Empire Waist Maxi Dresses and Cross Body Bags | 6 Months Without Shopping Month 1

First month of the 6 months without shopping challenge completed already and I found it pretty easy for once! Didn't buy anything, despite tagging along for a trip to the outlets. Hoping I continue to do so well for the next 5 months.

I spent a lot of January catching up with friends and family and since they knew I was trying not to spend, we avoided the shops. The summer weather makes shops a less attractive option as well. The boys are keeping me busy too so I have less computer time which means less online shopping time.

Even though I'm not shopping there have been a few changes to my wardrobe since I last shared an update post in December. I got a cosy knit dress from my grandma and two scarves as belated Christmas gifts. I'm looking forward to wearing and enjoying them when autumn arrives. I also returned a couple of pieces from my December purchases as I didn't love them when I tried them on at home.



For what I've been wearing, some simple outfits with empire waist maxi dresses. I have always liked that style for maxi dresses, it accommodates pregnant belly nicely and it's wonderful post-baby when you have leftover mum-tum!

What I wore:

Earrings: A Little Bit of North blue mandala earrings (giveaway prize, close up photo)

Dress: Gypsy 05 orange ombre maxi dress
Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale!)
Bracelets: the usual plus vintage charm bracelet
Bag: Mulberry Lily in maroon metallic suede leopard (get it in pink! Extra 20% off with code 'WINTER')
Nails: OPI Breakfast at Tiffany collection 'I got the mean reds' and 'Sunrise...bedtime'

Why I wore it:

Wore this pretty maxi dress to attend a late Christmas celebration with family who were overseas in December. I really wanted to wear this pretty metallic and suede bag as it matched my red and silver manicure (OPI Breakfast at Tiffany collection), and I knew I wanted to wear the dress. Wasn't sure if the orange and red would work together until I remembered something Sheila said - if the colours occur together in nature you know they will look good together in an outfit. Red and orange remind me of sunsets. So pleased I wore both pieces I think they look lovely together and I really liked this outfit!

Despite it not being one of my most popular outfits on Instagram this is one of my favourite outfits, wouldn't change a thing. It's such a simple outfit too. Every time I wear this dress I think of my lovely friend who gave it to me, I always feel good when I wear it.

The earrings are a beautiful prize I won on Instagram - handmade by A Little Bit of North. Highly recommend checking them out, they are based in Canberra. I did add a teething necklace to this but was in a rush so it was still in the baby bag when I took pics that morning.


Last worn: ombre maxi dress, Mulberry red suede Lily bag, Rebecca Minkoff studded sandals.

Other ways to wear: ombre maxi dress and kimono, Mulberry red suede Lily bag and graphic tee, Rebecca Minkoff studded sandals and chambray.

---

More orange and pink empire waist maxi dresses under $50:

---

What I wore:

Dress: MEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo

Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale!)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

This is an old photo - from November! I'm not sure why this outfit hasn't been shared before now. I was trying to organise my photos to post and realised I hadn't used this one yet. While I take photos every day (as you can see on Instagram), I try to group them together into things that make sense for a post, like breastfeeding dresses or studded sandals and denim shorts.

It's what I wore to a playgroup Christmas picnic before the summer break. I've worn this dress with yellow before and really liked the combination so it was good to recreate it again with this mustard yellow bag. Nice and simple outfit, perfect for a picnic on a hot day and playing with the boys.


Last worn: Mothers En Vogue maxi dress, studded gladiator sandals (above), Rebecca Minkoff Micro Regan bag.

Other ways to wear: Mothers En Vogue maxi dress at 39 weeks pregnant, studded gladiator sandals and denim shorts, Rebecca Minkoff Micro Regan bag and printed kimono.


Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers, Mix It Monday, Monday Mode, On Trend, Turning Heads, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday, Midweek Inspo, Oh Hey Girl, WIW Wednesday, What I Wore.

Follow Away From the Blue on:
Bloglovin : Twitter : Instagram : Youtube : Facebook : Google Plus : LikeToKnow.It 

Summer Maxis, Sun Hat and Louis Vuitton Bags

Hats aren't really my thing. I only have two. A sun hat and a knitted beanie for winter that I won a couple years ago. Hats make a great accessory, but as I'm not a hat person I only use them practically. The sun hat I'm wearing below was a bargain Big W buy a few years ago and it's perfect for a little extra sun protection when I'm spending the day in the summer sun.

What I wore:

Hat: Big W bow detail sunhat

Dress: Kmart Tropicana sleeveless tiered maxi dress
Bikini: Funkita Colour Love Stripes bikini
Shoes: slim gold Havaianas
Bag: Louis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull

Why I wore it:

A much more casual outfit with this pretty maxi dress I bought in December. Wore it over my bikini for a day by the beach. The bikini is covered up, but this is what it looks like.

It was a little windy and the sea was a bit rough so after letting Baby Boy experience the ocean and sand for the first time we ended up letting the boys play in the wading pool by the beach instead. This dress was perfect for taking off and on as I got in and out of the water with the boys. Last time I wore it I mentioned the straps were sliding off a lot, didn't notice it as much this time.


It's the second time I've worn this dress and I'm reviewing everything I buy after wearing it twice in a month to see if I'm making useful purchases.

This dress was a complete impulse buy. I only bought it after seeing it on a couple of people I follow on Instagram. I don't really need another maxi dress but it was nice to have something new to wear for Christmas day. I used to always have a new dress to wear for Christmas, but haven't been doing it much the past few years.

I don't need any more dresses and probably would have just walked by this in the store if I hadn't seen it on instagram first, but I know it's going to get a lot of wear so I'm pleased I bought it. Even if it wasn't a thought out purchase I do wear maxi dresses often so it will get used.



Last worn: woven sun hat, tropicana maxi dress, gold Havaianas, Louis Vuitton Neverfull.

Other ways to wear: sun hat and shorts, tropicana maxi dress at Christmas, Louis Vuitton Neverfull and a pencil skirt.

---

Bow Detail Sun Hats Under $50:

---

---

What I wore:

Hat: Big W bow detail sunhat

Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
Tank:  Jeanswest Maji metallic tank in soft green and silver (extra 30% off sale price!)
Skirt: Noisy May long denim maxi skirt
Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale!)
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere
Nails: OPI Breakfast at Tiffany collection

Why I wore it:

Another day in the sun, another chance to wear my hat! We had a picnic in the park with the in-laws, eating leftover Christmas food and enjoying the lovely weather from the shade of a tree. This maxi skirt was perfect - the chambray was light enough that it didn't make me too warm, but it kept my legs away from the sun nicely.

I'd been wanting to pair this skirt and tank together since buying the tank. I really liked this combination, perfect for a relaxing picnic.


Last worn: sun hat (above), metallic tank, chambray maxi skirt, studded sandals, Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere.

Other ways to wear: sun hat and printed dress, metallic tank and shorts, chambray maxi skirt in winter, studded sandals and chambray dress, Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere and long cardigan.


Linking up with The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Let It Shine, Modest Monday, Hello Monday.

Follow Away From the Blue on:
Bloglovin : Twitter : Instagram : Youtube : Facebook : Google Plus : LikeToKnow.It 

Studded Sandals, Denim Shorts and Navy Tops

I have been wearing these Rebecca Minkoff studded gladiator sandals so much since I bought them. Living in Australia can mean high shipping charges when ordering from overseas. The plus side is that when sites like Rebecca Minkoff, Shopbop and Asos have end of season sales, it's just the start of that season here. Picking up these sandals in spring meant getting them at the autumn sale price in the US.

While the gold colour I wanted was sold out, I'm pleased I found the blush pair as they go with everything. Especially denim shorts!

What I wore:

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
Top: Atmos & Here Arlene wrap top in navy (similar that ships internationally)
Shorts: Jeanswest Trinity Bermuda denim shorts (currently on sale, 50% off shorts!)
Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale!)
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

This was a little bit of a hectic morning! Had to go to out to the depot near the airport to pick up a parcel, mail more things at the post office and stop by an event to see a friend as well as picking up a few essentials. Was a bit tired out by the end of it and considered having an afternoon nap with the boys...

Wanted a nice simple outfit, this was perfect. This wrap top is so easy to breastfeed in as you just unsnap the button holding the two wrap pieces together. It met the style challenge for the day too.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, navy wrap top, bermuda denim shorts, studded sandals, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere bag.

Other ways to wear: navy wrap top with purple layers, bermuda denim shorts at Christmas, studded sandals and maxi dress, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere bag with a dress.

---

Where To Buy Rebecca Minkoff Georgina Studded Gladiator Sandals:

Budget-Friendly Studded Leather Sandals Under $50:

---

What I wore:

Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Ava elephant pendant teething necklace

Top: Jeanswest Tory textured shirt (new purchase)
Jeans: Jeanswest printed denim shorts
Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale!)
Bag: Balenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta (20% off with code '2017')

Why I wore it:

Another navy top! In contrast to the outfit above, I picked this for what was meant to be a much quieter day. Ran a few errands in the morning and had a friend over in the afternoon. It was nice to catch up and relax until the day got much crazier with another unexpected trip to the hospital for Baby Boy.

This is the first time I wore the shirt I picked up in the Jeanswest Cyber Monday sale before my 6 months no shopping challenge started in January. It took a while to wear it because I was in hospital with Baby Boy half of December. It's a slightly stiffer material so I was fussing with how it sat a few times during the day, don't think it worked too well with the half-tuck into the shorts. I've worn it untucked since and liked it better.

I really liked the studded sandals with this, and of course the pop of the magenta bag against the navy. The outfit worked nicely for the style challenges on Instagram, and I think I'll try the half-tuck again at some point with this shirt. Maybe just not with these shorts!


Last worn: printed denim shorts, studded gladiator sandals (above), Balenciaga magenta day bag. First time I've worn the navy shirt as it's a recent purchase.

Other ways to wear: printed denim shorts and floral kimono, studded gladiator sandals and monochrome outfit, Balenciaga magenta day bag and a graphic tee.


Linking up with Thursday Moda, Fashion Files, Fun Fashion, Flashback Fashion, Weekend Wear, Shoe & Tell.

Follow Away From the Blue on:
Bloglovin : Twitter : Instagram : Youtube : Facebook : Google Plus : LikeToKnow.It