Disney Time!

Hi, folks, CW here. I am currently on vacation in Florida with my momma, my brother, and my daddy. I am posing here with the prettiest princess. She is so nice! She thought my sparkly shoes were extra-special and said she wanted a pair herself!

We will be home later today, just wanted you all to know we are around, just not around. :)

Boden Greenwich Reefer IRL!

Back in this post, I suggested that many of you consider Boden's Greenwich Reefer for this winter. I have to say, I am convinced. I love the cut, the color, and the fit. The Greenwich Reefer is a winner.


Sizes:
Coat: Size US 6, UK 10. I am wearing my typical J. Crew/Boden coat size. It fits beautifully, almost a perfect match for my upper body. I really love this color, a heather light grey. I also find this double-breasted coat looks pretty good worn open, which is a rarity in anything double-breasted. LOL.


All buttoned up and ready to go. Not really. It was about 90 when I tried this on and took pics. Only for you, lovely blog friends. ;)

BTW, yes, I know I have done a lot of reviews on coats lately, but I will tell you something (secret, shhh), I am going to be putting at least three-four coats up for the sale soon. I plan on including a evergreen colored peacoat by Tulle, a dark peacock colored velvet coat by Boden, and a few others that I am finding don't suit me.

Have a nice night, all. Talk soon!

Cocoon Concerto Coat...J. Crew Collection...

I am actually quite p-oed at J. Crew lately. Beyond the whole you now have a very limited time to do returns (used to be fairly open, then it went to no more than 90 days with store credit thereafter, and now it appears that we *may* get 60 days if it is an on-line purchase, 30 days if it is store purchase, and no store credit thereafter, even with an original receipt). You can see why I am so irritated in this post over at JCA. I think I explained myself well, but who knows if J. Crew will understand my negativity.

I am also p-oed at J. Crew because they have such BAD STYLING on their models at their internet site. Take for instance the lovely Cocoon Concerto Coat, which looked decent enough in the lookbook for me to place a pre-order. And then the item was dropped in the latest roll-out and it was all well...woof. The model is beautiful but it seems she may not be the best model to show off the cool mid-century/80s vibe of this coat. On her it just sits there looking like a very sad woolen sack of potatoes. Is it because this is not the best color for her or is it because the styling is just too much? Is she wearing the wrong size? Thoughts?

Okay, J. Crew, I will do your job for you. I will show how gorgeous this coat can actually be.


Sizes:
Coat: Size Small. This is my fave pose for this coat. I love the lines to it. I find it very chic, especially when paired with these fitted pants and ankle boots. Why couldn't J. Crew have used a pose like this with their model?

This is a very generous cut, except through the hips, where it comes back into a taper. I don't mind this but I would have hated it postpartum. That said the zipper is a double zipper so it can be zipped up a bit from the hips if you find it a bit tight through your bottom half.

I appreciate how the coat visually lengthens my shorter torso. Most things I wear don't give me that silhouette.


I love this particular styling for more casual moments. It is all zipped and buttoned up, but the top two buttons are undone and the collar is folded down a bit.


Also like it completely unbuttoned and completely unzipped. This will be a fine coat to wear on those bright, sunny fall days where it is just a touch too cold, yet still pleasant.


I didn't care for this version as much because I didn't like that it closed off my neckline. That said, I still prefer this styling to the version on jcrew.com.


Here I buttoned up the top buttons and left the whole rest of it undone. Meh. Probably will not wear it this way.


Back of the coat. I feel like it makes an impression entering and leaving. ;)

Some last thoughts:
1. It is unlined. For a Collection piece I wanted a lining, but I find that the piece is still exceptional enough for me to keep. I really loved how I have NOTHING like this in my closet and I can truly see its potential. (And I do believe this will not be an item that I will want to return--now with the new policy I need to be VERY sure if I plan on buying anything early in the season.)
2. It is a nice, soft wool, but I still fear that some of the more sensitive JCAs may find it itchy.
3. I really liked how the sleeves looked rolled up one time, flattering for the arms.
4. The original Collection lookbook image shows a button at the very top of the stand-up collar. That is gone. I have no idea why...it looked cute!

Hope this helped some of you! :)

I Now Have My Own Arbonne Web Site!

I am wearing all Arbonne makeup here. If you would like to know how to do this yourself, you can wait a few weeks when I do a tutorial on a Mommy Style Monday, or you can e-mail me at my new e-mail (see below for the address)! And yes, CW is PRECIOUS, and she is wearing Arbonne baby care. :)

For months, I have been asking my Arbonne customers to go to a specific page at Arbonne, look for the EXACT box they need to go to in order to enter my consultant number, click on that link, specify which type of client they want to be, pick and choose items, then check out. All that time you may not be 100% sure if you are actually supporting me by choosing to buy Arbonne.

Well, I finally did it...I got my own My Arbonne site, which goes directly to my version of Arbonne. It still allows you access to all the great products, but there is a whole lot less of the red tape needed to buy the products. And best of all? By buying the super-awesome, all natural skin and body care products you are supporting me and my desire to continue to be a stay at home mom. So for that I thank you!

Enjoy looking around, and if you have any questions, or if you would like to be on my e-mail list. please e-mail me at dinagideon@myarbonne.com. (I am now importing all my clients to this new e-mail, so if you have been receiving e-mails from me at my old e-mail address, expect to see a new e-mail the next time I send out my end of the month specials!!!)

Thank you all, and I look forward to helping you Glow, Radiate, and Sparkle with Arbonne!

A Little Blue...Good Time to Show Off My Blue!

I have had a rough week. Insanely enough my finding out what I exactly suffer from in regards to my terrible migraines isn't even what had me down this week. :P

First, the news regarding my PFO (please see this post for more info on what that is).

Trust me, the next paragraph or two will make more sense if you do read it. :)

I definitely, 100%, there is no doubt in my mind, HAVE a HUGE hole in my heart. In fact, based on my trans-cranial doppler with micro-bubbles study (link takes you to a PDF), I have the absolute worst possible grade you can receive regarding holes in the heart. The hole I have basically is open for business, even when I am at rest. That means there is always a bit of the bad blood mixing in with my good, oxygenated blood and because of that, my brain is receiving bad blood a lot of the time. There are two tests they do...the first test is at rest, which I received "uncountable bubbles," or a "curtain," which equates to a grade 5+ (plus). The grades start at 0, which means no bubbles pass through (there is no PFO if that is the case) and go all the way to 5+. When they gave me the second test, I needed to replicate exertion, so I had to blow into a tube (called a valsalva maneuver). This test is normally done because a lot of people will experience more bubbles passing from their right atria into their left atria under conditions of exertion, if they have a PFO. (This second test is valuable especially for those people who have a PFO but the PFO did not register on the first test.) Me? Oh, no. I mean, yes, I had more bubbles passing through, but yep, the bubbles were still uncountable, and still a curtain, and therefore still a Grade 5+. I think this is unfair, I think there should be a distinction...I want to be a 6, darnit. LOL. (See I can still laugh about it!)

My neurologist then moved on from that to my MRI results, which were...da da DUM...normal (enough, my hubby may disagree). :) GREAT, I'll take it. But wait, I am not done...

Turns out that even though I have a normal MRI, my neurologist suspects STRONGLY (bold-face font, thank you very much) that I have suffered from "mini-strokes" already based on my symptoms while having my AWFUL TERRIBLE migraines this summer. Turns out that a prolonged aura (my worst ones have lasted for hours) with partial blindness in my right eye and difficulty walking (walking into walls and falling over from standing) and not being able to speak properly are not typical and worry her.

With my MTHFR disorder (I clot blood easily), she is not putting my health to chance and is INSISTING that I get my PFO closed before my "mini-strokes" turn into big, land you in the hospital STROKES. I have an appointment with a local cardiologist in a few weeks, and at that point I will know more about when and where I will get my hole closed. YAY!

See why I am not blue about my health? This, albeit a bum-tastic thing to have lived with, is nearly done. THANK GOD.

My blue-ness is more on me and feeling like I can't get along with people. Not my friends, nope, my family. Fortunately I am pretty adept at figuring out familial issues, but it still stinks feeling down. (And hence, my absence from the blog, couldn't get motivated to be happy for you all...boo!)

So as an HOMAGE to blue, I give you two blue outfits I wore this summer. :) Enjoy!


Sizes:
Dress: Size 8. This is the knotted starfish dress and I must have tried this dress on five or six times in multiple J. Crew dressing rooms. The 8 always fit best (even if it is a bit short--but hey, it's summer and I was going to a picnic). I just couldn't pay full price. It went on sale, but even on sale, I thought it was too expensive for what it was. When I was able to get an extra 20% off, I bit, and ended up getting it for around $45.
Shoes: Size 10. I believe these are some Kenneth Cole Reaction sandals. They are sparkly!

This is the outfit as I wore it. Below is what I had originally intended to do.


Sizes:
Belt: Size small. Elastic Blossoms Belt. I adore this belt, and love the way it looked here. But for a picnic, nah. That and the heels are better for a date.
Shoes: Size 10. Yummy, love how the light lavender look like a neutral. I believe these are the patent Elodies from Summer 2009.

Yes, I am full aware of how ridiculous the kids look. Baby CW is for sure doing a "staying alive" dance move. I think she must love the disco. That is a starfish crewcuts top. Yep, another mommy and me outfit. ;) Rex's sunglasses kill me, too. I didn't know 3-year olds could look like cops. LOL.

And notice how the "knotted" in the knotted starfish dress is spangling out onto my upper-arm. Awesome. Not. Fixed that right up before I left the house, promise.


Sizes:
Dress: Size small. This is the Marin Dress and I LOVETH. Simply put. I know this was not insanely popular, but I found the fit, fabric, and comfort perfect for my life. I wore this out and about doing normal SAHM things. Drewablank wanted me to get the x-small, but I found that it fit too well at the hips, thereby making the skirt portion shorter. Prefer it to only be "just" so short.
Shoes: Size 10. Just plain old flip-flops from J. Crew.


This lighting better shows off the color. :)

Mommy Style Monday note: I have received all the e-mails, comments, etc. regarding your nominees. Awesome. :) Currently creating the questions for the Q & A, and all will be sent out the Stylish Moms very soon. When I receive them back, I will start that new portion of Mommy Style Monday.

Have a great night, and be safe at school.

Marseilles Floral Cami and the Liberty Tulip Mania Perfect Shirt...IRL with Shorts.

CALLING all Stylish Moms or anyone that knows a Stylish Mom! Nominees, please!!! :)

Pretty Marseilles! by dinagideon featuring j crew shoes

Above is the polyvore of the summer outfit I created for the Marseilles Floral Cami. I fell in LOVE with the print and as difficult as I found it to fit (as others did, I believe, including gigiofca who tried on the other version), the print was worth making it work (Tim Gunn, you are rubbing off on me!). I wore this when one of my fave blogggie pals, drewablank, and her sis came over to my house for a playdate (drewablank's sis has kids the. same. exact. age. as mine...awesome). It was humid and muggy that day, so the light silk of the cami was perfection!


I think this pose might draft me into the army if I am not careful. Recruiters, stay away. I am not really interested.

Sizes:
Top: Size 4. The 6 was far too big everywhere but the hips, but in the end, I wanted a slimmer silhouette and went with the 4. I am not going to lie...the cami bugs when you are trying to figure out how to get the bottom hem to lay right, but in the end if it is close enough, it is more than okay (for all you OCD people out there--I know what it's like!). P.S. I always wanted to name one of my daughters Chloe Marseilles. One of my awful ex-boyfriends made so much fun of me, I quickly lost that drive and desire. Jerk.
Shorts: Size 8. You know, the 5 inch inseam chino shorts they ALWAYS have at J. Crew...good thing they keep some of the basics around.
Shoes: Size 10. These are from Summer 2009, and I LOVE them. So pretty and sparkly.


Yes, our family has bought into the pillowpets craze. CW and Rex love their pillow pets. Really.

Sizes:
Top: Size 4. I am such a fan of the Liberty Print fabric, are any of you really surprised that I bit on this button-down? I love tulips, and this particular print is just the right size, not too big and not too little. I have tried layering this with a jackie shell (even though the jackie shell I bought is too big) and it works nicely. Will look great in the fall with the shell, a pair of jeans, cute ballet flats, and a bright lady day coat. P.S. Anyone have a charcoal jackie in a size small that they want to swap for a charcoal jackie in a size medium? Merci!
Shorts: Size 8. SO GLAD I bought the store out of all colors of the stretch summerweight bermuda shorts last year. Even though they are all a bit large on me now, I don't give a hoot. This year's bermuda shorts are a JOKE. I am *this* close to returning the orchid shadow, even though the color is sublime. They are pretty bad, no stretch, wrinkly, wonky waistband. Ugh.
Shoes: Size 9. Yummy neon flip-flops. :)

Baby CW is proof that cuteness reigns supreme. Love her version of my outfit...crewcuts elephant print top and a pair of Target bright pink shorts. She is even putting her hand on her hip. Work it!

You all have a great night. Thank you for all of your time, I am glad that I have so many awesome followers (225! Thanks, Tabitha!).

Ambling Twists Tank in Real Life...and a Jig from Rex!

QUICK REMINDER! Do you know a stylish mom? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE check out this post. I need nominees! I have a few, but need more... :) THANK YOU!


Can I just tell you how much I love Rex doing the jig?

Sizes:
Top: Size Small. This is the Ambling Twists Tank by Anthropologie, and I adore it. I love the color, the knotting, and the fit. And as added bonus, it is the one top in my entire wardrobe that actually works with these light denim chambray cocktail capris (was a J. Crew in-store only color--spring 2009). Seriously, the ONLY top. It only took me a WHOLE year to find something that worked well with them. Gah. True to size, and if you can find it, I say "snap it up!"
Pants: Size 8. Awesome, yummy cocktail capris from Spring 2009. Even though I complained about the difficulty I had matching the light blue version, I think I have them in every color, nice workhorse pants that can be worn even when it is super-hot (as it was today--anyone want to try 95 and full humidity on for size?).
Shoes: Size 10. If you look closely, you will see that the footbed is the same Liberty Print fabric as my much-loved shirt (Thanks, Ema!).

As I am so very tired and kind of done, I will bid you all farewell. :) Sleep well.