Kauai Krush - Part 2

How do I love Kauai? In so many ways...

I love the delicious, locally-handmade ice cream from Lappert's. Look at that big smile on my face! Here I am enjoying their famous and most popular flavour, Kauai Pie (Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, shredded and lightly toasted coconut, and dark chocolate fudge). My fave flavour, though, is Heavenly Hana, which is chocolate ice cream with swirls of marshmallow ribbon, white chocolate covered macadamia nuts, dark chocolate covered almond chunks, chocolate bits, and roasted almonds. That's my kind of heaven.

With all the eating, hubby and I had to do some work to burn those calories off. And by work, I mean adventuring - by sea and by land. We went diving together for the first time. Our guides from Fathom Five were wonderful. Even though we were not certified, we did a shore dive of 40 feet and saw tons of fish and even a large sea turtle.

Below: At our shore dive at Koloa Landing, once the island's main landing dock.

We also made use of the awesome mountain bikes that came with our cottage and did some exploring around some unused sugarcane roads. They led us to a very deserted beach, called Gillin's beach after the fella who lived there. The area is comprised of three bays which make up the Mala'ulepu Beaches, famous for breathtaking scenery and the lithified sand cliffs that may be explored by foot, bike or horse.

Below: Getting there was half the fun.


While we were in the south, we drove up to the Waimea Canyon for some hiking and spectacular views. Called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, it did not disappoint. From this vista we peered down to the Kalalau Valley. Even from that distance we could see massive 30 foot waves pummeling the north shore. If you are familiar with Kauai, you'll know that the west and the north side of the island don't connect by road or anything other than by sea. It's because of this vast valley and the muddy swamps within. Attempts to build a road to circumvent the island have failed in the past, and thank goodness for that. Seeing the valley and the Na Pali coast from this side was especially special because two years ago when hubby and I were in Kauai for the first time, we did a fantastic hike through the Kalalau Trail (a highly difficult trail). It was cool to see it from a different vantage point.

Below: Feels like God is smiling down on Kauai

Below: A bird soars near the Kilauea Lighthouse, a sanctuary for birds

As our days in the south drew to an end, we began our drive up to the rugged north, and to one of my favourite places in the world. We stopped for a drink in the posh Princeville resort area, and ended up at the St. Regis Hotel lounge on their deck. The view was just perfect.

Below: My chi chi drink at the St. Regis.

Below: Ahi Tuna Poke with Avocado, Mango and Taro Chip.

As much as I loved the south, I was ready to head north for some surfing. I absolutely adore the north and it felt a bit like coming home. Up next, a review of a place so dear to my heart: the Kauai North Shore.

If you missed it, check out some more Kauai pics from this previous post, Hang Ten for 2010.

Hope In Haiti Fundraiser

We've all seen the devastation that's hit Haiti over the past week. It's heart wrenching. I don't usually blog a lot about events or do a lot of promotion but this is a very worthy cause.

Helping my friends Kelsey (of The Anthology), and Larissa (of The Extrovert), I'm spreading the word about the Hope in Haiti benefit taking place this Wednesday, January 27 at the Barcelona Nightclub in Vancouver. All proceeds go to the Canadian Red Cross. I will be in attendance as well, helping out where I can.

Not only is this a very meaningful event, but there will be some fantastic door prizes and items up for auction. For more details on the event and where to buy online tickets, please visit the website Hope in Haiti now. Tickets are selling out fast so get yours. You can also donate to the Canadian Red Cross if you can't attend the event.

Is It Summer Yet?

How was your weekend, lovelies? Mine was good; lots of chilling out with a movie and take-in dinner (District 9 and sushi), dinner party at a friend's (yummy slow braised beef short ribs papparadelle), and coffee and crepes on Sunday.

I know I just got back from a beach holiday, but I'm already itching to go somewhere hot again. How can I not with all these sizzling hot resort styles tempting me? I've decided that 2010 is the year that I will get a real classic Brazilian bikini, and I've been enticed by some of the hot looks from Look Swimwear. Of course, I also love the Reef swimwear that makes your butt look so good. So, if you're going somewhere hot soon for a mid-winter break, I envy you.

While I was surfing for hot bikinis, Teresa from Senses and Style pointed me to Anna Kosturova, a local Vancouver swimwear designer. Her designs have been featured in Sports Illustrated and Lucky Magazine, and they are sexy yet classy. I wish I had known before I went to Kauai!

Above: Golden crochet cover-up by Anna Kosturova

This Marley bikini by Red Carter brings out my inner rasta girl. A turquoise and pink tunic by Anna Kosturova works as cover-up or a mini dress.

Below: Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent thong sandal and a demure white crochet cover-up by Anna Kosturova.

Loving the bright orange hue for this Marc by Marc Jacobs bandeau bikini and rounded aviators from Ray-Ban (orange is sold out boo!).

For sundown drinks, I might slip on this cotton jersey white tunic by Anna Kosturova as a little dress and carry this colourful hobo by Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent.

I don't care that I'm clashing patterns with this Aztec-inspired Mara Hoffman string bikini and Shoshanna psychedelic cover up.

With jewels like these, who needs accessories (other than arm candy)? Elizabeth and James Jewel Thong Sandal and Red Carter Jeweled Bikini (top sold out now - boo!).

Finally, watching the sun set is a breeze behind these oversized retro Chloe Tilia pink shades. Keep warm with this ombre wrap by Brette Sandler.

So, while everyone is thinking of the 2010 Winter Olympics, happening in my humble town in less than 4 weeks time, I've got beaches and bikinis on the brain.

Images courtesy of Shopbop.com and Anna Kosturova.

Hump Day Hunks - Hockey Edition

Men with sticks. Sweaty, grunting men with sticks. Enough said.

Today's Hump Day Hunks are brought to you by..YOU! The picks are all either handpicked as a special request by you or inspired by you.

Up first, especially for Raul of Hummingbird604 and one of my best friends Lizzie, is angry-cute American, Ryan Kesler, of the Canucks. This man broke a hockey stick over his thighs. I don't know about you, but that kind of hot-blooded passion is steamy.

Above: Ryan Kesler doing his pouty, angry thing
Below: A rare smile from #17 Ryan Kesler as he makes the U.S. Olympic Mens Hockey team

Below: Ryan Kesler getting some, ahem, medical attention.

For my dear friend Alix of Canucks Hockey Blog and Kat of Fat Girl Skinny, I give you Shane O'Brien of the Canucks. Or, as I like to call him, Shane O'Hottie. Boyish good looks and Irish bad-boy charm have Alix and Kat swooning.

And for my friend Niki over at A Haute Mess, there is the smouldering Kevin Bieksa of the Canucks. Poor Kevin is currently sidelined with an injury, so let's show him so love. shall we?


And just for good measure, a group shot of Kevin, blondie defenseman Alex Edler (who in his own right could have made this list), and Shane in their shorts and socks.

Lastly, this one's for @ConnieWChang, who has a love for the shot-blocking hero, Ryan Johnson.

I know i promised other NHL hockey hotties besides my home team Canucks but because there are so many of them, we'll have to just save that for another (rainy) day. Enjoy this one ladies, as the next edition will be in two weeks time.

Pictures courtesy of Canucks.com.

Kauai Krush - Part 1

I gotta say, this first week back was tough. It's been just over a week since I got back from Kauai. I'm poring over my photos and remembering how easy it was to spring out of bed everyday to watch the Hawaiian sun rise. I think my Facebook status on the first morning said it all: "I woke up in paradise". (Please note this is going to be a long post...).

We started our trip with a few days on the south side of the island where we were to spend Christmas. The cottage that we rented did not fall short of expectations: it was an immaculate, dream beach house of white clapboard, rafter ceilings, and double french doors that let in the ocean breeze. We had every comfort of home and no detail was spared. We received a large box of chocolates on our bed upon arrival, and there were hand-made scented candles throughout the house to create a romantic atmosphere. An ipod docking station allowed us to blast Vampire Weekend, Jack Johnson, and Buena Vista Social Club throughout the day. There was a gourmet kitchen with every possible tool a chef would need. A separate laundry room overlooked the lush back garden and a view to the ocean. The garage was full of toys like mountain bikes and snorkeling gear for us to use.

Top picture: Picturesque Kiahuna beach in Poipu
Below: Our cottage bathed in the first light of day

Below: Vaulted ceilings and a dark dining table where I ate many meals

Below: Laundry is so much better with an ocean view

Our days consisted of a morning activity, a late lunch either made at home or takeout at a local hole-in-the-wall, a short siesta on the lanai (deck) to stay out of mid-day sun, and an afternoon activity. A late afternoon swim at nearby Kiahuna beach, right by the Sheraton Hotel, was a ritual. On most nights, hubby grilled delicious fresh fish (mahi mahi, ono, or ahi), chicken or steaks on the BBQ for dinner. We actually only ate dinner out twice (once when we first arrived late that night and once on Christmas eve) because we loved cooking at our cottage so much.

Below: A sanctuary to come home to

Below: Shells adorning our table

Below: The kiddies room, which remained empty of course during our stay

We made fresh OJ from the ripe oranges that came from the backyard tree. There were local avocados as large as half my head that came from the neighour's yard which we happily made into guacamole. After our lazy afternoon swims, we kept busy with eating crisps and drinking the local brew on the lanai while we watched the sun wane.

Below: Hubby foraging for sweet oranges

Below: The pale blue shade of our cottage exterior was very pretty

Below: That same gorgeous view from the laundry room, at sunset and with our neighbour up a ladder

We were smitten with this little dream cottage, and still pine for it...

Up next, highlights of our adventures in the south!

Do It All the Same

I once tried to start an all-girl band with my bestie. We both had Fender stratocasters, and we tried to teach ourselves to play. We were both drummers too so we figured we could definitely rock it out at the next Lollapalooza as riot grrls. Our repertoire consisted of a handful of Hole (Live Through This, especially Doll Parts), Nirvana, Veruca Salt and Smashing Pumpkins songs.

Well, needless to say, we never hit the top 20 but I did make time to drop this random album. "Do it All the Same" by Waipati River.

I confess. I was tagged by both Teresa of Senses and Style and Deanne of Dream Sequins with creating my own, random album cover. And here's how you can do it too (this means I'm tagging you):

Go to “wikipedia.” Hit “random… Read More”
or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 – Go to “Random quotations”
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 – Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 – Use photoshop or similar to put it all together.

So what are you waiting for? Go do a random album cover, blog it, teach others how to do it, and tag everyone you know.

Image for album art courtesy of Hayden Lihou.

PS - I still have that beautiful blue electric guitar somewhere. One of these days, maybe I'll pick it up again.

Hump Day Hunks - Surfer Edition

It's Wednesday! Due to popular demand, Hump Day Hunks is back. My last post, starring my crush from the Vancouver Canucks, Mason Raymond, and team mate Alex Burrows, was thoroughly enjoyed so I'm making it a regular feature. Since I just got back from Hawaii, it's only fitting that today's edition will feature those gorgeous water gods otherwise known as surfers.

And what's not to love? I spied many a cute surfing instructors flexing their stuff on Hanalei Bay where I also just happen to be surfing.

Above: Cape Town entrepreneur, surfer and crowned South Africa's Most Irresistable Man, Dene Botha. Photo credit Bryon Klaumans.

Above: Quiksilver team member Jeremy Flores. He was born in Madagascar and raised on Reunion island. Photo from Quiksilver.

Above: Aussie Adrian "Ace" Buchan. Picture from Surfline.

Above: Aloha, Clay Marzo, of Maui. Picture from Quiksilver.

Above: Mahalo (thank you in Hawaiian) to the surf gods for this guy, Kai Sallas, yet another Hawaiian from Oahu.

Above: Of course, how can we leave you off, Mr. Kelly Slater? Even with no hair, you are still looking fine.

For you hockey girls and guys, the next edition will feature some of your favourite hotties from the Canucks (and others around the NHL - we like to share the love here). I'm also taking requests and tips for future Hunk Day Hunks so please let me know.

Top photo: Jeremy Flores, picture courtesy of Quiksilver.