Boden Weekly Review Roundup: Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!

Hi, all!

I hope the Boden sale has been treating you all well...I have bought...

Nothing!

I know, I know.  But I have my reasons...I was holding out for two items, the Retro Dress and the Gorgeous Cashmere Cardigan.  And silly me...I actually waited two hours to look and see if they were available, and when I checked they were gone IN ALL SIZES AND ALL COLORS.

Ding, ding, ding.  Methinks there is something fishy in Boden town.  As of Monday night there were all sizes and all colors available in both items, and within two hours of the sale starting they are all gone??? Hmm.

I have read rumors on some of the social networking sites that Boden often will release items later in the sale, which seems odd, I didn't know they did that, but it did give me a glimmer of hope that I could get them later on this sale season.  (Plus there are always popbacks.)

Other than that, I have no other "must haves."  I am really glad with the items I received AND the prices I paid for them as I was able to enjoy them for many months before they went to sale (unlike another retailer which really p*ssed me off recently for marking down and item by half and then another third less than three weeks after it was introduced).

Did you all miss out on any of your favorite Boden items?  I may remember this for next year and just buy the darn items RIGHT before the sale and then ask for a price adjustment once the sale starts (they do PAs within 7 days, btw).

A lot of shoes on display this week, wahoo.  :)  Plus two mini-boden items (both repeats but part of CW's very own ootds) and a Boden cardigan (also a repeat but a new view, as well).  I am also going to do a mini written review for a bikini from Johnnie B.

There are absolutely no "deals" this week, but if you want to access the sale, you can click through the item's stock photo, OR go to my sidebar and click on the Sale Link.

CW has the FUNKY PRINT DRESS.  :)  At first she poo-pooed wanting this dress, but when this beauty when on 25% off, I knew I could probably make her come to accept it.  She looks a bit wary here, but by dinner she was very happy with her pretty flower dress.  She has it on in a size too large, the 3-4, and while long, not exceptionally so.  (Plus she can wear it next summer!)


Funky Print Dress.  The other colors are also very cute.  :)  Very very Boden, as well.


Fifties Dress.  CW can be seen wearing it in a photo with me from yesterday's post (second outfit).


Flowerstitch Cardigan. As seen on Suburban Mom in grey.


Printed Shorts. Fiona has the blue dotted pair, very cute!



Sixties Sandals and Strappy Gladiators. Fiona does a wonderful post on these sandals and the casual moccasins (which I can't find the html for, grr, must mean they are sold out).


Downtown Heels. I wore them yesterday and posted pics of it as part of an ootd (very first outfit, btw).


Bandeau Bikini. I bought this with the 25% off sale in the red sailboat colorway. I went with a medium, and am fairly happy with my choice. I love the print, very unique, bright red color with white and blue sailboats. The fabric is the cotton/spandex mix that Boden used to use in all their swimwear but have recently done away with in their current women's line. The bikini top fits nice and snug thanks to a stretchy bit at the back of the top (imagine a elastic waistband on a skirt and that is what is at the back of the top, NOT a closure). The lack of a closure definitely means that if you are larger than a C cup to STAY away. I had no problems getting in and out of the top, but at a 32 B, I am fairly small. The bandeau top strap is detachable, but I don't plan on detaching it (see bra size for more on that, lol). The bikini bottoms fit, but could stand to have a bit more fabric through the bottom area. (The front part is covered and feel good, but the back part makes me feel that if I don't stay on top of my lunges I will expose myself to the world. Ha.) I can't go up a size in the bottoms, though, because then the bottom would be too wide, if that makes any sense. It's okay, I love having a sartorial reason for staying in shape.

And as much as I love all of you, there is no way in heck I am doing IRL of this bathing suit. My written review will have to do. :)

Have a great week, if you have reviews from any of the summer sale stuff, send it on in...even if something is sold out one day, it could pop back, and I love having the encyclopedia of Boden here at My Superfluities.

Three Old School J. Crew and One Boden Review Begin a Blog Post...

Hello, lovelies.

Yesterday I just about killed all your dashboards with all those Boden Review Roundups, but from what I can tell, the vast majority of you either did one of two things...either ignored them because you a J. Crew freak OR you read each and every single one because you are a Boden freak. :)

I lost one follower yesterday...I suspect the inundation of reading material was probably too much to take, and needed to leave my blog for awhile. But because my life is very fair, I gained a follower this morning! (Yay!) I feel like the sign Libra, life is in balance.

After all that, I felt like you all needed at least one day off from the Boden weekly review roundup, so I will publish that tomorrow instead of today.

However, if you really need a fix, head on over to my sidebar and click on the link that says "Boden Sale Review Roundups" to get links to all those *wonderful* OCD posts I created yesterday.

So you all know, I LOVE creating the review roundups. Next season I will start earlier and update my document every week so I don't have a lot of catching up to do like I did this last time. That said, I had the posts all done last weekend so I was truly and really ready for the sale when it hit.

Re: the sale, I have thoughts on that but I will bore only my Boden babes with them tomorrow during the weekly review roundup. :)

Instead I will bore you all with old school J. Crew. Har-dee-har-har.

Outfit One:

Tee: Love Japan Graphic Tee (crewcuts version), size 14.  LOVE the embroidered heart over Sendai, and love that 100% of the profits made is going to Japan to help with relief efforts.  It has been a few months but Japan was really and truly devastated.  Heck, I still wear my Haiti tee to remind people that there is still re-building going on there...

I chose to buy the 14 in crewcuts because I am short-torsoed and need to have a shorter length whenever possible.  Even still, this tee is pretty long (I could tuck it into the skirt!).

Skirt: Kauai Floral Penny Skirt, Size 8.  Bought off ebay for a song.  (Like 25 dollars.)  I love scouring old catalogs and finding goodies and then finding clueless ebay sellers who sell items like this under some ambiguous name like "j. crew skirt."  I will one day upload a pic of this skirt in the catalog, I believe it was the March 2005 catalog.

Shoes: Downtown Heels, size 41 (9.5).  Boden really delivered on these.  This is a great view of the front of the heels.  These are all leather, from sole to footbed to straps.

Of course girly CW got in the photo.  :)

We were going to her dance class today.  Her fave dance song?  Animal Action, of course.  Parents everywhere know Animal Action, I am sure.

Side view of Downtown Heels.  The size 41 was my compromise size.  I need length in the 42, which is contrary to what I normally have to do in Boden (normally the 42 is too wide AND too long), but I need the narrower width of the 41.  (I could have done with the 40 for width, honestly, but the footbed would be far too short.)  Having said that, I can adjust the fastener to make the straps tighter.

Back view of the downtown heels.  I LOVE the cone shaped heels, very very modern, especially for Boden.  I had no issues wearing these, and found that my feet were only slightly uncomfortable by the end of the morning.  These are great heels for summer.  Thumbs up, but only if you get the right size.


Downtown Heels. Click on photo for availability, etc. The price is decent, especially considering the all leather construction...just remember to follow my sizing advice and you should be very happy with your purchase.

 Gotta have my image for polyvore, you all know that.  :)

Outfit Two:

Dress: J. Crew Factory Vintage Violet Print Sweater Dress, size small.  This was correctly identified by all my fab blog friends at this post.  I love this dress.  This is another, very clear example of how Factory items are awesome and not inferior to the "real" thing.  Yes, I would LOVE to have the vintage violet shirtdress in purple in my size but since I don't ever see that happening, I will love my cotton sweater dress in its very pretty print in black and white.

For those of you in love like me, there is a size large for sale at ebay!  Yay!

Shoes: J. Crew Classic Leather Ballet Flats, Size 9.5, Poppy.  Yum.  All leather construction (pretty much what I will only buy now, except in cheap-y brands like Aerosoles, etc.) except that it has a canvas lining on the upper (which doesn't bug too much--I care more about the footbed and sole).  Definitely worth
full or near full price (I got 20% off with a coupon I had).  These are true to size, but narrow, so keep that in mind if you have wider feet.  I am sure they will stretch out, but they won't start off wide.

Necklaces: J. Crew Magnolia Leaf Necklace and Constellation Locket.

From the back.  This would be so pretty in that purple color, yes?

Arty view.  By the way, little one is wearing the Fifties Dress by Boden.  It is also on sale.  And everyone I know who has seen her in this just loves it.  :)

Outfit Three:

Top: J. Crew Bahia Print Crossbank Tank, size small.  This print is so special, very 60s, very unique, and I definitely know it is an acquired taste.  My hubby, though?  Loveth this.  (Funny funny Mr. Dina.)

Shorts: J. Crew Ripstop Cargo Shorts, size 10.  These are from Spring 2006, and they have literally been worn dozens and dozens of times and still are in great shape.  I miss the shorts from this era.  Well made and nice lengths and well-fitting (although this size is a touch too big, but I was postpartum when I bought them).

Shoes: Aerosoles Bora Bora sandal.  These are a nice pair of sandals for walking, nice and high, but super-super comfy.

Side view that includes a shot of the Boden merino wool cardigan I wore with it.  This cardigan is from the fall 2009 season.

You all have a great night.  I look forward to responding to all of my comments from the past few posts...probably tomorrow if I can get my act together. 

Boden Summer Sale (Wahoo)! Find Links to All Sale Roundups Here...

Wow! We all know what a great season it has been at Boden…I myself have indulged quite a bit, for me and my kids. Only my husband wasn’t lucky enough to get any Boden bites this year (although the sale may convince me to buy my hubby his first ever, Johnnie would be so proud).

Today marks the first day of the Boden sale, and if the past is any indicator, many items will sell out in nearly all sizes and colorways if they haven’t already (Terrazzo tunic, I am looking at your pretty mosaic-ed self). I don’t often indulge in the sale, as by the time the sale comes I am fairly kitted out, but for many of you all, I know that this IS. THE. MOMENT. YOU. HAVE. WAITED. FOR! And who can blame you—many of the prices range from 35% to 50% off the original retail cost. Mini-Boden sells fastest, and then any of the rock-bottom priced woman’s basics, including swimwear. The things that I see stick around longest are some of the accessories and shoes, but that is not a guarantee.

I have compiled an exhaustive list of items in the Boden sale for you, and in separate posts so you can pick and choose which items you want one last glance or to read a review of (from a Boden blogger or Boden blogger friend). This post serves as the catch-all post where you can find the links to the various types of clothing.

In each of the posts, you will see the Boden stock photo (which takes you directly to that page at Boden) and a link to where the original review was. If the review was from me (or my darling little mini-Boden Aficionados) or a Boden blogger friend that has no blog of their own, you will end up at one of the (in-season) Boden Weekly Review Roundups. If the review was from a Boden blogger who is not me, I have included a link directly back to their blog.

I have tried MANY of the Boden stock photo links, and while most of them still work, there are quite a few "dead" links that take you nowhere. I suspect this is because that item is completely sold out. DO NOT DESPAIR! Many items that sell out DO get returned, so keep checking links for items you love...pop backs can occur...


The sales do not include “coupon stacking” or free ship/returns (or at least no free ship/returns in the past).  If I find a coupon or code that allows for free shipping and/or returns, I will ABSOLUTELY update you all.  Hand on heart!

Good luck getting what you have wanted all season and wanted to get the best possible price. You are also MORE THAN WELCOME to leave your comments on your scores, popbacks, etc. in the comments. I love seeing and reading what others pick, and a sale is certainly no exception!

Women Dresses Reviews Post.

Women Accessories Reviews Post.

Women Tops and T Shirts Reviews Post.

Women Knitwear Reviews Post.

Women Shoes and Boots Reviews Post.


Women Tunics and Kaftans Reviews Post.


Women Coats and Jacket Reviews Post.

Women Trousers and Jeans Reviews Post.

Women Skirts Reviews Post.

Women Swimwear Reviews Post.

Johnnie B. Reviews Post.

Mini-Boden Reviews Post.

Any reviews I missed? Would you mind leaving me a comment on the appropriate post (a skirt review I missed in the skirts post)? Thanks!!!

Happy (Sale) Shopping!!!  Let us know what goodies you managed to snag!

Boden Summer Sale: Women Dresses Review Roundup!

Boden's Summer Sale is here!  Time to celebrate with some lovely dresses!

REMINDER OF HOW THIS KIND OF POST WORKS:
In each of these posts, you will see the Boden stock photo (which takes you directly to that page at Boden) and a link to where the original review was. If the review was from me (or my darling little mini-Boden Aficionados) or a Boden blogger friend that has no blog of their own, you will end up at one of the (in-season) Boden Weekly Review Roundups. If the review was from a Boden blogger who is not me, I have included a link directly back to their blog. :)

The sales do not include “coupon stacking” or free ship/returns (or at least no free ship/returns in the past). Having said that, I would still try to go through my Maternity coupon on the side of the blog and at least try for free ship and returns.

ALSO--I NOTICED SOME OF BODEN'S LINKS ARE BAD.  If you wouldn't mind, if you see any, would you put it in the comments so I can see if I can fix them? 


Jersey Top Dress. Louise models it here  and Jenny models it here (middle part of the post).


Relaxed Silk Dress. Many have reviewed this! Including: shopwithm in the grey floral colorway and the mercury blossom colorway; Jenny models it in the grey floral (middle part of the post); and I model the mercury blossom in both my wrong size and the correct size.


Sassy Silk Dress. I have it in the pink blossom colorway and model it here.


Riviera Dress. Polly models the blue dotted version here, as does Suburban Mom here. Fiona almost got the blue dotted version, but she and Polly “worked it out" that she would get the blue floral version, instead. See it on her here.


Tropical Maxi Dress. You can see the graphite banana leaf version on me here and you can read a review from Lauren here (halfway down the post).


Notch Neck Shift. I am a big fan and have both the blue terrazzo version and the ruby peony version. Suburban Mom has the green floral version and did a review here.


Jersey Beach Dress. One of my favorite dress/cover-ups ever, I wore the red version here.


Breezy Beach Dress. I wore this dress in the Blue Hawaiian colorway here and if you would like to read more on sizing, check out Fiona’s review here.


Bow Shift. I reviewed the Pistachio version here, and Fiona did, too, here.


Beach Shirt Dress. I own the fudge pot colorway and did a review here.


Pleat Neck Dress. Polly does a review here.


Ruffle Silk Dress. This was worn by one of the ladies who was “styled” by the Rachael Ray show back in April. Check out the video and the second lady wearing it at this post.


Pleat Detail Wool Dress. Again, one of the ladies styled by the Rachael Ray show wore this very office appropriate dress. Check it out on the fourth lady here.


Napoli Dress. Find Polly’s review here of the kiwi green version.


Broderie Trim Dress. Polly wears the lagoon version here.


Piazza Dress. Tabitha has the green version and does a fab review here.


Broderie Dress. Marietta gave us a written review here (bottom of post).

Enjoy, and remember, if you click on the label BWRR at the bottom of this post, it will take you to all of the Boden Weekly Review Roundups.  :)

Put a link to the sale if CJ gives you one.