Bali Shopping Guide: Inside the Tropical World of Xoxo Bali

Meet Xoxo Bali, an iconic local brand bringing tropical flair to handmade souvenirs since 2013. Founded by a Bali-based artist Finda Ayu, this homegrown success story began with simple postcards and has since grown into a colourful collection of passport covers, greeting cards, and lifestyle keepsakes loved by travellers from around the world.

Xoxo Bali stands out for its playful illustrations and visual identity – bright, cheerful, and unapologetically tropical. Each piece captures the spirit of Bali, translating everyday island moments into designs that are full of character.

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The Unexpected Beginning of Xoxo Bali

If you’re a regular at Bali markets, you’ve probably noticed those bright colours with tropical fruit icons – yep, that’s Xoxo Bali. It all started at a Sate Ayam street food stall when Finda and a friend (that friend is me btw, haha!) were chatting over dinner about how cool it would be to have an Instagram page to share suggestions and updates on what’s new in Bali – there weren’t many pages like that back then! She decided to name it Xoxo Bali.

Then she thought, why not take it a step further and sell postcards too? After all, how many people send postcards these days, right? Let’s make snail mail cool again! Plus, when those postcards travel around the world, they help spread the joy of Bali far and wide.

Starting with postcards, little did she know she’d end up with a whole collection of merchandise – from tote bags and pouches to wallets, hats, and more. She quit her full-time corporate job to pursue her dream of building her brand! And now, 12 years later, Xoxo Bali is available in over 15 shops around Bali, and she’s a regular at markets. What a journey! You know what’s even cooler? Every single illustration is created by Finda herself!

Let’s take a peek at Xoxo Bali’s current best-sellers and hear from Finda what makes each one so special.

Xoxo Bali’s Best-Selling Products

Greeting Cards: Cheeky Puns & Tropical Fruits

After discovering that people still do send postcards, Finda decided to level up with greeting cards. Featuring colourful tropical fruit illustrations and cheeky puns, these cards were some of the first products she sold, and they’ve remained the best-selling items ever since.

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Passport Covers: Water-Resistant Travel Essentials

Adding some fun to your travels, these cheerful passport covers are made from water-resistant canvas on the outside, with pockets inside perfect for your boarding passes, cards, and other airport essentials. They’ve become a quick favourite too! Now you can travel with your favourite durian, but without the smell, hehe.

Toiletry Pouches: Versatile & Durable

Originally designed as a toiletry pouch to complement your travels, Xoxo Bali lovers quickly started using them to store all sorts of everyday essentials. The perfect size to fit everything from makeup and tissues to chargers and more. Like most Xoxo Bali products, they’re made with water-resistant canvas on the outside and a water-resistant polyester lining inside. I confess that I own quite a few of these, even though I only travel with minimal toiletries.

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Where to Buy Xoxo Bali

With 12 years of creating unique, joy-filled products, Xoxo Bali now offers a wide range of items that you can easily browse and shop on their Tokopedia store: Xoxo Bali.

More than just souvenirs, each piece carries a little slice of Bali’s colour, thoughtfully designed to bring happiness into everyday life. Support local artists and celebrate life the tropical way with Xoxo Bali, because sometimes, a little colour is all you need to brighten your day 🌴✨

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23 Feb 2025 by Teman Bella in Lifestyle

Lokananta: Why This Musical Landmark is a Must-Visit in Solo

An Article by Natasya Soetantyo Solo is one of the cities in Indonesia that I always wanted to explore but never got a chance to (despite travelling to Central Java quite often since I was young). Last January, this long-overdue bucket list was finally ticked off. After a comforting lunch of soto and a cheeky es dawet selasih from the nearby market, food coma didn't stop us from exploring the city further - after all, it was only a two-day trip. We then made our way to Lokananta, located on Jalan Ahmad Yani, Laweyan. You may also like this article: Swapping Beaches for Mountaintops - A Chilly Christmas in Bromo Lokananta is a sacred pilgrimage site for those passionate about music, art, and history. Established in 1956, it was Indonesia’s first record label and vinyl record producer. In their heyday, they were the ones that introduced Indonesia to legendary musicians; Gesang (famously known for his song ‘Bengawan Solo'), Titiek Puspa, and Waldjinah to name a few. Its archive is not limited to only pop and Keroncong music at the time; but also home to Indonesia’s largest collection of Gamelan recordings, various ethnic/ folk music throughout the country, and even a recorded speech of Presiden Soekarno reading the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence. After several challenging decades trying to adapt to technological advances of cassettes and CDs, Lokananta was revitalised in 2022 and is now functioning as a modern creative hub for the public. Exploring Galeri Lokananta The museum, Galeri Lokananta, is an essential part of the visit. It is a ticketed entry with limited time slots - you can either explore the exhibition by yourself or with a guided tour. I opted for the first option; this gave me a bit more freedom to enjoy each part of the exhibition at my own pace. I wouldn’t mind doing the guided tour on my next visit though; turns out the discography room can only be entered with the tour guide present. My share of tips: book a guided tour online as we were unable to book it in-person. Fun, Concise, and Engaging Those three words sum up the experience. The first part of the exhibition depicts the origin of Lokananta and its transformative journey in becoming a significant part of Indonesian music history. Brimmed with cool memorabilia (a room full of original Lokananta vinyls!), clear information, and immersive multimedia installations - the entire exhibition was easy to digest. My personal favourite was the room explaining the vinyl production process. You may also like this article: Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie - Semarang’s Sweetest Escape The later part of the exhibition (only until 8 March 2025) delves into a more general theme of Indonesia’s pop music in the 60s - especially its tumultuous journey under Soekarno’s era of censorship. As I go along enjoying their colourful, aesthetically-pleasing pop graphics and listening to rare Lokananta original recordings, two things particularly caught my attention - the existence of a local genre music called Lenso (please look up its interesting history!) and a once-banned Indonesia Raya recording that was deemed too subversive. Even if a museums are not your thing, the precinct’s line-ups of trendy coffee shops, restaurants, and retail spaces are still worth a visit. I do suggest you stop by the Lokananta Record Store - their collection of rare Indonesian vinyls from the 60s and 70s really sparked my interest to start a vinyl collection. Planning Your Visit ⏰ Museum (Galeri Lokananta) Hours: Daily, 10am – 8pm 🎟️ Entry Time Slots (10 sessions per day): Session 1: 10am - 12pm (with a guided tour) Session 2: 11am - 12pm Session 3: 12pm - 2pm (with a guided tour) Session 4: 1pm - 2pm Session 5: 2pm - 4pm (with a guided tour) Session 6: 3pm - 4pm Session 7: 4pm - 6pm (with a guided tour) Session 8: 5pm - 6pm Session 9: 6pm - 8pm (with a guided tour) Session 10: 7pm - 8pm 💰Ticket Prices: Adults: IDR 35,000 Kids (above 100cm), Students, Seniors: IDR 25,000 Foreigners: IDR 70,000 (with tour guide) / IDR 50,000 (without tour guide) 💬 Guided Tour Booking: Online only at Galeri Lokananta Website 🙋‍♀️ Personal Tips: ● If you opt for a guided tour, make sure you book online before you arrive as time slots can be limited. ● All exhibition materials were written in Indonesian; perhaps getting a tour guide is worthwhile if Indonesian is not your first language. ● Bring an umbrella on rainy day

18 Jun 2026 by Bella in Lifestyle

Where to Go for Live Music in Canggu: Your Guide to Chill Night Outs

Live Music in Canggu I’ve written many articles about places to eat in Canggu for lunch and dinner - but now...where do we go after dinner for a chill night out? I’m not really into partying anymore (those days are behind me, lol), but I do enjoy catching up with friends over music that isn’t too loud, with a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz in hand. Canggu after hours has a different kind of energy. The night is still young, but things slow down a little. The good thing about this neighbourhood is that you don’t have to look very far to find live music spots perfect for a relaxed night out. Here are some of the places I enjoy, along with a few recommendations from friends. You may also like this article: My Little Canggu Restaurant List - Part 1 Black Sand Brewery: A Favourite Among Canggu's Millennial CrowdThe Barn: Live Music Every NightClub House Pererenan: The New Kid on the Block with Great Live BandsDeus Ex Machina: Still One of Canggu’s Most Iconic SpotsGimme Shelter: For Rock, Punk, and Alternative Music Fans Black Sand Brewery: A Favourite Among Canggu's Millennial Crowd Here’s why I feel like Black Sand is made for my generation (umm yes, I’m one of those late-30s millennials). Their live music and jukebox DJ sessions often feature songs we either grew up with or listened to back in our uni days, with the volume set just right for singing along without having to shout across the table. The vibe is more about good conversations and catching up with friends than all-night partying. Plus, they serve proper food - because...at this age, we’re just as excited about what’s on the plate as we are about what’s in the glass, right? And lastly, they wrap things up at midnight. Perfect! Because we need our beauty sleep. Google Map: Black Sand Brewery Image credit: Black Sand Brewery Instagram The Barn: Live Music Every Night A cute vintage British pub in the heart of Canggu - the kind of place you go to with friends where “let’s just stop by for one drink” somehow turns into a few hours...and a few more drinks. With cosy vibes, good food, live music, and live sports, it’s an easy spot to spend an afternoon or evening catching up with friends. Unlike some of Canggu’s bigger party venues, here you can actually enjoy the music, have a proper conversation, and remember everything the next morning (if you don't drink too much, I mean). Google Map: The Barn Image credit: The Barn Instagram You may also like this article: My Little Canggu Restaurant List - Part 2 Club House Pererenan: The New Kid on the Block with Great Live Bands One of Pererenan’s newer hangouts, Club House is quickly becoming a go-to for relaxed evenings. Live bands play every Friday and Sunday, bringing a mix of Triple J Top 100 tracks and familiar favourites you can easily sing along to. With trivia nights and live sports on rotation, it’s a laid-back spot made for easy nights with friends. Ps. They also serve steak and other things on the menu, so it’s not just a spot for drinks - you can easily make a whole evening out of it. Google Map: Club House Pererenan Image credit: Club House Pererenan Instagram Deus Ex Machina: Still One of Canggu’s Most Iconic Spots Deus Ex Machina has long been one of the places that defines Canggu’s creative scene. It's that iconic spot you really have to visit at least once when you’re here. Part cafe, part workshop, part event space, and part live music venue - it’s always had that easy mix of everything that just works. I personally have so many good memories here from my younger years watching The Hydrant play - the kind of nights that just stick with you. It’s not just a venue, it’s a Canggu classic. Google Map: Deus Ex Machina Canggu Image credit: Deus Cafe Instagram You may also like this article: Things to Do in Canggu - Where Every Plan Turns Into Three More Gimme Shelter: For Rock, Punk, and Alternative Music Fans Not every live music venue in Bali revolves around acoustic covers and beach club playlists. Gimme Shelter has built a reputation as one of Bali’s most respected venues for rock, punk, hardcore, and alternative live music. The venue regularly hosts local bands and touring acts, attracting music lovers looking for something heavier and more authentic. Google Map: Gimme Shelter Bali Image credit: Gimme Shelter Instagram Maybe I’m officially at the age where a good night out means a comfortable chair, good music, and being home before midnight (okay, maybe not always). But I love that there are now more options to go out without sacrificing tomorrow’s plans. So grab your friends, find a spot you like, and enjoy Canggu one song and one drink at a time. This list will keep growing as my friends and I discover more interesting live music spots - so consider this a work in progress

19 Feb 2026 by Bella in Lifestyle

5 Unique Ramadan Hampers by Local Indonesian Businesses

Ramadan hampers are everywhere at this time of year. The holy month is here, and growing up in a diverse family that celebrates almost every religious holiday, I’m already busy looking for presents for friends and family. Indonesians love to gift - it’s almost a given that we send hampers to family, friends, neighbours, and the people dearest to our hearts during festive seasons. And more often than not, those hampers are filled with cookies - lots and lots of cookies. The true stars of Idul Fitri are the classics: nastar (soft shortbread filled with pineapple jam), kaastengels (cheesy shortbread sticks), putri salju (almond cookies dusted in icing sugar), and lidah kucing (thin, crisp biscuits that literally translate to “cat’s tongue”). During this month, nearly every bakery sells them because they’re iconic and absolute must-haves for Ramadan, as well as the big day when everyone gathers. So this year, I thought I’d curate some unique hamper and gift ideas - especially for those whose homes are already overflowing with cookies and sweet treats, hehe. They’re all made by local Indonesian businesses that I think are pretty cool. The Cool Bag by Ideku HandmadeSweet Treats Without the Calories by OentukmuArtisanal Tableware by CarramicaThe Scent of Ramadan by Sniff SniffRamadan Fit by Nadjani You may also like this article: Brunch in Bali - Rediscovering Legian through Farmer’s Daughter The Cool Bag by Ideku Handmade I’ve been following this brand since they were only selling a handful of pieces through Instagram DMs. Now they’ve grown so much and have a flagship store in South Tangerang. Every year, they launch an out-of-the-box collection for the festive season, and this year’s drop is inspired by the sarung (sarong) - a piece closely associated with Muslim prayer attire. Available for purchase on www.idekuhandmade.com Image credit: Ideku Handmade Instagram Sweet Treats Without the Calories by Oentukmu They sell the cutest soaps in all sorts of shapes, and they’re perfect as presents or souvenirs for special occasions. I’ve bought them a couple of times for fun, and they smell really nice too! For Ramadan this year, they’ve created a set inspired by nastar and jajan pasar (a variety of traditional Indonesian snacks). You can order them on Tokopedia or Shopee. Image credit: Oentukmu Instagram Artisanal Tableware by Carramica You can never have too many pretty dinner sets. If you’re thinking of getting something special for your best friends, teachers, or clients, they offer a range of hampers in all kinds of designs- from classic and elegant to vintage and playful. They also come in different price ranges to suit your budget. You can view more hampers and order on Tokopedia. Image credit: Carramica Tokopedia You may also like this article: 5 Must-Visit Coffee Shops in Canggu, Umalas, and Nearby Areas The Scent of Ramadan by Sniff Sniff From the name alone, you can probably guess they’re all about scent. Their hampers include a boxed fragrance diffuser with a blend of muguet ozony, green fruit, and cedarwood 5, plus a bottle of room spray - complete with a greeting card. They’re also pretty affordable, perfect for when you need to buy a few for a group of people. Available for purchase on Tokopedia. Image credit: Sniff Sniff Tokopedia Ramadan Fit by Nadjani This brand honestly takes up a decent percentage of my wardrobe - mostly jackets and trousers, hehe. This year, their collection is called Homecoming, celebrating a return to our roots and the moments that shaped us - as they shared on Instagram. The vibrant colours and patterns reflect the liveliness of a reunion - overlapping conversations, blended hues, and happiness that feels endless. Available on www.nadjani.com and other Indonesian e-commerce platforms. Image credit: Nadjani Instagram At the end of the day, Ramadan is about connection - with our faith, our families, and the people we care about. Whether you stick to the classic cookie hampers or try something a little anti-mainstream this year, it’s always the thought that counts. If you’re looking to support local while gifting something a little different, I hope this list gives you a few fun ideas. RAMADAN MUBARAK! 🤍