Friday 30 October 2015

Frocktober: Black and Grey Dresses and Bright Accessories

Two more Frocktober outfits, one I wore to the office and the other to work from home. I'm wearing a different dress every day in October to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer Research foundation. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far!

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Second trimester office wear jeanswest floral print wrap dress outfit

AwayFromTheBlue | Balenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet pink
DressJeanswest floral wrap dress (with pink Supre singlet underneath)
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs black leather Swarovski beaded wrap bracelet
BagBalenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet

Why I wore it:

I rediscovered this wrap dress in my last pregnancy, so I was looking forward to wearing it again for Frocktober. Felt happy and comfortable in this all day. And I didn't need a jacket, unlike the last time I wore it in winter when I was layered up!

I had been talking with @therawedit on instagram about Balenciaga bags and it reminded me it had been a while since I'd worn my sorbet pink city bag. I pulled it out again and I've enjoyed wearing it the past few days! It's a great way to add some colour to a black and white outfit like this. I added a pink tank under the dress because I was wearing the pink bag.


Last worn: Jeanswest printed wrap dress, pink tank, black ballet flats, Balenciaga sorbet pink city bag.

Other ways to wearJeanswest printed wrap dress without a baby bump, pink tank under a printed top, black ballet flats and a maxi skirtBalenciaga sorbet pink city bag in third trimester.


More wrap dresses under $50:




More skater dresses under $50:






What I wore:

Away From Blue | Petite Blogger Striped Maxi cardigan grey skater dress red skull scarf

Away From Blue | Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey
Jacket: Kmart striped maxi cardigan
ScarfAlexander McQueen red skull-print modal and cashmere-blend scarf
DressAsos grey skater dress (on sale!)
ShoesRMK Chester black ankle boots (on sale here!)
Bracelets: the usual plus Balenciaga classic double tour bracelet in pearly grey
BagRebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey

Why I wore it:

Unlike the day before, it was a bit of a cloudy and rainy morning so an extra layer was needed. I wanted to add some colour with the scarf, although the striped maxi cardi kept me warm enough. Just thought I should add some colour after I swapped out the bright pink Balenciaga city bag for the neutral grey Rebecca Minkoff MAM. It's another bag that hasn't been worn in a while!

I wasn't looking forward to wearing this dress all, but knew I'd have to wear it at some point for the Frocktober challenge.  It's a lovely dress and normally I like it when I wear it, but while I was trying on outfits earlier in the second trimester (when I was still hiding the baby bump) I put this one on, and hated the way it looked with a baby bump. It also didn't hide the bump very well! I made a mental note to wear it on a quiet day where I wouldn't see a lot of people.

But after wearing this to work from home and do the day care drop off / pick up....have to say I really liked the way it felt and sat on the slightly bigger bump. Was really pleased with this outfit in the end, despite thinking I wouldn't enjoy wearing it.


Last worn: red skull scarf, striped maxi cardigan, Asos grey skater dress, black ankle boots, Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag.

Other ways to wearred skull scarf with navy stripe dress, striped maxi cardigan with skinny jeans, skater dress layered up for winter, black ankle boots in winter with denim, Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag in the office.






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Wednesday 28 October 2015

Frocktober: Kimonos, Blue Dresses, Balenciaga Sorbet Pink City Bag and Monthly Purchases

First, what I bought in October. As I am doing Frocktober and wearing only dresses, I didn't buy any new clothes. I did buy a few accessories though! Using some store credit at Rebecca Minkoff, and taking advantage of the Shopbop sale in October. As the parcels arrived separately, about a week apart, I've got 2 'what I bought' videos instead of just the one!

What I bought from Shopbop:


What I bought from Rebecca Minkoff:




Some impulse buys in there, and two things (the bag and wallet) I'd been thinking about getting for a while. It was good to start doing some early Christmas shopping too!


Now, more Frocktober outfits! Two blue dresses this time. I'm challenging myself to wear a different dress each day in October as I take part in the Frocktober fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Shein lace kimono jeanswest chambray shift dress ankle boots pink Bal city spring OOTD

Away From The Blue | Balenciaga 2010 pink sorbet city classic RH bag
Jacket: Shein cream lace kimono (C/O)
Necklace: Chanel necklace
DressJeanswest Rachel Lyocell chambray dress (C/O)
ShoesAsos airtime leather Chelsea boots in tan
Bracelets: the usual plus Edenborough Evans 'Ivy' silver cuff and enamel coated Marc By Marc Jacobs Katie bracelet
BagBalenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet

Why I wore it:

Shein were kind enough to let me pick something from their large range to try out, and I chose this lovely lace kimono. I think it would look great with jeans or shorts, and that's how I had pictured it. Of course, I can only wear dresses in October, so I tried the next best thing and wore it with this chambray dress. I actually quite liked the combination!

I gushed a lot about this dress when I first got it, and yet it hasn't been worn too frequently...it's not that I've fallen out of love with it, it's that I felt it was tricky to hide the baby bump in it! The dress is from the regular line, not the maternity line, but it still fits the bump nicely so hopefully I can squeeze in a few more wears before my belly outgrows it entirely.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarerschambray dress, Asos Chelsea ankle boots, Balenciaga sorbet city bag. First time I've worn the kimono as it's a recent wardrobe addition.

Other ways to wearchambray dress and a puple cardi, ankle boots in the office, Balenciaga sorbet city bag with a maxi dress and baby bump.


More cute kimonos under $50:




Some crochet/lace ones for warmer days and cosier knitted ones for cooler days.



What I wore:

Away From Blue | Colourful spring outfit second trimester teal pasiley maxi dress purple cardi pink bag

Away From Blue | Colourful bag and outfit Balenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet pink teal maxi dress
JacketJeanswest Peggie kimono cardigan in purple mulberry marle
Necklace: rectangle pendant necklace
Dress: thrifted JayJays teal paisley print maxi dress
ShoesIkwetta 'Circles of life' sandals (C/O)
BagBalenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet

Why I wore it:

Another blue dress! Well, teal, but close enough. I had been looking forward to wearing this dress as part of the challenge so much, I thought it would look great with the bump. And it does, but it was also very tight! I don't think I could have waited any longer to wear this. It's a lovely dress but doesn't have much stretch, so I won't be wearing this beautiful piece again until after baby's arrival sadly!

I figured I'd add a colourful cardigan to this for warmth in the morning, as I already had the colourful bag and shoes with it. There's purple in the print so the purple kimono cardi seemed like a great idea. I adored this outfit. Was perfect for spending the morning at playgroup with toddler T, and sharing our baby news with all the ladies we hadn't caught up with over the playgroup break.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers (above), purple kimono cardi, teal printed maxi dress, Ikwetta sandals, Balenciaga sorbet city (above).

Other ways to wear: purple kimono cardi layered up for a cold day, teal printed maxi dress in winter, Ikwetta sandals with stripesBalenciaga sorbet city bag with monochrome outfits.


An update on my Frocktober progress:
A photo posted by Mica (@awayfromblue) on

There is still time to donate! Your donations and support can help so much. There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer like there is for other cancers, your donation funds much needed research.

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