Boden: Winter Preview 2015 Is Live!

Boden Swinging Sixties Tunic Dress available here.

UPDATE: Use code 3H2J to receive 20% off and free shipping/returns.  The date it expires is June 26!  Woah, that's a quick turnaround!  Less than five days.  :-(

Thanks to Lou who let me know that Boden's Winter 2015 Preview was live.  I have been on vacation the past week, and while I try to stay on top of stuff, this one just escaped me.  So thankfully she published a blog post on Friday to let me know that I had missed it.

The Winter items seem to be a little bit more of the same aesthetic we saw of the fall items (see my post on that here), but I will say they are a bit more jolly, which is most appropriate considering a lot of these items will be purchased to wear to festive fetes in the winter or to be given as gifts at the holiday time.  That's good.  I need an infusion of Boden fun and I was getting massively concerned that there would be no more of that now that Boden is attempting cool and sassy. So I plan to fully celebrate the bits of joy left in their lines! 

I do hope to get 'round to a picks post, but as per my fall picks, I will not be ordering, especially since I have very little income coming in with the affiliate program and Boden parting ways.  Oh, well.  I will be back to subbing in the fall and will likely be order to order some then, but until that point, I am SOL. (Well that and the fact that I don't like the way they process preview orders.)

The email address I usually receive a code from for "20% off of preview orders" has not received an email for Boden regarding Winter 2015, but maybe one of you lovely readers have some information or a code to share?  If not, I will scour and attempt to find one for you and when I do, I will update the post.

Any items you are loving from this collection? 

Have a great day!  Enjoy your Father's Day if you are celebrating it today!

Boden: Four Days Only! 20% Off with Free Ship and Returns!

Before I start, I just want to quickly remind you that my blog is not just one "kind" of blog.  I have been blogging for nearly six years and over that time I have added many types of post types to my blog.  The blog is probably best known for the Boden stuff I write about, so if you have recently joined my blog because I am a sewer, I just wanted you to know so you would understand why I write so much about Boden, and less about sewing.  You can read more about it the "About Me" page.  :-)

Textured Off Duty Sweater, Skinny Jeans, Boots.  Yum.

I mentioned the sale last night in my blog post, but I couldn't officially give you any links until this morning, which are at the bottom of this post and in the sidebar.  I am off to the doctor in thirty minutes, so I need to keep it brief.

In addition to the sale this weekend (the sale ends Monday, November 3, 2014), the folks at Boden rolled out some Christmas items and set up a Christmas shop.  There are some cute ideas for presents, including some non-clothing items, like pillows, blankets, and the cutest hot water bottle covers.

They also rolled out the sequin cable sweater (here) for a mere $418.  Eep.   

Okay, since most of you want the clothing they sell, I want to remind you of the BWRRs that you can look at to see reviews from other blogs out there, from some blog friends who commented here at this blog, and from myself. 

In the past few days, however, I have had a few reviews/ootds that feature items from the fall and winter collection, so if you would like to see those, head on over to the links below: 

I wore the Milano dress (here) to substitute teach, and posted a photo at my Facebook page.

I wore the Chepstow top (here) to run errands and meet up with a friend, and posted photos of the outfit here at this post.

Alrighty, must head off to get checked out to make sure I am still working properly, so we'll talk soon!

Enjoy (sale) shopping! Link below:
20% Off Everything plus Free Shipping & Returns - FOUR DAYS ONLY!

Made by Me Files: So Many Scarves!

Okay, so in honor of it being below freezing and snowing here in Northern Virginia, I thought I would round-up all of my recent scarf projects in one place.  Most of these below were Christmas presents, but a handful were for me.  (Of course, because you have to test on someone, right???)  ;-)

Enjoy the parade of neck warmers...

First up are the infinity scarves that I created with the help of this Simplicity pattern.  (It is free and very easy to follow.  I ended up having to change measurements, etc., in the process, but overall, the idea is the same for all of the infinity scarves I created.)

I made the above scarf out of a houndstooth cotton jersey ( similar here at fabric.com) for my good friend, B., who happens to have a great big crush on houndstooth.  I kind of knew she would dig it, and the next time I saw her, she was wearing it...and it looked fab on her.  Since I am not a fan of making people appear here who may prefer some privacy, I took a photo of me in it.  I kind of dig it, too.  :-)  I have about a yard of the fabric left, so I may make a top from the leftovers.

B's daughter, M, just turned three and I thought, "wouldn't that be so cute, a mini-me version of the infinity scarf I made for B?"  Well CW thought so, but she is 5 1/2, and a fashionista, so I knew that she would beg me for her own.  (And she did.)  I am not sure M. got it, but maybe she will when she is a bit older.

You have seen this scarf on me already, I wore it here at this post.  As a reminder, the fabric is a wool challis from Fabric Mart that is so soft and airy.  My next plan is to take a similar wool challis and make a square scarf, a la Hermes.

I wore the wool challis scarf again a few days later (you just haven't seen this outfit yet).

You have seen the above tribal print cotton jersey scarf already, here at this post, but I figured another reminder would be helpful, especially if you dug the look.

The second type is a scarf that I *sort of* created on my own.  Basically I took the infinity scarf pattern, but instead of sewing the final ends together, I let them hang free and added some beaded fringe to the ends.  The scarves can still be tied in an infinity-esque look, but is a touch dressier with the bling hanging off of it.  I have a tutorial planned using the first scarf (directly below this paragraph), so if you like the look of it, be on the lookout for that in the near future.

This scarf was for my bowling buddy, P.  She isn't super girly-girl, but I kind of thought she may appreciate having a pretty purple scarf with a touch of shine in her wardrobe.  She sews, so I know she knows what effort I put into it, so she seemed very appreciative.  It felt good to see her smile.  I used a quilting cotton for her scarf.

The beading was from Fabric Mart, but they no longer carry it (I received it for free, btw, in a trim bundle).

This scarf was for my bowling friend, S., who you saw here with me at an 80s cover band concert.  She LOVES purple, so I knew she would like this scarf.  It is made from a poly charmeuse fabric from Gorgeous Fabrics (I received a small remnant, just enough for a short scarf), and the beading.

This scarf was made for my mother (my mother-in-law is modelling it, though).  This is also made from a quilting cotton in the colors my mother JUST LOVES.  She loved it so much she literally flipped out on facebook after receiving it.  Then I told her I sewed it, and she subsequently freaked out even more.  LOL.  :-D

Okay, so that's it for tonight!!!  I hope if you are sewing, you are sewing something to keep you warm.  And if you aren't a sewer, just stay warm, okay???

Boden: Christmas Treat! Free Shipping!

If you watch this photo for a bit, you will see a happy, waving snowman!

UPDATE (12:31 PM Central Time): Just got the code from an e-mail.  It is USSH!  Have at it all!

UPDATE (9:24 AM Central Time): I am so sorry, you all.  It appears that this linking code from the affiliate manager is a dud.  I checked out other coupon sites that also use this same affiliate program and none of their free shipping links are working either.  I doubt I would get an answer to any questions I e-mailed to the manager today, but I will give it a try after lunch.  Oh, well.  I guess we can hope that it gets fixed, but if not, maybe they can extend it a day?  Do let me know if you try it and it works though.  Thanks to those of you who commented that it wasn't working.  :-(

Happy Christmas!  Merry Christmas!  Frohliche Weihnachten!  ;-)

I hope everyone is well.  I am going to keep this brief because it is actually still Christmas Eve here in Mississippi for an hour more, and I *desperately* need to finish one last sewing project 

Well, I did start this post at 10:50 Central time, but decided I would wait to publish and hey, still no free shipping even though I am using the link!  What up, Boden???

but I do want to let all of you know that if you were lamenting the fact that Boden took away free shipping last week on clearance items, it is back as of 12:01 AM TBD (???), today, December 25, 2013. 

So for those of you hankering for just one item, or want more but REALLY hate to spend the extra $10 for shipping, these next three days are made for you.

The free shipping expires on December 28, 2013, but I will make sure to remind you of that fact that day.

If you happen to notice that the free shipping is working for you and you wouldn't mind commenting, I would very much appreciate it!  Thanks!!!  :-)

Okay, that's it for now.  Have a warm, toasty, fun-filled day!

Remember, use code USSH to get the free shipping to work!
Our Christmas gift to you- free standard shipping from 12/25 through 12/28!

OOTDs: Festive. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten.

Day: Monday, December 24, 2012.

Where: Grocery Shopping for Christmas Day Dinner at Whole Foods and Harris Teeter.  Is anyone surprised?

Ease of Wear: (4.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) The combo of eased pants, soft soft soft Pure Collection Gassato Cashmere Polo Neck Sweater, and ballet flats equals pretty without pain.  Even the belt is elastic, so no pinching.

Cool Factor: (3.5 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.)  I think the Oxford Jacket makes for a special addition, as does the sparkly Loft belt, but broken down, this outfit is *just* a step up from the regular old SAHM uniform I usually wear.

Anecdote from the day: It was so crowded at the supermarket.  I usually shop in the morning on weekdays, so I am typically the only person there under 85.  On that Monday, I was joined by everyone left in the DC metro area.  Surprisingly, even with the crowds, it was fairly pleasant.  I like to think that it's because the locals are all that are left, and the uber-ambitious types that come to DC from all the other areas of the country have gone back to their hometowns, but in reality, it is probably me that's different.  I have learned over the past year that irritation has nothing to do with the person irritating you, it has to do with the fact that you are allowing yourself to get irritated.  Since learning that I have decided to take a moment whenever I get irritated and remind myself that it is ME that is getting upset, not the other person doing something to ME.  (Because, I mean, really, who walks around a supermarket looking to piss off someone else?  Right?)  LOL.

Day: Monday, December 24, 2012 (evening).

Where: Christmas Eve Dinner/Presents at my dad's house.

Ease of Wear: (2.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) Ugh.  I thought I would be fine in this outfit, but I wasn't.  Everything fit fine, even the pants, but the spanx I put on kept doing this roll down from the waistband thing.  After an hour, I gave up and put on the black leggings I had brought with me (because I never do anything without backup on Christmas Eve after this incident, lol).  I will give these pants another go when I have lost the last five postpartum pounds.

The Lands' End Long Sleeve Meridian Cable Crewneck Sweater was a super sale purchase.  I think after all the discounts were taken, I ended up spending $15.  I had intended for this sweater to be worn with the Dublin Tartan mini (you will see in the next outfit), but when I got it I realized the color was a non-match.  In the end the color was exactly right for the Collection graphic print pant, so I wasn't perturbed.

Cool Factor: (3.5 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.)  I love the look of this outfit.  I think with edgier hair and boots, this could be a winner.  The Boden necklace is exactly right for the look, and if I added a black leather jacket, I think I could bump this outfit up to a 4.5 of 5.  (Even with a Lands' End sweater.  Ha.)

Anecdote from the day: My childhood home is really small and was built in the late 1920s.  Therefore when you put three children, one teenage girl, three adult women, and three adult men in the living room, it is going to be cramped and loud.  At one point, you couldn't see the dark wood floor through the ridiculous amount of wrapping paper everywhere.  I tried to stay on top of that, but the moment I put one bit of paper in the trash bag, another piece of wrapping paper appeared.  I gave up after a while and decided to drink wine instead.

Day: Tuesday, December 25, 2012.

Where: Christmas Dinner at our house.

Ease of Wear: (4.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) Ooh, very comfortable for being so dressy.  I love the city mini in Dublin Tartan.  It is a nice soft wool, with a bit of stretch (and a elastic waistband), and a very pretty plaid pattern. 

After I discovered that the color of the Lands' End sweater didn't work with the mini, I found this tee on super sale at jcrew.com.  It was about $11.  :)  It is also very smooth and easy to wear.  I sized up from my usual size xs to a s since I had read that perfect fit tees run small.  This was the right call, but if given a choice, I would want an inch lopped off the bottom since I think it runs a bit long.

Cool Factor: (3 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.)  Not especially cool.  It is great for Christmas, honestly, and it will be fab on my trip to Ireland (early April--yay air miles!), but again, not really anything special or edgy. :)

I do plan on wearing it with a navy sweater and no tights with a pair of boots, so maybe that will help "chic" it up?

Anecdote from the day: Woke up with a terrible migraine that morning.  Unfortunately I had a spate of bad headaches that week, and had run out of migraine medication.  I went to the pharmacist at the grocery store the day before (see the first outfit) and she said she couldn't get permission from the insurance to give me a refill just yet.  Sigh.  So I spent a good portion of the day in bed trying to get rid of the pain.  I did manage to wake up and open gifts with the kids, but as soon as I was done, I went back to sleep.

When I woke up, I got to cooking.  I like to think that when one bad thing happens, something good will happen to keep all the karma in proper order, so that day my bad was the headache and the good was my dinner, which turned out exactly right.  ;)

Day: Monday, December 31, 2012.

Where: New Year's Eve at our house.  We live on the edge.  I was surprised we didn't fall asleep at 9.

Ease of Wear: (4.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) Mmm.  This was SO COMFORTABLE.

If you look at the outfit photo, you will see that the pants are from the Limited Express circa 1992.  I was going through all my old clothing deciding what would be donated, kept, or packed away.  I decided to wash these pants because I saw the elastic waist was still in good shape (that is the first thing to go, usually).  After washing and line drying them, I tried them on, and OMG, so freaking comfortable. 

Everyone was all, "ooh, you can wear the same thing you did in high school?" and I was all, "people, come on, it has a freaking elastic waistband, of course I can."  If I could fit into my jeans from high school, that would be amazing.  I don't foresee that happening as I was at least thirty pounds lighter, which is a lot of weight to lose.

Cool Factor: (2.5 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.)  No.  This is not cool.  This was my attempt at being festive without being in anything that had anything binding.  The Natalie studded sweater is the coolest bit of this particular ensemble.  My brother's girlfriend really liked it, and she has a neck piercing (ouch).  So that is why this outfit gets the 2.5.  Without that sweater, this outfit would have received a 1.

The "please, Hammer, don't hurt 'em" pants are so uncool.  Unless of course they are cool because they are so uncool.  But I am not twenty, and I am not seeing these pants as anything other than stretchy harem pants that happened to be living in my closet for longer than perhaps they should have.  I have seen the blogs that have the uber-stylish fashionistas* wearing retro 90s looks, but since I actually wore them un-ironically when they were actually really and truly in fashion, I can't really get away with it and call it cool.  Unless someone has invented a time machine that will allow me to go back to 1992 and be thirty pounds lighter.

*You know, the ones who go to Fashion Week for free and wear copious arm parties and tulle in the daytime.

Anecdote from the day: My brother usually starts his day at 4 am and is in bed at 9 pm.  His job has him working at 6 am most days.  On this Monday he had started at 6 am, but because finds my "purse" wine irresistible, by 11 pm, he was upstairs on my couch in the playroom asleep.  His date took it well, but the next morning, he apologized to her for not being there for her at the stroke of the new year.  I have no idea if there is bad juju from not being there for your special lady friend at the start of the year, but maybe he will get a pass since he was contrite and works hard?

Okay.  That is it. I think the festive outfits are done.  :)  My resolution for next year is to be more timely in outfit postings, but since I am the age I am, I know that if I don't keep my resolution it really isn't that big of a deal.  LOL. 

OOTDs: Festive. Four. Five. Six.

Festive. One. Two. Three. is right here if you want to see more festivity in the form of outfits.  :)

Since I am a bit pressed for time, and would like to catch up on a whole bunch of laundry tonight, I am going to throw the photos at you all and be brief (as much as I can be) in my copy.

I wore this creamy/tweedy/sequined ensemble to go to my hubby's work party (but not the "big" work party they have had every year--here is what I wore to last year's).  The 'big" work party has been moved to April, so I will be getting my cocktail frock on then.  This is the more laid back, "let's have some fun at his boss's house" party.

The Glamour Tweed Skirt is a re-do, I initially had bought the size 6 Long, when the 8 Long was really the size I needed.  I am pleased with the 8, it definitely fits better, however, I still wish this skirt was a touch longer, but I am always saying that.

The Sixties Heels have gotten a workout this holiday season, the lower heel plus all leather construction have really been nice for looking good but allowing me to be comfortable, too.

The Silk Flutter Sleeve top is from Madewell in a size small.  I was able to grab this when they were having a 40% off favorites sale.  Worth the sale price, may even be worth full price since the silk is thick and lovely and the lace is intricate and nicely made.

The Ciel Etoile cardigan is from years ago.

Detail of the Silk Flutter Sleeve Top and the Arrowstack necklace.  This necklace was my only nod to my somewhat love affair with being a hipster.

Detail of makeup and hair.  I have been trying the "moisturizer" as hair serum and it seems to be working.  Definitely way less flyaways.  However, I also find that if I don't use conditioner on my bangs, that helps, too.  So thank you to the commenter who suggested moisturizer.  :)

Color is off, but those details make the top and cardigan extra special.

I was not allowed to actually bowl on the day of our holiday bowling party*, but I was allowed to party, so I got the bling on. 

*Thanks, mastitis.

Loft really is great at basics that are pumped up a bit.  I don't expect their clothing to last forever, but if I like a style, but have no desire to spend a lot of money on it, I look for it at Loft and wait until they have one of their (seemingly constant) 50% off sales.  I am a freak about paillettes, since I think they are always on the precipice of falling off my clothing, but since this tee was super cheap, if one or two fall off, it won't bug me at all.  (I bought a petite small--fits my short torso exactly right.)

Rest of the outfit is super old.  :)

Liked my makeup and hair that day, but I can tell that I was tired.  I may be genetically predisposed to eye bags (thanks, mom and dad), but this photo shows that my bags have their own carry-ons.

The necklace is from Boden and received a ton of compliments.  I tend to only wear this necklace in the winter, it really suits the deep rich colors that come out during the colder months.

Big red Andie bag and the wool blazecoat top off this outfit.

Sunday mass right before Christmas.

I had purchased this silk pleat skirt in crimson floral last winter, but since I couldn't wear it then, I carefully stored it, crossing my fingers that it would fit this winter.  :)  It is a close fit, but it fits.

The Loft necklace may be my favorite from them, this whole year.  Purchased at the same time as the evergreen paillette tee above, I was able to buy this amazing statement necklace for around $25.  I think this one is all sold out now.  I can see why.

Hey!  Look.  It's my big red Andie bag.  Again. I promise to put it away at the new year.  ;)

Skirt has pockets.  Thank you, J. Crew.  Now...if you could only make a dress in this print in a better dress for us tall gals, I would love ya forever.

ALSO, I wore the gold knit cardigan over this top because I had to wear this bra that night (playing peek-a-boo there under my tee).  Gotta be appropriate at church.  ;)

Topped the whole outfit with the Lucinda stadium cloth coat in ivory.  Very warm.  Yum.

Detail of the necklace and tee's lace.

There are more festive frocks coming soon...

Have a great Friday night!