Boho fringe purses

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[Hippie fringe purse by Realmlistic]

I tend to obsess over hippie, bohemian and gypsy themed accessories. It is probably because I like my bags and necklaces with an explosion of color but have a structured, functional shape. Realmlistic on Etsy has great products that have all these pompoms and fringe details.

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[Folk fringe purse by Realmlistic]

This one is pretty functional as a cross-body purse, which is perfect for shopping, concerts and the beach.

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[Bohemian red clutch by Girlwitharadiomind]

This last one is from Girlwitharadiomind on Etsy. I’m feeling the pompoms and the earthy woven bottom to balance out the loud colors.

Honolulu Night Market at Kaka’ako

HNLNIGHTMARKETFEB2013Yeah, I know. It’s a week late to be posting this but this week has been so hectic! Last weekend I went to the Honolulu Night Market at Kaka’ako con mis amigos LJ and Chris. It was unlike any other HNL Night Market they’ve held in the past! There were more food booths (more like an Eat the Street meets fashion meets the club), the usual pop-up shops, live art, a live band, a bar and a DJ booth with Harlem shakers. It was pretty awesome. I gather it coincided with the new happenings with Pow Wow Hawaii and the Kaka’ako businesses.

Just take a drive down Kaka’ako, you have everything from cafes to auto-tinting businesses covered in beautiful murals by artists all over the world. It’s raining paint, HONOLULU! I love it and can’t get enough of the ever-changing buildings. Hawaii is full of color and culture and this art movement represents all that is “Hawaii.”

Random photos from this month

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Lately it’s been rainy and stormy in Honolulu. I really don’t know what to wear these days. One day it’s cold, the next, I’m dying in the heat. Make up your mind mother nature! I took this photo outside my house before heading to a birthday dinner. You can never go wrong with shorts and a tee – just make sure you dress it up a bit. All accessories – eBay. Comfy sandals – Aerosoles. Headband – Etsy.

art and flea

Last Thursday, I had the chance to stop by Art & Flea at Fresh Cafe on Queen Street. I must admit this is the best night I’ve had at this particular event (even though I stayed less than an hour). My boss set up shop and marketed her beautiful jewelry. A few of my fave items from that night were the hand-painted mermaid tiles, and the Día de los Muertos earrings.

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Este es “El Jefe.” I used this pretty galaxy app to change him into a galactic creature. Isn’t he cute?

All photos from Instagram.

Travel essentials

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I’m getting ready to leave for Saipan and Guam tomorrow. Here are my travel essentials: lots of black clothes, tons of necklaces, headbands (because it’s maipe – hot), my passport, a journal for ideas/poetry/inspiration and a little purse. Of course I’ll be taking my DSLR along for the trip. :) One of my goals is to learn at least five new phrases in Chamorro. My friends and I have this thing where we jokingly try to one-up each other on Chamorro phrases and vocabulary. I always lose, so I’ve really got to step my game this time. ¡Biba Marianas!

Studs for days

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My good friend Healani gave me this red leather clutch for Christmas. I think I’m obsessed with it. Thanks Lan, for such a useful and chic gift. Love you!

Now that Christmas is over, I can finally relax! Well, on a smaller scale. I’ve been trying to work as much as I can to prepare for my trip. I still haven’t bought things for my family back in Saipan. They usually don’t like the local stuff here. No surprise, they have all these Japanese products available back home, why would you want something from Hawaii when you already live on a beautiful island?

On another note, the holidays have inspired me to glam up a bit. Just because I knowingly  slack in the makeup department, I decided to try something new.

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Here’s one from Instagram showcasing just how “daring” I can be with makeup. I swear some girls can pull off the bright lips but I feel kind of funny so I wiped it off before Christmas dinner with my family. It is a pretty color though, it’s Make Up For Ever in 36 and the coverage is awesome. Everything else I use is from the drugstore, I used L’oreal liquid foundation, NYX eyeliner and Maybelline mascara.

A “gypster” and her bold prints

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Last night my friends and I planned to attend Art & Flea at Fresh Cafe. The theme was an “Ugly Sweater Christmas Party” so we tried to find ugly sweaters and anything “Christmasy.” I only had a funky old sweater from Ross and a scarf so I threw that on and left the house looking like a gypsy. Hipster. Gypster. Anyway, it was freezing (yes, freezing for an island girl!) and rainy, we only made it to the entrance and decided to have dinner instead.

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Earlier that day, I posted a top I found on eBay for $4. Not bad for #thriftythursday, huh?

Just a “Pinch of Salt” and savor the broth

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Last night’s Honolulu Night Market at Kaka’ako event was pretty chill this time around. They must switch up the vendors each month to keep things fresh. Although there were less interesting food and pop-ups, the entertainment was awesome! There was some sort of drag show and The Deadbeats did their thang.

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Inside the Pinch of Salt pop-up marketplace, there was an eye-catching mural of Marilyn. “All great things are preceded with chaos.” Yes, I completely agree!

Then you had your usual glances of hipster heaven, like this typewriter, for example. It was part of Hound & Quail‘s display of vintage, mid-century items. They had some typewriters, polaroid cameras and pretty jars for sale. In the photo on the right, there was a little green shop Paiko, which had some plants, paintings and eco-friendly gift-wrapping paper for sale.

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Just outside the entrance of the night market, it looked like live artists were battling it out on the streets. The alcoholics and foodies took to the cocktail specials and the whole place was decked with ornaments and little Santas.

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Afterwards, my best friends and I decided the bacon wrapped hot dogs at the night market didn’t sound too appetizing so we scoured the town for a late night hot pot haven. My good friend Sue had told me about Sweet Home Cafe a while ago and I’ve been wanting to go ever since. Hot soup and veggies sounded perfect for a chilly night. So we ordered two tasty broths, cooked some enoki mushrooms, choy sum, tofu and meat. The service was entertaining and excellent.

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The grand finale was a complimentary dessert (another reason why I’ve fallen completely in love with this place). I have no idea what it’s called but it was some sort of shaved ice with coffee jello, watermelon jello, green stuff, white jello and tapioca.

It was a good night boys and girls.

 

Lavender skies and thick thighs

sillypurpleandblueHaha! I crack myself up thinking of witty titles for my posts. Um…yes, the sky was definitely lavender yesterday. I had a date with my best friend after work. The plan was to catch Yoza at Dave & Buster’s but the rooftop was closed off for a private party. Somehow we ended up in the mouth of Waikiki, right near Hawaii Prince Hotel near the harbor. We stopped to take a photo because the sunset was gorgeous and I didn’t feel like fighting the unbearable traffic.

sillyhipsterWe ended up at the always satisfying and expensive Chart House of Honolulu, where I felt extremely underdressed next to Japanese tourists in the latest Gucci. It was a hot afternoon so a tee, nerdy glasses and a skirt felt appropriate. Ahh, looking back I realize, it doesn’t matter, this is Hawaii. But I do need more yoga sessions at CPY to work on those thighs (utkatasana!). Haha. We also had the First Friday festivities in mind, but that obviously didn’t happen. There’s always next month. Lastly, props to my girl Abbey for the outfit photos. She’s on Instagram. Follow, follow, follow this beautiful person.

 

Honolulu Night + Market /// Rogue Christmas

Honolulu Night + Market /// Rogue Christmas

So let’s see… The mastermind behind Darqlabs just informed me that the parking for the Honolulu Night Market has been remedied (you may park at the Eat the Street lot). Damn this overpopulated city! It took me three swear words and … Continue reading