Best Black Friday Sales to Help With Your Christmas Shopping

It's sale time! Cyber week traditionally has the best online sales for you to take advantage of when buying Christmas gifts (or things for yourself...).

I previously shared a few sales that started early, but now that Black Friday is underway I wanted to share more. I've taken all the best reductions and discount codes and categorised them below so you know where to shop for each person on your Christmas list!

Everywhere listed ships to Australia, and there is plenty of time to order now and have it delivered before Christmas day.

Gifts for Him

The best sales to pick something up for your brother, boyfriend, hubby, dad or uncle.

Mr Porter has 30% off selected styles.

East Dane has up to 25% off site-wide. Use discount Code 'GOBIG16' to get 15% off orders over $200, 20% off orders over $500 and 25% off orders over $800! They have a great gift guide organised by budget.

Gifts for Mums

The best places to get gifts for your mum, a new mum or your grandma.


Nordstrom black friday sale also has an extra 20% off selected sale items

Marks and Spencer Gifting weekend - up to 50% off selected gifts

Bloomingdale's - up to 50% off selected items. Get 15% off orders between $100 and $199, 20% off orders over $200 with no code needed.

Gifts for Her

The coolest sale items for your sister, cousin, or bestie.

Shopbop Buy More Save More Sale - use discount Code 'GOBIG16' to get 15% off orders over $200, 20% off orders over $500 and 25% off orders over $800!

Dogeared has 25% off sitewide with code 'SHINE25'

Rebecca Minkoff has up to 75% off PLUS get 25% off your entire order when you spend $100 or more!

Gifts for Kids

Your kids, your friend's kids, nieces, nephews or your little cousins, these sales have an awesome selection of items for children.

Gymboree have 50-80% off sitewide

House of Fraser have up to 30% off kids clothes

The big department stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's have great childrens clothing and toys on sale too.

Gifts for Pets

The one category I go consistently overboard with...you can find gifts for your fluffy friend in these sales.

Nordstrom pet section has a lot for cats and dogs!

Neiman Marcus has luxe gifts for your pampered pet

Something for You

You can get some great accessories in these sales for other people, and pick yourself up a few new clothes too. The black Friday sales are the perfect time to pick up your Christmas or New Years outfit at a discount.

ASOS have 20% off everything with code 'GOGOGO'.

Saks 5th Avenue thanksgiving sale means up to 60% off a huge range of designer items.

Have you made any purchases in the Black Friday Sales?

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October Purchases and Clothing Wishlist

Almost the end of October already! Sharing what I bought and how I wore it.

Like I mentioned last month, October is Buy Nothing New month. I didn't meet the challenge as I couldn't resist the Shopbop sale...but I did browse more often in the op-shops (thrift stores). I managed to find some pieces I wanted there too.

A little over two years ago, I set myself a goal of wearing things twice in a month after buying them. I've recently changed that to wear things twice in the month that I buy them. It gives me less time to wear things if I buy them near the end of a month, and makes me think even more critically when I'm buying. Near the end of a month I have to think 'do I really need this?' and 'will I wear it twice in just a couple of weeks?'. Often I chose not to buy, which is great for my budget, and wardrobe!

So here's what I bought in October:

• Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold
• Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (still on sale!)
• thrifted Edited floral and bird print kimono
• thrifted grey oversize tee
• Kmart navy ribbed tank
• Kmart blue marle tee

How I Wore It:

The only thing I haven't worn twice or more is the grey tee, but as mentioned in the video that's partly because I have a lot of grey tees and partly because I bought it so close to the end of the month.

Overall I think I did pretty well, especially after shopping so little over the past few months with #noBuyJuly and #noSpenderSeptember. It's made me use my own wardrobe more to see the gaps. While there are still some things I'd love to buy I haven't found the perfect pieces yet and so I'll keep looking. I'm going to try to not settle for anything less than perfect. It's not like I don't have any clothes to wear if I don't buy these things!

This is my current clothing wishlist:

• white v-neck tee that isn't see-through
• basic block colour relaxed fit tank without super low arm holes that show off a bra
• boyfriend denim shorts (I miss my maternity ones!)
• dresses I can breastfeed in
• block colour maxi skirts

Pretty much just wanting to focus on adding more basics to my wardrobe! Would love recommendations if you know where I could find anything on my wishlist above.

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Let It Shine, Shoe & Tell, Hello Monday.

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Handbags and Strollers: The Easy Hack for Any Brand! Baby Jogger, Bugaboo, Steelcraft etc

If you've read my blog for any amount of time you'll know that I love my handbags! Despite having a toddler, infant, dog, stroller and baby bag, I'm still using and and carrying my bags. After a few months of just using the baby bag when my eldest son was born, I figured out how easy it is to carry a handbag with a simple hack for any stroller!

Picking a stroller can be difficult. You might know you want one of the many baby strollers by baby jogger because a friend recommended them, or you might have seen a celeb with a Bugaboo or maybe you've come across a Steelcraft on sale. When trying to pick one you need to consider weight, ease of use, accessories, lifespan...there's a lot!

The Australian government has a stroller buying guide that's really helpful. Here's what helped us narrow down the options:

• Price - we started with a budget in mind
• Weight - there is everything from lightweight to heavier than a toddler strollers
• Ease of use - something foolproof to put up and down
• Size - we needed a stroller that would fit in the car boot
• Compatibility - we wanted a travel system so we looked for a stroller and travel capsule pack
• Safety - as the stroller came with a baby capsule we checked the government ratings to find a safe one
• Functionality - the ability to add another seat for a second baby and being able to change the direction the seat faced in were extra functions we liked.

I'm really happy with our Steelcraft Strider Compact stroller, but the one thing that I didn't think about when buying it was my handbags.

Having a baby doesn't mean you need to give up your handbags though. You know I have a lot of bags I wanted to use! I did think about how I'd juggle everything (baby, stroller, dog and baby bag) and figured I might just use my Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bags for a while as they slide nicely into the pockets on our baby bag.

I really needed an extra set of hands if I wanted to carry a bigger handbag with my things in it when we went out though. Throwing it into the base of the stroller was tricky get to when I was babywearing, and not all my handbags fit nicely into the baby bag or could be worn cross-body. When baby T was a few months old I found the solution to my problem.

All you need is a bag hook! It can be as simple as a carabiner or a specifically designed hook for your brand of stroller. Since I spent a few dollars on one it's made it easier to have my handbag with me when I'm out with the boys. When baby boy was born earlier this year, I kept on using and enjoying my handbags as I had that handy little hook!


It's the plastic clip you can see on the stroller handle in some of my pics. Such a simple solution, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who hadn't heard of it before. I get a few comments now and then from people wondering how I use more than just a baby bag with two boys. That little plastic hook on the stroller is my secret!

If you're a mum, how you carry your things? Only wear cross-body bags? Put what you need in the baby bag? Did you think about it when buying a stroller?

This post was created in partnership with Diapers.com. 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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Ways to Wear JORD Wood Watches and a Giveaway

If you've read my blog for a while you might remember last year when I was given my first JORD wood watch. It became a firm favourite to wear to the office as glancing at your watch in a long meeting is a lot politer than pulling out your phone to check the time!

JORD kindly gifted me another beautiful watch. I was excited to start wearing a watch again, hoping it would help keep me on time for things. Really it's just become another way for me to see how late we are running! Typical of life with two under 3 I think. As well as a review, I wanted to show you some of the different ways I've worn the women's wood watches I'm lucky enough to own.

I picked the Cora watch as it's a little more dainty than the unisex Fieldcrest watch I have. I was also really intrigued by the purpleheart wood, which looks lovely with the mother of pearl face. As well as the little cut-out detail on the face to see the inner workings of the watch, the back of the face is clear so you can see all the cogs moving around inside which is fascinating - especially to a toddler!

Being a wood watch, it's splash-proof but not waterproof. It means I can wear it through all the constant hand washing that comes along with two boys still in nappies, although I do have to take it off when washing the dishes or showering. It handles stay at home mum duties perfectly. My Fieldcrest watch has held up to a year and a half of use and over 30 wears. It's also been tough enough to cope with being pulled off the bedside table and worn by the toddler more times than I can count, so I'm confident this Cora watch will last as well.

The ordering process was a little different this time around than last time. When you pick your wood watch, you can specify the size of your wrist and get it custom sized for you right out of the box. I used this feature, it's cheaper than getting the band changed at my local watch repair place and it fits perfectly. Being petite with tiny wrists and not always being able to find things to fit me properly, I appreciated this extra service.

The only downside I can find with this watch is that it's an automatic one, so it doesn't use a battery. This means if you get over excited and don't read the manual (guilty!) you won't wind the watch enough when you first set the time and you'll be confused the next day when it stops ticking. Once you read the manual and follow the instructions to properly setup the watch, you won't have any problems and the watch will keep the right time.

Just like my first experience with JORD watches, I was impressed with the speedy shipping time from the US to Australia and the absolutely beautiful presentation. I shared my delight at opening the box on my insta story. These wood watches make great gifts! They are so unique.

If you are inspired by the different ways I've worn my watches or have someone in mind to gift one to, you'll love this generous giveaway! Just by entering you'll get a little something and one lucky winner will get a $100 e-gift voucher. As this is my second wood watch from JORD, I'd be happy to help answer any questions you have about them in the comments too.


Click here for a $20 off code for JORD wood watches and a chance to win a $100 e-gift voucher!



Note: giveaway ends on 26th September. Giveaway is administrated by JORD for Away From Blue readers. I am simply promoting it through my blog. E-gift codes are automatically emailed to entrants. It is open world wide as JORD ships internationally and everyone who is reading here can enter.

This post was sponsored by JORD wood watches. As always, opinions and views expressed on this blog are my own.


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August Purchases

After not buying anything for #NoBuyJuly16 I didn't buy as much as I thought I would in August. I picked up the dress I'd had my eye on in July after it went on sale again, and another wrap top from Atmos&Here. With the 30% off at Jeanswest for rewards card members I filled up my cart, but never bought anything in the end. With the official start of spring later this week I thought it best to wait and see what I end up wearing a lot of and where any wardrobe gaps are before I buy any more clothes.

What I bought in August:

• Atmos&Here Nigella collarless shirt dress 
• Atmos&Here Nile wrap front jersey tee 
• Atmos&Here Hunter asymmetrical skirt 

How I wore my purchases:

Continuing with my goal of wearing things twice in a month after buying them, I've worn both things twice. Since I only bought two things this month, it was really easy to wear them both. I think they are pieces that will get a lot more wear as the weather heats up and we move into spring. I would have liked to have found a replacement for my black maxi skirt since I returned the midi skirt but after the hassle and cost of hemming the last skirt I bought I'm happy to wait a little longer until I can get the right one for my short self. Or until I find another local tailor!

As well as making sure I can think of two ways to wear things immediately before I buy, I'm starting to add things to my cart and then come back another day to buy them only if I've still been thinking about it. Not sure how I'll carry on with this pattern when I'm back to shopping in stores, right now with two boys under 3 online shopping is my main way to shop. It seems to be working to slow my spending for the moment.

I will be attempting #noSpenderSeptember next month and seeing if I can replicate July's no buy month in September too! I got the idea from Beth at Almost Posh. Wish me luck!

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers, On Trend, Turning Heads, Wardrobe Wednesday, Midweek Inspo, What I Wore.

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Monthly Purchases: June

May was a pretty big shopping month for me, so I decided not to buy much in June...then the Iconic had an extra % off sale items. I couldn't resist picking up a maxi skirt I' d had my eye on for months after seeing it on Beth's blog, and of course I had to add in a few extra things to get free shipping ;)

In the end I only kept 3 of the things I'd ordered and returned another 3 so I'm quite pleased I didn't buy too much this month. Definitely going to be doing No Buy July again this year though! No clothes or accessories purchases for the next month. I didn't quite achieve it last year, hopefully I can do better this year! Here's what I bought before starting #NoBuyJuly16.

What I bought in June:

• Atmos & Here Avery marle tee in navy 
• Dorothy Perkins 3/4 sleeve wrap top 
• Noisy May long denim maxi skirt 
• Sass & Bide Playman skinny jeans 

How I wore my purchases:

I have a goal of wearing things twice in a month after buying them. By setting myself this goal I'm making sure I'm only buying things I'll actually use now, and not just store in my wardrobe with the tags on. My wardrobe is full enough already! I'm trying to make sure I buy versatile pieces I can wear a few different ways too. I've started a Ways to Wear series to show the different ways I've been wearing what I bought. Really pleased I managed to wear everything twice this month!

Since we are halfway through the year already, I thought I'd do a tally on my spending so far. (I got this idea from Beth too, it's not just shopping inspiration she gives me!) I've spent a total of $1,510.77 which averages $251.80 a month. Most months, like this month, I'm well under that total. Considering I've bought 3 handbags this year I'm surprised the total is relatively low, but I'm hoping that for the second half of the year I can spend even less.

Linking up with Labour of Life, Budgeting Bloggers, Fun Fashion, Weekend Linkup, Fabulous Friday.

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Monthly Purchases: May

Despite buying a few things in April, I managed to buy quite a bit in May. I focused mainly on accessories as clothes shopping so soon after birth is tricky - it's difficult enough guessing what in your own wardrobe will fit, never mind trying to pick the right size from a store!

Lots of impulse buys but everything that is sure to work in my wardrobe over winter. It still feels strange to think that winter is just a few days away, with autumn being so warm. The weather is cooling though, already we have caught our first cold of the season. So no full video this month, I've lost my voice! I did take a reveal of my Yoox sale purchases before I got sick, so you get to see some of the things I bought in action but not all.

What I bought in May

• Jeanswest Alice longline Australian wool cardigan
• Marc by Marc Jacobs bright blue stole
• Marc by Marc Jacobs mauve square scarf
• Alexander McQueen Azure wool skull scarf
• Rebecca Minkoff neon pink mini MAC
• Target embroidered khaki tank
• Silhoupette gold plated Shih Tzu necklace
• Yondale Designs custom coordinates cuff bracelet

How I wore my purchases:

• Jeanswest Alice longline Australian wool cardigan (worn five times)
• Marc by Marc Jacobs bright blue stole (worn once)
• Marc by Marc Jacobs mauve square scarf (worn once)
• Alexander McQueen Azure wool skull scarf (worn once)
• Rebecca Minkoff neon pink mini MAC (worn six times)
• Target embroidered khaki tank (worn twice)
• Yondale Designs custom coordinates cuff bracelet (never removed from my wrist since I got it)

I have a goal of wearing things twice in a month after buying them. It means that when I buy something I've thought of two different ways to wear it, and that I can wear it right away. By doing this I'm hoping to add things to my wardrobe that will actually be useful and worn frequently.


Just like last month, I bought a necklace I haven't worn yet as I'm avoiding necklaces in the early days of breastfeeding. I know I'll wear it a lot in future though, I wear the silver version often, and it's nice to have a gold one of Cooper to match with the gold initial necklaces I have for the boys.

While I found it easy to wear the cardi and the top, I found the scarves trickier. As it's been a mild autumn I've been wanting to maximise the wearing of my kimonos before it gets too cold. I can't wrap my head around a kimono and scarf outfit, so the scarves haven't been worn much yet. I know I'll be wearing the scarves a lot more over winter though.

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Baby's Arrival and Postpartum Hospital Style

Thank you all for your sweet comments and congratulations on the arrival of our second beautiful baby boy. Just like I did when baby T was born, thought I'd do a little wrap-up post here for those who don't follow me on instagram.

Baby boy had a very speedy arrival into the world! Baby T's birth was fast for a first time but at least then we had time to finalise the admission paperwork before things really got started. This time around I was answering the admission questions with my newborn baby in my arms! I'd been regularly waking for the past week or so with contractions around 3 am that eventually stopped every time, so I wasn't sure if this was another false alarm at first, and stayed for a while at home.

I foolishly thought that the midwife was just being encouraging when we arrived and she suggested that it wouldn't be long before baby arrived. We actually made it to hospital just in time. I took her a little more seriously when I had to start pushing and she reassured me that they could deliver the baby themselves if the on-call obstetrician didn't arrive in time. He did. Just! While baby surprised us all and arrived before my OB had returned from her holidays, the lead midwife was the same one who had helped us deliver baby T, so it was really special having her there.


Wanted to share my 'first days with a newborn' outfits that I posted on instagram. To show that you that everyone's different post-baby and you shouldn't set overly high expectations on yourself. Just relax and enjoy your baby! They don't care what you wear, they just want lots of love and cuddles.

There were a few comments left on the blog, especially near the end of the third trimester, where people commented that they were surprised I wasn't wearing trackie dacks/sweats/joggers or pyjamas in my pregnancy. Part of that was having the third trimester capsule wardrobe to make dressing easy, and also because I knew that the comfy clothes would become my 'uniform' in the newborn days. In pregnancy you want to be comfortable yet you still have some energy to put into picking nice outfits. With a newborn, your focus is on them only. Although you might try find clean clothes to wear at least, style is not a priority!

What I wore:

Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace

Singlet: Best and Less red stripe breastfeeding singlet
Pants: Juicy Couture original drawstring pant in 'Silver Lining'
Bracelets: the usual

Why I wore it:

This was my 'fancy' outfit for visits from extended family. I packed and wore my pyjamas most of the time in hospital, but kept a clean nursing singlet and pair of trackie dacks for when extended family members came by to say hello and meet baby. In the early days with a newborn, comfort is key, so this is as 'pulled together' as I looked.


Last worn: trackie dacks. (Can't find a pic of this singlet on the blog, although it's an old one).

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What I Packed in My Hospital Bag (Second Time Around)

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What I wore:

Jacket: New Look Petite print kimono (on sale, 70% off!)
Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace
Tank: Jeanswest Carla maternity cut out tank (non-maternity version)
Shorts: Jeanswest maternity rolled up shorts
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bracelets: the usual

Why I wore it:

This was what I wore to take baby home from hospital, and also what I wore while I was in labour! I always lay my clothes out the night before, so when I went into labour in the early hours of the morning I thankfully had some clothes to grab. I didn't want to be walking through the main hospital in my pyjamas!

I was pleased I'd taken the time at home to put some clothes on. When we got to the hospital the contractions were so strong and fast as I'd hit transition in the car. It was drawing a lot of attention as I had to keep stopping as we walked to concentrate on getting through every contraction. They really shouldn't have the maternity ward at the back of the hospital...I lost count of how many staff members offered hubby a wheelchair to get me to the birth suite!

It was nice to have some 'normal' clothes with me to change into to take baby boy home too, although as soon as we got home it was back to pyjamas again ;)


Last worn: blue kimono, maternity tank, denim shorts, Havaianas.

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Third Trimester Pregnancy Outfit Inspiration: 55 Outfit Ideas

Third trimester pregnancy dressing comes with it's own set of challenges! A lot of the regular wardrobe options that could be worn in the second trimester are outgrown in the third trimester, reducing the outfit possibilities and making getting dress rather uninspiring.

For my recent pregnancy, I implemented a third trimester pregnancy capsule wardrobe to try make it a little more fun.

The third trimester is definitely the time to repeat outfits that make you look and feel good, and to do so unashamedly! Find things that work for you and wear them as many times as you like. I've included 55 outfit ideas for the third trimester below, from both of my pregnancies. You can click on the links under the images to view more info about them.

Office Outfits:

In the third trimester, I still wore my ASOS maternity pencil skirts often, but the standout pieces were my wrap dresses. They were such an easy outfit that always fit the growing bump and never failed to look good. I wore wrap dresses a lot! I was able to find some regular non-maternity dresses in my wardrobe that still accommodated the baby bump too.

1: tartan skirt, blush pink blazer | 2: grey tee, tartan pencil skirt | 3: black maternity tank printed pencil skirt | 4: print mixing in the office

1: monochrome pencil skirt outfit | 2: grey and blue | 3: printed pencil skirt, pink accessories | 4: layering with a graphic print pencil skirt

1: wrap dress and Chloe Marcie bag | 2: pink and purple accessories, black wrap dress | 3: black wrap dress, orange bag | 4: maternity wrap dress, LV Speedy bag

1: Atmos&Here wrap dress | 2: paisley print dress | 3: lace LBD | 4: Aztec print dress

Monthly Purchases: April

You gave me some positive feedback for my monthly purchase wrap up for January/February so I thought I'd do one again showing what I bought in April and how I've worn it. (I didn't buy anything in March as I was in my final month of pregnancy). While I haven't had a chance to put blog posts together, I've been sharing my outfit pics on instagram so I can still show the ways I've been wearing what I bought.

I certainly made up for not shopping in March! There was a bag I'd had my eye on at Shopbop and when the friends and family sale came along I couldn't resist picking up a few other things too with an extra 25% off.

What I Bought in April

In the video:

• Rebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red 
• Tai gold alphabet necklace 
• Marc by Marc Jacobs logo plaque ballet flats 

Not in the video:

• Atmos & Here Oregon stripe tank

This tank was a last minute add on at the Iconic. I picked up a couple undies in their sale and was 50 cents away from free shipping. Instead of paying $7.95 just for shipping...I paid $9.98 and got the tank and free shipping! You can never have too many stripes.

How I Wore It:

• Rebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red (worn six times)
• Tai gold alphabet necklace 
• Marc by Marc Jacobs Logo Plaque Ballet Flats (worn four times. 1, 2, 3, 4)
• Atmos & Here Oregon stripe tank (worn twice: here and here)

I didn't do too badly wearing everything. I have a goal of wearing things I buy at least twice in the month after I've bought it, so that I'm making sure I'm buying things I'll actually wear. The only thing I haven't worn is the necklace which is to be expected as I'm breastfeeding and try to avoid necklaces while baby's in the uncoordinated newborn phase. I know I'll be wearing it soon.

Despite not getting out the house every day with a newborn, and figuring out postpartum dressing the second time around, I managed to wear everything else twice or more. I'm sure people who follow me on instagram are getting really bored of seeing that Rebecca Minkoff bag now...but it's the perfect size and goes with everything! Being crossbody, it's perfect for looking after two boys under 2 as well!


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Second Trimester Pregnancy Outfit Inspiration: 38 Outfit Ideas

I've been blogging for over 4 years and through two pregnancies, so I thought a wrap up of my favourite maternity outfits would be a great resource for anyone looking for pregnancy outfit inspiration!

As well as sharing my second trimester travel essentials I previously did a series about my wardrobe changes in each trimester you might find helpful too. I spoke about what worked and what didn't in my second trimester.

This will be a very photo-heavy post as I share a few of my favourite second trimester outfits. 38 different pregnancy outfit ideas! There are links below all the photos if you want more details.

Office Wear:

I bought two ASOS maternity pencil skirts and they got a lot of wear in the office.

My single maternity wrap dress was a real wardrobe workhorse, being worn almost weekly, although I continued to wear my regular non-maternity dresses in the second trimester as well. Fit and flare or empire waist dresses were perfect for this.

Asos maternity panelled pencil skirt in tartan check (non-maternity version here)

1: red bag, grey tee, tartan pencil skirt | 2: red shirt, tartan pencil skirt | 3: orange bag, printed skirt

 Asos maternity graphic print pencil skirt (non-maternity version here)

1: grey tee, printed pencil skirt | 2: wrap front top, printed pencil skirt | 3: teal henely, black and white skirt

1: paisley print dress | 2: striped dress with pink accessories | 3: Aztec print dress and blazer

1: Soon Maternity wrap dress, Chloe Paddington | 2: floral wrap dress | 3: printed wrap dress, pink bag

Maxi Dresses:

I only needed one maternity maxi dress for both pregnancies, the majority of my existing maxi dresses were stretchy enough to work through all three trimesters. There were a few I outgrew in the second trimester though.

1: black maxi dress and denim jacket | 2: Black and white printed dress | 3: feather print maxi dress

4: maxi dress and glitter belt | 5: Mothers En Vogue maternity maxi dress | 6: maxi dress for Christmas

Maternity Denim - Jeans and Shorts:

I added a second pair of maternity denim shorts to my wardrobe for my most recent pregnancy as I was heavily pregnant over summer and it was too hot for jeans. Previously I was doing a full work week and with the cooler temperatures and dressing for casual Friday, my maternity jeans were worn a lot more.

1: pinstripe shirt and skinny jeans | 2: casual travel outfit | 3: printed top and skinny jeans

4: print mixing and jeans | 5: floral top and denim | 6: printed kimono and skinny jeans

How to Hide a Baby Bump In Photos: A Guide For Bloggers

One of the best things about being pregnant is watching a tiny baby bump grow day by day. For any number of reasons though, you might want to hide that little baby bump for a while, especially if you're a blogger. I thought I'd put this guide together to show you how to hide a baby bump.

Hiding the baby bump with a printed dress | Hiding a baby bump with an empire waist

When I was pregnant with toddler T, I was keeping the baby bump hidden until after 20 weeks, once we had shared with our families and friends over Christmas and I had returned to the office from extended leave and told my boss. With my most recent pregnancy, I wanted to participate in the Frocktober fundraising challenge which meant I couldn't hide the bump for quite as long. My limited wardrobe (a different dress every day for 31 days) wasn't most conductive to hiding a bump, unlike when I was pregnant with toddler T and could select from my entire wardrobe.

Top three tips for hiding a baby bump:

• Continue to wear your regular pants/skirts for as long as possible. Use the hair tie trick, or invest in a belly band for clothes without elastic waists. Some skirts with elastic waists can be worn a little higher over the baby belly if it doesn't make them too short.
• Favour clothes that skim over any emerging baby bump. Think empire waists, trapeze tops, skater skirts and fit and flare dresses. Anything that flows rather than clings.
• Accessorise! Use scarves to hide bumps, and prints and layers to distract attention from your belly.

Wearing a skirt above the bump | Hiding a belly with a half tucked shirt

Trapeze top to skim a baby belly | Printed tank to disguise a baby bump

As well as following the pointers above, there are a few things you can do if you're a personal style/fashion blogger and you just want to hide the bump in photos. Be aware that while these tricks do work well in photos, they won't always hide the baby belly in person.

Hiding a baby bump in photos:

• Pick your angle. Facing straight on to the camera is the best way to reduce or disguise the size of a baby bump.
• Take photos as early in the day as possible. The more you eat, the bigger your belly gets, especially in the early stages.
• Accessorise. Same as above, you can hide a bump with clever layering, a scarf, or even just hiding behind a handbag!
• Never tuck any tops in. A half tuck hides a little bump quite well, but firmly tucking a top into a skirt or pair of pants just highlights a baby belly.
• Avoid clingy fabrics. You want things that skim over your bump.
• If you have a photographer, get their feedback. If you have a professional photographer, or just someone helping you with photos, ask them for the best angles / views to disguise a baby belly as they are shooting.
• Change your pose. It feels extremely silly, but I found this works well if you're standing straight on to the camera. Not so much if you're standing at an angle! Stand up straight, and push your butt back a bit, letting anything you're wearing fall in a straighter line over the baby belly. Perfect if you're wearing looser clothing, it will skim rather than hug your frame.
• Sit down. It's much easier to hide a bump when you're sitting instead of standing.
• Practice. Take a few more photos than you usually would to make sure you're getting the photos you want, showcasing your great outfit and not the baby belly you aren't ready to spill the beans about yet!

Skinny jeans and a belly band | Hiding a baby bump behind a bag

Hiding a Baby Bump in the office:

I shot this video in the second trimester that might be helpful for anyone wanting to keep a pregnancy secret for a little while longer in the office. 8 different outfits you can wear at work to hide an early bump.

I hope you found this guide helpful! Feel free to pin or share. You can check out more pregnancy outfit inspiration here too.


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