The Most Memorable Balinese Experience at Desa Visesa Ubud!

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I can’t even begin to describe the experience I had at Desa Visesa Ubud! But I’ll try. First I must mention that at this point I was in Bali for almost a week, not having the best luck so far, and to top it all off, I lost my debit card right before heading to Visesa Ubud! Needless to say the staff once I got there made sure I was comfortable, and that if I needed anything to let them know and they would help me out! HOW WONDERFUL. I felt so much lighter already and they even had a beautiful welcome ceremony and tropical yummy drink waiting for me. I actually never stopped smiling from this point on, leaving the week I had behind me.

They led me to my One Bedroom Private Villa, which was GORGEOUS! I have never seen a place more beautiful than this. There was a private pool, my own outdoor living space and small kitchenette, with fresh fruit basket. When I went in, there was a big king size bed, and it is so comfy, and so are the pillows. Usually I will miss my bed when traveling, but this bed was WAY better than mine. I finally got some decent sleep that night. But not before taking a flower bath that Desa Visesa had ready for my arrival. I feel like when in Bali, a flower bath is a must haha.

Visesa Ubud is located slightly north of the Ubud city centre on a rice paddy field! There is a shuttle that goes into the city centre every 30 minutes or so, and it’s only an 8 minute ride with beautiful views on the way down. I explored the property a bit more and found gorgeous gardens and learned a little bit more about the rice fields at breakfast time. This definitely is a gorgeous resort and I could have just stayed there all day and relaxed.

My friends came by later that afternoon as we were going rafting in the river, and they wanted to explore the property too so we walked around and stopped for a drink at Lumbung Restaurant. The drink was yummy with luscious green views.

I went back later that night to have a yummy Indonesian Fine-Dining experience. And the food was INCREDIBLE. I sampled so many different things but my favourite was the tuna ceviche and the Binte Biluhuta soup was so yummy. I left feeling full and satisfied, and ready for the coziest bed ever.

The next morning I got up super early to do some yoga, and then take some photos in the beautiful gazebo in the middle of the rice paddy field. I HAD to do it lol. During my time taking photos, some of the lotus flowers opened up and it was magical to see. After yoga photo I packed up my stuff and the staff was so kind to let me leave my stuff at the lobby while I explored for the day. When I came back, they gave me another bracelet from the welcome ceremony, one for my friend. It was so sweet of them, she loves it!

If you are ever in Ubud, Bali, check out Desa Visesa resort! I really loved my stay there, and there were more activities they offered I would enjoy doing next time.  I can’t wait to go back again!

Brooklinen – best bedding ever!

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I’m just going to start off by saying, I have been searching long, far are hard for bedding like this and I just couldn’t find it. When I stumbled across Brooklinen I immediately knew these were the sheets for me! It’s so hard to find quality materials in bedding but also modern and simple designs. It has taken me years to even settle on the few sheets I have now, that’s why I am so happy to have found this gem of a company!

The first thing I noticed is how they bundled their bedding. You can buy sets or individual but the best thing is most of the designs and colours work so well with each other. And if you choose a bundle, you can customize the pillows, sheets and cover to your liking. How incredible is that! No more boring set in stone bundles of bedding, this is the best because chances are your next bundle will work with your previous bundle, creating a brand new bundle to work with at home! Bundle is one of those funny words that when you say, type or repeat a million times it gets odd to hear hehe.

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I did choose to go with the Luxe Hardcore bundle and chose to get “Smoke Pinstripe” design in the cover and pillowcases as well as “Solid Smoke” which is a neutral grey to compliment it in the extra pillowcases and sheets. I was amazed at the price, for this entire set was cheaper than any bedding I have paid for before here, and that was on bedding I was settling on. I absolutely loved what I had put together. I couldn’t wait for it to arrive!

I hadn’t been sleeping well and my sheets probably weren’t helping. When the Brooklinen package arrived in the mail, I had a smile on so big! I opened the box and saw the coolest packaging, and an awesome tote with their logo on it. Inside was all the bedding packaged so nicely to fit in the tote. It was so fun opening everything and as I touched it I could tell I was going to instantly love it. The feeling is so silky and soft. The colours were neutral and inviting, and the white smoke pinstripes were so subtle. I also love how they labeled the sheet, short side and long side – for those of us who are bedding challenged haha.

Once I finished the putting all the bedding on I took a step back and couldn’t believe this is my bedroom and my bedding. It looks like an instantly transformed room. Light and airy, and so inviting. The cats instantly fell in love too.

I will keep you posted on how it holds up after wash! So far I had one week in it and it has been like sleeping on the softest cloud. WOW. I’m just in love and wish I discovered it sooner.

Check out Brooklinen, they seriously are the coolest bedding!

 

 

 

September Yogi Surprise Box – Love of Yoga

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One of my favourite times of the month is when I can come home and find a little purple Yogi Surprise box waiting for me! It is always filled with so many hand-picked items with the yogi or health nut in mind. This months September YS box is full of everything I love, and celebrates National Yoga Month – so you know it’s going to be gooooood 😉

The items in this box are meant to enhance our practice and help ground us in this transition to chilly autumn days. For the love of yoga, let’s get to it!

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The best part is opening the box and just seeing past the Packing List at all the goodies inside. Knowing you get to pull each one out, one by one. It’s like a never ending birthday present, but tailored to my lifestyle! Right off the bat I saw food… brownies to be specific… brownie BRITTLE to be reaaallly specific!! Yes, Yogi Surprise, you know me too well.

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You know it’s going to be a good box when you kick it off with Sheila G’s Brownie Brittle! I’m not going to lie, I opened these immediately and started munching on them. WOW. SO. YUMMY. I had to stop myself from eating the whole bag and quickly packed it away, saving it for my Teacher Training this weekend as a good power up snack.

Underneath the Brownie Brittle was a beautiful geometric designed yoga strap from Yoga Design Lab and Scentuals Yoga Mat Spray. Super handy to keep in my Yoga bag for my Teacher training as well. We started using straps like this one so it definitely came at the right time and in an extra long length. Also, it’s so pretty! Next was a 100% beeswax candle in a cute tin from Barefoot Lake. It has a yummy lavender and peppermint scent and it is going to accompany me the next time I take a bath. It is meant to help slow down and soothe creating a tranquil space between body and self.

I kept digging through the box to find an aromatherapy incense sampler made from a blend of natural essential oils and hand rolled by local village women in South India. 25% of Auromere’s incense profits go towards supporting education in rural India, so go check them out!! Also included at the bottom of the box was a book by called Yoga To The Rescue: Ageless Beauty. It talks about some key poses that help keep the body rejuvenated, somewhat slowing down time. Such a handy little book! I always love when there is food and something to read while I eat the food in my Yogi Surprise Box hehe.

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“Is that box empty yet? I want to try and fit”

I went through my Yogi Surprise Lifestyle box, but the fun isn’t over yet! I also got the Yogi Surprise Jewelry box! A cute little box that has two pieces and a snack.

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Opened it up and saw my beautiful friend Alexzandra Peters on the insert. SO that was awesome already. Just after I spotted a gorgeous mala, with deep and dark colours I knew I would love right away.

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Made from African Turquoise and an accompanying Jade beaded bracelet. What a gorgeous set, and the quality feels incredible! Love the matching tassel as well, the pop of colour is stunning.

If you want a discount on your first Yogi Surprise – be sure to use the code YOGILOVE at checkout! You won’t regret this purchase, treat yourself – this one is WORTH IT! <3

Recharging with Pranamat ECO

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After practicing intermediate bends quite frequently through the week my muscles and body get quite sore and stiff. I love to roll out my muscles on a cork roller first and then use my Pranamat ECO, which is a therapeutic massage mat with tiny little lotus shaped points that activate fatigued or tense areas of the body. I was so excited to try this mat out and I have been using it for about a month now, with my partner using it too!

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I like to use it before or after my yoga workout because either have different outcomes depending on how I am feeling. I use it before my practice if I need some energy and want to feel awake and loosen up my muscles! The second I lay down on it I am aware of all the points that are touching me, and my skin starts to tingle a bit. It is kind of like a pleasure and pain when you first start using it, and then your body sinks in and you can relax.

After a workout is a different story because usually I am feeling relaxed and soft already, but since I practice so many bends, sometimes my back really slightly sore. If I lay on the Pranamat for a few minutes it activates those sore muscles and helps ease the circulations around them to feel better faster.

I also love to stand on the mat too and can last for about 5 minutes. The key is to even out your weight on the mat, if you are ticklish then it might be a bit harder for you at first! My preferred method to use it is always on my back and butt though, it seems to benefit these areas more for me and the feeling after is just so amazing. I can relax on my back now for about 15 minutes, only 2 when I first started. My back definitely feels much less tense and more relaxed before and after my work outs and I feel like my skin looks tighter and happier. These little prickly lotus points are speaking to my skin cells, pushing them to wake up and work! You can see the shapes it leaves behind on my back, it looks like star constellations in a far away galaxy.

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My cat seems to like it too… or maybe he just loves the box 😉 which I must say is a clever design because I can tuck my mat right back into it. It is also really cute to see the little lotus flowers and the turquoise colour I choose when I look at the front of the box.

Check out Pranamat ECO at pranamat.com to read more uses and features of the mat, and you can see their Instagram to see the mat in action!