TGIF...

Friday...weeks go by too fast. Sigh...Yesterday was a bad day. Thing 2=my youngest Noa awoke before dawn and when he does this the day is usually a wash. Crying, clumsy, complaining, the world is out to get him...poor boy. He passed out at about 5pm, which was needed with no nap, but for me it "sucked" because I knew he would be up at the crack o' dawn again and I needed to sleep early too. But...Thing 1=Keoni Bear wanted momma all to himself until about 7:30. How could I resist him? I couldn't and I didn't...We snuggled, sort of, he is a restless mover and shaker from morning til night, but he tries. Then when I finally broke away from him and left him with daddy I attempted to sleep. Key word is attempted. It was a failure. I tossed and turned and tossed and turned. Ughhhhhhhh...Yet a funny thing happened this morning. Noa slept until 6am, woke up happy as can be and cute as ever, and momma isn't that tired. Sun is out. Maybe Friday will be my best day yet? I hope so!

So for now as I lay in bed drinking my smoothie, I will daydream about more clothes and the perfect summer sandal...Why don't we have the lottery in Hawaii?

 ZARA-love polka dots and this beautiful shade of blue/turquoise

 I want a peplum top and something orange. Hmmm...maybe this new one from Banana Republic?

 My brood is going to Washington and Oregon in a few weeks...I have been saving my money in a jar if you can believe. Change and extra dollars for about 6 months. I have $70.00 cash so far and maybe $100.00 in change (hopeful wishing).  The hubby owes me $10.00 and has promised me an hour alone at H and M...did I mention this in a previous post? Probably cuz I am so excited!!! I am packing light in hopes of finding tons of goodies like this blouse at H and M! Holla!

The perfect sandal at H and M...pray for me!

What I wore Wednesday...

My week was so fast...I was sick for most of it, and thus my outfits, make-up, beauty routine, etc. were practically non-exsistent. And honestly I felt down because of it. I feel better when I feel I look better. Better luck this week, right? My toddlers make it near impossible. We are also in the process of deep cleaning before our summer trip so my hubby and I are in scrubs most of these past few days. We went to a bbq at our good friend Howard's farm, I had literally like 5 minutes to shower and get ready...there is a part of me that doesn't want to show this pic cuz I am in flip flops and no make-up, but still I did what I could...instead of a plain t-shirt I reached for the designers for less at Target top which made me feel stylish!

 top-Prabal Gurung for Target (I got this for like $8 after waiting for months for it to go on sale), skinnies old Ross brand-Rewind, slippers-Havianas (my staple in Hawaii), sunnie-Target (after my babies broke my Ray Bans I decided to take a break on expensive sunnies, just not in the budget to keep replacing right now, gotta love target)!!!

I spent 4 hours which I didn't have last night trying to launch my etsy shop. Was stressful and exciting, but ended up finding out they had the wrong email for me which I can't change now so the process begins again tonight. Wish me luck...for now 2 of my Graffiti Wood Bead Bracelets, one with dyed Jade and one with seaglass. so fun for summer! Linking up with The Pleated Poppy-http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2011/09/what-i-wore-wednesday-fall-inspiration/ not http://thepleatedpoppy.com/blog/

 

I WORKOUT...

I enjoy a great swim in the ocean, a nice walk or hike, and before babies I was known to take a run or two...I even enjoyed the gym when living in Seattle and the rain was too much...I had my retreat at the gym where I could zone out to tv, a book, magazine or my ipod and sweat out the day's worries. Now my time is more limited and my elliptical machine is broken. My hubby and I hike with the boys three days a week, and I try to do some for of exercise two other days. Lately with the elliptical down for the count I have been walking and doing aerobics in our yard. My hubby thinks it is hilarious, and the boys try to sabotage me with their constant whining. but still I have had some success...Need a little music to motivate me today...Happy exercising ladies and gents!

Rainy Sunday

This woman has the best voice...A friend put this song on a mix for me years ago, but never labeled the artist and songs...I searched far and low to find out who had this incredible voice. Alice Russell...love this jam on a rainy Sunday morning.

Happy Saturday!!!

I am finally feeling well again...Hooray, bring it on Saturday...A little house cleaning, a little laundry, a little exercise and hopefully an afternoon spent in the sun with a friend or two! Tons of Memorial Day Sales going on...is this a good thing or trouble for a stay-at-home momma on a tight budget? When will I ever be able to afford the finer things in life? Shopping at Chanel with Rachel Zoe, hell having the funds and celebrity status for her to style me...It's a Brad Brad World...take me shopping Brad, pleeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssseeeeee. It is fun to dream, right? But, for now I can surf the online deals for those pretty pieces that won't break the bank...Happy Saturday and Happy Shopping to my fellow lovers of clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc.!!!

Livng in Hawaii-bathing suits are a must. Dreaming of Posh Pua right now.

       Zara...enough said? Love loose, flowy blouses anytime of the year especially summer. And I     have been looking for something red as of recent.

 

 

MORE ZARA!

 Why oh why are you beautiful things 398.00???...sista on a budget. I would wear you everday even in this hot, tropical climate if I could...Did I mention I would even wear you to the beach! I will keep my eye out for you cuz maybe one day in the near future you will go on sale...I will start saving my pennies. I love you red booties, don't change a thing!!!

J CREW dress---I would love to wear you with my future red booties!

Beachin' it...

I have had a roller coaster week of sickness, and thus unfortunately my week has been pretty blah. My hubby has been a great help running a lot of the errands I normally do...he is the best, most of the time!!! I started to feel a tad better on Wednesday so the gang and I hit the beach for a little while. Unfortunately, yesterday I was at my worst...no sunshine for me. Luckily, today I am feeling better again so hopefully I can see a tiny bit of the sunshine here in Kona.

What I Wore Wednesday

I have been following a blog called "The Pleated Poppy" for over a year and am hooked. The blogger Lindsey is like a modern day chic "Martha Stewart" in my eyes. I could rave on and on about how amazing I think she and her blog are, but I am in a bit of a hurry to take my stepson to soccer practice. More on my love on her blog later!!! Lindsey created this What I Wore Wednesday to inspire herself and others to feel better on the outside and inside by getting out of yoga pants/pjs and into something cute...taking a few minutes even out of our days to take care of ourselves. I definitely agree with Lindsey...She and other woman bloggers that partake in this now weekly ritual are so inspiring...And it is fun to get ideas on how to look and what to wear! Thank you ladies.

 Outfit deets..T-shirt-F21, leggings-C and C California (so comfortable and perfect for a day in the car and at soccer and got them for 50% off), shoes-Nike old, Sunnies-F21 (my Noa broke them before the soccer game even started), headband-Violet Love, little purse-Waimea farmers market (only 6 dolla)!!!

 This is my new creation the "Graffiti Bracelet"...I hand spray paint myself, finish with a binding laquer to keep color in check and wrap them with Stretch Magic elastic, silk, suede and other useful cords. They are fun, unique and so colorful...three things I love in fashion and accesories and life!!! Soon to be sold on Etsy (pray this weekend or Monday)...The world needs a new accesory that will catch everyone's eyes! Happy Wednesday

5 favorites...

Still a little under the weather...not fun when you have children. They make it impossible to lounge around in bed all day reading magazines, napping, watching trash reality tv and feeling sorry for yourself. Damned them! Since my head is fuzzy and sore I thought I might just share 5 of my favorite things right now. Simple enough. I love reading other bloggers sharing their faves whether or not it is music, fashion, home décor, beauty products or food. Love it!


1. Similar to Sunday's post...MUSIC. Music is the best. I live on the Big Island and unfortunately there isn't a station that really speaks to me. We don't get great live shows either. I grew up in Seattle and my teenage and college years revolved around music and concerts...I love it all. Hip Hop, Classic Rock, Electronic, Alternative, Grunge, even a lot of Pop/Radio Music. All these genres accompany certain moods we are in and I love that. I hope to share a lot of my favorite music on my blog because music=goodness...I cannot wait until I am able to see another concert live and not on dvd!!!


2. Almond Milk...Nothing beats a sunny morning in Kona with my fresh brewed coffee, iced, 2 stevias and splash of delicious almond milk. It took me a minute to adjust to it...a little bland at first in comparison to most soymilks, but so much better for you and low in calories. Yum.


3. Spray Paint...I am in the process of creating my own line of jewelry aka "Graffiti Jewelry"...A lot of trial and error, but so much fun spraying away with an abundance of colors...I want to conquer the world with my cans of spray paint and add some color and design all around! Art also=goodness!!!


4.ZARA-on a tight budget so can't afford a lot of their beautifully crafted clothing. Love, love, love! Still free shipping in only 4 days to Hawaii, unheard of and I am so grateful for. So many companies still tack on anywhere from 5 dolla to 20 dolla and I am sure more to mail to us in Hawaii and Alaska...LAME! Zara is the best. They actually have a lot of affordable and comfortable stuff though, and one day when I make it big (he he)...or actually my boyz go to school and I begin working again I will purchase some of their more pricey and luxurious items. But for now nothing beats 15.00 good quality and adorable leggings that fit my petite frame from the girls section...stars, stripes, Aztec...sold! I can dress them down or up, they don't break the bank, and even in the hot heat of Hawaii they feel lightweight. Thank you. Did I mention how fast their shipping is to Hawaii???


5. Birchbox...I quit you to save some money, but that only lasted a few months. Even my hubby didn't mind my relapse because I have turned him on to some wonderful sample sized treats...Boscia is our fave! I just can't quit you, so excited for May's arrival soon!

Music on a Lazy Sunday...

My song of the day as I battle a stomach bug and screaming headache with my munchkins...This entire album is one of my all time favorites. God bless Jenny Lewis.

Soccer Saturday

We are leaving early in the morning for my stepson's soccer game which is 2 hours away...Should actually be fun to get over to the otherside of the island for the day...and hopefully see the boyz Auntie Nani. She is the sweetest and nicest Aunt you could ask for. I thought in honor of Soccer Saturday I would post a picture of my attire from last week's game. I am slowly trying to work on the fashion...and a little make-up. Bare with me as I have said before because I get major panic attacks from seeing my own pics. I know it is crazy, but low self-esteem is such a difficult thing to deal with. I battle day to day with accepting my inner and outer beauty. I wish I didn't suffer from it, but I feel like it is all I know. Still, this blog will help open me up more to self-acceptance. I see all the other beautiful bloggers out there, all different, with their own style and life and story...if they can do it so can I. Outfit info-jeans-Forever 21, t-shirt-Zara TRF, bracelets-me soon to be sold on Etsy,shoes-old Nike(I have to have comfort for chasing around the munchkins during the entire 2 hour game)...One day I will get a nap again right? And a pedicure maybe? Happy Weekend to all!

Yet again...

It is already Friday...The days zoom by, and each week I question what I really accomplished??? I love my munchkins so much, but they are gosh darn time wasters...And my 19-month-old is now nicknamed "MR. DEMANDO"...24/7---yesterday he woke us up at 4:45am, demanding full attention throughout the day well into the night. I think I fell asleep to him talking to himself. Can you believe in 3 years my hubby and I haven't gone out on a date. No grandparents or family close by, and our friends are great but not really up for the babysitting task. So in honor of this I thought I would post a couple of pics that are reminiscent of my life as a stay at home with 2 toddlers, a stepson and yard full of animals...oh yeah, and we are on the tightest of budgets due to me caring for the boyz full-time...which means searching through clearance racks and bins at Target...Holla!!!

What I wore Wednesday...

A little info on the outfit...sweater-vintage (bought it from my favorite blogger Sheree of Its Not that Deep)...jeans-Forever 21...apologize for lack of shoes inside...we live in Hawaii...no shoes indoors, but had on my fave purple converse...socks-Target...pendant courtesy of my amazing jeweler hubby...he's da bomb! sorry for the silly expression...not good at modeling! I love following all the Wednesday fashionista momma blogs where they post "What I wore Wednesday"...I think it is the greatest idea especially for mommas findng themselves in a rut of no personal grooming, lounging in pj's or sweats all day, etc. I can relate immensly because so many days I don't leave the house and if we do it is going to the park, beach or grocery store. I love seeing all the fashionable ladies out there dressed to nines, but personally for me when I do "dress up" I find myself so conscious of not "messing" up anything I am wearing or the make-up---thus I miss out on running around with my boyz. Maybe this is partically due to my lack of self-esteem...I found myself the other week watching a few episodes of TLC's What Not to Wear. Love Stacy and Clinton, and moreover love the episodes where they make the women realize their inner and outer beauty...it seems all the episodes have similar themes with many women and mommas...they just want to blend in, not be noticed. I hate to admit it, but that is me. I love fashion, love, love, love it. But so many days cleaning, chasing after dirty and messy boyz, and not leaving the house at all makes it difficult for me to unleash my inner fashionista...I have been trying more, even if it just means putting on a cute and casual top or a little mascara and lipstick. I am just beginning this attempt of getting out of my grubbies, so I am not going to link up this week with the other blogs...I will post a picture of me from the other week that my hubby took. We tried to work on my posing, but Kate Moss I am not. Next week I plan on getting some better pics and linking up with The Pleated Poppy (one of my favorite blogs)...Happy days of fashion to all the divas out there!!!

Back to the blogging grind...

I can't believe I haven't posted since last Tuesday. This past week was probably not the best to start something new that I needed to devote some attention to...Oh well, I gotta start and now am looking forward to posting at least 5 times this week. My week goal! Yesterday was a long day, but a wonderful Mother's Day. Started out around 7:30am...got to sleep in with my munchkins, then surprised with lovely orchids, a hilarious card, 2 new nail polishes that I can't wait to use and a mixed package of Weleda Body Oils...I always love trying new beauty products especially when they are all natural. My stepson had a soccer game in the morning, unfortunately they lost, but still they put up a good fight and Ari was so close to scoring a few times. Then a quick stop at home before venturing to our friend Howard's farm which is our own little paradise on the Hamakua Coast. My boys love their Uncle Howard, and he loves having the young energy on the farm. My 3 year old Keoni was assisting Uncle Howard with everything, picking avocados, oranges and even attempting to cut down a stock or two of bananas for our favorite morning smoothies. A few friends joined us for a BBQ feast...The hubby grilled delicious veggies and prawns as well as making his famous homemade garlic bread. My hubby always puts a healthy twist on comfort food which I love about him. We all laughed and had fun...that makes for a "winning" Mothers Day for me. Good people, good food, and my little guys so happy and well behaved. A day I can always reflect on in a positive light in the future!

Real Housewives

Why oh why do I find myself sucked into their insanity? Women, many older than me just ripping each other apart. I cannot even comprehend the lives they lead with wealth, nannies, mansions, nothing better to do than drink and fight and fight and drink...(I do understand a lot of them do work...Go Team Vicki...)but many of them have the luxury of shopping all day in lavish shops that serve complimentary champagne...really? I mock it and hate myself for watching, but every season rolls around and again I get hooked. My hubby despises me watching...says I get angry and confrontational. This coming from a guy who is obsessed with war and kung-fu movies as well as ultimate fighter. He is right. I delve into their lives as if I am one of the gang..."Come on Tamra, lay off Alexis, you are a bully!"...I root for certain people more than others. Team Nene. Team Vicki. Team Carole. Team Lisa. Team Jacqueline...My girlfriends and I can gab all day regarding the damned franchise called Real Housewives. Damned you Andy Cohen. Damned you Orange County. Damned you rich women with huge walk-in closets and bi-monthly Botox injections. Damned your low-carb diets and home gyms and personal assistants and hairstylists and make-up teams...Someone like me that suffers from low self-esteem should have never glanced at even one episode. But it is my guilty pleasure. My naughty escape from elmo and potty training and neverending episodes of family guy and futurerama...Do I want to be a Real Housewive? Nah, but I wouldn't mind shopping with one of their credit cards or attending just one of their lavish parties, as long as Nene and Gregg were there to protect me from the "haters"...

A few of my favorite things at the moment...

Of course my family...they keep me sane and make me unsane at the same time. I think we all need that balance. Keeps us on our toes. I am a beginning beader and have been since high school...when will I move to intermediate??? spray paint, yet another creative outlet that I am loving...the wonders of spray paint. Soon enough I will share my creations! My nails are in desperate need of ZOYA attention. And good ol' Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis...Representing Seattle...where I grew up...ok actually the Eastside to all the city kids that would be mad I said I grew up in the city...I'm from the burbs of Kingsgate...still, The Heist is unreal and on heavy rotation on my ipod...need it today for motivation to work-out later. HAPPY MONDAY!