the black lace midi & studded heels

July 16, 2015

happy thursday!

the sweltering texas heat has caused me to rise at the break of dawn to take pictures #fortheblog. as i'm driving to this shoot, its 6:30am on a saturday, i'm wearing a black dress and red lipstick. i think to myself, 'yep, i'm a little crazy... or dedicated... yea, i'm gonna go with dedicated.' these pictures were tough, it's a small window before i start sweating and my hair gets all big and frizzy trying to make friends with the texas humidity. #hairproblems

this dress is great for any occasion and snagged it when it went on sale. i love the scalloped lace detailing on the front and back not to mention the midi length. the scuba-like material on this dress makes it effortless to wear. the shoes... oh the shoes... these sold out on Solesociety.com within a few hours and i was lucky to get my hands on a pair the first time around! however, they are back in stock now!! they are the best (not to mention high quality) dupe of the Valentino rockstud t-strap pumps at 1/15 of the price! red lips were a must for this look. this time i pulled out a red i haven't used before that is apart of the Tom Ford matte lip color collection in ruby rush. you've heard me rave about my first red lipstick from Tom Ford in cherry lush before, but to compare the two, cherry lush is a blue-red with a shiny finish. ruby rush is a true red that is completely matte in a reallyyy good kind of way. red lips + black dress + oversized round sunglasses = G.L.A.M. even if it is 7AM. rock it.

dress | ASOS lace trim prom scuba midi dress in black
shoes | Sole Society tiia studded t-strap
bag | DVF lytton clutch in black quilted leather (old) -- latest version / similar from Kate Landry
sunglasses | Prada oversized round sunglasses in black
necklace | Kendra Scott ginger statement necklace in black (old) -- similar in green / another style in black
rings | BaubleBar tri bar ring / Vita Fede ultra mini double cubo crystal ring in gold / etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | Tom Ford matte lip color in ruby rush

the sleeveless shirt dress & gladiator sandals

July 9, 2015

texas. HOT. texas. HOT. oh, did i mention, it is HOT in TEXAS?!!!

this was a fun one, considering i spent time hunting for the perfect white picket fence. (yes, this is what i do on my spare time in case you were wondering. lol.) and finally, i found it. perfectly placed in the middle of a beautiful and charming neighborhood. there's just something about a white picket fence that i simply adore. oh, how i wish i had one. well, the idea was to snap the pictures very quickly without being noticed... (#noshame). but what are the chances of the owners pulling into their driveway while this was happening? oh... let's say... 100%! lol. yes, that's just my luck! the owners were so kind though, the wife even shouted, "you do your thing girl!" lol. the stories of taking photos in public are slowly adding up..! #anythingforapicture

ok, onto fashion. this shirt dress is verryyy comfy, not to mention it is a chic and causal dress for summer. i cinched mine with a belt to give it more shape than having it all loosely draped. a belt can do wonders for dresses like these, long cardigan or tunics! i urge you to try it! in addition, i received the memo that lace up gladiators are very much in right now. however, i didn't want anything too crazy so i found these at Old Navy last week, to my dismay they are already sold out online!! sorry, i linked a similar one (and at the same price point!) but it also looks like it is about to sell out. i'm thinking next time i'll try to lace them up more. (ponders next outfit with these awesome sandals).

dress | H&M shirt dress (i just bought this last week and don't see it on the H&M website yet) -- similar / similar with sleeves / similar in eyelet
belt | Forever 21 skinny belt (ancient) -- similar
shoes | Old Navy lace up sandals in tan (out of stock) -- similar and only a few left!
bag | Celine micro luggage tote in navy
sunglasses | Coach casey in dark tortoise (old) -- loving these newer ones
earrings | Kendra Scott elle gold earrings in slate
necklace | BaubleBar ice scallop pendant (the daintiest little thing!)
watch | Michael Kors darci in gold
bracelets | Kendra Scott jana bracelet in slate / beaded wrap bracelets handmade by JD
rings | BaubleBar tri bar ring / BaubleBar arrow wrap ring / etsy stacking & midi rings

rock the shirt dress,
JD

the printed pom pom romper

June 11, 2015

happy thursday y'all! i love thursday... you know why? because it can only mean one thing.... that tomorrow is F-R-I-D-A-Y!
seriously, it's the simple things in life that make me happy!

here we go, one of my favorite things to wear during the summer--the romper! why? oh... because it is a top and a bottom, ALL-IN-ONE (and a good kind of all-in-one!). you just slip it on, put on some shoes, and you are GTG. you don't have to worry about matching a top to a bottom which is a HUGE plus. the takeaway is--defer to the romper when you are pressed for time. this one from Target also has pockets and the cutest pom pom hem detail!

(ok, i take that back. there is one downside to rompers. and that is when you really need to use the restroom.)

romper | Xhilaration printed popover romper
sandals | Sam Edelman gigi in saddle
bag | Coach station crossbody in british tan (vintage)
earrings | Kendra Scott sky earrings in white pearl
necklaces | BaubleBar engraved coordinates bar pendant / gorjana mave lariat necklace
watch | Michael Kors darci in gold
rings | etsy stacking rings / BaubleBar diana midi ring

rock the romper,
JD

the little white dress & other things

May 28, 2015

hello. do you remember me? i hope so.

it has been a longgg time y'all. so much "stuff" has happened since my last post on JDC. for the most part... it was all sad. i wish i could tell you otherwise. the hardest was the loss of my grandma. it is a harsh reality and pains me that i do not have anymore grandmas. there is nothing like death to open your eyes to how short life really is. to me, everyday is a new day to appreciate and do good. i never hope to be rich or famous but, rather, live a simple and meaningful life. that can mean different things to different people. but... to me, that means being kind, caring deeply, accepting change, appreciating what i have, doing the right thing, and living in the moment. these are all really hard things to do in my opinion, and although i struggle, i really do try. during these times i remind myself that even during the darkest days, the sun will always shine again and that nothing in life is permanent--even the people we love and care about. so live a day that makes you proud. do good--today and everyday.

honestly, as i sit here and write this post, i feel a surge of happiness. yep, this is my happy place. good thing it is named after me. (ha ha).

what other way to get back in the swing of things with this beautiful white dress that has been sitting in my closet begging to be worn? i love the simplicity of this dress, the midi length, and the "v" back. oh, and did i mention that it has pockets?! and finally... my first pair of Manolo Blahniks (eep!) make a debut on the blog. i am convinced that this is the shoe i have been missing my whole life!

xoxo,
JD

dress | LuLu's lead a charmed life midi dress in ivory (sold out) -- similar
shoes | Manolo Blahnik 90mm BB pump in nude patent
earrings | Kendra Scott sophee drop earrings in gold
bracelet | BaubleBar athena grid cuff
bag | Kate Landry pyramid metal hardframe clutch (sold out) -- similar
lips | MAC lipstick in brick-o-la

the black textured midi & pearls

March 19, 2015

howdy! it feels so good to be back. february and march have been hectic and the weather in texas has been horrible, so i apologize for the hiatus.

this post is all about the classy--black, white, pearls, and red lips. oh, and the newest member to my tiny purse collection, the CHANEL 2.55 classic double flap bag in black lambskin... this bag is everythannggggg!

top | H&M high neck top embellished with pearls in cream (old) -- a halter neck option
skirt | H&M textured midi skirt in black (old) -- similar 1 / similar 2
shoes | LuLu's elsi single strap heels in black suede
bag | CHANEL 2.55 classic double flap bag in black lambskin
earrings | Kendra Scott quincy delicate earrings in crackle crystal
bracelet | Vita Fede mini titan crystal bracelet in gold -- similar from BaubleBar
rings | etsy stacking rings / BaubleBar structural crystal ring set / BaubleBar diana midi ring
lips | Tom Ford lip color in cherry lush

the striped skirt & caged heels

February 19, 2015

BaubleBar does it again, because this gold ra bib necklace is everythanngggg. i have been wearing this quite a bit lately. it's very... Cleopatra-ish in an edgy kind of way. (if that makes any sense). not to mention, the all-gold goes with everythannggg!

here, i've turned a typical pencil-skirt-office-look into something a little more suited for the evening hours with three things that you can easily pack and change into after work: this statement necklace, a clutch, and a pair of caged lace-up heels. i am very drawn to the caged/lace-up heels. they are so edgy and hot. in my own opinion, they say "don't mess with me." i'm sure this won't be my last pair.

top | J.Crew Factory ruffle blouse (sold out) -- another great one to go with pencil skirts
skirt | Forever21 striped sateen pencil skirt in ivory & black
shoes | DV by Dolce Vita safia strappy sandals in black suede (and on sale!)
bag | Tory Burch adjustable clutch w/removable chain (old) -- similar
necklace | BaubleBar gold ra bib necklace
rings | Vita Fede ultra mini double cubo crystal ring in gold / etsy stacking/midi rings

the textured bardot dress

February 5, 2015

everyone in the blogosphere is posting valentine's day looks (aka: just another date night look because let's face it, valentine's day is just another day where people spend tons of money on flowers, chocolates, gifts, fixed priced dinners. but hey, it's good for the economy.)... so here is mine! except instead of pink/red, i'm taking it back to the basics with BLACK. (my favorite color... if it was a real color). i'm definitely stepping out of my comfort zone into this flirty bardot checkered dress. the term "bardot" is nothing more than an off-shoulder dress/top that will surely turn heads. it is elegant, timeless, and perfect for an exclusive event. what i loved most about this dress (not only the fact that it was a steal at $35 USD!) is the checkered textured-ness. (oh, and it has pockets. so you really need to get yourself one if i haven't already sold it to you). add some glam gold accessories, loose wavy curls, the feline flick, blush, and strappy heels then you have yourself what i deem a valentine's day look.

and finally, a little snippet about this gold metalframe clutch. i've wanted one for a while because it is such a versatile item to have. instead of paying gobs of $$$ for a Kotur i found myself a steal with this Kate Landry clutch from Dillards. i love discovering new brands. Kate Landry has an awesome line of clutches/miniaudieres (fancy term for an evening bag). her line is only available at Dillards, so please check it out! might i add, the owl and peacock miniaudieres are adorable!

dress | ASOS bardot textured prom dress in black
shoes | LuLu's elsi single strap heels in black suede
bag | Kate Landry pyramid metal hardframe clutch (sold out) -- similar
earrings | Kendra Scott alex earrings in black
bracelet | Etsy pave link bracelet (the shop that i bought it from is under construction but do a general search, many shops carry them) -- similar on BaubleBar
rings | etsy stacking/midi rings, BaubleBar crystal mason ring in gold
lips | MAC lipstick in brick-o-la
hair | attempted by JD (semi-diaster)

rock the bardot,
JD