Friday, 4 December 2015

Melbourne Girl's Weekend - Second Trimester Travel Style And Pregnancy Trip Essentials

First up, thank you all so much for your kind words on my last post when I mentioned our house hunting is taking longer than we thought. Hopefully we will find the perfect place soon.


Slightly longer post than usual, sharing 3 outfits. It's what I wore when we went down to Melbourne for a girl's weekend to enjoy the food and the shopping. I did think about summarising everywhere we went and ate but it was such a big weekend the list was quite long and would be boring to read. I'll just do my usual and focus on what I wore instead.

It feels odd to be sharing such layered up winter-like outfits in December, but it was a cold weekend when we went down and the temps were around 10 to 20 Celsius, a good 20 degrees cooler than Brisbane. More like autumn/winter temperatures than spring!

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Second Trimester Flight Outfit grey tee Jeanswest maternity skinny jeans
NecklaceTai gold alphabet necklace layered with Happiness Boutique turquoise and coral pendant necklace (C/O)
TeeAtmos&Here grey v-neck tee with rolled sleeves (similar in black or white)
JeansJeanswest maternity super skinny jeans in antique blue
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
BagBalenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

This is what I wore to fly down to Melbourne and to explore the city a little. It was much too warm for Brisbane, but I was thankful for the jeans in Melbourne, especially at night as it got very cold.

In the evening I had a quick change out of this grey tee into a few more layers and my Church Online tee to meet one of the ladies on the team I work with each week at church online who is in my online life group (like online bible study). I felt so bad that I got lost, got the trains all mixed up and was very late for dinner - but I made it in the end and we had a wonderful time catching up! It's so nice meeting someone in person after working together and chatting so much with them online.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, grey v-neck tee, Jeanswest maternity skinny jeans, Converse, Balenciaga day bag.

Other ways to wear grey v-neck tee and shorts, Jeanswest maternity skinny jeans and a graphic tee, Converse and flares, Balenciaga day bag in the office.




What I wore:

Away from blue | Second Trimester layered outfit paisley snood leather jacket burgundy tee grey maxi skirt

AwayFromTheBlue | Balenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag
ScarfSeed Heritage Paisley print snood
Necklace: hidden under scarf: Tai gold alphabet necklace Happiness Boutique turquoise and coral pendant necklace (C/O)
TeeAtmos&Here rolled sleeve oversized tee in wine (similar in pink or in black)
Skirt: Target grey marle maxi skirt
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
BagBalenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

This was my comfortable yet cosy outfit for a day full of shopping. We started when the shops opened and then eventually were the last people to leave Tiffany in the evening when it closed. I appreciated the layers I'd packed. I took the scarf and jacket off and on through the day as the temperatures changed, but certainly needed them both in the morning and at night when we went out for dinner and dessert.

Out of all the places we visited and all the shopping we did, I have to comment on one experience in particular. If you ever find yourself in the Collins St Tiffany store in Melbourne, ask for Helen. She was extremely helpful and knowledgeable and we picked out some great gifts with her that I can't wait for everyone to receive!


Last worn: Jeanswest leather jacket, printed snood, burgundy tee, grey maxi skirt, Converse Chucks (above), Balenciaga day bag (above).

Other ways to wearleather jacket and a summer dress in winter, printed snood in the office, burgundy tee and printed jeans, maxi skirt and a graphic tee, Converse and purple skinny jeans, Balenciaga day bag with flares.



What I wore:

Away From Blue | Melbourne Travel outfit floral tank star pashmina maternity skinny jeans converse

Away From Blue | Balenciaga autumne truffle brown RH day bag leather jacket
JacketJeanswest black leather jacket
Necklace: hidden under scarf: Tai gold alphabet necklace 
Scarf: gifted star print pashmina
Tank: no label floral and lace top
JeansJeanswest maternity super skinny jeans in antique blue
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
BagBalenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

The third day in Melbourne, back in the skinny jeans I'd worn for the trip down and wearing my new scarf that was a gift bought for me the day before from the Queen Victoria markets. I'm pleased how great this scarf looked with the tank! I knew the snood I'd packed wouldn't work with it, so was hoping for a warmer day, but was thankful I had the new pashmia for the chilly morning.



I was sad to leave Melbourne behind (the shopping and the food really doesn't even compare to Brisbane!) but I was really glad to get home and see toddler T. It's the longest I'd ever been away from him since he was born and I really missed him. And Cooper too, I kept stopping to pat cute dogs over the city! I really missed my boys.


I was really happy with everything I packed - I packed just enough, wore everything at least once, and my mostly empty LV keepall became stuffed full of purchases for the flight home! I did find myself wishing I'd picked a bag with a cross body strap by the end of the second day so I'd have the chance to give my shoulder a rest, but it wasn't too bad. First time I've ever not over packed! The allure of filling up empty space in my carry on with shopping helped me make the tough decisions of what to pack and what to leave behind.


Last worn: Jeanswest leather jacket (above), floral tank, Jeanswest maternity skinny jeans (above), Converse Chucks (above), Balenciaga day bag (above). First time I've worn the star print pashmina.

Other ways to wearleather jacket and plaid scarf, floral tank and a pencil skirt, maternity skinny jeans post baby, Converse and a plaid shirt, Balenciaga day bag and a chambray dress.


Pregnancy travel essentials: stretchy tees, maternity jeans, scarves to layer with and comfortable shoes.












Linking up with Fab Favourites, Fabulous Friday, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Let It Shine, Modest Monday.




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Wednesday, 2 December 2015

Corporate Style: Chloe Paddington Bag and Wrap Dresses for The Second Trimester Baby Bump

Before I bought my first ever designer handbag, I'd spent ages researching and reading up on it and struck up quite a few online friendships. One of my friends, @jessicaval, had recently been talking about Chloe Paddingtons again, and we all decided to get out our old favourites and carry them for an informal #internationalPaddingtonWeek. I only managed two days as I figured a heavy bag with a padlock wasn't best for a day at home with a toddler, but it was perfect for taking to the office. It reminded my why I love and keep this bag, even if I don't wear it often, there are so many happy memories attached.

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Second Trimester Office Wear floral wrap dress Chloe paddington

AwayFromTheBlue | Chloe brun Paddington black dress brown bag
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers (on sale!)
NecklaceTai gold alphabet necklace
TankJeanswest brown marle singlet
DressJeanswest floral wrap dress
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs metallic mouse flats
Bracelets: the usual plus Ferragamo double wrap bracelet
BagChloe Paddington in 2007 Brun

Why I wore it:

I'd only worn this dress two weeks ago, but really wanted to wear it again as I remembered I couldn't wear it after my second trimester in my last pregnancy as it was getting a bit tricky to wrap all the way around the bump. I'm glad I could give it one last wear before the baby arrives.

Picked gold flats to match the gold padlock on my Chloe Paddington. Can't believe it's been a year since I last wore it!


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, brown marle tank, Jeanswest wrap dress, gold mouse flats, Chloe Paddington bag.

Other ways to wearbrown marle tank and a maxi skirt, wrap dress layered up for winter, gold mouse flats and flares, Chloe Paddington bag and a vintage pencil skirt.


Shop more Chloe Paddington bags:




Note: If you're ever looking for a Chloe Paddington I'd suggest not paying retail and instead buying second hand from somewhere that guarantees authenticity like Fashionphile, or Vestiaire Collective  that authenticates the item after you purchase but before you receive it. I've featured bags from these places above. While ebay has a lot of Paddington bags, many are counterfeit.

What I wore:

Away from Blue | Soon Maternity Printed Wrap Dress Second Trimester Office Wear Chloe Paddington bag

AwayFromTheBlue | Chloe Paddington brun black printed dress brown bag
Dress: Soon Maternity 'Madeline' grey print wrap dress
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
BagChloe Paddington in 2007 Brun

Why I wore it:

Another wrap dress! They are such easy maternity options. this is a special maternity dress that I picked up second hand on ebay in my last pregnancy, and wore it 6 wonderful times. I wished I'd bought it sooner than I did, so I was pleased to be able to pull it out of the 'maternity clothes' bag I'd set aside and start wearing it now in the second trimester.

I'm not looking to buy any more maternity workwear, with the two pencil skirts and this maternity wrap dress from last time I'm pretty set as I'm only in the office twice a week.

I was a little sad to pack my Chloe Paddington bag away after wearing it, although it's not the most practical of bags and I can't use it every day I'm pleased @jessicaval inspired us to get our old bags out again.


I know that there is still a lot of interest in the Chloe Paddington bag as the video review of it is one of the most popular on my channel!




The Chloe Paddington will always be my first handbag 'love' and I'm never going to get rid of this one. What was your first ever handbag splurge? Do you still own and use it?


Last worn: Soon Maternity printed wrap dress, black ballet flats, Chloe Paddington bag (above).

Other ways to wearSoon Maternity wrap dress in the third trimester, black ballet flats and layers, Chloe Paddington bag and skinny jeans.



Linking up with Fresh Fashion, Pleated Poppy, What I Wore, Style Me Wednesday, Oh Hey Girl, Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday, What I Wore to Work, Weekend Link Up, Fun Fashion, Flashback Fashion.



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