Tinseltown

Feel like a local starlet at West Hollywood's Chamberlain Hotel. Situated walking distance to many uber cool restaurants, bars and shops, this boutique hotel has an over the top, loud and absolutely fabulous LA style. Exceptional service, beautiful roof top pool and very plush rooms.

Long haul flight - Part 2: Create your own first class

While I'm yet to find a solution for squishy economy class seats, I have some tips for feeling refreshed and at least looking like you've walked off a long haul flight spent in first class...

The list below might look excessive, but most of these 'essentials' come in travel size!

Firstly start with a large empty stainless steel water bottle, once you board the plane, ask an air host to fill it for you, keeping hydrated is fundamental in staying fresh.

Secondly invest in a clear cosmetic bag, and store it in the top of your carry on luggage so it's easy to access when passing through the security points at airports.

Fill the cosmetic bag with the following:

• Facial wipes, I like the organic and biodegradeable WOTNOT wipes, they are great for removing makeup (including eye makeup) and are moisturising

• An eye cream which reduces puffyness and dark circles caused by lack of sleep, I love the Grown Eye Cream

• A rich facial moisturiser is a must to fight the stale, dry aeroplane air, Antipodes Rejoice Light Day Cream is enriched with avocado oil, macadamia and jojoba to balance and moisturise, while manuka flower oil has antibacterial healing and protective properties

• Protect lips with a moisturising lip balm, Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers do the trick and as an added bonus they have a shimmery tint

• A rinse free hand wash can come in handy, try Aesop's Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash

• Before the flight commences landing, freshen up, and tidy your mane with a dry shampoo, such as the Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder, and a quick hair brush, then paint your face with a light tinted moisturiser, I like the Kora Tinted Day Cream, oh and don't forget your toothbrush!

WOTNOT Facial Wipes, travel sized Mason Pearson brush, Cheeki stainless steel water bottle, Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder, Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer, Grown Eye Cream, Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash, Kora Tinted Day Cream, Antipodes Organic Rejoice Light Facial Cream

Long haul flight - Part 1: Substance and style

Everything has a place. Track suit pants have a place, that is inside the privacy of the four walls of ones home. They should not be seen in public and that includes in airports and aeroplanes!

Below are a few tips on keeping comfortable on a long haul flight, while leaving the daggy trakkies at home.

• Consider the climate of where you are leaving from and where you'll be arriving, if there is a big difference wear layers, you can add or remove layers depending on the climate and store the excess layers in your carry on.

• Choose clothing that is comfortable and breathable, natural fabrics like cotton and cashmere are great, avoid materials that easily crease such as linen.

• Pack a shawl/scarf, it can act as a blanket to keep you warm, or as a pillow.

• Wear shoes that are easy to slip off, if having a nap you can slip on a pair of socks for comfort, but you can easily put your shoes back on if you want to walk around the plane later.

• Wheels are essential for carry on luggage, replace your everyday large bag with a small shoulder bag and pack heavier items in the carry on luggage, such as magazines, laptop and toiletries, you'll be much more agile when navigating through airports.

Willow batwing knit, Zimmerman stripe tank, Mister Zimi Quinn leather jacket, Seed leggings, Mulberry travel wallet and carry on luggage, Bassike Sonya shawl, Charles Phillip Shanghai shoes, Chloe Mini Marcie shoulder bag

Surf Goddess

Surfing the net I stumbled across the Bali Surf Goddess Retreat website and instantly I knew I needed to book in, Surfing + Yoga + Spa = My Perfect Holiday!  The stunning colonial-esque villa and tropical weather were an added bonus!

The Surf Goddess Sanctuary is located in the heart of hip and happening Seminyak. Upon arrival we were warmly welcomed by the retreat host, Joyce, after a chat and a drink, in the very stylish and cosy outdoor living area, we were shown to our room, I was sharing with a friend, we were overwhelmed by the attention to detail.  Our room was scented by bunches of tuberose, there was a welcome gift bag containing surf rash, sarong and a few other Bali essentials.  The room had a large living room meticulously furnished in what I would describe as a traditional but feminie Balinese style.

That evening we met the other guests, all female (being a women’s only retreat).  It was a great mix from across the globe yet we all had a common interest in being active and pampered!

The Surf Goddess team know how to put on a spread.  Meals were locally sourced, organic and utterly delicious.

The 7 day retreat included five mornings of yoga, following an afternoon surf lesson (everyone in our group was up on the board by the end of the first lesson); a day of pampering at a nearby day spa, as well as an additional 5 hours of pampering at the villa, choices including hot stone massage, traditional Balinese massage, mani/pedis, to name a few; and lastly an activity day with a number of options such as white water rafting, traditional Indonesian cooking class, paddle boarding.  By the end of the 7 days I was in a state of pure bliss!

The villa was located in the heart of Seminyak, an exciting beach town with new restaurants, bars and shops popping up before your eyes.  Each with it’s own unique design and theme. 

Petitenget Road stores and cafes

Mister Zimi clothing line which started in Bali and recently opened in Melbourne & Sydney

Sardine, restaurant by a rice paddy & my favourite meal in Bali

Happy camper

I honestly don’t understand why more people don’t like camping. You can go more places camping than you can staying in a hotel and it’s a fraction of the cost!  Camping can be as rough or luxurious as you like and you can bring as many creature comforts as you can fit in your car.

A few creature comforts I bring with me are

Country Road beach towel and tote, Neal's Yard Remedies travel pack, Witchery knit, North Face sleeping bag, Converse shoes, Kain tee, Current/Elliott jeans, Havaianas

Some of the places camping has taken me

Blue Mountains, NSW

Robe, SA

12 Apostles, Vic

Flinders Rangers, SA

Seal Rocks, NSW

Two hours to Provence

This beautiful estate is a 2 hour drive from Sydney, in the Hunter Valley, yet once Miss 77 pairs of shoes and I reached Talits French Estate Vineyard we felt thousands of miles away, as though we was transported to Provence, France!

Upon entry we were met by the other guests, for our girls weekend away, who promptly handed us a glass of wine and set me to work on starting the fire, which surprisingly was a huge success, luckily as it wasn't the warmest of nights!

The following morning we had breakfast on the balcony before embarking on our long day of tasting wine.  Talits arranged a private wine tasting tour for us, we sampled many local boutique wineries from the Broke area, one in particular I which couldn't get enough of was Nightingale's Night Owl Sparkling, it was delish! Which reminds me, I should place an order for more!

To end the day we organised the Talits in house Chef Ben to come to the estate and prepare a 3 course dinner for our group, he did a wonderful job, we (bar one) were licking our dessert bowls trying to get every drop of the warm Bailies chocolate sauce!

Talits Estate is delightful, the property is nestled among lavender bushes and an olive grove with plenty of areas to sit and take in the surroundings.  It is furnished with traditional french furniture and being spacious made it ideal for our large group.