January & February Reads

Last year I had a goal to read 50 books. I read 38, but considering that I finished my fourth year of medical school, applied to residency, taught my own Neuropsychiatry course at my undergrad university and completed my first semester of a Masters of Public Health, I'm pretty excited with how many I got through! 

My 2020 goal is to read 40 books, so far this year I read eight:

Lilac Girls, 

Essentialism, 

The Hunchback of Neiman Marcus, 

Evvie Drake Starts Over

Such a Fun Age, 

The Book of Stories, 

The Most Fun We Ever Had 

Followers

List I Loved: 

- Lilac Girls: This is a MUST read, based on a true story and is the most amazing intertwined story of women in different countries during World War II and the miraculous way they come together. 

- Essentialism: I love to learn about ways of doing things better, being more efficient and living a happier life. This book has a takeaway for everyone. 

List I Liked A Lot: 

- The Book of Stories: This book is heartbreaking but so incredible, I never expected the story that unfolded but I couldn't put this book down. 

- The Most Fun We Ever Had: This one is a long one, took me most of February to get through! I loved the mother daughter dynamic that unfolds and how raw each of the girls and mom are about all the ups and downs of life. 

- Followers: This book shares a possible projection of the future of technology through the stories of Orla and Floss in the early 2000s and a daughter Marlow in 2051, the story lines were great. 

Here is my book pile from a few weeks ago. Typically I go to the library every week or every other week and pick a stack of books to take home. I don't always get through them all before they are due but I try my best to get through as many as time permits. Sometimes I pick up a book and don't love it and it goes back too, its nice to always have options! My town library has a selection of librarian suggestions and I am two for two on incredible books! Check out your library for something like this, or ask the librarian if your library doesn't have a dedicated section. 

I'm off to the library to pick up my next grouping and can share pictures of what is to come. 

Do you have reading goals? Any good books that you've loved? 

Have a great day! 

Apartment Decor: Clinical Rotation Edition

For those of you that don't know, caribbean medical schools, like mine typically have two components: basic sciences which is completed in two years on the island and the remaining two years at a clinical rotation site/hospital in the United States. After the end of the second year medical students are expected to take the USMLE Step 1, and after passing that exam you find out your clinical site. I was assigned to a site right outside of Newark, New Jersey for the majority of my third year of medical school and with a start date one month away from the score I needed to find a place to live and get furniture to live with! 

Which brings in today's post, my parents and I went to NJ for a day to explore 12+ apartments and decided on this cute one bedroom in Cranford, NJ. The apartment was 15 minutes to work and located in an adorable suburban town where I had my Trader Joe's 12 minutes away, an Italian sandwich shop and bagel shop just a walk from my building and was safe for me to live on my own.

We put together the design fairly quickly! My mom and I did a lot of antique shopping in the week's leading up to the move and we ordered the sofa and mattress to be delivered to Cranford. I will do my best to share where the pieces were purchased. 

The design of the apartment was somewhat Boho, Whimsy, with lots of fur and pink... very feminine! Since we had such a slim time frame the pieces came together totally organically, I had no vision until we went out hunting and that is how the apartment came together! 

When you walked into the apartment the kitchen was on the right, a set of closets on the left. Then there was a big open space meant to be the dining and living area. You can see the overview of the space above! 

The dining table was one my mom had as well as the clear ghost chairs which I made my comfy with the addition of these Ikea Sheepskins. 

The living area was mostly antique pieces from family with a few additions. 

Queen Sleeper Sofa - Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams 

Blue Swivel Chair - Family Piece 

Rug - Vintage (we had it cleaned before)  

Coffee Table - Vintage

Desk - Ikea (old), with Ikea desk lamp

Media Cabinet - Ikea Besta

White Fur Stool - Wayfair 

Floor Lamp - HomeSense

Pillows - Patterned Fur from HomeSense, Striped from Anthropologie 

Coffee Table Decor changed by the season (hence the pumpkin)

Books from HomeGoods, HomeSense and from my parent's house

Brass dog - Vintage 

Glass orb - HomeSense 

Coasters - Anthropologie 

I liked the idea of a simple bedroom that was super comfy. As a medical student most of my days were spent at the hospital working with patients, on call or studying. Sleep was essential, especially on post call days after working a 24 and during my surgery rotation when I had to be at the hospital at 4:45 and was there most days till anywhere from 5:30 to 7:30 unless I was on call and was there overnight too! 

The headboard was an architectural screen that my mom and I found antiquing and my dad used L brackets to put it on the wall. Pillows were all from my bedroom at home, which had a similar vibe. 

My second desk was a piece I inherited from my grandmother, it doubles as a dining room table and we had it lacquered a navy color and it fit perfectly!

White Fur Stool - Pair from the living room

Lamp - Vintage 

Faux Succulent - HomeGoods 

Bunny Jewelry Holder - Anthropologie 

Framed Art - Gift from my mom (unknown source) 

So there you have it, my apartment from the past two years. I ended up living in the space for almost two full years as most of my fourth year was scheduled at close hospitals as well! 

I loved every piece and while the big pieces came together quickly all the little details were added over time. I also am someone who gets bored with the same accessories and style so over time and with seasons I changed out books or accessories, moved them around and added flowers, pumpkins and more! 

I cannot wait to find out where my next home will be, residency applications closed yesterday and now it's a waiting game for match! I'm excited to get to share the next apartment process on the blog as well. Stay tuned. 

Hope you enjoyed! 

xo 

Sunday Inspiration

Happy Sunday!! 

I've spent most of the past week dog sitting for two adorable ladies... a cavalier king charles and a little poodle mix. And spent the weekend home watching our family dog Teddy who I treat like a child. He's' a 13 year old cockapoo and is almost 50 pounds. 

I'm animal obsessed and have dreams of one day living on a piece of property where I can have dogs and chickens and who knows what else I'll fall in love with and add to the mix. 

Shhh. Don't tell my family, he isn't allowed on this sofa. Oops. 

Earlier this month my mom treated my sister and I to the Oprah 2020 Vision Tour at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York. What an inspiring day filled with so many incredible women leaders including Oprah herself, Michelle Obama, Rachel Hollis and more. I loved Daybreaker who started the day at 9:30 am with a dance party. Followed by Oprah, who I grew up watching with my parents on tv. She is truly incredible and shared about how she found her focus and paved her own way by doing everything with intention, being okay with saying no and living her own life according to her plans. 

These were all incredible messages to hear especially at a time where I'm putting together my rank list for residency match and will be going out on my own in the coming year. Lots of change ahead, but I've looked forward to being a doctor my whole life and cannot wait for what lies ahead. I'm excited at the prospect of being the best doctor I can be while continuing to grow as an individual and honing in on my intentions in career, and more! 

Speaking of more, lately I've been trying to find more time to be creative. 

After watching a couple YouTube videos on how to embroider and basic stitches I got right to work. I found this adorable inspiration image on Pinterest and just went for it in my own way. I'm going to get started on my next project and I can't wait to share update photos. Here's to hoping it turns out just as cute as my first try. 

I also just finished reading The Most Fun We Ever Had written by Claire Lombardo. I'd give it a 4.5/5 stars, its a wonderfully well written dynamic book about the stories of a mom and her four daughters as they navigate through life. The good, the bad and the ugly and most importantly the ability to be resilient along the way, at least that's something I took from it. 

My next to read books are Followers which is the Bad On Paper Podcast Book Club pick for February and Uncanny which I saw on NYCBookGirl's incredible bookstagram. I use both resources weekly for book recommendations and my town library miraculously has many of the new releases they mention! I read so quickly and am not someone to read books twice so I prefer the library!

Last inspiration point from this week is The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast. I'm definitely late to the party on this one, I've been following bloggers and YouTubers forever who rave about this podcast and just recently listened to my first episode where they interview Ed Mylett which was awesome and have been going into their archives to listen to some of the later ones. I'm always interested in learning about wellness, healthy eating, empowerment, self-motivation and more so those are the episodes I've put on my list to listen so far. I'd love to hear recommendations if anyone has top favorite episodes or other podcasts they love. 

Lots of inspiration for the new week ahead! 

xo

This Week's Memories & Welcome Back

I guess I should begin by saying welcome back, or rather I'm back! 

I've always loved having a creative outlet to share words or wisdom, fun memories and inspiration and in the time that I've been gone I've finished medical school, applied to residency (more to come in March on this), am halfway through a Masters of Public Health degree, taught a Neuropsychiatry class at my undergraduate university, and much more. In addition I have spent way more time with family now that I'm back in Connecticut until the next steps of working as a doctor! 

I read 38 books last year, and already read five in January, am trying to learn embroidery, am obsessed with educating myself about sustainability, and wellness and just got back from an awesome few day trip with my sister in Florida. I thought the best way to start back up is to give a little recap of some special memories from this week, some things I loved and the books I read this past week. 

My sister and I left Sunday for a quick four day trip to Fort Lauderdale. It was such a great trip, we spent hours by the pool and the beach soaking up the beautiful sun. It was so warm, we both loved escaping the cold for 75 degree days. Only one day was cloudy but the others were amazing! 

Lunch with a view. 

Fort Lauderdale was so fun, loved the creative bike racks. 

Missing the warm weather already but I'm happy to be back home celebrating my mom's birthday today. 

Books from the week: Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes and Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid. I will be compiling a list of all my January reads this week and will include reviews then. 

Loving: I've always been a huge fan of Tory Sport and came across these Love Slides and got them for Christmas. They were my go to shoes over my FL trip and have a few other adorable colors too!

Also, when In Southampton this summer we stopped in to Tenet and I found the softest t-shirt ever. It's by The Great, called The Boxy Crew with hearts and I'm obsessed, it also got a lot of use over vacation. 

Healthy Living: I know the health craze last year was all about juicing but I've stuck with it this year too. I have been juicing, usually celery, carrot and apple or orange in the mornings before breakfast and its a great way to start the day. 

Happiness: Practicing gratitude has been a new part of my morning routine and it just starts the day with a reminder of all the blessings and good in life. Before getting out of bed I think about all that I am grateful for, whether they are little or big it's a great way to start the day. 

Girl Power: I am so proud of all that my mom does. She is now selling her incredible one of a kind art pieces in the Lillian August Flagship store in Norwalk, CT. We went yesterday to shop for her client's and I snapped a few pictures of her pieces on display. 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! 

xo 

New To Me Finds

Even though I am living thousands of miles outside of the states, I try and take a little time each day to keep up with the news, and some of my favorite blogs. I came across two exciting findings last night and thought I would share some new favorites. 

Gal Meets Glam and Bauble Bar have collaborated on a new project.. she has these adorable earrings for sale and my favorite thing ever this bunny ear jewelry holder. I feel like it could double as a bunny terrarium like the way they do them at Terrain with the glass bowl coverings. 

Kate Spade also launched a new home line and I found a few preppy pieces like this duvet set and sconce that were too cute not to share! 

The Energy Fountain

I've always been the type of person that believes that everyone has a specific energy about them. I've learned over the years that you can come across people with energy that is electric and uplifting or people who are what I call energy drainers. These are the type of people that leave you exhausted after a conversation (usually revolving around that specific individual talking only about him or herself). Those are the people that not only take away your energy but can impact you attitude and outlook on your day! 

 I came across this article on Chalkboard Magazine last night and loved reading about the different ways that we can protect ourselves from the energy drainers in out own lives. Such a wonderful read and something to always keep in mind. I love the different affirmations that we can use to continue to preserve our energy while learning to deflect energy from the drainers. 

Have a wonderful and uplifting Monday! 

This Weekend In Grenada

After living here for over two months now I can truly say that this island is something else. I am beginning to learn that NOTHING will ever go according to plan and you just have to be okay with it. There is no schedule to follow no matter how hard you try and you just have to be flexible. But at the same time these are qualities that will prepare us for our lives as physicians. No patient will EVER be the textbook case, no day will go completely according to plan and flexibility is key! Life lessons of Grenada.

This weekend was really an experience. After midterms my closest friend and I decided to make a reservation to go to dinner. We picked our favorite restaurant on the island and dressed up and were ready to go. We enjoyed a night of good food and good friends and spent some time mingling with our bigger group later on.

On Saturday we planned on sleeping in and heading to the beach for a day in the sun. We haven’t taken a day off from studying since we got here so going to the beach was going to be such a treat and Saturday was going to be that day. After a torrential downpour in the morning we hopped on the bus and hoped the sun would come out. We stationed ourselves on the beach and made the best of the overcast weather until the sky went from this….

To this….

About 50 yards away on the other side of the beach it was pouring and the rain was going sideways. And within 2 minutes the storm made it our way. We had to run for cover underneath an overhang for about 30 minutes until the torrential downpour cleared up enough for us to even make it outside without being soaked. Our beach day was over.

So I went grocery shopping and headed back to campus and came home to find my dorm completely dark. The power had been out for over two hours at that point. There is no such thing as a back up generator either so you have to wait it out. As you all know when there is no power there is also no Wifi so there is no way to study, no way to contact friends and family (most of my friends on campus do not have Grenadian phones either so you really can’t contact anyone).

Thankfully the power came back soon after and I was able to put my groceries away but wifi never came back… all day long, all night long, and into Sunday. I had planned on spending my one day off firstly in the sun and secondly catching up with friends and family from home who I haven’t been able to because of such a busy schedule. But like I said, nothing will go according to plan and you just have to make it work. Certainly island life is teaching me that you have to roll with the punches, you have to be quick on your feet (figuratively and literally when you get caught in the middle of a monsoon) and you have to be prepared and not phased by anything and everything.