A Bit of Orange Thanks to Miss Fiona!!!

Must be quick today...we have been in North Carolina for the past four days and we are heading home very soon (so I must pack and not post--but I can't resist a small, itty-bitty, little post).

This outfit is from one of my most popular polyvore sets...normally I put an outfit together and then create a polyvore, but this outfit is from a polyvore creation first. In real life, I really like how it turned out.

I wore it about a month ago when I took a walk on one of our local forest paths here in Northern Virginia (amazingly, you can go from very urban to very quiet and country quickly here--thank you Fairfax County Park Authority). I live very close to this forest, so I spend a lot of time walking in this area. The kids love it, so it is utter perfection!



I Like This Look for Fall! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Here is the polyvore. Don't worry, all, I DID NOT wear the shoes walking in the forest. I switched to a much more appropriate pair for the walk. :)


But for the pic, definitely wore the shoes. MUST remember to wear nude socks the next time I try this look...ridiculous, those white socks peeking out like a mouse out of a mouse hole. :)

I am SO glad I bought this Fiona (very recently at jcrew.com, for something like 30 dollars) in a size 6. I had bought this in citron, but in a size 10, and sadly (as much as I love the color), it is far too large now. I wore it in this post, way back when. (Anyone want to buy it??? I haven't gotten my for sale blog going yet, but this item will be one of my first listings...)

So you all know, the gorgeous cuff bracelet was a gift from the amazing Drewablank. I said one time to her that I was all ga-ga over it, and she had it, but wasn't wearing it often, so she gifted it to me...how nice is that? I wear it all the time, I love it so...THANK YOU, Ms. Drewablank, you rock!!!

Also, HeidiG. is the reason I got these flats by Merona Collection. She had tried them on at Target and found them to be very narrow, so she suggested I try them on my freaky narrow feet. She was right, they are perfect for me!!! So, thank you, Ms. HeidiG.!!! :)

Okay, all, must pack now. Have a lot of cool things to tell you about...including a trip to the Arden, NC, J. Crew Clearance Store. Yes, it is amazing, and wow, there are some DEFINITE deals. :) (Just a little tease for you all...think the Winnie and now subtract a lot of money...)

Boden's Parisienne Jacket and Brass Button Cardigan!!!

You all will have to forgive me. I am very wiped today. I have taken my cold medicine but it has definitely started to kick in and I am going to be unable to give this post my all. That said I want to get these photos up for you all to look at today. Even though I won't be able to answer any comments, go ahead and ask any questions you would like and I will try to answer them over the weekend, when I anticipate being in a better state of mind. :)


Parisienne Jacket, on me, with jeans, a top, a cute hat, and flip-flops. I wore this on the day we were *supposed* to leave for the Bahamas. Note I said we were *supposed* to...yep, we missed our flight. And to make matters worse, it was rainy, chilly, and awful weather that day. SAD!!! (In the end it worked out because we extended our vacation by one day at the end, and that last day was simply BEAUTIFUL--pics to come, I promise).

So I wore this jacket, finally. Up till that point, the weather had been far too warm to wear this jacket. You got it, the jacket is very heavy, very woolen, but also of the most yummy coloring...in other words, perfection for a grey, yucky, terrible day.

You can buy the jacket here at Boden. Still available in all sizes, so yay!

I bought this in a size 10 (UK), as the size 12 would have been far too large. Bear this in mind, though, if you are a bit busty, definitely size up. Oddly, the only place where it is even a little tight is at my bust, which is very unusual for me.

The hat is from Target, by the way. The jeans are from Land's End and the shirt is from Kohl's. Only the hat is current.

Also, isn't CW so cute standing up and emulating momma? Love it...she is even really close to walking at this point!

Close up of the jacket and collar...plus the very pretty hat from Target. CW is pretty darn adorable, too!

And one more shot, I think CW wants my hat...anyone know if they make these in baby sizes? I would love a baby-sized cloche!

Boden Brass Button Cardi by dinagideon featuring American Eagle Outfitters

Here is the polyvore of the second outfit.


I recently wore this outfit. You can find the info on the individual pieces in the polyvore. I will tell you that only the cardigan is an accurate item, however the pieces in the polyvore are pretty darn close to what I actually wore.

The cardigan is SO soft and pretty. And the buttons are just the right amount of embellishment.

I bought this in a UK 12. I waffled between that and a 10. Probably should have gone with a 10, but the 12 is fine enough, plus I can wear a thicker shirt underneath, if need be.

You can buy it here, and I definitely think everyone should. Unlike the Parisienne which could be too bulky on some, this I believe, could work on all. :)


Here it is unbuttoned. My face was just looking stupid, so I went "snip, snip" to my head. :)

Please ask away. I know I will have the energy for your questions at some point soon. Just not today!!!

UPDATE: POLYVORE ADDITION (9 pm...must go to sleep soon...):

Untitled by dinagideon on Polyvore.com

Okay, many of you mentioned this cloche, so I decided to (quickly) create a polyvore with the cloche and the jacket in it, so that you could have info on where to get the items. BTW, the cloche is sold out on-line, but you could probably find it a local Target. :) Hope this helps you all!

Boden + J. Crew=LOVE! (Oh, and a Special Bag Called the Lexi!!!)

I thought I would get these two outfits out together because we are almost at November, and barring a few places in the U.S.A. and Canada, it is full-on fall here. (Of course, as I type this, it is 71 degrees and gorgeous here...huh.)

So even though these outfits may not work for you...there are pieces in here that some of you may be on the fence about buying or you may really like the color combos I have done or you just really like looking at summer clothing when it is yucky outside...but for whatever reason you look today, enjoy.



Frances Cami and Striped Cardi Fun! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Here is the polyvore of the first outfit.


This "favourite v-neck" cardigan is still for sale at Boden. I bought it when it was 20% off, and unlike the spring/summer version I wore here and here, this cardigan is not 100% cotton...it is a mix of wools and cotton. If you are an "itcher," this may be too wool-y for you. But Boden does allow free returns so if you are on the fence, get it...you can always send it back free of charge. For reference, this is a UK size 12, although a 10 would have fit great. I wear a medium in J. Crew cardigans, usually.

You have seen the Frances cami on me before, here, in sage. I really really like this deep rose color and think it is so pretty with this striped cardigan.

The shorts and sandals are all J. Crew, but from seasons past, so most likely unavailable except through every one's favorite capitalist site, Ebay.


Without the cardigan, the outfit is just okay. Very comfortable. (Surprisingly so...)



Boden Henley and Lexi Clutch!!! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Here is the polyvore for outfit #2.


The top is a Boden henley from last spring. It is also now unavailable, but did languish for a really long time in their sale section.

The shorts are from Target, and because I am a sucker for a plaid bermuda short, and this pair had my very favorite colors, I had to get it.

The real reason I even bothered to take photos of this outfit wasn't for the clothing but rather the SUCCULENT spring daisy-colored metallic Lexi clutch. OMG. This is definitely not a bag for anyone looking to fade into the background, but look at it...I feel like butterflies and birds will come and perch on my shoulder because they will be attracted to the bag like they would a flower.

I can't say that this is the most practical bag ever, but it is a lot of fun. I am wearing it in this shot across my body, with the strap attached to the clutch part (the strap is very easily taken off, if need be).

If you love it, as I do, it is available here at jcrew.com for 99 dollars (I went ahead and got it when there was an extra 20% off, though, so I didn't pay that price).

Now, in all fairness, I should point out that the very lovely A Bigger Closet bought the light purple version of this bag and did not end up keeping it, and her reasons are very valid. So, please do take a look at her post on this bag.


Yes, at one time, I manage to look both stupid and pregnant. I have no idea why I am holding my hand like that, nor do I know why I made that face. Regardless...THE BAG...Look there...it is in clutch form. So pretty!!! Squee...

I would not recommend this for a party bag because it is too big, but I have been using it as a fun day bag...you know, going to lunch, hanging out at a friend's house, taking Rex to preschool kind of bag...

If you have any questions, go ahead and post them...

Have a great afternoon, all.

Uh, Oh, J. Crew is in TROUBLE. (A.K.A. Boden's Spring 2010 Collection is AWESOME!)

I am back. Sort of. I don't have much time tonight to actually do any real business on my blog, but I did want to announce something. And that is that J. Crew is probably going to make very little money from me this spring if the way things are looking actually come true in reality. After a very spirited discussion at J. Crew Aficionada about the preview of the Spring Collection 2010, I was unsure if anything being offered by J. Crew will suit me and my personality. I tend to gravitate to the bright, bubbly, printed fabrics, and it seems that J. Crew's spring collection may not have a lot of what I normally love. And, being fair, maybe that is okay...I can try new things and styles, right? I am flexible and I do LOVE clothing.

But then Johnnie Boden struck again...and being the Boden Aficionada that I am, I couldn't resist taking a sneak peek at his spring collection 2010. And yep, it is confirmed...I AM IN LOVE with Boden's spring collection 2010.

You know what is crazy? I got a fairly non-descript e-mail from Boden announcing the collection, along with a 20% off offer (and free shipping and returns). I ALMOST DELETED THE DARN E-MAIL. If anyone at Boden is reading this, you may want your e-mails to be a tad less subtle.

Swoon. Look at this GORGEOUS linen Printed Tunic. The play of mod florals with such fantastic hues of olive and pink? If I didn't know better, I would think this was a resort piece from Tory Burch or Lilly Pulitzer. Nope, just an 88 dollar piece by Boden. Yes, I will be getting this. Can you imagine a world where I wouldn't? I just wish they had a mini-Boden piece like this so I could get CW her own version!

Untitled by dinagideon on Polyvore.com

I also made a polyvore, because I had to let my peeps in the "Boden is Bodacious" polyvore group know about all the FINE items on offer.

Hope that some of you who are beyond disappointed with the lackluster spring J. Crew is offering (sorry, Mickey, I tried to love) are gonna join me in the parade of AWESOME across the pond. Thank you, Mr. Boden. You have delivered us what spring should be: Sunshine and Happiness!

J. Crew Outlet Rose Tee in White for Church!!!

You all have seen this tee before, in black, here in this post. Well, because of my overall love of this top, I went ahead and purchased in white, too. I like both tops equally, and I especially love that they are in neutral colors which allows me to wear them with pops of color!

Slastena mentioned it (and had photos) in her recent post about visiting the J. Crew outlet.

I wore this outfit to church one Sunday about three weeks ago...it was the perfect outfit for Sunday mass.


Outfit overall consists of: J. Crew Outlet Tee, White, Size small, Fall 2009; Jones New York Skirt, Size 8, Spring 2009 (also seen in this post); Ann Taylor Loft "Bee" Sandals, Size 9, Summer 2009.

Look at Rex back there...didn't even realize he was back there until after the shot was taken...sneaky boy!


I added a J. Crew Merino Lea Cardigan, Size medium, Tangerine Orange (or something like that), Winter 2008, to stay warm, but after seeing this shot, I realized it looked better opened up, so that is what I did. However, I decided to publish this shot because baby is making the cutest darn pose ever...

Speaking of baby...I have read every last one of your comments about the new header. Thank you all for your compliments. Half of children's photography is just sitting still in a weird lunge pose (great for the thighs) until the right moment presents itself (which isn't always a guarantee)...however, my own kids gave me the PERFECT shot on the NC vacation, and for that I am so happy. Plus, what a great memory to catch. Rex, for all his terrible behavior sometimes, is awesome. In fact, when I think of Rex, and capture what he looks like in my mind, I have this image...I just wish his preschool teacher could think of him this way...sigh!

I am still VERY busy these next couple of days, but I want you to know that I will be doing brief posts every day or every other day, time permitting. Have a really nice couple of days if I don't get that chance!!! :)

Babies, Babies, and the Beach...

Unless you have not paid any attention to the way my blog used to look, you will have realized there have been big changes over here at My Superfluities. No, not that content...I still talk a lot about J. Crew, Boden, and my kids...but I FINALLY found a photo of my kids that would be PERFECT for the header. The daffodils I had before were really pretty (and also one of my photos), but I just felt that with the 250th post, I wanted to switch things up. So you know, I took the header photo, and unless I am in one the photos in this post, I took all these photos, too!

I am doing this post mainly for the people who just think my kids are TOOOOO cute...grandma, grandpa, nanny, pops, Roxie, etc. :) Enjoy, all.

I have superimposed my username on these photos to protect my copyright...if you really love them, please, please ask for permission if you want to use them...I do try to do photography on the side as a (very non-lucrative) business, so you would be taking my (not so lucrative) livelihood away from me if you took the images without asking!!! Thanks in advance... :)


Baby CW, asleep, all precious and pretty in her Jacadi Liberty Print onesie. I DID NOT pay retail for the Jacadi outfit. You mothers out there can stop having your heart attacks. ;) Jacadi is Ridiculous, with a Capital "R." I think I bought it for half-off, and then an additional 20% off...basically equal to a normal crewcuts skirt or something...


Did you know that babies teach themselves to suck from a straw? Yeah, me, neither...but both of my kids just FIGURED it out. This just makes me smile, I love that little ones learn stuff on their own. BTW, CW reminds me of a baby model in this shot. It could be because she is wearing Jacadi... ;)


The three of us at the beach in North Carolina. In a SWING. At sunset. Yes, I felt lucky. BTW, if you think Rexie is happy here, just wait!!!


My arty shot of a surfer. I punched up the contrast and amped up the sky with a polarizing filter...but the surfer himself makes the shot. Pretty cool. (And, ladies, open this shot up, he looks pretty darn good, too...)

She's going, going, going... (Go to next shot...)

Gone. Yes, she fell from daddy's shoulders onto the sand and this was the face she made. :) Wow. To be a one-year old again...

Told you to wait. I LOVE this shot...may be one of my best shots EVER. And though it was accidental, come on, the Mr. Happy shirt with that smile? God was watching us take this shot and just let it happen...

Another arty shot of the sea grass and the dunes. I softened the shot, and then increased the saturation. It was sunset, which gave the clouds in the distance a neat color and feel...

Going up the stairs with such precise movements? This is what makes parenting so wonderful. I need to see this photo when Rex tries my patience. So darn precious...

And with the sunset over the Outer Banks, NC, I bid you all farewell.

I will most likely be unable to update this blog, either in post form, or in commenting form, for a few days. Please forgive me, but know that if I can come on by, I certainly will!!! :) Enjoy your weekend, and please take care...

Ocelot Cardigan Two Ways!!!

So this is my 250th POST! Woo hoo! I would have done a giveaway, but I am running around like crazy this week so I probably won't do a giveaway until the 300th post, but I am just super-stoked to even make it this far...

I would love to take a moment and thank everyone who follows my blog, whether as a "follower" or just someone who comes on over and visits me...I love having you all around, and not only have I learned more about what cool people there are in the world, I have also learned a lot more about me through this process...which was completely unexpected!!!

I know how popular the Ocelot cardigan was this fall...in fact so popular that it is sold out at jcrew.com. I decided that since most of my posts on my superfluities are about clothing, my 250th post best b-r-i-n-g it. So I decided to have this momentous post highlight the ocelot cardigan two different ways.



One Way to Style the Ocelot Cardigan! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Here is the polyvore of the first outfit. The second outfit has no polyvore, but if you have questions about particular items, go ahead and ask in the comments. I am going to be REALLY busy this next week, but there may be a chance I can answer them, so ask away...if I can't get to them, well you know what I will say, "I promise I will get to them, as soon as I can..."


I wore this subbing, and because I was walking home that day, I knew that I needed to wear comfy shoes. These sandals would not normally be what I choose, but they worked well enough. Ignoring the shoes, I absolutely LOVE this outfit. The teal is a color I wouldn't have normally paired with the cardigan, but I think it turned out well. HeidiG. will be impressed on how neutral I kept the rest of it...I really REALLY wanted the cardigan to be the centerpiece, and by using neutrals properly, I was able to let this beautiful piece really shine!

I received a ton of compliments on this outfit, so if you are interested in pleasing a 13-year old girl, wear this outfit. ;)


The second outfit appears to be making CW mad, but in reality she was just mad because I dared to put her down for a minute (CW=Clingy and Whiny)...don't worry you all, I picked her up about one nanosecond after I took the photo.

I haven't worn this outfit out yet, but I was so pleased with the cardigan that the moment I brought it home, I created an outfit.

The cami is one of my Lady Hathaway camis, in a charcoal grey. The jeans are the overdyed denim in dusty blossom (size 30, I think) from this last spring (2009). The flip-flops are Ann Taylor Loft from this summer.

I hope you enjoyed seeing how I styled this cardi...I plan on wearing this a lot this winter, and adding a pop of color with it...yellow, for sure...do you ladies (and maybe men) have any other suggestions for color combos???

P.S. If you really loved my shimmer paisley lawn dress seen in this post, there is one for sale over at "crewsing thru my 50's." I highly recommend that if this is your size and you have been dying to buy it, do so!!! It is definitely sold out and there are none to be had anywhere on ebay or the weekly exchange!!!

Take care, you all...Have a nice start to your weekend!!!