Frocktober: MbMJ Fran Bag, Dresses For The Office And Working From Home

Sticking with the outfit posting format I was using during October while sharing my Frocktober outfits, another two dresses in the order I wore them. Even if they are both very different looks, they do have the Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag in common I guess.

What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Dixie collarless jacket

Necklace: House of Harlow Dynamic necklace in gold
Dress: Leona Edmiston Jemima fern print dress
Shoes: Walnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs black leather Swarovski beaded wrap bracelet
Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Fran bag with gold hardware in carob brown

Why I wore it:

Last time I wore this dress, I hated the outfit, despite the good response it received online. This time around, I liked it much better! I've worn this dress in the second trimester before so I was confident that I could still fit into it, and so wasn't in a rush to wear it at the beginning of the Frocktober challenge. It really came in handy on this day when I was starting to worry I'd outgrown all my work appropriate non-maternity dresses.

It's funny comparing the pictures of when I wore it the second trimester before to now. I can definitely see that the baby bump is bigger this time around. It's always going to be that way with a second baby, but it's interesting having side by side photos to compare it to! Also gave me a giggle to see I'd worn it in a very similar way - same necklace, Marc Jacobs bag and black ballet flats!


Last worn: boucle blazer, Leona Edmiston fern print dress, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran bag.

Other ways to wear: boucle blazer in autumn, Leona Edmiston fern print dress hiding a first trimester baby bump, ballet flats and tights in winter, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran bag with pants in the office.

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Browse more Marc by Marc Jacob bags at Shopbop:

Marc by Marc Jacobs bucket bags | Marc by Marc Jacobs Shoulder Bags

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What I wore:

Scarf: Love Quotes knotted tassel linen scarf in sunshine yellow 

Dress: Zalora Basics faux leather placket red shift dress
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white
Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Fran bag with gold hardware in carob brown

Why I wore it:

While it was warm and sunny in the morning, it got cold and rainy in the afternoon so the scarf was a welcome addition. I had to work from home in the morning and then had an OB appointment in the afternoon, after my appointment the week before was cancelled as there were too many ladies having babies and requiring the OB's attention! I slipped shorts underneath for that, but you can't see them in the pic.

I wasn't too impressed with the first time I wore this scarf, so I was eager to try it again. I preferred it worn this way, I twisted it a little to make it look less bulky. I wasn't sure about the red and yellow at first, but decided to give the colour combination a try.


Last worn: yellow scarf, red shift dress, white Converse, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran (above).

Other ways to wear: yellow scarf with a navy printed dress, red shift dress layered up for winter (my favourite outfit with this dress), Converse and a maxi skirt, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran bag for the office.

Linking up with Mix It Monday, Classy Monday, Style Sessions, On Trend Tuesday, Turning Heads, Wardrobe Wednesday, Wednesday Blog Hop.

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Brisbane Myer Giftorium 2015

Earlier this week, toddler T and I were lucky enough to be invited along to the Myer Giftorium for some Christmas shopping. Just like last year, I wanted to share a little about the Giftorium. It's a brief break from my Frocktober backlog of outfit pictures too.

What I wore:

Sunglasses: Rayban new Wayfarers (on sale!)

Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace layered with Roie Designs long freshwater pearl necklace with tassel
Tank: Jeanswest Jenni basic singlet in Royal Lilac purple
Skirt: Target black and white striped maxi skirt
Shoes: Balenciaga studded sandals in sorbet RGGH
Bracelets: the usual plus Disney Couture Winnie the Pooh bangle
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum (on sale in blue!)

Why I wore it:

Picked this outfit to wear to be cool and comfortable for the hot day. Although I'd planned to wear my lace kimono over this, I took it off after standing outside for a minute - it was much too warm for layers. I loved this tank and maxi skirt combination a lot in my last pregnancy, I'm going to be wearing it just as much (if not more!) this time around.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, purple singlet, striped maxi skirt, Balenciaga sorbet sandals, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote bag.

Other ways to wear: purple tank and a pencil skirt, striped maxi skirt layered up for winter, Balenciaga sorbet sandals and a chambray dress, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote bag and a maxi dress.

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The 2015 Myer Giftorium felt bigger and better than last year! I was reliably informed that there are over 2.5 million products in the Giftoriums Australia-wide, and overall it takes up 12% more space across Myer stores than last year.

There is, as always, something for everyone. They have tried really hard to make it a one stop shop. 'Gifticians' know about all of the products offered from each of the seven themed categories: For Her, For Him, Tech Guru, Kids Cubby, Paws Corner, Stocking Fillers and Food Fanatic. I didn't manage to get a picture of every area this year, as toddler T was too busy running from activity to activity and I was getting quite distracted picking up gifts!

They weren't short on staff, the Gifticians were lovely and often asked if I needed help (but then after giving toddler T a high 5 were happy to let me browse in peace if I didn't need assistance) and thankfully offered to help me manoeuvre my large haul of presents to the registers. If you find it a bit difficult to juggle everything for the trip home, they have a 'Shop and Drop' parcel service, or even a 'Shop, Wrap and Deliver' service!

Last year I went back to the Giftorium for even more shopping with my sister and was able to take advantage of the fact that every Giftician is equipped with an iPad. They are able to order anything that might be extremely popular and has sold out in store, and can deliver it to your home. Myer is doing the same thing again this year, although I didn't need to use it on this trip as I was able to find everything I needed.

My top gift pick has to be the personalised jar of Nutella! It's so unique and delicious, and I was very lucky to receive one free. It starts at $12.95 too so it won't break the bank if you're looking for a quirky stocking filler. With all the great food treats available to buy, and a lovely morning tea, they certainly know how to keep a pregnant lady happy!

If you get a chance to visit a Myer store in person and check out the Giftorium please do - you won't be disappointed. I was even briefly on TV (40 seconds in) discussing why I enjoyed shopping in the Giftorium and in-store for Christmas gifts! If you can't make it in-store, you can shop the range online.



Some compensation was received for this post but as always all outfits, opinions and words are my own.

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Frocktober: Jeanswest Black Maxi Dresses, Purple Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAB Tote Bag

Getting closer to the end of October, I started to wear all the maxi dresses I'd been 'saving' for later in the Frocktober challenge. I ended up wearing my two black maxi dresses back to back.

What I wore:

Jacket: Bubblegum denim jacket

Dress: Jeanswest 'Sierra' embellished black maxi dress (on sale!)
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs metallic mouse flats
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum | Shop more Rebecca Minkoff bags

Why I wore it:

I really like this maxi dress for the little embellishment along the neckline and the side split, it makes it just a little different from a plain black maxi dress. I used to have a plain black maxi dress, but I got rid of that one in my wardrobe when I bought this one.

This was a nice outfit for song time at the local library with toddler T and then dinner with the in-laws after Church Online. I picked the denim jacket as I needed another layer to keep me warm in the air conditioning, and it also met the #myStyleOctober prompt of 'old faithful', as I bought this jacket such a long time ago, when I was a uni student! I'd wanted to participate in more prompts for #myStyleOctober as well as doing my own #31Days31DifferentDresses challenge, but with a limited wardrobe of dresses and trying to make sure I had enough to wear that would accommodate the baby bump, it wasn't always possible.


Last worn: denim jacket, embellished maxi dress, metallic mouse flats, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote.

Other ways to wear: denim jacket with a maxi skirt, embellished maxi dress with short hair in autumn, metallic mouse flats and flares, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote and a colourful maxi dress.

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Shop more black maxi dresses at Shopbop (starting from $26.40!):

1 & 2: Bop Basics maxi dresses | 3 & 4: Three Dots maxi dresses | 5: Lovers + Friends maxi dress
(All above are under $200!)

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What I wore:

Sunglasses: Rayban new Wayfarers (on sale!)

Cardi: Jeanswest brown marle waterfall cardigan
Necklace: thrifted pearl and heart long necklace
Dress: thrifted black Jeanswest halterneck maxi dress
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bracelets: the usual plus Nicole by Nicole Miller bracelet
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum | Shop more Rebecca Minkoff bags

Why I wore it:

Despite wanting to reduce the number of dresses I own during this challenge, like the majority of the other dresses I've worn, I really liked wearing this and so it's staying in my wardrobe. Was perfect for a morning at playgroup with the toddler, although I did end up taking the cardi off when the sun came out for the day.

Unlike the maxi dress I wore the day before (above) this is a very plain black maxi dress. As I thought last time I wore it, I didn't get to wear it twice in a month after buying it, which indicates it wasn't a needed addition to my wardrobe. It was part of a $2 bag in the fill a bag for $2 sale at the local op-shop though so I've held onto it. As it's only it's second wear now and I bought it in May.... my purchase review:

I know I don't need this dress, I already have a black maxi dress I love (above) and this one I just like, so I should let it leave my wardrobe. But the bargain price and the fact that it's a classic black maxi dress are making me want to keep it. It's staying in my wardrobe. Even if it's not going to be a forever piece, it's definitely going to fill a need during my pregnancy! Not the smartest or most necessary purchase, but one I'm happy to have.


A quick video review of my Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote too, as I forgot to do it on it's second wear:

Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, brown marle cardigan, black maxi dress, Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum (above).

Other ways to wear: cardigan and skinny jeans in autumn, black maxi dress layered up for winter, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote and a printed maxi dress.


Linking up with Pleated Poppy, Fresh Fashion Forum, Style Me Wednesday, Oh Hey Girl, Throwback Thursday, Fashion Files, Fun Fashion, Shoe and Tell, Let It Shine, Hello Monday, Modest Monday.



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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