NYC Fab, at Least My Version of Fab...

I have been promising you this post for what, three weeks, right? Crazy!

I call this post NYC fab because I felt FAB in these outfits. Now I understand that for many of you, these outfits may be less than fab, as some of you really do fab very very well, but for a mom who rarely has the chance to really bring it (wait for the mega-post I will be doing on summer sundresses--LOL--that has been my uniform so far since the heat and humidity decided to sit upon us here in Virginia), NYC over Memorial Day weekend was my opportunity to try some outfits that I normally wouldn't wear. One reason is because it does tend to be more conservative around these parts and I feel like I stick out a bit more if I wear these outfits when I am out with my kids...in NYC, I felt liberated, sort of like all the other people were doing more "high" fashion, so I could get away with shorter skirts, funkier necklaces, and crazy high heels, even if I was out with my kids. It was kind of nice, actually. Second reason is that being away from my "normal" life and clothing, I was forced to wear what I brought, regardless of comfort or how I was "feeling" in that particular moment.

So let us begin!


First outfit is my very favorite of the whole weekend and the first one I actually wore. I do have to admit to wearing this on the night that my dad (HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, dad!) took care of my kids and Mr. Dina and I were able to go to dinner and a show together. The kids were not part of the equation for this outfit, so I was more than happy to wear the Alecias as long as I could (haha, which wasn't all that long, see next photo for more on that).

Sizes:
Dress: Carly Dress, J. Crew, Size 8. You know I love this dress, and still do. I find for a very comfortable dress, it can be dressed up very easily, especially in this (in-store only) color of grey. Belt: Roughed Out-Belt, J. Crew Outlet, Size Small. Really punches up where the waist is on this dress.
Shoes: Alecia Suede Peep-Toes, Size 9.5. See, I have raved about these before, but oh, I didn't have to wear them to walk nearly 2 miles. Oops! I had to go to a discount shoe store near Union Square and buy a fancy pair of flip-flops halfway through the evening. ;)


And there they are, those fancy flip-flops by Kenneth Cole Reaction. (They are pretty comfy for being all sequined and special...)


Next day, the day I walked nearly 8 miles total (maybe more--who knows?), I wore this outfit. Yes, I did. And it was PERFECT. Only by the 8th mile were my feet anywhere close to suffering. Amazing!

Sizes:
Top: Caspian Blue and Black Floral Tee, J. Crew, Size Small. Love this but didn't realize it was a sheer (do you see the pattern of the skirt through it?). Also, the seam under the arm had a hole, so I had to do emergency surgery on the tee with a sewing kit. Grr. :P
Skirt: Croccodillo Pencil Skirt, J. Crew, Size 8. Bought this last year when I went to NYC and visited the Collection store. Still LOVE this skirt. One of my very favorites ever from J. Crew.
Shoes: Lalia Gladiator Sandals, Circa Joan and David, Size 9.5. I specifically bought these for the long walk I knew I would be taking in NYC. Purchased at Macy's for a song, and 100% worth every penny. Have already worn them multiple times this summer.

Baby CW is wearing her Liberty of London for Target sundress. That evening we passed the big HUGE billboard for Liberty of London for Target, so we got a photo of her in front of it! (You will see the fun, candid shots in another post.)


After walking 8 miles (ooh, yes, just like Eminem's awesome album), I decided to change. You would have too. :) Trust me.

I actually had bought this at the SOHO J. Crew store earlier in the day, and loved it. You have already had a sneak peek of this when I showed this photo off, but now I can discuss it!

Sizes:
Top: New Favorite Tank, J. Crew, Size X-Small. This must be an in-store only color, and it is really bright, but just what the outfit needed for a punch of color. Yum.
Skirt: Drapey Drexel Plisse Skirt, J. Crew, Size 8. I am shocked this hasn't sold out, at least for the shorter ladies. It is a SHORT skirt, but it is super-comfy, very easy to dress up or down, and is a flattering shape. Plus it packs well and is wrinkle-resistant. I highly recommend it if you can carry off the shorter length. I can only get away with it because my thighs are shorter relative to my overall height. I also sized up so I could pull it down a bit.
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction "they saved my feet" fancy flip-flops. :)
Scarf: En Plein Air Scarf, J. Crew. Same print as the fleurette that I love, but cannot wear. Sigh. ;)


Last but not least is the outfit I wore to the American Museum of Natural History. Yes, more walking. :)

Sizes:
Top: Racerback Tank, Banana Republic, X-Small. I rarely buy from Banana Republic anymore, but I did like this tank. I knew I could make it work in the summer, and in the winter under a cardi. Only issue I had was that the Fenton-Fallon necklace created some pilling, but I know that I can take the shaver to the tank and get rid of the pills.
Pants: Scout Chinos, J. Crew, Size 8.
Shoes: Same as in Outfit #2.
Necklace: Fenton-Fallon for J. Crew Tassle Necklace.

Baby is wearing a Jacadi Liberty of London printed cotton dress. It even has matching bloomers. :)

Have a lovely Father's Day, you all.

P.S. I will comment back, have been away from the computer more than I would like, but plan on getting as much done today and tomorrow as I can. Wish me luck!

Cleo and Dani Make an Appearance on Fridays Are for Feet!

Oh, I feel so timely writing this post. I think if it weren't for the fact that I have seen NO reviews of these shoes, I wouldn't even bother writing these up. :)

Yesterday was fab. I loved it! Hung out with my kids for the first time during the workweek since I started my awesome Spring Into Style class (which is now over--and yes, the runway show was amazing, and yes, my outfit for the show will be presented to you all at some point). Since it was just the perfect temperature to hang outside with the kids yesterday (high in the 70s and very sunny), I took them to a park near us called Huntley Meadows, which if you live in the NOVA region and have not been to...you must go and stat. It is a protected preserve with both abundant forests AND a wetland (complete with a boardwalk). Sadly, we didn't make it all the way to the wetland (the kids were a bit tired by the time we got there), but we did take a quick jaunt through the forest. :) Baby CW was really mad when we left...I guess I know who I have to take there more often.


Above is me and Rex after the walk. He ACTUALLY wanted to pose for a pic with me. Yay, Rex!


Above is the outfit I wore...all oldies but goodies, except of course for the Cleo Platform Shoes.

Sizes and info (no time for a polyvore):
Cardigan: The infamous Coccodrillo printed cardigan from last summer. Compared to what J. Crew is churning out now, this print almost looks sort of tame. :) Size Medium.
Tee: I forget the name, but I find this shade of caspian blue very flattering, and I love the black silk floral applique on the front. Proof that you can and should wear navy and black together. Size small.
Pants: Scout Chinos (in regular length). I own these in the tall length, and it adds about three inches to the inseam, making them the perfect ankle length pants. These are just regular capris in the shorter, normal inseam. Size 8.
Shoes: Size 10. And they are a bit too short in length. SHOCK! I actually have a pair of shoes from J. Crew that fits me in a size 10...just like old times.


Close up of the Cleo Platform Sandals. 1. Get your normal, pre-vanity foot size J. Crew size. For me this is a ten. I have been wearing 9s and 9.5s recently...in 2005 I almost exclusively wore 10s or 11s in J. Crew shoes. Admittedly my feet have shrunk a bit, but not enough for me to be wearing 9s, for crying out loud. 2. These are just wonderful shoes. I love the comfort, I love the color, and I love how they are pretty on the feet. 3. I was 6 feet tall in these. YAY. Eye to eye with Mr. Dina. (And Jenna Lyons, in flats. Heehee.) 4. I walked all over God's green earth yesterday and did not feel it. They are perfection for a mom on the go!


I wore this outfit a few weeks ago, but since I did the review of the Dani Peep Toe Shoes in this outfit, I thought I would at least show you how I styled it.

Sizes and Info:
Shirt: Mushroom Printed Button-Down Nehru collared shirt from the outlet. I bought this off ebay. I love this print, but missed out on it when it was at the "real" J. Crew back in 2007. Now does anyone have a mushroom printed skirt in a size 10 that they want to sell me???
Pants: 7 For All Mankind Bootcut Jeans. Based on this pic, it appears these need to go into my postpartum closet. Size 32.
Shoes: Size 9.5. Perfect fit in my "new" J. Crew shoe size.


One shot of the Dani suede and leather heels in Irish Moss. Love the cone heel and I adore the stretchy bit there on the side...great for expanding feet (especially during pregnancy and if you are on your feet all day).


Another view from the other side. Very pretty and girly, eh?


And a front shot. I wish I had the time to get a pedicure. My toes are all bare and sad looking. :( Mother's day gift, anyone???

Some thoughts on this heel...love the color, love the retro details, and appreciate the cone heel, as that makes this a very comfy shoe. Here is an odd thing, though. I bought these about two months ago and on sale for...$105.00. It was on sale for $150 and J. Crew was running a 30% off all sale items promo, so there you go, $105.00. Now this heel is back to its original (and slightly insane) price of $215.00. Huh???

I also have the Dani neon leather heels in the neon pink color. I will be doing that review when I finally get around to showing my cherry blossom themed outfits (the pink in the strap was perfection with the ochre pencil skirt and bright pink silk top I wore that day). The Dani heels in neon have NEVER been on sale, so I had to grab (probably their last pair of 9.5s) those at full price. Yes, I know, it hurt me too. (But they are amazing!!!) Oh, and I provided that link at the beginning of the paragraph because they may popback one day, and you all should make grabby hands towards them...

Have a great day. Coming tomorrow? A new blog/business venture for My Superfluities (grand launch is happening between 4 and 7 pm Eastern time). Wish me luck!

Indiana, Plus Pennsylvania (or Part 2 of Our Insanely Long Vacation with Kids)!

First--if you missed part one of our journey (and I have a suspicion some of you did--I published on Sunday night--the dead hour of blog writing, evidently), please visit here...it highlights the beginning of our insanely long trip with kids (10 days, one car, two car seats, eight states) to North Carolina and Georgia.

Untitled by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Second--here is a reminder of the polyvore from the first set, but to save energy and time, I consolidated them into one large set.

Third--and this is just pure laziness on my part, I did NOT make any separate polyvores for the individual outfits because I really wanted to concentrate on seeing my best friend Lynn (who I was visiting in Indiana and have not seen in two years) and not on playing grown up paper dolls (although it is a great time waster when trying to avoid real work--heehee)!


So on our first day in Indiana, I knew I wanted to be casual, comfortable, and yet, somewhat dressed up. What better than an Xhiliration sundress? I always have to wear a size large in Xhiliration (it is a juniors brand), although I could have *maybe* bought a medium. Whatever, it looks fine. BTW, these sandals are not in my polyvore because I bought them in Ann Taylor Loft in Tennessee, but decided to wear them on some of the later days of the trip. These sandals have a bee critter on the strap--just like J. Crew of old--so if J. Crew won't do it, I will buy from those who do!

BTW, doesn't my friend Lynn look BEAUTIFUL? And she is all natural in this photo! (Wait till you see her all dressed and made up for her wedding--GAH! Gorgeous!


The second day I decided to finally wear this Boden top that I got for a ridiculous amount on sale. I fell in love with the pattern way back in April but held off buying and it worked to my favor. :) Yay!

The shorts are from J. Crew, years ago, like spring 2006 or something. The shoes are the Pretty Laidy wedge sandal from Aerosoles (and may be the most versatile pair of sandals I own, they go with pretty much everything...and I paid 30 bucks or something like that...crazy).

I made this pose because I was teaching Lynn how to do the "Skinny" pose. HeidiG. says that I look skinniest (and most people do) when you swivel your hips to face the side and turn your upper body to the camera. It is true...not that I can do this pose every time...but it does work to slim me down. ;)


Okay, fast forward to the next day...we went to where Lynn's wedding was going to be a day early...have to have foresight with two small kids...and while waiting for everyone to arrive on Saturday, all four of us just kind of chilled in very rural Indiana (her wedding was a "bit" off the beaten track). I wore this outfit...I have felt bad for this sleeveless sweater for some time...I bought it last summer (2008) and I have worn it maybe twice. And, look, it is citron! What's wrong with me? Well, I apologized to it by wearing it the whole day before the wedding started! It is cashmere, but that real lightweight summerweight knit that they do so well...


You remember this dress? The one that I received so many positive responses to? Well, I didn't wear that one to Lynn's wedding, because I found this dress a month or so later. This Caspian blue is one of Lynn's favorite colors so I knew it was the PERFECT dress for her wedding. Don't worry, the gorgeous flamingo Delores dress will come out and play...I promise.

So this halter sangle dress is perfection...it has a tight bodice with an EXTREMELY flattering neckline plus the addition of a fairly full skirt (just in case you overeat at whatever occasion you wear it to) and pockets, you know what a sucker I am for pockets in dressy dresses! This is a size 8, btw, and by the time I wore the dress, it was a tad loose, but nothing obnoxious. (I love this dress so much that when they went on sale--I bought one in a size 6 in an olive green color...)


Here I am with the most beautiful bride ever, Lynn! And you astute ladies will notice, yep, that is a J. Crew wedding gown. :) (I wonder who encouraged her to look at jcrew.com?) If you are a potential bride-to-be, I highly recommend J. Crew...especially if you want to find a dress for under $500. BTW, my dress at my wedding was under $500 (but was not J. Crew--J. Crew was NOT doing wedding gowns back then)...and is very similar to the one Lynn picked out. I love some of the dresses for weddings that are REALLY expensive, but Lynn and I are of the same mold...why spend that much on a dress we will only wear once? (Although we have absolutely no problem with other people spending whatever they want...)

So you all know, I am making this stupid face because by the point this pic was taken, I had a few tipples of red wine...mmm...


Here is a close-up of Lynn...she looks amazing, right? Oh, and she made her necklace! (And the earrings I am wearing in the last photo...she made those, as well...so talented...)

(Maybe she will set up her very own etsy shop...think about it, Lynn...)


So now I am back to the basics. So basic, in fact, that this shot was taken at Target in Indiana. Woo-hoo! (I was going to be in the car all day, sue me...)

And now for a little injection of glamour...the Havona tank taken to casual comfort. I wore this on the last day of our vacation (we were in Pennsylvania at Fallingwater--Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic masterpiece--also the site of Rex's most insane breakdown yet--this cami stood up to a lot...therefore I can say if you are a mom...you can purchase it). I bought it in a size 8, and although a bit loose, it isn't too bad...whereas my lack of makeup? Slightly bad...but I will plead my case...I had just finished trying to stop Rex's meltdown (it didn't work)...

Okay, folks, that's it! Phew. I hope this was more fun for you to read than for me to create...I think I am done with the REALLY LONG posts for a little while. I am tired...

The City that Never Sleeps...How Could They? Rex Was There...

I am not what you would call the biggest "Big Apple" lover. I think the city and all it has to offer is fantastic, but to get there is a pain, and once there it is REALLY crowded. I live in a house with no back neighbors and whole heck of a lot of forest for a reason...I like nature and privacy (yes, I have a blog, and yes, I get how that is a disconnect).

Having said this, I ended up having a GREAT time when we went to NYC over Father's Day weekend. It was a pain to get there, and yes, it was still insanely crowded (although not in the very lovely Upper East Side), but I think because I wanted to have a good time, I approached all of the possible things that could annoy me with more humor and positive energy. I think it worked.

Worst part of the weekend? Rex was an insane, crazy, slightly demented child while we were there. I am surprised the Guggenheim doesn't have us on their hit list after the multiple fits he had in that amazing building. Sigh. And then there was the whole breaking the wineglass trick he did at the hotel (it isn't a Jewish wedding, Rex). Double sigh.

Best part? Every single stinking person fell in love with CW. I don't know if she really is that pretty, but every other person we passed was so sweet and complimentary of her.

Another part I loved? Even though Rex was a mad-man, the New Yorkers didn't even seem all that bothered by him...God bless you all!

And of course...I LOVED the Collection stores on Madison and on Prince Street. The Madison Avenue one is the smaller, more "boutique" style store (read: tee-tiny), whereas the Prince Street one is HUGE and has its own accessories section (and a fantastic sale section).

I also got to meet the gorgeous Marietta at the Collection store, and although we were only able to chill out together for about an hour, it was a lot of fun. I hope that all you New York JCAs will have lots of meetings...what a perfect place to showcase your love for all things J. Crew. I also think the DC JCAs should take the train up and spend a weekend "crewsing" around with the NYC JCAs...can you even imagine???

Onto the clothing!

NYC City Trip--June 2009! by dinagideon on Polyvore.com

My Polyvore is above.


For the drive up, I went REALLY casual. The top is from Disneyland, and I love this color. I also have a soft spot for surf tees...so when I saw this "Mickey" inspired surf tee, I knew I had to have it.

I have no idea why my hair looks this red. It must be this color and it really only shows itself in the natural lighting of the outdoors. I usually take my photos indoors and with dry hair. Hmmm...


So I got to the Guggenheim and after touring the exhibits in my surf tee and grey shorts (what better to run after Rex in?), I knew I wanted to "chic" it up for my trip to meet Marietta at the Collection store. It would have been flat out wrong for a JCA to show up there in non-J. Crew duds (although I did sneak in the Born shoes--forgive me, but J. Crew shoes are NOT made for walking). I REALLY like the way this outfit turned out. I didn't even think the matchstick jeans looked wrong rolled up. And can I express to you my LOVE for this necklace? It is divine and suits so many necklines so well.

BTW, my inspiration for this look was the beautiful Lauren Hutton in the (I believe) February catalog where she rocked this top with a similar cardi, pearls, and some capri chinos.


Ooooooh--we are so busted!!! We took this pic in the Collection store (Madison Avenue) and were promptly told that photos were not allowed to be taken. So ignore the mannequin, the sumptuous clothing and accessories, and focus instead on Marietta and myself. I loved that Marietta wore that cashmere vest cardi with a tank...I am so totally going to copy that look. I have that same cardi in orange, so I bet with a light pink tank, it would look awesome. Thanks for the idea, Marietta!

So what better to wear on a rainy Saturday night in NYC when you really have no plans to impress anyone and you have to wear a Bjorn anyway? This outfit is very pretty and practical. Once I was able to take CW out of the Bjorn I knew that people would like this top. The Caspian Blue color is so special...not navy, yet not a true blue, either. I hope J. Crew makes more in this color. I have a feeling it is one of those "universally flattering" colors.

Here is my girl rocking a black hoodie and sparkly white pants for NYC. Very chic for a baby. Just so you all know, the top survived being worn under the bjorn. The silk flowers are doing just fine!!!

I knew I was going to spend the entire day Sunday walking around so I HAD to be comfy. Yet I couldn't just slap something on. Anthropologie is very good at finding tops that can be practical but still allow you to be somewhat expressive. I was so excited to remember I had this top because...

I got to match CW!!! (Yes, I am a stupid nerd...)

This pic is from the hotel room. I really just liked it and wanted you all to see how much fun my kids were having. I hope the hotel recovered from our visit. ;)

Here we are somewhere near the Strand bookstore. Mr. Dina LOVES the Strand bookstore. I do, too, but not with kids. So guess who got to go to the store? Yep...not me. I guess I will pay more and have stroller access at our local (and very open) Borders.

So, all in all, a great time.

Have a nice day, you all!!!