Blue Kimonos, Tees and Denim Shorts with Neon Pink Bag | #6MonthsWithoutShopping Update 3

First, I'm so happy to report that month 3 of my #6MonthsWithoutShopping challenge is done, and I've bought nothing. Still sticking to my challenge. I did buy a hair curler but as beauty and makeup/skincare products are exempt I'm not counting that.

The hardest temptation for me this month was a mustard yellow cardigan in my size for $2 in an opshop. I've been wearing a lot of mustard lately with my little mustard Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag so have been wanting more of it. But I left it behind. Even though I keep thinking about it!


Now, what I've been wearing. One colour combination I'll always come back to is blue and pink. Neon, pastels or any shade in-between, I just love the colours together.

The outfits below are really simple with denim shorts and basic tees. Adding a bright handbag and printed kimono creates a little more interest and makes the outfits less plain. Kimonos are a perfect completer pieces for an outfit, even in hot weather.

What I wore:

Jacket: thrifted Edited floral and bird print kimono

Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
Tee: Atmos&Here rolled sleeve oversize tee in black (also in grey, 25% off with code 'YAY25')
Shorts: Jeanswest Trinity Bermuda denim shorts (on sale!)
Shoes: Wittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff neon pink mini MAC (on sale!)
Nails: OPI Rich Girls and Po Boys

Why I wore it:

This was an easy outfit for playgroup, and then a quick stop at the post office in the afternoon to mail some more ebay parcels.

Shorts and a tee is a great warm weather playgroup outfit, and it's what the boys wore too. Adding the printed kimono and bright bag made my outfit a little more colourful and fun. Although the kimono has red in the print instead of pink, I really liked the neon against the navy background. Just like last time I paired the two together.

Cooper wasn't in the mood for photos this morning and tried to hide away - you can see him peeking out in my instgram photo too.


Last worn: printed kimono, black tee, bermuda denim shorts, studded sandals, neon pink mini MAC bag.

Other ways to wear: printed kimono worn two ways, black tee and printed jeans, bermuda denim shorts and button up shirt, studded sandals and printed shorts, neon pink bag and olive tank.

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More Pink Rebecca Minkoff Bags:

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What I wore:

Jacket: New Look Petite print kimono

Tee: Asos new forever grey tee (on sale!)
Shorts: Jeanswest denim cuff shorts
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff neon pink mini MAC (on sale!)
Nails: OPI Rich Girls and Po Boys

Why I wore it:

Same outfit formula as the first outfit - blue kimono, basic tee and denim shorts with a bright pink bag. I had picked the bag and kimono first, then the shorts and wasn't sure what top to choose. Went with this neutral grey tee as it's been a while since I last wore it, 7 months! Despite getting rid of a lot of grey tees I obviously still have a long way to go if it's so long between wears.  It was such a hot day I wished I'd picked something with a little less fabric, like a tank instead of this tee.

We spent the day northside visiting the emergency services expo. Although much too hot for us to enjoy walking around an unshaded park, Toddler T and Baby Boy had a fun time jumping up on all the fire engines and police cars and ambulances.


Last worn: printed kimono, grey v-neck tee, denim shorts, Havaianas, neon pink mini MAC bag (above).

Other ways to wear: printed kimono and graphic tee, grey v-neck tee and printed pencil skirt, denim shorts and printed tank, neon pink mini MAC bag and black skinny jeans.

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Blue Printed Kimonos Under $50:

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How You Can Wear It:

Add more colour to a basic shorts and tee outfit with colourful accessories like handbags and kimonos. A plain neutral tee is a great base for a bright bag and printed kimono as you don't have to worry about mixing in any more colours.


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Black Maxi Dresses, Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Bags

I've shared my love of bright maxi dresses recently, but you can't beat a classic black maxi dress. It lets you wear colourful accessories without worrying about colours clashing.

When I bought the embellished maxi dress below I got rid of an older black maxi dress I had, but then a few months later picked up a second halter neck one in an opshop sale. While I'm not sure I need two black maxi dresses, I have been enjoying having both in my wardrobe. A black maxi dress is a neutral base that lets you wear any other colours you like.

What I wore: 

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers

Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
Dress: Jeanswest 'Sierra' embellished black maxi dress (on sale!)
Shoes: Balenciaga studded sandals in sorbet RGGH (on sale, 58% off!)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

This maxi dress always feels a little special with the embellishments on the neckline. I'm aware that if I try to 'save' it in my wardrobe for a perfect occasion it will never get worn. While it's nice to feel dressed up for something like a family photoshoot, it's also good to add a little sparkle to everyday and so I wore this out to playgroup in the morning. It was definitely overdue a wear, last being worn almost a year ago while I was pregnant! It was worn to playgroup then too as I felt it was overdue a wear, ha!

I then foolishly attempted to go out in the afternoon again, where both the boys greatly amused the people waiting in line at the post office as I tried to mail some parcels of things I'd sold on ebay. Luckily they didn't get up to too much mischief!


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, embellished maxi dress, Balenciaga gladiator sandals, aquamarine mini MAC.

Other ways to wear: embellished maxi dress for Christmas day, pink Balenciaga gladiator sandals and shorts, aquamarine mini MAC and pink vest.

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More Colourful Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Bags:

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What I wore:

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers

Necklace: Nibbly Bits Wilma teething necklace in pale daffodil
Dress: black Jeanswest halterneck maxi dress
Shoes: Wittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff striped coated canvas mini MAC in berry stripe

Why I wore it:

We had a playdate in the city so I knew a maxi dress would keep me cool and comfortable. The Queensland State Library has an area called 'The Corner' for kids which had a construction theme, perfect for Toddler T. Cooper didn't seem to like this outfit much, not wanting to be pictured near it, but I loved it. The plain black maxi dress is perfect with the printed Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bag.

I find the little Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bags great for a day out with the boys - I can keep all the essentials on me while having my hands free (and the baby bag on the stroller) or even slip the bag into the baby bag if needed.

This striped mini MAC bag hasn't been worn as much as my other ones (like the aqua one above) as sometimes I find it tricky to pair with an outfit, but a plain black dress like this is perfect.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer (above), black halterneck maxi dress, studded sandals, striped Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bag.

Other ways to wear: black halterneck maxi dress and denim jacket, studded sandals and printed skirt, striped Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bag.

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Embellished or Halterneck Black Maxi Dresses Under $50:

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How You Can Wear It:

Black maxi dresses provide an awesome backdrop for a colourful or printed bag - it really makes colours pop. A bright bag is a easy way to change up any neutral outfit, not just a LBD.



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Printed Shorts with Neutral and Bright Fitted Tanks

Before starting my #6MonthsWithoutShopping challenge and trying to hit 30 wears on more of my wardrobe, I'd been admiring a pair of printed shorts at Jeanswest. It was a good motivation for me to get the printed shorts I already have and wear them more often. This post brings them to 14 wears, even though the lightweight fabric and relaxed cut make them perfect for a hot day.

The outfit formulas followed below are incredibly similar, but I think they look different just by changing from a neutral to a colourful top. Anything to justify the huge box of fitted tanks I have in multiple colours! 😉

What I wore:

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers

Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Ava elephant pendant teething necklace
Tank: Target grey marle tank top
Shorts: Jeanswest 'Scarlette' printed shorts
Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale, 44% off!)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

I really liked my outfit last time I wore this teething necklace and Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bag together, so it was good wearing the combination again. They go quite well together!

Grey and blue is another one of my usual combinations. It's been such a long time since I wore this Target tank, a shame as it's a really good basic. A nice neutral tank went well with the busy printed shorts.

Ran a few errands in the morning and had a haircut too. You might have notice my hair doesn't look any different! I've decided to grow it out and donate it, so just had a trim. I usually grow my hair long and then change my mind and cut it short again, so this way it will benefit a sick child. Completely inspired by my friend who grew her hair for two years in order to donate it.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, Target grey tank, printed shorts, Rebecca Minkoff studded sandals, aquamarine Mini MAC bag.

Other ways to wear: grey tank and maxi skirt, printed shorts and stripes, Rebecca Minkoff studded sandals and denim, aquamarine Mini MAC bag and wrap dress.

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Blue Printed Shorts Under $50:

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What I wore:

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers

Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Charlotte teething necklace
Tank: thrifted Cotton On yellow tank
Shorts: Jeanswest 'Scarlette' printed shorts
Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale, 44% off!)
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete

Why I wore it:

I liked the neutral tank and printed shorts combo above but wanted to try something a little more colourful the next time I wore these shorts. I like blue and yellow together so this tank seemed like a good choice. I mentioned on Instagram that this isn't a 'flattering' look.

When doing my wardrobe detox with a personal stylist two years ago, soon after buying these shorts, she pointed out that they didn't hit at the slimmest part on my waist (none of my tummy region is slim after having my beautiful babies!). It's easy to disguise by wearing the shorts with similar colours. But some days, you just want to wear a cheerful bright yellow tank and enjoy the colour combination more than the way the outfit flatters your post-baby body. I'm grateful for the advice of the stylist (she was so knowledgable and helpful!) but I'm also going to wear what makes me happy even if it doesn't look the best.

While this outfit does seem to highlight my rounded 'mum-tum', these shorts and blue and yellow together make me happy. Even if it did feel a little overly bright for a quiet day with not much else on other than a trip to the post office, I enjoyed wearing this.


Last worn: Ray-ban Wayfarer (above), yellow tank, printed shorts (above), studded gladiator sandals (above), Balenciaga tempete Day bag.

Other ways to wear: yellow tank and baby bump, printed shorts and ankle boots, studded gladiator sandals worn 30 ways, Balenciaga tempete Day bag and blue dress.

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More Printed Shorts Under $50:

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You don't have to pair colourful printed shorts with a neutral top, you can wear a complimentary colour for an extra touch of brightness to your outfit. Neutral shoes are a good addition to a bright outfit like this.


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