Dresses and Kimonos: Easy Spring Boho Stay at Home Mum Style

So excited for warm weather and the chance to wear my kimonos again! I love wearing dresses in spring, so dresses and kimonos together make me happy.

What I wore:

Jacket: Choies red vintage pattern kimono
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Feather pendant in peach (C/O)
Dress: Kmart Aztec print tiered little black dress
Shoes: Wittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag in grey

Why I wore it:

A quick errand in the morning, my local ABA mother's group meeting and then a doctor's appointment for Baby Boy in the afternoon. As it was such a hot day, I wanted something nice and easy to wear. I knew I wanted to wear this dress again, but wasn't sure what kimono to wear with it. In the end I settled on this tribal print kimono as some of the print is similar to the Aztec print on the dress. The night before I held them up side by side and figured it would look okay.

When I put it on in the morning, I loved this outfit. I like the extra colour the kimono adds to the dress, and this was perfect for a day with a bit of running around. This dress is loose and flowy and knee-length on me so it's just as good for a doctor's appointment as it is sitting down on the floor chatting to my mum friends who have younger babies doing tummy time. I wouldn't change anything about this outfit. So glad I was able to buy this dress at the end of my #6MonthsWithoutShopping challenge, I've loved it every time I've worn it.


Last worn: red tribal print kimono, black Aztec print dress, studded sandals, Rebecca Minkoff grey Love bag.

Other ways to wear: red tribal print kimono and gold jeans, black Aztec print dress worn two ways, studded sandals and maxi dress, Rebecca Minkoff grey Love bag and flares.

Perfect for pregnancy: red kimono and maternity tank, studded sandals in second trimester, Rebecca Minkoff Love bag in third trimester.

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Spring Dresses Under $50:

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What I wore:

Jacket: Somedays Lovin' Yakuza print kimono
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
Dress: Jeanswest Rachel Lyocell chambray dress (C/O)
Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather (on sale!)
Nails: OPI This Cost Me a Mint

Why I wore it:

Another doctor's appointment! Vaccinations for baby boy meant we were going to have a quiet day. After the doctors, we headed out to do a little shopping and take part in a fun plant pot decorating activity for the boys. Surprisingly we have managed to not only keep the seeds alive, they are now sprouting quite nicely! As someone who has killed succulents and cacti I'm quite proud we are keeping these plants alive so far.

The morning came undone when we stopped at Kmart to buy some new shorts and tees for the warmer weather and someone wanted to buy a train (even though they had just convinced their Grandmother to buy them two trains the day before). Ended up getting lots of side eyes as I hurriedly finished shopping and headed home after realising nothing I was saying was helping end the tantrum. Not quite the quiet relaxing day I had planned, but will be a funny story to tell later! "Remember that time you screamed in Kmart and all the way home because you wanted a train?" 😂

At least I liked my outfit, plenty of people saw it when they looked around to see where the screaming child was! Toddler tantrums are just an unavoidable part of motherhood.


Last worn: floral kimono, chambray dress, studded Rebecca Minkoff sandals, Rebecca Minkoff aqua mini MAC.

Other ways to wear: floral kimono and striped tank, chambray dress and ankle boots, studded Rebecca Minkoff sandals worn 30 ways, Rebecca Minkoff aqua mini MAC and graphic tee.

Perfect for pregnancy: kimono and maternity shorts in second trimester, chambray dress and second trimester bump, mini MAC and non-maternity clothes in third trimester.

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Kimonos Under $50:

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How You Can Wear It:

Kimonos work perfectly in spring when you need a light layer. While they look wonderful with denim shorts and jeans, they look equally good worn with dresses. It's a quick and easy spring outfit.

If you're unsure what kimono to wear with your dress, you can pick one with a similar print, or add some more colour and print with a kimono over a plain dress.


Linking up with Flashback Fashion, Friday Favourites, Shoe and Tell, Mix It Monday, Hello Monday, Modest Monday.

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Rainy Spring Style: Printed Layers, Colourful Pants and Neutral V-Neck Tees

Spring weather can be pretty varied in Brisbane, much like it can elsewhere in the world. You go from shorts one day to jeans and layers the next.

I took advantage of one of our spring cold snaps to layer up a little, wearing colourful pants with my neutral tees. One of which is leaving my wardrobe.

What I wore:

Jacket: Atmos&Here Nigella collarless shirt dress (worn as kimono)

Necklace: Nibbly Bits Feather pendant in peach (C/O)
Tee: Atmos&Here rolled sleeve oversize tee in black (also in grey)
Pants: Jeanswest 'Fiona' skinny leg pant in shiraz
Shoes: Asos leather Chelsea boots in tan
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

It was a wet and windy day when I wore this. It wasn't very nice weather for the public holiday, or for the planned BBQ at the in-laws. Luckily BBQ's can still go on when it rains! Even if you do have to send someone out with an umbrella to do the cooking. 😂

Since I had been wanting to wear a dress, I decided to persist anyway and wear this printed shirt dress as a kimono. It was a nice extra layer against the wind. These burgundy pants are really good for work, but I like to wear them casually too - that's the main reason I bought them actually. They pass easily for skinny jeans, and look really nice cuffed over ankle boots.

Leaving my Wardrobe: Black V-Neck Tee

Unfortunately this is the last wearing of this black tee on the blog. I really like it but it's just not held up very well. It's normally soft and has the perfect drape, however to maintain that it needs a gentle wash and when you wear it around toddlers and babies...everything usually needs more than a gentle wash at the end of the day! It's been tossed in the washing machine for a serious wash too many times and has just stretched out and lost that softness. I was much too uncomfortable constantly pulling it back up and tugging it into place through the day. It's no longer fitting well and has stretched out so I really can't wear it. I usually plan to wear things one last time, and during the day as I constantly readjusted the tee I realised this was its last wear!

I'm sad it hasn't had a longer run in my wardrobe, but I know it was my own neglect that lead to it leaving. It was $17.47 and I wore it 15 times, $1.16 cost per wear. Not bad, but I really wish I could have hit 30 wears on it!

Last worn: shirt dress, black tee, burgundy pants, Chelsea ankle boots, Rebecca Minkoff aqua mini MAC.

Other ways to wear: shirt dress worn two ways, black tee and printed shorts, burgundy pants worn two ways, Chelsea ankle boots and maxi dresses, Rebecca Minkoff aqua mini MAC and printed shorts.

Perfect for pregnancy: black tee in third trimester, burgundy pants in second trimester with a belly band, Chelsea ankle boots in second trimester, mini MAC and maternity shorts.

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Colourful Pants Under $50:

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What I wore:

Jacket: Kmart striped maxi cardigan
Necklace: Jeanswest Taki necklace (C/O)
Tee: Atmos&Here grey v-neck tee with rolled sleeves (also in black)
Jeans: thrifted Emerson red skinny jeans
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag in grey

Why I wore it:

Since I liked the outfit above so much, I decided to wear a very similar one on the next cooler spring day. These red jeans are perfect with all of the neutrals, such a nice pop of colour. This striped duster is a good layer for spring - nice and light, not too heavy but keeps the wind at bay. Very comfortable to work from home and do the daycare drop off / pick up.

Unlike the black tee above, this grey tee is faring much better in my wardrobe and will be hanging around for a while. I have 7 grey tees in my wardrobe, a grey tee is a wardrobe must-have for me.


Last worn: stripe duster, slouchy grey tee, red skinny jeans, Converse, Rebecca Minkoff Love bag.

Other ways to wear: stripe duster and chambray dress, slouchy grey tee and maxi skirt, red skinny jeans and graphic tee, Converse and maxi skirt, Rebecca Minkoff Love and floral dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: stripe duster in second trimester, grey tee for second trimester travel, Converse in second trimester, Love bag in third trimester

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Printed Dusters Under $50:

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How You Can Wear It:

Colourful jeans or pants are a fun way to add some colour to neutral layers. A printed kimono or duster is another way to add interest to your outfit, and perfect for fluctuating spring temperatures.

Linking up with Fashion Files, Fun Fashion, Fabulous Friday, Weekend Wear, Passion for Fashion.

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Two Ways to Wear Grey Marle Jersey Pencil Skirt: Corporate and SAHM Style

While I was on maternity leave with toddler T, I bought this grey jersey pencil skirt. Reasoning I'd be glad I did when I returned to work months later. It's never been the perfect piece I've thought it would be when I bought it though.
It's pieces like this that make me stick to my 'wear it twice in the month I buy it rule' to stop buying things I think will be perfect for later, and just buy pieces that are perfect for my life right now.

With my return to work, it was an opportunity to see this pencil skirt again when I unboxed all my workwear and make the decision if it was a keeper or a mistake to buy. I wore it two different ways to really test it out.

What I wore: 

Jacket: Zara cream jersey blazer

Necklace: Diva red stone necklace
Top: River Island floral print sleeveless shirt
Skirt: Atmos&Here grey marle jersey pencil skirt (also available in black or stripes)
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs suede flats in red
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy (on sale in pink, or in white)
Nails: OPI This Cost Me a Mint

Why I wore it:

First time I wore this skirt to the office I worried at one point that the jersey fabric was too casual. Since then, I've tried to make it a little formal each time I've worn it. The style challenge for the day was 'Starts With B' so a big blue bag, a button up tank and a blazer made this jersey pencil skirt perfectly formal enough for my business casual office. I didn't worry at all about this looking too casual. Not sure if it was the collared top and blazer or the fact that I'm in a new area after returning from leave where my customers are located off-site and I no longer interact with them in person, so I can be more casual.

I added the red necklace at the last moment. I'd tried on a longer blue one that morning too but I think the red necklace just makes the outfit. The red suede shoes were fun to wear too. I find bright shoes harder to wear than bright bags so these don't get worn often. They are so cute though, I keep them around.

I really liked this outfit. I did have hard time getting a photo that morning without the sun in my eye, that was the only mild annoyance!


Last worn: cream blazer, floral button up tank, grey pencil skirt, red suede ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote.

Other ways to wear: cream blazer and printed dress, floral button up tank and maxi skirt, grey pencil skirt over a dress, red suede ballet flats and a little black dress, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote and fit and flare dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: cream blazer in the first trimester, skirt in third trimester, red ballet flats and hidden second trimester bump, MAB Tote and wrap dress in third trimester.

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Jersey Pencil Skirts Under $50:

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What I wore:

Jacket: New Look Petite print kimono
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
Top: Jeanswest 'Josie' striped back strap tank
Skirt: Atmos&Here grey marle jersey pencil skirt (also available in black or stripes)
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs waxed leather cream howlite beaded wrap bracelet
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather (on sale!)
Nails: OPI This Cost Me a Mint

Why I wore it:

The very first time I wore this skirt I attempted to wear it casually and I didn't really feel comfortable with the resulting outfit. This time around, I wore it again for a style challenge but I actually really loved the resulting outfit. It was just perfect for my day off. I spent it taking Baby Boy to a few appointments that sadly didn't go as well as I expected but at least I liked my outfit.

The style challenge for the day was 'Starts With D', so I tried to dress down this skirt. By leaving the tank untucked, wearing Converse and adding the kimono, I think I made the pencil skirt perfectly casual. It was cool and comfortable for an extremely hot day too.

When I unpacked this skirt at the end of my maternity leave I had planned to give it the 'one last wear' test before I got rid of it, but it's definitely staying in my wardrobe, as I felt so happy in it in both these outfits.


Last worn: navy kimono, stripe tank, grey marle pencil skirt (above), Converse, Rebecca Minkoff aqua mini MAC bag.

Other ways to wear: navy kimono and denim shorts, stripe tank and leopard print, grey pencil skirt and winter layers, Converse and colourful jeans, Rebecca Minkoff aqua mini MAC bag and maxi dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: stripe tank in second trimester, grey pencil skirt and hidden early baby bump, Converse and maternity shorts, mini MAC in second trimester. 

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Grey Marle Pencil Skirts Under $50:

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How You Can Wear It:

A jersey pencil skirt is extremely comfortable, and can be dressed up or down depending on what you wear it with. Button ups and blazers are good way to make it more formal for work, and you can dress it down with untucked loose layers and Converse for the weekend or your day off.


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