an austin blogger holiday

cue the christmas music! (or play it below).

happy holidays!

i know it feels a tad early to be thinking of holiday stuff. but not really! this month is going to FLY by, so i thought it would be best to share this holiday shoot that i was so graciously invited to be apart of. these gals have become good friends to me and i am pretty blessed to have cultivated so many good friendships over the past year. #grateful. 

last year, i went with the classic holiday red. this year, i decided on the next christmas color... GREEN, but more of a hunter green! it's not a color i wear often but gosh, i think i should, especially hunter green. i picked out a lace off the shoulder dress with a classy length. it's actually a one-piece dress and the bottom is a little fuller than i thought it would be but it ended up looking very pretty! i'd say the only thing this dress is missing is pockets. the ivory earrings went perfectly with the gold clutch & dark nails. altogether i say this was a huge win, ESP since my dress arrived the day before (gotta love that ASOS 2-day shipping)! also, this gold clutch gets so much wear, it's def a staple for the holidays and any occasion (you can even see me wearing it in last year's photos)!

side ramblings: it's december.. which means... it's #BIRTHDAYMONTH! (insert happy dance). 

currently on my playlist: it's beginning to look a lot like christmas by Michael Buble

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the gangs all here!! (all clickables)

(ok, minus Hilary // @byhilaryrose and Michelle // @stylebeacon)
click on the photos for some insta-style-inspo!

the gingham off the shoulder top

white denim + black gingham.

i LOVE gingham. it's probably one of my favorite spring/summer prints right up there with stripes. but black gingham was a piece i hadn't owned yet. this one is a super breezy top with some subtle cinched bell sleeves. style tip: always pair black gingham with white. oh and the tassel earrings are pretty dang light, i own them in yellow styled here. #thatsallfolks.

side happenings: what was supposed to be a pretty quiet weekend ended up BUSY! in a really good way. i totally needed it. Friday evening was one of those "i am too old for this" kinda nights.. -- @bobschophouse & @greenlightsocial the VIP hidden bar (aka: Benny's room) with the one sided mirror is pretty dang cool. i can't remember the last time i stayed out/up until 3AM but my girl Michelle @stylebeacon was in town so what the hell! Saturday continued with my monthly facial at @hiatusspa (Hillary Robinson is my girl!) then checked out the 2nd Street White Linen Night downtown all to wake up at 6AM on Sunday for a "photoshoot" & brunch at my fave @countercafeatx -- the joe's special holds a special place in my heart. ha! here's to a productive week ahead! xx 

currently on my playlist: slow hands by Niall Horan

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the striped off the shoulder dress

stripes + ots.

something about stripes and ruffles. i can't explain. if you remember this post with the ruffle one shoulder top & white denim -- it was probably one of my favorite ones this past spring. well i guess i had to have something similar in dress form, because we all know that summer dresses are my go-to (besides my v-neck white tee and running shorts combo haha!). although the off the shoulder on this isn't the best design, i couldn't resist because of the tiered ruffle and the length. #yestolongerlengths! it also has straps that you can tie in a bow on your shoulder as well. 

side happenings: one of my favorite jewelry brands @gorjana is having their summer sale! check it out, i am a fan of their dainty designs. especially their rings and necklaces -- DEEP discounts! i've been working on some exciting things with @bananarepublic & @henribendel. can't wait to share!! ps -- i'm still recovering from that soul cycle class. from. last. wednesday. #sendhelp.

currently on my playlist: wish i knew you by The Revivalists

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dress | LOFT meadow dress (sold out) -- current version w button detail // similar at $23 // similar at $48 // similar but midi length // similar by topshop
bag | J.Crew mini bucket bag in natural vachetta (old) -- similar
shoes | Target Merona marcella low block heel ankle strap sandals in tan (avail in three colors and such a staple, the perfect height too!!) // same but with a higher heel
earrings | Kendra Scott sophee textured drop earrings in gold -- smaller version
necklace | Anthropologie monogram pendant necklace -- similar 
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 
bracelet | Nordstrom BP love knot cuff (old) -- similar by Kate Spade // similar off Etsy

photo credit: Brandon Hill

the lace off the shoulder top

olive + cream.

the off the shoulder top #OTS is such a fun summer one! a little skin never hurt anyone. i've talked about this before but most of the ones i own are not practical. you cannot move your arms around freely without your top riding up to your shoulders. if you're laughing you know exactly what i'm talking about. forget fixing your hair or giving someone a high five (insert sad face emoji). it wasn't until recently that i discovered the disconnected arm/sleeve OTS tops! now these are way way more comfortable!! it makes me want to get rid of the ones i currently own. anyways, this has set a new bar for OTS tops. 

this top comes from the cutest San Fran boutique called @morninglavender, owned by fashion blogger @laceandlocks. the boutique is filled with fresh, very feminine finds at affordable price points. it's also tax-free to Texas, FYI. 

side happenings: i tried my VERY FIRST spin class yesterday @soulcycle. holy hell. i knew it was going to be brutal, and it was. every. second. the good thing was that i survived (i mean i had to somehow, my feet were strapped to a bike. pedaling. no where). my instructor hit it pretty hard right off the bat and i was certain i wasn't going to make it five minutes in. needless to say i couldn't unclip myself from the bike, made a complete fool of myself, wobbled my way to Sprinkles Cupcakes, almost fell down some stairs, but i had the most energy afterwards and CANNOT wait to go back. it was such a great experience. loved the music, motivation and overall vibe!

currently on my playlist: the cure by Lady Gaga

well, i probably shouldn't iron at 6:30AM because clearly i need help or an eye exam. 

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how to wear culottes

culottes: (noun) how to pronounce it here: women's knee-length trousers, cut with very full legs to resemble a skirt.

i've been saying this word wrong for a while, so now that i have it down, let's post about it and share how to wear these thangs! it's either a love or hate. i happen to love them!  through trial and error, here are my four things i look out for when picking culottes:

  • go for the high waisted fit, it is just way more flattering and not to mention classy. 
  • flowy material vs. cotton. if it looks like a skirt, even better. that's the point -- for them to look like a skirt but they are actually wide leg cropped pants. how's that for mind games?!
  • length: you also don't want to go with a pair that is too long or too short, you're going to want them to hit mid shin. 
  • lastly, since they are basically cropped pants give it an extra feminine touch with a sexy pair of heels or pumps! 

but... be adventurous -- try a monochrome look, play with prints & textures, try dressing them down in a street-style kind of way!

top style tips: spring/summer: pair with a dressy cami, sleeveless crop top, lace top, off the shoulder, lightweight silk blouse. winter/fall: long sleeve crop top, turtleneck, layer a cami with a tissue turtleneck, chunky/off the shoulder sweater. still not sure how to wear em? go with a culotte jumpsuit -- cold shoulder and a long sleeve lace one (perfect one-piece to take the headache away of how to style culottes).

i have so many exciting things happening right now that i cannot wait to share with you. i feel humbled where this blogging journey has taken me! stay tuned and as always, thank you for stopping by! xoxo.

currently on my playlist: i feel it coming by The Weeknd & Daft Punk

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top | ZARA off the shoulder sweater in black (avail in four colors) -- similar // similar with lace trim // similar and a convertible cowl neck // similar but striped
pants | Ann Taylor high waisted culottes in camel (sold out) -- similar with a tie waist // really fun striped ones!
shoes | LuLu's elsi single strap heels in black suede -- similar // similar with a stacked heel at Target
sunglasses | Le Specs air heart 51mm sunglasses in black & gold (love the fit of this brand!)
bag | Louis Vuitton pouchette metis in damier canvas (borrowed from mama bear)
watch c/o | Klasse14 42mm volare rose gold watch with mesh band (use code "jannadoan" for 12% off)
earrings | BaubleBar pinata tassel drops in ROSE GOLD! -- similar but mini version // similar from the Sugarfix line at Target
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 (sold out) -- similar
lips | MAC amplified creme lipstick in brick-o-la
nails | Smith & Cult polish in kundalini hustle

rock the culottes,
JD