Monday, 14 December 2015

Last Minute Gift Ideas | Corporate Style in Pregnancy: Printed Dresses and LV Speedy Bandouliere

With the summer heat and humidity rising in Brisbane, I've been wearing my dresses a lot. Even non-maternity dresses are great options for a growing second trimester baby bump. Wearing an old favourite and a new one I bought recently just to give me another pregnancy office wear option.

What I wore:

Away from Blue | jeanswest paisley mixed print dress baby bump in the office

AwayFromTheBlue | JORD wood watch Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere
DressJeanswest 'Melanie' paisley mixed print dress
Belt: came with dress
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs studded mouse flats in grey (on sale in black)
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
BagLouis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

I picked up this dress in a Jeanswest sale when I was in the third trimester of my last pregnancy, and it comfortably fit the baby bump then. I love the colours and print of it, and how accommodating it is!

I think I could have accessorised this better - maybe a different bag - but otherwise I was comfortable and happy in this outfit for the office.


Last worn: Jeanswest mixed print dress, studded mouse flats, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere bag.

Other ways to wearJeanswest mixed print dress and blazer without a baby bump, studded mouse flats and skinny jeans, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere and denim shorts.


Do you still have some last minute gifts to buy for Christmas?

I thought I'd share a Shopbop gift guide. (Since you kindly mentioned that you didn't mind gift guides and some even found them useful.) With 3 day shipping worldwide and gift wrapping, Shopbop is a great place to shop if you need something quickly.





What I wore:

Away From Blue | Second Trimester Office Wear printed wrap dress non-maternity outfit

AwayFromBlue | printed wrap dress Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere
Dress: thrifted Target printed wrap dress (new purchase)
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
BagLouis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

When I was freaking out that I was outgrowing my wardrobe so quickly and had nothing to wear, I had a little hunt in the local op-shops, as well as hitting up the Jeanswest maternity section. I found this printed wrap dress for a dollar! Best op-shop buy ever! I really like the only maternity wrap dress I have, so I figured for a dollar I'd get plenty of wear out of this wrap dress in my pregnancy too. Especially in the office.

It's a size larger than I would normally buy, and it's longer than I'd usually go for, but that just means it's got plenty of length as the baby belly grows bigger and starts to make the dress shorter. The extra fabric to wrap around should hopefully ensure I can wear this through all three trimesters too, unlike my other non-maternity wrap dress that doesn't really wrap around enough in the third trimester!


Last worn: purple singlet, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere (above). First time I've worn the wrap dress as it's a recent op-shop purchase.

Other ways to wearpurple singlet and a maxi skirt, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats and skinny jeans, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere with winter layers.



Linking up with Shoe and Tell, Let It Shine, Hello Monday, Modest Monday, Classy Monday, Turning Heads, Trendy Tuesday, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday.


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.




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Friday, 11 December 2015

Non-Maternity Maxi Dresses in the Second Trimester and Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC

Unlike a lot of my regular non-maternity tops that I'm quickly growing out of this pregnancy, my non-maternity maxi dresses are still easily and comfortably accommodating the second trimester bump.

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Family Santa Photos Outfit Second Trimester Jeanswest 'Sierra' embellished black maxi dress silver accessories

AwayFromTheBlue | Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC Balenciaga double wrap bracelet pearly grey
DressJeanswest 'Sierra' embellished black maxi dress (on sale!)
ShoesAsos 'five star' leather sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus Balenciaga classic double tour bracelet in pearly grey
BagRebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC (on sale in purple!!)

Why I wore it:

This was such a pretty dress for such a bad morning! I've mentioned before I try keep this blog a positive, light hearted space, but that doesn't mean all my days go according to plan. The day doesn't always match up with the plans I have when I'm picking out what to wear. We were up early to have our traditional family Christmas card photos done. By the end of the morning, I was covered in pee, the baby bag was covered in pee (turns out Cooper likes to pee on bags when he's nervous!) and we were on our way home with the wrong photos.

Of course, the day improved. Things are never as bad as they seem. We were able to go back out and get the photos fixed, the baby bag is machine washable, and I had the chance to try my Louis Vuitton neverfull as a baby bag in the interim. I don't recommend it! I carry so much in the baby bag and the weight in the neverfull meant the straps dug into my shoulder. I guess if you carry less it would work.


Last wornembellished maxi dress, ASOS leather sandals, metallic silver mini MAC.

Other ways to wearembellished maxi dress and cardigan, ASOS leather sandals and skinny jeans, mini MAC and a printed tee dress.


More beautiful maxi dresses under $100:




(I find maxi dresses great options for Christmas day and Christmas/New Years parties!)

Maternity maxi dresses under $100:






What I wore:

Away From Blue | Second Trimester Birthday Dinner Outfit Jeanswest Heather textured maxi dress in eggshell

AwayFromTheBlue| Balenciaga coated stud wrap bracelet icy blue RM mini mac metallic silver accessories
ShoesIkwetta 'Circles of life' sandals (C/O)
Bracelets: the usual plus Balenciaga coated stud wrap bracelet in icy blue
BagRebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC (on sale with black hardware!)

Why I wore it:

I'm cheating a little here. This isn't actually what I wore all day, just what I wore out to a birthday dinner in the evening. We spent the morning in the pool cooling off after Brisbane had a little taste of the heatwave that had covered the eastern parts of Australia. It was nice to get a little dressed up in the evening, the best part being that this dress doesn't really need any extra accessorising!


Last worn: blue maxi dress, Ikwetta sandals, Rebecca Minkoff metallic mini MAC (above).

Other ways to wearblue maxi dress for a day on the coast, Ikwetta sandals and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff metallic mini MAC and plaid.


Linking up with Passion for Fashion, Fab Favourites, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole.



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