Wearing Now: Rainy Day

Top: T by Alexander Wang - $14 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Trousers: Marc by Marc Jacobs - $40 via eBay (similar here)
Blazer: J. Crew - $20 via eBay (similar here)
Coat: JC Penny (gorgeous here)
Scarf: Burberry (here)

Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi

Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Fendi

Hello friends, I hope Sandy passed you by safely! The hurricane largey spared the DC area; my neighborhood didn't lose power or got any major wind damage (my roof sprung a leak but we quickly fixed that).

Onto the outfit, today I wore a professional taboo: the cropped top. I thought there was no approapriate way to make one work for the lab (office) but that's nothing I couldn't solve with a pair of high waisted pants and a blazer. I wouldn't normally be so adamant about wearing a defective top to work but Alexander Wang knows what he's doing with a tee - it feels like a second skin so once I put it on in the morning there was no way I'd take it off.

Have a great weekend! And yes, it rained all over my bag just as I started with the photos. Poo.

Wearing Now: Fall Greens

Top: Celine - $80 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Jeans: J Brand - $40 via eBay (similar here)
Jacket: Elie Tahari - $40 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Scarf: Burberry (here)
Shoes: Jimmy Choo (similar pump version here)
Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Fendi

Hey folks, I'm bracing for the hurricane/nor'easter hybrid so who knows how long I may be without power. Until then, be safe if you're in Sandy's way!

Wearing Now: Cropped

Blouse: DKNY - $11 via eBay (similar here)
Trousers: Kate Spade - $40 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Cardigan: Banana Republic - $12 (similar here)
Shoes: Sergio Rossi (similar here)
Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Fendi

A quick hello, folks, before heading out on a date with Tom. I unfortunately cannot find the time to keep up with the blog as often as I said I would because I'm lucky to get home at twilight. I don't see the work schedule abating in the near future so I'll squeeze in posts as often as I can. I could, in theory, replicate the outfits I've been wearing throughout the week on the weekends but that would depend on how motivated I'll feel to dress up just to take everything off in 15 minutes.

I hope your lives have been a bit less hectic than mine - but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Wearing Now: Shades of Tan

Tee: H&M - $3
Cardigan: Banana Republic - $12 (pretty one here)
Trousers: R.E.D Valentino - $28 via eBay (nearly identical here)
Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi (similar here)
Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Fendi

Happy Friday, everyone! I once again will be roughing it this weekend on a long hike through the rocky slopes of the Billy Goat Trail. When I started working I made a pact with myself to live as actively and positively as I can until medical school starts - lord knows I'll have no life once it starts. 

What are your plans this weekend?

Wearing Now: Celine Take Two

Blouse: Celine - $80 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Trousers: Marc by Marc Jacobs - $40 via eBay (similar here)
Coat: Garfield & Marks (similar here - $$$ and here - $)
Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi (similar here)
Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

Work has been fantastic over the last month - so much so that I voluntarily stay after hours. Now I'm working on an exciting new project that will take even more of my time. Nevertheless, I will make every effort to update the blog more than once a week. I have a camping post in the works so stay tuned :)

Onto the second (and ongoing) Celine addition to my closet, I pulled out this blouse from the vast desert of Nordstrom Rack. When I saw it was marked down from $1000 to $80 AND that it was my cut/style AND that it was Celine, the action was obvious: it's one for my closet.

I know it's redundant by now, but do share your latest finds with me!

Wearing Now: B&W

Turtleneck: Ralph Lauren (similar here)
Trousers: Kate Spade - $40 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Boyfriend Blazer: J. Crew - $20 via eBay (similar here)
Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi (similar here)
Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

I made it over the midweek hump and am now waiting forward to the weekend because I'm off to the forest to camp, fish, and hike with friends. I'm not all made of sissy fashion, ya know!

How will you spend this weekend?

Wearing Now: Thrifty Again

Blouse: Equipment - $30 via Nordstrom Rack (here)
Jeans: J Brand - $40 via eBay (similar here)
Flats: Vera Wang Lavender - $30 via Nordstrom Rack (here in peach)
Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

Hello again! It's been almost a week since my last post and visit to any blogs. Things at the lab have been extremely busy this month and they're showing no signs of slowing down. I've also been preoccupied with events on the personal front, which have sucked the life force out of me. Yesterday I finally got a couple of free hours so I went to Nordstrom Rack in search for flats to replace a four year old pair that has fallen apart. Lady Luck has been very good to me so I walked away with a pair of fabulous crackled copper Vera Wang flats for only $30. I then found this equipment blouse marked down to only $30 too! Nordstrom Rack is stepping up their discount game lately because these mark downs have grown my silk blouse collection; I have another Equipment number that I scored for only $35 a couple of months ago.

Have you scored any deals lately?

Wearing Now: Stripes and Boyfriends

Top: Theory (similar here
Jeans: J Brand - $60 via (essentially here)
Blazer: J. Crew - $20 via eBay (similar here)
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs - $60 via eBay (here in pewter)
Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

Just a quick hello, friends! The week has passed at a phenomenal speed and I'm exhausted. Lots is planned this weekend in the city but I'll keep you posted. Have a great weekend!

Wearing Now: Browns

Sweater: J. Crew - $20 via eBay (similar here)
Jeans: J Brand - $40 via eBay (essentially here)
Leather jacket: Cole Haan - $150 via eBay (here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack
Bag: Celine
Shoes: Burberry - $180 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)

About a week after buying the Celine I'm convinced that it is the best purchase I've ever made (barely topping the leather jacket you see here, though, which was actually a gift from my boyfriend). I haven't been tempted to browse eBay or stop by Nordstrom Rack because I'd rather spend my time and money buying exactly what I want without distractions. I need a new wallet (my Coach wristlet is like a mini purse and better fits a high school kid) and a camel or wine colored winter coat (the ones I have are desperately old and frumpy, and need to retire), so while I find the perfect additions there will be no extraneous spending. Every purchase should make financial sense, be needed and used, and make you happy. That's my strategy.

Have you bought anything that makes you happy lately?

Wearing Today: Casual Day

Top: from Marshalls - $6
Jeans: Banana Republic via hand-me-down from friend
Suede jacket: Elie Tahari - $40 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here with rockin' lapels)
Flats: Coach - $90 via Marshalls (similar here)
Scarf: Burberry (here)
Bag: Celine (similar here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

Can you believe that it's Friday already? I'm not sure to which glitch in the space-time continuum I lost a whole week but I'm not complaining that the weekend is right around the corner.

Do you have any plans for the weekend?

Wearing Now: Celine

Blouse: Theory - $13.50 via eBay (came with tags too! Similar here)
Trousers: Marc by Marc Jacobs - $40 via eBay (seller: BHFO; similar here)
Leather jacket: Cole Haan - $150 via eBay (here)
Pumps: Sergio Rossi - $60 via eBay (similar here)
Bag: Celine Trapeze
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

The first time I learned of Celine was when Anh of 9to5 Chic posted about her Phantom. I liked the novel design but it didn't speak to me aesthetically or practically: it may look good with a suit or jeans but you couldn't wear it to dinner or with a dress. Besides, I had (and have) little doubt this bag will go out of style in a few years. Since I'm not a bag person I wanted a quality purse that would carry me from day to night, from work to school, and go with everything from dress pants to denim cutoffs. Since the Phantom was unique enough I looked through Celine's other offerings, which is when I fell in love with the trapeze. A year later (because I don't make four figure decisions lightly) I got tired of unrequited love and bought this beauty at Bergdorf Goodman while in New York. DC, unfortunately, doesn't have a Celine boutique or an authorized dealer. I've heard that Hu's sometimes receives a shipment but I didn't feel like obsessively stalking a bag.

Bottom line: if you're after an item you've wanted for a long time, pull the trigger while you have no expensive responsibilities like a family, mortgage, medical bills, etc. I'm a recent college grad with a job I love, no debt, and no social/financial fetters, which makes this purchase perfectly reasonable for me. I don't want to inspire anyone to buy something beyond their means - buy what you love with what you have and never spend more than what's reliably in your bank account on frivolities.

New York, New York

(1) Spiked Christian Louboutin Pigalle. As the lovely sales person at Bergdorf's said, Mr. Louboutin makes art. If it happens to fit your feet, so much the better. Out of all the offerings from this ubiquitous designer I was most interested in the Pigalles because of their elegant curvature and classic pointy toe. I've heard many women complain about the awful sacrifices they make to fit and walk in these shoes, so I've decided to investigate on my own. Let's just say this is the one and only time I will EVER wear Louboutins. Ever. Orthopedic surgery ain't worth it in the long run.

(2) On a Manhattan rooftop. Wearing a J. Crew blazer ($20 via eBay), J Brand jeans ($40 via eBay),Valentino sweater ($35 via eBay), Burberry flats ($190 via Nordstrom Rack), Fendi sunglasses ($80 via Nordstrom Rack), Calvin Klein belt, and Bric's bag ($100 via DSW) and enjoying the sunset's at a friend's place.

(3) Sunset reflecting off a glass paneled building. For this shot I was just in the right place at the right time.

(4) Sunset in NYC.

(5) I didn't gel my hair. The wind was particularly strong that evening - I didn't bring back Freddie Mercury circa 1970s.

Wearing Now: a Little Bit of Mod

Dress: courtesy of eShakti (another one I love from eShakti)
Shoes: Sergio Rossi - $55 via eBay (similar here)
Clutch: vintage - $24 via eBay (similar here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack
Oops, here I go again - vanished without a word. I was actually in New York this past weekend to visit friends and family and had no time to upload a post (I'm done working at 5 PM and was on the bus by 6:30). I enjoyed my stay for what it's worth; I'm hardly a big city girl - the long distances, menacing skyscrapers, weirdos lurking in subways and dark alleys, and exorbitant prices on nearly everything limit my visits to once every year or two. This, however, was the opportune time to visit because the weather was nice and the screaming-fashion-week-OMG-chicks cleared the scene a couple of days prior to my arrival. I had the streets and shops to myself so it's no surprise I did some MAJOR damage while visiting 5th and Madison Aves. I'll give you a hint: Celine at Bergdorf's but the rest is up to you ;)

Onto the outfit then: I wore this fall preview collection eShakti dress on a date a few days ago and truly loved every minute I spent in it. It features a slightly stretchy waist to accommodate a food baby, a a modest take on the sweetheart neckline, and - the best part - pockets! I don't have a photo with my hands plunged down in them but you'll just need to take my word for it. The best part about eShakti is that they adjust clothing measurements to your specific frame, taking into account not just the usual waist-bust-hips but also your height, and personal preferences such as sleeve type, neckline shape, and hem length. The shipping was lightning fast to boot so I highly recommend these folks!

Wearing Now: Working Girl

Turtleneck sweater: Valentino - $35 via eBay (I'm on a roll; join the ride)
Pants: J. Crew - $24 (here)
Suede jacket: Elie Tahari - $40 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Belt: Calvin Klein - $20 via Outlets
Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors - $100 via Marshalls (similar here)
Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender - $50 via Marshalls (real deal; similar here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

First day of work felt less like a job and more like utter fun, though this makes me wonder when the other shoe will drop (I just love microbiology). My boss has a penchant for fancy teas and coffees and I, with my chronic tea addiction, will probably be the sole reason for the increase in the break room budget. So to be less of a mooching d-bag I'll bring in my own stash :) 

In other not so newsworthy news, the weather cooled significantly after this post expressing dissatisfaction over chicks dressing in leather and wool in summer weather. It's finally fall here in DC - 55 degrees when I leave for work in the morning and 65-70 when I return. I broke out this Valentino sweater I bought on eBay for only $35. It's been online for a while (silly seller misspells brand name and I walk away with a great deal via best offer). 

Have you gotten any good deals lately?