This Balenciaga tempete day bag is one of my favourites too. It looks great with pink or worn in a monochrome blue outfit. Sharing it with both below, and talking a little more about my experiences with the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
What I wore:
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in popDress: MEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo
Belt: Kmart thin gold glitter belt
Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale, 44% off!)
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete
Why I wore it:
If you follow my insta stories, you'll know it was a big day for me when I wore this! I had the chance to help out at the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) stall at the baby expo. While I'm still on maternity leave from my office job, it was nice to have a little bit of 'work' for the day for something different, especially as I waited for my re-application for Church Online to be approved so I could get back to working there.I'm not the best at public speaking (my youtube channel is a way for me to practice!) and I don't like talking in a group or crowd situation, but it was nice being able to talk one-on-one to the people at the expo who stopped by the stall and tell them a little more about the ABA.
It was bittersweet meeting so many people who had a similar experience that I did. So many people didn't breastfeed their eldest as much as they had wanted to (for various reasons) and so were looking for some support or information to reach their goals the second time around. One of the breastfeeding counselors I worked with on the day was the same lady who had answered that exact query for me a little over a year before when I was pregnant with Baby Boy! She was wonderful and it was good being able to refer people onto her when they had questions outside of membership that I couldn't answer.
Hubby and the boys came to the expo in the morning with me and then after lunch I went to help out at the stand when the boys went home. This nursing maxi dress was a pretty and practical outfit, with the added benefit of my teething necklace generating a lot of enquiries from people. Although I hadn't known it beforehand, we had a little shop within the stall with teething necklaces for sale for fundraising. I showed the selection to a few people. This Balenciaga day bag easily held my water bottle and things inside while sitting in a corner of the stall too.
Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, pink maxi dress, gold glitter belt, gladiator sandals, Balenciaga tempete day bag.
Other ways to wear: pink maxi dress at 39 weeks, gold glitter belt and Aztec print, gladiator sandals worn 30 ways, Balenciaga tempete day bag and red skinny jeans.
More Balenciaga Day Bags:
What I wore:
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Ava elephant pendant teething necklaceDress: Jeanswest 'Chantelle' crochet detail blue printed maxi dress
Shoes: Wittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete
Why I wore it:
This was another ABA-related outfit! Blue everything to meet the 'matchy matchy' style challenge on Intagram. Except the black and tan sandals. Sometimes I think I'd like blue sandals...I already have a few colourful flats I don't wear nearly enough though. I've worn this Balenciaga day bag together with the maxi dress before, it's a great combination.Wore this to head out to the local ABA mother's group. The meeting topic wasn't one that was particularly relevant to me as I'm past the newborn stage, but it was good to get out and have some morning tea and a chat with the other mums.
In the afternoon we popped out to grab a few quick groceries too. While maxi dresses can feel a little more formal (and I wear them for evenings out), they are so comfortable and easy to wear that I wear them for everyday too, no special occasions needed.
Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer (above), blue printed maxi dress, studded sandals, Balenciaga tempete day bag (above).
Other ways to wear: blue printed maxi dress with pink and aqua, studded sandals and denim shorts, Balenciaga tempete day bag and blush pink.
Colourful Maxi Dresses Under $50:
How You Can Wear It:
Don't be afraid to wear bright accessories with a bright outfit. You can pick complimentary colours like pink and blue, or go monochrome and match your bag to your outfit for an easy, fail-safe match.
If you're pregnant or a new mum or both, I'd suggest checking out your local Australian Breastfeeding Association group. You can go to one without becoming a member, if you want to see what it's like first and how good the cakes are. In my experience though, the cake and the conversations are well worth the small $70 annual membership fee. 😂 Not a sponsored post, just wanted to share more about a group that's been a large part of my life this past year.
Linking up with Fabulous Friday, Weekend Wear, Flashback Fashion, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole.
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As you know breastfeeding was a struggle with me with both kids. Something like this association would probably have helped a lot. But so be it.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice you got the chance to work a little with them, when I was on maternitiy leave these small occasions would give me a big energy boost.
Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
I think you did a great job both times - we should celebrate what we achieve and not be too hard on ourselves when things don't go to plan :)
DeleteI think it is SO FANTASTIC you helped out at the ABA booth! From personal experience, breastfeeding was not what I thought it would be. I literally thought I would produce enough milk for a cow and that I could be that chill any time anywhere mom. As I've told before, it didn't work out that way, and hearing your child's pediatrician tell you "you aren't providing her enough milk," felt like a death sentence. This time around, I already have a lactation consultant and she's been so great telling me foods and what not to eat so hopefully this doesn't happen again. So awesome you could share stories and help others! <3
ReplyDeleteI have ALWAYS loved that blue printed maxi! The neckline is so flattering, and the print so different!
How thankful I am that I'm in a country (like you are) where we can get easy access to safe drinking water for formula so not having enough breastmilk isn't the end of the world! I hope you are able to increase your supply this time around, fingers crossed! It sounds like you have a wonderful plan in place :)
DeleteI adore the ruffle detail at the bottom of that Maxi, what a great color and that necklace is absolutely adorable and perfect to pull this whole cute look together! You look amazing! Hope you're having a great day!
ReplyDeleteMaxi dresses look so good on you! I love that pink one.
ReplyDeleteGemma x
www.jacquardflower.uk
I remember when I bought my first maxi dress back in around 2009- the store only had two and one was black and one was purple! It took years for them to be in stores everywhere and to trickle down to the masses. You look wonderful in them, and so nice that they dovetail so well into your ABA work. Hey, you need red or yellow sandals! Forget that black and tan! ;-P
ReplyDeletehaha yes I need more colourful options! :) I'm so gald there are so many maxi dresses around now too! :)
DeleteYou can't go wrong with a maxi! They're some of my go tos in the warmer months as well :) And that's so awesome that you worked at the ABA booth! I have no experience on the topic but I imagine like many other things in life, it's always reassuring to know that you aren't alone in dealing with it :)
ReplyDeleteMili | Sharmtoaster
Yep, it definitely helps, like anything, to know you're not alone!
DeleteI cannot wait to wear Maxi dresses....I love seeing yours.
ReplyDeleteMica, you speak very well :D Glad you participated in the Expo. You are so knowledgeable and I know you helped many others. You should be very proud. Love both dresses!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
Thanks so much Kim! I'm so happy to hear that from you, as you have a beautiful speaking voice!
DeleteI love the first dress! The color is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteLiz
Www.lizzieinlace.com
You look so beautiful in these maxi dresses. I was struggling with breastfeeding. After one month I had to stop it.
ReplyDeleteNina's Style Blog
Well done for doing it for a month though! It can be so difficult, you did a good job :)
Deleteboth dresses are lovely!!
ReplyDeletewww.mssparkleandglow.com
Love both of your maxi dresses, especially with the Balenciaga bag. The charm on your bag is really cute too! It's great that you were able to help out at the expo and talk one on one to people to gain some public speaking experience!
ReplyDelete-Katie
http://hellokatiegirl.blogspot.com/
Such gorgeous dresses! Love them on you! =)
ReplyDelete- Cielo
Mermaid in Heels
Such a pretty colour I love the dress
ReplyDeletexo
www.laurajaneatelier.com
Amazing combos dear! The bag is so cute and definetly in your style!
ReplyDeletexx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: YELLOW JUMPER & BOXER BRAIDS
DON'T MISS: DENIM & LACE
Love these dresses! The colours are so pretty!
ReplyDeletex Annabelle
travelsandtea.com
I'm waiting for weather to get a little warmer so I'd wear my maxi dresses. You look beautiful in both of these dresses.
ReplyDeletePublic speaking is one of the things I struggle the most, but the only way is to change it is to work on it and participate in events like that. I'm sure you did a great job! I hope you will get back to your work whenever you can :)
Ela BellaWorld
Yep I'm going to return to my regular office job soon if all goes well with baby boy.
DeleteI love those maxi dresses!!
ReplyDeleteThe blue is just perfect on you :D
kiss
xx
https://thathappymess.com/
I can't wait to pull out my maxi dresses for the warm weather!!
ReplyDeleteThat bright blue necklace is perfect for that dress!!
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
How awesome that you were able to be at the conference and support other women. Breastfeeding is an awesome and challenging thing. I love both your maxi dresses, and your bag is perfect!
ReplyDeleteAmy Ann
Straight A Style
It is great when it works, but can be so tricky when it doesn't! It was nice to help out for a little bit :)
DeleteYou always rock your maxi dresses so well! Loving the prints, but the elephant necklace is so cute and the rainbow charm!
ReplyDeleteRaindrops of Sapphire
That second maxi looks fantastic Mica.
ReplyDeleteI have seen a lot being done in encouraging women to breastfeed, good for you that not only are you doing it but for getting involved in promoting it.
I think it's good to make people aware of the support that's there for it, it's a wonderful thing to do, when it works. And I know from my own experience the organisation is so helpful with ideas and advice when it doesn't work, so I was thrilled to be able to help :)
DeleteI never knew that there was a breastfeeding association or a baby expo! // I love maxi dresses :) I like to think of them as casual versions of gowns :P I love gowns but I never have the occasion to wear them?? -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
ReplyDeleteYes there were a few people who hadn't heard of the association or didn't know what they did, it was nice to tell people about it! :)
DeleteI love the idea of maxi dresses but I can never find one that fits me right! Still, you look great in them and it's so cool that you could help out so many other mothers at the ABA.
ReplyDeleteSam | My Beauty Cloud
Lovely dresses and beautiful smile. The bag and dog are so cute too <3 Have a nice day xx
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful maxi dresses, both the ones you're wearing and the ones you've shared. I'm so picky when it comes to them, which is why I only have 3 lol. I've been looking for them even more lately to get ready for summer and to accommodate my growing bump towards the end of my pregnancy. Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a great rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteXo,
Jalisa
www.thestylecontour.com
You'll get lots of wear from your 3 over summer while pregnant I think, haha!
DeleteThose maxi dresses are so pretty! Love how they work for events and errands :)
ReplyDeleteI know maxi dresses really are one of the easiest things to wear in summer, I wore one all the time when I was in Florida. I need to get more this summer. And yes excellent bag. And yes video is a great to practice speaking in public without actually speaking in public.
ReplyDeleteAllie of ALLIENYC
www.allienyc.com
loving the rainbow keychain on your balenciaga. cutest!
ReplyDeleteVVEEKEND 101
Super cute combo dear...
ReplyDeletehttp://sepatuholig.blogspot.com
IG @grace_njio
Love the blue maxi!
ReplyDeleteIt took me five babies to correctly learn to breastfeed! I remember being so determined to succeed with my 5th child, that I refused to leave hospital until I was properly coached one on one with a lactation consultant. I fed my boy for 16 glorious months! Baby number six was breastfed for just shy of 3 years! My earlier 4 kids had differing lengths of time on the breast but I was never confident and there were other issues too. When it works, it's an amazing experience with lifelong happy memories.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, well done for feeding so long! Like you said, it can be so tricky and it's not instantly easy to get right. It's good there is support available to help us when it's not going how we wanted it to. Australia is so good in that way! :)
DeleteI remember calling the ABA and they were wonderful. What a great opportunity to work with them.
ReplyDeleteI've called them a few (or more than a few!) times too, they are really wonderful. It was nice to volunteer and tell people about how helpful they are.
DeleteLove the details at the bottom of the pink maxi dress. Very pretty!
ReplyDeleteDi from Max The Unicorn
Thank you all for your comments! A big thank you to everyone who shared their own breastfeeding stories! It's not something that everyone is able to do, so you should all be proud of how much (or how little) you were able to breastfeed for.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great opportunity for you to work with the ABA and help and inspire other mums. I love both these dresses, they're colours are so vibrant!
ReplyDeleteLove the colours and how simple they are :)
ReplyDeleteSammy | Bargainbaglady.com XX
Your maxi dresses look fun and comfortable... and look nice also. :)
ReplyDeleteLoving your dresses! They look so cozy! and the colors are pretty!
ReplyDeleteLisa @ Showered With Design