The Lunar Cycles Top {Anthropologie}

I absolutely love the Lunar Cycles Top from Anthropologie. It's a little boho/70's, a little lacy/feminine, and in a nice solid that can be accessorized a million ways. Flowy and light to keep you cool, but not shapeless. I was really happy to find it in-store after seeing that it sold out online pretty quickly. There may still be some in stores, but during my hunt I discovered that it is by The Addison Story and is available in "ivory" (I'd call mine white) at Saks Fifth Avenue online (currently in XS, S and M). The Saks description says theirs is an exclusive and comes with a camisole underpinning - the one I have from Anthro did not.

I wore this when we visited Pearl Harbor last week.

Anthropologie Lunar Cycles Top in size small (Old Navy white tank under), Paige denim, Jack Rogers, Louis Vuitton Eva, Kendra Scott Danielle earrings

The Kendra Scott Danielle Earring in Turquoise

xoxo

Hawaii OOTDs

Here are some outfit pics from our recent trip to Oahu. We are now back to the gray and cool Pacific Northwest - but we've had some nice sunbreaks and I've been able to wear my new pink sunglasses (post soon) I discovered in Honolulu and I just got a manicure in a *bright* color from the OPI Texas collection so I am in a sunshine-y mood.

Back to last week:

Loft Lounge-y cover up dress (last year), TB flip flops, Gucci Oversized Fade Sunglasses

Old Navy dress (last year), Loft cardigan, Jack Rogers Navajo sandal in gold, Target earrings

close-up of Target earrings

Okay, this barely qualifies as an outfit but I wanted to show these great roll-over jersey skirts that Old Navy has right now. They can also be pulled up and worn as a (rather short) strapless dress - great for covering up for the pool. I wore one in Black Jack over my swimsuit (Liberty of London for Target) in the morning and then wore it with a tee later in the afternoon:

J Crew Max and Molly tee, ON skirt

I have one more Hawaii OOTD and some scenic/hotel/restaurant pics, as well as some recent Target, Old Navy and Nordstrom buys I will try to post soon. Hope everyone is starting out a great week!

xoxo

Packing for Hawaii

When I'm packing for a trip I start thinking about wardrobes way ahead of time and then usually have little piles of outfits on our bedroom floor for days... it helps me edit and make sure my three children and I have just the right thing for different activities without going overboard. I think it's also part of the lovely dreaming and planning stage of travel that I enjoy so much. (My husband does his own packing but I do usually have a little input.)

I am already thinking about our next vacation, even though it is months away, because our travel is going to be much more varied and extensive. Oahu was pretty easy: just pool, beach, eating and a little sightseeing.

I pack my jewelry inside a smaller purse and tuck it in my carry-on. I am loving the Louis Vuitton Eva for taking on trips... you can use it with the shorter chain in the evening and with the longer cross-body strap for travel/shopping during the day. It'll just hold my cards, keys, cash, camera, phone and a lipstick.

Travel outfits were hanging and ready to throw on for an early morning flight. Coordinating colors help me keep track of everyone at the airport. I joked about putting my husband in a polo the same color as our son's... next time I probably should.

My children each take a backpack as a carry-on and I always put in a ziplock baggie with an extra outfit and swimsuit... in the case of lost luggage, we can still head right to the pool! (I do this for myself too.)

I'll post some OOTDs and sightseeing pics soon :)

xoxo

OOTE 4.5.11 {Dinner at Duke's}

Duke's is one of our favorite places to go on Oahu. This was Tuesday night:

Loft maxi dress in black (last year), Loft cardi, Tory Burch flip flops

Sauteed Mac Nut and Herb Crusted Mahi Mahi (preceded by that great salad bar and a Lava Flow cocktail)

And after, a little stroll through the International Market across the street and a beach walk back to our hotel:

shopping for shell necklaces (7 for $5!)

More Hawaii pics coming soon :)

xoxo

The Hawaiian Villages, Waikiki

I hadn't even thought to get a sunset pic but Beth reminded me just in time and I took several snaps our last night! -- thanks, Beth!

Traveling with three little ones is not the easiest! Anyone who has three or more children and has tried to book a hotel online has probably run into the same thing we do all the time: over max capacity for room/suite. We don't want to split up and be in two rooms... vacations are such great family together time... but often even in suites, hotels won't let you book for over 4 people.

Grand Waikikian to the rescue! We were able to easily book this place online as part of a package with our airline tickets. It is either a newly renovated or newly built tower (not sure which) and beautiful! They do time-share sales there but going to a presentation is optional and they don't push it -- in fact they barely even mentioned it which was very nice! This place would also be great if you are traveling with grandparents along or with another couple. I believe max capacity for our place was six.

There are many acres and towers and pools and shops (Hawaiian jewelry, island-style clothing, a nice sized Louis Vuitton, etc), restaurants, ice cream, Starbucks, etc that comprise the Hawaiian Villages. All that info is best gotten directly from them, but I wanted to share some IRL snaps I took while there. These are of the grounds as well as some interior shots of where we stayed:

love the crocodile made of towels!

Didn't find this till the 2nd night, and so happy we did! They even supplied laundry soap!

Yay Friday!

xoxo

OOTD 2.1.10: Featuring My New LV!

So here's what was in that big brown bag:

The Totally MM in Damier Azur

The size and shape is similar to a Neverfull MM -- I use my Neverfull sooo often so I know I will enjoy using this a lot -- I like the lighter colors of Damier Azur for Spring and Summer (and I think it looks great with pink shoes!). This style differs from the Neverfull in that it has a zip top and outer pockets and doesn't have quite as much interior capacity.

I've been asked about price differences in Hawaii vs. the rest of the US and have been told they are around 3% and 10% less in Hawaii by different sales associates. I think it depends on if you are factoring in sales tax. Here tax is 4.7%. The savings before tax on retail prices is closer to 3% or so.

I found out this specific current pricing info during my two shop visits:

Neverfull MM - $675 Hawaii, $700 mainland

Keys Pouch Complice (Damier Azur) $250 Hawaii, $255 mainland

Speedy 30 - $675 Hawaii, $700 mainland

Totally MM - $950 Hawaii, $970 mainland

I love this feature -- two outer pockets sized big enough to hold magazines... or airline tickets... even my camera - I like to have it handy!

the inside is very simple - two small pockets on one side and one larger one on the other with a ring at one end you can use to attach keys or smaller LV pouch

And here is my first outfit with it:

J Crew Pop-Art Pleated Tissue Cami, ATL cardi in white, Vigoss jeans, Tory Burch Miller sandals, Louis Vuitton Totally MM in Damier Azur

xoxo

Sunday: Dinner at Duke's and a Visit to Louis Vuitton

We spent most of yesterday at the hotel pool - at The Hawaiian Village they have a round man-made beachy one with an island in the middle where you can rent paddle boats and canoes as well as the big pool with hot tubs and slides. The kids could stay in the water all day.

For lunch we went over to Tropics again where I had a watermelon mojito and cheeseburger & fries -- the slaw was really good -- spicy with cilantro and edamame. After that -- back to the pool. We finally got our three out of the water in the early evening and Hubby went for a run up to Diamond Head while the little ones and I rested a bit and cleaned up and dressed for dinner.

For that, we took a quick taxi ride over to Duke's, conveniently passing kate spade, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and many more interesting sights. Also, conveniently, we had a little wait at Duke's so I had some shopping time and I spent it at LV!

After dinner, we let the kids pick out some fun souvenirs at Little People, right outside the restaurant. They also have a website www.alohakids.com.

And here are some snaps from our Sunday dining:

Watermelon Mojito at Tropics Bar & Grill

Burger with Cheddar & Fries at Tropics Bar & Grill -- the slaw was spicy and great!

Seafood Luau at Duke's - this was very good - a mixture of shrimp, scallops, mushrooms and other vegetables in a nice coconut sauce. It reminded me of Thai food although it was very mild. I would have loooved it if it were hot and spicy!

Happy Monday!

xoxo

OOTD 1.30.10: Cultural Center Outing

our Sunday morning view

Good Morning!

Yesterday we took a guided tour of the Polynesian Cultural Center on the North part of the island. A tour bus picked us up in the morning -- and after a full day of a guided tour, lunch, luau dinner and show, brought us back by about 10:30 pm. I don't know that I've ever done a guided tour before but this made it so easy and enjoyable with our three small children. They had a blast. They were engaged in the demonstrations and activities and all three were mesmerized by the amazing show in the evening.

I 've been taking loads of pics and will get more snapshots and reviews up probably in the week or so after we return. If anyone is heading out to Oahu soon, please feel free to email me questions - I just don't have time to put together any well thought out posts right now -- plus, working on my laptop takes me a little longer than my usual set up at home and pics are uploading rather slowly.

So anyway, here is what I wore:

J Crew Lisa dress in Navy, J Crew cotton cardi in Ivory, Tory Burch Miller sandals in Hibiscus Pink, gold hoops, Target yellow enamel flower ring

OPI's Flashbulb Fuschia is a near perfect match to Tory Burch's Hibiscus Pink patent

xoxo

Aloha!

We're here and the fun has begun! This is my second time to Oahu - last time was our honeymoon, many years and three kids ago. We've brought the girls along to Kauai and then all three to Maui after our little guy was born, but this is their first trip here - and I must say this is where I would bring them next time.

We have a beautiful two bedroom suite at the Grand Waikikian by Hilton (at the Hawaiian Village) and it is absolutely wonderful... the accomodations, the pool, the location. Everything. The little ones are having a blast.

Reviews and pics to come, and hopefully some OOTDs and shopping squeezed in too.

Happy Friday!

xoxo

On The Road Again!

map from www.bestplaceshawaii.com

We are off again today!

Seattle to Honolulu - Jan 2010 by sweetteainseattle featuring J Crew

Items in this set:
J.Crew - Ruffles and roses tissue tank
Women's Cotton Sweaters & Cardigans - J.Crew
Women's pants - cotton - Café capri - J.Crew
Tory Burch 'Reva' Metallic Leather Espadrille Flat
Vuitton is Neverfull! - Louis Vuitton Purses

I will have my camera, mac and BlackBerry along of course, so some tropical posts (or at the very least tweets) coming up soon!

xoxo