Archive for the 'Random Thoughts' Category

Fit for a Queen

Published on September 2, 2010 in Ensemble, Personal and Random Thoughts. 0 Comments

A couple of weekends ago, Mark and I decided to go on a little adventure around the island. We packed up some lunch, our swimsuits, got in our little car and just drove wherever we felt like. Unfortunately, the day did not cooperate. It actually turned out to be quite a disaster.

First, we stopped by an antique store I’ve been meaning to check out, but it was closed. Then, we decided on shave ice, but on the way there got caught up in a little traffic shuffle and actually had an octogenarian give us the middle finger. Once parked, we remembered we had lunch and wanted to eat that before dessert so we set off again for a nearby beach park. We found the beach overflowing with people and no place to park. In a huff, we drove off in search of an alternative picnic place. Mark knew of a little park, but upon settling there, we found the flies unbearable. Cut to: eating our Vietnamese noodle lunch out of the back of the car in the parking lot. Worse part? We forgot the chopsticks and napkins!

Dejected and smelling of fish sauce, we packed up and started back home. On the way, though, I asked to stop at the Queen Emma Summer Palace in Nuuanu. I had never been before, but recently saw the most beautiful wedding photos from our friend Christie. It was so lovely and tranquil – just the perfect thing we needed to decompress from our epic fail of the day.

The palace was the summer home of Queen Emma and her husband King Kamehameha in the mid-1800′s. We were told that most of the furniture and antiques in the home were originals. My favorite room was a back bedroom with a grand chandelier, four-poster bed, beautiful armoire and an airy cotton + lace nightgown hanging from it. We couldn’t take photos inside the palace, but outside on the grounds were fair game.

I was dressed casually for the humid Hawaii summer day, so nothing fancy here. But, at least I stayed comfortable and cool. We really weren’t too bummed about the day. It ended well and I always have fun just riding in the car and looking out at the beautiful scenery.

plain white tank – Target
high waisted shorts – Fashionista’s Market (they were having a 50% sale and I got these for less than $10!)
flats – Samuel
belt – Forever21
vintage studs – CLOTH
vintage Coach purse – inherited
sunglasses – Max Mara

You spin me right round

Published on July 29, 2010 in Personal and Random Thoughts. 2 Comments Tags: .

Did I mention that I am in love with vinyl records?  I remember always admiring my parent’s player and flipping through the album art as a kid.  Recently, I came across all of these old albums that were being donated and I scooped them up!  I was excited to borrow my Dad’s player only to find out he recently threw it out.  Instead, I was able to borrow another one from a coworker.  Mark hooked it up to our speakers at home and we relaxed on the sofa listening to classic standards and the distinctive crackling of the vinyl.

This made me want to pick up a record player of my own.  I perused Amazon and saw relatively inexpensive new ones from Sony for under $100, but ideally I would love love love to purchase a vintage player.  Unfortunately, I was reading up on authentic vintage players and experts say it’s hard to find quality ones that are still in working order. I guess I’ll be looking out for these vintage-inspired ones from Crosley instead.  Apparently, this beautiful green two-toned player was available through a partnership with Urban Outfitters, but now are sold out.  Too bad we don’t have UO in Hawaii so I hadn’t heard about this item!

Side note, I picked up this great pendant at a new event called ART + FLEA that will be held monthly at Fresh Cafe on my street in Honolulu.  More photos and vintage items from that event coming up soon!

apartmenttherapy.com
turntabling.net & esquire.com
turtleneck – Forever21 many years ago
skirt – thrifted
necklace – mishmash from ART+FLEA @ FreshCafeHi
glasses – Vera Wang

Ole smoke stack stop

Published on June 25, 2010 in Ensemble and Random Thoughts. 1 Comment

After rambling around the west side, the hubby, sister and I decided to stop to take photos of the old sugar mill smoke stack in Waipahu.  The harrowingly tall and majestic smoke stack is all that remains of the once-largest sugar mill on the island of Oahu.  It sits at the back of a dead-end road, in the middle of a barren field, adjacent to what is presently a YMCA.  Children were jumping into the pool and blasting modern pop hits from the radio completely unaware of the history that stood forgotten right behind them.

photo: the.honoluluadvertiser.com
Oahu Sugar Co. built the mill and smoke stack in 1898.  For almost 100 years, it operated and produced a large portion of all sugar that came from Oahu.  In it’s heyday, the mill served as the most important industry and epicenter of life in the small town.  In 1995, due to the decrease of sugar production in Hawaii, the mill closed it’s doors.

romper – morphed from a discount store
belt – Target
maryjanes – Creative Recreation
sunglasses – thrifted
necklace – handmade by me
earrings – kenneth cole

Heading out to the Highway… Inn that is

Published on June 23, 2010 in Personal and Random Thoughts. 1 Comment Tags: .

I’ve never done a food post before, but this one is special. We took my dad out to a little hole in the wall called Highway Inn for Father’s Day and ate the most scrumptious Hawaiian food. The restaurant was opened in 1947 by a local couple and their family carried on the tradition of cooking and serving great meals to their customers for 3 generations.

Recently, this little gem was featured on the Food Networks’ Diners Drive-ins and Dives and it’s popularity increased.  Happily we were seated as soon as we entered the restaurant and beat the lunch rush.

The seafood and poke counter.  Poke – chunks of fresh raw fish and other types of seafood are tossed together with onions, scallions, sesame seed oil, sea salt and soy sauce.

We chose the ahi with onion, limu (seaweed) and soy sauce.

Kalua pig plate: shredded smoked pig, lomi salmon, pipikaula, rice and haupia.  Heaven!

Happy Holiday

Published on June 11, 2010 in Random Thoughts. 0 Comments

Photos: travel.webshots.com

Today is King Kamehameha Day and it is also a holiday for me.  It’s almost 9:30am Hawaii time and I am still lounging in bed.  I love random local holidays!  So far this morning, I’ve read through my daily style blog roll, watched Singing In the Rain on DVD and planned out my crafting for this weekend.  Next up will be a run around the beach park and a swim in the ocean. I am hoping the rest of the long weekend progresses in much the same way.  Here’s to hoping!