Showing posts with label Video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Video. Show all posts

Wednesday 1 November 2023

What I Bought In October & How I've Worn It: More Opshop Finds!

After not buying anything in September, I was back to my opshopping habit in October, and bought a few pieces. Some impulse buys, but also some pieces I'd been thinking about for a while, so a mix of purchases!


What I Bought This Month:









Why I Bought It:

As I mentioned above, I've been visiting the opshop a bit recently, as the declutter continues at home. I'm also heading there first rather than heading to the retail stores when the kids need things, like special dress up things for events at school. And I can never resist browsing for myself! The maxi dress was a complete impulse buy for sure, as I have so many dresses already, but the others were a bit more thought out.


Crossing Items Off My 'Maybe One Day' Wish List

It was one of those trips focusing on things for the kids after donating a few items that I stumbled across this amazing Stella McCartney Falabella bag. I could not believe that it was authentic, and just $30. Such a lucky find! Especially as I've been searching now and then for a Falabella online, always wanted to try one! I'm thrilled with this splurge, hidden away in the corner of the opshop.

I also scored a cute leopard print midi skirt that's really more of a maxi on me, that is similar to one I tried on and regretted not buying in Target a while back. Very pleased with this as I've been keeping an eye out for a similar skirt for a while!

The one thing I didn't get to see in person before buying, the Nobody Denim shorts, were an ebay purchase, such a bargain for that brand. I'd been watching the listing for a while and eventually decided to go for it. However I didn't check the measurements and they are a bit shorter than I'd normally wear. Perfect for the hot almost summer-like spring days we have been having though!


Focusing On Basics:

With the multiple visits to the opshop, there have of course been multiple purchases! I've been focusing on being selective and adding more basics to my wardrobe after my big declutter though. So I picked up a few basic tees that are perfect for the mix of life right now with a few office days, a few working from home days, and relaxed weekends. 





How I've Worn It:





A last minute opshop dash for another school event that crept up on me and needed a themed outfit for the kids meant a little browse at some of the women's clothes on my way out, and I stumbled across even more tees. And just ran out of time to wear them all this month! Everything has been worn once though and I know the tees that haven't been worn twice will easily achieve that goal in the 4 weeks after buying it, as I aim for with everything I buy.


The Stella McCartney Falabella bag was definitely the most worn purchase of the month, at 8 wears.




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Wednesday 2 August 2023

What I Bought In July & How I've Worn It

I feel I have been doing a lot of shopping this year! While I didn't buy anything in June, I added to my wardrobe in July, just like I did in March, April and May. And I added quite a lot this past months! With the preloved markets stalls I've had I've also cleared out a lot from my wardrobe, and I feel I've made some really wise buys to replace some of the things I've let go.



What I Bought in July:

  • thrifted Atmos&Here white straight leg jeans
  • thrifted no label floral print babydoll dress
  • thrifted colourful geometric print maxi dress
  • thrifted Kmart turquoise linen shorts (no wears yet, until it warms up!)
  • thrifted pastel Paisley print cape (no wears yet, until it warms up!)





Why I Bought It:

Actually bought a couple pieces new this month! The majority of my purchases have been preloved through the year, but I couldn't resist picking up a tour tee from my favourite band. The Cle the Label items were on super sale so I thought I'd give the brand a try, however I don't think I'll be buying more from them in future. As good as the organic cotton is as a material, I haven't found anything about the people in their supply chain and if they have fair wages, so they were a bit of an impulse buy I was maybe too hasty on. The two pieces I got are good basics, but I really need to be more thoughtful about where my money goes when I buy retail. Kmart is good for a bargain, but despite improvement isn't yet paying a living wage either.

With the decluttering at home, of everything from books to pieces from mine and the kids wardrobes, I've been visiting the opshop more frequently, so of course I couldn't resist a couple of browses through the clothes and picked out a few things for myself. While they are impulse buys, I'll never turn down a Rebecca Minkoff opshop find, and I did try to stick to thrifting pieces I knew would work with the goals I have for my wardrobe this year. I've been focusing more on shopping preloved as I know it's more environmentally friendly. More budget friendly too!



How I've Worn It:




As you can see, I've been buying a lot of basics! And that Rebecca Minkoff Cupid bag has been a firm go-to since I practically danced out of the opshop with it. Such an amazing find. To prevent this post just being a huge wall of photos, i tried to only share times I'd worn the bag with other new pieces I bought this month.

I haven't worn some of the summer pieces I bought. While I could make the dresses work with a few layers, the cover up and shorts are going to have to wait until winter weather leaves us in Brisbane. Not too long until spring arrives though!




This is the biggest shopping month I've had this year, with 14 items purchased, which is a lot to purchase all at once. Not everything has met my goal of being worn twice in the month I bought it, as I did buy some summer pieces, and July only had so many days to wear so many new buys. I'm confident everything I bought will be a wardrobe staple though. Even with the opshop finds I was trying to be really discerning with what I added to my basket. At only $1 per item of clothing at my local opshop it can be hard to not buy everything I like!

My wardrobe has changed a lot this year, but I'm putting thought into it. With going back to work full time, and having regular days in the office each week so I'm working from home less, it's been a good year to have re-evaluated my wardrobe and to have made a few changes. Even if I have donated or sold on pieces I didn't hit 30 wears with, I'm trying to make sure everything I buy is something I'll want to wear 30 times or more.

Excited to come up with more outfits from these new additions to my wardrobe!



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Friday 2 June 2023

What I Bought In May & How I've Worn It: Preloved Purchases

After not buying anything for my wardrobe in January and February, I have been impulse buying a lot these past few months! Picked up some things in March and April, and now I've tripled what I spent over both those months with my latest buys in May!


What I Bought:





Why I Bought It:

Everything except the bag was purchased at Gladrags markets. It was a cold morning so I did a few laps around the market to keep warm, instead of sitting in my stall all the time. I ended up chatting to some of the other stall holders and making a few too good to pass up buys. Still made more than I spent, so a good day, and I got some incredible bargains too!

The handbag was an impulse buy as well - I've been looking at this style when it goes on sale quite often on the Rebecca Minkoff site, but even the sale prices didn't drop enough to make me buy. When I stumbled across this on eBay, ticking off a style I wanted to try, and a fabric I wanted to try (I don't have any suede bags in my wardrobe), I knew this was a keeper!


How I've Worn It:



Gladrags Markets was at the end of May, so I haven't had as many opportunities as I'd like to wear everything I bought. Even if it takes me a few days longer to hit my goals of wearing everything I buy twice in the month I bought it though, I've managed to wear everything at least once which is awesome.

The leather jacket was a very timely buy with our record breaking cold temps at the end of autumn - it's kept me very cosy! And I've managed to wear the bag 3 times too.



I can definitely see I've been increasing my spending since the start of the year. With that stall at Gladrags markets I'm being a bit more critical with my wardrobe, so that even if I haven't reached my 30 wear goal with some pieces, I'm creating a wardrobe full of things I love to wear and letting those that don't work for me go on to new homes. And it's so much fun seeing who your pieces go home with when you have a market stall!



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Thursday 30 March 2023

What I Bought In March & How I've Worn It: Target Sale and Opshop Finds

First haul of the year. Nearly made it 3 months without shopping, without even trying! After my December opshop haul I hadn't seen anything I had to have as I was enjoying wearing all my thrifted pieces from December, as well as the new things I got for Christmas. But then I stumbled across the Target end of summer clearance sale, and had some time at the opshops, so I bought quite a few things this month!


What I Bought In March:





  • thrifted wood and marble bead thrifted necklace with white string
  • thrifted gold and pastel blue beaded necklace with grey string
  • thrifted multi strand multi colour disc bead necklace with tassels
  • thrifted wooden geometric bead necklace
  • thrifted yellow beaded statement pendant long necklace
  • thrifted wooden yellow tassel necklace
  • thrifted silver and turquoise multi strand necklace



Quite a large haul for my first haul of the year! With the exception of the white denim skirt, which I've been thinking about getting for a while, everything was an impulse buy. That explains all the necklaces!

I had fun browsing the Target end of summer sale with my mum and sister at the start of March. I only picked up two things to try on, both of them skirts, and I decided to buy them both. I thrifted a black denim version of the white skirt from the opshop a of couple years ago and love it, so thought it was worth the splurge on the white one in the Target sale. The leopard print skirt looked really cute and when I tried it on I just had to have it! Perfect for autumn here in Brisbane, I'm also looking forward to when it will eventually cool down and I will get to layer it.


The opshop finds were lucky finds! I'd been browsing their $1 book sale for books for the kids, and while I had a little extra time I checked out the clothes and accessories for myself too. Found one of the kimonos on the scarf rail! I loved the colours and the tassels and I pulled it out to take a closer look when I realised it was a kimono. Whenever I see a kimono in an opshop I add it straight to the basket! The cardigan I couldn't pass up either, although I know it will be a while before it's cool enough to wear it.

The necklaces were a little bit of a crazy buy! To be honest I actually put quite a few back, and just ended up taking these 7 home. Still so many to buy at once.



How I've Worn It:





I have a personal goal of wearing everything I buy at least twice in the month I buy it. It didn't work to curb my purchases this time, but my inability to wear everything twice this month has made me realise that yes, maybe 7 necklaces is too many to buy in one go. At just $2 each though, I couldn't resist!

The cardigan I have not worn, as I expected, as it's just not been cool enough, it's been a hot autumn here in Brisbane. I know it will get more wear when the weather cools though, and I've been looking for a printed cardigan for a while.

The kimonos I was sure I'd get two wears from - I do love a good kimono! I have been in the office much more than expected though, and had a few special events this month I'd pre-planned outfits for I wanted to wear, so I didn't meet my wear twice goal with both kimonos, although I do have plans to hit 2 wears with them this weekend.

The white denim skirt, being worn 3 times this month, was definitely the most worn buy of March!



Yearly Fashion Spend for 2023 So Far:


Since I hadn't bought anything in January or February, the March spend is the only amount added to my yearly spend so far in 2023. The skirts from target were 50% off, and the necklaces were $2 each, so my total comes to $52 spent on fashion so far this year.

And in keeping with my fashion goals for 2023, the majority of my purchases this year have been pre-loved, thanks to that awesomely productive opshopping time!



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Wednesday 25 January 2023

30 Ways To Wear: Magenta Balenciaga Day Hobo Bag | Magnificent Magenta

This quarter's Magnificent 8 collaboration post theme is magnificent magenta! And with it being so close to the end of the month when I usually do my 30 ways to wear posts, what better time to share 30 ways you can wear this marvellous magenta Balenciaga day bag?



30 Ways To Wear: Magenta Balenciaga Day Hobo Bag


30 Ways to Wear: Magenta Balenciaga Day Hobo Bag #30wears | Awayfromblue


I'm surprised I haven't done a 30 ways to wear post with this bag yet, it's one of my favourites! It's definitely my favourite Balenciaga pink too. I have owned a few bags in this colour, which came out in 2005 over the years, but this style made it a keeper in my wardrobe. It's no secret I like bright and colourful bags, and this isn't even my only magenta bag.... But a magenta bag goes with so many more outfits than you'd think!

Cost Per Wear

I got lucky and picked this Balenciaga day bag up preloved at the end of 2015, for just $607. Despite being a 10 year old bag at the time, it had such a vibrant vivid magenta colour, and hardly any signs of wear. 7 years of me owning it later, and it still looks just as good as it does when I got it - Balenciaga bags slouch so beautifully as they age! Being a bit of a splurge, although I've worn it a lot (50 times so far), it works out to $12.14 per wear at the moment. Much higher than the $1 per wear most people aim for for value for money, but pretty good for a spendy buy, and one that will be in my wardrobe permanently, getting the cost per wear down even lower!



It took me quite a while to go through all the 50 times I've worn this magenta bag and come up with just 30 of my favourite outfits! I picked a few outfit and colour formulas to share with you, to give you an idea of how versatile a magenta bag could be in your wardrobe. Here are some of my favourite ways to wear it.


30 Ways To Wear: Magenta Hobo Bag | Video Style




Magenta Bag In Office Outfits


black outfit ideas with magenta balenciaga day hobo bag awayfromtheblue

I love wearing my bright and colourful bags into the office! It's nice to have a bit of colour on your desk through the day while spending hours sitting at a computer. And of course, these 4 outfits show the easiest way to wear any bright colour - pair it with black! With all the black and the other neutrals in these outfits, it makes the magenta bag really pop.


Magenta Bag with Blue Outfits


5 ways to wear blue and magenta outfits with magenta balenciaga day hobo bag awayfromblue

It's no secret I love blue and pink together. Having so much blue in my wardrobe, I've worn this magenta bag with every shade I own, and it always looks good! From the pastel baby blue skull scarf, denim dresses and skirt, even a cobalt scarf, magenta just works with any shade of blue.


Magenta Bag With Purple


magenta hobo bag with purple outfits awayfromblue

Magenta being the perfect blend of pink and purple together means it looks so good worn with other purple pieces. You don't have to go big and bold like I have with the purple printed dress in the third outfit, you can try the colour combination on a smaller scale with a purple scarf. A bright scarf and bag are a fun way to add colour to a neutral layered outfit in winter too.


Magenta Bag With Tee and Denim


magenta hobo bag and denim and tee outfits awayfromtheblue

Forever a staple outfit, a classic tee and denim formula is a go to the world over. To make it just a little different from a standard basic formula though, you can add a bright bag. And this fun magenta bag is definitely bright enough to add more interest to any version of denim and tee you wear!


Magenta Bag With Matching Magenta Accessories


magenta balenciaga day bag in 5 outfits with matching magenta  awayfromtheblue

Since magenta pairs so perfectly with blue, and I have a lot of blue in my wardrobe, I also have quite a few other magenta pieces. It's fun to make a matchy-matchy outfit and wear more than one magenta piece at a time. From a pink skull scarf to a magenta cami peeking out from under a dress, or a larger matchy-matchy with the magenta cardigan and bag together! Even if the pink in that last skull scarf isn't quite magenta...it's close enough to make my matchy-matchy self happy!


Magenta Bag and Printed Dress Outfits


magenta balenciaga day hobo bag and printed dress awayfromblue

A big bold block colour hobo bag like this Balenciaga day bag is so easy to wear with statement printed dresses. You can try coordinating like I have with the pink and purple dress in the third outfit there, or just have the bag be a bright pop of colour and contrast against the print like I have in the other three outfits.


Magenta Balenciaga Day Bag In Pregnancy


4 pregnancy outfit ideas with magenta hobo bag awayfromblue

I always love putting pregnancy photos in these 30 ways to wear posts. Because not every item of clothing will be wearable through all 3 trimesters of pregnancy and beyond, but a handbag sure will! A big practical hobo bag like this, it got a lot of wear over my last pregnancy.


Where To Buy The Balenciaga Day Bag:




More Outfit Ideas:

For more outfit inspiration and ideas, you can view all 50+ ways I've worn this bag in my blog archives, or browse the complete 30 wears series.


Similar Posts In The 30 Wears Series:




The Magnificent 8

The Magnificent 8 is a collaboration of 8 stylish women, ranging in age from early 20’s to early 80’s. The mission of this collaboration is to showcase how ageless style is. There are no age restrictions on style. So wear what you want, when you want, add a smile, and strut your style with confidence. And be sure to check out all 7 of these other amazing ladies!





Every quarter, the group chooses a theme and each create an outfit that suits our own personal tastes and fashion choices. We post them on the last Wednesday of every third month. Check out everyone’s posts with the links above for style inspiration at any age as they show you their magenta outfits!


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Friday 13 January 2023

What I Bought in December - Massive Opshop Haul!

I've previously shared my annual fashion spend and what I bought in 2022, but really wanted to make a post sharing my December purchases.

As usual, I'd finished my Christmas present shopping before December, so was ignoring all the pre-Christmas sales. Until I got the notification that my local opshop was finishing out the closing days of the year before Christmas with a "fill a bag for $10" sale.

This time it wasn't just clothes, it was anything in the store that you could fit into a bag, and you paid $10. If it didn't fit in the bag, it was just $1. The kids and I had a great time shopping - toys, puzzles, games and books for them, and a few new items of clothing for me!


What I Thrifted In December:



  • thrifted Kmart black and white embellished cover up
  • thrifted Kmart dusty rose cami (left out of video accidentally!)
  • thrifted No label chambray tie strap cami
  • thrifted Cotton On orange and white stripe The One crew neck tee
  • thrifted Forever 21 wine ribbed knit jumper
  • thrifted Valleygirl navy jersey blazer
  • thrifted Kmart rust button up linen blend skirt 2020
  • thrifted Kmart fuchsia linen blend shorts 2020
  • thrifted Kmart mustard linen blend pull on shorts

This whole haul was just $10! Everything works out to less than a dollar if you consider the things the kids got as well which I didn't include in the video. Such bargains!

I always aim to wear everything I buy within the month I buy it. It's something I started doing after having too many unworn pieces in my wardrobe during a clean out. It works pretty well and slows down my impulse buying, but I definitely threw that goal out when buying these pieces - I wasn't going to have enough days left in December to wear everything I bought, but I knew they'd get a lot of wear in 2023.


The only seasonal appropriate piece I haven't worn twice yet is the dusty rose cami - but January has been a bit of an unexpected one and I'll hopefully get to wear it tomorrow. The blazer and wine knit I will be able to enjoy when the weather cools.



Here's how I've worn it all so far:





I of course got a few things added to my wardrobe as Christmas presents too, like this dress, and this bag, so I'm excited for all the new outfit combinations I'll be able to wear for 2023! It's helped me ignore all the January sales, got so many new outfits I want to try from the pieces in my own wardrobe.





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Thursday 17 November 2022

What's In My Bag: #ItsInTheBag Woman's Bag Donation For Share The Dignity

It's that time of year again! Share The Dignity are running their #ItsInTheBag campaign, encouraging you to put together a new or gently used bag with a few essentials and some special treats for a woman in need at Christmas time.




While Share The Dignity collect bags to distribute to teens as well as bags for mums and new babies, this year I picked again to do a standard bag for a woman in need.


What's In My Bag For #It'sInTheBag



A big bag, but it needed to be to fit everything inside! I packed all of the essentials - pads and tampons, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, tooth brush and tooth paste. So that a woman in need at Christmas time has all the essentials everyone deserves. When times are tough sometimes even the basics are out of reach.

With the use of some Clinique items I got free as a gift with repurchase of my current moisturiser, I added in a few luxury items as well, to make whoever receives this feel special. Face wash, moisturiser, lipstick, and mascara. I added in some sunscreen too, and makeup remover wipes and a couple of face masks, along with a pretty necklace and of course a little Christmas card. Because everyone deserves to feel a bit of joy on Christmas, and to feel loved.



I've donated these bags for the past few years and it's become a staple on my Christmas shopping list, to look out for things someone might like to receive in a bag like this. If you're in Australia, you can donate your own bag at any Bunnings between 18th and 27th November.

You can find a list of the items required and suggested for each bag on the Share the Dignity website. And if you want any further inspiration, you can see some of the bags I put together in previous years below.



Mum and Bub Bags:




If you are outside of Australia, you can donate online to sponsor a bag, or you can find a similar charity in your country to support. Food banks are always grateful for donations too!


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Wednesday 12 October 2022

What I Bought In September From The Real Real, Ebay and Kmart

Mid-October is possibly a little late for sharing what I bought in September, but dealing with school holidays and sickness at the end of September meant a little delay in putting this post together.

Since my last splurge all the way back in March, I haven't bought any fashion items at all. It has been a busy year, but I am impressed I could go without shopping for so many months - after it was such a challenge to try 6 months without shopping in 2017! Definitely made up for my lack of purchases over the past months with a couple of impulse buys!



What I Bought:






As you can see in the videos above, I had a lot of fun picking out a couple handbags for myself when doing some Christmas shopping!

I also bought a bag strap I could use just for my Marc by Marc Jacobs bag that I'd been using straps from other bags in my collection with. And then I stumbled across a $25 dress reduced to just $2 at Kmart and scooped that up! With the warmer spring weather I have been wearing a few more dresses lately, and it will be so easy to get a good cost per wear with a $2 dress! I've already worn it twice, so it's $1 per wear without trying hard.



How I've Worn It:

I set myself a goal of wearing everything I buy twice in the month that I buy it, which was a little trickier last month when I bought a few things close to the end of the month and then we had to stay home for a while thanks to getting sick on the last week of school. Giving myself a pass on not hitting my wear twice goals for that reason! While I have worn everything I bought at least twice, it wasn't all twice in September.


The little mini Darren bag has been worn a lot - it's been great for days I don't need to carry much other than my phone, car keys, and sanitiser.



How I'm Tracking With My Budget:


In 2021 I spent just $580.36 on clothes and accessories. I knew I was never going to spend less than that this year, so I set myself a goal of spending less than $1,000 on fashion this year. I'm still under that budget, but getting close! With the last months of the year and all the extra sales coming up I'm hoping I can stay under the $1,000 budget I set myself.



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Friday 2 September 2022

30 Ways To Wear A Blush Pink Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Darren

For this month's 30 ways to wear post, I'm featuring another bag, this beautiful Rebecca Minkoff small Darren messenger in peony pink. A bag I've worn a lot more than 30 times, the pastel pink has been so versatile in my wardrobe!



30 Ways To Wear: Blush Pink Small Darren Satchel Bag

30 ways to wear blush pink bag pastel handbag rebecca minkoff small darren messenger bag awayfromblue blog


When I saw this bag during a browse of the David Jones sale I could not get it out of my head - so I had to buy it! I didn't think about how I would wear it, just how pretty it was. I have been pleasantly surprised to find it works with so many outfits in my wardrobe! The adjustable strap is a nice feature, although I do mostly wear it on the longest crossbody setting. I started out just trying this bag as a lovely pastel pink touch of colour with a neutral or monochrome outfit, but found over time blush pink goes with so much, and I'm so glad I stumbled across this bag in the sale! I'm really not sure why this messenger style was discontinued - the Darren is still available in other styles, but this original one will always be a true classic to me!


Cost Per Wear

I bought this bag back in October 2018, at over 50% off it was $240.78 as there was an extra discount on the sale price. At 44 wears to date, that's $5.47 a wear so far. Higher than the $1 a wear most people aim for, but given how often I reach for this bag and how much I love it, I have no doubt it will get to $1 a wear or less in time.

One thing to note is that the lighter colour has suffered from colour transfer - thankfully it was easily cleaned off. Since then I haven't had any further issues wearing this bag with denim or dark clothing, it's staying stain free.

Since I've worn this bag a lot more than 30 times, I tried to pick just my 30 favourite outfits to share.



30 Ways to Wear: Video Style





Pastel Pink Bag and Little Black Dress


4 outfit ideas pastel pink darren bag and little black dress awayfromblue

This was one of the first ways I started wearing this bag - pairing the pale pastel pink with a lot of black. A little black dress is perfect for that. The bag adds a nice colour that isn't too statement making like a brighter pink bag would be, and pink and black always go together nicely.


Blush Pink Bag With Blue Outfits


5 ways to wear a blush pink bag with blue outfits awayfromtheblue

If you're read my blog occasionally you'll know that blue and pink is a colour combination I always love to wear - different shades of blue and pink work together so well! While navy blue is a frequent go-to with this blush pink Darren bag, you can see with these outfits that even lighter shades of blue look nice with the pastel pink.


Pastel Pink Bag With Monochromatic Neutral Outfits


4 ways to accessorise monochromatic neutral outfits with a blush pink bag awayfromtheblue

Just like the little black dress outfits above, neutral colours were a good starting point for me with this bag. Blacks and greys together create easy neutral outfits, and the pastel pink bag is a lovely way to inject a little colour with all those neutrals and otherwise monochromatic outfits.



Blush Pink Crossbody Bag and Purple


3 ways to wear rebecca minkoff darren messenger bag peony pink with purple awayfromblue

Although not something I wear as much as pink and blue, I do really like pink and purple in an outfit together. I just don't have many purple pieces in my wardrobe to pair this bag with! As you can see, the lilac tee is a firm favourite with this bag, I like the two pastel tones together.


Pastel Pink Bag Matching Other Pieces In An Outfit


4 ways to wear a pastel pink darren bag with matching pink pieces in an outfit awayfromblue

If you're really not too sure about what colours go with a pastel coloured bag like this Rebecca Minkoff Darren, try doing a little matchy-matchy! I find pink scarves, or even piece4s with a blush pink print in them, coordinate perfectly with this peony pink bag and make any outfit feel a bit more cohesive. I love that I have a pair of shorts that match the bag so well too!


Pink Bag Worn With Other Contrasting Shades of Pink


3 ways to wear blush pink bag with other shades of pink magenta berry fuchsia awayfromblue

If a little pink accessory looks good in an outfit, why not add even more pink? This was a fun colour combination to try, although I'd had this bag a while before attempting it! Trying two different shades of pink in the same outfit, from a deep berry blouse to a bright fuchsia dress, even the magenta kimono. The pastel pink works well with all other shades of pink I've tried it with! When I was trying this combination out I always wore it with other neutrals like black and white as you can see in these outfits.


Blush Pink Bag With With Other Pinks and Blue


3 colour trio outfit ideas blue pink and blush awayfromtheblue

This is a great example of how I've slowly tried more colour combinations with this bag! I could definitely categorise them some of the outfit formulas above. It's the blush pink and brighter pink outfit pieces combination, but this time instead of sticking with black and white pieces, I'm adding a little more colour and having the two different shades of pink, and a little bit of blue as well. Easy pairings I know that work well together, worn all at once to make a colourful new trio that I can try out in different outfits.


Rebecca Minkoff Peony Darren Bag and Skirts


4 ways to wear rebecca minkoff darren messenger peony pink with skirts awayfromtheblue

This is the best way to show the versatility of this bag - it works so well with all my outfits, as you've seen above. But while I worried the crossbody messenger style might feel too casual, I think it's perfect for the office too! It looks just as good with a maxi skirt as it does with a little denim skirt, or a pencil skirt for work. It really is such a versatile bag, and I'm glad I have it in my wardrobe!




Where To Buy Rebecca Minkoff Darren Messenger Bag:




More Outfit Ideas:

For more outfit inspiration and ideas, you can view all 44+ ways I've worn this bag in my blog archives, or browse the complete 30 wears series.

Similar Posts In The 30 Wears Series:



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Wednesday 4 May 2022

What I Bought: Chloe Marcie

I started the year off being a very low spend year, with just a little thrift haul back in February. But then I saw something I just had to have and I made a pretty big splurge!


What I Bought:





It's taken me a while to get this video and post together - I had the bag for a while before I did the video, as I explained. It has been a very hectic few weeks, as I bid on this all the way back in March! But better late than never. Once I fixed up that major issue it had with a lot of patience, I've been enjoying and using this bag fairly often recently and it was definitely due a post!

A few years ago I bought the Chloe Marcie hobo in this same colour, and sold it. At the time I wasn't using it much and didn't use hobo bags often for life with baby, so I figured I'd let some impractical bags go. But every now and then I regretted selling the hobo bag. I kept browsing for Marcie bags, thinking a shoulder bag would work better, and just waiting for an excuse to make the splurge! Some exciting happenings at work (I've mentioned before on the blog a few extra rewards I've earned) and a timely auction on eBay resulted in me taking the plunge and getting this bag I'd wanted for a while.


How I've Worn It:




Having owned this colour in a similar style before I knew this would work well in my wardrobe! And if I ever run out of ideas for how to wear it I can refer back to my 30 ways to wear post with the Marcie hobo style!


How I'm Tracking With My Fashion Budget:


As you heard in the video, I got caught up in a bidding war on this and did not want to lose! As well as forgetting to factor in the import charges and GST (as it was an overseas auction) and credit card conversion rates for foreign transactions... I have definitely spent more than I did last year! 

I feel a little bad to have spent more in 2022 in the first half of the year than I did in the whole of 2021, but I'm also really pleased to have this bag. And at almost a third of the retail price, it wasn't overly expensive for a Chloe Marcie bag in such great condition. Plus, everyone needs to indulge now and then!



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Thursday 31 March 2022

30 Ways To Wear Mulberry Alexa Satchel In Foggy Grey

I had this Mulberry Alexa in foggy grey in my wardrobe for a few years. While reminiscing about it I looked up some photos from the blog and was surprised to see I'd surpassed 30 wears with it! So although I've sold this bag on and no longer own it, let's look back on some of the ways I wore it while I had it.


30 Ways To Wear: Mulberry Alexa In Foggy Grey


30 ways to wear mulberry small alexa bag in foggy grey outfit ideas | awayfromtheblue

Back in 2012 I was excitedly stalking the Mulberry Alexa bag on the now closed Reebonz site, waiting for that perfect storm of a great sale and a good exchange rate to bring it down to my budget. I was thrilled to score this bag for $1,028 as I had a discount code on top of the sale price. It was the perfect shade of greyish purple and I wore it a lot, getting to over 45 wears before I sold it on. I don't remember how much I sold it for though, which makes cost per wear tricky to calculate as I can't deduct the money I got from selling it! It works out at a $22.84 per wear just taking into account the price I paid and how many times I wore it, but I know that the new owner has worn it a bunch more too.

I sold the bag in 2016 so 45 wears in 4 years isn't too bad considering how often I rotate my bags. The turn lock closure and magnetic straps were just a bit too much each time I wanted to use the bag when my son was a newborn so it wouldn't have gotten much wear if I had decided to keep it. I probably won't stop searching it on resale sites now and then though, hoping I stumble across one at a bargain price in great condition!


30 Ways to Wear Mulberry Alexa Bag: Video Style





Here's some of the ways I wore this beautiful foggy grey lilac toned Mulberry Alexa bag while it was in my wardrobe:


Neutral Dresses and Purple Toned Alexa Bag


neutral dresses with foggy grey purple toned lilac mulberry alexa crossbody bag | awayfromtheblue
A colourful bag is a go-to for me with a neutral outfit! And these neutral black and brown dresses are the perfect backdrop to showcase the lovely purpley-grey colour of this Mulberry Alexa bag. Because it's such a grey based purple, it stands out without making too much of a statement.



Office Outfits With Mulberry Small Alexa Bag


4 office outfit ideas with mulberry alexa messanger bag small in foggy grey colour | awayfromblue
While it was in my wardrobe, I found the Mulberry Alexa was a great bag to wear to work. The muted purple colour worked well as it wasn't too bold and bright and attention grabbing. It's a nice classic style for toting everything to work and really roomy too!



Purple Toned Alexa Bag With Other Purple Clothing Pieces In An Outfit


4 outfit ideas with mulbery alexa purple toned bag with other purple clothing pieces in an outfit | awayfromblue
I like a bit of matchy-matchy, but this Mulberry Alexa bag is such a unique shade of purple I didn't have anything in my wardrobe that matched it exactly! It does compliment other purple pieces in an outfit though, even if not the same shade. From the lilac tee, to the deeper purple skinny jeans, or even the berry cardigan that's more on the magenta side, this grey-ish purple goes perfectly!



Purple Scarf Outfits With Foggy Grey Alexa


wearing mulberry alexa foggy grey purple toned bag with other matching purple pieces scarves outfits | awayfromblue
Just like the outfits above, none of these purple scarves match the Alexa bag, even the lilac one around the grey dress in the middle. Again though I still think the extra shades of purple from the scarves go nicely with the different purple-grey shade of the bag.




Purple Toned Alexa Bag With Pink Outfits


purple mulberry small alexa messenger bag with pink in outfits ideas | awayfromtheblue
Pink and purple is always a good colour combination - and these 4 outfits showcase that well, from bold neon pink, to a blush pink. The pink and purple colour combo with this bag works well in any pink shade.



Printed Dresses and Mulberry Alexa Bag


3 printed dress and mulberry small alexa satchel outfits | awayfromblue
Because the Mulberry Alexa bag in foggy grey is one block colour with neutral toned hardware, it's easy to pair with printed pieces like these dresses. All three dresses here are different prints and colours but the Alexa is a great accessory with all three!




Mulberry Alexa Bag Worn In Winter Outfits


Mulberry alexa foggy grey with winter layers chunky scarves | awayfromblue
I'm not someone who thinks some colours can only be worn seasonally. While this purple toned bag is great for warmer weather, it works equally well in winter! As you saw with the neutral dress outfits above, I like it with dark winter neutrals like black, grey and navy as it provides just a little extra colour without being too bright.



Pregnancy Outfits with Mulberry Alexa Bag


mulberry alexa bag worn 4 ways in pregnancy maternity outfit ideas | awayfromtheblue
I wore this Mulberry Alexa bag a lot in pregnancy - no matter how big my belly got, this bag always worked! Bags are a good investment as you can wear them for years.




What Fits Inside Mulberry Small Alexa Bag:





Where To Buy Mulberry Small Alexa:





More Outfit Ideas:

For more outfit inspiration and ideas, you can view all 45+ ways I've worn this bag in my blog archives, or browse the complete 30 wears series.


Similar Posts In The 30 Wears Series:




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