Tell us a little bit about yourself.
 
Hello! My name is Colby, I'm a freelance Brand Marketing Consultant and Photographer based in Sydney.

I was born and raised in New York, studying and working in fashion from a young age. It was then that I discovered my true love for working with brands in the digital space.

But as the story goes, I came to Sydney on holiday to visit my best friend and met my now long-term partner. So shortly after graduating from FIT, I decided to make the move to Australia and I'm so incredibly grateful to call Sydney my home now.

I spend most of my downtime by the ocean and love getting out into nature as part of my every day.

This time of year, we celebrate many things, the year that was and the excitement of what’s to come. It’s a time to gather, eat delicious food and be with loved ones. Whether you are basking in the summer rays or wrapping up watching the snow fall, it’s time to escape into the precious moments of the festive season.

Friend of the brand Colby Milano, is always escaping into the beauty of each day, inspiring us to looking at the simple things around us.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
 
Hello! My name is Colby, I'm a freelance Brand Marketing Consultant and Photographer based in Sydney.

I was born and raised in New York, studying and working in fashion from a young age. It was then that I discovered my true love for working with brands in the digital space.

But as the story goes, I came to Sydney on holiday to visit my best friend and met my now long-term partner. So shortly after graduating from FIT, I decided to make the move to Australia and I'm so incredibly grateful to call Sydney my home now.

I spend most of my downtime by the ocean and love getting out into nature as part of my every day.

Tips on how to unwind for the holiday season:
 
I think this might be a life tip, but I like to make sure I leave some days completely free. Unwinding looks different depending on how I feel in the moment and only can I really recharge and give myself what I need if I don't overbook. Whether that's spending time in the sun, going for a swim, doing a Pilates class, making fresh pasta, having a long afternoon shower, drinking wine and listening to music, or spending quality time with my partner and pup. Some of my best days have been completely spontaneous so I like to leave space for that.
 
How to style with ease in the festive season.
 
Consciously buying pieces you love and can wear a lot really helps. I like having go-to items I always feel-good wearing so getting dressed isn't a stress.

The Escape has become my staple bag for when I head out for the day and I need my camera, a towel for the beach and space for when I stop by the shops to pick up ingredients for dinner. I find it easier knowing I have pieces I can rely on and love equally.
 
The perfect simple dish to share with loved ones and why you chose this dish?
 
A baked ziti! We're talking total Italian-American comfort food in one big dish. If anyone has ever watched the Sopranos you'll know what I'm talking about.

As an Italian New Yorker with a very large family, you can imagine I've eaten many baked zitis in my life. It's amazing how many people here have never had it or heard of it! This kind of makes it extra special for me, it reminds me of home and my family, and I get to share that part of my life with my loved ones here in Australia.

Want to make your own baked ziti? Find recipe here.

Tips on how to unwind for the holiday season:
 
I think this might be a life tip, but I like to make sure I leave some days completely free. Unwinding looks different depending on how I feel in the moment and only can I really recharge and give myself what I need if I don't overbook. Whether that's spending time in the sun, going for a swim, doing a Pilates class, making fresh pasta, having a long afternoon shower, drinking wine and listening to music, or spending quality time with my partner and pup. Some of my best days have been completely spontaneous so I like to leave space for that.
 
How to style with ease in the festive season.
 
Consciously buying pieces you love and can wear a lot really helps. I like having go-to items I always feel-good wearing so getting dressed isn't a stress.

The Escape has become my staple bag for when I head out for the day and I need my camera, a towel for the beach and space for when I stop by the shops to pick up ingredients for dinner. I find it easier knowing I have pieces I can rely on and love equally.
 
The perfect simple dish to share with loved ones and why you chose this dish?
 
A baked ziti! We're talking total Italian-American comfort food in one big dish. If anyone has ever watched the Sopranos you'll know what I'm talking about.

As an Italian New Yorker with a very large family, you can imagine I've eaten many baked zitis in my life. It's amazing how many people here have never had it or heard of it! This kind of makes it extra special for me, it reminds me of home and my family, and I get to share that part of my life with my loved ones here in Australia.

Want to make your own baked ziti? Find recipe here.

What does finding beauty in the everyday mean to you?

On the surface, it means just that. I truly love to capture mundane moments that are beautiful to me and hope they inspire other people. But in the depths of it, it means consciously slowing down, being more attuned and having more consideration in everyday life.
 
What does escaping mean to you?

While escaping has a few obvious meanings, the one that rings most true for me is a temporary distraction from routine. I honestly think it can be big or small. Whether that be fully getting away and immersing yourself in a new country or culture or just going somewhere local and different to change things up.

What do you hope 2023 brings?

I always hope for the health and happiness of my family and loved ones. I hope to continue to work on new and interesting projects, set up my studio, launch my business officially, work on our house and plan our wedding! I'm also looking forward to having some of my family visit us.
 
Where is your next destination?

My partner and I are actually planning this at the moment. It will be somewhere up or down the coast, on a beach, where we can take our dog to swim, make nice food and switch off.
 
My festive playlist on repeat is…

Anyone who knows me knows I have a deep love for creating playlists, I probably have too many. If it's festive specific I'd have to go with an old one that was created with songs that play throughout the holidays at my home in New York: Ultimate Holiday Playlist.

Follow Colby @colbymilano

What does finding beauty in the everyday mean to you?

On the surface, it means just that. I truly love to capture mundane moments that are beautiful to me and hope they inspire other people. But in the depths of it, it means consciously slowing down, being more attuned and having more consideration in everyday life.
 
What does escaping mean to you?

While escaping has a few obvious meanings, the one that rings most true for me is a temporary distraction from routine. I honestly think it can be big or small. Whether that be fully getting away and immersing yourself in a new country or culture or just going somewhere local and different to change things up.
 
What do you hope 2023 brings?

I always hope for the health and happiness of my family and loved ones. I hope to continue to work on new and interesting projects, set up my studio, launch my business officially, work on our house and plan our wedding! I'm also looking forward to having some of my family visit us.
 
Where is your next destination?

My partner and I are actually planning this at the moment. It will be somewhere up or down the coast, on a beach, where we can take our dog to swim, make nice food and switch off.
 
My festive playlist on repeat is…

Anyone who knows me knows I have a deep love for creating playlists, I probably have too many. If it's festive specific I'd have to go with an old one that was created with songs that play throughout the holidays at my home in New York: Ultimate Holiday Playlist.

Colby's picks for the festive season