cupcakes and dresses.

I just got the new Good Things for Kids from Martha. I have all the old MSL Kids magazines, under lock and key, so I really like it when they do these best of issues because I really use them--I get all weird about the actual magazines and don't like to leave them out.

This lollipop cupcake (image from the website) kills me. The recipe is on the site. So much is on the MSL site! I could spend days there. We are already thinking about Sadie's big 5th b-day in the fall, so the timing of this party themed issue couldn't be better. And here's a plea to bring back the actual Kids magazine, please!!

And thinking about Fall clothes, the new Miniboden came to the house last week and I want this outfit. For me.  Oh, I mean for Sadie. But I need to get her out of the pjs and the life vest first. There are great sewing ideas in here, I always save the catalog for that reason. I actually have never ordered from them before, but the clothes seem well made-are they? Anyone know?

Comments

[Becca]

I love Boden clothes too. I have some of their products and they are very well made. They use good quality fabrics and do have a lot of cute things that have some flair, so they seem to be worth the price in my opinion. My sisters have gotten Mini Boden clothes for their kids and as far as I know, they hold up well, especially for children's clothes. Plus they are super cute! I recommend Boden!

[Nancy]

Yum, that cupcake looks good.
I don't have any of the KIDS mag...I know boohoo for me. I'll have to check out Good Things for Kids.
As for Boden, I get their catalogues and save them too. I've never ordered either but, have been told by others that the clothes are well made.

[Mary]

I've bought a good amount of Boden for Miss L and have been quite happy with them. I love that outfit, but skipped it in favor of two tops, two pairs of pants and a sweater dress instead (and all but one pair of pants shipped today). Sizing can be a bit wonky. I usually end up sizing up on tops and some dresses (which is also why I always order during free shipping/free returns periods).

[bethgem]

I would so wear that. So.

[kristin]

yes, i agree about the martha kids magazine - i'd love for them to bring it back. i think i actually started buying it before i was a mama. the issues are stored together and come out for holidays and birthdays for ideas. i hadnn't seen those cupcakes, they look sweet and sweet!

[carol]

Love that cupcake. :-)

Regarding the Boden clothes, I've purchased quite a bit of it for my son/2 daughters and have been very happy. The quality is good...often sturdier fabrics than you would find at many of our stores here. The sweatshirts/hoodies are really nice and thick. They include the measurements of each garment and I always check against my children's measurements before ordering.

[tracy]

ditto on the quality of miniboden - but also it is very worthwhile to hold out until they have their big yearly sale - good discounts! (i am all about the good discount!)

[Jessie]

I second the plea! Bring KIDS Back... and while they're at it, they should bring BABY back, too (even fewer issues released, but I have every single one of those as well).

I was really weird about them, too - if I actually wanted to cut something out, I had to buy a second copy - for safekeeping.

[Dawn]

I love Mini Boden and Boden clothes. I only buy sale items because almost all of their catalog seems to go on sale at the end of the season. Always a plus for us penny pinchers. My kids love the clothes and the fabrics hold up to repeated scrubs.

[cheriwan]

Can you please make that for yourself and then tell the rest of us how to? OMG, I want that whole outfit! I think I can pull it off at 36.....

[cheriwan]

Can you please make that for yourself and then tell the rest of us how to? OMG, I want that whole outfit! I think I can pull it off at 36.....

[cheriwan]

Can you please make that for yourself and then tell the rest of us how to? OMG, I want that whole outfit! I think I can pull it off at 36.....

[cheriwan]

Can you please make that for yourself and then tell the rest of us how to? OMG, I want that whole outfit! I think I can pull it off at 36.....

[Lemon Tree Tales]

That lollipop cupcake is too adorable. Darn, too bad we already celebrated our friend's 6 yr old's birthday party last weekend. It would have been perfect! Maybe it should be made as a just because treat? :-)

[Valerie]

I've bought Boden for myself and love the quality. I always get compliments when I wear anything Boden, and it's really nice that it's not necessarily a place where "the masses" all shop, so I usually feel like I have on something unique. Funny you mention it, though -- that is by far my favorite mini Boden outfit, but I, too, want it for myself!!! In fact, I usually end up loving the little girls' stuff a teensy bit more than the actual adult outfits, and wish they would come in all sizes, girls and womens!

[carol]

my sister mistakenly got a double order of mini-Boden stuff and lucky me...I scored or I mean my 3 year old did...the quality is great, we went through the winter and spring looking sharp!

[Rachael]

I'm another vote for bring back MS Kids. And I don't even have kids.

[Blair]

I am thinking we should just all create a conglomerate (once I figure out how to spell that word) and buy the rights to MSKids. It would be a labor of love, making that mag, I'll tell ya.

I heart miniboden too! I used to buy from there, when I was rich (ok, so I was never rich, but used to spend money foolishly). Their cute T's always make me want to go all freezer paper stencil on everybody in the house.

[Stefani]

I'm a total freak about my MS Kids too! I don't have them all, but I've been watching ebay for the 4 that I'm missing. Bugger! I actually wrote the editor, BEGGING them to reconsider. I'm sure that I've been filed away under "crack pot" in some MS office somewhere. :-)

[hannah]

oh man. i want that outfit too. which reminds me it is almost time to renew my quest for the perfect flat soled boots. keep your fingers crossed. i should have been saving my pennies for campers. dang.

[Sarah Jackson]

The Boden clothes are really high quality. We've been very happy with them. I also use them for inspiration, but sometimes it's more effective just to buy them.

[Linda]

Those cupcakes look yummy!

[Tricia]

Love the cupcake! I'm going to have to get that issue of MSL. I had not heard of Boden before, but I just ordered their catalog. Have you seen the velvet coat with the polka dotted lining? Fabulous.

[lisa s]

ok - chiming in here. the lollipop cupcakes. geez!

i've purchased boden adult stuff and really like it.

and i'm so so so late in this - but can't wait to get my hands on your book. now the question.... can i finagle an autograph in it....

[Amy]

I adored that same photo when I saw it in the catalog! I've ordered lots from Boden--mostly for myself; the kids clothes do seem pricey--and I'm always pleased with the quality and the fit. I, too, save the Mini Boden catalogs for sewing ideas. I've made some of my daughter's favorite dresses and appliques based on Boden goodies! Must seek out the Martha magazine tomorrow...always looking for party ideas (in fact, I printed some good ones from your archives last week).

[Erica]

The miniBoden is very well made. The jersey knit stuff is incredibly soft, but it does tend to shrink a bit; I have taken to ordering a larger size than I really need to accommodate for that -- plus, they can be worn for a much longer time. This is a huge bonus with two girls -- I have some things going on their fourth year of near-continuous use, and they still look great.

[Emily]

I have splurged on a few miniboden things, mostly for Christmas presents. I adore those shaggy coats they have (I don't see them in the new catalog yet). The ones that make them look like little muppets--they get comments everywhere we go. And the nightgowns, I thought seemed expensive, but when she's worn them constantly for 2 years, and they still look great and will be handed down to little sister--I think they are a bargain!

[Stacy]

I snatched the ML kid's "good things" off the rack at the grocery store so fast I think I may have drawn attention to myself. My oldest girl turns 15 this Satuday. Think she will induldge me? As for the dress, that was the one item I HAD to order for my two mini Boden sized girls. They shipped today. So excited.

[rhembein]

Oh good gosh I LOVE Boden!! That outfit is SO cute!! Oh I feel an order coming on! I can't wait to get my copy in the mail!!

~gyl

[Jennifer]

That outfit is gorgeous! Have not visited that site in ages...talk about sewing inspiration. What girl (or 32-year-old girl, in my case) would not LOVE the purple and turquoise?

[meg]

ha! i freaked out over that same boden outfit.
and those cupcakes are too too cute.

[Ali]

Boden does have the greatest clothing inspiration! And I've ordered theis stuff in the UK for years. Some of the kids stuff is on it's 3rd child hand-me-down and still going strong.

[JoAnna]

So, I am thinking YOU should be a designer for Mini Boden. Their ideas are great too!

[Tina]

I would think the 'Good Things for Kids' would cover a lot of the same ground as the Kids Magazine.

I bought the 2006 Holiday issue with out browsing first, which much to my disappointment, was just a rehash of past December issues for something like 7 or 8 dollars. It would have been more appropriate to title it, "The Best of MS Holidays' or something...

[Scribbles & Bits]

I think Alicia (Posie Gets Cozy, just in case you know more than one Alicia) orders from them. I'm pretty sure that's how I found out about them. And I love love love their stuff!!!! I haven't ordered anything yet, but not from lack of interest!

[Keri]

Okay I'm gonna be a big debbie downer and say that I DON'T love Boden's clothes. They're cute, and I bought my son a couple of their t-shirts last year, and they're the only ones that have holes in them. Like, almost immediately they got holes. Has never happened to any other clothes (which are usually from Old Navy). He's 7, which may be part of the problem, I don't know. But I DO know that for the price, I won't order anything else from there because I'd be scared to get holes again. They ARE super-soft though. And I didn't really have a shrinkage OR a size problem. Just holes. And holes in strange spots. In BOTH shirts I got from there.

[Candace]

I have a Sadie turning 3 this fall. Been thinking about party ideas as well. And oh how I miss the MS Kids Magazine. Even my husband gets bummed that it was canceled.

[Jane]

When I look at the piles of clothes that get handed on from my girls to friends children and back, there is a fair amount of mini-boden in the mix.
The basics seem to be better made than the fashion pieces - the jersey is good - all is better made than the adult range.
J
x

[theflyingmum]

I got the miniboden catalog last week too, though I have never ordered from them either, and can't figure out why they still send me a catalog. At those prices, I would certainly HOPE they're well made. And I want to buy this for my son.

[Grace]

my mom got elle a couple things from mini boden this year, and the vw t-shirt for jem (i made some matching vw pants from heather ross fabric), and they are well made ... they don't have that "made in china" feel to them at all. the t-shirt has flatlock seams that remind me of those done on a home serger ... such a sweet touch.

i have all the old ms kids magazines, too, and about 4 years ago I went through this organizing kick and cut them up! what was i thinking?!! i still think ms baby was better even than ms kids. sigh.

[HVM]

Hi amy, thanks so much for your book, as a side. I've ordered a few things for myself from Boden (on sale, past season), and I've found their quality to be very high. I always have snips from the books up on my inspiration board, too, but certainly for some things (blazers, for example), it's worth the investment.

[Lindsay]

I am in agreeance regarding the MS Kids! I nearly cried when they stopped coming in the mailbox. I appreciate that kids can enjoy being gooey and sticky, but all kids crafts don't have to revolve around play dough! And for this reason, I really enjoyed the magazine.

[Nicole]

I am obsessed with
http://cupcakeblog.com/

They have the best recipes.

[kirsten]

i love you blog! i do love martha's kids stuff!

http://greenisthenewblue.blogspot.com/

[Stacey]

Thank you for reminding me that Martha Kids is out:) I have them all safely hidden as well. I also just got your book - awesome and well written - thank you! And Boden - gotta love those darling things for kids and grown-ups alike!

[Helena Brearley]

Hi! Delurking to agree with you 100% on all fronts: the dress, the cupcakes and the mag. But back to the dress, I think anything with the name "gypsy" in it sounds so intriguing that it immediately turns on the "I have to have this right now!" part of your brain. Actually now that I think about it, cupcakes turns on that part of your brain too, off to the kitchen. See ya! :)
congrats on the babes btw!

[littledresses]

I just made my girls dresses like that! love it.I posted one today and I will post the other tomorrow. My mom told me she wanted one too! hehe.

[LindaSonia]

I so agree about the Good Things for Kids Martha publication. I don't have any kids, but I just love the simplicity and fun of the things she presents. I make them for me or the people at work!! :-)Love those boden items too!!

[Amber]

I want that outfit, too... For me, too! Love it!!

[Steph]

I want one too. SO, you know that means you have to design a pattern for the grownup version, right?

:)