wild thing.

...you make my heart sing.

my niece is obsessed with milk teas from this place, Taste Tea. it's all the rage and is jam packed with kids all the time. they have so many variations and flavors now, that it's hard to choose. i got a yogurt lemonade milk tea that was good for the first few sips. my suggestion? stick to the basics - original milk tea, or strawberry milk tea. my niece got a milk tea with a scoop of ice cream.

(NYDJ sweater; Patty's Closet pants;

JustFab boots (similar); love & sunshine bag)

shop the look:

the [updated] black blazer.

rediscovering my love of black as well as having an appreciation for simplicity, i've been updating my wardrobe with neutral pieces in varying textures. mornings run smoothly when i can confidently grab separates that i know will work together and look good together.

this textured blazer has a form-fitting shrunken fit, different from the oversized shapeless black blazers i've worn in the past. layered here over my favorite leather tank top, the textures give this otherwise simple black on black mix enough visual interest to get noticed.

i'm also rocking love & sunshine's newest design...

the crossbody bag.

how do you simplify getting dressed in the morning?

(black textured blazer c/o Little Mistress; top/denim/shoes via Lulu's)

here's a few to try:

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)

you might like these:

in case you missed it:

a week of summer whites  .  texture 01

the python scarf.

before this pretty purple scarf even arrived, i knew i wanted to pair it with a color that would complement it and make it pop.

green.

there are so many variations of green that you can easily create different vibes. i went with mint chinos and this pretty white knit for a soft spring look. scroll down for a second look.

have a great weekend!

(Python scarf in fuchsia c/o Shawlsmith London)

Shawlsmith London has lots of pretty scarves from casual to glam. get 25% off their entire site with code: SSL25.

last week, it was jewel tones for a bolder look.

(top c/o Patty's Closet (808-625-6441);

 Old Navy khakis ; Nine West shoes)

mohair sweater.

anybody wanna cozy up?

this sweater is so soft and fuzzy, you will definitely stay warm in this animal print mohair sweater from Persun. we've had a great run of chilly weather here, but forecasts say it's (sadly) going to warm up soon. if  you are still experiencing cold weather or simply love sweaters like i do, check out Persun's huge selection of sweaters and jackets. i have two sweaters from them that i am extremely happy with. in addition, they just lowered all their prices for 2014!

have you heard of poi? it is a hawaiian diet staple made by pounding the root of the taro plant into a paste-like consistency. many locals feed it to their babies because it is an excellent source of calcium and iron, and, more importantly, hypoallergenic...making it great for babies with allergies. it's also believed to be a probiotic. some of us around here call it the perfect baby food. i was fed poi as a baby, and i fed it to my kids. i spent sunday with some friends at a workshop learning how to make our own poi pounder (pohaku) and board (papa). it's a lot of work, but my classmate had it down to a science. it took me nearly seven hours to complete my poi pounder and board, and my arms and back have been sore for days, but it will be so worth it once we have the first taste of our own poi.

have you tried poi?

(photo by friend)

cutting and sanding my board, or 'papa'.

stone ready to be rough-cut using the one on the left as a guide.

(photo by friend)

progression of the poi pounder, or 'pohaku'...

this is what it looks like after the above step.

now it's ready to be shaped and smoothed.

(photo by friend)

after final shaping and sanding.

before and after.

board just needs final sanding and butcher block oil,

then we're ready to make poi!

(animal print mohair sweater c/o Persun (buy); aeropostale denim; h&m bag)

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animal print mix.

this skirt is an animal print lover's dream. i spotted this skirt before i even walked into Patty's Closet. well, as soon as i walked in...and i went through the motions of trying it on even though i knew i was getting it. i was already sold on an animal print pencil skirt but was jumping for joy inside when i saw the zipper in the back. i'm wearing it with a sheer blouse also from Patty's Closet. the neckline and shoulders have pretty detailing that you can't see in these photos, unfortunately. the only fail was the blouse getting stuck in the zipper every time i used the bathroom. on one occasion, i actually had to leave the bathroom and get someone to help me. fashion always comes with a price, though, right?

lunch with a friend included pizza, salad, and my newest obsession...san pellegrino sparkling beverages.

(outfit c/o Patty's Closet (808-625-6441); bag & shoes c/o JustFab)

shop the look:

the basic maxi dress.

stick a fork in me, i'm done.

hope everyone had a wonderful christmas. we sure did. many of our extended family members are sick, so it was just immediate family this year. we kept lunch super simple, which was nice, played lots of fun games...our annual dice game, trivia, and bingo, and ate constantly. i was up till 3am last night wrapping presents, so i'm having a hard time staying awake. time to shower and hit the sack.

bummed that i have to work tomorrow and will probably [lazily] throw on something comfy and casual like this maxi dress from Persun. it's the perfect length for flats.

what did you get for christmas?

guava bread.

getting creative with our bingo pieces.

foxy brown and her christmas gift...wag 'n' woof.

(Persun dress c/o (buy); JustFab bag c/o; Vince Camuto shoes)

you might like these:

an oxblood pencil skirt.

the color maroon or burgundy never appealed to me...

until it was called oxblood. there's just a coolness

in saying oxblood, don't you think?

wearing an oxblood pencil skirt from Patty's Closet

paired with leopard, of course.

(skirt c/o Patty's Closet Mililani (order by phone 808-625-6441);

JustFab bag; BCBG shoes)

tigers + mooncakes.

happy mid-autumn festival.

while i am part chinese, i never really partook in festival activities; to be honest, i don't even know the meaning behind it. an old employee and friend [who moved back to taiwan] is here on vacation and brought some delicious mooncakes making this a good time to learn about it. here's what i found out:

- mid-autumn festival or chinese moon festival is one

of the most important festivals for the chinese people;

it's an official holiday.

- ancient chinese believed the movement of the moon played an important role in the changing of seasons and agricultural production. they worshiped the moon and gave offerings

of thanks for successful crops.

- round shape of the mooncake symbolizes reunion of family. eating mooncakes together with family and enjoying the moon at its fullest is an important part of the festival.

(google search)

wearing another great Patty's Closet [Mililani] find. it was a toss up between a grey leopard print blouse and this tiger top. tiger won.

ambassador green tea & red bean mooncake.

(Patty's Closet top c/o; pacsun pants; JustFab shoes c/o)

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shop INPINK

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