Bali, Lauren and me

Baby Shower a roaring success and the house renovations, although manic seem to be under some sort of control, I decided to take myself and middle daughter, Lauren on a fun girls trip to Bali.  One to chill out and have some one on one with her and two to source fabrics of course! Well really two should be one (any excuse to check out places to source fabulous fabrics).

Only a hop skip and a jump and we were there in the Anantara Resort on Seminyak Beach.  Seminyak is  up market with mostly luxury accommodation and fashionable high-end restaurants and bars.  The atmosphere is more sophisticated and laid-back than the popular Kuta Beach and the expanse of grey sand stretching in both directions as far as the eye can see is very special.  The boutique shopping is fantastic, we love bargains, we love to shop and we love to buy unique little bits and pieces, especially our very own, locally grown Australian designers putting their stamp on fashion in Bali.

Seminyak Beach

The waves are up .... rent a board

Favourite Bar and Restaurant...Ku De Ta  Enjoy a delicious meal for less than 15AUD then retire to the day beds overlooking the beach for some pretty amazing cocktails.


Favourite wave beach hangout.... Echo Beach House...for a surf and the freshest cooked on the spot local lobsters, prawns and fish... 

Candlelight at Echo Beach House

Lauren and I had an excellent time.  We met many great people and had a lot of fun.  We ate, we shopped, we drank, we shopped, we shopped, we swam, we shopped.  You've got to love it, you can still be shopping at 10 at night and still have time for one more drink and a swim back at the hotel.

Blue pots on the street...turn an ordinary pot into something rather special by painting it blue and how architectual does this oleander plant look

If you love beads......there are strings and strings of beads in many stores.  Think outside the square.  I picked up many different sets.  Can't wait to let them loose and work my magic on them.

A  quaint lane.....

Pithe Can Thropus...A fabulous boutique  situated in Kuta and also in Ubud, specializing in  beautiful voille fabrics made into sari's and other fashion pieces.

Clutches and wallets

Hand woven toys...Love these bought a selection for Rowan

More of these funny little fellows...

Love this little dress...

Found this very colorful boutique shop, 'Requests' in Kuta opposite the Memorial.  Bright, and happy sundresses, shorts and shirts...very bali, but hey it's summer.  Lauren and I bought a seclection for all the pretty girls we know..Lara, Ashley, Dakota, Liyla and Willow.

And a mobile for Rowan!

We had a great day in Ubud further up in the hills stopping to look at art galleries, silver shops and of course the very famous Monkey Forest Road market and boutique strip.  A  little more expensive then Kuta or Legion but you might find something very special here like we did!

Beautfully crafted and designed, recycled paper products....and what a cute shop!  So retro inspired.

Perfect! Christmas cards, I'm set and my friends will love these...so special!

After a day on the beat with our arms loaded up with gifts we are very thirsty and I know just the place to relax and enjoy a cool drink...'Poppy's'.  'Poppy's' has been in Kuta for as long as anyone can remember a lush little oasis down a lane way in Kuta.  You don't need directions, you'll just find it.  the food is very, very good and you'll meet some fellow Australians there who always love a good chat over a Bintang or two.

The Garden at Poppy's

And here we are.  I am wearing the beautiful sari I purchased at Pithe Can Thropus.

The last night..it is always a bit sad but I know I will come back soon to visit this very beautiful relaxed holiday destination and it's time to go home and get ready for Christmas and for the long awaited arrival of Baby Rowan.

Me poolside waiting for the fabulous sunset

And here it is, Wow! This is a sunset.  All you need is a glass of wine and the one you love.