the sweater body contour set

#setlife

another day. another set! surprisingly, i was in-store at @Express making a return (the only thing that will get me to a mall these days) and spotted this two-piece set. i loved how it felt and was shocked that it was part of the body contour line (which i have tried a piece and felt like it was just. too. tight. for my taste). i loved how the sweater material felt and how forgiving it was. the skirt was also so classy in length (a maxi on my 5’2” self) and the shoulder pad bodysuit added the right amount of drama to balance out the long skirt on my short self. this could even pass as formal attire if you ask me, which is exactly how i styled it — strappy heels, hard frame box clutch, and a pearl barrette for good measure. but again, what’s great about this formal set is that you can also wear them separately.

#styletip: to wear these separately, i’d style the shoulder pad bodysuit with a pair of straight leather pants or even black skinny jeans with a skinny belt. for the skirt, i’d style it with a cowl neck cami.

side ramblings: this one is going to be about food & skincare. i got into the food scene quite a bit this past week by finally marking off @este, @daydreamercafe (note: no public wi-fi which is a huge bummer because the space is BEAUTIFUL), @luckylabatx, @insomniacookies (the salted caramel was amazing!), and re-visited an old favorite, @barletts (grilled artichokes + prime rib is my go-to. every. time.). i’ve been using the @SolaWave red light wand that’s been all over my IG and it’s way to soon to see if it’s doing anything but i will say, it feels really good — the warmth and the slight vibration of the device. it’s at a really good price point for everything it claims to do. for now, the conductor serum i’m using is also the SolaWave renew serum (blue tansy, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera). i also received the glycolic renewal cleanser from one of my favorite skincare brands, @Skinceuticals! i’ve used this a couple time and it’s very gentle, even on my sensitive skin. so far, so good! venturing more into the skincare device world, i’m eyeing the new GLOfacial by @beautybio (use code: 231BB20 for 20% off) — basically a hydra facial at home that sucks out all the blackheads and junk in your pores into a water chamber that you can actually see! i think it’s pretty satisfying in a gross way. they’re known for their at-home GLOPro microneedling devices which i see the science behind and will probably be my next purchase after the GLOfacial.

currently on my playlist: flowers by Miley Cyrus

READ MORE

top | Express body contour v-neck padded shoulder sweater bodysuit in black (wearing size S)— also another great top option with a cut out in the back
skirt | Express super high waisted body contour midi sweater skirt in black (wearing size XS)
shoes | TOPSHOP strippy heeled sandals in black (old) — love these!
bag | DVF lytton clutch in quilted black leather (old) — similar // love this one
hair barrette | H&M pearl barrette (old) — similar
earrings | Mejuri charlotte bold hoops in gold vermeil — also available as huggies!!
rings | gorjana diamond row ring in 14K gold // gorjana diamond stacking ring in 14K gold
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver

rock all the sets!,
JD

photo credit: @janeyunphoto

the Express three-piece set

the set. for the. season.

move over two-piece set. today, we’re coming in hot with a three-piece set! i love sets, they make the task of getting dressed effortless — not having to think about matching at top and bottom (maybe that’s why i love dresses). but i mainly have two-piece sets and was looking for a three-piece. giddy with my fashion senses, i’m happy to say, yep, i found it. the set for this season! and there’s a couple things i wished it had, like petite sizing. but i loved it so much i had to make it work (which is unusual for me). you can tell the duster is very long. nothing i could do about that but it actually just adds more drama/movement to the outfit (the kind you want). and the skirt is also long, i tried to fix that by ruching it even more in the mid-section which makes it look even more flattering.

first, this set is SO SOFT (and not ultra body-hugging). i could sleep in it. it’s light enough for warmer months but also thin enough to layer with a thick coat in the colder months. you can also wear the tops, duster and skirt separately. while i styled it here for work, i actually bought another matching off the shoulder sweater top that’ll be great for a night out! you can also style this with pointed toe pumps, but i opted for these new knee high suede boots i’m lovin’!

side ramblings: we are approaching lunar new year (LNY) pretty quickly. year of the rabbit — read more about it here. this year is extra special since it falls exactly on my mom’s birthday (she’s extra excited)! besides all the LNY traditions, i love seeing beauty brands package things for LNY — in red. so naturally, i’m a sucker for it. i repeat. there is nothing special about it, it’s just packaged with red details. here are a couple i’ve seen: BIOSSANCE vitamin c rose oil, Charlotte Tilbury matte revolution lipstick in red-orange, SK-II facial treatment essence (heard they’re launching a year of the rabbit packaging soon!). on a local note, my friends, @thepapercraftpantry & @shopkathyphantastic are also throwing a lunar new year festival on 01/22 — details here. come out and #supportlocal if you can! lastly, i’ve also been on this puzzle-frenzy. during the holidays we did a couple (500 pieces: Austin, Kauai, Waikiki, 1000 pieces: Italy Cinque Terre). and i’ve continued on alone. right now i’m going through a mini-wooden puzzle series. as you can tell, i love @dowdlefolkart puzzles! the details are so fun to look at 🤓 #protip: they sell them at costco each fall for about $12!

currently on my playlist: daydream by Lily Meola

READ MORE

would it even be a blog photo if i didn’t drape a coat?! 😆

top | Express ultra soft mock neck sleeveless sweater tank in grey (wearing size S)
skirt | Express high waisted ruched side midi sweater skirt in grey (wearing size S, could’ve sized down to XS)
duster | Express ultra soft balloon sleeve duster cardigan in grey (wearing size XS)
bag | Senreve maestra in pebbled noir (my work bag) — also avail in mini (great everyday size) & midi sizes
shoes | Sam Edelman uma knee high boots in black suede (these actually fit my wide calves!) — similar
earrings | Mejuri charlotte bold hoops in gold vermeil — also available as huggies!!
sunglasses | Karen Walker number one sunglasses in black/smoke mono - available in tortoise
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver

cheers to all.the.sets.,
JD

photo credit: @janeyunphoto

travel diary -- french pharmacies

it’s time for a #beautytalk — but a Parisian version!

what better way to start the new year with one of my favorite topics? SKINCARE! and hey, any chance to re-live the Europe trip right? french pharmacies are on almost every corner in France noted by a green cross. it was something i was really looking forward to since pharmacies in France are actually stocked with skincare in various price ranges. so not what you would typically think. in these pharmacies you’ll find crammed aisle after aisle of beauty products along with typical homeopathic medicines as well. let’s just say, as a skincare addict, i could spend hours looking at every product, -ooohing and ahhingg. unfortunately, they would probably kick me out and i didn’t have the luxury of time on my side. so i had to find the “must-have” products to lug home with me (in my non-existent check in luggage) = PP (poor planning).

in some quick google searches i made a list of a couple of things to look for. while you can buy pretty much anything online these days, you’ll be paying a premium here in the states. and hey i was in Paris so what the heck. tips & list of items i purchased after the jump.

side ramblings: it’s hard to believe that we’re in 2023 already. i started off this year with a new annual tradition of going to the crystal store for some healing stones. it’s always a fun trip and i learn more each time && even if you’re not super spiritual, the stones always make great decor pieces! with an intentional year ahead, i created/decorated a memory box and plan to putting random things in it that are associated with a milestone or memory (ex: a receipt to a memorable meal, hotel key to a place i traveled to). it’ll be a good exercise to reflect on at the end of 2023. i also plan on creating a vision board in canva, and maybe a list of INs and OUTs. i’m not really a big new year kinda person. but idk, this one feels different and it can’t hurt to be more intentional and vision-focused. i wish you health and happiness in 2023!

currently on my playlist: vienna by Gretta Ray

oui oui to all the [Paris] skincare goodies!

READ MORE

tips //

  • take screenshots of the actual products you’re looking for. it’ll be easier when you’re asking for help locating something particular — also helps you get in and out faster because they can get crowded depending on location.

  • if you see something go ahead and purchase it then vs. waiting because you might not see it again. all pharmacies stock very different brands & items.

  • if someone asks you if you need help, take it! the associates are supposed to be very knowledgeable but unfortunately i was on such a time crunch each time so didn’t get to do this 😐

  • some items are located behind the counter, so these are where the screenshots come in handy!

  • if you’re out of luggage space (also needs to be a check in for most items) go with beauty products you can’t readily get in the states. i put an * on the ones that you can’t really find here in the USA.

  • and as always, before you use a new product, test it on a small part of your skin before going full-on!! everyone’s skin is different and reacts to different things!

the conversion from USD to EUR was almost 1.00 when i was there AND it makes it easy to calculate the “cost-savings” below. so really it depends on the product. sometimes the cost-savings isn’t that much for you to lug home, esp if you can find it in the states. but sometimes the cost-savings is half price… which then… you just gotta get it! gotta prioritize on the skincare haul 😄

le list //

01. Biologique Recherche P50W lotion* — $138.00 USD // 62.00 EUR

this is supposed to be a very iconic Parisian brand. known for their P50 lotion, a lotion that is supposed to exfoliate, mattify, and purify your skin. i’ve never heard of tried it. in fact, i couldn’t find it at a french pharamacie but ended up finding it in Le Bon Marche (department store). i purchased the P50W for sensitive skin, the regular/original version is P50. i also heard this stuff smells slightly funky so that’ll be interesting.

02. Biafane* — ?? can’t find this on Amazon // guessing 9.00 EUR

this is a moisturizer in a metal tube used for post-chemical peel, sunburns, and general dryness. it’s almost an all-in-one cream equivalent of Aquaphor that’s been around since the 70s.

03. Embryolisse lait-creme concentre — $29.00 USD // 13.99 EUR

also another moisturizer for all-skin types. i read that a lot of make-up artists use this cream. it’s another one of those multi-tasking products: moisturizer, makeup primer, makeup remover, moisturizing mask.

04. Homeoplasmine* — $16.99 USD // guessing 7.00 EUR

this is an ointment that is supposed to help with skin irritations such as when you blow your nose too much. it’s also used on dry lips. basically the equivalent to vaseline in a metal tube. apparently people use it to tame their brows too!

05. Filorga time filler eyes — $59.00 USD // guessing 45.00 EUR

i picked this up specifically for the puffy eyes target. i feel like my under eyes have gotten puffier over the years so we’ll see if this stuff works! pretty clunky packaging for eye cream IMO though.

06. Caudalie resveratrol-lift serum — $84.00 USD // 44.90 EUR

Caudalie was my first brand intro to premium skincare when i was in my early twenties. it started with the SOS serum (sadly, they no longer make this). Caudalie makes some amazing products so this was the chance to try them for more age-related skincare concerns such as the resveratol-life serum. you can also purchase it as a set to try here!

07. Caudalie premier cru serum — $139.00 USD // 79.90 EUR

i’ve tried samples of the caudalie premier line and it’s NICE. so this was the perfect opportunity to bring a bottle of the premier cru home with me at HALF the price!

08. VICHY mineral 89 daily booster serum — $32.99 USD// 17.99 EUR

this is a pretty mainstream brand you can find at Target (let’s give it up for Target who has come a longgg way in beauty/skincare brands). however the price was too good not to lug home to try. apparently there’s an eye serum too that could be a light daytime option!

09. Arnican* — ?? can’t find this on Amazon // guessing 6.00 EUR

arnica is a herb that treats bruises. this is a roll on and pocket size! it’s supposed to cut down the coloration time of bruises due to the anti-inflammatory component. i have used a similar Chinese medicine based one so i believe this stuff really works. great for those that are prone to bruises!

10. Avene eau thermale — $18.00 USD // guessing 10.00 EUR

there are a lot of facial sprays and mists out there. and tbh, facial sprays really aren’t necessary if you’re starting on your skincare journey. you should invest in more solid skincare products than a mist, this one should be last on your list! however, when you’re at a place and misting yourself this one is special since it uses thermal spring water (contains natural minerals) #mistyourself

11. La Roche Posay cicaplast baume B5 — $17.69 USD // 6.99 EUR

this is another multi-purpose cream for dry and irritated skin. fragrance and paraben free. i’ve also been using their gentle hydrating cleanser in the AM (milky side) and love it!

*not readily available in the USA

catch you at the next #beautychat!,
JD

a farewell to 2022

taking a moment for 2022.

wow. and just like that we come down to the last week of 2022. coupled with #birthdaymonth, it’s a time when i go inward and reflect on the past year. what have i done with my life, what kind of accomplishments did i achieve? what i have i experienced? what have i learned? more ramblings after the jump.

currently on my playlist: 2 step by Ed Sheeran

the most beautiful floral arrangement c/o the talented @margotblair (one of my fave floral designers! #supportlocal)

READ MORE

2022 as unreal. almost like a dream. like any other year, it was filled with highs and lows. but as i sit here and re-cap, i can only remember the highs — signs of a great year. 2022 was good to me and i’m grateful for all the experiences and memories that made it this brain of mine:

t r a v e l — as a very under-traveled person, in ONE YEAR i marked off two destinations on my (short) bucket list. as a family, we traveled to Europe (summer 2022) and Hawaii (Fall 2022). i’ve been wanting to travel. period. somewhere since i never go anywhere. this year i was able to make it happen, not once but twice. and with the people i love most. it was also my parents first time in Europe as well, and they told me it’s something they finally got to see after 65+ years. i feel humbled and extremely grateful to live a life that allows me to do such things. i’ll never forget Europe and how much i unexpectedly loved the city of Paris.

@j c r e w — in my manifestations i clearly write the collaborations/sponsorships i want. i wrote @jcrew down so many times. sooo many times. in April, it came true. i remember seeing the email and pinching myself, making sure to check to see if it’s not a scammer (never know these days with cybersecurity scams), and literally jumped up and down screaming. YUP. but hey, these are the moments i live for. i’ll never forget it. i opened the year with @jcrew and ended it with my second event in December. the media world has opened so many doors for me. thank you for following along & supporting me. without you, i wouldn’t be able to do these awesome things!

s t y l i n g — this was the year i stopped talking about opening another dimension of jannadoan.com into a personal styling business and started to put things down on paper, so one step closer to making this really happen. no, i haven’t officially launched it yet, but it’s coming soon!

p h o t o g r a p h y — i struggled to find a photographer for much of 2021 and 2022. scraping by with friends and mirror photos (i know, yikes). at some points, i thought it was time to finally quit this gig. thankfully, through IG friends (@joycetongphoto) i was introduced to @janeyunphoto. she’s been such a sunshine to work with and it feels so good to finally get out there again, creating the type of content i live for, with another creative. i’m so excited to see what 2023 holds in this area.

f a m i l y — 2022 was spent with family. during the pandemic we turned away from our friends and spent more time with family. we hung out twice a week pre-pandemic but now we see each other almost everyday now. probably one of the best things that came out of the pandemic. because, well… life is short. gotta spend it with the people that matter the most.

[new] c o l l a b o r a t i o n s — i don’t think writing is really one of my strengths. however, i do think it’s a lost form of blogging since most people tend to post photos on IG vs writing actual blog posts these days. but in 2022, i did something a little different and wrote a couple of food-related posts on @thesavvylife.co! i love food so this was an interesting outlet. btw, writing about food is so different than writing about fashion! i also closed the year with my first liqueur sponsorship with @disaronno_official! i learned so much about how complicated these types of posts can be due to the age restrictions! it was a great learning experience and product photography is one of my favorite things to do (probably because it doesn’t require me being in the photo haha)!

thank you, 2022. for a beautiful chapter of life.

xx,
JD

3 holiday looks in J.Crew

tis’ the season!

first post of December, a month that will just FLY by! it’ll be Christmas before we know it 😊 i’m breaking up my Europe posts to prep you up for some holiday fashion. there’s one more Europe post planned on French pharmacies, coming soon!

i’m ecstatic to end the year with one of my favorite brands, @jcrew! in this post i’m sharing three holiday looks that will have you feeling festive in no time. one of the aspects i love about fall fashion is the layering BUT also, the fall textures such as: suede, velvet, sequins, feathers, leather, etc. it makes an outfit multidimensional and… FUN! here i’m sharing textured-goodness with a feather hem dress (look 1), a sequin top (look 2), and a lace top (look 3). all the photos & details after the jump!

to wrap up the year #punintended, come spend it at the holiday shopping event i’m hosting with @jcrew! it’ll be a great time, and you’re invited, see the invite below for details & see yah there!!

lastly, it has been a longgg time since ya girl shot some real photos and it was a blast (despite the rain)! these are the types of photos i live for. the ones where i get to co-create with a like-minded creative individual who helps me make a vision come to life. it’s a partnership that takes time, collaboration, trust, putting yourself out there, taking a chance, opening yourself up to new ideas/trying different things. all of which may seem weird but that’s what it’s about to me! thanking you, @janeyunphoto 😉

YOU’RE INVITED!

the Janna Doan x J.Crew Holiday Shopping Event is coming up real soon!!

when? // friday, 12/16/2022

time? // from 1-3PM

where? // J.Crew at the Domain // 11501 Century Oaks Terrace Suite 137 (across from Starbucks)

what? // come say howdy!, shop the holiday collection, get styled, or finish your holiday shopping! also, receive a pair of cashmere socks with any $200+ purchase (while supplies last)

light treats // light bites & sips

RSVP below! 😊

side ramblings: i spent thanksgiving in Hawaii and it was amazing. it was the first time being away from home, not hosting thanksgiving (one of my favorite holidays). it was strange TBH. but would i do it again? HELL YES! i’m looking forward to putting the hawaii post together, but all meals were fantastic. i didn’t have one bad meal there. lastly, it’s #birthdaymonth so here we go — bring on all the #birthdaytreats! brb as i stuff my face this week. birthday calories don’t count, right?!

currently on my playlist: glow by Brett Eldredge

currently reading: every summer after by Carly Fortune

READ MORE

LOOK 1 — nothing says festive like a feather piece! here is adds such a fun hem to a classic #LBD. side effects of this dress include random twirling.

LOOK 1 — festive feather //

dress c/o | J.Crew crepe feather-trim shift dress in black (wearing size ) — also love this feather-trim long sleeve shirt // feather-trim pants + shirt
earrings | Mejuri charlotte bold hoops in gold vermeil — also avail in a huggie version!
necklace | Ann Taylor crystal necklace in gold (old) — similar // love this one from J.Crew Factory
bag | Zara velvet box clutch in black (old) — similar but convertible // similar on amazon
shoes | Madden Girl bella black heel sandal in black — avail on amazon


LOOK 2 — sequins are always fun! i styled this more casually with some faux leather pants and texture play is #onfire here. it also has a matching mini skirt if you want to go full-on-sequin!

LOOK 2 — sequin sparkle //

top c/o | J.Crew sequin shell top in black — also avail in a mini skirt // sequin bustier midi dress // sequin + tweed sheath dress!!! // tank + cardi set
pants | Abercrombie & Fitch vegan leather ankle straight pants in black (run small, size up, wearing size 27 short) — similar but skinny
blazer | H&M puff sleeve blazer (old) — love this velvet one
earrings | Mejuri charlotte bold hoops in gold vermeil — also avail in a huggie version!
shoes | TOPSHOP strippy heeled sandals in black (old) — love these!

LOOK 3 — lace is always a timeless piece. this one has a built in cami and i also paired it casually with some wide leg pants. the color of the lace top is so vibrant and i love the eyelash details at the end of the sleeves!

LOOK 3 — lace love //

top c/o | J.Crew scalloped lace mockneck top in regal blue — also avail in a ruffleneck dress // button-up top // classic pencil skirt!
pants | J.Crew sydney wide-leg pant in bi-stretch cotton in black (runs small, size up, wearing a 4P)
bag | Red Dress Boutique polished and poised bag in black
shoes | Jimmy Choo abel pumps in black patent (old design) — similar

cheers!,
JD

photo credit: @janeyunphoto

travel diary -- european luxury goods to purchase

when in Europe…

the Europe trip actually kind of snuck up on me. i mean i knew about it… but there was so much going on at the time that i didn’t really look/research what to purchase to bring back to the states. my dad would call this PP = poor planning. normally i would plan these sort of purchases, because a designer bag isn’t cheap. you’d typically want to do your research, watch 1,002 YouTube video or blog reviews, or at least have a couple you’ve narrowed it down to. it’s been A LONG time since i’ve treated myself to a designer bag. definitely before the home-owning days! haha. but you know, like my brother says, “it’s just money.” haha and when you’re on vacation, #yolo (please tell me people still say this)

designer bags aside, Europe is a great place to purchase luxury goods, especially ones that are made over there, and most designer brands are! from leather goods, perfume, and beauty products. think about the distance these items have to travel to get the USA, people involved, and the import taxes. we all know that every little bit adds up! AND there’s something called VAT (value-added tax) that we’ll go over. it was also a really good time because the conversion rate from USD to Euro was almost equal. in this post i’m going to explain using my own examples that i purchased so you can see what kind of cost savings you’re looking at! more after the jump!

#BLACKFRIDAY2022 sales:

side ramblings: i can barely believe it’s Thanksgiving week!! ACK! i usually get pretty reflective this time of year and wow, 2022 was such a great one to look back on. i plan on closing out the year with a couple of collaborations i’m super excited to share. one’s with J.Crew (yep, you read that right!)

currently on my playlist: lavender haze by Taylor Swift

READ MORE

bag | Loewe puzzle bag in sand grained calfskin (size small) — same from Nordstrom // also comes in a REALLY adorable mini size i also debated too!
wallet | Celine small wallet triomphe in shiny calfskin black leather
sunglasses | Celine S002 oversized sunglasses in acetate milky hazelnut
perfume | Maison Francis Kurkdjian baccarat rouge 540 extrait de parfum — regular eau de parfum

bag //

if there’s anything you bring home from Europe, it’s a designer handbag. from the experience of picking it out to the other memories made while on vacation makes the bag a more sentimental piece each time you wear it. most of my bags i purchased correlate with a milestone of something that happened in my life. my favorite designer brand is Celine, gosh i love almost all their bags. the quality, craftsmanship, and the designs are always timeless. but i wanted something… different. i actually didn’t know much about Loewe, but in a quick search i liked the unique designs and the fact that not many people wear or have it (at least that i’ve noticed).

i was looking for a multipurpose bag, one that you can wear a couple of different ways and originally, i was eyeing more of the Loewe small hammock leather hobo bag, but the fact that there’s really not much holding the bag together… i figured i wouldn’t wear it as much. but then i started looking at the puzzle bag and without too much thought (unusual for me), i purchased it in the small size! the mini is SO CUTE but i needed it just a smidge larger. this bag can be worn as a crossbody and the strap can be removed to wear as a top handle. she’s a beauty, the leather is such high quality and i read that one puzzle bag is handcrafted-stitched, and takes a whole day to make. hence the price tag. #merp.

the good news was the exchange rate at that time was a little less than 1 but we’ll use 1.00 for ease. and there’s something called VAT (value added tax), as a tourist you get this money back (about 12%) but you must pay for it upfront and ask the associate for the paperwork, file it at at Global Blue (best to do this after you’ve made the purchase as there are always offices near these shopping locations), and remember to SCAN it at the airport before you depart. sometimes they will randomly want to see what you purchased, so make sure to give yourself enough time, and don’t give too much reliance on the VAT refund because things can go awry sometimes, esp when it comes to submitted paperwork. i also believe Global Blue takes a small cut but honestly i cannot remember since i was happy for the cost savings!

  • USA = $3,150 USD

  • Europe = 2.250 euros x 1.00 conversion rate = $2,250 x .88 VAT = $1,980 USD [$1,170 USD savings]

wallet & sunglasses //

well… i couldn’t get away without purchasing ANY Celine. so i went home with a wallet and a pair of sunglasses. they also make my favorite sunglasses! i have A LOT of sunglasses but i only reach for my Celines! they just fit well and are chic without being over the top. i also picked out the triomphe wallet (newer design series to Celine) since it was semi-compact and has a little coin pouch, not that i carry coins, but that compartment will come in handy for something! i’m not much of a logo person but the triomphe logo is so classy and timeless.

wallet:

  • USA = $650 USD

  • Europe = 500 euros x 1.00 conversion rate = $500 USD x 0.88 VAT = $440 USD [$210 USD savings]

sunglasses:

  • USA = $440 USD

  • Europe = 340 euros x 1.00 conversion rate = $340 USD x 0.88 VAT = $299 USD [$141 USD savings]

perfume //

or should i call it parfum now!?! when i discovered Baccarat, it was actually a friend who was wearing it and i was like what is that perfume, it’s so unique?! she told me what it was, i went home and googled it and and my jaw dropped. it smelled luxurious, well guess what? so was the price tag. never did i think i’d spend so much money on perfume. but here i am. it’s my #1 go-to. while i have the regular eau de parfum, i decided to purchase the extrait de parfum this time while in Paris. with that let’s go into a perfume 101 of what these terms mean & here’s a good infographic/post!:

eau de parfum vs. extrait de parfum — eau de parfum has a lower concentration of 15-20% oils and made to last about 6-8 hours. extrait de parfum is the most expensive and saturated form of fragrance with 20-30% concentration of oils and made to last day and into the evening/night. the higher concentration of oils is makes it easier to “adhere” to your skin longer. most of perfumes out there are eau de toilette which is 5-15% oil concentration.

the extrait de parfum of Baccarat is in a red bottle so it’s super luxe on the vanity. but i always store mine in the box since light damages perfume, or so i read somewhere. it was a hefty price tag and in hindsight i should’ve purchased the 2.4 oz for more cost savings but i already had a 2.4 oz eau de parfum at home that i was frugally using (not anymore!!).

  • USA = $260 USD for 1.2 oz

  • Europe = $185 Euros = 1.00 conversion $185 x 0.88 VAT = $163 USD [$97 USD savings]

SO YEA. it was an expensive trip! but i didn’t know when i was going to be back. i hope soon because j’taime Paris ;)

ok there’s only one more Europe post left!,
JD

travel diary -- france (lyon & paris)

bonjour!

next stop… FRANCE! from milan we took the earliest train to france. the transportation system is pretty cool there in terms of getting around! i loved france so much. gosh, just writing about this and adding all the photos reminds me of the great memories made and all the sights i was able to see/take in! what i loved about france was the abundance of pastries (hello carbs), the shopping, the french pharmacies, the architecture. everything was so gorgeous. it stole my heart and i hope it won’t be long until i see myself in France again.

>>> IG REELS for more visual & music: LYON & PARIS part I & part II

currently on my playlist: paris in the rain by Lauv

READ MORE

LYON

Lyon was a good introduction to France because it was a quieter city than Paris. and apparently it’s known for its food. unfortunately, we went during a time when most places were closed due to holiday travel. even the ginormous food hall was closed, it was a bummer. we checked into our AirBnB and i was not sure how i was going to survive without A/C. well i didn’t. none of us did. with the heat wave it was hard to function let alone sleep the first night. we ended up checking into a hotel for the rest of the stay. LOL. the things you take for granted living in the USA i tell ya. i enjoyed the beautiful and quiet streets of Lyon. it was a good precursor to Paris.

some memorable moments included: not being able to survive without AC, my brother almost got pick-pocketed at the train station — this is where speaking a second language comes in handy! lol, my mom and i already saw this guy eyeing my brother bad. it also didn’t help that most of us were wearing athleisure, so we completely stick out as tourists! in Lyon, we woke up every morning in search for pastries. it was the best #simplethings

BEST ECLAIRS!

praline bread goodness!!!!

first order of business everyday

attractions //

  • St. Antonine Market — local farmer’s market where there are all sorts of fruits, veggies, cheeses, and even chicken being roasted as the grease drips down on come cooked potatoes (regret not getting some)!

  • Catherdrale Saint-Jean Baptiste — aka: Lyon Cathedral

  • La Part Dieu — did some shopping/browsing in this center where they had MUJI (organizer lover’s heaven), UNIQLO, and they had a french pharmacy which ended up being my favorite because it was massive!!! the funny part was it was early in the France trip so i was going to wait until we got to Paris. but you know that gut instinct!! i ended up going back and purchased A LOT. in hindsight, it had the best prices with almost EVERYTHING i was eyeing.

eateries //

  • Creperie du Major — my first real crepe in France! while i love dessert crepes, i opted for savory. interesting how it’s made of buckwheat flour. bu

  • Les Eclaireurs Patissiers — my favorite eclair place. we went 3x. the eclairs were perfection, from design to taste and variety of exotic flavors. i loved the rose + lychee and the passion fruit ones!

  • Les Halles de Lyon — the famous food hall in Lyon! unfortunately, 75% of it was closed due to people being on holiday. so that was a huge bummer, esp for my BIL who was really looking forward to it.

things i learned //

  • the city is known for this praline bread. just imagine this bread with hot pink speckles all over it with a crusted exterior. oh my. it was SO. GOOD. i wish i could take loaves home. i googled a recipe here.

  • there are free restrooms on the sides of the streets that automatically wash themselves! sooooooo. interesting. and for the most part, you have to pay to use the restrooms (that’s why they are clean)!

  • the french do not refrigerate their milk or eggs.

  • when in france, the first order of biz is always PASTRIES. and coffee!!

Catherdrale Saint-Jean Baptiste

PARIS

our final stop was Paris. saved the best for last! i was very eager to get to Paris. unfortunately, the food we had wasn’t that good. this is probably because we were limited in needing to eat early (traveling with kids) and most restaurants don’t serve dinner until 7PM. i know. it’s crazy. like who eats that late?!?! since this was the last leg of the trip, there were many purchases to be made from gifts for friends/family, and of course gifts to ourselves lol.

despite all the things you hear about Paris, I LOVED IT. i’m not sure when i’ll be back but by golly, i hope soon!

the Vendome right outside our hotel

out suite at the Park Hyatt Vendome

streets of Paris

comp breakfast!

Pierre Herme macarons

Pain Pain pastries

Stohrer bakery

Bon Marche

ferris wheel in Jardin du Tuileries

Cedric Grolet Opera

the Lourve

attractions //

  • Tuk Tuk in Paris Tour — this was actually really fun! it was a quick and easy way to have someone show you around to get a jist of the city and the history behind it. they stopped at all the top attractions and let us down around the Eiffel Tower for photos!

  • L’Atelier des Lumieres — this is the exact spot where a scene was shot in Emily in Paris. it’s soothing to see the images and songs but not sure i would make a trip all the way out there for this again.

  • Louvre — the Louvre is HUGE. it would take more than a day to go through the entire museum. and good luck trying to find your way out of there!!!

  • Galleries Lafayette Haussmann — this shopping mall was GORGEOUS. probably my favorite. the tundra in the middle was just stunning.

  • Bon Marche — this was also a pretty shopping mall as well, much quieter than Galleries Lafayette Haussmann.

  • Champs-Elysees Avenue — this street is so beautiful. we went down it on the tuk tuk tour and i was so fascinated by the trees that flank this street. like who cuts them and how do they cut them so rectangular…

  • Arc de Triomphe — tickets were bought way in advance and you’ll want to do this because the lines are long if you don’t. this was on our last day and i was exhausted. at this point my feet were hella tired and i really wasn’t sure i was gonna make it up all those stairs. it’s a pretty view at the top but also something i wouldn’t do again.

view at the top of the Arc du Triomphe

eateries //

  • Galleries Lafayette Le Gourmet — this place was very BUSY. forget trying to find a place to sit for 8 people. i like how it’s basically an upscale food court you would find in a mall, but in a building adjacent from the mall (Galleries Lafayette Haussmann).

  • Pierre Herme — did you really go to Paris if you didn’t get a macaron? peirre does a good job!

  • Laudree — more macarons!

  • Pain Pain — probably the most epic in terms of pastries and cafe menu items! there was a line out the door so be prepared to wait.

  • Grand Epicerie — great little upscale grocery store with some eateries inside.

  • Cedric Grolet Opera — i’m one of those people who have problems when i go to bakeries. suddenly my eyes become wayyy bigger than my stomach and i end up buying goodies for what seems like a family of 5. and when you’re on vacay, price does not matter (i’m not the only one on this right?!) i ended up picking up a tart (small) that cost $45…. whoops. #yolo rest assured i made sure to eat the whole thing. each bite was HEAVEN.

  • Stohrer

  • Kintaro Ramen — yes, we had ramen in Paris. haha, everyone was so tired of crepes!

things i learned //

  • the shopping malls in Paris are interesting. they are categorized by floor. example, perfume and cosmetics on floor 1, handbags on 2 etc… then on each floor each brand has it’s own section with a representative and checkout. very interesting!

  • Parisians dress very nicely! athleisure is not a thing there.

  • a regular dessert crepe in just butter and sugar!

Arc du Triomphe