OUR NEW HOME: MARIAANDELIZABETH.COM

We are thrilled to announce that our blog has found a new home! Maria & Elizabeth.com has finally been launched and we are ecstatic to share this with you all! Huge thanks to everyone for the unwavering support. 

xx

Maria & Elizabeth

DRESS UP WITH DRESSCODES

In life, there are special dresses for special occasions. The one I'm wearing wearing is a beautiful Aidan Mattox white camisole dress, which by the way, looks and feels like a work of art thank to its intricate fine beading and body of sequins. It was incredible to photograph as the killer Bali coastline lingered in the background.

There are countless events that I have to attend, whether they're for work or social commitments such as industry events, weddings, birthdays, bridal showers, the list goes on. The perfect dress is always out there, but you don't expect me and the rest of us females to buy a dress every time an event pops up, do you? What happens when you need a spectacular outfit but don't want to spend a fortune on buying something you know you're only going to wear once? As a responsible and conscious consumer, i't's always nice to discover alternative ways to shop outside of the obvious traditional practices. 

This is where The Dresscodes come in. They're a company that lend us girls the dress of our dreams for a fraction of the price. Wear it for a few days, then return it hassle free. They make high-cost fashion pieces accessible to women unable or unwilling to pay full price. Dresscodes' main concept is simple: To be a community for fashion forward women to wear fashionable dresses while saving a significant amount of money, one occasion at a time. Is this not the answer to our prayers? 

In addition to lending dresses, their dresses are also on sale for a fraction of the prices found on the market. Plus, for those of you who have high-end dresses lying around that you no longer plan on using, Dresscodes accept consignments from dress owners. This means that you can sell your dresses to them. 

Have your DVF/ Vera Wang/ Badgley Mischka and eat it too! 

GOOD KARMA

We all know that Bali is filled with sensational beach resorts, but Karma...Karma's different. Opulent private beach villas, stunning ocean views, restaurants lead by world renowned chefs, the 5 star resort has it all. On top of that, Karma Kandara Resort is elevated 85 meters above sea level, perched high above an exceptional limestone cliff at Bali's most southernmost tip. Having been voted Best Beach Resort in Asia by World Travel Awards, it's a favorite with travelers from all around the world. 

Capable of making all your holiday dreams come true, Karma caters to all your needs. If you wish to lounge by the waters, there's the glorious main infinity pool perfect for afternoon laps overlooking the indian ocean. Or, why not ride the inclinator down 85 meters to one of Karma's gems - Karma Beach Club, also known as Nammos Beach Club. The ride down alone is enough to send shivers down your spine, however it gets better when you see that what awaits you are crystal clear waters as far as the eye can see. This is the place to go if you're looking to sip a few cocktails, laze all day on beach cabanas, catch some waves, or even have a delicious bite or two. For those with sweet tooths, we highly recommend the chocolate fudge brownie - absolutely to die for. Worn out after a swim, the mouthwatering brownie was the perfect way for us to close a long day on the beach. 

If you're a person who judges a resort entirely on its spa, Karma Spa & Wellness, is one of the highest regarded on the entire island. The setting is sublime spa shacks situated on a dramatic cliff directly overlooking serene views of the Indian Ocean. The massage menu is extensive, and we went with the Intuitive Balinese Massage - 95 minutes of pure bliss. Following the massage was 30 minutes in a detox sauna, then finally the third stage - a dip in an unbelievable Himalayan salt pool. Karma's spa was like no other we've ever experienced! Our minds were utterly and completely blown at how amazing the whole experience was and how nicely all the elements worked together. It guarantees to bring mind and body to balance. 

But seriously, all that is secondary when you have one of Karma's villas to call home during your stay. We're not gonna lie, we had trouble venturing outside of ours - we didn't want to leave! All of Karma's villas are accommodated with a private pool, DVD home theatre system, private chefs available on request, and fully equipped kitchen. Villas of 2 - 5 bedrooms are all exceptional. The three bedroom villa we stayed in was massive. It was like finding our dream home. And that's when you know a resort has done its job; when it successfully gives you the feeling of being at home. This feeling was in large due to how well the Karma staff looked upon us during our stay. We want to acknowledge the brilliant men and women who were extremely kind and welcoming - the epitome of Balinese hospitality. 

"We create experiences," is their slogan, and Karma Kandara does not disappoint. Ours, an experience assembled of unforgettable moments that will be cherished for years to come. 

E! NEWS ASIA: DION LEE AT SINGAPORE FASHION WEEK 2015

On the second day of Singapore Fashion Week 2015, we had the privilege of interviewing  Dion Lee, one of the most awarded and promising designers from Australia. He has been booming in recent times and it's no wonder because he is one of fashion's leading engineers. 

Once again, the location of the interview was backstage right before he showed. We waited patiently for him to take some time for our interview and to be honest, he looked quite stressed and focused setting up clothes for his models (couldn't blame him!). However, once we snatched him for 10 minutes for the interview, he seemed much more relaxed and quite a friendly guy to talk to. Ended the night watching his spectacular show! A sea of emeralds and jewel-like dresses and to die for outerwear cascaded the catwalk....casual luxe at it's best! 

Click here to watch all the videos

Furthermore, during the second day of fashion week, Elizabeth and I decided to bring out our twin dynamic and have matching outfits! Not identical in the least, but cohesive nonetheless. We opted to wear pieces from contemporary Indonesian Designer, Stella Rissa's volume 01/2015 collection. Elizabeth in the jumpsuit while I myself in a long fitted dress. Her pieces exude a confident, straight to business type of woman, both sexy and demure at the same time, which we love. 

L HOTEL SEMINYAK

Big things come in small packages. This saying is especially true for the L Hotel Seminyak. From afar, it may look like a compact boutique hotel, but once you step inside, you quickly realize that there is so much more than meets the eye.

Architecturally designed by Popo Danes, one of Bali's leading architects, L Hotel Seminyak sweeps you off your feet with it's sophisticated layout. The hotel is decorated with a modern flare yet stays true to its Balinese roots which are evident in the details throughout the establishment. Strategically located in Seminyak, one of Bali's prime areas,  the hotel has been the winner of various awards, including Indonesia's leading romantic hotel and favorite resort hotel which was voted by travel agents.              

Rooms are divided into three categories: Lifestyle Suites, Legian Suites and Luxe Suites. We stayed in a gorgeous Luxe Suite which was perfect for two! We were told this particular suite is very popular with couples because it boasts an open concept-bathroom and a deluxe bathtub, which by the way has a proximity of only half a meter from the bed! Furthermore, the room itself is lushly decorated in a clean and highly sophisticated aesthetic which we loved. We now knew why L Hotels Seminyak was voted as most romantic. Our room also came with some amazing perks, which included a 24 hour butler service, 24 hour shuttle service around Seminyak, and get this, complete amenities all from Kiehl's! 

This whole trip would not have been possible if it weren't for Bobo Lotto - a series of lottery cards from  Bobobobo that provide special discounts from everything from food, to retail, to hotels and travel. The one we received gave us a discount to stay at the L Hotel Seminyak, and of course we obliged. Bobobobo's travel category is easy and convenient to use, so check out their website for more details on how you can plan your next staycation or holiday!