A preview of my latest design gig for iTrip Entertainment. They’re doing this Wicked Wednesday event for Spring Break.
Tag Archives: island
Boho fringe purses
[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.
[Folk fringe purse by Realmlistic]
This one is pretty functional as a cross-body purse, which is perfect for shopping, concerts and the beach.
[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
Yeah, 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
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.
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.
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.
Birthday at The Study
My mom flew in for my birthday! It’s been 11 years since I’ve spent/celebrated my birthday with her.
This time around, I wanted a chill, relaxing birthday so my mom, family and friends went to The Study, which is a cute, little lounge at The Modern Honolulu hotel, to grab some drinks listen to Yoza & JRoq play some acoustic r&b.
Cheers!
Big mahalo to Yoza & JRoq for playing my fave songs last night. Yoza did her rendition of Selena’s “No me queda más” and JRoq was awesome with her rap skills. You can’t beat live, r&b music on the island with these two funny characters.
Thanks to my family and friends for coming out and making me feel special on my birthday!
Banzai Cliff + Pau Pau Beach
Banzai Cliff, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.
While I was back in Saipan last week, I did some sightseeing for fun. The photo above is of Banzai Cliff, where defeated Japanese civilians and soldiers jumped to their deaths during World War II. It’s a beautiful view yet bears a sad reminder of the lives lost during the war.
After Banzai Cliff, I ended up at Pau Pau Beach. Years ago, this was the beach our family spent the day, swimming, celebrating someone’s birthday, snorkeling, etc. My dad actually tried to take my then 2-year-old brother and I on an unsuccessful yet memorable “fishing” trip out here about ten years ago. Back then, the clean, bright, white sand extended out towards that rock out there. Now, it’s just a strip of sand. Erosion is just inevitable in the islands.
A new year indeed
The new year has been pretty mellow so far. I’m taking it slow, observing any changes in luck…like a ninja…waiting for some kind of excitement to strike!
No excitement yesterday either. My grandmother and I welcomed the new year with some traditional Japanese ozoni soup. My uncle makes it with lots of mizuna (mustard greens), clams, taro, shiitake mushrooms and mochi.
The half of me
Happy New Year! I hope you have all welcomed the new year with family, friends and loved ones. Although it’s cheesy, it’s important to reflect back on how this year has changed us and how we can become better people in the future.
The year 2012 has been one of the craziest years of my life. I’ve grown as an artist, thanks to many referrals by friends and past clients. I got a sweet new car to replace my beloved beat-up Toyota Camry, which I have had since I was 16-years-old. I’ve fallen in love, immensely, this past summer, only to be heartbroken. It’s cool, really. I like to think of it as a defining moment. I then shaved my head semi Rihanna-style and faithfully took up yoga. Finally paid off my stinkin’ student loans. Whoo hoo! I’ve become even prouder of being multi-cultural. I’ve made some interesting new friends who are talented and sweet. I’ve worked every single day for four months straight to build up a small travel fund. It’s a good feeling to be productive.
As for being a better person? I’m always passionate and will continue to be that way. I feel music, art and literature so deeply. There is no need to change that. Live and love fearlessly. Spend more time reading books than watching movies or TV. I’d like to be more informed and aware of the world. Eat healthier. Live with a positive outlook. In a nutshell, I want to be a (good-smelling) hippie who knows her world, national and local issues and does things to contribute to the many islands I call home. I’d also like to be more patient with my family. They drive me insane yet keep me sane at the same time. I guess it’s part of the whole multi-cultural thing. We all don’t know which way to go. I’d like to fulfill at least two things on my bucket list and knock out one country on my dream destination list. Lastly, I believe that the key to being a better person is MORE SLEEP! Sleep keeps you looking younger and healthier, it even makes you nicer to your colleagues. It’s proven. Google it. The power of sleep.
…and sleeping is exactly how I will start the new year.
Peace, Di
Lanikai Pillbox Hike
I’m not the kind of girl that hikes. I don’t look like a hiker nor act like one. But FoodographyHI is one of those people that make anything treacherous or physically painful seem exciting and adventurous. She convinced me to do the Lanikai Pillbox Hike with her yesterday and we died many times before making it to the top. We had a little spat about making it up that last part because I didn’t want to fall off the cliff and get killed. But again, she convinced me with the “we made it all the way up here, what’s another five minutes?” speech. As terrified as I was, I managed to climb my way to the top with her and we sat atop the pillbox and enjoyed the view of Kailua, Lanikai and Waimanalo. It was worth it.
The hardest part of the hike was actually going down. I think I fell a good six times due to the worn out traction on my sneakers. I got some cuts and scrapes to prove it!
Inside of the pillbox, there were some tags and this awesome artwork. I didn’t get a good photo of the outside (which had a snowman and some Christmas designs), but the inside was pretty cool.
Thanks to FoodographyHI for pushing me to the top. It’s awesome to feel that fear inside you once in a while, it makes you feel alive! That’s my take on the last adrenaline rush for 2012. Peace.
Studs for days
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.
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.
