Travel

Every Shade of Blue

May 28, 2017

Photography – Bobby Bense | Helen Janneson Bense

Drone Photography – Look Down Bali

Model/Styling – Helen Janneson Bense

Location – Azul Beach Club, Bali Mandira – Legian | Nusa Ceningan | Nusa Penida – Bali, Indonesia

Nusa Penida Boat trip – Seaduction

Outfit Details

Dresses – Chaouen Maxi | Silk Blue Gown | Brazen Blush Dress | Palma Australia Lace | Maple Maxi

Tops/Skirts – Stardust Sequin Cami | Tropez Embellished Tunic | Mini Skirt Galaxy

Kimonos – Sting Ray Cover | Safi Kaftan

Jewelry – Lakshmi Mala | Blue Quartz Drop Necklace | GypsyLovinLight Shop

Hats – The Beverly | Arizona

So excited to share with you our recent Bali adventures to the magnificent Azul Beach Club and Bali Mandira. We spent easter here with the whole family, enjoying many awesome events, including the ultra cool LushLand Sunset Sesh where we danced all night long under the stars to some amazing tunes and first class performances. It’s now become our Bali home away from home. Picture a 3 story bamboo treehouse overlooking the beautiful ocean with those perfect Bali waves rolling in. Envision a spiralling bamboo staircase taking you to the best sunset view, a tiki bar made of geodes in beautiful ocean blues, and a wall feature shimmering with the iridescence of abalone shells. Everything from the infinity pool, the spa, the lights, the music, the cool vibes, all the little details…. it’s candy for the eyes and soul…and I haven’t got to the best part! The food, the drinks, the service! Next level Bali! All the tiki cocktails are prepared with premium rum, served in custom made glassware. You’ll find yourself in culinary heaven eating only the yummiest cuisine created by one of Bali’s most celebrated chefs using the finest quality ingredients. So if you haven’t been to Azul Beach Club yet, seriously you must go! Book yourself a poolside cabana, order an Island Nectar (my favourite) and definitely indulge in all the food…everything is delicious and we seriously tried the entire menu! For the perfect sunset dinner experience, book a pod overlooking the ocean!

If you are visiting from afar, then check yourself in at Bali Mandira. You’ll have easy access to Azul and you’ll have everything you could need right there. Amazing pool, swim up pool bar, kids club, beach, water slides, club benefits and more. We really loved our stay in the Pool villa which had an adjoining room for the children. We indulged in a floating breakfast in our pool for something a little extra special and fun! We highly recommend the day spa, the rooms and massages are incredible! After our massages we headed back to our room and relaxed in our very own flower bath. It’s sure to transform you into a state of complete bliss. And after all, we all need a little pampering on holidays. Once you’re nurtured and feeling loved up and energised, try the SUP yoga in the beach pool. It’s a safe and easy environment to experience this and it’s just so much fun! I can’t wait to do it again!

You can probably see from my images that we had an incredible time here. We love Bali and we have visited and stayed in many different places. We are really particular with where we stay and only recommend the best. This is a really great affordable spot, perfect for families and couples. For adult free time, Azul offers a quiet space by their infinity pool. For family fun, the beautiful large beach style pool at Bali Mandira is your go to. We experienced everything from a romantic dinner on the beach to a traditional balinese cooking class with the family.

We were lucky enough to spend a day circumnavigating Nusa Penida on this trip aboard the Seaduction. We set sail from Sanur with a fun crew, equipped with the amazing drone skills of Look Down Bali and a sense of adventure. It surely was a wild experience as we journeyed by boat around the more remote parts of this island. The colour of the water was simply breathtaking. I think I said WOW only about a hundred times! It was like being in an entirely otherworldly land. I was secretly waiting for dinosaurs to appear haha!

Big love and thanks to our hosts, Azul Beach Club and Bali Mandira, for one of the most wonderful family holidays we’ve had. We were so well taken care of, every need anticipated, and as we interacted with other guests, we could see everyone was feeling the same. It’s a truly special place. I hope you all get the opportunity some day to enjoy this island paradise.

With love and gratitude,

Helen xx

Wadjemup/Rottnest Island

March 31, 2017

Photography – Bobby Bense | Helen Janneson Bense

Model/Creative Direction – Helen Janneson Bense

Location – Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Where to stay – Rottnest Island Accommodations

Getting there – Rottnest Fast Ferries

Getting around – Adams Coachlines

Great Food – Geordie’s Cafe + Art Gallery

Great Fun – Just4Fun Aqua Park

Island Adventure Boat tours – Rottnest Express

Outfit Details

One pieces – Alena | Sittana | Handers Hold | Singing Wells | Baja

Lace Kimono | Lace Dress

Anse Bikini Top + Bottoms

Towels – Eberlanzia | Gypset

Hat | Sunglasses | Aviators

Jewelry – Bodychain | Choker | Rings

This summer I’ve looked no further than my very own home town of Perth, and it’s easy travel destinations, for that beautiful turquoise inspiration and those endless summer vibes. Just a hop, skip and ferry ride away is the idyllic island known as Wadjemup/Rottnest. With some of the most breathtaking landscape I’ve ever seen, it’s home to the adorable Quokka, the cutest and friendliest marsupial you’ll ever meet. It’s the island of a thousand stories, told through the geographical history and formation of unique salt lakes and limestone coral reefs.

I highly recommend taking some time out for a visit to the museum to learn all about tragic history of the Aboriginal penal settlement, the military involvement in world war 1 and 2, and the early Aboriginal origins when Wadjemup/Rottnest was actually part of the mainland. This history is heartbreaking, though I do feel it’s important to hear, acknowledge and respect the true history and traditional owners of the land, especially when we go there to enjoy all that it has to offer us.

We stayed on the beach in North Thomson Bay, which was so quiet and serene, yet still close enough to walk or ride into the main strip. Here you’ll find everything you need – island information, general store, pharmacy, bakery and shopping. We started our days with a hearty breakfast sitting on our balcony overlooking the ocean. With our beach essentials all packed, we were on our bikes and round the island we rode, stopping at one glorious beach after the next. And with no cars allowed it’s such a wonderful and safe place for kids. And when their little legs get tired, or for the mamas with prams, there’s a hop on, hop off coach that will circumnavigate the entire island. My favourite spots were definitely Salmon bay and The Basin for snorkelling and swimming. Parakeet bay is always good fun with the whitest of white sand dunes and fantastic ocean views. Or try stand up paddle boarding at Just4Fun Aqua park. While the kids played on the floating bouncy toys I got my work out done and had so much fun at the same time. Make sure you stop off for breakfast or lunch at Geordie Bay for some of the most delicious and hearty, healthy food going around. As someone who has food intolerances and eats a largely plant based diet it was perfect for our family, although I brought my supplements to eat more healthy. Finish your perfect day in paradise watching the sunset at Fay’s Bay for those magical pastel unicorn skies.

Rottnest is such a quiet and peaceful haven, and it slows you down without you even realising it. All that fresh salty air, white sand and turquoise water will bring vitality and bounce back into your step. It’s invigorating, rejuvenating and relaxing all in one. We loved it so much and can’t wait to go back!

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Your happy hormones remain activated: The serotonin levels or the happy hormones are said to remain at its peak during summer due to the sunlight. Therefore, you feel the urge to look good which makes you remain focused on the exercises for burning calories and getting in good shape.

Sunset Dancer

December 7, 2016

Photography – Bobby Bense

Model/Styling – Helen Janneson Bense

Location – Perth, WA

Outfit Details

Necklace – Mandala Love

Bracelets/Cuffs – Embrace | Mandala Love | Mandala Love Bracelet

Singlet Top | Blouse | Shorts | Hat

“Feel by the Moon, Live by the Sun, Dance like a star” – Midsummer Star

This sunset was not like all the others. I was captivated by the iridescence and shimmering light bouncing off the sand and the sea, awakened by the vital force of the ripening moon, calmed by the gentle rhythm of the waves. It was absolutely magical!

These are those ‘me’ moments I cherish so much…when everything becomes so still, time slows down, and you can feel the space between breaths, where peace lingers, always inviting and welcoming you in. This is my meditative space, where I go when I visit the beach and immerse myself in nature. Sometimes I go deep to the space where creativity is born. Like a fire I am filled with an energy that builds as I create, fuelling my imagination and vision.

This time of year definitely calls for more meditation time. Time to nurture myself and take every opportunity to slow down, even if it’s only for a few minutes. I am so much clearer when I have rested and found a pace of breathing in and breathing out in my day. And so much more productive. I hope you all navigate this crazy season of fun and festivities with lots of self love and nurturing.

So much love and gratitude,

Helen xx

Heart of Bali

November 5, 2016

Photography – Bobby Bense

Model/Creative Direction – Helen Janneson Bense

Location – Kupu Kupu Barong | The Edge View Villa – Bali, Indonesia

Outfit Details

Wild + Free Dress | Wrap around me Dress | Slice of Harmony Dress – Dasha the Label

Finally we had the opportunity to venture to Ubud on our recent Bali travels. The peaceful energy was palpable the moment we stepped out of the car. There was a zing in the air, a calming effect created by the mystical surrounds and gentle culture. It felt as though we had just entered the heart of this amazing island. The flowing river and nearby waterfalls make it such a perfect area for water explorers. I instantly fell in love with our elevated spot and our river view villa at Kupu Kupu Barong. We would end our days of family adventures with flower baths taking in the river views with an incredible backdrop of the jungle and Mt. Agung.

We thoroughly enjoyed a little pampering at Kupu’s world renowned L’occitane Tree spa and it was simply amazing…picture open air massages, perched atop of mango trees, high above the jungle where you can hear birdsong and the flowing river, and feel the essence of this mystical land.

And there was so much more… dinner by candlelight in one of the most romantic settings imaginable. An entrance lined with aromatic flowers, a twilight dinner set up for two, floating on a private pool twinkling with sunset reflections and a majestic mountain vista. It really is all kinds of heaven at Kupu Kupu Barong.

All the while I was blessed to be dressed in the best resort clothing from the divine Dasha the Label and Indie + Harper Jewels. These flowing fabrics and styles were perfect for the Balinese climate and fun family holidays with my tribe.

If you get the chance to visit Bali, I highly recommend the trek to Ubud and definitely book a stay at Kupu Kupu Barong! We are already dreaming of going back :)

With love and gratitude,

Helen xx

The Edge

October 28, 2016

Photography – Bobby Bense

Model/Creative Direction – Helen Janneson Bense

Location – The Edge View Villa – Bali, Indonesia

Outfit Details

Elke Romper | Frida Crop + Anya Wrap Skirt | Samsara Kimono Maxi – Minx + Pearl

Hats – Navy | Delano | Smith

As the sun rose I perched myself upon the precipice, as close to the edge as I could be. The ocean breeze gently awakening me from my dreamy state, my mind quiet, my body still, a creative spark was lit, energy flowed freely through my body and a stream of endless possibilities came into view. What a magnificent and magical way to start any day!

Every time I visit Bali it brings me so many gifts. I can’t express my gratitude for this healing island paradise that is just a hop, skip and shortest plane ride ever from my home base in Perth. This adventure took us to the beautiful Edge Resort. Our stay was nothing short of spectacular. I’m not sure I can find the words to describe how wonderful this resort was. The photos speak for them self, and for all those who were following along on insta stories you would have caught many glimpses of the beauty here at The Edge.

Every single detail was taken care of, with above and beyond hospitality. The food was delicious, the space was sublime and what a view!

Enjoying some much needed sunshine and holiday time with the family, I pranced around in my Minx + Pearl outfits, perfect for that villa life vibe we were feeling.

I’m beyond excited about visiting this very special space once again, and I can’t recommend it highly enough for anyone heading to Bali. And if you are considering a destination wedding, then definitely start and end your search right here.

With love and gratitude,

Helen xx

Dreaming in Turquoise

July 28, 2016

Photography – Bobby Bense

Model/Styling – Helen Janneson Bense

Location – Rose Villa at Pandawa Cliff Estate, Bali

Handmade Turquoise Jewelry

Turquoise Silver Wave Necklace

Navajo Hand Carved Turquoise Bracelets

Sasha Ivory Tunic Dress

Lace Romper

‘Summer is Here’ Panama Hat

Spray tan

Sienna Nails

My turquoise obsession continues, not only with the sea, but with these amazing Indie + Harper Jewels. I love these stunning designs that stack so beautifully together. Perfect for the bohemian nomad wandering the globe, discovering her own inner magic as she chases those turquoise dreams. Happy Travels beauties!

With love and gratitude,

Helen xx

Helen Janneson Bense

Travel

Every Shade of Blue

May 28, 2017

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Wadjemup/Rottnest Island

March 31, 2017

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Sunset Dancer

December 7, 2016

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Heart of Bali

November 5, 2016

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The Edge

October 28, 2016

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Dreaming in Turquoise

July 28, 2016

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