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

10 Aug 2026 by Bella in Lifestyle

Going Natural: Bali Wellness Products We Love

Bali Wellness Products More and more people are turning to natural personal care these days (myself included), and I don’t think it’s just a passing trend anymore. Once you make the switch, you really start to notice the difference - from the ingredients you’re putting on your skin to how your skin feels and responds over time. Bali has always been such a great place to discover natural wellness brands, with homegrown labels creating products inspired by the island’s connection to nature. There are many to choose from, but these are a few that the Kata Bella team has curated. Each one has something that makes them special, and of course, we have our favourites too! From super-soft natural soap bars and skincare for sensitive skin, to products for babies and teenagers, yoga mat sprays, and even home cleaning products, there’s something for everyone and every purpose. Switching to natural products in Bali is easier than you might think, and they also make lovely presents for your loved ones. So, we hope you like our list, and find something you love too! You may also like this article: Get Crafty - 8 Creative Classes and Workshops in Bali Bali SoapBamboo TigerCocona CareBoemi BotanicalsSensatia BotanicalsUtama Spice Bali Soap From the name, you can probably guess that their soap bars are the main stars of the show. I know using a bar of soap might sound a little old-school these days, but wait until you try theirs. They’re seriously smooth and creamy! Their soaps are made using the cold-process method, which basically means the ingredients are mixed without high heat, which keeps more of their natural oils and goodness. The bars come in nice tropical scents and are packed with natural ingredients to help keep your skin hydrated. They’re also free from harsh chemicals and parabens, making them gentle enough for all skin types and even suitable for your face. They also have other products like hand cream, body butter, deodorant, and liquid body wash. ⭐️ Kata Bella's favourites: Jasmine, lemongrass, and passion fruit soap bars, chocolate body butter. Image credit: Bali Soap Indonesia Instagram page Bamboo Tiger Their soap bars come in lovely dusty pastel shades, and some in fun rainbow patterns, making shower time a little more fun. They also have a whole range of products with illipe butter as the star moisturising ingredient, using essential oil blends instead of synthetic fragrances. The scents range from fresh herbs and cooling peppermint to warm spices and zesty citrus. The range also includes a vegan-friendly lip balm, geranium & bergamot body cream, a rosemary & kukui hair mask, and virgin coconut oil - all made with natural, nourishing ingredients. ⭐️ Kata Bella's favourites: Orange and peppermint soap bar, wood and spices illipe butter soap bar Image credit: Bamboo Tiger Instagram page Cocona Care They pretty much do all things coconut, from virgin coconut oil and shower gel to body lotion, body scrub, body cream, shampoo, and conditioner. So if you’re crazy about coconut, this is definitely the one for you! Everything is coconut-focused, making it a great little present too if you want to bring home a slice of the tropics. ⭐️ Kata Bella's favourites: Virgin coconut oil Image credit: Cocona Care Instagram page You may also like this article: Vegan Cafes in Canggu - 5 Nice Spots for Your Daily Greens Boemi Botanicals They have a pretty wide range of products, from soap bars and shampoo to body lotions, massage oils, pure natural oils, and scented candles. I’ve come across their products quite a few times at events too, where they’re often included in hampers, or they’ll set up a pop-up where you can create your own scented body oil. It’s such a nice little experience and makes the product feel a bit more personal! We also love how they name their collections in Bahasa Indonesia, like Matahari Pagi (morning sun), Rempah (spices/herbs), and Senja (dusk) - simple, beautiful, and very Indonesian. ⭐️ Kata Bella's favourites: Serai wangi (lemongrass) scented candle, senja body lotion Image credit: Boemi Botanicals Instagram page Sensatia Botanicals You’ve probably seen their shops in many locations around Bali, especially in shopping centres. They have pretty much everything your body could need, with natural skincare products from head to toe. But what really stands out, aside from the products themselves, is their range for everyone from babies and kids to teenagers and adults - and they even a dedicated men’s collection. The thoughtful packaging is not only lovely to look at, but also makes their products great little gifts for friends and family. ⭐️ Kata Bella's favourites: Lemongrass and mandarine body scrub, tea tree and lemon facial scrub Image credit: Sensatia Botanicals Instagram page Utama Spice Started in 1989, this brand has grown into a much bigger range of natural products over the years. It’s not just about skincare either - they now also make everyday household essentials like dish soap, laundry soap, linen spray, yoga mat spray, and multipurpose spray. And if you’re trying to be a little more eco-friendly, they also offer refills that come in aluminium packaging, so you can reuse your bottles instead of constantly buying new ones. ⭐️ Kata Bella's favourites: Cocoa lip balm, tangerine body lotion Instagram page: Utama Spice Instagram page And that’s our little round-up for now! There are definitely more Bali wellness products out there that deserve some love, so this won’t be the last of our discoveries. If you know a local brand we should check out, send it our way!

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! 🤍