Boden: Black Friday for Four Days! 30% Off Everything!

Happy Thanksgiving!  (If you aren't in the United States, Happy Thursday!)

Like everyone other retailer out there, Boden decided to start their Black Friday sale today and are letting it run until Monday.  The deal is that you will receive 30% off everything, excluding clearance items (as per usual).

Since Cyber Monday is set to start after this promo ends, and I know that some items will get a greater discount that day, I have a few suggestions for you all if you want to enjoy the promos properly.

I personally only ordered items this morning that I figured would NOT be further reduced on Monday, including a coat for CW and a dress for myself.  Both items are selling well in many of the colors and sizes, so even though I chose the less popular colors for the two of us, the fact that the others are selling well made me suspect that Boden will continue to keep these items at the higher price, even on Monday.

I also was VERY tempted to order the Isla Dress (here) in my size in the popback color I wanted, but I have the Amy Dress (same shape but in a lighter fabric) AND I know in my heart I can buy some beautiful plaid wool fabric from B & J Fabrics (or for even less, use this "interesting" plaid from Mood) for less money and make it myself, so I resigned myself to taking the less expensive, more labor intensive route since the color I like that Boden made is probably not the best shade for me.  :-)  However, this popback thing is a joy to behold if you can get the really awesome universal promo percentage off, so go, look, find that popback you have wanted and buy when it will be at its lowest price this season.

Now, here is what not to get today.  If you love an item like the Amy Dress (here) or the Great British Puffer (here), there is a good chance those will get nicely reduced on Monday since they are not selling especially well (or they are, but there is a lot of those in stock).  I am not guaranteeing that those will go to 40% off or more, but the past years indicate that these are the kind of items that get reduced quite nicely during the Cyber Monday sales.

Also, if you like to see items on others, make sure to check out the review roundups, since they hold quite a few reviews of items from this collection.

Okay, before I leave you, a quick warning to those of you who ordered in the spring 2015 preview.  CC and Lou both left comments on yesterday's Boden Weekly Review Roundup that Boden is shipping out the preview orders IN DECEMBER instead of the January we all saw when we ordered during the preview.  Obviously, with the festive season coming up, most people budget for gifting for others in December and not for spring clothing that was supposed to ship nearly a month later.  I was already a bit concerned that the promised date of delivery was January 5 (or some early date), but now that the shipping will be in early to mid-December, I am, like others in the same situation, very pissed.  None of us want the items now, I want them in January as promised.  In an ideal world, I would prefer they ship the items later, like in February, like they used to WAY back when.  Anyhow, if you don't want to get these items shipped to you in December, call and cancel your order.  It is the only way that Boden will learn that we are NOT okay with early shipping.  They did this in the fall, too, but circumstances of fall stuff coming in early August seems more reasonable than spring stuff coming in December.  Are you all with me?  LOL. 

Okay, so now that I have let off steam about the idiocy of sending spring preview items in the middle of the holiday gifting season, let's look at something JUST stunning.  This is from the "new in" festive wear shop, and is called the Wow Sequin Dress (here).  Yes, it is certainly "wow" and if I had an extra $350 lying around, I would just buy it and swish around it in the house.  But I don't, so I will just love it from afar. 

You all have a great Thanksgiving (or Thursday)!  Talk with you all soon!

OOTDs: Mississippi Missus.

Good Sunday!  I hope everyone is well.  :)

Before I dive headfirst into the many Boden reviews I have (most positive, a handful not so), I wanted to get the ootds published from my last trip to Mississippi.  Unlike last year when we stayed there for nearly eleven days, this year was a mere eight total, so I was happy to have far less to pack and to think about.

Anyhow, since I have done this before (2009, 2010, and 2011), I don't think I need to go into much more. 

Travel Day.  I love the idea of looking fabulous while traveling, but the reality of flying with three young children means I can't go all "7FAM jeans, button-down fitted shirt, crisp wool jacket, and high-heeled boots." 

So instead, I take three lovely and comfortable pieces, wear just a touch of makeup, and fix my hair just so, and am happy when I make it through the process relatively unscathed.  (Which we did--the first travel day was wonderfully easy, for once.)

I had read the temperatures in New Orleans would be in the 70s on the first day, so I decided to pack some tees for us to wear once we landed (it was cooler in DC by twenty degrees).  The tees have a hand-printed bicycle (I used a stamp I found at AC Moore), with the words "hipster" and "mini hipster" below the bikes.

I hadn't originally planned to make a tee for CW but she saw me making mine, so she asked if she could have one, too.  I actually like hers better.  :)

The second day we were there was mild enough to go without a coat, but I knew that a sweater was necessary.  The sweater was reviewed by me here, and I have to say it has held up well, and looks wonderful with a variety of different colors.  Of course, this shade is nearly sold out (as is much over there at Boden).  The Effortless suede boots were my go-to the entire time I was in Mississippi, and I was glad to have brought them.  They are also almost completely sold out, but if you like them, I reviewed them here.

The Madewell scarf I received for a song, as it was a popback sale item with an extra 25% off.  The cords are a wonderful color, and even though I usually stay away from J. Crew pants, I have lucked out this season, since the ones I have bought have fit well and are special and unique.

BTW, the whole day was very relaxing, a bit of shopping, a bit of eating, and a bit of visiting.

Two days later (didn't get a good shot of the in-between outfit) was Thanksgiving.  We do a very easy midday meal, so none of us ever really "dress" up, but we do at least make some effort.

The collection pencil skirt in windowpane was one of my favorites from the J. Crew Fall lookbook, but OMG, the original price was so expensive.  I can see why they *wanted* to charge that amount, as this skirt is made from the softest virgin wool imaginable, but what J. Crew *should have* done was to mark it at a bit above what they wanted to get for it, and I guarantee they would have sold out immediately.  Instead, the skirt sat in the sale section until it was priced where most of us could afford it.  (And at 30% extra off, at least in my case.)

The rest of the outfit is old, except for the shoes, which I mentioned in the last outfit.

No cardigan in this shot.  I cannot express to you all how much love I have for this tee.  These were from the holiday 2007 season, and I have two of them, this one in silver, and one in a gold stripe.  If I was only allowed to have two tees in my closet, I would immediately grab these two and not look back.

Funny face!  (I love my self-timer, it always catches my *best* moments.)

I wanted to wear the Carriage coat dress again this year, and since I have plans to try it like it was styled by J. Crew (see here), but knew it wouldn't be cool enough to do so down there, I came up with the idea to wear it with lightweight leggings, some black boots, a tank (not shown), and the Madewell storyteller scarf.

And a bag that holds everything a mother of a baby and two kids might need while at a nice restaurant in town.  ;)

I wore the dress here last, while pregnant, so it is nice to see that even though it fit me then, it still works on me now (although the a-line shape is much more obvious now).

I am throwing this in here because Angus turned 8 months while we were there.  :)

Just another simple outfit from another simple day.

The sweater is the dreaded dream v-neck sweater.  For those of you who are not a JCA, the dream sweaters are dreaded because the fabric pills nearly immediately, usually if you decide to look at it the wrong way.  Now I have no idea how I lucked out, but this year's version in this lovely heathered mint color has barely a pill on it.  Sure, it is a bit "lofty" but I don't need to get out my sweater shaver and I have worn it at least three times since purchasing it (mainly lazing about the house, that's why this is the first time you have seen it on me).

Two days before we left, CW, Angus, and I went to town to get some things.  I love this Liz Lange nursing dress, especially since the colors and pattern seem right for fall festivities, but I wanted to see if I could make it work as a skirt with a buttoned up cardigan.  It almost works, barring the bit of dress you see poking out of the top of the cardi.  (I wore it last here, more traditionally.)

I didn't really grab photos of the outfit the day before we left or even the day we left, but I did ask Mr. Dina to grab a photo of the food I ate at Mother's.  Now I know that this food looks kind of gross, but WOW, it certainly doesn't taste like that.  In fact, as much as I enjoy cooking Cajun myself, and have done so for years, the food at Mother's is my personal holy grail, and if one day I can manage to cook a jambalaya like Jerry's jambalaya (my fork is pointing to it), I would be exceedingly thrilled.

I also kind of dig what Angus is doing there in the back.  Any quotes?

Since I knew I wouldn't get a photo of the last day's outfit, but I really dug the sweatshirt I was wearing, I wanted you all to at least see that, so Mr. Dina grabbed this shot of me.  It is from JC Penny's and looks and feels way more expensive than it actually is.  I liked it so much that I went ahead and grabbed it in heather grey on Black Friday (it was almost half-off, so cheap went down to insanely inexpensive).  I am wearing this in a small, and I would say it fits well (I wear a size xs in J. Crew for reference).

Mississippi Missus. by dinagideon featuring columbia jackets

Above is the polyvore of my packing list.

Okay, that's all.  Will be back later tonight with more.

Thanksgiving Maternity Wear Times Two!

Hi, all!  Happy belated Black Friday.  LOL.  :)  I hope everyone had a great time shopping the great deals.  I, unfortunately, had absolutely no access to the internet (it was on the fritz in a major way, and kinda still is, ugh).  So I did my Black Friday shopping the old fashioned way, in the mall and at Walmart.  Woo!

I did have a great Thursday, though, with all sorts of yummy deep Southern favorites like sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, broccoli and cheese and rice casserole (do you sense a theme?), and of course, the ultimate yumminess, stuffing.  I barely even touched the turkey or pecan pie.

We dress for dinner here but only just, so I didn't really need to bring it fully with a dress and tights and heels, so I decided to wear a maternity outfit I purchased in Paris (only clothing I bought, btw!) from a darling little (little is being ambitious) boutique called Mamma Fashion. 

I walked into the store and barely showing meant that I had to guesstimate if the items I chose would actually fit, but these pieces had the dual advantage of looking decent without a real belly, and now that I have a belly, look pretty good with...I guess it might have something to do with French women only buying quality pieces that will last a lifetime, so the shop only carried the items that truly fit that description.  I anticipate the top working well beyond my pregnancy and the pants appear to be the sort that can be tailored to work after your postpartum stage is up.

The top and pants are from a brand called Pomkin, and they have the rare (at least I have rarely seen this) plus of actually being MADE IN FRANCE.  That probably also explains the prices, which also explains why these two pieces are the only clothing I purchased over the entire trip.  ;)

Top: Pomkin Liberty of London Silk Fabric Tie Top, Size Small (FR 38).  This retailed for around 170 Euro, but it was on sale for 85 Euro and was the last one in the shop.  I felt like I had literally died and gone to heaven, here I am the biggest Liberty of London fan, AND on sale is one of the most exquisite tops (not even just maternity tops) I have ever seen.  In. my. size.  And my hubby gave me a thumbs up.  I might have squealed.  Yes, 85 Euros, even on sale, is a HUGE chunk of change, but I think you all get it, right?

Pants: Pomkin Career Full Leg Pants (Pantalon Drew Caviar), Size Large (FR 42).  These were 98 Euro, but the fabric is super soft and fit then and fits now.  It also didn't appear to be too small in the thighs but too big in the band which is often my issue.

The headband is from Anthropologie, the earrings are the J. Crew Snow sparkle earrings (which have been the MOST popular item I have ever clipped for polyvore, seriously every time I go on polyvore, it has been used by 20 women for 20 different sets), and the shoes are Nine West.

You can really tell here how this top can work both for pregnant and non-pregnant women.  The fabric is the Caesar design, more often known as the Peacock design (as the design is based on peacock feathers).  I have a few items with this pattern, but they are all from the Liberty of London for Target line.  I daresay the fabric on this blouse may be a teeny bit more exquisite.

I also happen to own a LoL top from Target that can also be maternity, same pattern.  :)  LOL at the LoL love.  I just think that one is less dressy, so can be worn a tad more casually. 

Close up of the snow sparkle earrings, headband, and the bow on the blouse.

You know what I did after the very filling meal, right?  No, I didn't nap.  We took a walk!  Of course!  I didn't want to wear heels and fancy pants and fancy top out so I switched to a Boden Maternity tunic called the Special Day Tunic.  I will be linking back to this on Wednesday for the next Boden Weekly Review Roundup, so here is a little on this tunic.  I went with my regular tunic size in Boden, size 6 (US size), and it fits well, and is very very soft.  I love the pretty pattern, it reminds me a lot of the Show Stopping Tunic, but is a bit more forgiving of a forever expanding waistline.

The leggings and shoes are a bit casual, but worked for the event.  I will probably wear the tunic with tights the next time and a cute pair of ballet flats.

From the side.  The nice thing is that this tunic could also work as a non-maternity dress if you so desire.  I feel like you had best wear super-control top tights, though, as any little bulge is going to be read as a pregnant belly owing to its baby doll shape.  Just a little PSA.


Special Day Tunic. Also comes in a blue and a pink version. Right now, with the continuing 25% off and free ship and returns (till November 30th), this tunic goes from $98 down to around $75. (I have placed a link at the bottom of this post for folks to get the 25% off...seems that with my internet issues lately, I turned out to be the one who MOST needed the access from my mobile phone, lol.)

I have added this top's photo to this post so I can clip it to Polyvore and create a chic maternity set. Yay!

Okay, all, better go, as I really don't want to press my luck with the internet...

Here is that link for the extra 25% off and free ship and returns at Boden:
Boden 25% off plus Free Shipping and Returns!

Boden Weekly Review Roundup: Thankful Edition!

I know I have mentioned it before, but since the vast majority of you will be reading this post on American Thanksgiving day, I wanted to once again repeat my overwhelming gratitude to all the wonderful ladies who have helped me in the past year create a successful weekly review roundup for a wonderful clothing brand!  :)

I also want to thank Boden for offering such lovely goodies that all of us seem to keep coming back for more, and a special thanks to the genius who figured out that some of us love the brand SO much that a preview of upcoming fashions with a % off is a great idea.

To thank us, Boden is currently offering a stellar sale on all promo (non-clearance sale items) and full priced items, a whopping 25% off with free shipping and returns.  If you are like me, you may have already used it once, and may use it again for presents (hello, adorable mini Boden!).

The link for the 25% off with free ship and returns is at the sidebar (if you are on a traditional computer) or at the bottom of this post (for those of you with mobile devices who are viewing my mobile blog version).  I recommend clicking on this first to ensure that the Boden site knows that you have this promo, and takes the extra money off the cost of the item.

There are three reviews tonight, one of which is currently on promo price, so with the additional 25% equals a significant amount of savings.

If you would like to see an item on me closer, click on the photo.  If you would like to see a photo on a blog friend, click on the link to that blog.  If  you would like to check out availability, sizing, measurements, or colorways, click on the Boden stock photo to go directly to the item page.

Onto the reviews!

Boden Limited Edition:

Gorgeous Cashmere Cardigan, dressed very "low."  :)

Obviously I am sucker for embellished cardigans as they keep jumping into my shopping carts and I keep. buying. them.  But at least I wear them, right?

I wore this yesterday to go to the movies with the kids.  We saw Puss in Boots (high-lair-ee-us if you like kids movies), and even though the temp outside was hovering in the 60s (with t-storms, woo!), I knew it would be chilly in the theater, so I brought this super-thick, super-soft cardigan with me.  The embellishments were just an extra something something, but clearly you can see how this cardigan can easily work with a dress or skirt or even a nice pair of dark jeans.

So you know the tank is J. Crew, the shorts are maternity from Motherhood Maternity, and the sandals are Born.

From the side (I am 22 weeks baby belly, they think). 

This is a shorter cardigan, which Boden does a lot of...if you have a longer torso, it may be too short, but since my waist (non-existent though it may be right now, lol) is just right above the spot where this cardigan's hem hits, it works for me.  I like it opened, but I anticipate that when I get my figure back, it will look darling closed and paired with a brightly hued pencil skirt.

I chose this color, pearl, as I actually don't have a white cardigan I can wear as a completer piece for outfits.  It really did fill a void in my wardrobe.  I do, however, have light grey ones in superfluity, so definitely need to just say no to anymore in that color. 

If you open this photo, you will see the detailing a bit better.  Those beads are sewn on nicely to the grosgrain ribbon trim.  CW's little head kept bashing into it during the movie (she sat on my lap, yet we paid for her ticket, huh, how does that work?).  I checked as I took it off and they were all still on and very well, I might add.

I chose to get my true size 6 in this, and it fits nicely.  Only size up if you have a larger bustline or shoulders.


Gorgeous Cashmere Cardigan. $182.40 Promo Priced, but with the additional 25% becomes an awesome $136.80.


Regular Boden:

Somerset Coat. Suburban Mom models the ecru color in this coat, and looks so lovely in it. :) I know she will wear it for many seasons to come. :) It is priced at $188, but with the 25% off it is $141. 


Twist Jersey Top. It comes in a variety of colorful prints, but also a very important basic black. Suburban Mom also does a review of this top (which I hadn't realized was nearing tunic length!), and also shows an IRL photo of it under the Somerset Coat. Very nice. I can see why she would keep it! It is normally $78, but with the 25% off its price comes down to $62.40.

Well, that's all, you all. ;)

Have a happy Thanksgiving if you are in the United States, and if you are in Canada, I am so sorry for having forgotten to wish you all Happy Thanksgiving when you had yours, so I am saying it belatedly! For all elsewhere, you all have a GREAT Thursday!

Oh, yeah, didn't forget, promise. Mobile users, here is a link for the 25% off with free ship and returns at Boden USA:
Boden 25% off plus Free Shipping and Returns!

A Blushed Tweed Pencil Skirt for a Thanksgiving Feast!!!

Untitled by dinagideon featuring J Crew
Although I didn't win (or come in 2nd or 3rd) the Polyvore contest for the best Thanksgiving outfit, I still LOVED the entry I created...and true to form, I actually wore said outfit on Thanksgiving. Since I was combining the look I created with my other blog's function (Mid-Century Mom), I needed to have a very ladylike, retro look that day.

I wore this outfit because I wanted to look nice, of course, but also because I would be attempting to set the table and make some soup while in this get-up. Nowadays many folks do all the chores, etc., in their casual gear (sweats and the like), but for the mid-century mom that wasn't an option. So that is what I did on Thanksgiving, I got dressed BEFORE I started my chores. By the time dinner was served, I was very comfy in my dressy outfit and found that because of the more "restrained" feel of the pencil skirt, I didn't eat nearly as much as I normally would have (by the way, I LOST five pounds while on vacation...maybe there is something to the whole dress up to eat thing...).

Anyhow, check out the results of my experiment "Mid-Century Mom Sets the Table."


And here is the outfit before the chores set in. Yes, I am by the Christmas tree, and yes, that is an ACTUAL buck-head behind me. While there, Mr. Dina's uncle "bagged" an 11-point buck. (Not my words...) So you know, an 11-point refers to how many points there are on the antlers.

Mr. Dina, although he grew up around hunting, doesn't hunt himself. It is kind of like Rex not enjoying swimming. I know, shocking.

This outfit was awesome to wear. The skirt is especially pretty and lovely. I bought a six, and it is perfect in fit, maybe a wee bit too big in the waist. The nubby texture of the tweed is very soft...I kept wanting to pet the fabric. I resisted because that would have looked weird. The swiss-dot top was a huge hit with my sister-in-law who really wants one. I would have just given her mine (the 10 I bought is far too large now), but the 10 is far too large for her, too. Anyone have a 6 they want to trade with me for??? :)

The skirt can be purchased here. It is still for sale, and still full price (but there is that whole 25% off thing this weekend...). I would say stay true to size or if you have a small waist, size down.


Here is the outfit, sans cardigan.

You all have a lovely weekend. I will certainly try to enjoy mine, too. Maybe I can even post once more...we'll see!