Nordstrom anniversary sale

have you heard? the Nordstrom anniversary sale is going on!

in my opinion, this is a unique sale because you are buying items at a discount to wear for the upcoming season. with other sales, this is usually not the case. after this sale is over, everything goes back to regular price. and suddenly, you might regret not making that purchase while it was on sale! don't let it happen to you! Nordstrom is very strategic as it only grants early access to this sale to their cardholders--online and in-store. this is GENIUS. makes you wanna sign up for their credit card before all the goodies are gone! as the early access comes to an end, i have gathered my picks based on what is left from the sale. 

tips on shopping the sale:

  • if you are debating it, get it now while it is at a discount then decide later. my BFF always tells me "buy now, decide later." LOL. 
  • unsure of size while trying to buy online? buy both. then return the other. 
  • shop smart. don't buy it JUST BECAUSE IT IS ON SALE! 

who | Nordstrom
what | major discounts off fall items and always FREE shipping on Nordstrom.com!
when | 07/09/15 - 07/16/15 (early access for Nordstrom cardholders); 07/17/15 - 08/02/15 (for everyone else)
where | shop.nordstrom.com or in store

my picks for the LADIES:

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01 | Rebecca Minkoff chevron quilted love crossbody bag in port -- wow, this bag is gorgeous. it screams fall. (and my name...hmm.. somehow it is making it's way to my house... not sure how that happened... lol.) i love the fact that is very similar to a CHANEL boy bag--from the chevron leather to the gold chain. this is a must. also available in a clutch in this beautiful blush/latte color.
02 | Clarisonic Mia 2 cleansing system -- i've already raved enough about the Clarisonic in my review here. this is a great time to pick one up if i haven't already convinced you to! in addition, the pack of brush heads are also on sale here. 
03 | Steve Madden staarz ankle fringe sandal in taupe suede -- now this isn't normally my style, but it's good to branch out and try new things. i really like the taupe suede and the fringe.. oh, the fringe!
04 | Paige skyline skinny jeans -- mid-rise skinny jeans? yes please. 
05 | Zella live in-out of bounds leggings in black -- a spin on regular black workout tights with mesh cut-outs. too bad it is already sold out in my size! 
06 | Kendra Scott hazel stud earrings in gold & iridescent slate -- i am a total stud girl. studs over anything dangly any day. also love the rose gold & navy.
07 | Marc by Marc Jacobs take your marc hobo in bright tangelo -- this color is great to wear year around. it's similar to my Foley + Corinna that i get a ton of compliments on styled here.

my picks for the GUYS:

01 | Cole Haan cambridge wingtip dress shoes in british tan leather -- wingtips are a MUST for men. a well dressed man will always have a pair of wingtips. this color is excellent for formal and casual wear.
02 | Nike fly 2.0 dri fit knit training shorts -- Nike makes some nice dri fit material, these have pockets too!
03 | North Face apex bionic softshell jacket -- available in a variety of colors. also windproof and waterproof. i can see this as a good gift that will come in handy.
04 | Anthony Logistics face saver kit -- great brand of skincare for guys. not many guys take care of their skin and what better way to do so with a starter kit?!
05 | Skagen hald multifunction mesh strap watch in silver & grey (Nordstrom exclusive) -- wow. this watch. i love wearing men's watches. especially my dad's watches. this Skagen is beautiful, the neutral against silver and the blue dial is icing on cake. 
06 | Ted Baker London cotton pocket square in green -- we've talked about pocket squares and i am liking the subtle print on this one with the hint of green. i can see this going with many different colored suits. 

the sleeveless shirt dress & gladiator sandals

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).

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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

facial masks in rotation

good skin takes time and dedication. (well... everything does).

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01 | Skinceuticals clarifying clay masque

there is irony in applying dirt to pull dirt out of your skin! this is one of my favorite masks because you can actually feel it working on skin... which will feel like a baby's butt (this is highly coveted!) afterwards. guaranteed. the ingredients in this earthy-smelling mask helps calm skin, lift impurities, exfoliate dead skin cells, and remove excess oils. 

  • directions: apply a thin layer for 10-15 minutes. like mud, it will begin to harden and crack on your face. rinse with warm water. 
  • usage: 1x every two weeks. i also use this as a spot treatment for my nose in between. 
  • cost: $51 USD for 60ml. (one jar will last me almost 6+ months.)

02 | Aspirin mask

if there is only one mask to pick from, this is it. i learned about this mask ages ago from the very famous make-up/skincare guru @MichellePhan. here is her original Youtube clip. this is the CHEAPEST and most effective mask in terms of preventing breakouts. aspirin contains salicylic acid which is always the main ingredient in treating acne. it also helps clean your pores, exfoliate your skin, and reduce redness. all you need is uncoated aspirin, basically aspirin that is not sugar coated like Advil. (the bottle in the picture above can be purchased at Target. i realize it says "coated" but it is good to go).

  • directions: use 3-4 tablets, dissolve with a few drops of water, add a drop of honey for adhesive-ness, mix together and spread on face for 15 minutes. rinse with warm water. as you are rinsing this off, take the opportunity to exfoliate with the grainy-ness of the aspirin. 
  • usage: 1x a week. (this mask is amazing, but do not overuse it!)
  • notes: i also use this as a spot treatment (day and night) when i notice a pimple trying to make an appearance... it's my way of saying 'GOTCHA!' #sorrynotsorry
  • cost: $4.99 USD for 500 tablets = 125 masks. that is $0.04 per mask.... can't get cheaper than that. 

03 | Caudalie moisturizing mask 

Caudalie has a great range of skincare items. i think i've already mentioned my holy grail Caudalie vinosource S.O.S thirst quenching serum. they recently launched a range of masks. since my skin is combo and a little on the dry side, i picked up the hydrating mask. it is cream-based but not too thick. as all their products, the scent is light and pleasant. "A mask that restores moisture levels to relieve tightness, reduce redness and increase softness for a hydrated, dewy glow."

04 | SK-II facial treatment mask

i've talked about my SK-II regimen here. the SK-II facial treatment mask is the most expensive mask i treat myself to. it is cloth-based that is drenched in the magical SK-II ingredient; pitera. this mask is so popular that make up artists use this on brides as part of their routine, and it is often used as a post-airplane pick me up. 

  • directions: place cloth mask on face, lay down for 20 minutes. take mask off (feel free to put it back in the package and re-use it again the next day). DO NOT rinse off. 
  • usage: once on a blue moon! (due to price tag).
  • notes: use every DROPLET left in this package on your beautiful face! in the summer, i will refrigerate this packet before using it.
  • cost: $17 USD for one mask, $95 for six masks, $135 for ten masks. purchase it tax-free from bloomingdales.com.

rock the face mask,
JD

the printed pom pom romper

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.)

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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

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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

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

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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

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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!).