Friday, 22 August 2014

Wearing Maxi Dresses in Winter: with Scarves and Cardis

Here's what I wore to have lunch and spend the day with family:
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers
JacketJeanswest Dana drape knit cardi in Boysenberry
DressJeanswest 'Chantelle' crochet detail blue printed maxi dress
BeltAsos metal keeper skinny waist belt in bright blue
ShoesAcne pistol boots in "skin"


Strange to see this maxi dress without the baby bump! I bought it in my third trimester when I felt I was running out of pretty dresses to wear, knowing I'd be able to wear it post-pregnancy as well. It's got gorgeous lace detail on the back, but as it's winter I covered it up with a cardi and added some boots to keep warm.

I first tried the belted jacket and maxi dress combo during my pregnancy, and I really liked it. Thought it would be a good way to keep cosy and look nice for spending the day with the in-laws. We had lunch and Baby T got the chance to meet some more of his relatives from out of state, it was a lovely day. Picked this cardigan to wear over my other ones as I really like purple and blue together, and the way the little waterfall drape looks with the maxi dress.


Last wornwaterfall cardi, skinny beltprinted maxi dress, Acne Pistol boots.



Here's what I wore to go to my new parent group:
Jacket: Bubblegum denim jacket
ScarfSeed Heritage Paisley print snood
DressMEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo
BeltAsos skinny pale yellow belt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs two tone flats in blush and black
BagMarc by Marc Jacobs pretty nylon Eliz-A-Baby bag


I'm glad I can still wear this maternity maxi dress post-baby! It was one of my favourite maternity pieces, and is a nursing dress too, really practical. I did worry that it might be a little too long on my petite frame without the belly holding it up a bit, but belted it's still a nice floor-skimming length.

I've been wanting to wear the dress and denim jacket together for a while. It's also the perfect piece for the last day of the Style and Shenanigans texture challenge. Minus the snood, this was the outfit I had planned out to wear the evening before I unexpectedly went into labour. I woke up early in the morning, feeling funny. When DH got up I was sitting on the end of the bed breathing through a contraction and as soon as I could I said "I think I'm in labour!". Instead of the pretty dress I'd laid out, I put on my ninja baby tee (for its last wear!) and some trackie dacks to wait it out at home a bit longer until it was time to head to the hospital. Changed into a hospital gown soon after arriving there, and baby was born shortly after! It was so wonderful to meet him, he was so tiny and perfect!

This is the second wear of the snood since I bought it, so as I've done with all my July purchases, the final verdict:
I like it! I've never really liked the idea of a snood before, it seems less versatile than a scarf and I was always worried the style would overwhelm me, being short. Trying it on in store helped to make sure it was a purchase that looked good on me and one that I'd wear. An impulse buy I didn't need to make (I have a LOT of scarves) but one I'll get lots of use from. Especially now as I'm favouring soft scarves instead of necklaces baby could get tangled in.


Last worn: denim jacket, paisley print snoodskinny beltmaternity maxi dress, cap toe flats.



Lining up with Style and Shenanigans, Friday's Fab Favourites, Passion for Fashion, Fashion Item Friday, Casual Friday today.



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Wednesday, 20 August 2014

Post Baby Dressing: Tees and Maxi Skirts | Blogging With Baby

As life revolves around baby T, I'm finding it difficult to set aside the usual 30 minutes a day I had in the past for blogging. Blogging and reading other blogs is a lovely way to get some "me time", but baby will always come first. I've enjoyed sharing my daily outfits, especially during pregnancy, and have gained a lot from having a searchable outfit history.

I'm going to continue to keep taking photos of what I wear every day when possible, but reduce the posting frequency. I'm going to aim for a post on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This means posting less outfits a week, which takes the pressure off. When I do have a busy day and don't get out of PJs or find time to take a photo, or baby T decides to "add" to what I'm wearing before I can take a pic...I will probably have some photos taken that haven't yet been shared.

I'll still be sharing what I actually wore each day of course (who has the time and energy to dress up just to stand in front of a camera?!), just not posting it on the day I wore it or the day after like I used to.


Here's what I wore to go to my new parents group:
away from blue asos stripe colour block maxi skirt red cardi grey tee
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers
CardiJeanswest long red drape cardigan
TeeAsos new forever grey tee (on sale!)
Skirt: Asos colour block maxi skirt in red (on sale!, new purchase)
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white


This pretty colour block maxi skirt is one of my July purchases, so I have the goal of wearing it twice this month to evaluate if it was a good purchase, and if there are lessons I can learn to help me be more selective with shopping. It took me a while to get around to wearing it, as I had to have it shortened first. Being petite, I knew I'd probably have to take it to the tailor as it's from the regular asos line, but the good sale price and extra % off convinced me it was still a bargain with the alterations taken into account.

Pairing this skirt with a grey tee was my first idea for an outfit when I saw it on the website, and I love the way it looks. Was a little unsure what jacket to wear at first as it's winter and chilly in the mornings when I go to my weekly parents group, so I wanted to be cosy. Had to babywear though, as we were asked to leave our strollers at home to create more space in the meeting room. When I'm going to be wearing baby T in his carrier I'm much fussier about what I wear. Want it to be soft for him to rest his little face against, so a cardi was the best choice as it has no zips. Made it a little cold for me in the morning but did give me a chance to wear this cardi knotted with a maxi skirt, prefer it this way instead of worn open and loose like last time.

It's funny how life with baby is impacting my outfits in ways I'd never considered before!


Last worn: wayfarers, red cardi, grey tee, Converse. First time I've worn the skirt as it's a recent purchase.



Here's what I wore on the weekend:
tweed jacket, stripe tee, grey maxi skirt, studded mouse flats
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers
Jacket: Zara frayed basket weave cardigan in blue
TeeAtmos&Here stripe tee
SkirtTarget grey marle maxi skirt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs studded mouse flats in grey


I've worn this grey skirt and blue jacket together before to go out with baby T, I just didn't get the chance to take a photo. As I liked the combination I wanted to wear it again, and managed to get a photo this time! Did make the outfit a little different, as I wore a striped tee this time and a purple one previously. I like the way the stripes look with the tweed texture of the jacket.

Also decided to change the shoes this time around. My Converse have been getting worn a lot lately! They usually get more wear in winter anyway, but I've really been relying on them as an easy footwear choice when I'm hurriedly getting dressed each day. Need to try and wear some of my other shoes a little more. Especially on weekends, where DH is home to help with baby and I can spend an extra few minutes hunting for a nice shoe. Last time I wore these shoes I was pregnant, and enjoying the fact that these mouse flats had stretched a little more than my other ones, so my swollen pregnancy feet could squeeze into them. Thankfully not stretched out so much that a little heel guard/cushion can't fix them post-pregnancy.


Last worn: sunglasses (see above), Zara tweed cardi, stripe tee, grey maxi skirt, studded mouse flats.

Linking up with WIWW, Wardrobe Wednesday, What I Wore, Style Me Wednesday, Fashion Informant, Tres Chic Fashion, Summer Style today.



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