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I have such fond memories of being a child, crowding around my mum with my siblings as she pulled a hot, freshly baked tray of beautiful gingerbread from the oven - we couldn't have cared less for the heat as we tried to cram as many of the little many as we could into our mouths and savour that Christmas taste. For my family, gingerbread was a Christmas staple, and now it can be yours. While you may not want to have your kids crowding around you as you take it from the oven (because in hindsight, I don't know how my mum didn't have a breakdown trying to keep us from burning ourselves on the oven) this is one you'll make for your family time and time again. INGREDIENTS • 125g unsalted butter • 1/3 cup brown sugar • 1/4 cup golden syrup • 1 egg • 2 cups plain flour • 1/4 cup self raising flour • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 330g icing sugar • Plus, anything you may want to decorate with. We suggest a batch of royal icing for that perfect, opaque ginger bread style and chocolate buttons, glitter for a special touch. METHOD 1. Preheat oven to 180°C 2. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper 3. Beat butter, sugar and syrup together in a bowl until creamy. Add egg and beat well. Sift flours, ginger and soda together. Stir into butter mixture. 4. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly until smooth. 5. Roll out to 5mm thick. Use cutters to cut out shapes, transfer to tray. 6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until light brown, transfer to a wire to cool completely. 7. To decorate; prepare the icing mix following packet instructions, colour as desired and spread on biscuits. FOR THE ROYAL ICING So you want to add an extra little flair to your gingerbread? Enter royal icing (it sounds a little fancy, but it could not be easier). INGREDIENTS • 1 & 1/2 cups of sifted icing sugar • 1 egg white • 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice METHOD 1. Lightly whisk egg white and lemon juice together in a bowl 2. Gradually add icing sugar, whisk until smooth and combined We hope this recipe is the start of many new traditions for you and your family! All our love, Miann & Co x
Pictured: Dasher Deer | Dancer Deer | Carmella Bunny | Kari Koala | Ollie Dinosaur | Nova Bunny Sebby Monkey | Harper Bunny | Isabella Doll | Kenzie Kangaroo Micah Bunny | Flossy Fairy | Juniper Bunny | Solly Monkey Pictured: Sunglasses | Bucket Hats | Reusable Cloth Nappies | Terry Towelling Easy Reads: One | Two | Three | Four | Five Australiana: One | Two | Three | Four | Five World Changers: One | Two | Three | Four | Five Outfit One: Maple Sugar Pinafore, Knot Headband in Optic White, Short Sleeve Top in Alabaster Outfit Two: Sweet Meadow Dress, Pink Bucket Hat, Tassel Handbag in Blossom Outfit Three: Bloomer Shorts in Pink Tint, Long Sleeve Frill Top in Pink Tint, Sunglasses in Coral Outfit Four: Cropped Overalls in Antique Gingham, Adventures Start Here Tee, Bucket Hat in Rustic Brown Outfit Five: Rosewood Pinafore, Bow Hair Clips in Dove Grey, Long Sleeve Frill Top in Cornflower Gingham Outfit Six: Biscotti Knit Tee, Biscotti Knit Shorts, Hazel Leopard Sunglasses Pictured: Deer Santa Sack | Natural Santa Sack | Star Santa Sack | Grey Santa Sack Pictured: Rustic Brown Bucket Hat | Buttercup Bucket Hat | Blush Pink Bucket Hat | Natural Bucket Hat | Transparent Flower Sunglasses | Hazel Leopard Sunglasses | Pink Sun Hat | Adjustable Bucket Hat | Heart Sunglasses in Almond Fleck | Coral Flower Sunglasses | Round Sunglasses in Misty Rose | Flower Sunglasses in Arctic Ice | Apricot Round Sunglasses | Flower Sunglasses in Crystal Pink | Flower Sunglasses in Amethyst | Juniper Bunny | Flower Sunglasses in Pastel Pink | Heart Sunglasses in Peach | Round Sunglasses in Nimbus Cloud | Payton Platypus | Carmella Bunny | Vintage Dusk Flower Sunglasses | Lenny Lion | Kids Purse Toffee | Dasher Deer | Flower Sunglasses in Bubblegum | Coco Unicorn | Canopy in Natural | Crossover Headband in Barley | Flossy Fairy | Isabella Doll | Large Bow Clip in Coral | Wall Hanging in Rainbow | Harper Bunny | Solly Monkey | Crossover Headband in Rust | Wire House – Gold | Cushion in Dusty Pink | Victoria Bunny | Hair Clip in Apricot | Gold Star Hair Clip | Wire House – Pink | Cushion in Natural | Knot Headband in Rust | Bow Headband In Mustard | Wall Hanging – Jamie Bunny | Washable Tote Bag | Macrame Wall Hanging | Rib Beanie – Peanut Brittle | Kids Purse – Rose | Rib Beanie – Biscotti | Knit Beanie – Grid | Chunky Beanie – Clay | Glitter Clip – Butterfly | Natural Rabbit Beanie | Chunky Beanie Café Au Lait | Mustard Gingham Clip | Glitter Clip – Pink Rabbit | Macrame Wall Hanging – Fog Rainbow | Rose Gingham Hair Clip | Knot Headband – Fawn | Macrame Wall Hanging – Neapolitan Rainbow | Mabel Moon And that’s our round up of all the best Christmas gifts for this year! We’d love to hear what you have planned for your little ones this holiday season! All our love, Miann & Co x
Items: Deer Santa Sack, Natural Santa Sack, Grey Santa Sack, Star Santa Sack Outfit 1: Rosewood Bodysuit, Short Sleeve Top in Alabaster, Bonnet Outfit 2: Knit Strap Bodysuit in Biscotti, White Socks, Bow Headband Outfit 3: Pinafore in Maple Sugar, Frill Flowy Top in Pink Tint, Knot Headband in Barley Outfit 4: Knit T-Shirt in Biscotti Speckle, Terry Towelling Shorts in Cafe Au Lait Stripe, Bucket Hat in Rustic Brown Outfit 5: Bodysuit in Maple Sugar, Bucket Hat, Deer Hand Rattle Outfit 6: Strappy Dress in Alabaster, Gingham Hair Clips, Polar Bear Rattle Billy Bunny | Kira Koala | Lex Lion | Donder Deer | Kimba Kangaroo Pictured: Sweet Meadow Cot Sheet | Cafe Au Lait Stripe Pillowcase | Sweet Meadow Pillowcase | Crochet Pom Pom Cushion in Natural | Solly Monkey | Sebby Monkey | Willelaine Aromatherapy | Hayley Backpack | Wall Decor | Pumpkin Spice Rattle | Donder Deer | Billy Bunny | Natural Santa Sack Pictured: Deer Rattle | Panda Rattle | Slate Bunny Rattle | Pink Elephant Rattle | Pumpkin Spice Bunny Rattle | Sleepy Koala Rattle | Hair Clip – Riverside | Turquoise Monkey Rattle | Platypus Rattle | Grey Marle Socks | Knot Headband – Riverside | Hair Clip – Pink Tint | Almond Bunny Rattle | Black Gingham Clip | Silver Gingham Clip | Bow Head Band – Pink | Latte Bunny Rattle | Silicone Feeding Bib – White | Socks – Steel Blue | Cord Bow Hair Clip – Pastel Pink | Hair Clip – Apricot | Rib Beanie – Grey Speckle | Rib Beanie – Slate | Knot Headband – Baby Pink | Bow Headband – Mustard | Chunky Beanie – Grey Marle | Baby Bonnet – Slate | Cotton Sun Hat – Pink | Large Bow Clip – Coral | Grey Rib Socks | Knot Beanie – Slate | Cloth Nappy – Rosewater Star | Rose Gingham Clip | Silver Star Clip | Slate Bib | Wet Bag – Rosewater Star | Crossover Headband – Rust | Silver Heart Clip | Knot Headband – Classic Navy | Large Bow Clip – Plaid Pink | Knot Headband – Rust | Little Bunny Hair Tie – White | Cord Bow Clip – Baby Blue | Silicone Bib – Bubblegum Pink | Lion Rattle | Polar Bear Rattle | Fox Rattle | Mini Swan Rattle | Crossover Headband – Barley | Biscotti Speckle Bunny | Navy & Red Monkey Rattle | Little Bunny Hair Clip – White | Knot Headband – Barley | Adjustable Bucket Hat – Sand | Crimson Gingham Hair Clip | Knot Headband – Optic White | Knot Headband – Fawn | Wet Bag – Sand | Ribbed Socks – Pink | Wet Bag – Optic White | Silicone Bib – Clay Speckle | Cloth Nappy – Sand | Baby Bonnet – Lavender | Cloth Nappy – White | Beige Socks | Rib Beanie – Biscotti | Knot Beanie – Peony | Coco Bunny Swaddle | Knit Beanie – Café Au Lait Grid | Chunky Beanie – Biscotti Speckle | Glitter Clip – Pink Butterfly | Knot Beanie – Coco Bunny | Chunky Beanie – Café Au Lait | Natural Rabbit Beanie | Knot Beanie – Evening Sand | Bib – Coco Bunny | Chunky Beanie – Clay | Rubber Soother | Glitter Clip – Pink Rabbit | Knot Beanie – Optic White | Knot Beanie – Café Au Lait | Glitter Clip – Gold Rabbit | Bib – Evening Sand | Bib – Optic White | Bib – Café Au Lait | Glitter Clip – Gold Butterfly | Lavender Rib Socks | Swaddle – Snow Blossom Gingernut | Sugar Plum | Evergreen | The Nutcracker | Pixie Joy | Happy Days What are you planning on getting your little ones this year? We’d love to know!
Pictured: Natural Fibre Knitwear | Madu Bag | Dusty Pink Cushion | Hermosa Soak | Straw Sun Hats | Marisol Dress | Salt by Hendrix | Natural Cushion | Hayley Backpack | Bucket Hats | Rattan Slides | Freya Dress | Perineum Massage Oil | Hospital Essentials | BodyICE | Love Tea | Calm Roll On | Miracle Collagen | Nipple Care Cream | Post Partum Soak Pictured: Wide Brim Sun Hat - Croissant | Eye Oil | Bucket Hat – Peach | Sugar Scrub | Face Roller | Rattan Bags | Bath Salts | Women’s Cap – Clay | Organic Chocolate | Wide Brim Sun Hat – Sand | Supercharge Your Life | Reusable Bags | Elsa’s Wholesome Life | Eye Pillow | Vegan Chocolate Pictured: Essential Oils | Miracle Collagen | Supercharge Your Life | Organic Chocolate | Face Roller | Love Tea – Peppermint | Diffusing Oils | Love Your Gut Powder | Beauty Renewal | Salt by Hendrix | Love Tea – Skin Glow | V-Oil | Nourish & Revive Oil | Vegan Chocolate | Rattan Slides | Sleep Packs Dresses: Eden Dress – Burnt Sienna | Eden Dress – Alabaster | Dahlia Dress – Cornflower Gingham | Dahlia Dress – Pink Tint | Isla Dress | Marisol Dress – Burnt Sienna | Marisol Dress – Jet Black | Marisol Dress – Muslin Jet Black | Freya Dress – Jet Black | Freya Dress – Pink Tint | Freya Dress – Antique Gingham Bottoms: Lexi Shorts – Burnt Sienna | Lexi Shorts – Jet Black | Luna Shorts – Café Au Lait | Luna Shorts – Jet Black | Aurora Pants – Alabaster | Aurora Pants – Blush | Luna Shorts – Natural | Aurora Pants – Cappuccino Tops: Poppy Shirts – Cornflower Gingham | Poppy Shirt – Maple Sugar | Jade Shirt – Jet Black | Jade Shirt – Blush | Jade Shirt – Alabaster | Jade Shirt – Cappuccino | Jade Shirt – Burnt Sienna | Daisy T-Shirt – Natural | Daisy T-Shirt – Café Au Lait | Daisy T-Shirt – Jet Black | Dawn Shirt – Alabaster | Dawn Shirt – Burnt Sienna | Dawn Shirt – Blush | Dawn Shirt – Cappuccino | Dawn Shirt – Jet Black And that sums up our Christmas guide for 2020! We’d love to know what’s on your list! All our love, Miann & Co x
Long time members of our Miann & Co Community will know that our journey with natural fibres started many, many years ago - We will hit our 10 year anniversary in February 2021! Throughout those years, we've stayed true to our love of cotton. Cotton makes up the large majority of all our products - from clothing, to bedding, to decor items and soft toys, there's a good chance they're made from cotton. Cotton came to us at a crucial time in our lives when our children were suffering from eczema, and we were trying anything we could to ease their itching and pain. Since then, we have been passionate about exploring and developing in new fabrics. Over the years we've produced pieces with silk and linen make ups, and now we're so excited to introduce to you all our newest fabrication - ramie! We were first introduced to ramie earlier this year while we were in the design process of our new range, Soleil - but ramie has been around for a very long time, it's been used for over 6,000 years. We had originally intended to produce our new loungewear in linen, but when we saw ramie swatches we were convinced that it had to be part of our collection. Ramie is harvested from the stem of the Chinese Nettle, a similar plant to the European Nettle - sans the thorns. A single Chinese Nettle plant can be harvested up to six times a year and does not require herbicides or pesticides to grow, making it a super sustainable option. Ramie has a linen like feel and wear (it is sometimes referred to as China Linen!). Like linen, it starts out as stiff and sturdy but relaxes over time and becomes softer and better with each and every wash. Our ramie fabric was sand washed, making it soft and smooth against the skin without the worry of having to wear it in - but it will continue to get more soft and supple over time. As it has been sand washed, it doesn't have the typical lustre of normal ramie. It is more absorbent, and more durable than cotton - meaning it's a great choice for little ones, and people on the go. Being a natural fibre with linen like qualities, it's super breathable and is perfect for humid clients, and our own super dry Victorian Summers. Like most natural fibres, ramie is super easy to care for. We recommend a gentle cold wash to avoid any snagging in the machine, or a hand wash with natural detergent. Ramie is known for retaining shape with minimal wrinkling, but if any wrinkles occur, a quick steam or iron will get it right out. Ramie can be found in our new collection Soleil, in our Jade Shirts, Dawn Shirts, Aurora Pants and Eden Dress - staple pieces for any wardrobe this summer! If you purchase any of these beautiful pieces, let us know what you think. We already know we'll be living in ramie this summer. Here are some of our favourite ways to wear this beautiful fibre: Look One: Dawn Shirt in Blush | Birkenstock Sandals | Denim Shorts (Similar Here) | Black Suede Bag (Similar Here) | Brown Belt (Similar Here) Look Two: Jade Shirt in Alabaster | Pink Suede Hat (Similar Here) | Brown Handbag (Similar Here) | Tan Wedges (Similar Here) | Mum Jeans (Similar Here) | Silver Rings (Similar Here)
If 2020 has done anything, it's made us nostalgic. During the hard months, we dreamt of easier times - a childhood made of laughter, of retro styles, of holiday cheer and all the excitement of Christmas morning. A cold, dreary winter turned into a true, rainy spring - and all we could do was dream of the sun. Picture it - Long, hot summer days. Scalding sand and the sweet relief of falling into the ocean. The ice cream vans tune, echoing down the street - begging for a cone, the rush of children, laughter like a bird song. Holidays spent with family, late nights swimming in the pool, life lived in the land of always summer - Welcome to Soleil. Named for the sun, Soleil, is our last collection of 2020 - a year that we felt needed to be capped off with the most special, perfect holiday pieces. We wanted to bring the nostalgia of our own childhoods, and gift them to our kids - in beautiful Christmas coloured bodysuits and pinafores, terry towelling retro vibes and oversized, inspirational slogan tees. This year, our extra special Christmas pieces are made from 100% natural fibre ramie - a beautiful, soft fabric with a linen like feel and wear. In two beautiful colours, Maple Sugar & Rosewood, the Holiday season is sure to be bright, bold and lively this year. Slogan tees are a Miann & Co staple - and this year is no different. The inspiring, uplifting slogans you know and love are back, this time in a boxy, oversized fit that is light and breezy for summer. Made from cotton jersey, these t-shirts make great everyday staples and feature slogans for every child, in lovely, gender neutral colours. Perhaps most exciting of all is our new terry towelling range. We wanted to design something that truly embodied the phrase, 'fun in the sun', a range that could be worn by all children whether they're at the beach, or by the pool. We have sleeveless suits for the little ones, perfect for drying off or wearing in the water. And for babies to kids, we have hooded ponchos, boiler suits and gorgeous retro shorts - summer has never looked better. We'd love to hear what your favourite pieces are, does this collection give you all the summer feels as much as it gives us? All our love, Miann & Co x
A steady heartbeat, dancing willows, canopies of golden leaves, dreams of a sun-kissed skin and golden summer days. With the beating heart of the sun on our shoulders and a desire for free spirited bliss - it was all we could dream of, all we could hope for, all we could think about during the longest winter we've ever had. And now, we take steps forward, venture into the sun again - renewed and ready to return to nature. With the desire to wrap ourselves in soft, floaty cottons and leave the first half of the year in the past and spend a summer outdoors- our latest collection Soleil was born. We dreamed up these pieces during long, cold days. Pieces that we knew we'd live in come the weather's turn, pieces that we'd never take off, that were classic staples - beautiful in their simplicity. Our new range features a mix of beautiful dresses - in universally flattering cuts, dresses that can be styled to suit any occasion - throw them over bathers after a day spent by the pool or the beach. Pair them with heels and a dainty necklace for date night, slip into your favourite slides or sandals for a simple and casual everyday look. The most exciting part of this new range is our new, beautiful loungewear, made from our newest fabrication - ramie. With a linen like feel and weight, ramie is perfect for the warmer months, and perfect for summer dressing. We are so excited to finally be releasing this collection, and we can't wait to see it on all of you. Don't forget to tag us in your photos, and use the hashtag #miannandcowoman All our love, Miann & Co x
Pregnancy is such a special time of life – a beautiful nine months where you’re growing and nourishing a new member of the family. Whether you’re a first-time parent, or it’s your second or third (or sixth!) bubba, your needs develop and change with each individual pregnancy. We’re super excited to share with you our favourite things that have made this time a little easier, and more comfortable for us. Pictured: Eden Dress in Maple Sugar | Poppy Shirt in Cornflower Gingham & Aurora Pants in Cappuccino | Freya Dress in Antique Gingham (All to be released next week) Comfy Clothes An essential all year round, but especially for pregnancy is a few key comfy pieces of clothing. For us, that comes in the form of all-natural fibre pieces that double as both maternity and postpartum wear. Fabrics such as cotton, linen and ramie are the safest choice for pregnancy, and beyond – even for your newborn. Natural fibres come straight from the earth and are free from the crude oils, chemicals and plastics that make up synthetic fibres. They’re more environmentally friendly than synthetics, and biodegradable – they will completely decompose once disposed of, avoiding further pollution of our planet. Because of this, they’re safe to have against your skin, and safe to wear during this delicate time. Ultra-comfortable, soft and made from 100% natural fibres, our selection of loungewear is perfect for this time. Our Chloe Pants and Charlie Pants are stretchy, soft and great for both maternity and postpartum – just choose your favourite style, harem or wide leg. We also have a selection of cotton knit tops – our Demi Singlets and Daisy Tees both have a relaxed, oversize fit for bump and beyond. Even better, all of these pieces also double as pyjamas – the cutest comfort! Teas Teas have long been used to support and boost immunity, hydrate the body and its antioxidant benefits. Because of this, teas are a great remedy for morning sickness and in general, aiding you through pregnancy. Our favourite brand is Love Tea, a local Victorian brand that specialise in brews for supporting your body. They have a beautiful selection of teas – some loose leaf, some in satchels – specially formulated for pregnancy. Raspberry Leaf was formulated especially for the second and third trimester. Known to strengthen and tone the uterus, it’s also nutrient rich to help support postpartum recovery. It’s best to skip this one during your first trimester, and midwives claim it can help to make contractions more efficient. Pregnancy Tea is a supportive brew for the last few months of pregnancy. A nutrient rich tea, it supports the digestive and nervous system with ingredients such as peppermint, chamomile, ginger, lemon balm and nettle leaf. Morning Wellness Tea is specially curated for the early stages of pregnancy. With peppermint and ginger to reduce nausea related morning sickness, it also has lemon balm and cinnamon to overall support digestive function and balance blood sugar levels. Have a cup of this tea every morning for a refreshing start to the day. Body Care Created by a local mama, our selection of beautiful Hermosa Co products continue to be a favourite of ours even after pregnancy. The Hermosa Co features all-natural products and treatments for pregnancy, postpartum and newborns. Every aspect of the product process is overseen by Lydia – creator and founder of The Hermosa Co – to ensure product quality and formulation. One of our favourites is the Belly Oil. Made from a combination of Avocado, Apricot Kernel, Macadamia, Rosehip and Acai oil, this blend leaves skin feeling supple, soft and assists in healing and preventing stretch marks. It’s super nourishing and hydrating, making it a perfect all over body oil. The Hermosa Soak is a magnesium rich bath soak formulated to assist with pregnancy related aches and pains. Magnesium is a super special mineral that can aid in sleep and body recovery. It also includes Himalayan pink rock salt to aid in reducing swelling and inflammation, and a touch of spearmint oil for a relaxing, calming scent. The ‘Nipples’ nipple balm has quickly become a favourite around the office – not only is it amazing for caring for dry and cracked nipples during breast feeding, but it’s also perfect for treating pregnancy related skin dryness. We regularly use this natural product on our lips, elbows and dry patches of skin for nourishing relief. Honourable Mentions Our selection of Modibodi underwear is perfect for pregnancy (and all year around). We have fallen in love with Modibodi – it’s so convenient and great for the environment by reducing the amount of single use pads and tampons used daily. Modibodi have pregnancy specific underwear, designed to sit comfortably under baby bumps to hold any pregnancy related accidents. But overall, we would recommend any of their underwear for pregnancy and postpartum. Weleda Perineum Massage Oil is a must have for pregnant mamas, and for healing after birth. To be used in conjunction with a perennial massage, this oil helps enhance skin elasticity and flexibility – aiming to reduce the risk of tearing or need for an episiotomy during birth. Use after a warm bath and massage a small amount of oil into the perineum area, 3-4 times a week for 5-10 minutes. These are only a few of our essential items that have helped us through pregnancy, we’d love to know yours! All our love, Miann & Co x
When purchasing new clothing, a good rule of thumb is to try and shop as ethically as possible - both in how the clothing is made and what the clothing is made from. This could be choosing to purchase from ethical brands - who choose to make their clothing with natural fibres in factories with ethical practices (meaning fair working conditions and pay for their employees, among many other standards) Image 1: Frankie Shorts in Lavender Grey & Demi Singlet in Café Au Lait | Image 2: Demi Singlet in Biscotti Speckle & Frankie Shorts in Seagrass Gingham But why should you buy this way? The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the whole world - 13 million tons of textile waste is produced each year, 95% of which could be reused or recycled. A lot of these fabrics are synthetic and therefore are not biodegradable - meaning, at the end of their lifespan they will not break down into the earth and will continue to produce and release green house gasses for hundreds of years. Image 1: Kelly Jumper in Grey & Charlie Pants in Cafe Au Lait | Image 2: Neive Jumper in Butterscotch & Charlie Pants in Biscotti Speckle | Image 3: Margot Jumper in Biscotti & Holly Cords in Glazed Ginger Natural fibre clothing is also better for you. Lots of natural fibres, like cotton, are hypoallergenic. They're great for those with allergies as they won't flare up pre-exisiting skin conditions, nor contribute to developing ones. Because they're natural, cottons, linens, ramie and others won't release micro plastics into the water systems when washed - unlike synthetic materials that when washed release and account for 35% of all micro plastics in our ocean today. Image 1: Demi Singlet in Rosewater & Charlie Pants in Biscotti | Image 2: Margot Jumper in Rosewater & Molly Skirt in Bronze Rust Floral | Image 3: Demi Singlet in Biscotti Speckle & Frankie Shorts in Seagrass Gingham The key to reducing the fashion industry's use of synthetic fibres is in the hands of the consumer. By advocating for brands who produce ethically and from natural fibres, you can show large corporations that preserving the earth and it's life is important - and drive them to produce more ethically and sustainably. If switching to a more sustainable wardrobe interests you, we recommend starting small. A great place to start is with items you wear almost everyday. Maybe you're a simple basic t-shirt kind of person, make sure the next t-shirt you buy is made from natural fibres - like our Daisy Tees! Image 1: Taylah Dress in Summer Bloom | Image 2: Demi Singlet in Biscotti Speckle & Jane Skirt in Lavender Grey Gingham | Image 3: Margot Jumper in Biscotti & Molly Skirt in Summer Bloom If you're in the office all day, maybe you're after a set of super comfortable loungewear that you can change into after a hard day at work, our Chloe Pants and Rory Hoodie make a great choice for after work comfort - or working from home! Making small switches like this over time can really help make a big impact in the long run. Will you start making the switch? All our love, Miann & Co x
Here at Miann & Co, we’re quite often mistaken as a larger company than we actually are. In reality, we are a small team of seven – We have five people who work in house (for the past six or so months, it has only been four people due to home-schooling) and two people who work remotely. In this small team, we do everything. From designing ranges, to packing orders, to customer service to social media to the books, every aspect is covered by our spectacular seven. With that in mind, we’d love to introduce you to our amazing team! Bec – Founder & Creative Director Bec is a one-woman powerhouse. She meticulously plans every single one of our ranges down to the smallest detail. Her creative flair extends to photography and videography, for over the past year Bec has taken all of our photoshoots herself! She has over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, and worked in London for a few years before returning to Australia to settle down and open Miann & Co. Terry – Founder & Director Terry is our office Mr Fix-It. From I.T to sales, to creating our in-house studio, if there is an issue, Terry has a solution. For the past six months he’s been home-schooling his children, but when he is in the office, his humour brightens our day! He grew up in South Africa and travelled around Europe in his early twenties before settling in Victoria, Australia with Bec to start their family. Mitch – Warehouse Manager Mitch has been with Miann & Co for around 4 years now, and it wouldn’t be the same without him. Keeping our warehouse in tip top shape and orders flowing out the door while singlehandedly building fixtures for our shop, he is an absolute machine. Beth – Social Media Manager Beth started with us in the Business Support position and has since settled into the position of our Social Media Manager. If she’s not behind her computer, she’s in front of the camera for our photoshoots! Rachel – Business Support Rachel started with us in May when we were smack bang in the middle of our midyear sale to help with packing order and she hasn’t left! She has an infectious personality and is always up for a laugh. Camille & Louise – Graphic Designer Camille has been with us since the start of the year and is a brilliant asset to the team. Her eye is incomparable, and she has a beautiful, clean style to all her work. Louise is our newest team-member and her work is second to none. She has a beautiful personality and we adore working with her! We hope you enjoyed meeting our little team! All our love, Miann & Co x
If you've followed the Miann & Co journey, you would know that we very seldom have stockists for our Womenswear. A collection that's so close to our hearts, we wanted to find the right fit and style for our brand - that's where HERE. Home, Style & Design comes in. When Lily first approached us to stock our womens line, it felt like a no-brainer. They were passionate about small business, ethical production and sustainable living and we knew our womenswear belong in her store. Join us today as we sit down with Lily to talk all things small business, motherhood (she's recently welcomed her first child) and facing 2020 head-on in the time of COVID. You guys are so passionate about independent brands – where does that passion come from? When opening HERE, I named it that to ensure that I always focused on Australian brands. The fact that I could support other small businesses by stocking them in my store felt like a very meaningful thing to be able to do, especially after years of working in the commercial fashion industry. I wanted to bring brands to my customer that were new or less commonly known within our area and we've kept that concept going for over three years. I've absolutely loved watching my customers become fans of labels that we've helped them discover! Also having this space gives me an opportunity to make a difference when it comes to promoting the world of slow fashion and by supporting independent brands, we're able to have that conversation with the designers directly, and therefore able pass that knowledge onto our customers, which is so powerful! HERE! Has such a unique and eclectic style – your feed and ‘Friday Styling’ is very uniquely you, how did you develop this sense of style? I have always embraced my own sense of style, I love the process of creating different combos and putting outfits together in a more unexpected way. I think this comes through both in store and on our socials which from day one I have put so much time and effort into creating content that is individual to us. There are hours and hours spent capturing and editing our own photos because the goal is to paint a picture of HERE on a digital platform, I hope that when people come across our feed they connect with it as if they were shopping in store. Paying close attention to detail is also very important to me, those who see me at work will know that I go back and make the tiniest if changes until I'm 100% happy. With Friday Styling, a dear friend was constantly telling me that people wanted to see more of 'the face behind the brand' but it really only came together once Emily joined my team and we could build the concept together. Our main goal with the photos and videos is to show our followers how the same pieces can work for many different bodies, ages and styles. We so often see fashion portrayed on a narrow spectrum, so we wanted to showcase a couple of real women wearing clothes in a way that is relatable to our customer's lifestyle while also giving her inspiration to wear pieces different ways and educate her on what it means to build a sustainable wardrobe. COVID and lockdown has affected everyone differently this year, we’re curious to know how you guys pivoted your small business to accommodate all the change we’ve been going through... It's been the most unpredictable year imaginable. Not only was HERE being impacted by COVID but I was also pregnant and needed a lot of personal time away from the store. We were so fortunate to have a beautiful and established online store which became our main focus throughout April and May, and then again in July and August. To encouraged our followers to support our online store during this time we offered free shipping or local delivery and of course kept up with socials to promote new arrivals or sales. It certainly hasn't been a smooth couple of seasons for the businesses but we did what we needed to do in order to stay open, whether that was being online only for several weeks or opening the brick & mortar store for special trading days like Mothers Day, we simply did what worked for us. All the while our loyal customers continued to support us and understand that it wasn't business as usual, which I am incredibly grateful for! What advice would you give to other small businesses trying to pivot at this time? Stay true to yourself! I found that zoning in on the things that our customers loved most about HERE is what worked for us. The personal elements of shopping with us continued even when operating online only because our customers were able to call, email or DM for advice. We kept up the Friday Styling so customers still felt connected to us each week. Every small business has struggled through this time so if we can focus on what we do best as an individual store, we will all be better for it! Lily, you’ve recently welcomed your beautiful baby boy, Fletcher – what are your top tips for running a small business while embracing the newborn season? Surround yourself with amazing support! I could not have got through the past few months without my support network. My partner and family at home and staff member Emily in the store. My pregnancy and birth was a bit of a rollercoaster with a lot of time spent in hospital so I have had to actually take a big step back from HERE over the past 6 months. Which is never easy when you're used to spending half your time running a business, but knowing that my business was in the very talented hands of a trusted team member was invaluable! It's the most wonderful experience becoming a Mum and I have really prioritised this time with Fletcher, allowing myself to just be his Mum. But again, I've only been furtunate enough to do this because of the amazing people around us! And finally, taking time for yourself when running your own business is so important! How do you take time out to care for yourself, and what are your favourite things to do? Well as a new Mum there isn't a lot of spare time but when the chance arises and is perfectly timed around breastfeeding, I do love to treat myself to a hot bath filled with essentials oils & dried flowers, a good book or podcast and a glass of red wine - bliss! I am a very creative person so as long as I can continue to have some kind of creative outlet whether is fashion, interior design, art or reading & writing, life is good. Thank you so much Lily for taking the time out to chat with us, we so appreciate it! You can follow the lovely HERE. team via their instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herehomestyledesign/ All our love, Miann & Co x
Living in Australia, you become accustomed to our harsh summers and all that comes with it. For most of us, that means hats, sunglasses, long sleeves and slapping on sunscreen for four or so months every year - and chasing around after kids that would rather do anything but! For our latest range, A Simple Life, we wanted to focus on clothing that provided sun protection and was wearable for every day - think the lightest of cottons with longer sleeves, shorts that are breathable and dresses so flowy and oversized your little one will be able to keep cool and cute all summer long. Cotton, for us, is the best fabric when it comes to summer dressing. Our new range, when not made from super light 100% cotton, is made from a cotton muslin - the same fabric as the light weight swaddles babies are wrapped in for the warm weather. Breathable, fine and super soft, cotton wicks away moisture from the skin that allow heat to escape the body to stay cool and remain at an even temp. On hot days, synthetic, man made fabrics will stick to the skin, leaving the sweat to soak up into the fabric that in turn becomes trapped in its fibres - this leads to smells developing, and an overheated, uncomfortable child. Choosing cotton helps to stop fluctuating temperatures that make little ones irritable, too cold, too hot and itchy. A classic summer outfit is the old shorts and t-shirt. In a woven cotton, these pieces are elevated up that notch so they can be worn not only everyday, but to special occasions and even family Christmases and celebrations. Both our bloomer shorts and long sleeve tops are perfect to wear to the beach as cover ups, or even if you forget your bathers, they're great to swim in and will dry off super quick due to the nature of the fabric. Our Frill Long Sleeve Flowy Tops are both made from cotton muslin and woven cotton respectively. Both are great options to keep the sun off little ones skin and are so easy and comfortable to wear. Our muslin this season is in a beautiful Pink Tint, a soft and muted blushy pink that has quickly become one of our favourites. Our Cornflower Gingham print was designed in house, very meticulously down to the spacing of the lines. We're super passionate about our prints! Our colour palette for this season is very earthy - colours you would see scattered across rolling fields and the sand dunes. Inspired by the French countryside and the prairie, we are so in love with these new seasons prints and colours - sky blues, earthy browns, crisp whites and touches of vintage off yellows and lilacs, this collection is one of our favourites to date. We'd love to know your thoughts, which piece is your favourite? All our love, Miann & Co x