Wednesday 21 October 2015

Frocktober Unplanned and Planned Dress Outfits: Casual Tee and LBD For The Office

I'm currently participating in the Frocktober style challenge to raise funds and awareness for Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. While I'm behind with blogging what I wore, you can follow along on instagram where I've been using the #31Days31DifferentDresses tag for my own challenge.

If you'd like to make a donation it would be greatly appreciated! 1 woman dies every hour from ovarian cancer, there is no early detection test. Your donation helps fund research.

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Casual public holiday sick toddler summer outfit tee dress shorts RM mini MAC

Away From Blue |  Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC
Necklace: Lovisa blue leaf long necklace
DressChoies monochrome stripe shift dress (C/O)
Shorts: Cotton On blue denim shorts (gifted)
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs (on sale!)
Bracelets: the usual
BagRebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC

Why I wore it:

This was not the dress I had planned to wear for the day! After we got home from lunch on Sunday, toddler T seemed a little more upset than usual, and his symptoms ramped up quite badly. He has a little viral bug and was not having a good time. We ended up getting the doctor out to check up on him. Instead of going out and enjoying the beautiful weather for a public holiday Monday, I stayed home and enjoyed cuddles with a little guy who just wanted to be held all the time.

I wasn't really sure what to wear after our plans had to be cancelled. I did contemplate not even getting changed out of my pyjamas...but knew I had the challenge and the fundraising goal to hit. So I hunted for a dress I could wear for a quick stop by the IGA (thank goodness for it being open on a public holiday!) to grab some essentials for dealing with sickness, and spending the rest of the day at home curled up on the sofa with an unwell toddler.

My sister had recently given me these shorts which she no longer wanted, so I figured they would be perfect to go under the too-short tee dress I've worn in the past as a tunic. Comfort-wise this turned out to be a great outfit, and I would happily wear this again! I'd been thinking this dress wouldn't be worn in the 31 days because it's so short, and that I'd end up getting rid of it at the end of the challenge. I'm happy I gave it a go and discovered a great outfit, and changed my mind about it leaving my wardrobe.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, striped tee dress, Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff silver mini MAC. First time I've worn the shorts as they were just given to me.

Other ways to wearstriped tee dress worn as a tunic over jeans, Havaianas and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff silver mini MAC with plaid and denim.


More striped tee dresses under $50:




Red cardigans under $50:



Shopbop has a great range of red cardigans and tee dresses too!



What I wore:

Away From Blue | LBD fit and flare office wear red cardi and flats

AwayFromTheBlue | Balenciaga black part time bag 2010 giant silver SGH G21 hardware
NecklaceDogeared silver wishbone necklace
Dress:  Jeanswest tucked ponte black dress
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs suede flats in red
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs black leather Swarovski beaded wrap bracelet
BagBalenciaga part time in black 2010 with SGH

Why I wore it:

In contrast to the outfit above, this was a little more planned! I knew I wanted to wear this fit and flare dress to the office. I've just worn it recently, but I like it so much I don't mind repeating it again so soon.

The red cardigan was something I added in the morning to keep me warm on the commute to work and in the cold air con of the office. I loved the way it looked in the mirror, not so impressed with it in the photos though. I did really like the colour coordination with the red flats and cardigan, a colleague complimented it too. Makes it look like the red cardi was planned and not a quick thing thrown on at the last minute.


Last worn: red cardigan, black fit and flare dress, red suede flats, Balenciaga part time bag.

Other ways to wearred cardigan and a maxi skirt, black fit and flare dress and pink accessories, red suede flats and a pencil skirt, Balenciaga part time bag and a floral cami.


Linking up with What I Wore, Wednesday Linkup, Style Me Weekly, Oh Hey Girl, Thursday Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday.


This post was created in partnership with Shopbop. Occasionally, Away From The Blue blog may receive vendor or brand sponsorships for mentioning their products or services. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.



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

Monday 19 October 2015

Frocktober Weekend Dresses: Rebecca Minkoff Swing Bag in Canary Yellow, Stars and Stripes

Continuing on with blogging my Frocktober outfits.

I'm wearing a different dress each day in October, to raise funds and awareness for Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. I've been posting everyday on the #Frocktober2015 tag on instagram and I'm just catching up on the blog.

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Spring star print jersey dress Chelsea ankle boots yellow RM Swing bag

Away From Blue | Rebecca Minkoff Swing bag in canary yellow worn cross body
Jacket: no label white drape jacket
NecklaceTai gold alphabet necklace
DressFrench Connection star dancing jersey dress in red rust/almond
ShoesAsos airtime leather Chelsea boots in tan
Bracelets: the usual
BagRebecca Minkoff Swing bag in canary yellow (on sale in black and on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

As well as setting myself the challenge of wearing a different dress every day in October, there is another style challenge on instagram (#myStyleOctober) I wanted to participate in. This was the first day I could see an outfit working, the prompt was 'belted' so I knew this belted jersey dress would be nice. I also finished up participating the #basicscheckin challenge by swapping out my bag from the red Marc by Marc Jacobs Ukita I'd carried the day before, as I thought this yellow one worked better with the dress. 3 challenges in one outfit!

It was a nice comfortable outfit for a day out shopping with my mum and sister - we were looking for a dress for a special event my sister had coming up.

When I was trying on jackets in the morning I thought this one looked really nice, but I'm a bit underwhelemed with it looking at the photos. Maybe one that was not as 'busy' would have worked better.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarerswhite jacket, star print jersey dress, Chelsea ankle boots, Rebecca Minkoff swing bag.

Other ways to wearwhite jacket and skinny jeans, star print dress in third trimester, Chelsea ankle boots and jeans, Rebecca Minkoff swing bag and a yellow tank.


Shop more star print dresses under $50:




Shop striped dresses under $50:






What I wore:

Away From Blue | Spring Maxi Dress outfit Ikwetta sandals denim jacket yellow bag

AwayFromTheBlue | Rebecca Minkoff Swing bag in canary yellow with studded beaded statement cuff
Jacket: Bubblegum denim jacket
Necklace: thrifted pearl and heart long necklace
DressThree Dots stripe maxi dress in pink
ShoesIkwetta 'Circles of life' sandals (C/O)
Bracelets: the usual plus statement cuff gifted from my bestie
BagRebecca Minkoff Swing bag in canary yellow (on sale in black and on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

I've worn the bag and dress together before, it's a nice combination of colours. I really liked this outfit. It was perfect for a morning with hubby and toddler T, popping to the library, doing a little bit of grocery shopping and then going out for Sunday lunch as a family.

Almost a year ago I mentioned that I was thinking about getting rid of this maxi dress. I've decided to let it go now. It's a lovely dress, but I pick my other maxi dresses over it frequently. It's going to go into our Frocktober fundraising frock swap party at work, so will hopefully be replaced with another pretty dress!


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers (above), denim jacket, striped maxi dress, Ikwetta sandals, Rebecca Minkoff swing bag (above).

Other ways to weardenim jacket and colour blocking, striped maxi dress for a weekend getaway, Ikwetta sandals for a road tripRebecca Minkoff swing bag and flared jeans.



Linking up with Mix It Monday, Modest Monday, Confident Twosday, Style Sessions, On Trend Tuesday, Turning Heads, Wardrobe Wednesday.



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