Sunday, March 8, 2009

Nice Casual for a Warm Early Spring Day!


Sorry I didn't post at all yesterday (March 7, 2009). I spent the ENTIRE day outside with the kids and Jim. We spent the morning at Rex's classes at Lee District Rec Center (he takes a play class--weird, I know...and he takes an art class, in which Jim and I basically do everything). The afternoon was spent in Bethesda where Jim got his comics, we ate lunch at the fantastic Louisiana Kitchen (yummy Cajun), got our hair cut, and I got to visit a Japanese shop (I love cold Japanese green tea).

This outfit got me through it all...and stayed crisp and pretty the entire day. I actually received a compliment from the waitress (so sweet). All of the pieces I wore are J. Crew. The blouse is the Lydia blouse in peacock, size medium. The cardigan is the snow-leopard Tartine cardigan. The pants are my favorites, the colored-chambray cocktail capris in blush. The necklace is actually the seychelles necklace from last summer 2008 (scored on ebay). The sandals are actually from 2006...the sequin capri sandals in gold.

You can view this polyvore here: http://www.polyvore.com/nice_casual_for_warm_early/set?id=7052723


Here it is, full length. The blouse is quite blousy, but this really doesn't bother me too much...the halter means that it will fit my shoulders no matter what, and the loose bottom means that I can treat it like a tunic top, which is why I paired it with the capris. The cocktail capris started out the perfect fit, but by the end of the day had stretched a bit...but in that way that is comfortable versus annoying (like they were about to fall off). The capri sandals are pretty but not very practical. Just in case I was going to walk long distances, I brought a pair of plastic flip-flops. I didn't end up changing footwear, but I would have if I had needed it!


This is a close-up of the cardigan's print...so pretty! I wore the cardigan about half of the day. The other half of the day, it became too warm, so I went ahead and took it off and showed the Lydia off in all its glory!

I love this necklace and missed out on it in its original run. Guess it was a good thing, because I ended up paying less than 1/2 of its original price. SCORE! :) The beads are NOT glass, but plastic (which is really great if you have a teething baby--she loves it). The clasp is a precious seashell in gold with sea-colored gems. Very pretty and looked so nice with the Lydia. I thought all those ruffles on the blouse would mean I couldn't wear a cardigan or a necklace, but I was wrong, wrong, wrong. This may be one of my favorite outfits I have created yet!

Today is supposed to be pretty, too. I look forward to wearing the slub-cotton cottage dress, so I should have that review/outfit up on the blog either later today or tomorrow!

10 comments:

Patina said...

You looked fab! I have the lydia blouse in gray and white and have yet to wear either of them. It looks so cute under the cardigan.

ashley said...

Such a pretty pretty pretty outfit!!! Is that necklace a double strand necklace? It compliments the outfit so well! I hope you won't be mad if I end up copying this outfit one day!!! :)

Joyce said...

I found your review of the capri sandals helpful. I got a pair of silver metalic sandals from ATL last year and they are completely unwearable. I did not want that same experience with JCrew's. Now I'll reconsider. Thanks!

HeidiG said...

Fantastic outfit - love the colors!! Sounds like that outfit really went the distance, too. The blouse looks so great with the cardi.

sparrowsandsparkles said...

I *love* this! I wouldn't have thought to put those colors together under the leopard! It looks fabulous. Must get those cocktail capris... :)

KatyO. said...

so cute! :)

A said...

I *love love love* this outfit on you! I have the cardi too and find it goes with so many tops. The lydia looks wonderful with it and the necklaces add a really nice touch.

dinagideon said...

Shopaholicdiva1027: I would love to see those lydias with a cardigan...have fun and remember to polyvore it!

Ashley: Copy away, my friend! It was such a delight to wear!

Joyce: The Capri sandals were fine for a little bit of walking, but would have killed me if it was anymore than a mile or so. :) Glad to have helped!

HeidiG: Thank you so much!!!

Sparrowsandsparkles: I had a lot of fun creating this outfit...and those capris really made my body happy...so I definitely encourage you to grab them!

KatyO.: Thank you!!!

A Bigger Closet: This leopard cardi may be one of my best purchases ever...so vesatile! (And darling, too!)

Slastena said...

Dina!What a gorgeous spring like outfit. The necklace is to die for. It is the first time I see it IRL and I think it's to die for! Amazing purchase! I also like how you are using teh past pieces with current ones

dinagideon said...

Slastena: Isn't this necklace amazing? I actually like that it isn't glass beads...the necklace would be so heavy if it was!