OOTDs: Time for Tiny Florals.

I am sure he was telling me something very important here.

Day: Saturday, March 9, 2013.  (So timely!  LOL.)

Where: Sewing Class.

Ease of Wear: (4.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.)  Needed ease for all the bending over my project (see completed skirt here at this post).  The Sarah dress was exactly right for the slightly warm classroom, cool enough to not overheat and because it is a stretchy jersey, much more comfortable than pants and a sweater would have been.

And ballet flats?  Come on, super easy.  :)

Cool Factor: (2 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.)  Add five inches to that hemline and bouffant up my hair and you have dinagideon--sister wife.  This dress, while beautiful, is definitely more conservative and requires exactly the right high heel and accessories to take it out of frumps-ville.  (I wore it here last, still conservative, but a bit more edgy with the wedge boots and multi-chain necklace.)

I still felt pretty, though, and I love how the necklace's star pendant is the exact right shade of blue for the dress.

Anecdote from the day:  When I sew, I zone out, it's very "zen."  The only other time I am able to do that is when swimming.  It kind of freaks me out, though.  I will think I have only been working on a sewing project for an hour or so and then look at the clock and realize it has been closer to three.  Do you all do that with the hobbies you love?

Day: Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

Where: Rex's Bible Play.

Ease of Wear: (3 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.)  I love the Babycord Shirt Dress but find that the bottom three buttons unbutton far too easily, so over the summer I will just sew up the placket from about hip down to the hem and be done with it.  I have read that others are doing similar things, but it still bugs me that we have to do this.  Blegh. 

These tights are super cozy and fit well, unlike the super extra large pair that I bought and wore with this outfit.  The booties (yay for Target!) are awesome and very very comfortable.

Cool Factor: (2 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.)   Sister Wife--part two.  But I was attending a bible play so it's okay.  *Clearly.*  I don't have to be cool--if I am cool even 10% of the time, I am totally fine with that.  I like the conservative pretty and preppy look a lot, anyhow.  ;)

Anecdote from the day:  Yeah, so Mr. Dina and I couldn't really understand the play because the kids voices didn't really project all that well in the auditorium.  We got the gist of what they were doing and they all look so cute dressed up in their robes, so that's all that really matters, right?

Okay, all, have a happy rest of your Monday!  Thanks for stopping by and visiting!  Sorry for my recent sporadic posting, btw.  As usual, real life has been busy so my virtual self has been placed on the back burner most days.    

Sassy Silk Dress, IRL.

Seeing how so very much from the Boden sale is either sold out or selling out, I thought I would highlight something that (as of yesterday, at least) was available in this color in almost all sizes.


I profiled this dress WAY back in the beginning of the spring season, and have only recently worn it in real life (to church, which in my opinion, is the PERFECT place for this dress). I definitely could have waited (clearly) for sale, but see here's the rub...I never ever seem to be able to tell what I buy early will make it to sale or what will sell out immediately. Regardless, I have no regrets, as I do love this dress and am frankly a bit surprised that this color is the one that is left behind.

(Although I have theories, which I will expound on soon...)

I actually toned down the photo a bit so that the very BRIGHT orange of CW's Peruvian dress wouldn't blind you all.  (It looks so sweet in real life, but in this photo it was nearly neon, lol.)

That actually segues into why I think this color didn't sell out...it is a lot of color and pattern, and most likely would have been too much for either a shier personality (not me, haha) or someone who is shorter (I am 5'8" and this is the REGULAR, not even long size, and it hits at my knees, can you imagine how very overwhelming this might be on someone 5'1"?).

That said, this silk is super soft and very lightweight.  The lining is a thin poly, so in all respects, this is a perfect warm weather dress.  I can see enjoying it in the winter, but because of the fabric and construction, I could see this being a huge static cling magnet.

I did wear it with the poppy colored J. Crew classic leather ballet flats (size 9.5), but if I wasn't going to church, I would have for sure worn it with something far less conservative, like a pair of strappy sandals or stiletto heels.  I definitely verge on sister wife here.  :)

I like the belt from Anthro for this dress, and it was how I originally styled it when I did the first review.  I may try a skinny belt and a boyfriend jacket with it to see if I can rough the look out a bit, but this may be a dress that needs to stay sweet.

From the side.  It is glaringly obvious that although the flats are an exact perfect match, they definitely lend this outfit a frumpier vibe.  (Not that Father D. cared, lol.)

Which brings me to reason number two I think the dress (all colors) didn't sell well...the hips just fit me in this size 8 regular.  I was not uncomfortable, at all, but I had to wear Spanx to ensure that the skirt portion looked good and not too clingy.  The rest of the dress fits well, if a bit baggy (but I am a pear, so no surprise there).  Also, and you can see this above, there is a bit of poofy pleating at the lower belly area.  This is not my problem area, so all it looked like was a bit of poofiness, but if this is an area you prefer not to have be a focus, this may be your nightmare dress.  :)


Sassy Silk Dress.  So I want everyone to see this dress, but I want to remind people of what they need to look out for, pear shaped ladies, read the measurements for the hip and order accordingly, and for apple shaped ladies, be aware of the pleating.

Hope everyone's weekend is going well!  It has been another super super active weekend, with multiple trips to the swimming pool and visits with people, etc.

P.S. One week left till we start seeing our Autumn orders roll in from Boden.  Eee!  :)

Cherry Blossom Times Three!

I am sort of addicted now to the cherry blossom print, a GORGEOUS J. Crew print that came out in the spring of 2008.

It was a slow burn to say the least.  I actually have owned the Cherry Blossom Lucaya Espadrilles for almost two years now, in fact I purchased them for $10 at Rugged Wearhouse, which is a local store much like TJ Maxx or Ross, in that it sells overstock.  I just couldn't seem to find a reason to wear it...

I know, I know, kind of lame.  LOL.

Then I saw the wonderful Cherry Blossom dress modeled on shopwithm.  I didn't know if I would find her exact dress, but she, like me, loves the ebay, so I thought I would give it a try.  And lo and behold, a seller was selling a factory version of the retail dress that shopwithm owned.  I ended up winning the auction, and now am the proud owner of the very pretty Cherry Blossom print dress.

I even added to my own cherry blossom fervor (I live in the DC area, I guess I should just accept my fate) and bought the Cherry Blossom necklace when it dipped down to nearly *HALF* of its original cost (love the extra 30% off sales).  I had loved it styled in the catalogs, so to get it for half off felt like the best score!

Finally, just two days ago, I won an auction for the cherry blossom cafe capri pants (the actual retail version, too!) for $15!  YAY!  :)  Cannot wait to model these!

Anyhow, onto the pretty!

J. Crew Factory Cherry Blossom Print Dress, Size 6, Cotton.  It has pockets that are on the front (as opposed to stitched into the seam which is what the retail version has).  The cotton works better for my summer lifestyle, and I have a lot of success with these factory shift dresses, and probably own five of this style.  I don't think I will be hunting for the silk retail version, this one is just fine by me! :)

The shoes are the current retail leather ballet flats.  This poppy color is a very vibrant tomato red and is exactly the right shoe for this dress.  Score!

Close up of the print.  Definitely more muddied than the retail, but still very pretty!

The collar also has no buttons, the tailoring (or lack thereof) is probably what makes this factory.  The retail version clearly has more detail and fine features. 

That said, if you can find this factory version on ebay, go for it!  (And polyvore peeps, I have a pic of it saved!)

This is the outfit that features the cherry blossom necklace.  I wanted to highlight its prettiness, so I chose to wear it last week with the very preppy and perfect for summer heat Land's End Dobby Dress (that I found at Sears!).

The dress is a size 4, and I highly HIGHLY recommend that if you have a smaller bustline to size way down.  I wear a 6 in most J. Crew dresses, sometimes an 8, so I am either down one or two sizes.  The hips are free, so even those of us (lucky) pear-shaped ladies should be in our smallest size.  Unfortunately, Land's End's smallest size is a 2 petite, so many of you will be sized out...but on the other side, this dress goes up into many of the women's sizes, so if you love the prep and get angry at J. Crew for not having anything above size 14, this company may suit your prep desire.  :)  Very very cute stuff!

The shoes are the Lula Ballet Flats in the Liberty print fabric from this spring.  I jumped on these when they went on super sale, with an additional 20% off.  These are so COMFORTABLE.  Highly recommend these flats for comfort.  I am wearing my tts 9.5 in these.

The necklace will be reviewed in a few photos (there's a close-up).

Hands on hip.  This dress has phenomenal drape and the waist sash is a nice touch and really emphasizes the waist perfectly.

This dress is very mid-century Mom, yes???

From the back you can see why, even on me, the dress runs fairly large.  The bodice is pretty loose and the straps are a bit long, so bear that in mind if you buy this dress.

Black and white pic.  The necklace in b&w looks really unique and special. 

Close-up of the cherry blossom necklace in color.  The necklace is not a delicate thing, is it?  In other words, it is so my style.  Love the statement necklace and the beautiful, contrasting pave-style cherry blossom flowers make this necklace truly a conversation piece.  It is heavy, too, so keep that in mind.  Definitely worth it at $75 (and for sure $60), maybe not $150...

CW and I were going to her dance class that morning.  Her ballet costume (with tutu) is so darling.  Obviously we are practicing in this shot.  My dad is going to love this shot.  :)  (Yes, dad, I will make you a copy!)

Old School J. Crew and Cherry Blossoms... by dinagideon featuring chain bracelets

Above is the polyvore of the outfit I am wearing below.  This shirtdress may be familiar to you old timey J. Crew fans.  :)  It is from Spring 2007 and was from back when the Crew went boating on a regular basis in Italy (it was in the Capri catalog--February 2007).

Dress is not my hubby's favorite.  He far prefers more fitted and shorter.  (Aw, shucks, Mr. Dina, no sister wife fashion love???)  I love this dress and will always wear it, regardless.

That said, I did buy it at a larger, postpartum size (bought when Rex was a few months old), and maybe I would do better with a four or six, but until I find the right size on ebay or the exchange, I will continue to wear this size 8 chestnut stripe version (it also came in a light blue stripe).

It has pockets, love that.  The dress also has a sash (like the Land's End one) but it looked boring that way, so I took my hot pink skinny leather belt (size small) and used that instead.

The shoes are the cherry blossom here, the Lucaya Espadrilles.  They are in a size 9, which is 1/2 size smaller than I normally wear, but it was fine, maybe a millimeter too short, but nothing crazy.

Hand on hip, being all sassy.

You all have a great day.  I want to thank each and every single one of you for reading my blog.  I know I have been kind of busy lately, and not commenting very often, or commenting back, but I am reading other blogs (and enjoying the posts), and I am reading all comments that come to this blog.  You all rock!  Once this week is done (Rex has his last day of preschool on Thursday), I will have more time (gotta love that!).

P.S. If you have a Boden review for me, would you mind e-mailing me by tomorrow?  I plan to have the Boden Weekly Review Roundup published by late afternoon!  THANK YOU!


P.P.S. I have found the fresco cardigan that I so love in a smaller size! (The medium I had was a tad bit too big and loose.) So I have decided to sell the medium, below is the polyvore with info on that...

Fresco Cardigan! by dinagideon featuring a j crew cardigan

Boden Weekly Review Roundup: Time for a Tunic and More!

I am SO sorry it has taken me until after 8:00 pm Eastern Time to get these reviews "rounded up." Blegh. But at least I had a good day which should serve as an adequate excuse for being tardy!

We had a great playdate with some of the moms and their kids from Rex's preschool class. I love the other parents in his class, they are all super sweet and I feel such a great kinship with them. Last year I often felt like I was a SAHM alone, most of the parents were working outside the home full time, so I only ever saw them every once in awhile, and it was a bummer trying to strike up friendships with ladies and men who were at different life points than me (the grandparents and nannies would pick up Rex's classmates last year and none of them EVER wanted to hang out with me, which is fine, but I was all verklempt). It is neat to be part of a group that just gets what I am going through. I hope that these ladies and men stick around the area (DC is really transient) for as long as possible, it would be pleasant to have friends locally for longer than a year or two!

Okay, blah, blah, blah.

Remember, to get to the Boden website from my blog, go to the Boden stock photo and click on it. If you want to make sure you have a decent coupon code attached to it, click on the 15% off maternity coupon in my sidebar first, and then go through the individual item's photos. The 15% off coupon was still active this morning...please do let us know if you run into any issues, though!

First up is an IRL review from me on the Pool Party Tunic.

Are any of you at all surprised that I pre-ordered this back in October?  LOL.  ;)  I love the very crazy pink and green paisley pattern, I always and forever will adore Boden's tunics (probably could write a sonnet to express my adoration, it is that deep), and I actually have a use for a summer coverup (I spend most days at the pool--AND I JUST FOUND OUT WE PROBABLY ARE GOING ON A CRUISE IN MAY--woo and hoo).

This is a UK 10, US 6.  I consistently wear a size US 6 in their tunics, whereas I will more often than not wear a US 8 in the Boden dresses. 

This is a shorter tunic, and I don't know that I would wear this anywhere outside of the pool, a cruise, the beach, and/or a simple picnic-y type party.  I would also not wear this with leggings, I think the cotton is too thin and I know that the leggings would show through.

From the side.  I see that the length is okay, and it passes the fingertip test (it is longer than my fingertips extended at my sides--had to learn that one pretty darn fast as a middle school teacher--chortle).

From the back.  This was the only view I didn't care for, but it isn't like I look terrible, it just is a lot of pattern all in one place.  :)

Close up the beading.  I think the beading is beautiful, and makes you feel all special and bejeweled even at the pool.

Do I think it is worth the $78 price (with a discount it is $66)?  Well...it depends.  Are you stuck to your desk all day long during the summer and the only time you get out is once a weekend?  Then this may be a bit much too spend.  That said, if you are a SAHM and you work all summer long by taking the kids out and about and wearing a swimsuit is part of it, then sure, jump in and swim with the floral craziness that Johnnie B. has given us...


Pool Party Tunic.  It is also available in a less crazy pattern in yellow (pretty sunshiney yellow at that) and a pretty blue, and another more muted version of this pattern above.


Slingback Clogs. As seen on Polly and Fiona's blog in the amazing animal print.


Riviera Dress. As seen on Fiona. (Great rebuttal, Fiona!) :)


Kimono Jumper. As seen on Suburban Mom, looking lovely in the grey and the pink!!!

Let's finish this week up with a Baby CW review of some mini-Boden.

Gah.  Even in a ridiculously long petticoat skirt, this baby girl looks so freaking cute.  And that belly!  (Only time I can think when it is okay to have a belly like that outside of pregnancy!)

Okay.  Obviously the skirt is WAY TOO LONG on her.  We sized for her waist, but I clearly see this a skirt meant for taller thinner little girls.  Most toddlers aren't made that way.  This skirt was probably a size 2-3, and I couldn't envision her wearing this until she is at least four. 

I would say grab this skirt for your girl if she is older and has longer legs.  The skirt is made from really pretty fabric (not quite Liberty Tana lawn, but still a soft, silky feel, regardless).  You may want to order two (get the free shipping and returns if you want to do this) to make sure you find the right size for your daughter/granddaughter/niece, whatever.

We may not have gone home with the skirt, but that shirt was all CW would talk about.  "Momma, I want the strawberry shortcake shirt...Momma, I want the strawberry shortcake shirt...Momma, I want the..."

Size 2-3, in the candy strawberry colorway. 

It fits well, and appears that it is well-made to last through many washings and dryings that she could wear this for at least one more year into summer 2012. 

It is a touch too long, but no biggie.  CW doesn't care if we tuck her shirts in as long as the strawberries are fully visible.  I also pulled the petticoat skirt up so you could see how long the skirt should be...CW looks like I am a sister wife and I am dressing her very very conservatively in the first two photos.  LOL. ;)



Poster T-Shirt. The pink version is selling out faster than the other colors, but not for the toddlers.  The smaller sizes are still all available.


Petticoat Skirt.  Definitely not selling out.  Heck, I could probably wear the 13-14 size it runs that big.  I won't though. :)

You all have a great night.  If I missed your review, could you drop it in the comments or e-mail me so I can include it in next week's roundup???

Mommy Style Monday #18--Are You Having Fun with Your Style?

There are totally times when you need to be very careful with your style. For instance, if you are a banker, I don't think you should show up to any of your meetings wearing any of these outfits. Clearly, you need to have a very conservative, professional, luxe looking style, and these Anthropologie catalog inspired visions of mine won't fly on Wall St.

And you know, if you are a nun, these may not be the best choice for you either.

However, if you are a sister wife, a la "Big Love," then maybe the middle outfit could work???

Anyhoo, I just get so tired of taking my own style too seriously and will just *you know* get all CRAZY up in this joint at least once a week. I love my normal, preschool run style, and often think that I am performing at near 100% most days, but I doubt that I would come off as a risk-taker. And you know what? Style is so flexible, so transient, so revolutionary, that the folks who take risks with their fashion are the ones who are definitely having fun AND are stylish, too. I can't say for sure if I hit sartorial high notes with these, or if I really just look like a very bad facsimile of some of Anthropologie's more (cough, cough) unique creations, BUT that wasn't the point of these outfits to me. The point was that I loved creating them, and more importantly, I LOVED WEARING THEM. ;)

How about you??? Are you having fun with your style?

If a photo looks "different," that is because these photos are.  In some of them, my peeps B & T took the photos (love ya both, you handsome, talented photographers), and with some of them, the lovely, and very cool program picnik (a picasa thing) helped turn the photos into oldie timey looking film.  (Love that!)

Yes, I do believe I am in a catalog.  :)  Hoo, boy.  This was taken outside a restaurant in the Potomac Yard section of Alexandria.  The train tracks exist here but are no longer functioning. 

Sequin Sweatshirt, J. Crew, Size Extra-Small.
Tria Skirt, Anthropologie, Size Small. (Marietta, thank you for wearing it that one night we hung out, I had to HAVE this after seeing how great it looked on you!)
ZeeZee Tights, J. Crew, Size Medium-Tall.
Miller Short Moto Boots, J. Crew, Size 9.5.
Galaxy Necklace, J. Crew.

Outfit details same as above, but this time I spy something in the distance...

Who wouldn't jump for joy upon seeing rusted out ties and weathered wood?

I briefly contemplated using this as my header.  It would definitely fit the "My Superfluities" oeuvre.

Here is the outfit above, but not all STYLED up.  I wish I could always have B & T styling my shots.

Big Fashion Risk...a blousy top and a blousy skirt and shearling lined ruffly boots.  Guess what, though?  Mr. Dina and Peter, my bro, loved this look.  Huh.  Guess the weirdness worked together and made men like it.

I definitely can see Nikki (Big Love) wearing this, though.  So there you go.

Blousy Top, Anthropologie, Size Medium.
Plaid Skirt, J. Crew, Size Small (THANK YOU, Pamela, for pointing this skirt out to me on ebay!).
Tights, J. Crew, Size Medium-Tall.
Petite Chou Boots, Anthropologie, Size 9.5
High Prairie Belt, Anthropologie, Size Small.

I might be in my house, but I still want to be in an Anthro catalog.  Special effect is known as '60s and Matte in Picnik.

Okay, this is a lot less Anthro and a lot more Disco, but I loved it, and felt it was risky.  The combo could have looked just awful, but in the end I felt really cool, albeit in a late 90s, Spice Girls kind of way.

Dress (sheeyeah right--if you are 5'2" maybe)/Tunic, Anna Sui for Target, Size 7.
Ingrid Flare Jeans, Citizens of Humanity, Size 31.  Let's give it up for me fitting into these again.  Holla!!! (I bought them in 2005 and they fit for exactly 6 months before I got pregnant with Rex.)
Bloomsbury T-Bars, Boden, Size 41.  You will get a close-up of those later on, as there are still a few sizes available at Boden.

From the back.  I was going out for Mr. Dina's Birthday meal, and I just felt like I owed it to him to look good coming and going.  LOL.

Make-up a bit mod, and the Erickson Beammon for Target earrings help with that effect.

I figured if I looked 60s or 70s, then the photo should, too.  Thank you PICNIK.

I fell in love with these at first sight during the Fall Preview 2010 from Boden.  I loved the height, the all leather construction and the purple/brown combo was pretty unique. 

They never sold-out, and I guess it was the height thing (I am almost 6 feet tall wearing these), but in my opinion, the higher the better when really going all out.  Plus my jeans were the exact right length while wearing these.


They came in other colors, including the grey in the link above. Click on the photo to see what availability there is...there are often popbacks, so if you love these, keep checking back.

I hope that all you great, fab moms out there will give some fun a try.  :)  I mean, after all, we don't have to be serious about fashion all the time, right???