Prints! Floral Cami, Pastel Blazer and Skinny Jeans | Polka Dot Shirt Dress and Converse

I was participating in two style challenges on instagram in April, so that gave me the chance to try some different outfit ideas I wouldn't have thought of on my own. After my wardrobe detox also, I'm feeling a lot more inspired to try different things. I'm not completely changing my style (it's all just clothes from my own wardrobe after all), but I'm wearing things differently or trying combinations I might have passed up before. I'm finding that not all of the outfits are winners, but they are only clothes! If I don't like the result in the mirror I can just put something else on...and if the outfits do pass the 'mirror test' in the morning but I end up disliking them after looking at the photos or wearing them all day, well I just know I won't repeat those combinations again :) So below are two outfits where I tried some different things. One I didn't really like, but one I did like, just would have preferred to have worn it on a different day.

What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Nadine 3/4 Sleeve dusky pink blazer

Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace
Cami: Jeanswest 'Amber' floral print ruffle cami
Jeans: Jeanswest Super Skinny Jeans in Mid Indigo
Shoes: Balenciaga studded sandals in sorbet RGGH
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere (with Coach feather bag charm)

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'girly' so I went overboard with the pink and added some florals too! I did stop to wonder if the pink sandals were going too far, but figured why not just give it a go. We went for a little walk by the sea. It's embarrassing how little we go to the beach considering how close we live to it! This is another one of those outfits where I like the pieces separately, but together they just don't work. The ruffles on the cami don't look nice with the lapels of the blazer, it's too much.

I did take my camera when we went out so that I could try switch things up a little background wise and take advantage of the great scenery with the sea, but with a dog and a baby in a stroller, that was a bit of a fail too.

Despite this not being a great outfit, it passed my mirror test that morning and I was really comfortable and happy in it all day! It was only after I looked at the photos on the computer I realised that it didn't really work. Colour-wise it's a wonderful idea, but these pieces are not the best way to implement it!


Last worn: blush pink boyfriend blazer, floral ruffle cami, Jeanswest skinny jeans, Balenciaga studded sandals, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere bag.

Other ways to wear: boyfriend blazer and denim shorts, floral cami with a pencil skirt, another skinny jeans, blazer and pastels look for spring, studded sandals with embellished maxi dress and studded bag, LV speedy bandouliere worn with skirts.

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What I wore:

Sunnies: Rayban new Wayfarers
Scarf: Burberry cashmere tartan scarf

Dress: Atmos&Here Polly navy polka dot shirt dress (new purchase)
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC with python embossed leather in aquamarine

Why I wore it:

This was another double style challenge day! It was 'mixed materials' for the posh lady indigo challenge, and 'sports luxe' for the fox pack style dare. I took the chance to get a little more dressed up than I usually would for a day of working from home and doing the daycare drop off/pick up. The cosy cashmere scarf wasn't needed in the middle of the day, but I was thankful for it in the cold morning.

I felt very overdressed for the day, but it did meet the challenge prompts, and is the kind of outfit I find so easy and comfortable to wear. I really liked it even if it seemed like a bit of a 'waste' as I worked from home all day!

I was happy to be able to wear my new shirt dress too! So glad I picked this up at the Iconic, I'd had it in my wishlist there for a while just waiting for a sale to justify it. It's really similar to my Zara printed tunic dress but that's one of the reasons why I like it. I figure the polka dots are different enough that I can justify having the two similar cut navy dresses in my wardrobe.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, tartan scarf, white Converse, Rebecca Minkoff aqua mini MAC bag. First time I've worn the shirt dress as it is a recent purchase.

Other ways to wear: Burberry tartan scarf with a leather jacket, similar navy dress with a third trimester baby bump, Converse with denim shorts, mini MAC with a maxi skirt.

Linking up with Styled Up, Shoe and Tell, Style to Inspire, Mix It Mondays, Manic Monday, Bless Your Heart, Turning Heads, Reasons to Dress, Style Sessions, Real Mom Style, Confident Twosday, The Wednesday Pants, Wardrobe Wednesday today.

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Marc By Marc Jacobs Stargazer Scarf: Blue and Aquamarine with Red Outfits

When Shopbop had their 25% off sale, I couldn't resist picking up a couple of little things! I got a cute gold alphabet necklace (with Baby T's initial), and another Marc by Marc Jacobs scarf. It was already on sale, and then an extra 25% off on top. Even with the bad exchange rate with the US dollar it was still a bargain! It's sold out at Shopbop now sadly but you can get it on sale at Nordstrom or on even better sale at Bloomingdale's. Below are two outfits where I wore the scarf for the first time - both times I've paired it with red!

What I wore:

Scarf: Marc by Marc Jacobs Stargazer scarf in aquamarine (new purchase, on sale!)
Dress: Zalora Basics faux leather placket red shift dress (new purchase, on sale!)
Shoes: Acne pistol boots in "skin"
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere (with Coach feather bag charm)

Why I wore it:

This dress is another new purchase! I wore it to go out shopping with DH and baby T, it was so comfortable to wear all day. I'd added it to my cart when I was shopping The Iconic sale looking for some cute dresses. I thought this one looked okay and was a nice colour, and the price swayed me to buy it, figuring that I'd make my mind up when it arrived. I loved it as soon as I tried it on at home. You can see I wore it straight from the packet without even ironing it - it still has those fold creases ;) This will be getting a lot of wear and popping up often on the blog.

I thought the blues in the scarf worked well with the red dress, and I added the Pistol boots as it's definitely cooling down a little in Brisbane. Autumn is finally here.


Last worn: Acne pistol boots, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere. First time I've worn the scarf and the dress as they are new purchases.

Other ways to wear: similar blanket scarf with skinny jeans, Acne pistol boots with skinny jeans, print mixing with Louis Vuitton damier ebene speedy.

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What I wore:

Scarf: Marc by Marc Jacobs Stargazer scarf in aquamarine (new purchase, on sale!)

Tee: Cotton On Luxe pearl tee
Skirt: Asos colour block maxi skirt in red (on sale!)
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs metallic mouse flats
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere (with Coach feather bag charm)

Why I wore it:

My first day doing two style challenges at once! I started doing the #PoshLadyIndigo challenge as well as the #FoxPackStyleDare challenges. The prompt for the first one was 'colour block-rockin' beats' so my colour block maxi skirt was perfect. The theme for the fox pack style dare was 'flashback hair' and I was going to share an older picture with my longer hair, but then I noticed how the placement of the scarf almost looked like I did have long hair hidden under the scarf, so I said this met the challenge.

Wore this out to playgroup. I really wanted to wear my Marc by Marc Jacobs scarf again, and while I do like the colour combination in this outfit, as I did in the one above, I really don't like this outfit! Just too much volume. I was going to wear a fitted singlet but went for a tee instead for a little more warmth. It was cosy and comfortable for a rainy and cold morning and spending time at playgroup with baby T, but it's not a very flattering combination with all the voluminous pieces together. This is one of those outfits I wished I didn't wear. Maybe I should add that as another tag to my blog, outfit fails. What do you think? Or is seeing the terrible pictures proof enough that outfits like this should not be repeated? ;)

This tee hasn't been worn in a year and a half, and was uncovered during my wardrobe detox session, the stylist was really happy with it and said I should wear it more often. I think it's further confirmation that I have too many tops. Just a shame I did not pick a better outfit for this tee's return to my frequent wardrobe rotation!


Last worn: metallic gold tee, colour block maxi skirt, metallic mouse flats, Louis Vuitton speedy B (above).

Other ways to wear: metallic tee with a pencil skirt, better version of the maxi skirt and tee combination, mouse flats and printed skinny jeans, LV Speedy Bandouliere with a chambray shift dress.

Passion 4 Fashion, Casual Friday, Fashion Friday, Weekend Link Up, Mix It Up, Fashion Friday, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Let It Shine, Modest Monday today.

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Monthly Purchases and Corporate Style: Marc By Marc Jacobs Lil Ukita Bag and Jackets. Striped Dress, Pencil Skirt

As well as sharing my monthly purchases for April, two more of my Fox Pack Style Dare themed outfits, and my cute little red Marc by Marc Jacobs Ukita bag. I've been enjoying this daily outfit challenge on instagram. I'm being a lot more flexible with my interpretations and having fun with what I wear instead of trying to nail the prompt exactly.


First up, my April Purchases:

Marc by Marc Jacobs Stargazer scarf in aquamarine
Tai gold alphabet necklace
Zalora Basics faux leather placket red shift dress
Atmos&Here Polly navy polka dot shirt dress (this is the checked one that I returned)
Thrifted Valleygirl blue knit jumper
Thrifted Cotton On yellow tank
Thrifted Dotti blue tee
Jeanswest prima denim super skinny jeans in absolute black
Jeanswest khaki 'Cassey' cuffed skinny pants (returned)

What I wore:

Jacket: Warehouse cropped zip detail jacket

Scarf: Nicole by Nicole Miller mixed print scarf (giveaway prize from Style of Sam)
Dress: Jeanswest 'Rita' stripe jersey dress
Shoes: Wittner 'Bloomy' black heels
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag in Rock Lobster

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'Parisian' so I went for a very stereotypical outfit. Black, stripes and a touch of red with the bag and scarf. This is the first time I've worn the scarf. I won it last year actually, in a goodie bag giveaway on Sam's blog. I had wanted to wear it with stripes so this was perfect.

I really like the cropped blazer too - it's a very cosy piece. The autumn weather is setting in now in Brisbane so a jacket is needed on the early morning commute to work.

The dress I love, a great wardrobe basic that's worked well before, during and after pregnancy. This is the first time I've worn it without a belt though. I didn't want to add too much with the scarf and the zip detail on the blazer already.


Despite liking everything individually, when it's grouped together I just really don't like this outfit. I think the combination of the shorter jacket and the unbelted flared dress doesn't work....just not a very flattering outfit.


Last worn: Warehouse cropped blazer, striped dress, ankle strap heels, Marc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag. First time I've worn the scarf.

Other ways to wear: cropped blazer with printed dresses, striped dress with pink accessories and a baby belly, ankle strap heels and a pencil skirt, red bag with more striped outfits and a third trimester baby bump.

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What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Cassandra jacquard jacket 

Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace (new purchase) layered with Dogeared 3 Wishes stardust bead necklace
Tank: Jeanswest 'Darcy' embellished top in Winter coral
Skirt: Asos tailored tab front pencil skirt in grey
Shoes: Wittner 'Lumen' heel in patent leather
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita bag in Rock Lobster

Why I wore it:

The style prompt for the day was 'shiny sparkly', so just like I did last time this came up as a challenge, I wore my pretty sequin tank. This tank is one of the pieces I had to justify keeping during my wardrobe detox. I insisted it looked good on me and I wanted to keep it, ha! When I put it on to demonstrate this, the stylist was unimpressed as it looks terrible untucked on my petite frame. but ever since I tried tucking it in, I've loved wearing it. I've even used it to successfully disguise a second trimester baby bump in the office! The stylist relented and let me keep it in the end, and we threw out the next 3 tops she looked at instead. A good compromise!

As this is the second time I've worn my jacket since I bought it, and I'm reviewing all my new purchases on their second wear to see if they are winners, my purchase review:

I am glad I bought this jacket. I had wanted it for a while, but waited for a sale and then waited too long and it was sold out in my size. When I found it in the Jeanswest outlet I knew I had to take it home! It is really similar to some boucle jackets from Zara I owned...so I got rid of the blue and red tweed blazers to make room in my wardrobe for this, and I don't regret it.
The only downside is that it has got a zipper detail on the sleeves that makes it impossible to type with at work, as the large zipper pulls hit on the desk and keyboard and make so much noise! I remembered this from the first wear though and put a pashmina in my bag for when I got cold at the office without the jacket, and it worked out much better. As autumn draws to a close I'll be wearing scarves more often so it won't matter so much that I have to take the jacket off when I'm at my desk. So although it's not a perfect purchase, as I bought it intending to wear it often to work, I'm happy with it and happy to 'work around' the distracting noise it makes!


Last worn: Jeanswest jacquard jacket, sequin detail tank, Asos grey pencil skirt, nude heels, Marc By Marc Jacobs Ukita bag.

Other ways to wear: jacquard jacket with a printed dress, sequin tank with striped maxi skirt, nude patent heels with a printed skirt, red bag with a black lace pencil skirt.

Linking up with What I Wore, Wardrobe Wednesday, Because Shanna Said So, Style Me Weekly, Cappuccino and Fashion, Get Your Pretty On, Budgeting Bloggers, Style Me Wednesday, Oh hey girl, The Wednesday Pants, Trendy Wednesday, Brilliant Blog Posts, Fashion Files, Look What I Got, Throwback Thursday, What I Wore to Work, Fun Fashion Friday today.

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