Monday, 6 April 2015

Blush Pink Boyfriend Blazer. With Striped Tank and Shorts, LBD and Heels for the Office

As part of my shopping in March, I crossed an item off my want list, a pastel pink blazer! I was really excited to find one at a good price in the outlets, and excited to wear it. I'm worried it was a case of something looking great in the change room and not working when you get it home as neither of these outfits are really striking me as great outfits...sharing them anyway.

What I wore:

Pastel Pink Boyfriend blazer worn with denim shorts autumn pink

Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere
Jacket: Jeanswest Nadine 3/4 Sleeve dusky pink blazer (new purchase)
NecklaceHouse of Harlow sunburst necklace in silver and grey
Tank: AT By Atmos&Here Orion stripe tank
ShortsJeanswest printed denim shorts
ShoesAsos 'five star' leather sandals
BagLouis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere (with Coach feather bag charm)

Why I wore it:

I was excited for a slightly cooler day so I could wear my new blazer! I really wanted to wear this with jeans but despite the rain it was extremely humid, so shorts it was.

Thought this dressed up a shorts and tank outfit nicely, although it does look a little odd in the photos. I think it's the length of the shorts and the blazer not working well together. We went out for lunch and a little bit of shopping.


Last worn: stripe tank, printed shorts, leather sandals, Louis Vuitton Speedy bandouliere. First time I've worn the blazer.

Other ways to wear: striped tank and paisley print skirt, printed shorts in summer, sandals with dressesspeedy bandouliere with skirts.









What I wore:

dusty pink pblazer french conenction little black dress Balenciaga part time heels office wear

Away From Blue Blog Balenciaga Part Time Bag
JacketJeanswest Nadine 3/4 Sleeve dusky pink blazer (new purchase)
Scarf: Paris print silk scarf
Necklace: custom Cooper charm by Silhoupette
DressFrench Connection fitted little black dress
Shoes: Wittner 'Bloomy' black heels
BagBalenciaga part time in black 2010 with SGH

Why I wore it:

Firstly, let me say that I know this outfit would have looked better without a headband. With running late, only having a few hours sleep, having a bad hair day and not having hair long enough to tie back, I had to go for a quick fix and settled on the scarf. Probably looked a little out of place in the office. I had one colleague tell me I "looked very 1930s". I just said thanks and that I'd take it as a compliment! It had been a tough night with an unsettled baby so I was more impressed I made it to work on time and less worried about the overall outfit.

Last time I wore this dress I was using the cut to disguise what I thought was a very visible first trimester baby bump. It has a little gathered section under the fitted waistband that's quite flattering and hides a slightly protruding belly! Works post-baby too ;)


I'm trying to review all my new purchases on the blog, to encourage myself to style things differently when I buy them and think about how they will work in my wardrobe, to make sure I'm not buying things that will just sit in my wardrobe unworn and adding to my overflowing closet. You can read more about why I'm doing this here.


As it's the second time I've worn this blazer, my purchase review:

This blazer is something I've been wanting for a while! It's a cute dusty pastel pink, and after seeing all the northern hemisphere bloggers with their pastel pink coats for winter I thought I'd buy into the trend for autumn. Don't really need a wool coat in Brisbane, a blazer will do. When I tried it on in store I tried it with a pair of skinny jeans and thought it looked good. A little creased and crumpled, but I reasoned that as it was spring stock it was bound to get a little creased from being in the outlet a few months. After wearing it once above, I quickly realised it was the material itself - it creases so easy. And dry clean only is not ideal for life with baby! Pastel pink is not the best colour on me (I now know after my personal stylist session), and the long-line boyfriend style length is not great on a petite frame.

However, I'm keeping this jacket. I really want to make it work! Even if I do have to iron it constantly, and neither of these are my favourite outfits. I know that when the cooler weather eventually comes to Brisbane (still in shorts in Autumn!) I will be able to wear it with jeans. And I could try belting it too, and wearing it with brighter scarves and tops to balance out the paler blazer. What do you think? How else would you style this blazer? Or should I just cut my losses and admit I was too overexcited by finding a pastel pink blazer to consider how it really looks on me?


Last worn: pastel blazer (above), French Connection LBD, black heelsBalenciaga Part Time.

Other ways to wear: black headscarf with black maxi dressbelted cardi over a LBD, ankle strap heels for a night out, black bag with grey outfits.




Linking up with Styled Up, Let It Shine, Style to Inspire, Mix It Mondays, Manic Mondays, Real Mom Style, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday, What I Wore, Wardrobe Wednesday today.


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Friday, 3 April 2015

Casual Autumn Denim Outfits: New Purchases and Something Leaving My Wardrobe

Hope you are having a great long weekend! There are some awesome sales on at the moment over Easter. Have a wonderful time with friends and family, celebrating the gift of life through Jesus or just enjoying the holidays. Either way I hope you get to eat plenty of chocolate! :)

I'm still playing catch-up, sharing pics of what I wore back in March. With the weather having cooled ever so slightly, I took the change to 'Autumnify' my usual outfits, and wear some of my new purchases! Sharing two of casual denim outfits I wore, and another item that's leaving my wardrobe. I've listed some of the things I'm getting rid of on ebay (including my designer bags) if you're interested: bit.ly/AFBebay.


What I wore:

Away From Blue Boho Autumn Outfit Denim shorts tunic acne pistol boots hobo bag

Away From The Blue Blog Balenciaga giant hardware Tempete Day Bag
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers
ShirtJeanswest Elise longline emroidered shirt coconut blue (new purchase)
ShortsJeanswest denim cuff shorts
ShoesAcne pistol boots in "skin"
Bracelets: the usual plus blue and silver bracelet stack, House of Harlow Aztec bangle in white and silver
BagBalenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete

Why I wore it:

I had been looking forward to wearing this shirt so much since I bought it. After doing my wardrobe detox and learning a little about what colours look good on me, I know white isn't the best, but this top is just so pretty! I actually wore this before my personal stylist session so it was too late to return it. I'll just be aware it will look better worn with bright accessories. It was still a little too warm for long sleeves, I paired it with denim shorts to keep cool. It looked a little overcast in the morning so I wore ankle boots, but really didn't need them in the afternoon heat.

As this top has a pretty embroidered detail around the neckline I didn't wear a necklace with it and just stacked up my bracelets instead. Was a nice causal outfit for a morning at playgroup with baby T and then lunch and a shopping trip with my sister in the afternoon.


Last worn: Ray-ban Wayfarers, denim shorts, Acne Pistol boots, Balenciaga tempete day bag. First time I've worn the shirt as it's a recent purchase.

Other ways to wear: denim shorts for a lazy Sunday, Acne Pistol Boots with a dress in Spring, Balenciaga day bag with dresses.






What I wore:

Away From Blue Autumn Scarf outfit print mixing Louis Vuitton leopard print speedy B skinny jeans

Away From Blue Blog Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere
ScarfLouis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse leopard print scarf in pink and cream (2011 valentines collection)
TankJeanswest 'Josie' striped back strap tank
JeansJeanswest Bindi skinny 7/8 jeans in indigo luxe (new purchase)
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
BagLouis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere (with Coach feather bag charm)

Why I wore it:

Weather that's cool enough for jeans at last! Autumn has been a while coming here in Brisbane. Wore this out to go shopping in the city with baby T. With a rainy day it was cold enough to justify jeans and even a scarf, so I got the chance to wear my new Jeanswest skinny jeans. I know, I have too many jeans already. But these are incredible! I fell in love with them as soon as I tried them on and paid full price for them instead of waiting for a sale like I usually do. Just as well, as they are selling out quickly! They are actually cropped (7/8 leg) jeans but they are the perfect length for my petite frame. To justify buying yet another pair of blue jeans, I got rid of 4 pairs from my wardrobe (and added them to my closet cleanout sale on ebay).

It's been almost 2 years since I last wore this scarf! I've only worn it 6 in the past 3 years I've been blogging (and with some very questionable outfits too). For such an expensive purchase, I'm definitely not getting my money's worth. I won't elaborate on cost per wear, it's really not good! This scarf is leaving my wardrobe. I've consigned it with a local store so hopefully I'll get a fair bit of the purchase price back.

Leaving My Wardrobe: 

Louis Vuitton Leopard Print Scarf
Louis Vuitton 2011 Stephen Sprouse leopard print scarf blanc corail 6 ways outfits


Last worn: Louis Vuitton leopard print scarf, striped tankHavaianas, LV Speedy bandouliere. First time I've worn the jeans as they are a new purchase.

Other ways to wear: pink scarf with pink cami, striped tank in the third trimesterspeedy bandouliere with skirts.





Linking up with Fab Favourites, Passion for Fashion, Friday Favourites, Fashion Friday, Mix It Up Friday, Fashion Friday, Modest Monday today.




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Wednesday, 1 April 2015

Corporate Style: Prints in the Office. Floral Cami and Pencil Skirt, Polka Dot Dress. Balenciaga Part Time

Back to regular outfit posts! Two more outfits I wore to the office. Both involving lots of black as it had been a tough week with baby T and I wanted simple, easy outfits.

What I wore:


CardiganJeanswest black cardi
NecklaceDogeared silver wishbone necklace (on sale!) layered with Dogeared 3 Wishes stardust bead necklace
CamiAtmos&Here 'Isla' ruffle cami in floral print
SkirtAsos tailored tab front pencil skirt in grey
Shoes: Wittner 'Bloomy' black heels
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
BagBalenciaga part time in black 2010 with SGH

Why I wore it:

This is what I wore on Saint Patrick's day. (Yep, I'm 2 weeks behind with posting what I wore!) I wanted to wear something with a little bit of green in it, as sometimes the office can get really into holidays. I didn't want to go overboard though, so I thought this printed top with the little bits of green worked nicely. I saw lots of people dressed up in very green outfits when I was walking through the city during the day, but sadly there wasn't a lot of green in the office. I was pleased I hadn't pulled together an overly green outfit! Went with all black accessories as that was easiest, and because I needed a cardi to cover the spaghetti straps of the cami for the office.

I've been participating now and then in the #RediscoverYourWardrobe instagram tag. This outfit was another one that met the challenge as last time I wore this cardigan was over two years ago! I wore it with black and white and some red accessories last time, it was a little more colourful this time around with the printed top. This skirt is another wardrobe oldie, last worn when I was 21 weeks pregnant and still hiding the baby bump in the office.

I was debating if I should keep these heels or not. They are very tall, but actually very comfortable despite the height. I wondered if the style was a bit dated though. I got these shoes in 2013 and while they are black, they aren't exactly a classic timeless style. I was scrolling through my instagram feed that day and saw an extremely similar pair being featured as a new style arriving at a store I follow, so I'm not worried any more. They will stay in my wardrobe!


Last worn: black cardiganAtmos&Here cami, grey pencil skirtblack heels, Balenciaga Part Time.

Other ways to wear: black cardi with a neutral outfit, printed cami and colour blocked maxi skirt, grey pencil skirt worn with blue, Balenciaga black part time with monochrome outfits (and a baby belly!).





What I wore:


DressFrench Connection spotty cotton dress
Shoes: Wittner 'Bolla' black bow detail flats
Bag: Balenciaga part time in black 2010 with SGH

Why I wore it:

This dress is another oldie! I last wore it in 2013, back when I was exhausted as I was suffering from really bad morning sickness. I wore it then as I was tired and wanted something to nice and easy to wear to the office. Tiredness is the reason I picked it again this time, although I was tired because I was sleep deprived with baby T and hadn't had time to pick out an outfit the evening before like I usually do. LBD, black accessories and I was done, off to work. Easy :) Although running late meant I didn't notice the messy hair, or have time to fix it before photos, ha!


Last worn: French Connection LBD, black ballet flats, Balenciaga part time (above).

Other ways to wear: polka dot dress with pink accessories, black Balenciaga with a pink outfit.





Linking up with I Feel Pretty, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, Oh Hey Girl, Style Me Weekly, What I Wore, Style Me Wednesday, Spotlight Weekly, What I Wore to Work, Fun Fashion Friday, Fab Favourites, Casual Friday, Skirtista Diaries today.




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