I need you in my closet | 11

This sweater | That sweater

Blouse #1

Blouse #2

Blouse #3

Blouse #4

Blouse #5

Blouse #6 | Blouse #7

In case you guys are interested in my dress but want a cheaper option: try this dress

This dress | That dress

Little black dress | This gorgeous dress 

 

These boots

Accessories

One of the biggest reasons why I began blogging is because I've always had trouble finding the right accessories to go with my outfits. I went window shopping with my friend and found a few items I really wanted to buy. I know I need an item in my closet because I can't stop thinking about them after I leave the store. Here are a few items I'm looking over...

The world map inside the watch is unusual but I think describes me pretty well and I think it'd make a great addition. Plus the gold detail is something I've been eying for while (I mean... I had an entire post about watches and I still haven't decided which one is best!) Here I think I might go for the beige or cognac straps, although the pink strap looked pretty great too. What do you guys think?
(Watches = $28)

This picture does not do justice to the necklace. It's a gold chain with a ... man I don't even know how to describe that color... capri sun or carribean blue stone with gold details inside it. I think it's a great statement piece and on my short list for my jewerly box. ($28)

My sis was a big fan of the necklaces to the left, but I liked the rings to the right. They sort of resemble ventricular fibrillation rhythms... does that make me a dork for wanting those? (~$20)

Finally I saw this beautiful leaflet headband. Now most headbands give me traumatic flashbacks of my young days when my mom thought it was adorable to wear them and had bought 6-10 of them in different styles and colors. Oh the 90s, some things I don't miss. But when I saw this beauty, I thought I would try it on, and doesn't it fit me so well? I think it'd be great for a bad hair day. My one worry is that because it's all metal that it would hurt me in the back of my ears. Still considering this one, but I'm leaning towards getting it. (~$40)

Slow Cooker Pinspiration

You guys! You have got to try this recipe! 

So background: A few years ago, I was a sheltered little girl who loved home cooking and didn't really venture outside the restaurant scene apart from my usual spots. I preferred saving the money and doing other things like shopping for outfits or saving up for school. But then I started dating for the first time since high school, and the boy was surprised that I didn't know any restaurants around town. So for our date nights, we tried different places around town that matched our taste preferences. He hated any asian food except for Thai and I was getting tired of italian and mexican places.

We learned that we both really loved and craved certain types, and even though we're no longer together, I'm still fond of Indian and Thai food. However, going out to dinner alone isn't always the best for my self-esteem, so when I found this recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala on Pinterest, I was super excited to try it out.

And it does not disappoint! I love that I can get all the ingredients together in about 10 minutes, put it in the slow cooker and BAM! Food for a week!

Ingredients (from the Iron You website - can't take credit for this one!):
2 lbs / 900 gr free-range organic chicken breasts, cut into 1½-inch chunks
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced (I used powdered garlic)
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger (I used powdered ginger)
1 (29 oz.) can of tomato sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Garam masala
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust according to your heat preference)
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

  
Directions
1. Oil up the crockpot and get ready for some good ol' cooking.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir everything until the chicken is well coated and it smells like heaven.
3. Pour mixture into the slow cooker and cover with bay leaves, more for more taste. Set for 8 hours on low (or 4 hours on high or whatever setting your slow cooker has)

4. For the finishing touches: add 1 cup of coconut milk + 2 tablespoons of cornstarch + splash of lemon juice for taste = cook for extra 20 minutes and done!

This makes a lot of servings, so I end up keeping some in the fridge and freezer for times when I don't have time to cook. I highly recommend it with some jasmine or basmati rice. Enjoy!

Meet another blogger: Anne

I'm super excited for this week's blogger! Anne from In Residence is letting me interview her about her style and life. I found Anne's blog while browsing through medical blogs. Getting a perspective from a resident's spouse has helped me envision what life could be like after medical school. She is an inspiration to me because of how much she has to juggle in her everyday life, and she does it in style! I loved reading through her pregnancy story and currently seeing how she manages to keep her little boy from causing havoc in the house with cool DIYs.

Hi there! Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Anne, a work-from-home editor, wife to a just-graduated-from-residency doctor, and mom to an almost-two-year-old little guy.

So, why did you start blogging? I started my blog as a way to keep friends and family updated, but it gradually morphed into my absolute favorite hobby and creative outlet.

My blog content is pretty broad, covering everything I love from books to making Pinterest-inspired recipes or projects to travel to daily life with my little mister - and of course my personal style!

How would you describe your style?

I started style posts not too long after I started working from home. I was discouraged by being all dressed up with nowhere to go when I would actually make the effort to put on a cute outfit, so I started getting into a bit of a rut. Posting outfit photos (while still feeling awkward to this day, I admit) has been a fun way to have a reason to get dressed, talk to other people about style, and more. Which means that as a bonus, blogging has really helped me develop my style, by seeing how other bloggers mix & match their wardrobes, by stretching my creativity, by collaborating with other ladies on style challenges, and by being inspired to try some capsule wardrobes.

Out of all of that, what I’ve decided defines my personal style: put-together basics with a twist. I like a fairly simple, classic look, but I always try to add a little something extra through pattern, jewelry, or color (the “twist”) to keep things interesting and feeling “me.” Thanks to Roxi for asking me to show off some of these looks!

THE FOUR OUTFITS 

What would you wear at brunch with your grandmother?

Something ladylike and put together, but with a fancy/casual twist. Mixing fancy (skirt) with casual (denim jacket) like in this outfit is one of my favorite ways to make an outfit situation appropriate (since my life isn’t all that fancy!) and interesting.

What would you wear to the grocery store? In the summer, white denim with chambray is a staple for me. It’s easy and classic but still looks put together. For my little twist on this outfit, I add a fun necklace and shoes, and then of course have my trusty tote bag to cart around all my own and my toddler’s gear for running errands.

What would you wear on date night? In the summer I live in fit & flare tank dresses. I love how they can be dressed up and down for any occasion the summer months bring my way. For date night, we usually like to try a cool new restaurant or do something like a wine tasting, and the simple addition of cognac accessories to this dress (plus fancy hair) is perfect for an outing like that.

What special item do you hold in your wardrobe or closet that is of significance to you and why? I don’t really have any sentimental attachment to any items in my closet, but I am very attached to a few things that I see as my best investments - things I wear all. the. time. Two examples as seen in this outfit would be my denim jacket and my cognac Madewell booties (another is the gray J.Crew tote in the grocery store outfit). These are things that go with everything, I’ve had for years, will have for years to come, and make me feel great - polished, put together, etc. - every time I incorporate them into an outfit. Go-to pieces are my special pieces!

What I really like about Anne's style is that she can take super simple items, add a few key accessories and make it her own style! Plus, I've obtained a denim jacket because of her :P I love her blog because she gives her readers a little window into her world and always welcomes new ideas and projects into her world. She's not afraid to try something new, but also keeps things low key. Her outfits are easily recreatable, and her Pin to Present blogs allows everyone the chance to be creative and share ideas. Most importantly, Anne has been one of the first bloggers to welcome me into the blogosphere, and for that I will always be grateful!

Thank you so much for letting me into your world Anne! Stay tuned next week for my next blogger post!

Meet another blogger: Kimi

This week I've asked Kimi from Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair to show a few outfits that represents her style, and boy, did she bring it. I don't really remember how I stumbled upon her blog but I'm so glad I did. Kimi creates simple outfits that still show off some amazing pieces, and she has an eye for unique and gorgeous accessories (my favorite is her world map necklace!). I also love reading about her cats, she definitely changes the definition of being a cat lady :P

Hi! Who are you? What do you do?  Hello all! My name is Kimi, and I'm in my mid-20s and currently working on my PhD in atmospheric sciences.

Why did you start blogging and how would you describe your style?
I started my blog almost three years ago because I was tired of not caring about what I wore and I had just discovered style blogs. I was inspired by the women who blog as a hobby and just share their outfits to inspire themselves and others. I thought that having a virtual "style diary" of sorts was a really cool idea, and as I continue blogging it's so fun to look back at my older outfits (even if some of them make me cringe!). It's so difficult for me to succinctly describe my style, but I tend to lean more towards a mix of classic, girly, and minimalistic looks. I love neutrals, but I definitely don't shy away from a bit of color.

THE FOUR OUTFITS

What would you wear at brunch with your grandmother? If I were invited to lunch with one of my grandmothers, I would honestly be okay with anything I wore because they are very casual people. I like to dress up a bit for special occasions, though, so I would probably choose to wear a nice dress with wedges and statement earrings. This red silk number makes me feel fancy even though it's SO easy to wear!

What would you wear to the grocery store? For grocery store runs, I don't plan specific outfits or "dress down" because I usually go after school or on the weekends. I've been putting more effort into what I wear since I started blogging, and now I don't like feeling lazy and running errands in sweats or workout gear. For a really lazy Sunday, though, something easy like a nice sweatshirt and skinny jeans fits the bill perfectly when I don't have a lot going on.

What would you wear on date night? My attire for date night definitely depends on the location and how "special" of a day it is. For a typical spur-of-the-moment date night, I usually won't change out of what I wore that day, but if it's something we planned ahead of time, I'll go for a dress or maybe some fancier shoes. The last time we went out on a planned date was for Valentine's Day, and I wore a monochromic look with various shades of marsala/burgundy. I added my dark red ankle boots to continue the color and for something a little extra special.

If you could have anyone in the world, past or present, to dinner, who would it be, and what would you wear? Any one of my friends would tell you that it is a dream of mine to hang out with Taylor Swift. I would love to pick her brain and just hang out because I feel like we'd get along really well. (I'd also love to go shopping with her because I absolutely adore her style since she moved to NYC!) I would wear something completely me yet somewhat fashion forward, and I would show my legs with some sort of heel so I wouldn't look so short next to her. ;) This recent outfit consisting of my new striped, swingy top from Anthropologie, navy shorts, and beige sandals is a new favorite and made me feel like my legs went for miles! If the paparazzi wanted to snap photos of us, I feel like my legs could potentially compete with hers (hahaha, like I said... this is all a dream!).

I'd raid everything in Kimi's closet if I could, she definitely has an eye for putting items together, and she knows what looks flattering for her shape. I'm always amazed when someone can create a monochromatic look and Kimi pulls it off like a professional! She is someone that inspired me to start blogging and sharing my style, and I still have a lot to learn from her and my other blogger friends. Thank you Kimi for letting me pick your brain!

Next week we'll get to see what Anne has in store for us! Here's a look at what I wore, and check out Sarah's looks too!

Sick

I'm currently battling one of the worst colds of my life... but I will not let this get me down! Damn you cold!

I need you in my closet | 10

One of my closest friends is getting married this September. While I found the perfect dress a while ago and have been waiting for the perfect occasion to wear it, I still wonder what else is out there. This dress seems like it could be absolutely gorgeous and I wouldn't have to worry about sweating while throwing some amazing moves on the dance floor. Or how about this beauty? I had some guy friends tell me that a red dress will always get a man's attention, and I'm pretty sure this one would do the trick. This shirt in beige is pretty darn cute as well, but I wouldn't know what to wear as the bottoms to match. But I think with a statement necklace it could very well be dressed up or dressed down with a simple pair of jeans. I also want to try a white or black scoop neck top (like the one I wore in the fourth outfit of my Meet another blogger post) with this skirt (similar), I've been imagining this outfit for quite a while with pumps like these or leopard heels. I can't wait to create it!

I'm also trying to stock up on cute workout gear to motivate myself to get out there and start moving! Nordstrom will be having a big sale soon, and I'm hoping to get my hands on these lovely leggings. Or maybe try their capris version? And Forever 21 is designing some pretty adorable and affordable bras recently, I really like this one right here. I've also been looking for a good pair of compression socks. Being on my feet for 12 hours of day can get very tiring, and I can't slow down near the end of the shift so these might be what I need to ease the pain.

On making mistakes

 

Over the years, I have gained a wealth of experience, not just in the amounts and variety of patients I've seen and the types of diseases I've come across; but also in the set of skills I've acquired. Recently, I've learned what it means to make a mistake in the medical field. And I mean a mistake that could have destroyed a patient's life and their family; it has forever altered my perspective while at work because it solidified the purpose of having protocols in place and what happens whey they are not followed. I also learned how I would react under such a situation. I didn't lie; I didn't try to hide it. The moment I realized my mistake I evaluated the situation, figured out the best course of action FOR THE PATIENT. Correct the mistake and tell the truth. And once that was done, tell my boss. Because she needed to know so she can tell managers and directors and the people whose job it is to make the place we work in a safer environment for the patient and for ourselves. Thankfully I fixed everything before anyone could get hurt. After all, there are protocols in place for a reason and I was able to catch my mistake before things got out of hand.

I understand how important it is to watch my every step and feel the weight that comes with every medical decision I make now and in the future.

Every day, I embrace the responsibility I hold....

Meet another blogger: Sarah

This week I'd like you to meet Sarah from Simply Sarah. I found her through Fran's blog and fell in love with her.  Sarah's blog is simple, elegant, and includes everything from outfit posts, to easy recipes, and much more! Here I'm interviewing Sarah to get a better idea on her personal style...

What do you do? I’m a graduate student working part time developing student leadership for various service trips.

Why did you start blogging? To be honest, I began Simply Sarah because I needed a creative outlet to force me to get my head out of my books and work.

How would you describe your style? Constantly evolving – which is a good thing if you look back at my younger years. I tend to lean toward more classic pieces rather than trendy. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good trend, but I would rather spend money on clothing I know will be wearable next time the season rolls around. 

THE FOUR OUTFITS

What would you wear to the grocery store? Big Sweater and Shorts. This is one of my favorite things to wear, especially if I’m out and about running errands. Nothing is more comfortable than an oversized sweater paired with denim shorts. Adding a cute purse and some fun lipstick lets you be comfy and still look put together. This way I can leave the house with minimal effort and not look like a slob.

What would you wear at brunch with your grandmother? Actually, I don’t know that my grandma and I have ever gotten brunch. We’ve had breakfast, lunch and dinner plenty of times, but I guess we aren’t really brunchy people. If we did go out to eat brunch I envision drinking tea at a café in this blue and white gingham outfit I shared on my blog a while back. I don’t know why, but it just feels like the sort of thing you’d where to brunch with grandma.

What special item do you hold in your wardrobe or closet that is of significance to you and why? Bethel Earring. I know it's not an outfit, but these earrings are very special to me. I spent a year volunteering in Western Alaska right out of undergrad. I was in a very remote “city” (of about 7,000 people) that only had around 16 miles of road – half of which were paved. During that year I met so many amazing people and grew in more ways than I can count or articulate. Last summer, I had the privilege of returning for a month and right before I left, my friend Lucy gave me these ulu earrings made from ivory in one of the local villages. An ulu is also known as a woman’s knife, because traditionally Yu'pik (the Native Alaskan tribe most prominent where I was) men went out hunting and the women would cut and prepare the food – salmon, moose, etc. These earrings are a lovely reminder of my time in Alaska and I have found are quite the conversation piece. 

What would you wear on date night? Depends on where and what time of the year, haha. I love a good sundress, so if this date is in warmer weather months, I will likely wear a dress. It’s an easy way to look like you’ve tried and who doesn’t like a basically complete outfit with one article of clothing??

I love Sarah's style so much, I mean how gorgeous is that red dress?? And she knows how to put together an outfit, she's such a inspiration. Thank you so much Sarah! 

Stay tuned next week for a look at Kimi's style!

Old challenges, new challenges

A few months back, I made a post about doing a push-up challenge and it was one of the best things I did for my body. Unfortunately, I haven't done much more. After applying to med schools and doing all the paperwork after getting accepted, I had been so preoccupied when I'm not at work that I haven't been able to keep up a good workout schedule. So before I head off to school, I have a goal to get back into shape. I've got one month and I'm going to make it count. Here are a few bits of motivation! What are you doing to stay in shape?

 

Meet Another Blogger: Me!

Hi Guys! This summer I've reached out to several bloggers I love and asked them to share their styles with me (and you!). Every week I'll post what my fellow bloggers have been up to with their wardrobes, we'll get to know a little more about them and get a peak inside their favorite items. I thought I'd get the series started with a little about me, so here we go!

What do you do? I'm currently working as an EMT in the Emergency Department at a major level 1 Trauma Center Hospital in the area. This means that I work with the nurses and ED docs to help with the acutely ill patients that come in. I've become a go-to person for starting IVs and Foley catheters... collecting urine is a daily joy of mine. In about a month I will be leaving America and heading to England for my first year of medical school in Newcastle upon Tyne. I'm excited and nervous at the same time so stay tuned for what will be an amazing adventure!

Why did you start blogging? I have been playing with the idea for the last two years and after religiously following a few bloggers, I decided to make the plunge. The reason why I started in March is because I had a pretty significant change happen in my life, and I needed an outlet to move on and a place to be more creative.

How would you describe your style? I used to be such a tomboy when I was little girl and as my style has evolved, I've learned to add bits of femininity to my closet. This year I've increased my dress count exponentially, so it's no surprise that in this heat I grab one and throw it on for an easy but put-together look. There are bits of Europe that still trickles down into my style, so you'll almost never find me in sweats or shorts outside. I like minimalist looks with pops of color. And I love wearing a lot of black. As my friend always says, it's because all Persians always wear black. I am still learning to add accessories to the mix and hopefully I'll get the hang of it this year (oh, here's to hoping!)

THE FOUR OUTFITS
Here is where I ask my fellow bloggers to share an outfit for different occasions. At the end of the summer, we'll be able to observe how each blogger varies in their personal style and get a feel for who they are. Right now, I'll show you a little bit of my oufits...

What would you wear at brunch with your grandmother? I love meeting up with my grandmother for any meal time, and brunch is a favorite of ours. She is very traditional but has an open-mind about modern life and is willing to learn new things, even at her age. I like to dress up a little when I meet up with my grandmother because it makes me feel more like a grownup and gives me a chance to be more feminine.

What would you wear to the grocery store? As Fran likes to put it, I have a uniform for daily activities. It involves jeans, a tunic of some sort, and a scarf. Jeans are my favorite pieces to wear because they just go with everything and my skin is used to the fabric. I don't have to think about putting this outfit together, and scarves go with everything... right?

What would you wear on date night? I think dresses and skirts are always a must for date night... call me old-fashioned. I don't think I've worn pants for date night, but who knows, maybe someday that will change. I try to show off a little skin ;)  Otherwise, my style doesn't change much from any other day.

What special item do you hold in your wardrobe or closet that is of significance to you and why? I received this as a gift for my 18th birthday. I wear it all the time, it almost never comes off. I used to wear it only for special occasions and my mother would save it for safe keeping. It's a necklace of the Zoroastrian symbol, my religion. Zoroastrians are a very small group of people that used to reside in Persia, but were pushed out or forced to convert after the Islamic revolution. But enough about history and religion...

BONUS OUTFIT

What would you wear to a gym session? I like wearing something tight at the bottom to keep things in place, and something a little more loose at the top. I have yoga pants and shorts, which are usually black. Recently I have acquired several capri pants with varying designs, and I wish I had 7 pairs so I can wear them every day of the week. Old Navy has some great fitting compression capris with flattering designs. For tops, I try to keep things colorful and cute, so that I am more willing to go to the gym. There's nothing worse than feeling ugly when I go workout, anyone else feel this way?

Thank you for stopping by and stay tuned for next week's Meet Another Blogger post!