the red skirt & pearls

December 21, 2015

my favorite time of the year and only a few more days til Christmas!

first things first, thank YOU so much for all the birthday wishes! i can't wait to see what 31 has in store for me; the best is yet to come! #cantstopwontstop

here we go with a holiday look that consists of a red flared skirt (with pockets!), and a cream high neck top embellished with pearls. as you can tell, i love anything with pockets and all high neck tops! to finish this look off, i went with nude heels and RED lips. #alwaysgobold so a little about this Christian Louboutin lipstick... i somehow managed to snag one during the Sephora VIB sale for 20% off (because i would never pay regular price), what a ridiculous amount to pay for some lipstick, but i will say it does live up to its hype -- the prettiest matte blue-red for my very pale skin!

currently on my playlist: Way we go down -- Kaleo i heard about this band through a little birdie and i can't stop listening to them! i thought this song was my favorite but i honestly can't decide between that and All the pretty girls. #sotalented i need to see them live!

hope you are getting all that wrapping done (because i haven't even started!!) .... drink hot cocoa, watch movies, lounge by the fireplace, spend time with loved ones, sleep in, play board games, eat, be merry, laugh, ...and pilates (had to sneak that one in)! happy holidays from my family to yours! xoxo, JD

Texas Capitol against the beautiful red granite facade!

top | H&M high neck top embellished with pearls in cream (old) -- similar and on sale / similar in black / similar
skirt | Banana Republic full pleated skirt in red (sold out) -- similar in satin / similar / similar / similar and pleated
shoes | Manolo Blahnik BB pump in nude patent -- similar and on sale / similar / similar and studded
bag | Kate Landry pyramid metal hardframe clutch (old) -- similar / similar / similar
earrings | Kendra Scott carmen earrings customized from the color bar
bracelet | Etsy pave link bracelet -- similar from BaubleBar / similar with tortoise links
rings | BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring / BaubleBar pearl crown ring / BaubleBar pave eternity ring / BaubleBar diana midi ring / Etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | Christian Louboutin velvet matte lip color in rouge louboutin 001M (sold out and re-stocked in March 2016) -- similar by Tom Ford in ruby rush but a true red

the champagne lace dress

December 10, 2015

#birthdaymonth (shenanigans)

no birthday is complete without a birthday dress!!! i purchased this champagne/cream shift dress with lace detail for my 31st this weekend. what i like most about this dress is the ease of fit, POCKETS!, the length, but most importantly... the subtle lace detail! i also love how the lace is contrasted with black. instead of going with a neutral color palette, i opted for black accessories -- shoes, earrings, bag, and necklace to bring out the pretty black lace trim! it was a windy and cold day to be wearing this... and i was so determined to get a balloon shot in.. wind + balloons do not mix... just FYI. oh, and ever try to drive with balloons in your car? that ain't fun. lol.

random laughs (because laughter is the CURE to everythanggg!): my photographer shared this instagram husband YouTube clip with me. have you seen it?!! if not, oh man... you're in for a treat. it is HILAR!! i was rolling through this entire video and might have re-watched it a few more times for laughs!! LOL. "a human selfie stick." "higher, higher." #deskslapper. LOL.

currently on my playlist: Hold me up -- Conrad Sewell
i love how Conrad describes the inspiration behind this song, "It’s about the people in your life who’ve been there for you when times weren’t so good, when you’re in that lonely hour and nothing seems to be going your way. I thought that was a message that everyone could learn from." #cheerstothat

the champagne lace dress -- jannadoan.com

wind + balloons = tangled mess & awkward picture.

dress | J.Crew edged lace cap sleeve dress in vintage champagne
shoes | Sam Edelman okala pumps in black suede -- similar / similar
bag | Tory Burch adjustable clutch w/removable chain (old) -- similar / similar but larger
sunglasses | Prada round oversized sunglasses in black (love the simple sides on these over the baroque design)
earrings | Kendra Scott alex earrings in black
necklace | Kendra Scott ginger statement necklace in black (old) -- similar
bracelet | BaubleBar pinnacle cuff in gold
rings | BaubleBar tri bar ring (sold out) -- similar / BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring (sold out) -- similar / Etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | MAC amplifed creme lipstick in brick-o-la

cheers to 31!
JD

for the guys -- athletic gear

November 30, 2015

so here it is, my second post #fortheguys

long ago, i did a post for the guys on the pocket square. this is actually one of the top posts on this site. i. have. no. idea why. but i've had requests from guy friends to do another post. so here we go, talking about #athleticgeargame. this is a real thing. trust me. if you're a guy, i hope you read this, if you're a woman trying to help your man with his game, this post is for you. i've reached out to two of my MOST FIT guys (who can literally pass for being body guards) to bring you the best of the best. details after the jump!

for the guys -- athletic gear -- jannadoan.com

01 | Nike flyknit racer in black and white -- apparently, these shoes were all the rage upon the first release, after seeing them i went and bought myself a pair (ever try to order in men's sizes? the conversion is whack!). these are really comfortable, extremely lightweight to-and-from shoes. not to mention they look pretty dang sleek. they are made for running but i prefer my Mizunos for that. they have been restocked in this color and i am fairly certain they will be sold out soon!
02 | adidas adipower weightlifting shoes -- these are great shoes for squatting in terms of support and stability. the heel lift angles you in a way that will help you achieve lower squat depth. and we're all about that #squatlife.
03 | INZER forever lever belt -- forget the belt they offer you at the gym. not to mention gross! the best thing about this sturdy belt is the lever mechanism which is easily tightened and loosened.
04 | Bower and Wilkins C5 S2 in-ear headphones -- great in ear headphones for the gym for moving around and achieving good quality audio at the same time. anything is a step-up from the standard Apple earphones.
05 | Versa Gripps PRO -- these are a lot pricier than your typical lifting straps. but they are really convenient to use because it eliminates the need to wrap straps around any kind of bar. it allows to you to have a better "grip strength" so that you are able to lift more weight.
06 | Nike tech fleece pants -- a good pair of slim fitting sweatpants are a must for the winter, not only for the gym, but also for lounging/errand running! #doubleduty. these have a drawstring waistband, cuffed bottoms, and a long zipper pocket on one side to secure your belongings (with another pocket inside!). in addition, the knees are reinforced if you decide to squat in them. or whatever else it is you do. they also come in a ton of color options.
07 | SynTrax nectar whey protein isolate -- this powder mixes easily with water and tastes pretty good for a protein powder. it also has zero carbs, zero fat, and 23 grams of protein per scoop.
08 | lululemon metal vent tech short sleeve 2.0 -- this is lululemon's best selling item. it's super soft, sweat wicking, and has anti-stink technology to it, seamless construction to prevent chafing, did i mention how soft it is?! downside, snags pretty easily. guys are usually apprehensive to wearing lululemon. but ALL guys who are are this way haven't tried their clothes. i've convinced these two guys to try out their clothes, and they are hooked. it's about performance wear. if there is a first item to buy from lululemon or introduce your man to, this is it. also comes in a long sleeve.
09 | Scivation XTEND intra-workout catalyst -- i actually use this myself for the intense workouts that take more time to recover from. it mixes easily with water and comes in a variety of flavors (i have watermelon). it also contains ingredients to give you energy and keep you going through your workout, and helps with the post-recovery.

thankful

November 25, 2015

warning: cliche post ahead.

i'm sitting at my desk writing this post after coming home from my best friends dad's funeral. my. heart. is. HEAVY. i can't put into words or begin to try and feel the magnitude of such loss. my dad is my hero. this goes to say that life is short and we should always find time for the things and people that make us feel happy to be alive. aside that, everything else is just noise.

so today i'm switching it up with a (timely) post talking about the four things i'm thankful for to further enforce all the positivity in my life. #positivevibesonly

1. family & friends.

there is no greater support system. i am very family-oriented and live for the family dinners, movie/game nights, and gatherings. my parents are my heart and soul. my friends are very small and few in number but they are the cream of the crop. it's not about how many friends i have, it's about the friends who know what is going on in the inter-workings of my life outside of this blog.

2. the blogging community.

my readers, my blogging gals. thank you, for always taking the time to comment, to drop by the site, inviting me to join events/groups, etc.. the love and kindness is way more than i can ask for and i'm so thankful to have met all of you. the support and encouragement puts a smile on my face and keeps me going.

3. the simple things in life.

one of my favorite quotes is from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, "it's the simple things in life that are most extraordinary." it's a great short read if you ever have time for it. this quote embodies exactly what happiness means to me. it's not about the clothes i'm wearing or the things i own, because they are just things and can never define me. ironically, they have price tags, but have no real value in my life. a hug, a smile, laughter, health, meaningful conversations, sunrises and sunsets, a listening ear, a thoughtful gesture, making someone else smile, fresh flowers, a cup of coffee, are all things that bring so much joy and instant happiness to my life. these are the things i live for.

4. the past.

this might be a weird one to some. but when i look back at my past, everything that didn't work out for me, or hurt me was an experience. each experience has molded me into who i am today; which is nothing short of amazing. never dwell or live in the past but instead, learn to love it. everything happens for a reason and sometimes it won't be easy or obvious at first, but in the end it will be worth it. there is a strong voice inside of me that always says, "good things fall apart so better things can fall into place." this is the truth, because i guarantee that you will never miss out on something that is meant for you.

live consciously in the moment and enjoy your life as it unfolds. xoxo,
JD

the bow blouse & midi skirt

November 23, 2015

when in doubt, put a bow on it. (a big grey one)

i've worn this skirt earlier this year with a cream top and pearls. this time i decided to pair it with a grey long sleeve blouse with a HUGE bow on the side. this top also looks great with all types of skirts and skinny jeans (plus blazer) as well. it was actually quite cold this day so the faux fur stole came in handy for a few shots, i usually think stoles look better styled on jackets vs. wearing it plain, but it turned out alright here. might i add, this is a perfect holiday look with some red lipstick!

currently on my playlist: Let it go -- James Bay

the bow blouse & midi skirt -- jannadoan.com

added a faux fur stole for fun! plus it was freezing!

top | chicwish kiss me bow top in grey (sold out) -- also available in mustard and pink
skirt | H&M textured midi skirt in black (old) -- similar in satin RED! / similar in burgundy / similar in black striped mesh
stole | ASOS faux fur stole in cream (old) -- similar from Sole Society / similar / similar in black
shoes | Jimmy Choos abel pump in black patent -- similar by Ivanka Trump
bag | DVF lytton clutch in black quilted leather (old) -- similar in gold and on sale / in emerald / in black
sunglasses | Prada round oversized sunglasses in black (love the simple sides on these over the baroque design)
earrings | ASOS big faux pearl and stone swing earrings (old) -- similar
rings | BaubleBar arrow wrap ring / BaubleBar pave eternity ring in gold / BaubleBar gemini pearl ring / BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring (sold out) -- similar / Etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | Tom Ford lip color in casablanca

rock the bow, faux fur stole and all,
JD

the liebster award

November 16, 2015

it is such an amazing feeling to be apart of this blogging community. i can't tell you how excited i get meeting these gals who share the same passion, are super talented, and lift each other up. a big heartfelt thank you goes out to @stylemissmolly (if you don't already follow her, she's so fashionable and emits such positive/contagious vibes!) for nominating me for the Liebster Award. this award is to encourage connection, support, and aid in the discovery of new bloggers.

QUESTIONS FROM MOLLY:
1. Three adjectives to describe your personality:
ambitious, bubbly, and creative. the ABC's of JD. :)

2. What is your biggest accomplishment you are proud of?
i gotta say, this blog is my pride & joy. it's a HUGE accomplishment for me. every step of the way is a surprise, i'm constantly learning something new (even about myself), and always trying to improve. being on the internet is pretty scary, and putting myself out there is actually a huge step for me. however, my SS says, sometimes we all need to be pushed out of our comfort zone to achieve great things.

3. How would you describe your personal style:
simple and basic. classic and chic. i think it is important to have some solid basics, but at the same time, some simple items to really glam it up. because let's face it, when you look your best, you feel your best. #lookgoodfeelgood

4. What is one article of clothing you cannot live without?
a good pair of skinny jeans. it can do wonders. straight leg? flare? bootcut? -- what's that?! LOL. for me, it's all about the skinny jean. the most-needed staple in every woman's wardrobe. (ok, a few pairs are needed in different washes and levels of distress too!).

5. What made you decide to start a fashion blog?
this blog is one of those things i talked about wanting to do for years. it was all just TALK. it wasn't until i finally did it that my life changed -- for the better. because this blog actually came at a time in my life when i really needed it most. ever since then (and coupled with being physically active), my well being/mindset and happiness has grown exponentially. it's all about the journey and finding your own way, one step at a time. #justgoforit

6. How did you come up with your blog name?
this is an easy one! there's actually not that many people in the world named Janna Doan which makes it a unique name, so i decided to capitalize on that! i will admit it's a little weird not having an official blog name, so when people refer to me it's something like Janna Doan by Janna Doan. LOL. it's okay, i hear repetition is a good thing.

7. Who/what is your biggest motivation for blogging?
my biggest motivation for blogging is getting to meet and discover ladies who share the same passion. i for one, have a small circle of girlfriends, and being able to expand this network is one of my favorite parts about blogging. i feel inspired and empowered by all the support and constant encouragement that other bloggers bring to the table. #positivevibesonly

8. What is your favorite season?
FALL/WINTER. all the way!! thank goodness it is here. (well, at least somewhat in TX). it's all about the layering, scarves, floppy hats, boots, leg warmers, coats.. the list goes on. not to mention the last two months of the year are my absolute FAVORITE!

9. What’s your favorite snack?
i can't. there is no way i can narrow down a favorite snack!! i'm constantly thinking of what i'm going to eat next. even if i'm already eating something at the moment... #problems. i will say, i can eat chips salsa/queso/guac... anytime! oh, and dessert. i have a huge sweet tooth! dessert for breakfast? YES, PLEASE!

10. Do you have any style advice?
YES! i think the most important thing when it comes to style is staying true to yourself. what fits and works best for YOU. i also think it's also important to step our of your comfort zone and try different things! make it yours and rock it with CONFIDENCE. period.

MY NOMINATIONS:
1. Elizabeth from wunderbliss
2. Chelsea from blushandbubbly
3. Shell from acourageousbeauty
4. Jen from lettersandpearls
5. Vanessa from downtownmaven

THE RULES:
1. Post your award to your blog.
2. Answer the questions that you were given from the person who nominated you.
3. Nominate a few new bloggers you’ve discovered.
4. Create 10 new questions for the nominees.
5. Thank the blogger who nominated you and post a link to their blog.

MY QUESTIONS:
1. If your friends were to describe you in three words what would they be?
2. What is the one item you put on that gives you that boost of confidence?
3. What kind of blogging advice would you give to other new bloggers?
4. What beauty item are you currently loving?
5. What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself?
6. If you could pick one store to max out your credit card, which store would it be? and why?
7. What are some of your favorite inspirational quotes?
8. Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
9. How would you describe your style?
10. What other hobbies do you have besides blogging?

smiling until you can't see my eyes, and my smile stretched so wide the edges start to curl downward.

eat, sleep, breathe, blog. (oh, and pilates),
JD

the burgundy pleated skirt & crop top

November 12, 2015

burgundy everything please.

i don't think i can stop wearing this color right now! call it what you want, oxblood, burgundy, wine. it's all good, we get it. in my last post i paired it with grey. in this post we go with my favorite color, BLACK (if it were actually a real color). this pleated skirt is very flattering (not to mention it comes in so many colors) and again, y'all know how much i love midi skirts. i would also pair this with a fitted long sleeve turtleneck and perhaps some black booties, but it was pretty hot that day so i went with a black high neck crop top. you can't lose with the midi + crop top. TRUST ME. the platforms add a fun, playful vibe and somehow the mini bag just blended in with this color palette and look.

this was one of the most memorable shoots for me because a riot started to form in front of the courthouse (my fav place to shoot), the lighting was horrible because it was daylight savings and i didn't account for time correctly. oh, and i fell on my butt in front of the security camera (probably flashed it in the process)!! my photographer thought i was going to bust out crying but i ended up laughing for the rest of the shoot. yea, it happens to all of us. okay, maybe just me. i lost my balance with these platform heel thing-ma-jigs. plus, i think i mentioned before, my feet are untrained to heels. the only downside to these platforms is that the surface area of the base is actually smaller than the shoe itself which makes it a little unstable (i've linked other options after the jump). #mypainisyourgain. thank goodness i didn't twist my ankle!

currently on my playlist: lay it all on me -- Rudimental ft. Ed Sheeran. hope y'all are having an awesome week and thanks for reading!