Bali

#FOREVERWANDERING



'Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open'...




For me, travel is the most magical luxury in the world.

To experience different cultures, different places, different worlds, has proved priceless, and is my biggest source of inspiration, personally and professionally.






I'M WEARING

Mossman dress
by jasmin fine jewellery


TRAVEL DIARY | NIHIWATU, SUMBA ISLAND

Winter Street Style, Winter Whites, Camel Coat on Friend in Fashion, www.friendinfashion.com.au


An hours flight out of Bali, followed by an adventurous 1.5 hour drive, you will reach an amazingly beautiful slice of paradise, also known as Nihiwatu resort, Sumba Island...



Nihiwatu, Sumba Island Travel Diary on Friend in Fashion, www.friendinfashion.com.au Nihiwatu, Sumba Island Travel Diary on Friend in Fashion, www.friendinfashion.com.au Nihiwatu, Sumba Island Travel Diary on Friend in Fashion, www.friendinfashion.com.au Nihiwatu, Sumba Island Travel Diary on Friend in Fashion, www.friendinfashion.com.au Nihiwatu, Sumba Island Travel Diary on Friend in Fashion, www.friendinfashion.com.au Nihiwatu, Sumba Island Travel Diary on Friend in Fashion, www.friendinfashion.com.au Nihiwatu, Sumba Island Travel Diary on Friend in Fashion, www.friendinfashion.com.au Nihiwatu, Sumba Island Travel Diary on Friend in Fashion, www.friendinfashion.com.au Nihiwatu, Sumba Island Travel Diary on Friend in Fashion, www.friendinfashion.com.au

I have a theory when it comes to travel. All the best places to visit are the ones that take that extra effort to get to. Such is true of Sumba Island.

I've enjoyed many visits to Bali (you can see my Bali Travel Guide HERE), but this trip was my first visit truly outside of the hustle and bustle and I absolutely LOVED it.

Sumba Island remains relatively uninfluenced by modernisation, with a beautiful and rich culture. Nihiwatu Resort, where I was fortunate enough to stay on my visit, embraces and promotes the local culture, while providing visitors with a luxurious five-star escape.

Nihiwatu is a calm and peaceful retreat, which feels like it is literally in the middle of no where (in the best possible way). From its beautiful modern interiors, to a vast array of activities on offer (hiking, to surfing to the must-try spa safari), no stone is left un-touched.

If you're looking for a rejuvenating escape from the traditional 'Bali' holiday, I highly recommend a visit to Nihiwatu, Sumba Island.

Trust me, you won't leave disappointed.


THE CROCHET BIKINI

Welcome to this slice of paradise…







I'm wearing: Andi Bagus crochet bikini & straw hat.

In the last year, Bali has become a home-away from home for me.

Over Christmas, I had the pleasure of a little rest and relaxation, travelling through Bali, and enjoyed a few nights in this oasis, also known as The Amala, right in the hustle and bustle of Seminyak.

Famous for its great shopping, food and nightlight, Seminyak is often on most Bali tourist itineraries, which means it can get busy and sometimes overwhelming (in the most pleasant sense), so to have a peaceful and quite resort to return to and relax is most welcomed.

Aside from its beautiful decor, and jade-green waters - each private villa in The Amala, has it's own gorgeous plunge pool. There are only 12 villas on the property, making it a gorgeous, private and quite place to unwind.

The perfect luxe escape - and a must on your next visit to Seminyak.

For more travel tips, check out my GUIDE TO BALI.

THE PERFECT PARTY DRESS


Friend in Fashion, ways to wear, the party dress, Aje on www.friendinfashion.com.au
Look no further,  I may have found THE perfect party dress...

Friend in Fashion, ways to wear, the party dress, Aje on www.friendinfashion.com.au
Friend in Fashion, ways to wear, the party dress, Aje on www.friendinfashion.com.au
Friend in Fashion, ways to wear, the party dress, Aje on www.friendinfashion.com.au
Friend in Fashion, ways to wear, the party dress, Aje on www.friendinfashion.com.au
Friend in Fashion, ways to wear, the party dress, Aje on www.friendinfashion.com.au
Friend in Fashion, ways to wear, the party dress, Aje on www.friendinfashion.com.au
Friend in Fashion, ways to wear, the party dress, Aje on www.friendinfashion.com.au
Friend in Fashion, ways to wear, the party dress, Aje on www.friendinfashion.com.au
I'm wearing: Aje dress

Over the festive season, I had the opportunity to holiday in beautiful Bali.

As always, a trip to Bali isn't complete without a visit to one of my favourite boutique hotels, The Bale, which is where I felt it fitting to dress up and run-around in this gorgeous dress.

The Bale, is tucked away in gorgeous Nusa Dua - just a short drive from Denpasar airport, and is my favourite place to stay when in this part of Bali. An absolutely stunning backdrop, to showcase, what is now my second favourite dress (second only to my wedding dress!)

Delicate sequinned bodice, layer upon layer of ombre skirting, and all topped off with the perfect bow. What's not to love.

This dress was my final outfit choice to ring in the New Year.

Thinking of heading to Bali? Do check out my Bali Travel Guide [HERE]


ON FILM | 2014 WHAT A RIDE...

2014 for me was a year filled with extreme highs, and extreme lows.

On the one had, I had the good fortune of travelling the world, and on the other, this was the year that I experienced my first significant loss.

Now more so than ever, am I aware of just how beautiful and volatile life can be. And it is for this reason, that the philosophy of, living each day to its fullest (as cliche as it sounds) underpins by being and existence.

 As my father would always say - be the kind of person who leaves a positive mark on the world.

 My goal for 2015 is to explore more of this incredible world and give back in which ever way I can. I will focus on my health and well-being.
I want to make the most of each day and make each day count.

I am thankful beyond words for the opportunities and experiences I've enjoyed and the people I've met along the way - who have each left their mark on my journey.

But most of all, I owe thanks to YOU, for reading this post and my blog.

For now, I choose to reflect on the positive, highlighting some of my favourite adventures of 2014. From walking the red carpet in LA, alongside Leonardo Di Caprio, to snorkelling the beautiful depths of the Maldives, to experiencing the most terrifying and exhilarating bungee jump off Auckland Bridge.

I leave you with the thought 'blessed are the curious for they shall have the adventures'.

Happy new year to all of my gorgeous readers, and here's to a prosperous 2015.

- Jasmin, your Friend in Fashion

TRAVEL VIDEO | BALI SUNRISE - NUSA DUA & TASTING DURIAN

A LUXE NOMAD IN BALI

Friend in Fashion Travel Diary Bali www.friendinfashion.com.au Friend in Fashion Travel Diary Bali www.friendinfashion.com.au Friend in Fashion Travel Diary Bali www.friendinfashion.com.au Friend in Fashion Travel Diary Bali www.friendinfashion.com.au Friend in Fashion Travel Diary Bali www.friendinfashion.com.au Friend in Fashion Travel Diary Bali www.friendinfashion.com.au carpe diem ear cuff by jasmin on Friend in Fashion carpe diem ear cuff by jasmin on Friend in Fashion carpe diem ear cuff by jasmin on Friend in Fashion Friend in Fashion Travel Diary Bali www.friendinfashion.com.au Friend in Fashion Travel Diary Bali www.friendinfashion.com.au Friend in Fashion Travel Diary Bali www.friendinfashion.com.au

wearing Vamastyle swim & resort-wear throughout, Hat of Cain Panoma, by jasmin jewellery

Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of a whirlwind visit to beautiful Bali.

On assignment with Vamastyle and The Luxe Nomad, fellow blogger, a pair & a spare and I were treated to the incomparable Bali hospitality at the beautiful Villa Sungai.

Situated away from the usual tourist jaunts - Villa Sungai is an absolute slice of paradise, tucked away in the traditional village of Cepaka.

The accommodation is luxurious, the food is some of the best I've eaten (anywhere in the world), and best of all, despite being tucked away in a village, there is a driver at your disposal to take you out and about if you're an explorer like me. Seminyak, Nusa Dua and Ubud are all an enjoyable drive away.

 Villa Sungawas a lovely break from the hustle and bustle of town - a true oasis.

My Vamastyle wardrobe of mix and match swimwear and easy-breezy resort wear definitely served as THE perfect holiday wardrobe.

In my next travel blog post - I'll share my Bali must sees and dos.

Special thanks to The Luxe Nomad for highlighting some of Bali's best.

Follow @friendinfashion on instagram for more Bali travel pictures.