It was until the day of the ceremony, sitting in the auditorium with my class, surrounded by our family and friends that have supported us through many years of hard work, and distinguished faculty that were welcoming us into their profession as future colleges, that I began to feel the significance of this day. In a sea of white coats, for the first time, we read our Physician's Oath and declared our duty to our future patients, it hit me like an emotional throat punch!

Check out these awkward pics of me actually getting cloaked

In my head, I'd imagined what this day would be like a thousand times and it was so much more! I celebrated with my parents and my best friends traveled that 12 hours combined and over state lines to support me (and even found out that one of my friends got an interview at my school the night before... her news, not mine, but it felt like receiving my own interview invite all over again!), so it was an amazing day. Every time, I sport it,  I'll  feel pride and remember privilege it is to wear this white coat, and always remember to honor those I wear it for, my future patients.

I Love Doc McStuffins! I wish this show had been around when I was younger, she (is) would have been my Idol!

Exactly 7 days before Christmas, I received the best early Christmas gift I could ask for. The e-mail came when I was at work, and immediately my palms began to sweat. It was a vague e-mail that simply read "see the attached below", and I slowly began to panic until I hovered over the attachment that was titled "Offer Package". Breathlessly, I read the e-mail and then excused myself to restroom, afraid I would start to cry at my desk. Then, I returned to my desk to re-read the e-mail 5 more times, making sure I read it correctly, I did. After the holidays, I had two more interviews and last week I received my final decision from the last school I interviewed for and was Accepted. All in all, I interviewed at three schools and was accepted into all three! 

As you know, this is my second application cycle after unfortunately not making it off the waitlist of two schools last cycle. It was a scary decision to reapply immediately after a unsuccessful cycle. I feared that I would be rejected again, and worse not even get interviews because I was a fresh re- applicant. I worried that schools I applied to last cycle would see my application and  say "well, we didn't want her last year, why would we want her this year?"  I ultimately decided to reapply the following cycle after seeking advice on my first application and added shadowing, volunteer and clinical experience with my full-time job as a phlebotomist. I was confident in my first application, but I believe that this year I walked into my first interview even stronger. Unfortunately, with acceptances, we never really get the chance to discover why they said "Yes", but I'd like to think that my research on why they said "No", the year before, helped me this time around!

It still hasn't fully sunk in yet that next fall (really this summer!) , I'll be starting medical school and in four years I will officially be doctor! A dream of mine, since I was three years old is on its way to becoming a reality. This is to say, NEVER give up on your dreams!

Did you hear the News?! (literally, this news was covered by multiple newstations)
The iconic and nostaglic candy "Sweetharts" are a no-go this 2019... The company was sold last year and the new company forgot to order the unofficial Candy of Valentine's Day for this year! If you're wondering "however will my crush no I how I feel without hard little candied hearts with flirty messages?" Don't fear because Krispy Kreme has got you covered!

I also found this cute little Candy Hearts tee from Nordstorm!

Candy Hearts tee Kids size if you're petite like me!

BOOKS TO READ WHEN ITS TOO COLD OUT

YOU- Caroline Kepnes


So by now you've watched the TV show on Netflix (I like to pride myself on being ahead of the crowd and actually watching the cult hit when it first premiered on Lifetime). And if you haven't seen the show, what rock have you been hiding under... it's time to steal someone's Netflix password and Binge ASAP!
If you want to dive deeper into Joe Goldberg's mind, you should definitely read the book. I'm typically a paper and ink book type of girl, for this book in particular, I HAVE to recommend the audio version! The book is narrated by (), and if you thought Penn Badgely's narrations sounded creepy, wait until you hear this audio book! And, it you'll really loved the insane innermost thoughts of Joe Goldberg, there's even a sequel!

Synopsis: 

From debut author Caroline Kepnes comes You, one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of 2014, and a brilliant and terrifying novel for the social media age.

When a beautiful, aspiring writer strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card.

There is only one Guinevere Beck in New York City. She has a public Facebook account and Tweets incessantly, telling Joe everything he needs to know: she is simply Beck to her friends, she went to Brown University, she lives on Bank Street, and she’ll be at a bar in Brooklyn tonight—the perfect place for a “chance” meeting.

As Joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck’s life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure Beck finds herself in his waiting arms. Moving from stalker to boyfriend, Joe transforms himself into Beck’s perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way—even if it means murder.

A terrifying exploration of how vulnerable we all are to stalking and manipulation, debut author Caroline Kepnes delivers a razor-sharp novel for our hyper-connected digital age. You is a compulsively readable page-turner that’s being compared to Gone Girl, American Psycho, and Stephen King’s Misery.


The Last Mrs. Parrish- Liv Constantine



I love a good psychological thriller, with a twisted and manipulative villain on a mission, and if you do too... you'll love the The Last Mrs. Parrish. I spotted this one on the Recommended Reads shelf at my library and was not disappointed! I couldn't put it down!

Synopsis:


One Day in December - Josie Silver



I'm typically not a Romance book girl, but as A Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick, I decided to try something new! Authenic romance with a charming coming of age story, follow Laurie and Jack over 10 years of REAL life after they fell in love at first sight "One Day in December" at a bus stop.Want to indulge winter Romance? "One Day is December" is going to warm your heart! After all the crazy thrillers I typically read, this one left me smiling at the end!


Synopsis:

Two people. Ten chances. One unforgettable love story.

Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn't exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic...and then her bus drives away.

Certain they're fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn't find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they "reunite" at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It's Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.

What follows for Laurie, Sarah and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.



The Summer I Turned Pretty - Jenny Han


This is an oldie, but goodie. The beach set novel by the same author of the best selling Trilogy "To All the Boys I loved Before" will give all the feels of summer and romance although it's cold and dreary outside. And the best part is that it has two sequels...

Synopsis: 

Some summers are just destined to be pretty 
Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.



And while you're reading just keep in mind that Spring is only 56 days away! (here's a Countdown Website with pretty Spring Pictures )

This Winter 2019,  we're venturing out into the Wild with animal prints as a major trend for the season. Leopard Print is a classic that is seen every year, but other prints like Snake and Zebra that were more popular in the 80's and 90's are making a comeback. Snake Skin is the print I'm most excited to try. I consider leopard to be neutral, but there's something about Snakeskin that's edgy and out-of-box. I also think Zebra is a great print, and like Leopard due to Zebra's literally being Black and White, it's neutral but edgy. Below I've styled three outfits in Leopard, Zebra, and Snakeskin.

Retailers like Target, Nasty Gal, Forever 21 and even Goodwill have been my luckiest places to snag great animal prints (plus they're inexpensive and you don't want to invest too much in trends that might not last more a a season or two!)

LEOPARD

Leopard Blouse- Target

Shirt- Target

SNAKE SKIN

ZEBRA

Zebra Print Top- GoodWill

Happy December 26th! The day after Christmas is always a little sad because all month long, we've been counting down until the big Day, it comes and goes so quickly, but I'm not ready to stop talking about it just yet...

I looove plaid, so naturally I love Tartan! So this year's theme for my Christmas decor was Tartan everything!

Did you know that all Tartan patterns are plaids, but not all plaids are Tartan? I'm crazy enough that I spent 20 minutes googling the difference!

Tartan is one of the most classic patterns during the Holiday season! It looks great in scarves, dresses,shoes, and Christmas decor! In  Christmas post a few years back, I wore a red Tartan Dress from Kohl's and this year I'll be sticking to tradition!

Skirt- Nasty Gal

Matching PJs- Macy's

Parchment Paper- T.J. Maxx

Plaid Ornament- Old Keepsake

Plaid Button Down- Old Navy

Plaid Plate- Hobby Lobby Believe Plaid- Dollar Tree Gold Charger- Dollar Tree

But remember, everything in moderation... you don't want to end up like Charlotte's apartment after her mother-in-law Bunny got a hold of it!




I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas filled with Happiness Joy and Gloss!

Fall 2018's IT fabric has got be the corduroy! A popular fabric for the 70s, has become a modern trend in a big way this season. I love this fabric for the cooler seasons like fall because it's so thick and durable, it just makes me feel cozy and most of the time the fabric is dyed in fall hues like browns, mustard yellows, greens and rusty reds. Lately, whenever I go shopping, and I spot something in a corduroy print, I instantly fall in love with it and I've already stocked up on a few pieces so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Corduroy keeps trending for a while! In today's post, I'm sharing a few of my favorite cord pieces and how I style them!


Outwear: Dark Orange Corduroy Jacket- Target $29.99

I love the color of this jacket so much! It was the perfect burnt orange for Fall and when I noticed that it matched the gorgeous changing leaves in my neighborhood, I had to snap a picture! Corduroy jackets are the perfect outwear for fall because the jackets themselves are light, but the heavy fabric of the corduroy keep you warm. Plus, they're perfect layering.

Jacket- Target Boots- Charlotte Russe Beanie- Windsor Store

Dark Green Corduroy Dress- Charlotte Russe (Sold Out)

I bought this olive corduroy dress at the end of summer, when I was starting to get a hint that corduroy was going to be a hit for fall, but unfortunately it's now sold out, but Forever 21 has a great selection of similar styles and corduroy dresses that finding a cute one definitely won't be a problem!

Dress- Charlotte Russe Mock Neck Top- Forever 21 Boots- Charlotte Russe

Brown Corduroy Flare Pants: (old)

I've literally had these flare corduroy pants since I was in high school and I've been patiently waiting for their comeback. To be honest, I am a clothes hoader, and I do this with many of my favorite pieces, I always justify keeping items by saying "well, you never know when they'll come back in style" and because fashion is a revolving door... and I've seen corduroy pants in every color and cut this fall, so I'm glad I kept mine!

Top- Lulus $35

Top- Lulus $35 Pants- Old Beret- old but similar (Target $10) Nails-  OPI " Como Se Llama"

I've been wearing tie-waist shorts and pants for years. WHY?! Because they look amazing on just about everyone. The tie-waist belt cinches in your waist, and you'll look chic in wide-leg pants or have legs for days in shorts. I'm so excited the "paper bag" style has been a trend this summer! Most styles have been made in light materials like linen so they're perfect so staying cool and breezing throughout the year's hottest months.

In this post, I'm styling a linen pair! I kept these outfits neutral, but I've seen this shorts and pants in so many fabrics and prints, I've especially loved the striped prints.

Outfit #1

Shorts- Charlotte Russe  T-shirt - TJ maxx Necklace- Forever 21

 Outfit #2

Hat- Forever 21 (sold out) Shoes- Target (sold out)

Years ago I watched a movie "Elvis and Annabelle" starring Max Minghella and Blake Lively and in it, Blake Lively's character, Annabelle plants this large field of sunflowers. Ever since I saw that amazing field of larger than life flowers, I wanted to see a sunflower field in person! Luckily, sunflowers love sun and bloom throughout the summer. Sunflower fields photos are also popular in the summertime so it was something I definitely wanted to do this summer. And fortunately in you live in Charlotte, NC or close by, there are two sunflower fields relatively close.

Brattonsville, SC/ McConnells, SC/ Draper Wildlife Management Area

About an hour's drive from Charlotte, are fields of sunflowers hidden off a backroad in SC near Historic Brattonsville: Draper Wildlife Management Area. This is where I took my photos. I went on Fourth of July and surprisingly had the whole Sunflower field to myself and there were so many beautiful sunflowers! You can also go fishing and hunting there (if that's your thing), I simply went for the sunflowers only!

Button Front High-Low Dress - Charlotte Russe Hat- Charming Charlie (old)

Raleigh, NC/ Dorothea Dix Park 

If you saw the Sunflowers along the Neuse River Greenway Trail in Raleigh last year, you'll be disappointed in you go searching for them again in the same location, but no worries, they're blooming in the Dorothea Dix park this 2018! And they are quite popular and currently in peak bloom and expected until July 17, so now's the time to visit!