October 21… too soon for Christmas! There seems to be an insidious spread of all things “ho-ho-ho” across the land. My response has been “la-la-la I can’t see/hear you” until an email from Inside Out magazine’s Managing Editor Lee Tran Lam popped into my inbox.

It’s a headspin to think that our November issue is nearly on our doorstep (out Thursday, actually!) and it’s an earlybird look at Christmas. I know, I know, it seems too soon, right? But the holiday season has a funny way of sneaking up when you least expect it, so maybe it’s better to be over-prepared than to be feeling crushed with stress as Christmas Eve speeds upon arrival?

As inspiration, I’m sending you the incredibly laidback home that features on our cover. It’s a Mornington Peninsula beach house – and it took the owners a year to find it. They picked up the keys on Anzac Day and resolved to be hosting Christmas guests by the year’s end. And incredibly their builder did the most surprising thing – he finished the project on the exact date that he promised he would, on December 1. (I know, crazy right?) You can see how it would be a great backdrop for holiday celebrations – it’s really lovely and open and family-friendly. No one is tripping over Christmas presents in this house! Styling by Heather Nette King. Photography by Armelle Habib.

Love the house and the whole relaxed, beachy Christmas vibe. So Aussie. Can’t wait to see more. Maybe when the November issue hits the stands on Thursday it won’t be “la-la-la” anymore but “tra-la-la-lala” instead. Don’t fret if you aren’t in Australia though. You can read along on  Zinio, Google Play, the Apple Newsstand and Nook.