the amazon lounge sets

all. about. the. #loungesets

lately, i’ve been on am amazon streak! esp with athletic and loungewear sets. this post is dedicated to THREE comfy sets with shorts (ALL WITH POCKETS! yes, in caps because. IYKYK) that are good for lounging in at home or running errands around town. shorts are usually a safer bet for me than sets with pants since, well… #shortgirlproblems at 5’2”. i was shocked how much i loved these sets. the great news is that they range differences in warmth coverage, so great for the whacky Texas weather! in this post i’m sharing three lounge sets i purchased from Amazon and love. all sets will transition you from winter to spring and summer because got chu! 🙌 see set 2 & 3 after the jump.

side ramblings: this year i want to commit to more reading. yep, like actual books. i used to be a huge bookworm and over the years i’ve gotten so caught up in media and all.things.electronic. it’s part of the job but i just finished my first book of the year, Every Summer After by Carley Fortune. it was a cute book, 7/10 rating for me. it makes me wonder what it would be like to fall in love at such a young age and with someone you grew up with who really really knows you. i miss getting lost in a book, being drawn in my interesting characters and/or storylines. anyways, i’m hoping to reach a goal of 12 books in 2023 & linking my next read below!

currently reading: book lovers by Emily Henry (about to finish this one already!!)

currently on my playlist: best part by Daniel Ceasar ft. H.E.R.

set 1 // FLEECE lined so perfect for colder temps and i am loving the half zips right now. out of the three sets here this has the most warmth/coverage

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set 2 // waffle knit material but light enough for spring with long sleeves

set 3 // also a waffle knit material but cropped tank for summer

the sweater jogger set & valuing your time

peace out, 2020.

i’ve been wanting to say that for a long time now. oh wait, i have been. this year has been terrible. like everyone else, i’m tired of living in uncertainty and the lack of human interaction is wearing me down. but that’s okay! (insert the i’m fine, i’m fine meme) it’s all gonna be okay. at least that’s what i keep telling myself.

though the year seemed to drag itself, it also flew by. i can’t really explain it. like twilight zone material (GET ME OUT PLS!) but you feel me right?! for me, 2020 was spent in silence, introspection, and deeper sense of appreciation for what it means to LIVE life. as we enter 2021, there is no way but UP right? i mean anything has got to beat this year. 2020 has set the bar so low that whatever you set out to achieve, by golly i hope you better dang achieve it in 2021!! i do know after this year of rest, i’ll be out all day and night making up for lost time and food 🤣 on a more serious note, after some thought, all i really want this upcoming year to be about is putting more of my time towards things that are considered high value uses of time.

Pareto’s 80/20 principle has always intrigued me and my goal is to get better at it. the principle is that 80% of outcomes (or outputs) result from 20% of all causes (or inputs). i listened to The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch on audible a while ago, and while the book is pretty repetitive and somewhat hard for the average joe-jane to implement in work/real life, it does offer a good list i wrote down and sharing after the jump. remember to use this list a guideline and not something that is absolute (nothing should ever be unless you’re getting steak, to which it should be a ribeye).

last random thoughts: this space for the last couple of months has offered me sanity. an escape from the “new norm” FORCING me to get really creative. that’s the thing about struggle is that it gives you the opportunity to pivot, to reinvent yourself. i used to think the best days of JDC have been lived. but now i’m not so sure (don’t quote me though). i’m actually shocked how much i did all on my own. but of course, thank you for cheering me on! see you in 2021, cheers friends!

currently on my playlist: love is the answer by Aloe Blacc

“cause love is the answer. it’s the answer to the questions in your mind. love is the answer. if you’re looking it’s the answer you gonna find. love is the answer. it’s the only thing that everybody needs. love is the answer. it’s the only thing that makes us truly free.”
— Aloe Blacc
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note: “results” are relative to each individual. the idea is to abandon the low value uses of time and and find ways to mold your life/job towards high value uses of time. something to ponder and refer to as we close out 2020 and enter 2021. use the lists a guidelines vs. absolute. remember, it’s all about taking something and making it yours.

a lil blurb about this two piece set. as if i needed another one. but these are actually made from really nice sweater-like-stretchy-material. perfect for when you wanna feel a lil chic but also wanna be comfy.

top | Abercrombie & Fitch crewneck lounge sweater in tan (wearing size XS, could’ve gone S too since it’s slightly a short top) — also avail in a turtleneck
bottom | Abercrombie & Fitch sweater joggers in tan (wearing size S)
necklace | etsy monogram necklace in dearest daddy initials (1.25" and 20" chain)
earrings | Shashi always earrings — also avail on Amazon
mug | Anthropologie monogram mug
breakfast table | CB2 odyssey white tulip dining table in white top/white base
chairs | IKEA TOBIAS chair in clear/chrome plated

cheers to 2021!,
JD

dating tips & galentine's day in loungewear

happy galentine's day!

so listen, i don't know if you know, it's valentine's week. if you've gone to target, you know. everything is red and pink and heart shaped. it's the hallmark day of all holidays. YIPPEEEE! now, if you're single, this is what you do --> you go buy yourself loungewear -- because NOTHING says 'i love myself' like some soft joggers and a loose thermal top. #seriously. feel free to add a disco ball sippy cup for good measure too. jokes aside, you get what i'm sayin'. treat yourself to something because you deserve it! if you find yourself waving the single-awareness flag, wave it proudly and refer to this quote below.

“life is always about the JOURNEY and never the destination.”

and your journey could a lot bumpier than others, maybe you even get stuck in some muddy patches along the way, but that's life. you gotta trust the process -- that it will lead you to where you need to be in the end. live consciously in this moment, laugh at the confusion, and embrace it because at any moment, it will change. know that you have never missed out on anything that is meant for you, and that the next best thing is just around the corner. you see, there is so much that happens to us that we have very little/no control over. the only thing we have control over is our self -- our emotions & reactions. knowing and understanding this will give you so much peace in any life situation. i promise. not sure where i wanted to go with all that. but i hope you took something away?! i spend a lot of time writing for google, but most of the time i'm writing for myself #selfentertained and to reinforce positivity. we can always use that right?! 

besides #selflove it's also about the little things in life too. like how all that valentine's day candy will be on sale at target, so you'll know where to find me come February 15th. :D xx ok, i'm out. see ya next week.

side ramblings: this past week was filled with some fun events! i was able to check out @sonestabeecaveatx at the hill country galleria, their @meridian98lounge has a great view and don't get me started on the bacon wrapped dates... the night ended with a small tour of some shops at the galleria. my favorites were @milkandhoneyspa and @manaculture! the weekend was the grand opening of @theartofshoesaustin in the cutest house were i was able to meet the owner and participate in a DIY shoe accessory workshop. overall, a fun week of socializing!

PS--i had so much FUN writing the last part of this post and hope you'll read the rest!

>>MY DATING TIPS/TIDBITS CLICK the READ MORE button!

currently on my playlist: bad at love by Halsey

that time my lil blogger sis @simplyyvan asked me to be apart of her @urbanoutfitters photoshoot!

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why am i single? well, it's because i haven't met my EQUAL, i wouldn't let anyone into my life unless they were AWESOME. the single journey for me has been quite interesting. a recent article came out describing Austin men as the WORST when it comes to dating (so glad i bought a house here!). i've learned SO MUCH along the way. i mean geezus to be able to talk to a complete stranger takes major skill. deciphering text messages, picking up on when you're about to ghosted or breadcrumb-ed or whatever the new term is should be resume skills at this point. the internet, social media, online dating, and having access to people 24/7 have made us a REALLY. SAD. BUNCH. who lack human decency. the standard is set SO LOW. how low? i mean i'm shocked when someone actually messages me back! here are my tips/tidbits whether you're a man or woman when it comes to dating (because let's face it, i'm better with bullet points):

  • trust your intuition/gut, it's usually 99% correct (head > heart)
  • when someone shows you who they really are, believe them
  • actions > words 
  • consistency is KEY
  • vulnerability is strength and in the right hands this is the best gift you can give someone
  • exemplify human decency = treat others the way you want to be treated (golden rule, duh, sad i even have to type it)
  • be direct & use raw/honest communication
  • HAVE FUN! expect nothing but be prepared to be pleasantly surprised
  • silence actually speaks volumes. no answer is an answer. SOOOO ironic isn't it? 
  • when it comes to online dating, you probably have one shot to win someone over so bring your A game = best version of you, this shouldn't be hard for you! 
  • ghosting? breadcrumbing? zombies? = ain't nobody got time for that
  • when you start blaming yourself, STOP IMMEDIATELY because...
  • it's really hard to mess up the right thing (if there is anything you take away, THIS IS IT!)
  • when it's right, it should feel easy
  • good things TAKE TIME
  • stop making excuses for other people
  • stop thinking about what you feel and remember what you deserve
  • a good man will never keep you waiting by the phone no matter how busy they are. think about how much time it takes to send a text. literally NO TIME. and trust me, if you haven't heard from him, i'm 120% sure his fingers haven't fallen off
  • if he likes you, he will squeeze out any ounce of time to see you, even if it's just 15 minutes to see your face! TRUST ME 
  • never underestimate the power of SPACE. space allows someone to miss you, to yearn for you. THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT
  • until you're exclusive, date like men = HAVE OPTIONS because 95% of men will fall off the face of the earth (and bc they're doing the same thing to you)
  • texting less actually creates more excitement when you meet in person
  • men respond to distance. not words. so stop trying to explain yourself!
  • what you chase runs away. never chase ANYONE
  • know that not everyone is going to like you (even though you're a bad ass) and you're not going to like everyone. attraction is not a choice
  • master EMPATHY
  • don't let some bad experiences harden your heart
  • rejection teaches you what's not meant for you
  • don't let dating or a man be everything in your life. do things you love, hang out with people who make you feel good. for me, it's about working out, blogging, hanging out with my GFs and family, going to events, photography, making a list of next eateries to hit up, working on my house. your life and happiness come first
  • at the end of the day, it's about being genuine in every interaction. be compassionate. be the change you want to see in the world. seems futile but i believe that change starts with YOU
  • have the strength to walk away (with dignity) and the patience to wait for what you deserve. AND this is why you should work on your backside, so that you LOOK GOOD WALKING AWAY. just sayin'
“happiness is letting go of what you assume your life is supposed to be like right now and sincerely appreciating it for everything that it is. at the end of this day, before you close your eyes, smile and be at peace with where you’ve been and grateful for what you have. LIFE IS GOOD.”
— marc & angel