First Lady: The Movement Expo 2014

This was the third time I've attended the FirstLady: The Movement (FLTM) expo, with this year marking their 5th annual expo.  The annual event, which is usually held in the summer, was held on November 14th this time around.  It was once again held at the romantically beautiful YWCA Laniakea courtyard, alongside Cafe Julia.  If I've never mentioned it before, the FLTM expo is a culmination of talent and a celebration of women, where their works are showcased as vendors at the event.  In addition to the general expo, there was also a fashion show with pieces from Patty's Closet this year, which I again helped to produce.  This year's fashion show was the second one the event has ever hosted, that turned out to be even more spectacular than the last.  I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the people who helped to make the expo and the fashion show spectacular.  Below are glimpses that I snapped from that night, although I wasn't able to take any shots of the fashion show, since I was helping backstage at the time.  =]

Entrance arch into the YWCA Laniakea courtyard.

Another view into the courtyard.

Table view of featured vendor Mixe Medium.

Detail shot of Mixe Medium's beautiful table display.

View of a couple of the vendor tables and the check in table.

Shots of featured vendor Melody's Treats HI.

Shots of featured vendor Gold Cvltvre.

Courtyard view + shot of Cafe Julia.

DJ Tittahbyte provided the evening with high energy beats.

With the FirstLady founders Rachael & Donna, and Riana (DJ Tittahbyte).

Models getting ready to head out for the fashion show backstage.

Adding finishing touches to models in their lineup before heading out.

First and second looks worn by models of Top Model Hawaii.

Some of the models backstage after the show.

Models in their first looks.  From left to right: Tjan Hall, Markie Reichman, Meghan Van Ness, Sheville Lee, Charyse Christi-Marie, Emmy Agustin, China Kelly, Lia Jamerson, Sammie Shiroma, Lheo Egalin-Ingco, Jennifer Portalatin, Easter-Lily Smith, Loryn Guiffre. 

Backstage shot of the fashion show, where the models are wearing their second looks.

HFM: Fashion ForWARD

Get excited, it's that time of year again.  No, I don't mean the holiday season, but something hopefully just as exciting...Hawaii Fashion Month!  This will be only the second time Hawaii Fashion Month will take place, but by no means should it be considered something to take lightly.  Tons of fabulous events have been in the works, most of which I'm hoping to attend, so be on the lookout for my posts from those to come.  This past Saturday (November 1st) meant the official start of Hawaii Fashion Month, and was appropriately kicked off in style.  To start off Hawaii Fashion Month, the Fashion ForWARD event was held at the ultra swanky IBM courtyard in Ward Village, where a plethora of Hawaii's fashion scene gathered to mingle and commemorate the start of the month-long series of events.

The evening played out to be quite the lively ordeal, and was definitely the place to be and be seen.  Aside from the sleek courtyard environment, the event also presented a sampling of delectable small bites provided by Kakaako Kitchen and Ono Pops, as well as cocktails by Martini & Rossi Prosecco and Grey Goose Le Melon (really wishing I snapped photos of the fabulous food served).  The scene also consisted of models dressed in ornately constructed gowns by designer Randy Leano, that waltzed around the event, and posed for many pictures.  In addition to kicking off the start of Hawaii Fashion Month, the event also celebrated the launch of Hawaii Fashion Exchange (HFX), and the HFX month-long photo exhibit displayed around Ward Village.  Below are shots I snapped from that evening, aside from the one I'm in (of course) - Photo Credit: Ericka Bueno.  For more information on Hawaii Fashion Month, check out: hawaiifashionmonth.com  =]

Louis Vuitton Ala Moana Reopening

This is definitely a much belated post, as I attended this occasion a few weeks ago, but I also recently visited the newly renovated Louis Vuitton at Ala Moana Center to make a small purchase for my birthday...which I'll discuss a bit more in an upcoming post.  I only bought something small, so don't get too excited for a reveal.

From what I was told, the renovation that took place at the Louis Vuitton store at Ala Moana Center was one that spanned a total of 2 years.  Having been to this store on several occasions over the past couple of years, it didn't occur to me until recent months that a renovation was taking place.  They managed to keep the store fully functioning and as open to walk around as possible, while parts of the store were closed off from entry, and modifications took place.  I knew that majority of the work being done dealt with the staircase, since access to it was no longer permitted, and the elevators were the only way to travel to and from floors.

All in all, the renovation was completed, and the grand reopening of the Louis Vuitton store at Ala Moana Center took place on April 19, 2014.  I wasn't there for all the festivities I was told happened first thing in the morning of the reopening, but I was able to make it there by that afternoon.  By then, it was much less chaotic, and seemed like just an ordinary day in the store.  I took the time to stroll along, and see the store in its entirety.  Sure enough, the staircase was the highlight of the renovation, as it went from being made of glass to a wooden staircase, one that featured tremendous detail consisting of what looked like metal facets that ran along the walls around it in a wavy texture.  

I was particularly fixated on getting something whilst there that day, but the specific items I inquired about were unavailable.  Part of the reason for wanting to get something that day, was because I noticed that some people coming out of the store held special Louis Vuitton shopping bags that I suspected were made for the reopening.  Unfortunately, the things I was after weren't available to purchase at the time, and I was in no position to spontaneously buy another bag, just because I wanted the special shopping bag. 

Even so, upon returning a couple weeks later, I made a purchase, and my amazing SA (sales associate) was able to get my item placed into one of their few remaining special bags from the reopening.  Pictures of the item I ended up getting, and pictures of the special shopping bag will all be featured in a blog post and unboxing video fairly soon.  Below are pictures from the reopening of the Louis Vuitton store at Ala Moana Center, all of which were taken by me, aside from the one I'm in (of course).  =]

Spam Jam 2014

'Twas yet another fun filled weekend for me.  There always seems to be tons of things to do every weekend here, and I'm now realizing I want to document my experiences at these events as I experience them.  There was a bit of debate as to what I was gonna be doing this past weekend, being that a few different options were presented to me.  Ultimately, I ended up attending the 12th annual Spam Jam held in Waikiki with my sister, Reisha, and my cousin, Rowena.  This event was a fantastic representation of Hawaii's love of Spam, and consisted of many great food establishments that had their own booths.  Many of these food vendors sold a combination of regular items from their menu, along with dishes specially created for the event.  There was quite a range of food to try, so we had to be a bit selective as to where we spent our money.  The food we did end up getting, however, were a Spam pizza, Spam lettuce wraps & fried noodles from PF Chang, and the Kanak Attack (consisting of a loco moco, with Spam fried rice, and Spam katsu) from Duke's Canoe Club.  Spam desserts were also in the mix at the Spam Jam, but we passed on those, although the Spam sundae did sound enticing.  I would probably attend this event again, as it was a delicious time, but I need to make a mental note to wear a crossbody bag instead of my Louis Vuitton Speedy 30, so I can have a better "hands free" experience.  Below are pictures of the various sights from that night, most of which were taken by me, aside the ones I'm in (of course).  =]

Spam Jam poster I saw in the lobby of the parking garage where we parked.

Overview of the event...there were definitely lots of people in attendance.

A few of the booths present at the Spam Jam.  I unfortunately passed on taking photos with the Spam wave (the line was ridiculous).

I think these were supposed to be characters from a children's story book, but we just wanted to take pictures with them.

Spam pizza.

Spam lettuce wraps from PF Chang.

The Kanak Attack from Duke's Canoe Club.

Rowena with food from PF Chang.

Arial view of the event from the Royal Hawaiian Center's bridge.

Art & Flea: Love for Wes

I can't recall if I've ever put up a post on here about Art & Flea...but oh well, here's one.  I used to make it a point to attend all of the Art & Flea events that are held monthly, but I managed to miss a couple recently, for whatever reason.  Even so, I was able to attend the most recent one that was held on April 24, 2014.  The theme for this one, as there is a theme each time, was "Love for Wes," a commemoration of the director and screenwriter Wes Anderson.  The warehouses where the event was held were appropriately adorned with decor reflecting the theme, and people surely dressed the part as well.  I would have dressed to fit the theme, since I am someone who typically likes to dress accordingly for an occasion, but I seriously didn't have anything that would remotely fit the bill.  All in all, I had a good time at this event, as I typically do.  Although I wasn't able to take a photo booth picture, which I usually do at these events, mainly because I was too impatient to wait in the long line for it...next time for sure.  Below are photos I took while at the event (and one of something I bought while there), that I will take time to caption later, but feel free to ask me in the comments if you have any questions about them.  All photos taken by me, aside from the one I'm in (of course).  =]