the layered tank.

hope everyone enjoyed their easter weekend. it was non-stop eating and drinking for me. i spent some QT with the minis at the beach, caught up with friends over drinks, and ate and ate with the family on easter. i finally picked up another piece of my home office - the desk. geez, it's been over a year since i bought the rug! it's progress. next up...the chair. 

i also managed to stop by Patty's Closet this weekend. they are stocked with fun spring pieces. this patterned black and white layered tank goes perfectly with denim. dress it up with a blazer or keep it casual with a utility jacket like i did here.

good wine with good friends.

dinner date with mini-he at genki sushi. he's a cheap date...only two plates + dessert for him. salmon for me.

acai bowls + shave ice.

refreshing big wave golden ale from kona brewing company after a day at the beach.

first time making broken glass jello (eggs). i only had one 6-egg mold, so the rest went into a pan, but props to anyone who makes this. it is hard work. mine isn't the prettiest, but it still tasted good!

super cute easter donuts from regal bakery.

(Patty's Closet top c/o; Pacsun denim; thrifted jacket; Rocksbox necklace)

olive + red.

this is as fall as it's going to get around here, i'm afraid. with temps still reaching the 90s + high humidity, it's [literally] difficult to get dressed in the morning. i tried to put on a pair of jeans this weekend and could not get them up past my knees, because i was so sticky! the struggle is real!

but when it does get chilly, one of my utility jackets is always within reach. pairing an olive green jacket with red [plaid] is one of my absolute favorite combos.

p.s. stay tuned for our fall 2014 east vs. west series

debuting tomorrow!

have you transitioned to fall completely?

what fall trend are you loving?

(mossimo jacket (similar); justfab luxe boots; express denim;

shirt via local store; love & sunshine pouch)

here's a few to try:

leather-sleeved utility jacket.

this jacket is another score from the buy one, get two free promo i mentioned in my last post. these two jackets (this one and the varsity jacket) weren't on my radar, but i did love this striped sweater. so when i heard that i could get two items free, i didn't hesitate grabbing these two jackets. it was an ideal situation because i'm usually hesitant to spend money on cold-weather items. now i have these options in my wardrobe, and i didn't have to spend a dime on them. so what if i live in hawaii...these jackets will have their day(s).

i had an extra tub of greek yogurt on hand, so i made some yogurt pops...in a cake pop pan. this super simple recipe only calls for 1 cup each of blueberry yogurt and blueberries. i only had plain yogurt on hand, so i added honey to sweeten it. the minis loved them, and i have been loving them after my treadmill runs.

here's my modified recipe:

1 cup plain greek yogurt (i used fage)

1/4 cup honey (or agave)

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup strawberries

blend everything (or just mash fruits and stir into yogurt)

and freeze at least 2-3 hours. add your popsicle sticks

after they harden a bit.

(jacket via pacsun; denim c/o JustFab; vans shoes;

Patty's Closet tee; necklace via ShopLately)

a few to try:

*     *     *

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cold weather comfort.

when the weather is chilly, sometimes you have to give in to comfy. both minis are sick, and i'm starting to feel something coming on, but this is the last weekend to get things done before christmas. i'm starting the weekend off with an early morning hike tomorrow, then shopping like mad till everyone is checked off my list. sunday, i'm meeting up with a girlfriend to exchange gifts then spending the rest of the night wrapping presents. hopefully i can get everything done so that i can relax and enjoy christmas eve. below are some photos from our hike last weekend at 'aiea loop trail.

what are your plans for the weekend?

while this is a fairly easy hike that is level most of the way, the 'aiea loop trail is still a nice workout due to its length. the approximately 5-mile trail has its share of ups and downs, ducking under and climbing over fallen trees and takes anywhere from 1.5-3 hours depending on your pace. you can always start from the bottom and hike up if you want more of a challenging workout.

view of the H-3 freeway.

(mossimo jacket; harem pants via oomph;

Lulu's shoes (buy); sweater, local store)

top gun.

new white denim, but this time heavily distressed. worn with a loose tee (in black, white, or gray), heels, and a utility jacket, this has been my most recent go-to. we had flash flood warnings again this weekend, so this jacket has again proved its worth...and i like that. even though my closet is full,

there are only a few things that i constantly reach for. i'm slowly transforming my closet so that it is full of things

i love to wear. 

i had another busy weekend which i'll share throughout the week. i participated in our local march for babies walk on saturday morning. it was a casual 5 mile walk from waikiki to ala moana and back. this is the second walk we participated in this year, and we're already looking forward to the next...because exercising while supporting great causes makes you feel pretty top gun.

what has you feeling top gun?

post-walk swag and grub...chocolate milk, fried rice,

and a handful of snacks.

(almost famous denim; nine west shoes; f21 tee; coach wristlet)

try these:

 

casual sunday.

april is shaping up to be just as busy as march.

we attended a party at the zoo this past weekend and also celebrated a family birthday (90 yrs old!). next weekend, i'll be participating in our local march for babies walk. you can visit my page here to read more about this cause and/or to donate if you wish. mini-she has a school banquet the following weekend, and i'm hoping to meet up with jackie when she comes to town the last weekend of this month. aand, let's not forget mini-he's

birthday coming up on the 16th.

i last wore these pants to a school reunion. this time i dressed them down by rolling 'em up and pairing them with flats. and to add depth to this outfit, i threw on my green jacket.

started off the day with mini-he's flag football game...

he pulled one flag, and there was no running involved. he just happened to be standing next to the kid with the ball!

we cooled down after the game by playing in the sprinkler.

then had lunch...butterfish bento.

and before we knew it, it was time for a birthday dinner

with family. who wants to ride with us?

mini-she bought these heart earrings for me (fundraiser at

school, $1); told me they were an early mother's day present.

when is mother's day?? haha.

(mossimo jacket; pants, local boutique; atienne aigner loafers via ideeli; gap pure tee)

(not an ideeli member? click here.)

shop the look:

cargo and stripes.

tgif.

this is the birthday weekend for my family...mom, dad, niece, brother-in-law...all in a row. we have one big lunch planned for saturday, but i know we will have mini celebrations for each person on their actual birthdays. that means a whole lotta cake.

i must have a thing with wearing my cargo vest with stripes because i've done it here, here, and here.

maybe it's coincidence, or maybe it's because it seems

to make the stripes pop. either way, i like it.

what's your favorite combination these days?

one was not enough...

(vest, old navy; skirt, saks; shoes, zara; tee, gap)

try these looks:

surplus.

this week's morning showers came just in time for me to rock my canvas military jacket from gap. i really wanted this olive one, but even the xs was really big. i'll keep searching for one while enjoying this one in the meantime. as you can see,
the sun usually comes out by mid-day, so pairing it with
shorter dresses keeps things cool.

scroll down for some pictures of our saturday
spent beach hopping around the island.

gorgeous waimanalo water.

 beautiful ala moana at sunset...

...and at twilight. 

shop the look:

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