolutely cannot stay home.  When all you want to do is burrow under the covers and sip hot tea while re-watching Sherlock but you *have* to go out and be part of the real world, what's a girl to do?

 Occasion: an at-school sick day =/

My approach is to wear clothes that are as comfy as my pajamas but more put-together (trying to get some of that "look good, feel good" going for me).  Here, [adventure] boots that wear like sneakers, leggings and a stretchy skirt, and my cuddliest sweater.  You'd never even know that I felt like I'd been run over by a bus.

 

sweater: J.Crew, thrifted | skirt: Target | leggings: Target | boots: Kalso Earth

I liked it so much, I'm going to do it again when I'm feeling even better.  What's your go-to when winter's got you down?

Fashion Utopia

Winter is my favorite fashion season simply because of the sweaters I get to wear. Sweaters are my favorite clothing item by far. Recently, this sweater came into my life. Even though it's full of holes and therefore dysfunctional on the warmth scale, I find it cute nonetheless.


Sweater: Plato's Closet
Skirt: H&M










One other staple piece of winter clothing I love is tights. Especially with comfy, fuzzy, warm socks. Tights in my opinion work best with boots and occasionally sneakers. Again, I recently bought new white tights (My old one ripped. Sad face.) as well as warm socks. Paired together, My legs/feet were as toasty as can be.

Tights: Target
Socks: Target
Boots: Payless









After the realization that the perfect winter outfit could be successfully formed, I was determined to put together this masterpiece. And then...it was born.

(Yes, I realize this picture is blurry. Deal with it.)











TA DA! This cute sweater paired with my ever-so-fantastic mullet skirt, a warm tights/socks combo, and small heeled boots sent me off smiling.

Oh, the weather outside is weather

It's dipped below freezing.  We had flurries on Monday, and it's only gettin' colder.  Time to cozy up!

Slippers:  Forever 21

Last year (when I took these photos), I bought myself a pair of the most awesome slippers ever:  Yeti feet.  They were designed to be polar bear feet, I'm sure, but I feel more like a Bumble.  They're warm, wonderfully cozy, and look silly when I swing-dance on my kitchen floor.

What are some of your comfy-coziest clothes?