Monday 22 June 2015

Corporate Style: Pencil Skirts Layered Up for Winter with Tights,Trench Coats and Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote

Despite recently sharing that I was trying to resist wearing tights to work as much as possible, it's just gotten too cold in the mornings. Even in Brisbane. So I've got my fleece lined tights out now. It means I can continue to wear all of my pencil skirts for work while still keeping cosy. The only problem is that I've had these tights so long I can't remember where I bought them. Anyone have good recommendations for replacements?

What I wore:

colourful winter layered office wear bright scarf sleeveless shirt jacquard pencil skirt

Rebecca Minkoff navy blue 'moon' medium MAB tote bag with silver hardware
Jacket: Barkins beige trench coat 
ScarfMarc by Marc Jacobs scarf in Island pine-print
CardiganJeanswest grey knit cardigan
ShirtJeanswest Helene sleeveless textured shirt in berry (on sale, extra 30% off!)
SkirtWarehouse navy jacquard pencil skirt
ShoesWittner 'Bloomy' black heels
BagRebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy (on sale, 40% off!)

Why I wore it:

After finishing the Fox In Flats style challenge, I was looking forward to wearing this outfit I'd had in my head for a while. I thought the plain pink shirt would look really nice with the printed blue pencil skirt. This scarf wasn't the first one I had in mind (I was going to wear my newest one, the Marc by Marc Jacobs stargazer scarf) but it was my second choice after I realised that morning whilst rushing around that I couldn't find the one I wanted! After panicking that it had fallen on the ground as I put baby T into his car seat I called and confirmed I had left it behind by accident at playgroup. Thankfully one of the ladies had kept it aside for me. Phew!

I was really happy with this outfit - the cardigan I layered under the trench kept me cosy in the office with the sleeveless shirt too. You can't really see it in the first picture but you can in the close-up with my bag.

As it's the second time I've worn this shirt, my purchase review:
I really like this shirt, but I haven't worn it as much as I expected to after buying it. It's one of those pieces I want to 'save' in my wardrobe. I know I'm not the only one who thinks something is too special for everyday wear and has to be 'saved' for a special occasion. I'm really trying to challenge that thinking and just wear and enjoy what I own! I'm pleased I bought this top, I just hope I don't always wait for an ideal outfit to wear it. It will probably get worn a lot more in spring/summer as I did have to layer it up a little for this cold winter day.


Last worn: trench, printed scarf, grey cardiganpink sleeveless shirt, jacquard pencil skirt, ankle strap heels, RM MAB tote.

Other ways to wear: printed scarf with a black dressgrey cardi with a printed dresssleeveless shirt with skinny jeans (and fewer layers!), jacquard pencil skirt with a purple tee, black heels with a monochrome outfit, navy MAB tote and print mixing outfit.







What I wore:

awayfromblue winter print mixing striped henley polka dot pencil skirt leopard scarf office wear

Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy for the office
Jacket: Temt black trench coat 
Scarf: Cotton On animal print scarf in blue
TopJeanswest 'Melanie' Stripe henley in black/coconut
Skirt: Review 'Ziggy' polka dot pencil skirt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs two tone flats in blush and black
BagRebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy (on sale, 40% off!)

Why I wore it:

In contrast to the outfit above, I spent much less time thinking about this outfit - I quickly put it together the night before as I was feeling unsure about what to wear. This shirt I'd been eyeing off in my wardrobe for a while, waiting for a chance to wear it again and I figured a cold day was good! I have a few long sleeve tops in my wardrobe that only get worn in the cooler months - yet every time the cold weather rolls around I think I have 'nothing to wear' and go on a shopping spree for long sleeve pieces. I'm hoping to stop that this winter, I really have enough tops already!

It's also the first wearing of my black trench this winter. As I mentioned on instagram, I've had it for years, a $30 sale buy as I didn't want to spend too much buying a warm coat for a trip to Europe I didn't see myself wearing much in Brisbane. At the time I didn't have any long coats, preferring cropped styles and I thought I'd rarely wear it in future. Of course now I think it was one of my most practical purchases - worn 26 times in the 3 years I've had this blog and countless times before then.

I don't like how this looked in photos so much, but I liked the way it felt when I wore it - this shirt is so soft and comfortable and the print mixing with the leopard print scarf was nice. I did worry the top might be a little too casual in the office, but it was cold and this kept my arms warm.


Last worn: black trench, blue leopard print scarf, stripe toppolka dot pencil skirt, cap toe flats, RM MAB tote (above).

Other ways to wear: black trench with a printed dress, leopard print scarf with stripes againstripe henley a few days postpartumpencil skirt hiding a tiny first trimester baby bump in the office, cap toe flats with a maternity wrap dress, Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote with printed pencil skirts.





Linking up with Let It Shine, Modest Monday, Styled Up, Shoe and Tell, Style To Inspire, Bless Her Heart, More Pieces of Me, Daily Express, On Trend Tuesdays here and here, Real Mom Style, Turning Heads, Confident Twosday, Style Sessions, Wardrobe Wednesday today.




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Friday 19 June 2015

Statement Skinny Jeans - Metallic Gold and Bright Red, Louis Vuitton Damier Handbags

The last two of my Fox in Flats Style Dare outfits for May, two outfits that I really liked. I got to wear some of my brighter, more statement denim. I have a few stand-out pieces in my denim collection, it's good to have something different to step away from the blue denim now and then when jeans are the best outfit choice.

What I wore:

jacquard blazer sass and bide gold metallic skinny jeans burgundy tee

Away From Blue blog picnic bag Louis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull
NecklaceRoie Designs feather, quartz and love charm long necklace
TeeAtmos&Here rolled sleeve oversized tee in wine
JeansSass and Bide 'Three Words' metallic gold jeans
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs logo plaque flats in camel
BagLouis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'pure gold' so I knew I would be wearing these metallic jeans. They really make a lot more of a statement than normal blue denim, but being jeans they are just as easy to wear! I didn't have a need for anything overly dressed up, so I just wore them with a baggy tee. I needed something to keep my warms warm so decided on this jacket as it has the metallic thread running through it.

It was our wedding anniversary, so to celebrate we had a little picnic in the park and then took baby T to feed the ducks for the first time. It was a little tricky trying to get him to stop eating the bread though, even after his lunch! I thought the neverfull was the perfect picnic bag - easy to throw things in and get things out of as we sat on the grass. It was even warm enough for me to take my jacket off for a little while in the sun.


Last wornjacquard blazer, burgundy tee, metallic gold skinny jeans, tan MbMJ flats, Louis Vuitton neverfull.

Other ways to wear: jacquard blazer with a printed dress for the office, burgundy tee with a maxi skirtgold jeans in spring, tan flats with a printed dress, LV neverfull with casual summer shorts outfits.









What I wore:

print mixing cami marle cardigan red skinny jeans brisbane casual autmn outfit

Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere OPI Russian navy nails
CardiganJeanswest brown marle waterfall cardi
NecklaceHouse of Harlow sunburst necklace in silver and grey
CamiJeanswest Audrey tonal print tank
Jeans: Emerson red skinny jeans
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs waxed leather cream howlite beaded wrap bracelet
BagLouis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

The last Fox in Flats Style Dare for May! I've been so behind with blogging it, and not just because I put it on hold to share some of the June dress week challenge pictures first. Only blogging 6 outfits a week means I quickly fall behind in posting if a style challenge means I have to get dressed every day of the week. (Although baby T is older I still like to have a few PJ days at home now and then, and some mornings are so hectic it's good to know I don't have to get outfit photos if I run out of time!)

The challenge for the day was 'nailed it' so I wanted to wear my favourite winter nail polish, OPI's Russian Navy. I had planned to just do my nails, but I had some last minute things to buy for baby T's birthday party so had to get dressed anyway! Used the opportunity to wear these red jeans that I'd been wanting to wear for a while but couldn't fit into a challenge prompt, and a bit of print mixing with the cardigan and cami.

Wearing Havaianas in winter because they are comfortable (and I'm a Queenslander!) and we were just running around the shops in the morning so I was indoors most of the time. I've worn Havaianas and sandals in winter before - as much as I like winter boots I don't like hiding my feet away for 3 months of the year! I'll have another excuse to wear sandals again soon, I've ordered a pair of Ikwetta sandals. I'll be receiving them C/O, so that I can post a review about them. Blogger perks! I wanted to talk about the brand a little before the sandals arrive for two reasons.

First, they are a company doing great thing. They have a kickstarter that I highly encourage you to donate to if you can. The proceeds from their kickstarter will go to build a workshop for their artisans. They have partnered with local people in Kenya who live in slums and make beautiful designs to sell to passing tourists, often only making $1 profit for 4 hours of work. With Ikwetta, they will have a state of the art workshop, high quality tools and environment, and they will be fairly compensated for their hardwork making intricate designs. They want to make a difference in the lives of the talented artisans making beautiful accessories.

And secondly, and rather selfishly, I'm telling you about them as when Sheeni emailed me about a collaboration, it showed that she had actually read my blog and took the time to express her thoughts on it, before explaining how she wanted help to end poverty for the artisans she had struck up a relationship with. I don't have a huge blog so I'm not getting emails every day, but I get a few emails a week from people wanting to collaborate and it's refreshing seeing one from someone who put some effort into their pitch, and that also wants to do some good in the world.

I hope you will check out their kickstarter, even if you can't donate at the moment. It ends 6th July. The products you get from some of the pledges would make great gifts too!


Last worn: brown marle cardi, printed cami, red skinny jeans, Havaianas, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere.

Other ways to wear: waterfall cardi with a maxi dress, printed cami in summer, red skinny jeans in a similar outfit without the cardi, speedy bandouliere with a dress.





Linking up with Passion for Fashion, Casual Friday, Feature Friday, Mix It Up, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole today.




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