Wednesday 5 April 2017

Colourful Maxi Dresses, Blue Balenciaga Tempete Day Bag and ABA

I've been wearing my maxi dresses a lot lately! They've just been the easiest option as they are instant outfits. I have a few black ones but the bright and colourful ones definitely get more wear.

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:


Mothers En Vogue Maxi Dress Breastfeeding and Volunteering SAHM Style Outfit | AwayFromBlue

pink maxi dress, Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete | AwayFromTheBlue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
DressMEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo
Belt: Kmart thin gold glitter belt
ShoesRebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale, 44% off!)
BagBalenciaga 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 wearpink 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:

Monochrome outfit, jeanswest printed maxi dress tempete Balenciaga day bag | Away From Blue

blue dress, storm Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete | Away From The Blue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Ava elephant pendant teething necklace
DressJeanswest 'Chantelle' crochet detail blue printed maxi dress
ShoesWittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
BagBalenciaga 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 wearblue 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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52 comments:

  1. 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.
    It 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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 :)

      Delete
  2. I 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

    I have ALWAYS loved that blue printed maxi! The neckline is so flattering, and the print so different!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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 :)

      Delete
  3. I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Maxi dresses look so good on you! I love that pink one.

    Gemma x
    www.jacquardflower.uk

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  5. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha yes I need more colourful options! :) I'm so gald there are so many maxi dresses around now too! :)

      Delete
  6. You 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 :)

    Mili | Sharmtoaster

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, it definitely helps, like anything, to know you're not alone!

      Delete
  7. I cannot wait to wear Maxi dresses....I love seeing yours.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mica, 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!
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Kim! I'm so happy to hear that from you, as you have a beautiful speaking voice!

      Delete
  9. I love the first dress! The color is so pretty!

    Liz
    Www.lizzieinlace.com

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  10. You look so beautiful in these maxi dresses. I was struggling with breastfeeding. After one month I had to stop it.
    Nina's Style Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well done for doing it for a month though! It can be so difficult, you did a good job :)

      Delete
  11. both dresses are lovely!!
    www.mssparkleandglow.com

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  12. 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!

    -Katie
    http://hellokatiegirl.blogspot.com/

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  13. Such gorgeous dresses! Love them on you! =)


    - Cielo
    Mermaid in Heels

    ReplyDelete
  14. Such a pretty colour I love the dress
    xo
    www.laurajaneatelier.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Amazing combos dear! The bag is so cute and definetly in your style!
    xx
    Mónica Sors
    MES VOYAGES À PARIS
    NEW POST: YELLOW JUMPER & BOXER BRAIDS
    DON'T MISS: DENIM & LACE

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love these dresses! The colours are so pretty!

    x Annabelle
    travelsandtea.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. 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.

    Public 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep I'm going to return to my regular office job soon if all goes well with baby boy.

      Delete
  18. I love those maxi dresses!!
    The blue is just perfect on you :D
    kiss
    xx

    https://thathappymess.com/

    ReplyDelete
  19. I can't wait to pull out my maxi dresses for the warm weather!!
    That bright blue necklace is perfect for that dress!!
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. 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!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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 :)

      Delete
  21. You always rock your maxi dresses so well! Loving the prints, but the elephant necklace is so cute and the rainbow charm!

    Raindrops of Sapphire

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  22. That second maxi looks fantastic Mica.
    I 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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 :)

      Delete
  23. I 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes 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! :)

      Delete
  24. I 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.

    Sam | My Beauty Cloud

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  25. Lovely dresses and beautiful smile. The bag and dog are so cute too <3 Have a nice day xx

    ReplyDelete
  26. Such 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!

    Xo,

    Jalisa
    www.thestylecontour.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll get lots of wear from your 3 over summer while pregnant I think, haha!

      Delete
  27. Those maxi dresses are so pretty! Love how they work for events and errands :)

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  28. I 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.

    Allie of ALLIENYC
    www.allienyc.com

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  29. loving the rainbow keychain on your balenciaga. cutest!

    VVEEKEND 101

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  30. Super cute combo dear...
    http://sepatuholig.blogspot.com
    IG @grace_njio

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  31. It 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh 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! :)

      Delete
  32. I remember calling the ABA and they were wonderful. What a great opportunity to work with them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'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.

      Delete
  33. Love the details at the bottom of the pink maxi dress. Very pretty!

    Di from Max The Unicorn

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  34. 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.

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  35. What 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!

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  36. Love the colours and how simple they are :)

    Sammy | Bargainbaglady.com XX

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  37. Your maxi dresses look fun and comfortable... and look nice also. :)

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  38. Loving your dresses! They look so cozy! and the colors are pretty!

    Lisa @ Showered With Design

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