Why tops are an essential wardrobe staple

I love dresses, don't get me wrong, but I just can't wear a dress every day! I just can't, a girl needs her jeans, especially when she has numerous pairs that need regular outings. So comes the endless question - what to wear with said jeans (or cut-offs, depending on my mood!)? Thankfully, many luscious new tops have arrived for summer and I for one have ear-marked, well pretty much one of each for myself. Are all of these essential? YES of course! Just don't ask my partner - his section of the wardrobe is getting smaller by the day. Ooopsie!

So a few of my fave's from the recent arrivals, have a look-see...

• Dew Kaftan - The divine Fleur Wood can't get it wrong in my book! This is truly a standout piece - something to throw on when you just want to feel fabulous! Wear it back with shorts for summer cool or jeans and heels for something a bit dressier.

• Shona Joy Night Adder Trapeze Top - In a yummy peach print, it's one of my favourite colours for summer. Looks even better if you've got a golden glow (fake of course!). I love the versatility of this top - wear it loose to the buffet, belt it at the waist to add more shape or tuck it in - it really does look fabulous any way you wear it.

• Shona Joy Night Adder Crop Top - Did you say Crop Top, I hear you ask! Yes, it's back but believe me, it's better than ever! This is just long enough to sit on the waistband of your shorts, skirt, jeans - take your pick, so it only flashes a glimpse of skin. Otherwise, wear a black singlet underneath. I love the colour and the off the shoulder look - very sexy in an 80's retro way. This top has attitude!
  

Bracewell Prairie Vest - So pretty! I love lace at the best of times, so when paired with a rockin 80's inspired vest, it's a dream come true! Looks great worn with a Tee and denim cut-offs for a bit of hippie luxe.

• Bracewell Pure Spirit Cami - Ok this is a failsafe piece, something you will bring out again and again as it's just so classic and beautiful. Easily takes you from brunch, to the office, then out to drinks that night, with barely a dash of fresh lippie. That is real wardrobe talent! Love it with black.

• Bracewell Wonderland Cami in Tea Party - A delicious mint apple green with tiny floral, I love this cami too! See, how to pick just one?? This is delightfully feminine and looks gorgeous with white or faded denim and the colour is just divine - perfect for Summer. Wear it with a blazer to the office and denim & sandals on the weekend.

There are so many more I could have included here, so be sure to check all the fabulous summer tops out HERE!

And if you need help putting your outfit together, feel free to Contact Our Resident Stylist - she would be delighted to assist!

Ciao bella!
Miss Ciao Meow xx

Fleur Wood's timeless elegance

I will always love Fleur Wood. Do you know why? Because her inimitable style is timeless yet beautifully unique to her. Her collections are truly stunning and each season, when I have the glorious pleasure of viewing her coming collections, I oooh and ahhh over the beauty of each piece. Which is just fabulous though extremely difficult when trying to put an order together that's restricted by budget! Budget be gone I say!

Then there is the integrity in which she designs and manufactures, of which I am truly proud to support as a stockist. Not only does she donate a percentage of profits to an orphange in India (in which she previously volunteered), she also employs Indian artisans to help manufacture her collections (for work such as embroidery and beading), which helps keep alive the magic of their incredible talent and supports their community. This is one seriously cool woman!

So today I dedicate my post to the divine Miss Fleur Wood - thank you for bringing your timeless elegance to Ciao Meow through your collections!

Here are just a few of my absolute favourites for this season...

• Storm Smock - super light silk chiffon makes you feel like you've got nothing on! Perfect for those sweltering days of summer. The crinkle chiffon make it perfect for travel, as it's meant to be crushed and you don't need to iron it! How fabulous!

• Jervis Bay Dress - I don't know where Jervis Bay is, but if it's anywhere as beautiful as this dress, I want to go! A perfect example of that timeless elegance we love so much, this dress is pure feminine sophistication. Minimal accessories needed - this dress needs little adornment. Oh except the Tempest Gold Braid Belt works perfectly!

• Dew Maxi Dress - This one is irrisistable, it is so stunning on you literally feel like a goddess! Light, fresh and a gorgeous print combined with a classic and flattering shape means you will cherish this forever and wear it all summer long. Simply a Must Have!

• Dew Kaftan - Made from the same floral print silk as the Maxi, this little Kaftan blouse packs a powerful punch in the style stakes. Very chic, very sexy and very elegant. I LOVE it! Looks fabulous with summer shorts or dressy jeans - it literally makes everything look stylish.

• Haven Maxi in Ocean - Also available in classic black, this dress is typical Fleur Wood style. Deceptively simple, chic and very flattering, you simply cannot go wrong with a block colour maxi - it will carry you through season after season. Simply update with new accessories and voila - it's like new again!

• Tulip Kaftan - light as air silk, divine aqua blue/green and utterly unique = STUNNING! Wear it on it's own and show off your legs or with a pair of summer shorts for a more conservative style.

Seriously, what's not to love here?? It's time to invest in your wardrobe and enjoy some timeless elegance! You'll treasure it forever, I promise.

Happy shopping & Ciao for now,
Miss Ciao Meow xx

Kissin Cussin - sustainable & fabulous

I'm soooo excited to announce Ciao Meow is now an exclusive online stockist of this utterly gorgeous Australian fashion label. Not only are these girls brilliant designers, they also have a strong social conscience and design and manufacture their collections ethically and sustainably for the environment and all involved. As easy on your conscience as they are to wear, their clothes have an eclectic, colourful and playful style that we just LOVE at Ciao Meow!

They have also very generously made divine daisy headbands that come FREE WITH EVERY KISSIN CUSSIN PURCHASE at Ciao Meow! Woohoo! We love a freebie - do you need any other reason to shop??

Well check out these other gorgeous creations, available now...

Rimini Halter Maxi Dress - stunning, backless and very sexy. Grrrr!

Ama Shift Dress - a gorgeous peach & white print, this dress is fun and flirty.

Renu Mini Dress - love the frill shoulders, wear it off the shoulder to be a little more seductive. Meow!

Run by cousins Jess Brown and Hayley Maynard, the Kissin Cussin label began following work as volunteers in a small village in the south of Sri Lanka after the devastating tsunami struck and shattered its idyllic coastline. Their love affair with Sri Lanka began immediately - its colour, its beauty and its people. Realising they could do more for this tranquil yet economically repressed community, they combined their love of fashion to develop KissinCussin - a creative venture with unique production methods ethically and intrinsically linked to the people of Talalla Bay.

Weaving their outlook into their fabrics, they use quality cottons and natural fibres from India, supporting old-fashioned hand-printing methods in Rajasthan. Love represents the way that KissinCussin’s garments are made, by local ladies in a small village, tucked away in one charming part of our world. “The socially sustainable ethics behind KissinCussin are what we continue to stand for and work towards improving.”

Ahhh, we heart Kissin Cussin!

Happy shopping & ciao for now,
Ciao Meow xxx

Add some tribal to your Summer Wardrobe

Embrace your inner Rrrooarrr with these sexy African inspired pieces from Shona Joy's Summer collection. Just in at Ciao Meow, these little gems add instant glam to your summer style.

• Wear this Out of Africa Mini Dress with some nude heels for extra long legs and minimal accessories - the bright print and sexy cutouts make this dress busy enough.

• Wear this gorgeous Into the Wild Jumpsuit with some summer wedges and a cuff, then add a statement necklace for night time glam. Loose flowing hair is just right.

• Wear this stunning Into the Wild Cocktail Dress with monochromatic accessories - think black peeptoes for a feminine take or ankle boots for a rock edge. Minimal jewellery needed - a few bangles or a pendant would be nice. A belt can be added at your discretion - peronally, I prefer it without.

SHOP NOW...

Want some style advice? Have a special occassion you need to dress for? Ask Ciao Meow's resident stylist - we can help you find the perfect outfit!

Contact Us Here...

Ciao for now and happy shopping!
Ciao Meow >^..^<

Spring Races - What to wear

My picks for the Races this Spring....

Tali Roth - Barbie's Dream Dress

• One shouldered, to the knee in 3 gelati hue's = on trend and oh so elegant
• Pair it back with nude heels (as per model), simple hair & accessories - you want to let this gorgeous dress speak for itself!

Shona Joy - Tahitian Affair Silk Kimono Dress

• The gorgeous purple floral print is just gorgeous and perfect for Spring, the covered shoulders hints of conservative while the short hemline adds some sexy glamour.
• Pair back with black/nude heels for a more subtle take or eye-popping yellow heels as per model (there's a beautiful touch of yellow in the floral that complements the heels)

Kuku - Bow Dress

• Just a sweet, classic little frock that can do no wrong. Sweetheart neckline makes it very flattering, as does the full skirt, while the melon self tie sash adds a delightful splash of spring colour.
• Pair it with some silver or melon shoes & clutch and some pretty drop earrings.

Tali Roth - Silk Sweetheart Dress

• In eye-popping colours, this dress will ensure you are belle of the ball! errr, races, in this case!
• Neutral accessories is all that's required, this dress needs room to shine, so keep it simple. How easy is that?

Want some more? Check out the fabulous frocks available now at Ciao Meow and feel free to contact us if you would like some shopping assistance - we'd be delighted to help :)

Ciao for now and happy shopping!
Ciao Meow xx

Bracewell - easy wardrobe essentials for Spring.

Having been in the industry for over 2 decades, Michael Bracewell knows a thing or two about women's fashion, delivering season after season delicious wardrobe essentials and simple basics, with loyal customers returning again and again for his classic style aesthetic.

His Spring 2009 collection doesn't disappoint, in fact, he get's it oh so right this season, with a fresh, perhaps dare I say, slightly younger take on the easy, relaxed, layering pieces he is renowned for. This sublime collection of essentials work back with multiple items in your wardrobe. And look equally fabulous on their own, for that matter!

Above are two of my favourites - the Memphis Fringe Dress in Grey, also available in black - equally gorgeous and a little dressier. I see this dress as an essential weekender - you'll find yourself wearing it constantly as it's so easy and comfortable. Pair it back with some summer sandals or flats (try some connies like the model), grab your sunnies and weekend bag (have you seen Kim Regan's handbags, below) and you're pretty much good to go. Just add a little cardi or vest (try the Draped Vest in cream, below) if there's still a chill in the air. And for those of you who don't like short dresses, wear it back with leggings or jeans (just scrunch it up a bit round the waist, looks great as a singlet too!).

Also on my hitlist is the Prairie Vest, with it's luxe take on woodstock hippie (very hot this season). Wear it back with shorts and a little Tee for summer - the vest adds instant glam to this simple combo. Or if you want to rock the look a little more, wear it back with dark jeans and a sexy little black top/singlet with some heavy metal accessories. It's all about adding your own style!

There are more gorgeous pieces from this collection available now at Ciao Meow - be sure to check them out, your wardrobe will thank you for it!

Ciao for now,
Ciao Meow xxx

The Perfect Summer Tote

Is there ever really a perfect bag?

Hmmm, it's a ponderous question, one I have given much thought to. I'm thinking, no, seeing as changing bags according to outfits is like style is to the French (that would be second nature!). And really, so it should be, for variety is the paprika of life. Or something like that...

Which is why I love updating my handbag collection each season, and this Spring is no exception. So what am I choosing for my fashion foray into warmer weather?

Well, I'm loving a bit of print, a bit of bohemian luxe, some embellishment and somethin' a little different. Cue my picks (above).

New to Ciao Meow this season are Kim Regan Handbags, handcrafted and designed by the lovely Kim herself, who happens to be a very cool Interior Designer and all round super stylish lady we like to love! One of the many things I love about Kim's designs is the cool graphic print on each bag - you won't believe me, but each bag hosts a completely unique, one-off canvas print, hand-embellished with beads. That's right ladies, one-off, never to be seen again, print. Meaning - no one will ever have the same bag as you! Yeah, you read right, no one!

Which is why I love these bags. Being a perveyer of all things precious (in a totally non Gollum-like way, I promise!), I naturally had to have one (ok six) of these bags the minute I saw them. But I also very kindly shared them with my Ciao Meow friends (that would be you!), which I thought was very kind of me! But seriously, if you want a great style refresher for Spring and you're sick of having the same bag/clothes/accessories as the general pop, then log on now and grab yourself one of these exclusive designs. Be quick, there's only 5 left!

Ciao for now,
Ciao Meow xxx