Neutral Dresses - Black Maxi and Grey Skater with Hobo Bags

Don't forget to enter my JORD Wood watch giveaway! Today I'm posting two different dress outfits. A black maxi dress, and a grey skater dress. Both neutrals.


Here's what I wore to spend the day with my mum:

Scarf: Paris print silk scarf
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus necklace in pop
Dress: French Connection Meadow jersey maxi dress in black
Shoes: Asos 'five star' leather sandals
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete


I've been looking at this black maxi dress in my wardrobe thinking it needs another wear...so a trip down the coast with my mum seemed like a good day to wear it out. After noticing I don't make the most of the neutral dresses I have in my wardrobe, I've been trying to wear them more. I added the pretty scarf in my hair too for something a bit different, and as I was feeling a little 'meh' about my hair. Due for a trim again!

The teething necklace was a must-have. Baby T's been very cranky lately with teething! I loved how easy and simple this outfit was, but it looks like I put a bit of effort in and not like I've been dealing with a grizzly baby for the past few days. Maxi dresses are awesome.


Last worn: black and white scarf, black maxi dress, Asos leather sandals, Balenciaga tempete day bag.

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Here's what I wore to run errands:

Sunglasses: Rayban new Wayfarers
Dress: Asos grey skater dress (on sale!)
Shoes: Acne pistol boots in "skin"
Bag: Chloe Marcie medium hobo bag in Nut (on sale!)


This is what I put together for my 'day without baby'. It was baby T's first day at day care! Like most mums, I've found it tricky trying to find a place I liked that also has space to take another baby. When a spot opened up at my ideal centre, I took it. It was available a little earlier than I needed as I'm not back at work yet, but it's meant I've been able to go back to work sooner than expected.

I tried to see the positive side and focus on all the things I'd be able to do while baby T was playing at day care, but I'll be honest, I felt a bit lost without him! I was really relaxed in our morning routine, not really wanting to drop him off too soon...and of course I went back earlier than planned in the afternoon to pick him up! He didn't mind though, after the orientation day we had he's really happy with the ladies at the centre, and enjoys playing with the other babies. I think I took the day harder than he did! I did enjoy not having to time my morning errands (groceries and post office) around baby's naps and feeds, but it felt so lonely being just Cooper and I in the afternoon. Used the quiet house to film a couple more videos for my youtube channel, which has been a little neglected lately.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, skater dress, Acne pistol boots, Chloe Marcie hobo bag.

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Linking up with Skirtista Diaries, Fab Favourites, Fashion Cache Friday, Let It Shine, Modest Monday today.

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JORD Watch Giveaway! Plus Stay at Home Mum Outfits and Blogging

As well as a very special JORD watches giveaway, I'm sharing two very laid back, easy stay at home mum outfits that don't require a lot of effort. Also talking about some of my thoughts on blogging the lazy outfits and why I keep this blog going.


Here's what I wore for a lazy Sunday:

Sunglasses: Rayban new Wayfarers
Necklace: beaded statement necklace from local markets
Tee: Jeanswest rolled sleeve grey marle tee
Shorts: Jeanswest denim cuff shorts
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch C/O JORD Watches
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete


I nearly didn't take a photo in this outfit. It's one of those extremely casual 'should I really blog this' type outfits. I share what I wear on the blog, but since I've gone down to 6 outfits a week I can have a day off from photos now and then. It comes in handy when I love my outfit but baby refuses to nap, or decides to alter my outfit in some way...but it also means I'm starting to question if I should blog everything I wear (which was my goal starting this blog). I wasn't going to share this at first. Later in the afternoon, when I thought about going out I realised all I needed to do to add some interest to this plain and comfy outfit was a fun statement necklace.

I've been reading a lot of bloggers questioning what they are doing lately, and it's certainly got me thinking. It might just be a little thing, just adding a necklace, but it's proof to me that I should keep going with this blog. It makes me put a little more thought and effort into what I wear. I'm always going to have a laid-back, casual every style and no extremely ground-breaking or exciting outfits, but it's nice to document those every day outfits. After all, we all get dressed every day, make the most of what's in our wardrobe, and go about our lives. While editorial shoots and never wearing something more than once is feasible and possible for others, it's not my style. I get inspiration from the simple everyday outfits I see (and read about) people wearing, and that's why I blog my day to day outfits too.

I know that being a stay at home mum has been a big change to what I wear, but before you know it I'll be back at work and back to sharing my business casual office outfits as well as those more relaxed weekend running-around-with-baby outfits. Thank you to those who are hanging around through the change. I've got a great giveaway below as a thank you!


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, wood watch, grey tee, denim shorts, Havaianas, Balenciaga Tempete Day.

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Here's what I wore to go out shopping:

Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus necklace in pop
Tank: Jeanswest 'Jenni' basic singlet in Hawaii blue
Skirt: Target black and white striped maxi skirt
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch C/O JORD Watches
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete


This outfit is another super casual outfit, and so comfortable. I'm actually not too impressed with the photo, but loved the outfit. I actually wore this a while back when I was picking up some family from the airport, I just didn't get a chance to take pics and blog it. I enjoyed having an 'excuse' to to re-wear it!

Wore this out to spend the morning at the shops with baby T. I had planned to get my watch resized, as I mentioned in the review when I got it I was anticipating that I'd have to get the band shortened. Of course every time I walked past the watch place it was busy, and I didn't have time to hang around with baby T. Will need to go back another another day.


Last worn: blue tank, striped maxi skirt, Havaianas (above), Balenciaga Day bag (above).

JORD Watch Giveaway!

I really like my JORD wood watch, and from the comments on my review post, a lot of you liked it too! So JORD have kindly offered a giveaway for all my readers!

You could win a $120 gift voucher plus free shipping, so you can pick any watch you like from the huge range JORD has. Just complete the entry form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Please note: giveaway is administrated by JORD for Away From Blue readers. I am simply promoting it through my blog. A random winner will be selected through rafflecopter, and a representative from JORD will contact the winner. It is open world wide and everyone who is reading here can enter.


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Linking up with The Mummy Chronicles, What I Wore, Style Me Wednesday, Trendy Wednesday, Thursday Favourites, Throwback Thursday, Spotlight Weekly, Fun Fashion Friday, Labour of Fashion, Passion For Fashion, Casual Friday, Fab Favourites  today.

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Balenciaga Clutches. Statement Jeans and Lace LBD for Evening

After some comfy and slouchy outfits while the household was getting back to normal after battling a bug, I took the chance to dress up a little more than usual for some evenings out, and use my Balenciaga clutches.


Here's what I wore to go out with my sister in law:

Tank: Just Jeans black lace trim singlet
Jeans: Sass and Bide 'The Archetype' feather print zippora skinnies
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs metallic mouse flats
Bag: Balenciaga envelope clutch in 2012 mangue with giant 12 RGGH


As everyone was feeling better I decided to go to a Coach event I'd RSVP'd for before we all got sick. It was a good excuse to get some time out of the house, have dinner and look at some pretty bags while spending time with my sister in law. I did want to wear heels with this, but when I tried them on earlier in the day I realised after 5 minutes they wouldn't be the best for an evening of standing and chatting. So wore my comfy flats instead, and was happy I'd made that choice by the end of the night.

I've worn this tank 4 times since I've been blogging (1, 2, 3 and now). There's nothing wrong with it, it's really a very pretty tank. The lace detail at the neckline makes it feel a little more dressed up than a plain black tank. But I so rarely wear it! I have a similar black tank (gathered waist, detailed neckline) that I love more than this one. When I last wore that tank, I commented that I'd hardly worn it and it was a shame as it was a top I loved. This top, I just like. And as it's so similar to my other black top...I'm going to get rid of it. I don't need things I just like in my wardrobe when I have the perfect alternatives that I love! Trying to be much stricter with what stays in my wardrobe this year!

Leaving my wardrobe: black lace detail tank

Outfit details: one, two, three and four.

Last worn: black tank, printed skinny jeans, gold mouse flats, Balenciaga envelope clutch.

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Here's what I wore to go to dinner with friends:

Dress: Jeanswest 'Gisele' contrast lace dress
Shoes: NineWest "Quicken" wedges in natural
Bag: Balenciaga flat clutch GSH in 2010 Sang


This is what I wore for a Valentine's dinner with friends. First, let me comment on my hair! It is very curly. My sister found this amazing trick on Pinterest (she loves Pinterest!) where you get curls overnight without using any heat. We have similar hair, so I decided to try and replicate her curly hair style. I couldn't find the exact tutorial, but after texting back and forth before bed I think I got it right. I woke up, and instead of letting my hair down, I spent the morning tidying and looking after baby T. So I had my hair up for a little longer than you were supposed too...I actually took it out after lunch. To find that my hair was super curly. I tried running my fingers through it, I even tried brushing it - twice! - and well, it looked like it does above. I made the decision just to go with it and wear it that way anyway, hoping the curls would relax a little more through the afternoon and evening. They didn't of course! It's funny, I've tried the same trick again, leaving my hair in just overnight and I can never get the curls to stay....so I really did something wrong this time around!

My nail art was a DIY I tried that I liked a lot better - turned out not too bad, for a first attempt! I followed this tutorial from Marie, so easy to fit in during baby T's nap time! I'm also trying a new blush, one I won from Kim's giveaway on A Very Sweet Blog. That was another new thing that went well, I really like this blush. So it wasn't all bad :)

I liked the outfit (despite the hair). It was nice to dress up a little and wear some heels. And with baby T being baby sat again, I could wear another of my cute but mostly neglected clutches.


Last worn: black lace dress, wedges, red Balenciaga clutch.

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Linking up with Styled Up, Let It Shine, Style to Inspire, Shoe and Tell, Manic Monday, Real Mom Style, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday today.

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