Friday 29 January 2016

Fun Novelty Tees To Wear in Pregnancy and a Giveaway: #StrugglesBook

My ninja baby tee was a firm favourite last pregnancy, and I'm enjoying wearing it this time around too. There are a lot of fun novelty pregnancy tees around so I thought I'd do a post featuring them.

Also wanted to give away an extra copy of the #Struggles book I received. I wrote about it last year, in my favourite post I've ever written. I pre-ordered a copy and received an advance e-copy to read. Since I ended up with one more copy than I needed when the one I bought arrived, it made sense to do a little giveaway.

What I wore:


Away From Blue Blog | Third Trimester maternity denim shotrs ninja baby skeleton novelty tee

AwayFromTheBlue | Balenciaga chevre 2005 magenta day hobo bag
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers (on sale!)
Tee'Ninja baby' maternity skeleton tee
Shorts: Jeanswest Georgie maternity boyfriend shorts (available in non-maternity also)
Shoesslim gold Havaianas
Bag: Balenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta (new purchase)

Why I wore it:

Everyone loves a good ninja baby tee! I wore this to work from home, run some errands in the afternoon and attend my OB appointment. It's fun seeing everyone's reactions to this tee - at the very least it raises a smile. Comfy and casual outfit for a hot day.


Last worn: ninja baby skeleton tee, Jeanswest maternity denim shorts, Havaianas. First time I've worn the Balenciaga magenta day bag on the blog.

Other ways to wearninja baby tee and skinny jeans, denim shorts and a print mixing outfit, Havaianas, Balenciaga magenta day bag on instagram.


More fun graphic maternity tees:





The best novelty pregnancy text tees:








What I wore:

Away From Blue | SheIn Making Magic Happen grey slogan tee maxi skirt third trimester

AwayFromTheBlue | Baby bump silver bracelet stack, Bal 05 magenta day chevre bag
Tee: Grey 'making magic happen' tee C/O Shein
SkirtAT by Atmos&Here Mars striped maxi skirt
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Balenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta (new purchase)

Why I wore it:

This isn't designed to be a maternity tee, but when I saw it I knew it would be a fun slogan tee to wear in pregnancy. I was contacted by SheIn and asked to pick another item to feature on my blog after previously featuring this cute lace kimono. I picked this tee right away. Of course as everyone who orders from SheIn knows, shipping is slow, (around 3 weeks) and with Christmas delays, it took quite a while to arrive.

I don't think I'll be able to enjoy it while I'm pregnant as much as I thought due to it's late arrival, as it doesn't have enough stretch in it for me to wear it again as the baby bump grows. I did size up, but the third trimester baby bump is pretty big. It's a tee that's easy to wear outside of pregnancy too, it just makes the text even better when you're growing a baby!


Last worn:Ray-Ban Wayfarers (above), striped maxi skirt, Havaianas, Balenciaga magenta day (above). First time I've worn the tee.

Other ways to wearstriped maxi skirt and a cosy knitBalenciaga magenta day bag in the office.


The Giveaway

I have one unused copy of the #StrugglesBook to give away! This is a really good read for anyone who uses social media. If you're not a reader, or you just want an overview of what the book is about, you can watch the video on the same topic here.

The Struggles book really made me think and change my behaviour so I'm excited to be able to share it with you! I completed a technology fast, cut down my data allowance on my phone, removed a bunch of apps, unfollowed some accounts, and set myself specific times each day to use social media.

The book is about something that is all too common to bloggers - social media burnout, and how social media takes up so much of our lives, time and worry. One of my favourite quotes:



While the book is written from a Christian viewpoint and references bible values frequently, I think the advice contained in it is worthwhile reading even if you aren't a Christian. Of course feel free to read the reviews first if you're unsure. If you've ever felt overwhelmed with 'keeping up' with social media, or browsing your feed has made you feel like everyone has the perfect life, this book is for you!

From the book overview on Amazon:
"The more you compare, the less satisfied you are. The more we interact online, the more we crave face to face intimacy, but the harder it is to find. The more filtered our lives become, the more challenging it is to be authentic. The more information about the pain in the world we’re exposed to the more difficult it is to care."

This competition is open internationally, I will ship the book worldwide. In order to win a copy of "#Struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World", you have to come up with the most creative answer to the question "What advice would you give to someone feeling overwhelmed with social media, or what is the best advice someone has given you?". You can enter this game of skill competition via the rafflecopter form below, and remember to include your answer in a blog comment.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! The competition will run for one week, and I can't wait to read all your great pieces of advice. It will be hard to pick a winner!



Linking up with Fab Favourites, Passion For Fashion, Flashback Fashion, Friday Favourites, Friday Blog Hop, Fabulous Friday, Weekend Wear, Weekend Blog Hop, Let It Shine, Shoe & Tell, Hello Monday, Modest Monday.



Follow Away From the Blue on:
Bloglovin
Twitter : Instagram Youtube : Facebook : Google Plus : LikeToKnow.It 

89 comments:

  1. First off, we have the same tee! ;-) And I love mine. I seriously think it's one of the best graphic prints ever. Second, I totally get what the book is talking about. Infact I've cut back massively on "online" & social media time in January, as you may or may not have noticed I've not participated quite that much in link ups anymore. And like you I've deleted apps, stopped automatic e-mail download, etc. Right now I'm moving towards slowly refocusing my blog. The book really sounds like an interesting and valuable read.

    Have a great weekend!

    Alex - Funky Jungle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a great read, and those are great tips! :) I think it's certainly possible to have a blog and spend less time online too, it doesn't need constant attention.

      Delete
  2. That baby ninja tee is too funny! So cute and a good laugh for everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!

    www.laurenfarrellny.com/blog

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow loving the bones T-shirt! Looks great! Gemma x
    www.jacquardflower.uk

    ReplyDelete
  4. Haha! How cute are these tease! That little ninja one is the cutest! You're almost there!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love both of these tees and they are so perfect for pregnancy! The second one is perfect with your striped maxi. And that bag is beyond gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love a good slogan tee throughout pregnancy, but with being visible pregnant in winter i didn't get much use out of mine.

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shame! It's tricky layering in pregnancy, trying to find things that fit and go together...in some ways I'm lucky being so pregnant over summer!

      Delete
  7. These tees are so great. I love how they make pregnancy and fashion literally fun.

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

    ReplyDelete
  8. I totally need to incorporate fun pregnancy tees next time around. (; haha. I remember you talking about this book last year. I even remember how you said your church participated in a social media ban. I think all the crud that gets in our emails is totally overwhelming. I think I could benefit from canceling quite a few email subscriptions. Have a lovely weekend Mica! (:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha you should get some fun tees! It's a special time to dress for indeed :)

      And unsubscribing from emails is a great tip - I do that every now and then when the mailbox gets unruly!

      Delete
  9. These are such cute tops! I love the making magic happen tee. I want that for myself - I love casual t shirts with fun sayings!

    michellespaige.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a great tee - and non-maternity too, so you should snap it up!

      Delete
  10. That skellington tee is seriously so cute! I've never seen that before! Hope you have a great weekend :)

    Shauna

    www.lipglossandlace.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I should wear it more often! I've worn it a handful of times.

      Delete
  11. Cute tees! Love the one in the second look!!


    Amber
    All the Cute
    Today's Post: Pattern Play

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a fun look!! I love it!

    Adi xx
    www.fancycorrectitude.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. You look sexier in your second outfit. Your skirt is my favorite!!! <3
    Have a great day! :)

    xoxo,
    SHAIRA // www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha thanks! Not the look I was going for but I'll take the compliment anyway :)

      Delete
  14. Those pregnancy tees are the cutest! I hope you're looking as fabulous as you look which is really, really fabulous! x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Loving those tees and someone needs to make a maternity version of the Magic one straight away. Also loving seeing the magenta Balenciaga getting a run!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I had a maternity version of the magic one, it's a shame to leave it unloved in my wardrobe until after baby!

      Delete
  16. Love that shirt - so adorable!

    Annessa
    www.seekingsunshine.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Such a fun t-shirt! :)

    xo, Sarah
    www.thekissingboothblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. The Making Magic Happen tee is so perfect for pregnancy, although it would be even cooler if they had a maternity version. Still, it looks really good on you with the striped maxi skirt too :)

    Sam | http://mybeautycloud.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a great piece for early pregnancy anyway! I look forward to wearing it again post-baby!

      Delete
  19. These tees are so cute!

    The advice that I would give is to fast from social media. When you give it up, you give up your ties to it and it's hold on you is gone. Just distance yourself from it at least for a while.

    Sarah
    http://mybowsandclothes.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is a good tip - thanks for your entry! :)

      I definitely found my technology fast eye-opening.

      Delete
  20. i just wanted to say— i really, really, REALLY love your blog header! waheyyyy. congrats on the baby (:

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am so loving those cute tees! You are so hip, I love it!

    - Cielo
    Mermaid in Heels

    ReplyDelete
  22. Nothing is more comfy than a tee over a baby bump.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Haha the ninja baby tee is so cute! I love that you find fun things to wear in pregnancy. That book sounds really interesting, I'd love to check it out!

    Angelina Is | Bloglovin'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a great book! :) I'm pleased to be able to do a giveaway for it!

      Delete
  24. You looks so pretty! I love all the tees!


    www.ismurfshion.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have a thing for novelty t-shirts so loving these! Great looks!! Have a good weekend :)

    Christina ♥ https://caliope-couture.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. The skeleton shirt is so cool!

    xoxo, Christina

    Stray Birds and Lavender

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love that Making Magic Happen tee! So fun!

    xo,
    Abby of Life in the Fash Lane

    ReplyDelete
  28. OMG! How funny is the first tee!! haha love it!

    You look beautiful :)

    Rakel ♥ www.alovelystyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Ohhhmmy that black skeletal tee is so cute with a baby kicking.
    I love novelty tees too.

    The Bandwagon Chic | Instagram | Bloglovin | Snapchat: bandwagonchic

    ReplyDelete
  30. I can't get over how cute that top shirt is! I had my little boy last May and I wish I'd found something like that! The struggles book sounds like an amazing idea and I would love to enter :D followed you on GFC! xx

    elizabeth ♡ ”Ice Cream” whispers Clara | (doing follow for follow on bloglovin or instagram)

    ReplyDelete
  31. I would probably try to spend less time on there and realise how much it often takes over other aspects of my life. I would try and ground myself by taking a rest in some gardens or special place and notice what is going on in the real world, that is missed by social media. I would ease myself in to sensory activities, maybe cooking, walking or travelling to feel at peace with the real world again.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love both of these tshirts! The first one especially as I haven't seen it before...and it is really cute. Seeing the first tshirt made me realize how the second tshirt is absolutely true...A new human life being created is pure magic! I always say that it is no wonder that women have always inspired artists and painters because we bring new life in this world and that ability makes us pretty awesome.

    You look lovely sweetie! I really like both outfits.

    This book seems like a great read. There was one preacher who said something of the kind...he said that when we take a selfie we're making ourselves a centre and putting others in background. It doesn't have to be always true, selfies are not bad as a rule but it is true they can reflect that aspect of modern society that many find worrying and that is being self centred and using the techology in the wrong way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is magic indeed, and I feel so lucky to have been able to do it more than once! :)

      I'd never heard that saying about selfies before - but what a great one! Thank you for sharing!

      Delete
  33. I LOVE the little ninja baby tee! What an adorable piece!

    https://forsevenseasons.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Okay I LOVE the idea of novelty t-shirts! Totally something I want to do when I'm pregnant! My favourite is the skeleton tee for sure!

    Musings & More

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is good to have some fun with maternity dressing!

      Delete
  35. That first top is too cute! I love it!

    Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Etsy

    ReplyDelete
  36. Ohh I remember seeing the baby ninja tee in another one of your posts, it's just so fun and badass, haha! :D Really lovely giveaway, too, and although I'm not entering (good luck to all the participants!) my personal opinion on the social media is simply... Just to take it easy? I know that this doesn't sound like too much of an advice, but I just think that people get too caught up in all the social media stuff and take it far too seriously... I tend to be very distanced from it, and I've never even bothered with Facebook or anything (weird, I know). x

    Kay
    http://shoesandglitter.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Facebook is just a big timesuck haha! It's good you aren't caught up in it :) And thanks for sharing a tip even if you didn't enter :)

      Delete
  37. aaahh i really adore that second tee!! :D
    Thanks for sharing that books, looks really interesting and helpful!

    Have a great week!
    Animated Confessions

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I found it to be a really helpful book! I'm glad I can do a giveaway for it!

      Delete
  38. Those tees are a crack up! I remember the ninja tee but the new one is just as cute! I've never really felt the social media pressure as much as I feel pressure to create new blog content. While I still enjoy it of course, I know that once Sunday comes around, I need to write at least one blog post, at least for Monday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes blogging can have it's own different set of pressures I think! It's good you haven't felt that overwhelm from social media :)

      Delete
  39. Oh hey, I recently got that book! Aha, so cool you're doing a giveaway for it :)
    Great tees Mica, I adore the fun vibe <3

    The Dragonfruit Diaries

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha I should have got the giveaway up sooner! :P I'm sure you'll enjoy the book! :)

      Delete
  40. I love BOTH tshirts Mica! When your sister gave you the first one, I couldn't help but giggle. It is too cute! LOVE the saying of the second one...MAKING MAGIC HAPPEN. That is SO TRUE! What a great book! I love the scope of it.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a great saying to wear in pregnancy indeed! :) And yep my sister picked so well with that tee :)

      Delete
  41. Oooh, this is something I've been thinking about a lot recently. I rarely go on social media any more, mostly because I don't seem to have the time and I'd rather focus on my blog, but I've purposefully quit Facebook because I realised that I always felt less happy after a session. Which leads on to the best advice anyone shared with me - take note of how you feel right after you've just spent time on xyz social networking site. If, on balance, those feelings are more negative than positive then what's the point? Why not spend your time doing something that makes you feel good?

    And I'm loving the tees, such cool designs :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I've seen a lot of posts around about this lately - I think a lot of people are starting to question social media and it's helpfulness! Glad that you have quit facebook and are feeling happier about it!

      Delete
  42. I know I have been experiencing social media burnout. It is hard to reach out to people especially if you don't get the feedback that you want. I often compare myself to others who are blogging. I think those two things contributed to it. So when I put into prospective that I should not compare myself to others because it makes it seem that I am not pleased with how God made me! When I think of it that way I realize how wrong it is to compare myself to others especially making my self less than!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is a good point - comparison is so easy to do on social media and we lose sight of how special and unique we are. God loves us just as we are.

      Delete
  43. Those t-shirts are so fun! I haven't heard of that book before!
    www.amemoryofus.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I love novelty tees and sweatshirts and sweaters. Both of these you are wearing are beyond cute. How many more weeks are left now Mica? Take it easy hun.

    Happy February! Ada. =)

    ReplyDelete
  45. I feel like it's so easy to get really overwhelmed with social media, and so I think it's important to take breaks. I do try to be consistent in my posting, but at the same time I give myself permission to take breaks when it just doesn't feel good to post or to spend time on social media.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a good tip! Breaks are so important! Thanks for your entry :)

      Delete
  46. You are not defined by the number of clicks, like, and shares.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Good luck to everyone who enters! I thought I'd pop over since I was linking up to the Aussie Giveaway linky at Agent Mystery Case as well :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Sometimes, you just need to step away from it all and collect yourself. It really helps to reevaluate what is really important.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really good advice! Thanks for your entry :)

      Delete
  49. I would recommend getting off of social media for awhile and appreciate life outside of the internet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great advice! Breaks are important. Thanks for your entry!

      Delete
  50. Haha, such a cool skeletton tee, Mica! I WANT THIS ONE!! I remember when I saw it on eBay 2 years ago but somehow hesitated to get it. Such a shame. ;)

    You're a really cool mommy (to be), Mica!

    Ira / JOURNAL OF STYLE / BLOGLOVIN

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad my sister got it for me - it has been fun to wear! :)

      Delete
  51. Thank you all for your comments - and the great pieces of advice, even from those who didn't enter. The giveaway is still open for another day so plenty of time to enter!

    ReplyDelete
  52. The best advice I've been given with social media is to not share too much. Everything you post online is there forever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's good advice! Thanks for entering!

      Delete
  53. Ah I looked for that t-shirt at halloween but I couldn´t find it anywhere over here! x
    #styleelixir
    www.rockingmummysworld.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Social media is such a huge part of every day life that sometimes we really need to take a step back and assess what's really important. Why am I wasting time looking at negative articles or worrying about why no one liked my photo. . When I could spend that time with my family or doing things that really make me happy. Social media can bring superficial happiness in my opinion, so I think taking a break regularly is key to not letting yourself get obsessed..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true, we should always focus on the important things in life and not what's on a screen! Thanks for entering :)

      Delete
  55. I would say don't compare yourself to other people

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very good advice! Thanks for entering :)

      Delete
  56. I would tell them to take a breath and relax and then take the time to learn whats important about social media the pros and cons- pros u can connect with old friends and cons there can be so much drama.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love novelty tees!! These look great. The Ninja tee is perfect :)

    Christina ♥ https://caliope-couture.com

    ReplyDelete

Your feedback on my outfits and any constructive criticism is welcomed. I appreciate the time you take to leave a kind comment. Make sure to tick 'Notify me' if you've asked a question so you get an email response :)

Feel free to leave a link to your blog so I can check it out. "Follow me" or "follow for follow" comment spam will not be published.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...