Dressing Up Denim Shorts - Casual Summer Outfits with a Hat and Headscarf

Two more #JaNEWary style challenge outfits and two different ways to dress up denim shorts. I'm still enjoying being a stay at home mum a little longer before I return to work, so I'm always dressing for comfort first. I'm trying to put a little more effort into what I wear and be a little dressed up now and then, so I don't fall into a rut of the same outfits over and over.

In the winter, I was looking for ways to try dress up my jeans, now in summer I'm looking for ways to dress up shorts. Just like before, I find accessorising is the best way to do that. And it's easy to do, just add a little something before I step out the door. Denim is a great option for life with baby, but it's good to be able to dress it up now and then.


It's the Australia day long weekend, don't forget to take advantage of all of the extra sales and discounts in between your celebrations :)

• 20% off full priced items at Asos with code 'BBQSHRIMP'
• Extra 20% off The Iconic Sale items with code 'AUSDAY20'
• Extra 30% off sale items at Jeanswest

Here's what I wore to spend the day by the sea:

Scarf: gifted Paris print silk scarf
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus necklace in pop
Singlet: Zalora basics ruffle hem tank in black (on sale!)
Shorts: Jeanswest black denim cuff shorts
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Louis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull


The style challenge for the day was to 'wear black'. Which was not my first choice for a sunny day, I'll be honest! Kept cool with denim shorts and a sleeveless tank. I like the ruffle detail on this tank, and it was nice and loose for a hot day.

My new scarf fit the challenge theme too. My mum bought it for me in Paris, it's beautiful. I thought wearing the scarf in my hair added a nice bit of interest to the outfit and dressed it up a little. Unlike the last time I wore a scarf in my hair, it wasn't tugged on too much by baby T which was good. We took a road trip up the coast, and had lunch by the sea followed by a bit of shopping. Baby T even had time for a paddle in the waves.


Last worn: peplum tank, denim shorts, Havaianas, Louis Vuitton Neverfull. First time I've worn the scarf.

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Here's what I wore to spend the day at Southbank with my family:

Hat: Big W bow detail sunhat
Shirt: River Island floral print sleeveless shirt
Shorts: Jeanswest denim cuff shorts
Shoes: Asos 'five star' leather sandals
Bag: Louis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull


When I wore this, the style challenge was 'try something different with your makeup'. I am not a beauty guru at all. I have the products I use, and just one of each of them. While I was younger I'd have a few different eyeshadows and lippies, but it's never really been something I've been as interested in as I am in clothes or accessories. Over the years, I've downsized to my staple products and so my options are makeup on, or makeup off! I spent the day without any makeup, and hid it under a big hat.

I like how the hat worked with this outfit. I'm not a hat person, but being out so often during the day lately I am loving hats just for the sun protection aspect! The nice wide brim helps keep baby T shaded a little when I baby wear too. Plus a bad hair day is really easy to hide....I might be converting to being a hat person!

Wore this out for a day at Southbank with my grandparents and family, and felt appropriately dressed up enough for a lunch at the restaurants nearby. It helps that the sleeveless shirt has a few sequins woven in too. Isn't it pretty? Another cute piece my mum brought back from Europe for me.


Last worn: sun hat, denim shorts, leather sandals, Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag (see above). First time I've worn the shirt.

Linking up with Let It Shine, Modest Mondays, Shoe & Tell, Mix It Mondays, Manic Mondays, Real Mom Style, Style Sessions, Trend Spin Linkup, Confident Twosday, Celebrate Southern, What I Wore, Wardrobe Wednesday today.

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Day at Stradbroke Island, Funkita Swimwear and Sale Code!

Here's what I wore to go to Stradbroke Island with friends today:

Sun hat: Big W bow detail hat
Sunglasses: gifted Cotton On 'Kirsten sunnie' in yellow
Tee: Marc by Marc Jacobs blossom pocket tee in grey
Skirt: AT by Atmos&Here Mars maxi skirt in white and navy (New purchase)
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Lodinatt two level canvas bag in Ivory and Red C/O Lodinatt (not pictured)


Last worn: sun hat, yellow sunnies, Marc Jacobs grey tee, Converse, Lodinatt bag. First time I've worn the skirt as it's a recent purchase.


On the beach of course I just wore my awesome Funkita bikini. And tried to keep my sunhat on my head, fought quite a battle with the wind through the day! Thankfully the sun was kinder and came out from behind the clouds early in the morning.

This bikini is so good, it's the 'Garden party' print from the Pixel Mix collection. Such a nice print for summer, and everything stayed in place as we jumped around in the waves (some of which were really big!) Sadly, no photos of it in action in the sea as we were swept off our feet a few times and it was quickly determined to be unwise to consider bringing electronics anywhere near the choppy water!


If you're in the market for new swimwear yourself with the warm Spring/Summer weather arriving, Funkita have a sale on at the moment. 25% off to help with preparation for the 25th December, haha! You just need to use the code 'FUNKYXMAS' at checkout to get 25% off. Lots of prints and styles on sale, and I'm definitely planning to add to my swimwear collection.

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Tropical Coast Retreat Long Weekend: Maxi Dresses, Louis Vuitton Neverfull, Sun Hat

Here's what I wore on Sunday:

Sun hat: Big W white bow detail sun hat
Sunnies: gifted Cotton On 'Risky Business' sunglasses in sky blue
Dress: JayJays feather print maxi dress
Shoes: Cotton On thin strap thongs in black (not worn in photo)
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Louis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull


Sunday was fantastically relaxing! We were staying in the NSW hinterland for the long weekend. We ventured to the coast to spend time by the beach in the morning, and back to base for some time by the pool in the afternoon. :) We even got to watch the whales leaping in the ocean as we sat on the beach.

Linking up with My Style Monday, Style Sessions, Trend Spin Linkup, What I wore Wednesday, Fashion Informant, Spotlight Weekly Linkup, Casual Friday today.


Last worn: sun hat, blue sunglasses, feather print maxi dress, Cotton On thongs, Louis Vuitton neverfull.

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Here's what I wore today:

Sun hat: Big W bow detail hat
Sunglasses: gifted Cotton On 'Kirsten sunnie' in yellow
Necklace: custom Cooper charm by Silhoupette
Dress: Three Dots stripe maxi dress
Shoes: Cotton On thin strap thongs in black
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Louis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull


Another maxi dress! Below is what I packed for the trip: bikinis, dresses and a clutch and sandals for evenings out. It seemed like the most hassle free way to pack for the weekend. We had a lovely last day and an interesting trip home. All three of us (DH, Cooper and I) had a blast at the Tropical Coast Retreat. I uploaded a few photos on facebook if you want to see some of what we got up to. :)

What I packed: Louis Vuitton Neverfull, Sun hat, Louis Vuitton Keepall 50, 
RM silver mini MAC, Wittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals, metallic toiletry bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs make up case, books to read, 
Ripcurl, Roxy and Kiargo bikinis, the two maxi dresses I wore above, and 2 pairs of sunglasses.


Last worn: sunhat (see above), yellow sunnies, pink stripe maxi dress, Cotton On thongs (see above), Louis Vuitton Neverfull (see above).

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What I Wore: New Years Day and Beach Outfit

Happy New Year!

Here's what I wore yesterday to spend the day at my in-laws and have a BBQ on new year's day:

Sunnies: gifted Cotton On 'Kirsten sunnie' in yellow
Earrings: Chanel vintage camellia dangling charm earrings
Necklace: Indigo Rose Design feather, quartz and love charm long necklace
Bracelets: the usual plus Chloe Paddington crystal charm bracelet from Reebonz offline sale, two metal and fabric Indigo Rose Design bracelets and gifted Ferragamo double wrap bracelet
Top: Marc by Marc Jacobs blossom pocket tee in grey (on sale, new purchase)
Skirt: Cotton On metallic lace tulip skirt in frosted almond/silver
Shoes: Asos metallic Freestyle leather sandals
Bag: Balenciaga envelope clutch in 2012 mangue with giant 12 RGGH from Reebonz

Close up of accessories and clutch:

Had a nice relaxing start to the year at my in-laws house with a BBQ and some games. I wanted to wear this skirt and also wanted to carry my Balenciaga clutch, so I tried a mix of gold and silver with this outfit. I'm not sure it really worked, wouldn't pair this skirt and clutch together again. Was pleased with the photo location though - wearing a blossom tee under beautiful purple blossoms!


The sunnies were last worn here, skirt here, shoes here and bag here. This is the first time I've worn the tee as it is a recent purchase.

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And here's what I wore to spend some time on the beach with DH today:

Hat: Big W white bow detail sun hat
Sunnies: gifted Cotton On 'Kirsten sunnie' in yellow
Bracelets: the usual trio
Dress: Zara Printed bib front tunic dress in black
Shoes: Gifted black slim Havaianas thongs (carried in my hand to walk along the sand)
Bag: Lodinatt two level canvas bag in Ivory and Red C/O Lodinatt

So pleased that today had the perfect beach weather after our plans were rained out last week. We headed down to the gold coast to relax and soak up some sun. Although we got stuck in traffic on the way there, the perfect beach weather more than made up for it. Took this photo on our way back to the car so please excuse the wet beach hair! Wore my Zara tunic dress over my bikini to cover up and keep my shoulders hidden from the sun.


The sunnies were last worn here, dress here, thongs here and bag here.

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Striped Maxi Dress

I am in love with this maxi dress! I saw Reebonz had a Suboo sale a few months back and although I'd never heard of Suboo before the prices were cheaper than the sale prices on the Suboo website itself so I thought I'd give this dress a go.

The dress had to be altered as I'm so short, so this is it back from the tailor for it's first outing. Perfect for a relaxing Saturday and dinner with the in laws in the evening.

Dress: Suboo Riviera Nautical Maxi dress from Reebonz
Hat: vintage 1950's sunhat from The Thrifty Kitten $15 sale last week
Necklace:  long black multi chain necklace from Indigo Rose Design
Bracelets: the usual plus fushia jade stone bracelet from Indigo Rose Design
Shoes: Balenciaga sorbet RGGH studded sandals
Bag: Chanel vintage quilted lambskin flap also from Reebonz

I'm not a hat person but I made an exception for this stunning hat - perfect for keeping the sun off my face on a hot sunny day like today. It has the honour of being the only hat I've purchased.

Closeup of accessories:

Hope you all had a lovely Saturday :)