Review of the Ruffles and Roses Tank and the Pearl Pebble Ring!!!

Ooh, I have like four moments to myself because I am subbing today!!! Just enough time to publish this post if I only give you the basics!!!

So, do me a favor, if you have reviewed either of these items on your blog, would you mind leaving me your info so I can later put them into my post???

Onward I go...

Ruffles and Roses!!! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Items in this set:
J Crew top, $43
J Crew sweater, $148
J Crew pants, $40
J Crew flats, $145
J Crew tote bag, $298

Here is the polyvore of the outfit I wore with the (wonderful) ruffle and roses tank and the (gorgeous) pearl pebble ring.


I think I wore this the day after I bought the tank. That is my new test of whether I am allowed to keep something I buy from J. Crew or Boden. If I don't wear it in the first month of purchase, it has to go back. This does two things, it allows me to really think about whether or not I want the item enough to wear it that soon, and it also keeps me from spending the money because I cannot justify spending money on something I *may* wear in the future. It seems to be working!

I love this tank. It is black, and the ruffles and roses get lost in this first pic, but look how nicely it layers in this outfit. I felt like I looked good, but also felt good as every piece of this outfit is made from some nice material. The ruffles and roses tank is made from the tissue material so it is nice and soft!!! I bought a small, which fits very well (I often have to get x-small in the tissue tops). It does seem to be a bit steep at $42.50 but I believe that if you wear it enough, then it is worth the money. I suspect I will get a lot of use from this in all seasons, so I felt like at least this color was worth it.

There are more colors and sizes at jcrew.com.


Here is a close-up of the tank without the cardi. You can see the "ruffles and roses" better here. See how nice this could look with a summer skirt or shorts??? I suspect I might get another color for summer when they go on steep discount (and yes, I will remember my "wear it by one month rule).


Onto the Pearl Pebble Ring. I bought it for $25, I believe. This is a size medium which means I can wear it on my index or middle finger. I wore it on the index with this outfit.

The gold color is a rose-gold color, which is a pretty, muted color, and matches well to the little pearl pebbles.

I honestly think for the price, I got a deal. I think even at $55 this is a nice ring and of a good value (its original price). I do not see it for sale at jcrew.com. I think it has sold-out and I am not surprised.


Close-up of the ring from the front. Dresses up my hand. Love it! (Although, and I get this, costume jewelry is not for everyone...)

P.S. Mid-Century Mom is updated and so is Cash from My Closet!

Citron Yellow and Aqua Stripes...So Pretty Together!

I loved Fabulous Florida's Mommy's post (here: http://fabulousfloridamommy.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-color-to-wear-with-citron-yellow.html) on what colors to pair with citron yellow that I decided to pull one of my many citron items out and wear it today. It is cold here today (we even had flurries this morning) so I decided my herringbone fiona jacket in citron was the perfect item.

I spent nearly all of my time in Pi-Yo last night thinking to myself, "what shirt should I wear to complement the citron fiona?" Even when we were in our concentrated relaxation time I still was mulling over the possibilities! :) It wasn't until I actually looked in my closet that I realized which one to choose...ta da...the aqua-striped knit tee from Macy's Style & Co. Now I know I could have picked something a bit more formal, but well, it's Friday, and yep, you know it, I walked to school...so "stylish" comfort won out.

The jeans are Calvin Klein and purchased for a song from TJ Maxx. And they fit SO well. I love it when I can wear well-fitting pants. NO more too loose or (a lot less often for me--a snug waistband drives me cuckoo) too tight in my wardrobe. (This blog and the pics Jim takes every morning have really helped me get a sense of what to wear to flatter my best assets...cough, cough.)

The necklace is some inexpensive piece I found at Macy's a few years ago. The ring is the Orbit ring from J. Crew (winter 2008). Quick warning about the Orbit ring--it must have nickel because my finger turned green. This does not bother me, but if you don't care for this, do not purchase it (not available on jcrew.com but available on ebay). The shoes are some pair of Adidas I have had for years.

Here is the link to the polyvore set: http://www.polyvore.com/citron_yellow_aqua_stripes...so_pretty/set?id=7179260


This is the outfit without the fiona jacket. Cute, presentable, and most importantly, easy to wear while walking!


The peek of aqua allows the jacket to be less "intense." It is like the aqua calms the jacket down. The jacket is wee bit big for me, but as long as it fits in the shoulders, that is what I care about. I am not sure I could be one of those ladies who could wear this jacket open, but if you are, more power! :)

I am heading off to West Virginia this weekend with the family for a getaway. YAY! I will probably get two more posts done today but may not compute at all this weekend. I will be back in business on Monday, though, so no worries if you enjoy my blog. If you don't enjoy my blog, well, then I guess you have two days off (maybe--who knows if I will feel the urge to write this weekend)! ;)

I am a Big Fat Copycat!

You know it--I LOVE the Paris catalog from Fall 2007. I love it so much that I did a blog entry about it in February. You also know that I have promised to continue posting pictures from this catalog in the future. You also may know that I am obsessed especially with page 15 of the catalog, in which the ethereal Vanessa Lorenzo is wearing a red peacoat sweater, an ivory top, a double-strand frog necklace, a red wool hat, and tan cords.

I loved this image so much that I went out and tried to replicate it the best I could. So I own most of this outfit (top was sold out when I tried to buy it, and the cords are a wee bit different). I have been walking to school so much lately that I cannot wear this. Or should I say, I will not wear this...I do not want to ruin any of these pieces. By the way, the shoes are the Dandelion print flats from last January (2008). So since I drove today, out came the outfit. I get the silliest joy in my heart when I get to wear this to school. And I always get compliments...especially for the frog necklace and the hat!

Oh, and yes, goofy me is trying to tip my hat the way Vanessa did in her shot. Try not to end up on the floor 'cause you are laughing so hard. :) (Which I totally give you permission to do--I mean, if I can make fun of me, you certainly can...)


Here I am with said shot in my hands. Rex is so cute hugging my legs. :) I may not be in Paris, but I feel like I have a little slice of heaven right here on earth!


Here is a close-up of the pieces. You will also notice that I am wearing the orange cluster ring. I wanted to give it a whirl today. :)

By the way, I do this every so often...the whole take a look from the catalog and try to recreate it thing...more to come!

Review of the Orange Cluster Ring...

I know a lot of you have STRONG feelings about this ring...so since I ordered it...I thought I would share my feelings. But before I go further, here is the link to the ring at jcrew.com: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/jewelry/rings/PRDOVR~14674/14674.jsp

It was also discussed at J. Crew Aficionada, here: http://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/2009/03/product-review-cluster-ring.html The post was about the black version, but since I had bought the orange version I decided to do an additional review.

The above pic shows it on my right hand. It does not come close to overwhelming my hand, but I should remind people that I have very big hands. I have been told I have piano fingers from the time I was very young. My fingers are slim, so I bought a medium to wear on my middle finger. Medium is a size 7.

I am very glad I bought the orange, I think the colors will work nicely with my wardrobe and the colors work nicely with my skin color.


Here is a close-up of the stones. (Sorry it is a bit blurry--must get a macro lens.) The only thing I noticed? The stones look like they could fall out of their settings. Now I know that won't really happen (they have used a strong, clear glue and certain settings to ensure that the stones stay in place). I also know I am definitely not going to wear this out to a place where I could bang into stuff...don't laugh...I am known for being a bit "clumsy." :)

From the top you can see nice detail of the stones.

Here it is on my left hand, from the other side of the ring.

Detail of the back of the ring...can't really see it...but it is labelled J. Crew on the underside of the stone-work.

Would I recommend it? Yes, but only if: 1) You like your jewelry to make a statement; 2) You have fairly large hands...I think it would be too big on daintier hands; and 3) You are willing to buy it full price, or have a lot of luck. I can never seem to buy jewelry on sale, it always gets snatched up before I am able to grab it (with the exception of the pillow ring--SCORED on sale).

(That said, I bet that atomic necklace currently being made fun of over at J. Crew Aficionada will probably be on sale forever...it is just that hideous.)