Ten Years!

Above: Recent OOTDs.  Boden Penny Jersey Dress, Boden Sweater and Mimi Velvet Skirt, and Made by Me Burnout Velvet Dress (with a pair of Boden Julia Heels).

Hi, all!

First photo of me on the blog.  That's CW, aged four months.

Happy January 15, 2019.  For those of you who've been with me a long time, you may remember that I started this blog on January 15, 2009.  And I kept it up for a long time without many pauses.  Until I stopped.  So happy 10 to me?  Or not?  But either way, it's been ten years, and I felt compelled to at least do ONE blog post on my ten year blog birthday.

I'm still doing my same old, same old, just doing most of it away from the blog.

What's the same:

Almost all Boden, of course.

1. I still own, in overabundance, a lot of Boden.  It is definitely been trimmed down, but their tall sizing really suits my frame, and works for my lifestyle, so I stick with it.  It has gone slightly down hill in comparison with my older Boden pieces (from 2004!), but they are not, in any way, shape, or form, as fast fashion as some companies are today (read: they still line items, add buttons and proper zips, and use higher end fabrics).

Outside Middendorf's, in Manchac, LA, in December.

2. I still am very much into my kids, in fact, that may be the #1 contributor to why I don't blog at all anymore.  I have so many things I must do with them that I come home from work and their activities and fall into bed!  Rex is now almost 12 (!!!), CW is 10, and Angus is 6.  Rex is really into Boy Scouts, baseball, and his video games.  CW is into acting (she's in her first ever community theater play as I write this), swimming, singing, her friends, and playing the piano and flute.  Angus loves bowling, soccer, baseball, swimming, and being social.  I remember a few years into my blog that another blog friend would only sporadically blog and she mentioned how tough her four kids made it for her to blog.  I didn't fully get it as mine were so small (and one wasn't born), but I fully appreciate it now.  The fact she blogged at all has me in awe!

Munich, Germany April 2018.

3. I still travel all over the world, and I love it.  I wish I could do that 100% of the time, but for now, I'll take it as I can.

4. I still am a History teacher, teaching the same stuff I used to teach when I started the blog way back when!

5. I may only publish to Instagram sporadically, but I do, so still keep in touch with me there.

6. I also still publish posts at the Fabric Mart Fabricista blog.  They've kept me all these years, and I still enjoy it.  The dress up there on the far right is my latest make, which you can read about here.

What's different:

1. I definitely wear more than Boden, but not just J. Crew.  I branch out way more than I used to, and find myself gravitating towards looser, more casual clothing than ever.  Part of that may have to do with my wearing more formal clothing for work and wanting to let loose when not working.

2. I am a big fan of subscription boxes.  This was not my style initially, but since starting the first one back in December of last year (2017) (Lookfantastic beauty box), I have since gone on to grab a whole bunch, and definitely look forward to my boxes.  It's actually curbed my spending overall, as I find having them come in satisfies my need for "new," and unless I really need something, I hold off.  For the most part these boxes are a set price and the retail value is much higher, and that ends up being satisfying, as well.  I have found lots of cool beauty, homeware, and clothing this way, and while I may pull back some, the desire for surprises keeps me intrigued.   I ended up spending very little on Christmas this year.  A whole bunch of my presents came from the boxes, especially for my female relatives and friends, since there would be things in each that I knew they would love more that I did.  (One of my friends is into essential oils, so I gave her some essential oil items I received.  Another friend really likes makeup, and there were some palettes that were too dark for me, so she received those.)

A cute top from Golden Tote, and a beanie from some subscription box.

I don't do many clothing boxes as I am too picky, but I give it up to Golden Tote for really getting my style and shape.  They personally reach out to me if they have questions, and I have received a few items that don't work (usually because the hips are too small on me), but in general, lots of winners.

3. I teach at a Catholic school, the one I went to.  My kids go there, and that's awesome.  I love seeing them.  They seem to be okay with it.  I give them credit for putting up with my being there all the time.  Rex is the most bothered, but even he is just kind of, "oh, mom, leave me alone."  Chuckle.  I even catch him smiling at me from time to time.

4.  I was really sad last year.  Like the entire 2017-2018 school year.  No one knew.  I think I hid it well.  It was a tough year, and I felt like no one liked me.  I had friends, but I fell into some dark, sad places some days.  I questioned it all...was I a good teacher, was I a good mother, why do I even bother, why do none of the people I like email/call/text me back, why does everyone else have friends, etc., etc.  I still don't know many of the answers, but because I decided I needed a thicker skin, I decided the answers didn't matter, and that I should just be all, "who cares, I'll figure it out."  Thankfully this year is 1100% better.

5. I gained ten pounds last year thanks to my sadness.  I am working to lose the weight, but it is really hard being a certain size and not being that size anymore.  Of course it all went to my hips and butt.  LOL.  Thank goodness so many of my clothes are loose skirted dresses.  :-)

Here forward:

Will I blog?  I don't know.  I'm not sure people read fashion/shopping blogs anymore.  I do know they read blogs that deal with subscription boxes and sewing, so I may just transition to that, and only mention what I am wearing in captions, and focus my ootd stuff to instagram.

There is also the possibility I may just move to youtube, as well.  I mean there is no way on planet earth I would ever be popular on that kind of platform, but I have seen women with similar backgrounds and lifestyles do okay there, and I have filmed myself to see if I can do it, and I am not as shrill or offensive sounding as I thought I might be.  I may give it a shot.  Who knows?  The unboxing and beauty videos are fun to watch and some of the ladies on youtube are pretty awesome.  We'll see.

I like this photo.  I shot it while a passenger in the car, lol.  I feel like this shows that I am doing well.  I am not sure I could have taken a photo like this last year, and am so glad I am doing better.  :-)

I hope all of you are well.  I am doing well.  I miss everyone.  Reach out to me if you feel so inclined.  I am still at dinagideon AT aim DOT come.

Let me know how you're doing in the comments, if you'd like.

Boden: Diminishing Discount 20% Off Until 2/25. Plus More on a Vanishing Dina.

Hi, everyone!

More on my vanishing act in a bit.  ;-)

First, I am sorry I didn't tell you this sooner, but Boden started there diminishing discount a couple of days ago.  Bad news is that I didn't tell you then (seriously, worst Boden blogger ever, lol), but the good news is that there is still today and tomorrow to shop.

The deal is the same as prior diminishing discounts, the beginning is front-loaded with the most days of savings at the highest percentage off (this time 20%).  On Friday it is 15% off, and I believe by Sunday it goes down to 10% off.

So the best way to approach this is to buy the things you *need* now or that are already sold out, like the lovely Martha dress in the floral shades.  In fact, the popback items, from the sold out category, could even be purchases at 15% off since they are the kind of items that even in deepest clearance never get reduced by much more than that, anyhow.  Of course you could wait and take your chance that the item that is sold out will popback in a moment when a category like dresses is on sale and get more % off (I've done that a handful of times over the years), but it is a bit like trying to catch a swift bunny on a muddy field. 

Okay, so that Martha dress.  I was sure that danged thing wouldn't fit me, but I loved the design so much that I went ahead and ordered the ivory in the 8 regular.  I may have preferred an 8 long, but they were all sold out.  So I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.  Because the model has a bit of a shapelier bottom, I suspected I may be okay since I carry weight in the hips and upper thighs, and by some miracle, the dress fit in the 8 regular.  It is a touch big in the bodice, and a bit big in the waist, but the hips and thigh areas don't pull or look strained.  Thankfully the fabric is stretchy, including the lining, so it really is a well-thought design in form and execution. There are two pleats at the upper hip area, so if you are concerned about highlighting that area, bear that in mind.

The ivory is a bit muddy, more light tan, but it doesn't look off on me personally.  It may not work on cooler complexions, and would probably look silly on skin tones that are that exact shade.

I have only bought a couple of things from the spring.  Besides the Martha dress and a few others, I haven't been wowed.  I keep hoping.  I guess it is good that if I am going to be a bad Boden blogger I do it when they've lost a bit of their mojo.  ;-)

The mini stuff is awesome, though.  My daughter has received a few darling items from the spring, and they are so wonderful that I desperately wish they would do those designs in adult sizes.  The bird printed sweatshirt dress is easily one of my favorites.

Second.  Me.  I received an email (so sweet, btw) from a reader who noticed how quiet I have been.  And I have been.  Really quiet. (Except on Instagram.  Wow.  So much easier to upload a single photo with a few words daily than execute a blog post.)

1. Sewing.  I worked so hard and so furiously and with such focus on the red coat in January that I was literally worn out from the process.  I also made this dress to wear on National Wear Red Day (Go Red for Women), so that took some time too.  My daughter has her First Holy Communion in May and I am both altering and creating anew my Communion dress so she has something special to wear.  (My Communion dress was handmade from a 1974 pattern!)  I am currently working on a project for Fabric Mart, and I am stoked to get it done.  It will be fun and sporty and probably very "me," lol.  There are other things, too, and as many of you realize from your own sewing, these just take a lot of energy and time.  (BTW, Pattern Review interviewed me as their "member in focus" for February, too.  That was such an honor!)

2. College Classes.  I have to recertify this year in VA.  You are required 180 recertification hours to do so, which is equal to two college classes.  I could have made my life easier and done this before returning to work, but baby Angus made that a bit of a challenge.  Now that he is older, much easier, but difficult from a time standpoint.  I love the classes, but unlike when I was in university initially, I am in constant worry that I am not doing things on time.  For one, the idea of a syllabus being presented on the first day and pored over is not really a thing anymore, and I was flailing about the first few weeks on the maze that is Blackboard.  (I assume it can be clearer, but if the professor makes it a maze, good luck!)  The classes are "Guiding the Behavior of Children," and "History of Photography."  Both work for me, especially since I am trained to teach Middle-Schoolers and work with preschoolers and kindergarteners.  Definitely different styles there.  History of Photography is fascinating and useful both for my training as a history teacher and to get my desire to pull out my SLR and get some shooting done.

3. Sicknesses.  I got pinkeye.  I got Strep Throat.  I am a grown woman with diseases that affect six-year olds.  If you teach computer, I suggest gloves, eyewear, and handwashing constantly.  BTW, Strep SUCKS.

4. Teaching.  My job is fine, but I love the saying "part time means half the pay for twice the work."  LOL.  People say that to me to keep me going, but I am a bit surprised by how much more work I do than I remember doing when I was at the middle school.  ;-)  I suspect the above plus three small children have an affect, too.

5. Blog.  My blog turned seven (7!) on January 15, 2016.  Whoops.  I forgot its birthday.  Sorry blog.  :-/

Okay, that's all for now.  Won't be back for a couple of days (I will, though, come back), but I do appreciate all of you who come to visit me from time to time.

OOTD/Review/Made by Me File: Sixth Blog-o-versary Special.

UPDATE (January 16, 2015): There is a new promotion over at Boden for an extra 20% off clearance items that started this morning!  I went ahead and placed the promo coupon in the sidebar and at the bottom of this post for those of you who look forward to sales like this!  I have a few clearance item reviews set to be published, so I will go ahead and push them forward so you all can see them before the extra 20% expires.

Hi!  I almost forgot that today was my blog's sixth birthday.  So bad.  LOL.  I took a nap this afternoon (while Angus slept) and I woke up thinking, "meh, I'll be lazy *again* and post tomorrow."  But then I remembered it was the blog's bday and I felt like I owed it.

So here it is, a super sixth birthday blog post, nothing special, but I decided to have at least one of each kind of thing my blog does in this one post, so you are getting three outfits of the day, one Boden review, and a made by me file.

Day: Wednesday, January 14, 2015.

Where:  Subbing Eighth Grade with a visit to Whole Foods for Winesday with my brother in the evening.

Ease of Wear: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.)  Couldn't be any easier, really.  Take a pair of woolen stretchy pants from J. Crew (years ago), add in a cozy comfy sweatshirt/top from Boden, and a great pair of booties from Mia, and you have an outfit that makes teaching crazy middle-schoolers a bit more comfortable.  Plus the weather was just awful yesterday (snow in the morning followed by really cold temperatures), and this combo (along with proper outerwear) kept me warm, too.

The sweatshirt is the casual dip back sweater and can be found here.  I wrote a more lengthy review of it in the next two photos for those of you that dig Boden stuff.  This is a current season offering, and one that can be worn now and not just in the spring, so that's good.

Cool Factor: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.)  Well, I think I looked good, especially with my beret (not pictured), but I suspect that the eighth-graders would have not agreed.  For them, "meh," for my peers and me, maybe a "woo?"

Casual Dip Back Sweater.  Size 6.  I think this sweater is a bit odd.  It appears that it should be a sweatshirt, and I am happy to call it that, especially since its styling with the rib cuffs, hem, and neckline, plus a bit of loopy fabric backing makes it appear so, but I am not 100% in the sweatshirt camp.  It is a fitted silhouette, which I wasn't expecting, but seems to work okay.  It is also much longer than I expected.  Honestly, if they had a size 6 petite, I would exchange it for that since I wouldn't mind if the top ended higher on me.  I have to be careful with proportion here.  If I wear too loose of a pant, the look would be frumpy, for sure.

The print and the colors are just amazing, though.  So vibrant and beautiful.  With the red hair, this blue is a great shade for me, much more than it would have been when I was a full on blonde.

The fabric is so soft and stretchy, it sort of feels like expensive pajamas.  Not a bad thing in my book.

I think this could potentially look good tucked into a skirt, and since the fabric is not thick, it could work, I'll just have to try it out and see for sure.  ;-)

Day: Tuesday, December 30, 2014.

Where:  Running around doing errands with Angus while the eldest two went to an all-day Little Gym camp.

Ease of Wear: (4.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.)  I literally could wear this kind of outfit everyday and never want to change it up.  I mean, great fitting jeans, a beautiful comfortable sweatshirt, patent leather loafers, and an exquisite well-fitted wool coat?  Does it get any easier or better for a mom on the go?

But I know I am a dress girl, at heart, so as much as I dig this kind of look, I do know that if giving the choice, I would live in a world where I could wear dresses 100% of the time (I am looking at you, Miami).

Cool Factor: (4.5 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.)  Cute outfit overall, but the sweatshirt design and nicely tailored coat really help it out here.

Why didn't J. Crew Factory make a dupe of this sweatshirt, btw?  They duplicate all popular items, why not this one which sold out in a heartbeat last year?

Day: Wednesday, January 7, 2015.

Where:  Subbing as School Secretary.

Ease of Wear: (5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.)  I made this dress out of a very comfortable and warm double knit from Fabric Mart from Pamela's Patterns Softly Pleated Dress pattern, so if it wasn't a 5 out of 5 for comfort and ease, I did something wrong.  Hands down, this is my most successful make to this day.  It turned out very well for me, from cutting to sewing to finishing.  It fits well, wears well, and makes me feel good while wearing it.  :-)  Yay!

I had a little bit of fabric left over, so I made CW a tunic from McCall's 6786, which is actually a dress pattern, but if you leave off the contrast hem, neckline, and cuffs, it turns into a tunic.  She says she was very comfortable, too.  ;-)

Cool Factor: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.)  It is a pretty dress, and CW's tunic is beyond darling on her, but the print and colors and styling may put some people off.  I like it, obviously, but I know I love more *in your face* prints and styles.

BTW, I wrote up a TON over at the Fabric Mart blog about the creation of this dress and the tunic, so check it out if you want to do something similar.  Like I said, it was a very satisfying sewing experience.

Okay, that's all for now.  Again, I am THRILLED to be here for six whole years.  That seems slightly insane, but I am still enjoying it, so I'll keep on keeping on...

And thank you all for reading.  I really enjoy having all my blog friends around. 

As promised in the update above, here is the coupon for the extra 20% off clearance items:

Five Years. New Items. And a Giveaway.

Well, look at that...five years of blogging.  I am still amazed that I have kept this personal style/OMG I love Boden/J. Crew/SAHM craziness blog up for all this time.  If it were April Fool's Day I would totally tell you all that I was shuttering the doors to My Superfluities, but since it isn't, I will just take this opportunity to thank you all for coming here and reading/commenting/supporting me and mine throughout the years.  It has been a process and I cannot believe how much of a difference putting myself "out there" has made in my life.  I will probably write down the "five things I have learned from five years of blogging" post sometime soon, but for now I think I will focus on the most tangible difference, that of personal confidence.  I may still have days of worry and doubt and insecurity, but for the most part I wake up every morning feeling so much better about myself, my situation, and the future of my family than I would have five years ago.  I may have gotten there on my own, without this blog, since I am in my thirties, and most women gain self-confidence in their thirties, but I cannot deny that this blog helped my evolution.

Anyhow, I will blather on about all of this when I have more time, but for now, I wanted to share with you all two separate things...

1. I received a HUGE package of Boden/mini Boden in the mail today.  I took photos of the Boden items and can give you a very brief overview of the clothing, but do expect more information in the next Boden Weekly Review Roundup which I desperately need to do already.  I must say that receiving the package on the birthday of this blog seemed like perfect timing, so yay for that.  ;-)

2. Because I love celebrating the years of blogging with a giveaway, I will be giving away a $50 gift card to Boden.  To enter you will need to leave a comment below with your name and e-mail, plus one item that you just LOVE from the Boden spring rollout.  I can give this gift card to anyone, so international friends, don't hesitate to enter, either!

In order to enter, I would appreciate you following this blog in some format or another.  Bloglovin' seems to be the favorite, but I know that many of you follow (or can follow) through other formats, so go ahead and mention how you follow, if you wouldn't mind.  I don't need huge numbers of followers, but it is nice to see an uptick as the years go on and on...

The giveaway will be on January 30, so you have fifteen days to enter!  Usually I end them after a week, but feel like this will allow more folks to enter. 

I am paying for this giveaway out of pocket, btw.  Boden knows I love them, but they don't make it a habit of giving me gift cards to giveaway.  I just felt like I should make that clear since in the fall they *did* partner with some (much bigger and more established) bloggers to host giveaways, which did include those bloggers giving away a gift card from them, that Boden did pay for and not the bloggers who hosted the giveaway.  Being clear about this is important, since I am a Boden affiliate, as you all know, which means Boden works with me through an affiliate program.  That means I can offer you all some yummy coupons and codes and in turn Boden pays me a % when purchases are made.  They do all of this through an affiliate program which means I have *very little* interaction with Boden.

Okay, so onto the yummy goodies that I received in the mail!

L to R, clockwise order: Button Back Sweater, Must Have Tee, Sophia Sweater, Penny Loafers, and Bistro Short.

I will discuss the four clothing items below, but I didn't take a separate photo of the loafers and want to give a big huge thumbs up to the folks at Boden for making these in half sizes, since these are a 40.5 and fit my narrow 9.5 feet perfectly.  As many of you know, I have struggled in Boden shoes for years since it would often be that the size 40 would fit well width-wise, but not in length, but the 41 would be too wide and the right length.  The 40.5 is exactly what I needed, and these shoes confirm that. 

Button Back Sweater.  Size 6.  Fits well, just long enough, in a very soft, lightweight cotton/merino wool blend.  But all that aside, look at the pretty pretty print, swoon!

Must Have Tee. Size 6.  Runs ginormous, but because it is viscose (the stretchy knit type), I know that eventually it will shrink, even with careful washing and line drying, so I will keep the larger size with that in mind.  If I only planned to wear it for a year, I would buy the 4 and sell it when it got to short and narrow.

Bistro Short.  Size 10 L.  Perfection in all ways, length, fit, comfort, etc.  As per usual, the waist is a bit big since my waist is technically a 6 or 8 by Boden standards, but the bonus of buying up is I can wear the waist lower, which in turn makes the length a touch longer.  I need that with my height, so I am not complaining.  The print is so gorgeous, too, and made me smile.  I can't wait for warm weather.

Sophia Sweater.  Size 6.  This sweater (or jumper, for you British readers) runs really long.  Like it is "almost a tunic" on me long.  It's not something that looks bad, but I was expecting it to be a bit shorter.  I won't be able to wear it with shorts, but this will look adorable with the J. Crew minnies and a pair of ballet flats.

Okay, so don't forget to look around Boden so you can tell me what you would grab from the Spring rollout when you enter the giveaway.

Giveaway Winners!

Hello, and good morning.

A big thank you to everyone who entered the four gift card giveaway for my fourth year blog-o-versary!

After all was said and done, I received 57 discrete entries in the giveaway (60 total comments, with three comments being additional information being posted by a person who had already entered).

Without further discussion, our winners are: Beki, Throughthehaze, Kristy, and Tracy O.  Ladies, I will e-mail later today if I haven't heard from you, but if you get a chance, my e-mail is dinagideon AT aim DOT com and you can send me your details (and which gift card you would like).  Looking forward to helping you all get your wish list items!

Beki is #34, and she likes the J. Crew Stadium Cloth cocoon coat.

Throughthehaze is # 36 and likes the Petrified Wood Bookends by Anthropologie.

Kristy is #23 and likes the Cashmere Hoody from Boden.

Tracy O. is #3 and likes the Ballerinas by Boden.

Giveaway: Celebrate. Good Times. Come On!

I recognize that a photo of Johnnie Boden in a bathrobe would probably be more fitting for my blog's fourth "blog-o-versary," but I figured most of you would prefer this gif of DJ Lance Rock doing his thang on Yo Gabba Gabba instead.

Okay.  So this is year number four.  Wow.  This blog baby of mine is as old as my daughter.

I have lots that I want to write about, everything from gratitude and appreciation for those of you who read this little corner of the internet daily to my near daily amazement that this is what I ended up doing (even partially) with my life.  If you had asked me at twenty (the height of my "I don't care how I look, only how smart I am" period of my life) if I would have ever had anything at all to do with fashion, I would have snarkily laughed in your face.  I am glad I found my way out of my know-it-all self and stopped taking it. all. so. seriously.

(I was that stick in the mud girl in college that sneered at people when they dared to be louder than a titmouse in the library.  Yeah, I was not especially pleasant.)

It has been interesting to see where these years have taken me, my blog, and my family.

I feel so happy and chill right now.  I think in the beginning, I didn't allow myself to just enjoy the process of this blog and let the overwhelming, nagging voice in my head that kept saying, "what in the world are *you* doing writing a personal style blog," take over far too often.  Now that I have four years gone, I don't even hear that voice anymore, I just think, "I have a personal style blog."  It's just a bit of fun and fluff that I do nearly every day and for the foreseeable future, anticipate continuing!

(But even with the fluff, thanks to this blog and all you great readers and your suggestions, I found out that my debilitating migraines were in fact mini-strokes caused by a hole in my heart.  So in some truly awesome bit of serendipity, I needed this blog to help me fix me.)

Anyhow, as per usual, I just had to go on and on...

ONTO THE GIVEAWAY!

Since it is four years, I have FOUR gift cards to give away to four followers of this blog (one per follower, lol, let's be clear).

1. Each gift card will be for $25.

2. The gift card can be from these stores: Boden, J. Crew, Madewell, and Anthropologie. 

3. Although I mainly have American readers, I have a definite set of followers from Canada, the UK, and throughout Europe.  You all are welcome to enter, but clearly you will be unable to receive the Madewell gift card.  I can work out the arrangement of getting you a gift card (same value, just in your currency) from the other three somehow.  But please do enter!  I have a strong feeling a lot of my high view numbers on the Boden posts are from non-US people.  :)

4. The giveaway will be closing on January 22, 2013 at 11:59 Eastern Time.  I will announce the winner on January 23, 2013.

5. To enter, make sure you follow this blog either at Facebook, at Bloglovin', or through Blogger.

6. Comment directly below this post with a link to your favorite item at one of these four stores.  (If you can't make the link work, you could also just say the name of the store and the name of the item.)  Also make sure to tell me how you follow this blog.

You all are the best, and I cannot wait to give out these four gift cards to the lucky winners!

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR A GREAT FOUR YEARS!  Here's to a {few} more...

OOTD: Lace and Aubergine.

Day: Wednesday, January 9, 2013.

Where: Tyson's Corner Center (the original mall, not the Galleria, darling!).  CW had an American Doll gift card to spend.  She got Caroline (her name!).  :) 

Ease of Wear: (3.5 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) Without the Boden coat, this outfit is a 4.5 of 5, but the coat felt a bit constricted through the shoulders with the J. Crew Lace printed sweatshirt under it.  I had to take the coat off before driving, since I felt a little too "straight-jacketed" with it on...

The Lace Sweatshirt is a size small and definitely worth every penny (on sale, not full price). I had been watching this one all fall, but of course the morning it goes on sale plus 30% off, my size sells out (I sized up from my normal extra small--I thought the xs was too clingy for a sweatshirt).  Fortunately it popped back quickly the next week, so I grabbed it then.

The pleated sweater skirt is a skirt I wasn't sure was going to work since I hadn't seen any reviews on it, and all the written ones were not exactly stellar.  When I received it, though, I knew it was exactly the right silhouette for my frame (it is very similar in feel to this Boden skirt I also own and love).  This is a size small, which is a size down from my normal skirt size (I wear an 8 normally--which would be a medium).  This skirt is so warm and cozy and comfortable.  Perfection and a great price on sale, too.  (It pops back, hand on heart!)

Cool Factor: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.) The color of the bag and skirt are in (although I shudder at the term "oxblood"--UGH) and with the touch of trompe l'oeil lace, it looks current and yet still appropriate for a mom on the go.  The Frye heeled boots help, too.  :)

Anecdote from the day:  Obviously Angus wants to be part of the action (look at photo three and four above).  I gladly obliged his little "ham-ness."

In addition to getting CW her American Girl, we also met up with HeidiG., yes, as in that Heidi from Head to Toe with Heidi.  She has assured me she is coming back to blogging, so yay!

Also, if you are in this area and regularly travel with three or more people in a car, definitely get the flex pass transponder to use the new HOT lanes on the Beltway.  OMG.  It took me under twenty-two minutes to get to Tyson's from my house, where normally (before the new HOT lanes were built), it could take anywhere from thirty minutes (no traffic) to an hour (with traffic) to get to Tyson's.  Now, it couldn't be any easier, and because we have the requisite three for the HOV (babies count!), we go for free...right to the doorstep of the mall.  (Actually, this may not be such a good thing.  LOL.)

Okay, that's all.  :)

P.S. Today is my blog's FOURTH (!!!) birthday.  I have a really great giveaway planned, with four total winners.  Be on the lookout for the post.  The winners will be chosen from comments made by followers of my blog (whichever way--facebook, bloglovin', or blogger), so if you aren't a follower, go ahead and sign up so you can be part of the giveaway action...

My Superfluities...It Has Been Three Years!

Ladies!  Squee!  I am FINALLY on my new computer.  :)  Yahoo!

Anyhow, now that I have full access to everything from disqus to picasa to blogger to facebook to everything else that is important for daily life nowadays (ha, not really, but I definitely missed them during the time from here on out known as "teeny computer days").

What a great way to start off my fourth year of blogging by inaugurating this computer with the 3rd blogoversary post.  Of course this third blogoversary post is really just a mishmash of a reminder, some information, and two pregnancy outfits incorporating Boden tunics, but still...

Okay, here goes.  :)

Reminder: Tonight is the last night to enter my $25 Boden gift card giveaway.  For more info on how to enter, go to the very bottom of this post.  I will most likely pick a winner tomorrow morning, so if you get your entry in before then you should be okay.

By the way, I had no idea that the giveaway was going to end on my blogoversary, just one of those serendipitous moments that happen.

Information: Thanks to both Ann (blog friend) and Amanda (my stepmom), I found out that the sidebar affiliate link (the one that gives 15% off with free ship and returns) is directing folks to the UK site.  That is fab if you live in the UK, but considering 85% of my readers are US residents, this is kind of a big deal.  LOL.  (However, Canadians--you can use the UK site, go have fun while it lasts.  Probably the only time I am going to be able to offer you all anything!)

So to help out, I am telling you all the same thing I told both Ann and Amanda...

1. Instead of using that link, go to one of my review roundups and find an item stock photo (or use the one that I have put in this post--the one for the border print tunic).

2. Click on that photo which will take you to the US item page.  There will be NO discount applied, but no worries.

3. Once on the site, click on the shopping bag icon which will take you to the shopping bag page itself.

4. On that page, locate the code box (it is on the lower left hand side), and put in this code AF29 (which is what the affiliate link had as the code when I tried it last week).  This code is for 15% off and free ship/returns.  If you have another code, you can use it there as well. 

5. I don't really know if this works 100% so if one of you all tries it and it is successful, would you mind letting me know?  Thanks!!!

Pregnancy outfits featuring Boden tunics:

In perfect timing news, it does seem super appropriate that I recently re-wore this tunic from 2009, which is the same time as I started this blog.  In fact, you can view the way I wore this way back when here.

Amazingly, I am only a couple of pounds heavier than I was in that photo.  I have to remind myself that although I am gaining a lot of weight overall I am still doing okay compared to my two prior pregnancies (with Rex I gained 50 total, with CW 40 total, at this point with Gus I am at 19, with a projected total of around 30-32).  I guess the blog has made me more aware of weight gain and loss.  And though I know it is fine to gain weight while pregnant (OF COURSE!), I do know that the 50 pounds I gained with Rex made the recovery slower and more difficult.  With two other little ones running around the house, I don't think I have the luxury of a slower and/or difficult recovery...I need to be able to recover a bit faster this time.  :)

Anyhow, I LOVE this tunic, and so does Mr. Dina.  I can't think of one tunic that I own from Boden that I am ready to get rid of, I wear them that often, and through all sorts of weight gains and losses.

From the side.  The tunic is Boden, the jeans are Duo Maternity, the shoes are J. Crew (real old school J. Crew), and the necklace is J. Crew.  All of these items are from 2009 and before.  My expanding waist has also created a closet cleanout, so I have rediscovered items I hadn't worn in a while.  :)

Close-up of the tunic. The colors are so pretty, especially in the dead of winter.

This tunic is from last year, and the reason I am buying this year's version should be obvious.  I cannot get over the fact that this fabric is just stretchy enough to work on me at my baby belly best and at my very thinnest (check out the bottom photo of this post to see).  Johnnie B. and co., you all have done well by women everywhere.

We were headed out for dinner at Moe's on one of the coldest nights we have had yet, so CW and I took the opportunity to dress our tunics up with leggings and furry boots.  Normally I would love to have cute ballet flats, but have you all felt how cold asphalt feels on ballet flats in the winter?  Brr.  I far prefer cute shearling lined cozies for those nights.  CW does, too.

Her tunic is from Tea, btw.  We got it from Garnet Hill on super sale.

Tunic: Boden Terazzo Tunic, Size US 6.  This was very popular and sold out in all colorways well before the sale last year.  Definitely pick up this year's version early if you are a fan of this style.
Leggings: J. Crew Everyday Leggings, Size medium.  Thank goodness for leggings, I sometimes just am not feeling maternity pants.  Leggings are YUMMY in pregnancy.
Boots: mini Boden, size 39.  I did a review here.
Earrings: J. Crew Factory.


Border Print Tunic.  I bought the US 6 again, I am confident it will fit based on the material used to create it.  The grey color is 5 week wait in many sizes, but the other colors are still available.

Okay, that's all.  Hope you have a wonderful Sunday night and Monday holiday (if you have it off...amazingly Mr. Dina does...first time in a long time).