Upcoming Event: Art & Flea: Find Art Festival

June's Art & Flea is a special edition takes place on Saturday (6/29) at Beretania-Smith Urban Park. Dress up as Waldo & enter the Waldo Look-A-Like contest.

Enjoy the 50+ vendors, live art demonstrations, DJ sets by KTUH & DJ Mortadelah, a photobooth by Photo Ops Hawaii, musical performances by live bands, eating contests & a scavenger hunt.

Art & Flea is an all ages event that starts at 1o AM & goes until 5 PM. Cover is FREE!

*For the full schedule of events, visit the Find Art Festival website*

For more info visit the following:
Email: artandflea@gmail.com
Facebook: ArtandFlea Hawaii & Art & Flea Sat, June 30th IN CHINATOWN @Find Art Festival
Instagram: artandflea
Parking Availability: Street parking, Mark's Garage or $3 all day at Chinatown Municipal Parking locations
Twitter: @artandflea
Website: www.artandflea.com & www.findartfestival.com

Waimalu Chop Suey

My siblings & I have this weird family tradition that's repeated EVERY December, we're obsessed with watching the TBS special: 24 hours of "A Christmas Story." My favorite movie scene is when the Parker family eats Christmas dinner at an empty Chinese restaurant & tries roasted duck for the first time. When le boyfriend & I ate an early dinner at Waimalu Chop Suey, the empty (pre-dinner rush) side of the restaurant made me feel like Christmas arrived early this year.

If "variety is the spice of life" then Chinese food is the poster child of to this idiom; on route to the Chinese restaurant that serves "the biggest Crispy Gau Gee of your life", le boyfriend attempted to reduce my original order: Beef Broccoli, Cake Noodle, Crispy Gau Gee & Honey Walnut Shrimp to three items. I spent the entire car ride, trying to unsuccessfully reduce my order & even thought about using Jedi mind tricks to convince le boyfriend we needed all 4 items.

After the menus were handed to us, I could hardly contain my excitement when I read, "Beef Broccoli Cake Noodle" on the menu & my inner fat kid fist-pumped until our food arrived. I hate to admit whenever hungry strikes, my eyes have a tendency of being bigger than my stomach but it felt like I died & went to food heaven: the noodles were extra crunchy, the shrimp was cooked to perfection, the vegetables were fresh & I've never seen so much Crispy Gau Gee in my life.

If you have serious Chinese food cravings, I highly recommend a visit to Waimalu Chop Suey. In all of my Chinese food consumption, they have the best Honey Walnut Shrimp my lips have touched & their nickname "House of Gau Gee" lives up to their name. If you decide to take on the beast & order 8 pieces of Crispy Gau Gee, be prepared to enjoy them as a snack later on.

Here's photos from my Waimalu Chop Suey visit:

Honey Walnut Shrimp

Beef Broccoli Cake Noodle

Crispy Gau Gee

Almond Float

For more info visit the following:
Address: 98-020 Kamehameha Highway. Suite 117. Aiea, Hawaii 96701
Phone Number: 808.488.9010

Upcoming Event: Zach Manago's Ride in Paradise July 7th and 8th

Please donate & join the Hawaii Bicycle League at the upcoming Zach Manago's Ride in Paradise happening on Saturday (7/7) & Sunday (7/8).

Zach Manago's Ride in Paradise is 138 mile bike ride around Oahu in 2 days. This bike ride supports the Hawaii Bicycling League’s Safety Education & Awareness Program to teach drivers & bicyclists to be safer on the roads.

Your participation will help make Zach's vision for a bike friendly Hawaii real "Ride Aloha Drive Aloha!"

Here's a schedule breakdown of the Zach Manago's Ride in Paradise:

Saturday (7/7): 68 miles:
Stage 1: Wahiawa - Waialua - Kaena Point - Yokohama Bay (17 miles)
Stage 2: Yokohama Bay - Waianae - Kapolei - Pearl City - Honolulu State Capitol (51 miles)

Sunday (7/8): 70 miles:
Stage 1: Honolulu State Capitol - Waikiki (4 miles)
Stage 2: Waikiki - Kailua - Kaneohe (37 miles)
Stage 3: Kaneohe - Kahuku - Waimea Bay (33 miles)

For more info visit the following:
Address: 3442 Waialae Avenue. Suite 1. Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
Email: bicycle@hbl.org
Facebook: Hawaii Bicycle League
Phone Number: 808.735.5756
Registration: www.active.com/cycling/wahiawa-hi/zachary-managos-ride-in-paradise-2012
Twitter: @ridealoha
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RsyyVkf8ak&feature=youtu.be
Website: www.hbl.org/ride-in-paradise

Tattoo Honolulu Exhibit at the Honolulu Museum of Art

There are certain things in my life, I've come to terms with: I'll never be a professional singer (since I'm tone deaf), I'll never be fond of sun dried tomatoes & I'll never get a tattoo. Ever since I was a little kid, I've always disliked needles; my heart races, when the nurse swabs my arm with hydrogen peroxide & doesn't stop pounding until a band-aid is applied.

Despite my fear of needles, I could hardly wait to visit the "Tattoo Honolulu" exhibit at the Honolulu Museum of Art. As I walked around the exhibit, I couldn't help noticing the wide range of age groups admiring the extensive collection of permanent artwork. This exhibit has more than striking artwork from some of Hawaii's great tattoo artists, there's a colorful display of tattoo designs from the early 90s + a showcase of tattoo tools from the Pacific.

Even if your skin isn't engraved with ink, I'm positive you'll enjoy the visual artwork from some of Hawaii's talented tattoo artists. There's plenty of time to view the "Tattoo Honolulu" exhibit, which is on display from Thursday (6/14/12) - Sunday (1/13/13).

Here's some of my favorite photos from the Tattoo Honolulu exhibit:

The "Tattoo Honolulu" exhibit is located across cafe

Lucky Olelo's partial sleeve on Shawna Fukukoto, 2011

Joe Lieber's "Brooklyn" pieces

One wall of the Tattoo Honolulu exhibit

Richie Lucero's portraits & chest plate on Chris Jumalon (2005 - 2012)

For more info visit the following:
Address: 900 South Beretania Street. Honolulu, HI 96813
Email: info@honolulumuseum.com
Exhibit Dates: June 14, 2012 - January 13, 2012
Facebook: Honolulu Museum of Art
Phone Number: 808.532.8700
Twitter: @honolulumuseum
Website: www.honolulumuseum.org

Fighting Eel Kailua

One of my biggest pet peeves is when I'm browsing a store & the employees don't acknowledge my presence; it's not that I'm high-maintenance, I just want a friendly, "Hello" so I know, you're interested in having me as a potential customer. Even if I drove out of my way to visit a store & intended to purchase something, if no one greets me, I'll walk right out of their doors.

Originally, I wasn't planning to stop by Fighting Eel (because I didn't know it was right next to Whole Foods Market Kailua) but since I'm rarely on the East side, I thought, "When in Rome..." & decided a quick visit wouldn't hurt my wallet. When I walked through their doors, I was immediately greeted by a smiling employee (brownie points:) & as I leisurely examined their clothing, jewerly & accessories I realized no one was pressuring me to purchase anything (major brownie points!).

My casual encounter with Fighting Eel, slowly turned into an infatuation with the gorgeous & locally made jewelry, which caused me to flirt with the gorgeous line of stationary within the store & eventually led me to pulling out my wallet & purchasing items I'm in love with. I bought a two more items, but I don't want to spoil the surprise, because one is a future gift for my older sister.

If you're in the mood for shopping or looking to purchase a little something for a friend (or yourself), I highly recommend a trip to Fighting Eel Kailua. Their Fighting Eel staff is extremely friendly & thoroughly interested in having you as a potential customer (they'll even ask about your day) + they have a rewards program that gives you another reason to stop by & see what's new.

Here's some pictures from my trip:

"A Thousand Thanks" stationary

Fighting Eel bag

"Doing Good & Feeling Good are Connected" journal

For more info visit the following:
Address: 629 Kailua Road. Suite 130. Kailua, Hawaii 96734
Email: fekailua@fightingeel.com
Facebook: Fighting Eel
Phone Number: 808.738.9301
Twitter: fightingeel
Website: www.fightingeel.com

For more pictures from my trip, visit my Facebook page: http://ow.ly/bAS7y

Whole Foods Market Kailua

Some day, I'd love to be able to afford the Whole Foods Market lifestyle, where I can eat better quality ingredients & not worry about skimping on paying silly things like bills. Until this day arrives, trips to Whole Foods Market Kailua will be few & far between.

As soon as I walked into Whole Foods Market Kailua, I was blown away by the beautiful interior design & the massive amount of fresh & local fruits & veggies. This Whole Foods Market felt ginormous compared to the Kahala location but each store has their own unique qualities.

I was blown away by the amount of food choices were featured in this store: there's two locations to order delicious smelling soups, a poke bar (currently $15.99/lb), sandwich station, brick oven pizza, hot food bar & a little place I like to call dessert heaven. Their dessert corner is stacked with desserts that would send your inner fat kid into cardiac arrest; I'm so glad there was a glass protecting the mouth watering desserts, it was so difficult not to order everything in sight.

I'm proud to say I restrained myself & only ordered a 4 inch chocolate cream pie & a chocolate chip cannoli. Thankfully, on my way to the cash register, my eyes spotted their brick oven & had to order two tasty slices of spinach, mushroom & cheese pizza. I love that there's seating to enjoy your snack/meal behind their coffee shop & the best part is their trash system which includes a mini recycling center.

If you ever find yourself on the East side of the island, Whole Foods Market Kailua is definitely the place to stock up on iced cold beverages, appetizing pizzas or something small to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Here's pictures from my trip:

I was in dessert heaven

Spinach, mushroom & cheese pizza

Chocolate chip cannoli & 4 inch chocolate cream pie

For more info visit the following:
Address: 629 Kailua Road. Suite 100. Kailua, Hawaii 96734
Facebook: Whole Foods Market Kailua
Phone Number: 808.263.6800
Twitter: @WholeFoods
Website: http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/kailua/

Upcoming Event: Adobo Fried Rice Omelet Speed Eating Contest

If you're interested in participating in a Garlic Adobo Fried Rice Speed Eating Contest, head down to Eat The Streets: Garlic Fest on Friday (6/29) for your chance at glory.

It's FREE to enter & the winner walks away with a $50 Elena's Gift Certificate. Registration is on the Street Grindz website.

For more info visit the following:
Address: 555 South Street. Kakaako, Hawaii 96813
Email: info@streetgrindz.com
Facebook: Eat The Street: Garlic Fest, Elena's Home of Finest Filipino Foods & Kings of Kaukau
Twitter: @streetgrindz, @ElenasFilipino & @KingsofKauKau
YouTube: www.youtube.com/kingsofkauka
Website: www.streetgrindz.com/eat-the-street-garlic-fest-2/

Sweet Lychee Productions' Two Year Anniversary

Even though, I wrote my blog's anniversary date (6/7) in my calendar, it snuck up on me like a ninja & caught me off guard. I'm still in shock that my blog turned "2".

There's been a few times, I seriously considered shutting my blog down but those thoughts were quickly erased whenever someone sends me an encouraging email/posts a thoughtful comment.

The best feelings in the world as a blogger is giving someone my business card & having them recognize my logo, it completely transforms my day.

There aren't enough words to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone whose read my blog, I'm blown away that my blog has over 44,000+ hits & there's no way I'd be able to achieve this accomplishment without you.

I hope you'll continue to read my blog & help me celebrate 500 blog posts in my 3rd year of blogging.

♥ Sweet Lychee

PS- I'm planning to feature a couple special blog posts to commemorate my blog's two year anniversary.

Upcoming Event: La Cinematheque: Millenium Actress

Stop by Fresh Cafe for the community event: Cinematheque, on Wednesday (6/13) for new age films, music & free popcorn.

Enjoy Satoshi Kon's Millenium Actress, DJ sets by ADHDJ & DJ Kowai Kowai + live performance by ALT/AIR.

La Cinematheque is an ALL AGES event with $3 cover.




For more info, visit the following:
Address: 831 Queen Street. Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Email: lacinemathequehonolulu@hotmail.com
Facebook: La Cinematheque, Alt/Air, Fresh Cafehi
Tumblr: http://lacinemathequehonolulu.tumblr.com/
Twitter: @cinemathequeHNL, @wearealtair, @freshcafehi, @KOWAIKOWAIMUSIC
Website: www.wearealtair.com, www.freshcafehi.com & http://kowaikowaimusic.com

New Obsession Part II: Instagram for DROID

I've got the Instagram fever & the only cure is more cowbell! In all seriousness, Instagram is still my new obsession & I can't believe how much time is dedicated throughout my day to scroll through friend's Instagram photos.

I love that Instagram gives you a platform to showcase things happening in & around your life; but the real reason I'm obsessed with Instagram is that it makes me feel connected to friends all over the world.

My obsession with Instagram will go overboard, once I get an iphone, but until then keep enjoying the world through someone else's eyes.

♥ Sweet Lychee

Here's some of my favorite Instagram photos (so far):

Trees

Bronze gate made of bubbles

Chinese Church

Outside building design

Water fountain at the Honolulu Museum of Art