Hello December
The month that was all wrapped up in one place
{If you’re new here, this is the monthly round-up email I send out to my OG blog subscribers. I send out this format every month - with some bonus Substack posts in between - and I include some offers and ideas from my sponsors. Your support of the work I do with my sponsors helps to keep my newsletters free to you, so thank you!}
I don’t know about you but lately I have not run into a single person who’s not shared that they are limping towards the end of the year. No-one’s leaping for joy and bursting with vitality. Collectively it seems it’s been an overwhelming and exhausting year, the culmination of many exhausting years before that. I don’t have all the answers for how to keep going when life feels so relentless and hamster-wheel like but this is what I’ve been doing so that I can show up each day and do what I need to do.
I make a conscious effort to get to bed early. I’m in bed by 9.30pm, book down by 10pm. Making sleep a priority has been something I’ve understood more over the past few years and it really does pay off.
I get up each day and move my body. It might be a walk, an online yoga or pilates class or swimming laps. I just do something. I do this for my mental health and, again, prioritise that.
I limit social invitations. ‘Tis the season of the catch up. But it really doesn’t mean you have to say yes to every invite. I say a big YES to people and occasions that fill my cup but not to every night out of the week.
I put down my phone at 8pm. Mostly. I’m getting better at this because I know I have a calmer, more sleep-ready brain if I’m not responding and reacting to every notification right up until bed time.
I’m calling on the power of dopamine dressing. Yes, I’m back sharing 12 Festive Fits (this is Look 2) in the lead up to Christmas - it makes me pull something fun and colourful from my wardrobe and, in turn, this helps to make me feel a little festive.
Tell me, what do you do to help yourself through the end-of-year slump? Leave a comment below!
Nikki
xoxo
PS. I do know that you can be feeling more than an end-of-year slump right now. Maybe you’ve lost someone near and dear to you. Today would have been my mum’s 80th birthday. I wrote a blog post almost 10 years ago about how her sudden death eight days after her 51st birthday has thrown a cloak of grief over this time. You can read it HERE.
Want to read more in 2025?
One of the best gifts I’ve ever given myself was a membership to the Birds of a Feather online book club. I’ve always loved reading but over the years, my reading mojo had waned. My phone would win the battle for my attention. I knew I missed reading but I didn’t know how to get the habit back. And, yes, it’s back! And it’s thanks to Birds of a Feather. Founded by two incredible Brisbane women, Bec and Jane, this is a book club that fits seamlessly into my life. I love that they often have the authors of each month’s books on the monthly Zoom meetings. I love that I can be in my pjs for those meetings. And I love that I can catch up via a podcast recording if I miss the meeting. But most of all, I love that I have read books from a wider range of authors than I otherwise would have.
Membership only opens once a year and if you’re keen to join for 2025, you have until December 31 to sign up HERE. Bec and Jane have also given me discount codes to share with you. Enter NIKKI10 at checkout for $10 off a standard membership or NIKKI40 for $40 off a premium membership.
Five Festive Outfits from Zoe Kratzmann
💫 I felt like a queen in every outfit of this Zoe Kratzmann try-on (click the video below to watch). The fabrics, the detailing, the cut … it all just worked. A word on sizing: It’s grouped sizing - from 0-3. I’m wearing size 2 (for 12-14 in everything which is my regular size).
Shop HERE. Save 20% off with my discount code: stylingyou20 (ends December 31, 2024)
(sponsored)
“To me, from me” at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre
I mean, it’s not Christmas without treating yourself to a new outfit, is it? Indooroopilly Shopping Centre (or Indro as us Brissos affectionately call it) is home to all your fave fashion brands. Make a day of it AND get your “to me, from me” gift wrapped until Christmas Eve - your minimum $2 donation goes to the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Watch the video from my festive outfit try-on below. Can you guess which look is now under my tree?
I visited: dissh, Sussan, Morrison, Oroton, Sunglass Hut
(sponsored)
Summer party looks sorted
If you can’t pop on a little colour for the summer party season, when can you? At Styling You The Label we’ve released a limited edition collection of linen or cotton/linen pieces to keep you cool and comfortable through the party season and beyond.
Shop HERE.
My fave suitcases … but even better
✈️ Travelling soon? Tell me where! I’m staycationing but I wanted to let you know that my holy grail suitcases just got even better. Zoomlite has just released its new Glide luggage range (carry-on and medium available to ship now and large shipping December 17). The difference is in the new scuff-resistant, aerospace grade German polycarbonate shell.
The reason why I love this checked luggage so much is its top opening function. We tried and tested it for our trip to Europe this year and it worked a treat in small hotel rooms.
Shop HERE … Zoomlite has given me a site-wide 10% discount code for you - it even applies as an extra discount on top of any bundle promotions they might be running. The discount will pop up when you visit the Zoomlite site.
(affiliate partner)
What I wear walking in summer (feat. Lululemon)
🥵 It’s impossible to escape the sweat factor when walking in a hot, humid summer but if you choose your active wear right (Lululemon) and your time right (early morning or evening), you’ll feel more comfortable pounding the pavement.
The key is in the fabrics - sweat wicking and breathable all the way! AND you know my thoughts on bike shorts. If you live somewhere where the summer is LONG and hot, get your legs out and just wear them! You won’t look back.
Shop my picks HERE and if you’re interested in what I wear for doing yoga in summer, click HERE.
(sponsored)
Want more outfit inspiration?
Click the image below or HERE to follow me on LTK and find links to many of the beauty and fashion recommendations I feature.
