It's Another Grey and Green Day for Me!!!

Since there is no polyvore for this outfit, I will just list the items. Polyvore does not have this dress and since there is no acceptable alternative, I was like, "whatever!"

Dress: Studio M, purchased Spring 2007 right after Rex was born, size medium.
Cardigan: Tartine by J. Crew, Light Pewter, size medium, from fall 2008.
Shoes: Allesia Peep-Toes in whatever the grey is called by J. Crew, also Fall 2008, size 9.5 (they fit fine a 1/2 size small).
Jacket: Ruffle-collar trench by J. Crew in khaki, early spring 2009, size 6.
Necklace: Tiffany's Pendant, don't remember the name, bought by Jim a long time ago.
Watch: Fossil.
Bracelet: From Macy's.


This dress is so comfy and fun. I love the empire-waist as I believe this is one of the most flattering shapes if you are a little small on top and a little big down below. ;) I have to wear a cami with it, though...this dress is very revealing otherwise.

The Allesia peep-toes...I have them root, as well...and I should have gotten them in all of the colors they offer. They are the single most comfortable heel I own. It doesn't make any sense, either. Why these shoes? They have very little padding and they have a peep-toe. In my mind those two things equal torture not walking on clouds. Interesting...I wonder if they were just designed better than other heels?


Here is the dress with the cardigan. The bracelet sleeves work here because you can actually see my bracelets!!! Yes!

Next time I think I will belt this with a contrasting belt, maybe the skinny root one that I own. That would probably look very nice!


Here it is with the trench...a bit conservative, but you know me, I am not exactly known for baring it all...the Delores dress is even a bit much for me (I know you all love it, but still, that there was a lot of skin showing)!

Can't say much more for this outfit, and the Paris catalog post and the what to wear if you are pregnant post kind of wore me out!!! Have a great day, everyone!

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.

Two Pictures from the Beloved Paris Catalog...

Aren't Vanessa and the other beautiful model (I think she is from Belgium) just darling in this picture? They always model so well together. I also loved all the images of them from my second favorite catalog, the Scotland one from November 2007.

I actually own the striped tissue turtleneck in stone. It is surprisingly versatile...although I don't think I will be doing this particular look anytime soon! ;)

Here are they are posing in very similar styles, only Vanessa is showing some leg and the Belgian model is showing some cleavage. It is all very tasteful, mind you, but for J. Crew, a bit risque!

I own the dress with the ruffles on the bottom (Vanessa's), but in black. Funny story--I recently tried the dress on and it fit beautifully and made my legs look so nice. So I run into Rex's room to show Jim, and he is like, "Ugh, what is up with those ugly ruffles?" I, being a girl and all that, got very upset and stormed out of the room. Later I realize he didn't mean me, but rather the dress. I sometimes wonder about Jim...this is such a darling dress and he hated it.

I think this dress is a contender for this Sunday's brunch because it has ruffles (and I don't own much with ruffles), but it depends on the weather. If it is warm (my hope), then there is no way I will wear it...it is 100% wool.

And do I care all that much about Jim's opinion? Sometimes, but it really depends. He HATES the cabochon necklace that I wear a lot and I still wear it...so there you go!

Tomorrow I will put two more images from this catalog up for your viewing pleasure.

BTW, don't forget I have more images from this catalog (though not as sharp--better light this time) located here: http://mysuperfluities.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-obsessionthe-paris-catalogseptember.html

Crewcuts on Rex and a Sneak-Peek to a Future Post!

Rex does not own much from crewcuts. I cannot justify spending that sort of money on things he will outgrow so quickly. However, the few pieces I have bought for him have been fantastic in that they hold up extremely well and I would dare say are made with more care than the adult line. This polo he is wearing is the only piece I have bought either of my kids at full-price. The polo was about 30 dollars and it was his first birthday (yes, I bought it in Feb. 2008) and the darn crab critter at the bottom was to die for, so I bit the bullet and got it. I have not regretted it once. As you can see he is still wearing it to this day...and it has been well over a year. I suspect he will wear this out...based on how it fits, I could see him wearing this till his third birthday.

I will say crewcuts on sale is the way to go...I have never had to worry about a piece selling out. That means those darling dresses that were in an e-mail recently that I know CW would look so cute in? I can definitely wait for a sale...they will still be there. :)


I will hopefully get some more images from this catalog up tomorrow. I can't promise, but I can try my best!!! :)

Purple, Plaid, and Yellow...aka Wacky College Professor Day!

Purple, Plaid, and Yellow for a Crisp, Sunny Day! - by dinagideon on Polyvore.com
So this outfit seems fairly normal, maybe even a bit boring on polyvore, right? I mean the only colors are the purple and yellow and they don't seem too crazy together...

I actually own the top, the necklace, and a similar watch and sweater. The shoes, pants, and vest are all acceptable stand-ins for the real thing.

Now let's get back to the task at hand...why this post is also entitled Wacky College Professor Day...look at the craziness that ensued when I put the pieces together...


Yes, at first it seems okay...put together, professional, clean, and neat...but then you start to deconstruct it..."Wait," you say, "haven't I seen this look before?" "Didn't my 85-year old, slightly demented, greying, smelling like coffee History professor wear this outfit back in 1996?" "Why is Dina wearing the same get-up he did (well, minus the headband and necklace and bow)?"

Well, honestly...I don't hate this outfit. I am certainly laced-up and yes, a wee bit bright and jarring to look at, but I sort of enjoy the fact that I am wearing this, have worn this all day, and have yet to see anyone run down the hallway screaming "My eyes, they burn..."

That said, it is certainly not the dress I wore last night or my teal lydia blouse, snow leopard cardigan, and chambray capris, but, eh...at least it isn't a black turtleneck and a pair of jeans, either. I mean, I have a colorful reputation to uphold. :)

But if you actually like this, cool. I am not going to stop you!!! After all, I don't hate it, either!

Also, I do teach American History, so no doubt I am well on my way to old, aging, slightly crazy professor-hood one day...I am just giving the outfit an early run...

Oh, and I walked today...so really...you know I can't completely bring it every time I walk!!!

I hope you have had a great day...and hope you had a few chuckles at ole prof Dina...

What to Wear to a Party, Wedding, Night Out This Summer...a Review of the Delores Dress and the Brigitte Metallic Heels!

Summer Wedding/Party/Night Out in Style!!! - by dinagideon on Polyvore.com
Quick post on something some of you ladies out there may care about...bridesmaids/party dresses for summer. Because I am going to be a bridesmaid this summer, I have been spending time looking for dresses that could serve the purpose of being a maid to a bride and also be useful in a non-wedding. Enter the Delores dress and the Brigitte Metallic heels. (They are both still for sale on J. Crew--what kills me about the dress is that I bought it for way cheaper than it is available on-line for now--with all those promos at Christmas--I got it for a song. I believe the heels are in final sale.)


So how does it work in real life? Not too bad. I want you to bear in mind this is a size 8 and I have about 5 pounds left before it is a PERFECT fit...and since the wedding or any conceivable night out for me is at least one month away, I think I will be okay making the goal in time. The Brigitte heels fit the bill perfectly...and are not subject to the whims of my postpartum weight loss.

Warning--if you have ladies in your wedding party who are a bit busty or carry their weight in their waist--this may not be the dress for you all. I have a small-ish waist and I think it is a bit tight. The shoulders are also a bit wide, so if any of your ladies are narrower in the shoulders, this may be difficult for them to wear. But those that can wear it--SHOULD. I walked out in this and my hubby was like, "Woo-wee...where are you going wearing that?"

This is a silk taffeta, so if you are a bit retiring, this may not be a go-to party dress. It is a bit bright in this flamingo color, but you know I don't exactly shy away from color!!!

I did not go anywhere tonight, just felt like dressing up and doing a review for you all. ;)


Here is a close-up of the heels. These are pretty darn comfy considering they are heels and strappy at that.

Yes, ladies, don't worry, I will get a pedicure before I wear these in public. :) (Just in case some of you thought I was stupid...)

Have a great night!!!

#100 Post--A Very Special Thank You!!!

I wanted to reserve my 100th post as a post to thank all of you--my followers, my readers, and all those who have ever commented on my blog.

I started this blog thinking three people would be interested...my dad, my babysitter Roxie, and maybe one lady who found me through a comment I left on J. Crew Aficionada. Instead I sit here awe-struck at what this project has grown into. I have carefully spent this morning going through all of the comments left at this site and written down all the names (not including my followers). I have also made a list of all my followers. I would like to believe that I would have continued writing and posting if only three people were interested, but it does help to have a little push to continue...I really like knowing that in some tiny way I may be contributing to another person's life on a daily basis.

I have been raised, though, to be extremely GRATEFUL for any and all favors that are done for me. And I truly believe that anyone who has bothered to even look at this site is doing me a huge favor. And those of you who comment and follow, your contributions are like jewels...I feel so fortunate to have you in my life. So, without further ado, THANK YOU!

I have compiled two lists. The first one lists all of my followers. The second list lists all of the people who have commented. To save myself a bit of a challenge, I did not repeat the followers' names on the comment list...

FOLLOWERS:
Alexis
Ashley
Amy
A Bigger Closet
AppGal
Bekah
Beth
Bisou
Cleo26
Christina
Drewablank
Donna
Donna Hoffman
Emily
FFM
GoldCoastGal
HeidiG
Jordan
Joyce
Jayna
KatyO.
KathyMillen
LakeNokomis
Lexieloo
Lissa
Lee
Mslay (FIRST FOLLOWER!)
MMM
Monogramgirl
OhDearMe
Snea (Roxie!)
Slastena
Sparrowsandsparkles
Shopaholicdiva1027
Stephanie Martin
The Outfit of the Day
3-Penny Princess
Villasba

People who have commented (note, I have compressed the anons to make space):
Anna (Where have you been, darling??? Love your comments!)
Anon @ 7:56, 9:41, 2:56, 7:58, 11:38, 2:39, 4:36, 3:43, 4:27, 4:16, 4:10, 11:23, 1:14, 5:25, 5:07, 1:59, 10:11, 4:22, 7:30, 10:51, and 1:12.
Betsy
b.
Birdie Butter
Daisy
Francesca
Fun
Gigiofca
Gwen
Georgia Girl
Hausfrau
Hair Advice
IRL
Kat
La Belle Helene
Limegreenlover
Melanie (my very first comment!!!)
Marabve
Marietta
Milly
Purplesweetarts
SS
Second That
Surrlie
T.T.
Tastymoog
Where are you

Again...thank you for joining me on this blog of mine. I really look forward to the next 100 posts!!!

P.S.: I have a poll running right now...help me decide how to pack for my trip to Florida for spring break. The trip to WV was such a success because I chose to stick to one color combo...and I want to do this for the trip south. So choose one if you will. I thought about the colors more last night and what I mean by the color teal is a light aqua blue (just in case you needed further clarification). Thank you for voting!!!