the perfect red date night dress

December 23, 2019

hellooo christmas week!

i’ve been saving this post because red = christmas && being my first @reformation piece makes it extra special. i hesitate when it comes to @reformation because i love the fact that it’s an ethical brand, but the prices are veryyy expensive. i also don’t like that most of their things aren’t lined (so you will read reviews about it “feeling cheap” for the price on Nordstrom). (big) BUT the styles are AMAZING and #droolworthy. i never thought i’d describe clothing that way but here i am. #protip: buy this stuff on sale, regardless if you have something to wear it to or NOT. it’ll eventually come up, and if it doesn’t, by golly, even based on sale price you’ll FIND something to wear it to!! i guarantee it. oh heyyy, pizza/coffee outing. :D it’s all about #DOINGYOUBOO. when i show people the purchase i’m debating, they’ll say… “where would you wear that to?.” me = 🤔. one friend told me, “figuring out where to wear it to should never be a problem.” me = 😁. thanks @tristan.dav aka reformation friend/queen!! she’s 100% right. on a shopping spree i went. here’s what’s coming my way: lores top // butterfly midi dress // vollare dress // riesling dress // fay jumpsuit // zoe side slit midi skirt // graciella dress // nectarine dress… whoops. #protip: if it’s not available on the website, check Nordstrom as they price match and sale items AREN’T final sale!.

this red dress is the perfect red. apparently it complements my skintone perfectly because i received SO. MANY. COMPLIMENTS on it. the subtle sexy side slit made it extra appropriate for date night and honestly any occasion. it’s a guaranteed compliment-receiving dress. in fact, all reformation pieces i’ve worn or shown, i have received DOZENS of compliments. they are pieces i’ll keep forever so i have NO REGRETS.

side ramblings: my girls @thehonestshruth // @shelbysorrell // @onechelsofanadventure hosted an epic holiday party at @thecatheralatx (beautiful coworking/event space!), it was twice the size this year! it was the biggest white elephant gift exchange i’ve done #goodtimes and new friends made so i’m feeling hella grateful. i can’t believe it’s already christmas! i’m off for this entire week so it shall be a good, relaxing one. hope y’all enjoy this holiday season as it always zooms on by. as much as it’s a happy/festive time, it’s also a sad time for a lot of people. we miss the people we lost, we have memories creep into our mind, and we also feel very lonely. i feel you. know that is IS OKAY to feel this way. my tips to get through this are: meditate & breathe, practice gratitude, indulge in some self care, lower your expectations, reach out to friends, help someone in need. sometimes i feel like when you put a smile on someone else face, it automatically reflects back to you. :) xx

currently on my playlist: ocean eyes by Billie Eilish

currently reading: dear girls by Ali Wong

the red date night dress -- jannadoan.com

dress | Reformation cassandra dress in cherry (wearing size 4, on major sale in other colors!) — similar // similar but more fitted // similar but a wrap style // similar without a slit // similar with sleeves // similar in an off the shoulder wrap style! // similar but off the shoulder // similar but smocked
jacket | BLANKNYC life changed moto jacket in black — similar and on sale! // similar but collarless
shoes | TOPSHOP strippy heeled sandals in black —similar // similar // similar with sparkles // similar but slip-on style
bag | MANGO croc effect bag in black — similar but a baguette style // crossbody style // love this fun top handle!
earrings c/o | Kendra Scott colette hoop earrings in gold (winter 2019 collection, light as a feather!!, been wearing them non-stop!) — similar in subtle KS logo // similar but sparkly // similar but in a fun design // more dainty with some sparkle!
sunglasses | DIFF eyewear ruby 54mm polarized sunglasses in black grey — similar and love these for $55
rings | Gorjana amara ring set
bracelet | Vita Fede mini titan crystal bracelet in gold

have an awesome holiday y’all,
JD

photo credit: Steven Gunter

the flutter sleeve polo dress

July 31, 2017

polo dress gone dressy. ha!

i'm pretty sure this is my first polo dress! i think most polo dresses are casual pieces that are usually made of the typical polo material and can be worn with some comfy sneaks, but it was a whole nother case when this one arrived from @BananaRepublic. a dressy polo -- red with a lace overlay, scalloped hem, AND flutter sleeves (not to mention the subtle satin collar & buttons and the pockets!). gosh, you can't make it more feminine than that! my immediate styling thoughts; gold accessories. for a more fitted look, i cinched this with a gold belt that i had been eyeing #perfectopportunity. gold earrings, gold hardframe clutch and nude stiletto heels to complete this entire chic polo dress look. you should give it a try!

side BEAUTY ramblings: y'all know i'm a skincare nerd. i love talking about skincare & taking care of my skin as much as i love eating #whichisalot. i ran out of my SK-II facial treatment essence recently and started using @TATCHA's the essence. way better packaging and dispensing system than SK-II. their most recent product is the Violet-C Radiance Mask which i am super excited to try! also, @hourglass came out with a slim & refillable lipstick that looks like a stiletto heel.. which means i'll have to check out ASAP!

currently on my playlist: girl on fire by Alicia Keys (takin' it back old school)

the flutter sleeve polo dress -- jannadoan.com

i always love a good artsy shot, thanks Katie!

dress c/o | Banana Republic flutter sleeve lace polo dress in red (wearing size small, also avail in light blue and navy) -- similar with scalloped details // similar in floral print // similar but solid // similar but striped // similar from J.Crew Factory
belt | ASOS metal waist belt in gold
shoes | Stuart Weitzman nudistsong in adobe patent (comes in different widths too!) -- similar // similar with lower heel // chunky heel version
bag | Kate Landry pyramid metal hardframe clutch (old) -- similar in a hexagon shape // similar // a cool marble one
earrings | Kendra Scott sophee textured drop earrings in gold -- smaller version
sunglasses | Le Specs savanna 51mm sunglasses in tortoise -- similar
rings | Gorjana c/o shimmer stacking ring set // Gorjana amara ring set // Gorjana mini stackable ring set // Etsy stacking & midi rings // Gorjana candice CZ ring // BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring -- similar // BaubleBar tri bar ring (old) -- similar // Cassandra Collections c/o mini ring
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold

rock the polo dress,
JD

photo credit: Katie J Photography.
a post done in collaboration with Banana Republic.
dress provided by Banana Republic, all opinions are my own.

a very austin blogger holiday

December 13, 2016

32, ready or not here i come!

today is a special day for two reasons 1) i turn 32! and... 2) i get to share one of my favorite shoots to date with you!! warning: if you click that READ MORE button, there will be lots of pictures and holiday inspo (including links to all outfits) from some AMAZING & GORGEOUS AUSTIN bloggers that i feel so humbled to know and only met within the last few months. everyone is impeccably dressed and i am so thrilled that they asked me to join in on a holiday photo shoot! #youcansitwithus #friendship #texasforever

it's been quite a year and if wrote about 32 things i've learned, you probably wouldn't get to the end of it. in short, it's all about celebrating the little milestones/victories in life and knowing that the next one is just around the corner. i feel extremely blessed, this blog has brought me so much joy and connected me with many friends who encourage and inspire me. i feel like i'm just getting started and that the best is yet to come! #cheers!

special thanks to @howdybrandon for capturing these moments and sticking it out with nine ladies (plus champagne). it was pretty cold for us southern gals, but despite the weather not cooperating, it was a blast! i laughed my whole way through with these beautiful ladies! #goodtimes

currently on my playlist (and everyone else's!): all i want for christmas is you by Mariah