simple everyday jewelry

October 4, 2021

hello october!

here we are… last couple months of the year and i can barely believe it! bring on all the pumpkin patch photos. there’s nothing like a pumpkin patch to bring out your inner child again. to see things with a sense of wonder (basically me when i see a llama). i think we all need that. esp after this year.

it occurred to me that i never wrote anything about everyday jewelry for all the years that i’ve ran this site. better late than never! they say that diamonds jewelry = a gals best friend [+ shoes + bags + fineee things]. it’s true! while i love statement pieces, it’s really everyday simple jewelry that gets the most wear, so don’t feel bad spending a little more on them. remember i preach quality > quantity here on JDC. and when you think about it, these simple pieces can really bring an outfit together in the most effortless way possible. more after the jump!

side ramblings: since my nephew kyrie graced us with his presence, pumpkin patches have been a… tradition every october. and tbh, it’s something i look forward to each year. i didn’t get to go to these things when we were kids so gotta enjoy it! we kicked off this year visiting @sweeteatsfruitfarm — it’s a popular one. lots to do! fashion wise, i’ve been on a shopping spree. i feel the inspiration coming to me (in packages delivered to my door, haha), but looking forward to putting some stuff together to feel the extra joy this season. couple of notable eateries as of late: @barpeached does a steak + frites night every tuesday for $22 and it.is.worth.it. hello kim chee butter & nori fries (#protip: make sure you get the bingsu afterwards). @masonsfa mouslobst er opened downtown and that’ll be my go-to now!! everything down to the bun was perfect. the @summerhouseonmusiclane whipped feta is all sorts of amazing. i even tried my hand at it via Southern Discourse’s recipe (#protip: let the cheeses come down to room temp). ending these food thoughts with.. i’ve been asked to write dining posts/be a contributor to an online magazine.. what do y’all think!? i’m open to all possibilities and this may be a fun one based on how much i love food. TBC!

currently on my playlist: bad habits by Ed Sheeran

necklace //

having a few staple necklaces in rotation helps as i like to wear different ones dependent on neckline. here are a couple staples:

initial (shorter chain, 16” with 2” extender): look best with collard tops, v-neck lines, square necklines. i tend to wear this more casually as the initial is asymmetrical and leans diagonally. this Anthropologie initial necklace has received almost too many compliments! i’m surprised it hasn’t tarnished based on how much wear it gets!
monogram (longer chain, 20”): look best with crew necks. i tend to wear this with workwear. this piece is sentimental to me since it’s customized with my dearest daddy’s initials. aka: my hero. i wear it so much i should get it in real gold one day!
simple pendant: goes with the same necklines/tops as #1. anything with a little pendant such as the Amanda Deer mini horn (this one is real gold + diamonds, you can call her store to see if she’ll make you one!), here’s a similar one. the Mejuri diamond necklace is also a great option!
simple chain: look best with square neck lines. get one that can be worn as a choker for versatility/layering!

watch //

a watch is something you can put on and instantly feel put together. and it’s a plus because it actually has function — aka: tells you time. though in 2021, it’s more of a fashion piece since we rely on our phones so heavily. i like to have an oversized round face (the Michael Kors darci in gold is one i’ve had for YEARS… it is so worn out) and a normal round face (c/o Daniel Wellington classic petite in rose gold and i like the white). i added a rectangular face, Michele deco diamond 29mm to my collection (coming soon! happy early bday to meeee haha).

rings //

i have a dedicated ring post coming soon. for those who know me, i am a HUGE ring person. it’s almost become my signature look. i like em dainty. esp when you’re stacking them and wearing them on almost every finger. i recently decided to start re-building my ring stack with real gold and diamonds this time. 😐 it just made sense based on how much i wear them! all my existing ones are very worn and almost tarnished. i started my rebuild with these three: Gorjana diamond row ring // GLDN aire 14k solid gold in twist // GLDN adria 14k solid gold in hammered. what i love about GLDN (not only that it’s an ethical brand) is that they have many ring sizes (even custom) and textures and band thickness you can pick from! but not so good if you suffer from decision paralysis. haha.

earrings //

simple diamond studs: nothing like a stud + sparkle. these my dad gifted my sister and i very randomly (isn’t he the best?). similar ones by Mejuri in mini or pave pear drop shape!
larger gold studs: sometimes when an outfit doesn’t necessarily call for a necklace then a larger pair of studs will do the trick esp a pair of timeless ones like these Kenda Scott tima studs, also similar but knotted.
not-your-average-pearl: i LOVE pearls. pearl studs go a long way but why not pick something that’s not too average that add a little sparkle too?! that way you have the best of both worlds. like these Sashi always earrings on shopbop or amazon // similar by Kendra Scott.
small-ish hoop/huggie: another good option for casual yet a little bold at the same time, so glad i tried these Mejuri charlotte bold hoops also a big fan of the Mejuri bold croissant dome huggies too (on my wish list!)

i hope you enjoyed this post!
until next time,
JD

fun & flirty athleisure

September 20, 2021

athleisure. but make it fun & flirty 😉

what the heck is fun & flirty athleisure? lemme tell you. it’s basically workout wear that’s not super-functional. or it’s cute work out attire that you can wear as regular clothing during the summer heat wave in TX but you don’t actually plan on working out in it. makes sense right? haha, that’s fashion for ya! even though it’s almost fall, by golly it is still so hot here in TX. i tend to hibernate during the summer and when i can talk myself into leaving the house, it’s always about wearing the least amount of clothing while still looking like a decently dressed 30+ yo.

this tennis skirt i kept for years! when i moved back to ATX, i thought i’d pick up tennis. so i did what any normal person would do — buy the attire for it! unfortunately (or fortunately for this post) i found out it wasn’t for me. almost twisted my ankle wayyy too many times and decided that my old bones weren’t fit for this. ain’t nobody got time for a twisted ankle. well, i kept the skirt. not sure why… but i’m glad i did. sometimes, when you keep something long enough it comes back in style. it’s true, think of biker shorts, chunky white tennis shoes, flared jeans, etc.. lately, i’ve been seeing a lot of tennis skirts and thought i’m going to style this as a regular outfit with a longline sports bra to cover the mid-drift. it’s age appropriate, fun, flirty.

side ramblings: it’s been a while. i think inspiration is lacking these days and with the face of IG changing, it leaves me a little behind. while video is great, i still love the photo aspect so much more. call me old school that way. but times are changing and i feel like a dino about to be extinct! y’all know me. i tend to do my thing — regardless of trends and what experts say. i just like to do my thing in my own little slice of the internet. but with fall around the corner…. maybe it will change things because i’m a fall gal at heart. the fall -food, -feels, -weather, and -fashion. the photo taken below was reminiscent of old times, when you start doing your IG photo thing (PS it’s very embarrassing if you’re wondering) and a man (in a suit, always in a suit) comes out and says nope. :D haha, (but this guy was actually pretty nice this time)! i do miss those days and hoping to find that inspiration soon! until then, xx.

currently on my playlist: odds by Mat Kearney

@intelligentsia road runner (cold coffee + agave + grapefruit juice + splash of tonic ) in hand so life.is.good.

top | Athleta conscious crop longline sports bra in navy (wearing size XS for reference)
bottom | lululemon high waisted tennis skirt (ancient) — similar 15.5” by Athleta and in 14” // cute one from A&F and in a pleated design
sunglasses | Ray-Ban original 58mm aviator sunglasses in gold/dark green
necklace | Amanda Deer coin toggle necklace (sold out) — similar // similar by gorjana

i also wanted to share some athletic dresses i’ve been into!! again, for show. not for function. Outdoor Voices one shoulder dress // Zella live-in cutout rib tank dress // A&F traveler’s dress (features built in shorts!) // Zella studio lite active raceback dress

until next time,
JD

photo credit: lil cousin tiff

the nordstrom anniversary sale & a life update

July 26, 2021

HOWDY! would i even be an influencer if i didn’t post about the #nsale?

i’m sure you’ve heard of it, or over it by now, but it’s that time of the year for the @nordstrom anniversary sale! every year i browse this sale, i always tell myself i don’t need a single thing. and i don’t. but i always end up purchasing something/a few things. it’s almost inevitable. plus i had a couple of gift cards to spend #excuses. it’s a great time to gear up for fall (which seems crazy to be looking/trying on sweaters right now in this TX heat). but nonetheless, i ended up purchasing a couple of items and sharing them below along with things i’d get if i had a money tree.

these skinny jeans are perfect for work!

side ramblings: where to even begin with #lifelately? let’s start with food. i’m better with food and bullet points to highlight the latest.

EAT

@jjimBBQ: new-ish restaurant that i highly recommend. get the short ribs, seafood pancake, and the jap chae with portabella mushrooms
@gyukaku: japanese BBQ. this is fun food outing since you get to grill your own meats. there are LOTS of options!! the toro beef was my fave!
@uchiko: re-visited an old favorite that is always straight up solid. pro tip: always go for social hour, everyday from 4-6:30PM
@modernmarket: smoked salmon keto bowl goodness.
@phowithus: my go-to pho place down south. i also love the shaken beef and the matcha thai tea!

DRINK

@drinkmayawell: ATX based pre-biotic soda. i enjoyed the pear lime and can’t wait to try other flavors
@intelligentsiacoffee: FINALLY re-opened!!! my fave coffee spot, esp for the re-freshing coffee creations like the roadrunner (cold coffee + agave + grapefruit)
@banditcoffee: satisfies a matcha latte craving. may be the best one i’ve had in ATX

SWEETS

@jenisicream: offering ice cream flights! (so genius) perfect for when you want a little bit of this and a lil bit of that.
@zedsicecream: real fruit ice cream! loved the mango sticky rice one but you can also build your own. waffle cone is a must!

i took the last week off from work and it has been SO. GOOD. i finally saw friends that i haven’t seen in over 1.5 years. it was exactly what my soul needed. there were plenty of trips to the plant store to find replacements haha. there are people who are really good at either plants or succulents. i am neither of those people. but there ain’t no stoppin’ me!

currently on my playlist: something beautiful by Mat Kearney (who, BTW will be in ATX 10/15!)

very awkward angle BTW but i had to show the slit somehow 🤣 i was pleasantly surprised with this purchase! can’t wait to wear it out!!

items i purchased from the @nordstrom aka #nsale:

#nsale tip: if you really want something just keep checking as the sale progresses and returns happen/things get re-stocked. also you can add it to your wishlist and it’ll notify you when it’s back in stock via the app. if you don’t get it during the sale, it’ll go back to regular price, but then it’ll go on sale again. so don’t fret.

MOTHER the looker high waist crop skinny jeans in switch it up” — photo 1; these are great for work since it’s a dark wash (more formal) and there’s not distressing. they are only a 10” front rise so go a little below my belly button. they are stretchy since the composition has elastane and poly but i purchased my normal size (size 26). i styled it with an Express tie strap square neck bodysuit in this photo. they are also cropped so that means they are a normal length on my short 5’2” frame = no hemming WHOOO, ain’t nobody got time for that. esp during COVID.
Zella live in cutout rib tank dress in purple nebula — photo 2; i didn’t really see any of my influencer friends post about this item except my gal @courtneerogers (BTW, she has the best finds!) which means it’s in STOCK. after her review i purchased it in this deep purple/almost black color! i’ve been wanting a cute athletic dress (ahem, one shoulder OV) and this one is very versatile! i love the ribbed material = forgiving and the best part is the side slit where you can control via zipper! style it for DAY: sandals, wedges, or sneaks layered with a denim jacket or tied around the waist. style it for NIGHT: chunky or strappy heels, bring up the slit, and layered with a leather moto jacket. SIZE down, i sized down to an XS here. and it also comes in black!
WAYF clifton cutout rib sweater in vanilla — no photo bc it’s en route!; this one is different for me! but i’ve been drawn to these cutout styles that are layered. it’s a trendy statement piece so i plan on taking it full force with a midi leather skirt 😁 i purchased this in an XS based on the size chart and i believe this brand usually runs big & available in a dress form!

items i’d purchase if i had a money tree (ok, maybe they’re in my cart):

Vince Camuto candialia sandal in bone nappa — reviews don’t look good. but it may work for my wide feet. i love the quilted detail but i honestly have too many square toe shoes.
Brixton joanna straw hat in violet — i’ve seen this on @courtneerogers and it looks great on her! she’s a total hat person but i have too many hats that i don’t get enough/no wear!
True & Co. true body bralettes — in triangle convertible or the lift mesh triangle. i hear the switch to wireless is life changing. but Target sells this brand. i’m not sure what the diff is so i may snag it there just to try.

happy shopping!,
JD

skincare empties

May 17, 2021

done, finito!

ahh, that exciting feeling of reaching the bottom of a beauty product. i can’t be the only one, right?! there’s just something that’s very satisfying about finishing an entire product from start to finish. like you’ve done something good. and you have — you didn’t waste! so give yourself a pat on the back!

i have so much skincare. it’s a #FWP. when it comes to skincare staples, i always re-stock my favorites when they are on sale so i have at least one ready to-go in my skincare stash. mama doan taught me to be a savvy spender that way #mamadoanproud. surprisingly i finished all of these staples within the last few months and wanted to document them here! i occasionally like to try new skincare items but always venture back to these as you’ll read/see.

side ramblings: not looking forward to a forecast of rainy weather to bring down my mood. how do people live in seattle, IDK. in case you missed it on IG stories, my sis introduced me to @whippedatx — they are taking macarons to a whole new level. the filling is a buttercream consistency. and YA GIRL loves buttercream! most places don’t make it right, it should melt in your mouth, so whipped #nailedit. it’s in cedar park which is HELLA far. but we went twice in two weeks. so you know i’m not playin! last week was about catching up w some old friends/bosses and probably my highlight. i’m always inspired to see how everyone has overcome life’s challenges due to COVID. my boss got into the best shape of her life and introduced me to @LEKfit. i already tried a couple workouts and “investing” into it with a trampoline purchase! it’s been a while since i’ve become obsessed with a work out (remember my journey w @lagreefitness? where i randomly become a certified instructor? somehow i thought i had time to teach haha). LEK fit is what i’ve been looking for — a mix of pilates, ballet, and cardio!! the indoor trampoline/rebounder has me super intrigued because it’s LOW impact so a great option for my old knees. it’ll be a fun way to get some cardio in. i think…😁 looking forward to documenting this fitness journey into LEK fit!

currently on my playlist: levitating by Dua Lipa

vitamin c serum | Skinceuticals CE ferulic //

about me: fave vitamin c. if you’re in your 30s you need to be using vita c — prevents skin aging, fade hyperpigmentation (brightening agent), reduce redness, even out your skintone
usage: while initally expensive, this bottle lasts me almost a year with 2-3 drops in the AM. so 50 cents a day when you break it down! and that’s really how you should think of skincare. and when it comes to quality skincare, you DON’T need a lot!
pro-tip: light causes your vitamin c to start oxidizing (becomes less stable/active), while i’ve heard this is OK, i store mine in the dark. so keep it in its box but just cut off the side flaps and store it in the dark/cabinet
honorable mention: Drunken Elephant c-firma vitamin c day serum (more price friendly & uses clean ingredients)

eye treatment | Skinceuticals AOX eye gel //

about me: fave lightweight eye treatment, i also like how it’s packaged so no digging fingers in a jar. i prefer gel consistency for AM and something heavier for PM
usage: tiniest dollop in the AM under both eyes
pro-tip: use your ring rings aka: softest finger for that delicate under eye skin. lightly dab in vs. smearing back and forth
honorable mention: BIOSSANCE squalane + peptide eye gel

facial cleanser | CURE natural aqua gel //

about me: mama doan actually introduced this to me. and mama doan is skincare goals. this is also the best selling face cleanser in japan. #saynomore because japanese & korean women have the BEST SKIN.
usage: first thing in the AM on DRY skin, you’ll see it exfoliate all the dry/dead cells, it’s kinda gross yet intriguing. i can’t explain it; i won’t.

facial oil | Drunk Elephant virgin marula face oil //

about me: have no fear when it comes to oil! facial oils have become so popular the last couple of years. i’m currently trying the BIOSSANCE squalane oil but think i prefer the DE marula oil a smidge more, it seems to absorb into my skin better for some reason.
usage: PM only. unless you want to look like a grease pan during the day. i use oils every 2-3 nights in the summer.
honorable mention: Go-To Skincare face hero

neck treatment c/o | TATCHA ageless revitalizing neck cream //

about me: a heavy duty neck cream bc the neck needs love too. heck, i don’t care, put any kind of moisturizer on it! no one pays attention to the neck so it’s the part that starts sagging and wrinkling first. #theneckneedslovetoo
usage: AM and PM; just whenever you remember!!
honorable mention: Skinceuticals tripeptide-R neck repair (trying this one out but my skin may not like the retinol in it or is used to it yet)

bracelet c/o | Kendra Scott presleigh cuff bracelet in gold
earrings | Mejuri bold charlotte hoops

i hope you enjoyed this #beautyedit!,
JD

the iconic sezane gaspard jumper

May 3, 2021

oui oui.

here’s to a brand that makes me feel so parisian. it’s a french brand and i am always a fan of their designs. the brand remains very consistent and they’re pieces that will stay timeless. and since there won’t be any travels to paris anytime soon, i’ll take this. it’s hard to believe that one year ago, @sezane had a pop-up in ATX and it was the last event i attended before the world shut down. they graciously gifted me a gift card which i finally spent a year later. 🤣 like everyone else, the pandemic really changed my wardrobe, hence the delay. i knew i wanted this piece because i’ve seen it styled a couple ways and tried to replicate it in this post. the cardigan (french people call it a jumper) features some luxe pearl buttons and can be worn:

as a top by itself,
layered & unbuttoned,
and what’s actually cool is that you can wear it backwards too — hello back details. it’s not common you can flip something around to wear it and it actually looks normal.

the gaspard jumper is pretty lightweight and comes in SO.MANY.COLORS. good luck deciding! of course i picked red & paired it with my fave white wide leg pants. also goes great with (white) skinny jeans. the red + white combo is always #sofresh, so you can’t go wrong. prob not the softest since it is made of mohair and alpaca. another item i picked up with the giftcard is the florence shirt — a white silk button down. SO. CLASSIC.

side ramblings: i finally checked out @beardpapas and it was so good! i loveeee cream puffs. any dessert actually. i tried a little bit of everything but def going back for the honey butter shell + vanilla filling. i’m pretty basic in that sense. kinda like donuts. i like em classic glazed. no toppings. nada. my fam and i also had @sevenspice! i enjoyed this place and will be coming back for the beef tendons with chilantro in chili oil, pan fried rice cake with picked mustard greens, and i wanna try the texas okra! well, apparently this rambling is going to be completely food related. bc y’all know the way to my heart is through my stomach. LOL. i met my quota this week and ATE ON A PATIO for the first time in one year. my my. idk who i am anymore! slowly working on those anxiety issues. it was such a great feeling as food is a huge part of my social life. my foodie PIC @wanderlustania and i checked out @joiatx and i was pleasantly surprised! i’ll be back for dinner fo sho! tip: make patio reservation at a non-peak time to avoid crowds! my friend and i had the patio to ourselves :)

currently on my playlist: love you for a long time by Maggie Rogers

#1 as a top — buttoned up, gotta show off those luxe pearl buttons!

top | H&M lace cami in cream (old) — similar by A&F
sweater c/o | Sezane gaspard jumper in red (runs large, wearing size XS and could’ve done down to XXS)
bottom | Ann Taylor marina wide leg pants in winter white (avail in petite lengths!)
earrings c/o | Kendra Scott colette hoop earrings in gold (old) — similar
necklace | Anthropologie monogram pendant necklace — love this new pendant necklace by Mejuri!
rings | Gorjana amara ring set
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold

au revoir!,
JD

senreve maestra & sustainable fashion

April 26, 2021

time for a #bagtalk.

feels good to be back here. i have so much to SAY/ramble on 😁 first, fashion. always. the @senreve Handbag Revival event is going on and i ended up splurging on the full sized maestra for work (12.25” bottom-16” top L x 6.75” W x 10.25” H). i have the mini maestra and the size is great on my 5’2” shortness while fitting everyday essentials (8.5” bottom-11.5” top L x 5.5” W x 7.5” H).

while there is much to say about this iconic bag, i’m going to focus on why i bought it and sustainability. for semi-large bag purchases like these it’s usually a no-no to buy the same model in different colors so this tells you how much i really love the maestra. i purchased the full sized maestra for two reasons:

i wanted a work bag that fits a 13” laptop — the full size maestra has a side pocket dedicated to just this! you can also fit a 15” laptop in the center (no pocket).
looks chic (> laptop bag) w/multi-functionality — you can wear it so many ways! usually when you add a lot of function to a product it loses its streamlined look. not with senreve. they also consider all the details for the working woman. the inside has pockets galore and i love the outside sleeve that fits your phone for easy access! plus, i like options. being in my 30’s my shoulders can’t carry as much as they used too, they tire easily. so being able to wear it as a crossbody, backpack, or even hold it prevents that shoulder droop! see the mini styled several ways here

this event is still going on and allows you to purchase their bags at a discount. bags that were gently handled i.e., used in a photoshoot or displayed in their showroom. this was my first time purchasing a bag from their event (happens twice a year) and i am PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. i picked the tier with the least amount of imperfections (“Almost Perfect” = 1-2 visible imperfections) and i can’t see one thing wrong with it!! it’s basically brand new! and YA GIRL IS PICKY. it was a great experience and one of the things i try to be better about is sustainability. purchasing this gently used bag made me feel less bad, and this bag gets to continues its cycle into the fashion world vs. being burned (which is what most companies do). the best thing is you can still use my code during the event! use “JANNADOAN” for $50 off $300 at checkout! #SenreveAmbassador

senreve maestra sustainable fashion -- jannadoan.com

i want to be mindful where i’m spending my money and purchase/support brands that are sustainable, are eco-friendly, ethically source items, pay their employees fairly, offer fair pricing — or at least brands who are making a conscious effort to do those things etc… all these things are important when you want to make a difference for the future. and as i always say, it’s the small things that add up to make a big difference. we can all contribute in small ways when we are mindful of where our dollar is spent, even in the fashion world :) ironically, some i visited some of my fave ethical brands this weekend, listed in the side ramblings!

side ramblings: my dear friend @wanderlustanita e-mailed me “There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing” featured in the NY Times, “i thought of you.” i read the article and it hit home. MEH wasn’t cutting it. so languishing it is. sounds classier, i’ll take it. so what am i/you going to do about languishing? small goals. mine is to draw better boundaries with work. AND get out every week, dressed like a normal human (no athleisure as much as i love it), and go do/see something by myself. to acclimate/re-claim some of my old life slowly. safely of course. this weekend i FINALLY checked out Music Lane on SoCo. the weather this weekend was basically BEGGING me to get out. loved seeing all the shops & restaurants down there!! i picked up a prime chirashi bot bowl from @theluckyrobot (i’ve been thinking of this sushi bowl for over a year now). finally got to see the @everlane & @reformation store fronts (both ethical fashion brands i love & support) && i discovered @neighborhoodgoods! this place is a gem. it has an amazing round bar & they serve drinks & food inside. talk about the re-invention of department stores! they feature curated brands you wouldn’t typically see outside from clothes, snacks, sunglasses, leather goods, and even clean beauty products. i was able to pick up the @aesop a rose by any other name body wash (fragrance notes: rose petal, cardamom, black pepper) i’ve been wanting to try! i saw a couple of coffee shops and eateries i wanted to check out so… @musiclaneatx… SEE YOU SOON! 😁

currently on my playlist: anywhere with you by Mat Kearney

home photos are getting SUPER awkward BTW… but this is for the maestra size reference on my 5’2” frame

dress | Halogen asymmetric neck dress in lipstick (a bright orange red, i love the color & unique drape!, wearing size 2 for reference)
earrings | Mejuri charlotte bold hoops in gold vermeil
bag | Senreve maestra in pebbled noir — also avail in mini & midi sizes during the Handbag Revival event. also obsessed with the Alunna! (use code “JANNADOAN” for an additional $50 off $300!)

cheers to sustainability!,
JD

a (little) kitchen update

March 29, 2021

pulls or knobs? that is the question.

one of the most recent home projects i completed (when i say “i,” i mean my dad and i lol) was a tiny update to the kitchen. i needed cabinet hardware like… three years ago. but hey, here we are. it took me a while to get to this project because… i couldn’t decide. did i want gold or black hardware? did i want knobs or pulls or a both? it was too many questions i didn’t have the answer to, so the obvious thing was to avoid and push it down the list. lol. the problem is white cabinets get dirty REAL fast if you don’t wipe/take care of them. they’re pretty AND… pretty high-maintenance. it really came down to the sink. there’s really no option to put a farmhouse sink in here without huge demos so the silver sink had to stay. what goes best with silver? BLACK. so then it was about knobs or pulls? i did some research to help and i’m sharing what i found after the jump!

side ramblings: it’s been a while. the apocalypse winter storm had my anxiety running pretty high. i needed a couple of weeks to recuperate & finish the re-finance on the house (highly recommend Colonial Mortgage, Allin Nguyen!). speaking of home updates, i’m also in the process of updating my office. not that it needed one, but i felt like i was spending so much time in here so it deserved a little lift to become more of a happy sanctuary. new shelving unit so far, maybe a new light fixture or rug next. and PLANTS!! so the #wannabeplantlady (me) has collected almost 20 plants at this point. eepp… but it’s been FUN adding some greenery to the house and watch them grow. though there have been causalities. :D in the last couple of weeks i turned on netflix and watched two weeks notice and crazy, stupid, love — it as fun re-visiting some old rom coms i couldn’t remember watching before. on another rambling note, i ventured downtown this weekend! it has been a full year since i’ve gone down there. prior to COVID i went down to 2nd street quite often: dinner with friends, remotely working at cafes or restaurants, casually window shopping, or taking photos. it was all foreign but i can’t tell you how nice it felt to have a little piece of that life back. i mean sure, it’s completely different but i enjoyed every moment as i walked to get an iced matcha latte at @AlfredTea (and of course some poblano migas tacos @veracruztacos). hopefully there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. and while i’m waiting for it to shine bright, i plan on working harder to get myself re-acquainted again. i think it’s time. i hope y’all are doing well & i’ll be back with a fashion post soon!

currently on my playlist: pontiac by Mat Kearney

of course there is no wrong answer in whatever you choose! duh! it’s all personal preference. when i completed this project i was having regrets of going all pulls since i felt like i was being hit with too much black. then i got used to it. if you’re unsure, go with knobs first because that’s a one hole drill vs. a pull is two holes. knobs are easier to install because you’re not having to line up the second hole evenly with the first. lately i’ve seen a lot of knob & pull combos — knobs for the cabinets and pulls for the drawers. i do love that look. but i decided on all pulls. mainly because pulls are just easier for anyone of all ages, they’re easier to grab due to the larger surface area than a pull. and when you do all pulls, it gives the kitchen a more modern look, in my opinion. pulls are also more expensive than knobs, so certainly keep that in mind if you have a lot of cabinetry. it totally adds up!! in summary,

PROs to pulls:

easier for anyone of all ages to grab
more expensive
takes more time to install
gives a more modern look

then it came down to what pull size to buy?!!? now you can see why i put this off for so long!!! but generally, i found that the rule of thirds applies here. because you don’t want to buy a really small pull for a really long cabinet/drawer. i mean you can, but it would look slightly “cartoonish.” so this means if your cabinet/drawer length is 12” then your pull should be about 4” and it’s okay to go longer if you want but i wouldn’t go shorter. my cabinet and drawer sizes were all over the place and instead of buying three different lengths i decided on two for a more cohesive feel. and lastly, the new black matte faucet tied it all in.

pulls | Sumner Street Home Hardware chelsey in matte black — 8” and 12”
faucet | MOEN arbor single-handle pull down kitchen faucet in matte black
coffee maker | Nespresso by Breville VertuoLine coffee & expresso maker bundle in matte black (aka: my BFF, so glad i made the switch from Kerig!)
hand soap | Puracy gel hand soap refill in citrus & sea salt (my fave!) and picked up these beautiful amber bottles on etsy recently dish soap & foaming soap dispensers

until next time,
JD