Monthly Purchases: April

You gave me some positive feedback for my monthly purchase wrap up for January/February so I thought I'd do one again showing what I bought in April and how I've worn it. (I didn't buy anything in March as I was in my final month of pregnancy). While I haven't had a chance to put blog posts together, I've been sharing my outfit pics on instagram so I can still show the ways I've been wearing what I bought.

I certainly made up for not shopping in March! There was a bag I'd had my eye on at Shopbop and when the friends and family sale came along I couldn't resist picking up a few other things too with an extra 25% off.

What I Bought in April

In the video:

• Rebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red 
• Tai gold alphabet necklace 
• Marc by Marc Jacobs logo plaque ballet flats 

Not in the video:

• Atmos & Here Oregon stripe tank

This tank was a last minute add on at the Iconic. I picked up a couple undies in their sale and was 50 cents away from free shipping. Instead of paying $7.95 just for shipping...I paid $9.98 and got the tank and free shipping! You can never have too many stripes.

How I Wore It:

• Rebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red (worn six times)
• Tai gold alphabet necklace 
• Marc by Marc Jacobs Logo Plaque Ballet Flats (worn four times. 1, 2, 3, 4)
• Atmos & Here Oregon stripe tank (worn twice: here and here)

I didn't do too badly wearing everything. I have a goal of wearing things I buy at least twice in the month after I've bought it, so that I'm making sure I'm buying things I'll actually wear. The only thing I haven't worn is the necklace which is to be expected as I'm breastfeeding and try to avoid necklaces while baby's in the uncoordinated newborn phase. I know I'll be wearing it soon.

Despite not getting out the house every day with a newborn, and figuring out postpartum dressing the second time around, I managed to wear everything else twice or more. I'm sure people who follow me on instagram are getting really bored of seeing that Rebecca Minkoff bag now...but it's the perfect size and goes with everything! Being crossbody, it's perfect for looking after two boys under 2 as well!


Linking up with budgeting bloggers, Weekend Wear, Flashback Fashion, Let It Shine, Shoe and Tell.

Follow Away From the Blue on:
Bloglovin : Twitter : Instagram : Youtube : Facebook : Google Plus : LikeToKnow.It 

Second Trimester Pregnancy Outfit Inspiration: 38 Outfit Ideas

I've been blogging for over 4 years and through two pregnancies, so I thought a wrap up of my favourite maternity outfits would be a great resource for anyone looking for pregnancy outfit inspiration!

As well as sharing my second trimester travel essentials I previously did a series about my wardrobe changes in each trimester you might find helpful too. I spoke about what worked and what didn't in my second trimester.

This will be a very photo-heavy post as I share a few of my favourite second trimester outfits. 38 different pregnancy outfit ideas! There are links below all the photos if you want more details.

Office Wear:

I bought two ASOS maternity pencil skirts and they got a lot of wear in the office.

My single maternity wrap dress was a real wardrobe workhorse, being worn almost weekly, although I continued to wear my regular non-maternity dresses in the second trimester as well. Fit and flare or empire waist dresses were perfect for this.

Asos maternity panelled pencil skirt in tartan check (non-maternity version here)

1: red bag, grey tee, tartan pencil skirt | 2: red shirt, tartan pencil skirt | 3: orange bag, printed skirt

 Asos maternity graphic print pencil skirt (non-maternity version here)

1: grey tee, printed pencil skirt | 2: wrap front top, printed pencil skirt | 3: teal henely, black and white skirt

1: paisley print dress | 2: striped dress with pink accessories | 3: Aztec print dress and blazer

1: Soon Maternity wrap dress, Chloe Paddington | 2: floral wrap dress | 3: printed wrap dress, pink bag

Maxi Dresses:

I only needed one maternity maxi dress for both pregnancies, the majority of my existing maxi dresses were stretchy enough to work through all three trimesters. There were a few I outgrew in the second trimester though.

1: black maxi dress and denim jacket | 2: Black and white printed dress | 3: feather print maxi dress

4: maxi dress and glitter belt | 5: Mothers En Vogue maternity maxi dress | 6: maxi dress for Christmas

Maternity Denim - Jeans and Shorts:

I added a second pair of maternity denim shorts to my wardrobe for my most recent pregnancy as I was heavily pregnant over summer and it was too hot for jeans. Previously I was doing a full work week and with the cooler temperatures and dressing for casual Friday, my maternity jeans were worn a lot more.

1: pinstripe shirt and skinny jeans | 2: casual travel outfit | 3: printed top and skinny jeans

4: print mixing and jeans | 5: floral top and denim | 6: printed kimono and skinny jeans

Final Pregnancy Outfit: Maxi Dress and Vintage Chanel Bag

This is the last pregnancy outfit I took photos of for the blog! While baby arrived a couple of weeks ago, I've been sharing the backed up outfit photos.

I've mentioned before, when I had baby T, that dressing to care for a newborn is all about just finding something clean to wear and doesn't really make for blog worthy outfits. Most of the time you want to stay at home anyway, and not get dressed up and go out. Having a little backlog of outfit posts has let me relax and not feel any pressure to get back into 'normal' clothing, and embrace the pyjama days and newborn snuggles as much as possible. Adjusting to two under two is a big change, blogging has not been at the front of my mind.

What I wore:

Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace layered with Tiffany diamonds by the yard necklace

Dress: MEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo
Belt: Kmart thin black glitter belt
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bracelets: the usual plus Disney Couture Winnie the Pooh bangle
Bag: Chanel vintage quilted lambskin flap

Why I wore it:

Wore this out for a date night with hubby. Back in the first trimester, I'd optimistically booked tickets to a show just a few days before my due date. My reasoning was that I didn't want to be stuck home feeling sorry for myself, missing a sold-out show and being heavily pregnant. When I didn't go into labour the day of the show or the day after, I was glad I'd bought the tickets! It was nice to get dressed up for an evening and enjoy spending some time together before our second son arrived.

I don't see myself using my vintage Chanel bag when looking after a baby and a toddler, so it was good to have a reason to use it before packing it away for a little while.


This dress has been worn a lot over both my pregnancies, and afterwards too as it's nursing friendly. It was nice to take a final pregnancy photo in it, although I didn't know it at the time!

Thank you for following along with my pregnancy journey.


Last worn: Mothers En Vogue maxi dress, black glitter belt, Havaianas, vintage Chanel flap bag.

Other ways to wear: maxi dress and a Louis Vuitton scarf, glitter belt over a cardigan, vintage Chanel flap bag for a house party.

Linking up with A Labour of Fashion, Throwback Thursday, Fashion Files, Thursday Moda, Fun Fashion, Fabulous Friday, Flashback Fashion, Fab Favourites, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Shoe & Tell, Let It Shine, Hello Monday, Modest Monday.

---

Want more outfit inspiration and advice on how to come up with a wardrobe plan for your pregnancy? The ultimate guide, How to Have a Stylish Pregnancy On a Budget is available now!

---

Follow Away From the Blue on:
Bloglovin : Twitter : Instagram : Youtube : Facebook : Google Plus : LikeToKnow.It