the sezane asianne dress styled two ways

March 27, 2023

the first floral print of the season!

option 1 // casually styled under a bright blue fisherman sweater (hello texture & COLOR!) with white sneakers

seriously pinching myself writing this blog post in collaboration with no other than @Sézane! Sézane is one of those brands where you just say OUI OUI (french for yes) as you check out all the items on their site. the parisian brand makes the most fabulous pieces (quality over quantity based on the number of pieces on their site) so you can imagine how long it took me to pick an item! life decisions i tell ya. it’s impossible not to add everything to your cart and ponder another trip to paris at the same time. i miss paris so much!

this post kicks off a three part series with Sézane, all featuring pieces from their spring collection. and spring is such a fun season, despite the allergies, flowers start blossoming, temperatures are ideal/perfect, and it’s when we start bringing out those spring dresses, floral prints, shorts, etc. the Asianne dress in cara print was such a pretty blue that i needed in my life and the floral print justified it even more. the TX weather is still fluctuating so i saw this dress as an opportunity to style it under a sweater and by itself for date night/brunch! i’ve seen the sweater over a dress styling hack and instead of going with a neutral cream color… i decided on a bold pairing — a bright blue! i loved how it turned out. no need to invent the wheel, so here’s a great video by @merricksart on how to style a sweater over a dress! she did a great job and i just tucked the sweater under the wrap of the dress.

currently reading: beach read by Emily Henry

currently on my playlist: easy lover by Ellie Goulding

option 2 // dressed up with some neutral colored high heel pointed toe booties! **#datenightready**

dress c/o | Sézane asianne dress in cara print (wearing size US 4) — avail in a slip dress // button down // midi skirt // mini skirt // tie front dress with short sleeves // shoulder tie tank (yes, i did get this too #comingsoon!)
sweater | Quince 100% organic cotton fisherman crew sweater in blue (wearing size XS) — similar by J.Crew
shoes | Keds ace sneakers in white leather // Ann Taylor kody suede heeled booties in modern taupe (old) — similar
earrings | Mejuri charlotte bold hoops in gold vermeil — similar for $49 by Quince // also available as huggies!!
bag | J.Crew bucket bag (old) — similar
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver
rings | gorjana diamond row ring in 14K gold // gorjana diamond stacking ring in 14K gold

cheers to floral print season!,
JD

photo credit: @janeyunphoto

travel diary -- italy (venice & milan)

October 24, 2022

buongiorno!

i spent the earlier part of august in Europe and it was an AMAZING trip. it feels SO GOOD to finally mark it off my [short] bucket list. it’s a place i wanted to see for so long and it fills me with so much happiness and gratitude to be able to finally make that journey over there & experience it with my family. the fashion. the food. the shopping. the architecture. all of it was so beautiful so as you can imagine, coming back to reality was hard. but i’m so ready to document this trip here on JDC!

we spent two weeks in Europe — our destinations were Italy (Venice & Milan, covered here) and France (Lyon & Paris, next post). two weeks was a long time to be away from home. i was really feeling it at 1.5 weeks but the plane ride to get there was so long that the stay had to be worthwhile. we probably went at the worst time as this huge heat wave was hitting all of Europe — and some places don’t have AC. on top of that, this is apparently the time everyone takes holiday in Europe so a lot of places we planned to eat at were closed. there was a lot of improvising and deviating from the itinerary. but isn’t that nice? just close up shop for however long! the Europeans know how to live life! before diving in, i must thank my jetsetter sister & BIL for planning this entire trip! that was a huge task and i’m so glad they took care of all of us! they’ve been before so we were in good hands.

>>> IG REELS for more visual & music: VENICE & MILAN

packing was a challenge because it was a long stay but i didn’t want to check anything in. i picked lightweight fabrics and pieces that would dry quickly. this included linen, cotton, lyocell etc.. for shoes, i packed flip flops (to wear in the hotel/AirBnB #germaphobe) and a pair of KEDS. yep, two pairs of shoes. i picked a lot of casual dresses, some athleisure (note: wearing athleisure makes you really stand out as a tourist in these cities because the locals do not wear that stuff!), shorts, tees, and tanks. NO jeans or pants, nothing tight fitting (bc hello, carbs) && i didn’t even bring any jewelry/flashy either.

currently on my playlist: hold me closer by Elton John & Britney Spears

top | Quince vintage wash tencel camp shirt in white (wearing size XS)
bottoms | Quince 100% european linen shorts in black (wearing size S, probably could’ve gone w an XS)
shoes | Keds x Kate Spade champion leather sneakers in rose dew pink (old) — original canvas champions #teamkeds // also love the ace

VENICE

wall of cured meats at the grocery store!

i didn’t realize Venice was a destination that will one day be underwater so i’m glad i was able to see it. it’s historic!! everything is basically ANCIENT. for the most part, people don’t drive cars, they take water taxis. it’s interesting. imagine how trash works there?! or how one buys furniture or pieces that are too large to walk home with?!?! once we arrived we took a water taxi back to the AirBnB. it was scorching hot out but we basically walked everywhere that our feet would carry us. we hit the ground running with gelato & pasta. and it was like the for days. being a city on water… i felt like the island was moving the whole time i was there. so did my sister and mom. apparently, it’s a real thing that doesn’t go away for a while!

one of the best stories was that i’m pretty sure the AirBnB (ancient) was haunted LOL my brother and i heard some weirddd sounds one night. the other was that when we took the water taxi to the train station to Milan, in the midst of boarding the water taxi in really turbulent water, my brother forgot one luggage on the dock. he didn’t realize it until we got to the train station, and turned back around. to everyone’s shock (and always to thomas’ luck) it was still there! he’s a lucky SOB. you know those people where life just automatically works for them, like always?!?! that’s my brother.

attractions //

Doge’s Palace — if you’re a big history person this would be worth it. but it was SO HOT (no AC or ventilation) that we just scanned the whole thing and left quickly. honestly, the outside is worth an IG photo/visit IMO. but the tour, i’d skip.
San Marco Plaza & Bell Tower — the plaza is such a beautiful open space in the middle. the bell tower allows you to see some breathtaking views of Venice via elevator.

eateries //

Nico gelato — one of the better pistacho gelatos.
Lo Squero gelato — small but really GOOD.
Nevodi — resys required. this was probably my favorite meal in Venice. the pasta nevodi was PURE BLISS.
Rossopomodoro — i think this is a chain but the zuccini pasta dish was so good! also enjoyed the
Cantina Do Spade — originally we wanted to go to All’Arco but it was closed for construction. so my BIL found this spot since we really wanted to try the cicchetti (small snacks or side dishes [think tapas?], and mostly served on a slice of bread. i really enjoyed cicchetti and will need to find a fix somewhere…)

favorite meal: pasta nevodi (with prawns and pistachio pesto) + aperol spritz

things i learned //

bread + a really good olive oil (am i crazy to say it tastes even better there?!) + a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper & salt is all you really need. the italians really like balsamic vinegar in this dipping mix too!
aperol spritz. when in venice, one must sip on an aperol spritz.
gondola ride in the canals does not equal a gondola ride in turbulent waters from one island to the next. we tried this to save some money on the water taxi and it was worth it. just grasp on for dear life 🤣
grocery stores have a wall dedicated to curated meats!! i was in heaven.
there is no tipping! apparently, it’s just an American thing!!!
italians like their pasta a smidge before al dente
brushetta in the states does not equal brushetta in italy
they call it “take away” not “to-go”
coffee is meant to be consumed hot. ICED coffee? not really a thing there

MILAN

in Milan, my baller brother hooked it up at the Park Hyatt. as always, he picks the best hotel with grand service. not only was the service one of the best i’ve received, it was in the perfect location. literally right outside of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II = hello shopping! Milan was the city that kicked off all the shopping. from designer, to boutiques and department stores. it was endless. it was very different from Venice, like we were finally back at civilization again lol. at this point in the trip, most were tired of pasta and pizza (i know, it is possible) so we ventured out to asian & greek food and there is nothing to note here except the one korean place i have listed below under eateries. needless to say, i really enjoyed Milan despite the lack of photos.

some notable memories was ordering room service with my brother at midnight for a lamb chop (right after he came back from the gym and told me he broke the mirror because he forgot the weights are in KG! hahaha). it was probably one of the best ones i’ve had! the Park Hyatt also offered comp breakfast every morning and it was so nice to sit and enjoy breakfast with everyone. i also got to accompany mama Doan to help her purchase her first designer bag in person. she deserves it! we also went to this vietnamese place for dinner (not good), and we learned that the owners were chinese so there’s that.

attractions //

Duomo — pretty sight to see from the outside, but nothing super spectacular in terms of the tour.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II — luckily this was right on the strip of the Park Hyatt Milan. major shopping center in with designer brands. the atrium is beautiful and a sight to see!
Golden Triangle — outdoor shopping area spreading across a couple of streets. here’s where mama doan bought her first designer bag in person!

eateries //

PECK — a gourmet grocery store where you will want to buy everything. fresh pastas, olive oil galore, sauces, ready-to-eat food.
Caccio gelato — this was my FAVORITE gelato place. my gosh.
Zia Esterina Sorbillo — this is a famous fried pizza place. it was piping hot. the dough was super soft but i wasn’t a fan for some reason. too hot to enjoy and the contents were all melted at the bottom making it harder to eat.
Hana — yummy korean place we tried. i had the pork belly dish!

France coming at cha next!,
JD

brand spotlight: Quince

February 28, 2022

another series hits JDC!

i’m hitting 2022 off right with a couple of new series and this is one of them. as a content creator, i feel as though there are so many brands out there left to be discovered! so one thing i wanted to do this year was to find and support those brands. i’m really excited about this because it’ll allow me to branch out — which i need. i tend to gravitate towards the same brands; and well, i want some change and to support other companies out there while giving them recognition!

i stumbled upon Quince in a google search as i was looking for some solid gold hoops. i’m so glad i found them because my gosh, the prices are SO AFFORDABLE!!! i think i’ve been living under a rock. like how have i gone on for so long without knowing about Quince?!?! my first purchase from Quince consisted of three items (silk skirt featured in this post, 14K gold hoops, and a cashmere tee) and they did not disappoint. while i would love a ton of stuff from Quince, if i could narrow it down to three things currently in my cart just waiting to check out one day!: cashmere joggers + the matching cashmere cardigan, and the 14K gold pave slim signet (this same ring at Mejuri retails for $385). why you should purchase from Quince after the jump!

here i styled their satin skirt i purchased two ways since i couldn’t decide. i always love the satin bias skirts with an oversized mock neck for fall but as we approach spring i also love it with a square neck tank! which one is your fave? the champagne color is absolutely beautiful and it moves to perfection too.

currently on my playlist: dancing feet by Kygo ft. DNCE

styled for spring with a square neck tank. goes great with slip on sandals or white sneaks for casual style or dress it up with nude heels.

ethical company — they pay their employees fairly, practice sustainability, use factories who care about reducing damage to the environment = YESSS!!!
luxury items at AFFORADABLE PRICES — how could this be? i read up on the business model and they basically cut out all the “middlemen” it’s a direct purchase from the factory that you’re making. in traditional retail, it goes from the factory to agents, warehouses, brands, stores then it goes to you. that’s a lot of “middlemen” and each one gets a cut which means a higher price tag. interesting isn’t it?
transparent pricing — what i like about each item is it breaks down the cost BUT it also compares it to other brands that have a similar item. check out this 100% leather jacket for $150, you can see in the chart that All Saints has a similar one for $500! not only that… it gives you a comparison of the features it has compared to its competitors. i LOVE THIS!
amazing basics to building a capsule wardrobe — looking though all the clothing items i feel that they are all items that belong in a capsule wardrobe. it’s crazy!!!
washable silk — i love silk but when it’s not washable… like WUT?! they have a whole line dedicated to washable silk, so awesome!! because let’s just be honest, if you can’t wash it… HOW THE HECK WILL IT BE CLEAN?!?! also, i wash everything regardless of what the label says. haha but the reassurance is good because i have ruined a couple items 😁
365-day return policy — i mean. a YEAR to decide! the only other company i know that does this is IKEA!

other observations //

the only downside to Quince is the sizing availability. there are no petites, tall, curvy, or plus. but it’s probably hard to keep so many costs down and have all sorts of different sizing available. hopefully down the line it’s something they expand to.

styled for fall with a cozy mock neck sweater. goes great with white sneaker for casual style or dress it up with heels.

sweater | Express cozy mock neck sweater in white (old) — similar by Quince
tank | Abercrombie & Fitch double-layered seamless squareneck tank in white (old) — similar
skirt | Quince washable silk skirt in champagne (wearing size XS)

i can’t speak for Quince enough. it’s starting to sound like i work for them LOL but it’s just real love for a new brand i just discovered. i think they deserve the spotlight and i’m just mad that i didn’t know about them sooner!

rock ALL THE QUINCE!,
JD

january favorites

February 7, 2022

new series to JDC!

let’s see how long i can keep up with this *new* series. today, we’re looking back at january and rounding up a couple of my favorite items. this is a pretty loose series and the items featured can and will be ANYTHING! i’m always curious about what other influencers and friends love so why not share my own on a regular-post-basis? alright alright alright. here we go!

side ramblings: lately, i’ve struggled with finding an affordable photographer. i thought about quitting this all together but a friend urged me not to. while i don’t mean to be cheap, i have to be cognizant that i actually lose money with each post. the truth is, i’m just not big enough to cover product + outfit + photography costs, let alone do this full-time. but that is okay! i do this because i love it. i love the creative elements that go behind each photo — each one has a story. and i’m okay where i’m at because my lines never get blurred between doing this for fun and depending on it as my sole income. it’s a good place to be and i’m glad you’ve stuck around for this long — thank you! but i am literally a one woman show here. and while it all looks easy, it’s not. i was hoping to get out there again and shoot some fabulous creative content. but i’m going to have to figure it out somehow. i may even get desperate and tripod it. can you imagine?! haha the laughs and stares. it’ll take some courage. but hey, i’m a go getter. i’ll make it happen if i want it bad enough. on another note, i checked out the lunar new year festival hosted by my friends @thepapercraftpantry x @shopkathyphantastic and those ladies did an amazing job putting on an event for all ages while supporting local asian-owned businesses. def check them out! i’m also leaving a list of all the vendors after the jump in case you’d like to browse & #supportlocal.

currently on my playlist: mon soleil by Ashley Park

01 BIOSSANCE squalane + amino acid gentle cleanser

i love gel cleansers since they seem to be more gentle on sensitive skin. i find them less drying/stripping than foam cleansers even though they don’t lather as much. i purchased this a while back and like the consistency and how gentle it is. what i love about BIOSSANCE is the green-ingredients, the price point (super affordable), and the travel sizes (they aren’t rinky dink ones, they are small packaged beauty products in legit containers and pumps!). this gel cleanser is also avail for purchase at sephora.

02 Bondi Boost elixir hair oil

FINALLY!!!! a product to help soothe my itchy scalp. my gosh. i have tried so. many. products to help relieve the scalp. this was been a problem for me the past two years. one day you’re young and hip, then the next day you wake up to #scalpproblems. it’s greatttt (sarcasm). i’ve tried sachajuan, briogeo, davines, scalp brushes, scrubs, and nothing worked. i knew my itchy scalp problems weren’t from product build up because i rarely use product. it’s because my scalp was SO DRY. the only catch to this product is that it’s a PRE-WASH. yup. you apply it to your scalp and wait 15 minutes. then you shower. sometimes it can take two rinses to get it out. but now i feel relief and can go a couple more nights without having to wash my hair = TOTAL WIN. #aintnobodygottime. it goes perfectly with the Bondi Boost dandruff repair shampoo.

03 c/o True Botanicals renew pure radiance oil

face oils have been one of my favorite new-ish type of beauty product the past couple of years. thank goodness i got over the fear of oil-based products. True Botanicals is a #cleanbeauty company and their packing is well thought out — all their products are in amber bottles which means the contents are more stable. plus amber packaging always looks beautiful on the vanity 😍 the oil is orange-y and absorbs very well. i apply it as the last step in my night skincare routine to “seal” everything else in. it is also one of the #1 bestseller (for good reason) and the renew line help combat anti-aging and is for normal to dry skin. also, my friend @herfashionedlife uses this oil and her skin is beautiful! PS — they graciously also sent me the chebula active immunity serum (not sure how i like the smell yet but otherwise works great and non-irritating on my sensitive skin) and the renew nourishing cleanser (next in rotation!). i’m very curious and plan to try more of their products like the eye treatments, facial masks, body & hair care, oh and the lip balm!

04 Quince gold hoops in 14K solid gold

i stumbled upon Quince during a google search and i LOVE THEM. the transparent pricing is so good. they make brands that i thought had transparent pricing look bad lol. Quince is luxury items that are actually affordable; like really. these are 14K gold solid huggies that are perfect for everyday. these look exactly like the ones from Mejuri at $160. i’ve been wearing these quite a bit. and the great thing about 14K solid gold is you can shower with it. it’s meant to last forever and that’s what i’m investing in these days in terms of jewelry. i also purchased a classic cashmere tee and a silk skirt to try and they are 100!! you bet the cashmere cardi and jogger set are in my cart right now 😆

05 Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver

i have wanted a Michele watch for years. this was a little birthday present to myself. i love the different rectangular face with the diamond pave details along with the two-tone and roman numeral details. what’s not to love?! it will be a piece that will remain timeless #punintended. i couldn’t help myself 😁 this watch is also avail for purchase at bloomingdales.

catch y’all next time!,
JD