New York Fashion Week

September 18, 2018



"Eve's great, no matter where she goes. Dress her up from her head to her toes. On the town, at the mall, Eve loves high fashion."

This song has been playing in my head non-stop ever since I received the invite to New York Fashion Week. I am so glad I had the chance to see first-hand some of next season's newest collections (to clarify, when I say next season, I mean Spring because fashion is always looking ahead and moving forward!).


My friend Priyanca (@priyanca) and I went to @ArtHeartsFashion show, which took place in the Angel Orensanz Center - the same venue where Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick were married and where Whitney Houston once performed. It was stunning. We had access to the VIP sky lounge with free cocktails. Not to mention a balcony view overlooking the runway, which was lit up in beautiful blue and purple hues. Of course, our seats were practically right next to the runway so we had a great view. From that vantage point, we learned white after Labor Day is now couture.



One of my favorite moments was when the show featured a model with Down Syndrome. She absolutely slayed the runway! As a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctor, helping my patients optimize their quality of life, this moved me. I love that NYFW is breaking down barriers and stereotypes.



We saw collections from incredible designers including Bad Sisters (@bad_sisters), Carmen Steffens (@carmensteffens), and Anthony Rubio (@anthonyrubio01). They created the most beautiful, bold, and bright statements for the upcoming year. Also, dogs make the best accessory!








At the end of the night, we each scored complimentary gift bags filled with great beauty products including Moira's Korean face masks. Congratulations to @squatsandswatches and @reshmom for winning our Facemask giveaway!



Talk about a Lifesize moment...if only we saw Tyra Banks. Now that NYFW is over, I am even more excited for Philly Fashion Week! I will be part of the Press team so make sure to follow along on Instagram @doctor.cole to stay up to date on the latest trends coming to Center City.

Make the most out of your doctor's appointment

September 8, 2018


A few weeks ago, I met an inspiring woman named Julie Palumbo through social media (@juliempalumbo; owner of Best Whole Self) who asked me to be a guest physician speaker on DisruptED TV's show DisruptHealth. During this interview, I shared my tips on how to make the most out of your doctor's appointments.

Check out the video below and scroll down to see my top five tips for being a strong patient advocate!



The following list is a compilation of my experiences both as a patient and a physician.

1. Know your medical history

  • Designate a binder, notepad, and/or folder to compile all of your medical care.
  • Have a list of your medications (with doses) and allergies (with reactions) available at all times. This could be in your phone or wallet as well as a list on your fridge.
    • Some patients put everything on a face sheet including medications, allergies, medical conditions, surgeries (with dates), family history, doctors, etc.

2. Be prepared for your appointment

  • Know the reason you are going to the appointment and what you want out of it. Is it a follow-up, a new problem, discussing a treatment plan, or an annual exam?
    • Refer to the video to find out what kinds of questions doctors may ask during your visit (look for the acronym OPQRST).
  • Write down questions you have for your doctor.
  • Make sure you know your insurance benefits and if anything needs prior authorizations (there have been patients unable to get their treatment because of delays in insurance approvals).

3. Bring material for your doctor

  • Feel free to bring imaging, records, medications, photos - anything that can help us learn more about you and ensure the proper treatment and care. While we often are cc'd on notes, in a world that is transitioning from hard copy to electronic medical records, not all records are complete.
  • Don't forget a notepad and pen to write anything you think you should down!

4. Be open and honest

  • The patient-physician relationship is vital to ensuring you are receiving the best healthcare. This means being truthful with your doctor. At the same time, your doctor will be truthful with you and should ensure that you understand her or him. We are taught in medical school the "teach-back" philosophy where we will ask the patient to teach back to us what we explained to them.

5. Know the next steps

  • After your appointment, obtain an after-visit summary that reviews everything you discussed.
  • Don't forget your scripts - do you need any refills? Are there new prescriptions? What pharmacy will you use?
  • Appointments - speaking of scripts, do you have any referrals? Do you need to see a specialist and if so, where and with whom? Make sure your other doctors are included on the cc portion of the notes as well.
  • Make a follow up appointment if requested.




I would like to give a special shout out to my fellow intern year residents physicians. They have helped to raise me to be the best doctor I can be, to advocate for my patients, and to never lose my light. I am honored to still be featured on their Internal Medicine Residency home page despite moving on to specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Thank you again Julie Palumbo of Best Whole Self for featuring me on your show <3

Molto Bene

August 30, 2018


Earlier this week I had the pleasure of attending another phenomenal dinner event hosted by Seated. If you don't know about Seated already, check them out here and download the app today to get rewards for dining out in your favorite places! Plus you get to discover new restaurants. Use my promo code DOCTORCOLE to get even more rewards. All you have to do is make a reservation through the app and upload a photo of your receipt. Within 24 to 48 hours, you'll receive a code for credit ($10 to $50) to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Lyft, and more. I've made almost $200 eating out this past summer!


The event took place at a beautiful venue nestled at the corner of 11th and Pine St called Ristorante Aroma. The intimate setting provided a chance for us to get to know not only the other guests but also the owner, Susan, and the chef (originally from just outside of Naples), Tony, as well as the rest of the staff.

Each meal transported me back to my study abroad days of fresh cheese and homemade pasta (plus great wine!). The whole experience lived up to the restaurant's promise of offering a culinary tour of Italy.


The Arancini (rice balls filled with bolognese sauce and mozzarella cheese) was served first. It reminded me of my favorite delicacy from my time in Ascoli Piceno: Olive All'ascalona (fried olives stuffed with meat and cheese). I mentioned this to Susan thinking I'd never have the opportunity to eat them again. I was not only surprised Susan knew the antipasti and had previously served it at the restaurant but more than touched when she offered to make it again for me despite the specialty no longer being on the menu.


After what felt like a ten-course meal and thinking we had no room for more, the desserts came out. Of course, everyone has a separate stomach for dessert. It's difficult to choose a favorite because my taste buds were overwhelmed with how delicious everything was but for anyone visiting, I highly recommend the Strawberry Pocket.

Thank you again to Seated and Ristorante Aroma for hosting us all. I loved every second and am still full, a week later.

M•A•C Over Me

August 25, 2018


As part of this year's National Lipstick Day, M•A•C offered me a free complimentary makeover complete with smokey eyes, contouring, and a beautiful overall glow! My makeup artist Brittany taught me some great tips during our session.

First thing's first though - you need a clean canvas. I love using Neutrogena's face wipes to get the day's makeup off before bed or in this case, before a makeover.




Brittany put my eye makeup on first, explaining that residue from eye shadow and liner can easily be cleaned up when you don't have any foundation on. This also means you don't have to worry about messing up your contour, bronzer or blush in case you smudge some of your liner, shadow, or mascara. For the dramatic effect, she lined my bottom inner eyelid then blended a darker shadow below. I usually don't line this area because I feel like it makes my eyes look smaller than normal but in this case, it really made them pop. I guess I have to work on my technique.


Another great trick is using a makeup brush to apply liquid foundation. Brittany explained that when you use your fingertips or a sponge, the majority of the makeup is absorbed. Using a makeup brush also helps distribute the foundation in a smoother, more natural way.


If you're not following her on instagram, go to @lipstick_killabrit to see her amazing talent! And of course check out @maconchestnut - if you buy $60 in product, you can also get a makeover. My favorite product was (obviously) their lipstick! I got a free Aloof Lustre from National Lipstick Day and could not resist picking up their Mehr lipstick. Check out some of their other colors below -



Thank you to Brittany and M•A•C for helping me get ready for my night out at Chima Steakhouse. I had a great time with some other Philly foodies as we were treated to a complimentary buffet of salads and dinner. We piled our plates high with all the delicious cuts of meat from filet mignon to sirloins and bacon-covered goodness.


My eyes were bigger than my stomach that night but I was completely satiated. It helps to have an outlet and people outside of the medical field to maintain the work-life balance, especially when that outlet is food with friends :)



What are your outlets? And tell me your favorite makeup tips!

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