Sunday, December 14, 2014

Perfect Pitcher


I took Ell to Target the other day and I told him, "You can't leave here without a full cart, you get Target-ized." And what happened, we left with a large present for my godson, tons of groceries and new bedding (which unfortunately didn't work out on our bed and must be returned, darn!). What we did not leave with is this adorable pitcher. Doesn't it look like it would be from Kate Spade? But with a way cheaper price tag! When I return the bedding I am going to search the store for one of these because I just can't stand to see it in another Instagram photo and not own it myself. It would make a perfect hostess gift as well. It is currently sold out online but check your local store because these are going quickly!

Saturday, December 13, 2014

December Birchbox Reveal

I had been considering putting a pause on my Birchbox subscription for a few months because I didn't feel like there was enough variety in what I was getting. The cosmetic bag I keep in my purse of essential "To Go" beauty items is overflowing with hand lotions from past boxes. I told myself I would stick it out through the holiday and see how I felt. November was a curated box from Buzzfeed that I chose early as a Birchbox Ace and it got mixed reviewed around the blog world. I personally liked what was in it and make great use of dry shampoo, so that alone sold me. For December I left it more up to chance, opting to choose only one of my 5 samples and keeping the rest a surprise. I have to say, this has been one of my favorite boxes in awhile.


I love the idea of using organic beauty products because it makes me feel better about what I am using on my body. This lip gloss makes for a pretty pout. It's sticky like other glosses but the color is a little more vivid and it lasts longer than others I have used in the past. It has no glitter and minimal shimmer which I love because no one wants to look like they are using the same gloss from middle school. Will love even more in the spring when the time for bold winter lips has ended.


Full size on the pricier side compared to drug store BB creams, but I love the coverage on this one and have been impressed with every Dr. Jart+ product I have received in my boxes so far. This is a great everyday product, providing just enough coverage for day without the heaviness of a foundation. I like using this with a little blush and eyeliner to make myself look awake when heading into work. I have been stashing BirchBox points so this may join the list of contenders for my splurge.


After jumping on the short hair bandwagon a la Taylor Swift, I am loving this product to add a little texture to second day limp locks. I used a little this morning and got some body and volume without any weight or stiffness. This is a great product and I highly recommend to anyone who has recently joined the club and gone for the chop. Will definitely be ordering more.


Now that I am 27 maybe my anti-wrinkle skin care regime needs to step up from just using whatever samples I get in my Birchboxes until they run out. Still, I feel it's hard to judge this kind of product from a sample. The smell and feel are fine. Just nothing to draw me in and make me commit. Like I said earlier, will use until finished and hope for no crow's feet. 


This was my product choice for the month of December in Rose Gold. I thought this would be fun for the holiday and the color would be a nice compliment to my favorite eyeshadow palette, Naked3. The color is beautiful and it is creamy and luxe. The $18 price tag is a little steep though and I would be curious to see if I could locate something similar at a drug store price point since I would not be using this everyday. Still, very excited to get this and will definitely be adding it to my holiday makeup look!

Overall I was very pleased with this box and am staying on for the beginning of 2015. Hoping to make it to NYC soon to visit the BB Store and make my own awesome box. Then I could be sure all the samples were a perfect 10!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Boots

One of my favorite parts of the fall is stocking up on new boots. I love the fall weather. Nothing beats a 50 degree day you can spend outside in a jacket, blanket scarf and boots. After living in a warmer climate for four years, I really need to work on my winter footwear. A few weekends ago I was able to find some great ankle and knee-high boots in brown. My next purchases will be for the slushier days to come. While the weather has been beautiful lately, you can't trust the New England weather. We'll be shoveling before you know it.


These boots are super comfy and looks great with jeans. At only $50, they are a great fall staple. I wore them apple picking a few weeks ago and they have been my go-to weekend shoe.


My mom and I both purchased these at Kohl's, her in black and me in brown. They are very comfortable and even come in a wide calf. I found them to be more comfortable in that style because there was room to tuck jeans into them. You cannot beat the price and they look and feel great!


I have been wanting Hunter boots for a long time but they were difficult to justify living somewhere that only gets rain every couple of months. Unfortunately being so short the regular Hunters are a bit too tall. I like the idea of a wider calf so that I can tuck jeans into them and fit the crocheted Hunter socks in them as well. I really am drawn to this green color, though the shiny candy apple red ones are fun too! I think these will be a good choice for days following a storm when the snow turns to slush. Need these soon!


I really wanted to get Bean Boots this year but apparently you have to order them in the summer or they get back-ordered until January. Somehow I doubt that the snow will wait for my boots to be delivered so I think I am going to opt for these instead. They come in lots more colors and patterns, though I have always been a fan of navy. The hot pink is super fun but slightly less practical for matching. All I know is that these will be better for getting around in the snow than my Uggs!

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

On My Radar: Faribault for Target

For those of you that don't know, Faribault is a company based out of a community 50 miles outside of Minneapolis that produces 100-percent wool textiles. They make beautiful blankets and scarves that are both warm and durable. This fall the brand is joining forces with Target for an exclusive line of scarves, blankets, bags and tech accessories that are sure to delight this holiday season. I love the stripes and plaids, mix of neutral and bright colors and the uniqueness of their wool accessories. I have yet to see a price point on these items, but I am hoping that Target will have learned its lesson from last years over-priced holiday partnership with Neiman Marcus, which flopped, and keep this affordable because they will make great gifts-for yourself and your loved ones! The line launches in stores on November 2nd.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Shake It Off


I have never been a huge Taylor Swift fan. When this song first came on the radio I liked it before I even knew who was singing it. When I found out it was TSwizzle I wanted to not like it, but then it would come on in the car and I couldn't help but dance around in the driver seat as I sat in traffic out of Hartford every night. Maybe Tay should never have gone country. This seems to be her forte. Her new bob haircut is super cute as well. She may go on too many dates, but it's just so hard to hate on her for it when she's singing the one of the catchiest songs ever.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Cocktail Plates

I pretty much cannot go into Crate and Barrel without picking something up. After swooning over beautiful distressed wood kitchen tables and the deepest, comfiest couches you can imagine, Ell and I headed downstairs at the West Hartford store to look at some more practical, or at least affordable, pieces for our place.

There's something about the hundreds of perfectly shelved glasses and plates, colored roasting pans and aisles of kitchen gadgets that lures me in every time. On Sunday's visit there was no way I was leaving without the most adorable appetizer plates I have ever seen.


A few months ago we purchased a kitchen cart from Ikea that we have turned into a bar cart. I have slowly been curating pieces, and alcohol, to turn it into one of my favorite pieces in the apartment. I felt like these, with the recipe for some classic cocktails on the back, would be a perfect addition. I love serving cheese and crackers and other small bites on some plates with personality. I love that our dinnerware is white so almost anything else we pick up is a perfect match. Looking forward to having a girls night in soon so I can serve up some snacks on these cute little plates.

 


Saturday, September 27, 2014

Most Wanted: Fur Vest

I feel like I have been searching for the last three winter seasons for the perfect fur vest. There is such a fine line between them looking expensive and looking cheesy. Most of the less expensive ones I have found are funky colors or just too fluffy. The nicer ones are just so pricy. When I saw the Faux-Fur vest by Banana Republic priced at $130, and let's be honest they are always having huge sales, I was pretty sold. Going to get my hands on one of these this weekend so I can try it on and see if I have finally found my perfect fur vest.


Friday, September 26, 2014

September Birchbox Review


I have been receiving Birchboxes in the mail for more than a year and I am never disappointed. I have been exposed to so many new products and joining the Birchblogger group I have also received many books and other items to try out. This month's box was an especially good mix of steal and splurge items- Chapstick to dr. brant. If you are not receiving your monthly Birchbox you can use this link to sign up today: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/f3x41dentistafashionista


Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum [Full size $79]
This oil-free treatment is used to fade dark spots and even out skin tones. I have been using it before I moisturize when I apply my makeup in the morning. It's a great product, but the price tag is a bit steep. 

dr. brant pores no more vacuum cleaner [Full size $45]
This gel is applied thinly to problem areas to remove blackheads. For me, my chin and forehead have always been spots that I would like to see clearer. I have never found products like masks or pore strips to be very effective. If this product does what it promises then it might be worth the splurge. 

Macadamia Professional Healing Oil Spray [Full size $14.50]
This is by far the best hair oil I have tried. The price is right and it makes my hair feel silky and look shiny. I never feel like my hair looks weighed down from product and it can be used on wet or damp hair. It helps me be frizz free when I style with a top knot and gives sheen to beach waves created with a curling iron. What more could you ask for?

Noir Cosmetics Long Wear Eyeliner [Full size $15]
Creamy, thick and easily applied, this liner is great for someone who wants to creates all different looks. Lately I have been obsessing on the Benefit They're Real! gel liner, but this pencil gives me a little more freedom and ability to smudge.

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream [Full size $16]
Super hydrating and good for all parts of the body- from dry lips to cracked heels, this was a tiny sample that packed a big punch. My hands are dry from constant use of hand sanitizer and this cream brought them instantly back to life. I think I will put this on my list for full-size purchase when the winter months dry out my skin even more.

Chapstick Hydration Lock Moisture and Renew
What girl doesn't like choices? Now even your chapstick lets you choose sides. One side of this balm has CoQ10 and vitamin E to make lips smooth, soft and moisturized. The flip has mango and shea to help renew. Long-lasting, affordable and cool, this is going in my bag for daily use. 

Friday, September 19, 2014

Mindy Should Be My BFF

In August Birchbox sent out the book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Khaling for the Birchblogger Book Club. Let me be totally honest with you. I was... PUMPED! There are few people that I find funnier in the world than Mindy. Now I was not a fan of The Office. Maybe I would have liked it, but I just never got into it. Right before The Mindy Project debuted its first season, my friend and I saw Mindy live on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. She was SO PRETTY in person and her shoes were to die for. And she was funny. Completely and totally hysterical in a totally genuine way. At that point I had an idea that the Mindy Project would be good. And I was wrong. It's great.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns) is kind of like reading something written by your best friend. Or at least written by someone you really, really wish was your best friend. It's the story of who she is, the good, the bad and the ugly. And believe me, there was some ugly. But it's hard not to respect someone who has no problem laughing at herself for having a horrible boyish bowl cut as a child and lived through it. Now look at the girl. She is gorgeous! And quite the fashionista herself.


I could not put the book down. It only took me a few hours to devour it because I didn't want to stop reading it. And I was horribly sad when it ended. It was to the point that I woke Elliott up in the morning because I was laughing so hard reading it. Like full on laughing out loud LOLing. Even thinking back to some of the scenes now I could vividly paint this picture of her awkward little self in my head and I just crack up. I think for most of us we have been there but we just don't have the grace of Khaling to write all about it for all the world to read. She doesn't really seem to care what other people think of her and I think that's awesome. Every girl should read this book and everyone should follow her on Instagram. If we all can't be her real life best friend it's the next best thing.



The Mindy Project was so good this week. The dynamic between Danny and Mindy is so great. His stripper dancing, even better. Even though she isn't playing her self in the show, after reading her book you can tell that the character that shares her name is loosely based on her vision of herself in real life. She is a funny girl and she isn't ashamed of it at all. I can't think of anyone else that embraces their true self so wholeheartedly. 

Beyonce Pad Thai, you are my hero.



Sunday, September 14, 2014

Andy

I didn't grow up a dog person. The only pet I ever had was a goldfish that swam around for 11 years named Jasmine that lived in a Little Mermaid tank. Looking back I should have named it Ariel, or maybe Flounder. Anyway, with Elliott came Andy, a perfectly behaved black lab that stole my heart pretty much as easily as Ell did. Andy fetches the paper, helps to bring in the groceries and has an uncanny ability to bring me over only the toys I have purchased for him when I come over to play. On Labor Day Weekend I was able to catch this video of Andy jumping off the dock at the lake and I couldn't help but share. For someone that didn't grow up with any pets in the house I have certainly become a dog lover. Well, at least an Andy lover.



Friday, September 12, 2014

Arrigoni Vineyard

When I first moved home I had this grand plan that I would be able to visit all of the wineries in Connecticut this summer and fall. Then reality set in and between juggling my call schedule and other social obligations with my family and friends, I found myself on Labor Day Weekend with a grand total of 2. I have found that making spontaneous plans on a Saturday has really made my weekends. With that in mind my friend Kait and I packed a picnic lunch and headed to Arrigoni Winery for the afternoon a few Saturdays ago.


The winery is only two years old so as you can see by the picture the grapes are still very young. They do, however, make their wines from locally grown grapes from the upper East Coast. We purchased tastings and really enjoyed the offerings. I especially liked trying an apple wine infused with maple. I bought it to serve at brunch with waffles. 


 After trying out nine different wines we headed to the patio to enjoy our picnic lunch and take in the beautiful day. There is plenty of outdoor seating and on the weekends that often have live music you can enjoy. They are also going to start having a Wine and Painting Class offered about once monthly.


After eating we headed inside to peruse the adorable gift shop filled with wine-related knickknacks.  We enjoyed reading the funny magnets and picked up a few coasters with funny wine sayings. 
I thoroughly enjoyed the time that I spent at Arrigoni and thought they were very unique in the types of wines offered and the awesome gift shop. If you are looking for a quick weekend trip to enjoy the changing leaves and want to explore some more adventurous wine choices, I would put Arrigoni on your list of destinations this fall.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

9/11

I hope everyone had a chance to reflect today on all of the lives that were changed 13 years ago. Sometimes very tragic things can have a silver lining in the strength that can be found in the aftermath.

We will never forget.


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Gearing Up For Fall

One of the best things about being back in New England at this time of year is planning a new fall wardrobe. While most of life is spent in scrubs, there are some things I want to pick up for the weekends that will make me remember why I love autumn.
I love the idea of a cape layered with a cute striped t-shirt. Leather ankle boots are a good splurge, while trendy accessories like a floppy felt fedora can be scooped up for a steal at Forever21. Happy shopping!

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

What I Love Right Now

Working a real 8-5 job has left me so much more time to explore new things. I find myself surfing Netflix, reading magazines and spending time making dinner almost every night of the week. It's pretty awesome. Here is a run down of some of my favorite things right now.

1. Orange is the New Black
I feel like I am so late to the game on this one, but I LOVE this show. It is one of the funniest series I have watched in so long. Kudos to Netflix for having done such a good job with this one. The casting is spot on. Who would have guessed Laura Prepon would make such a good inmate? It is hard not to fall in love with these characters even though they are doing time. I can't wait to start on season 2 this week.

Benefit has truly made eyeliner for dummies. This gel liner is so easy to use even the makeup novice can get a perfect cat-eye every time. With just a quick twist the perfect amount of liner for two swoops is dispensed and then you can easily create the perfect look for day or night. Sephora offers free 15 minute mini-makeovers so if you are interested in seeing a pro in action with this stuff, I suggest heading in for a consult. You will be a Benefit believer guaranteed.

I've never been much of a Converse girl, but put a Missoni print on them and I am sold. A little on the pricier side for a casual sneaker, these are on the top of my splurge list. The shoe itself is perfect for weekend errands but the print would make them work to dress down a cute skirt and t-shirt for a day date. I want these badly but I am still trying to decide on which print!

Recently featured in the Birchblogger book club (full review to follow soon), this book literally made me LOL over and over. The Mindy Project is by far my favorite show on TV and while I count the days until the next season and stalk her Instagram account to see pictures of her and the adorable Chris Messina aka Danny Castellano aka McDreamy with an Attitude shooting scenes for the fall premiere, this was the perfect read to fill the Mindy void. Some of the highlights come from photos of her with a horrible androgynous haircut and a very vivid scene of her becoming trapped on the high diving board with nowhere to go at the neighborhood pool. I love a girl that isn't afraid to poke fun at herself and Mindy takes the cake when it comes to being real and funny. I just wish she could be my real life best friend.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Out With The Old, In With the Metallic

For someone who's job requires her to wear gloves all day, I have an obsession with nail polish. This isn't a new thing. Since I was much younger I loved giving myself manis and pedis with tons of different colors. I was even pretty talented at nail art, drawing snowflakes on my nails in winter and fireworks for Fourth of July. When Birchbox Birchbloggers gave me the opportunity to review some new Ruffian nail polish I felt I was more than qualified for the job.



First off, let me say that the colors are phenomenal. My friends and I have been searching for a gorgeous rose gold forever and this one takes the cake. Rosary is such a beautiful color and obviously the one I was just dying to get on my nails. I almost feel like the nails look like the color of a brand new fresh from the mint penny. Ambrosia is a color that could easily carry you from day to night. Relic is silvery without being silver. It looks mature and very luxe.

Secondly, this polish lasts! Like amazingly well! There is nothing that bugs me more than spending time painting your nails and then sitting still for them to dry and you wash one dish and it looks as if you have been wearing the polish for weeks. Chip city!  I applied the polish at night and topped it off with my favorite top coat Seche Vite Fast Dry. I saw four patients today and did a TON of lab work and I don't even have a chip! This stuff is strong!

People stopped me all day to comment on how pretty this polish looked! I was thrilled that it lasted through so much wear and tear. If you are looking for something to spend those hard-earned Birchbox points on, this is a product to try! Durable, beautiful and chip free. What more could you want from a nail polish?





Monday, July 21, 2014

Feeling Like A Scrub


Wearing scrubs to work all week has left me feeling like kind of a scrub. Since we were given 5 embroidered sets (still love seeing Dr. Allison Baylis written anywhere!), my daily wardrobe has become navy blue scrub top tucked into navy blue scrub pants and fuchsia Nike sneakers. Sometimes I even accessorize with my beeper. GAG! 

Coming from a school where being fashionable was a requirement, well not really, but we had to be in business casual at all times, has me missing the days of doing extractions in breezy skirts and comparing brightly colored pumps with my favorite classmates. Feeling like a bum and constantly being mistaken for an assistant has me rethinking my foray into the world of "professional pajamas". It may be time to bust out the gift card to Banana Republic from Ell's parents and work on being a little more professional and a little less pajamas. 

In an effort to remember my better fashion days, I want to bring back this picture from our Senior Dinner Dance in my this fuchsia Laundry by Shelly Segal dress (Thank you, Last Call Neiman Marcus) and the Nine West shoes that are not only beautiful, but also one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes that I have ever danced in. Elliott doesn't look bad either, right? :)

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Work


I love the saying, "If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life." 

The past few weeks of transitioning from being a dental student to an actual dentist have been a true test of my happiness in this career. The alarm goes off at 5:30 AM these days as I commute from home. I have had to do extractions that I never would have even thought of attempting a few months ago. I carry around a beeper every few days so I can go flying into the ER when it goes off. All of these things would probably make me miserable if I didn't love what I do so much. 

11 months from now I will probably never take care of another lip laceration, but in the mean time my confidence as a practitioner and my love of this field is growing exponentially. I am so happy that I chose this job at St. Francis and I am very grateful for my co-residents who make every day a little more fun. 

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

I'm Back

That's me! Bottom row four in from the right

I haven't written in weeks. My life has been in total transition. In the past month I graduated from dental school and officially became a DMD (Yes, people they made me a doctor!). After that I drove 3000 miles, with plenty of stops, across the country in my little red Ford with my very patient boyfriend so I could move back to the East Coast for good. Now I'm here and trying to figure out what I'm doing. My residency starts in a week with orientation, including a 12 hour suturing class, and hours of computer training. Then on July 1st, it's all us! Eight new residents taking over the dental clinic.
My diploma, well the fake one they gave me on stage

I am super excited about all the changes that have been taking place in my life. I finally am done with school and will start a paying job after four years of student loans. For the first time in our relationship, I live in the same zip code as Elliott. I am reconnecting with my friends and feeling like I am a regular presence in their lives. I love being home and I have resolved that I should start writing again, because even though one adventure is over, a new one is just beginning.


 





















Friday, May 9, 2014

Dream Big, Darlin'


With graduation from dental school just five days away, I thought this was such a fitting quote to post. When I started my journey to become a dentist I was just a 16 year old high school junior who had no idea what a Class II filling even was. Ten years later I am halfway through my 26th year, more mature and certainly much more educated than when I began my quest for the coveted DMD.  I know the next week is going to be filled with a lot of laughs, even more tears and quite a few bottles of champagne as my classmates and I accept our diplomas and finally, officially, become the doctors we worked so hard for so many years to be. I was just a little girl with a dream and now I am a woman with a clear cut vision of how her future (at least the near future) will turn out. Congrats to all the ladies graduating with me next week. We made our dream come true! Cheers to that!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Get Caught In the Web


I have heard people say that fashion is like wearable art. No designer exemplifies this more than Charlotte Olympia. I certainly don't live a red carpet lifestyle or have exceptional grace walking in a 6" heel, but I would display these shoes like a Van Gogh. From her signature cat flats, with added sunglasses for the spring collection, to these killer heels with their own message in a bottle, one pair is just more fabulous and exquisite than the next. Where would I wear these shoes? Frankly, I just don't have a cool enough life for these ever to be appropriate (minus the flats, maybe), and the price tag to own your own is pretty steep, but there is something so fun about browsing the selection in Nordstrom and thinking about what an artist Charlotte must be to have come up with these unique and funky designs. She certainly has this girl caught in her web. 

Monday, May 5, 2014

Margaritas

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Hope everyone is having a margarita...or two...today!

Monday, April 28, 2014

Going Tribal


My newest obsession are the beautiful prints of the fabulous Mara Hoffman. I feel like I am little late to the party as she has collaborations with companies like J.Crew and Madewell under her belt already this season. Her combinations of color and pattern make each of her pieces so unique. From maxi dresses to bikinis, she does it all, and she does it well. It's no surprise that many other designers and clothing lines have taken cues from her esthetic. 

Luckily for those of us on a budget this spring, even Forever 21 has been inspired by Mara's designs. From cosmetic bags to hair accessories, dresses to mini skirts, there are plenty of tribal options in all kinds of colors to satisfy those of us wishing to pay homage to Hoffman without maxing out our credit cards.