Kinda Creepy
Am I the only one kinda creeped out by this doll sitting alone on this chair at Macy’s Ala Moana?
Super Bowl Sunday at International Marketplace
Before the big game, we headed to the International Marketplace in Waikiki for some shopping. This was my first time back since that almost perfect night. But since then, the parking rates have been adjusted.
Two things I had not known before today. Crazy Shirts at the Marketplace has its own design for the shopping center.
Second, there’s morning yoga in the courtyard (and it was packed with practitioners).
I also had a few more revelations while shopping at Banana Republic. It seems the Japanese have a special mill from which fabric ideal for traveling is produced. This material dries quickly, is breathable, and is stretchy. Oh yes, it’s also expensive, but if you’re looking for clothes to travel in, BR and the Japanese have you covered (if you fit a slim fit).
I failed while taking this pic of an electrical outlet with USB ports to charge personal devices. What’s not captured in the image is the placement and surroundings of this outlet. Found in the dressing rooms of Banana Republic, this outlet is about eye level, and there’s a long but skinny shelf under it.
I scoffed when I first saw the outlet upon entering the room. How cute I thought, but who would really charge your smart phone while in the dressing room? Well, not me, but that shelf on the other hand… keys, wallet, sun glasses, and iPhone sat on the shelf while I tried stuff on (but not them slim fit travelers). So I could see upping your device’s battery percentage a few notches just because you can.
Lunch at Kona Grill was as expected with a Yelp rating of 3.5 stars. A Yelp check-in comes with a free starter or basic sushi roll so that was welcomed. The kids menu (for 12 and under) is by far the best deal. The $12 kids lunch comes with two sides that alone are filling and refills of drinks. My pasta dish took a very long time to come out, but it was good.
Kona Coffee Purveyors and b. patisserie continue to be bad influences. You can’t walk in without walking out with a box of goodies and a drink.
Next time we’re at the Marketplace, we’ll have to try out the new Flour and Barley Brick Oven Pizza. They have this awesome Mahalo sign near their entryway.
And yes, mahalo to the International Marketplace for a great morning on Super Bowl Sunday. Can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Signs of Hawaii: Beach
Recently in Kailua, I’ve seen a few of these kinds of signs posted on street posts.
Obviously, they are there to help out the tourists from Japan, but I don’t know who made and put them up. Nice job with the signs and demonstrating the Aloha spirit!
The Beauty of Bankruptcy
Sadly, the Ewa Wing of Ala Moana has been brutal to food-based businesses. The first (and quick) casualty was Gloria Jeans Coffees. Then around the end of 2016, Magnolia Bakery closed, both the cupcake-serving kiosk and the sit-down eatery. Its mainland success just couldn’t be replicated here in Hawaii it seems.
Most recently, popular Nitrogenie also shut its doors. Tied to Magnolia, the ice cream from magic couldn’t make up for the cupcake losses.
I must say though that Ala Moana does its best to mask the ugly side of bankruptcies. Notice any empty storefronts all have facades of beauty and style.
No Nespresso Recycling Service for Hawaii
Aw boo. Nespresso is advertising their recycling program for used Nespresso capsules. But this program is not available in Hawaii (or Alaska and U.S. territories).
Hmmm, the Williams-Sonoma in Ala Moana is listed as a recycling point where empty recycling bags can be picked up and full bags dropped off. I may have to look into this. At the very least, I have to remember to put the used capsules in the household blue recycling bin.
This Shirt Costs How Much?!?
Look at this shirt then look at the Nordstrom price tag and say it with me, “This shirt costs how much?!?”
Just shows my lack of fashion knowledge of the Comme des Garçons PLAY line. That makes the $125 price tag alright, right???
Thanks for Bringing Back the Aztek, Honda
I would like to thank Honda for reviving the much maligned Pontiac Aztek.
Okay, okay, Honda doesn’t own Pontiac or the discontinued Aztek, but when I saw this vehicle on the road, I immediately had flashbacks of Dark Angel’s Logan Cale aka Eyes Only blazing around in the futuristic Aztek.
But instead, this is the 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback with its “aggressively sloped back end.” Fortunately, the rest of the car looks better than its backside (and the Pontiac Aztek).
There’s a Shake Shack in Hawaii?!?
Wait, no… that’s not a Shake Shack. It’s just the rebranded Teddy’s Bigger Burger in Aiea. But that green trim and logo look awfully familiar.
On the other hand, I wouldn’t have known any better if I hadn’t recently visited a Shake Shack while in Washington DC and New York City.
Not sure what was wrong with the original Teddy’s colorful decor. I don’t mind the revamped look but just too close to Shake Shack for me.
Although I don’t mind the burned brand look on the tables.
The Aiea location is huge compared to other Teddy’s I’ve been to, but the burgers are still oh so good!
I Keen, You Ken?
Instead of those wimpy water shoes that don’t cost a lot and don’t offer any support, I got me a pair of Keens. Instead of getting my kicks wet and muddy while hiking, I figured Keens would be the best alternative. And let me say they did not disappoint while hiking to Secret Falls on Kauai.
My biggest decision for getting Keens was deciding what color to get. Lots of good color combos to choose from. Locally, Nordstrom carries a blue pair of Newport H2, but they’re too conservative looking for me. Luckily, Zappos carries a wide range of colors and can get them to you in two business days, even to Hawaii.
I liked the duck camo aka real tree, extra green but didn’t have my size. So I went with Brindle/Sunset.
Real Tree/Extra Green
Brindle/Sunset
You can also get Keens from Amazon so do some price comparison, you ken?
New Ram, Old Computer
Gotta get some new RAM for an old computer running PC3-10600. Adding 8 GB should be more than enough.
I Could Be a Bioterrorist…
As an owner of these White Peppermint Twinkies, I could be a bioterrorist.
These limited edition cakeshave been recalled since the milk powder used in the coating could be contaminated with Salmonella.
Gotta stick with the basic golden yellow cakes instead…
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Got My Levit8 Portable Standing Desk
Hey, hey, hey, my Kickstarter-funded Levit8 portable standing desk arrived this week! Seemingly like many Kickstarter projects built overseas, getting the items to America causes issues and unexpected delays. Nonetheless, my coral-colored, medium-sized Levit8 is here… and I’m befuddled.
Just how do you “assemble” this puzzle? I had to watch the video tutorial several times until I got it. It is cool and definitely a conversation piece. Can’t tell you how many coworkers stopped at my desk after seeing the angled structured Levit8 holding up my MacBook Air.
It’s sturdy and doesn’t feel like it’s going to tip over easily. The weight of a MacBook Air is easily supported, and I’m guessing the folds and angles provide enough strength to support heavier laptops. My only minor issue is the footprint base for your laptop. For a smaller machine like my 13-in Air, the footprint extends from the front of my machine to the very back. There’s not much leeway at all. Although it won’t, there’s a slight sense that the laptop is going to fall in to the Levit8 itself. But supported on the sides, this, of course, can’t happen.
I haven’t yet tried the Levit8 with my new (and bigger) MacBook Pro. The larger 15-in frame of the Pro will probably eliminate that sense of the laptop falling in.
Love the color combination, love that it folds flat, and can’t beat the price tag compared to other standing desks.
