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Spring trails her fingers across our skin, waking us from the long winter slumber. We awaken, with sleepy eyes, mussed hair. The sun greets us. Golden rays giving life to the Earth - warming, unfurling, flourishing. Buds bloom into bright flowers, their petals trail in the wind, dancing across the sky. Fluttering birds tend to their young. Long stems of green grass, dipped in morning dew. The chill in the air abates, our home breathes a sigh - we are all awakening. With each new season comes a new perspective, a fresh outlook, a yearning for what’s to come. After a long, hard year, we wanted to encapsulate all the excitement that comes with the Springtime - a rebirth, a renewal, an awakening of sorts. To leave behind the Winter, the cold and welcome in a new era, a new season of life. We named this new collection, Awakening, for one very important reason - we were ready to welcome the world anew. By definition, awakening means to come into existence or awareness - and that's exactly what we're looking forward to, coming into the world once again. This collection features beautiful, timeless cuts and shapes in Spring prints and colours. It's going to be a SS21 defined by gingham, so we've brought back our much loved Blush Gingham across a new dress, a shirt and pants. Also back is our Cornflower shade, because where would summer be without a stunning blue colour? Paired back with classic blacks and crisp whites, this collection is one we're sure you'll fall in love with and get you in the mood to have an 'awakening' of your own. All our love, Miann & Co x
Wishing a very happy Father's Day to all the Dad's of our little Miann & Co Community! We're so lucky to have you in our lives, to share all our milestones, memories and life with you! This year, our Co-Director Terry wrote a short piece about his journey in fatherhood, and how it has fundamentally changed him as a person. 'I always knew that I would have kids. I've always loved babies. I can still remember when I found out we were going to have our first born. Even though times were tough back then and we could barely support ourselves, the excitement took over and I couldn’t wait to be a dad. There is something so beautiful about seeing your child navigate their way through life - taking it all in and the excitement of experiencing something for the first time. It is so special how much joy kids can bring to your life and how happy they are about the smallest little things. It teaches you a lot about being grateful for absolutely everything you have. My favourite thing about being a dad is having someone depend on me and being able to make them happy and seeing the joy on their faces. I love the excitement that kids bring and they certainly make for the best and most entertaining conversations. I love being able to spend time with them on the weekends and spoiling them with pancakes, French toast or something special for breakfast. I also love giving them new and exciting experiences such as travelling and being able to share all of this with them. When they are sick or upset, it is definitely the hardest. Trying to protect them from the harshness of the world we currently live in and are surrounded by and teaching them to navigate some of the negativity out there. It is always hard for me to to see any child struggle at something. Travelling is how we come together as a family, where we feel most us. Whether it be abroad or just somewhere close, it is the best times we get to spend together and experience something different and new. It all boils down to doing something together and being able to spend quality time together. Happy Father's Day to all the dad's, guardians and carers out there!' All our love, Miann & Co x
If you know anything about Australian fashion, you'll know Mel Carrero is an absolute legend. We felt so lucky to be able to be able to collaborate with her on our new womenswear range - and interview her about her amazing life! Hi Mel! Thank you so much for sitting down with us today - you're a legend of the Australian fashion scene. I used to follow you back in the 'The Chubby Fashionista' days when I was a teenager, and I'm still obsessed with your content today - what sparked your love for fashion?Oh my gosh thank you! But sure I’d say I’m a legend haha! I am not exactly sure what sparked it, weirdly I never studied textiles or anything at school but I was obsessed since being a child with styling my barbies and later on, my friends! My mum took me op shopping a lot so I learned early how to get creative with clothes.Your Instagram account was one of the first to open my eyes to the world of fashion - and gave me the confidence to celebrate my body despite not being the media's 'standard'. Where did your journey towards body positivity start, and why is it important for you to showcase?That is really touching to hear! Honestly it was quite gradual. When I started my blog it was just about me styling other people and photographing them as a creative outlet, and when I used to post photos of myself it got really crap engagement and unfollows! Then somehow it started to shift that people wanted to see me in front of the camera rather than behind it. I never really set out with an intention of being body positive, I guess I have a body and I go in front of a camera and everyone assumes because I’m a size 14-16 that it must mean that’s my message! I am about self love though, but it doesn’t mean we all don’t have bad self esteem days along the way. I think it’s important only because of people messaging me saying they were able to wear a swimsuit on the beach because I posted me in a swim suit. I find that wild. Life’s too short to worry about that stuff - but if I can help people feel more confident, then I will keep doing what I’m doing! You've had a super inspiring career and have dabbled in so many areas of the industry - journalism, marketing, pubic relations, photography - do you think that experience was fundamental to your current role at Spell as the Marketing Manager?Yes most definitely! Each little part has led me to what I do, but it was really the unofficial work like my blog that was most beneficial - styling and organising mini shoots, learning how to use a blog, networking, meeting influencers, photography, social media. All of this was self taught and irrelevant to my roles at the time (mostly!!) but is definitely what got me to where I am and has been most important!What advice do you have for someone looking to make their move into the industry?Work hard, be kind. It’s not going to happen overnight... I did a lot of weekend, free work, hustling and networking to finally land my dream job, and the work hasn’t stopped six years later (not that I’d have it any other way!!).You're about to embark on another great adventure, becoming a mum! Congratulations, we're so excited for you. What are you looking forward to most?Exploring a new part of myself and my relationship... an overwhelming love! Seeing my friends become parents has been so beautiful over the years. I was never sure it was for me till a couple of years ago... I’m scared and excited for a new adventure.You look absolutely stunning in Miann & Co, what are your favourite pieces?Thank you! The cable knit jumper is definitely my favourite and I’ve worn it 3/3 days since owning it, haha! But as I write to you I am wearing the chocolate trackies and jumper, sooo comfy!And finally, how do you make everyday count? What's most important to you?I feel like I need to get better at this! Being on social media all the time for my full time job and side hustle means there is hours of time absorbed looking at my phone, it can be quite unproductive! Every morning when I wake up I like to think of three things I’m grateful for (even if it’s literally just listing the three things!) before I pick up my phone or anything else (it’s great for shrinking your amygdala!).I try to go outside or watch the sunset too! What’s most important to me... being with my loved ones, trying to make an effort to move as I feel so much better and on the opposite side to that, eating.. haha!
In the dawn we rise, treading through the soft sand, shedding the long, cold and dark winter. We rise lighter and brighter, with red rosed cheeks, freckles in flourish. We rise to greet the Sun, and we chase her wherever she may lead. With sandy feet, snuggled up close in cosy knits, we follow the warmth. Follow the call. The bird's sweet melody, the rustle of a warm breeze through the grass, the cool touch on the ocean as it basks in the sky's rays. This is Chasing the Sun. We are so excited to introduce to you our new, Spring/Summer 2021 collection - Chasing the Sun. After another cold, hard winter - we can feel the ache in our bones to follow the sun wherever she may go, to warmer, greener pastures. To welcome Spring in all it's glory. Featuring our signature, soft cotton fibres in beautiful, cosy trans-seasonal knitwear for the new Spring season, this is one collection for both you and your little one to love - and one that you can match with. We've reintroduced our much loved Taupe & Truffle colours through this range, for womens in our two most popular designs - our Daisy Tee & our Charlie Pants, two effortless pieces to add to your wardrobe this season. For your little ones, our Knit Wrap Bodysuits are back. This is a timeless and classic design you'll put your little one into time and time again. And for those in warmer states, we have our Short Sleeve Dotted Bodysuit - now across four, super cute gender neutral colours. For the older kids, this range is designed with long days of play and kinder in mind. Our gorgeous Texture Rib Leggings, Bike Shorts and Knitted Tees are back again - a tried and true staple that work for so many situations. For those colder nights, our Two Toned Jumpers are perfect - a lightweight knit that keeps them warm and cute. We hope that you love this range - we're so excited to see it on you and your little ones! All our love, Miann & Co x
It's an unfortunate reality that we live in a world where a lot of what is around us isn't that great for our bodies. It can be a hard journey to navigate as a parent, just trying to make sure your little one is as safe as possible. Luckily, we also live in a world where this is recognised as a issue and there are so many brilliant alternatives to ensure your home is as safe as possible. For us, there were three changes that we found made a massive impact on our family and our lives. Our journey began when our son developed eczema as an infant, caused by direct contact with synthetic fibres. We tried almost everything until we realise the main cause and how they were directly impacting him - from there we changed our lives in three major ways - Natural clothing, natural bedding and Modern Cloth Nappies. NATURAL CLOTHING When you really think about it, the greatest parts of the day are spent wearing clothing. From pyjamas, underwear, uniforms, normal clothing - there's rarely a time when our skin isn't in contact with some kind of fabric. And that's where our issues first started, and what ultimately caused our son to develop eczema. With the change to natural fibres, we saw a direct improvement in the condition of his skin, which was reacting to the chemicals and toxins that are involved in every step of creating a synthetic fibre - a plastic in itself. Synthetic clothing is often treated with toxic chemicals and dyes, which can lead to reactions like our son was having and we just didn't feel comfortable having them sit against his skin all the time. Switch to natural fibres instead, for not only safer clothing, but longevity and durability. NATURAL BEDDING Newborns will sleep anywhere from 14-17 hours a day, and as with above, we noticed a massive difference in the quality of our sons skin after we switched his bedding out for cotton, rather than polyester that's so easily accessible on the market today. In bedding, we know find it important to choose GOTS certified cotton - which is cotton that has met the highest standards of farming, manufacturing and production. It's the most stringent certification in the industry, which makes GOTS pieces among the safest for babies. The skin is the body's biggest organ, it absorbs everything it comes in contact with. As GOTS is free from pesticides, bleach and other harmful chemicals, using these fibres for our kids was a no brainer. MODERN CLOTH NAPPIES Disposable nappies, while super convenient, are among one of the most polluting items out there. As convenient as they are, most disposable nappies use harmful chemicals to absorb fluid and odour. Since nappies will sit against your child's skin for 2-3 years of their life, we found it hard to comprehend that we were letting these chemicals near their bodies. We made the switch with our third child to Modern Cloth Nappies and it really gave us that peace of mind that we were looking for - we could control what touched our baby's skin and how they were washed. Modern Cloth Nappies are often associated with being troublesome, and while they do take some getting used to, we've found the change to be well worth it. We hope this list helps your family! All our love, Miann & Co x
Winter in Australia is a dry, cold, mostly miserable time - at least in Victoria and Tasmania. The days are freezing and long, mostly sat inside in heating and artificial lighting - and it can really takes its toll on the body. From dry skin and hair, to the ever pressing and overwhelming cold, to the desire to just curl up in a ball in front of the heater - we've discovered some beautiful products to add to your daily routine to keep you a little more nurtured and nourished this winter - and not so much in the mood to hide away! Outer Wellness In Australia, winter air is dry and crisp, and it can really take a toll. During this time, it's important to nourish and take care of your skin - your bodies biggest organ. We find it best to exfoliate and lather out skin in thick, rich moisturisers during this time - here are two of our favourites. Weleda Skin Food - The hype around this product is real. Never has my skin felt so taken care of than when I switched my daily moisturiser to Weleda. It's suitable for the face and body, and full of beautiful, nourishing and natural ingredients. With sunflower seed oil and sweet almond oil, it's so, so nourishing. Emulsify the lotion between your fingers, then press - not rub - it into your skin - it leaves you glowy and so nourished. Imbibe Living Resurfacing Lift - I've only recently started using a chemical exfoliant after using traditional exfoliants for years. The Pearl Lime Lift is a natural exfoliator that uses AHAs & BHAs to gently resurface and exfoliate the skin overnight. My skin feels so much brighter and smoother! Inner Wellness We've talked about the importance of taking care of your skin during winter, now it's time to nourish your body from the inside. Today we're taking you through the supplements that we take to make sure we're staying healthy and vitalised in the colder months. Love Tea - it's not often we don't have a hot mug of tea in our hands this winter, and Love Tea is one of our favourite tea's of all time. In winter, sipping on a cup of the Immunity Loose Leaf Tea is a joy. We also love the Calming Loose Leaf Tea and the Caffeine Free Chai for a before bed wind down. Beauty from the inside out - Imbibe Living Protect - is renowned for their gorgeous products that focus on beauty from the inside. They're all amazing products and we couldn't recommend them enough. Protect is a vegan collagen supplement - it helps with stress management, cellular repair, immune function and collagen formation. It has a gorgeous fruity taste, and you just add 10g to a cup of water and stir to dissolve - it's great! Supercharged Foods - Because winter is the time of healthy, hearty foods - this little supplement is the best thing to add for extra flavour and nourishment. With diatomaceous earth, turmeric, organic ginger, organic cinnamon and organic black pepper it's perfect fo curries, salads soups and smoothies. We love little things we can add to our food that bring a boost to our gut health. Right now we're loving the Golden Gut Powder - we add it to pretty much everything! Let us know how you nourish your body in winter! All our love, Miann & Co x
Rachael of @champagnesilvousplait is a glimmering, bright, shining light on Instagram. So kind, so stylish and so positive - all while sharing the reality of her day to day life with her two boys and husband in sunny Brisbane. Today, we're chatting with Rachel about her gorgeous feed and what makes her tick! Hi Rachael! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today. We first worked with you at the beginning of 2021 - and fell in love (along with your gorgeous archway) your effortless approach to styling. Have you always been interested in fashion? The love that my archway gets makes me laugh so much, until recently it was a very ‘dated’ part of our older home... now it’s in vogue (again) ha ha! Thank you so much, I have always loved fashion but didn't have the confidence to really explore my own personal style until I had children. There’s just something about growing a human that makes you realise who cares what anyone else thinks about your style choices! #perspective You've been posting consistently for such a long time now (with over 2000 Instagram Posts!) What first interested you in sharing your life online? That’s a lot of posts isn’t it 😂 🙊 I started CSVP as a hobby and personal outlet during a difficult time, we were experiencing secondary infertility after loss and I needed something that was just ME. Not Mum, Wife, Small Business owner (I had my own business back then). Funnily enough I chose my handle to remain incognito, didn’t really work! But I’m so lucky it didn’t. A series we love on your feed is Same Size, Different Shape that you started with your friend Diane - which showcases the beauty of women and that all shapes and sizes should be celebrated - why are you so passionate about this? I have always loved online shopping but so many women have shared with me how they struggle to find things that ‘fit’ when ordering online. Aside from the obvious understanding of fabric, measurements and cut - the biggest issue I believe is women not understanding how a piece will look on their body. Dianne and I are the same size and often buy the same things, however it looks so different on each of us because we’re very different shapes and heights. I’m trying to educate women on how not only to style pieces, but how to shop for their own bodies and not the mannequin/model. So many brands (like yourselves) are finally showcasing their product on a diverse range of shapes and sizes which is amazing. Your personal style is bold, vibrant and fun - how and when did you begin to develop a personal style? What tips would you give to someone who has lost a little sparkle from their wardrobes? Thank you! Fashion IS fun! It took me into my 30s to fully embrace fashion, trying new styles and experimenting with what my own personal style is. I think the very basic start is to understand which parts of your body you want to highlight and which ones you like to minimise - for me I prefer to show off my legs and disguise my bust and tummy. Finding people online to follow who are a similar size/shape to you and whose style you love is a great way to get daily inspiration. And also, there are so many amazing stylists who can help you edit and embrace your wardrobe - investing in a stylist isn’t as expensive as you think and no longer just for celebrities! You always shine in Miann & Co - and as you've tried a few pieces now, what has been your most favourite and why? Oh gosh that’s such a hard question. Every single piece I’ve had the pleasure of owning is such high quality, you can see and feel the difference. I’d have to say though my Rory Knitted Hoody & Chloe Knitted Pants are on seriously high rotation. So comfortable and warm, they feel like pajamas but are sports luxe so you don’t look like you’re wearing loungewear! And finally, how do you make everyday count? What's most important to you? My children are the most important thing to me, every day I wake up and try to be the best Mum I can be to them. This includes not only my parenting, but also looking after my own health and mental well-being transparently so they understand the importance of being healthy and happy, and so I can be the best me for them.
At Miann & Co, we're constantly inspired by the kindness of others and the strength of our community. As we're celebrating ways we can be kind to ourselves, the earth and those around us, we've compiled a list of random acts of kindness for the home, friends, strangers, family, the earth and importantly, for yourself. It the little acts of kindness that sometimes matter the most. Kindness at Home - Tidy your space so it's free of clutter and mess. - Cleanse the energy in your space with culturally appropriate tools - Incense is a great tool - Turn on the stereo and fill your home with beautiful music - Open the windows and let the sun and the air flow through - If you live with other people, whip up a batch of cookies to brighten up their day Kindness for Friends - Send your bestie a surprise bunch of flowers to let them know you're thinking of them - Create a playlist of songs that remind you of your friendship - Share a memory on social media of the two of you - Call them up after work and reminisce about the past - Go for a walk to the local park and soak up the sun Kindness for Strangers - Pay for the person's coffee behind you in line - Throw some spare change in the parking metre - Give someone your trolley at the supermarket and leave the dollar inside - Let that person on the street know that you love their outfit - Give up your seat for someone on public transport Kindness for Family - Call up your grandparents out of the blue for a chat - Offer to babysit your nieces and nephews to give you sibling some time out - Bring your parents breakfast in bed - Make your partner a meal after work and clean up afterwards - Dedicate an afternoon with your child/children, where they have your full attention Kindness for Yourself - 10 minutes of meditation can do wonders for your mind - Cook yourself a nourishing, nurturing meal - Strip your bedding and put on a fresh set of linen - Pop your phone away an hour before bed and have an early night - Buy yourself a bunch of flowers and put them on display in the middle of your home Kindness for the Earth - Choose an eco friendly cleaning alternative next time you're at the supermarket - Walk to work, or carpool with colleagues - Plant a patch of flowers for the bees - Pick up 5 pieces of litter the next time you're in town - Invest in a reusable coffee cup or water bottle to use daily These are only a few ways you can show kindness everyday, but we'd love your input - what can we add to this list? All our love, Miann & Co x
When the weather turns cold, all I want to do is curl up with a good book by the fireplace. I don't have a fireplace, but I do have a few cosy blankets and a comfy couch - and that's where I'll be parked this weekend, devouring a new read - here's our Winter recommendations, some we've read and some that are on our TBR (to be read) lists - I hope you can find the book for you this weekend! 1. Of Gold & Dust Author: Samantha Wills Category: Memoir We've loved Samantha Wills for a long, long time and this memoir was such an insightful look into her life - from starting her jewellery company at such a young age, this is beautiful and poignant and inspiring. 2. Beach Read Author: Emily Henry Category: Contemporary Romance I must admit, I'm a complete sucker for a Contemporary Romance and Beach Read was so easy to... well read. Though we're in winter, it truly gave me the summer feels and is the perfect romance book for when you're in the mood to read, but not something too heavy. 3. Where the Crawdads Sing Author: Delia Owens Category: General Fiction When I read Where the Crawdads Sing, it instantly became one of my favourite books of 2020. Fans of the book hotly debate wether this book truly is fiction or loosely based on the life of the author. It follows Kya Clark, a reclusive, wild child who learns from the world around her. It's magical, wonderful, symbolic and even has a little murder mystery in there - absolutely enchanting. 4. All the Light We Cannot See Author: Anthony Doerr Category: General Fiction This one is on my TBR, but my best friend thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a war novel set in occupied France in World War II about a french girl and a german boy who's paths cross. It truly captures the anxiety and fear of war, while being a beautiful reminder that we must learn from the past to not repeat the same mistakes in the future. 5. The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue Author: V.E. Schwab Category: Fantasy Also on my TBR, this is a beautiful fantasy novel about a girl who makes a deal with the devil - She will live forever, but will be forgotten by everyone she meets. Every review I've come across says this is a must read - and I can't wait to sink my teeth into it. 6. Normal People Author: Sally Rooney Category: Contemporary Romance If you somehow managed to avoid the craze behind the tv adaptation of this book last year - first of all how? Second of all, Normal People is the kind of book you can devour in a day, but will sit with you for a long time. Read the book, then watch the tv show - you'll be instantly addicted. 7. Dare to Lead Author: Brené Brown Category: Leadership I'm a massive fan of Brené, from her podcasts to her other books, so this is a no brainer for me. I definitely recommend getting into Brené's work, she's endlessly inspiring. 8. Becoming Author: Michelle Obama Category: Biography Michelle Obama is everything, and this is one memoir/biography that I just couldn't put down. A must read. 9. Circle of Friends Author: Maeve Binchy Category: General Fiction With Normal People on this list, you can probably tell I'm a fan of Irish fiction stories - Circle of Friends was recommend to me by my best friend, who grew up reading the book and watching the movie. I can't wait to dedicate an afternoon to this one. 10. Before You Knew My Name Author: Jacqueline Bublitz Category: Mystery & Thriller I love a thriller and this is definietly one I'll make sure to read during the day, not at night (I'm a bit of a chicken and can't sleep if I read something too scary). It follows the story two women and how their lives intertwine - it went straight onto my TBR! Let us know your winter read recommendations! All our love, Miann & Co x
Raising a baby is as tough a time as it is beautiful. When you're over-tired, with a crying baby, just trying to get through a supermarket shop, it's extremely overwhelming. After having three babies myself, I've tried and tested almost every product on the market and have found the pieces that when life seemed the most testing, truly helped me get through it all - products that are multi use and adaptable! REUSABLE WET BAGS Never did I ever think that something like a Reusable Wet Bag would become one of my most used and most loved items - but they just come in handy like nothing else. After carrying around a plastic bag with my first child in case of spills, explosions and more, finding something reusable that I didn't have to throw away was of the utmost importance to me so I wasn't contributing to soft plastic pollution. Then Reusable Wet Bags entered my life, and they truly changed the game. We use them all the time - not just for all the baby accidents, but now that our kids are grown we use them at the beach, pack them in their bags for school swimming, they're great for throwing a pair of dirty runners in after working out or sport - they're so multi use! For new parents, I couldn't recommend stashing a few of these away more. A good rule of thumb I found was one or two in the nappy bag, the same in your car and one in the handbag just in case (you really never know with kids). You'll use them more than you realise! NAPPY CREAM When I became a mum for the first time, I quickly realised that Nappy Cream was very, very multi use. That after baby dry skin was a killer, and when I ran out of moisturiser one day and couldn't get to the chemist I had to use the next best thing - A tube of bright red Weleda Nappy Cream. And honestly? My skin thanked me for it. Now whenever my hands are a little dry and rough, or my knees, I'll slather them in a little Nappy Cream. If you experience chafing in summer, it's also great to reduce inflammation. Lip balm in a pinch, and it's actually amazing for putting on kids scrapes and cuts! BABY WIPES If you've raised a couple of babies, now have kids and don't still keep a pack of baby wipes in the car - how? Baby wipes so quickly became a life saver for me with toddlers and kids - even now that they're older they still come in handy. Sticky food hands are gone, if they have a little bit of breakfast left on their cheek before school, even if I just worked out and feel a little worse for wear, they're a great quick pick me up. Admittedly, after using so many through my life I learned about biodegradable alternatives like WOTNOT that can be disposed of and breakdown! These are a definite must for parents. JACK & JILL - BABY WASH & SHAMPOO A two in one product is a lifesaver for a parent wrangling a baby. We loved this one so much - the smell, the natural ingredients, it was perfect. As newborns don't need to be bathed often to not strip their skin, this was amazingly nourishing and hydrating - we still use it with our toddler today. We hope this run down helps you select products that work for your family! All our love, Miann & Co
One of the most exciting parts of becoming a new parent is packing your hospital bag. It makes the upcoming birth so real. Your little one is only a matter of weeks away - or if you’re super organised, you’ve probably started to get your hospital bag sorted a couple of months out. For us, packing the hospital bag is almost ritualistic. After a few babies, talking with other mums and watching a few too many ‘What I Pack in my Hospital Bag’ videos on YouTube, we think we’ve got our hospital bag essentials down pat. We’ve separated them out in categories for you so you can save the images and tick them off as you pack your own bags - wishing you a safe and healthy birth! For You These are the essentials that will have you feeling comfy and at home during your stay in hospital - which we think is so key to having as relaxing and comfortable a stay as possible. Here’s our faves for those home comforts (your own pillow included). 4 x sets of Tracksuit Pants - preferably dark colours. I bled heavily post birth and there is always the possibility of accidents or bleeds, so I always liked to have extras just to be on the safe side. I found cotton loungewear and all natural fibres the most comfortable and easier to breathe in while sleeping, feeding and cuddling the baby. 4 x Nursing Tanks - these are amazing and help adjust to feeding a newborn and learning about your new body. 6-8 pairs of Black Underwear - I loved the Bonds cotton undies, but looking back I would have loved to try the ModiBodi Period Underwear to help with heavy bleeding and help with the possibility of leakages. 1 x 'Nice Outfit' for a family photo, or for you to look and feel your best. I always have used to have a pair of what I called 'luxe loungewear' on hand to feel good, and l look back on those family photos with happy memories. I loved wearing our Chloe Knit Pants with a lovely, loose shirt like our Blake Shirt (breastfeeding friendly) and then a cardigan to throw over the top. 1 x Dressing Gown - perfect for throwing on and wrapping up in, it's why we designed our April Dressing Gown that little bit more special and it doubles as a lovely wrap cardigan. 1 x Pair of Shoes - Runners match perfectly with loungewear and a pair of white trainers goes with everything. 1 x Pair of Slippers - keep your toes safe from the cold of the hospital floor with an extra snuggly pair. 4 x Pairs of Socks - I always had freezing, cold feet post birth and socks were an absolute must, even with my summer baby. 2 x Maternity Bras - The more comfortable, the better. I took my bra off the first time round and woke up in incredible pain. I felt wearing a bra no wires and a super soft cup so much better the second and third time round as my milk came in. 5 x Sets of Washable Breast Pads - My milk normally came in on day three as I was leaving the hospital, these are essential. Ice and Heat Packs - I wish I knew about these the first time around, and luckily I found them for my second and third births. Boy did it help with the swelling and bruising, and the heat packs are great to reduce damage during childbirth. Packs like BodyICE are perfect for this. Face Wipes - makeup removing ones are great to help you feel a little more fresh, but baby wipes work wonders in a pinch. Toothpaste & Toothbrush Body Wash - something that smells beautiful and leaves you feeling good! Hairbrush & Hairties Basic Make Up Maternity Pads - I needed two packs of these. Nipple Balm - Use something natural, soothing and good for both you and your baby. We stock a beautiful balm by The Hermosa Co that also doubles as a lip balm. Dry Shampoo Deodorant Shampoo & Conditioner Cleanser & Reusable Face Pads Supplements & Medication (if needed) For the birth After having a few babies ourselves, it became key to have a separate bag full of essentials for the birthing suite. Something that you could (or your birthing partner) just grab when the big time came. Essential Oils - I am super sensitive to smell and always had essential oils in all my birthing rooms. The Calm Roll On by Willelaine Aromatherapy is a perfect option. Water Bottle Lollies - Barley sugars or jelly beans are great to chew or suck on during labour. Heat Pack - The BodyICE Perineum Strip is perfect. Phone & Phone Charger - Labour can go on for a long time, it's great to have a little distraction and something to capture all of the precious moments. Pillow - Bring your own! I can't stress how amazing it was to not sleep on hospital pillows, there's nothing like your own pillow. Camera - And all chargers in a camera bag with memory cards etc. For Baby This is always the most exciting part to pack. Folding up those little outfits, beanies and swaddles always get you right in the feels. Here’s the essentials we pack for our little ones. 2 x Blankets - Always take an extra for sick babies. If you have a summer baby, maybe change these out to light cotton or muslin blankets. 4-5 Newborn Onesies - You'll probably use less, but its always helpful to have extra on hand incase. We had two winter babies and one summer baby, but even then we use onesies with sleeves because of the air-conditioning. Beanies - A light jersey beanie works great for summer and again, for that air-conditions, or a heavier knit for winter. Going Home Outfit - We all love taking some snaps leaving the hospital and a special outfit is perfect for this. Our full knitted bodysuits a little bit more special and super warm for winter bubbas. Newborn Dummies - Like the Natural Soother Company! We started with the round ones, and later found our kids didn't like the ortho dummies. Our kids also had stomach problems, so a dummy was a massive life saver. 1 packet of newborn nappies or cloth nappies. 1 x packet water based baby wipes. 3 x Muslin Cloths - I used these as bibs after feeding. They are my go to and their multi use abilities make them amazing. Booties - as small enough socks to stay on tiny feet. Baby Capsule - Not essential, as I didn't have a capsule with my eldest or middle child. We invested in one for our third child and it was one of the best purchases we ever made. Our little girl was in it for 12 months, she was a lot smaller then our boys and it was great with the older two being able to not disturb her sleep while in the car doing school drop offs and sport. Also make sure it's installed ahead of time so you're not doing it in the hospital carpark like we did! Tips for baby clothes sizing: I've had small babies and extra large babies - babies that went into 0000, 000, 00000 straight from birth. My advice is to have a couple of varying sizes with you. We were told from an ultrasound the day before I gave birth that our middle child was small, and the next day he was born 10.5 pounds, so it never hurts to be over organised. We’d love to know what you pack in your bag! All our love, Miann & Co x
It's no secret that the textile industry isn't exactly the most ethical industry in the world. From using dangerous chemicals and dyes, processes that are damaging to the environment, unethical labour practises, to fabrics that aren't biodegradable - as a parent, it can be hard to know if the clothing you're buying for your baby is safe for them to wear and makes a positive impact on the environment. At the start of our business journey, 'organic' was a term that was only just starting to be thrown around in Australia - commonly relating to a product derived from living matter, produced without the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides and other artificial chemicals. But the organic clothing movement had started as far back as 2002 - when organic textile representatives came together in a conference, recognising the need for an organic textile standard that would be globally recognised - and it was in this that GOTS - the Global Organic Textile Standard was founded in 2006. GOTS is recognised as the most stringent, hardest to obtain certification in the textile industry. It is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent third-party certification of the entire textile supply chain - with GOTS fibres, people & planet are the foremost consideration. To obtain a GOTS certification means every part of the textile chain has been analysed to ensure four criteria have been met. The criteria is as follows: Contain at least 95% organic fibre Not be treated with bleach, formaldehyde or any other toxic substances Be coloured with nontoxic dyes Be produced in a mill that enforces strict social and environmental standards, treating their employees and the earth with deep respect. It's because of this certification that you can ensure GOTS Organic Certified Clothing is the safest choice when clothing your baby - Not only is it the safest alternative, there are so many more benefits to choosing cotton! CLEAN Clothing manufacturing alone uses over 8000 synthetic chemicals, many which are known to be carcinogenic, endocrine disrupting and hazardous to our health. Because such rigid standards are in place with GOTS, certified clothing is free from these chemicals - as the skin is the bodies largest organ, we think this is so important to our overall health. SOFT When you pick up a piece of GOTS clothing, you'll immediately notice just how soft it is. With an incredible hand feel, you just know it's incredibly comfortable and perfect for your little one to grow in. SUSTAINABLE Organic Cotton uses 87% less water in the manufacturing process, and emits 45% less greenhouse gases. The seeds aren't genetically modified and because toxic chemicals are omitted from the process and the land it's grown on stays fertile for longer. We hope you can understand why we're so passionate about GOTS and why we believe it's the safest choice for your baby! All our love, Miann & Co x