the striped cashmere sweater & tailored shorts

hello, fall

wow, hard to believe it’s going to be november this week! it’s weird, part of me looks forward to fall, but i’m going to miss the long summer days. don’t get me wrong, i am not a fan of the TX heat, but i do love the longer days and having more light in the evenings (sounding like a grandma rn but proud of it 👵). i am looking forward to cooler temps and of course, all the fall fashion that comes with it!

the bag #gifted. this one caught my eye because of the shape. it’s so interesting! and not to mention mini bags are really the cutest! even though they are not always functional but sometimes you gotta choose fashion over function 😆 i’m pleased to report that the Sézane nano romie bag actually fits your everyday essentials (phone, keys, card case, lip balm) and this one is such a beautiful chocolate brown! i love how it pops on the black and white here.

the top. Quince has been one of my favorite places to shop. if you haven’t shopped Quince you are really missing out on the high-quality items that are ethically priced (and the pricing is transparent too). basically it’s elevated basics at a steal. i own two of these short sleeve cashmere sweaters. it’s a great transitional piece for esp during this time and the style is so versatile & elevated. it goes with all bottoms - here i styled them with some tailored shorts!

side ramblings: with two months left of the year, it’s about that time to do some reflecting! it’s been an interesting year, in the greatest way!! i did so much traveling and have one more trip left on the books this year 🫶 — a bucket list one at that too!!! cannot wait!! when i look at my vision board for 2024 i achieved almost all that i had set my little heart out to do at the beginning of 2024 — and that is pretty dang good i gotta say 👊 more on this in december. i recently went to a content creator meet up. my gosh it has been a LONGGGG time since i’ve gone to one of those. the community of creators just keeps growing and growing! i’m so glad i went because it was humbling to see everyone there chasing what they love doing and it inspires me! which i needed since JDC has been… slow. my focus and time this year was spent on things outside of JDC and i won’t deny that it was a grand time 😆😄 also, who reads this section anyways? yo viet, this one’s for you bud. 😁👋

currently on my playlist: queen of tears soundrack

currently watching: vincenzo

currently reading: hotel nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand

fall layers in texas - parisian style!

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top | Quince mongolian cashmere tee in striped (wearing size M, i usually size up in cashmere because i wash it… yes, you’re not supposed to wash cashmere, but i wash everything. i’m a rebel)
sweater | LOFT half-zip (old) — similar
shorts | Artizia effortless shorts in light birch — similar by A&F (i own both of these and the Aritizia is more luxe in terms of material)
bag c/o | Sézane nano romie bag in smooth chocolate — also avail in a regular size
shoes | Sam Edelman gigi sandal in cognac (my OG sandals)
earrings | Mejuri charlotte bold hoops in gold vermeil — similar but a huggie style! // similar by Quince
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver
rings | gorjana diamond row ring in 14K gold // gorjana diamond stacking ring in 14K gold

until next time!,
JD

photo credit: @janeyunphoto

the sezane pierro shirt

a little workwear inspo.

i’ve talked about the Sézane tomboy vs. max shirt in this blog post and i mention the pierro. well, i finally was able to add the pierro to my closet #gifted! as you can tell, the pierro is known for its printed designs. they come in usually bright and bold colors depending on the season of fashion. i loved this bright blue and the floral print. it went so well with these white wide leg pants for a #workwear look. professional, polished, and fashionable. for a bold look i’d style them with matching blue pants #gobold!

quick wrap up comparison below of all three Sézane button downs:

  • Sézane tomboy shirt — despite what you think the name would mean it’s actually classic & fitted. measurements listed below for a 36 or US 4:

    • measures 19.5” in width from one side seam to the other

    • measures 26.4” from the shoulder to the hem

    • complimentary embroidery available (you’ll see it after you click add to basket)

  • Sézane max shirt — oversized & relaxed. really great for super casual days, coverups at the beach or pool. it’s also longer and wider than the tomboy. measurements listed below for a 36 or US 4:

    • measures 24” in width from one side seam to the other

    • measures 28.9” from the shoulder to the hem

  • Sézane pierro shirt — the material of this shirt is a little more luxe & elevated, making it an easy pick for work. it’s also very classy & feminine with the pearl button details too! it’s soft, very lightweight which means it may wrinkle easily. measurements listed below for a 36 of US 4:

    • measures 20.5” in width from one side seam to the other

    • measures 26.4” from the shoulder to the hem

of course, it was the windiest day!

side ramblings: it’s been a while so this may be a long one… hope you have a cup of coffee in hand ☕ does anyone ever talk about how hard it is to adjust to life after japan? listen, i know it’s #FWP, but it’s seriously harddd. while i still have so much of the world to see, japan really holds a special place in my heart. in june/july 2024 i went to japan (second time) and korea (first time). two weeks flew by. i realized i never did a recap on my first japan trip in 2023 so i’ll recap them both #comingsoon! korea was such an experience. my sister and i went to every Olive Young in sight. it was a skincare. heaven. — if those exist! i lugged home a suitcase full of korean skincare products and have since converted a good chunk of my routine to k-beauty.

soon after coming back i actually went to vancouver and seattle too — an escape to cooler weather! it was another great trip before my niece and nephew went back to school (hard to believe it’s already time). i was happy to make and take home all those memories with me and i look forward to more family trips together. lately i’ve been thinking about how quickly time passes, situations and people change. that no matter how hard you try to re-create them, it will never be the same. i mean, it’s obvious, people change and grow. we’re never the same but i guess the kid inside me wishes it wasn’t the case sometimes. it’s a good reminder to soak of the current moment no matter how mundane. 💗

since coming back from korea, i’ve been on a k-drama kick too. it’s been… just as i thought. i never watched them because i had a feeling it would be like the old chinese movies i watched when i was in middle school on VHS (showing my age y’all). i remember having to fan the VCR player back in the day because my sister and i watched so much during the summer. fast forward to now… i’m obsessed with k-drama. it’s so different from american television. how do i put it? it’s wholesome and innocent — and let’s face it, i’m a sucker for a cute-make-you-cry-kinda-love story. from the couple that i’ve watched, they do a good job telling the story too. my UF (ultimate favorite) is Crash Landing on You 🫰 it was my first k-drama and still holds the number one spot. i HIGHLY recommend it. all this means i haven’t done much reading this year, but i mean, reading subtitles count, RIGHT?! asking for a friend.

i’ve also fallen in love with korean music all over again, just like the highschool days when i went through a phase of kpop. i also started beading with my friend and beginning to make some bag/phone keychains! it’s fun since i love all things crafty. tbh, i love this era of my life for me.

event-wise, i was invited to the @sundayriley masterclass where Sunday Riley herself went though her skincare routine. it was such an amazing event. i don’t usually get invited to something at this level so it was such a treat. as someone with sensitive skin, i didn’t have any reactions to Sunday Riley products as we tried almost all of them in the masterclass. speaking of skincare, i updated my day and night skincare routine in an easy shoppable format! it’s a lot of products but i rotate them daily. 😁

currently on my playlist: crash landing on you soundtrack

currently watching: what’s wrong with secretary kim

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top c/o | Sézane pierro shirt in gran fortina (wearing size US 4 and could have sized down to a US 2) — similar in the omboy shirt // similar in the max shirt
bottom | Aritzia the effortless pant in birch (wearing size 6) — similar in the A&F sloane tailored pant
bag | etsy woven bag in apricot (old) — similar by Quince // similar by Quince in a woven hobo bag
shoes | Manolo Blahnik BB pump in nude patent — similar by Ann Taylor // similar by Sam Edelman
earrings | Mejuri charlotte bold hoops in gold vermeil — similar but a huggie style! // similar by Quince
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver
rings | gorjana diamond row ring in 14K gold // gorjana diamond stacking ring in 14K gold

until next time!,
JD

photo credit: @janeyunphoto

the sezane gillyne skirt and graphic tee

happy May friends!

hard to believe that summer is here!!! i’m looking forward to the longer days with more sunlight into the evening hours. probably my only favorite thing about summer since i’m not a huge fan of the extreme heat — not looking forward to that at all! for this post i was super excited to shoot with my girl again @janeyunphoto, since it has been quite some time. she always makes me look amazing!

when i saw the Sézane gillyne skirt online #gifted i was drawn to the texture and the fun front pockets with button detail. the brick color ended up being a more toned down burnt orange (and more wearable imo)! i styled it with a simple graphic tee and some white booites which make it the perfect gameday outfit in Austin! #UTLonghorns #hookem

side ramblings: strawberry season is in full swing and i’ve been oogling over all the tj’s strawberry goodies and strawberry treats in general! if you haven’t already, definitely check out the Sézane pop-up on SoCo before September. they invited me in for breakfast this past weekend 😊 such a treat to work with an amazing & generous company — they always send us home with a bouquet of flowers! this time i was also gifted the Sézane pippa dress in olive. this is my second pippa dress and i highly recommend it. it’s hard to find a good t-shirt dress that doesn’t cling to your everything and looks elevated the tie knot detail really brings it all together for me. it also comes in a sleeveless version called the Sézane pippaé dress too (i also own this as well. it’s that GOOD).

currently on my playlist: what was i made for? by Billie Eilish

currently reading: the true love experiment by Christina Lauren a spin off to the soulmate equation

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top | J.Crew Factory le weekend t-shirt (so old) — similar Paris one! // similar by J.Crew Factory
skirt c/o | Sézane gillyne skirt in brick (wearing size US 4) — similar
jacket | Old Navy denim jacket (very old) — similar by Quince
earrings | Mejuri charlotte bold hoops in gold vermeil — similar but a huggie style! // similar by Quince
shoes | Dolce Vita timone booties in white (old) — similar
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver
rings | gorjana diamond row ring in 14K gold // gorjana diamond stacking ring in 14K gold

until next time,
JD

photo credit: @janeyunphoto

the sezane tomboy vs. max shirt

hello april!

a button down is a staple in all capsule wardrobes. why? because it’s versatile. you can mix and match it with a variety of bottoms (denim shorts, jeans, skirts), dress it up (french tuck) or down, layer it (over a dress), or even wear it as a beach/pool cover up. Sézane has many beautiful collections, but i typically go for the staples like the tomboy and max shirts! i’m glad they’ve been added to my collection. in summary, the difference between the two:

  • Sézane tomboy shirt — despite what you think the name would mean it’s actually classic & fitted. measurements listed below for a 36 or US 4:

    • measures 19.5” in width from one side seam to the other

    • measures 26.4” from the shoulder to the hem

    • complimentary embroidery available (you’ll see it after you click add to basket)

  • Sézane max shirt — oversized & relaxed. really great for super casual days, coverups at the beach or pool. it’s also longer and wider than the tomboy. measurements listed below for a 36 or US 4:

    • measures 24” in width from one side seam to the other

    • measures 28.9” from the shoulder to the hem

Sézane tomboy shirt in ecru/camel stripes

the only iconic one i’m missing is the Sézane pierro shirt — which is next on my list to try. the fit seems similar to the tomboy but the pierro is in pretty prints that’ll look great with some solid wide leg pants!

i included pictures here of both so you can get an idea. ironically they are in stripes since i’m having a striped moment over here && i styled them both with white bottoms!! which one should you pick? depends on the FIT. for classic, go with the tomboy. for oversized go with the max. you can’t go wrong with either! i love that it does not require ironing once washed (thank goodness, because i rarely pull out my steamer/iron). personally, my style leans more towards the tomboy (as i also have it in plain white) but the max is a fun one to have for certain style vibes. if you don’t own either, i recommend going with the tomboy first as my rule of thumb is to always go with classic first, then build on that with more fun & trendy pieces. more pictures after the jump!

currently on my playlist: lose control by Tom King (i like this cover more than the Teddy Swims original)

currently reading: the island of sea women by Lisa See

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Sézane tomboy shirt in ecru/camel stripes

Sézane max shirt in striped blue

Sézane max shirt in striped blue

top c/o | Sézane tomboy shirt in ecru/camel stripes (wearing size 4 US)
top c/o | Sézane max shirt in striped blue (wearing size 4 US, i could’ve sized down to a 2 in this but i wanted it to be truly oversized)
denim | Everlane kick crop jeans in white (very old) — similar by Madewell // similar by J.Crew Factory // loving these wide leg ones!
pants | Ann Taylor kate wide leg cropped pant in white (wearing size 2P, hands down the best wide leg cropped pant everrrrrr)
bag | Loewe puzzle bag in sand grained calfskin (size small) — dupe on Amazon // also comes in a REALLY adorable mini size i also debated too!
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver
rings | gorjana diamond row ring in 14K gold // gorjana diamond stacking ring in 14K gold

until next time,
JD

the wide leg pant roundup

the pant that’s here to stay!

for the last year or two, wide leg pants have been IN. my own collection of wide leg pants also grew and lately, i find myself reaching for them over jeans or dresses (shocking, i know since i am a total dress girl). jeans are a great bottom option, but there’s not many colors to pick from. with wide leg pants there are endless colors and materials to pick from! and ahem, they are more forgiving than denim jeans - extra handy when the food baby kicks in 😆 the tricky thing about wide leg pants, for me at least, is the length. i’m short at 5’2” and hemming usually needs to happen which deters me from purchasing a lot (guess this is good thing). i rarely do alterations unless it’s something i just can’t live without. the good news is that wide leg pants can be cropped (whoo!) and there are retailers that offer short/petite sizing to help with this!

in this post, i round up my favorite wide leg pants that i wear over and over. they are staples in my closet and it’s really hard not to buy all the colors! more after the jump.

side ramblings: #SXSW kicked off last week and it does feel a little strange to not participate this year. there’s always next year! i’ve been watching Golden Girls and i love how the show (aired in 1985) is still hilarious and relevant in 2024. a true classic! and similar to Modern Family, there’s a nugget of wisdom in each episode 😊 also, can we take a moment to discuss daylight savings? what is it about the one-hour time change that can really screw with you?! 🫠

currently on my playlist: good thing going on by Mat Kearney (another solid hit by my all time favorite artist)

currently reading: about to finish hook, line, and sinker by Tessa Bailey and start my book club read the island of sea women by Lisa See

wearing the Aritzia the effortless pant in light birch (runs small, so size up! wearing size 6)

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01. Aritzia the effortless pant

these pants are LUXE and dressy. they are made from a japanese crepe material and they are probably my favorite. i own two pairs and the shorts too 😉 unfortunately, even though these come in a short length, they’re too short imo. so i purchase the regular length and get them tailored (so that tells you how great they are). they are also high-waisted so perfect with crop tops!

sizing: runs small, so size up! i usually purchase a 6 regular.

great for: a night out with a dressy top with low strappy heels or for work with a button down or sweater.

02. Abercrombie & Fitch sloane tailored pant

these pants were all the rage in 2022 and 2023. so much that it still remains a staple today. they were viral on tiktok when they first came out so it was hard to find sizes. i have them in three colors? i love that they’re easy. but i have read that they pill which is sad. i haven’t run into this issue yet. the material of the sloane is not as luxe as the Artizia’s but they are a great alternative when you’re looking for fun colors! i purchase these in a short length and they are perfect! these are also high-waisted.

sizing: runs small, so size up! i usually purchase a 27 short.

great for: cool girl brunch vibes with a casual crop top or tee with white sneakers or flat strappy sandals (add a baseball cap for good measure!)

03. Ann Taylor the kate wide leg crop pant

these are my OG intro into wide leg pants. of course, they are cropped but still, they count! i have these in over 8+ colors. it’s so hard when they come out with new colors every. season. they’re a great casual-cotton-cropped pant and literally go with everything. these are also high-waisted. each year they refine the design a little more and they’ve really perfected it.

sizing: true to size. 2 petite.

great for: casual friday, with a t-shirt for errands when you want to look put together with sneakers.

rock all the wide leg pants!,
JD

how to style the sezane will jacket

the jacket for all seasons

luckily, my partnership with Sézane continues I decided to go with the Sézane will jacket #gifted that i’ve been eyeing for a while now and it comes in so many colors to choose from! i wasn’t sure how it would look on me due to length. turns out, i had nothing to worry about 🙂 it reminds me of a utility jacket but more sleek and structured. BTW, the utility jacket is my go-to travel jacket. i take it on every. single. trip. with me because honestly, it goes with EVERYTHING and it has functional pockets. i was hoping the will jacket would do the same in a more elevated way and it did not disappoint. the pockets are very deep and i love how the material keeps its structure since it is denim-like.

here, i decided to style it a couple of different ways. it’s all about versatility #amirite! i’ve always wanted to belt something like this and i love how it turned out. you can layer it (even over a dress which i have always wanted to try), belt it, and wear it as a top itself like a button down. you can dress it up and you can dress it down. check out all four looks after the jump!

side ramblings: 2024. it’s been a slowwww start here full of self-care. i’ve been enjoying spending time at home working on my paint-by-numbers, upgrading the home office, reading, playing mah jong, watching Modern Family with my parents, going down reddit thread rabbit holes about mechanical keyboards (new hobby) and trader joes (of course). it’s been a grand time!

invites + on the radar //

  • with this timely post, Sézane’s Austin pop-up opens on Friday, 03/08 at 1011 S. Congress Avenue Suite 130 (between Everlane and All Birds at Music Lane)! i was able to preview the store this past weekend and it is gorgeous. makes me miss Paris! i hope it becomes a permanent boutique in Austin🤞 hours of operation: Open Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 7 pm and Sundays: 11 am to 6 pm. stop by and check them out! it’s also a great way to try on their sizes if you are unsure and feel all their luxe fabrics and textiles!

  • i was invited into The Guest House // @welcometgh earlier this week and i gotta say, it was an AMAZING experience 💯 i loved all. the. dishes., the service, and the ambiance was 110% swanky. i’ll be returning soon! dishes ordered: complimentary brioche (OMG LAYERED GOODNESS), steak tartare, traditional caviar service, parmesean truffle crusted filet, miso mushrooms, the garden dessert (a must), and the tres leches x tiramisu dessert! they will be opening the take away section soon (and i hope they have that brioche available!) and the little outdoor wine garden! so happy to see this space filled on 2nd street!

other notable eats lately //

currently on my playlist: headlights home by Mat Kearney

currently reading: hook, line, and sinker by Tessa Bailey

LOOK 1 - layered over a t-shirt or layered over a t-shirt and belted

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LOOK 1: belted

LOOK 1: layered openly over a graphic t-shirt

LOOK 2. as a top itself. for good measure, just three buttons only + an ever so slight pop in the collar

LOOK 3. over athleisure

LOOK 4. over a dress & belted

jacket c/o | Sézane will jacket in khaki (sized down to a XS)
dress | Old Navy eyelet midi dress (very old) — similar but a maxi with classy cut outs!
denim c/o | Everlane kick crop jeans in white (very old) — similar by Madewell // similar by J.Crew Factory // loving these wide leg ones!
top | J.Crew Factory le weekend t-shirt (so old) — similar Paris one! // this striped one would go so perfectly too!
belt | Ann Taylor waist belt (old) — similar and love the one by Sezane
leggings | Athleta salutation stash 7/8 tight in black — similar on Amazon for $29
sports top | Amazon high neck sports bra crop top in white

until next time,
JD

the 2023 book roundup

ending 2023 on a “book” note!

at the beginning of this year i made a simple goal to read 12 books (one book a month). back in the day i was a HUGE bookworm. i read SO. MUCH. my parents used to yell at me for…. reading. too much. crazy right?! if there is one thing i kept up with this year, it was reading. proud of myself for sticking to it and it was a great reminder of why i fell in love with reading in the first place. i missed getting lost in a book. these days it’s more about a escape. often times i found myself reading late into the night since i wanted to know the rest of the storyline and what happens to the characters. i read a lot of fiction romance/beach/light hearted reads. since, well, let’s be honest, romance in books is so much better than real life, hence the escape. 😆 however, every couple of books i switch it up with some non-fiction or a non-romance novel. my 2023 book list and my favorites of the bunch after the jump. 📚

i’m joining the game late here, but towards the end of the year i started to look into free resources to read books. because they can get pricey depending on how much you read. enter the LIBRARY! i went and opened a library card and i was AMAZED by the amount of resources available. i mean the last time i went to the Austin public library i was probably in elementary school. after opening my library card (all you need to do is fill out a form and show your ID) i was able to download the Libby app and hoopla app and realized the crazy amount of resources available these days — downloadable audio books, e-books, movies on demand, e-comics, e-MAGAZINES #nostalgic. for those who have kindle, you can even download free e-books to your kindle!!!! and for introverts, it’s the best. you only have to go to the library ONCE (to get the card). if i talked to you recently, you’d probably think i work for the library considering how excited i am about it. #simplethings

check out my friend Anita, @wanderlustanita’s best books in 2023 blog post if you’re looking to curate a 2024 book list. thank you to Anita, Brigitte, and Grace who helped me meticulously curate my books for 2023.

side ramblings: it’s hard to believe we’re at the end of 2023. reflecting back, my favorite memory will always be japan. it’s the main content of my keepsake box. i miss it everyday and cannot wait to go back again! i’m ready to release this year and looking forward to what’s around the corner. wishing you a happy & healthy 2024 💗

currently on my playlist: i hope you dance by Lee Ann Womack (taking it back old school to a song about love, hope, chance, and faith)

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this lists books in the order that i read them in 2023, *notes my favorites books of 2023.

01. every summer after by Carley Fortune

a friends to lovers book spanning over six years, about choices we make, forever impacting the people we love.

02. book lovers by Emily Henry

this was a cute book about authors who are rivals who end up falling in love in a quant town called Sunshine Falls, NC!

03. black cake by Charmaine Wilkerson*

now a series on hulu! this book was about estranged sibling that came together after they come together to and delve into their mother’s hidden past. it was a great reminder of hardships our elders faced in the past. how they are so different from today.

04. the unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

this was a funny read about people attending a wedding and ended up getting massive food poisoning. forcing the only well people, the MOH and best man to go on the couple’s honeymoon together. Christina Lauren’s books always have me smiling and laughing out loud because they write banter to the sort of #relationshipgoals kind of level, in my books #punintended

05. it ends with us by Colleen Hoover

lots of hype around this book since it’s going to be made into a movie. i thought it was.. okay. i appreciated the perspective Colleen gave on abuse. there are triggers in this book.

06. beach read by Emily Henry*

this book was about a romance between two authors are are complete opposites and help each other overcome their writing obstacles. taking place on a beach. literally a beach read. #punintended

07. the 8 rules of love by Jay Shetty

a great book for everyone that teaches you how to love; how to fine it, keep it and let it go.

08. the soulmate equation by Christina Lauren*

do you think there’s ever science related to soulmates? this was a cute read about a single mom finding love again with someone unexpected and totally not-her-type! i always a love a good opposites attract storyline.

09. the seven husbands of evelyn hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid*

my first Taylor Jenkins read (won’t be my last) about a glimpse into old hollywood; getting married seven times with unexpected twists and turns!

10. the people we meet on vacation by Emily Henry

friends to lovers book and i thought it was a little long of a read that didn’t quite build. i love Emily Henry but i think this was my least favorite book of by her that i read this year.

11. something wilder by Christina Lauren*

this was such a CUTE and ADVENTEROUS read! i loved it. i think because it was so different than the rest, in an adventurous (treasure hunting) kind of way.

12. a single revolution by Shani Silver

this was the perfect book to end the year with my own thoughts of being single. or shall i say singlehood?! this book resonated with me since i was looking for someone i could relate to who’s been single for over a decade. Shani talks about reframing singleness in a healthy way, many of which i’ll be taking into 2024. and no, this doesn’t mean i want to be single forever. it means i want to fully love my singlehood and want a relationship at the same time.

cheers to more reading adventures in 2024!,
JD