Monday 4 January 2016

Summer Shorts and Stripes: Jeanswest Maternity Denim, Prima Jeans and a Balenciaga Reveal

With the summer heat, I've been wearing my maternity shorts a lot! I bought this pair in my last pregnancy and they are still going strong. Wanted to post these two outfits together featuring a super simple shorts and stripes combination, as well as sharing my big post-Christmas sales splurge!

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Jeanswest Maternity tank shorts summer outfit black maxi cardi

AwayfromtheBlue | Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey
Jacket: Kmart striped maxi cardigan
NecklaceJeanswest Taki necklace (C/O)
SingletJeanswest maternity tank in black
ShortsJeanswest maternity rolled up shorts
ShoesAsos 'five star' leather sandals
BagRebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'black out' and I didn't want to wear an all black outfit in the heat so I went for a black top and kimono together. I wouldn't normally wear a top that matched the outerwear I was wearing, I usually pick different colours, but I really liked the way the black tank looked with the black maxi cardi.

Wasn't doing much, just running a few errands, but I really liked this outfit.


Last worn: black maxi cardigan, black maternity tank, Jeanswest maternity shorts, Asos leather sandalsRebecca Minkoff MAM bag.

Other ways to wearblack maxi cardigan and flared jeans, black maternity tank and a printed scarf, Jeanswest maternity shorts and sea glass green, Asos leather sandals and skinny jeansgrey RM MAM bag with a blue dress.



While I'm loving my Jeanswest maternity shorts, I am looking forward to being back into my Prima Denim post-baby. I've raved about them before, but they really are the best jeans I've ever worn. Being petite, the 7/8 length is perfect full length on me too, no hemming needed. I wore my Prima jeans as long as possible in my pregnancy by using a belly band.

I got great news recently that I wanted to share -  the Prima Denim Collection is now a permanent fixture at Jeanswest!



Click on image to shop, or text links below. Left to right:

For the Aussies and New Zealanders, this means that you can now find Prima Denim on the famous Jeanswest denim wall. I'll probably be making a trip there to pick up a new pair when I'm starting to feel more like myself after baby's arrival. For those outside Australia who have no idea what the denim wall is all about, no worries, you can find the range online too! (And only a flat $20 AUD for international shipping).


What I wore:

Away From Blue | Summer heat second trimester striped tee and shorts outfit

AwayFromTheBlue | Balenciaga triple tour pearly grey wrap bracelet, Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag
NecklaceAustralian coin and crest necklace (new purchase)
TeeAtmos&Here oversized stripe tee
Shorts:  Jeanswest maternity rolled up shorts
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
Bracelets: the usual plus Balenciaga classic double tour bracelet in pearly grey
BagRebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey

Why I wore it:

Another simple outfit, this time to work from home. I really liked the stripes and shorts outfit I'd worn above so it made sense to wear it again. The style challenge for the day was 'tuck and roll' so the rolled and cuffed shorts and sleeves met the challenge nicely.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, striped tee, Jeanswest maternity shorts (above), Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag (above).

Other ways to wearstriped tee and printed shorts, Jeanswest maternity shorts in the third trimester, Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag and skinny jeans.


And this is my big sales splurge! Ordered this on boxing day when Reboonz had an extra % off discount code on top of their usual sale prices:



Linking up with Classy Monday, Mix It Monday, Turning Heads, Trendy Tuesday, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday.



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Friday 1 January 2016

Happy New Year! Festive Maxi Dress Outfits With a Sequin Scarf and Quilted Bags

Happy new year!

I can't believe this post marks 4 years of blogging! 863 posts, countless outfits... thank you all for following along and supporting me. Thank you to everyone who reads what I write, who leaves a sweet comment, and who adds value to my blog. It's readers like you that have encouraged me to keep this blog going each year. I truly value your friendship and thoughtful comments.

I've enjoyed being able to share my real everyday style with you over the years. In a world of perfectly posed, professionally shot and photoshopped pictures, I've enjoyed sharing my quick little snaps taken before I leave the house each day, puppy and toddler photobombs sometimes included! It's been wonderful reading along with all my blog friends too. I highly recommend you check them out.


While trying to wear more of my wardrobe and think more about what I buy, I hope I've inspired you to try to wear more of your wardrobe and to re-wear and remix what you already own. Through my numerous outfit fails, I've shown that not every outfit is perfect. Not everything is or has to be perfect, despite appearances on social media. Fashion is all about fun - or we wouldn't have so many pretty things stuffed in our wardrobes! So enjoy what you own, have fun with what you wear, and remember that at the end of the day clothes are only clothes. We get to take them off each night and start fresh every morning.

Here are your favourite OOTD shots from 2015 too, my #2015bestnine:

Outfit posts:
purple maxi dress: still to be blogged | pink and burgundy | maternity shorts and maxi cardi


2015 has been a big year, here's hoping 2016 is bigger and better and full of everything you wish for!



Figured now was a good time to share my Christmas outfits - I added some sparkle to them with my sequin scarf worn as a belt. A great accessory for a maxi dress, and anything with sequins seems so perfectly festive for Christmas and New Years.

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Second Trimester Christmas Maxi dress outfit RM Love bag MEV Havana

AwayFromTheBlue | Rebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag in grey silver tiffany charm bracelet stack
NecklaceTai gold alphabet necklace layered with Tiffany diamonds by the yard necklace
DressMEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo
Belt: white and silver sequin scarf worn as a belt
Shoes: Asos 'five star' leather sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus silver charm bracelet
BagRebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag in grey (get an extra 40% off at Rebecca Minkoff with code 'BYE2015'!)

Why I wore it:

We were lucky enough to celebrate Christmas twice this year! For previous years we've visited both sides of the family on the same day, but this year was just like last year and more relaxed with each family celebrating on a different day. This is what I wore to celebrate early with hubby's side of the family. I wore this maxi dress last year on Christmas day, without the baby bump, but as we didn't visit hubby's family that day I figured I could re-wear it for this year. I made it a little different by swapping the belt for my sequin scarf. Accessories are so great for making 'new' outfits out of old favourites!


Last worn: purple maxi dress, sequin scarf, Asos leather sandals, Rebecca Minkoff love bag.

Other ways to wearmaxi dress layered up for winter, sequin scarf as a headband, Asos leather sandals and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff love bag and skinny jeans.



Where to buy pretty sequin scarves:



And pretty sequin snoods:






What I wore:

AwayFromBlue | Second Trimester Pregnancy Christmas Day Maternity Outfit black embellished maxi dress

AwayFromTheBlue | Chanel vintage quilted lambskin flap mixed metal bracelet stack
NecklaceTai gold alphabet necklace layered with Tiffany diamonds by the yard necklace
DressJeanswest 'Sierra' embellished black maxi dress (on sale!)
Belt: white and silver sequin scarf worn as a belt
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs silver tuxedo flats (new purchase)
Bracelets: the usual plus silver charm bracelet and Disney Couture Winnie the Pooh bangle
BagChanel vintage quilted lambskin flap

Why I wore it:

This was what I wore for Christmas day. I had really liked wearing the sequin scarf as a belt previously, so thought I'd add it to this dress too. It already has a pretty embellished neckline, but Christmas is a time for sequins and shimmer and glitter! I gave it a go and was pleased that it didn't feel like too much sparkle. We spent the morning at home together and then headed over to my parents for lunch and more present opening.


Last worn: embellished maxi dresssequin scarf, vintage Chanel bag. First time I've worn the flats as they are a recent purchase.

Other ways to wearembellished maxi dress and a denim jacketsequin scarf with a printed tankvintage Chanel bag and jeans.




The Asos sale continues, and with further reductions it's now up to 70% off!




Linking up with Fabulous Friday, Fab Favourites, Passion for Fashion, Labour of Fashion, Shoe and Tell, Hello Monday, Let It Shine, Modest Monday.



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