the LBD & bomber jacket

bomber jackets are da bomb.

SO EXCITED!!! because i teamed up with one of my blogger babes, Vanessa // @downtownmaven to bring you a post on how we styled our bomber jackets! but first, i have a brag a little about Vanessa. in a few words i would describe her as: a TREND-SETTER, a world-class-traveler; an eye for design, bold, creative, and absolutely beautiful. here's a few quick questions answered by Vanessa:

1. Can you tell our readers about yourself and your blog?

Hi! I’m Vanessa and I’m a South Florida Blogger. I’ve been a city girl most of my life residing in downtown Boston prior to living in downtown Ft. Lauderdale before moving to Parkand, FL, just two weeks ago! I’ve been blogging for a little less than a year and still getting to know the ropes. I consider myself the creative type and my blog is just another outlet for me to creatively express myself. Fashion is one of my first and favorite passions in life, which is why I started a fashion blog. I also love to travel, event design (my 9-5) and just became a first time home owner. Stay tuned as more travel and interior design are soon to join fashion on DTM!  Personally I love to share products that are new and/or that I’m passionate about in hopes to inspire or educate others with the same interests. I hope my blog accomplishes this. I believe life is an ever growing journey and my style and blog will undergo many changes as I go through them.

2. How would you describe your personal style and is there a person who is a fashion inspiration to you?

My style is pretty versatile. I tend to dress for the occasion. If I had to narrow it down, I guess I would describe my style as edgy street style with a twist of glam. I’m never afraid to try new looks but feeling comfortable in what I’m wearing is key for me. I find inspiration through many people, places and things, so that too is hard to narrow down. I highly respect Olivia Palermo’s style. Some of my favorite bloggers are Arielle - @somethingnavy, Danielle - @weworewhat, Blaire - @blaireadiebee and Wendy @wendyslookbook

3. What are some of your favorite things to wear?

It’s all about the shoes for me. The right shoe can make any outfit pop. Recently, I have this obsession with culottes as well. 

4. What do you like to do on your spare time?

In short, shop. My husband-to-be jokes that all my addictions have one thing in common and that is they involve shopping. Whether I’m looking for a new couch, redoing my bathroom or planning our next vacation, I’m constantly looking for ways to spend my hard earned money! Some other loves include audio books, as I spend a lot of time on the road, painting and hosting dinner parties. I’m also a bit of a cinema nerd.

5. What is the number one thing you’ve learned from blogging?

I know it says one, but I have to give you two things… As cliché as it sounds, I think I’ve learned to stay true to my style. I bought something I kept seeing on other blogs to be apart of the trend and I was so uncomfortable. I hate to waste and that was such a poor decision on my part. Memo to me: What the cool kids are wearing doesn’t make you cool! Secondly, blogging is hard work! It takes a lot of time and thought behind it. Kudos to all the bloggers out there!

bomber jackets are a HUGE trend this spring. so hop on the bandwagon with us please! i will say, when Vanessa suggested we do bomber jackets i was like hmmm... why not since i had just purchased one (to try!). #starsalign. while i was boring and choose a grey bomber (ok, give me some credit, it is SATIN!), Vanessa choose this #likewhoa floral one! i paired mine with a black cut out fit and flare dress, brooch, and studded heels. Vanessa styled hers with a jumpsuit (she rocks everything!), the floral bomber just pops on her!! get the details of her full outfit on @downtownmaven! the bomber jacket is just another great alternative to have to the army green utility jacket, the denim jacket, this one just has a little more edge/street style to it. i can also see it going well with skinny jeans and skirts. 

a little about this dress -- you can never have too many ______ (fill in the blank) today, i'll go with "#LBD." this one made its way into my closet for the following reasons: 1) color: black, 2) cut-out detail, 3) midi length, 4) pleated bottom, 5) fit and flare; and 6) top crossover detail at the top, i would say the only thing missing was.. pockets! the material on the dress is hefty; in a good way. i also loved the amount of flare on it, and… as you can see, it is completely twirl-worthy which always makes for fun times/shots! so in case you were wondering what i do on my weekends, i wear LBD and twirl in front of the courthouse with security cameras! haha, #noshame.

currently on my playlist: save room by John Legend

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#practicemakesperfect (after take 400. haha.)

absolutely adore the floral detail on Vanessa's bomber jacket! 

dress | Chicwish sweeter than a little black dress 
jacket | ASOS New Look sateen bomber in grey / similar and longer in nude / similar in jersey / similar from Topshop / similar with a cable texture (see it on my girl Jenna @bostonchicparty)
shoes | Sole Society tiia sandal studded t-strap heel in black adobe patent -- similar and on sale / similar and in tons of colors / flat style / similar with less studs
bag | Clare Vivier foldover basketweave clutch in black -- similar
brooch | Vintage find -- similar in silver (see it styled here) / similar
earrings | Kendra Scott tessa studs in iridescent druzy
sunglasses | ASOS Toyshades ida cat eye sunglasses (a good Celine dupe and on sale!) -- similar
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold -- check out this one with a MINT face!
bracelet | BaubleBar pearl taylor cuff 
nails | CHANEL le vernis nail color in tapage (old limited edition) -- similar in gitane
lips | Tom Ford lip color in cherry lush 

rock the bomber jacket because you da domb,
JD

the scalloped top & white jeans

white on white on white.

behold. my first pair of white jeans. EVER!!! i'm getting a little crazy; i know. but i LOVE THEM! i've been scared to purchase a pair because i will probably spill something on them and then they will be toast -- so that is why i picked a non-designer pair. i wanted to do an all white look until i noticed the cami was more ivory but whatevs. an "all" white look makes a great statement and CAN be worn year around; even after labor day. i decided to add pops of color/flair with my bag and earrings. i can see myself styling my new white jeans with chambray, off shoulder tops, anything floral, coral, gingham? the possibilities are endless! also, while on the hunt for my first pair of white jeans; i noticed that most of them don't have pockets in the front because of how the lines show through?! idk, i have to have front pockets with jeans; regardless if they are white. so these really fit the bill. #madeforeachother

why re-invent the wheel when my girl Ela did a post with tips on styling white on white for spring? check her out here @wunderbliss (always impeccable taste) -- what's so funny is that we both shot a white on white outfit wearing the same earrings! #bloggingbesties

i've been diggin' these white plexi d'orsay pumps which are a pretty good dupe of the Gianvito Rossi plexi patent PVC illusion pump (whopping $745 USD). and this bag, what a steal that resembles the Chloe faye shoulder bag (whopping $1,390 USD). gosh... i saved so much money on this post. i should treat myself to something now. LOL.

and lastly, this tassel trend is really catching on to me. at first i wasn't sure how i felt about it. but now i'm like gimme everything tassel/fringe-y!! 

currently on my playlist: closer to love by Mat Kearney (one of my FAVE artists; and guess who's seeing him in OCT?! MEEEEE!!!! #estatic)

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Ela (@wunderbliss) looking so gorgeous in her white on white // tassel on tassel outfit post! 

prob should have worn sleeves like Ela bc i'm actually freezing here. 

last shot before the sun went down. <3

rock the all white,
JD

the off shoulder sweater wrap

something is off about this off shoulder! haha.  

this is probably the most unique piece in my wardrobe. when i saw @ruthieridley wear this top, i was intrigued, so in my cart it went (...with a few other items...) when it arrived i spent a good 10 minutes trying to figure out how to wear it. thank goodness the website had pictures on how to put it on! it's like an off shoulder wrap/crop sweater/shawl hybrid etc.. you could probably wrap it around as a scarf even. i have nothing like it, it's a very sexy yet classy piece, but oh man, it's was a little impractical to wear. LOL. but honestly, i think it's because i didn't wear it with something high-waisted. it's also a one size fits all (which, come on... how does that work?!) so i spent a lot of time adjusting it. either way i liked the unique-ness of this piece to buy it in black as well. here are some things about wearing this top that i had to document based on certain situations i found myself in. basically, i spent a good deal of the day laughing at myself:

  • wear a bandeau underneath. 
  • arms are either at your waist or inside pockets. they will never be above because you will be flashing your side to everyone. 
  • driving could be an issue, so drive with an underhand grip. forget u-turns. LOL. ok fine, minor exaggeration. 
  • no high five-ing anybody! unless you want to flash them. apparently, i am a high fiver. 
  • forget hair fixing. (in public at least).

with that said, i highly i suggest pairing this with a high-waisted skirt or pant. (i will try this with the black one for another look). that did not happen here (hence, some midriff, sorry!). it was a cold day so i opted for some... wide leg DRESS PANTS!! add in chic brooch (finally the opportunity to wear this beauty!! i have a thing for brooches!) and you got yourself a classy outfit you can't really do much in. LOL. nonetheless, this was a fun shoot for the books!

oh, might i add; i did not do my own hair. (obviously). that's why blow outs are perfect for gals like me who are #hairchallenged. the best thing about blow outs is that you ain't got to wash your hair for a few days! yea yea! #hellothirtys

currently on my playlist: Ain't nobody (loves me better) by Felix Jaehn

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top | SheIn off shoulder knit sweater in grey (also comes in black)
pants | LOFT tie waist trousers in black (excellent material, one of my fave place for dress pants)
shoes | Jimmy Choo abel pump in black patent -- similar by Ivanka Trump
bag | clare vivier basketweave foldover clutch in black -- similar / awesome studded one!
earrings | ASOS big faux pearl and stone swing earrings (old) -- similar / similar in marble!
brooch | BaubleBar crystal donati brooch -- similar / similar with a pearl / gold swan!
rings | Kendra Scott daisy ring in slate / BaubleBar tri bar ring (sold out) -- avail in midi / BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring (on sale!) / BaubleBar diana midi ring / BaubleBar arrow wrap ring (on sale!) / Etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | MAC amplifed creme lipstick in brick-o-la
nails | essie nail polish in frock 'n roll (fall 2015 collection, it's a unique color and only ONE coat is needed!) 

what are some unique pieces you own?
JD

fall basics part three

this is the last of my fall basic series. see part one and part two. hope you have enjoyed these posts as much as i have putting them together, if so hit the like button! plenty of links and details after the jump!

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01 | WINDOWPANE BUTTON DOWN -- button downs are my favorite thing to wear. they are SO effortless and if you don't have to iron them, the BETTER!! because ain't nobody got time for that!!! something about the windowpane print that i can't get enough of, loving this Old Navy boyfriend windowpane flannel shirt. Old Navy also has a ton of plaid shirts right now that i can't wait to snag! 
02 | BLACK SKINNY JEANS -- every time i wear my Hudson nico mid-rise skinny jeans in black, i think, "dang, these make me look slim." it's also a good break from regular blue denim jeans! see them styled here with the black cape & gingham twill button down. i also like the Forever21 ripped black skinny jeans. 
03 | FAUX FUR VEST -- faux fur everythannggg; stoles, UGGs, and... this Topshop leah faux fur vest looks very pretty in person. i've seen it at Nordstrom, great quality and i've tried it on but somehow i can't convince myself that i can rock the fur... just yet. :P another option from Forever21.
04 | LEATHER GLOVES -- leather gloves are on thing, but leather touchscreen gloves? YES, please! these ASOS leather gloves with small bow detail and touchscreen are so cute, not to mention functional! i have last years version of these and love them! they really keep the cold wind out vs. the $1 knitted ones at Target. !! #wellduh another option are these ones with some minimal leopard detail on the cuff.  
05 | TAILORED JACKET -- as much as i love the collared jacket look, i am very into the tailored longline jackets. they can seem masculine, but they are so steamlined in terms of look. this is a new one, Banana Republic double breasted coat in pink. a faux fur stole will look pretty good with this beauty!
06 | DARK LIPS -- fall is all about dark lipsticks (with an "s"!!). i only own the MAC amplified creme in dark side (see it on me here, gee, such an old post!!) but this limited edition one from Yves Saint Laurent rouge pur couture in black red (only available to VIB Rouge members) is looking pretty good right now. i like how it is a dark red, vs. MAC dark side is more of a dark purple. could this be a justified purchase?! #thepoweroflipstick

the indigo wide leg jumpsuit

warning: there are a lot of pictures ahead. 

can't. get. enough. of. this. jumpsuit!! this was a fun shoot, mainly because the weather was cool that morning (finally!!!), so no crazy hair and the location/lighting was perfect. oh, and the first thing my photographer said was, "WOW, you look like you're 6' tall!" thumbs up to that. except the truth is, i'm really only 5' (ok, plus 2.5" LOL)... #reallife. it's the heel + platform combo. IMO (in my opinion) any heels that have a platform are much more comfortable/wearable than those that aren't elevated. now (and again IMO), platforms don't go with everything, especially when you're going for a really streamlined/sleek look due to the "chunky" heel. since these are wide leg pants, it didn't really matter because you can't really see the shoes. since my last post on the black jumpsuit, i was on the hunt for a wide leg one! i LOVE this one from ASOS due to many reasons: the top detail (fold over hem + high neck fit), the back detail (bow tie), the indigo color, price (on sale!!), and last but not least, the pockets! truly a great addition to my wardrobe (that is growing exponentially as i type this). eeppp. 

hope y'all have a great weekend and thanks for reading! xoxo.

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jumpsuit | ASOS Warehouse high neck jumpsuit in indigo (although many sizes are sold out, keep checking because it'll eventually come back in stock) / also loving the black & white one / v-neck wide leg in all black
shoes | Michael Kors carla sandal in taupe (one of my fave platform heels, i also have them in black....) / similar ankle strap / more current version from MK (and on sale!)
bag | Kate Landry pyramid metal hardframe clutch (old) -- also really liking the Rebecca Minkoff hex miniaudiere in gold caviar (and on sale!)
earrings | BaubleBar pearl pin up drops (basically, i couldn't resist these!! featured in my current lemmings recently. i think i need to stop doing these kinds of posts!!!)
bracelet | BaubleBar network cuff
rings | BaubleBar pearl crown ring in gold (on sale!) / BaubleBar diana midi ring in gold / etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | MAC lipstick in brick-o-la

rock the wide leg jumpsuit like nobody's biznazzz,
JD

the striped midi skirt & basketweave clutch

a little striped obsessed at the moment. 

this Topshop striped midi skirt is everythanggg y'all! when it came in, i was in love. (there is such thing as love at first sight). i like all midi skirts, but this one was perfect due to the thick stripes, pleats, and... POCKETS. while it is a little on the expensive side, it looks just like the Tibi escalante striped skirt ($690 USD)!! #purchasejustified. i love the way it flares out perfectly and the material is excellent quality with a bit of texture to it. this skirt is so beautiful, all it needed was a simple dressy cami. 

i chose to add more texture to this outfit by pairing it with my first Clare Vivier clutch in basketweave leather. this clutch came out back in 2014 and i was late on snagging one. in the 2014 design, the basketweave was woven in a straight fashion, in the latest (as seen in this post), it is in a diagonal fashion and in my honest opinion, it looks sooo much better. i'm glad i missed out on the first release. any bag or clutch that is woven in a basketweave fashion is super classy, just think Bottega Veneta.

PS--this week i was featured in the @MariaBonitaMexico online magazine! what?!? what?! check it out! life is crazy and i'm truly blessed to be among some great talent. #sogratefulbeyondwords

y'all have an awesome weekend now! i'm off to NYC!! (to eat!). 

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top | H&M woven camisole top in black (on sale for $20!) / similar from Topshop
skirt | Topshop striped midi skirt / Nordstrom Topshop striped midi skirt / similar from LuLu's
shoes | LuLu's elsi single strap heels in black suede / similar by Steve Madden
bag | Clare V. basketweave foldover clutch in black leather / similar from SoleSociety
sunglasses | Prada round oversized sunglasses in black
earrings | ASOS big faux pearl and stone swing earrings (old) / similar in silver metal
necklace | BaubleBar ice scallop pendant
bracelet | BaubleBar athena grid cuff
rings | BaubleBar tri bar ring (sold out) similar / BaubleBar gemini pearl ring / etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | MAC lipstick in brick-o-la
nails | Sephora formula X in thrilling (can't get enough of this color!)

black tulle & sequin sweater

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

2014--it has been real. in one word i can only describe it as rewarding. it was a year filled with challenges that resulted in so much growth for me in terms of health, strength, mentality, and just overall well being. the launch of this blog was a high point, as it was something i had wanted to do for years. i work tirelessly on this site in hopes that someone out there is inspired? slightly entertained by my jibber jabber? or perhaps takes my words of strength to heart? whatever it is that brings you here, thank you. the journey continues so stick around!

2015--this is our year for the taking. so show it who's boss! (that's YOU).

#stronger
#cantstopwontstop,
JD

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i have been lemming a tulle (pronounced as "tool") skirt, it's so... what's the word... whimsical! and... PERFECT for a new year's outfit.    

skirt | Space 46 the wendy 25" tulle skirt in black -- runs small, measure yourself and check the size chart before purchasing. 
top | LOFT sequin stripe sweater in whisper white
shoes | LuLu's elsi single strap heels in black suede
bag | DVF lytton clutch in black quilted leather (sold out) -- similar
necklace | Etsy wreath collar necklace in gray -- similar from BaubleBar in opal
earrings | ASOS big faux pearl and stone swing earrings (sold out) -- similar
rings | BaubleBar mason crystal ring in gold / BaubleBar ice lateral midi ring in gold / Etsy stacking rings
watch | Michael Kors darci in gold  
lips | MAC lipstick in brick-o-la (favorite MAC lipstick)