Monday, December 30, 2013

Christmas 2013 Haul

Hope you all have been having an exceptionally stellar holiday season.  For the few years that I've had my YouTube channel, I've always told myself that I would stray away from filming and/or posting things I got for Christmas.  However, I somehow felt inclined to do so this year, so I did.  Along with this post, there is a video I filmed on my YouTube Channel (click here to view) where I generally go over the things I got.  There may be more in depth reviews to come on specific things in the future.  As I get older, the more grateful I am for the fact that I still get gifts at Christmastime from people, although I'm convinced I'm far too old to still be getting them.  Please don't feel offended or think that I'm bragging by sharing these things with you all.  I would be very delighted if you all shared some things you got for Christmas down in the comments, or something you particularly enjoyed this holiday season.  Also, let me know if you're interested in me doing a review on any of the items I got.  All photos taken by me.  =]


Le Pliage Large Tote in Slate by Longchamp

 Silver Stainless Steel Watch by Emporio Armani

 Bracelet by Isabel Marant pour H&M

 Fragrances I got for Christmas: Fame Black Fluid by Lady Gaga, Our Moment by One Direction, The Beat by Burberry

 Nintendo 3DS XL in Blue + Games: Pokemon X, Super Mario 3D Land

Sigmax Face Brushes by Sigma

Monday, November 11, 2013

Sephora VIB Sale Haul 2013

It's that time of year again!  I can honestly say that I've taken part in the Sephora "holiday" type of sale for the past 4 years, and did not stray away from doing so again this year.  However, for the past 2 years I have been classified as what is known as a "VIB", which means "Very Important Beauty Insider"...which I think is pretty cool.  Although, that means that I've been spending increasing amounts at Sephora as the years have progressed (don't tell my boyfriend).  For those of you who don't know, the Beauty Insider program at Sephora is a point-based rewards system that gives you 1 point for every dollar you spend there, which can accumulate and later be redeemed for "Point Perks," which are deluxe samples and sets of products that are offered in the store.  Being that I have been part of this rewards program for some time, I have been promoted to the classification VIB, that enables me to participate in cool events, get notified of new product releases, and most importantly getting 20% off all merchandise during the VIB (holiday) sale.

In past years, Sephora had the holiday sale open to pretty much everyone, and offered higher discounts to those who were regular Beauty Insider members as well as VIBs (who I believe had a greater discount).  Though in the past few years, the sale has been almost exclusively set for Beauty Insiders and VIBs, to which coupons were sent out to those people along with another one to be given to the person of their choice (who doesn't have to be a Beauty Insider member).  This year, I was glad to get my 20% off coupon in the mail that was able to be redeemed as many times as I wanted from November 7th through the 11th, along with an additional one that I was able offer to those I decided to share it with.  However, this year's coupon for the person of your choice had to be redeemed with the VIB present, which in turn meant that I made multiple trips to Sephora over the past few days in order for all my loved ones to get the discount.

I had a general game plan for the sale this year, as I typically do for shopping types of endeavors, so I made it a point to make a list of items I would like, so I was able to devise how much it was I intended to spend.  Despite my clever planning, however, I ended up getting loads of other things much different from what I originally planned, mostly because the things I originally wanted had already sold out.  Nonetheless, I seemingly ended up picking up lots more than I intended to just because I had a few gifts to purchase for others, even though the bulk of it was for me.  If you participated in this sale, I would love to know in the comments what you picked up.  Also, be sure to watch my haul video that I'll try to have up soon, where I'll go over each of the items I picked up (I'll embed the video in this post as soon as I get that video out).  Below I took some photos of my purchases from this sale...I did my best to number them, so that all the items can be identified.  I linked off as many as possible of the items in the photo key located below the last photo (the one with the numbers).  All photos taken by me.  =]



1.) VIB Lips Totes
9.) Skincare Samples by Amore Pacific
12.) Urban Decay Urban Essentials Deluxe Sample Set (Beauty Insider Point Perk)
13.) VIB Savings Cards & Lookbook of Gift Ideas

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Mani(c) Monday - November 4, 2013 (Late Post)

Hey everyone! It's been a while since I've posted anything here...and I really shouldn't have an excuse for not posting my nail posts at the very least since I have been consistent in taking them as I've changed out my polish.  I feel like I'm always having to start my posts with an explanation or a rant of excuses, which is largely my own causing in the first place, due to my lack of involvement in actively posting.  All I can do is say that I will post when I am good and ready to do so...not gonna make any more promises regarding that.

Anyway, back to the post...

What I have on my nails this time around is a combo of Blank Slate by Sonia Kashuk as the base color, and Clearly Spotted by Maybelline over as a sort of glitter top coat.  I am infectiously in love with this nail combination, mostly because it looks as though I have taken the time to do a splatter effect nail art detail to my nails, even though it is just glitter.  I love the cool undertone of the grey in the Black Slate shade by Sonia Kashuk, that beautifully compliments the multi sized and faceted glitter in the Clearly Spotted glitter top coat by Maybelline to create a stunning monochromatic look.  I think I will definitely be experimenting with this glitter top coat with other shades and finishes as the base color to be worn though the fall and winter season.  All photos taken by me.  =]

Blank Slate by Sonia Kashuk + Clearly Spotted by Maybelline

Sunday, October 6, 2013

HFM - Outfit: Hawaii Fashion Designers Market

As some of you may know, Hawaii Fashion Month is a week under way, and several festivities have already taken place as far as events associated with it are concerned.  I was able to both assist with and attend Outfit: Hawaii Fashion Designers Market on behalf of the First Lady The Movement street team.  The event was held on both the 2nd and 3rd of October in the bottom warehouse space of TJ Maxx in Ward (Kakaako).  This event posed an amazing opportunity for up & coming and established local designers, to showcase their creations to the fashion community and bring exposure to the public.  There were an abundance of local creative talent that displayed pieces they have crafted, ranging from clothing, to swimwear, jewelry & accessories, and artwork.

Aside from the vendor type of booths that were being exhibited, there were also displayed installations of established local businesses such as Hilo Hattie, Reyn Spooner, and Goodwill Hawaii, that really exemplify who they are in a way that was visually stunning.  Other visual installations that were displayed were features of local fashion designers, some of which are recent graduates of the University of Hawaii system of programs.  Along with the stationary visual displays, there were also fashion shows that went on during the course of the event, as well as do-it-yourself activities held in the Hifi (Hawaii Fashion Incubator) Lounge run by Art & Flea Hawaii.  All in all, I found this event to be successful, and a great culmination of creativity in the local community.  I'll be attending a few more events for Hawaii Fashion Month, so be sure to check out my posts on those sometime soon.  Below are pictures from the Outfit Hawaii event, most of which were taken by me (except the one I'm in, of course).  =]

For more information about the event, check out:



View from outside of Outfit Hawaii Fashion Designers Market.

Maryrose a.k.a. "Maryberry" and I at the registration table outside, volunteering for First Lady The Movement.

The stage/runway in the center of the event.

Side view of the stage/runway.

End of the runway, where the models posed during the fashion show.

The Hifi (Hawaii Fashion Incubator) Lounge, where DIY projects run by Art & Flea Hawaii were happening.

 At the Hifi Lounge, you could decorate canvas tote bags, and make bracelets.

Local fashion designer Allison Isu's booth.

Local jewelry designer Panacea Designs booth.

Local jewelry designer Mango Luxe's booth.

Installation of garments by up & coming local fashion designers.

Installation of garments by up & coming local fashion designers.

Display by Hilo Hattie, with the HUGE aloha shirt in the background (I think it was sized as 400 XL).

Display by Reyn Spooner and Goodwill Hawaii.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Metal & Rust

Hooray!!!  What can I say, I'm excited by the fact that it is officially fall, which is by far my favorite season in terms of wardrobe.  I love all the deep jewel toned shades, the elements of black, incorporation of leather, and all those other facets that make dressing for fall so fantastic.  In this look, I went with an incorporation of metallic, black, and cognac that primarily worked around the textured metallic top I got from Bamboo Sky.  Other elements of this look that really pulled everything together were the beautiful coated crystal bib necklace by Mixe Medium, the rust colored shorts by Rag & Bone, and my Alexander Wang Rocco bag.  I will be sure to get more fall related outfit and beauty posts as well as videos up in the very near future.  All photos taken by Taylor Miyashiro.  =]


Outfit Details: Textured gunmetal and black top from Bamboo Sky, rust colored cut off frayed shorts by Rag & Bone, Bag: Rocco Mini Duffel in black lambskin with black nickel hardware by Alexander Wang, Shoes: Areas boot by Jeffrey Campbell.  See other photos for accessory details.



Coated crystal bib necklace by Mixe Medium, silver stainless steel armor ring by L'Mond, tan claw wrap around leather bracelet by Kara New York, silver stainless steel mesh band watch by Skagen, gunmetal and black aviator sunglasses by Marc by Marc Jacobs (not shown in this picture).

Friday, September 27, 2013

Foodie Friday: Godmother Pasta (Shirokiya)

Insight and photo by Rowena Salanga, words by me.

A little intro...

I definitely wanted to venture into new areas in terms of variation in what I post here, so I asked my dear cousin, Rowena, to share some of her food adventures every Friday, that will now be known as "Foodie Friday."  These posts will consist of a culmination of both food that was made in her kitchen, as well as food ordered out at eateries here on Oahu.  Let's face it, we all love to look at food at least on occasion, so I thought it would break up the monotony of my style and beauty posts.  Be sure to let me know if you all like these posts down in the comments, and if there are any specifics you'd like me to address in future Foodie Friday posts.

...and on to the actual post:

This Foodie Friday we bring you the Neapolitan and the Teri Chicken Pasta from Godmother Pasta, which is located on the 3rd floor of Shirokiya at Ala Moana Shopping Center.  Godmother Pasta's food is a fusion of Japanese and Italian food, that is reflected in all the dishes they have to offer.  Rowena has eaten there a total of 7 times so far, which can attest to the overall quality of the food they have available.  For being a take out type of food establishment, the dishes come plated beautifully and presented in a way one would expect from a more sophisticated place.  Godmother Pasta definitely provides a selection of dishes that don't seem to be very commonly available at other restaurants or food establishments, especially since the food (or at least the pasta as far as I'm concerned) is gluten free.

For more great food related photos, check out Rowena's Instagram -> here
and here: http://instagram.com/roweeena

For reviews of Godmother Pasta on Yelp, check them out -> here
and here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/godmother-honolulu-2#query:godmother%20pasta

The Neapolitan and Teri Chicken Pasta from Godmother Pasta.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Beauty: My Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

As many people know, the Shu Uemura eyelash curler is iconic in the world of beauty, and deemed as being among the elite as far as beauty tools are concerned, especially in the realm of eyelash curlers.  Being the beauty crazed person I am, I felt the absolute and utmost need to have one of these illustrious beauty tools in my life, despite the luxury price.  For those of you who aren't familiar, the Shu Uemura eyelash curler retails for about $20, and is now incredibly rare to find in retailers in the United States, as it is no longer being distributed through them.  Such retailers as Sephora, carried this tool up until a couple years ago, which is when I picked up the one that I still have (and use) to this day.  Technically, the protocol for eyelash curlers is that they are to be replaced every 6 months, or at least replace the padding in that time frame.  Such was not the case for me, in that I have had mine for about 3 years now, and continue to use it frequently.  However, despite my loyalty to this fantastic tool, I think it is about time to move on and venture to find one to replace it.  I could very well get a new one, since Shu Uemura products are available to purchase online, but I want to try something new, so that'll be my mini goal for the next few months.  I heard great things about the MAC eyelash curler, as well as the one by Tweezerman, Shiseido, and Tarte, so those may be worthy of researching and trying out before I make my decision.  Definitely let me know in the comments any suggestions you all may have for the new eyelash curler I should get.  Below is a photo I took of my beloved Shu Uemura eyelash curler, that I may very well keep just for sentimental value.  =]

The Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler