Bright Bags! Balenciaga Velo and RM Mini MAC. Shirt and Shorts, Printed Tee Dress

Two more Style and Shenanigans Colour challenge outfits. A little out of order, sharing day 1 and day 4. Wore bright bags with both looks, first one was a bright red bag with neutral clothes and the second a bright bag matching a bright printed dress.


Here's what I wore for a playdate:

Necklace: vintage gold initial necklace
Dress:  Jeanswest 'Ruby' mixed print shirt
Shorts: Jeanswest black denim cuff shorts
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
Bag: Balenciaga Coquelicot Velo


Decided to catch up with some other mums and bubs I hadn't seen in a while and have a little playdate. All our babies are crawling, so we can meet at indoor playgrounds and just let them crawl around and tire each other out before nap time!

One of the ladies suggested a play place I'd never been too before. It was really fun. They had a little baby area with a tiny little ball pit, baby T loved it! The best bit was that it was early in the morning so it was quite quiet, and we could have a chat too.

I wanted something cool but comfortable, so I went with a shirt and shorts. We had to wear socks for the play area so I went with Converse. I wore something really similar to this outfit before, just with a different shirt. The style challenge was 'shades of grey' so I thought this grey shirt worked nicely! And the red bag for a bit of colour.


Last worn: mixed print shirt, black denim shorts, Converse, Balenciaga Coquelicot velo.

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Here's what I wore to have another baby free day today:

Dress: Atmos & Here Willow printed tee dress
Shoes: Acne pistol boots in "skin"
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch C/O JORD Watches
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC with python embossed leather in aquamarine


The style challenge for the day was 'back to nature' with botanical prints one of the suggested ideas. I thought this printed tee dress would be perfect. And quite matchy-matchy with the aquamarine Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bag!

It was Baby T's second day at day care. There were some tears from him this time around, but mostly because he was a bit cranky as he hadn't slept well the night before. He got lots of cuddle time and was feeling much better in the afternoon when I came to pick him up.

Like his first day at day care, I was a little lost without him! Just as I dropped him off, my sister called to say she'd been given the day off so we went out for lunch and a bit of shopping after my haircut. It was really weird being out shopping with her without having to time things around baby's feed or nap times! I've gotten so used to doing everything with baby in tow, going back to work will be a huge change.


Last worn: printed dress, pistol boots, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC.


The Atmos & Here tee dress is now sold out, but I've linked up some similar items below.

Linking up with Passion For Fashion, Casual Friday, Fab Favourites, Fashion Cache Friday, Mix It Up Friday today.

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Stripes, Skirts and Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere Bag in Damier Ebene

First up, have you shopped the Shopbop sale yet?!

15% off orders of $250+

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25% off orders of $1000+

Just use code 'BIGEVENT15' at checkout.

It's been a while since my last style challenges, so when Vanessa posted her Style and Shenanigans Colour challenge, I was eager to give it a go again. I've posted my thoughts about style challenges before and I think they can be a good way to help me wear more of my wardrobe and not just go for the same pieces all the time. It was a short challenge, just 5 days long. Below are two of the looks.


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

Sunglasses: Rayban new Wayfarers
Singlet: Jeanswest peach ruffle cami
Skirt: AT by Atmos&Here Mars striped maxi skirt
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere (with Coach feather bag charm)


The challenge for the day was 'pastel central'. I thought this peach cami was perfect. I really like pairing cami tops and maxi skirts together, I've done it a few times now, nice and cool for summer. I am still so incredibly lucky my sister didn't want this top any more - a great piece for me I picked up in one of her wardrobe clear outs! Every now and then when we get the urge to clean our wardrobes we will let each other comb through the bags before taking them off to be donated. I've got some lovely pieces that way, and it has to be said I've got a few of my old clothes back that way as well, hehe!

I really liked this outfit - the only thing I didn't like was how the top slid up and bunched around my waist through the day, looked odd as the skirt is quite fitted around the waist. I'd maybe try belt it next time to see if that helps to keep it in place.


Last worn: Ray-Ban wayfarers, peach cami, striped maxi skirt, Havaianas, Louis Vuitton Speedy bandouliere.

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Here's what I wore to visit the doctors:

Sunnies: Rayban new Wayfarers
Tank: Glassons striped tank in black and white
Skirt: French Connection green and black printed skirt
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere (with Coach feather bag charm)


The challenge was 'jewel tones' like emerald green, so this green skirt was ideal! I tried to wear it a little differently and try a bit of print mixing, but I think it's too much. Maybe if I'd worn a plain bag with it it would have looked better. I just always wear this skirt with a plain black top, wanted to try something a little different. Seemed like a nice idea in the morning when I was getting dressed, but after looking at the photos I didn't really like how the outfit looked. Although people were encouraging on instagram, it's not one of my favourite outfits.

I haven't worn this skirt often. In the 3 years I've had the blog...this is only it's fifth wear. 1, 2, 3, 4 and now. To be fair, it is a fixed waist skirt that was impossible to wear during pregnancy. It's one of the pieces I bought back when I was starting out with my corporate wardrobe, and I wore it a lot. But over the years I started buying and wearing pencil skirts more, and it's just been neglected.

There is nothing wrong with the skirt - it's pretty, it gets compliments, it's good for my business casual office as well as days off...but I think it's time for it to leave my wardrobe. If I do want to wear a pleated printed skirt, I still have this one. I don't need two similar pieces that aren't worn often! I'm a little more adventurous with the other skirt too, I find yellow and black easier to wear than green and black. I don't just pick a black top to wear with it all the time!

Leaving my Wardrobe: French Connection Green and Black Printed Skirt

(Pics all the way back to 2008 before my blogging days, for your amusement! I really did like wearing this skirt with a plain black top...)


Last worn: wayfarer sunglasses (above), striped tank, printed skirt, Havaianas (above), LV Speedy B(above).

Linking up with What I Wore, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, Style Me Wednesday, Trendy Wednesday, Spotlight Weekly, Fun Fashion Friday, Fab Favourites, Skirtista Diaries, Modest Monday today.

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Chinese New Year Outfits - Sass and Bide Denim with Red and Gold

Don't forget to enter my JORD wood watch giveaway!

As I'm behind on blogging outfits, here are two red and gold outfits I wore for Chinese New Year in February. I'm wearing denim in both, as we had some cooler rainy days as Cyclone Marcia hit the coast of Queensland. Wore one on New Year's day, and one for our delayed celebration on the weekend.


Here's what I wore on Chinese New Year:

Tank: Atmos&Here 'Florida' tank in Aztec print
Jeans: Sass and Bide "Straight up" jeans
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Balenciaga Coquelicot Velo


We didn't do anything special on the day of Chinese New Year as they were predicting the rains from Cyclone Marcia would be starting to hit Brisbane. I made sure I went out in the morning with baby T to stock up on plenty of essentials just in case our power or water got knocked out with the predicted flooding. I spent the afternoon at home with my mother in law when the rain started. Grateful that tradition says you can't do any sweeping on the first day of the new year - saved me a chore!

I didn't have anything new to wear to welcome in the new year, so I just went with red and gold instead. I haven't done much shopping for myself at all lately! I did have a new kimono, but decided to keep that for our celebration dinner on Saturday.

No outfit for Friday, as they had predicted the weather would be really bad that day. Hubby was told to work from home, and baby T and I stayed at home and had lots of snuggle time! A PJ day was welcomed, it was nice to rest for a bit. Good to enjoy the luxury of listening to the rain while staying cosy and dry inside too.


Last worn: Aztec print tank, Sass and Bide jeans, Havaianas, Balenciaga red velo.

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Here's what I wore to celebrate Chinese New Year with my family:

Jacket: Choies red vintage pattern kimono
Top: Zalora basics ruffle hem tank in black (massively reduced in cobalt blue)
Jeans: Sass and Bide 'Three Words' metallic gold jeans
Shoes: Asos Aggie leather western ankle boots in black
Bag: Balenciaga Coquelicot Velo


On Saturday, ex-cyclone Marcia was still hanging around and bringing a lot of rain, but it was lighter in the evening so we went ahead with our planned Chinese New Year banquet. While some of the roads around us were flooded, it wasn't too hard to get to the in-laws. As it was cooler, I took the chance to layer up a little and wear my new kimono as my 'something new' for the new year. I ordered this from Choies before I wore the shirt that fell apart.

As only the kimono was new I wasn't quite sure what else I should wear with it, then I remembered something my friend Leigh had suggested a while back....so the outfit I'm wearing was a result of consulting Cooper for style advice! I put the silly video up on youtube if you want a bit of a giggle :)

Sheds a little light on the process I use for getting dressed when I sit in front of my wardrobe and think 'I have nothing to wear!'.


Last worn: black tank, metallic gold skinny jeans, ASOS ankle boots, Balenciaga velo (above). First time I've worn the kimono.

Linking up with Styled Up, Style To Inspire, Mix It Monday, More Pieces of Me, Daily Express, Real Mum Style, Confident Twosday, Style Sessions, Wardrobe Wednesday, What I Wore today.

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