OOTDs: Bring on the Jacket. And the Eiffel Tower Earrings. And Rush.

Hi, Ladies!  (And Gents, if you all are out there!)

How has your weekend been?  It s really pretty here in VA, so we have been soaking up all the glorious weather by moving non-stop from one activity to another.  Pluses?  The activities are tremendous amount of fun, and hopefully the memories of these fab activities will linger in our kids' minds.  Minuses?  Well, our kids are young and weekend full of activities equals less sleep for the little ones, which means there is just a *tiny* bit of crabbiness from them.  ;)

Today I decided to get two outfits from the recent weeks done, and tie them together because both outfits feature a jacket as a major part of the outfit.

First up is the outfit from yesterday, one that features the J. Crew Lexington Jacket in ivory and citron from the Fall of 2007.  (Featured in this catalog image from September 2007.)

Started off the day in this whole ensemble, but by about 1 pm it was too hot, and sadly the Lexington had to be put away.  At least I was able to have a few hours with this beauty completing my look.

If you open the image, you can see the information on the individual pieces.  The shoes are the wonderful Lena wedges which I have worn many times already this summer, but just couldn't make it look 100% right with the outfits, since the wedges were too "statement-y" for the more delicate looks I wore them with...(outfit 1 here, outfit 2 here, and outfit 3 here).  I finally feel like I have hit the right note by wearing them with the capris. 

Since I had an Eiffel Tower on my tee, I knew the Eiffel Tower earrings had to be pulled out.  Not every fashion moment has to be subtle, right?  ;)

No jacket and posing with my "ooh, it's the Eiffel Tower, Momma" baby girl.

I have now worn these Pure Collection pants twice.  They are so freaking comfortable but still look like proper trousers.  I saw them in the summer sale for something like $30 and thought, "eh, why not?"  Glad I gave them a shot.

For those of you who want more info on Pure Collection, I plan on doing my reviews in the next day or two.  Tomorrow starts a big ten-day sale for them (they are approaching their tenth anniversary on October 10), so I figured it would be very appropriate to schedule my first Pure Collection reviews around then. Until then, if you want to take a look around, here is a link: Pure Collection - 25% Off.

Yesterday's activities included a Rex tee-ball game, a lunch out, a visit to a movie theater to see "Hotel Transylvania," and church (the Bishop was there and blessed Rex and Angus!).  I knew I had to have something that could go to all events, be nursing friendly, and layered for either heat or cold.

The above picture was taken right after I threw in the towel on the jacket (temps had gone up to near 80 with full sun).

The Jacket. The Eiffel Tower. by dinagideon featuring forever 21

Above is the polyvore of the outfit.

So I was going to just publish the outfit photos from yesterday but then I remembered it has been a full three weeks since I went to the Rush concert (yes, that Rush, not Big Time or Limbaugh, bite your tongue, people).  And since this outfit featured both a jacket and the Eiffel Tower Earrings, I figured I would just go with it.

I liked my makeup and hair that day, but was very disappointed in my eye bags.  SLEEP.  I need more SLEEP.  (Thanks, Angus.)  ;)

The jacket is from Target.  I had briefly considered getting one of these jackets from either J. Crew or Boden when they had them in their lines, but I am so glad I waited.  I think this one is $25?  And it is super comfy and soft, too, so I think I chose the best one for me.

Look at the size of that beer.  I have never had a 24 ounce beer in a can.  I felt classy.  Yeah.  Classy is the right word.  Ha.

There's my concert tee from the last time I went to a Rush concert.  I was willing to buy another concert tee, but this time the women's tees were all very unfortunate looking.  I know Rush is not a girl's kind of band, but come on, there is at least a handful of us that enjoy their music AND enjoy dressing up.

Look at Geddy, up there on stage.  I think he totally appreciated my tee and my beer. 

After the concert, parking lot.  Mr. Dina and I were walking to the car and I got catcalled at...lol.  I haven't been catcalled in YEARS, and the first time it happens to me is in front of my husband.

Okay, all, have a great night.  Are any of you able to wear and enjoy your blazers and jackets yet?

California: The Outfits.

This is the closest I have ever come to packing well, outside of when I was in college and was trying to be a "backpacker."  (Well, I sort of was one...but I never did one of those six months in Europe with just a backpack, a map, and a youth hostel card. My backpacking was more like a bag, a map, makeup, youth hostel card, passport, camera, etc., etc.).

Even with all the good packing I did, we still had way too much stuff (thanks, infant Angus and all your needs, lol), and like I have mentioned before, our stuff may have got in our way of getting out of CA on time. It is still too traumatic for me to even talk about here, but one day I will tell the story of losing the car keys in Rex's bag, spending an hour looking for car keys, and how in the world we SCRAPED our way into the San Diego airport just. in. time. to catch our flight with seconds to spare.

So it is our goal to pack even better next time for our next trip, which may mean that I will pack a pair of pants, a dress, a pair of shorts, a pair of shoes, and a pair of pajamas. :) Oh, and a top or two.  (Just kidding, but we will be very mindful of not losing keys in the kids' luggage.)

We were in California from July 14-24, so these outfits should total right around 10 or so.  I have placed all the info on the pieces in the photo, so open them on up if you want to see more on them.

There was a theme of "red, white, and blue," which was very easy for me to work with, as I have more red, white, and blue pieces that I ever imagined.

If I can find a link to the items on the internet (if they are still for sale), I will include that link for your convenience.

The wires behind me are from the fan my friends have in their master bedroom.  It was great to have a white noise machine, even if that wasn't the original purpose for the fan.  I am very grateful to them, as well, for letting us stay in their bed (all five of us, awesome, but better than the other option--an air bed).  :)

Vintage Cotton Cap Sleeve in Stripe is still available and on sale.  I am wearing a small.

Went out and had fun at the San Diego Botanical Garden with all my kids and my girl, Monica (she was in the last BWRR reviewing the embellished tunic), and her kids, husband, and her husband's grandma.  :)  My hubby was at Comic Con.  (He was a runner-up in something that was announced at Comic Con, but I will spill the beans on that one in the "California: The Photos" post.)

This is an outfit you all have seen already.  :)  I definitely am a huge fan of this combo, very easy, a bit cool, and just dressy enough for a night out for some awesome Mexican food (seriously...every Mexican restaurant in CA is amazing, be it a dive or a five star eatery).

Wore this to go to Legoland.  Legoland is always a big hit...with my hubby.  The kids liked it, too.  ;)

The shoes are from Target, the Wilhelmina Flat Sandal in raspberry, and are available and on sale.  Very comfortable, btw, and look way more expensive than the $20 I paid for them.

Went out with my Aunt to a Mexican restaurant (!!!) in this get-up.  I went ahead and brought a few pairs of pants and longer tops because it can get cool at night in CA.  I was actually looking forward to not sweating constantly, like I have been for the past six months here in VA.  It is seriously obnoxious how hot and humid it has been here on the east coast.

Ultra Eyelet Shell is on sale.  I am wearing a size 4.

Cafe Capri in Foulard is also on sale.  I am wearing a size 8.

The Uptown Heels are also on sale.  These are a size 40.

CW is also in a mix of J. Crew and Boden, but reversed, her dress is Boden and her shoes are from J. Crew.

I bought this lace top a while ago from Madewell and was struggling on how to style it, but right before the trip, I was bound and determined to figure it out so I could wear it in CA, where I know its kind of loosey, lacy, 80s style, would be appreciated.

We were headed to California Adventure that day (the sister park of Disneyland).  It held up well, and I was frankly surprised at how resilient the lace top was.

Was headed to see Monica again (J. Crew shopping in Mission Valley), then to my Aunt's, then to dinner in Long Beach (in da house)*.  This ensemble was perfection, just dressy enough for dinner, but very sturdy and comfortable for the rest of the day.

*I can't be the only person who immediately says this to themselves whenever Long Beach is mentioned, right?  Other times I do this include when I read the word "distance," I immediately say, "he's going the distance, he's going for speed, she's all alone, all alone in her time of need." 

I am mixing two uniform patterns here, the top has bitty birds, and the shorts have embroidered keys.

Unfortunately, the birdie top had to take a break halfway through the day, only to be replaced by...

The most awesome tee ever.  LOL.  I kid, but I am a huge fan of Captian EO (in a theater near you...if you happen to be at Disneyland).  My hubby surprised me with this top partway through our day, and because of an Angus poop storm (seriously, what a phrase Mr. Dina made up), I had to wash the birdie shirt and wear this one instead.  Lucky me, it totally matched.

Yes, CW is in an Ariel dress.  No, that is not my favorite princess.  I personally do not agree with going against your family, making a deal with a (clearly) demented witch octopus lady fish thingy, losing your amazing gift of singing, all to get the eye of a man who likely won't even notice you.  She was SO fortunate that it all worked out in the end, no thanks in part to her blatant stupidity.  ;)

(I do have to say aside from Ariel being a dingbat, I do like that she is a mermaid, has great style, and wonderful red hair.  That's all that CW cares about too.  She's three, so she gets a pass on not knowing Ariel's past.)

Instead of going out with my friends on the Sunday night before we left, I decided to stay in the hotel and hang with Angus instead.  Since the law says that I must wear clothing to get food from an establishment in a public place (hotel lobby), I put on this outfit. 

Last full day before we left.  We went to the San Diego zoo, where madness ensued (more on that in the photos post).  I felt very comfortable, though, in this ensemble, so at least there was that.

Villa Dress in Stripe is still available and on sale.

Chevron Tie Belt is also available and on sale.

California Trip 2012. by dinagideon featuring j. crew shorts

Above is the polyvore of most of the pieces.

Alright, you all have a great night. :)

OOTDs: Pencil Skirts in Summer. T'Pau!

(You should be pronouncing T'Pau like this: Tuh-Pow!)  LOL.  I was driving back from the grocery store today and was trying to think of a good title for my pencil skirt in summer post and since I already have used some version of "pencil it in" or "skirting the issue," I kind of figured I was at a dead end.  But then "Heart and Soul" came on Sirius's 80s on 8, and I had my title.  'Cause that is what I feel like when I wear a pencil skirt, like saying "Tuh Pow!"

Okay it's a stretch, but whatever, I know some of you are probably stoked that I brought up T'Pau.  ;)

Alrighty.  Let's get on with it.  I am going with the most recent first heading to the least recent last.

I make this face.  For you.

Info on the pieces in the next photo, but I wanted to remind you that I have done a review of this top before in this post.

I also wanted to make a special note on this skirt, the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Circle Eyelet.  I usually wear a size 6 or 8 in J. Crew pencil skirts, but I had read at AJC's blog that this particular skirt ran really narrow through the hips, so I decided to size up to a 10.  It does fit well in the 10, bit big through the waist, but I am very happy that there is no excess shadowing between the liner and the eyelet outer fabric, which I think would have happened in the 8.

The shoes are still available from Boden, these are the Uptown Heels, and I did a review of them here.  If you are interested in a clearance item, remember you can use my sidebar coupon for free shipping and returns (even if you can't get an extra % off clearance stuff).

I wore this outfit to go with my hubby and Angus to dinner on Sunday night.  :)  I felt good, and it was nice to just have the three of us (even though I obviously love the older two, they are tiring).

Citron...Eyelet and Stripes. by dinagideon featuring j crew handbags

Above is the polyvore of this outfit.  The polyvore actually happened first, not the outfit.

Okay, technically this isn't a pencil skirt, but I wanted this outfit to see the light of day, and I kind of know that if I don't throw it into this post, I won't publish it at all.

I was heading to somewhere, most likely a class for the kids, but honestly, this is from a long time ago, so I am not 100% sure where I was going.  All I know is Mr. Dina wasn't home because where I am posing is where he parks his car, so it was likely during the day.

I had found these yummy pieces in Sears the day before, when I spied a bunch of Lands End Canvas on sale.  I knew I couldn't get much, but the sweatshirt and the skirt were definitely affordable, so I brought them home and wore them the very next day (that I do remember).

The pops of red are great against the grey.  Technically the Marci wedges are orange but read red in these photos.

I even decided to make my lips a darker red than I normally would.

Continuing with the grey theme, this is an outfit I wore to my son's graduation from preschool.

Top: Anthropologie.
Skirt: J. Crew Factory.
Shoes: Anthropologie.
Earrings: Eiffel Tower earrings from Paris.

I will likely do this outfit in a polyvore, but probably not until tomorrow.

Here the outfit is in action.  The kids all have matching bits in the seersucker.  Angus is in a romper/onesie, CW has seersucker in the bib portion of her dress, and Rex is wearing seersucker shorts.

Mr. Dina is not wearing white tennis shoes.  ;)

I may have worn this outfit, comprised of lots of oldies but goodies, to a preschool run, but again, this was taken in May, so I can't remember.  But hey!  No Mr. Dina car, so I could take photos where his car usually is...

The only new thing is the shoes, which are by The Webster for Target.  These are well made and run true to size, and are still not on sale, even though most of the clothing is.

If you open the photo, you can see the information on the pieces.

Okay, that's all.  Now go rock out to some Heart and Soul, you all.  :)

P.S. I just did a sneak peek of some fall Boden items over at my FB page.  Click here to go right to the images.  :)

Miami: The Outfits.

Hi, all!

Today I am publishing all of my outfits from the Miami trip that we took back in early June.  Last night I published a post with lots and lots and lots of family type photos, so if you are a fan of my kids and my hubby, go on over there to take a look.  ;)

Onto the outfits!

Day One. If you open the photo you will see the info on the individual bits of this outfit.  I was glad the shorts with the embroidered fish matched the top well enough.  I could have worn this outfit again (second outfit), but I really wanted to be more festive on my first day in Miami.  Now looking back, I prefer the way I wore the outfit last year, but this one didn't get any tomatoes thrown at it, so I guess it wasn't over the top offensive.  ;)

CW was wearing her outfit from the plane, a dress from baby Boden (it sold out already, that was fast).

Day One (night) and Day Three (night).  I love Boden's maxi dresses.  I now have three and have worn them constantly through last summer and this summer.  I never, ever considered even buying one years ago.  I have seen the light, ladies.

I don't normally rewear a dress twice on a short vacation, but the other dress I had brought, this one from Liberty of London for Target was too small on my now more full bustline (thanks, Angus!).

I had purchased these earrings from Anthro on super sale a while back and love how large they are.  I was expecting something smaller, but was pleasantly surprised when they came, I prefer the visual impact these have.

Day Two.  I knew we would just be hanging out not doing a whole lot (outside of walking around and taking in the sights), so I opted for super easy casual.

Day Three.  I wasn't sure if I would be able to wear this particular outfit (I brought a tee just in case it was too hot for the sweatshirt), but that day was a bit rainy and cloudy. The outfit was only really too warm at around 2 pm after the sun had come out.

I really do love that printed skirt by the J. Crew factory.  I have another version of this skirt that I last wore here.  From what I recall, the above skirt sold out in one or two days.  Ridiculous.  Some items at J. Crew never sell out and sit in final sale for MONTHS and then there are ones like this skirt, proving more popular.  And I never know which one it will be...

Day Four.  Much warmer this day, so I pulled out all J. Crew for this look.  The silk of the casbah top is insanely soft and perfect for a day like that, when humidity threatens to suffocate.

CW wore her tropical princess look, courtesy of Carter's.  ;)

Another view of the outfit.

Day Four (Night).  You all have seen this one already, when I did a review of it here.  This Everyday Summer Dress is currently in the clearance section over at Boden, for $58.50.  This color was the only one not threatening to sell out.  I don't get it, but whatever.  I didn't even consider the other colors, I loved this shade and pattern so much.  :)

CW is also in Boden, but baby Boden.  Her dress is long gone (it may not have even made it to the sale).

Day Five.  Since we were in Miami, I figured we could wear our The Webster for Target pieces at least one of the days.  I am actually in a girls top, size 14-16.  It fits perfectly, btw.  (Kind of like crewcuts, the size 14 is sized similar to a misses size 4.)

Miami Packing 2012. by dinagideon featuring j crew shoes

Above is my packing polyvore.  

Okay, that's it.  This post was so much easier to get done.  I guess when you don't have 37 photos (!!!) to publish, it is gonna be easier.  :)

Talk soon!