Friday 12 January 2018

Maxi Dresses and Quilted Bags

Continuing the feeling of being so behind with blogging, two more maxi dress outfits I wore before Christmas! I actually ended up wearing these both on the same day - one during the day for my local ABA Christmas party, and the other in the evening for my office Christmas party.

What I wore:

Mothers En Vogue Havana pink maxi dress floral lei vintage chanel bag Christmas party outfit | away from the blue

Chanel vintage quilted lambskin diana flap bag beaded bracelet stack | away from the blue

awayfrom blue instagram pink MEV havana maxi dress floral lei themed Christmas party outfit
EarringsA Little Bit of North blue mandala earrings (giveaway prize, close up photo)
Necklace: floral lei with Tiffany diamonds by the yard necklace layered with Tai gold alphabet necklacesgifted frangipani necklace, and For King & Country Priceless Australian coin and crest necklace
DressMEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo
Belt: Kmart thin gold glitter belt
ShoesNineWest "Quicken" wedges in natural
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs waxed leather cream howlite beaded wrap bracelet
BagChanel vintage quilted lambskin flap (same in blue)

Why I wore it:

As you can tell, my office Christmas party had a theme, ha! I'd been looking forward to the party this year. Last December I was on maternity leave, and although my boss invited me to the Christmas party it was when I was in hospital with Baby Boy so I had to turn it down.

It was a bittersweet night. It was wonderful catching up with colleagues outside of work, especially those that have moved teams while was on leave and I no longer get to work closely with. I loved getting to have a good chat again! However it was so sad too as inevitably discussion turned to last year's party, which I missed because of the hospital stay. Made me really miss my boys, and I couldn't wait to get home to them.
There was one funny moment where a colleague said I should have come along to the party last year anyway, and I had to explain that as I was Baby Boy's food source (breastfeeding) I couldn't leave him. While this beautiful pink maxi dress is a nursing dress, we don't need that feature now. Worked perfectly with the floral lei to tie in with the party theme, and I even wore my frangipani necklace (and a few other ones).

This vintage Chanel bag is one of my treasured pieces, and the cross body strap came in handy to allow me to hold food and drinks. I even wore wedges for a bit of extra height (although I regretted it a little when I got home, so used to flats now!).


Last worn: MEV pink maxi dress, gold glitter belt, nude wedges, vintage Chanel bag.

Other ways to wearpink maxi dress worn 30 ways, nude wedges and lace dress, vintage Chanel bag and jeans.

Perfect for pregnancyMEV pink maxi dress at 39 weeks, vintage Chanel bag in second trimester.




More Quilted Handbags:








What I wore:

mothers group Christmas party embellished maxi dress outfit rebecca minkoff quilted love bag | awayfromblue

Rebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag in grey with Rebecca Minkoff Crystal Star Shoulder Guitar strap | awayfromtheblue

awayfromblue instagram mothers group Christmas party outfit Rebecca Minkoff quilted love bag
Necklace: Nibbly Bits BB plum silicone teething necklace (C/O)
DressJeanswest 'Sierra' embellished black maxi dress (on sale!)
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
Bracelets: the usual plus Christmas bow bracelet (with bells!) and Roie Designs black leather Swarovski beaded wrap bracelet
BagRebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag in grey with Rebecca Minkoff Crystal Star Shoulder Guitar strap

Why I wore it:

This was what I wore during the day - we had our local Australian Breastfeeding Association Christmas party, where we play a sneaky secret santa. Everyone brings a gift under $10, we all draw a number, then the person with number 1 unwraps a gift. The next person can pick another gift to unwrap, or steal the first one. Lots of people involved their toddlers and asked their opinion so they got in on the game too, so much fun. Toddler T had a great time! We enjoyed making the brownies with the kit we won too.

As expected though, all the time with toddlers and yummy morning tea and presents everywhere, my dress looked a little worse for wear so I was glad I'd planned a different dress to wear in the evening!

This was the perfect Christmas party outfit though, dressy but casual at the same time. Maxi dresses work for so many dress codes! Last year I went in shorts and tee, anything goes really. I did feel a little over dressed for my afternoon dentist appointment, with the embellished dress and bag strap, but my dentist ended up complimenting me on it so at least it made her smile! :)


Last worn: embellished maxi dress, black Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff crystal guitar strap, Rebecca Minkoff quilted love bag.

Other ways to wearembellished maxi dress with scarf as a belt, Rebecca Minkoff crystal guitar strap and printed shorts, Rebecca Minkoff quilted love bag and skinny jeans.

Perfect for pregnancyembellished maxi dress at 39 weeks, Rebecca Minkoff quilted love bag in third trimester.




Maxi Dresses Under $50:








How You Can Wear It:

Maxi dresses are a great option for a busy mum - they are grab and go outfits! You can accessorise them with layers of delicate necklaces, or stick with a practical teething necklace for time with toddlers. Quilted bags look great with them, and a cross body option allows you to go hands free.  Maxi dresses work for many different dress codes as they can be as formal or casual as you want. Nice to wear in the summer heat too.


Linking up with Passion for Fashion, Fabulous Friday, Lizzie in Lace, Friday Faves, Shoe & Tell, Modest Monday.



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Wednesday 10 January 2018

Grey Tees, Maxi Skirts, and Tesalate Towel

A good fail-safe wardrobe option for me is a grey tee. With all of the printed pieces in my wardrobe, grey tees are staple pieces I can always pull out when I'm not sure what to wear with something. With brightly coloured printed maxi skirts like the ones I'm wearing before, a grey tee is a simple choice.

What I wore:

slouchy grey teem boho red printed maxi skirt, yellow micro regan bag, SAHM errand style | away from blue

silver bracelet stack, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold | away from the blue

awayfromblue instagram slouchy boho outfit grey tee red printed maxi skirt
Necklace: Happiness Boutique turquoise and coral pendant necklace (C/O)
TeeMarc by Marc Jacobs blossom pocket tee in grey
Skirt: thrifted Billabong red printed maxi skirt
ShoesRebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush
BagRebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold

Why I wore it:

I realised I hadn't worn this grey tee for a while and decided to give it a last wear. When I'm not sure about something in my wardrobe or it's been so long between wears, 'the last wear' lets me find out if I still love something and it deserves to stay, or if it needs to leave my wardrobe. I had such mixed opinions about this when I wore it though! Wasn't too happy with it in the photos, but it is so soft, comfortable and I felt great in it all day. It's staying in my wardrobe for now.

I want to try it with something other than this maxi skirt - as I've mentioned before it's a slightly too long thrift find that I just roll up and wear higher on my waist so it's a lot of bulk together with a slouchy tee. I will need to get this skirt tailored, I'm sure it's a keeper now!

Wore this to run a few errands with the boys. I've worn yellow and red together before, and again I really liked the combination. I think the mustard yellow micro Regan bag works nicely with the bright red of the maxi skirt.


Last worn: grey pocket tee, red printed maxi skirt, studded sandals, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag.

Other ways to weargrey pocket tee in winter, red printed maxi skirt and blue tee, studded sandals worn 30 ways, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag worn 30 ways.

Perfect for pregnancy: grey pocket tee in second trimester.


Grey Tees Under $50:







What I wore:

grey tee, printed maxi skirt, louis vuitton neverfull beach bag outfit | awayfromblue

Louis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull | awayfromtheblue

awayfromblue instagram Tesalate 'this is love' towel sand free
Hat: Big W bow detail sunhat
Tee: Spectrum basic v-neck tee in grey marl
Bikini: Kiargo 'Captains Bridge' striped bikini
Skirt: thrifted tribal print maxi skirt
Shoesslim gold Havaianas
BagLouis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull

Why I wore it:

Wore this for a much-needed relaxing beach day the week before Christmas. My first weekend after finishing up at work for the Christmas break, so some sun was just what was needed.  I'd attempted no-heat curls the night before by plaiting my hair, but as you might have seen on Insta stories it didn't work too well! I ended up throwing my very frizzy and not at all curly hair up into a messy bun and hiding it under my sun hat at the beach. I got the chance to try out my new Tesalate towel at the beach too! They kindly sent me one, the 'this is love' towel.

Tesalate towels are 'sand free', and I was surprised to find that this claim is actually true! I tried to take a video showing how easy it was to flick the sand off the towel, but with my hands full with two toddlers it didn't happen. Trust me, it is sand free. No sand sticks to it, even wet sand. It washed well too.
The only downside is that after we went to the kid's water play area and sat down on the grass to dry off, it accumulated a few leaves on the underside of the towel. So it's good for not taking a bunch of sand home with you, but watch out for leaves and twigs!

I picked the grey tee to wear as I wanted something easy to throw on over my bikini, it was perfect. And my Louis Vuitton neverfull is frequently selected as my beach bag. It's nice to have a big bag to throw everything in when it doesn't fit in the baby bag which is filled with all the usual things plus towels for everyone! (That's another bonus of the Tesalate towel, it folds up so small!).


Last worn: sun hatgrey tee, striped Kiargo bikini, tribal print maxi skirt, gold Havaianas, Louis Vuitton damier azur neverfull.

Other ways to wear: sunhat and tunicgrey tee and skinny jeans, tribal print maxi skirt, Louis Vuitton neverfull and wrap dress.

Perfect for pregnancygrey tee and maternity pencil skirt, Louis Vuitton damier azur neverfull at 38 weeks.




Printed Maxi Skirts Under $50:








How You Can Wear It:


If you have a printed skirt you're not sure what to pair it with, try a grey tee. It's a classic neutral that goes with everything. Perfect for a casual relaxed day at the beach, or a busy morning running errands.


Linking up with Style on the Daily, Fashion Frenzy, Oh Hey Girl, Fashion Files, Fun Fashion, Weekend Wear, Flashback Fashion.


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Monday 8 January 2018

Summer Officewear: Blazers, Bright Tanks and Blue Pencil Skirts

While I'm still on leave, I haven't shared these outfits from before the Christmas break yet! Summer in the office is usually pretty relaxed, when the heat gets too much they often change our already business casual dress code to be even more casual. If I'm worried my outfit is a bit too casual though, even with relaxed dress codes, I add a blazer, just like I've done in both outfits below.

What I wore:

grey jersey blazer, bright turquoise tank, jacquard pencil skirt, navy tote Summer officewear | awayfromblue

jacquard pencil skirt, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy | awayfromtheblue

awayfromblue instagram | grey jersey blazer, blue tank and jacquard pencil skirt outfit
JacketJeanswest grey jersey blazer
NecklaceStarfish Project Veronica short yellow multi strand necklace
TankJeanswest Maya gather back tank in mid turquoise
SkirtWarehouse navy jacquard pencil skirt
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
BagRebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy

Why I wore it:

I'd just worn this blue tank a few days before, but wore it again to the office to squeeze in one more wear before the month ended, to meet my 'wear things twice in the month I buy them' goal. It's a great casual top, so I added the blazer to ensure it would work for the office as well. Although the turquoise tank and the navy skirt are very different blues, I thought they would look great together, and I couldn't resist adding this colourful yellow statement necklace for even more colour.

I really liked all the colours in this outfit together. The neutral black ballet flats and grey blazer were good accessories, and my Rebecca Minkoff navy MAB tote matched the jacquard pencil skirt well.


Last worn: grey blazer, turquoise tank, navy jacquard pencil skirt, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote.

Other ways to weargrey blazer and fit and flare dress, turquoise tank and printed shorts, navy jacquard pencil skirt and winter layers, ballet flats and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote and maxi dress.

Perfect for pregnancynavy jacquard pencil skirt in first trimester, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats and wrap dress, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in third trimester.



Bright Tanks Under $50:








What I wore:

colourful summer officewear yellow tank, green nackle, blue lace pencil skirt | away from blue

lace pencil skirt and Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy | away from the blue

awayfromblue instagram colourful bright tank blue lace pencil skirt blazer summer office wear
JacketZara cream jersey blazer
NecklaceStarfish Project Hannah turquoise bead necklace
TankJeanswest Maya gather back tank in chartreuse
SkirtAsos blue textured lace pencil skirt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs logo plaque flats in camel
BagRebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy

Why I wore it:

Wasn't quite so sure about all the colours in this outfit. I love yellow and blue together, and the green necklace is great with the yellow tank...but I think that something was off about this outfit, I didn't like it as much as the blue one above. Getting woken up far too early by baby boy and being too tired to consider my outfit properly that morning may have impacted how I felt about it, ha! I am always harsher with my outfits if I'm not having the best of days.

I was hoping for an easy day at work for being exhausted before my day even began, but when I realised it wasn't looking that way I popped out to Starbucks for a little morning tea treat between meetings.

Thankfully my day improved when I got home, it's impossible to have a bad day when you get excitedly greeted by 2 little boys and a very fluffy dog.


Last worn: cream jersey blazer, mustard yellow tank, ASOS lace pencil skirt, camel flats, Rebecca Minkoff navy MAB tote (above).

Other ways to wearcream jersey blazer and skinny jeans, mustard yellow tank and printed shorts, ASOS lace pencil skirt in monochrome outfit, camel flats and sheath dress, Rebecca Minkoff navy MAB tote in winter.

Perfect for pregnancycream jersey blazer and hidden baby bump, ASOS lace pencil skirt in third trimester, camel flats in second trimester, Rebecca Minkoff navy MAB tote in third trimester.




Blue Textured Pencil Skirts Under $50:







How You Can Wear It:


Your casual summer tanks can easily do double duty in the office when worn under a blazer and paired with a classic pencil skirt. If you're worried a bright tank may be too bold for your office, try picking neutral layers and accessories to wear with it. A blazer definitely isn't needed in the middle of a Brisbane summer, but you can easily take it off for the commute and slip it on to combat the cold aircon at your desk in the office. Such a simple layer to make any outfit feel more pulled together and office appropriate.


Linking up with On Trend, Turning Heads, Trend Spin, Confident Twosday, Style Sessions.


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