Monday 21 May 2018

Monochrome Office Outfits: Navy Tops and Textured Pencil Skirts With Rebecca Minkoff MAM

Monochrome outfits are a quick and easy way to get dressed for the office. Blue is my favourite colour, and while I'm managing to stay away from the blue jeans rut I am still wearing blue often as I have so much of it in my wardrobe. Both of those pretty blue textured pencil skirts, although I just wore them the week before, work so nicely with blue tops that I pulled them out again when I wanted to wear some navy.

What I wore:

monochrome office outfit jersey blazer pencil skirt navy blouse rebecca minkoff MAM autumn | awayfromblue

blue lace pencil skirt, Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini MAM in soft grey | awayfromtheblue

awayfromblue instagram grey jersey blazer blue blouse pencil skirt monochrome autumn office outfit
JacketJeanswest grey jersey blazer
BlouseJeanswest chana long sleeve stud top in night sky navy
SkirtAsos blue textured lace pencil skirt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs silver tuxedo flats
BagRebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey

Why I wore it:

This outfit is a combination of pieces I love so it's no surprise that I really liked it! I love this top, one of my purchases last month, and paired with this pretty lace pencil skirt is was such an easy outfit. The grey blazer matched the bag nicely, and grey and blue is a combination I frequently employ when wearing this blazer.

I felt suitably attired in this for an early start at the office, a quick coffee date and filming/photographing session with a friend in King George Square (See Chloe's video for the clip I filmed), a leaving lunch for a colleague and then an afternoon full of meetings. I started to get a bit flustered at the end of the day when the printer started acting up, but overall it was a good day in a good outfit!


Last worn: grey jersey blazer, studded blouse, lace pencil skirt, silver ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff MAM.

Other ways to weargrey jersey blazer and fit and flare dress, studded blouse and shorts, lace pencil skirt in summer, silver ballet flats and jeans, Rebecca Minkoff MAM worn 30 ways.

Perfect for pregnancylace pencil skirt in third trimester, silver ballet flats in third trimester, Rebecca Minkoff MAM in second trimester.



Rebecca Minkoff MAM Review and Contents







What I wore:

jersey blazer monochrome navy shirt jacquard pencil skirt outfit | away from blue

soft grey MAM mini MAB bag on arm Rebecca Minkoff | away from the blue

awayfromblue instagram monochrome navy office outfit black blazer grey rebecca minkoff MAM
Jacketthrifted Zara black blazer
NecklaceStarfish Project Veronica short yellow multi strand necklace
ShirtJeanswest Tory textured shirt
SkirtWarehouse navy jacquard pencil skirt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs black logo plaque ballet flats
BagRebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey

Why I wore it:

Unlike the outfit above, I really didn't like this one. It was more of a frustrating than productive day at work, and even spending some time out with my friend in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at lunch time didn't really lift my spirits. I'd been in a rush that morning and scraped my hair up into a messy bun for ease, but felt bad about it all day. I tried to add some cheerful colour to my outfit with the yellow necklace. Yellow and blue is a colour combo I usually enjoy, but on this day I just wasn't enjoying my outfit.

I'm also aware I'm harsher on my outfit when I had a bad day like this one!


Last worn: black jersey blazer, navy button up shirt, jacquard pencil skirt, black ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff MAM (above).

Other ways to wearblack jersey blazer and a-line skirts, navy button up shirt and shorts, jacquard pencil skirt and purple accessories, black ballet flats and sheath dress, Rebecca Minkoff MAM and burgundy pants.

Perfect for pregnancyblack jersey blazer in third trimester, Rebecca Minkoff MAM in third trimester.



5 Ways To Wear The Rebecca Minkoff MAM





Textured Pencil Skirts Under $50:







How You Can Wear It:

Pencil skirts and blazers are default office outfits as they fit into most office dress codes. Printed or textured pencil skirts like these add a bit of fun to an outfit, but they are also so easy to wear when you pick similarly coloured tops, for a quick and professional office outfit. Neutral blazers, shoes and a classic bag like the Rebecca Minkoff MAM keep it simple as they will go with whatever colour you pick out.


Linking up with On Mondays We Link Up, Style Sessions, Turning Heads, Trend Spin, Confident Twosday, Style File.



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Friday 18 May 2018

Layering Navy Dresses In Autumn: Light Scarves and Different Shoes

It took a while for autumn to arrive here in Brisbane! But when we started getting cooler mornings I was excited to add some layers and autumn pieces to my dresses - even if they are just lightweight scarves! I find summer dresses easy to layer up for cooler weather just by adding an extra piece or two and swapping out your shoes for something cosier.

What I wore:

 Shein navy flower print flowy dress  layered for autumn scarf tan chelsea boots denim jacket | awayfromblue

Balenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag with denim jacket | awayfromtheblue

awayfromblue instagram | shein navy flower print flowy swing dress scarf denim jacket Balenciaga tan day bag
Jacket: Bubblegum denim jacket
Scarf: gifted blush metallic rose gold shimmer scarf
DressShein navy flower print flowy dress (C/O)
ShoesAsos leather Chelsea boots in tan
BagBalenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

It was a really cold morning when I wore this so I added a scarf, denim jacket and ankle boots to my dress. After a busy day working from home, rushing around in the evening meant I'd gotten warm and quickly taken both the scarf and jacket off. I picked the boys up from daycare to take the little one to his specialist appointment.

I like how comfortable this flowy swing dress is - and even though it's a light viscose fabric it is sure to be worn more as the weather cools down further as it layers well. Writing this post made me smile as I realised the last time I wore this dress it was also with a Balenciaga day bag, and it was again for a specialist appointment!

This shimmery scarf was a gift from my mum last year and I love how nice it looked with the navy dress. Even if I didn't keep all the layers on in the warm afternoon, I did enjoy this outfit for the short time I wore it all together in the morning for daycare drop off and the denim jacket came in helpful in the evening.


Last worn: denim jacket, shimmer scarf, navy floral swing dress, Chelsea ankle boots, Balenciaga brown day bag.

Other ways to weardenim jacket worn 30 ways, shimmer scarf in the office, navy floral swing dress in summer, Chelsea ankle boots, Balenciaga brown day bag and shorts.

Perfect for pregnancydenim jacket in second trimester, Chelsea ankle boots in second trimester, Balenciaga brown day bag for second trimester travel.



My Latest Video: Winter Clothing Haul For The Boys




With the cooler weather, I was excited to start buying winter clothes for the boys! Cooper helped me to share what I've been buying.




What I wore:

long sleeve printed shift dress with crochet scarf and balenciaga day bag in autumn | away from blue

Balenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag 09 worn on shoulder long tassels | away from the blue

awayfromblue instagram | Zara printed bib front tunic dress in autumn with crochet scarf and Balenciaga day bag
Scarf: white Target crochet detail scarf
Dress: Zara printed bib front tunic dress
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white
BagBalenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

This was such a productive day, although I wasn't completely happy with my outfit. I love the crochet scarf with the navy dress. I was unsure at first with the pattern on the dress and the texture of the scarf but being similar colours I think it worked really well. It was a little chilly so as well as the scarf I added some Converse. Converse are a go-to for me in spring and autumn and are a nice alternative when it's not cold enough for boots. On the surface, a great outfit.

We dropped the boys off at their grandparents for the morning to get some stuff done and it was a productive morning. I did wish I'd added a denim jacket to this outfit though once the rain showers hit. Then we had lunch with the boys and their grandparents which made me regret my outfit even more as this dress felt much too short. If I'm spending time with the boys it's better to go with a maxi length or something like shorts! I was happy to get home and change after lunch. I chucked on some PJ pants under my dress so I was a bit more comfortable to lounge around and play with cars and setup train tracks with the boys!

This dress is one of the ones that works so perfectly in summer, layers well for autumn or winter, and it doubles as a professional looking top for work sometimes too. I was really hoping to have hit 30 wears on it by now, but I do find the length tricky to wear when trying to sit and play on the floor with the boys which limits how much I can wear it right now.


Last worn: crochet scarf, Zara navy shift dress, Converse, Balenciaga day bag (above).

Other ways to wearcrochet scarf and chambray dress, Zara navy shift dress and winter layers, Converse and denim shorts, Balenciaga day bag and maxi skirt.

Perfect for pregnancycrochet scarf in second trimester, Zara navy shift dress in third trimester, Converse in second trimester, Balenciaga day bag and hidden baby bump.



Navy Printed Dresses Under $50:




How You Can Wear It


You don't have to pack your favourite dresses away when the cooler weather arrives! Swapping sandals for Converse or ankle boots and adding a scarf helps keep the chill away and lets you wear your favourite pieces more often. When it's really cold, you could add tights, leggings, and cosier scarves. But mild autumn and spring days are perfect for lightweight scarves like these.


Linking up with Friday Faves, Lizzie In Lace, Shoe & Tell, Mix It Monday, Hello Monday, Modest Monday.



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