Showing posts with label motherhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motherhood. Show all posts

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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Monday 20 March 2017

Striped Tops, Pink Sleeveless Jacket and Denim Shorts

More stripes! My previous post was all about striped maxi skirts, the one is wearing my pink vest with some striped tops. Stripes are definitely the most common print in my wardrobe, even with all of my skull print or leopard print scarves!

What I wore:

monochrome black stripe tank shorts outfit pink sleeveless drape vest mint bag | AwayFromBlue

Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather | AwayFromTheBlue
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
TankAtmos & Here Oregon stripe tank
ShortsOneTeaspoon Hawks shorts in Fox black (C/O, on sale!)
ShoesBalenciaga studded sandals in sorbet RGGH (on sale, 58% off!)
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

I wore this for the "pinktastic" style prompt of the #AutumnStyleFile challenge. I like pink and black, and I've seen on a few blogs a black dress with a pink layer on top. It gave me the idea of trying this pink vest with a monochrome black outfit. Went with shorts and a tank as my shorter black dresses aren't breastfeeding friendly and the vest doesn't work with my black maxi dresses.

Wore this to run a few quick errands. I was starting to plan for Baby Boy's first birthday party and walked around a few stores trying to get some of the things I needed. It's crazy to think he'll be 1 soon.

Was pleased with this outfit - although the pink sandals and pastel vest are different shades I think they look good together, and the little aqua bag was a great accessory. I'm amazed it's been over a year since I last wore these sandals! I've been loving my Rebecca Minkoff gladiator sandals and realised I better hunt out these Balenciagas and wear them now before the autumn weather arrives.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, pastel pink vest, stripe tank, OneTeaspoon shorts, Balenciaga studded sandals, Rebecca Minkoff aquamarine mini MAC bag.

Other ways to wearpink vest and floral tankstripe tank and flares, OneTeaspoon shorts in spring, Balenciaga studded sandals and blue boho dress, Rebecca Minkoff aquamarine mini MAC bag and purple cardigan.



Pink Vests Under $50:







What I wore:

casual SAHM stripe tee denim shorts pink waterfall drape sleeveless coat | Away From Blue

silver bracelet stack, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine pink vest | Away From The Blue
JacketJeanswest Peri drape sleeveless jacket (on sale!)
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
TeeAtmos&Here oversized stripe tee
ShortsJeanswest Trinity Bermuda denim shorts (on sale!)
ShoesWittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

This was going to be a quiet day, not much to do other than a couple of errands in the morning. I wanted to wear this pink vest again and was trying to decide on a top to wear with it. I picked this striped tee as although I didn't anticipate needing to feed Baby Boy while we were out, I figured it would be good to be wearing something breastfeeding friendly just in case.

I was so glad I'd chosen to wear this tee in the evening. We had to unexpectedly take Baby Boy to the hospital (he's fine now) and I had to breastfeed in the waiting room. When your baby's 11 months it's hard to get them to use a breastfeeding cover without tearing it off. Luckily I can pull this shirt up and have the excess fabric drape down and not feel too exposed when he pulls the wrap off for the tenth time... 😅

Despite it being a similar outfit formula to the one above and it being comfortable to wear I think this looks a little off in the photos. The rolled sleeves on the tee look a little odd peeking out from under the vest, and I didn't like the look of this outfit as much as the first one. I did love the combination of the aquamarine bag with the pink vest again, I'm glad I tried this pairing as it's now a favourite.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer (above), pink drape vest (above), stripe tee, Bermuda denim shorts, two tone sandals, Rebecca Minkoff aquamarine mini MAC bag (above).

Other ways to wearpink vest worn two waysstripe tee and red jeans, Bermuda denim shorts and olive tank, two tone sandals and printed dress, Rebecca Minkoff aquamarine mini MAC bag and maxi skirt.





Striped Tees and Tanks Under $10:








You can a make a basic shorts outfit a little more interesting with a striped tee or tank instead of a plain one. You can also add more colour with a vest, kimono or bright bag without adding bulk.


Linking up with Mix It Monday, On Trend, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday, Midweek Inspo, Oh Hey Girl.



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Monday 13 March 2017

Printed Kimonos, Plain Tops and Denim Shorts with Colourful Cross Body Bags

When it's hot you really don't want to put a lot of thought into your outfit, you want something easy and light to wear. Shorts and a tee or tank is a pretty standard warm weather outfit, especially here in Brisbane.

It's still easy to add a 'completer piece' layer to your outfit without overheating if you pick a pretty printed kimono. Luckily I have lots in my wardrobe to pair with otherwise plain outfits. I wore these two outfits below during one of our summer heatwaves (which I feel I'm always going on about, but it's been so insanely hot it's been hard to think of much else!).

What I wore:

OneTeaspoon Hawks shorts in Fox black, red Choies printed kimono, grey tee, saddle bag | AwayFromBlue

Rebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red | AwayFromTheBlue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
JacketChoies red vintage pattern kimono
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Wilma teething necklace in pale daffodil
Tee: Spectrum basic v-neck tee in grey marl
Shorts:  OneTeaspoon Hawks shorts in Fox black (C/O, on sale!)
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
BagRebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red (on sale in pink, and there's a spend and save sale on now at Rebecca Minkoff!)

Why I wore it:

I took these pictures in the afternoon. I usually get photos on my way out the door in the morning as there's less chance it will be covered in something courtesy of the Baby Boy or Toddler T! It was just far too hot in the morning to want to stand outside in the sun. We moved from one airconditioned place to another trying to minimise the amount of time we spent outside. Thankfully my outfit was still presentable in the afternoon when it was a little cooler.

The grey tee and black shorts outfit was a little boring, but I really liked it with the colourful saddle bag and red printed kimono. Bright accessories are one of the tricks I use to try and hide a lack of sleep! Baby Boy has recently decided to stop sleeping through the night, and the night before this was particularly bad. I lost count of the number of wakeups at around 2.30am... I know it's just a phase and he will be back to sleeping like normal soon. That's what I'm telling myself anyway!


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, printed kimono, grey tee, OneTeaspoon Hawks shorts, Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag.

Other ways to wearprinted kimono and striped tank, grey tee and a baby bump, OneTeaspoon Hawks shorts and pink vest, Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag and shirt dress.



Printed Kimonos Under $50:






What I wore:

Somedays Lovin' Yakuza print kimono, peplum tank, denim shorts | AwayFromBlue

Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold | Away From The Blue
JacketSomedays Lovin' Yakuza print kimono
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
Top: Zalora basics ruffle hem tank in black
ShortsJeanswest denim cuff shorts
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
BagRebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

Wore this to run a few errands. While the peplum tank does add a nice bit of interest to a plain shorts and tank outfit, again I thought a completer piece would make the outfit better. Adding colourful accessories is always a good idea too.

You might notice that I wear this bag and kimono together a lot! I really like the pairing as the mustard yellow works so well with the floral print of the kimono. No surprise that I really liked wearing this combination again.

I wasn't too sure how the peplum tank would work with a kimono but I think it looked okay. You can see it a little better in my instagram photo. I can use filters on instagram to fix my less-than-perfect photos 😉 Ideally this time of year I'd be in the yard taking photos and making the most of the shade, but it's even messier than usual with all of the boys toys.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer (above), Somedays Lovin' kimono, black peplum tank, Jeanswest denim shorts, Havaianas (above), Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag.

Other ways to wearSomedays Lovin' kimono and colourful top, black peplum tank and red jeans, Jeanswest denim shorts and printed tank, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag and maxi skirt.





There is a Rebecca Minkoff Spend and Save Sale on at the moment, from 20 to 30% off!

Spend $250, get 20% off.
Spend $350, get 25% off.
Spend $500, get 30% off.
No code needed.




Good time to splurge on any of the bags you might have had your eye on! It ends 15th March. Prices above are before the discount.





Printed kimonos are perfect outfit completers. They add more depth to your outfit with colour and print without making you warm on a hot day.


Linking up with Hello Monday, Mix It Monday, On Trend, Style Sessions, Midweek Inspo, Oh Hey Girl.



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Monday 27 February 2017

Metallic Tanks, Maxi Skirts and Red Rebecca Minkoff Unlined Saddle Bag

Doing #6MonthsWithoutShopping means I've been enjoying wearing more of my wardrobe and rediscovering older pieces. I recently found this black foil metallic tank and since I liked wearing it so much, I wore the same outfit the formula the next day with my silver metallic tank.

What I wore:

monochrome black and grey metallic tank maxi skirt outfit with red pop of colour saddle bag | Away From Blue

silver and pearl Tiffany and Roie Designs bracelet stack studded red saddle bag | Away From The Blue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Charlotte teething necklace
TankFrench Connection feather foil singlet
Skirt: Target grey marle maxi skirt
ShoesWittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus two Roie Designs pearl on leather adjustable bracelets
BagRebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red (on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

I wore this tank when I created my first ever post on the blog, where you can see the metallic shimmer better as I used the flash on the camera. In six years it's only been worn four times. Last time was two years ago! I uncovered it in my wardrobe and was surprised (but glad) that I still had it.

I wore this for a casual day, taking the boys to playgroup. Previously I'd seen this tank as one of those 'special' pieces where you want to 'save' it for a perfect occasion. With no new clothes coming into my wardrobe for 6 months as I do my no shopping challenge, it's given me a good reason to enjoy more of what I own instead of waiting for a perfect time that never seems to come up. I've already worn this tank again recently!


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, black foil tank, grey maxi skirt, studded sandals, Rebecca Minkoff red saddle bag.

Other ways to wearblack foil tank and metallic skirt, grey maxi skirt and denim jacket, studded sandals and shorts, Rebecca Minkoff red saddle bag and floral print.



Metallic Tanks Under $50:







What I wore:

Jeanswest Maji metallic tank, stripe jersey maxi skirt, Rebecca Minkoff poppy red saddle bag | AwayFromBlue

Rebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red with stripe maxi skirt | AwayFromTheBlue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Ava elephant pendant teething necklace
TankJeanswest Maji metallic tank in soft green and silver (extra 30% off sale price!)
Skirt: Target black and white striped maxi skirt
ShoesRebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale!)
BagRebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red (on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

I loved the simplicity of the first outfit with the metallic tank, comfy maxi skirt and bright red cross body bag for a touch of colour. Happily recreated it again the very next day with a different tank and skirt. Went to my local Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) mothers group with the boys.

Baby Boy is getting older now and it's easier to get out and back home between feeds. I'm still sticking to mostly breastfeeding friendly outfits like this though, just in case, and that came in helpful! About halfway through the meeting he wanted a feed and I hadn't brought a bottle with us as I didn't expect him to be hungry. It was good I was wearing something that let me easily breastfeed him. I didn't have anything to use as a breastfeeding cover which I would have preferred, but the great thing about the ABA is the mums are incredibly supportive no matter how you feed your baby. Covered, uncovered, bottle of expressed milk, bottle of formula, SNS, they've seen it all. I'm glad to have connected with them!


Last wornRay-Ban Wayfarer (above), metallic silver tank, striped maxi skirt, studded sandals, Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag (above).

Other ways to wearmetallic silver tank worn two ways, striped maxi skirt in winterstudded sandals and denim shorts, Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag and shirt dress.


Metallic tanks are just as easy to wear as plain tanks. You can dress them up or you can wear them casually with maxi skirts like I have here.









Linking up with Modest Monday, On Trend, Style Sessions, Turning Heads, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday, What I Wore.



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Friday 17 February 2017

Silicone Teething Necklaces and Printed Dresses

The most frequent comment on the blog or Instagram is around my accessories. Lots of love for my handbags, but at the moment the most commented on thing is whatever necklace I'm wearing.

While Baby Boy is so small, I'm doing the same thing I did with his older brother and putting aside all my regular necklaces and just wearing baby-friendly pieces. I have a little collection of teething necklaces I rotate through.

What's a teething necklace?

They are called teething or silicone necklaces as they are made out of nontoxic food safe silicone and designed for babies to chew. I've bought necklaces from Nibbly Bits (who I highly recommend) and received some from Ruby Olive in a subscription box. I'm wearing one from each brand with some printed dresses below.

Why wear a teething necklace?


  • Entertainment for baby - they are brightly coloured and perfectly positioned around your neck for playing with during feeds. Useful for both breast and bottle feeds.
  • Perfect for teething - both my boys love gnawing on the bright beads to soothe their gums.
  • Easy to clean - you can wash them in hot soapy water and as they stay on you they don't get as dirty as other toys that roll around on the floor with baby.
  • Always nearby - it can be hard digging around in a baby bag to find a toy when you have a toddler and a baby to keep hold of!
  • Safe - the ones I own have a quick release clasp so if baby gets tangled or tugs too strongly they unfasten for safety. They are also made from BPA free food-grade silicone.
  • They look good! I like being able to wear an accessory that adds something to an outfit I'm wearing and is also useful for baby. Pretty and practical!

You get a lot of unsolicited advice in motherhood and I'm wary of recommending something as what works for one baby doesn't work for all, but when anyone asks about my necklaces I always rave about how good teething necklaces are! They are a nice touch to an outfit too.

What I wore:

Nibbly Bits abacus pop teething necklace, Atmos&Here Nigella collarless shirt dress, LV speedy | AwayFromBlue

Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere | Away From The Blue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
DressAtmos&Here Nigella collarless shirt dress
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
BagLouis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

I was in a rush this morning as usual so wanted an easy outfit - this simple printed shirt dress was perfect. It met a lot of style challenges on Instagram too. The polka dot dress is a red, black and white print but it 'reads' like a neutral piece so I thought the pink and purple teething necklace was lovely with it. Wore this for a lot of running around with swim lessons for Toddler T, a few errands and getting lunch.

This is definitely my favourite teething necklace - I really like the colours and it does seem to go with everything! I made a #30wears collages with it as I've worn it so much.

30 wears: outfit ideas with Nibbly Bits abacus pop silicone teething necklace | AwayFromBlue Blog


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, Atmos&Here shirt dress, Havaianas, Louis Vuitton speedy Bandouliere.

Other ways to wear: shirt dress and winter layers, Louis Vuitton speedy Bandouliere and jeans.


Where to Buy Silicone Teething Necklaces:







What I wore:

Zara printed bib front tunic dress, tempete Balenciaga day bag | AwayFromBlue

Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete | AwayFromTheBlue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Charlotte teething necklace
Dress: Zara printed bib front tunic dress
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
BagBalenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete

Why I wore it:

Not what I wanted to wear, but still met a couple style challenge prompts on Instagram. Unlike the shirt dress above, this shift dress is not breastfeeding friendly! I was rushing to get ready as usual and I pulled on my button up shift dress that is breastfeeding friendly. Only to find I couldn't fasten it as somewhere between me taking it off, washing it and ironing it, one of the buttons had popped off.

I'd had my mind set on wearing a dress so I was rummaging through my wardrobe looking for something else to wear. With pregnancy and breastfeeding, it's been a year and a half since I last wore this one! It was nice to get it out again, it is one of my favourite dresses. Even if I was a little stressed about going grocery shopping and getting back before Baby Boy wanted a feed!

With the blue bag and navy shift dress the colourful teething necklace was a good addition to break up the blue a little. Plus it kept Baby Boy amused until I could get home and change into something more suited for feeding him.


Last wornRay-Ban Wayfarer (above), Zara shift dress, Havaianas (above), Balenciaga tempete Day bag.

Other ways to wearZara shift dress and leather jacket, Balenciaga tempete Day bag and blush blazer.


Hopefully you found this post helpful! So many people have asked that I thought this would be useful for someone. It's not sponsored. Just wanted to share the revelation I had when I first heard of teething necklaces - what a great idea!


More Teething Necklaces:







Linking up with Flashback Fashion, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Shoe & Tell, Modest Monday, Let It Shine, Hello Monday, On Mondays We Link Up, On Trend.


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Wednesday 11 January 2017

Navy Tops, Prints and Louis Vuitton Damier Bags

I've been enjoying wearing my Louis Vuitton bags lately. Although my MM neverfull and speedy bandouliere are printed, I tend to see them as simple bags to wear and will happily wear them when I have a printed piece in my outfit.

I've learnt from experience that it's best to wear a printed bag with just one other printed piece of clothing, I like the outfits better that way. Plain navy tops seemed a good choice to wear with the prints.

What I wore:

navy tank, black and yellow pleated skirt LV damier azur neverfull bag | Away From Blue

 Louis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull | Away From THe Blue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Wilma teething necklace in pale daffodil
TankMEV Britney bubble tank in mood indigo C/O Zibibo
Skirt: Garfunkle Australia pleated print skirt
ShoesWittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
BagLouis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull

Why I wore it:

Wore this on a hot day with another specialist for baby boy. The big neverfull tote was ideal for carrying around all of the paperwork required. I have the MM size and it's perfect for me!

I was attempting to organise and declutter one day when I came across this skirt that I'd put aside with all of my other officewear pieces. No point in having them out taking up space in my wardrobe while I'm on maternity leave. I realised it would be nice to wear casually on days where I didn't want shorts or a maxi skirt though, so I kept it out and boxed up the rest of my workwear.

If if you're wondering why I'm not back at work yet, while I returned to work early when toddler T was a baby, I'm not doing that this time. I'm taking the full year of maternity leave I'm entitled to with Baby Boy. Yes, Australia does have awesome maternity leave entitlements.

As it was December, the #SummerStyleFile instagram style challenge was on so this pleated skirt fit the "pleats please" challenge nicely. I really liked this outfit, I was unsure about the black printed skirt with navy top at first but it turned out looking okay and I felt really comfortable in this all day. The yellow teething necklace just ties it all together. Can't believe it's been 2 years since I last wore this skirt! It needs worn more frequently. Hopefully now I'm going 6 months without shopping and trying to achieve 30 wears on everything I'll actually wear it!


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, navy breastfeeding tank, printed pleated skirt, studded sandals, Louis Vuitton neverfull.

Other ways to wearnavy breastfeeding tank and purple jeans, printed pleated skirt and grey tee, studded sandals and a maxi dress, Louis Vuitton neverfull in the office.




More Louis Vuitton Damier Print Bags:









What I wore:

Louis Vuitton damier ebene speedy B with monochrome navy printed shorts outfit Summer style | AwayFromBlue

Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere | AwayFromTheBlue
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Charlotte teething necklace
Tank: Kmart navy ribbed tank
Shorts: Jeanswest 'Scarlette' printed shorts
Shoesslim gold Havaianas
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

Just under two years ago I had a wardrobe detox session with a personal stylist. I'd recently purchased these shorts at the time and was excited about them. One of the suggested outfits the stylist came up with was to wear a darker top with these shorts and make it look a little like a playsuit. At the time I made a note to try it when I got such a top in my wardrobe. It was the first outfit that came to mind when I saw this navy tank on sale at Kmart, so I was pleased to give the combination a go at last. The shorts were perfect for the two style challenges on instagram too, white in the print for Summer Style File and swishy for Darecember.

Like the outfit above, I really enjoyed wearing this. Wore it for a quiet day so it was one of those outfits you feel are a bit of a waste as you didn't do anything special in them! I've already worn it again with different accessories as I liked this outfit so much.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers (above), Kmart navy tank, printed navy shorts, Havaianas, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere.

Other ways to wearKmart navy tank and printed cardi, printed navy shorts and grey tee, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere and a maxi skirt.


Linking up with Weekend WearPassion for Fashion, Fun Fashion, Fabulous Friday.




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Monday 9 January 2017

Fitted Tanks Post Baby And The Mum-Tum (With Denim Shorts and Printed Kimono)

I have a lot of fitted tanks in different colours. I liked wearing them while pregnant but haven't been loving them as much lately. Partly because I prefer lifting tops up rather than pulling them down for breastfeeding and it's not easy to do that in something so fitted. Being honest though it's mostly because they cling so much around the tummy area.


After two babies in two years I knew my stomach would never be perfectly flat. I'm still happily rocking my bikini post-baby - despite a visiting obstetrician telling me during my last pregnancy that my stomach would be "ruined" and that I'd never go to the beach or wear a bikini again! I am proud of my belly, however lumpy it is. I love every extra wrinkle and am truly happy with my "tiger stripes".

However, with tight clothing you don't see anything other than a bump. Which I worry looks suspiciously like a baby bump from some angles. Although trivial, the awkward "nope, not pregnant" conversation just felt a little too stressful to handle! I preferred to cover my belly up in clothing and avoid giving anyone the opportunity to notice and comment. While it's easy to hide a belly in photos it's trickier in real life.

Since wearing these outfits I have had someone mistakenly congratulate me on my "pregnancy" and have had to point out that nope, I'm not pregnant, just got a mum-tum! And you know what? It wasn't as horrific an experience as I thought it would be. I just laughed it off and didn't get upset or make the person asking upset. I wasn't even wearing a fitted tank when it happened, ha! It made me realise I was worrying unnecessarily.



What I wore:

colourful summer denim shorts outfit blue and purple Somedays Lovin kimono | AwayFromBlue

silver bracelet stack Tiffany Yondale designs, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum | AwayFromTheBlue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
JacketSomedays Lovin' Yakuza print kimono
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Charlotte teething necklace
TankJeanswest 'Jenni' basic singlet in Hawaii blue
ShortsJeanswest printed denim shorts
ShoesRebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale!)
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum (on sale in navy!)

Why I wore it:

Wore this to run a few quick errands in the afternoon. I'd planned to go out in the morning but never managed to get organised quickly enough to leave before baby's nap, so an afternoon outing it was.

I really liked the colours in this outfit! I think the blue and purple are lovely together. The multi-coloured necklace tied everything together nicely.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, printed kimono, blue fitted tank, printed denim shorts, Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded sandals, plum purple mini MAB tote bag.

Other ways to wearprinted kimono and purple jeans, blue fitted tank and a baby belly, printed denim shorts and a grey tee, Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded sandals and maxi skirtpurple mini MAB tote bag and winter layers.




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What I wore:

summer shorts print mixing tank and kimono outfit OneTeaspoon Hawks | Away From Blue

Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold | Away From The Blue
Jacket: Somedays Lovin' Yakuza print kimono
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Charlotte teething necklace
TankGlassons striped tank in black and white
ShortsOneTeaspoon Hawks shorts in Fox black (C/O, on sale!)
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
BagRebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

Same kimono, different shorts and tank. I wasn't enjoying this outfit as much as the one above. I felt the stripes really accentuated the mum-tum and was feeling a bit self-conscious about it at the time. I also couldn't help thinking that my grey and white striped tank probably would have looked better with the grey kimono.

An okay outfit, but one of those that seem better in theory when you're planning them than they do when you wear them.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer (above), Somedays Lovin kimono (above), striped tank, OneTeaspoon Hawks shorts, Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag.

Other ways to wearkimono and a maxi skirt, striped tank layered up for winter, OneTeaspoon Hawks shorts worn two ways, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag and chambray dress.



My clothes may fit differently but it's for the most amazing reason, one that I wouldn't change for the world. My body might change further when I've stopped breastfeeding but it might not and I'm perfectly okay with that. I DO have a rounder tummy and I am extremely grateful and amazed to have two beautiful boys as a result. I need to embrace it in every situation, even if it makes people wonder if I'm pregnant. So expect to see me wearing more of these fitted tanks over the remainder of summer. Lumpy post-baby belly and all!




You can hide a baby bump in pictures, you can dress in ways that disguise any leftover baby weight. Or you can keep it real and show it all off in a bikini. Your body, your business. Remember a photo never tells the full story, never compare your behind the scenes to someone else's highlight reel! Don't feel bad about how you look post-baby, every pregnancy and post-pregnancy journey is different.


Linking up with Mix It Monday, Mums That Slay, Hello Monday, On Trend, Turning Heads, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday, Midweek Inspo, What I Wore, Oh Hey Girl, Fashion FilesFlashback Friday, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole.



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