80's ATC

for swap bot... I went with CYNDI LAUPER!!!!

I have always loved cyndi lauper-- she has helped to pave the way for so many musicians and youth.  colorful hair, and stand out clothing is now much more widely accepted and admired.  she's like the O.G. lady gaga. haha.

and by the way... here is my favorite cyndi song...




and even after all these years she still rocks it...

*SIGH* YET ANOTHER ETSY WISHLIST...

terrarium from doodle birdie

eco friendly leather tote from hoakonhelga

gift tag note pouch from little odd forest

bubble dress from lynn's rags

red riding hood pouch from my paper crane

ds/dsi carrying case from bag envy

yo gabba dolls by tuscany creative

TODAY WAS MAH BIRTHDAY...

My Yakudoshi birthday to be exact. 

What is Yakudoshi?
Bad luck ages are referred to as yakudoshi, with yaku meaning “calamity” or “calamitous” and doshi signifying “year(s).” These years are considered critical or dangerous because they are believed to bring bad luck or disaster.
For men, the ages 24 and 41 (or 25 and 42 in Japan) are deemed critical years, with 41 being especially critical. It is customary in these unlucky years to visit temples and shrines to provide divine protection from harm. In Hawai‘i, it has become a widespread tradition among men of Japanese ancestry to celebrate the 41st birthday with a festiveyakudoshi party or gathering to ward off the bad luck or disaster that may strike. The birthday person should wear red to bring good health, vitality and long life.

The equivalent yakudoshi ages for women are 18 and 32 (19 and 33 in Japan), with 32 thought to be a particularly hard, terrible or disastrous year. Like the age 41 for men, precautions are taken to ward off bad luck, and some women in Hawai‘i celebrate their 32nd birthday with a special yakudoshi party. (from the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii website)

Marc took me to my most favorite restaurant-- one that we only go to on my birthday.

alan wong's!!!

for our appetizer, we chose the "poki-pine"... it's basically ahi poke (raw tuna cubes) mixed with a wasabi sauce and topped with deep fried won ton sticks...avocado on the side...

we also had a hamakua tomato salad with jalapeno vinaigrette, but didn't take a photo of it.

for our main course I chose the ginger crusted onaga (snapper)-- no surprise here.  this is what I order everytime we eat there!! YUM!

and marc had the kalbi (korean style short-ribs), with shrimp.  it was so soft, no knife required.

marc on the other hand, always orders something different each time...

and as if we weren't already stuffed, it was time for dessert...strawberry shortcake with vanilla ice cream...

and a very creative banana split. banana ice cream wrapped in mochi and topped with coconut ice cream...

this awkward pose with my right arm is from trying to position it in a way that my arm would appear smaller.  but I guess there is no escaping the huge arm syndrome...

the yakudoshi celebration with friends is not until late september...

after our early dinner we had time to get home and play with em jay...perfect day!

HORRIBLE BARGAINER

On Saturday one of my favorite boutiques SPLIT OBSESSION at Ala Moana held a MACHINE MACHINE trunk show.  It was sooo good!  It helped that I had a $60 gift certificate.  I ended up spending $100-- for all of this!!!!!

Today, my friend Jess and I headed to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet.  Not as much dealers today as we had hoped.  Our theory is that everyone was at home watching this game.  But I did have a few finds...

pretty vintage DeMario earrings (I may repurpose them into a necklace, but am first trying to find out their real value. does anyone know??)

 and this little cutie...

I also found a booster seat like this in very good condition.  One of my good friends wanted to borrow ours, but for the life of me I could not find it.  I have had to turn her down on so many things that we either got rid of, or just cannot find after cleaning and moving out of our home last year.  We seriously still have boxes in storage.  Anyway, I saw it and decided to buy it for her.  

Here's the funny part. Jess and I keep telling ourselves that we need to "put our game faces on" before people think we're suckers and charge us too much for things.  But the truth is, I am a HORRIBLE bargainer.  I asked the woman how much she was selling the booster seat for.  She said "$10...are you interested?" I told her "no, that's okay."  then she says, "you can make me an offer, you know."  my reply?  "umm...I don't know how to!"  She looked at me like I was crazy and said... "you just tell me whatever price you're willing to pay...".  I said, "uh...$7, maybe...??"  she said okay, and I bought it.  And I know that I probably could have gotten it cheaper but honestly, I felt bad.  The way I calculated my asking price was by thinking about how much I wanted it for ($5) and adding on $2 extra just because I felt like she should be making some money from it.  I know I am a head case. but that's why I am a TERRIBLE bargainer. oh well.  It was still a steal. 

simply ArTistiC challenge #2

VINTAGE ALICE for Simply ArTistiC:

I was so excited to use the cute little kit that I recently purchased from the sequined shoe:

more creating to come...

also some fun things in store for my fellow kind-hearted bloggers (possibly in a few weeks or so??). stay tuned!! make sure to take a look at all of the fabulous bloggers participating in the campaign.

ATC overload

I recently had a ton of ATCs to make for swapbot deadlines. here are just a few of them...

beatles

 eric from true blood

 bella and edward

and just a few more to go...

ART + FLEA = INCREDIBLE

I had the best time at this month's ART + FLEA held at Fresh Cafe in Honolulu. There were about 40 local vendors selling DIY, and VINTAGE items.  It was like going to a thrift store with all of the best finds sorted through there for the taking (I mean purchasing).  And by the way... the cafe part is a MUST in itself. it's really cute, and the food is so good.

As my friend Jess says, we are "the crazies".  we tend to get VERY EXCITED about things that others around us might not share in.

 My intent was to take a lot of photos, but I was too distracted by all of the goods!  It really reminded me of the Indie Mart in San Francisco.  In fact I felt like I was on the mainland.

I left with:

a vintage owl pen holder (with free buttons)

okay, so here's where the crazy part starts to rear it's ugly head...

I was BEYOND THRILLED to find this little Pinocchio figurine, and even more thrilled to hear that she wanted 50 cents for it. 50 cents!!  I was like, why isn't everyone fighting over this gem?  I got a little high off it.  and then I went home and saw that someone is selling it on ebay for $9!!  it's a McDonald's toy!

here's Pinocchio after telling a lie.  his nose grows!  that was the seller!

I also bought this pretty remade necklace by popcloth

and a vintage dress.  it has a tiny hole at the waist, but I plan on wearing it with a belt so it's no problem.

the best part.  I only spent just about about $30 for all of that!!!  I already can't wait for next month.