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

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

------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------

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

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 #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

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

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

Juggling life as a working mum...

Alex's post about juggling life was a very useful and powerful reminder that I am not alone here who feel overwhelmed by the pressure and the to-do lists.  Back to work for 6 months now, how to juggle life is still a steep learning curve.

We live in a small house, where living room and kitchenate are in the same room. It was cosy for a couple, but as parents, it was a nightmare.... I want to MOVE house !!

This means that when I am cooking dinner, Baby D can see me and would often cry for the attention, or throw his toys and books at me, even when his dad sits next to him !

It also means that the room is always messy: toys everywhere, bags (mine work bag, dad's, baby's diaper bag) on the floor or piled up in the corner of the dining table, food everywhere on the carpet (training toddlers to not throw food on the floor is very challenging), and dishes left unwashed !

And our nearly 1.5 years old is a very very handful one.... (aren't they all !?)

I have found it not easy to stay positive and keep smiling at all times.... And being at work, I feel, is the only escape I get for a bit of calm and peace. 

Dress:

Cardi: Whistle

Boots: Clark's

Wearing a dress seems to be the best thing for a busy working mum.
The combination of {Dress + cardi / blazer + boots / heels / flat} works very well for a casual business look environment, and good for a raining day.

AA xxx


 

Stripes dress, Cardi and Boots

I am back, after having two months, or nearly three months perhaps, break from blogging my outfits. 

One reason of that is because I ran out of ideas and thoughts to comment on my outfit combination, and inspiration and energy to keep up with that due to exhaustion from juggling between a full-time job and off-work full-on mum. I was sooo exhausted to a degree that I kept picking up terrible colds one after another till the new year !

While I was recovering from being poorly and from lack of energy, I have been thinking about my blogs (I have two 'active' blogs, one here in English and the other in Mandarine). I have been on and off blogging for a decade now. Although I had taken short and long breaks every now and then, I do generally go back to blogging as I do enjoy it and as a form to be true to myself. 

The original thought of this blog is to simply keep records of my outfit /style, and mostly to see how it would develop over time. I now feel more relaxed about sticking to that plan as life is not always so simple and clear-cut, and I feel I want to embrace more flexibility generally in life. 

I would still blog about my outfits, but I may also share my motherhood ups and downs here too ! : )

Back to my outfits, this is what I wore to work today. 

Dress: 

Cardi: Uniqlo 

Tights: 

Boots: Clarks in Taupe 

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo Bag in Taupe

Coat: Traveler (not in picture)

Had a meeting with colleagues from different departments. Although it was a casual catch-up, I thought a more formal look may go down better, so I put on F&F blazer for the meeting (blazer not in the picture).  The meeting was in the atrium, which was rather cold even with the central heating on. So for that reason, it was a wise decision to have the blazer on !  

AA xxx

Definitely autumn

top: H&M grey silky shirt

trousers: Next chino S/S 2014 collection

cardi: Uniqlo

shoes: Clark's heels

coat: in Korean fashion style, bought in a night market in Taiwan (2012/13 winter)

scarf: ASOS owl prints 

bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag

This is what I wear to work today - it's definitely in autumn now, the temperature  has dropped a lot since last weekend.

Had nearly two weeks break from blogging my #OOTD. Although I enjoyed documenting my daily work style and learning how to dress better and remix my style, I have been feeling a bit lost in this project. 

I feel I am falling into the trap of trying very hard to come up with new style every day, which we know it's not possible. So when I started to repeat the same outfit combination, I felt let down by myself, and this then led to me buying more items... and that's when I decided to put a stop on blogging and from my addiction of eBay. (I also had a couple of disappointing purchases on eBay in the last few weeks.)

Although I am still trying to figure this out, I've decided to not buy any more items until Boxing Day!! : ) 

dress: brown stripes

cardi: George at ASDA

shoes: ASOS safari leather heels

coat: French Connection in navy 

This is what I wore to work on Monday. 

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

Oasis grey dress, F&F blazer, Clarke heels

I am really into this habit of keeping a records, either photos or by heart, of what I wear. Even though I didn't get a chance to take outfit photos yesterday, I still wanted to document what I wore....

So, I wore this grey dress to work (last worn here, but without the belt today), with a black tights, black Clarke heels (last worn here) and F&F blazer (last worn there).

Had a presentation to do in the afternoon, and sat in on another presentation in the morning - So, I wanted to wear something more formal, but still quite laid back. I don't think this dress fits into this category in the end, and I felt I was slightly over-dressed for the occasion. A pair of black trousers with a blouse might be better for this occasion - must remember this next time.



AA xxx