Okay, I had to do it...This Blog is NOT Your VERBAL TRASHCAN!

They need me to be my best...and I am not my best when I am sad...

I was the free-est of free in regards to comments. I never said "no" to anonymous comments because I have learned a lot through all comments, not just from my "blog friends."

But I received a fairly mean-spirited comment tonight which makes me want to stop blogging all together. (And it takes a lot to get me riled up.)

I did NOT start this blog at all to pretend I was anything other than me. I am not fashion-forward. I am in love with clothes, but I don't ever think the clothing I love is the epitome of fashionable. For crying out loud, I actually adore some of those amazingly outrageous Partridge Family prints from the 1970s. I know those are nowhere near fashionable.

I also accept that what I wear on my body may not suit me most days, but I am trying.

This blog was started to be a blog about what I have in OVERABUNDANCE in my life right now. Most days, that is whatever clothing concoction I have come up with...good, okay, or even (and I have laughed at myself for some of these) bad.

I think I need to take a break. If I come back, I think I will slowly get back into posting what I wear again. (And I think, no I know, I had some that actually looked really nice on me...and may have actually benefited some of you.)

I will most likely come back...but I will start small, blogging about mid-century architecture, my beautiful kids, my love of my life as a stay-at-home mom.

I do not want to be sad. My kids need the best mom I can be, and the best mom I can be is one who takes a break when she needs to...and that is starting right now.

P.S.: I have a new opener for the comments section...I think it is appropriate and plenty polite. It is below...

Hi. I LOVE almost all comments. Every once in a very long while, I will see a comment on here that is just mean. These mean comments I do not love. I always respond quickly and with as much tolerance as I can manage when faced with truly awful, ignorant comments. I do this so I can discourage others from treating my blog as their "verbal trash can." For all of you who leave sweet, kind, and constructively (yet well-mannered) criticisms, thank you. I always try my best to respond to your awesome thoughts when I get enough time to give my best back to you.Oh, and my number one blog rule: My Blog, My Rules. That simple...

P.P.S.: I have turned OFF the comments for this section. I do not need the heartache of mean-spirited comments on this post.

P.P.P.S.: I am still allowing anon. comments...because 98% of you anon commenters are awesome.

For Two Days of Summer School, I Wore the Pants...

Wooh! Let's hear it for two posts in one day. (I may not post tomorrow, I have to go to Richmond, so I may be making up for my absence early...)

So I know that when you think of summer, you don't think of pants. But I mixed it up anyhow because that is me, Miss Crazy! I have two outfits in this post and they have the whole "pants" thing in common.

If you have questions on these items, ask in the comments, and I will get to answer you...pinky swear.

Wallpaper Cardi! by dinagideon featuring J Crew

Here is the polyvore of outfit #1.


And here is outfit #1 on me! I know this looks like it belongs in the fall, but honestly, as long as I took the cardi off for the walk (this is a nice, brand-spanking new one that HeidiG. personally inspected for me and it has no holes and the pattern lines up...score), this outfit isn't that oppressive for July heat. The Saturday pants are especially lightweight...very nice for the heat. The pants are a size 10 and fit very nicely. An 8 would have been too tight in the hips.

Green and Yellow! by dinagideon featuring Old Navy

Here is the polyvore of outfit #2.


And here it is on me...I think I look young in this outfit. I really, really like it! :) I wore the red and blue version of this cardigan way back when, and loved it so much that I got it in another shade.

This outfit was also summer-friendly, as long as I didn't wear the cardigan on my walk to school.
By the way, the top is not J. Crew, it is actually Ann Taylor Loft from a long time ago. The denim is Old Navy and is a bit big, but I don't mind...they still work for me (although hopefully not for much longer...come on, last ten pounds...).

You all have a great rest of this Thursday!

A Couple of Outfits from July!

I will never, ever make it to the present time in blog posting if I don't just bite the bullet and start posting all these long ago outfits. So, in order to spare me some time so I can actually catch up to real time, I will post most of the July and early August outfits in pairs or triplets.

Today I have for you three outfits from mid-July. None have polyvores which makes this post especially easy...and easy is what I need because baby CW is being clingy, needy, etc. and I am finding it hard to type and hold her at the same time. (Stay at home mom doesn't mean less work it just means a different kind of work...) :)


Here is one I wore to the gym on a Saturday morning (for a while there I had a Pilates Allegro class on Saturday mornings)...

Info: Cardi: J. Crew, Summer 2009, size small; Tank: Athleta, Fall 2008, size medium; Shorts: Wal-Mart, size large (has to be, that inseam is way too short otherwise); Shoes: Born from forever ago, size 10.


Mr. Dina affectionately called me a "hippy-chick" in this outfit. Haha. He is right, though, I do look a bit crunchy-granola. And the skirt...man, it is long...

Info: Top: J. Crew, Fall 2008, size medium; Skirt: Target (Merona), Spring 2008, size 10 (this may be why it is so long now); Flip-Flops: J. Crew, Summer 2007, size 10.


I actually really like this outfit, worn to summer school. I just wish the skirt was shorter. I think as I get smaller, the skirts still technically fit, but since they ride lower, they look longer, which on me reads as dowdy.

Info: Tee: J. Crew, Spring 2008 (maybe), size medium. Skirt: Macy's Style & Co., Fall 2008, size 10. Shoes: Earth, Spring 2009, size 9 (their shoes run a bit wide and long).

There is more to come. If you have any questions, please comment. As usual, I will comment back...I always *eventually* do. (For example, I have commented back if you have left a comment on the last two posts...)

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. ;)