What I Bought in December And January, And How I've Worn It

Well 2020 has been off to a strange start! And not just because of all the wild events recently, I'm talking specifically about my shopping. This is a personal style blog after all!

I started the new year with my intention, the same as last year, to spend less than I did the previous year. Yet at the end of January, I've bought a lot more than expected! I actually only have 1 Christmas gift card left! A few impulse buys and a few fear-driven purchases. I covered it all in the video below with a quick summary you can read through too.

What I Bought:

• Jeanswest essential v-neck tee in elfin yellow 
• Jeanswest Melanie floral kimono 
• Jeasnwest Kensley tie dye summer poncho kimono 
• thrifted Supre black sheer floral kimono
• thrifted black Emerson drawstring waist utility jacket
• Jeanswest harper skinny pant in Russet
• Jeanswest Vickie button back tank in enamel blue 
• Jeanswest Sophie navy v-neck tee

Why I Bought It:

Now my favourite store (Jeanswest) is in administration and closing stores I wanted to spend the last of my Christmas gift cards ASAP. They can change the terms and conditions with the gift cards when a chain is in administration and that has happened with other stores that have closed here in Australia, from requiring you to spend a set amount before you can use a gift card to just refusing to accept them. 

I tried to shop sensibly and buy basics I can wear over and over, and I'm pleased with what I got but also it wasn't anything I really felt I needed. Although to be honest with a wardrobe the size of mine, there's nothing that's really a need! So pleased I got some cute things with the Christmas gifts I was given, and that I got to spend them before the rules around using gift cards possibly changes. Really hoping that Jeanswest doesn't shut down completely though - where else would I do the majority of my clothes shopping!?

How I've Worn It:

I have a rule that every time I want to buy something I have to think of two different ways I will immediately wear it that month. I didn't do too badly with this goal this month at all....the opshopped jacket doesn't suit the weather at all and so hasn't been worn, but I wasn't going to pass on a jacket for just $1! I bought more than I needed to this month for sure, usually I spread my gifts cards through the year but I was focused on spending all my Jeanswest ones this month. I did enjoy wearing everything and did quite well with the goal, but also didn't get to my twice a wear figure with the jeans and the jacket as they aren't suited for summer temps.

For the upcoming months...I'm either going to spend a fortune at the Jeanswest closing down sales or the closure of one of the stores I frequently shop in will help me meet my spend less target this year!


Linking up with Mutton Style, On Mondays We Link Up, Ageless Style.

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Maxi Dresses And Balenciaga First Bag

Again with this blue India Balenciaga first bag! I've been enjoying wearing it so much lately! Decided to wear it with two different shades of blue with two pretty printed maxi dresses.

What I wore:

Earrings: Colette Joanne teal and gold multi drop disk earrings
Necklace: Colette marble and gold pendant drop long necklace
Dress: Jeanswest 'Chantelle' crochet detail blue printed maxi dress
Shoes: Novo Tawny rose gold sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs howlite tassel bracelet and lilac beaded bracelet
Bag: Balenciaga first bag in 2006 Blue India

Why I wore it:

I love the deep turquoisey-teal of this Balenciaga first bag and wanted to wear it with more blue - this navy printed maxi skirt was the perfect pairing. For another touch of colour I added a little bit of purple with the accessories - the beaded bracelets and the marble necklace. The gold and teal earrings kind of matched the bag and the rose gold sandals were the perfect matching shoe choice.

Wore this for a quiet Saturday, with swimming lessons and then lunch at my parents on the coast. My mum got out a bunch of old toys we had as kids, and it was a trip down memory lane and fun seeing my boys playing with them!


Last worn: navy printed maxi dress, marble necklace, rose gold sandals, Balenciaga blue India first bag. First time I've worn the earrings as they were a Christmas present.

Other ways to wear: navy printed maxi dress layered with a tee, rose gold sandals and shorts, Balenciaga blue India first bag and kimono.

Perfect for pregnancy: navy printed maxi dress at 39 weeks.

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Comparing The Different Styles Of Balenciaga Moto Bags:

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What I wore:

Necklace: Tiffany & Co silver 5th Avenue notes heart pendant necklace
Dress: Kmart tropical notch neck floral maxi dress
Belt: came with dress
Shoes: Wittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs hematite and red beaded bracelet stack
Bag: Balenciaga first bag in 2006 Blue India

Why I wore it:

My mum bought me this dress from Kmart just before Christmas and I decided to keep it as my Christmas day dress! I was eager to wear it again so I figured wearing it to church would be a good idea. I wasn't too sure about the Balenciaga first bag against the teal of the dress and kept trying the two together the day before. I decided to wear it anyway. I've matched my bags to my shoes, necklaces, scarves and jeans before so why not try matching to my maxi dress! Not sure I would try the combination again but it was fun to try! I added a few more bracelets to my bracelet stack too to match the print in the dress.

The first time I wore this dress I didn't belt it. This time around as it was a wet weekend I decided to try belting it ever so slightly, to keep the hem off the ground and away from any rain. Luckily I managed to get these photos before the rain started. It was nice for us to have some rain around with the drought and all the bushfires lately, it's been very welcome.


Last worn: Kmart teal floral maxi dress, Tiffany necklace, studded sandals, Balenciaga first bag (above).

Other ways to wear: Kmart teal floral maxi dress for Christmas, studded sandals and pencil skirt, Balenciaga first bag and shorts. 

Perfect for pregnancy: studded sandals in second trimester.

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Printed Maxi Dresses Under $50:

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How You Can Wear It:

A printed maxi dress is an easy instant outfit. For something a little fun you can add more colour with your accessories. It could be as simple as bracelets that match the colours in the print, or adding a bright pop of colour with a completely different shade of bag like in the first outfit.


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Weekday Wear Link Up - Printed Tanks and Black Pencil Skirts With Balenciaga First Bag

For this week's Weekday Wear Linkup (and what was my first week back at work after the Christmas break) I needed something simple so I stuck with my trusty black pencil skirts and some printed tanks. The tanks were long overdue a wear! When I setup my new wardrobe I got rid of a few blouses I hadn't worn in a long time but these two made the cut to stay in my wardrobe!

What I wore:

Necklace: engraved interlinked silver circle family name necklace
Tank: Jeanswest 'Ricky' ruffle front top in midnight
Skirt: Jeanswest black ponte pencil skirt
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs suede flats in red
Bag: Balenciaga first bag in 2006 Blue India

Why I wore it:

I was so sure this was a complete outfit repeat but I wore it anyway! I love the red ballet flats as a bit of matchy-matchy with the red print on the navy tank so I wanted to wear them together again. With the hearts and the ruffles on the tank, it's a very cute piece, but manages to look perfectly professional for the office with a pencil skirt. I did have a cardigan at my desk to cover up my shoulders with at meetings and also for when the office aircon got too cold!

The turquoise Balenciaga first bag was a fun addition and another shade of blue for the outfit and I was happy to continue wearing it - it has been on heavy repeat after I unwrapped it on Christmas day!


Last worn: navy ruffle tank, circle necklace, black pencil skirt, red suede flats, Balenciaga first bag.

Other ways to wear: navy ruffle tank and blazer, black pencil skirt in winter, red suede flats and jeans, Balenciaga first bag with shorts.

Perfect for pregnancy: navy ruffle tank in second trimester,  black ponte pencil skirt in second trimester, red suede flats in second trimester.

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My Balenciaga Handbag Collection:

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What I wore:

Necklace: Swarovski heart pendant
Tank: Target ruffle sleeve dog print blouse
Skirt: Jeanswest zip detail ponte pencil skirt
Shoes: Walnut Melbourne Ava white leopard ballet flats
Bag: Balenciaga first bag in 2006 Blue India

Why I wore it:

A little bit of print mixing and a little bit of matchy matchy - this simple outfit has a bit of everything! I like wearing this dachshund print tank with purple as the little dogs have a faint purple outline, but I thought blue would be nice to try with it for a change and I thought this blue Swarovski heart necklace matched the turquoise Balenciaga blue India first bag nicely.

The shoes were another attempt to try something different with this tank - I picked my leopard print ballet flats for a print mix. Being black and white they seemed like a good touch with the black and white outfit and it let the blue accessories shine. I actually really liked this combination!


Last worn: dachshund print tank, Swarovski heart necklace, black pencil skirt, leopard print ballet flats, Balenciaga blue India first bag (above).

Other ways to wear: dachshund print tank and grey skirt, black pencil skirt over a dress, leopard print ballet flats and sundress, Balenciaga blue India first bag with yellow tee.

Perfect for pregnancy: dachshund print tank hiding second trimester bump, black pencil skirt in first trimester.

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Printed Tanks Under $50:

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How You Can Wear It:

A fun printed tank is an easy outfit choice for the office with a classic black pencil skirt. You can match the colour in the print to something else in your outfit, or pick a different colour for your accessories like I have in the second outfit for a bit of a pop.

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Weekday Wear Linkup #55

Welcome to the Weekday Wear linkup! A linkup for you to share your weekday outfits - whether that is office wear or stay at home mum wear - if you wore it on a weekday, you can link it up!

Guidelines:
1. Please link to a specific outfit post, not your blog homepage.
2. Link back to this post so others can find the link up.
3. Follow your host Away From The Blue on Bloglovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.
4. Add up to two posts and be sure to visit and comment on as many other posts as possible to get some weekday outfit inspiration!
Optional: tweet the post you linked up with the hashtag #weekdayWearLinkUp so I can retweet!

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Linking up with Mutton Style, Confident Twosday, Turning Heads, Style On The Daily, Oh Hey Girl, Style Six, Fashion Frenzy, Fashion Files, Thursday Moda, Chic and Stylish.

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