01 | Sarah Jessica Parker SJP Diana pump in black patent -- unfortunately, i haven't had the chance to try on any shoes from the SJP line at Nordstrom. however, this is my top pick from her line. it is a classic pump with an added twist from the sideways strap. love it. also comes in nude and gray patent.
02 | Sole Society Ivy T-strap flat in crystal blue suede -- cobalt blue flats... yes please! again, a twist on the ordinary flat with the t-strap. these flats will make any outfit stand out. also comes in leopard print canvas and black suede.
03 | Target MSC Carolyn W sneakers in black -- great causal kicks, they are very similar to the Vince Blair 5 slip on leather sneaker that i've been lemming, but at a fraction of the price! (STEAL!). i have seen these in-store and they are very lightweight.
04 | Tory Burch Frances slouchy leather satchel in french gray -- my top pick from the new Tory Burch collection. i am liking the pebbled leather, the soft gray color, and the overall shape of this handbag. it can also be worn as a top handle and a crossbody, win win in my books!
05 | Sole Society Amara clutch in black vegan leather -- an over-sized clutch with a basket-weave woven texture, measures 9.5"H x 13.5"W x 1"D. i have basket-weave fever.
06 | Sole Society Lacie in brown vegan leather -- the perfect, chic weekender get away bag. measures 15"H x 19 1/2"W x 7"D, handle drop 5 1/4", strap drop 23". also comes in black vegan leather.
my fitness journey
with the new year in front of us, i thought it would be the perfect time to share my fitness journey with you.
in the past, working out was never a priority to me. it was probably because i was younger and was given a good metabolism from my parents. every time that i did try to work out, it was painful--both physically and mentally. i tried the elliptical, other machines, and it always felt so mind-numbing, like a hamster running on a wheel... afterwards even if it was a short work out (uh... 20 minutes?!) i would feel like i got run over by a truck the next day. i was so out of shape, of course i didn't realize this until later.
for the past two years, i have done pilates religiously. my sister (who is insanely fit and always trying new types of work outs) introduced it to me. i remember my first class, i did not think i would survive, i kept thinking what is this?, you want me to do what?, and when is this going to end? the next day... wow. it hurt to talk, move, breathe. (ok, maybe a little exaggeration). but i kept going. i wanted to get better and i loved the idea of group classes, the music, the energy, and more importantly the amazing instructor. i believe that a great experience always begins with someone who is extremely passionate in what they do. that was the case here. pilates changed my life for the better. i look forward to every single class, it's the best part of my day. i can't imagine my future without it. no matter what i'm feeling, i can always count on a pilates class to lift my mood. it's my happy place that no one can ever take away from me, and it'll never let me down. i go to it three or four times a week to stay sane. it has become my way of life. even though i have been doing this for more than two years, i am no expert. there are still advanced moves i cannot do in full, but when i look back, i've come such a long way. on days when i'm hard on myself, my sister always reminds me, "remember when you first started going and you couldn't even touch your toes?!" we laugh.
so what is pilates? it was invented by Joseph Pilates. it focuses on building your powerhouse (aka your core). without it we wouldn't be able to do a lot of things so it is extremely important to have a strong core (front and back). it has helped me tremendously with my horrible posture. a lot of people also turn to pilates to alleviate back pain since back pain usually stems from not having a strong enough core.
i love pilates mat so much that i supplement it with pilates reformer. reformer is hard-core, because... it will give you just that.. a hard-core (haha, i couldn't resist). it is pilates on a machine that uses resistance to give you a full body work out. it is such a huge challenge for me, i'm always completely beat afterwards but with the most amazing feeling. call me crazy. but i'm addicted. my goal one day is to teach pilates reformer on the weekends for FUN. it's a stretch, but one day... i'll get there. i am so passionate about it and that is half the battle!
it would also be remiss if i did not mention Cassey Ho of Blogilates in this post. i had the pleasure of meeting her this past December and wow... what an amazing, kind-hearted, and inspiring individual. she is a YouTube sensation, designs her own active wear line anddd.... is launching her own brand of pilates across the nation at 24hr fitness, known as POPpilates! i love her. she constantly provides the most positive energy and motivation--it's infectious. check out her website. she also has monthly meal plans and work out schedules! the woman is a machine. i don't know how she does it!
find out what works for you. try different work outs, studios, and instructors. i've tried different studios and classes. i've found that i can't do a class without some heart pumping music. once, i attended a pilates mat class that was done with only the instructors voice, that was the longest 60 minutes of my life. i do have a favorite instructor that i see on a regular basis, but sometimes it doesn't work with my schedule, so i see others. it is a hit or miss but you have to give other instructors a try. from this i've learned to appreciate the different personalities and styles of teaching. even when i go out of town, i find a pilates studio to go to. i'm that crazy.
it's a journey, so be patient with yourself. try not to compare yourself to others and remember that change does not happen overnight. the point of my story it to encourage you to find the work out that makes you happy. the one that makes you leave feeling that you can't wait to come back and do it all over again. only then will it feel like you're not just fulfilling a new year's resolution, and it won't feel like work to get to the finish line or lose xx amount of pounds. do it because you love it and how it makes you feel afterwards. work hard, set goals, always challenge yourself, and never give up.
#strongerthanyesterday
#cantstopwontstop,
JD
lululemon coral & petal camo print
howdy! i thought i would switch it up and do an athletic wear post. because let's face it, if i could wear this all day everyday, i WOULD.
i love me some lululemon. yes, it is an insane amount to pay for clothes that you are going to sweat in... (insert long pause). but hey, think of it as motivation. if you're going to spend that much on athletic wear you BETTER put them to use. again, we're all about quality over quantity here at JDC (jannadoan.com)! let's just call it #athleticweargame
for FUNZIES. yes, i said it!
pictured above are some lululemon items that i wear constantly:
top | lululemon stuff your bra (seasonal, hopefully it will be back this summer) / lululemon 105 f singlet
pants | lululemon speed tights in petal camo with reflective prints on the sides (sold out in this print)
jacket | lululemon define jacket in black
shoes | Mizuno wave inspire 9 (old version) -- newest model is the wave inspire 11
sunglasses | Ray-Ban RB3025 (55mm) original aviator in gold/green
earrings | BaubleBar triangle ear cuff from the play by ear set (gifted from the bestie!)
necklace | hanger pendant necklace (gifted from the bestie!)
rings | etsy stacking rings / gorgana mae shimmer midi ring in gold and the vesta cuff ring in gold
details on the lululemon items above:
- lululemon stuff your bra -- this one of the most comfortable sports bras from lulu, in my opinion. it even has openings in front where you can put your chapstick etc.. i never use this function but its nice for those who run and need a chapstick pick me up. i only have two of these and wished i had picked up more when they were available. hopefully they make a come back again later this year.
- lululemon 105 f singlet -- great tank for the days when you want to wear a longer, loose fitting top. the material is very lightweight and comes in almost any color you can think of.
- lululemon speed tights -- these are my go to tights in the winter, they are warm yet moisture wicking. i really like the side pockets, including the zippered pocket on the waistband in the back.
- lululemon define jacket -- this jacket was discontinued from lululemon for some time. it made a come back this year and this was my first time getting to try it. i like the thumbholes, the cuffins (think of built in mitts!), and the zippered side pockets. great jacket for the to-and-from. it can also be worn casually as well (double duty!).
rock the lulu,
JD
current lemmings -- gadgets & glam
01 | Polaroid Z2300 instant digital camera -- take photos back old school style with this 10MP instant digital camera that prints 2x3" photos. this is perfect for the DIY photobooth, parties, get togethers, but i mainly want to get one to capture candid moments and make a fun collage out of them! you can also purchase this off of amazon here.
02 | Fujifilm instax mini 90 neo classic -- another alternative to the Polaroid above but packaged in a retro design. purchase this off of amazon here.
03 | mophie powerstation mini -- this is a great gadget for the traveler. this charges phones and any USB device providing twice as much battery life on your smart phone and easily fits into your pocket. a great option to use when you cannot get to an outlet (EX: when all the outlets at the airport are being used!). check out the complete powerstation line to find the one that suits your needs. for a more immediate fix, mophie also makes external battery cases for Samsung, HTC, and iPhones 4-6.
04 | Yves Saint Laurent volupte tint-in-oil -- this is a new lip product from YSL. it is lip tint infused with four different oils to keep your lips moisturized all day. available in eight shades.
05 | Vita Fede ultra mini eclipse pearl ring in gold -- i have an addiction to all Vita Fede designs, edgy yet so classic. the pave cube. the pearl. the open ring design. (swoon). Vita Fede nailed this ring right on the head. i'm gonna need one.
06 | Prada 54mm cat eye sunglasses in black/grey gradient -- nothing says glam like some cat eye sunglasses. these cat eye sunnies are probably my favorite.
the blanket scarf & top bun
finally getting back into the swing of things. and first things first. i did a top bun. WHAT?! this took a few tries. the result was much hair loss.. and hairspray out the wazoo. seriously. if you noticed, i never do my hair because 1) you guessed it. i ain't got time for that, 2) i'm clueless when it comes to curling hair, and 3) my hair is so thick, it makes it even harder to style. don't get me wrong, i'm not complaining, my parents have blessed me with such good genes! i've tried doing a sock bun before and my sister and i laughed so hard afterwards because it looked like there was a tire sitting on top of my head! no joke. so i found this thing here in the Walmart isle, one lady must have noticed me contemplating because she immediately came to my rescue and told me how much she loved hers. SOLD. they sell these everywhere, Forever21, H&M.. it works great and I recommend it for people with thick hair.
ok, onto the next item. this blanket scarf is everything! it was freezing cold when we shot these and the only thing that was warm was my neck, thanks to this blanket scarf. the thing about the blanket scarf is that it is huge. it adds some major fluff to your neck and shoulders (hence the warmness) so i believe it looks best with an updo (nothing fancy) -- high pony tail or top bun. blanket scarves are also great for traveling because of how many times you can wrap it around, and because it can also be used as a blanket. seriously. i love the neutral tones of this one in particular.
top | LOFT marled sweater in dusty grey
denim | Hudson nico super skinny mid-rise jeans in abbey wash
scarf | ASOS oversized scarf in big check (currently sold out) -- similar 1 / similar 2
shoes | Frye melissa button boot in cognac
bag | Celine micro luggage tote in navy
earrings | BaubleBar pearl 360 studs in ivory
rings | BaubleBar gemini pearl ring / BaubleBar ice lateral midi ring in gold / etsy stacking rings
black tulle & sequin sweater
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
2014--it has been real. in one word i can only describe it as rewarding. it was a year filled with challenges that resulted in so much growth for me in terms of health, strength, mentality, and just overall well being. the launch of this blog was a high point, as it was something i had wanted to do for years. i work tirelessly on this site in hopes that someone out there is inspired? slightly entertained by my jibber jabber? or perhaps takes my words of strength to heart? whatever it is that brings you here, thank you. the journey continues so stick around!
2015--this is our year for the taking. so show it who's boss! (that's YOU).
#stronger
#cantstopwontstop,
JD
i have been lemming a tulle (pronounced as "tool") skirt, it's so... what's the word... whimsical! and... PERFECT for a new year's outfit.
skirt | Space 46 the wendy 25" tulle skirt in black -- runs small, measure yourself and check the size chart before purchasing.
top | LOFT sequin stripe sweater in whisper white
shoes | LuLu's elsi single strap heels in black suede
bag | DVF lytton clutch in black quilted leather (sold out) -- similar
necklace | Etsy wreath collar necklace in gray -- similar from BaubleBar in opal
earrings | ASOS big faux pearl and stone swing earrings (sold out) -- similar
rings | BaubleBar mason crystal ring in gold / BaubleBar ice lateral midi ring in gold / Etsy stacking rings
watch | Michael Kors darci in gold
lips | MAC lipstick in brick-o-la (favorite MAC lipstick)
tom ford lips and boys -- michael & rafael
left to right: rafael, true coral (full size), michael
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and your family! enjoy and cherish these times.
if you follow any beauty bloggers, you will have already heard of the Tom Ford lips and boys collection. this was released on black friday through cyber monday and only in select stores for ONE day. lips and boys is a limited edition 50-shade lipstick collection named after all the men in Mr. Ford's life. and to add to the genius marketing campaign, these are advertised as "clutch sized lipsticks" (ohhhh... Mr. Ford) retailing for $32 USD a pop/0.07 oz. for ease of picking, the 50-shades are grouped into the following color families: nudes to browns, silvers to blacks, metallics, light pinks to mauves, pops of pinks to roses, fuchsia to magentas, corals to oranges, reds, violets to orchid, and plums.
if you missed this the first go around, they will be back December 26, 2014 (that's tomorrow!). be sure to also check out Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Saks, and Neiman Marcus websites. this is the PERFECT chance to try a Tom Ford lipstick because they are a little cheaper than the regular sized lipsticks which retail for $50 USD/0.1 oz. pretty steep. i really liked this concept. a smaller sized lipstick at a decent price. because... let's be honest. i don't ever see myself using a WHOLE tube of lipstick in my lifetime. ever.
at the time i purchased these, there were no swatches available on any beauty blogs or websites. so it was almost a shot in the dark picking colors only based on product images. i wanted to venture into the oranges and pinks, so in came rafael and michael. (now lemming francesco!)
rafael belongs to the corals to oranges family. it is a warm orange and is quite pigmented. michael belongs to the pops of pink to roses family. it is a bright medium pink with a semi frosted finish. both colors are perfect for the summer. i can't wait!
swatches are now plentiful in the blogosphere. Temptalia who is very well known in the beauty blogging world has great swatches! check out her initial swatches part one and part two. she also did individual reviews on each lipstick so be sure to use the search function to find those. also, here are a list of shades that are re-promotes (including my beloved true coral!):
- Cooper = Pure Pink
- Adriano = True Coral
- Alejandro = Slander
- Leonardo = Smoke Red
- Xavier = Violet Fatale
- Collin = Indian Rose
- Cary = Casablanca
- Didier = Moroccan Rouge
note the difference in size
helloooooo rafael
helloooooo michael
left to right: rafael, michael
go get you a boy (or two),
JD