the smocked two piece set

the two piece life.

donā€™t get me wrong, i love a good one piece. but i ALSO love a good two piece. oh why you say? because it takes the thinking out of matching a top and bottom when you wear the two together, and you can also wear them as separates! thatā€™s #winning in my opinion. smocked details have been all the rage lately and itā€™s an intimidating textured fabric. oh why you say? because it really HUGS you. everywhere. this is actually one thatā€™s out of my comfort zone because rarely will you see me wearing anything this fitted OR short. BUT this two piece is actually covering a lot in fashion ā€” itā€™s two pieces, smocked, 3/4 ruched sleeves (that I actually took down to wear as an off the shoulder, see sixth picture), and the skirt has a tiered ruffle hem too. i love ALL the above. it was a windy as heck day (just my luck) so on top of being uncomfortable, Steven mentioned that i have some pretty good stoic faces. he always encourages me to do different things and tries to bring the ā€œmodelā€ out in me haha. either way, as you can tell, it was a blast. with people laughing at me as well. of course. lastly, you do need the bag. it sold out pretty quickly but back with a rainbow tassel now that is also removable. i say itā€™s a good Clare V alice dupe for WAY cheaper.

side ramblings: letā€™s seeā€¦ itā€™s been a while. but oh ya girl was offered a side ā€œmodelingā€ gig for some local Austin brands!! say whaaaa?! haha. i know, iā€™m pretty dang lucky though. honestly, the easiest money iā€™ve made and it was so chill and fun (thatā€™s all that matters). i thought to myself, ā€œdang janna, you get to do a lot of pretty cool things.ā€ life is good. OH, i chopped my hair with my gal @elizabeth.jane.hair. by chopped i mean 3ā€ which is the equivalent to feeling like 6ā€ on a person who has #longhairprobs. digginā€™ the new do tho! also, i tried a hot stone massage!! i was always intimidated by them, but the stones donā€™t actually sit on you (as the photos always depict), the masseuse uses it while theyā€™re massaging you. needless to say iā€™ll be getting this add-on every time i go to @massagesway! use code ā€œJANNA20ā€ to receive 20% off. and ask for my guy James!! he da man. lastly, the @rachelparcell x @nordstrom collection launched last week! while the collection features more dressy pieces i managed to pick up a casual ruffle dress that sold out within a few hours. will show yā€™all soon! xx

currently listening to: sucker by Jonas Brothers

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two piece c/o | Red Dress Boutique sea to sky two piece set in light blue striped ā€” similar but red orange! // similar but red // similar but strapless // similar and not as tight
shoes | Treasure & Bond sannibel platform wedge sandal in tan leather ā€” similar by Target for $35 // similar and love these by Sam Edelman // similar but lower
bag | Nordstrom joni circular raffia tote ā€” similar by Lā€™Space // similar // similar for $40
earrings c/o | BaubleBar mini pinata tassel earrings in white (old, are these even still IN? idk but iā€™m wearing them anyways! haha) ā€” newer style
necklaces | Amanda Deer satellite choker in gold // Anthropologie monogram pendant necklace 
sunglasses | Celine marta sunglasses in havana (my fave sunnies!) ā€” 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
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold   

rock all the two-pieces,
JD

photo credit: Steven Gunter

floral on floral

can it be fall already?!

well, it's almost september but we're still in the triple digits in TX, #halp. fall fashion is in full swing on every retail site and it's really dreadful to look at sweaters right now... there is no secret that fall fashion is my JAM, can't wait. but until then i'll settle for this floral print strapless dress (with pockets!). this is actually my second RED dress. it's a tad nuts actually. i never wear red dresses because i find them to be too dressy. the floral print toned down the red and i'm a sucker for all tie-front-anything! 

side ramblings: shout out to my friend Jane // @atasteofkoko who launched her retail shop shop.atasteofkoko.com, of course she celebrated by putting together the #museumofdonuts this past weekend full of instagram-able moments! #donutgetmestarted. so young and such a freaking BOSS i love it! the @sephora appreciation sale is going on right now and the BEST time to stock up on some favorites or try something new! i'm all about saving money so RARELY do i ever buy any skincare products at regular price. #protip: always wait for a sale/coupon code and stock up on items you love because every little bit counts! here are some new skincare products i'm looking to try for the first time: Drunken Elephant virgin marula luxury facial oil and the BIOSSANCE squalane + phyto-retinol serum (curious about this plant-based retinol, i've never used retinol before but this would be a good start since it seems to be WAY less harsh). things i'm re-stocking on are: SK-II facial treatment lotion (used in conjunction with my HG SK-II facial treatment essence), and my fave dry shampoo Bumble & Bumble dry spun (not labeled as a dry shampoo but does the exact job as one without an overpowering smell!). 

currently on my playlist: moving on by Mat Kearney

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the knit midi dress

#lbd fit and flare style.

there's not much going on with this knit midi dress. it's actually pretty plain and needed a little something. so i went with a skinny belt! i'm not a huge fan of logos but this Gucci belt is an exception. it's actually not something i would buy for myself but i knew that this belt would go great as a waist belt. so double duty was the justification for the ridiculous price tag. i was able to get extra holes punched to make it a waist belt and have worn it with a simple black dress to work as well. it serves well and here is no exception. while this dress is old, it is actually some hefty knit material (not the unflattering jersey-type that clings to your body) and it has pockets (always a win). i would probably even style it with sneaks and a denim jacket. also, i'm mixing tan & black here. i know, such a rebel. but the tan is almost a light light tan/beige so on the feet, it makes me look taller #styletip

these earrings are from @suzannadai who is also an Austin-based jeweler! #represent. i was introduced to the brand by my photographer @toddwhite only to realize that they they sell Suzanna Dai at Anthropologie! i love her fun earrings! it was difficult to pick one pair but i went with metallic double tiered hoop in rose gold metallic. i was afraid that they would be to heavy AND THEY ARE NOT! that said i should have gotten the triple tier ones instead for a more balanced look, but still, no regrets. i've spent a lot of time looking at ALL her earrings so here are my other picks (you'll notice i'm a fan of the silk wrapped earrings, they are done to perfection): feather tassel earrings in grey // sardegna hoop earrings in turquoise // metallic mallorca hoops in rose gold. PSSTT: use code JANNA20 for 20% off, good until 8/6.

side ramblings: life is full of ebbs & flows isn't it? without experiencing some of the lows we would never appreciate the highs. life has been so good to me lately in ways i can't image or explain. the last few months i've had several pinch me moments that made anything that i was dwelling over minuscule. i LIVE for these moments. nothing like a little gratitude to put things into perspective, am i right?! i spent some time in LA last week exploring another opportunity that knocked on my door; all from blogging!!! i am always in awe of where this journey has taken me and i feel pretty dang GRATEFUL. thank y'all for the support always. cheers to the #roadlesstraveled#powerofpossibilities xx

currently on my playlist: pray for me by The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar

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dress | Leith stretch knit midi dress in black (old) -- similar and on sale for $20 // similar but bodycon fit // similar but square neck // similar but v-neck // similar with cute ruffle detail
belt | Gucci leather skinny belt in black -- good knock off for $14
bag c/o | Everlane the foldover pouch in black (available in two other colors) -- similar but crossbody!
earrings c/o | Suzanna Dai metallic double tiered hoop in rose gold (use code JANNA20 for 20% off, good until 8/6) -- similar but triple tiered
necklaceAnthropologie monogram pendant necklace -- similar 
shoes | Treasure & Bond sannibel platform wedge sandal in tan leather
sunglasses | ASOS PrettyLittleThing square sunglasses in black (sold out) -- similar
ringsGorjana amara ring set // Amanda Deer c/o CZ solitaire ring // Amanda Deer c/o CZ accents midi ring
bracelet | Nordstrom BP knotted cuff (old) -- similar by Stella & Dot
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold

rock all the LBDs,
JD

photo credit: Todd White

the one shoulder sweater & felt hat

#thehatswewear

HOWDY. confession: i accumulated more hats than i ever need in 2017 (jk, i might get the Dahlia ASAP, haha!). but i can't help it, i've become such a fan of a good wide brim hat. not sure why or how that is, maybe it's because my beautiful friend Jen // @mrsjenfrick is always rockin them. so of course, we had to partner with @gigipip to bring you our fall outfits styled with @gigipip! the love for @gigipip is insane i already own three -- the Faye (boater hat), the Jill (floppy straw hat), and now the Scottie (felt wide brim). the Scottie is beautiful amirite?! it's adjustable, the leather band is removable, and the best part is that the wide brim is STIFF! it ain't goin' anywhere y'all! not only that but the price points are so good for the quality. 

Jen // mrsjenfrick.com styled her Scottie with a beautiful black coat (gift from her husband, hello #husbandgoals), boyfriend jeans, and some cognac booties check out her entire outfit details on her blog at mrsjenfrick.com. Jen lives in Kansas so i'm pretty envious of all the fall foliage they get up there! we get nothing like that in Texas. everything just dies and turns brown, #nojoke. i choose to go casual style as well, with a cream one shoulder sweater (I LOVE THIS SWEATER! also comes in other colors), skinny jeans and some riding boots! this was a fun shoot so picture heavy post coming at cha! other ways to wear this outfit: a cute bralette would look great underneath the sweater or even some over the knee boots. 

also, for this collaboration Jen & i answered some interview questions about all the hats we wear, more after the jump! it was a fun one and rarely do i answer interview questions so hope it's a good read & that you got to know a little more about me. PS -- stay tuned for a GIGIPIP giveaway! 

side ramblings: i cannot believe thanksgiving is THIS WEEK! the insanity. i can't wait to wear stretchy pants and stuff my face. yearly tradition at the Doan household is turkey & ham with all the fixins and PHO. i make sure that everyone leaves feeling thankful & unbutton-your-jeans-kind-of-full. there's so much i'm thankful for this year. but as my yearly saying goes, i'm thankful for the small things in life which are actually the big things. enjoy your thanksgiving and thanks for stopping by! xx

currently on my playlist: better than i use to be by Mat Kearney & AFSheeN

the beautiful @mrsjenfrick rockin' the Scottie

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01. what are the roles or hats you lead in your life?

i, janna doan, find myself alternating hats between a blogger, homeowner, aunt, friend, sister, daughter, foodie, and program manager. 

02. which hat do you find most rewarding?

ah, the homeowner hat. as much as i love blogging, i have to say... becoming a SINGLE homeowner has been the most rewarding. the house search was a long process, mainly a beatdown! but as they say, the perfect one will come along. and it sure did. it's my dream home and finally... something to call my own. #tearsofjoy #adulting

03. what hats do you find are most challenging and what do you do to embrace them?

as the homeowner hat is the most rewarding, by default it means it is the most challenging! from mowing my own lawn/yardwork, to cleaning vents, to fixing various things, to painting, etc... wow. i've learned so much along the way and by golly, there is so much pride in ownership over here!! however, a lot of times i have to be patient with myself and honest in the fact that i cannot do everything myself. i need help. and thank goodness i have my dad who's my right hand man. i'm learning so many things from the absolute greatest. 

04. what hats are least known about you?

the program manager hat. my day job consists of managing healthcare quality improvement programs, looking at healthcare data, making it more accessible for public reporting. it's pretty nerdy stuff but i spend a lot of time in Excel and various data programs. one of my strengths has got to be attention to detail (surprise!)! #nerdalert yep, that's the day job! 

05. who or what inspires you?

there is SO much inspiration everywhere, literally around every corner, and every time i get sucked into the world of instagram or pinterest i am amazed by all the talent out there and yet there is so much unseen! i am also so blessed to have so many insta/blogger friends that inspire me to try new things and step out of my comfort zone. after all, what's fashion if it ain't fun?!

don't forget to check out Jen's post here!: mrsjenfrick.com

top | Treasure & Bond one shoulder ribbed sweater in beige oatmeal (runs large, wearing size XS) -- very similar // similar with ruffles // similar but velvet!
denim | Hudson nico mid-rise skinny jeans in abbey wash (old) -- similar in the bright eyes wash// similar in high rise by Wit & Wisdom $65
hat c/o | GIGI PIP scottie (should be in stock soon!) -- similar // similar
shoes | Frye melissa button boot in cognac (old design) -- newer design // similar for $150
bag | Celine micro luggage tote in navy -- similar
earrings | Kendra Scott kirstie stud earrings in ivory pearl -- similar
watchMichael Kors darci watch in gold
ringsGorjana amara ring set // Gorjana mini stackable ring set // Etsy stacking & midi rings // Gorjana candice CZ ring // Amanda Deer c/o solitaire ring // Amanda Deer c/o midi ring with CZ accents

rock all da felt hats,
JD

photo credit: Brandon Hill
a post done in collaboration with GIGI PIP. 
hat provided by GIGI PIP, all opinions are my own.