the turtleneck tunic

first post of 2016!!! 

i hope your year is off to an AMAZING start! i'm slowin' it down with a simple relaxed look. winter is my favorite season, i'm all about layering, scarves, boots, drinking hot coffee!, and SWEATERS!! what's better than a sweater? ...a loose/relaxed fitted sweater with side s(p)lits. it allows you to wear longer length sweaters (yes please!) without it fitting all weird around the thighs/glutes!! i love the side s(p)lit sweaters. i also think it adds a different element to your typical winter sweater. i decided to dress this outfit up with big statement earrings, a classic bag, and some pointed toe heels. this look would also be great with some OTK boots!

currently on my playlist: For a better day -- Avicci

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black on black on black on black. 

yep, you can never have too much black!

top | LOFT relaxed turtleneck tunic in black (available in 5 colors, size down) -- similar / round neck / v-neck and on sale / love this sleeveless one
denim | Hudson nico mid-rise skinny jeans in abbey wash
shoes | Jimmy Choo abel pump in black patent -- similar by Ivanka Trump
bag | CHANEL 2.55 classic double flap bag in black lambskin -- dupe from F21 / cute quilted clutch / in tweed
sunglasses | Dolce & Gabanna (0 DG 4216) cat eye sunglasses in black with printed roses
earrings | Kendra Scott danielle earrings in black pearl
rings | BaubleBar tri bar ring (sold out) -- avail in midi / BaubleBar arrow wrap ring (on sale!) / BaubleBar diana midi ring / Etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | MAC amplifed creme lipstick in brick-o-la
nails | Sephora Formula X nail polish in gray matter (only ONE coat needed; gifted from BFF!)

loose sweaters for the win!,
JD

5 things to start doing for yourself

goodbye 2015. helloooooo 2016!!!

here we are, the last day of 2015 -- can you believe it?!?! wow, what a year it has been! the new year always brings such a great feeling because it's the start of a new beginning, a clean slate, a tide of hope. people begin to make these things called "new years resolutions." i don't really believe in them. you don't need a new year to make change in your life! the time is always NOW, plus i'm a firm believer if you wanted to do something so bad, you'd just... do it. ya know? anyways, we all know i'm not the best writer... but today i decided to switch it up with a post on the 5 things you need to start doing for yourself; today! more after the jump!

currently on my playlist to kick off the new year: Happy -- Pharrell

5 things you need to start doing for yourself

1. JUST GO FOR IT.

is there something you've been wanting to do? do you feel stuck? not sure what your next move is going to be? just go for it. step into the unknown! do things that scare you! and there is no better time than right NOW. don't wait for anything or anyone because there is no such thing as 'the perfect time.' i'm sure the road ahead won't be easy, but i guarantee it will be worth your while. remember -- good things take time, so give it your best shot.

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2. train your mind to think positive thoughts only.

this will change your life. the most underrated trait of all successful people is POSITIVITY. my life has become all about #positivevibesonly, because i don't have time for anything/anyone less. clear your life from whatever it is that's pulling you down/holding you back. positive thoughts = positive life. remember -- whatever you focus on grows, so focus on the positive. it takes a really strong person to see all the positive, so i encourage you to practice it everyday. when things are crappy it teaches you to appreciate what you already have. when things don't work out, it just means that you're meant for something better -- and it's coming right your way. just have a little faith. 

3. choose happiness. 

it's hard to believe, but happiness is a choice. so CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY. as much as you can help it, never let someone, their decisions, or a situation control how you feel. because that gives them/it way too much power over you, and the only person in control of you is YOU. so starting today, i want you to be selfish about ONE thing in your life, and that is your happiness. do the things that make you happy, spend time with people that lift you higher. make A LOT of time for those things and people! your happiness comes FIRST. be extra kind to yourself starting today. you are a work in progress and will get there one step at a time. remember -- strive to be the best (happy) version of YOU. #loveyourself

4. stop worrying.

i use to be so bad at this. i would worry about everything. and you know what? WHAT A BIG FAT WASTE OF TIME! seriously. i've learned to worry less because ain't nobody got time for that! plus the thing is, why worry about things/people/decisions/situations that you cannot control? (insert long pause) remember -- you cannot change the past, you cannot predict the future, so your best bet is to live in this present moment; right here, right now. worry less. live more. 

5. keep your standards high. 

no matter what, it isn't what other people think of you. it's what you think of yourself. it's what you do when other people aren't looking. do the right thing -- always. don't make excuses for yourself or anyone else. accept the best and nothing less. never settle. and remember -- the moment you think you deserve more, you do. 

2016 is your/my/our year. take it by storm!
#cantstopwontstop,
JD 

the off-shoulder bodycon dress

if you're not doing something that scares you everyday, you're not doing it right.

#word. this is the tightest dress i own. yikes.!! if you follow this blog, you already know that i rarely/never wear tight clothes. however, i just can't get enough of all the off-shoulder looks so i bought this dress knowing it was going to be out of my comfort zone. the thought was also, 'this would be a fun, flirty, won't-totally-freeze NYE outfit without all the sequins/feathers/fringe etc...' (ok, confession -- it's because i don't own anything sequin/feather/fringe... LOL. i'm so afraid the sequins are going to fall off by the hundreds knowing my luck). bodycons can be worn in a classy/elegant way. you just need to opt for longer lengths. i kept it simple with nude heels to help elongate my short legs since the dress falls at an awkward length on my 5' 2" shorty-self. the rest of the look is pretty simple since i felt the dress already made quite the statement. and finally, my Chanel boy WOC debuts. she's a beauty.

currently on my playlist:  Do it -- Tuxedo
talk about a feel good song! heard it at barre class (been trying it out lately, it's awesome) and it makes me so happy killin' it at the barre to this jam. #cantstopwontstop

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smile!

dress | Forever21 off shoulder bodycon dress in black -- similar but shorter / similar and striped / love this one in white! / similar with lace (and on sale)
shoes | Manolo Blahnik BB pump in nude patent -- similar and on sale / similar / similar and studded
bag | CHANEL boy wallet on chain in red caviar leather -- similar and on sale / similar /  similar in mini size
stole |  ASOS faux fur stole in cream (old) -- similar from Sole Society / similar from Ann Taylor
earrings | Kendra Scott quincy delicate earrings in crackle crystal (old collection) -- similar / similar in stud form
bracelet | BaubleBar network grid cuff (on sale) -- similar / similar / similar 
rings | BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring (on sale!) / BaubleBar arrow wrap ring (on sale) / BaubleBar crystal mason ring in gold / BaubleBar diana midi ring in gold / Etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | MAC amplifed creme lipstick in brick-o-la

rock the off shoulder bodycon dress,
JD

the red skirt & pearls

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!

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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

#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

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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

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!

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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

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

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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