didn’t see you coming, 2020.
i can’t believe i’ve let this space of mine go silent for NINE months. so much of the world has changed. i read my last post from 2019 and couldn’t help but to chuckle. 2020 sure threw us a curve ball, didn’t it? who would’ve thunk. there’s a lot to cover and i’m choking back tears trying to find my way back to this familiar space to grab onto a sense of normalcy. i think we’re all suffering in our own way; trying to deal/process. like most, i’ve had a difficult time coping. i’ve lost family, seen the losses of others, and as an empath… it’s overwhelming. i’ve lost almost all contact with friends and spent a lot of time in solitude. i felt like i had nothing of relevance to share or say. i felt if i tried to connect more, the more i would feel disconnected. does that even make sense? however, the silence is deafening and it’s time to break it. i’m pushing myself to do this because i’m pretty sure i need it; for my mental health. without any planned content, i’m not sure how far i’ll make it. so we’ll see. all i can say is my tripod is about to get some major love. more after the jump.
these photos shot almost a year ago and i never had the chance to post them! rarely will i ever take any direct sunlight photos or post anything this vulnerable. but hey, they’re so epic, so why not? vulnerability (or is it too much skin?!) is something i’m not the best at and these photos remind me that this powerful woman inside me exists that is able to shift into so many different gears when pushed out of her boundaries & comfort zone. (though good lighting and a great photographer always helps! thanks to @gunter.photo 😉). i’m also shocked that this dress is still in stock but i guess i’ve got a knack for picking staples! PSS — it’s difficult to shoot in direct sunlight without being blinded or squinting!! kudos to real models out there!
currently on my playlist: back in my body by Maggie Rogers
here are some random things i’ve been up to!:
new job //
i was extremely fortunate to start a new job considering the job market. i’ve waited for an opportunity like this for so long and now it’s finally here! #pinchme. it has been challenging. i never thought i’d be in the finance field, but i got this.
audible //
my guy friends have always urged me to get this. i finally did and it’s such a good investment!! i highly recommend it. it allows me to speed through books that would normally take me twice as long to read. read? ain’t nobody got time for that.
sleep & tv //
i never watched tv. mainly because i had so many other things to do, people to see, things to eat, places to go, and side-hustle work to do. well… none of that is happening so i ventured down the dark hole of netflix and hulu. some notable shows: Brooklyn 99, Kim’s Convenience, The Umbrella Academy. oh and sleep. i’m actually getting normal sleep 7-8 hours vs. my usual 5-6. feels nice, but being the work-a-holic i am, these two activities won’t last past the pandemic. 🤣
calligraphy //
i’ve always loved calligraphy and started doing it again since my cousins were getting into it. so far we’ve had a few virtual calligraphy facetime calls! by no means am i a pro but i love lettering :) i’ve been using the tombow fudenosuke brush pens and they work great!
cold brew & nespresso //
i started making cold brew at home with @rumblejar! this one is cool because it comes with a cotton bag that serves as an additional filter. cold brew is my go-to during the scorching TX summers. it is easy to make and saves so much money! i also said farewell to my kerig and HELLOOOO to @nespresso (vertuo line). apparently, i was drinking bad coffee at home my whole life. so there’s that.
home decor & improvement //
spending too much time at home led me to start/finish some decor projects around the house. you’ll see some of these posted in my current lemmings section! i’m on a kick to add some bold black into my decor color palette. not sure how it’s gonna turn out but i’m going for it!
BTW, sitting like this will cramp your hip flexors. :D
dress | Reformation sigmund dress in black (wearing size 4 for size reference)
bag | DVF lytton clutch in black quilted leather (old) — not similar but loving the dumpling bags
earrings c/o | Kendra Scott jack gold hoops in white crystal
shoes | topshop strippy heeled sandals in black (old) — love these t-strap ones!
sunglasses | Karen Walker number one sunglasses in black — love these for $55
it feels so good to write this.
sending you love & light,
JD
photo credit: Steven Gunter