Friday 29 June 2018

What I Bought In June & How I've Worn It: Shopping Haul & Try On Video

Time for an overdue shopping haul video! The last item I ordered in May finally arrived so I thought I'd do a wrap up video with some of my May purchases and my June ones. I felt like I bought a lot, but it was only a handful of pieces - 3 to be exact! You can see my June purchases and the other pieces I bought in May in the video below. Plus, I included some bloopers at the end!



What I Bought:






A month of impulse buys, after last minute browsing of the Rebecca Minkoff sale and just popping into the opshop for a quick look both resulted in buying things.

While I'm a little annoyed that the handbag I bought didn't arrive the same month I bought it, and it wasn't the colour I expected, I absolutely adore it. It was a bargain too, at 50% off! I'll upload a proper review of it on my YouTube channel at some point, but for now I'll just say I love it and I've enjoyed every time I've worn it.

I had been looking at the new Jeanswest winter collection and admiring the yellow knits when I saw this one in the opshop and for just $1 I quickly forgot all about the Jeanswest ones I'd been looking at! While it would be too thin a knit for winter in most other places, it will be perfect for Brisbane. When it gets really cold, I plan to layer a long sleeve tee underneath, which I've done in the past with my open knits to make them more winter appropriate.

The Coca-Cola tee caught my eye to add to my collection of Coca-Cola things. I have so many glass bottles, as well as towels, balls, badges, toy cars, even a Coca-Cola cookbook! While I don't drink it so much now, I still smiled when I saw this tee and just had to snap it up for just $1. I also feel like I've seen something similar in stores lately, with the recent rise in logo tees it's perfectly on trend.



How I Wore It:


June purchases and ways to wear away from the blue blog


I had no troubles finding and thinking of different ways to wear the pieces I got this month - which is a sign that they will hopefully be good additions to my wardrobe. They seem to be so far.

Every month I set myself a goal of wearing everything I buy at least twice in the same month I buy it, to make sure I'm buying pieces I want to wear immediately and can easily think of different ways to wear. As you can see from the pics above, everything was happily worn twice or more.

I'm giving myself a little bit of grace with the Rebecca Minkoff Love bag, as it didn't arrive until a month after I ordered it. I did wear it 3 times in the month after it finally arrived though, so still counting it as meeting my goal.



Update on Yearly Budget:


June is usually a big spending month for me as it's a change of season and I want to stock up on all the fun winter pieces in store. I'm pleased I haven't done much of that and only bought a handful of pieces this year. I'm really focusing on rewearing more of what I already own.

I've definitely spent more in the first six months of 2018 than I did in 2017 though, only because I did 6 months without shopping in the first half of 2017. I'm still less than half way under my total spend from last year so I'm hoping I can stick to that and spend less overall this year than I did last year. Fingers crossed!

I'll be attempting #noBuyJuly18 (just like I've done in previous years) so there shouldn't be any purchases next month to report. Feel free to join me if you want to forgo fashion spending for a month! My tips for surviving 6 months without shopping might come in helpful!




And finally, I was the Featured Fashionista over at Have Clothes, Will Travel so go check it out! You'll find out a little more about me and why I blog.



Linking up with Lizzie In Lace, Weekend Link Up, Shoe & Tell, Mix It Monday, On Mondays We Link Up.


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Wednesday 27 June 2018

Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC With Skinny Jeans, Kimonos and Bright Tanks

I've been wearing my kimonos with jeans a lot lately. Kimonos and denim is a go-to outfit for me over summer, and I wanted to embrace winter with my jeans but still enjoy my kimonos for a little longer. I wore them with bright tanks because even though it's winter here in Brisbane it's still fun to add some colour to your outfit.

What I wore: 

SAHM style navy floral kimono black nobody denim skinny jeans mustard tank rebecca minkoff mini MAC

Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather | away from the blue

awayfromblue instagram mustard tank black jeans floral navya cocoon kimono
JacketCotton On 'Gemma' cocoon kimono in Laos blossom navy print
Necklace: Uniquely Made with Love Sea Change necklace
TopJeanswest Maya gather back tank in chartreuse
JeansNobody Denim Siren skinny super high-rise jeans in power black denim (C/O, on sale!)
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather

Why I wore it:

Florals aren't just for spring! Wearing them to welcome the first day of winter with this cosy kimono. The navy kimono and mustard tank aren't a new combination, I wore it before here in summer, but it's a combination I love so much I was eager to wear again! This time with jeans instead of shorts, as it is still winter.

Had a busy day, with daycare drop off and pick up, working from home and baby boy's specialist appointment in the afternoon, so I wanted something easy and comfortable. By picking classic black jeans that go with everything and a top and kimono I've worn together before, I knew this outfit would work. Anything that makes getting dressed in the morning quicker and easier is good as a mum!

It was a chilly morning, but the warmer cotton of this kimono and the cocoon style enveloping my arms made this perfect for tackling the chill.


Last worn: floral cocoon kimono, mustard tank, nobody denim skinny jeans, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bag.

Other ways to wearfloral cocoon kimono and shorts, mustard tank in summer, Nobody Denim skinny jeans and Converse, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats in the office, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bag and boho dress.


Perfect for pregnancyfloral cocoon kimono in third trimester, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats in third trimester, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bag in third trimester.




Rebecca Minkoff Handbag Collection:



I have a LOT of mini MAC bags (I actually have more I got since filming that video!)




What I wore:

colourful SAHM skinny jeans outfit pink tank blue kimono ankle boots | awayfromblue

blue and pink outfit with Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine  | awayfromtheblue

awayfromblue instagram blue printed kimono pink satin tank black skinny jeans SAHM Style
JacketJeanswest Jamie printed kimono (on sale!)
Necklace: Silk beaded baby-friendly necklace
TankAsos satin singlet in pink
JeansJeanswest prima denim super skinny jeans in absolute black
Shoes: Asos leather Chelsea boots in tan
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather

Why I wore it:

Unlike the kimono above, this kimono wasn't as cosy. I did regret it a little in the morning as we had an early start, with some errands before our ABA mother's group, and it took awhile for the weather to warm up. I wore this in the first week of winter though, when I wasn't quite ready to retire my kimonos for the season!

The ankle boots were an effort to make me feel warmer, but really they just annoyed me. I forgot that the zips on the hems of these Jeanswest skinny jeans make them difficult to wear with ankle boots, they just aren't a comfortable combo.

Despite these minor annoyances, I did like this outfit. I love blue and pink together, and this was a fun way to wear the combination, even if this kimono will be set aside to wait for warmer weather!


Last worn: Jamie print kimono, pink satin tank, Jeanswest prima jeans, Chelsea ankle boots, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC (above).

Other ways to wearJamie print kimono and shorts, pink satin tank and double denim, Jeanswest prima jeans and denim jacket, Chelsea ankle boots and dress, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC and maxi dress.

Perfect for pregnancypink satin tank hiding second trimester bump, Jeanswest prima jeans in second trimester, Chelsea ankle boots in second trimester, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in second trimester.



Printed Kimonos Under $50:



How You Can Wear It:

Black jeans go with everything and are a great wardrobe staple and alternative to the traditional blue. Wearing a pair of neutral black jeans lets you be a little more colourful with the rest of your outfit too. A printed kimono adds more interest to your outfit, making a bold but easy to wear colour combination when paired with a bright tank.


Linking up with Style On The Daily, Fashion Files, Fun Fashion, Weekend Wear, Fabulous Friday, Flashback Fashion, Modest Monday.



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Monday 25 June 2018

Accessorising Bags & Winter Office Wear With Printed Skirts

Embracing winter weather and getting my fleecy tights and my knits out for some colourful office outfits. I'm glad I have a business casual dress code at work that lets me be a little more creative with what I wear.

Both these outfits follow the same outfit formula, and despite the different colour schemes in each, I kept the same fun accessory on my bag. The silk 'scarf' tied in a bow on the Regan handle is actually a belt from the skirt in the first photo.

What I wore:

blue green adn yellow colourful winter business casual office outfit scarf on bag | awayfromblue

matching silk skirt and scarf tied in bow on Rebecca Minkoff Regan bag | awayfromtheblue

awayfromblue instagram green gold navy blue outfit winter colourful office wear accessorising bag
JacketJeanswest Monica Mac coat in Indigo
NecklaceStarfish Project Hannah turquoise bead necklace
Top: Valleygirl blue knit jumper
SkirtFrench Connection silk leaf print skirt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs black logo plaque ballet flats
BagRebecca Minkoff Regan Satchel Tote in moon

Why I wore it:

This skirt is silk, so it's quite light, but with a pair of fleece lined tights it was perfect for a cold morning. I wasn't sure what to do with the silk belt that comes with this skirt at first, then I realised I could just use it to accessorise my bag! (Video showing more ways you can accessorise your bags below.)

After trying it in pregnancy, I've been embracing green and blue together a lot more so I thought that this cobalt marle knit would work nicely with the green and yellow in this skirt. I wasn't too sure about the combo after first trying it on, but grabbing this green beaded necklace really tied it together for me and I loved this outfit combo. It did feel a bit matchy matchy, blue knit, coat and bag, with green skirt, bow on bag and necklace, but I do like a little matchy matchy!


Last worn: navy macintosh, blue marle knit, silk skirt, Marc Jacobs ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff Regan bag.

Other ways to wearnavy macintosh and wrap dress, blue marle knit with magenta bag, silk skirt and teal henley, Marc Jacobs ballet flats and printed shorts, Rebecca Minkoff Regan bag and navy top.

Perfect for pregnancyblue marle knit in first trimester, silk skirt in second trimester.


Six Easy Ways To Accessorise Your Bags:







What I wore:

trench coat monochrome mustard outfit thin knit jumper pleated printed skirt navy bag | away from blue

Rebecca Minkoff Regan satchel moon navy with silk scarf tied as bow on handle | away from the blue

awayfromtheblue instagram | trench coat monochrome mustard outfit with navy regan bag
Jacket: Barkins beige trench coat 
Necklace: Kmart Gold and Navy beaded necklace (recent purchase)
Top: thrifted SES fashions mustard marle knit jumper (recent purchase)
Skirt: Garfunkle Australia pleated print skirt
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
BagRebecca Minkoff Regan Satchel Tote in moon

Why I wore it:

As I usually do, copying the outfit formula I enjoyed so much from the first outfit to create this second one. I kept things a little more monochromatic this time around, with all of the yellow. I debated changing out the silk bow on the Regan bag but I think the yellow in the leaf print worked nicely with the yellow in this skirt.

Just like the outfit above, this marle knit is a thrift find too, only $1! It's actually a really orange-y thread with a few flecks of gold metallic, but with the marle it looks mustard - and if you've read my blog before you'll probably know I've been loving everything mustard. I smiled when I saw this, as I had just been admiring an email from Jeanswest with their new yellow heavy knit collection before I stopped by the opshop. Perfect thing to find! The sleeves are a bit long for my petite self, but at the moment I'm just rolling them up before I can get to the tailor.

The necklace is another new piece - $3 in the Kmart sale! I like statement necklaces like this, and I felt the green and blue went with the yellow in my outfit nicely.


Last worn: trench coat, pleated a-line skirt, Walnut Melbourne flats, Rebecca Minkoff Regan satchel (above). First time I've worn the mustard knit as it's a recent opshop find.

Other ways to wearcamel trench coat and burgundy pants, pleated a-line skirt and navy tank, Walnut Melbourne flats and shorts, Rebecca Minkoff Regan satchel and wrap dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: trench coat in first trimester, pleated a-line skirt in second trimester, Walnut Melbourne flats and wrap dress.


Marle Knits Under $50:




How You Can Wear It:


While thin open knits like these jumpers might be a spring or autumn staple in other parts of the world, they are perfect for Brisbane winters. A cosy knit isn't just a weekend option, you can easily dress them up a little for a business casual office with a pretty skirt. A statement necklace makes the look a little more formal as well, or you could always add heels, a blazer, and swap to a pencil skirt to dress it up even more.


Linking up with Turning Heads, Trend Spin, Confident Twosday, Fashion Friday.


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