Slip onto Silk

Consistently featured in the likes of Vogue, Madison and Gourmet Traveller magazines, Slip 100% silk pillow slips and sleep masks are a real treat.

If you who are concerned about unruely beadhead and the dreaded acumulation of, dare we say it, wrinkles... then this is the solution for you. These pillow slips and sleep masks help to prevent damage as your face gently slides over the silk causing far less friction to your skin and hair as the more frequently used cotton pillow cases.

Combining the Slip mask and slip will give you the ultimate night rest. Pure luxury!

The Investment Bag - Not Just a Baby Bag

Most of Cedar Leaf's loyal customers would know how often the message of the value of an investment bag is plugged, and now we are going to tell you in a bit more detail why.

Picture a day where you just don't have the impetus to make an effort... after all you have just given birth, have had endless sleepless nights and spend all of your time doting on your most amazing achievement. These are the days where a great bag can mean the difference between "I'm not leaving the house today" and feeling like you are a little more together when you finally brave the day.

A great bag finishes an outfit and with the added bonus of real functionality from bags by Not Rational and Rachael Ruddick, you can't go wrong.

When we say 'investment bag' what we are saying is, don't be afraid to spend a bit more than usual. Purchase a bag which not only looks amazing but is practical and is something that you will use every day. Take time with your purchase and ask questions. Make sure it has all of the functionality you require and most of all is excellent quality so it will last the test of time.

At Cedar Leaf we highly recommend the Not Rational Hansel Diaper Bag and the Bronte Baby Bag by Rachael Ruddick and here's why...

Not Rational - Hansel Diaper Bag

With its huge celebrity following and consistent rave reviews in US magazines we thought we should check this bag out. We weren't disappointed and can absolutely see why the likes of Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston (who uses it as an everyday bag) and Salma Hayek love it too.

These bags are made with ethical leather which is extraordinarily light and come in so many different colours that you really can buy a bag to suit your wardrobe. The Hansel features a fabric lining inside and many pockets on the outside of the bag for easy access to everything.

The Black Patent and Cognac leather colour ways are the most popular however the canvas and leather combination bags have also been a huge hit in Australia.

Cedar Leaf can place a special order for its customers if you would like to select your own colour combination, i.e.: pink, blue, silver, olive, the list goes on. It will take up to 8 weeks for your customized bag to arrive and you won't be disappointed!

Rachael Ruddick - Bronte Baby Bag

The whole Rachael Ruddick 'Supernatural' leather ware collection is one of the most stylish on the market right now, without the enormous price tag.

As seen in Madison Magazine, Cosmopolitan Pregnancy, Mother & Baby, My Child, Pregnancy & Birth and SHOP TIL YOU DROP Kids, the Bronte Baby bag (which is being renamed 'The Convertible' in 2009) is beaming, featuring the most amazing coloured leathers including the signature gunmetal colourway, gold, tan and onyx, this bag is just the tip of the iceberg.

Rachael has designed her whole collection so you can mix and match the Bronte Baby bag with one of the Kirribilli Clutches so mum can have her own piece of luxury on hand, quickly. Even the 'so hot right now' cuffs are designed to match so you can have the total RR look.

We also love the Opera Clutch for it sleek look and simplicity. It's also not a traditional tiny clutch, it's big enough to fit all of our necessities.

Cedar Leaf also offers you the opportunity to place a private order for the Bronte Baby Bag, Kirribilli or Opera Clutch, to be made in the most amazing Water Snake or Crocodile leather by special request. A beautiful bag can go a long way to making your day and if you follow the basic rules as listed below, then you will have invested wisely.

The Basic Rules:

• Find a label with a great reputation
• Choose a bag which oozes quality and style
• Select a colour which will match most of your wardrobe
• Reflect your own style in your bag (classic or relaxed)
• Make sure it is practical and functional for your needs
• Coordinate your accesories
• Wear with confidence!

Contact us at info@cedarleaf.com.au if you would like to place a special order.

Black: Stylish, Elegant and Timeless

Black never seems to be out of style and not only because of its association with some of the most stylish women in history including Audrey Hepburn, think the LBD off Breakfast at Tiffany's, but also because it is one of the best ways to show your own classic style or the gothic glam chic inside of you - think the runway collections from Christian Dior, Balmain or Givenchy.

The principals on how to wear Black, which is technically a 'non-colour', always stay the same and here are a few ways to ensure you get it right every time:

Black on Black is very slimming

Black is best worn together with black. Combine tailored pants and a fitted black top or shirt as a main outfit and it looks great with a baby bump. Add accessories which are a contrast for interest for example one of Rachael Ruddick's Gunmetal or Gold metallic Kirribilli Clutches or a uniquely coloured clutch would work perfectly for a lunch or dinner type event.

Black Jeans or Pants should be a wardrobe staple

If you are more of a 'jeans girl' then you should have a black pair of jeans in your wardrobe. It doesn't matter if you prefer skinny leg jeans over boot leg, or wide styles as these are purely used as a great base to the rest of your outfit. An example of how this works with skinny leg jeans is where you would introduce a loose printed T-shirt, a brightly coloured scarf and French Sole ballet flats for a young and edgy look, or, for a more grown up look, you would introduce a feature tunic (which has black within it), like the BY Malene Birger Desert Rose Dress with black heels and simple black clutch.

Texture is key to success

Try combining black on black using matt black with black lace and other luxurious textures like velvet and silk. Team pearls and chains with these textures for an extra luxe look. For a more fun and flirty feel combine some brightly coloured accessories in strategic places - a hot pink belt under your bust area will cinch you in at the smallest part of a woman's torso (pregnant or not), or try a super long necklace with a plunging neckline to point the focus to your decolletage.

Black was such a popular theme through the entire Spring Summer 2008/2009 season at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, so follow these simple rules and introduce your own unique style to your outfits and you will be on trend right into 2009.

Personal Stylist Page

Our newest edition to the site is our Personal Stylist page which takes you on a journey to four different pages including: Trends to the Minute, Style Tips, Designer Feature and Personal Styling Sessions.

Trends to the Minute: This page will keep you in touch on the hottest items and trends to the minute.

Style Tips: A more comprehensive page with information on how to style on different topics monthly.

Designer Feature: A more personalised designer information page including exclusive interviews.

Personal Styling Sessions: Our personal stylist service offering.

Email us any time at: info@cedarleaf.com.au to request a style tip or just to give us feedback on the Personal Stylist page and sections.

10 Interesting Facts on Cedar Leaf

ONE: The name Cedar Leaf means ‘I live for thee’. In ancient times flowers gained special individual meanings which enabled people to convey messages to each other without having to write or talk.

TWO: Cedar Leaf turned ONE year old on the 3rd of September 2008!

THREE: This business was founded and is owned by Nicole Hooper-Marshall and is based in Sydney, Australia.

FOUR: Cedar Leaf is the first online business of its kind in Australia. It’s the first to diffuse or bring together, maternity with non-maternity labels for style savvy women.

FIVE: It is now the maternity fashion ‘go-to’ to for many Australian celebs and top magazines including, My Child, InStyle and Harper’s Bazaar.

SIX: Cedar Leaf provides an international service as well as a flat $15 postage fee anywhere within Australia for unlimited items.

SEVEN: Every parcel sent to our customers is gift wrapped and sprayed with Jo Malone perfume to complete the entire sensory experience.

EIGHT: The top selling labels in 2008 are: Mishka’n’Milka, Maje, Rachael Ruddick and Billion Dollar Babes.

NINE: Cedar Leaf is the first to offer pregnancy style ideas and trends to the minute online, and is also the first to offer a Personal Stylist service.

TEN: Cedar Leaf only sells the best quality, most popular and high end emerging labels which makes it the preferred high end maternity boutique for yummy mummys.

Maternity Do's and Don'ts

Follow these 6 simple guidelines to dressing stylishly while you are pregnant and you won't only look Fab but your will feel great as well.

Don’t – Wear tops which are too short which cause you to expose your tummy to the world.
Do – wear maternity camisoles or singlets which cover your belly and giving you a lovely shape. Also, combine with non-maternity labels pieces from Billion Dollar Babes, BY Malene Birger and any of your favourite pieces from your usual wardrobe to put over the top of your maternity basics to create an interesting layered look.

Don’t – put aside all of your favourite little dresses because they are too short.
Do – wear them in a different way…reinvent your favourite little dress as a tunic or a mini you can wear over everyone’s favourite Soon tights. Depending on the style of dress, you can always add a belt under your belly (we recommend this with trousers), or the belt positioned above your belly.

Don’t – shy away from trying bold prints especially with florals and tribal prints being so fashionable right now.
Do – watch what the leading maternity labels are doing with their prints as the designers know how to choose prints which are flattering even on the biggest belly. As a general rule the smaller the print the larger it makes you appear.

Don’t – be tempted to fill your wardrobe with the biggest and baggiest pieces you can find, or ransack madly though your husband’s wardrobe for that matter.
Do – wear properly fitted and comfortable clothing which hugs your body showing off your tummy in a beautiful way rather than hiding this precious cargo. Of course if you are at home and are desperately seeking some comfort in your hubby’s clothes then go for it. We suggest checking out the Blossom Mother & Child collections and anything from Mishka’n’Milka, who’s pieces are young and fresh and flatter your body.

Don’t – run from staying active (pardon the pun), as this is the best way to feel better about yourself and as a bonus you will find it easier to get back into shape after you have had your baby.
Do – purchase some active wear and we suggest the perfect additions to any active maternity wardrobe are; at least one pair of tights from Soon and some yoga pants, 2 tanks from YIM and one t-shirt. Knowing these are sitting there waiting for you will help to motivate you to put them on and stay active. Feeling good is looking great!

Don’t – be scared of investing in a great baby bag.
Do – know your style and invest in a bag which is something you will use whilst your pregnant, after you have had your baby as a baby bags and most importantly can be used years after as a beautiful fashion addition to your wardrobe. We love the Hansel Bag by Not Rational and the Bronte Baby Bag by Rachael Ruddick.

The Hansel Diaper Bag by Not Rational

We love the Hansel Diaper bag by Not Rational. We simply love it!

It has all the trappings of, in our opinion, being the best bag on the market for new mum’s everywhere – and not just new mums, at least half of our clients at Cedar Leaf purchase this bag as their everyday bag as this bag was originally designed as a regular bag and named the ‘Fab Bag’.

Founder and designer Fabiana Trosman of Not Rational says,

“My bags are designed for the modern woman in all her incarnations”.

Fabiana’s talent is her unique ability to observe others and cast herself in many roles. This enables her to design elegant solutions to life’s daily challenges. Her designs travel from work to playground to hip and trendy restaurants. They’re utterly versatile, classy without pretention, and a pleasure to carry. Fabiana’s uncanny ability to design for us all proves that sometimes being not rational can lead to great triumph.

So why do we love these bags so much?

Is it the fact that these bags are so stylish yet practical, or it is that they are made with ethical cow and lamb leathers and are the lightest large bag we have ever picked up? Perhaps it’s the fact that the quality is impeccable and the bags come in many exciting colours?

For us it’s the fact that every bag comes with all the trappings of a uniquely beautiful bag – a sleeper bag, fabric lining, loads of pockets and space for our bits and pieces and our very own little Not Rational pin.

Not Rational bags are still simple and practical, a truth that is an intimate part of their beauty. The bags are favored by celebrities from Jennifer Aniston to Lindsay Lohan, Christy Turlington, Jessica Simpson, Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek. Editors in the know, such as Sarah Bailey of United States Harper’s Bazaar, count themselves as fans of the line.

Nicole Hooper-Marshall, Founder of Cedar Leaf regularly carries the Cognac Leather Hansel and the Dark Grey Canvas and Purple Leather Hansel. You will see Wendy Mak, Founder of Smitten with Style, Personal Stylists, carrying her Black Patent Hansel during her Client Sessions.

These bags are a permanent fixture in the Cedar Leaf store, so click here now to choose your very own.

Hell in Heels

I’m sure that almost all women of the world are united in feeling the pain and suffering of a day or event in towering heels. We know we look amazing but the long terms effects of these painful necessities do us no favours.

At least during our pregnancies we can get some respite by deciding to wear our beautiful flats. These things become our friend and rightly so...they are not only practical and comfortable but they actually look great with our maternity staples of jeans, palazzo pants or knee length dresses.

An article from The Telegraph (UK) newspaper says: “News that Angelina Jolie, pregnant with twins, had her Louboutin heels specially reduced for her recent red carpet appearance at Cannes was a fillip to expectant mothers, myself included, struggling to keep up with the current vogue for both very high and ultra-low footwear.Jolie, we learn, has also been discreetly wearing Nike insoles in her shoes to stop her arches crumpling beneath the extra weight she's carrying - so it looks as though she's been sensible enough to take professional advice on how to avoid major problems with her feet”.

It would seem that the correct advice for expectant mothers is to make sure your feet are correctly supported and apparently an innersole will assist by moulding to the true shape of your foot.

A buying tip is that all French Sole ballet slippers come with an innersole so this will make the whole experience more streamlined. A lot of people still believe that flat ballet slippers are for girls in their teens but we are here to tell you that is anything but the truth.

Depending on your own individual style you are spoilt for choice with labels like French Sole which you can find in store at http://www.cedarleaf.com.au/ . You will be able to find a pair or two to suit you we promise!

Cap it off with a Cardiagn

Every second photo you see of pregnant celebrities now days shows them wearing a cardigan over just about everything. Why, I hear you say… well it because it is the most practical and comfortable solution to stay warm during the cooler months and most of all it has the added bonus of elongating your body when worn correctly.

Generally speaking if you are quite tall then you would look fabulous in longer line cardigan, if you are a little on the shorter side then a cropped cardi will work perfectly for you, and for anyone in between go crazy with and try something bright and cheerful at any length.

We recommend trying knitted cardigans in beautiful fabrics like cashmere. If you purchase a classic piece and care for it properly you will have it for years to come.

Also, don’t limit yourself only to knitted cardigans, try a cropped leather jacket for a ‘right to the minute’ look or a long flowing jersey wrap which you can pull together, cinched in with a belt above your tummy for a look which will take you from day to night.

Cardigans look great with everything and are versatile enough to dress up or down but be careful not to look too ‘nanna-ish’. Make sure you purchase a style which suits your shape, individuality and colouring preferably without any embroidery, overly large buttons or without any shape. Use the mantra “Keep it Simple” when purchasing.

The main thing to remember here is to choose the style of cardigan which you would normally wear when you are not expecting, this will ensure you will continue to wear it after your special package or packages arrive.

Shown in the image above on: Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry, Jessica Alba and Nicole Ritchie.