Christmas Eve Dinner Shimmers with a Peacock Jacket and a Crushed Glitter Satin Clutch...

I am a few days late (but not a few dollars short, just kidding, I really am, which is why I am selling stuff--okay I am done plugging that blog) in publishing this outfit, but I wanted to give this post more time because it includes a mini-review of the crushed glitter satin clutch...which is just languishing in the sale section over at jcrew.com like a sad, little, lost puppy.

Some of you have already seen this outfit if you follow or read my Mid-Century Mom blog. I wore this outfit not only for Christmas Eve dinner, but also to go grocery shopping in...


Christmas Eve Outfit!!! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

The polyvore of the outfit is above. This dress is two winters ago from Macy's. I couldn't fit into it last winter, and while a bit loose overall this winter, it is just the right kind of loose (especially if you are going to go and have a big dinner). It is by Evan Piccone and is as pretty in real life as the photos make it seem...the color is the lushest shade of blue ever and the silk taffeta is TDF.

The gloves are actually from Ann Taylor and are so soft...I keep touching them because the leather is like butter.


Did I smell something weird? What is up with my facial expression?
Jacket: J. Crew Collection, Maggie Shimmer Peacock Jacket, Ivory with pretty metallic threading, Size 8, Winter 2008. I last wore it here.
Dress: Evan Piccone (Macy's), Silk Taffeta Shirtdress, Blue, Size 10, Winter 2007.
Shoes: J. Crew, Alessia Patent Peep-Toes, Grey, Size 9.5, Winter 2008.
Necklace: J. Crew, Pearl Cluster Necklace, Pearl and Clear Beads, Spring 2009.
Headband: J. Crew, Braided Gold headband, Gold, Summer 2009.

Clutch: Crushed Glitter Satin Clutch. Why are you not more popular? Could it be that people worry that your glitter will get all over everything, like your less attractive sister bag would (and why is she sold out)? Or is it the color, your warm beige silk is just not practical enough? The black silk version of you is sold out...hmm...

I am here to tell you that the glitter has a flake or two fall off, but overall, that glitter is secured to this bag's top handle tightly. And I am also here to tell you that this particular shade of beige is warm enough and light colored enough to be used well beyond the winter party season. I have a silver clutch that I adore, but I only use it in the winter because it just screams "New Year's Eve Party." This clutch is a lovely combination of retro, silky, dainty, and lady-like, enough so that it could be a good choice for a evening bag the WHOLE year. Or maybe that's just me. I do wear a lot of silk camis, and a lot of people think that is fairly impractical, so I could be deluded. :) Anyhow, I just wanted to give a shout-out to the little bag that could.

Plus, with 20% off, it isn't a bad price right now.


The dress has pockets. Love pockets in a dress. Makes my hands happy because they have a place to live. Is that weird?

Have a nice day all...

August 12, 2009 (aka Rex's 2 1/2 Birthday)...

We are so into birthdays in this household that we happily celebrate half-birthdays, too. Yeah, I recognize the inherent lame-ness of it all, but well, that's us...a little bit lame. :)

Rex turned 2 1/2 on August 12, 2009. We celebrated during the day by going to the pool, and at night, we went to McDonald's and then to Toys R Us. (Wouldn't have been my first choice, but when you are 2 1/2, McDonald's and Toys R Us are the pinnacle of fun...esp. when they have happy meals with toys--whee!)

And because I eagerly anticipate any sort of celebration, you got it, I dressed up to go out to McDonald's and Toys R Us. You would have seen these outfits sooner, but if I recall, the next day my post had a comment from Mr. or Ms. Negative Jerk-Face commenter, and it kind of shut down my desire to post any fashion for a little bit. (But I am obviously back, and have been, and really wanted to get these outfits posted before it got any further into the fall season.)

August 12, 2009 by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Here is the polyvore for the whole day...from pool (on the left) to ultra-fancy McD's and TRU (right). Yes, Mr. Dina was a little amazed I was wearing a strapless dress and pearls out, but I think he got over it when I glared at him. ;)


Here is my day look...the Trastevere tunic from the outlet that I won on ebay (actually received a second chance offer) in a small, the khaki bermuda shorts from regular J. Crew, the twist back swimsuit in pacific from J. Crew, and the carina sandals in silver, also from J. Crew.

There is CW crawling around...sometimes they find their way into the pics (which I love...so cute)!


Okay, so here is the McD's/TRU outfit...the strapless jersey dress in a dark charcoal (may have been an in-store only color) belted with a cream leather skinny belt, and some sandals from ebay that are J. Crew (I think last summer--2008?).

I will be honest with you...I love the way this looks, but there is a whole lot of fashion tape being used to hold this dress up. For all of you who own this, do you have any secrets on how to hold this up better? I want to wear this more, but right now I am limited to wearing it only for a few hours at a time because the fashion tape only lasts that long. Hmm...if you have any ideas, I will forever be grateful!


I bought this button-up shirt specifically to wear as a lightweight jacket/cover-up. Crazily enough, while I can wear a 6 or even a 4 in some of J. Crew's jackets, I can barely get into a size 8 button-up shirt because the area of the shirt near the hips is always too tight to button up completely. Ergh! This shirt is the worst offender, by the way...the top 1/2 fits PERFECTLY, but the bottom 1/2 is WAY TOO small. So lucky for me, I only wanted to wear it open.

For those of you considering the ruffle front liberty art perfect blouse from J. Crew this season, go for it if you have larger hips...they have finally sized their tops to work on both the top and bottom halves of us pears. (Finally...)

Have a great day...enjoy yourselves and don't work too hard!

Oh, and P.S.: I found my diary from high school...man, it is BAD. Terrible. Completely hilarious, but truly awful. I will be working up the courage to bring you dina's dramatic diary...just give me a few more days...

Catch-up Post #2...or a Trip to Five Guys and Target!

Rex has been showing signs of being jealous of how much time I have to devote to CW (still nursing, after all), so I know I have to find sometime to being with him alone. That is when Mr. Dina and I come up with having a "date" with our kids. ;) I know some of you all out there have done this...

July 3rd, 2009--Date with Rex. Tired, so I beg Mr. Dina to come on date with me and Rex and to bring his date CW. We "double-date" at Five Guys. Mmm...Five Guys...(btw, I grew up ONE block from the original Five Guys in Arlington, it opened its doors one year after we moved there)!

Mr. Dina then drops me and my date (Rex) at Target where Rex and I have fun. Or, in my mommy world, Rex walks me to whatever he wants to do and as long as he isn't ravaging the place, I let him go. Rex has a blast...we even find him some awesome Bumblebee (as in the Transformer) shoes.

Later on Mr. Dina and CW come find us (they had a date to Babies R Us) and all is good in the world. P.S. I am still tired, so I am glad Mr. Dina and CW came with us!

"Date" Night at Target and Five Guys!!! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Here is the polyvore of the outfit I wore out with Rex. If you have any questions about the clothes themselves, go ahead and ask in the comments...I promise I will get to answering them!


Here is the outfit on. I felt young. Not young enough to look like Rex's sister, but maybe a young mom or aunt (no one has to know how old I really am)...


Another view, but what the heck is up with my right leg? Where did it go? I would have only used this pic by itself but I was so put off by my missing foot that I couldn't let it go. I think this compulsion I have is weird and I need to get over it, but still...it looks bizarre!

Don't forget, by the way, socks giveaway ends in less than six hours!

Pop of color...times two!

Okay so the reason I have named my post "pop of color...times two" is because I am not technically wearing this outfit exactly. It is like this outfit, but polyvore does not have the actual pieces I am wearing, so I gave you two for one. (Sort of...)

The outfit from polyvore is a honey glaze star pleated top, a pair of chinos, some beautiful silk patterned flats, the pearls everyone seems to love (target knockoffs and all), and a sweater peacoat that I bought last year after seeing it in the paris catalog (see 2/8/09 for pics of the sweater in the catalog). I think pink, yellow, dark red, and pale tan look nice together. I did the same color scheme with my outfit, just a bit differently, and with no yellow.

Here is the link: http://www.polyvore.com/pops_color/set?id=6453074


So here is my version...star pleated top in pink (whatever J. Crew calls it) in medium, my own pearls from Macys, the Claire pants in white, size 12, and the liberty fabric pointy toe flats from a few years ago (J. Crew, of course).

The top is a medium, which oddly enough, fits in the shoulders (usually smalls do), but is HUGE in the waist. Whatever...I will just wear it with skinnier pants to offset it. I love the color and the material is so soft...

The claire pants are huge...yay!!! I have lost another few pounds, and it is definitely apparent in my pants. I have been hitching them up all day. I think it is time to retire another pair of pants...

The shoes are that gorgeous fabric they did a few years ago. Mine are all tattered and worn, but I kind of like them that way. They still get compliments... I actually bought a second pair on way reduced sale and have yet to bust them out. I probably will when CW is 6... :)

The pearls are my own version of the love of so many JCAs...I could never justify another set of pearls when the ones I own work almost as well.

I hope everyone has a great day...side note...no fighting over at J. Crew Aficionada today! YAY!