Happy Canada Day...Oh, and Happy Birthday ME!!!

So here is one of the greatest ironies of my life...(or just a darn coincidence)...I was born on Canada Day. I grew up to become one of the most jingoistic, overly-patriotic Americans who teaches (well, taught, yay for a leave of absence) U.S. History.

I personally think my mom (who is in LOVE with Canada) had me early so that I wouldn't be an Independence Day baby. It's okay, though, because, and as all good American History teachers could tell you, the Founding Fathers were DEBATING the finer points of the Declaration of Independence on July 1, 1776. So there. :)

That said, I LOVE Canada, too. And it turns out I share my birthday with some very fine Canadians like Dan Ackroyd and Pamela Anderson (Lee?).

Onto my favorite birthday gift--CLOTHING!!! ;)

Birthday Outfit from My Party on June 28, 2009! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Here is the polyvore from my party which was held on Sunday, June 28, 2009. We had a few folks over for the celebration (a lot of people were out of town). We decided to make my party festive with Australian shrimp on the barbie and yummy Australian wine. Mmm...

Oh, and the Costco cake. My goodness...they make some fine cake at Costco. WOW!


This is the outfit on me. I had been eyeing this top for ages and kept seeing pop-backs on jcrew.com but only in size 2. HAHAHAHA. Yeah, right. So one late night (when I should have been in bed), I spied this on ebay as soon as it was listed. Size 8 and something like 50 bucks (it is a Collection top). Well, yay!!! So I bought it. It fits nicely, although if I had it perfect, I would have gotten a 6 and shortened the tank straps...I think I will be shortening the tank straps on this one, too.

The jeans are the 7 for all Mankind Dojo Flip-Flops that I ordered in a size 30 after reading the advice by Jordan in this post. Thank you, Jordan...the fit is perfect. Just like you said it would be!!!

The sandals are the Pietra sandals in gold and they are soooooo pretty. My hubby even said he thought they were "sexy." And this coming from a guy who never even notices shoes. Hmmm...


So how am I going to celebrate my bday today? Go to the pool with my dad and some friends, then get all dolled up for dinner (sushi?). Really, every birthday is special, even in its kind of normalcy. I just am so grateful to be living my life and having another year on this gorgeous planet with some awesome company!

This is the skirt I will wear tonight. I bought it at the Collection store. Isn't it simply divine? I think I will pair it with a teal top and a pair of sandals.

Please, everyone have a great day. Oh, and a very happy bday to my bday twins...Gigiofca and Betsy!

Two Outfits for Teaching School...I Wish this Post Was More Exciting...

I won't spend much time introducing these outfits, but I did wear them to teach, and they did the job...they were comfy, practical, and appropriate. Yawn.

One is a Boden dress from this spring (love the print) and the other is the lovely Jennifer Shirtdress from Fall 2007 (and in this shot from the Paris catalog).

Boden Dress for a Foggy Day!!! by dinagideon on Polyvore.com

Here is the polyvore for the Boden Dress outfit.


Here is the Boden dress on me. Although I am tall, I ordered this in a 12 regular as opposed to a 12 tall. I only buy talls in Boden when I am buying a skirt or pants. The dresses are too tall in the torso for me to wear them. The shoes are from Nine West last year. Love them, very comfy, but alas with this outfit...looking a bit crunchy-granola. Heehee. :) The necklace is the Target one I first wore with this outfit.


I love this print. My hubby must have, too, because he grabbed this shot of it. I normally don't use his "silly" pics (of which there is one a day), but I liked this one. Kind of cool...

Catalog to Real Life... by dinagideon on Polyvore.com

Here is the polyvore with the Jennifer shirtdress.


Here is the Jennifer shirtdress on me. I look very RESPONSIBLE. Maybe too much...I think this outfit needs a better belt. That is a whole lot of brown. I love the necklace. I bit the bullet and bought the insanely pricey J. Crew one, but I did it with 20% off at least. And unlike some of you, I really LOVE the mix of clear and opaque pearls. The shoes are the awesome dusty rose Juliet pumps. The color is just delicious with the brown. :)


Here is my little superman. I think the only pjs he is missing from the superhero collection may be Spiderman. Hmm...maybe we need to go and get those.

Have an AWESOME Sunday. Ours is going pretty well so far!

Mahali Dot Capris and Pacific Blue Polo!!! (Worn on MARCH 31, 2009.)

First things first, between my dealing with my favorite victim and the trip I made to Richmond yesterday, I have had very little time for updating my blog...this polyvore and outfit pics are from Tuesday, March 31, 2009.


Mahali Dot Capris and Pacific Blue Polo!!! by dinagideon featuring FOSSIL watches
Here is the Polyvore of the outfit. The shoes and watch and sunglasses are a wee bit different...but obviously it is a close enough fit!


Here is the outfit, full-length, on me. The J. Crew mahali-dot capris are finally at the point where I fit into them. Because of the way they are constructed (the waist is generous), the size 10s are a wee bit loose. Fortunately, the material is stretchy so the legs and hips fit well enough to compensate for a too large waistband. I love this pattern...so pretty and retro.

At first I was unsure what to match with these capris, but then this beautiful polo found its way into my home. It is the J. Crew classic pique polo in Pacific blue (or something like that). I have to order mediums in all polos because they are quite tight. Even the medium requires a bit of stretching of the fabric by me before I feel comfortable. But once it is stretched enough, it fits like a dream. And the colors J. Crew have in polos is inspiring. I also have the Parisian polos in crisp celery and tea rose (and they are coming to Florida with me).

The flats are the Etta Suede flats from Winter 2008 (J. Crew). The color is a mix of pewter and gold which is very versatile and the shoe's shape is flattering to my rather long and skinny foot!!! The necklace is the Erickson Beamon for Target Clear Bead necklace that I can't seem to get enough of lately!


And here is my super-hero, Rex, wearing his favorite outfit...Batman! :) Love it!

Okay, I couldn't resist...

I went into Target today and got these lovelies. And they are really lovely in real life. I promise to post pics of me wearing them soon...




First up, from the Merona Collection is the Women's Merona® Collection Clarissa Spectator Pumps - Pink. Can I say I about fell over when I saw these? I only have one or two shoes in a brighter pink, and I they are mixed with other colors (in a print). These are perfect for when I want a simple low heel in a nice bright pink. GORGEOUS. You can find them here on-line: http://www.target.com/Merona-Collection-Clarissa-Spectator-Pumps/dp/B001HC47FY/qid=1237081648/ref=br_1_5/179-3508623-9126116?ie=UTF8&node=1264237011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

For a really good review of the navy patent version of these pumps, visit Gigi here: http://gigisgoneshopping.blogspot.com/2009/02/target-silver-panya-wedge-more.html



Second is the Erickson Beamon for Target® Long Clear Bubble Bead Necklace. Loved this. I need more layering necklaces, and this one fits the bill perfectly. I really like how the bubbles are clear and slightly iridescent...so the necklace will work with almost all of the colors I wear. Plus, and this is for you mommies of young ones, the babies love either chewing on the beads or in Rex's case, saying "ball...clear ball, momma." Find it here: http://www.target.com/Erickson-Beamon-Target-Bubble-Necklace/dp/B001LN4RTU/qid=1237081725/ref=br_1_1/179-3508623-9126116?ie=UTF8&node=1261911011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

I had first heard of this collection from gorgeous Slastena, and she did not lead me in the wrong direction. Many beautiful pieces at a very reasonable price. You can see her review here: http://jcrewchick.blogspot.com/2009/03/smart-buys-erickson-beamon-for-target.html

Have a great weekend. I need to go to sleep! ;)