And just like that 2020 is over. It was supposed to be my year of “ease and flow”. Words I chose back in 2019 of how I would like my year to be. And while it’s been far from the “ease and flow” year I expected, it’s ironic that during a pandemic, using these words to slow down, go within, breathe, accept and think has somehow organically created what it is that I really love to do…

If I could spend all my days surrounded by beautiful designs from small, local Australian brands and businesses (not to forget preloved 😉) and share them by filming a styling session in my wardrobe I would. I simply adore doing it. It’s no secret I love clothes. I always have, just ask any of my nearest and dearest. But what i’m really enjoying as I age, is being more mindful about the pieces I’ll allow into my wardrobe. They must suit me, work with pieces I already have, be well made, and of quality fabrics. If I can find out a little bit about the business or brand behind the item, even better. Ultimately what I’m after is a connection to each and every garment. Because this elevates shopping and wearing clothes to much more than just that. It gives it meaning and purpose. Which in turn, makes me feel good. And isn’t that what we all want? …

While I’ve collaborated with a few designers this year. The most recent collaboration with http://www.talamaya.com resonated with me. This brand is the brainchild of a beautiful soul who started her own label because she couldn’t find what she wanted in the industry she worked in. It’s fabrics are of exquisite quality, natural organic cottons and the softest yarns, it’s designs are casually chic, as well as comfortable and draping in all the right places. It’s become my lifestyle brand and since I’m most comfortable barefoot and makeup free, I feel so at home wearing it.

And home for me is the beach. I was born and raised by the ocean and am my happiest here. So a six day pre- Christmas break on the surf coast was the perfect December lifestyle choice. If you follow Sarah London Lifestyle, you’ll know my favourite way to start my day is with a walk along the sand, and with superb weather, I enjoyed these each morning, followed by days reading on the sand and afternoon siestas before dining at Lorne’s finest restaurants. This is my idea of the perfect holiday. And I feel so lucky to have such destinations at my doorstep. Plus, it meant I got to #shopsmall #shoplocal and #shopaustralian 🙏🏻

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Being at the beach enabled me to discover two regional businesses who supported me during lockdown. http://www.deluxelorne.com is a small local business in Lorne that helped me source a mask for a piece of clothing during Stage 4 restrictions. The owner, really went above and beyond by messaging me when an extra one came her way after it was sold out. I wanted to say thank you by showing her little store to the world in my series Boutique Discoveries. Another store I featured in the series was http://www.kiitos.com.au This is a store I have been meaning to visit since I first bought their Greek linen elsewhere. Maria, the owner and designer, really has been one of the kindest, most generous business owners I have had the privilege of working with. So when I rocked up on the spur of the moment to her gorgeous Barwon Heads store, it was no surprise that she welcomed me with open arms, a hug, and a warehouse where I could film up whatever I wanted to. And this was when I had the epiphany that this was really what I wanted to do. I was surrounded with beautiful garments from a small, local, Australian business, and I had the opportunity to share them with the rest of Australia and the world. I was in my element..

Shopping small, local, prelove and Australian is what I’m really about. This message is what keeps me on my SarahLondonStyle IG page. It feels grounded, authentic and true. (It didn’t start off this way, but soon pivoted when I began to question my pages purpose.) And that purpose was to make what I do in my wardrobe feel better. I started to call myself the MINDFUL stylist. Encouraging wearing clothes at least 30 times each, talking about fashion repeats, buying once and well, and creating meaning in what we wear. All with the intention of wearing what we already have. And by promoting small, local, preloved Australian businesses mindfully suggesting that any further purchasing be from shops like them. And now, as a new year dawns, I find this page becoming my own little side hustle 😊 and with it the offers to advertise product grow. So it’s a good feeling, to know that anything I choose to showcase will be mindfully selected. They need to fall under the “small, local, preloved or Australian” umbrella. And they must be something I would buy and wear! Or I simply won’t do it! Why? Because this is what keeps me authentic, brings me joy and gives my page the meaning and purpose I need for spending so much time on it and in my wardrobe … now what will my word for 2021 be? 🙏🏻

Wishing you all the very best for 2021.

Sarah xx