March is In Like A Lamb

Have you heard the saying that March comes, "Comes in Like a Lamb and Goes Out Like a Lion" or vice versus?  One side of March is always dramatic.

Well this year the entire Winter has felt like a lamb.  It has been unseasonably warm, mild and practically snow-free.  It is just not right, and when I say right, I mean that it is not "okay with me." 

I like snow and cocoa and scarves and having to stay home and make soup because the weather is so bad.  I like Michigan Winters (although I am known for escaping to Florida for a week or two) but still!

What has really rattled me is that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has published the new plant hardiness zone map for 2012 and they have changed the zones.  They are now classifiying my area as Zone 6a!  This part of Michigan has been Zone 5 my entire life and now is has been reclassified as warmer based on weather trends and statistics.  Wow.  

So my question is...does this mean I can have a lemon tree now?

A few days ago I mentioned that I was giving the house a once over in terms of straightening, organizing and placing objects to their advantage.  I will be reviewing a few different strategies I use for evaluating each room; I call it a "Refresher Course," because we are freshening up the house.

I know that lamps can easily be overlooked.  But a simple way to enhance a room is to change/rearrange the lamps.  It has been a long time since I had a lamp on this glass table in the corner of my family room.  The fireplace (to the left of this photo) has two spotlights overhead, so lamp light isn't necessary.

No, it isn't necessary, but it looks beautiful!  I had forgotten how soothing it can be to have lamp light in a room on a dim winter afternoon.  It really warms up the room and makes the house seem lived in.  Do you know what I mean?

I brought this 20-year-old Laura Ashley lamp base (cream porcelain with a raised oak leaf pattern) down from the guest room and removed it's tired lampshade.  It was wonderful in it's day (a craft paper shade with oak leaf cut outs) but the "Coolie" shape looked very outdated and I thought the base could look new again, with the right shade. 

While I was out and about doing errands, I started looking at lamps at home stores, discount stores and the like.  When I found this oval drum shade in linen, I knew it was right.  It makes my table look cozy and perfectly balanced.  What a difference!  I found this lamp primer online that can help you to judge size, style and hardware for different lamps.

Step Two of my "Refresher Course" - reevaluate your lamps and their shades.

Starting Over...a Gardener's Tale

I love peonies and a garden mishap is causing me to have to start all over - (sniff).  I had a bed of peonies for ten years that gave me season after season of delight.  But the bed started to show signs of disease the year before last, and then they failed to produce at all last Spring, which was the result of a soaker- hose-gone-wrong that flooded the bed and caused them to rot. 

This is the life a gardener...sometimes things have to change in order to flourish.  The flooding prompted us to move a row of hydrangeas and they loved the change and looked terrific the rest of the Summer.  So this Spring I am starting from scratch and planting a peony bed.  I know it will be some time before they will produce blooms, but I need to get them started the sooner the better. 

My favorites from my last bed were:

"Raspberry Sundae" - which looks like a scoop of vanilla ice cream with raspberry sauce on top and in the bowl.

"Gay Paree" - that my husband bought and planted while I was in Paris with my parents.  It is magenta with fluffy cream petals in the center.

Do you have any peonies that I should consider?  What is your favorite?  Thanks and wish me luck!

Homemade Cookies

No, my kitchen isn't quite this antique (though I'd love to have an enamel-top baking table...), but I thought I would use this photograph to represent the ritual of baking cookies from scratch.

A friend broker her arm over the weekend (darn that ice!) and I am doing some baking in hopes that oatmeal chocolate chips cookies are, in fact, medicinal. 
Have you ever made the recipe from the inside lid of the Quaker tub?  I always skip the cinnamon and use chocolate chips in place of raisins and they always turn out delish!  

Living Green: Wallpaper that Makes A Room

I love House Beautiful magazine and this month they are celebrating "Living Green."   The issue showcases the use of green paint, wallpaper and accessories for the home.  On their Facebook Page, they've asked readers to post a photo showing how they have decorated with the color green.

Well, I couldn't resist showing them my dining room.  I had an entirely different color scheme in mind when I flipped to this page in the wallpaper book a few years ago.  I remember seeing this paper and saying, "Oh no." 

Nothing about it worked with the plans or fabrics I was thinking of for the space, but I gave in to it and said, "I'm papering the dining room Wellies green."  I loved it and I had never felt so sure of a decorating choice.  The wallpaper is "Oriental Spring Blossoms (GG4721)" by York.

We recently covered the 8 chair pads in a Ralph Lauren plaid that I found by chance and it looks as if they were part of the same collection.  Success! 

2012 Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango

Tah-dah!  I have been scouring my photo archives looking for the perfect image to represent the color "Tangerine Tango" - Pantone's Color of the Year for 2012.  I finally found it in this gorgeous Poppy in my parent's garden.

As the color of the year, this shade will appear as popular touches in fashion, interior design and lifestyle accessories.  A wool blanket on a porch chair.  A silk scarf paired with a classic trench.  Bright napkins on a kitchen table. 

The first way that I've added a touch of tangerine to my life was to fill a ceramic bowl to the brim with actual tangerines.  It looks bright and cheery on the kitchen counter, all while making the room au courant. 

How will you incorporate tangerine into your life this year? 

Really Homemade Tomato Soup

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I was inspired to try this recipe for canned tomatoes when I saw an episode of Laura Calder's "French Food at Home" on the Cooking Channel last year.  So in August, I filled 4 jars with "Sweet 100" cherry tomatoes (from my pot of tomatoes on the patio) and off I went, with hopes of homemade tomato soup in the Winter.

Now fast forward...I opened my first jar yesterday!  To my relief, it gave a satisfying "whoop" when I broke the seal; my first time canning was a success.  The recipe calls for sealing small tomatoes, a piece of onion and a sprig of thyme in the jar.  When I poured the contents into the soup pot, I only had to add a bit of milk and salt, heat and then puree it into soup with an immersion blender. 

It worked like a charm and gave us 2 satisfying bowls of soup for a snowy Tuesday.

Sand and Shadow

Yes, the view was indeed spectacular.  All sky, sand and water.  My husband and I were at the scenic overlook at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and I took some fabulous shots, that I shared here.

But today I wanted you to see another photo that I took that day.  It was a surprise to me when I took my eyes off the lake and really looked around.  A sweet silhouette that I couldn't plan if I tried.  It's graphic, romantic and interesting all at the same time.

The next time you are taking photographs on vacation, see if you can capture a shadow or silhouette of your loved ones.  It might just be your favorite picture.  

Quiet Winter Morning

I feel very lucky  - I am home and I have a plan.  My first priority has been to "freshen up" the house with thoughtful accessories placed just so.  All clutter has been removed, and I have been thinking of the areas of the house in layers.

I will expand on my approach in the coming days, but for now I want you to relax, as I have, on a quiet Winter morning.  I was having a cup of coffee this morning and was already enjoying the little changes I have made.  I thought you should see it. 

I brought this small lamp down from a spare room upstairs and placed it on my Carl Larsson "Flower Window" tray, along with a shell box and newsprint-covered bird.  They objects themselves don't really tell a story, but they work together to give a sense of calm, don't you think? 

Books As Art

In my life and business, I have always emphasized "looking at what I love," whether it is making watch bands with French ribbon (which makes checking the time so much more enjoyable) or turning my photographs into cover art for a modern tote (see here) - I like to use the materials that inspire me. 

It was this principle that inspired me haul all of my coffee table books into the living room this weekend to make an arrangement of "books as art."  I have sooooo many coffee table books - on gardening, decorating and cooking.  They were relegated to a shelf upstairs a few years ago and it feels wonderful to have the best of the best within reach. 

When decorating your home, I think it is important to have your collections on display.  They will lift your spirit and keep your home interesting.  And the best part about collecting books is that I can pick up one of these gems at any time and be inspired all over again. 

Do you use your books as a design element in your home?

Home Sweet Home

I am happy to be home-sweet-home after travelling most of Janaury and February.  It has been a wonderful (did you see my posts from Hawaii?), but it also feels good to be back.  I have read one too many decorating magazines while I was away and I can't wait to rearrange things in the house.

So today I am "getting out everything I own and putting it on the dining room table."  That's what I told my husband I was going to do when we were on the plane last night.  Picture frames, vases, tea sets, candles - I want to look at all of my accessories and find just the right spot for them. 

Whole businesses have been founded on this concept - "staging", "rearranging", "use what you have."  A team will come into your home, move rugs, exchange lamp shades and breathe life into your home.  All with what you already have on hand.  I would love having that job!  I think it is really fun to move objects around and highlight pieces in a new way.

Anyhoo, that is what I am doing to day.  Rearranging my home-sweet-home.  Join me?

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope you have enjoyed celebrating the 12 Days of Valentine's Day with me.  A little extra frosting, a pink scarf, a loving gesture can only help to make us all "feel the love."  Wishing you a delightful day, Anne 

12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 11, Romantic Dinner

It's Valentine's Eve and tomorrow is the big day.  Are you making your famous spaghetti sauce for a quiet dinner for two?  Are you sneaking off to an early dinner and a movie?  Or is Valentine's Day you night to rent "When Harry Met Sally" and enjoy a truly great movie.

Whatever you do, clear everything off of your kitchen table, get out some pink placemats and find something you can use as a centerpiece. 
Make your kitchen table look pretty for Valentine's Day and I guarantee that even your cereal will taste better tomorrow morning.   

12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 10, Love Letters

Don't we all walk to the mailbox with the hope of finding some real mail.  The day that I receive an actual postcard, card or letter is a banner day.  Don't you feel the same way?  And we save these treasures, don't we.  A hand-written note is something special.

Can you tell where this is going?  A one-of-a- kind gift from the heart.  Write a letter to someone that you treasure.  Tell them what you remember.  Tell them what you are looking forward to.  Then put a heart-shaped sticker on it and drop it in the mail.  Make this Valentine's Day a banner day.

Happy Day 10: Put some love in a letter.

12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 9, Molten Chocolate Cake

My oh my!  There has to be chocolate somewhere in your Valentine's celebration, right?  I made molten chocolate cakes for the first time and adapted the recipe from Epicurious.  What did I change?  I dropped the almond extract, used Hershey Special Dark cocoa powder and Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips and topped the individual masterpieces with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream, instead of homemade coffee whipped cream.  It was delicious!

And of course, I crafted and made a set of heart-topped picks to dress up dessert and reinforce the Valentine spirit.  Just find some cute scrapbook paper and "punch" out hearts with a Martha Stewart heart craft punch.  Then glue them back-to-back onto toothpicks and Voila!  A custom pick worthy of the 12 Days of Valentine's Day.

Happy Day 9: Make sure to incorporate some chocolate into your week.

12 Days of Valentine's Day, Day 8: Heart Shaped Treats

I have always loved theme food, I can't help it.  Football-shaped brownies for a homecoming game tailgate, "Jell-O" beans at Easter - I think it is fun and I see no reason to limit myself.  But we don't always have time to make theme food, so this post is all about supporting local businesses that are trying to have some fun.

Did you know that Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme have heart-shaped doughnuts for sale through Valentine's Day?  I love that!  Time to pick some up on your way into the office or that volunteer meeting - it's just fun.

I found and bought this heart-shaped loaf of bread for Mother's Day (so cute!) and put it out to share during tea time with my parents.  The funny thing was that my mom didn't want to eat it, she wanted to keep it.  So it became our edible centerpiece, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Happy Day 8: Find yourself a heart-shaped pizza, doughnut or whatever seems fun. 

12 Days of Valentines Day: Day 7, Orchid Fever

It is Day 7, and you might be looking for a sugar-free way to spread a little love this Valentine's Day. May I suggest an orchid?

The most common orchid is called the phalaenopsis - it is the easiest to care for too. Just place 3 ice cubes on the moss once a week.  I saw a huge selection of orchids at the grocery store and identified this one as a phalaenopsis - oops!  I am glad the experts are helping me out - I've had 2 suggestions of the proper name and it looks like this particular orchid is a cymbidium.  The grocery store where I took the photograph was in Hawaii, and I realize now that it is on the mainland where I am so used to seeing phalaenopsis for sale, my mistake. 

I love orchids because each bloom lasts several weeks, and when one bloom is spent, several more will open up farther down the stem. They are lovely. The perfect gift for your parents, a roommate or your best buddy. Come on, everybody wants flowers!

12 Days of Valentines Day: Day 6, Order Dessert!

Oh, come on, we're celebrating! Who doesn't need a slice of cake with pink icing?

I think that part of the 12 Days of Valentine's should be spending time with your friends. Call someone up and invite them out for coffee and cake. In the middle of catching up, you will both feel the love that makes Valentine's Day so important.

Happy Day 6: While you are ordering, get some cake!

This cake? Oh, this is the signature cake at The Royal Hawaiian resort on Waikiki. They describe it as "pink haupia cream layered between coconut-soaked sponge cake," - what a delight!

12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 5, Love My Purse and Everything in It

This 12 Days of Valentine's Day post is about putting things that you LOVE in your purse, like this package of heart print tissues or a new Revlon lipstick in "Love That Pink". 

Today someone actually asked me if I had a Kleenex, and when I handed them a heart-covered tissue, it was well received.  Why wouldn't you want something fun and whimsical?  Sometimes it is the little things that can brighten your day the most.

Speaking of brightening your day, what do you think about my new purse?  It is clear neon yellow and pink and gets a lot of attention whenever I carry it.  Dare I say that I love it?  Yes, yes I do!  I had told my friend that I was looking for an old fashioned "Queen of England" type purse in an unreasonable material.  When I saw this on the shelf and rushed over, I could see that she couldn't believe that I had found what I had made up.

I bought it at Forever 21 in Honolulu, but I can see that it is available online, so I assume that it is in shops across the country.  Are you feeling daring enough to carry a clear neon handbag, old chap? 

12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 4 Conversation Starters

I found these darling conversation heart melamine plates last year at Michael's Craft Store, and was pleased to see that they have them in stock again this year.  I leave the kitchen table "set" with four aqua placemats and one of these plates in the center of each one. It makes the whole kitchen look cute.

Happy Day 4: Buy a little Valentine's whimsy at the craft or grocery store.  You'll be surprised at how good you will feel every time you see it.

12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 3, Heart Necklaces

Now is the time to pull out your heart necklace and wear it!  Is your heart pendant crystal, metal or glass?  My friend, Corinne, fell for this lovely koa wood heart that was hand-carved by a craftsman in Hawaii.  Koa wood is the second most common tree in the Hawaiian islands and is used for making exceptional ukuleles, guitars and jewelry.

Happy Day 3:  Find some Valentine-inspired treasures in your jewelry box and wear them.  Every outfit could use a little love. 
 

12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 2 Sweet Sherbet

Two ingredients can make a big impact when served on a pretty plate.  This is raspberry sherbet (the kind that is only $1.64 for an entire round tub, plus it is delicious) softened a bit and then scooped into a heart-shaped tin mold and frozen.  I quickly ran the sides under hot tap water and let it release onto a heart-shaped mound of Oreo cookie crumbs that I had arranged on a "Royal Collection" tin plate from Windsor Castle.  Voila! 

Sometimes, presentation is everything.

Happy Day 2: Mold ice cream or sherbet into a heart-shaped delight.

12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 1

When's the last time you knew you were going to have fun for 12 days straight?  I know, we don't often look at things that way, and that is precisely the beauty of celebrating the "12 Days of Valentine's Day".  It's a time when you do little things to show love for family, friends and while you're at it, yourself. Wear pink one day, make a cake, put out red placemats - everything counts when you are celebrating the fact that you love a lot of people. 

There is no set schedule; Nor is there a "number" relationship, meaning you don't have to sneak 10 Hershey kisses into a loved one's pocket just because it is Day 10 (but what a great idea!).  Nope, you just do what feels right (and fits into your schedule) on any particular day leading up to Valentine's Day.  When someone compliments your pink scarf, just smile and say that its in honor of the 12 Days of Valentine's Day.  If your neighbor questions your sudden gift of 6 muffins, cite your inspiration, The 12 Days of Valentine's Day.  Have fun with it.

I will post a suggestion, recipe or idea each day to inspire you.  Remember, this is a gift of the heart, so any gesture, no matter how small, will be appreciated.  You can also look up my blog posts from prior years to get ideas.
Happy Day 1.  Make a batch of muffins, just because. Then share them.   

Oahu: Lanikai Beach

Is Lanikai Beach one of the most beautiful beaches in the world?  This girl says yes.  No wonder fashion photographers make this their stomping ground.  I can only hope that your computer monitor (or phone?) can display the many shades of aqua and turquoise.  It looks like a place that I made up.

This area of Kailua is primarily residential, but as state law requires that all Hawaiian beaches are open to the public, you can walk from the street down one of the many footpaths and enjoy this exclusive area for yourself.  It is glorious. 

Since we had planned to bring our beach chairs and plant ourselves at another beach down the road (which was also gorgeous), we brought only our cameras when walked down the path "to check it out."  This was spot to end all spots and I implore you to pack a lunch and plan to stay a while when you finally reach Lanikai Beach.  And if you see Giselle, tell her I say hi. 

Honolulu: Hibiscus Lady Nursery

I was so excited when I saw this display that I startled the woman that grows these!  Jill Coryell is the "Hibiscus Lady" and she hybridizes hibiscus. (Say that 5 times fast!)  She sells her plants at her farm, online and every Saturday at the Kapi'olani Community College Farmer's Market in Honolulu.

Many shoppers were gathered around to admire these flowers, but what I don't think they understood was that Jill "designs" these hibiscus.  She goes beyond specializing in hibiscus and their care and actually plans and creates the shades and styles of blooms that she wants.  Hybridizing deals with pollen and fertilizing, seed pods and ovaries.  It takes time, patience and vision.  She made a GRAY and peach hibiscus!! Are you kidding me?  This woman is a genius.

And my questions, enthusiasm and photo-taking through her for a loop.  Especially because I don't live in a climate where hibiscus can live.  Darn you Zone 5.  My friend pointed out that the general Hawaiian temperament is quiet and relaxed - the opposite of how she would describe me.  But tell me the truth, if you stumbled upon a woman who created a display like this, wouldn't you get excited too? 

Oahu: Banzai Pipeline on Oahu's North Shore

"Yahooooooooo!"  I imagine that there must have been some sort of primal whoop going through this guy's mind.  I wish I could track him down and show him the photograph I was able to get.  The only thing as coveted as a good run, is a photo of it.  Am I right?

I spent a good three hours watching and photographing the surf at the Banzai Pipeline on Oahu's North Shore.  The waves did indeed form a pipe and it was interesting to watch the 50+ surfers floating on their boards waiting to sync up with the perfect wave.

I gave into the calm rhythm of the waves - it gave me time to think.  No phones, no conversation, no hurry.  I loved it.

Hawaii: Best Shaved Ice on Oahu

Up in the town of Waialua, we tracked down the "best shaved ice on Oahu." Essentially a giant snow cone, we were curious to try this local specialty.

A darling salesman/surfer explained the flavor choices and unexpectedly gave us an impromptu taste test between the mango flavoring that "the others" use and the homemade recipe used at the Old Sugar Mill. What a difference!

That, he explained, is why all the locals come here. The mango syrup was light and fresh and delicious. I ordered a split of mango and coconut and slurped my way through this refreshing Hawaiian treat. 

We shopped the store, toured the chocolate/coffee production area out back and was lovingly shown a local route to the best view of the North Shore pipeline on a map. 

Our visit to the Old Sugar Mill in Waialua was Hawaiian hospitality at its best. Mahalo!

Honolulu: Neiman Marcus

During our pre-trip planning, my friend Corinne kept saying that we had to have lunch at Neiman Marcus. We had done this many times at home, so I figured it was more out of nostalgia than anything else.

Then when we walked onto the open air balcony, it became clear that we weren't just there for the popovers. Our table had a view of the ocean!

If you are ever in Honolulu on vacation, brush the sand off your feet, put on a cute sundress and make reservations for lunch at the Neiman Marcus at Ala Moana. It's the best girl lunch ever. Shown here is my "Grilled Lemon Shrimp with Romaine Hearts, quinoa, goat cheese, asparagus, tomato and mint." Yep, I wanted to stay all day.

Hawaii: Birds in Paradise

This little beauty is the Japanese White Eye (http://www.honoluluzoo.org/japanese_white-eye.htm) A yellow songbird that I have seen day after day flitting between the branches of the orchid trees here on Oahu. I love to investigate the flora and fauna of a new place and so far this bright yellow bird is my favorite find.

Oahu: Sunset and Surfers

We were on the North Shore of Oahu for a casual sunset dinner at "Jameson's by The Sea." Luckily my friends were patient with me, as I kept popping up out of my chair to run and take a picture. The sky was continually changing and I didn't want to miss a thing. I was rewarded with this shot of a surfer and his board crossing the breakwater. I feel confident when I say that this guy was having a good day.

Hawaii: Eating the Local Delights

Now this is a breakfast of champions! Fresh papaya (with a squeeze of lime juice), yogurt sweetened with Hawaiian sugar, fresh grilled pineapple, dried apple banana chips and the crunch of roasted macadamia nuts. Yep, Hawaii suits me.

When Corinne and I visited a friend of hers, I noticed a full size tree in the neighbors yard loaded with orange-colored fruit. I asked her if they could possibly be tangerines ripening on the tree. Oh yes, that tree is very productive, she said.

A few days later, Corinne dropped by her friend's without me and returned home with an armload of fruit! The neighbor had dropped off a bunch and she shared some with Corinne. So lately our "snack" has been fresh tangerines! Eating them somehow feels different because I know they weren't picked from a stack at the grocery store. They feel like a gift - true Hawaiian hospitality.

Oahu: View from Diamond Head

Sea, Sun and Surfers - this is the epitome of life in Hawaii. On our way from the farmer's market, we drove along the shore under Diamond Head and took advantage of a scenic pull off to take this beautiful photograph.

I love the salt and pepper dots that are surfers waiting for the next big wave. The ocean dictates the fun around here, one pull of the surf at a time.

Oahu: Idyllic Beaches

"Oh darling,want to go for a swim?" If we'd had time, I would have thrown on a swimsuit and gone swimming at this picture perfect beach called "Hanauma Bay."

Doesn't it look divine? The footpath down to it is a bit tenuous, a steep and dusty path from the highway down to the sand, but it looks oh-so-worth-it! If there only was time for all of this. This is the beach location for the famous kissing scene in the movie, "From Here To Eternity" (with Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr) was filmed - a movie set indeed.

I took this photo from above at the scenic pullout for the Halona Blowhole.

Oahu: Two Scoops Ice Cream Parlor in Ko Olina

Doesn't this look pretty? The mural says it all: Hawaiian hospitality meets the charm of an English tearoom. I love ice cream; I love tea. Can the two ideas really be that far apart?

I can only speak to the ice cream, but was delicious! I had a scoop of the Hawaiian Mud Pie - rich homemade Kona coffee ice cream with Oreo cookie crumbs hidden within. Yum Yum Yum.

The English owners offer tea and scones as well and my friend was raving about how cute the parlor tables looked when they were all set up for afternoon tea on her last visit.

If your sweet tooth gives you a nudge after dinner in Ko Olina, stop by Two Scoops (www.twoscoopsicp.com) for an inspired ice cream treat.

Oahu: Aulani Resort

Have you ever felt like you were actually on a movie set? The ocean, the food, the atmosphere felt worthy of an epic love story filmed by a renowned movie producer on his best day. I mean it!

My friends suggested we have an early dinner at the oceanfront restaurant 'AMA 'AMA (within the spectacular Disney resort, Aulani (www.http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/dining/table-service/ama-ama-beach-restaurant/) so that we could watch the sun set over the Pacific during dinner. Sounds good to me!

The Aulani resort just opened in September 2011, so it is brand new and absolutely gorgeous. The resort theme tries to capture the spirit of Hawaiian culture through art, music, food and design and I think they did a beautiful job. The scale of the resort is grand, but the atmosphere remains distinctly calming.

After a lovely dinner (you can see my salad course of Heirloom tomatoes, Buratta cheese and a white corn vinaigrette below) at a table close to the ocean, we wandered up to the open air lobby to visit the gift shop (would you believe a Aulani-specific Dooney & Bourke purse?) and take a look around.

In this second floor lobby, there are alcoves and balconies where you can sit and listen to live Hawaiian music waft up from the patio below. I'm not sure my blood pressure could go any lower - it was lovely.

Is the Aulani a "must visit" site on your delightful tour of Oahu? Absolutely.

Honolulu: Farmers Market

It exceeded my imagination. I knew that I wanted to visit a local farmers market when I was in Hawaii; I could see the tropical fruits stacked on tables in my mind.

When I visited the Kapi o lani Community College's farmers market (http://kapiolani.hawaii.edu/object/farmersmarket.html)on Saturday, the sights and sounds of this bustling market were a cook's dream come true.

I saw beautiful pink and black Hawaiian salt for sale. One vendor specialized in local honey and had sample tray with tiny drops of each flavor honey for shoppers to sample. The "hibiscus honey" stands out in my mind. And look at these gorgeous papaya!

I took pictures, sampled pineapple cake and sipped an icy made-while-you-wait Ginger Lemon Basil Cooler. It was a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning. The next time you are on vacation (with access to a kitchen), try to visit the farmers market. Fresh never tasted so good.

Honolulu: Q-Pot

My oh my, are these necklaces cute! I discovered a store in Honolulu's Ala Moana mall that is pushing the boundaries of what a "charm" on a necklace should be. This Japanese store is called Q-Pot (http://www.q-pot.jp/eng/brand-items/necklace.html) and you really should check it out.

The store sells tiny French pastries, macaroons and scoops of ice cream as pendants on necklaces. They are sooooo cute. I've never seen anything like it and, as a sugar lover, I wholeheartedly approve.

The sales girl was modeling their latest creation - tiny hamburger necklaces where each charm is a layer that stacks on the next - bottom bun, beef patty, tomato, cheese...whatever you want on it. No joke! It's cute, but it can't compare with a tiny pink macaroon.

There is only one shop in the United States (and apparently they don't sell online) but you can email: qpot-alamoana@lyrausa.com or call the store at (808) 955-9330 for sales inquiries.

Honolulu: Hiking

Are you up for a hike? I wasn't when I realized that this famous "Koko Crater Trail" has 1,048 steps to the top! But I can show you what's possible on this gorgeous island; feel free to send me pictures from the top.

Apparently the railroad tie trail is the remains of a funicular track that carried men and supplies up to a radar facility on top of the crater during World War II. The view is said to be spectacular and is a fun milestone activity for those who like a physical challenge on their vacation.

Honolulu: Whole Bead Show

Didn't I have fun? The 17th Annual Honolulu Bead Show (whole bead.com) coincided with my trip to Hawaii. This is what you call having the moon and stars align.

My friend Corinne is new to jewelry making (her specialty is sea glass) and we had so much fun looking at the beads, findings and inspiration pieces at the show.

I found some beautiful shell charms and whipped up this beautiful charm necklace and have already worn it to dinner on this trip! I love to make a piece of jewelry and wear it immediately. This is what I call "shell chic!"

Honolulu: Ukelele Love

For the past few years, my mom has been keeping ukeleles on my mind. She shows me articles about the growing beach scene for young musicians who like to tote a less precious instrument with them to the beach to play. She's the one that got me to look up Jake Shimabukuro's ukelele version of "My Guitar Gently Weeps" (you can find it by searching on YouTube) - it's lovely. So...you can imagine that when I was invited to visit my friends in Hawaii, her eyes lit up. I am on a quest to bring her a ukulele from the source: Hawaii.

The ones you see here are gorgeous! I was perusing the wall, settling on my favorites, when I realized that most of these were $500-$1,000. Whoops! A little too much to spend on whimsy.

So the hunt continues. Wish me luck!