Review: The Boden Military Wool Jacket and the J. Crew Tartine Satchel

First up is the Military Jacket review, followed by the review of the Tartine Satchel.

For more on the "Catch of the Day" sale that Boden is currently offering, please visit this post.  The Military Jacket is 25% off today only, which is why I bothered to put on wool in the middle of a 90 degree day here in VA.  (It is now hung back up in the closet, since I am not crazy.)

The jacket is a size 6, which is what I wear in Boden tops, jackets, coats, and some dresses.

I made the right call with the 6 since the waist fits exactly, which is where it seems to be the smallest.  So definitely go with your waist size if you want it to fit well.

It does run a touch big in the bodice, especially if you have smaller gals and/or shoulders (which I definitely do), but I have also read that it doesn't run *quite* big enough for some ladies, so whatever end you are on, it may end up being a touch too big or a touch too small.  Only a fortunate few will find it exactly right.

I prefer to wear it open, anyhow, so it really doesn't matter if it is a touch too big in the bodice.  I like it a bit more relaxed since when I wear it buttoned up, I look like this...

A German Frau who *might* work in a prison.  Just saying that it looks a bit severe on me.  LOL.

My waist looks really small, though, so small victories, right?

The back detail is darling, especially the self belt at the waist. 

I am wearing the jacket buttoned up here, when it is unbuttoned, it looks a touch more casual, obviously.

Look at the lining with the pretty pink piping.  What a special little treat tucked inside the jacket.  :-)

The tweed is an amazing shade of olive green, one of my favorite shades to wear in the fall.  The tweed wool is not super thick, but it is a touch itchy, so beware all sensitive types.

The buttons are absolutely nothing to shout about.  Seems a shame to have all the other details exactly right (including the lining, epaulets, waist belt detail, and buttonholes) and not bother with buttons that are a bit more special.

Heck, even the tag is pretty darn special.

And look at the pink and yellow thread there on the top button/buttonhole of the sleeve closure.


Military Wool Jacket.  Not selling out, but I suspect that is because people are having a tough time with the sizing.  Based on what I see in my jacket, if the sizing was better for more folks, this jacket would be sold out fairly soon since it is a pretty special piece.  Definitely worth the money since it will stay in one's wardrobe for many years since it is a classic piece that is made very well.

Tartine Satchel.  So I loved the Tillary Tote last year but didn't even notice it until it sold out completely.  Many fruitless ebay searches later and I decided, "eh, not worth my time."  Good thing because the Tartine Satchel came out this past year and although I wanted it, I saw that the stocks were looking pretty decent at J. Crew, so I figured I could wait for a big sale...which is what I did.  As soon as it went on sale, and then J. Crew issued a 40% off sale, I bit.  Basically I got the bag I wanted for more than half off the original price, which I was pretty thrilled with...

The moment I received it, I kind of freaked since I worried the leather wouldn't stand up to my lifestyle, but since I have started using it, the bag's leather has held up well, with barely a scratch or stain.  Of course it won't stay perfect forever, but at least I know it has a hearty soul.  ;-)

BTW, the link I have provided is to the fall version of this bag, a beautiful pebbled leather.  Yes, I have my eyes on that one, too, in the grey.  But I'll wait!

Close up detail of bag's hardware.  The top zips up, with the extra added security of that foldover bit.  The foldover part is a false buckle, rather than "unbuckling," the whole part is magnetized to the bag and when you gently lift it up, the whole part comes up and over to get to the zip in the middle.  Pretty clever!

Okay, that's it for now.  Do any of you own either one of these pieces?  Any thoughts on fit or function?

OOTDs: Searching for Comfort. (Wherever I Can Find It!)

I am so not going to bore you with why I haven't published since Thursday, but I will ask you to take a look at this article on why those of us with baby are susceptible to a condition known as a suppressed immune system (you know if that's your thing--learning about stuff like that). I finally got over the nasal infection only to be walloped with a mild flu. I have been asleep in bed for the past two days. I suspect I will be going back to bed in exactly two hours. Fun!

What has helped me get through this? My Kindle Fire and episodes of Portlandia and Storage Wars on Netflix Streaming. Thank goodness for technology. :)

I have quite a few outfits of the day to get through that I have been meaning to publish for a while now.  This will be short and sweet, with just a quick look at the items in the outfits along with where I was going.  They ALL were comfortable.  At this point if anything pinches, rides up, or makes me feel like I am going to hurt if I wear it longer than twenty minutes, I nix it as a possibility.

This is one of my more dressy outfits of late.  I wore this one to go out with the family a recent weekend night.

Top: Liz Lange Maternity.  I wore this to the George Mason Basketball game, too.
Skirt: Mimi Maternity.  This has a large elasticized waistband to make it work at all stages of pregnancy.
Shoes: J. Crew Quorra high heel oxfords.  I love that these can be worn in the winter, although the cut-outs make them summer-appropriate too.  (FWIW, it wasn't that cold that night...really hasn't been here at all.  Winter was officially a no-show this year.)
Necklace: J. Crew from Fall 2009.

It was cold enough for a topper, though, so I pulled out my J. Crew Double Cloth Carlin Coat in Blackberry.

Mr. Dina's bday may have been a few weeks ago, but it took us until last week to go to dinner to celebrate (the very yummy Lebanese Layalina in Arlington--he actually proposed to me there all those years ago).

Dress: Liz Lange for Target.  This was bought during CW's pregnancy, so it is a summer dress.  Guess what?  The temps in the 60s that day made this more than appropriate, especially with the cardigan.
Cardigan: J. Crew Jackie.
Shoes: Anthropologie Schuler and Sons Chiseled Wedges.
Earrings: J. Crew Snow Sparkle Earrings.

Better view of the outfit.

I also was making a really stupid face (like I was in the last photo, but that one was less stupid).

You can see the bracelet here too (J. Crew Sunset Charm Bracelet).

I recall feeling nice this day, no yuckiness, etc.  Maybe a preschool run day?  Ugh.  Can't remember.  LOL.  I should probably just stay on top of the ootd posts, huh?

Top: Motherhood Maternity smocked bubble print tank.
Cardigan: J. Crew Soft Tee Cardigan.
Pants: Duo Maternity Cords.
Necklace: J. Crew Glass Bead Ladybug Necklace.
Shoes: Target Merona Meadow.  These are a mary jane style with a slight heel and a darling rosette "buckle" on the strap.

This was my Valentine's Day outfit.  I decided that although I LOVE the heart throb shirt, I didn't want to go over the top and "in your face" with my V-day ensemble.  :)

Top: J. Crew Tissue Pintuck Tee.  This is one of those tops that J. Crew makes that can stretch, stretch, stretch.
Shirt: J. Crew Tartan Tuxedo Shirt.
Pants: Duo Maternity Jeans.
Shoes: J. Crew Lula Bow Ballet Flats.  LOVE the Lulas!
Necklace: J. Crew.

I even wore red lipstick!

Valentine/Lumberjack. by dinagideon featuring j crew jewelry

I did create a polyvore of this outfit.  I felt it was a great mix of lumberjack and sweetheart.  {Snort.}

This was last week on the preschool run. It got up to 70 that day.  It was pretty incredible.  I even managed to fit in a walk at a local nature preserve, and after 2 miles, I felt it, but the sun felt wonderful.

Top: J. Crew Jaspe Pullover.  I loved the blue version so much that I bit on the grey as well.  I think these will be cozy comfy options for pregnancy, and for post pregnancy will be the perfect tops for traveling (ugh, long car rides and/or plane trips).
Shirt: Old Navy Maternity Ruffled Button Down.
Shorts: Motherhood Maternity Bermudas.
Necklace: J. Crew Carnation Necklace.
Shoes: J. Crew Piera Ballet Flats.  These stood up to the walk in the park well.  :)

Another view from inside, colors are more true to life here (the outdoor shot was a bit washed out).

This was worn this weekend for church.  We had also intended to go to a movie but because my slow as molasses butt was not walking fast enough, we got to the theater too late and every. single. seat. was filled up (not really, but you know my kids--as mature as they are--can't sit in seats away from us--there were only single seats left...ergh).  And my big belly didn't elicit gasps of "help a sister out," either.  LOL.  Nah, I understood.  ;)

We ended up going to Dairy Queen instead, which was a definite plus in my book.

I have worn this tunic before recently (in the red halfway down that post), but clearly it is being stretched to its limits now (but still is fine, yay for soft jersey knits!).

Tunic: Boden Terazzo Tunic.
Leggings: J. Crew.
Shoes: J. Crew Dreamweaver Ballet Flats, Size 9.5 (quickie review at the very bottom after the next photo).

I love ballet flats and wear them constantly.  I was drawn to these for the same reason I was drawn to the Quorras in outfit #1--they are summery with the cut-out/weaved fabric, but are perfectly fine in less warm months too.  (Can be worn with thin socks, if need be.)  I chose to get my true size of 9.5 and they fit beautifully right out of the box.  I have a feeling they will be a bit too narrow for some of you though...I anticipate you could stretch the shoes, though, fairly fast.  These seem to be made from a softer leather.  The footbed and sole are leather, as well, so more worth the price than other flats of the same price made from man made materials.

Okay, that's all.  I feel it would be a minor miracle if I actually post tomorrow, but who knows?  :)  You all have a great night!!!

Randomness in the Form of Outfits of this Last Week.

Hi, everyone.  I have been off the internet for a little bit.  Nothing I want to get into here right now (possibly in the future) but let's just say the things in overabundance in my life also included a few things that made me gun shy about publishing here.  Hence my need to take a few days to re-calibrate how I am going to go forward with this blog. 

I do appreciate some criticism, and felt that some of the things I was thinking and mulling over were constructive in nature, so I am choosing to do the things that make sense and should help this blog and not hurt it.  :)

One thing I will be doing is being MUCH MORE OBVIOUS about what the posts are about.  I know many of you come here for reviews, some of you come for the outfits of the day, some of you come for the stuff regarding my family and kids, and for some of you (!!!), you kind of just enjoy it all...BUT I really want to encourage the folks that only come here for one thing and one thing only (like Boden reviews) to look for the posts that have to do with that.  So from here on out, most posts will have a theme to it and the title will make it obvious what it is...like including the words J. Crew Review, Boden Review, Outfits of the Day (or Week--like today's post), and My Superfluities Family Stuff. 

I will be honest...a lot of what I do will focus on outfits of the day, then reviews, then my family stuff.  I am feeling discouraged to talk a lot about things going on in my family because some of what I have said here has made for some fodder for folks to enjoy...even if it isn't really all that funny.  Yikes.  So I will bring it up, eventually, like things that are working for Rex or my pregnancy, but I WILL FIRMLY LET YOU KNOW THAT THE POST IS ABOUT THAT and if you are here just for the clothes, you can go elsewhere, lest it bore the cr#p out of you.

Okay, so this week has quite a few outfits, and in no special order (other than maybe fanciest to most casual), are the ones I wore this last week.

It was warm here, so bear that in mind.  I had very little use for any of my coats, really, and found that by the middle of the day, I was happy enough in no coat.

Baptism Going Outfit.  Was invited to another baptism for another darling baby yesterday, so we dolled ourselves up.

Top: Liz Lange for Target.
Skirt: Gap Maternity.
Tights: George (Wal-Mart Brand).
Shoes: Biella High-Heel Loafers, Size 9.5.  Not especially comfortable, but found I could wear them for around an hour and a half before they became painful. 
Earrings: J. Crew Acorn Fireball Earrings.

Church Going Outfit #1.  This is from last Sunday.  CW is in snow boots only because she wanted to be...not because she needed to be.  She likes pink.

Top: Random (loving that word today) Maternity Top.  Can't remember the brand. 
Skirt (Dress worn as a skirt): H & M Mama.
Booties: Naturalizer.
Headband: J. Crew.
Necklace: J. Crew Crystal Track Necklace.

Going Out to Dinner and 3D Ultrasound Outfit.  Nice night.  Feeling good in this one.  The ultrasound went great.  You all get to see Gus soon enough, so I will not likely publish the 3D photo.  He is really cute, imo...but enough talk about that.  ;)

Top: Liz Lange for Target.
Pants: Duo Maternity (JC Penny).
Shoes: J. Crew Glitterati Ballet Flats.  Great buy at a super sale price.  Highly recommend.
Headband: J. Crew.

Going to DC and Church Outfit #2. Beautiful day in the city today, sunny, warm-ish, but January, so parking was easy peasy.  I knew we were headed into the city so I wore conservative clothing but fairly comfortable so I could do a lot of walking and museum going.

Top: Isabella Oliver.
Pants: Duo Maternity.
Shoes: J. Crew Lula Jacquard Ballet Flats.
Purse: J. Crew Cameron Satchel (2008).
Necklace: Heart Locket Necklace, given to me by Mr. Dina after Rex's birth.
Coat: J. Crew Elements Coat.
Sunglasses: Target, Xhiliration Brand.

Preschool Run Outfit.  Needed comfort and so went really casual.  The boots are lined in faux and real shearling, but again unnecessary, just wanted boots for this outfit and the brown ones I own were the wrong shade for this ensemble.

Top: Old Navy Maternity.
Leggings: Madewell Convertible.
Cardigan: Boden Cashmere Cardi Coat.
Boots: J. Crew Alpine Boots.
Earrings: J. Crew Snow Sparkle Earrings.

I promised a blog friend of mine that I would upload a picture from the internet for her of a J. Crew item from a few years ago, so that is what this is.  :)  Very pretty coat, and I hope she wears it in good health!  I look forward to seeing your polyvore sets, Lisa!

And for me (not for polyvore, obviously)...a photo of my darling CW.  This may well be one of my favorite photos of her ever. 

You all have a great night.  Talk soon.

Winter Wardrobe: Day One.

Hi, everyone!

Don't have a ton of time tonight, not because I don't want to actually write a blog post but because I am back to teaching my elementary school fashion class again, which means a really early rise (must be at school well before 8 am) and a very early to bed.  :)

Winter Wardrobe was a blast today, but oh, my, I guess starting the class on a federal holiday means my numbers (and all the other classes numbers) were teeny-tiny.  I had 7 girls in my first class (of a total of 10, woah) and 11 girls in my second glass (of a total of 15).  In the past I have never had a class with less than 18 kids, so I was a bit stunned.  But (and those of you who are teachers totally get this) those lower numbers made for a lot of one on one time and fairly easy transitions and the world's best set of kids and ZERO discipline problems.

Anyhow, I am not sure I will be able to do much more than these posts this week (and the Boden Weekly Review Roundup), but if I find I am high on energy and time (not likely, lol), I will add more posts.

I call this my "OMG I have no idea what to wear on 2 hours of sleep and whilst pregnant getting ready for a fashion class that I teach...yawn" outfit.  Surprisingly, after hubby saw it, and confirmed that he liked it (did I add that Mr. Dina is sick on top of all of the prep work I have been doing?) , I felt a lot better about my sartorial skills.  Not my best outfit ever, but it worked for today.

Top: Old Navy Maternity, Size Small.  LOVE this stretchy 80s inspired top that I bought during CW's pregnancy.  Great color, too.
Jeans: Duo Maternity, Size Small Tall.  Still have to wear these with a support belt to keep them up (belly is more up and down than out which means the built in panel is too big), but I love the fact that J.C. Penny's maternity brand has tall jeans, which means I can wear heels.
Shoes: Merona Collection, Size 10.  These mod heels are lovely, and I definitely don't pull them out enough...but worked wonderfully with the top.
Scarf: Old Navy.

I would like to point out the whole outfit probably cost less than $100 total.  It felt good to have a head to toe pregnancy look that wasn't an extravagance.  So much maternity wear is insanely pricey.

Hands on hips.  This outfit was plenty warm enough for school, but wow, even with the down jacket I wore with it, I was freezing at recess.  (Aw, darn it, I guess the December of 60s had to give way to normal January temperatures eventually.)

I think Mr. Dina was up to no good when he captured me in my side belly pose next to the referee doing the same exact pose on the TV.  I get it...my belly is larger than a football official's.

My Favorites (From a Really LONG List)! by dinagideon featuring a leopard print tote bag

Before I go, I do want to show off my favorite pieces from 2011.  I created this Polyvore the other night...I am so glad I purchased these pieces, I anticipate they will be in my wardrobe for a long time...

I would eventually like to show off my favorite outfits from 2011, but it probably won't be for a bit...

Do you have any favorites from 2011 you would like to share???

Night, night, everyone!