Spring Brights: Kimonos, Jeans and Rebecca Minkoff Silver Mini MAC Bag

Although the heat isn't consistent yet, Brisbane is starting to warm up for spring and I'm enjoying wearing my lighter and brighter layers: my kimonos! They are also a nice layer as the summer heat starts to fade, for those in the northern hemisphere.

What I wore:

Jacket: Cotton On 'Gemma' cocoon kimono in Laos blossom navy print

Tank: thrifted Cotton On yellow tank
Jeans: Jeanswest 'spoylt' flared jeans
Shoes: Walnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC (on sale in black!)

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'fabulously frugal' so I knew I had to wear this kimono again, even though I'd worn it just a few days before. It was a $3 boxing day sale bargain, and this is its tenth wear. Pretty good value!

Picked the yellow tank as it was a $1 opshop (thrift shop) bargain and I thought the colours worked well with the navy. The flares I wore as I scored them on sale the last time flares were big, all those years ago.

The silver mini MAC was nice against all of the bright colours on my outfit, and I chose to wear it as it's the cheapest handbag I own so it fit the prompt nicely. It was about 90% off after a sale, lots of credits and an extra discount code.

Nice simple outfit for popping out to the shops with the boys. I have a specific thing in mind for a gift for a friend but I'm having the hardest time tracking it down!


Last worn: floral kimono, yellow tank, flared jeans, ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC.

Other ways to wear: floral kimono and mint maternity tee, yellow tank and grey kimono, flared jeans in winter, ballet flats and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC and a maxi skirt.

---

More printed kimonos under $50:

---

What I wore:

Jacket: Choies red vintage pattern kimono

Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Charlotte teething necklace
Tee: Spectrum basic v-neck tee in grey marl
Jeans: Jeanswest prima denim super skinny jeans in absolute black
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bracelets: the usual plus Cora purpleheart and mother of pearl watch C/O JORD
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC (on sale in black!)

Why I wore it:

The style challenge prompt was 'relaxed', so this simple jeans and a tee outfit for a quiet Sunday was ideal. We went out to the in-laws for a BBQ dinner, so the bright kimono and colourful teething necklace were nice accessories to add some colour.


Last worn: printed kimono, grey tee, black skinny jeans, Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC (above).

Other ways to wear: printed kimono and denim shorts, grey tee and tartan pencil skirt, black skinny jeans in winter, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC worn as a clutch.


Linking up with What I Wore, Fashion Files, Thursday Moda, On The Edge, Fun Fashion, Fabulous Friday, Flashback Fashion, Weekend Wear, Passion for Fashion.

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

Grey Tees, Black Jeans and Purple Mini MAB Tote Bag

While I kicked off spring by joining in a couple of style challenges on instagram, we had a cooler couple of days that left me a little uninspired, even with the prompts giving me ideas of what to wear. I ended up wearing a simple combo of black skinny jeans and a grey tee. However I wasn't completely happy with either outfit, both outfit fails for me.

Keeping with my usual posting method and sharing what I wore as I manged to get a picture of it, even if I didn't like the outfit.

What I wore:

Jacket: Kmart striped maxi cardigan

Tee: Grey 'making magic happen' tee C/O Shein
Jeans: Jeanswest prima denim super skinny jeans in absolute black
Shoes: Walnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in 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 pink!)

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'monochrome' although I couldn't resist breaking it up and adding a little bit of colour with my purple mini MAB tote bag.

This outfit seemed like a good idea in theory but was a pain to wear. It didn't help that I was running late, but I felt this tee kept sliding around and wouldn't sit right for photos. It annoyed me as I wore it through the day too, but I'm not sure how much of my bad mood was coming from our failed shopping trip that morning! I just popped out to get something quickly but you can never do anything too quickly with a baby and a toddler in tow...


Last worn: striped duster, making magic happen tee, black Prima jeans, black ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff purple mini MAB tote bag.

Other ways to wear: striped cardi and grey dress, making magic happen tee and baby bump, black Prima jeans and winter layers, ballet flats and a wrap dress, Rebecca Minkoff purple mini MAB tote bag and denim jacket.

---

What I wore:

Sunnies: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers (on sale)

Jacket: Jeanswest Peggie kimono cardigan in purple mulberry marle

Scarf: Alexander McQueen modal and cashmere skull scarf
Tee: Jeanswest 'Lucy' colour block tee in grey marle/rosebud
Jeans: Sass & Bide Playman skinny jeans
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs black logo plaque ballet flats
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum (on sale in blue and on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

Baby boy had his vaccinations, so in anticipation of having a tough day I'd planned a simple outfit. Just like the grey tee and black skinny jeans combo above, although with a little more colour from the purple cardigan and some print mixing with the scarf and jeans. The jeans met the 'special' style challenge prompt too as they always feel a little more special to wear than plain blue jeans.

I really liked this outfit - comfortable for running a few errands, getting baby boy's vaccinations and then spending the afternoon with my sister. I added the scarf at the last minute as it looked like it might be a cooler day that morning but quickly took it off as it warmed up. I wish I'd just left it at home, I don't think it looks quite right and I much preferred the outfit without it.

Aside from the scarf not really working with the rest of what I was wearing, I did really like the rest of this outfit and I had a fun day wearing it.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, taupe skull scarf, grey tee, purple cardigan, printed skinny jeans, ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote (above).

Other ways to wear: taupe skull scarf and burgundy tee, purple cardigan and a maxi skirt, grey tee and a baby bump, printed skinny jeans worn two ways, ballet flats and a printed maxi skirt, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote and denim shorts.

Linking up with Modest Monday, Red Carpet Linkup, Mix It Monday, On Trend, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday.

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

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.

---

Where to buy the Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote bag:

---

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.

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