Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Sara Dress (at the Outlet) Versus Saturday Twist Dress (On-Line Only)...

Thank you everyone for your patience with me. I had issues getting these photos onto my computer because my compact flash card reader futzed out on me last night. GGGGGRRRRRRR. If I was rating the compact flash reader, it would receive negative stars...I was that mad. >:(

So, I start with the good...


As AppGal has mentioned before, I LOVE the Sara Dress that J. Crew offered back in their stores and on-line in January of 2009. Then the darn dress PROMPTLY sold out in my size in every single color. I lost out because I didn't want to spend the $88.

Well, I think someone likes me up there because I walk into the factory store in Indiana and spy this Sara dress in a bright, beautiful, saturated purple color. Back when they were offering the Sara dress at the "real" J. Crew, it only came in navy, grey, and black (if my memory serves me right). So, by waiting, I was able to buy the same dress (maybe in a thinner fabric--whatever, I run hot) in a great, vibrant color. SCORE.

And as you can see, it really wears well. VERY flattering cut, and even though it is an empire-waist dress, it doesn't make me look pregnant...

UNLIKE... (Drumroll, please...)

THE SATURDAY TWIST DRESS!


Okay, I know I don't look pregnant in this shot (actually I quite like the look from the front...great for the beach or the park)...


And I don't look pregnant from the back...love the look from the back the best...I really like the shape it creates on me...

So why didn't I keep this well-made, good fabric, beautiful plum raisin colored dress?


Because no matter how I stood, arms down, arms up, arms crossed, arms praising our Lord in Heaven above...I still managed to look three months pregnant.

And as you all know...Miss Dina worked way too hard these past twelve months to look fierce and lose the postpartum look...sorry, J. Crew...it's a dud!

Now, if I do get pregnant again, you can bet your bottom that I will be all over Ebay to find this dress...but right now, Momma needs the money for this weekend (yay for DC JCA get-togethers!)...

Umm, if you still want to buy it...look here. ;)

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Dina, I have been following all that has been going on over the past week and am so happy you are continuing to blog. Your blog is perhaps my favorite because of your honesty and great attitude. The comment you made yesterday on JCA really resonated with me as I come to terms with my family's new financial situation as well. Over the past year I really took advantage of the JCrew sales to restock a closet desperately in need. And I got sucked into buying some things that I'm not so in love with now because of they were so marked down. I've also gotten sucked into the excitement of the rollouts every month and probably gotten some things I wouldn't have normally because of of fears that things would sell out or because I got sucked into the buzz. Anyway, I am going to try to do what you are doing, buy only what I have to have (to the tune of one item per month) and pay closer to full price for things that I know I love. It heartens me to think that you will be doing the same. Good luck to us both! Your kids are lucky to have you at home. Enjoy, and keep up the great work with the blog. You are truly an inspiration! (And thanks for keeping Anon comments).

cmf221 said...

love the sara dress on you. that color is beautiful!

Kathy said...

That Sara dress looks GORGEOUS on you! I love the gold accessories! I agree the other is a pass.

AppGal said...

oh i'm so happy you held out for the sara dress and got this BEAUTIFUL purple color! how beautiful is this on you?!?! (the answer: VERY!) do you mind me asking how much the outlet version was?

what a disappointment in the saturday twist dress! boooo! i saw it, was indecisive about it, but thought, "hey! it's a knit dress from jcrew! surely i'll love it!" but am glad I held off on it. homegirl doesn't need to be looking preggo right now, hehe :)

HeidiG said...

don't laugh...but do you still have it the Saturday dress or did you already return it? I am way curious to try it on. I wonder if my shoulders would let me carry it....

Love love love the purple Sara dress on you - gorgeous!!

Summerilla said...

Love the Sara on you - I saw it at the factory and almost bought it in the dark brown color but passed on it... I've been thinking about it forever though and wish I would have bought it. The purple looks beautiful on you.

I thought the saturday dress was cute but passed on it because I thought it would be too low cut on me... didn't even think of the preggo looking part.

YAY Can't wait for this weekend seriously!

Patina said...

oh, i love the sara dress on you. I love, love, love your shoes. perfect outfit...you look beautiful

Unknown said...

Ooh! You look smashing in that color. Boo on the Saturday twist dress.

GingerSnap said...

What a darling dress, you look so pretty and that purple color is beautiful on you!

Also, I'm also so happy that you continued to blog - I would hate to think that a couple of meanies could keep you from posting! I love your blog - keep it up :)

ashley said...

omg that purple color is beautiful on you! :) definitely start stocking up on that color! looks great!

GlobeTrotter said...

Purple is your color you look gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Loved the Sara dress on you, the color is great.
Keep the positive attitude coming.

Anonymous said...

Thats a sweet color on you! I couldnt really tell what shoes you were wearing with them? Are they from jcrew?

Chanel Fashionista said...

OT - I just saw that you posted on another blog that you have the frances top in the sage green. Is the color how it looks online? Do you like it more than the deep rose? I have the red but have been trying to decided if I'd rather have the green! thanks!

Ann said...

Dina--the Sara dress (style and color) look terrific on you! I have it in the charcoal color and love it...the purple makes it somehow much more eye-catching and less basic, if you know what I mean. Great find!

Marietta said...

The Sara dress looks amazing on you, and you totally rock purple.... what a fabulous color for you! :-)

MC said...

Whoa, that violet color is perfection on you!

dinagideon said...

Anon at 2:31: Wow...that makes me feel great...I love that I can have a kindred spirit. :) I am going to spend some money this weekend, but I have planned it out so I can be more reasonable in what I spend. Also, like you, I bought A LOT last year in the hohoho and turkey sales, and some of it doesn't even fit me or look good on me. I think in september I will be putting things up on the exchange from last year...so if any of you ladies are a size 10 or 12, be prepared, a lot of my winter goodies from last year are going up for sale!

I kept the anon comments because I respect your decision to remain in private...I truly wish that people who don't like me and my blog could just go away. Stop visiting if you can't say anything nice or constructive, really! (But, as you are probably aware, those people now are being called willfah by me...check out my comments on the previous two posts if you want to learn more...)

Have a great day!

Kate: Thank you! I never expected to enjoy wearing this shade of purple...huh...

Kathy: Yes, that twist dress was a pass...blegh. Stupid stylists not trying the dress out on a non-size two model. :)

AppGal: I am so fortunate. It was less expensive, lighter fabric, and this awesome color!!! Just in case you missed my comment to you on FB, it was 50 dollars or so!

HeidiG.: By now, you know I returned it already, but I know that it will go on sale...probably down to 30 dollars...which is the amount it is worth because of bad styling. :)

Summerilla: I tried on the brown too but the purple was a STUNNER. I think the twist dress was low cut but not too bad...even on you I bet there would have been a pooch and you are tiny!!!

Patina: Thank you so much!!!

dinagideon said...

Gigiofca: Thank you...it is truly a great feeling and looking outfit. :)

Gingersnap: AKA as my happy go lucky girl (I think of you as being as sunny as me...I can tell from your smile)...I appreciate your kind words...I know now that I have to continue, for me, for you all, and this is the #1 reason, for my sweet little girl...I want her to have a part of me in the future...almost like the photos I have of my mom (of which there aren't many). SO thank YOU!

Ashley: I made a polyvore today with this color because of your comment...if they have the pieces at Tysons this weekend, I will be purchasing them all. ;)

Maryamjam: I really look awful in light purple, so I always thought dark purple was off-limits. I guess not!!! :)

Rosa: Positivity should be my middle name. Well, after "fluorescent," that is...
(Smile...)

MissMasala: I answered your question in the post from August 19, 2009 (the one with the sage frances cami). HTH.

Chanel Fashionista: I answered your question with a post just for you (see MissMasala's answer just above). HTH! :)

Ann: The Sara dress in this color is very non-basic. Definitely a dress you can't wear too many times in a row...it's okay...I have plenty of clothes to make a rotation anyhow! ;)

Marietta: Thank you! Have you tried purple yourself? I bet with your coloring it would look AMAZING!

MCC: Well, thank you!