4 Simple Dress Outfits For Beach Life At Tangalooma

This is an overdue post! Over Lunar New Year we stayed at Tangalooma with the in-laws, on the beautiful Mulgumpin Island. Last time hubby and I were there was for our honeymoon and I have no idea why it took us so long to visit again, it's the best place. Most of the time I was in a bikini, but I did also wear a few dresses for dinner and sometimes as a cover up over my bikinis. I packed light, with one bag, my big Neverfull tote, and just a few dresses. Didn't even take my camera so just Instagram pics from my phone.

What I wore:

Hat: Big W bow detail sunhat
Dress: thrifted peach and white floral print tiered sundress
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Louis Vuitton MM damier azur Neverfull

Why I wore it:

This dress makes such a good cover up! Perfect for a lazy day by the pool. It was suitable for going out for lunch as well. We did have a little rain shower, which didn't bother the kids as they were already in the pool! And thankfully this dress dried quickly when the sun came back out.


Last worn: sunhat, tiered sundress, Louis Vuitton damier azur Neverfull.

Other ways to wear: tiered sundress and denim jacket, Louis Vuitton damier azur Neverfull and maxi skirt.

Perfect for pregnancy: Louis Vuitton damier azur Neverfull in second trimester.

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What I wore:

Necklace: thrifted gold and pastel blue beaded necklace with grey string
Dress: thrifted no label pastel floral print babydoll dress
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Louis Vuitton MM damier azur Neverfull

Why I wore it:

Another great cover up, I've worn this dress to a pool party before as it's nice and light. It's a quick drying viscose and such a lovely print. As you can see in the photo, it was a bit of a rainy start to the day! We headed out to the pool anyway and thankfully the sun came out before we went scuba diving round the Tangalooma wrecks. It was a little scary as with the wind and the earlier rain the waves were really high, but under the water around the wrecks was just stunning, so many fish! We had the best time.

It stayed dry all afternoon, and hubby and the kids enjoyed the pool while I had a very indulgent beachside massage. Absolute bliss.


Last worn: floral babydoll dress, gold and blue beaded necklace, Louis Vuitton Neverfull (above).

Other ways to wear: floral babydoll dress and blazer, Louis Vuitton Neverfull worn 30 ways.

Perfect for pregnancy: Louis Vuitton damier azur Neverfull in second trimester.

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What I wore:

Necklace: double circle hammered pendant necklace
Dress: thrifted colourful geometric print maxi dress
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Louis Vuitton MM damier azur Neverfull

Why I wore it:

While we missed the evening's kookaburra feeding there were still some of the birds hanging around after the event, so I tried to take a pic with them. This kookaburra quickly figured no more food was coming and flew off though!

I wore this fun geometric print maxi dress with my Louis Vuitton Neverfull and the gold statement necklace when we all went out for dinner. The barman even managed to knock up a mocktail for the kids that was similar to the 'welcome drinks' I enjoyed when I came to Tangalooma as a kid.


Last worn: hammered gold necklace, geometric print maxi dress, Louis Vuitton Neverfull (above).

Other ways to wear: geometric print maxi dress worn 2 ways, Louis Vuitton Neverfull and shorts.

Perfect for pregnancy: Louis Vuitton damier azur Neverfull in third trimester.

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What I wore:

Necklace: double circle hammered pendant necklace
Dress: Kmart strappy tiered sundress in watercolour blue and blush print
Shoes: slim navy and pink Havaianas
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Louis Vuitton MM damier azur Neverfull

Why I wore it:

Another simple tiered dress for dinner. I picked this one, also another great bikini cover up, to wear out for dinner and for our dolphin feeding. The waves were pretty high and we had to go waist deep into the water so I figured a light dress like this one would be best as it would dry quickly afterwards.

Did get a little difficult walking into the surf trying to hold onto my son, a fish for the dolphin, and the dress that was floating up around me! But once we got further into the water the wetness held it down. It was so fun feeding the dolphins again. There's a pod of local wild dolphins that come up to Tangalooma pier every night for food and the dolphin we fed was the son of the dolphin that my sister and I fed a couple times as kids, and that my husband and I fed on our honeymoon! Such a special thing to share with our boys.


Last worn: hammered necklace (above), blue printed tiered dress, Havaianas, Louis Vuitton Neverfull (above).

Other ways to wear: blue printed tiered dress under a tee, Louis Vuitton Neverfull worn 30 ways.

Perfect for pregnancy: Louis Vuitton damier azur Neverfull at 38 weeks.

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Handbag Lover's Gift Guide For 2020!

It's that time of year again, where blogs turn into gift guides! Each year I publish this one gift guide: the perfect gift guide for a handbag lover, no matter your budget! This year, because it's 2020, I've added a little bit at the end for ways you can support some local Aussie businesses too. I try to pick pieces that will ship internationally, but I'm sure you will understand that the local section may only ship within Australia.

So, if you're looking for the perfect gift for a bag loving friend or relative, or just a little bit of bag-candy, this is the gift guide for you!

Spectacular Splurge-Worthy Spoils

These bags are $500+ and above - not the kind of thing you would give to a casual acquaintance, but certainly something special for someone close. Wives, girlfriends, mums, sisters - if you have the cash to splash you can't go wrong with something from this list! Sticking with classic styles and neutral colours is always a good idea, especially if you're not entirely sure what their preferred colour bag would be. Probably something to be 100% sure that you know they are after before investing so heavily in this section though!

Modest Mid-Range Designer Choices

At $100-$250 you can look at bags from their favourite contemporary designers, or maybe even a SLG (small leather good) from a luxury brand. There are so many options at this price point to choose from, this budget doesn't limit you but lets you get creative with how you want to spend. Think wallets, clutches, card holders, wallet on chain bags, wristlets... You can give them an accessory from a brand of their dreams or their perfect bag from their favourite contemporary designer. Mine being Rebecca Minkoff of course!

Bargain Bag Finds

Got less than $100 to spend? No worries! Think of ways they can accessorise bags they already have - keychains and bag charms are a good way to go, or a skinny silk scarf to tie in a bow on a bag or wrap around bag handles. See my video for more ways to accessorise a bag! What about a little pouch or wristlet they can use to keep things safe in their bag? Or a gift card to help them purchase the bag of their dreams they have been saving for? You can even hit up sites like ASOS for high street versions of designer styles, without the high price tags.

No matter the budget you have set aside, remember that the Thanksgiving Black Friday sales in the US will be starting soon, and other countries are starting to follow with similar sales. That bag that may have been out of your budget before might be a much more attractive price now or in the days to come, so get adding to cart in preparation for the sales!

Shopbop have up to 50% off designer bags, and you can get an extra 30% off at Rebecca Minkoff with code 'TAKE30' on orders over $150.

A Little Something For Yourself?

All that shopping for other people can lead to a little splurge or two on yourself! The categories above are good for gifts as you get the "new bag" experience with all the wrapping and boxes and that new bag smell! But if you're looking for a bag for you, why not try the preloved market? Easier on the wallet and the environment! Sites like Fashionphile, Yoogi's Closet, Bag Mad Boutique, Vestiaire Collective make it easy to snap up an authenticated designer bag at a bargain price - just be sure to review all the pictures and description carefully so you know what to expect with the condition. eBay is an option too, but I highly suggest using an authentication service like Authenticate First before buying anything designer from eBay.

Shop Local

There are so many local businesses who would really appreciate your support this Christmas. In the sprit of shopping small and supporting local that's so needed for  2020, I wanted to share some. While they are certainly not all bag based they have a lot of great gift ideas to surprise, spoil or entertain your loved ones this Christmas.

For The Little Ones:

• Little Birdie Books (get 15% off with code 'TOPKNOT') 
• Keeping Kids Busy (get 15% off with code 'BLACKFRIDAY')
• Kids Craft Box

For The Grown Ups:

• Yondale Designs - beautiful silver jewellery that will be treasured for years to come (I have two cuffs I adore from this company that I never remove from my wrist)
• Handbags on Etsy - you can filter for the perfect gift from your country, state or city!
• Katherine By Katherine - vegan friendly handbags and accessories, made in Brisbane!
• Fashion Scarf Girl - another Queensland mum, with multi-buy scarf discounts! (I have been a brand rep for this company in the past and I have also bought a lot of her scarves with my own money!)

Have fun shopping and finding that something special to bring yourself or someone you love a little bit of joy this year!

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30 Ways To Wear: Louis Vuitton Neverfull in Damier Azur (#30Wears)

Thought it was time to feature another handbag for this month's 30 wears post. Every month, I take advantage of having a daily record of my outfits as I look through the blog and find something I've worn 30 times or more, and share it with you as part of the 30 wears challenge. I started it in 2017, and it's a lot of fun!

30 Ways To Wear: Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Neverfull

I got this neverfull bag all the way back in 2011, so it's 7 years old this year. When I looked through the blog I realised I'd worn it a lot more than 30 times. Given all the times it's been worn on the blog, and having it a year before I started blogging, it's easy to assume it's had over 100 wears. In keeping with the theme though, I've picked just 30 of my favourite outfits to share here.

In terms of cost per wear, this is still high. I did have a vintage speedy bag that was 20 years old and still going, so I expect this 7-year-old-bag to also be around and be used in another 13 years.

That's the thing with investing in bags, you expect to have a lot of years of use to recoup the cost you spent. It was $875 at the time, so around 100 wears is $8.75 a wear. Retail of this bag now from Louis Vuitton is more than double, at $1,810 AUD! That's after 7 years worth of price rises, so I'm not to concerned at my high cost per wear, it could be worse! To be fair, the new bag comes with a little pouch too, so it's not just needless price increases. Still a big difference in price though.

But a good thing to remember - if you're saving up for a designer bag like this, save up and buy the bag as soon as you can, before the price is increased out of your budget! Plus you deserve a splurge now and then 😉

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30 Ways To Wear A Damier Azur Louis Vuitton Neverfull Tote in Video Form

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Louis Vuitton Neverfull and Maxi Dresses

While I love tiny little cross body bags and clutches like the Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC with my maxi dresses, a big holdall tote like the neverfull looks great too. It's such effortless style, picking a big tote bag and a classic maxi dress.

Damier Neverfull and Jeans

It's not just maxi dresses a neverfull looks great with! You can easily pair the bag with casual outfits, and I often wear mine with jeans. Skinny jeans are my go-to choice, but any pair of jeans works well with a tote bag, even those metallic ones in the third picture.

Louis Vuitton Neverfull and Dresses In The Office

While a neverfull looks great on weekends with a maxi dress or jeans, it also functions perfectly as a big tote for the office. On days where I have multiple meetings to attend or I'm away from my desk for an extended length of time, I like to take the neverfull bag as it has room for any files or notebooks I need, as well as a bottle of water and a cardigan if necessary.

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Review and Contents Of The Louis Vuitton Neverfull

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Damier Azur Neverfull And Pencil Skirts For Work

Just like the dresses above, a neverfull works great with pencil skirts to the office too. I have the damier azur neverfull with the blue checkerboard print, so as you can see from these photos I like pairing it with purple! Blue and purple is one of my frequently worn colour combinations.

Louis Vuitton Neverfull At The Beach

Of course it's not just a workplace you can wear your neverfull! Being such an easy to care for tote it's a good bag to take to the beach, as you can just wipe away the sand. The body is coated canvas so wipes clean easily with a baby-wipe! You can see the versatility of the bag in these four photos too, as it works with the denim shorts or maxi dresses, all good outfits for a day at the beach.

Damier Azur Neverfull In Winter

While the spring-like white and blue damier azur print looks perfect in a beach setting, I don't reserve the bag for exclusive spring or summer wear. It's a nice bag to wear in winter too, to add a little lightness to your outfit. The damier azur neverfull has leather handles and trim so I would keep it dry and wouldn't take it out on a snowy or rainy winter day, but it does look just as good in the cold as in the heat. Definitely a year-round bag.

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Louis Vuitton Neverfull as a Baby Bag

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Louis Vuitton Neverfull And Striped Skirts

The monogram and damier print neverfull bags are easier to wear than you think! I don't have any problems pairing the printed bag with an outfit that has a print in it. Of course, stripes are my staple for pattern mixing so they are a good option to start out with if you're unsure about what prints to wear with the damier print bag.

Damier Azur Neverfull and Print Mixing

It's not just stripes you can wear the printed neverfull with! I really do see the classic damier azur print as a neutral, and I'll wear it with bold prints like florals, or even in an outfit I'm already print mixing with as a third print. You can easily wear this with printed dresses, skirts or scarves.

Louis Vuitton Neverfull In Pregnancy

You need to carry quite a lot in pregnancy! Whether it's the bottle of water you constantly sip from, various crackers, ginger tablets or lollies that help you overcome morning sickness, or snacks for the second trimester munchies, you need a big bag! The Louis Vuitton Neverfull is perfect for that, and being a canvas bag it is light enough to wear that it doesn't add to any of the pregnancy aches and pains. This set of photos proves why I invest in accessories too - they consistently work for you, no matter how many pregnancies you have or how big your belly gets. A definite must-have!

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Where to Buy The Louis Vuitton Neverfull

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More Posts In The #30Wears Series:

See the 79+ ways I've worn this damier azur MM neverfull bag, or check out more of the 30 wears series.

• 30 ways to wear a black maxi skirt
• 30 ways to wear red Balenciaga velo bag
• 30 ways to wear gladiator sandals
• 30 different ways to wear striped maxi skirt
• 30 different ways to wear skinny jeans
• 30 ways to wear a grey Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag
• 30 ways to wear a printed leather jacket
• 30 ways to wear black ankle boots in multiple seasons
• 30 ways to wear mustard yellow Rebecca Minkoff bag
• 30 ways to wear a classic denim jacket
• 30 ways to wear white and navy stripe maxi skirt
• 30 ways to wear a floral kimono
• 30 ways to wear a pink maxi dress
• 30 ways to wear a red Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag
• 30 ways to wear a grey maxi skirt
• 30 ways to wear bermuda denim shorts

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Gift Guide For a Handbag Lover (At Any Budget!)

You know I love my handbags (and probably have a few too many!). If you are wondering what to buy for someone on your list who is equally handbag-obsessed, this is the gift guide for you! You don't always need to splurge on a bag to please a bag lover, there are lots of wallet-friendly buys to suit any taste or budget.


Prefer to skip the gift guide as you're only here for outfits? Check out my previous post, showing 30 ways to wear a floral kimono. This will be my last gift guide for the year, the blog will be back to normal posts on Monday.

Handbag Fan Stocking Fillers Under $50

There are so many cute little gifts you can get under $50. For someone who already has an enviable handbag collection, why not get them something to accessorise the bags they already have? There are so many nice bag charms around, or maybe a makeup bag or clutch to organise the contents of their bag. Books related to bags or their favourite designer are a lovely idea too! Some stores, like Shopbop, do gift cards so you can gift them $50 towards the bag of their choice.

Handbag Related Gift Ideas on a Budget: Under $100

If you're spending up to $100, you have a lot more options. You might not be able to get a bag off their Christmas wishlist, but you can get a few small leather goods from their favourite brand. Think card holders, wallets, and maybe even a clutch. Again, a gift card is a good option at this price point if you know they are saving for the bag of their dreams.

Handbag Lover Gift Ideas Under $500

There are a lot more bags available to buy when you have a bigger budget, and for under $500 you can get them the bag of their dreams from so many designers, and perhaps a clutch or small bag from the more expensive luxury brands. Sites like Yoox and The Outnet have off-season bags at reduced prices to fit your budget. Pre-loved and vintage is another good way to go, if you're buying from a reputable place like Fashionphile or Vestiaire Collective where authenticity is guaranteed.

Splurge-Worthy Handbags Over $500

Admittedly this is out of the budget for most people, but if you're splurging on someone special (mum / sister / wife / girlfriend) you can't go wrong with a classic neutral bag from their favourite designer. If they've been dropping a lot of hints too you might know the exact style and colour you should get.



I hope this gift guide has given you some ideas for the handbag-lover on your list! It's not too late to order most of these and have them delivered in time for Christmas - no matter where you are in the world. If you're curious, this is the bag at the top of my wishlist! (Under $500 too!) Do you have anything handbag related on your Christmas list?


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Ways to Wear JORD Wood Watches and a Giveaway

If you've read my blog for a while you might remember last year when I was given my first JORD wood watch. It became a firm favourite to wear to the office as glancing at your watch in a long meeting is a lot politer than pulling out your phone to check the time!

JORD kindly gifted me another beautiful watch. I was excited to start wearing a watch again, hoping it would help keep me on time for things. Really it's just become another way for me to see how late we are running! Typical of life with two under 3 I think. As well as a review, I wanted to show you some of the different ways I've worn the women's wood watches I'm lucky enough to own.

I picked the Cora watch as it's a little more dainty than the unisex Fieldcrest watch I have. I was also really intrigued by the purpleheart wood, which looks lovely with the mother of pearl face. As well as the little cut-out detail on the face to see the inner workings of the watch, the back of the face is clear so you can see all the cogs moving around inside which is fascinating - especially to a toddler!

Being a wood watch, it's splash-proof but not waterproof. It means I can wear it through all the constant hand washing that comes along with two boys still in nappies, although I do have to take it off when washing the dishes or showering. It handles stay at home mum duties perfectly. My Fieldcrest watch has held up to a year and a half of use and over 30 wears. It's also been tough enough to cope with being pulled off the bedside table and worn by the toddler more times than I can count, so I'm confident this Cora watch will last as well.

The ordering process was a little different this time around than last time. When you pick your wood watch, you can specify the size of your wrist and get it custom sized for you right out of the box. I used this feature, it's cheaper than getting the band changed at my local watch repair place and it fits perfectly. Being petite with tiny wrists and not always being able to find things to fit me properly, I appreciated this extra service.

The only downside I can find with this watch is that it's an automatic one, so it doesn't use a battery. This means if you get over excited and don't read the manual (guilty!) you won't wind the watch enough when you first set the time and you'll be confused the next day when it stops ticking. Once you read the manual and follow the instructions to properly setup the watch, you won't have any problems and the watch will keep the right time.

Just like my first experience with JORD watches, I was impressed with the speedy shipping time from the US to Australia and the absolutely beautiful presentation. I shared my delight at opening the box on my insta story. These wood watches make great gifts! They are so unique.

If you are inspired by the different ways I've worn my watches or have someone in mind to gift one to, you'll love this generous giveaway! Just by entering you'll get a little something and one lucky winner will get a $100 e-gift voucher. As this is my second wood watch from JORD, I'd be happy to help answer any questions you have about them in the comments too.


Click here for a $20 off code for JORD wood watches and a chance to win a $100 e-gift voucher!



Note: giveaway ends on 26th September. Giveaway is administrated by JORD for Away From Blue readers. I am simply promoting it through my blog. E-gift codes are automatically emailed to entrants. It is open world wide as JORD ships internationally and everyone who is reading here can enter.

This post was sponsored by JORD wood watches. As always, opinions and views expressed on this blog are my own.


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