We caught up with the ever-stylish Emily Yates to chat all things staycations, slow mornings, and winter escapes in Byron Bay.

Follow Emily on Instagram @emelinaah

What draws you to the idea of a staycation in the slower seasons, and how do you like to make the most of downtime at home or close to home? 

"Byron winters are just so magical — usually full of clear skies and crisp mornings and evenings. It’s cool enough to rug up and light a fire, but still warm enough in the middle of the day to lay by the pool and enjoy the sun. It’s my favourite time of year in this area!

I love lighting the fire, watching the early sunsets with friends and a glass of red, and then snuggling in for a movie in the early evenings. It’s so wholesome — really the antithesis of the chaotic summer energy this area brings."

How do you transition your wardrobe for cooler days while staying true to your personal style?

"A lot of layering, and I feel like any outfit can be warm as long as I pair it with boots! If my feet are warm, I'm warm (that probably speaks more to our mild winters than any actual factual evidence)." 

What piece from the Palm collection is your winter go-to, and how do you like to style it?

"There are so many pieces from the collection that I love! I love the Alessia Dress in Flower Ceramics with a pair of knee high boots and thick socks under to keep me cosy! And I adore the Roma Dress in Orange Plates with a great suede jacket and boots!" 

What does your ideal slow weekend look like—from morning rituals to winding down at night?

"My kids are up earrrllyyyy ! So it’s usually cosy morning, making porridge. The kids love to draw while I take my time cooking. I than usually spend a good half an hour with a hot cup of coffee watering and tending to my garden. It’s one of my life’s biggest joys ! We than always try to get the kids out the house - A winter surf, or the skate park, and a ride to the local cafe. The afternoons we usually light a fire, potter around outside and cook dinner together. Dinner on the weekends is usually a pretty special affair. Fox calls it “ fancy dinner” as we usually set the table somewhere nice in the garden, pop some music on and spend the afternoon until the sun goes down in the garden."