I have always loved dressing up and look forward to events so I was very excited to be invited to attend the Royal Order of King Kamehameha 150th Year Jubilee Ball. This beautiful event is held every so many years but this year, being the 150th Anniversary made for a huge event. The event took place at the beautiful Grand Wailea Resort in the Haleakala Ballroom and Garden on Saturday, April 9, 2016. My husband and I were quite excited and while it was last minute that we were invited to go, we were able to pull together our attire in time for the event.
The color for the event this year was red, so I chose to go with a red dress. I always love the way I look in red so it was an easy choice. Finding a dress for my plus sized self was not an easy task however, but I’m glad I found a beautiful dress last minute and it fit perfectly. The affair was a formal event which meant suit and tie for gentlemen and gown for ladies were required. Everyone was dressed up fancy and beautiful.
There was dinner and entertainment. For dinner we were served a sit down 5 course dinner which consisted of a fusion of Hawaiian and local cuisine. My husband and I really enjoyed the food and entertainment was wonderful as well.
Above is a video with my snapchat timeline from that evening. I was so busy having a grand time and enjoying the night that I didn’t have a chance to vlog or to take a lot of photos, but I tried to snap as much as possible. I did take photos of each course we enjoyed for dinner. Our 5 courses included the following:
Course 1 – Amuse Bouche, Ahi Poisson Cru with fresh Cilantro, Coconut Milk and Moloka’i Pa’akai.
Course 2 – Pohole Salad with housemade pipikaula, maui onion, dried shrimp, pea shoots and haiku tomato with Rolls and Lilikoi (passion fruit) butter
Course 3 – Roast Pork wrapped and baked in Ti- Leaf, served over ‘Uala (sweet potato), Lu’au, Inamona and Chicharron. Served with white rice family style
Course 4 – Lilikoi Haupia Brown Butter Cake with Haupia, Kula Strawberries and Chantilly
Course 5 – Friandise, Chocolate Truffles and Tea or Coffee
Of course, since we were in an ambient setting and the lighting was not the greatest, photos were not as clear as I would have liked… but I wanted to share this wonderful evening with all of you. I had a great time and it was such a special event. There are few events like this here on Maui so it was so nice to be able to attend.
I literally felt like I was going to prom. Everyone was dressed up and looked wonderful. It’s interesting because it literally was the adult version of a prom, but with a full service bar and adult conversations. I love that as we get older, the uncomfortable feeling we get around our peers tends to dwindle – which is quite different from how it was as we were teens. The event was beautiful, food a wonderful delight and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a wonderful way to finish our week of celebrations for my husband and I for our wedding anniversary. 15 years married and a wonderful ball – I say it was a grand time.
Disclaimer: It goes to say that none of this was sponsored and everything was paid out of pocket.
The boys started their Spring Break a few days ago and we have been trying to make use of all the activities we can get in while we have some time together. The weather has been so weird the last week, storming one day, drizzles the next and then warm but breezy… so we’ve been trying to get in some outdoor time while the weather is reasonably nice.
On Saturday we went to the park to play on the playground and throw the balls around some. The boys love any form of sports so it is always nice to get out and toss the baseball or basketball around and just enjoy the warm sun. The great thing about our boys is that they are so content with just having family time together – that it doesn’t matter where we go or what we do so long as we are doing it as a family. Since the boys tend to spend more time with me then their dad with his work schedule, they look forward to weekends at the moment since their daddy has that time off currently.
Isaiah absolutely loved tossing the ball around with is daddy and brothers. Each of the boys have their own gloves so we like to play catch when time permits to help build their eye and hand coordination – but also because it’s really fun.
With basketball season for my eldest Kevin starting in a week, it’s always nice to get out and have some park time. Once basketball starts – just like football, most of our family time is consumed by practice and games. Because of this we try to take advantage of our time together before sports’ season starts because sometimes the hustle and bustle of everyday life and activity can take over and leave us without much time to ourselves together as a family.
“Mommy, take my picture!” Luke is such a ham. All my boys are but Luke will always ask me if I can take his picture or if he can be on camera. I love it and love that he has such an outgoing personality.
It was nice to get out to the park and playground for a few hours on Saturday and I’m glad we were able to utilize the nice weather. It was a bit chilly and breezy, but the sun was still shining enough for us to get in some good play time. I especially love that the park is so large that we can literally throw our blanket on the ground or pull out our fold up chairs and just have a nice relaxing day. I have one more week with the boys on Spring Break (they were given 3 extra days this year) so I’m looking forward to making the best out of it as I can. My big boy is going off to a Spring Break program at the school which starts tomorrow so he’ll be in school from 8am – 3pm each day for the next 5 days. It will be mostly the twins and I while the hubby is at work. Either way, we are going to make the best of it.
Ooh – first day of Spring was yesterday too… one of my favorite seasons! 😉
I have been getting a lot of questions lately regarding my take on Breastfeeding in public so I figured I would touch base on this subject in this weeks Thirsty Thursday episode. Also – a sweet friend of mine also asked about my cleaning and daily routine as a Stay at Home Mom or (SAHM) so I also share that with all of you and a little something about what I think a Woman’s Worth is.
Click on the video and watch all about it – this TT is a little long, but I think I have a lot to share. Hope you enjoy.
Since my family and I live in paradise, our world is our playground – literally. We like to spend our days trekking through the forest trails or lounging as a family at the beach. Because of this, traveling with essentials is always a must for us and making sure we have the right kind of gear to hold all of our essentials is a requirement. Recently, my family and I have been introduced to some awesome packs from Lewis N. Clark and I wanted to share them with you. With Spring and Summer months right around the bend, if you are anything like my family, you’re planning your next adventure and these awesome packs are worth the mention. The Lewis N. Clark Electrolight Backpacks are perfect for the world traveler or explorer and today I share them with you.
The Lewis N. Clark Electrolight Backpacks are compact bags that are collapsible. I remember as a kid, my dad had something similar to use for his surfing gear so immediately when I set my eyes on these – I knew they would be a great addition for us to use. The ElectroLight bags weigh in at just under three ounces and are made with durable silnylon and made to last. The collapsible backpacks (and duffles – they have those too) are compact and well-constructed for how tiny and lightweight they are. These cool packs are made in bright, sporty colors – which I love, because as a mother it not only helps me with keeping an eye on the kids (they literally stand out), but colors are trendy for the boys and really make these cool all on their own. The Lewis N. Clark bags are resistant to water and stains which is also a plus since stains are inevitable and this makes it perfect for days when exploring out and about and it starts to drizzle.
What I enjoy so much about these is the fact that they scrunch and fold into a small compact pouch which makes this not only great for storage and for keeping on hand (in the car, etc.) but perfect for travel. The size of the backpack is perfect to fit those little extra necessities or “last minute shopping buys while traveling” but also fits well in the overhead of the plane, on the floor below the seat or folds back into it’s little pouch for easy storage. These backpacks fit comfortably on the shoulders and distribute the weight nicely so that it sits comfortable on your back as well. My entire family has been loving these and we plan to pick up three more so each of us can have our own.
This backpack retails for $27.00 and like I mentioned previously, Lewis N. Clark also have a dufflebag that folds up small as well. The backpack is equipped with non-slip, adjustable straps which make it convenient for my 12 year old to take with him when he’s off to the beach or to the pool with his buds. It easily fits his towel, goggles or other swim gear, an average size bottle of water and a few odds and ends with ease. This backpack is a minimalist travel essential. This will be a great edition for our summer fun adventures because it’s perfect to hold everything you want to keep organized without the heavy feeling of a traditional backpack.
Whether you are using this backpack for travel, exploring, hiking or everything in between – you will have a backpack that is made with quality. Each of the Lewis N. Clark Electrolight Backpacks are:
Ultra-lightweight
Made with silnylon fabric that is water and stain resistant
Unfolds easy from a compact pouch to a full backpack
The clipped on pouch can be used as a separate ditty bag
Comes with non-slip, adjustable straps that feel comfortable on the shoulders
An internal pocket allows you to keep small valuables like a set of keys, etc.
17in x 13in x 6in
Are you a backpacker and love to explore and go on adventures? If so, do you think these packs would fit into your adventure lifestyle? If you’re interested in getting your own Lewis N. Clark Electrolight Backpack – you can check them out and the other colors available here. Don’t forget, they have dufflebags too.
Overall I’m not only impressed with the quality of these packs but I love that they are lightweight and versatile for my family. While these may not be holding school books or heavy items, they can hold up to a 60 lb. burst weight, though I do not suggest you carry anything that heavy in the pack. My sons love the colors they come in and I love that they give my family the option to carry some of the things we need for when we travel or go hiking without sacrificing comfort or storing anything huge when not in use. We are definitely picking up a few more so each of us can have our own.
Comment below and let me know if this is something you can utilize in your life?
Disclaimer: The products featured and discussed in this post were sent to me for review consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased and I was not paid to provide my thoughts or feature this product. Affiliate links are posted through out.
Happy Thirsty Thursday Friends! Today on this week’s episode we are going to chit chat about jealously. I mentioned in a previous video that I can be a…
What is Gal-Entine’s Day? Celebrating Your Girlfriends on Gal-entine’s Day
Celebrating any holiday is much more fun with our Gal Pals. So what is Gal-entine’s Day? Well, it’s basically a time when we as besties gather together with our gals and have a great celebration of friendship. There’s no need to compare our love trials and tribulations… we all just get together to chit chat and have fun before Valentine’s Day and celebrate the bond we have between friends. Traditionally celebrated on February 13th (the day before Valentine’s Day), this special day is meant to be fun and a way to not only reconnect with our besties, but to have a little fun. So – get on the phone, social media and start texting your girlfriends for a day or evening of laughs, fun and excitement to celebrate your friendships. Wondering what you can do on this Gal-entine’s Day? Well, read on to get a little inspiration!
Gifts? Presents? What do you get for your bestie on Galentine’s Day?
Well, giving your gal pals a little token of your friendship is sweet and perfect for a day like this. I tend to like to create a little DIY or have something made specifically for my girlfriends. You can opt to create a friendship bracelet (yes, those are still cool and not only for pre-teens) or even bake something sweet. Get the gals something that can be personalized like a locket or something that will remind you of your childhood.
DIY – Fun Projects for the Girls
DIY products can be fun to do when you’re with a bunch of friends. I tend to have a ton of supplies for all kinds of goodies laying around my house in my craft bins, so anything can make for a great product. Something my sister and I used to do a lot is create candles or soap to give as gifts or to display in our bathrooms and we had so much fun making and using these products. Bath bombs are fun too or a really easy sugar scrub in cute decorated jars make wonderful creations. Have fun and let your ideas soar. It’s not only something to do with your friends, but it’s memento they can take with them when the night is done.
Netflix Anyone?
Am I the only person that enjoys shows like Criminal Minds, Empire or Orange Is The New Black? Well, why not gather around the tube (television since most people now have flat screens) and binge watch some of your favorite shows with your gal pals. Order pizza or make a quick Pull Apart Pizza (recipe here) and indulge in some gorgeous chocolate berries from Shari’s Berries. Not into my flick choices? Well, choose some of your faves or rock out to Pitch Perfect and have a mini Aca-session with your gals.
Karaoke
If you know me, then you know this is not something I take part in often. I’m the only person in my family that is tone deaf and because of it, no one wants to hear me sing… lol. But, Karaoke evenings are fun and I have enjoyed taking part in them. Either pull out your Karaoke machine you have stored away or head over to your local Karaoke Bar and have some fun. Sing to your favorite tunes and enjoy the night with some appetizers or finger foods (pizza works – can you tell that’s my favorite food) or delightful desserts. Belt your heart out to your favorite tunes and have a party.
Paint ’N Wine Event
There are a few locally owned places on island where I live that offer a paint event (sometimes a little wine) that you can take part in. These cool events allow you and your friends to go and get a very awesome painting instructional class from an artist/teacher and allow you to create the masterpiece yourself. While there you have the chance to have a little wine and talk story all while having a great time. Note that if you take part in these, make sure you have a designated driver accompany you or pick you up from the venue as it can be a lot of fun. You can take the painting home after and remember your night with your girls. If painting and wine are not your thing, see what kind of “tasting” events are available. A local restaurant here offers a Tea Time event once a week where you drink tea and have a light brunch under the trees in a beautiful courtyard. It’s gorgeous and so much fun .
Makeover Madness
Ah, as a beauty and makeup lover, I knew I had to include this. A day of pampering is always fun. Gather your gal pals and pull out your favorite makeup, skin care items and mani pedi favorites and do a little pampering. If you have a local Mary Kay representative or an Avon rep, contact them to see if they would like to do makeovers while sharing their products with your gals. Since I have a makeup artist kit, I tend to pull those out and just make it a fun activity for everyone. I may do smoky eyes on all the girls (something they are not used to) or do a full pedicure and manicure on each. All of this fun while eating and drinking and dancing to your favorite songs. It’s like a sleepover without sleeping – just old school fun. I also like to up together little bags of treats for each friend – including a nail file, some chocolates of course, and anything beauty related. ELF offers some good makeup for a $1.00 and you can stuff a bunch of treat bags with things that you love and know they will love too. Looking for fun ideas on makeup looks to create? Head on over to my Valentine’s Day Playlist on YouTube and get a little inspired.
Don’t leave out your Far Away Besties
I don’t know about you, but I have friends all over the World and many of them live hours away from me let alone a whole continent. While they live so far away, I still want to let them know that I’m always thinking of them. A sweet card that comes with something special or a handmade sentiment is always a great thing. It will be great if it gets to her on February 13th so she checks her mail box and is surprised. Also, with technology now a days, there are many ways to communicate face to face without being there in person so Skype and have a chat to catch up. This is the perfect opportunity to talk about your Valentine’s Day plans and to share that new outfit you bought for the special occasion.
Who’s Up For A Girl’s Trip?
Living on an island really doesn’t help much for road trips here, but what is so great is that Hawaii is filled with so many awesome destinations that it’s easy to find sanctuary anywhere. If you and your friends are riding the single train for now, hey – what better time than to plan a girl’s weekend trip. Head to your favorite resort and spend the weekend at the pool or at the spa and just rejuvenate your body for the following Monday. Not single? Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t do this too… take a drive to wine country (here on Maui, we can head up to Tedeschi Vineyards) and have a wine tasting and then breakfast at Kula Lodge. The options are endless whether you live on Maui or are anywhere in the World. Sometimes a weekend getaway with your gal pals are the perfect way to really relax and rejuvenate the soul. And, what better way to have some relaxation than with your besties.
Day Trip to Buy Makeup
This may sound like an odd one… but since our local Sephora is a two hour drive away, my sisters and I have a tradition where we drive together (all three of us) and take a trip to the other side of the island to go shopping at our local Sephora. This gives us about 4 – 6 hours of time with one another (sometimes longer) and we get to chit chat makeup, have brunch and just relax and enjoy each others company. Most the time we don’t even buy makeup but spend an hour walking around Sephora chatting about our favorite products and testing out new ones we have yet to try. It’s our time together and we enjoy it.
While Galentine’s Day is February 13th, I think that any time of the year you are feeling like you need a little Gal love is appropriate to do something like this for your girls. Your besties are the ones that see you through every single trial and tribulation, every event and exciting moment. Celebrating with one another and sharing the love you have with each other is a great thing to do all the time, but especially on Galentine’s Day. What are you doing for your gal pals this year? Comment below and share some ideas that you may have!
Did you know there was such thing as a Gal-entine’s Day? If not, how do you plan to make use of this new day each year.
xo
Disclaimer – This post may include affiliate links through out. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased and this is not a paid post.
