Why Can't My Cat Do This!?

Too freaking cute!

Hawaii At It's Best

Not that I needed it, but after 11 days in Hawaii I am reminded why year after year I never get tired of coming here. The weather is great, the water is warm and the hotels are beautiful. What more could you ask for?!? Here are some of my favorite hotels around the islands.

Grand Hyatt Kauai (Kauai)
This hotel is beautiful! The grounds are amazing, so lush. The staff all very sweet.

The Hilton Waikaloa (Hawaii-Big Island)
This place is totally over the top! Take a tram or boat to your room, swim with the dolphins or snorkel without ever having to get in the ocean. These pictures do this resort NO justice!
The Grand Wailea (Maui)
Well, those of you that know me, know that I will be getting married here. When I was probably about 10 years old I made this decision and have not wavered since. Besides being a stunning hotel, they have a beautiful tiny wedding chapel.
Start saving ;)

Moana Surfrider (Oahu)
This hotel beckons to a bygone era. It looks like it is from an old movie. This was Waikiki's first hotel and it's still in beautiful shape. It exudes class.
This hotel is right on the "strip" and is close to shopping, restaurants and right on the beach. What more could you ask for?

This are just a few of my favorites. If you stay at any of these hotels you can't go wrong. I hope you will learn to love Hawaii as much as I do!

Vintage Love Cost Stacks Of Money

I woke up Monday morning really excited to see what Free People's "Vintage Loves" had in store. From the video teaser, I knew there'd be some good stuff. And indeed there was.
You all know I will throw gobs of money out for really random stuff. But the prices on this stuff is just insane! On the low end there are things for $100 but on the high end, things like the moccasins above are $1000.
To make matters worse, this stuff can not be returned. Because they are selling it online, you won't be able to try it on either.
Does this make sense to anyone?!!?! I have to say I am very disappointed in Free People. You would think when you pay $400 for a lace vest that you would at least be able to try it on and return it if it didn't fit.
I think I'll take the risk and hit Haight Street an my mom's closet to see if I can find any of this stuff.
Beautiful stuff, but MAJORLY disappointed. Won't be buying this stuff :(

Free People: Vintage Loves

This collection will be coming out tomorrow. Watch this teaser to see what's in store. Can't wait to see!

Creepy Cat

Hmm, not sure who came up with this. Imagine throwing out your sofa or bed and replacing it with this gynormo cat. Hahah. KooKoo! If you saw this in someones house would you stay?

Keep Your Self Covered

After seeing more more of the girl next to me then I ever needed to, I wish I'd had some of these to give her. Here's the answer we've been looking for! No need to worry about your top blowing away or flipping down. For $5 you can get 10 of these strips (5 uses). Bring them to the beach with you. Peel them and stick your suit to yourself. Tada! Eliminates tan lines from bathing suit strings without the risk of unwanted flashings. Why didn't someone think of this earlier!?!?

Mama Needs Some New Boots

Fall is just around the corner and you know what that means! Time for BOOTS! I'm really loving this pair! They are the Fiorentini + Baker "Eternity" Boot. I'm gonna have to start saving!

Drawstring Bags

One fall trend that I'm totally loving is drawstring bags. I don't know that these bags are the most practical but they will sure add some spice to your outfit. Here are some of my favorites.

Food You Can Wear

Well, it's no secret that I LOVE food. My family is known for planing the next meal while still eating. I recently found a way to indulge without all the calories. Q-Pot! This Japanese brand was founded in 2000. The designer, ex-fashion model, Tadaaki Wakamatsu, created his designs to make the world a more cheerful place. His aim was to create something fun that would make people smile and open up communication between people. His goal has been accomplished.
Somehow, even though I was surrounded by his designs in Japan I didn't buy anything. But when I came across the first US store. I HAD to. Outside the Ala Moana store, I was ready to purchase some delicious looking macaroons. Once I had entered, I realized I came across something much better. FOOD JEWELRY!
The store was full of Wakamatsu's latest creations: macaroons, dripping honey, caviar, hamburgers, ice cream, teeth, and slices of fruit. My favorites were the hamburgers and ice cream.
After walking around the 3 story mall with these delights on my mind, I knew I had to get something. I went back and tried on both the hamburger necklace, ring and the ice cream necklace. The hamburgers were super cute, but didn't lay well once you got them on. It was a little hard to tell what they were.
Finally, I settled upon the necklace below (worn by yours truly). I love it!!! These creations are not cheap but they will sure set you a part from the crowd. I can't wait to see what more Q-Pot comes up with! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it ;)

Free People- August 2010

Loving the new August Free People catalog. Can't wait to get my shop on. This catalog was shot in Morocco. The clothes this month remind me of a vagabond gypsy. Beautiful!

What Every Beach Bunny Needs

Well, here's another wonderful find from Ala Moana (the best shopping in Hawaii). One thing that's been bugging me while at the beach is the teeny tiny towel the hotel gives you. Lord knows I don't need sand in my bag, camera, book, etc. If I had just a few extra inches, life would be so much easier. And if it looked cute that would be even better! Enter, the Beach Bunny beach towel.
This extra large towel comes in an array of cute patterns and has a girly satin edge. This towel is 70x40 inches, so all your valuables will stay sand free.
You'll also be easy to spot in the sea of hotel towels. Love it!

Afro Hello Kitty

Saw this gem at Ala Moana (Hawaii). So cute! Everyone needs an afro Hello Kitty. I think I might just have to add her to my collection :)

Jen's Pirate Booty Review

As most of you know, my blog is just my shopping list. I like to write about stuff that everyone can wear, that's easy and has something a bit different about it. I just recently purchased a few Jen's Pirate Booty tops/dress, so I thought I would give you an update.
I got this one above, the Poncho Villa, in lilac. I love it! The bottom half is very sheer and you definitely need to wear a slip at the very least (more likely a pair of short, tube dress and leggings). I really love the color too. This one is definitely my favorite of the two. The cut of this one is much more flattering. Very cute!
This one is the one I loved going in to it. I'm a sucker for off the shoulder styles. I like the bright yellow color, but the cut of this one is not so flattering. This one seems much wider and looks best when belted. The off the should part has thin elastic in it so you could wear it with a higher neckline if you wanted. Again, very sheer and it is necessary to wear something under it unless you're going to the beach/pool.

I like the light weight of these dressed and their versatility. But I am not such a fan of the fabric. This fabric is a blessing and curse. The fabric definitely gives these tops their "look" but it is a loosely woven fabric so it catches on ANYTHING. I would warn you against wearing any jewelry with these tops. Now, I can't wait to go to the beach!

More Great Stuff on Etsy

I love Etsy! It's full of stuff you must have that you never knew you even needed. Haha. I saw this the other day. Super cute. I'm a sucker for beady eyes and felt.
This cute craft is made by a woman who lives in Albuquerque, NM. She says she has "a ridiculous number of shoes but mostly prefer to be barefoot" (sound like anyone you know?). And also likes to name her houseplants. Hmm, sounds like my kinda girl. Too bad she can't join our craft group.

I Bet Your Dog Can't Do This

Too cute.

Another Successful Craft Group

Well, we've had about 4 meetings of our craft group now. During our last meeting we worked on jewelry. After doing some research online and taking into consideration we were meeting at the Nut House I decided to make some charm bracelets. These bracelets were pretty simple and making them seemed a lot cheaper than buying them.
This bracelet (above) is made by Ettika and retails for $75. Seems pretty steep, right?
This one, is by M. Cohen and retails for a whopping $225. Yikes! I can't believe that anyone would pay that much for this. Are there diamonds hiding in those skulls!?!?
Well, it's a little hard to see, but after about 3 hrs and $60 I was able to make all of these. The blueish one has sea themed charms on it. The middle one is an exact copy of the M. Cohen one. And the multi colored one is a more Caitlin-y version of the Ettika one. Not too bad, right? These bracelets were really easy to make and there are tons of variations you could do. With a few bucks and a little perseverance, anything is possible.

I hope to see more of you at our next craft group.

Mmm, A Great Summer Drink

Looking for something to quench your thirst? How about some lavender lemon aid? Mmm, doesn't it sound yummy?!?

Fresh lavender imparts a subtle flavor to the lemonade. If you are using dried culinary lavender, cut the amount in half since its stronger taste can quickly become overpowering. At Sunshine Lavender Farm, Annie Baggett makes lemonade by putting dried lavender in a tea ball and letting it steep in hot water until the desired flavor is reached.

Lavender Lemonade

Makes a generous quart

Ingredients:

3-1/2 cups water
1 cup sugar
5 fresh lavender flower heads, or 1-1/2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender (see note)
2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, strained
4 springs fresh lavender, for garnish

1. Combine 1 cup of water with the sugar in a medium saucepan over a hot flame and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add the remaining 2-1/2 cups water and the fresh or dried lavender and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. (If using dried lavender, put it in a tea ball.) Remove from the heat and let the mixture steep for 20 minutes, or until it has a light lavender taste.

2. Strain the mixture into a pitcher or jar, and stir in the lemon juice. Refrigerate until it is cold.

3. To serve, pour the lemonade over a glass of ice and garnish with a sprig of fresh lavender.

Who Knew Hamsters Drove?!?

For some reason I find this hilarious! Yeah, I know I'm crazy.

Bring Out Your Inner Sex Kitten

Everyone likes to feel sexy.
As usual, I insist upon being (semi) unique and sexy.
It should come at no surprise that I don't like Victoria Secret of things of that nature. My favorite brand of lingerie, with out doubt is Agent Provocateur.
This brand is definitely sexy. Something just happens when you slip into it.
If you're in the market for lingere, definitely check out Agent Provocateur.

This Is A Commercial For WHAT?

Dita Von Teese is beautiful as usual, but I can't believe this commercial. It amazing me what companies will go through to sell their product. What does Dita have to do with water?!?!

Paris Doing What She Does Best

I don't know about you, but when I travel it involves chickens, bugs and too much stuff crammed in a backpack. Never in my life have I even sat in business class, let alone first class. Arm and leg room are only for people that can afford it. And who decide that one suitcase is enough. Why should I have to pay more for another one!?!?

Well, I guess not EVERYONE has to travel this way. Check out how Paris Hilton travels. Can you BELIEVE it?!!?!?!? Man just seeing that much Louis Vuitton in one place makes me drool. Must be a nice life....

Cool Craft Or Crazy?!?

Who in craft group wants to offer up their car? I don't think this is the most practical craft. I kinda didn't see anything wrong with crocheting sweaters and potholders. The car was created by Magda Sayeg for the Il Lusso Essenziale art festival in Rome. Who knew?!

Oh Man, This Sounds GOOD!

I really don't eat much meat. I'm not vegetarian. I don't do it for health or moral reasons. I just don't really like meat. But when something like this comes up, I will have NO issues eating it. Delicious meaty goodness. Mmmm. Check out the Bacon Explosion. Does this not look like the most amazing thing you've seen?

I can' wait to try this at a bbq. Here's how to make your very own Bacon Explosion.

Here’s what you’ll need…

2 pounds thick cut bacon
2 pounds Italian sausage
1 jar of your favorite barbeque sauce
1 jar of your favorite barbeque rub

1.) You need to create a 5×5 bacon weave. If the strips you’re using aren’t as wide as the ones pictured, then you may need to use a few extra slices to fill out the pattern. Just make sure your bacon weave is tight and that you end up with a nice square shape to work with.

2.) The next step is to add some barbecue seasoning on top of your bacon weave. Seeing as not everyone has the time, or the expertise, to create a tasty rub of their own, you could try Cowtown Sweet Spot for the best combination. Plowboys Yardbird, Bad Byron’s Butt Rub, and Rendezvous Famous Seasoning are also excellent choices.

3.) Take two pounds of Italian sausage and layer it directly on top of your bacon weave. Be sure to press the sausage to the outer edges of the bacon creating a patty that is the same thickness all the way across. Most grocery stores carry loose sausage, so just pick out one you like.

4.) Next up is bacon layer number two. Take the remaining bacon slices and fry them up the same way you would for breakfast. If you like soft bacon, make it soft. If you like crunchy bacon, make it crunchy. These pieces are going to be a major part of the inner flavor of our sausage fatty, so cook them your favorite way. Next, crumble or chop the cooked strips into bite size pieces and place on top of the sausage layer.

5.) Take your favorite sauce and drizzle it all over the top of the bacon pieces. Once you’ve sauced the bacon, sprinkle on some more of the barbeque seasoning you used on the bacon weave.

6.) Now comes the fun part. Very carefully separate the front edge of the sausage layer from the bacon weave and begin rolling backwards. You want to include all layers EXCEPT the bacon weave in your roll. Try and keep the sausage as tight as possible and be sure to release any air pockets that may have formed. Once the sausage is fully rolled up, pinch together the seams and ends to seal all of the bacon goodness inside.

7.) To complte the constuction process, roll the sausage forward completely wrapping it in the bacon weave. Make sure it sits with the seam facing downward to help keep it all sealed up.

8.) Sprinkle some barbeque seasoning on the outside of the bacon weave. Now this bad boy is ready for the smoker! Cook your Bacon Explosion at 225 degrees in a constant cloud of hickory smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Normally this will take about 1 hour for each inch of thickness, but that could vary depending on how well you maintain your fire and also how many times you open the smoker to take a peek. It should take around 2.5 hours.

9.) Remember that barbecue sauce we used for inner flavor? We’ll be using that same sauce to glaze the cooked bacon weave. Using a basting brush, coat the entire surface with a thin layer of sauce. Sweet sauces are loaded with sugars, so they’ll give your fatty a nice glossy finish. Spicy and vinegar based sauces don’t contain as much, so they won’t set up as well. If you’re dead set on using those sauces, just cut them with a bit of honey and you’ll get the same effect.

10.) Slice the Bacon Explosion into quarter to half inch rounds to serve.

Mmmmmm!