Casual Friday, SLY N3B Coat

Top: Oasis (last worn)

Cardi: New Look (last worn yesterday)

Black Jeggings

Coat: SLY N3B (A/W 2014, bought in 2013) - SLY blog for further info

Bag and Boots: as usual

Having worn smart work dresses for the last two days, I decided to go 'easy' and 'casual' today hence it's Friday !

I love my SLY N3B !! I have been thinking of buying a army coat in this style for a long long time, like many years. But I never got to travel to Japan in winter or autumn months... and I have been keeping my eyes out for a good army coat all these time.

There are definitely differences in the design and shape of army N3B style coats in the Far East and in the UK. Coats in the Far East would fit the body shape better, perhaps it is because of the petite body shape. While UK/western style are designed for loose fit, more puffy like. Although I am not actually 'petite' (in fact, I am probably XXL in Taiwanese standards), I just didn't seem to be able to find a good N3B coat in the UK..... 

So I found a buyer to purchase this for me in JP and posted over to UK.... (thanks to FB and PayPal). 

The funny thing is, after finally owning this dreamy coat, I realise the style doesn't quite suit my body shape either - It was slightly too tight on my thighs when I first put it on in winter 2013, although it fits me better now as I am back to pre-pregnancy weights. I wish the shape/design of pockets are less squary.  

I wonder, Is there ever a perfect army coat? or a perfect handbag?

Or, am I too obsessed with the idea of finding a perfect item?

AA xxx 

Oasis dress, white cardi, boots

Dress: Oasis (last worn here)

Cardi: New Look 

Boots and bag: as usual 

Almost identical to how I wore it last time, but this dress does go better with the white cardi I think. Less boring, colour co-ordination wise. 

A meeting is held this afternoon as the follow-up session of yesterday's big day. (So another good opportunity for style watch again if I am bored!!)  

Wearing a work dress like today's and yesterday's is a good go-to solution, just like the colourful top and black trousers combination. And for a life with messy toddler, work dress is definitely a better choice of the two -  because I only have one pair of black trousers but many pairs of tights and dresses! : ) 

AA xxx

Wearing a shift dress

Dress: Zara
Cardi: Uniqlo
Heels: Clarks
Necklace: Topshop
Bag: Usual


Today is the big day at work where I was expecting to be grilled by panel of experts in HE about all sorts of questions of our programmes/students/service.  But, I managed to not say a word in the one-hour long meeting (I was with a group of 10 academics and support/admin staff) - yes I was rather pleased with getting away of answering questions !

As like last time when I was in the mock session for preparation, I managed to find some fun in style watching what other ladies are wearing !

Black and Grey are definitely the dominate colours for an important occasion like this.  Most of the female colleagues either go for a black top with a pop colour skirt or trousers and heels, with black/grey cardi or work blazer. So, I have definitely chosen the right outfit/colour themes, and I could choose to wear a cardi in brighter colours next time (bright blue, dark red etc). 

The most senior (title wise, not the age) female colleague goes for a black dress with a bright orange/pink cardi (not a work blazer), with see-through black tights, black heels and a brown leather tote, which I thought was CK not couldn't pinpoint a picture from internet.
But it looks similar to this one:

I paid quite a lot of admiration on the brown leather tote...  I thought it must have been a 'pratical' tote for a busy woman like her, who goes to many meetings:

• A good size for A4 papers and notebooks, which can stand vertical in the bag although slightly sticking out. 
• Can stand up on its own. So it is easy to reach and find relevant papers during meetings.  
• It has long stripes - so can be carried two ways - I do find a tote with long stripes a blessing these days, easy to grab and go in a rush, and good for changing the style/look too. 
• 'Brown leather bag' looks fab with formal dress - elegant, classic, upper class. 

I once read a book about time management and how to be more organised, in which a famous Japanese writer recommends that in order to maximize the efficiency (at work or during the commute journey) a bag that could stand up on its own and could fit in A4 papers is the best size and style. (I wish I could remember which book I read it from or which writer proposes this).

I have been thinking of buying another handbag that could fit in A4 papers and notebook (What, do you really need another bag?!) - Although I adore my Balenciaga Work tote, it doesn't come with the long stripes... So what I have in mind is a Balenciaga Velo for work (Can it stand up on its own??)

Well, women and bags go hand in hand.....

AA xxx

What is in my diaper bag? (Week days)

I am always a fan of 'What's in your bag?' posts, and I can spend hours and hours just browsing on internet for that peeking Tom habits - I have done one when I first started to blog here.  This habit soon becomes a search for 'What's in your diaper bag?' after being a mum, and I thought I'd share mine too.  

What goes in a diaper bag during week days really depends on the circumstances around the childcare arrangement, such as baby's age (and his/her daily needs), the distance and time between the childcare set-up and work/home and the pick-up/drop-off times (in relation to baby's routine).   

In our case, Baby D goes to a nursery near my work and the travel time is just less than an hour each way by car; double the time by public transport (bus and train).  He is in nursery full time, being dropped off around 9am and picked up by 5ish pm (occasionally, nearly 6pm) - we are lucky that our working hours are flexible most days. 

 

Bag: CiPU mini CT diaper bag (Taiwanese brand)
Stroller: Recaro Easylife (bought recently)

So, what's in my diaper bag (for an 18 months old)??

Nappies and Changing mat  - hardly used, but packed for emergency

Water mug

Wet wipes - a must have.

Snacks - at least two fruit punches, baby biscuits, and fruits ie banana or grapes in a container. On those days we travel in/back by train and bus, I will pack more snacks or/and fruit in the bag. Baby D doesn't always go happy on his car seat, especially at going home time and when it's getting dark. Fruit punch is a good distraction. I also think he doesn't drink enough water normally, so I'd like to top him up with these organic juice punches.

Gloves for winter

What's missing is his favourite toy, which I don't think he has got one at the moment.  But in future, a toy car/train might also appear in the bag too.


I am more relaxed about giving him biscuits these days (in comparison to how I used to be), although I still think it is unhealthy and not a good habit to snack on biscuits for children - I don't really eat biscuits and crisps myself.  Sometimes, in winter snowy days, I would even pack more food/drink too.

But, snacks are great for travel/commuting in reality. Hence, by the time we get home we only have about less an hour for dinner before Baby D's bedtime, and babies don't eat well when they are tired.... So I am giving in during week days and more careful with healthy diet on weekends.

This diaper bag is not the nursery bag though, which always has a spare clothes and is left in the nursery most of the time.


How do you keep your little entertain in the car/bus/train?  
What's in your diaper bag? 


AA xxx

Laid back Friday at work

After having two events in the last two days, the plan for the day is to catch up on emails and to finalise teaching plan for the coming Monday.  A day in the office quietly....

Top: French Connection (last worn)

Cardi: Warehouse (last worn)

Black jeggings

Bag and boots: as usual

AA xxx  

New top for Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year!!

Blouse: Vero Moda from ASOS
Trousers: Next (old one)
Boots and Bag: as usuasl

I am organising a student event this afternoon - Event planning and organisation takes up soooo much time and energy (and worry too), and I am glad this is just a one-off, not what I do for living !!  (I feel planning a teaching session/workshop is probably slightly easier although it comes with more responsibilities....)

So I am wearing this Chinesie looking red blouse for work today, and I've received some compliments from hubby and colleagues already.

Whenever I am wearing a shirt/blouse, I am always unsure whether it looks better to have them tucked in the trousers or have them loose... Well, this blouse is quite short, but has enough length to be tucked in, which is what I decided to do in the end for today as the trousers I am wearing is in boot cut shape.  But, I think it would work better with a fitted black/grey trousers/jeans and flats, like on ASOS website.

Just thought to add a couple of photos from the event. We probably had about at least 100 students involved, coming and going like, not all in one time. The volunteers helping out  on the stall were just amazing, really on board and really into writing calligraphy too. Everyone definitely had a good fun today. 

 AA xxx

A staff party on Chinese New Year Eve

Top: Vero Moda at ASOS (identical here)

Skirt: very old one from 10 years ago

Shoes: Clarks

This top is specially bought for the staff lunch party today. It is a simply jersey top with zip details on the shoulders, as shown in the below pictures from ASOS.com.

 

  

It is a bit boring to just wear the top with the skirt, so I put on a necklace to make the outfit more fun - and gold colour is good for the occasion too.

The dress code for my previous job in Taiwan is proper smart business look - men in suits and female in smart suits/skirts. Back then, the routine of my day was to negotiate rates for borrowing and lending on short-term basis, and visiting clients/government depts in the afternoon.  I had mixed feeling about the job, I like its well-paid package (ah.. who doesn't?) although high pressure, but one has to get professional licenses in finance/accounting one after another, which I really struggled as I am really not good at doing exams.  I regretted that I should have learned more from colleagues, been more proactive generally and should have tried harder to prepare/get licenses too.  If time could go back, I would have done things very differently and may not even leave the job for Masters study in the UK....

The skirt was bought for that environment, but has been hardly worn in the UK as it seems too formal for HE environment.

What surprised me about wearing this skirt is I am now at least one size bigger than what I was 10 years ago - so I don't understand how I wore this skirt back then, it must be really loose hanging off the waist....

And, I really want to go back to that old petite size, I had a health weight at 52-54kg back then (I am 168cm tall) !!!

AA xxx

Smart work dress, cardi, boots

Dress: Oasis (last wore in Sept!)

Cardi: Uniqlo

Boots & Bag: as usual

AA xxx

Outfits ideas for Chinese New Year

This year will be the 9th year that I didn't go home to be with my family for the Chinese New Year (upset).  

When you are young, marrying someone from a different culture and settling down abroad is such a romantic idea. In reality, it comes with a lot of trade-off, for either the wife or the husband, which you don't get to fully appreciate until a lot later in life. Then it is too late to make changes... 

It's the festival season, and I am getting a bit soft and home-sick (although I now have a home away from home too).  Being a mum makes me realize how much I miss to have close family around and how much I've missed out.... 

'Wearing new clothes for the Chinese New Year' is an old Chinese phrase, and as far as I can remember about my childhood, I always got/wore a new redish coat (or an expensive item) as part of the Chinese New Year celebration.  I remember being wrapped up warm in the new red winter coat when visiting my uncles and the first thing I said are 'Hello' and 'Gong Shi Fat Choy' (asking for the red envelope). (See, I have missed out so much from living abroad.)  

  

This childhood memory totally explains why my favourite picks below are all in red (I actually didn't consider any other colour themes than RED!). And in real life, I seldom buy any clothes in red colour, probably also as a result of the association. 

I love the patterns of the above blouse - they are somehow quite chinesy. In fact, I am going to wear this top for an event I am organizing at work later this week.

I like basic tops as they can be dressed up or down easily - this red top is another good choice (for next year perhaps).

 


This knitted dress below looks good too.

   

(PS. All pictures are taken from ASOS.com)

AA xxx

Dress and the wardrobe system

I adore this purple maternity dress!! - I think I said this every time I wear it... 

This is one of the only three maternity dresses I didn't sell/throw away after giving birth as they are sooo pretty! And funny enough, two of them including this purple one are from Topshop - By the way I do recommend its maternity line, they are very flattering. 

I was chatting with my line manager last week and for some reason we started to talk about outfits, which is an odd thing to do with a male, married, oldish man I think.  Anyway, he said that in order to maximize the use of his clothes, he rotates and wears each outfit combination in an order, for both work outfits or for casual wear too. This system works like this: the same shirt would nearly always go with the same suits/trousers, and they are folded/hung up in an organised way after being washed and ironed. I don't know how many combination he has in place, but all the items get to be wore/organised in that system. So, he may sometimes wear something perhaps too formal and smart for a busy stay-in office day, and sometimes he may wear slightly too casual for formal teaching.  In a way, he is looking forward to find out when/what he is wearing for the following day(s) and how each outfit combination match, or not match, his work commitment of the day!!! 

I was amazed by his organisation and system initially (and I am still so actually). 

Well, I then thought about how I decide what to wear these days - I tend to just grab whatever item nearby when I am dressed on the day, which often results in wearing the same outfits every other day!  So, I thought perhaps I could have a similar system set up like that when I have some free time on weekends, or at least, I could think of some outfit combination as default options for as/when I am out of ideas of what to wear, (like lately!)       

How do you organise your wardrobe ? 

Have you got a system set-up like my line manager ?

These are how I wore the dress and the cardi last time:

 

AA xxx

Dress and cardi, busy working mum's favorite

This dress and this cardi again ! 

This combination has become my new default work wear recently. It's practical for work, and even more so for life with a baby - this dress sits on the knees, so perfect for bending over to the stroller, for chasing after a monster on the train/street, and for picking him up when he cries for a cuddle. So, alrhough it is not my favorite item, it is getting a lot of use lately. 

Another good reason to wear dresses for  work as a busy working mum is if the little one decides to wipe his dirty face with running nose on you at last minute, more chance to get away from changing the entire outfits - just the tights or the dress.  And it's easier keep a spare tight at work than a spare outfit/trousers! 

AA xxx

Needs some inspiration lately

top: oasis (?)

black trousers: Next

cardi: Warehouse

boots: Dune

bag: Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag

AA xxx

Playing safe by sticking to classic look: tunic top with smart blacktrousers

Two big meetings (school assembly and mock session & debrief for a coming up important event) scheduled this afternoon. For a big day like today, I'd like to play safe by wearing 'classic' items.

Although I don't like to stand out, I don't want to be unnoticed either, or to be mistaken as if I was a university student (I experienced this when I first started to work here).  

As well as planning/caring for my look, I also paid attention to what colleagues wear:

• Women at senior positions in the professional/admin function go for all black outfits, but not work suits. 
• Women in the admin function up for more business casual style {tunic top + black/dark trousers + cardi}. 
• Women in academic positions would either go for more formal look, ie {work dress with black blazer}, or simply be wearing something comfortable/causal/laid-back ! In fact, I don't think there is a 'typlical style' for academics !

Isn't this fascinating !! And style watch certainly makes the meeting more fun !


So what am I wearing today??

I am wearing this animal print top with black trousers and this white cardi. 
Bag as in the picture and boots are as usual. 

(photo is an old one from months ago)

But for the big coming up meeting, I may go with a more professional look - tunic top, black smart trousers with blazer, rather than cardi.....


AA xxx