PHENOMENAL LIVING

Welcome to the May edition of Phenomenal Living Online Magazine. This month we are focused on holiday planning. Here on the Phenomenal Living page we like to share the phenomenal things we think will enhance your life in some way. If it is something that motivates, educates, inspires, enhances or induldges you in some way, then we think that it is phenomenal. Each month we bring you our top choices for each category and hope that you will enjoy their benefits too. Our philosophy is one that brings together vintage values and contemporary opportunity, we love to enhance mind, body and spirit and we are all about growing into our greater selves.

Whether you want a little luxury livng or a spiritually enhanced existence, we are all about bringing the things that lift us up and make us feel good into our lives and are therefore here to offer you a ready made list of phenomenal products, places and events that will do just that. With our monthly fashion and beauty hot picks, international lifestye and culture section, luxury living ideas and dreams, whats hot and happening guides plus a motivational article or blog to keep you living a life that serves you.

This month we are going with a more natural look in the beauty department, plus gearing up for UK festival season and with holiday season right round the corner, it's time to find a new phenomenal place to visit for our annual downtime. We've picked a few destinations that will not only deliver sun, sand and lounging luxury, but spectacular places that have an amazing culture to explore. In a world of wonder, isn't it time you travelled to expand your mind. That's the phenomenal way.

This month we are looking for fresh, effortless and naturally chic looks to go. With contouring leaving the fashion foray and a more natural, luminous and dewy look taking the season by storm, we’re going back to effortless chic this month with phenomenal items that will have you bouncing beautifully through spring.

We’re loving this season’s shorter trouser, from light weight cropped jeans to summery culottes. Both offering a versatile, elegant and playful look and that just stepped out of Paris look, what’s not to love! Both styles get bonus points for also being super comfy, easy to pack and cool enough for the summer holiday months. Now you can show off your fabulous shoes, be it your favourite ankle boots, comfy pumps or for a little sunshiny glamour, this season’s cute scrappy ‘hue heel.’ Both Audrey Hepburn and Lauren Becall were fans of the cropped trouser. For effortless styling for any occasion, get with the crop and cash in on the culotte.

John Galliano was the first British designer to work as head designer for French fashion houses, Givenchy and Christian Dior, whilst simultaneously running his own label Galliano. Impressive. Graduating from Saint Martin's School of Art and design in London (1984). His first collection, entitled Les Incroyables, was deeply inspired by the French Revolution, but with a love for theatre and femininity, Galliano says his role is to ‘seduce’ and is essential to his creations. With a flair for the dramatic coupled with a little Parisian chic, Galliano certainly seduced us all with his artistic direction and designs for his 50’s fashion show in Paris. Phenomenal, feminine and sophisticatingly sensual. J’adore. Now how do we go about getting those frocks in for our next shoot!

Spiritual yoga retreat in Bali or seven days at sea with the best parties Yacht week in Croatia? Either way a little luxury, adventure and relaxation make for some serious phenomenal living. We’re loving the idea of yacht week in Croatia (also in Thailand) which offers you seven days of sailing, exploring stunning destinations, hanging out at the hottest spots and includes the ultra beach party festival. Or perhaps you’d prefer a more spiritually charged setting in that lends itself perfectly to a greater sense of calm? This months choice is Bali.

(See all our spa choices below)

Fancy sailing on a yacht with friends for a whole week? Then it's time for a crazy adventure where you will explore the islands of Croatia, party on a boat, party on the beach and dance somewhere different everyday, with exclusive events, (including the Ulta music festival) live DJ's and a host of other yachters all sailing the same route together. Sail into Hvar, the St Tropez of Croatia and discover the culture, the glamour and become part of a fun community that knows how to live a phenomenal life. Who said you had to be a billionnaire to see the word from your own yacht! Trips are also available in the Caribean, Thailand, Greece, Turkey and the British Virgin islands, so take your pick. This is most certainly on my list of Phenomenal things to do. I may well be 20 years to old to party this hard nowadays, but who knows, maybe I will see you there.

For the ultimate spa break, head to Bali for a sensational, sun kissed sanctuary. Indulge in a coconut scrub, herbal steam or iced cuccumber bath at Alila villa, or check out the W Hotel, a martial arts inspired Zen spa with a detox oxygen room proven to cure any hangover. They also provide 2am massage’s and wushu breathing and stretching to get your chi flowing.

We also like the Como Shambhala Bali Estate, a jungle wonderland right up in the trees. A little like a glam tree house with an all round wellbeing experience that is completely immersive (There’s even a psycotmherapist on site). It’s also the winner of Condenasts best destination spa award and Dona Karan goes there to rejuvenate. So we’re giving it phenomenal points too.

Two other fab options are the Five elments, Puri Ahimsa, for a cultural balinese experience and traditional balinese purification blessing ceremonies. The Five Seasons is guided by Balinese philosophy and tradition to facilitate positive change in the world. Sustainable, natural and peaceful, definitely worth checking out. Our final choice is the Four seasons resort, at Sayan, Bali. For all round glamour, alongside the opportunity to hang upside down doing antigravity yoga in a paddy field sounds like phenomenal behaviour.