Showing posts with label heels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heels. Show all posts

Wednesday 10 June 2015

Corporate Style: Scarves and Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote

I've only been back at work a few months, so I have lots of summery work outfit ideas. I'm trying to wear them and go bare-legged as long as possible. It's certainly warm enough to do during the day, but it is pretty cold in the mornings!

Two autumn work outfits, one that got a lot of love on instagram despite how much I hated it in person, and another I really liked!

What I wore:

Print Mixing Office Outfit Leopard print scarf black pink grey dress trench coat

Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote saffiano leather JORD wood watches
Jacket: Barkins beige trench coat 
Scarf: Grey and pink leopard print scarf from Paddy's Markets in Sydney
Dress: Leona Edmiston Jemima fern print dress
Shoes: Wittner 'Bloomy' black heels
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
BagRebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy (on sale, 40% off!)

Why I wore it:

I really did not like this outfit. I liked the idea in my head, and it met the style challenge theme of 'a hint of pink' with both the dress and scarf...but it just felt really bulky on. It was all too much with the layers and the print mixing. Cosy with all the layers, just didn't feel very confident in it, felt a bit 'bleh'. Thankfully I didn't need the scarf indoors, and I was able to change as soon as I got home.

Everyone on instagram really seemed to love this outfit though! It even got more likes than Baby T's newborn photo! Maybe the print mixing didn't look as bad as I thought.


Last worn: trench coatleopard print scarf, Leona Edmiston printed dress, ankle strap heels, Rebecca Minkoff navy MAB tote.

Other ways to wear: leopard print scarf with skinny jeans, trench coat with jersey dress, ankle strap heels with pencil skirts, navy MAB tote with a monochrome blue outfit.









What I wore:

pastel blazer and printed pencil skirt with bright blue top for office RM MAB Tote

Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy
Jacket: Zara cream jersey blazer
ScarfAlexander McQueen modal and cashmere skull scarf
Tee: Thrifted valleygirl blue 3/4 sleeve tee (new purchase)
Skirt: vintage pencil skirt from The Thrifty Kitten
Shoes: Wittner 'Lumen' heel in patent leather
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
BagRebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy

Why I wore it:

The next style challenge was 'powerful' and I don't really think I have any clothes that make me feel powerful. Confident I do though! Like most people, I tend to think heels make me feel more confident. Heels, a pencil skirt and a blazer is a staple work wear combination for me so I feel pretty confident in it.  Just might have been a little cosier with the trench coat on top rather than the blazer, as I was bare-legged. Winter temperatures are definitely here in the mornings!

This top is one of the new-to-me ones I got from the 'fill a bag for $2' op-shop sale. I wanted to wear it like this as I remembered the comment Kiki had made last time I wore this skirt about how nice it would look with cobalt blue. I've worn it with whitebrown and purple before but this is the first time I've tried it with blue. This top isn't cobalt, but I did really like the blue with the printed skirt.


I'm always so grateful when you leave constructive criticism or outfit suggestions - it's good to get some ideas from an impartial third party about how things look, and some different things to try. As I learnt in my wardrobe detox session with the personal stylist, I'm not always using my wardrobe to it's full potential or dressing in the most flattering outfit combinations. But just like the terrible outfit above, I'll still share what I wore anyway - and think of different ways to wear things in future so I am back to feeling confident and happy with what I'm wearing.


Last worn: cream blazer, skull scarf, printed pencil skirt, nude heels, Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote (above). First time I've worn the tee as it's a new purchase.

Other ways to wear: blazer with skinny jeans, tan skull scarf with red, printed pencil skirt in summer, nude heels with a printed dress, navy tote with printed dress and pink blazer.





Linking up with WIW, Style Me Weekly, What I Wore, I Feel Pretty, The Wednesday Pants, Trendy Wednesday, Oh Hey Girl, Wardrobe WednesdayThursday Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday, Thursday Favourites, Look What I Got today.



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Wednesday 3 June 2015

Corporate Style: Prints, Pink and Blazers

With a quiet few days at work without a lot of meetings, I took the chance to try some new things to meet the challenges for the Fox in Flats style dares on instagram. I ended up with two outfits I was really happy with!

What I wore:

Marsala skinny pants for office with pink strawberry print shirt blazer heels

 Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere
Jacket: Zara cream jersey blazer
NecklaceTai gold alphabet necklace
ShirtChoies pink chiffon shirt with strawberry print (C/O Choies)
PantsJeanswest 'Fiona' skinny leg pant in shiraz
Shoes: Wittner 'Mimi' heels in mushroom
BagLouis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

I've always admired pink and burgundy on other people, I've seen it done really well, so wanted to give it a try myself! Of course we call it Marsala this year ;)

I've worn burgundy to work before (burgundy scarf, maroon dress) but when I saw this challenge I had a hard time trying to think of anything Marsala-toned that I could wear to work. I kept thinking of these pants. I've always thought of these pants more as skinny jeans. They aren't denim, but they are quite a slim fit. I think with the heels and the button up shirt and blazer they dressed up nicely for the office. I've had them 3 years and never once worn them to the office, not even for casual Friday.

This is my favourite outfit from the Fox in Flats style dares this time around - because I'd never thought of wearing these pants to the office before. Now I've tried it and loved it, I have a new way to wear them! It's good to find new ways to wear things in my wardrobe.


Last worn: cream blazer, strawberry print shirt, burgundy pants, Wittner heels, LV speedy bandouliere.

Other ways to wear: jersey blazer with a vintage skirt suitcasual summer shorts outfit with printed shirt, casual burgundy pants and iombre knit outfit, brown heels with flares, LV speedy with a chambray dress.









What I wore:

Blush Pink Blazer Print mixing stargazer scarf paisley print dress acne pistol boots

Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon (navy blue) handbag

JacketJeanswest Nadine 3/4 Sleeve dusky pink blazer
ScarfMarc by Marc Jacobs Stargazer scarf in aquamarine (on sale!)
NecklaceHouse of Harlow Dynamic necklace in gold
DressFrench Connection blue Paisley print dress
BeltAsos skinny boyfriend belt (tied in a double loop knot using this tutorial)
ShoesAcne pistol boots in "skin"
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
BagRebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy

Why I wore it:

the style challenge for the day was 'all tied up' so I took the chance to wear this blazer belted, as I've been wanting to do that for a while. I've worn this belt with the dress before, in summer, I really like the combination. I think that it looks better without the scarf for working in an office, but I wanted something to keep me cosy on the commute so I thought this scarf would be a nice mix of prints. After reviewing the photos I wasn't too sure about it, so I put the scarf away in my bag when I got to work.

This outfit is one I had in mind for wearing this dress after I was a little on the fence about it last time I wore it. I really liked the combination of the dress and blazer together, and so I'm going to keep the dress in my wardrobe still. Minus the scarf I felt comfortable and confident in this all day.


Last worn: blush pink blazer, MbMJ Stargazer scarf, tan belt, paisley print dress, Acne Pistol boots, Rebecca Minkoff navy MAB tote.

Other ways to wear: galaxy print scarf with stripes and purplepastel blazer with denim shorts, scarf, paisley print dress in summer with blue and silver accessories, pistol boots with denim shorts, MAB tote with office outfits.




Linking up with WIW, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, Style Me WeeklyWhat I Wore, I Feel Pretty, Oh Hey Girl, Trendy Wednesday, Style Me Wednesday, The Wednesday Pants, Throwback Thursday, Thursday Favourites, Brilliant Blog PostsLook What I Got, Fun Fashion Friday, Fashion Friday today.



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Wednesday 27 May 2015

Corporate Style: Rebecca Minkoff Medium MAB Tote in Moon Navy For The Office

The first wearing of my latest handbag purchase, the medium Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote!

If you follow me on youtube, you would have already see my reveal video, complete with interruptions from baby T. He can be really adorable, but also slightly distracting when I'm trying to film! He much prefers being in front of the camera than playing quietly with all his toys behind it ;)



What I wore:

Business Causal Autumn office wear jacquard pencil skirt nude heels monochrome blue outfit RM MAB

Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy saffiano leather
Knit: thrifted Valleygirl blue knit jumper
SkirtWarehouse navy jacquard pencil skirt
Shoes: Wittner 'Lumen' heel in patent leather
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy (new purchase)

Why I wore it:

It's been over a year and a half since I last wore this pencil skirt! I wore it with a navy bag then too. While it does have an elastic waist, it wasn't quite as forgiving as I needed during pregnancy, so it has been a while between wears. I still see pencil skirts as office items and haven't had much luck trying to wear them casually. I'm happy for this to stay a work-only piece, and to keep it in my wardrobe.

The Fox in Flats style dare challenge for the day was 'blue baby' so I took the chance to wear everything blue and came up with this monochrome outfit. I kinda wished I had a pair of blue shoes to go with it...but that might have been a bit too much blue anyway!

It's the second time I've worn this thrifted blue jumper, and I'm reviewing everything I buy after wearing it twice (reasons why here). My purchase review:

I like this knit! I need to try and expand my collection of jumpers (which is predominantly grey!) to include some other colours, and so I knew this top would be perfect when I spotted it in the local op-shop. It's a blue marle so it even has little bits of grey running through it. It's a good lightweight piece too, not too heavy which is perfect for Queensland autumn and winter. One of those pieces I can wear casually or to the office. Really pleased I bought this, it's a keeper!


Last worn: blue jumper, navy jacquard pencil skirt, nude heels. First time I've worn the bag as it's a new purchase.

Other ways to wear: blue knit in a casual maxi skirt outfit, blue pencil skirt with purple tee for the office, nude heels with skinny jeans, similar navy tote with the same pencil skirt.







What I wore:

Autumn Brisbane Business Casual print mixing office outfit pastel pink polka dot pencil skirt

Away From Blue Rebecca Minkoff moon navy medium MAB tote for office
Jacket: Barkins beige trench coat 
ScarfSeed Heritage Paisley print snood (on sale!)
TopJeanswest 'Tilda' black shirt
Skirt: Cotton On 'Mica' mesh spot skirt in dusty pink
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs metallic mouse flats
BagRebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy (on sale, 40% off!)

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was foxy flats, so just like I did last time this was a style challenge, I wore my gold Marc by Marc Jacobs mouse flats. They are definitely the cutest pair of shoes I own!

I've slowly been trying to wear my way through all of my pencil skirts now I'm back in the office again after my maternity leave. This one is pretty and I definitely don't want it to leave my wardrobe, but I do tend to wear it with black a lot. I had a different top in mind that I wanted to wear this skirt with (a floral cami), but it was such a cold day and I had wanted to go bare-legged, I decided a long sleeve top was the most practical.

Also the first wearing of my trench coat for the year - hasn't been worn since last winter. With the scarf as well it kept me really cosy, even if it was a little tricky to see what I was wearing under the coat and scarf! In the past I've tried to take pictures without all the layers for winter, but it does take a bit more time to take photos that way so I stopped doing it. Hopefully you can still manage to see what I wear under my coats as I start to layer up for the cooler weather!

As it's the second wear of my new Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote also, another purchase review:
I tend to prefer unstructured, softer bags over structured bags, but I can't deny that structured totes (like my bayswater or neverfull) are perfect for the office. After selling a lot on ebay, I decided to treat myself to a new handbag for work. I sold three bags so that justified buying another one ;) I had been looking at a few and then I got the email that there was a 70% off Rebecca Minkoff sale....so I knew I had to try the MAB tote!
It's much bigger than I expected it to be - looks quite large on me, because it doesn't slouch down. It's perfect for work though. Although not a style I'd usually go for, and something pretty limited in that I'd only want to wear it to work, I'm glad I bought it. I'll need to do a full review of it on my youtube channel once I've worn it some more.


Last worn: trench coat, Paisley print snood, black top (in the third trimester), polka dot pencil skirt, metallic mouse flats, Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote (above).

Other ways to weartrench coat and skinny jeansPaisley print scarf with a striped dress, black top with a lace pencil skirt, print mixing with polka dot pencil skirt, mouse flats with printed skinny jeans, navy tote with a red dress for the office.





Linking up with WIW, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, Style Me Weekly, Get Your Pretty On, Thursday Fashion Files, Happiness at Midlife, Look What I Got, What I Wore to Work, Sincerely Jenna Marie, Fun Fashion Friday, Feature Friday today.




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Monday 18 May 2015

Corporate Style: Monochrome Office Wear - Neutral Layering

Two monochrome work wear outfits! One on purpose, one accidental. Neither of which I'd wear again without changing the outfits in some way, but that's the point of style challenges - they push you to try something different. I'm enjoying the Fox in Flats May instagram style challenge. I'm playing along every day on instagram, and just behind a bit with blogging everything I'm wearing.

What I wore:

Mixed print shirt layered under LBD sleeveless black dress autumn office wear outfit

Rebecca Minkoff Soft Grey MAB mini MAM satchel bag with black dress
Dress: Jeanswest tucked ponte black dress
ShirtJeanswest 'Ruby' mixed print shirt
Belt: old silver studded belt
Shoes: Wittner 'Bloomy' black heels
BagRebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey

Why I wore it:

The style dare for the day was 'monochromatic' and I thought this little black dress would be perfect with this shirt layered underneath. I didn't actually try the outfit on the night before, I just thought the pieces would work well together and set it aside to wear. It wasn't until the morning that I realised this shirt is not the best to wear under the dress. It doesn't have a collared neck and it's just polyester, so it was slipping and sliding under the dress and just not sitting nicely at all - you can see a bit of it at the shoulders in the picture. It was a lovely idea, and I've enjoyed layering things under this dress before, but this was just not the best shirt to try layering under this dress.

The belt was something I added at the last minute for a bit of interest and to try (unsuccessfully) to keep the shirt in place through the day. It's so old I am sure I wore it in high school! I just turned the buckle round to the back so that the studs were at the front. No-one commented on my back to front belt thankfully, but I did feel a little worried someone would notice and ask why the buckle was at the back of my dress!


Last worn: black dress, printed shirt, black heels, Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag.

Other ways to wearlittle black dress with red jacket and accessories, printed shirt with burgundy jeans and ankle boots, ankle strap heels with pencil skirts, Rebecca Minkoff MAM with wrap dresses for work.









What I wore:

Neutral outfit with rouille rust orange Balenciaga bold bright work bag

Balenciaga classic RH work in 2006 Rouille rust orange
Jacket: Zara cream jersey blazer (new-to-me purchase)
NecklaceTai gold alphabet necklace
Top: vintage print top from The Thrifty Kitten
BeltAsos skinny pale yellow belt
Skirt: vintage pencil skirt from The Thrifty Kitten
Shoes: Wittner 'Mimi' heels in mushroom
BagBalenciaga classic work in 2006 Rouille

Why I wore it:

This was an accidental monochrome outfit! Another neutral one. I had been wanting to wear this vintage set again after having fond memories of the last time I wore the pieces together. I also wanted to wear my new-to-me blazer that I found on ebay. It's the same as my black blazer, only cream. The beigey-brown outfit seemed like a good backdrop for my bright bag.

The style dare for the dare was 'bold bag' and this is my brightest and biggest bag, perfect to meet the challenge. I actually listed this bag in my ebay wardrobe clear out, thinking it would sell quickly as it's in great shape for a chevere Balenciaga. I hadn't worn it since I was pregnant so figured I should let it go. But since it didn't sell, I'm just going to keep it :) I was most likely going to replace it with another Balenciaga anyway, ha!

I think I would have liked this outfit more with a different jacket. I really liked the look of vintage printed skirt suit set together last time I wore it, but this time around I was wishing I'd gone for something different, I think it was all just a bit too dull together, even with the bold bag.


Last worn: vintage print top, yellow beltvintage print skirt, brown heels, Balenciaga rouille work. First time I've worn the blazer as it is a new purchase.

Other ways to wear: belted printed top, printed pencil skirt with a bright top, brown heels with tights and a printed dress, orange bag with a black dress.





Linking up with Styled Up, Style To Inspire, Bless Your Heart, Mix It Monday, More Pieces of Me, On the Daily Express, Real Mom StyleElegantly Dressed and Stylish, Reasons To Dress, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday, What I Wore to Work today.



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Wednesday 13 May 2015

Corporate Style: Colourful With French Connection Printed Dresses and Scarves

After I finished doing the two instagram style challenges at once, I was looking forward to not dressing for a theme. I wanted to wear some of my office wear that I hadn't worn in a long time, my printed French Connection dresses. The weather was a little cooler, so I layered up and added some scarves.

What I wore:

turquoise pashmina printed FCUK sheath dress tweed blazer ankle boots

Rebecca Minkoff soft grey MAM MAB mini Bag with orange and turqouise
Scarf: Cotton On turquoise pashmina
DressFrench Connection 'Fast Rhonda' dress in black/caramel
ShoesAcne pistol boots in "skin"
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
BagRebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey

Why I wore it:

I had decided in advance I wanted to wear this dress again, but as it's gotten a little cooler since then I had to add some layers. I thought that the print mixing with the dress and the blazer was a bit different, but looked okay, so I laid this out to wear the next day. As I woke up a little under the weather and I wanted to be cosy, at the last minute I added a scarf. Went with this plain one as I thought it was a nice colour with the orange in the dress, and I didn't want to add a third print to the mix.

I have three of these Cotton On pashminas. (Cotton On had them for $5 with any purchase for a while). I have a white one, a fuchsia pink one and this turquoise one. I can find the last time I wore the white one and the pink one, but not the last time I wore this one. I wonder if I really haven't worn it in the 3 years I've been blogging, or if I just tagged it incorrectly so I can't find it in my archives! No real reason why I haven't worn it more often, it's a great colour and being a nice basic scarf it will work with a lot of prints. I re-discovered it during my wardrobe detox, expect to see it again!

I've had this dress for years, even before the blog. It's been a year and a half since I last wore it though! It's definitely one of those office-only pieces in my wardrobe, and with it being so slim fitting I didn't get a chance to wear it during my pregnancy. I worried it showed off the developing baby bump in the first trimester, and by the second trimester, when I had stopped hiding the pregnancy at work, I couldn't even zip it up. It's good to be back wearing it again now, even if it does fit a little snugger around my belly than it did pre-baby ;)


Last worn: tweed blazer, French Connection sheath dress, orange wool jumperAcne Pistol boots, Rebecca Minkoff grey MAM bag. First time I've worn this scarf on the blog.

Other ways to wear: tweed blazer with printed top for travel, dark floral print dress in summerpistol boots with denim shorts, Rebecca Minkoff grey MAM with wrap dresses and a baby bump.









What I wore:

Orange Monochrome Outfit: Pashmina, wool jumper, printed dress nude heels

Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini MAM in soft grey
Jumper: vintage David Jones orange wool knit jumper from AWLQ vintage sale
DressFrench Connection 'Woodblock wonder' panache dress in white/geranium rose
Shoes: Wittner 'Lumen' heel in patent leather
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
BagRebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey

Why I wore it:

This printed dress isn't as snug a fit as the one above, so I did get away with wearing it to the office in the first trimester, using the print to distract from the tiny little baby bump. I didn't wear this dress on my maternity leave either, I like this dress and it's definitely more forgiving than the one above, I could have fit into it earlier, but I'm happy to have it as an office-only piece as well.

Again, I had made up my mind that I wanted to wear this dress before I got sick. I was determined to still make it work though! I've worn this dress with a jumper over the top before, so thought that was the best way to go to keep my chest warm, instead of adding a coat and having to fiddle with lots of buttons. I added the scarf as yet another layer as I was beginning to lose my voice and wanted to keep my neck warm.

Beth pointed out on instagram that it was a very Queensland look - layered up on top but bare legs! I didn't think it was that cold in the morning to need to cover up my legs, but by the end of the day I was wishing I'd worn tights or pants. It was really chilly in the evening on the way home from work, as the stormy and wet weather started to set in.


Last worn: feather print pashmina, orange wool jumper, French Connection orange print dress, nude patent heels, Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag (above).

Other ways to wear: feather print pashmina with polka dot dress, wool jumper with skinny jeansorange print dress in summer, nude heels with a monochrome blue outfitgrey handbag with a neutral outfit in the third trimester.






Linking up with Whatcha Wearing, What I Wore, WIW, Style Me Weekly, Get Your Pretty On, Oh Hey Girl, Trendy Wednesday, The Wednesday Pants, Thursday Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday, Look What I Got, What I Wore to Work, Fun Fashion Friday today.




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Friday 8 May 2015

Rebecca Minkoff Bright Yellow Swing Bag and Denim - Skinny Jeans and Flares

First up, remember I spoke about little words of encouragement and compliments on Wednesday? Well, turns out my friend Leigh has discovered the wonderfulness of that idea already...and has a goal to write 10,000 notes of encouragement! You can back her project here. Check it out on Go Fund Me!


Now, outfits! I really stretched my creativity with my wardrobe in March by completing two style challenges in the same week. I don't know how people do multiple challenges at once! Some days required a lot of thought and it didn't give me as much freedom as usual - there was often only one thing I could wear to meet both challenges. I did get a really nice surprise at the end of the week to find out that I'd won the posh lady indigo style challenge, that was a wonderful way to end the double challenges!

This post is the last of my double style challenge week outfits. One really costume-y outfit to meet the theme and one casual and simple one.

What I wore:

70s themed outfit for instagram style challenge suede fringe belt embroidered top flares

Rebecca Minkoff canary yellow swing bag cross body fringe purse
NecklaceHouse of Harlow sunburst necklace in silver and grey
TopJeanswest Elise longline emroidered shirt coconut blue
Belt: vintage suede tassel belt from my mum's wardrobe
Jeans: Jeanswest 'spoylt' flared jeans
Shoes: Wittner 'Mimi' heels in mushroom
BagRebecca Minkoff Swing bag in canary yellow (on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

I felt a bit costume-y in this outfit when we went out for lunch. I think it was all just a bit too much together with the fringe, the embroidery and the flares. Flared jeans! I did have a few pairs of flares in my denim collection. Flares and bootcut were my main style a few years ago, then I got my knee injury and had to get rid of all my heels and suddenly they were too long to wear any more. I had to buy my first pair of skinny jeans to get something that would work with flats!

In my wardrobe detox session, the stylist helped me tackle my overflowing denim collection and I ended up getting rid of most of my flared jeans as they all needed heels. I just don't wear them often enough to justify keeping them. When I thought about wearing flares for my outfit to meet the challenge prompt of 'that 70s show', these were the only pair left! I thought the 'flick' of the hem would meet the 'chic flick' style challenge for Fox pack style dare too, but the challenge was actually 'chick flick' as in movie so I messed up on that one!

These jeans haven't been worn on the blog before, and I'm not sure if they will again. They will if I get around to getting them hemmed, and don't stumble across a better pair in a Jeanswest sale ;) I really need to get them taken up, as it took me a while to find a pair of heels that worked with these. And I'm still not completely happy with how they looked. I got rid of my favourite pair of flares and these are a poor second. I confess to spending the morning raking through the big black bin bag full of donations after my wardrobe detox looking for the other jeans instead....and then I remembered I sold them on ebay. I was happy to get rid of them on the day of my wardrobe detox but I'm regretting it now. I don't remember why I let them go, I keep telling myself that maybe they were one of the pairs that didn't even fit me any more.

And although it's now May, this was the second wearing in April of this embroidered top that I bought in March. After I buy something, I try and wear it twice in the next month and review it afterwards. You can read more about why I do this here.

My purchase review:

I really like this top! The fact that it's taken me a while to get around to wearing it is mainly because it's white and I try to avoid wearing white on days I'm at home with baby, and there are a lot of those days. It wasn't one of those purchases I needed - I know I have too many tops already - it was just something I wanted. As much as I love it, it's a lesson to myself to stop making impulse 'got to have it as it looks pretty' purchases! I only just managed to wear it twice in April even though I was aiming to do wear it twice in the month, that's not a great start. As far as impulse purchases go, I've made worse ones, but I really should be trying to only buy things I have planned for!


Last worn: embroidered top, heels, Rebecca Minkoff Swing bag.

Other ways to wear: boho top with denim shorts, flared jeans with a printed cami, brown heels in the office, swing bag with a striped maxi dress.









What I wore:

Print mixing burrbery tartan cashmere scarf stripe tee jeanswest prima denim skinny jeans

Away from Blue Rebecca Minkoff swing bag yellow in autumn skinny jeans outfit
ScarfBurberry cashmere tartan scarf
TeeAtmos&Here oversized stripe tee
JeansJeanswest Bindi skinny 7/8 jeans in indigo luxe
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
BagRebecca Minkoff Swing bag in canary yellow (on sale in black or pink)

Why I wore it:

In contrast to the outfit above, I felt comfortable and like myself in this outfit. And I love these jeans! Nice and casual and a little cosy for running errands. It was the last outfit for my double style challenge week on instagram too. Tartan scarf for 'tartan, gingham and plaid' post lady indigo challenge prompt, and my as I don't have a red lipstick, my brightest lip balm for Fox pack style dare 'bright pout' theme.

There are a lot of challenges that centre around red lipstick! Is it as much of an essential as the instagram challenges make it out to be? For reference, I have lip balm and tubes of Lucas' paw paw all over the place and in multiple handbags, but I only have one lipstick, the same shade I wore on my wedding day. I liked it so much at my wedding makeup trial I had to have it. I don't feel I'm missing anything only having one lipstick, until I do these challenges! Am I weird for not having a red lippy?


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, Burberry tartan scarf, striped tee, skinny jeans, Havaianas.

Other ways to wear: striped tee over a third trimester baby belly, Burberry tartan scarf in winter, more print mixing with skinny jeansyellow bag with a neutral maxi skirt outfit.





Linking up with Fab Favourites, Casual Friday, Passion for Fashion, Fashion Friday, Mix It Up, Fashion Friday, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Link Up With Lisa, Shoe and Tell, Let It Shine today.



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Wednesday 29 April 2015

Monthly Purchases and Corporate Style: Marc By Marc Jacobs Lil Ukita Bag and Jackets. Striped Dress, Pencil Skirt

As well as sharing my monthly purchases for April, two more of my Fox Pack Style Dare themed outfits, and my cute little red Marc by Marc Jacobs Ukita bag. I've been enjoying this daily outfit challenge on instagram. I'm being a lot more flexible with my interpretations and having fun with what I wear instead of trying to nail the prompt exactly.


First up, my April Purchases:

Marc by Marc Jacobs Stargazer scarf in aquamarine
Tai gold alphabet necklace
Zalora Basics faux leather placket red shift dress
Atmos&Here Polly navy polka dot shirt dress (this is the checked one that I returned)
Thrifted Valleygirl blue knit jumper
Thrifted Cotton On yellow tank
Thrifted Dotti blue tee
Jeanswest prima denim super skinny jeans in absolute black
Jeanswest khaki 'Cassey' cuffed skinny pants (returned)


What I wore:

Away From Blue print mixing with scarf striped dress blazer heels red bag for office

Marc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag in Rock Lobster - reddish pink
JacketWarehouse cropped zip detail jacket
Scarf: Nicole by Nicole Miller mixed print scarf (giveaway prize from Style of Sam)
DressJeanswest 'Rita' stripe jersey dress
Shoes: Wittner 'Bloomy' black heels
BagMarc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag in Rock Lobster

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'Parisian' so I went for a very stereotypical outfit. Black, stripes and a touch of red with the bag and scarf. This is the first time I've worn the scarf. I won it last year actually, in a goodie bag giveaway on Sam's blog. I had wanted to wear it with stripes so this was perfect.

I really like the cropped blazer too - it's a very cosy piece. The autumn weather is setting in now in Brisbane so a jacket is needed on the early morning commute to work.

The dress I love, a great wardrobe basic that's worked well before, during and after pregnancy. This is the first time I've worn it without a belt though. I didn't want to add too much with the scarf and the zip detail on the blazer already.


Despite liking everything individually, when it's grouped together I just really don't like this outfit. I think the combination of the shorter jacket and the unbelted flared dress doesn't work....just not a very flattering outfit.


Last worn: Warehouse cropped blazer, striped dress, ankle strap heelsMarc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag. First time I've worn the scarf.

Other ways to wear: cropped blazer with printed dresses, striped dress with pink accessories and a baby bellyankle strap heels and a pencil skirt, red bag with more striped outfits and a third trimester baby bump.









What I wore:

Corporate style sequins for office wear coral tank pencil skirt, metallic jacquard jacket

Away From Blue Handbag Blogger Marc by Marc Jacobs Lil Ukita Rock Lobster
Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace (new purchase) layered with Dogeared 3 Wishes stardust bead necklace
TankJeanswest 'Darcy' embellished top in Winter coral
SkirtAsos tailored tab front pencil skirt in grey
Shoes: Wittner 'Lumen' heel in patent leather
BagMarc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag in Rock Lobster

Why I wore it:

The style prompt for the day was 'shiny sparkly', so just like I did last time this came up as a challenge, I wore my pretty sequin tank. This tank is one of the pieces I had to justify keeping during my wardrobe detox. I insisted it looked good on me and I wanted to keep it, ha! When I put it on to demonstrate this, the stylist was unimpressed as it looks terrible untucked on my petite frame. but ever since I tried tucking it in, I've loved wearing it. I've even used it to successfully disguise a second trimester baby bump in the office! The stylist relented and let me keep it in the end, and we threw out the next 3 tops she looked at instead. A good compromise!

As this is the second time I've worn my jacket since I bought it, and I'm reviewing all my new purchases on their second wear to see if they are winners, my purchase review:

I am glad I bought this jacket. I had wanted it for a while, but waited for a sale and then waited too long and it was sold out in my size. When I found it in the Jeanswest outlet I knew I had to take it home! It is really similar to some boucle jackets from Zara I owned...so I got rid of the blue and red tweed blazers to make room in my wardrobe for this, and I don't regret it.
The only downside is that it has got a zipper detail on the sleeves that makes it impossible to type with at work, as the large zipper pulls hit on the desk and keyboard and make so much noise! I remembered this from the first wear though and put a pashmina in my bag for when I got cold at the office without the jacket, and it worked out much better. As autumn draws to a close I'll be wearing scarves more often so it won't matter so much that I have to take the jacket off when I'm at my desk. So although it's not a perfect purchase, as I bought it intending to wear it often to work, I'm happy with it and happy to 'work around' the distracting noise it makes!


Last worn: Jeanswest jacquard jacket, sequin detail tank, Asos grey pencil skirt, nude heelsMarc By Marc Jacobs Ukita bag.

Other ways to wear: jacquard jacket with a printed dress, sequin tank with striped maxi skirtnude patent heels with a printed skirt, red bag with a black lace pencil skirt.




Linking up with What I Wore, Wardrobe Wednesday, Because Shanna Said So, Style Me WeeklyCappuccino and Fashion, Get Your Pretty On, Budgeting Bloggers, Style Me Wednesday, Oh hey girl, The Wednesday Pants, Trendy Wednesday, Brilliant Blog PostsFashion Files, Look What I GotThrowback Thursday, What I Wore to Work, Fun Fashion Friday today.


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