Wednesday, 4 May 2016

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:

Singlet: Best and Less red stripe breastfeeding singlet
PantsJuicy 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).



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






What I wore:

JacketNew Look Petite print kimono (on sale, 70% off!)
NecklaceTai gold alphabet necklace
TankJeanswest Carla maternity cut out tank (non-maternity version)
ShortsJeanswest maternity rolled up shorts
Shoesblack 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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Monday, 2 May 2016

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.

AwayFromBlue | ASOS tartan check maternity pencil skirt 4 ways




Third Trimester Office Wear: ASOS graphic print pencil skirt 4 outfit ideas




AwayFromBlue: 3rd Trimester Soon Maternity Madeline printed wrap dress for office wear




4 regular (non-maternity) dresses that work in third trimester





Friday, 29 April 2016

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:


Not in the video:

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:



AwayFromBlue | April Purchases Striped Tank RM red saddle bag



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!


Linking up with budgeting bloggers, Weekend Wear, Flashback Fashion, Let It Shine, Shoe and Tell.


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