[oomph] eats. moku kitchen.

there are so many restaurants popping up around town, it's hard to keep up. but during the holidays, there's always a reason to get together, so i've been making it a point to try somewhere new each time. last night, i went to moku kitchen, a new eatery in kaka'ako's SALT district which supports local, organic, sustainable farming, fishing, ranching, and all that good stuff.

we arrived around 5pm with reservations. paid parking is fairly abundant, but since i was early, i circled a few times around several blocks and found street parking. the restaurant was filling up when we got there and was bustling with people by the time we left a few hours later. i'm not sure how long the wait would be for a table, but i would recommend making reservations.

love the signage, although i didn't see this until we left as i arrived on the backside.

the restaurant was clean with rustic elements of wood paneling inside and brick outside. i appreciated the simplicity of the furniture and decor. there was a bar and an outside patio as well.

in the glass: montepulciano d'abrezzo pinot noir

i was told there were only two wines available that night...a pinot noir and a pinot grigio. i didn't quite understand why when i saw a number of wines on tap...maybe they were out or maybe they only offer a few from the list each night? so i went with the red, of course, which turned out to be excellent anyway.

they have happy hour from 3-5:30pm during which many of their handcrafted cocktails are $3 off. they also have an extensive microbrew list.

there was live music in one corner of the restaurant. it was enjoyable because it was "background" music rather than loud music that competed with our conversations.

roasted brussel sprouts and garlic truffle oil fries.

while i only took one photo of our small plates, we also ordered pizzas, szechuan stir-fry green beans with mac nuts, roasted squash ravioli, and wood roasted wings to name a few more. all were excellent, but i enjoyed the brussels and green beans the most.

their dessert menu was simple...a small variety of cream pies (strawberry, banana, haupia, chocolate mac nut) and sorbet. i ordered a couple of strawberry slices (for the birthday girls) which looked simply like whipped cream with strawberries on top; but whatever it was, it was nicely presented and tasted good.

service was excellent. our server was attentive and there were a lot of expediters running food and drinks to the tables. we didn't have to wait long for anything, which made for a pleasant experience. 

i look forward to coming back to try more of their menu offerings. highly recommend. 

you can walk around SALT with me here on periscope.

have you tried moku kitchen yet?

tell me about a new eatery in your neighborhood.

POPSUGAR Must Have Box. November.

christmas came early! i love receiving my pink must have box full of happy surprises. november's POPSUGAR must have box was perfectly curated for entertaining this holiday season.

my favorite thing about the must have box is that you get full-sized products in every box. for only $39.95, your box value will be well over $100. now you can take $5 off your first box with code: Shop5. 

don't forget to check out the limited edition boxes, too! for $100 per box, you get full-sized luxe products worth over $200+. for the guys, they currently have a men's box available.

here's what was in my november box:

1) Kendra Scott Elaina Rose Gold Bracelet in White Pearl

2) Stowaway Cosmetics Dawn to Dusk Palette

3) AJ Goods Nest Wire Bowl

4) Pehr Chambray Wine Runner 

5) Meri Meri Star Party Picks

6) Oogie's Snacks Oogie's Gourmet Toffee Butter Popcorn

you can find more information on each product here.

wearing this pink lip color to match from too faced that i won from kim @ a very sweet blog.

do you subscribe to any subscription boxes?

if so, which ones?

*     *     *

join POPSUGAR Must Have now and get the Must Have box for $39.95 or the MINI Must Have for only $18.95!

see my october unboxing here.

see my july unboxing here.

see my june Must Have box here.

see my august Must Have box here.

see my november Must Have box here.

black friday haul.

did you fare well on black friday or cyber monday?

i did surprisingly well considering i wasn't prepared with a list...but under pressure, i managed to check off quite a few names. so here's hoping none of those people see this post!

i first came across wanderlust & co. in my Rocksbox. they were offering 40% off storewide, so i purchased this x double gold ring:

this gold pineapple necklace:

and this screw & bar gold bracelet:

oops, those were for me.

ok...i popped into Brookstone to see if there were any gadgets for my secret santa. there were a few things, but not for my secret santa. now, i wanted a FlipBelt when i was training for the marathon two years ago but never got one. recently, my sister mentioned she wanted one...so when i saw it at Brookstone, i snapped this photo, sent it to her and told her where to find it. i didn't even notice the sign until she told me, "$15?? Grab it for me!" it was half off on clearance, plus the entire store was buy one, get one 50% off. so...i grabbed one for myself. finally. two years later. now that i'm not running as much. but plan to. eventually.

so...that wasn't a gift either. i promise i did get gifts!

this was just cool. i didn't even give it a second look until someone said it was headphones + the ears are speakers. you can turn on the speakers so that others can hear what you're listening to. these wired cat ear headphones are only $69. fun gift for a teen?

so...i found my secret santa gift at the J. Crew store. they were offering 40% off storewide (only a few exclusions). these stretch chinos in 484 fit and linen hoodie made the bag.

this cotton-linen hoodie is sold out online, but you might be able to find it at your local store. it was already on sale + additional 40% off.

when i got home, i jumped online and grabbed a few things. stocked up on my favorite chino shorts + these new balance sneaks that were already on sale + 40% off.

now this next item took care of most of my list. all the girls are getting this super cute mermaid tail blanket. i found this one at ROMWE.

i did get a few toys for the younger ones on my list leaving me with just one or two things left to buy. all i need is a tree to put the gifts under! it feels great to be done with my shopping...for once i can just relax and enjoy the holidays...yay me!

have you started your christmas shopping?

what were your black friday/cyber monday purchases?

cyber monday sales roundup.

if you missed out on black friday sales, here's your chance to make up for it! i've rounded up some great sales online...all you have to do is click and shop! i spent the weekend checking off my list and did well! just a few more small things to go, and i'll be done. happy shopping!

Bandier | 25% off sitewide with code: CYBER25  for cute workout clothes

Buffalo David Bitton | 50% off everything except denim which is 30% off

Dylan's Candy Bar | 25% off sitewide with code: STOCKINGSTUFFER

French Connection | 40% off sitewide with code: F40BLK

HappySocks | 40% off + free shipping for fun socks!

ModCloth | 30% off everything with code: CYBER16 + free shipping

mouth.com | for the foodie, 20% sitewide with code: EXTRACHEER20 + free shipping over $100

Nylon | 20% off sitewide with code: LETSCYBER30

Serena & Lily | 25% off everything with code: BESTEVER

Sole Society | 30% off sitewide

black friday sales roundup 2016.

our tummies are full of turkey and our heads are filled with...black friday sales! every year on thanksgiving, our family pulls names for secret santa...so with that person in mind i'm looking for the best black friday + cyber monday sales. here's a roundup of great deals. i'm especially excited about gorjana and revolve! what sites will you be hitting first?

50% off

Revolve | up to 50% + free US shipping

Pura Vida | no code needed + free US shipping

Urban Outfitters | BOGO 50% all apparel

Express | no code needed + free shipping

LOFT | code: FRIYAY, US only

40% off

Show me your MuMu | MUMUSALE40 + free gifts

Wanderlust & Co. | code: RSCYBER40

other good stuff!

mouth.com | for the foodie, 20% sitewide, code: THANKS20

Macy's | extra 20% off, code: THANKS

gorjana | 30% off select items, code: STUFFED

Baublebar | VIP access 35% off limited time, code: VIP35

sew unique. Sew Da Kine.

i'm always on the lookout for things that are different and unique. so when i heard there were bags made of cork, i was intrigued...and a bit skeptical. i mean, cork is dry. cork is stiff. right?

the first time i felt the cork bags from Sew Da Kine, i was surprised at how soft they were. like buttah...softer than some of the leather bags i own. even better, cork is sustainable, washable, antimicrobial, and hypoallergenic!

still, i had to test this out. i carried this large pakeke bucket bag for three months straight, and it exceeded my expectations. now, i use my bags...really use my bags. i stuff them, toss them, and throw 'em on the ground! ok, not really. the cork remained soft and smooth, the bag still looks clean and brand new.

if you are looking for a unique gift from made here in hawaii, check out Sew Da Kine's selection of cork bags and wallets.

check out the workmanship and details. love the starfish interior.

old navy dress; lulu's shoes; aldo sunglasses

keep up with Sew Da Kine on facebook | instagram | twitter

colourpop haul + review.

i've loved colourpop since their humble beginnings two years ago. i started my "collection" with 3-4 lippies and their matching lippie stix. when i placed my order this time, i was running low on a few other items, so i decided to try some of their other products. here's what i received:

- echo park ultra satin lip

- aquarius lippie

- ellarie lippie

- banging brunette brow pencil

- get leid blush

- between the sheets blush

- no shame creme gel colour

- shadow to-a-t

- weho mini gloss (promo)

-piranha mini gloss (promo)

- finders keepers mini gloss (promo)

wearing echo park ultra satin lip +

creme gel color (eggplant-color eyeliner)

my thoughts:

the retractable brow pencil was soft and applied smooth, but the color was too dark for my preference. i do still use on occasion, but a bit too severe for everyday. i definitely recommend, but i just happen to fall in between the blonde and brunette shades.

i had high hopes for the creme gel colour, but the formula is very dry/drying. it's not very forgiving if you are messy or make mistakes during application. it became so dry and hard on my lids that it changed my eye shape! it was like i was wearing tape on my lids which gave me a double eyelid. will not repurchase.

the ultra satin lip was definitely my favorite. the formula is very liquidy and the applicator picks up a lot of product...i have to wipe off excess product several times before applying, but it feels nice on the lips and is not drying. it's long wearing; i usually don't have to reapply throughout most of the day.

the classic lippies are always great. they apply well, smell good, and look nice. i did begin to notice that they are a little drying, so i usually don't reapply since they may make my lips peel.

the shadows and blushes look amazing in their pots but don't have much pigmentation. you really have to use a lot of product or apply heavily with your fingers as they sometimes recommend. i still like them, though, as i don't wear heavy makeup. i can layer up for more color if need. i thought get leid was going to be way too bright, but i actually like it better than the mauve. 

have you tried colourpop?

what's your favorite colourpop product?

POPSUGAR Must Have Box. September.

it's that time again! who doesn't love a box of happiness delivered to your door every month? september's POPSUGAR must have box gets you thinking about fall with cool-weather materials and colors like this wool hat and red lip gloss.

my favorite thing about the must have box is that you'll get full-sized products in every box. now you can take $5 off your first box with code: Shop5. AND...if you order an October box, you'll automatically be entered to win a whole year of must have box!!

here's what was in my september box:

1) Jack + Lucy Bicoastal Wide Brim Hat (similar)

2) NCLA Mani E.R.

3) Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

4) FLINT Lint Roller 

5) Smith & Cult Lip Lacquer in 'The Warning'

6) The Gluten Free Bites Dark Chocolate Coconut Bites

you can find more information on each product here.

do you subscribe to any subscription boxes?

if so, which ones?

*     *     *

join POPSUGAR Must Have now and get the Must Have box for $39.95 or the MINI Must Have for only $18.95!

see my july unboxing here.

see my june Must Have box here.

see my august Must Have box here.

see my november Must Have box here.

outerwear essentials.

with all this heat and humidity, the last things on my mind are heavy sweaters and coats...right?

wrong.

summer (off-season) is the best time to purchase outerwear as stores are clearing out everything for the upcoming season. especially for us in hawaii...since we don't have a lot of opportunity to wear coats and jackets, i tend to grab them when they are on sale. (with sports authority going out of business, i was able to grab this vest and this jacket on sale).

here are the essentials we should all have in our wardrobe:

the classic trench

the moto-leather jacket

the all-season parka/utility jacket

the classic blazer 

(although this one has a special twist...

comes with a hood. love!)

the chunky sweater

the rain jacket

the denim jacket

get them all on sale here at the nordstrom anniversary sale:

a few non-essentials that i'd still love to have:

do you have any of these essentials in your wardrobe?