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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Monday 27 April 2015

Rebecca Minkoff Aquamarine Mini MAC Bag: Maxi Dress for Dinner, Denim Shorts for Errands

Two more outfits accessorised with my Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bag in aquamarine. And a special giveaway for my US readers! I wear this bag a lot, it's my go-to for weekends when I want to add some colour to an outfit, and it looks good with everything, from a maxi dress to denim shorts. While I do have a lot of scarves, and after my last handbag clearout on ebay I have more scarves than handbags, I think handbags are the best accessory to invest in. If you take good care of them, they can last years. I bought this bag back in 2012, and while it doesn't look as pristine as it did then it's still looking really good! Definitely a wise purchase.

What I wore:

Boho casual autumn outfit Queensland blogger tie dye maxi dress RM mini MAC

Rebecca Minkoff aquamarine mini MAC bag python snake embossed leather
NecklaceRoie Designs pearl and antique gold long necklace layered with Roie Designs long freshwater pearl necklace with tassel
DressJeanswest 'Elodie' tie dye grey jersey maxi dress
ShoesAsos 'five star' leather sandals
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAC with python embossed leather in aquamarine

Why I wore it:

I used this outfit as the one I posted to Instagram for the 'I'm loving this look' prompt for the Fox Pack Style Dare outfit challenge, even though I'd worn it the weekend before the challenge started. The day of the challenge was a much needed stay at home looking after baby in pyjamas day. I still have pyjama days.
Hard to believe I once thought about getting rid of this dress! I was a bit happier to let things go from my wardrobe when I was pregnant though, I had to turn my walk in wardrobe room into baby's nursery so a big downsize was needed! Glad I kept it, it really is insanely comfortable. And I like it with this mini MAC bag, have worn that combination before.

This dress was good for a quiet day at home with DH, and then a family birthday BBQ in the evening. I wasn't sure what necklace to wear with this, and was trying a few on when I realised these two looked pretty good layered together! :) Baby T wasn't too grabby either so I managed to keep them on the whole day.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarerstie dye maxi dress, Asos leather sandals, Rebecca Minkoff aquamarine mini MAC.

Other ways to wear: maxi dress on Christmas day, pink sandals with a red bag, aqua bag with a navy tunic dress.








What I wore:

Ombre orange scarf kahki green tee denim shorts converse RM mini MAC

ebecca Minkoff mini MAC with python embossed leather in aquamarine
ScarfJeanswest tri-colour dip dye scarf
TeeFrench Connection oversized khaki green tee
ShortsJeanswest black denim cuff shorts
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAC with python embossed leather in aquamarine

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'khaki', so I wore my khaki tee. I don't really have a lot of this colour (or any greens) in my wardrobe. I've mostly wear this tee with blue denim, so thought I'd be a little different and wear it with my black denim shorts instead. I thought the scarf added a nice bit of colour, along with the mini MAC bag.

The pairing of the scarf and tee together is actually something that the personal stylist came up with during my wardrobe detox. I think it works really well! :) Certainly was a hit on Instagram with the other people participating in the style challenge.


Last worn: khaki tee, dip dye scarf, denim shorts, Converse, mini MAC bag (above).

Other ways to wear: ombre scarf with trench in winter, khaki tee with skinny jeansaqua bag with a colourful printed tee dress.



As promised, I am hosting a special giveaway for US readers! Unfortunately it is US only at this time, apologies to my Aussie and international readers. I had the chance to share it with you all and thought I would even if it don't apply to everyone. It's a chance to win a Microsoft Surface tablet, thanks to the Mom's Affiliate network that I am a part of.


Note that this giveaway is only hosted on my blog, it is administered and run via Moms Affiliate. I have no input into the competition, other than providing you with a chance to enter. Details are on the post here, or you can fill in the entry form below. Good luck!


Linking up with Styled Up, Let It ShineShoe & Tell, Style to Inspire, Mix It Monday, Celebrate Southern, More Pieces of Me, Daily Express, Real Mom Style, Reasons To Dress, Turning Heads Tuesday, Style Sessions, What I Wore, Spotlight Weekly today.


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