Why I Need to Stay Away from Kicks Sites
This is why me and my (lack of) willpower needs to stay away from kicks web sites — the Nike LeBron X Prism.
Passion
Holiday Gift Guide: Oakley 3D Glasses for “The Hobbit”
When watching 3D movies at the theater, why settle for their cheesy, flimsy, ill-fit glasses? Thanks to Oakley, you can get a high quality experience wearing their own 3D glasses. These are thematically designed for The Hobbit but not so overtly and are a must for serious (and stylish) movie goers.
Holiday Gift Guide: Happy
Time to get gifts is quickly running out, and although it’s the happy holidays, it may not feel so happy at times. So… why not give the gift of Happy? More specifically, The Happy Movie. Yes, it’s a real movie, more like a documentary exploring what it means to be happy.
Does that idea make you happy? Then how about a free gift of Happy? Starbucks Pick of the Week is a free rental of The Happy Movie. So grab a few of the cards then send out the redemption code to those in your life who need a free gift of Happy.
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.
The Wolverine Movie Poster Animated
I’m liking this animated poster for the upcoming movie, The Wolverine.
This artwork is pretty cool too.
Reading Why 2013 Is the Year of Responsive Web Design
Reading a Mashable article explaining why next year will be all about responsive web design. The current look of Pulpconnection powered by Kolakube’s Chronicl is a responsive design, adapting to different screen sizes. Have you tried it? Check out Pulpconnection.net on an iPhone or iPad, and you’ll see.
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.