Just one.

So blog posts don't have to be super deep and insightful, right? Cause this one is not. At all. Just don't want you to get your hopes up. But as a self-proclaimed fashionista, (it's a hobby and passion), all I gotta say is that after over a year of not having fake nails, having been irritated about the maintenance and cost of them, I am totally falling back in love with them. Sure, you have to relearn how you type, button your pants, put on necklaces, etc., get "fills every 2-3 weeks"- the feminine feeling and cost of them is worth the time and investment. I feel like I have cat claws! Great for back scratching but also just to feel good about taking care of yourself. Nice, long nails make me feel glamorous. A little treat after a hectic work day. On top of that, they're a topic of conversation, and they look good when shaking hands, nicely groomed, little bit of swagger as they say. I love getting a traditionally-based design and tweaking it a bit. Fits in with my business meetings on the conservative side, yet displays a hint of personality. Creativity. Extroverted-ness. Characteristics that I find important in any marketing professional. Always be yourself, but align yourself with basic business etiquette.

I go to a place called Makiki Nails, not a fancy joint by any means, but I really like the customer service. Plus, I'm not spending a ton, which frees up funds for paying down my student loans from grad school! I know y'all hear me on that. Fml. 

You want crazy designs? Realistically- Not the place to come. Simple stuff. If I want hello kitty and sculptered bows and whatnot- l will go to kaimuki. However, Makiki Nails offers good color selection, convenient location. Inexpensive service with a smile, I'll take it!! 

The main point I would like to make (journalistically I should've started with this main point) - is that, no matter where you go for a mani- the 'one nail' trend is on point these days. Why be traditional? A Classic French mani with random fingers painted in vibrant colors (and designs if you wanna mix it up!) is where it's at. Any nail shop can do it, and it's  still business appropriate, with a little edge. My only advice is please don't get flowers...So 1991. Soooo over it with all the awesome nail art that is going on! You can do better!! Xo 

Get a reverse French or some hello kitty steeze. Stripes and acrylic bows. Get crazy Japanese style kawaii on those bad boys (see below). But---Flowers??? Please, no. Cause, 2014. Unless you're a tourist here - then get crazy and get a plumeria on that big toe! Go on with your vacationing self. Otherwise, back away from the standard floral cheesy mess. (Not judging, I've been there too!!)!

Final thoughts, Anjelah Johnson. Nail salon. Epic. Fave standup comedy routine. This will make you ROFL and LOL like no other....well, maybe only if you know nail salons, but still. And laugh your butt off. ;) 

Get Cultured at the Honolulu Museum!

Ever since moving to Hawaii 7 years ago, I have been a huge fan of the Honolulu Museum of Art, both the Spalding House contemporary museum up Tantalus and the main museum on Beretania. My introduction to the museum happened when an HPU classmate told me that I must go to ARTafterDARK because it's the place to be, something not to miss. On a college-kid budget at the time, cash flow issues made me hesitate, but I sprung for the ten dollar entry fee and went. I can't say enough about how amazing these monthly events are, definitely my favorite "nightlife" activity in Honolulu (kinda nightlife, more so pre-going out party, as it is only from 6-9 pm). Every event has a different theme, paired with awesome DJ's, live music, dancers, activities, food, etc. Every event is unique and fresh! I've seen fashion shows, live art, body painting and amazing video art projected on the museum courtyard walls. Side note-- the October / Halloween costume event is super amazing.

Anywho.....

A couple years ago, after countless hours devoting time to networking, volunteering, for various professional groups and nonprofits, etc., I decided I wanted to spend my time supporting things that I love....in this case, art. A love of my life. I bugged the museum and volunteered at events for two years with the goal of getting on the ARTafterDARK Advisory Board, a group of up-and-coming young professionals. I am so thankful to say that they gave me the privilege of joining a dynamic, talented, amazing group of people. Hawaii's best! I will co-chair my second ARTafterDARK, POSH, this Friday, 8/29, and I am beyond stoked! It's gonna be dope, and you should really come check it out.

This blog post has two goals:
1) To get you to come to the event this Friday and....
2) to let you know it pays to be a member!! Become a member of the museum for only $25 a year (which gets you free entry to all ARTafterDARK events, free entry to the museum all year, and discounts at the Doris Duke theater. Totally worth the money when you consider that entry to one ARTafterDARK is $10!

This month the event is POSH...and the sponsor is Tori Richard. Plus, they have a new Art Deco exhibit that is killer. Cause it's classy like that. Please join me, grab a drink, and support arts in Hawaii.

POSH definition: Elegant or stylishly luxurious. "a posh Munich hotel"
Synonyms: smart, stylish, fancy, high-class, fashionable, chic, luxurious, luxury, deluxe, exclusive,opulent, lavish, grand, showy, upscale, upmarket 

Origins: The story goes that the more well-to-do passengers on ships travelling between England and India used to have POSH written against their bookings, standing for 'Port Out, Starboard Home' (indicating the more desirable cabins, on the shady side of the ship). Unfortunately, this story did not make its appearance until the 1930s, by which time the term had already been in use for some twenty years. Added to this, the word does not appear to have been recorded in the form 'P.O.S.H.', which would be expected if it had started life as an abbreviation.

Totally unexpected.

Once upon a time, I went through a really tough break up, then a major transition in my life after getting my MBA. For some reason, I got into some kind of a health kick (nightly head stands, dancing around to music with my Bose headphones, eating one scoop rice instead of two, cutting out desserts and just basically being more active...)... And I lost 30 pounds. Growing up as a ballerina, super body conscious, somehow felt myself again. Confidence returned! Modeling when I'm just turning 30?!! Crazy! But with support of friends and Fam, especially my mom and dad, I took some test shots and made it happen. 

I landed a three year contract with Niche Models and landed immediate gigs with major companies. As of late, I find joy in local shows at the trump, the most recent of which being the Lux at the Trump Party at the Trump Waikiki. 31 and modeling with twenty-something's?! I feel pretty proud xo 

Iceland floss. No words.

So my Fam and I walked behind this waterfall in Golden Circle, Iceland. Epic family vacation. Never knew waterfalls could be so huge! 

The epicness of Iceland.

Been wanting to post this forever it seems. Let me just say that my bucket list never included this destination. Hong Kong? Paris? Singapore? Yes, please. When my Mom said to meet the Fam in Iceland I was skeptic...cold just thinking about it. After a few hours in this beautiful country, my Mom was given a sincere apology for doubting her! 

Iceland feels like a movie set. Like the end of the earth. 

I'm outdoorsy in that I like drinking vodka on patios. But, this place?! Changed everything. I'm already planning a trip back.

Must haves in Iceland: 

• Private driver, tour guide to maximize time. 
• Skyr for breakfast every day. 
• Gloves because, who knew, it's cold. 
• $$ because it's pricey. 
• A visit to the HARPA Performing Arts Center (awe inspiring)
• Knowledge of beer sales / hours...because it's wayyyy different there. 
• Outlet adapter, because it's euro steeze. 
• Golden Circle drive. 
• Black Death (just go to a bar and ask for it)!!! 
• Sunglasses for when it's still bright out at midnight....

Rocking the Runway for Manuheali'i

I had the honor of being in the MAMo Wearable Arts Fashion Show, modeling the Manuheali'i clothing line on May 21st at the historic Hawaii Theater. It was such an awesome experience! I was very fortunate to have modeled for Manuheali'i during the 2013 Hawaii Fashion Month, and am stoked to be in one of their TV commercials that is running on KITV. I always light up when people say that they saw "my commercial." It really makes me feel like my hobby as a model is worth the time and energy that I put into it! Things have paid off over the past few years of doing crunches and eating salads.

I love the fashion and modeling world, have met so many great people and worked with a ton of talented and amazing designers, but I must say that working with Manuheali'i has been my favorite. The owners, Danine and Pono, treat everyone with such aloha and grace. They respect all the models and production team for their skill and make us feel like part of the team. Aside from that, they are extremely organized. Fashion shows always get a little crazy and frenetic-- something goes wrong. A show doesn't fit or hair and make-up don't get done-- that is just standard in the industry. The difference is that the people at Manuheali'i face challenges with a feeling of calm and "it's going to work out!" They make sure their models are taken care of (we had VIP treatment during hair and makeup, with fresh fruit bouquets, champagne with fresh raspberries, cheese platters, ahi spread, the works), and they think of every detail. Check out their nice board showing the model lineup! Even the board itself looks cool:

I must thank the wonderful designer who got me hooked up with Manuheali'i, Randie Lunn. She is such an amazing person, filled with aloha, I am so blessed to have her in my life. We have been fashion-connected since we did the Goodwill Goes Glam Show in 2013 and she calls me for gigs ever since. I thank her for seeing something in me. I must say, the MAMo show is an event that promotes Hawaiian Artists-- which I love and am so proud to be a part of-- but I did have some anxiety about being the "only haole" girl in the entire show! She was so gracious and told me that I exude aloha more than anyone she knows! It made me feel so much better!

So, yeah. I love Manuheali'i and their team. And their clothes. And everything about them. I can't wait to do another show for them, if they have me! :)  Finally, the first look I "walked" was pretty nice...but I think I totally rocked that pink dress! It made me feel like Barbie and I need to go buy it STAT. 

Pele Party

The Pele Awards 2014!

Thank you to Bill for taking me to the Pele Awards on April 26th and allowing me to totally crash the MVNP table. 

While I was a student, getting my M.B.A. at Hawaii Pacific University, I was focused on a career in marketing and/or advertising. The one firm that I stalked / admired / adored / followed closely, was MVNP. A friend of a friend was working there at the time and I heard about all their big accounts and insanely creative work. I'm pretty sure I applied with them fresh out of college but never got a call back! While I am happy in my career now, and never ended up at MVNP, I must say I had a blast with their team at the Pele Awards. I loved being around such fun, energetic, creative people. One guy at the table even passed out blinky-light-up plastic ice cubes to put in our cocktails. Ummm these are my people.

The awards were unlike other award dinners I go to for work (save the standard rubbery chicken entree). The venue was beautiful, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, seaside. Drinks served on the lawn, then we went inside for the program. Instead of the standard speaker and emcee announcing the winners, the event was a full-on theater production. It felt kind of circus-like with a ringmaster who presented all the awards. A crew of actors and dancers performed all the way through, and they were awesome. Winners didn't go up to the stage (except the big winners), they simply stood to be recognized. With so many awards being handed out, I appreciated this format because it made things go faster! Also, it was awesome to see the advertisements on the big screen. I am so pleased to have been in a room with some of the most creative geniuses in Hawaii. Maybe I should go into advertising someday...hmm. Check out the list of winners here!