Treat yo'self

When you get a chance, take yo' fine self down to the pink paradise that is the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, specifically the beach-side Maitai Bar, and ORDER THE PINEAPPLE DRINK (pictured above). Seriously. It is worth the $30 price tag. 

NOTE: It is NOT on the menu, for some reason, you have to ask for it specifically. For $30, you get a whole pineapple, cored and filled with a fruity alcoholic beverage of your choice. I chose piña colada, and it was refreshing and delicious. But it's not just a drink-- it's an experience! Like a mini staycation in the form of a drink, for real. Gazing out past the pink beach umbrellas and lusting after the oceans' many shades of blue, I soaked up the warm Hawaiian sun and felt those sweet tradewinds lightly graze my skin. In that moment, I was happy, admiring our island paradise. Happy with this ridiculous pineapple, complete with three umbrellas and cherries as garnish.

Treat yo'self--whether it be with one of these pineapples or something else that your heart may desire, and then remember how lucky you are to be in paradise.

Thinking about online dating?

I've been meaning to post this for about 3 months. This was a time in my life when I actually delved into the scary, pervy, complicated world of online dating for a very brief period of time. A friend told me to get on Plenty of Fish, so I did, desperate to forget the ex.


I have no words to describe the experience-- this photo of a message I received on the app PERFECTLY SUMS IT UP.

Eww.

I can't. I just can't. 

"Ready set.hell to tha no."

My best dish...

So, some people don't like brussel sprouts. If they don't, I'm pretty sure it's because they haven't tasted my recipe. It's the bomb dot biz IMHO. I want to convince the non-believers that brussel sprouts can be delicious if you prepare them well. Ironically, I learned it from my little brother, Justin. I'm pretty sure this is his "impress girlfriend" dish! Also, just to put it out there-- I don't usually cook. I'm busy and I usually find it cheaper and more convenient to get takeout! This is my exception to the rule. Easy peasy. Also, I don't like to measure things...as you will see by my lack of formal measurements below...

Ingredients:

-Bag of brussel sprouts 

-Two to three tablespoons olive oil 

-Two cloves garlic, diced 

-Squeeze of lemon, to taste 

-Parmesan, as much as you like! 

-Sea salt and pepper, to taste 

I actually eat this as a meal on its' own, it's so hearty and delicious. 

Let's do this:

• Cut off the stems of the sprouts and dice the Brussel sprouts into halves. 
• Place skillet on stove at medium low heat, heat up olive oil. 
• Place sprouts in skillet with lid on top, with air to "breathe" for about ten minutes, flat side of sprout face down on pan. 
• Let cook / steam slowly for between 6-10 minutes or until tender. 
• Add garlic and mix throughout. 
• Squeeze lemon, add sea salt, pepper, and Parmesan, to taste. 
• Turn up heat to medium-high, in order to gain the charred flat side of the sprouts. 
• Cook until fork easily pierces through and sprouts have your preference of char! 

Nom nom nom. You're welcome. A healthy and filling meal. Pair it with Chardonnay and we can be twinsies! 

Err on the Side of Fun

In my professional life, I usually err on the side of 'conservative' when it comes to business attire and accessories, meeting etiquette and so forth. I have my go-to starchy button-up shirts and staple, black pencil skirts. I have my black leather portfolio to take notes at meetings. My laptop bag? It's rather forgettable, to be honest. But, I think I am on to something...I have a new business / networking secret! Do you want to sit down at a business meeting and immediately start a conversation? Form a bond? Have a quick laugh? Relax the tone of a meeting? You can take it further-- do you want to go on a date and immediately have something to break the ice and talk about?

ROCK A RAD PHONE CASE. 

No joke. What's your phone case look like? I always opted for something basic. Clear. Black. I then upped my game to the striped Tory Burch or Kate Spade designs- basic and refined. Don't get me wrong, I still appreciate the traditional phone cases-- but I have discovered that showcasing your unique style through small accessories like phone cases or iPad covers affords one many benefits:

• It's a great conversation starter.
• It shows that you are human. 
• It tells people you have your own style. 
• People just might be more apt to relate to you. 
• It can be funny and start meetings with a nice laugh. 
• It can indicate creativity and fun.
• It allows you to tell a story.
• It's an amazing icebreaker, and usually you yourself are not the one initiating the conversation.
• It is memorable. 

Check out my last three phone cases:

Currently, my phone is housed in my french fry Moschino iPhone 6 case, and it has been the best conversation piece I have ever had, period. Who doesn't like french fries? I get people of all ages asking me about it. At the most serious of business meetings, I sit down, formal as usual, and set my phone on the conference table for all to see. The result? High-level executives busting out laughing and asking me about this crazy case. I've had people grab the phone and pretend they are eating it. It's hilarious!

It's such a simple thing, but I can't even begin to tell you the conversations that come from this $30.00 phone case. Now, every Christmas, I ask my family (who live in Okinawa, Japan), to get me the most crazy, unique, kawaii phone case that they can possibly find. See picture above on the left: crazy cloud pink bow thing, Christmas 2013. Far right: panda chewing dangly bamboo case - Christmas 2014.

My crazy phone cases have become a trademark, an attribute of my personal brand, a fun hobby, and the most sensational conversation piece I have in my arsenal.

Overall point of this post? Be yourself. Be unique. Err on the side of FUN. Don't feel that you always have to opt for the conservative option. Get a phone case, or purse, or attache that suits you and makes you smile. Work should be fun. Life should be fun. And people tend to like and gravitate to fun.

Now imma go eat some french fries....mahalo for reading.

Modeling 101: Advice on Auditions

I am not an expert on this stuff, but I have had some successes in the last couple of years when it comes to nailing auditions and landing jobs. Highlights from my modeling career include doing gigs for Disney Aulani, Macy's, Manuhealii, American Eagle, Phillip Morris International, Hawaii Fashion Month, and the Hawaii Visitor's Bureau, to name a few. Over drinks with my lovely mentor and friend, Kelly Mitchell, a couple weeks back, Kelly told me that people probably want to know what it's like to work as a commercial model, land paid jobs, go through auditions, etc. I never really thought about it-- but it dawned on me that I would have LOVED any kind of advice when I first started doing commercial modeling in 2012. Auditions and casting calls can be scary! Thus, this blog post is happening.

Hawaii Fashion Month Runway Show 2013

The modeling side of my life (a hobby for me and source of extra cash)...it may look glamorous and all glittery and fun and puppies and flying unicorns-- but it really isn't. It's pretty tiring, competitive, takes major persistence and hard work.

I'm going with a list format for this post. People like lists, right? Lulu's audition tips:

1) First, get an agent. You have a LOT more clout with representation and comp cards (AKA composite cards). I love my agency Niche Models and Talent, but there are a handful of other agents in Honolulu that are awesome.

2) Be physically fit and ready at all times. Straight up truth right here-- you have to focus on your physical health and appearance ALL. THE. TIME. You need to make sure your skin is taken care of, your nails are manicured, hair properly groomed, you're getting enough sleep, etc. Many auditions happen last minute. The last casting call I went to, I had less than 12 hours notice. I have even gotten calls from my agent 30 minutes before an audition-- so I am always maintaining. This is something that is both good and tiring. Good, because it makes you very aware of health and your body, what you eat, how you present yourself, etc. The bad part? I get really tired. Sometimes I don't want to eat a salad. Or shave my legs. Or look cute. I want to eat pizza and watch Netflix for 3 days straight. Just sayin.

3) Be OK with rejection. You aren't going to get most of the jobs that you go to casting calls for. It can be frustrating, but don't beat yourself up. You have to just keep trying. There are a ton of beautiful, wonderful, talented people in this world and you are one of them-- but not every campaign is for you. In Hawaii, I usually don't get much local TV work, for example, because they want someone who is "hapa" or more "local" looking. The gigs I land are casting calls for Caucasian women. That's my niche. And there are many different niches. Campaigns call for a range of ages and ethnicities. You don't have to be super model status to get jobs in modeling. I just hung out with a successful model who was a local, 50+, average business man. He lands jobs because there are not a lot of models in that demographic. Be yourself. Be optimistic. Rejection will happen, and that's ok.

4) Dress the part. If you have information about what the shoot is going to be like, show up to the audition dressed for that role. Outdoorsy? Selling Yoga wear? Don the yoga pants and Nikes.

5) Don't be stuck up. Be nice. SMILE. I find that it is the most insecure, unsuccessful models that walk into casting calls all cocky and rude. They don't say hi to the other girls, they look pissed off, they seem like they don't want to be there. Don't be one of those chicks. People will brand you as a prima donna or a diva. People like nice people. Nice people get referred for jobs. Personality comes through in auditions, on camera, and on film. Don't be stuck up. Be nice.

6) Don't ever arrive late, always be early. This one may seem obvious, but seriously, don't be late. Some casting calls are open, some calls give you a specific time to be there. Either way, arrive early. Get comfortable with the environment-- it soothes the nerves to get there early, get a nice parking spot, touch up the chapstick, take some deep breaths, walk in polished and first in line (some calls, the lines can be ridiculously long and you will wait for hours!).

7) Introduce yourself to everyone. Talk to people! Don't do it obnoxiously, but when you are sitting next to a couple nervous models in a reception area, it helps everyone to introduce yourself, ask about people's agents, where they are from, etc. Break the ice. You never know who you will meet, and there's a lot of really friendly people in the "industry." Referrals happen a lot in the local Hawaii market. Models help other models out sometimes. It's camaraderie, and it's fun. Make the most of the casting calls and get to know who else is out there. It's fun to make friends and compare notes! It's a great way to get advice, too. Not only that, but for some casting calls you will be paired with someone and asked to do some kind of "scene." The last one I did, I had a "husband" and we were "on vacation in Hawaii, watching dolphins, with delight." The one thing that made it easier was the "husband" I had to act with had become my friend in the reception area. I knew where he was from, what he did for his day job, we cracked jokes, and he had the same name as my brother, Justin. So Justin and I kicked that auditions' butt.

8) Be adventurous. Example: I am scared of heights. Legit scared. Recent audition? Zip lining. commercial. Go big or go home. Get out of your comfort zone and push your limits!

9) Keep your look consistent. You need to look like the person on your comp card. Don't do dramatic hair coloring, tattoos, piercings, etc. if you do-- you need to redo comp cards and make sure your agent knows that your look has changed.

10) Love your agent. Keep in good communication with your agent, ask for advice, and send them thank you cards when you get paid work. Good relationships with your agent will ensure that you stay on their "radar" and that they think of you when potential work opportunities arise.

11) Finally, it's OK to be nervous. Know that most people in the room with you are nervous too. The more casting calls and auditions you go to, the easier it will be for you to relax. :)

Aloha Sailor Runway Show at Trump, 2013

Your hair will thank you.

I was fortunate enough to receive an awesome Klout perk a couple months ago, a brush. Boring, right? Anything but! Let me tell you, I now keep one of these brushes in three locations: bathroom, purse, car. The brush goes by many names, one of them being the "Tangle Teezer." 

Background: I dye my hair religiously. I flat iron and blow dry more often than I should. I jump in oceans and get salty and dry my hair in the warm Hawaiian sunshine. All this combined means my hair kinda well- sucks a bit. Hair is not happy. Definitely not healthy. I have issues with breakage and tangles. I deep condition all the time to combat the damage I inflict on my golden strands. That being said...

This brush has made a HUGE difference in my hair health and I will never change hair brushes again! My hair easily brushes and detangles, hair breakage is minimal, and overall my hair health is 100% better than it was before I started using this brush. I highly recommend! 

Google it, the brush goes for between $8 and $25 - I got mine off Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=the+tangle+teezer&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=31796005742&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16021810339390471037&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_7i80kdbnnm_b 

No joke, and I'm not being paid for this post, I'm obsessed with this brush. In the past month, I have recruited two people into this new brush club. Now we are all die hard fans. That is all. 

A day in the life of Lulu, a synopsis of my aloha Friday.

5:15 a.m. Friday. Aloha. I wake up, happy, but not a morning person. 

Walk my shitzu, Roxy (proud dog mom). 

Scoop poop into floral-smelling pink poop bags. 

Half-awake, appreciate the stillness of Honolulu pre-dawn. Paradise. 

5:45 a.m. Shower, using lush cosmetics "grass" shower gel (euphoric-highly recommend). 

I have a networking event at 6:45, so hair washing is out of the question today (females understand). 

5:55 a.m. Check news headlines on my iPhone. I want to know what's going on in the world. 

6:10 a.m. Makeup - on. The older I get, the less Makeup I wear, for some reason. 

6:20 a.m. Pencil skirt and silk blouse? Check.

6:25 a.m. Purse check-- Fail. Only two business cards. What kind of marketer am I? 

6:28 a.m. Haul butt to office. Grab business cards. Open outlook. No time to reply to anyone. 

6:35 a.m. Cruise downtown (slamming Mountain Dew, aka breakfast) head to a PBN "Women Who Mean Business" networking event. 

Already traffic? K. Takes forever, but I'm in paradise. That's Honolulu. Entertained by KCCN banter. 

7:00 a.m. Arrive at Plaza Club. Grab name tag. Take picture of epic view of Chinatown. 

Twitter, foursquare, Facebook....and I forget yelp. Darn (social media nerd slash first world problems). 

Next two hours? 

Meet amazing people, see old friends, meet people IRL. Get inspired by a panel of leading business women. All the while, avoiding ad reps. 

(Shino we need a better picture) ;) 

Did I mention I was energized and inspired? Utterly and completely inspired. 

Notes and takeaways: 

"Be fierce." 

"Don't be afraid to negotiate. Ask for what you're worth."

"Work hard in silence and let success be your noise." (Frank Ocean?)

If you can't handle all you have to do as a woman and leader in business- hire a house cleaner. 

Shave off things that make your life stressful (someday, yes). 

9:30 a.m. back to the office. 

RUN IN HEELS! 

Write press release.

Update web.

Proof eblast. 

Touch base with my amazing team.

11:00 a.m. Lunch at Panya. Laksa. White blouse ruined from spicy, delicious red broth. 

12 noon. Swing by home, pick up Roxy (Fridays I get to bring her to work, best workplace ever). 

12:05 p.m. Back to office, always juggling. Running in heels (that should be my blog name, actually). Fielding phone calls. Avoiding radio ad reps cold calls (I just don't have that medium in my marketing mix this year). 

1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. Love my job...enjoy my new office. Turn on Spotify work playlist.

Work: assist, respond, plan, brainstorm, discuss, support, lead, delegate, write checks, and most importantly, listen. 

4:10 p.m. Drop Roxy at home. Put on comfy clothes and proceed to haul butt out the door, again (Roxy is sulking and pissed). 

4:25 p.m. Makiki Nails. Cheap manicure. White polish, cause I saw it on the Peppermayo insta). Feeling fresh. 

5:00 p.m. Home in no time. 

5:30 p.m. Breathe. Shower. Roxy, treats. Makeup, lil bit. Tank top, kimono, shorts, cute sandals, check. No time for hair so, ballerina bun. Bohemian effortless / cute? I'll go with that. Tired, but it's aloha Friday. :) 

6:30 p.m. Head to Hawaii Kai for a triple date (is that a term people use? Like not 2 couples, but 3). 

7-ish....Dinner with the cool kids at Mailes Thai Bistro. Three vodka sodas (Titos is my new fave vodka). 

Eat. Drink. Be merry. Enjoy new friends. Laugh. 

10- ish....head to a friends shop, new location, drink, help paint, be merry. Social media. Instagram my nails cause they look cool....

Midnight...home, chill, laugh, sketch, try to go to bed. Tough for a night owl socialite on a Friday night...

Missed first Friday and have no vodka. What the?! 

Try to sleep? Fail. Insomnia. 

Solution? This blog post. A day in the life, a synopsis. Boring? Perhaps. A great day, indeed.