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How to pack for a conference when travelling with a baby

August 28, 2014 / Fashion, Style tips / 4 Comments

I’ve seen a lot of blog posts detailing how and what to pack for a conference. The influx of posts on the web has been due to the lead up of a lot of us bloggers going to the Problogger Conference on the Gold Coast this week. I’m bringing along my most prized accessory – Phoebe. I decided to add a new dimension to the posts already being shared on the blogosphere: How to pack for a conference when travelling with a baby.

If you breastfeed, like I do, all outfits need to have good access for feeding. If you don’t breastfeed, you still need to consider what you put on your top half because most babies drool, spew and wipe their boogas on you as they rub their face into your chest or shoulder.

Dresses that cross over at the breast, made out of a jersey material are a great outfit choice. You won’t have to worry about ironing and if they are patterned, no one will notice if you have smears on your shoulder as the print should camouflage them.

Button up shirts with a breastfeeding singlet underneath also work well too. Partner these with a bold print pant and a feature necklace or scarf and you will be feeling confident as you meet new people for the first time.

Pants with an elasticized waist will help you feel comfortable with your post baby belly. There is a lot of sitting at conferences, so you don’t want anything tight around your waist.

Consider packing a few extra tops to change into if a major spew occurs. Wipes are great at cleaning small spills, but not great at mopping up number threes which can take you by surprise at any time.

For night time attire when something a bit more special needs to be worn, dresses with zips or wrap dresses can work well for this too.

When it comes to shoes, flats are best. Carrying a baby around means you need good, supportive footwear. For stylish options try boots, ballet flats, brogues or loafers.

I’ve put together a gallery of items that can work well for a trip away with baby. If you are going to a conference that requires business attire, add a blazer to lift the style up to business standard.

1. Sussan Mini Motif Loop Scarf $39.95

2. Sussan Linen Utility Shirt $79.95

3. Katies Geometric Soft Pant $49.95

4. Witchery Zip Front Blouse $99.95

5. Leona Edmiston Stacy Dress $395.00

6. Styletread Boston Belle Ria Black Ballet Flats $74.95

7. Sussan Spliced Waterfall Jacket $99.95

8. Leona Edmiston Toni Dress $276.00

9. Styletread Gamins Amazings Neutrals Boots $74.97

I have just sorted out my outfits and added some extra tops and dresses for ‘just in case’. Here is a list of what I will be packing for a two night get away which should help give you an idea of what to pack.

Day 1 Arrival

1 pair of maternity jeans + 1 maternity singlet/tee + 1 kimono/cape + 1 necklace + 1 pair of ballet flat shoes

1 Jumpsuit and or Cross over Jersey dress for night time networking + 1 necklace + 1 jacket + 1 pair of wedges

Day 2 – First Day of Conference

1 Pair of printed pants + 1 button up blouse + 1 maternity singlet + 1 necklace + 1 pair of ballet flat shoes

1 Jumpsuit/and or cross over dress with different accessories and jacket + 1 pair of wedges

Day 3 – Second Day of Conference

1 Pair of elasticized pants + 1 maternity singlet + 1 printed button down shirt + loafers

Go home in this outfit.

With the Jumpsuit, I have an alternate cross over dress in the same colour should I need a replacement outfit. I’ve also added two extra nursing tops just in case of baby accidents too.

You can follow me on Facebook or Instagram to see what I wear and I will blog about my outfit choices next week.

How do you go about packing for a Conference? How many shoes do you usually take when you go away?

How to layer your scarves

August 26, 2014 / Fashion, Style tips / 17 Comments

Sometimes I have to think outside the square to create an interesting outfit. There is an art to layering clothes and accessories to make an outfit work and look balanced. One way to create an interesting outfit is to layer your scarves.

The key to layering two scarves is this

The scarves need to be similar in texture/weight/fabric

The scarves need to be similar in pattern.

In my case, I used two scarves from Katies that I purchased for $8 each many years ago. Both scarves are exactly the same, except they are different colours.

I couldn’t decide on which scarf to wear with my outfit, so I decided to wear them together.

One thing to keep in mind is this really only works when you have two lightweight scarves. Thick woolly scarves will add bulk and may be too hot… unless you live in the Antarctic. Like Melbourne. 😉

Some of my favourite shops to purchase scarves from are Witchery, Sussan, Forever New and boutique stores. I always keep an eye out for a new scarf to add to my collection. If you want to add a scarf to your wardrobe that you can wear now and this summer, why not enter my Eb&Ive Scarf giveaway?

Have you ever tried to layer your scarves? What’s your favourite accessory to layer?

I’m linking up with Kimba Likes for Wardrobe Wednesday.

Eb&Ive Smell the Roses Scarf Giveaway

August 20, 2014 / Fashion, News / 24 Comments

When I see something I love, and it’s within my budget, I usually buy it.

Sometimes I may walk away and think about the purchase but if I can’t stop thinking about it 24 hours later, I go and buy it.

That’s what I did with this scarf by Eb & Ive. I loved the hot pink colour and bright floral design. I’ve worn this scarf to death this year and I don’t see myself parting from it because it makes me happy when I see it, and when I wear it.

Every time I wear this scarf, I get asked where I got it from or I get comments like I LOVE your scarf.

I love this scarf so much that I bought another one online so I could do a giveaway. I can’t find anymore available online and it’s no longer on the Eb & Ive website, so this maybe the last scarf in the Smell the Roses pink print. The dark blue version of this scarf is still available, but it’s not as eye-opening as this one.

I’ve put together some photos of how I have worn this scarf. I have even thought of more outfit combinations that are sitting in my wardrobe. This is an example of how to shop in your own wardrobe.

Eb&Ive Smell the Rose Scarf Giveaway

I have one Neon Pink & Mustard Smell the Roses print scarf worth $29.95.

In order to be in the running to win the scarf, use the Rafflecopter widget below and answer this question in the comments section or email your answer to me:

What is your favourite accessory that you wear all the time and why? The most interesting answer will win the scarf.

This is NOT a sponsored post, I’m just sharing the love of an accessory I own and love. 🙂

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and Conditions

These terms shall apply to all giveaways and competitions run on this site, http://www.theplumbette.com.au

1. This is a game of skill. Each valid entry to be judged on creativity and originality, not by chance.

2. There is one prize: One Eb&Ive Scarf worth $29.95.

3. Entries open from Wednesday 20th August 12am Brisbane Time to Friday 29th August 2014 12pm Brisbane Time.

4. Prize is not transferable or changeable

5. Prize sent out by Styled by Bec will not be replaced in the event it is stolen, lost or damaged in transit or virtually.

6. Entry is via leaving a comment or sending an email to answer the question.

7. A valid email address must be included in your entry.

8. Entry into any giveaway or competition is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions

9. Entrants must be Australian residents and aged 18 or over

10. The winner will be notified by email and has 3 days to reply and claim the prize. The winner will also be announced on Facebook. This giveaway is not endorsed by Facebook.

11. The decision on the winner is final and no dialogue will be entered into otherwise.

12. These terms and conditions are subject to change at anytime without notice

Shop in your own wardrobe

August 19, 2014 / Fashion, News / 8 Comments

I’ve been reading Nikki Parkinson’s book Unlock Your Style. Nikki writes the popular fashion blog Styling You, which I have been a fan follower since February 2013. Despite my fashion styling qualifications, there is always something new to learn when it comes to dressing yourself and other people.

I’m a big Styling You fan because by reading Nikki’s blog, I was able to get myself out of a style rut that I seemed to find myself in after leaving an office job for a trade, which was later cemented when I became a mum. Clothes and fashion became less important to me.

After going to Problogger conference last year, I was guns ablazing about re-starting my blog on Styled by Bec until a couple of months later I found out I was pregnant and the exhaustion hit me pretty hard.

I tried to keep the blog going, but I was still keen to maintain my plumbing blog. The Plumbette won out in the end. When I caught up with Rachel from Redcliffe Style at the Pregnancy, Baby and Children’s Expo, she told me that Styled by Bec would always be there for me to go back to. And it has.

While I have focused more on my plumbing blog, I have also been thinking about what would make me different to other fashion bloggers on the blogosphere. I’m aware that there is a responsibility when it comes to consumerism with fashion blogging. I don’t want to be showing off new outfits all the time because firstly I can’t afford to and secondly I have more than enough clothes in my wardrobe that I can show you which hopefully will inspire you to create outfits from what you already own in your wardrobe. But I am a woman and I do enjoy shopping and of course will share purchases as they are made.

Before children, I wouldn’t bash an eyelid spending hundreds of dollars on new clothes, but these days money is tight and I know that if I want you to read my blog, I need to show you how to shop in your own wardrobe before you start spending money on a new one.

When you have a wardrobe full of clothes that work for you the temptation to buy clothes for the sake of it disappears because there is no longer a need to be filled. I also think that when you’re not shopping week in and week out, it’s easier to find pieces that you love as opposed to items that little emotion is attached.

So on Facebook and Instagram I will take part in the #everydaystyle challenge to show you what I’m wearing and there may be times where I’m wearing the same outfit but there will be subtle changes with the accessories.

If you have any styling questions, don’t hesitate to email them to me using my contact form. I will admit that I did buy some new clothes this week, only because I’m going to Problogger Conference in a couple of weeks time and the pants I wanted to wear and create outfits around, no longer fit me. The two items of clothing that I purchased are very versatile and once I’ve lost my baby weight, I will be able to sell them online. Both came to a total cost of $90 which suited my budget very well.

So tell me, how often do you shop for clothes? How do you budget for new clothes?

I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for I Blog on Tuesdays.

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What to wear when you’re pregnant

August 13, 2014 / Fashion / 12 Comments

I’ve had a break from this blog because I found it too overwhelming maintaining this blog while writing at The Plumbette and juggling being a great mum and housewife. Being pregnant also drained a lot of my energy and so I focused on what I could handle and this blog got put on the backburner, but my sense of fashion didn’t.

I thought I’d put a collage together of some of my favourite maternity outfits to give you some inspiration on what to wear when you’re pregnant. This was my last pregnancy so it feels fitting to end this era of my life with a little gallery of maternity outfits. I wrote some advice in relation to building a maternity wardrobe on Styling You, so if you are needing more inspiration or help, head to this post what to wear when you are pregnant.

My maternity wardrobe was filled with essentials like maternity jeans and pants, basic maternity nursing t-shirts and I then used accessories or show pony pieces to add interest to my outfits. Some of these items weren’t maternity clothes and will assist with my post-baby wardrobe.

If you have a limited budget when it comes to creating a maternity wardrobe, invest in the basics and add interest with accessories. You will see through out my gallery of outfits, I used the same accessories with different outfits.