My Beloved Seven for All Mankind Dojos Are Too Loose...Whatever Shall I Do?

Please ladies...I need advice.

Should I:

1) Place my Dojos (size 32) into my retirement pile and wear them again whenever I have another baby and need awesome jeans to wear in the postpartum period?

2) Try to shrink my Dojos in the washer and dryer? They are 100% cotton and will shrink. I own the flip-flop length which is a nice length for me with flats, but if I shrink them, would the hem shrink too, thereby making them too short on me? (I have a 34 inch inseam.)

and,

3) If I decide to retire my Dojos for now, what shall I do to replace them? Should I buy them in a 31 off ebay (but worry that I will end up with a fake and no recourse) or should I buy them at (gulp) retail?

All advice is appreciated. If I were to shrink them, I would wait until I lose about five more pounds because the jeans are okay for now and not too TOO loose, but I suspect the day will come when I have to make that decision.

THANK YOU!!!

Citron on a Friday Strikes Again!!!

As you know last Friday I celebrated citron (to honor FFM's awesome post about the color). Well without really meaning to, here I am celebrating it again!!! (Although, truth be told...I love this color.)

I decided against creating a polyvore because I couldn't find the top and the sweater I wore is only in polyvore as a natural color, so I will just post pics of me...wooh!

The top is by a company called Miss Closet. I bought this at Need Supply down in Richmond, again on super sale. I bought a large, but it fits pretty well, almost feels like a tunic. From what I read, Miss Closet is a juniors' brand so that could explain why the large doesn't feel too large. The jeans are my beloved Seven for all mankind dojo's. I am a little worried that they are becoming too loose. (The one pitfall of weight-loss, pants that do look really nice become too loose...sigh.) The shoes are the joelle patent flats in spearmint, and the necklace is a green amber piece I got from the History Store (or something like that) back before I was married (2001).

My hair is wet. Honestly if I make it out of the house with everything I need and my hair is wet, I will live. Little accomplishments make me the most happy. Even though it was wet, it was completely dry by the time I got to school (yep, I walked again)!


Here is the outfit, but with the sweater/fancy sweatshirt. This is from J. Crew last winter (2007). I also own it in black, but the Miss Closet top does look very nice with this color!

By the way, I see a lot of J. Crew out in the world, but this sweater/sweatshirt is the one I most often see. I think it had a very broad appeal when they created it. And almost everyone I see in it looks really nice. Must be the universally flattering shawl-collar!

My next post is about my Seven Dojo jeans dilemma. Help me if you can!

I am Wearing a Skirt...to School...(Plus My Review of the Cate Slingbacks)!

Yellow, Khaki, and Shell Pink! - by dinagideon on Polyvore.com
I know, I know...call the doctor 'cause I have a fever. I am actually baring my legs and for work, too. By the looks on the kids' and other teachers' faces, you would think I had grown horns. Everyone has been super complimentary, but I was still very nervous about wearing a skirt. Like Gigiofca has mentioned in her blog, I hate wearing my skirts too high on my navel. And because of my "baby" fat, it is taking me a while to get back into my lower-rise skirts (and I have some darling ones). But I went into J. Crew (the actual store) around a month ago and I purchased a soft shell pink pencil skirt, in kind of a stretchy, sateen-y cotton. It was something like 25 dollars. It is beautiful. And it is comfortable. It is also not the one in the polyvore set, but since polyvore only has what is on-line, we polyvore ladies have to improvise. (Although I do own the skirt from the set in navy.) I think the reason the skirt is so comfy is because I was basically forced to buy it in a size larger than I wear (size 12--the pencil skirt's hips are tight...and I hate tight, so hence my choice). This means that my waist is deliciously loose, almost 3 inches loose. That's fine. For now I just won't tuck anything in...still looks polished and pretty.

The rest of the set is self-explanatory. The only thing that I don't own in the set is the black necklace. The necklace I do own (and am wearing) is from Macy's a few years back (you got it--I bought it on "super-sale"). I also am wearing the lovely Erickson Beamon for Target clear-bead necklace you have seen before!


Full-length. For those of you who follow Emily's blog, Champagne and Cupcakes, you have seen these shoes before...the Cate slingbacks in shell. I bought my slingbacks in shell in size 10, my normal size. I have a very narrow foot, though, and I find these shoes work really well for me. And I normally hate slingbacks. Emily mentioned that these were narrow in the footbed and I want to warn you of that, too. For me it isn't an issue, but I can imagine for some of you it might be. I think the general consensus is that if you have normal feet, size up 1/2 size. For those of you with narrow feet, stay with your normal size. To read more, go here: http://champagne-and-cupcakes.blogspot.com/2009/03/cates.html

I should point out two things. The makeup I used this morning must not have been blended in correctly because I look very pale. I will blend much better tomorrow morning. Also, I highly recommend a cami under the lighter-colored tissue turtlenecks. I am wearing a pink cami and I think it helps save this turtleneck.

I thought about belting the turtleneck, but because of my waist and the waistline of the skirt not being 100% compatible, I decided it looked weird, so I went with necklaces instead. Fortunately, my waist is still defined enough that I could do this...


Here is a close-up of the slingbacks. The shell color really is the perfect neutral for me. It nearly matches my legs and I feel like this plus the fact that they are heels really lengthens my legs. I also love the patent...such a nice sheen and very classy in a retro sort of way.

I hope you all have a great day...by the way, I gave CW a lot of kisses last night, one for each one of you who sent her 1/2 birthday greetings!!! :)

Pretty in Pink for a Relaxed Day!!!

Pretty in Pink for a Relaxed Day! - by dinagideon on Polyvore.com
So here is the outfit that I decided to wear for three reasons: 1) It is gorgeous outside and I was feeling decidedly "Springy!" 2) I am walking from the school to Starbucks (about 1.25 miles) after I am done for the day (don't worry, I brought walking shoes and will store the flats in the backpack--I made room); and 3) It is CW's six-month birthday (big deal when you are this small) and I wanted to wear very "girly" colors.

The polyvore shows the outfit in its entirety. Some changes--the shirt is not the Parisian polo (although I do own that one), instead it is the polo from J. Crew, Summer 2006 that had the critters on the chest. The polo I have has the whale critter. The fossil watch is similar to the one in the set, as are the pearls.


Here is the outfit, full length. I do LOVE these pants. They are so pretty and comfortable. And again, the material is ridiculously soft. If you didn't visit the Polyvore site, the pants are the colored cotton chambray cropped chinos (still for sale at jcrew.com). The shoes are the fresco-print (on silk) ballet flats (last I checked they were still for sale at jcrew.com). These shoes are from my collection of Fresco printed items. I love the fresco print. It must be the colors, green, olive, and pink that drew me in...


Since it is CW's 1/2 year birthday, I had to put a pic of her and me together. You can also see the whale critter closer-up and you can see the watch and necklace, too. I think I got the necklace from Macy's on "super-sale."

I hope to comment back to all of you who commented on the two outfits yesterday (THANK YOU) but I have a meeting in a few minutes and then we are off to shop at Costco, Macy's, and possibly even IKEA, so I may not be able to comment back until tomorrow!!! Please forgive me...I love commenting and commenting back!!!

Happy 1/2 Birthday, CW!

Here is the sweet little girl I call CW a mere hour after she was born, on September 18, 2008. I never knew she would come into my life. I thought Jim and I would forever have just one child...the adorable and loving boy CW has as a brother. But God decided to bless us for a second time (feels like a miracle even today). Even from the start, CW was a little snug-bug and wanted to be held more than not...


Here is CW today, six months later. She still is the precious peach that makes everyone smile who gets a glimpse of her smile and kind demeanor. I love you so much, my darling little girl. Thank you for being in my life. I never knew that I would enjoy being a mom so much!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Real quick post about what I wore. I am walking home (I also walked here), so I have to get going, but I wanted to show my pride in St. Patrick's Day, and more importantly my love of the color green.

Because I walked today, I didn't do anything super-fancy, but it works as a whole. The top is a cotton sweater from Talbot's. I love this print. So pretty and chic. The pants are tan cords from Lee Riders that I have finally been able to wear again. In fact, I think I may have waited too long to wear them...they are a bit loose and may be headed for retirement if I can actually reach my weight-loss goal (still have about 3 pounds until I reach my pre-pregnancy weight before Rex and about 14 to go before I reach my ultimate goal--my weight in Summer 2005). The tennis shoes are some keds that I bought a few years ago at DSW. The headband is the only thing from J. Crew. Shocking, I know. Even the jacket I wore was from Kohl's.

I have J. Crew clothing in green...but none of them spoke to me last night when I planned this outfit.

I hope all of you enjoy your night. I am going to yoga. Maybe I will wear a green yoga top. Hmm...do I even own a green yoga top? :)

Greys and Greens!!! (Or outfit I wore on March 16, 2009!)

Greys and Greens!!! - by dinagideon on Polyvore.com

OH MY GOODNESS! I made it work...I now know how to post my pic straight from polyvore. CELEBRATE!!! Whoo!

Okay, so even though this is green and grey, I actually wore this yesterday, March 16th. I GO NUTS for green on March 17th, and this year was no exception (and yes, I will post it).

Although you have seen me in a lot of other colors, one of my all time favorite colors is green, but I do tend to wear them when it's warmer outside. I am not quite sure why. Hmm.

Well, here goes. The top is a cashmere beaded shell from J. Crew this fall (2008). The pants are the checked pattern university pants from J. Crew this fall (2008). The peacoat is not the one represented in polyvore, it is a deeper green version from Tulle. I bought it on deep discount from Need Supply in Richmond. The bracelet is a J. Crew resin version that I bought in mint green this winter (2008). This bracelet reminds me of my grandmother's costume jewelry...and I really love that sort of mid-century style of costume jewelry. I wore these same pumps (Merona Collection at Target) but in pink. These are the pumps I was waxing poetically about on Saturday night. Swoon!


Okay...I am totally hamming it up for the camera...please ignore or laugh out loud or whatever to my facial expression.

One thing to note about this outfit...these pants are a size 12...I am wearing a 10 now so this is an instance where if you are planning on buying these type of pants, definitely size up. They are very comfortable now, but if I had tried wearing them when I was a 12 for sure, they would have been WAY TOO TIGHT!

This top is so precious and warm and soft and dressy. I received a lot of compliments from the kids. The neckline is so nice, no need to wear a necklace!

And the shoes. Oh, the shoes. They really give this outfit a little extra something something...


Here is the outfit with the peacoat. What a nice, well-fitting coat this is...love the structured, almost regal air of it.


Ah, yes...the shoes. That white piping, the saturated bubble-gum pink, the metal button detail, swoon. Oh, the uppers are leather. Shocking. For 30 bucks, that is a good deal. You know J. Crew would sell the same shoes for five times that amount...

Have a nice St. Patrick's Day!