his & her gift guide part four (under $25!)

December 21, 2014

01 | Whiskey ice ball molds -- a great alternative to the whiskey stones. rounded ice = slower melt time = less diluted alcohol = happy man. for a more immediate version check out these from Crate & Barrel.
02 | Cedar shoe trees -- shoes need love too! cedarwood helps to eliminate odor and moisture while keeping shoes in proper shape.
03 | Moscow mule copper mugs -- have you had a moscow mule? if not, you need to. then you will want to buy these mugs, invite friends over, and drink moscow mules together. clink clink. or more like clank clank?!
04 | Trapp Frangrances 7 oz. poured candle -- while i love Diptyque, Trapp candles are amazing in terms in scent and price. my favorite is No. 12 mango guava. this candle burns for about 50 hours. they also come in votives as well. check out the store locator to find a Trapp supplier near you.
05 | West Elm glass shadow boxes -- although these require some counter/dresser space i believe they are worth it! a dainty little box to hold your delicate rings, necklaces, earrings etc..
06 | Anthropologie golden monogram mug (limited edition) -- normally these come in black but this year they are also available in gold! snag 'em while they are still available!

flannel gingham & quilted vest

December 18, 2014

don't underestimate the flannel shirt. this thing will keep you pretty warm. even if you're chopping down a tree... or just trying to model it. !

top | J.Crew Factory classic button down flannel shirt in cape gingham
vest | lululemon athletica fluff off vest (last season) -- similar
pants | lululemon athletica wunder under pants in black
wellies | Hunter huntress rain boots in matte black
watch | Skagen grenen watch in titanium (men's)
rings | BaubleBar ice lateral midi ring in gold / etsy stacking rings

rock the flannel,
JD

the black peplum skirt & crop top

December 11, 2014

crop top got nothin' on me.

as my bio states, "when it comes to fashion, i believe in staying true to your style, but also stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something completely different! make it yours and rock it!" here is a great example... the crop top is something i wouldn't normally wear because it's out of my comfort zone. but, i quickly learned there is nothing to fear. i've seen it styled many ways, but i discovered what works for me as you will discover what works for you. here are a few tips and tricks to rock the crop top:

1. the key is to keep it classy and pair the crop top with a high waisted bottom. no need to have your entire mid-drift showing! i personally think the crop top looks best with a midi skirt, whether it be fitted or a fit and flare. but, don't limit yourself! try some high waisted shorts and pants. oh, and add a blazer? yes, now we're talking.
2. pick a crop top that is fitted, not tight like a sausage casing!
3. go for a high neck crop top versus a v-neck/scoop neck. since you are already showing some skin on your waist there is no need to be more revealing. unless.. that is the look you are trying to achieve.
4. add some bright lips and wear it all with confidence. yea yea!

true confession... i love this skirt but it has sat in my closet for about a year now because A) i couldn't find the perfect top to wear it with, B) i had no idea where i would wear it because it is... quite a statement. but now... the frequent saying is... it's #fortheblog (insert emoji monkey covering eyes)

top | H&M high neck crop top (sold out) -- similar / similar and textured
skirt | ASOS scuba pencil skirt with peplum hem in black (only avail in tall now) -- similar and color blocked fun!
bag | Tory Burch adjustable clutch w/removable chain (old) -- similar
shoes | LuLu's elsi single strap heels in black suede (i highly recommend some padded/gel inserts for the balls of the feet with these!)
earrings | Kendra Scott tima stud earrings in gold (currently out of stock)
bracelet | Kendra Scott ailee link bracelet in abalone shell (sold out) / etsy stacking and midi rings
rings | Kendra Scott isha stacking rings (set of three) in abalone shell multi
lips | NARS semi-matte lipstick in funny face (favorite fuchsia)

rock the crop top,
JD

his & her gift guide part three

December 8, 2014

01 | Custom initial or monogram cufflinks -- cufflinks are a common gift for the holidays, but custom cufflinks take it to the next level. you can pick the metal, finish, font, placement, what you want it to say; initials, dates etc.. the choice is yours! be creative! you can find a ton of these on etsy.com. etsy has SOOO many unique gifts and what's great is that they are all handcrafted. i can get lost on etsy for hours... it's a black hole. but... back to the cufflinks, i did a lot of browsing before i settled on these, i like square cufflinks, the brushed finished, the soldered backs and ordered them off of Spiffing Jewelry's etsy shop. other men's accessories that can be customized from this shop include tie clips and collar stays. i can't wait for them to arrive, i know it will add smiles to faces as it is a one of a kind gift.
02 | Junkers Bauhaus #6060-5 watch -- a leather strap watch is a great alternative (and less formal) to the normal chain watches that most guys wear. my friend has this watch and i like that is a unique brand that i have not heard of/seen before. Junkers is a "German-made aviation inspired timepiece." this model in particular features a 24-sub dial for military time. it is an automatic watch and also has a power reserve meter at the top. overall, i love the design and simplistic look of this watch. buy it on longislandwatch.com in the U.S.
03 | TRIWA walter lansen chrono watch -- another unique brand of men's watches from stockholm, sweden. (why do i feel like men have cooler watches?!) this is a beautiful watch, i love the gold subdials with the black/gray face. you also have the choice of a canvas or leather strap.
04 | Coach madison stainless steel watch in silver -- for as long as i can remember, i have wanted a watch with blue dials/hands. think Cartier: the blue dials, the roman numerals... yes... (swoon!) but who's got money for that?! loving this one by Coach. also comes in gold and rose gold. but i'd go back to the basics with silver on this one.
05 | Ted Baker multifunction croc-embossed leather strap watch in hamilton gold/white -- i didn't know Ted Baker made watches?! either way, job well done here with a white leather strap and gold face. includes two subdials: one for day and another 24-hr.
06 | GiGi New York uber clutch in stone pebble grain -- every woman loves clutches. well, at least i do. this is a good sized clutch (13 1/4" W x 9 1/4" H), and you can get it personalized (guaranteed smiles!) by adding up to three initials. i've only seen these in the embossed python finish, but i am loving the stone pebble grain so much more. this clutch comes in a variety of colors (good luck picking one!), but stone is a great color that will go with all outfits. other items that you can personalize include: handbags, datebooks, and journals. go crazy!

the textured circle skirt & cobalt blue scarf

December 4, 2014

the circle skirt gives off fun vibes. and really, i just want to twirl in it. i chose to pair this pleated circle skirt with a long loose fitting sweater. i added a cobalt blue scarf for a splash of color and a pair of blue statement earrings to tie the whole look together. outfits that are mainly black or gray can always be brightened with some color using accessories such as scarves, necklaces, earrings, and tights! or... (insert drum roll) lipstick!

also, i can't for the life of me understand why hair is always so perfect when one leaves the salon? i mean, am i the only one who feels that way?! what the heck do they do to your hair that makes it PERFECT? it's like you don't want to wash the magical-ness out? and feel that you should do something/anything that day instead of go home and lounge?! the freshly styled haircut needs to be seen ladies. so... i encourage you to get haircuts in the morning and flaunt the hair. yep. i said it. here i chopped off some hair and made sure to take some bloggin' pictures afterwards! now, if you ask me, that's some strategic planning. yea yea!!

top | H&M fine knit sweater in light gray melange
skirt | H&M textured-weave skirt in black
tights | Merona premium opaque tights in black -- probably the warmest tights i have! and available in so many colors.
shoes | DV by Dolce Vita thora bootie in black suede (old) -- similar / similar
scarf | Express (old) -- similar
bag | Tory Burch city satchel in black (old) -- similar
earrings | BaubleBar crystal bronte drops in blue
rings | Kendra Scott daisy ring in slate (color bar), etsy stacking/midi rings

holiday dresses

December 1, 2014

today i'm talking about holiday dresses! holiday attire = lace. metallics. glitter. sequins. tulle. velvet. feathers. (all in moderation, and not all together... of course).

looking for THE holiday dress for THAT party? i got ya covered. i searched high and low for these below. they range from different colors, textures, styles, and cuts.

my picks:

ASOS True Decadence Rose Gold Jacquard Midi Prom Dress

Eliza J Dot Mesh Bodice Fit & Flare Dress

LuLu's Line and Dot Monroe Black Sequin Maxi Dress

01 | ASOS True Decadence jacquard midi dress in rose gold -- a "v" cut in the front and back in rose gold! what?! again, a midi length is always a good choice. this is a great option for a fancy date night, and perhaps a play.

02 | Eliza J dot mesh bodice fit & flare dress in black -- i like all things that are 3/4 sleeve. even dresses! somehow, this dress has hostess written all over it. feel comfortable entertaining, mixing drinks, putting final touches on your appetizers in this cute little thing! and it has pockets, which is basically an automatic buy.
03 | LuLu's line and dot monroe sequin maxi dress in black -- i don't own a sequin dress, but if i were to own one, this would be it! it is gorgeous, and um... you can do the angelina jolie leg pose with this... yessss! i can see this as a new year's eve party dress.
04 | Taylor Dresses lace sheath dress in scarlet -- the red lace dress is a great elegant option for the holidays. while i love the Adrianna Papell lace dress, this one has a dainty bow on the waist making it a little different. work party appropriate.
05 | LOFT leopard jacquard flare dress in hilltop green -- i can see this with black tights and some heels or even booties for a casual look.

black & red pencil

November 27, 2014

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, my friends! this is my favorite time of the year for so many reasons... family gatherings, warm casseroles/baked goods straight from the oven, thinking of the perfect gift to get your loved ones, family gatherings! (yes, again!), sweaters, scarves, layering, boots, hot cocoa, christmas music, twinkle lights, movies by the fireplace... etc.. the list goes on. but i'll spare you my glee. i hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving spent with the people you love and care about most. eat lots, be thankful, and strategically plan how black friday is going down for you (even if that means sleep)!

i pulled out this number in excitement for the holidays -- the red pencil skirt. ladies, when you wear a pencil skirt, everyone is going to take you seriously. ok, i just made that up. but seriously though, the pencil skirt conveys you mean business. it is a professional and classy look that we all must rock!

p.s. -- it was FREEZING for this shoot. like 30s! but... anything for the blog. <3.