Archive of ‘Fashion’ category

Inspired to try Adrift

/ Fashion / 13 Comments

Last Monday as I scrolled through my Facebook feed I stopped at Styling You’s model and me post. It’s one of my favourite blog posts to read each week because Nikki shows how she wears a garment as opposed to the Model. On Monday I loved the dress Nikki modeled and I knew it would suit me because of the colours and the buttons making it breastfeeding friendly.

I knew a few fashion bloggers had also done posts about their purchases from Adrift and some were offering a 15% discount until the 31st October (Redcliffe Style and Kirsten & Co have discount codes). I used the code to purchase the dress and I was able to wear it to an exclusive event last Friday in the city.

Adrift Kelsey Dress

I love this dress for so many reasons. Firstly it doesn’t cling. Secondly it has a rope belt which can be used to create a waist. Thirdly the buttons make it easy for breastfeeding. Fourthly it’s a transeasonal dress and I can see myself wearing it in Spring and Autumn.

I’m so glad I was inspired to try Adrift because the dress is going to get a lot of wear this season and at the moment it’s one of my favourite dress purchases to date.

Have you ever been inspired by a fashion blogger to buy something they bought? What did you buy?

I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

 

 

Why I take part in #everydaystyle since having a baby

/ Fashion / 24 Comments

I love the #everydaystyle concept that was started by Nikki from Styling You. I occasionally took part in the challenge before I had Phoebe as a way to share my style. I put my photos on my Plumbette Instagram account, but decided to start a Styled by Bec Instagram account to keep the fashion posts separate from The Plumbette.

I would take a photo each Sunday morning of the outfit I’d wear to church because during the week I would wear a boring wardrobe of navy cotton drill shirt and cargos for work.

Now that I have had Phoebe, I have become motivated to share how to wear the same clothes in my wardrobe but in different ways. If I can’t afford to be buying new clothes all the time, then I’m sure some of you who read this blog can’t either.

That’s why I like to explore new ways of wearing my scarves whether layered or tied into a kimono.

The real reason why I take part in #everydaystyle since having a baby is for my own health of mind. I can’t do my day without getting up, having a shower and getting dressed in the morning. I try and be ready before Jacob goes to work so that he can take my picture. Sometimes Phoebe doesn’t give me a great night and I occasionally sleep in until Jacob leaves for work, hence getting Esther to take my picture.

everdaystyle20141

The second reason I take part in #everydaystyle is to show how long it takes to lose the baby weight and the jelly belly. I don’t diet, but I do watch what I eat. I’ve only done a walk once since having Phoebe. My exercise comes in the form of playing with my girls, housework and breastfeeding.

There is a lot of pressure on mums to get to their pre-baby weight after having a baby and I say enjoy your baby. Allow your body to heal. Don’t rush into an exercise regime too soon after birth unless you’ve talked to your doctor. Watch what you eat but don’t be crazy anal about being on a diet and expecting to be back to your pre-baby weight in a short amount of time.

With Esther it took me 18 months to get to a couple of kg’s off my pre-baby weight. When I had Magdalene, I lost a bit of weight and then found out I was pregnant when she was 7 months old. I still had 10 kgs to lose.

I’ve had enquiries from other new mums on what I’m doing to lose weight because my #everydaystyle photos look good. Honestly, I’m not doing anything different. Perhaps some of my outfits camouflage my wobbly bits and make me look slimmer than I am. In some photos I still have a jelly belly, and a few bumps and lumps but they will smooth out in time. They might not too.

Christmas is coming up and I’m looking forward to a bit of indulgence. The last two Christmas’s I have been pregnant and haven’t been able to indulge in soft cheeses and my beloved chocolate mousse which has raw eggs in it. This Christmas is going to be GOOD.

#everydaystyle isn’t just for bloggers. Anyone can take part. I’d love to see your style photos and if you need inspiration when it comes to style, it’s a great hashtag to follow to work out what outfits you can incorporate into your own wardrobe.

How long did it take you to lose your baby weight? Do you take part in #everydaystyle?

I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT

How to choose a stylish baby bag

/ Fashion / 10 Comments

After having three babies, I know a thing or two about baby bags. I did my best research by observing what my mummy friends used before committing to purchase my own.

When I was pregnant with Esther, my mum gave me a black Oroton Baby Bag for Christmas. Sadly it didn’t last the distance with the inner lining ripping with my over-contents and the strap pilling which did not make for a good look. The Oroton bag that I was given was a black canvas tote and not like the bag I’ve included in the below collage. I do have friends who swear by their Oroton baby bag and it has lasted the distance.

When I had Magdalene, a good friend of mine had purchased an Il Tuttu Nico Tote in beige. I loved the size of the bag and figured it would hold enough supplies for two children. I bought it in the navy and it was truly a great bag to carry… but when it was full, it felt like a brick and carried like an overnight bag.

When I went to Problogger Conference last year, I invested in a new handbag to carry my Ipad. I bought the Sterling & Hyde Peta bag in Orange Hermes Authentic leather. This is now the bag that I use with Phoebe and I carry the bare baby essentials. I keep my Il Tuttu Nico bag fully stocked in the car should I need some more supplies.

I love my Sterling & Hyde Peta Bag in Orange Hermes Leather

I love my Sterling & Hyde Peta Bag in Orange Hermes Leather

When looking for a baby bag I look at the material it’s made from, the space inside and compartments and the strap. I like a shoulder strap because my arms and hands need to be free to hold a baby or toddler.

I have put together a collage of baby bags and to be honest, the prices may come across as quite expensive, but I use my baby bag everyday and I have bought cheap bags in the past that haven’t survived or have looked old and worn after a few months.

Nappy Bags1

1. Storksak Bobby Cappucino Baby Bag $199.99

2. Sterling & Hyde Peta Navy Genuine Hermes Leather Bag $319.95

3. Oroton Baby Bag $595

4. Lubelle Lola Caramel Leather Baby Bag $239

5. Isoki Reversible Saddle Tote $119.95

6. IL Tuttu Nico Tote Navy Baby Bag $249

My Sterling and Hyde Peta bag looks as new as the day I bought it one and a half years ago. I use it everyday. I’ve gotten incredible value from the bag and will continue to use it well in the future.

Really any big bag can be turned into a baby bag, but true baby bags incorporate designs that are mummy and baby friendly like change mats, bottle warmers and pockets for dummies, wipes and all the other essentials one carries when looking after a baby.

I get asked about my orange Sterling and Hyde bag ALL THE TIME. I love the colour and I will use the bag well and truly after my babies grow up.

What baby bag do you use? How did you choose a baby bag?

 

Breastfeeding Friendly Outfits for a Wedding

/ Fashion / 6 Comments

Breastfeeding can make pulling an outfit together quite difficult when it’s a special occasion like a wedding.

I would frustratingly look high and low in retail shops for dresses that crossed over at the bust, zipped up or buttoned up when I was breastfeeding my babes.

When I had Esther, we all attended our first wedding together 4 weeks after her birth.

I headed to Myer to find a dress that could give me easy access to my boobs. I eventually found a Howard Showers frock that zipped up at the front and had a gorgeous frill detail along the zip. I still have that dress in case I have to wear it again now that we’ve had Phoebe.

The key to finding a breastfeeding dress is to look for dresses that stretch and cross over at the bust line. Zips and Buttons do well as long as they open enough for access.

I have put together some dresses and a jumpsuit that are breastfeeding friendly outfits for a wedding.

Breastfeeding Friendly Wedding1

1. Rockmans Mono Print Jumpsuit $79.99

2. Leona Edmiston Ruby Vanna dress $118.00

3. Adrift Bahama’s Flame Maxi Dress $129.95

4. Sacha Drake Persimone Cap Sleeve Dress $399.00

5. Birdsnest Y 3/4 Cross over dress $89.95

6. Birdsnest Marco Polo Drop Shoulder Wrap Dress $99.95

Have you ever had to go to a wedding and needed to find a breastfeeding friendly outfit? Which outfits above pick your fancy?

I’m linking with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

Dreaming about the Dreamer Dress – Bohemian Traders

/ Fashion / 12 Comments

When the new stock for Bohemian Traders was released online, I couldn’t wait to have a look. A lot of the styles accommodate mummy tummies and easy access for breastfeeding.

I fell in love with this dress, the Dreamer Dress in Cream.

Dreamer Dress in Cream

I looked at the price and knew that with our tight budget, I couldn’t afford to buy the dress straight away. Anything over $100, I usually walk away and think about the purchase and whether I need it or not. I couldn’t stop dreaming about the Dreamer dress.

When I had some unexpected funds come in, I purchased the dress.  I was happy with my purchase and I know that I will get a lot of wear out of it during this season of my life and beyond.

The first way I styled this dress was with a pair of leopard print leggings, loafers and a dangly pendant necklace.

Bec in Dreamer Dress

The second way was incorporating a belt to create an empire line and my beaded sandals that I bought two summers ago from Betts. I added a scarf and some leggings because the dress is a bit too short for me without something underneath.

Bohemian Traders Dreamer Dress

I was a bit worried that the colour of the dress would wash me out but it hasn’t. The Dreamer dress comes in black as well and retails for $139 online.

What do you do when you fall in love with a piece of clothing and can’t afford it?

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

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