it's about time

time & courage.

gosh where to begin?! let’s talk about taking a break from social media for 5 months. IT WAS THE BEST! completely unplugging was amazing — i didn’t worry about content, or what others were doing, i was just FREE to BE. i support the social media detox and may do this every summer when it becomes too hot to do anything. some life events happened such as: my little (not so little) cousin graduated from RICE! my father retired (so proud of him!), AND…. i spent TWO WEEKS in Europe! (finally marked off my bucket list! and blog posts already in the queue about this!).

you can find me in deep thoughts over here on the topics of time and courage. but why you ask? approaching 38, that’s what i’ll blame it on. more after the jump!

currently on my playlist: about damn time by Lizzo

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time // time is a thief! i find myself wanting time to slow down even more so than before. i see my niece and nephew growing up so quickly, my parents aging and it makes me wish that i could stop time & savor all the moments — where did time go? i guess that’s the sad thing about it… is that it waits on no one. it’s the most valuable currency. i feel like most of us live day to day, routine through routine as if each day is given and predictable, that we forget to go about it more intentionally. it makes you question, am i spending my time on the right people and things? am i creating a meaningful life i’m proud of? what if i didn’t have much time left, what would i do differently, how would i change the way i live/love? how would i approach each day? deep thoughts. i know. but makes you wonder. i also watched some time warp movies such as The Lake House and Long Story Short which amplifies these types of thoughts. just something to ponder about life. see what no social media does to ya?! 😄

courage // have you seen 'the call to courage by Brene Brown’? if not, it’s available on Netflix and i highly recommend you watch it. i’ve seen it 2-3x now. each time it’s a tearjerker. it’s funny how we grew up thinking that vulnerability is a sign of weakness. Brene teaches that the irony is that is in order for us to experience love, belonging, and joy, we have to be vulnerable. and to be vulnerable requires you to be brave/courageous. i for one am terrible at vulnerability. but it’s something i’m working on. Brene describes vulnerability as uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure; all of which are terrifying to me. it wasn’t until my late 30s that courage and vulnerability became more prominent in my life. BUT it makes me wonder what my life would be/look like if my younger self took more chances, put myself out there more, and played it bigger? unfortunately, time is that unrenewable resource, there is no going back. having the self-awareness of your shortcomings is always the first step to make those life changes for the better. Brene also goes into talking about vulnerability in the workplace which i found very interesting. below are my favorite quotes from Brene’s Netflix special:

today, i choose courage over comfort. i can’t make a commitment for tomorrow, but today i’m going to choose to be brave.

vulnerability isn’t about winning or losing. it’s having the courage to show up when u can’t control the outcome.

vulnerability is hard, scary, and feels dangerous. but not as hard, scary, or dangerous as getting to the end of your life and having to ask yourself what if… what if i would’ve shown up? what if i would have said i love you, what if xyz. show up, be seen, answer the call to courage, because you’re worth it. you are worth being brave.

-Brene Brown

dress | J.Crew daydream dress in white linen (perfect for family photos) — similar but short sleeve // similar by Tuckernuck // love this one in blue & white floral print // similar but sleeveless
earrings | Mejuri charlotte bold hoops in gold vermeil
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

xx,
JD

photo credit: lil blogger sis @simplyyvan

JD x J.Crew spring 2022

#springvibes in full swing

besides all the pollen in the air. there’s something else. there has to be. lately i’ve been feeling inspired by spring fashion and have been on a legit spree. i can’t help it. loving all the colors, florals, crop tops, wide leg pants etc… ontop of that, the weather in #ATX has been perfect (almost a little too warm actually) but i’m enjoying every moment of it before it gets unbearable. #happy


YOU’RE INVITED!

the Janna Doan x J.Crew Spring Styling Event is coming up real soon!!

when? // sunday, 04/10/2022

time? // from 2-5PM

where? // J.Crew at the Domain // 11501 Century Oaks Terrace Suite 137 (across from Starbucks)

what? // come say howdy!, shop the spring collection, get styled!

light treats // tate’s cookies & san pellegrino

RSVP below! 😊


my J.Crew pictures came back and for once in over 2+ years i have some professional photos!!! GAH i’m so excited to share them with you — it feels good to get back out there again. here, i’m featuring two items from the J.Crew Spring 2022 collection. the J.Crew puff sleeve cropped top was an unexpected like. it has spring written all over it and comes in a couple of prints too. #styletip: pair it with high waisted straight or skinny jeans, wide leg pants, and skirts. i love the sweetheart neckline (drawn to them lately) with the front pleat detail, and the puff sleeve. you can also pull the sides down and wear it off-the-shoulder for a flirty look too! = versatile. also, it’s so perfect with those purple flowers overhead isn’t it? in terms of sizing i’m wearing a S which is typical in crop tops.

the second is the J.Crew linen daydream dress featuring a puff sleeve and side slit. it’s lined so no need to worry about it being see-thru. i also like how it’s linen that you can wash. i found the fit to have a little more than normal material in the hip area so i sized down to an XS. it flows so nicely and despite reviews, i like the side slit. i paired it with a straw bag and flat sandals. on top of being a great vacay dress, it is also great dress for brunch with the girls as well!

here are my other J.Crew #picks from the Spring 2022 line that you need in your closet STAT:

  1. J.Crew sedona basket bag — what’s too many basket bags? asking for a friend…

  2. J.Crew wide leg eco cupro pant in palest peach — this is such a fun print!! the eco cupro is a very luxe fabric too, so i’ll be eyeing this when it goes on sale. also has a matching blazer.

  3. J.Crew button down cotton poplin dress in white floral — i tried the regular size on in store and recommend the petite sizing if you’re shorter than 5’2” like me. i love the neckline and print!

  4. J.Crew kate straight leg pant in gentle sea — also has a matching blazer.

  5. J.Crew eco cupro slip dress in pale mocha — this probably isn’t part of the Spring 2022 collection, but i purchased this today since i’ve been eyeing it for months and it’s finally 30% off. like i said, the cupro fabric is very luxe feeling. almost like a suede silk!

side ramblings: i can’t believe this event @JCrew is happening NEXT WEEKEND!! so crazy. i can’t wait and hope to see you there! stop by to say howdy, get styled by me, or shop the spring collection! #lifeisgood #grateful

noteable sale: the @sephora sale for VIBers begin 04/05-04/11 so get your carts ready! i know mine is… overflowing. but at least with new things i want to try? here’s a peek of what’s in my cart right now 😁 what’s in yours? per savvymama Doan, this is the best time to stock up on favorites or try something new. and she ain’t wrong.

currently on my playlist: summer feelings by Lennon Stella ft. Charlie Puth

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wearing the sleeves down as an off the shoulder style! #versatile

top c/o | J.Crew puff sleeve organic cotton cropped top in white
dress | J.Crew linen daydream dress in french blue (sized down to XS)
denim | AGOLDE riley high rise straight jeans in shatter (obsessed with these!!) — same ones from Revolve // diff wash and on sale for $131
shoes | Keds ace sneakers in white leather — also eyeing the Superga
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver
bag | Nordstrom straw circle bag (old) — similar from Lulu’s for $38 /// similar with round top handles // tote style from Target for $40

happy spring shopping!,

JD

photo credit: lil blogger sis @simplyyvan

the white linen dress & sponsored content

summer linen.

there are a ton of summer fabrics, but linen is such a classic! it’s great for when you wanna change up all the gingham & eyelet textures. it’s also such a cooling fabric and rarely will you find a piece that is 100% linen like this one from @theory___! most pieces are are linen-cotton blend, so it felt super luxe to be wearing this. of course we had to find the best fairy-tale like background for it too! isn’t this place a gem? the v is actually low for my taste but the cap-sleeve design and slight A-line fit make it a #classy piece. and timeless i might add.

the downside to linen is that it wrinkles veryyy easy. think easy and x it by 10. this dress, worth the iron though. and while it does have a liner, it’s not enough which is usually the case with white linen pieces, you have to wear a slip. it’s an elegant piece and doens’t need much jewelry. i didn’t even wear my typical “J” necklace and my photographer thought something was wrong. :D

currently listening to: find u again by Mark Ronson ft. Camila Cabello

side ramblings: great things are on the horizon but i can’t share just YET. xx

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let’s clear the air on sponsored #SP material here on JDC (jannadoan.COM): isn’t it everyone’s goal to make money doing something they love?! duh. then why is it that influencers/bloggers get wrath for sponsored content? in general bloggers get crap all over the board. yes, there are people who ruin it for others but at the heart of the blogging community there are still genuine bloggers out there. by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) we are to disclose when something is sponsored, paid, or gifted etc… automatically people think, yea he/she just got paid for that so i wouldn’t trust him/her. here’s what i gotta say (you guessed it, bullet point format):

  • use your intuition about a blogger/influencer. if you think it’s fake… guess what? it’s probably FAKE! i know, i’m a rocket scientist. when you look at something really randomly posted and you raise one eyebrow like “what is this…” that’s your intuition “speaking.” listen to it. but hey let’s cut someee slack on all the toilet paper & tampon ads, maybe this is their full-time job? the bills don’t pay themselves (or so i hear).

  • because i’m old, i don’t do anything i don’t want to do. even if it’s paid. that may have not been the case when i was first getting started five years ago… but my greys have made me wiser. if i don’t like something i don’t post it. and i say NO to a lot of (really good) opportunities when it doesn’t align. aka: is not a #hellyes.

  • JDC is NOT my sole source of income. cause ya’ll… i WOULD BE BROKE AF. lol. blogging costs a LOT of money. every post i put out, i actually lose money. and i rarely make any sales based off commission via my links. i’m not a pushy enough saleswoman. just doesn’t seem authentic to me. since this is not my sole income, i don’t need sponsorships to keep this alive. instead, i just work an insane amount of hours at my other job(s). HAHA it all makes sense, i know.

  • there are still influencers/bloggers out there who carry themselves with integrity. the last time i looked up integrity in the dictionary my name was right next to it. :D xx

yes, my castle is right behind that wall.

dress c/o | Theory pure linen deep v easy midi dress in white — similar from J.Crew with pleats // not similar but love this one // shirtdress style // not similar but striped! // i have this in yellow!
shoes | Target Merona marcella low block heel ankle strap sandals in tan (old) — newer style // similar but higher heel // the original by Steve Madden
bag | J.Crew Factory rattan clutch in natural pale gold (really old) — similar at J.Crew
earrings | Kendra Scott diane statement earrings in gold — smaller design in the didi // similar but in matte colors // smaller design in the didi with pearl
sunglasses | Celine marta sunglasses in havana (my fave sunnies!) — newer design // love these for $99
rings | Gorjana amara ring set // Amanda Deer c/o CZ solitaire ring // Amanda Deer c/o CZ accents midi ring

rock all the linen,
JD

photo credit: Steven Gunter
a post done in collaboration with Theory.
dress provided via the last of my Theory gifted giftcard funds, (paid $100+ out of pocket for this baby!)
all opinions are my own.