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

dresses, cardi and brown boots

 

Dress: Oasis (last worn)

Cardi: Label Lab

Boots: Hush Puppies

Coat and Bag: as usual 

Now, this Oasis dress definitely looks better with the white cardi as last worn. And I also think my tan/brown boots, although very practical and keeping me warm, doesn't look great with this dress and for 'professional' or 'corporate style' look. 

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Dress: (last worn)

Cardi: Label Lab (grey) and Mango (stipes)

Boots: Hush Puppies

Coat and Bag: as usual 

This brown, jersey striped dress was last worn with the white cardi too, and it looks better with the white cardi too !!  Then, I thought about trying on the new cardi (second-hand from eBay) received yesterday, which I think is an improvement from the grey cardi.... just a lot of stripes!  

After work I am meeting with a friend and her little girl who is at similar age to Baby D. So I thought this jersey dress would work well for both work and play time later on (I hope so anyway). 

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

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

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 

What is in my diaper bag? (Week days)

I am always a fan of 'What's in your bag?' posts, and I can spend hours and hours just browsing on internet for that peeking Tom habits - I have done one when I first started to blog here.  This habit soon becomes a search for 'What's in your diaper bag?' after being a mum, and I thought I'd share mine too.  

What goes in a diaper bag during week days really depends on the circumstances around the childcare arrangement, such as baby's age (and his/her daily needs), the distance and time between the childcare set-up and work/home and the pick-up/drop-off times (in relation to baby's routine).   

In our case, Baby D goes to a nursery near my work and the travel time is just less than an hour each way by car; double the time by public transport (bus and train).  He is in nursery full time, being dropped off around 9am and picked up by 5ish pm (occasionally, nearly 6pm) - we are lucky that our working hours are flexible most days. 

 

Bag: CiPU mini CT diaper bag (Taiwanese brand)
Stroller: Recaro Easylife (bought recently)

So, what's in my diaper bag (for an 18 months old)??

Nappies and Changing mat  - hardly used, but packed for emergency

Water mug

Wet wipes - a must have.

Snacks - at least two fruit punches, baby biscuits, and fruits ie banana or grapes in a container. On those days we travel in/back by train and bus, I will pack more snacks or/and fruit in the bag. Baby D doesn't always go happy on his car seat, especially at going home time and when it's getting dark. Fruit punch is a good distraction. I also think he doesn't drink enough water normally, so I'd like to top him up with these organic juice punches.

Gloves for winter

What's missing is his favourite toy, which I don't think he has got one at the moment.  But in future, a toy car/train might also appear in the bag too.


I am more relaxed about giving him biscuits these days (in comparison to how I used to be), although I still think it is unhealthy and not a good habit to snack on biscuits for children - I don't really eat biscuits and crisps myself.  Sometimes, in winter snowy days, I would even pack more food/drink too.

But, snacks are great for travel/commuting in reality. Hence, by the time we get home we only have about less an hour for dinner before Baby D's bedtime, and babies don't eat well when they are tired.... So I am giving in during week days and more careful with healthy diet on weekends.

This diaper bag is not the nursery bag though, which always has a spare clothes and is left in the nursery most of the time.


How do you keep your little entertain in the car/bus/train?  
What's in your diaper bag? 


AA xxx

Dress and cardi, busy working mum's favorite

This dress and this cardi again ! 

This combination has become my new default work wear recently. It's practical for work, and even more so for life with a baby - this dress sits on the knees, so perfect for bending over to the stroller, for chasing after a monster on the train/street, and for picking him up when he cries for a cuddle. So, alrhough it is not my favorite item, it is getting a lot of use lately. 

Another good reason to wear dresses for  work as a busy working mum is if the little one decides to wipe his dirty face with running nose on you at last minute, more chance to get away from changing the entire outfits - just the tights or the dress.  And it's easier keep a spare tight at work than a spare outfit/trousers! 

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


 

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

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

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

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

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

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