ROYGBIV: Yellow. I Think I Like Yellow.

The phrase "I think I like yellow" may just be my most understated phrase of this year.  :)  I think based on the fact that four of my postpartum outfits have been in this overly bright shade (not necessarily the best for shrinking into the walls, so to speak), I would dare say my LOVE for this shade is fairly obvious.  (And this doesn't even include the many number of outfits I just didn't have the energy to bother taking a photo of...)

I am starting with the most recent outfit and then going way back to when I had just barely had Gus and moving forward from there.

This color will always have its fans (clearly), but it is meant to be one of the colors from this season, based on my very (un)scientific research at J. Crew.  For example, check out the Lucille dress in (yellow) lace (also on AppGal!), the Basket Weave Shift Dress (as seen on Ginger Girl), the Lace Stripe Shell (which reminds me of the top in my last outfit--sort of), the citron sequin mini (if you can afford it, ouch!), and for the stripes fans, the Stripe Linen Open Stitch Sweater.

I have recently been turned onto the sort of editorial photography that other blogs have.  Now as a SAHM who just had a third kid, I can't really go out and act all fashion modely, nor would I think any of you expect me to, but I kind of dig it when I can get my hubby to grab a photo of me on the go.  Now granted...he has a really LOW threshold for BS, so if it takes more than three shots, he throws in the towel and says, "it's good enough."  ;)

This was on shot one, and it was fine, I really liked it, he did a good job grabbing my shadow and the trees of his work's courtyard.

(BTW, I do some editorial type photos with my SLR or Point and Shoot's timer mode, and those are fine, but honestly, it is a real pain in the neck, and again, require that I have the time.  Ha.  Time. More like naptime.)

Info on the outfit is in the photo.  All of these pieces I wear again and again and again.

Aw, I was probably three weeks postpartum here.  I just remember being so happy I hadn't sold those J. Crew bright yellow cord pants after I lost the weight from having CW. 

These pants literally only fit for a few weeks this time around (they were definitely worn way more than that after CW), but I really enjoyed wearing them again.  I should have probably grabbed them in a smaller size when I had the chance, but it's fine.  Maybe I will wait until the garment dyed toothpicks go on sale.

CW really liked that we had matching fabrics on her dress and my top (factory printed cap sleeve blouse).  These are both from the factory, and both still available.  The shirt I have is one that the factory does exclusively and has done for years.  I have this shape top in multiple prints, including this one (paisley). I am a sucker for these and buy at least one a year.

The outfit, no shades.

My brother took the four of us out for yummy sushi that afternoon.  I was so excited to have tuna for the first time in a real long time.  (And a migraine headache, too.  Blegh.  Gotta take the good with the bad, I suppose.)

I think the moonbeam sequined blazer is awesome, just that little bit of bling every everyday kind of outfit needs, right?  ;)

Mr. Roy G. Biv presents Yellow. by dinagideon featuring cotton blouses

Above is the polyvore of the outfit.

A few days after I went out for sushi, I felt like it was about time to bring out my Madewell v-neck tee that I bought on super sale.

I think we were headed out that evening to Potomac Mills or some such, but regardless it was definitely some sort of mundane task all parents have to do at some point or another.

Quick fact--we go to the grocery store and spend more money than I EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE on snacks for children.  Mr. Dina's portion of the groceries?  10% tops.  My portion ('cause breastfeeding makes me ravenous)?  20% tops.  Rex/CW?  70%, mainly in the uncrustables/fruit snacks/cheez-its/juice boxes/apples variety. 

You can open up the photo to see the info on the pieces.

All are still available, including (surprisingly!) the downtown field jacket which J. Crew made in the fall of 2010 and has continued to make is now sold out.  They know a winner when they see it, I guess.

J. Crew Field jacket (well it was available not that long ago, le sigh).
Boden Flowerburst Scarf.
Madewell v-neck pocket tee (it is another color, but close enough).
Garnet Hill modern knit pants.
Target venda jeweled ballet flats.

No jacket.  I have to say if you can find the downtown field jacket, give a try.  I wear it a lot in the fall and spring when it is just cold enough to need something and there is a threat of rain (the coat has a special wax coating which repels the rain).

I think my pompadour hairstyle made me feel kind of like a bad a**, so I chose to set the timer and do my best "model" shots.  This was literally taken the day after the last outfit pictured above, so again about four weeks postpartum.

It was necessary for me to wear the downtown field jacket again, we were heading out for CW's dance class, but by the end of the class it was warm enough for me to take it off.

Only Boden's Uptown Heels are currently available...I did a review of them here if you like them (from the same outfit, btw, your eyes are not playing tricks on you, it just took me that long to get the outfit of the day photos in an actual ootd post).  (Oh, and I always wear my uptown with my downtown.  I mean, wouldn't you?)

This is an ancient Banana Republic bag that I bought for some ridiculously good price at a consignment shop.

Thumbs in pockets.  I have to retry these pants on...I suspect they might be a bit too big in the waist now, but I do really like them, maybe enough to tailor?  Initially I thought I would just resell them, but now I am rethinking it.

And since this is a yellow themed post, I think it is best to end with this photo showing off the daisy eyelet top from the last time J. Crew really got into yellow, the summer of 2008.

Bonus points if you didn't look at the above shot and lol at my hair, although if you did, I am lol-ing with you.  ;)

Anyone else have a big crush on yellow?

J. Crew Factory: Inspiring Me Now.

I recently, because I have decided to enter the year 2000, have discovered the "prt sc" button on my computer's keyboard.

And because polyvore won't "clip" images for me to use in my polyvore sets when J. Crew and all the others use Adobe Flash Player for their cool outfit looks they often publish on the front pages of their websites, I decided I needed to figure this junk out already.

And here's the thing...you all, the most savvy or at least semi-computer literate out there, have been doing this "print screen" thing for years...and the pin didn't drop for me until. three. weeks. ago. when I accidentally touched the "prt sc" button instead of the backspace button, and a little photo appeared at the bottom of my screen that said "screen shot saved."*  BING!  Aha!  So that's how all those bloggers got the awesome images of outfits and models and catalog shots that I couldn't save or clip to polyvore, etc.

*It saved an e-mail I was writing to Mr. Dina one day...the day I was REALLY mad at him.  Heehee...I now have physical, photographic proof that I am capable of sticking up for myself.  ;)

Those of you who have been doing this for years, my hat is off to you.

And yes...I was the girl who worked at both Babbages and Software, Etc. back in 1993 and 1994.  I fear my "hot computer girl" cred will go down the tubes by admitting I just discovered the "prt sc" button, but to be fair, back in 1993 and 1994 most computers were big hulking machines with a mouse running on its mouse wheel to keep the processor, you know, processing.  LOL.  ;)

Okay, so what is this HUGE aside about me being a computer not so nerd leading towards?

I really really love many of the clean, classic, and fun, colorful looks that my favorite retailers are coming out with, and since I love to have the images for my polyvore account so I can create outfit sets (inspiration, you all!), I figured I would just say "stuff it" to Adobe Flash Player and screen shot the heck out of my faves and publish them here on my blog.

So tonight is J. Crew Factory, but I have images from regular J. Crew, Boden, and Madewell that I will be publishing soon enough...

And as long as the companies keep coming up with adorable outfit ideas and pretty catalog images, I will continue to keep publishing posts like this!

#6--This was from April's rollout of Factory items.  I have this retail skirt (Paisley Pencil Skirt from Summer 2012) and (like many JCAs) a plethora of striped tees, so this will be a no brainer.  Now if I could do my hair and makeup like that, I will be one happy lady.

#7--Same rollout as #6 above.  Lots of folks have the Victoria cami from 2008, and it was nice to see them re-issue it in the factory nearly four years later (even if it was in poly).  I liked the idea of wearing it on its own with shorts and heels, very pretty and unexpected for the summer.

#11--April rollout, again.  The casbah print was wonderful from last year, and I love that they did this in a pencil skirt.  I own the silk top so I didn't get the pencil skirt, but I like the thought of a slight pink pattern with the casbah.  Lots of bloggers have this skirt, I would love to see one of them try this.

#8--April, again.  Simple, clean lines, and chic.  Looks like blonde Audrey Hepburn 2012.

#4--Last one from April.  This look can be easily replicated with my silk casbah top, would likely have done it anyhow, but I like the reminder.  :)

#8--This is a look from the current rollout (May).  I think Angela looks beautiful here in this simple pairing of perfect accessories and colors for the bold paisley printed pants.

(Angela, like Edda, is one of my most favorite J. Crew/Boden models, so I love seeing her modeling again.  J. Crew is smart to pick up on the love many of us have for the old school J. Crew models.  Now if only they would bring back Vanessa.)

#11--This is also May 2012.  Now I would normally have never put this look together myself, but I love the idea of a tunic with a shorter skirt, if it comes out looking like this.  We'll see if I can try and do this with any of the pieces in my wardrobe.  I love those wedges, too (the Maryanne Leather Wedges).

This is what the outfits look like all together on the main page of the factory site (after you click "women" from the front page).  The one above is all the April 2012 outfits.

What have you been inspired by from J. Crew factory lately?

ROYGBIV: Orange. Doesn't Rhyme with Anything.

Well, I guess I could technically have put in half of the outfits from the last ROYGBIV post because really what is the color modern red? Truly looks red in the near dark, but in actual light is a really good friend of orange. Probably best described as a "RORANGE" kind of color, little red, little orange. Whatever, I still love it, they could call it poopy doo creamsicle and I would still wear it.

I have two outfits for this post, but I already published one of them, so I will just link back to that post rather than re-posting.  *Because I am lazy.*

The photo has the info, but I will mention some bits about the pieces.

The sweater was really popular in blog land, but I seemed to keep missing it at its really good sale price, and since I knew other people were getting it for almost half off of the original price made me irritable (or it could have been the end of the pregnancy hormones which was when I bought it), I chose to wait until it was the price I knew I could have it at.  Of course I had to wait for a popback, but one morning, very early, I found the boatneck popover in my size and in the orange (TRUE orange) color.  Yay for patience and a being just a little bit crazy.

The rest of the outfit is old, old, old.  Just in case you all didn't realize it, I actually re-wear a ton of my clothes.  It may seem that I have new pretty shiny things all the time, but that is because I just like to show off the new and pretty.  :)  In fact, I rarely buy new pants or shorts.  Eh, just can't feel the love for most of those because most of those just give me sadness...when you can't fit into pants because your thighs are too big, it sort of makes wanting to get new pairs in favor of your old not really a great idea.  Dresses?  Tops?  They seem to fit fine, so I get more of those. 

Okay, rant done.  Don't know why I felt I needed to talk about it, I just did.  Do you have any piece of clothing that gives you sadness because you find it hard to work on your body?  I am really curious.  I sometimes feel alone in my frustration with my body.  Probably because I spend most of my time talking to my husband (he who is super thin and can wear anything) and my toddlers (they don't care if something doesn't fit, always amazes me).  Also do you buy certain types of clothes because they always seem to fit, regardless of other issues you may have with the rest of your body?

That necklace, the scattered glass necklace, is easily my most worn piece of jewelry.  LOVE.  J. Crew should remake that necklace for those of you who missed out on it initially.

I don't think I would ever do a pixie cut, but I am not overwhelmingly disgusted by my face with a short look.  (There is a bun in the back...was a preschool run day, so it made my life easier to have it up.)

End of the preschool run.  My hair and my sweater were still in decent shape.  The jeans were about to fall off, but they stretch out a LOT.  I love them, but I think I need to go to my non-postpartum pair (I have them in size 30, too, these 32s are for after I have the bebes).

This was the first time I had let Gus ride forward in the Bjorn, he loved it.  Mr. Dina says that it looks like he is a vestigial appendage of mine, like a third arm or an extra finger.  LOL.  I guess.  (Such a freaking weirdo, that's my hubby!)

Mr. Roy G. Biv presents Orange. by dinagideon featuring j crew handbags

Above is the polyvore of this outfit.

Okay, so this post has the other orange outfit.  That said, it did have an indigo piece, so I would have still been confused on which post to include it in, so I guess it is good I published it early so I wouldn't break my brain.  ;)

You all have a great day.  Talk with you soon!

Boden Weekly Review Roundup: Business As Usual.

Good evening, all!  It's been a good week here in Boden land.  I am sure many of you enjoyed the triple deals at Boden this past weekend (one of which is still going on--the 30% off select styles--that one expires on the 18th).  I didn't have the budget to get anything, but if I had I would have likely gone for the red lovely eyelet dress from the Limited Edition line.

I did read from a blog friend, CC, that she had received an e-mail announcing that she could purchase 3 items full price and receive the fourth for $1.  These are common in Boden, and I have definitely enjoyed them in the past.  I did receive the e-mail, but again, I am not able to purchase much right now, so I will likely not use my offer, but I was able to get the code, which is XI47 for you to use if you need to (put it in the shopping bag page in the code box when you are ready to check out).

As usual, my sidebar coupon is still good for all items (except those on 30% off or in clearance), so if you only have one or two items to get, that would be the coupon to grab.  I also will include that coupon at the bottom of this post for any of you on a mobile device.

One last thing...I really hope that on Saturday morning we have a new promo, maybe a diminishing discount?  I recall there being one last May about this point and those diminishing discounts are fab--really good % off to start and slowly getting less awesome as the days continue.  I'll cross my fingers that this happens!

Okay, onto the roundup!

Regular Boden:

Fun Jersey Dress.  I wore this way back when I was really pregnant, so it is nice to do an IRL review when it fits like it is meant to.

I am wearing the size 8 regular, and it fits wonderfully, not too loose, but definitely the right amount of "fitted" for my bodice.  I can see why this one is all sold out (really, there are popbacks, but when you go to the item page, it is really insane how little is left, even in petites).

This is how I knew it was a homerun...Mr. Dina was all, "ooh pretty, I like that one on you."  I was surprised, I thought for sure he would hate the flowers.  Men are sort of surprising.  I never know what he will love or hate.

Front view.  Hits at one inch above the knee, so I could see this as being a wonderful teacher dress, utterly comfortable, fairly conservative, and just the right amount of casual dressy.

Back view doesn't make me look especially wide, even through the hips, so that means the shaping is done nicely.  Good work, Johnnie and co.

I laugh out loud at my face.  I think I need to give this picture to Lisa of Respect the Shoes for her next outtakes post.


Fun Jersey Dress.  If I had the funds, closet space, and it popped back, I would so buy the pink in my size or even the size 6 regular.  It is so pretty.


Woven Trim Jersey Dress.  Egyptomaniac showed off an ootd post with her new love, this dress.  She also does a mini review of one of the other colors (hint--it's BRIGHT!). 


Stripy Tunic.  School Gate Style is perfection in this tunic, pairing it with skinny jeans and a really lovely white scarf. 


Must Have Jumper.  Poppy's Style shows off the pretty quail egg colored version for us in her cute, casual, and slight preppy ootd.  :)


French Knot Skirt.  Lolcatgirl left me a comment at the last BWRR which included a link to an IRL photo of it in an outfit  (photo one and photo two) and a photo of it showing its true color (very helpful!).  She also had this to say about the skirt: French Knot Skirt in Pewter, Size 6, color has a purplish cast. The product photo is more accurate than the outfit photo.

Woven Trim Vest.  Lolcatgirl incorporated this tank top (called vest in the UK) in her outfits, including the one with the skirt, and one with the skinny jeans.  She has this to say: Woven Trim Vest in Truffle, Size 6. Not very fitted. Product page is accurate. They must have used clips or pins in the outfit with the French Knot Skirt.  (This product is not in my affiliate program, to see availability, click on the link I embedded in the name.)

Skinny Jeans.  Lolcatgirl provided a great photo of these for us.  I rarely get IRL reviews of Boden pants, so this is very helpful to us that have been a bit nervous to try them out.  (This product is not in my affiliate program, to see availability, click on the link I embedded in the name.)

THANKS Lolcatgirl!  :)


mini Boden:

Rough Applique T-Shirt.  I showed you all this in the same review post that my fun jersey dress appeared, so clearly Rex and I are harmonious in what we wear.  :) 

I post this mainly to show how well mini Boden tees hold up...I believe we have washed this at least four times since February 1st and you can see how well the applique and color stands up to washing and drying.


Rough Applique T-Shirt.  This one is on 30% off, so it is $19.60.  Good price for a shirt that will stand up to what your kid will put it through. 

Clearance Boden:
 
Trimmed Velvet Blazer.  Poppy's Style got this adorable blazer in clearance for $41.40.  WOAH!  That's a great price for a really nice jacket.  Good score.  There are a few left.  :)

Alright it is really late at night.  So tired. :o  <-----That's me emoticon yawning.

For mobile users, here is the 15% off coupon that is running in my sidebar.  You do not need to be a new customer to receive 15% off with free ship and returns.  The only thing new customers get is the beach bag (really cute and kind of wish I could have one, lol).


Night night!!!

ROYGBIV: Red. A Whole Lot of Red.

Ooh, yeah.  So I have something like 6,000,243 312 outfits of the day to publish, and I have no desire to actually publish them all in their own individual posts, so Mr. Roy G. Biv is gonna help me out.  Today is R's turn, let's take a look at the outfits that focused on red.

(Although in the world of J. Crew/Madewell, Red could be Orange as far as they are concerned.  I mean modern red?  Totally gets the side eye from me for not really being "red.")

In order, from earliest to newest...

Dress: Madewell, Gazette Shirtdress.  Thumbs up from me for being perfect for a nursing mom, easy access to the "goods" without being all in your face about it.  At some point I will do a mommy style monday about great dress options for nursing moms, and I will definitely highlight the humble shirtdress.

I bought this dress on super sale in a size 6.  I was 3 weeks postpartum here and it fit perfectly, so if you see this dress popback, know that it runs large.  I like it all loose like this, even now, but if you prefer a closer fit, size down at least one or two sizes.

Earrings and Bag: J. Crew.

Shoes: Cole Haan.

Pockets are nice.  Can be closed with the flap, but I don't like the look that way, so I just tucked the flap in.

My friend Ellen took me out for Mexican food as a way of welcoming me back into the real world.  I had a nice, big margarita and it tasted R-E-A-L good.  Tasty.

Jacket: J. Crew.

Mr. Roy G. Biv presents Red. by dinagideon featuring j crew handbags

Above is the polyvore of the outfit.

Hat: J. Crew Factory.  Yay, Hipster.

Top and Sandals: J. Crew.  The sandals, btw, are the Kira printed sandals.  I sort of "bit" on the whole apple print thing, but I do actually wear them, so there you go.  I bought these in my tts J. Crew size, 9.5.  They are made well, almost all leather, and were comfy from first wear.  Shopwithm did a review here.  :)

Skirt: Gap Maternity.  Yeah, I was 4 weeks postpartum here.  You all feel that, right?

Sunglasses: Target.

Baby Carrier: Also red (!!!), Baby Bjorn.  I have had this for-freaking-ever.

BTW, that is a Pepsi Throwback in my hand.  Oh, yeah, that is some fine drinking there.  They use the formula from 1984 or some such (real sugar, you all) and my goodness, so perfect.  I only drink one or two of these a week, but man, addictive.

Oh, and I was at a teeball game.  Rex is in his second year of barely listening to the coach.  (I kid.  That was last year.  He listens 65% of the time now.  That's progress, people.)

We later hung out and went to lunch, so I had my handbag with me.  This is a really old school J. Crew bag, the Anya bag, which they renamed the Peyton bag.  I don't get it, whatever.  Anya bag here on Vanessa in the Paris Catalog...Peyton bag that I own.  Do you all see any difference other than color?

Sweater: J. Crew Factory.  You all remember that crazy insane sale they had a few weeks back where the entire factory site was 50% off and then we could take an additional 30% off on top of that?  I got this sweater which was originally $70 for $10 (or some crazy amount near that).  I don't own many cotton sweaters as our climate doesn't really call for summer sweaters, but I do like them every so often, and this color is DELISH.

Top and Necklace: J. Crew.

Jeans: Seven for All Mankind.

Shoes: Target.

I wore the top because CW is still enjoying the matching momma/daughter thing.  She is going to outgrow that top soon.  Sadness.

Angus won't likely wear her little teeny liberty print shirt, so unless there is another little girl in my future, we will need to hold onto the shirt for CW when she has daughters.

Angus was just under one month old here.  The info on the file says we took it on 4/23 which would have made him 29 days old.

Ah, all the info in in the picture.  :)  Yay for remembering to do that.

The photo says 4/24, so again, around a month postpartum.  

The Tippi sweater in Orchard print is lovely and is the same print as the kira sandals.  I bought an extra small.  It fit fine at 5 weeks postpartum, but will likely fit me way better next year when I have lost the last ten pounds off my frame.  Gigi did a fab review of this sweater (she also links to a million other reviews).

The necklace is the orbit necklace, the big sister to the mini orbit in the outfit above this one.  This is a whole lot of necklace, honestly.  Do not purchase unless you like statement necklaces (which I clearly do).  Gigi has some close up of this necklace here.

Okay, you all, that's it.  Mr. Roy G. Biv will be back with Orange soon.  (And not modern red, although I could get away with it.  Feh, J. Crew.)