Are YOU your own worst enemy?

It’s exhausting being a woman some days. Do you agree? I can honestly say that I am my own worst enemy and I often find it way too easy to judge myself. A friend recently shared this Huffington Post article (23 Things Every Woman Should Stop Doing) on Facebook and it really struck a chord with me. The pressure we place on ourselves can truly be detrimental to our well-being.

If you have time today, I thoroughly recommend you read the Huffington Post article.

Personally I can’t relate or agree to everything listed in the article, but here are the points that did resonated in me:

1. Apologising all the time. Even if something is not my fault, I apologise for it!

2. Body-snarking — out loud or in your own head. Our bodies are meant to change and adapt as we get older. I’m learning to accept this and stop judging the bits that wobble.

3. Feeling like an impostor when you accomplish something professionally. Hands up if you’ve kept quiet about a promotion, big bonus or any type of career accomplishment. Are we embarrassed or do we just feel unworthy of the recognition? Every success – big or small – is worth celebrating! 

4. Wearing heels every day. Hell no! I learned that lesson a long time ago. My heels constantly needed repairs and it was costing me a small fortune. Nowadays, I wear ballet flats to the office and change into heels. I currently have 11 pairs of heels under my desk! How many do you have?

5. Comparing your real life to someone else’s virtual one. I spend a lot of time browsing the internet. Like A LOT of time. {Note to self: must upgrade data usage}. This means that I’m updated every day on what my friends are doing, saying, partying, reading, living, dating, travelling etc. I’m human. Of course I envy certain friends and family members. But it’s important NOT to make comparisons.

6. Holding on to regrets and guilt. Like most people, I’ve got a few regrets in life. Who doesn’t? But a quick acknowledge of that regret is enough to move on and learn from it.

7. WebMD-ing everything. I love playing the Dr Google game, especially when it comes to fertility. Hubby and I have been trying to conceive for a number of years so every niggle, cramp, headache is a sign that I might be carrying a gremlin.

8. Worrying that your life doesn’t look like Pinterest. Are you serious? This is my biggest problem of all. I have a fantasy wardrobe, fantasy house, fantasy celeb friends …. And I’m married to Ryan Gosling. It’s time to hop off my unicorn and pay Betty Ford a visit.

9. Not taking advantage of your vacation days. When I left my previous job, they paid me out 17 weeks’ worth of annual leave. Crazy, right? But like the Huffington article reports, the staff who take their annual leave are actually happier, healthier and more productive workers! My aim is to use alllllllll 28 days per year now.

10. Setting deadlines for major life events. I think having goals and timelines are good and well, but putting unnecessary pressure on yourself {read more here} is unhealthy. So much of life is meant to be unexpected. Enjoy the uncertainties, reassess if necessary and have fun I say!

Seriously, go and have a read of the article. Be kinder to yourself. Be proud of yourself. Be grateful for what you’ve got. Happy Thursday!

My week of Bali bliss

It’s no secret that I love to travel. It’s why I work in tourism!

And its certainly no secret that I love to indulgence whenever I can. {I blame it on my Taurus star sign}. Creature comforts will always rule my world.

Hubby and I are back from a week away in Bali. We haven’t travelled to Bali in 10 years and to be completely honest, it has never been a fav destination of ours.

But, how do I put this? Umm. BALI ROCKS. I don’t know what I was thinking? Of course I always knew Australians loved to visit this island oasis but I’d forgotten how spiritual and connected the place makes you feel.

If you interested to read on, this is the what/where/when/why/who/how of our Bali getaway.

ACCOMMODATION

Hubby and I stayed at The Kunja Bali Villas in Seminyak on the recommendation of a work colleague. I cannot recommend this place enough. It’s not five star but the service is five star. From our airport pick-up to our complimentary late check out, the staff were friendly, attentive and welcoming.

Our one bedroom villa was a massive 285 square metres and the swimming pool is one of the biggest I’ve seen for a private villa. A chef came to our villa each morning to cook us breakfast {nasi goreng overload} and again in the afternoon to cook us banana pancakes. The villas have a great sound system, free WIFI, walk-in closet, generous bathroom and the bed is super comfy. You can select in room spa treatments or opt to visit the spa centre on site.

The Kunja, Seminyak

The location of The Kunja is good but not great. The hotel offers a complimentary car transfer to anywhere in Seminyak, Legian or Kuta so we utilised this service several times a day. There was no need to walk anywhere.

SEMINYAK RESTAURANTS

Rumours: Cheap and cheerful. The lobster pasta was amazing!

Sarong: By far my favourite Bali dining experience, Sarong is a super stylish restaurant located around the corner from The Kunja. Asian inspired cuisine created elegantly in an open aired dining pavilion. My DIY steam duck buns were out of this world. Best to book this restaurant in advance!

Motel Mexicola: I swear the minute I walked into this place, I was no longer in Bali. The place screams Mexican and the decor is really quirky and colourful.We tried every Taco on the menu ($3 each) and the drinks menu heavily involves Tequila.

Motel Mexicola, Seminyak

Chez Gado Gado: Another great restaurant. High quality and reasonably priced. It’s located on the beach and very romantic. Definitely grab a table before the sun sets. {I fainted just after my main meal arrived – combination of Bali belly the day before, an empty stomach and 4 cocktails – so I didn’t get to finish my meal. However the friends we were dining with loved the food}.

SEMINYAK BARS

Potato Head Beach Club: We arrived here around midday and managed to secure a poolside position – minimum spend of 500,000 Rp on food and beverages. The Kookaburra cocktail is a MUST! Hubby mentioned the crab cakes were some of the best he’d eaten.

Potato Head Beach Club

Ku De Ta: I’m saving the best for last. This place had me grinning from ear to ear. It’s the BEST sunset venue in Bali. Arrive before 5pm, grab a bean bag, order an espresso martini, listen to the amazing chill out music and watch the sun disappear. This place doesn’t disappoint!

Ku De Ta

SHOPPING

Bali Boatshed: Great for men and women. Bikinis, boardies, frocks, towels, t-shirts, jewellery. This place has it all. Hubby bought 5 t-shirts in this place in less than 5 minutes!

Mien:  Handpicked furniture and homewares store that ships to Australia. Hubby wouldn’t let me touch/view/smell anything in the store. Boo! I have no idea why I deserved this type of punishment.

Uma and Leopold: Think embellishments, lovely frocks and luxe designs for the ladies!

 

MEDITATION

I’m trying to introduce meditation back into my morning routine and Bali was the perfect place to focus on this. I recently downloaded the CALM app and this helps me focus on my breathing and bring awareness to my body. It only takes 10 minutes and leaves me feeling calm and centred.

WHAT DID I READ? 

• Walking on Trampolines by Frances Whiting: Captures you immediately. Keep the tissues handy.

• While it Lasts by Abbi Glines: Fifty Shades of Grey meets Danielle Steel.

• Hubby read bio about Australia surfer Tom Carroll.

Bali is certainly a place I will happily visit again and again in the years to come. It soothes you, it heals you and it centres you. It’s Bali bliss.

Have you been to Bali before?

The Lover List is on Spring break

Dear Lovers

The Lover List is taking a short vacation this week. No posts. No updates. Just sunshine, surf, sand, shopping and sarongs for me.

Hubby and I are in Bali for a few days. It’s time to relax and unwind before the silly season really gets underway.

My addiction to Instagram is universal so feel free to follow me. There will be plenty of holiday photos uploaded to keep you entertained and jealous.

See you all again next week!

The best of Bali

Hubby and I are planning a quick trip to Bali later in the year. Sun, surf, sand and plenty of vodka infused cocktails {please} is on the agenda. It’s been about 10 years since we were last there so I’m researching where to stay.

We stayed in Ubud and Legian last time so was hoping to try a new destination. As most of you know, I work for a travel company, so gaining access to nice hotels, airfares, tours etc has it’s perks!

So look what I stumbled across yesterday. Five star Bali Resorts. {I mean seriously!!!!!!!!!!! Transport me to Bali RIGHT NOW}.

W Retreat & Spa Resort, Seminyak

Alila Villas Uluwatu

Banyan Tree Ungasan

Bulgari Resort, Uluwatu

The Samaya Seminyak

 

Which one is your favourite? I think Alila Villas is my favourite! Those sweeping views of the Indian Ocean are calling my name.

 

The Shore at Katathani

As you may know, I work for a travel company owned by an Australian airline. I love to travel so working in the tourism industry satisfies the gypsy within.

After all the drama and trauma of last year, I was needing a ‘flop and drop’ holiday. We rarely travel to the same country twice, but this time we returned to Thailand for some RnR.

We spent a couple of days at Centara Grand CentralWorld in Bangkok – we spent the entire time shopping, eating and drinking!

Then it was time to head south to Phuket. Now, it must be said that I’m not the greatest fan of Phuket but a colleague had recommended a new property and we decided to splurge and stay for 5 nights.

Let me introduce you to The Shore at Katathani – my new second home (I wish!). The staff greet you with a lotus flower ceremony at reception and make you feel relaxed and welcomed from the moment you arrive.

A brief golf buggy drive up the hill and we arrive at our villa. We step through the gate and into the villa and the first thing that greets you is the stunning & breathtaking view of Kata Noi Beach. It’s jaw dropping stuff!

Image via The Shore

Image via The Shore

Image via The Shore

Our private pool villa overlooked Kata Noi Beach and featured spacious neutral interiors (check out the hanging bed lamps), jaw dropping views and a heated infinity pool that wraps around a day bed pavilion. I promise you, romance greets you at the front gate of your villa and stays with you!

Here is a selection of our personal pics!

Loved the interiors

View from tub

Breakfast by our private pool

Happiness

Me+Him

The Shore has won many awards including TripAdvisors Travellers Choice award in 2012 and again in 2013. The resort offers organic menus locally sourced and the spa centre is 5 star stuff. If you can’t tell already, The Shore is certainly one of the most charming properties I’ve had the pleasure of staying at. The service from the staff reminds me our stay at the Emirates Resort Wolgan Valley last year (read here).

So if you are needing travel inspiration, I hope you found it. Put the The Shore at Katathani on your travel wishlist.

My love for Melbourne

I’m in Melbourne this weekend visiting my bestie. Whilst I HATE HATE HATE that my bestie lives so far away from me, I absolutely love Melbourne; the coffee houses, the fashion, the small wine bars, fab food and who doesn’t love a tram ride!

Here are some of the things I LOVE about trendy Melbourne.

The hidden laneways ……

The street fashion ……

Via Michelle’s Style File

The food & wine …..

MoVida – tapas anyone?

And most of all ……

Coffee, coffee and more coffee

Look out Melbourne. I’m on my way!

Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa – fit for a princess

Earlier this year I surprised Hubby with a trip to Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa – the first resort Emirates (as in the airline) has built outside of Dubai. Hubby and I were celebrating five years of marriage and ten years of togetherness so I wanted to stay somewhere fancy and a bit posh!

Working in the tourism industry has its perks sometimes so off we went for a two night stay at this five star resort. A leisurely three hour drive from Sydney (or 3 weeks on your skateboard) and we arrived at our destination.

OMG! This place is seriously swanky. There are 40 individual villas scattered over 4,000 acres of wildlife rich land. After being escorted to our villa, we open the door to one of the most beautifully decorated room I’ve ever seen; plush rugs, leather reading chair, vintage chess board, bookcase galore and bi-fold doors leading to our very own lap pool. The villa’s timeless style and elegance automatically transforms you into a princess!

This leads me to the bed – the softest bed I’VE EVER SLEPT ON. (I can easily understand why rich peeps would buy it as a souvenir upon checking out of the resort). The four poster bed overlooks the doubled sided sandstone fireplace and to the side are the most magnificent valley views.

The dressing room? I’m going to replicate the walk in robe into my future dream home one day. It’s AH-MAZ-ING!

The bathroom you ask? Shut the front door!!! Twin vanities, separate shower and bath, and indulgent Babor bathroom products to rub on your body!

The meals are inclusive in the room rate and we were treated to breakfast in the Wolgan Dining Room and 5 course dinners next to the fireplace. A light lunch was served in the Country Kitchen each day. Shiraz never tasted so good!

Did I mention the Cheese Room? This was hubby’s favorite after dinner activity. A wine and cheese specialist is available after dinner to assist you in choosing a suitable tasting platter and wine selection to enjoy by the fireplace.

And…… last but not least, a princess on her bike!