Yes Yes YES! It’s that time of year! I’m so pumped this year to see my family in Melbourne for a huge reunion, to celebrate my best friend’s 40th, my Dad’s 80th and finish up with New Year’s Eve in beautiful Byron Bay! It’s been an amazing and challenging year full of wonderful lessons, personal growth and transformation. I’m so grateful for all of it and so grateful to now enjoy some down time with my precious family and friends.
Here are some fun beach pics from a recent adventure wearing a whole lot of my favorite holiday jewelry from Embella. We are tapping into the holiday vibe early as we like to do here in WA.
Sending so much holiday cheer, love, joy, peace and new year blessings to you all!
“Dream big with all the love and joy in your heart and pave the way for all the wondrous magic and miracles of life”
I’m so excited to share this photo shoot Bobby and I created in Hawaii for Billabong Australia for their January Fade to White collection. We had a whole day to play in the sunshine and salt water, soak up all the Aloha, as we explored the incredible northshore coastline. We felt so far removed from the world, in our own creative bubble. It was all so dreamy.
I’ve been floating in that bubble ever since and rather than looking to the next holiday, next break, next satisfying fulfilling distraction, my every day has become an ongoing stream of all that I love. It’s work and play all rolled into one. I don’t feel the need to escape my life, my work, my heartaches or my reality. I’m learning to simply be, accept all that comes, all that I create, love what is, and ride the wave. I’m thankful for each miraculous experience, even if it’s painful at times.
Hawaii definitely stole my heart and amplified my dreams to new heights. The energy of this land is just so magnetic and healing and brought so many insights to me simply be being there. I’m so grateful for my opportunities to travel and experience so much in this beautiful world.
Thailand has to be one of my favourites places ever. I feel so grateful to have experienced another amazing adventure to this beautiful country once again. During your vacation, you may want to spend time traveling with online locations, click here to kill your boredom. This time, we were lucky enough to journey through Bangkok and stay at The Siam Hotel, which has to be in my Top 10 all time best hotels I’ve ever stayed at. I’m so grateful to the wonderful Wanderlust + Co, who organised so many beautiful relaxing, pampering and adventure filled experiences for us on this trip, making it one we’ll never forget.
These few days away gave both Bobby and I an opportunity to really spend precious time together. Time to connect and time to create magic. We were continually inspired by our surrounds. There was so much culture and beauty everywhere we went. We spent our first day relaxing and catching our breath after leaving our busy home and daily routines. That first massage was all it took and we completely melted into holiday mode. It was hands down one of the best massages I’ve ever had. Big thanks to the Opium Spa at the The Siam for a job well done. We basically walked out of the spa with the hugest grins on our faces. The rest of our pamper day was well spent relaxing by the pool, exploring the hotel and all the incredible collectibles they have, chatting with locals, and simply being in the moment, enjoying all that life has to offer.
A perfect day in paradise was followed by an amazing dinner at Le Du restaurant. If you love seafood this place is so for you. Each plate was beautifully presented and the flavours and textures of each dish were perfectly balanced. My favourite was definitely dessert! Thai desserts are simply the best!
The next part of our journey led us to the floating markets in Bangkok. As we floated through the markets, sipping on fresh coconuts, we had the opportunity to see some traditional thai handicrafts and experience the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. We then ventured to the Grand Palace and enjoyed a serene walk throughout the grounds, admiring all the incredible architecture and detail of this sacred place. It’s simply something you have to see with your own eyes.
I’m still on cloud nine after an amazing midweek trip to Sydney, where I was lucky enough to meet a few of my all time favourite designers and inspirational women – Samantha Wills + Elizabeth and Isabella from Spell Designs. It really was a dream come true for me to connect with these lovely ladies and thank them in person for their endless inspiration. I’ve felt incredibly blessed throughout my blogging journey to work with authentic and genuine people, who also happen to design such beautiful jewellery, clothing and accessories.
I’m also incredibly thankful to my husband, Bobby Bense, for supporting me and taking care of our gorgeous children, while I galavant across country. It was a much needed time out for me, a moment of pause to enjoy all that I’ve created and celebrate with like hearted kindred souls.
Here is a little collection of pictures from the events I attended – Samantha Wills Pania Showcase and Spell Designs book launch, and hanging out at QT hotels with the lovely Suzie + Jenna from Turquoise Lane. I also managed to squeeze in a very last minute trip to Bondi just so I could get my feet in the sand ;)
Now I’m back and gearing up for the next adventure to one of my favourite holiday destinations ;)
Six Senses Yao Noi was by far one of the very best resorts we have ever stayed at. Bobby and I have done our fair share of travel to luxury resorts, though after our stay here, we have been catapulted to a new level of standard. The attention to detail is definitely their most astounding quality. And for someone like me, who is so into details, nothing was missed.
As you step off the boat and onto this island paradise the landscape will instantly awe you. Breathtaking panoramic views of limestone karsts sit on the horizon in Phang Nga bay that can be seen from your villa or the main pool at the Hilltop Reserve. The entire design of the resort flows so seamlessly with the natural mangrove surrounds, with all structures built around the trees and into the landscape. The interior spaces particularly appealed to my Scandinavian roots and my love of neutral and natural decor. They have created such a clear and easy space that evokes relaxation right away.
Their focus on sustainability, and commitment to social and environmentally responsible practices is commendable. They are so genuine at Six Senses and you can feel how much they really care. The passion in all the staff is not only evident in their smiles, but in the positive energy they all radiant. We felt instantly taken care of the moment we arrived. I can really see why people come here for months at a time for retreat. The whole resort is abuzz with such a high vibrational energy. It ticks all the boxes and then some.
As a couple of foodies, Bobby and I were thoroughly impressed with the quality, variety and divine flavour of absolutely everything. The standard the chefs adhere to is in a league of their own. They only accept the freshest and best produce in their kitchen. They grow so much of their food in beautiful organic gardens spread across the property. They have their own mushroom shed, and an organic egg farm, where you can choose your own eggs for breakfast. But by far the biggest culinary treat they have is the Ice cream shop where they create yummy flavours and bake all kinds of assorted deliciouness. But wait….seriously it gets better….. you can actually go and eat ice cream for free all day long at the ice cream shop right by mai tai beach! Yes, this place is heaven!
A few other highlights of our stay that all added up to one beyond amazing adventure – being surprised with my very own specially made gluten free desserts by the pool. Dinner with management that was more like dinner with old friends…and they served gemstone water {an amazing water containing high vibrational crystals to amplify and vitalise your energy}. Finding an awesome old school wooden rope swing on the beach and no one on it! Swimming in the warm, tropical rain showers without a care in the world. Waking up at sunrise to a magical purple haze sky that lasted all of a few minutes but was so worth waking up for. Day spa pampering and discovering they use Tibetan Singing bowls. And of course lazing by the pool with a cocktail in hand (with lemongrass for a straw) …basically we were in heaven for a few days and I’m still dreaming of going back.
I can’t recommend this place enough to my fellow wanderlust travellers out there. I know that every experience in life is a matter of perspective based on each individual’s view of themselves and their world. I always try to find the good in everything. This was like finding gold at the end of the rainbow. The jackpot!
I hope you guys go visit Six Senses Yao Noi and please share with me your experiences of this utterly magical sanctuary.
With love and gratitude,
Helen xx
Travel Tips –
Definitely take a long tail boat out and go island hopping….the limestone karsts are so beautiful in the bay and a must see close up!
The rooms are all absolutely incredible. If you are a beach lover like me opt for the beachfront villa so you can have direct access to the beach. It’s perfect for swimming and so private and pristine.
Check out the day spa and the wonderful healing massages.
Their take on a margarita is the bomb! Must have!
Everything is actually so amazing so you won’t be disappointed ;)
I’d suggest arriving during the daylight hours as you will need to transfer from car to boat to get to Yao Noi Island. It’s a smooth ride though and nice to enjoy the view of the turquoise sea and snap pics :) Aim to arrive before 6pm and you should be all good.
It was the perfect northern california summer’s day….blues skies, beaming sunshine, epic surf, and that amazing low key vibe I love most about Santa Cruz. I was turquoise crushing bad on these amazing handmade jewels from the Turquoise Zone. Paired with some super divine Spell lace and this outfit was simply like living inside a dream. I also happened to be in my most favourite place ever having my annual catch up with my beautiful sister, Reija. After a revitalising beach walk full of wild winds and salty ocean mists, we topped off this spectacular day with sunset margaritas overlooking the ocean and a bbq with the family. Total and utter bliss!
No matter how much time passes, I’m continually drawn here, to this place, this beach, to my sister, my family. It feels like my other home, and it’s probably because each time I visit I leave a little piece of my heart here. I’m so immensely grateful for the precious time we had with our US family. We may have been separated by oceans all these years as our children have grown up, but our connection is as strong as ever. It’s always the quality of the time that matters most, not the quantity…though I’d take more in a heartbeat ;) We love you guys!
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