Best place to get “O List” finds – Red Pineapple

I love this store. I think I walk through it everytime I got to Borders at Ward. Red Pineapple is a fun store for ladies (and men) looking for cool things they don’t need but can’t resist but to buy.

You’ll find many items that Oprah lists as her “favorite things” in her O magazine. Cool stain striped shoe bags, patterned foam bag for computer chords, funky tea cups, artsy deck of cards…anything fun, funny, clever and whimsical can be found here.

I had been looking for a long time for a high-heeled shoe door stopper I once saw online. Only stores on the east coast were selling it—then lo and behold, where on the west coast would it be sold but Red Pineapple.

Red Pineapple
www.redpineapple.net
808.589.2733

Mahalo for Reading

Thank you to all of my loyal readers. You made the daily posts worth writing. As of today, I will be keeping my Musings on the Mainland, outside of this blog. It's been a good ride, and I hope that you've found the postings amusing, informative, fun and even helpful.

In lieu of putting energies outward into this blog, I now take a turn to focus inward. My daily prayer is that God would help me to be a loving person. To walk each day in love, treating people with grace and loving-kindness.

Cheers to you! God bless you & may you sense His abundant peace and presence in your life.

Where it all began: Psalm 18 (The Message)

Aloha a Hui Hou

I look forward to my island return, a chance to to sit in peace in the place that has brought me new life. To acknowledge with gratitude the gifts I've been given, of slowed time, healing, and lessons learned.

I came to Hawai'i with a dry soul. It was restored through laughter, good people, and the beauty around. My heart learned to love, and in the end God's parting gift was that of a new heart.

For all this I am forever grateful.

"Aloha"...is not simply a greeting of love, peace, goodbye and hello. It is also blessing. It means the presence (Alo) of Divine breath (ha). It's the beautiful gift of Hawai'i.

Aloha a hui hou--until we meet again.

Happy Birthday, J!

Wishing my brother a very Special Birthday!

Here's an Oreo cookie delight to cheer our childhood memories.

Cupcake purchased from Cake Couture.

Board Game of the Year - Blokus

What: The hottest strategic-thinking board game for 4 players
What's the big deal: It's won over a dozen awards and named "Game of the Year"
So what: Get it if you're looking for a fun game that challenges you to play offensively and defensively simultaneoulsy as you find ways to block your opponent and configure all of the 21 odd shaped pieces into a limited game board space.
What again? Think of it like Tetris times four but the object is to get rid of all your tile pieces ...while blocking out your opponent from doing so. The challenge is to build walls to limit your oppents moves--except that the walls are porous and invadable hence adding a layer of difficulty and strategy.
Still doesn't make sense? Get the game and you'll see. It's addicting and no two rounds are the same.The Info: Target or any game or toy store. ($25) (or $21 when you use the amazon.com box to the right of this posting. Just type "Blokus")
Yum factor: The pieces make me hungry as they remind me of Jello

Thanks to J for finding this game and sharing it with our family.

Board Game - Qwirkle

Qwirkle is like a picture based version of Scrabble for the visually inclined and lingustically-challenged who love a bit of strategic playing.

Why get the game?: It's fun for kid-on-kid play time...and adult-to-adult challenges.

Kids who play among themselves aged 5+ will love to match up the colors and shapes, earning points as they go along. Adults will love the challenge of formulating particular patterns and strategic moves to out-smart their opponents thereby earning bonus points for special configurations. Sound fun? It is. It's a simple game with a grown up challenge.Where to get it: Target and other toy stores ($25).
(or approx. $21 when you use the amazon.com box to the right of this posting. Just type "Qwirkle")

Free 12 oz drink at Borders Bookstore - Hawaii

Pick up your free 12 oz drink at the Border's Bookstore in Ward Center (Honolulu), on Dairy Road in Kahului (Maui), or the Waiakea Center (Hilo).

The reason to celebrate?

Why it's the opening of another Seattle's Best Coffee Shop on the islands.

Click here for your printable coupon:
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/couponsbc0209.asp

Favorite Yoga Store – Lily Lotus

Lily Lotus is a cute boutique that sells yoga and lounge attire, daily accessories, books and other fun finds for comfi living. I stepped into the store when it first opened around six months ago; it’s where I bought my first SIGG waterbottle. I liked the selection of merchandise that was sold—trendy printed yoga bags, extra thick (and expensive) yoga mats, handmade jewelry by local artists, and hand designed and dyed organic tank tops and t-shirts made by Momi, the owner.

The outside of the store is painted hot pink (so you can’t miss it), but the inside looks minimalist with pure white walls accented with a gray lettered mantra. It’s one of the few yoga stores around, though it sells more than just yoga stuff. It a great store that I hope sticks around for awhile.

Lily Lotus Boutique
1127 12^th Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
808.735.3400
www.lilylotus.com

OC Restaurant Week - Feb 22-28

...okay, so here i go again...off and running to check out the latest and greatest restaurants in southern California and beyond.

And once again it's time for the "OC Restaurant Week!"

[applause & screams]

What: $10 and $20 pirx fixe lunches.....$20, $30, or $40 prix fixe dinners
Where: Some of the top restaurants in Orange County!
When: February 22nd through the 28th

Tip: Call early for reservations...their seats fill up fast.

Yay! Welcome back to the great OC!

it's an old past time...i love to eat...and i love to cook...it's so nice to have a full kitchen again!

Modern Pacific - Out of Business Sale, 50% Off

So sad to hear that they are going out of business. I really liked this store.

The info: Modern Pacific Weddings at 3620 Waialae Ave (Kaimuki) in Honolulu.

French in Hawaii - Brasserie Du Vin

For casual french food in a laid back outdoor (and indoor) environment, head for Brasserie Du Vin. Not only is french food hard to find on the island (Michel and La Mer notwithstanding) but they have great after work and pre-theater options:

Monday-Saturday
Happy Hour, 4-6pm: half off menu and $4 cocktails
Late night bistro menu (after 10pm): $4 cocktails, half off wine

Tuesdays: Wine Club – casual way to learn about wine from around the world

Wednesdays: Live local music

The great thing, is that the place actually reminded me alot like France itself. I forgot for a second I was not only in the U.S. but in Honolulu of all places!

Brasseie Du Vin
1115 Bethel Street
www.brasserieduvin.com
808.545.1115

Recipe - Panini Pastrami & Grilled Cheese

Add a little kick to your lunch:

Grilled Cheese Panini
Smoked applewood bacon, heirloom tomatoes, cheese. Cook it panini style if you'd like. Serve with tomato soup topped with basil.

Pastrami Panini
Two slices of Pumpernickle bread. Fill with pastrami, apple, grilled onion and white cheddar cheese. Put on panini grill and make a sandwich dip of rosemary au jus.

Eco-Coupon Book

The HonuGuide is a guide for sustainable living in Hawaii . Cool!

What's even neater? Inside there's coupons and discounts are from island companies supporting sustainable living (like Whole Foods). Now that's really cool!

Get yours at: http://www.honuguide.com/index.html

Garlic & Rosemary Crackers

So it's around 1am and I'm hard at work, opting for a midnight snack. I go to the pantry to try out this box of crackers I just bought---YUM! It's a low fat cracker with roasted garlic and rosemary.

I have to say, I am pleasantly pleased with the cracker. I wondered if the rosemary would be too strong...sometimes it's too perfumey in breads or not ground up enough in other dishes. But here it's just the right touch...not too much, not too little. Just a scent of rosemary on your tastebuds. The garlic is very light but complementary overall.

Though I haven't tried it this way, I can imagine this cracker going well with a light crab dip or a thin layer of smoke salmon topped with a dollop of creme fraiche. I tried it with hummus tonight--it's all I had--and the hummus overpowers the unique cracker flavor.

Let me know what you think and if you have other pairing suggestions.

Food & Fashion - Hello Kitty, Happy Meals

Oooo....Blast to the past...I want one of these!

Now until Feb 26, McDonalds is giving away 8 different designed Hello Kitty watches with a purchase of a Happy Meal!

The watches actually look semi-hip...not too cutesy...and more edgy than the Hello Kitty toys I grew up with. In New York many business women wear Hello Kitty accessories as a way to blend youthful fun with stanch professionalism--postmodern fashionisms in the 21st century.

Hurry and get yours before they run out: Chococat, My Melody, Little Twin Stars, Bad Batz, and Hello Kitty herself.

Chinese Dumpling Tour - San Gabriel Valley

“Blood and Dumplings” is the name of this gastronomic tour put on by Esotouric. The 4 hour guided tour takes you to sites of bloody crime scenes and the area’s best dumplings in Alhambra, Temple City, Monterey Park, El Monte and Rosemead.

The cost is a whopping $63 plus a $5 dumpling fee--whatever that means. (Also vegetarian dumplings can be accommodated upon request).

Sidebar: For only $59.99 I’ll give you a personal dumpling tour in the same city—without the horrifying crime scenes...and no $5 dumpling fee. Anyone, anyone?!

Esotouric is an award winning historical bus tour company surveying landmarks in Los Angeles. The most recent Dumpling Tour was held on Sat, Nov 29, 12-4pm.

For more information:
www.esotouric.com
310.995.4591

The Winery - Tustin Happy Hour

I just called the restaurant, The Winery, and got some hot info: In just a couple of weeks they will begin to host a new happy hour (3:30-6pm) and 'late night' (10-11pm) option for those interested in wine and good food.

Appetizers: $6.95
Red and White wine selections: $5/glass

It's a good alternative to the usual beer and cocktail after hour meeting place.

Bluewater Grill & JT Smidth - More Tustin Happy Hours

Two more Tustin happy hour places for half off appetizers and drinks:

Bluewater Grill & JT Smidth Brewhouse and Eatery. Both are located at "The District" shopping arena, and offer happy hour specials until 6pm.

Located just outside downtown Irvine, it's a convenient place to meet up friends after a long day's work, over simple American fare.

Opah - Martini Happy Hour

Opah's Happy Hour: Monday through Thursday, 4-6pm

Featuring half off appetizers: procuitto wrapped shrimp, lettuce wraps, crab cakes, sweet potato fries, calamari

$7 Martinis and Wine
$4 Draft Beer

Regular dinner entrees run from $14-28

Opah at the Tustin Marketplace on Jamboree: 714.508.8055

Modern Baby Line - "Dwell" at Target

Oooo...one of my favorite baby lines, "Dwell," has now teamed up with Target (yeah, baby)! uh, no pun intended.

Rather than trek to Santa Monica and West LA, families everywhere can get that modern touch from their neighborhood Target store. Super easy, super chic!

(for Hawaii friends...try Target online which quite often hosts
"free shipping" weeks)

...and their "adult line" is just as cool...

The Strangest "Get Well" Gift...ever

I have to admit...I this is one of the oddest gifts I found listed as a "Get Well Gift." What are they? They're stuffed toys in the shape of germs, blood cells, and diseases.

(Someone with a medical science degree and child like creativity certainly had a lot of time on their hands!)

For example...can you imagine giving someone in the hospital one of these:

(brain cell, fat cell; red blood cell, white blood cell)

Or why not allow someone to vent their frustration by throwing one of these at the wall?

(mono, pox; e.coli, common cold)

Well, I guess there is an adorable quality to them...

To order your next over-the-top "Get Well" gift go to:
http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/main/health/

[This email is dedicated to Sharon who I hope has a speedy recovery...and no, who won't be getting any of these stuffed toys from me.]

San Francisco Nightlife

As a foodie, the thing I love about SF dining is not simply the creativity and artistry of each course, but the paid attention to decor and atmosphere. Creative, colorful, and fun, there's always something to suit your mood and taste in the City.

I just completed the San Francisco Zagat "Nightlife" survey. My reviews sound like they were written in the one-sentence-Zagat-speech the red books are known for. Some examples:

Redwood Room

With gigantic portraits that "come to life" this dark and dapper lounge offers a swanky place for a Friday night flaunt of those with a more serious taste.

Last Supper Club

Medieval meets Italian urban at this tiny joint that serves hearty breakfasts and a memorable poached pear over cinnamon rice pudding.

Top of the Mark

Traditional cocktails and drinks in a conservative dim-lit revolving room with the best 360 degree view of the City.

Who talks like that? It's funny how one sentence can paint an entire picture of a place in the reader's mind. SF also has a more electric and contemporary vibe:



For those familiar with New York and London restaurants and bars, there's a chance to take Zagat surveys for these as well.

Free Grand Slam Today - Denny's

Today(Tuesday) from 6am - 2pm head out to Denny's for a complimentary Grand Slam breakfast on the house (their house that is). No catches, just good ole Denny's food!

Canon eStore

"Boo." But first, it's about time that Canon actually allows customers to buy products directly from them. It's surprising that their website didn't allow online purchases to be made. The allowability for this via the new Canon eStore is a good addition to the online market. Yet, the eStore is limited in what they sell. It's market is for the consumer, not the professional. The items for sale fall in the range of pocket cameras (point-and-shoot), printers, and photo paper. No SLRs and no new lens for sale. For this I say "boo" but maybe in time they'll expand their market to include pros and prosumers alike.

Best Home Accents - INTO

One of my favorite stores to peruse through in the Art District is INTO, Inc. They have great artsy off the wall pieces that make for great centerpieces or that one unusual display in your living room. Here are some shots that the owner, Alan Carrel was gracious enough to allow me to take:

Into, Inc
40 North Hotel Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
808.536.2211
www.intohonolulu.com

Super Story - Super Bowl Sunday

Kurt Warner, the Cardinals' star quarterback, is playing in today's Super Bowl game. His life is an example of the story most Americans like to hear. It's a story of an underdog who reaches his dreams, of a boy who loved football though was never expected to succeed.

When you hear about his humble beginnings, his life let downs, and his heart to marry an already pregnant woman with a young special needs child, you wouldn't have guessed that today he'd be starring in today's big game. Who would ever would have thought that the Arizona Cardinals would be in today's Bowl? And who would have ever thought that Warner, who was labeled as "washed up," would lead his team to the top?

The young the USC Heisman trophy quarterback Matt Leinart was expected to be the Cardinals' lead quarterback this year. Yet Leinart has been accused of being too young and engaging in "too much partying." Though unfortunate for Leinart, this public let down fortunately allowed Warner the chance to shine and earn public recognition. With all the struggles and perserverence Warner endured over the years, he has likely been mentoring Leinart, reminding the pro newbie of the talent and fortunate opportunities he's has. There's been an attitude shift in Lienart and I believe much of it has to do with "sharing life" with his teammate Kurt Warner.

To hear more about Kurt Warner's story:
Click on the Jan 25th sermon (audio or notes) entitled:
"The Sermon on the Mount for Slumdog Millionaires" by Pastor Dan Chun http://www.fpchawaii.org/?page_id=27