Corporate Style: Printed Shirts and Pencil Skirts. Balenciaga Day Bag

Sharing two more of my recent office outfits, going with a simple 'formula' of a printed shirt and a pencil skirt. I'm still wearing my trench coats as although it's Spring in Brisbane it can still be a bit chilly in the morning, especially if you have to go bare-legged.

What I wore:

Jacket: Temt black trench coat 

Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace
Shirt: Choies pink chiffon shirt with strawberry print (C/O Choies)
Skirt: Asos black tailored tab front pencil skirt
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs metallic mouse flats
Bag: Balenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

Adding a bit of colour to an otherwise overly black outfit with my strawberry print shirt. While the other shirt I ordered from Choies tore on the first wear, I'm pleased to see this one is still going strong.


Last worn: black trench coat, strawberry print shirt, black pencil skirt, metallic mouse flats, Balenciaga day bag.

Other ways to wear: trench and a printed dress, printed short and denim shorts, black pencil skirt and purple cardi, gold mouse flats and skinny jeans, Balenciaga day bag and a shift dress.

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More printed shirts for the office under $60:

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What I wore:

Jacket: Barkins beige trench coat 

Scarf: red tartan scarf
Necklace: custom Cooper charm by Silhoupette
Shirt: Jeanswest 'Ruby' mixed print shirt
Skirt: Jeanswest black ponte pencil skirt
Shoes: Walnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats
Bag: Balenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

Wanted to add some more colour to this outfit, so after trying on a few different scarves before running out the door, I settled on this brightly coloured tartan scarf. I really liked the print mixing, even thought the shirt has print mixing inbuilt already too. Ended up keeping the scarf on in the office as I liked the look so much.


Last worn: camel trench, tartan scarf, mixed print shirt, black pencil skirt, ballet flats, Balenciaga day bag (above).

Other ways to wear: camel trench and a printed dress, tartan scarf and winter layers, printed shirt and shorts, black pencil skirt and a black blazer, ballet flats and a maxi skirt, Balenciaga day bag and stripes.


Last year, my church did a series called Struggles. I really enjoyed it. This past weekend I decided to participate in the #strugglesFast with some others. It was no computers, no smartphone and no TV. While I was allowed to use a computer for work purposes, I only used it to work at my usual Sunday evening Church Online events. I failed the fast 3 times: when I had to google the address of the emergency vets on my phone (Cooper had a minor injury but our usual vet was closed), when I turned on the computer to go to church online and my email opened up and I couldn't resist scanning through a few subject lines, and when a friend at Church Online gave me a website to checkout in response to my question, and I went and opened it without thinking. I closed it as soon as I realised, but it still counts as a fail.

What I learnt from the #strugglesFast:

• For someone as addicted to the internet (especially instagram) as I am, I expected it to be a lot more difficult to stick to the fast, but I'm quite pleased with how I did. 
• I'm also rather amazed by just how often I'd still go to check my phone before I remembered I was on the tech fast. I ended up leaving it on a table, but the reflex was still there to grab it now and then.
• I did find it a little frustrating not being able to just look things up online - I'd planned to cook a recipe for toddler T that I'd not printed out yet, but couldn't. I used a cookbook and made something different instead, luckily it was still a hit with him.
• For all my fear of missing out, I caught up with everything I missed over the weekend within an hour on Monday morning - there really wasn't anything important!

If you ever think about taking a break from social media/the internet/technology for the weekend, I'd encourage you to give it a go. It's not as difficult as you might first think.


Linking up with Mix it Monday, Modest Monday, Turning Heads, Style Sessions, On Trend Tuesday, Reasons to Dress today.

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Pregnancy Wardrobe Essentials: Favourite Maternity Outfits

While I'm in the hospital with baby, I've set up a few scheduled posts.

As soon as I can I will be back to posting my usual daily outfits. I'll be sharing bits and pieces on my instagram (@awayfromblue) about life with baby until I'm back to blogging. Until then I hope you enjoy the little break and slight change of format.


Today I wanted to share some of my favourite outfits and clothes I wore during my pregnancy, across all three trimesters. Bit of a picture heavy post!

You can click on each image to go to the original post and view the outfit details.


Mothers En Vogue Havana Maxi Dress

28 Weeks	32 Weeks	38 Weeks

Soon Maternity 'Madeline' grey print wrap dress

30 Weeks	33 Weeks	34 Weeks

Asos maternity tartan check pencil skirt

26 Weeks	34 Weeks	37 Weeks

Asos maternity graphic print pencil skirt

27 Weeks	32 Weeks	35 Weeks

Jeanswest maternity super skinny jeans in antique blue

23 Weeks	26 Weeks	40 Weeks

AT by Atmos&Here Mars striped maxi skirt

First Trimester	Second Trimester	Third Trimester

Jeanswest plain jersey black maxi skirt

First Trimester	Second Trimester	Third Trimester

'Ninja baby' maternity skeleton tee

34 Weeks	37 Weeks	39 Weeks

Target grey marle maxi skirt

35 Weeks	37 Weeks	39 Weeks

Target black and white striped maxi skirt

33 Weeks	35 Weeks	36 Weeks

I definitely made the most of maxi skirts this pregnancy! They are my pregnancy must-haves.

Which outfit or item of clothing is your favourite?


Linking up with Casual Friday, Friday's Fab Favourites, Fashion Item Friday, Friday's Fancies, Passion For Fashion, Monday Bloom, Funday Monday, Mix It Monday, Manic Monday today.

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Want more outfit inspiration and advice on how to come up with a wardrobe plan for your pregnancy? The ultimate guide, How to Have a Stylish Pregnancy On a Budget is available now!

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Pregnancy Wardrobe Essentials - Review of Maternity Pieces in My Wardrobe

While I'm in the hospital with baby, I've set up a few scheduled posts.

As soon as I can I will be back to posting my usual daily outfits. Until then I hope you enjoy the little break and slight change of format.

First up, talking about my pregnancy wardrobe and the maternity pieces I wore through my pregnancy.

I had a total of 14 maternity pieces to supplement my existing wardrobe. I've included links below so you can see when I wore them, and how often I wore them. My goal was to buy as little maternity pieces as possible.

Tops:

• MEV Britney bubble tank in mood indigo C/O Zibibo. Worn in second trimester | worn in third trimester
• Asos drape tank in space dye fabric. Worn in second trimester | worn in third trimester
• Jeanswest 'Felicity' maternity shirt in amethyst. Worn in third trimester, three times.
• Jeanswest 'Tilda' black shirt. Worn in first trimester | worn in second trimester | worn in third trimester

Dresses:

• Soon Maternity 'Madeline' grey print wrap dress. Worn in third trimester 6 times
• MEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo. Worn in second trimester | worn in third trimester 5 times
• Burgundy button sash maternity dress C/O Pink Blush Maternity. Worn in second trimester | worn in third trimester twice

Skirts:

• Asos maternity tartan check pencil skirt. Worn in second trimester 4 times | worn in third trimester 5 times
• Asos maternity graphic print pencil skirt. Worn in second trimester 4 times | worn in third trimester 6 times
• Soon Maternity Flora fold pencil skirt. Worn in second trimester | worn in third trimester twice

Shorts:

• Jeanswest maternity rolled up shorts. Worn in second trimester twice | worn in third trimester 4 times

Pants:

• Jeanswest Maternity slim straight jeans. Worn in second trimester twice
• Jeanswest maternity super skinny jeans in antique blue. Worn in second trimester 8 times | worn in third trimester 7 times
• Jeanswest maternity skinny jeans in black. Worn in second trimester 4 times | worn in third trimester 5 times

You can hear my thoughts and opinions by watching the video, but in summary:

• I was lucky to have a lot of pieces in my existing wardrobe that worked well in pregnancy. Lots of flowy, loose, oversized and stretchy pieces meant I didn't need much maternity wear. I'll do a follow up post about the non-maternity items I found most helpful.
• Maternity tops I found tricky to wear as the extra length swamped my petite frame.
• Dresses were the easiest, most comfortable maternity wear option for me. Great go-to pieces!
• The Asos maternity pencil skirts I bought were fantastic for work and I'd recommend them to anyone who has to dress for pregnancy in the office.
• Jeanswest maternity denim is the only brand of maternity jeans I tried - perfect first time so I didn't try to look elsewhere.

I hope that you found this post useful, and that you can pass it along to anyone who might benefit from it :) Different from my usual posts, but I thought that laying out what I wore and how I wore it during my pregnancy might come in helpful for someone.


Linking up with Manic Monday, Style Sessions, Three-Fer Thursday today.

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Marc By Marc Jacobs Ukita Bag, Third Trimester Pregnancy Work Wear

Here's what I wore to work on Thursday:

Top: Asos textured knit jumper in cobalt blue
Skirt: Asos maternity tartan check pencil skirt - on sale! (non-maternity version here)
Shoes: Nine West fascinate ballet flats in silver glitter
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag in Rock Lobster


After wearing a lot of black, white and grey, I felt like some colour so I paired this cosy knit with the tartan pencil skirt and a bright bag. I really liked this bag with blue last time I wore it, so wanted to try it again.

This is quite a thick jumper so I don't wear it often, but I adore the colour every time I do. Almost a year since I last wore it, wow! Should make more of an effort to wear it over the upcoming cooler months.


Last worn: cobalt blue knit, Asos maternity pencil skirt, glitter flats, Marc by Marc Jacobs Ukita bag.

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Here's what I wore for casual Friday today:

Tee: 'Ninja baby' maternity skeleton tee
Jeans: Jeanswest maternity super skinny jeans in antique blue
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs studded mouse flats in grey
Bracelets: the usual plus beaded neon and gold and black and gold bracelet set and Disney Couture Winnie the Pooh bangle
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag in Rock Lobster


Emotional day today! My last day at work for a while, I have now officially commenced my maternity leave. Just had to wear the ninja baby tee as I knew everyone would get a giggle out of it. There was a morning tea in baby's honour and I got so many lovely gifts from my colleagues. It's sad to be leaving a large project right in the middle of everything, but I'm really looking forward to getting to spend time at home with baby. The last few days at work have been really tough and it will be good to have some rest before the due date.


With the cooler weather we've been having lately, just had to share that Jeanswest have an extra 30% off sale items - including some winter knits! Ends Sunday night.

Last worn: ninja baby tee, Jeanswest maternity skinny jeans, studded mouse flats, MbMJ Ukita bag (see above).

Linking up with Friday's Fab Favourites, Fashion Item Friday, What I Wore to Work, I Do DeClaire, Casual Friday, Fashion Link Up today.

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Marc By Marc Jacobs Fran Bag, Print Mixing. Asos Pencil Skirt, Jeanswest Paisley Dress and Ankle Boots

Here's what I wore on Wednesday:

Scarf: Grey and pink leopard print scarf from Paddy's Markets in Sydney
Necklace: Dogeared 3 Wishes stardust bead necklace
Top: Jeanswest 'Tilda' black shirt
Skirt: Asos panelled pencil skirt in tartan check on sale! (materntity version here)
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs two tone flats in blush and black
Bracelets: the usual plus pastel friendship bracelet C/O Seri Marea Jewellery
Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Fran bag with gold hardware in carob brown


Simple black and white outfit for Wednesday. Really starting to struggle with finding nice things to wear to work now in the final few weeks of pregnancy. I'm quite looking forward to finishing up soon, and being a lot more casual with what I wear. Based on some previous pregnancies in the office, I know the levels of dress code I can drop to, but I want to try and look as professional as possible despite my limited choices. This was comfortable all day though, and was good to wear to our parenting class after work as well.

Thought that the little bit of print mixing with the leopard scarf and tartan skirt worked well due to the similar colours - what do you think?


Last worn: grey and pink leopard print scarf, Jeanswest black shirt, Asos maternity pencil skirt, two tone flats, Marc By Marc Jacobs Fran.

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Here's what I wore to work and out for dinner today:

Necklace: House of Harlow 5 station necklace in black and silver
Dress: Jeanswest 'Melanie' paisley mixed print dress (new purchase)
Belt: came with dress
Shoes: Asos Aggie leather western ankle boots in black
Bracelets: the usual plus Hermes pink clic clac and purple Salvatore Ferragamo 'Vara' leather bow bracelet
Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Fran bag with gold hardware in carob brown


More print mixing, and I got to wear my maternity tights! I purchased these tights a couple of months ago when we had a little bit of a cold snap, figuring they would be essentials for the pregnancy. Just wearing them now at 36 weeks, so not as essential as I thought! They were only $8 from Target so I'm not feeling too bad about the purchase.

Picked a pretty dress to wear to work and after today, as we had a birthday dinner for my sister in the evening. The tights kept me warm and the dress was suitable for work and dinner, which saved me trying to find a second outfit to wear for the evening, hehe! I bought this dress in the Jeanswest sale as I loved the paisley print and the subtle print mixing, and guessed it would have no problems accommodating the third trimester baby bump despite being non-maternity.


I've been wearing my Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran bag a bit this week, but that will change now I have a new handbag purchase! Short reveal video of my latest splurge:

Yep, another Marc by Marc Jacobs bag!

Last worn: Asos ankle boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran (see above). First time I've worn the dress as it's a new purchase.

Linking up with Three-Fer Thursday, Tres-Chic Fashion Thursday, What I Wore to Work, Fashion Item Friday, Currently Loving, Friday's Fab Favourites, Casual Friday Linkup today.

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Balenciaga Sorbet City Bag. Soon Maternity Wrap Dress | Grey Tee, Asos Tartan Pencil Skirt

Here's what I wore on Wednesday:

Necklace: custom Cooper charm by Silhoupette layered with Dogeared silver wishbone necklace
Dress: Soon Maternity 'Madeline' grey print wrap dress
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs two tone flats in blush and black
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Balenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet


Wednesday was a long day, so wore this dress again to be comfortable. After work, DH and I had our first antenatal class at the hospital. It was really good, answered a lot of questions for us and we got a bit of a tour. So exciting how close we are getting to baby's arrival! I thought about getting changed for the class, but figured the dress would be fine. There were a few people who had come directly from work like ourselves too. I've never been around so many pregnant ladies in one place before, was interesting seeing how everyone dressed for their bumps.


Last worn: Soon Maternity wrap dress, cap toe flats, Balenciaga sorbet city.

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Here's what I wore to work today:

Necklace: House of Harlow 5 station necklace in black and silver
Top: Atmos&Here charcoal grey v neck tee
Skirt: Asos panelled pencil skirt in tartan check on sale! (materntity version here)
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs studded mouse flats in grey
Bracelets: the usual plus enamel coated Marc By Marc Jacobs Katie bracelet
Bag: Balenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet


Pink Balenciaga city bag again today! Although it's not Friday, this post will be live on my blog on Friday, so had to have a little bit of pink in support of Renae :) Pink accessories seemed like a good choice, and it means I didn't have to change my bag.

Just a simple pencil skirt and tee outfit again. I really wish I'd bought more colours or even a backup of this tee when it was still made - it really is the perfect tee! It's even able to handle the second trimester and third trimester baby bumps and still look good!


Don't forget I'm selling some items on ebay as part of my wardrobe clear out. A mix of clothes (regular and maternity), accessories and even handbags too. Everything ships internationally :)


Last worn: Atmos&Here grey tee, Asos tartan pencil skirt, studded mouse flats, Balenciaga sorbet city (see above).


Linking up with Three-Fer Thursday, What I Wore to Work, Fashion Item Friday, Friday's Fab Favourites, Fashion Informant today.

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Pregnancy Office Wear: Asos Maternity Pencil Skirts, Tees, Balenciaga Rouille Work Bag

Here's what I wore to work on Wednesday:

Necklace: House of Harlow Dynamic necklace in gold
Top: Kmart plain brown tee
Skirt: Asos panelled pencil skirt in tartan check on sale! (materntity version here) Get extra 20% off with code 'YES20'
Shoes: Novo 'Camilla' brown bow flats
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Balenciaga classic work in 2006 Rouille


Had a meeting with my manager today but still kept my outfit simple and comfortable - tee and pencil skirt! I wanted to recreate this entire outfit again, but decided I could make it look just a little different if I swapped out the tee ;) With the size of my wardrobe I certainly wasn't spoiled for choices for another top to wear, haha!


Last worn: brown tee, Asos tartan pencil skirt, Novo flats, Balenciaga rouille work.

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Here's what I wore to work today:

Top: Jeanswest 'Leila' embroidered top
Skirt: Asos graphic print pencil skirt - on sale! (maternity version here) Get extra 20% off with code 'YES20'
Shoes: Wittner 'Bolla' black bow detail flats
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Balenciaga classic work in 2006 Rouille


Another pencil skirt and tee combo! Loved it pre-pregnancy, love it still during pregnancy. I'm lucky to have a very relaxed business casual workplace so I can wear tees to the office Monday to Thursday. That's made maternity dressing a lot easier. I think if I had to wear business professional every day I would have had to invest in some key maternity pieces like suits and work pants, which would have been trickier to find.
I thought the embroidered detail on this top worked well with the print on the skirt, but it doesn't show up well in photos. Did forget how badly this shirt wrinkles with the bump though, felt a bit sloppy by the end of the day!


Last worn: embroidered top, Asos maternity pencil skirt, Wittner black flats, Balenciaga work (see above).


Asos currently have a sale on at the moment, and you can get an extra 20% off sale with promo code 'YES20'! Great time to buy :) Ends 16th April.

Linking up with Tres-Chic Fashion Thursday, Three-Fer Thursday, Wardrobe Wednesday, What I Wore to Work, Spotlight Weekly, Fashion Item Friday, Friday's Fab Favourites, Casual Friday today.

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