Orange You Glad This Only Lasted Three Days?

I usually put forethought and planning into my outfits. Seriously. I love planning, arranging, playing with colors, having a mix of serious and whimsy, etc.

Then the first week of summer school happened. I obviously was going for a pattern...two whole days of Boden, and then three days of this...

ORANGE. If you hate ORANGE, I have warned you...


Wednesday, July 8, 2009:
Top: Ann Taylor Loft (Spring 2007)--Medium Orange (like a ripe to almost too ripe pumpkin).
Pants: J. Crew Outlet (from Ebay, so no idea on when)--Light Aqua Blue with Orange Whale Critters.
Shoes: Aerosoles (Summer 2009)--Sherbet Orange (looks like a yummy dreamsicle).


Thursday, July 9, 2009:
Top: A Turkish Blouse my dad bought for me in Fall of 2007...from Turkey (he was on a study tour). BRIGHT ORANGE!
Pants: J. Crew (Spring 2009). These are the very comfy colored chambray cocktail capris. They do NOT photograph well...none of them do. It is weird. You all know what they look like so I didn't feel you all would be sad if you didn't see them...


And because it was Friday, July 10, 2009:
Top: J. Crew (Spring 2009). This is the graphic floral top I wore in green all the way back when...and yes, I bought it in a very neon orange.
Pants: J. Crew (Summer 2008). The overdyed denim capri pants. They are bright neon orange as well.
Shoes: Navy Born (way the heck back when...forever ago...I don't even think I had kids).

So my hair on Friday was all poofy. I am showing you all because you all are used to me either in a ponytail or barrettes. I think the poof happened because I slept on it funny. I still liked it, though!

Okay, everyone. I hereby promise to not wear the same color three days in a row again. This was just CRAZY! (Although it did make it easy from a posting perspective!)

Oh, and let's all pray for a 20% or 25% mickey card soon...certain items over at jcrew.com are just CALLING my name!

My Review of the Jakarta Halter Dress...Hint, It's a Winner!

I will keep this short and sweet, but I know some of you have been eyeing this dress, so I really wanted to get this post up. Hopefully, even if you are on vacation this week you are still able to read this, even if it is a bit late. :) This dress is NOT on sale, as our dear friend Summerilla mentioned yesterday.

I bit the bullet with a 20% let's open a J. Crew Credit Card savings, which helped...and that was over a month ago. I have no clue when this will go on sale. I know that I may be the only person to review it, so it can't be THAT wildly popular (like the "headache" tee or the Frances cami or the Eden blazer). If it isn't that popular of a dress (and it could be, who knows, right?), then why is it not on sale?

So, onto details. Purchase it here, if you want. ;) No, I am not enabling. Okay, yes, I am.

Jakarta Dress and a Night of Grocery Shopping! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Here is the polyvore of the outfit I created to wear to (and this is not a joke)...Whole Foods. Yes, I get dressed up to go to the supermarket. Whatever--in my book, leaving the house always is an occasion for dress-up.


Here it is on me...size 6. It is made for us pears...it is fitted on top, with a vee to show off what little assets we have, and is fairly voluminous on bottom to hide our other more substantial assets. Heehee.

I also love that it is an empire waist, which means it shows off the ittiest-bittiest part of my body.

And...it has...pockets. I love pockets in dresses and skirts, so long as they are the type like on this dress...hidden until all of a sudden, oh, my hand wants to go somewhere...hey, I KNOW, my pockets! I feel very retro when I can do this. Yes, I know I am a dork.


Here is the view of the back. Normally, I would never ever subject you all to this view, but look at the bow of the halter...so precious...but not overtly twee. Swoon!

Oh, and look at the smocking (elastic, to boot) on the upper body...does this say "fat day dress" to you all, too? Here's the thing, though...it may be a fat day dress but it sure looks real pretty for a fat day dress. Perfection.


And because I love the BOW so much...here is another view. And once again, SWOON.

Have I enabled you yet? Have a great weekend. :)

Summer School=Two Boden Outfits, Of Course!

In the vein of attempting to always try and make a good impression (which I admit doesn't always work--I have seen some of my outfits--and wooh--they are certainly "unique")...I approached my first two days of summer school with a couple of thoughts.

#1--I am teaching kindergarten, therefore I must be colorful and expressive (kids love both).

#2--Because I am teaching kindergarten, I must be comfortable, and above all, must wear something that can be cleaned very easily.

#3--I also walk to school, therefore I must be able to wear it for a mile's distance in the heat and sun without completely boiling and baking!

So here you go...the beginning of my series on my workwear, summer style...

Summer School Day #1 by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Here is the polyvore of Day #1.


So, yes, I did wear a Boden sundress (in white) on the first day. But I honestly could not resist. I had a suspicion that 5-year olds would love the big graphic flowers. :) They did. Mr. Dina really liked it, too, although he only saw it when he took the pic (I am a big fan of getting into yoga pants or shorts when I get home from work).

There was a lot of buzz over at the Boden site about how ill-fitting this garment was and how many people just thought it was the wrong style dress for them and everything. But I decided to try it anyhow ('cause that's me...Miss Risky...smile), and it paid off. I bought it in a UK size 12 (US size 8), which nicely fit my shape, because Boden gets my "pear" shape. God bless you, Johnnie Boden. Unlike J. Crew (whose Gladiola shift was just plain wrong on me), I have with this delightful British company a "shift" dress9 which is narrow enough on top to not make me feel like I am swimming in a pool, but wide enough in the hips to allow me to sit down like a normal person.

I have no clue if it still is for sale over at their site, but if it is I bet it is on super-sale. ;) Just a thought...

Summer School Day #2 by dinagideon featuring FOSSIL watches

Here is the polyvore for Day #2.


As you can see, I took it nice and easy on the second day...nice and bright...just like the green crayons the kids use in the classroom. This is about as simple as an outfit I will ever wear (as you all should know by now). Even though there is nary a print or piece of flair on this dress, I still loved it. Man, this is a great, simple dress. AppGal, if there are any left on the Boden website, it should be yours...I know you would love it! BTW, I bought this in UK size 10 (US size 6) and it is perfect. Therefore, AppGal, go with a UK 8. Seriously. :)

One issue I had was with the sandals...if you can believe it...the thong strap part completely came out of the footbed. HUH? These are a nice pair of Born and all...I wonder if a shoe repair place could fix it? Mr. Dina actually had to come (with babies in tow) to pick me up and drive me part-way because I needed another pair of shoes (look at the polyvore to see what I actually wore).

BTW, Summerilla, I will do the Jakarta dress post tomorrow, just for you. ;)

Happy 4th of July! Ooops, I Mean Happy 6th of August!

FIRST! You all were too cute in your responses to the pic of CW with her little, teeny-tiny cousin Lily Clare. She DOES look like a baby doll. I laughed and laughed when I read that. But there is truth to what you all said. I think Rex and CW were that size when I was 7 months pregnant...heehee. :)

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Now onto today's post:

As ever, I am so current, it is just darn near RIDICULOUS! ;) Nope...it took me over a month to post my outfits from Independence Day (now what kind of American are you, Dina?)...

Yeah, yeah, I know you all want to copy them, right now, today! Well, here you go!

Independence Day 2009! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

This is the polyvore, in all of its red, white, and blue patriotic glory.


I absolutely love this skirt. I am not surprised in the least that this skirt was sold-out. I happily paid near the $65 it cost (minus 15% educator discount) and envision this skirt working all summer long (and possibly into the fall and spring). In addition to it being comfy, and the right amount of relaxed, and linen, it also fit beautifully in a size 6. Yes, me, Miss 8, maybe Miss 10. Now I know this is a 6 that is the victim of vanity sizing...I have NEVER been a 6 in J. Crew except in my most "exercise-a-holic" days, but still, FEELS darn good to me.

The Podna tee is also sold-out (this is the bad thing about posting a whole month late). I wore it with pride on Independence Day because of Mr. Dina being from that neck of the woods (raised in Mississippi, schooled in New Orleans). Go, 50 American states! (I also wore the tee because we were going to get Cajun food from our fave restaurant in Bethesda, Louisiana Kitchen...)

The shoes are my lovely Miss Trish of Capri sandals first worn in this post. Can you say "perfection" for the day?

So in summation, Stars (shoes) and stripes (skirt)...red (shoes), white (skirt and top), and blue (skirt and top). YEAH!


Here is my little American, Rex, in all his red, white, and blue glory, too. Sorry to say the Bumblebee shoes are yellow, but he is two, and I am not crazy enough to tell him he can't wear them because they don't "go" with his outfit...


Oh, but wait, I am not done! Let's not forget fireworks...what better than the "fireworks" tee from J. Crew? (Okay, I know it is some weird abstract floral, but all I see when I look at the tee is "bombs bursting in the air.")

Yes, the shorts are technically bistro orange, but they come close enough, and plus it's dark out when the fireworks go on...

You all have a great "dog day of August." Maybe I will actually start posting some pics of outfits on the day I actually wear them...we'll see. ;)

I. Just. Can't. Resist.

yes...matching outfits...ten months difference in age...priceless!

BTW, my photo, so NO stealing, random Eastern European countries. ;)

Answers to Some Long Overdue Questions!!!

Pops, Baby CW, and Baby Lily Clare...so sweet! (And so worth the trip...)

Thanks, everyone, for their patience...I have read all your comments and would have liked to have been more speedy in responding to questions...

The comments to my posts are always so much fun...and I have received some great ones over the last three weeks...

So starting with "A Catch-up Post," here are some answers:

AppGal--You mentioned you wanted to know more about my skincare...it's funny, I never have really thought about my skin, but starting about three or four years ago people would come up to me and say, "you have really nice skin." I thought that was kind of odd thing to compliment, but I always was grateful and appreciative. As I age, though, I am so GRATEFUL for all the compliments. I really can't give myself too much credit, though. My mom and dad are very youthful looking, so I know that genetics has worked somewhat to my favor. Also, my stepmom came into my life at 19 and really showed me exactly how to take care of my skin (her favorite elixir is simple cold cream augmented by a very thick night cream by Estee Lauder).

I will do a post on what I do later, but as a preview, I use Osea facial mud, Caudalie skin toner spritz, Olay (the type with the brighteners) eye and tinted moisturizers, and sunscreen. I will often use other products, not because I am structured about skin care, but because I am a beauty product junkie. Some of my other faves come from companies like Vichy, La Roche Posay, Arbonne, and Clinique.

Speaking of great skin, AppGal, yours looks fantastic! I think we should ask you for advice!

From "A Catch-Up Post #2:"

Ashley--You called it! I love yellow, A LOT! I like to tell people I love citrus colors, like green, yellow, and orange. I think these are the happiest colors...and when I wear them I feel instantly bright and fun...no matter what I am feeling on the inside...

Jordyn--Thank you for the skinny compliment...I appreciate it! The secret to my success is very simple, exercise a lot, nurse a baby, run after a two-year old, and eat (fairly) well. I have other things I have done to help, but I will save them for another post. I also think that knowing I have a bunch of people reading my posts and looking at my pics has helped me in times when I don't want to get moving...I am certainly proud that I started this blogging journey when I was heavier and I WOULD NEVER delete those early pics, but I feel that keeping my body in good working order is not only great for my overall health, but maybe I can encourage other postpartum moms who think the "weight will just never come off..." ;) I also think the pose I made helped me look thinner, too...

Kat--I am so glad you bought those sandals. As you probably know by now, they are awesome shoes...so comfy and very leg-lengthening. I sized down to a 9.5, which is typical for me in Aerosoles (the 9.5 is always a bit thinner than the 10). I hope you love them!

And from the post "So if You are #2 or 7:"

Mary-Scott--By the time I had seen your question, you had already answered it for yourself! I saw that Boden had taken the Review feature away for a brief while, and I was worried. I rarely have to return items because of that! Thank goodness, it is back! I have even submitted a couple of reviews for items myself for some of the fall stuff...BTW, the fall stuff is SO pretty in real life...can't wait to show you all!

Finally, from the "Oh, Sleep, Wherefore Art Thou, Sleep" Post:

Anon at 9:22--We were in Winston-Salem to visit some of our best friends. We were sad when they moved, but we have gained some knowledge of an incredibly lovely part of North Carolina. We also LOVE Greensboro. Don't worry, we may never go back to the Quality Inn (aka Portal to Hell), but we will definitely be back to your awesome city!

Julia--We LOVE 85 from Richmond to North Carolina...GORGEOUS drive. All those trees and so little traffic (well, except when there is a crash). There even seems to be less truck traffic, as well...hmm. :)

AppGal--I was thinking of you while in NC. I know that you aren't too far from Winston-Salem, but by the time we left, you were arriving back home. We NEED to get together the next time I am down there (looking like October at this point). :)

You all...thank you! I look forward to getting back to outfit posting...if you can believe it, I have outfits from Independence Day waiting to be posted, sigh!

Oh, Sleep, Wherefore Art Thou, Sleep?

This is no doubt a portal to hell...read to find out why...

This is my re-telling of events prior and events current:

1. We swoop into the lovely city of Winston-Salem, NC at around 7 pm after having dealt with 7 hours of driving (thank you traffic in Fredericksburg, VA and an accident in Petersburg, VA).

2. We kindly ask the gentleman at the Quality Inn Winston-Salem if we can have a first floor room because of our luggage and all of our kids, etc. He kindly agrees and gives us the key to the room directly located across from this pool. Ah, a pool.

3. We get back from our yum-tastic Mexican meal and retire to our room. This is around 10:30 pm. Get Rex and CW and ourselves ready for bed. I take my sleeping pill (only taken when I am in an unfamiliar bed).

4. We had heard the music before we went to bed but figured the air conditioner might drown it out. However, the air conditioner, as awesome as it is, cannot be a miracle worker. Mere minutes after we put our heads down and try to fall asleep, the music gets louder, the bass makes our room shake, and then it sounds like the music is in our room. Oh, holy ****.

5. Yep...the pool should have been a beautiful vantage point, but as of right now, 1:36 am on a Saturday night, it is the harbinger of all things hellish. We are living the word cacophony. The party that is in the party room has music that is thumping at max volume and every time the door to the pool is opened, the music literally jumps into our room.

6. We spoke to the powers that be. They said we could keep all of our stuff in our room, carry the sleeping CW and Rex to the other room, sleep and then get all our stuff later. Yeah, yeah, would if we could. Rex woken up from sleeping is not what you would call pleasant. (Heehee, maybe we should wake him and let him scream his head off at the party...maybe then they would get the message to shut the BLEEP up.) The reason they can't turn their music down is beyond me. I get the party has an obligation to go until their allotted time is up, but music at its highest the WHOLE time at a hotel where people are trying to sleep? Mind boggling.

7. I even went into the hotel lobby so they could see me all tired and miserable, and while the guy feels bad, he felt like his hands were tied. I wonder what he would do if he had smelled the pot emanating from the party like I had? Maybe he would have called the cops?

8. Ultimately, I want to know WHY the dumb-*** who checked us in didn't put us in a first floor room VERY far from the party? Did Mr. Dina remind him of someone he didn't like and wanted to hurt us? Or was the guy just that dumb?

Yes, I really do look and feel this way at 1:52 am. I have lunesta in my system, the music is just that loud and I am on my first day of vacation. (I do love the fact that my gorgeous new computer has this cool webcam thing...fun with photos...)