Monday, 11 January 2016

Corporate Style: Wrap Dresses For Pregnancy Office Wear, Balenciaga Sorbet Pink City Bag

Now that the Christmas and New Year's holidays are over, I'm back to sharing my office style. Even though I wore both of these outfits before Christmas! Have been so behind with blogging, although I was dressing for the Fox in Flats DAREcember style challenge each day.

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Second Trimester Office Wear Printed Target wrap dress pink Balenciaga bag

AwayFromTheBlue | Balenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet Hermes pink clic clac
Necklace: custom Cooper charm by Silhoupette
Dress: thrifted Target printed wrap dress (with Supre pink singlet underneath for modesty)
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs two tone flats in blush and black
Bracelets: the usual plus Hermes pink clic clac
BagBalenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'she's a lady' so I figured a lady-like wrap dress with pink accessories was a great way to dress for the theme and still be office-appropriate. You can never go wrong with a wrap dress, and for only $1 this was an op-shop bargain I couldn't pass up!


Last worn: pink singlet, printed wrap dress, two-tone flats, Balenciaga sorbet city bag.

Other ways to wearpink singlet and a floral dress, printed wrap dress and purple singlet, two-tone flats and a plaid pencil skirt, Balenciaga sorbet city bag and a chambray dress.


Where to buy beautiful wrap dresses for under $100:




(I've already bought the first dress, I sized up so it works in the third trimester and it's perfect for the officeYou can see it on Instagram here)


What I wore:

Away From Blue | Soon Maternity 'Madeline' grey printed wrap dress second trimester office outfit

AwayFromTheBlue | JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch Balenciaga sorbet pink city bag
Necklace: Chanel necklace layered with Dogeared silver wishbone necklace and Dogeared 3 Wishes stardust bead necklace  (closeup on Instagram)
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)
BagBalenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the next day was 'neck party' which I decided to do by layering some of my more delicate necklaces. This was before I got the awesome statement necklace from my bestie for Christmas, or that would have been perfect to wear.

Loved carrying my Balenciaga city bag the day before, so wore it again. I like the colour combination of pink and black. I've worn the bag and dress together before too, when I was in the third trimester with baby T.


Last worn: Soon Maternity wrap dress, black ballet flats, Balenciaga sorbet city bag (above).

Other ways to wearSoon Maternity wrap dress and an orange bag, black ballet flats and skinny jeans, Balenciaga sorbet city bag and a maxi dress.







Lots of nice wrap dresses, and other styles perfect for office wear.






Linking up with Hello Monday (also here), Classy Monday, Mix It Monday, Style Sessions, Turning Heads, Confident Twosday, Fresh Fashion, What I Wore, What I Wore to Work.




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Friday, 8 January 2016

Second Trimester Evening Outfits: Jersey Maxi Dresses & Pregnancy Weight Comments

As much as I love a good singlet and shorts combo for being pregnant over summer, you can't beat the simplicity of a maxi dress for looking put-together. They are perfect for feeling dressed up enough for going out for dinner, while still being incredibly comfortable and accommodating to a baby bump.

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Second Trimester jersey maxi dress Christmas party outfit vintage Chanel bag

AwayFromTheBlue | Chanel vintage quilted lambskin flap bag
NecklaceTai gold alphabet necklace layered with thrifted pearl and heart charm long necklace
DressJeanswest 'Elodie' tie dye grey jersey maxi dress
ShoesBalenciaga studded sandals in sorbet RGGH (on sale!)
Bracelets: the usual plus House of Harlow sunburst wrap bracelet in cobalt and Disney Couture Winnie the Pooh bangle
BagChanel vintage quilted lambskin flap

Why I wore it:

This is what I wore to hubby's work Christmas party. We went out for dinner, and I had planned to wear one of my dressier non-maternity maxi dresses, but quickly found I couldn't squeeze the bump into it! Clothes that zip up are generally are not pregnancy friendly. Tried on a few and settled on this one instead. Stretchy jersey so I knew it would fit (I wore it through the third trimester last time) and I just added some glam accessories with my vintage Chanel bag.


Last worn: tie dye maxi dress, Balenciaga studded sandalsvintage Chanel flap bag.

Other ways to weartie dye maxi dress without a baby bump, Balenciaga studded sandals and a chambray dress, Chanel bag and a purple maxi dress.


 Marvellous maxi dresses under $50:






What I wore:

AwayFromBlue | Mothers En Vogue Havana Maxi Dress LV beandeau scarf as belt

AwayFromTheBlue | Accessories: Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC Hermes clic clac
Necklace: custom Cooper charm by Silhoupette layered with Chanel necklace
DressMEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo
Belt: Louis Vuitton "comete" bandeau scarf
ShoesWittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus Hermes pink clic clac
BagRebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

We had a dinner out with friends booked for a while and I was looking forward to it, but so much more after the Christmas party the night before. There were a lot of 'you're huge!', 'it must be twins!' and 'are you sure it's not twins?' comments from strangers at the party and it was getting to me a little, with all the pregnancy hormones! While my OB reassures me I'm measuring right on track, I still think I look a couple weeks bigger than at the same point in pregnancy with baby T. I know you'll always look bigger in subsequent pregnancies too as your abdominal muscles aren't as taught as they were the last time, but so many comments seem designed to put pregnant women down for the natural and normal weight gain that comes along with growing another human.

I am completely in awe and so grateful for a growing baby, and I'd happily have a belly twice the size if that means baby is growing as it should. Being pregnant is a blessing I am thankful for every day. It still stings a little to be constantly told how huge you are though, especially at a time when emotions are already a little unstable!
I don't want to appear ungrateful, I just want to highlight that there are nice ways to say things and not-so nice ways to say things and that when someone is pregnant suddenly all the weight comments start flying, with very few filters. Commenting that the bump is growing nicely or has gotten bigger since you last saw it is a lot politer than saying that pregnant women swell up like massive puffer fish, haha.

It was awesome to put on a pretty dress I knew I would fit, look good in, and laugh and joke with my friends for the evening. I am so blessed to have friends that know exactly how to compliment a pregnant lady, giant baby belly and all ;)


Last worn: purple maxi dress, Louis Vuitton bandeau, studded sandals, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC.

Other ways to wearmaxi dress in winter without a baby bumpLouis Vuitton bandeau worn in hair, studded sandals and denim shorts, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC and skinny jeans.





The Asos 70% off sale includes some really pretty dresses if you're after some more maxi dress bargains.







Linking up with Fab Favourites, Flashback Friday, Fabulous Friday, Weekend Link Up, Let It Shine, Shoe and Tell, Modest Monday.



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