J. Crew: A "Fabiola" Mother's Day.

Oh, I feel so very timely publishing my Mother's Day outfit two days before Father's Day.  Yes, that's me, Miss Punctuality.  :P

Anyhow, I had a really nice Mother's Day, from the beginning to the end.

A few things helped bring me to this happy place.

1. We went to church on Saturday afternoon.  My kids were awful (shocker--lol, not) and of course, because I am high strung (shocker--lol, not) I was in a foul mood after church.  But Saturday wasn't Mother's Day, Sunday was, so I was able to sleep off my anxiety that my kids will always be just that terrible in public places (I am so dire in my predictions that I can see them at 46 dropping the kneelers and cackling LOUDLY about it).

2. Mr. Dina went to the grocery store first thing and got a few items for me.  Most mommas want brunch...I told him, "nah, just get me some dry champagne, a bottle of orange/mango juice, and a grande breve latte and banana bread from Starbucks instead."  Which he did.  Yum.

3. After that Mr. Dina took the two oldest to DC to allow Angus and me an opportunity to bond.  Angus gave me the most precious gift, though, that of him sleeping for four hours so I could drink my mimosas in peace (pic of mimosa at the bottom).  Okay, I stopped after two mimosas, I still needed to you know, walk straight and all, but ahh...bliss! 

4. That evening we all went out (including with my stepmom and my dad) to my favorite Ethiopian restaurant, Meaza, for a delicious feast.  Mmm, love the food at Meaza.

So that was my recipe for a wonderful Mother's Day.  (Probably my recipe for any awesome day, really, anywhere, any time.  Even if I was traveling I would still view a day like this as pretty darn close to perfect.)  :)

If you open up the pic, you will see the info on the pieces.  :)

I did a review of the Fabiola dress in abstract leopard here, though, if you like it and want to know more on sizing (still is available though sizes are limited).

The rest of the pieces are old, old, old, though, and probably are best acquired through ebay if you like them.

I love that the Fabiola dress has pockets.  I actually use my dress pockets, but only for my hands.  Do any of you all use your pockets for actually holding things?

Hand on hip.  I felt nice in this get-up, and pretty comfortable.  I have to give J. Crew a big thumbs up for this dress design, it is at once sleek and fitted, but the tulip shaped skirt allows for the hips and thighs to have a bit of breathing room (and no spanx needed, holla!).

To top off the perfection of the day, my own personal holy grail was achieved.  My children actually posed for a picture and looked sweet, smiley, and adorable.  (Angus slept again, for the fifth time that day.)  :)

CW and Rex are even in their favorite mini Boden pieces, CW in a frock from last year and Rex in the Rough Appliqué T-shirt from this year.

I wish I could start every day with a mimosa made from extra dry Korbel and orange/mango juice.  I give major props to Mr. Dina, btw.  He doesn't drink alcohol at all (!!!) and yet managed to get the perfect champagne for me, it was exactly the right dry taste with lots of flavor, too.  (I was at the grocery store two days later and the guys who stock the shelves in wine and beer noticed that I was choosing that champagne and complimented me on my choice--I told them my hubby had gotten it for me for Mother's Day and they were all, "that's a good man.")

A "Fabiola" Mother's Day. by dinagideon featuring patent handbags

Above is the polyvore of the outfit.

If you had to define your perfect day, what would your recipe be?  Would you involve champagne, too?  ;)

Have a wonderful Friday!!!

Boden Bliss...

Dinagideon is in busy, busy land lately! Sorry for the absence! :) Just out and about, but unfortunately for my poor blog that means a lack of posts and commenting back. Le sigh.

Clearly today's post is brought to you by the letter "b," as I am not only busy, but I am in Boden bliss. Why? Well, not only is today's outfit one of my personal favorites ever from this British bastion of bodacious blouses, but yesterday, my dear friend Johnnie B. sent me a $25 gift voucher to be used on any purchase between now and the end of the month. Best part? No minimum amount required AND I could use it with another promo! So what did I do? I used it last night to buy my daughter and I some outerwear. Right now there is an e-mail circulating (and probably in some catalogs, too) that if you buy 2 items, you get your 3rd for $1. This is one of the best that Boden offers as you can buy three nearly the same priced items and receive a huge % off (do the math, you'll see). The three items I got were $88 a piece, which equals $264, but after the offer, it goes down to $177. Apply a $25 gift voucher and all of sudden what was $264 is now $152, or a savings of around 42%. That includes free shipping and returns, btw. So yes, I am a bit in Boden bliss today. :)

Boden Bliss... by dinagideon featuring stretch tights

Above is an outfit I wore on Sunday (when I made the decidedly serendipitous trip to Mint Condition). The coat is from Mod Cloth and as soon as I saw it back in September two thoughts ran through my head: "Ooh, that looks like an Emma Pillsbury coat," and "It will be mine."

Mr. Dina loved the dress.  It got nearly the same reaction as my jeans and tee combo from a few weeks back.  I am wearing this Retro Spot Tunic in a UK size 10 or US size 6.  I like that the length finishes where it does...too short and I would have to wear it with pants and too long and it would be A LOT of that print.  ;)

Rex is not picking his nose.  It only looks like he is.  I have no idea what he is thinking in this shot...

This was supposed to be a full-on side shot, but Baby CW came in and decided to shoot her historical re-enactment gun at the window.  She must have seen a deer.  LOL.  (Her Pops--grandpa--is a deer hunter.)

With the Mod Cloth coat.  It is called a "Coat fit for a queen," but it's just fine as a "Coat fit for a SAHM mom who spends way too much time worrying about her clothing."

You all have a fab night.  I will talk with you all sometime soon.  Promise!  ;)