Shirt Dress, Shift Dress, Cardigans and Ankle Boots.

DH and I are at the 'spending every weekend attending open houses' phase of house-hunting. Below are two simple outfits I've worn to do so. As they were so similar, I thought I'd post them together.

We take turns each baby wearing while we go through the houses, so I need to wear something that's easy to wear with a toddler strapped to me, not too casual, and with a layer that I can take off and on as it heats up. I went with dresses both times as they are instant outfits, which is what you need when you have to fit in 5 open houses in one morning and you're running late!

What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Dana drape knit cardi in boysenberry

Scarf: Alexander McQueen modal and cashmere skull scarf
Dress: Atmos&Here Polly navy polka dot shirt dress
Shoes: Asos airtime leather Chelsea boots in tan
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

As soon as I put these pictures on the computer I realised I should have worn a belt with this, oh well. I was comfortable and decided not to wear a belt so it would be easier to strap the baby carrier around me. I've worn it without a belt before and its looked fine, I just think with this cardigan a little waist definition would have been nice.

On the plus side, it warmed up nicely through the day and I ended up taking the cardigan off by the time we got to the third house, so I didn't wear it like this all day. I do like the colours of everything together, just feel a belt would have made it look nicer.


Last worn: purple cardigan, taupe skull scarf, polka dot dress (as a top), Asos Chelsea ankle boots, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere.

Other ways to wear: purple cardi and a maxi dress, skull scarf in the office, polka dot dress with Converse, ankle boots in the office, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere and skinny jeans.

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Shop more shirt and shift dresses under $70:

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What I wore:

Sunnies: Rayban new Wayfarers
Jacket: gifted Kmart striped maxi cardigan

Necklace: Roie Designs long freshwater pearl necklace with tassel
Dress: Zalora Basics faux leather placket red shift dress (on sale!)
Shoes: RMK Chester black ankle boots
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC

Why I wore it:

I wasn't 100% happy with this outfit either, although I do like it more than the one above. I was trying to decide on something to wear to add a bit of interest and picked this necklace. I think a shorter necklace or a scarf would have worked better with the placket detail on the dress though.

This striped maxi cardigan is new-to-me! My mum brought it over one day and asked if I wanted it, of course I said yes. It's not too warm which is great as I'll be able to keep wearing it as it warms up and we move into spring. I like boots and tights but I'm looking forward to the end of winter too!


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, Zalora red shift dress, black ankle boots, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC. First time I've worn the cardigan.

Other ways to wear: red shift dress with bare legs, ankle boots and a maxi dress, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC and a maxi dress.


Linking up with Mix It Monday, Modest Monday, Turning Heads, Real Mum Style, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday, Whatcha Wearing, Pleated Poppy, Style Me Weekly, Wednesday Pants, What I Wore, Oh Hey Girl, Throwback Thursday, Fun Fashion Friday today.

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SAHM Style: Maxi Skirts and Shopbop Skirts

It's no secret that I love maxi skirts! I challenge the 'rule' that short ladies can't wear maxi skirts too - I'm petite! I'd always liked wearing them occasionally, and once I discovered just how perfect they are in pregnancy they became a wardrobe staple. I do my best to wear them year-round.

It's easy enough to do in winter here in Queensland, as we don't have snow to contend with. A few extra layers, some ankle boots and maxi skirts are good to go. If it gets even colder where you live, you can always layer leggings or tights underneath ;)



Since I'm collaborating with Shopbop, (thank you for all your kind words on my last post about it) I thought I'd show you two recent winter maxi skirt outfits I've worn as it started warming up a little more here, and some of the maxi skirts available to purchase at Shopbop.

What I wore:

Scarf: Alexander McQueen magenta skull scarf in roses print

Tee: Glassons plain black long sleeve tee
Skirt: Izabel London Aztec print maxi skirt (C/O, shop similar skirts at Shopbop)
Shoes: RMK Chester black ankle boots
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

This layering tee was another one of those pieces I'd been looking at in my wardrobe for a while and figured I'd better get around to wearing before winter passes us by! With just a few weeks left, I'm feeling that I haven't given all my winter pieces enough wear before I have to pack them away again.

The plain black tee and the dark skirt seemed a little dull for a day out shopping with family while hubby was on baby duty, so I added the scarf for some colour.


Last worn: purple skull scarf, black long sleeve tee, Aztec print maxi skirt, black ankle boots, Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere bag.

Other ways to wear: skull scarf in summer, black tee and a printed skirt, printed maxi skirt in a neutral outfit, ankle boots in the office, Speedy Bandouliere and skinny jeans.

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Shop a great range of maxi skirts at Shopbop right now:

See more maxi skirts here. Or even maxi dresses! 

If you're looking for something a little more work-appropriate, check out the pencil skirts.

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What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Peggie kimono in purple mulberry marle

Scarf: Alexander McQueen skull scarf in light blue
Tee: Spectrum basic v-neck tee in grey marl
Skirt: Target black and white striped maxi skirt (Shop similar maxi skirts here)
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete

Why I wore it:

It's not the first time I've worn this tee and skirt together, although it was a bit warmer last time I did so. Layered it up slightly with the cardigan and scarf for a morning at playgroup.

It's not surprising I'd repeat combinations with this skirt. I like pairing it with grey tees, and I've worn it over 30 times in the year and a half since I bought it. Definitely a must-have in my wardrobe!


Last worn: blue Alexander McQueen skull scarf, purple kimono cardigan, grey tee, Target stripe maxi skirt, Converse, Balenciaga tempete day bag.

Other ways to wear: skull scarf and a striped dress, cardigan and skinny jeans, grey tee in the office, maxi skirt in the third trimester, Converse and skinny jeans, Balenciaga day bag and denim shorts.


Linking up with Friday Favourites, Fab Favourites, Passion For Fashion, Favourite Fashion, Flashback Fashion, Casual Friday, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Let It Shine, Hello Monday, Thursday Fashion Files.


This post was created in partnership with Shopbop. Occasionally, Away From The Blue blog may receive vendor or brand sponsorships for mentioning their products or services. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.

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Corporate Style: Balenciaga Tempete Day Bag, Pencil Skirts and Leather Jackets

Two more office outfits, both featuring blue prints. It's been a while since I've worn my Balenciaga day bag and so I thought it was a good idea to get it out again. I like wearing it with blue.

Just wore my leather jacket instead of my usual go-to trench coats as it was a little warmer. I am looking forward to the end of winter and being able to wear fewer layers!

What I wore:

Jacket: Asos Black by Markus Lupfer printed leather jacket

Scarf: Nali feather print pashmina scarf
Shirt: Target blue abstract floral print shirt (new purchase)
Skirt: Jeanswest black ponte pencil skirt
Shoes: Walnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete

Why I wore it:

Excited to get to wear my newest purchase! I bought this Target top back in July, when I was supposed to be doing #noBuyJuly15. I always end up buying something in sales, so I should never have decided to take a look at the sale. At least I only bought one thing. For only $10 I'm really happy with it, it's the kind of top I can wear to work and at home with baby too, so I'm not beating myself up too badly for buying something and not meeting the challenge 100%.


Last worn: printed leather jacket, feather print pashmina, black pencil skirt, Walnut Melbourne flats, Balenciaga Day bag.

Other ways to wear: printed leather jacket worn with stripes, pashmina with a navy dress, black pencil skirt hiding a second trimester bump, black flats with skinny jeans, Balenciaga day bag and summer dresses.

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More Balenciaga Day bags:
(including some second hand under $700)

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What I wore:

Jacket: Asos Black by Markus Lupfer printed leather jacket

Scarf: Alexander McQueen skull scarf in light blue
Top: Jeanswest 'Tilda' black shirt
Skirt: Asos blue textured lace pencil skirt
Shoes: Walnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete

Why I wore it:

It's been a while since I wore this blue skull scarf too! During my wardrobe detox it was called out as a colour that's not great right next to my face, and something I should get rid of. I couldn't part with it though! I'm keeping it as I can live with the fact that I'll just look more tired on days I wear it, like I do here.

I'm trying to wear this pencil skirt a little more over winter. I tend to wear it a lot in the warmer months with bare legs, and not so much with black tights in winter. I'm trying to wear it more often to ensure I'm making the most of my wardrobe year-round. Not everything will work for all seasons, but I'd rather have the majority of things in my wardrobe being able to be worn all year, so I'm not leaving things unworn too long.


Last worn: printed leather jacket (above), blue skull scarf, black top, lace pencil skirt, Walnut Melbourne flats (above), Balenciaga temptete day bag (above).


Other ways to wear: leather jacket and a grey dress, skull scarf and striped dress, black top in the second trimester, pencil skirt worn casually outside the office, black flats with a printed dress, Balenciaga temptete day bag and denim shorts.

Linking up with Pleated Poppy, Style Me Weekly, Style Me Wednesday, Trendy Wednesday, The Wednesday Pants, Thursday Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday, Fun Fashion Friday.

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