Monday 2 November 2015

Frocktober 2015 Wrap-Up! #31Days31DifferentDresses Style Challenge

I managed to wear an incredible 32 different dresses in October in order to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, even with the developing baby bump meaning I outgrew a few dresses in my wardrobe.


Thank you to everyone who donated! I was amazed that despite my modest $200 goal in the beginning, I raised over $600 for the cause! Thank you so much.


I wanted to do #31Days31DifferentDresses to fundraise for research into ovarian cancer. One woman dies every 10 hours from ovarian cancer. There is no early detection test, so people are often diagnosed when it is too late and the cancer has spread. More research could develop an early detection test, change those statistics and will make a difference.

While my challenge is wrapped up and done and I'll probably be staying away from the dresses for a while and enjoying the rest of my wardrobe, I'll still be posting some more outfits from the month on the blog into November. I couldn't let Frocktober end without a final wrap-up and call for donations though!


Below are my #31Days31DifferentDresses outfits, with a bonus 32nd dress!

Away From Blue Blog #31Days31DifferentDresses Style Challenge Pt1
With this first set of dresses, I was still trying as best as I could to hide the baby bump in photos. It was unmissable in person though!

Outfit Posts:


Away From Blue Blog #31Days31DifferentDresses Style Challenge Pt2
In the second week of the challenge, I was beginning to feel a little frustrated with having nothing but dresses to wear, and a little concerned with how many dresses I was having to set aside as I'd outgrown them. I began to organise my little capsule wardrobe a bit better to make sure I'd have enough to wear for the month, which lead to me wearing some dresses I wasn't feeling comfortable or confident in, just because I wasn't sure I'd fit into them in a few days.

Outfit Posts:


Away From Blue Blog #31Days31DifferentDresses Style Challenge Pt3
By the third week I was outgrowing even more dresses and was glad I had so many roomy maxi dresses in my wardrobe! I was also very kindly given two beautiful new maxi dresses from Jeanswest which gave me some more options.

Outfit Posts:


Away From Blue Blog #31Days31DifferentDresses Style Challenge Pt4


The final stretch of the challenge! I'd saved a few favourite dresses for near the end, knowing I'd be feeling a bit large with the growing baby belly, and a little fed up by the lack of choice each day. Despite this, I even managed to wear an extra dress when I got changed for an evening out.

Outfit Posts:


There was just one dress that I still fit into that hadn't been worn in my wardrobe, not counting the maternity dresses I hadn't pulled out yet and the dresses I had to quickly set aside as they didn't fit a second trimester baby bump. So yes, I do have a lot of dresses!


Thank you again to everyone who donated - through my fundraising page or other means. Your advice, outfit ideas and inspiration, kind comments, and of course donations encouraged me to keep going with the challenge.



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Sunday 1 November 2015

Frocktober: Work and Weekend: Blue Printed Dresses and Rebecca Minkoff Bags

Although Frocktober may be over, I'm only at the halfway mark for sharing my Frocktober fundraising outfits! Dresses 15 and 16 were both blue. I was starting to get a bit fed up with dresses at the halfway mark, so picked some blue dresses to wear to give me a bit of a boost. It's my favourite colour and it would be easy for me to wear it all the time!

Any minor wardrobe resentment I have during my #31Days31DifferentDresses challenge is nothing compared to what ovarian cancer sufferers have to face every day. I'm wearing a different dress every day to raise funds for Ovarian cancer Research Foundation, and every donation helps. Thank you to everyone who has supported me!

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Second Trimester Office Wear printed faux wrap dress grey bag

Away From Blue | Second Trimester baby bump Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey
Necklace: Chanel necklace
Dress: Target Dannii Minogue Petites printed wrap dress
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs studded mouse flats in grey
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs labradorite bracelets
BagRebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey

Why I wore it:

I'd set this dress aside earlier in the challenge as a work dress (trying to make sure I had enough office appropriate dresses to see me through Frocktober!) and figured I'd better wear it now before the bump gets much bigger! It was definitely a squeeze. Will be packing this dress away for after baby arrives, won't be able to wear it again in pregnancy.

I didn't feel this looked great at all. Trying to fit a second trimester baby bump into a regular non maternity dress doesn't always work well, especially for one as form fitting as this. But it got a bunch of compliments in the office and it was the most liked instagram pic so far for my Frocktober challenge, so maybe I'm just missing something!


Last worn: geometric print faux wrap dress, studded mouse flats, Rebecca Minkoff MAM.

Other ways to weargeometric print dress layered up for winter, studded mouse flats and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff MAM and a maxi skirt.


Shop more blue printed dresses under $50:






What I wore:

Away From Blue | Second Trimester Atmos&Here Polly navy polka dot shirt dress

AwayFromBlue | Rebecca Minkoff striped coated canvas mini MAC in berry stripe
NecklaceTai gold alphabet necklace
DressAtmos&Here Polly navy polka dot shirt dress
ShoesIkwetta 'Circles of life' sandals (C/O)
Bracelets: the usual
BagRebecca Minkoff striped coated canvas mini MAC in berry stripe

Why I wore it:

After not feeling happy or confident with my dress the day before, I picked a recent favourite to wear the next day to cheer myself up. I bought this dress just 6 months ago, and this is its 5th wear. Unfortunately, it's also its last wear.

I was feeling a bit restricted in it (due to the baby belly!) and kept tugging at it through the day, debating if I should add this to the office frock swap. I'd decided to keep it (button downs are great for breastfeeding), when I got home later that afternoon and realised it had torn. Wearing a baby bag, a toddler on your hip and then tugging the dress that was riding up back down means at some point during the day it had ripped irreparably at the seams.
I'm sad to see it go after so little wear, I really don't feel I got my money's worth. But on the plus side, it was only a small tear, and I didn't end up having a complete wardrobe malfunction and flashing my undies to anyone!

Leaving my wardrobe: Atmos&Here Polly navy polka dot shirt dress


Away From Blue | Atmos&Here Polly navy polka dot shirt dress 4 ways multi seasons
Links to outfits: one, two, three, four.


Last worn: polka dot shirt dress, Ikwetta sandals, Rebecca Minkoff canvas stripe mini MAC.

Other ways to wearpolka dot shirt dress with tall boots, Ikwetta sandals and a maxi dress, Rebecca Minkoff canvas stripe mini MAC with a red printed tank.


Linking up with Let It Shine, Shoe and Tell, Modest Monday, Mix It Monday, More Pieces of Me, Hello Monday, Turning Heads, On Trend Tuesday.



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