The Chloe Paddington was my first ever designer handbag purchase. It might not be worn often (the heavy padlock really isn't kid friendly) but I do still love it. Of course I loved both times I wore it below. Not sure if it was the cooler weather after our heatwaves, or getting my first bag splurge out again to enjoy, but I was so happy in both of these outfits. Printed tank and black pencil skirts, such simple office style.
This tank was a gift from my mum and it was such a good one, it's looked great with everything I've worn it with so far. See two more ways to wear it here.
I debated a little in the morning which necklace I should wear with the top. The leaf print has so many different colours, it's easy to pick a colour out of the print and wear a matching accessory. In the end I went with blue, of course.
Someone on Instagram contacted me to ask about my experiences with Chloe Paddington bags, and I was happy to chat a little about my first bag obsession. I'm not good with small talk, and meeting new people often leaves me at a loss for words, but if anyone talks handbags they will find it hard to shut me up, haha! After talking about the bag I couldn't resist getting it out again for a wear.
I did add a cardigan to this outfit to cover up in the cold office air con, but it wasn't needed for my commute, the weather was just right.
Since I liked the printed tank and black pencil skirt combination above, I wore it again for my next day in the office. Funnily, this tank was also a gift from my mum, back when I was pregnant. Didn't realise the coincidence in wearing the tanks so close to each other until I put this post together!
As it was a little cooler with some rain forecast, I added the blazer over the top and kept it on pretty much all day. It was a little tricky taking photos - while the rain held off until later in the day, my neighbour (who you can see in the back there) kept walking past as I was trying to take photos. I don't spend long taking photos, just setup the tripod, align the camera then shoot. Still she managed to walk past twice! It was so awkward. I find it weird taking blog photos in front of people, as I'd have no idea what to say if they asked. "I take photos for the internet" sounds normal to another style blogger, but is kinda crazy when you think of it!
The only issue with a Chloe Paddington is the weight - while it was fun carrying it, it was back in its dust bag after these two wears. Twice in a week is enough for me, I have frequent back pain with my diastasis recti so a heavy bag just adds to it unfortunately! I think I'll always love my Paddy though, even if I don't wear it as much as I used to.
A black pencil skirt is an office staple, and it's so easy to pair with a printed piece like these fun printed tanks. Depending on the dress code for your office, you may need to cover up bare shoulders with a blazer. A cardigan is another option if the office aircon is particularly frosty and your dress code isn't as formal. Linking up with Trend Spin, Turning Heads, Style Sessions, Style On The Daily.
If you're trying to build a wardrobe that takes you from SAHM duties to a business casual workplace like I am, you need some basics. When I bought these two tanks I knew they would be pieces I'd be able to get a lot of wear from. They are really basic, a little gathering on the back but otherwise just plain and colourful tanks. Simple tops like this are good to wear to the office as well as the other days I'm a SAHM with the boys.
An simple, staple office outfit. Closed in shoes, a bag big enough to carry everything needed for a day at work, blazer and a simple basic tank. Even if the heatwave in Brisbane meant that the blazer was quickly taken off after these pictures and only worn in the office air conditioning! It has been such a hot end to summer.
While I love my printed dresses for work, a variation of this outfit is often worn as I love my pencil skirts. A pencil skirt and blazer can have a casual tank underneath if you're in a business casual workplace like I am, or a dressier blouse or button up shirt for more formal environments.
With a basic top and classic plain blazer, you can add more interest to your office outfit with a fun statement necklace or printed pencil skirt. I love the textured lace on this one.
Another super-hot day, at the height of the heatwave. We were spending the morning in aircon so I added the kimono to keep me cosy, and also because I'd been wanting to try the navy floral with the mustard tank. I really like this outfit and felt great in this. I'll probably try this kimono and tank together again soon, I loved the colour combo.
I ended up taking the kimono off in the afternoon though as we ran around on a couple of errands. Even the brief moments between the air conditioned car and building made it too warm for any kind of layer!
Carried my Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere bag again, I needed something fairly indestructible, and this is perfect as it's waterproof and easy to clean.
Since I was spending the day with the boys, I swaped the pretty but not kid friendly statement necklace I wore to the office with this much more kid friendly silicone teething necklace. Easily washable too, just like the Louis Vuitton handbag.
Basics are the best building blocks to have in your wardrobe, especially if you want pieces you can get more wear from. These tanks, while different colours, are the same simple cut and are so easy to dress up or down. With a few tweaks like swapping the fun kimono for a more formal blazer, and the casual denim shorts for a pencil skirt, it's easy to make a casual outfit perfect for the office. If you're on a budget, investing in a few pieces like this makes it easier to get more value from your purchases as you can wear them for different events. You don't have to spend big, both of these tanks were under $20! Linking up with Turning Heads,Trend Spin, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday, Style on the Daily.
No, it isn't scarf weather yet in Brisbane! This scarf I got from my mum is so pretty though, a lovely blush shade with rose gold thread running through it. I added it in the morning as I'd lost my voice the afternoon before, and thought it best to keep wrapped up in the office air con. Thankfully my voice (mostly) made it through to the end of the day.
I forgot that this necklace hangs at an awkward length and bangs noisily on my work pass when I wear it, but the scarf did help muffle it a litte.
I usually pick neutral bags to wear with this colourful orange sheath dress. Although there was one time I paired it with an orange bag. I like blue and orange together, so the navy Regan satchel was a nice addition and a change from my usual grey. With the blazer and ballet flats, it's a classic office outfit combo, and one that I relly on a lot. Especially when life gets hectic, as happens often with two little ones. I wonder how full time office workers with kids do it all sometimes!
This dress is on it's eighth wear, even though this year marks 5 years since I bought it. I do tend to keep it to spring/summer as I prefer to wear it without tights. Other than not getting worn a lot (which is even harder to do now I'm only in the office a couple of days a week), there's nothing wrong with it. I feel bad keeping pieces like this that are so rarely worn in my wardrobe, but given the choice again today I'd still buy it if I saw it in a store so it's staying, even if it will be a while before it gets worn again!
Unlike the orange sheath dress above, this blue paisley print one has been worn a lot more often. One of my favourite work pieces, it just makes me feel pulled together and confident. I've worn blue bags with this dress in the past, but this is the first time I've worn the dress and Balenciaga city bag together. I've worn it with a pink blazer in the past, but never a pink bag. I really liked the combination - I'm sure it will come up again in my quest to get to 30 wears with this dress this year!
While I love the Rebecca Minkoff Regan above and think it's a great classic option for work, there's something so cheerful about the pink Balenciaga city bag that makes me smile when I wear it. Paired with my favourite blue sheath dress, it's a great mood booster for a tough week.
The pearl necklaces were a last minute choice, I'd planned to wear another necklace but changed my mind that morning. I'm not completely happy with them. I did try knot the longer chain of pearls but when I couldn't get the knot to sit right and I was in a rush I just left it. I think knotting it would have looked better though, like this time I knotted the necklace.
Sheath dresses are a classic cut and style for the office. They work in many different office dress codes. Fun printed ones like these two are perfect for business casual offices, but if you have a more formal dress code you could go with a plain version.
Mid-October we took the boys on their first ever flight, a short trip for a few days down to Sydney. When I was planning our trip I was curious about how I'd keep the boys entertained on the flights and what our first flight experience would be like. I've had a few questions about that too so I thought I'd share more about what the flights were like as well as what I was wearing. Feel free to skip the flight-related stuff if you're not interested and just focus on the outfits, it's a bit of a long post otherwise.
Background to Our Trip:
Toddler T is 3, and Baby Boy is 19 months. Both are good walkers. We took a travel stroller but checked it at the gate along with a suitcase and I had my Ergobaby carrier (which couldn't be used during takeoff and landing or to go through airport security, but can be used at all other times). Baby Boy was on an infant ticket and had to sit in my lap, Toddler T had his own seat.
We flew Qantas both ways. Both flights were mid-morning flights, when the boys are most relaxed. Toddler T was enthusiastically greeted and given a small activity pack gift on boarding and the flight attendants were polite, friendly, and reminded us we could ask them for anything if we needed help.
Simple comfortable outfit for our first flight. While it was a warm day in Brisbane, I suspected I might need the light duster on the plane and in cooler Sydney. This duster washes well, dries quickly and the print disguises any creases so it's perfect for travel.
While I had multiple outfit choices for the boys, I limited what I brought along to just one pair of shoes (my trusty Converse) and these jeans and a maxi skirt. I usually wear jeans when flying, they are comfortable and it also means that the the heaviest item of clothing is outside your bag in case you're getting near the baggage weight limit!
The flight from Brisbane to Sydney is only around an hour and a half, so we didn't have to keep the boys amused for too long. We also luckily didn't have to attempt using the airplane bathroom with either of them. Not always possible, but definitely helpful for us to have a small flight as our first one, and it's one of the reasons we picked Sydney to travel to.
Run Around the Airport
We got to the airport and the gate early. We picked window seats at the gate so that the boys could watch the planes and vehicles on the tarmac, while also giving them a large 'corridor' along the window to run up and down while staying in sight and out of the way of the rest of the waiting passengers. We encouraged them to run frequently while we waited for boarding. Did have to stop them from crawling under the seats and disturbing the other people waiting at one point though....
Boarding Tips
We didn't board right away, and waited until the line was shorter so they weren't standing in one spot too long. Toddler T had his boarding pass so he was responsible for getting it scanned and showing it to the flight attendants as we boarded which got him involved. We found it best to have Baby Boy and I on the window seat with Toddler T in the middle of hubby and I so there were two sets of hands if either boy needed anything. Boarding time is a good time to wipe down the tray tables and other surfaces with a disinfectant wipe too.
Breastfeeding
If you're breastfeeding remember that baby has to stay seated in your lap and sitting upright for takeoff and landing, so you'll need to wear something you can easily pull down or unbutton to breastfeed as your toddler sits up. Breastfeeding during takeoff and landing is a good way to help with the pressure on little ears.
Bring Snacks
The flights were around regular morning tea time for the boys so that they would be looking for something to eat. As they are so small, eating and drinking during takeoff and landing is the best way to relieve the pressure in their ears. In keeping with my usual over-packing style, I had a Bento lunchbox with two 'levels' of snacks, as well as two identical smaller snack-boxes.
This worked out well for our first flight, when baby Boy enthusiastically grabbed one of the smaller boxes and managed to open it and shower the gate area with food. I was relieved to still have the second backup box. We opened out the second 'level' of the lunchbox for snacks for the descent. While they weren't as hungry at the end of the flight, having favourite foods and treats available like biscuits meant they were still happy to eat and help their ears on the descent. One important point to note is that you have to check the customs requirements for food. There are interstate laws about taking fruit across state lines in Australia. This meant we picked strawberries, raisins and apple which could be freshly prepared, cut and washed the morning of the flight and completely consumed before landing. We left out bananas and mandarins as we didn't want to get in trouble for still having the peel, and just bought more fruit when we arrived in Sydney.
Bring Things to Do
As well as the activity pack Qantas provided, I brought a few books along, some colouring books and activity packs with stickers and pencils. We put the bento lunchbox in the seat pocket, along with their drinks and a book and kept the activity packs in the baby bag under the seat in front. With backups in the carry on case we put in the overhead compartment, but never needed to use.
We didn't bring toys as everything you bring will end up on the floor at least once. My teething necklace was the only 'toy' as it stayed around my neck, and Baby Boy gnawed on it a little when he got grizzly during the descent into Sydney.
Plan Your Flight Entertainment
On takeoff we sat the lunchbox in Toddler T's lap so both boys could easily reach it and pick what they wanted to eat. Once the plane was level, we packed it away and did some of the activity books together until the refreshments were served (we asked for a bottle of water at this point to refill the boys drinks). Once they got tired of picking at the bun provided for morning tea, as neither of them seemed to like it, we got out the books to read and did some more activity packs. We followed what the boys wanted to do and changed activities as they wanted until it was time to descend and pack up the tray tables and bring the snacks out again.
Explain Everything
For weeks leading up to the flight we were reading all the plane related books we had, explaining the check in process, take off and landing. Knowing that the plane would go fast, that the plane would be noisy and that eating and drinking will stop your ears feeling funny helped. Instead of trying to detail everything in the moment, we could quickly refer back to earlier conversations. With a toddler who doesn't like loud noises, explaining each and every noise and movement of the plane helped calm any fears. A tip I picked up from my Dad, who would always tell us what noises to look out for next on our flights as kids. It's a habit now!
This is what I wore for our flight home from Sydney to Brisbane. The same duster, jeans and shoes, just a different tank. I wore my Converse every day, there was no room to pack two pairs of shoes with all the extra clothes I had for the boys. I did manage to pack an extra handbag though, ha! I used my Speedy Bandouliere most days. It's so helpful having a cross body bag when you're navigating airports with toddlers in tow.
My jeans were covered with food crumbs after the first flight, but nothing that a baby wipe couldn't fix to make them presentable enough to travel home in a few days later. The ultimate mum essential: baby wipes clean everything!
Comfort is key when flying with toddlers - you don't want to be fussing over your outfit. Make everything machine washable as it will get dirty! A cover-up like a cardigan or duster hides spills and stains and keeps you warm on a cold plane. Converse are comfortable and practical for running around in airports. Jeans are a good choice too as you can easily wipe food crumbs off with a baby wipe. Linking up with Fab Favourites, Mummy Monday, Style Nudge, Hello Monday.
A little while ago I wore my purple jeans and a graphic tee. I liked the combination so much I wore a similar formula again recently. Having a large collection of jeans and a few different coloured pairs means it hasn't feel too repetitive as I wore my jeans a lot over winter.
Wore this to go to playgroup. While we don't really celebrate Halloween in Australia, at the last minute the mums decided to have a Halloween picnic. I'd missed the email so arrived without food, but had put the boys in some of their superhero onesies for my annual Halloween photo so they were suitably dressed! I like the superhero onesies we have as they wear them outside of Halloween too.
I shared a pic on my instagram stories, it's nice to see the different "costumes" over the years. From Cooper alone to Cooper and Toddler T and now a trio with Baby Boy!
A few of the other kids were all dressed up and it made me wish I'd picked my "bones and skin" band tee to wear instead of this Oscar's Law one. With the bones on it it would have been kind of meeting the theme for the picnic. I do prefer this for feeding in though, and apart from briefly regretting that I wasn't wearing anything even even vaguely costume-like, I really enjoyed wearing this outfit.
Bit of a busy day when I wore this, so the simple graphic tee and jeans outfit combo was perfect to help me get out the door on time. I really liked the navy tee with the red jeans, and the silver mini MAC bag goes with everything. Last time I wore this tee it was with purple jeans and I wanted to try something different this time around so the red was a nice change.
This was a comfortable outfit for a morning running errands and trying to organise a few more Christmas gifts. Spent some time with my mum in the afternoon too.
First wearing of my new tee. ($3 at Kmart, they have an awesome selection of basics at the moment!) I thought it would look nice with this maxi skirt. I've worn the skirt with a navy tee before and liked the colour combination but didn't like how the pieces sat together. I much preferred this blue tee with the chambray skirt. I thought the yellow bag was a good piece to break up all of the blue, and the nude Rebecca Minkoff studded sandals were perfect as well.
This is what I wore when I went out to catch up with some other mums and bubs from the Australian Breastfeeding Association. I hadn't been along to the group in a while with everyone being unwell so much over winter, but we were all better and had the morning free to attend for once.
Same accessories, same outfit formula! Monochrome maxi skirt with a tee, teething necklace, Rebecca Minkoff studded sandals and micro Regan satchel. When you like an outfit why not try recreate it again? I do it a lot!
This was a quieter day - a little bit of shopping and errands in the morning and then spending time with my mum in the afternoon. Just like the monochrome maxi skirt outfit above, this was easy to wear. This is an old grey tee that's one of my favourites, although I wear it sparingly as I don't want to wear it out too soon! I wore it to 'announce' my pregnancy with baby T in the office couple of years ago.
Even with the colourful outfit and bag though I felt this outfit was missing something - I like grey but this was a little too much. I think a kimono or scarf to add some more colour would have been perfect. I didn't like this outfit as much as the one above.
