Monday 23 October 2017

Two Ways to Wear Grey Marle Jersey Pencil Skirt: Corporate and SAHM Style

While I was on maternity leave with toddler T, I bought this grey jersey pencil skirt. Reasoning I'd be glad I did when I returned to work months later. It's never been the perfect piece I've thought it would be when I bought it though.
It's pieces like this that make me stick to my 'wear it twice in the month I buy it rule' to stop buying things I think will be perfect for later, and just buy pieces that are perfect for my life right now.

With my return to work, it was an opportunity to see this pencil skirt again when I unboxed all my workwear and make the decision if it was a keeper or a mistake to buy. I wore it two different ways to really test it out.

What I wore: 

@awayfromblue instagram spring office outfit jersey pencil skirt blazer button up tank blue MAB tote

cream blazer, jersey marle pencil skirt and floral button up tank for the office navy tote bag | AwayFromBlue

Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy | AwayFromTheBlue
Necklace: Diva red stone necklace
TopRiver Island floral print sleeveless shirt
SkirtAtmos&Here grey marle jersey pencil skirt (also available in black or stripes)
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs suede flats in red
BagRebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy (on sale in pinkor in white)
NailsOPI This Cost Me a Mint

Why I wore it:

First time I wore this skirt to the office I worried at one point that the jersey fabric was too casual. Since then, I've tried to make it a little formal each time I've worn it. The style challenge for the day was 'Starts With B' so a big blue bag, a button up tank and a blazer made this jersey pencil skirt perfectly formal enough for my business casual office. I didn't worry at all about this looking too casual. Not sure if it was the collared top and blazer or the fact that I'm in a new area after returning from leave where my customers are located off-site and I no longer interact with them in person, so I can be more casual.

I added the red necklace at the last moment. I'd tried on a longer blue one that morning too but I think the red necklace just makes the outfit. The red suede shoes were fun to wear too. I find bright shoes harder to wear than bright bags so these don't get worn often. They are so cute though, I keep them around.

I really liked this outfit. I did have hard time getting a photo that morning without the sun in my eye, that was the only mild annoyance!


Last worn: cream blazer, floral button up tankgrey pencil skirt, red suede ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote.

Other ways to wearcream blazer and printed dress, floral button up tank and maxi skirtgrey pencil skirt over a dressred suede ballet flats and a little black dress, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote and fit and flare dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: cream blazer in the first trimester, skirt in third trimester, red ballet flats and hidden second trimester bump, MAB Tote and wrap dress in third trimester.



Jersey Pencil Skirts Under $50:







What I wore:

navy kimono, striped tank, grey marle jersey pencil skirt and Converse, casual SAHM Style | Away From Blue

Roie Designs waxed leather cream howlite beaded wrap bracelet, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine | Away From The Blue

@awayfromblue instagram casual pencil skirt, stripe tank and kimono with Converse Chucks
JacketNew Look Petite print kimono
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
TopJeanswest 'Josie' striped back strap tank
Skirt: Atmos&Here grey marle jersey pencil skirt (also available in black or stripes)
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs waxed leather cream howlite beaded wrap bracelet
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather (on sale!)
NailsOPI This Cost Me a Mint

Why I wore it:

The very first time I wore this skirt I attempted to wear it casually and I didn't really feel comfortable with the resulting outfit. This time around, I wore it again for a style challenge but I actually really loved the resulting outfit. It was just perfect for my day off. I spent it taking Baby Boy to a few appointments that sadly didn't go as well as I expected but at least I liked my outfit.

The style challenge for the day was 'Starts With D', so I tried to dress down this skirt. By leaving the tank untucked, wearing Converse and adding the kimono, I think I made the pencil skirt perfectly casual. It was cool and comfortable for an extremely hot day too.

When I unpacked this skirt at the end of my maternity leave I had planned to give it the 'one last wear' test before I got rid of it, but it's definitely staying in my wardrobe, as I felt so happy in it in both these outfits.


Last worn: navy kimono, stripe tank, grey marle pencil skirt (above), Converse, Rebecca Minkoff aqua mini MAC bag.

Other ways to wearnavy kimono and denim shorts, stripe tank and leopard printgrey pencil skirt and winter layersConverse and colourful jeans, Rebecca Minkoff aqua mini MAC bag and maxi dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: stripe tank in second trimestergrey pencil skirt and hidden early baby bumpConverse and maternity shorts, mini MAC in second trimester





Grey Marle Pencil Skirts Under $50:








How You Can Wear It:


A jersey pencil skirt is extremely comfortable, and can be dressed up or down depending on what you wear it with. Button ups and blazers are good way to make it more formal for work, and you can dress it down with untucked loose layers and Converse for the weekend or your day off.


Linking up with On Trend, Trend Spin, Confident Twosday, Turning Heads, Style Sessions, What I Wore, Oh Hey Girl, Style on the Daily, Fashion Frenzy.



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Friday 20 October 2017

Spring Style: Stripe Tees and Denim Shorts with Silver Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Bag

For a brief moment, Brisbane suddenly skipped spring and went straight to summer-like temperatures. It gave me the chance to enjoy some of my denim shorts again! It's always nice getting back into shorts when the weather warms up. I ended up wearing two very similar outfits with my striped tees and silver mini MAC bag. Stripes and shorts is such a classic warm weather outfit for me.

What I wore:

3/4 sleeve red stripe tee, bermuda denim shorts, silver mini MAC bag spring style | Away From Blue

bermuda denim shorts, red stripe tee, Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC | Away From The Blue

#motherhoodandPregnancyStyle outfit in pregnancy and motherhood striped tee bermuda denim shorts @awayfromblue
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Feather pendant in peach (C/O)
TeeAtmos&Here 3/4 sleeve stripe tee in berry white
ShortsJeanswest Trinity Bermuda denim shorts (on sale!)
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white
BagRebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC
NailsOPI This Cost Me a Mint

Why I wore it:

I was so happy to realise it was shorts weather! Still feeling a little bad about not having worn many winter clothes over winter, I squeezed in another wear of this long sleeve tee. When I was putting this outfit together I remembered I wore something similar with pregnant with now Toddler T, using my maternity denim shorts. So of course I had to recreate it with the same bag again, my Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC bag. Picked my Converse to wear this time instead of my Havaianas, because I didn't have a big baby belly preventing me from bending over to tie my laces haha!

Was quite a busy morning, so an easy outfit was ideal. Took Baby Boy for his regular weigh in session and then ran a couple of errands. As it was the school holidays, our local shopping centre had some activities on and the boys got to do a cupcake decorating session after we got groceries. Unfortunately, on the very short trip home the cupcakes melted in the heat and their beautiful creations weren't quite so beautiful when they got home. They seemed to think they were still pretty tasty though!


Last worn: burgundy stripe tee, bermuda denim shorts, Converse, Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC.

Other ways to wearburgundy stripe tee and chambray maxi skirt, bermuda denim shorts worn two ways, Converse and printed dress, Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC and maxi dress in winter.

Perfect for pregnancy: stripe tee and maternity shorts, Converse and maternity denim, mini MAC and maxi skirt.



Rebecca Minkoff Silver Mini MAC Bags








What I wore:

navy stripe tee, OneTeaspoon Hawks shorts, pink vest silver bag | Away From Blue

silver bracelet stack, Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC | AwayfromTheBlue
JacketJeanswest Peri drape sleeveless jacket (on sale!)
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Feather pendant in peach (C/O)
TeeAtmos&Here navy stripe v-neck tee
Shorts:  OneTeaspoon Hawks shorts in Fox black (C/O, on sale!)
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
BagRebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC
Nails: OPI This Cost Me a Mint

Why I wore it:

Warmer weather means layering just for fun and not for function too, so it was the perfect time to get this vest out again. An impulse buy last year before I started my #6monthswithoutshopping challenge, something different to add to my wardrobe. I see lots of bloggers wearing vests for cooler weather, but if I'm cold I want my arms to be warm, so this is strictly a warm weather piece for me.

I wasn't entirely loving the vest in this outfit, but it seemed like a good way to add a little colour with the neutral pieces. I'm still figuring out the best way to wear this, even though this is it's 9th wear! It's fun to experiment and try different styles though, and good to try make jeans and a tee a little different given how often I wear that combo over summer.

Was just a quiet Saturday - we weren't up to much. We did attempt to go a walk with the toddlers and let them take their bikes. Which resulted in me carrying Baby Boy's trike 90% of the time, ha!


Last worn: pink sleeveless jacket, navy stripe tee, OneTeaspoon denim shorts, Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff silver mini MAC (above).

Other ways to wear pink sleeveless jacket and chambray dress, navy stripe tee and maxi skirt, OneTeaspoon denim shorts and embroidered tank, Havaianas in different seasons, Rebecca Minkoff silver mini MAC worn as a clutch.

Perfect for pregnancy: stripe tee and pencil skirt in third trimester, mini MAC and maternity tanks.




Stripe Tees Under $50:








How You Can Wear It:


If you're looking for a classic fail-safe outfit for warm weather, denim shorts and a striped tee is a great go-to. You can make things a little different with each wear by picking longer sleeved tees, shorts of different lengths or even an extra layer like a vest to add some colour. Stripes and shorts doesn't have to be boring.


Linking up with Passion for Fashion, Friday Faves, Shoe & Tell, Mix It Monday, Hello Monday, On Mondays We Link Up.


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