What to Wear: "Casual" Pediatrics Workshop

If you're like me, the word CASUAL in the professional setting always makes me nervous. I have never quite understood why people are unable to use a descriptive terms with casual. For example, BUSINESS casual, WEEKEND casual, BRUNCH casual. There are so many terms that help make CASUAL so much less vague.

This weekend I embark on my first pediatrics experience in physician assistant (PA) school and guess what the dress code is....CASUAL. We have been encouraged to wear jeans and a "t-shirt like", but it is against my DNA to interact with patients (and their health care professional parents) looking as if I am attending an undergraduate lecture. If you feel similarly, THIS POST IS FOR YOU.

How did I decide to tackle the word casual and dress for my first pediatrics workshop? 

1. Dark Denim: My favorite pair of dark denim is from Ann Taylor Loft. I got mine on MEGA sale ($2.88), but I still recommend this denim (even at full price)! The cut is PERFECT and the pockets in the back are flattering on any time of booty!

2. Professional & Easy Top: My favorite "professional and easy" tops come from Kohl's. Often, I can pick one up for under $20.00 and they look great with dress pants AND denim. The best part about these tops is that they are wash and wear and require NO IRONING to look fresh. I would encourage you to pick up a few Daisy Fuentes at Kohl's. They will quickly become closet go-to staples!

3. Favorite Flat: I swear by Antonio Melani flats from Dillard's. Even though they are a bit pricey, they LAST FOREVER and they commonly put them on sale around Christmas time and around the start of summer. This past Christmas, I got 3 pairs of flats for $68.00. This is less than one pair of flats FULL PRICE. You have to be willing to shop and wait to get a deal on these babies.

I opted not to wear any jewelry for fear that a kiddo would get death grip on one of my dangle earrings and rip it out, but this outfit would be easy to accessorize with a great dangle earring and bracelet for a more "dressed up" look!

My easy and practical outfit was a hit! Thankfully, I didn't feel overdressed or out of place...BUT like my dad always says "You can never be TOO overdressed, or TOO educated." Thank you all reading!

{Restful Souls}

The past couple of weeks have felt completely overwhelming. I have struggled with exhaustion, fatigue, and a to-do list pages long. Looking at my schedule the next couple of weeks, I don’t see anything slowing down soon. (Well, at least until my white coat ceremony in late July.) Lately, even enjoyable activities have become to feel burdensome.

How often do you feel something similar?

What should we do to lighten our load?

What does The Lord say about being overwhelmed and “heavy laden?”

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

I don’t know about you, but Matthew 11:28-30 sums it up. Upon reading this passage, I felt an immediate calm and considered myself “lighter.” The Lord wants us to cast our burdens to him and find rest in his love. He wants us to know that he would not bring us through anything that we could not handle with his help. It is so comforting to know that we have a father who is so GENTLE, LOVING, and STRONG who is willing to take our burdens and provide rest for our souls.

I have no need to feel overwhelmed, but for a second. I need to make a more conscious effort to take these items to The Lord as soon as I feel them. The Lord wants take my burdens and he wants to take yours. I am challenging myself (and you) to make a cognizant effort to not feel burdened longer than we need to and take our concerns to The Lord.