eShakti FX Review

Hello friends! I know I have been silent for too long but when eShakti reached out to me about reviewing their new website feature called, FX I couldn't resist. I promise to update on personal things and outfits, shortly! But in the meanwhile, I wanted to share some cool things that you can do with eShakti FX.

eShakti FX is a visual customization tool that allows customers to see what their specifications will look like when the dress is finished being manufactured. FX is offered on hundreds of styles on the website and it's fun to play around with the various options that they have available for viewing.

To test the FX feature, I selected a cute Penguin print shirt dress because quirky animal prints have long been favorites of mine. The shirt dress style is work appropriate (at least for my workplace which is fairly casual). And my girls will love the cute penguins, which will result in them asking to coordinate with me in their own penguin-themed clothing because we love the match. The final reason I chose this style is because I am from Pittsburgh where we root for the Penguins NHL hockey team and although I am not that engaged with sports culture at the moment, I do like a regionally coordinated theme!

The first thing I did was configure the dress to have different sleeve length options just to see how it looked. Both are very cute but penguins are wintery so a longer sleeve makes sense. I settled on 3/4 length so it would be versatile and allow for some bracelets to show.

Next, I wanted to test different hemlines. There was a mini skirt option (not pictured) that was a bit risqué for my own modest and work-friendly preferences but still very fun especially with a cute print. I loved the kind of 1940s inspired midi look but because I am only 5'3" I stuck with knee length. The style on the right is the one I plan to choose! I really enjoyed testing eShakti FX and hope it makes the customizable options for eShakti styles more easily visualized prior to purchase. Thank you to eShakti for the invitation to review and the chance to be compensated with a website credit.

Deer Season: Boden Must Have Tunic OOTD

Boden Must Have Tunic in Black Deer print

I first purchased one of Boden's Must Have Tunics a few years back but returned it because it seemed overpriced for something that was too short to be work-wearable. You can read my first review here. A few years later when I was pregnant with Rosie, a bunch of the tunics were on clearance so I grabbed them in sizes larger than I typically wear and in long-length with the intention of wearing as maternity dresses (as shown). I wore them constantly! I also learned, pregnant belly or not, that the long lengths make them proper dresses on me, rather than mere tunics. Even better, the scoop is just deep enough to enable breastfeeding if that is a concern (but not so deep as to render it work inappropriate).

Boden Must Have Tunic Deer Print Dress

I've been wearing the style ever since I learned the long length trick. Who knew someone only 5'3 would need L?! My newest Must Have tunic is shown above in an all over deer print. This one is still available on the website along with some other print and color options. The prices vary but mine seems to be holding steady price wise. I got a better deal on it after Thanksgiving. If you are curious about fit, the garment measurements under the size guide are very accurate in my experience. I am wearing a 10 L here, which is long enough to be work-friendly and loose enough that it doesn't make me feel exposed. I paired it with black tights, a jacket from Anthropologie, and suede booties.

Boden's Marion Tunic Swans OOTD

Boden Marion Jersey Tunic, Bass booties, Spanx tights 

I bought my first Marion tunic last spring when Boden had a variety of seasonally appropriate prints. I liked it enough to order another for fall when Boden sent me a $15 voucher. I stacked the voucher with a % off code.

The Marion style seems to be a regular offering from the brand who releases it in a variety of prints as well as some solids. The style is breastfeeding friendly and pregnancy friendly due to its stretchy shape and fit. The v-neck of the tunic is a bit deep for Boden and might warrant layering a tank underneath. The gathers at the waist are effective camouflage for those who feel modest about snug clothing at their midsection.

I am wearing it above in a size 12L which is great in length to make it more dress and less tunic. But it's a bit too big otherwise. It's hard to tell from the photo but it's a bit baggier than I would prefer. Still, I didn't want it to cling so big is always preferable to small for me. It's on a great sale now and the pink swans print is 70% off. Code 9k9e works for free shipping at no minimum price. I wore this for teaching and for an event at E's school. I layered a cardigan for added modesty on campus and a trench for E's school. Thanks for reading!

Put a Bird on It OOTD and Boden Easy Scoop Tunic Review

I have written in the past about my love for themed dressing. I did it as the child of a public school teacher. I did it as a student. And I continue to do it as a junior professor. Now with my work for Covey, I have another reason with an easy theme.

The name Covey takes inspiration from bird life. A covey is a small grouping of birds (or people). I always appreciate a clever print and now I am drawn to all things bird-printed! When I saw the lovely bird print of Boden's Easy Scoop tunic, I had to have it. I knew I wanted to wear it as a tunic and a dress. After reading through reviews I determined that a size 10R would be best for me. Reviewers said this tunic runs small in the bust and I agree with them. The 10R was the right fit and length for me. I paired it with some Spanx leggings (also happy to review these if anyone is curious about quality and sizing... I got mine at Nordstrom Rack on sale) to wear to the first session of Music Together class for the fall semester.

Emilia and I actually both wore bird prints from Boden which was unplanned but fun to match. We got many compliments for it!

Outfit details:
Boden Easy Scoop Tunic
Spanx leggings
Tangerine Tieks (review to come!)

Wild about animal bracelets

Bracelets at Dillard's
Teen Girls' Clothes by American Eagle

When I was a teen, my mom and I would regularly take advantage of the rich antique and flea markets in Washington County and the greater Southwestern PA area. We would shop tables of estate sale wares whenever we got the chance. And until last week one of my favorite costume jewelry finds from this period was in my regular accessory rotation. It was a silver-toned animal bracelet in the shape of a leopard with black onyx spots. The bracelet closure cleverly doubled as the leopard swallowing its own tail. When I got a little older and came into contact with Kenneth Jay Lane pieces, I would smile because I had my own similar (and much much cheaper) costume piece. Sadly, last week the clasp on my beloved bracelet broke. I don't foresee any way to fix it. So I have been nostalgically (and obsessively) googling animal-themed bracelets to locate a proper replacement. I am in love with all of the above but the prices vary pretty widely. While it is possible that Kenneth Jay Lane is worth the relative splurge, I will probably end up with something a little more budget friendly (like one of the KJL for QVC pieces, which are fun too).