Monday 26 June 2017

Maxi Dresses in Winter (And How To Get Cheap Leather Jackets)

First, sharing the link to a recent article I was featured in about I how I use me-time for blogging. If you've ever wondered how I juggle blogging and two toddlers, it's a good read!

Just like Friday's post, today I'm wearing more summer pieces in winter. This time around it's my maxi dresses. I like to wear my maxi dresses and skirts year-round. Helped by Brisbane's snow-less winter and a few cosy layers.

What I wore:


Balenciaga envelope clutch in 2012 mangue with giant 12 RGGH | AwayFromTheBlue
Dress:  Jeanswest Gigi printed maxi dress in shorter length (C/O)
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs black logo plaque ballet flats
BagBalenciaga envelope clutch in 2012 mangue with giant 12 RGGH
Nail Polish: OPI Fire Escape Rendezvous

Why I wore it:

Wore this for my first girls night out in a very, very long time! A friend was celebrating her birthday at a rooftop bar so I went for a few hours to celebrate with her. It was nice getting all dressed up again - this dress has been rarely worn since I got it while pregnant as it's not breastfeeding friendly at all. It was my first choice for a night out, as it's so pretty and definitely under-worn!

I was going to wear ankle boots with this but there were a lot of dress code restrictions at the bar...so I wore flats to be on the safe side. Ankle boots would have been warmer though, especially when it rained a little. I really liked the black printed leather jacket with the printed maxi dress, the print on the jacket is subtle enough that it doesn't clash with the dress.

I bought this leather jacket 4 years ago, in the ASOS sale reduced from $385 to $150. It's just passed 30 wears. While it's winter now in Australia it's summer in the UK so if you're looking for a leather jacket massively reducedcheck out the ASOS sale! You can get pieces like this awesome studded leather jacket reduced from $245 to $101, or this plain black one which is now $138.50 instead of $443.


I nearly wore my black vintage Chanel bag, but as I was completely kid-free for the evening I wanted to wear the least kid-friendly bag I own, which would be this handheld Balenciaga envelope clutch.  I'd usually get to enjoy my clutches over Christmas but as baby boy was in hospital I spent all the time by his bedside instead of going to the usual parties and events. It was nice to give this a wear again. It was crazy how few things I needed for the night out, and how light the clutch was to hold. Such a difference from the overstuffed baby bag I often have in addition to my handbags each day. I don't think the yellow really goes so well with the print on the dress, but it's such a pretty clutch I wanted to wear it as who knows when my next chance will be! 😂


Last worn: printed leather jacket, printed halterneck maxi dress, black ballet flats, Balenciaga mangue envelope clutch.

Other ways to wearprinted leather jacket and jeans, printed halterneck maxi dress in spring, black ballet flats and skinny jeans, Balenciaga mangue envelope clutch and printed jeans.

Perfect for pregnancy: maxi dress in second trimester, clutch in the third trimester.



More Leather Jackets Under $150:








What I wore:

Mothers En Vogue Havana maxi dress with purple cardigan for winter birthday party | Away From Blue blog
Jacket:  Jeanswest Peggie kimono cardigan in purple mulberry marle
EarringsA Little Bit of North blue mandala earrings (giveaway prize, close up photo)
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
DressMEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo
Belt: Kmart thin gold glitter belt
NailsOPI Russian Navy

Why I wore it:

More pink and purple! I've worn this dress and belt together so many times, it's a frequent go-to for me. I really like pink and purple together too, although it's the first time I've worn the cardigan and dress together.

This is what I wore for Toddler T's third birthday party - no shoes as I stayed home all day and sent hubby out for the last minute things that morning. Picked this dress to wear as I love wearing a maxi dress for a birthday party - easy and quick to throw on while setting up last minute things, and stylish and simple for spending the day running around with two toddlers. Even wore this a couple of months ago for Baby Boy's first birthday! Just crazy to realise Toddler T is 3 now!

I was pretty tired after staying up until 1.30am putting the finishing touches to Toddler T's train cake, but it was worth it in the end seeing his excitement! Next year I might just stick with a simple round cake though...


Last worn: purple cocoon cardigan, gold glitter belt, pink nursing maxi dress.

Other ways to wearpurple cocoon cardigan and graphic tee, gold glitter belt and Aztec print dress, pink nursing maxi dress and sequin scarf for another birthday party.

Perfect for pregnancy: cocoon cardigan in second trimester, same dress and gold belt over a baby bump, maxi dress at 39 weeks pregnant.





More purple cardigans under $50:









How You Can Wear It:


You don't need to give up your maxi dresses when summer ends! Have a look at the winter layers you have in your wardrobe - a cosy cardigan or a leather jacket can be a simple addition to a dress and make it warm enough for a mild winter day. Leather jackets can be expensive, but if you buy at the end of season sales or take advantage of the opposite seasons when shopping internationally, you can find one that fits your budget.

If you have colder winter weather, wear ankle boots and even leggings underneath your dress, with a nice cosy blanket scarf too. When spring arrives you can continue to wear your dress with a light layer like a cardigan. You really can wear most dresses year-round!


Linking up with On Mondays We Link Up, On Trend, Turning Heads, Trend Spin, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday, Oh Hey Girl, Spotlight Weekly, Fun Fashion, Fabulous FridayFlashback Fashion, Passion for Fashion, Friday Faves, Mix It Monday.



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

Friday 23 June 2017

Layering to Wear Clothes Year-Round, With Balenciaga Bags

I've mentioned a few times that I try to wear most of my clothes year-round. While winter knits and cardigans and boots don't stay in my wardrobe long before I box them away during warmer weather, there are just a few summer pieces that I store away during winter. Aside from my shorts, I keep my spring and summer items in my wardrobe year-round and try to wear them when it's colder.

The below outfits show how I layer two summery tops.

What I wore:

skinny jeans, ankle boots, navy embroidered tunic worn in winter purple cardi | Away From Blue

Balenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag | AwayFromTheBlue
JacketJeanswest Dana drape knit cardi in boysenberry (25% off sale on knitwear!)
Necklace: For King & Country Priceless Australian coin and crest necklace
Tunic: Caroline Morgan navy embroidered tunic
JeansJeanswest 'shale' super skinny jeans
ShoesAsos leather Chelsea boots in tan
BagBalenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

I love this tunic so much! A gift from my mum, it didn't get worn much over summer as it turned out to be pretty impossible to breastfeed in. Now that Baby Boy doesn't need breastfeeds during the day, it was a good reason to get this top out again. While it was too cold to wear on it's own, I made it winter appropriate with the jeans, cosy purple cardigan and ankle boots. A very different outfit from when I previously wore it as a bikini coverup!

With the navy tunic, purple-ish jeans and purple cardigan, I wasn't sure what bag to wear with this when I remembered my Balenciaga day bag. It's been a while since I've worn it so it was good to get it out again, and I think it went quite nicely with the tan ankle boots and colours in my outfit.

Wore this to go out shopping with my mum and the boys - with Toddler T's upcoming third birthday my mum wanted to get him a bike so we went around a few stores looking at all the options and trying them out. Was a really fun day, topped off with making cookies in the afternoon after we picked the perfect bike.


Last worn: purple cardigan, embroidered tunic, slate skinny jeans, tan ankle boots, Balenciaga truffle Day bag.

Other ways to wearpurple cardigan and shirt dress, embroidered tunic and shorts, slate skinny jeans and purple accessories, tan ankle boots and chambray dress, Balenciaga truffle Day bag.

Perfect for pregnancy: cardigan in the first trimester, skinny jeans in the first trimester, ankle boots and printed dress in second trimester, Balenciaga day bag for second trimester travel.



More Balenciaga Day Bags








What I wore:

printed shirt dress worn as kimono with black tank red skinny jeans Bal part time bag | Away From Blue

Balenciaga part time in black 2010 with SGH | Away From The Blue
JacketAtmos&Here Nigella collarless shirt dress (worn as kimono)
NecklaceRoie Designs long freshwater pearl necklace with tassel
TankJeanswest round neck lace detail top
Jeans: Emerson red skinny jeans
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
BagBalenciaga part time in black 2010 with SGH

Why I wore it:

If you've been reading my blog a while you'll know I love my kimonos. Sadly there are a few months in the year where it's just too cold for short sleeves and they don't get worn. This shirt dress made an awesome long sleeved kimono though, and was just the right layer over my black tank.

I'd been wanting to wear this dress as a kimono after seeing Shea wear hers that way. Over 8 months ago, oops! It was too warm then. It was only when I saw another instagrammer wearing her shirt dress as a kimono that I remembered the outfit inspiration and realised it was the perfect temperature to try it! The red skinny jeans were a good choice with the red in the print of the dress. I really liked wearing this, it was fun to give a new outfit idea a try.

Had a less than fun day while wearing it though! Had to go to the dentist, which is never pleasant, no matter how sweet the dentist and lovely receptionist are.

It's been a while since I've worn this Balenciaga bag too! Such a good bag, but I've been favouring my smaller Rebecca Minkoff cross body bags a lot lately as they are easier to juggle with two toddlers. Also less expensive leather for sticky toddler fingers to be around!


Last worn: shirt dress, lace detail tank, red skinny jeans, black ballet flats, Balenciaga part time bag.

Other ways to wearshirt dress in winter, lace detail tank and pleated skirt, red skinny jeans and printed cami, black ballet flats and printed skirt, Balenciaga part time bag in the office.

Perfect for pregnancy: tank hiding an early baby bump, jeans in the first trimester, black flats and maternity jeans, Balenciaga Part Time bag and striped dress in second trimester.




More Balenciaga Part Time Bags








How You Can Wear It:


You don't have to bid farewell to all your favourite warm weather pieces when autumn arrives. With the right layers, you can wear the most summery of pieces year-round. Jeans, boots and cosy cardigans are good ways to wear a lighter piece in the cold weather. You can have fun with your layering too - try something colourful like blue and purple, or something unexpected like a long sleeve dress worn unbuttoned as an extra layer.


Linking up with Shoe & Tell, Hello Monday, Mix It Monday, Modest Monday.


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

Wednesday 21 June 2017

Maxi Skirts in Cooler Weather with Longer Sleeve Tops

If you're a regular reader you'll know I love my maxi skirts! I like to wear them year-round. When it starts to get a little cooler, I swap out the tanks I usually wear with them for longer sleeved tops. The little extra warmth is helpful in the colder mornings and evenings. These outfits were worn when it started to cool off a little, but before our winter weather really arrived.

What I wore:

embroidered blouse, grey jersey maxi skirt silver mini MAC Bag | Away From Blue blog

Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC | AwayFromTheBlue blog
Skirt: Target grey marle maxi skirt
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
BagRebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC (on sale, 20% off!)
NailsRevlon 'Plum Seduction'


Why I wore it:

This was a nice quiet, relaxing day without much on when I checked Instagram as the boys napped and saw that Lightning McQueen was in Brisbane for the day. Quickly threw this on and packed the baby bag so that as soon as the boys were awake we were ready to go. While Baby Boy was a little too small to understand, the Cars mad toddler T loved it! Was definitely worth the last minute trip.

I did think about wearing a jacket with this as I knew it would be cool by the river, but I was babywearing with the Ergo so didn't want too many layers - it gets pretty hot with a toddler strapped to you! It's the same reason I didn't add a necklace to this - but the embroidery and tassels on the top mean I really don't need a necklace anyway. It felt a little cooler on the way home but overall I was pretty pleased with this outfit. I love this embroidered blouse, always enjoy wearing it.


Last worn: embroidered blouse, grey jersey maxi skirt, black Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff metallic mini MAC.

Other ways to wearembroidered blouse and denim shorts, grey jersey maxi skirt and denim jacket, metallic mini MAC bag with metallic tank.

Perfect for pregnancy: maxi skirt and graphic tee in third trimester, metallic bag and maternity shorts.



More Grey Maxi Skirts Under $50:









What I wore:

long sleeve blue printed shirt, noise may chambray denim maxi skirt silver bag | Away From Blue

chambray maxi skirt, Rebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC | Away From The Blue
Top: Target blue abstract floral print shirt
SkirtNoisy May long denim maxi skirt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs silver tuxedo flats (on sale!)
BagRebecca Minkoff metallic silver mini MAC (on sale, 20% off!)
NailsRevlon 'Plum Seduction'


Why I wore it:

It's strange to be wearing this shirt when I'm just over a week away from successfully completing 6 months without shopping. I failed my no buy July challenge when I bought this shirt in 2015! Amazing how different it's been coping with the longer no-shop challenge a year and a half later. Will share a post next week with my tips and experience. After failing a 31 day no shop challenge I'm incredibly still staying strong with my 6 months challenge!


It's not the first time I've worn this shirt with a maxi skirt, although I did like this monochrome outfit better. I wasn't impressed with the way the shirt sat in photos, but I liked how this looked in person. Wore it to playgroup and a birthday party for one of Toddler T's friends. Thought the silver accessories were a good pairing with the monochrome blue outfit.


Last worn: blue floral shirt, chambray maxi skirt, silver ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC (above).

Other ways to wear: printed shirt in the officechambray maxi skirt worn two ways in summer, silver ballet flats and purple jeans, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC and denim shorts.

Perfect for pregnancy: printed shirt while battling morning sicknessmetallic mini MAC and pink pregnancy dress.




More Denim Maxi Skirts Under $50:









How You Can Wear It:


Maxi skirts aren't just for summer! When the weather starts to cool in autumn, or it starts getting warmer in spring, you can easily wear your maxi skirt. Pick a longer sleeved top for a little extra warmth and some closed in shoes like ballet flats too to keep your toes cosy. Printed or embroidered tops look lovely with plain block colour maxi skirts like the ones I'm wearing.


Linking up with Fashion Files, Friday Faves, Flashback Fashion, Weekend Wear, Passion for Fashion.




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