Where: Airport to pick up my mom with my brother, then to Five Guys.
Ease of Wear: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) Super comfortable, but I still felt a bit exposed showing off this much of my legs. That said, I just love this outfit overall, the colors, the gorgeous liberty print, the unique necklace. Just wish I had made the skirt a bit longer.
Outfit Details: Skirt, handmade (using an old McCall's pattern, I believe); Factory Short Sleeve sweater (bought an extra-small, it's roomy), J. Crew Factory here; Necklace, J. Crew; Sandals, Boden.
Anecdote of the Day: Pete can't just take a normal photo with me, he pretty much always has to do something silly. Still love the photo, though. :-) Brothers...
INSTAGRAM HERE.
Where: The school to help out at the Mexican Fiesta party.
Ease of Wear: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) Was so excited to finally wear my bias cut jacket that I made back in December, but because of its timing with my friend W's death, I couldn't bring myself to wear it back then. I decided enough was enough, and brought it out, but of course, I wore it for a grand total of thirty minutes before I decided it was too hot to be wearing it. Sigh.
The Contrast Paneled Shell I purchased in a size petite small, and though it fits well, it is a touch tight in the bust (and I have a very small bust). I prefer the petite since it hits higher on my hip, if I had purchased the regular, it would have been too long.
Outfit Details: Jacket, handmade (using Vogue 8910); Contrast Paneled Shell, J. Crew here, Turner Pants, J. Crew here, Sandals, J. Crew.
Anecdote of the Day: I always feel like I have to fake it till I make it at my kids' school with the other parents. They seem like the sort that were very popular in high school and college and are still holding onto the "cool" that they are. I don't feel cool, I just feel out of place. Well, anyhow, long story short, I finally have met a few moms and dads there that don't make me feel like I have to be someone I am not, and that day I got to spend some time talking with one of the moms there that literally agrees with me on almost everything, which is just amazing. :-) So good to finally be able to really be me, you know?
INSTAGRAM HERE.
Where: Birthday party for one of Angus's Little Gym Friends.
Ease of Wear: (4.25 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) Beyond needing to make the shoes a bit looser by wearing them out a bit more, this was a nice outfit to wear to a birthday party. It was really really hot and humid, though, and the ITY knit felt a bit stifling towards the end of the day.
Outfit Details: Dress, handmade (using New Look 6097); Factory Raffia Boardwalk Sandals, J. Crew Factory here; Sunglasses, Anthropologie.
Anecdote of the Day: Angus arrived late for the party since he was taking a long nap. We got there and the face paint artist was just about to leave. I asked her is she could get something drawn on Angus real quick, and she said, "maybe a small spider on his arm?" Yeah, small spider my butt. That thing took up half his arm. How long did it take her? Two minutes. Crazy.
INSTAGRAM HERE.
Where: Girls Night Out.
Ease of Wear: (5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) I love love love my tiered jersey dress from Garnet Hill so much that I had to make my own when challenged last year to copy a RTW item in my closet and make a new version of it using fabric from our stash. It was a no-brainer, as soon as I knew what the challenge was, I knew which RTW item I was going to copy. I hope to make another one this summer.
Outfit Details: Dress, handmade (using a pattern I made using an old Garnet Hill dress, learn more on that here); Sandals, Madewell; Necklace, Uncommon Goods.
Anecdote of the Day: So my friend, B., is moving to the outer suburbs, close to where my brother is planning on moving. If you know anything about DC traffic, twenty miles equals at least an hour on the road (especially if the highway that gets you there is far from your house, twenty miles for us on 395, no biggie, 66, BIGGIE). SOB! Don't move!
INSTAGRAM HERE.
Where: Church Meeting.
Ease of Wear: (4.25 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) I thought it would be funny to wear a "going to the pool" tee with a "wanna be by the sea" skirt. The two together are very nice and certainly comfortable for the hot/humid weather, but I really wish the skirt was a touch less full. I even chose to size down to a 6 Long and it was still voluminous.
Outfit Details: Top, Madewell; Florence Skirt, Boden here; Sandals, Madewell; Necklace, Target.
Anecdote of the Day: One lady in my church group is French and she 100% appreciated the "going to the pool/wanna be by the sea" play I did with my clothing. It flew over all the other heads, though. ;-)
INSTAGRAM HERE.
Where: Richmond with my Mom and Angus to eat lunch at the Can Can and go the Children's Museum.
Ease of Wear: (4.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) So all week and through this last weekend it has been either warm or hot. The one day we travel, south even, and it is freaking cold! It was barely in the 50s and raining like nobody's business. At one point, I wondered if we all should have worn coats. It did allow me to wear a tunic that I wasn't sure would be able to be worn in May, though.
Outfit Details: Tunic, handmade (using McCall's 6796); Leggings, J. Crew here; Nike Waffle Racers, J. Crew here (navy only).
Anecdote of the Day: I loved my wine so much at lunch, I bought the bottle for some ridiculous price. It was so worth it, though, I have been enjoying it for the past few days (it has a screw top so it stays fresh in the fridge). If you want to see it, check out the instagram shot.
INSTAGRAM HERE.
Where: Doctor's appointment for CW and a long walk on our forest paths in our neighborhood.
Ease of Wear: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) Since I have lost a little weight since I first made this dress, it fits me better through the bodice, but still is a touch to close for comfort. I didn't know it then, but I need to always make a square shoulder adjustment on patterns, and any future versions of this, I will need to as well.
Outfit Details: Dress, handmade (using an old Amy Butler pattern); Sandals, Target; Selina Sunglasses, Boden here.
Anecdote of the Day: I so enjoy the forests in our neighborhood, but that day was so special, it was 70 and sunny and perfect for a walk. It seriously felt like I was on vacation, if only for an hour or so.
INSTAGRAM HERE.
Where: Dropping my Mom at the airport and Church.
Ease of Wear: (4.25 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) This top is literally two rectangles sewn together. I cut it out on Friday night and the next day had it ready to wear. It's not much sewing for a whole lot of impact (especially if it is a super loud pattern like this). I definitely will be trying this "pattern" again. The tee is super soft, too. The sandals are those (sold out in a heartbeat) Mackenzie crackled foil sandals and they, like the rest of the outfit, are stupid comfortable too.
Outfit Details: Top, handmade (using a "pattern," snort); Turner pants, J. Crew here; Mackenzie crackled foil sandals, J. Crew here; Bag, Hobo, Intl.
Anecdote of the Day: Mr. Dina hates Olive Garden, so we never go there, but my friend wanted to go there after mass, and to be honest, it was pretty tasty. I mean, take what I say with a grain of salt. Apparently I'll eat anything, since I took one of those online "what won't you eat" quizzes and out of 120 items, I would eat 119 of them. (My one "eww" was kidneys, yep, kidneys, don't like because of their texture, not their taste.)
INSTAGRAM HERE.
Where: To watch the movie "Tomorrowland."
Ease of Wear: (4.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) The shorts and top and sandals combo are so comfy, almost pajama-like. My one issue with the shorts are that they are short enough that when I sit down, my legs make contact with the chair or bench. It feels weird enough that I notice. (Writing that out makes me realize I may sound like a freak, tell me I am not alone here).
Outfit Details: Top, Forever 21; Shorts, (using a Burda Magazine pattern from last summer); Factory Raffia Boardwalk sandals, J. Crew Factory here.
Anecdote of the Day: Every time I watch a George Clooney movie, he cries in it. Damnit, George Clooney. Stop crying. It is inevitable that watching him cry will make me cry. (Pulls out tissues...)
INSTAGRAM HERE.
Okay, that's it for now. Hope the parade of excess in the form of photos didn't overwhelm you. :-)
