skirted

Hi! It snowed today (after these pictures were taken). Blogger is not pleased.

Shirt: Equipment via eBay [same style]
Skirt: Thrifted  [similar]
Scarf: c/o The Posh'mina
Tights: Target
Boots: Frye  [exact]
Belt: Old Navy  [save | splurge]
Watch: Kate Spade  [exact]

Don't forget that the 5 Days, 5 Ways link up starts next week! As a reminder of the line-up:

Monday: Tops

Tuesday: Pants

Wednesday: Accessories

Thursday: Dresses

Friday: Casual Friday

I hope you join Whitney and me!

face lift

So I got a hair cut.

and I like it a lot.








My blog also got a mini facelift thanks to Modern Buttercup. I also like it a lot :)

Shirt: Ralph Lauren, thrifted {save | spend}

Jeans: Urban Outfitters {exact}

Belt: H&M Mens

Boots: Frye  {exact}

Watch: Kate Spade  {exact}

Shoutout to my Frye boots - they had to go to the cobbler to have the heel re-enforced and to be cleaned and moisturized. They feel brand new again, and all that for only $18 (for those of you in Madison: I went to Cecil's West).








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Linking up with Style Elixir. 

fate

You know how sometimes when we're shopping and we find something that we think is cute and it's the last piece and it's our size? We tell ourselves it's fate and buy it because the universe has clearly decided that it was meant to be for us to own that jacket / scarf / ring. Yeah, I'm not immune to that feeling either.

I mentioned that I was looking for a new pair of boots and when I saw that this pair (at the time) only had one pair left and in my size, I did not even hesitate to press buy. Obviously the fashion gods felt that I needed to own those boots. A week later they arrived at my front step, and I'm now a fashion atheist because girl, no. They look like plastic rain boots! Not what I expected from something that claims to be leather boots. I know my expectations are higher because I love my Frye boots so much, but another pair of such expensive boots is just not a possibility right now (especially since I need to be good about saving money while I'm still working). Back those go. Next up: this pair or this pair.

Maybe they'll make me be a believer again.

Dress: Old Navy  {exact}
Vest: Old Navy  {similar for less than $30}
Tights: Target  {exact}
Belt: Old Navy  {similar}
Scarf: Victoria's Secret
Boots: Frye  {exact}
Watch: Target  {similar}

Day Four of TOPIO











linking up with Sunday Style!

slip & slide

First of all, thank you SO MUCH for all of your kind words yesterday - I am so excited!! To answer a few questions, I do intend to continue blogging as long as it still is fun for me. Medical school is a crazy time, and I always regret not documenting college better (other than lots of facebook albums haha) so I'm hoping to document this new chapter. There are many ladies out there blogging through med school/residency (find some here under Dr. Blogger) that have really inspired me so I hope to follow their lead.There will be lots of changes, of course - I'll need a somewhat different wardrobe (more skirts, less ripped jeans), I probably won't blog daily, I'll be wearing a white coat instead of a lab coat (just kidding, that'll pretty much be the same). I'll take it all one day at a time, but there are several more months until anything really changes.

Second of all, don't let what looks like a clear road here fool you. While there isn't any snow, the road was covered in some fun black ice. Which I didn't realize until I started sliding all over the place, which included accidently taking this:

Feel free to laugh because I laughed for about 5 minutes when I saw it on my camera.

Blazer: J. Crew  {exact}
Tee: Forever 21*  {exact}
Gingham: J. Crew Factory  {very similar}
Jeans: Gap  {similar}
Boots: Frye  {exact}
Watch: gift from my Oma {similar}
Earrings: Tiffany & Co. {exact}



* Thank you to Audrey for finding this gem. It's actually a t-shirt but it worked so well for layering as long as I kept the blazer on - otherwise it looks kind of funny

ok so not the most innovative take one pass it on...but I loved it so much the first time I wanted to wear something similar!

winterize

One of my goals for my closet is to buy pieces that work not only for my job, but also for outside of work. I love the easiness of a simple dress for the summer time, but I've never been one to winterize a dress so there's been a bit of a learning curve for me. I've learned a lot from all of the other bloggers out there about how to make a dress appropriate for the winter, so hopefully I'm not failing you! I picked this dress up as a part of my January budget but I know I'll be wearing it straight into the summer.

Dress: Old Navy  {exact}
Cardigan: NY&Co.  {save / splurge}
Belt: H&M Mens
Tights: Target  {exact}
Boots: Frye  {save / exact}
Watch: Kate Spade  {exact}
Rings: Forever 21  {exact}

and for the future...

Outfit 1: Sunglasses + Cargo Jacket + Crossbody Purse + Sandals
Outfit 2: Cardigan + Necklace + Brown Belt + Boot Socks + Brown Belts
Outfit 3: Grey Sweater + Red Belt + Black Tights + Grey Boots

Linking up with wiww

happiest place on earth

I copied this look off of this pin (I can't find the original source originally from C. Style). While I love love wearing this sweater as it is so warm and so comfortable, it is somewhat limiting. I tried it with my maroon skinny jeans but those suckers are just not comfortable enough to sit in all day...so I wore my black jeans instead. In sad closet news, these jeans are about to be retired. I've been wearing them at least 2-3 times a week for over a year, and they are starting to wear through in the thighs...that's what I get for having chubby legs I suppose (but all of that cheese I ate to get here was worth it ha). I've even patched them up and will continue to wear them until they are un-patchable. Unfortunately it seems that UO isn't re-stocking these so now I'm going to have to find a new favorite pair of black skinny jeans. Do you have any recommendations? 

Sweater: Urban Outfitters  {save / exact}

Jeans: Urban Outfitters

Belt: stolen from dress

Boots: Frye  {exact}

Ring: American Eagle

Shoutout to my co-worker Emily who froze outside to take these pictures on the way back to work from the happiest place on Earth (Chipotle, obviously). Thanks girl!

the posh'mina showoff + GIVEAWAY!

As you ladies (gentlemen? doubt it) know, I just about live in scarves. I wear one almost every single day and although I sometimes know how to tie them (ok...so hope that all of the twisting and tying somehow works), it's nice when something comes along and makes it easier. The wonderful ladies at The Posh'mina sent me this scarf (as well as this one!) and I'm so excited because not only does the design make it easier to nonchalantly drape across your neck, you can also use it as a shawl or belt it or even as a top. Since I was wearing this to work (and therefore under a lab coat), I went the conventional route and used the slots to secure the ends. The scarf feels and looks so expensive - I especially like that this one has 2 different sides as I think it gives the scarf more depth.

The Posh'mina has generously afforded to give one of their scarves away to one of you! Just enter the Rafflecopter below. I apologize to all of you international ladies, this one is only open to US residents.

Cardigan: Ann Taylor Outlet  {save / splurge}
Tee: Gap
Scarf: c/o The Posh'mina
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Belt: J. Crew {exact but cheaper in stores!}
Boots: Frye  {exact}
Purse: Madewell  {exact}
Watch: Kate Spade  {exact}
Bracelet: DIY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

friend ♥...and cold ankles

After I graduated from college in May 2011, I had somewhat of the "recent graduate blues". Besides the whole "real world" stuff, I'm not exaggerating when I say that all but one of my girl friends moved away to go to graduate school, or go on adventures in other states/countries. Chris was also in the middle of hardcore studying, so I felt really alone a lot of the time. I mentioned that I'm so thankful for all of you blogging friends I now have because you make me feel like I have friends I connect with every day...which is probably why Chris doesn't always understand why I spend so much time typing on my computer ;)  

But we all need to have people in our real lives, so this is all just a rambling way to tell my last Madison friend standing, Lizzi, how much I appreciate her. She's the friend that I go to concerts with, the girl I go pilates-ing with, and the girl I call when things don't happen like I want them to. We met up Saturday afternoon just to chat, and I think the signs of a true friend are when you get chat for hours and could keep the conversation going with ease. So thank you Lizzi, for being a true friend, my confidante  and sometimes photographer.

Sweater: J. Crew Factory  {exact}

Scarf: Forever 21  {save / splurge}

Jeans: Gap  {similar}

Boots: Frye  {exact}

Belt: H&M Mens

Watch: Fossil  {similar}

Bracelet: J. Crew via eBay  {similar}

P.S. I know some of you have expressed a bit of concern about my bare ankles during the work week. Please know that I'm not some cold ankle baring hussy all day - I park my car in our attached garage at home, and only have to walk about 30 yards from my parking spot into work, so I spend minimal time outside during the winter. On days where it has snowed, I wear either my real boots, or I'll wear my ugly $10 Target fake Uggs into work and change. I didn't want you to think that wearing thin ballet flats is the norm for Wisconsin winters ;)

Belted Vest

Thank you so much for all of your words of advice and tricks on yesterday's post about struggling with layering. You guys had some great ideas, including lots of belting. I've wanted to belt this vest since I saw Audrey's post so that's what I did this morning. I really like the way this came together, even if I kind of look like I'm ready for a picnic.

I really like the idea of wearing more vests because like Elissa said, they add a layer without adding bulk to arms, which is something I try to avoid, so I'm going to be on the look out for more vests. Bri had a great tip of wearing a tighter tank over a button down, but under the sweater, which helps give you more shape. I can't wait to try that out! You ladies are so smart.

Vest: Old Navy
Shirt: Gap  {similar}
Belt: H&M  {similar}
Jeans: Gap  {very similar}
Boots: Frye  {exact}
Watch: Fossil  {very similar}
Nails: OPI My Throne for a Cranberry Scone

In other news, I went to Goodwill today for a little sweater shopping. I found a few finds, and then experienced the biggest thrifting disappointment - I found a grey J. Crew schoolboy blazer in pretty much perfect condition....for $7.99....in a size 4. I am not a size four. Dang it. I'm pretty disappointed :(











Linking up with Marionberry's Trend of the Month,  wiww and Everybody, Everywear.

Have you linked up with October's Budgeting Bloggers yet?

Tailgating

Yesterday was the first time Chris and I actually tailgated before a Badger game...even though we've been to dozens of games (shockingly, you're not allowed to drink if you're in the marching band). It was also the Halloween game (and Homecoming) so there were lots of costumes out and about. Chris's friend Mike went as Santa, and Chris was...a Wisconsin gangster? Yeah, no idea. I'm not a big Halloween person so I did not dress up. Not sorry.

Sweatshirt: University Bookstore
Vest: The North Face
Scarf: DIY
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Frye
Sunglasses: Color Me Rad Souvenir

This month's Budgeting Bloggers is up and can be found here!






Linking up with Modern Modest Beauty.

Altering Thrift Finds

In an effort to save some money and to be a smarter consumer, I've been trying to buy more clothes secondhand. As I've mentioned in the past, my mom is a huge thrifter which has been a great influence in my own thrifting. My rules for buying second hand clothes are the same for buying clothes new - it has to be something I can see myself wearing multiple ways, and it has to fill a hole in my closet.

Even though I live in Wisconsin and our winters are brutal, I don't have that many thick sweaters. I did just buy a maroon (NOT oxblood!) sweater, but wanted a cream colored one as well. I found this sweater at Goodwill this weekend for $4. I loved the color, the neckline, and the length...but I hated the sleeves. Luckily I still am in possession of my mom's sewing machine, so with a few stitches and snips I had myself the perfect slightly oversized sweater.
















Sweater: thrifted and altered
Scarf: Forever 21
Purse: Gift from my best friend
Jeans: Gap  {very similar}
Boots: Frye  {exact}
Watch: Target  {only in stores}
Bracelet: DIY (you can win one here!)






Linking up with Real Girl Glam, Work Clothes I Suppose, and wiww.

Booted

It's finally time for boots! I'm trying not to be too excited about the cooling temperatures because after 20 years of living in Wisconsin, I know what's to come in the next 6 months. I'm holding off on wearing a jacket in to work (I'm afraid once I start I won't be able to stop) but boots I'll do!

I need to take this pair in the cobbler to have them cleaned and prepped for winter but I'm already excited to wear them in the upcoming snowy months.

Shirt: Gap  {similar}
Cardigan: Forever 21
Belt: so old
Jeans: Gap
Boots: Frye  {exact}
Watch: Target  {exact in stores}
Bracelets: J. Crew via eBay, H&M

Florence + the Machine

I'm a huge fan of Florence + the Machine. My friend Lizzi and I saw them last year at Summerfest and once we heard they were coming back to Milwaukee, we bought our tickets immediately.

On our way to Milwaukee we stopped at the Outlet Mall in Johnson's Creek. We made sure to follow our rules of only buying something if we really liked it, rather than the "But its on sale and cheap!" trap that outlet malls make you fall for. So I only bought a few things, but I'm happy with my purchases.

After a few interesting encounters, including catching a girl while she fainted, Florence + the Machine played. She is an amazing singer, and so beautiful. We just stood there in awe of her. If you ever get the chance to see them live...just do it.


Blouse: H&M
Jacket: Banana Republic
Jeans: Gap
Boots: Frye
Socks: Urban Outfitters
Ring: Old Navy
Bracelets: Forever 21