Upcoming Post: Love, Kimiko

When I thought of who I wanted to feature as a special blog post for my blog's 2 year anniversary, Amanda Kutaka of Love, Kimiko immediately popped into my mind.

I can't wait to share with everyone how Amanda's blog brought her photography & graphic design skills to another level.

To hold you over until this blog post is written, check out my Love, Kimiko photo shoot I did with Amanda Kutaka last year: http://ow.ly/bvqY5


For more info, visit the following:
Email: amandakutaka@gmail.com
Facebook: Love, Kimiko
Tumblr: http://lovekimiko.tumblr.com
Website: http://amandakimiko.com

Honolulu Museum Participating in Blue Star Museums

I'm the type of person who can't resist a good deal & if something is FREE, I'll squeal with delight! I'm like a bloodhound constantly searching for the best deals & enthusiastically sharing my "good news" with anyone willing to listen.

I couldn't believe my eyes, when I read the Honolulu Museum of Art was participating in the Blue Star Museums (http://ow.ly/beDRs), which allows military personnel & their families FREE admission to participating museums. Even though, I visited the Honolulu Museum a few weeks ago, I couldn't resist exploring new exhibits & renew my love affair with art.

Remember active military personnel & their families, can enjoy FREE admission to the Honolulu Museum of Arts from Tuesday (5/29) - Sunday (9/2) + there's no limit to the amount of visits.

Here's my favorite photos from my Blue Star Museums visit:

Hiram Powers' "Persephone" - marbel

Two door cabinet ca. 1816 England Openwork on wood, brass & feet

Robert Dampier's "Kamehameha III" piece

Mediterranean Courtyard

Lari Pittman's "This landscape, Beloved and Despised, Continues Regardless"

For more info visit the following:
Address: 900 South Beretania Street. Honolulu, HI 96813
Email: info@honolulumuseum.com
Facebook: Honolulu Museum of Art
Phone Number: 808.532.8700
Twitter: @honolulumuseum
Website: www.honolulumuseum.org & www.arts.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/faq.html

For more photos, visit my Facebook page: http://ow.ly/beDjy

Memorial Day 2012

Throughout the day, I enjoy fantasizing about the leisure drive to the North Shore; as soon as my eyes see the gorgeous blue ocean, my entire body relaxes & every one of my thoughts disappears.

Whenever I need to get out of my head, I enjoy walking along the beach, it gets my blood pumping + it allows me to slow down & helps me remember what's really important. I took a Mental Health Day, this past Memorial Day & spent the afternoon on the North Shore; I can't describe how therapeutic it felt to swim in the chilly water or how long I spent searching for hidden treasures on the shore.

Days like this remind me, life shouldn't be based on the amount of "likes" your photo gets on Instagram; life should be spent enjoying the company of people who value your time & striving to be the best version of yourself.

♥ Sweet Lychee

Here's photos from my Mental Health Day:

Perfect beach weather

Someone painted the entire van

Waterslide at Waimea Bay Beach

Upcoming Event: Summer Fun

Kick of the summer with the beach themed party, "Summer Fun" going down Saturday (6/9) at Next Door.

Enjoy the musical sounds from: The Heatery,DJ DELVE, Jimmy James, ALT/AIR & DJ Kowai Kowai. Plus visual eye candy from: Vincent Ricafort, Zak Noyle, Troy Gomes & Luke Auguinaldo.

Summer Fun is a 21+ event. $5 cover + FREE swag like sunglasses, water guns, clothes & more.

Shout out to in4mation Town & Country Surf + Peligroso for support.

For more info visit the following:
Address: 43 North Hotel Street. Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Email: lancifervisual@gmail & chris@myneighborsnextdoor.com
Facebook: Summerfun, Nextdoor Hnl & Lance Arinaga
Instagram: summerfunhi
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dj-compose, http://soundcloud.com/djdelve
Twitter: @lancifervisual, @summerfunhi, @nextdoorhnl, @Compose_NocBoy, @anit808, @DJDELVE, @kowaikowaimusic, @WEAREALTAIR
Website: www.lancifervisual.com, www.summerfunhi.com, http://NextDoorHNL.com, www.kowaikowaimusic.com, www.theheatery.com & www.wearealtair.com

Foodie Adventures

Sorry for the lack of event blog posts, I've been too busy eating. Seriously! I'm surprised by the amount of food, I've consumed (& photographed before eating) in the last few months, it feels like my inner fat kid, Big Bertha is trying to break free.

Some people like collecting menus from their new favorite restaurant, I prefer documenting my experience through photographs & no matter how many times, I dine with le boyfriend, he ALWAYS complains about my desire to take a photos of our meal (before a single bite can be consumed). I know it's probably his inner fat kid whose hungry, but looking through my food gallery helps me remember details of our dining experience + I have more photos of our foodie adventures than photos of us.

Since my love affair with eating isn't a fad (& you've been introduced to Big Bertha), I can't wait for all the delicious meals I've yet to consume. In the meantime, enjoy my Foodie Adventures album filled with eye porn & I promise event blog posts will be coming soon!

♥ Sweet Lychee

Here's my favorite foodie adventure photos:

FREE Fried Mozarella on Military Mondays at Auntie Pasto's

Fat Pig Fried Rice from Yogur Story

Tomato Bisque from Fresh Cafe

Nori wrapped Crab Stuffed Ahi from Monarchs

Mozzarella Basil Pizza from Yogur Story

For more photos, visit my Facebook page: http://ow.ly/b5GL7

Upcoming Event: Aloha from Art & Flea! May 24th!

May's Art & Flea takes place on Thursday (5/24) at Fresh Cafe. Wear an Aloha shirt & get a $1 off the cover.

Enjoy live art by Patrick Mizumoto, a live performance by Creatures of the Sea, Joshua Pascua + Taylor Alai Martinez + DJ Sets by KTUH, DJ MAINFRAME & DJ MOTARDELAH.

Get there early to check out all of the vendors & enter the raffle for a chance to win prizes! There will be a SPAM eating contest + Hawaiian Sun drinking contest!

Art & Flea is an all ages event that starts at 5 pm & goes until 10 pm. Cover is $3.

For more info visit the following:
Address: 831 Queen Street. Honolulu, HI
Email: artandflea@gmail.com
Facebook: ArtandFlea Hawaii, Aloha from Art & Flea! May 24th event! Moon Occults The Sun,
Twitter: @artandflea, @freshcafehi
Website: www.artandflea.com, www.freshcafehi.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS7Woh6zAJQ&feature=related

Fresh Cafe's Parking Lot Murals

Change is an inevitable part of life. It's important for us, to step outside of our comfort zone & discover new territory, in order to experience growth. Change isn't always easy, but witnessing changes within my environment has helped me gradually adjust to life's unexpected curveballs. 

One of my favorite things about Fresh Cafe (besides their yummy food & mouth-watering drinks) is their ability to consistently remain innovative with their menu & events. 

Since the launch of POW WOW HAWAII in February 2011, Fresh Cafe's parking lot has experienced several mural make-overs from local & international artists alike. As much as I adore photographing & admiring each work of art, I know it's only matter of time before another artist/group of artists, creates another mural masterpiece that inspires those in & around the Kaka'ako District. 

I can't wait to see what Fresh Cafe has in store for their next parking lot mural, but in the meantime I'm more than satisfied with the POW WOW HAWAII 2012 artists' collaboration.  

If you've never stopped by this innovative local establishment, it's easy for bicyclists, drivers & pedestrians to recognize Fresh Cafe (located on Queen Street), because of their ever-changing parking lot mural(s).

Here's photos of Fresh Cafe's Parking Lot Murals:

POW WOW HAWAII 2011 mural

KRINK's Site Specific Painting  (November 2011)

POW WOW HAWAII 2012 (current) mural

For more info visit the following:
Address: 831 Queen Street. Honolulu, HI 96813
Email: freshcafefacebook@gmail.com
Facebook: FreshCafe Hawaii
Phone Number: 808.688.8055
Twitter: @freshcafehi
Website: www.freshcafehi.com

Upcoming Event: InstaHawaii2 Two Of A Kind

The InstaHawaii show is back! The theme for the upcoming event is Two Of A Kind & it's open for interpretation.

Submission period started Wednesday (5/9) & ends Wednesday (5/23). Participants are allowed to submit unlimited amount of photos taken via Instagram & be sure to tag #instahawaii2.

24 photos will be selected for the show, whichever photo receives the most "likes" from attendees will be announced the winner + all 24 participants receive a gift bag.

InstaHawaii2 (Two Of A Kind) is a FREE photography art show taking place on Friday (6/15) at Fresh Cafe from 8 PM - 12 AM.

*Proceeds made that night will go towards the Hawai’i Art Alliance to help fund more art programs for children*

For more info visit the following:
Address: 831 Queen Street. Honolulu, HI 96813
Contrast Magazine: http://contrastmagazine.com/blog/?p=12277
Facebook: Hawai'i Arts Alliance Action Network
Twitter: @InstaHawaii, #InstaHawaii2, @freshcafehi & @HiArtsAlliance
Website: www.instahawaii.wordpress.com, www.freshcafehi.com & http://hawaiiartsalliance.org/

Honolulu Museum of Art

Lately, I've been stressing out, which makes it difficult for me to formulate words = no new blog posts. Everyday, I'd mentally kick myself in the butt, for not blogging & all this pressure made me anxious; I knew I needed to get out of my head & determined the only cure for my blogging blues was immersing myself in art.

It's been a couple years, since my last visit to the Honolulu Museum of Art & I could hardly wait to absorb every square inch of the museum grounds. Today's mini adventure was essential to my mental health & I need to make a mental post-it to surround myself with art, whenever I'm stressed.

There's something about being able to visually devour the details from an artist's creation(s) that calms my nerves & quiets my mind; I like imagining the emotions an artist felt, as they painted/sculpted/carved their soon-to-be masterpiece. Even though, I speed-walked throughout the various exhibitions & posted photos of artwork that caught my attention on Instagram, I felt 1,000,000x better, when I returned from my lunch break.

If you need to submerse yourself in art & culture, I highly recommend a visit to the Honolulu Museum of Art. I can't guarantee you'll have the same experience as myself but (hopefully) you'll leave with a deeper appreciation for art.

Here's my favorite photos from my Honolulu Museum of Art visit:

Dennis Oppenheim's "Murder in Hawaiian Shirts"

Masks

Two Cross Tiles (Two Objects). Iran, 14th century

Jun Kaneko's pieces

"The White Cup"

For more info visit the following:
Address: 900 South Beretania Street. Honolulu, HI 96813
Email: info@honolulumuseum.com
Facebook: Honolulu Museum of Art
Phone Number: 808.532.8700
Twitter: @honolulumuseum
Website: www.honolulumuseum.org

For more photos, visit my Facebook page: http://ow.ly/aY0hP

Le Reve: The Dream Fashion Showcase

The entire week leading up to the Le Reve: "The Dream" Fashion Showcase, the only things I could think about is: 1) What do I wear to this fashionable event & 2) What exactly does heavy pupus mean? Of course, I was also very excited to see the collections Honolulu Community College Fashion Technology seniors, worked feverishly on throughout the semester.

Here's what heavy pupus look like:

I think the fashion industry is one of the hardest careers to make a living in + it's difficult to find a balance between pleasing your audience (in order to make money) & being able to express yourself as an artist. I can't imagine pouring my heart & soul into creating a collection that no one likes & then stressing out about how I'm gonna pay my bills.

Even though, I don't have the talent to sew for other people, I have a tremendous amount of respect for people who pursue their passions & follow their dreams. I never grew tired of watching the models from the various seniors' collections, walk down the runway & strut their stuff in front of a 300+ audience. I also held my breath the entire time one of the models in a bikini walked down the runway, I was crossing my fingers & toes that none of the girls had a wardrobe malfunction.

Everyone who participated in Le Reve: "The Dream" Fashion Showcase stepped out of their comfort zone & worked together to feature something amazing; it's always nice to see someone take an enormous leap of faith to achieve something bigger than themselves. I hope that everyone maintains the optimism & fearlessness we had as kids, where anything was possible & no dream was out of reach.

Here's some of my favorite pictures from Le Reve: "The Dream" Fashion Showcase:

Le Reve tickets

This model was FIERCE!

Gorgeous fashion runway

Rose Wolfe's "Lock & Key" collection

Ryan Ota's "Thought Bubble" collection & models

For more photos, visit my Facebook page: http://ow.ly/aAFx4