Purple, Jeans and Rebecca Minkoff Plum Mini MAB Tote Bag

First, #noSpenderSeptember results! After achieving #noBuyJuly16 and only buying two things in August, I decided to tackle a #noSpenderSeptember challenge, inspired by Beth from Almost Posh. I'm pleased to report that even with a trip to the outlets, I didn't buy any clothes or accessories. October is Buy Nothing New month and while I've considered doing another no-buy month I'm not going to commit just yet.

This year I tallied up my spend in June for the year and said it would be nice to spend less than that in the last 6 months of the year - so far I'm managing to do so! I think the change in weather bringing up new outfit options within my wardrobe has helped me feel more content with the clothes I already own.



When Brisbane started to hit proper spring temperatures I got all excited and declared it kimono season! I was quickly looking out my cardigans again not too long after though as we got some really wet weather.

What I wore:

Sunnies: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers (on sale)

Jacket: Cotton On 'Gemma' cocoon kimono in Laos blossom navy print
Tee: Spectrum basic v-neck tee in washed lilac
Jeans: Jeanswest Bindi skinny 7/8 jeans in indigo luxe
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs metallic mouse flats (on sale in black or silver!)
Bracelets: the usual plus Cora purpleheart and mother of pearl watch C/O JORD
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum (on sale in blue and on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

There is not a single thing I'd change about this outfit, I loved every part of it. I wanted to try purple with this kimono, really liked the navy with the v-neck tee.

Took the boys to DFO (outlet stores) to pick out some cute outfits for an upcoming photoshoot. I got lucky when I visited the baby expo a few months ago and won a competition! The prize was a photoshoot and gift voucher. I'm looking forward to having some updated family photos, and wanted to try and get a little matching outfit for the boys.

Although there was a ton of sales and extra discounts and even a Jeanswest store, I stuck to my #noSpenderSeptember challenge and only bought lunch, I didn't buy anything else. I had no luck tracking down an outfit for the boys sadly.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, floral cocoon kimono, purple tee, skinny jeans, gold mouse flats, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote bag.

Other ways to wear: floral cocoon kimono and a red saddle bag, purple tee and lace pencil skirt, skinny jeans and a long cardi, gold mouse flats and a maxi dress, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote bag and shorts.

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Where to buy the Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote bag:

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What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Dana drape knit cardi in boysenberry

Tee: Cotton On Luxe pearl tee
Jeans: Sass and Bide pale grey skinny jeans
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs metallic mouse flats (on sale in black or silver!)
Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum (on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'old faithful' so I figured these jeans that are over 10 years old would be a good thing to wear. I needed a cardigan to keep cosy as it was a really rainy day. You can't see that in the photos though. When a toddler distracts you as you are adjusting the exposure and you can't double-check the photos right away, you end up looking really washed out. ;)

This tee is leaving my wardrobe. I bought it in 2012 for $5 and it's been worn 7 times since then. I'm constantly looking at it in my wardrobe thinking I should wear it again. It's nice but it's a bit of a pain to wear (the back is completely sheer so I have to layer) and I have other tops I enjoy wearing more. Looking at it and thinking 'I should really wear this again' without actually wearing it was getting annoying too. Time for it to go.

Last worn: purple cardigan, metallic gold tee, grey jeans, gold mouse flats (above), Rebecca Minkoff purple mini MAB tote (above).

Other ways to wear: purple cardigan and chambray dress, metallic gold tee and a pencil skirt, grey jeans and printed top, gold mouse flats and a pencil skirt, purple mini MAB tote and black maxi dress.


Linking up with Budget Bloggers, Let It Shine, Grace & Lace, Shoe & Tell, Hello Monday.

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Blush Pink Boyfriend Blazer, Jeans and Blue Balenciaga Day Bag

With our unexpected autumn heatwave, I wasn't able to wear this beautiful blush pink boyfriend blazer much this year. I mentioned when I last wore it (in March!) that I was just waiting for a bit of a cooler day. Which didn't seem to arrive! Now it's spring and warming up and I need less layers it's been the perfect time to wear it again. Although it's from a Jeanswest spring 2014 collection, it's a great match for the 'rose quartz' colour of the year.

What I wore:

Sunnies: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers 

Jacket: Jeanswest Nadine 3/4 sleeve dusky pink blazer
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Ava elephant pendant teething necklace
Top: MEV Britney bubble tank in mood indigo C/O Zibibo
Jeans: Jeanswest Super Skinny Jeans in Mid Indigo
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs silver tuxedo flats (on sale!)
Bracelets: the usual plus Cora purpleheart and mother of pearl watch C/O JORD
Bag:  Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete

Why I wore it:

I loved this outfit! The style challenge was 'my favourite colour' which is of course blue. I really like blue and pink together so this blazer seemed like a great topper, despite the warm day I needed just a little something extra to cover my arms.

Took the boys out to brunch with a friend which we had been looking forward to for a while. We've caught up now and then but a dedicated morning to talk over a couple of changes and events was needed. Bringing both boys along led to us cutting our date short when it drew near to nap time and not even yummy food would keep them amused. I'm lucky my friend saw the funny side of the situation, unlike the older ladies sitting a few tables down from us who kept glaring at me as I tried a couple things to calm an overly cranky baby in his ergo carrier while also convincing a toddler that it was time to hop back into the stroller and go home, ha!

Despite feeling a bit flustered towards the end I was grateful to get out and have some adult conversation for a while. The teething necklace bought us a few more minutes of quiet which was appreciated too!


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, blush pink blazer, navy breastfeeding tank, skinny jeans, silver ballet flats, Balenciaga tempete day bag.

Other ways to wear: blush pink blazer and a LBD, navy breastfeeding tank and purple accessories, skinny jeans and tall boots, silver ballet flats and a maxi skirt, Balenciaga tempete day bag and a printed dress.

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Shop more pink / rose quartz / blush / pastel / dusty pink blazers under $50:

No matter what you call the shade, it's a pretty colour and all the blazers above are bargains at less than $50!

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What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Nadine 3/4 sleeve dusky pink blazer

Scarf: Alexander McQueen modal skull scarf in white/pink (on sale in black and white!)
Tee: Atmos&Here navy stripe v-neck tee
Jeans: Sass and Bide pale grey skinny jeans
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs two tone flats in blush and black
Bracelets: the usual plus Cora purpleheart and mother of pearl watch C/O JORD
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete

Why I wore it:

Unlike the outfit above, I'm really not sure about this one. I didn't feel great wearing it. This outfit got more love than the one above on instagram though so maybe I got something right!

I was trying to hit two style challenges again, 'pinktastic' and 'make it casual'. I also wanted to try these grey jeans with the blush blazer. I like all of the pieces on their own, I just don't feel it looked all that great together.

I was in a rush in the morning (as usual!) and trying to get the boys out the door for an appointment. I was thinking of what to wear in between getting them ready. When I saw the photos, the first time I'd seen it all together, I wasn't happy. Definitely an outfit fail. I think if I'd spent the time to pick a different bag I'd have liked this outfit more. Maybe something grey instead of my tempete Balenciaga day. I did consider it but really had no time. Even the pretty blazer couldn't make this better. A good reminder to myself to take longer planning my outfits in the evening when I have more time, so I'm more confident with what I've picked to wear.


Last worn: boyfriend blazer (above), pink skull scarf, navy striped tee, grey jeans, two tone ballet flats, Balenciaga day bag (above).

Other ways to wear: boyfriend blazer in the office, pink skull scarf and a striped dress, navy striped tee and purple cardi, grey jeans and a trench, two tone ballet flats and a wrap dress, Balenciaga day bag and a maxi dress.


Linking up with What I Wore, Fresh Fashion, Oh Hey Girl, Fashion Files, On the Edge, Fun Fashion, Fabulous Friday, Passion for Fashion, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Turning Heads.

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Colourful Jeans, Balenciaga Tempete Day Bag

My brightly coloured jeans get worn most of the year, but they are definitely used most frequently in spring. It's a great cheerful way to add some colour to an outfit. To kick off spring I started playing along with two style challenges on Instagram, and the bright jeans worked nicely.

What I wore:

Sunnies: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers (on sale)

Jacket: Bubblegum denim jacket

Scarf: navy bird print scarf
Tee: Atmos&Here oversized stripe tee
Jeans: Emerson red skinny jeans
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white
Bracelets: the usual plus Cora purpleheart and mother of pearl watch C/O JORD
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete

Why I wore it:

This was another one of those outfits that hit all the style prompts for the two style challenges. The prompts were 'thrifted and gifted' and 'it's for me'. Thrifted was achieved with the red jeans I scored in an opshop a while back, and gifted was this beautiful scarf my mum got me. I'm sad it will be worn less and less as the weather heats up, it's so cosy. Being jeans and a tee, it was simple and made me happy, so it met the 'it's for me' challenge too.

It actually ended up being such a warm day - when we were outside at playgroup I ditched the jacket and the scarf was taken off when I wasn't using it as a breastfeeding cover up.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, denim jacket, striped tee, bird print scarf, skinny jeans, Converse, Balenciaga tempete day bag.

Other ways to wear: denim jacket and a maxi dress, striped tee and a baby bump, bird print scarf and winter layers, skinny jeans and printed cami, Converse and a maxi skirt, Balenciaga tempete day bag and shorts.

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Where to buy colourful jeans for under $50:

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What I wore:

Jacket: Paper Scissors grey wrap cardigan

Scarf: blue Coach twilly tied in a bow
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Ava elephant pendant teething necklace
Tee: Atmos & Here Avery marle tee in navy (on sale!)
Jeans: Jeanswest blackberry super skinny jeans
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs silver tuxedo flats (on sale!)
Bracelets: the usual plus Cora purpleheart and mother of pearl watch C/O JORD
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete

Why I wore it:

I found these purple jeans at last! I mentioned a while back that our partial packing up of things in preparation for moving house (that fell through) has made it difficult trying to find where all the non-maternity pieces in my wardrobe ended up. These jeans have been missing for such a long time, I last wore them a year ago. I'm pleased I've found them now. I like purple and blue together so wanted to try wearing the jeans with the navy tee, and I liked the combination. 

I hadn't been sure what would meet the style challenges of 'tried something new' and 'tie one on', when I saw this twilly from my bestie. I've worn twillies in my hair before, but never tied one into a bow like this. I'm not sure this is an everyday look for me, it kept annoying me as I couldn't wear my sunnies on my head like I usually do! But it was fun to try something new, one of the reasons I participate in style challenges.

Ran a few errands in the morning and had my family over in the afternoon, a nice simple jeans and tee outfit was perfect for that.


Last worn: Coach twilly, grey cardigan, navy marle tee, purple skinny jeans, silver ballet flats, Balenciaga tempete day bag (above).

Other ways to wear: Coach twilly on a bag, grey cardigan and chambray, navy marle tee and a maxi skirt, purple skinny jeans and black tank, silver ballet flats and a pencil skirt, Balenciaga tempete day bag in the office.


Linking up with Mix It Monday, Glam Adventure, Grace & Lace, Mums That Slay, On Trend, Confident Twosday, Turning Heads, Wardrobe Wednesday, Midweek Inspo, Style Sessions, Fashion Frenzy.

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