Polyvore's Love Letters...

Untitled by dinagideon featuring J Crew

You all--get this--I was mentioned in Polyvore's blog in their February 19th Polyvore Love Letters-Blog Roundup. I thought, maybe, just maybe, something was up because I kept having this polyvore set of mine faved by all these random (yet incredibly sweet) people. Well, it keeps happening, so today, after the 16th fave (one of my all-time highest number of faves for a set), I clicked over to the Polyvore blog and saw that my set had been written up! (I knew to look at the blog because HeidiG. had one of her polyvore sets on the blog...it has always been my little dream to have one of my sets appear over there!)

Because I have been so insanely busy with Rex's birthday party, having Mr. Dina's parents in town, and the ever-fab DC JCA group get-together on Saturday night, this bit of "awesome" totally bypassed me!

It is a total surprise and makes me so happy! Whee! :)

More today, promise...I have an upcoming post in which I am wearing the tiered silk cami in papaya under the tie-front cashmere cardigan with the Crystal Devote necklace (yes, the one being discussed right now over at JCA).

Talk soon.

A Knitted Boatneck from Boden is All I Need to Brighten Up!!!

Nanny and Pops, aka Mr. Dina's parents, are in town, so I am limited in how much time I can spend on my blog, but I will attempt to publish every day, even if I only say a few words overall (well, compared to what I normally do, anyhow).

So I woke up feeling like CRUD...I think I might have had a small virus, you know the type with headaches, aches, general malaise, ick, ick, ick.

Was totally NOT feeling the whole "dress up and look awesome for everyone," but honestly, I now feel like I HAVE to try, at least. Thanks a lot, blog.

Easiest SAHM Outfit, Ever. by dinagideon featuring J Crew shoes

And this is why Johnnie Boden should be crowned the king of fashion for all stay at home mommas. His spring line is FULL of bright colors, stripes, florals, and overall prettiness. I literally spent three seconds deciding on my outfit. It consists of three pieces...Boden's beautiful striped knitted boatneck, the pixie pants in black from J. Crew, and the Rivington kitten heels from J. Crew. Done. My outfit is done...just that quickly and easily.

And even better, my spirits (even if my health wasn't quite there) were LIFTED. I felt good. :) And that is priceless. SO SWAK, Johnnie. SWAK.


Knitted Boatneck from Boden. This is a cotton, wool, cashmere mix and is a nice weight for all seasons outside of summer. This is the turquoise melange stripe, and as you can tell the stripe is a citron color.

I am wearing not a stitch of makeup (well, an eensy bit of gloss), and considering how bad I felt overall, I could look a lot worse. I think this color would make a drowned rat look like a pretty little princess. Heehee. :)

I am wearing a size 10 (UK) or size 6 (US). Yes, this is a loose fit. The size 12 (UK) or size 8 (US) would have been too loose...so I am glad I went with the smaller of my two Boden sizes. Only bummer is that this means a lot of you more petite ladies might have a problem. Boden's smallest US size is 2, and that is not all that small. I guess you could get it, wash it, and then dry it in the dryer...maybe then it would be a 0?

Minor pilling by the end of the day...but I wore it ALL day. And I picked up my kids multiple times, I wore backpacks, lugged boxes, hung up clothes, nursed, etc., etc. The pilling is probably more my fault than Johnnie's. And really, this pilling is only a tiny amount if I compare it to a dream sweater from J. Crew I bought two years ago...now that is some amazing pilling. :P


Yes, next time I will untuck the pixies and wear them over the boots. If the boots had been taller, I would have been (once again), Miss Horse Hunt Country Virginia. :) (I did untuck them after I saw this pic--not about to re-photograph, I do have a life...seriously, I do!)

Sizes:
Pants: Size 6.
Boots: Size 10.


Okay, I fibbed. I wore a perfect fit tee in citron under the sweater, but that is because I am obsessed with making sure NO underarm antiperspirant gets on my sweaters (am I the only one who worries about this?).

Oh, and can I just SQUEAL, just a tiny little bit? Okay, here goes...

SQUUUUUUUEEEEEEEAAAAAALLLL!!!

I have a beautiful pic of me, baby CW, and Rex. Ah! Nanny, you are a good photographer. ;)

Have a nice night all.

A Meh Day...(However It Was Brightened by the Sunshine Peonies Perfect Shirt and Stained Glass Drop Earrings).

You all ever had an ugh day? Or a meh day? Well that was me today. I fear I am just not gonna bring it fashion-wise today as much as I normally try to. Sigh. 'Tis life!

I feel like I did try to try to bring it today, but in the end, I was harder on myself than you all will probably be (well, maybe...)!

I am kind of feeling irritated, tired, fussy, antsy, blegh, etc. Sort of like Rex feels when he hasn't slept or eaten enough. Great, I am a three-year old toddler. Except I have great clothing. Heh.

Okay, 'nuff said! :) Onto the few bright spots of my day!

I FINALLY got the packages that had been sent from J. Crew over a week or so ago (some of my packages were almost three weeks late). I appreciate UPS, but by the time the packages came, I was kind of chomping at the bit to get them. :) They did all arrive, and in perfect condition...so BRAVO, UPS. BRAVO.

In the packages were two items that I will (quickly) review tonight for you...the Sunshine Peonies Perfect Shirt and the Stained Glass Drop Earrings. For perspective on when I wore them (not sure if that is even important, but still), the Sunshine Peonies was worn at night, and the Stained Glass Drop Earrings were this morning.


Sunshine Peonies Perfect Shirt--Yes, this is the button-down sister to the much talked about Sunshine Peonies Pencil Skirt. Yes, I have pre-ordered the skirt. With as much yellow and orange as I have in my wardrobe (plus my penchant for any print that is Liberty-esque in feel--and yes, I know, know, know, am very excited by Liberty for Target), I kind of feel that this Sunshine Peonies print will be a perfect addition to my spring wardrobe (or heck, even late winter wardrobe).

I took an 8 and that is my typical perfect shirt size. I could have sized to a 6, but I like knowing that if it (God forbid) ends up in the dryer, it will still fit me nicely.

The fabric is soft and thin-ish, but most perfect shirts are a bit on the whisper weight category (better for layering, I suppose).

I wore this with the Blush Pink Sateen Blazer from last spring. The blazer didn't photograph as well as I would have liked, so I am leaving those pics out, but it is a lovely combo. It could also be paired with hot pink, all yellows, all oranges, and lighter purples.

By the way, look at Miss CW coming up from behind. Didn't even realize she had done that until I was cropping the photo. Showed Mr. Dina and we both just cracked up. :)

I guess she really likes taking photos with me...she literally came running when she saw what we were doing!


Speaking of enjoying taking photos, I hammed it up for the last photo. I felt like if I felt terrible, the least I could do was try to bolster my confidence a bit with a silly shot. It actually *sort of* worked. LOL.

Sizes:
Pants: 30 short.
Shoes: Size 10.


Okay, see these lovely earrings? (They are different from the ones I wore with the Sunshine Peonies Perfect shirt.) They are called the Stained Glass Drop Earrings and are quite lovely. Quite lovely in a long, kind of heavy, yeah, I will only wear these for a few hours at a time lovely. They fill a whole in my jewelry collection...I have a bunch of silver long earrings, but very few golden-toned long earrings. These are the metallic blush color, but come in other lovely colors, as well.

I didn't show my face because it was one of those mornings (you know, it started bad and stayed kind of bad). :)


Oh, and here is what I wore this morning. Yes, I am one of those people who wakes UP REALLY EARLY to go to the very first Ash Wednesday mass. Part of the reason I go to the early mass is because I am (typically) more of a morning person, but also because now that I have the kids (who only go to Sunday mass), I need to go to mass at the time when Mr. Dina is still at home and can care for them while I am away.

I didn't crop my head because I had ashes on my forehead (I actually am really proud of the ashes) but because I did not take one. single. photo. with my eyes OPEN. After the fourth try, I just gave up.

CW had her eyes open...fer cute!

Sizes:
Dress: Size Medium. It is by INC (Macy's brand) and gigiofca has it in yellow. Not only do we share a birthday, we share a love for pretty dresses. :)
Shoes: Size 9.5.

You all have a great night.

P.S. I am doing "things" for Lent, including doing good, and giving up things, but that is between me and God, and I am sure you all understand why I am not sharing my intentions with you! ;)

The Glimmer Mist Tissue Tee Goes Out with a Boyfriend...

Hi, all! I am kind of worn out tonight (read: really tired), so I will be brief in summing up my outfit of the day...

A Little Sparkle for a Casual Day! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Above is the polyvore. It is true, I have now worn either sequins or embellishments three times in a row. I guess I am on a one-woman mission to show the world that you can be sparkly and casual, all at the same time. Plus, it allows me to "justify" buying the ridiculous tees that J. Crew over-charges for. :)

Okay, so technically the glimmer mist tissue tee is no longer available, but it is such a lovely tee, that if it pops back, run, do not walk, to the checkout. I ended up getting it for far less than it cost originally (I believe it was $135), and that is good, because even me, Miss "I love nearly everything J. Crew makes" realized that was a dear price for a tissue tee and some pretty detailing. But since it is no longer that insane price, I believe it is a worthwhile investment. Based upon how I felt while wearing it today (and yes, I was out with the kids), I know I will wear it often...in the winter under a cardi and in the summer on its own.

The boyfriend cardi by Boden is from last fall and is delightful. It is not too long (hello, Forever cardigan) yet it is just the right length and fit to qualify as "borrowed from the boys." I bought it in yellow, but I believe it was available in a variety of colors. I definitely got it on sale, and get this (Boden's customer service is awesome, part 321), USPS LOST the original package it was in, and Boden went ahead and sent a replacement, no issues or problems, whatsoever. :) Love ya, Johnnie and co.

And finally, the Amore wash toothpicks? Well, the name says it all. It is love. I am 100% amazed at how perfectly these fit. Just the right amount of stretch to make them skinny jeans, yet in no way do they suck in and hurt while wearing them (I am looking at you, Matchsticks from postpartum days). Only one thing I wish? That the Amore's ankle length came in talls, like the twilight wash. I know it seems silly, but 28 inch inseam is not ankle on me. 30 inch is ankle on me, and while I don't think either inseam length looks bad on me, I feel the 30 will stand the test of time better. But until these puppies are deemed "dated," I will happily wear them!


Okay enough chatter from me (I thought I was supposed to be "brief").

Sizes:
Cardigan: Size UK 12, or US 8 (I believe). I may have ordered a UK 10, US 6, but I am too tired to go and check. Sue me. :)
Tee: Size Small.
Jeans: Size 30.
Shoes: Size 10.

And would you look at that? Both kids are in the pic!!! Miracles never cease. I actually love baby's pose. I sort of think she looks like me in this pic.


Close up of the tee, cardigan, and the lovely gold and crystal cluster bracelet.

You all have a great night. Sleep well. :)

P.S. The dress from yesterday was the pinwale cord Linda dress (rust color) from the Fall of 2007. I vaguely remember seeing it in Real Simple magazine (in the wool version) and swooning over it. When it went on sale in the late fall, I jumped on it. However, I couldn't wear it...was way too snug for almost TWO whole years. I am now at the point where it fits well (bit loose in the waist, but that is why I belted it). I guess good things are worth waiting for!

Happy Valentine's Day with a Pink Sequined Heart and a Little Red Cord Dress...

Hey, you all!!! As the heart on my tee professes, I want to wish each and every single one of you a "Happy Valentine's Day!" Now, I am not the biggest fan of this day...but it sure is fun to have an excuse to wear pink and red and sequins, etc., etc.

And unless you have been hiding under a rock, you know I haven't really gone anywhere for the last week, SO Valentine's Day 2010 is especially awesome because we braved our street (as of this morning still unplowed and slippery) to go out!!!

Untitled by dinagideon featuring J Crew

First up is my lunch outfit. Technically I should show you this second, but I really want the more "holiday" themed one first. :) The polyvore is above (and once again, my sweet set that I entered into a polyvore contest didn't win--sob, sob--just kidding, the ones that won were super-awesome).

Yes, the tee is a girl's crewcuts tee. In a size 14!!! Basically crewcuts size 14 equals a woman's size 4 or small 6. :) Yippee!!! I am now the owner of two crewcuts tees in a size 14...and they both fit very nicely. What I like best about them is that they aren't super, super long like some of J. Crew's tees. I often find that the extra length in the regular J. Crew tees hits at a weird place on my hips, and if I am not careful with the pants I choose, I can look very VERY pear-shaped. This tee hits right at my high hip, which if I had a preference, would be were all my tops would hit!

The name of the tee, btw, is the sequin heart tee. It also comes in black, and it appears that there are still size 14s available (yet they are on backorder).

The sequins in the tee are well-secured, so I have no OCD issues with them. Thank goodness. I guess they tack them on more securely when they put them on children's clothing.


Here is the tee without the cardigan. It is a very close color to my skin tone, but I think it is just a shade or two off, which helps keep it from appearing too close...that said, I prefer wearing it with a cardigan.


And here is the reason why...doesn't it look so sweet with the cardigan?

By the way, I am not trying to be all edge-y by wearing dark socks with this outfit. I was under very specific instructions from Mr. Dina not to take too long getting changed from the outfit I wore to church (see below for pic of that outfit), so to save time I wore the tights under the jeans. It doesn't look too terrible. :)

I love how baby matches but her patterns kind of clash...oh, to be 1 1/2 and not care what is in and what is out.

Sizes:
Tee: Crewcuts size 14.
Cardigan: Size Medium.
Jeans: Size 30S.
Tights: Size Medium-Tall.
Shoes: Size 10.


And this is my "festive" church outfit. :) I bought this in the fall of 2007. Does anyone know what it is called so I can try and find it for polyvore?

BTW, Rex (seen in the background!!!) was FANTASTIC at church today. It was even an extra-long sermon with the priest talking about the Bishop's Lenten Appeal for more time than is necessary at the "family (read: babies)" mass.

Sizes:
Dress: Size 10.
Belt: Size small.
Tights: See above.
Shoes: Size 10.

Talk soon! Hope to comment back now...it appears I have some spare time on my hands (keep fingers crossed)!

A Review of the Madewell Jigsaw Necklace and a Starburst Tee for a Birthday!

You all are SO NICE. Rex sends a huge hug and says "thanks" for all the sweet birthday wishes you left him today! :)

I am so BEHIND in commenting back on my last posts, and for that I apologize...but I do want to get back into the swing of things now that we HAVE POWER and WE CAN GO OUTSIDE. LOL. :)

SAHM in Yellow Floral by dinagideon featuring J Crew

First up is a review of the Madewell Jigsaw Necklace. It was a "Jenna's pick" a few weeks ago, but I had no idea. I picked it on its own because it was on special for 78 dollars, and because of that was able to be part of the 20% off sale items purchase I made. Also on special? The Amore wash toothpick jeans! They are now back to their normal price of 125 dollars. I got the necklace for 55 dollars (appears to be still available, but it sells out quickly and then comes back, so keep checking if you want it) and the amore wash were around 75. Why J. Crew brought the price of the jeans back up to 125 is beyond me, but whatever. BTW, the jeans in this polyvore are the BLACK RESIN wash, and these I got for a REAL steal of a price...$41. (In store, back in December...they are on sale now, but not that low...pricing is all over the place at the Crew. Very very irritating if you ask me!)


Yeah, I could have showed you the whole outfit, but I DON'T like the photos, so this is all you all are gonna get. :)

Anyhow--the necklace is multi-stranded yet attached at the back (near the clasp), so they cannot be taken apart to be single-stranded (at least I can't do that). The color is a muted, almost brushed antiqued gold. This necklace is also surprisingly lightweight for what it looks like it should weigh.

I really think this necklace will help me "edge" out some of my sweeter looks. I would love to try this with some of those almost saccharin pieces I own from Boden. :)

I definitely do not gravitate towards things that look hard in anyway, but in the past year of running this "mommy-fashion (snort)" blog, I have realized that I need to try these harder looks more often. If I take my looks in a vacuum and seal away all my feelings, I do see that the harder looks do work with my body, face, and station in life. No, I am not going to go all Whitesnake on you all, but I do plan to try walk on the edge by accessorizing with a bit more urban looks.

A Little Starburst for a Birthday! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Let's move to the look I am wearing tonight. It is impossible to get anywhere in the DC area tonight (traffic is miserable for EVERYONE--I am hearing of 2 hour commutes just to go five miles--YIKES), so we are going out for Rex and Mr. Dina's bday tomorrow night. Tonight we are having yummy Papa John's here. :)

The tee is the beaded starburst tee from this last Holiday season at J. Crew. I love the color, love the embellishment, but did not "full price" love it. I waited, and scored it on a popback for a pretty good price.

The flats are from Urban Outfitters and are providing the edge for this outfit. (Because Rex and Mr. Dina are so impressed by the same things that Nina Garcia would be impressed by--haha.)


Sizes:
Tee: Medium. I like it a little loose. Bought it thinking I would dry it to shrink it to a small, but now I don't think I will. :)
Pants: Size 8. Scout chinos are awesome for lounging.
Shoes: Size 10...a little wide, but very comfy and lovely.

And the bracelet is the Tangled Treasure that I adore. Watch for that one on popback, too!

Baby is so cute! What's not? Why in the world are my glasses all askew? Huh???

Have a nice night, all!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Sweet Rex!!!

1. You barely ever make it onto this blog anymore because you are in constant motion, but when you do, your smile lasts for days.

2. You mean the world to so many people. Always, always remember that!

3. Every chance I get to spend with you, happy, sad, angry, silly, frustrated, antsy, or sleepy, is a moment that will be stored in the world's largest memory bank--a Mommy memory bank.

4. I love you, Rex. Happy Birthday!