the scalloped top & white jeans

white on white on white.

behold. my first pair of white jeans. EVER!!! i'm getting a little crazy; i know. but i LOVE THEM! i've been scared to purchase a pair because i will probably spill something on them and then they will be toast -- so that is why i picked a non-designer pair. i wanted to do an all white look until i noticed the cami was more ivory but whatevs. an "all" white look makes a great statement and CAN be worn year around; even after labor day. i decided to add pops of color/flair with my bag and earrings. i can see myself styling my new white jeans with chambray, off shoulder tops, anything floral, coral, gingham? the possibilities are endless! also, while on the hunt for my first pair of white jeans; i noticed that most of them don't have pockets in the front because of how the lines show through?! idk, i have to have front pockets with jeans; regardless if they are white. so these really fit the bill. #madeforeachother

why re-invent the wheel when my girl Ela did a post with tips on styling white on white for spring? check her out here @wunderbliss (always impeccable taste) -- what's so funny is that we both shot a white on white outfit wearing the same earrings! #bloggingbesties

i've been diggin' these white plexi d'orsay pumps which are a pretty good dupe of the Gianvito Rossi plexi patent PVC illusion pump (whopping $745 USD). and this bag, what a steal that resembles the Chloe faye shoulder bag (whopping $1,390 USD). gosh... i saved so much money on this post. i should treat myself to something now. LOL.

and lastly, this tassel trend is really catching on to me. at first i wasn't sure how i felt about it. but now i'm like gimme everything tassel/fringe-y!! 

currently on my playlist: closer to love by Mat Kearney (one of my FAVE artists; and guess who's seeing him in OCT?! MEEEEE!!!! #estatic)

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Ela (@wunderbliss) looking so gorgeous in her white on white // tassel on tassel outfit post! 

prob should have worn sleeves like Ela bc i'm actually freezing here. 

last shot before the sun went down. <3

rock the all white,
JD

the lace crop top & blush pleated skirt

blush tones. 

one of the pantone colors of the year is rose quartz, aka: blush (second is serenity; aka: light blue). i wanted to do a romantic look with this pleated skirt and lace combo... but boy did i pick the wrong day to shoot. a windy day = not very romantic. i spent a good portion of this shoot doing three things 1) holding my hair since i was getting hair-slapped by the wind; 2) pulling down my skirt that was blowing like crazy; 3) laughing at myself (as always)!

i do have a legitimate question though: what is too many midi skirts?! i think i may have a few too many. but i ain't stopping. that's fo sho! midi skirts are my JAM. especially this pleated one. i have it in burgundy (see previous blog post here) and black. and now blush. perhaps i need another spring colored one... to even it out?! haha. 

i wear the midi skirt and crop top combo probably too often #sorrynotsorry. but i particularly love this lace crop top because of the eyelash detail on the bottom and on the sleeves. and while i don't really wear lace, i am starting to LOVE it! and finally, the Stuart Weitzman Nudistsong sandals make an appearance. i've searched high and low for a pair of strappy nude sandals (i feel like they are such a staple piece to any wardrobe) and while there are many dupes, there isn't a pair quite like these -- minimal design, perfect nude shade, sleek, and super sexy. the original Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals are 4.5" high, so when these babies came out (Nudistsong is 3.75") i couldn't resist. any heel more than 4" i stay away from. i've tried before and almost fell on my face. i honestly don't know how other women do it. 

currently on my playlist: living for love by Madonna

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top | Forever 21 textured lace crop top in white -- similar with sleeves 
skirt | ASOS pleated midi skirt in nude (size down for a higher waisted fit) -- also avail in other spring colors such as lilac and green
shoes | Stuart Weitzman nudistsong in adobe patent (comes in different widths too!) -- similar / similar
bag | Kate Landry pyramid metal hardframe clutch (old) -- similar / similar in the cutest seashell shape!
earrings | Kendra Scott carmella studs (customized at The Color Bar; old design and replaced with carmen)
bracelet | BaubleBar pinnacle cuff in gold (sold out) -- similar / love this one
rings | BaubleBar mason ring in gold / BaubleBar diana midi ring / BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring / Etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | MAC amplified creme lipstick in brick-o-la

rock the lace crop top,
JD

jo malone -- the herb garden

fragrance is a personal statement.

i love learning more about brands that i personally use myself. Jo Malone is no exception. her line consists of 27 permanent fragrances and each year she comes out with a limited edition collection. Jo Malone fragrances are an accessory that can be #LAYERED and #TAILORED = sign me up. 

the luncheon i attended was about The Herb Garden collection, which consists of five limited edition fragrances.

but first, let's talk about how to make fragrances last on us longer shall we? the secret is in prepping the skin! 

  1. EXFOLIATE -- JM geranium & walnut scrub, this smells DIVINE and in a creamy-ish formula. the walnut helps to exfoliate as the geranium is a natural lifter of any fragrance. 
  2. WASH -- why not use some more JM hand and body washes?! yep, they carry them too. just another something to indulge in.
  3. MOISTURIZE -- and finally, add some JM body creme for the fragrance to "stick" to. 

the great thing is, all us ladies have these items in some form or another, so give it a try! it might take a little extra effort, but if it makes your perfume last longer = less perfume usage = more money to buy CHANEL bags. just putting it in perspective for ya. 

the inspiration behind The Herb Garden is that it is an experience; an experience of walking into a traditional herb garden. the women are so classy in Europe. this beautiful lady in the photo gardens looking like that. red lips. Hermes scarf, and large oversized sunnies. i mean... this picture makes me and my black thumb want to garden. how's that for advertising?!?! i digress, let's talk about stepping into this experience. disclaimer: i am not a JM rep, so i am unable to tell this story as eloquently as it was told to me! 

image courtesy of jomalone.com

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  1. Sorrel & Lemon Thyme -- the first scent of The Herb Garden. it's early morning. the sun is rising and you smell the dew as you step into your garden (looking majorly fab). the scent is refreshing and serves as a wake up call. pair it with: Grapefruit.
  2. Wild Strawberry & Parsley -- as you continue to walk, you are surrounded by all these hidden treasures, then you see a strawberry and go to pick it out of the field of greens it is nestled in. you bite it, it's tart. pair it with: Nectarine Blossom & Honey.
  3. Nasturtium & Clover -- then you're just standing there lost in the beauty and thoughts of your own garden. this is the number one seller of the collection. pair it with: Peony & Blush Suede.  
  4. Carrot Blossom & Fennel -- then you remember why you are there in the first place? it's all about the complete satisfaction of growing something and for nourishment and beauty. pair it with: Mimosa & Cardamom.
  5. Lavender & Coriander -– the final scent of The Herb Garden and sold out everywhere. as you leave the journey through scents and sights, lavender bids you a final farewell. pair it with: Amber & Lavender.

i am not really a fan of parsley or carrot. however, each one smelled divine, i was thoroughly surprised!! but i mean, it's by Jo Malone. so you can't go wrong. they were all REFRESHING in a really good way. my favorite from this collection is Nasturtium & Clover. you can also read more about The Herb Garden collection here. i personally use Wild Bluebell (a light floral scent) and love it. Jo Malone also has a fragrance combining section on their website to help with layering your current one! after playing around with it, it seems like a "warmer" combination with Wild Bluebell is Dark Amber & Ginger Lily (a rich cologne intense that smells spicy yet calm & relaxing) that i happen to have on my wish list!! a "fresher" pairing with Wild Bluebell is White Jasmine & Mint. 

Jo Malone also carries hand treatments, linen sprays, diffusers, and candles -- all items for those days that you need to #treatyourself. what are some of your favorite Jo Malone items and fragrances? 

rock JM,
JD
 

the sleeveless coat

it's april?! what?!!!!! 

there is something about this sleeveless coat/trench/duster trend that i cannot get enough of. i can't be the only one. like what? sleeveless coat? such an oxymoron. it's definitely more trendy than functional. keep in mind, this thing isn't supposed to keep you super warm which means it is perfect for spring! throw it on any outfit (dresses, skinny jeans) and BOOM. instant AWESOME-NESS. when i saw this on my blogger babe, Maria @MiaMiaMine (in case you were wondering, she rocks everythannggg) i quickly made my purchase! it also just came out in navy. so i'd hop to it because it will sell out.

this Kendra Scott phara necklace has always been a unique piece in my jewelry collection because of the many ways that you can wear it. it's a long strand with two tassels on the end. here i choose to wear it almost as a choker and... i totally made this up last minute. lol. of all the pictures i've seen of this necklace i haven't seen it worn this way. maybe it was a bad choice. who knows?! 

BTW--i was doing some walking/action shots, and uh. my heel got stuck RIGHT in between the cracks of that brick looking walkway!! what are chances?! yep, my left foot went flying out.. and then there i was with my left foot bare on the cement laughing like a crazy lady for the next five minutes. #hilar!!! seriously one for the books! there is nothing like good freakin' laugh. ok, but honestly, it kind of hurt. LOL. #blogginginjury

currently on my playlist: rather be by Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne

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top | ASOS v hem shell top -- similar but more fitted / similar with sleeves
coat | ASOS New Look belted sleeveless coat in gray -- also avail in navy
denim | Hudson shine mid-rise skinny jeans in obsidian -- similar
shoes | Manolo Blahnik BB pump in nude patent -- similar
bag | Celine micro luggage tote in navy -- pretty good dupe
sunglasses | Karen Walker number one sunglasses in black via ditto.com use code "JANNADOANXOXO" to get one month for free -- good dupe in many colors for $8
earrings | Kendra Scott sky earrings in white pearl
necklace | Kendra Scott phara necklace in gold
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold -- check out this one with a MINT face!
bracelet | Vita Fede mini titan crystal bracelet in gold
rings | Vita Fede double cubo ring in gold / Gorjana candice shimmer ring in gold via rocksbox.com, use code "jannadoanxoxo" to get one month for free / BaubleBar arrow wrap ring / BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring / Etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | Tom Ford lip color in casablanca

rock the sleeveless coat,
JD

day to night in a pleated hem top

this pleated hem top is one of my favorite recent purchases for a few reasons -- 1) LOOSE!, 2) pleated peplum-ish hem, 3) white-ish, and 4) not too low cut. darn, i should've tried to twirl in it. #missedopportunity haha. here are FIVE simple ways on how i transitioned this outfit from day to night, easy peasy! 

  1. take off that blazer -- show some skin, yea yea!
  2. tote/handbag to a snazzy clutch -- i choose this spring/summery beaded clutch, but any clutch works.
  3. flats to heels -- it's all about comfy flats during the day, these do not disappoint. heels elevate (#literally) any look and these MB are my favorite nude heels. so worth the investment. 
  4. watch to statement cuff -- love this minimal understated design on this cuff. OR change out your necklace/earrings to a statement piece, whatever works for your outfit!
  5. lip balm to lipstick -- i went with my favorite 'my lips but better' lipstick but a bold lip is always a great choice for a night out, #bebold!

also, here i am wearing my ENTIRE Rocksbox that arrived! for those who don't know what Rocksbox is, it is a jewelry subscription box that is curated by your own stylist based on a initial survey you take when signing up. the cool thing is you can leave feedback about each box so it becomes even more tailored to your taste! you also get to purchase the pieces you want to keep at a discount... ok, confession. i ended up buying the turquoise necklace and the ring... lol. use code "jannadoanxoxo" to receive one month free!

currently on my playlist: thinking out loud x i know i'm not the only one mash-up by Sam Tsui & Casey Breves (talk about talent)

DAY.

NIGHT.

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top | Banana Republic pleated hem layered tank in cocoon (also available in light blue and navy)
blazer | H&M fitted jacket in powder pink
denim | Hudson nico mid-rise skinny jeans in abbey wash -- similar
shoes | Sam Edelman bev flats in blush & black leather (such a steal and a great CHANEL dupe, and so comfy -- the best part is i will never have to woryy about scuffing them!) / Manolo Blahnik BB pump in nude patent -- similar
bags | Louis Vuitton MM neverfull tote in monogram canvas / Charming Charlie daniella beaded satin clutch (also has a chain to wear as a crossbody; can't find it online but purchased it recently in-store) -- similar
earrings | BaubleBar ear jackets (old) -- similar
necklaces | BaubleBar acrylic block monogram necklace in tortoise shell / House of Harlow 1960 ascension pendant necklace in turquoise via Rocksbox (use code "jannadoanxoxo" to get one month free)
bracelet | SLATE barred cuff in gold via Rocksbox (use code "jannadoanxoxo" to get one month free)
rings | Gorjana candice shimmer ring in gold via Rocksbox (use code "jannadoanxoxo" to get one month free) / BaubleBar tri bar ring (sold out) / BaubleBar diana midi ring / BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring / Etsy stacking & midi rings
sunglasses | ASOS Toyshades ida cat eye sunglasses (a good Celine dupe)
lips | Dior lip reviver lip glow in sheer pink coral / MAC amplified creme lipstick in brick-o-la
nails | Smith & Cult nail polish in doe my dear

rock that day to night transition,
JD

create & cultivate x laurel & wolf SXSW pop-up

#empower.

this past weekend was spent with some INSPIRING individuals! so glad that Create & Cultivate (online platform or female entrepreneurs that aim to inspire and enlighten) partnered with Laurel & Wolf (online interior design company with such a cool concept) and came to Austin, TX (my city!!) for a SXSW pop-up at PRIZE.

Saturday's festivities was free to the public and consisted of four sessions below. i've listed my takeaways in bullet point format for a quick and easy read. hope you enjoy! 

1. the medium is the message: why PR & partnerships are crucial to your business strategy

Gabby Etrog Cohen @SoulCycle // Bianca Caampued @SmallGirlsPR // Silvie Snow-Thomas @ElleCommunications // Courtney Roberts @TheGivingKeys // Samara Finn @MarinaMaherCommunications // Julie Hays Geer @Laurel&Wolf

  • understand the WHY? -- why are you doing this? 
  • what is your story? -- be able to tell it in an organic way.
  • it's all about the PERSONAL VOICE. 
  • obsess over your core values.
  • DO YOU. 
  • would they care? would they share?
  • ask what you can GIVE vs. what you can GET.
  • be nice. be FEARLESS. and never underestimate the power of a smile.
  • life is all about follow-up.
  • all press is not good press.
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2. bridging the gap: creating meaningful content while growing a community

Caitlin Coble @Airbnb // Farryn Weiner @Sweetgreen // Caroline McCarthy @TrueX // Michelle Sadlier @HunterBoots // Ariana Schioldager @Create&Cultivate

  • gaps are opportunities.
  • focus on your brand content; be relentless about it.
  • find relationships to build.
  • evolve but stay true to your core values.
  • creepy backfires! (haha, this was awesome).
  • the best thing about being creative is that there is no right or wrong.

3. how to launch your business, create community & stay relevant in the modern marketplace

Jen Rubio @Away // Sarah Kunst @Proday // Leura Fine @Laurel&Wolf // Jaclyn Johnson @Create&Cultivate

  • there is no such thing as the right time. 
  • FAVORS; do lots of them because there is something called... karma!
  • no one cares as much as you do. 
  • as you evolve, be comfortable letting go and taking off all the hats you use to wear. 
  • the goal is to have a big goal... but then almost forget it!
  • when making big decisions ask yourself -- what's the worse that can happen? usually not much!

4. staying true to your brand: creating a voice that stands out

Kevin Lu @Frametasy // Jeanine Donofrio @Love&Lemons // Matt Crump @MattCrump // Ashley Rose @Sugar&Cloth // Maja Kermath @Kor180 // Lily Berg @DigitalBrandArchitects

  • BE AUTHENTIC.
  • if someone doesn't like you, like them. if someone doesn't talk to you, talk to them.
  • be interested vs. interesting. 
  • stay consistent.
  • feature other brands -- it's not all about you.
  • always stay true to yourself; no matter what. 
  • find what other people aren't doing. 

the Create & Cultivate blog is also a GREAT resource for some amazing posts. below are two released from the SXSW pop-up:

#CampLaurelAndWolf continued with floral crown making with the very talented @MargotBlair who was so sweet and patient. i am loving all her work!! she also has a monthly flowers & cocktails course which i am dying to take. i am a sucker for anything that involves fresh blooms. 

i attended this event with Nicole, an Austin blogger who reached out to me a few months ago (so glad she did!) check out her newly launched site: @NicoleSometimes -- i love her addiction to COLOR! here, we met Monica who drove up from San Antonio and just started blogging too, check out her site: @StyledByMonicaPuga. i don't want to spoil it but they were dressed so fab and will be posting their SXSW outfits soon. i might have already bought the shoes Nicole was wearing... and i've asked Monica where she got her bag... so... perhaps this blogging friends thing is going to get expensive!

saving the best for last, but Maja @kor180 read us THE #manifesto that sits on a wall in her pilates + cycling studio (y'all know how much i LOVE pilates!) that resonates with me so much i had to share it. i encourage you to read it out loud since it has so much power to it!

today i choose to show up fully.
to care for myself as i do for others.
to speak my truth so you know the real me.
i'm not broken, i don't need fixing. i am enough.
bravery is in high demand i choose to be fearless.
i choose to work as hard as i can today which is different than yesterday & different than tomorrow.
i commit to this interval one breath at a time.
i stay focused on the small things because how i do small things is how i do all things. 
i choose me. i choose here. i choose right now. 
i've got this.

ah, i couldn't think of a better ending,
JD

tips on how to get that beauty sleep on

sleep. it's good for the mind, body, and soul. (and for everyone around you!)

this week is National Sleep Awareness Week, and i was approached by Crane & Canopy to do a post with tips on how i get my beauty sleep! Crane & Canopy is a San Francisco based company specializing in some high quality online bedding. they have been featured in the NY Times, InStyle, Real Simple, Today Show etc.. i adore their color palette scheme, simplicity, and gosh, the pintuck duvet sets are so pretty!

image by Crane & Canopy

image by Crane & Canopy

beauty sleep. it's a real thing. trust me. getting enough sleep helps boost your mood, energy, you are more likely to be calm than rushing all over the place, less irritable, you are going to age a lot slower, and most importantly, you are going to look better which automatically means you are going to FEEL BETTER. and we are all about that, aren't we? it's a win win. 

here are some tips to get that beauty sleep on from least to most obvious:

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1. foam roll

most of us who work full-time probably sit all day. there are plenty of articles on how sitting for long periods of time can kill you. great infographic on this topic and an article from TIME. thank goodness i have a sit-stand desk (at home and work); and if you don't have one you NEED to GET ONE!! if you don't, you need to take frequent breaks to stretch (here is a great PDF to print out for reference on stretching, esp pg. 1 & 2), or walk it out-walk it out. (cue the song please). tip: check with your HR department to see if you can get an ergonomic assessment, most companies offer this service these days. sitting all day causes us to have a lot of tension in our bodies that lead to exhaustion, tightness, and achy-ness. relieve that tension by foam rolling lightly before bedtime; nothing rigorous. my girl Krista @hundredblog did a great post on this recently. i highly recommend the Trigger Point foam roller (also an Austin-based company!), it is very durable and has different indentations for levels of intensity. 

more on the sit-stand movement: Ergotron is the best in business at sit-stand workstations, i have this one at work. i also have the IKEA sit-stand desk at home in the BEKANT series. 

2. neck/body wraps

these things are amazing! like the next best thing to getting a real massage. this tip goes hand in hand with foam rolling but the warm compress really helps soothe tired achy muscles and helps you relax into a spa-like mindset! i have this one by Bucky and it is great because i can use it hot or cold, and the shape allows me to use it on my forearms/wrist (which are overworked and very tight) and there are even some that can be infused with lavender. 

3. have a routine

routines are GREAT. esp for bedtime! you know when you say i gotta get ready for bed, what is it that you do? for me it's flossing, brushing my teeth but it is also means... getting my night time skin regimen on!! i always look forward to that. having a routine just mentally gets your mind ready for bed. 

4. get those calm vibes on

don't do anything that energizes you before bed. like don't exercise or listen to heart pumping music, don't think about your to-do lists. just be in your calm happy place! my sister's contribution to this tip is: don't get into a heated argument! lol. but that is great advice because i never recommend going to bed angry or upset! life is too short for that.  

5. invest in a bed

this is extremely important and a huge investment. but you only get one body, so treat it right! needless to say, my life is not complete without a Tempur-Pedic mattress -- molds to your body without losing its shape = no pressure on joints. get one and your body will thank you! trust me, ask anyone who owns one and they will only have good things to say about it. the Tempur-pedic pillows are also amazing (good alternative in terms of price)! #notbasic

6. it's all about thread count

TC ladies! TC. it makes all the difference, and once you start buying higher thread count sheets, you won't be able to go down in TC again. i know, it's a #FWP (firstworldproblem). a great medium is 400 TC, here are some cute sets from Crane & Canopy: all white is always my fave / dove grey / scalloped! / hello blush ruffles / and the 300 TC printed grey cloud because it's fun to mix prints with solids! tip: it's best to pick high tread counts for the winter and lower TC for the summer. see a video on what TC is. remember to #treatyourself! 

7. your body is your boss

listen to your body. it will tell you when you are depriving it of sleep. you can feel it. and when you do, you should listen and honor it by catching those zzz's. here's a good example we can all relate to: when you're laying in bed with your phone and you are on the point of exhaustion but you continue to scroll through your feed, ignoring what your body is trying to tell you, then your phone drops and hits your face? that's your body's way of saying HELLO, i needed to smack you with your phone to tell you how tired i am; hope this gets your attention! uh huh. i know you know what i'm talking about. some days you just have to call it quits, be a grandma, and go to bed at 9pm! #noshame

image courtesy of google

8. do not eat a full meal

i don't know why people say that is the best way to sleep because it is not for me. food just ends up sitting there and it's so uncomfortable. sure, light snacks are okay (hello scoop of ice cream!) but nothing too heavy!

9. feng shui

create a space that is inviting you to sleep. i know it sounds a little weird, but maybe dimmer lights in the bedroom, painted walls in calming colors, the way your room is arranged can make a world of difference, and how clean/organized it is! tip: one thing to note is not having a TV in your bedroom will help.  

10. cut devices before bedtime

further elaborating on #7. i am bad at this one. but i do know it is really important not to be on our phones, or anything electronic that is going to stimulate the mind even more. so try to #cutitout out at least one hour before bedtime!

image by Crane & Canopy

also remember that life is about moderation. same applies to sleep. it is important to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep a night if you can. i know i struggle with this. but any more OR less and you are going to be constantly groggy and tired.

and lastly, if you have ever struggled with folding a fitted sheet perfectly (ME!!), Crane & Canopy has you covered with this video!!!

remember, it is the small changes we make that have the greatest impact. 

what do you do to get a good nights sleep?,
JD

A post done in collaboration with Crane & Canopy.