Boy's Stripe Pocket Slub Tee Goes Out with the Chimera Jacket...

1. Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts during our difficult time yesterday. The first floor is an incredible mess now, and it appears that wherever there was laminate flooring there is water damage. So it seems all of the floors (minus the tiled floor) will have to be replaced. The upside is that Mr. Dina really wanted the downstairs wood to match the upstairs wood and now it appears they will. The insurance adjuster came by and was able to assess the damage, so we should be able to salvage things without having to spend an insane amount of money. Thank goodness. By the way, I wanted to let you know that your stories of despair helped in the sense that we are all really there for one another, even if it is just across the web, and not in an actual physical way. I am saying prayers for all of you who have recently had issues, this is a rough month all around, it seems.

2. Speaking of rough all around, this terrible crisis in Haiti has me very sad. It reminds me a lot of what happened in Mr. Dina's (former) neck of the woods when Hurricane Katrina rolled in and destroyed everything in its path. I am thinking that I would like to add links to my sidebar so if people want to contribute financially to the victims of the earthquake they can, but I don't know which organizations are the best to contribute to. I remember people being very upset during Hurricane Katrina because they would send money to a organization only to find out the organization didn't use the money for the purposes they said they would. I would love to get the links up later today (probably tonight), but I need help in identifying the best places first. Thoughts? I will take the links down in a month or so. Clearly some of you won't be able to contribute (we are in a similar situation) but if you want to, I will have the links there, just in case.

3. On a much less philanthropic note, Vera Bradley is killing me. Just when I think, no more. Stop. It. I can't buy anymore of your quilted darling-ness, they come out with another pattern that I am positively swooning over. Peacock did me in originally, then Bali Blue (which I have none of...willpower worked that time), but now Sittin in a Tree? Gah. I don't know that I can resist. The colors, the pattern, the theme, love. LOVE! At least I know that in something like two years it will all go on sale and then I can go crazy. BE. STRONG. STAY AT HOME MOM.

Tomboy and Lady-Like by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Okay, today's outfit is above in the polyvore. Everything is accurate, except the 7s are dojos not the squiggly lined ones as pictured. Whatevs, 7s are pretty darn awesome, regardless.

I wanted something a little tomboy and a little lady-like. I had to take Rex to preschool and CW to her "Blast off for Babies" class (which she loved, btw--jumping around and playing in a ball pit is like baby crack) so I knew I wanted to be put together but in a very casual sort of way, you know"sweats but better."


Sizes:

Jacket: Size 4. I wore it very dressed up here the last time. Also, yay for weather when this jacket can BE my outerwear. YAY! 50 degrees, baby!

Top: Crewcuts Size 12. I ordered this top (boys crewcuts) after seeing a model in the Jan catalog trying it. Usually size 12 boys is a bit baggy (see this top to see how), but this is pre-washed, so the 12 fit fine. I like the boy's tops because they are not quite as long as some of the women's tops. I agreed wholeheartedly with a JCA who quipped that the tops for women are made for someone flat-chested and long-torsoed. (I only qualify on one of those counts...heaven forbid you be ample-bosomed and short-torsoed.)

For those of you interested in this top, if you are a women's size 0, 2, or small 4, order a Boys 10. If you are a larger 4, 6, or small 8, buy a Boys 12. Do not buy this top if you have a long torso or any bra size bigger than a 36B. Trust me. (I am a 32B/C if that helps any of you all.)

Pants: Size 30.

Shoes: Size 10. These are the crocs that "don't look like Crocs." I must say I do like them but they are not very breathable. :)


Here is the outfit sans Chimera jacket. Now I just look very casual. I liked the outfit with the Chimera, but I know some of you are less than interested in trying out my "unique" combinations, and that is cool. So here it is, on its own. Still looks decent. I cut my head off because I was making a stupid face.

So, I have one more request, especially of those who follow my polyvore sets, etc. I would like to branch out and wear items I have either never worn or haven't worn in a long time next week. Tomorrow I will ask you all to comment on TOMORROW's post with which item or polyvore sets that you would like to see me either wear for the first time OR the first time in a long time. Obviously if you don't have any clue what I am talking about, that is fine...but remember if you do (and you have some desire to have power over what I wear--haha, please please remember it is winter here), wait until tomorrow to post which item/sets you are interested in...

Ocelot Cardigan Two Ways!!!

So this is my 250th POST! Woo hoo! I would have done a giveaway, but I am running around like crazy this week so I probably won't do a giveaway until the 300th post, but I am just super-stoked to even make it this far...

I would love to take a moment and thank everyone who follows my blog, whether as a "follower" or just someone who comes on over and visits me...I love having you all around, and not only have I learned more about what cool people there are in the world, I have also learned a lot more about me through this process...which was completely unexpected!!!

I know how popular the Ocelot cardigan was this fall...in fact so popular that it is sold out at jcrew.com. I decided that since most of my posts on my superfluities are about clothing, my 250th post best b-r-i-n-g it. So I decided to have this momentous post highlight the ocelot cardigan two different ways.



One Way to Style the Ocelot Cardigan! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Here is the polyvore of the first outfit. The second outfit has no polyvore, but if you have questions about particular items, go ahead and ask in the comments. I am going to be REALLY busy this next week, but there may be a chance I can answer them, so ask away...if I can't get to them, well you know what I will say, "I promise I will get to them, as soon as I can..."


I wore this subbing, and because I was walking home that day, I knew that I needed to wear comfy shoes. These sandals would not normally be what I choose, but they worked well enough. Ignoring the shoes, I absolutely LOVE this outfit. The teal is a color I wouldn't have normally paired with the cardigan, but I think it turned out well. HeidiG. will be impressed on how neutral I kept the rest of it...I really REALLY wanted the cardigan to be the centerpiece, and by using neutrals properly, I was able to let this beautiful piece really shine!

I received a ton of compliments on this outfit, so if you are interested in pleasing a 13-year old girl, wear this outfit. ;)


The second outfit appears to be making CW mad, but in reality she was just mad because I dared to put her down for a minute (CW=Clingy and Whiny)...don't worry you all, I picked her up about one nanosecond after I took the photo.

I haven't worn this outfit out yet, but I was so pleased with the cardigan that the moment I brought it home, I created an outfit.

The cami is one of my Lady Hathaway camis, in a charcoal grey. The jeans are the overdyed denim in dusty blossom (size 30, I think) from this last spring (2009). The flip-flops are Ann Taylor Loft from this summer.

I hope you enjoyed seeing how I styled this cardi...I plan on wearing this a lot this winter, and adding a pop of color with it...yellow, for sure...do you ladies (and maybe men) have any other suggestions for color combos???

P.S. If you really loved my shimmer paisley lawn dress seen in this post, there is one for sale over at "crewsing thru my 50's." I highly recommend that if this is your size and you have been dying to buy it, do so!!! It is definitely sold out and there are none to be had anywhere on ebay or the weekly exchange!!!

Take care, you all...Have a nice start to your weekend!!!

Anyone Interested in Some Reviews?

First...I wanted to let you know that I have commented back on this post and this post. I am still trying to find the time to comment back on this post, but I knew you all would prefer these reviews first!!!

To make my life simpler, I have compiled all the info on these items in a polyvore, so if you want to find them on-line, click on the polyvore, and then from there, the items should be easy enough to find at their respective homes (jcrew.com, banana republic, and ann taylor loft). Hope this is okay by you all..

Untitled by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Above is the polyvore. (And yes, I know it is kind of dorky, but I had a lot of fun creating it!)


This jacket is from Ann Taylor Loft. I saw this in the store about a month ago and fell in LOVE. I tried it on and saw that a small fit PERFECTLY. I didn't have enough money at the time to buy it, but as always, timing is everything, and a couple of weeks ago, the Loft was having a great sale (20 or 25% off), so I bit the bullet on this item. Like the downtown field jacket by J. Crew, I feel very saucy in this jacket...in a good way. Momma's going bad, girls. :) Just kidding...

Anyhow, this jacket is made of a lightweight, brushed cotton...very comfy and perfect for a early fall day (when the temps top out in the low 60s).


This is the ribbon-floral tee by J. Crew. It is a bit expensive at 45 dollars, but with my educator discount, it became a much more reasonable price.

Others have reviewed this (and if you have, can you mention it in the comments), and many have not liked it, especially in this color. I like this top and I like this color. I have almost NO tops in this color, so I have a definite need to have it, especially to wear as a base to jackets, etc.

I bought this in a small, and it is a nice fit...it stretched a bit through the day, but not too badly. The ribbon trim is very pretty, by the way, and secured very well onto the tee...no shoddy workmanship here.


The Eden blazer has also been reviewed a lot (please let us know if you have reviewed it), and here is my fit. I bought a PETITE 8, not regular. To me, this is perfect. This blazer has a very high-waisted fit, and I really appreciate them having the petites available, because this high waist actually fits me at my high waist. Phew! If it had been any lower, it would have fallen very poorly.

This is the copper color, which is very brick-like. I have very little in this color, so I am glad to own it...with many of my liberty print and boden outfits, this will be my go-to blazer. :) I am happy with this purchase.


Here it is, all open. I just thought you all would like to see this...

So I have always wanted to own a trench coat. Banana Republic had a FANTASTIC sale last week in which they offered a 25% off all items (even the sale items), and I saw this trench in the new arrivals and salivated. GORGEOUS. I also saw the Old Navy one that Gigiofca wore here last week, and well, suffice it to say, I now own a trench for the rain (Banana Republic) and one for the crisp, clear days of autumn (Old Navy--I will review it later).

Here is the trench all open, but belted. I really like the detailing. I think overall this jacket makes me look all classic...a bit of Casablanca, if you all don't mind the comparison.

I bought this in a small. I have noticed I have to size down in BR, as they are very GENEROUS in their sizing. :)


Here is the same jacket all buttoned-up. The jacket is made from cotton, but is one of those treated cottons that do very well in the bad weather. (In other words, perfect for VA in November.)


Oh, my love, the Camino coat in Dusty Blossom. SO pretty in the lookbook. And in real life, the double-cloth wool is so luxurious and soft and tightly-woven...bliss. I always feel so special when I wear my double-cloth coats.

I bought this in an 8. It does not come in petites or talls.

The double-breasted look is a tough one to pull off...but I think I am big enough that it doesn't look like I am wearing a football player's jacket.

This is what the coat looks like all buttoned-up. I love the buttons, and so everyone knows, the coat is made VERY well...there are no defects, holes, etc. I wish J. Crew could get their coat-maker to make everything they sell...


I also like the jacket buttoned-up but with the top buttons undone.


I should mention that there is a lot of room to layer under this coat...I could easily wear a thick sweater and a tee, no problem.

I cannot wait to actually wear it for real, and not just to review...I bet I can create some really pretty looks around this jacket.

Have such a very lovely weekend. I hope if you get to your local mall this weekend, that these reviews may have helped you a little bit!