One of my favorite things about living on the mainland and working at my current job, being able to dress up and experiment with fashion. At home in HI despite working two jobs in the retail/fashion industry and having an interest in fashion, I never seemed to embrace it. At TR I'd wear a dress and leggings or a top and jeans, and vans, sometimes flats. Billabong was worse, tank top and shorts, slippers. Jewelry was pretty much non-existent, one necklace. I'm surprised the holes in my ears didn't close.
Here in Seattle I put more effort, partly because weather and my job challenges me to step out of my comfort zone, mix and match things, figure out what my "style" is. So far I've learned, tights (especially fleece tights) is a must for cold weather, tuck in those tunics, stack them bracelets, layer those necklaces, and always wear your rainboots or uggs and bring your work shoes with you. I've tried color blocking, mixing patterns, wearing things I wouldn't have thought I'd wear – ummm a chambray shirt, I remember vividly insulting exbf Mike for owning one; high waisted knee length skirts, chinos! And OXFORDS, how I love my oxfords.
In just six months of working at my job, my coworkers can already point out a "that's something Sarah would wear" piece of clothing. Collared shirts, polka dots, whimsical prints, primary colors, preppy, long cardis, skulls, and anything in the color MINT. Lol.
I can't wait for spring and warmer weather, it will be nice not to have to wear tights 24/7. I'm looking forward to shorts and knee socks, new Sam Edelman sandals, and I'll be able to bust out my tank tops I brought from home!

I'm sick, and I really shouldn't be eating a hot dog, but when my mom offered me a dog from Hank's Haute Dogs I couldn't resist. After stopping by Fisher Hawaii to get some supplies for my sister's graduation announcements, we went to Hank's for a Chicago Dog combo. It came with fries and a drink, for around $8, a great deal! I got the garlic aioli dipping sauce for my fries and my mom got the Wasabi Tobiko, I wonder how that tasted. The Chicago Dog comes topped with a pickle, tomato, peppers, spicy mustard, and some other awesome goodness.

If you love hot dogs as much as I do , I really suggest you stop by Hank's. They have classic dogs, as well as some specialty dogs such as lobster, rabbit, alligator. I haven't been that daring to try those dogs, but the bf has tried a couple and seemed to have liked them. They also make killer mac'n'cheese with truffle oil. Today they were offering Chicago deep dish pizza but there was a 15 min wait. Hank's was also featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. They're only opened during the day 10-4 Mon-Fri, 10-5 Sat-Sun, so go on your lunch break, it's so worth it.

I have the meanest headache right now, but looking at those pictures again is making me hungry for another Haute Dog.

P.S. I love my new nail polish! It's called Poppy, from American Apparel. Made in America! Yay. My coworker Peter, told me that a lot of clothing made outside of the U.S. uses a LOT of weird dyes, that probably aren't approved by the U.S. It started to make me feel itchy and want to buy only made in the U.S.A. products. But I think that's pretty impossible.

Whale Watching outfit

whalewatching by kawachizzle featuring Obey t shirts

Actually I've been feeling quite nautical since I watched Coco Before Chanel.

Planning a Family Vacay

Disneyland by kawachizzle featuring Billabong

My family is trying to plan a vacation mid-may. My vote is for Disneyland just so I can wear this outfit!

+Mickey Mouse tee

+honey new wayfarers

+Billabong: lightweight hoodie, shorts, and straw fedora.

+Red authentics.

+small cross body bag.

+kiehls lip balm.

+and disneyland churros of course.

Work Tomorrow

Work Tomorrow by kawachizzle featuring Marc by Marc Jacobs bags

inspired by some polyvoring i put this outfit together for work tomorrow.

minus the Alexander Wang top and the J Brand shorts, (which can be EASILY substituted with a AA black top and some good ol bong shorts! but when I polyvore I like to dream what i would by if i had all the money in the world).

-vz giggles.

-boscia facial cleanser.

-fiberwig mascara. (they're magic).

-OPI mad as a hatter.

-Tory Burch flats.

-Ito En green tea.

-Bento lunch in cute bento box.

-BB.

-Nixon multicolor Vega.

-Marc by Marc tote.

Dressing for work

I typically dress down for work. REALLY down, I'm a throw on a t-shirt and shorts/jeans with rubbah slippahs kind of girl, add a hoodie because I always get cold. I love fashion, and enjoy dressing up, but for some reason, I could care less about putting so much effort into my work outfit. Reasons being... 1) I work in a surf shop, t-shirt and shorts are the norm. 2) Yes, my other job is in a office, but I work at night (when NO ONE is around), I work in sports, and for some reason no one has enforced a more office like dress code. 3) At my surf shop job, I'm climbing on ladders, reaching for things up high, bending down to grab who knows what, cleaning the store top to bottom. I know, I know, excuses right... when it comes down to it I'm also just straight UP lazy, I wake up at 7:30 a.m., a hour before I have to be at work. Haha.

But, lately I've been trying to make an effort, wearing tights/leggings, tunics, and dresses. Still can't quite give up my rubber slippers. But I'm trying. I think this will be one of my New Years resolutions, make an effort to dress nicer. I have the clothes, I just need to actually wear it!

New kicks

I don't know why I haven't bought these earlier!
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Hard Times

I was reading "The Ultimate Guide to Shopping on Oahu" (which is a great book for those who have been living under a rock and don't know where to shop on Oahu), and it is sad how many stores are closing because of these harsh economic times.

Stores that are now closed: 

Koko Cabana at Koko Marina Shopping Center

Luxi

Misfortune

Le Lotus Bleu at Ward

Steve and Barry's

Soliel

The Place

Island Snow

Others not mentioned in the book:

Arden B.

Theory

...who will be next? On a positivie note: less places to spend money at = me hopefully saving money.

Fashion, Politics, and Japanese Snacks

Our new First Lady got style. Last night she wore a dress from Narciso Rodriguez's spring 2009 collection, which just hit the runway 8 weeks ago! During the campaign trail Michelle Obama's fashion mixed affordable from H&M and J.Crew and designer pieces. It's been awhile since a First Lady had an impact on the fashion world, I can't wait to see what she'll choose to wear to the inaugural ball!!!!



Yesterday I went to Marukai, to stock up super cute Japanese snacks, and to look for Christmas Omiyage. And I found some Disney Pakkuncho (little biscuits filled with cream then stamped with your favorite Disney character)! OMG my sister and I used to LOVE these when we were little, our gramsy and auntie used to take us to Marukai and let us pick out one candy. We usually picked our candy based on the free toy that came with it but once in awhile we bought candy based on the taste, Disney Pakkuncho was one of them!

The essentials

I've been catching up on Tim Gunn's Guide to Style on Bravo (addicted to Bravo much, I know), and I die everytime those lucky unfashionable, not pulled together girls get transformed. I've also been reading Rachel Zoe's book Style from A to Zoe. And I've noticed every fashion expert has a list of 10 essential items.

Here's Tim Gunn's
1. Basic black dress.
2. Trench coat.
3. Classic dress pants.
4. White shirt.
5. Jeans.
6. Cashmere sweater.
7. Skirt.
8. Day dress.
9. Blazer.
10. Sweat suit alternative.

PR Rundown

No not PR as in Public Relations (my useless college major, sort of not really)... PR as in PROJECT RUNWAY.

So I haven't been really following this season at all, it is until I got sick this past weekend (blessing in disguise? perhaps). Actually after all of my favorite designers from Seasons 1-4 ALL lost, I have been really hesitant to get hooked onto the show since then. My favorites by the way in order of season were Kara Saun, Daniel Vosovic, Michael Knight, and Jillian Lewis.

As for season 5, after watching just 3 episodes, here is what I have gathered... What is up with Suede talking about himself in the third person? It's like listening to Elmo, who does he think he is? And don't even get me started with Kenley... the girl doesn't take criticism from anybody, she ain't going nowhere in the fashion biz if she can't take the heat. My top three are Leanne, Jerrell, and Korto, with Leanne being my favorite. Here's a sampling of their Spring 09 Fashion Week shows:
(it's in order Leanne, Jerrell, and Korto.)