Corporate Style: Prints in the Office. Floral Cami and Pencil Skirt, Polka Dot Dress. Balenciaga Part Time

Back to regular outfit posts! Two more outfits I wore to the office. Both involving lots of black as it had been a tough week with baby T and I wanted simple, easy outfits.

What I wore:

Cardigan: Jeanswest black cardi

Necklace: Dogeared silver wishbone necklace (on sale!) layered with Dogeared 3 Wishes stardust bead necklace
Cami: Atmos&Here 'Isla' ruffle cami in floral print
Skirt: Asos tailored tab front pencil skirt in grey
Shoes: Wittner 'Bloomy' black heels
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
Bag: Balenciaga part time in black 2010 with SGH

Why I wore it:

This is what I wore on Saint Patrick's day. (Yep, I'm 2 weeks behind with posting what I wore!) I wanted to wear something with a little bit of green in it, as sometimes the office can get really into holidays. I didn't want to go overboard though, so I thought this printed top with the little bits of green worked nicely. I saw lots of people dressed up in very green outfits when I was walking through the city during the day, but sadly there wasn't a lot of green in the office. I was pleased I hadn't pulled together an overly green outfit! Went with all black accessories as that was easiest, and because I needed a cardi to cover the spaghetti straps of the cami for the office.

I've been participating now and then in the #RediscoverYourWardrobe instagram tag. This outfit was another one that met the challenge as last time I wore this cardigan was over two years ago! I wore it with black and white and some red accessories last time, it was a little more colourful this time around with the printed top. This skirt is another wardrobe oldie, last worn when I was 21 weeks pregnant and still hiding the baby bump in the office.

I was debating if I should keep these heels or not. They are very tall, but actually very comfortable despite the height. I wondered if the style was a bit dated though. I got these shoes in 2013 and while they are black, they aren't exactly a classic timeless style. I was scrolling through my instagram feed that day and saw an extremely similar pair being featured as a new style arriving at a store I follow, so I'm not worried any more. They will stay in my wardrobe!


Last worn: black cardigan, Atmos&Here cami, grey pencil skirt, black heels, Balenciaga Part Time.

Other ways to wear: black cardi with a neutral outfit, printed cami and colour blocked maxi skirt, grey pencil skirt worn with blue, Balenciaga black part time with monochrome outfits (and a baby belly!).

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What I wore:

Dress: French Connection spotty cotton dress
Shoes: Wittner 'Bolla' black bow detail flats
Bag: Balenciaga part time in black 2010 with SGH

Why I wore it:

This dress is another oldie! I last wore it in 2013, back when I was exhausted as I was suffering from really bad morning sickness. I wore it then as I was tired and wanted something to nice and easy to wear to the office. Tiredness is the reason I picked it again this time, although I was tired because I was sleep deprived with baby T and hadn't had time to pick out an outfit the evening before like I usually do. LBD, black accessories and I was done, off to work. Easy :) Although running late meant I didn't notice the messy hair, or have time to fix it before photos, ha!


Last worn: French Connection LBD, black ballet flats, Balenciaga part time (above).

Other ways to wear: polka dot dress with pink accessories, black Balenciaga with a pink outfit.

Linking up with I Feel Pretty, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, Oh Hey Girl, Style Me Weekly, What I Wore, Style Me Wednesday, Spotlight Weekly, What I Wore to Work, Fun Fashion Friday, Fab Favourites, Casual Friday, Skirtista Diaries today.

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Stripes, Skirts and Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere Bag in Damier Ebene

First up, have you shopped the Shopbop sale yet?!

15% off orders of $250+

20% off orders of $500+

25% off orders of $1000+

Just use code 'BIGEVENT15' at checkout.

It's been a while since my last style challenges, so when Vanessa posted her Style and Shenanigans Colour challenge, I was eager to give it a go again. I've posted my thoughts about style challenges before and I think they can be a good way to help me wear more of my wardrobe and not just go for the same pieces all the time. It was a short challenge, just 5 days long. Below are two of the looks.


Here's what I wore to spend the day with my mum:

Sunglasses: Rayban new Wayfarers
Singlet: Jeanswest peach ruffle cami
Skirt: AT by Atmos&Here Mars striped maxi skirt
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere (with Coach feather bag charm)


The challenge for the day was 'pastel central'. I thought this peach cami was perfect. I really like pairing cami tops and maxi skirts together, I've done it a few times now, nice and cool for summer. I am still so incredibly lucky my sister didn't want this top any more - a great piece for me I picked up in one of her wardrobe clear outs! Every now and then when we get the urge to clean our wardrobes we will let each other comb through the bags before taking them off to be donated. I've got some lovely pieces that way, and it has to be said I've got a few of my old clothes back that way as well, hehe!

I really liked this outfit - the only thing I didn't like was how the top slid up and bunched around my waist through the day, looked odd as the skirt is quite fitted around the waist. I'd maybe try belt it next time to see if that helps to keep it in place.


Last worn: Ray-Ban wayfarers, peach cami, striped maxi skirt, Havaianas, Louis Vuitton Speedy bandouliere.

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Here's what I wore to visit the doctors:

Sunnies: Rayban new Wayfarers
Tank: Glassons striped tank in black and white
Skirt: French Connection green and black printed skirt
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere (with Coach feather bag charm)


The challenge was 'jewel tones' like emerald green, so this green skirt was ideal! I tried to wear it a little differently and try a bit of print mixing, but I think it's too much. Maybe if I'd worn a plain bag with it it would have looked better. I just always wear this skirt with a plain black top, wanted to try something a little different. Seemed like a nice idea in the morning when I was getting dressed, but after looking at the photos I didn't really like how the outfit looked. Although people were encouraging on instagram, it's not one of my favourite outfits.

I haven't worn this skirt often. In the 3 years I've had the blog...this is only it's fifth wear. 1, 2, 3, 4 and now. To be fair, it is a fixed waist skirt that was impossible to wear during pregnancy. It's one of the pieces I bought back when I was starting out with my corporate wardrobe, and I wore it a lot. But over the years I started buying and wearing pencil skirts more, and it's just been neglected.

There is nothing wrong with the skirt - it's pretty, it gets compliments, it's good for my business casual office as well as days off...but I think it's time for it to leave my wardrobe. If I do want to wear a pleated printed skirt, I still have this one. I don't need two similar pieces that aren't worn often! I'm a little more adventurous with the other skirt too, I find yellow and black easier to wear than green and black. I don't just pick a black top to wear with it all the time!

Leaving my Wardrobe: French Connection Green and Black Printed Skirt

(Pics all the way back to 2008 before my blogging days, for your amusement! I really did like wearing this skirt with a plain black top...)


Last worn: wayfarer sunglasses (above), striped tank, printed skirt, Havaianas (above), LV Speedy B(above).

Linking up with What I Wore, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, Style Me Wednesday, Trendy Wednesday, Spotlight Weekly, Fun Fashion Friday, Fab Favourites, Skirtista Diaries, Modest Monday today.

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Summer Maxi Skirt Outfits. Ombre, Print Mixing Stripes and Floral

Although January is over, I still have a backlog of my #JaNEWary style challenge outfits to post. Sharing two more maxi skirt outfits. 2014 was definitely the year of the maxi skirt for me, I think 2015 will be too!


Here's what I wore to go out with baby T:

Necklace: Nibbly Bits Wilma necklace in pale daffodil
Tank: Jeanswest brown marle singlet
Skirt: Seafolly runaway maxi skirt in sunset
Shoes: Balenciaga studded sandals in sorbet RGGH
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere (with Coach feather bag charm)


The style challenge for the day was to 'wear a maxi dress or skirt'. Very easy for me! I've heard the rule that petite women shouldn't wear maxi lengths, but I've always liked them. Last year, during my pregnancy, I fell in love with them even more due to the fact that so many maxi skirts have stretchy, elastic waistbands. One of the best clothing features for during and even post-pregnancy. They featured heavily in my favourite pregnancy outfits wrap-up.

I took the chance to wear this skirt and try to stretch myself a little for the challenge, and wear something I don't normally wear. I haven't worn this skirt often, it's part silk so I'm always worried about ruining it! I've had it a little over a year and only worn it three times. (Here, here and here.) Something I should stop trying to 'save' for a good occasion and just wear and enjoy!


Last worn: brown tank, ombre maxi skirt, Balenciaga sandals, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere.

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Here's what I wore for our Australia Day BBQ:

Top: Atmos&Here 'Isla' ruffle cami in floral print (on sale!)
Skirt: AT by Atmos&Here Mars striped maxi skirt
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs


The style challenge was to wear something 'green and gold'. This top fits the theme nicely, it's got a little green and gold in the floral print. Paired with the white maxi skirt, it's a rather white outfit for life with baby T...but I made it through the day without spilling anything on myself thankfully! We had our annual Australia day long weekend BBQ, and this was a really comfortable outfit for it. Baby T was a little charmer too, he's never seen so many people in our house before but he was smiling and giggling away happily. It was the first time he'd met a few people, so he did really well. I only needed the Havaianas for popping outside in the morning to setup, was barefoot inside for most of the day.

This is the second time I've worn this top since I purchased it in December. I've started reviewing things I buy after wearing it twice to make sure I'm buying things I'll love and actually wear, and not adding more 'just okay' items to my overflowing wardrobe. You can read more about my goals here.

So my purchase review: I'm pleased I bought this top. I know that I have too many tops after doing my wardrobe inventory, but this cami is one that I can wear with maxi skirts as well as denim, so it's perfect! A lot of my other camis are too long to wear untucked with skirts. So far I've worn it both times with a maxi skirt, but I tried it on with jeans and know it looks nice that way too. It would even be good for work (with a cardi to cover up the spaghetti straps). So even though it was an impulse 'nice to have' thing and not something I really needed, I'll still get plenty of wear out of it.


Last worn: floral cami, stripe maxi skirt, Havaianas.

Linking up with What I Wore, Wardrobe Wednesday, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, Style Me Wednesday, A Labour of Fashion, Throwback Thursday, Spotlight Weekly today.

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Feminine Pleated Skirt and Ruffle Cami | Casual SAHM Outfit - Grey Tank, Denim Shorts, Printed Kimono

Two very different outfits today! One with a bit of thought put into it, and one with minimal thought, time or effort!



Here's what I wore to go out shopping:

Sunnies: Rayban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Dogeared silver wishbone necklace
Top: Jeanswest peach ruffle cami
Skirt: Garfunkle Australia pleated print skirt
Shoes: Wittner 'Bolla' black bow detail flats
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag in grey


The style challenge for the day was 'let's feel feminine today', so I was thinking of wearing one of my cute little pleated skirts. I have a few pleated skirts similar to this and I don't wear them all very often, so it seemed like a good idea to try wear them and see if any should leave my wardrobe.

As it was a hot and humid day, I wanted to wear a lightweight cami too. I liked this peach one, but wasn't sure what skirt it would go with. The pastel colour and ruffles fit the feminine theme well! This skirt was the first one I pulled out to try and I liked how the peach and yellow went together, so decided to wear this out to go shopping in the morning with baby T.

The challenge prompt gave me the confidence to go out and wear something I wouldn't normally have done, so it was a good outfit that way. Although I wasn't sure after looking at the photos, I felt comfortable all day when I was wearing this, I think it came together really well. I've always worn this printed skirt with neutral and rather plain tops, was good to step out of my comfort zone a little. I've decided this skirt is definitely staying in my wardrobe despite only being worn 3 times in 3 years - hopefully I'll be more adventurous with wearing it in the future so it will get lots of wear-time!


Last worn: Rayban Wayfarers, peach ruffle cami, printed pleated skirt, black flats, Rebecca Minkoff Love bag.

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Here's what I wore to spend the day at home with my mother in law:

Jacket: Just Jeans paisley print kimono jacket
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus necklace in pop
Singlet: Target grey marle tank top
Shorts: Jeanswest denim cuff shorts
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs


Baby T had a really grizzly day the day before, after we got home from the shops he wasn't too happy...he then had a bit of a disturbed night. So the next day, all I wanted to wear was comfortable clothes.

When I'd gotten dressed I'd just gone for a comfy tank and shorts, that was all I needed to walk baby and Cooper in the morning. No thought or planning needed! I'm so thankful I'm still on maternity leave so that I can adjust my plans for the day to match baby T's moods most of the time. I'd decided to just skip taking outfit photos for the day and have a lazy day. By lunch time I was feeling a little less frazzled though, and as the style challenge for the day was 'try a print' I realised I could dress up my lazy stay at home tank and shorts outfit by adding the printed kimono jacket. Something to add a little interest to the plain outfit for having a visitor over too.

This kimono is an old sale find that I've never really worn a lot, I'm making more of an effort to wear it to justify keeping it in my wardrobe. I love how it makes a plain outfit look a little more polished...and it came in so helpful on this day to make me look a little more put-together and maybe just a little less tired than I felt. It's staying in my wardrobe as it is an awesome statement piece. I've worn it 8 times now since I've been blogging, not a bad cost per-wear for a $5 sale bargain, but still something I need to continue to wear to justify holding onto it.


Last worn: paisley kimono, grey tank, denim shorts, Havaianas.

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Linking up with What I Wore, Wardrobe Wednesday, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, Style Me Wednesday, Trendy Wednesday, Spotlight Weekly, Throwback Thursday, A Labour of Fashion today.

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