Showing posts sorted by date for query target grey marle maxi skirt. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query target grey marle maxi skirt. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Friday 1 March 2019

What I Bought In Jan / Feb & How I've Worn It: Shopping Haul & Try On Video

I bought a few things in January but as I mentioned not everything arrived in time for me to make a video, so I decided to compile my January and February purchases together. Some January sale finds and a few opshop bargains!




What I Bought In January / February:

Kmart culotte short in navy lemon print
Kmart black sleeveless frill hem peplum tank
Rebecca Minkoff Edie small crossbody bag in magenta
Thrifted Kmart abstract blob print tee
Thrifted Crossroads black ruffle hem maxi skirt
Thrifted Target colourful printed tank
Thrifted red statement bead necklace
Thrifted Spirit grey marle jumper
Jeanswest Emily cotton v-neck tee in coral





Why I Bought It:


Despite getting a lot of lovely clothes and accessories for Christmas, I just had to check out the Kmart clearance sale in the new year and came away with some new clothes and even PJs, using a gift card I got for Christmas.

And I eventually succumbed to the temptation of the Rebecca Minkoff sale too! As you will have seen first on YouTube, I picked up another bag in the final days of the sale when there was an extra 40% off sale items. The Jeanswest sales were successfully avoided in January, but I couldn't resist picking up a coral tee later in February when there was an extra 40% off sale items!

My search for a good local opshop continued in January and February, trying to find an alternative one after my favourite closed. I picked up quite a few bargains when I was browsing the opshops in the surrounding areas, most of the clothes only being $1 each. All completely impulse buys though, and nothing I absolutely needed, just things I wanted.


How I've Worn It:




 I noticed I'd perhaps gone a little overboard with the buying (although certainly not the spending!) when I struggled with meeting my 'wear twice in the month I buy it' goals with some of my pieces. A good reminder that even if those clothes are only $1 each, I need to be more thoughtful with what I buy. With the grey jumper being an autumn / winter piece, I'm giving that a pass for not meeting the 'wear twice in the month I buy it' rule as I know I'll love it later!

I anticipate that the next few months will be a little slower with the purchases, while I enjoy what I own for a while.


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Monday 23 July 2018

Navy Tops, Grey Pencil Skirts and Purple Scarves With Trench Coats and Rebecca Minkoff Regan

Pencil skirts are a work staple for me, year-round! It's easy to layer them up a little for the colder weather. My trench coat tends to be a winter only piece, and add some tights and a cosy scarf and a pencil skirt works well for even a cold winter morning commute.

Has to be said though, the days I wore these outfits the weather wasn't that cold. I managed to go out for lunch and leave the heavy coats behind at my desk, as it warmed up nicely by lunch time.

What I wore:

winter office wear navy blouse grey pencil skirt purple leopard print scarf trench coat | awayfromblue

purple leopard pritn scarf, Rebecca Minkoff regan satchel in moon navy | awayfromtheblue

awayfromtheblue instagram | pruple leopard print scarf winter office outfit navy blouse grey skirt trench coat

awayfromtheblue winter office outfit jeanswest chana navy peasant studded blouse grey pencil skirt
Jacket: Barkins beige trench coat 
Scarf: Sportsgirl animal scarf in violet
BlouseJeanswest chana long sleeve stud top in night sky navy
SkirtAsos tailored tab front pencil skirt in grey
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs black logo plaque ballet flats
BagRebecca Minkoff Regan Satchel Tote in moon

Why I wore it:

I really like wearing this navy blouse with grey, I've done it before here so I thought I'd repeat it again with a grey pencil skirt. I liked the combination. This fun purple leopard print scarf hadn't been worn yet this winter so it seemed like a great choice to add to my outfit to keep me cosy on my cold commute into the office. I really like purple and blue together.

With the navy blouse, a navy bag seemed like a perfect pairing. Again, this is a combination I've tried before, I like the matchy-matchy-ness of it.

As I'd forgotten to get my lunch out of the fridge in the morning before I left the house, I popped out at lunch time to pick up something. It was warm enough that I was able to leave my trench coat behind, although I did keep my scarf on.


Last worn: camel trench coat, purple leopard print scarf, navy peasant blouse, grey pencil skirt, Marc By Marc Jacobs flats, Rebecca Minkoff Regan satchel.

Other ways to wear: camel trench coat and dresspurple leopard print scarf and jeans, navy peasant blouse worn two ways, grey pencil skirt and heels, Marc By Marc Jacobs flats and striped dress, Rebecca Minkoff Regan satchel and printed skirt.

Perfect for pregnancy: camel trench coat in second trimesterpurple leopard print scarf in third trimester, grey pencil skirt in second trimester.


What's In My Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Regan Satchel









What I wore:

navy macintosh, grey pencil skirt, printed shirt and alexander mcqueen skulls scarf winter business casual outfit | away from blue

Rebecca minkoff regan satchel tote moon navy | away from the blue

awayfromblue instagram | alexander mcqueen skull scarf navy printed blouse grey jersey pencil skirt winter outfit

awayfromblue winter office outfit navy printed blouse grey jersey pencil skirt tights
JacketJeanswest Monica Mac coat in Indigo
ScarfAlexander McQueen magenta skull scarf in roses print
Shirt: Target blue abstract floral print shirt
SkirtAtmos&Here grey marle jersey pencil skirt
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
BagRebecca Minkoff Regan Satchel Tote in moon

Why I wore it:

Following the same outfit formula with a blue top, grey pencil skirt and purple(ish) scarf.

It was a bit of a different day at work as I was in a workshop all day - thought this jersey skirt in a more casual fabric would work well. I really liked the printed shirt with it, although they were different fabrics I felt the shirt dressed up the skirt a little.

Despite the busy print on the shirt, I added another printed scarf, this time my purpleish Alexander McQueen Skull scarf. I ended up not needing the scarf for most of the day, and when we broke for lunch I left my scarf and coat behind to go outside and catch up with hubby. He was in the city over lunch again, visiting another office. Just like last time, it was good to catch up without kids.

I decided to keep wearing the Rebecca Minkoff Regan bag - I thought it went nicely with both the top and navy macintosh in this outfit.


Last worn: navy macintosh, magenta skull scarf, printed blouse, grey jersey pencil skirt, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff Regan (above).

Other ways to wearnavy macintosh and wrap dress, magenta skull scarf and monochrome outfit, printed blouse and maxi skirt, grey jersey pencil skirt worn two ways, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff Regan and printed shorts.

Perfect for pregnancy: magenta skulls carf in third trimesterprinted blouse in first trimester, grey jersey pencil skirt in third trimester, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats in second trimester.


Grey Pencil Skirts Under $50:





How You Can Wear It:

Navy and grey is a great neutral combination, perfect for work. A longer sleeved top, with or without a print, and a classic grey pencil skirt makes for an easy winter office outfit. You can add more colour and a little extra warmth with a purple scarf. Purple and navy are lovely together.



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Friday 2 March 2018

30 Ways to Wear a Grey Maxi Skirt: #30Wears Challenge Outfits

A 30 wears post with this classic grey marle jersey maxi skirt is so overdue. It's been worn nearly 50 times (48 exactly!) since I bought it in my third trimester four years ago.

The #30wears challenge is committing to wearing things you buy at least 30 times. As I take daily outfit photos, I have over 6 years of outfits to look back on and see all the different times I've worn things. Blog labels and searches in the archives come in helpful for pulling these posts together, and it's fun to see how many things I've hit 30 wears on.

#30Wears: Grey Marle Jersey Maxi Skirt


30 ways to wear a grey jersey maxi skirt | away from the blue blog #30wears

It's no secret that I love maxi skirts, and I've posted a few #30 wears posts featuring some of my maxi skirt collection (see them at the end of the post).

Maxi skirts are for petites too! I got lucky with this Target one, the perfect petite friendly length with no hemming required. It was $25, so that's 52 cents a wear so far on it. It's got a lot of life left in it still, and it's not going anywhere from my wardrobe. Not bad for an impulsive pregnancy buy four years ago!


Maxi Skirt and Graphic Tees (and a Tank)


outfit ideas grey jersey maxi skirt and graphic tees | away from the blue

A plain grey maxi skirt makes it easy to wear fun printed graphic tees, as it's a great neutral base. Even though one of these is a graphic tank instead of a tee, you can see it's still just as simple to wear. A nice easy outfit to pull together, the graphic top adds interest that the plain skirt lacks.


Maxi Skirt and Long Sleeve Tops


3 ways to wear grey maxi skirt and long sleeve tops | awayfromtheblue


Maxi skirts work well in cooler weather with long sleeve tops. The long skirt protects your legs from the cold and keeps you cosy, and a longer sleeved top is an extra layer for a cooler day. If it's really cold, a scarf makes you even warmer. Again, you can see in these three outfits that the plain maxi skirt base means you can add fun printed scarves, bright colours, or even a top with embroidery detail, without your outfit feeling too overpowering.


Maxi Skirt and Layers


6 different ways to layer a maxi skirt for cooler weather | awayfromblue

Sometimes you need a little more than a long sleeve top with a maxi skirt. As I wear my maxi skirts year-round, I've worn them with all kinds of layers. You can see the variety in these outfits, with a denim jacket, cardigans, a blazer, and a kimono. I've also worn this skirt in the middle of winter with a leather jacket when it's been really cold. These layering options are great pieces to add in spring or autumn when it's too cool to wear a skirt and top on it's own.


Grey Maxi Skirt And Summer Outfits


3 easy ways to wear a grey maxi skirt in summer | away from blue

A maxi skirt is really made for summer though, it makes summer dressing easy. And if you have babies or toddlers, the long maxi length means you can run around with them and not worry about things being too short or showing more than you intended when you bend over to pickup the kids, or something they've dropped for the tenth time that day, ha!


Grey Maxi Skirt and Monochromatic Outfits


3 monochromatic outfit ideas with grey jersey maxi skirt | awayfromtheblue

Lots of colourful outfits so far, but you can go completely neutral with a grey skirt and create a monochrome or monochromatic outfit. I like the two shades of grey together on the end there, but with the black v-neck tee is my favourite. I'm still sad that tee didn't survive through too many incorrect wash cycles on the washing machine and had to leave my wardrobe.


Jersey Maxi Skirt In Pregnancy


jersey maxi skirt in third trimester | away from the blue blog

third trimester outfits with jersey stretchy maxi skirt | away from the blue

Since I bought this maxi skirt while I was pregnant, it makes sense that the most frequent way to wear it has been with a baby bump. It's been so nice having this piece that I could wear through my third trimesters with both my boys - and still be wearing and loving it afterwards. I'm impressed the elastic has held up too, they were pretty big baby bumps near the end!


Jersey Maxi Skirt Postpartum


postpartum outfit ideas with a grey maxi skirt | away from the blue blog

Forgiving jersey material, a soft stretchy elastic waistband, all the things I loved about this skirt in pregnancy make it a great postpartum choice too. Much nicer pulling this on in the newborn days than attempting to squeeze into something with buttons, a zipper, or zero stretch! Having something you know will still fit and make you feel great makes getting dressed easy after being up all night with a newborn, and anything to make parenting easier is a winner!


Grey Maxi Skirt for Travel


travel style with a grey jersey maxi skirt: outfit ideas | awayfromtheblue


I've gone on about how great this jersey maxi skirt is to wear, but the material is perfect to travel with too! It's comfortable for a long day of sightseeing, it can be crumpled up in a carry on bag and doesn't need ironing at your destination. For pregnancy travel (the middle pic) it was wonderful, and for running around Sydney with two toddlers (the left and right photos) it works just as well.



It makes me happy to have a piece in my wardrobe that's wrapped around my baby bump for both boys that's still going strong. It's nice to put together a post like this and see the bumps at different stages. So many fun memories attached to the times I've worn this skirt. I'm enjoying continuing the 30 wears challenge this year as it's great putting these posts together.



Grey Jersey Maxi Skirts Under $50:





This Target skirt is no longer available, but above are some great alternatives, all under $50!




30 Ways to Wear a Grey Maxi Skirt (In Video Format):





More Posts in the #30Wears Series:


Perfect if you're looking for more ways to wear outfit inspiration! Alternative, see all the 48+ ways I've worn this skirt in my blog archives.


Linking up with Passion for Fashion, Lizzie In Lace, Shoe & Tell, Mix It Monday, Hello Monday, On Monday We Link Up, Modest Monday, Wardrobe Wednesday.


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Friday 10 November 2017

Sydney With Two Toddlers: What We Did and What I Wore

In October we took the boys on their first flight down to Sydney for a few days. I'm sharing what we did and things to see in Sydney if you're travelling with toddlers. If you want to skip that, I've included my regular outfits too.

Toddler T is 3, and Baby Boy is 19 months. Both are good walkers. We took a travel stroller and I had my Ergobaby carrier. The stroller was great for carrying the baby bag, layers to wear and food and snacks for the boys but we didn't think Sydney was very stroller friendly. Sydney had daylight savings time but it was only an hour different from Brisbane so we stuck to Brisbane time as normal.

What I wore:

Sydney Darling Harbour sightseeing outfit maxi skirt cardigan converse balenciaga hobo bag | awayfromblue
JacketJeanswest Dana drape knit cardi in boysenberry
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
TankFrench Connection feather foil singlet
Skirt: Target grey marle maxi skirt
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
BagBalenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta (20% off with code 'REAL')


Why I wore it:

I was looking forward to this day the most! I didn't have a lot of space as we packed light, mostly taking extra clothes for the boys. I still prioritised so while I wore the same Converse every day, I had room for a change of bag and instead of my Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere I swapped out to this magenta Balenciaga day bag for our morning at the aquarium and spending the afternoon with my bestie. She has a magenta Balenciaga bag too so I had to wear this for the occasion!

Did wish I'd packed another jacket, as it was an overcast and colder day and this purple cardigan was the warmest piece I'd packed.


Last worn: purple cardigan, black tank, grey jersey maxi skirt, Converse, Balenciaga magenta day bag.

Other ways to wearpurple cardigan and chambray dress, black tank and printed shorts, grey jersey maxi skirt in monochrome outfit, Converse and printed dresses, Balenciaga magenta day bag with button up breastfeeding dresses.

Perfect for pregnancy: black tank in first trimester, maxi skirt for second trimester travel, magenta Balenciaga and maternity denim.



4 Days in Sydney With Toddlers: Itinerary


Day One


We landed in Sydney in the afternoon, and it was off to where we were staying for nap time. I will not be sharing the name of the place we stayed as it was the worst place I have ever stayed and if there had been other options available I would have demanded a refund and moved out.

After failed nap time for Toddler T, I took him with me on my bloggy date with Rachel from a Nesting Nomad. It was great to catch up with her again, after meeting her in Brisbane a while back. I followed Google Maps but failed to realise the route resulted in walking up a very long hill to get to the meeting point. Only slightly late. Sorry again Rachel!

We walked through Hyde Park to let Toddler T run around a bit, then met up with Hubby and Baby Boy once he'd woken up. We went for a walk around Paddy's markets and through Chinatown before going to Darling Harbour.

sydney with toddlers darling harbour playground | awayfromblue


Tip: Darling Harbour playground is perfect for toddlers. 

The boys had the chance to run around and play to expend some energy after sitting still on the flight. Lots of lovely restaurants nearby for dinner options too, although we went back to where we were staying and ordered takeout!


Day Two 

Sydney aquarium shark tunnel outfit maxi skirt tank converse teething necklace | away from the blue

A cold and dull day, it was supposed to rain so we headed to the aquarium as we suspected we might. We hadn't bought our tickets in advance, not wanting to tie ourselves down to anything much with two toddlers.

Tip: Buy your aquarium ticket in advance. The line to purchase was extremely slow.

Sydney Aquarium shark tank selfie | away from the blue blog


The aquarium was worth the wait though, the boys loved it. Despite it being perfect indoors weather and a weekend, there was plenty of space for the boys to run around from exhibit to exhibit as it wasn't too crowded. There were roving staff members in a few rooms presenting and talking about things to see, as well as lots of helpful educational information near each tank. Made it easy to explain to the boys what they were seeing, even though they were a little young to read for themselves.



Tip: Take toddlers to the bathroom before you enter. The bathrooms are at the end of the aquarium which is not what you want to discover halfway round.

After the aquarium, we attempted to head over the Pyrmont bridge to get to the shopping centre for lunch. I have fond memories of walking along the bridge on holiday as a kid, back when the monorail was still there! So difficult to do with a stroller though. We'd walked past the lift a few times before we found it, and then getting the lift down into the shopping centre on the other side of the harbour involved getting out on the top floor, walking through the shopping centre, getting another lift down then walking back to go to where we wanted to eat for lunch. On our way back we just walked around the harbour in the cold rather than attempt the silly lift system again.



As the boys napped, my bestie arrived and I snuck out leaving hubby and the boys to rest as we went to the Lindt Cafe for some chocolate and a catch up. It might have just been the company, but it was easily one of my favourite meals in Sydney, as we shared the 'dome of decadence' between 3 of us.




Tip: Lindt Cafe might be a little too chocolate filled to be a good option with a toddler, but they do takeaway!


After an amazing afternoon catching up, it was dinner time and we just headed to the nearest McDonalds for a fuss-free meal, perfect for toddlers!



Day Three


The day Toddler T was looking forward to most - a trip to the zoo and a ride on a Sydney Ferry!

After a slight detour into the Rocks, we eventually made our way to Circular Quay and had the chance to take photos with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

sydney with toddlers circular quay opera house | Away from the blue


Tip: The Rocks is NOT stroller friendly, don't even try it. Or you'll end up stuck looking down on the harbour realising the only way down is a very long flight of stairs with a stroller. Thanks again Google Maps!

I expected some excitement from the toddlers about the landmarks we'd been pointing out in books for weeks, but it was of course all about the boats! There was a big cruise liner docked while we were there which was exciting to see.

After buying our tickets we hopped on the ferry to go to Taronga Zoo. It's a short trip, just enough time for the toddlers to enjoy being on a boat and you to point out and take photos of all the landmarks before you arrive at the zoo.

Tip: You don't need to travel round all of Circular Quay to get landmark photos with toddlers - just hop on the Manly ferry and take photos from the boat!

selfie with sydney harbour bridge from manly ferry | away from the blue


When we arrived at the zoo, as we had bought our tickets in advance we were able to take the gondola up over the animals to the very top, with amazing views of the harbour. Of course it was the animals you fly over that the boys enjoyed more than the view!

Tip: buy your zoo ticket in advance, even if just at the ferry terminal. It gives you the ability to take a gondola up to the top of the hill and work your way down.


sydney with toddlers taronga zoo giraffe selfie and harbour bridge backdrop | awayfromblue


Starting at the top of the zoo made getting around with the stroller very easy, no need to push up any hills. While we didn't see all the animals (we skipped the aquatic section after the aquarium the day before, and the line for the tiger experience was too long for a toddler's attention span) the boys had a great time running around and getting up close with the animals we did see.

Sydney with toddlers: taronga zoo red bellied black snake behind glass


We had lunch at 'The Fish Stop' which does have non-seafood options, and was less busy than the central 'Food Market' although it does have less choices. It was so easy to get food and then sit in one of the many picnic areas right next to it, with incredible views of the Sydney city and the harbour.

Tip: Grab a bite to eat at 'The Fish Stop' or bring a picnic and sit back on the lawns for an amazing view out over the harbour!


sydney with toddlers taronga zoo 4wd | awayfromblue


While the monkeys were the favourite animal of the day (and it was incredible watching one of them mesmerised by my teething necklace!) there were so many to choose from. There was a lovely playground in the farm animal section. Although it was geared towards older kids the boys really enjoyed playing there for a break from animal-watching.

Sydney with Toddlers: skyline and harbour view from Taronga zoo with giraffes | Away from the blue blog


The walk back to the ferry was a really nice downhill stretch, and while you do have to go through a gift shop as you exit the big shark tank and presentation that was on around the sharks meant the boys were nicely distracted as we left, souvenir free. If only that had been the case at the aquarium, ha!


Once we got back to Sydney, we headed to Helm Bar for dinner. I'd looked up a few places online for food and Helm bar was highly recommended, but seemed like a noisy party bar every time we passed it before. Having no luck finding anywhere else open on a Sunday night in our price range, we went there as it was listed as wheelchair accessible. While there's no easy way to get a stroller up the stairs to the bar, there is a lovely beer garden you can sit in and order food and drinks. It was perfect for families.

Food was so well priced, especially for Sydney, and the boys loved their kids meal. I'm still sad we tried it on the last night so I couldn't go back for another schnitzel burger - definitely will be next time I'm in Sydney!

Sydney with toddlers place to eat helm bar darling harbour | away from blue


Day Four


This was our travel day, we didn't do much other than pack up, prepare another lunchbox full of snacks for the plane trip home, and make our way to the airport.


Top Tips for Travelling With Toddlers


Have transport options
The toddlers can walk, and we had the stroller and Ergo Baby carrier for babywearing so there were options when the boys didn't want to walk any more.

Be flexible
We had a general list of the sights we wanted to see but didn't buy any tickets in advance so that our days could change if necessary, and we weren't feeling rushed as we didn't try to do too much each day. One activity or outing is fine, and just wing it for the rest of the day.

Pack snacks
This works for the plane flight too, but when you're in a new place you might not know how far away the next kid-friendly place to eat is, so having snacks with you for the toddlers and yourself comes in helpful.

Take lots of photos
The only regret I had in Sydney was that I didn't take a lot of photos (a few hundred over the 4 days instead of my usual couple of hundred I take a day when something exciting is going on!).


Would we do it again?
Not until the boys are bigger and the stroller isn't needed - it was a real pain trying to fit the stroller in places - even though we packed a small umbrella travel stroller instead of our usual big one. Sydney definitely felt a lot more cramped and less stroller friendly than Brisbane.


What I wore:
Targona zoo and ferry ride outfit babywearing Sydney Circular Quay Harbour | away from the blue

Away from blue polka dot tee LV speedy damier Sydney Opera House tourist pic from ferry | awayfromblue
JacketJeanswest Dana drape knit cardi in boysenberry
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
TeeJeanswest Flavia foil printed polka dot tee deep iris
Skirt: Target grey marle maxi skirt
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
Bracelets: the usual plus Cora purpleheart and mother of pearl watch C/O JORD
BagLouis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

Unlike the outfit above, I actually found it too warm to wear the cardigan on this day and wished I hadn't brought it! We took the boys to see the Harbour Bridge and Opera House at last (our third day in Sydney...) and hopped on the Manly Ferry over to Taronga Zoo.

The benefit of wearing the Ergo Baby carrier in the back carry position (you can just see Baby Boy's little foot peeking out in the pic!) is that it's easy to wear a cross body bag, and my Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere was perfect for keeping my camera close by for walking around the zoo.


Last worn: purple cardigan (above), polka dot tee, jersey maxi skirt (above), Converse (above), Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere bag.

Other ways to wearpurple cardigan and button down tank, polka dot tee and mustard cardi, jersey maxi skirt and graphic tee, Converse and colourful jeans, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere bag and skinny jeans.

Perfect for pregnancy: maxi skirt in third trimester, Converse in the second trimesterLouis Vuitton speedy Bandouliere and maternity denim.


Linking up with Friday Faves, Style Wise, Mix It Monday, Modest Monday, Hello Monday, On Monday We Link Up, On Trend, Confident Twosday, Trend Spin, Turning Heads.



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Wednesday 30 August 2017

Plain Jersey Maxi Skirts and Striped Tops

The classic rule of 'you can't go wrong with stripes' is one I follow when I'm not sure what to wear. With my plain maxi skirts, a striped top is a great addition. Add in a few colourful layers and you have a comfortable and practical outfit stay at home mum outfit for running around with two toddlers.

What I wore:

denim jacket, stripe tee, drawstring waist maxi skirt blanket scarf | Away From Blue

Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey, maxi skirt | AwayFromTheBlue
Jacket: Bubblegum denim jacket
ScarfMarc by Marc Jacobs scarf in Island pine-print
TopAtmos&Here 3/4 sleeve stripe tee in berry white
SkirtJeanswest Luxe jersey maxi skirt
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver, 15% off both with code 'TREAT')
BagRebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey (on sale, 30% off!)
Nails: OPI Fire Escape Rendezvous

Why I wore it:

I've been playing along a little with #FMSPAD_STYLE style challenge on Instagram, which is taking the FMS picture a day challenges and making them style orientated. I posted this one for the letter 'G' due to the green in the scarf, but I'd actually worn it a few days before. I had a couple of errands to run with the boys and we had a relaxing morning which then translated to me rushing around the stores trying to fit everything in before lunch time, ha! At least I was comfortable with all the running around.

This striped tee is one of my favourites but it hasn't been worn much this winter. It was good to get it out again and it was a nice print to pair with the plain drawstring waist maxi skirt. The scarf was cosy for the cooler morning and I like the colour combo of the scarf with the burgundy stripes. I've worn it them together before.


Last worn: denim jacket, Marc Jacobs scarf, burgundy stripe tee, drawstring maxi skirt, Walnut Melbourne flats, Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini.

Other ways to weardenim jacket and maxi dress, Marc Jacobs scarf and flares, burgundy stripe tee and skinny jeans, drawstring maxi skirt worn two ways, Walnut Melbourne flats and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini and colourful printed skirt.

Perfect for pregnancy: denim jacket and second trimester bump, printed scarf in early first trimester, striped tee in third trimester, ballet flats and maternity wrap dress, Rebecca Minkoff MAM and maternity pencil skirts.


Plain Maxi Skirts Under $50:






What I wore:

stripe henely, maxi skirt, mustard yellow cardigan, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan | Away From Blue

Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold | Away From The Blue
Jacket: thrifted SES Fashions mustard yellow cardigan
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Feather pendant in peach (C/O)
TopJeanswest 'Marina' stripe henley
Skirt: Target grey marle maxi skirt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs silver tuxedo flats
BagRebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold

Why I wore it:

It was a quieter morning when I wore this. Again sticking with the plain maxi skirt and striped top combo, this time with my mustard yellow cardigan. If you follow me on Instagram you'll have seen this cardi pop up a lot recently!

I've always admired mustard yellow cardigans on others and wanted to add one to my wardrobe, but never found the right one. Until a few months into my #6MonthsWithoutShopping challenge, when I saw the perfect cardigan at an opshop, for $2. I really wanted it but had to walk away to stick to my challenge. Every time I passed I'd see it and wish I could get it. Until one day, it was gone as someone else bought it. 😢

While taking some bags of clothes from mine and my sister's wardrobe to the opshop the other week I had a little browse on the racks and spotted this! Not the same style as the other cardigan I'd seen, and not in as good condition, but it does have pockets and it was also $2 so I'm happy! I like the colour it added to the otherwise neutral outfit. Although the Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan isn't an exact match to the mustard shade, I think they look nice together.


Last worn: striped henley, grey maxi skirt, metallic silver ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag.

Other ways to wearstriped henley and denim shorts, grey maxi skirt and black tee, metallic silver ballet flats and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag and floral dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: striped henley in third trimester, maxi skirt and graphic tee in third trimester




Long Sleeve Striped Tees Under $50:









How You Can Wear It:


You really can wear stripes with anything! A plain, block colour maxi skirt is a nice base for a printed top. If you want to add more you could try mixing stripes with another pattern with a scarf, or add a colourful layer with a cardigan and let the stripes be the only print in your outfit.




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Monday 28 August 2017

Wearing A Colourful Bag to the Office with Textured Pencil Skirts and Black Shirts

After I completed 7 months without shopping, I celebrated in my usual fashion and bought a new bag! 😂 Although it's big and purple, I still think it's perfect for the office - you don't have to stick to neutral bags for work.

I wore it to the office the other week with a classic black shirt and textured pencil skirt outfits, wearing more of my office pieces that were packed away while I was on maternity leave.


What I wore:

ladylike office outfit boucle tweed blazer pearl necklaces pink polka dot pencil skirt | AwayFromBlue

boucle and pearls polka dots, Balenciaga raisin purple 2009 giant silver G21 hardware work bag | AwayFromTheBlue
Necklace: freshwater pearl necklace and long freshwater pearl strand necklace
ShirtFrench Connection verity voile black short sleeve shirt (with Target grey marle tank top underneath)
Skirt: Cotton On 'Mica' mesh spot skirt in dusty pink
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs black logo plaque ballet flats
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs howlite and hematite beaded bracelets
Bag: Balenciaga raisin purple 2009 giant silver G21 hardware work bag (from my bestie's wardrobe!)

Why I wore it:

I felt really lady-like in this outfit! Which helped counteract some of the awkwardness I felt when I stepped back from setting my tripod up in the morning to get a blog photo and realised I'd just been standing in my bemused neighbour's way (you can see them jogging away in the background!). So awkward. I never know what to say when people see me taking outfit photos so I just kinda smile and shrug.

I've worn this top and pencil skirt together before. Back then I was hiding an early baby bump, this time around I'm using the outfit to disguise my mum-tum 😉
This pencil skirt was one I saw in a magazine a few years ago and thought it was nice, so I checked out the price details. When I saw it was called the 'Mica' skirt I just had to get my namesake. It's perfect for the office and one of those pieces I'm glad I impulsively bought. Despite the top layer being textured polka dots on a fine mesh, it's held up well over the years and I'm impressed by the quality, considering I bought it 5 years ago.

I hadn't planned a necklace to wear with this, I'd set out the clothes and thought I'd pick one at the last moment. I was still unsure as I was getting dressed until I added the tweed blazer I knew I had to go for my pearls. They are actually two different freshwater pearl necklaces! The shorter one is from my jewelry designer friend and I've worn it as a bracelet before.

Last worn: tweed blazer, French Connection shirt, grey target singlet, pink polka dot pencil skirt, Marc Jacobs black flats. First time I've worn the bag as it's a new purchase. 

Other ways to wear: tweed blazer and skinny jeans, black shirt and peplum skirt, grey target singlet and striped maxi, pink polka dot pencil skirt and striped tee, Marc Jacobs black flats and skinny jeans.

Perfect for pregnancy: boucle blazer in third trimester,grey singlet in third trimestershirt and pencil skirt hiding first trimester bump.


Textured Pencil Skirts Under $50:







What I wore:

jacquard pencil skirt navy black office outfit with purple accessories balenciaga work bag | Away From Blue

Balenciaga raisin purple 2009 giant silver G21 hardware work bag | Away From The Blue
ScarfMarc by Marc Jacobs mauve square scarf
ShirtForever 21 sheer black ruffle detail shirt
SkirtWarehouse navy jacquard pencil skirt
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
Bag: Balenciaga raisin purple 2009 giant silver G21 hardware work bag

Why I wore it:

I've been wearing blue and purple together often recently! I really like the combination. This purple scarf was the perfect topper to my black and navy outfit, and tied in nicely with my purple bag.

This black shirt is another one that hasn't been worn for a while. It's button up so would work for breastfeeding, but it feels a bit 'fancy' for stay at home mum wear so it was packed away with all my office clothes while I was on maternity leave. It's a little hard to see in the pictures with all the layers but it's got a fun ruffle detail down the front. You can see it better when I previously wore it here, again with the same skirt!

This jacquard pencil skirt is one of my favourite textured ones - it's a very pretty design, even if the skirt rides up a little as I walk! A ruffle shirt, textured pencil skirt and purple accessories might sound a bit much for the office, but I think all the pieces work well together.


Last worn: navy macintosh, purple blanket scarf, sheer ruffle shirt, jacquard pencil skirt, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats, Balenciaga work bag (above).

Other ways to wearnavy macintosh and striped dress, purple blanket scarf and chambray dress, sheer ruffle shirt and pink skirt, jacquard pencil skirt and grey tee, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats and wrap dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: jacquard pencil skirt in first trimesterballet flats and maternity jeans.



Purple Tote Bags Under $200:








How You Can Wear It:


Neutral bags are a good choice for the office, but if you have a relaxed work environment with a business casual or smart casual dress code, it's easy to add a little extra colour to your outfit with a bright bag. While there are some exceptions, my general rules for picking a bag for work are to:
Carry a neutral bag if -  I'm going to be travelling for work, either across the city or to another state, and I'll need to carry my bag into meetings.
Carry a bright bag if -  I'm going to be in meetings in the same building all day leaving my bag behind at my desk and I'd like something fun to look as I work.

Don't be afraid to add a little colour to your office wear with a bright bag.


Linking up with Style Sessions, Turning Heads, On Trend, Confident Twosday, What I Wore, Style on the Daily, Oh Hey Girl, Fashion Files.



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