For those who asked on my previous office wear post, in Australia we are entitled to a year's maternity leave, with the ability to extend that to 2 years. The government will pay minimum wage for 18 weeks and most employers also offer a paid parental leave period in addition to this, so some of the first year can be paid. Hubby even gets paid parental leave for 2 weeks to help with the crazy newborn days which will come in very helpful. I'm very aware that I'm lucky to live in Australia and have the benefits we do.
What I wore:
Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace layered with Tiffany diamonds by the yard necklace
Dress: thrifted Target printed wrap dress (with Supre pink singlet underneath for modesty)
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs two tone flats in blush and black
Bracelets: the usual plus Hermes pink clic clac
Bag: Balenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet
Why I wore it:
Fourth and final wear for this dress! Not bad for a $1 opshop (thrift store) bargain! I bought it just to give me another office option during pregnancy. Only being worn 4 times I probably didn't need it as much as I thought I did, but when you hit that panicked stage in the second trimester worrying that you have nothing to wear you can go a little crazy shopping...at least it was only a dollar. It will be donated back to the store now, it served me well!The only thing I didn't like about this outfit were the shoes - at 37 weeks with the crazy humidity it was really painful squeezing my feet into these all day!
Last worn: pink singlet, printed wrap dress, cap toe flats, Balenciaga sorbet city bag.
Other ways to wear: pink singlet and a floral dress, printed wrap dress in the second trimester, cap toe flats and skinny jeans, pink Balenciaga city bag and a chambray dress.
What I wore:
Necklace: Eye Candy LA gold and turquoise cuff necklace
Dress: Soon Maternity 'Madeline' grey print wrap dress (with Supre bright pink singlet underneath)
Shoes: Asos 'five star' leather sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs black leather Swarovski beaded wrap bracelet
Bag: Balenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet
Why I wore it:
I saved my favourite office wear for my last day, this beautiful maternity wrap dress worked so well through two pregnancies for me. One of those pieces I'm so glad I invested in. Even though I got it second hand, it was a bit pricey and the most expensive maternity piece I bought. Worth it though as it's always made me look and feel good.I did break the office guidelines just a little and wore open toed sandals on my last day - but there was no way I was squashing my feet into shoes for another 8 hours! These were much more comfortable, even if I did have to have them as loose as they could go. The swelling has been much worse with this pregnancy, probably because of the high humidity.
Last worn: pink singlet, Soon Maternity wrap dress, Asos leather sandals, Balenciaga sorbet city (above).
Other ways to wear: pink singlet and shorts, Soon Maternity wrap dress and Chloe Paddington bag, Asos leather sandals and a maxi dress, Balenciaga sorbet city and denim shorts.
Linking up with Hello Monday, #HowISpring, Modest Monday, On Trend, Turning Heads, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday, What I Wore to Work.
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Delighted that baby has arrived safely and that you're also well. Big round of applause for being back blogging so soon as well!!
ReplyDeleteLove these last few maternity work wear outfits of yours.
Much love
SSG xxx
I have a bunch of pre-scheduled posts that are really helping blog wise! :)
DeleteCongrats on arrival of your baby...I love your outfit too..
ReplyDeletewww.luv4beautyblog.com
We have a similar concept here in Germany, one year paid parental leave (with minimum wage, but still). It gives me the opportunity to stay at home for the first year while still contributing a little to our expenses.
ReplyDeleteAnd hooray for prescheduled posts, I am so glad I have them as well.
Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
I wish we could get the entire year paid, it's a pretty awesome scheme :) Hope you enjoy your year! :)
Deletecongrats!!! glad all are well!
ReplyDeleteSo glad the baby has arrived!! How neat you are allowed so much time off. I wish America did that!
ReplyDeletexx Leah / www.eatpraywearlove.com
Yes, I'm very lucky to have so much time off!
DeleteI'm glad you get the year off and wow for the option to extend to 2 years...I think I would have done that every time!
ReplyDeleteI'm keeping my options open, just like last time :)
DeleteI LOVE that bag. It's such a perfect colour. Gemma x
ReplyDeletewww.jacquardflower.uk
Oh, I'm so glad to here baby is here and you're all well! I need to go check IG for updates clearly! Your maternity leave policy is AWESOME. Will you be taking the full year? Where I work maternity leave is completely unpaid, and that's pretty normal here in the US. I wish this country did a better job of taking care of families!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, glad to hear you're doing well!!
It is a very generous maternity leave! I've applied for the year and will keep in touch with my boss throughout so we can see how it goes, if I go back early or extend it longer.
DeleteYea, thats so amazing that you guys get such a long maternity leave! The most people can take here is like 3 months unless their bosses are really nice.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.closet-fashionista.com/
Yeah I'm really lucky to have so much time! :)
DeleteWrap dresses are the perfect options for the office!
ReplyDeletewww.amemoryofus.com
This makes me cry. Australia is doing it right! A baby, especially a newborn needs a mother that long! Yet in the states we are expected to return after just 6 weeks! Heck, even now we a two year old I feel like I missed so much. Perhaps that's why there's so many crappy moms in the states? (;
ReplyDeleteAnyways.... congrats on making yet another beautiful human! (; As much as I love your pregnancy style, I'm looking forward to styling and functional outfits for a mom of two. (: Take it easy Mica! I wish you the very best first few weeks adjusting. (:
6 weeks is so short! I don't know how you do it! I think there are good and bad mums everywhere though, no matter how long or short the leave ;)
DeleteLoving these accessories - especially your pink bag! And just saw the snap of your new arrival over on your FB page - huge congratulations to you and your family, he's absolutely gorgeous! :) x
ReplyDeleteViva Epernay
Australia's maternity benefits put the US's to shame! I am loving your sandals. :]
ReplyDelete// ▲ itsCarmen.com ▲
You guys get the best maternity leave over there!! You are looking beautiful at 37 weeks pregnant!
ReplyDeleteBrooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
A dollar ? Now that's what I am talking about: getting your money's worth ;)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! :)
DeleteCongrats on having your baby! That's fantastic! Love your bag here of course!
ReplyDeleteRaindrops of Sapphire
I can't believe how crappy the US is with maternity leave! So happy for you that you get so much time with your little one!!
ReplyDelete-Clarissa @ The View From Here
Happy Birthday to your newest little family member, Mica! Congratulations to you and your family! So happy for you! Enjoy your time with the little one, looking fabulous all the while. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new little one!!
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful you get so much maternity leave so you don't have to feel pressured into returning to work before you are ready.
Chic on the Cheap
Yes it's great to have the option to take longer if I want!
DeleteCongratulations on the latest addition to your family! It's wonderful to hear that everything went well and that you and the baby are healthy. All the best :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I can't believe you only paid $1 for that dress! Talk about a deal :)
You look beautiful and I love the dress! xx
ReplyDeleteElese | elesedowden.com
These outfits are gorgeous and I am so jealous of your maternity leave! OMG! That is amazing!
ReplyDeleteConnie | Sponsored by Coffee | Etsy
Congrats on the baby arriving! It seems you continued to look awesome until the very end! Hope you're enjoying a smooth transition to being a mother of two! XO
ReplyDeleteLauren-Blair
www.prefertobedemure.com
YAY! Congrats on the bambino! Can't wait to see pics!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your newborn! :) That bag is gorgeous and matches your cute and comfy looking outfit!!
ReplyDeleteMacarons and Mischief
Loving the wrap dress on you, and that bag is such a fabulous color! Congratulations on the baby arriving!!!
ReplyDeleteAnnessa
www.seekingsunshine.com
Beautiful look as always!
ReplyDeletehttp://chicglamstyle.com
huge congrats on the baby!! you were looking so stylish all the way to the end! love that pink bag!
ReplyDeletekileen
cute & little
Oh Mica, congratulations on the baby. Is it a he or a she? I bet you are squeezing in all the infant newborn goodness right now. They are so adorable and smell so good when they are freshly born. I have loved both of these wrap style maternity dresses on you and the gray patterns are so versatile.
ReplyDeleteAs far as maternity leave, with Vivian being born in Albania, I was able to get a full one year paid maternity leave there too. So good in Australia is the same. =)
Another little boy :)
DeleteWhat a gorgeous bag, love the colour!
ReplyDeletexo
Siffat
http://icingandglitter.com
Congrats, lady! And wow those are some amazing benefits! Glad you were able to schedule a few posts so you can enjoy the time adjusting to and snuggling with the little one!
ReplyDeleteCarylee | http://morepiecesofme.com
Yep you can't beat those newborn snuggles! :)
DeleteSuper cute pink Balenciaga, doll!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Congratulations on your little one! I wish we had such great maternity leave here in the states (grumble). Glad you are able to take advantage though!
ReplyDeletelovely dress!
ReplyDeleteRakel ♥ www.alovelystyle.com
Mica - so adorable. You look incredible! Congrats on getting to meet your baby in the next few weeks (hopefully). I can't wait to see updates x
ReplyDeleteMargarita Chi | MARGARITACHI.CO
We are certainly so lucky here in Australia. Although I believe after July 1, you no longer get a parenting payment if your work offers mat leave? Lucky you got in beforehand. Congrats on a stylish pregnancy and the new arrival!
ReplyDeleteI've heard they are stopping it, just didn't know the date. It's a shame if they do, as it's really helpful for making the most of the entitled leave period!
DeleteAww...you're one blooming mother. Congrats!
ReplyDeletexx
http://officiallookbookstore.blogspot.com
How good is that dress for just a dollar! And congrats on your baby of course. What a bargain though!
ReplyDeleteCongrats dear! Love your dress and bag!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Love from www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
That's how it should be I think, so it's great that AU government gives allowance to extended maternity leave with pay. I really love both dresses, but the first one is my favourite, such a fun print.
ReplyDeleteFASHION TALES
Congrats again on new baby T! I hope you're enjoying plenty of newborn cuddles. I think both those dresses are great, and I'm impressed by your charity shop bargain! I know what panic shopping can do to a person, for me I get it pre holidays :)
ReplyDeleteYes at least my panic shopping was only a dollar this time, haha!
Deleteyour dress is really cute. I definitely need a wrap around dress !
ReplyDeletex,Abril
The Color Palette
Thank you all for your kind comments and congratulations on the arrival of our baby boy.
ReplyDeleteYaaaaaay!!! Congrats on the arrival of your little one! You have amazing maternity leave! How much do you plan to take? The full year or go for longer? Enjoy this time with your new little addition. :) Love both of these looks - you were looking so great all the way to the very end!
ReplyDeleteErica
www.pumpsandpushups.com
At the moment I've requested a full year but we will see how things go, I will be keeping in touch with my boss regularly.
Delete