sephora VIB rouge and VIB sale event -- fall 2015

get your shopping carts ready for the Sephora VIB sale event! 

this is a great way to stock up on items you know you already love and use often, AND, it's also a chance to try those new products that you have been eyeing (or perhaps they are already in your shopping cart?! -- no judgement here!!). instead of repeating any skincare products i can't live without, see these posts here on my skincare routine must haves: 3 makeup items for an everyday look // AM // PM.

who | Sephora
what | 20% off all purchases!
when | VIB rouge (spends $1000 per calendar year): 11/06/15 - 11/09/15; VIB (spends $350 per calendar year):  11/13/15 - 11/16/15
where | sephora.com or in store
use promo code at checkout | VIB Rouge: ROUGE20; VIB: VIB20

sharing a few of my picks with you! some items have sold out already but hopefully it'll come back in stock again or you can search for it using the store locator option. 

READ MORE

01 | Kevyn Aucoin the sculpting powder in medium -- i'm surprised i haven't wrote about this yet! but it is my FAVORITE contouring powder. there are a dozen out there and for a while i was using a bronzer to do this #whatwasithinking. this is a universal color, not at all muddy, or orange and helps to give you that sculpted effect. think of Adele in her latest video 'Hello.' if you want perfectly chiseled cheekbones, you need this. (in conjunction with the celestial powder). i've had mine for almost two years now and finally seeing a peek of the pan show through! #thefeelingofhittingpan
02 | NARS Steven Klein collaboration one shocking moment cheek palette -- NARS is known for their blushes and they are great blushes to start out with. this palette features four blushes (robotic, blaspemy, luster, and dolce vita), a contour and highlighter duo, and their famous bronzer in laguna. great palette for traveling. 
03 | Burberry wet & dry silk eyeshadow -- this is a great time to pick up ANYTHING Burberry. so let's go with the Burberry eyeshadows. my friend introduced these to me and these are like butter (BUTTAH) in makeup form. i only own three of the old formulation (they were re-formulated them earlier this year) in trench, midnight brown, and pale barley. pale barley is my favorite, what a beautiful neutral brown. the packaging on these are quite exquisite, metal casing and comes with a velvet pouch. now if i only knew how to apply these like the pros. PS -- i've read that people start using these eyeshadows in the top left hand corner. :) 
04 | Koh Gen Do aqua foundation SPF 15 -- a cult favorite in terms of mineral foundation. though it comes in limited shades (use to only be like three!!) these always look amazing on the makeup artists i see wearing them. if i had time for foundation, this is what i would be getting. formulated w/o parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. 
05 | Caolion premium hot & cool pore pack duo -- this is apart of the korean beauty feature at Sephora. i like the concept of this duo mask, "... a steaming mask that opens and deeply cleanses pores, then a cooling mask to tighten and minimize the appearance of pores." so far it has pretty good reviews, i definitely want to pick this up to try it. another k-beauty item i'd like to try is the Too Cool for School egg cream sheet mask, described as "a sheet mask infused with egg white and egg yolk extract to instantly hydrate for a bright and radiant complexion." both are formulated w/o parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. 
06 | Kiesque liquid palisade easy peel polish barrier -- when i saw this i was like WHOA! genius. (for people who can't paint nails... like me.) it's basically a "nail tape" that protects the cuticles from stains during application!! #easilyamused
07 | Anastasia dipbrow pomade (i use this in ebony) -- while i don't draw in my brows (i actually should because one is lighter than the other! #browsnotcreatedequal) all you need is the tiniest amount. the two or three times i've used this i lightly dip it into the pot and have to take some off onto a kleenex (basically wasting product) because it is EXTREMELY pigmented. but talk about #browsonfleek! color and holding power all-in-one. when this came out, it was all the craze. for those who don't want to mess with a separate brush for application, try her bestselling brow wiz in pencil form
08 | belif the true cream aqua bomb -- another line from the Korean beauty feature on Sephora. i've seen this on instagram a lot and it seems to do really well. it is described as, "gel-cream that 'floods' the skin with a rush of refreshing hydration and minimizes the appearance of pores for soft, smooth, supple skin for normal to combination skin types, including oily skin, and dry skin types looking for a lightweight moisturizer." it also comes in a smaller size and formulated w/o parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. 

what did you HAUL?! 

the sleeveless turtleneck & grey jeans

sleeveless. turtleneck. yep, that just sounds #weirdbutnotweird !

this is a first of many things. first sleeveless turtleneck. first pair of grey jeans! what?!!! i know, it's a little crazy over here on JDC. i decided on a monochrome look with splashes of burgundy -- aka: THE BEST FALL COLOR! i think this is a GREAT color combo and i encourage you to try it! the material of this high low turtleneck is very soft and not at all itchy AND it is machine washable! however, it the armpit holes dip a little low on the sides as you can kind of see in the pictures. again, this bag was snagged from the Nordstrom anniversary sale a few months ago but i linked some similar options after the jump (oh and a cute crossbody clutch!). i have been wearing this bag lately and love it. but let's talk about these jeans shall we? WHOA, you need these in your life. they are my most ripped pair of denim skinny jeans and i don't think they will be my last!!! super comfy, mid-rise, hugs-you-in-all-the-right-places, distressed goodness. 

btw, this week i joined #stylecollective and i couldn't be more thirlled! i will always say this, but the best part about blogging is meeting inspiring/supportive/and extremely talented ladies! my heart is full. <3

READ MORE

blogging notes: when there are stairs, you sit. 

top | Banana Republic high low sleeveless turtleneck in transition cream (it's really light grey) -- similar / love this one from Topshop in black
denim | Hudson shine mid-rise skinny jeans in obsidian (MUST-HAVE!) -- similar / similar non-distressed
shoes | Target Merona suede pumps in wine (old) -- similar Sole Society calder block heel pump in eggplant with gold details! / an anklestrap pointed toe option
bag | Rebecca Minkoff chevron quilted love crossbody bag in port (sold out) -- similar / love this Sole Society vaughn crossbody clutch in oxblood 
shades | Coach casey in dark tortoise (old) -- newer version
earrings | Kendra Scott tessa studs in clear crystal (love these studs, i also have them in iridescent drusy (which is a neutral sparkly gemstone!)
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold (favorite MK watch that is lightweight and has a flat face)  -- also loving the new one with a blue face!
bracelet | Vita Fede mini titan crystal bracelet in gold -- similar and on sale!similar from BaubleBar with arrows
rings | Etsy stacking & midi rings / BaubleBar tri bar ring (sold out) -- similar / BaubleBar arrow wrap ring / BaubleBar chevron ice midi ring (sold out) -- similar
lipstick | MAC amplifed creme lipstick in brick-o-la

rock sleeveless turtleneck,
JD

fall basics part three

this is the last of my fall basic series. see part one and part two. hope you have enjoyed these posts as much as i have putting them together, if so hit the like button! plenty of links and details after the jump!

READ MORE

01 | WINDOWPANE BUTTON DOWN -- button downs are my favorite thing to wear. they are SO effortless and if you don't have to iron them, the BETTER!! because ain't nobody got time for that!!! something about the windowpane print that i can't get enough of, loving this Old Navy boyfriend windowpane flannel shirt. Old Navy also has a ton of plaid shirts right now that i can't wait to snag! 
02 | BLACK SKINNY JEANS -- every time i wear my Hudson nico mid-rise skinny jeans in black, i think, "dang, these make me look slim." it's also a good break from regular blue denim jeans! see them styled here with the black cape & gingham twill button down. i also like the Forever21 ripped black skinny jeans
03 | FAUX FUR VEST -- faux fur everythannggg; stoles, UGGs, and... this Topshop leah faux fur vest looks very pretty in person. i've seen it at Nordstrom, great quality and i've tried it on but somehow i can't convince myself that i can rock the fur... just yet. :P another option from Forever21.
04 | LEATHER GLOVES -- leather gloves are on thing, but leather touchscreen gloves? YES, please! these ASOS leather gloves with small bow detail and touchscreen are so cute, not to mention functional! i have last years version of these and love them! they really keep the cold wind out vs. the $1 knitted ones at Target. !! #wellduh another option are these ones with some minimal leopard detail on the cuff.  
05 | TAILORED JACKET -- as much as i love the collared jacket look, i am very into the tailored longline jackets. they can seem masculine, but they are so steamlined in terms of look. this is a new one, Banana Republic double breasted coat in pink. a faux fur stole will look pretty good with this beauty!
06 | DARK LIPS -- fall is all about dark lipsticks (with an "s"!!). i only own the MAC amplified creme in dark side (see it on me here, gee, such an old post!!) but this limited edition one from Yves Saint Laurent rouge pur couture in black red (only available to VIB Rouge members) is looking pretty good right now. i like how it is a dark red, vs. MAC dark side is more of a dark purple. could this be a justified purchase?! #thepoweroflipstick

the colorblock sheath dress

this is one of my favorite pieces in my 'work wardrobe' -- the colorblock sheath dress.

when it comes to dressing for work i always wear loose fitting dresses whether they are a-line/fit and flare or sheath dresses. NOTHING tight. most days i wear work pants but dresses are no brainers in the morning because i don't have to pick a matching top! just throw it on, add a pearl necklace and go! the statement necklace is what actually brings this whole outfit together. it'll give others the illusion that you took a lot of time to get ready but really, all you did was throw on a glam necklace. #literally

this sleeveless sheath dress is great because i can wear it all year around by "layering" it with a 1) blazer, or 2) cardigan, or 3) tights -- these are must have items for the working woman! i'll be doing a post soon on work attire so please stay tuned!

thanks for reading and cheers to the freakin' weekend y'all! 

put a blazer over it. 

put a cardigan over it.

READ MORE

dress | LOFT scuba colorblock sheath dress (old) -- similar from Zara / similar from Ann Taylor
blazer | H&M jersey blazer in black -- similar from Old Navy / similar from F21
cardigan | J.Crew Factory clare cardigan in black (available in all the colors you can think of, good luck choosing!) / similar and available in petite sizes
shoes | Cole Haan chelsea low pump in black patent (old) -- similar / another good mid-heel option by Sole Society (see them styled here)
sunglasses |  Coach casey in dark tortoise (old) -- newer version
bag | Louis Vuitton MM neverfull tote in monogram canvas -- similar by Michael Korsanother great option for a work tote that is also reversible and includes a wristlet! 
necklace | Forever21 pearl cluster necklace (old) -- similar / similar in layers! / similar in a braided style (yes, i love pearl necklaces, so classy!)
earrings | pearl studs (ancient) -- similar / similar by NADRI / similar by Tory Burch with her logo 
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold -- also loving this new one with a blue face!
ring | Kendra Scott isha stacking rings (set of three) in abalone shell multi (old) -- latest stacking set from the Mirror Mirror collection in wonderland

rock the sheath dress,
JD

october beauty

sharing some new beauty items on my radar. more details after the jump!

READ MORE

01 | Wayne Goss brush 02 -- Wayne Goss, highly respected in the make-up industry, came out with his own set of brushes that sold out upon it's release earlier this year, they always get great reviews so i've been meaning to try one. 02 caught my eye as a highlighter brush to use with my beloved Kevyn Aucoin celestial powder in candelight. these are handcrafted in Japan (so you know it's good quality just like Hakuhodo). i'm also eyeing The Eye Set. #nopunintended #deskslapper
02 | Diorshow iconic overcurl mascara set -- whenever i go see my aesthetician, we talk about a lot of beauty products! she mentioned she had tried this recently and loves it! i read some reviews and i like how it seems to hold curl pretty well. while i am not one to spend this much on mascara, i'd be curious to try it. i like how this comes with a free mini eyeshadow palette! 
03 | CHANEL le top coat lame rouge noir (vamp attitude holiday collection, limited edition) -- this holiday collection is beautiful and inspired by their vamp nail polish (which, btw, if you don't have this color you need it in your life). IMO, the stand out is this top coat with gold specks in it. um, hellooo holidays. see a review and swatches of all the polishes from this collection on @temptalia. great, now the joues contraste blush 12 coups de minuit is looking good too!  
04 | Tom Ford nail lacquer in black out (noir holiday collection, limited edition) -- just when i thought it was crazy to spend $27 USD on a CHANEL nail polish... TF takes the cake at $35 USD (I'm not ready to talk Christian Louboutin yet!). i have read that these polishes are well worth the money in terms of longevity and color pay off. from the photos this looks like a gray/black/blue with shimmer. i look forward to the release of every Tom Ford collection, he's that good. see swatches and a review on @beautygypsy.
05 | Tom Ford matte lip color in first time -- this is apart of this regular matte line of lipsticks, which are amazing and NON-DRYING (oxymoron for matte right?!). this is apart of the noir 2015 holiday collection, and a re-promote that has been re-packaged for $3 USD more than the regular packaging. this is a beautiful peachy-pink not too nude color and has vertical lines going up and down the tube. basically, it's sexy packaging at its finest. see this color on @beautyprofessor (also one of her fav lip colors!).
06 | too cool for school egg cream sheet mask -- korean beauty products are all the rage right now @sephora. this is a cloth face mask, and at a pretty good price too (at least cheaper than the SK-II facial treatment essence masks!). it is described as, "a milky, serum-enriched microfiber sheet mask infused with egg white and egg yolk extract to instantly hydrate for a bright and radiant complexion." i've read that users love the way their skin feels so soft afterwards. 
07 | Glossier boy brow -- i discovered this brand through instagram (ahem, enabler @damselflavored) starting with their lip product balm dotcom.  their newest product is the boy brow. it is supposed to, "thicken, fill in, and groom your brows into place." now that's an all in one product! it is a creamy formula and not supposed to make your brows feel "crunchy." (note: no beauty product should ever feel crunchy). comes in blond, brown, and black. love the slogan for this product, "brush your teeth, brush your brows, and then maybe brush your hair." #hilar #browgame use code "TAMIRASBROWS" @tamirajarrel for a free balm dotcom and shipping! trust me, you want anything she uses for her brows!
08 | Kevyn Aucoin gossamer loose powder in diaphanous -- apparently, this is an old product that was discontinued and made it's way back. they seem to be similar in function to the Hourglass ambient lighting powders (which are amazing) but in loose powder form. comes in two colors, diaphanous (for light skin tones) and radiant diaphanous (warmer skin tones). 

the black cape coat & gingham twill

happy thursday y'all!

last week i attended the 16th Annual Texas Conference for Women, i have been going for the past three years because it's paid for by my company and it's always a great experience! @RobinRoberts was an amazing keynote, i love her ENERGY, it's contagious! listened to lifestyle blogger @CamilleStyles talk about personal branding, and i met @ATasteOfKoko an Austin food blogger! i always leave feeling completely EMPOWERED. so many take-aways but here are mine in a few bullet points because who has time to read everything i write anyways?! (except my mom!)

  • innovation = growth.
  • courage grows with usage.
  • sometimes you have to say NO. because when you say yes to everything you are actually saying no to a lot of other things. 
  • "when fear knocks... let FAITH open the door."
  • everybody's got something. 

the sun was NOT cooperating for this shoot (i mean come on sun! lol) so we had to keep moving a lot. the original outfit i planned to wear was with a blazer but i grabbed my cape as a last minute thought. i eyed this cape for a long time and never bought it because of the price, but i was in Vegas... it was my 30th birthday, so whatevs! i did get it altered because it was too long. i love capes, they are so CLASSY. throw it over any skinny jean outfit, or dress for instant elegant-ness (that probably isn't a real word). i felt so glam that morning and can't wait to wear it again! 

the three C's: cape, coffee, CHANEL. 

READ MORE

top | Gap boyfriend twill gingham shirt (sold out, but i love the softness of the twill! it's more of a dressy gingham material) -- similar in navy
outerwear | ZARA buttoned cape coat in black (old) --  similar from Nordstrom in camel! / similar but belted
denim | Hudson nico mid-rise skinny jeans in black (size down!)
shoes | Jimmy Choos abel pump in black patent -- similar by Ivanka Trump
bag | CHANEL 2.55 classic double flap bag in black lambskin -- dupe from Nordstrom BP. / dupe from F21
sunglasses | Prada round oversized sunglasses in black (love the simple sides on these over the baroque design)
earrings | Kendra Scott alex earrings in black
bracelet | BaubleBar elephant link bracelet (sold out) -- similar
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold (favorite MK watch that is lightweight and has a flat face)  -- also loving the new one with a blue face!
rings | BaubleBar mason pave ring in gold / BaubleBar pave eternity ring in gold / Etsy midi & stacking rings
lips | MAC amplifed creme lipstick in brick-o-la
nail polish | essie nail polish in frock 'n roll (fall 2015 collection, it's a unique color and only ONE coat is needed!) 

rock the cape,
JD

fall basics part two

part two of my fall basics series, some great picks and alternatives for all items! details after the jump!

READ MORE

01 | FAUX LEATHER JACKET -- i have a similar style in black from last year, but this Forever21 faux leather moto jacket in grey is looking like a good option. hmm......
02 | ANKLE BOOTIES -- as much as i love booties, the low heel bootie is the most comfortable, here is a good pair of black suede slip ons from Sole Society mars elastic gore bootie. similar to the Vince Camuto corter bootie (but with a zipper).

03 | TURTLENECK/SWEATER DRESS -- this is going to look good with OTK boots or ankle booties! this is the Banana Republic turtleneck micro-stripe sleeveless dress in gray. similar ASOS Glamorous ribbed long sleeve in gray. this ASOS petite swing dress with long sleeves is also a great loose-fitting option! (because we are all about options!)
04 | FAUX FUR STOLE -- stiles are classy and can be used to dress up any neckline, especially jackets! this one from Nordstrom BP faux fur stole in tan has an opening where you can criss cross the ends. another option from Sole Society faux fur stole in brown (doesn't criss cross).
05 | CAPE -- there's something you should know about me. i love capes. i don't know why. they are sometimes difficult to wear and people either like or hate them because you can easily "get lost" in them. but there are ways you can wear them, like with a belt to help. i really like this fall color palette from ASOS River Island blocked sleeveless cape. here is another option in a single camel color ASOS New Look fringe poncho
06 | FLOPPY HAT -- Topshop floppy felt hat in black the Nordstrom floppy wool hat is also very cute and available in a variety of colors. also love $$ on the Old Navy felt floppy hat, see @stylemissmolly rock it in her recent post!