What better way to spend your birthday than in a tropical resort on an exotic island, surrounded by great humans!  There’s no better place to experience the Pacific with a taste of France than New Caledonia, where Melanesian tradition blends with French sophistication.

This year I was totally spoilt by SPG Restaurants and bars, who thought I should check out their New Caledonian digs, for an epic birthday retreat!  First stop was the Sheraton Hotel in Deva.  This is postcard picturesque with palm tree lined walkways and poolside cabanas to rival any Mediterranean wonderland!  I actually let out a little squeal of delight when I discovered my private, hidden bungalow, and slipped straight into my fluffy white robe just in time to watch the Sunset over my back deck whilst sipping on the first of many glasses of bubbles!

We spent a couple of nights wining and dining on some delish local treats and eating waaay too much!   I had birthday dinner at the Reef restaurant at the Sheraton Hotel, with a cute little plate of petite fours for dessert.   Reef Restaurant is part of the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Savour and Save promotion, where you could receive up to 25% off dining across Australia, Fiji and New Caledonia.

We checked out some sights on the way to our next stop, including Turtle Bay, then checked straight into Le Meridien in Noumea, for some serious R&R. The French influence was definitely noticeable here, especially when we ate at one of the restaurants in the main street.  Having spent a bit of time in Paris, and with a couple of Frenchy’s in my fam, I have a pretty high standard when it comes to French fair, but I’ve gotta say this was some of the best French food I’ve ever eaten!

Then back to the hotel for some more poolside action, its amazing how quickly the days flew by even though we didn’t do much! I did read a fantastic book though, which I would highly recommend to anyone that’s interested in alternate healing.  Its called The Journey by Brandon Bays, and talks about the “healing and transformational modality to uncover and awaken your limitless potential, and to apply it in every area of your life.”  It was life changing for me, and hopefully will be for some of you too!

I was dressed almost exclusively in Camilla – I’ve owned a couple of her pieces in the past and always cherished them, so to be rocking a  new, colourful, embellished piece daily, made me feel like an Island Princess!  Do you have a fave?  I think mine was the short blue dress shot by the pool.  The headpiece this is styled with is from Kookai and the white strappy sandals I have imported, so if you wanna grab a pair I have two left! Get in touch quick, or leave me a comment below with your size!

The dream tropical holiday wouldn’t be complete without the amazing swimsuits!  Black kini top is from Aussie label IYA Australia,  and the triangle embellished piece is from Sinq or Swim.

Oh and I have saved a little birthday love for you, SPG are gifting a $100 voucher to any of these amazing SPG restaurants for one lucky reader! To enter just post a pic of your fave holiday destination to your Instagram with the #savorandsave hashtag.

More info here, http://www.spgrestaurantsandbars.com/savourandsave, good luck, can’t wait to see your entries!

Special thankyou to my amazing friends and spectacular photographers Ineke Kay and Paul Mac…much love to you both xxxx

PS. If you want some style tips for your next holiday, leave me your deets below and I will send you my Top 3 Style Tips video straight to your inbox!