All grey

top: Next
skirt: Betty Jackson Black
cardi: Zara longline grey cardi
coat: Korean style coat, bought in Taiwan, 2012
tights: Uniqlo Heatech grey tights
shoes: Gabor, black
bag: Balenciaga violet City bag


Trying to take OOTD photos with a selfie stick and tripod for the first time. Still need lots of practice to improve the quality. But at least I get to take pictures of my outfit from a distance, rather than from the top with my arm...

AA xxx

Blue Monday #5

Top: (last worn here)

Skirt: Max Mara wool skirt (last worn here)

Cardi: Topshop (very old)

Boots: Schuh black ankle boots (new purchase in March)

Bag: the usual 

For the first time for a long long time (and probably ever in my life), I planned for the week's outfits in my head and wrote them down on Sunday night. I think having this blog documenting my outfits help me know better what items I have got, like to wear, and would work in what combinations. So I can do this mind-map planning in my head... 

Another factor that contributes to this 'planning ahead' exercise is I finally had time to tidy up my chest of drawers (what an achievement over the weekend!).  I've been leaving clean clothes in piles and piles around the room as there is no time during the day to put away clean clothes! (Another downside of co-sleeping with your little one - you cannot switch on the light at night, but can only read/word around with a torch App on your phone!)  So, after the spring clean, many items are now leaving my wardrobe and I keep a drawer of my work outfit essentials.

Previously on Blue Monday Project.... 

Blue Monday #4

Blue Monday #3

  

Blue Monday #2

Blue Monday #1

AA xxx

Blue Monday #4

I asked my hubby to join me on the Blue Monday project, and this morning he dressed 'up' with different tones of blue and is very smart (sorry, no photo showing here).  But he then complained a lot when he saw what I have on.... He basically nearly shouted at me, "There is very little BLUE !"

I am hitting a style block AGAIN, not knowing what to wear, and in blue. 

Top: blue butterflies blouse

Skirt: MaxMara grey wool skirt (bought a while ago, first featured on the blog)

Cardi: Mango purple/black stripes

Boots: Schuh black ankle boots (new purchase this month)

Coat and Bag: as usual 

Necklace: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Recently, I've found an outlet shop on ebay, where they sell shoes/boots that were previously in display in shops. I won the bid for this brown/tan Hush Puppies boots few weeks ago at a fraction of the RPR price, although I wasn't sure about what condition to expect in terms of how 'new/used' the shoes may be. But soon after I've received the boots, I was blew away by its in nearly new condition.  So here again, I won the bid for this ankle boots at a really really bargain price for this very comfortable boots! So you will probably see me wearing this boots a lot in the coming warmer spring time. 

This is my first time wearing this Max Mara wool skirt, and it keeps me really warm all day, at least to the knee height. I wasn't sure about this outfit - Although I want to dress smarter and I figure a skirt like this pair would work well, I think a top/blouse/shirt in a brighter colour or patterns might work better than I've come up with. In a desperation to brighten up the look, I went for the black-purple stripes cardigan. Yet, I am still not sure....  

Previously on Blue Monday Project....

Blue Monday #3

Blue Monday #2

 

Blue Monday #1

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

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

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

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