Work-Life Balance/Conflict

I participated on a research recently on 'work-life' balance or conflict as a working parent. As part of the research, the below six photos are taken (and I won't bore you with details of the research although it is fascinating!).  It is a very interesting experience though I must say... 

So here are the (horrifying) pictures I took...

AA xxx

Animal print dress, chunky cardi, boots

This is what I wore to work on Tue - a blouse, sweater, black trousers style.

This is what I wore to work on Wed - a dress, cardi dress style. 

I always feel that my photo doesn't do any justice to this French Connection long chunky cardi. It is very warm, a great addition for the winter when wearing a spring/autumn dress. 

When I bought this cardi, I thought it would work really really well for a home party in winter, so that I can still wear a dress, not worrying being too cold.  Then, the baby comes along and this home party idea hasn't been tried out yet at all.  : ) 

Dress: French Connection (last worn)

Cardi: French Connection 

Boots: Schuh

AA xxx

Blue Monday #4

I asked my hubby to join me on the Blue Monday project, and this morning he dressed 'up' with different tones of blue and is very smart (sorry, no photo showing here).  But he then complained a lot when he saw what I have on.... He basically nearly shouted at me, "There is very little BLUE !"

I am hitting a style block AGAIN, not knowing what to wear, and in blue. 

Top: blue butterflies blouse

Skirt: MaxMara grey wool skirt (bought a while ago, first featured on the blog)

Cardi: Mango purple/black stripes

Boots: Schuh black ankle boots (new purchase this month)

Coat and Bag: as usual 

Necklace: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Recently, I've found an outlet shop on ebay, where they sell shoes/boots that were previously in display in shops. I won the bid for this brown/tan Hush Puppies boots few weeks ago at a fraction of the RPR price, although I wasn't sure about what condition to expect in terms of how 'new/used' the shoes may be. But soon after I've received the boots, I was blew away by its in nearly new condition.  So here again, I won the bid for this ankle boots at a really really bargain price for this very comfortable boots! So you will probably see me wearing this boots a lot in the coming warmer spring time. 

This is my first time wearing this Max Mara wool skirt, and it keeps me really warm all day, at least to the knee height. I wasn't sure about this outfit - Although I want to dress smarter and I figure a skirt like this pair would work well, I think a top/blouse/shirt in a brighter colour or patterns might work better than I've come up with. In a desperation to brighten up the look, I went for the black-purple stripes cardigan. Yet, I am still not sure....  

Previously on Blue Monday Project....

Blue Monday #3

Blue Monday #2

 

Blue Monday #1

AA xxx

Few things I learned about my style...

Few things I learned about myself and my style when looking back my March outfits:

1. I love 'patterns' and 'animal prints'.
2. I wear dresses to work A LOT. 
3. I wear boots A LOT (well, it's winter after all !)
4. My style is currently more CASUAL than CORPORATE - which I like to change.

And, interestingly, comparing with the outfit collage from few months ago, I am pretty much wearing the same items in same/similar styles, but adding layers ie cardi/blazer due to the seasonal change!!

This means:

• I am so lack of imaginary and inspiration !
• I am not progressing very far with the idea of re-mixing my wardrobe AT ALL.
• I thought I have been buying many new clothes lately since I started to blog my OOTD, where have those purchases gone ??
• Maybe, just maybe, I should try different styles of items ie pencil skirts, pegged trousers in bright colour ...!?

Any advice on what I could try... ??

AA xxx

dresses, cardi and brown boots

 

Dress: Oasis (last worn)

Cardi: Label Lab

Boots: Hush Puppies

Coat and Bag: as usual 

Now, this Oasis dress definitely looks better with the white cardi as last worn. And I also think my tan/brown boots, although very practical and keeping me warm, doesn't look great with this dress and for 'professional' or 'corporate style' look. 

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Dress: (last worn)

Cardi: Label Lab (grey) and Mango (stipes)

Boots: Hush Puppies

Coat and Bag: as usual 

This brown, jersey striped dress was last worn with the white cardi too, and it looks better with the white cardi too !!  Then, I thought about trying on the new cardi (second-hand from eBay) received yesterday, which I think is an improvement from the grey cardi.... just a lot of stripes!  

After work I am meeting with a friend and her little girl who is at similar age to Baby D. So I thought this jersey dress would work well for both work and play time later on (I hope so anyway). 

AA xxx

Animal print top, skirt, heels, little black dress, blazer, boots

In an attempt to look more 'professional' and learn to remix my wardrobe, this is what I wear to work on Tue. I have been out of the habits of wearing a necklace and ear rings for a long time, although I seem to still purchase them from time to time! I think it would probably look better with another goldish necklace for layering. 

On reflection of my outfit, I actually don't like this look. I feel there are too many colours in my upper body, although you cannot really see the cami. I think I will wear the white cardi with this blouse next time.

Blouse: New Look (last worn) - bought on eBay 

Cami: Dorothy Perkins

Skirt: a very old one (last worn)

Cardi: Uniqlo

Heels: Clarks

Necklace: recent purchase on eBay

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I've been thinking about what to wear to work today since Baby D went to sleep last night.  I fell asleep in thinking 'Oh Gosh, I haven't got anything to wear to work tomorrow!' (My only black smart trousers still await to be washed, and I don't feel like wearing a dress that I wore last week). 

This morning, I woke up with the same worry. Once Baby D is fed and content with his daddy downstairs, I had a bit of time to open the wardrobe in daylight (we are still co-sleeping at night) and I can now see clearly what have been neglected.... I then dug out two summer dresses and the blazer. I decided to go with this little black summer dress, bought ages ago! 

What I like about this dress is it works for both casual and work occasions. And the design on the waist gives it more character - it will go really well with any Balenciaga moto bags!!  

The weather in the northern UK has been rather mild, a summer dress with thick warm leggings/tights and boots are just fine during day time. (And I actually took off the blazer in my office today.)   

Dress: bought ages ago in Taiwan

Nude Blazer: bought in Taiwan in Dec 2013 (around the time I discovered my pregnancy!)

Boots: Hush Puppies

Bag: as usual

I did wear the bar necklace this morning, but by the time I got to my office, I somehow lost it!!! (I have only worn it for a handful time!) My plan was to wear the bar necklace with the one in the picture as layering....

AA xxxx

Blue Monday #3, blue top, blue trousers, blue shirt, grey jeggings

Only an hour in the office, I am getting anxious and feeling overwhelmed by the workload! - definite feeling Monday blue today!!

Top: Oasis (last worn)

Cardi: George at ASDA

Trousers: Next

Coat: Warehouse

Bag: as usual

Wearing a blue dotty top today for the Blue Monday project, although I have other blue dresses that can be wore to work : )   

Previous on Blue Monday Project...

Blue Monday #2

Blue Monday #1

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This is what I wore on Friday last week...

We had to go to a performance after work with Baby D - this show is sort of supervised by my hubby as part of his job.  We'd like to achieve as much as work-life balance right whenever possible, so after thinking for few nights, I decided to go with Baby D. My outfit therefore needs to be something more casual (for chasing after a toddler in the evening). 

Top: White Stuff (last worn)

Jeggings

Cardi: George at ASDA

Boots: Hush Puppies

Baby D had such a good time during the show. He was running around at the end and by the side of the stage and seating area, and he even made some friends too in the evening. It was quite fun although it did involvement a lot of parenting work! 

It was Red Nose Day on Friday, so the dress code for the nursery is RED.

We put Baby D on the stage after the event, and he started to dance as he had such a good time seeing people dancing and singing! 

AA xxx

Animal prints top, black trousers

 

Top: Oasis (last worn here)

Trousers: Next (last worn with the Oasis top on the same day!)

Cardi: George from ASDA

Shoes: Clarks 

Bag: as usual

Coat: Warehouse

Necklace: (bought on eBay lately)

I decide to take a break from wearing another dress to work today. Partly because I feel wearing different dresses everyday is against the idea of learning how to remix my wardrobe, but also I need a change in personal image, at least for the day!  So I am back to my default office wear look today - a top x black smart trousers x cardi. 

However, as the day goes on today, I start to wonder if I am too relaxed about the dress code at work lately, and perhaps I should be more ready in my outlook... erm.. just murmuring.... 

AA xxx 

Blue Monday #2

Second week/post of the {Blue Monday Project}:- I had a hospital appointment today and arranged to work from home before and after my appointment.  And as I went on my own, it's the day for wearing my favorite handbag - Balenciaga City in Violet (I am a very happy girl) !! 

  

Dress: (last worn)

Knitted top: Mark & Spencer

Boots: Hush Puppies

Bag: Balenciaga city in violet 

Coat: SLY N3B

I really like what I have come up with, a similar dress/style inspired by Pippa Middleton as shown in the below picture. Although this is the style I've tried in the past (like here), I much prefer what I am wearing today. 

source: Google image

The dress is actually a summer dress (so I have got a very warm leggings on today) as seen here on my blog, and I wore the blue knitted top outside to create a similar look/style. 

The fit of this knitted top is more flattering than the white sweater and the purple knitted top. And to create an outfit like this, a fitted knitted top/sweater would work better for layering (for my future note).  

Previously on Blue Monday Project...

Blue Monday #1

Linking up with Mix It Mondays.

AA xxx

Currently... March

I have been following Anne in residence for a while.  When I came across the 'Currently..' link-up for the first time, I had no idea what to expect really... But after reading one post, I start to look for more, and some more... I even interviewed my hubby about these questions (although his answers are very boring...)!!

So I am currently....

Dreaming: of a glass wine, and of my summer holiday back to Taiwan, and possibly a summer holiday in Venice too.  Yes, I am very much looking forward to my summer holidays.

Da Hu Park in Nei-Hu, Taipei - the park near my parents' house

Planning: for summer holidays! I've booked/paid for the plane to Taiwan and I am starting to make plans about where to visit, what to do etc. My mother is coming over with us in the return flight, to stay for 6 weeks. Meanwhile, hubby and I  are planning to go to Venice again for the Biennale 2015, but we haven't really decided on the dates. Since my mother is coming over, I am wondering whether to take her to Venice as a treat (and as a baby-sitter when we sneak out for a romantic date!)

Venice

Making: lists and lists - to do lists in Taiwan; to eat lists in Taiwan (Bubble Milk Tea every day!); shopping lists for going back to Taiwan; shopping lists for bringing back to the UK; what to pack for myself and for the little one...

50 Lan, a famous Bubble Milk Tea Shop

Watching: Korean romantic drama, Kill Me Heal Me. This is the only drama I am watching at the moment and in recent weeks. I need more Korean dramas to watch....

source

AA xxx

Dotty dress, cardi, boots

Dress: Mamas & Papas nursing dress

Cardi: Label Lab

Boots: Hush Puppies

Bag: as usual 

The idea of trying to wear all my dresses to work (not in the same day of course) is now sticking to my mind(!!), although it is very likely that I will be wearing them in same/similar combination, ie with a cardi/sweater and with different boots - Well it is a project for my own amusement I guess! 

Mamas & Papas makes great maternity dress, by the way, and their dresses are in a better length for me, especially for work wear.  What I am wearing today is for nursing, which can also be wore during maternity as the fabric is quite stretchy and at knee height.    

AA xxx

Dress, Cardi/Sweater, Boots

I am wearing similar outfits today and yesterday - Dress, Cardi/Sweater and Boots. 

Dress: French Connection I think (last worn)

Cardi: George at ASDA

Boots: Hush Puppies (new purchase in January)

Bag: as usual

Necklace: French Connection

Coat: SLY N3B 

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Dress: Oasis (last worn on blog)

Sweater: Dorothy Perkins

Boots: Hush Puppies

Bag: as usual 

Necklace: Topshop (not in the picture)

Coat: Warehouse long winter coat

I had this purple dress on originally before Baby D threw his toy digger on my cereal bowl ! I ended up with cereals and milk all over myself and the sofa.... (annoyed!!) 

I begin to wonder how many different dresses that I could wear to work before I start to re-cycle them..... Has anyone tried to do this before?? 

AA xxx