a very bassike christmas with ella and lola

December 09, 2019

friends of bassike, photographer and creative ella jane, and model and pr coordinator lola van vorst invite us into their potts point apartment to share their family traditions, holiday memories, and why it’s the company that makes all the difference.

what are you most looking forward to this holiday season?

e: spending time at home with my loved ones, slowing down, and swimming a lot.

l: doing a whole lot of nothing with the people i love the most.

 

what is your favourite christmas tradition?

e: christmas in my family usually stays between my mom, dad, and sister. preparing lunch together without the stress of hosting has always felt slow and special.

l: i still get a santa sack.. i’m 31.

 

what is your most cherished holiday memory?

e: we used to live in england, so christmas looked a lot different. the lead up was always fond memories of smelling fresh pine in the living room, warm colours, and the sound of carols.

 

what does christmas mean to you?

e: in australia it feels like a marker for summer, holidays, and a chance to connect with those close to you.

l: coming from a religious background it was always “jesus is the reason for the season”, now it’s more a time when i get to be with family and celebrate them. they’re the most important thing to me.

 

what will you be giving this christmas and how do you do so in a conscious and sustainable way?

e: this christmas i will be looking at sustainable alternatives by gifting friends and family prints of my photographic work, and wood fired ceramics by my dad, which are incredibly special.

l: i try and only buy people things when i see them, i don’t often go overboard at christmas - although i do love to spoil people. a gift that someone can use and get use out of is always important.

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events are only as good as the people that make them, and anything is possible when you are equipped with good cheese!

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we all spend the day at my parents’ house in byron bay, eating, drinking and swimming, always low-key, and ‘love actually’ is often involved.

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how will your family be celebrating this christmas?

l: mum and i always spend the day together and usually just eat or go down to the beach.

e: we all spend the day at my parents’ house in byron bay, eating, drinking and swimming, always low-key, and ‘love actually’ is often involved.

 

what is your favourite dish to prepare for christmas lunch/dinner?

e: i’ve started peeling prawns with my dad, he does the heads and i do the shell. it’s gross, but meditative, and nice to chat while we do it.

l: prawns, prawns and more prawns! also can’t deny me that chrissy ham.

 

what are your must-haves for holiday event hosting?

e: having good friends and good parmesan. events are only as good as the people that make them, and anything is possible when you are equipped with good cheese!

l: ella. she’s my martha stewart.

 

what is your approach to holiday dressing?

l: clothes that expand with me.

e: always minimal, easy to take off (for swims), and comfortable.

 

how do you rejuvenate and refresh in the new year?

e: by striking a good balance between late nights and early mornings, feeding myself what i feel like, laughing a lot, and spending time in nature.  

l: make sure i’m spending most of my time outdoors before i’m in an office again! it’s so important to make sure we’re refreshed and renewed for the year ahead.

ella and lola's wishlist

ella and lola's gift edit

photographed by claudia smith