#NoBuyJuly15 Results. Plaid Shirts, Cardigans and Skinny Jeans: SAHM Style

First up, my July purchases! I decided to set myself a #noBuyJuly15 challenge after buying a lot in June. The rules were simple - no unnecessary spending, limited only to essential things like food.

Beth from Almost Posh and I were even featured in the Sydney Morning Herald talking about some of our tips to curb impulse spending. Beth went on TV too! We did both end up buying things though...Perhaps I'll have better luck with #noSpenderSeptember!

I decided to just 'take a look' at the target sale, and then just 'try a few things on' and then just bought this $10 shirt. Not as bad as it could have been, I took 6 things into the change room, but definitely shows me that avoiding sales is the best way for me to curb unnecessary spending. Sale shopping is wonderful, and the main way I shop, but if you aren't shopping for something in particular you will walk out with a bargain you didn't plan to buy.



Now, what I've been wearing. Some recent outfits following a simple outfit formula: cardigan, skinny jeans and a plaid shirt.

One of the perks of having a stylish sister is getting to share her wardrobe! Even though we no longer live together, when we have wardrobe clearouts we always give each other the first chance to grab things. I was lucky enough to get two plaid shirts from my sisters rather large collection. I had no plaid shirts in my wardrobe, while she had so many she was getting rid of that I lost count!

What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Dana drape knit cardi in boysenberry

Scarf: Alexander McQueen modal and cashmere skull scarf
Shirt: Jay Jays metallic plaid shirt
Jeans: Jeanswest prima denim super skinny jeans in absolute black
Shoes:  Asos airtime leather Chelsea boots in tan
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs pretty nylon Eliz-A-Baby bag

Why I wore it:

This was a tiring day! I was in a bit of a rush in the morning so instead of trying to figure out which bag would work, I just threw my things in the baby bag, which was overflowing more than usual as I had thrown in some extra things to keep baby T amused. It can be taxing trying to keep a wriggly toddler happy, quiet and amused on your lap in a waiting room, so I overstuffed the bag with every toy I could cram into it that morning.

Since getting the bag hook for the stroller I've been enjoying being able to carry my own bag and have one or both bags on the stroller if needed, but some days you just need the simplicity of one bag for everything. I'm so glad we bought a large baby bag, my wallet, phone and keys fit in nicely.


Last worn: purple cardigan, taupe skull scarf, black skinny jeans, ankle boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs Eliz-a-Baby bag. First time I've worn the shirt.

Other ways to wear: purple cardigan belted, skull scarf with stripes and metallic jeans, skinny jeans and an ombre knit, ankle boots and a maxi skirt.

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More plaid shirts:

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What I wore:

Jacket: Cotton On black knit wrap cardigan

Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace
Shirt: See by Chloe lavender plaid cotton shirt
Jeans: Jeanswest Super Skinny Jeans in Mid Indigo
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC (on sale here!)

Why I wore it:

Another plaid shirt, and another cosy cardigan. This shirt has a bit of a history. I bought it online as a final sale from the Outnet a few years ago. I thought I'd read the size chart correctly, but it just didn't fit quite right. My sister was happy to take it off my hands and she wore it for a few years. Now as she was going to get rid of it, I was happy to take it back again! I don't mind the slightly oversized relaxed fit, it was comfortable for a morning at playgroup with baby.

This poor cardigan, it's second wearing this year after rediscovering it in my wardrobe, and the second time it didn't make it through a full day before baby 'added' to it and it's had to go in the wash!

No scarf with this as I couldn't figure out what one would go best, and as it's been warming up a little I didn't miss it too much.


Last worn: long black cardigan, skinny jeans, Converse, Rebecca Minkoff metallic mini MAC. First time I've worn the shirt.

Other ways to wear: long cardigan with flared jeans, skinny jeans in summer, Converse and a maxi skirt, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC and a maxi dress.

Linking up with Budget Bloggers, Casual Friday, Friday Favourites, Passion for Fashion, Fab Favourites, Favourite Fashion, Fashion Friday, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Shoe and Tell, Let It Shine today.

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Cosy Cardigan, Skinny Jeans, Boots and a Printed Scarf: Winter SAHM Style Uniform

Since I got this striped wooly cardigan I've been wearing it a lot. While I like my leather jackets, a wash-and-wear option is better around baby. It's a nice piece to wear over jeans to keep me warm in winter. Thought I'd group these outfits together to post and show you two very similar ways to wear a cardigan. Lauren from Exploring My Style is so good at showing how you can wear the same outfit formula multiple times and yet make it look new each time!

This post has one outfit formula (same cardigan, a printed scarf, skinny jeans and boots) and two slightly different outfits.

What I wore:

Jacket: Izabel London striped waterfall cardigan (C/O)

Scarf: red and black skull print scarf
Tee: Marc by Marc Jacobs blossom pocket tee in grey
Jeans: Jeanswest prima denim super skinny jeans in absolute black
Shoes: RMK Chester black ankle boots
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini quilted affair bag in fire engine red (on sale in blue)

Why I wore it:

This was such a simple but cosy outfit. Black, grey and a little bit of red. Had to run some errands in the morning, and a trip to the doctors for a checkup for baby T in the afternoon. I went with red accessories as the grey tee has a little red floral design on the pocket, you can see it clearer another time I've worn it (with a big baby belly!). Everything gets covered up with layers in the winter!

As I mentioned in my review of the mini affair bag, I don't find this as easy to use as my mini MAC bags, but I'm trying to give it a chance and wear it a little more. I like the shape and the colour!


Last worn: striped cardigan, red and black skull scarf, grey Marc Jacobs tee, skinny jeans, ankle boots, Rebecca Minkoff mini affair bag.

Other ways to wear: cardigan with blue skinny jeans, skull scarf with polka dots, grey tee for a day at the beach, black skinny jeans with a pink top, ankle boots with a maxi skirt, red crossbody bag with blue and a maxi skirt.

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More cosy cardigans:

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What I wore:

Cardi: Izabel London striped waterfall cardigan (C/O)
Scarf: Stella McCartney heart print scarf
Jumper: Supre knit loose fit jumper in bahamas
Jeans: Jeanswest blue skinny jeans
Shoes: Asos Cleo leather boots in tan
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

This looks like overkill, but I assure you all those layers were needed! Single digit temperatures are my least favourite part of winter, and so when the 'Antarctic Vortex' hit I pulled together all my winter woolies to keep me cosy for a morning running errands with baby, followed by playgroup.

I was so thankful when we got to playgroup - they had the heater on warming up the room. While the toddlers did have fun playing with my scarf again, this time I didn't leave it behind!


Last worn: striped cardi (above), Stella McCartney navy scarf, peach knit, skinny jeans, tan leather boots, LV Speedy bandouliere.

Other ways to wear: striped cardi with a maxi skirt, heart print scarf with striped skirt, peach knit with leopard print, skinny jeans and a blazer, tan leather boots and a polka dot shift dress, LV Speedy bandouliere with dresses.

Linking up with What I Wore, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, Pleated Poppy, Wednesday Pants, Oh Hey Girl, Trendy Wednesday, Style Me Weekly, Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday, Fashion Should Be Fun, Weekend Link Up today.

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Corporate Style In Winter: Knitted Beanie, Burberry Cashmere Scarf and Ankle Boots

Commuting early in the morning in the coldest days of winter has meant I've been reaching for warmer accessories for the trip to and from work. The knitted beanie I'm wearing below was part of a competition prize from the PoshLadyIndigo style challenge I did a few months ago. I'm not much of a hat person, although I have started enjoying wearing sunhats more in summer. It's been so cold this beanie has been perfect to keep me cosy, especially paired with my Burberry cashmere scarf.

What I wore:

Hat: white knitted beanie (competition prize)
Jacket: Barkins beige trench coat 

Scarf: Burberry cashmere tartan scarf
Shirt: Zara star print shirt
Pants: Jeanswest 'Fiona' skinny leg pant in shiraz
Shoes: Asos airtime leather Chelsea boots in tan
Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Fran bag with gold hardware in carob brown

Why I wore it:

It was so cold I knew I would be wearing these pants again! I am so glad I decided to wear them to the office one day as part of the style challenge I was doing, it's given me a great option for cooler days. Especially after throwing out all my other (ill-fitting) work pants during my wardrobe detox. I've not been able to find any new pairs, although with #noBuyJuly15 I haven't been looking too hard!

I was looking through my wardrobe wondering what top to wear with the pants when I saw this shirt in my wardrobe that hadn't been worn in a while. I remembered it being quite warm when I last wore it in summer, so it seemed like a good choice for winter!

As it's the second time I've worn the boots, and I'm trying to wear everything twice in the month after buying it to reflect on how it's working for me, my purchase review:
I like these boots. I don't love them, but they fit the gap I had in my shoe wardrobe of a neutral flat pair of ankle boots. I love my Pistol boots but lately I've been wanting flat shoes more often. With an old knee injury wearing heels to the office a couple of times a week is as much as I can take. These boots are comfortable and practical for life with baby, so I'm glad I bought them. Plus they were on sale!


Last worn: beige trench, Burberry tartan scarf, star print shirt, burgundy skinny pants, Asos Chelsea ankle boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran bag. First time I've worn the beanie.

Other ways to wear: beige trench with a printed dress, Burberry tartan scarf with a star print dress, star print shirt with gold jeans, burgundy pants in warmer weather, Chelsea ankle boots with a maxi skirt, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran bag at 40 weeks pregnant.

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More beanies and scarves to keep you cosy:

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What I wore:

Hat: white knitted beanie (competition prize)
Jacket: Wittner 'Santa Fe' cobalt blue leather jacket

Scarf: Burberry cashmere tartan scarf
Top: white vintage knit jumper from my mum's wardrobe
Skirt: Jeanswest zip detail ponte pencil skirt
Shoes: RMK Chester black ankle boots
Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Fran bag with gold hardware in carob brown

Why I wore it:

As the knitted beanie and cashmere scarf kept me warm previously, I wore them again! All out of pants for work though so had to go with fleece lined tights and ankle boots.

The white jumper I've never worn on before. I got it from one of my mum's wardrobe clear outs. I have a few things from her wardrobe! A while back she brought over a big bag and I went through them all before she donated the rest. I was keeping this for a cold day, so it was the perfect time to bring it out. Decided to go with the blue leather jacket as it gives me a chance to wear it without baby (reducing the risk of any more unfortunate accidents) and I wanted to add some colour to the black and white outfit.


Last worn: beanie (above), cobalt blue leather jacket, Burberry cashmere scarf (above), black pencil skirt, black leather ankle boots, MbMJ Fran bag (above). First time I've worn the white jumper.

Other ways to wear: cobalt blue leather jacket with a printed dress, Burberry scarf with pink, black pencil skirt with a polka dot top, ankle boots and a maxi dress, MbMJ Fran bag with a maxi skirt.

Linking up with Mix It Monday, On Trend Tuesday, Turning Heads, Style Sessions, Real Mom Style, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday today.

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