Boy's Stripe Pocket Slub Tee Goes Out with the Chimera Jacket...

1. Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts during our difficult time yesterday. The first floor is an incredible mess now, and it appears that wherever there was laminate flooring there is water damage. So it seems all of the floors (minus the tiled floor) will have to be replaced. The upside is that Mr. Dina really wanted the downstairs wood to match the upstairs wood and now it appears they will. The insurance adjuster came by and was able to assess the damage, so we should be able to salvage things without having to spend an insane amount of money. Thank goodness. By the way, I wanted to let you know that your stories of despair helped in the sense that we are all really there for one another, even if it is just across the web, and not in an actual physical way. I am saying prayers for all of you who have recently had issues, this is a rough month all around, it seems.

2. Speaking of rough all around, this terrible crisis in Haiti has me very sad. It reminds me a lot of what happened in Mr. Dina's (former) neck of the woods when Hurricane Katrina rolled in and destroyed everything in its path. I am thinking that I would like to add links to my sidebar so if people want to contribute financially to the victims of the earthquake they can, but I don't know which organizations are the best to contribute to. I remember people being very upset during Hurricane Katrina because they would send money to a organization only to find out the organization didn't use the money for the purposes they said they would. I would love to get the links up later today (probably tonight), but I need help in identifying the best places first. Thoughts? I will take the links down in a month or so. Clearly some of you won't be able to contribute (we are in a similar situation) but if you want to, I will have the links there, just in case.

3. On a much less philanthropic note, Vera Bradley is killing me. Just when I think, no more. Stop. It. I can't buy anymore of your quilted darling-ness, they come out with another pattern that I am positively swooning over. Peacock did me in originally, then Bali Blue (which I have none of...willpower worked that time), but now Sittin in a Tree? Gah. I don't know that I can resist. The colors, the pattern, the theme, love. LOVE! At least I know that in something like two years it will all go on sale and then I can go crazy. BE. STRONG. STAY AT HOME MOM.

Tomboy and Lady-Like by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Okay, today's outfit is above in the polyvore. Everything is accurate, except the 7s are dojos not the squiggly lined ones as pictured. Whatevs, 7s are pretty darn awesome, regardless.

I wanted something a little tomboy and a little lady-like. I had to take Rex to preschool and CW to her "Blast off for Babies" class (which she loved, btw--jumping around and playing in a ball pit is like baby crack) so I knew I wanted to be put together but in a very casual sort of way, you know"sweats but better."


Sizes:

Jacket: Size 4. I wore it very dressed up here the last time. Also, yay for weather when this jacket can BE my outerwear. YAY! 50 degrees, baby!

Top: Crewcuts Size 12. I ordered this top (boys crewcuts) after seeing a model in the Jan catalog trying it. Usually size 12 boys is a bit baggy (see this top to see how), but this is pre-washed, so the 12 fit fine. I like the boy's tops because they are not quite as long as some of the women's tops. I agreed wholeheartedly with a JCA who quipped that the tops for women are made for someone flat-chested and long-torsoed. (I only qualify on one of those counts...heaven forbid you be ample-bosomed and short-torsoed.)

For those of you interested in this top, if you are a women's size 0, 2, or small 4, order a Boys 10. If you are a larger 4, 6, or small 8, buy a Boys 12. Do not buy this top if you have a long torso or any bra size bigger than a 36B. Trust me. (I am a 32B/C if that helps any of you all.)

Pants: Size 30.

Shoes: Size 10. These are the crocs that "don't look like Crocs." I must say I do like them but they are not very breathable. :)


Here is the outfit sans Chimera jacket. Now I just look very casual. I liked the outfit with the Chimera, but I know some of you are less than interested in trying out my "unique" combinations, and that is cool. So here it is, on its own. Still looks decent. I cut my head off because I was making a stupid face.

So, I have one more request, especially of those who follow my polyvore sets, etc. I would like to branch out and wear items I have either never worn or haven't worn in a long time next week. Tomorrow I will ask you all to comment on TOMORROW's post with which item or polyvore sets that you would like to see me either wear for the first time OR the first time in a long time. Obviously if you don't have any clue what I am talking about, that is fine...but remember if you do (and you have some desire to have power over what I wear--haha, please please remember it is winter here), wait until tomorrow to post which item/sets you are interested in...