Boden: Stitched Hem Mini and a Surprise!

We have had fun in Boden-land this week, have we not?  :)

A few of you requested that I do a review of the stitched hem mini the. moment. it. arrived. at. my. house.  Well, is one day after okay?  LOL.

And a lot more of you are all "what secret about Boden do you have to tell us, dinagideon?"  Soon, soon...(end of the post, hint hint).

1. Stitched Hem Mini, Boden, Size 8 LONG (or for you delightful Brits out there, Size 12 LONG).  Made from a lightweight canvas cotton, this skirt has belt loops, a zip fly, and a splashy, yummy Nordic-looking print (seriously, just saw a pillow at IKEA last night with this pattern).

The length is 22 inches, but if you were to buy a regular it would be 19 inches.  As you can see, this is less "mini" and more pencil on me, but with my leg length, I don't NEED to show off all of my leg every single day.  I quite like this length, hitting an inch or so above my knee.

I like the belt loops, and if I had more energy for this review, I would have grabbed my avocado belt to tie the entire look together.  (I will wear this entire look sometime this spring or summer, including the shoes.  Probably not the glasses and slightly frizzy hair.  LOL.)

2. Factory Lace Tank, Size Extra-Small, Elm, J. Crew Factory (outlet).  I bought this last night at the Potomac Mills outlet (I had a return so I spent no actual money).  I love the tank for layering, but on its own with a flesh-colored cami, it looks cute, too. 

3. Bensimon Elastic Sneakers, Size 40, Madewell.  I love the look of these kicks.  Definitely a lot like the Keds I wore growing up, but a tiny bit cooler.  Love the vanilla cream color, a great mid-brown with a hint of warmth.  I almost went with a 41 and when I first tried them on I thought I had chosen a too small size, but in the end, the 40 was perfect (they have stretched out just enough from just wearing them around the house).

Side view of the stitched hem mini.  The waist is a bit big, but with me, I expect that if I fit something for my hips.  Boden's skirts tend to be made this way, to sit at the waist and not lower.

Aren't the Bensimons adorable?

How I would wear the skirt if I was still teaching...paired with the Cashmere Suzy Jacket (sample, Fall 2007, J. Crew Collection, and oh, SO SOFT) and the Anticipation heels (Anthropologie's Miss Albright brand).  The outfit strikes me as professional, elegant, and still fun.

Same look with the jacket opened.

And now for the secret that I have been dying to tell you all.  (So, in answer to Johnnie Boden, no, I think if you told me a secret, I would totally blab.  Which I am doing. RIGHT. NOW.)

Have you always wanted Boden, but taken further?  I have!  I adore the J. Crew Collection, so when I read the above insert, I jumped for joy (well not just because of what I had read but also because of the sequined sweater jacket and the gorgeous eyelet dress on Edda).

Go ahead and open up the photo to read the entire secret.  I'll wait.

:)  Done?

I wasn't.  I needed to KNOW MORE.  So I wrote this to Boden customer service:

I received my Spring 2011 catalog today and oh, my goodness, I am so excited about Boden Limited Edition. Please tell me more! I would love to know how to pre-order, how to view the items, and how much is the sparkly sequin cardigan that is on the model on the "can you keep a secret" insert...and okay, how much is the gorgeous white dress on the model on the back of the insert? Thank you so much from your #1 US fan.

To which I received this response:

I am so happy to hear that you are looking forward to our new Boden Limited Edition. It is very exciting! I would like to let you know that this range will be launched on February 11th. I do hope you look forward to it, until then!

Thank you for being a great customer to Boden and for sharing your excitement. 

Well, fab.  I still wanted more but at least I now know that on Mr. Dina's birthday (yup, 2/11/11), I will not only be giving him some presents, but maybe I will be giving myself a present, too.  LOL.  ;)

You all have a great afternoon.  Talk soon.

Winter Wardrobe Day 5: Sosie Sparkle!

Winter Wardrobe Day 1 is here and Winter Wardrobe Days 2-4 are here.

On the very last day of Winter Wardrobe, we had our "runway shows," which is where the young ladies dress in the style of their inspiration boards (you know, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga!, even Andy Warhol) and to the tune of David Bowie's "Let's Dance," they catwalk like real models and get to show off for a few seconds of fame (sadly no 15 minutes of fame in our runway shows).

I am their MC, and as such, I kind of need to be all shiny, bling-y, and brilliant.  I wore this the last time (for Fall into Fashion), and this last spring (for Spring into Style).  This time I called on Sosie to help me.

I have a girl crush on Sosie.  To read her story, and how I acquired her, please read this post over at True Crew Love.

Sosie Sequin Tank: Size 4.
Long Boyfriend Blazer: Size 4 (Yay for popbacks at 2 am...no I am not kidding.  I know I should have been sleeping but look at how good Sosie looks with her boyfriend.)
Toothpick Ankle Jeans in Twilight Wash: Size 30 Tall.  This was back when J. Crew offered their ankle length denim in talls.  They need to bring that back.  The 31 inch inseam is great and the talls also seem to offer a longer rise, which I need.  These jeans also have a wicked high % of stretch material, so they fit like a glove.  Easily my favorite pair of jeans ever.  My bday pal, Gigiofca, also LOVES hers.
Alecia Suede Peep-Toes: Size 9.5.  Great until about 2:15.  Then my feet gave up.  LOL.

The necklace is the sea urchin necklace from last spring.  I shortened the length significantly.  It is meant to hang much lower.

From the side.  My feet look really big from the side.  :)

Hand on hip.  :)

So that's it for this week of fashion.  I think Day 5 was my favorite.

P.S. Little secret: I LOVE the band Rush.  Just thought I would tell you that.  We female Rush fans need to come out of the closet already.  After viewing their documentary last night, I was all, "Mr. Dina, the world needs to know that there are at least a few XXs out there that think that Geddy, Neil, and Alex can really rock it out."  (Even in their synthethizer heavy 80s period.)

P.P.S. Here is photographic proof...I am at a concert with Mr. Dina:

I was one of the only females there that day.  There was a lot of more of these kind of fellas:

Winter Wardrobe: Days 2, 3, and 4.

I started this post last week with Day One: Inspired by Michelle Obama. Today is Day 2, 3, and 4. I am feeling a bit better about having had an off week with fashion that week because as so many of the comments said, all of us are harder on ourselves than others are. Confidence is key and usually half the battle with fashion. If you feel good, then work it, baby (oh, austin, behave).

So without further discussion, here they are, the good, the bad, and the 70s. LOL.

Inspired by on Day 2: the 70s, unintentionally.  In the end, I enjoyed wearing this outfit, but was about to change into a melon colored top (like the one I had worn on day one), but again, ran out of time.  So I just went with it and told the girls this was my TONAL 70s look.  It gave me an excuse to talk about color theory and to talk about fashion from other eras.

The cardigan is from Anthropologie, and is called the glassflower cardi.  I purchased it from an Effortless Anthropologie Exchange seller and I was excited to see how "effortless" the purchase was.  I need to stalk that board more often.  Maybe then I can find a Tria sweater skirt in a size small or medium for less than $99 (cough, cough ebay).  This is a size medium.  It stretched during the day.  That's okay, though, I liked the feel and can live with the stretching.

I like it better from the side.  Too bad I can't just stand like this all day long.

Alright, enough blinding your eyes with acid green.  Onto day 3 where I can blind your eyes with cinnamon, peach, and ivory!

I love the Boucle de Souffle Jacket (also by Anthropologie and reviewed here by me) and I actually really like it with the ruffles of the Victoria, but yes, I can see where this combo would really chafe at the vision of people who far prefer more subtle, modern, and clean lines.  I do look like I am ready to audition for Bram Stoker's Dracula, all I need is a silly little hat a la the one Winona Ryder wore in that movie (you gotta see that hat, Mr. Dina and I constantly make fun of it).  I did also throw on a cambridge cable knit v-neck sweater in cinnamon from J. Crew to tame at least one set of ruffles.

Again, another outfit I far prefer from the side.  Those pants are the Medallion Foulard Skimmer Pants from last spring, size 6.  The pants had all the tones in the sweater, Victoria cami, and the jacket.  The flats are the Lulu Ballet Flats.  The girls in my class LOVED the bows.  Girly girls and bows, imagine that.

Okay, this is a lot simpler and except when I was walking in the hallways and outside, I wore this instead of the full-on late 1800s look.  I have a feeling quite a few of you will prefer this simpler styling.  (It's okay, though, I know a few of you will love the silly frou-frou deliciousness of the Boucle.  We'll keep it our secret, though.  Would you wear Winona's hat, though?)

And the side.  Love the Victoria cami's just so ruffles.

Okay, let's visit modern times...

Day 4.  Yeah, my hair wasn't fully dry.  We'll live.

Have any of you realized just how perfect the Marled Thandie Blazer is?  It is just heavenly and I have only recently acquired it.  With that said, I have worn it quite a bit since Thandie came to live with me.  I think she may be gaining speed as one of my most favorite jackets made by J. Crew.  This is a size 4 and everything about it, the soft wool jersey fabric to the double breasted placket to the l-o-n-g sleeves (long arms and a short torso are HARD to fit) to the goes with everything color are perfection.  Anyone else part of the Thandie fan club?

The tee is a crewcuts tee and I purchased one for me in a size 14 and one for CW in a size 3.  She wore hers the same day as me, but sadness, she got the stomach flu the same day and the poor crewcuts tee only had a very limited outing.  Oops.  (Thank goodness it is machine washable.)  Oh, so you know, I left glitter everywhere that day.  I think when J. crew puts glitter on their items they pack it on!  I felt like some sort of pink and grey fairy spreading her special fashion fairy dust all day long.

Full outfit.  Includes the prized rose peep toes by Miss Albright (another Anthropologie purchase).

In the classroom with my Glen Plaid Sasha Peacoat and green wool scarf.  (I am showing you this pic for a reason.)  The peacoat is also double-breasted and pretty warm.  The scarf is from Scotland.

Scarf on with just the Thandie.  Did get cold throughout the day, but the scarf helped keep me toasty.

Lighting is HARSH in classrooms, btw.  HARSH.  ;)  You teachers know what I mean.

And finally my inspiration for Day 4...the ever lovely Blake Lively.  I saw this in one of the mags that I purchased for the kids' inspiration boards and I was all, "ooh, let me try that."  Of course I have no brightly colored skinny jeans (outside of the pink ones I am wearing above) but I tried.  The kids appreciated me showing them that if they have to do it, I can at least do it, too. 

After trying this look, though, I realized I really, really want those boots and that scarf.  Sigh.

Have a fab day.  More later (hopefully a secret from Boden--get back to me, Johnnie) and Day 5 (which is BY FAR my fave outfit of the week).

Inspired by Boden: J. Crew Version.

I received not one, but TWO, Boden Spring catalogs.  Like J. Crew, they have me listed under both my married and my maiden name.  My maiden name version was a typical Boden catalog, but the one with my married name (clearly the one I spend far too much money with!) had an insert that says "can you keep a secret?"  Well, no.  Not really.  BUT.  I will keep it a secret for at least one more post.  (For those of you that have an idea of what I am talking about...let's wait to share the news for a few hours!  Fun!)  ;)

The catalog had a ton of images I had already seen in the Boden Preview back in October, but I think there is something way more magical about getting the catalog in hand, sitting down and just LOOKING.

See, here's the thing, I had no real comprehension of just how much Boden's spring line reminded me of J. Crew circa 2005-2008 *until* I saw it a few minutes ago.  It just sunk in that so much of the styling, and so many of the pieces are incredibly reminiscent of Old School J. Crew.

You know I am a HUGE fan of both the new and old J. Crew, so it is all great by me if Boden wants to go in this direction, but for you all that miss the old school J. Crew, this may be the time for you to jump in Johnnie Boden's boat!  (By the way, Johnnie, when are my commission checks going to start coming in?  LOL.  I kid.  Love ya!)

For those of you concerned that Boden is a bit too mumsy or frumpy for you, I can attest to the movement away from higher waists and flow-ier bodices to more reasonable waistlines (still a bit high for me, but I tend to buy less of the shorts, skirts, and pants anyhow) and more fitted tops and dresses.

And now...be inpired!

Stripy Tunic, $58.  Colorful stripes, check.  Simple styling, check.  Smiling Edda, check.  See--it's fun playing what looks like old school J. Crew! 

Chic Boatneck, $68.  Remember when J. Crew used to have this grass green color in heavy rotation?  Now, not so much (although I think the other colors they come out with now--admittedly less often--are still pretty great--warm honey, anyone?).

Essential Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Tee, $24.  I have the Capri catalog from February 2007 where Edda is in a similar top (may have been a long-sleeve version).  She was smiling there, too.

Flowerstitch Cardigan, $98.  Okay, this is actually an awful lot like a cardigan made my J. Crew last spring, BUT, hear me out.  That cardigan was much beloved by JCAs BECAUSE it was colorful and special...and it reminded many of them of J. Crew of old.  And this model (Maria who dislikes early mornings and bad weather) is smiling.

Fringed Tweed Jacket, $188.  The classic shape of this jacket with the colorful tweed makes this spring jacket unique and vibrant.  Like with classic items of J. Crew's past, you WILL get stopped on the street and asked where you got that fab jacket by strangers.  Trust me.

Stitched Hem Mini, $68.  I actually pre-ordered this mini back in October in this colorway.  I love summer skirts and I especially love ones that I can wear at places other than the park and pool (some of the Crew's latest minis are way too short for some of the parties and places I go in the summer).  Heck, I could even wear this one to teach!  I know there was a time when mini was still short for J. Crew, just not *too* short.  I ordered an 8 LONG, which means it should be a couple of inches above my knee.  For you natural-waist phobes out there, be warned!  This is a natural waist skirt!  (Johnnie is nearly perfect, we need to give him a mistake here or there.) 

Not Boden, but it could be...this season.  :)  J. Crew, circa Spring 2007. Love, no adore, Edda!

Just in case you missed it...I posted this morning about receiving a "share with your friends" e-mail from Boden for 20% off $175 or more.  Go to that post if you would like to receive it.  ;)

Have a great day.  Talk soon. 

P;.S. I will totally spill the beans on Boden very soon.

Calling All Boden Aficionadas...

I received this e-mail this morning:

Which has these conditions:

20% off plus free shipping and returns when you spend $175 or more

This offer is valid until 6.59pm ET on 8 February 2011, is not for re-sale or publication and can be used once only. This offer is not valid in conjunction with any other Boden, Mini Boden or internet offer. Free shipping applies to standard shipping. Free shipping and free returns apply only to deliveries within the USA. If an item is returned which brings the amount spent below the qualifying level, the offer value may be deducted from any refund. Boden gift cards and clearance items are excluded from this offer and do not form part of the qualifying spend. This offer is available for personal orders only. Orders that are considered to be commercial may be excluded from the offer. 

I am fortunate that I can send this to as many folks as I would like (I assume), so if you would like me to e-mail it to you, please do either:

1. Leave me a comment with your e-mail.

or

2. E-mail me at dinagideon@aim.com and make sure you put in the message body the e-mail address you would like me to send it to.

and 

3. Forgive me if it takes me a bit to get you the e-mail, I have a lot going on, but I want to help as many like-minded people as I can!

Have a great day.  Talk soon!

Winter Wardrobe Day One: An Homage to Michelle Obama.

Hey, everyone! 

So is there a bout of intestinal flu running around where you live?  Baby CW had it first in this household on Thursday, and when I didn't get it by Friday morning (same with Rex and Mr. Dina), I felt I was in the clear.  Not so much.  By Friday night, I took a major turn for the worse and was sick for a good 24 hours.  I ended up losing 6 pounds of water weight.  (Here's how it works though it seems...I had recently put on 4 pounds because of my stringent "no activity" post-PFO closure.  I was becoming so sad that I had gained the weight that I was very excited to get back to exercise in late January.  Well, what do you know?  You are so funny, God.)  Rex got it last night (ooh, you should have seen the amount of laundry we had to do at 3 am).  Mr. Dina is still doing fine (lucky!).

Okay, so where the heck was I last week if I wasn't posting here?  Well, I was teaching my fashion class for the 3rd time.  As you know, I have taught "Spring Into Style" and "Fall Into Fashion" and now we can add "Winter Wardrobe" to my resume.  Instead of being two weeks as Spring Into Style and Fall Into Fashion are, Winter Wardrobe is one week.  Basically I keep the same curriculum as the other two classes, but I don't cover sewing, color coordination, and basic design.  I focus mainly on the inspiration boards, using the inspiration to create an outfit from their closets, and the runway show.

In order to facilitate this, I wore a few outfits this last week that were inspired by others, including Monday's look, which was directly inspired by our first lady, Michelle Obama.  Regardless of politics (fashion is bi-partisan, woo!), I love Mrs. Obama's style and I was super-excited to show the young ladies how she had inspired me.  I was also able to show them how to bring it in the winter, which is usually the time people (especially in the DC are) tend to become super-frumpy, all hidden under layers of down coats and uggs (both of which are great, but a lot of folks around here take these and become like honest to goodness snowmen).

Michelle O. Style! by dinagideon featuring crew tops

Above is the polyvore I first created when I bought the Factory Leopard Print Cardigan.  I knew that Michelle Obama had worn this years ago, and I knew that crewcuts had made a version (at over 150 dollars it was far too rich for me), but until this winter I had never seen a women's version.  Yay for J. Crew factory online!  :)  The skirt is the Palmilla lace pencil skirt.  The shoes are the amazing Prized Rose Peep Toes (which are the sister pair to the equally awesome Anticipation heels) from Anthropologie's Miss Albright.  The belt is also an Anthropologie item, the three beacons belt.

I was on the fence about this outfit.  I have been really hard on myself lately (I have been feeling this way for a while, really, which may explain a lot of my lack of posting).  Every outfit seems just a little off.  The more I look at this, the more I like it, but honestly, that morning, had I had more time, I might have taken the skirt off and worn pants instead.  Tuesday and Wednesday were equally tough for me.  By Thursday, and especially Friday (my fave of the week), I was feeling a lot better (kind of ironic, really, considering what ended up happening to me on Friday night--lol).

Sizes: Cardigan, Small.  Tee, Small. Skirt, Size 4.  Tights (herringbone tights by J. Crew), Medium-Tall.  Prized Rose Peep Toes, Size 9.5 (1/2 size bigger than the Anticipations).  Belt, Small.

From the side.

In my quest to make the outfit better, I tucked up the shirt, and it still kind of bugged.  In the end I just needed to get over my OCD tendencies.  No one at school said anything but nice things about the outfit.  Are any of you all really hard on yourselves?  It isn't just the blog, btw, I have always been like this.

Here is the cardi close up.  I am glad that J. Crew put out a version that all of us could afford (I believe I paid 30 and some change...).

Talk with you all soon.  Days 2-5 will be around soon enough!

Boden Spring Line is Almost Ready!

Ladies and gentlemen,

I went to look over at Boden this morning and they said the site was unavailable as they were putting the finishing touches on their spring items.  I bet you the site is ready anytime today!  Yay!  :)

Do me a favor and comment with any lovelies you see!  I have made a pre-order, and I anticipate I will receive them fairly soon, which means one thing: REVIEWS!!!

Have a great morning, and let's hope we can see all the fab items soon!

Dina.