the perfect red date night dress

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

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holiday ready in Maggy London

‘tis the season!

are you looking for a holiday dress? i got chu! holiday attire can be stressful sometimes but one thing you can always lean on is the little black dress #LBD. i know i have an abundance of these in my closet. make it holiday attire with two simple things: some sparkly statement earrings and a good red lip and voila! when i reached out to my @maggylondon rep in excitement of creating some holiday content i was initially interested in their iconc Illusion dress. it looks AMAZING on everyone, so #classy. it’s a cap sleeve but the Carmindy, pictured here, is their newest twist on the Illusion dress featuring some long sleeves (also available in petite sizing)! it’s a hard toss between the two but either way you can’t go wrong. i also love the sweetheart neckline, along with the slight v-back detail. you’ll surely be turning some heads ;)

side ramblings: GOSH, what a weekend! it flew by!! this past week and this weekend i felt like i was running from one thing to the next. it was insane. i hosted my second ever event with @phlur and it was so great, i’m still humbled by how many people showed up and my gals who came by to support me. what a crew! i gotta haircut by my girl @elizabeth.jane.hair and dropped by a style social for @__lauren.elise__ x @evereve. PS— there i discovered the agolde sophie cropped skinny jeans that fit PERFECTLY (adding to wishlist)!! @pearlsnap_photography and i shot some epic photos i can’t wait to share. lately we’ve been playing with light and doing different things. i’m diggin’ it. it was such a great weekend to kick off #birthdayweek and i can’t wait for all the festivities i have planned. i’m going all out on the big 3-5! see you on the flipside xx

currently on my playlist: glow by Brett Eldredge

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dress c/o | Maggy London carmindy illusion dress in black (wearing size 2 petite) — same but regular sizing // same but cap sleeve
jacket| H&M faux fur jacket in black — similar but collarless // cute spotted one // i love this cropped one & have it in a milk chocolate color
shoes | Jimmy Choo abel pumps in black patent (old design) — current design // similar
bag | DVF lytton clutch in black quilted leather (old) — similar and a good Bottega dupe
sunglasses | DIFF eyewear ruby 54mm polarized sunglasses in black grey — similar and love these for $55
earrings c/o | Lisi Lerch tassel earrings in disco (avail in almost every color you can think of! and a post and clip-on option as well!) — similar 1 // similar 2
lips | Christian Louboutin velvet matte lip color in rouge 001M (FAVE RED) -- similar in a matte liquid
rings | Gorjana amara ring set

get festive & rock all the holiday dresses!,
JD

photo credit: Steven Gunter
a paid partnership by Maggy London.
dress provided by Maggy London, all opinions are my own.

the cashmere turtleneck dress

oh hey there cashmere.

this is a special piece because it’s my first cashmere item! living in TX, i never have the urge to purchase cashmere. it’s extremely luxe, keeps you super warm but it’s also one of those dry clean fabrics. and y’all know i don’t do dry cleaning (ain’t nobody got time for that!). well, i washed it. haha, yep. you can wash cashmere. i wash everything, even when it says dry clean, i know i’m a real rebel. i just don’t get how you can actually clean something without water?! i digress, it turned out fine. just google it. put it in a closed pillow case (use safety pins), use cold water, and don’t use softener. oh and if you’ve read this far, this dress is sold out #storyofmylife

wow oh wow 2018 FLEW BY! don’t you agree?! i can barely believe this is my last post for 2018. i’ve taken a lot of time to reflect on the last 12 months. reflection is always good and i encourage you to do the same. while this was one of the years i took the most breaks, experienced stagnant growth in terms of stats and sales… ironically, it is the year that stands out in terms of business/career, connections made, friendships cultivated and A LOT of pinch me moments where i clearly remember my adrenaline was running and i had to ask myself “is this really happening to me right now?” moments where i was so happy i wanted to cry (and actually did), when i would wake up and couldn’t believe this was my life i was living. when does this ever happen?! there were so many victories/happenings i can think of that put this huge grin on my face. and it all boils down to… (insert drum roll) it IS a glimpse of what is to come. this is the beginning. cheers to 2019, i hope you look forward to this year as much as i do. seize & create opportunities for yourself with this clean page. live a great story.

side ramblings: what a few weeks of events galore, oh and celebrating my fab self. haha, basically i stuffed my face and treated myself right! i attended a charity event hosted by @thehonestshruth #KeepAustinWarm2018 that benefited Austin Pets Alive, Safe Alliance, and Hope Food Pantry. the white elephant holiday party hosted by @shelbysorrell // @thehonestshruth // @onechelofanadventure // @rachelprochnow was a huge highlight because here i made a ton of friends who are doing so many great things; it inspires me to do even more. oh, and i snagged a HOWDY hat by @frankiejean so you know life is good. AND YES, i’ve worn it already! the gals are holding me accountable for wearing this hat since i’m usually dressed up, “do you own a baseball cap? do you even wear hats? janna, we’ve never seen you dressed down HAHA” christmas at my house was AWESOME! hostess with the mostess right here (jk, i only had muffins and pigs in a blanket to offer) but it was such a great feeling to have everyone over (and to be real, they were only here because i was the only one with the tree HAHA, thank you @kingofchristmas!). we also did an escape room at @lockoutatx, if y’all know me, i love doing these #nerdalert i think i’ve done about eight escape rooms across austin and haven’t escaped ONE (our first one so ya know). we barely made it out of this one but dang, the holidays were so fun. back to reality soon. whomp whomp, thank goodness for coffee! until next time xx.

currently on my playlist: sunday love by VALNTN, Naliya

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dress c/o | Ann Taylor cashmere turtleneck dress in warm neutral melange (wearing size small for reference) — similar by Everlane // similar by J.Crew
bag | CHANEL 2.55 classic double flap bag in black lambskin — good dupe
shoes | Banana Republic magda pointed toe boots in black suede (old) — newer version // similar // similar with a kitten heel
sunglasses | DIFF eyewear ruby 54mm polarized sunglasses in black grey — similar and love these for $55
rings | Gorjana amara ring set // Amanda Deer c/o CZ solitaire ring // Amanda Deer c/o CZ accents midi ring

bring it on 2019,
JD

photo credit: Madeline Harper

#2018bestnine

the female pantsuit

the pantsuit gone female style.

in previewing and being fitted for the @theory__ fall collection, i wanted something different. something special to remember that moment by (because uhh, i’ve never been fitted for anything!! i feel so bougie even saying that word lol #lucky). in the end i choose to go with a pantsuit from the Theory good wool collection. the Good Wool Collection is made in Italy and of extra fine merino with ZERO itchy-ness. obviously you can only expect the best from Theory and this suit lives up to my expectations. i feel like pantsuits aren’t really worn these days because it comes across very masculine. to avoid this i went with color vs. black. while the blazer is a long line blazer i love how it fits and the exact length that it drops on my short 5’2” self. the pants are supposed to be cropped but of course fit like normal pants because i’m so dang short. no alterations were needed here (ain’t nobody got time for that)! there’s something so powerful about rockin’ a male suit. i took this janna-style with a satin cami with lace trim (a neck tie blouse will also do) and added three layered necklaces to make this even more chic and classy. lastly, always top off any pantsuit with a pair of pumps to elevate the entire look.

side ramblings: we’re basically in the last month of 2018, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! i can’t wait to write a little reflections post on this year. i have already taken advantage with having my @kingofchristmas tree up (actually since October but who cares?!). it’s the best time of the year as there is so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to. i’m EXCITED — lights, xmas music, hot cocoa, family gatherings… oh my and how can i forget #BIRTHDAYMONTH! you know i’m all about treating yourself right, especially as you get older. i’m already in present wrapping mode and almost done christmas shopping so we should drink to that. AH! one of my friends i met on IG asked me to be her bridesmaid @wanderlustanita! ive only known Anita for two years now and can’t believe she even asked me, what an honor! it reminded me of the friendships i’ve made along this journey and so thankful for these gals who keep me sane. and on another note, the last few weeks have been a whirlwind and so many great things happening in my life right now, i’m all about those pinch me moments! until next time xx.

currently on my playlist: on and on by Mat Kearney (on oldie but goodie in my books)

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top | H&M satin & lace camisole top in natural white — similar
pants c/o | Theory good wool classic slim crop pant in petal pink (wearing size 2)
blazer c/o | Theory good wool long blazer in petal pink (wearing size 2)
earrings | Kendra Scott aston statement earrings in ivory mother of pearl (old) -- similar but smaller // similar
necklaces | Amanda Deer satellite choker in gold // Amanda Deer c/o fine jewelry double horn necklace // Erica Weiner letter press necklace
sunglasses | DIFF ruby 54mm polarized sunglasses in black & grey
shoes | Ann Taylor mila suede pumps in paver grey (sold out) -- similar
bag | Celine micro luggage tote in navy -- similar
rings | Gorjana amara ring set // Amanda Deer c/o CZ solitaire ring // Amanda Deer c/o CZ accents midi ring
bracelet | GUESS twisted metal cuff in silver — similar and a set of three
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold

rock all the pantsuits,
JD

photo credit: lil blogger sis @simplyyvan
a post done in collaboration with Theory.
pantsuit provided by Theory, all opinions are my own.