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?

Mommy Style Monday #25: I Can Use That While Pregnant. Score!

Hi, all!  Welcome to Mommy Style Monday #25!  Before I begin, I want to use the natural segue that the number 25 gives me to remind you all that I am running a Boden $25 gift card giveaway.  :)  The info and more appear at my last post (scroll to the bottom if you want to just enter and be done, lol).

Okay, back to the bid-ness of being an expectant momma.  I LOVE love maternity clothing, don't get me wrong, but (and I can't be alone here) I will often find myself salivating over beautiful bits of clothing that are most definitely not maternity clothing whilst pregnant.  I often just walk away (unless it is something I am sure I can wear after I give birth), but in the case of certain kinds of tops and dresses, I know I can make them work, even when really "full" of child, the way I am and have been for a month or so AND will be for another three months (yeek!).

I had the chance to find and wear two non-maternity pieces right around Christmas.  The one caveat with both is that both were fairly inexpensive for what they were.  I am not about to spend hundreds of dollars on a designer Milly dress while I am unsure of where my waistline used to be located.  Milly can wait (unless I find her at a consignment shop).

Exhibit A: Nanette Lepore Silk Tunic Blouse with Purple Floral Pattern, Size 4.  Size 4!  The key to this top is that it is very blousy by nature.  Even on my body with belly, it flowed nicely over the bump and fit just fine through the shoulders and bust.  That is important...only buy flowy if it fits your shoulders and bust.  I have MANY maternity tops and non-maternity flowy tops that look really bad on me BECAUSE THEY DON'T FIT ANY PART of me except my belly.  For the best look during your fecund times, always fit your non-expanding parts first and then judge if they will work with your growing waistline.

This top was only $60 at Mint Condition.  It is a steep price, but for Nannette Lepore, I have read that is a decent discount.  This top was in perfect shape, I am not even sure the person wore it before they consigned it.  :)  The top will also work non-pregnant, and I do look forward to wearing it in the future as well.

We were off to have Christmas Eve dinner with my dad and stepmom, so Rex is wearing red and green, in the form of Boden's tee with a drumming owl.  LOL. 

Mr. Dina said I wasn't nearly festive enough in grey and purple.  Whatever.  Purple is so a Christmas color, if you're Catholic.

From the side.  I think Rex is introducing his stuffed pillow thing to my bump.  "Hello, Gus."

You can see how well this top accommodates the belly, in fact, I think I will be able to wear it for a month or two longer.  It is unlikely the last month it will fit, but I will try!  (Anyway I can wear gorgeous, yummy, soft silk, I will try!)

I added a grey blazer (also found at Mint Condition, J. Crew Herringbone Ryder Jacket, Size 6, I also own a red version).  The reason I bought the grey blazer?  (Well, besides the fact that I have one and LURRVE it?)  The popped collar has a purple tie repp backing that exactly matches the top.  ;)

The pants are from France (Pomkin) and the shoes are from Anthro (Plenty by Tracy Reese Felt Almond).

CW is in a custom made gingerbread dress with  her "tiger leggings."  Hee.

Close-up of the fabric.  Yum.  So touchable.  The necklace is from J. Crew, circa early 2008.  Mr. Dina HATES this necklace.  I still own it.  Obviously I care what Mr. Dina thinks.  ;)

Totally not important to the gist of this post, but OMG, isn't the stocking that my parents made for little Gus ADORABLE?  So teeny!

Exhibit B: Target Exhiliration Navy Blue Sequined Blouson Top, Size Small.  I saw this when out shopping with CW one night and was drawn to it, like the momma-to-be magpie that I am.  This top was also only $20 and perfect for fun nights out where you want be casual but kind of want to bring the bling, too, ya know?  I figured I could wear it, but I KNEW it would be far too short with my belly hanging out like some sort of classless Hollywood wannabe momma-to-be (I shouldn't judge, I know).  So I needed a solution.  Well, further back in the store, I spied the exact same shade maternity tank in the Liz Lange for Target section.  Hmm...like a hamster running on its wheel, my creaky pregnant brain started to go in overdrive.

Yes, this is how I made it work.  I put the longer fitted tank under the spangled ridiculousness that is the Xhiliration top and it completely worked.  In fact, I wore this to a New Year's Eve party with other moms and moms-to-be, and it was really fun to share how I crafted this maternity top.  And for a relatively low cost too.  (The tank was only $12!)

Anyone want to guess what CW is looking at?  I have not a clue.

I adore this shot.  LOVE!  :)

The pants I am wearing are the ubiquitous Duo Maternity (J.C. Penney), whose line has definitely helped me get through all three pregnancies with relative ease.  The shoes are the Satin Ballet Flats from J. Crew a few years ago.  The necklace and headband are also J. Crew, but for all my polyvore hunting are in-store only pieces (headband a few years ago and necklace this Christmas).

CW is in a collection of Wal-Mart and Target.  She loves silver and black together.  That's my little fashionista!

Hands on hips.  And tongue on upper lip.  ;)

Okay, that's all for tonight!  Remember, pregnant ladies, go out there and think a bit outside the "pregnant clothing only" box.  Just remember fit the shoulders and bust, then belly.  Also, too short?  Think layers.  Easy!

Night, night!

Mommy Style Monday #23--Style Repeated.

I have totally discussed this topic before.  I called it my Mommy Style "go to," and that post is here.

However that post was mostly about my winter style uniform, and I wanted you all to see a summer style uniform.  This summer "go to" outfit choice of mine is especially useful for me when I am trying to get ready to go to church or dinner out but am a bit stumped or I am having the dreaded "fat day."

I love that feel of ease and effortlessness, so I highly recommend every momma out there grab a look or two and hone it so that when similarly stumped (or feeling stumpy), you have a go-to for nearly every moment of your life.  I cannot tell you how much better life with these multiple ankle biters has been since streamlining the dressing process.  I am able to just get it and go most mornings.  I do want to step outside my comfort zone and will do so, but refuse to let some "goal" of being different get in the way of getting the kids to preschool or getting us to church on time.

To remind you of the last time I wore an outfit similar to my summer uniform, it was here on the kids first day of preschool.  Now that I have tried this look a couple of times, I will definitely continue to pull from this uniform look in the future.

Stripes and Florals...Easy Breezy. 

Tee: J. Crew Cashmere Tee, Striped Citron, from Summer 2007.  Fitted shape to offset the more full shape of the floral skirt (also done in the preschool day outfit).
Skirt: J. Crew Sketchbook Roses Belle Skirt, Size 10 (I sized up one size for length and so I could tuck tees in it), from Fall 2008.  This full skirt works nicely on most figures, but make sure not to go too full or else it can look a bit juvenile and if you are at all hippy (like me), it can over-emphasize the hips if too full.
Necklace: J. Crew Crystal Devote Necklace.
Shoes: Plenty for Tracy Reese Felt Almond Heels from Anthropologie.  How these are not sold out already is beyond me.  These are all at once COMFORTABLE (even with the heel), FLATTERING (love the v-shape to the top of the shoes), and all leather (and on sale for $70, still).  I took the size 40, which works great for my (J. Crew sized) 9.5 narrow foot.

CW is feeling fine in her summer staple uniform, the frilly, girly, all cotton dress.  :)

Grey Floral and Yellow Stripes. by dinagideon featuring leather heels

Above is the polyvore of this set.

I can't let today's Mommy Style Monday go by without including my version of Halloween chic.  We had CW's ballet class this morning and my way of going festive was to wear orange and a snakeskin print.  (And jack-o-lantern earrings.  I had totally forgotten about those.  They were from my full-time teaching days.  No, I do NOT own a "Christmas Cardigan."  Hand on heart.)

J. Crew Python Print Silk Twill Dress.  This was a random purchase of mine on ebay that worked out.  I was nervous it wouldn't fit, but thank goodness it did.  :)  However the silk twill fabric is super static cling tastic...does anyone have a recommendation for a short slip to go under this dress?  Merci!

Tights are Ralph Lauren control top sweater knit tights and very warm.  Love them.

Frye Ada Peep Toe Kitten Heels.

Not loving this face, but it makes me laugh.  The earrings are the lovely jack-o-lantern earrings that are so cliche they are probably hip in some sort of ironic hipster way.  The coat is from J. Crew last winter, the double cloth bonbon.

Wasn't super cold today, but the bonbon was a welcome addition to my wardrobe this past weekend.  Not only is it orange but it is a winter jacket.  I cannot believe that in VA, where we typically don't wear coats until mid-November, that we had FREAKING snow and mid-30s temps on Saturday.  Yeah, blegh.  Welcome to Halloween, VA.

They have their costumes already to go...CW as Princess Aurora and...

Rex either riding a T. Rex or as a T. Rex. Your call. LOL.

Happy Halloween! by dinagideon featuring cable knit stockings

BTW, here is the polyvore of today's outfit.

Also, because I am curious...do you all have a summer staple uniform that you turn to when you have no time or "one of those days?"

Have a great night. Back to normal My Superfluities programming tomorrow!