One Saturday...Two "Hot" Outfits...(5/23/09)!!!

Yes, folks, it is two-fer time again...I wore BOTH of these outfits on that sweltering hot Saturday we had here in the Mid-Atlantic on May 23, 2009. The first outfit I wore during the day when we went to my dad's house to go visit my Aunt and Uncle in from California. The second outfit is from when we went to my cousin-in-law's (Mr. Dina's first cousin on his dad's side) house to visit his Aunt and Uncle in from Florida. Two sunny states' residents visiting two separate neices/nephews in Northern Virginia on the same day. :) Good times. No, seriously...it really was good times. Love hanging with the fam. My family and his family are the best!!!

Fresco Cardigan with Summer Casual!!! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Here is the Polyvore.


Here is the polyvore in full-length. Hair is wet. Yep. Feels good to let it AIR-DRY on a HOT day!

So why did I wear the cardi if it was SO hot? Because I am super-pale and SPF only does so much. So out came the lovely cotton cardi that I have been the proud owner of since February! It did actually get to be too warm to wear it (we had BBQ outside) but when that happened, I subtly encouraged everyone to hightail it into the house. It worked...

The top is different in the polyvore. The top you see here is a MATERNITY top from Pea in the Pod by Splendid. Yeah, whatever. Fits perfect on my non-pregnant body. I think the person they made it for is not really pregnant or pregnant in a way that I have NEVER seen. Wow.

The flip-flops are actually from J. Crew (last summer 2008) and I LOVE that color. You might need sunglasses to look at them (see two pics from now for more on that).


Here is more of that top. Please excuse my bit of cami showing through. oops...

To make the fireball necklace that short, I had to clip the clasp on the necklace itself (and I ended up with a fair bit of the necklace chain down my back...).


Oh, dear reader who wanted to see the Boden sunglasses in green and for the other reader who wanted to see the Boden sunglasses case, here you go!!! I (heart) them both. The green sunglasses are meant for sunnier days more than the light brown because of the darker tint...this is why these beauties came out to play instead of the light brown ones...I love having this option! The case is REALLY big but since I have to carry a mom-bag everywhere it doesn't matter to me! I now own two of these cases (they come with every sunglasses purchase). They also have a cloth inside to wipe the lenses. I also think the print is so much fun!


There is no polyvore for outfit #2, but 'tis okay. I get tired sometimes writing my blog and the less work--the better!!!

I wore this in the evening to visit Florida family and I LOVE this outfit SO much. I will definitely do this again. SO CUTE!

Can I tell you that Rugged Wearhouse (kind of like TJ Maxx or Ross) is awesome? The tank is old J. Crew and 10 dollars. The skirt is Ann Taylor Loft and was 9 dollars. Yes, I bought two. This skirt is a 12 and fits nicely now (I can wear it lower so it isn't too mini) and a 10 for when I get to the fighting weight (8 pounds as of today...probably 10 pounds away in this pic). The shoes are the same from outfit #1. The short-sleeve cardigan is J. Crew, cotton, in lime green (Spring 2009).


Here is the outfit with no cardi. YAY! I love this color. This was a great outfit for seeing the fam on a very warm and muggy night!

Oh, you know, this is for Polyvore. And yes, I see the cami. Whatever. I can just smush that right out when I create sets in the future. It's cool...

You all have a nice afternoon. :)

Quick Post on what I Wore to the Toad the Wet Sprocket Concert!!! (5/21/09.)

Okay, I may not know who Lenka is, but I do know what TWS stands for...one of my favorite bands from the 90s (who got their start in the 80s)...Toad the Wet Sprocket. They sang songs like "Walk on the Ocean..." and "Something's Always Wrong..."

Two weeks ago, on Thursday, May 21st, I went to see them for the SECOND time (yes, second, first time was in 1994) at the National Harbor across the river in Maryland. Except we didn't drive there...we took the boat. Listen up...if you live in Alexandria, consider taking the boat. The night we went it was PERFECT weather and the sun was setting in the west as we approached the dock at National Harbor. Even this hardened married woman was touched by how romantic it was. Once there we walked around (Mr. Dina and I, although we could have brought the kids, they were allowed to go, shocking, I know...), went in some shops, watched the beauty of the river, etc. Let me just say...the National Harbor is awesome. And it is in PG County which has a reputation for being a bit rough (not all parts, obviously...). So get thee to this corner of our lovely area...definitely worth it.

Also, it was great seeing TWS in concert...again. They did not disappoint. I think more folks were there to see Eddie from Ohio (a local, very awesome group), but there were a few of us that REALLY got into TWS. It is funny to see thirty-somethings that are kinda crunchy/granola dancing around to this band. Very nostalgic but in the end sort of funny to watch.

Also very beautiful was the actual SUNSET as the concert played. The view over the water from the venue was immaculate. Even the band admitted it was one of the best views they had ever had while playing!


This is what I wore on this date:
Anthropologie top from 2006? Maybe? Does anyone know?,
J. Crew Summerweight Stretch Bermudas from Spring 2009,
J. Crew Brigitte Metallic Heels in Atlantic (which I later switched to flip-flops...okay, I'm a wimp...I admit it).


This is for polyvore, my peeps. :)

More later, you all!

Okay...Here is Some Big News!!!

Now some of you may already know this, some of you may have suspected this, some of you may be shocked by this, and some of you just won't care but:

I GAVE NOTICE TODAY THAT I WANT TO TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM TEACHING FOR A YEAR!!!

What this means is that I will be mainly a stay-at-home momma next year. YAY!

Now, I am going to teach three weeks of K, 1, or 2 summer school to earn some extra cash, and I will also be subbing a couple of days a week next year (but no lesson plans or grading for this lady), and possibly doing a few "intercession" sessions at our two year-round schools, but still, 90% of my year will be used to raise, teach, and love my kids in a way that only I can...This doesn't mean other "caregivers" can't do an awesome job...it just means I want to do it myself!!! (Haters, simmer down now...)

I feel so fortunate that we can do this. I wish everyone who wished to stay at home with their kids could. My sweet sister-in-law has to go back to work next year when her darling baby will only be a mere 5 or 6 weeks old. My heart breaks for her.

So if you have been wondering why I have been less "vocal" in the blog world lately, that is what I have been doing...quitting (kind of). Wahoo!

Oh, Underwear, Wherefore Art Thou, Underwear...

The bane of my existence is the visible panty line. And, NO, I will not wear a thong. JUST. CAN'T. DO. IT.

So, because of that, I have spent A LOT of time seeking the best undies to keep me as smooth as possible without making me resort to wearing less than I am comfortable with...

So, ladies (and gents, if you have ideas)...let's hear what you have to say...

Which undergarments (specifically panties, but if you have great ideas for bras, camisoles, or other implements...please do chime in) do you like best for keeping you supported without looking like you are getting support?

Me? I love these and these!

ALSO: THESE ARE PICS OF PANTIES AND CAMIS, so if you are less than inclined to see such things, please, PLEASE don't click on them!!! I am doing this as a public service to one of my dear readers who suggested this as a topic, and I feel like this is something that could benefit a lot of people. :) So let's keep it nice, you all!

Results of the White Tee Poll!

Where should a woman go to get a great white tee (not see-thru, substantial weight, well-made, etc.)?

J. Crew, of course... 22%

Gap struts its stuff for me... 16%

L.L. Bean puts out a darn good tee... 0% (so sad for your Maine institution...)

Love Old Navy! 9%

Land's End is the end of my search... 3%

Talbot's is the ticket! 1%

Ann Taylor show me the way... 3%

I just go to a Department Store for my basics! 1%

Other...I will divulge my secret in the comments for this poll's post... 41%

Wow...by a landslide...it was other. To see all the awesome ideas on where to find a great white tee, see this post. (Also in those comments is some VERY interesting info on the owner of American Apparel. WOW!)

I still stand by my Eddie Bauer tee. See here for pics.

Next up: What underwear should we wear for seamless, gorgeous, perfect outfits?

Next poll...still haven't decided. Probably will take one of HeidiG.'s ideas from this post.

Have a nice afternoon, everyone.

DC JCA Fun at Montgomery Mall...Plus a Good Time for the Littlest JCAs...

I want to start this post off by showing a pic of me, Drewablank, and CW. Drewablank came to my house, posed for a picture looking all gorgeous (seriously...that top looks so good on her), and drove me and my baby to the mall (I was feeling groggy from the medicine I took).

Once we got to the mall, and EVENTUALLY spotted a space (thank you, nice man from Pennsylvania), we went in and found HeidiG. (and her sweet as pie daughter E.) and Summerilla at the Nordstrom Cafe. The dinner there was so delicious. I highly recommend it. One thing, bring a little cash for the tip. You can't add the tip to the bill so you have to give it at the end. I ate a nicoise salad with salmon and a cup of tomato-basil soup (both yummy). I washed it all down with a cup of some delicious herbal tea by Mighty Leaf (Organic African Nectar). I loved this tea so much I bought a whole package later on my way out of the mall.

After dinner, we went to J. Crew and had lots of fun returning things, suggesting things to each other to try on, suggesting things that our little girls should wear (E. found the CUTEST top that CW can wear as a dress now and as a top later), and finally, last but not least, discovering naughty things in J. Crew tops (read HeidiG.'s post for more info on that).

I ended up getting some MINI-skirts! Whattup with that? Really, me? Not to worry, they are still long enough (lower than mid-thigh) and I will promise you all never to wear them with anything other than casual flats, or in the winter, with tights and boots. :)

I also went ahead and returned the hole-y sweater from this post and got a PERFECT replacement. No holes, and the pattern matches so well. YAY for J. Crew! I was so worried that my beautiful sweater would be lost to the gods of retail.

Two other tees made it into my bag (the naughty one and the one that has trumpeters and the New Orleans theme).

Hopefully these outings will continue...I love this new group of friends! So, thank you, Drewablank, HeidiG., Summerilla, and little E. for a great evening.

BTW, I am wearing in that photo at the top:

(Picture from ebay seller who is selling theirs...)
J. Crew Linen Embroidered Top from Spring 2007 (supposedly a fast-seller, but look--you can get it from ebay in a medium--thanks for the heads-up, summerilla!);
Target Merona Plaid Shorts from Summer 2009;
J. Crew Poppie Capri Sandals from Spring 2009.

Three Outfits Worn to School (Week of May 18-22, 2009)...

These three outfits are from TWO whole weeks ago. I guess that is what happens when you combine testing (almost done) with illness (almost over, thank goodness...still yucky, but at least I can sit up straight) with raising two kids (well that is ongoing but my absolute favorite). Suffice it to say I will not spend a ton of time on each outfit. If you have questions go ahead and ask in the comments (I will eventually answer them all...promise)!

Outfit #1:

Worn on Monday, May 18th, 2009. I like this outfit in concept more than reality. I think I needed to wear a different pair of pants. I think the top and shoes work really well together, but the pants...eh. The outfit consists of:
INC Petite Small Peasant Top,
J. Crew Colored Chambray Cocktail Capris (Faded Blue Color--in store only), size 8,
J. Crew Salina Patent Flats in Peacock.

Do you all have any recommendations for pants to wear with this top? What about these faded blue cocktail capris? What would you wear with them? I have a hard time matching this blue to things in my closet!!! (It has been a long time since I have worn this color pants--it actually kind of reminds me of the denim that was popular in the early 90s--faded and cowboyish.) Thanks for all your advice...you guys give great advice!

Outfit #2:

Boden Greens and Blues!!! by dinagideon featuring FOSSIL watches

I wore this outfit on May 20, 2009. I really liked this outfit. Definitely a winner.


Here it is in real life. I LOVE this outfit. The skirt is especially cute. I also have the fun skirt (Boden calls it this) in the white with the multi-colored flower/sun thing. BTW, the kids at school loved the skirt, too. I think teachers (especially those who teach the younger kids) should think of buying a fun skirt or two or three. Kids are suckers for these sort of embellishments. :)

Outfit #3:


Navy, Orange, and White for a Beautiful Day!!! by dinagideon featuring FOSSIL watches
I really enjoyed wearing this (to SCHOOL) on Friday, May 22, 2009. Yep, I was allowed to wear shorts (Fridays are normally jeans day but at our school tailored shorts are okay, too).


Here it is on me. I walked to school, by the way. I was running late...and yep, those lovely Born shoes caused me some awful blisters when I decided to run to make sure I was on-time. For me, on-time means getting there ten minutes before school starts. I prefer to get to school 30 minutes before school starts, but when I am walking, ten minutes is fine enough. That is how late I was...I had to sprint to make it to school ten minutes before school started. My blisters are fine now...but man, they hurt for a good week.

This Boden top is a size 12 (size 8 U.S.). It was a bit large on me so I went ahead and shrunk it in the dryer. It is now the perfect size. :)

You all have a good day. Hopefully I can get one more post up before the end of today (my goals are not lofty right now...)!