Boden: Summer 2017 Preview Picks!

Hey, I am actually keeping a promise of posting when I said I would.  December miracle, you all.

Anyhow, like I explained in yesterday's post, Boden debuted their Summer 2017 collection over at their Preview site.  They are also offering up to 20% off with the code 6U2J.  This code expires tomorrow night at 11:59 pm, so not a whole lot of time to enjoy it, if you plan to.  :-/

Okay, onto the picks!

Josephine Dress.  Aww, pretty punchy florals!  This print is repeated multiple times in other garments, and the colors are used in other items, as well.  (I see a lot of bright blue, pure yellow, mid-pink throughout the collection.) There is a lot of harmony between the pieces this season. 

I'm not quite sure if there is a hidden placket in the bodice, but it sort of looks like it, doesn't it?

Andrea Dress.  If this dress was about $40 less expensive, I'd be ALL over it in preview.  Alas, $160 is a bit rich for a dress I could likely recreate myself (I just sewed up a bias dress so I get the work that goes into aligning stripes like you see on the skirt, but still, oof on the price). 

Cosima Placement Dress.  This dress intrigues me.  Either the border placement of the florals on the side is going to look REALLY good or REALLY bad.  I won't know till I see it on a human body, though.  I personally would have put the florals in the center, but I do own the floral ponte dress, and it has florals up and down the sides, so it can work.  But in this busy of a print?  Hmm...

Belle Ponte Dress. This seems like such a practical choice.  The pockets, the solid skirt, the ribbed ponte fabric of the bodice.  I definitely can see a lot of DC working women this summer wearing it. 

Blackberry Dress.  I love the blackberry style and design, and am glad they continue to reincarnate it every season with cute prints.  It's been a while since I have seen one I have really loved, but this pretty blue with wee little sunglasses?  Yes, please!  I have it in this version, for reference.  (Recently worn here, too.)

Evelyn Dress.  Another pretty practical dress.  It has pockets, has modest coverage, and features a striking and bold print.  This could end up on my list, but Boden didn't publish the garment measurements on this one, so no Bueno.  I'll wait.

Georgia Dress.  This print is a variation on another one, but this one only features the leafy part of the print.  All versions, in all colors, are so very lovely.  This one seems especially based on mid-1940s prints, so it has a vintage thing going for it, too.

Jessie Dress. Swoon at the raining daisy chains.  What a beautiful garment!  I definitely need to see this on someone, though, since it says it hits at mid-calf.  I don't want a garment that long, unless it is really well-fitted elsewhere. 

Martha Dress.  This is the same print as the Georgia dress above, but includes the daisy portion of the print.  These prints!  They're sublime (well, for me, anyhow, you may disagree, which is totally cool, lol).  ;-)  I own the Martha dress.  I last wore it here, I believe.

Nina Dress.  I dig it.  Not sure I should, but I am into it.  I am thinking it will be great for teaching, you know with it being made from a jersey, having good coverage overall, and being bright and peppy enough to keep the kids eyes on you.  :-D

Rosamund Dress. The border placement here is so special.  Very subtle, but still very eye catching, nonetheless.

Ruth Dress. LOVE.  The color, the print, its everything.  But you knew that already from all the loving the green version of this print got above.

Savannah Dress.  I sob over this one because it is very unlikely that my pear shape will fit into this dress (the measurements are probably to straight from bust to hem), but I'll hold out hope that there is some subtle shaping in there somewhere.  If not, I'll enjoy others wearing it from afar. 

Make a Statement Tee. I like Boden tees, they are made well, and don't have the annoying off grain syndrome other companies' tees have (J. Crew, I'm a looking at you!).  This one will actually work well with the three skirts below, so yay for working with so many of the pieces from this season.

Lola Skirt.  Oh, a conversational print!  Of a beach town and sailboats and sunbathing ladies!  Yes!  The conversational print will always have fans, so never take them away Boden!  NEVER!  (SO MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS!  YOU CAN TELL I TEACH GRAMMAR!  NOT!)  ;-)

Richmond Skirt. Oh, pretty daisy/poppy print.  I love you.  Boden pencil skirts hate my hips, but I forgive you. It was their choice to use you on a pencil skirt instead of a more curve friendly A-line.

Tilda Skirt.  There's the new fun skirt, full of print and embroidery.  And all the fun skirt haters thought they'd won.  Ha.  Not even.  All of us quirky style types held strong and the fun skirt came back.  Yeah.  YEAH!

Okay, that's it!  Do you have any picks of your own you'd like to share?  I'd love to read them!

Don't forget about the "up to 60% off sale" going on at Boden's regular site right now!  I will try to get those reviews up tomorrow.  Maybe lightning will strike thrice! :-)

Boden: Summer 2015 Preview Picks!

Hey, all!  Happy Black Friday.  :-)  Just in case you didn't see it, Boden started their Black Friday deal yesterday.  I wrote more about it here at this post.

Also, my blog friend, Katie, is a representative for Stella & Dot, and they are having a Black Friday sale.  I love helping out my blog friends, so if you need to get some gorgeous jewelry, definitely check her shop out.  There is a 25% off all sale items going on right now, and last year when this type of deal was going on, I scored some gorgeous pieces for my wardrobe.

Okay, now onto the Preview picks.  Remember, the code for 20% off with free ship and returns is W8L5.  That code is set to expire tonight (really, Boden, give us a few more days, pretty please!).

Before I do that, I want to copy a paragraph I wrote on the preview in yesterday's post:

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 post 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.

I am still very bothered by this, and my hope is that Boden is reading these comments and thoughts, and listening to all the canceling of orders over the phone, and that in the future, they *won't* send things out WELL before the promised delivery date.

Dresses:

Rosalyn Dress.  This beauty is one of my favorite kind of dresses, the type that look like a skirt/top combo.  I am so in love with this type of dress, I made one from a vintage pattern for one of my entries for the Fabric Mart Fashion Challenge.

Sandra Sundress.  The spaghetti straps are the wrong choice for a lot of women, but if you can get away with teeny straps, how pretty would this frock be on some lovely beach somewhere in the middle of a summer's night?

Verity Dress.  This dress is such a stunning mix of bright colors, big florals, and a nice simple silhouette.  To make life even better, this dress is $88, much less than other Boden dresses, so if you are on a budget but can get one piece, this may be the right one for you.

Vintage Bow Dress.  Swoon.  If this one makes it to the end of the season next summer and is 40% off, I am 100% going to buy it.  But since I have a lot of pretty dresses in my wardrobe now, I can't justify buying this one so early.  ;-)

Amille Maxi Dress.  A switch-up from the usual maxi style Boden offers, this one is still made from the nice, heavy jersey, but in a solid and with a less fitted bodice.  The color is to die for, as well.  I want to go swimming in an ocean that color.

Annie Dress.  The fabric, the shape, and the length are very office appropriate without being super stuffy.  This would be an awesome choice for a teacher.

Francine Dress.  This is a bit iffy.  While I applaud Boden for going for it since this color combo and print is definitely not for everyone, I am more than slightly concerned about how BADLY the skirt's fabric was placed.  As a sewer, I am starting to notice when fabric is poorly cut and sewn, here it is at the waistband and it is throwing off the entire design.  The only part that appears okay is the middle orange portion.  Now, I recognize that the waist is curved a bit, which is why it is biting into the skirt's print, but if this has happened, I think that possibly they made the wrong choice for this dress design.  An allover print would have been far less distracting and noticeable.

Knitwear and Tops:

Alexandra Top.  Though I am not choosing this one for myself, I just love the grey chambray with the pretty white embroidered bib.  I think so many of you would look amazing in this design.

Cecile Top.  The effect of multiple embroidered flowers becoming just a few at the hemline is attractive to my eye.  I love that it is also on a cap-sleeved dotted blouse.  So pretty and feminine.

Elegant Shimmer Sweater.  The subtle sparkle of this silver sweater is sublime.  LOL.  :-) 

Anyhow, what a great layering piece for winter*, and a perfect "it is a touch cold at night" coverup.

*And haha, if Boden sends this out well before it is supposed to be shipped, we can actually wear it in season.  

Knitted Kaftan.  I know there are other printed sweaters out there, but this one is so different and unique, and those colors, wow!  I think this one should sell well simply because it is bound to work for so many women and be a standout piece without being difficult to wear.

Mariella Top.  I just gave away my yellow/tan Summer Amelie dress to my sister-in-law because I didn't love the summer version of the Amelie on me as much as I love the winter version, but I did LOVE the yellow/tan.  Well, lo and behold, there is an exact copy of those colors in this blouse, *which* is a style I can wear!  Yeah! 

Sun Top.  I used to wear tops like this all the time.  J. Crew made a gazillion of these in the mid-2000s.  I still have a few floating in my closet.  If you missed out on this style back then, this is a fine way to start your own mini-collection.

Skirts, Pants, and Swimwear:

Chino Skirt.  I feel like my preview picks are always an excuse for me to go CRAZY and pick items with bright colors or over the top prints.  Here I prove I can pick practical!  Okay, so it is in purple, but the length!  The fabric!  The pockets!  So practical!  Also available in a ton of other shades!

Florence Skirt.  Clearly I can't stay away from impractical too long.  ;-)  This photographic print is reminiscent of last year's beachy print from the Nancy dress.  Of course I want this one.

Olivia Pant.  I admit to wearing wide-legged palazzo pants in the 90s.  In England.  So I have to suggest you all get a pair from the Great British purveyor of all things clothing.  Oh, those pants.  I wore them constantly.  Not so sure my butt looked that great in them, but whatever, right?

Rash Vest.  I love my rash guards and wear them a lot, but I coach swimming.  That said, if you are a fair skinned lady, the spf protection you get from these is awesome.  And this print?  Amazing, sure to stand up any of the bikinis that are sure to be ubiquitous at your pool this summer.

Summer Pencil.  This design and color seem to shine from within, it is positively popping off my computer screen.  Apparently this is a jacquard fabric, but I can't really see the texture, but I bet it will be very obvious in real life.

Okay, that's it from me!  Do you have any choices of your own from the summer collection?  Thoughts on Boden sending out the spring stuff in December?

If you need the coupon for Boden's Black Friday sale, it is below.

Made by Me Files: Mini Wardrobe Pieces Four, Five, and Putting Them All Together.

I also could have entitled this post "I MADE LEGGINGS, you all!"

But that seems super lame, and unless you sew, you may not realize that making leggings is actually kind of a hurdle to pass through.  But more on that later.

First, before I begin, I wanted to let you know that a ton of great Boden reviews have been coming through the Boden Reviews tab here at the blog, I have seen some great reviews at other friend's blogs, and I have received a few messages, too, so I am very excited to get the next roundup started, tomorrow am.  Bright and Early.  The children willing, of course.  ;-)  CC, ever the best blog friend, commented on the last blog post and let us know that you could use the code 4Y4D to receive 20% off.  Thank you, CC, for the code.  If you have a review you want to send this way, you can email dinagideon AT aim DOT com or leave a review at the Boden Reviews tab, whichever is easier for you!

Okay, onto the mini wardrobe conclusion.  Reminder, the first post on this (pieces one, two, and three) is here.

I struggled a bit trying to figure out what the fifth and final piece of this mini wardrobe was going to be.  For a hot second I considered a cardigan or a scarf, but wasn't really feeling either of those since I really wanted this to be a true summer wardrobe. 

And although I don't make it a regular practice of mine to wear leggings in summer, because DC HOT/HUMID/UGH, but I also have been known to wear the shorter variety with a long tank or flowy linen blouse under the right circumstances.  So that's when it hit me, make the leggings. 

I knew that making them was on my bucket list of things to make since I love them, need them, and don't really love paying over $30 for the good ones at J. Crew, which only ever come in black/grey/navy, anyhow.  And the cute colorful ones at Target are (forgive me, Target) crap.

Thing about sewing leggings, or any fitted knitwear, is that you have to sew them sew that they fit with *negative* ease because they are meant to stretch.  That means the flat pattern is significantly smaller than my measurements and if I were to have sewn these up in a woven material, they may have fit CW well.  ;-)

Add to that the fact that while you can sew these up on a regular sewing machine (and bits of this were sewn up that way), it is really great to have the serger on hand to help with sewing the knits up as the way the stitches and loops are formed on it make the seams super stretchy and means that pulling these on and off your body won't bust the seams of the garment. 

Serging also makes this project super fast.  Of course if you *accidentally* sew up the front leg pieces to each other instead of sewing the front of the leg to the back, you will have a LOT of seam ripping to undo.  Not that I made that mistake, of course.  Cough, cough.

This is not necessarily a great first project for a first time sewer, but if you really are digging sewing, and want to make up some actual functional leggings that fit really well (even over my very curvy hips!), this Kwik Sew pattern (3636) is a wonderful jumping off point.  Every bit of the directions was excellent, and I did everything suggested by them. 

Although most of my information on this pattern is at the review at Pattern review (link at bottom of this post), I highly recommend checking out this link as this sewing blogger has a good review of how she made her leggings.  Here, a fabric store in Australia wrote up a great post on the waistband application that is pretty much the same as what Kwik Sew wants you to do.  I did as asked, and it sewed up very well.

This is a button-up loose fit blouse that I sewed up using a vintage (kind of) pattern from 1979, Vogue 7088.  I was gifted this pattern by a sewing teacher, and was waiting for the right fabric to sew it up in (well, I have some Liberty tana lawn, but wanted to wait until I had tried it on something less expensive first).  Anyhow, knowing that I would want to use the Tropical Print Rayon Challis I bought from Fabric Mart, I also needed a pattern that would look equally good with shorts, leggings, and a dress.  I knew that if the top was too tight, then I couldn't wear it over the dress, and it would be comical with the leggings.  I also knew that buttoning up the blouse would help with wardrobing options (layered over a cami gives it a different look that buttoning it up).  So that is why I chose this one, it is long enough and loose enough to wear with leggings, breezy enough to wear with shorts, and versatile enough to not look super silly with a dress in the same pattern.

This blouse probably took me the longest to sew up of all five pieces since the pattern has two front pieces with self facings, a button placket, a collar, a yoke (with a facing, too), and a back.  The front and back pieces have gathered bits, too.

Surprisingly none of this was especially hard.  It may have helped that I sewed up a little boy's version of a Hawaiian shirt before this (for Rex from this Butterick pattern), and a lot of what I had to do for his shirt, I had to do for mine.  So good practice and all.

I really like how flowy it is and the gathering at the yoke looks really pretty.  Next time I will add a square shoulder adjustment since I can see the side bits of the sleeves poking up instead of hanging down.  I should just recognize that and do it every time since clearly I am thinking patterns will magically do it for me or something.

Here is the shirt inside out.  The yoke facing and collar nicely attach to one another.  Provided I take care of this blouse, it should last a long time.  Considering how much I have seen women's Hawaiian shirts retail for, I feel like I did well at around $7 for fabric, $1.50 for buttons, $3 for thread, free interfacing, time consumed (have no idea what to rater $$ for my time), and a free pattern.  :-)

I definitely became besties with my serger with this shirt and the leggings.  I managed to break one of the threads in the looper when attaching the elastic to the leggings, but considering how much I have used it, I would say that is some success.  Yay!

 

Here are nine possible combinations using these five pieces.  Admittedly # 3 and 6 are similar, as are #4 and 9, but even discounting those, there are seven solid combos here.  I may just bring these five pieces with me on a vacation next year to see if I can actually make this happen for real and under actual strict limitations.  I have worn all five pieces out and about, with the shorts being in the number one spot for most use so far.  I think the leggings will end up winning since I can probably get away with wearing them in the winter here (well most winters here, anyhow, not last winter's freeze fest).

Here are the five patterns I used. 

Okay, that's all for now.  I am off to go watch other people sew on Project Runway.

Review of the Kwik Sew 3636 leggings is here at Pattern Review.

Review of Vogue 7088 loose fit blouse is here at Pattern Review.

Review of all five pieces together for my contest entry is here at Pattern Review.

Have a great night!

Boden: Summer 2014 Preview Picks!

UPDATE (4/7/14)--Received the preorder today and had a chance to try some things on.  I didn't get a chance to photograph it all and have not published any of it to this blog, but I did show off some of the items (worn by me) over at the FB page.  Be warned, I specifically chose to show off the items with sizing issues to help other ladies out.  There is a lot of good in the preorder, but you are seeing the bad first.  ;)

Hey, all!  Happy Wednesday.  :-)

With only a few days left before the promo code PRV3 (for 20% off with free ship and returns) expires at the Boden Preview site, I figured I should do one of my favorite kind of posting--the "picks post!"

This time around I just picked what attracted me.  In the past I had a bit more time to really think about the choices from the perspective of "what will sell out fast," "what is made from super high quality material for less money," and "what will most of my readers like."  Because I have been involved in a lot of my kids' activities and subbing at their school, I have far less time that I have had in the past.  Which is fine, of course, but I just wanted to put that out there since I don't want anyone to think, "oh, hey, I should buy that right now since it will sell out!"

Anyhow, the choices will have a few words below the photo about why I picked it, and if I have any notes to add about colors, quality, price, or potential "sell out" I will include that, too.


Accessories

Chelsea Clutch.
This bag is so cheerful!  It is all leather, too, which explains its higher price tag.

Printed Scarf.
If you love the Italian seaside print that is splashed all over Boden this season but don't want it all over your body, this scarf is a great way to get the print in a more *contained* way.

Coats and Jackets

Arianna Jacket.
Well, yes, it is a bit expensive, but being a jacquard jacket, its material is worth it.  This comes in an orange shade, too, but will likely go further in most wardrobes in a navy shade.

Dresses

Abigail Dress.
What a beautiful, retro rose print!  I have no doubt that on the right person this dress will be an absolute stunner.

Arianna Dress.
I own this dress, except it is called the Daisy Jacquard Dress and was a touch less expensive (the jacquard on the Arianna is made with metallic threading).  Still, if you love dresses like this, Boden is pulling out the stops this summer for you.  (Although you may still be able to grab the Daisy Jacquard on popback.)

Gingham Shirt Dress.
It is the same silhouette as the shirt dresses that I have loved in the past from them, but this time they are making it in three colors of gingham.  I dig the navy and green, but the driftwood is a special version, since it is the first time I have seen gingham done in this color.

Jersey Maxi Dress.
Love me a good jersey maxi dress.  (See here, here, here, and here.  LOL.)  Not grabbing this one this year, but I can't *not* include it, right?

Knot Detail Dress.
Orange again!  I really feel pleased that while Boden is trying to keep their newest customers happy (the ones who don't recall a "fun" Boden line) while still keeping things bright and cheery.

Lovely Linen Dress.
Swoon.  And it has pockets!

Nancy Dress.
Yeah, this was in my spring picks, I know...but they decided to wait on its release for summer.  I had canceled all my spring 2014 picks that weren't being shipped right away, but I knew I would still grab this one when I could.  So yay that I can get it in preview again at the 20% off.  I still think this one will sell out.

New Breezy Beach Dress.
I have this from a few years back and I wore it quite a bit that summer.  I probably will sell that other one and bring this one into my closet for this summer.  It is highly recommended.  It is a great dress made from wonderful lightweight cotton.

Selina Dress.
Another dress chosen solely because I was attracted to the colors.  I have a sickness for bright floral prints.  It is a all rayon dress, so bear that in mind.  People who buy this dress love it, so I know it is rated well, but the rayon still makes me a tiny bit concerned.

St Lucia Dress.
I thought this dress was made from a woven fabric, but then I looked again and saw it is from a knit jersey, which means that it has a lot of give and comfort.  And it is beautiful.  Awesome!

Summer Shift.
If you want your pretty seaside print in a straight silhouette instead of on a a-line frock, this is for you!

Pants and Jeans (Trousers):

Drawstring Linen Pants.
I can't wear linen pants since they wrinkle terribly on me (something to do with my weird shaped hip/thigh area), but if you are less "curvy" down below, this may be a winner for you since linen is such an elegant summer fabric and is great for keeping cool while being covered up.

Tuscany Pants.
Oh I totally picked these 'cause I loved the print.  Being made from rayon I can't say they would be very practical (they could shrink, eeek), but they are such pretty pants.

Shoes and Boots

Ballet Flats.
These remind me a lot of the J. Crew printed ballet flats, which is a good thing.  Even better, you can pretty much guarantee the Boden ones will have a better made sole, even if it is manmade (the upper and outer bits are all leather, though).

Holiday Wedges.
Rose gold leather is lovely and I rarely see it used, so for that reason alone I am recommending these wedge sandals.

Shorts

Bistro Short.
Pretty print and I own a pair from the spring rollout that I love.  Fits true to your Boden pants size (I wear a 10 L).  

Skirts

Florence Skirt.
I have this skirt, too! (Sort of, anyhow!)  It was called the fun skirt back then, and even though I have sold a few of my fun skirts, this particular one I didn't sell.  (White skirts in summer--so classic!)

Nancy Skirt.
Another place where you can get your fill of the seaside print.  :-)

Poppy Skirt.
The gingham is showing up here, too.  I love it in green in this skirt the most.

Tops and T-Shirts.

Lilian Embellished Top.
I had no idea that wasn't a print on this top, from far away it looks printed, but if you look closely, the flowers are all beaded, as is the neckline.  It is also made from 100% silk, which explains why this top is so expensive.

Silky Vintage Top.
Gaw!  Vintage!  And in a shape that would make my grandmother proud...

Sleeveless Shirt.
This shirt had received some buzz but wasn't rolled out (or available for purchase) in the last preview.  Well it is available now, but I would say if you like it to grab it since I think it will sell well.

The Casual Shirt.
I am attracted to this shirt because you know--bright. flowers. pretty.  I already own a gazillion Liberty print shirts, so no go for me, but if you buy it, show it off to me so I can see it on someone else!

Vintage Sun Top.
Aw, it is another wonderful yellow top with a cute as can be peter pan collar and tie detailing at the neck.

Okay, that's it from me!  LOL.  Don't think there was enough bright colors or over the top floral prints in my choices.  :-)

What do you all think?

Remember, the code PRV3 expires this Friday, February 7, 2014 at 11:59 pm, so if you would like to order with the discount, do so before then.