Sara Dress (at the Outlet) Versus Saturday Twist Dress (On-Line Only)...

Thank you everyone for your patience with me. I had issues getting these photos onto my computer because my compact flash card reader futzed out on me last night. GGGGGRRRRRRR. If I was rating the compact flash reader, it would receive negative stars...I was that mad. >:(

So, I start with the good...


As AppGal has mentioned before, I LOVE the Sara Dress that J. Crew offered back in their stores and on-line in January of 2009. Then the darn dress PROMPTLY sold out in my size in every single color. I lost out because I didn't want to spend the $88.

Well, I think someone likes me up there because I walk into the factory store in Indiana and spy this Sara dress in a bright, beautiful, saturated purple color. Back when they were offering the Sara dress at the "real" J. Crew, it only came in navy, grey, and black (if my memory serves me right). So, by waiting, I was able to buy the same dress (maybe in a thinner fabric--whatever, I run hot) in a great, vibrant color. SCORE.

And as you can see, it really wears well. VERY flattering cut, and even though it is an empire-waist dress, it doesn't make me look pregnant...

UNLIKE... (Drumroll, please...)

THE SATURDAY TWIST DRESS!


Okay, I know I don't look pregnant in this shot (actually I quite like the look from the front...great for the beach or the park)...


And I don't look pregnant from the back...love the look from the back the best...I really like the shape it creates on me...

So why didn't I keep this well-made, good fabric, beautiful plum raisin colored dress?


Because no matter how I stood, arms down, arms up, arms crossed, arms praising our Lord in Heaven above...I still managed to look three months pregnant.

And as you all know...Miss Dina worked way too hard these past twelve months to look fierce and lose the postpartum look...sorry, J. Crew...it's a dud!

Now, if I do get pregnant again, you can bet your bottom that I will be all over Ebay to find this dress...but right now, Momma needs the money for this weekend (yay for DC JCA get-togethers!)...

Umm, if you still want to buy it...look here. ;)

Let's Go to the Movies...with the Beautiful Olive Green Victoria (Cami, that Is)...

So I went out two evenings in a row without my kids. I must be growing up. :) Just kidding, it worked out that way. I actually miss them like CRAZY when I am not near them...but I know that it is a good idea for me to get out and live a little every once in awhile.

Movie Night in J. Crew! by dinagideon on Polyvore.com

So this is what I wore to go out to dinner and the movies...the superb Victoria cami in olive green (J. Crew--Holiday 2008), the soft merino v-neck sweater (J. Crew--Holiday 2007), jeans (Levis from 2007?), purple/plum low wedge shoes (Target--Xhiliration--Fall 2008), Bauble necklace (I think--J. Crew--Holiday 2008), and some earrings (History Store--2001).

I was actually a little freaked out by the collar at first. I thought, "can I actually pull this off?" Well, it turns out I can. I got a lot of compliments, which I never expect to get, and when I do, I am so tickled. :) I love this top so much that I am eyeing the melon and waiting for it to go on sale.


Here is the top close-up. If you have some interest in this top, consider getting it...it really does make a statement. I pulled my hair back (thanks, KatyO. for wearing your hair that way when you wore this top) and I truly believe that one hair change made this whole look possible. With my hair down, it was all just TOO much!

Have a great day, everyone!

Sanibel Crawford Blouse on Me, Last Night 2/16/09 (oh, and this is blog entry #50)!

I really should be blogging about my Mardis Gras Party outfit first, or putting pics of my kids up first, because I did those first, but, eh, who cares! Right? :)

I was inspired to wear my Sanibel Crawford blouse for a couple of reasons: 1. I already had created a Polyvore set with it as the centerpiece; 2. A Bigger Closet did a post on it, so I felt ready to go: http://abiggercloset.blogspot.com/2009/02/sanibel-crawford-blouse-revisited.html; and 3. I needed an outfit for a family dinner at Generous Georges (yummy, family friendly pizza place in Alexandria, VA).

The link to this set is: http://www.polyvore.com/busy_teacher...but_still_fashionable/set?id=6396261

Here it is without the jacket. I didn't like the way the blouse belted on me, so I moved it up to a higher place on my waist, fastened it with a safety pin (can't tell, there is a lot of print here on this blouse), and was sort of satisfied. I think I may be the one person who would have needed a tall in this shirt...the blouse hits at my high hip and I would have preferred more length. Overall I love this blouse. I think it is a fun, dressy piece for when you need something nice but not super-fancy. I think I might try this blouse un-belted sometime, or maybe even try it with my wide patent yellow belt. Hmm...

I LOVE THESE PANTS. Golly. I think they make my figure super-slim...and as you all know, post-partum, that is EXACTLY what I am looking for...

The shoes are Target and they are too cute. The plum nicely offsets the blouse.

I have on a headband from J. Crew, winter 2007. I love J. Crew headbands. I hope they continue producing them...

The coat really does look better than this, but my darling husband (who often takes really nice shots) did not have the patience to really photograph me last night. I tend to wear this coat open or with two buttons buttoned. It is the Marie coat from the fall/winter and is made for stick-insects with no hips. That said, I think the collar and collar are gorgeous, so rather than fight the coat...I make the coat work for me. :)

Of course, having CW pose with me usually helps the outfit look better!

Richmond on a cold day outfit on me...

These were taken on January 18, 2009. Top one taken by my husband, bottom one by me in the mirror.

The bottom one is me against a matching wall near Cary Street. :) Love it!

RIchmond on a cold day...

I wore this when we went to Cary Street (on Sunday, Jan. 18) and did awesome shopping and ate at one of my favorite restaurants...Can Can. I will post pics of me wearing it in real life later and I will post a review of Can Can as well.

The Ecole jacket is cobalt...and a GORGEOUS color in real life. The cords I wore are not J. Crew but a similar color and cut. The Xhiliration shoes are plum and not super-comfortable, but very cute detailing makes the shoes worth it. The Merino turtleneck is this saturated wine color and the wool itself is soft and warm. I actually think I prefer J. Crew merino to their cashmere. The Meribel scarf is so long it is crazy...but very warm, chic, and an awesome color. The pillow ring is dainty and special and looks very nice on my finger.

Link for the outfit is on polyvore (here): http://www.polyvore.com/richmond_on_cold_day/set?id=5999847