My Cherry Blossom Inspired Outfit (Monday, March 30, 2009)!

In Honor of the Cherry Blossoms!!! - by dinagideon on Polyvore.com
I didn't really celebrate this awesome event that happens here in DC very well this weekend, so I thought I would make up for it with my outfit yesterday. The cherry blossoms (for you all that don't know) are these beautiful flowers that spring to life in late March through early April on our cherry trees. Everywhere in the Mid-Atlantic that has these trees gets to see them in their full glory every year. It is really quite spectacular to see the variations of white and pink wherever you go for a few weeks. The best concentration of these trees is in the Tidal Basin over near the Jefferson Memorial, but that is also where all the tourist congregate, so if you are like me and a little wary of crowds, you will be relieved to know there are many other places to find these beauties. (A lot of times you can even find them in people's front yards...)

So my outfit is meant to represent a cherry tree: The top is the tea rose silk cami by J. Crew that was reviewed so well by A Bigger Closet here: http://abiggercloset.blogspot.com/2009/03/silk-georgette-pleated-tank-review.html. It is nice to see that we both like it!!! The cardigan is the J. Crew merino crewneck cardigan I reviewed at the beginning of March...it has finally come out to play. The pants are the J. Crew Madison stretch chinos in brown that I purchased a long time ago...these are awesome fitting pants...but the most exciting news...they are getting a bit too big (YAY)! The shoes are everyone's favorites, the J. Crew Alessia peep-toes in root. I seem to be wearing these on a weekly basis. The belt is the J. Crew skinny patent-leather belt in root (had to match the shoes and belt). The necklace is the J. Crew bauble (I think) necklace...I also seem to be getting a lot of wear out of that piece lately!

Only things not J. Crew? The bracelet and the watch!


Here it is full-length. I really do prefer this cardigan either belted or open. Just buttoned-up this cardigan is awful...it must be the length plus the crewneck that makes it so ugly.


Here is the top with no cardigan. I cannot wait till it is warm enough to rock this top by itself. It is so pretty with the pleating and the color. The Bigger Closet is a bit smaller than I am on top and I think the top suits both of us nicely. I say if you like it, grab it now...it is in the sale section at J. Crew and they are running that 30% promotion, too!

Have a nice day...it has been frenetic around here...so I apologize for not posting more...and commenting more...don't worry, I will catch up. I always do!

P.S. I have updated the JCA brunch post with links to both Slastena's post and HeidiG's post!

Awesome Times Were Had By All at the DC JCA Event!!!

I am going to start with the best pic--all of us JCAs together at Pentagon City's J. Crew Store. We all had such a great time. We walked in at around 10 am and were greeted by incredibly enthusiastic staff members who catered to our every need. "Do you want a mimosa? Do you need that shirt/top/pants/dress placed in your fitting room? Would you like me to bring this to the register?" To have a gathering were EVERYONE truly appreciates the items that are around us was so special. My husband collects action figures and treats them very well...we are the same with our J. Crew items.

It was nice to feel no pressure to be done quickly. I tried on many items I would normally never have looked at. One item that surprised me at how much I loved it? The Sanur convertible dress. With a pink belt (provided wisely by the sales associate), it looked awesome on me. I ended up buying it in the charcoal color. And this is me...the non-strapless dress lover. I wanted to buy but did not end up getting these items (too expensive...I will have to wait until I have saved a bit more money):

Things I Tried on Today that I Would Love to Buy!!! - by dinagideon on Polyvore.com

After we all enjoyed the mall portion of the day, we scooted off to Boulevard Woodgrill. We were treated so kindly by our waiter and we really enjoyed some scrumptious food. I will definitely go back there soon!

I am so very impressed by these ladies...we are fast becoming good friends and have already discussed a May meeting. AWESOME!

Please visit 3-Penny Princess for more information and some spectacular photos. By the way, the pic of me wearing that blue necklace on her post? Designed by one of the JCAs!!! I will be presenting info about her work very soon (as I am sure 3-Penny Princess will). http://3pennyprincess.blogspot.com/2009/03/jcrew-private-shopping-event-and-brunch.html
HeidiG did a great write-up here: http://headtotoewithheidi.blogspot.com/2009/03/update-from-dc-jca-event-and-my-1st.html

Slastena also did a nice post here: http://jcrewchick.blogspot.com/2009/03/dc-jca-event-at-pentagon-mall-3292009.html


Here is a photo of me taken before the event. This is a dress from Summer 2008. I bought it off ebay for next to nothing. It is a J. Crew Collection piece. It is a tad bit dressy, but I would rather be over-dressed than not. And based on what I saw yesterday, all of the JCAs and the Sales Associates agree! The shoes are the Cate Slingbacks in soft shell.


This is the jacket I wore...which is also the reason I can't do a polyvore. This jacket is from back in SPRING 2005. That's right...four years ago. I LOVE this jacket. I also have a mini-skirt and a button-down in this fabric. I will eventually get them out of mothballs...but I still have a few pounds left to go before I can do so!!!



There she is...our future youngest JCA! She even coordinated with momma!!! :)

You all have a great day. I am so very fortunate to have been able to spend the day with everyone.

Blegh...It's Nasty Out There...Time to Pull Out the Tights and the Turtleneck!!!

So I had a triple dilemma this morning...what should I wear that will keep me warm, look decent for a party (a little girl we know is turning 2!), and will also be comfortable enough to wear to Costco to go shop? So this is what I came up with...and NO J. Crew in sight. Of course I am going J. Crew Crazy tomorrow, so I think it's okay this ONE time. :)

The sweater is a wool green concoction from this winter from the Ann Taylor Outlet (gift from my sister-in-law). The jean skirt is from Macy's and is by the brand Style & Co., which has the best clothes for very little money. The tights are Wal-Mart (and they fit really, really well...will have to pick up more of these). The shoes are from Bandolino and are a brown-suede wedge.

All in all a very comfy and warm and dressy enough outfit. No complaints here. No real hard work styling this outfit, but some days we all need something quick and easy that we can just throw on! Not very inspiring, but what am I gonna do? ;)


The ubiquitous CW and Momma shot. She got all dressed up to go to the party. Don't worry, I made sure she had socks on before we left. By the way, she sat up for a whole 5 minutes at the party. My little girl, growing up so fast...weep. :)

Critter Wedge Flip-Flop...

So this promo WAS a 24-hour deal...At around midnight last night, folks over at J. Crew Aficionada were saying they couldn't locate the link on the home page. And yes, as of right now (8:35 am--3/29/09), the flip-flops are back to being 26.50. I guess I hit this deal at the right time.

I will be on the lookout for future deals. I love this idea. It was a nice surprise!

Normally--$26.50. Today (3/28/09)--$6.50. That is $20.00 off. I live in these during the summer. If you want a pair, today is the day to get a pair. I have showed you the ones I got...but they also come in other colors/critters.

Here is the link: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/shoes/flipflops/PRDOVR~67203/67203.jsp

It expires tonight from what I understand.

Thank you to the Laura (of this blog: http://laurairl.blogspot.com/) who mentioned the sale on this post: http://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/2009/03/jcrew-updates-its-website-with-new.html. YOU ROCK, Laura. Thank you!

Florals and Citron (a Friday Theme, it Seems)...

Florals and Citron for a Nice Day! - by dinagideon on Polyvore.com
This is the polyvore of the outfit I wore today. I love when I can find the pieces I am wearing on Polyvore...it means I don't have to individually list the pieces...you all can go see them yourselves. Whee!

The necklace is a bit different, though. I have that heart necklace but the one I am wearing today is the apple necklace (felt like celebrating the fact that I am a teacher). The cardigan is similar, but is merino wool with brass buttons and is in a deeper shade of citron.


Here is the outfit without the cardigan. Can I tell you how much I like this top? The cap sleeves are so feminine and really balance my upper half and my lower half. The neckline is also smocked and elastic, making it very stretchy and comfy. The fabric is some sort of blend because I have yet to see a wrinkle and I have been teaching all day long.

The jeans are from a while back and I can fit into them again. Yay! :) Love that...obviously!


Here I am with my little man, with the cardigan on. I love the look without the cardigan, but if I didn't run hot all the time (I am one of those people who wear tank tops in winter), I would have worn this cardigan all day...that is how much I think that cardigan works for this outfit!

For all of you who love pics of my kids, I am so glad Rex cooperated this morning...so cute!!! I love the fact that those pants don't fit him and yet he doesn't care (and obviously neither does Jim who dressed him). Rock those capris, Rex. (Or is it some other name when boys/men wear them?)


Close-up of the pretty print, smocking, and the buttons from the cardigan.

I am walking home today...so I did bring another pair of shoes to walk in...I have a bag that I can carry on my wrist to make it easier and not to heavy at all.

Have a great day. More from the awesome Paris Catalog this weekend (don't have enough time today to post more pics)!

Campo de Fiore Sweater Dress on a Miserable, Rainy Day!

Campo de Fiore Sweater Dress for a Cool and Rainy Day! - by dinagideon on Polyvore.com
So I have three compelling reasons for wearing this outfit today:

1) It is NASTY outside and this dress is merino wool and will keep me nice and warm.

2) I have finally lost enough baby weight (still 12 pounds to go, but getting closer each day) that I can wear sweater dresses again without having people cover their eyes and yell, "MY EYES--WHY ARE YOU BLINDING ME WITH YOUR BABY BELLY?" (Although for some people the print alone may burn people's eyes...heehee.) (The old J. Crew-A-Holics R Us had a field day with this print last year...I can't seem to find the link...but the writer on that blog had a field day making fun of this print...I just laughed and laughed because I loved it so much...everyone has an opinion!)

3) I love this dress and have a feeling some of you do, too. And since many of my lovely blog readers are in the mid-Atlantic and currently under grey skies, rain, and depression, I know this dress at the very least will awaken some of you!

The dress is in the January 2008 catalog, but what I did today is not technically a copycat...however I do have the pieces to make a copycat, so I will try it when the weather cooperates a bit more (as it requires bare legs to do the copycat).


Do you even know how many people came up to me at school today and had a fit over this dress? Like 85 people. This is not a dress for shy, retiring types. Good thing I am not introverted or else today would have been very difficult for me. ;)

My hair is wet in this photo (seems I can only wash my hair every other day and only very early in the morning--that's when everyone else is asleep). My makeup, although I tried, did not turn out as well as yesterday. (Maybe one day I will figure the magic steps out and be able to look well-turned out everyday!!! I can dream, right?)

You all have a great day. I know my day has been okay. Found out about the death of a family friend, so obviously not the whole day has been great (say prayers, please, for the family if you can), but what I have had otherwise has been pretty good. Huge, 70s looking florals will help get your groove on pretty well, I have to say!

Paris Catalog--Vanessa in the Library Print Doll Dress!!!

Here Vanessa seems to be saying, "Yes, I am a full grown woman, and yes, I am wearing a doll dress with frames all over it, but because of this perfect day full of sunshine, I don't look silly, even though I am fanning out the skirt so you can see the frames better..."

I own this dress. Because I am currently nursing CW, I won't be able to fit into the bodice of this dress for a little while (this dress is not made for the well-endowed ladies). I bought an 8 and the skirt part and height of the straps is perfect, though. I do not own the cardigan or shoes, but if pressed I could figure something out to do another copycat post. ;)

I love this image and I love it in particular today because it is so freaking nasty outside here in northern Virginia...raining, barely cracking 50 degrees, and everyone is in kind of a foul mood. Vanessa standing on these steps makes me smile. Thank you, Ms. Vanessa!