Friday 18 May 2018

Layering Navy Dresses In Autumn: Light Scarves and Different Shoes

It took a while for autumn to arrive here in Brisbane! But when we started getting cooler mornings I was excited to add some layers and autumn pieces to my dresses - even if they are just lightweight scarves! I find summer dresses easy to layer up for cooler weather just by adding an extra piece or two and swapping out your shoes for something cosier.

What I wore:

 Shein navy flower print flowy dress  layered for autumn scarf tan chelsea boots denim jacket | awayfromblue

Balenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag with denim jacket | awayfromtheblue

awayfromblue instagram | shein navy flower print flowy swing dress scarf denim jacket Balenciaga tan day bag
Jacket: Bubblegum denim jacket
Scarf: gifted blush metallic rose gold shimmer scarf
DressShein navy flower print flowy dress (C/O)
ShoesAsos leather Chelsea boots in tan
BagBalenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

It was a really cold morning when I wore this so I added a scarf, denim jacket and ankle boots to my dress. After a busy day working from home, rushing around in the evening meant I'd gotten warm and quickly taken both the scarf and jacket off. I picked the boys up from daycare to take the little one to his specialist appointment.

I like how comfortable this flowy swing dress is - and even though it's a light viscose fabric it is sure to be worn more as the weather cools down further as it layers well. Writing this post made me smile as I realised the last time I wore this dress it was also with a Balenciaga day bag, and it was again for a specialist appointment!

This shimmery scarf was a gift from my mum last year and I love how nice it looked with the navy dress. Even if I didn't keep all the layers on in the warm afternoon, I did enjoy this outfit for the short time I wore it all together in the morning for daycare drop off and the denim jacket came in helpful in the evening.


Last worn: denim jacket, shimmer scarf, navy floral swing dress, Chelsea ankle boots, Balenciaga brown day bag.

Other ways to weardenim jacket worn 30 ways, shimmer scarf in the office, navy floral swing dress in summer, Chelsea ankle boots, Balenciaga brown day bag and shorts.

Perfect for pregnancydenim jacket in second trimester, Chelsea ankle boots in second trimester, Balenciaga brown day bag for second trimester travel.



My Latest Video: Winter Clothing Haul For The Boys




With the cooler weather, I was excited to start buying winter clothes for the boys! Cooper helped me to share what I've been buying.




What I wore:

long sleeve printed shift dress with crochet scarf and balenciaga day bag in autumn | away from blue

Balenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag 09 worn on shoulder long tassels | away from the blue

awayfromblue instagram | Zara printed bib front tunic dress in autumn with crochet scarf and Balenciaga day bag
Scarf: white Target crochet detail scarf
Dress: Zara printed bib front tunic dress
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white
BagBalenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

This was such a productive day, although I wasn't completely happy with my outfit. I love the crochet scarf with the navy dress. I was unsure at first with the pattern on the dress and the texture of the scarf but being similar colours I think it worked really well. It was a little chilly so as well as the scarf I added some Converse. Converse are a go-to for me in spring and autumn and are a nice alternative when it's not cold enough for boots. On the surface, a great outfit.

We dropped the boys off at their grandparents for the morning to get some stuff done and it was a productive morning. I did wish I'd added a denim jacket to this outfit though once the rain showers hit. Then we had lunch with the boys and their grandparents which made me regret my outfit even more as this dress felt much too short. If I'm spending time with the boys it's better to go with a maxi length or something like shorts! I was happy to get home and change after lunch. I chucked on some PJ pants under my dress so I was a bit more comfortable to lounge around and play with cars and setup train tracks with the boys!

This dress is one of the ones that works so perfectly in summer, layers well for autumn or winter, and it doubles as a professional looking top for work sometimes too. I was really hoping to have hit 30 wears on it by now, but I do find the length tricky to wear when trying to sit and play on the floor with the boys which limits how much I can wear it right now.


Last worn: crochet scarf, Zara navy shift dress, Converse, Balenciaga day bag (above).

Other ways to wearcrochet scarf and chambray dress, Zara navy shift dress and winter layers, Converse and denim shorts, Balenciaga day bag and maxi skirt.

Perfect for pregnancycrochet scarf in second trimester, Zara navy shift dress in third trimester, Converse in second trimester, Balenciaga day bag and hidden baby bump.



Navy Printed Dresses Under $50:




How You Can Wear It


You don't have to pack your favourite dresses away when the cooler weather arrives! Swapping sandals for Converse or ankle boots and adding a scarf helps keep the chill away and lets you wear your favourite pieces more often. When it's really cold, you could add tights, leggings, and cosier scarves. But mild autumn and spring days are perfect for lightweight scarves like these.


Linking up with Friday Faves, Lizzie In Lace, Shoe & Tell, Mix It Monday, Hello Monday, Modest Monday.



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Wednesday 16 May 2018

Chambray Shirt Alternatives: Dress and Maxi Skirt With Balenciaga Bags

A chambray shirt is a blogger staple, and is on so many 'wardrobe essential' lists. I've never found the perfect one for me, but I do love the chambray dress and maxi skirt I have. Pairing something chambray with a printed kimono makes an easy autumn outfit.

What I wore:

Kindness Collective printed kimono with chambray dress and Balenciaga part time | Awayfromtheblue

chambray dress with Balenciaga part time in black 2010 with SGH on arm | awayfromtheblue

Tesalate 'The Swell' sand free towel at the pool | away from blue blog
NecklaceZuriCollections blue polymer clay necklace
DressJeanswest Rachel Lyocell chambray dress (C/O)
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
BagBalenciaga part time in black 2010 with SGH
Towel: Tesalate 'The Swell' sand free towel (C/O)

Why I wore it:

Another warmer than expected autumn day! I actually managed to spend some time in the pool in morning, before the rain and a storm blew in in the evening. While it was a little frustrating having summer continue well into autumn, it's been good to take advantage of the heat and get in more pool time before it's too cold!

I had the chance to use my new Tesalate towel too, you might have seen my review of my first Tsalate towel on the blog before. This time around I enjoyed its absorbency features more than its sand-repelling features! Especially after a rather rigorous paddling session from the boys, who thought it was too cold to join me for a swim in the pool but had fun splashing on the sidelines.

While I had a relaxed morning, it was a busier afternoon getting groceries and doing my eye test. So funny chatting to the optician as last time I was there I was very heavily pregnant with Baby Boy, we were amazed how quickly things change. Luckily no new glasses needed for me!

It's not the first time I've worn this dress with a kimono. I love the way prints look against the blue chambray dress, it's a nice combination. It was a good layer to have when it did start getting cooler in the evening too.


Last worn: Kindness Collective kimono, button up chambray dress, Havaianas, Balenciaga Part Time bag.

Other ways to wearprinted kimono and shorts, button up chambray dress for breastfeeding, Balenciaga Part Time bag in the office.

Perfect for pregnancychambray dress in second trimester, Balenciaga Part Time bag in second trimester.


My Balenciaga Handbag And Accessory Collection:



(This video is from 2012! I've filmed an updated Balenciaga collection video that will be on my YouTube channel soon, so subscribe to my channel if you don't want to miss that!)



What I wore:

printed kimono, chambray maxi skirt: boho autumn playgroup style with grey tee | away from blue

Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete, Coach rainbow charm | away from the blue

awayfromblue instagram navy printed kimono chambray maxi skirt grey tee playgroup SAHM style
JacketNew Look Petite print kimono
NecklaceZuriCollections blue polymer clay necklace
TeeAtmos&Here grey v-neck tee with rolled sleeves (also in black)
SkirtNoisy May long denim maxi skirt
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white
BagBalenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete

Why I wore it:

A slightly more autumnal outfit here! I added the kimono and the Converse as we were running a few more errands and going to playgroup. The playground is mostly in the shade and can be cooler in the mornings so I thought the extra layers and cosier shoes would be useful! Of course by the time we left playgroup I was wishing I'd stuck with my trusty Havaianas, it turned into another really warm day.

I do find this chambray maxi skirt tricky to layer with sometimes, as it is a fuller skirt. Usually it's better to pair more fitted pieces with it, but I wanted comfortable loose layers so picked this slouchy grey tee and then added another voluminous piece with the kimono on top. Thought it turned out okay though, the perfect relaxed outfit for a relaxed morning.

We stopped at the opshop, spent time at playgroup and picked up some groceries (that I'd forgotten to get on the previous day!). The highlight of the boys' day was definitely the huge bag of toys we got from the opshop for $4 - plenty of trains to keep them happy!


Last worn: new look navy kimono, grey v-neck tee, chambray maxi skirt, Converse Chucks, Balenciaga tempete day bag.

Other ways to wearnavy kimono and burgundy pants, grey tee and skinny jeans, chambray maxi skirt and leather jacket, Converse and denim shorts, Balenciaga tempete day bag and pencil skirt.


Perfect for pregnancynavy kimono in second trimester, grey tee for second trimester travelConverse in second trimester, Balenciaga tempete day in third trimester.


Chambray Dresses and Maxi Skirts Under $50:







How You Can Wear It


If the latest 'must have' item doesn't work for you or your wardrobe, try finding something similar to get the look instead. For a popular fabric like chambray or velvet, you can find a piece that fits a need in your wardrobe. A chambray shirt may be a classic, but I wear dresses and skirts more often than shirts! Much like denim, a chambray piece is a perfect backdrop for a colourful printed kimono, as I've worn in both outfits here.


Linking up with Fashion Frenzy, Style On The Daily, Oh Hey Girl, Fashion Files, Fun Fashion, Weekend Wear, Flashback Fashion, Fabulous Friday.


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Monday 14 May 2018

Dressing Up Tees For The Office: Business Casual Style With Pencil Skirts and Blazers

The benefit of working in a business casual environment is that it's perfectly acceptable to wear a tee to work. It was a staple for casual Fridays for me (back when I worked 5 days a week) but I thought I'd give it a go again recently. With some heels, a pencil skirt and a blazer, I felt my tees were dressed up perfectly for my office - particularly when my boss is wearing jeans. I do have a very casual business casual office.

What I wore:

grey v-neck tee in office with cream blazer heels pencil skirt and purple balenciaga work bag | away from the blue

Balenciaga raisin purple 2009 giant silver G21 hardware work bag | away from the blue

awayfromblue instagram | office outfit with grey tee jersey blazer pencil skirt and heels
Jacket:  Zara cream jersey blazer
Necklace: Lovisa wooden statement bead necklace
Tee: Spectrum basic v-neck tee in grey marl
SkirtAsos blue textured lace pencil skirt
ShoesWittner 'Mimi' heels in mushroom
BagBalenciaga raisin purple 2009 giant silver G21 hardware work bag

Why I wore it:

I didn't like this outfit as much as I'd hoped. Last time I wore this cream blazer with grey I wasn't very impressed with the final outfit. I decided to try it again with a grey tee this time, one of my favourite grey pieces, so I was sure I'd love it. I really didn't like this combo though. It was a comment from Sheila that explained it to me: the grey tee is a cool neutral, the cream blazer a warm neutral, and they are both a similar intensity of colour, so they don't look great together.

It's definitely not going to be a combination I repeat again in a hurry. I did think about a bright necklace with this in the morning to add some more colour, and think that or a scarf would have helped. I thought the purple Balenciaga work bag would be bright enough but it really wasn't.

It was a really busy day at work though, so it flew by and I didn't have much time to question my outfit choices, other than to kick myself for not taking an extra minute or two to try something different when I looked in the mirror that morning before leaving the house! I forgot my lipstick and mascara that morning too - I think I was still half asleep for a while! 😂


Last worncream jersey blazergrey v-neck tee, ASOS lace pencil skirtmushroom heelsBalenciaga purple work bag.

Other ways to wearcream jersey blazer and a-line skirtgrey v-neck tee and kimono, ASOS lace pencil skirt, mushroom heels and flaresBalenciaga purple work bag and wrap dress.

Perfect for pregnancycream jersey blazer in second trimestergrey v-neck tee in second trimester, ASOS lace pencil skirt.



Review and Contents of the Balenciaga Work Bag






What I wore:

purple tee with statement necklace jacquard pencil skirt jersey blazer and Bal work | awayfromblue

purple raisin 2009 balenciaga work bag giant silver GSH hardware bag | purple tee with statement necklace jacquard pencil skirt jersey blazer and Bal work | awayfromtheblue

awayfromblue instagram lilac tee purple work bag jacquard pencil skirt blazer and heels
Tee: Spectrum basic v-neck tee in washed lilac

Why I wore it:

Was a little unsure about the lilac tee with the darker purple bag when I was planning this in my head, but I really liked this outfit! Unlike the outfit  above, I think this black blazer matched the outfit nicely, with the black texture on the skirt.

It's really interesting how even if you follow the same outfit formula you can have such different results with the outfits you create! Definitely shows me I still have lots to learn about style :)

What also helped I think was the bright colourful statement necklace to make me look more awake this time, as well as remembering to put my lipstick on! 😂


Last wornblack jersey blazerlilac v-neck teejacquard pencil skirtpatent heels, Balenciaga purple work bag (above).



V-Neck Tees Under $50:






How You Can Wear It:

A tee is one of those pieces you can easily dress up or down just by changing what you wear with it. If you have a more formal dress code these might be casual Friday only options for you. If you have a business casual environment like mine or aren't in a customer facing role then dressing up a casual tee for the office with a blazer, pencil skirt and heels could be a great mid-week outfit idea for you!


Linking up with On Mondays We Link Up, Turning Heads, On Trend, Style Sessions, Trend Spin, Confident Twosday.


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