When my mom came to visit last week, we road tripped it down to Portland. We had one goal... shop, SHOP our little wallets out. With no sales tax (seriously EVERY state should have no sales tax), we headed to the Woodburn Outlets because they had a The North Face store! When I was in Hawaii I'd see all the mainland kids with North Face backpacks, and think, North Face, never heard of it, is it big or something?!? Moving here, I learned just how essential AND expensive North Face is. Everyday at work, I'd pass our sportswear department and longingly gaze at the down and weather proof North Face jackets. I just started working, there is no way I could afford one, even with discount! Unfortunately tho I left both of my debit cards and ID at home, thank goodness I had my credit card. We were able to find a nice North Face down jacket, an amazing Nike 6.0 raincoat, and a few pairs of roxy jeans. I also scored some good accessories too. We got both jackets for under $200! Amazing right? I was in shopping heaven, until we headed back into Portland and hit up Lloyd Center. Now I haven't been to Lloyd Center in 6+ years, and it wasn't how I remember it. I remember this great big mall, hustling and bustling with great stores, the ice rink in the middle. But when we went, it was kind of... well how do I put this politely... ghetto. It was worse than Pearlridge, and it was empty, lots of stores had closed down. and it seemed smaller. I told my mom I think it's because Ala Moana expanded, my mall standards are too high. So far my favorite malls/shopping areas I adore are (in order): 1, South Coast Plaza. 2, Fashion Show Mall. 3, Ala Moana. 4, Walnut Creek. 5, Soho. 6, Irvine Spectrum.

Thank goodness for facebook status updates, because my friend Kaliko commented on my Portland update and reminded me to hit up Voodoo Donut. I had seen the donut joint many, many, many times on The Food Network and Travel Channel, and me being a donut lover I had to try it out. I had the Maple Bacon Bar, and yes it did live up to the hype. There were so many interesting flavors, I'll have to go back soon for a visit!

Tattoos and shoes... i like the sound of that. The day before I started my new job, my sister and I finally got our sister tattoos. It says Kawachi, and we both got it on our right wrist. My cousin Darin did it for us! Thank's Darin! The biggest debate over the tattoo, was which way should I have the Kanji facing, outward going down toward my fingers or facing me. We decided to have it face us because well it's for us and when I do peace peace, it's not upside down (and I do peace, peace, A LOT). Haha.


And those shoes are my latest and greatest finds from Nordstrom Rack. Jeffery Campbell and Seychelles, together under $70. Damn I love you Nordstrom Rack.


This weekend I'm off to visit Mike in Lanai. It will be my first time visiting the Pineapple Isle, I'm a little excited and a little scared. Excited because hello it's my first time and scared because let's face I'm a city girl, I hope I'm not bored to death there (especially when Mike is at work). Hopefully I'll get to go on some mini field trips and take tons of photos. 


P.S. I still miss Maui!

Canada Pt. 1

Let me just start by saying when my family voted for Vancouver as our trip this year I wasn't all that thrilled. I went on a day trip to Vancouver from Seattle, and I wasn't all that impressed. And to spend a week there didn't seem too exciting. I wanted to go to Chicago or New York City or Disneyland (I'm a sucker for Disneyland). But no Vancouver won, and now after my trip I'm glad Vancouver won.

We got into Vancouver late, so our Canadian vacay started late afternoon the next day (we have a couple of late starters in my family). Because we only had a half day, we spent it walking around downtown and doing what I do best, shop. The best thing I found was Ernie and Bert shoes at the New Balance store, sadly they didn't fit.

Three pairs of Vans in two weeks. I found Chukka Mids (sp?) with the furrrrr (on the inside) at Nordstrom Rack for $30. I went in, I saw, I conquered... I snatch those bad boys, right before this group of high schoolers came by. I heard them say, "This place has some sick Vans." Indeed so. I've been looking for these shoes ever since I tried them on a Nordstrom (in brown) a year and half ago. So nice and furry on the inside.

Yesterday I hit up Waikele with my parents, I went in to look for more low socks to wear with my authentics. It just so happened that it was a BOGO half off. I found two cute pairs of slip-ons. The blue ones were $14.99 and the olive colored ones were $10, I paid $20 for two pairs! SWEEEET deals. I love the Waikele Vans Outlet!

Today I woke up incredibly TIRED. I thought to myself it's going to be one of THOSE days. But in actuality it was pretty darn good. I worked with Theresa, always a delight. Parker came by to change our lights and he gave Theresa and I each a plumeria. How sweet is he! Guys take notes from Parker on how to treat a girl! Nice little gestures can really turn my day around. Like the Honolulu Coffee Co. guy knowing my order. I also made my sales goal... cha-ching BONUS!

I also got my package from Urban Outfitters in! They had a big sale... of the six things I got:

3 of 6 LOVED

2 of 6 Liked

1 of 6 Hideous

Online shopping is such a gamble, sometimes I figure it's not worth it to buy clothes unless its a t-shirt, sweater/hoodie, or something that I owned before (like if I ordered more Vans authentics). Urban Outfitters please just open a store here already geez. Save us all the trouble. There is a nice space vacant where Banana Republic used to be on Kalakaua Ave. Please, I'm begging you.

new stuff

My last big purchase (hopefully) new Wayfarers well new "New Wayfarers." The ORIGINAL Wayfarers look incredibly BIG on my small head. I got them in Honey, pretty sweet... no pun intended. I say last big purchase because I really need to start saving money. We will see how long I can keep this up. Wish me luck!

Homecookin'

Mike's here for the weekend and is cooking dinner right now! YAY! Today we did some major Christmas shopping for his huge family. We hit up Waikele and Ala Moana and scored some good deals for the kids. I wish he was here all the time!

DEAL!

So I buy a planner every year, this year I decided to invest in a decent one! And what luck! I found this cute orange/pink (or sunset colors as priya called it) coach one at their outlet store. SO EXCITED! It was already marked down to $106 with additional 50% off, what a great deal.
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Convienently Spoiled?

I got a coupon for the gap, 25% off your entire purchase this weekend. I'm in love with their always skinny 1969 jeans, so I was happy with the thought getting another pair with my coupon. I knew I would be in maui this weekend, but I figured who doesn't have a gap these days right?!? WRONG apparently queen kaahumanu mall doesn't have one! There is only one in wailea. I was shocked, we have one at every mall on oahu! I guess I'm a little spoiled back home, where everything (well most things) are at my fingertips. Point for oahu!

I still took advantage of my coupon, I called my mom back home to go and pick up my jeans... Now I guess that's what you call a little spoiled.
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Got the itch...

to shop... surprise surprise. Recently working an extra day a week has paid off, and all i want to do is spend, spend, spend. horrible I know, top of my list is this cute Hamburger shaped bento box. Super kawaii! I also want booties, this romper from FE, and most of all my louis vuitton small agenda.

Want it RIGHT now.

What I Want I by kawachizzle featuring Chanel clutches

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.

Not just any old scarf

It's here! It's here! FINALLY after what has seemed like FORRREVVVVERRR and a day, American Apparel opened in Waikiki this week! Just in time for you people to buy me birthday and Christmas presents, haha j/k sort of!


I went in looking for a dress, but left with the best investment EVER, American Apparel's Unisex Circle Scarf. SO AWESOME both Anna and I bought one, Anna got a lovely lavender color and I opted for the classic navy blue. It can be worn in SO many ways, I literally spent an hour and half, entertaining myself (as well as my roomies) with the different ways of wearing it. I tried to do most of the examples on the handy card that came with the scarf, let me tell you that turban look isn't for everyone. Right now, as I type my circle scarf is keeping me warm at work, I'm using it as a shawl! I hear they're selling like hot cakes. (I wonder where that saying came from, was there a time in life when hot cakes were THAT much in demand and were selling out at diners everywhere?)

American Apparel Waikiki
2142 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
Tel. (808) 923-4554
Mon-Sun 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

It's That Time of Year

You can smell it.... Black Friday is COMING. THE biggest shopping day of the year. I live for this day (sad I know), me and my BFF Wayne plan for it every year, it's pretty much a tradish for us. We usually go to Waikele, leave at around 11 p.m. get there by midnight, shop til like 2 in the morning. I love the thrill of the hunt. This year though I've decided to take it easy, don't get me wrong, I'll be shopping Friday, but I'll be shopping more wisely going to places where I specifically saw things I'd like to buy as gifts.

Actually I'm about half done with my Christmas shopping, yes I'm one of those people who started their holiday shopping in July. I enjoy shopping for other people and finding that perfect gifts for loved ones. My mom says I could be a great personal shopper, give me your list, a budget, a little background on the people you are shopping for, and... I'll definitely find you the best deal in town.

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.)

Blisters, Bodies and Bonding

This weekend I got these cute Roxy flats, that I had been eyeing for almost a month, I finally gave in because they were 50% off and they still had my size. I wore them ALL day on Monday and today, and now I have a big fatty blister on my left heel. damn you roxy.

I saw the Bodies exhibit at Ala Moana this past Monday, with Jay-Ar, Ala, Boyfriend and Jamie. It was fascinating, i liked the circulatory system and fetus sections. We also got to touch a liver (the gallbladder was like a little pod) and hold a kidney. I wonder if when I'm ready to go, they'll let me donate my body to the exhibit. Boyfriend bought me a phlange pen, so siiiick. Post-Bodies party was at Uncle Bo's with pupus and cocktails. FYI don't get the fried ice cream... SUCKS, so bready not crunchy and caramelly like Campadres or Koho's on Maui.

Last night me and Anna went to Ala Moana for some bonding and shopping. That girl went all out, 2 pairs of shoes at Nine West and a top from Miss Sixty. I held back and bought just tanks from Gap and a top from Miss Sixty, I'm saving for this HOTT pink Marc by Marc bag I saw at Nordstrom on Monday. Nothing like a night of shopping with one of your bffs!

OH the new U mag is out (The Advertiser produced mini-fashion mag) find it at Starbucks or little boutiques across the island ( I know for sure they have it at Split Obsession (my absolute favorite blind box toy store on the HK side).

On the weekends they sell Andagi at the Marukai Dollar Store, so ono. They have andadogs too. I can't wait for Aiea Soto Mission Bon Dance Andagi!