Easter Best (Times Two) Plus a Snowscape Tank for a Spring Day!

Oh, the insanity! I start my "Spring Into Style" class tomorrow, and I am crazy busy. In fact, right now I made the informed choice to STOP moving and sit down and do something unrelated to tomorrow. My kids and hubby are at a BBQ. Yes, that is how busy I am, I SKIPPED A BBQ. :P

For those of you wondering, the "Spring Into Style" class is for 3rd-5th-graders at a local school that has an extended spring break. Instead of having the kids twiddle their thumbs the last two weeks of vacation, people like me can suggest classes and if enough interest is there, your class is a "go." I guess mine piqued enough curiosity! :)



Untitled by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Above is the polyvore of our Easter Best (well, mine, but you can see CW's in the photos). I was fortunate enough to locate the Tessellated Shirtdress that I had been in love with for years by simply doing a google search for it, seeing that lilaccupcake (yes, she who runs the J. Crew Aficionada polyvore group) had tried to sell hers over last summer, private messaging her, and then lo and behold, she was willing to still sell me it! :) This is such an amazing dress, very mid-century inspired (and you know me, gaga for mid-century things).


Sizes:
Dress: Size 8. This Plenty Frock by Tracy Reese seems to run one size too small, a lot like some of the J. Crew dresses. It's weird, the dress will be fine in the bust and hips, but the ribcage is too tight in a 6. I am really glad lilaccupcake was selling an 8. :)
Cardigan: Size small.
Shoes: Size 9.5.

Look at CW!!! Gah. I found that dress at Target for $18!


And here we are without cardigans. We kept the cardigans on at church, but were able to take them off later because it got pretty warm here today (highs in the 70s and full-on sunshine--yes!!!).


And here is a totally random outfit from Thursday! :) I figured I could at least tie the two outfits together with the fact that both have lavender cardigans.

Sizes:
Top: Size 4. This tank is nutty...it fits really well overall, but the bustline seams are really high up...like high up enough that they seem sort of useless (and I have very little up top, so I get "useless"). Other than that, I would say size down if you find this top. I normally wear a 6 in Anthro tops, and this I had no problem with the 4.
Pants: Size 10. I love you, Target pants.
Cardigan: Size Medium. I own this featherweight cashmere short-sleeved cardigan in four colors (there were A LOT of them left over in final sale for really REALLY good prices)...lavender, slate, navy, and spicy olive. This proportion goes with a lot of my outfits so the cost per wear is really low. And since this area has 6 months of hot, insane hot, or crazy fiery hot (started here last week), the cardi is great for when you have to be indoors in the AC, but need something lightweight enough that you won't swelter in the humidity.
Shoes: Size 10.

I had spent this day with Rex, just doing mommy/son things. It was amazing. He really is a very well-behaved boy when it is just the two of us. I truly believe he acts out more when CW is around (which is just something he will have to learn to deal with). :)

I love this photo because they decided to impromptu dance, a la the Minuet, while I was having the photos done. So sweet! (Rex must have known that it was a mommy/son day because he is not normally so nice to his lil sis...)

I hope I can post tomorrow, but I would doubt it. The backlog of outfits begins anew. Sigh. They will be posted, promise...just like my two posts for mid-Century mom will get posted.

You all have a great Sunday night, and HAPPY EASTER!

Since it Now Appears We Have Tank Weather, How About a Review of the Perfect-fit Swirling Petals Tank?

And with the world's longest blog title, comes the world's shortest review of a J. Crew tank, ever.
One word for this tank: AWESOME.




















Okay, I kid. I have more to say. (It is April Fool's Day and have been unable to fool anyone...until now...heehee.)

Size: Small. I happen to also own this tank in the light grey (or stone) color. Interesting story about me and customer service. If you suck at your job, then I won't buy from you. I had really wanted this in the brown color when this tank came out, but when I went to Tyson's, I asked one of the young ladies that works there to please see if she could find it for me in the brown in a size small (all they had out were x-smalls and mediums) and she sort of huffed, "yeah, but I am going on break, so this is me going out of my way for you." Then I, taken aback, told her, "well, okay, thank you, I will be over there waiting for you." (Keep in mind I was with my testy kids that day.) After five minutes and she had not returned and my kids were ready to kill me or each other, I went ahead and said, "fine, I will try on the light grey and forget about the brown." Well, I did like the light grey, and it works on so many levels, by itself, under cardis, under button-downs, I justified it as an acceptable extra purchase, knowing full well at some point I would buy the brown.

When the people behind the counter asked if anyone helped me, I said, "no...not really." (I worked in retail, and I LOVED it, so I don't want to hear I am not sympathetic...I have been there, and have my lunch-time taken from me, too.)

So while I am at the J. Crew in Vegas, I spy it, in the small in the brown color!!! Woop-woop! :)

I love this color, as well, and can see it working just as well as its lighter sister (or brother???).

So you know, I am wearing a bra-cami under the tank, and it is hidden completely. Awesome. How many tanks can you do that with?

Oh, and I love the embellishments. Under a cardi they look especially pretty.

And since tomorrow is supposed to be JUST. AS. GORGEOUS. as today...well, my winter-sad shoulders will be able to see the sun when I wear this out to take CW to her dr. appt. (HeidiG., I will wear sunscreen, promise.)

Have a great rest of the day, you all! :)

Raveneli Blouse Styled by Yours Truly...

I was DESTINED to own this blouse. Here is why. First, I spied its loveliness in the Anthropologie catalog a few months back. Second, one of my favorite blogs, What Would Emma Pillsbury Wear? highlighted it in a post on whether or not Emma Pillsbury would in fact wear it. (Decidedly yes!) Third, on the VERY day I bought it on sale, Dea of The Dea Diaries goes and shows how she wore it. Yep, three times a charm.

And here is a fourth.


Sizes:
Top: Size 6. Could have gone with a four as there is plenty of room throughout, but I kind of like it a little loose. It can still be yours...a few sizes are left on the Anthropologie website. I will go into the details of the top after the next photo (which shows the blouse on its own).
Jacket: Size 8. Love how the schoolboy blazer is structured enough to balance the ruffles and bows of the blouse. Very nice contrast.
Pants: Size 10. Another example of WHY. YOU. SHOULD. NEVER. BUY. CLOTHING. POSTPARTUM. Yes. It is now too big and when I bought them they were too tight. Sigh. Oh, well, at least I think I can dry them in the dryer to take in some inches. You can't really tell how big they are, but trust me, I was doing the ole "hitching up" dance all night. Don't pretend you don't know what that dance is... :)
Boots: Size 9. Yes, I love you, Naturalizer! Best $25 I have spent in a long time. I wear these all the time!

We were going to IHOP and then bowling. Both were fun. Did you know that if you have a kid at a bowling alley, they let the kid "cheat" by giving them this cool metal ramp to give their ball a good ole head start down to the pins? Rex did way better than me and Mr. Dina...and we used to be on a bowling league (no joke--we own shoes and everything!).


So here is the top sans jacket. It is fluffy and bow-tastic, but not enough to make Mr. Jim crack up at my expense or anything, so in my mind, this makes this top a winner! ;) Go, go, Girls From Savoy (they made the top).

What is Rex doing back there?

Have a great night, all!

For Those That Are Curious: An IRL Photo of the Pima Cotton Agadir Top.

I purchased a size small and from what you can see from the photo above, it is a bit loose, and a bit wide, and a bit long, but I like this top for the simple reason that I feel like I am just a bit more dressy when I wear it (and I only ever wear it at home). I think I would have normally still been in my pjs on the day this photo was taken, but decided "nah, let's wear something so that if the UPS guy comes to the door, he won't have to avert his eyes if he sees me in it." So I put on this top, with its darling neon-threaded button-holes, and a pair of my navy minnies (super-duper comfortable--yet more chic than my flannel loose fit pj pants), and because it was a touch cold that day (probably early March), I threw on my shearling lined slippers (yes, they are nice and toasty).

I could have gotten away with a size extra-small, it would have been more fitted in the shoulders and through the waist, and definitely shorter, but I am okay with the size I got...I guess it is all about what you want from this top. If you want a loose, fun top to be a SAHM in, then maybe buy your normal size and enjoy the slouchy fit. If you are looking to wear this to work or to go out with friends, get it a size smaller and cinch it with a belt or tuck it into a pencil skirt.

I hope that helped some of you.

Catch out more opinions and reviews at the mothership: J.Crew Aficionada: Product Review: Pima Cotton Agadir Top.

Jaipur Perfect Shirt and a Mystery Gingham Shirt...Plus a Little Sunshine (Award, That Is)!

I did NOT buy either of these two shirts, but honestly, I was tempted. If they go on sale, ever, I *might* pick one or both of them up. But at full price, no way, Jose.


First up is the Jaipur Perfect shirt. This is on-line and retails full price at $88.00. That is a chunk of change for a shirt I am only somewhat interested in.

I wore it in a size 6, and it fit well. The only reason those last two buttons are unbuttoned is because I was in too much of a hurry to do them all up. Lazy! :)

I found this to be a BEAUTIFUL pattern, and in real life, it has a stunning mix of off-white, lilac, and a deep rose color. What bugged me was how transparent this top was...seems if you have a lighter-colored top, it would make sense to use a thicker fabric than silk-cotton, but who am I to judge? It is way more transparent than the sunshine peonies top, for reference. This will bug a lot of you, I have a feeling.

I did appreciate that the pattern lined up. That shows a nice amount of care went into the creation of this shirt.


Next up is the in-store only color of purple in the gingham shirt. I really REALLY liked this top layered over the tank and with the collar turned up, but I felt like for $69.50 I would need to love it both opened and closed. And I definitely did not. Had this top been $40, I could have swallowed that cost for a top I only wear open and with the collar popped. Not for almost $30 more.


See! I am like a big ole block when it is buttoned-up. NO way, Jose, double time. :)

I am wearing a size 6, very comfy, but no definition through the waist.

I doubt I would be able to get this on-sale. For one, I rarely get to the store and it is in store only, and two, I think this is an insanely popular blouse and will be sold out well before it goes on sale. But if any of you ladies ever in the future get tired of yours and want to sell me in EUC shape, then drop me an e-mail. Thank you from 2011!


Last, but certainly not least, I received an amazingly cute blog award from two sweety-pies, Suzy and Peggy. Their blogs are sunshine to me, so I really am honored to have been honored by them.

If I follow your blog, you have won this award. Seriously. I have something like 100 blogs I follow and every single one of you all bring me joy whenever you publish a post. So thank you, and I expect to see at least some of you accept this award (I doubt, though, that my favorite mid-century modern architecture blogs will be accepting them--LOL). :)

Have a great day. I have two outfits created from a tank and a pair of shoes to show off later today!

Pink Times Two plus a Swan Butt Outing...

Hi, all! Quick outfits post today. :)

First up is the outfit we (you'll see what I mean) wore on Friday. I had a meeting at the school where I will be teaching an 8-day course in style to 3rd, 4th, and 5th-graders. :) Yes, you read that right, I have decided to bite the bullet and turn my passion for fashion into a course for little ones. I really feel strongly about teaching kids how to dress well and appropriately (you should see what kids in middle school wear--yowza), and the earlier you can help them discover a sense of self through their clothing (it isn't nearly as vacuous as it sounds), the better off they will be by the time their peers start wearing gang clothing or really short skirts. I can't say that they won't turn to the dark side, but maybe one or two of the kids in this class will keep what they learned! I am super-excited about it, and I have a lot of really neat ideas and teaching tools (including every one's favorite paper doll site, Polyvore) ready to go. Wish me luck. One week from tomorrow I start, so I will keep you updated on how well it goes. :)

Pretty in Pink... by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Speaking of polyvore, above is the "pretty in pink" set that baby CW and I wore on Friday. Slastena wrote an incredibly moving post on her mother's passing ten years ago from breast cancer, and she asked all of us out in blogland to wear pink. Since I hadn't chosen my outfit yet, and knew that I could very easily find pink in my closet, I said "yes, absolutely!" Well, I picked out the button-down first, and then remembered that I had bought CW the dress in the same pattern and that she *might* just fit into it (size 2 crewcuts). Well, she did, and two outfits were born. :)


Sizes:
Top: Size Petite 8. Love that it doesn't hit too low on my hip. That is why I buy petite tops...so that they hit higher on my hips.
Pants: Size 30 Short. Love the brown with the pink, really pretty neutral/bright combo.
Boots: Size 9.5. The metropolitan boots are way more comfortable when you aren't running around a mall for two hours straight. LOL. :)

My goodness, my hair looks dark here. It isn't that dark in real life, but the combo of lighting plus really pale face plus bright shirt makes it look dark. I do like my hair like this, but ladies, I WILL never go dark. It just isn't me. ;)

Okay, on Thursday night (the night before the pretty in pink outfit), we all went to Moe's and to Borders Book Store. I decided the swan butt skirt needed to come out and play...


Sizes:
Top: Size small. I am amazed at how much I wear this top. I think I have worn it four times, which in four months is pretty good. I am definitely getting my money's worth from this one.
Skirt: Size medium. I have it in a large, too, but I am saving that one for summer when I don't wear tights and need a bit more coverage (if you know what I mean).
Tights: Size medium-tall.
Shoes: Size 10.


Sizes:
Jacket: Size 4. The is the J. Crew Collection tweed contessa coat. I think what makes it "collection" worthy is the embellishment at the collar. One of the beads is hanging on by a thread, but considering I got it for over 160 dollars off its original price of 250 dollars, I think I can manage to sew a bead back on...

All right, have a great day. Maybe I can get a review of some of the current button-downs written soon. :)

Very, Very Quick Review of the Thicket Floral Perfect Shirt...

Ooh, you all, the new arrivals are up on jcrew.com. YAY!

Usually I am late to the game when it comes to doing reviews, but because I was in Vegas last weekend, I was able to take some time and go to the mall to check out some of the new items for myself (and grab some photos). Like gigiofca, I am going to be doing these reviews one at a time, although I normally like to put them all in one post. I have a lot on my plate right now, so I have to be brief. ;)

First up from this weekend's expedition is one of the three items I did buy (and the only one from the new arrivals). (I was feeling some of the others, and was definitely tempted, but I was returning the annalise tops--did anyone figure out how to style these and not look like a clown?--and only had a little bit of money to work with--did NOT want to spend over my return amount.)


Thicket Floral Perfect Shirt, Size 6 (so it fits looser than other perfect shirts I have worn in the past, OR I have lost more weight, who knows?). It is a Cotton/Silk blend and feels so soft. I am wearing the Perfect-fit swirling petals tank in cobblestone underneath, and the blouse wasn't so sheer that you could see the design or color of the tank through the fabric.

This pattern is so pretty in real life...ditsy florals with the prettiest blend of lilac, lime, rose, and pink. You know I love me some florals, and I just couldn't say no to this one. If it had been a predominantly green, yellow, or orange floral shirt I would have said no (I have a lot of florals in these color schemes already). Darn J. Crew, coming out with the one floral color scheme I don't already own. ;)

It also comes in a little girl top, which is darling, too.


I will often wear these perfect shirts in the summer as a cover-up from the sun, and this one seems like it would do the trick nicely. I love the tank, too, and went ahead and bought it in a small. :)

Hope that helped someone out there. More reviews to come later.