Nothing like 4 grown women in colorful leotards. Oh, and we’re not actually pregnant – it’s a beach ball.
Are you ready, B?
Not sure what the deal is with the leotards? Watch Beyonce’s new music video, Countdown.
Happy Halloween!
That’s right people, the all-time, omg-is-she-seriously-wearing-THAT, accessory is BACK in action. Truth be told, it’s been back for some time (or some may argue that it never really left), but it’s true resurrection was confirmed by none other than the divine being that IS BEYONCE. What the [bleep] am I talking about? Easy. Beyonce be rockin’ a fabulous red fanny pack in her new music video Party, which (to me at least) confirms the resurrection. Because we all know that whatever Beyonce touches is gold – GOLD! Seriously though, the DIVA has managed to convince an entire movement of grown women to slip into a leotard and tights for Halloween. Like I said, GOLD.
How on earth has the fanny managed to resurrect itself onto the hips of fashion fiends across the globe? Read on, read on…
#1: Nowadays these fantastic little hip-slings come in BLINDING SEQUINS designs instead of blinding neon:
Sparkling animal print - what more can a girl ask for? (image: beltoutlet.com)
This sequined fanny can be yours for $24.95 at beltoutlet.com.
#2: They no longer resemble saggy pouches but instead come in cute and funky shapes:
If men can wear bows around their necks, then HELL YES women can wear bows around their waists! (image: fancypack.net)
You can BOW TIE your waist for $65 at fancypack.net.
#3: They come in dainty sizes more popularly known as “belt purses” that don’t make you look you’re bearing ET’s child:
I CLEARLY have a soft spot for animal print, but who doesn't? (image: asos.com)
Now this one I NEED: $35.94 asos.com.
#4: Designers dig them. Seriously though, the Gucci fanny has been around FOREVER and is NOT. GOING. ANYWHERE. period.
Gucci knows a thing or two about fannies. (image: gucci.com)
Go get your Gucci on for $530 at gucci.com.
So what do you think? Are fannies back in action or is this some rare hiccup in fashion history repeats that belongs back in your fashion faux pas file?
Aloha.
OMG! Halloween is a week away and YOU DON’T HAVE A COSTUME! Well, fear not my costumeless fashion fiends because I’ve done you the generous favor of sharing my top 3 costume ideas to help you get the ball rolling. Interestingly, two of the three involve leotards…read on, read on.
#1: Be a Princess! But not just any Princess. Be Kate Middleton.
Perhaps if you channel your inner Kate, you too will find a Prince! (image: brides.com)
Get the look by outfitting yourself in a royal blue colored dress similar to the one she wore for her engagement photos, styling your hair with some soft glossy waves and plopping on a fascinator. And top it all off with a faux blue sapphire ring! Practice your curtsies and you’re good to go.
#2: Be a Ballerina! But not just any Ballerina. Be Black Swan. 
Get the look by stopping by your nearest Walmart (yes, I just mentioned Walmart in my “fashion blog” – I’m such a rebel) and picking up a black leotard and sheer pink tights. You’ll find these in the girls section. I know this because I’ve purchased a black leotard from Walmart before. Then swing on over to the fabrics section and pick up some black tulle for your tutu. I’m not going to tell you how to make the tutu, but you can check out this tutu making tutorial. You MUST of course go big on the makeup, just like Natalie in Black Swan. Throw your hair in a bun and slip on a comfy pair of black flats. Voila – you ARE BLACK SWAN. *Please note: you might have creepy guys asking you to make a out with girls, but that’s the risk you take. (see the movie if you don’t know what I’m talking about)
#3: Be a Diva! But not just any Diva. Be Beyonce. 
To be more specific, be Beyonce from her AMAZING Single Ladies video. Get this look by (once again) heading to Walmart and picking up a black leotard just like the one for Black Swan (read: I LOVE LEOTARDS). This time you’ll want sheer skintone tights or panty hose unless you want to let your sexy legs go commando. Style your hair for maximum volume by teasing and hairspraying. Then glam up your look with fabulous smokey eye makeup (have at it with these smokey eye tutorials on youtube). Top off, or rather, bottom off the look with the highest pair of black pumps you own. Trust me, higher is better. Especially if you’re gonna leave the house in a leotard with nothing but sheer leggings. *Please note: if you decide on this costume, I advise learning some dance moves – pronto!
Those are just a few of my ideas. I’d love to hear yours!
Aloha.
I know, I know. You’re wondering what took me so damn long to update you on the amazing jewels I had made for me by Katie at Jewels of the Beach. Let me point out that Katie had nothing to do with my sluggishness. In fact, she done whipped up my AMAZING jewels sooner than I could say, “I’m Sold on Shells and Gold!” So, THANK YOU KATIE! It was just me being me – a procrastinator. Gah, I hate admitting that, but it’s the truth so shoot me if you’d like. Anyhow, enough with my procrastination and on to the JEWELS…
I put these on as soon as they came in the mail and HAVE NOT taken them off.
As you can see, Katie really worked her magic and pulled through 110% in turning my shells into jewels. She was even sweet enough to take a pre-photo of my shells, creating a far more stylish and beautiful photo than the sloppy photo I used in my first blog. Again, THANK YOU KATIE!
This is what I sent to Katie.
And THIS is what Katie made!
Now what many, or probably all of you, don’t know is that I took creative metals and glass when I was in high school and I actually made a few pieces of jewelry. I never actually wore my jewelry because I forgot to pick it up from the display case – my loss. What I’m getting at is this: there’s a bunch of not-so-cute tools and not-so-cute stages involved with making jewelry. This is mind, I asked Katie to send some behind-the-scenes stuff to share with you. Not only did she send a picture, but she also sent a VIDEO of her work space – cool!
Behind-the-scenes
This is getting to be a long post, but I did want to share one thing about Jewels of the Beach and Katie that I absolutely LOVE: she names her jewelry after her friends! I know this because the earrings I ordered are the yellow gold version of the Healani pair she has featured on the website. When I asked Katie if those were named after my friend Hea who lives in Hilo, Katie said they were! There’s another pair named after my GF Trisha who also lives in Hilo. While many pieces are named after her friends (one of them is Malia, but it’s not me, it’s Katie’s middle name), she also has great names like Kauai, Pupule, Goldie and Honi Honi (which I love!)
Cool, right? Note to all my friends who make things – you’re more than welcome to name a piece after me 
With Christmas just around the corner, I can’t think of a better place to start your shopping. And for those of you who have significant others, consider “accidentily” leaving this blog post or Jewels of the Beach (dot) com open on your laptop so your hubby or BF sees it. You never know – he might get the hint Just sayin’.
For those of you interested in ordering some of your own amazing jewels from Katie, you can visit her website www.jewelsofthebeach.com or email her at kdement@gmail.com.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go put on my jewels and joyfully dance in front of the mirror – sorry, no pictures of that.
Aloha.
So what’s with my new and improved header image? It was really just a moment of true Hawaii fashion fiendiness really…
I have a problem with leaving shoes in my car, which I’m led to believe is a common case among the vast majority of busy fashion fiends (you know who you are). I’m usually slightly embarrassed and often frustrated with myself for suffering from this leaving-shoes-in-car-disorder, especially when I rip my closet apart looking for pumps that are hiding under my passenger’s seat. BUT, today I couldn’t have been happier to have learned that I left my BCBG Generation leopard print kitten heels in my trunk!
You see, it was just going to be my typical afternoon at the beach – nothing special. Until, I popped open my trunk to pull out a towel and out jumped a LEOPARD KITTEN (Heel). All it took was that one pair of leopard kitten heels for me to decide I NEEDED to immediately do a photo shoot for my new header image. (Because let’s be real, the old one wasn’t cutting it.) While the leopord kitten heels are adorable, I obviously needed a few more props, so I threw in my uuber cute orange Longchamp purse, my Michael Kors sunnies and my new shell bangles! And voila – a few hours later I’m sporting a new and improved header image: 
*On a side note: I was also sporting an amazing black and white striped beach hat that my BFF Lauren found online as part of our bootylicious Halloween costumes (you best believe our Halloween costumes will have their own post). I decided against including the hat in the header image shots, but definitely made up for it by snapping a few fun-for-nothing pics:
This hat is AMAZING.
I hope you like the new header image and I know you LOVE the hat. I promise you’ll die when you see the whole costume in action 
Aloha.
Unfortunately Tyra Banks is not involved in this model search, but it doesn’t make it any less of an opportunity for aspiring models! So what’s the scoop? In celebration of Paul Brown’s 40th Anniversary, the FABULOUS Honolulu salon is hosting its New Faces of Paul Brown Model Search presented by Honolulu Pulse. Ok, ok, so it’s not technically Hawaii’s Next Top Model, but that’s not to say it can’t be someone’s big break! 
The Model Search is open to males and females ages 14-25, which puts me at the absolute end of the age spectrum (if I were entering). In addition to completing the application, they also ask entrants to submit two photos: 1) Front facing head shot, and 2) Full-body photo in a swim suit.
And because nobody likes reading blogs that don’t have pictures, I spent a few minutes browsing my iPhoto Albums to find two photos that would satisfy the entry requirements if I were to enter the Model Search. FYI, I’m not entering because I prefer to keep my highly professional modeling skills exclusive to this blog. Paul Brown is also one of my company’s clients, so I’m ineligible even if I were looking to take my skills beyond the blog. Anyway here are couple photos:
The Headshot (credit: Naleisha)
The full body photo. (credit: my iPhone)
Yes, I just voluntarily posted a picture of myself in a bikini. But if I’m trying to encourage people to enter the New Faces of Paul Brown Model Search, then I better walk the walk (well, sort of) before I talk the talk.
If you or someone you know is a good candidate for the Model Search, then be sure to visit www.paulbrownhawaii.com for more information!
Aloha.
I wasn’t planning on drafting a blog post for today, until something inspirational and sentimental happened yesterday afternoon: MY GRANNY GAVE ME MY FIRST PIECE FROM THE FAMILY JEWELS. It came unexpected, but I suppose the best things happen when you’re least expecting them, right?
I bet you’re dying to know what sort of jewel was handed down, but hold your horses and let me first share a glimpse of my Granny with you. Granny, is an 86-year old sassy little Chinese woman and boy do I LOVE her. She’s always seemed to be at the head of her class in terms of style – her wedding dress is proof of that:
Talk about style!
Eat your heart out Kate Middleton, Granny beat you to the punch. Considering her pure Chinese heritage, it came of no surprise to me that the first jewel Granny decided to hand down to me is this yellow gold and jade ring:
I immediately loved the ring for three reasons: 1) it’s yellow gold (and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE yellow gold); 2) it’s an unusual design; and 3) it got me thinking…
You see, had Granny given this ring to me when I was younger, I wouldn’t have been nearly as excited about it as I am now. Just like wine gets better with age, apparently so does my taste in jewelry. Simply putting on the ring reminded me of the gold locket my Spunky Grandma Ruth (my mom’s mom) gave me when I was a pre-teen:
I’m ashamed to say it sat unused in my jewelry box for years until I rediscovered it when I was packing for college. Since rediscovering it, the locket has become my go-to piece of jewelry when I’m looking for the perfect, simple and meaningful final touch for an outfit:
Look for the Gold Locket!
Plus, the fact that the locket has tiny pictures of my grandparents makes it the perfect piece to wear for important events like my college graduation:
Shoot ME Now for wearing those jeans with that adorable Indah dress! But, it WAS SO COLD that day!
And my older brother’s wedding:
Look for the GOLD Locket!
[On a side note: I find it bizarre that I'm wearing the same Indah dress (different colors) at both of these occasions. But that's a whole different post.]
As I’ve mentioned before, fashion isn’t always about what’s hot now. It’s often those timeless, one-of-a-kind pieces like your Grandma’s handed down jewelry that make you feel like the most fabulously dressed person in the room. Perhaps it’s knowing that your amazing Grandma once wore that same piece of jewelry and you’re carrying on her legacy.
So here’s to all of the beautiful and amazing Grannies who graciously and lovingly pass down their fashionable swag to their lucky granddaughters.
Do you have a special piece of jewelry that was given to you by your Grandma? I’d love to know!
Aloha.
The long, flowy, goddessy (I’m 99.9% sure that goddessy is NOT a word) dress commanded my attention as I drifted down the aisle towards the shoes (I always find AMAZING shoes at Nordstrom Rack). I NEEDED that dress, but without even getting close to it I could tell it was too expensive, so I kept walking. After no luck with the shoes, I still had a soft spot for the dress, so I went back to it. Except this time I was specifically looking for the size and price. I found the size 4 tag, and my mind drifted, “Hmm…BCBG usually runs big, but this 4 looks like it could fit. Maybe I’ll just try it on. It’s so amazing, I NEED to at least try it.” Then I saw the price listed in Euro. “Ugh, 488 Euro probably correlates to something along the lines of inappropriately expensive – even at Nordstrom Rack,” I thought, defeated.
In one last hopeful attempt, I let my eyes wander to the Nordstrom sticker on the BCBG tag. My mind prepared my legs to start walking away, then BOOM: The Nordstrom Rack Price showed itself like a ray of sunshine sent down from the fashion gods, $44. “HOLY SH*T – THIS DRESS IS MINE!”. I thought in the loudest, screaming internal thoughts possible. The rest is history because I obviously bought the dress.
And I obviously LOVE the dress. And I OBVIOUSLY have NO IDEA where I’m wearing the dress. My only idea so far is to be a Greek Goddess for the Halloween Party I’m going to this weekend. So if any of you have suggestions as to where I can wear this amazing, flowy, goddessy dress, please do share them with me. Otherwise, I’ll just continue to lounge around in it in my living room, pretending I’m going somewhere fabulous. Here are some pictures of the dress on the hanger AND on a world-class model (HAHA) to get your thoughts going:
Aloha.
Diane von Furstenberg is now open at Ala Moana. In case you’re wondering what that means, it basically means this:
I’m going to need a 2nd job to financially support the onslaught of NEEDS that DVF at Ala Moana is sure to induce. The onslaught begins with a few DVF items I LOVE:
#1: This wow-she’s-totally-pulling-off-a-long-sleeve-printed-dress-good-for-her dress.
GIVE ME THIS, NOW! (image: dvf.com)
#2: And this, I’m-mixing-prints-and-I-look-AMAZING-doing-it dress.
NEED. (image: dvf.com)
#3: This her-purse-is-leopard-and-I’m-jealous purse.
JUST STOP IT. STOP IT NOW. I'M DYING. (image: dvf.com)
#4: This It-doesn’t-matter-where-I’m-going-so-long-this-is-my-carryon luggage.
SPEECHLESS. (image: dvf.com)
#5: These omg-did-you-see-that-girl’s-shoes wedges.
GIVE.THESE.TO.ME.NOW! (image: dvf.com)
Anyone else considering a 2nd job? Or am I the only crazy one in this town?
Aloha.
On the heels of the recent Missoni Madness that Target subjected upon itself, the discount retailer recently revealed that it would be delivering another glorious designer collection from the fashion gods. This time, it’s Jason Wu.
For those of you unfamiliar with Wu, he just so happens to be a favorite designer of, geez I don’t know, MICHELLE OBAMA! In fact, she wore a Wu design for the Inaugural Ball – KIND OF A BIG DEAL for Mr. Wu, wouldn’t you say?
Jason Wu and Michelle Obama with the dress Wu created for her to wear at the Inaugural Ball.
Wu’s collection for Target won’t launch until Spring 2012, but he was oh-so-kind (or perhaps cruel) as to create this short teaser video for all the fiends out there:
So basically now Wu and Target have us all on the edge of our seats, waiting for the lookbook to come out and launch the entire world (or perhaps maybe just the fashion fiend world) into utter chaos. JUST. LIKE. MISSONI. We can only hope that Wu’s entire collection for Target doesn’t end up on eBay.
Now we really don’t know what Wu will create to woo us over to Target (pun intended), but I can tell you now that I’m ABSOLUTELY loving some of the pieces in his 2012 Spring and Resort Collections:
I DON'T care what anyone says. I LOVE this absurdly voluminous PINK skirt. LOVE. (image: jasonwustudio.com)
I know what you’re thinking: That skirt is too big and too pink. I love it regardless. And if Wu sends some sort of adapted version of this to Target, it’s MINE. Because I love the Pink, I MUST also LOVE the Yellow:
Perhaps I can convince someone to plan some sort of Gala in Hawaii where I'm required to wear this dress?(image: jasonwustudio.com)
Dear Target fashion gods, please let Jason Wu create something just like this next piece for his Target collection. I NEED this in my professional wear wardrobe. Love, Malia. P.S. Did I mention I NEED this?
NEED. (image: jasonwustudio.com)
Find me an appropriate time and place to wear the two piece ensemble below and I WILL WEAR IT. Bible:
Seriously though, I love it. Judge me, tease me - I don't care. (image: jasonwustudio.com)
This next piece is from Wu’s 2012 Resort Collection. I’m pretty sure it’s screaming, SCREAMING my name. And if I can’t have this one, I’m praying to the fashion gods that Wu will make one similar for Target. Please Wu, please?
This IS it for me. Jason Wu now OWNS my life. (image: jasonwustudio.com)
I honestly had to stop browsing the collections because I was about to add every damn piece into this post. I think you get the point: I’m ready for Jason Wu to hit “the Target” with his Spring 2012 Target Collection. This time I’ll be well prepared for the chaos that will likely ensue. Bring it, Target and Wu. Bring it.
Now let me ask you, do you think Jason Wu will woo as much of a fashion frenzy as Missoni did in September?
Aloha.
