I've been dreaming about the idea of Christmas holidays with no real plans for quite some time. Waking up with the sun, spending mornings on the sand (and calling dibs on 'the spot' at the beach), trying new recipes, revisiting old ones and celebrating nothing in particular with friends and family. The best part is when the days begin to blend and you stop noticing or caring about the time.
This Christmas ...
Having recently moved closer to the beach (just in time for Christmas), I’ll be spending the morning soaking up some rays before hurrying back home to rustle up the classics to the sweet sounds of Mariah. The end result: Something Swiss, something Peruvian and, of course, something insanely decadent via Jamie Oliver. The night will most likely fizzle out watching Love Actually, as always.
What I'm gifting ...
I’m trying to be more mindful this year and find gifts that are genuinely useful and add to my loved ones’ lives in more ways than taking up space. On the list: A plant (chilli?), something crafted by hand, a book to provide some deep belly laughs and little something to inspire some actual down time these holidays.
I'd love to receive ...
Just as I am trying to be more mindful in my gifting, my wish list consists of two categories on opposite ends of the scale: something I’ll keep forever and ‘replenish-able’ items. The repeat offenders are: a new candle to burn, a record to spin, a new lip shade to try, a framed photograph and perhaps, if I'm lucky, a piece of art or something shiny.
My New Year's Eve looks like ...
Over time I’ve learnt to never make concrete plans for New Year’s Eve - that night has a mind of its own. All I know for sure is I have a full pot of glitter eyeshadow and I’m not afraid to use it. J.Lo’s Waiting for Tonight will be playing on repeat.
The holiday soundtrack ...
For the beach: a light Samba and a whole lot of Reggae.
For the nights: old school 2000's, Snoop, Brandy, Naughty By Nature.
I'm reading ...
Everything I’ve ‘put on hold’ or have been recommended during the year. On top of the list: Too Much & Not The Mood, The School of Life, Ways of Seeing and Daring Greatly.
Love Actually, 2003; MATTEAU swimsuit; DRNKS 2018 I’ll Fly Away … Zibibbo; PHOTOGRAPHY @jamieoliver; STAUD shoes.com; MATTEAU towel; GANNI hat; @theplantsocietyau; PARTS OF FOUR Cinnamon Candle wedge; Santiago Rodriguez Tarditi, The Monocle Guide to Better Living; COUNTRY ROAD HOME Tea set; PAPIER LABO Rope Incense; DRNKS 2019 Basket Range Wines Pet Nat; NOTOTRIOUS B.I.G, Juicy; MALIN + GOETZE candle; OFFICINE UNIVERSELLE BULY comb; Grace, Rachel Rutt, Silk and Dye; CATBIRD NYC anklet; AĒSOP Coriander Seed Body Cleanser; JACQUEMUS top; Jennifer Lopez, Waiting for Tonight; ANN DEMEULEMEESTER dress; URBAN DECAY Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Midnight Cowboy; M.A.C COSMETICS glitter; PHOTOGRAPHY @alexanderwangny; PACO RABANNE bag; João Gilberto, Amoroso/Brasil; Naughty By Nature, Holiday; Bob Marley and The Wailers, Catch A Fire; Snoop Dogg, Tha Doggfather; Brandy, Never Say Never; Alain De Botton, The School of Life: An Emotional Education; John Berger, Ways of Seeing; Durga Chew-Bose, Too Much and Not the Mood; CHLOÉ sunglasses.
