Plain Maxi Dresses in the Second Trimester - Christmas Outfit Ideas Under $100

First up, Shopbop are having an extra 25% off sale items, and some of the things I've featured in my Gift Guides are on sale! Just use code 'BONUS25', for 3 days only!


As I've mentioned before, the summer heat and humidity in Brisbane along with a growing baby bump has meant that I'm reaching for dresses as a nice comfortable and cool maternity option. And you can never go wrong with a maxi dress!

What I wore:

Sunglasses: Rayban new Wayfarers (on sale!)

Necklace: Jeanswest Taki necklace (C/O) layered with Tai gold alphabet necklace
Dress: MEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo
Belt: C/O Poppywinkle brown weave belt
Shoes: Ikwetta 'Circles of life' sandals (C/O)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum (also love this metallic one!)

Why I wore it:

This dress was one of my favourite maternity items in my last pregnancy, but it's taken me a while to get around to wearing it this time! While I did wear it a little post-pregnancy (it's a nursing dress too) it had been packed away with the rest of my maternity clothes and after unpacking it I had been waiting for the perfect occasion. I had been planning to wear it to toddler T's playgroup Christmas party for a while. Was the best thing to wear on such a hot day.

The only thing I didn't like about this outfit was the belt - I really wished I'd worn a different one. With an inquisitive toddler who loves to pull out all my accessories I've had to move my belts up to the top of the wardrobe and I didn't have time to rummage through the box and grab the one I wanted as we were running late. Just went with the first one I saw.

If you remember last time I wore this necklace it had a few more strands - the best feature about this necklace is that you can separate the pieces and wear it together or wear it separately. For less than $50 it's a great gift idea too!


Last worn: Ray-ban Wyafarers (above), pink MEV Havana maxi dress, braided belt, Ikwetta sandals, purple Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote bag.

Other ways to wear: maxi dress layered up for winter without a baby bump, braided belt and a printed shirt dress, Ikwetta sandals and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote bag and a boho printed dress.

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Plain maxi dresses under $100: (for before, during, or after pregnancy)

Plain doesn't have to mean boring - a block colour maxi dress is a beautifully simple outfit.


Nursing maxi dresses under $100: (perfect for breastfeeding as well as pregnancy)

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What I wore:

Sunglasses: Rayban new Wayfarers (on sale!)

Necklace: Dogeared 3 Wishes stardust bead necklace layered with Dogeared silver wishbone necklace
Dress: thrifted black Jeanswest halterneck maxi dress
Shoes: Wittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus beaded neon and gold and black and gold bracelet set
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini quilted affair bag in fire engine red (on sale in burgundy or on sale in pink)

Why I wore it:

Wore this for a busy day. We spent the morning braving the local Westfield gift shopping, crossing a few more gifts off our lists. Then I popped into the city to meet Rachel from A Nesting Nomad. It was great catching up with her and her hubby briefly while she was in the country! After having afternoon tea with them though I was still a bit full when we had dinner with the in-laws in the evening.

Red and black seemed like a nice colour combination, and it gave me an excuse to wear my quilted Rebecca Minkoff mini affair bag that hasn't been getting worn lately.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, red singlet, black maxi dress, studded sandals, Rebecca Minkoff mini affair bag.

Other ways to wear: red singlet and skinny jeans, black maxi dress layered for winter, studded sandals and a wrap dress, Rebecca Minkoff mini affair bag and a navy shirt dress.


Linking up with Pleated Poppy, Fresh Fashion, Style Me Wednesday, Oh Hey Girl, Throwback Thursday, Fashion Files, Fun Fashion, Fabulous Friday.


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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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:

Necklace: House of Harlow 5 station necklace in black and silver (on sale in suede)

Dress: Jeanswest 'Melanie' paisley mixed print dress
Belt: came with dress
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs studded mouse flats in grey (on sale in black)
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
Bag: Louis 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 wear: Jeanswest mixed print dress and blazer without a baby bump, studded mouse flats and skinny jeans, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere and denim shorts.

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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.

1: Gifts for your bestie/sister/mum/mother-in-law/aunt/cousin

2: Gifts for couples/new home owners

3: Gifts for kids

4: Stocking fillers under $50

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What I wore:

Tank: Jeanswest Jenni basic singlet in Royal Lilac purple

Dress: thrifted Target printed wrap dress (new purchase)
Shoes: Walnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
Bag: Louis 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 wear: purple 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.

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