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: 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: 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?

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: 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?

Wearing Now: Celebration

Dress: BCBG - $35 via eBay (real deal here, wallet friendly here)
Boyfriend blazer: J. Crew - $20 via eBay (similar here)
Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi (similar here)
Necklace: courtesy of Anjolee
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

Now that I've graduated college and assumed real-life financial responsibilities, I tend to buy pieces that serve double duty in my closet. Take this dress, for example. Though it's too short for work (and most civilized establishments, actually) it can take me from running casual errands during the day to a late night outing with the Mr. or friends. Just change shoes and add a blazer - and in the winter, add tights. This time I wore it to a tea house with a good friend to celebrate my new job. You're now looking at a gal who's living her dream of infectious diseases, diagnostics, and pathology :) 

Wearing Now: Borrowed from Mom

Blouse: Faconnable (great version here)

Trousers: Theory (similar here)
Blazer: J. Crew - $20 via eBay (similar here)
Pumps: Isaac Mizrahi (similar here)
Bag: Bric's - $100 via DSW (similar here)

Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

Accessories: Coach, eBay

The day I had scheduled an interview for a volunteering position at a local hospital is the day I realized I have nothing professional left in my closet. I could only wear my swanky wide leg pants so many times before sending them off to the cleaner's - and of course, they were gone on the day I needed them most. This is when mom's wardrobe came to the rescue (notice I didn't say "mom" - she didn't know this thievery went down): I borrowed the blouse, trousers, and pumps (which are actually mine but temporarily reside in her closet) and got the position on the spot. Speaking of getting positions, I had TWO job offers today! Now I have the problem of deciding between the two, which is my favorite kind of dilemma.

Wearing Now: Interview

Blouse: DKNY - $11 via eBay (similar and affordable)
Trousers: BCBG - $110 via Lord & Taylor (here, on sale)
Blazer: J. Crew - $35 via eBay (similar)
Shoes: Jimmy Choo (similar)
Bag: Bric's  - $100 via DSW (similar by PS)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

I had a job interview yesterday and if things go my way then I'll be the first to spill all the details; otherwise I'm keeping quiet (more of a superstitious reason than logical). I also have an exciting project in the works (not fashion related, I'm afraid), which I'll reveal soon. I hope you're having a productive week!

Wearing Today: Peaches and Oatmeal

Top: BCBG - $22 via Lord&Taylor (similar but wrinkle free and on major sale here)
Pants: J. Crew - $25 (here)
Shoes: Burberry - $190 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Bag: Bric's (gorgeous here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack
Accessories: Coach Watch, J. Crew bracelet

Again with the impossible fabrics - but oh the comfort. Have a great weekend!

Wearing Now: Chambray and Neutrals

Chambray top: INC - $10 via eBay (from the ultimate authority on chambray)
Linen pants: J. Crew - $25 (here)
Sandals: Theory - $50 via eBay (similar here)
Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors - $100 via Marshalls (similar here)
Accessories: Coach watch, Roberto Cavalli bracelet, courtesy of Anjolee necklace

Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack (these are gorgeous)

I could have easily titled this post "wrinkled" but that would have drawn attention to all that is wrong with this outfit (and linen/chambray in general). But wrinkles are like battle scars; evidence of a hard day's work. I'll spare you all the boring detail so have a great evening!

Wearing Now: New Beginnings

Dress: Theory - $35 via eBay (similar here)
Belt: J. Crew - $13 (old) (similar here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack (recent, very similar here and budget friendly here)
Shoes: Sergio Rossi - $55 via eBay (seller: Linda's Stuff, BNIB; similar here)

Finally free, friends! Once I shed the MCAT shackles I sprinted to the nearest Nordstrom Rack (the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale correlates quite nicely to NR clearance events - check out your local stores) and bought a couple of items I've long had on my mind. I'm in the process of internally overhauling the blog so bear with me as I schlep through this makeover.