OOTD: 900 Posts, a Pop of Color, and a Giveaway!

Hello!  Happy Labor Day!

Well, look at that.  I am now at 900 posts written here at this blog.  Phew.  I guess I have had a lot to say.  Ha.

(Or outfits worn.  Or a mix of both.  Or Boden was having a sale and I couldn't shut up about it.)

Anyhow, as luck would have it, I published this outfit you see here in this post a week ago on my facebook page (I show off my outfits there first), and then five days later, my facebook friend, Rachel, posted on her Stella and Dot facebook page some photos of celebrities wearing the necklace that I used as a "pop of color" in the outfit.

Because it had been a long time since I had "talked" with her, I left her a note that let her know that I had worn this necklace as part of the outfit and that she could see it over at my facebook page.

She then said, "why don't we do a giveaway at your blog with one of my pieces?"  And I, of course, was game.  I let her know that my 900th post was coming up, and I could, as a way of celebrating, show off this outfit, talk about how the necklace added a bit of color to a very neutral outfit, and then do the giveaway!

So here we are.  I am now able to do all of the above!

Info on the outfit is in the photo.

I had worn the skirt earlier in the day to go and visit Rex's preschool teacher, and you all saw that last week here at this post.  I knew I still wanted to wear the skirt later that night when Mr. Dina and the rest of us were heading off to dinner, but I definitely wanted to change up the pieces, especially since I wanted the Stella and Dot Bahari necklace to be the star of the outfit.

A lot of people thought this outfit was a dress, that is how nicely the Loft top and Talbot's skirt worked together.  I think the studded leather belt by J. Crew ties the pieces together well, helping with the "dress" effect.

The Bahari necklace is a bright, vivid blue with gold accents (you can see it more closely here).  It really did "pop" against the white.  I love the summery feel of white, gold, and blue together.  It can look very nautical, and normally whenever I wear those colors together, that is the preppy feel I get.  This time, though, I felt like the outfit looked less preppy and more pretty.

The necklace was given to me by a friend, not Rachel, btw, even though she is the one hosting the giveaway.  My friend had two Stella and Dot boxes sitting out at her house when I stopped by to visit.  I said, "ooh, Stella and Dot, I love their pieces!"  My friend laughed and said, "I pulled these out for you."  So I open them up and was all, "ooh, I love these, I can't wait to see you in these!"

She laughed even more and said, "no, I want you to take one, they seem to be much more you than me."  So I picked out this necklace and she said, "good, that was the one I hoped you would like!"

I said, "you know I like a statement necklace, don't you?"  ;)

900 Posts, a Pop of Color, and a Giveaway! by dinagideon featuring silver jewelry

Above is the polyvore of the outfit.

Okay, so what about this giveaway?

Rules for entry:

1. Please "like" Rachel's Stella and Dot's facebook page.  (You don't have to follow my blog or like my facebook page, but if you feel like it, go for it!)

2. Please let me know you "liked" her page in the comments along with: a) your e-mail address, and b) how you would style the Bahari necklace in an outfit you would wear.

This contest will end one week from today, Monday, September 10, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern time.  I will announce the winner the next day.

I will be writing one additional post mid-week about how I would style this necklace with some of Boden's sale pieces (there is a 20% off sale going on right now), so if you forget to enter right now, I will definitely be reminding you.

Alrighty, that's it!

P.S. Boden's 20% off sale (I mentioned that I had received early word on this in my last BWRR and on facebook) has started.  I will be back later today with more info and my picks from this sale, but until then, here is a link for you all.
Get 20% off + free shipping & returns on select items at BodenUSA.com! Shop dresses, tops, pants, tees, skirts, accessories and more!

ROYGBIV: Not Really (Feeling) the Blues.

Hey, all!  On the heels of the very blue Maritime dress I wore in the last post, I am publishing another installment of my ROYGBIV series, today focused on B or Blue.

(By the way, the next post--I or Indigo--is the one I have struggled most with...is indigo a navy blue or is it a purple/blue?  If you know the answer, definitively, would you comment with the answer?  I don't want to publish a whole slew of navy outfits and then discover that the post should have included only purplish outfits.  Hmm.)

Wore this outfit about a month ago.  I normally don't bother with accessories or nicer shoes if I am just chilling at the house with the kids, but that day I just wanted to put on some extra something something.

If you open up the photo, it has the info on the pieces.

The hair was my attempt at a side bun.  I like the side bun but it is a bit fussy to keep up, about an hour after I took this photo, the bun was completely unraveled.

BTW, my hair looks really red here.  I notice it looks redder when I have a white background, so I suspect the white background throws off my camera's color.

I do technically have some variation of dark strawberry blonde hair (if I never went in the sun it would always be this color), but it doesn't ever look this red in real life.  Only photos.  ;)

Added the Brompton clutch to see if it worked with the outfit.  I like it, but would probably not use it in real life (remember I was just at home, no need for a bag).  I would probably bring out a yellow bag to play off the yellow in the scarf.

I wore this dress to go out to sushi for Mother's Day with my brother.  He always takes me out for Mother's Day, which I think is completely unnecessary, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

This is the Starlet Knit Dress from Garnet Hill, and like I expected, it is made incredibly well and is very flattering.  It is a jersey knit fabric and definitely felt comfortable and cool.  I took it in a small.

The dress even has pockets, which I liked.  Most jersey dresses don't come with pockets, so this is a nice bonus.

The first photo cut off my legs, so I had my hubby retake the photo later than night.  As you can see the dress is not wrinkled and may even look better three hours later.

The Greta Suede wedges I am wearing are one of my best purchases of 2011.  I think I got them for $40 on super sale in September and I have found that I am wearing them a lot this summer.  If you can find a pair on ebay, definitely think about picking up a pair if you have a need for a pair of dressy casual heels.

Mr. Roy G. Biv...Not Feeling the Blues. by dinagideon featuring glitter jewelry

Above is the polyvore.

Okay this one is from a long while ago, April 10 to be exact.  This means I was 16 days postpartum.  Those are maternity cords, btw.

I like mixing this shade of blue and bright red, as evidenced by how many times I do it (with the Riviera shirt dress and the Maritime dress, for instance).

Bits of this outfit are...J. Crew Factory (Sweatshirt), Tzuri Gueta (necklace), Duo Maternity (cords), Shoes (J. Crew), and earrings (J. Crew).

Anyhow, I may have gone out to dinner in this outfit, but nothing more than Five Guys or McDonalds.

Still any reason I have to wear my Tzuri Gueta necklace, I will wear it.  ;)

I love my fedora!

This was worn around and about one day with the fam.  The blue is technically in the top's print, but it is hard to tell, so open up the photo for proof.

This outfit was also postpartum, but I was a bit more out of the woods (so to speak) at 5 weeks past the birth...

Fedora and top (may have cost all of 8 dollars): J. Crew Factory.
Pants: Talbot's.
Sandals: Loft.

Can't resist adding in this photo of Angus from last Monday.  Here is my little man, perched on his blue boppy throne in his blue seersucker overalls.  This one is making the rounds amongst my facebook friends and family.  One of them even suggested that Angus looks like a king awaiting his supplicants.  LOL.  ;)

Okay, that's all for tonight.  Hope everyone has a happy rest of your Monday.

Bling, Bling, Bling...Sequin Scarf Cardi Goes to a Party!!!

I am super-excited to do this review. I knew that the polyvore was pretty popular, but I wasn't sure that the outfit would work in real life. I am glad to say that the polyvore outfit looked good in real life!!! (For those of us polyvore addicts, haven't you had that one set you were sure that would LOOK AWESOME and then you actually wore it and it was kind of "meh?")

By the way, many of my super-wonderful Bloggie Friends have nominated me for an award, and I want to take this moment to thank all of you!!! I have to find a few minutes to myself to do the post on it, but I am very grateful. :) (I felt like I wanted you all to know that I was aware of it, and not ignoring it!!!)

Holiday Fun Casual Style by dinagideon featuring J Crew

So here is the outfit in the polyvore. All the info you need to buy it is in the polyvore. (Except the Cocodrillo Skirt, that is a Collection piece that was in-store only and was from the summer...I believe this skirt has appeared on ebay, though.)


Cardigan: Size Small, Black. Sold-out in most colors on-line, but maybe a pop-back? Tee: Size X-Small, White. Skirt: Size 8, Coccodrillo Print. Shoes: Size 10, Azul Blue. Bag: Spring Daisy (?).

The cardigan is very pretty, and shimmery. The sequins are very TIGHTLY strung on...and since I am kind of a freak about sequins, they MUST be really well-done in order for me to wear the piece of clothing. This cardigan had ONE small sequin that fell off. There are HUNDREDS of sequins on this cardigan, so I was more than pleased.

I found the cardigan to be comfy and the stand-up collar did not bother me at all. I have heard that it has bothered some folks, so if you do buy it, and you have a sensitive neck, this may not be the piece for you.

I know some folks have done reviews of this cardigan, if you have can you leave the link in your comment??? THANK YOU!

I liked that I bought the small...the medium would have hung poorly on me.

You have seen the skirt before here, the shoes here, and the bag here.


This is my fave shot of the night because I have my little darling posing, too. So cute. Her dress is slowly becoming a top (she keeps growing!!!). Right now I would say it is a tunic. :)

Here is the outfit on me, sans Cardigan. So you know, I did NOT take the cardi off at the party.

By the way, I was wearing more makeup than I ever do. I look at myself wearing that much makeup and I feel weird about it. Normal makeup for me is a tiny bit of lip gloss, some powder, and maybe mascara.

Have a great day. Now off to comment back on some past posts!!!

My outfit of today will be published later. Still trying to decide what I want to wear...

A Mish-Mash of Everything...Even I am Lost...

You know what? When it rains SO HARD that you can't even see four feet outside your window, it is CRAZY RAIN. CRAZY!!! That is what we have been having here in the inner-burbs of the DC area for the past twenty minutes (it is around 2:15 pm as I write this). Jeez-louise.

Onto my (LAST) weekend wear...part deux. My first weekend outfit was the insanely popular "owl-eye" miniskirt. I already posted it... Then I went ahead and posted my outfit from Thursday of last week because I like to confuse you all, obviously. I hope you all aren't getting whiplash from all my starts and stops.

I CANNOT wait until every last bit of my classroom is packed up, my grades are done, and I am outta here...anyone want to help? ;)


Please try really hard to only laugh a little bit at this outfit. I chose to put it up because well if I spend 50% of my summer at the pool it seems a bit disingenuous not to show what I wear to cover-up my swimsuits (NO, I will NOT show my swimsuits...sorry or Thank Goodness!).

This cover-up is from J. Crew, Summer 2008. So cute, right? Look at all the seahorses, crabs, and shells...precious! Obviously Rex doesn't really care for it...or maybe he was just ticked off because we weren't allowing him to do something dangerous (he always has a fit if we take away stuff that he shouldn't be playing with...you know, letter openers, permanent markers, ant spray, etc.). (We really have child-proofed our house but--and this isn't something they tell you--a lot of kids figure out the locks and things, thereby making the locks, etc., totally useless...sigh!)


Onto what I wore after the pool on Sunday...the blue, jersey, tie-front dress from J. Crew, Spring/Summer 2008. From what I read, a whole lot of you have this dress. Isn't it AWESOME? I love this color, especially...what a unique, vibrant, almost Tiffany-box color. The necklace is the yellow-glass bead ladybug piece from J. Crew this last fall, 2008. The wedges are from the Gap Outlet last spring 2008.

We were heading to church which is why I look all dressed-up.


This pic is for you all to see how sweet CW is (like you all didn't know this).

I have a picture of me and Rex that is very similar and which I had framed as soon as I printed it. When I saw this picture, I decided this would be the one I would print of me and CW to place next to the one of me and Rex. The one I have of Rex I look at daily (and hopefully will get up on this blog for you all to see), so I knew I wanted one of my precious little girl.



This is a picture of what my next post will include--the in-store only Ikat print Bermuda length shorts. This pattern is popular, but this seems to be the only piece that was done in this melon/yellow combo. Anyhow...I need to publish this pic so I can put it in polyvore!

You all have a great day. If you live near me...can someone pick me up in their boat? I am not sure our streets will be vehicle passable... ;)

Dina Lives Down on the Farm!!!

Red, White, Blue, and Black!!! by dinagideon featuring American Eagle Outfitters


Yee-haw! So I actually REALLY like this silly, stupid outfit I am wearing today...but yes, I fully realize that it kind of makes me look like a hayseed.

I wore it mainly for comfort (I am walking home in this heat and humidity), but I still wanted to be somewhat colorful. So out came this beauty (laughing as I write this):

The top is Liz Claiborne purchased from TJ Maxx in February. I have no idea when this was made, but I GUARANTEE Isaac Mizrahi had nothing to do with it, so I am guessing 2007 or 2008? I bought this top because I love the plaid in these colors, plus this cotton is SOOOO soft. The shape is basically shapeless, but eh, whatever, not only is it comfortable now, I can wear it if I ever get pregnant with #3!

The capris are the lovely roll-up capris from this post. They are just functional...although the color is very lovely, especially in real life.

The shoes are some Earth Vegan (no animal products at all) sandals that I bought off Amazon for a steal last year (I have never paid full price for my Earth shoes...ever).


Yep, for polyvore...although I do like the plaid top in my set. Although I doubt it would come in my size (that is, adult).

More to come...by the way, does anyone have any interest in a video of my daughter cracking up as she flings a balloon back and forth in front of her face? Mr. Dina and I of course LOVED it...but just asking you all if any of you would watch it?

Mahali Dot Capris and Pacific Blue Polo!!! (Worn on MARCH 31, 2009.)

First things first, between my dealing with my favorite victim and the trip I made to Richmond yesterday, I have had very little time for updating my blog...this polyvore and outfit pics are from Tuesday, March 31, 2009.


Mahali Dot Capris and Pacific Blue Polo!!! by dinagideon featuring FOSSIL watches
Here is the Polyvore of the outfit. The shoes and watch and sunglasses are a wee bit different...but obviously it is a close enough fit!


Here is the outfit, full-length, on me. The J. Crew mahali-dot capris are finally at the point where I fit into them. Because of the way they are constructed (the waist is generous), the size 10s are a wee bit loose. Fortunately, the material is stretchy so the legs and hips fit well enough to compensate for a too large waistband. I love this pattern...so pretty and retro.

At first I was unsure what to match with these capris, but then this beautiful polo found its way into my home. It is the J. Crew classic pique polo in Pacific blue (or something like that). I have to order mediums in all polos because they are quite tight. Even the medium requires a bit of stretching of the fabric by me before I feel comfortable. But once it is stretched enough, it fits like a dream. And the colors J. Crew have in polos is inspiring. I also have the Parisian polos in crisp celery and tea rose (and they are coming to Florida with me).

The flats are the Etta Suede flats from Winter 2008 (J. Crew). The color is a mix of pewter and gold which is very versatile and the shoe's shape is flattering to my rather long and skinny foot!!! The necklace is the Erickson Beamon for Target Clear Bead necklace that I can't seem to get enough of lately!


And here is my super-hero, Rex, wearing his favorite outfit...Batman! :) Love it!

Citron on a Friday Strikes Again!!!

As you know last Friday I celebrated citron (to honor FFM's awesome post about the color). Well without really meaning to, here I am celebrating it again!!! (Although, truth be told...I love this color.)

I decided against creating a polyvore because I couldn't find the top and the sweater I wore is only in polyvore as a natural color, so I will just post pics of me...wooh!

The top is by a company called Miss Closet. I bought this at Need Supply down in Richmond, again on super sale. I bought a large, but it fits pretty well, almost feels like a tunic. From what I read, Miss Closet is a juniors' brand so that could explain why the large doesn't feel too large. The jeans are my beloved Seven for all mankind dojo's. I am a little worried that they are becoming too loose. (The one pitfall of weight-loss, pants that do look really nice become too loose...sigh.) The shoes are the joelle patent flats in spearmint, and the necklace is a green amber piece I got from the History Store (or something like that) back before I was married (2001).

My hair is wet. Honestly if I make it out of the house with everything I need and my hair is wet, I will live. Little accomplishments make me the most happy. Even though it was wet, it was completely dry by the time I got to school (yep, I walked again)!


Here is the outfit, but with the sweater/fancy sweatshirt. This is from J. Crew last winter (2007). I also own it in black, but the Miss Closet top does look very nice with this color!

By the way, I see a lot of J. Crew out in the world, but this sweater/sweatshirt is the one I most often see. I think it had a very broad appeal when they created it. And almost everyone I see in it looks really nice. Must be the universally flattering shawl-collar!

My next post is about my Seven Dojo jeans dilemma. Help me if you can!

Blue, Yellow, Brown...they can work and they did...February 6, 2009..

Here is the Polyvore version of the outfit I wore today. I had wanted to wear it sooner, but it was either too cold or I was too tired to put it together and try to look sharp (there is a reason there are no pics from yesterday)! :)

I usually do not wear blue or brown, but I really like it when other ladies do and especially when they wear the two together. Add in a pop of yellow for interest, and voila! I am glad brown is a neutral or else this outfit would look a bit crazy!

Here is the link to the polyvore site:
http://www.polyvore.com/blue_yellow_brown...they_can_go/set?id=6300128



Here is how the outfit looks without the jacket. Can I wax poetic about the tank for a moment? It is a gorgeous color, fits well (had to get a small...gotta love J. Crew...huge tops), and is the perfect layering piece. And I got it for 10 dollars! I love the shoes, too. What a nice way to show off your feet, but without having to wear heels. And if you have been on J. Crew Reviews lately, you have seen me profess my love for the 7fam Dojo jeans. The cardigan I got on ebay, not J. Crew (sold-out) but it fits beautifully and is a nice print to carry off other colors.

This color is to die for...even though I am about five pounds away from this Lady Day fitting perfectly, I won't wait...the pop of brilliant blue makes a lot of stress lift from me...amazing what color can do for your mood. Also, is the lady day not the most classic coat? Although I bought in in an nontraditional color, the shape will make it last for many years to come. I am sure if you own this coat in navy, white, black, or brown...it is the coat you turn to constantly!