it's about time

time & courage.

gosh where to begin?! let’s talk about taking a break from social media for 5 months. IT WAS THE BEST! completely unplugging was amazing β€” i didn’t worry about content, or what others were doing, i was just FREE to BE. i support the social media detox and may do this every summer when it becomes too hot to do anything. some life events happened such as: my little (not so little) cousin graduated from RICE! my father retired (so proud of him!), AND…. i spent TWO WEEKS in Europe! (finally marked off my bucket list! and blog posts already in the queue about this!).

you can find me in deep thoughts over here on the topics of time and courage. but why you ask? approaching 38, that’s what i’ll blame it on. more after the jump!

currently on my playlist: about damn time by Lizzo

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time // time is a thief! i find myself wanting time to slow down even more so than before. i see my niece and nephew growing up so quickly, my parents aging and it makes me wish that i could stop time & savor all the moments β€” where did time go? i guess that’s the sad thing about it… is that it waits on no one. it’s the most valuable currency. i feel like most of us live day to day, routine through routine as if each day is given and predictable, that we forget to go about it more intentionally. it makes you question, am i spending my time on the right people and things? am i creating a meaningful life i’m proud of? what if i didn’t have much time left, what would i do differently, how would i change the way i live/love? how would i approach each day? deep thoughts. i know. but makes you wonder. i also watched some time warp movies such as The Lake House and Long Story Short which amplifies these types of thoughts. just something to ponder about life. see what no social media does to ya?! πŸ˜„

courage // have you seen 'the call to courage by Brene Brown’? if not, it’s available on Netflix and i highly recommend you watch it. i’ve seen it 2-3x now. each time it’s a tearjerker. it’s funny how we grew up thinking that vulnerability is a sign of weakness. Brene teaches that the irony is that is in order for us to experience love, belonging, and joy, we have to be vulnerable. and to be vulnerable requires you to be brave/courageous. i for one am terrible at vulnerability. but it’s something i’m working on. Brene describes vulnerability as uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure; all of which are terrifying to me. it wasn’t until my late 30s that courage and vulnerability became more prominent in my life. BUT it makes me wonder what my life would be/look like if my younger self took more chances, put myself out there more, and played it bigger? unfortunately, time is that unrenewable resource, there is no going back. having the self-awareness of your shortcomings is always the first step to make those life changes for the better. Brene also goes into talking about vulnerability in the workplace which i found very interesting. below are my favorite quotes from Brene’s Netflix special:

today, i choose courage over comfort. i can’t make a commitment for tomorrow, but today i’m going to choose to be brave.

vulnerability isn’t about winning or losing. it’s having the courage to show up when u can’t control the outcome.

vulnerability is hard, scary, and feels dangerous. but not as hard, scary, or dangerous as getting to the end of your life and having to ask yourself what if… what if i would’ve shown up? what if i would have said i love you, what if xyz. show up, be seen, answer the call to courage, because you’re worth it. you are worth being brave.

-Brene Brown

dress | J.Crew daydream dress in white linen (perfect for family photos) β€” similar but short sleeve // similar by Tuckernuck // love this one in blue & white floral print // similar but sleeveless
earrings | Mejuri charlotte bold hoops in gold vermeil
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver
rings | gorjana diamond row ring in 14K gold // gorjana diamond stacking ring in 14K gold

xx,
JD

photo credit: lil blogger sis @simplyyvan

the white denim dress

saying goodbye to summer fashion!

i couldn’t be happier to enter the season of fashion i love most, FALL! i think this might be my first denim dress. i’ve wanted one for a while but had the hardest time finding a style i liked. this one was very different and like an apron style. it’s an β€œopen” dress and you literally wrap it on you and button it from the inside and outside if that makes sense. i’ve been a fan of the square neckline so this fit the bill! and the denim is actually hefty and not thin so A+ in my books. and.. y’all. it. has. pockets! it’s great for any kind of brunch or day-date outing. style it casually with an everyday tote and some casual style heels. PSβ€”these are actually SUPA comfy and really light!

side happenings: @everlane is having pop-ins at @nordstrom!! at the bottom is a list of stores who will have the pop-in in-store. gah, y’all know my love for everlane is real (deep). pop-ins are great if you’re not sure on sizing or want to feel/see the items in person. need recs?! I GOT CHU!!! for the women’s picks i included items i actually own and have worn myself that will be featured at Nordstrom. i also included some men’s picks too :)
women | the day heel pump // the wide leg crop pants // the authentic stretch high rise skinny jeans // the cashmere turtleneck sweater dress (don’t own this one but may have to one day!)
men | the uniform bomber jacket // the waffle knit long sleeve henley // the modern flannel shirt

PSβ€”it’s the fall 2019 @bloomingdales friends & family sale!! i always try to purchase anything off bloomingdales because it’s tax-free to TX!

@bloomingdales friends & family sale β€” fall 2019

who | bloomingdales
what | 25% off almost all regular and sale price purchases for women, men, kids, and home, items eligible are labeled 25% off. exclusions listed on bloomingdales.com. and FREE shipping for everyone! in addition, loyalists (their FREE reward program, so don't forget to join!) receive free shipping, no minimum, everyday! &&& TAX-FREE TO TEXAS!! #winning
when | 10/04/19 - 10/14/19 (online), 10/07/19 - 10/14/19 (in-stores)
where | bloomingdales.com or in store
use promo code at checkout | none needed!
own purchases | Marc Fisher yale chelsea booties in brown suede (i have these in black leather and they are DA BEST.)

currently on my playlist: pitfalls by sistek

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dress | J.Crew button front trench dress in stretch white denim β€” same but in blue denim // similar for $30 // similar but more fitted // similar with ruffles // similar but mini // similar with a fun asymmetrical button detail $59
shoes | Dolce Vita roman heeled sandal in caramel leather (available in four other colors) β€” similar // similar for $25
bag c/o | Everlane the day square tote in cognac (beautiful leather & holds shape quite nicely) β€” similar but in the CUTEST mini size // similar but taller // similar but larger
earrings c/o | BaubleBar capella drop earrings in white β€” similar and not as statement-y
necklace | Anthropologie monogram pendant necklace
sunglasses | Celine marta sunglasses in havana (my fave sunnies!) β€” newer design // similar by QUAY for $55 // 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 c/o | Daniel Wellington classic petite melrose 32mm in rose gold and white

rock all the denim dresses & white (even after labor day),
JD

photo credit: Steven Gunter

the white linen dress & sponsored content

summer linen.

there are a ton of summer fabrics, but linen is such a classic! it’s great for when you wanna change up all the gingham & eyelet textures. it’s also such a cooling fabric and rarely will you find a piece that is 100% linen like this one from @theory___! most pieces are are linen-cotton blend, so it felt super luxe to be wearing this. of course we had to find the best fairy-tale like background for it too! isn’t this place a gem? the v is actually low for my taste but the cap-sleeve design and slight A-line fit make it a #classy piece. and timeless i might add.

the downside to linen is that it wrinkles veryyy easy. think easy and x it by 10. this dress, worth the iron though. and while it does have a liner, it’s not enough which is usually the case with white linen pieces, you have to wear a slip. it’s an elegant piece and doens’t need much jewelry. i didn’t even wear my typical β€œJ” necklace and my photographer thought something was wrong. :D

currently listening to: find u again by Mark Ronson ft. Camila Cabello

side ramblings: great things are on the horizon but i can’t share just YET. xx

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let’s clear the air on sponsored #SP material here on JDC (jannadoan.COM): isn’t it everyone’s goal to make money doing something they love?! duh. then why is it that influencers/bloggers get wrath for sponsored content? in general bloggers get crap all over the board. yes, there are people who ruin it for others but at the heart of the blogging community there are still genuine bloggers out there. by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) we are to disclose when something is sponsored, paid, or gifted etc… automatically people think, yea he/she just got paid for that so i wouldn’t trust him/her. here’s what i gotta say (you guessed it, bullet point format):

  • use your intuition about a blogger/influencer. if you think it’s fake… guess what? it’s probably FAKE! i know, i’m a rocket scientist. when you look at something really randomly posted and you raise one eyebrow like β€œwhat is this…” that’s your intuition β€œspeaking.” listen to it. but hey let’s cut someee slack on all the toilet paper & tampon ads, maybe this is their full-time job? the bills don’t pay themselves (or so i hear).

  • because i’m old, i don’t do anything i don’t want to do. even if it’s paid. that may have not been the case when i was first getting started five years ago… but my greys have made me wiser. if i don’t like something i don’t post it. and i say NO to a lot of (really good) opportunities when it doesn’t align. aka: is not a #hellyes.

  • JDC is NOT my sole source of income. cause ya’ll… i WOULD BE BROKE AF. lol. blogging costs a LOT of money. every post i put out, i actually lose money. and i rarely make any sales based off commission via my links. i’m not a pushy enough saleswoman. just doesn’t seem authentic to me. since this is not my sole income, i don’t need sponsorships to keep this alive. instead, i just work an insane amount of hours at my other job(s). HAHA it all makes sense, i know.

  • there are still influencers/bloggers out there who carry themselves with integrity. the last time i looked up integrity in the dictionary my name was right next to it. :D xx

yes, my castle is right behind that wall.

dress c/o | Theory pure linen deep v easy midi dress in white β€” similar from J.Crew with pleats // not similar but love this one // shirtdress style // not similar but striped! // i have this in yellow!
shoes | Target Merona marcella low block heel ankle strap sandals in tan (old) β€” newer style // similar but higher heel // the original by Steve Madden
bag | J.Crew Factory rattan clutch in natural pale gold (really old) β€” similar at J.Crew
earrings | Kendra Scott diane statement earrings in gold β€” smaller design in the didi // similar but in matte colors // smaller design in the didi with pearl
sunglasses | Celine marta sunglasses in havana (my fave sunnies!) β€” 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

rock all the linen,
JD

photo credit: Steven Gunter
a post done in collaboration with Theory.
dress provided via the last of my Theory gifted giftcard funds, (paid $100+ out of pocket for this baby!)
all opinions are my own.

the eyelet wrap dress

eyelet + ruffles.

while i’m such a fall/winter gal at heart, i love all the spring texture and prints. from floral to gingham print. to seersucker and eyelet. i try not to buy more eyelet (especially in white since the #LWD collection is growing fast) but each time spring creeps around, i can’t help it. i love the texture of eyelet and it’s great for those casual spring/summer days, a brunch, a picnic, a day date to a local winery. throw on some flat cognac sandals for comfort and you got yourself chic in 5 mins. bonus points if you add a boater hat and a straw bag! this dress has a pretty good wrap to it so you won’t have to worry about flashing anyone on a windy day, and it also helps that it’s a midi length as well. but two gripes about this dress: the top a tad big, but that’s my usual problem with wrap dresses, even when sizing down it’s still a little big AND wish it had pockets. but the ruffle detail and no-skimping on the bow/sash material makes up for it.

side ramblings: FINALLY! the @sprinklescupcakes lemon meringue cupcake is hereeee!! come to mama!! well, until 4/28. it’s my fave seasonal one so you should def give it a try! also, a real quick word on the @kendrascott Give Confidence jewelry trade in program that runs until 4/30: bring in any gently worn Kendra Scott jewelry to a KS store, and in partnership with Dress for Success, KS will donate this piece to a woman who deserves a little extra sparkle! in return, you will receive $15 off any purchase. just a good way to find a home for pieces you aren’t currently wearing. LASTLY, the @sephora spring bonus sale starts on 4/26 for ROUGE members and 5/2 for everyone else (20% off for ROUGE, 15% off for VIB, and 10% off for insiders). GET YO CARTS READY. haha. mine is because i’m a skincare nerd and one of my money saving tips is to never buy skincare or beauty products at regular price. wait til a sale and stock/try new things! sharing my list soon. until next time, xx.

currently on my playlist: sideways by Citzen Cope

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