I’ve Been Yelp-pinned!
Thanks to the confident Q-chi, I have a mini-collection of Yelp Elite mini buttons.
Yay! Thanks and Happy Holidays to Yelp (Hawaii).
Life
Thanks Scion Hawaii!
So I didn’t win one week with the Scion FR-SÂ but let bygones be bygones and let’s all move on. And moving on is even easier after winning a goody bag from Scion Hawaii’s Twelve Days of Christmas social media giveaway. Each day, Scion Hawaii has been posing a question to its Facebook fans and one participant is randomly picked. Guess who won Day 6? 🙂
The winnings come in this small Scion pouch.
But this pouch is stuffed. There’s a Scion-branded stand for a tablet, ear buds, a key chain, and the greatly-timed Ala Moana gift card with $50.
I was hoping for keys to this…
But hey, I’ll still take my prize pack! There are still two more days of the contest so be sure to become a FB fan of Scion Hawaii. Thanks again, Scion Hawaii.
At Ala Moana Again
One more week closer to Christmas means one more shopping session at Ala Moana. This time, we went early to capitalize on Macy’s sale and early opening. The crowds are tolerable at 8am (that’s one hour after Macy’s opened), but the parking cones in the structure were blocking the stalls nearest Macy’s for some reason.
Anyways, what did I see this past weekend? Even the high traffic (and slow throughput) Starbucks in Macy’s had a few free-coffee-in-January tumblers still available. I wonder if these will be discounted at some point?
Macy’s sells Kitchen Aid mixers in a variety of colors. From the looks of things, the pink version is “hot.” I can’t imagine anyone trying to shoplift these heavy mixers.
Chilewich placemats. Never saw them before, but I liked the designs, but no, I didn’t buy any.
Wandered downstairs to ride the not-often-seen flat escalator. Where else in Hawaii can you ride one of these?
Since I was nearby Champ’s Sports, I figured I’d stop by to see any new releases. Champs was about to open at 9:30, and there was a small line waiting to get in. I learned that this new Kevin Durant KD5 colorway dropped.
But the KD5 wasn’t the real prize. This was.
The Air Jordan 11 “BRED” are releasing next week and with all the chaos that’s recently accompanied Nike releases, there are new policies in place. Instead of lining up for the release, Champs and Foot Locker implemented a raffle system where random shoppers are picked to purchase the new release. Since I was there, it was kismet that I got myself a ticket. 🙂
Shopping at Nordstroms is so much fun. I don’t actually think I’ve bought anything from this upscale retailer, but you definitely get a different point of view shopping here. Here’s a great example.
Okay, okay, it really says “Gifts We Love Under $100,” but I read it as “Gifts Under $100.” Under a $100?! Only at Nordies!
What’s probably not under $100 at Nordstroms are these sequined (bedazzled) UGGs.
And definitely not under $100 is this special edition Viktor & Rolf Bugaboo Chameleon stroller. Yes, its handles are leather bound for the driver.
What was supremely surprising walking Ala Moana Center? The number of out of order escalators. Still. I encountered a few in the past few weeks, and they were still broken. Not just one or two, but four were busted.
Will there be one more visit  to Ala Moana before Christmas? I doubt it since I think we’re done shopping. But you just never know…
Here are even more pictures from our shopping spree.
Got My Manoa Chocolate
Back in October, I supported the Hawaii small business Manoa Chocolate on Kickstarter, and today was time to collect!
I stopped by the store to pick up my bean-to-bar chocolate. Unfortunately, they weren’t fully stocked with their entire product line due to the demand of the Holidays. But fortunately, they did have three of their best available (and I did get to sample others). My three picks are the Lavender, the 72% dark chocolate Peru, and the coffee-infused Breakfast Bar. I did like the new Pineapple Chili chocolate (which was being made), but you have to endure that building smolder from the ghost chilis.
I saw the new grinder in action which was the direct result of Kickstarter pledges. This guy can churn out 60 pounds of chocolate compared to their original 8-pound grinders. With this extra capacity, you’ll soon see Manoa Chocolate bars at Whole Foods Markets.
Seen at Ala Moana
With Christmas approaching quickly, we’ve been spending more time at Ala Moana. Surprisingly, things are changing just as fast at the mall as I’ve noticed new things each time. Â Here are some shots.
I’m sure I’ll be heading to Ala Moana one, maybe two more times before the big day so I’ll see what else changed in this short time.
Name These Stores
Can you identify these stores by the billboards in their entryways?
The first one is easy to find with the #sochill So Cal taglines. Lesson learned from Store #1, in your next photo session, all you Bettys be sure to lift up your dude’s shirt just because.
And honestly, I don’t remember what Store #2 is.
Gilly Hicks Toned It Down
Maybe only because it was early on a Sunday morning did it seem like Gilly Hicks (Ala Moana) was toned down. There were no models greeting us at the doorway (nor did I find @abaggy). All the youthful employees were quietly busy folding and refolding clothes.
Overall everything seemed more muted. There was still that dramatic tone within the store, just not as acute as before. The store looked better lit, and the music not as loud, or maybe because the store wasn’t packed with people? Anyways, this shopping experience wasn’t as disorienting as my first visit.
During this quieter time, I observed a few more things. Each room is equipped with several ceiling mounted speakers. Some are small, but it looks like midrange or even powered Tannoy subwoofers are in each room.
The lighting inside while dramatic is confusing. What color are these clothes?
I also realized there is only one area to ring up your purchases. Yep, the set of registers all the way in the back is it. During this toned down Sunday morning, basic business etiquette was forgotten. There was a lone clerk working a single register with a long queue forming. And the single clerk was tied up ringing up a monstrous order but did not call for backup. Why? I don’t know. So I wandered the store looking for other workers and feigned ignorance asking where the checkout line was. When the young employee told me where I knew the registers were, I not-so-cunningly replied back, “You mean the one with the real long line?!”
She asked, “There’s a long line?” and I had to ask the rhetorical question if there were any other checkout lines to drive home the point. Needless to say more employees started streaming out of the Gilly Hicks catacombs and all three registers were now in action.
On the way out, I had to spritz some Gilly Hicks perfume in the air for victory. 🙂
Listing My Holiday Gift Guide 2012
While I’m using Pinterest to capture ideas and inspiration for my 2012 Holiday Gift Guide, I’m trying out Well to list my posted gift ideas. I signed up for Well a while ago, and I’m checking out what it can do.
Here’s a brief description of Well:
Well helps you collect and share the things you want to do. Experience a new kind of list: beautiful, social, and fun. Oh and it’s totally free.
Here’s my list of 2012 Holiday Gift Guide posts embedded below.
I’m a Liar with No Will Power
There I was in the beginning of November ready to contain my kicks buying bender. I had everything I needed kicks-wise with my latest addition of a Roshe Run. I needed no more kicks for 2012. Then Black Friday came. Nike online features a clearance section as always, but couple that discount with an additional Black Friday 25% off and free shipping.
I didn’t stand a chance, succumbing to temptation and picking up a pair of Nike LunarGlide 4. But at 50% of the going cost.
Waimanalo Christmas Parade 2012
Waimanalo has its own unique community no more evident than in its annual Christmas Parade. It was my first time attending this parade (I didn’t know it existed before this), and I got to see a good, old parade reminiscent of small kid time.
Luckily, our family was guests on the float sponsored by Waimanalo Feed Supply. This float may have been the pinnacle of the parade featuring a decked out flatbed truck with a Christmas tree, enthusiastic riders, and three sheep enjoying the festivities.
The parade had an early 9am start time kicked off by Grand Marshall Eric Bunyan. Then came a caravan of some most interesting vehicles. There were bikers from the Yokozuna Riders.
Windward politicians, Ikaika Anderson, Chris Lee, and Laura Thielen walked the route and passed out candy.
Then came muscle cars, vintage cars, and even a homemade barstool “car.”
Yes, Miss Hawaii Filipina was there.
These golf carts are outrageous!
But not to be outdone, there was a speed boat.
In the heat and humidity, the seniors had it right, riding a covered trolley.
Nothing says Christmas like a dune buggy and an off-roading truck.
Here’s the full length view of the Waimanalo Feed Supply float with sheep in tow.
The Royal Hawaiian Movers were out in full force, each truck blaring its horns.
Did I mention the candy? Remember back in the day when paraders would let fly the candy? Now, it’s all handing it gently to the bystanders… except in `Nalo. This community harkens back and still lets the candy sail through the air. And lots of it. Lots. Each vehicle unleashed an arsenal of sweets. Just check out the stash in this truck’s cabin.
Security from Bellows was there, not for safety or security, but yes, you guessed it, to fling candy at the audience.
I have no idea about this.
Then the closing highlight of the parade was Santa’s arrival… by boat.
While Santa and his Elves unloaded candy, treats from the North Pole also took the form of frozen Otter Pops.
Here are even more pictures from this eclectic community Christmas parade.
And don’t worry about the sheep. They were fine, eating the whole ride. They did want to wish you a very Merry Christmas.
It’s On!
Now it’s officially on, Christmas that is. I heard Willie K singing O Holy Night on the radio, and that, of course, marks the beginning of the Hawaii holiday season.
Does Paalaa Kai Mean “Wow!”?
There’s definitely a “wow” factor when visiting Paalaa Kai Bakery in Waialua. As in…
- Wow! 4.5 stars on Yelp after 80+ reviews!
- Wow! After all this time on Oahu, how come I’ve never heard of this place?
- Wow! A Snow Puffy?!
- Wow! Where is this place?
- Wow! The parking there is tight.
- Wow! They’re on Twitter and Facebook.
After you overcome the wow factor, settle in and get ready to feast on all kinds of baked goodies. Their signature item is the Snow Puffy.
My best description of a Snow Puffy would be “extremely balanced.” First, there’s the flakiness of the pastry. As it crumbles and melts in your mouth, you get to the cream-filled center. It’s sweet, light, and chilled. The next bite comes across the chocolate swirl. The dense chocolate contrasted with the airy cream and their different forms of sweetness is so complementary. Finally you feel the powdered sugar on your lips, licking off this sweet surprise.
Along with the Snow Puffies, Paalaa Kai offers up many other baked goods.
Of course, you need coffee with your goodies and Paalaa Kai has their mini corner coffee bar.
If you’re visiting the North Shore or taking a “Be Like Barack” mini-vacation, keep an eye out for this sign.
It’s kinda in the middle of nowhere, and you can easily pass it. Look for a tiny but packed parking lot or a bunch of people with telltale powdered sugar on their faces.