Better Off Med

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new BLOG for me...

2011-12-19T08:59:00.000-06:00

and I'm feeling gooooood!

It's way been way too long since I've written a proper post (or really any sort of post) on this forum, but I'm happy to let you all know that I'll be blogging from my brand new blog, Confetti Showers, (http://www.confettishowers.com/) beginning next week. It's currently being built and should be completed within the next few days.

I can't wait and I hope you're excited too!

Pomp and Circumstance

2011-05-28T11:15:00.009-05:00

IT'S OFFICIAL!

(pic via)

I'm now a doctor! I was finally hooded and handed my diploma after two days of ceremonies marking the culmination of four years of studying, stress, sleepless nights, among many other things. The only adjective that I could come up with to describe how it felt being called doctor while walking during the commencement ceremony is surreal. I'm still in a state of disbelief that medical school is over.

At the risk of sounding sappy, I want to say thank you to my parents and friends. These are the people that have stood by me the past few years and had faith me when I lacked faith in myself. You answered the phone at all hours of the day when I needed someone to talk to, handed me boxes of Kleenex when necessary, cheered me up, celebrated my accomplishments. This degree would have never happened without all of you.
I'm off to celebrate (some more)!

An Update and Time Out

2011-04-20T15:26:00.007-05:00

I can hardly believe that it's been over a month since I've posted on my corner of the blogosphere! Match Day came and went. I said I would be happy with anything in my Top 3 and I stand by that statement. I'm really excited to begin new adventures in a new city come July. My rotations officially ended on March 24 and after being in school for twenty plus years, it's finally over!

This time between residency training and the end of school is a sweet, fleeting era. I've adopted many of the of the lyrics from "The Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars as a mantra of sorts. I've been taking time away from the laptop, reading novels, shopping for my new apartment, hanging out with my parents and friends, attending yoga classes, lazily hanging out on the couch while rewatching my 24 DVDs, and catching up on all the fun I managed to miss out for the past few years.

There are many things coming up that I'm looking forward to including a vacation to Italy and Greece, graduation, a royal wedding watch party, several friends' weddings and bridal showers, and moving. Also, I'm currently working on a new blog with a brand new title and design. I hope it comes out just as lovely as I'm imagining it will be. I can't wait to share it with you.

Posts will likely be few and far between. Meanwhile, please feel free to email me at betteroffmed@gmail.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions, as I'd really love to hear from you.

Braided Bunch

2011-03-07T19:40:00.005-06:00

(pictures via here, here, here, here, here, and here)

Braids are classic and often summon memories of schoolgirl days and visions of Amanda Seyfried in Mamma Mia. Over the years, the style has experienced several reworkings and evolutions that can function anywhere from the real world to the runway to the red carpet. The version I fancy the most is the effortless gathering of interlacing sections at the side of nape of the neck. I have the longing to cut my hair, which is currently a couple of inches below my collarbone, but I think I'm going to have to reexamine those plans after surveying pictures of diverse plaited coiffures.

Things That Warm My Heart

2011-03-05T12:52:00.004-06:00

Joel McHale Impersonating George Michael. If you've been reading for any length of time, you've probably deduced two things about me. Number one is that I possess intense feelings for Joel McHale. Number two is that George Michael is one of my favorite singers of all time. Not one, but two, of my friends alerted me that two of my favorite things were combined in this clip from the NBC show "Community". Do my friends know me well or what? Click HERE to watch!

(pic via)

Reese's Miniature Peanut Butter Cups. These scaled-down sugary treats are perfect to place atop a heaping mountain of ice cream.

My birthday dress from Madewell. Sadly, I forgot my camera for all three of my celebrations, so I thought I would share at least one picture where I am posing with one of my oldest friends. This frock is easily the best purchase I made this past fall/winter season. I paired with my worn to death blazer, an American Eagle belt, J. Crew tights, and a random plain black tank.

Chuck Bass in Hunter wellies. What's not to love about a debonair gentleman in fire engine red boots? It pains me to wait until April 18 for fourth season of Gossip Girl to resume.

(picture via)

Fringe Benefits

2011-03-03T21:12:00.001-06:00

There are very few trends that have surfaced in different eras, but managed to look both in vogue at the present time and the consummate symbol to call to mind years later. An archetypal example of this would be fringe, which has looked uniformly outstanding on Pocahontas as it did flappers from the era of Louise Brooks or put together with psychedelic tie-dye and elevated platforms in the 1970s.

Robert Rodriguez Skirt, Free People "Leila" Belt, Rachel Comey "Shag Shoulder Jacket"

Asos "Frankie" Suede Sandal, Juicy Couture "Dipdye" Necklace, Susan Farber "Tahoe" Bodybag

It's an easy trend to overdo, which is why I've chosen to limit fringe to my lower extremities, similar to what Lauren Conrad, Rachel Bilson, and Nicole Richie have done in the pictures below. I think each of these ladies has put their own impression on the trend, whether it is mixing it with a lust-worthy Chanel bag or a floating scarf. I'm inclined to Bilson's style stamp, mainly because it's impossible for her to have any fashion blunders.

pics via here, here, and here

Recently, I purchased these vintage moccasins I found on eBay. I find them both subtle and kitschy at the same time and am currently scheming ensembles to pair them with this impending spring and summer.

So, tell me, is fringe something you'd consider wearing or is this trend a pass for you?

Latest Beauty Buys

2011-02-24T15:55:00.009-06:00

This week off from school has been really spectacular. Not only did I finish my rank list, but I watched hours of television that had been piling up on my DVR, finished two fine pieces of literature, cleaned out my iTunes library, and organized my bathroom drawers. Well, what's a girl to do when she's accomplished everything on her to do list? Why, shopping, of course!

(Starting from left to right)

Chanel Glossimer in Pleasing. The ideal neutral, sheer to medium coverage, non-sticky gloss. This could easily be the cousin of the Glossimer in the color Unity with it's similar bronze metallic appearance, with the only difference being the sparkle is pumped up a few notches.

OPI I Vant To Be A-Lone Star. First, let me comment on how dumb the first half of the name is. Am I missing something here? If so, please let me know. It's a lovely pale blue color with hints of pale gray undertones loaded with silver shimmer that really only stands out in the sun. It screams spring and is the perfect antidote to all the deep berry and forest greens that reigned supreme on my digits this winter.

OPI Teenage Dream. Ah, the coveted Katy Perry collection, which includes that dreadful Black Shatter topcoat. I had to go to two different stores to track this one down and am I ever glad that I did. It's light pink color sprinkled with chunky holographic glitter amongst a sea of smaller multicolored glitter. Very youthful and saccharine and exactly what I would expect from the pop singer. This is the second pink I've fallen for in a row (the first one being OPI Princesses Rule!).

Bobbi Brown Blush in Nectar. I was skeptical at first when the sales associate came at the apples of my cheeks with this retina-searing shade of matte blush, but I was instantly sold after seeing how much this warm pink hue brightened my face. A little bit of this blush goes a long way, so apply with a light hand.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact in Bronze. This is the famous product that spawned a thousand drugstore knockoffs. I love that this is versatile, as it can be used for eyeshadow, highlighter, bronzer, or blush. Hopefully it will give me that ethereal, gorgeous glow that Jennifer Lopez always has on American Idol.

Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Scrub. I went to the Kiehl's counter specifically for a gentle exfoliator that wouldn't dry out my skin too much and this fit the bill, even though it's part of the men's product line.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. This is my second bottle of this product. I use this 2-3 times per week underneath my moisturizer before I go to sleep and wake up with soft, bright skin.

Currently Playing: Latest iTunes Purchases

2011-02-16T13:08:00.000-06:00

"Girls Wanna Rock" by Mêlée. When I first heard this song, I immediately noticed the lyrics were less than stellar when compared to their previous compositions. I knew I had to investigate further, so I turned to the website that has all the pertinent facts: Wikipedia. It seems that this song was brushed by the poisoned pen of Kara DioGuardi of American Idol fame. But, as you can tell, I don't let that stop me from hitting the replay button regularly. (I couldn't find this on YouTube, so you'll just have to trust me on this one!)

"Love in America" by JTX. The beats draw you to the nearest available space to dance and the chorus begs you to sing along.

"Club Hop" by Jesse McCartney. He's the epitome of a true entertainer - he sounds fantastic live, has smooth moves that make me nostalgic for boybands of the 1990s, and writes/produces his own music (as well as co-writing "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis). J-Mac, I'm begging you, don't leave me waiting any longer for the release your new album "Have It All".

Twenty Five Candles

2011-02-09T10:57:00.003-06:00

(picture via)

So, this is it. The days of being a spry, young girl in my early twenties have officially ended and I've made my grand entrance as of 12:01 A.M. this morning into a new demographic: the mid-twenties.

I had dinner with a good friend last weekend and we discussed where we always thought we would be at twenty five. We both thought that we would be close to getting married, but this is a unofficial deadline that's no where near happening and I'm absolute, positively not bothered with that. I always imagined that I would be graduating medical school, which I am in May. I figured that I would have seen Michaelangelo's David statue, which I haven't yet, but realize that I've visited plenty of amazing international cities, beaches, and museums. I thought that I would have shared the same room air as my three favorite artists (Prince, George Michael, Elton John) by now, but as Meatloaf once sang, two out of three ain't bad.

For the longest time, I've approached this birthday with a mixed feelings of apprehension and anticipation. I thought that I would feel some sort of magical transformation into a proper grown-up that would gain a self realization, wisdom, and maturity.

I know where I've been and what I've done in the past twenty five years. Certainly, there are an abundance of things that I should have done, but didn't get done for whatever reason. I'm pretty okay with where I am and unsure as to what the future holds, but know that I'll be waiting with a smile and high hopes.

To my newest, happiest, best year yet.

(picture via)

Interviews By the Numbers

2011-02-07T09:38:00.002-06:00

Number of interviews: 13

Miles driven: 2430

Gas: $512

Hotel rooms: $329

Flights: $2405

Food: $223

GPS: $99

Hours spent in airports due to flight delays: I care not to be reminded.

Magazines bought at airports: 14

New suit and shoes: $620

A sentiment that describes how I feel about the whole interview process:

(picture via)

My Dream

2011-02-06T09:57:00.005-06:00

Vanity Fair is one my favorite magazines - it's smart, well-written, and features the Proust Questionaire. I saw that John Galliano filled this page out a few issues ago and thought that I would do the same!

My Dream Closet would be comprised of Phillip Lim and Madewell for daytime and Marchesa and Carolina Herrera for nighttime. (pictures via here and here)

My Dream Holiday would be seeing the Pyramids in Egypt and the Acropolis in Greece, which I'm happy to say is the graduation trip I will be taking with my parents later this spring!

(picture via)

My Dream Concert would feature Prince, Backstreet Boys (circa 2000), Robbie Williams, and George Michael (circa 1986).

(picture via)

My Dream Home would be a beachside condo in Rio de Janeiro overlooking Ipanema or a Manhattan penthouse with sweeping views of the city.

(picture via)

My Dream Job is to be the official White House photographer or a writer for Marie Claire magazine.

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My Dream Dinner Party would have Anderson Cooper, Diane von Furstenberg, and Peter Lindbergh as invitees.

My Dream Meal includes chicken pad thai from my local favorite Thai restaurant, hummus made my mom, and red velvet cake with heaps of vanilla ice cream on the side.

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My Dream Mode of Transport would be to fly.

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My Dream Gadget already exists - the iPhone!

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What is your dream?

Things That Warm My Heart

2011-02-04T04:43:00.000-06:00

Andrew Garfield. Babe, you were robbed of an Oscar nomination that many, including myself, thought you deserved. But that doesn't make me posses feelings for you that are anything less than amorous. You are too talented to not receive one in the near future.

(picture via)

Catstudio's Geography Collection. An exceptionally whimsical way to pay tribute to your hometown origins through various mediums, including dishtowels, aprons, or glasses. You had better believe that I'll be snapping up a pillow representing my home state to proudly display on my couch come this summer.

Glee Mini-Me's. Could these half-pints be any cuter? If this doesn't make you grin, nothing will. I'm partial to mini Finn, especially after delivering his introduction with such charisma and enthusiasm.

Tiffany & Co. Advertisements. The marketing department at this company is brilliant, as they always create propoganda that are attention-grabbing and make me smile. I can count on my hand the things listed on the advertisement below that will happen to me in 2011. How many will be happening for you this year?

(picture via)

Peppermint Winter

2011-02-02T09:30:00.003-06:00

There are a few things that I will not miss about being a student: paying exorbitant tuition each semester and student parking which always seems to be in the lot farthest away from the building. There's always a flip side and I will mourn the loss of summer vacation, buying new school supplies, and the guaranteed Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. However, I'm enjoying the perks while I can, so you can imagine just how thrilled I was to receive the news that the city was cloaked with snowfall and school was cancelled for the day! I made sure to shovel sugar into my mouth, devour copious cups of peppermint hot chocolate, and catch up on an array of reading material (including a manual for my new camera my parents bought me!).

Low Heel, High Style

2011-02-01T07:26:00.000-06:00

For a while, I believed that footwear is something that should have no middle ground; it was either barely off the ground flats or up in the air heels. Flats are considered eternally chic and associated with the gamine beauty Audrey Hepburn. High heels represent power and fortitude and are worn by stunning starlets on the red carpet. The middle ground being kitten heels are the shoes of choice for church ladies and librarians. In other words, dowdy and frumpy.

I'm 5'3" barefoot, but transformed to a respectable 5'7" with lofty heels slipped on. A taller stature associated with power and confidence, so remind me again why I would want to give that up, especially on a day that's as important as an interview day? Oh, yeah, the possibility of a social blunder in the form of a face plant and/or a sprained ankle while traversing the hallways of the hospitals.

After some deliberation, I decided a kitten heel would be the best bet. If they're good enough for the First Ladies of USA and France, they're certainly good enough for me! (picture via)

I was determined to find a kitten shoe that married style, comfort, without the frump factor and I think found just that in these lovelies by Ferragamo (paired below with the trouser socks from J. Crew).

I found this quote by Marilyn Monroe and thought it was delightful. And I'm hoping that it's true, especially for the above pictured pair.

(picture via)

Sock It To Me

2011-01-23T13:08:00.001-06:00

"As if!"

"Whatever!"

"You see how picky I am about my shoes and they only go on my feet."

(picture via)

I'm certain that most of you can identify the venerable style icon that is responsible for the popular sayings listed above, mainly because you probably uttered them repeatedly after watching the '90s classic "Clueless" starring Alicia Silverstone as Cher. The third citation, which is my favorite, could very well be promoted as my personal mantra. As a side note, I totally wrote with a pen like that in grade school.

(pictures via here, here, and here)

Not only was the dialogue memorable, but Cher's style was something to mimic too. Her expansive closet was full plaid skirts and crop tops, but perhaps the most synonymous item with mid '90s fashion and Cher is knee high socks. These experienced a resurgence this past winter as several designers paired them with wedges and courdoroy shorts to make diversified ensembles that look anything but dated.

(pictures via here, here, and here)

I picked up a pair from Macy's a few weeks ago and have found they work equally as well protecting me from the cold when layered under my scrubs as they do with hunter green corduroy shorts.

Things That Warm My Heart

2011-01-21T08:31:00.006-06:00

Prince's Concert for the Goss-Michael Foundation. It's instances like looking at the $1500 per ticket price tag that make me wish I had some sort of income. Would anyone like to get me and my would be plus one, K-Force, an early birthday present? Neither of us know exactly how we would react to being in the same room as Prince and George Michael at the same time, but I'm certain it would involve a lot of gasps, shrieks, and superlatives.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. So what if this product is meant for people who have celebrated more birthdays than I have? It takes only 2-3 drops to cover my entire face and leaves it feeling dewy and soft in the morning.

Royal Wedding Souvenirs. With all the t-shirts, thimbles, coffee mugs released for the most anticipated wedding of the year (now, less than 100 days away!), these very unofficial plates are the clear winners for being the cheekiest and funniest. The dessert plate that reads "It Should Have Been Me" is my pick, because after all, what girl isn't thinking this?

This quote from Modern Family.

Alex: "So, dumb guys go for dumb girls, and smart guys go for dumb girls? What do smart girls get?"
Phil: "Cats mostly."

(picture via)

That Thing You Do

2011-01-13T17:25:00.003-06:00

There are many different genres of photography that I'm drawn to, but nothing is as fascinating as what The Sartorialist's Scott Schuman does with street style photography. The genius of Schuman lies in his ability to snap everyday people living their lives, who once in awhile, by chance get their beauty and existence captured in a matter of seconds. He recently starred in a short video by Intel and discussed his approach to his craft:

"You never know what it is, that thing that draws you to that person.

It seems odd, but it's almost like going out there and

letting yourself fall in love a little bit everyday, be seduced everyday."

What an incredibly captivating and eloquent quote.

One of the many great things about his blog is that there are no identifications as to what labels are being worn or prices of pieces. I love wondering whether a colorful scarf was something found at a thrift store or a splurge purchase that carried him/her through college or if trapper hat was something lovingly stole from her boyfriend.

Street style blogs are wonderful for the reason that it's people watching at it's best in some of the world's most fashionable and diverse cities. One might have a limited bank account or be without a passport, but just having access to the internet gives one a means of entry to the style, intelligence, culture, humor, and ideas of others.

"Because the internet, is the world shrinking? Are we all becoming too homogenized?

Milan hasn't changed, Paris hasn't changed, New York hasn't changed.

So I don't think it's really homogenized anything, but I do think it's given us

what I like to call a digital park bench...before you were really limited to the people

you could see right there at your park...really, the whole world's open to you now."

Things That Warm My Heart

2011-01-04T21:48:00.003-06:00

Matt Bomer. With sparkling crystal blue eyes, charisma, and a chiseled profile that rivals one of a Greek god, it's no surprise that Tiffani Thiessen has a hard time concentrating when doing scenes with him on White Collar (which returns on January 18!). I don't know if a more handsome guy exists and firmly believe that he would make an excellent choice as Cristiano Ronaldo's successor in those Giorgio Armani ads that caused such a stir last year.

Christian Louboutin for Barbie. Has anyone seen that bumper sticker that says "I want to be just like Barbie. That b***h has everything"? Because that's exactly how I felt when I realized that she has Ken, a dream house, a convertible, a tiny waist, an enviable wardrobe AND she can get Louboutins at one tenth of the price that I would have to pay for them.

(picture via)

Kate Spade Larabee Dot Tidbit Plates. One of my girlfriends who is getting married later this year registered for these perfect plates. I love that the patterns don't match exactly, but go together.

(picture via)

Elizabeth and James S/S 2011 Collection. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are the epitome of cool and this collections reflects that entirely. Wispy chiffon dresses and wide legged pants coupled with the new line of sunglasses and lust-worthy platforms are sure to be wishlisted this coming season. (pictures via)

Currently Playing: Latest iTunes Purchases

2011-01-02T16:24:00.003-06:00

"I'm In Love" by Alex Gaudino. The driving bass provides a solid foundation for simple lyrics sung by an anonymous lady who is a doppleganger for Rihanna's voice. This tune set the dancefloor on fire at Tao in Vegas as crowds of people raised glasses in the air to toast love, life, and happiness.

"Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. The lyrics are relatively straight forward, but they carry a deep sentiment and trigger intense feelings that we all harbor, but don't always express. It's a fantastic feeling to be at home, feeling safe and protected and loved. I have heard from several people that seeing this band perform live is the closest thing to a religious experience that they've experienced and I look forward to hopefully having the pleasure of seeing them in concert one day.

"Windows Are Rolled Down" by Amos Lee. The latest release by one of my favorite artists will immediately grab the attention of your heart and ears. His storytelling is superb as his buttery, soulful voice recounts the tale of a devastating heartbreak.

Welcome, 2011!

2011-01-01T14:30:00.006-06:00

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.”-Edith Lovejoy Pierce.

I spent my New Year's Eve and first hours of the 2011 with my two lovely friends as they imbibed beverages freely and I indulged in a Snickers fondue.

I wish all of you endless happiness, good health, wild success, and lasting love for 2011.

Favorites of 2010

2010-12-31T06:30:00.000-06:00

Places: New Orleans, Los Angeles, Dallas, Memphis, and Las Vegas.

School Related: The ending of third year. The beginning of fourth year. Enjoying some rotations. Finding a field of medicine that I'm excited about. More interview offers than I could feasibly take. Many successful interviews.

Occasions: My 24 themed 24th birthday celebration. Witnessing many of my friends tie the knot. Elton John in concert. My parents 27th anniversary.

Songs: "Teenage Dream" by Glee Cast, "Promise This" by Cheryl Cole, "Your Love" by Keane, "Body Language" by Jesse McCartney, "Maybe" by Ingrid Michaelson, "I Love College" by Asher Roth, JLS "One Shot", "In Love With You" by Jared Evan, "Hang With Me" by Robyn, "Shame" by Robbie Williams

TV: Modern Family had me laughing until my side hurt. Survivor was a dud. 24 sadly concluded, but it seems we can all look forward to Jack Bauer hitting the big screen in the future. Glee is the most maddeningly inconsistent show, but I always look forward to the musical numbers. Entourage is getting it's swagger back.

Film: Toy Story 3, The Social Network, Easy A.

Beauty: Bobbi Brown blush in Bahama Brown, Cargo blu ray High Definition Mattifier, Dolce & Gabbana The One fragrance.

Fashion: Floral prints, khaki and army green, towering heels, embellishment

Californication

2010-12-28T20:46:00.003-06:00

The rain was relentless as the dark clouds rolled across the sky dumping water on the tops of heads of visitors and native Southern Californians alike. This certainly dispelled the myth that Los Angeles is saturated in sunshine all the time. Wearing my Hunter wellies on the plane was uncomfortable, but turned out to be the best choice in footwear. I tried not to let the conditions reminiscent of a monsoon deter me from wanting do my residency out there (which was the real purpose of the excursion).

We made the best of the time we had out there and managed to do some typical touristy things as well as indoor activities such as movies at the ArcLight (Black Swan, The Fighter), eating (Ketchup, Saddle Ranch, Neptune's Net), and shopping (South Coast Plaza, Beverly Boulevard). Not the most picture-worthy trip other than the Hollywood area, but I'll give it a go anyways.

Michael Jackson's star on the Walk of Fame!

Kodak Theater.

Mann's Chinese Theater.

Top Down, West Bound, It's All Good

2010-12-18T05:30:00.001-06:00

My very last Christmas break as a student has officially started and

I'm lucky enough to spend part of it in two of my favorite domestic cities.

(picture via)

Wishes for a fantastic holiday break!

Things That Warm My Heart

2010-12-17T19:47:00.002-06:00

Matthew Morrison in Details magazine. Now that I've picked up my jaw up off the floor, I can articulate the words oh-em-Glee, indeed!

(picture via)

Twilight Sweethearts. The fact that I bought this silly thing makes me think that I have an inner 13 year old girl inside me that wants to subscribe to Teen Beat and plaster the centerfolds on my ceiling so that I can fall asleep while looking at Zac Efron at night.

Smythson Panama diary. A true icon in it's realm. It's petite enough to be portable and has one week printed on two pages, which provides plenty of place to pencil in interview dates, friends' weddings, and vacations. I'll take mine in navy with my initials stamped above the year, thankyouverymuch.

Chick-fil-A Peppermint milkshake. At the rate that I've been consuming these in the past few weeks, I should stay on the treadmill a while longer, otherwise these sequin shorts won't look too attractive in Las Vegas next week.

Gift Guide Under $50 For Him

2010-12-15T21:43:00.001-06:00

Jack Black Travel Shaving Kit for a guy on the go.

Kindle case to protect the genius gadget.

Salute Your Shorts DVD to make him nostalgic.

Esquire's Big Black Book to keep him in the know style-wise.

Tiffany & Co. pocket diary to be organized.

Dylan's Candy Bar Brownie Pops to curb late night cravings.

Mini Foosball Table for practicing so that he won't embarass himself

by losing to you for the 6,472 time in a row.

Gift Guide Under $50 For Her

2010-12-12T11:46:00.000-06:00

Sephora's Lash Stash Sampler to complete eye-catching holiday makeup.

Juicy Couture hair elastics to pretty up a pony tail.

BCBG crystal studded media player set to rock out in style.

2011 Agenda Planner to pencil in Friday night dates, weekend football games, and trips to come visit you.

Anthropologie scarf to brighten up dreary winter days.

Tiffany playing cards for dealing out winning hands.

Tattoo bandages to make her smile although she's got a scrape.

Magazine subscriptions for a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year.

Things That Warm My Heart

2010-12-05T19:14:00.001-06:00

Glee Live on The X Factor. The collision between two of my favorite TV shows was the perfect remedy after a long day of being on call. Let's give a round of applause to Amber Riley for belting those notes right in Simon Cowell's face!

Revlon's Perplex nail polish. I know, I know. I said that I'm on a self imposed nail polish buying ban because the drawers of my bathroom are slowly resembling your friendly neighborhood salon, but after finding out this is a duplicate of Chanel's Paradoxal, I lost all self control. I believe spending money on high end cosmetics for my face, but I draw the line at spending $23 on something that OPI, Revlon, and Essie do perfectly for ten dollars or less.

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iPad Portfolio Case. This product is a steal as it doubles as protector for an iPad as well as an professional portfolio for me to carry at interviews.

A sweet photograph to melt even the coldest of hearts.

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Suit Yourself, Leighton Meester

2010-12-03T05:30:00.001-06:00

There is a sartorial question that is often asked concerning menswear: Is it the suit that makes the man, or the man that makes the suit? When it comes to Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester's Thom Browne ensemble at the Gothman Independent Film Awards, we're certainly talking about a woman. And it's safe to say that this woman completely makes the suit. Her makeup is spot on with a smokey eye and nude lip. I'm still trying to tone down the jealousy over spectacular green clutch. Don't even get me started on those soaring satin Ferragamos.

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Here's to you, Leighton, for your chic ensembles that only you can pull off and showing everyone there are alternatives to the ubiquitous dresses and skirts this holiday season.

Room Service

2010-12-02T06:47:00.001-06:00

Decorating a room is similar to building a wardrobe: it's something that is always a work in progress. Balancing the elements in a room is a tricky thing to do in that you don't want an exact replica of the latest Pottern Barn catalog or Elle Decor magazine. The key is to add elements from these inspirations to a space to make something that is uniquely you.

One of my favorite stores to turn to for whimsical and distinctive items is Anthropologie. I dare you not to smile when you see this charming lion ornament that would add panache to any Christmas tree. In fact, I triple dog dare you to not want to get up off this cheery sofa in the middle of a dreary winter season. While the sofa just mentioned is way out of my current non-income generating budget, I'll settle for smaller pieces until I have a proper place to spruce up.

This weekend, I local home decor store and found this antique napkin holder with a regal and quirky edge that I was initially smitten with and swooped it up immediately. I thought it would provide storage in my bathroom for many of the products I often reach for.

(Back Row: Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy, YSL Parisienne, Oil of Olay Moisturizer
Middle Row: L'Oreal True Match foundation, Benefit Bad Gal Lash, Chanel Lipgloss in Unity
Front Row: Olay Total Effects Eye Cream, OPI Princesses Rule, Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in Espresso Ink, MAC blush in Peachtwist )

All That Sparkles and Shines

2010-11-28T14:14:00.004-06:00

I'm always privy to glitter, sequins, and metallics, but my interest is ramped up towards the end of the year with twinkling lights, fresh snowflakes glistening on the ground, and many fêtes to attend on the weekends. These recent flashy acquisitions will be sure to add an extra dose of glam to many items already existing in my wardrobe that are perfect for the upcoming Los Angeles/Las Vegas Christmas trip and New Year's Eve celebrations.

Buyer's regret is something that I feel all too often about items that have gotten away from me and the perfect example of those are sequin shorts from Express last year. By the time I decided I needed them in my life, my size disappeared from my local store and online. Imagine my delight when I spotted these babies hidden away in the sale section. I already have a feeling these will be coupled with towering heels and berry colored tights.

Jenna Lyons has much of America drunk on Crewlade and with all the dazzling jewelry offers for the winter season, I have a feeling I'm going to have a hard time walking straight. This necklace is the coolest twist on the chain link trend and looks even better when layered.

(image via)

What would a list about sparkle be without a mention of a beauty product? Bobbi Brown's Black Velvet Eyeshadow from the holiday collection has the perfect amount of glitter in it to dance underneath the lights. Make sure to use a good eyeshadow base otherwise you'll get some sprinkling on your cheeks!

(image via)

Family, Friends, and Food

2010-11-27T21:13:00.001-06:00

The temperature dropped to make it finally feel like proper fall where I live, which was just in time for Thanksgiving. My residents were really nice and let me off two hours earlier than I should have been on Wednesday inorder to make it back home for the holiday (my last as a student!).

Yesterday began with an early start as my mom had to prepare a dish for a potluck with family friends. We made chicken biryani, which is her best dish. Sadly, I didn't take any pictures of this affair, but it was beyond lovely.

After recovering from a being a glutton from an early lunch at 11 AM, I headed off to a dinner at one of my very good friend's house via the generous invite of her parents. It's a good thing I was ravenous by it was time to eat dinner because the spread was incredible: gravy made from scratch, flaky rolls, and the perfect cornerstone of any Thanksgiving meal in a juicy, tender turkey.

(The table looks like something out of a magazine, doesn't it?)

I keep telling myself that all the food I consumed was in preparation for a marathon friend dates I've got lined up and not for extra miles running on the treadmill.

I hope everyone else's holiday was equally as great as mine.

Everyday Should Be Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T06:30:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday, isn't it? An endless stream of food, family, friends, and the conscientious effort of being thankful is really a wonderful moment that most of us, including yours truly, don't do as often as we should. I'm cognizant of the fact that life isn't sunshine and sparkles 24/7, but things are really great.

I'm thankful for a fresh start every morning. I'm thankful for new opportunities that present themselves daily. I'm thankful to realize that it's okay to have different interests than your classmates. I'm thankful that I've finally a field of medicine that I'm passionate about and more than enough residency interviews to pursue it fully. I'm thankful for the ability to easily tune people out when they begin to criticize this field of choice.

I'm thankful for the occasional night that I have a hard time falling asleep, for it allows me more hours to reflect and ponder how awesome it is to be 24 years old and have the seams bursting with possibilities.

I'm thankful for biscotti, acetone nail polish remover, and Yoann Gourcuff's Disney prince looks.

I'm thankful for my friends, who I've said time and time again are better than I deserve. They've fielded a lot of phone calls during the lowest lows and are always ready to celebrate during the highest highs. I don't have any siblings, so the closests of these ladies and gents act as surrogates.

I'm thankful for my parents. All that they've done for me in my life deserves it's own post and I'm glad to call them mine.

I'm thankful for the wonder that is aviation. Although I prefer aisle seats on flights, there's something magical about peering out the neighboring window to see a various United States cities appear as glittering gems in a sea of black that is the night sky.

I'm thankful that I will never have too much pride to not flag down the ice cream man on sticky summer days or attend costume parties in the middle of June or be drawn to anything that sparkles.

I'm thankful for it all.

Currently Playing: iTunes Purchases

2010-11-20T06:30:00.000-06:00

"The Way It Goes" by The Click Five. At this point, it should be very evident that I dig a good power pop tune and the latest by TC5 is no exception. Introduced the mainstream music scene as fluffy teen dream pin-ups with their first major single "Just the Girl", the band has reclaimed control over their image and sound with their new album "TCV" released in Singapore only at this time. Banished were the Beatles-esque moptops and matching navy suits as the group was allowed to adopt individual styles and write, produce, and play songs. I can't wait until the album has an international date and hopefully all the tunes are as catchy and fun as the single I've added below.

"Never Get Enough" by Das Pop. Most of us watch Gossip Girl for the to-die-for fashion and Chuck/Blair drama, but an added bonus is the consistently phenomenal music underlying many of the scenes. Often more indie than most other shows on the CW channel, I've accumulated a healthy collection of lesser known artists on my iPod and my most recent favorite is Das Pop. Combine lyrics about love and sugary, bouncy beats that make me want to jump on my bed singing into a hairbrush and you've got what I consider a unbeatable duo.

"Caught Up In You" by We The Kings. The most recent release in the "Punk Goes Pop 3" series is a complete disappointment when compared to the previous albums. Someone, please enlighten me and tell me when did punk become screamo? I digress. The original by .38 Special was a classic karaoke song for my friends and me from college days and was reminded of many good times when watching "Whip It" the other night. My love for cover songs has been documented many times before and major props to WTK for a great job on this tune.

HP7, Part I

2010-11-19T17:37:00.002-06:00

I'll confess that I was a little late on the Harry Potter bandwagon. I joined with millions of people when the fever pitch frenzy hit with the fourth book in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I remember thinking, "Why is everyone going batshit crazy over finding a copy of a children's book?" Never one to like feeling left out on pop culture, I stumbled across a copy at Wal-Mart and became entranced immediately with the world that J.K. Rowling created. Needless to say, my friends and I haven't missed a Barnes and Noble's book release party since, with the tradition continuing for the midnight movie releases.

(pic via)

I spent many hours late at night poring over the pages of the books and analyzing the hidden meanings weaved throughout the series. The only thing that could have made the situation better would be munching on these sweet treats!

(pic via)

Everything about the world Rowling created was magical, from the way the candles danced overhead at the Hogwarts great hall to exotic creatures to portkeys to broomstick rides to invisibility cloaks to the Dumbledore's secrets.

(pic via)

Quidditch is a sport that I could easily get behind as it is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I've always wondered how those scenes in the movies were filmed and hope to find out one day, even though Danielle Radcliffe remains tightlipped about the movie magic for those scenes.

(pic via)

How cool would it be to be able to cast spells? The one I would use the most would be the summoning charm "Accio". I use it to bring me Chick-Fil-A's Peppermint chocolate chip milkshakes and the TV remote control when it goes missing.

Remember when the talented trio of actors were so wee and young? The growing years have been very kind to them, especially Emma Watson.

(pic via)

I'm off to see the film tonight with some friends after dinner at a local fave Italian restaurant. Wishes for a wonderful weekend!

A Royal Engagement

2010-11-16T12:40:00.001-06:00

As news broke this morning that Prince William is now engaged to Kate Middleton, a million hearts, including my very own, broke into pieces. Honestly, I really like this girl. She's poised, elegant, beautiful, educated, and well dressed. (pics via)

What really clinched it for me was reading this quote (found here): A member of her close circle revealed yesterday: "One of us said to Kate, 'Oh God, you're so lucky to be going out with William'. Kate shot back quickly saying, 'He's so lucky to be going out with me'." Kudos, Kate, for the good head on your shoulders and the marvelous man on your arm! If not me, I'm glad it's her.

Sigh. How wonderful is the above photo?
Congratulations to the lovely couple!

Things That Warm My Heart

2010-11-12T05:45:00.004-06:00

The X Factor. The fact that I watch this is reason #8,459 I should have been born British. Familiar to few on this side of the pond, this is Britain's bigger and better equivalent to American Idol. The main reason I watch is Simon Cowell, whose ascerbic tongue and truthful critiques will certainly be missed on AI's next season. Reason number two is that I've got a huge girl crush on Cheryl Cole. She's obviously gorgeous and has hair that elicits jealousy that knows no limits. The girl needs to write a style and makeup manual for she is one person whose advice I would readily accept. Regarding the contestants, I'm rooting for One Direction, Cher Lloyd, and Matt Cardle.

Hard Candy's Sky. The original shade that launched a frenzy in the 90s after Alicia Silverstone name dropped it on Letterman returns. I missed it the first go around, but I will make this mine after my polish-buying ban ends. (pic via)

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. A really charming, sweet ice cream store that ships anywhere in the nation! My pick is the Buckeye State flavor.

Glee's New Cast Member. I hate to break it to you Mark Salling, but you've been dethroned as my Glee crush. If you thought Kurt was googly eyed over Darren Criss' character Blaine during this week's episode "Never Been Kissed", I was swooning just as much as he was. Chris Colfer is the best male actor on the show and I'm thrilled that he's going to have a strong story arc this season with the addition of a new (really cute!) love interest. Also, Apple is genius to have the tunes featured in the show immediately available for download on iTunes because as soon as the episode was over, I plunked down $1.29 without hesitation for his fantastic cover of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream." (pic via)

It's in the Cards, Written in the Stars

2010-11-08T18:27:00.003-06:00

I've always had a predilection for paper goods. In my younger years, it was Hello Kitty stationery, notepads, and stickers that littered my room. Through high school and college, I flirted with vintage flowers and monograms on notecards. The drawers of my desk are overflowing with the previously mentioned (and unmentioned) paper products and the new loud Lilly Pulitzer agenda and notepads that I saw last weekend.

What to send as thank you notes for interviews proved a dilemma in not wanting to send cliché store bought cards. So I unearthed my watercolor pencils and took to the drawing board, literally, and here's what I came up with:

The outcome is white cardstock printed with a small illustration of me and my name underneath (obviously, blacked out above). I think it's playful and personalized and it made me smile. Hopefully they will make the recipient smile too.

No card sent via snail mail could be complete without proper postage. With a plethora of options to choose from ranging from Mother Teresa to pansies to the Liberty Bell, I opted for the set of the King and Queen of Hearts designed by New York artist Jeanne Greco.

I simply loved her poetic quote about the design (which was found here),“With each having their own stamp, the King and Queen have equal importance,” noted Greco. “Together they depict a relationship and a more mature, compassionate love and devotion usually not shown on the love stamps. Seeing people we know in a new setting makes you stop and think—to go beyond the face value to see the hidden meaning…a little like love.”

I hate splitting the pair apart when applying each one individually to the envelopes, but hope that they will come across each other again among their many travels.

Jet Setting Essentials

2010-11-06T21:09:00.000-05:00

With all the traveling that I've done lately (three interviews and one wedding in a two week span!), I think I've finally mastered the art of packing efficiently and light. I'm not nearly as glamorous as some frequent flyers, but I've compiled a list of travel necessities that make my journeys easier and more comfortable.

Oil of Olay Moisturizer. Being on a plane leaves my skin dry as the Sahara Desert, so I use this product on my face in liberal quantities. I'm a big believer in anything Oil of Olay due to the influence of my mother who has used it faithfully for 20+ years. People mistake us for sisters because she looks so young and that's incentive enough for me!

Juicy Couture Cashmere. I've mentioned before that I've got more JC hoodies in my closet from my college days than I care to admit, but this is one I keep reaching for more often than the rest. It's soft, warm, and helps me sleep. As much as I love this hoodie, I have a feeling that it's going to have to be swapped out with North Face Pitaya jacket, if only for it's velvety fleece lining provides more adequate warmth because fall is in full swing in most parts of the country by now.

Hearos Earplugs. I've experimented with many earplugs over the years and these are by far the best for blocking out noisy children and loud snorers that you might have to sit next to.

Bobbi Brown Deluxe Travel Kit. My feelings for this new acquisition can be read here.

Reading Material. Whether it's the latest on my reading list (Simon Von Booy's Secret Lives of People in Love) or one of the many magazines I receive in the mail, I'm never without at least three options to peruse.

Things That Warm My Heart: Halloween Edition

2010-10-31T04:31:00.001-05:00

Martha Stewart's Crafts. In my own abode next year, I hope to recreate some of her genius ideas, particularly these glittery skulls.

Sweet Treats. I don't have just one sweet tooth, I've got an entire mouth full of them. I can't stand Peeps and think Tootsie Rolls are an insult to chocolate and my tastebuds. I find myself munching on Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins and Caramel Apples all month long. Who am I kidding? These are enjoyed on a year round basis. (pic via here)

Haunted Houses and Corn Mazes. One of these days, I will have to write about my most epic Halloween in college that involved being the most terrified than I've ever been in my entire life. We're talking my screaming and shrieking that rival anything you've heard in any horror film and gripping my friend's hand so tightly, she was on her way to losing circulation. Regardless, my friends and I keep going back for more each year. (pic via here)

Halloween Themed TV Episodes. How awesome was "The Rocky Horror Glee Show"? Really awesome, in fact. Other notables from last week include the hilarious haunted house on "Modern Family" and "Outsourced" party held at Todd's new apartment.

Costumes. The obvious thing to love about this holiday. Unfortunately, I will be traveling for an interview tomorrow, so I will not be participating this year. But if I was, you'd see me trying to recreate the memorable Lady Gaga outfit below.

A Single Among Pairs

2010-10-28T09:00:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I attended the wedding (one of the many that are lined up until the remainder of the school year) of one of my dear friends from college. She recently graduated from pharmacy school, which is where she met the groom, and is now hitched. It's easy to see why she's on the top of the world, right?

While visiting with other people from college, it was glaringly obvious that I was a solo among a sea of engagement/wedding bands and baby bumps. You know the token shot of girlfriends smiling giddily while holding up their left hands putting all focus on the occupied ring finger? I sat that one out as the only sparkle I had on my hands came courtesy of my OPI nail polish.

I was recently asked by one of my friends, who is also in the same situation, how it feels to have so many friends who are coupled up.

My answer to her was that it's not only a cultural phenomenon to get married young, but is also something that people in my current geographic location are prone to doing. It's double the pressure and boy, it can be stifling sometimes, especially when every single female relative on both sides of the family suggest that I should start looking for a guy.

But who says that anyone has to follow these said rules? Would it have been ideal to have met someone in school and be on the road to be planning a wedding during the window period between graduation and beginning of residency next year? Probably so. Then again, life isn't perfect.

Right now, my life is teeming with things to deliriously happy about, which include but aren't limited to supportive parents, many residency interview offers, and better friends that I deserve. My life is hectic, which in turn has left me little time to do much else and I have no complaints about this.

I found this quote, which goes out to the above-mentioned friend, which sums this situation up perfectly.

Potential Suitors Await

2010-10-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

After applications for residencies go out to various programs, fourth year medical students await with bated breath for invitations to interview. Being asked to visit a program for an interview is similar to being asked out on a date. Essentially, it's a session to see if you and the program are compatible.

Most students have a wish list of programs that they hope will interview them, often ranked from those that make you jump out of your seat to ones that are less exciting, but still desirable. Continuing with the analogies, I'm going to draw comparisons between different tiers of desire for residency programs to celebrity dream dates.

Third Tier: The "Yes" Category.

First up, Ben Rappaport, a relative newcomer stars on the small screen as the boss on NBC's "Outsourced". My mom and I agree, this Juillard grad is best thing about the show. How could you say no to dimples like that? Adrian Grenier. Sure, he can have a tendency to look homeless on occasion, but the curly hair, intelligence, and TV bromances get me everytime. Jakob Dylan. Someone please explain to me how is it even possible that he gets better looking with age. I'm making a public plea for him go on tour somewhere with in a 200 mile radius of me this year.

Second Tier: The "Emphatic Yes" Category
Paul Rudd: I've had a crush on him since "Clueless" where he plays Cher's loveable ex-stepbrother. Since then, he has flourished in Judd Apatow films into a full fledged comedy star and shows no signs of slowing down as he's starring in "How Do You Know" with one of my favorite leading ladies, Reese Witherspoon, this Christmas! Alexander Skarsgard: Bill Compton gravely voice might do it for some ladies, but Eric Northman's everything does it for me. Anderson Cooper. The Silver Fox is infinitely hotter than 360 degrees.

First Tier: The "The Answer Is Yes Before You Would Even Have To Ask" Category, which are equivalent to the dream programs: Joel McHale. All my friends can attest to the fact that I harbor inappropriate thoughts about the sexy, sarcastic Soup stud. He's proof that humor and good looks are the ultimate dangerous combination. Prince William. The one. The only. The original. He stands as my first crush that's been going on for ten plus years. Yoann Gourcuff. How do I like thee? Let me count the ways. The eyelashes. The body of a Greek deity. The phenomenal soccer skills. The interest in fashion. The accent. The certain "je ne sais quoi" you possess.

Currently Playing: Latest iTunes Purchases

2010-10-12T07:15:00.000-05:00

"Shake" by Jesse McCartney. Now, this is a fine example of a teeny bop prince who made the tricky transition into a legitimate adult pop star. Justin Bieber, are you taking notes? Amazingly enough he sounds just as good live as he does on the album version.

"Your Love" by Keane. Since seeing them in concert in Sin City, I've been on a continuing Keane kick and this song has been on my most played list. While Tom Chaplin's vocals are hard to compete with, Tim Rice-Oxley, who has taken lead vocals for the first time on an album, delivers big time. It has a hint of 80s influence, which in my book is a good thing. I didn't think this song could get any better until I heard the beautiful piano only version.

"Ballad of You and I" by Mêlée. I logged onto iTunes last week and noticed that the free single of the week came from one of my favorite bands. After seeing that the album was only $6.99, I couldn't hit buy fast enough. Along the same vein as Keane, the band's first major studio album is full of catchy lyrics and synth tinged beats. Although not band's best efforts in terms of singles, (I'm partial to "Built To Last"), there are plenty of tunes ready for movie soundtracks and TV show interludes.

Hittin' the Books

2010-10-10T19:03:00.000-05:00

For once, it's not books related to school! My neurology rotation is pretty cush in that I get done before lunch everyday. I have afternoons off to do as I please, which often translates to playing at the Nars counter at Sephora and trying to find a suit for interviews. I've also used this time to make a dent in an all too long reading list. Some books I've read, such as Super Sad True Love Story and Everyone Worth Knowing, were good, but here are some that have stood out:

Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger (of Devil Wears Prada fame!). While not the most intellectual read, it's a fun chick lit romp that can easily be finished in an afternoon if you're really determined. The story revolves around nutritionist Brooke Alter who is married to talented musician Julian Alter, a musician whose career ends him in another stratosphere after landing a deal with Sony. Their relationship becomes strained with Julian being shuttled across the country for work and Brooke left wondering what she should do with her career and marriage with the new life she finds herself living. Descriptions of famous L.A. landmarks and designer duds colliding with the rich and famous. Smart writing combined with descriptions of the newly rich and famous and a heroine who you can't help but root for makes for a good read.

Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. A sexy, thrilling page turner is perhaps the best description of this novel. The first fifty pages or so made me question as to what was the big deal about this trilogy, but that thought was quickly erased in the remaining pages. Mikael Blomkvist's career is in ruins when he is offered a job by a Swedish billionaire to write his memoirs and crack the four decade long mystery of the disappearance of his niece. Inundated with work, he enlists the help of Lisbeth Sander, the girl with the dragon tattoo. I won't write too much more about this book, other than if you haven't read it, you should pick it up immediately.

Chelsea, Chelsea, Bang, Bang by Chelsea Handler. Few things in life, other than Modern Family and The Soup, make me laugh until my side hurt, but I can add Handler's latest to the list. If you don't mind sarcasm, bodily functions, pranks, and all around general vulgarity, this is a book worth a run through.

Off to begin Girl Who Played With Fire, and Heart of the Matter, and Life of Pi.

Getting Nailed

2010-10-08T05:30:00.002-05:00

For most of my life, I've had a problem with biting my nails. I'm usually a big ball of stress and biting my nails relieved a lot of tension. After twenty three years of realizing how unladylike my bad habit was, I turned to pretty nail polish for a cure. The fall season inevitably makes me want to wear darker shades. Stand by shades include: OPI's Russian Navy: the overall color is navy, obviously, but has blue, pink, and purple shimmer added for beautiful depth. OPI's You Don't Know Jacques, a favorite of mine since it's debut in Fall 2008, is a brownish-grey that launched this color into the mainstream. OPI's Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees, a charcoal tinged blue with a subtle shimmer that appears in the sunlight.

OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark is a cult favorite among those who love vampy, dark shades, but I always found it to be too close to black for me. An alternative that popped up this fall is OPI's William, Tell Me About OPI that has just enough brown in it to differentiate it from the aforementioned shade. However, Essie's Wicked is a vampy shade that I can love. It's one of the most vivid, sinister shades of red out there.

What would a list of favorite fall nail colors be without a proper green and a sparkly glitter? OPI's Cuckoo For This Color is a stunning shade that can only be described as a smoky peacock green. The glitter lover in me let out an uncontrollable squeal when I was saw the swatches for the not yet released in stores (or atleast stores near me) OPI Burlesque Collection. I can't wait to get my hands on a bottle of Tease-y Does It and Show It and Glow It.

Happy Horoscope

2010-10-05T21:11:00.001-05:00

"Congratulations on making it through some tough times this year, Aquarius. While you may not have attained all you hoped for in 2009, the coming New Year holds a lot of promise for you and yours. Don't despair about failed dreams or dashed plans, because all that happened to you and around you had a purpose. You will soon see how great, by contrast, your life can be."

This is a horoscope that I read on December 31 of last year. It's been taped to my bathroom wall since.

The best part about this?

It's all true.

Things That Warm My Heart

2010-10-02T12:05:00.000-05:00

Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow Stick. The ideal base to lay under any eyeshadow to prevent creasing and to enhance color. What did I ever do without this product?

The Social Network. I'm probably the only person in my age group who isn't on Facebook, but that didn't stop me from thinking this is one of the finest films of the year. Undoubtedly, Mark Zuckerberg's story is compelling. It translated well to the big screen with Aaron Sorkin's witty dialogue and a talented cast (with the ever attractive Armie Hammer and Andrew Garfield) and left me wanting to give Zuckerberg a hug at the end of the movie.

Delta SkyMiles. These will be put to good use in booking flights for my interviews!

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Forget the leaves changing color or milder temperatures. This perennial favorite signifies the arrival of fall to me!

Autumnal Equinox

2010-09-22T07:30:00.001-05:00

Dear Summer,

It's not you. It's me. No really. I hate to throw such a cliché line at you, but after all, clichés exist because there is always an underlying truth. I was happy to see you, for several reasons. Mainly because your entrance marked the end of another school year - one that I was certainly glad to see conclude. Although the heat was nearly unbearable at times (i.e. Sin City in July), your warmth was tempered by Ben & Jerry's ice cream and my Southern Proper hat.

I have to confess something to you: Fall has come and swept me off my feet. He's brought me new polish. Lots of new nail polish.

And lovely new fragrance that I can't get enough of.

And jean leggings, which are so much more comfortable than skinny jeans, that I've practically lived in at nights.

And plaid shirts. You know I can't resist a good tartan pattern.

I appreciate the cooler temperatures. I'm looking forward to the fall leaves in New England. I love the TV show premieres. I'm happy that Jeff Probst's dimples returned to my TV screen. I can't wait for Halloween and the rest of college football season.

Farewell for now. When you return next year, you will bring along many changes with you. I can guarantee you that you will be the most anticipated one yet.

Warmly,
Me

Eye Candy

2010-09-18T11:56:00.002-05:00

Last week, I went on the search for designer eyewear to fix my astigmatism as well as satisfy my lust for labels, but quickly had to remind myself that I'm currently in an area where people discovered Juicy Couture about four years after I built a healthy collection of hoodies and a Coach handbag is considered a hot designer commodity.

After sifting through last year's Ray-Bans and various gaudy, blinged out Candies frames, I found two pairs of frames, one black plastic and one bronze metal, by Guess that look incredibly stylish and made me feel about as attractive as I'm going to feel for the next couple of years.

I Used To, But Now I....

2010-09-16T05:36:00.003-05:00

I used to hate the color yellow.
But now I find this sunny, cheery shade instantly brightens my mood.

I used to make effort towards friends who made zero effort towards me.
But now I figured out it's not worth the trouble.

I used to think cupcakes were so over.
But now I think a small sweet treat is in order, sometimes more often than not!

I used to be very selfish.
But now I'm making steps to be more considerate.

I used to think that I could wear Essie's Ballet Slippers nail polish and still feel like myself.
But now I'm okay with the fact that I'm more of a OPI's You Don't Know Jacques kind of girl.

I used to hate going to bed late.
But now I think it's kind of fun to have mini marathons of TV that last until 2 AM.

I used to be miserable.
But now I am happiest that I have been in a very long time.

Style Me Pretty

2010-09-13T15:55:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, my lovely, charming, thesis-writing friend KAF asked me if I had any recommendations for a new style blog, specifically one that had a Alexa Chung/men's wear spirit about it. I sent her a rather extensive list of some of my favorites. Without further ado:

Unabashedly Prep. Photographed by one of my favorites, Fred Egan, UP is a perfect mix of preppy and proper. From blazers to boat shoes and plaid to pleats, his snaps often depict these staples, but he also manages to sneak in the occasional embroidered chino pant. Also nice is that this blog isn't limited to clothes, but also has book and music recommendations to round out a completely posh lifestyle.

Mr. Newton. With a backstory that is just as interesting as his pictures and words, this has quickly become one of my go-to style blogs as of late. I like that he provides multiple pictures of the same person which shows different dimensions of the same outfit. I also really enjoy that he posts photos in bulk as they often tell the story of a particular event or season in NYC.

Alta-Mira NYC. While most of us lack the 37 inch inseam and a 23 inch waist of these gals, there's no reason why we can't admire these off duty models in their effortless garb between shows and castings. The poses are often more playful than most other style blogs and the accessories can't be beat.

Le Blog de Betty. She's French, which means she's automatically cooler than 73% of us. She seems like she'd be the best shopping buddy, not only because of her impeccable style, but because she'd happily split a baguette afterwards all while telling you entertaining stories about her extensive travels.

I Make Up Excuses for Makeup

2010-09-04T21:00:00.002-05:00

UWith the acquision of my glasses, it's no question that people will be paying a lot more attention to my eye area, so I headed to my favorite makeup maven's counter for some tips, tricks, and new products. Here's what I came away with:

Bobbi Brown's Gel Eyeliner. There are always products hyped by magazines and experts alike, but often leave me underwhelmed in reality. However, this product is definitely deserves any accolades and praise it receives. I was always slightly intimidated by the idea of any eyeliner that wasn't a pencil, but this one is easily applied with a thin eyeliner brush and does.not.budge (even through a two hour nap and a spin class in the same afternoon!) until erased with a makeup remover. I picked this product up in a beautiful navy blue dubbed Denim Ink, which is from the Denim & Rose collection from the summer, and Espresso Ink, a black/brown color that isn't as severe as black itself.

Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow in Copper Cocoa. I'm not one for bright eye shadow colors that resemble those of the majestic Scarlet Macaw, so I avoid the crowds of coeds around the MAC counters. This chocolate brown color has a beautiful glow without obvious glitter that is perfect for day, but can be paired with Brown Stone (which will be my next purchase) for a night out. I look forward to the release of the Black Velvet Collection as I've been notified there are sparkly shades that layer well over any of the more sublte colors.

I read this lovely quote by Yves Saint Laurent, which I thought I would include: “The most beautiful make-up of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy.”

What I lack in the former, I'll certainly make up for with the latter.

And They're Off!

2010-09-01T21:21:00.008-05:00

My C.V. was updated with my most recent work on a case report. My previous volunteer activities and work were described in the appropriate section. My personal statement (that was proofread by a few fantastic friends) was copied and pasted into the 28,000 character space provided. USMLE transcripts were requested. Mundane details such as my name, email and mailing addresses, and phone number were entered. Everything was proofread, not one or two, but three times to make sure it was all correct.

As soon as I hit submit at 7:36 PM this evening, my application for a residency was completed and sent to a smattering of programs across the country.

Regarding the programs that I applied to, I tried not to have too many unrealistic parameters. It would be nice to be geographically close to my parents and in a city with numerous extracurricular activities for the few moments that I'll have to spare outside of studying and working. Of course there are preferences among the list, but also a nice mix of back-up schools and ones that maybe slightly beyond my reach (but what's the hurt in trying for those, right?). I nixed any city with a population smaller than 300,000 and several states that I would never consider living in.

Now, all that I can do is sit back and wait until November for what will hopefully be a bombardment of potential interview dates and unlimited opportunities.

Currently Playing: Cover Songs

2010-08-30T21:35:00.003-05:00

"Teenage Dream" by Tyler Ward. The radiowaves of summer 2010 belonged to Katy Perry. With "California Gurls" serving as a dessert to satisfy any sweet tooth, "Teenage Dream" is best represented as the after-dinner mint that makes an impact, but is subtle at the same time. If there was ever a song made for an acoustic cover, it's this one. Take note of the slight lyric changes he made. Gotta love a guy who keeps things family appropriate.

"Shut it Down" by Raffi Sweet (Original by Drake). The cursing that seemingly comes out of nowhere threw me off the first time I heard it and I find it odd that there are random things that look like empty egg cartons are being thrown at hime while he's running. But he's cute and really talented, so I'll find it in me to forgive him.

"I'm Real" by the Starting Line. I'll let you in on a little secret: the "Punk Goes __(Insert Genre of Music Here___" are some of the best compilations albums out there. I never cared much for the original version by Jennifer Lopez, but this cover on the "Punk Goes Pop: Volume 1" had me singing a different tune, literally!

"Mine" by Ahmir. Taylor Swift has another major hit on her hands with a tune that is less fairytale themed and more mature and realistic. The quartet put a rich, soulful spin on the song making me forget that this is actually from the country genre.

Humor Me

2010-08-22T18:30:00.006-05:00

I suppose I have an odd sense of humor compared to most people my age. I wasn't a big fan of "Knocked Up" or any Judd Apatow movies for that matter (minus Superbad, which I admittedly own). I'm probably the only person in my age bracket that didn't find "D*ck in a Box" hysterical. I found "I'm on a Boat" equally as lame. However, there are many websites that I've found humorous, so I thought I would share.

Anti-Duckface. There are few pictures or poses (namely the "cheesy jumping wedding party photo") that can rival the hatred I have for the "Duckface" picture. You KNOW the face. It's the one where suck in your cheeks to give the appearance that one has voluminous pout. You're probably guilty of making this face when you've indulged in too many vodka tonics. Let me emphasize that being in the drunk tank doesn't give you a free pass to make this really stupid expression. The best part of this website is that friends of these offenders are the ones that turn them in. So as not to bruise any egos of any anonymous people, I've included the only semi-acceptable duckface in my book: Derek Zoolander!

Dancing Alone to Pony. I don't know what it is about the song "Pony" by Ginuwine, but for some people, it elicits the urge to grind alone in front of a video camera and upload it on YouTube for the world to see (or in some cases, point and laugh). I feel a little odd championing a website that seems a tad voyeuristic, but this video had my friends and me laughing until we cried.

Kickette. It provides excellent analysis of every noteworthy torso on the field, salacious gossip, and WAG fashion. I want to send all the ladies that write this snarky website giant boxes of Godiva chocolates and lifesize cut outs of David Beckham. If I didn't read this website, I would never know the following two men exist. For this, I'm extremely thankful.

I Only Have (FOUR) Eyes For You

2010-08-17T21:23:00.007-05:00

Me: "Medical school ruined my vision."
Doctor G: "That's not the only thing it's going to ruin."

Couldn't have said it better myself, Dr. G.

I've always prided myself on my spectacular vision. A perfect 20/20 for nearly 24 years, ladies and gentlemen. However, for the past few months, I've noticed that when I read, the words on the page seemed a bit blurry. Of course, I just scoffed and attributed it to long hours spent with medical school books. My vision didn't improve after Step 2 CK and at the goading of my parents, I went to see an ophthamologist.

One of my worst fears has come true, folks: yours truly needs corrective lenses for astigmatism.

I HATE the idea of contacts. I repeat, I HATE the idea of contacts. It freaks me out to get that close to my eyes. It took me ages to get comfortable with the thought of using an eyelash curler, which to me resembles a miniature torture device, to achieve Bambi-esque lashes without hesitating once or twice before finally clamping down.

So later this week, I'm off to shop for something I've never bought before: a pair of eyeglasses. I've heard Marc Jacobs makes a pretty pair of specs.

Maybe this won't be such a bad thing, after all.

Things That Warm My Heart

2010-08-17T00:04:00.001-05:00

The relaunch of Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly. As a teenager, I was always enchanted by photography demi-God Bruce Weber's black and white images of attractive guys and gals tending to a beach bon fire or playing a backyard game of flag football. One of my goals is to collect all of the previous editions of A&F Quarterly, so you can imagine my scouring eBay is constant.

Makeup by Tiffany D's YouTube channel. She's pretty, personable, and provides easy to follow tutorials and excellent makeup recommendations.

Barcelona's Doctor Fantasy. The World Cup 2010 instilled an interest in the beautiful game and the beautiful men that play. Some of these fellas (looking at you, Pique) would be enough to cause "White Coat Hypertension" due to their looks alone! (photo via)

Tucker for Target. I've mentioned before that I'm usually underwhelmed by most Target collaborations. The jury is still out on this one, but I'll wait until I actually see this in person before writing it off as well. I've got my eye on a couple of those printed dresses that Tucker is famous for. (photo via)

Zac Attack

2010-08-13T15:53:00.002-05:00

Zac Efron has made a relatively smooth transition into the Hollywood A-list since shedding the cap and gown of High School Musical. Recently, he has taken on more adult roles such as "Charlie St. Cloud", which is in theaters now and last year's "Me and Orson Wells". There were several interesting exerpts from the coverstory of the September issue of Details magazine, including a recent bout of poison oak he acquired while jumping off a waterfall when hiking in a California park and how he decided against appearing in the remake of "Footloose".

A fine example of his maturity is evidenced by his intentions of being a one woman man: "Believe me, I rack my brain thinking, ‘Why am I not out there playing the field?’ One of my buddies was like, ‘You have no idea what’s going on right now. You’re peaking on Ecstasy and you’re watching TV.’ But it’s not in my heart.’"

Ah, a guy with a heart of gold and abs of steel. Why don't we all admire how gorgeous he looks in accompanying spread shot by one of my photography idols, Norma Jean Roy? (all photos via)

Conversation With My Mom

2010-08-09T00:13:00.002-05:00

(The situation entailed looking at several pictures of babies on my parents' friends refrigerator.)

Me: Look at how cute that baby is! It's probably because he's a halfie.
Mom: (shoots a glaring look at her lovely daughter) DON'T GET ANY IDEAS.

Things That Warm My Heart: Hottest Men of the World Cup

2010-08-01T12:51:00.001-05:00

I realize that this post isn't very timely given that the FIFA World Cup 2010 ended nearly a month ago, but I felt the strong to desire to discuss all of the gorgeous man candy that was represented on the field.

First up is Yoann Gourcuff. For most people, France conjures up thoughts of croissants slathered with nutella (for which I'm extremely grateful), sexy accents, and Yves Saint Laurent. However, for me Monsieur Gourcuff is number one on that list. His impeccable bone structure and green eyes make me want to bust out my high school French notes just so I could pronounce "vous êtes très beau" properly. Also noteworthy is that he hangs out with Marc Jacobs and he regularly participates in the post-game jersey exchange (i.e. he's often minimally clothed). There's nothing like 'Cuff in the buff.

Xabi Alonso - Spain. Espana is full of delectable gentleman . Like a man with good hands? You might like Goalie Iker Casillas. Do you fancy freckles? Fernando Torres is your man. Manbags and tresses to elicit nearly incomprehensible jealously? Look no further than Sergio Ramos. For those of us seeking a family man with refined with GQ looks and style and manly chest hair, Mr. Alonso can do no wrong in my eyes.

While we're talking about Spain, I'm sure everyone saw Casillas kiss the luckiest girl in the world (aka his girlfriend reporter Sara Carbonero. In case you haven't seen the video, be prepared to have your heart melt. Click here.) Also really cute was Casillas showing the World Cup trophy to Spain's little Princesses. See here!

Roque Santa Cruz - Paraguay. His origins are from south of the Equator, which probably explains why he's so incredibly hot. He's a prototype of an ideal man: tall, handsome, and thankfully usually shirtless. The 29 year old striker won the award for the sexiest player in the 2006 World Cup by two German newspapers, and by looking at the following photos, it's easy to see why.

Carlos Bocanegra - USA. Captain America himself has been leading the U.S. men onto the field for the past two years, and has been looking dashing while doing so. At one point, he was like a secret treasure that few knew about, but it's apparent that he's gone mainstream after his inclusion on E! Channel Sexiest Men of Sport (where he for some curious reason didn't take the number one spot).

Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal. I almost didn't include him on this list for several reasons: the questionable wardrobe choices, keeping his new baby under wraps, and the number of women he's bedded. But. Look. At. Those. Abs. And. Arms. And...well, you get the picture. He's probably the only man who can rival previous Armani underwear spokesman David Beckham in the ability to look like a Greek god while wearing nothing but skivvies. I was all but ready to give Beckham the upper hand in that battle, but after seeing this picture where Ronaldo is doused in water, I'll have to strongly reconsider.

What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas

2010-07-31T06:37:00.008-05:00

The above statement is usually true. That is unless you broadcast happenings from your vacation on your blog for the entire world to see. Of course, you'll be getting the edited version of events. : )

Las Vegas is a city all it's own. It's electric, magnetic, and buzzing at all hours of the day. What other city encourages excess and debauchery, but allows you to leave all your bad behavior behind? I headed out to Sin City this past weekend to see one of my dear friends from medical school get married. Friday began with a trip to the City Hall to pick up a marriage certificate, gambling in the afternoon, seeing Keane at the House of Blues (which deserves and has it's own separate post), contemplated going into Minus5 Ice Lounge, a late night McDonald's run, and ended with heading into bed later than I had expected.

Wearing: BCBG jacket, French Connection tank, Banana Republic shorts, YSL shoes (not pictured)

Saturday morning began with a trip to Caesar's Palace for a little sightseeing and Serendipity! Their Frozen Hot Chocolate is just heavenly.

Wearing: American Apparel V-neck, Abercrombie & Fitch scarf, Banana Republic shorts, Ralph Lauren Collection Loafers, Chloe Paddington bag : )

We then headed over to the bridal suite to help the future Mrs. to get ready after getting ready ourselves.

Wearing: BCBG dress, Calvin Klein sandals

After the wedding, we went stuffed our stomaches to the max at Todai for the reception/dinner and avoided every single teenager that was coming back from the Justin Bieber concert. We headed on over to Mix Lounge at Mandalay Bay to party the night away like rockstars at our private table overlooking the Vegas strip that made the overpriced bottle service worth it. Check out the breathtaking view:

Wearing: (a very Vegas approrpriate!) French Connection dress

Sunday entailed shopping at Miracle Mile, Caesar's Palace, and Bellagio and a visit to the Shark Tank at Mandalay Bay (picture below), CSI: The Experience at MGM, and dinner at Spago.

I had more fun than I could ever express in words. I can't wait to see all of my friends again, which will hopefully be sooner rather than later!

Tell Me Life is Beautiful

2010-07-30T19:30:00.003-05:00

It's rather interesting to examine how musical tastes vary across the world. For example, the English band Keane is regarded on the same level as Oasis and Coldplay in the United Kingdom, whereas in the U.S., the band is rarely mentioned other than the occasional snippet on CW shows. With my obsession with most things British (looking at you Prince William, Monsoon/Accessorize, Wimbledon), it's to be expected that I've been a fan of Keane since the release of their album "Hopes and Fears" with their biggest hit to date "Somewhere Only We Know." Often compared to Coldplay and Travis when they first arrived on the scene, it's easy to distinguish them from others due to their infectious piano based hits. While in Las Vegas last weekend, I was lucky enough to see Keane perform along with opening acts Ingrid Michaelson and Fran Healy on July 23 at the House of Blues.

I'm slightly embarassed to admit that I missed Fran Healy, who some might recognize as the lead singer of the band Travis, because I was distracted by slot machines (and sadly lost $40 in one sitting). "Love Will Come Through", which is probably most recognizable from Grey's Anatomy, and "Happy" my favorite Travis tunes and am regretting that I missed his performance. I wandered into the House of Blues just as indie darling Ingrid Michaelson entered upon stage. I wasn't familiar with most of her music, but she won me over with her bubbly personality and fiery red hair. She started off with her best known song "You and I" and segued into a cover of Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby". Often breaking into entertaining stories in between her quirky songs, she had the entire crowd laughing. She and her band ended her set with a fantastic rendition of Britney Spears' "Toxic" complete with choreographed dance which ended with Michaelson lifted up onto her bandmates' shoulders as the lights went out.

After a slight delay, the quartet that makes up Keane entered the stage with theatrics that included clouds of smoke, bright lights, and swelling music. Lead singer Tom Chaplin, dressed in a slim fitting navy polo shirt and skinny jeans, jumped atop the crates that were piled in the front of the stage and requested the crowd "sing your f---ing a--es off", to which we all happily obliged. Playing a mix of songs from their three albums, the aforementioned "Hopes and Fears", "Perfect Symmetry", and their most recent release, "Night Train".

Minus a few technical glitches along the way, it was easy to get lost into the piano dominated songs and Chaplin's soaring vocals and large stage presence during the nearly 100 minute set. Keyboardist Tim Rice-Oxley, drummer Richard Hughes, and unofficial fourth member Jesse Quin on bass and keyboards did their parts in adding to the on stage theatrics with over the top, almost a thrashing like movement during playing. Opening their set with a rousing rendition of "House Lights" and "Back in Time", they transitioned into acoustic versions of other songs midway through the set. "Somewhere Only We Know" was like a religious experience with the entire audience acting as a chorus led by the Chaplin.

If Keane is playing anywhere near you, I urge you to go see them. It will remind you that life really is beautiful, to steal a lyric from my favorite song "Crystal Ball."

"You're going to be a WHAT?!"

2010-07-29T09:43:00.002-05:00

When I was younger, the answer to the question "what do you want to be when you grow up", was always an easy one for me. I always without hesitation said "doctor." This simple question invariably became more complicated since entering medical school and particularly in the recent months because it became "what kind of doctor do you want to be." After flirting with many fields, I've settled on Pathology. For those of you who don't know what a pathologist does, this article explains it really well.

I've received every reaction you can possibly think of from nearly everyone you can possibly think of, including those who I have no interest in hearing from. The good: my lovely, supportive friends are excited that I'm finally excited about something. My parents are happy that I'm no longer considering law school (seriously, this was a plan for about two weeks last year). The bad: I've been told I will be no better than a lab technician.
It seems that people scoff at the field of pathology for several reasons. After all, don't most people go to medical school to take care of people in the traditional sense of clinic, prescriptions, and surgery? I've often been told that I don't have the schizoid personality type to be in the field, as most people see pathologists as ones who avoid contact with others. Those who know me can tell you that I'm very chatty, but I see this as an asset to communicate with others. Plus, it's an absolute myth that pathologists are most introverted people. I see many advantages to the field, which aren't limited to many opportunities for fellowships, a wide range of knowledge required, and most importantly, I like it.

I don't care that the salary is less lucrative than in other fields, because I've learned over the years that you can't buy happiness (say hello to my closet brimming with shoes, sweaters, and shirts that I've bought to try to rescue me from the misery of last year). I don't care about the prestige (or lack thereof), because I firmly believe that people shouldn't treat you differently just because you have an additional two letters behind your name and also that my ego doesn't need to be stroked constantly.

I just want to to be happy and after going through third year, I really don't think that any other field would do that for me. The last statement sounds so simple, but it's incomprehensibly convuluted at the same time.

Baby, I'm Back

2010-07-28T16:05:00.001-05:00

The title of the post says it all my friends. It's been a long three month break from this forum, to say the least. I'm happy to report that I've found a good dry shampoo, moved back home, bought a gym membership, and passed Step 2 CS. Look forward to many fun posts to come in the following days, including ones recapping my vacation to Sin City and the field that I've finally decided on.

Damn, it feels good to be back.

Time Out

2010-05-01T12:45:00.023-05:00

TO: My lovely readers
FROM: Better Off Med
RE: Time Out
DATE: 5/1/10

Dear Ladies & Gents,

With a busy Internal Medicine rotation starting up, Step 2 CS and CK looming in my near future, and countless preparations for fourth year, I'm going to have to prioritize. School must supercede many other things in life, which include MTV's Fresh Meat II, my extensive Google Reader, and unfortunately blogging.

I'll return towards the end of July or early August after what will be end to my third year. When I get back, I hope to say that I've done well on Step 2, find a good dry shampoo, and finish P90X. I also would like to have some clarity regarding my future career choice, whether it be anesthesiology or pathology.

Crossed fingers, positive thoughts, and wishes for lots of luck are much appreciated for the next two and a half months.

Warmly,
Me

If you're really interested in keeping up with me, you can follow me on Twitter: Twitter.com/vpodd

Fortune Smiles Upon Our Heads

2010-04-29T19:39:00.000-05:00

My fortune cookie from lunch!

It's the Slacker Lifestyle That We Do So Well

2010-04-25T13:06:00.002-05:00

Every girl has a crush on a guy that falls outside of the normal realm of guys she's usually attracted to. Singer/songwriter Matt Costa might be pushing my longtime abnormal crush Prince out of the picture after seeing him in concert recently. Costa is a lanky former pro skateboarder hailing from the West Coast who looks like he forgets to bathe and wash his hair on occassion and wears rumpled plaid shirts and skinny jeans. Obviously, he is about as different from my other celebrity crushes (such as Zac Efron, Ryan Reynolds, and the newly minted Mark Salling) as you can get. However, what's insanely attractive about Costa is that he's equally talented in singing, writing, and performing. He's got mad skills on the guitar and harmonica alike and a sweet voice that croons tunes about life and love. (Click on the following song titles to my favorite Costa tunes: "Sweet Rose", "Behind The Moon", "Cold December")

The headliner of the concert was indie darling Ben Kweller. I first learned of Kweller as part of a trio called The Bens, where he joined Ben Harper and Ben Folds when they released an EP back in 2003. As soon as his riot of wavy hair entered the stage and wore a floppy straw hat from an audience member to act as protection from the wind, I knew we were in for a treat. I love it when an artist sounds the same in person as he does on his albums as evidenced by his performances of "Falling" and "Commerce, TX" (which is what the post title is from). Plus he did a country cover of Vanilla Ice "Ice, Ice Baby" and you all can guess how much this thrilled me as I'm a huge fan of cover songs. Although Kweller didn't play my personal favorite "Wasted and Ready", I was very impressed by his ability to play harmonica, guitar, and piano.

At the concert with two lovely friends. (Wearing an American Apparel t-shirt, American Eagle denim vest, A&F scarf, Banana Republic shorts, Ray Ban Wayfarers (in my hand), YSL sandals (not pictured) and sporting a new haircut!)

Living For the Weekend

2010-04-24T23:23:00.003-05:00

I made sure I had all the fun this past weekend that I won't be having the next several weeks during Internal Medicine. What better way to kick start the good times by welcoming my mother back from India? Her flight was delayed initially by the volcano in Iceland, so she arrived a few days later than expected. She brought me several treats (including gorgeous jewelry!) from her travels, so hopefully I'll be putting them to good use soon.

Later than evening, I went to an early birthday celebration for one of my friends turned 24 (on the right). We began the evening at dinner and then transitioned into the neighboring bar for a pulsing set of cover songs by a local band. I also got to see a couple of friends who I had not seen for a while, so you can imagine how much we had to catch up on.

Wearing: American Apparel t-shirt, Marc Jacobs necklace, random black skirt, and BCBG gold heels.

(This picture was pre- going off the deep end and cutting off 5 inches of my hair, which I did the following morning)

This was just the beginning of the fun. Stay tuned for Part Two later!

Currently Playing: All Time Favorite Songs, Part Two

2010-04-18T18:33:00.002-05:00

"No Tomorrow" by Orson. It's upbeat and makes me want to get up and dance even though I can't, much like the narrator of the song. He's madly in love, carefree, and deliriously happy. Isn't that something that we would all like? I always used to tell LC this statement and it holds true today that if a gentleman ever cared to write a song about me, he should look no further for a rough template than this tune.

"Southern Girl" by Amos Lee. I truly, madly, deeply love Amos Lee. Not only is he talented, but insanely attractive as well. This song is the perfect fusion of folk, soul, jazz combined with sweet, but not syrupy, lyrics. This tune was an anthem of one of favorite road trips with my med school buddies during our first year. I have a list of concerts on my bucket list that I'd love to attend and Lee is in the top five, so I'm making a public plea for him to go on tour this year.

"That's All" by Frank Sinatra. This song has been interpreted many artists over the years, but nothing can compare to the version sung by Old Blue Eyes. In 1997, "The Wedding Singer" was one of my favorite movies. This song will always remind me of the scene where Adam Sandler's character sings as Drew Barrymore and the chubby kid dance at the Bat Mitzvah. At the risk of sounding like the sappiest girl in the world, this is another excellent choice for a first dance song at a wedding. (I'm fully aware that this isn't Sinatra, but it's the closest I could find on YouTube.)

"Drives Me Crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals. Although I'm tone deaf, it doesn't stop me from singing along to this classic. It's the ideal song to have playing during a summer barbeque or a night spent on the lake hanging out with friends as it's sure to have everything trying out their best falsetto. Plus a synthesizer is involved. You know I'll be a fan when a band has the aforementioned 80s staple. (Dolly Parton has a fantastic cover of this song on her most recent CD, so definitely check it out!)

Blessed

2010-04-17T21:17:00.003-05:00

Last week, I was lucky enough to Sir Elton John in concert. Few artists can begin their shows with a four minute long standing ovations or bowing to all the corners of the venue while clothed in an ostentatious crimson and black coat, but the Rocket Man is one of them.

The classic rock pianist opened his set with "Funeral for a Friend/ Love Lies Bleeding" and led into a raucous, audience accompanied rendition of "Saturday Night's Alright". He then transitioned into some of his more recent songs from the 1990s such as "Something About the Way You Look Tonight", which he dedicated to all the lovers in the crowd. (Clearly, Sir Elton isn't aware of my terminally single status.) During the second half of the show, he played more crowd pleasing favorites including "Rocket Man" and "Crocodile Rock". The encore consisted of the most beautiful, stripped down version of "Your Song" and "Circle of Life", a tune which he doesn't play live very often.

It was a very memorable night and one that subsequently leads me to cross off another item on my bucket list. Now I've got 2/3 of my concert bucket list completed. I'm waiting patiently for Prince to get back on tour!

Here's a pic of me and one of my lovely friends (left).

Even though we were both at the concert and not together, a photo is always necessary.

Things That Warm My Heart: Glee Edition

2010-04-13T12:30:00.004-05:00

When I first heard the premise of Glee, I immediately thought it would be a watered down version of "High School Musical" minus the delicious Zac Efron. Thank goodness I was wrong. This validates the sentiment of to never judge a book by its cover, or in this instance judge a TV show based on its preview. Things I enjoy about Glee include, but are not limited to:

Noah Puckerman. Bad boy with good voice? Check. Winning smile? Check. Abs of steel? Check. All we have to do is get rid of that terrible haircut he sports on the show. I like the fact that the actor Mark Salling evades the question of his ethnicity during interviews. Mystery is extremely sexy, after all. My guess to this elusive question is part Caucasian, part Hispanic, and all HOT.

Cover Songs and Mashups. My love knows no limits for both of these. Combined with choreography, it makes the American Idol contestants look like amateurs. My personal favorite tune of the season? "Defying Gravity" without a doubt as Wicked is close to the top of my all time favorite musicals list.

Sue Sylvester's One Liners. The conniving, egotistical coach of the Cheerios steals every scene as she tries to destroy the Glee club and Mr. Schuester, played by the charming Matthew Morrison. Every biting remark is equally hilarious, but a favorite includes ''I don't trust a man with curly hair. I can't help picturing small birds laying sulfurous eggs in there, and I find it disgusting."

Dark Humor. This should come as no surprise as it comes from Ryan Murphy, the same creator of the "Nip/Tuck." Twisted story lines including fake pregnancies, lies, and Jewish genetics make for an interesting back drop for the musical numbers.

Beer is Great, God is Good, and People are Crazy

2010-04-07T18:30:00.000-05:00

So far in this rotation the following things have happened:
1. I was proposed to by one of the patients with PTSD and major depression at the local VA hospital. He first asked me if I was married (to which I answered no), then asked me if I wanted to get married (to which I also answered no), and then suggested we go to Colorado on the honeymoon all paid for by me, of course. I've always told my friends I attract crazy men.

2. I was yelled at by this lady with borderline personality disorder for keeping her waiting for 30 minutes for her to see a medical student. Listen up woman, we've all got to start somewhere and these are my initial footsteps in psychiatry.

3. I received a love letter written in crayon by a schizophrenic, demented man at the local psychiatric hospital. It was addressed to someone named Gary. Curious because my name is certainly not Gary nor do I look like a dude.

4. I almost got the door slammed on my finger by a lady with bipolar type I disorder when I was taking her full medical history as directed by my attending. She also had MRSA on her cheek, so you better believe I got the hell out of the room as soon as she got agitated.

Damn, this rotation needs to end ASAP.

Currently Playing: All Time Favorite Songs, Part One

2010-04-05T05:32:00.001-05:00

"Closer To You" by the Wallflowers. With Jakob Dylan being the son of the great Bob Dylan, it's no surprise that he is as talented and prolific as his father. I've always thought that this is their best song never to be released as an official single. The depth of the lyrics allow for a variety of interpretations of who the song is for. Perhaps it is for a current lover, a future lover, or a child. I haven't been lucky enough to be in the same room as Jakob Dylan, mainly because the Wallflowers are currently on break, but hopefully that will change soon as he is currently concentrating on his solo career.

"Emotionally Yours" by Bob Dylan. Now that we've discussed son, let's talk about dad. Much more pop oriented than his other tunes, his tender vocals are something to be admired. "I could be unraveling wherever I'm traveling, even to foreign shores. But I will always be emotionally yours" are lyrics that show what an amazing poet he is. It's an excellent, untraditional wedding song in my opinion.

"God Only Knows" by Beach Boys. Probably one of the most cleverly simplistic love songs of all time. It reminds of the episode of The Wonder Years when Kevin Arnold finds the necklace that he gave Winnie Cooper on the bus seat after a joint field trip between his school and her new school. This song was playing in the background as an older Kevin narrated the scene, "and that was the moment I knew Winnie Cooper, the girl next door, was gone forever". Paul McCartney admits to getting choked up when he hears this song and I'm right there with him.

"How Do You Keep Love Alive" by Ryan Adams. If a good break up song exists, this has to be it. Both heartbreaking and stunning at the same time, Adams describes a deep love, one that even predates the girl's existence. Why use the cliche phrases when his feelings are stronger than that? He asks for another way to salvage their relationship because he can't stand the idea of abandoning it. The lyrics "she runs through my veins like a long black river and rattles my cage like a thunderstorm" send shivers down my spine.

"Do You Think I'm Sexy?" by Rod Stewart. Come on now! Not every song on this list has to be super meaningful. Some tunes are meant to be fun and this song is just that. It will always remind me of high school and dancing in the parking lot of a local ice cream shop on a Friday night. Be warned that when this song is played during karaoke, no one else stands a chance when I start singing.

Vested Interest

2010-04-02T20:51:00.000-05:00

Denim is likely the most versatile fabric created as evidenced by the various incarnations seen in Spring fashion. Lightweight chambray is perfect for shirts while destroyed, faded material is better suited for the perennial favorite jacket. One manifestation that I can't wait to experiment with this season is a denim vest. To prevent from looking like an extra from "Saved by the Bell", look to Kate Bosworth, Sienna Miller, et al for a modern take on the comeback piece.

Ashley Tisdale looks like the quintessential young Hollywood starlet with her leggings and armload of noisy bangles, but her ensemble is made extra special with the stud detailing on the collar of the vest.

Kate Bosworth is my choice for best dressed of the trio presented. The sublte sheen of her skirt and her punchy red scarf elevate her look to the next level. And that shoulder bag? Superb.

No one can pull this look off like Sienna Miller. Her bohemian vibe is amplified by the floaty floral dress and tousled coiffure, while the weighty cognac satchel and boots anchor the look.

Is it normal to...

2010-03-27T16:32:00.000-05:00

...wish that Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl was a real person?
...like your non-medical school friends more than you like your medical school friends?
...wear my hair in an Alexander Wang-esque braid although I get funny looks from others?
...think all Target's designer collaborations are overrated?
...eat desserts more often than not?
...be annoyed with people who think this healthcare bill is wonderful?
...be ambivalent towards your classmates after being paired up with them for months?
...change your nail polish color at least twice a week?
...not add extra salt to all my food when everyone else does?
...have cold feet when it comes to committing to my medical field of choice?

Spring Equinox

2010-03-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

This might seem shocking, but each year around this time I eventually get tired of wearing trapper hats, sweaters, and coats. I wait for inches of snow to melt and the temperatures to reach tepid levels for these signify the true arrival of Spring, which brings with it many of the things I love. Some of which are discussed below.

1. Sandals, moccasins, and oxfords. Oh my! I love boots, especially of the knee high variety, but I look forward to wearing shoes that aren't as restricting. I'm in the market for acquiring black oxfords and platforms of dizzying heights.

2. Boyfriend shirts. Even without an actual gentleman to borrow from, I'll happily throw one on to keep cool.

3. Sunshine. I avoid the sun as much as possible because I was born with a tan, but a 15-20 minutes of Vitamin D a day is good for the body. I'm tired of dreary days and want to wear sunglasses to temper the glare.

4. Shorts. A 3-5 inch inseam isn't appropriate for most occasions other than the beach, but nothing says warm weather than a pair of itsy bitsy teeny weeny denim cut offs.

5. Prints. Dip dye, polka dots, floral, tribal, stripes. I want them all. Be warned because I'm in the mood to mingle so expect some outlandish combos.

6. Flowers. I hope to have fresh tulips, peonies, or lilies as a constant fixture in my apartment.

7. Light and bright nail polish. Essie's Wicked and OPI's Russian Navy are being traded for OPI's Lucky Lucky Lavender and OPI's Skinny Dipping in Lake Michigan. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good coral polish?

8. Weddings. I think all single girls like weddings for the same reason that single boys despise them: because they make us think about our own. I'm beyond thrilled to see a few of my friends tie the knot soon!

9. March Madness. The reason for which I've already discussed. Side note: Kansas losing destroyed any chance of me winning my pool.

10. Ice cream. Of course this treat can be enjoyed year round, but is better under a shimmering sun.

Things That Warm My Heart: March Madness Edition

2010-03-18T06:30:00.000-05:00

Bracketology. Forget learning psychiatry and reviewing pediatrics and ob/gyn, this is the subject I want to be studying this month. I'll be more than happy to have Rece Davis as the main professor and Bobby Knight, Dick Vitale, and Hubert Davis as supplementary instructors any day of the week. I hung on every word said during the 3 hour class on ESPN on Sunday night.

Well Suited Coaches. You've seen me mention this before on multiple occasions, but I'm crazy for a sharp dressed man. Especially one that gets hot and bothered over referee's bad calls and missed free throws on the sidelines of a NCAA basketball game. No two men exemplify the art of making a corporate suit look sexy more than Villanova's Jay Wright and Louisville's Rick Pitino.

Bracket Pools. Since I've had my first taste of (legal) gambling, I can understand how it can be so addictive. The thrill of winning erases any sour taste left by losing. I hate to brag, but I've won several bracket pools in my lifetime and look forward to repeating success this year.

The Thrill of Winning. Call me sappy if you want to, but something about drowning in a sea of confetti and happy tears all while "One Shining Moment" blares through the speakers really does warm my heart.

Rece Davis. I look forward to going to sleep with your sparkling smile, witty commentary, and colorful pocketsquare every night for three weeks.

March Madness On Demand iPhone application. Hopefully my bracket picks won't elicit too many groans during clinic as I plan on checking my phone often.

Conversation With My Mother

2010-03-15T05:35:00.001-05:00

Mom: So there's this 26 year old guy...
Me: And?
Mom: (silence)
Me: Is he a F.O.B.?
Mom: (laughing) No, he grew up in the U.S. like you did.
Me: What does he do?
Mom: He's in D.O. school.
Me: Absolutely not!
Mom: (laughing even more) I'm just kidding. He's a third year like you at an M.D. school.
Me: Is he cute? How tall is he?
Mom: Does it really matter? You're short yourself!
Me: Well, I want someone tall.
Mom: I don't know yet. I just talked to your aunt in North Carolina. She mentioned him.
Me: Umm...
Mom: He wants to do Orthopedics.
Me: Oh, hell no!
Mom: Why?!
Me: I've been there done and done that. I refuse to go out with another want-to-be surgeon.
Mom: If you're going to be that picky, then you're going to be single forever.
Me: (after pausing) I don't really want anyone right now. I've got to figure out my schedule for next year and catch up on "Lost". Perhaps next year when I'm free.
Mom: Ok. Now don't tell me that I haven't tried to find you anyone.
Me: Sigh...

Currently Playing: "Brown Eyes" by Andy Davis

2010-03-14T09:00:00.001-05:00

Indie artists are a dime a dozen, but to find a gem as talented as Andy Davis is a rare. With roots based in Nashville, the country influence isn't seen in his melodies, but his lyrics reflect the excellent story telling abilities that are made famous by other country crooners. The alternative pop songster is comparable to Badly Drawn Boy and Dave Barnes, but what makes him stand out are his personal, yet universal lyrics and skills on the piano. Brown is the color of the eyes of yours truly, so I'm partial to the tune "Brown Eyes" which I've listed below.

Proust Questionnaire, Part Two

2010-03-10T00:30:00.004-06:00

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Being genuinely unhappy with the way your life is going.

To what faults do you feel most indulgent? Being selfish.

Who are your favorite heroes of fiction? Indiana Jones.

Who are your favorite heroes in real life? My father.

Who are your favorite characters in history? Gandhi, Casanova.

Who are your favorite heroines in real life? My mother.

Who are your favorite heroines of fiction? Charlotte from Charlotte's Web. Her message of self sacrifice and her heart of gold strike a chord with me everytime.

Your favorite painter? Jacques-Louis David. Oath of the Horatii is the most beautiful painting of all time in my humble opinion.

Your favorite musician? Elton John or George Michael. "Your Song" and "Father Figure" always make me tear up.

Your favorite virtue? Contentment.

Who would you have liked to be? The best version of me possible.

What is your principle defect? Fear of commitment.

What to your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes? To never experience wild success or lasting love.

What is your favorite color? Moss green.

What is your favorite flower? Peonies. Particularly in pink. Remind me to get married in spring/summer when they are in season and not cost $25 per stem like they do in the winter.

What is your favorite bird? Scarlet macaw. So majestic and colorful.

Who are your favorite prose writers? Jane Austen, Vladimir Nabokov, Jacques Casanova.

Who are your favorite poets? Robert Browning, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Lord Byron, Shakespeare.

What is it you most dislike? Insincerity.

What is your favorite occupation? Being genuinely happy with the way my life is going.

King of the World

2010-03-07T15:00:00.000-06:00

Admitting that Leonardo DiCaprio has been my celebrity crush for the better part of 13 years wouldn't be a lie. Along with every other hormonally charged teenage girl in 1997, I had a hard time stifling my emotions while watching Titanic on the big screen. To say that DiCaprio has come a long way since the James Cameron blockbuster would be an understatement. Since then, he's matured as an actor starring in films such as the Oscar winning "The Departed", "Revolutionary Road", and most recently "Shutter Island."

Not only has he found box office success and acting accolades, but he's managed to date some of the most gorgeous women in the world like supermodel Gisele Bundchen (they are my favorite celebrity couple of all time) and Sports Illustrated cover girl Bar Rafaeli. Don't expect any wedding invites yet for him and the latter as her publicist just shot down rumors of an engagement.

DiCaprio opens up to this month's Esquire magazine discussing his idols, past roles, and passion for acting. Not only do readers get insight to this great actor, we also get many visual treats as he's looking stylishly sexy decked in a smart pinstripe suit paired with strong sunglasses and a motorcycle jacket complemented with slicked back hair and liquor.

Speaking of Shutter Island, it's an excellent that parlays quite nicely in my life right now as I'm on my psychiatry rotation!

Currently Playing: Cover Songs

2010-03-04T00:24:00.001-06:00

As much as I love original music, I always had a penchant for artist's new and often innovative renditions of popular songs. The speakers of my car during sophomore year of high school was ruled by "Pour Some Sugar On Me" by Stone Temple Pilots. I've found that "Wonderwall" by Ryan Adams and "Easy" by Faith No More provide the perfect backdrop for cooking and cleaning on a Sunday morning. George Michael's version of "Feeling Good" elicits impromptu karaoke singing no matter where or when.

If you've listened to the radio recently, you've heard "Bed Rock" by Young Money. I recently found a cover performed by Raffi Sweet on YouTube. I love that he stripped away some of the harder hip hop beats and infused a softer pop friendly vibe. Attractive looks + winning smile + aviators + good pipes = swoonworthy.

Another artist that I've discovered on YouTube has garnered quite the attention as of late with his spectacular voice and unique arragement of popular songs by Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, and Glee is Sam Tsui. My personal favorite is his version of Jay Sean's "Down" as he's turned the upbeat dance tune into a melodic ballad. He's recently released an album appropriately called "Covers" on iTunes, so get ready to click "buy" after listening.

Goals for March

2010-03-03T06:30:00.001-06:00

Where has the time gone? I can't believe that we are two months down for the year. I also can't believe that in 16 weeks that I'll be done with my third year. Here are several goals I have for myself this month:

1. Figure out the future. I've got to apply for away rotations, but first I've got make sure I'm headed down the right road for a career choice.

2. Work out. This bod is getting back in shape after being mostly sedentary for months, especially since I've got several weddings coming up later this summer.

3. Finish my Modern Love essay. I'm really happy with the way this is going. A couple of friends, GA and KAF, should expect a proof soon!

4. Begin studying for Step 2. Although this is 4+ months away, it's never too early to begin spending quality time with my books.

5. Month long fast from eating out. My credit card bill was $800 for food alone just for February. Direct quote from my mom: "That's ridiculous even for you." Yikes. It's all about channeling my inner Paula Deen and Rachael Ray for the remainder of March.

Things That Warm My Heart

2010-03-02T05:40:00.000-06:00

Lego Creations. My childhood room was littered with legos growing up. At the risk of sounding vain, I'm fairly creative, but I don't think I could come up with anything like the Capitol building or Homer Simpson.

Jersey Shore. MTV'S Guidos and Guidettes get spoofed by some really cute kids. Can we get an extra special guido fist pump for the kid who plays the Situation?

Effortlessly stylish men, particularly Brad from the Rachel Zoe Show. Perfection from the thick rimmed glasses to quirky bowtie to the salt and peppery suit. And that Chanel valise? Totally B.A.N.A.N.A.S.

Positively Present. I visit several websites on a daily basis, but this has quickly shot to the top of the list. It focuses on living happily now, which makes all the difference. (photo via)

I'm Off Like I'm a Prom Dress in May

2010-02-26T06:30:00.003-06:00

6:30 Wake Up
7:45 Drive to school
8:00 Shelf exam begins
10:30 Breathe sigh of relief that shelf exam is over
12:00 Lunch and last minute packing
1:30 Hit the road!

I'm headed to Santa Fe, NM for the weekend for a mini reunion to meet some of my friends! Cross your fingers I find something ostentatious and Navajo inspired to buy. : )

Wishes for a weekend full of fun, food, and friends for all!

(photo via)

The girl I love, she's got the great curly hair

2010-02-23T19:45:00.004-06:00

Miranda: Robert Redford is madly in love with Barbara Striesand.
Charlotte: Katie.
Carrie: K-k-k-katie.
Charlotte: Oh K-k-k-katie, right.
Miranda: Right, but he can't be with her because she's too complicated and she had wild curly hair.
Carrie: Hello! C-c-c-curly!
Miranda: Yeah, so he leaves her and marries this simple girl, with straight hair.
Carrie: Ladies, I am having and epiphany. The world is made up of two types of women: the simple girls and the Katie girls…I'm a Katie girl!

Those of you who religously watched "Sex and the City" are quite familiar with the conversation above as the 3/4 of the women discuss straight haired girls versus curly haired girls. When you're born (or cursed, depending on how you look at it) with pin straight hair that does very little other than lay straight, you often find yourself envying those with uninhibited, wavy locks. After all, doesn't the grass typically appear greener on the other side?

Without doing something permanent like a body wave, I've often wondered how to achieve perfect Sports Illustrated model's tousled, wavy hair. Lucky for me (and you!), there are countless tutorials on YouTube that demonstrate how to achieve this look with nothing but a flat iron. Here's the one that I've learned from.

Products that I've found helpful for keeping this look shiny and intact all day include John Frieda Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Cream and Pantene Root Lifter Volumizing Spray.

Take A Look At Me Now

2010-02-21T20:21:00.001-06:00

Oh.

Em.

Gee.

Things are looking a little different around here at BOM in case you haven't noticed.

Can we get a round of applause for Marina at Penny Lane Designs? I had a vision of a stethoscope cord spelling out the blog title with a background that was feminine, but not overly sweet. She absolutely made it happen. I'm head over heels for my design and can't say enough nice things about working with her.

Enough writing for now. An exam looms in my near future!

You've Got Me All Figured Out

2010-02-18T19:20:00.006-06:00

I can't say I've had too much time to tune into the Olympics on NBC for two reasons. Number one: My shelf exam coming up next week so I've been spending my time studying. Number two: Not all of the sports peak my interest as much as the Summer Games do.

However, there are always exceptions to these rules and in this case his name is Evan Lysacek. For those who are unfamiliar with Lysacek, he's the reigning World Champion and the 2007/2008 U.S. National Champion. It's also worth mentioning he's costumed by the venerable Vera Wang. All of the above and looks gorgeous enough for modeling? Don't mind if I do.

photo via

Standing in second place after the short program from Tuesday night, he trails the leader by 0.55 of a point. You know what I'll be watching and who I'll be pulling for tonight, but only after spending a quality hour with Jeff Probst.

Thought For the Day

2010-02-17T05:30:00.010-06:00

"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort.

You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it

and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it."

- Elizabeth Gilbert

Things That Warm My Heart: Valentine's Day Edition

2010-02-14T22:28:00.002-06:00

Martha Stewart Crafts. The queen of crafts doesn't disappoint when it comes to this holiday as her repertoire of ideas is filled with handmade doilies to homemade jewelry box to house semiprecious candies.

Pretty Underpinnings. I don't know about you, but Victoria's Secret has been inundating my email inbox this past week with reminders that they have the prettiest, sexiest, flirtiest items to drive any man crazy. I'll steer clear of all the lace and leopard print and pick myself up a pair of bottoms with a perfectly appropriate phrase plastered on the back. : )

"Say Anything" When I think of the quintessential romantic gesture in any movie, my mind immediately springs to Lloyd Dobler (played by John Cusack) standing outside Diane Court's house with a boom box blaring "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel with the look of lost pride and hopeless love on his face. Truly an iconic flick.

Awesomely bad love songs. I'm embarassed to admit that over half of Vh1's "Awesomely Bad Love Songs" are on constant rotation on my iPod. The ultimate favorite on this list? Bertie Higgins "Key Largo." Can't say I wouldn't swoon if a gentleman clad in a nautical ensemble compared us to Boagie and Bacall and threw out cheesy lines from classic movies. Here's looking at you, kid.

I want to be the girl with the most cake.

2010-02-13T02:31:00.006-06:00

It's a well known fact among my friends that '24' is my all time favorite TV show, so I knew that I wanted to incorporate this theme into my 24th birthday celebration. With the anticipated lack of enthusiasm for a dress as your favorite CTU agent costume party, I decided on having a themed birthday cake. After scouring the internet for suggestions and vetoing ideas such as a bomb or a knife, I came up with my own design based on Jack Bauer's accessories that I got a local bakery to make. Behold my cake:

The actual cake part based on what many fans, including myself, dub the "Jack Pack". This season Jack's bag received an upgrade courtesy of Ralph Lauren's RR bag. Other gadgets that are Bauer's constant companions include a taser gun, Sprint phone, flash drive, and a CTU badge, which are featured on the sides of the cake. I really wanted to incorporate the 24 logo without having it ruin the look of the cake by sitting it on the Jack Pack, so I requested a separate sheet with black icing serving as the base with yellow icing as for the words.

I usually think birthdays regardless of what age are a big deal, but I wasn't planning on any celebration this year, but changed my mind after a little goading from my parents and friends. After all, what is the reason for celebrating a birthday? To me, it's not necessarily to commemorate the past year, which in my case was full of more troughs than peaks, but to look at life to come. As my friends were serenading me with "happy birthday", I'll admit to tuning them out slightly as I thought about my vast possibilities for the future.

And for my birthday wish for this year? I hope for wild success, lasting love, and a charmed life.

Here's to having all my birthday wishes come true.

24 is the New 25

2010-02-09T00:01:00.001-06:00

As of the stroke of midnight tonight, I bid farewell to the age of 23. As I reflect on all of the events that happened this past year, I recall fondly the strengthened friendships, unconditional support, smiles, laughs, and tears, and a discovery of a real sense of self for the first time in my life.

While 25 seems to be a magical age for many to reflect upon themselves, the arrival of 24 caused me to look back on all the lessons that I have been taught that I will channel and bear with me for the future.

I warmly accept my 24th year for I have a feeling that it will be my year.

The more you praise and celebrate your life,

the more there is in life to celebrate.

-Oprah Winfrey

"She totally has a Frankenstein Uterus."

2010-02-02T19:47:00.000-06:00

This is a quote courtesy of my resident after performing a C-section on a lady who has had 3 previous C-sections in reference to all of the stitches on her uterus.

I've got such a warped sense of humor being in medical school, but I'll keep telling myself it's part of my charm.

House Arrest

2010-01-30T19:30:00.000-06:00

For the past three days, I haven't been able to leave the house due to the nine inches of powder white snow that decided to dump itself throughout a long stretch of the U.S. I can't complain too much since we had the Thursday and Friday off because as med students, we are considered nonessential personnel. TV (in the form of Oprah, Glee, The Wonder Years, Gossip Girl, etc) can only entertain me for so long, my apartment can only be cleaned thoroughly twice, and I can try on so many potential birthday outfits before I my case of cabin fever reaches its all time high. In retrospect, I wish I had stocked up on junk food when I made a last minute trip the grocery store. Here's a picture of the knee high deep snow and my favorite pajamas that I've been living in. : )

Things That Warm My Heart

2010-01-28T19:47:00.001-06:00

Wonder Years on DVD. Due to copyright issues with the music featured on the show, there hasn't been an official release of this TV show. Bootleg copies are abound on the internet for those of us who missed out on this show the first or even second time around (on Nick-at-Nite). I think I'll add this to my unofficial birthday wishlist. As a sidenote, I must add that Fred Savage turned out incredibly handsome!

Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry. His trinkets and ornaments have adorned the necks, wrists, fingers, and waists of women such as Jackie O. and Audrey Hepburn. KJL's philosophy is "'elegance, good taste and luxury never go out of style." That's a sentiment that I can raise my glass to! I'm enamored with this two stranded beaded necklace with its double ram closure hook.

It seems that everyone around me is either engaged or married, so engagement rings and weddings make up at least 60% of the banter at lunch or dinner. I came across this post from Offbeat Bride and was impressed by all of these unique options. My favorite? This bouquet of seashells, which is perfect for a beachside affair.

Rick Pitino's suits. As Coach Pitino wore his trademark blinding white suit recently, this is a fun look at the archives at this sharp dressed man courtesy of Huffington Post. He can be on my "All-GQ" team any day! : )

(photo via SI)

Mad as a Hatter for OPI's Absolutely Alice

2010-01-27T20:55:00.002-06:00

It seems that OPI, along with many other companies such as Stella McCartney and Urban Decay, fell down the rabbit hole and drew inspiration from Tim Burton's much anticipated rendition of "Alice in Wonderland." This latest collection consists of two reds and two glitters with clever names, which is to be expected with OPI. I happily stumbled upon them at my local Trade Secret after seeing countless swatches and reviews online.

I passed on three out of four of this collection, but I stopped in my tracks when I saw "Absolutely Alice." This polish consists of a saturated cobalt blue glitter weaved together with flecks of gold, representing Alice's locks, which makes for an insanely sparkly, mesmerizing sight. While glitter isn't the most professional shade to wear in the hospital/clinic setting, it's no question that by Friday afternoon the safe nudes and pale pinks are replaced with a beautiful confetti party.

I'm not asking for birthday presents this year...

2010-01-26T06:10:00.003-06:00

but if I were, I would request...

Cartier watch

Goldendoodle puppy

Avedon Fashion by Carol Squiers Lots of interviews for residencies later this year

A year full of smiles and laughter

Birthday in T-minus 12 days!

Cover Girl, You've Come a Long Way

2010-01-25T19:01:00.000-06:00

Jessica Szohr is one lucky girl: kissing Chace Crawford, cavorting around Manhattan with Penn Badgley, and scheming with Ed Westwick are all activities in a day's work on the set of Gossip Girl. It's a shame that Szohr is often a target of scorn by many Gossip Girl fans. It's not as though that it's her fault that her character, Vanessa Abrams, was completely changed from a shaved head, chubby outcast clad in black to a curly haired, slim outcast styled in mostly bohemian chic clothing.

She looks beyond stunning in the February issue of Teen Vogue where she seems refreshingly down to earth while discussing her spending time with costars off screen and how her style has changed since arriving on the GG set. When discussing her off-screen relationship with Westwick, she sweetly describes him as "[a] really rad guy. He's awesome and smart and talented and adorable, and we make each other laugh." Not only is she busy with the rest of our favorite UES troublemakers and her boyfriend, she will be making her debut in movies with Pirahna 3-D later this spring.

Often overshadowed by Blake Lively and Leighton Meester on the show, she shines in this Teen Vogue spread outfitted by a range of designers from Versus to BCBG. I'm such a fan of the breton top she's wearing in the left lower picture, I might have to stop by Gap and find a replica for my own closet.

Thanks, Conan

2010-01-23T10:17:00.000-06:00

"Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get.

But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

Currently Playing:"Body Language" by Jesse McCartney

2010-01-18T19:42:00.003-06:00

It's rather embarassing that I've listened to this song as much as I have in the past four weeks, but numbers, in the form of the number of times played reported by my iTunes, don't lie. A whole fifty six times just on my computer, but keep in mind that this doesn't include all the time I spent listening to this on my iPod and in my car.

Jesse McCartney came out in 2001 with the Disney infused hit "Beautiful Soul", which made me cringe as it sounded like what a couple of 14 year olds lose their V-cards to. His latest record appropriately called "Departure" symbolizes the move towards a more grown up audience and sound with the R&B infused beats and cameos from artists like T-Pain. With smooth dance moves, obvious good looks, and sultry lyrics (anyone listened to "Leavin'"?), it seems he is here to stay.

Goal by end of Ob/Gyn rotation: learn the dance moves to this song. This should be interesting. By interesting I mean disastrous.

All Jacked Up

2010-01-17T04:11:00.001-06:00

Lucky for us, it's going to be another long day for Jack Bauer as he returns to tonight for what will be a dazzling four hour long premiere for season eight. With a switch in location to New York City from Los Angeles and Washington D.C. in prior seasons, CTU's new digs include features live action feeds from the city streets, a hidden elevator accessed only by a palm reader, and a decorating scheme of black and orange colors. Also new this season include several cast members, notably Freddie Prinze Jr. (of "She's All That" and other forgettable '90s teen flicks) and Anil Kapoor (of "Slumdog Millionaire" fame) who will act as a CTU agent Cole Ortiz and President Omar Hassan, respectively.

This season begins with Jack spending time with his daughter, Kim, and his granddaughter in the Big Apple, but naturally, this happiness is only fleeting as he is soon called into action by President Taylor in no less than twenty minutes into the first episode.

According to Kiefer Sutherland in a recent interview, he states that "Jack Bauer is going to have a bad day," said Sutherland. "He's going to face impossible odds and moral dilemmas. And in the end, he's going to triumph."

Frankly, I wouldn't have my favorite hero and TV show any other way.