Lalalala, I am in My Backyard, on the Deck, Writing a Post About a Month-Old Party!

Man, it is GORGEOUS out here. I am on my deck, in 75 degree weather, typing on my laptop (with its great wireless access). Technology and pretty atmosphere=happy dinagideon. :)

And I am singing a little ditty to myself..."Lame, lame, lame, you are so lame, waiting over a month, to get out a post, about the pretty ladies and wine..."

So here it is...the wine party I hosted at my home for a few of us JCA ladies of the DC area that I am fortunate enough to know...and who graciously came to my house on a Sunday afternoon to drink wine with me, look at J. Crew clothing, and for HeidiG. and drewablank, enjoy a dip in my hot tub (inaugural dip...woohoo).

Wine Party Mid-July 2009 by dinagideon featuring J Crew

But what would my posts be without a polyvore set?

The reason I posted today, btw, is because awesome Patina did a post yesterday in which she looked beautiful and was wearing my all time favorite statement necklace from Banana Republic. Which reminded me that I wore it at the party...which then reminded me to get my a** in gear and post the dang pictures already.

So without further discussion...the pictures...


The ubiquitous shot of me in the outfit. This dress, once again, is easy, breezy, and truly a great color. And it looks so nice with the necklace, too.


Here are the five of us, plus CW (she didn't have wine...no worries)...look at how HeidiG. is bathed in light, like she is some kind of angel. :) After her is Summerilla, Drewablank, 3-Penny Princess, and me and CW. This is our serious shot. BTW, this is the deck and the table upon which I sit and type right now. :)


Here is our lovely candid shot...I think we all look so pretty. I esp. love the way 3PP and Drewablank still have their arms around each other...so nice!

And because we couldn't resist, here is the shot of us being ridiculous. We have hanged HeidiG., Moose Summerilla, Too Long Tongue Drewablank, Screeching 3PP, and "I'm gonna eat that baby" dinagideon.

Hope you all enjoyed a trip into a past partay! :) I know I did...that ridiculous shot still cracks me up!

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...

Georgia on My Mind (with a Dash of North Carolina Thrown in...)

So remember way back in late July when I went to Georgia and Indiana? Remember when I posted about the portal to hell that was the hotel room that we stayed at in Winston-Salem, NC? Well, I FINALLY have put together a big polyvore of all the things I wore on the trip, two mini-polyvores for some of the outfits, and I have uploaded all of the images, edited said images for publication...phew. This took me a better part of three hours today. Yikes. Blogging is fun but very time-consuming!

(Oh, and so you know, I have many, many outfits to post from late July and August...eventually, my friends, eventually!)

By the way, I did comment back on all the latest posts...not individually this time (unless you had a question or such)...but I did it! YAY!

Oh, and also...I loved my last week (August 23-30, 2009). I did not stop moving. Between three separate DC JCA get-togethers (Tysons for shopping, Tysons for a playdate with HeidiG. and Summerilla, and the White House/Occidental Grille with Cleo26, Slastena, 3PP, Kelly, and Rosa), working out with my brother, and jetting to the pool with the kids, I have been a bit busy...but that really good busy that makes life worth living, you know? BTW, I would be back to school preparing my classroom if I was still teaching full-time. :) I am so excited to only substitute this year...WAY less pressure!



Untitled by dinagideon featuring J Crew

First Polyvore is of all the items I brought with me to both Georgia and Indiana. You will see this in this post and the next one on Indiana.



North Carolina by dinagideon featuring J Crew

This second Polyvore is of my first and second day's outfits. The first outfit (on the left) I wore to a yum-tastic Mexican restaurant in Winston-Salem. We specifically request a journey there every single time we visit. Man, it's good. The second outfit (on the right) I wore the next day (Sunday) to Biscuitville (umm, biscuits, gravy, and grits...mmm...) and on the ride to Georgia...


Here is the first outfit. This is the lovely Liberty print fabric jacket that you all have seen before, but this time I scrunched up the sleeves. I LOVE it this way...very pretty and very (dare I say it), chic. The rolling ruffles tank is the champagne color, a lovely light yellow.


Here is a close-up of the jacket and well, the real reason I put the pic up, CW. On three...1, 2, 3...Ahhh!


This is a tee I bought from Boden for a song. I also purchased it in a navy blue/grey stripe. Why this was not more popular is beyond me...it is pretty and comfortable. Of course it is citron hued, so that may be why! ;)

I know this is going to sound odd, but I got my color inspiration for the trip from CW's onesie that she is wearing in this pic...it has many colors but they all worked so nicely together, I chose those colors as my theme.


OMG--Ignore my face...I look like I just smelled CW's diaper (which is entirely possible)...
This third outfit is from Georgia, and I wore it on Monday. It is the boyfriend tee in aqua (yes, HeidiG., just for you) in size extra-small (that's right, XS); some Ann Taylor Loft shorts I got from Rugged Wearhouse for next to nothing (and it's a short inseam...look out!); and the starfish capri sandals that I hearted so much I bought for full price (minus 15% educator discount).



Untitled by dinagideon featuring J Crew

This third polyvore is from my last day in Georgia. I knew his family would like to see a tee celebrating New Orleans, so I wore it just for them...


Not much to say about this except that the sandals are ancient, but have lasted forever. Hmmm...if Mickey and co. read this, keep these sandals in mind the next time you make something...they are beautiful and built to last...J. Crew, I know you all have it in you to make awesome products again (of course, they still do, but even I, Miss "Rah-Rah" J. Crew has noticed a decline in many of the products' ability to last a long time).

Have a beautiful Monday (no, seriously, try to...)!

So What Can I Post with 20 Minutes? P.S. AppGal and Ashley, I Made Something for You All!

Oh, I know what I can do with 20 minutes! I can post two polyvores and post a pic of all of us at Tyson's from Sunday's JCA get-together. YAY! No time to comment back on the last post (well, except for my EXCEEDINGLY long explanation of why I wear petite tops that I wrote yesterday)...that will just have to wait...

Evening Primrose Cardigan Poem by dinagideon featuring J Crew

So my first polyvore (above) is for AppGal. She and Ashley said they wanted to see my poem to the Evening Primrose Garden Cardigan. I happily obliged. By the way, it is a TRULY awful poem, but the polyvore looks pretty!

Tysons 8/23/09 by dinagideon featuring J Crew

The second polyvore (above) is what I purchased at Tyson's at the DC JCA event on Sunday. I had a return and with the 20% the total wasn't truly terrifying, but yikes...I definitely have more than enough for this fall.

Which brings to me to a question I have...I am cleaning out my closet and I wanted to get rid of some things. I don't have enough J. Crew to sell to make it worth it to sell on the Weekly Exchange over at JCA, but I am thinking of doing a blog devoted to my items, it feels (at least right now) that it would be less pressure and less time consuming than ebay. What do you think? (So you know most of the items I would be selling would be in EUC--excellent used condition--and between a size 6 and size 12.) Thank you, Gigiofca, for the great idea!

Here are all of us at the event. Everyone looked so pretty and summery. I also love that Rex wanted to be in the shot, too. No crewcuts, though. (I know...I know...what was I thinking?)

Have a great day, all!

Anyone Interested in Some Reviews?

First...I wanted to let you know that I have commented back on this post and this post. I am still trying to find the time to comment back on this post, but I knew you all would prefer these reviews first!!!

To make my life simpler, I have compiled all the info on these items in a polyvore, so if you want to find them on-line, click on the polyvore, and then from there, the items should be easy enough to find at their respective homes (jcrew.com, banana republic, and ann taylor loft). Hope this is okay by you all..

Untitled by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Above is the polyvore. (And yes, I know it is kind of dorky, but I had a lot of fun creating it!)


This jacket is from Ann Taylor Loft. I saw this in the store about a month ago and fell in LOVE. I tried it on and saw that a small fit PERFECTLY. I didn't have enough money at the time to buy it, but as always, timing is everything, and a couple of weeks ago, the Loft was having a great sale (20 or 25% off), so I bit the bullet on this item. Like the downtown field jacket by J. Crew, I feel very saucy in this jacket...in a good way. Momma's going bad, girls. :) Just kidding...

Anyhow, this jacket is made of a lightweight, brushed cotton...very comfy and perfect for a early fall day (when the temps top out in the low 60s).


This is the ribbon-floral tee by J. Crew. It is a bit expensive at 45 dollars, but with my educator discount, it became a much more reasonable price.

Others have reviewed this (and if you have, can you mention it in the comments), and many have not liked it, especially in this color. I like this top and I like this color. I have almost NO tops in this color, so I have a definite need to have it, especially to wear as a base to jackets, etc.

I bought this in a small, and it is a nice fit...it stretched a bit through the day, but not too badly. The ribbon trim is very pretty, by the way, and secured very well onto the tee...no shoddy workmanship here.


The Eden blazer has also been reviewed a lot (please let us know if you have reviewed it), and here is my fit. I bought a PETITE 8, not regular. To me, this is perfect. This blazer has a very high-waisted fit, and I really appreciate them having the petites available, because this high waist actually fits me at my high waist. Phew! If it had been any lower, it would have fallen very poorly.

This is the copper color, which is very brick-like. I have very little in this color, so I am glad to own it...with many of my liberty print and boden outfits, this will be my go-to blazer. :) I am happy with this purchase.


Here it is, all open. I just thought you all would like to see this...

So I have always wanted to own a trench coat. Banana Republic had a FANTASTIC sale last week in which they offered a 25% off all items (even the sale items), and I saw this trench in the new arrivals and salivated. GORGEOUS. I also saw the Old Navy one that Gigiofca wore here last week, and well, suffice it to say, I now own a trench for the rain (Banana Republic) and one for the crisp, clear days of autumn (Old Navy--I will review it later).

Here is the trench all open, but belted. I really like the detailing. I think overall this jacket makes me look all classic...a bit of Casablanca, if you all don't mind the comparison.

I bought this in a small. I have noticed I have to size down in BR, as they are very GENEROUS in their sizing. :)


Here is the same jacket all buttoned-up. The jacket is made from cotton, but is one of those treated cottons that do very well in the bad weather. (In other words, perfect for VA in November.)


Oh, my love, the Camino coat in Dusty Blossom. SO pretty in the lookbook. And in real life, the double-cloth wool is so luxurious and soft and tightly-woven...bliss. I always feel so special when I wear my double-cloth coats.

I bought this in an 8. It does not come in petites or talls.

The double-breasted look is a tough one to pull off...but I think I am big enough that it doesn't look like I am wearing a football player's jacket.

This is what the coat looks like all buttoned-up. I love the buttons, and so everyone knows, the coat is made VERY well...there are no defects, holes, etc. I wish J. Crew could get their coat-maker to make everything they sell...


I also like the jacket buttoned-up but with the top buttons undone.


I should mention that there is a lot of room to layer under this coat...I could easily wear a thick sweater and a tee, no problem.

I cannot wait to actually wear it for real, and not just to review...I bet I can create some really pretty looks around this jacket.

Have such a very lovely weekend. I hope if you get to your local mall this weekend, that these reviews may have helped you a little bit!

Oh, the Tops...So Many Tops!!! (P.S. Cocodrillo Cardigan Alert!)

Okay...A LOT of reviews today. A LOT. So I will be sparing myself some grief and only put the barest of info. If you have questions, put them in the comments and I will (PROMISE) get to them. BTW, if you commented on this post or this post, I have written a response back.

Oh, and I am not wearing any makeup...and by the time I took pics of the downtown field jacket, well, let's just say my hair is a bit "wispy." You have been warned. :)


This is my actual outfit of today...The "uterus" shirt (which I see but prefer to see a bib necklace) in small, the summerweight bermuda shorts in a ten, and some knockoff capri sandals from Kohl's in 100.

I love this top. I think it is a great year-round piece. I am careful with it, but I will say the kids played with it and it was fine. So if you hesitate for that reason, take it from me, it's okay...


This is my hair today. I show it to you because as a young girl I always wanted french braids and my dad never knew how to do it, so I had to teach myself. Years later, I still amaze all my friends that I can french braid my own hair. As a SAHM, this is a nice, easy hair style, especially when it is AWFUL and HUMID outside. BTW, if I wasn't a natural dark blonde, I wouldn't have all those various colors in my hair. ;)


Okay...next...I bought this dress as a replacement to the twist dress. I LOVE the color plum raisin. I can see this in the winter with tights and boots and a fierce jacket. I bought this in a size small.

CW would not stop fussing...she is teething right now, poor dear...so I had to hold her for this shot. So cute!


I loved this when it came out, and sweet J'Adore These Stores reviewed it, but I was on the fence. I could NOT see paying full price for chiffon squares that would no doubt fray. But at 30 dollars, okay, we'll see. And I do like it. I especially like the color. I could see wearing this all mad men style, with a pencil skirt and maybe a belt around the waist. Hmm...

I bought it in a size medium. (That is my normal cardigan size.)


This Cocodrillo cardi is so darn cute. I will probably wear it open, with a tee or cami underneath, but I also like it all button up. This sweater, btw, is so comfortable, all cool cotton! I bought this in a medium.

Oh, and the willfah who hates this print? I warned you in the title, so don't complain about seeing it again...I did the title just for you! :)



Okay...if you click on the photo you will see me at three next to me now. It just makes me laugh. I put that pic there ages ago and didn't even think of it when I was taking the photograph. (Yes, Mr. Dina is at work and can't take my photos of me...boo!)

Oh, the headache be gone tee...everyone and their sister has reviewed this...too many to mention (if you have reviewed it, can you mention it in the comments so people can check your blog out)?

I find this to be the most NECESSARY tee I own. I get migraines so bad that I actually have been on medicine since they invented migraine medication (years and years ago). I am one of those rare people that started suffering from them when I was a kid (7 years old). I fear for my own kids, because not only do I suffer from them, so does my brother...obviously they are genetic. I even get the classic version...aura, nausea, sound and light bother me, ice-pick stabbing behind my right eye, etc.

I bought this in a small. Considering that it is such a bland color, I was sort of surprised that it looked okay on me. :) Must be because I need to wear it that much! This tee is retail only.


OMG. How I want to write poetry about this evening primrose cardi...it has great fit, fabric, and colors. Plus the print is absolutely too die for...

I bought this in a medium.


The downtown field jacket actually made me make this face...all insouciant. I feel kind of bad-a** when I wear it. Now, in the middle of summer, with shorts, it does look a bit ridiculous, but you get the general idea. ;) I bought a small and it fits so well. I cannot wait to really dress this jacket up with a pair of dark wash skinny jeans, boots, a beret, and a fitted tank. Then I will make Mr. Dina take me out to play pool. And there I will drink a beer. :)

Did this help you all? Good. Sorry I have no real "NEW" products, but umm, SAHM and B&M just don't mix...Sunday is just around the corner!

See, This Is What Happens When You Don't Sleep!

My darling daughter kept me up really, really late last night...late enough that I actually witnessed the J. Crew site updating their fall arrivals. Huh...less sleep? Well, okay...it just means that I spent a full hour clipping items for polyvore. Yeah, I know. This "grown-up paper dolls" obsession is a bit ridiculous.

But before I went to bed...at 1:20 am...I created this polyvore. I think I may have dreamed about Barney last night because of this...

Untitled by dinagideon on Polyvore.com

Then, this morning, my brother assured me he would be here at 7 am for a workout. Which he wasn't. Ugh. We have been spending a lot of time at the gym lately (X-Sport Fitness--the location nearest us ROCKS--OMG, wow, there is always something there to keep you moving), so I fully anticipated him coming on time. You know the punch-line, right? Yeah, he isn't coming till later. ERGH and DOUBLE ERGH.

I can't waste time (well, in the sense that I always want to be DOING something while awake), so I created this polyvore just fifteen minutes ago. The colors are spectacular. You pick the shoes. :)

Untitled by dinagideon on Polyvore.com

Oh, and my favorite piece from the roll-out? (Besides the tiered cami shown in both of my sets and the gorgeous necklaces from my sets?)

Well, the Liberty Ruffle Front Shirt that I pre-ordered way back in early July, of course. The question is...when will they send it?


Have a great morning, you all. Don't worry, I will take a nap today at some point...