Portrait - Denise Braki

It's been a treat to have stylist and blogger Little Nicki working with us in the T&W studio this year. You might have spotted her styling credit popping up here on the T&W Journal (under her full name, Nicole Valentine Don) and on Instagram (she's at @little_nicki_). Last year she shared a snowbound Week in Pictures from her Canadian homeland. This year she's on spending Christmas in Sydney's Tamarama. We asked her about Christmas in a hot climate...

My kind of Christmas is: Ideally, in Canada with family. Snow on the ground, but cozy inside next to a fire with a cup of coffee and Bailey's - that's my Christmas morning treat. Then we'd go ice skating or tobogganing or just stay in pyjamas all day!

My advice for pre-Christmas parties is: EAT (it's easy to forget that part when there is champagne flowing) and be merry. Try and let loose and enjoy all you've seen and done this year. 

Photography - Lauren Bamford

On Christmas Day I'll be: With my husband's family at our place in Tamarama, where hopefully it will be nice enough for a swim. Then we will have a big family gathering on the other side of the bridge with lots of food . I guess I won't be staying in my pj's this year.

My top tip for Christmas decorating is: I like to bring out a few traditional or nostalgic items each year, like my stocking I've had since my first Christmas, but I also like to include ephemeral items from nature or make something that is non-traditional, but festive and can stay up for the rest of the year. I made an ojos de dios tree a couple of years ago for Christmas and it is a colourful addition to my dining room now. The same can go for a garland in a window or a wreath on your door - neither need to be season and holiday specific. You can steer clear of red and green too- I went pink with my holiday lights a while back.

Photography - Dara Tipapart

This year I'm buying: I'd like to upgrade few things in my home, like maybe a new lounge or perhaps just covering the one I have in beautiful linen. It's probably time to admit I need a new computer as well…

I secretly hope someone gives me: A beautiful piece of jewellery - ha ;)

 

After Christmas I'll be reading/listening to/seeing: I'd like to read The Goldfinch by: Donna Tartt, see a few shows at the STC, go see Joy at the theatres (gotta' love Jennifer Lawrence & Bradley Cooper) and the second season of Fargo at home, which is all shot in the city where I went to high school - Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I'll probably just keep listening to Fleetwood Mac.

My best #lifehack for Christmas time is: Bailey's in your Christmas morning coffee - is that a life hack? Okay, instead of buying paper and gift tags, use newspaper or magazine pages to wrap with. Or I like to use simple brown paper (you can cut up old shopping bags) and stick a paint swatch on as a tag- that trick always gets the 'oohs' and 'how clever!'s.

 Follow Nicki on Instagram @little_nicki_