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

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

Grey blouse, olive trousers, black cardi, grey heels

 

top: H&M long sleeves blouse/shirt

cardi: George from ASDA

trousers: Uniqlo Heattech corduroy trousers in olive (new purchase - exact)

shoes: Nine West
necklace: sunburst style
trench coat: Ted Baker (not in the picture) 
bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag  (not in the picture) 


If I say I am being very 'adventurous' about my outfits today, you may laugh out loud!!
But, I stand by my claim and celebrate the fact that I am moving onto where I want to be...

I used to wear black trousers to work every day and some dresses occasionally. Since pregnancy and coming back to work from maternity leave, I have been trying out different bottom pieces, ie skirts (still only occasionally), chino trousers, jeggings, and now this pair - Hooray!

I have always been a fan of the Uniqlo Heattech line, only previously trying on tops and a lounge dress. Since this winter is supposed to be the coldest winter in 60 years allergically, I decided to invest more pieces from the Heattech line - so I bought this trousers, two tops, some leggings and tights (not yet try them on) spending over £150!! (ordered a top for Baby D too).

I am quite pleased with this trousers so far. I'd normally need the portable heater on in the office, but I don't feel the need just yet. We shall wait and see if it would keep me warm in the winter months to come.

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

Grey dress, black blazer, what I wore to a funeral

dress: Oasis (new purchase on eBay in Aug)

blazer: Mango 

shoes: Clarke black low heels

bag: Marc Jacob in indigo colour

A very sad day. Still found it hard to accept the loss.

ps. Second photo is from the original eBay listing.

AA xxx

Purple x black for a family day out

top: French Connection

black jeggings

blazer: George at ASDA

bag: Marc Jacobs in indigo colour

shoes: Clarke black heels

[three things]

1. a family day out with the in-laws and ended in Toby's calvery. 

2. I've swapped the shoes in the picture to my walking companion, Hush Puppies brown flat in the last minute. And it proved to be a very smart idea as I was walking and holding hands with Baby D in the car park while waiting for a table! 

3. now, looking at the #OOTD photo, this outfit would actually work for work!!

AA xxx

Glasses, summer blazer and heels

Only Day 2 in the commitment of doing #OOTD photos, I am finding it a 'challenge' to find time for photos in a more tidy and simple background (without the highchair and playpen)! 

 

 

top: White Stuff
skirt: Glamorous tall A-line skirt with zip details (exact)

blazer: ASDA George

bag: Balenciaga violet city

shoes: Nine West grey heels 

[outfit]

When I had them on this morning, I thought they look good together. I love the patterns, the fabrics of each item and how they work together, and I still do. But now seeing them together on me in the picture, I am not too pleased and I think I look 'short' in them (or is it down to the angle of where the picture was taken?).  

I am genuinely finding it very difficult to wear a skirt that suits me. Most skirts (and dresses) I tried/found are always way too short for my liking. I am 168cm tall, not exactly tall enough to wear those 'tall' line. This has been a real struggle for many years now.  I refuse to be defeated and I want to be more adventurous about trying out different styles.  

So, when I found this skirt has same patterns in both standard and tall line, I bought each the same one, and I consequently decided to keep the one in tall line. I think I look better and taller with bare legs and the asos safari heels on.  I feel I am not quite mastered this skirt at the moment.  Any advice on what might work for me?  

Last worn: Balenciaga violet city

AA xxx