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

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

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

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

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

Blue Monday #1

 

Dress: A|Wear (last worn)

Cardi: Label Lab

Coat: SLY N3B in green (AW 2014)

Scarf: White Stuff

Bag: Balenciaga First

Boots: Clarks

Thought to set up a challenge for myself to always wear 'blue' on Mondays for as long as I can! 

Wearing blue is definitely a challenge - I couldn't think of any outfits (tops and dresses) that are in blue until I opened the wardrobe doors.  This is going to be fun, and requires a little bid planning ahead I think. 

I bought this Balenciaga First a while back on eBay - I like how broken in it is. I know a First bag won't hold a lot. But, it really doesn't !!! I happened to leave my diary in the office, so it is just about right. (My phone, keys and pens that aren't in the picture). 

On PurseForum, people do wear a First bag to work or as their day bags, but I don't really see myself wearing a First to work a lot - I feel it is a good size for a quick pop-out to the shops, or out dining I guess.  

I did wear it on Saturday when we were out shopping in Leeds. It was OK to have it hung on my arm while I pushed the pram and for holding hands with Baby's D when he walked. But I wasn't on my own and we didn't hold hands for long.  So, for a day-out that may require chasing a toddler on the streets/train, a bag that could go across the body would definitely be better. 

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

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

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

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

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

blouse, jeggings, flat, trench coat, Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo bag, CiPUmini city

same outfit, but wearing Hush Puppies flat today.

Another day of taking baby D home on train and bus after a long working day and having a two-bags system, and unfortunately I will have to commute home with baby D on our own in the next two weeks!

First time this CiPU baby blue stripes diaper bag made its appearance on the blog. This is the smallest diaper bag I own, and from the CiPU city line. This bag has been 'stolen' by my husband for his everyday work bag (he alternates between this stripy bag and the CiPU pink stripy bag) until very recently I bought him his own manly work bag.  As Baby D would have a light tea in the nursery at 4ish before I pick him up, I don't need to carry a lot in my diaper bag, only a spare nappy, changing mat, Baby D's water jug, wet wipe, some snack and a coat.

AA xxx

blue top, French Connection skirt, ASOS owl scarf, Balenciaga city

top: Dorothy Perkins

skirt: French Connection 

shoes: ASOS safari leather heels

scarf: ASOS owl prints

bag: Balenciaga violet city

trench coat: Uniqlo 

necklace: French Connection 

Since I started this 'what I wore' blog, I have been paying more attention on how to put my outfit together as well as wanting to try out new, different styles. This is definitely the later one - a different style as I haven't worn a skirt like today's for many years, or even never ever. 

I tend to pick up faults on myself, and I am probably struggling with my body image. I also tend to shy away from skirts that don't sit well 'just above knee height'. And because of my height, this is a mini skirt to me and wearing such short skirt to work seems wrong somehow in my opinion. But when I shared this with my hubby, he laughed and said 'hey, are you from the Saudi!' and he clearly likes to see me wearing more skirts in this height. 

Although I can still see all the little things that I am not happy about (see, body image issue!), I didn't feel too bad having this outfit on, except when I needed to bend down putting the baby in his car seat. 

A good start, shall we say....

AA xxx