LE CATCH

I made a whirlwind trip to Bali last week. The occasion: an extended family wedding, along with an opportunity to indulge in some incredibly rare R&R with my mother and twin sister. Bali, as you may recall, is where my Indonesian mother and Dutch photographer father first met. At the time he was shooting images which were later exhibited in the Smithsonian and in Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum. I've been to Bali numerous times, the first when I was six years old, but it's been over ten years since my last trip. My, how it has changed! It's now teeming with tourists and traffic but, thankfully, the island's inherent magic remains. We crammed in sightseeing, seaside frolicking and shopping in between the wedding festivities, venturing south to Uluwatu (pictured above and below) and inland to Ubud to check out the rice fields. Herewith, my adventures!

Uluwatu is near the southern tip of Bali, and its towering waves along with its sharp and shallow coral reef make a leisurely dip in the ocean pretty much impossible. But perhaps you wouldn't want to swim there anyway: legend has it the Indian Ocean sea goddess Nyai Roro Kiduyou ruthlessly rules the violent waves here, and since she favors green, wearing a green bathing suit is forbidden--lest you want to drown. Believe it or not, both my mother and my surfer husband, who is the least superstitious person I know, abide by this rule.

When it was time to hit the beach, we headed around the peninsula's corner to Finn's Beach Club and its calmer waters and white sandy shores--perfect for chilling out. To get down to this beach club, you have to take the equivalent of a small open-air funicular that slowly scales the steep cliff. The vibe is very Ibiza minus the thumping dance music and foam.

In case you get too hot after your stair climb up, you can always take a dip in this cliffside infinity pool. (It's wider than it appears.)

Next up, a day trip to Ubud, Bali's cultural center, where one goes to eat, pray and love. I did all of the above, along with check out the abundantly gorgeous rice fields. (My dress is by For Love & Lemons.)

Some of Bali's rice fields are thousands of years old. This one is situated in the backyard of Ubud's Chedi Club, a sprawling and serene estate, where the wedding rehearsal dinner was being staged. The grounds are breathtaking (see below).

All dressed for the party in this gleaming, feather-light Asos top and skirt, double-fisted to boot! (I'm holding my sister's wine glass while she snapped away.) Find my Givenchy sandals here.

In between all the festivities, I took some time out to shop in Sanur... (my bag is from Iomoi)

Drink from a coconut in Uluwatu.

Dine out in a bikini (and in a dress I am wearing backwards and tucked into a pair of shorts, no less!) at Cafe Batujimbar. (Truth be told, I ate lunch here three times during my visit. It's that good!)

And parade around in pom pom-trimmed shorts (made in Bali) around the pool. This is vacation, after all! (My top is by Peter Som x Kohl's.)

My twin sister Coliena and I also bonded over early morning runs on the beach, late night chats and rummaging through each other's suitcases for more clothes to wear/borrow/steal. She's wearing an Asos sequin dress, featured here, and I'm sporting a cut-out Self Portrait frock, also highlighted here.

This was the last sunset of my trip--an awe-inspiring, forever memorable sight. I'll be back one day again, Bali!

Spotted some cute pieces, like this mod-inspired print dress, this woven poncho, and this textured cape at H&M today and thought I'd share with you before they disappear in a blink of an eye.

$285, tibi

I'd swagger into work post-Labor Day weekend wearing this--and a smile. (P.S. This skirt is totally after hours-worthy, too!)

1. Michael Kors cashmere turtleneck, $1095, netaporter.com
2. Vita Fede crossed cuff, $825, shopbop.com
3. C'est Ahh cross-body bag, $511, matchesfashion.com
4. Prada suede sandals, $750, nordstrom.com
5. Tibi asymmetrical skirt, $285, tibi.com

As I mentioned last week, I packed like a pro for my trip to Bali, bringing mostly highly versatile dresses. I'd like to add this Kule cutie to my travel-ready arsenal, because I could pair it with a bikini as easily as I could with some night-out sandals. Plus, it's 40% off.

$49, gap

This denim boatneck blouse is about to be my weekend calling card.

1. Gap denim top, $49, gap.com
2. 3.1 Phillip Lim aviator sunglasses, $298, shopbop.com
3. Monserat De Lucca sequin tote, $125, shopbop.com
4. Ancient Greek Sandals, $640, modaoperandi.com
5. Alexander Wang frayed shorts, $320, netaporter.com

I have not one but two new pleated metallic (gold and silver) skirts hanging in my closet--and they've been there for weeks, untouched. Though I desperately want to wear them, I haven't been able to summon up the bravado (or, frankly, the occasion) to bust one out. But then there I was in Bali last weekend at a wedding and the best dressed guest was an older woman wearing a long pleated gold metallic skirt with a fitted, just-below-the-hip black sweater. She looked elegant and glamorous. She stood out. And I watched as she received compliments left and right. So, now I am all fired up to wear one of my skirts--and even drum up a little backyard cocktail party to do so. In the event you're interested in making a gleaming statement too, I found some tempting options from Topshop, Rules of Etiquette, Cedric Charlier and H&M.

$148, madewell

This lightweight biker-meets-bomber jacket cannot be more fall-friendly--and chic.

1. Equipment striped cotton blouse, $180, netaporter.com
2. Madewell nylon bomber jacket, $148, madewell.com
3. Victoria Beckham Denim skinny jeans, $365, netaporter.com
4. Poverty Flats cross-body bag, $78, nordstrom.com
5. Eddie Borgo cuff, $315, shopbop.com
6. Stuart Weitzman suede pumps, $355, shopbop.com

Lucky for us this year, summer's easy, let-loose vibe will carry into fall, in the form of casually untucked shirts. This fresh look is easy to pull to off by pairing long button-downs over skirts, tailored shorts, or sleek fitted trousers. Some tops to try out this trend include this J.Crew, this MiH, this Victoria Beckham and this Acne.

Photos: Harper's Bazaar, Fabsugar

$65, pixie market

This shirt dress is my ticket to hot-summer-day-in-the-city chic.

1. Pixie Market shirt dress, $65, pixiemarket.com
2. Ray-Ban round sunglasses, $150, jcrew.com
3. Elizabeth and James earrings, $175, shopbop.com
4. See by Chloe suede bag, $445, netaporter.com
5. Vince slip-on sneakers, $136, shopbop.com

I've been bounding around Bali this past week (more details and snaps to come!), wearing thoughtfully chosen clothes that go from day to night, rice paddy to restaurant, such as this white lace For Love and Lemons open-back dress. I'm wearing this white bikini top underneath, so I am also pool-ready, of course. Thanks to my twin sister, who snapped this pic of me in action in Ubud!