Filomena Natoli's Bahamas Travel Diary

Filomena Natoli, the Sydney-based makeup artist and mother of two, recently traveled to the Bahamas via Miami with her family, and her travel diary is beyond gorgeous! Here, her Archipelago tips and chic holiday-packing essentials

Hello Sunshine!: main picture top, Filomena Natoli (@filomena_makeup) at The Raleigh Miami Beach hotel, the family's first stop en route to the Bahamas; above with her daughter Paige wearing Saint Laurent on the island's pristine beach. 

Tell us about your family holiday, why the Bahamas? At the end of every holiday as a family we discuss where we’d like to go next. We try to get away three times a year. The Caribbean has always been a place I wanted to visit particularly Harbour island – I have seen countless editorials shot there and the beaches and lifestyle really appeals to me. I also wanted a quiet place that was not overrun with tourists or giant resorts. So when I presented the idea to my family of “sun chasers” there was no argument. It's truly Paradise: the light, the water, the people, the energy. I  get a lump in my throat thinking about our time there.

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2. Please share your Bahamas itinerary list:
3. 1. Chill!
4. 2. Hire a boat and visit other islands like Spanish Wells, also go snorkelling, tubing and swim with the turtles.
5. 3. Make sure you have a lobster quesadilla at Sip Sip café.
6. 4. At low tide visit the Naked Tree where so many iconic photographers have shot, then drive your buggy around the island to see the beautiful homes. 
7. 5. Book lunches and dinners at the Dunmore or the Landing – there is such a good selection of restaurants on the island. 
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Star Gazing: above Natoli's daughters, Paris and Paige; below, Natoli wearing a Chanel tee, Marysia swimsuit and Miu Miu slides. 

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Where did you stay? A villa at Coral sands Resort, right on Pinks sands beach on harbour island. 

And your essential holiday packing items: I have yet to master packing, I pretty much take everything! 

1. – La Roche-Posay SPF 50+ sunblock
2. – The Base Gradual Tanning lotion by Lara Bingle
3. – Benefit Hula Bronzer
4. – Dior DiorShow Pump 'N Volume mascara
5. – Redone Smooth Down hair mask
6. – An array of swimwear, obviously
7. – A small selection of scarfs, twillys and sarongs – you can wear them as skirts and dresses, mixed with swimwear, tied around a boater hat or wrap your hair into a turban when at the beach.
8. – Flats
9. – An oversized button down shirt. I always pack my husbands black Gucci button down shirt, he wore it at our engagement and it's kind of faded and oversized but it's so perfect as a cover up or worn with shorts and pants, and I love that it's his. 
10. – A silk slip dress.