the sleeveless mock neck sweater

fall, where you be?!

the sleeveless mock neck sweater. for when it’s really fall but it’s 90F+ out… i digress, mock necks are super effortless and they go with all skirts (which i have a ton of). i actually have this top in two colors because that’s what i do when i love something — it’s a normal thing, RIGHT?! i’ve also paired it with the marina wide leg pants as well. the material isn’t super thick so it’s a good transitional piece. here i paired it with a full seamed skirt in the prettiest light blue, a super cool toned one. light blue doesn’t look that great on my skintone but this one is perfect! i really like these full seamed skirts because of the fit and i also sized down in this for a high-waisted fit, aka: over 30-fit.

side happenings: WHOA. what a FUN weekend! it felt so good to be “on the scene” again seeing familiar faces i’ve missed. the @hotelzazaaustin grand opening party was over the top crazy. (in a good way). haha, it’s been a long time since i’ve gone to an event like that!! it’s a beautiful space, in a totally swanky zaza-style. my GF Nicole // @loveofallthethings hosted her first event at @paddywaxcandlebar and you already know i’m a huge fan! i’ve taken one of my BFFs for her bday and it’s a great gift idea/quality/experience-type gift. this time i went with a spicy xmas scent w/a wood wick for a little crackle crackle it’s going to be so FRIGGIN festive at casa JD (sarcasm). i don’t have a fireplace so this will be it :D. BTW, if you haven’t had the butter toffee pretzels at Trader Joe’s, you better run and get some… before i buy em all out. :D

currently on my playlist: senorita by Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

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gotta love the outtakes @pearlsnap_photography sends me :D

the tuxedo dress

one dress. two ways.

last year i took a poll on my IG regarding the tuxedo dress. everyone voted a hard NO. well, you know me… i had to try it for myself. i’ve always been drawn to it due to the very powerful statement it makes. it isn’t for the faint of heart but have no fear i got chu! here’s a couple of reasons why you should wear this tuxedo dress: A) you can wear it casually!, B) you’ll look better than your man, C) you will surely turn heads or have people doing double-takes on ya, D) you don’t have to wear a strapless bra (and i say that is a huge win). when i saw that @MaggyLondon came out with the Toni tuxedo dress, my gal immediately sent me one (she’s such a doll)! as we were chatting she told me that it actually goes on as a coat almost so #lightbulb i figured i would style it two ways (plus, these are my favorite kinds of creative posts)!

first, of course, i chose to wear the tuxedo dress as itself. GAH, what a statement and tons of compliments strolling on south congress haha. for the second look i went casual style as a statement layering piece or even a COAT to get you to-and-from. we always want versatile items like this in our closet, it makes the price per wear even betta! for casual style i went with my new @everlane cheeky jeans (they are AMAZING y’all) in a high waisted, straight fit (skinny jeans also work), light wash paired with a lace satin cami (half tuck) to balance this look out. as you can see, it drapes and flows very nicely. for shoes, no matter which way you wear it, you want to avoid anything clunky/chunky, go for a streamlined strappy stiletto heel instead or even a pointed toe pump. warning: you will be photo bombed if you hit the read more button. but it was a fun one!

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dress c/o | Maggy London toni tuxedo dress in white (also available in black, runs a little large, i sized down to a 0)
denim | Everlane cheeky jeans in sky blue (has stretch so i sized down to a 25 ankle so perfect for my short gals = no hemming needed) — similar but 90s style
cami | H&M satin & lace camisole top in natural white — similar // love this one
bag c/o | Brahmin pipp topsail in navy — similar in croc // love this style!
shoes | Stuart Weitzman nudistsong in adobe patent (comes in different widths too) — similar by Sam Edelman $100 // similar by Steve Madden $80 // more strappy at Target $30
earrings c/o | BaubleBar celestial drops in gold
sunglasses | Celine marta sunglasses in havana (old) — newer design
rings | Gorjana amara ring set // Amanda Deer c/o CZ solitaire ring // Amanda Deer c/o CZ accents midi ring  
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold   
bracelet | GUESS twisted metal cuff in silver — similar and a set of three

photo credit: Steven Gunter
a post done in collaboration and sponsored by Maggy London.
dress provided by Maggy London, all opinions are my own.