Does it Count if All I Did Was Wear a Scarf?

Well, Happy Wedding day to the new Duchess Catherine and Prince William. (BTW, I totally forgot that he is Prince William, not just Wills--how very American of me, we have a county just to the south of us called Prince William...I wonder how many poor VA souls think it was named after him and not this guy? LOL.)

Wow. Kate looked beyond beautiful this morning. I mean I literally felt my breath catch when I spied her in her dress. I am wondering how close Prince William was to losing it when he saw her for the first time this morning???

Anyhow, even though I am an Anglophile, I do have toddlers and an insanely busy life, so I did not have the energy to get up at 5 am to view the ceremony live. I was more than fine with catching re-caps and still photos after the fact...this is why 2011 is easier on us moms than 1981 must have been. :)

I am simply celebrating (emphasis on simple here) by wearing my Boden Union Jack Scarf that I received this week. I love that I have a tiny bit of Britannia with me today as I do regular mom things like chores, playing outside, and in my strange world, blogging. LOL.

Above is my outfit which I am calling "the easy, breezy Anglophile SAHM."  Scarf is made from a lightweight wool that is not itchy and the colors are super-saturated.  I can see why this scarf costs $58 (although I purchased it with a promo).  The tee is a striped tee from J. Crew a few years ago that sort of reminds me of Dennis the Menace and a sailor, except made for me!  The jeans are a pair by "Seven" not 7FAM...and the shoes are my Japanese sandals that just happen to match the tee.  :)

Close up of the scarf.  I knotted it in the front, swung the knot round the back of my neck and then knotted again to create this scarf tying technique.  I like this technique, allows the full impact of the scarf to be felt without being too bulky.

If you open the pic up, you will see the detailing in the print...it is very pretty and I adore the colors.

Although this is a red, white, and blue scarf, the jingoistic patriot inside of me will not allow me to wear this on Independence day.  Ha.

I need this photo for polyvore.  Seriously, how are people clipping items to polyvore from Boden???

So I did this SAHM outfit all in honor of this woman's wedding.  Hurrah!  And that dress, gobsmacked am I!

Oh, what the heck.  Here I am in my bridal attire.  Not quite Kate Middleton, but for 80 degrees on a Washington October day back in 2001, seemed perfect.  ;)

You all enjoy your day. Cheers!

Indiana, Plus Pennsylvania (or Part 2 of Our Insanely Long Vacation with Kids)!

First--if you missed part one of our journey (and I have a suspicion some of you did--I published on Sunday night--the dead hour of blog writing, evidently), please visit here...it highlights the beginning of our insanely long trip with kids (10 days, one car, two car seats, eight states) to North Carolina and Georgia.

Untitled by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Second--here is a reminder of the polyvore from the first set, but to save energy and time, I consolidated them into one large set.

Third--and this is just pure laziness on my part, I did NOT make any separate polyvores for the individual outfits because I really wanted to concentrate on seeing my best friend Lynn (who I was visiting in Indiana and have not seen in two years) and not on playing grown up paper dolls (although it is a great time waster when trying to avoid real work--heehee)!


So on our first day in Indiana, I knew I wanted to be casual, comfortable, and yet, somewhat dressed up. What better than an Xhiliration sundress? I always have to wear a size large in Xhiliration (it is a juniors brand), although I could have *maybe* bought a medium. Whatever, it looks fine. BTW, these sandals are not in my polyvore because I bought them in Ann Taylor Loft in Tennessee, but decided to wear them on some of the later days of the trip. These sandals have a bee critter on the strap--just like J. Crew of old--so if J. Crew won't do it, I will buy from those who do!

BTW, doesn't my friend Lynn look BEAUTIFUL? And she is all natural in this photo! (Wait till you see her all dressed and made up for her wedding--GAH! Gorgeous!


The second day I decided to finally wear this Boden top that I got for a ridiculous amount on sale. I fell in love with the pattern way back in April but held off buying and it worked to my favor. :) Yay!

The shorts are from J. Crew, years ago, like spring 2006 or something. The shoes are the Pretty Laidy wedge sandal from Aerosoles (and may be the most versatile pair of sandals I own, they go with pretty much everything...and I paid 30 bucks or something like that...crazy).

I made this pose because I was teaching Lynn how to do the "Skinny" pose. HeidiG. says that I look skinniest (and most people do) when you swivel your hips to face the side and turn your upper body to the camera. It is true...not that I can do this pose every time...but it does work to slim me down. ;)


Okay, fast forward to the next day...we went to where Lynn's wedding was going to be a day early...have to have foresight with two small kids...and while waiting for everyone to arrive on Saturday, all four of us just kind of chilled in very rural Indiana (her wedding was a "bit" off the beaten track). I wore this outfit...I have felt bad for this sleeveless sweater for some time...I bought it last summer (2008) and I have worn it maybe twice. And, look, it is citron! What's wrong with me? Well, I apologized to it by wearing it the whole day before the wedding started! It is cashmere, but that real lightweight summerweight knit that they do so well...


You remember this dress? The one that I received so many positive responses to? Well, I didn't wear that one to Lynn's wedding, because I found this dress a month or so later. This Caspian blue is one of Lynn's favorite colors so I knew it was the PERFECT dress for her wedding. Don't worry, the gorgeous flamingo Delores dress will come out and play...I promise.

So this halter sangle dress is perfection...it has a tight bodice with an EXTREMELY flattering neckline plus the addition of a fairly full skirt (just in case you overeat at whatever occasion you wear it to) and pockets, you know what a sucker I am for pockets in dressy dresses! This is a size 8, btw, and by the time I wore the dress, it was a tad loose, but nothing obnoxious. (I love this dress so much that when they went on sale--I bought one in a size 6 in an olive green color...)


Here I am with the most beautiful bride ever, Lynn! And you astute ladies will notice, yep, that is a J. Crew wedding gown. :) (I wonder who encouraged her to look at jcrew.com?) If you are a potential bride-to-be, I highly recommend J. Crew...especially if you want to find a dress for under $500. BTW, my dress at my wedding was under $500 (but was not J. Crew--J. Crew was NOT doing wedding gowns back then)...and is very similar to the one Lynn picked out. I love some of the dresses for weddings that are REALLY expensive, but Lynn and I are of the same mold...why spend that much on a dress we will only wear once? (Although we have absolutely no problem with other people spending whatever they want...)

So you all know, I am making this stupid face because by the point this pic was taken, I had a few tipples of red wine...mmm...


Here is a close-up of Lynn...she looks amazing, right? Oh, and she made her necklace! (And the earrings I am wearing in the last photo...she made those, as well...so talented...)

(Maybe she will set up her very own etsy shop...think about it, Lynn...)


So now I am back to the basics. So basic, in fact, that this shot was taken at Target in Indiana. Woo-hoo! (I was going to be in the car all day, sue me...)

And now for a little injection of glamour...the Havona tank taken to casual comfort. I wore this on the last day of our vacation (we were in Pennsylvania at Fallingwater--Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic masterpiece--also the site of Rex's most insane breakdown yet--this cami stood up to a lot...therefore I can say if you are a mom...you can purchase it). I bought it in a size 8, and although a bit loose, it isn't too bad...whereas my lack of makeup? Slightly bad...but I will plead my case...I had just finished trying to stop Rex's meltdown (it didn't work)...

Okay, folks, that's it! Phew. I hope this was more fun for you to read than for me to create...I think I am done with the REALLY LONG posts for a little while. I am tired...

So You're Pregnant and You Miss J. Crew...

Well, it turns out that you don't need to leave the beloved embrace of the Crew just because you find yourself "with child." I had many shirts last year that were not meant to be maternity wear but became maternity wear because of how well the fabric stretched over my tummy. J. Crew, I love you for making the tees so stretchy! Take a look...here I am wearing the fish tee fully pregnant!

And guess what? It still fits today!!!

Well, it turns out that this season, for whatever reason (ooh that rhymes)...J. Crew has made some very flowy tops and dresses that are perfect for the expectant mother. No need to make sure your top has stretchy material like I did last summer...oh, no...

Instead, you have these beauties at your disposal. I don't believe any non-pregnant lady will be buying these (too much of everything for those of us without a huge belly), but I can see a rush of 32-weekers banging down the door of their local store (what is with my rhyming today, weird).

I did not review any of these. These posts come from the ever-awesome Gigiofca and the amazing Slastena.

Please enjoy your options. Also note...the last option is for you if you are pregnant and looking to get married (don't laugh...I was at my parent's wedding...get it?).

1) The Cotton Balcony Dress (reviewed by Gigiofca): http://gigisgoneshopping.blogspot.com/2009/03/j-crew-cotton-balcony-dress.html

2) The "Hot Mess" Tank (again, Gigiofca): http://gigisgoneshopping.blogspot.com/2009/03/j-crew-hot-mess-tank-top.html

3) The Plisse-Strap Dress (Gigiofca and Slastena):
http://gigisgoneshopping.blogspot.com/2009/02/j-crew-cotton-plisse-strap-dress.html

and

http://jcrewchick.blogspot.com/2009/03/product-review-crisp-cotton-plisse.html

4) The Tissue-Bubble Tank (Gigiofca): http://gigisgoneshopping.blogspot.com/2009/03/j-crew-tissue-bubble-tank.html

5) My favorite pregnant and getting married dress ever: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Feature_Assortment/catalogjcrewcomexclusives/dresses/PRDOVR~93739/99101451785/93739.jsp

There you are...I hope you have enjoyed today's trip to our favorite maternity store ever, J. Crew.

Cottage Dress (Outfit for Pool-Going and a Review)!

So it is another one of those two-for-one blog entries. Today's main player is the lovely slub-cotton cottage dress in tea rose. What can I say except, "I (Heart) you, Cottage Dress!" It is so comfy, cozy, and manages to be a decent dressy cover-up. Now I don't expect to go to a Gala in this dress, but for those summer nights when you want to be breezy and cool, but don't want to wear shorts and a tank, this dress may be your answer.

I wore it yesterday to go to Cub Run Rec Center out in Chantilly (review of our awesome day coming). I wanted to test-run it, and since it was beautiful and warm (about 75), I wore it to go swimming! It really is a dual-purpose item. You can use it to cover-up at the beach or pool, or you can use it for those dressier summer nights (which is what I will do).

I wore the dress with a silk sash (J. Crew--summer 2007), a pair of sandals (J. Crew--spring 2008), and toted all my swim gear in the yoga bag from J. Crew this holiday season (2008).

I made a polyvore because all my items were there (or some reasonable facsimile). Here is the polyvore link: http://www.polyvore.com/cottage_dress_for_our_trip/set?id=7087282


Here I am with the silk sash around my waist. It gives the dress some definition and makes it a slight bit dressier. I think the dress is fine with no belt, but I thought I would show you ladies the options out there. I love those shoes, btw. Took forever to get them (on waitlist till July 2008) but once I got them, I was glad to have waited. I believe they are called the Vachetta sandals.

Isn't Rex cute trying to grab me? I love how two-year olds need attention all the time. ;)


Here the sash is acting as a scarf, which also dresses it up, but in a completely different way.

So why do I (heart) this dress so much? 1. I wear a small, and it fits PERFECTLY. It is a definite size-down, ladies. 2. It is A-line and Empire-waisted, which is the best dress fit for a woman like myself, with a tiny upper body and a bigger lower-half. (Yep, the pear-shape!) 3. Could that color be any prettier? Such a nice, floral, deep pink shade. It is the color of a fruit I want to eat or a flower I want to smell.

You can find it here on J. Crew's website: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/knitdresses/PRDOVR~13612/13612.jsp

Also comes in black, garden green, and slate. I think it is worth full-price.

Here is a close-up of the waistband. It is elastic on the front and back and stitched normally on the sides. This waistband has the double-effect of being super-comfortable and creating lovely pleating. Such a nice way to accent the part of the body that for most women is their smallest measurement!

Golly, I hate this wedding dress...

Oh, J. Crew...you of the pretty people and pretty things. How could you have screwed up so badly? In one word, this dress is atrocious...

Yes, I would like to look like a frilly lady from the 1910's. Oh, yes, indeedy! I should have one of those frilly umbrellas that they sell at Disneyland that you can personalize, too (they look like this dress, but in umbrella form).

If you have seen the show little britain, there is a character who always runs around saying, "But I'm a lady," even though she is clearly a man. She is the sort of character who would LOVE this dress. This is the dress that character would wear if she was getting married. If you still want to see this dress on-line, look here: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WeddingParties/womens/forthebride/PRDOVR~11835/11835.jsp

Can I suggest another dress instead? And one that isn't almost 3,000 dollars?

This one is only 400 dollars and is sleek, classic, and sweet. The "I'm a lady" character wouldn't touch this dress with a hundred foot pole. Find it here: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WeddingParties/womens/forthebride/PRDOVR~96230/96230.jsp