Vacation Slideshow: Island in the Sun, Maui, Part 1

Hello Kittens!

As I mentioned in my last post, Vacation Slideshow is here!

Tim and I just got back from Maui last weekend. It was an extra special treat to get to go on vacation this winter especially since we just took a trip to New Orleans last fall. We usually don't get to take vacations nearly that frequently but for this trip we got invited to stay with my dad, stepmom, and stepmom's cousins in my stepmom's cousin's timeshare. I told Tim we should probably jump on this opportunity since, with having a place to stay, the trip would be the cheapest we'd ever be able to do Maui for. It was great getting back to this island for a second time. The first time we were there was about eight years ago.

It took a bit of time to go through the photos, especially since with all the running around we did all I wanted to do after coming back was stay warm at home and veg out to some good netflix :P but, as promised, here they are!


Day 1:

We arrived in Maui at about 12 noon. After picking up the rental car, meeting up with the family and getting together for lunch, Tim and I took a small road trip to the west coast town of Lahaina. We walked around the main street, shared a bowl of shaved ice, and went to the historic Baldwin Home Museum, the oldest standing house on the island of Maui. If you are interested you can read all about the history of this home here. It was the home of a missionary doctor. The house today is filled with antique furniture dating back to the time era as well as a case of old medical instruments used during that time.

The Historic Baldwin Home Museum, Lahaina, HI

The Historic Baldwin Home Museum, Lahaina, HI

Care for a cuppa?

Medical instruments circa 1800's. The top center row are dental instruments.

After taking a tour of the Baldwin Home Tim and I headed down Front St. for dinner at Aloha Mixed Plate. Whenever Tim asks me what my favorite part of our first trip to Maui was I always say Aloha Mixed Plate.. well that and the luau. ;) The food at Aloha was just so good. The coconut shrimp was the best I've ever had and the POG (pineapple, orange, and guava juice) was a discovery never to be forgotten! Unfortunately, the food did not quite live up to my memory of it this time around (though it was still delicious), the view though was pretty amazing! We got there just in time to have a sunset dinner on the beach.

Aloha Mixed Plate, Lahaina, HI

The view from our table at Aloha Mixed Plate

Outfit of the Day (Day 1):

Coming straight from the plane, I wore my Voodoo Vixen red knit dress with black polka dots. I was planning on changing into a different dress once we landed in Hawaii but it was actually a little cold that day so I stayed in this sweater dress and my sweater tights for most of the day only taking off the sweater tights once the wind started to die down. This is my favorite dress to travel in especially in the colder months. The material on this dress is like a super soft cozy sweater. It has a lot of stretch to it too so it's very comfortable for long flights or car rides. I didn't bring any fancy shoes with me with the exception of one pair of flats. Instead I brought along my black Sketcher Go Walks because I knew there was going to be a lot of walking during this trip, and being on the island, things are pretty casual anyway.

Voodoo Vixen red knit dress with polka dots, pictured in front of the Baldwin Home, Lahaina, HI

Day 2:

On our second day and first full day on the island we decided to head to upcountry. Going up to Haleakala National Park, the site of a dormant volcano, is a favorite activity for a lot of tourists in Maui. Many say that being up there just as the sunrises is an amazing sight. The last time we were in Maui we made it up there just after the sunrise so missed it by just that much! Waking up before the sun rose on this morning, we decided to try for the view of the sunrise over the crater again. Along the 1.5 hour drive though we could see the sun was already starting to come up so we decided we might as well stop for breakfast. We stopped at a nearby Cafe for my favorite island breakfast, macadamia nut pancakes! We had them sprinkled with powdered sugar and drenched in coconut syrup! So good!

After breakfast we continued up to the crater of the dormant volcano where we had a gorgeous view of this other worldly looking place.

Haleakala National Park, Kula, HI

Three of four cinder cones at Haleakala National Park, Kula, HI

After looking around at the different look out points along Haleakala National Park we took a stop  upcountry's nearby Ali'i Kula lavender farm. I love making this stop. It's a nice quiet refuge and the perfect place to relax and enjoy a warm lavender scone and pipping hot cup of lavender tea.

View from our table while eating lavender scones and sipping lavender tea at Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, Kula, HI

Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, Kula, HI

View from the top of the lavender farm, Kula, HI

After stopping for a quick bite at the lavender farm it was time to switch gears by just a bit and visit Maui's only winery for a wine tasting. We were surprised to see though that the tasting room at Maui Wine is just that, just a tasting room. I suppose being so close to Napa at home we are a bit spoiled to have expected the tasting room to be on the grounds of the winery. Still, it was a lovely stop and we got to taste 4 different kinds of pineapple infused wines which they make themselves.

Maui Wine tasting room, Kula HI

Maui Wine tasting room, Kula HI

Their most popular wine, a pineapple flavored white wine

Along Kula Hwy, Kula, HI

At the general store across from the tasting room

After the winery we headed back to our home base finishing up the day with a dip in the pool and getting some seared ahi and coconut shrimp for dinner from a yummy yummy food truck nearby.

Acting a creeper in the pool

Outfit of the Day (Day 2):

For this day's activities I decided to wear my Trashy Blue Hawaii Carole tie top because after all, we were in Hawaii. I paired this with a blue tank top and a Trashy Diva Chambray Circle skirt. In the morning it was pretty cold so I was wearing a pair of black sweater tights which were quickly shed after leaving the crater. Like the day before, I opted to wear my Sketcher Go Walks because I knew there was going to be a lot of walking going on.

Trashy Diva separates, Carole Tie Top in Blue Hawaii and Chambray Circle skirt, pictured at Haleakala National Park, HI

Trashy Diva separates, Carole Tie Top in Blue Hawaii and Chambray Circle skirt, pictured at Ali'i Kula lavender farm, HI

Outfit of the Day: Pretty Pink for Valentine's Day

Hello Kittens!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's day! Tim and I just got back from vacation (Vacation Slideshow posts are coming!) and so I've been a bit quiet on the blog. I'm looking forward to catching up on reading all the blog posts I've missed and to see what's been going on in the blogsphere!

I had a dress all picked out for Valentine's day this year and was debating on which restaurant to chose to go out to for the occasion but when the day rolled around all I really wanted to do was snuggle up at home with my hubby, our cats, and a marathon of Netflix! We did make it out to breakfast though so there is a Valentine's Day Outfit of the Day post after all! :D


Outfit of the Day:
On Valentine's day my hubby treated me to breakfast at Panera Bread. I love their bagels so much! Because it was Valentine's day I thought my Trashy Diva Bustle Betty dress in Slap and Tickle print would be a fitting choice. I paired this with a peachy pink cardigan which I got from Target several years ago and a pair of peachy pink flats I got several years ago from Zappos. I forgot earrings though as it was a very low key morning. <3

Trashy Diva Bustle Betty dress in Slap and Tickle- Front View

Trashy Diva Bustle Betty dress in Slap and Tickle- Side View

Trashy Diva Bustle Betty dress in Slap and Tickle- Front View

Trashy Diva Bustle Betty dress in Slap and Tickle- Side View

Outfit of the Day: One for the Mardi Gras Season

It's Mardi Gras season in New Orleans!

Sadly, I've never been to Mardi Gras, but that doesn't mean I can't take part in the festivities! Fat Tuesday is officially next Tuesday but since this was the last Saturday before the end of the Mardi Gras season I decided it was the perfect day to wear my Mardi Gras print dress and go out for cajun style food with my hubby for lunch.

I was really in the mood for some beneits and king cake but I wasn't really in the mood to bake anything myself or to drive all the way to one of our pseduo local New Orleans style restaurants to get them. Instead, I suggested to my husband that we go to nearby Union City to go to the Backyard Bayou.

While the Backyard Bayou doesn't have any beneits, hush puppies, or etouffee, they do have gumbo, which we shared a bowl of while filling up on cajun style seasoned crab. It was a delicious day.


Outfit of the Day:
For this day's festivities I had to take out my Trashy Diva Bustle Betty dress in Mardi Gras print. I paired this with black knit lace tights and a green cropped cardigan by MAK which I got from Modcloth I believe, about a year ago. It was kind of warm for the season so surprisingly no overcoat was needed. For a finishing touch, I paired this outfit with a pair of golden fan earrings which I got from Modcloth a few weeks ago.

Trashy Diva Bustle Betty dress in Mardi Gras print- Front View

Trashy Diva Bustle Betty dress in Mardi Gras print- Side View

Trashy Diva Bustle Betty dress in Mardi Gras print- Front View

Trashy Diva Bustle Betty dress in Mardi Gras print- Front View

Trashy Diva Bustle Betty dress in Mardi Gras print- Close Up

Outfit of the Day: Fancy Tea Time at the Claremont Hotel

Last weekend I went out to tea at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley

If you missed it, you can read about it here. I wanted to pick out an ensemble that would be just as special as the tea.


Outfit of the Day:
For our tea time adventure I decided to wear one of my rare silk dresses by Trashy Diva. I got this Claire dress in Blue Ribbons print last year from the Trashy Diva swap and sell group on facebook. I'm a little funny about wearing things for the first time. When I deem something really special I try to hold on to it to find the most perfect first occasion to wear it to. For me it makes the dress all the more special and also helps to add a special feeling to the dress forever. I decided a special New Years tea with two of my closest friends at the gorgeous historic Claremont Hotel to be just such the occasion.

I paired this with a vintage coat I recently found on Etsy from the shop, Harrison House Vintage-- my dream coat, a true blue swing style coat! I wore this with a pair of long white knit gloves I got from Nordstrom some years back and a white beaded beret I got from Trashy Diva a few months ago. I wanted to wear some fancier shoes, maybe a pair of white 60's style heels, or a pair of navy mary jane heels, but after working all weekend at the tea shop last weekend my feet were pretty bruised up from standing on them for that long, so I opted instead for some furry lined black velvet mary janes which I got from Urban Outfitters a few years ago. For a finishing touch I wore this with back seamed stockings from Nordstrom, a bow necklace from Tiffany's gifted to me from my mom on my wedding day, and a pair of shiny bow earrings I think I got from Forever 21. I felt like a princess all day in this outfit! I'm glad I saved this dress for a special day!

Blue Vintage Swing Coat- Front View

Blue Vintage Swing Coat- Side View

Trashy Diva Claire dress in Blue Bows- Front View

Trashy Diva Claire dress in Blue Bows- Front View

Trashy Diva Claire dress in Blue Bows- Front View

Trashy Diva Claire dress in Blue Bows- Close Us

Trashy Diva Claire dress in Blue Bows with Tiffany Bow necklace- Close Up

Do you find that you save new items for the perfect first wear or do you usually take your new things out as soon as you can?

Taking Tea at the Claremont Hotel

Last weekend my friends and I got to go out for tea at the lovely Claremont Hotel

The Claremont hotel is a historic hotel in Berkeley, California. I pass this gorgeous old white lavish looking hotel nearly every day on my way to work. For years I've been wanting to have the opportunity to go through its gated walls and check this place out.

Over the Christmas holiday I noticed they were changing out the main sign on the entrance of this hotel. It now read that the Claremont Hotel was part of the Fairmont Hotel's properties. I've long known that the Fairmont Hotel is usually big on offering afternoon tea (the Fairmont hotel in San Francisco is the first place I ever went out for tea back when I was thirteen and my aunt decided to treat me for my birthday). While I checked previously if the Claremont Hotel offered tea (they didn't) I figured now that they are part of the Fairmont Hotel I should check again, and low and behold they did! They even were able to accommodate for special dietary restrictions such as gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan. I quickly arranged with a group of friends to go out to tea at the Claremont Hotel for a New Years celebration-- one of which was coming for the vegan tea. Our tea was scheduled for a few weeks prior but because I got sick for the weekend we were originally supposed to go we had to reschedule for this past weekend.

We arrived at the Claremont Hotel just in time for our reservations. It took a bit of maneuvering to get through the smallish and hilly parking lot but parking was not too bad. From the outside walking up, the hotel did not quite seem as grand as it usually does from at the bottom of the hill. There seemed to be an unfortunate amount of construction happening in front of the hotel. Walking through the lobby though, it was as gorgeous as I expected. Entering the main door you walk through a long well appointed hall, opulent and chic, until you get to the main lobby. To one side is the front desk, and to the other the Claremont Lobby Lounge and Bar. There were no signs pointing the way or to announce what it was, but seeing the tables where guests were sitting enjoying drinks gave you a bit of the idea.

We walked into the area (the entrance of which was too large to quite call it a separate room) and right away someone came out to help us. The lady checked my name for our reservations and showed us to our seats. We had our pick of a table right in the middle, one a little farther back, or one right in front of the window. While I knew the window table was going to get hot after a while we opted for the window because of the view of the bay. We were asked if we wanted waters to start and after a little bit of a wait were brought menus.

The decor for tea at the Claremont is much like the decor in what we saw in the hotel along our way... modern and chic. The tables had a mirrored table top and the tableware was all white with modern style. While tea time at the Claremont is a pre fixe menu, they did bring out menus featured on tablets (adding to the modern chic of this tea) to show you what was in store for your tea. Most of what was written on the menu though, I had no idea what they were: scuffins, possets, profiteroles. I decided I will just have to wait and see what was to come. For tea you did get a choice of tea selection... it was not the most expansive selection of tea, maybe a dozen or so to chose from (including only one herbal and no decaffeinated from what I could tell). Also, about half of their teas were at a premium and would add an extra $8 to your tea service if you chose any of those. Sparkling wines were also on offer for an extra $12 or so. For the hefty price tag of the tea, $48, I was kind of hoping it would come with some kind of sparkling wine or cocktail. Most certainly though, I would have expected at least that choosing a specific tea offered would not add an extra $8 to the cost.

Once we were settled, individual teapots were brought out for us with the tea of our choosing along with a tea timer to tell you when the teas were done. While I've never be to tea where tea timers were brought out, I do know that each kind of tea (white, green, black, etc) brews at different times so I'm not sure if we all just ordered black teas (I forgot to check with my lady friends) or if the tea timers are more just a formality to add to the experience. Next we were each offered a small bite to get us started, a kind of soft cheese spread sandwich. My vegan friend was brought out a small helping of mixed berries. Next came the full tea spread on a three tiered (though not your grandma's style) modern tray. My vegan friend had her own tea which was arranged separately though I forgot to make a note of what she was brought out specifically. For the non vegans we each had a scone and a scuffin (a mix between a muffin and scone), served with cream fraiache and papaya fruit preserve. For savories we were served a tasty pea spread with crunchy peas and pickled carrots on toasted bread, a salmon tea sandwich, a lobster roll wrapped in thinly sliced cucumber, a chicken salad sandwich, and egg salad in a small cup with brioche fingers. For dessert we had a brownie, a cream puff sweet, a kind of lemon yogurt, a madeleine, and a cookie.

Overall tea was pretty good at the Claremont Hotel. While my vegan friend was not too pleased with her tea (it left something to be desired according to her) the food for the regular tea service was excellent! Overall, there are lots of tea places that I feel are better, especially for the price of this one, this one is a nice one to get to experience.

The table setting for tea at the Claremont Hotel

Menu on a tablet

Some of the tea offerings

Tea timer for the teas

A small bite to start with

The full tea spread

Claremont Hotel, Berkeley, CA

Dress Review: The Return of the Lupe in Forget Me Not Floral

Dresses with prints are my favorite, though it is true that some prints are made more amazing than others!

What makes an amazing print? In my book it's either A) a novelty print that's super cleaver that looks one way far away and another way super close, B) a novelty print that's composed of something so cute or unexpected, or C) a novelty or floral print which can be mixed and matched with a ton of coordinating colors!

Speaking of C) amazing prints which can be coordinated with a plethora of colors, like the last dress I reviewed (Trashy Diva's latest Victory Floral print, you can see my review here), Trashy Diva's second to newest print, the Forget Ne Not Floral print is also one such amazing print that can be coordinated with a plethora of colors!

This print features a black background with red, yellow, and blue flowers. Within the flowers are white highlights and maroon shadows. A few light green leaves and stems are scattered throughout. Like the Victory Floral print, this one has so many colors to play around with! I love it! 

I realized after writing my last dress review that I had completely forgotten to write a review of this dress which I pre-ordered just before leaving on vacation to New Orleans! While all last year I had been looking forward to our trip to New Orleans (which we took last October) and the opportunity to finally try on all the dresses at the "mothership," the actual Trashy Diva stores where all available dresses are stocked, when this print came out for pre-order just before our trip and it was revealed that there was going to be a Lupe dress I had to make a pre-order to ensure it didn't sell out before I got my hands on it!

The Lupe dress does not come around too often. It was release earlier this year in Trashy Diva's Deep Sea Coral print but only in sizes up to 6 which sadly excluded a lot of us ladies from being able to order it. Other than that, the Lupe came in a black and white dress several years ago, and also in Trashy Diva's Turquoise Birds print also from several years ago. What's so special about the Lupe dress you might ask? It is just a really cute dress. It's a 1940's style dress with an amazingly detailed and intricate loop design along the front neckline. It also features little puff sleeves, a fitted waist band, slightly a-line skirt, and has a back zip. While it would have been nice trying on all the dresses that came in this print in the store before making my final decision on which cut I chose to take home, I don't think I would have chose any differently in any case!

Trashy Diva Lupe dress in Forget Me Not Floral- Front View

Trashy Diva Lupe dress in Forget Me Not Floral- Front View

Trashy Diva Lupe dress in Forget Me Not Floral- Side View

Trashy Diva Lupe dress in Forget Me Not Floral- Back View

Trashy Diva Lupe dress in Forget Me Not Floral- Close Up

Trashy Diva Lupe dress in Forget Me Not Floral- Front Close Up

I found this dress and all the other styles I tried on in this print to fit true to size and was able to order this in my usual size.



Are you a print fan? If so, what are your favorite kinds of prints?