Boden: Extra 10% Off Clearance Ends Tonight! And Many Reviews!

Hi, all!  I announced the extra 10% off sale earlier this week at my blog's Facebook page, and included a few photos, but figured I should probably publish a post with a whole bunch of reviews before the sale ends.  🙂

Anyhow, tonight this extra percentage off ends, and to enjoy it, you'll have to use the code NS19.  I've used it a few times, mainly for items I've needed a price drop on before biting. I am definitely interested in what you all have purchased, so leave a comment with your favorites from the sale!

Okay, onto the reviews!

Lola Skirt, size 8 petite.  I wanted this print so bad that I was willing to try as many items with it on it.  I initially purchased this skirt, but after trying it on, I thought the waist was too wee, so I contemplated sending it back.  After trying it on again a few weeks later, I realized though it was snugger than my usual skirts, it was wearable and cuter than I initially felt.  So this was the winner of the conversational beach print wars.  The length is FAB in the petite.  I wanted it to end at my knee, and the other length would have been too long for what I was looking for (the regular, in fact, would have ended three inches below my knee, which is not what I wanted at all).

Regular is all that is available in this print, and while it will be a whole lot of print to wear that long on your body, I know a lot of you could make it work, so don't let "Miss Tall wearing a petite length" scare you away.  I really love fuller length skirts ending right at or just below my knee.

Short Sleeve Breton, size 8.  The breton that Boden made is the one in the top photo (it is also below in the photo where I wear the floral shorts).  This one I size up from my usual 6 because I find the Breton style long and more fitted than other tops they make.  To be fair, Boden is the one company I most often wear an 8-10 in, whereas J. Crew I tend to wear smaller sizes (except in pants, drat my pear shape).  This fits well, and I just love the multi-colors.  I have so many bottoms that work with this particular top that I have already worn and washed it a ton.  Definitely worth the price paid (it isn't in the clearance).

It is a thinner fabric than the thicker Breton they often make, but for summer in Virginia, that suits me just fine.

Vienne Mid-Heel, size 40.5.  I rarely wear heels anymore, mainly because the higher heels I had in the past don't work with my current work environment (the standing all day makes that nearly impossible, and I get cranky wearing them, I don't know how I wore them in the past to work).  But for special occasions, I will wear them (but I will bring flat sandals to change into if needed, and I did with these, lol).  That said, for heels, they are comfortable enough.  The heel height is 2.5", so not super high, and the balance is decent, so I didn't feel like I would topple.  The size was great in the 40.5.  I wear between a 40-41 (a 9.5 in J. Crew), and this felt snug without being too tight.  The color is so pretty, as well.  (BTW, the Vienne's are in the top photo.)

Blackberry Dress, size 8 regular.  I ordered this one size up from the Blackberry dress I have from a prior season.  Though the six still fits, I wanted a bit more room in the hips and the eight gave me that.  This dress is almost identical to the ones of the past, so see the prior review for more info on it.  I do have to say this sunglasses print is so special.  Sadly this one is out of stock, but you can watch for popbacks.  

Marion Jersey Tunic, size 8.  This print reminds me so much of Boden from five to ten years ago, it is nice to see a return to brighter colors and unique, abstract patterns.  I also enjoy the return of a tunic that is not just meant for the beach or pool.  I wore this one to school one day and with leggings and the sandals were perfectly appropriate for my job.  I chose the 8 as I didn't want anything clinging to closely to my bottom, but I think I could have done the 6 and been fine.  It is made from the super stretchy rayon/spandex mix, so the 8 is a touch loose, especially in my bust area.  But it does look fine and really feels like super soft pajamas.  

Everyday Sandals, size 40.  This is a Johnnie b. item and were a hit at school (I've worn them a few times).  The price is very good for what you receive, and are very comfortable.  The 40 was almost too short, but all my toes fit right up to the footbed's edge, so just made it.  The 41 would have been way too wide, since the size 40 feel a bit loose.  (I really wish Boden would make narrow width shoes.)  These are the rose gold color.  

Celeste Silk Dress, size 8.  Oh how I desired this dress after seeing it debut with the Boden Icons a few months ago.  I initially was wary of purchasing since Boden didn't publish garment measurements (WHY? WHY?), and my bottom means I am often a 10 instead of an 8 in dresses.  And with this being silk, I knew the stretch would be minimal at best.

So I held off.  And by some luck, I ended up seeing it at a lower price point (10%, so not a ton, but now you can get an extra 10% off that price) in a size 8, so with thought that I would return it, I went ahead and gave it a go.

Well, it fits in the size 8.  It isn't even so fitted that I have wiggle around, and though it looks like the dress fits well, I do feel like a nice high dose of slinky spanx may make for a more confident me in it.  I do believe the 10, while looser through the hips, will lose the silhouette that makes it so special and pretty, so I will let it shine in the smaller size.

Short Sleeve Breton, size 8.  See above for more info on the Breton.

Eleana Woven Sandal, size 40.  These sandals weren't even on my radar until I found the want for a pair of navy sandals.  I have two pairs, and they are both heeled, and old.  So it's time.  But there are very few navy sandals out there.  I think the reason they weren't on my radar, or anyone else's for that matter, is because I am thinking they didn't use the sandals in any catalog shot.  They used them by themselves, but not with outfits on models.

They are very comfortable, and the 40 is nice and snug on my narrow foot, but again, like with the Everyday Sandal above, I would prefer a longer length of the 41.  That said, my toes are cozy and not falling off, so it works.

I think the reason the sandals weren't used was because of the line it creates, it does look a bit clunky, and though I have longer legs, they do get cut a bit because of the thicker ankle strap.  For my height, it's fine, but if you don't have longer legs, you may want to consider wearing them with pants or a maxi skirt/dress.  (Or not, it's only if you care about that sort of thing!)

CW wears the Summer Hotchpotch Dress, size 9-10.

Caterina Embroidered Slingback, size 41.  These shoes are precious.  And they actually match a few things in my wardrobe.  Though they have a pretty low rating, it is sort of surprising how sold out they are.  Evidently enough people made them work.  I did go up to a 41 after reading the reviews, but sizing up to a 42 would have made them way too wide and long.  I think they must be too narrow for some, but with my feet, that is what I need, so I was thrilled.  The slingback means they are not especially secure, but they did stay on the back of my foot well enough.  I spent the entire day in Richmond museums, so I would say they were foot friendly enough for that!

CW wears the Summer Applique Dress, size 9-10.

Phoebe Jersey Dress, size 6 regular.  I loved my navy bird version so much that I went ahead and went a bit shorter with the green.  They end up looking like two different dresses!  But the review I did for the navy holds true for the green, so go ahead and read that for more info.  :-)

Ruth Jersey Dress, size 8 regular.  I initially purchased this a size 6 long, and it was too long, and too fitted.  It looked very va-va-va-voom, but I will rely on dresses like the Celeste for that, not dresses like this that I want to wear to school.  This one fits so much better.  The only slight quibble I have is with the lining on the front.  It can get caught "up" so it ends up sticking out of the neckline and I have to pull the lining all the way down to get it to hide away again.  The back is not lined, fwiw.

The fabric is very stretchy and comfortable, and super soft.

Iris Ottoman Dress, size 8 long.  This looks so professional on me.  I really do rely on prints to carry me through my workday so the items I own that are more subdued or solid-colored are a bit jarring to see.  But I do need things that are more mature so these options are a good choice.  I am not a suit girl, so this will do.  The pockets are not as prominent as they appear on the Boden model, so if that's a concern for you, I will take that fear away.  I have hips, ladies, and they sit just fine, and don't make me any hippier than usual.  LOL.  

Martha Top, size 8.  I purchased this in a six, but found the hips to be too tight and the length too long, so I went ahead and grabbed the eight to feel more comfortable.  It is much better in this size.  My original review is here.

Okay, that's it for now.  I hope you have been enjoying summer so far.  I have, and really wish summer could last all year.  (I should just move to Florida, lol.)

The extra 10% off clearance sale ends tonight, don't forget!!!  Remember to use NS19 to receive that extra amount off.

Boden Reviews: Ottoman A-Line, an Alisa, and a Patti!

I won't bore you all with too many details, but yes, I am alive, yes, I am fine, and yes, I am definitely a full-time teacher with three kids.  It's a bit insane.  If you've been here, you get it.  ;-)

Okay, so Boden sent out a postcard saying there would be an "up to 40% off" sale starting today, but it wasn't until today that I realized it was a mid-season sale.  (MID-SEASON!  CRAY!  It's been a fast few months!)

The sale is decent!  I think there is a bit of a lag in sales based on what is in the sale (a lot) and how much of it is reduced to the 30-40% off.  I have plans to ask for a discount adjustment as I made an order last night (I had a voucher set to expire), and though I received 20% off, the two items I purchased are now 30% off.  Does anyone else get the sense that barring a few items, very little is selling well?

Anyhow, links are in the usual places, in the sidebar and at the bottom of this post.

Onto the reviews!

Ottoman A-Line Dress. Size 6 L.  I LOVE this color, but I wasn't so sure about the dress initially.  It came off as a bit blah, a bit frumpy, but I am glad I held onto it.  It needs major accessories and such to be a good item.  Since I usually wear prints, I am also a bit uncomfortable with that much solid color all over me.  But I do really like the look with the scarf, the shoes, and the sunglasses. 

I think I will like it even more in the winter with a cute long necklace and burgundy tights and a pair of low heels. 

It is a bit big, the 6 L is almost a touch too big all over, and I normally wear an 8 in these ponte dresses, simply because I would prefer my lumps be skimmed over than on display.  (I don't have that issue with the viscose spandex jerseys they make, their fabric there is very beefy and does many good things for my curves instead of showing the not so awesome bits off.)

The L is not that long, so if you are truly very tall, this will likely hit at mid-thigh.  At 5'8" and a lot of leg (my outseam is 42"), I am at three inches above my knee, which is the highest I'll go for school or mass.

It didn't stretch out the way other of their ottoman ponte dresses have, so big thumbs up there.  They might have decreased the cotton and increased the spandex content to achieve that.

Ottoman A-Line Dress.  This dress is not selling that well.  The green is doing fabulously well selling, but the pretty lighter pink version I am wearing is fully stocked.  I wonder if it is a pink thing, but I am here to sing the praises of its loveliness!  (It is also 40% off!)

Alisa Dress. Size 6 Petite.  I did buy the petite.  I did not want a midi dress, and though I know that is what they meant for the dress to be, I know that this style dress (higher neck, short sleeves, and full skirt) will definitely, for sure, look very frumpy on me.  NOPE.  I did the whole "sister wife" thing back in the '90s, and not going there again! 

Anyhow, the good:

1. It is a very cute design, like little dandelions or bubbles.  The blue color is very flattering and neither too soft or too bright.

2. The length in the petite is fine for my frame, a couple inches above the knee.

3. The waist was high on me, which I need as I have a short torso.  (This is like a "bad" for most of you.)

The bad:

1. See #3 above if you are long-waisted. 

2. The material is a bit odd, I like crepey rayons, but this one is more sheer than the ones they have used in the past.

3. The pink is nearly see-through.  I immediately sent it back as I didn't want any underwear on display (I wear nude for the most part, but if sunlight were to peek through my legs, you would see the outline of my legs).

4. I personally was fine with the shoulder and neck fit, but it was bordering on tight.  I have a size 6 upper body (sometimes a 4) at Boden, so beware when buying, especially if you have a larger upper body.

5. There are zippers at the shoulders.  They were weird.  I would rather they be super visible, or not there at all.  Or just add a darn zipper somewhere else for access.  Seriously!

Back View. This material was very rumpled on first inspection. I did spray it with water and hang it to dry, but I definitely haven't ever seen that in most rayon crepe I have encountered.  Odd odd stuff here.

I am keeping it, it does seem to work for me, but this is my cautionary tale if you have particular things that drive you crazy, I'd rather you not buy and be saved the return. 

Alisa Dress.  The blue is selling far better than the pink.  (Umm, lining, Boden, ever think about it as a possibility?)  This dress is at 30% off.

Patti Flat Point. Size 40.5.  Love these!  And though they are a decent price now, I am so glad I bought them when since they are all sold out in my size (I prefer the 40.5 to the 41 for my size 9.5 foot as I have a very narrow foot, and the 41 is often too wide).

I especially love that they match so many of my outfits, since apparently I own about 3,989,513 items in this deep peacock color. 

The comfort level was fine, but I definitely had to apply bandages to the back of my feet after wearing them all day while teaching today (no socks, fwiw).  Usually it's a one day issue, as the leather stretches out in length enough that I never have to do that after the first day.  I know, for sure, the 41 would have been too wide as the 40.5 width was perfection.

So I say going normal size for length and width, but if your feet do run a touch wide, maybe size up one to compensate for this width being potentially more narrow than other Boden shoes.

The dress I am in is the Clementine Jacquard Dress, Jade/Dusty Pink, Boden, which oddly enough, is still available at Boden (it is from Fall 2015). 

It's a good design.  The point is very feminine, but not an absurd point that can look comical.  The coverage on the toes is nice, as I am not the hugest fan of toe cleavage (I find I look pointy or something, and I don't love my toe cleavage, lol).

Patti Flat Point. This color and the yellow are nearly sold out.  The others are not selling as well.  These are all at 40% off, which is a very good price for what you get.

Okay, that's all.  It may be another nearly two months before I can post again, but really, sincerely, I hope I am able to do a post earlier than that.  :-)  Missed you all!

Hey, it's creepy bent neck girl! But click on her and you will get to the sale. :-)

Made by Me File: The Joy of the Red Coat.

Before I start talking about the joy of making the red coat, I encourage you to visit the post I wrote up at Fabric Mart first, especially if you are a sewer.  I am sure it would be fine to replicate, word for word, and photo for photo, that post here, but since this blog is more focused on style, fashion, and garment reviews, I am choosing to leave the bulk of heavy sewing info there.

I am choosing to focus here instead on the journey I took to getting to a place where I made up a fully lined, fully tailored red coat in a month's time.  :-)

The back story here is important.  I wrote to Fabric Mart and told them I would love to make a coat for my January make.  I always enjoy picking out my projects with them, but most of the time the projects are not so involved.  Usually I'll make up a dress, or a top and pants, but I tend to not sew up intense projects as they don't really fit in with my hectic school and life schedule.  But dang it, I really wanted to challenge myself, so I said to myself I could figure it out and make it happen.

I asked what coating they had in stock and they mentioned that they were getting in a red wool, and if I was interested they would send it my way.  After looking at, I leaped, even though I wasn't fully convinced that the red would be "classic" red enough.  It definitely didn't look like a yellow-based red (which I usually wear, it suits my warmer complexion), but it didn't look like a blue-red, either, which I know would look horrible on me.

It ended up coming and I fell in love since it was indeed a true red, with no additional tones of blue or yellow.  The color is one of the four universal colors all people can wear, regardless of skin tone.  Looking at that universal color chart, it's true.  I normally can't wear purple, but the one purple on the list is the only shade of purple that doesn't make me look ill.

Deciding on a coat shape and design took me FAR longer than you would think it would.  Especially considering that once I had figured it out, I knew immediately what to do.  I hemmed and hawed over which design I wanted for a week or so.  Did I want a double-breasted trench, did I want a full a-line skirt on the coat, did I want a more modern shape like a cocoon?

It wasn't until I put on my Alabaster Tweed coat from J. Crew that I realized my design was under my nose.  Even though I didn't use a shape or coating like the Alabaster Tweed one, I decided I was being silly not looking through my coat closet for inspiration.  After all, you all here (especially if you have been reading for years), know how much I love my coats.  We may not wear them all the time here, but I adore them all, and wear them every chance I get.

If you have been reading the blog for long enough, you'll know exactly where I went to find my design inspiration, my Sybil coats, and my Bella jackets.  Ever since I started sewing, I knew that one day I would want to try and make my own version of these and get them in my wardrobe, but with my personal measurements and aesthetics leading the way, not one of J. Crew's designers making those choices for me.

And I do fully realize I am being derivative here, but at least my version is a bit different, especially in the lower half of the coat (the Sybil is a more straight up-and-down shape).
 

So I stopped my constant searching through my coat patterns and ebay for the "perfect" coat choice, and decided on the two coat patterns that would come together best to suit me and to realize my vision of the red coat I had in mind.

Vogue 8626 is a pattern I had seen over at Sewing Pattern Review a couple of years ago, and when I saw it, I swooned.  It was so pretty, feminine, and yet regal, at the same time.  And it was out of print.  It took me a few months, but eventually one in my size came up on ebay, and I bought it without hesitation.  The only issue I had with the coat was the design of the collar.  I don't know if you can tell, but when the collar is buttoned, it makes a weird pointy collar jut in one direction, and the asymmetry is too much for my eye, and I knew it would bug me if I made it up that way.

McCall's 7024 is a pattern I had seen when it came out and bought it as soon as possible.  I loved the collar because of how much it reminded me of the Sybil and the Bella.  Really the rest of the jacket is fine, but the collar was what I most wanted.  Though it is designed with a drawstring, I knew I could probably (and eventually) figure out what to do to omit the drawstring and have it properly stand up.

I had to make a muslin to ensure I was using the correct measurements, and thankfully, they were pretty close to right.  I did note that I needed to change up the way the side pleats on the back laid (they favored opening up to the center pleat and it didn't look right on me, so I chose to turn them into box pleats).

I am pleased that Vogue 8626 has cup sizes.  I have a very small bustline, 32B if I am lucky, and I have noticed that any pattern that doesn't have specific cup measurements built in will often manifest themselves in a bit of wrinkling above my chest below my collarbone.  The same thing happens when I wear a bra that is too big (which is a lot of the time, it is really hard to find a 32B bra that doesn't have underwire).  This coat has an A cup bodice, and it is a dream fit up there.  Seriously, hands thrown in the air, waving around, kind of fit.  I know fuller-bust ladies get a lot of attention for having to make FBAs on their clothes, but for those of us who are wee-er up there than average, have to do the same thing if we want a good fit.  People notice it less when things don't fit me properly since it doesn't mean gaping plackets or straining streams, but I get really bothered by those darn wrinkles.

This doesn't mean I am going to take on the challenge of the small bust adjustment every time I sew anything for my top half, but for tailored garments I darn well will.  It is worth the effort!

BTW, the belt above is called a Martingale belt.  I always just called it a "half-belt at the back," but now that I know what they are called, I am gonna throw that term around like it's hot.  LOL.

So the collar, the most important portion of my coat in realizing my vision...turns out the McCall's 7024 is a great dupe for the Sybil coat.  It is nearly the same.  The Bella is a bit off, as the Bella collar sits on a faux collar stand.  The way I made it stand just so was to interface the non-pleated side with fusible hair canvas on the bias (wanted it on the bias so it would be more easily molded when I was steaming it, on the straight grain I would have had a few more struggles to shape it since the straight grain prevents any stretching).

The buttons.  Well, it turns out that even though I had chosen a near match for the Sybil coat (they seriously are the same buttons as the ones on my other coats, but red), I wanted to use a flatter, variegated reddish button instead.  Now it fully is a coat that is "inspired by" but not a samesy copy.

Now that I have published this post I can actually start wearing the coat out and incorporating it into my ootd postings here and at Instagram.  Yes!  (I have to wait until the post publishes over there before I publish here.)

I know that some of you might have questions, so if you do, I encourage them.  Maybe some of you can even make your own versions of the Sybil/Bella?  I would love to see some more of these out there in the world of sewing.  :-)

Boden: Reviews Before a Big Sale.

This isn't a Boden Weekly Review Roundup, but it is a set of reviews for items I have recently worn that are from the fall/winter 2015 line.  I would have likely shown them off much earlier and with more frequency if my life had the pace that it had a few years ago, the "take the kids to preschool, bring 'em home, while they nap blog" pace.  Now it's a whole lot of wake up...holy crap why is it midnight already.  ;-)  I know many of you understand.

Okay, so I do have plans to get at least one more BWRR done before January, but not till later this week.  I am desperate to get a few ootd posts on here already.  I realize many of you see what I wear at Instagram, but I am a talker and like to discuss the outfits.  Whether or not any of you read, lol, that's another story, but I want to dissect them.

The sale starts tomorrow morning, they are discussing it over at Mumsnet (a British site).  I am sure many Americans are all, "hey, no fair, they got it a day early," but now that we seem to be digging from separate stocks (most of my orders now come from PA, not the UK), I don't know that our sale will be affected by them getting to it first.

I have a link to the sale at the bottom, but bear in mind that if you try it before the sale starts, it won't work.  I don't anticipate a changeover right at midnight, likely it will happen in the morning sometime.

Groovy Swing Top.  Size 6 Regular.  I kept going back and forth.  Should I buy this one?  Should I leave it?  Well, finally my love of mid-century prints and those colors (coral, pink, grey, and sage) won over.  I am glad I chose to get it as I really think the style is "me." 

Audrey Bow Flats.  Size 41.  These are the ones I ordered in the last sale and was all verklempt when I discovered that they had only given me 20% off instead of 30%.  Of course Boden didn't see fit to refund me 10%.  Sigh.  Whatever.  As CC pointed out, I will wear them all the time.  In fact, I have worn them three times since receiving them.  They join my other four pairs of grey flats (I own a pair from Target with a black bow, a pair from J. Crew with a sparkly suede bow, a patent leather set from J. Crew factory, and a pair of grey loafers from Boden).  And, yeah, those get worn a ton, too!  Dollar for dollar my grey flats are always my best purchases.  (And hush I know I have a grey flat shoe sickness.  I am receiving therapy.)

The top is super swingy.  This is a good style for pear shapes since it is fitted through the shoulders and upper bust but very loose throughout the rest of the top.  It's always a good day when I can size to my shoulders and not have to stress about my hips and butt being so much bigger than the rest of me.

There is some problems with the shoulders and sleeves for some of the reviewers, though, especially if they carry their weight on their top half.  Many find their "smaller" size is too tight so they will size up and find that the rest being so swingy is too much for their frame.  Bear all this in mind if you have an inverted triangle shape.

The shoes run a touch small.  I can wear a size 40 a lot of the time, but had I sized for a 40, it would have been far too short and even a bit narrow.  I have very narrow feet, so often the 41 will fit great length-wise but be too wide on me.  This time the 41 is awesome for my narrow feet but almost too short.  Because they are suede they have stretched out and fit great now.

I love that my butt doesn't look so ginormous.  Way too much pattern going on for it too look ginormous.  Now you all know why I wear so many patterns.  Ha.

Overall the style of this top is not for the faint-hearted.  It is a lot of look.  But they do have more sedate versions if you like the silhouette.  I have washed and dried this, btw, and it is going to need a press, but since I line dried the top, it hasn't shrunk as far as I can tell. 

The shoes are definitely winners, and all the colorways look wonderful.  I highly recommend this shoe, but do consider the sizing issues.



Groovy Swing Top and Audrey Bow Flat.  These two items in these colors are close to selling out and are unlikely to be reduced too significantly in the sale tomorrow.  The other shades may, though.

Sparkle Spot Jacquard Dress.  Size 6 Long.  I decided on this when it was on a good discount (I think 30% off) and I had a voucher from Boden (thank you, Johnnie!).  I didn't realize earlier in the season this was a jersey dress.  For some reason I thought it was a woven jacquard like this dress I wore to my high school reunion.  I didn't want or need another dress like that, so as pretty as I thought gold sparkly dots and cream are, I decided "no." 

And then I saw it was jersey and realized this opened it up to wearing to school and church and at venues where I like some comfort, and I grabbed it when it popped back in the right size (this is a popular dress).

It is fully lined with a lovely, medium-weight jersey lining.  Very nice.  The ponte fabric they use for the outer layer is pretty thick, so they didn't even have to add a lining.  Very thoughtful of them to add one  The length is fine for me in the long as I don't mind my party dresses hitting my knee, but if you want something more flirty, go for the regular length if you are tall and the petite length if you are under 5'5".  I am 5'8" and a dress that measures 40" will hit right in the middle of my knee.  This dress is 39", if I am remembering correctly.

I decided to dress this one with my gold Stella and Dot necklace and my gold sparkly shoes from Boden from last year.  These gold items match the dots and worked well for the Christmas party we were headed to, but I do know that I could wear this with more demure accessories and it would read less "festive," so would be appropriate in the non-holiday season.  The tights are a pair of cotton tights from J. Crew and they are a deep olive color.  They worked fine as a dark neutral.

The side of the dress there (left) is sticking in a bit because the lining was attached to the hem at the wrong place.  Since the lining is shorter than the dress, I just cut the thread that connected the two and that solved that problem.

The dress features a back zip, which I love.  Since it is a stretch ponte, it could slip on, but that would be a pain, so I far prefer the zip and being able to step into the dress when putting it on...

I have a few other views of this at Instagram if you are interested in seeing them.


Sparkle Spot Jacquard Dress.  There is a lot of  "low stock" there, so your size and color choice may not be available.  The navy is beautiful and is more popular than the ivory.

Chevron Sparkle Knitted Dress.  Size 7-8. I am so glad I purchased this one in preview (only thing I ordered besides the reindeer yoke sweater).  This dress sold out nearly immediately.  There are popbacks, but they are sporadic. 

Can I just tell you how much I love this and wish they had an adult version?  It is so pretty!  It is also not super "kid" but not so "adult" you question whether the kid is being a kid in it.  The sparkle is the gold yarn used in the hem and collar detail, fwiw.

The dress is well-made, and provided you properly wash it, it should stand up to a couple of seasons of wear.  I know it will be shorter on her next year, but because it has a bit of stretch, she'll still fit into it and will just need to wear tights for modesty.

Chevron Sparkle Knitted Dress.  (Use link in name, the affiliate program didn't have this one in its directory.) Only two sizes available right now.  There will be popbacks, but you have to be on top of it and get it when you see it.  It is expensive for a girls dress, but it is very special.

Cosy Sweatshirt.  Size 6.  I purchased this on sale because I am a sucker for warm pretty tops like this.  I do actually have plans to wear it as part of an outfit, but for now I am wearing it as loungewear, as it was intended.  (In fact, this photo was just taken of me two hours ago, and today's ootd has been nothing more involved than this--an easy shirt and a pair of pj bottoms.  I'm tired, you all.  LOL.)

It fits well, it is a bit long for me, hitting right at my top thigh, but it isn't constricting, so I would say go with your true size.  I can't wear it out, I have to tuck it in, unless I am wearing it with leggings.  The material is thin enough that any bulges from the pant or skirt fabric would show through, and personally, that bugs, so I just tuck it in.  :-)

The little sparkly stars are precious, just enough twee to make you smile, but not make everyone around you sick from the "cute."  They aren't super obvious unless you get up real close, btw.  They are more obvious on the blue version, though.

Christmas Woven Pull-On.  Size 10.  I have bought these from Boden before, once in a size 6 and once in a size 10.  I finally figured out that the size 8 would fit me best, but you know what happened here, right?  The only size that kept popping back was the 10.  So I just said "meh," and ordered it.  I am excited that I can wash it and throw it in the dryer and let it shrink a bit.  In fact, I have already done this and the size up now fits a bit better, not quite an 8, but closer.  They are very comfortable.  The size 6 I own is fine, but they fit close, and I have to make sure to line dry them.  These run short for those of us with longer legs, they finish at the top of my ankle.  Since they flare out a bit at the bottom, it does look a little funny.

The print is beautiful, I dig this Scandinavian type of folk art.  They have other items in this print, including a lot of the homewares, so if you want it, that may be a good way of grabbing it.



Cosy Sweatshirt and Christmas Woven Pull-On.  The sweatshirt is likely to be reduced well since it isn't selling well (except the deer version, which baffles me).  The pull-ons, forget it.  Maybe 20% off if we're lucky.

Harriet Shift Tunic Dress.  Size 8 L.  I cannot believe I forgot to include this review in the last *two* BWRRs.  You had one job, Dina.  :-/ 

Anyhow, this dress is odd.  I initially ordered it in a 10 L after I figured there was no way a shift dress like this would fit over my hips in any size but a 10 or larger (I even flirted with buying the 12).  But at the beginning of the season, back in September, this dress was sold out and popbacks were rare.  I finally saw it come back in a 10 L and gave it a chance.  I received it and after putting it on, said this:

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

It was HUGE.  HUGE!  Even in the hips.

I thought well I could alter it, but then I noticed that the stocks were leveling out (likely from all the wrong size ordering) and I could get the 8 L if I wanted, so that is just what I did.  I grabbed the 8 L and found a much better fit for me.

The hips fit a bit close, but nothing that I need shapewear for, so that's good.  The top half is a bit big, but because it isn't "falling off my shoulders" big, it works.

The design is beautiful, and the material is a stretch woven which also helps me in the hip area, so bear that in mind for your ordering if this is something you are contemplating.


Harriet Shift Tunic Dress.  The color I chose is popular, but many sizes are still available.  I think this dress will be reduced even further, so if you held off, that probably was for the best.  :-)

Okay, that's it for tonight.  I hope you have a great one, and enjoy (sale) shopping!