Once Upon A Wardrobe

On a whim, I decided to create a new blog dedicated to my inner fashionista and shopoholic tendencies. So from here on out, I will post my wardrobe thrills/experiments at www.onceuponawardrobe.blogspot.com. Unfortunately, "Inside My Closet" as a blog name was taken already, so I came up with a new name.

Actually, I haven't been shopping in a while ( a month or so) since starting my CCU month, but I've got enough fodder in my closet to keep me experimenting for a while. Lovin' the fall weather!

the black blazer

Ambulatory Medicine

This outfit is what I wore to my last day of work this past Friday, I had my white coat over it, of course. Except I wore a pair of wedge-heeled peep-toes instead of these strappy sandles which are not meant for long hours of wear, I learned from one painful experience. Normally I don't wear the likes of this outfit to work because it's too cutsey and more fitting for a garden tea party or something. Yes, why don't someone invite me to a tea party? I'll find a big straw hat to match!

August has been my amublatory medicine month. A non-medicine friend asked me if "ambulatory" had anything to do with ambulances? Actually no, I always thought ambulatory meant that patients are ambulatory or able to walk, so they are walking in and out of the clinic. In any rate, ambulatory medicine is the same as outpatient medicine, as opposed to inpatient medicine where patients for the most part have to stay inhouse and can't be walking in and out.

I have possibly re-discovered my calling, ambulatory/outpatient medicine. What a great month I've had. In a nutshell, 8-5 job, weekends off, no nights. Most people's jobs are like that, but to me, it was a nice respite, a breath of fresh air. For a month, I was not a slave to my pager, I didn't stay at work a mintue past 5pm, and my weekends were my very own. I also loved the pace of outpatient medicine, I felt comfortable, in my element and competent. Our resident clinic has a fantastic bunch. Blanca and Javier (MAs), thanks so much for being always ready to translate, Ada (MA) for making breakfast tacos on my last day, Kathy (head nurse), for being the glue that holds the clinic together, Sim and Bettina (nurse and MA) for catching my documentation mistakes. And of course my two attendings, Dr.H and Dr.M, whom I've learned a lot from, not just strictly about medicine but about mixing life and medicine.

September means goodbye weekends and hello wards (inpatient medicine). In our residency program, being an upper level on wards means working all the weekends, we take our days off during M-F only. I will be on call the very first day of the month. Being a resident on call means cross-covering for the ICU when the ICU team has gone home, supervising interns' work, doing admissions fromt ER, and heading the codes anywhere in the hospital. It's a bit nerve-wracking just typing about it. Then again, I was ever so nervous when I started off as an intern one year ago. Just as I finally got good at being a intern, the bar is raised. I never feel that I'm quite ready or tall enough to reach that bar but somehow it gets done.

The Good, the Bad, and the Misc. . .

. . .not necessarily in that order.

Don't know if this outfit works at all. Do I look like someone out of Star Trek? This is an oversized "boyfriend" vest with tights and boots.

I found this white cropped jacket I like, but are these jackets still in fashion? I'm not sure but it's cute anyways. The white jacket is hard to match with stuff I already have. I like how the flared top looks with the jacket but the color of the top is just a tid-bit too dark for the bright white jacket. If the orange was a shade lighter, more pastel-like, it'd be perfect.

That same orange top with shorty shorts and my new white bag. I really like the white bag although the picture doesn't show its full details. I love white handbags as an accessory and it's actually not so hard to mix and match. I put together this outfit for the scorching hot Texas sun, but it shows just a little too much skin.

Another summer outfit, don't feel so exposed in this one 'cause the short is a bit longer and my shoulders are covered. I have since returned the big bright blue bag, I've decided the color is just going to be too hard to work with. Although it would look good with a plain black T-shirt now that I'm thinking about it. Oh well, I have enough bags as it is so unless I absolutely love it, I shouldn't keep it. Also, these shoes are called "kung fu" shoes, I just learned, funny huh?

Grown-up outfits

There's a fear in me these days that I don't dress my age, meaning perhaps most of my outfits are too high-school-ish. Well, more on that later. But these outfits here I put together for work so I'd look professional and stylish, and definitely NOT juvenile.

I love the color and ruffles of this blouse. I will wear it with a pair of grey slacks, too.

I've decided white pants CAN go under a white coat. I really like this sheer top with a camisole unerneath.

There's these shoes that I love

This pair of shoes caught my attention because it's unique and pretty. I've seen these shoes atleast on 3 different occasions in the stores but I said to myself, "silver shoes?! What am I going to do with silver shoes?" Well, it was not until this lasting shopping trip that I knew. And now it was on sale, too so I had to take it home with me.

Kitten heel slingback in silver by Arturo Chiang. I didn't know how he was, but now I know he's a shoe designer. Definitely will keep my eyes out for his stuff from now on. Here, those shoes are paired with my favorite yellow dress and a long string of pearls. Don't the shoes look dainty?

In it's full glory. Contrary to my prior beliefs, these silver shoes are actually very versatile and will go with a variety of outfits.

Two of the most good-looking things I have! What could be better! Hiro, the uber-cute maltipoo pup. "Good dog, don't chew mommy's shoes."

How to wear a red belt

I bought this wide red pleather belt last year in the hope to match a black and white polka dotted dress. Well, the belt was too long and the excess material looked bad and I no longer have that black polka dot dress. I was resigned to thinking that this belt is one of those "bad purchases" that'll just retire in the abyss of my closet." BUT, I was looking through Kasmira's blog and she had a post about how to wear just such a excessively long pleather belt like mine!! All I had to do was to take the excess length and feed it through the buckle again in the opposite direction. The result is a uber-cute bow! This is ingenious, wish I was that creative. Take a look:

Red belt with old pieces from my closet. With a hint of 1920's chicness given a modern twist.

A red and white flowery dress. This was a $6 dollar dress because it was missing the orignal waist band/belt it came with but otherwise was in good condition. The dress was a little too big but the belt brings it in. The skirt part is really full and has a second layer. Not shabby for $6, the belt costed more!

Blue plaid dress. Another $6-ish dress. It was also missing it's orginal belt (I know b/c of the empty belt loops). I'm sure it was an older item that the store just couldn't sale, hence the big discount. But these are dresses that will never go out of style. I really like the length of this dress, not too short, not too long and plaid is always a fashion favorite.

Same dress with a grey cardigan and those silver Arturo Chiang shoes. Somewhat of a 60's look?
~

I do love a good deal but yes, it's rare to find such good fitting dresses for so less on the sales rack. I think they were considered damaged goods (belts missing and old items) but they were my treasures to be found. :)

Fashion Blogs.

There are literally hundreds if not thousands of fashion bloggers out there. Some are devoted to a single fashion item, like denim or purses and other cover all-purpose fashion material. Many have become famous enough to have a strong and loyal fan base and that have garnered them money-making advertisements and free promotions. Pretty cool to be doing what you're passionate about and earning a few bucks. Here's a few that I visit frequently.


1. Ma Petit Chou
http://www.ma-petite-chou.com
The blogger is a Chinese Canadian and she posts all kinds of fashion from couture to everyday. She introduced me to Yesasia and Yesstyle, a Korean on-line shopping place. I don't shop on-line 'cause I have to try on and feel my clothes before I commit but I love Korean fashion so I visit Yesstyle to "window shop".

2. Frugal Fashionista
http://frugal-fashionista.blogspot.com
This site features a different celebrity outfit almost daily. Then it tells you how to copycat the same outfit for much less at affordable prices. This is where I ascertained the fact that skinny jeans are still "in" as evidenced by Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan. Okay, these two people are not worthy role models in terms of their personal lives, but they are the vanguard of trendy fashion, hands down.

3. Kasmira's What-I-Wore-Today
http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/
Kasmira is a prolific blogger who's been blogging her daily outfits since 2006. She is super creative and have a uncanny sense for colors. Her outfits are always bold in colors and she's not afraid to bend fashion boundaries. In fact, her favorite pair of shoes are yellow pumps! Her svelte figure makes her look good in about eveything she wears although her eyes at times look scarily large to me. I visit her site for insipiration and admiration.

It's all in the gray

What's the difference between "gray" and "grey"? I don't really know, but I do like the color.

Found this cute flowery summery yellow and grey dress. Look at the fringes! Interestingly, it is a size 16, hmm, must be a kiddie size. It fits super well. In kids' size, the shoulder straps are closer together and the chest area is higher up, both things I like. I also have a few camisoles in x-large kids' size from Target. Again they cover more of my chest area and are my essentials for layering. So, back to the topic, this dress is sooo cute in the grey calf-length leggings and the Arturo Chiang shoes. One of my favorite outfits recently by far.

Tokidoki brand clothing. Here's a model wearing a cute pink crewneck sweatshirt in size S from www.karmaloop. This is the first time I've heard of the brand but it features Japanese comic-con like characters.

Here's me wearing it in size M. I thought "cute, cute, cute" when I saw this shirt. But I was a bit hesitant to buy it, the pink is really a really bright baby/powdery pink (almost a "loud" pink, if that makes any sense). Also the style is very teen-ish, no? Call it urban streetwear, whatever. But I love it, especially with my new grey skinny jeans, pair #2.

I did return the purple halter top in exchange for this bluish one, I don't know exactly what color this is but I like it better, and it goes with the white jeans I have. Look at Hiro at the corner, hehee.

Yay or Nay?

I love layering, color schemes, and putting together the old with the new.

Some cute finds today. A pair of cute red and white striped flats, a pair of Rocketdog shoes (casual but with heels!), and a sparkly yellow scarf.

A $3 dollor dress, no joke! Not sure if the shoes match, but I can atleast wear the dress as a comfy house dress.

Close-up of my new flats. I liked it immediately when I saw it but I don't yet know what to wear with it. I admire these Asian fashionistas who manage to put together an outfit with a rainbow of colors that somehow all fit. I don't have that talent, yet.

Not too imaginative of an outfit, but the shoes add a cutesy flair.

So, here's to my love affair with tights. A grey tunic dress with those grey Rocketdog shoes. Asian girls are so good about wearing everything with tights, I'm just catching on.

Same outfit with a dressy coat that I bought from Taiwan last year.

Brown bubble dress with brown tights and brown ballerina flats. Yeah, the color scheme is not really exciting. I like the dress despite that it's a little youngish and shape-less looking.

With a brown cardigan for layering.

Halter tops are great, stylish with a touch of formal but not too showy. This is one in eggplant color. I'm thinking about taking it back to exchange for a turquoise one since turquoise will match my white jeans. But perhaps I'll just get two since it's only $7 each.

I also like the back detail of the tied bow.

I had a shirt like this as a child, my mom called it "bat wing" shirt. And here's my new white jeans from Express.

Because yellow and black looks good with white.

What do you think of this long cardigan on this outfit, yay or nay? I finally get to do something with these jewlry.

Grey tops go really well with white jeans.

I love it when I pull out different pieces of clothing in my closet and start experimenting. What do you think of this result? Yay or nay?

A close-up. A flower necklace I bought on sale while back.

Perhaps it's an okay outfit. Hubby didn't like the boots, but I was like, "this outfit is all about the boots!"

Yay or nay? I say "nay", the top is a tad too short, it's suppose to be a shirt to wear with jeans.

"Frumpy" comes to mind, but even frumpy can be fashionable when done the right way. I don't know if this is more frump or more fashion, but either way, I know it's a quite comfortable outfit so perhaps it doesn't matter.

With my warm boots if the weather drops a few more degrees. I'm looking forward to cozy fall weather already.

And this concludes another look "Inside My Closet.":)

Mixin' and Matchin'

Do you ever look in your closest and say to yourself, "I have nothing to wear!" It must be an universal experience for girls. Well, I've decided I'm going to prove myself wrong next time I feel that way. . .with photo documentation of outfits mixed and matched right out of my closet! Also, this helps me remember what top goes with what bottoms, which I can easily forget and so I end up wearing just two outfits the whole summer. Or sometimes, I end up wearing something outside only to realize later the outfit totally didn't work, then it's just regrets, regrets, which is very unfashionable. I dream of one day having a huge walk-in-closet and on the wall, a cork board full of Polaroid shots of different outfits, then it'd be no more, "I have nothing to wear!" Yep, that's how a fashionista roll, or rather just how a scatter-brained girl stay organized. And lastly, maybe this photo-documentation of my outfits will deter my next shopping binge. . .umm, nahh.

The mini skirt outfit. With my fave black tee this season, seriously, it looks good with every jean/shorts! I like these sandles, too. The mini skirt is not suitable for the conservative crowd, though.

I had to have a pair of white pants, don't you love the look of black stilettos with pants? The white purse is a no-go, a sleek black purse would look better.


Ah ha! A place for my white handbag. Super fun and funky top, is it called a muffin top? --I like how the stretchy waistband hides my tummy. W/ white pants and gold/silver strappy sandles.

Here's my super versatile black tee with my skinny jeans and those cute gladiator-ish sandles. Here's the secret: the cinched bottom of the shirt hides my tummy! Hubby doesn't like the sandles but think the rest of the outfit is simple and stylish, which is more to his taste than the more "adventuous" and colorful otufits here.

I'm trying to incorporate more scarves into my outfits. I was inspired by the Californians I saw on our recent trip, then again, the San Francisco weather lends well to scarves. Also, I want to wear more of these boots, just didn't know how until now.

More laid back Texan style: Something I can just throw on and go.

A casual cool outfit with my other skinny jeans. The outfit would be perfect if only my heather grey cardigan sweater is a little longer. Also, you can't tell how much I'm holding in my tummy in the pic, but I am, gotta lose the bulge before I can wear this Mickey Mouse tee.

Finding new ways to use my new red handbag, which is becoming so versatile, I love it. Also, I dug out this barely worn top and red shoes from my closet.

Another fave summer 2008 outfit b/c it's another throw-on-and-go outfit that's more formal than most. I wore this recently, out to lunch with Paul's school friend and his new wife.

Wore this outfit to San Fran, just wanna document it here so I don't forget it. I'm still very much smitten by the whole footless-tights-wore-under-a-dress phenomenon, but I can't find cute dresses to go with the tights. Only if there were more Asian styles here in Texas.

Another outfit with a scarf. I think the colors match rather nicely, but I could be wrong. Hubby again, does not like the scarf thing but I wore this to the library recently and the scarf saved my cold shoulders from the blasting AC (while it was 103 degrees outside, mind you.) Californians could soo wear this outside. My BFF Shoreh knows what I'm talking about!