Boden: Textured Cotton Skirt, Review and an Outfit.

For all the readers who say that these reviews are terrible for their pocketbook have a good friend in me.  LOL.  After creating and reading my own Boden Weekly Review Roundups, I have admittedly purchased an item or two, including today's lovely, the Textured Cotton Skirt in the fudge colorway.

So thank you, lovely ladies of my favorite Boden blogs, you all convinced me that this skirt was worth it.  And I will probably convince a few of you myself.  ;)

Don't forget to apply a coupon to this skirt purchase, if you take the plunge.  Right now, the diminishing discount offer is still at 25% off, so that gives this skirt a pretty decent price for what it is.

Emma Pillsbury Inspired Boden! by dinagideon featuring a sweater cardigan

Above is the polyvore of the outfit I wore today.  It was a typical SAHM kind of day, with the addition of an additional child, aka as my grandpa.  (Who knew that 83 year old men could be as demanding as 4 year old boys?  Laugh.  Love ya, grandpa!)

Turns out this outfit was perfect for my day.  The look was polished, a bit Emma Pillsbury inspired (or says Mr. Dina), and exceedingly comfortable.  I don't even kid when I say that...I literally felt better than I do in many of my pants and shorts outfits.  The heels were even okay, as the chunky heel on the cinema t-straps (J. Crew, Spring 2009) are more of a stable surface for walking (which I did a ton of, btw).

On me, full outfit. 

Quick overview of the pieces...the featherweight cotton bling-bling cardigan is a size small, and I love how the teal pops nicely against the brown in the skirt (I picked this color in the skirt so I could *pop* colors against it, btw)...the factory teagan ruffle popover is a size 4 and I glad I re-bought this in the factory version as the original I had was too big...the textured cotton skirt is a size US 8 Long or UK 12 Long and I love it...and the cinema t-straps are a size 10.

The outfit looks quite lovely without the cardigan, and I have a few plans for more sensational, sophisticated summer outfits that will star this skirt.  ;)

It does have pockets, and I found that I was placing my hands in them all day.  Pockets aren't necessary, but a really nice addition. 

The length is fab, I always buy longs in Boden and I wish other companies would offer skirts in longs, too.  I don't have to buy longs in dresses or tops, but I am very tall in my legs and find the extra fabric in pants and skirts very helpful.

From the side.  This skirt is a TULIP shape, so fair warning.  I don't mind this and personally find this modified pencil shape very comfortable and flattering, but I can see why the teeny little poof at the upper hip area could annoy others.

Is it poof or pouf?  Brain fart!  ;)

BTW, the cotton/linen blend didn't wrinkle too terribly, but it did stretch out a bit.  I *could* have gone with a 6 Long, but I am fine with the size I got.  It's all good.  

From the back.  This photo really shows how long this skirt is and shows how the popover looks from the back.

I had the original teagan popover, which had ruffles made from a combo of silk and cotton.  The factory version is all cotton.  Here's the thing...although I would love to own the original in my exact right size, this factory version fills the void well, and looks nicely polished and professional with so many bottoms.  I highly recommend it if you can find it on ebay, or as a popback on jcrew.com (which I doubt would happen).


Above is the link to the Boden's website.  This will show the other colors, size availability, and measurements.  Remember to click through my diminishing discount link to make sure you get 25% off.  (Or whatever coupon I have running in my sidebar if you are accessing this review in the future!)

You all have a fab day.  If you have a Boden review you would like to share with me for tomorrow's review roundup, e-mail me at dinagideon@aim.com.  Thanks!!!

Boden: Breezy Beach Dress Review, Plus Sale Choices...

By now, most of you have read that Boden is offering a diminishing discount sale until Saturday, May 28, 2011.  Today, tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday, you will receive 25% off plus free shipping and returns on all items (including the limited edition pieces, which until this sale have NEVER been part of a promo).  If you wait until Friday, the sale dips down to 20% and free shipping/returns.  Wait till Saturday, and it goes down to 15% (which is what I normally have with my maternity coupon).  I definitely purchased at least one item, and probably will again on Thursday.  I anticipate that on Thursday I will be including some mini-Boden in my cart, too.  :)

To make sure you receive this promo, click through the diminishing discount link that is on my sidebar (it is the second link--right below the My Arbonne button).  After clicking through, the discount should remain for a while, normally it lasts a couple of days on my computer.  This way you can ensure that all purchases you make you receive the sales price.  The links that I will provide to items in this post should come up normal priced, UNTIL you put them in your shopping bag.  After you place them in your bag, the sales price should show up.

So the review I have for you today is a VERY popular item.  I personally can see why, but I am frankly surprised at how well it is selling (some items I think will sell well flounder and then others sell like pancakes on Shrove Tuesday).  I wore it for the first time on Saturday, when we were running around like crazy people (we were gone from the house from the very early morning until the very end of the afternoon).  The Breezy Beach Dress held up well, felt cool (it was hot that day, and every breeze that blew by worked WITH the fabric, which was a relief), and fit like a dream.  Plus Mr. Dina LOVED it.  :)

Breezy Beach Dress.  I purchased a size US 6 Regular, or UK 10 Regular.  The long would have probably been okay, but too long in the torso (I have the torso of a woman at least five inches shorter than I am, it is sort of ridiculous).  The bust is a touch too big, but the hips and waist are exactly right.  By the end of the day, the whole thing had stretched out a bit, so based on that, TAKE YOUR SMALLER dress size in Boden.  Trust me.  :)

Hands on hips.  The best part of this dress shape is that it made me feel tee-tiny.  (And I haven't felt like that since before the cruise--hello, weight gain!)  So until I lose that last few pounds I gained on the ship, I will be wearing dresses just like this one.  :)

If it looks good from behind, you have a winner.  I could go in Stacy and Clinton's infamous 360 degree mirror room and feel good about the way I look in this dress, 100%.

This colorway is nearly sold out (as is its sister shade of radish), in fact the only sizes left are the size US 12 and up. If you wear smaller than a size 12, you could pick up the lino floral pattern, which is a more petite floral print and from my monitor reads more like a spotty wash solid (you will see what I mean if you click through the Boden link).  I hope that they bring back the Hawaiian floral in the smaller sizes as the radish version is really lovely, but I am not holding my breath.

The necklace, btw, is the J. Crew knotted mesh necklace.  Makeup is all Arbonne (wink!).

The dress at lunch.  Yes, I did purposely plan for CW's carters dress to match mine.  Too bad mini-Boden doesn't have a little girls version of this actual dress, 'cause you all know what a fool I am for this whole mini-me thing.

BTW, is there anything finer than an al fresco lunch?  I mean, it has it all, great weather, shade (love the market umbrella), and divine food.  This was taken at Southside 815 which has the yummiest Southern food in Alexandria. 



Breezy Beach Dress.

Here are some other items I personally can recommend from this sale based on my own experience:

Notch Neck Shift Dress. I have both the ruby peony and sailor terrazzo colorways. If I own two, I obviously can highly recommend it. LOL.


Bow Shift. I did a review on this last week, and I know many of you were waiting for a good sale to pick it up.  ;)


Showstopping Knitted Jacket. I have already worn and loved mine, but definitely color me jealous those who waited until now...at $291, this is a fair price (really fair, the work that went into this jacket is phenomenal).


Printed Tunic. Definitely one of my favorites. Hands down.



Surf Suit (top--girls, bottom--boys). Must put the spotlight on these amazing suits. CW and Rex both loved and will continue to love (read: abuse the heck out of) these suits this summer.

So what did I get?

Silk Feather Top. I literally have looked at this on a three-times weekly basis to make sure it didn't sell out in my size and color preference. I was so freaking excited when I saw that the limited edition pieces were part of this promo that was all it took to convince me. :) So for a little over $100, this pretty silk top is coming to momma. (And for once, I have money in my account--yippee!)

This is for polyvore, a nice, clean photo.  I like the grey version, but this mustard/pink/grey version makes my heart pitter patter.  (In a good way, of course.)

Did you all decide to partake?

Yay! Boden Diminishing Discount!

We all want to look like Vanessa, of course.  CW just wants the balloons.

UPDATE: IT WORKS ON LIMITED EDITION PIECES, TOO!  YAY!!!

I have great news for all my US fans of Boden...Johnnie Boden has extended a Diminishing Discount offer to us over here on the other side of the Atlantic.  Yippee!

The lovely Louise had mentioned it in her blog post this morning, so I knew to be on the lookout for it, but I didn't know when I would get the official code...

I do have a few reviews in the hopper, and I hope to get those up today for you, but until then check out all my previous Boden Weekly Review Roundups to see if an item you are interested in has been reviewed (or put the name of the item in the search box at the top of the blog).

Diminishing Discount for Boden - 25% off Mon,Tues, Wed, Thurs - 20% off Fri - 15% off Sat - plus Free Shipping & Returns!
The discount link is above, but I will also be placing it in my sidebar for all of you to have access to until this discount diminishes for good.

And remember, it works on limited edition pieces, too.  You better believe I am going to pick up a piece or two!  ;)

Happy Boden shopping!  :)

Boden Weekly Review Roundup...Lots of IRLs...

I meant to get these out to you all yesterday, but by the time the three of us got home from Richmond, I had a raging headache, so I kind of knew it wasn't going to happen on Wednesday as usual.

Although busy today, I know I can spare at least a moment or two to share some of my own reviews/IRLs of Boden outfits and also to share some of the wonderful Boden bloggers reviews/IRLs, as well.

Onto the reviews...

As usual, if you would like to see an item's sizing info, measurements, availability, and other colorways, click on the stock photo that Boden has provided me.  If you would like to see an item close up on me, please click the photo, which will take you to another page that will have a larger photo.  If you would like to see an item on a blogger friend, please click through the link I have provided for their post.

I haven't seen any really good sales going on at Boden, but my 15% maternity coupon still works (it is in my sidebar) and the as of today, the swimwear 20% off sale is still going on (which is stackable with the 15% maternity coupon).  I will definitely let you all know if I happen upon a better sale or coupon...  :)

First up is a review (plus an IRL outfit--got to combine both today--smile):

Bow Shift. Full length photo of the outfit I wore today.

I bought this dress in a size US 8 Regular, or UK 12 Regular. I saw it come out of the package and I was so excited, love the colors, the cool (Ischia-looking) print, and the lightness of the linen fabric.


Having said that, though, I did worry that I had bought it one size too large. The first time I tried it on, the shoulders and bust were comically huge while the hips fit fine (even a bit big there). I didn't want to return it, though, until I saw it on another reviewer (which I did, just this week--her review to come). Turns out that the shift is meant to fit loosely, and if I were to go to a size six, it would fit, but most likely ruin the "shift" silhouette.

So knowing that, I decided to wear it today, and lots of ladies at Rex's preschool were very complimentary of the dress. Mr. Dina said he really liked it, too, so I guess it is a keeper. ;)

From the side.  I love the more colorful pistachio colorway, but it also comes in mercury (grey) and iris (blue).  If you are shy of colors, but love the circular pattern, go with the grey, which could work well for work.

From the back.  The dress was very comfortable, and not once did I regret wearing it to school.  The linen DID wrinkle, especially in the lap (I was sitting for a good portion of the morning).  Nothing terrible, though, and the cotton lining helps to keep some of the wrinkling at bay.

Close up of the bow.  In my opinion the bow is only really noticeable when you see it in person, in pics, you can barely tell it is there.


Bow Shift.

Not done...guess what, one of my favorite set of Boden bloggers, Polly and Fiona, had a review of this dress this week.  Fiona looks lovely in the pistachio version, and she is the reason I realized how the darn dress was supposed to look.  THANK YOU, Fiona!


Merino Tab Jumper. Suburban Mom shows us a lovely IRL outfit with her yellow version of this sweater. Her choice of a pink belt was super chic, and I want to now make an outfit with this color combo, sort of like pink lemonade. ;)


Plaited Belt. Suburban Mom's above outfit with the Merino Tab Jumper shows a pink belt that *is* a Boden belt, but not currently available. I did find this plaited belt, though, which does come in a pink colorway, so for those of you dreaming of pink lemonade as well, this could be an option.


Textured Cotton Skirt. Pamela looks so pretty in this green version, and the pairing with the pink pumps--BRILLIANT! :)


Terrazzo Tunic. I last reviewed it here, but this last week I wore it as part of an SAHM outfit.  I know that the taupe colorway is pretty much sold out, but definitely watch for popbacks!

Umm, this could easily be the most easy-going SAHM outfit ever.  Paired with Madewell leggings, an Ann Taylor necklace, and Cole-Haan sandals, I was very comfortable, yet felt very well put together last Friday.

Close-up of the neckline.  I really want to get this in the blue/orange color, as well, but that appears to also be sold out.  C'est la vie.  ;)


Stitched Hem Mini. I wore this (as part of an outfit) earlier this week. 

Okay, I seriously have to hustle.  I am meeting a friend for dinner tonight, and I have to take the RED LINE to get there, so wish me luck (and fleet feet, please).  LOL.

Hope you have a great Thursday, and happy Boden hunting, babes.  :)