The Blue Cardigan Times Two.

Happy end of the weekend, you all!

Right before Angus was born, I was able to go to the Fair Oaks J. Crew and spend some alone time just enjoying shopping with no kids around (well, sort of, lol, Gus *was* there).  I had seen the space dyed cardigan on line in the gorgeous blue/purple hue and although I wasn't sure it was me, it was always in the back of my head to look for it when out and about.  Well, I lucked out because it was at the Fair Oaks store, in my size, and on sale.  Yes, it was my "I am about to have a kid" present to myself.  And since he's a boy, the blue was perfect.  ;)

I wore it a few times postpartum around the house but the above outfit was its first official outing, to CW's dance class (if my memory serves me, it's been a few weeks since I wore it).

All the info on the pieces of the outfit are in the photo.  My favorite part of this outfit is my hair and the bag, which is a freebie from Clinique (Milly/Clinique often partner to create these giveaway bags and I like to use them as clutches).

The top has a ditzy floral pattern, the cardigan has the slight stripe to it, and the bag is a larger floral, but since the color scheme is similar the patterns ended up "going" together.

Later that night, we went to Potomac Mills as a family, and because (you all are gonna love this) my belly started to hurt, I switched from my tighter fitting cords to a much nicer looser fitting pair of loft pants in a cotton sateen.  God bless the roomier fit of Loft pants!

I wore the crewcuts top because Girlfriend (nickname for CW) said she wanted to match momma.  Since I know she won't be up for this much longer, I will just go with it for now. 

I made this face as Angus was staring at me (I was doing peekaboo or some such), and of course Mr. Dina was snapping the photo at the same moment.  Whatever.  It just shows that I can do other faces besides *smile* *half-smile* and *look pensive*. 

The sandals are a new Madewell purchase, the Crisscross Boardwalk Sandal.  I took a size 9 (they only have half sizes).  I really like the look and found them to be very comfortable for walking.  The ankle strap is a bit of a bugger, but only because I am not of fan of bending over and fiddling with buckles and such.  But the sandals are worth the extra effort.

BTW, CW's jacket is vintage Levi's from the 70s, this one was owned by Mr. Dina's sister.  Rex owns the one that Mr. Dina wore.

Okay that's it.  :)  I anticipate working on the Boden sale post soon (the extra 30% off select spring styles that I mentioned in the last post) and some other ootd posts.  One day I will eventually be back to normal posting!  One. day.

Have a great night!

Three Outfits for One Day--All Are Red, White, and Blue!!!

I am feeling a wee bit tired today (Rex has been very trying already and it is barely 5 pm), so I won't being going on and on like I normally do. However, it is my FAVORITE holiday, so I knew I needed to post, if only to say "Happy Independence Day!!!" Yay, America. ;)

Also, I want for you all, right now, to go and check out the awesome blog known as Deco Aurora...it is the ultimate blog for people who love summer and summertime things...I am in love with the posts...Mslay (the blog author) always transports me with her beautiful pictures and lovely ideas. If you enjoy what you see, become a follower. Trust me, she won't let you down...

I will post three outfits because I have a spare moment and want to show that I still want to take an active role in my own blog (heck, I even commented back on the last two posts...imagine!).

Plus, the three outfits SLIGHTLY tie into Independence Day in that they all either have red, white, or blue. (And don't fret, I am definitely wearing something patriotic today and yes, we have taken photos...)

Navy Blue and Pink--Lovely Combo! by dinagideon on Polyvore.com

Here is the Polyvore for outfit #1, the outfit I wore to take Mr. Dina out for Father's Day.


Here I am with Mr. Dina, just about to leave for Father's Day. I am wearing the incredible Ruffled-hemmed jersey dress. I have a confession...as awesome as this dress is, I really hate ties on dresses...I feel they are superfluous (heehee), so I took it and tied it twice, so the bow would tie in front...ahh, much better. And aren't these shoes too die for? I wouldn't have even noticed them had it not been for 3-Penny Princess waxing poetically about them at this post.


Here is the dress a bit more buttoned up with the soiree sateen blazer. I think if I was still working, I would definitely teach in this get-up...so comfy and yet so polished!

Ruffles for a Graduation Party!!! by dinagideon on Polyvore.com

Here is the Polyvore for outfit #2, an outfit I wore to a former student's graduation party (I taught him my first year teaching, and he is easily my favorite student ever).


Here is the dress that I waxed poetically about in this post, but in navy. Ahh, navy...you are such a fine neutral. I am also wearing the very pretty Seychelles necklace that I won on ebay for half its original price. The shoes are the Carina metallic leather sandals and they got me through Costco, so I can definitely say they are possibly the comfiest shoes that J. Crew has made that I have owned. (And, yes, you read that right, I shopped at Costco in this outfit. Yes, people were looking at me...I just smiled and moved on...)


Here is the outfit from the side. I love that bow at the front...very feminine.

There is no polyvore for outfit #3, but I have included a pic so I can clip to polyvore right from this post!!!


I wore this to go out to a dinner with a friend on June 29, 2009. We walked from my house to a restaurant about a mile away, so we needed to look dressy but be sensible. This was my take on "dressy but comfy." The dress is from Anthropologie by the company Maeve. I have noticed that this company makes their dresses kind of large. This is a six and is one of the few by them that fits closely. The other dress I have in a six is HUGE. Weird...

The shoes are by Born and are the sandals I wore all over NYC. The necklace is Erickson Beamon for Target and the clutch is the makeup giveaway bag from Clinique but styled by Trina Turk.


Here is the dress for Polyvore. It is A BRIGHT dress. You could definitely see me coming that night...

Happy Independence Day, you all...I promise, Coccodrillo Pencil Skirt is coming soon...but I also know a lot of you take the weekend off from computing, and I figure you all would rather miss this post than the review of that skirt.