OOTEs: Dots and Sequins. 90s and 80s.

Happy Monday, everyone!

I am still in a major state of recovery after having all my wisdom teeth extracted on Friday, so I only have a few minutes before I go back down for *another* rest and eventually more baby food (yum!), but I thought looking at pictures of me before the oral surgery in really pretty clothing would make me feel a tiny bit better.

Anyhow, without further talky-talk...dots and sequins!

Day: Saturday, November 30, 2013.

Where: My high school reunion.  If you follow this blog with any regularity, you know which one, but I am not gonna actually write which one it is, 'cause ouch.

Ease of Wear: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear) You take away those darn glitter Mona heels (as fab as they look), and this would easily have scored a 4.5.  The Tulip Party Dress in the right size (8 regular) made all the difference in the world.  (I had originally purchased the 6 long and when I do the review in the next Boden Weekly Review Roundup, you'll see that it was really smart for me to buy the next size up).

It was chilly that night, but the Lady Day coat was more than adequate for keeping me warm.  Bonus points for nearly matching the jacquard dots on the dress.

Cool Factor: (5 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest--for both outfits.) Aw, hell, if I can't give myself a 5 out of 5 after putting as much effort into this look as I did, then when can I?

Anecdote from the Day:  Aren't reunions weird?  I found that I really just didn't want to talk to some people, even though it had been *** years and I should be over the fact that these people didn't like me in high school because I wasn't cool enough.  I did talk to some people that I barely even saw in high school, and one girl and I commiserated over having three young kids and being utterly spent most days.  That was really nice to know that one of the cool girls is just like me, you know, normal, and not sprinkled with fairy dust, like I always assumed the cool ones were.

I also decided that since I am getting older, I might as well embrace my inner hog and cut it up on the dance floor, even if I really am not very good at dancing.  But with the assistance of a lot of wine, my friend Michelle, her "friend," and my other friend Leyla, I "jumped" just like Kris Kross told me to.  LOL.

Day: Friday, November 22, 2013.

Where: Went to see the "Legwarmers" perform at the State Theater in Falls Church.

Ease of Wear: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear)  Dang it, J. Crew.  Your stinking ruffled silk blouse felt weird on the bottom half.  Eventually I cut out a tag I had never noticed before and cut off part of the lower zipper (it doesn't affect the zip since the zip's stopper was above where I cut).  It helped, but the stupid top still fits awkwardly.  I may just have to give this one up to the consignment gods, as much as I like the way it looks.

Amazingly, the showstopping knitted jacket held up really well.  You go, Boden!  Years after purchasing it, the pretty sequined cardigan still looks pretty and brand spanking new. 

Cool Factor: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest--for both outfits.) I thought I was doing a good version of the 80s, but then I arrived at the theater with my friend, S., and we discovered there were a whole lot of twenty-somethings wearing honest-to-God vintage 80s clothing.  I *knew* I should have gone in the attic and found some of my 80s clothes.  Ha.  :-)  I mean they had it all...Members Only Jackets, scrunchies, weird jumpsuits, neon sweatshirts, etc., etc. 

My husband said I barely looked 80s, but I told him that at my age, I should dress as "inspired" by the 80s versus actual 80s since I could fall into "mutton dressed as lamb" real fast if I am not careful.

I still think the next time I go I am grabbing something from my vintage closet and going with it, my mutton status be damned. 

Anecdote from the Day:  Apparently I had some guy ask me if I wanted him to buy me a drink.  I didn't actually see or hear this exchange (it was LOUD in there), but S. swears up and down that it happened.  I will call it my own personal Brigadoon...did he really appear?

Okay, that's all for now.  Based on my own wussiness, I can't say I will be back with anything here for a day or two, but maybe I will miraculously feel better and I can get my normal schedule back on track!

OOTDs: Lots of Pants. Lots of Tops. Part One.

In my neverending backlog of outfits, I have a ton of really casual looks that include pants and tops.  (Exciting stuff here, lol.)

Anyhow, over the next two days I will publish them so I can be caught up at least partially.  ;)

Onto the outfit of the day purge!

Day: Tuesday, February 5, 2013.

Where: Preschool Run and Angus's Little Gym Class.

Ease of Wear: (3.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.)  I love the overall comfort, but the 7FAM jeans are a bit loose and a bit low, so they kept needing to be hitched up, which isn't all that comfortable when you are running around after a baby in a baby gym class.

Cool Factor: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.)  I think it looks pretty cool, if a bit derivative.  I didn't end up wearing the shearling vest, since I thought it read a bit too late 1970s.  I also sort of felt like the shearling vest was a little much for a preschool run.  That said, I would like to try the complete ensemble to go to a museum or out for drinks.

Lots of folks complimented the outfit (top photo), I think the bling on the tank drew them in...

Anecdote from the day: Nothing really to report.  Seriously, just another average day for our average family.  :)

Day: Monday, February 4, 2013.

Where: Out to the fabric store to pick up patterns and fabric. Plus Chipotle, yum.

Ease of Wear: (3.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) I was having kind of a fat day that day, which means though the jeans look decent enough on me, I felt like I was just barely fitting into them.  It's on days like these (during the winter, especially) that I wish that elastic waist jeans were an acceptable form of fashion.  ;)

The brushed cashmere popover* was awesome, though.  It was cold and kind of windy, but I didn't need an additional piece of outerwear, this was just enough coverage since the woven cashmere textile is thick enough (and double faced, so it is super soft against the skin) to protect from the elements.  Keep in mind I am talking about VA cold and windy...folks in Canada, you all definitely should not be wearing this by itself for your cold and windy.

*I had been watching this item all fall for a break in the price.  Even at its original sale price, it was very expensive.  When J. Crew offered an additional 40% off, I decided it was worth the semi-splurge since it could be both outerwear and a sweater in my wardrobe.  I bought the extra-small which is fine for my frame, but I do have to undo the bottom two buttons near my hip.  I would have tried a small if it had been available, but I am perfectly happy with the extra-small. 

Cool Factor: (4.5 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.) I think the outfit looks pretty cool.  I love the grey with the cobalt blue and aubergine.  The floral lace jeans are likely on their way "out," but I think the look overall is modern and fun.

I ended up putting my hair up later that night, and when I looked in the mirror, it appeared I had a haircut.  My hubby would never be okay with me cutting my hair that short, but I think with the deep swooping side bang, the shorter hair would actually look okay on my frame and face shape.  Which sort of surprises me.  :)  I would love to try it some day, and not just in this "faux" way, but I think it will take a few years of wearing Mr. Dina down. 

Anecdote from the day: I ended up walking away not with patterns I needed but patterns to make the kids pjs.  I also picked up a pj pattern for me.*

Chipotle was awesome.  I noticed it was taking Mr. Dina a ton of time to get the food, but figured it was some sort of "let's be patient" kind of situation, but in reality, the folks were screwing up our orders.  But none of that matters because once we got our food, we ate and enjoyed.  Halfway through eating the manager came by and profusely apologized for the problem and gave us THREE free kids meals for the future (one for Angus, even!).  Considering that it wasn't that big of a deal to us, we were blown away by how well they handled the small problem.  :)  Chipotle for life!

*I have since made the pj bottoms for me. Oh, are they ever oversized, will definitely make them smaller for the next time.  You will see photos soon enough.  I have also made the pj bottoms for CW (turned out great).  I think I may be making the pjs for Rex today.  :)
 

Day: Saturday, February 2, 2013.

Where: Mass and a Luau Party at Rex's school.

Ease of Wear: (4.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) Even the gorgeous Sixties Heels felt comfortable.

However, it was insanely cold that night, with icy/snowy precipitation, so this is why I wore something this easy and casual to church and a school party.  Rex's school is next to the church, so the walk over was fairly okay, but by the time we left, there was even more slushy bits on the road.  Fortunately the leather on the shoes were okay, glad I decided against suede.  :)

Cool Factor: (2.5 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.) Well, it is a pretty outfit, and the lemons sort of read Hawaiian to me, lol, but since it was an outfit decided by the weather and not by the events, there really isn't much to say about it other than it did its job.

Anecdote from the day: Rex has a girlfriend at his school.  Her mother informed me that she has been in "like" with him since the first day of school.  It is now February and she has taken to hugging him, laughing at all of his jokes, walking next to him, and sending home love notes (which I have kept, OMG, they are so cute!).  At the school luau, she chased him around the room, again and again.  Her mom and I just lol-ed.  Very sweet.  Rex, btw, has made her a bookmark and has said he may marry her.

Also from that night...I think our priest is great, he and I went to the same high school (he is far younger than me, though, sigh, old age creeping in)...but I ask you, how comfortable would you be speaking with him while PSY's "Gangman Style" is playing in the background, with the words "H-E-Y Sexy Lady" seemingly louder than all the other words of the song?*

*On a related note, right after CW was born we went to the school's Oktoberfest celebration and the priest there at the time was talking to me about something when Billy Joel's "Only the Good Die Young" song was playing in the background.  How, and by whom, was it decided that was a good song to play at a Catholic School event?  I mean really!  :)

Day: Friday, February 1, 2013.

Where: Out with my brother to have fun with the kids.  Also wearing a ton of red for "Wear Red" day.

Ease of Wear: (3.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) I can finally wear the cafe capri in kaleidoscope dot!  I bought them when pregnant with Angus, but I was unable to wear them until just recently.  Unlike what everyone else said, the pants did not run big for me, in fact, I should have sized up.  (But now that I am getting down in weight a bit, I guess it's okay I bought my "size.")

Cool Factor: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.) I am giving it a 4 because I wore my red with pride.  I take women's heart health seriously and think no matter who you are, you should wear red on February 1.  I even made Angus wear red. 

I think had I worn this outfit on any other day, I would downgrade it to a 3 because it is a bit matchy-match/preppy to be cool.

Anecdote from the day:  A lady at the coffee shop said, "I LOVE your pants!"  I happily said, "thank you, and they finally fit!"  She replied back, "that's awesome."  I love girls who love clothes.  :)

Okay, that's it for today.  I am fixing to comment back on my backlog of comments at the last week's posts.  I like Saturdays that are lazy, since that means I can be a bit less lazy.  (Weird, right?)

P.S. Before I go, I wanted to let you all know that Boden "pinned" a photo of mine (the still shot of the Pointed Mary Janes I reviewed in this post) to their Pinterest "How We Wear" page.  I am super excited and very grateful!  Thanks to Keeley for letting me know!!!  :)

J. Crew OOTD: No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Gardenshade Floral.

Well, this outfit is only from a few weeks ago, so I guess I am sort of not really current. I can tell these are older images because of the size of Angus (*relatively* small), and from how short my bangs are (my hubby's barber's wife cut them a teeny bit too short, oops).
 

I really like the way the outfit has the prep with the spindrift sweatshirt, the girly with the shoes and the skirt, and the edgy with the bag.  It was also really easy to wear, especially since I bought the skirt one size too big (which ended up being fine as it gave me a bit more length because I could pull it down further on my hips). 

The skirt is an 8, for what it's worth.  In cotton pencil skirts, I usually wear a 6.

My hubby took these photos of me, since I had lost the original ones from the week prior (thanks a lot, corrupt SD card).  I kind of didn't mind that the images were lost, though, I ended up wearing the outfit again to hang out with CW one night.  She even dressed up, too.  Girls night out and all.  ;)

We have such an expanse of brick on the one wall of our house, I don't have to look very far for a good background for my outfits of the day.  (Having said that, I still prefer to use the trees as my background.  You see the trees in most of my outside shots.  My inside shots are always in my hallway with the boring white closet door behind me.  Yawn.)

I like this detail shot, really gives you an idea of the play of textures, colors, and patterns.

So teeny!  He can't wear that onesie anymore (tear).

No. 2 pencil skirt in gardenshade floral IRL. by dinagideon featuring a striped sweater

Above is the polyvore of this outfit.

Okay, that's it!  I should be back tomorrow with either another installment of ROYGBIV (we are up to blue!), another "inspired by" post, or maybe some reviews (got to get to J. Crew/Madewell in Miami, so nice and rare in my life nowadays).

Enjoy this splendid June day!

ROYGBIV: Orange. Doesn't Rhyme with Anything.

Well, I guess I could technically have put in half of the outfits from the last ROYGBIV post because really what is the color modern red? Truly looks red in the near dark, but in actual light is a really good friend of orange. Probably best described as a "RORANGE" kind of color, little red, little orange. Whatever, I still love it, they could call it poopy doo creamsicle and I would still wear it.

I have two outfits for this post, but I already published one of them, so I will just link back to that post rather than re-posting.  *Because I am lazy.*

The photo has the info, but I will mention some bits about the pieces.

The sweater was really popular in blog land, but I seemed to keep missing it at its really good sale price, and since I knew other people were getting it for almost half off of the original price made me irritable (or it could have been the end of the pregnancy hormones which was when I bought it), I chose to wait until it was the price I knew I could have it at.  Of course I had to wait for a popback, but one morning, very early, I found the boatneck popover in my size and in the orange (TRUE orange) color.  Yay for patience and a being just a little bit crazy.

The rest of the outfit is old, old, old.  Just in case you all didn't realize it, I actually re-wear a ton of my clothes.  It may seem that I have new pretty shiny things all the time, but that is because I just like to show off the new and pretty.  :)  In fact, I rarely buy new pants or shorts.  Eh, just can't feel the love for most of those because most of those just give me sadness...when you can't fit into pants because your thighs are too big, it sort of makes wanting to get new pairs in favor of your old not really a great idea.  Dresses?  Tops?  They seem to fit fine, so I get more of those. 

Okay, rant done.  Don't know why I felt I needed to talk about it, I just did.  Do you have any piece of clothing that gives you sadness because you find it hard to work on your body?  I am really curious.  I sometimes feel alone in my frustration with my body.  Probably because I spend most of my time talking to my husband (he who is super thin and can wear anything) and my toddlers (they don't care if something doesn't fit, always amazes me).  Also do you buy certain types of clothes because they always seem to fit, regardless of other issues you may have with the rest of your body?

That necklace, the scattered glass necklace, is easily my most worn piece of jewelry.  LOVE.  J. Crew should remake that necklace for those of you who missed out on it initially.

I don't think I would ever do a pixie cut, but I am not overwhelmingly disgusted by my face with a short look.  (There is a bun in the back...was a preschool run day, so it made my life easier to have it up.)

End of the preschool run.  My hair and my sweater were still in decent shape.  The jeans were about to fall off, but they stretch out a LOT.  I love them, but I think I need to go to my non-postpartum pair (I have them in size 30, too, these 32s are for after I have the bebes).

This was the first time I had let Gus ride forward in the Bjorn, he loved it.  Mr. Dina says that it looks like he is a vestigial appendage of mine, like a third arm or an extra finger.  LOL.  I guess.  (Such a freaking weirdo, that's my hubby!)

Mr. Roy G. Biv presents Orange. by dinagideon featuring j crew handbags

Above is the polyvore of this outfit.

Okay, so this post has the other orange outfit.  That said, it did have an indigo piece, so I would have still been confused on which post to include it in, so I guess it is good I published it early so I wouldn't break my brain.  ;)

You all have a great day.  Talk with you soon!

From the Poles to the Decorating Committee (Cardigans, You See).

Hi, all! After this morning with Boden, I can't believe I am going to swing so so wildly to another arc, the arc of Anthropologie, but I have had these two outfits in my queue forever and since I really like the pieces, I just. needed. to. get. these. pictures. published. already. :)

Decorating Committee and Me... by dinagideon featuring anthropologie cardigans

Above is the polyvore of the first outfit, the one that includes the Decorating Committee cardigan. Can you believe that it took me almost an ENTIRE YEAR to wear this lovely sweater? What is wrong with me? (Wait, don't answer that...) Do you all remember this post where I was all "I need this?" Well, I guess I didn't really "need" it until mid-January 2011.

Simply styled.  The cardigan is the Decorating Committee cardigan, and I bought it in a medium, which is fine.  A small would have been fine, too.  But the store I bought it from had only a medium and that worked for me.  The tank is the sequin tiered ruffle tissue tank from J. Crew, size extra-small.  I love how it paired with the cardigan.  The jeans are 7 dojos (flip-flops), size 30.  The boots are Aerosoles (I know, Aerosoles!).

From the side.  With CW.  :)  I think next time I wear this outfit I either need to pull out longer jeans OR wear flats.  They call them the flip-flops for a reason, methinks.

With my Target Cloche hat from last year.  This hat is amazing.  All wool, with a cute feather embellishment and it was insanely cheap, like $10.  LOVE Target.

Baby CW loved hamming it up that day.

Baby CW needs her own pink cloche, you agree, I am sure?  :)

Yes, I switched to a grey fedora because that morning I visited Mint Condition in Old Town and I found this adorable grey fedora for a song there.  It is my winter Lola.  (And no, I don't mean sweet Rosa's dog, either.  Although that Lola in a winter fedora would be DARLING!)

Next outfit, cardigan first.  (Although I believe it was actually called the From the Poles sweater jacket.)  I wore this to "Santa photos" with the kids and they were all green and red and white, so I figured I should at least try to be festive.  I guess I figured an off-white Bavarian-looking ruffly concoction with a wine-colored tee would fit the bill.  Yodel-freaking-lay-dee-hoo.  ;)

I do not like how sheer the jacket looks.  I don't remember it being that sheer in real life, so it may be a camera flash situation, but still, irksome.

I look like Inge from the mountains in all these photos.  Be prepared. 

 

Inge #2, with the jacket all zipped up. The pants are from J. Crew suiting a few years ago and have the faintest pinstripe. This is pre-vanity sizing as the size 10 you see here is only a *smidge* too big.

The boots are the Rivington kitten heel boots from the same season.  They are super chic and look great with all of my longer bootcut pants.

Inge #3 from the side with her daughter Heidi from the back.

Inge #4 with the jacket partially opened (loved it this way the best) with her husband Klaus in the background.  (And daughter Heidi's very German Barbie computer in the foreground--which funnily enough was given to us by an actual Heidi.  LOL.)

You all have a fab night.  Talk soon.  More Boden reviews tomorrow.  :)

Mommy Style Monday #13--What Are You Putting Out There?

Hello, Monday! :)

It has been a few weeks since my last "Mommy Style Monday," and really, Mommy Style Monday #12 shouldn't count, but since I like the number 13, I am going to call today's installment #13 and be done with it.

I was inspired to write today's post because of the Mindy Cohn episode of What Not to Wear that aired on Friday night (yay, Stacey and Clinton are back!!!). In it, Stacey and Clinton REALLY laid into our dear sweet Natalie from the Facts of Life because what she was wearing sent out a message to others that Mindy didn't know that she was sending out! Mindy thought her casual, laid back look would be interpreted as such...people would see her on the street, she believed, and would immediately think, "ooh, that lady looks comfy, and cozy, and so easy-going." Instead her look read as frumpy, tired, and careless. The look that Mindy got when she realized just what Stacey and Clinton were getting at was priceless...it was like a literal light-bulb went off in the darkness and she could see the illuminated Jimmy Choos! And bless her heart, Mindy was super-stoked to change how her appearance comes across. By the end, Mindy looked exactly like she had always wanted...her fitted frocks and elegant accessories went the distance and delivered the look of ease, polish, and fun much more than her over-sized tees and baggy-crotched sweatpants (really, she had them made for her!) had done before her appearance on What Not to Wear.

I sympathize with Mindy, and with all ladies who intend one look but instead give off an entirely different look. In the past I have been in her shoes. (Even in the past two years of writing this blog--check out this ditty from my early days!) My aunt, when I was in college, took me to the side and laid into me for wearing drab, shapeless, and boring clothing (it's true--at one point I was much more at home in a long black jumper dress, long ribbed cardigan, and a tee than I was in sequins, ruffles, and pencil skirts). She basically told me that I was coming off as someone in her early 40s (eek) than as someone in her late teens. She told me, point blank, to wear more color, to wear more fitted clothing, and to wear more makeup. Because I love my aunt, and value her opinion, I listened to her. It took me about 15 years, but I have settled into the style that I believe she always knew I had in me. Now I feel like I can put together looks that express my style, fun, polished, and colorful. I also want to appear youthful, and I think most of the time I do.

So what are you putting out there? Have you had your own style intervention (a la me and Mindy)? Does your look express what you want it to? Have you asked your loved ones for an honest opinion?

And now, two of my latest outfits and how they appeared to others...one I fully intended the response to and one whose response actually shocked me.

Untitled by dinagideon featuring cami tank tops

Above is the outfit I wore on Saturday. I wanted a polished, fun, easy look that also could read "chic." In the end, I felt successful and I plan on wearing this again when the time is right (i.e. preschool run, going to lunch with the ladies, etc.).

This is the outfit with all the elements pieced together.  I was playing with proportion here, and when the proportion is accurate, the chic comes through.  One thing I have learned from other bloggers is to PLAY with proportion.  Some like Chloe of The Chloe Conspiracy, ABC of A Bigger Closet, and Slastena of About All and Nothing at All (to name three, there are dozens more) really get proportion and how elegant even jeans can be when paired with the right silhouette.

I am loving the short-sleeved jacket for the fall, and when paired with this three-quarter sleeved cardigan, hits the right note of sophisticated and casual (all at once).  Since I was doing errands that day and then getting dinner, I really did need to have both elements in my outfit.

I also love the look of chunky platform peep-toes (yummy Anticipation Heels from Anthropologie--AGAIN) with the matte jersey curator pants which have a cropped hemline.

I felt modern, yet classic, as well, with the Talbot's cream quilted bag and the beaded glass necklaces.

Pieces you see in this "proportion play" outfit:
Jacket: Maryn Jacket.
Cardigan: (In-Store Only) Beaded Placket Cardigan, Bronzed Ochre color. (I like the cardi in the polyvore as an alternate, though, would have very similar effect, I believe.)
Pants: Matte Jersey Curator Pants.
Shoes: Anticipation Heels by Miss Albright.
Necklaces: Scattered Glass Necklace and an (in-store only) glass beaded necklace.
Purse: Quilted Leather Bag.

Here I am with just the cardi on, no jacket. This changes the look up making it less sophisticated, yet still polished.

Close-up of the details of the necklaces, purse, cardigan, and tank.

I think this pic says it all. I felt good in this outfit, and with the addition of my son and my fave A.R. Trapp Troubadour sunglasses, I felt very stylish mommy. ;)

Best Outfit EVER EVER EVER... by dinagideon featuring blazers jackets

Above is the second polyvore of the outfit I wore to sub on Friday. I intended for my look to read colorful, easy, casual, and fun. Turns out some people (cough, cough, MR. DINA) thought it looked a different way entirely. Huh.

This is the outfit without the Fiona jacket, just the tee, jeans, and sneakers. Notice my hair is in pigtails.

So how did this very outfit appear to Mr. Dina? Well, after my WALK HOME, no makeup on, looking (in my mind) tired and worn out, he says to me, "THIS IS MY FAVORITE OUTFIT YOU HAVE EVER WORN. I love it. I especially love the pigtails."

Me: (Slack-jawed.) (Pause for thirty seconds.) (Compose myself.) "Are you joking?"

Him: "No! I really love it. You should wear this every. day. of. your. life. Especially the pigtails."

Me: "Umm. Okay. But what about that dress I wore the other day, with the heels, and the makeup, and the pretty hair?"

Him: "Well, it was fine, but not really my thing. You should wear this whenever we go out. I love it."

Me: (Sigh.) "I guess it's true what they say...'women really do dress for other women.'"

Him: "Well, if that's the case, we would have saved a lot of money if you only ever dressed for me exclusively. In fact, why don't you do that?"

Me: "But I LOVE my fashion blog!!!"

End.

See! My intent: Look nice enough to sub but still casual, colorful, and decent. What I put out there: THE BEST LOOK EVER EVER EVER (well, for the men of the species, anyhow). Huh.

Pieces of this unintended BEST LOOK EVER EVER EVER:
Top: Crewcuts Graphic Tee, "Don't Be So Shellfish."
Jeans: 7FAM Dojo Flip-Flop Jeans.

Here it is, with the Fiona Jacket in Pumpkin (I think?). I wore the orange Fiona simply as a nod to the month of October. I really like how the teal and the orange look together (even if Tory Burch can't stand the combo--heh, my hubby likes it, too, TORY!). LOL.

I hope that my slightly lengthy discussion on intent versus reality has helped some of you. I also urge you to ask others about your style when you can...you may expect to hear the answer or you may get an answer you weren't expecting at all. (And that's okay!)

A Tank Two Ways!

You all! I am so busy...and truly sorry for taking so long to publish. It has been a LONG time since I have taken such a break. :P At least I have a cool, stylish reason for this break, but still, I have missed you!!! :)

Spring Into Style is going well...the kids are fab and all very sweet. I even have one little boy in my class, and he is very passionate about creating looks for both men and women alike. To see such creativity and expression at 8, 9, and 10 years old is amazing!

A Tank Two Ways! by dinagideon featuring Seven For All Mankind jeans

Above is the polyvore from an outfit I wore on a Saturday a few weeks ago. It was still a bit cold out and I knew that no matter what, I would need a coat and tights. :) I love this tank, and found it the perfect pick-me-up on that day. Plus, it looks fab with grey and denim, so the overall look was very lovely.


Here is the tank with the jeans, constellation cardigan, and the animal print flats. Very comfy, but with that bit of bling on the cardi, a little special, too!

Sizes:
Tank: Size small.
Cardigan: Size small.
Denim: Size 30.
Shoes: Size 40. (These were the shoes that ran REALLY big by Boden.)

And I had to make sure CW matched!!! ;)


Too cold to wear the outfit on its own, so I paired it with one of my favorite spring coats, EVER. This is an Anthropologie find, brand Elevenses, that I bought 5 (???) years ago. LOVE this color, print, fabric, cut, etc. Unfortunately, I had to put it DEEP in the closet until I lost all the way...this coat is cut very close, and has only recently fit again. I am wearing a 6 here.

Does anyone remember what catalog or season this coat is from? Or even better, know the name of it? I would love to find an image of it...


And here is the other way I wore this tank, paired with the short, full indigo skirt by J. Crew, and the tie-front cashmere cardigan in black. The tights are grey, and make the skirt seem less revealing.

Sizes:
Cardigan: Size small.
Skirt: Size 8.
Tights: Size Medium/Tall.

Have a great day, all. Hope to get back and publish soon...there is A LOT ready to go! :)