fall neutrals.

my friendship swap bag included a couple of long cardigans which are perfect for fall. this grey open-style cardigan was one of them. you can't go wrong with a neutral palette and, of course, a pop of color with bright pink lips from laqa & co. and this burgundy clutch from love & sunshine.

this was a weekend of exercise, nature, and food. we conquered two hikes (caught the sunrise from diamond head and the sunset from aiea) and i tried a new restaurant. love full weekends like these.

what's your ideal weekend?

do you like neutral for fall or bright colors?

saturday's sunrise hike to the top of diamond head crater. 

bills sydney in waikiki. there's a cafe ground floor on the right (not pictured) and main restaurant upstairs. i think it's a little pricey for breakfast, but it hit the spot.

much needed first cup of coffee post-hike...very heavy and thick, but good! ($3.50)

interior. simple but grand with the high ceilings. love the woodsy outback vibe. 

one of their specialties, the ricotta hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter ($15). very yum. seafood kim chee fried rice in the background ($16). tasty but salty. probably wouldn't order that again. also ordered lemonade ($5). parking $6 + tip = $50+ breakfast.

sunday's sunset hike at aiea loop trail.

carnitas tacos after the sunset hike (plus a watermelon cooler and molten lava cake!)

(banana republic cardigan via friendship swap; paige denim,

lulu's shoes; love & sunshine clutch; laqa & co. lips)

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how to wear red white and blue. 02

quick story...for years, i have been wanting to have an ugly christmas sweater party. i think it's a fun way to show off individual personalities and a great way to celebrate the holidays without the pressure of having to dress up. while i haven't hosted that party yet, i'm always on the lookout for the perfect ugly christmas sweater.

enter the show Shark Tank. i rarely watch tv but happened to catch an episode at a friend's house in which two guys were pitching their line of ugly christmas sweaters and their company called Tipsy Elves. naturally i was intrigued and was totally rooting for them.

fast forward to now. imagine my excitement when Tipsy Elves reached out to inform me of their american flag products just in time for fourth of july. i was excited simply because i knew exactly who they were (and where to get my ugly christmas sweater!).

while Tipsy Elves started out with christmas sweaters, they have expanded to become your one-stop-shop for holiday apparel. i am loving my american flag sweater...i mean, it doesn't get any more patriotic than this! check out their website for more red, white, and blue clothing items and accessories.

(American Flag Sweater c/o Tipsy Elves; Paige denim; JORD watch)

keep up with Tipsy Elves: instagram | facebook | twitter

shop the look:

neutral prints.

this chilly weather is making me lazy. all i want to do is cozy up in a warm blanket [with a good book and a cup of tea], which is probably why i've been living in oversized sweaters and sweatshirts. it's the next best thing to a warm blanket when you have to leave the house. but i figured getting dressed on this monday morning was a good way to start the week.

throwing prints and textures into the mix here while keeping to a neutral palette. similar shades of brown keep the leopard and herringbone harmonious while the white denim freshens up the look.

do you like dressing up when temps drop?

how was your weekend?

(lips: avon scarlet siren)

(Patty's Closet blazer; Paige denim, heels via Lulu's; thrifted blouse)

a week of coats. military.

having coats in Hawaii is a matter of want vs need. for the most part, we don't need them...but it doesn't stop us from wanting them. besides, there may come a freakishly cold day in which we might need one, right? at least that's how i justify them. i'm pulling a few out of the closet for this week of coats.

i used to love military coats (think gold buttons, structured, uniformed piping). the details on this one plus its navy color had a subtle military vibe.

(ricky's nyc nail polish)

wearing: kiss me at midnight over walk of shame

(Forever 21 coat; Paige denim; JustFab bag; Sole Society shoes)

a few to try:

for the guys:

pink.

mondays come too soon, don't you agree? at least it's a short week! by the way, who plans on braving the black friday crowds? 

kicking this week off with a punch of bright pink.

lips: LAQA & Co 'ring of fire' & Avon 'vamp'

a few snaps from a holiday shopping event we had this weekend.

(shirt via oomph; paige denim; charles david 'pact' heels c/o; american eagle camouflage jacket; ray-ban aviators)

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buffalo plaid.

one of my must-haves for fall is a great flannel...and what better than one in classic red. it's great for chilly fall mornings and nights, perfect for the pumpkin patch, and festive come christmas.

while i love all patterns from gingham to checks and tartans, i've been wanting to add a buffalo plaid to my collection. like everything else, though, the perfect one is hard to find.

i came close with this one last year but hope to score 'the one' this year.

what's one thing you hope to pick up this fall?

(gilly hicks top; paige denim)

a week of summer whites. pant suit.

i've always loved the look of a white pant suit. it's fresh and bold...and daring. but reality is, it's hawaii, it's hot, it's casual. so, this is the summer pant suit...white tee + white denim.

would you rock a white suit?

(mossimo tee; paige denim; h&m bag)

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faux-wrap top.

just a quick check-in here. wearing a faux-wrap top in a scarf print paired with my favorite white jeans. i loved the bold black trim on this top and carried that out with black shoes and accessories.

i'll be hitting the beach again today to spend some time with the minis. the water in the summer is so nice, we just can't get enough of it. 

father's day is this weekend...what's everyone doing for the special men in their lives? any gift ideas for the guy who has everything?

headed to the country after work to meet up with the minis...

made it just in time for a sunset swim.

hungry, we headed back to the beach house and whipped up this cranberry curry jasmine rice (from island keepsakes) with some sausages. so yum.

(Patty's Closet top c/o (808-625-6440);

Shop Lately necklace; Paige Denim; JustFab shoes)

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