Wednesday, 2 November 2016

Statement Jeans, Prints, Yellow Teething Necklace

While I am trying to move away from a blue denim rut and embrace some other kinds of clothes in my wardrobe, there's no denying that I love jeans as an easy go-to outfit option. I do try step away from the blue by buying and wearing other kinds of jeans as I wear them a lot being a stay at home mum. As well as colourful jeans, I'm happy to have a few statement jeans in my wardrobe.

What I wore:

pink and blue breastfeeding spring SAHM outfit leopard print skinny jeans | AwayFromBlue

Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey | AwayFromTheBlue
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Wilma teething necklace in pale daffodil
TopDorothy Perkins 3/4 sleeve wrap top
Jeans: Portmans pink leopard print skinny jeans
ShoesAsos 'five star' leather sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus Cora purpleheart and mother of pearl watch C/O JORD
BagRebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'gratitude' and while I'm grateful for a lot of things, I decided to celebrate the fact that the slightly cooler spring days gave me another change to wear this long sleeved top. While the wrap design happily means it's perfect for breastfeeding, the longer sleeves mean I probably won't get to wear this much more this year as spring draws to a close.

I like blue and pink together almost as much as I like blue and purple so the pink leopard print jeans were a good choice. I've worn them with a blue top before too and I liked the combination just as much then as I do now.

Added the bright teething necklace at the end to help keep baby boy occupied. Spent some time with my mother in law in the afternoon.


Last worn: blue wrap top, pink leopard print jeans, pastel sandals, Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag.

Other ways to wearblue wrap top and chambray skirt, leopard print jeans and blazer, pastel sandals and a maxi dress, Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag and maternity pencil skirts.


Sale Alert!






What I wore:

striped tank Sass and BIde metallic gold skinny jeans Balenciaga Day Bag | Away From Blue

Cora purpleheart JORD wood watch Balenciaga day bag | Away From The Blue
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Wilma teething necklace in pale daffodil
TankAtmos & Here Oregon stripe tank
JeansSass and Bide 'Three Words' metallic gold jeans
Shoesslim gold Havaianas
Bracelets: the usual plus Cora purpleheart and mother of pearl watch C/O JORD
BagBalenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'because I can' which gave me the perfect excuse to wear these statement metallic skinny jeans on a quiet weekend. While these jeans don't look as bright in the photos as the leopard print ones above, I feel these jeans are really statement making when I wear them. I often have to think a few times before coming up with what to wear with them. I still have a lot of fun wearing them though so they are definitely staying in my wardrobe. Plus I think the likelyhood of finding another pair of metallic jeans to replace them if I change my mind later is pretty low!

Stripes are a great go-to when you're not sure what to wear too, they go with everything! I picked the brown Balenciaga day bag as it's a great neutral and I felt like I hadn't worn it in a while.


Last worn: striped tank, metallic skinny jeans, Havaianas, Balenciaga Autumne day bag.

Other ways to wearstriped tank and maxi skirt, metallic skinny jeans and printed shirt, Balenciaga Autumne day bag and flares.

Linking up with Fashion Files, Fun Fashion, Weekend Wear.



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Monday, 31 October 2016

Two Ways to Wear: Navy Printed Kimono

October is 'Buy Nothing New Month' and although I blew that challenge when I shopped the latest Shopbop sale, it did make me head to the opshop (thrift store) first when I felt like getting another kimono. Now it's spring I've started to wear mine again and thought another would be a good addition to my wardrobe. I managed to pick up this pretty navy one below in the first store I looked in, so it was meant to be!

What I wore:

spring denim shorts print mixing outfit striped tank navy floral kimono | Away From Blue

Rebecca Minkoff neon pink mini MAC unclipped | Away From The Blue
SunniesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
Jacket: thrifted Edited floral and bird print kimono
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
TopJeanswest 'Josie' striped back strap tank
ShortsJeanswest denim cuff shorts
ShoesAsos 'five star' leather sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus Cora purpleheart and mother of pearl watch C/O JORD
BagRebecca Minkoff neon pink mini MAC (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

Suddenly summer temperatures arrived in Brisbane and it was a good reason to get my shorts collection out again! It's been a long time since I last wore these, as I was pregnant last spring/summer. Couldn't resist a little bit of print mixing with the striped tank, and although the print on this kimono doesn't have any pink in it I thought the neon bag was nice with the navy.

The style challenge for the day was "reward yourself" so wearing my new-to-me purchase seemed fitting. I'd managed to get a rare amount of time to search through a couple of local opshops which was rewarding enough, but really wanted to have a productive trip. The great thing about kimonos is that you can pretty much ignore the size on the label. I was glad when I found this one, even though it's not my size, as it just looks oversized like a regular kimono.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, striped tank, denim shorts, rose quartz leather sandals, hot pink mini MAC. First time I've worn the kimono as it's a new purchase.

Other ways to wearstriped tank and leopard print, denim shorts and strawberry shirt, rose quartz leather sandals and a maxi dress, hot pink mini MAC and winter layers


Navy Kimonos Under $50:







What I wore:

spring colourful kimono and teething necklace black and grey jeans outfit | AwayFromBlue

tiffany bracelet stack, Cora JORD wood watch, Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC | AwayFromTheBlue
Jacket: thrifted Edited floral and bird print kimono
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Charlotte teething necklace
TeeAtmos&Here rolled sleeve oversize tee in black (also in grey)
JeansSass and Bide pale grey skinny jeans
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
Bracelets: the usual plus Cora purpleheart and mother of pearl watch C/O JORD
BagRebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC (on sale in metallic pink!)

Why I wore it:

After a couple days of more spring-like weather I decided to wear my jeans again. I realised this was a mistake when we got to playgroup though - it was such a hot day, really wish I'd gone with shorts! I did like the colourful kimono and teething necklace against the black and grey. The outfit was just a little too warm to sit outside with the boys comfortably. I changed as soon as we got back home.

The style challenge for the day was delicate - but I couldn't think of anything delicate to wear that would stand up to a morning at playgroup with an energetic bunch of toddlers and a drooly, grabby baby!


Two years ago I decided to look more critically at things I was adding to my wardrobe. After I've worn something twice I do a purchase review. It helps me identify when I'm buying the right things or the wrong things and will hopefully stop me accumulating items in my wardrobe that sit there with tags on months later. It's worked well so far, with the odd exception.

My purchase review of this kimono:
I know I didn't need another kimono. I already have two other blue ones, and a grey one with a similar floral and bird print. However I know from last spring/summer and our heatwave plagued autumn that kimonos are one of the pieces I wear consistently in the warmer weather, so I'm confident this will get used a lot. It was just $7 so I'm certain to get my money's worth. It's sure to be worn a lot.


Last worn: navy kimono (above), black tee, grey jeans, Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff silver mini MAC.

Other ways to wearnavy kimono (above), black tee and a maxi skirt, grey jeans and a trench coat, Rebecca Minkoff silver mini MAC and ombre dress.



Linking up with Turning Heads, Trend Spin, Style Sessions, Wardrobe Wednesday, Midweek Inspo, Fresh Fashion, Oh Hey Girl.




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Friday, 28 October 2016

October Purchases and Clothing Wishlist

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

Like I mentioned last monthOctober 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:










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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