Finally Friday

top: Dorothy Perkins

cardi: New Look

trousers: Next chino trousers

shoes: Clark's black heels

trench coat: as usual; Ted Baker

bag: as usual

The minute I left the house, I happened to notice the white snotty marks on my trousers. I pondered for few seconds whether to rush back in and change to a different pair. As husband was getting Darcy on the car seat, I decided to hope for the best that no one would notice... Well, no one has said anything to me about it all day....

AA xxx

Grey blouse, olive trousers, black cardi, grey heels

 

top: H&M long sleeves blouse/shirt

cardi: George from ASDA

trousers: Uniqlo Heattech corduroy trousers in olive (new purchase - exact)

shoes: Nine West
necklace: sunburst style
trench coat: Ted Baker (not in the picture) 
bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag  (not in the picture) 


If I say I am being very 'adventurous' about my outfits today, you may laugh out loud!!
But, I stand by my claim and celebrate the fact that I am moving onto where I want to be...

I used to wear black trousers to work every day and some dresses occasionally. Since pregnancy and coming back to work from maternity leave, I have been trying out different bottom pieces, ie skirts (still only occasionally), chino trousers, jeggings, and now this pair - Hooray!

I have always been a fan of the Uniqlo Heattech line, only previously trying on tops and a lounge dress. Since this winter is supposed to be the coldest winter in 60 years allergically, I decided to invest more pieces from the Heattech line - so I bought this trousers, two tops, some leggings and tights (not yet try them on) spending over £150!! (ordered a top for Baby D too).

I am quite pleased with this trousers so far. I'd normally need the portable heater on in the office, but I don't feel the need just yet. We shall wait and see if it would keep me warm in the winter months to come.

AA xxx

Same cardi three days in a row

top: French Connection (last worn here)

cardi: New Look 

trousers: Next 

trench coat: Ted Baker (not in the picture) 

shoes: ASOS leather safari heels  (not in the picture) 

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag  (not in the picture) 

necklace: French Connection

scarf: ASOS owl print (not in the picture) 

This purple top is something I don't think I'd wear it as it is. I like the patterns and the colour, but the design/shape of the sleeves isn't very complementary. Perhaps it was a fashion back then, but not any more. 

My day today is filled up with several meetings, and I'd like to wear more 'appropriately' for all occasions. So, I figure the dressing code of {black trousers with a blouse/top, and a cardi} is best option.  And I certainly saw other colleagues, both academics and admin staff, wearing similar combination. I guess you can never go wrong with this formula : )

AA xxx 

Dress, cardi, trench coat, boots, Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo bag

 

dress: A|Wear (very old)

white knitted cardi

boots: Forever 21

trench coat: Ted Baker & Longchamp style bag as baby diaper bag (two bags system)

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag

necklace: French Connection 

This dress was on its way out several times when I tried to make rooms for the wardrobe in the past. I didn't have the heart to give it away to charity shops every time, mostly because it is in the right length for my liking!! And several years on, probably three or four old now, it's amazing that I still find it fit for the work environment. 

(Although this is a proof that I am back to the pre-pregnancy size, it is still depressing that I didn't manage to lose any weights all these years! - I am one or one and a half size bigger than when I live in Taiwan.)

It is a cotton, jersey style dress, probably A-line. The length is a better fit than many dresses I owned and tried on in the past (ie French Connection, Topshop, Warehouse, Dorothy Perkins). I think once you find a piece that cannot go wrong, you tend to keep it or go back to it every now and then - I hope that I can find more this type of dresses....  

AA xxx

Blouse, black trousers, white knitted cardi - Monday Blue

top: Oasis blouse

trousers: Next 

3/4 sleeves white knitted cardi

trench coat: Ted Baker

shoes: ASOS leather safari heels

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo bag

I really like what I've put together today, in a nutshell. : )

The blouse is a loose fit, so I'd like to have it on with a pair of jeggings - so following the {loose + fit} formula. Having this knitted cardi on has made it more fitting and gives it a different look and focus. 

AA xxx

Knitted top, chino trousers, Rebecca Minkoff bag

bag: Rebecca Minkoff & CiPU mini city diaper bag

Today, I am wearing the same outfit as yesterday.

Maybe it's a girl thing, I think girls' clothes don't need to be washed after each wear - oh gosh, I hope this confession doesn't make me a weirdo... In fact, my clothes get washed more often now than in the past as Baby D likes to snuggle on me too much and as a result, I often find God-knows-what sticky/smelly stuff on me. Anyway, my point is that this is why I am wearing the same outfit today, so they can go into the wash bin.

When I came downstairs from the shower, this is what I saw - two boys had a morning nap together!

AA xxx

A commuting mum in autumn

top: Dorothy Perkins pink knitted top (old)

trousers: Next chino trouser 

shoes: Hush Puppies

trench coat: Ted Baker (bought on ebay)

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo bag (bought on ebay)

necklace: sunburst style

Had to commute to work this morning with my husband - we drove to Ilkley, the nearby train station and got on the same train to work, my workplace and the nursery is one stop before his. 

I always enjoy the 'occasional' commute on the train to/from work as I enjoy people/style watching. Where we live, or I should say, the town nearby, is a posh place, and you get to see many well-polished women at all ages coming and going in decent, stylish and classic look (so probably not as fashionable as in big cities). And that is the style I like and I want to be like or associated with - classic and stylish.

As I was travelling with my husband, I had the chance to be left alone people watching, rather than chasing the baby!  This has set me in a good, refresh mood (plus the fact, today is Friday!) - A little bit of ME time for a working mum makes all the differences !   

AA xxx

stripes dress, cardi, boots, Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo bag | stripes top, jeggings, boots

This is what I wear to work today - essentially, following same formula as last week, but with warmer boots, a grey cardi and a black knee-high trench coat from Ted Baker (not in the picture).

I have been off work for two days earlier this week with a bad cold, rough throat and uncontrollable big cough all the time. I am 'told' to stay home away from people while I get myself sorted as the wife of my line manager has bad lung problems and he is concerned to pass on the cold to her. Although I am feeling better today and came back to work yesterday (Wednesday), I am still coughing a lot. And I feel like a mess, less inspired in my look generally.    

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This is what I wore to work yesterday (Wednesday). Again, similar combination of the weekend style, but with a different pair of jeggings, boots, coats and bag.

I like to wear boots and jeggings when I am playing a commuting mummy role. And it was specially functional when it ended with me pushing/running with the pram in heavy rains !! (I hate rainy days.)


AA xxx

Working weekend holiday in the Lakes

top: Dorethy Perkins white knitted top & stripes long sleeves cotton top (bought in Taiwan)

blue jeggings: George at ASDA

shoes: Dune (2013 f/w)

bag: CiPU B-bag

My husband organizes a student development weekend away training in the Lakes District, and we decide to come along and stay in a nearby B&B while he stays with the group in a hostel. 

As I am on my own with the pram (and the baby) some of the time, it's more mobile to wear diaper bag on my back. And a warm, good walking boots and rain coat is a must. 

First picture was taken at home before we set off to the Lakes District.  Second picture was taken when Baby D is having a short nap in B&B after breakfast on Sun.

We came to do the tree-top tracking in Ambleside two years ago with a different student group and it was really good fun. We came again this time, and discovered it is also great for little human too! We will probably come here a lot in near future.

AA xxx

Old and new favorites - knitted top and Marc Jacobs bag

 

top: Dorothy Perkins (very worn out - last wear)

trousers: Next chino trouser in navy colour (last wear)

shoes: Hush Puppies

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag (bought on eBay)

bag: CiPU city mini bag (not in the picture)

trench coat: Uniqlo (not in the picture)

Certain tops would get wore a lot than some others, and this knitted top is one of my favourite pieces. I have worn it so much to a degree that it is on its way out or nearly being degraded to home lounge wear now !!  

Although I am wearing this outfit to work today, it is probably more like a mum stay-in-village mum style : ) 

Having used this Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier bag every day for a week now, I like it even more!! I'd normally wear it on my shoulder with the long strap at work. It is so functional, and easy to reach for essential items in the inner pockets, ie office key, home key, iPhone, with or without holding a baby or pushing a pram. 

When I have to pick up Baby D from the nursery and travel home on public transport, I then wear it cross-body (and tied my hair in the back) - 'mum on duty style' I called. This allows me to chase the baby more easily on the train without needing to worry about my purse hanging on the buggy. 

The only downside of this bag, in comparison to Balenciaga city, is its weight ! The metal logo and chains weight a tone... 

AA xxx

stripes dress, cardi, boots, Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo bag

  

dress: bought on eBay

cardi: George at ASDA

boots: Forever 21 ankle boots (bought on eBay)

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag (bought on eBay)

trench coat: Uniqlo

Most item I wear to work today (Thursday) are bought from eBay - told you that I am addicted to finding gems on eBay!! 

This dress looks lovely on eBay picture (the one against the white door), but I cannot hide my disappointment when I received it. It was just slightly too long for my liking, and also slightly too big and baggy. Of course the trouble with buying second-hand clothes on eBay is that you cannot refund/return an item. 

After sitting on this for few days, I feel more positive about it again - it is actually a functional dress for a working full-time mum!! It is comfortable to wear all day at work, to sit in the playpen after work, and to bend down checking on the baby when on the go - I am sure many mums would recognise these elements in every day life : )

AA xxx

animal print blouse, chino trousers, Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo bag

 

top: animal print blouse from Oasis

trousers: Next chino trousers (2014 S/S)

shoes: Hush Puppies

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag

trench coat: Uniqlo (not in the picture)

Reaching out for the same outfit combination again (here and here)! Where has my spirit of building a remix wardrobe gone!?

AA xxx