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

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

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

A commuting mum in autumn

top: Dorothy Perkins pink knitted top (old)

trousers: Next chino trouser 

shoes: Hush Puppies

trench coat: Ted Baker (bought on ebay)

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo bag (bought on ebay)

necklace: sunburst style

Had to commute to work this morning with my husband - we drove to Ilkley, the nearby train station and got on the same train to work, my workplace and the nursery is one stop before his. 

I always enjoy the 'occasional' commute on the train to/from work as I enjoy people/style watching. Where we live, or I should say, the town nearby, is a posh place, and you get to see many well-polished women at all ages coming and going in decent, stylish and classic look (so probably not as fashionable as in big cities). And that is the style I like and I want to be like or associated with - classic and stylish.

As I was travelling with my husband, I had the chance to be left alone people watching, rather than chasing the baby!  This has set me in a good, refresh mood (plus the fact, today is Friday!) - A little bit of ME time for a working mum makes all the differences !   

AA xxx

stripes dress, cardi, boots, Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo bag

  

dress: bought on eBay

cardi: George at ASDA

boots: Forever 21 ankle boots (bought on eBay)

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag (bought on eBay)

trench coat: Uniqlo

Most item I wear to work today (Thursday) are bought from eBay - told you that I am addicted to finding gems on eBay!! 

This dress looks lovely on eBay picture (the one against the white door), but I cannot hide my disappointment when I received it. It was just slightly too long for my liking, and also slightly too big and baggy. Of course the trouble with buying second-hand clothes on eBay is that you cannot refund/return an item. 

After sitting on this for few days, I feel more positive about it again - it is actually a functional dress for a working full-time mum!! It is comfortable to wear all day at work, to sit in the playpen after work, and to bend down checking on the baby when on the go - I am sure many mums would recognise these elements in every day life : )

AA xxx