Catalogue Shopping is Back- Boden USA
I remember going to JC Penny with my mom when I was young and fingering through the 1000 page catalogues in the back of the store. I remember Eddie Bauer had phone stations set up along a wall for catalogue only orders. Catalogue shopping seems to be a concept of the past, but since I discovered Boden…I think I might reconsider the advantages.
I will admit that having this blog gave me the first level of validation to order $1k worth of items and the magazines enticing offer of 15% off Plus free shipping & returns sealed the deal. No harm in trying right? I ordered solely from their spring collection and since my thermometer read 28 degrees this morning, I am in no hurry to put them all on!
Good thing it is not spring, b/c the order takes a minimum of 2 weeks to arrive. My rather large order arrived over 6 shipments and I am still waiting on 2 items estimated to arrive in April. My husband at one point said, “it wouldn’t be a normal day if there wasn’t a Boden bag in the mail box.”
Now you ask, am I happy with my order and I give it a 90% satisfaction!
I have 90 days to make my decisions and ship the items back so I still have all the pieces and deciding based on what else I have seen on the local shelves of my favorite stores to keep and send back.
The best thing about Boden is the women are very honest about their feedback. If you take two seconds to read the comments you will read a person’s evaluation with your similar body type and see if they liked the piece and order accordingly.
Once you know your size with Boden’s fabrics and styles I imagine the success rate will be very high. Whether you have tummy, chest, thigh or a butt thing…the styles are darling and there is something for everyone!
I found the styles to be mature and current; preppy but fashionable. I thought the price points were spot on and I was happy to pay $58 for a cute sleeveless top and $98 for a fitted jacket. I keep going back to the catalogue and wish I had bought a few more things that are fitting like gloves, but maybe I will wait for the Summer Catalogue and shop locally to fill in the rest of my wardrobe gaps.
I bought….wide leg drawstring pants, uptown chinos, wide leg cotton turn ups, textured cotton blazer, double layer jersey dress, rivera dress, Ibiza kaftan, merino tunic, uptown top, tie back shirt, crinkle jersey shirt, printed cotton top, vintage rose top, textured Henley, favorite V-neck cardigan, chino short, suede top plimsolls, & a skinny plaited belt!
The sizes are UK sizes so get comfortable with a size up in number! I found the clothes to be well made and look forward to many more seasons with Boden!
P.S. I am considering keeping12 out of 18.
Shop Your Closet Day…
This time of year buying the whole outfit doesn’t always make the most economical sense. Here in NYC there are at least 2 more months left of winter and sales are everywhere because spring lines are waiting in the wings to take over the shelves. If you are anything like me, your closet is filled with in-style, out-of-style, premier designers, economy brands and a few staples. In attempt to be a fashion savyy dresser, the ultimate conundrum is where to spend your money and make the most of your closet.
Since starting Mellow Mint, I collect images of well dressed people from magazines and clothing catalogues making note of items I think would look good on my body type, are trendy, and show different ways to wear something I already own. I stuffed these images in a drawer and did little with them, until yesterday.
THE STORY: This weekend, there was a shoe sale 75% off winter shoes plus I had a $20 off coupon from TopButton.com my fashionista shopping sale site. Based on a positive experience this time of year in ‘08, I knew I was looking for a pair of boots. The dress code in NYC is boots and my current pair was getting a serious workout. I found a comfortable neutral light brown pair boots and suede tan wedges for spring.
When I got home, my husband wanted to see what I bought and the buyer’s remorse set it. Did I really need these, were they excessive, necessary and did they add to my wardrobe. I tried the boots on with my skinny jeans and they didn’t look at hot as I hoped. I tried the wedges on and he said “not a fan”. I started looking through my closet and rifling around and quickly said, oh well I can return them and I hate all my clothes.
THE SOLUTION: I came across my image collection and started pulling out a few items that matched the images. Little by little I started putting together combinations that I had not yet done this season. Keeping in mind the two new pairs of shoes, an article titled ‘Now & Later’ from LUCKY Magazine and another titled ‘25 days of outfits’. I designed 11 new outfits. I took notes to remind myself of these new outfits, but if you are interested in setting up an online catalogue of outfit options, explore Polyvore.
More Fun Links/ Video…
Polyvore
Suite101.com by Gill Hart
InStyle Spring ‘09 Fashion Trends
Lucy Magazine Style & Advice Section & Now & Later piece on the Today Show
Stacy London….Splurge or Save on the Today Show.
Stacy London… Answers Viewer’s Questions Part I and Answer’s Viewer’s Questions Part II on the Today Show.
Featured Designers of Design for All at Target
Recently, I received a Get To Know Your Friends Better chain letter, and my friend wrote, “In Target” as the “Place I Would Rather Be Right Now”.
Target’s tag line; Great Design. Every Day. For Everyone. This store is the single most reason I get jealous of the ‘burbs’. There simply is no better way to utilize your lunch break or spend your down-time before a dentist appointment.
Target is constantly adding new designers and new lines to their Design for All campaign. The products are innovative, fun, well made and look just as good as the alternative at half the price.
To search their list of designers Go Here, but these are a few products that make me want to drive to Jersey this weekend.
Necklace Trends
Right now many retailers have great jewelry pieces on sale and ones that will look great through the spring and summer. Retailers are stressed about excessive inventory, so pick a weekend in February to visit your outlet malls and shop online TODAY! Since starting my research some great options have sold out already.
Check Your Jewelry Box!
Gold Chains in a variety of lengths (16, 18, 24 & 32 inch)
Long Pearls
Pendant Necklaces
Chunky Beads and Gems
Long Beaded Strands
Here are a few HOT finds and 100% are ON SALE NOW!
Ann Taylor Aldo Adia Kibur BCBG Bop Bijoux
BR Blue Fly J. Crew Bergdorfs Anthropologie
J. Crew Blue Fly Wendy Mink Anthro Bloomies
AnnTaylor BR Blue Fly Anthro GS Lillian
Blue Fly Wendy Mink Wendy Mink Ann Taylor Blue Fly
MOre More More…But Act Fast
Get Creative & Get Organized
Chalk surfaces are an interesting element worthy to bring into the home. Chalk boards stimulate creativity through doodling and can help organize a family or dinner party. Whether subtle through a candle, box or painting a patch in your kitchen it is a fun and trendy idea. The chalk paint has endless possibilities.
Wine and Cheese Party anyone….
Chalk paint is ideal for the molding of swinging doors, cabinets or the outside of a pantry door. It also easy to paint on a removable surface, like a metal pliable sheet, that can be placed over your fridge door or framed and hung.
Cozy & Cute All Winter Long
On January 4th, the first day back from vacation, my brother said those dreadful words “now is when the city gets really freakin’ cold” and boy did it. This week the weather-man said 8 degrees at night and 18 for a high, what is that? I hate to say it northerners we have had three very subtle winters in a row….so we are due. But, knowing is half the battle, so prepare your self and stay warm.
We all have heard that our body heat escapes from our head so what a perfect place to start.
Tips:
Solid colors and structure for work
Weekends are a fun time to play with beanies and poms
Trends include- Fur and oversize berets
* To Combat Flat Hair, take your side swept bangs or the top of your part back towards the crown of your head and barrette it and then put on your hat.
Bullion Coins
A co – worker came in yesterday wearing the greatest coin necklace. As I inquired it got more fabulous and I have to have one. Her grandmother collected a few of these bullion coins from Canada, America, China, Australia etc. over the past 50 years and had them made into necklaces for the women in her family. My friend received her Chinese Bullion in the year she was born, awe. Her mother has received the Canadian and the American Buffalo. Aunts and cousins have also been adorned with this precious metal from South Africa etc.
The coin is HEAVY. Bullion means, a metal deemed to be precious if it is rare. It contains one troy ounce of pure 24k gold and it is legal mint, so not to be carried around lightly. It is a collector’s item and investment that will always be of value. Many nations mint bullion coins, of which the most famous is probably the gold South African Krugerrand. They will run you approximatly $700- $1000.
Anyone having a daughter this year?
Here are the images on the coins and once I get a photo of her necklace I will share.
STAND OUT!
Whether it is your new year’s resolution be more creative or simply part of your personality to be unique, here is one product that helps cater to your freedom of expression; Bespoke.
Launched in New York’s SOHO at 21 Mercer this past November Nike released Bespoke. Bespoke allows buyers to switch out 31 parts to the ever popular Air Force 1 shoe including base, overlay, accent, lining, stitching, outsole, laces and deubre. The ability to choose from 82 colors and iconic materials has attracted a decent amount of celebrity support. The process takes about 4 weeks to complete and at $820 a pair these shoes might only be open to the very serious shoe connoisseur. To make an appointment you have to visit the 21 Mercer location.
Don’t be discouraged if Bespoke is not in your budget, check out NikeiD. NikeiD opened in 1999 and offers online creation or in-store consultation at a participating Niketown. Choose from a variety of styles make your next pair of kicks your own.
Here my the MellowMintiD…
Favorite Finds (Undergarments)
SAY NO to lines, rolls or sags! Here are some favorite finds for the ladies of Mellow Mint.
Assets @ Target
Invented my Sara Blakley of SPANX. Her story to inspire you to turn that everyday idea into millions! 
Sassy Bax
Very Bare
Yummie Tummie
Strappy
Hollywood Fashion Tape
Great for the gaps on a button down blouse or to avoid peek-a-boo shots in an evening dress
Nu Bra
They have improved their patterns, no more turkey cutlet.
Commando Underware @ Hipundies
Yoga Panty from Zobha Invisible under yoga pants
Bangles of Fun!
Two things that will bring me joy in life, being asked to roller-skate with my crush to The Bangles, Eternal Flame and the leather and gold that can adorn my wrists. While you shop below sway to a slow tune or jam out like an Egyptian. Enjoy!
Left to Right
Coach
Enamel Legacy stripe, Solid Brass/ Gold Plated/ One Size
$78
Charlotte Moss
Shagreen cuffs, made from hand-worked and textured genuine sting ray leather. If one is good and two are great, we recommend one for each cuff!
$150
Isaac Manevitz for Ben-Amun
Metallic Silver Italian Resin Cuff
$125
Hermes
Wide enamel bracelet in silver and palladium plated (2.5″ diameter)
$445- $495
Kenneth Jay Lane
Kenneth Jay Lance stretch bangles. Wood stretch bracelet with rhodium plated inset.
SALE: $55.99
Tejani
Topaz colored glass & zircon bangle. 1/2″ in width.
Available in extra small, small, medium, large.
$95
Anthropologie
Cupcake Cuff, Lemon ChiffonA tart gem, pooled like a meringue and set atop a brassy band.
$74
Tods
Alligator wrap bracelet with silver detail
$325-$1595
CC SKYE
Black Patent Single Stud Cuff
Gleaming patent leather bracelet with a single oversized pyramid stud, shining in vibrant mirror polished 18kt gold plate. Turn lock closure. 2.25″ Wide. Black/gold
$185
