fallen leaves (poem)

My fingers lace tightly around the smooth ceramic
cup of steaming camomilie tea
brewing gently to whisper a subtle aroma of mint and orange infusion
As the crisp morning air beams on my rosy cheeks
and I huddle in a soft wool knit sweater
smiling at the enterance of Fall
in California I’ve missed twice over
Where days like today my spirit is renewed
and my heart delights in the small moments of beauty
When warm sunlight glistens on golden amber and cardinal leaves
and kids in red peacoats padded with bright colored scarves
kick fallen leaves on small town sidewalks
and laugh carelessly in play.
I welcome the climate’s mildly changing seasons
and it’s quiet reminder of time passing

the ebbs and flows
of the sacred rhythym of life.

Tinted Sunscreen

Sunscreen + Moisturizer + A Hint of Color.
What will they come up with next?

Love it!: tinted moisturizer...and tinted sunscreen...

{And if you think this is just for women...think again. It looks natural on guys too. Why should n't they benefit from moisturizers and sunscreen as well? I love that Shiseido (and Clinique) have products for men.}

I love the tinted moisturizer for overcast days, drizzly days in Hawaii, and days when I'm just too darn lazy to go through the whole beauty routine. This tube offers you a 3-in-1 on-the-go solution: moisturize your face, sunscreen it, and give it a tint for light coverage while you sit at that red stop light on your way to work. It's that easy! {scratch the last part, and concentrate on your driving.} The coverage is very light, so be warned that it doesn't cover like foundation. ($37)
Shiseido has won a ton of awards for their sunscreen. Now it comes in full-coverage foundation form with 43+ protection. All you need is a little drop of this thing to cover a part of your face. It's a thick and rich formula. So much so that you need a sponge (included) to even out the application. It's primarily a foundation with alot of sunscreen. (verses other way around). ($36 for a small 1 oz bottle)

This formula is waterproof, so it's super popular among surfer girls and beach goers. It lasts all day in the city. I do however, feel the need to touch up the sunsreen aspect of the foundation after 4 hours or so. It's recommended that one buys the Compact Foundation for touch-ups (which can be used in lew of the liquid foundation in the first place). ($25)They also have a new product for under-eye sunscreen to prevent wrinkles and spots under the eye ($31). Sounds ridiculous...but in Hawaii I got sunspots and freckles under my eye--indeed.


A few people have been asking for my recommendations on sunscreens. See my former post for the best sunscreen.

Makawao, Maui

Don't know why, but strolling down the streets of Paia, I feel like I walk back in time to the 1970s and yet forward into good whole living. Slow pace, earthy folk, good organic eats, and an appreciate for the arts. Makawao (painting above) is another great little artist town that doesn't seem to have lost it's flower-power flavor. Both towns, I believe, have histories of being areas where hippie-types from the mainland came to settle, merging their values of community, artistry, and free-spirited living with the already laid-back subculture of Maui island life. I like it! Two of my favorite towns to visit on Maui.

To Do Tatoo

funny. 'nuff said.

Hawaiian Sunburn - Aloe Vera & After Sun Lotion

I gained more sunspots, freckles and wrinkles during my first 3 months in Hawaii than I gained in my entire life. I wear sunblock and a hat almost all the time in Hawaii, but the sun still manages to burn my face. My solution: Aloe Vera and After Sun products to naturally heal the sun damaged skin.

My favorite skin remedy for everything (redness, burns, itches, bites) is Aloe Vera. It instantly cools the skin and relieves the redness. I have sensitive skin, so Aloe Vera in liquid formula is especially great.

I particularly like the all-natural brand Auburn, which can be found at Whole Foods and other fine health stores. They are the only brand that I've found 100% Aloe Vera in pure liquid form. This treat comes at a price through. A small bottle runs $17 in comparison to it's gel form in other brands found at Longs, Walmart and markets ($3). (Auburn Aloe Vera is much easier to find in stores across Hawaii than it is on the mainland, so stock up!)

Another remedy is to buy "After-Sun" products. I had never even heard of After-Sun until a foreign exchange student had approached me for help in the McCully market one day. Together we looked for an item called After Sun and found it in the shampoo aisle. Again, I'd recommend Auburn brand because it's all-natural. (After sun is made by other popular brands like Banana Boat and such but contains more chemicals).

Shiseido puts out an After-Sun lotion, but you can only purchase these items in Asia and Australia. Some online shopping can get you the product. The product description reads: "A high-performance moisturizer that hydrates and pampers sun-exposed skin with a fresh, soft touch. Enriched with Vitamins. Excellent for face and body. Non-clogging to pores. Allergy tested." ($25)