Living Aloha

Living Aloha Sponsor: Lily Love

2012-02-23T04:00:00.002-10:00

Sponsoring my blog this month is fellow island girl Che'Lyssa of Lily Love, who blogs from her home on the Garden Isle (Kauai). This girl is as sweet as pie and I cannot say enough good things about her because honestly, she really IS as sweet as pie. Che'Lyssa and I became blog friends back in 2010 and despite having never met in person (which we will change one of these days), we enjoy a friendship and shared faith outside of our blogs . Che' has an incredibly kind heart as well as a childlike innocence and purity about her that makes her feel like the little sister I never had. I look forward to the day that I can finally meet--and HUG--her in person!

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LA: How long have you been blogging and what is the meaning behind your blog name?

Che'Lyssa: I have been blogging for about two years now and it has been bliss. I love everything about it and I have met a handful of great people through blogging. The meaning behind Lily Love's name goes back to my love for the name Lily and what it represents, which is purity. It reminds me of the pure and undying love that I have from Jesus. I also love lilies. Oh my goodness, I sound obsessed.

LA: What is your favorite memory from your recent trip to Italy?

Che'Lyssa: Ahh! Italy. My favorite memory would have to be when, after walking for what seemed like days, turning a street corner and finally seeing the Colosseum in the distance. My heart literally leaped in pure joy and I think in that moment it hit me that I was actually in Rome. When we finally reached the Colosseum, I nearly collapsed in total shock. Of course I can be overly dramatic, but it was one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen.

LA: Tell us more about your new photography business. How long have you been taking photos?

Che'Lyssa: I actually just booked a small wedding and am pretty excited to get work done. I still have a lot of learning and practicing to do - but that's the name of the game in any business and I'm ready to put my two feet forward and shoot. I remember when I first started to take interest in taking portraits/fashion shoots, it was about 5 years ago and my cousins and I did a little shoot with my 4.2 megapixel Sony Cybershot digital camera. We felt so professional. My skills and mega pixels have definitely grown...

LA: What's a typical day-in-the-life-of-Che'Lyssa like?

Che'Lyssa: I wake up, wait for my daycare kiddos to arrive and have a ton of fun with them. Then I either relax if I'm not doing anything in the evening, which is normal because I am a total homebody, or I get all dolled up and head out to church or some kind of family function.

LA: What are you passionate about? What inspires you/fuels your soul?

Che'Lyssa: This was the question that I had to think long and hard about and honestly, I needed to be asked this question. During my time of pondering (yes, I'm getting deep) I came to the conclusion that I'm passionate about life. It may sound cheesy (to say the least), but it's true. I'm passionate about all parts of life: my own life and continuing to grow in the purpose that God has given me; and the life of others and seeing people find their potential and strive to the highest. If in my life I could only help one person find the true meaning and purpose and I be able to watch them live, learn and celebrate through the good and the bad, it would be worth it. Amongst all the other things that inspire me... this fuels my soul.

LA: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would those words be?

Che'Lyssa: Blessed, happy and anxious. I'm blessed beyond measure, I'm the happiest I have been in the past 8 years of my "adult" life and I'm super anxious because there are big things happening this year and I'm excited yet nervous to "get out of the boat".

LA: What is one of your goals (personal or professional) for 2012?

Che'Lyssa: One of my biggest goals in 2012 that I am currently chomping at is to open up my online store. I'm shooting for a summer opening and am trying to get all things, product and business side, in order. Send me some hearts and a lot of advice all you shop owners! Pretty please?

{Che'Lyssa and her sister}

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I know there are a ton of readers out there who are shop/small business owners; help a girl out and share a bit of your wisdom and experience with Che'Lyssa, will you?

Share the love...please visit Che' on her blog, or follow her on Twitter!

Renewal

2012-02-22T10:23:00.000-10:00

Today marks the beginning of a new season; a season of penance, sacrifice and reflection.
A season where the soul experiences its greatest growth.

I need this.

Channeling the Girly Girl in Me

2012-02-21T23:30:00.002-10:00

Try as I might, I am not a girly girl. In a year and a half of blogging, I have only written ONE fashion-related post (and seeing as how I am an all-or-nothing kind of girl, I went all the way with that one!). While I am drawn to and admire the medley of fashion blogs out there, more often than not, I lurk quietly in the sidelines because I feel out of my element. I like pink, I like ruffles, I like sparkly things as much as the next girl, but in reality, I sport slippers, shorts and cotton tank tops 6/7 days a week. Braids and a baseball cap is my go-to hairstyle and I like--no, LOVE--boyfriend cut jeans and sweatshirts. So NOT sexy.

But as fate would have it, while looking for an article online today, my eyes were drawn to an ad in the sidebar for eShakti and curiosity got the best of me. I clicked on the ad, found myself in a sea of classic dresses and a little gasp actually escaped from me. Ohh, the prettiness. Beautiful dresses with empire waists and A-line cuts to flatter the pear-shape that is me. Classic, feminine and a maybe even a little bit retro. Me like. What did I find? Well, allow me to show you!

So perfect for Spring!

I envision a delicate strand of pearls with this emerald green:

Paired with a white, tailored, sleeveless collared shirt? Yes, please.

I am petrified of prints, but these two numbers got a thumbs up from The Hubs, who would love to see me step out of my solids-and-jersey-cotton-only comfort zone every once and awhile:

It's been a while since I went shopping - oh wait, I did buy a pair of shoes last week (purple suede flats that are impractical out here, but so very cute) but aside from that, I'd like to think I deserve a little treat every now and then. As any girl would do, I thought it appropriate to do a little damage. The upside to a shopping spree? A $20 dollar credit on first-time orders and FREE shipping on purchases over $100. Cakewalk!

I may not ooze style and grace, but there's a girly-girl hidden in here, somewhere. And I kinda feel like she's dying to come out.

And tonight, I painted my nails and added a little rhinestone embellishment. We'll see how long I can keep this up. :)

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Got a minute? Be sure to check out my awesome February Sponsors!
{Painfully Optomistic} {Lily Love} {Zen & Living Simply} {Our Beautiful Little Journey}

Living Aloha Sponsor: Painfully Optomistic

2012-02-16T10:25:00.000-10:00

New sponsor to my blog this month is Ross McCreery, who blogs over at Painfully Optomistic. Some of my longtime blog readers might remember hearing about Ross when I included him on Day 19 of my 29 Gifts Series back in January of last year. Ross is an incredibly kind and supportive blogging friend who possesses a resilient spirit. He's been through a rough time recently with regard to his health, but through it all, he still manages to maintain a positive outlook on life. His experience is a great reminder for all of us not to take each day for granted.

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LA: What is CRPS and when were you diagnosed?

Ross: CRPS stands for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It is a chronic progressive disease characterized by severe pain, swelling and changes in the skin. It often affects the arms or the legs but can spread to other parts of the body. It involves the autonomic nervous system and can result in loss of function, impairment, and disability. The cause of it is unknown as of today however it is thought that it could be brought on by either surgery or injury. Currently there is no known cure. With me it started in my left hand and spread to my left leg. I was diagnosed 6yrs ago this month!

LA: What helps you regulate your pain?

Ross: My pain is regulated by a combination of medication and two spinal cord stimulators that are implanted. Spinal cord stimulation is where they implant a battery which sends electrical stimulation through a wire to a lead implanted into specific nerves within your spine. The job of the implant is to block the pain signals that are coming from my brain. It doesn’t get rid of the pain all together but it reduces it and helps regulate it.

LA: You are an amazing person with a resilient spirit, how do you stay so positive despite having CRPS?

Ross: My faith is the main reason I can stay so positive. I also believe that I’ve made the choice to rise above adversity and live life to the best of my ability in spite of having a disability. Part of that choice involves deciding to see the positive in everything rather than the negative.

LA: What are you passionate about? What inspires you/fuels your soul?

Ross: I’m passionate about life! When you’re diagnosed with an illness like CRPS, you start to value life a whole lot more and all the things that matter the most. So things like your wife and kids become your passion in life. They inspire me with each day to be a better father and husband.

LA: Do you have a “Bucket List” and if so, what are some items on this list?

Ross: I do have a “Bucket List”. The first item on that “Bucket List” is to go to Africa and visit where my adopted daughter is from in Ethiopia. While I was there I would fulfill #2 on the list which is to go on an African Safari.

LA: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would those three words be?

Ross: The three words I would use to describe myself would be optimistic, honest, and loyal.

LA: What is one of your goals (personally or professionally) for 2012?

Ross: My goal for 2012 combines both personal and professional. I am in the process of obtaining my certification by the Professional Photographers of Canada which has always been a personal goal. For years I have had a vision to open my own photography business. That will be happening in a couple of weeks with the opening of my Etsy shop!

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Thanks for sharing a little about yourself with us, Ross!

As you can tell from the photos above, Ross is also a photographer with a good eye. I'm looking forward to seeing what he brings to his Etsy shop! It would be great if you'd visit him over on his blog and get to know him a little better! Please and thank you!

Water Like Glass

2012-02-15T12:26:00.000-10:00

Over the weekend, Phil and I had a sweet SUP (stand-up paddle) session with two of our closest friends. We woke up early, loaded up our boards and drove down to the South side in hopes that we’d get to do a little whale watching in the process.

We could not have asked for better conditions on Sunday; we were early enough so that the water was like glass; calm, flat and crystal clear. Gliding on the surface in these conditions, my paddle felt more like a knife cutting through warm butter; soft, smooth and creamy.

It was a lazy Sunday for all—whales included—because there wasn’t a lot of action in the water. We did spot a handful of whales who swam peacefully, but it wasn’t a morning of breaches, tail slaps or spy-hopping. Nevertheless, it was still a morning worth remembering, because we managed to get up close and personal with a few of these gentle giants.

And because my husband is cool like that, he put together a little snippet of our excursion so that those of you who have yet to go stand-up paddling or whale-watching (or both!) could get a taste of what it's like for us out here. Enjoy.

Sunday Funday - SUP whale watch from Filthy on Vimeo.

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The Hubs and I opted to stay in last night to celebrate Valentines Day; while I am always up for an excuse to go out to a nice dinner, I also like to go against the grain. I have a hard time justifying paying twice as much for a meal simply because menu prices change for the occasion. And with restaurants booking up well in advance, neither of us felt dinner at 4:30pm or 10:00pm (the only seating available) were realistic. So how did we resolve this? Why, we made a restaurant-worthy meal right in our very own kitchen, of course! We dined on grilled lobster tails in garlic-butter, rice, veggies and ice-cold cocktails. And I'm still full. *burp*

Hope your Valentines Day celebration was lovely! Happy Wednesday.

Happy Lah-Vahs Day!

2012-02-14T09:27:00.000-10:00

Happy Valentines Day! Wishing you a day filled with LOVE and hugs! Hug your soulmate, your friends, your family, your pets. And here is a ((hug)) for you. :)

A Post About Nothing

2012-02-10T18:22:00.001-10:00

This is going to be a quickie because I'm trying (unsuccessfully) to multi-task. The Hubs is on his way home from work and I'm gonna need to scare up something quickstyle in the kitchen because I didn't do a lick of food preparation all day (I'm thinking it's a breakfast-for-dinner kind of night...or no, wait - maybe we'll just go out instead). Right now, I'm sitting in my studio feeling sloth-like, sipping on a glass of Chardonnay, listening to Etta James on Pandora and working on a commissioned painting. I have a lot to do, but I'm feeling unmotivated because all I want to be doing is laying out at the beach. Blue skies and sunny, 80-degree weather is in the forecast, so I'm thinking it's gonna be another beachy weekend.

Happy Aloha Friday to you! What's on tap for YOU this weekend?

Say hello to my fabulous February Sponsors!
{Painfully Optomistic}.....{Lily Love}.....{Zen & Living Simply}.....{Our Beautiful Little Journey}

#febphotoaday - Week 1

2012-02-09T14:11:00.001-10:00

Many of you may already know about the February Photo-A-Day challenge hosted by Fat Mum Slim; the challenge is quickly gaining momentum on Instagram and is a great excuse to get a little creative with your iPhone camera each day (not that this is a difficult task, 'cause Instagram is just plain fun like that).

My photos for Week 1:

{Day 1: My View} (from my desk)

{Day 2: Words} (mindless doodling while I was on the phone)

{Day 3: Hands} (hand holding with The Hubs)

{Day 4: Strangers} (enough said)

{Day 5: 10:00am} (off to the beach!)

{Day 6: Dinner} ("fake" pizzas! Veggies and mozza cheese on a toasted whole wheat flax wrap)

{Day 7: Button} (her button-nose counts, right?)

{Day 8: Sun} (Going, going, gone)

If you've got an iPhone and aren't already on Instagram, download the app (it's free!) and come play. I'm angieonmaui over there, too.

Happy Thursday!

Blogger Love, Maui Style

2012-02-08T12:46:00.001-10:00

I went on a double blate again; my second in as many months, to be exact. I was suuuuuuuuper excited for this particular meet up, because Emily has become a dear friend to me in such a short time. I can't tell you how many times I have laughed (out loud!) over some of the emails and texts we have traded over the last six months or so. And every time, I'd think to myself: Someday, I am going to meet this girl in real life.

Fast forward to the beginning of the month, when she emailed me to tell me that she and G-Man would be on Maui for a few days and could we meet up? Could we meet up? Oh, yeah! So we did. And I got to hug her multiple times (you read my blog, so you were warned, Em!).

Tall and beautiful - that's her. Let's simply gloss over the fact that I look like an oompa-loompa standing next to her, shall we? Emily is just as kind in person as she is on her blog and I was so happy to finally meet her. When I hugged her, it was like hugging an old friend. Love this girl.

Anyone who reads Emily's blog knows about her camera-shy G-Man...I am happy to say that I had the privilege to meet him - you know you're jealous! What's even better is that he and Phil were able to chat about man-stuff so that Em and I could do a little catching up (Phil is getting really good at this blog meet-up thing). We met on the South side where we enjoyed dinner, drinks and good conversation.

Blates. They make me happy.

(Thanks for a fun evening, Em! Let's do it again - xo!)

The Cure

2012-02-07T11:18:00.000-10:00

The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea.
- Isak Dinesen

This past weekend and at the height of my funk, I had all three. On Superbowl Sunday, when the rest of the island had seemingly holed themselves up indoors in front of the television surrounded by friends and an army of snacks, Phil and I escaped for a quiet day together. It was just what I needed: my husband, the sea and me.

It was to our advantage that we are not football fans, because it meant we had the beach to ourselves---a sweeping view from left to right with not another soul in sight. So private in fact, that I actually considered going topless...but this girl kept her clothes on.

This quiet, quality time together nourished my soul; it is so easy to become self-absorbed with life's all-consuming demands and it is something we are always working on. Making a conscious effort to spend time together - fully engaged with one another - is necessary in every marriage.

We slathered on the sunblock, worshipped the sun and snacked on the lovely picnic Phil put together for us:

We laid on our plush beach towels and watched the clouds drift by...

...we read from our respective books (a Memoir for me, After Effects CS5 editing software for him)...

...we played with our respective cameras - I took pictures while Phil tested out housing gear...

...and we took plenty of self-portraits, because it's what we do.

(Ha! I look topless afterall...but I assure you, I was clothed)

We swam in the ocean until our eyes burned, our fingers and toes pruned and our bodies were fatigued...and while Phil had gone back to shore, I had my moment. That moment where nature rises above all else and it is just You and God. I lay flat on my back, buoyed by the sea, staring up at the clouds and submerged enough so that life was reduced to nothing but the pulse of the ocean. I smiled at the blissful mix of warm sunshine and cool waters, and I found peace again in that moment, seemingly cupped in the hands of God, Himself.

* * *

Isak Dinesen knew exactly what he was talking about. The cure for anything really IS salt water.

Blues, Be Gone

2012-02-06T11:00:00.003-10:00

Admittedly, I've been in a funk the last few days, and because I knew I wouldn't have anything positive or encouraging to share, I gave myself a reprieve from blogging and took the weekend off. And you know something? It helped. I may not be able to control my circumstances, but trimming the "excess" off my To-Do List and instead, submerging myself in Life's Joys has a way of bringing me back to my center. More on that, to come.

It's hard not to be happy when you've got parents who send surprise care packages filled with goodies to remind you that you are loved (thank you, Momma and Bill) - seriously, their timing is impeccable; a box of California Love arrived on Thursday afternoon, shortly after I had my first of a string of meltdowns! Beyond that, it's hard not to be happy when they also send emails with videos of animal-cuteness, enough to make you want to drop everything and run (not walk) to the nearest Humane Society to adopt more four-legged friends. My parents know EXACTLY what will cheer me up.

* * *

Today is a new day; a better day. And this week is gonna be a GOOD week. Blues, be gone!

Got a minute? Be sure to check out my awesome February Sponsors!
{Painfully Optomistic}.....{Lily Love}.....{Zen & Living Simply}.....{Our Beautiful Little Journey}

Really?

2012-02-02T12:48:00.000-10:00

{via}

My day started out beautifully but then took a rapid nosedive two hours ago. Now it is almost laughable how much SH-tuff is testing my patience and sanity. I kind of want to cry.

Or at the very least, have a very big piece of chocolate cake. And a martini. But not necessarily in that order.

The Magic Hour

2012-02-01T00:01:00.003-10:00

One of my favorite things to do with Phil is to disappear somewhere--just the two of us--and soak up nature. In this pocket of time, I like to pretend that this island is ours and ours alone. And if we are lucky enough to escape somewhere just before The Magic Hour? Well, that's just icing on the cake.

Over the weekend, on our way home from a day at the beach, Phil gazed up at the clouds, took a peek at the time and gave me one of those looks. The It's-gonna-be-another-good-sunset...'you-in? kind of looks. And although my hair was stiff and salty from the ocean, my skin baked warm and pink, and my bathing suit still damp under my clothes, I obliged. I obliged, because I dig his spontaneity and love our shared appreciation for the island lifestyle.

We drove to an empty field with a sweeping view of the West Maui mountains and with enough time to play around with our cameras before settling in to watch God paint the sky again.

I have lost count how many sunsets I have blogged about and although it seems inevitable that one would eventually tire from this daily occurance, it's impossible to do so when each and every sunset has something different to offer.

Sunday's sunset cast a golden glow across the sky before quickly disappearing behind thinning clouds and diffusing the light to dusk. And somewhere in this transition--this merging of time into one moment, you are astutely aware of exactly why it is referred to as The Magic Hour. It's freaking magical.

* * *

So often I wish that each of you could witness these beautiful sunsets from my point of view. Since a trip to Maui might not be in the cards for you right now, I thought you might appreciate a quick time-lapse video Phil put together for the blog. Just a small snippet of our Sunday:

Sunday Sunsets 1 from Filthy on Vimeo.

This island we live on, and this world that we live in is so beautiful.

God is Good.

* * *

Welcome to February, friends.

Living Aloha Sponsor: Noa Green Photography

2012-01-31T09:51:00.000-10:00

Happy Tuesday, friends! Wrapping up my sponsors for the month of January is someone very special to me; my real-life friend Noa, of Noa Green Photography. This girl and her camera? She kills it. And I'll let you in on a little secret: pay close attention, because she'll be back on this here blog later this summer. :)

Not only is Noa an amazing photographer who is able to capture the essence of each of her clients, but she is an artist with a tangible passion for her craft. I've known Noa for many years--long before she picked up a DSLR and it's been such a joy to watch her grow into the talented photographer she is today.

{Noa and her girl, Aviv}

* * *

LA: How long have you been a professional photographer and has it always been a passion of yours?

Noa: This is my third year in business and almost five years since I purchased my DSLR camera. While I can't say I grew up developing film in a darkroom, I have always loved capturing moments and events with my trusty point and shoot camera. My photogenic memory is SO bad that I always found myself taking pictures so I could commit people and occasions to memory.

LA: What piece of advice can you give to aspiring photographers who hope to one day make the transition from hobby to career?

Noa: a) Don't be afraid to take the camera off Auto mode! Read your camera manual and fiddle around with your camera. I used to take photos of a glass on a table, changing the settings and understanding how they affected the exposure of the image.

b) Invest in a prime lens -- I would highly recommend the "$99 nifty fifty" - 50 1.8 lens for both Canon and Nikon users. Just make sure it will autofocus with the camera body you own. Your kit lens is NOT going to cut it in the long run. Please trust me on that one! A prime lens that stops down to an aperture of 1.8 (or less!) will get you creamy, dreamy, tack sharp photos.

c) Don't let anyone discourage you. Put yourself out there, network, learn to nail exposure, figure out what style you gravitate to, put in as much elbow grease as necessary even if it means shooting for free to build up your portfolio (that's how I started). Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you. And most importantly, believe in yourself.

LA: What type of camera do you shoot with and what is your favorite lens to use?

Noa: I use the Nikon D700 and adore it! However, I rocked the Nikon D40 for two years and captured amazing shots with it as well. My favorite lens, without a doubt, is the 85 1.4G Nikon lens. It creates such creamy, gorgeous images! It was love at first click.... (and yeah, I'm cliche like that).

LA: What is the most memorable client shoot you have been on?

Noa: Well that one's easy - flying to California to photograph Andrea Barber's family (aka Kimmy Gibbler from Full House). She is the most down to earth, sweet, caring person AND her children were so well behaved and gorgeous.

LA: You are a mother, a wife, a photographer and a blogger. Are you ever challenged by these roles? How do you find balance in your life?

Noa: I don't find balance.... haha! And I can confess in advance that I am no domestic goddess who can whip up an amazing cake without needing to look at a recipe, create fun crafts AND keep a spotless house simultaneously. It's a constant struggle juggling all of the roles that I play. However, I do prioritize my family first and make sure to invest quality time with my loved ones. Sometimes it means I'm up until 2-3 am editing and taking care of business chores. Sometimes it means letting the laundry pile up. Sometimes it means being behind on my blog (I have sessions from MAY I have yet to blog). I know that juggling so many balls at once means that I will inevitably drop some every once in a while - and that's ok. However, I found that implementing certain systems have allowed me to become much more organized and efficient. For example: maintaining specific office hours for different tasks (not an easy feat when you're working from your home office), blocking off social media certain hours so there are less distractions, and having a very defined workflow for my business. Everything is systematized from the moment I respond to a client and up until I deliver their final products.

LA: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would those words be?

Noa: Passionate, loyal, adventurous

LA: What is one of your goals (personally or professionally) for 2012?

Noa: I'm on a health kick! I started juicing 4 months ago and am LOVING the result. I want to continue introducing unprocessed food to our diet, and I reallllly want to figure out a way to carve a couple hours a week to add exercise to my life. I strongly believe that a healthy body is a necessity for a healthy mind & attitude. It makes me happy, and when I'm happy then so are my family, friends and clients. :)

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What do you think of those images? Gorgeous, no? Please do me a favor and head over to Noa's website to view a sampling of her work, and be sure to check out her blog, where you can read a little bit about her life and get an idea of the Wonder Woman she really is!

Thank you, Noa...love you!

What's On Tap?

2012-01-27T09:32:00.001-10:00

{via}

Weekend Adventures with The Hubs:

Beach time.
Fun in the sun.
Whale Watching.
Stand Up Paddling.
The Gym.
Spring Cleaning.
Painting.
Time with the Camera.

A Prelude to Summer.

* * *

Happy Aloha Friday, friends!

What are YOU up to this weekend?

Got a minute? Be sure to check out my awesome January Sponsors!
{Yours Truly, Melissa} {Zen & Living Simply} {Desert Rose Knit Shop} {Noa Green Photography} and {A Maui Blog}

I May Be a Woman, but I Wanna "Man Up"

2012-01-25T04:30:00.005-10:00

Last night, I watched this soul-stirring trailer and not only did I cry (surprise, surprise), but I felt like there was an unmistakeable synchronicity to my viewing this video at the heels of how I've been feeling lately: a pitifully unproductive and self-absorbed, Woe-is-Me funk (just keeping it real, folks). I feel like I am being called to take the focus off myself for a change and to get up and DO SOMETHING for someone else. Donating money to causes like these are as helpful as much as they are necessary, but there are so many moments where I wish I could travel to these locations and offer my time. Or a hug, because Lord knows I have a lot of those to give.

I know it is upsetting to watch videos like these, but personally, I have found that sometimes I need to actually see what my mind knows exists. Phil brought this trailer to my attention tonight; I love knowing that he is moved by this as much as I am and I dream of the things he and I can do together to change the world. We aren't parents, but who says we still can't be role models?

Man Up and Go - Trailer Version 2 from Man Up And Go THE MOVIE on Vimeo.

As much as I am inspired to do something, I would also like to inspire YOU. We all have something to offer; can you imagine what this world would be like if each of us, every day, committed just ONE selfless act to benefit another human being? The possiblities are endless. We do not have to wait for organized opportunities to reach out; we can begin today, right where we are, wherever that may be.

The Ripple Effect.

Ready? Go.

Living Aloha Sponsor: A Maui Blog

2012-01-25T03:00:00.007-10:00

Aloha Kakahiaka (good morning) friends! Today I am happy to introduce you to fellow Maui blogger and social-media GURU, Liza of A Maui Blog. Liza is a longtime resident of Maui and runs a site that not only appeals to avid travelers, but Kama'aianas as well.

{photo credit: Peter Liu Photography}

LA: Hi Liza! Tell us, how long have you been blogging?

Liza: I have been blogging since 2006. I started as a Mommy Blogger at Lizas-Eyeview. I still have that blog but I don't post as much as I used to. When I first started blogging, I used to post everyday! Now it's about once a month on that blog. Several months after I started Liza's Eyeview, I started A Maui Blog, because readers ask me questions about Maui.

LA: Can you tell us more about what your blog is about?

Liza: I have several blogs, but let's focus on one: A Maui Blog. It is about Maui living. I talk story about my life on Maui and the many wonderful places on Maui, actually all da kine Maui. This year I tried to describe it in 3 words to make it easy to remember and I came up with: SHARE, SERVE and EMPOWER. It's sharing about Maui and about my life on Maui as a Maui Mama (where to go, share photos, videos, etc.); it's serving both the tourist and Kamaainas (posts like where to eat, what to do or events coming up); it is also about empowering the local business-people and entrepreneurs on Maui by harnessing the power of social media.

LA: Are there any blogs in particular that inspire you? What blogs are you drawn to?

Liza: Oh, so many, and on a variety of topics. I am drawn to personal blogs and travel blogs. I won't mention specifics right now because they are many and I don't want to forget any. Also, I don't visit all regularly, I go to the blogs depending on my mood. My mood helps me decide what blogs to read on a particular day. For example if I am feeling geeky, I read a tech blog; if I am feeling depressed and need encouragement I read personal blogs. Feeling crafty? I read blogs on arts and crafts.

{photo credit: Peter Liu Photography}

LA: How long have you lived on Maui? Since 1994. Came here to live with my husband who moved here from Connecticut. I'm originally from the Philippines. My husband and I met in the Philippines and got married there in 1993. Due to visa processing it was 1994 by the time I arrive on Maui.

LA: What is your favorite thing to do on Maui?

Liza: Watch the sunset. Hike (my favorites are the Bamboo Forrest Hike and the Haleakala Crater Hike). I like eating local food. And love just hanging out with my family. Love walking on the beach but my family would tell you I don't actually go in the ocean. I stay in the sand.

LA: If you had to describe yourself in 3 words, what would those words be?

Liza: Intuitive, introvert, Encourager

LA: What is one of your goals (personally or professionally) for 2012?

Liza: Make millions of dollars on my blog! ha! :) OK, seriously, personal is to be more organized. But that sounds too general. One specific one I wrote this year before is to "run" more and regularly. It's Jan 20th today and I am already failing. Yikes!

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I encourage you to visit Liza's blog and take a look around, especially if you are planning a trip to Maui sometime in the future; it is an invaluable source of information. I live here and I've found her blog helpful in keeping up with local events throughout the island! Currently, she is running a "Things To Do on Maui" series, as seen through the eyes of other Maui residents/bloggers - go check it out!

Living Aloha Sponsor: Zen & Living Simply

2012-01-24T03:00:00.002-10:00

Listen up, kids, because today I am introducing you to someone special. Sponsoring my blog this month is my friend Erin, of Zen and Living Simply. Erin writes with honesty that I find both refreshing and endearing; I respect and admire her ability to write about experiences that many of us would prefer to keep to ourselves. I'm a firm believer that the decision to share these life experiences - the good, the bad and the indifferent - are rare opportunities for us to reach out, connect with others and help someone else in the process.

Beyond all that, this chick? She's cool.

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LA: How long have you been blogging and what is the meaning behind your blog name?

Erin: Zen & Living Simply is my second blog. My first blog grew out of my closeted love for fashion, which you’d actually never know if you met me in real life—I wear jeans, a polo, and no jewelry to work! I went through a series of personal changes which led me to the decision that I wanted to start a blog that was for and about me.

I shut down the first blog—although you can find my inner fashionista alive and well on my Polyvore page—and started over with Zen & Living Simply in August 2011. The blog’s title stems from a desire to pare down on the “things” I don’t need and shut off the excess noise in my life that prevents me from being able to live in the moment.

LA: What has blogging taught you?

Erin: That I spend way too much time online. (No, really.) Blogging, to me, is a great example of the “you get what you give” philosophy. You know those really impressive blogs who get all kinds of media attention and bazillions of comments on their posts? 9 times out of 10, they’re run by amazing people who want to connect with their audience. They put in the time and effort, and while it usually isn’t overnight, it pays off.

LA: Tell us something that we should know about exactly who Erin is.

Erin: I’m learning more and more that my purpose in life seems to be that of a healer and truth speaker. I’m the one who’s sought out for a listening ear and guidance, despite the fact that I’m typically the youngest (and most quiet) person in the room. I’m pretty good at reading people, which allows me to shine a light on certain things that people don’t want to acknowledge, much less work through. It also helps that I’m not afraid to bring up common taboo topics like suicide and substance abuse.

LA: Your blog touches on your experience with debt; are there any lessons you've learned that you can share with others who might be in a similar situation?

Erin: Ha! I’ve learned that college students, despite their intelligence, are generally not the people who should be making decisions about what kind of student loans to take on and whether or not they should be approved for a credit card or three. (Stories for another time...)

The biggest thing for me has been to actually acknowledge how much I owe. I’ve spent a lot of my life having the “I’ll deal with it tomorrow/when I graduate/when the bill comes” type of mentality. I made major financial decisions based on just needing to get something accomplished in that moment, and then it came back to bite me big time. It made me want to vomit when I figured out that I have almost $70,000 of debt to pay off, but it was definitely a wake-up call that made me put my mental foot down and declare that that hole will not get any bigger from here on out.

LA: What are two ways you have been able to cut spending?

Erin: Oddly enough, cutting down on TV dinners has helped quite a bit. When you have to find gluten-free, dairy-free frozen meals, they often hover around the $5-7 mark where I live. While that’s easy portion control, if I had a frozen meal for lunch and dinner, that would add about $60 to my grocery bill! (That, and I’d end up eating tamales every day.) Even if you get your typical $3 TV dinner, that eats up about $40.

The other thing that has really helped my budget is thinking about purchases in terms of cost per use. I used to buy a lot of cheap accessories at Target, Forever 21, etc. that wore out in a few months and, quite frankly, looked cheap. I bought a new point-and-shoot camera almost every year due to the changing technology. I bought cheap living room furniture because I “had” to have something to sit on, and after the first month I hated it because it was not cute and started to show major wear and tear.

I’ve made some pretty big purchases in the last year—an iPad2, a DSLR, a new couch, a frame for my bed, and a Michael Kors clutch. But I put some major thought and cost-comparison time into those purchases. I found the Michael Kors bag on eBay for about 60% of the original cost, and although I financed the purchase of the furniture, in another 2 months it will all be paid off with no interest. The iPad2 is a business expense—I use it every day at work. I use the DSLR at least once a week, and it’s added a new creative outlet to my life. I’m okay with spending the big bucks on something if I know it will hold up for several years and prevent me from spending the same amount of money on cheap stuff.

LA: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would those words be?

Erin: Perfectionist. Wisecracker. Friend.

LA: What is one of your goals (personally or professionally) for 2012?

Erin: My big work-in-progress at the moment is learning to exercise. I’ve never been an athlete, and to be honest, never really been one for that whole active movement thing—you could not pay me enough to run every day. (I see all you runners out there shaking your heads. I just don’t get it.) I need to find ways to become active without getting bored!

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Intrigued, yet? You should be! I told you this girl was a straight shooter! It is the very thing I like most about her...and we all need girlfriends like this in our lives.

Sooooo, pop on over to Erin's blog and say hello. I know you'll like her as much as I do! Please and thank you!

Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol. 16)

2012-01-22T23:02:00.004-10:00

I am sitting at the kitchen table in the dark (save for the "fairy" lights that frame our window), finishing a cup of tea and blogging by candlelight. The dishes have been washed, our kitchen is clean and the house is quiet (Hubs headed to bed before me tonight). I am feeling peaceful and happy. And I'm wondering if it is too late to add this moment to my weekly Be-Happy-Tudes list?

* * *

I've had a pretty good week; work has kept me busier than usual and although I am still finding it a challenge to achieve (what I consider) a healthy "balance" in my life, I am still grateful for all that our days are filled with.

I've had plenty to smile about. My Happies, Instagram-style:

01) I live in the land where palm trees sway.
02) Rewarding my productivity with an iced, nonfat white-chocolate mocha (which ironically, I could NOT finish...it was way too sweet. I am a changed woman).
03) Beautiful Maui sunsets.
04) I love pedicures. But dude needs lessons on how to give a better foot massage.
05) My ginormous portion of a chicken and cranberry salad.
06) Weekend lunching with my Love.
07) My newest book purchase.
08) I love him. That is all.
09) And I love that he loves to fly his kites...
10) ...while I sit at the shoreline with my necessities...
11) ...with the nearby shade of a towering palm tree.
12) Beautiful drives along the North Shore.
13) Cotton candy skies.
14) Sleepy Girl, Sleepy Girl, aaaaalllll you, do is sleeeeeep.
15) The power of music.
16) My breakfast was boring, but the upside? I'm eating breakfast.
17) Dessert (and I am happy to say that Phil is now hooked).
18) She loves the sun as much as her Momma.

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What has made YOU happy lately?

February Sponsor Call...

2012-01-21T23:35:00.002-10:00

Just popping in quickly to say hello and let you know that sponsor slots are open for February! If you are interested in advertising your blog or small business here on Living Aloha, take a peek at the Sponsor Overview and let's chat!

Send an email to angieonmaui[at]gmail[dot]com so we can talk details!

Hope you're all enjoying your weekend!

Aloha! xo

48 Facts You Never Knew About Me

2012-01-20T22:06:00.004-10:00

Happy Aloha Friday, friends! I'm not really a "survey" kind of person, but I thought I'd mix things up a bit here on the blog...so I'll bite. I lifted this survey from Mrs. T's blog. Feel free to answer these questions in your own blog post...I love reading random factoids about my friends! :)

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Totally Random Survey. Or, "48 Facts You Never Knew About Me"

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:25 am

2. How do you like your steak? I'm not really a steak person.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?: The Sitter. (NOT my choice)

4. What is your favourite TV show? The Biggest Loser. It's inspirational and motivating all at once.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Honestly, I am 110% happy where I am at right this minute! It's Maui, afterall.

6. What did you have for breakfast? A whole wheat bagel with a side of vitamins. :)

7. What is your favorite food? Crab. With lots and lots of drawn butter.

8. Foods you dislike? Most meats, sushi, beets, spicy foods, marinara sauce.

9. Favorite place to eat? On Maui? Colleen's at The Cannery. In California? Kincaid's.

10. Favorite dressing? Papaya Seed Dressing

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Honda Civic. Her name is Celeste.

12. What are your favorite clothes? Tank tops, cotton skirts, and slippers (aka flip-flops)

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Bali.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Overflowing like a Mo'Fo', baby.

15. Where would you want to retire? Right here. :)

16. Favorite time of day? Right after work.

17. Where were you born? Honolulu, HI

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? I don't usually watch sports until the Olympics...AND THAT'S THIS YEAR! WOOT WOOT!

19. What is your favorite fragrance? DKNY - Be Delicious

20. What is your favorite face cream? Clinique: Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

21. Favorite baby/kids products? n/a

22. People watcher? Word.

23. Are you a morning or night person? I am a night-owl.

24. Do you have any pets? A kitty; a gray tabby named Grace.

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Not just yet!

26. What did you want to be when you were little? A marine biologist or a veterinarian. And I am neither...interesting.

27. What is your favorite memory? Memories of my childhood, laughing with my family and playing outside in the sunshine.

28. Are you a cat or dog person? Both!

29. Are you married? Very!

30. Always wear your seat belt? Always.

31. Been in a car accident? A few...and none of them were my fault! I have a squeaky clean driving/insurance record!

32. Any pet peeves? Tardiness. Asymmetry. Mean people.

33. Favorite pizza toppings? Black olives and pineapple.

34. Favorite flower? Gardenia

35. Favorite ice cream? Mint Chocolate Chip

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? I cannot lie - McDonalds. But only for their fries.

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Never. 'Scored a 96 on my first try!

38. From whom did you get your last email? My friend Rachel...a commissioned painting request!

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Am I dork that I could go credit card CUH-RAZY in Target?

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Pineapple sunsets, baby!

41. Like your job? I am grateful. :)

42. Broccoli? Yes, please!

43. What was your favorite vacation? The Bahamas with The Hubs.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? The Hubs!

45. What are you listening to right now? The Hubs' plating our dinner...('cause I am too busy blogging)

46. What is your favorite color? Blues and greens: shades of the sea

47. How many tattoos do you have? One. I got it before Phil and I were married; Phil never really liked tattoos, so I had it done after we got into a fight and broke up for a couple of weeks. I know...it was a very calculated move on my part. Woops. ;)

48. Coffee drinker? Loooooove coffee.

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Ok, this was kind of fun to answer! I kept reading the questions out loud to see if Phil could answer these for me and I've gotta say, he did good. Except for #47. Apparently, that is still a sore spot for him. ;)

Play along, will you? I want to read 48 facts about YOU!

Got a minute? Be sure to check out my awesome January Sponsors!
{Yours Truly, Melissa} {Zen & Living Simply} {Desert Rose Knit Shop} {Noa Green Photography} and {A Maui Blog}

Well, That's a First.

2012-01-19T23:20:00.000-10:00

If a book is made into a movie, I make it a point never to see the movie until after I've had a chance to read the book. 100% of the time, I am disappointed by the movie because it seemingly falls short of the brilliant writing.

Tonight, I did it backwards. I haven't read the book, but somehow found myself watching this:

And I loved it; what a powerful and compelling story.

So tell me: is the book even better? Do I need to read it? Because I am a click away from downloading it...

Living Aloha Sponsor: Desert Rose Knit Shop (& a GIVEAWAY!)

2012-01-18T06:00:00.001-10:00

Today I'd like to introduce you to another one of my sponsors (keep reading, because she's got a great giveaway going on just for you)! Jen, from Desert Rose Knit Shop is one of the nicest girls you'll ever meet; she's a soft spoken soul with a kindness that can be felt from a mile away. She is presently working on a custom piece for me and has been so patient while I send her on a wild-goose-chase for the ever-elusive pattern I envision. I hope you'll stick around to check out her Etsy shop and blog and maybe take the time to say hello!

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LA: What is the meaning behind your Etsy shop name?

Jen: I started using the Desert Rose name probably 10-12 years ago when I heard it in the Sting song of the same name. I fell in love with the concept of beauty blooming in the desert, and that idea has been my muse ever since!

LA: Tell us something about you (or your shop) that we should know.

Jen: I love using classic patterns in bold, beautiful colors. Cables are especially fun for me to knit, so I try to incorporate those in a lot of my pieces.

LA: You have some really beautiful pieces available on Etsy! Do you have any plans to expand your inventory beyond hats and scarves to maybe sweaters/gloves?

Jen: Though I've been knitting since I was about 8, I still get frustrated knitting a project that takes more than a few hours. I think it's probably just a mental thing, but I start to get antsy to start something new and can't stand to be stuck on a larger project!

Hats seem to suit my style well enough though, because it's gives me a chance to try new styles and colors without too much investment. I may look for a new challenge some day, but for now I'm happy to keep making hats!

LA: Where do you find the inspiration to create the pieces in your shop? Are you influenced by any shop(s) or designer(s) in particular?

Jen: I really try to listen to my inner muse when creating my hats. I like browsing patterns on Ravelry and Etsy and see what strikes my fancy. Some hats are taken from patterns (used with permission) that I've bought, and others are my own versions of things I've seen.

I'm also inspired by the bohemian chic culture that I see on shows like Gossip Girl and companies like Anthropologie. I strive to embody a classic, yet updated look, with clean lines and bold colors.

LA: Do you have other creative outlets in addition to knitting? What are they?

Jen: Currently I'm in school to become a graphic designer. Previous to this, I've studied music (mainly choir and some classical piano) and photography. It's amazing to me how much all the different art forms have in common. Color, composition, expression... it's all so inspiring and invigorating.

Art and music, to me, are a way to honor God, my Savior. He is the ultimate Creator, and it blesses my soul to be able to create even a little bit! A lot of my photography is of God's nature, which constantly surprises me in it's complexity and simplicity. Nature also inspires a lot of my graphic design work.

LA: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would those words be?

Jen: Daydreamer, Intuitive, Introvert

LA: What is one of your goals (personally or professionally) for 2012?

Jen: I'd love to have 500 sales on Etsy! Haha!! We'll see if that happens. After quite a busy Christmas season, I feel like I know more what I'm doing now though, so maybe it will be possible!

I also hope to complete the first year in my graphic design program. I've been learning so much and it's been such a relief to be pursuing a creative career after being a general office worker for so long!

{The Artist & Designer}

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OK friends, here's the part I know you'll love: Jen has generously offered a giveaway of a cabled beanie of YOUR choice (pick your favorite color)! The giveaway runs until Monday, January 23rd and you have SIX possible ways to enter. Visit her blog entry for the details...but don't wait too long because Monday is right around the corner. Now is the perfect time to score one of her stylish beanies for winter!

Please take a moment to visit Jen's blog and/or Etsy shop to offer support. Mahalo! :)

Living Aloha Sponsor: Yours Truly, Melissa

2012-01-17T06:00:00.001-10:00

I never thought I'd be in a position to have sponsors for this little blog of mine and I am honored to partner with some amazing ladies this month. I'm super excited to share my first sponsor post and introduce you to Melissa, of Yours Truly, Melissa. I started reading Melissa's blog over a year ago and was drawn to her beautiful photos and easy-going nature. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and two pups, and someday, somehow, I hope to have the opportunity to meet her in real life (is it weird that I think our husbands would get along really well, too?). Oh, and her husband is a master in the kitchen and does most of the cooking in their household. It's ok, you can be jealous. I was when I first found out, too. ;)

* * *

LA: How long have you been blogging and is there a meaning behind the title of your blog?

Melissa: I’ve had several different blogs since around 2007. (Wow! That’s a long time!) For a while my life was not necessarily “unsteady” but I was definitely going through a very uncertain phase. Therefore blogging was my therapeutic outlet, and at one point, anonymous. I’ve been at this current blog address since May of 2008 and after many a trial and error, I’ve settled into Yours Truly, Melissa.

Although I’m not really anonymous any longer, I still think of blogging as somewhat of a creative outlet for me. I’ve always loved journaling and letter writing and view my blog as somewhat of an interactive journal. I post about day to day life with my husband, our travels, what we eat, and whatever I find beautiful, clever, or inspiring. It’s a bit hodge podge, but it’s all mine and I enjoy it.

LA: Is there anything that blogging has taught you?

Melissa: Angie, you overestimate me… I’m not this deep. I’m kidding! Yes, I suppose blogging has taught me a thing or two. So, this might be a stretch, but blogging has given me a bit more self-confidence. Granted, I haven’t shared this blog with everyone I know in real life, but I have shared it with my husband and a few friends. Sharing my blog with them made me extremely nervous for some reason. I thought they’d judge me as silly or crazy for posting things about my personal life online. Surprisingly, the feedback was mostly kind and maybe even indifferent. People don’t care! And if they do, why does it really matter what they think? I have my own little place of the internet where I can document anything my little heart desires. It’s so neat to have a record of what I was doing and what I was into it at certain periods of time. Ultimately, I blog because I enjoy it!

LA: As a relatively new homeowner, what do you feel the secret is to making a house a home?

Melissa: We are having so much fun with our new house. Slowly but surely we’re furnishing and decorating our space with things that we feel reflect our personal taste. One thing I knew was that I did not want our house to look like we’d just gone to the furniture warehouse and picked up a floor model -set up and deposited it into our living room. No matchy-matchy furniture please! Since we’re not living the life of the rich and famous, we’re saving and settling into our home little by little. Becoming house poor = not our style...

So in saying all that, as much as I love a beautifully furnished home, what really makes a house a home is the people that live there. Home is with my husband. Amen.

What inspires you? How do you decide what to write about (or what to photograph)?

Melissa: I’m inspired by beautiful things: photographs, nature, and people. I pour over photographs I find beautiful and try to improve my own photo-taking skills. I’ve been an avid photo snapper for as long as I’ve owned a camera which occurred sometime during my adolescence. I’m inspired to take pictures because I long to document all the moments in our life. From big moments, like vacations, to small moments, like what Matt made me for dinner.

On my blog I feel inspired to write about things I’d like to remember: vacations, holidays, silly things my pets do, parties, dates I go on with my husband or just the look on his face during a warm spring night.

I’m also inspired by other bloggers. There are so many creative and talented people out there who take beautiful photos and write the most fantastic posts. Reading and seeing what other people write and photograph can often trigger an idea. Sometimes these things will make me feel inspired to return to my blank screen and write about or photograph things in my own life I want to document and remember.

LA: What is a typical day in the Life-of-Melissa like?

Melissa: I don’t really have typical days because of my work schedule. I don’t really talk about my job on my personal blog because it’s a professionally sound decision for me. I will say that I work in healthcare and my job requires I work three 12 hour shifts a week. I work from 7am to 7pm and I don’t have a set schedule so the days I work alternate week to week. On the days I do work, I don’t do much else. I get up at 6am, eat a quick breakfast, and leave the house by 6:40 am. I usually get home by 7:30 and have dinner with Matt before climbing into bed around 10 or 11 pm. The four days of the week that I’m not at work also vary. If it’s a week day I’ll usually have the house to myself and will often indulge in a leisure morning of about three cups of coffee, breakfast, and online surfing. The rest of the day I’ll try to be productive by going to the gym, cleaning the house, laundry, grocery shopping, errands...

Weekends away from work are mostly spent with my husband. Weekend activities vary week to week, season to season.

LA: What is one of your goals (personally or professionally) for 2012?

Melissa: I love this time of year with its new year’s resolutions and the possibilities of reaching for new goals and dreams. I have lots of things I’d love to do in 2012, but since you don’t have all day I’ll share a few.

I want to drop the nasty habit of eating fast food. A couple years ago I rarely ate fast food. In fact I deemed all fast food unappetizing, which really, it still is that way for me. Hence, the reason I’m not going to eat it anymore! And like most people, I want to be healthier: work out more; eat healthier, get back to my “fighting weight.” ;)

Also, I want to get organized around here. I want to put the adage “a place for everything, everything in its place” to real use. I’m starting by filling up a few old suitcases with things that we no longer use/need and packing them off to be donated.

Lastly, I have several hobbies I’d love to start and a few I’d like to improve on: sewing, knitting, gardening, and I always want to take better pictures and expand my knowledge on my editing software.

Thanks so much for having me on your awesome blog Angie! I thoroughly enjoyed answering these questions.

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She's a cutie, isn't she? Do me a favor, then, will you? Go visit her blog and show her some love! Click on the button below...it's that easy. :)

Pineapple Sunsets - Part 2

2012-01-16T23:10:00.001-10:00

One of the million things I love about Phil is his ability to anticipate an outstanding sunset based on cloud coverage, alone. He will put on his invisible nephology-cap, look out the window and then say to me: "This one is gonna be good. 'Wanna come?" Which is code for: "Be ready in five. BREAK!" Nine times out of ten, I'm already in my lounge clothes and donning glasses, but I go; I go, because my husband is the King of Spontaneity and I love this about him. And we move like the wind, because time is precious and sunsets can slip through your fingers like water; we pack up our respective camera gear and are out of the house in five minutes or less (see October's Pineapple Sunset post here).

Tonight was another one of those nights. We drove to the pineapple field and watched as the sun made her exit, leaving a trail of delicious oranges and pinks in her wake.

My favorite part of a sunset is not the fiery, vibrant orange, but the soft pink that floats across the sky like spun sugar; quiet and unassuming, but with purpose.

Oh, Maui...how I love Thee.

Sleep, Laundry and a Quiet Weekend

2012-01-16T11:03:00.005-10:00

Since coming back from CA, Phil and I have been beaten to a pulp. Right after we landed, we were both hit with symptoms of the flu which kicked our bootays and rendered us useless. At its peak, I spent almost all of Friday in a semi-delirious state, taking a sick day but then driving to work, only to be there for eight whole minutes before my boss sent me home. I drove home and promptly passed out for another five hours. Hubs and I tried to get out of the house on Saturday for lunch and a couple of errands but three hours in, I was exhausted and we came home. And I slept for another three hours. I've been doing a whole lot of sleeping lately. Fortunatelyyyyyy, we are out of the woods and feeling semi-human again, so it's all good. I'm just hoping the Universe agrees that we've paid our dues.

I stayed in all day yesterday fearing what my Momma calls "a relapse", so I slept in and spent a quiet morning in the kitchen sipping on my coffee and trying to get caught up on the blog and email:

...filling out cards to friends and family (handwritten notes are really a dying art, no?) and a donation to my Farfar's Hospice:

...and just enjoying the peace and quiet with a purring kitty on my lap.

* * *

But of course, not able to leave well enough alone and desperate to feel productive, I ended up tackling the laundry, which I really, really detest. Phil normally washes/folds/puts away the laundry, but he's been incredibly busy with work lately so I thought I would play the loving, dutiful wife and lend a hand---but I knew I needed some music. And that's when things got a little Old Skool around here!

We have a small (and hideous), CD player in our bedroom that we'd meant to donate long ago but somehow keep forgetting, so on a whim yesterday I popped open the CD drive and found an old CD that Phil and I used to listen to together back in the day when it was cool to listen to CD's.

{Laundry detergent and a CD: it's gettin' crazy up in here!}

It's amazing how music has the power to transport you back in time; this CD in particular brought me back to the days before Phil and I were married; our every-weekend, winter day-trips to Squaw Valley or Heavenly to go snowboarding, or that warm summer weekend we went camping and towed the boat up to Lake Tahoe, drifting quietly around Emerald Bay. Most memorable, however, would have to be sitting around the campfire later that evening, poking at the fire with a stick and listening to Phil casually mention "Someday, when we get married..." and me trying to contain my happiness and excitement, because, you know...you never want to appear too anxious. ;)

I spent the afternoon listening to that CD, washing and folding our laundry and smiling to myself over my thoughts of where our lives and our love have taken us. And all because of A Bronx Tale.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm feeling a bit cabin-feverish, so we're going to make it a beach day. It's beautiful out and this girl is getting pasty. Happy MLK Day, friends. xo

Got a minute? Be sure to check out my awesome January Sponsors!
{Yours Truly, Melissa} {Zen & Living Simply} {Desert Rose Knit Shop} {Noa Green Photography} and {A Maui Blog}

Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol. 15)

2012-01-11T22:51:00.002-10:00

Sometime back in December, my Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes series turned into a bi-weekly, Instagram-style Be-Happy-Tudes list. And honestly, I am kind of digging this format: an abbreviated version that still allows me to share random photos but replaces my usually long-winded commentary with a numbered list. Seemingly apropos for my life as of late: quickstyle and to-the-point.

I'm cheating and including photos from more than a week ago (truthfully, this bugs me, but I am trying to embrace being a little less structured). Behold, my list of Happies:

1) While in CA, we visited our friends in Half Moon Bay and stopped off at New Leaf Market. LOVE this store...just wish they would open one up on Maui.
2) My Momma makes a mean salad! One of my delicious lunches: kale, asparagus, bell pepper, grape tomatoes, apples, steamed carrots, artichoke hearts and a hard boiled egg ON a bed of lettuce. The most important ingredient? Why, Love, of course.
3) Phil and I made a Starbucks run and visited with my grandmother on Friday morning. It was the only hour the entire weekend we were able to spend alone with her. So glad we did it.
4) Downloaded this to my new Tablet and am just about finished. LOVE this book.
5) "Pumpkin". She's in her golden years and my Momma adopted her after the neighbors wanted to get rid of her. I love that my Momma opened her heart and her home, even though they already have two cats.
6) Our kitty, Grace. She's happy in the sun. That's my girl.
7) Grand rainbows that bring your eyes towards heaven.
8) Grace always manages to find the perfect patch of sun.
9) Epiphanie Camera Bag! Phil bought me a camera bag for Christmas. Found the site, picked out a bag on his own and I couldn't love it more. He did good.
10) I love that our "highway" is NOTHING like the crazy highways of California.
11) My leg warmer.
12) Breakfast of Champions.
13) Sweet Grace.
14) Cuddling with my Momma. She could pass for my sister, huh?
15) Full-moon in Half Moon Bay, CA.
16) Sunset on the California Coast.
17) An empty seat right next to me on the flight home to Maui (and camera bag from #9 above!).
18) Flights are always shorter when you're in good company.

* * *

Got a minute? Be sure to check out my awesome January Sponsors!
{Yours Truly, Melissa} {Zen & Living Simply} {Desert Rose Knit Shop} {Noa Green Photography} and {A Maui Blog}

Home Again

2012-01-10T16:23:00.004-10:00

It was nice to disconnect for the majority of our quick trip back to San Francisco this weekend. While the writer in me longed to fire up my laptop and close each night with a post detailing the enormity of love that ensued, I resisted the urge and instead, opted for long talks with family over mugs of coffee gone cold. And it was the right choice.

We had three different services for Farfar (we're Catholic - that's how we roll) and we celebrated his life in big ways. We sang, we ate, we laughed and we raised our glasses of (his beloved) red wine, toasting in his honor. It was all so beautiful. I came undone a few times over the weekend (which is to be expected from days saturated with reminders of loss), but mourning and celebrating together as a family was exactly what each of us needed.

Love is so powerful; I felt his presence and the joy of his spirit everywhere and all weekend long, but I felt him most when I had a quiet moment to myself in the family room at my grandparent's house. Sitting in his favorite chair and looking out the window at the tall tree against a canvas of blue--his daily view for so many years--I closed my eyes for a few minutes and felt him; his warm, all-encompassing hug that always followed these three words: "Hey, Little Girl..."

I miss him dearly, but my heart is happy that he is resting. We were so lucky to have him for as long as we did.

* * *

Now Go. Go hug your family, hug your friends...and tell them you love them. Life is short and tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Love you all. :)

Celebration of Life

2012-01-07T16:35:00.001-10:00

Please don't sing sad songs for me,
Forget your grief and fears,
For I am in a perfect place,
Away from pain and tears...
I'm far away from hunger,
And hurt and want and pride.
I have a place in heaven,
With the Master at my side.
My life on earth was very good,
As earthly lives can go,
But Paradise is so much more
Than anyone can know...

My heart is filled with happiness,
And sweet rejoicing, too.
To walk with God is perfect peace,
A joy forever new.

* * *

We are on our way out to have dinner with my brother and sister-in-law, but I wanted to pop in quickly to say hello (I miss you guys!) and to thank you all for your words of love and support. Thank you so much.

Be back soon...

Cali Bound

2012-01-05T10:16:00.001-10:00

{via}

Aloha friends...we are off to San Francisco for some much-needed family time and to celebrate the life of my Farfar. 'Just wanted to stop in and say hello - will be back later this evening I'm sure, to comment on how cold I am. :)

Blogger Love, Maui Style

2012-01-02T22:59:00.006-10:00

Did I tell you all about the double-blate (blate: noun - blogger date) I went on recently? No? Well, let me set the stage:

Me: Envious of all you mainland folks who have regular get-togethers with local bloggers (yes, I'm talking to YOU, California, Arizona and Texas!) and wishing I had more opportunities like that out here.
Her: Upcoming plans to visit Maui with her husband in mid-December.

My blog and Twitter friend Lizzie, visited Maui with her husband a few weeks ago. Lizzie and I are relatively new blog friends, but this girl will always hold a special place in my heart because she saw something in my art and her purchase was my very first Etsy sale. :)

I had hoped to meet Lizzie in real life one day and I was excited when she emailed me to let me know that she and her husband would be visiting Maui for the first time in December. Lizzie and I traded emails and texts and finally settled on plans to meet up with one another for dinner on the South Side. We brought our husbands with us (they were such good sports!) and sat outside enjoying the sunset, dinner and good conversation. If I am being honest, a situation like this is easily intimidating and stress-inducing, but there was something about Lizzie that instantly made me feel comfortable; maybe it was her smile or the warm hug we gave one another when we first met (I am a hugger - hugs are good!). Whatever it was, it definitely set the tone for the remainder of the evening. Conversation was easy and the laughs were plenty. New friends are good.

I can't resist posting this photo because really...how cute is she?

Thanks for a fun evening, Lizzie & Adam!

Any other readers of mine planning to visit Maui sometime this year? Please let me know if you do...I'd love to meet you!

* * *

I'm excited to introduce you to my January sponsors! You'll have the chance to learn a little more about Jen, Melissa, Erin, Noa and Liza later on this month, but until then, I wanted to bring your attention to their buttons in my sidebar. Stay tuned; I'm sure you'll love them as much as I do!

2011: Retrospect - Part 2

2012-01-01T21:17:00.000-10:00

I've had to break this post up into two parts because I do not know how to be brief (one reason it took me forever to join the ranks of Twitter). Click here for Part 1.

* * *

In July, I shared the first post in my Be-Happy-Tudes series, we went to a Supper Club and saw Mike Love again, I opened my Etsy shop, my blog received a facelift and Phil's siblings came to visit us.

In August, I celebrated my 1-year Blogiversary and held my first Island-Goods-Giveaway, we flew back to Cali for my brother's wedding and I did my first (and only) "What I Wore" outfit post.

In September, I guest posted for Kelly, I took myself on another date with solitude, we went on nature dates, I thought I wanted to move and then I had a health scare which became a life changing experience.

In October, I turned over a new leaf, we had more "us" time and went snorkeling with the Honu (see our video here!), I felt like I became a better version of myself and sadly, we lost our friend, Troy to a motorcyle accident.

November is my birthday month and I seriously feel like I celebrated all month long. Phil surprised me with a trip to Lana'i and my dream to swim with wild dolphins came true. Aaaaannd, he put together an amazing video of the experience. Totally made my month.

December sped by in a blur; Christmas came and went and Phil and I spent a beautiful and quiet holiday together. As many of you already know, last Wednesday my Farfar passed away from liver cancer. Phil and I are flying back to California on Thursday to celebrate his life. It will be a bittersweet trip for us, but so, so necessary.

* * *

{via}

As I've grown older, I've stopped making resolutions and instead, starting setting goals for myself in the new year. This year, I am keeping it simple and have narrowed it down to one:

Grow.

First and foremost, I want to grow in my relationship with Jesus. Beyond that, I want to grow personally and I want to grow professionally; I want to challenge and stretch myself creatively and live the life I was born to live.

It's going to be a good year. 'Hear that, 2012? Bring it...I'm ready.

2011: Retrospect - Part 1

2012-01-01T20:15:00.002-10:00

Today was beautiful. It began with the 9:30 Mass and a much-needed message that fed my soul; everything that followed was like a complementary brush stroke, painting a perfect start to the New Year. Blue skies stretching as far as the eye can see, rolling hills of green so thick and lush from recent rains, clear views of the ocean from our little home perched on a hillside, and then, earlier tonight? A sky on fire with the incandescent glow of yet another brilliant sunset. Beauty, everywhere. Life on our little island is good.

All these contributing factors made for a day of contentment and reflection: 2011 was a great year. We were not without our share of heartache and pain, but our days were also filled with so much more. So much love, so many adventures, so much good. And because of this, I wouldn't change a thing about the last 365 days.

{New Years Eve: Me + my LED flashlight + Phil and his camera knowledge = a pretty cool photo.
Also, it takes talent to be able to write backwards for the camera}

* * *

In January, I picked myself up, brushed myself off and made the decision to practice what I preach: I was going to Choose Joy. So I started and completed the 29 Gifts Project, almost one month after my little brother passed away. I learned that you can't possibly have time to feel sorry for yourself when you're focusing on other people. It was one of the smartest decisions I've ever made.

In February, Phil had a little surfing accident and the poor guy busted his grill, we started making a conscious effort for more "us" time and we had a once-in-a-lifetime whale-watching experience:

In March, the tsunami hit and the world united (beautifully) for Japan, blog friends came together to send me love in the mail, our big, Borders Bookstore closed down (I am still very sad about this!) and we cringed as gas prices began their slow climb.

In April, I began taking steps towards living an authentic life, we drove the Road to Hana and I documented the trip for the blog, Geoffrey Mutai finishes the Boston Marathon in 2:03 and we watched in frustration as gas prices continued to rise. So awesome.

In May, I fell in love with painting again, I did my first guest post for my friend Jenni, I caved and finally hopped on the Twitter bandwagon and my Momma and stepdad came to visit us here on Maui.

In June, Phil and I celebrated our 9th anniversary, I continued to struggle with my insecurities, we celebrated Phil's birthday and I started taking myself on dates with solitude.

* * *

Part 2, up next!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T18:45:00.002-10:00

Just a quick drive-by post to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year! Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful blog experience of mine and for allowing me to be a part of yours. I love this community and could not ask for a more supportive bunch. Thank you for your friendship!

Wishing you all a beautiful celebration; may 2012 bring you everything your heart desires.

I'll be back tomorrow with a Year-in-Review post and my goals for the new year.

Live Aloha!

* * *

P.S. Anyone who has been reading my blog long enough should know that I always credit a photo if it isn't my own. The photo above has been posted all over my Facebook feed and I loved it so much I am posting it here. If any of you know the source of the photo, please let me know so I can include the information here. Mahalo!

ETA: Photo credit: Wyland!

He Went Home

2011-12-29T00:41:00.002-10:00

Today, my Farfar left us and he went home.

I've been preparing this post in my mind for the last 48 hours but no amount of preparation---even the false, bittersweet "time" that a terminal illness will buy you---can cushion the blow of losing a beloved family member.

It's after midnight, my head is pounding, my eyes are swollen and I am exhausted. The sadness that weighs heavily on my heart right now is no different and certainly no more unique than what has already been experienced by others yesterday, today, and what will unfold for someone tomorrow; my life is filled with just as much love and loss as the next. There is comfort and solidarity in this natural progression in the circle of life, but it still doesn't take away from the fact that we ALL have a story that deserves to be told...my Farfar's, included. And someday, I'll share it. For now, I am rejoicing in the fact that Farfar's soul is in much better shape at the present moment than it was only twenty-four hours before. He has lived the last five (+) years in pain, battling illness after illness, eventually succumbing to their grasp and spending every waking moment sedentary; first, in a chair and then, in his bed. And frankly, that is not a quality of life any of us deserve.

Right now, my family and I are too absorbed in today's events. It's weird, really, to feel like I am balancing on a fine line between sadness and jubilation. Sadness, because it was positively heartbreaking to know that my Farfar spent the last few weeks of his life in debilitating and excrutiating pain, and jubilation, because right now, I imagine him to be a version of his old self once again; on his knees in the garden with his hands in the earth, on the tennis court returning a serve with confidence and authority, or as Phil affectionately pointed out, "he's probably running up and down a flight of stairs right now because he CAN." And all these images? They make me smile.

The world lost a great man today. A Godly man who led an exemplary lifestyle, teaching all of us---his children and grandchildren--what it truly means to LOVE. I have benefited from his wisdom and life experience and there is so much I will take to my grave because of him; I am a better person for having had him in my life. I'm sad, yes, but I am also grateful, VERY happy and incredibly relieved to know that he is resting eternally and free from pain.

My faith teaches me that the life we live here on earth is only temporary and that our bodies are merely a vehicle of transportation, but my earthly, humanistic tendencies make me wish for longevity and permanence; it has been less than 24 hours and I already miss him dearly. But even in my sadness, I smile widely, because I feel a comfort that supercedes the here and now. Early this morning, as I was laying in bed praying, I knew that today was going to be the day. I whispered to my brothers Tony and Nick, "Farfar is coming home today...please be there to welcome him."

And in my heart of hearts, I know they did.

* * *

After last Christmas, I ignorantly thought I was in the clear; this was not exactly how The Hubs and I were hoping to end 2011, but C'est La Vie. Life is precious and there's a lesson to be learned every day. Live, love and laugh; we are not promised tomorrow.

My posting may be sporadic over the next week as we'll be flying back to the mainland shortly, but if I'm not online before the New Year, I wish you all a blessed holiday; BE SMART AND BE SAFE.

Love and Aloha to all! xoxo

Sponsor Living Aloha in January!

2011-12-27T11:55:00.002-10:00

It's official; the static page is up and I'm sharing it here, too.

* * *

Aloha! I am excited to announce that Living Aloha is now accepting sponsors for blogs and small businesses!

Living Aloha is a lifestyle blog with a focus on inspiration, encouragement, art and creativity. If you have a blog or small business that lends itelf to this philosophy, let's chat...or as we say in Hawaii, Talk Story.

(Large ads include a solo feature/introductory post and option for a giveaway or product review)

(Small ads include a group feature/introductory post)

Advertising is every bit a partnership that benefits you just as much as it does me. That being said, advertising slots may be limited to ensure that as a sponsor, you receive the recognition and exposure you deserve when you purchase ad space.

If you are interested in sponsoring Living Aloha, send me an email with a link to your blog or shop and we'll talk details! Mahalo & Aloha!

* * *

*(rates subject to change as readership grows)

It Ain't Over 'til it's Over

2011-12-26T22:48:00.001-10:00

Christmas doesn't end until the morning I have to get up, get dressed and go back to work, right? So by these standards, Christmas isn't officially over until Tuesday morning and this holiday hangover means I'm milking tonight for all that it's worth.

Phil and I had a wonderful weekend together, putting life on "pause" and celebrating the holiday steeped in our own traditions. We spent Christmas Eve at home, feasting like royalty and watching our Christmas-Eve-Movie for the ninth year in a row (it never gets old) and the morning of Christmas had us lounging at home listening to Christmas music while Phil cooked a Russian breakfast. Bliss.

(My one and only Starbucks during the Red Cup Season)

In years past, there is that window of time beginning on Christmas Day, long after the presents have been unwrapped and the excitement has whittled down, when I find myself feeling a little sad that the build-up has reached it's peak and all that's left to do is wallow in the wake of torn wrapping paper and fragrant candles that have burned themselves out. I think about those family members who've been laid to rest or those I didn't get to see over the holidays and if I am not careful, it's easy to start feeling sad about it. But this year I promised myself I wouldn't give in; I told myself I'd live in The Present and savor every moment of the holiday. I was gonna Choose Joy and mean it.

So I did. I stayed off the computer all weekend (save for our Skype calls with family) and spent a lot of time in prayer. And it felt good.

* * *

I still have a couple of hours left in today; it's just after 10:30pm, so technically, I've still got time on my side. So I'm going to sign off and finish this holiday celebration properly. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

(Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to read and comment about my Farfar. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Unfortunately, things are looking worse, but we are filled with gratitude and love for having him with us as long as we have.)

My Farfar

2011-12-23T23:48:00.002-10:00

See that beautiful man in this photo? That's my Farfar (grandfather, in Danish).

My grandfather isn't doing well these days. This is a man who has battled and overcome colon and prostate cancer, but who was diagnosed with liver cancer a month ago. He has experienced a brutally unforgiving and rapid decline in his health and well-being in the past two weeks and tonight, I can't NOT talk about it. My Farfar is dying.

I've been in denial about this for a while, but deep down, at my core, I am so sad. Sad for my grandmother, my parents, my family. I've mixed emotions at the moment, but for now, all I can do is pray for peace, comfort and healing.

Someday I will bring myself to share what an incredible human being he is and what a gift he has been to my entire family. But for now, I am shutting down for the weekend, to celebrate Jesus and the life of my grandfather.

Merry Christmas. And blessings to all.

Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol. 14)

2011-12-23T14:55:00.000-10:00

Happy Aloha Friday and Eve-before-Christmas-Eve! It's been a good day so far but what I'm really looking forward to is a weekend with my Love, celebrating Christmas together, making Skype calls to our families on the mainland and enjoying the traditions we've started since we moved here in '06.

It seems kind of bizarre that Christmas is already here; really, where does the time go? It's been a crazy month and despite being apart from our families, we've still really been able to enjoy the season this year and that makes me so happy. Of course, it helps that I've been the obnoxious girl who has listened to Christmas music every single day for the last month (both at home and at work) and that our home always smells like spiced apples, vanilla sugar cookies, gingerbread or evergreen pine, thanks to my obsessive candle-purchases. I really love all the delicious little details this time of year.

* * *

As for my Be-Happy-Tudes this week? I'm doin' it Instagram style.

1) I love my Momma and stepdad so much; they sent our kitty a box of Christmas presents, too. With tags that read: "From Grandma and Grandpa" (seriously, how cute are they?)
2) A "Whatever's left in the fridge" kind of salad. The blueberries made it delightful!
3) December 22nd: blue skies and fat palm trees.
4) The Shop Dog. I love this pup like my own. I want to take her home with me!
5) This sweet little girl who has so much love to give.
6) Receiving a box of Kilwin's fudge from my aunt and uncle in Michigan.
7) Mishka. Check him out on Pandora. You're welcome.
8) Accompanying The Hubs on a videography job. TOTALLY not my thing, but it was pretty cool, I have to admit.
9) Vroom vroom.
10) I did it; I lifted the sugar ban and had chocolate in bed. And it was awesome.
11) I've been productive in the studio!
12) Rainbows...
13) ...that make me pull over on the side of the road to photograph.
14) The first piece in my "Be Inspired" series (coming to the shop in 2012).
15) Be inspired...
16) Happiness in the palm of my hand.
17) The second piece in my "Be Inspired" series.
18) First year making ornaments and they did so well!

Yeah. It's been a good week. Happy Day to you and yours. :)

Blog-xymoron: Blogging Openly, in Secret

2011-12-22T12:23:00.004-10:00

I'm taking a quick break from basking in the glow of the holiday season to ask you something: How many of you keep your blog and social-media-presence a "secret" from your family or real-life friends?

I have conveniently (and purposely) kept this blog from all but a handful of family members and real-life friends, but a thread has been pulled and this master plan of mine is beginning to unravel. My worlds are colliding!

{via}

A friend of mine (who doesn't know I blog) mentioned the other day that she really liked my Christmas ornaments. I think the color may have drained from my face as I tried unsuccessfully to appear nonchalant and ask her how she knew about them. She smiled and said, "From your pictures...I think I saw them on Facebook." This would be incorrect, because to date, I have not linked my blog, Twitter account OR Etsy shop to my personal Facebook account. And I have no idea how she came to know this.

I'm not exactly sure why I've withheld these facets about myself from my real-life friends; I've always considered myself a fairly open book and I have nothing to hide, but there has always been a sense of reservation. I started blogging for myself and it seemed convenient to keep the blog public because I knew that this act of writing to nobody and anybody would be understood in the blogosphere: millions of others do the exact same thing, but by doing this, I created a "world" separate from the one I live in-the-flesh.

I suppose if I'm being honest with myself, I can admit that I'm a little embarrassed to come clean and share these precious links with those in my life because I'm afraid they won't "get it". They won't understand that because I love to write, I write about anything and I write about everything. And I'm worried they won't understand that Twitter is about networking and not narcissism, or why it is necessary to take photos of my food (something 99.9% of all bloggers do at some point), or why I carry a camera (sometimes two) with me every.single.day, or how it is possible that an online-friend can turn into a true, real-life friend because we've all been warned that bloggers can also be axe-murderers in disguise. I'm not ashamed by any means of what I do or the friendships I've made simply because I've chosen to share my heart with virtual strangers over the internet...and these are just two reasons why I am beginning to think that the jig is up.

Now if I can just bring myself to post the link on my Facebook account. It's as simple as a cut-and-paste, right? :)

Well, Hello...

2011-12-20T11:01:00.000-10:00

Wow, it feels like I've been so far removed from the blogging world for ages (funny, it's only been a week); we have been busy.busy.busy, but that is par for the course this time of year. We've been diligent little worker-bees, putting in extra hours at our day jobs and side biz, visiting with friends, braving the spell of consumerism to finish up our Christmas shopping and all while still trying to enjoy the essence of the holiday season. I am spent, but it's all good.

I have had my Holiday moments, where my cheer is temporarily trumped by momentary insanity, all thanks to arrogant drivers who cut me off, rude temperaments in the retail world or uncooperative umbrellas that decide to FULLY OPEN right when you get into your car out of the pouring rain, thus drenching the entire inside of your car and the outfit you so carefully put together in an effort to feel cute. But like I said, it's all good...and I'm gonna have myself a Merry Little Christmas, even if it kills me. :)

In the midst of this crazy time of year, where it is so easy to lose sight of the importance of what this season is all about, there are moments when I feel like I am touched by the hand of God, Himself. Yesterday, during a dreaded trip to the store (for wrapping paper and gift tags) which had me brooding the entire drive, I turned the corner and BAM. I saw this:

And right there, under my breath, a "WOW" escaped my lips and I smiled. I parked my car, got out, sought the cover of a nearby tree to avoid the rain and took multiple photos of this masterpiece. The brilliant arc of colors were so grandiose, I could have sworn an audible energy reverberated above me. In that moment, my mood was lifted and all was right in the world again.

God is good.

The Ripple Effect: Be the Change

2011-12-14T14:14:00.002-10:00

When I find something worth sharing, I can't rest until I do. While searching for articles on creativity, I discovered this little gem of a short film that inspires me to get out there and make a change, because kindness has a ripple effect.

Be the change; it always comes full-circle.

Enjoy.

Interested in Sponsoring?

2011-12-12T21:04:00.001-10:00

After months of careful consideration, I've decided to open the blog up to sponsors beginning in the new year. Details to come, but I thought I'd put the feelers out there.

Comments are disabled, so if you're interested, shoot me an email so we can talk deets. :)
I look forward to partnering with you!

Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol.13)

2011-12-12T00:24:00.000-10:00

It's been a while since I dedicated an entire post to the simple joys that have made me smile recently, so although it is long overdue, the sentiment is the same: I have much to be happy about!

Topping my list of happies is the fact that I made my husband cry this weekend. I had us both laughing so hard we had tears streaming down our faces...and this side-splitting laughter is, quite simply, one of THE best, simple joys on earth. Have you laughed like this recently?

* * *

My list of Happies for this installation of the Be-Happy-Tudes have all blurred together; I have a hard time separating them from my everyday life because there seem to be too many of them to hi-light; in short, life has been good to me.

Today was rainy and gray, which set the stage for a day spent indoors, cozied up in our PJ's, listening to the sound of the rain and doing a whole lotta nothing together. Every now and then, we all need days like these; guilt-free days of lounging around the house, stretching the hours of sweet nothingness, and doing all the things you want to, and not a lick of what you need to. Life is too short.

* * *

'Been feeling a little out of the blogging-loop lately; I am dreadfully behind in emails and making my blog-rounds but as I'm sure many of you can attest, this time of year is all-too consuming. Although Phil and I are behind in the Christmas shopping program, we're plugging away and getting things accomplished, little by little. If we're lucky, we'll have our shopping done and shipped this week (fingers crossed).

Have a happy Monday, friends!

Pup on Board: from Service to Surfice

2011-12-08T09:57:00.002-10:00

This will be a quickie drive-by post until I have time this evening to catch up around these parts. I miss you folks and hope that you're well! For now, if you've got five minutes to spare, click on the video below; it's a feel-good-warm-fuzzies kind of video, but not without the requisite tears. I don't know why I do this to myself. I want a pup in a bad, bad way.

Happy Thursday, friends!

Holiday Cheer

2011-12-05T11:18:00.003-10:00

Despite my disbelief and random musings about where the entire year has gone, I am enjoying the here and now and am fully immersed in the present. Although this time of year brings with it a flurry of events and obligations, the real reason for the season makes me want to turn inward; to slow down, find my center and be still. I am feeling especially instrospective lately, my soul craving a sense of peace that only my faith can provide. I've got things weighing heavily on my heart this year, but I am still happy.

And how can I not be? I am listening to Christmas music on a daily basis, we've been getting a lot of rain in the evenings which casts a winter-y spell on us Upcountry folks, and we've had the pleasure of spending time with family and friends visiting from the mainland. We've been busy, but it's all good.

Our visitors have since come and gone, so Phil and I had a mellow weekend; we spent it recuperating and putting the house back together again, because every room seems to have become a "catch-all" for everything it shouldn't. We cleaned and decluttered and I spent nearly all of Sunday reorganizing my art studio to make it a more functional space...and I'm overcome by a fresh sense of inspiration and motivation; so many new projects to come in 2012!

On Saturday night, we finally put up our tree:

...you know you want one! They're still available in my Etsy shop.

Now with the rooms aglow by the flicker of candles and the lights on our tree, our home feels much more Christmas-y. Our tree is beautiful, but a total fake (real tree + curious kitty = vomitous puddles), so all that is missing is the sweet scent of holiday pine. On my list of To-Do items for today is also the project of finding just the right candle to accomplish this.

I am looking out the window right now; the sun is shining and the skies are blue, but I'm going to channel the weather of Christmas on the mainland and pretend that it is cold and blustery outside. I am going to stop off at Starbucks for a Chamomile tea and then work my way down my To-Do List.

Good Monday to you...make it happy.

Video: Live Aloha!

2011-12-01T00:09:00.004-10:00

Aloha ke Akua (God is Love)

This is going to be a quickie post because it is after midnight and I am pooped. Two things:

1) Thank you, thank you...Thank You for your thoughtful, loving and kind comments from yesterday's post. I will never be able to fully convey just how moved I was by your words; I read some of your comments/emails to Phil (through tears!) prefacing them with these five words: "This is why I blog." I love you all. Truly.

2) As if you haven't already noticed, my husband possesses the creative gene; he is as addicted to videography as I am to photography and blogging...and I think our passions make for some good blog material. Phil put together this video as a little snapshot of this here blog of mine; I think he did a great job at capturing the essence of exactly who I am and why I blog:

When I began blogging a little over a year ago, I promised myself that this blog would be as transparent as possible; it would be a compilation of all that my life has to offer; the good, the bad and the indifferent. Authenticity is (and always will be) a priority.

Thank you all for reading what I have to say!

Grief, Revisited

2011-11-30T00:07:00.017-10:00

He left us exactly one year ago, today. Three hundred and sixty five days ago. At a little after 4:00pm, I received a phone call at work that would eventually bring me to my knees in the middle of my office. I was reduced to a mindless heap right there on the floor next to my computer, shouting "No, No, No!" into the phone over and over again as if this repetition would change my circumstances. It did not. My little brother had committed suicide.

Anniversaries like these are so difficult...and today, my thoughts are generous but my words are few. I thought today's entry would be about life post-Nicky, but there isn't much to say that I haven't already expressed in the posts I'd written immediately following his death. Exactly one year later, I can read them and still feel that they perfectly capture the truth and emotion of my life - my reality.

I am sharing these writings again just as much for you as I am for me; I am especially proud of these for their unabashed vulnerability; a raw honesty that can only be reached and expressed when you experience grief and pain at this level. While these posts are heavy on the heart, I read them again because I feel an inherent need deep within me to measure where I've been and how much healing has taken place in one year's time.

I wrote this post three days after Nick passed away.

I wrote this post at 3:00am in a Denver hotel room following Nick's funeral.

I wrote this post after a chance encounter that convinced me Nick is still with me even if I can't see him.

And I did just as he said...I kept writing.

* * *

There are a handful of you still reading my blog who have been around since last November; thank you for sticking with me. I lost quite a few readers after I began writing about my loss and honestly, it's ok; I understand. I know that grief is uncomfortable for some, but writing about this experience has been healing for me. In this healing, there is growth.

Thank you for your love, support and friendship...and for taking the time to read about my little brother. I sure do miss him.

The Last Hurrah

2011-11-29T01:11:00.001-10:00

November is winding down, my birthday is now just a faint memory and it'll be another year before the world revolves around me once again (thank you, Phil). :)

Every girl should have a posse of friends who would do anything for you; friends who will be there for you when you call them at any hour of any day for any reason. Girlfriends who have your back, are honest (and gentle) with you and the kind of friends who will NOT let you walk around wearing something that does not look good on you. Every girl needs a posse of girlfriends who love you for YOU.

The weekend after we got back from Lanai, I went to dinner with said posse of girlfriends. This was the first year I didn't want a "party"; I just wanted a mellow evening of good food and good girlfriends. So I picked four of my closest girls and keeping with the theme of my Four Seasons birthday celebration, we headed down to South Maui and went to dinner at Duo in Wailea.

We piled into Dana's car and had a good laugh when we realized that all but one of us were wearing black. Every girl should have a little black dress in her closet, except of course if you are Sofia. Girlfriend is drop-dead gorgeous, has legs for days and could rock a burlap sack or dress in ANY color.

The girls lei'd me and off we went. :)

It was a great evening filled with decadence and laughter---a perfect combination for Girls Night Out. We splurged and ordered pre-dinner cocktails and then enjoyed wine with our dinners...and even contemplated ordering port to go with our dessert. But we didn't...'cause we're responsible like that.

I ate this plate of white chocolate (guilt-free) while the girls enjoyed apple-flavored Cotton Candy and Chocolate Three-Ways (which we promptly destroyed within a matter of minutes).

We took a ton of photos (and for the record, they all knew it was for the blog) so that I could document the evening and show you all just how beautiful my girlfriends are!

Four hours later, we paid our bill and were ready to call it a night. It was a much needed evening of girl time, filled with smiles and laughter and hugs...girlfriends are good!

Thank you Dana, Sofia, Shannon and Caprice! Loving you ladies something fierce!

* * *

Mahalo to everyone for visiting this little blog o' mine and for your kind comments on my posts of late. I appreciate each of you and your part in my blogging joy! I'm still working on email responses but wanted to thank you for your patience!

The Magic of Lana'i

2011-11-28T11:13:00.000-10:00

My birthday was thirteen days ago, but I'm still milking the day because every girl knows that her birthday requires a month-long celebration, right?

In truth, it's been a whirlwind month and Phil and I kinda feel like we've been going non-stop since coming back from Lanai. With the Thanksgiving holiday and family and friends in town visiting, it has been a hectic couple of weeks. I've barely had any time to spend in front of the computer and I've fallen behind in the blog world!

* * *

I finally uploaded our photos from Lanai; for it being such a quick trip, it was also one of the most memorable...and I'm still coming down from it all. You know that feeling you get when you drink spiked punch? You know, that we're-on-our-second-honeymoon-and-we-are-crazy-drunk-on-love feeling? Yeah. Our trip kinda felt like that.

Official relaxation kicked in on the forty minute ferry ride over from Lahaina, where we sat on the upper deck taking in the gorgeous views of pristine islands.

{Sweetheart Rock in the distance}

We gave ourselves a reprieve from our Clean Diets and indulged ourselves in impeccable menus that would please even the most inexperienced of palates (my favorite meal of the trip was the tiger prawns over a bed of Israeli couscous - I want to CRY, it was so good)...but being a creature of habit, each morning, I still gravitated to my breakfast of choice:

I am proud to say that I didn't forget to bring the vitamins (more important, I've got The Hubs on a vitamin plan, too!):

We logged in copious hours poolside and on the golden sand, soaking up some Vitamin D and feeling borderline uncomfortable (and unworthy) of the Five Star treatment. The man who came by to spritz us with Evian and fill up our cups of ice water, the man who came by offering to polish our sunglasses, the man who brought over trays of skewered fruit and the woman who offered us ice cold washcloths to wipe on our brows? Uncomfortable, yes...but I am quite certain I could grow to love living a lifestyle like this!

We took an exorbitant number of self-portraits which I am sure led people to believe we were actually on our honeymoon:

{this photo was courtesy of a resort employee who saw us struggling to take a self-portrait while holding the DSLR}

...and just for kicks, we even got a photo of us in the California King. It was like sleeping on a cloud!

We explored the grounds (we stayed at the Four Seasons Koele Lodge but bounced between both resorts), marveling at the peace and quiet; we could not have picked a better time to go!

We took in an offensive amount of calories in the form of cocktails in the hotel and by the pool, wine on the lanai and birthday cake in bed:

{On my phone while on vacation? Guilty. But I do believe I was sending out a Tweet in this photo!}

We swam with wild dolphins in Hulopo'e Bay, I relished a 50-minute Lomi Lomi massage which left me feeling jello-ish and relaxed, and I enjoyed being spoiled by The Hubs. My new birthday lens - woot woot!

* * *

We didn't get to do or see everything on Lanai we'd hoped for, but the good thing is it's only a ferry ride away. And with Kama'aina rates as fantastic as they are, we'll definitely be heading back to Lana'i again soon.

We Cooked a Turkey. And it was The Bomb.

2011-11-25T19:59:00.000-10:00

I am certifiably stuffed; I ate my weight in holiday goodness yesterday and although my body is suffering the consequences and still working through the digestion process, I have to say that it was worth every single bite. I am a glutton...and proud of it!

The Hubs and I were supposed to spend the holiday on Oahu with some of my extended family, but last minute changes left us here on Maui, where it took us all of five seconds to decide that we wanted to have a quiet celebration at home, just the two of us. We pulled out all the stops, preparing an entire spread of a turkey and all the trimmings...and we'll be enjoying leftovers through the weekend.

{Thanksgiving sunset from our living room window}

We have so much to be grateful for; at the top of our list, we are grateful for this beautiful life God has given us. We are grateful for our family and friends, our health, our home, our marriage and our kitty, Grace. We are grateful for nature, the gift of sunrises and sunsets, the magic of the sea and each of our five senses that allow us to bear witness to these gifts. We are rich beyond measure.

We missed spending the holiday with our families, yes, but Thanksgiving was no less meaningful just because we sat at a table for two. We are grateful...and we give thanks.

Blessings to you, friends!

Give Thanks

2011-11-23T09:50:00.001-10:00

{via}

Aloha Friends! We are in the throes of pre-Holiday demands, spending time with family and friends who are in town and trying to prepare for tomorrow's festivities, so I don't know that I will have much online time today. In case I'm unable to get back on here before tomorrow, I wanted to give you all a big, fat HUG and say a heartfelt Thank You for reading this little blog of mine and for the friendships I have made along the way. I appreciate each of you!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I wish you a day filled with peace, love, family and friends in abundance; may these nourish your soul and remind you that life is good and we are blessed!

Much love to you all. Now go - eat, drink and be merry!

Video: One for the Bucket List

2011-11-21T23:02:00.004-10:00

Back when I was still in high school and long before "Things I want to do before I die" became "Things to cross off my Bucket List", I had a lifelong dream to swim with wild dolphins. I had no idea where this would take place or how I might make this a reality, but I just knew that there was an experience out there with my name all over it, just waiting to be had.

When Phil surprised me with a trip to Lanai for my birthday, he eventually told me that he picked the location with the hope that he could make that dream a reality for me. And I am the luckiest girl in all the world, because my husband? He delivered.

I write about this often but it never loses its meaning: life out here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean rocks. I am all about Living Aloha and sharing our island-adventures on the blog, and if a trip to Hawaii isn't possible, well then, let me just bring a bit of the tropics to you. If you're up for it, come take a swim with the spinner dolphins (and in the Four Seasons pool) with me. Clickety-click on the video below. 'Ya dig?

{Thank you, Phil for your contribution to the blog and putting this video together!}

The experience was surreal; to be up close and personal with wild creatures so majestic was nothing short of life-changing. I had grown up visiting Sea World/Sea Life parks and watching dolphins in captivity, but to swim with those that are wild and free is magical. There were so many moments that morning when I'd pop up to the surface of the water, yank off my snorkel gear, SQUEAL with delight and ask Phil again and again:
"Is this really happening? Is this my life?" To which he would reply: "It is. Happy Birthday, baby."

We swam with a pod numbering upwards of 50+ at times, watching them dive and rise in their graceful, aquatic dance. We hovered above, below and side by side with them, watching in awe as some came close enough to be touched (we didn't). We listened to their clicks and whistles, feeling a bit like eavesdroppers but enjoying the moment all the same.

That hour and a half in the water with the dolphins was definitely the icing on the cake of an already perfect and romantic staycation-turned-second-honeymoon for us. I've dreamed about the dolphins twice since we've been home and have watched this video more times than I care to admit!

Life-changing, I tell you.

* * *

Just for kicks and to further prove this Bucket List dream of mine, here's a painting I did last year and titled
"Naia Neighbors" (Naia = Dolphin).

Life imitates Art. :)

Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol. 12)

2011-11-20T23:38:00.002-10:00

It's been four days since my last post, but it feels like ages since I've been on here. Surprisingly, I'm actually ok with that slight feeling of disconnect, because it just means I've been living and enjoying life. Every now and then, it's nice to disengage from the internet and just "be" in the real world. I've done a lot of "be-ing" this past week. :)

I have a serious case of Birthday-Hangover. Not in the literal sense (although I did partake in some libations to celebrate), but in the I-love-dragging-out-my-birthday-and-making-it-all-about-me-festivities. I feel like I've celebrated my birthday nearly every day for the last week and quite honestly? I've loved every minute of it. And really, what girl wouldn't? I've been pampered and spoiled by my husband, loved-on by my closest girlfriends and sent loving emails, texts and snail mail by family and friends on the mainland. Life is good.

This week, I am happy and grateful for:

...moonbeams and indigo skies:

The moon has been quite the sight as of late; there have been many nights where Phil and I will rush home from work, grab our camera gear and try to set up in the front yard in time to catch the elusive moon in all her splendor, only to be disappointed by passing clouds who wish to teach us patience. One night in particular, we were successful and I've rejoiced in the result! I think I might like to visit the moon someday. :)

...decaf coffee.

Who knew that (with a little effort) decaf coffee could taste just as good as the the real deal? I'm a reformed coffee drinker, remembering with fondness my caffeinated Starbucks days of "I'll-have-a-quad-venti-nonfat-extra-hot-with-whip-white-mocha". I miss those days. I miss the smell of freshly brewed coffee. I miss the little jolt of caffeine goodness and the 3:00pm sense of invincibility I'd learned to fabricate with the simple exchange of goods and services. I miss caffeine, but not enough to forsake our Clean Diet. Decaf will do, thankyouverymuch.

...the best birthday celebration in over a decade. Eleven years ago, Phil invited me to spend the rest of my life with him --and nothing will ever top that--but my birthday this year was one that will go down in history. I'm working on a couple of posts to recap one of the (no joke) best weeks in my life, but in the meantime, a phone-dump will have to suffice in capturing the essence of my birthday this year:

...teaching my husband how to R-E-L-A-X.

I don't have a photo to document this, but I feel compelled to share that my basking-in-birthday-goodness has also taught Phil to relax just a little bit. I'm a master at the Art of Be-ing; it is a God-given gift if you ask me ;), but I can appreciate that for some, it requires a little bit of effort. Phil has been such a trouper this week, completely disconnecting from work and giving me his undivided attention during our stay-cation on Lanai. Our time together was good and it was necessary...and it reminded us that we need to do this more often.

I'm totally down with that idea.

* * *

I have much to be grateful for this week. I'm happy and I'm thankful.

Here's hoping you all had a great week (and weekend!), too. :)

Mahalo!

2011-11-16T21:15:00.000-10:00

Thank you, friends, for your birthday wishes and good vibes; I felt every one of them! Aside from my birthday eleven years ago when Phil proposed on a beach on Oahu at sunset, this birthday was one of the best celebrations, ever. In many ways, our staycation to Lanai felt like a second honeymoon for us and I have to say, I'm really sad to go back to "real life" tomorrow. There is so much to share with you all (including something I can cross off my Bucket-List), but it will have to wait until tomorrow; I'm exhausted and ready to call it a night.

I'm looking forward to getting back into the blogging groove and catching myself up with the goings-on in your worlds. BTW - some changes are coming down the pipes for this little blog of mine, so stay tuned!

Thanks again for all the birthday love; you guys are the best. I hope you're all having a beautiful week!

Birthday Extravaganza!

2011-11-13T23:40:00.000-10:00

For the next three days, I will be here:

Four Seasons, Lanai

My birthday is Tuesday and Phil surprised me with a 3-day trip to Lanai; neither of us have ever been, so this will be a fun adventure for both of us. Though we are not going very far, I like the idea that we are getting off-island and trading Maui for Lanai (does it get any better than that?)...if only for a few days.

Phil has granted a 3-day celebration, so I am looking forward to a whole lot of:

1) lounging poolside (the beach will always prevail, but sometimes I crave the smell of a chlorinated pool)
2) lounging poolside with my husband
3) lounging poolside with my husband and a cocktail in hand!
4) taking a 3-day reprieve from our Clean Diet; I am going to enjoy a couple of cocktails and a glass of wine...AND I am going to eat a piece of cake. YAY!
5) a visit to the spa
6) snorkeling
7) fine dining
8) exploring the island
9) enjoying 3-days of uninterrupted time with The Hubs
10) Five Star hotel, baby!

Back on Thursday!

* * *

...Go, go, go Angie
It's your birthday
We gon' party like it's yo birthday
We gon' sip Bacardi like it's yo birthday...

For Posterity

2011-11-11T19:25:00.000-10:00

11/11/11 @ 11:11am

I took this screen shot on my phone this morning to capture this rare moment in history.
And then I made a wish.
Did you?

* * *

Happy Veteran's Day, friends.

Art through the Ages

2011-11-11T01:33:00.000-10:00

When you find what moves you in life, the only way to hone those skills is to simply do. No matter what this passion may be, it takes practice if you ever expect to be any good at it. And with discipline and motivation, you might just be able to look back and see a pattern of growth; proof that as an artist, you stretched your creativity to new limits, tweaking and perfecting your craft without even knowing it.

Tonight, while looking through old photos of some of my earlier paintings, I found myself cringing. I scrutinized these paintings with critical eyes, a blanket of judgement (what was I thinking?) and something else I wasn't prepared for.

The Studio, 2008

I laughed with each click of my pink, Microsoft mouse; nearly every single painting I'd done in the earlier years were of cats. With Grace as my muse, I never had to go very far for inspiration; instead, I became the crazy, cat-painting lady.

There were cats with great talents and super-human skills:

...and there were cats in the sun, cats in the snow and cats in the rain:

...there were cats in the garden, cats on the bed, cats in the tub and cats in the studio.

But apparently, there were also days when I felt inspired to paint people, like the Patron Saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi. Oh, but wait...I painted him with cats. :)

And while I can laugh at this now, there is a deep respect that I have for the artist of "then". I must have been doing something right because I no longer have any of these paintings; I sold them all to customers who adored my cats with great talents and super-human skills.

And here's another realization I wasn't quite prepared for: back then, I painted with unbridled enthusiasm. I painted every night, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning, finally crawling into bed next to Phil at almost 4:00am. And in the mornings, I'd wake up early to try to get a couple of layers of paint in before having to start my day. I painted for ME. I painted for the pure joy of it. I painted because I had to.

And then I discovered that the blogging world was filled with blogs of every passion; there were cooking blogs, crafting blogs, photography blogs, running blogs and wouldn't you know it, artsy blogs! I started finding other artists and spending so much time looking at their work and less time focusing on my own, that something in me changed. I somehow managed to get lost in the inadequacy I began to feel, comparing my work to theirs and feeling as though my art didn't measure up. Suddenly, my artistic "innocence" was gone. And this was a sad place to be.

This year has been much better for me - creatively speaking, but I miss the days of painting without fear. I long for the days of blissful ignorance, where I was fueled only by the motivation that "hey, people are buying my art". I want to get back there again. I want to paint for me. I want to paint for the joy. I want to paint because I have to. I talk a lot about my dream of making my love for art a full-time gig. It's time I woke up from this nap and got back to work.

* * *

A big MAHALO to everyone for your kind comments about my new Etsy products! I love your excitement and for helping me to get the word out. I especially love those of you who made your way over to my shop to buy something - you all know how to make a girl feel good!

Happy Aloha Friday, friends. Have a beautiful weekend!

Video: She's Crafty...

2011-11-09T00:26:00.002-10:00

This is going to be a quickie post because it's after midnight and this girl needs to get to bed. I've listed two new products in my Etsy shop tonight, just in time for the Holidays. I've been working on variations of these in the last few weeks and am excited to introduce them to you. Here's a peek at one of them:

{"Beach in a Bottle" pendant necklace in blue}

* * *

I'm a lucky girl...my husband is my biggest fan. Wanna see his contribution to this new adventure of mine? Check out the quick video clips he put together for me (click on the arrows and the videos will start right up)!

"Beach in a Bottle" from angie on maui on Vimeo.

"Christmas in Hawaii" from angie on maui on Vimeo.

Come visit me over at my Etsy shop!

I Can Do Better

2011-11-08T00:32:00.001-10:00

Yesterday was one of those days when I just knew that I wasn't at my best. It was the kind of day that, despite outward appearances of Happy and Good, somewhere underneath it all, I felt like my heart could use a good scrubbing.

Yesterday, I felt like a total fraud. I went about my day wearing my "Sales Face", smiling when I was supposed to and exuding unmistakeable happiness when inside, I was feeling anything but. Instead, I was impatient, annoyed, irritable and unkind. And I was feeling (shamefully) vindictive towards the driver who almost ran me over in the crosswalk and then minutes later, the woman at the the Post Office who, right before she entered, turned around, made eye contact with me, waltzed on in and then let the door shut right in my face. Well, not literally, but close enough, considering I was only three steps behind her. Awesome. Thanks so much.

I try not to sweat the small stuff, but some days, my patience is worn thin and I know I am being tested. On these days, trying to see past the negative is more difficult than ever and momentary satisfaction is achieved only when I allow myself to say not-so-kind-things under my breath that are neither true nor called for. I don't like this about myself, because it is not an accurate reflection of who I am at the core of my being.

I know I'm not alone in this, because I am human and I am flawed. And despite my shortcomings, I know that God still loves a girl like me; a girl and all her sinful ways. This realization alone is enough to make me want to do better, because I know that I can.

When I read Proverbs 31, I often feel painfully inferior, because this Godly woman is everything I strive to be and most of which I am not. I may never be exactly what she is, but I can still try to hold myself to a higher standard and become that instrument of peace. I can be a better wife to my husband - a man who works so hard and loves so big. I can be a better daughter, sister, auntie and friend.

I want to be a better person today than I was yesterday.

I know I can do better.

* * *

Weekend Wandering

2011-11-06T23:45:00.001-10:00

Sunshine and blue skies chased away the gray skies of late, filling our weekend with hours of warm temps and beaches beckoning us to the shore. Maui has spent the last two weeks flirting with Fall, but it seems our island is back to her regularly scheduled program of Endless Summers. And we're not complaining.

Our mornings began with the routine of chores-cut-short because the sun was out and the day was calling. Always a team, we split the tasks - Phil taking care of the house while I ducked out to run errands and stop at the Farmer's Market to replenish our refrigerator with produce (I've received a number of emails asking about our Clean Diet and what our menus look like; I'm happy to share that in a separate post). Our noon siestas had us packing up the truck and day-tripping around the island and to the beach, where the lazy ocean hugs the shore.

The graffiti on this wall along the Hana Highway changes frequently, and the current artwork is one of my all time favorites. So much so that we climbed over a fence and through a cow pasture, side-stepping cow-pies just to get this shot. Priorities. Many thanks to the (unknown) artist for a sentiment so powerful and true.

* * *

Water time is a must around here and although I was too cold to partake in an ocean dip, I still tagged along with Phil and prepared for an afternoon onshore while he went to get wet.

Left to my own devices, I did what any beach-loving and solitude-seeking girl would do:

...I combed the sand, pocketing shells, pretty pieces of coral and sea glass in muted shades of white and green to add to my growing collection back at home.

...I snapped photos to capture the beauty of nature; the exquisite backdrop where earth meets sky.

...I snapped photos of gifts washed up from the sea, bleached white from a combination of the sun and age, but still gorgeous in its creation.

...I snapped photos of a tired but friendly beach go-er who approached me with a wagging tail and a curious nose, pausing only momentarily for the camera before growing bored with me and walking off to seek shade under a nearby tree.

...and I snapped photos of friendly beach go-er #2, who swears she knew me because she joined me on the sand and spent a good portion of the afternoon relaxing with me in companionable silence.

(Sidenote: We are SO ready for a dog. We've talked seriously about expanding our family and I can't wait to finally make it official)

* * *

Our Sunday was dedicated to the arts; we were up and out of the house early enough to have a coffee date in Paia and to take photos and do some filming. The rest of our leisurely day spotlighted creativity and I spent a good chunk of time in the studio working on new items that will go up in the shop Monday night. And all this, while Christmas music streamed shamelessly from my newly created station on Pandora. Seriously, the best way to brighten up an already fabulous day.

Here's hoping your weekend was fabulous, too. :)

Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol. 11)

2011-11-04T22:41:00.001-10:00

It's been a good week; it's Friday, we're in for the night and I'm just...happy. I'm off for the next three days, we've got some "us" time on tap this weekend and I'm looking forward to hanging out and doing everything and nothing with The Hubs. Weekends can't come soon enough for this very reason!

I didn't get to spend as much time with my camera this week to document my weekly Be-Happy-Tudes, but I have decided that not every moment of our lives need to be captured for the blog. Sometimes we are just too busy living...and I am totally okay with that, so this edition of the Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes is going to be less documentation and more stream-of-consciousness.

* * *

I have much to be grateful for this week; honestly, I am trying to find a healthy balance between "life" and "documenting-life-for-the-blog" and this week, it meant a little more time spent offline. I read more. I cooked more. I spent more time in my studio. I sat and enjoyed long conversations with Phil. We got to bed earlier than normal for most of the week. All these things brought me joy...and it all felt good.

* * *

It was one of those hermit-ing kind of weeks which I think is par for the course when a few of our days looked like this:

I'm not sure what has come over me, but I'm really loving this kind of weather for a change. Not only do we need the rain, but the gray skies and cool evenings are bringing me just a little bit closer to Fall. It has been "cold" enough (~70-ish degrees!) that I actually wore jeans to work the other day. Granted, I still wore my slippers, but the jeans thing? I think the last time I wore them was in January.

* * *

Eating Clean. It's been nearly six weeks since we started our Clean diet and becoming caffeine/sugar/alcohol-free. I feel incredible, healthy and alive...and happy. And the proverbial icing on the cake? FIFTEEN. That would be the number of pounds I've dropped since making this lifestyle change.

* * *

My birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks. I may be caffeine/sugar/alcohol-free now, but on my birthday, you had better believe that I am going to enjoy a glass of wine with my husband and some kind of cake. And I am very, very, VERY excited about this. :)

* * *

Tonight, Phil and I went out to dinner. We haven't gone out to eat but twice in the last six weeks because it is difficult to control what is in your food when you're trying so hard to monitor the ingredients. But today being Aloha Friday and all, we treated ourselves to dinner out, and I am so glad we did. Not only was the food outstanding, but tonight's dinner conversation was different. Good different. We talked about us; checking in with one another on "The State of Us". And I really, really like that. After all these years together, I love that my husband still asks me:

"Are you happy?"
"Am I still making you happy?"
"What can I do to help out more?"
"Is there anything I can do to make your life easier?"

I love when we can have conversations like these; the kind of conversations that make me feel undeniably LOVED and so unbelieveably connected to the man across the table from me. The kind of conversations that are peppered with laughter, and not just any laughter, but the kind of laughter that makes you close your eyes and throw your head back. And the kind of conversations that make you feel like the only two people in a restaurant where every table is full.

This week, there has been much joy.

* * *

Have a joyful weekend. :)

Fall and Foliage (Maui-Style)

2011-11-02T12:02:00.000-10:00

In general, I require a lot of sunshine to be happy. When we lived in CA, winters were especially difficult and it seriously affected my mood, but moving back to Hawaii has changed everything: sunshine every day. And it's glorious.

But when Fall comes and I start missing the cool temps, warm clothing and traditions of the mainland, Maui delivers in her own way. Every night for the past week, it has rained up where we live, and this rain? It's like icing on a cake. Phil and I were sitting down eating dinner the other night when the rain started coming down in sheets; the room was aglow with "fairy lights" (a.k.a. white christmas lights I leave up all year round) that frame the kitchen windows and this, coupled with the sound of the rain on our roof was enough to make me smile. It was a very Fall-ish moment and it was nice to not feel left out of this beautiful, seasonal transition into the Holidays.

We don't have much by way of Fall foliage, but if you look hard enough, you can find it on a much smaller scale and in the most unassuming places. I would love to be in NYC with my girlfriends, trudging through neighborhoods knee-deep in crispy, golden goodness, but I'll take what I can get out here. And if that means I celebrate Fall passing through the nursery on my way out of Walmart, then I'm cool with that. I like to give credit where credit is due, and this tiny plant was working mighty hard to rock the Fall foliage from its tiny, plastic container.

Rock on, little one.

I am loving the roster of Fall-related posts in my feed, blog friends! Enjoy those sweaters, scarves, boots, pumpkin-spiced lattes and spiced ciders for me!

You Have a Voice: Speak Up

2011-11-01T11:39:00.002-10:00

For as long as I can remember, I've always avoided confrontation. Disagreements make me uncomfortable and expressing my dissatisfaction with someone or something has always been a challenge. In the past, this very quality about myself was an invitation to walk all over me and I was easily manipulated; it took years in therapy and hard work on my part to recognize my own value enough so that I actually wanted to speak up. That's not to say it now comes easy for me - far from it. It is still difficult for me to stick up for myself, but I do it anyway, because I know that I am worth it.

I had a disagreement with another blogger today. The fact that I have never met this person in real life makes this no less awkward or uncomfortable, because it is still conflict and something I had to address. I sent off my carefully-worded email and almost immediately received her unhappy response. Familiar feelings surfaced and my initial instinct was to shelve the situation and not repond - it would be so easy...but NO. I was not willing to take full responsibility for what I believe was shared miscommunication and I honestly believed that there was something we could both learn from this experience. I expressed my regret for failing to communicate as effectively as I could have, but I also made it very clear of how I felt: snubbed. If you are too busy to respond to my emails and don't care to do business with me, that is fine, but please don't make your only communication with me be because you want to collect money. I just don't think it is good business practice.

If you are anything like me, then you can certainly appreciate where I am coming from; it is so much easier to avoid conflict in an effort to "make it go away" but every wasted opportunity to speak up for YOU is really only doing yourself a disservice. If you're wrong about something, own it, and apologize. If you feel you've been wronged somehow, choose your words carefully and express it.

My point is this: Know Your Worth. Speak up for yourself, because nobody else will.

image: {via}

October: So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye

2011-10-31T23:08:00.000-10:00

I'm still in denial that it is already November and Christmas is next month; it seems impossible that we are nearing the end of the year when it feels like it was just yesterday that we were breaking down our Christmas tree (we are fake-tree people) and putting away the ornaments. Well, maybe not yesterday, but certainly not almost a year ago, either. I guess it's true that time flies when you're really living...and that's not such a bad thing, either.

While walking through a craft store the other day, I was momentarily taken aback when I came upon the shelves of Christmas decorations. Halloween wasn't even here, yet I had first pick of holiday wrapping paper and shatterproof ornaments? Bizarre. I stood in the middle of the aisle and let my eyes wander the shelves filled with all things red, green and glittery. And there, with a wall of ornaments in front of me and a display of christmas cookie cutters and candy-cane-shaped sprinkles to my back, something in my belly stirred. I smiled to myself; I SO love this time of year. I got jipped last year, so this season, I resolve to savor and relish each moment as it comes. November 1st isn't too early to start lighting gingerbread and cinnamon-scented candles, is it?

* * *

Meanwhile, back at the studio...

I've been feeling crafty lately, straying from the norm and working on some fun little projects that I'll be listing in the shop next week. It has been so therapeutic for me, sitting in the studio working, while Billie Holiday streams on Pandora. I find it ironic that I can feel so peaceful and happy when I'm surrounded by my creative mess. And when I say mess, I mean, every-surface-area-of-my-studio-is-covered with cardstock, paints, beads, shells, graphite pencils, unfinished canvases, notebooks, post-its, paintbrushes, books and more. Truth is, the studio can use a good cleaning, but I kind of like the mess for a change. It means I'm actually working. :)

A foreshadow of fun things to come!

A peek at some packaging supplies...

I've also started painting "outside the box" and experimenting with different styles, mediums and techniques. This is both thrilling and terrifying all at once; on the one hand, I like the idea of branching out and learning new skills, but on the other, change is scary and finding your "voice" as an artist - whether you write, paint, sculpt or draw can be intimidating.

Creativity and time spent in the studio means it's a good day and today was no different. After a morning of errands, I came home and spent hours hunched over the table (my chiropractor would not be pleased) working. The best part of it all? It doesn't feel like "work".

* * *

Happy November, friends. I'm looking forward to a new month full of creative adventures. Join me, yes? :)

Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol. 10)

2011-10-28T22:15:00.002-10:00

It's been a really difficult week with many things weighing heavily on my heart, but despite the clouds, there is always a sliver of sunshine. Sometimes you just need to look harder to find it.

I have much to be grateful for; not just this week, but every day. It goes without saying that food, shelter and warmth (all our basic needs for survival) being met warrants gratitude, but I am also grateful for the little, seemingly random things throughout the day that make my heart happy.

This week, I am happy and grateful for:

...more Fall candles. This sweet little candle was one in a package of five that cost me a mere $4.99. And although the candles won't burn for very long because they stand at only 3" each, their tiny stature made them all the more irresistable and impossible to pass up. Each candle boasts a fragrance that blends the Holiday Season - from Thanksgiving straight through to New Years - all into one. It's pretty fabulous.

...FREEBIES! One of the grocery store chains here "rewards" you every time you bring in your own reusable bag. Once you fill up your card with ten little stamps, you earn a free product. This week, I finally redeemed my card and scored something so perfect for our menus as of late: raw almonds. At $9.00 a bag, I'm pretty happy. Free = Good.

...and speaking of FREE, I won an incentive program at work which earned me a free RipCurl watch. Considering I'd just purchased a new watch for myself only a month ago, I cashed in and ordered this watch for Phil:

(a $225 watch for nothing. Again, Free = Good.)

...Instagram. This was one of those apps that sat untouched on my phone for months. When I finally started playing around with it a few weeks ago, I was instantly hooked. And this week, I captured more photos of deliciousness prior to gettin' my grub on:

* * *

Since I've started doing this weekly gratitude list, I've often felt that the items topping my Happy-List seem so trivial and meaningless. But then I am quickly reminded that the very act of writing a weekly Be-Happy-Tude List has taught me to search for the little things in each day that bring me joy. And the truth is that there are FAR more blessings in any given day than just the few I choose to capture in a photograph and blog about on a weekly basis. Smiles from strangers, hitting all the green-lights on my way to work in the morning, finding lucky pennies in the parking lot...moments like these only fuel my desire to search for those things to be grateful for and ultimately, Choosing Joy in the process.

Have a beautiful weekend. xo

(also linking up with Lindsay, here.)

Real Life

2011-10-27T20:54:00.001-10:00

It's been one of those days. I was already in a "mood" when I got home from work and by the time Phil walked through the door, I'd already begun to unleash on him, complaining and venting about my day without so much as a pause to come up for air. Selfish? Yes (just keeping it real).

Always the attentive listener, he was my sounding board and validated me where I needed validating, consoled me where I needed consoling and then gave me a hug and a dose of positivity because he knew how much I needed it. And after I'd stopped talking long enough to really look at my husband, I noticed him staring off into the distance with a vacant expression on his face. I asked him what was wrong and then I got this:

"Troy didn't make it."

{via}

There I was, being all dramatic and selfish and SO not "Living Aloha" and our friend had just left us. He fought for four long days and left only when he was sure his wife and three young boys were surrounded by friends and family...and that they would be ok. They will be--this I know for sure--because we have an amazing network of friends who have nothing but love for this family.

I am so saddened by this loss and just heartbroken for C and her boys. I don't know that I'd even be able to function if I were to lose Phil---but the idea of having three young boys to be strong for? I can't even fathom.

Death is an unforgiving teacher; there are lessons to be learned whether you are ready or not, and these lessons aren't limited to just those affected firsthand. We can all stand to learn something from this life-experience. And tonight, I am reminded of this. Nothing matters more than the people in our lives; nothing matters more in this lifetime than family.

I will hug my husband tighter and tell him I love him another twenty times before the night is over. I will tell my family and friends just how much they mean to me and I will be grateful for all that I have...every last bit (even the parts that make me want to come home and vent to my husband).

Life is short.
Know what matters.
Love with reckless abandon.

Mahalo...and an Update

2011-10-26T23:31:00.001-10:00

Friends, I can't thank you enough for your warmth and words of support for our friend, Troy. I am really touched by the emails I've received letting me know that you are keeping Troy and his family in your thoughts and prayers; I really believe that prayer is powerful and that he feels the outpouring of positive energy. I appreciate each of you and know that his family does, too. Our friend is now in a medically induced coma in hopes that it will relieve the pressure and swelling in his brain. I wanted to share the latest since many of you wrote to me asking about his condition in the last 24 hours. Thank you again, for your kindness.

* * *

It has been a heavy week thus far and it's not even Friday, yet. We've received other disheartening, health-related news from family and friends on the mainland and it's kind of putting me in a funk, but I'm doing my best to keep things in perspective and remind myself that in every life, a little rain must fall.

In other (happier) news, I've been spending a little more time in my art studio, working on a few creative projects in the last few weeks and am excited to introduce them into my shop during the first week of November. Phil has been super supportive and has even offered his techie assistance in some areas and I'm super stoked (how very NorCal of me, no?) to share these - as well as some other blog-related changes - with you...soon!

Regularly scheduled posts will resume tomorrow. Until then, mahalo for your continued thoughts and prayers for Troy. I feel the love and know that he does, too!

Troy

2011-10-24T22:43:00.000-10:00

My heart is heavy tonight. It feels inappropriate to sit down and write my intended post when I found out only hours ago that a friend of ours in CA was in a terrible motorcycle accident and has suffered massive brain damage. I am so sad for his wife, his children, his family. I can't shake these thoughts and I wish we could do more than offer our steadfast prayers for healing.

Thinking of you and praying for you, Troy. Hang in there, friend.

{via}

Autumn Sunshine

2011-10-23T23:42:00.002-10:00

Every year around this time, I'm torn between loving our island lifestyle and not wanting to trade it for anything, yet still missing Fall on the mainland and the feeling of anticipation this time of year brings. I'm an advocate for blooming where you are planted, so even though Maui is conservative in its Fall-ish-ness, I still relish in the bits and pieces of this "season" that I'm given. The colors of Fall aren't found on trees here, but in the palette God uses to paint the canvas-sky:

There are Fall traditions we left behind when we moved from the mainland, but in the time we've been here, we've learned to adapt, tweaking these traditions so they're island-friendly. I don't get to donn thick cableknit sweaters and wool coats, but I sport t-shirts and tank-tops and slippers in oranges and reds and yellows. I don't have the luxury of smelling burning fireplaces and the rich scent of fallen leaves, but I light candles with names like Fall Harvest and Autumn Sunshine and Spiced Pumpkin to bring the season to me.

The one constant we have that makes our Fall just like yours is the blessing of family and friends-who-feel-like-family; the other stuff is meaningless without these two, no? God is so generous in His gifts and we choose to celebrate what we are given...so The Hubs and I? We soak in these sunsets for all they're worth.

* * *

Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol. 9)

2011-10-21T21:38:00.001-10:00

Tonight's post is going to be a quickie, as there is only one item on my Happy List for the week; this item supercedes all others in terms of importance. Today, I am happy and grateful for this:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I do not wish this post to be an invitation for debate; I am not blind to the fact that this is only the first step of many and I certainly don't believe this to be the absolute end all be all. But I AM choosing to celebrate in this moment: it's been a long eight and a half years of violence and unncessary loss - it's time.

My heart is happy and I am especially moved by this announcement because my little brother served 18 months in Iraq. I extend my deepest gratitude to all soldiers who have served our country. Thank you for your service and all you have done!

Happy Weekend-ing, friends!

* * *

Come check out Lindsay's weekly link-up on the "Little Things" and share what made you happy this week!

Gettin' My Grub On

2011-10-19T23:17:00.000-10:00

While looking through the Instagram photos on my phone tonight, I couldn't help but laugh at the pattern that has emerged in the last few weeks. Apparently, my thoughts have been consumed with food. :)

[Note: Fourth row, last photo...not exactly "food", but it may as well be. Why do vitamins and supplements have to be so BIG?]

Are you on Instagram? Come join me if you are (angieonmaui)!

Happy Thursday, friends!

Angie 2.0

2011-10-18T23:59:00.008-10:00

Twenty-one days: the length of time research claims it takes to form a habit.

Three weeks ago, I had a health scare that profoundly changed my life. I wrote about the experience and how it pushed me to commit to making changes that would improve my life physically, mentally and spiritually. Admittedly, three weeks isn't all that impressive in the grand scheme of things, but it's been three weeks of a multitude of changes.

And I feel good. I feel like a brand new Me.

I had a lot of bloodwork done and the results weren't horrible, but they weren't good, either. Aside from discovering that I am anemic and have been flirting with Prehypertension, many of my symptoms could be addressed by making lifestyle changes.

The most radical change I've made is a change in my diet. As a self-proclaimed lover of all things sweet, fried and cheesy, this was going to be my biggest challenge. Breaking the grip of my other vices would also be tough to tackle: the requisite cups of coffee in the mornings, energy drinks before a workout, a glass or two of wine multiple nights a week as part of the "unwinding process" and the excessive intake of sugary sweets like ice cream and cupcakes and gummy candies. Fear can really mess with your head and because I interpreted my scare as a warning sign, I really wanted to make some changes. And I did it. I gave it all up. [Sidenote: Detoxing is HARD. I had a migraine for four days straight trying to get off caffeine and sugar; it's amazing how addicted our bodies are without us even knowing it!]

Aside from the funnel cake I had at the fair (I waited months for that!), I've been eating clean for three weeks, now. I gave up caffeine, alcohol, sugar, "white" foods (rice, pasta, flour, etc.), and reduced my sodium intake. I've switched our meats to chicken breasts, fish and ground turkey and did a clean sweep of our kitchen to get rid of any processed foods. I've restricted myself to drinking water and caffeine-free tea only and I'm eating multiple times throughout the day to keep the metabolism going. This is a big step for me, considering I've spent more than half of my life struggling with an eating disorder and horrible habits.

I've been exercising with a lot more passion lately, too. For a long time I found myself uninspired and lacking in motivation and I felt like I had plateaued in many areas but now I am just insanely happy to be able to run at all, so I've been taking long(er) runs and doing a lot more cross training to really balance things out.

I've also given up all the worthless garbage I've allowed to get into my head and occupy space; all those wretched reality shows and tabloid/supermodel magazines that wreak havoc on my mind and my spirit, telling me that I am not good enough, thin enough, pretty enough or important enough. I am all of these things, even if it is harder to believe on some days more than others (I'm still working on that). And I have to say, it's really refreshing.

This whole experience has also encouraged Phil to make lifestyle changes as well and he's been eating "clean" right along with me. I love that in his efforts to be supportive, he has also taken the necessary steps to become healthier, too. And the bonus in all this is our weight loss: Phil is down 6 pounds and I'm down 9. It feels really good.

I am not naive enough to believe I will never indulge ever again; that I will never consume sugar or enjoy another glass of wine. I know that I will (but I'm holding out until my birthday next month) and I'm okay with that. I'm not giving these things up forever...I'm just giving them up for now. "Moderation" and I are taking the time to get to know one another again and we're trying to make friends. I just needed to take a step back, re-evaluate my life and learn what it's like to form new habits that make me feel healthy in body and mind.

And I'm getting there. :)

* * *

The Great Pumpkin

2011-10-17T23:59:00.002-10:00

I felt like a little kid over the weekend. On Sunday, Phil and I went to the pumpkin patch to pick out our Fall pumpkins. Last year we went the abbreviated route and nabbed two pumpkins from the grocery store, but this year, it was the experience I was after. We braved the crowds and went for the real deal: an actual pumpkin farm and fruit stand in upcountry Kula.

It was our first time at this farm and although I conveniently snapped photos that suggest a quiet and private stroll through the pumpkin patch, know that it was anything but. It seemed the third weekend in October is THE weekend to pick your pumpkins, because everyone under the sun was at this farm.

In typical Maui fashion, the pumpkin patch didn't just offer pumpkins, but an array of other family-friendly activities and an all-day grill-out with island style plate lunches. We roamed the farm, making our way through the rows of sunflowers, through the little stand that sold fruit, honey and flowers and finally down the path leading to the pumpkins.

I should have known better than to want to pick our own pumpkins, because all I wanted to do was take the lumpy, lopsided, hideous pumpkins home with me (come to think of it, this underdog-mentality is exactly why we always wound up with Charlie Brown Christmas Trees in Christmases past). And I would have left with two unattractive castaways had I not been repulsed by the plethora of bugs and spiders that scurried out in a panicked frenzy from underneath nearly every pumpkin. ::shudder:: This fact alone really killed the experience for me...and suddenly I didn't want a big pumpkin all that badly any more.

And then I got all distracted by the number of scarecrows perched along the fences and handed my camera off to Phil to document my immaturity:

Arachnaphobia got the best of me this weekend, so I passed on picking the large, carve-able pumpkins. I was a little disappointed, yes, but we didn't exactly leave empty-handed; we did adopt The Great Pumpkin in a tiny package:

As for our pumpkin carving and seed-roasting plans? We'll head back to the grocery store next weekend to pick up a couple of clean, spider-free bad boys.

Pineapple Sunsets

2011-10-16T23:33:00.002-10:00

One of the things I love most about my husband is his appreciation for spontaneity. Because of Phil, I've learned to be a little less structured; to just let go and live a little. Although bits of my Type-A personality still make an appearance in our marriage (ie: obsessive list-making and control issues), for the most part, I've grown to love and embrace this particular quality about my husband...and we both enjoy the benefits it has to offer.

On Saturday evening shortly before 6:00pm, Phil popped his head into my art studio and invited me to watch the sunset with him. I agreed, thinking we'd watch from our balcony like we'd done numerous times in the past, but instead, Phil grabbed his keys and said "Let's Go!" So we did.

We drove to a stretch of road that borders a huge pineapple field, parked the truck and got out. I've seen this field hundreds of times before, but it's a different view entirely when you're in a moving car--and suddenly standing before it, there was so much more to see. We walked to the edge of that pineapple field and drank in the silence and the slow change of color that spread across the sky.

The beautiful thing about spontaneity is that you never know what's in store for you; life suddenly takes on a Choose Your Own Adventure feel, and I've gotta say, I like it...I like it a lot. It beats predictability, that's for sure.

Sunsets happen within a matter of seconds; if you are hasty, you risk missing the entire event. And because we're privy to some pretty spectacular sunsets out here, missing one because you can't bear to tear yourself away from "Life" would be a shame. No two sunsets are alike, so we watch as many as we can.

And when you are married to someone who has a Doctorate in Spontaneity, when they say "Let's Go"...you go. Even if it means you walk out of the house wearing a sweatshirt, lounge pants and these:

Shameless.

* * *

Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol. 8)

2011-10-13T21:58:00.001-10:00

I am so, so ready for the weekend! It's been a long and tiring week, but certainly not without its list of happies, so it's all good.

This week, I am happy and grateful for:

...my sweet Momma - she is so thoughtful. I had mentioned to her a while ago that I often have a hard time finding my favorite face wash out here; the only place that carries it is always out. So what does my Momma do? She sends me a box full of the stuff! Now I'm covered through 2012 (thank you, Momma...I love you!).

...a close-enough alternative to my Holy Grail (and now, discontinued) mascara:

I've been using Cover Girl's Marathon Mascara for yeeeaaarrrsss. I was devastated (you think I kid...) when I found out they'd discontinued it and now I am hoarding and rationing my last two tubes. I have contemplated this Buy It Now on eBay, but decided I'd be certifiably nuts to spend that kind of money on mascara (or would I?). Anyhoo, after testing out five alternative mascaras (seriously, what a waste of money), I finally found one that comes close to replacing my HG. Not quite, but close...and that is enough to make me happy.

...Tazo "Calm", Full-Leaf Tea. This made it on my Happy-List last week, but it warrants another appearance, because really, have you ever spied a prettier bag of tea? Look at those colors, the flower petals and the wannabe-organza sachet. I've said this before, but I am super easy to please...have you noticed?

...My I-know-I-live-in-Hawaii-but-I-am-still-going-to-wear-these-boots-on-principal-boots! When I came home with my purchase, the following exchange took place:

Husband: (Points to boots) "What are THOSE?"
Wife: "They're boots."
Husband: "For HERE?"
Wife: "Yes. It's Fall...and it's a girl thing."

I'm in love with them. They're calf boots and a little on the rugged side, but that is what makes them a little more practical for me. Plus, they look super cute paired with a skirt, leggings and skinny jeans (I tried all three). :) Now I just have to wait until the weather dips to oh, say...85-degrees before I can actually wear them. It's a good thing I am a patient person.

And finally, I am happy and grateful for every moment throughout each day when Phil will kiss me on my temple, or take my hand and lace his fingers through mine while we're out running errands, or when he says to me: "I missed you today" even though we work down the hall from one another. I am happy and grateful because he makes me feel loved. Fully.

* * *

Happy Weekend, friends. I hope you're feeling loved, too. xoxo

Video: Magic: Under the Sea

2011-10-12T23:36:00.001-10:00

It's kind of amusing to be reading countless posts all over the blogosphere about cooler temps, new boots and cozy sweaters, pumpkin spiced lattes and fall foliage the color of fire (kind of jealous)...and here we are in the land of endless summers, still roaming the island in 90-degree weather! I will be living vicariously through you folks, so please keep your Fall photos coming...I so enjoy them!

On Sunday morning, Phil and I drove to the West Side for what he refers to as our "Day Date". We've been trying to plan weekend adventures that would enable us to get outside and really enjoy this island we are lucky enough to call home. Sunday's adventure plans included snorkeling, so we packed up our beach bags and cooler and were on the road before 8:30am which was a blessing, because we had front-row parking and a (nearly) empty beach to claim as our own.

I will keep my commentary brief, as the video Phil so thoughtfully put together speaks for itself. [Sidenote: My husband is cool; he's really beginning to understand the importance of blog-documentation!] Simply put, there is MAGIC under the sea. I love that we are able to witness and be a part of this amazing aqua-playground. Swimming with the honu and rainbow colored fish is out of this world!

Untitled from angie on maui on Vimeo.

It is Fall and where we islanders lack the change of seasons and "Fall-esque" bonuses that make this such a memorable time of year, we make up for it in year-round sunshine, crystal blue waters and marine life in abundance. Life is good and we bloom where we are planted.

And not to be left out of the fun, I did buy a pair of fun, new boots and a light-weight sweater. I may sweat like a pig wearing them, but I'll still rock them and channel the essence of Fall, anyway!

Grace says: Say Goodnight, Momma

2011-10-11T23:50:00.002-10:00

After dinner tonight, I sat down with the intent to write today's post. As usual, I lost track of time while making blog rounds, answering emails and editing photos. And before too long, it was already 11:00pm. The post I had hoped to write and the video I wanted to include will have to wait, because the video is still uploading and as of right this minute, there are...68 minutes left in the upload and 381 minutes left in the processing. So yeah. I'm not going to be staying up for that.

I will admit that my poor time management - totally my own fault - made me cranky enough that even Phil noticed and said: "Don't go blogging all crankily, now." (Busted!) And then Grace jumps up on our bed, completely disregards the fact that I have my laptop positioned in front of me, walks all over the keyboard, head-butts me all over my face and inevitably pushing my glasses askew, and then settles herself in a little crescent-shaped moon right in the center of my chest.

And instantly, the bad mood dissolves. :) I love this little kitty of ours. It's almost as if she's saying: "C'mon, Momma. It's time to get off the computer." Point taken.

So I will.

Signing off...

Farm Fresh: Eating Local

2011-10-10T10:33:00.001-10:00

Gooooood Monday Morning! 'Enjoy your weekend? I hope so. I've noticed some new profile pictures around these parts and I wanted to acknowledge your sunshine-y faces by saying Hello and Welcome! Thank you for visiting my little space here on the web and for your interest in what I write; I love meeting new blog-friends, so please leave a link to your blog in the comment section so that I can visit your blog and learn a little bit about you!

* * *

Our weekend was wonderful. Unlike most weekends where the days blur together and you find yourself on Sunday night wondering where the last two days went, this past weekend happened in real time, but felt like slow motion. I love that. For a moment, Life defies The Sun, stretching the path to its descent out West, ultimately giving you those extra moments to savor the simple things that make your weekend spectacular.

We accomplished a lot this weekend; collectively, we did a little house cleaning, laundry, work(ing) from home, grocery shopping, time in the art studio, a visit to the gym, snorkeling in Napili, afternoon naps and dinner at Monkeypod Kitchen with our friends on Sunday night. Productive (which is gratifying in and of itself) and enjoyable all at once.

I do have to say that aside from my snorkel date with Phil, my second favorite part of the weekend was Saturday morning produce shopping at a local Farmer's Market (I know, right? I'm super easy to please).

I'm not exactly sure why this brings me so much joy, but if I had to guess, I'd say it's because this particular act has Good Karma written all over it. Not only am I saving money that would otherwise be drained in a large-scale grocery chain, but I'm buying fresh (and organic), eating local and supporting the little guys. And when all is said and done, this kicks the "delicious" factor up a notch on the goods that I bring home.

I passed through tents and tents of fresh local produce, purchasing staples for the week at costs nearly 70% less than what I've paid at a grocery store (I cringe as I type this) and snapping photos of beautiful sustenance that caught my eye:

I wonder if I am alone when I say this, but there is something so "grown up" about choosing to shop at a Farmer's Market. I felt all enviromentally-conscious with my reusable bag and declining the excess of plastic bags at the time of purchase, and surprisingly responsible, having catered my schedule to coincide with the small window of opportunity for this market: open four hours, one day a week only.

I felt all granola...and I liked it.

I stopped off at tent where a local was selling coconut juice from a fresh coconut (have you ever tried this? It is WAY better than coconut juice from a can...I promise). He hacked away at the shell, cut off the top, popped in a straw, and voila: instant refreshment.

I spent longer than necessary at the market, though this is par for the course when I'm busy documenting for the blog. I came home with Maui sweet onions, garlic, broccoli, cucumber, red bell pepper, green beans, cabbage and kale...all for $12. This feels borderline bizarre, when you take into consideration that Maui is a ridiculously expensive place to live. Still, it's nice to be cut a break every now and then.

Question of the Day: Does anyone have any good recipes using Kale? I use it primarily in our salads, but I'd like to do more with it if possible. Any good sautee or other creative recipes?

* * *

It's just after 10:30am and the day calls. I'm off to the gym and to run a few errands and then gettin' all crafty (lots of pretty, fun things coming to the shop soon!).

Happy Monday.

Date Night: Wailuku First Friday

2011-10-08T23:07:00.001-10:00

In a tiny town rich with history and cultural legacy, Wailuku hosts a gathering of sorts on the first Friday of every month. Known simply as Wailuku First Friday, it's an evening street fair where islanders gather "Pau Hana" (after work) to talk-story and enjoy life. :) Art, music, island-style food and live entertainment are the hi-lights of this monthly event, but the added bonus is the sense of community resulting from drawing locals together.

On Friday night, Phil and I left work and drove into Wailuku to partake in the evening's festivities. Crossing the barricade that begins the closure of Market Street is hypnotic in a way, for at once you are in the thick of it all: the crowds, the loud music, the scent of BBQ wafting in the air and entertainment in the form of roller-derby girls and hula-hoopers. It's pretty cool. :)

We walked to the end of the street towards the big Banyan tree and to one of many BBQ tents so that we could pick up our dinner-on-the-go; veggies and BBQ shrimp skewers for me and BBQ pork for The Hubs. I had an appetite that would not wait, so no photos of those. :)

Post-dinner found us in the Beer & Wine Garden since Phil had a hankering for beer:

With the garden closed off by a white-picket fence, garlands of full-sized light-bulbs strung between palm trees and friendly nods from all who enter, the ambiance was just so, that I couldn't help smiling to myself; I love this First Friday thing. It's the precursor to the weekend and you've got shiny, happy people all around.

I'm not quite sure why they didn't just break out the bigger cups, but whatevs...he's double-fisting and happy (this photo makes me smile - I have the cutest husband)!

And because we're responsible, I drove.

We spent the remainder of the evening ducking into stores and perusing the works of street artisans...

...humoring ourselves by checking out the abundance of sweets and meats battling one another from opposite curbs:

We ended our date fairly early (as date nights sometimes go) and were home before 10:00pm. And I had to laugh at the comfortable familiarity of our lives together; I had washed off my makeup, taken out my contacts and slipped into my "hot" attire of glasses, lounge pants and a tank-top, and we settled ourselves on the couch in our living room...talking.

And this is (and always will be) my favorite part of date nights.

* * *

'Hoping you're all enjoying your weekend!

Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol. 7)

2011-10-06T23:58:00.000-10:00

And good Friday, to YOU!

I'm really happy it's Friday. Like, really happy. It's the kind of happy that gives me butterflies because right after work, the weekend officially begins and I have the next three, whole days off of work (and that's when the real "living" begins!) Tuesday through Friday are pretty hectic for me and I often feel like I'm on auto-pilot, so three-day weekends are just what I need to recharge my batteries. Topping my list of happies this week is this: it's Friday!

Other things I am happy and grateful for this week:

...after years and years of resistance, I finally broke down and started seeing a Chiropractor a few weeks ago. Fear kept me away, but after a ton of convincing from The Hubs, I finally went. This week I had my 7th visit...and I am loving it. Seriously, I wish I'd done this a long time ago; I am amazed at how much better I feel after an adjustment - so relaxed. The nice thing is that my Doc is also a friend of ours, so I feel like he is really invested in me and actually cares.

...I found my running mojo again. I was in a bit of a rut recently, feeling really "off" and uninspired by my workout regimen, but a new playlist and a fresh layer of motivation had me hitting the gym HARD this week. And I feel really, really good.

...treating myself to tea at Starbucks:

and loving the tea so much, I had to buy some to take home (and the cute little canister is a definite bonus!):

...berries (my latest obsession). Such a heart-healthy and delicious snack:

...hanging out at the beach and being joined by little critters in the sand (this guy thought he was being all slick, waiting until the coast was clear before peering out of his hole...but alas, there I was, poised and focused):

It's been a pretty mellow and uneventful week, but good all around. I spent a bit more time "offline" than usual, and that in itself is a good thing. We've got fun plans on tap this weekend and I'm so looking forward to it!

Happy Aloha Friday, friends!

* * *

What made you happy this week? Link up with Lindsay and let us know!

29 Ways To Stay Creative

2011-10-04T22:20:00.000-10:00

I discovered this little gem tonight and the timing is uncanny; I've been spreading myself thin these last two months and have neglected my sad, little Etsy shop...and it shows. I really needed this.

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

P.S. I'm closing down my Etsy shop and re-opening it under new management. ;)

Turning Over A New Leaf

2011-10-03T23:53:00.000-10:00

I'm in a really good place right now and I am learning to look at myself with a pair of fresh, new eyes. My health scare last week was a huge eye-opener and was exactly what I needed; it pushed me to take immediate action and make some pretty major lifestyle changes that very same day. I am hopeful and optomistic...and I'm turning over a new leaf.

{via}

It is so easy to take our health for granted. I think it's a fair assumption that we all do it; it isn't until we are faced with illness or disease that we realize just how temporary our lives really are. Those that are lucky enough to receive that second-lease-on-life suddenly have fresh perspective and life takes on a whole new meaning. I am no exception.

On Wednesday afternoon of last week, while sitting in the waiting room in between testing, I made a promise to God...and so far, I've kept my word. Not long ago, I wrote about trying to see myself the way God sees me and this whole experience is just another reminder that so often, I fail to see the value God has placed in me.

I'm human, so I fall short in many areas. Topping this list of shortcomings is my failure to treat my body with the respect that it deserves. Being healthy does not just mean eating well, but also includes filling our minds and our hearts with The Good. There is so much in this world that will challenge and test us, but we also have free reign to make positive choices. Healthy choices, for both body and mind.

I'm not quite ready to write about the new choices and changes I've made just yet, but suffice it to say that I'm feeling happy, hopeful and really proud of myself.

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything
that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

2 Corinthians 7:1

* * *

Linking up for the first time over at Jami's "We Encourage".

Friday Night: Date Night

2011-10-02T22:50:00.000-10:00

Sometimes, date nights call for romance: dinner out, the requisite bottle of wine, a booth tucked away in the corner lit only by the faint glow of a single candle, hushed voices and shared offerings of food from your spouse's fork. Other times, date nights are simple and unorchestrated, where the primary goal isn't fine dining in excess, but channeling our inner-child and having some good old-fashioned fun.

The Maui Fair is in town again and our date began at 6:30pm sharp; we left work and drove straight to the fair, which really meant that we left work and followed the hoards of other cars who all had the same idea. The fair is the same every single year and there are no surprises, so its return leaves little to the imagination. For this reason, we weren't uber-excited about the fair itself, but more about what it meant for me. There is a little something-something I have been craving for months now, and I knew that where there's a fair, there's FUNNEL CAKE! :)

We bought our tickets, made our way through throngs of people and started at the far end, passed the vendor tents and straight to the building with the art and photography exhibits, orchid displays and produce exhibits. We wandered through the building, spending extra time in the produce area, marveling at the plethora of fruit-on-steroids. Seriously, how a canteloupe can grow to the size of The Great Pumpkin, or a tomato the size of a watermelon is beyond me, but it's both fascinating and amusing all the same.

Back outside, we made a beeline for the woman manning the "Sipper Station" (a wagon loaded with ice and filled with overpriced, sugar-laden fruit punch in silly plastic containers) so that Phil could get a drink. We settled on the funny-looking monkey and were totally disappointed to find out that despite the pull-top spout, you couldn't squeeze the darn thing; it was made of plastic so hard, once you grew tired of the spout and just unscrewed the top to reach that liquid refreshment, you'd nearly split your lip over its cheap production. But I digress...

The fair is a great place for people-watching; with the bright lights, loud music and nonstop energy, I imagine it is to kids what Vegas is to adults. It was entertaining to see people of all ages going nuts over the rides and the games and clearly under the spell of this much-anticipated weekend, because for our tiny island, The Fair is kind of a big deal.

We stopped in the game tent, where we watched--transfixed--as avid gamers shamelessly handed over fistfuls of dollar bills in their efforts to walk away with the elusive stuffed-animal prize. More often than not, they didn't; it made me kind of sad, because these dads were trying so hard to avoid the would-be disappointment of their kids who stood behind them with large, hopeful and expectant eyes. And let's be honest - we all know that nearly all of these games are rigged. Booooooo...

We cruised the grounds, entranced by the neon lights and sounds of carnival-style rides that back in the day, we could be found standing in those very lines, holding our handful of coupons to ride.

It wasn't long ago that we spent more time thinking about having fun and less time about our actual safety riding these things; and I suppose it's a clear indication that we've officially crossed over into adulthood when we start rationalizing that any fair/carnival ride that is rolled in on a flat-bed truck and put together--piece by piece--only days before opening night, really DOES warrant its own "Ride at Your Own Risk" disclaimer. I'll pass, thanks...'cause I'm just here for the food.

We didn't last long that night; my feet were hurting, I was tired and everything around me was a bit too much. Sensory-overload times ten. When I casually mentioned to Phil that I might be ready to go, he enthusiastically responded: "You too?" We are always on the same page, he and I. :)

We made one last stop, which was the definite hi-light of our date night. We waited and stood in a ridiculous line without complaining, because I was hell-bent on getting that funnel cake.

After the woman thrust the plate into my hands and shouted "NEXT!" in my face, we walked quickly to find a clearing so that we could eat. Any funnel-cake connoisseur knows that said cake loses its magic within minutes, so it must be enjoyed immediately. And it was, alright.

I try not to take myself too seriously, hence why I have decided to share with you evidence that funnel cake launches me into a primal state. Just keeping it real, folks. ;)

We dusted the cake and called it quits, leaving the fair and getting home with plenty of time to continue Part 2 of our date night; cuddling on the couch in a living room lit by candlelight and drinking a mug of hot tea. Perfection.

* * *

I made some major changes after my crazy health-scare from last week; I made an exception with the funnel-cake, because really...I've waited months for that, but I'm in the midst of some major detox/cleansing on the health front and can't wait to share more of it here on the blog. For now, I'm heading to bed. 'Night, all.

Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol. 6)

2011-09-29T22:24:00.000-10:00

Happy Aloha Friday, friends!

First off, thank you all so much for your kind words in response to my little health scare; honestly, I felt so loved reading your comments and I hope you know that I appreciate each and every one of you. I've been taking it easy and am feeling better today, so thank you for all your good thoughts and prayers. Please consider yourselves hugged by me...and know that YOU top my list of happies this week!

Other blog-worthy things that I am grateful for:

...the piece of driftwood I brought home from the beach; it's pretty and it makes me happy. Despite Phil's initial reluctance, even he agrees that it looks pretty cool up on our shelf:

...this pretty little girl who gives so much and asks for so little in return:

...Tea bag quotes and fortunes. It's almost as enjoyable as the tea itself:

...fresh flowers throughout our home. They're like little bursts of sunshine in each vase.

...my new watch (Rip Curl's Ocean Shell)!

I hope that each of you had a week filled with little things that made you happy! I'm linking up with fellow island-blogger, Lindsay...you should, too!