Congratulations Momo!

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Last week, my cousin Momo asked if I could take her graduation photos. You may recognize her from the very first portraits I did two years ago, when she graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree. Well, she’s getting her Master’s Degree in Public Health this time! Whoo hoo! Momo is one of those individuals that excels in everything she puts her mind to. She’s a smart, innovative and bubbly type of woman and I’m so happy for her latest accomplishment.

MOMO3 copyOur shoot started out with some scenic shots. This was around 5:30 p.m. The city looked so beige so it was a nice contrast to the graphics on her dress.

MOMO2 copyI love this one.

MOMO6We did a jumping shot last time, so it felt right to do another this time around. That hill was pretty steep!

MOMO13Momo wasn’t too crazy about this shot, but I loved how it captured the light in her hair, the dimension in the bark and it was one of those cheesy, but not-too-cheesy shots.

MOMO15We found a swing and decided to go with it. Totally random, but it was a pretty spot.

MOMO9This one is probably my favorite because she was just about to tip over. If you know Momo’s personality, you understand how she makes silly look cute.

Thanks Momo, for asking me to photograph you. It was so fun!

MOMO7Congratulations on getting your Master’s Degree!

Mi abuelita

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Visiting my grandmother last week was emotional and heart-warming. I was so lucky to visit her and see my family back home in Saipan. She’s a bit stronger (physically) now and still full of jokes and laughs. She taught me a lot in the very few days I spent with her. She spoke about how she used to travel and attend various schools across Micronesia and in American Samoa. The U.S. used to provide the children of Saipan and Guam with scholarships and travel opportunities so she and her many siblings traveled all over the Pacific. We share some similarities. She believes in learning about other cultures and traveling abroad when the opportunities arise. She says that you should travel as much as you can when you are young and strong. I completely agree.

She’s a smart lil’ cookie.

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It was fun to catch up and joke around with her. She’s so tiny but she has the biggest heart. I miss you already abuelita! I’ll try my best to see you again this year. ❤

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.

 

Nattolee Jewelry >>> Honolulu, HI

0108e62c3bf111e2b7ea22000a1faf3c_7I finally got these babies in the mail! My high school classmate, Natalie Woo, is a well known jewelry designer here in Honolulu. Her pieces are so unique and trendy, a bunch of local boutiques sell her work and you’ll most likely see one of her pieces on other local fashion blogs. She posts her latest items on Instagram on a weekly basis, so when I saw these, I had to have them! She might have more black arrowhead and Buddha necklaces available at Fighting Eel Downtown.

 

Manic Monday

>>> Taken in Downtown Honolulu <<<

>>> iPhone 5 <<<

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Honolulu Night Market at Kaka’ako

 

Here are some photos from last night’s Honolulu Night Market at Kaka’ako. It’s a monthly Art + Food + Fashion event held to promote young artists (painters, dancers, performers, photographers, designers, etc.) as well as drum up business for the new shops and eateries on Auahi Street. There were lots of pop-up shops, a fashion show, improv performances and ono grinds.

The Honolulu Night Market started in September and has grown a huge following throughout the past few months. It attracts a very diverse crowd. It’s appropriate for those nerds, hippies, hipsters, fashionistas and foodies who can’t resist good bargains and innovative art. The only downside to this event is the street parking. They haven’t figured that out yet.

A little colorful graphic

This is one of the most motivating quotes I live by. I used a photo from tumblr to create the graphic. If you know who created it, please let me know and I’ll add a link to the artist.

I miss this scarf

Credit: Charisa Gum

Oh! The things you find while cleaning out your hard drive! My friend Charisa Gum took this photo of me at a fountain near Diamond Head. Look at those bags under my eyes! If I’m not mistaken, I was knee deep in grad school at the time.