When JW suggested that we make a trip to Maldives, I wasn’t
particularly excited because based on all the photos I saw online, it
looked like just another beach resort to me.

Well, I couldn’t be more wrong.

In reality, “heaven on earth” is probably the only phrase that does justice to Maldives, and if you haven’t been there yet, I would urge you to head there at least once in your lifetime. I have travelled rather extensively in the past 10 years or so, but not once have I stepped foot on an island that feels so magical. If there was a God, he certainly spent a lot more time on Maldives than anywhere else in this world.  

I wish I could tell you that a picture says a thousand words, but in this case, pictures simply do not do any justice to this paradise whose beauty is truly unrivaled. 

The Resort 

We picked Cocoa Island by COMO, which is renowned for its tranquil surroundings and excellent food. If an idyllic, castaway holiday is what you are after, this is the place for you. If you practise yoga, the resort offers daily yoga classes as well.
 
There are only 33 villas on this small island and you will hardly see anyone around, even during meal times. We were utterly mesmerized and blown away by the resort’s serenity and untainted beauty. Cocoa Island by COMO felt like my very own private island and gave me my much needed dose of solitude. Peering at the colourful fishes and reefs in the crystal blue waters while  the grains of sand gently brush between my toes has got to be the most wonderful feeling in the world.

 

 

The Villa

Each villa comes with a private sundeck that overlooks the ocean. A few steps down the stairs is literally all it takes to have the ocean at your feet. I love to frolick in the water alongside colourful fishes in the day and watch the sun dip into the horizon in the evening.

 

The Food 

Ufaa may be the only restaurant on the island but the food is nothing short of amazing. My opinion wouldn’t change even if I were to be stranded on this island forever. 

We had room service about half the time that we were there, but whenever we felt like dining at the restaurant, we would choose to sit at the outdoor area to enjoy the spectacular view and feel the cool sea breeze caressing our faces.

 

The fish in particular, stole my heart as it is the sweetest and freshest I’ve ever had. It didn’t take me long to find out from the friendly staff that the restaurant stocks only the freshest catch from the sea.

Breakfast is JW’s favourite meal of the day and the options here clearly didn’t disappoint. In fact, they far surpassed our expectations. The waffles are crisp and topped with delicious fresh fruits while the french toast, which JW proclaims is the best he has ever had (even better than all that we have tried while we were staying in Australia), is toasted to perfection and absolutely flavourful. 

If you prefer something savoury, their eggs benedict is a good bet. All the flavours from the different ingredients – the eggs, hollandaise sauce, all the way to the lightly toasted buns, blended together seamlessly to bring out the essence of the dish. It was just phenomenal. 

Although the cuisine here is largely fusion or western, the chef does a splendid job of springing surprises on guests every now and then. We were treated to a sushi feast during one of our lunches and I spotted Thai cuisine on the menu on a separate occasion too. 

Rediscovering Life

Maldives is made even more beautiful by the wonderful companionship of your loved ones. Being able to go into your own cocoon and withdraw from the rest of the world with your soul mate is an experience that I relish and cherish. 

In Maldives, we had the luxury of time to reconnect as a couple, forge stronger bonds and just bask in the companionship of each other as we subtract all the negativity in our lives to make way for a positive future.

*******

 

For my previous updates on Maldives, do read the following posts below:

Fashion Fridays: Maldives Resort Wear & Beach Essentials

Fashion Fridays: Resort Wear x Her Diva Online Fashion

 3-piece Swimwear Set from Liz Lisa, Japan

Bikini from Victoria’s Secret

Crochet Cover-ups

I personally have a soft spot for crochet cover-ups and over the years, I have added more than a handful of these to my beachwear collection. This lovely crochet dress from Australian label Bardot is the perfect cover-up.

I didn’t actually get a tan as I kept spraying SPF50 sunblock regularly throughout the day, but this crochet piece must have been sprinkled with some magic dust. I was initially a little doubtful about the colour, but when I put it on, I realised it complemented my skin tone and even gave it a healthy tan and glow.

 Beach Essentials

Swimwear and beach coverups aside, here are some of the beach essentials that I cannot live without. If I were to choose one item to take with me on a beach vacation, sunblock would definitely rank first.

On this trip alone, I brought along two SPF50 sunblock sprays from Japan, two SPF50 sunblock gels for my face (from Kose and Clarins), and an SPF30 sunblock powder from Jane Iredale. I even brought along a lavender scented facial mist with SPF30 which I bought from Hokkaido in June!

The beauty about beach holidays is you don’t have to wear much make-up. The only make-up items I packed were my trusty Benefit Dandelion blusher, my favourite lipstick from Laneige in Spangle and Paw Paw Ointment (which I use as a lip balm). 

What about you? What are some of your beach essentials?

For more resort wear inspirations, do check out my previous post in the link below:

Fashion Fridays: Resort Wear x Her Diva Online Fashion

Have a great weekend ahead!

Lightweight, breathable and easy to wear, resort wear are staples for beach holidays. These days, resort wear come in a variety of designs to cater to your every whim and fancy, without compromising on comfort which is absolutely essential when you’re on vacation. 

I had the privilege of collaborating with Her Diva Online Fashion recently, an online fashion wholesale mall that operates in both Malaysia and Singapore, who very kindly sponsored my resort wear for my Maldives trip. 

One of my choice picks include this gorgeous lace chiffon dress (US$17.99) which doubles up as a beach cover-up. The intricate lace cut-outs show off just a hint of skin, leaving the rest up to imagination while retaining a dose of femininity and elegance.

 

Not heading to a beach destination any time soon? I always love pieces that are versatile, and this lace number is one dress that can take you from the beach resort to a wedding function or even tea with the girls, simply by throwing on the right accessories and footwear.

Just look at how exquisite the lace details are! The workmanship is great and what I like most about this dress is that it doesn’t require any ironing, which makes it easy to pack whenever I travel. 

 Now, here’s my second pick. I have been looking around for a shirt tunic (US$12.75) that can also be worn as a dress, so this was definitely a dream come true for me.

In line with the relaxed, laid-back vibe about loose, breezy shirt tunics that gives it a resort-chic appeal, accessories should probably be kept to a minimum. A skinny belt to cinch the waist, a pair of sunnies and a straw hat are just about right.

I love how comfortable this shirt feels. Soft to the touch, the quality is impeccable and it feels almost like second skin.

I can completely see myself wearing this to town on a weekend when I am back in Singapore. I could even wear it to work with white pants and a skinny belt. That’s killing three birds with one stone.

Besides my choice picks, Her Diva Online Fashion also offers an extensive range of quality apparels exclusively sourced from Taiwan and Korea. Products are updated daily, so you’ll always be spoiled for choice. The best part is, you get to purchase them at wholesale prices! 

I’ve also included a quick shopping guide below to help you along:

Her Diva Online Fashion Shopping Guide

Minimum Purchase

Given their extremely enticing price points, there
is a minimum purchase of 10 pieces for ready stock and 5 pieces for
pre-order stock in order for you to enjoy the wholesale price. You can
mix and match the products, which gives you the option of purchasing
different designs on your own or combining purchases with friends. 

Agent Membership

Alternatively,
you could also sign up for the Agent Membership, which starts from as
low as US$100 in credits which can be fully redeemed for products from
Her Diva. In this case, no minimum purchase is required.

Happy shopping, ladies!