Friday 4 July 2014

Winter Wear and Post-Baby Swimwear Buying Tips

Baby T has arrived, and I'm blogging less regularly as life revolves around a newborn. I don't manage to get out of pyjamas every day, we are still in the early stages!


Here's what I wore to run some errands:
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers
JacketAsos Black by Markus Lupfer printed leather jacket
ScarfAlexander McQueen skull scarf in light blue (currently on sale!)
Tee: Glassons long sleeve top black and white stripe
SkirtJeanswest plain jersey black maxi skirt
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
Bracelets: the usual
BagLouis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull


Wearing this skull scarf with stripes again! I like the combination of black and blue too. Looking for easy outfit options I can put together quickly. Stripes, maxi skirt, converse and a cute scarf is a helpful formula when I'm not sure what to wear.

We called in our always eager family to baby sit while DH and I ran around trying to complete some errands one particularly cold early morning. Very grateful for family being able to help us. It's easy to do all of the required running around for documentation and things when we know baby T is content at home rather than being exposed to a bunch of strange places and people when he's so young. It's flu season so we are trying to keep him home as much as possible.


Last worn: Ray-Bans, leather jacket, skull scarf, striped top, maxi skirt, Converse, Louis Vuitton Neverfull.



Here's what I wore to spend some time by the pool:
Sunnies: Orange sunglasses from Paddy's Market in Sydney
Swimwear: Sugar Smash single strap one piece c/o Funkita
Sarong: black floral print sarong from my sister's travels
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
Bracelets: the usual


The lovely Chris from Funkita emailed me to let me know about the latest collection 'Swim this City' and ask if I wanted a suit. I'm a big Funkita fan, so of course I said yes! Will be wearing this frequently when I get back to my usual routines and can go swimming again. Although it is winter and our pool is outdoors, it's in the sun most of the day and it can get up to 25 degrees (Celsius) in the middle of the day here in Queensland. Good enough weather for a dip. Sadly I couldn't actually wear this to swim today as I still don't have clearance from my doctor to get back in the water after birth yet - this was taken when baby was a month old.

I don't often share my exercise or swimwear on the blog, but for a change I thought I'd use the opportunity to share some post-baby swimwear tips, and happily show that it takes a while for your body to bounce back after pregnancy. I've been getting some comments about how quickly I lost the baby weight. I haven't lost all the baby weight - it will take a while to do so, and I'm in no rush. I still have a noticeable bump, I'm just dressing it differently. Dressing for a post-baby body, you want to hide your belly rather than draw attention to it like you do when you're pregnant. It's also tricky to know what size you will be in things as so many aspects of your body have changed!

I might not look as good as the athletes who wear Funkita swimwear when they compete, but with the tips below I feel comfortable and confident enough to share swimsuit photos on the internet 4 weeks after giving birth. :)

Some tips to find good swimwear for exercising post-baby:

  • Buy from a brand you have experience with or that has a good size chart to ensure a proper fit. I've got multiple pieces from Funkita, and the sizing chart is really easy for me to follow. I even sized up to get a piece that I could wear during pregnancy, and it fitted well. My pre-pregnancy bikinis still don't fit yet, so paying attention to measurements is important.
  • Go for a bold print. I love the print on this suit. It is form fitting but the colourful print is really helpful at disguising the tummy. Black would be flattering too, but I think a print is better than a block colour. My stomach looks much smaller with the printed suit on than without.
  • Try a one-piece. I'm definitely a bikini girl, all my other swimwear consists of bikinis so this is the first one-piece I've worn for a long time. Not only are they really popular at the moment, having the fabric covering my post-baby belly makes me feel more comfortable. I'm still getting used to the way my belly looks, it's helpful to have it covered up so I don't get self-conscious!
  • A sarong is a wonderful cover-up when you're not in the water, and a chance to do a bit of print-mixing to further draw the eye away from the belly too!


Hope that you found the tips helpful, or know someone who might. It was fun sharing my pregnancy outfits on the blog, and I'm enjoying continuing to share what I wear and my thoughts now about life with baby T.


Linking up with Passion For Fashion, Fashion Item Friday, Friday's Fab Favourites today.


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Tuesday 1 July 2014

Blazer, Printed Dress, Leather Boots | Leopard Scarf, Hoodie, Skinny Jeans and Converse

Baby T has arrived, and I'm blogging less regularly as life revolves around a newborn. When I do go out and change out of my usual stay-at-home outfit of pyjamas, I try take a photo so I can still blog when I have time.


Here's what I wore to run some errands:
zara blazer fcuk printed jersey dress leggings and boots
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers
Jacket: Zara black blazer
Necklacecustom Cooper charm by Silhoupette
DressFrench Connection butterfly jersey tie waist dress
Leggings: Cotton On
BootsAsos Cleo leather boots in black
Bracelets: the usual
BagMarc by Marc Jacobs pretty nylon Eliz-A-Baby bag (not in pic)


DH and I had an appointment and a couple of errands to run, so as always I planned the outfit in my head the night before. I used to actually try on outfits the evening before, but there's no time for that now with baby. Sleep is more important ;)

In the rush to get out the house I went to put on my chosen outfit...and realised that although I'd like to be able to squeeze into my old fixed waist skirts, I'm still not there yet! Stretchy fabrics are still a post-baby essential. Quickly decided to go with a dress instead. Printed dresses are always a good option as you don't really need to think too much! And with a crying baby and already being 10 minutes late, I wanted the simplest, quickest option.

Last time I wore this dress, I was using the tie and print to disguise my little early second trimester baby bump. It works equally well to disguise the little 3 week post-baby belly! I'm finding that post-pregnancy, the easy outfit options I wore for the first few trimesters are coming in helpful again. And when I'm uninspired, there's always my helpful maxi skirts that I grew to love so much over pregnancy. With elastic waists of course!


Last worn: Ray-BanZara black blazer, French Connection jersey dress, grey leggings, Asos leather boots.



Here's what I wore to go to baby T's newborn photoshoot:
neon leopard print scarf juicy couture hoodie black tee converse skinny jeans
JacketJuicy Couture Long Sleeve Original Zip Hoodie in 'Silver Lining'
Scarf: Supre neon pink leopard print scarf (new purchase)
Tee: Kmart plain black tee
JeansJeanswest maternity super skinny jeans in antique blue
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
Bracelets: the usual
BagMarc by Marc Jacobs pretty nylon Eliz-A-Baby bag (not in pic)


Nice comfortable, casual outfit for baby T's newborn photoshoot! At 3 weeks old, we were finally feeling confident in our ability to settle him long enough to get a couple of good shots in a photo shoot ;) Our photographer is awesome, the same guy who did our incredible wedding photos. I can't wait to see the final result, we have had a sneak peak at a few of them and they are great. Will try pop one or two up on instagram, @awayfromblue.

Jeans and a tee seemed the most comfortable outfit to wear. I added the scarf for a bit of colour, to keep me warm with the chilly early morning start, and so that I could have something to put on after the session if baby T got a little messy. It came in handy to hide the ruined outfit on the way home! Plus I wanted to wear my new scarf. An impulse sale by from our lunch date the other week. I can't resist a cute scarf, and it was a bargain at $5!


Last worn: Juicy Couture Hoodie, black tee, maternity skinny jeans, Converse. First time I've worn the scarf as it's a recent purchase.


Linking up with Real Mum Style, Stylish Tuesday, Style Sessions, What I Wore Wednesday, Wardrobe Wednesday today.



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Friday 27 June 2014

Stripes and Alexander McQueen Skull Scarves, Marc By Marc Jacobs Bags

Baby T has arrived, and I'm blogging less regularly as life revolves around a newborn and I spend most of my days at home in pyjamas! Every now and then I do venture out of the house, and when I do I try to get a photo so I can share some post-pregnancy outfits.


Here's what I wore to go to an appointment with baby T:
pattern colour mix blue purple stripes and skull print scarf jeans and converse
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers
CardiJeanswest long blue drape cardigan
Scarf:  Alexander McQueen magenta skull scarf in roses print
TeeAtmos&Here navy stripe v-neck tee
JeansJeanswest Maternity slim straight jeans
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
Bracelets: the usual
BagMarc by Marc Jacobs pretty nylon Eliz-A-Baby bag


After my scarf survived the last outing with baby T, I felt brave enough to try wearing one again when we popped out for a quick appointment at the clinic. Managed to keep this one stain free too, we are making progress!

Also pleased to fit into my first pair of maternity jeans again! Bought these early on in my pregnancy, and only wore them twice before I outgrew them...despite the elastic waist. Managed to squeeze into them this time, which was nice.
I still have a post-baby belly so while I can't wear my regular jeans, my maternity jeans are still serving me well. Anything with a comfortable, stretchy elastic waist that worked in pregnancy is working now too.


Last wornRay-banblue cardiganAlexander McQueen skull scarfnavy stripe teematernity straight leg jeansConverseMarc by Marc Jacobs baby bag.





Here's what I wore to go out to woolies:
topshop grey knit target stripe maxi skirt acne pistol boots mcqueen skull scarf red bag

marc by marc jacobs ukita bag worn with stripes
ScarfAlexander McQueen modal and cashmere skull scarf
TopTopshop grey knitted scoop neck top
SkirtTarget black and white striped maxi skirt
ShoesAcne pistol boots in "skin"
Bracelets: the usual
BagMarc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag in Rock Lobster


This outfit is really similar to the last time I wore this top, only I was 35 weeks pregnant then! 2 and a half weeks after baby's arrival here. I like pairing this maxi skirt with grey tops, nice easy outfit. I liked the top and skirt together last time so made sense to wear it again. Added the boots to help keep me warm as I popped out quickly to get groceries without baby T. Was really chilly though, did wish I had added a jacket with this.


Last worn: taupe skull scarf, grey knit, striped maxi skirt, Acne Pistol boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs Ukita bag.

Linking up with Fashion Item Friday, Passion for Fashion, Friday's Fab Favourites, Casual Friday, Mix it Mondays today.


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