Critter Wedge Flip-Flop...

So this promo WAS a 24-hour deal...At around midnight last night, folks over at J. Crew Aficionada were saying they couldn't locate the link on the home page. And yes, as of right now (8:35 am--3/29/09), the flip-flops are back to being 26.50. I guess I hit this deal at the right time.

I will be on the lookout for future deals. I love this idea. It was a nice surprise!

Normally--$26.50. Today (3/28/09)--$6.50. That is $20.00 off. I live in these during the summer. If you want a pair, today is the day to get a pair. I have showed you the ones I got...but they also come in other colors/critters.

Here is the link: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/shoes/flipflops/PRDOVR~67203/67203.jsp

It expires tonight from what I understand.

Thank you to the Laura (of this blog: http://laurairl.blogspot.com/) who mentioned the sale on this post: http://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/2009/03/jcrew-updates-its-website-with-new.html. YOU ROCK, Laura. Thank you!

Florals and Citron (a Friday Theme, it Seems)...

Florals and Citron for a Nice Day! - by dinagideon on Polyvore.com
This is the polyvore of the outfit I wore today. I love when I can find the pieces I am wearing on Polyvore...it means I don't have to individually list the pieces...you all can go see them yourselves. Whee!

The necklace is a bit different, though. I have that heart necklace but the one I am wearing today is the apple necklace (felt like celebrating the fact that I am a teacher). The cardigan is similar, but is merino wool with brass buttons and is in a deeper shade of citron.


Here is the outfit without the cardigan. Can I tell you how much I like this top? The cap sleeves are so feminine and really balance my upper half and my lower half. The neckline is also smocked and elastic, making it very stretchy and comfy. The fabric is some sort of blend because I have yet to see a wrinkle and I have been teaching all day long.

The jeans are from a while back and I can fit into them again. Yay! :) Love that...obviously!


Here I am with my little man, with the cardigan on. I love the look without the cardigan, but if I didn't run hot all the time (I am one of those people who wear tank tops in winter), I would have worn this cardigan all day...that is how much I think that cardigan works for this outfit!

For all of you who love pics of my kids, I am so glad Rex cooperated this morning...so cute!!! I love the fact that those pants don't fit him and yet he doesn't care (and obviously neither does Jim who dressed him). Rock those capris, Rex. (Or is it some other name when boys/men wear them?)


Close-up of the pretty print, smocking, and the buttons from the cardigan.

I am walking home today...so I did bring another pair of shoes to walk in...I have a bag that I can carry on my wrist to make it easier and not to heavy at all.

Have a great day. More from the awesome Paris Catalog this weekend (don't have enough time today to post more pics)!

Campo de Fiore Sweater Dress on a Miserable, Rainy Day!

Campo de Fiore Sweater Dress for a Cool and Rainy Day! - by dinagideon on Polyvore.com
So I have three compelling reasons for wearing this outfit today:

1) It is NASTY outside and this dress is merino wool and will keep me nice and warm.

2) I have finally lost enough baby weight (still 12 pounds to go, but getting closer each day) that I can wear sweater dresses again without having people cover their eyes and yell, "MY EYES--WHY ARE YOU BLINDING ME WITH YOUR BABY BELLY?" (Although for some people the print alone may burn people's eyes...heehee.) (The old J. Crew-A-Holics R Us had a field day with this print last year...I can't seem to find the link...but the writer on that blog had a field day making fun of this print...I just laughed and laughed because I loved it so much...everyone has an opinion!)

3) I love this dress and have a feeling some of you do, too. And since many of my lovely blog readers are in the mid-Atlantic and currently under grey skies, rain, and depression, I know this dress at the very least will awaken some of you!

The dress is in the January 2008 catalog, but what I did today is not technically a copycat...however I do have the pieces to make a copycat, so I will try it when the weather cooperates a bit more (as it requires bare legs to do the copycat).


Do you even know how many people came up to me at school today and had a fit over this dress? Like 85 people. This is not a dress for shy, retiring types. Good thing I am not introverted or else today would have been very difficult for me. ;)

My hair is wet in this photo (seems I can only wash my hair every other day and only very early in the morning--that's when everyone else is asleep). My makeup, although I tried, did not turn out as well as yesterday. (Maybe one day I will figure the magic steps out and be able to look well-turned out everyday!!! I can dream, right?)

You all have a great day. I know my day has been okay. Found out about the death of a family friend, so obviously not the whole day has been great (say prayers, please, for the family if you can), but what I have had otherwise has been pretty good. Huge, 70s looking florals will help get your groove on pretty well, I have to say!

Paris Catalog--Vanessa in the Library Print Doll Dress!!!

Here Vanessa seems to be saying, "Yes, I am a full grown woman, and yes, I am wearing a doll dress with frames all over it, but because of this perfect day full of sunshine, I don't look silly, even though I am fanning out the skirt so you can see the frames better..."

I own this dress. Because I am currently nursing CW, I won't be able to fit into the bodice of this dress for a little while (this dress is not made for the well-endowed ladies). I bought an 8 and the skirt part and height of the straps is perfect, though. I do not own the cardigan or shoes, but if pressed I could figure something out to do another copycat post. ;)

I love this image and I love it in particular today because it is so freaking nasty outside here in northern Virginia...raining, barely cracking 50 degrees, and everyone is in kind of a foul mood. Vanessa standing on these steps makes me smile. Thank you, Ms. Vanessa!

How to Wear the Slub Cotton Puff-Sleeve Tee...(With a Mini-Review)!

Slub Cotton Puff Sleeve Shirt Layered! - by dinagideon on Polyvore.com
Okay...I LOVE this tee, but for the longest time could not figure out how to wear it. I knew I wanted to wear it today (because it is casual enough for me to walk home from school in), but was feeling slightly stressed about how to make it special. (By itself it looks okay, but kind of odd, like "Why are you wearing the puffy sleeves, Mrs. J.?")

Then inspiration struck. MAKE THE DARN TEE work for you like a vest, I mumbled. YES!!! So I took a Joie blouse I bought from bluefly.com and slipped it under the tee, and it actually looked pretty good. :) SMILE!!! Oh, and then belt it so the expanse of off-white on your belly is broken up! YES!!! Excellent...

I own all the other pieces, except the necklace is a wee bit different.


Here it is full-length. Those of you interested in buying this tee, be warned...it runs large. I have a small on and look at how long it is on me. The shoulders are this close away from being too broad for my shoulders. I already told you I had to belt it to take away from the blankness of the off-white on my belly...

So why do I (heart) it so much? The texture is divine and the sleeves are so pretty and feel so silky in real life. I am a big fan of feel-good fabrics, so I will tailor the heck out of something that feels awesome, but put back something that fits beautifully if it feels wrong or stiff or coarse.

I added the pop of color in the pants and shoes. I almost treat these gold pants as a neutral, they are that versatile. And let me tell you, a lot of the other bloggers out here in JCA land have the same exact pants. I am thinking I will have to purchase these exact pants in a smaller version off of ebay when I lose more weight...I love them that much.


I am showing you this pic (ignore the fact that I am sort of hunched over...I was holding Rex...see the next photo) because I want you to see how the joie shirt looks under the tee. Very cute!!! I love this outfit a lot and may wear it again soon!


And this pic? Serves no other purpose than to show you how freaking cute rex can be while wearing his batman pjs, eating a plum, hamming it up for the camera, and not wearing both socks.

You all have a great day!

Another Page from the Beautiful Paris Catalog!

Hello, everyone, my name is Vanessa and if I weren't so sweet, I would be saying, "Don't hate me because I am beautiful."

I mean, seriously...too freaking adorable. Everything about this shot must have pleased the dickens out of the photographer, the stylist, the director, and of course, lovely Ms. Vanessa herself.

The clothing itself is also to die for...the color of the coat, the exquisite print on the skirt (I happen to own that print in the doll dress), the pretty plaid shoes, and the sweet grey sweater all belted up.

The makeup--simply exquisite. Black eyeliner and mascara placed just so...check; Red lipstick in the most amazing shade...check; The perfect color foundation and eyebrows plucked exactly right...check.

And the hair...mussed to say, "I don't really care how I look because even though I am a bit messy, it keeps the whole entire look from being too twee."

Yep, J. Crew...this is it. Can we go back to this? And soon, please?

Don't forget...I have more images from this catalog...simply click on the Paris Catalog tag to see them all...

Color me amused...

Rarely if ever do all staff e-mails crack me up...

But this one...it's a doozy. I don't know what I find so amusing about it...could be that in a single paragraph there is a directive about not throwing rocks at cars AND what a bad idea it is to harass geese? :)

WORD FOR WORD what the e-mail said:
As you are well aware, spring, and spring-like behavior are upon us. Before you take your children outside (fire drills, class, etc.), please review appropriate behavior. Anyone caught throwing rocks at cars will be in HUGE trouble (yes, it is a felony to throw rocks at cars). Also, it's a really, really bad idea to harass the geese. Review appropriate behavior, monitor behavior, and immediately refer anyone not following your directives.

Oh, I love it! I wonder which of my lovelies I will get to refer for harassing geese? Or will the way the geese react be enough of a punishment?