Casual Outfits Mix and Match!

I have been GONE, both mentally and physically. I am sure some of you all figured it out by now...but I was away from home for TEN whole days around Thanksgiving. Every year we leave Northern Virginia and go visit Mr. Dina's parents down in Mississippi. This year is the longest we have ever gone, and if you can imagine, it was sort of a nightmare to pack for. On one hand, it can be downright HOT in the deep South in November, but then there are times (like last year) where it is COLD! Top that all off with the combo of fashion blogger and TEN days of outfits, and well, it calls for the big guns.

Mix and Match Packing List! by dinagideon featuring a flannel dress

I have talked about packing before in this Mommy Style Monday and I find that the color combo thing usually works quite well for me. This year I highlighted the colors purple, brown, grey, and olive. I also threw in a bit of blue for fun. Above is the polyvore of the vast majority of what I brought with me...and for the most part you will be seeing all the items in action. I wore most of the items twice, three times, and all the items were perfect for both casual and dressy. Unfortunately for me, I didn't bring enough warm weather clothing, so I did have to buy clearance shorts from the local department store (Belk), but that was only for the first two days I was there. I numbered all the pieces in the polyvore so that I could make it simple for me in these posts (this one I am writing now is on the casual outfits I wore and the one I will write later is on the dressy outfits I wore). If you need more info on these pieces, click on the polyvore. If that isn't enough info, comment here or at the polyvore and *eventually* I should get back to you. :)

In New Orleans, second day (we added on a night stay in the Big Easy this year--we always fly into and out of the Louis Armstrong Airport).  It was H-O-T that day.  I wore my Dauphine as a nod to Dauphine Street but I was BROILING in this photo.  I had to change after this morning, before we went to the Audubon zoo (which is fab, btw).

This outfit consists of pieces #11, #12, #22, and #8.  Yes, those are my A.R. Trapp for J. Crew Troubadour sunglasses.  Those come with me EVERYWHERE I go.  ;)

This is a combo outfit shot and review shot.  I ordered this Milly sweater a few weeks ago and in general, I love it.  Very feminine, very French, and very Emma Pillsbury.  C'est magnifique!  Only gripe I have is that the back collar area folds under (you can tell by looking at my upper right arm area), but I think if I wash it and lay it flat to dry, it should be fine.  At any rate, the tic was barely noticeable and I felt fab wearing this cute little knitted number.  I took it in a small.

Another pic, no hand on hip.  Don't you LOVE my husband's childhood room?  All those Star Wars posters?  ;)

Here is the full outfit, which consists of #7, #6, and #1.

Wore this outfit the last day I was there in Mississippi.  We went to see the latest Harry Potter (very, very good!) and I needed a cardi to keep warm and something comfy to sit in for all those hours.  I also had a migraine that day (hence no makeup), so I needed to not feel too fussy. By the time the movie started, the medicine I take had started to work, and the outfit felt great and I was able to really enjoy the show!  (The buttery popcorn I ate also helped...lol.)

I am wearing #3, #15, #13, and #1.

From the side.

Few notes about the pieces in this outfit.  The dream v-neck cardigan is starting to pill, especially under the arms.  This heathered nordic blue is such a great color that I will shave the heck out of this cardigan in order to wear it.  That said, if you are fussy about pilling, don't buy this cardigan in this color.  The sequin drizzle tank is CRAZY.  I have it here in a size PETITE 6 and it is WAY too big.  I had to basically pin my bra to the interior of the tank so my bra wouldn't show to the whole wide world.  The tank straps are made for someone with a far longer upper body than I have.  What would the regular size 4 or 6 look like on me?  Based on this, I say size down at least two sizes and make sure to get the Petite if you are short-torsoed.  I think the petite 4 or even Petite 2 would have fit my upper body much better (don't even get me started on the gaping arm holes).  As it stands, I have to sew the straps shorter to have this work without having to pin, pin, pin.  Irritating!  The glen plaid minnies are a size 8, and feel great.  I don't mind the way wool feels, though, so bear that in mind.   There is very little stretch in these so SIZE UP from your normal Minnie Pants size (my usual size is a 6).

The dressy mix and match is coming up.  I had a lot of fun dressing up while I was down there.  ;)

P.S. I want to say I am truly sorry for being missing in action lately.  I wanted to comment back on the last few posts, but honestly, I am lacking in energy.  I feel like it is a combo of a few things...my health (I feel fine most days in the AM, but by the PM I am ready to collapse, and the PM is when I usually post or comment), my general sadness (been feeling blue a lot lately, I don't know if it is the weather or what, but it has been hard to stay upbeat), and the fear of people coming to my blog and being mean (just don't have the will to deal with negativity right now, and honestly, there has been some knocking around at my favorite blogs lately and I really worry that it will come here and muck things up!).

Missed you all!!!

A Little More Catalog Love...

Happy Belated Thanksgiving all! We have had a great time, and when I get a bit more time (and that ever elusive mistress of mine, energy), I will post some festive frocks that I have been wearing this week!

Today I want to show off the next in the series of "Catalog Inspired" outfits. After realizing that two other lovely blogger friends of mine decided to try the same look out I wore in this last post, I have decided that every so often I will do a post where I take my fave catalog images and show them off "in real life style." (To see the other lovely blogger ladies, go to About All and Nothing at All and to Deco Aurora.)

(Oh, and for those of you who REALLY are digging this, check out a post I did on this very subject WAY back in early 2009, right around the start of this blog.)

Here is the image from the October 2008 "If" catalog. I remember receiving this catalog right around the time baby CW was born and just adoring all the styling. J. Crew really hit the perfect mix here, just enough preppy, just enough edge, and just enough lady-like. I believe other ladies adore this catalog as much as I do...I also know there are other images whose styling I might have to steal borrow.

At the time, the jacket was WAY WAY out of my price range and considering I had just given birth, I just said "no."

Fast forward to now...

On me, last week.

Jacket: Bought the Duchamp Print Astor Jacket on ebay for a song, granted it is a "line through label to prevent returns" kind of item, but other than the itsy-bitsy little line, the jacket is perfect. I bought it in a size 4, and the fit is spot on.
Top: I had bought this Snow Leopard Harlow Blouse in a size 10 on super-sale around January of 2009 (see it on me way back when), but then I lost the post-partum weight and it was suddenly too big. This summer a JCA was selling their size 4 for a really REALLY good price and I went ahead and grabbed it. :) The size 10 went to Mint Condition to make someone else's day.
Pants: Banana Republic from 2006. Near match to the ones in the catalog.
Shoes: These are flats, the Jane Suede flats from 2008. Also bought on super-sale. Admittedly the height of the heels in the catalog image are more flattering, but I wore this on a preschool run day, and I didn't want to have to be uncomfortable.

Anyone else willing to try this styling for themselves??? ;)

Wahoo! by dinagideon featuring an arbonne

Before I go, I wanted to let you all know that I am having a HUGE Black Friday sale with my Arbonne business. The polyvore above has some of the items on sale (although almost everything I sell is on sale in one form or another). If you are interested, take a look at the polyvore, or check out this blog post I wrote on the sale. I look forward to helping some of you with your holiday shopping!!!

P.S. You all have had some really nice comments lately. I believe that today I will respond to the last two posts, so if you have written something in the past two weeks, check out the comments a little bit later tonight, I should have gotten back to you by then. :) Thank you!!!

Review: Merino Strata Cardigan Plus Some SAHM Outfits...

Hi, all! I am going from all sparkly to all plain Jane with this post's outfits. :) LOL. No, no, not plain Jane, just a whole lot less "special."

There has been some talk about the Merino Strata Cardigan from J. Crew, and since I own it and have worn it, I figured a review was in order. In addition, I am showing three recent stay at home mom outfits, including today's which features the strata cardigan.

SAHM: A Little Bit of Roar... by dinagideon featuring cluster jewelry

Above is the polyvore of the outfit I wore today. All today had on tap was a visit to the mall to return the Lisette Lace Shift dress (it's SHORT!--maybe on super sale--but not at the price I got it--even if it included 25% off), and to do a price adjustment on the Lisette Lace Shell (which I bought on Monday night at fp, minus the educator discount--now it is $59.99!). I won't even bother talking about going to J. Crew except to say that Sofia who works at Pentagon City is really, really sweet to my very terribly behaved children (CW!).

This is a close-up of the top half of the outfit.

Sizes:
Cardigan: Size Extra-Small.  I really do love this cardigan.  I know it has received some negative reviews out there, but I find it quite feminine and flattering.  I couldn't wear the Maya cardigan, though, made me look really thick in the waist, so maybe the people who don't like this cardi are the ones who wore the Maya well.  The ruffling is higher than the Maya, so maybe I should be cinching higher when looking to flatter my upper body.  The pose I am doing shows how the buttons work, they are actually snaps that can gape when you pull out from the pose, as I am doing here with my hand on the hip.  That said, you really can't see the gaping from the front or the other side, so as long as you have a tank on under, you should be fine.

Love the seaweed color.  Just the right shade of green/blue.

The merino is nice, as well, similar to other merino cardigans I have from J. Crew.

Top: I have reviewed this already...go to this post for more info.

Here is the outfit on me, full length.  I think these jeans are so comfy, but honestly, I need to retire a few pairs that are just too baggy and saggy.  Comfort for me comes when I wear a size too big in my pants, but it looks terrible in photos.  Sigh.  I guess that is why I like the Minnies so much...they are fitted, but so very comfortable.

Close up of my jewelry and the color of the cardigan.

The jewelry is the Northern Lights necklace (which I know FFM LOVES!) and the factory cluster earrings.  There is a reason FFM loves this necklace...it is classic, beautiful, sparkly, and just the right amount of bling for a multitude of outfits.  Definitely can be dressed up or dressed down.  The earrings are seriously one of my TOP ten pieces of jewelry from J. Crew...and they are from the factory!!!  These are well-made and for those of you lacking silver-toned bling in your wardrobe, these little earrings might suit all your pewter dangly needs.

About a week ago it was NASTY and cold and rainy outside, and I figured this gingham sundrine flannel shirtdress would fit the bill in keeping me warm, and comfy cozy.  Adding the tights and booties helped me keep my figure from being all chopped up (I know the leggings look in my review post wasn't super-flattering--LOL).

This is the ultimate SAHM outfit.  The flannel cleans easily and the softness is nice for the kids when they want to snuggle with you (CW loves being carried--all 31 pounds of her--yikes).

Speaking of CW--SO CUTE, and BIG.  Remember when she was this small?

This is a SAHM outfit that Mr. Dina loved...he said I reminded him of a colorful, sassy, preppy girl.  That is his favorite kind of girl, I think.  :)

The jacket is an ebay win from a few weeks ago.  It is from Fall 2006, with wool from Robert Noble of Scotland (the Fiona has the same kind of wool).  The details on this jacket are pretty remarkable...they include a tie-repp lining under the collar (for popping!), an embroidered crest-looking thing on the interior of the placket, leather buttons, an adjustable waist, and contrast lining.  I think this may be a 6, but there was no tag, it had been cut out.  The shirt is the Liberty floral daze perfect shirt from last summer.  I purchased this in a size 4.  It is a lot of color, so I decided that the dark pewter Jackie shell would be the perfect solution to blinding all those who saw me that day.  I bough the Jackie shell in an x-small.  The jeans are another comfy pair (read: over-sized).  They look a bit less baggy because they are straight-legged, but still, I think retirement may be around the corner for these Levi's.  The shoes are some rain shoes from Mod Cloth.

Close-up of the upper half of the outfit.  Sorry about the blurriness.  I love my hair like this.  I wish it looked like this EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  I didn't even try to get it to look like this...just the perfect combo of brushing, shampooing,and great weather (no humidity).

Have a great Friday afternoon.  You all stop working as early as you can, whatever your work may be...SAHM, pilot, Army General, whatever.

Sequined Out in Camel and Black...

Yes, No, Maybe So? by dinagideon featuring hoodie tops

If you are a polyvore addict like I am, you may remember seeing this set Monday that I created. I needed to know whether I should wear it or not to go out with a good friend that evening...she was taking me to an album launch (her cousin just released an album of holiday music) and I was taking her to dinner. And because I never, ever get to go out with the girls anymore (well, rarely, anyhow), I wanted to splash out a bit.

The ladies of the polyvore world liked the set, so I felt like I had chosen well...

On me, before I was about to leave.

Sizes:
Top: Cashmere Cowlneck Sweater, Size Extra Small. When I see that anything that J. Crew makes comes in a size extra-extra small, I know to order the extra-small (which is a size down from the small that used to be my normal size). Except in bottoms, where I don't know if I would want to chance ordering a small (which would be a size down from my normal medium). I love the fit...I didn't need to open the buttons at the bottom of the hem, but I like the effect of the buttons being opened. The cashmere FEELS very nice this year, and softer than last year or the year before. I also have yet to see pilling on this item (although I did only wear it for four hours). Thumbs WAY UP. I will buy another (on super-sale) in another color, maybe the blue?
Skirt: Sequin Mesh Bell Skirt, Size 8. The 6 fit fine when I tried it on way back in August, but I like how the 8 allowed me to pull the waist down a bit for length. I was exceedingly comfortable all night, and that says something when you are wearing a skirt made of sequins.
Tights: C? From a drugstore. Comfy enough. I like that they are super-opaque and black...they worked nicely with the Alecias I am wearing on my feet.
Shoes: Size 9.5. Yay, my black suede Alecia peep-toes get to come back out now that it is colder...

I also wore the black ingenue coat, which was the exact right coat for the night and the outfit. It started to rain while we were at the album launch, and the coat plus the cashmere kept me nice and toasty.

Another view. Similar, yes, I know, but I kind of liked this shot. :)

I hope I can post tomorrow, that would be quite nice. We'll see just how busy I can possibly be in one day (answer? very!).

Summer Sun-dressing in the Fall...

Happy Wednesday! If all goes well, this will be my first of two posts today centered around sequins (and who doesn't love sequins--lol--just kidding, I am sure some of you are a bit over them, but to me, Miss Magpie, I don't know if that will happen).

I had a special event to go to over the weekend, and seeing how I had not gotten around to wearing the Painted Silk Bridget Dress, I really wanted to wear it. Problem? It is silk, one-shouldered, and clearly meant for the summer. It wasn't cold-cold, but it certainly wasn't warm, either, on Saturday. Enter a fab sequined jacket from ASOS.  Ah, perfection. Now I could wear a completely inappropriate dress and make it just a tad more appropriate.

Summer Sun-dressing in the Fall (with Sequins)! by dinagideon featuring j crew handbags

Above is the polyvore of the entire ensemble. The polyvore is a bit different from my polyvores of the past as I tried out the whole "make your polyvore look like an actual paper-doll" route. It was a bit difficult, but in the end, it almost works... :)

Sizes:
Dress: Size 8. The Painted Silk Bridget Dress was a J. Crew Collection item that I had bought in June (with some sale or another) and had intended to wear out while dining al fresco with my hubby. The one time I did that kind of date with him, I was feeling gross and kind of bloated, so the poor dress just sat in my closet all rejected feeling. I was not feeling gross and bloated on Saturday, however, I do believe my bandage on my leg gives a certain extra something special to the outfit. LOL. I should have bought these bling-ed out bandages instead. BTW, my hubby HATED the bubble hem of this dress but loved the rest of the outfit.
Jacket: Size UK 10, Size US 6. I think I may have bought this sequined boyfriend blazer for $35 dollars, with free shipping and returns. This jacket has convinced me that ASOS is a good company, but that said, the shipping was SUPER-SLOW, so bear that in mind if you buy something from them and it expect it on your door quickly. Having dealt with slow shipping from Boden in the past, I wasn't worried about it, but it can be frustrating if you have never bought from the UK before.
Shoes: Size 10.5 AA, Cole-Haan. Yum.

I wore my hair in a side ponytail just to be a bit different. I actually like it in this style.

The earrings are the fun dangly ones from Mickey last year.  I still love and wear them...a lot.  I also use the free daily calendar agenda they gave us as a Christmas gift last year, so I have to say, if they are still sending out free gifts, that daily calendar agenda would be fine by me!  (I am such a relic, actually "penciling" things into a calendar and not using a computer calendar instead.)  Not that anyone at corporate even reads this blog (I know, I have seen the stat counter)...lol.

You all have a great day.  Sequined outfit #2 up later today!

What Would Emma Pillsbury Wear When Faced with the Infamous Beltway?

"Oh, dear, Will...I believe our meeting will have to be delayed as I am stuck in just the most terrible traffic ever...the Beltway has beaten us."

It is incredibly fortunate that Emma and Will and their singing teen acolytes are in a suburban high school in Ohio and not in Northern Virginia. See if they were, they would never make it to regionals or nationals because they and their school bus would be forever trapped in the never-ending cycle of traffic that makes the DC region so (in)famous.

Here is how my conversation went with my dear bloggie friend Suzy:

"Suzy, I know that I was planning on meeting you in Montgomery Mall in Bethesda later this morning so you and I could meet up, I could give you your Arbonne catalog and samples and that gorgeous Madewell necklace that I sold you on the exchange, but I am afraid the traffic is too insane to even bear. By the time I got to the mall, I would have to say hi, throw the bag full of goodies at your hands from my open car window, and yell good-bye as I race off to catch the light so I can get back on the highway for my insane return back home. I believe, Suzy, that if I were to try and meet you in Richmond I could get to you faster. (Suzy laughs, and agrees.) Next time, I will take the hour and half trip to Richmond (100 miles door to door) to see you and not the two hour trip to Bethesda (20 miles door to door)!  I will resign myself to mailing your package to you instead."

I had been so excited to see her...I wanted to show off my babies, hang out in the mall, check out the new arrivals at J. Crew, and show off my Emma Pillsbury inspired outfit. Sadly this was not to be. (SHAKES delicate, glass-beaded bracelet wrist at the back-up on 495.)

WWEPW My Take... by dinagideon featuring a cluster necklace

Anyhow, this is the polyvore of an Emma inspired outfit that only my kids and a WHOLE bunch of random strangers were able to see at Tysons (le sigh, it seems I always end up at Tysons for shopping).

Emma Pillsbury wore a similar outfit a few weeks back and WWEPW blogged about it soon thereafter. And then the cardigan went on sale...whee!

And on me...before I realized what my day was to hold. I would have been better off in an orange reflective vest and a green utility jumper. At least that way I would have been better dressed to help the construction workers out...

Sizes:
Cardigan: Pick A Bunch Cardi, Anthropologie, Size Small. Very fitted and short. Definitely size up if you are long-torsoed.
Skirt: Double Serge Pencil Skirt, J. Crew, Bronzed Ochre, Size 6. The 4 fit, but way too closely...I felt like an extra in the secretarial pool over at the Mad Men set in the smaller size. LOL.

I did buy a blazecoat at the Tysons J. Crew. They were running a 25% off special, so I bit. I bought a 2. That coat runs really large. A lot of you all will probably be sized out.

For Sale Items 11/15/10... by dinagideon featuring j crew tops

I hope you all have a great day...just so you know, I have some stuff on sale...go ahead on over to my polyvore and check out the pieces, sizes, and prices.  :)

Boden Bliss...

Dinagideon is in busy, busy land lately! Sorry for the absence! :) Just out and about, but unfortunately for my poor blog that means a lack of posts and commenting back. Le sigh.

Clearly today's post is brought to you by the letter "b," as I am not only busy, but I am in Boden bliss. Why? Well, not only is today's outfit one of my personal favorites ever from this British bastion of bodacious blouses, but yesterday, my dear friend Johnnie B. sent me a $25 gift voucher to be used on any purchase between now and the end of the month. Best part? No minimum amount required AND I could use it with another promo! So what did I do? I used it last night to buy my daughter and I some outerwear. Right now there is an e-mail circulating (and probably in some catalogs, too) that if you buy 2 items, you get your 3rd for $1. This is one of the best that Boden offers as you can buy three nearly the same priced items and receive a huge % off (do the math, you'll see). The three items I got were $88 a piece, which equals $264, but after the offer, it goes down to $177. Apply a $25 gift voucher and all of sudden what was $264 is now $152, or a savings of around 42%. That includes free shipping and returns, btw. So yes, I am a bit in Boden bliss today. :)

Boden Bliss... by dinagideon featuring stretch tights

Above is an outfit I wore on Sunday (when I made the decidedly serendipitous trip to Mint Condition). The coat is from Mod Cloth and as soon as I saw it back in September two thoughts ran through my head: "Ooh, that looks like an Emma Pillsbury coat," and "It will be mine."

Mr. Dina loved the dress.  It got nearly the same reaction as my jeans and tee combo from a few weeks back.  I am wearing this Retro Spot Tunic in a UK size 10 or US size 6.  I like that the length finishes where it does...too short and I would have to wear it with pants and too long and it would be A LOT of that print.  ;)

Rex is not picking his nose.  It only looks like he is.  I have no idea what he is thinking in this shot...

This was supposed to be a full-on side shot, but Baby CW came in and decided to shoot her historical re-enactment gun at the window.  She must have seen a deer.  LOL.  (Her Pops--grandpa--is a deer hunter.)

With the Mod Cloth coat.  It is called a "Coat fit for a queen," but it's just fine as a "Coat fit for a SAHM mom who spends way too much time worrying about her clothing."

You all have a fab night.  I will talk with you all sometime soon.  Promise!  ;)