hello, spring!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! whooo here we are.. hopefully on the other side of TX winter storms… but now worrying about hurricane season. it’s always something! i’m a little late on this post but i thought it would be fun to style a hoodie dress! i've always like the look of a hoodie under a blazer combo so when i saw this sweater dress i thought it’d be fun to style it under a coat for a dressy outing but ALSO, it can be styled casually like sporty spice!

to style this sweater hoodie dress casually, pair it with some white sneakers and a belt bag to make it fun. this one adds additional texture with the sherpa! for hair, i’d put it up in a high ponytail and aviator sunglasses. to style it for a night out, trade out the sneakers for some knee high suede boots (again, more texture adds dimension!) and layer it under a jacket with hoodie out! also trade out the belt bag for something more elevated like a leather bag.

i have always wanted photos infront of “Austin” and lucky me, @janeyunphoto agreed and made it happen (she’s great!) despite all the construction going around there with the Blanton Museum.

option 1 // casual style/sporty spice with white sneaks & sherpa belt bag for added texture!

side ramblings: UM, so much. first, i think the universe nudged me pretty hard to stop talking about launching my styling business and to actually do it. the time is now, right?! thanks universe! haha. i turned in a couple of “deliverables” over to my first two clients and it’s been a process. coming up with tools and workflow processes (while over-thinking it all, the INFJ in me). nonetheless, i found myself looking forward to it — i’ve missed it. second, home improvement projects have commenced (i’m telling you, it’s something to do with spring that makes you want to get back to work!). team daddy & i changed out the dining room light and in the process of replacing hallway and bedroom lights to recessed lighting! lastly, some #hellyes collaborations opened up with

@Sézane — french clothing brand, i LOVE everything and choosing an item made me miss paris so much! i picked out the Asianne dress! it’s a pretty blue floral dress and looking forward to styling it two ways. i’m all about the versatility!
@DavinesNorthAmerica — hair product company known for sustainability. they sent me one of the biggest PR packages i’ve received in a while!! here are a couple of hair care products they sent me to try (the whole box smells so divine!):
- OI shampoo & conditioner — contains roucou oil for soft and voluminous hair! it’s one of their bestsellers and i’m excited to try it. i think the oil will help with frizz and overall health & body
- natural tech well-being shampoo & conditioner — a gently daily shampoo and conditioner for healthy hair
- natural tech calming shampoo — for irritated scalp (me!)
- medium hold hairspray — it’s almost like they knew i was about to run out of the one i was using! can’t wait to try this one
- invisible dry shampoo spray — absorbs oil and refreshes the hair

currently on my playlist: all for nothing (i’m so in love) by Lauv

currently reading: the unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren! i also finished black cake by Charmaine Wilkerson since the last blog post and it was so good. reminded me of real hardships our parents faced back then. in my 30’s i have an even greater appreciation for what my parents went through. it’s funny i planned on documenting their life story and this book was yet another gentle nudge by the universe to DO IT!

option 2 // date night. styled under a coat (hoodie out), knee high suede boots and a leather bag (so much textured goodness!!)

option 1 // sporty spice

dress | Amazon ribbed and hooded sweater dress in light brown (wearing size S)
bag | lululemon everywhere belt bag in light ivory — great amazon dupe for $23 // non-sherpa amazon dupe for $15
shoes | Keds ace sneakers in white leather — also eyeing the Veja // target ones with a little platform for $35!

option 2 // date night

dress | Amazon ribbed and hooded sweater dress in light brown (wearing size S)
bag | Red Dress Boutique polished and poised bag in black — similar on amazon in a more classic leather pattern
shoes | Sam Edelman uma knee high boot in black suede (i also loved them so much i got them in the bootie version) — similar in the Ursula on Zappos // similar in the Ursula on Sam Edelman

thanks for stopping by!,
JD

photo credit: @janeyunphoto

the luxe two-piece.

there aren’t may hoodies left in my wardrobe these days but sometimes a hoodie is absolutely necessary. especially when you’re needing to go somewhere real quick and you just. washed. your. hair. it’s probably a mental thing but a hoodie gives some “clean coverage” esp during cedar season when pollen is everywhere and getting pollen in clean hair is just… unthinkable. i was looking for a level-ed up two piece set besides sweats/cuffed joggers and this one fit the bill. it’s made of nylon & spandex so it has a nice luxe feel too it and i like how the pants are a little jazzed up with the seam infront. good travel outfit. whenever traveling is in again.

other little details include: the plastic zippered pockets in the back & one infront = comfy yet able to secure small items and the hoodie has a high-low hem and slits on the side making it a unique enough piece. and it has… THUMBHOLES! haha. i love thumbholes for reasons i can’t explain. (also purchased the coaster luxe sweatshirt in the same transaction with thumbholes, so soft!! reviews says it pills so i’ll see). the drawstring on the hoodie adds a relaxed casual vibe despite it being a luxe set. my only complaint was that the abalone grey color on the website has a slight pink hue to it. IRL it’s actually a muted grey-beige. not the best color for my skintone (it looks like my wall now that i’m looking at the photos LOL) but returns are such a hassle these days so i kept it.

side ramblings: december is already flying by. next week is #birthdayweek! it feels weird since most of my decembers are spent #nomnomnom-ing at all the restaurants with family & friends and treating myself to all the misc things. it’ll be low-key as heck over here but next year i think i’m taking a trip somewhere. my friends are already making me feel so spoiled & loved by sending me my fave @maggielouseconfections chocolates & introduced me to this bougie gadget 😁 goodbye lukewarm coffee!

currently on my playlist: tell my by Groove Theory

athleisure set with hoodie -- jannadoan.com

top | Athleta mission hoodie in abalone grey (wearing size XS)
bottom | Athleta venice pintuck pant in abalone grey (wearing size S petite, could’ve gone down to XS petite)

rock all the luxe loungewear!,
JD