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 ;)
Nails (Aura + Winter) – Sienna Byron Bay – Vegan Non toxic polish – Use discount code GYPSYLOVINLIGHT at checkout
I’m often asked about which artists and labels inspire me most in the world of fashion….. After plunging heart first just 2 years ago it’s still the one and only, Spell & the Gypsy Collective. Some of my first instagram pictures I am decked out in Spell, and I’m still completely wowed by every single new collection they bring out. These beautiful sisters are creating all that they love and bringing amazing wearable art to our world. Not only do they have the most gorgeous and unique designs, but their passion, ethical practices, and personal style are in a league of their own.
So you can all imagine my excitement and absolute honour when we recently added Spell’s new Jewellery to our online store. Seriously a dream come true for me. The range reminds me of all the things I first fell in love with when I discovered Spell – divine turquoise and talismans that ignite a wanderlust for the open road, desert adventures and picturesque sunsets.
I’m so grateful to Spell for all their love and support through my blogging journey, and for creating so many beautiful designs for us all to style and wear. This Kiss the Sky gown is quite possibly the most exquisite dress I’ve ever worn. If you don’t already know what a goddess you are, you will certainly remember when you wear this.
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.
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass….It’s about learning to dance in the rain” – Vivian Greene
This quote has never been as relevant as it was for our recent wanderlust adventures to beautiful Thailand. The day we arrived, so did a crazy monsoon. I must say even though I envisioned my time away with never-ending sunshine, it was a wonderful opportunity for both Bobby and I to embrace the uncertainty of life and find gratitude for all the unexpected blessings. It forced us deeper into ourselves, to reflect and discover what we actually love most about holidays is connection. We still had many pockets of sunshine where the rain and wind slipped away momentarily and we made the absolute most out of it.
We ventured to Krabi first, and discovered this stunning region walled with grand size limestone karsts providing a completely majestic and breathtaking backdrop. It’s a rock climbers paradise and feels a little like a scene from Jurassic Park. We stayed at the luxurious Centara Grand Resort with it’s own pristine private beach. Accessible only by boat or a jungle monkey trail from the nearby town, it’s surrounded by giant awe inspiring cliffs, clear turquoise waters and some of the softest sand I’ve ever felt. It’s a completely magical setting that instantly evokes a relaxed, holiday vibe. We enjoyed the privacy and seclusion of the location, whilst just a short boat ride or hike, you can venture out to the bustling markets, cafes and bars of Krabi. We never felt the urge to leave though as the resort had so much to offer. You can literally jump in a kayak straight from the beach and head out and explore the limestone karsts and turquoise lagoons. The whole area is surrounded by the most amazing beaches, abundant with incredible underwater life. You can take a boat tour to the surrounding islands, or head out for some scuba diving or snorkelling. Enjoy sunset dinners on the beach, jungle hikes, or laze by the multi level pool and spa with a cocktail in hand as you watch the immaculate view of the Andaman sea.
I was lucky enough to celebrate my 39th!! birthday here and indulge in one of the best massages I’ve ever had at their divine day spa. I was lulled into a deep trance and quite possibly this moment was one of the most relaxed I’ve ever felt. Later this evening we were then treated to an amazing Teppenyaki dinner, as we were serenaded with live music, a super friendly atmosphere, creating the perfect holiday ambience we were looking for. We were lucky enough to meet so many amazing travellers here, ending the night with one two many cocktails at the very cool Blu bar. One of the best parts about travelling is all the awesome people you meet and wonderful connections you make. No matter how transient these may be, they are a huge highlight of any adventure abroad.
I’m so excited to explore more of Krabi next time I head back to Thailand. More adventure awaits! ;)
With love and gratitude,
Helen xx
Travel Tips :
Rainy season in Thailand is typically from May-November though I’ve been in June and it was sunshine and blue skies with just a light misting so you never know. And it’s still so wonderful even when it is raining :)
When travelling to Krabi or any of the islands by boat, I’d suggest arriving in the daylight hours, so the transfer from car, boat to resort is seamless.
The monkeys here are some the bravest I’ve encountered so watch your stuff, they will take it if you leave it unattended.
If you stay at Centara Grand Resort in Krabi definitely opt for a club room. The extra is well worth all the additional advantages that come with this room type. There is an almost non stop serving of food and drink from the Club lounge and happy hour is so amazing you might not even be able to fit in dinner!
Also make sure you order Strawberry Margaritas here…they are the BEST! ;)
There’s just something in the air, the earth, the energy…I’m forever drawn back to Northern California. It somehow feels more like home to me. Perhaps being in the northern hemisphere I feel somehow closer to my Finnish origins. I also wonder whether it has something to do with the energy flow, and the impact each hemisphere has on the way our chakras spin…. Regardless of the why and my inner musings, I love this place like home. The ancient redwoods, the crystal clear rivers, the diverse landscape, so full of vivid colour and beautiful wildlife. As much as I yearn for the ocean and beach now, my heart still sings with joy when I’m amongst the trees. I feel at peace as I recall early childhood memories of Finland, sitting in the forest picking berries.
On our recent Norcal adventures, we were lucky enough to spend a glorious week in Humboldt county. Bobby’s family have a multi-generation long annual tradition of summer camping amongst the redwood grove, along the beautiful eel river. It’s always so much fun when we get the chance to go back to the states and join in on this family adventure. Hot summer days were spent rafting on the river, rock jumping and exploring the redwoods. The kids were always so happy connecting with their cousins, chasing lizards and catching tadpoles. We stayed just 5 minutes from the park at the absolutely divine and elegant Benbow historical Inn. Originally built by the Benbow family in the 1920’s, this majestic hotel was once a secluded getaway for many hollywood stars. What once was over a 14 hour journey from San Francisco is now around a 5 hour beautiful scenic drive.
We spent many a balmy night at Benbow eating dinner amongst the ancient trees, overlooking the river, serenaded by local musicians. We indulged in the most impeccable food, so much of which was organically grown right there in their immaculate gardens. As dusk would set in the stone bridge would light up and the whole inn turned into this magical twinkling fairyland.
Hopefully we’ll be back again next year to keep the family tradition going and create new and wonderful memories.
“You are what you love not what loves you” Charlie Kaufman
I remember when those first few sparks ignited within me as my blogging journey began. It feels like a lifetime ago now, but it was just over 2 years ago. I didn’t know I was going to become a blogger, I was simply inspired to create. And so I did. And I loved it! I had let so many hard ideals go about how I was supposed to live my life. I felt an enormous amount of energy and freedom resurface and it opened up the infinite possibilities of life to me once again. So instead of the usual inner judgments, I followed my heart’s desire, and began on this creative journey that is now GypsyLovinLight. Sometimes when you stop thinking about what you are supposed to do, you realise what you actually want to do. Each day I began following my highest joy and excitement. I took all that I had ever learnt and turned it upside down. I looked to my children for inspiration, for the way forward in being, because children truly know how to live and enjoy every single moment of life to the fullest.
I’m still on this path, learning and evolving each day. I’m learning how to circumnavigate my existence from the inside out. How to lead my life with intention, whilst letting go of results, expectation, fear and judgement. I’m letting go of what others may or may not think of me, knowing for 1. it’s none of my business and 2. what matters is who I am, and what I believe about myself. And this will always be determined solely by me.
When we live connected to our souls, we not only draw people to us, we inspire all those around us to do the same. And it feels amazing! It is so much better than the stress and suffering we are capable of causing ourselves each day.
So let’s raise the collective consciousness and bring even more joy and happiness to our lives and those around us. Love builds love, and we are all LOVE.
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