Everyone can benefit from dancing—not just on this Saturday, National Dance Day, but every day. In this little video, I filmed four generations dancing and edited them together. I hope you didn’t miss the elderly lady in the tangerine outfit swiveling her hips. She danced ballroom for years. She said that she was “thrilled” to be able to use some …
Buddy up to Beth if you’re making a stop in Seattle this summer. Her funky eatery has been a hub since the 50s and her legendary breakfasts are served 24/7, so there’s no time when Beth’s Café can’t cure your craving. Besides comfort food, this place is known for organic art. While waiting for your meal, you can draw something …
When the sun makes a command performance, I always get the urge to take a ferry to a beautiful island. Can a girl get more sun-appropriate attire for such an outing than a SUNdress? Today, for Fashion Friday, I’m featuring Forever 21 maxis and bangles. What I love about these dresses is that they can be used either for a …
Crumbs Bake Shop abruptly closed all its stores last Monday, July 7, and I’m in mourning. I’ve had an intense love for those cupcakes ever since I began traveling to LA for work. The over-sized treats were pure paradise. Never mind the fact that just one could top a whopping 600 calories. If that number had been doubled, I still …
Last spring, I introduced you to Cristin, a girl who became a fast friend after she read The Single Girl’s Guide to Meeting European Men, and reached out to me. She needed a change, and was inspired to travel by the true stories of the women in my book. You can read what I’ve written about her worldly adventures, but …
This was the stunning view on my dinner date! Every Thursday evening during Seattle’s boating season Six Seven, the restaurant at the Edgewater hotel, is the scene of a sailboat regatta. That, plus its mouthwatering food, makes for a landmark night. Two of my favorite dishes were the duck and salmon. But really, you couldn’t go wrong by ordering anything …
I got the idea for a zoo-inspired fashion week after seeing stores bursting with animal prints. Today is all about the feisty jaguar posing behind me in the second picture below. I’m wearing a top from Ro & De. It’s described as a “leopard print,” but when I wore it to the zoo, one of the cats’ caregivers had a different …
Before saying farewell to a place like this, a girl has to have a proper celebration:) I planned an island party and put on one of my new Hilton Hawaiian Village dresses by NIJI of Waikiki. I limited myself to just bringing home two; otherwise I could have ended up owning the entire store:) Not wanting the fun to end, …
You can travel back in time to the 50s, 60s and 70s in this Hawaiian café. It features authentic décor bursting with memorabilia autographed by rock legends and shining stars of the silver screen. It also offers one of the best food-splurge fests. Of course, I splurged big time! This throwback is tucked into Waikiki’s turn-of-the-century style shopping area, King’s …
A girl could go to Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki, never leave the property and have a landmark trip. This place is an oasis of waterfalls, flowers, tropical animals, surfing, restaurants, the best ice cream on the planet, and charming stores. I spied this NaPua sundress at one of the Village shops. Each is tiny and packed with island-inspired frocks…many …
Anna Sui is a sassy creator with one of the most adorable cosmetic displays in Waikiki’s glitzy Galleria. Her guiding philosophy is, “You have to focus on your dreams, even if they go beyond common sense.” Well, I’m glad she did! When I entered the Sui suite, I came under Anna’s makeup spell amid all the options. I had a …
You’ve all heard of island fever. Well, I was getting a little of what I call, “mainland fever” in anticipation for heading off to Oahu. I couldn’t wait to arrive. I felt like the little kid on our flight who asked her mom, “Are we there yet?” before the plane even took off:) Shortly after landing, I had an event …
The moment I learned of Pemba Island’s Manta Resort, I was enthralled by this aquatic East African retreat. It is a sea lover’s vacation dream…a three-story hotel suite with a glass bedroom plunging beneath the Indian Ocean. Spotlights are even included to attract fish. So by day you can snorkel or dive, chill on a white-sand beach, or explore Zanzibar’s …
BHLDN has stunning vintage-feel gowns that can be worn either as wedding dresses or formal frocks. For awhile now, Hollywood has been hooked on white and off-white gowns at red carpet soirées, so why can’t the rest of us? Last week, I posted pics of myself wearing BHLDN’s Laverne adorned by two of my But I Do awards. This keeper …
From the time I was little, I’ve been fascinated by flowers. So naturally, when the Seattle Chinese Garden held its Luoyang Peony Festival, I had to go! Who could pass up seeing more than 400 newly planted tree peonies – many of them rare – and learning of their role in Chinese culture? Peonies have been valued in China for over …