real vs. steal -- the chloe drew bag

REAL: Chloe drew bag (mini) -- $1,650.00 USD
STEAL: Forever 21 faux leather lock cross body -- $22.90 USD

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SAVINGS: $1627.10 USD

the Chloe drew bag is REALLY hot right now. every blogger and their mom has one! while i always agree on quality over quantity, there are just some items that you don't really want to spend gobs of money on for various reasons. 1) can't afford it; 2) might not be in style long; 3) don't believe it is reasonably priced; 4) rather spend that much money on a different designer item... are to name a few. this is where real vs. steal comes into play. however, it is important to keep your expectations realistic on the "steal" items because you are paying for what you get. it's usually not going to made of the highest quality material and it probably won't last you as long as the real deal. 

what i like about this bag is the shape, pebbled leather, chain strap, large hooks at the top, and the metal lock. it all goes so well together. the metal lock on the real bag is much more intricate, but you can't really expect much from a $23 bag. in my opinion, i think this is a great hands-free bag for going out when you don't want to carry anything expensive and have to worry about it getting dirty, or drinks spilled on etc... 

grab one because it is going FAST!

distressed shorts & eyelet top

shorts weather. i love thee.

while i love my J.Crew chino shorts, it's good to have some denim ones. but gee, maybe it's just me but i can never seem to find a pair that fits right or that i like!! so... you can imagine my excitement when i saw these at H&M... and for less than $20!! they also come in three different denim washes! (the light wash might or might not be in my shopping cart right now...) not to mention there is a good amount of distressing, and i do love the button fly for a change, sometimes i feel like the button fly makes denim shorts look a lot better. maybe it's just me and my weirdness with denim shorts. 

these espadrilles were a STEAL. mainly because they look like the CHANEL ones at a fraction of the price from good ol' Target. unfortunately, they are sold out already but i linked something similar below. 

lastly, we attempt the messy wave-y look and borrow mama bear's handbag for this one. she-so-stylish. 

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top | Madewell eyelet top (old, see it styled here on my very FIRST post on JDC!) -- current version / similar
shorts | H&M high waisted distressed denim shorts in dark denim blue 
kicks | Target Mossimo dianne espadrilles (sold out in cream) -- similar in white & navy / similar by Tory Burch
bag | Louis Vuitton pouchette metis in damier canvas (borrowed from mama bear)
sunglasses | Ray-Ban RB3025 (62mm) original aviator in black/green (polarized)
necklaces | etsy custom monogram necklace in dearest daddy's initials / Nadri initial monogram necklace (old) -- similar by kate spade
earrings | BaubleBar caesar ear crawlers (sold out and waitlisted)
bracelet | Vita Fede mini titan crystal bracelet in gold -- similar from BaubleBar
rings | Kendra Scott skylen ring in turquoise (sold out)

rock the distressed everythanggg,
JD

current lemmings -- summer beauty

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01 | Hourglass ambient bronzer -- huge product release this summer and a great addition to the Hourglass powder family (which, by the way are amazing). these are going to give you a luminous sun-kissed glow. it comes in two shades: luminous bronze light (for fair/light complexions) and radiant bronze light (for medium/deep complexions). great reviews and swatches on @Temptalia / @thebeautylookbook / and @TheBeautyProfessor.
02 | Lipstick Queen lipstick in jungle queen -- (try saying i 3x fast). ever since seeing this on the utterly beautiful @ICovetThee (who by the way, has the sexiest accent ever! her youtube videos are amazing) last year, it's been on my list. i might have to cave sometime... it's the perfect summer coral-ly red orange... purchase this tax-free from spaceNK.com or bloomingdales.com.
03 | Sephora formula X nailpolish in thrilling -- tried this on in store, it's such a beautiful neutral taupe-ish color. the formula is supposed to enhance color and overall shine while providing a long lasting finish. on the website it is described as a "cloud gray." hrmmm....
04 | Kevyn Aucoin matte bronzing veil -- this a good alternative for those who do not like shimmery bronzers. available in two shades: desert days (fair/light complexions) and desert nights (medium/dark complexions). 
05 | Cle de Peau Beaute the lip serum -- i've been looking for a good lip treatment for use at night. this might be a good option, but it is very new so i haven't seen any reviews yet. yes, this is a very $$$$. but i've read many good things about the CDP skincare line so i don't think this will disappoint. 
06 | Becca x Jaclyn Hill shimmering skin perfector in champagne pop -- a blogger's/youtuber's dream is usually to partner with a brand and create their own exclusive item. talented girl Jaclyn Hill does it with this beautiful highlighter. #champagnepop seriously, just look up that hashtag and you'll see the CRAZE about this product. great review and swatches on the hilarious and friendly neighborhood beauty addict @TheMakeupAndBeautyBlog. this won't last long, so snag it while you can.

stay tuned for more summer beauty faves,
JD

the black lace midi & studded heels

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.

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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

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