Mommy Style Monday #17: Cull that Closet!!!

I did a post yesterday in which I reviewed three grey dresses that I own.  Add to that yet *another* grey dress that I also recently wore, I realized I have WAY too many simple grey dresses.  Which then led to me actually looking in my closet and realizing that if I was going to buy the lyric dress (not in grey, come on now...) and the maritime dress, I would also need to re-evaluate whether or not I needed as many jersey dresses as I have.

I think part of the reason I have held onto so many of these clothing items is because I simply run out of time to cull my closet.  I know this is going to sound mega-lame, but after running around after the kids all day, blogging, and doing all the daily "essentials" of my life (that sounds pretty tame, lol), by the time Mr. Dina gets home and can take over the child-rearing and such, I definitely don't have the energy to go into my bedroom and clean (but drink a glass of wine, um, yeah...).

But yesterday morning afforded me the trifecta of awesome...I felt good, Mr. Dina was home and herding children, and I knew that some of the items I wanted to cull from the closet could end up on the JCA Weekly "Sell" post, so I kind of had to get my booty in gear.

So how did all this end up as a Mommy Style Monday post?  Because, admit it, if you are reading this, you probably are both a) a mommy, and b) stuck with a few too many clothing items of your own.

But, if like me, you need an excuse, a valid reason, a push in the behind, this post is for you.  I will even show you some ways of coping with your loss (oh, I know I can't be the only one who has trouble getting rid of clothing because of sentiment, right?).

In order to REALLY be objective, I took a series of photos of myself wearing the jersey dresses, and through the power of Picasa, I chopped off my own head to make the most wise decision for each dress.  I have done this before, but for entire outfits.  I encourage all of you to try this...not seeing your head, just your body in the piece of clothing (and if you want, from all sides) will let you see what TRULY flatters you.

You will be seeing a series of photos that show my insane jersey dress collection.  In these photos you will be treated to: dresses that got a second chance because I ended up liking the way I looked in them, dresses that I want to sell (I think my readers and other JCAs/Boden Babes/Loft Lovers might have some interest), and dresses that I will give away to charity (older, but in still great shape, dresses from places like Old Navy and JCPenney).

 1) Loft Scoopneck Dress with Ruching.  Well, I already admitted to having a huge problem hoarding grey dresses.  Do I really need this one?  Answer: Definitive NO.  It is a nice enough shape, but the bust is too large and the overall length is too short (have enough short dresses, too).  SELL.  $20, Size 8.  See this polyvore for more info, if interested.

2. Old Navy Bright Yellow Pleated Neckline Dress with Bow Detail.  This color is amazing, but I have two tops from old navy that are this color.  The dress is baggy, saggy, a bit sheer, and overall a bad fit for me.  Answer: Definitive NO.  Going to give this one (and a few others that I have not shown here) to Goodwill.

3. Boden Printed Beach Dress.  Oh, how I adore this print.  Too bad the pockets on these are at my widest point of my hips, making it a bit too floppy at the WRONG part of my body.  This one is definitely meant for ladies with more up top and less on bottom.  This one was the hardest for me to part with, but at least I know it will be swooped up by another Boden babe (I like that term, btw).  Answer: NO.  For sale info at this polyvore, size UK 10, US 6, $30.

4. J. Crew Cotton Interlock Kristy Dress.  I have worn this a few times before, but never for the blog.  I could never seem to make it work for me.  The problem had been that I added a necklace.  By leaving the dress and its silhouette alone, the simplicity and the modern lines were able to shine through.  But I still wasn't convinced, so I took two more photos.

From the side.  Short, yes, but that is perfect for the weather around her in the summer.  It also allows me to be a bit "dressier" on errands and the like.

From the back.  Answer: YES.  Keeping this one and look forward to keeping it simply styled.

5. Mossimo Dress with pleated detail at neck and waist.  Bought this at a Target in Indiana a few summers ago.  Love the color and adore the design but was on the fence about whether it worked for me or not.  It didn't...two summers ago when I was still postpartum and nearly 20 pounds heavier than I am today.  I think all the pleating made me feel a bit larger than I was back then, hence my fence sitting.  Still not convinced, so took a pic from the back.

From the back.  It's okay, and I love this style for hanging out during the summer.  Answer: YES.

6. J. Crew Jennifer Shirtdress in Black.  Oh, this shirtdress has driven me CRAZY for a few years now.  I had it in brown and didn't really care for the way it looked on me.  Then I lost weight, sold the brown (size medium) and bought the black and the green in size small.  I wore the green one time, and hated it on me (again???).  Turns out I did it wrong for me.  So what if everyone else can wear this dress buttoned up and long-sleeved.  I can't.  I needed to adjust.  So I opened the lapel ALL THE WAY (while still remaining decent) and rolled the sleeves to the the 3/4 length.  The picture confirmed that I had chosen the correct styling.  Answer: YES.  (Phew.)

There will be two more posts today (and the third post will prove to be a humdinger, so come on back you all.)

Now, in the meantime, CULL THAT CLOSET!!! ;)

A Little Sultana to Brighten Your Day...and a Wee Little Rant About Rude People.

I have to make this quick and easy...I am in the midst of preparing clothing to be sent out for people who bought things last week from me on the exchange (thank you, all!)...had meant to do it yesterday, but in case you hadn't heard, we had over 6 inches of snow fall here. :P

Also, I have to get my next Cash from My Closet entry ready to go, AND (for all of you who have waited with bated breath) get my next post of Mid-Century Mom up and published (for a sneak peek, see the second photo for a glimpse of the outfit I wore).

Miss Sultana Can Brighten Your Day! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Okay, above is the outfit I wore on Thursday evening. I clearly love the Sultana jacket enough to wear it the VERY next night after purchasing it. No waiting in the closet for this bright and lovely mid-century inspired jacket. I guess that is one way to tell if the item you bought is a keeper, do you wear it right away? (Although if it is out of season, like shorts in winter, I guess that doesn't apply...)

We were just going to our friends' house to celebrate the birthday of one of them. I didn't need to go all crazy and dressed up, as this was a casual party, but I added a bit of "dressy" to the look. :)


Sizes:
Jacket: Size 6.
Tee: Size Medium.
Jeans: Size 10.
Shoes: Size 9. I guess even Merona Collection are suffering from vanity sizing. These are thin enough for my feet, but had I gotten the ten, they would have been far too long.

What is up with CW's stance? Maybe she is perfecting the "slumped over so no one sees just how short this skirt is" stance that so many J. Crew models have learned!


And now let's move to Friday.
Sizes:
Dress: Size 10. Jones New York, Macy's. I bought it after I had CW and it was so very very tight. Now it fits very well. My only issue is that the poly-blend does not lay well and wrinkles. That said, the shape is divine and that bit of lace at the collar is so beautiful. I feel very lady-like in this dress.
Heels: Size 10.

Baby is only wearing the outfit from the last night because she went to sleep in it...we changed her into another outfit shortly after this photo was taken. :)

I wore this to go to Rex's parent-teacher conference. It was okay, and the teachers must either really like me or really dislike me because we spent over an hour talking. I think it was that long because I am a teacher, too, so things like pedagogy and implementation got into our discussion (although we didn't actually use those words).

Then I went to Whole Foods and shopped. I put on a pair of flats in that same peacock blue color so I could be comfortable. Let me tell you something, though...in this day and age it doesn't matter how well-dressed you are, how lady-like you act, or how patient you are, you are still likely to p*ss someone off during grocery shopping. I am the type who will sit and wait for someone else to find what they are looking for and then I will move into their spot when they are done. I figure it is the right thing to do. Not ONCE, but TWICE, (and this part kills me), really OLD people chewed me out for not moving out of their way fast enough!!! Wow. I just hate to think it is THESE people who are representing my beloved Northern Virginia. So classy! Ugh. And to make it worse, I was only in their way because I refused to be rude to someone else and tell them they needed to move to make way for me. So my manners led to others' rudeness. How very ironic.

Okay, rant over. The whole purpose of me wearing this outfit was NOT for the conference (although I wouldn't have worn sweats) or for the shopping (I have done that already), but for the next chore on Mid-Century Mom's docket--unpacking the groceries. Post to be published either late tonight or early tomorrow morning!


It was REALLY really cold on Friday (still is, but the snow excuses me from having to step foot outside). This is what I wore to cover up.
Sizes:
Coat: Size 8. This is the Shipley Stadium Cloth Coat in Ivory. It is pretty and oh, so warm.

Preview for My Polyvore Pals!!! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Last thing, I am offering up two new items for the Cash from My Closet blog, and I am giving you all a sneak peek. Please note that the jacket does NOT have the button in the middle...that was in the photo from polyvore, and was not in any of the Aubrey jackets actually produced. Having said that, I really liked this jacket when it fit me. Now it is far too big in the shoulders for me to wear. I would say a size 10 could wear this no problem.

Have a great night all!

Reviews of the Tiered Vintage Fleur Top and the Mini Patent Campo Bag...

Anyone Want to Buy a Coat??? by dinagideon featuring J Crew

First off, some business: I have decided to add to my latest for sale offerings. These two coats could be yours. :) Check out my Cash from My Closet blog for more info.

Second, many thanks for all your positive comments about keeping my blog as is. That said, I have decided to at least incorporate some changes...more watermarks, review posts sticking to the business at hand, and personal posts more separate from the clothing-related posts (makes things more structured that way).

I really hated the thought of becoming fodder for those blogs whose only lease on life is to make fun of other bloggers. Hopefully that won't happen, but if it does, I AM ON RECORD (right now) saying how much I worked to avoid that from happening. ;)

Third, Ann commented on my last post that Boden's winter sale has begun! Yippee!!! Now...hmm...will what I want be around by the time I can start spending again???


Night Out to J. Crew... by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Okay, here goes. The polyvore of this outfit is above.


Jacket: Berry-trim Astrid jacket from the J. Crew Outlet, this fall 2009, size 4, black. It is almost identical to the one that J. Crew sold last fall. I really don't know how they are different. Does anyone know how they are different???
Top: Vintage Fleur Top, J. Crew, Winter 2009, size 8. This is a lot like the tiered cami but has embroidered flowers on the hem of each tier. This top is made very well. I have only one complaint, and I will get to that in the last photo. It is a J. Crew Collection piece. It appears to be sold-out on-line, but there are always popbacks.
Jeans: Ancient pair of Levi's that I just love. Size 10.
Shoes: Merona Collection Pink Heels that I fell in love with and blogged about in this post.
Bag: Mini Patent Campo Bag in Coconut. This holds just the right amount...wallet, phone, little makeup bag, keys, a small bottle or sippy cup, and a small book or calendar. It fits over my shoulder nicely (as long as I don't have a winter coat on), and is a comfortable feel in my hands when I choose not to place it over my shoulder. I paid full-price, minus some discount or another (I always wait for a discount), but it is on sale now, so lucky ladies...it can be yours for a very good price. :)


Another view for you all. Note that the Tiered Vintage Fleur Top has a silk ribbon sash. CDP--I swear I put a watermark on this image...where did it go??? I tell ya, I think I do something and then it just disappears.


Here is the Vintage Fleur Top by itself. My only beef with this is that the middle tier kind of poofs out (you can't see it here because my arm is covering it)...which means that I will have to nip it in with some thread and needle...easy enough fix, but irksome, nonetheless. I like the top on its own, but in my opinion, looks really good with a more structured jacket.

Did anyone else review either of these pieces? If so, could you put your link in the comments? I would be very grateful!

Some Changes???

I am for sale over at dinagideon's other blog, Cash from My Closet...

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So I am thinking about changing up my blog a bit, maybe making it a little less "personal." Here is why...I had a comment on Friday night about how I went on about the skirt I was wearing being a size 6 and how I mentioned how it was too big for me (actually said it was too big in the waist), when (in the commenter's opinion), it clearly was too tight. Another commenter came along and quickly jumped to my defense, which was very nice...and then the original commenter apologized and made it more clear what she/he had meant. Most of the comments were very sweet and actually said they really like the way the skirt looked on me, but I still had a nagging feeling...maybe I just need to filter what I say here a bit more. Had I just said, here is this skirt, "fab isn't it?" and maybe mentioned its size as a reference point for you all, then maybe I would have avoided the comment I received. I do feel like I have spent a lot of time on this blog going on about my weight and how I really want to lose it, and every time I lose a bit more, I do tend to be a bit "woo-hoo" and all...but maybe I should just focus on one or two things rather than kind of be all willy-nilly with this blog...in order to regain some structure and avoid some of the backlash (and I do see the original commenter's intent...be proud of who I am...even if it means sizing up to an 8...which by the way, I wouldn't have done, the sales assistant, and the other ladies shopping with me all agreed the 6 was the best fit).

I guess I just want to feel that I can post here without fear of reprisal. I do know that if I put myself out there, then it is bound to happen...but if I just keep it all tidy, dry, and just the facts, ma'am, I have a feeling things will be less of a mess...

I have seen the way other blogs, whose owners lay out personal anecdotes and information, get treated very poorly by other anonymous bloggers like poop on peeps. I don't think I am in the realm of being linked to by poops on peeps, but I also really don't want to even have a remote chance of that happening.

When I received that comment on Friday night, that is what I felt like..."oh, man, this goes to show...if you allow your personal feelings get involved (the way I spoke of how the skirt fit me), then you open yourself up to the comments people can leave." (Even if the intent was in the end okay...the first thought was harsh and kind of like the ones I have seen people leave at places like poop on peeps.)

I have a poll going right now. :) I want to see from you all what you want from my blog. If you are really JAZZED by my more personal stories...then awesome, vote for it! If you are more inclined to want the more business-like end of my blog (reviews, quick posts, in real life photos of clothing on me, and just the facts ma'am sizing), I can do that, too. Just let me know!

BTW, there is an "I need to see more of..." button on the poll...if you click that, could you please leave a comment with this post to let me know what you would like more of???

Oh, and the original commenter whose comment got me thinking? I am not upset...or mad...just thinking...so I thank you for that! :)

Boden Hotchpotch Dress Love!

I have some sort of cold or virus. Yuck. It is so bad that Mr. Dina was willing to take Rex to preschool and take care of CW this morning.

I am feeling *slightly* better...less aches, etc., but you can bet your bottom dollar that as soon as Rex goes down for his afternoon nap, I will be in my lovely bed taking another nap, too. My cold may make me all flushed looking and my hair is a fright, but at least I don't have any under-eye bags from not getting enough sleep. :)

This is an outfit I wore subbing two or three weeks ago. Boden does Hotchpotch prints every season, and it basically means that they take two discordant prints in a similar fabric and mesh them together in one seamless outfit. I have seen them take more than two print to make a hotchpotch item, but I tend to only buy the ones in two prints...the visual overload of three or more is a bit jarring.

Another thing about their hotchpotch items is that the prints are either in complementary colors (like yellow with purple or orange with blue) or they are in similar color schemes (which is what this hotchpotch dress is in--navy, green, and ivory).

Untitled by dinagideon featuring Cole Haan shoes

Items in this set:
Bodenusa.com dress, $138
Cole Haan shoes, $150

As you can see from the polyvore, the main print is a navy, green, and ivory ivy print which is enhanced (in my opinion) with a bib and shoulder and elbow fabric of navy and white small floral print.

The shoes are my beloved navy patent Cole-Haans. I love you, Cole-Haan patent pumps, and once momma starts to feel better will definitely show you off again...promise. :)

Here is the dress on me. I bought a 12 regular (which is an 8 regular here). I usually buy regulars in the dresses from Boden because I prefer the top half stay shorter and the length is usually fine. However, that said, I could have gone with a 10 long, but such is life. And now I believe all sizes are getting close to being sold out or are on a very long backorder. If your size is available, I say go for it. Here is the link to this dress on-line (I don't think the polyvore link is working).

Also, all but one of my items are still available for sale over at Cash from my Closet (the citron felted wool skirt has a potential buyer). :)

Have a great day, all!

New Blog Venture...

If you like me, you can have me...


I now have four blogs. One is this one, duh. :) The other three are...Mid-Century Mom (still in the production phase, it is coming, I promise), Only For Polyvore, Peeps (simply a photo storage place for items to be used in Polyvore), and the newest, Cash from My Closet.

I now make almost NO money because I decided to be a stay-at-home mom. Yeah, the very little bit of substituting I do helps a tiny-eensy, weensy bit, but come on, let's get real.

Because I don't like buying my husband's presents with HIS money, I had to figure something out. (Oh, and does it seem fair to buy J. Crew and Boden clothing with his money--kind of--I do take care of our kids as my job--but really, I have to at least throw him a bone that I can buy some stuff with my own money...)

He also pointed out to me that I have a ton of clothes, all in great condition, that I just don't wear anymore. Sometimes I don't wear them because they don't fit. Sometimes I don't wear them because they fit but fit me oddly. And sometimes, I just bought something and then discovered (well after the return period is up) the item doesn't work for me at this point in my life. So his reasoning was sound...let someone else enjoy something that you aren't. BINGO. So that is what Cash from My Closet is for...to let others enjoy something I am not. :)

So, head on over to the newest blog if you are:
1) Between a size 6 and a 12.
2) A lover of Vera Bradley.
3) A kind person who wants to buy my stuff because you want be all good Samaritan like, even if you don't wear these sizes or love Vera Bradley.
or
4) You like looking at pictures of things people sell.

Have a great day, all. I might be able to get one more post done today. We'll see!