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

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 

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  

Knitted top, chino trousers, Rebecca Minkoff bag

bag: Rebecca Minkoff & CiPU mini city diaper bag

Today, I am wearing the same outfit as yesterday.

Maybe it's a girl thing, I think girls' clothes don't need to be washed after each wear - oh gosh, I hope this confession doesn't make me a weirdo... In fact, my clothes get washed more often now than in the past as Baby D likes to snuggle on me too much and as a result, I often find God-knows-what sticky/smelly stuff on me. Anyway, my point is that this is why I am wearing the same outfit today, so they can go into the wash bin.

When I came downstairs from the shower, this is what I saw - two boys had a morning nap together!

AA xxx

Working weekend holiday in the Lakes

top: Dorethy Perkins white knitted top & stripes long sleeves cotton top (bought in Taiwan)

blue jeggings: George at ASDA

shoes: Dune (2013 f/w)

bag: CiPU B-bag

My husband organizes a student development weekend away training in the Lakes District, and we decide to come along and stay in a nearby B&B while he stays with the group in a hostel. 

As I am on my own with the pram (and the baby) some of the time, it's more mobile to wear diaper bag on my back. And a warm, good walking boots and rain coat is a must. 

First picture was taken at home before we set off to the Lakes District.  Second picture was taken when Baby D is having a short nap in B&B after breakfast on Sun.

We came to do the tree-top tracking in Ambleside two years ago with a different student group and it was really good fun. We came again this time, and discovered it is also great for little human too! We will probably come here a lot in near future.

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

family day out in Yorkshire Dales

top: pink knitted short sleeves top - not shown in the picture

blue jeggings: F&F @ASDA (July 2014)

trench coat: Uniqlo 

shoes: Hush Puppies 

scarf: ASOS owl print (Aug 2014)

bag: CiPU B-bag in pink/black stripes

Had a fab day out in the Forbidden Corner in Yorkshire Dales today.  So much fun that we decided to have this trip every September from now on, until Baby D is bored by it!! 

my real mum style is fixed to the formula of 'jeggings + trench coat + flat/boots" at the moment.  

AA xxx

denim dress, leggings, trench coat, real mum style

denim dress: bought in Bangkok

leggings: ASOS

trench coat: Uniqlo

shoes: Crocs

a family weekend in the in-law's, and lots of walking in parks with my 13-months-old. 

the dress will look better without the leggings, and with a cardi rather than the trench coat. well, it is a 'summer dress', so it looks great with a pair of leather sandles and sunclasses, full stop, not how I wore it today!! (this is British summer after all).

AA xxx

stripes maxi dress, green top, Crocs shoes, Balenciaga city

stripe maxi dress: Primark

top: (bought in Taiwan) 

bag: Balenciaga violet city

shoes: Crocs

Had a day off for a hospital appointment. as Baby D still goes to nursery, I decided to wear something I don't normally wear when I am on mummy duty. (Baby D basically wiped everything on me, so I tend to not wear white base colour around him these days.

I like how I have the green top on top of the dress, and how layers work. I wonder if I have other items in my wardrobe that could create similar/different looks - Remixing items is what I hope to achieve in following other bloggers and documenting 'what I wore today'. Hopefully this is the beginning.

And I used a different colour belt today from last time.

last worn: maxi dress, bag

AA xxx

animal prints, jeggings, Marc Jacobs diaper bag, real mum style

top: animal print long sleeves shirt

blue jeggings

blazer: F&F

shoes: Hush Puppies

bag: Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Eliz-A-Baby diaper bag (see my review) & Marc Jacobs Petcy Turnlock crossbody bag in indigo colour

[three things]

1. as you can see, I have decided to keep my Marc Jacobs diaper bag! feel good about carrying it, especially it goes well with my any outfit. 

2. I tend to have a smaller cross body bag inside my diaper bag. so if husband and I decide to do separate things when we are out and about and meet at certain time later, which we often do, I could just go with the little bag. I bought Marc Jacob turnlock bag for exactly this purpose, and it has been working out well. 

3. I need a pair of skinny jeans. 

AA xxx

Knitted top, black jeggings, ankle boots

top: purple knitted top from Dorothy Perkins

black jeggings

boots: Forever 21 (new purchase in July on eBay)

scarf: ASOS

trench coat: Uniqlo in black colour

bag: Salad bag 

[two things]

1. a day of picking up Baby D from nursery and taking him home on train and bus. So I deliberately wore this outfit to be comfortable for the commute. The weather forecast predicted the day as a very raining day, but thanks God it didn't happen! 

2. I hereby declare, the British summer is official over now..... 

AA xxx

Stripes casual Friday

top: bought in Taiwan

jeggings: George at ASDA (new purchase today!)

shoes: Hush Puppies flat (not in the picture)

bag: Salad (not in the picture)

[four things]

1. a quite day at work, and a very early start involving me pushing Baby D in the pram shopping in ASDA at 8am! this is followed by a breakfast date in a cafe before walking to & arriving at the nursery at 9ish. So, my hush puppies is on duty again - I really recommend their shoes for walking (on the streets.). I am thinking of buying another pair in a more formal style myself. 

2. I was actually wearing a pair of black leggings when we set off from home, but I had a change of mind and bought the jeggings in ASDA. 

3. I would only wear this sort of casual style to work in summer, when there isn't any students around and when it is more acceptable to wear jeans at work. And with a blazer on, it looks more formal too. 

4. I need to practice my poses more and look out for a better place, or method, for better quality of #OOTD selfies. 

AA xxx

Blue top, green skirt, airport style

[outfit]

top: bought in a charity shop

skirt: bought in Taiwan

shoes: Hush Puppies flat

bag: CiPU Jumbo CT diaper bag (not in the picture)

[three things]

1. a very sad day - last day of my mother's 1-month stay. #OOTD photos were taken in the airport when Baby D and grandma had their last cuddles. (it is even more sad when you don't know when you will be seeing each other next time, and I had a little cry in the car on the way home.)

2. this green skirt is bought in Taiwan few months ago as a newly discovered style that suits me. but I have totally let myself down since the purchase as I don't know how to put it together!!! 

3. still a hot, humid summer day, we are very lucky this year. As British summer isn't always this nice, I ran out of things to wear that is comfortable, summery, functional and motherly! 

[a special note]
I am following the same format from Dash Dot Dotty. I have been following her blog for a while now, I adore her styles!!!  She is one of the many blogs that influence me to start documenting/sharing my outfit in the blog world. Having three things to write about gives me a structure to focus on, rather than just rumbling about fashion, style (and mostly criticism of myself), and I wonder if this structure would serve me better in the long term. 


last worn: shoes, CiPU bag

AA xxx

Maxi dress, Real Mum Style

dress: Primark

bag: CiPU Jumbo CT Bag (similar)

shoes: Dorothy Perkins

parka: (bought on eBay)

Today is Baby D's first birthday! Happy Birthday my little baby! 

'Real Mum Style' for me is something super functional, and I would normally go for a oversize tee with a pair of jeggings. Since the discovery of maxi dress on Friday, I knew it would be a good choice to wear on Baby D's birthday party. And I wish I had tried on some maxi dress a lot earlier during my maternity leave as they would have been great for a trying-to-look stylish, or decent, staying home mum.

In case you didn't notice, we three are wearing black-white matching style..... 

Anyway, I think I would probably keep this maxi dress for casual wear than for work in the future. 

AA xxx