day to night in a LBD with Maggy London

warning: lots of pictures ahead.

as you may know, black is my FAVORITE color to wear. shall i count the reasons of why i love black?!: it goes with all colors... including MORE BLACK!, it makes you look slimming, it goes with my skin tone & hair, it is freaking classic. 

for this post, i teamed up with Maggy London to bring you the LBD one for the day (work wear, professional attire) and one for night (an evening out, date night) with tips on how to rock each. if you aren't familiar with Maggy London, they specialize in my favorite clothing item... DRESSES! their dresses range from casual, work wear, to dressy. there is something for everyone and not to mention they offer petite and curve sizing! #hooray! 

side happenings: i saw beauty & the beast! gah, it was so good!! they did such an amazing job making it match the animation! i think i'm still recovering from the go-go of SXSW but it was such an experience!! i cannot wait until next year. as always, thanks so much for stopping by. xoxo. 

currently on my playlist: you are the best thing by Ray LaMontagne

DAY

NIGHT

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DAY

keeping it professional with a full coverage dress (not low cut, below the knee length) with the daintiest contrasting bow detail. close toed pumps, a classic black work bag (tied scarf to add some classy-ness), studded earrings, and a 'my lips but better' lip color completed this workwear look. i also tried to channel my innter Jackie O with these oversized round sunglasses!

NIGHT

everyone LOVES this dress. i actually saw it on my gorgeous friend Michelle // @stylebeacon and had to have it! this makes a great event/date night dress because of the lace (front AND back), the cold shoulder detail, and the tighter fit (gulp!). honestly, this dress doesn't need much to make you stand out but i did add some red lips (you can't go wrong), a pair of strappy stiletto heels, and a minaudiere to polish it off. 

DAY

dress c/o | Maggy London the petite jackie midi in black (wearing a 4P for size reference) -- also available in regular sizing // avail in a curve midi // avail in navy // in red
shoes | Jimmy Choo abel pumps in black patent (old design) -- current design // similar // similar and custom!
bag | Henri Bendel uptown satchel in black with a twilly -- similar in a mini version 
earrings | Kendra Scott aston stud earrings in ivory
sunglasses | Prada round oversized sunglasses in black grey gradient -- similar by F21
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold (on sale!) -- avail in rose gold
bracelet | BaubleBar pearl taylor cuff (old) -- another great work option looks like David Yurman!
lipsMAC amplified creme lipstick in brick-o-la

NIGHT

dress c/oMaggy London eileen cold shoulder midi in black (wearing a 2R for size reference)
shoesLuLu's elsi single strap heels in black suede -- similar // similar with a stacked heel at Target
bag | DVF lytton clutch in black quilted leather (old) -- similar // similar but round & velvet
earrings | Kendra Scott quincy delicate earrings in crackle crystal (old) -- similar
sunglassesCeline caty sunglasses in black -- similar in tortoise
watchMichael Kors darci watch in gold (on sale!) -- avail in rose gold
braceletVita Fede mini titan crystal bracelet in gold -- similar by Vince Camuto and on salefor $25!
ringsGorjana c/o shimmer stacking ring set // Gorjana amara ring set // Gorjana mini stackable ring set // Etsy stacking & midi rings // Gorjana candice CZ ring // BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring (sold out) -- similar // BaubleBar tri bar ring (old) -- similar 
lipsChristian Louboutin velvet matte lip color in rouge 001M -- similar in a matte liquid

rock the LBD,
JD

photo credit: Brandon Hill
a post done in collaboration with Maggy London. 
dresses provided by Maggy London, all opinions are my own. 

the cropped sweater & OTK boots

my first pair of OTKs. eeeppp. (not to be confused with office tool kit).

i finally got around to purchasing my first pair of over the knee (OTK) boots. i've avoided these because i have very large calves (but the suede offers stretch) and i'm pretty short (5' 2"), so i felt like these would make me look even shorter. what excuses! Stuart Weitzman is a huge influencer in terms of OTK boots, but i ain't got a money tree, so these Unisa OTKs were such a good dupe of the SW highland boot (retails for $798 USD)! these are a little high for me and there isn't much arch support but i definitely don't plan on wearing them long distances. i'll be purchasing some flat OTKs for a more comfy alternative. any suggestions?! 

i can't wait to try these OTKs with a skirt or a dress but it was cold, so i went with LAYERS for this shoot. this itchy cropped sweater never gets worn, so i solved that problem by layering it with a button down. the best part is that this is a NON-IRON button down (yes, please!). let me tell you how i am not a fan of ironing so thank goodness Banana Republic has a great line of non-iron shirts for people like me. honestly, i've never ironed so much in my life!! #bloggerlife #thestruggleisreal

i'm also trying out a new way to shop my posts visually. let me know your thoughts!

currently on my playlist: me, myself, and i by G-Eazy & Bebe Raexha
y'all, i am totally loving this song right now!! i often think that during the hardest times in our lives, we usually find ourselves alone. that's why it's so important to count on yourself to pull through #nomatterwhat #memyselfandi

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sweater | Banana Republic cropped cowl neck sweater (old) -- similar / similar
button down | Banana Republic non-iron windowpane shirt (old) -- similar in white / similar in black with polka dots / similar from Ann Taylor
jacket | Forever21 textured faux leather moto jacket 
denim | Hudson nico mid-rise skinny jeans in abbey (favorite wash and cut)
shoes | Unisa saranaa over the knee boot in black suede -- similar from Target!
bag | Celine micro luggage tote in navy -- good dupe 
sunglasses | Prada round oversized sunglasses in black -- good dupe
earrings | Kendra Scott alex earrings in black
rings | BaubleBar arrow wrap ring / BaubleBar diana midi ring / BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring / Kendra Scott martiza cocktail ring in ivory pearl (old) / Etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | Tom Ford lip color in casablanca
nails | essie nail polish in frock 'n roll

rock the OTK boots and day two of a blow out,
JD

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

the bow blouse & midi skirt

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

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

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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

bloomingdales friends & family -- fall 2015

hey y'all! it's that time of the year again! the bloomingdales friends & family sale! 

this year bloomingdales is offering 25% off vs. 20% off in 2014. however, there seems to be more exclusions on the brands as the year go by. i don't remember Tory Burch bags or kate spade bags being apart of the exclusion list in the previous years, but they are now. nonetheless, plenty of things to pick up!! the best thing to know is that shipping to TX is TAX-FREE when you shop on bloomingdales online! if you ask me, 25% off + tax free = win win. 

again, with these kinds of sales here are my tips:

  • if you are debating it, get it now while at a discount then decide later. 
  • unsure of size while trying to buy online? buy both. then return the other. 
  • shop smart. don't buy it just because you are getting a discount! 

who | bloomingdales
what | 25% off almost all regular and sale price purchases for women, men, kids, and home. exclusions listed on bloomingdales.com. and FREE shipping ($150+) & returns! in addition, loyallists (their FREE reward program, so don't forget to join!) receive free shipping, no minimum, everyday! 
when | 09/26/15 - 10/04/15 (online), 09/29/15 - 10/04/15 (in stores)
where | bloomingdales.com or in store
use promo code at checkout | FRIENDS

my picks for the GALS:

01 | Hudson nico mid-rise skinny jeans in black -- a pair of black skinny jeans are a staple for the fall. these are available in my favorite brand/cut/rise. i would size down since they stretch a lot. 
02 | Marc by Marc Jacobs ligero hobo in black leather (currently on sale for $299, original $428) -- i really like the leather on this bag, it looks like a smooth finish vs. the normal pebbled leather by Marc. this bag also comes with a crossbody strap which is a plus AND it's detachable. the extra 25% applies to the sale price too!

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03 | Rebecca Minkoff quilted love crossbody in charcoal/silver hardware -- well, although not in the chevron leather style like the one from the Nordstrom anniversary sale a few months ago, the bag design is still very CHANEL like. it also comes in a variety of colors such as: dark purple, wine, army green, navy blue, bright denim blue, black, and white. the detachable straps makes this bag an excellent choice due to the different ways you can wear the bag = versatile. 
04 | Cole Haan tali flex ballet flats in black -- these are the BEST FLATS FOR WORK. i own these and they are so comfortable, not to mention i love the bow detail with the gold hardware. it adds a little something. 
05 | Sam Edelman petty ankle boots in putty suede -- every season i have this major lemming to get these. they are the cutest low heel ankle boots! i love this color of suede, also comes in black suede and black leather. these are going to look great with skinny jeans!!
06 | Michael Kors sawyer chronograph watch 39 mm in rose gold -- this watch looks very fancy and intricate. while i'm not a huge rose gold fan, i like how it goes so well with this gray/greenish face. 
07 | Michael Kors darci watch 39 mm in gold/navy -- the MK darci watch is hands down my most worn watch, i have it in all gold (see a pict of it on me here, and here). i love how the face is thin and light compared to other MK watches. it is also very simple and super classy. love this gold and navy combo!!
08 | Cosabella dolce soft bra in black -- these are amazingly soft! love the style and cut. also comes in blush.
09 | Prada 54 mm cat eye sunglasses in black (not pictured above but on sidebar under "currently coveting." i've wanted these for a longgg time and surprised to see they are apart of the friends & family! however, i did happen to try on these babies this past weekend, the Prada 56 mm hexagonal sunglasses. LOVE THEM. too bad they don't have them avail on bloomingdales online. wah. #wasntmeantobe ...(for now). LOL.

the striped midi skirt & basketweave clutch

a little striped obsessed at the moment. 

this Topshop striped midi skirt is everythanggg y'all! when it came in, i was in love. (there is such thing as love at first sight). i like all midi skirts, but this one was perfect due to the thick stripes, pleats, and... POCKETS. while it is a little on the expensive side, it looks just like the Tibi escalante striped skirt ($690 USD)!! #purchasejustified. i love the way it flares out perfectly and the material is excellent quality with a bit of texture to it. this skirt is so beautiful, all it needed was a simple dressy cami. 

i chose to add more texture to this outfit by pairing it with my first Clare Vivier clutch in basketweave leather. this clutch came out back in 2014 and i was late on snagging one. in the 2014 design, the basketweave was woven in a straight fashion, in the latest (as seen in this post), it is in a diagonal fashion and in my honest opinion, it looks sooo much better. i'm glad i missed out on the first release. any bag or clutch that is woven in a basketweave fashion is super classy, just think Bottega Veneta.

PS--this week i was featured in the @MariaBonitaMexico online magazine! what?!? what?! check it out! life is crazy and i'm truly blessed to be among some great talent. #sogratefulbeyondwords

y'all have an awesome weekend now! i'm off to NYC!! (to eat!). 

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top | H&M woven camisole top in black (on sale for $20!) / similar from Topshop
skirt | Topshop striped midi skirtNordstrom Topshop striped midi skirt / similar from LuLu's
shoes | LuLu's elsi single strap heels in black suede / similar by Steve Madden
bag | Clare V. basketweave foldover clutch in black leather / similar from SoleSociety
sunglasses | Prada round oversized sunglasses in black
earrings | ASOS big faux pearl and stone swing earrings (old) / similar in silver metal
necklace | BaubleBar ice scallop pendant
bracelet | BaubleBar athena grid cuff
rings | BaubleBar tri bar ring (sold out) similar / BaubleBar gemini pearl ring / etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | MAC lipstick in brick-o-la
nails | Sephora formula X in thrilling (can't get enough of this color!)

the black lace midi & studded heels

happy thursday!

the sweltering texas heat has caused me to rise at the break of dawn to take pictures #fortheblog. as i'm driving to this shoot, its 6:30am on a saturday, i'm wearing a black dress and red lipstick. i think to myself, 'yep, i'm a little crazy... or dedicated... yea, i'm gonna go with dedicated.' these pictures were tough, it's a small window before i start sweating and my hair gets all big and frizzy trying to make friends with the texas humidity. #hairproblems

this dress is great for any occasion and snagged it when it went on sale. i love the scalloped lace detailing on the front and back not to mention the midi length. the scuba-like material on this dress makes it effortless to wear. the shoes... oh the shoes... these sold out on Solesociety.com within a few hours and i was lucky to get my hands on a pair the first time around! however, they are back in stock now!! they are the best (not to mention high quality) dupe of the Valentino rockstud t-strap pumps at 1/15 of the price! red lips were a must for this look. this time i pulled out a red i haven't used before that is apart of the Tom Ford matte lip color collection in ruby rush. you've heard me rave about my first red lipstick from Tom Ford in cherry lush before, but to compare the two, cherry lush is a blue-red with a shiny finish. ruby rush is a true red that is completely matte in a reallyyy good kind of way. red lips + black dress + oversized round sunglasses = G.L.A.M. even if it is 7AM. rock it.

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dress | ASOS lace trim prom scuba midi dress in black 
shoes | Sole Society tiia studded t-strap
bag | DVF lytton clutch in black quilted leather (old) -- latest version / similar from Kate Landry
sunglasses | Prada oversized round sunglasses in black
necklace | Kendra Scott ginger statement necklace in black (old) -- similar in green / another style in black
rings | BaubleBar tri bar ring / Vita Fede ultra mini double cubo crystal ring in gold / etsy stacking & midi rings  
lips | Tom Ford matte lip color in ruby rush