Friday 20 November 2015

Finishing Frocktober: Boho Dress, Jeans and A Tee. Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAB Tote

My final October outfit! I had a bit of a backlog of outfit pictures before I started the Frocktober challenge, and I wanted to post them before I started sharing all of my Frocktober outfits. Mainly because it's a nice timeline of the development of the baby bump. Thanks for sticking with me while I wrapped up posting the old outfits.

What I wore:

Away From Blue | Jeanswest boho chelsea printed dress second trimester baby bump

AwayFromTheBlue | Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum purple closeup of Cooper adopted Shih Tzu
DressJeanswest 'Chelsea' printed dress
BeltAsos skinny pale pink belt
ShoesBalenciaga studded sandals in sorbet RGGH
Bracelets: the usual plus Hermes pink clic clac and purple Salvatore Ferragamo 'Vara' leather bow bracelet
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum (on sale in blue!)

Why I wore it:

My favourite dress to finish up Frocktober! Just a relaxing Saturday, spending some gift cards we found that expired that day, and going out for lunch.

It was an interesting challenge. If it had been one of the instagram style challenges I like to play along with, I would have given up a long time ago! It was only because I'd set myself a #31Days31DifferentDresses to fundraise for Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation that I kept going, as so many people had generously donated to encourage me.

I did a Frocktober wrap up post here. There were some outfits I loved, some I hated, and despite hoping I'd be able to clean out my wardrobe a little by getting rid of dresses that no longer worked for me, so very few dresses actually left my wardrobe! With many generous supporters, I managed to triple my initial fundraising target and raise over $600 for such a good cause. Thank you.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, boho print dress, pink belt, Balenciaga sandals, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote.

Other ways to wearboho print dress layered up for autumn, pink belt with a LBD, Balenciaga sandals and a back maxi dress, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote with a maxi dress.


Shop more Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote bags:






What I wore:

Away From The Blue | Second Trimester SAHM Style Kisschasy Final roar band tee skinny jeans

AwayFromTheBlue | Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum purple
Tee: Kisschasy the final roar band tee
JeansJeanswest maternity super skinny jeans in antique blue
Shoes: Big W purple thongs
Bracelets: the usual plus House of Harlow sunburst wrap bracelet in cobalt
Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum (on sale in mint!)

Why I wore it:

I was so excited to wear my maternity jeans after Frocktober! I wore my jeans and pants as much as possible in the early stages of my pregnancy with the help of a belly band, but I was really missing my maternity jeans. I knew as soon as I wore them the secret would be out, especially here on the blog, and I wanted to keep the secret to myself a little longer.

It was so good to wear these - comfortable and practical for a morning at playgroup with the toddler. I wore my Kisschasy band tee I'd picked up at their final Brisbane concert too. Toddler T and I both wore our graphic tees!


Last worn: Ray-Ban wayfarer (above), Jeanswest maternity jeans, purple thongs, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote (above). First time I've worn the tee as it's a recent purchase.

Other ways to wear: maternity skinny jeans and a newborn, purple thongs and shortspurple Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote with a black dress.


Linking up with Fab Favourites, Flashback Fashion, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Modest Monday.



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Wednesday 18 November 2015

Frocktober: Blue Printed Dresses - Work and Weekend with Gold Necklaces

For the final days of the Frocktober challenge, I'd saved some of my favourite blue dresses to wear. I'm sharing dresses 29 and 30, for work and weekend. I wore them both with gold necklaces!

What I wore:

Away from Blue | Spring Second Trimester Office Wear Aztec print dress ankle boots

AwayFromTheBlue blog | Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Fran bag with gold hardware in carob brown
JacketJeanswest Cassandra jacquard jacket
NecklaceHouse of Harlow Dynamic necklace in gold
DressJeanswest Aztec print dress
Belt: Kmart thin gold glitter belt
ShoesAsos airtime leather Chelsea boots in tan
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs waxed leather cream howlite beaded wrap bracelet
BagMarc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Fran bag with gold hardware in carob brown

Why I wore it:

Last time I wore this jacket (pre-Frocktober) I wore it with blue too, and the same accessories! I really like the jacket and the dress, so although they are both 'busy', I wanted to wear them together. It looked much better than the last time I tried to wear this jacket with a blue printed dress I think!

This dress is one of my favourites for work, and I'd saved it for near the end as it fit in the third trimester last time so I knew I'd definitely be able to wear it in the second trimester.

Wore this to MC a Frocktober frock fashion parade at work. Wearing my favourite colour, blue, always calms me and wearing a dress I'm happy and confident in even with a growing baby bump helped me be a little less nervous, as I hate public speaking. All the 'models' did so well, took the attention off me so I could relax a little more and we raised a lot for Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, which was wonderful!


Last worn: metallic boucle jacket, gold glitter belt, Aztec print dress, Asos Chelsea ankle bootsMarc by Marc Jacobs Fran.

Other ways to wearboucle jacket casually with a maxi skirt, gold glitter belt and a maxi dress, Aztec print dress in the third trimester, Asos Chelsea ankle bootsMarc by Marc Jacobs Fran with a pencil skirt.


Shop more gold necklaces under $100:



(some of these would be great Christmas gifts!)


What I wore:

Away From Blue | Second trimester SAHM style blue printed maxi dress baby bump

Away From Blue |  Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum purple with blue maxi dress
Necklace: Happiness Boutique turquoise and coral pendant necklace (C/O)
Dress: Jeanswest 'Chantelle' crochet detail blue printed maxi dress
ShoesIkwetta 'Circles of life' sandals (C/O)
Bracelets: the usual plus House of Harlow sunburst wrap bracelet in cobalt
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum

Why I wore it:

I had to save a maxi dress for near the end of the challenge! It's been a few months since I last wore this dress too, as I last wore it for toddler T's first birthday party!

I wore this during the day, my sister and I took toddler T out for a morning of fun. We went to rhyme time at the local library, and spent a while inside an indoor playgrounds (I carried a pair of socks for me in the baby bag for that, as you have to wear socks). We had lunch together then took a very tired but happy toddler home to nap.

In the evening, I got changed into yet another dress! I hadn't had a chance to wear it during the challenge, was keeping it as one that would work for the office if I ran out of dresses, so it was good to squeeze in a wear. My sister and I went out to see one of our favourite bands we loved growing up, doing their final gig in Brisbane. I've shared my love for Kisschasy before, and they did play my favourite 'Strings and Drums' song as part of their set. It was a bittersweet show.


Last worn: blue printed maxi dress, Ikwetta sandals, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote bag.

Other ways to wear: blue printed maxi dress for a Christmas party, beaded sandals with a leopard print dress, purple bag with a black maxi dress.


Linking up with Wednesday Wearables, Pleated Poppy, Style Me Wednesday, Oh Hey Girl, What I Wore, Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday, Fun Fashion, Weekend Link Up.




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Monday 16 November 2015

Frocktober: MbMJ Fran Bag, Dresses For The Office And Working From Home

Sticking with the outfit posting format I was using during October while sharing my Frocktober outfits, another two dresses in the order I wore them. Even if they are both very different looks, they do have the Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag in common I guess.

What I wore:

Away From The Blue | Second Trimester Office Wear Leona Edmiston Fern print dress boucle blazer

AwayFromBlue | Workwear Marc By Marc Jacobs Carob Brown Fran Bag
NecklaceHouse of Harlow Dynamic necklace in gold
Dress: Leona Edmiston Jemima fern print dress
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs black leather Swarovski beaded wrap bracelet
BagMarc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Fran bag with gold hardware in carob brown

Why I wore it:

Last time I wore this dress, I hated the outfit, despite the good response it received online. This time around, I liked it much better! I've worn this dress in the second trimester before so I was confident that I could still fit into it, and so wasn't in a rush to wear it at the beginning of the Frocktober challenge. It really came in handy on this day when I was starting to worry I'd outgrown all my work appropriate non-maternity dresses.

It's funny comparing the pictures of when I wore it the second trimester before to now. I can definitely see that the baby bump is bigger this time around. It's always going to be that way with a second baby, but it's interesting having side by side photos to compare it to! Also gave me a giggle to see I'd worn it in a very similar way - same necklace, Marc Jacobs bag and black ballet flats!


Last worn: boucle blazer, Leona Edmiston fern print dress, Walnut Melbourne ballet flats, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran bag.

Other ways to wearboucle blazer in autumn, Leona Edmiston fern print dress hiding a first trimester baby bump, ballet flats and tights in winter, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran bag with pants in the office.



Away From Blue | Marc by Marc Jacobs Handbag Selection Shopbop




What I wore:

Away From Blue | Second Trimester Non maternity dress Zalora Basics shift converse chucks

AwayFromBlue | Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Fran bag with gold hardware in carob brown
DressZalora Basics faux leather placket red shift dress
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white
BagMarc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Fran bag with gold hardware in carob brown

Why I wore it:

While it was warm and sunny in the morning, it got cold and rainy in the afternoon so the scarf was a welcome addition. I had to work from home in the morning and then had an OB appointment in the afternoon, after my appointment the week before was cancelled as there were too many ladies having babies and requiring the OB's attention! I slipped shorts underneath for that, but you can't see them in the pic.

I wasn't too impressed with the first time I wore this scarf, so I was eager to try it again. I preferred it worn this way, I twisted it a little to make it look less bulky. I wasn't sure about the red and yellow at first, but decided to give the colour combination a try.


Last worn: yellow scarf, red shift dress, white Converse, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran (above).

Other ways to wearyellow scarf with a navy printed dress, red shift dress layered up for winter (my favourite outfit with this dress), Converse and a maxi skirt, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran bag for the office.

Linking up with Mix It Monday, Classy Monday, Style Sessions, On Trend Tuesday, Turning Heads, Wardrobe Wednesday, Wednesday Blog Hop.


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