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

current lemmings -- bracelets & cuffs

June 4, 2015

01 | David Yurman cable buckle bracelet with gold -- ok, first things first. i don't wear much silver, but David Yurman makes me want to!! i don't own any because of the hefty price tag! these are so pretty when they are stacked... with more David Yurman (gulp!). love this classic style with gold accents.
02 | David Yurman cable classics bracelet with diamonds -- (swoon). diamonds & bling bling in a classy, understated way. it's okay, a girl can dream. a similar but less expensive style here. (swoon).
03 | BaubleBar network cuff -- nowadays it is all about the stacking of bracelets, but sometimes, i really like the statement of a single classy cuff. this one is a great alternative to my athena grid cuff.
04 | Miansai screw cuff in gold -- super spunky! i also really like the enamel color-blocked version, and the tarn cuff (thinner than the screw cuff).
05 | Vita Fede cubo eclipse crystal bracelet in gold -- Vita Fede rocks. her edgy yet classy designs always strike my eyes.
06 | Kendra Scott maren bangle bracelets in gold -- can't forget about KS! this is the perfect bangle set for summer.
07 | Kendra Scott elton bracelet in white iridescent -- a great bracelet available in a variety of gemstones to add a touch of color.

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

current lemmings -- casual & chic

April 13, 2015

01 | TATCHA kyoto red silk lipstick -- TATCHA is an amazing skincare line that is inspired by geisha beauty rituals. i mean who doesn't want geisha skin?!?! Victoria Tsai (founder) does it again. here is the very first TATCHA lipstick a "universal shade that flatters all skintones." all TATCHA products are luxuriously packaged, this isn't an exception. the lipstick is a limited edition release, and only one order allowed per customer! a great review can be found on @MESSYWANDS. i guess you can never have too many red lipsticks......
02 | BaubleBar ice peak ring in gold -- i love the dainty-ness and subtle statement that this ring makes. (chevron is always in style! at least in my mind). also loving its midi baby below.
03 | BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring in gold
04 | Sisley Paris black rose precious face oil -- this is cult favorite and always has RAVE reviews. of course.. it also comes with a huge price tag. (one day Sisley, you will be mine!) the "moisturizing action lasts for 8 hours and the skin is intensively nourished and protected. with regular application, the skin's natural feel and suppleness are restored. after 4 weeks, wrinkles and fine lines are visibly reduced. the skin regains its fullness, and is revitalized and radiant."
05 | ILY shoe addict tshirt in eco gray -- i love tshirts, including graphic tees. this is a super cute one that all women can relate to.
06 | J.Crew 4" chino shorts in bistro blue -- my absolute favorite chino shorts are backkk! they should stop making these in every color under the sun. also available in 3, 5, and 7 inch lengths.
07 | Stuart Weitzman the gilligan flat in black suede -- completely lusting after these after seeing them on @Wendyslookbook (who, by the way, is always stunning!).

3 makeup items for an everyday look

March 26, 2015

getting my face ready is not my priority every morning. in fact, it is sleep... and more sleep! when it comes to an everyday look (and pretty much all things in life) less is always more. always. take the minimal approach in getting ready for school or work because you my dear, are beautiful and do not need all that makeup! so let's narrow it down to three items or less, shall we?

Hourglass ambient lighting blush in luminous flush.

01. blush (your best friend)

the number one thing to reach for is BLUSH. blush can do so much for you in terms of waking up your face! especially when you are tired, blush will be your BFF. trust me on this one, the instant flush/pop of color on the cheekbones make a world of difference. in my opinion, blush makes you look happy, friendly, and more approachable! (and who doesn't want that?!). my two beloved blushes are 1) Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in luminous flush (a champagne rose); and 2) Tom Ford Cheek Color in wicked (slightly brighter and a frosty finish). i have owned both blushes for well over a year, and there is hardly a dent in either. that tells you how pigmented they are--a little goes a long way. both are great blushes in terms of texture and color pay-off. for a more budget friendly option, i recommend MAC Powder Bl ush in blushbaby. i apply my blush using HAKUHODO's S103 and S110. these brushes are quite the investment and honestly, they are worth every penny.

02. mascara

the second item is mascara. i typically don't use mascara everyday, simply because i am really lazy and only curl them with my trusty shu uemura curler (best eyelash curler on the planet). but my all time favorite, holy-grail, can-never-live-without mascara is the Maybelline Full n Soft (waterproof). there is NOTHING like it. it is the most natural looking mascara that holds curl like no other. i always tend to go with drugstore brands because mascara is something that you should replace often. i do try new mascaras from time to time, but i always come crawling back to this one. it's that good.

03. lip balm

the final item is lip balm. my choice is the Kiehl's Lip Balm #1. this is a color-less lip balm that is moisturizing and leaves a slight gleam on my lips. another color-less balm is the Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25. i love having this as an option because it has SPF25 and SPF is very important on the lips. i have been so blessed with semi-pigmented lips so these color-less lip balms work for me. however, another great option i sometimes use is the Dior Lip Glow/Reviver, this has a slight tinge of color available in pink and coral.

don't waste the pretty,
JD

current lemmings -- more spring vibes 2015

March 23, 2015

01 | Forever21 fringed multi-stripe scarf -- the perfect lightweight spring scarf with a little fringe.
02 | Burberry kisses lip color in No.05 nude pink -- the latest release from Burberry beauty (a line i am just now venturing into and love!). i am really liking the muted pinks lately and haven't tried any yet, but this one has caught my eye. check out an excellent review by the beauty look book. another good pick is the Tom Ford matte lip color in first time.
03 | Sole Society josephine large slouchy shopper in brown -- loving the look and shape of this bag. it is also available in blue and taupe and comes with a zippered pouch!
04 | bkr glass water bottle in sugar -- i carry my CamelBak water bottle around with me everywhere i go, and so should you! this forces me to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated... so no excuses! bkr is a sleek glass water bottle that comes in multiple colored silicone shells to make drinking water... a little more fun!?! also sold on Amazon.
05 | LOFT city jacket in muddy green -- i've always wanted a utility jacket. this is. THE one!
06 | MANSUR GAVRIEL large wallet in flamma -- although MANSUR GAVRIEL is known for their bucket bag, i've been waiting for this wallet/wristlet/clutch to make a comeback, and here they are in a variety of colors. they've gotta be soft, like buttah.

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!