Summer Style in Smitten Scrubs

*The following is a paid review in partnership with Smitten Scrubs. All views and opinions are my own.*

Hi guys! I’m writing to you all once more to discuss a fabulous scrub line from Smitten Scrubs. We’ve discussed in a previous post how much I adore this line. The fit is incredible, the material is as soft as a cloud, and the functionality/utility is amazing. One thing I wanted to highlight here is the color. Are they not the most gorgeous pastels you’ve ever seen?

Pastels are in yall! Aren’t they stunning? What I like about this line in particular is the addition of the leg pocket. As a critical care nurse, I stuffed so many things in my leg pockets. Pen lights, sharpies, tape, a drug reference book, hemostats, trauma shears, you name it. I also like the flare cut on the pant hem, just a little added element of style. As a reminder, the material is a mix of polyester and spandex, with sizes ranging from XXS to 5XL, depending on availability of course.

I wanted to share a story with you all while I was shooting these scrubs, actually two stories that I believe are important lessons when it comes to professionalism and compassion.

The first pair (the robin egg blue set) I chose to shoot at one of my favorite local bakeries because a) your girl loves a good cupcake when studying. For those who aren’t aware, I’m currently pursuing my doctorate in nursing practice in executive leadership. The workload is intense BUT I get to wear scrubs in my color preference now AND I can study in the comfort of great scrubs with some added sugar – double bonus right? While shooting this set, a woman took it upon herself to harass both my photographer and me. She basically attacked us for being in “her” space and tried shooing us away.

One of the biggest reasons why I chose healthcare and the nursing profession in particular is to demonstrate my compassion for my fellow human beings. When pressed with stress, confrontation, or any unpleasantries, I always strive for kindness, understanding, and above all, a smile. This woman had no clue who we were or what we were doing, and yet she chose to take whatever negativity she was harboring and throw it our way. We simply told her we were working and not toying around and smiled as we went on about our business. I urge you all, no matter what is going on in your day, to chose kindness. In a world as chaotic as the present day, the least we can do is treat each other with respect and shared love. Life is hard enough as it is, why contribute to someone’s list of life (because you never know what anyone else is going through) with nastiness and negativity? Slap on a smile and go about your business.

While shooting the pastel yellow set, a man passed us on the sidewalk and then crossed our paths again. He asked me if I was selling “doctor’s scrubs.” If there is one thing more infuriating to me than most, it’s lack of respect and placing people into categories. While I have the biggest amount of love and respect towards my fellow physicians, they are not the only individuals who wear scrubs nor the only revered persons within the healthcare community. Healthcare is a multidisciplinary community filled with various talents, knowledge sets, and skill levels. Each person from the janitorial staff cleaning the rooms, to the aides, nurses, pharmacists, physicians, dietitians, social workers, etc etc serve a unique and needed purpose within their fields. None of us could survive without the other much less serve the patients with a thorough and quality driven level of care.

So what did I do? I explained to him that a variety of individuals and professions wear scrubs, all of them wonderful in their own light and purpose. He then proceeded to ask me for my credentials and background, none of which were his business but I enlightened him nonetheless. He also accused me of spreading disease to the public in my scrubs, which I assured him I wasn’t venturing from an infected patient bedside to a public place. We also discussed the amount of microbes and varying organisms currently living on his skin, under his nails, and even in his eyebrows as he stood there on the sidewalk.

So lesson in this: don’t place people in singular categories or harbor ignorant opinions. The even bigger picture here: respect. Don’t invade people’s privacy – while I’m completely comfortable professing my opinions and educating ignorance, most are not. Personal space is a real thing, and even for me he was totally in my bubble. Imagine a cat curling its back with hairs on end, minus the hissing.

I pack a lot of unexpected surprises – most people see me and think I’m just a blogger or just a nurse. JUST. I HATE THAT. Everyone has their own story if you’re willing to stop, look, and listen. Smitten scrubs embraces this bold attitude by not only incorporating pops of color and invigorating hues to their color palette, but by the attitude of their line altogether. They LOVE a sassy woman full of confidence, intelligence, and will power – as do I.

What are you thoughts in the individuals I mentioned above? What would be your first reaction when crossed with unappealing behavior?  Or do you just self sooth with a cupcake, because I totally do! And if all else fails, remember the words of Jimmy Eat World – “don’t worry what the bitter hearts are gonna say.” 

Photography by Megan Weaver