Friday, 18 December 2015

Handbag Gift Guide! Jeanswest Maternity Shorts, Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere

Two simple summer outfits with my Jeanswest maternity shorts. I'm glad I picked up a second pair last month, they are being worn often.
Also thought I'd put together a handbag gift guide (for any budget!) after a few of you suggested it when I asked for your opinions on gift guides. Time to snap up last minute gifts now, with a week until Christmas!

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Summer Second trimester pregnancy outfit jeanswest maternity tank shorts

AwayFromTheBlue | Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere JORD black fieldcrest wood watch
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers (on sale!)
Scarf:  Jeanswest Lux paisley print scarf (C/O)
SingletJeanswest maternity tank in black (new purchase)
ShortsJeanswest maternity rolled up shorts
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
BagLouis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

An easy, simple outfit for a hot day. I wanted to add a little bit of interest to the outfit with the printed scarf, I think it worked pretty well as it's a lightweight scarf so didn't keep me too warm. I've recently gone through my scarf collection and pulled out a few of the light ones to try and wear them a little more over spring/summer.

Wore this to take toddler T to his gymboree class, it was a perfect outfit for running around with a toddler.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, mixed print scarf, Jeanswest maternity shorts, Havaianas, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere. First time I've worn the tank as it's a recent purchase.

Other ways to wearmixed print scarf and a chambray dress, Jeanswest maternity shorts in the third trimester, LV speedy bandouliere and a dress in winter.



If you are a handbag lover, or you have a handbag fan on your Christmas list to buy for, you definitely can't go wrong with a designer bag! All of the options below are under $500.





Of course, the budget can't stretch to a new bag every Christmas, so here are some more great gift ideas from Shopbop that are a little friendlier to the wallet - bag accessories!

Away From The Blue | Shopbop Handbag Lover Accessory Gift Guide

1: a handbag raincoat for the lady who has everything!
2: a cute bag charm to adorn one of the many bags someone already owns.
3: a coin purse a mini, budget-friendly version of that bag they've always wanted.

Shop more bag accessories at Shopbop
(With free express shipping worldwide, it's a great place to pick up that last minute gift!)



What I wore:

AwayFromBlue | Second Trimester maternity clothes pregnancy outfit for theme park visit

AwayFromTheBlue | Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere
NecklaceTai gold alphabet necklace
TeeJeanswest Sonny maternity tee in lagoon marle (C/O)
ShortsJeanswest Georgie maternity boyfriend shorts (available in non-maternity also)
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white
BagLouis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

Extremely similar to the last time I wore this tee, only with different shoes and without the scarves. I like wearing the tee with denim though I think it's a lovely combination and it's an easy go-to!

Wore this for a very hot day out at Seaworld on the gold coast. My sister was lucky enough to score free tickets, and they had just opened up the recently re-done kid's area so we thought it would be fun for toddler T to go have a play. Even though I could only go on one ride, being pregnant. As we had been to Seaworld earlier in the year, we'd seen a lot of the shows so the day was all about toddler T having fun.


As it's the second time I've worn these shorts since I bought them, and I try to review everything I buy after wearing it twice to learn more about my shopping habits, my purchase review:

I love these shorts. I confess they were a total impulse buy, I hadn't even thought about getting another pair of shorts when I wandered into Jeanswest and spotted these. I'm so glad I bought them though. They are perfect for being pregnant over summer, when it's just too warm for my maternity jeans.


Last worn: Ray-ban Wayfarers (above), green maternity tee, Jeanswest maternity shorts, Converse Chucks, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere (above).

Other ways to wear:  green maternity tee with a scarf, denim shorts and studded mouse flats, Converse with a dressLouis Vuitton speedy bandouliere and skinny jeans.



The Net-A-Porter sale is on now, up to 50% off pretty things I can't afford until sale time rolls around. Perfect time to score that handbag you've been lusting after!




Linking up with Flashback Friday, Fab Favourites, Passion For Fashion, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Let It Shine, Shoe and Tell.

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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Wednesday, 16 December 2015

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:

AwayFromBlue | Mothers En Vogue Iris orchid pink Havana maxi dress with purple bag second trimester

AwayFromTheBlue | Rebecca Minkoff plum purple mini MAB tote with pink maxi dress
NecklaceJeanswest Taki necklace (C/O) layered with Tai gold alphabet necklace
DressMEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo
Belt: C/O Poppywinkle brown weave belt
ShoesIkwetta 'Circles of life' sandals (C/O)
BagRebecca 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 dressbraided beltIkwetta sandalspurple Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote bag.

Other ways to wearmaxi dress layered up for winter without a baby bumpbraided belt and a printed shirt dressIkwetta sandals and skinny jeansRebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote bag and a boho printed dress.



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)






What I wore:

AwayFromBlue | Jeanswest Black halter neck maxi dress red singlet modest second trimester outfit

Away From The Blue | Rebecca Minkoff mini quilted affair bag in fire engine red
NecklaceDogeared 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
BagRebecca 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 wearred 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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