Planning your Euro summer? Here is everything you need to know about the romantic getaway.
Get ready for picturesque Italian summer days with a mixture of quaint countryside escapes to coastal culture and must-see views. Hannah Frank and Hannah Juneva have explored Positano & Sorrento and have given us a detailed guide of where to stay, swim, drink & dine.
This is luxury. Panoramic sea views, elevated aesthetics and cherry on top, it has a coast line pool.
Such a beautiful authentic side of the Amalfi Coast. This is an escape from the crowded streets of summer tourists, it’s only 20 minutes drive from Sorrento and Positano with stunning views on the way up in into the hills.
Nestled right along the coast with the most breathtaking views of the ocean and filled with the most heart warming staff. This is a 10/10 from us.
Do you want to wake up to the ocean breeze and sun shining? You must stay here then. Each and every room has a view of the ocean where you can witness sunrise and sunset.
MARINA PICCOLA DI CAPRI
This is where you’ll find the infamous colorful umbrellas scattered along the coastline. From this beach, there’s a coastal walk to Augusta’s gardens. Views were to die for.
BAGNI REGINA GIOVANNA
This is a natural swimming hole off the beaten path of Sorrento. Bring your book, towel & SPF for an all day adventure.
MARINA GRANDE
This beach is a must for sun baking the day away plus, it’s free!
Such a nice dinner stop with ocean views and seafood pasta that will have you begging for more (maybe more wine, too).
Make sure you wear your flowy linens because this is the freshest pasta I have ever tasted, you're not going to want to stop. This was an all-around crowd pleaser.
This is what you picture when you think Amalfi Coast, bright umbrellas, Aperol Spritz, lounge chairs for days.
A late night disco club to get dressed up and have a little cocktail & boogie with the chicks.
Watch the sun fall into the horizon with an Aperol Spritz in hand.
Such a fun and lively vibe, we highly recommend the frozen passion fruit margarita (might be the best I’ve ever had).
Images & suggestions from Hannah Frank and Hannah Juneva, written by Hannah Kouba.
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A dreamy, '80s brick motel nostalgia reimagined with creativity in every detail. enjoy a lux room or your own private bungalow, with poolside lounging and bar. We could stay here forever.
A delicious Asian fusion with an interior space like you’ve never seen before. You can’t go wrong with any dish or drink!
This place goes above and beyond, offering 100% plant based meals, specialty curated cocktails and a service like no other. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it.
The perfect spot for an afternoon cocktail, located right at Wategos beach, you’ll feel like you’ve just escaped to Europe. Oh and we highly recommend the Paloma or aperol spritz ;)
Arguably one of the best coffees we had while in Byron. Everything about the sundrenched space, lovely service and cappuccinos will have you melting.
The space, the food, the ceramics, the people. It’s a must try, located in the heart of the arts industrial area where you’ll find nearby boutique shops, art, and famous surfboard shapers.
Spend the day soaking up the sun, watching the surfers and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of dolphins playing around the shore.
One of the best surf breaks in Byron for all levels, with crystal blue waters and you’ll be sure to see sealife swimming past.
Perfect remedy after a night out on the town. A brisk 45 minute loop along the coast with breathtaking views of the water and of course, the original Byron Bay Lighthouse at the top.
Start or end the day with a nourishing sauna soak in the most lush space. This is a Byron local fav and they always have the best deals running.
The go to Pilates in town for the full body burn. We started most of our days here (so we could feel good about all those cocktails later). We experienced the best teachers, pumping tunes and we must say we're still dreaming of this space.
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A quiet, charming boutique hotel located in the countryside with 14 unique rooms, private gardens, and unreal views. We are still obsessing over this space and the food, oh the foood.
This space is designed ‘in the spirit of an artist's vacation cottage’, drenched in natural light, beautiful art, countryside pool and delicious eats. We found the whole space to be filled with timeless, yet creative pieces & decor we seriously couldn’t get enough of.
A beautiful space, giving ‘home away from home’ the moment you walk in. Located on 128 acres with countryside views, modern design and it's only 15 minutes to some of the best beaches in Menorca.
CALA EN BRUT
You’ll find a blue your eyes have yet to experience. This spot is perfect for snorkelling and if you’re craving a bit of thrill you’ll find stunning cliff jumping spots here.
CALA D’ALGAIARENS
Perfect beach to get lost in a book under the Spanish sun.
CALA MITIANA
This beach is one of the most famous in Menorca, yet remains untouched by developers. It can only be reached by boat or foot via a walking path which is about a mile. It is well worth the steps to experience its breathtaking beauty; from the pine trees, cliffs, and warm Spanish sand.
MOLL DE SA PUNTA
A beautiful tapas and cocktail bar sitting right along the water. Here you’ll find traditional Spanish bites made from fresh, local ingredients. OH and we must say the aperol spritz is the real cherry on top of the whole experience.
MENORCA EXPERIMENTAL
Experience an abundance of fresh and seasonal Menorcan produce, most of which comes from the house's own garden. Traditional and emerging Spanish design and creativity pour out from every sip, bite and space.
COVA D’EN XOROI
The best spot for sunset drinks, offering the most stunning view, nestled right into the cliffside, you will feel as if you’re dreaming awake.
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Countless individuals, organizations, and foundations are hard at work to get aid directly to the communities and families impacted in Lahaina.
In an effort to bring more awareness, we’ve curated a list of verified sources you can donate directly to.
FAMILIES OF LAHAINA
WAHINE TOA FOUNDATION
https://www.guidestar.org/profile/86-2808256
NO MAUI KE ALOHA
https://checkout.square.site/buy/TZ5IAZYN26CKVT3YSFRIGHOH
AINA MOMOMA
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/aina-momona
MAUI DISASTER RELIEF
MAUI STRONG
MAUI PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MAUI HUMANE SOCIETY
ALOHA UNITED WAY
RISE HAWAII
MAUI FOOD BANK
AMERICAN RED CROSS IN HAWAII
https://www.redcross.org/local/hawaii.html
We are doing everything we can behind the scenes to help Maui rise— your donations are making an impact on the lives of many.
Sending prayers and love to all of Maui 🤎
]]>ARIES always giving us the firey + confident energy we need.
OUR PICK: TROPEZ BIKINI TOP X SELMA SA
TAURUS channeling the artistic and independent.
OUR PICK: INEZ BIKINI TOP X SIMONE BIKINI BOTTOM
'
GEMINI keeping it playful and dynamic.. per usual.
OUR PICK: BAMBI BABY TEE DRESS
CANCER looking good and feeling all the feels.
OUR PICK: DAYA BIKINI TOP X LUKA BIKINI BOTTOM
LEO all eyes on you babe.
OUR PICK: BLISS BIKINI TOP X TUCKER BIKINI BOTTOM
VIRGO ticks off an entire to-do list in one fit.
OUR PICK: MASE BIKINI TOP X RIO BIKINI BOTTOM
LIBRA the perfect balance of spontaneous and strategic.
OUR PICK: RIVA ONE PIECE SWIMSUIT
SCORPIO the passionate sunbather and minimal tan lines enthusiast.
OUR PICK: LELE BIKINI TOP X BIJOU BIKINI BOTTOM
SAGITTARIUS *books flight simultaneously to buying suit*
OUR PICK: TROPEZ BIKINI TOP X RIVER BIKINI BOTTOM
CAPRICORN shows us practical never hurt anyone.
OUR PICK: CONCH BIKINI TOP X SUMATRA BIKINI BOTTOM
AQUARIUS pushing typical bikini boundaries.
OUR PICK: RICO BIKINI TOP X NOLA BIKINI BOTTOM
PISCES the babes we can’t keep out of the water.
OUR PICK: RAFA ONE PIECE SWIMSUIT
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Dear SFS family!
We are so proud to let you know we are making masks! CDC guidelines now recommend that we all need to be wearing masks when we leave our homes, especially if we are going to be near others. So to support and protect our community, we have redirected our production resources to make much needed non-medical grade masks.
We are in this together and to extend a hand to others, for every 5 Pack of Non-medical Grade Masks purchased, we donate the same to individuals and organisations in need. And because we know our beautiful community (you!) is bursting with compassion, you can also pay it forward and just purchase a pack to donate. Help us support vulnerable communities in need, and our incredible essential workers who are putting themselves at risk to keep our country running.
Our decision to make masks was made out of love – we have the resources and the capabilities as a small business to quickly pivot and expand to meet this vital need. We are offering adult and kids masks – visit our online shop to purchase. We are facing so much change, but we are here together, supporting, uplifting and caring for our community.
xx
Chels
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The Curious Collective
]]>“For real change, we need feminine energy in the management of the world. We need a critical number of women in positions of power, and we need to nurture the feminine energy in men.”
— Isabel Allende
As we step into a new year and a new decade, I can’t help but feel excited and inspired by the rise of feminine energy that I see in society today. I’m not just talking about the pursuit of gender equality, but moreso, about the celebration of the more feminine side of us all, regardless of our gender.
We all have a feminine and masculine side, it’s just that society has long preferenced masculine qualities over feminine. Our little boys, who are naturally born with a strong feminine side, are trained to emphasise their masculinity – to never cry, show emotion, or be too touchy feely. And our girls are told they need to be stronger and tougher, that our emotions are our weakness, and that our empathy can be taken advantage of. On the flipside, women are put down for being ‘too bossy’, instead of being praised for simply displaying their leadership skills.
So as we step into this new decade, let’s all embrace the feminine side of ourselves which is so often silenced, suppressed or ignored. Here’s what I’ve been thinking about lately in this space:
Sister are a feminist business consulting agency and they have some incredible resources on their site, including their 12 Principles for a Feminist Business. The first two principles are great (as are the other 10, but we’ll start with two!):
I have been trying to use these first two principles to guide how I run my business – to remind myself that I have a body that needs rest, care and exercise. That I’m not just a productivity machine that can run on adrenalin with no end in sight. And like I’ve mentioned in previous journals, the second principle really guides our new business initiatives to be more sustainable – that we are connected to the planet we live and work on, and we can either choose to have a negative or positive impact on that planet.
No matter what you’re doing, I think it’s so important to remember these two principles every single day – to always treat your body and the planet with care.
The feminine emphasises qualities of empathy, care and collaboration — qualities that can be so easy to forget when you’re running a business. You fail to have empathy for a customer or supplier who might have made a mistake or is failing to deliver what you need on time. In the haste to meet deadlines and maintain cashflow, you forget to show care for your team. And you see all other businesses in the same industry as a threat, rather than a potential source of collaboration.
Maybe you’re reading this and thinking “I don’t run a business, why is my bikini label telling me all this?!”. We all have some sort of job and play a role in our families and communities, so we can all show more feminine leadership in our lives. And when we do, that’s how we start to shift our society to be fairer, safer, and kinder for all.
Start to think about how you operate in a workplace or at school. Think about whether there are times you could show more care and empathy for those around you. Find ways to collaborate, rather than compete.
“Male and female represent the two sides of the great radical dualism. But in fact they are perpetually passing into one another. Fluid hardens to solid, solid rushes to fluid. There is no wholly masculine man, no purely feminine woman.””
— Margaret Fuller
For too long, society (ahem, the patriarchy) has favored only the masculine and while we need to elevate the feminine in all of us, perhaps we also just need to see more of a balance of the two. Sometimes in our lives we might need to dip into a masculine mindset to be more action-oriented. Other times we need to dip back into the feminine to be more caring and nurturing. Both sides exist in us all, and once we bring the feminine more to the fore, there is room for both to be more fluidly evident in our lives.
I’m still figuring out how this looks for my life and my business, but I’m so glad to be on the journey.
I’d love to hear your thoughts too!
We got this, ladies.
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“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world.
Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”― Rumi
In our last journal entry we shared why we’ve recently been changing the way we run Stone Fox Swim, from more sustainable packaging, to carbon offsetting. Today, we’d like to share with you why we’ve also been learning to give ourselves permission to change and evolve as individuals.
As women, the world scrutinises every little change we experience and tells us how to stop each and every one of them – we’re urged to stay lean, heal our stretch marks, wind back the clock on our wrinkles, and cover up our gray hairs. Beyond the physical, society and our communities hasten to put us in boxes and stack us together on shelves of expectation which we must stay put in forever – you’re a mom, you’re a fashion designer, you’re a ‘this’ or a ‘that’. Each with a certain set of rules or boundaries.
It’s been a decade since I started Stone Fox Swim, and while the core ethos of this brand remains the same, I recently had to acknowledge that I wasn’t the same person I was ten years ago. I’ve grown as a woman, and become more aware of the changing world around me.
So let’s embrace the changes we go through as women. Let’s pay attention to how our friends are evolving around us and celebrate their growth. And let’s be kind to ourselves when it sometimes feels like we’re going backwards in life. Change isn’t linear, it’s not always easy, and it comes about differently for everyone.
As we head towards a new year, here are some of my tips for embracing, and celebrating changes in yourself:
Sometimes, in the sea of everything that has come and gone, we forget to acknowledge, or celebrate the good – even that which might have come from the adverse or unexpected. As we head into the new year, it’s a nice time to jot down all the things that have happened this year, and breathe it all out as we step, lighter, into a new one. Here are some questions to help guide your journal entry:
– What challenges did I overcome this year?
– What did I learn from those challenges?
– What aspects of myself have I outgrown this year?
– What aspects of myself do I want to embrace in the new year?
I’m not saying ditch all your old friends. No way! But it’s important to recognise when you’re becoming more interested in new areas and are connecting with people who share these passions.
Our journey towards sustainability has opened my eyes to all the incredible people who hold wisdom in this area and I’ve loved connecting with these people through Instagram. So I encourage you to embrace the new things that are lighting up your heart, and widening your mindset now, and dive deep into those areas – find new accounts to follow on social media and reach out to these people.
Life is a continual journey in learning, and sharing, so gather new friends who will help you on this path.
If these changes feel good for you, then that’s all that matters.
Happy evolving ladies.
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A stunning recording of one of the of the quietest places in the US, Olympic National Park
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