Friday 29 January 2016

Fun Novelty Tees To Wear in Pregnancy and a Giveaway: #StrugglesBook

My ninja baby tee was a firm favourite last pregnancy, and I'm enjoying wearing it this time around too. There are a lot of fun novelty pregnancy tees around so I thought I'd do a post featuring them.

Also wanted to give away an extra copy of the #Struggles book I received. I wrote about it last year, in my favourite post I've ever written. I pre-ordered a copy and received an advance e-copy to read. Since I ended up with one more copy than I needed when the one I bought arrived, it made sense to do a little giveaway.

What I wore:


Away From Blue Blog | Third Trimester maternity denim shotrs ninja baby skeleton novelty tee

AwayFromTheBlue | Balenciaga chevre 2005 magenta day hobo bag
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers (on sale!)
Tee'Ninja baby' maternity skeleton tee
Shorts: Jeanswest Georgie maternity boyfriend shorts (available in non-maternity also)
Shoesslim gold Havaianas
Bag: Balenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta (new purchase)

Why I wore it:

Everyone loves a good ninja baby tee! I wore this to work from home, run some errands in the afternoon and attend my OB appointment. It's fun seeing everyone's reactions to this tee - at the very least it raises a smile. Comfy and casual outfit for a hot day.


Last worn: ninja baby skeleton tee, Jeanswest maternity denim shorts, Havaianas. First time I've worn the Balenciaga magenta day bag on the blog.

Other ways to wearninja baby tee and skinny jeans, denim shorts and a print mixing outfit, Havaianas, Balenciaga magenta day bag on instagram.


More fun graphic maternity tees:





The best novelty pregnancy text tees:








What I wore:

Away From Blue | SheIn Making Magic Happen grey slogan tee maxi skirt third trimester

AwayFromTheBlue | Baby bump silver bracelet stack, Bal 05 magenta day chevre bag
Tee: Grey 'making magic happen' tee C/O Shein
SkirtAT by Atmos&Here Mars striped maxi skirt
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Balenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta (new purchase)

Why I wore it:

This isn't designed to be a maternity tee, but when I saw it I knew it would be a fun slogan tee to wear in pregnancy. I was contacted by SheIn and asked to pick another item to feature on my blog after previously featuring this cute lace kimono. I picked this tee right away. Of course as everyone who orders from SheIn knows, shipping is slow, (around 3 weeks) and with Christmas delays, it took quite a while to arrive.

I don't think I'll be able to enjoy it while I'm pregnant as much as I thought due to it's late arrival, as it doesn't have enough stretch in it for me to wear it again as the baby bump grows. I did size up, but the third trimester baby bump is pretty big. It's a tee that's easy to wear outside of pregnancy too, it just makes the text even better when you're growing a baby!


Last worn:Ray-Ban Wayfarers (above), striped maxi skirt, Havaianas, Balenciaga magenta day (above). First time I've worn the tee.

Other ways to wearstriped maxi skirt and a cosy knitBalenciaga magenta day bag in the office.


The Giveaway

I have one unused copy of the #StrugglesBook to give away! This is a really good read for anyone who uses social media. If you're not a reader, or you just want an overview of what the book is about, you can watch the video on the same topic here.

The Struggles book really made me think and change my behaviour so I'm excited to be able to share it with you! I completed a technology fast, cut down my data allowance on my phone, removed a bunch of apps, unfollowed some accounts, and set myself specific times each day to use social media.

The book is about something that is all too common to bloggers - social media burnout, and how social media takes up so much of our lives, time and worry. One of my favourite quotes:



While the book is written from a Christian viewpoint and references bible values frequently, I think the advice contained in it is worthwhile reading even if you aren't a Christian. Of course feel free to read the reviews first if you're unsure. If you've ever felt overwhelmed with 'keeping up' with social media, or browsing your feed has made you feel like everyone has the perfect life, this book is for you!

From the book overview on Amazon:
"The more you compare, the less satisfied you are. The more we interact online, the more we crave face to face intimacy, but the harder it is to find. The more filtered our lives become, the more challenging it is to be authentic. The more information about the pain in the world we’re exposed to the more difficult it is to care."

This competition is open internationally, I will ship the book worldwide. In order to win a copy of "#Struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World", you have to come up with the most creative answer to the question "What advice would you give to someone feeling overwhelmed with social media, or what is the best advice someone has given you?". You can enter this game of skill competition via the rafflecopter form below, and remember to include your answer in a blog comment.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! The competition will run for one week, and I can't wait to read all your great pieces of advice. It will be hard to pick a winner!



Linking up with Fab Favourites, Passion For Fashion, Flashback Fashion, Friday Favourites, Friday Blog Hop, Fabulous Friday, Weekend Wear, Weekend Blog Hop, Let It Shine, Shoe & Tell, Hello Monday, Modest Monday.



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Wednesday 27 January 2016

Tank Tops, Jersey Maxi Skirts, Rebecca Minkoff Love Bag in Third Trimester

Despite having bought a few maternity items to see me through this pregnancy (in addition to the pieces I already had from last pregnancy), I still want to try and wear regular non-maternity pieces when I can. Otherwise I'll get pretty uninspired with outfit choices in the final weeks when I no longer fit into regular clothes! I managed to squeeze the third trimester baby bump into some pretty tanks for what is sure to be their last wear until after baby arrives.

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Third Trimester untucked tank stripe maxi skirt OOTD

AwayFromTheBlue | Silver bracelet stack Rebecca Minkoff Love bag
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers (on sale!)
NecklaceTiffany diamonds by the yard necklace
TankJeanswest 'Darcy' embellished top in Winter coral
Skirt: Target black and white striped maxi skirt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs silver tuxedo flats (on sale!)
Bracelets: the usual plus silver cuff
BagRebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag in grey (on sale in black and white!)

Why I wore it:

Wore this out for the last lunch of the year - this was my new year's eve outfit. The tank had the right amount of sparkle for the occasion. Not quite as much as my sparkly Christmas outfits, but nice all the same. The style challenge for the day was 'sparkles' which made this sequin embellished tank a great choice.

I enjoyed wearing this although it didn't look great when I looked back at the photos - the breeze didn't help! I think the tank untucked with the maxi skirt just looked a little weird, I prefer to tuck this tank in when I wear it as it's really long on my petite frame, even with the baby belly. Bit of an outfit fail.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, sequin tank, striped maxi skirt, tuxedo flats, Rebecca Minkoff Love bag.

Other ways to wearsequin tank and skinny jeans, striped maxi skirt in winter without a baby bump, tuxedo flats and a maxi dress, Rebecca Minkoff Love bag and a colourful cardigan.



More embellished / button down tank tops for under $50:







What I wore:

Away From Blue | Printed tank tucked into grey maxi skirt third trimester BBQ outfit

AwayFromTheBlue | Rebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag in grey Roie Designs wrap bracelet
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers (on sale!)
NecklaceTiffany diamonds by the yard necklace layered with Tai gold alphabet necklace
Tank: Jeanswest Florence print long line tank (new purchase, on sale!)
Skirt: Target grey marle maxi skirt
Shoes: slim gold Havaianas (new purchase)
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs waxed leather cream howlite beaded wrap bracelet
BagRebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag in grey (on sale in black and white!)

Why I wore it:

Wore this out to a BBQ for the first day of the new year. Unlike the outfit I'd worn the day before, I tucked this tank in and much preferred this outfit over the one above. Just a simple thing, to tuck or untuck a top, but it can make a big difference. And show off the growing third trimester bump nicely! :)

This top was one of my post Christmas sale buys from Jeanswest. I'd actually tried this top on before, months ago, and wasn't sure it would accommodate the baby bump so I left it in the store. I kept thinking about it though. When I came across it again in the outlet store reduced even further I was so happy. Even more so to find that it did fit the baby bump! The buttons will come in handy post-baby for breastfeeding too. Even if I was pushing the limits of it here and can't wear it again until after baby arrives, I'm so pleased to have found and bought this.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer (above), grey maxi skirt, Rebecca Minkoff Love bag (above). First time I've worn the thongs (flip flops) and tank as they are recent purchases.

Other ways to weargrey maxi skirt layered for winter, Rebecca Minkoff Love bag and skinny jeans.


Linking up with Style Me Wednesday, Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday, Fun Fashion Friday, Fabulous Friday.



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Monday 25 January 2016

Printed Kimonos, Jeanswest Maternity Tops and Shorts, Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Bag | Australia Day Sales

First up, hope everyone has an awesome Australia day tomorrow! We had a BBQ over the weekend and it was wonderful catching up with everyone.

If you're doing some shopping there are a lot of extra sales and discounts on for Australia day! I've wrapped up the best at the bottom of the post.


Congrats to 'Wehaf' who won the sunglasses giveaway. I'll have another giveaway this week.


Now, what I've been wearing. I have been loving kimonos and denim shorts this summer! I picked up yet another new kimono when we went boxing day sale shopping.

What I wore:

Away From Blue Blog | Third Trimester Summer Jeanswest Maternity Outfit floral kimono

AwayFromTheBlue | Rebecca Minkoff aquamarine Mini MAC bag
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers
Jacket: Cotton On 'Gemma' cocoon kimono in Laos blossom navy print (new purchase)
Necklace: gifted Eye Candy LA 'Sasha' statement necklace
SingletJeanswest maternity tank in white
ShortsJeanswest maternity rolled up shorts
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather

Why I wore it:

Although I'm frowning a little in this picture (it was really bright!) I love this outfit. I'd happily wear it over and over again. The statement necklace was an awesome Christmas present from my bestie, and this kimono is the one I got in the sales. Reduced from $39.95 to $3, I couldn't say no! It's more of a cocoon style and feels just like being wrapped in a giant blanket. Although not too warm, it is still perfect for the summer heat and was great for a morning at the library singing and dancing with toddler T.

I really liked the colours in this outfit too. The style challenge for the day was 'animal instinct' but the animal print pieces I thought I could wear the bump had outgrown, so I had to have a subtle nod to the theme with the python embossed leather on my Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, white maternity tank, Jeanswest maternity denim, Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC. First time I've worn the kimono as it's a recent purchase.

Other ways to wearwhite maternity tank with blue and pink, Jeanswest maternity shorts and a maxi cardi, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC and a maxi skirt.


Fab floral kimonos under $50:



(The first one is the one I'm wearing below, it's on crazy sale and such a good buy!)




What I wore:

Away From Blue Blog | Summer Maternity Denim Shorts Somedays Lovin Kimono

AwayFromTheBlue | Roie Designs labradorite bracelets Rebecca Minkoff aquamarine mini MAC bag
SunglassesRayban new Wayfarers
JacketSomedays Lovin' Yakuza print kimono (on sale, and get an extra 15% off with code 'SWEETMATE')
Necklace: custom Cooper charm by Silhoupette
TeeJeanswest Sonny maternity tee in lagoon marle (C/O)
ShortsJeanswest Georgie maternity boyfriend shorts (available in non-maternity also)
ShoesHavaianas tropical print thongs
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs labradorite bracelets
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather

Why I wore it:

Another kimono! My favourite from my Asos sale order last year. They are having another sale at the moment, 15% off everything with code 'SWEETMATE' for Australia day!

Wore this out shopping. We've been seriously de-cluttering over the Christmas break and while we donated a lot and discarded a lot more, realised we had a lot of things we wanted to keep (like toddler T's artwork!) but nowhere to put it. We went out to buy a few boxes and check out some more of the sales. I had a Jeanswest voucher I'd found when cleaning out that expired the next day so it was a good excuse to go shopping there too.

The style challenge for the day was 'dramatic eyes' which I didn't even attempt - I know my limits with eye makeup! - so I just skipped it entirely, and wore something I'd been thinking of for a while. It thought the sea glass green colour of this maternity tee would look nice with the print on the kimono, and was pleased with how it turned out.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer (above), Somedays Lovin' kimono, maternity tee, Jeanswest maternity shorts, Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC (above).

Other ways to wearprinted kimono and a maxi skirt, green tee and a white scarf, Jeanswest maternity shorts and a colourful summer outfit, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC and flared jeans.



The best of the Australia Day sales: 


Get 15% off everything at ASOS with code 'SWEETMATE'!

My top picks:





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