All grey

top: Next
skirt: Betty Jackson Black
cardi: Zara longline grey cardi
coat: Korean style coat, bought in Taiwan, 2012
tights: Uniqlo Heatech grey tights
shoes: Gabor, black
bag: Balenciaga violet City bag


Trying to take OOTD photos with a selfie stick and tripod for the first time. Still need lots of practice to improve the quality. But at least I get to take pictures of my outfit from a distance, rather than from the top with my arm...

AA xxx

Stripes blouse, colored trousers, grey cardi, Rebecca Minkcoff bag

Top: Oasis (a recent purchase on ebay)

Trousers: Uniqlo (bought in Aug)

Grey cardi: Paul & Bear

Shoes: (flat, as in the picture) & Clark's (heels, not in the picture)

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff M.A.B mini bag in black

Necklace: Marc by Marc Jacobs Turnlocks 

I am back!  I've taken a long break off blogging here, partly because I was away for nearly a month back home with my family in Taiwan, to be a hands-on, full-time mum again (I forgot about how hard but rewarding these can be!).

When packing for the holiday, I made a decision to take only 8-10 essential pieces per person, and for adults, to try to not buy new clothes too. This is partly because we'd like to travel light - only one check-in suitcase for two adults and a 2 year-old.  But also, to allow max. spaces for bringing home (Taiwan) and to bring as many books, in Chinese,  as possible, for myself and the little one back home (UK).  

For me, 8-10 essential items for a summer holiday in tropical country is a rather easy task, so dresses, skirts, shorts, tops all in. And I've been wearing the same outfit formula in turns. It was very hot, like 38-40 degrees every day. So we tried to stay air-conditioning indoor as much as possible, or in the pool. We often took 2 or 3 showers a day and changed at least twice. 

I've found this quite liberating, to my surprise, especially after working on remixing my wardrobe for quite some time since last summer. I did feel rather limited and bored with my look quite quickly, but this experience, in some way, forced me to just accept the limitation, full stop.  For example, I've been wearing the same two dresses to the church on Sundays and for going out with friends - when . The rest of my essentials are more like comfortable wear for potting around in the neighborhood and to the pool.  

Since coming back to work after the holiday, I have been pretty much doing similar things, wearing the same few items in different or the same formula. And, to be honest, I am quite happy that way.  I even downsized my wardrobe and handbag collection as well.  Limitation is liberating. How strange!

Anyway, here I am, back in the blogging world.  I would still like to continue with my remix wardrobe, and to find out what my styles are and how different, or the same, 'formula' could work.  

By the way, in case you are wondering, adults did manage to hold off buying clothes, but my parents treated us two pairs of new shoes from Sketchers each! So we had to pack 4 extra shoes with us.... luckily, my mum traveled to UK with us, so we got extra spaces for those! 

AA xxx

Blue blouses, black trousers

Since I start to pay more attention on what I wear to work, I do notice I have a tendency to grab items in navy/blue color and patterns. I am very easily to make impulse purchase if items are blue.  Such obsession include tops, dresses, and handbags. 

I may have mentioned this in my previous posts, just before I returned to work from a year long maternity leave, I got really nervous about being back. I was anxious about a lot of things, including what to wear. So I had a really good look and study on Audrey's Putting Me Together blog, and worked through her suggestions on both' building wardrobe from scratch' and 'remix your wardrobe' sections.

BLUE and BLACK are definitely my wardrobe colors. 

I think they go well together, and as an easy default choice for a busy working mum! 

These two outfit combinations are essential the same - a blue blouse with black trousers. First one from today, and the second one from last week. This style, including the same pair of shoes, is perfect for a commuting mum as it is easy and comfortable enough to chase after a handful, early terrible-two boy on the train! (*Real Mum Style*)

top: Oasis (last worn)

trousers: H&M straight leg (new purchase this month)

shoes: Hush Puppies

coat: Zara

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Bobo bag

top: Oasis (eBay purchase this month)

trousers: H&M straight leg (new purchase this month)

shoes: Hush Puppies

coat: Zara

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Bobo bag

AA xxx

Blue Monday #5

Top: (last worn here)

Skirt: Max Mara wool skirt (last worn here)

Cardi: Topshop (very old)

Boots: Schuh black ankle boots (new purchase in March)

Bag: the usual 

For the first time for a long long time (and probably ever in my life), I planned for the week's outfits in my head and wrote them down on Sunday night. I think having this blog documenting my outfits help me know better what items I have got, like to wear, and would work in what combinations. So I can do this mind-map planning in my head... 

Another factor that contributes to this 'planning ahead' exercise is I finally had time to tidy up my chest of drawers (what an achievement over the weekend!).  I've been leaving clean clothes in piles and piles around the room as there is no time during the day to put away clean clothes! (Another downside of co-sleeping with your little one - you cannot switch on the light at night, but can only read/word around with a torch App on your phone!)  So, after the spring clean, many items are now leaving my wardrobe and I keep a drawer of my work outfit essentials.

Previously on Blue Monday Project.... 

Blue Monday #4

Blue Monday #3

  

Blue Monday #2

Blue Monday #1

AA xxx

Zara skinny jeans, Balenciaga city bag. Shopping in real shops

Top: Dorothy Perkins knitted top (very old one)

Jeans: Zara skinny jeans - new purchase in March on eBay

Coat: Zara - new purchase in Feb on eBay

Boots: Dune

Bag: Balenciaga city in violet (last worn)

About my outfit, I was actually thinking to give the knitted top one last wear before it left my wardrobe as it is sooo worn and had some tears too as you can clearly see in the below pictures.  But, I always feel so comfortable when wearing it, so I am thinking to keep it as my stay-home wear on weekends.... 

It is very rare these days that I can actually go shopping in real shops, trying on clothes and taking the time in a fitting room.  As we had an extra day for Easter holiday, we decided to enjoy the day by having a romantic time in the city, shopping and having lunch in our favourite restaurant. 

As a couple, we are both not very good at shopping in real shops as we run out of steam very quickly, after 2-3 shops, the limit is approx an hour and half in average. 

I thought to document what I tried on and the reasons why I decided to buy the items, or not, as a different way to learn about myself and my style.

I have been rather inspired by Mica's tweed jackets style for work wear, so I picked up the jacket and cardigan to re-create those outfit ideas. Well, probably it's what I wore underneath, I just wasn't impressed, although I am sure they will look more flattering when wearing with a dress.  I did feel the length of these sort of highlight the width of my hip bones, which I sooo wish to be un-noticed.... so a NO NO.

This is a good pair of denim short, and the fabric is very stretchy and comfortable. However, British summer is never that warm for me to wear a short!  And I won't wear it in Taiwan as I am too self-conscious about my wobbly legs.... 

This midi dress is my last pick of the day - see, I can only do so little shopping!! It was on the sale rack, and happened to be the last one hanging at the end, so I noticed it on my way to the fitting rooms.... And it turns out to be great! (and it is very festivalie.... goes so well with my city bag!)

I did wonder about the length of a midi and the style of a jersey dress - both elements are something I always thought to avoid as they may not suit me. How wrong I was! 

On a separate trip over the Easter break, I also picked up a pair of straight legs work trousers, stripe top (short sleeves) and a light-weighted denim short from H&M - no photos for now, but I am sure they will be featured shortly on the blog. 

AA xxx

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